AN: Hello again, dear readers! I'd like to say another thank you to my story followers, and favorites! As well as those of you who take the time to regularly review my story! You guys are the reason I write this story!
DISCLAIMER: Downton Abbey still doesn't belong to me.
"I do think that was the last of it." Mary observed as one of the hired man carried a trunk through the door of Crawley house. "Yes, it was." Matthew told her, and shifted the sleeping baby boy in his arms. "Then I suppose we are officially home Darling." Mary smiled, and kissed his cheek, standing as close to him as she could with her cooing daughter in her arms.
"At last." Matthew sighed and took steps towards the door, followed by his wife. "Thank you gentlemen." He said, and handed them the money they had been promised before they walked through the open door. "Shall we settle the children in the Nursery?" Mary asked, and Matthew nodded. They walked up the steps together, and went into the room that had been Matthew's study. "I see you've made great progress here the past few days." Matthew observed, seeing the walls were painted a soft yellow, and all of the books he'd had on the shelves were in boxes around the rooms perimeter, and the cradles had already been set up here. "I wouldn't let my children sleep in such a dingy old room. This is their home after all, they ought to be comfortable!" Mary insisted as she kissed her daughter on the head as little Catharine fell asleep.
"They're so very precious." Mary sighed as Matthews arms wrapped around her waist. "They're beautiful. It's a good thing they take after you, more than me." Matthew laughed. "I'd say that William looks very much like you, he's going to be quite handsome when he grows up. And let's not forget Catharine's blonde curls and blue eyes, who do you suppose she gets that from?" Mary teased, as she leaned into his embrace. "We're so lucky." Matthew sighed, gently resting his chin on Mary's head. "We're extremely blessed, darling, that's what we are… May I ask you something?" Mary's voice became tentative. "Of course Mary, anything." Matthew assured her. "Do you… do you ever regret not marrying Lavinia? I know it seems silly to ask it, but there's always been a part of me that wondered how you felt…"
"I've never regretted it, Mary. Not once. There isn't a thing about our story that I'd change. Not even the war, and my injury, because if it weren't for the war, we wouldn't have rushed to marry, and we wouldn't now be standing in the nursery of our dear little Catharine and William. I adore you Mary Crawley, more than you can know." Matthew said surely. Mary's heart felt absolutely full. "Oh Darling…" She sighed as she turned round to kiss him, which he instantly returned.
"Where is your mother?" Mary asked quietly. "She's at the hospital, working with Doctor Clarkson." Matthew answered. "…Matthew, do you realize that this is the first time since the birth of our children that we're alone, and as a family?" Mary asked, her heart beginning to speed. "And our children are fast asleep." Matthew added. Mary nodded "The staff won't be here until tomorrow…" She didn't have a chance to finish her thought as Matthew's lips covered her again. "Mm, Matthew, the bedroom, not here!" Mary laughed when he moved away to kiss her neck.
In an instant Matthew had scooped Mary up, The same way he'd done after their wedding, though this time his steps where not quite so quick, as he was still not fully recovered, but soon enough they made their way inside the bed room. As he set Mary down, they hesitated for just a moment, as the memories of this room came flooding back, all of them good, and wonderful, except for their final departure. The room was exactly how they had left it as well, a few items of clothing lay un picked up at the foot of the bed, though Mary didn't mind at all that the job hadn't been done, it made everything that had happened seem more real.
In mere moments they continued where they had left off, lips, tongues, and teeth clashing in the most intoxicating way. "Oh Matthew. I've missed this, terribly." Mary sighed as his fingers began to work at the buttons on her blouse. He made no response other than to kiss her, hoping the kiss was enough to put across the words he left unsaid.
After they lay trembling in each other's arms, feeling absolutely contented. "I love you, so much Mary." Matthew told her. "And I love you, so much." Mary was smiling happily. "For the longest time, I thought there was no possibility we'd ever share this again…" she sighed after a moment feeling slightly ashamed of herself. "I thought that as well. I wondered why you'd stay with me when I could no longer give you children or pleasure…" He trailed off as he kissed her again. "Oh Matthew, don't you understand? When we make love, it's the two of us, equals, and an action to truly show our love to each other. If I had married someone else, it would have been different. It wouldn't have been… making love; it'd have been something else entirely. Making an heir, I suppose you could call it." Mary laughed without humor as she realized that that was exactly what her fate would have been if she had in fact Married Carlisle.
"You, my love, are entirely correct." Matthew agreed as he placed a gentle kiss to Mary's temple. "Do you suppose the children will wake soon?" Mary asked. "I wouldn't doubt it. But there's probably enough time…" Matthews's voice trailed off and Mary's brow puckered in confusion. "Enough time for?" She asked. "This." He said simply as he again placed his lips on hers in a show of complete passion.
AN: Kind of a pointless chapter I know, but they're home now! And I owed you all some Mary and Matthew fluff before the next chapter, that I believe won't have much fluff, and will be more Sybil and Branson related than some of the other chapters have been! I hope you did enjoy it though! Review it? That would also be great! Thanks!