Wednesday, November twentieth dawned clear and bright. As Matthew lay in bed he glanced around at the small ground-floor bedroom that had been his for the past two months, ever since he had returned to Downton. This was the last day he would wake up alone in it. In fact, this was the last morning he'd awaken in this room as they had chosen a small suite of rooms down the hallway to be their bedroom, dressing room, and a private sitting room.
The reason for all this was that this afternoon he was to marry the love of his life, Mary. It was hard to believe that this event was actually going to happen. Four years ago, he had given up on the idea of marrying Mary and just three months ago had thought he had made the decision to never marry. Well, he had been wrong on both accounts but he was glad about that. He knew that he has a very difficult life ahead of him, but spending it with Mary would make it much easier for the both of them.
A knock on the door startled him out of his reverie. "Come in," he said as he pushed himself into a seated position, extremely thankful that he could sit up in bed without assistance. It was one assisted action that had been checked off his list of inabilities.
The door opened and in entered Moseley. "Are your ready for your big day, sir?" he asked.
"It depends on what your definition of ready is," laughed Matthew. "I can't wait to marry her but … well, I know what butterflies in the stomach now feels like." The type of nervousness he felt was strange. He knew what terror was, but this, this was a strange feeling that frightened him and he didn't know how to deal with it. "I don't exactly know what I should do."
"I'm certain things will come to you, sir," Moseley replied as he went to the wardrobe and pulled out a morning suit.
Matthew was still getting used to the idea of wearing civilian clothes again. Even though he had been out of the action since August, he as well as the other recuperating officers, had continued to wear their uniforms for the duration of the war. His regular uniforms were all packed away, but he had kept out his dress uniform, his medals, and his rank insignia in an easily accessible place. "Moseley, I'm planning on wearing my dress uniform to the ceremony today," he said. "I know it's probably a bit strange as I've been discharged, but I think it's the right thing to do."
"Very good, sir," Moseley said, having finished arranging the suit on the dresser.
Matthew flung the bedclothes off of him and first grabbed one and then the other useless leg and eased them over the side of the bed where they hung limply. He then lay down and after a few moments managed to get his pyjama bottoms pulled down to below his waist. He sat up again and shoved them completely off. Moseley bent down and picked them off of the floor and then handed Matthew his suit pants. It was harder to put pants on than to take them off, but Matthew managed quite well. He held the pants in his right hand and picked up his left leg with the other as he carefully moved his leg above the pants and gently eased it into the respective leg. The first time he had done this he had accidentally put his pants on backwards and had needed rescuing from Moseley. Thankfully, he usually could get the placement right the first time. The process was repeated for the second leg. It was a bit harder as he had to deal with the bandage holding his ankle in place, which Doctor Clarkson had said was sufficient to hold the ankle in place. After all, there was no worry about him moving it unless he banged something in his wheelchair.
Once both legs were in his trousers, he lay down again to pull them up the rest of the way as well as button them. The belt, which currently was an accessory do to the fact that he was practically swimming in his old clothes, (He had refused the frivolity of new clothes because there were those who simply needed clothes, rather than a smaller size of clothing.) would be put on when he was completely finished.
He swiftly unbuttoned his pyjama top and after pulling it off placed beside him on the bed. Moseley then handed him his undershirt and then his regular shirt, both of which were successfully put on. Matthew's fingers fumbled with the tie, but he managed to get it on fairly straight. He then threaded his belt through the belt loops and was dressed, except for his jacket. Moseley handed it to him and Matthew quickly put it on.
"Thank you," Matthew said quietly. "Moseley, I appreciate it that you let me dress myself. It's one of the few things I have the capability of doing."
"It's perfectly fine," Moseley assured. "I am quite glad that you try your hardest to do things independently." He brought the wheelchair over and parked it right next to the bed. "Are you ready?"
"As ready as I ever will be," Matthew sighed. He still clung to the belief that someday he'd be able to get into his wheelchair without being lifted into it now that he knew it would be a part of him for life. It now only took one person's help for him to transfer from bed to wheelchair and Moseley's main job in this was to help steady him to ensure he didn't fall on the floor like he had done in London.
He knew that he wasn't going to see Mary this morning as she was going with the American tradition that the belief of seeing the groom the morning of the wedding was bad luck. So, once he was settled in his chair, he went to the hall where the soldiers are their meals. He wanted to spend one last morning with this group of men, but he knew he'd still spend time with them. A few had already been sent home and Doctor Clarkson was fairly certain that everyone would be gone by Easter, perhaps even earlier.
As he sat at the breakfast table, he looked around at the other men. Some of them he had become friends with and others he barely knew.
"Congratulations, Captain," said one of the men.
"Thank you," Matthew replied, a bit automatically, but it was sincere. He couldn't believe that his wedding day was here. It was only about six hours before he would be a married man.
"Anything you're doing to celebrate your last few hours as a bachelor?" Edward asked.
"Eddie," groaned Matthew. "Please, there's nothing that want to do except get married, though I'm terrified at the idea of marriage as well."
"You struck gold with your girl," Edward said with a grin. "You two are perfect together."
"Thanks," replied Matthew, "though you should have known us six years ago. To say our first meeting was strained would be an understatement considering I made a comment about Robert 'pushing' one of his daughters on me within her hearing, though I didn't know it. I think both of us have been in love with the other for that long, but we finally got around to admitting it to the other." Matthew laughed silently at the disasterous first meeting he had had with Mary. It never would have crossed his mind all those years that they would fall in love and get married.
Edward didn't say anything, but gave a slight shake of his head. "You never did know how to handle women at Oxford," he sighed. "But at least you figured it out eventually."
The next couple of hours felt extremely long. Matthew wished to see Mary, but knew that couldn't happen simply because the bride and groom didn't see each other the morning of the wedding, at least according to the American tradition Mary had decided to follow.
He was still sitting in the main library, staring off into space when he felt a tap on his shoulder. He jerked his head around to see who had snuck up on him and exclaimed, "Captain Napier!"
"Captain Crawley," Evelyn replied as he came around to the front of Matthew's wheelchair. "It's good to see you again."
"Likewise," Matthew said as he extended his hand. "I'd get up, but …" He gestured at the wheelchair.
"Don't worry," Evelyn replied. "It's only by sheer luck that I'm not in one of those contraptions myself. I lost one leg right below the knee and very nearly lost part of another."
At that moment, Matthew realized that Evelyn Napier was leaning rather heavily on a cane gripped in his right hand and that the end of a wooden leg was visible where his left shoe ought to have been.
"We're both lucky to be alive," Matthew said, not being able to say anything else, nor was there anything else that could be said. "Would you like to come to the small library? It's one of the few downstairs rooms kept separate for family and guests."
"Certainly," Evelyn replied. "Lead the way, Captain Crawley."
"Please, stop with the titles," said Matthew. "We've both been to hell and back. Just call me 'Matthew'."
"Only if you call me 'Evelyn'," Evelyn replied.
"Very well, Evelyn," Matthew answered as he released the brake and began to wheel himself towards the small library.
Evelyn limped slowly along beside Matthew. "I must say, I'm very pleased that you two finally are getting married. Back in 1913 when I first met you it was obvious to anyone, except for you two, that you were in love."
"I know," Matthew sighed. "And we were both fools. I proposed to her before the war started, but she hesitated for so long that I took it back and rushed straight into the war. I now know the reason for her hesitation and in some ways, it was honourable."
"May I ask what it was?" Evelyn inquired.
"You may, but I won't answer. If Mary wishes to tell you, she will," Matthew replied curtly. The incident was still Mary's, and only Mary's, to tell. At this point, they had reached the small library. Matthew reached out and after a moment of fumbling, opened the door and rolled in. He stopped close to one of the chairs and a grateful Evelyn sank down, rubbing his right leg as he did so.
"When were you injured?" Matthew asked as an effort to start some conversation. He vaguely remembered a letter from his mother that mentioned Evelyn recovering at Downton, but he couldn't remember when.
"1916, the Somme," replied Evelyn. "And it was Amines for you, wasn't it?"
"Yes," Matthew answered distantly. He hated thinking about the battles, but his mind still constantly returned there. Many times a week he'd wake up bathed in cold sweat from a nightmare. He usually was able to go back to sleep, but sometimes he'd just lay there until dawn. Mary knew so little about the nightmares. For so long in the hospital, he had been so full of morphine that he hasn't slept, and by the times the dreams came, his mother was there at night. He dreaded the first night he would wake Mary with his nightmares.
"Matthew?" Evelyn asked. "Is everything alright? You don't have pre-wedding jitters, do you?"
"I think everything is alright," responded Matthew, blinking back into the world of reality, which was becoming easier and easier to accept. "It's just hard to believe I'll be married to Mary in about three hours."
"I'm certain that this will be one of the best days of your life," Evelyn said. "And you will make a wonderful husband and in the future, a great father and earl."
Matthew nervously drummed his fingers on his thigh, hardly noticing the nervous twitch. "About that," he began slowly as he had never told anyone this news yet, "the chances of me becoming a father the natural way are very slim. I can't feel that particular part of my anatomy, but I was told there still is a slight chance of lovemaking somehow working."
"Oh," said a clearly surprised Evelyn. "I should have realised that complication. Well, I do hope you can father children. And there is always adoption."
"I know," Matthew replied. "And that's been mentioned, by Mary actually. I would do it in a heartbeat, but … well … adopted children cannot inherit, at least, in the case of a a title and I'm not certain about the estate. I honestly don't care about all these inheritance laws, but I'll have to figure out something."
"I see," Evelyn murmured, "but hopefully that worry is a long way off. And who knows what might change with the law system."
They continued to talk for quite some time, but then Matthew looked at the clock and exclaimed, "Good heavens! It's nearly two o'clock. Sorry to interrupt, but I must go change."
"I shouldn't keep you from that then," Evelyn said as he slowly stood up. "I shall see you at the ceremony."
Matthew headed towards his room and soon Moseley was helping him get his dress uniform on. It was rather strange to be wearing it again, but Matthew knew it was the right idea. There were to be several other previous officers in attendance and Matthew had also sent an in invitation to his regimental officer as well. He hasn't seen him since his injury, but Matthew hoped everything would run smoothly.
Meanwhile, Mary too was in a flutter. She couldn't believe that her wedding was to occur in a mere matter of hours. She had dreamed of this day since she was a girl, but the groom had always been faceless. For a time it had been Matthew's face she had seen and a dreadful time followed in which it was Carlisle. Now though, it was Matthew and it was always to be Matthew.
Her mother, sisters, and Anna were all in her bedroom helping her get ready.
"My dear, you simply must calm down," Cora advised. "It isn't good to be so nervous."
"As if you weren't nervous when you married Papa," Mary muttered under her breath. She had heard several different stories about her parents' wedding, all of them mentioning how dreadfully worried her mother had been.
"She's probably right, you know," Sybil gently pointed out.
Once Mary had gotten her dress on, Anna brought out a tiara that had a veil attached to it.
"Something old," she said with a grin. The tiara had been used in Crawley weddings for at least the past three generations, so it was in the neighbourhood of being at least one-hundred years old.
"And your diamond earrings from Matthew are something new," Sybil added excitedly. "Now what, borrowed, blue, and a sixpence?"
"What are you going on about?" Mary asked in confusion, before remembering the old rhyme. She laughed and said, "What if I use my sapphire hair pins? That would be the 'something blue'? Anna, could you find them in my drawer?"
"Certainly, milady," Anna replied.
"What should you borrow for today?" wondered Edith.
"The veil probably counts as it was mine," Cora said, "and slipping a sixpence into your shoe will be very simple."
While everyone hustled around gathering all the needed supplies, Mary sank down into her chair at her vanity and looked in the mirror. "I cannot believe this day is actually here," she said in awe. "I had given up hope of every marrying for love and now I get to marry the one man that I ever truly loved."
"And you're very blessed to love him," said Cora. She had finally come to terms with Mary marrying Matthew in his current state. "I'm certain the both of you will have a wonderful marriage."
"Thank you, Mama," replied Mary. "I know it's going to be a difficult journey at times, but I know the two of us will be able to bear anything together."
The rest of the final preparations flew by and Mary hardly realised what was happening. Before she knew it, she found herself getting into the car to travel to the church where Matthew would be waiting for her.
The moment had arrived at last. Mary got out of the car and looked up at the large doors of the church. She carefully adjusted her train and Sybil placed her veil over her face. She took her bouquet of winter blossoms in her hands, took a deep breath, and walked through the double doors with Sybil following behind her. Once in the church, Sybil began to walk up the aisle and her father turned to her.
"I cannot believe this is actually happening," he whispered. "My darling Mary is getting married."
"Papa, please, don't go sentimental on me," Mary whispered back.
Then, the organ began to play her processional. "It's time," she said nervously.
She took her father's arm and the pair began to walk slowly up the aisle. Mary was glowing with happiness and she looked straight up the aisle where her eyes caught Matthew's. He was so handsome, sitting there straight and proud, dressed in his red dress uniform with his best man standing beside him. The walk up the aisle seemed to be agonizingly long and Mary felt that she would never arrive at the end. But eventually she did. She slowly walked up the steps and her father passed her hand over to Matthew's. She slipped her right hand into his left as they made their way towards the kneeling cushion They were needing to manipulate tradition slightly to adhere to Matthew's injury, but as much as possible would conform to a normal wedding ceremony. They slowly moved to the kneeling cushion and Mary knelt down while Matthew bowed his head.
"Dearly beloved," began the minister, "we are gathered together here in the sight of God, and in the face of this company, to join together this Man and this Woman in holy Matrimony; which is an honourable estate, instituted of God in the time of man's innocency, signifying unto us the mystical union that is betwixt Christ and his Church: which holy estate Christ adorned and beautified with his presence and first miracle that he wrought in Cana of Galilee, and is commended of Saint Paul to be honourable among all men: and therefore is not by any to be entered into unadvisedly or lightly; but reverently, discreetly, advisedly, soberly, and in the fear of God. Into this holy estate these two persons present come now to be joined. If any man can show just cause, why they may not lawfully be joined together, let him now speak, or else hereafter for ever hold his peace."
There was silence in the sanctuary and so the minister continued. "I require and charge you both, that if either of you know any impediment why ye may not be lawfully joined together in Matrimony, ye do now confess it. For be ye well assured, that if any persons are joined together otherwise than as God's Word doth allow, their marriage is not lawful."
Neither of them said anything. Whatever they thought that could have kept them from wedding had already been brought to light and deemed to not be of consequence. Nothing would ever prevent them from marriage again.
The minister then turned to Matthew and said, "Matthew Reginald Crawley, wilt thou have this Woman to thy wedded wife, to live together after God's ordinance in the holy estate of Matrimony? Wilt thou love her, comfort her honour and keep her in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all others, keep thee only unto her, so long as ye both shall live?"
And in his deep, rich voice, Matthew replied, "I will." For four long years he had hoped to hear these words with Mary at his side and at last it was happening.
The minister then turned to Mary and said, "Mary Josephine Crawley, wilt thou have this Man to thy wedded husband, to live together after God's ordinance in the holy estate of Matrimony? Wilt thou obey him, and serve him, love, honour, and keep him in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all others, keep thee only unto him, so long as ye both shall live?"
"I will," Mary answered as she tried to keep her voice even. This event was finally happening and she could hardly believe it.
"Repeat after me," the minister said as he moved on to the next part of the ceremony. "I Matthew Reginald Crawley, …"
"I, Matthew Reginald Crawley," Matthew repeated.
"…take thee Mary Josephine Crawley to my wedded wife,…"
"Take thee Mary Josephine Crawley to my wedded wife," Matthew continued, relishing the flow of the words on in tongue. The time for this blessed event had finally arrived and he had been hoping for this day for years.
"…to have and to hold from this day forward,…"
"To have and to hold from this day forward." In just a few minutes, they would be husband and wife for the rest of their lives.
"…for better for worse, for richer for poorer,…"
"for better for worse, for richer for poorer," no matter what happened, Matthew knew they would stick together. They had already gone through so much and even through the trials and blessings that were to come, Matthew knew they would conquer them.
"… in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death us do part…"
"… in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death us do part," This part of the vow struck him strangely. Mary had upheld this end in more ways than one could count when she had been there from the moment he had arrived at the hospital. He hoped that he could return even a small amount of the devotion she had shown him during the darkest time of his life.
"…according to God's holy ordinance; and thereto I plight thee my troth," concluded the minister.
"according to God's holy ordinance; and thereto I plight thee my troth," Matthew finished.
And then he turned to Mary and said, "Repeat after me. I, Mary Josephine Crawley…
"I, Mary Josephine Crawley …," Mary began.
"…take thee Matthew Reginald Crawley to my wedded husband,…"
"take thee Matthew Reginald Crawley to my wedded husband." Oh, how she loved finally saying those words in the same sentence. This dream had come and gone many times, but at last it was coming true. It was turning from a dream to reality.
"…to have and to hold, from this day forward,…"
"to have and to hold, from this day forward," Soon, they would be forever joined as one.
"…for better for worse, for richer for poorer,…"
"for better for worse, for richer for poorer," Only the Lord knew what was in store for them over then course of their lifetime, but Mary knew that no matter what happened, her and Matthew's love would only grow stronger.
"…in sickness and in health, to love, cherish, and obey, till death us do part,…"
"in sickness and in health, to love, cherish, and obey, till death us do part," She knew just how much this part of the vows personally struck them. Ever since he had arrived at the hospital, she had been there for him and now she always would be.
"…according to God's holy ordinance; and thereto I give thee my troth."
"according to God's holy ordinance; and thereto I give thee my troth," she finished, her voice quavering just a tinge.
Matthew then pulled the wedding band out of his breast pocket and slipped it onto her left ring finger as he repeated the final part of the vows after the minister. "With this Ring I thee wed, …"
"With this Ring I thee wed,"
"…and with all my worldly goods I thee endow: …"
"and with all my worldly goods I thee endow:" It was a bit ironic really that technically Downton should have been Mary's from the start, but now, through him, she was getting it.
"…In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen."
"In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen," concluded Matthew. He desperately wanted to lean in and give her a kiss, but such things weren't done at the wedding. He could hardly believe it, but now, at last, they were married.
Then the minister spoke again. "Let us pray. Our Father who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy Name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth, As it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, As we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation; But deliver us from evil. Amen.
"O eternal God, Creator and Preserver of all mankind, Giver of all spiritual grace, the Author of everlasting life; Send thy blessing upon these thy servants, this man and this woman, whom we bless in thy Name; that, as Isaac and Rebecca lived faithfully together, so these persons may surely perform and keep the vow and covenant betwixt them made, (whereof this Ring given and received is a token and pledge,) and may ever remain in perfect love and peace together, and live according to thy laws; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen."
Matthew and Mary then joined their right hands as the minister said, "Those whom God hath joined together let no man put asunder."
He then turned to the congregation and said, "Forasmuch as Matthew and Mary have consented together in holy wedlock, and have witnessed the same before God and this company, and thereto have given and pledged their troth, each to the other, and have declared the same by giving and receiving a Ring, and by joining hands; I pronounce that they are Man and Wife, In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
"God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Ghost, bless, preserve, and keep you; the Lord mercifully with his favour look upon you, and fill you with all spiritual benediction and grace; that ye may so live together in this life, that in the world to come ye may have life everlasting. Amen."
It was over. Mary slowly stood up and beamed at Matthew, who smiled right back at her. Matthew's best man, who was a university friend of his, that had been lucky to escape the war with only a slight limp, carefully eased him and the wheelchair down the few steps. It was a bit of a bumpy ride, but Matthew didn't let the jarring bother him. Once down the steps, David continued to push Matthew to allow the new bride and groom to walk hand-in-hand down the aisle. Sybil followed close behind her sister.
Only a few minutes later, everyone had arrived at the house. Mary made a move to go and push Matthew in through the front door, but he stopped her.
"Darling, you can't push your husband across the threshold. It isn't right," he reprimanded jokingly.
"What are we to do then?" inquired Mary.
"Sit down in my lap," Matthew commanded. Mary did so and she wrapped one arm around Matthew to support herself. Once she was seated and her skirts out of the way (the train and veil practically covered the both of them) Matthew slowly began to wheel the two of them across the threshold.
No one made a move to help or stop them. This was an act of a married couple that Matthew and Mary needed to do on their own.
It was slow work, but soon the newly married couple had crossed the threshold of Downton Abbey and had entered the wonderfully, though simply, decorated Great Hall. Once they were fully indoors, the couple leaned in for a kiss, the like of which had never happened before in the place they were sitting.
Neither of them knew quite how long the kiss lasted, except for when they finally broke apart, the majority of the wedding party had entered the house and we're waiting for them to go into the ballroom. There was to be no dancing at the wedding celebration, but currently the ballroom was the only room in the house in which a reception-like event could be held.
Mary got out of her husband's lap, and after ensuring that the entirety of her dress was off of the wheelchair, she walked beside him as they made their way to the ballroom. Once inside, the mingling and congratulations began as well as trying to avoid certain people, such as Aunt Rosamund. From a distance, Matthew saw Lavinia and her father, Reginald Swire. A few seconds later, Lavinia spotted the couple and hurried over, her father close behind.
"It's good to see you, Lavinia, Reginald," Matthew said, giving Lavinia a kiss on the hand and shaking Reginald's.
"We offer our congratulations," Reginald said, without any animosity towards the young man who had almost been his son-in-law. "How are you doing, lad?"
"What kind of an answer do you expect to get from someone who's been married all of thirty minutes?" wondered Matthew. "I'm doing excellently! Is that correct, Mary?"
"Of course, darling," Mary answered as she bent down and gave him a kiss on the cheek.
"I'm being a poor host," Matthew said with a quick shake of his head. "Reginald, this is my wife, Mary. Mary, this is Reginald Swire, Lavinia's father and an old colleague of mine."
"Pleased to meet you, Mr Swire," Mary answered.
"Likewise," Reginald answered, as he kissed her hand.
"You're looking much better, Matthew," Lavinia said, trying to find something to say. "It's wonderful to see you sitting up and moving around."
"Thank you," responded Matthew automatically. He knew that Lavinia's statement was genuine and to hear that from someone other than family or Clarkson was a relief. It meant that he truly was healing and it wasn't simply something people were saying.
He was extremely relieved that the wedding had been a small occasion, as the looks from those he knew was almost more than he could bear. If it had been a grand wedding, he knew he wouldn't have been able to stand it.
As Lavinia and her father moved on to allow other's to congratulate the new couple, someone that Mary did not know came up beside them and said, "Congratulation's Captain Crawley."
"Lieutenant Colonel," Matthew replied with a quick nod of his head. "This is my wife, Lady Mary. Mary, this is my regimental officer, Lieutenant Colonal Daniels."
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Lady Mary," the lieutenant colonel replied. "And Captain, I'm glad to see that you made it home. You've made quite a recovery since I saw you last."
"Thank you, Lieutenant Colonel," Matthew replied. "I am very grateful that I made it back and have married such a wonderful woman. As for my recovery, it isn't what I had hoped for, but I'm learning to adapt to the changes life has thrown at me."
"As is everyone," Lieutenant Colonel Daniels sighed. "But now, at last, the healing can begin."
Matthew nodded in agreement as he turned to look at his wife. He and many others had been to hell and back over the past four years, but at last the wounds of the war could begin to heal. He had found his healing in Mary and through her devotion.
Mary smiles gently and placed a hand on Matthew's shoulder when he turned to look at her. So much had happened, but at last they were together.
Isobel then came up to the two of them. She had waited in the background while the Swires and Matthew's officer had been talking to them, but at last, she engaged them in conversation.
"My, boy," she said with tears in her eyes as she stooped to hug him. "Oh, my dear boy. I'm so happy for you and Mary. So, so happy."
"Thank you, Mother," Matthew replied a bit huskily. "I only wish… I wish Father were here."
Isobel started a bit in shock before she composed herself. "So do I, but I know he'd be very proud of you and the man you've become."
Matthew quickly wiped away the tears that were beginning to mist behind his eyes. "I know," he replied. "I just want him here to see it."
"I'm certain he's watching over you," Mary said gently.
Gradually the other members of the immediate family came over to the new couple.
"My dear, lad," Robert said has he shook his son-in-law's hand. "Take good care of my daughter."
"I will, Robert," replied Matthew, though inside he was wondering who would get 'cared' for more in their marriage. Both of them certainly had their share of baggage, but they could help each other with the load.
"It really was about time you two got married," Sybil gently chided. "After all, you've been beating around the bush for going on six years."
"Sybil," Mary said as she struggled to keep a straight face, though it was unsuccessful. She knew her sister was right, but did she have to say it directly?
It was Violet who stepped forward next. "My dears, I'm very pleased. You've made the right choice and you'll have a very happy marriage."
"Thank you, Granny," replied Mary. "I'm very thankful both of us came to our right senses."
"We were both frightfully stubborn," Matthew agreed, "but we tied the knot and nothing can stop us now."
"You still have a long road ahead of you," Robert said gently. "Married life isn't perfect bliss, but the good completely outweighs the bad."
"Robert!" cried Cora.
"My dear, you really were a handful at times, especially when you were expecting the girls," Robert retorted, before suddenly realising what he had said. "Sorry, Matthew, I didn't mean …"
Matthew interrupted before Robert could go any further. "It's quite alright," he assured. "I know you meant well." And I hope that I can care for Mary when she's in that state, he thought. I know there's a possibility of it happening, and I pray it becomes reality.
He and Mary exchanged a furtive glance, sharing their little secret between the two of them. Isobel too, smiled gently in their direction, knowing what they were thinking.
"Congratulations, Matthew, Mary," Edith said, finally getting a chance to say her piece. "Mary, I know we've had our differences, but can we see this wedding as a start of another chance?"
Mary eyed her sister warrilly. Yes, her relationship with Edith had gotten better over the years, but it was still a bit on the strained side. She looked her sister in her eyes and saw that Edith's request had been genuine. "Certainly," she said as she extended her hand. "Friends?"
"Friends," Edith replied firmly, taking her sister's hand in response.
The hours passed by and the newlyweds soon were beginning to grow tired of the constant congratulations. Even though it was a small wedding, there still were a lot of guests, and sadly, Aunt Rosamund had not remained avoidable. But, the conversation with her did not go as badly as they had suspected it would.
Before much longer, Mary and Matthew suddenly found themselves alone. The reception was over and everyone had left. The couple began to make their way to their bedroom and to the new life that was ahead of them.
The long-awaited wedding had finished and one part of their journey had finished, but another was on the way. More adventures awaited them in the future and together they knew they would prevail. Their love had lasted through rejections, war, and injuries, and nothing now could destroy it.
A/N I'm pretty rubbish at writing wedding scenes, so hopefully it turned out alright. The vows came from the 1892 Book of Common Prayer.
A/N Well, this is the end of the first part of Matthew and Mary's journey. I have parts of the next story written, so hopefully it won't take too long for their journey to continue. I'll post here when the next story is up.
Stephanie: Thanks for the review. I still have lots of plans for Mary and Matthew, so don't worry. I'm glad that reading fanfiction has helped you improve your English. Have a good time in England.