Thank you!

Chapter 3

Anna climbed up the steps of Downton Abbey, placing her hand over her bump. It felt larger today, almost as though it had grown over night. Thanks to the tablets given to her by Dr. Clarkson, today she hadn't been as sick as a dog. She had finally been able to make it through breakfast without spending the rest of the morning at the toilet.

Since the news of Kemal Pamuk's death the day before, Anna hadn't been able to see how Mary was fairing. The worry with the babies and her health had gotten in the way of her visiting Mary the prior evening, so she wanted to make sure she saw Mary today before work began.

When she called Mary, she assumed she would be at her house, but, of course, she was at Downton Abbey. Mary wasn't going to allow this to ruin her work. If Anna knew anything about Mary, she knew that Mary would try to pretend as though this wasn't upsetting her. But she also knew that it could cause Mary to have a huge breakdown later. Hopefully between herself and Matthew, they could get Mary to face her fears now.

Turning down the large hallway, she found Mary in the Queen Caroline room. She stood in the middle of the large room with a pad and pen in her hands, much like she did when she was taking down notes of things that needed to be repaired or cleaned before a large visit. However, she wasn't taking any notes. The pad was turned downwards and her brows were furrowed, as her eyes were fixated on the floor beside her feet.

Anna frowned, before knocking on the door frame. Mary glanced up, her cool mask immediately covering her features and a forced smile added to her lips.

"Oh it's you," Mary then said, the forced smile falling. Anna chuckled, stepping inside.

"Sorry, were you expecting the Queen of England?" Anna teased. Mary only rolled her eyes, before suggesting they take a seat at the edge of the bed.

"How are you feeling?" Mary questioned, placing her hand over Anna's bump.

"I should be asking you that," Anna replied.

"Me? You're the one who had an important call from Dr. Clarkson yesterday." At that, Anna sighed.

"It was just John overreacting," she stated. Mary eyed her pointedly. "I'm fine, honestly."

"What did Dr. Clarkson say?"

Anna's lips curled up slightly, but she paused. She didn't like being overly excited about her pregnancy in front of Mary. Even though Mary never begrudged her her happiness, Mary had been trying for a second child for a couple of years now. Anna never wanted to seem as though she was shoving it in Mary's face.

"He said that my sickness was because we're having twins."

Mary gasped.

"Twins?"

"Yes," Anna said, smiling. "He gave me some tablets that has already begun to help with the sickness."

"That'd good. But twins, good lord, Anna! Where will you all fit in that flat of yours?"

Anna laughed. "We're going to find a home."

"Good," Mary replied.

"But we could manage in the flat, you know. There are people who do with less."

"Yes, but that doesn't mean you have to," Mary said with a shake of her head.

"But really, Mary, how are you?"

Mary's back stiffened slightly and she blinked harshly.

"I'm fine," she told Anna. "Yesterday was a bit of a shock, but I'm alright."

Anna didn't believe that for one moment. She took Mary's hands within her own and gave them a squeeze.

"It's alright not to be alright, Mary. I'm sure your mind is going through all sorts of things right now."

"It's not," Mary insisted. She pulled her hands from Anna's and stood, readjusting the pad within her hands. Then she pretended as though she was taking notes of the room.

"Mary…"

"Please drop it," Mary lowly pleaded, as her eyes continued to scan the room.

"Alright."

-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-

"Mummy!" Jack happily cried out, rushing toward her as she entered the restaurant. He wrapped his arms around her waist, nearly knocking her over. John was right behind him, quickly bringing his hand up to keep Anna upright.

"Jack," John lovingly scolded. "You must be careful with Mummy. She has your little brothers or sisters in there."

Jack glanced up at Anna's belly and twisted his lips to the side, before squishing up his nose.

"It's alright," Anna said, bending down to lift up Jack into her arms. John made a sound of disapproval, but Anna just held her son close, kissing his cheek. He was only three years old and still very much a baby to her. The last thing she wanted was for him to feel as though he didn't matter as much as the new babies.

John stepped closer to her and kissed the top of her head.

"You need to be careful, my darling," he murmured in her ear.

"I am," she promised, rocking Jack gently in her arms. "But I needed to hold him for a while."

"I called in extra help for this evening so you can rest," John then said. Anna glanced up at him, cocking her eyebrow.

"The tablets are working wonders and you heard the OB this morning, both babies are healthy. I can work just fine."

"Please take this evening off for me," John said, running his fingers through her hair. "I only worry."

"Oh, alright," Anna giggled. "Jack and I will watch a movie and eat some popcorn." Jack's head popped up at that and he gave Anna a bright smile.

"Popcorn!"

"As long as you don't overdo it," John stated, giving her a kiss. "I just need you all to be safe."
"We will be," Anna promised.

-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-

Mary sat on the bench by the window in her office at Downton Abbey, staring out the window. She had tried to remain productive today, but her mind kept going back to the girl who had been preyed on by Pamuk at Simon and Lavinia's home. The odds were that she was not the only other girl he had done this to and that there were likely several before and after her own attack.

She tried not to dwell on it, but it was all she could think about. How many could have been prevented if she said something?

Logic didn't matter in this moment with her thoughts. Logically she would know that there was no proof in what Pamuk did and so he would have been let off scott free to do it over and over again. But perhaps saying something would have at least let those she knew not ever to invite him over.

"Mummy?" The sound of George's voice made her turn to find him with Matthew. They were standing in the doorway holding hands. George unlatched his fingers from Matthew's and ran forward, nearly jumping into Mary's lap.

When she had been pregnant with George, she had been worried about her motherly instincts that she wouldn't be loving enough for him. But she had been wrong. The instincts had come almost instantly.

She lifted him up to be more comfortable in her lap and held him close, pressing her cheek against his. He leaned into it and clasped their hands together. Matthew smiled, as he always did when he saw the two of them together.

"Are you ready to head home?" Matthew questioned her. "It's already past 5."

"Is it?" Mary asked. She generally left work around four to come home to George. She must have been too stuck within her thoughts to notice the time.

"Yes, Mummy!" Her four year old said. She smiled, nuzzling her nose against his cheek.

"Then let's go home."

She stood, adjusting George so that she could continue holding him. Matthew walked over and rested his hand on the small of her back.

"You know that I think you're marvelous, right?" Matthew asked her. Mary have a light chuckle.

"I do," she winked.

They went to the car and drove home. Once they arrived, they went right inside. Mary's stomach was rumbling and she realized she had skipped her lunch. Matthew seemed to realize this, because he said he would go and make some dinner for them.

"Mummy, may I watch Bluey?" George pulled on her shirt.

"Sure, darling," Mary replied, patting the top of his head. Mary found the remotes and turned on the television. As she tried to search for the show her son requested, the local news played in the corner of the screen.

"Breaking news. A black book of conquests was found in Kemal Pamuk's luggage at the Duke of Hasting's residence. This book appears to have a list of all the names of women he slept with over the years. Stay tuned for more information."

Mary froze, her body growing numb.

"Mummy," George complained. Mary didn't answer; her eyes couldn't leave the screen. "Mummy! You said I could watch Bluey!" She could hear George, but none of it was registering. "Mummy, please turn on Bluey! Please!"

"Will you please stop it!" Mary screamed in response, turning toward George. Straightaway, she regretted it. George sunk back, his eyes wide. Mary's lower lip trembled and she quickly put on Bluey. "I'm sorry, darling, Mummy shouldn't have yelled at you."

George sat back on the sofa and only nodded, his eyes stuck on the television screen.

Mary got up and headed toward the kitchen, only to meet Matthew halfway. He had a worried expression on his face and a spatula in his hand.

"What's happened?"

"I….." Mary nearly broke. Matthew found a spot to place the spatula and then stepped forward, placing his hands on Mary's shoulders to keep her from falling over. She hadn't realized how pale and weak she must look until that moment. And she was thankful for his strong hands, because her knees felt like they might buckle beneath her.

"There…there's a book," Mary finally got out.

"A book?"

"With names in it…Matthew…everyone is going to know!"

"What type of book?" Matthew was still confused. Mary only could shake her head. She couldn't imagine what would happen if her story was all over the news and when everyone looked at her, they would know what had happened to her.

Matthew sighed.

"Let's go upstairs."

"But George…."

"He'll be happy with Bluey on and the food has to cook in the oven for a while. You need a moment to process all of this."

Matthew led Mary upstairs to their room and patiently waited until she was able to explain it all to him.

"They won't find out," he promised. But Mary only cried.

"You can't know that."

-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-

Anna ran her fingers through Jack's hair. He had fallen asleep only a mere fifteen minutes into their movie night. She adjusted him on the couch and stood, off to grab some more popcorn for her bowl.

Now with Jack asleep, she would find a movie she was interested in.

Entering the kitchen, she saw the pile of mail that needed to be sorted. She wasn't very organized when it came to going through all of their mail each week. Sometimes it would pile up for a while, before she or John would remember to go through it. Anything for the restaurant was always prioritized and all bills were done online, so it never seemed to be worth it.

Anna filled the popcorn bowl and grabbed the large stack of papers. She made her way back to the couch and sat back down next to her sleeping son. Glancing over at him, she smiled. There really was no greater love than that.

After she picked a movie, Anna began to sort through the mail. Most were junk and placed to be put in the bin, there were a few magazines with some coupons that Anna set to the side, and then there was a letter addressed to her. Her brows furrowed. She never received any mail. Her eyes searched for a return address, but there was none.

Carefully, she opened it.

My sweet dear Anna,

I know that you do not want anything to do with me. I have remained away as you have asked. However, I miss you. I want to get to know my grandson, my son-in-law, and my daughter, again. I ask that you give me a second chance, Anna.

Love,

Your Mother

Anna reread the short and simple letter over again. Never once in the letter did her mother apologize. It hurt more than Anna wanted to admit. Her mother had never apologized to her for what happened in her childhood. Yet, there was still a part of her who wanted a relationship with her mother. It made her feel like a foolish person to even think about allowing her back into her life, but she found she couldn't help these feelings.

The door opened and Anna quickly hid the letter under a pillow. She looked up to see John coming toward her.

"I just came up to check on you," his eyes fell to Jack. "I see he's already asleep."

"Yes, working with Alfred and Ivy must have worn him out."

"I'll take him to bed," John said. He went over to pick up Jack and took him to his bedroom. Then he walked back to the couch and sat down next to Anna.

"Hey," he whispered, inching closer to her. "What's wrong?"
"Hum?" Anna played off, shaking her head. "Oh nothing. I was just watching a sad movie."

"Are you sure you're alright?" Anna nodded.

"I am."

John leaned forward and gave her a kiss. "Good. Enjoy your quiet night. I'll be back up in a bit, go to sleep when you're tired. Don't stay up late for me."

"I won't."

To be continued...

Thank you for reading! Life is a bit hectic right now, so it may be a while between updates until everything is settled within the month. Have a good week!