Chapter 9

Anna reached over the armrest to gather Mary's hand into her own. With a smile, Mary glanced up at her and squeezed her hand. They were on the train to London to celebrate Mary's birthday. Mary had no idea what the plans for the weekend were. All Mary knew was where they were headed.

"Do I get to know now?" Mary asked as the train pulled into the station.

"Not yet," Anna answered. "We will check into the hotel first though. That's where your first surprise will be."

"Oh?" Mary leaned forward and whispered in Anna's ear, "Is it a sexy surprise?"

"I guess you'll have to wait and see."

They got up and exited the train. Once their luggage was retrieved, they went to the car Anna already had planned for them. A gentleman picked them up and drove them to the hotel. It was Mary's favorite place to stay in the city, so it had been an easy pick for the location.

"A suite," Mary said when Anna led them to their room. Anna lifted the key card and grinned.

"Of course, a suite. It is your birthday."

Anna placed the key over the top and waited for the light to turn green. She then turned the knob and stepped aside for Mary to walk in first. The room was decorated with roses and a tray of delicious foods, as well as champagne. Beside the tray was a large easel covered with a purple cloth.

"What's this?" Mary walked right to the easel, touching the edge of the fabric.

"Not yet," Anna said. She reached over and grabbed Mary's hand, drawing it closer to her. "Why don't we enjoy some of these treats first?"

"You're seriously going to tease me like this?" Mary tapped her foot. "It is my birthday."

"Not until tomorrow." Anna chuckled and brought Mary to her, bringing their lips together. Her stomach poked out so much by now that it kept them from being as close as Anna would have liked. Mary didn't mind, however. She placed her hands on the bump and bent down, kissing the top of it.

"Are you going to kick for Mummy?"

"Mummy?" Anna asked. "You're Mummy?"

Mary glanced up, keeping her hands on Anna's stomach.

"I guess we haven't discussed what we'll each be called, have we?"

"I just assumed you would be Mama like your mother is to you, and I would be Mummy."

Mary stood and pondered this. The baby kicked her hand, making Mary smile. She rubbed over Anna's bump and the baby kicked her hand once more.

"I guess that does make sense. It could get confusing with us both being Mummy. Well, whatever way you want it, darling."

"Honestly?" Anna asked, raising her brow. "You don't care? I've never known you not to care."

"I don't know why you act as though I am unreasonable, Anna."

"I'm not." Anna placed her hand on Mary's cheek, tilting her head back down toward hers for another kiss. Then she pushed her back slightly so that the back of Mary's legs hit the bed and she was forced to sit. "Now, let's enjoy your birthday."

Mary agreed by tugging on the zipper of Anna's dress. As Anna's dress slid off her, it revealed her first surprise.

"Oh, I haven't seen these before," Mary said, touching the strap of Anna's lingerie.

"Pull off the cloth," Anna whispered. She stepped back and nodded toward the easel. Her wife stood and walked over, withdrawing the cloth off to reveal a picture of Anna wearing the same black lingerie she wore now. It was a tasteful boudoir piece of Anna on their bed.

"When did you do this?" Mary asked, her lips curling up into a big smile. "I absolutely love it. This is amazing."

"It's why Gwen was over," Anna answered. "She is a photographer. I mentioned how you love my pregnant body and she suggested doing some boudoir photos for you. She happened to be in town that week, so we decided that would be the best time to do it."

"There are more?"

"Yes." Anna went to the table by the window to pick up the book of the rest of the photos she'd had done.

When Mary took the album, she sat back on the edge of the bed to thumb through them. Every so often, she'd pause on a page a bit longer than the others.

"These are amazing," Mary breathed. "Gwen is an artist. And you, darling, these are….they're the best gift I could have imagined."

Anna sat down beside her and glanced over Mary's shoulder to see them as well.

"I'm glad you think so," Anna said. "I was nervous about the whole thing, worried you wouldn't like them."

"Wouldn't like them? You're gorgeous!" Mary placed the book down beside her before brushing her fingers through Anna's hair. "I love them."

Anna leaned into Mary's touch.

"We have a few hours until dinner."

"I know just what we'll do until then," Mary said with a wink.

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

They spent the weekend going out to eat at nice restaurants, catching a show, and shopping. By the time the weekend was through, they were both exhausted. Anna fell asleep against Mary on the train ride back to Downton.

"Anna, darling," Mary whispered as they arrived. "Come on. We're at our stop."

Anna yawned, opening her eyes.

"Carson is picking us up. Are you still up to show him his surprise?" Mary brushed her thumb over Anna's cheek. "We can always wait."

"No, I'm ready."

"Okay, good."

When they exited the train, they saw Carson right away. He came up to them and asked about their luggage.

"We have someone else to worry about that, Carson. Right now, Anna and I have a surprise for you."

"For me?" Carson asked, shocked.

"Yes. Here." Mary handed him an address.

They got into the car and drove to the lot on Downton property. It had been difficult for Mary to keep this under wraps from Carson and Mrs. Hughes. They both were around her, Anna, or her father most of each day. But thankfully, she'd been able to do all of this on her own.

Carson drove them up to the front of the new cottage. It was nearly finished now, as Mary had put a lot of time and energy into getting it finished before the baby was due.

"What's this?" Carson asked.

"You'll see."

Mary got out of the car and helped Anna step out. The three of them walked closer to the cottage. It was much nicer than where Carson and Mrs. Hughes lived now.

"It's your new home, if you'd like," Mary said.

"But it's a bit further away from your house and the Abbey," Carson said, furrowing his brows.

"Carson, you've been a loyal butler to the family for as long as I've been alive. Don't you think it's time to retire?"

Carson's face fell.

"Retire?"

"Only if you want," Mary added. "You don't have to." Mary sighed. This was harder than she expected.

"We'd still love you to come over and spend time with the baby," Anna cut in. "You'll be important to her life."

Carson's face lit up some after hearing Anna say that.

"I guess you two are ready for some of your own space," he said.

"Yes," Anna said.

"I understand."

"Papa said there is always a place for you at the Abbey if you don't want to retire, but you've worked tirelessly for years, Carson. You deserve time to do what you want. We've built you this home so you could still be part of the family. You'll always be a part of my family, Carson. Always."

Carson nodded, clearing his throat.

"And you mine, m'lady."

"Should we go in and see what you think?"

"Yes, we shall."

-X-X-X-X-X-

The next several weeks went by both quickly and slowly for Anna. Nights were the hardest. She struggled to get comfortable enough to sleep throughout the night. The baby would either kick her or she dealt with terrible heartburn. Sometimes by the time she fell asleep, her alarm would go off saying it was time to wake up.

This particular morning, she woke up before her alarm went off. She turned, noting the light coming in through the curtains. Mary was still asleep, her hand over her face and her body taking up most of the bed.

Anna sat up and immediately took in a sharp breath as pain started in her back and came around to her stomach. She leaned forward, breathing through it. Once the pain subsided, Anna stood and walked right out of their bedroom to head downstairs. As she reached the bottom step, she could hear Mr. Carson humming away in his little office. He had one more month here at their house. After that, he would be officially retired and his new home would be ready.

Anna made it a few more steps before the pain began again. This time it caused her to let out a small yelp.

"Are you all right?" Mr. Carson was by her side in an instant.

"Yes," Anna got out, feeling sick.

"Where's Lady Mary?"

"Still asleep."

"I'll go and wake her."

"No, don't," Anna said, shaking her head. "I'm fine. Contractions happen for a while. They could even go away."

"You don't look fine."

"I am."

Anna patted his shoulder and gave him a weak smile. Then she kept heading to the kitchen to make herself some tea. When she reached the countertop, she nearly screamed because the pain was so intense. This felt all too sudden. Labor was supposed to take a long time, especially for first-time mums.

Slowly, Anna sunk into a chair and closed her eyes. This would all pass soon. She was forty weeks and two days pregnant. The baby could come at any time now.

"Anna?"

She glanced up to find Mary standing in front of her.

"You look awful," Mary said. "Carson came and woke me up."

"I'm all right. Just some contractions."

"Let's go to the hospital."

"No, it's too early for that. It may not even be real, yet. Braxton hicks are a thing."

Mary didn't seem convinced. To prove she was fine, Anna forced herself to stand. However, the moment she did, she felt a gush between her legs.

"Oh, god. My water broke."

To be continued...