The invitation from Lady Mary had been unexpected, and hardly prefaced with any kind of letter containing pleasantries. It was issued to all of them to spend Christmas Eve at the Abbey, with a special note to the children that their presence was required at a party.
John thought it rather unusual, and made the point that they couldn't drop everything at the hotel on the command of Lady Mary. Anna was more easygoing, reflecting that most of their guests would be departed by then anyway – it was usually the case that they only had a couple of people staying over Christmas, and they never required much attention. Though the invitation appeared to be an open one they needn't stay for the whole season; just for the day, and as long as the party required them. It would be nice to see everyone, and especially for the children to spend time with the children of the family.
In short, she was able to twist his arm quite easily.
They arrived fairly early in the morning, greeted by Mrs Hughes and Mr Carson. It made sense for him to be there given the occasion, but they were soon informed that Mr Barrow had had to visit his sister and so would be away from the house until Boxing Day at the earliest. Mr Carson looked well, and was especially pleased to see the children, something which delighted Anna and John. He was more than happy for them to stay in the servants' hall, which was really quite depleted these days. Mrs Hughes told them that Daisy and Andy would be dropping in later in the day, with their children also having been invited to the special party. It made them all the more intrigued, and half wondering whether the whole village had not been invited.
Anna and John went up to see Lady Mary and the Earl respectively to say their hellos in person. It was a little strange at first, given that they had not worked at the house for four years, but they settled soon enough, and it was not like they hadn't seen them since. Both found that it was nice to catch up, and especially to express their thanks for the invitation. Anna dropped into the nursery to see Master Edward, Lady Mary's youngest child, and found herself being greeted by memories that felt as though they had happened only days before, of when she had been working and was a frequent visitor, checking in with Jack as often as she could.
Lady Edith and Lord Hexham arrived in the early afternoon, at which point they had already been to the village and back with Miss Baxter. The girls especially were already tired, and not wanting to bother Lady Mary about the nursery, Anna thought she would ask Mrs Hughes whether she might use her parlour for the purpose of the girls taking a nap.
She was stopped outside of the door, where she could hear talking within that was louder than murmuring.
"I don't see why it is so important. Especially given how old Master George and Miss Sybbie are now. They're both clever, and they'll know something isn't right."
"That may be so, but the other children are young, and if Master George and Miss Sybbie know what's good for them then they won't say anything."
There was a little pause, then the first voice spoke again.
"Well, I'm certainly too old for it now. Mr Barrow really does choose his moments to be away."
"I'd hardly say that it was his fault that his sister's husband broke his arm. I suppose I should be pleased, even if there will be tears before bedtime."
"Why's that?"
"Well, I never thought I'd live to see the day that you finally refused the blessed Lady Mary one of her wishes."
Another pause, which was followed by a deep sigh of exhalation.
"You're right. I can't possibly disappoint the children. Not tonight, of all the nights of the year. I'll do it, but I dare say this is the last time. What is it?"
"Oh, nothing. Of course you're doing it for the children."
"Who else would I be doing it for?"
This time a sigh accompanied the second voice. "Heavens above, some things really never do change…"
Anna smiled, backing away from the door and thinking that perhaps Lady Mary wouldn't mind her using the spare space in the nursery after all. On her way back she found John who was coming out of the servants' hall with Jack.
"Where are you two off to?"
"Mr Branson offered to take us around the estate, a guided tour," he answered as Jack looked very pleased.
"That's an early present in itself," Anna exclaimed.
As Jack went off to fix on his boots and get himself ready, Anna touched John's arm, speaking low to him – mindful that their son wasn't that far away.
"I went to see Mrs Hughes about using her parlour for the girls to take a nap in, and overheard the funniest conversation."
"Oh yes?" John replied, with a smile starting on his face. "I suppose given that you're not a lady's maid anymore, it's quite alright for you to do that."
She shook her head at him, smiling. "Let's just say that I think the special guest at the party may be someone we know quite well, indeed."
"Hmm," John said, "someone who could fit into a red suit, you mean?"
"I couldn't possibly say," she answered, keeping an eye out for a certain acting butler coming around the corner.
The party took place in the library rather than any of the grander rooms, which made Anna and John feel more at ease in being there, and they enjoyed it, despite John's initial reservations. It helped that it was restricted to the family and those who had been their staff; it all felt like a homelier affair than if several society guests and their children were also in attendance.
It was particularly lovely to watch as their children played with the others, fitting in very well indeed. Of course, Jack had done some growing up with Miss Sybbie, Master George and Miss Caroline, but Anna knew that children could be fickle and quick to forget their old playmates once a certain amount of time had passed. She needn't have worried, however, as the Crawley children were quick to welcome Jack back into the fold, as well as including Emma and Charlotte too. Lady Edith had two children as well as Miss Marigold now, and with Daisy and Andy's two boys, Master Edward and a rather surprising addition of a little girl belonging to Mr Branson and Miss Lucy Smith, who were now married, it was quite a lively gathering.
After a while Lady Mary rose from her seat, clapping her hands together as gradually, silence fell among them all.
"Now, we've had quite a bit of fun tonight, and I'd like to thank all of our guests for coming to join us and making it so much more so. But now, we have a very special guest who's come along too. Can anyone guess who it is?"
"Donk!" Miss Marigold announced, to laughter from the adults who were assembled.
"No, darling," Lady Edith said, looking adoringly at her eldest while her youngest daughter sat on her knee, "but that is a good guess."
"It is, as Donk has gone to meet him." Lady Mary replied. "Let me see if they're ready."
Anna and John smiled at one another while Lady Mary installed herself by the door.
"Ah yes, here they are," she announced, skipping back into the room before his Lordship entered, along with the most special guest there could be at this time of year.
"Hello, everyone," said his Lordship, "sorry for keeping you all so long, but I was helping Father Christmas park his sleigh and settle his reindeer outside."
"Ho, ho, ho!" 'Father Christmas' said, heartily greeting the party, "Merry Christmas to all you boys and girls! As well as to your families too."
The faces of all of the children lit up on seeing him, with some shrieks of glee arising from the small crowd.
"Now," he said as he sat down on the sofa opposite to where Lady Mary, Lady Edith and the Countess were sitting, "I have some early presents to deliver to you all, one each. Who would like to go first?"
Master George was the one brave enough to lead the charge, followed by the other children in a surprisingly patient line. Anna smiled as she watched Jack letting his younger sisters go first to receive their presents. She noticed that Father Christmas was wearing his hat quite low down over his head, so that it hid his eyebrows.
"Anna," Daisy said from the left of her, "does that Father Christmas look familiar to you?"
"A little bit," Anna replied, looking to John again and finding it difficult to conceal her smile, "although I can't think where from."
From his spot, the jolly figure let out another deep call of 'ho, ho, ho," his voice quite unmistakable. As he went on speaking, the penny finally dropped with Daisy.
"Oh my god," she exclaimed in a quiet and shocked tone, as Anna and John grinned, "that might be the funniest thing I've ever seen."
"We'll have to let Mrs Christmas know when we see her," John whispered to Anna, as Father Christmas valiantly tried to escape the clutching hands of little Miss Caroline, who was aiming at his beard, "that her husband might be some time."
A/N: Ever since the Text Santa Downton sketch, I've wanted to write something where Carson dressed as Father Christmas. This year the time finally came :D