- Ah, the soon-to-be Mrs Molesley, beamed Lady Grantham when Baxter entered her room before dinner later that day. Are you excited?
- Very, Milady, smiled Baxter. But… There has been some new developments, and I feel I must inform you about them.
- Oh, yes, Mrs Hughes told me about your poor sister, I'm so sorry about that. You must feel terrible.
- Well, yes, I do Milady, but it's not just that.
- Oh?
- You see, my sister was already a widow, and she leaves three children.
- Oh.
- I am their aunt, and the eldest boy's Godmother, and their only living relative left. So Mr Molesley and I discussed the situation, and we have decided to take them in. I couldn't bear to think of them going to the orphanage…
- That's very kind of you, Baxter. But… does that mean that you'll be leaving my service after all? frowned Cora, somewhat disappointed.
- Well, I'm not yet decided. Mr Molesley and I thought I could continue working for a while, and see how it goes. The eldest child, Beckie, is fifteen, so she's old enough to look after her young siblings in the day, and there's also Mr Molesley father who could help us. I didn't want to leave you all of a sudden. I'm fond of my job here. You have all been so kind to me since I've arrived… Except if you want me to leave, of course.
- I don't want you to leave, particularly, no, replied Cora. I'm very satisfied with your service, and I value your discretion very much. That has not always been the case of my previous Lady's maids…
- Thank you Milady, answered Baxter with a small smile. So, if we're agreed, I'll continue my work here for a while, until things settle and we can see if it's working out for everybody. But if it doesn't for any reason, then maybe I'll have to hand out my notice.
- Alright, well, let's see how it goes, then. Have you told Mrs Hughes about your situation?
- Yes, I have. She said the decision was between you and me. Since Anna has already been a Lady's maid with family, she thought she couldn't hold that against me, as long as I continue to fulfil my duties.
- Very well.
x x x x
The next morning at half past ten, most of the downstairs staff was gathered in Downton's church, with Mr Molesley father, Mr Dawes, Mr Mason, Tom Branson, and Joseph Molesley nervously waiting down the aisle. Lord and Lady Grantham, Lady Mary and even the Dowager Countess had granted the assembly with their presence. The Dowager had always had a particular fondness for Molesley father and son, as she had already demonstrated on several past occasions.
- Ah, Mr Molesley, she said in her usual uptight tone, saluting the groom's father. How proud you must be today!
- Very proud, and very happy, indeed, Your Ladyship, replied the old man deferentially. I'd never thought I'd see the day, he added with a small crooked smile.
- Tell me about it, said Lady Violet with an understanding smile. And what is it I hear, that you are to be a foster grandfather on top of everything?
- Well, yes, it seems so. Life never ceases to amaze, doesn't it?
- As you say!
The Dowager turned away and went to sit in the Grantham's private pew right at the front of the aisle.
Outside the church, Anna was putting the last touches to Phyllis's hat, when Thomas Barrow came to them:
- It's time to go in. Everyone's settled, we don't want to make Father Travis and the Dowager Countess wait.
Phyllis had asked Thomas to walk her down the aisle, since she had no living male relative of any kind, and he was the one who had known her for the longest time. Even if their relationship at Downton had not started on the best of terms, Thomas had changed a lot since he had been appointed as butler after Mr Carson's retirement, and since he had met Richard Ellis. He had understood that being mean to people only brought people to be mean to him in return, and had decided to mend his ways. So now Phyllis and he were good friends, and he was happy to lead her down the aisle, even though he didn't much care for Father Travis and his Church. He was only happy that his friend was happy.
- Yes, let's go, said Phyllis, inhaling sharply.
Anna winked happily at her before disappearing into the church to take her place near John and Johnny.
Joseph Molesley looked as if he was close to fainting with nervousness and happiness when Phyllis came to stand beside him before the minister. She offered him a shy smile and turned towards the altar.
- My dearly beloved, started Father Travis, we are gathered here today…
The ceremony passed like a daze, until they both said their "I do", and Father Travis concluded:
- You may now kiss the bride.
Their lips met briefly to the sound of the assembly cheering. Tears of happiness went down Phyllis's cheeks as Joseph took hold of her hand and they walked up the aisle and outside as husband and wife.
Outside the church, the new couple received all the congratulations and well-wishes of everyone.
- Molesley, my dear chap, congratulations! boomed Lord Grantham
- Thank you very much Milord, replied Molesley, trying hard not to stutter and to make a fool of himself as usually happened when he was stressed out.
- And you, Mrs Molesley, said kindly Lady Grantham to the glowing bride. You look radiant!
A few steps away, Phyllis noticed her niece and nephews looking at her shyly from among the crowd. The neighbour had kindly accepted to bring them to the wedding, so that they would have a little fun and see the village where they would soon live, and the people they would live among.
- Thank you Milady. Might I introduce my niece and nephews?
She gestured to Beckie to come closer.
- This is Rebecca, this is Joseph, and this is Stephen, she announced. Children, this is Lady Grantham, the lady I work for, and this is Lord Grantham.
The teenage girl looked very shy, but managed an acceptable curtsey, while the young Stephen hid himself behind her skirts.
Lord and Lady Grantham looked fondly upon them, and Cora told Phyllis:
- This is a nice family you'll have here. It's a pity it has to come to be under such sad circumstances.
- Have I heard right, is your name Joseph, young man? asked Lord Grantham, addressing the middle child.
The young boy flushed crimson and stuttered:
- Yes, yes sir.
- Yes, Milord, corrected Molesley immediately.
- Yes Milord, repeated the boy.
- How funny, noticed Lord Grantham. Almost like it was meant to be, isn't it, Molesley? Joseph, and Joseph junior…
- Yes indeed, it is a funny coincidence, agreed the groom.
- We won't hold you longer, concluded Lady Grantham, I know Mrs Patmore has prepared a feast for you, you shouldn't keep her waiting!
On those words, the party split up, and everyone started making their way back to the Abbey, whether on foot or in their car.
x x x x
Mrs Patmore's feast indeed was grand, and every one spent a merry afternoon. The upstairs inhabitants dropped by for a toast to the newly-weds' health, before leaving the downstairs people to their own devices. At the end of the day, Phyllis and Joseph walked back to their new cottage, hand in hand, their wedding night awaiting them. They had nothing to do on the next day, which was very unusual for both of them. They had to go to Ripon the day after next for the funeral and to bring the children back with them. Mr Mason had kindly agreed to lend them his horse carriage, so that they could bring back the children's luggage, and a few pieces of furniture, such as the kids' beds, to furnish the cottage. But the very next day was empty of any task. Phyllis had offered to come to work, since they were not leaving for their honeymoon, but Anna wouldn't hear of it, and had insisted they enjoyed their first and last day as a childless newly-wed couple as they pleased.
As they walked back to the cottage, Phyllis felt her heart steadily beating faster and faster. She was happy of course, but she also feared a bit the oncoming wedding night. The last time she had been with a man was with Peter Coyle, and those were not so pleasant memories. She kept telling herself that Joseph was nothing like Coyle, that he loved her and would surely be very gentle, but she couldn't help getting nervous. What she didn't know was that Joseph felt at least as nervous as she did, if not more. He had never been in any relationship, and his only experience of intimacy with the other sex dated back to his military service, when fellow soldiers had dragged him along to a whorehouse. He was not very proud of that episode, but his whole knowledge came from that occasion. Fortunately, the "lady" had been nice and had taken pity of his incompetence, and had taken the time to teach him how things worked. He remembered her advice well, but that didn't prevent him from feeling very nervous at the idea of being intimate with Phyllis.
When they finally came to the cottage, Joseph opened the door and held it out to Phyllis.
- Welcome to our now home, he said.
She entered with a smile, and looked around.
- It's not much, he started. And it's lacking some furniture.
Indeed the place was a bit empty, as they had not yet had time to furnish it completely.
- Her Ladyship has offered me to go through the attics at the Abbey, see if there are some pieces we might want to take.
- Oh, that's kind of her… Would you like some tea? he asked, more as a way to delay things than anything else.
- Yes, please, I'd like that, said Phyllis.
She sat at the kitchen table, as there was no armchair or settee in the sitting-room yet. They stayed silent for a moment, sipping their hot tea.
- Phyllis, suddenly started Joseph. I just wanted to tell you that I am very very happy that you agreed to marry me. I dearly hope you are as happy as I am, and I swear I will do my best for the rest of my life to keep you happy.
Her heart melted at this so sincere declaration. It reassured her also. A man who talked to her like that would never willingly hurt her. Coyle had never said such words to her.
- I am very happy, she replied, smiling warmly. And I will do my best to keep you happy too.
She put her empty teacup back on its saucer, and said:
- Shall we go upstairs?
x x x x
They found themselves face to face in their marital bedroom, and they both felt like two very self-conscious and inexperienced teenagers. Joseph took Phyllis's hand, and bent to kiss her.
- I think we are both very nervous, he said when they had parted.
Phyllis laughed.
- Yes, I think you're right, she admitted.
- We shouldn't be. We love and respect each other, don't we?
- Yes, of course we do.
- Then what could go wrong?
A spontaneous smile broke out on Phyllis's face.
- Nothing should go wrong, she agreed.
She bent to kiss him again, and this time they intensified the kiss, and allowed their hands to start exploring their new territories.
Moments later, they lay side by side on their bed, Phyllis snuggled into Joseph's arms, happily basking into the afterglow. She happily sighed. Not only had she worried for nothing, but she had just learned that what she thought of as "conjugal duty" could be very enjoyable, with an attentive and considerate partner. She had never felt so complete.
- You're very talented you know, she said. I had never… felt this way before, she ended, blushing slightly.
- Oh, do you really think so? I was afraid I had not done it right…
Self-confidence was not Joseph Molesley's first quality.
- Oh, it was very much alright.
He relaxed a bit, and kissed her head.
- I'm glad. And as I said, I will do my best to keep you happy.
- Please, do, she chuckled.
- What, now? he asked, surprised.
- Why not?
He sent a silent thank to the helpful professional lady as he set to his sweet task again.
x x x x
The mood was considerably lower two days later when they arrived in Ripon riding Mr Mason's carriage. Mr Molesley father had insisted to come with them, to help them move everything they needed to bring back. The funeral ceremony was very hard for Phyllis and the children, and she was very glad to have Joseph's arm to lean upon. The celebration was short and the priest not very committed. It seemed a poor measles-victim funeral in an almost empty church did not stir his motivation much. They spent more time on their own at the cemetery. Mr Molesley father had brought several flower plants from his renowned garden, and the children were happy to be able to put them into the earth on their mother's grave. When they were done, they went back to the house, made a lunch for the children with what they could find in the cupboards, and started loading the carriage. The owner of the house made an appearance at the beginning of the afternoon, demanding his due for the last unpaid rent. Beckie showed Phyllis to the tin where Angela had kept the little money she had. Unfortunately, there was not enough money in it to satisfy the landlord, so Joseph took his wallet out and completed the sum. Phyllis was quite embarrassed that he had to do so, but he silenced her protestations. He remembered the days when friends had helped him out, so now that he could, it was his turn to help those less fortunate.
An hour later, the carriage was loaded, and they were ready to go back to Downton. They thanked the neighbour for everything she had done for the children, and closed the house. Before they all hopped on the carriage, Beckie came up to Phyllis, with tears in her eyes.
- Aunt Phyllis… Thank you so much for taking us with you. I was so afraid you were going to send us away.
And the girl broke into harsh sobs as Phyllis took her into her arms.
- Hush, hush, Beckie, said Phyllis, rubbing her back. It's going to be alright. You belong with Joseph and me now. You and your brothers. We won't let you down.
Beckie sniffed and wiped her cheeks as Joseph approached:
- We should get going, my dear. It's a long road back.
- Yes, children, please, get on the carriage, we're going! called Phyllis.
x x x x
Later that night, when the children had been at last put to bed in their new bedrooms, Phyllis and Joseph took a little time to relax in their backyard with a cup of tea.
- I'll have to ask my dad to come take care of that backyard, said Joseph. It is in a pitiful state.
- I'm sure he'll do wonders in no time, agreed Phyllis.
- So. There we are, added Joseph. You know, if someone had told me, six months ago, that as of this day I would be married with three children, I would probably have thought they were mad as hatters!
- I probably would have agreed, said Phyllis.
And they looked at each other, and simultaneously broke into laughter.