Thank you all!

Chapter 35

Spring 1971

"Mother, what is this I hear about you and Mama going to the beach? It's still freezing outside!" Pippa began, right as she walked into the library where Mary was looking over the books. Mary paused what she was doing and turned to look at her daughter.

"Well, good afternoon, darling," she just replied, smiling. "Did you bring the children?"

Pippa just huffed, tightening her lips. Mary chuckled. Sometimes it was like looking in the mirror.

"Mother, you can't go to the beach in this weather. You're, well, fragile, and Mama…"

Mary stepped toward her daughter and lovingly touched her cheek. She was proud of all her children. Anna and Mary had worked hard in raising caring adults, who also were not afraid to speak up about whatever bothered them. Pippa had her stubbornness, but also had Anna's kindness. She was the perfect mix of them both.

"I need to do this," Mary told Pippa. "You're right, I am getting more fragile every day. And your mama, she's very sick too, in a different way. The beach is, in a way, our home. We need one last memory by the sea."

Tears built up in Pippa's eyes. "Can we come too?"

That made Mary smile, "I'd love for you all to visit. But don't be prepared to give us up just yet. I don't plan on leaving anytime soon."

Pippa laughed. She nodded. "I'm not, don't worry."

Anna walked into the room then and Pippa's face lit up. There was a special bond between Pippa and Anna. It wasn't that Pippa loved her any more than her, but it was different. Mary loved how close the two were.

"Ah, Mama," Pippa breathed, walking over to Anna.

"Pippa," Anna smiled.

"Why don't you two enjoy some time together. I am going to go and make some phone calls," Mary said, giving them both a wink. "I'll be back in time for tea."

1920s Downton Abbey

"Lavender's blue, dilly, dilly

Lavender's green

When I am king, dilly, dilly

You shall be queen:

Who told you so, dilly, dilly

Who told you so?

'Twas my own heart, dilly, dilly

That told me so."

Anna and Mary sat on the blanket on the grass as the children held hands and turned in circles, as they sang the song that had become theirs. They kept singing the same verse over and over. Mary chuckled when Pippa starting singing as loudly as possible. Her little words were hard to understand, but she made sure they were loud.

"Do you think the children have enough on?" Anna asked Mary, concerned.

"Darling, they have on coats and the sun is shining." Mary replied. Her hand went out to brush along the exposed skin of Anna's neck. Anna turned toward her and blushed. They had made a rule about being careful with how they touched and behaved in front of the children. But Mary struggled with this rule. She couldn't keep her hands off the woman she loved.

"I just worry about them," Anna stated. Mary leaned closer toward her so that their noses nearly touched, before sitting back.

"They're so lucky to have you," Mary whispered. Anna's hand darted out and touched Mary's hand.

"I'm going to miss you while you are in Brancaster, off for grouse shooting season."

"I know," Mary frowned. "I didn't want to go. But Rose insisted. She is hard to say no too. She can be a bit insufferable."

"And you love it," Anna winked. Mary chuckled.

"Well, she is fun, I'll admit."

"You will have a good time," Anna then said.

"And I know the children will be in good hands with you."

Brancaster

It was strange for Mary to be without Anna and the children. She rarely traveled without them. Sometimes, she may go up to London to deal with business for the estate, but that was always for one night. Also, she generally was alone on those trips. Here, she was thrust back into the world she wanted to so desperately escape. She wished for a world where she and Anna could be who they were and live like a real family with the children.

"M'lady?" Ms. Baxter broke her from her thoughts. Mary realized that Baxter had asked her a question, but she wasn't sure what it was about.

"I'm sorry, what was that?"

"Do you want the gold or the silver?" Mary now saw the decorations for her hair.

"Oh the gold," Mary replied. Baxter smiled.

"Yes, I thought that would match the best." Baxter placed it carefully in Mary's hair. Mary reached up to gently touch it and nodded her approval. Baxter did a decent job with her hair, but it didn't keep her from missing Anna's hands. Her hands knew how to brush and pull her hair into the perfect shape. Of course, there were also the make out sessions she missed that sometimes occurred afterwards. Thinking of it made a blush rise up Mary's neck. Her hand subconsciously touched the spot where Anna liked to kiss. She grinned just thinking of it. It wasn't until Mary saw how goofy she appeared in the mirror, that she straightened herself. Who knew what Baxter thought of her now? Not that she really cared.

"Thank you, Baxter," Mary excused her.

Once Baxter was out of the room, Mary went to the bed. She sat down and ran her fingers over the covers. It was awfully lonely in this big bed all alone. She closed her eyes and tried to think of Anna near her. Her hand darted over her neck and she happily sighed. Then it gently caressed over the dip of her dress.

"Mary!" A voice and knock on the door made Mary jump. She quickly got off the bed and turned around.

"Coming!"

Downton Abbey

Anna kissed the top of Johnny's head and tucked him into his bed. The little boy then bent up and kissed her cheek. He smiled up at her and her heart skipped a beat. Even though he looked so much like her, sometimes, like now, he looked just like his father. Anna's hand ran over his cheek and she thought about how much John would adore his son.

"Goodnight," Anna whispered. "I love you."

"I love you too, Mummy," Johnny quietly replied.

She then walked over toward George, who was sitting up expectantly for his turn. He had his hands tucked in his lap and his little blonde locks were already a mess. She smiled at him, before sitting on the edge of the bed.

"When will Mummy be back?" He asked Anna.

"Soon," Anna promised him. "I know she misses you, dearly."

"But you're here," George added with a grin.

"I am, darling.'

He rested back against his pillow and waited for Anna to place the covers over his chest. Then he gave her a wink.

"Love you, Aunt Anna."

"I love you, too." She kissed the top of his head and then stood. It was generally tradition for her and Mary to do this together. It couldn't happen every evening, but they tried their best to make sure the children got goodnight stories and tuck-ins from them.

Her last stop was Pippa. But the little girl was already asleep. As Anna read them their story, she had fallen asleep next to Anna on the floor. Nanny picked her up and placed her in her cot. Anna looked down at the sleeping girl, her arms aching to lift her and rock her for a little while. Instead, she kissed her fingertips and pressed them against the girl's temple.

"Goodnight my sweet girl," Anna said just above a whisper. She inhaled and turned around to find Marigold in Nanny's arms. She had been upset the entire time Anna had been in the nursery. It made her frown. She walked over toward her and patted her back.

"Poor dear is just overwhelmed," Nanny explained. Anna nodded.

"It's still an adjustment."

"I think she misses where she was before. Must be such a shock to her."

"Yes," Anna agreed. "But I'm sure she will adjust, especially with you to care for her."

She then exited the nursery and stood at the door. It was quiet in the halls with most everyone away. Sadness seeped in her bones and it hit her just how much she missed Mary.

Brancaster

He asked her to dance. Mary actually had no intentions of dancing this evening. It had been her plan to just chat with those around them and play the part. However, when Henry invited her for a dance, she had agreed. She found she rather liked him. There was something about him that was different than other men.

"Naturally, I'm not going to answer any of your questions, but I am impressed you should ask them. Well done," Mary said in response to all Henry's questions about the woman and little boy who had showed up. She smiled at him.

The two continued to dance around the room and Mary had to admit that she was enjoying it. It was the first time in a while that she enjoyed this life again. But it didn't keep her from missing Anna. She wondered what it would be like if Anna was in her arms right now as they moved across the floor. Thinking of Anna made her lips curl up even more.

"What are you thinking about?" Henry asked her.

"Just things," Mary replied. She then drew her attention back to Henry. He deserved at least that.

Downton Abbey

Mrs. Hughes stepped down the hallway, trying to remember what she was in search of. She paused at the front of Lady Mary's room, when she found the door ajar. Her lips pursed. She was sure she had closed it after grabbing some linens that needed to be washed.

She walked up to close the door and that was when she heard the crying. Her brows knitted. Who could be in the bedroom? Lady Mary was at Brancaster Castle.

Slowly, she pushed opened the door to find Anna quickly standing from the edge of the bed. She wiped beneath her eyes and quirked her lips to the side.

"Anna, what's happened?"

"Nothing, I'm being silly," Anna murmured.

"Why are you here in Lady Mary's room crying, Anna?" It seemed like an odd place for Anna to be. While Mrs. Hughes knew that Lady Mary and Anna were friends, she didn't know Anna to spend her time in this room when Lady Mary was away.

"I….I'm not sure," Anna replied. Mrs. Hughes was sure Anna wasn't telling her something, but she decided it might be best not to know.

"Let's go downstairs for some tea," Mrs. Hughes suggested instead.

"Yes, I'd rather like that."

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

Mary was thrilled to be back home. She got to see Anna briefly when she arrived, but everything had been quite the debacle: Nanny bringing down the children, everyone chatting, and unpacking of the car.

When Mary finally made it upstairs to her room, she saw her bag unpacked, but Anna was already gone. She frowned. She had been hoping to get a hello kiss. The entire trip all she wanted was to see Anna again.

Mary changed her clothes and then peeked into the nursery. All three children lit up and rushed toward her, even though they had greeted her at her arrival. She kissed each of their heads and told them how much she had missed them. She then snuck out a piece of chocolate for them each. With a sigh, she pulled out a fourth to hand to Marigold, as well. The little girl shyly took it and backed away. Mary gave her a smile. She reminded herself that it wasn't Marigold's fault that Edith had taken her in as a ward. She was just an innocent child.

"Be good for Nanny," Mary then told the children.

She stood and walked out of the room. It was growing dark outside. But there was still a while before Anna would be in her room. It felt like a lifetime away. Mary itched to be near her.

She rushed down the stairs and walked outside. She went around the back and wanted to sneak downstairs in search of Anna. If only she could see her for a few minutes, she would be able to make it until it was time for bed.

Fortunately, she happened to catch Anna stepping outside with something in her hands. Mary tugged at her arm, making Anna jump.

"Sorry," Mary apologized. Anna's face had gone white and Mary realized she shouldn't have frightened Anna in such a way. Her body slowly calmed when she saw it was Mary.

"What are you doing back here?" Anna whispered. Mary didn't say anything. Instead, she motioned for Anna to follow her back to a darker corner. Here the two of them were hidden by the shadows.

"I missed you," Mary told her, her hands coming up to cup Anna's cheeks. Anna chuckled.

"Love, I'll be upstairs in just a little while."

"But it's been so long since I was able to kiss you, darling," Mary said, before leaning forward to press her lips against Anna's. Anna melted instantly against her, her hands running up Mary's back.

"I missed you too," Anna told her back. Their eyes met briefly. Mary licked her lower lip. Then she went back to kissing Anna, but her lips trailed down and over the exposed skin of her neck.

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

Mrs. Hughes stood outside for a brief moment to catch her breath. Inside was a hustle of everyone trying to adjust to the return from Brancaster. Sometimes, it was best if she just got out of everything for a little while.

She heard a noise. Her curiosity was peaked and she turned toward the sound. It was then that she saw Lady Mary stepping out of the shadows. Quietly, Mrs. Hughes stepped backwards, not wanting to be seen or appearing to be snooping. Lady Mary's hair was a bit askew and there was the distinct redness around her lips that gave way she had been kissing someone.

Mrs. Hughes shook her head. She had no idea that Lady Mary had a beau. Instead of looking anymore, Mrs. Hughes decided that it was not her business and she didn't want to know. However, she wasn't given a chance to duck back inside when she saw the shadow of the next person escaping from the shadows.

Her heart dropped. It was Anna.

To be continued...