Two things you should know about me: I'm very silly, and I'm easily amused. This chapter was not in my original plan for the story, but the idea came to me a couple of weeks ago and would not leave me alone, and so after some research and a lot of note-making, here it is!

It is bridging the gap between Thursday and Saturday (or what I like to call 'Friday'…).

A/n: Definitely not to be taken seriously! I mean it, just go with it!

Thank you, as always, for all of your support! I do appreciate it!

Enjoy!

Chapter 10

Friday 11th June

"Is he nearly finished do you think?" Matthew muttered under his breath. Mary tapped him firmly on the arm and narrowed her eyes as he looked at her.

"Sshhh! It's for you as much as it is for me!" She hissed back. Although she was not too annoyed by Matthew's interruption; Robert had been giving his speech for a good twenty minutes, and he wasn't showing any signs of stopping.

"If this is his short speech, I dread to think what it will be like tomorrow!" Matthew raised his eyebrows with a smile. Mary opened her mouth to protest before deciding against it, realising that he was probably right, instead trying to catch her mother's eye.

"My dear, perhaps it is time for the presents," Cora interrupted, seeing her daughter's exasperated expression, gently resting a hand on her husband's arm as she looked at him with a smile. He turned to her in surprise, saw the raised eyebrow and turned back to the guests.

"Of course. To Mary and Matthew!" He raised his glass, indicating for the rest of the party to do so, and they all repeated the toast as the couple looked at each other and smiled, getting lost in each other's eyes… Before Robert coughed and their attention snapped back to the guests that were gathered around them, earning a few chuckles and knowing smiles as their cheeks flushed slightly. Edith and Isobel crossed the room to them, while everyone else went back to their own conversations for a moment, allowing the bride and groom-to-be a moment of almost-privacy to exchange their presents for each other.

Edith handed Mary three small presents all wrapped in thick paper. She smiled at her sister in thanks before handing the first to Matthew. It was a small, square box and he examined it carefully before peeling off the paper, handing it to Mary as he opened the lid.

"It's a pair of cufflinks!" He picked one up and examined it closely, frowning as he turned it over in his fingers. "These were my father's," he murmured, looking first at his mother, and then his fiancée.

"Yes. Do you like them?" Mary asked, suddenly worried that he might not. "I didn't know what to get you and then I asked Isobel, and she thought you might like these. They had to be cleaned, but apart from that…" she trailed off and bit her lip.

"Oh darling…they're wonderful. Thank you," he smiled broadly and leaned in to kiss her softly on the cheek. "Thank you as well Mother." He nodded at Isobel.

"Well, you always liked them so much. Do you remember asking if you could look after them? You used to say to your father 'Papa, I shall have these because you never know when pirates might come to steal them'." Isobel smiled fondly at her son, at the memory of his six year old self. "And he'd let you, saying 'Matthew, these are very special. They were a present from your grandparents when I became a doctor, so you must guard them with your life!'" They all laughed and Matthew met Mary's gaze with a nod. It was the best she could have done to have the late Doctor Crawley as a part of their wedding, and he didn't think that he would never be able to explain just how much it meant to him that she had thought of that, especially after Thursday.

"I've not finished yet though darling, there are two more things," she smiled brightly and handed him a slim, flat box, which was unwrapped and examined in the same way.

"A watch! Mary, you really didn't-"

"Stop. Yes I did," their eyes met again, and he sighed before taking it out of the box, looking carefully at the square face and dark brown leather strap. It was a very fine watch. "Last one," she handed it to him before he could protest further. It was a new fountain pen. "Well, you said you thought yours was leaking," she smiled and gave a small shrug. He slipped his arm around her waist and pulled her towards him, pressing a lingering kiss to her cheek, briefly ignoring his mother and Edith.

"Thank you my darling. Now, for yours. Mother?" He handed his gifts to Isobel who handed him one flat box in return. He handed it to Mary with an affectionate smile. It was beautifully wrapped, and she wondered if he had done it. She untied the ribbon, fumbling slightly as she felt his gaze on her. Inside the small box was a thin gold chain with a small pendent, set with a single sapphire. She gasped on seeing it. "You don't have to wear it tomorrow, and I don't know if you already have something, but it could be your 'something blue'." He tilted his head slightly waiting for her response.

"It's beautiful. Of course I'll wear it tomorrow. Thank you," she beamed at him and, not caring who might see, leaned in and kissed him properly, lightly pressing her lips to his, as her hands rested against his chest.

"There is something else as well, but you can't have that until tomorrow," he whispered in her ear as they pulled apart.

"Oh?" She raised her eyebrows but he merely shook his head. Edith took the presents from them, and they were led into the drawing room where the rest of their wedding presents had been laid out. The door clicked behind them…they were alone for the first time all afternoon.

Matthew reached for Mary's hands, pulling her towards him, before sliding his hands around her waist, as hers came to rest on his shoulders.

"Thank you for the presents."

"You like them then?"

"Yes. I do," he grinned and bent his head to kiss her, their eyes closing as their mouths met, opening to each other as the fires from the previous day reignited, hands pulling the other closer. "Just think, this time tomorrow, we'll be married," he murmured against her lips before pulling back with a smile. Mary was suddenly overwhelmed with love and buried her face against his neck, clutching him tightly to her. He kissed her hair and they stayed like that for several minutes, until a knock on the door brought them out of their little bubble, both smiling as Cora appeared.

"It's time to go in to eat!"

"I'll see you afterwards, have fun!" He kissed Mary's cheek and headed to the dining room to join the rest of the male guests.

Mary followed her mother to the library, where the female guests were assembled. What followed was a lot of giggling, and tea drinking, and tales of embarrassing incidents from other weddings, as they devoured the buffet. Talk quickly turned to children, and all that that entailed. Mary stayed almost silent, smiling and nodding at the appropriate times, but feeling too distracted to take part properly, grateful though, for the presence of her sisters on either side of her. All three of them smiling as their Grandmama repeatedly clashed with Violet, who was being backed up by Isobel, while Cora rolled her eyes and turned her attention away from them to the other relatives. Every so often laughter could be heard coming from the dining room, and Mary turned her head instinctively, wishing she could be in Matthew's arms once more.

Matthew was in a similar state of longing, glancing in the direction of the door every few minutes. He was feeling unpleasantly woozy from the cigar smoke that was whirling around them, but still pleasantly dizzy from his embrace with Mary earlier. Talk had turned to shooting, and hunting, and inevitably, the war. He was grateful, at least, that he had been seated between Tom and Edward; though the conspiring looks they were giving each other was more than a little unsettling.

Eventually, it was time to leave the dining room for the groups to come together for an hour or so of dancing. Matthew sighed, it was all such a fuss, especially when tomorrow was going to be much the same. Except that tomorrow he wouldn't have to be parted from Mary. He smiled. Just a few more days with the family, then one month in Italy with each other and no-one else. He was among the last to leave the dining room and he immediately scanned through the people for his fiancée, frowning when he couldn't find her, deciding to head to the library as he thought she would most likely be in there…

"I thought you'd be out here," she turned with a smile, recognising the gentle voice behind her.

"You know me well," he reached her side.

"Old habits," they both turned and smiled warmly at each other. She took a sip of her champagne and turned her attention back to the view in front of her. "I'm sorry about what happened in London Mary."

She turned to face him, raising her eyebrows in surprise. "It's not me you have to apologise to Evelyn."

"You know she won't answer my letters?" He sighed, exasperated.

"Yes she said. And therein ends my involvement in the situation. It's between the two of you!" She smiled fondly at her friend. "I suppose we should go back inside, before someone thinks I'm escaping!" He laughed and they headed back towards the house, talking about the following day.

As they reached the door, Mary laid a hand on Evelyn's arm, "Will you keep an eye on Matthew tonight? When you go…wherever it is you're going?"

"Of course. Should I be concerned by your request though?"

"No. I'm more worried about what the best man and my brother-in-law have got planned!" They both laughed and headed back in to the party, unaware that they were being watched as they entered the hall.

Mary sensed someone's gaze on her and looked up, her chocolate eyes meeting Matthew's blue ones, her face breaking into an impossibly broad smile. "Excuse me Evelyn, but I think I'm owed a dance. Go and find Edith and apologise!" He smiled and nodded as she walked into her fiancé's waiting arms.

"I wondered where you'd gone," he murmured as he led her straight into a waltz as the music started behind them, pulling her a little closer than was proper, but he didn't care, after tomorrow he wouldn't have to be proper with her.

"I just needed some fresh air. How bad was it in there?"

"It was alright. How about you?"

"I don't think we need to worry about Granny and your mother getting along. They appear to have united against Grandmama!" He chuckled and they settled into a comfortable silence, occasionally squeezing the other's hand.

The party continued…people danced and drank, the excitement for the wedding building as the night progressed. Some guests retired, some left, and then it was time for Tom and Edward to take Matthew away.

Mary walked with them to the front door, leaning up to kiss his cheek and whisper in his ear.

"Be careful darling. Sybil said Tom has planned something but she doesn't know what!"

He turned and wrapped his arms around her, not caring who could see as his mouth found hers in a brief but deep kiss, both of them ignoring the cheers of the men stood a few feet from them.

"I'll be alright. I'll see you tomorrow," he pulled away and their eyes met, and he saw the mixture of excitement and anxiety and desire that he felt mirrored in her own eyes. He kissed her sweetly on the cheek, maintaining a hold on her until he absolutely had to leave. He walked up from the drive, following the rest of his group, which was an odd mix of people containing Tom, Edward, Evelyn Napier, Doctor Taylor (William, he did keep telling them), Mr Molesley, Thomas (whose presence was a mystery to Matthew but not to Tom, or Edward), and the new footman and some of the kitchen boys, whose names Matthew did not know. He looked back over his shoulder and saw that Mary was still stood in the doorway, watching after them, but now joined by Mr Carson, who had apparently declined the invitation to join the festivities, and Edith.

"Come on Crawley, get a move on!" Edward held back, waiting for him to catch up, and they all made their way into the village.

"Mary, are you ready?" Sybil, Edith and Catherine appeared in the doorway, all in their nightclothes.

"Yes. Thank you, Anna. You're coming back though?"

"Of course milady," she smiled and left the room, letting the other three women in, where they all headed straight for the bed, flopping down with a giggle.

"Sybil where did you get the champagne?" Mary spun on her vanity seat and pointed at the bottle that Sybil was holding, her eyes quickly glancing at the wrapped box that was in her other hand before meeting her sister's eye.

"I asked Mrs Hughes. And she said she'd tell Carson that we drank more tonight than he thought."

"I've got the glasses, and some chocolate truffles," Edith beamed.

"And I'm on water," Catherine smiled and stroked her small bump.

"Don't you mind being away from Edward for the night?" Mary moved and sat down, settling herself next to her pillows, legs folded underneath her.

"No. Besides, Matthew needs him more than I do tonight," Mary nodded, but before she could speak, there was a knock on the door and Anna appeared, now in her nightdress, and padded softly across the room, joining them on the bed.

"Have you started yet Lady Sybil?" She asked with a knowing smile.

"No Anna, I wanted to wait for you!" Mary looked between them all, feeling that she was somehow out of the loop. The champagne was opened and poured with giggles that were stifled by hands, then the chocolates were opened, and as they all settled, sat in a small circle on Mary's bed, Sybil handed the large box to Mary.

"This is from all of us, but I chose it. I hope you like it," she raised her eyebrows at her eldest sister, who looked nervously between the other four women and the box that was in her hands.

"Why didn't you just leave it with the others?"

"Because this is just for you," Sybil giggled, smiling at Anna and Catherine.

Taking a deep breath, she pulled carefully at the ribbon and slowly removed the paper, unable to imagine what could possibly be so secretive. She lifted the lid and moved the tissue paper, finding something…lacier and frillier and silkier than she had ever seen before in her life. She lifted it out, unable to stop the blush from rising up her face, her mouth and eyes open in shock.

"Is this a nightgown?"

"Of sorts," and Sybil collapsed into giggles once more, but seeing her sister's horrified expression she stopped. "It is, but it is not for sleeping in," she giggled again, this time joined by Catherine and Anna.

"What do you mean? If it's not for sleeping in then what's the point of it?" They all looked at Edith, who was staring at the garment in a mix of incredulity and fascination.

"It's for being looked at and removed," Sybil was almost breathless now. Mary and Edith shared a look. "Although I doubt you'll wear it in Italy. I doubt you'll wear anything in Italy," she took a chocolate, dropping her head as she bit back yet another giggle, sensing Mary's gaze on her.

"What do you mean I won't be wearing anything?"

"It's nothing to worry about Mary. Just that you might not leave your room, or bed," Catherine reached across and patted her hand reassuringly.

"Oh…oh! That," her cheeks flamed again as she realised, thinking back to the afternoon in Manchester, how close they had been to not stopping…how wonderful it had felt to have his weight pressing so comfortably on top of her…

"So have you and Matthew…?" Catherine raised her eyebrows with a smile as she noticed Mary blush; she was just as curious as her husband.

"No! Of course not!" She protested loudly and quickly.

"Really?" Sybil looked at her in disbelief; she had seen them in Dublin, she knew that they struggled to keep their hands off one another.

"Yes, really. Honestly Sybil. I don't want to discuss this anymore," she took a sip of her champagne and thought about Matthew, and all of the conversations they'd had that week…was it only a week? It felt like much longer, and yet not long enough. It suddenly felt like there was not enough time…that nothing would be ready tomorrow, which was ridiculous, because of course everything would be ready… Her head was spinning…

"There's something else in here," Edith broke through Mary's reverie and they all turned to her as she pulled a book out the box. She flicked through, saw some of the pictures and gasped in shock, her cheeks flushing as she threw the book to the centre of the bed. Sybil, Anna and Catherine all collapsed into a fit of giggles once more. Mary retrieved the book and quickly flicked through, eyes widening.

"It's if you get bored," Sybil gasped out.

"Yes. How thoughtful," Mary arched an eyebrow, wondering how on earth she was supposed to get these into Crawley House without anyone knowing about them.

"I have a question for Edith," Sybil switched her attention to her middle sister, who suddenly looked like a deer about to be shot.

"What? Why me?"

"I only want to know what's going on with you and Mr Napier. And you and Doctor Taylor. I feel like I've missed out on something," she smiled at Mary.

"It's nothing. Evelyn and I… It's nothing," she repeated, fixing her gaze on the bed cover.

"And the doctor?" Edith flushed even more, if that were possible, and shook her head. They all fell about laughing, and finished the chocolates and champagne as Sybil and Catherine enlightened the other three women about wedding nights and honeymoons, laughing all the more as Mary and Edith blushed and looked away, but all five giggling and whispering as the hours dragged on.

Mary pulled the covers around her for the last time in this bed, in this room. Tomorrow night, she would be married and in a new bed, in a new house, with a new husband…and she had never felt more excited. And as she closed her eyes, she was still wondering how she would ever be able to sleep...

Matthew sipped the warm ale. Really, he didn't have much of taste for beer after Dublin, but it would have been rude to refuse Molesley's quietly insistent offer. They were sat in the Grantham Arms and things were getting…he didn't know…the night had taken a turn for the strange once they had arrived at the pub. Evelyn and the doctor were glaring at each other from across the table, though he could not fathom why they were glaring, occasionally taking sips from their glasses. Thomas and Tom were huddled in a corner talking, and the furtive glances they kept casting around did nothing to reassure Matthew that it was an innocent conversation. Molesley was staring into his glass in fascination. The others had…actually he didn't know where they were…no matter.

"I said, how are you feeling Crawley?" His head snapped round and he realised that he'd missed what Edward had said.

"Oh, sorry. Alright." He nodded and took another sip, trying to make it last as long as possible. He didn't want to be drunk and wake up tomorrow with a bad head. Also, he just didn't want to be drunk.

"No nerves now? You're not going to vanish again?" Edward smiled and slapped Matthew's arm.

"No. I'm quite looking forward to it." He thought of Mary - though truthfully, when was he not thinking of her? – And wondered if she was nervous, if she was already in bed, or would she be running through last minute preparations? He let his mind wander as the alcohol dulled his senses and the background noise became just a low mumble in his ears…

"Ah, Matthew, we've got a present for you!" Tom was looming in front of him, a mischievous grin spread across his face. Matthew sat up and looked in the direction that Tom had pointed to, seeing two women in very short dresses - good lord, was that their knees? – That were adorned with beads and feathers. His face froze in panic, while the attention of the other men was now on the women. "This is Cleopatra and Guinevere," Tom raised his eyebrows and flopped onto the seat next to Matthew, nodding at the two women to start.

"Cleopatra and Guinevere? Who on earth would call their daughters that?" He spoke a bit too loudly, and the rest of the men at the table all turned to look at him, pausing for a moment before they burst out laughing.

"I don't think that they are their real names Crawley," Edward boomed, pushing his friend's shoulder. Matthew nodded once in understanding, feeling a blush colour his cheeks. The two women started dancing and twirling their feathers, and Matthew kept sipping his drink and thinking about Mary, drifting off again. Molesley was entranced...he'd never seen women do that before! The rest sipped their drinks and clapped and cheered as the women twirled and danced in the middle of the pub, pulling Thomas to his feet to dance with them.

"He knew a man who knew a man who could get the girls," Tom muttered to Matthew, as if he had asked. Instead he just nodded and smiled.

Eventually, it was time to leave…beer and whiskey had been drunk, they had laughed and they had danced…but it was time to go.

Edward and Matthew ambled in the direction of Crawley House, assuming that Molesley was behind them, enjoying the quiet as they strolled through the village. Quiet until…

"It's a fight! It's a real fight!" Molesley was running towards them. "Come on, it's a fight!" They shared a confused look and turned to follow Molesley, finding themselves back outside the pub as Evelyn and William danced around each other, fists raised, occasionally flinging out a hand but missing their target. Evelyn tried a new tactic and kicked out a leg, but he'd had a drink and stumbled, falling backwards into Thomas.

"What's going on?" Matthew moved to Tom's side.

"Oh it's something to do with Edith, we left and they just started… No-one's thrown a decent punch yet though!"

"Shouldn't we stop them?" Matthew turned back to two men, who were still circling and flinging their arms and legs at each other but neither making contact.

"Oh I don't know, it might get good yet!"

"I doubt it! Look, you get Evelyn and take him back, and we'll get the doctor, alright?" Tom nodded, and he, Matthew and Edward all stepped in between the other two, keeping them apart, eventually managing to calm them down and leading them in the opposite direction from the other.

It was a relief when Matthew finally sank into his bed, and he grinned when he realised that tomorrow night he would be back in the bedroom, in his own bed, with his new wife. He lay back, still grinning, and quickly slipped into a deep sleep despite the giddy excitement he felt.

Saturday 12th June

A pair of bright blue eyes and a pair of dark brown eyes snapped open at the same time. A blonde man and a brunette woman both rolled onto their backs, and two pairs of hands clutched and bunched the bedclothes around them, unable to still their fingers as a nervous, excited energy bubbled through them, causing large smiles to spread across their faces. They both turned to the window…the sunlight was pouring through the crack in the curtains, and they smiled again, the same thoughts occurring to them at the same time.

This was it…

Today was the day…

The day they were getting married…

They were getting married…

Married…

Finally.

A/n: Yes I did reference Bridget Jones' Diary. Yes bachelor dinners were a real thing, dating back to ancient Sparta (I Googled it and everything). Yes, Sybil did get Mary a copy of the Kama Sutra.

I regret nothing about this chapter.

Chapter 11: Well, we've reached Saturday, that can only mean one thing!

I do hope no-one turns up unexpectedly.