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Chapter 43

1920s Downton Abbey

Mary was shaking in Anna's arms. Anna tightened her hold, pressing a gentle kiss against the shell of Mary's ear. The night had turned into a nightmare for Mary and everyone when her father's ulcer had burst, causing him to cough up blood. Mary hadn't cried yet; Anna was sure she was in shock. So instead of saying anything or trying to get Mary to talk about it, Anna just held her.

"He…he'll be alright," Mary finally spoke, pulling slightly away from Anna's arms. But she did take Anna's hand within hers, as though she wasn't quite ready not to have her touch. "It….they said he'll be fine."

"He will," Anna quietly agreed. She kept her gaze on Mary, waiting for her to burst into sobs. Yet, it didn't happen. Mary remained stoic, though Anna could tell just how terrified Mary was. Over the years of knowing Mary, Anna had learned the little details in Mary's demeanor that could give away how she truly felt about something. And since the two of them had become them, the details had become even clearer to Anna.

"I've spoken to Tom. He and I will be taking on full responsibility of the estate. My Papa cannot handle the stress any longer."

"Why don't we get you undressed and into your nightgown? You should probably rest," Anna suggested. Mary only answered with a nod. Anna walked up to her and helped to slide Mary's dress off her shoulders. Once the dress and slip had been taken off of her, Mary turned to face Anna. It was then that her vulnerability showed and her lower lip began to quiver. Anna placed her hand lovingly on Mary's cheek.

"Oh, my love," Anna whispered. Mary didn't say anything. Instead, she leaned forward and gave Anna the softest of kisses.

"He'll be alright," Mary repeated, trying to convince herself.

"He will."

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

Mary had hardly slept. But when she fell asleep, she slept hard. She woke up to Anna quietly placing a tray on the side of the bed. When she met Anna's eyes, Anna gave her a sheepish grin.

"I was trying not to wake you, but I was worried you would be starved if I didn't bring you anything up. It's nearly lunch time."

Mary yawned and then slowly made herself sit up.

"You're too good to me, you know?"

At Mary's words, Anna only smiled. Mary loved the way Anna's cheeks would turn a light pink whenever she complimented her.

"Eat up, alright?" Anna lightly commanded. "You had a long evening. You need to keep your strength." Anna then placed the tray over Mary's lap. "Now, I ought to get back downstairs. Ring, if you need me."

"Wait," Mary grasped at Anna's hand. "Why don't you sit with me while I eat?" At her request, Anna bent down and kissed Mary's temple.

"I would, but I can't, not right now. There are clothes that need mending and then I promised Johnny I would take him downstairs while the other children napped after lunch."

"Oh alright," Mary replied, but she smiled. Her hand traced the line of Anna's jaw. "Will we still take the children for a picnic? Just later?"

"Yes, I think we can do that after naptime. Now, eat up, love."

Mary watched Anna leave her room and then she glanced down at her tray. She picked up a piece of toast and took a small bite. Her stomach was still unsettled from the night before, so she put it back down. Instead, she sipped on the milky tea that Anna had made for her. She knew Anna had added the special shake of cinnamon in the tea. It was something she had introduced her to and now Mary looked forward to the special, comforting treat.

A few sips and Mary felt she could eat a little bit of food. Then she stood from the bed and decided she would dress herself. She knew Anna had plenty on her plate and it would be selfish of her to ring for Anna to do something she could do alone. Her eyes met her own in the mirror and she laughed. She really had changed.

Once she was dressed, she walked down to the nursery hoping to see the children before they went down for a nap. But when she walked in, she saw that George and Marigold were both asleep. Pippa, however, was sitting up on the bed with her hands on her hips. The moment she saw Mary, she stood.

"Lady!"

"Shh, darling," Mary said, before either of the nannies could scold Pippa. She walked over toward her and lifted her up from the bed. The little girl pursed her lips together and then pressed her finger against them.

"Yes, they're sleeping," she nodded.

"Pippa doesn't like naps," Nanny Jones narrowed her eyes in on Pippa. Mary just turned away from her, glad that she was mainly in charge of Marigold. Nanny was much more patient with her children.

"Darling, why don't you come downstairs with me?"

Pippa grinned. Mary gave Nanny a nod and ignored the look of disapproval from Nanny Jones. She walked Pippa out of the nursery and decided to take her down to the library. Pippa always enjoyed looking at all the books. Mary was sure that once Pippa learned how to read that she would be in the library at all times with her nose in a book. Pippa had already shown how curious she was about the world and all she wanted to learn. Mary knew she wanted to foster that love.

When they reached the library, Mary placed Pippa down on the floor. The little girl rushed to the first row of books and she ran her fingers over the spines. She then lifted one from the row. It was a heavy book and it nearly fell out of her hands, but Mary rushed to her side and helped her to hold it. She walked to the settee and had Pippa sit in her lap. The book was a history of Britain book. Mary was sure there had to be a more exciting book for Pippa, but the little girl insisted Mary read it to her.

As she read the first few pages, Pippa widened her eyes, seemingly intrigued by every minute detail Mary stated. Mary finished up the first chapter and closed the book, realizing that Pippa had fallen asleep. She quietly chuckled. Instead of moving, Mary just placed the book next to her on the settee and adjusted Pippa in her lap. It was rare that she got to hold any of the children now as they slept. She decided she would enjoy this moment now with her little girl. Her lips pressed against the plaited hair and she rubbed her hand up and down her back.

The door opened and Mary glanced up. It was Edith popping in. Mary felt the room grow uncomfortable. Just the night before the two of them had been waiting impatiently for news about their father. But now it felt like before, now that Papa was out of the danger zone.

Edith stepped further into the room, her eyes on Pippa in Mary's lap.

"You really do adore her, don't you?" Edith quietly asked.

"Of course, I do," Mary stated.

"You really would be devastated if someone came and took her away."

"Absolutely, I would. I love her as much as I love George, Edith. To me, she's my little girl."

"But…." Edith paused her words. She then shook her head. "She does look like you, you know."

Mary smiled. "I know. Marigold looks like you." Their eyes met. Edith's eyes widened slightly. "But the difference is that I did not give birth to Pippa. Don't worry, Edith. I have no plans on telling anyone. It's your secret. Though, I'm not sure you need to keep it."

Mary stood then.

"Now, I must take this little one up to her bed."

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

"Mummy?" Johnny asked, climbing down from the stool in the boot room. Anna glanced up from where she had been polishing one of Mary's shoes. Johnny enjoyed coming downstairs with her while the younger children napped. And Anna had to admit that she loved this time with Johnny too. It was rare that the two got time alone together. Her days were often very busy, but Johnny was old enough now to come with her as she did things. He didn't get in the way and instead sometimes helped.

"Yes," Anna smiled down at her son. His blue eyes were intent on her.

"When I get older, will I work down here too?"

Anna brushed her fingers through Johnny's blonde locks. She bent down to his level and took his hands within her own. She and Mary had already spoken about Johnny's future. Anna was proud of her work at Downton Abbey. She was proud of who John had been and all he had accomplished. Had John not been taken from her and Johnny, she was sure, however, that they both would have fought for him to have an education and more opportunities than they had.

"If that's what you want," Anna said. "But you will have more choices than I did and your father did. Soon, you'll have a governess that will teach you all the things. And you'll go to school."

Johnny cocked his head to one side. "Do I have to?"

Anna chuckled. "Yes, you do. I'm excited to see what all you, George, and Pippa do as you get older."

"Well, George will own this place," Johnny smartly said. Anna had to laugh.

"Yes, he will. One day. Come on, we need to go and pick them up for our late picnic."

"With Aunt Mary?"

"Yes, with all of us."

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

Since it was later than their normal picnic time, Anna had just brought some biscuits for them to munch on as they sat by the pond. The children rushed around. Today they were on a hunt for flat rocks. Apparently, Thomas had taught the boys how to skip rocks over the water. George had picked it up quickly and the other two children loved to watch him do it, while they attempted to do the same.

Mary searched in the basket to see if there were any other treats and saw that Anna had grabbed a few pieces of fruit. Mary pulled one out and took a bite of the apple. The juices spilled down her cheeks. With a napkin, she wiped them away.

"We really have everything, don't we, Anna?" Mary then said.

"Hum?"

"Three beautiful children, each other. Everything is nearly perfect."

"Bad harvest, bad harvest," Anna quickly stated almost beneath her breath. Mary cocked one eyebrow up.

"What was that?"

"In the old days, when the crop was good, the farmers used to shout 'bad harvest!' So the gods wouldn't grow jealous of their luck and destroy them."

"Oh," Mary giggled. "Well, bad harvest!" Mary yelled. Now it was Anna's turn to laugh. The children all turned toward the noise and rushed over to Mary.

"Mummy?" George questioned.

"Come on children, say it with me. Bad harvest!"

The three children locked hands together and then shouted, "Bad harvest!"
"There," Mary proudly stated. "That should do it."

Spring 1971

Maebh placed a blanket over Anna and Mary's laps. The two were sitting on the back porch, watching as the sun disappeared. Mary placed her hand on Anna's and she met her eyes. The day had been a good day. Anna was still lost to many, but she remembered Mary. She had been in good spirits and often spoke about things she wanted to do with the children.

"You're both in good health today, Aunt Mary," Maebh told her, as she checked Mary's vitals. "I think we're looking at a good week for you both."

Mary's eyes watered and she looked to Anna, before whispering, "Bad harvest, bad harvest."

To be continued...

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