Mary felt bad for having fled Sybil's special day so quickly but she was glad of the decision when they arrived back at Downton.
As the car pulled up, Carson was not stood at the door as per usual; instead there stood Thomas with a solemn look on his face.
The door to the car was opened and Mary stepped out, rushing over to the under butler. "How is he Barrow?"
"I won't lie milady, he's really not well."
"How long?" Mary was dreading the answer but she needed to know.
"The doctor was here earlier, he said he may not make it through the night."
At these words the Countess damned proprietary to the Seven Hells and ran into the house, and quickly found her way to the servant's floor, entering Carson's room when she arrived.
The old butler turned to look at who had entered the room and smiled as he saw Mary stood there. "Milady, you're home."
The woman smiled and nodded as she attempted not to let the tears spill over but the sight of him lying there so frail tore straight to her heart.
"Yes, we just arrived. How are you feeling?"
"Nothing I can't handle milady, how's Lady Sybil?"
"She's wonderful but… Oh Carson." She looked down at the man who had become a second father to her and felt the tears begin to spill over.
"Oh now milady, none of that. I'll be fine and if I'm not, you continue to live your life, alright?"
"Alright."
Mary kissed his cheek before leaving the room, a sad smile on her face.
"Mama?" Little Lottie's voice filled Mary's ears as she entered her and Matthew's bedroom. The little girl was sat in the middle of the bed with her brother, both dressed in pyjamas.
"Papa said you need cuddles." George grinned and Mary's heart near melted as she gazed upon her two perfect children.
"That's right Georgie." Matthew's voice was heard as he entered from his dressing room, also dressed in his pyjamas. He quickly made his way over to his wife and kissed her cheek before helping her swiftly change into her nightgown.
"Alright then, cuddle time." Matthew stated once he'd led Mary to sit on their bed. He chuckled slightly as George and Lottie all but jumped on Mary, hugging her tightly.
A while later, there came a soft knock on the door and Matthew extracted himself from his sleeping wife and children to answer it.
"I'm terribly sorry to disturb you milord but it's Mr Carson sir." Barrow was there, a sad look upon his face.
"Alright, I shall come sort out what I need to but her ladyship and the children are not to be disturbed until they wake. Understood?" Matthew glanced back at his family and sighed, they would be devastated.
"Of course sir, I shall inform the staff accordingly."
"Thank you Barrow." Matthew looked back at his family once more and smiled wistfully. Mary was curled up looking blissful in sleep with an arm wrapped around Lottie, pulling her tight into her chest. George had wriggled down to the end of the bed and was using one of Mary's slender legs as a teddy bear, his thumb tucked in his mouth.
The next morning, the house continued as it had with a sombre attitude. Even Lottie and George noticed the difference. Matthew had appointed Barrow as head butler and had ordered him to set about hiring a new footman as every male staff member had moved up a position.
Mary did not emerge from the bedroom and it wasn't until midday that George came running towards Matthew. "Whoa there, are you alright Georgie?"
"Yes Papa." The little boy smiled sadly and hugged his father's leg, becoming slightly happier as Matthew swung him onto his hip.
"Where's your sister?" The earl made his way into the library and sat down with George in his lap.
"With Mama. Both crying." The little boy said sadly, upset at his mother and sister being upset. "Mama be happy soon?"
"Of course my boy." Matthew kissed his blonde locks. "Now what do you say to a visit downstairs?"
"Biscuits?"
"If you're nice enough to Mrs Patmore." Matthew took the small boy's hand and led him downstairs, hoping his sweet personality would help cheer everyone up a little.
A few hours later, the boys headed upstairs with tea and toast. Matthew was hoping to coax Mary into at least drinking some tea.
"Darling?" He asked as they entered the room, George running in to jump onto the bed where Mary and Lottie were sat. Mary made no attempt to reply but she did look towards Matthew. "We've brought some tea and some toast. You need to eat something."
He sat down next to her and removed a napping Lottie from her lap, placing her on the other side of the bed and tucking her in.
"Mama?" George asked, settling next to his mother. "You want toast?"
Mary looked at George and smiled sadly, nodding and running a hand over his blonde curls. George grinned triumphantly at Matthew as he passed Mary the plate of toast.
She began to nibble on the snack, staring blankly ahead.
"Georgie?" Matthew smiled, looking at his son. "Why don't you go find Isabella?"
The little boy nodded and kissed his mother's cheek, smiling as she leaned into him, before running off to find the nursery maid.
Matthew moved closer to his wife and wrapped his arm around her, kissing her dark curls when she leaned into him.
"I don't have either of them." She finally spoke quietly.
"Pardon darling?"
"I had two fathers growing up, now I have none."
"Oh darling."
She finally let the tears fall, turning into Matthew and burying her face in his shoulder. His hand came up to stroke her curls which were left loose.
He held her tightly and rocked her back and forth slightly, hoping to calm her slightly.
Soon enough she fell back asleep and Matthew tucked her in next to Lottie. He had to smile at his girls.
With a kiss to each of their foreheads, he left to continue his work with a sombre attitude.