"We've finished this with a week to spare," Mary announces after they've run their ten-minute presentation through to time themselves.
Louis gives her a light high-five before he checks his watch. "You should get going. It's late and dark."
"I'll call an Uber," Mary says, receiving a text from Leeza who informs her that she and Kenna will wait at the bus station for her.
Francis has gone to do a shift at the restaurant following one of the employees calling in sick so he took his car and Leeza doesn't have a car yet after passing her driving test.
"Actually, the girls are at the station waiting for me," she informs Louis, standing up after she's packed away. "See you when it's go-time?"
Louis nods. "Yep, I'll see you at our presentation time. 2 PM, next Monday."
"I'll remember," Mary says before leaving the library.
It's dark, Louis was right but the station is only a five to seven-minute walk from the library. She considers putting her music on to pass the time quickly but decides against it, she needs to be alert.
Halfway through, she passes under an underpass and she narrows her eyes when a few drunk student guys leer at her. It's a bloody Monday, how are they drunk already? Are their degrees that depressing?
"Dieu. Elle est sexy...!"
Mary scowls, continuing on but then she's roughly shoved against the foul-smelling, probably pissed stained underpass wall and her eyes widen in fear as the guys surround her. God, this was what Kenna must have felt and she flinches when one gets too close before he's shoved off and subsequently punched by someone, the other guys launching off in different directions.
"Oh, my God," Mary breathes out shakily, looking up to reveal her saviour - Louis.
"It didn't feel right, letting you walk alone," he says breathlessly, hunched over with hands on his knees. "You alright?"
Mary shakily nods, swallowing the bile trying to erupt from her throat. "Th-Thank you..."
"Yeah," Louis says, standing upright. "Might want to get off that. You'll stick of human piss and whatever else."
Mary gags and shoves herself off, by accidentally stumbling into Louis's arms. She pauses, eyes wide before she realises he's leaning in after all that pausing between them. She doesn't even stop him from kissing her and when he pulls away, he apologises profusely, shaking his head before getting off of her as if she's fire.
"God, it's just..." He starts tightly. "You're a great laugh and we've got closer-"
"It's just a project," Mary snaps, tearing her eyes away from him when they sting with tears. She feels her phone go off in her trousers and she ignores it, continuing her way to the bus station, feeling awful and shitty for letting him kiss her when she has a perfect boyfriend at home.
"Mary? God, what's that smell-"
"Let's just go home," Mary cuts Leeza off as the blonde and Kenna share a wary glance and follow Mary.
...
"Mary," Francis whispers, creeping into her bedroom two weeks later. "Babe?"
Mary turns onto her side to see him in the darkness, making his way into her bed as he lifts the duvet up. "What, Francis?"
Francis is hurt but he quickly masks it with a small smile. "I now know a lot more about my paternal family," he says. "My great-great-great-grandmother Valentina Visconti was Italian. So, that makes all of us just a bit more Italian if not already from Mum. And-"
"I'm tired."
"We've not talked in ages. We've both been ever so busy," Francis tells her. "You didn't even tell me how your presentation went."
Mary sighs. "We got ninety-two per cent."
"That's amazing! I'm so proud of you," Francis says, leaning in to kiss her but she shifts her head. "Mary?"
"Can we just sleep?"
"I was hoping we could," he drawls, biting his bottom lip as his fingers traced the lining of her pyjama bottoms.
Mary swallows hard, shaking her head as she turns on her other side, the feeling of his hand on her skin gone. "I don't want to."
"Mary, I thought the best thing about our relationship was that we could tell each other everything, including our darkest secrets. Like your favourite colour being burgundy and my favourite colour being bright red..." Francis says lightly, trying not to let the hurt sound in his tone. "But you're being a real piece of work right now. Avoiding me at all costs, brushing me off, not caring about my investigating into who my father's family was. If you don't want this anymore, just tell me."
Mary doesn't say anything, merely brings his hand across her frame to be placed on her heart.
"Is this because of Olivia?" Francis asks fearfully. "I'm over Olivia, I swear it. It took me by surprise learning the truth as to why she did what she did but-"
"If I was Olivia, would you move on so quickly?"
"What kind of question is that?" Francis asks, his eyes widening. "Mary, I love you. I want to be with you for as long as you'll allow me to be."
Mary sniffles, digging her face into her pillow as she cries. "It's just uni stuff. I'm so tired, Francis... I'm so sorry-"
"Babe, no," Francis coos, kissing her shoulder. "It's fine. I'll just hold you, is that okay? And you can sleep."
She nods. "Yeah."
So he holds her all throughout the night.
...
Christmas comes all too soon and Greer and Lola leave until their revision week starts so the house is quieter. Mary feels guilty for pushing Francis away and it's no secret to his mother about her son sneaking down the stairs and heading to the place out at the back to be with his girlfriend.
She just lets him hold her, basking in the guilt of Louis kissing her and having feelings for her. She's nothing special, she literally tried to keep it professional between them but sometimes they'd speak about their aspirations and families and she guesses things overstepped into the personal line between the pair.
She and Kenna wake up at six on Christmas Day. They both know how incredibly difficult it will be for the family so they get started on Christmas dinner and Christmas breakfast. They'll have a light lunch, deciding to spend one Christmas at home rather than the restaurant but they've allowed for the staff to celebrate on all locations if they wish.
"Have you got the egg mix for the scramble ready?" Kenna asks Mary.
Mary snaps out of her thoughts and curses, quickly grabbing a bowl and the eggs. "Sorry, miles away."
"What's happened?" Kenna asks, taking over in breakfast instead as Mary decides to stuff the turkey at least.
"I'm a shitty person," Mary says, her voice breaking as tears spring to her eyes. "Louis kissed me last month."
Kenna stops mixing the egg mix and turns to her. "What?"
"You know the underpass?" Mary asks her and she nods. "The day I stank like piss or whatever, I was attacked by some drunk arseholes and about to get... And Louis punched him and the others were scared off. I stumbled into his arms and he kissed me."
"Then, that's not on you-"
"I've been pushing Francis away ever since because I feel like I led Louis on," Mary tells her, letting out a soft sob. "But I didn't. Francis is the first guy who has ever paid me attention. I wasn't popular or hot or even worthwhile looking at so I don't know if I flirt or if I'm attractive because I was never led to believe I was or could be. Every time Francis compliments me, I wonder why. Somehow along the line, I offered Louis friendship without stating that and ended up being fallen in love with."
Kenna sighs heavily. "Be honest with Francis."
"He'll hate me, he's been through enough and with the anniversary of Mr Valois's death in two days... I can't, it will break him," Mary says. "And he's not the jealous type but I feel like Louis has made him a little wary."
"I don't know what advice to give you then," Kenna replies turning the stove on.
They work in silence and before they know it, Claude stumbles downstairs and into the kitchen, rubbing her eye with the back of her fist.
"Morning," she says, coming over to help. "I'll put these out. Thanks for making breakfast."
"No problem," Mary says, noting that she's wearing a black dress with black tights and her house slippers.
It's not only Claude, she and Kenna later find out, but the whole family are wearing dark colours as they sit down at the dining table, say 'Grace' and then start eating in silence. Mary warily eyes Francis whose eyes are red and puffy as he eats, a bite after a bite. Her eyes shift to the family photo on the wall and Henry's gaze is on them all, making her quickly look away and stick her fork into the sausage on her plate.
"Everything tastes wonderful, thank you, ladies," Catherine tells them. "I'll take over the dinner with the girls. You both relax."
"No, we'll handle everything today," Kenna says firmly. "And we've already got plans for the dinner. And don't get us started on dessert, we have made a Scottish favourite for you all to try."
Mary nods, planting a smile on her face. "We have. We could watch some movies and play games. Kenna and I bought a bunch so we won't get bored. Adult-friendly or kid-friendly..."
"I think we should just keep it a light day for now," Catherine replies before finishing up her breakfast and excusing herself.
"Who's betting she'll pick up a bottle of red?" Claude asks, receiving glares from her older siblings. "I'm going out to see Kiara. Bye. Merry Christmas and all that stuff." She too gets up with her phone and heads to the coat closet.
Even Charles and Hercule get up and excuse themselves to go and play on the games consoles and that leaves the young people and Mary places her hand on top of Francis's only for him to pull his hand away and get up. He doesn't say anything as he heads upstairs.
"Merry Fucking Christmas," Bash mutters before pushing his seat away from the table and leaving.
"Well, that was awkward," Kenna says as she and Mary pack up the remaining food and storing them away for leftovers.
Leaving the turkey cooking for three more hours, they head back to their place and snuggle up on the loveseat, putting on a Christmas romantic drama, tissues on hand. It's not even twelve o'clock in the afternoon and Christmas is more or less ruined. But the girls won't let their Christmas be terrible as soon, they get into their swimsuits and get into the bathtub to try their new bath bombs.
"God, this one fizzles out too quickly," Mary whines, trying to sniff the remnants of the coca-cola bath bomb in her hands.
"You have an unhealthy love affair with Coke," Kenna tells her, laughing loudly before taking a sip of her wine. "Right, I've got advice to give you. Kick him while he's already down and when he's a bit happier, you guys can move on from it."
Mary groans. "I just want Francis to be happy, I don't want to ever make him upset or angry or jealous-"
"We'll never have guys who aren't at least one if not all three," Kenna replies. "Francis loves you, give him the courtesy of finding out before Louis gets antsy and fucks it up for you."
"Can guys do that?"
"If they think they have a chance," Kenna replies. "He's probably stalking you."
"God, no, Kenna!"
"Sorry, that was in poor taste," Kenna mutters, shifting uncomfortably.
Mary sighs and catches her ankle before she slips, Kenna shifting back up the other side of the tub and sighing heavily. Mary's hesitant to ask Kenna about how she's doing four months on. Everything has been done and dusted, it was a quick trial for some reason but they're not complaining.
"So Louis saved you before one of those guys ra-raped you?" Kenna tries to understand.
"Yeah."
"He's a good guy then but terrible morals. You're taken," Kenna replies. "But the hormones must have been haywire along with the adrenaline from saving your life and being your knight in shining armour..."
Mary nods stiffly. "Yeah." She swallows hard. "I know you don't like talking about it."
Kenna tenses up. "I don't," she affirms.
"Do you know what you would have done if you... kept the baby?"
"If you and Francis became parents today, what would you do?"
Mary raises her brows in surprise before replying, "We'd figure it out together. We'll work hard and study as hard as we can to make sure we get our degrees and give our baby a good life-"
"You make it sound easy," Kenna says. "His family is middle-class, we're no longer classified as that. We make minimum wage, barely sustainable for rent or food let alone a baby. Mary, the world is real and harsh out there-"
"I know," Mary cuts her off. "I lived it every day until my mother died whilst you were probably dreaming about the next Prada bag."
Kenna gets out, knocking her wine over and the red liquid spills onto the black, slate tiles.
"Kenna, I didn't mean-"
"I already hate myself, I don't need you of all people-"
"Kenna-"
"There's a reason I tried to kill myself. The baby would have been gone either way because I wasn't ready nor did I want to be," Kenna says, turning to meet her eyes as the water drips from her body to mix with the wine and broken glass. "I regret doing it close to the time you guys came back. It would have saved me a whole lot of pain."
Mary is left alone in the tub, tears streaming down her cheeks before she lets out sobs, digging her palms into her eyes.
...
Mary manages to save the turkey before it burns and she breaks it off into pieces and packs them into Tupperware before shoving them into the fridge. The potatoes and vegetables follow along with the gravy and cranberry sauce. Christmas is officially terrible this year.
She eyes the cranachan dessert she and Kenna enjoyed making together along with the gingerbread cookies and she stuffs them into the fridge too before switching the lights off and heading back to her place. She jumps when she feels arms around her waist and she sighs in relief when she smells Francis's cologne and meets his blue eyes.
"I'm sorry."
Mary's eyes sparkle with tears and she shakes her head. "I'm sorry."
"Can we just cuddle? In your room?" He asks.
She nods and takes him to her bedroom, making sure the doors are secure as she goes. When she closes the door behind her, Francis shoves her against the wall and kisses her hungrily. She's shocked at first but eagerly kisses him, entwining her fingers in his hair as his lips shift to nip and suck at her neck, releasing moans from her mouth.
"Bed," she says breathlessly before he easily lifts her into his arms and deposits her onto her bed, both of them making quick work to remove each other's clothes.
"Oh, Mary, I'm so sorry-"
"Stop," she says, making him freeze. "Let's make love."
"Mary, are you sure?"
"I'm sure," she says. "Unless you're not ready?"
Francis laughs. "I am but... I don't want you to regret it and it will hurt and-"
"I think I can handle a little pain before the pleasure," she cuts him off, stroking his cheek and wiping a tear from it with her thumb. "So handsome... So tragically beautiful and hurt... Let me take your pain away."
Francis thinks he's just fallen even more in love with her and he laughs in disbelief, nuzzling his nose against hers before they finally rid each other of their final clothing, nothing but the closeness and bare skin between them. He's quite excited, running his nose against her collarbone as her nails trace the back of her neck and she beams when their eyes meet.
She entwines their hands above her head as his other hand traces down her skin and he just studies her, her beauty in the evening light and how plump and full her lips are and how bright she looks. He chuckles, biting his lip as she licks hers.
"You're stunning too," he breathes out lovingly. "I'm so lucky..." He then trails kisses down her chest before disappearing under the duvet and soon he hears her whimpers and breath hitching as her fingers clutch at his hair.
...
"I'll get us some water," Mary says three hours later when she checks the time: 8:17 PM. "God, Christmas is almost over already."
"Sorry," Francis apologises and they don't know what for. "We'll be more willing participants next year."
Mary chuckles and pulls her robe on before pecking his lips and glancing downwards onto her sheets. "Shit..."
Francis turns to where she's eyeing and he reaches up to cup her chin and lift it so their eyes meet. "It's normal," he promises her and she knows it. "Go get us something to eat and drink and I'll have this in the wash and replace it."
"Thank you," Mary says, blushing. "You don't have to-"
"I've dealt with many periods from you," he laughs. "We've been together over a year, I've got two sisters, what more do you need as evidence to say that I don't mind a little blood coming from your..." He glances down.
Mary snorts. "It's not period blood-"
"It's the sign, ma chérie, of you and I committing ourselves to each other in every possible way," he says, making her swoon inside and wonder if she's bagged a real-life damn Prince Charming. "If I could frame it, I would but that seems very strange so I'll settle for washing it."
Giggling, Mary pecks his lips and heads out, closing the door behind her. She goes down the hall and finds Kenna and Bash laughing over 'Cards Against Humanity'. When they notice her, Bash gives her a small smile as Kenna stops laughing and turns away, seemingly focusing on her phone.
"Have you both eaten?" Mary asks them kindly.
"We ate what you both made without Francis. We knew he'd be with you," Bash tells her. "Then I came here to give Kenna a bit of company after I spotted her all alone here." He looks down at his cards. "Want to join? You and Francis as you eat?"
Mary sees Kenna give her a pointed glare. "You know what? Yeah. I'll grab him."
An hour later, their plates are in the sink and they're all still laughing about the game they decided to end prematurely.
"You both have twisted senses of humour," Francis tells Bash and Kenna as Kenna packs up and grabs the TV remote to open up Amazon Prime.
"Kenna, a quick word?" Mary asks, pulling her down the hall to her bedroom anyway. "I'm so sorry, I'm a complete bitch and I shouldn't have said all I did. I'm hurting, you're hurting, we're all hurting-"
"I forgive you," Kenna cuts her off, sighing and rolling her eyes. "I can't afford to lose the only people who'd spend time with me."
"Don't be like that," Mary says tearfully. "Do you still have suicidal thoughts? Have you thought of seeing a therapist?"
"I can't afford that," Kenna snaps. "We're not all dating a guy with a rich parent."
Mary runs her fingers through her hair, stressed. "I didn't mean... I'm here, okay? Me and all my fucked-up-ness."
"I'm sorry, I don't mean to bite your head off all the time," Kenna says tightly. "I feel so awkward here without Lola and Greer. Like I'm trespassing on you and them."
"Catherine adores you," Mary tells her.
"She adores you too. Especially if she's not raining hell and thunder knowing what you and Francis do," Kenna replies.
Mary blushes. "Well-"
"I heard you both. Was it as you expected?"
Mary sits on her bed, grinning. "It was better. I could never in a million years feel so satisfied and on cloud 9 constantly."
"Told you that you needed to get laid," Kenna replies lightly. "I'm happy for you. You were safe, right?"
"Yep, on the pill and Francis didn't..."
"Oh," Kenna says, smirking. "How was that experience?"
Mary whines, covering her face. "Don't."
"So he was good? Treated you well? Went at a suitable enough pace and didn't hurt you too much?"
Mary beams. "He was gentle and lovely and caring, said soothing words into my ear as it happened. He was amazing."
Kenna giggles happily. "I'm glad! As long as you stay safe, you both should have a great time."
"Squeal with me."
Kenna jumps onto her bed and they squeal as they hug each other tightly.