A/N: I'm sorry this chapter took a while. I've had this chapter outlined for weeks, but I had a hard time finding the time to actually write it and summoning the writing ability necessary to flesh out my outline. It's here now though, and the last two chapters won't be far behind. I hope you enjoy. I would greatly appreciate a review to let me know how you feel about this story. Thanks for reading!

Chapter Twelve

May 1916

Anna went up to the big house to have tea with Mrs. Hughes. It was the first time she had been able to do so in a while. Elsie had been very busy with Downton having been turned into a convalescent home, and Anna had been helping Mary oversee the building of the stables. They had been complete for about a month, and Anna's schedule was slowing down somewhat, not that anything was ever slow for long when a war was on. Mrs. Hughes had invited her for tea because they hadn't seen each other in several months, and the truth was Anna was grateful for the opportunity to see the woman that she viewed most like a mother figure in her life. However, she also knew that Mrs. Hughes was fairly traditional and would likely disapprove if she knew the true nature of her and Mary's relationship, so she would have to be careful with her words. She contemplated this as the servant's entrance came into view. She took a breath filled with both anticipation and nervousness as she pressed the bell.

After being ushered into Mrs. Hughes's sitting room, Anna took a seat and smiled across the table at her former superior. "So, how have you been?" she asked. "Busy, I'm sure."

"Yes, very busy," Elsie confirmed, "although I don't mind the work, especially feeling like I'm making a difference in the lives of those men who have given up such a huge portion of their lives to fight for King and country."

"Yes, you certainly are. Downton is playing an important role in their recovery, and you're helping everything run smoothly in doing so. Lady Mary told me you were working closely with her Ladyship on a great many projects."

"Oh?"

"Yes, she seemed grateful her mother had some help," Anna said, "and that you don't challenge her like Mrs. Crawley seems to."

Elsie chuckled at that and nodded before moving the topic of conversation away from herself. "So, how have you been my dear girl?"

"I've been busy as well, although not quite like you," Anna answered, "I was assisting Lady Mary in overseeing the stable project at Hawton House. That project was finished in April, and things have slowed down a little. I've had some time to enjoy the Spring weather while it's here."

"It's been lovely weather for walking the past week or so. I'm glad you've been able to get out and about somewhat."

"Not just walking. Lady Mary has begun teaching me to ride," Anna explained happily, "and in return, I continue to help her improve her cooking."

Mrs. Hughes made a face at that, unsure how anyone could be so close to Lady Mary and how Lady Mary could humble herself enough to cook. Anna on the other hand was not surprised; she saw how involved Mary was when Ellie was a baby and knew how active she still was in raising her daughter. The woman she loved was a woman who broke with tradition in so many ways, not the least of which included humbling herself enough to partake in chores and cooking. However, the rest of the world didn't need to know that. The way Mary acted in the privacy of their own home was none of anyone else's business.

"So, how are William and Mr. Matthew faring at the front? Any news?" Anna asked, changing the subject.

"Well, it seems Mr. Matthew has been injured, but not too badly. He is recovering in France at the moment, and his Lordship seems to think he'll be back out on the field within the next week. He's also engaged and will bring her to Downton the next time he's on leave."

Anna nodded and went on in her line of questioning. She figured it was better to let Mrs. Hughes do the talking in order to avoid saying anything herself that might catch her out with the housekeeper. "And William?"

"He's seen better days, that's for sure. I don't think he fully understood what he was signing up for." The housekeeper sounded kind and concerned in her explanation. "I know he's tough though; he'll make it through."

"Yes, he will," Anna said before moving on to her next question, "And Sir Anthony?"

"He was doing well last I heard. Lady Edith misses him something awful, but she is as proud of him as ever and working with the convalescents seems a welcome distraction for her."

"That's good. I'm sure Lady Edith loves and supports her husband greatly, but I understand why she would want him home and out of harm's way, as I'm sure anyone would want to be the case for their spouse or a loved one."

"We all want it, but it is never guaranteed," Elsie warned. "Things can change in the blink of an eye, especially during wartime."

"That is true," Anna confirmed, "I mean just look at what happened to all those people on the Titanic. One minute they're cruising along and the next they're freezing to death."

"Precisely," Elsie nodded in agreement, "which is why we must cherish every single moment that we are given, for we never know if it might be our last."

The ominous tone this tea had taken had surprised Anna somewhat, although she supposed it shouldn't since talking about the possibility of death was something that always occurred when there was a war on. She decided to brighten the mood a little bit as she carried on the conversation, shifting focus away from Mary whenever something about the two of them came up. She knew Mrs. Hughes might be a little bit suspicious, and she needed to quell those suspicions as soon as possible. Luckily for her, both her and Mary really, she was successful in doing just that.

April 16, 1917

Edith was visiting Hawton House today. News of Sir Anthony's death at the front had shaken up her world three weeks ago, and she hoped accepting Mary's offer to bring her son over to play with Ellie and visit the animals would help her feel something. She was numb to the perpetual state of melancholy she had been in since she learned of her husband's passing, and she just wanted to feel something again. She had to admit being out in the fresh air had a marvelous effect on her mood. It was a slow start towards being okay again.

"Thank you for today, Mary," she said.

"You don't have to thank me. Sisters are supposed to support one another. And David is my nephew and Ellie's cousin. I wanted to see him. He looks so happy, doesn't he?" Mary asked, gesturing with her head to where her daughter and nephew were playing in the grass with Anna several feet in front of them.

"Yes, he does," Edith nodded, "he doesn't understand why his Mama is so sad and moody, but I can tell my grief was upsetting him. Whatever I can do to keep my son happy, I'll do it."

"That's the life of being a mother, I've found. That feeling that you would do absolutely anything to keep your child happy and safe defines motherhood."

"It's also what his father wanted: a happy little boy who needn't worry or stress about anything. It's why he remained fighting even after I'd had the baby. He wanted to take all the troubles of the world away, and he thought serving his King and country was the way to do that," Edith sighed, suddenly feeling a wave of sadness wash over her yet again.

Mary could sense this change in her sister's emotions and wanted to brighten her demeanour. "Edith, do you think you might teach me to drive?"

"Would you really want to learn?"

Mary nodded, "Yes, I could learn and then we could drive tractors and lorries for the local farmers. I would love to do something more to help keep Downton running, and with some many farm hands off fighting, this would be a way to do it. There's also the convalescent home of course, but this gives us a chance to do something outdoors, get some fresh air into our lungs."

Edith pondered her sister's words for the briefest moment before nodding in agreement. She needed a sense of purpose, a form of work, that was separate from her role as a mother. And with this, she could use a skill that Anthony had taught her and teach it to someone else. It was like his legacy was carrying on, in more ways than one, and she felt things come full circle. She wondered if Mary had asked her when she did on purpose, knowing it would help her feel fulfilled to teach someone else what Anthony taught her. She figured the answer was probably yes, but she couldn't bring herself to be angry over Mary's meddling. More than anything she felt extremely grateful to have a sister who knew exactly what she needed. A smile broke onto her face as she made plans with Mary to teach her sister to drive.

"It's funny how even though I've lost so much, I've gained a sense of self," Edith commented, "I learned how to care for others while Anthony was away at the front, and I'm learning how to parent and also have a role outside of parenting."

"I feel much the same. Even though I lost the role of future Countess, I gained so much. It's a much different life, but different doesn't mean bad."

"That's true. Although, we do have our children to remind us of the life we had before. I'm glad I gave David the middle name Anthony. He'll always have a piece of his father with him wherever he goes."

Mary smiled softly at her sister and squeezed her hand gently. "And Ellie will always have Patrick's nose and mouth to remind her that she came from him," Mary chuckled.

Edith laughed lightly at that, agreeing with her sister as they looked over where their children were playing once more. Ellie looked so much like Mary, but she did have her late father's nose. The more she grew, the more you could tell she was a mix of the two of them, not just Mary's miniature. She watched in silence as her son and niece played together for a time, the sunshine and smiling faces of those around her helping to lighten her spirits.

"Do you think you'll marry again?" Edith asked her sister, breaking the silence in order to speak about something that she now wondered about due to the way today had brought her out of her grief somewhat.

"No, I have made my commitments in life. And they belong to Ellie." Mary answered assuredly. It was true. Ellie and Anna were her two biggest priorities, but obviously one could be discussed more so than the other. Maybe one day she could tell more people about her relationship with Anna, but for now this was how it had to be.

"Please believe me when I say this is what's right for me but that what's right for me may not be the same thing as what's right for someone else. Don't be afraid to find love again, Edith, and not only to find it but to give into it." She gave her sister's hand a gentle squeeze, and a soft, kind smile enveloped her features as silence washed over them again for a moment.

"I think maybe once the war's over, I might." Edith said after a short time. "I'm not going to rush into things, and I know it might be hard to find someone suitable with so many men dead. But if I find someone special, I think I could move on. I..I think Anthony would want me to be happy."

"Of course he would." Mary affirmed. "And so do I."

They gave each other soft smiles as the rest of the world seemed to fall away for a brief moment. They were just two sisters watching their children play. There was no war. No memories of the partners they had lost. There was just love and gratitude for the children God had blessed them with. Joy, Edith thought, joy has made its way back into our lives.