Chapter 13 – Epilogue

Mary tossed her bouquet and was surprised and excited when Edith caught it. Maybe things with Sir Anthony would work out after all. It was New Year's Eve, 1914 was about to come in. As it turned out, there were no consequences from her night with Matthew back in the season of 1913, so they waited a respectful time and had a winter society wedding, just as her parents wanted. They had been closely chaperoned, which was hard to get used to, but as Matthew said, it would be worth the wait. And they had managed many a secret kiss; behind a tree, in Matthew's office, there were loads of possibilities.

The months leading up to the wedding were busy and Mary was so excited to be marrying Matthew. Everyone could see the open love between them. Isobel was most pleased that her son had found love with the woman who had bowled him over on their first meeting over a year before.

Mary thought back to the wedding ceremony. The pride on her Papa's face as he walked her down the aisle and handed her to Matthew was evident. They had a traditional service and the pledged their love and fidelity to each other. The entire town had come out to cheer them on, even in the cold weather. Her Mama was happy, her Granny was ecstatic and Grandmama, though more skeptical, had come all the way from America. Sybil was especially happy; she had known from the beginning that they were perfect for each other. It was just Mary who had blinded herself to the truth of her feelings.

The reception was marvelous as well. There was a happy reception line, a wedding breakfast, a huge beautiful elegant cake, that Mary and Matthew had cut together and then very inelegantly fed to each other. And they had a wonderful first dance as a married couple together. Matthew whispering in her ear the entire time as his fingers floated across her back. Mary had never been happier. Happy to marry this middle-class heir to her estate, because she loved him and felt loved by him.

Mary and Matthew hugged and kissed their parent's goodbye. They were boarding a train to London where they would begin their honeymoon and then they were off to the south of France.

Mary leaned into Matthew as they settled into their train car and let out a wistful sigh.

"What is a matter my darling?"

Mary smiled.

"Nothing at all. It's the best day of my life. The ceremony was perfect. I loved the extra personal words you added to our vows. And know that I will also love you until the last breath leaves my body and probably beyond. I guess I'm just sad that its over. We were so busy leading up to the wedding, I don't know if I enjoyed the process enough. But I'm content to be your wife for the rest of our lives."

Matthew rubbed her shoulder and pulled her closer.

"Music to my ears. A full and happy life awaits us. I am so glad that you have agreed to start our life on our own away from the Abbey. I think after a few years, if you want we can move back in, but we should definitely start our lives in complete privacy."

"Darling, we are still going to have servants, so no it will not be complete privacy."

"All right, but less prying eyes."

Mary sighed again.

"I loved the reception, and I so loved dancing with you. I think I first started to imagine a life with you when we danced together last season. I thought at the time, how a lifetime of dancing with you would be wonderful."

Matthew blew out a breath.

"Darling, you caught me from day one, when you strode into Crawley house. Are you looking forward to tonight?"

Now Mary smiled and smirked.

"Of course! It's been months since we have been together."

"Can you really count that as being together, when neither one of us can remember how we would up unclothed in a bed together."

Mary smiled to herself. This was something she had not shared with Matthew not yet. Her memories of that night had slowly started to emerge after she discovered that she was not with child. Her mama had then set the date for the wedding months ahead and of course she and Matthew had not even attempted to be intimate since.

Matthew obviously still did not have a full memory of that night, he was considerably more drunk than she had been. As Mary had begun to remember she decided not to tell Matthew, but rather to save it for their wedding night.

"Matthew, we have hardly had a moment alone together. I think I would rather not consider what happened that night, but rather look to tonight as our first night together, only without the nerves."

Matthew held her tightly.

"I'm looking forward to getting to know you all over again, with a totally clear head. No alcohol for me tonight at all"

A-A-A-A

Mary waited in her room. She was dressed in an ethereal white night dress and gown. She contemplated how she would tell Matthew what she had kept to herself all these months. He certainly did not seem to remember.

Matthew knocked on the door and entered the room, dashing blue eyes was before her. How many months did she just toy with him in her head, overcome by his handsome look, his piercing blue eyes and his melodic voice. She left a little guilty. He had been serious about her the whole time, she on the other hand only recognized her true feelings after that night. Oh, but she loved Matthew, whole heart and soul and the look in his eyes told her that he felt the same.

"You look incredible, like a goddess."

"I'm a mere mortal"

"Not to me. And I am the luckiest man alive."

Matthew pulled Mary into an embrace and began to kiss her. She had a funny reaction as she started to laugh.

"Am I doing something humorous?"

"No, it's just that I thought of something funny."

Matthew looked at her quizzically.

"I was thinking how I remember us doing the exact same thing in Grantham house a few months ago. It had been such a fun night. I loved drinking with you out of the bottle in the park. It was so freeing."

Matthew pulled her closer.

"I'm glad you have a bit of middle class in you already. I'm so thrilled we are going to live on our own for a while. I'm so thrilled we are heading to France in a few days. And I'm so glad that we are here together right now."

Mary kissed his cheek.

"Let's make tonight a memorable one."

Matthew did not need any more prompting, and he kissed her deeply. Things quickly got heated as clothing fell to the floor and they headed toward the bed. As Matthew crawled in next to Mary, both completely unclothed, Mary could hold back no longer.

"You are not going to pass out, now are you?"

Matthew sat up and raised his eyebrow.

"Why ever would you say that?"

Mary tried to conceal her smile.

"Because, I believe this was exactly the position we were in when you passed out the last time we tried this."

Matthew looked shocked.

"Have you known this the whole time? Is that why you did not want to commit to me initially."

Mary looked defensive.

"No, I did not remember it then. Truly I did not, I was just as confused as you. But over the months of our engagement, I started having some strange dreams and then I realized they were manifestations of memory returning to me. And then I remembered making out with you and us stripping off all our clothes and making it to the bed. But then I turned to you and you were passed out sleeping. So, I just passed out myself."

Matthew looked at her pensively.

"Why did you not tell me this as soon as you remembered?"

"I wanted to tell you. But we have hardly had a private moment and then I realized it would be so much more fun, if I told you this way."

Matthew started to tickle her.

"Oh, you did, did you? Keeping me in the dark. I totally don't remember that. Though I'm sorry I passed out on you, I'm glad we now have our first time for us both to truly remember."

Mary gave him the most beatific smile and stroked his cheek.

"You know I think I might be a little nervous. The last time I actually did this was not what it should have been."

Matthew frowned.

"Oh darling, how insensitive of me. I had not thought of it, because it did not matter to me. But you are right, of course you are. Let us go slow. You take the lead. We won't do anything you don't want to."

Mary hugged him.

"I do so love you. I'm sure it will be fine. I trust you completely."

"As I do you."

A-A-A

The sun peaked in through the curtain. Mary and Matthew were entwined in each other sleeping. Exhausted from a very exciting night. Matthew was the first to wake and just watched his incredibly contrary beautiful wife sleeping. Things had ended up just as he had hoped. He had known Mary had played with him for months while he attempted to court her. He had lost faith for a while, but in the end, he had won the most beautiful prize. They were going to have a wonderful life together.

Mary opened an eye and snuggled into him.

"Hello sleepy head!"

Mary just snuggled in more.

"Good morning my darling, heir to my earldom. You know I only married you to stay at Downton."

Matthew looked aghast. Was that really true?

Mary reached over and tickled him.

"Relax my love, that is all extra. I would live with you anywhere, be with you anywhere. You are the kindest, most loving man I have ever met. And Of course, being smart and handsome does not hurt either.

Matthew hugged Mary tightly.

"Thank you darling. We are going to have a wonderful life together!"

A/N – and so the end of this story is reached. I hope you have enjoyed reading it as I have enjoyed writing it. So little time to write these days, but I hope one day to come back to my other stories.

Please review and thank you so much for all your continued support.