"Is it too late to elope?" Edith groaned, curling up in the chair across from Anthony's desk. He smiled up from the papers that required sorting, for the first time he noticed how exhausted his future bride looked. Pushing back his chair, he let her know that she was welcome in his lap.

She stood, shedding her jacket and shoes before taking him up on the offer. He sighed in contentment as she took her place in his lap.

"If I have to answer one more question about flowers or table cloths I will scream. Can't I just be your wife already?"

"I'd like nothing more, dearest. But we're only two days away. Two days and you'll be home." He soothed her, finding a curl behind her ear to entertain his index finger.

"Thank the Lord for that. Granny, mama, and Sybil have all offered their input on the wedding night."

"Oh? Anything of use?"

"Well, mama started to broach the subject and I informed her that I had been nervous about the topic and asked you."

"I imagine that went over well." Anthony laughed, well aware that the notion of a bride discussing the wedding night with her intended was rather disturbing. Although, who better to ask than the other person who will be present?

"She was shocked, but just accepted it, something about not understanding these modern girls."

"And the good Lady Violet?"

Edith groaned in frustration, resting her head against his shoulder for a moment.

"It's an unpleasant task, Edith, but one must offer herself to her husband's needs. Once an heir is produced you'll have an easier time dodging the responsibility." Edith managed in her best impression of Violet.

"You aren't going to stop sleeping with me as soon as we have a child, are you?" Anthony asked with mock concern.

"Haven't decided yet." She grinned, "I suppose you'll have to convince me."

"You still want children?" He asked suddenly, breaking the moment of silence that had fallen.

"If you do. Perhaps a little boy, blonde with big blue eyes like his papa."

"I'm rather partial to the idea of a little girl, mirror image of her mother."

"Lord, I should hope not." Edith said offhandedly, "She might have an easier go of it if she's beautiful."

"Edith, I have never known a woman as beautiful as you. Any daughter of ours would be blessed to take after you." Anthony reassured, pulling her into a kiss. "Beautiful, Edith."

"I love you." She murmured, pressing her lips to his neck.

"I love you too, sweetheart. Two more days."

"So, does anyone need to have a chat with you about the wedding night?" Edith asked.

"Heavens no." Anthony laughed, leaning them back a little further in the chair. "I still remember what my father told me before I married Maude."

"Oh?"

"Yes, he told me that sometimes a husband has to put aside his urges for the comfort of his wife."

"I'm quite comfortable with your urges." She whispered giving his ear a nip.

"Tease me all you like, Edie, I'm not giving into them before the wedding night."

Edith pulled back with a sigh.

"Fine. I suppose we should have tea then."

The next two days passed in a flurry of activity. The house was prepared for the small wedding breakfast that would follow after the morning ceremony, Edith's things were packed and started to move to Locksley, promptly taken to the newly added lady's dressing room that connected to the main bedroom. They decided to forgo the appearance of separate bedrooms, it would be abundantly obvious that Edith's room was unused, so why put on the façade?

Anthony felt downright nervous as he looked around the room that was to be theirs. He had offered to move to another room, one of her choosing instead of co-opting what had been his room since he took over the manor. He and Maude had never shared a room, they hadn't even shared his bed, he always went to her. But Edith was insistent that she would be happiest going to bed with him every night.

Giving the room one last look, he nodded, they would certainly be happy here.

Downton was abuzz that morning. They had woken to discover a fresh layer of snow coating the ground, the light dusting made the world look rather mystical to Edith. Almost fairytale like, the notion made her laugh. A fairytale was not what their relationship had been. If it were true love's kiss would have fixed everything; Anthony's arm, their shared insecurities, the nightmares left as tokens of the war. No, this was the real world, while their kisses could not fix everything they did provide comfort to get through whatever was facing them.

Edith looked herself over in the mirror one last time, ignoring her mother's calls to come downstairs. She adjusted the tiara one last time, straightening her veil.

"Oh yes, we'll get through and be terribly happy for doing it together." She whispered to herself.

"Edith, come along. Everyone is waiting." Mary said, appearing at the door.

Edith turned, surprised at the gasp that escaped her sister.

"What? What's wrong?" The nervous bride asked, turning quickly back to the mirror.

"No, nothing's wrong. You look perfect." There was no trace of sarcasm in her sister's tone.

"Really?"

"Yes. You are the perfect bride."

"Thank you, Mary."

"Come along. Mama will have a fit if we don't get going."

The Rolls was already outside of the church when they arrived. Edith smiled when she spotted the vehicle they would disappear into after the wedding. It also meant that Anthony was already inside waiting for her.

"Ready?" Robert asked, offering his arm to Edith. With a smile she took her bouquet in one hand and let her father lead her toward the church.

Cora had worked wonders in such a short time period. The flowers were subtle, candles offering a soft glow in the stone chapel. The décor quickly left Edith's mind, there was something more important that caught her attention… the groom.

"Hello, my love." Edith whispered, smiling up at him after Robert passed her hand to Anthony.

"Hello, my sweet one." He replied, raising her hand to his lips.

"If you two are quite done?" The vicar asked with a smirk. They nodded and the service begin. Vows and rings were exchanged, Anthony managing well enough to take Edith's hand in his weaker hand and slipped the ring on with his left. Even after the rings were on the two continued to hold hands.

"What God had joined together let no man put asunder. Sir and Lady Strallan."

Anthony lifted the veil, struggling for a moment before finally pull the gauzy material aside. Watching the couple embrace there could be no question about the love between the two. In a practiced motion Edith stood on her toes while Anthony leaned down slightly to meet her in what they agreed was a church appropriate kiss.

In a flash it seemed they were climbing into the backseat of the car, heading off for their wedding breakfast at Downton. As soon as the door was shut behind Anthony he found himself pulled into a far less church appropriate kiss.

"Hello, my lady."

"Good sir." She grinned, kissing him again. "Can we go home?"

"Your mother would hunt us down." Anthony laughed. "A few hours and then we will go home."

"Say that again."

"We will go home."

"Again."