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Chapter 27

1920s Paris

As Pippa nursed against her mother's breast, Anna ran her finger over her face. She took in every ounce of her daughter. Now at a few months old, the little girl's hair had thickened and had begun to curl. Anna wondered where that hair had come from. She had never seen a baby with so much hair. She didn't feel like she looked like her, but she also didn't look like him, either.

In a few hours, they would be leaving Paris and begin their journey back to Downton Abbey. It was time. Anna understood that. However, it didn't stop the tears from sliding down her cheeks. She wasn't ready to give this freedom up, to be able to nurse her child whenever she wanted.

They had already introduced Pippa to a bottle and powdered milk, knowing that the transition would be too hard if she wasn't used to it. And Anna had to admit she did enjoy when sometimes she didn't have to feed Pippa and could sleep all night. But once they got to Downton, Pippa would only have a bottle. Maybe on a rare occasion she would be able to nurse, but her milk would dry and then it would be done. It wouldn't be like with Johnny, who she nursed until he weaned himself.

"Anna," Mary said, sliding beside her. "Oh, Anna, what's wrong, darling?"

Anna shook her head. "I'm being silly."

"Doubtful," Mary replied. She rested her head on Anna's shoulder and looked down at Pippa.

"I….I'm going to miss this," Anna whispered, another tear escaping.

"We…we could stay a few more weeks," Mary weakly offered. Anna knew it wasn't possible. Their bags were already packed, tickets to go back bought, and the house had been notified of their return.

"It wouldn't matter. It would only delay the inevitable."

"You could nurse her when we go out on picnics," Mary offered. Anna sighed, shaking her head.

"Johnny's getting older. If we're not careful, he'll tell the wrong person. He's too young to understand not to tell anyone. And before we know it, George will be old enough to tell people too."

Mary ran her hand down Anna's back and kissed her cheek, before letting out her own sigh.

"Will you ever forgive me?" Mary questioned her. Anna eyed her carefully, sure she couldn't be serious.

"What would I even have to forgive you for, Mary? You've done all of this for me. You are bringing my daughter back with us. I am so grateful I don't have to tell her goodbye."

Mary gave her a solemn smile, "But to the world, I'll be the closest thing Pippa will have to a mother. I feel like I'm stealing that title from you."

Anna quickly shook her head. At that exact moment, Pippa finished nursing. So Anna took the opportunity to lift her up and place her into Mary's arms.

"I see her as ours," Anna whispered, "Our little girl. The world may not know it, but we will. She will have two mothers who love her."

"She will," Mary agreed, staring down at Pippa in awe.

"And you don't know how happy it makes me to know that she'll have you as an influence in her life. She's a very blessed little girl."

Downton Abbey

The trip back had been long. It was much more difficult than the trip out to Paris. Johnny was an easy traveler, but George was not. On the way there, Anna and Mary could trade out entertaining George. However, on the way back, they also had a baby. With her off schedule, she also fussed. Mary felt overwhelmed the entire trip and she was so glad when she saw the house in the distance. She would happily hand the children over to nanny for a little bit and go and take a long, quiet bath.

However, she also knew she would be foolish to believe it would be that easy. She had not informed her parents about Pippa. She figured it would be best to introduce her when they arrived. It would be much harder for them to argue with her about it when she was already here.

"I'm going to take Johnny downstairs when we arrive," Anna said, glancing nervously out of the window. She was sitting up front. The moment they got into the car, they had to go back to their roles as lady and her maid. They had to keep up appearances.

"Alright," Mary answered. She wanted to lean forward to give Anna a squeeze, but decided against it. Instead, she adjusted Pippa in her lap and kissed the top of George's head.

They arrived a few minutes later. Anna quickly stepped out of the car and left with Johnny, leaving Mary alone with George and Pippa. Her parents, Sybil, and Tom were waiting to greet her, along with Carson. The moment she got out of the car, all of their eyes widened. Well, all but Sybil. She smiled.

"Mary, what…what is this?" Her father was the first to ask, looking down at the baby in her arms.

"Well, hello to you too," Mary surly bit back.

"Yes, welcome," her mother awkwardly smiled, coming over to kiss Mary's cheek. "But we must ask about this baby, Mary. Why…why do you have a baby with you?"

George jumped up and reached out for Cora's hand. She smiled down at him, bending over to pick him up.

"Yes, George, we missed you," Cora said. "Did you have fun with your mummy on your trip?"

George nodded.

"I have to agree with your parents, Mary, do we get to learn about this little one?" It was Tom's turn to ask. Mary noticed how Sybil grabbed at his upper arm to keep him back.

"Yes, of course," Mary replied. "One day, when Anna and I took the children out for an adventure in Paris, we walked by an orphanage. This little girl was just sitting outside of it in a pram. You know, how they place them out there for sun? Well, she looked right up at me and smiled. I decided we should bring her home with us and she could be my ward."

"You stole a baby from a pram?" Her father asked, shocked. Mary laughed.

"No, Papa, I went in and spoke with the director at the orphanage. It was full of children. They were happy for someone to offer to take in this little one. She needed a home and I said I would provide her with a wonderful one."

"But Mary…" Her father was flummoxed. "Certainly, not a child. You have George to care for and…."

"Well, I think it's wonderful," Sybil broke in, walking over to look down at Pippa. "We have so much, why shouldn't we share it with a child who has nothing?" Then she gave Mary a knowing smile.

"Yes, exactly," Mary smugly replied. She glanced at her parents, daring them to argue with her. They just stared at her with wide eyes.

"Does she have a name?" Tom asked.

"Yes, Philippa, but for now, I'm calling her Pippa. Now, the children and I are exhausted from our journey. I want to take them up to the nursery. Sybil, is your new little one up there?" Sybil nodded. "Good, then I'll go and meet my new niece, say hello to Sybbie, and then I am going to take a nice long bath. We can speak more later."

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

The moment Anna walked into the downstairs, it felt different. While she had felt like an outsider for a while now, it was only compounded now. There was staff she didn't recognize walking about. She held on more tightly to Johnny's hand and wondered if it might have been best to go right upstairs and start to unpack.

"Anna!" It was Mrs. Hughes' bright voice that finally made her feel like she was at home. Anna saw Mrs. Hughes down the hallway and rushing over toward her and Johnny. "Oh Anna! Johnny! We have missed you! Come on to my parlor and let's have some tea."

Johnny grabbed onto Mrs. Hughes' hand and it made Anna smile. He had always adored her and she was glad to see that the time apart hadn't made him forget who she was. He was a quiet child to those he wasn't close to. But when he was around her, Mary, or Mrs. Hughes he talked and talked.

They entered the parlor and Mrs. Hughes closed the door behind them to provide them with privacy. Her small had fallen into a thin line of worry.

"How are you dear?" Her hands clasped over Anna's, as she searched Anna's face.

"I'm doing well," Anna answered. "Why don't we have a seat?"

Mrs. Hughes nodded, dropping her hands from Anna's. They sat and Johnny climbed up into Mrs. Hughes' lap.

"Our baby!" He told her, smiling. Mrs. Hughes pursed her lips.

"What is that, love?"

"She's here," Anna said, meeting Mrs. Hughes' eyes. Her brows rose.

"What? She…she?" Anna couldn't help but smile when it came to thinking about any of her children.

"Yes, it's a girl."

"Pippa!" Johnny added. He clapped his hands excitedly. "She's our baby, Mrs. Hughes."

"Our?"

"Everyone's!" Johnny told her.

"We had to be careful with what we told the children," Anna explained. "Johnny why don't you go and see if Ms. Patmore will give you a biscuit."

The little boy scrambled off in search of a biscuit, leaving Anna and Mrs. Hughes alone.

"Her name is Philippa," Anna told Mrs. Hughes. "She has so much hair and the brightest of eyes. I love her so very much."

"And she's…she's here?" Mrs. Hughes was understandably confused.

"Yes. Lady Mary has taken her in as a ward," Anna went on to explain. "Her story is that she found her at an orphanage. She will be raised by Lady Mary, but I will be able to have input and be able to see her every day."

Mrs. Hughes sat silently for a moment. It was clear she was processing all of this information.

"Lady Mary has taken her in as a ward?"

"Yes," Anna replied, nodding. "She saw how much I loved her and told me she would take her. Lady Mary has been very kind and generous to me."

"Well, yes, I agree that she has," Mrs. Hughes answered. "Though I do worry what this will really be like for you."

"It won't be easy," Anna agreed. "But it will be much easier than not having her in my life at all. I…I can't wait for you to meet her!"

At that, Mrs. Hughes smiled. "I bet she's beautiful."

"She really is."

"If it wouldn't look too odd, I would go right up to the nursery to see her now. But I must wait."

"Yes, you must. But you will see her all the time. I'll see her all the time. Johnny will also see her, and she is his sister."

"That does sound lovely," Mrs. Hughes moved slightly closer to Anna. She gathered her hands within her own. "I am happy for you, dear. You deserve some happiness."

"Thank you, Mrs. Hughes."

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

Mary pulled her robe over her frame. She brushed her wet hair out of her face and then walked back into her bedroom. She was surprised to find her mother sitting on the edge of the bed waiting for her. The moment she saw her, Cora stood.

"Mama?"

"I'm hurt you felt you couldn't trust me," Cora began, twisting her lips and walking closer to Mary.

"Trust you? With what, Mama?" Mary strode across the roam and away from her mother. She grabbed the lotion on the vanity and began placing it on her arms.

"About the baby," her mother stressed. Mary tensed. Did her mother know what had happened to Anna all of this time? But then her mother continued, "Is Tony Gillingham the father? Why didn't he marry you? If you had told me, I could have helped you figure all of this out instead of…."

Mary laughed, really laughed.

"No, Mama, no. Tony is not this child's father and I am not her mother."

"You don't have to lie to me, Mary. I am your mother."

"I'm not. I already told you the story of how I found Pippa and decided to bring her home."

"But why would you decided to do that, Mary!? A child! The only thing that makes sense is that she would be yours."

"I assure you that she is not, Mama. I wouldn't lie about that."

Her mother did not look convinced. However, thankfully, she dropped it for now.

"Alright," Cora replied.

"I think I'll skip out on dinner tonight. I'm awfully tired from the travel back home. Goodnight, Mama."

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

That night as Anna snuck into Mary's bedroom, she found Pippa in Mary's arms.

"She was being very fussy and not letting the boys sleep, so I told Nanny I would take her for a little while. I think she missed you," Mary said. Anna sat down into the bed and carefully took Pippa from Mary's arms.

"We won't be able to do this every night," Anna whispered.

"No," Mary agreed. "She will adjust. But we can do our daily picnics and when the weather is too cold or rainy, we can find other adventures to do with our children, Anna. As I told you before, we will make this work."

Mary helped Anna unbutton her dress so that she could nurse Pippa. The little girl immediately latched and contently suckled against Anna's breast.

"I love you, Anna," Mary whispered into her ear. "That will never change."

Winter 1970

It was late on Christmas night. The house was finally quiet, with all of the children and grandchildren finally asleep. Mary laid down next to Anna and smiled at her.

"Did you enjoy your Christmas, darling?"

"Yes, I love spending time with our children," Anna sleepily replied. Her eyes fluttered and Mary knew she was close to sleep. She rubbed Anna's arm and hummed their song until Anna was fast asleep.

"Goodnight, darling, Happy Christmas. I love you. That will never change."

To be continued...