As always, thank you all!
Chapter 46
Spring 1971
Mary laughed with her children. The four of them sat on the back porch, enjoying the beautiful weather of the spring day. Johnny had come by, as he always did every other day. He really was the eldest in every way. He made sure both she and Anna were well taken care of and also everything else was settled. He looked so much like Anna, too. But there were times when Mary could see Bates clear as day on his face. And then, of course, there was George. The only of the three children she birthed. He looked so much like his father. He now visited as often as Johnny. Pippa was always here now. Her adventures had been set aside to care for her mothers. And today it worked out that all three of the children were here together.
Anna was napping, but they all promised to stay until she woke up. So they sat together and laughed.
Mary kept looking at Pippa and the unruly curls on the top of her head. Since she was a small child, Mary wondered where those curls had come from. While Mary didn't like thinking about Alex Green, the little she did remember of him was that he had straight hair. And that Pippa looked nothing like him. But where were those curls from?
"And she still didn't catch on?" Pippa asked, laughing heartily.
"No," Mary said with her own giggle. "Your Aunt Edith clearly does not want to know."
"You say she saw Aunt Anna kissing you?" George clarified.
"Yes. Clear as day."
The laugher continued. Johnny bent over to set down his cup.
"Perhaps we should be kinder to her," Johnny stated. "It is a bit unconventional."
"It is," George had to agree.
"A bit?" Pippa laughed. "Oh, one day, it will be normal. It is normal," she corrected.
"Well, of course," Johnny defended his words. "I just meant…"
"I know what you meant, darling," Mary assured him. "To the world, we are unconventional. You're right. So it does make sense as to why my sister doesn't want to see what is right in front of her face."
"Maybe one day she will," George offered up.
Mary smiled. "Perhaps."
1920s Downton Abbey
"Your wedding was beautiful," Mary said to her sister, as her eyes scanned over the children playing in the field before them. Edith and Bertie had gone on a long honeymoon and now they were back to pick up Marigold before heading to Brancaster.
"Thank you," Edith replied. She had not moved her eyes from her daughter, watching her run along with all of the children. "She will miss them all, but I think Marigold will miss Pippa the most."
"Yes," Mary agreed. "Pippa will be heartbroken when you take her away. You'll come and visit and we'll visit you too, though. This goodbye is not forever."
"But it feels that way, doesn't it? I am moving away, soon Sybil and Tom will be leaving. It's quite the end of an era."
Mary was thrown off by how emotional that made her feel. Yet, Edith was right. It was an end of an era. Soon, both of her sisters would be off to begin new exciting lives. She would still be right here. But she didn't mind it. She loved Downton. It was her home. It was where she and her family belonged.
"I…" Edith paused, turning to face Mary. "I wrote Mrs. Drewe a letter."
"Oh?" Mary was surprised. She hadn't heard that name in quite some time. "And what did you say?"
"I invited her to visit Marigold. Seeing you with Pippa, well…" Again she stopped, mulling over her words. "Even though I do believe Pippa to be yours," she started, "If she's not, I see how much you adore her."
"I love her more than words could ever say," Mary stated with much seriousness.
"And I now understand what you were trying to tell me before. I've given Mrs. Drewe a chance to see her again. I know it doesn't change how things went down, but I think it could be good for the both of them."
"I think so," Mary agreed with a nod. "That's quite the selfless act, Edith."
"You sound surprised."
"I am."
Edith made a look, but then she laughed. "I will miss you, you know."
"I know," Mary cocked her eyebrow. "And I guess, I'll miss you too," Mary said with a smile and a wink.
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When the children ran in from the outside, Anna stood in the doorway. Johnny immediately wrapped his arms around her waist, giving her a hug. She brought her own arms around him, so grateful for him. Every day, he gave her such happiness.
"Hi Nah-nah!" Pippa greeted, tugging George's hand.
"Hi," Anna tried to reach out to touch the little girl's hair, but she was already too far ahead. Anna bit back the hurt. She and Pippa were close, the little girl did adore her, but it wasn't the same as it was with Johnny. It could never be the same.
"Aunt Anna?" George asked, finally getting away from Pippa.
"Yes, darling?"
"Will you read to us before bedtime? You tell the best stories!"
"Of course, I will," Anna brightened some. Stories at bedtime were one of Anna's favorite parts of the day. She loved sitting in the room with the children. They would all cuddle around her and listen to the tale. Sometimes, Anna would even spot Mary watching from the doorway. It was in those moments that they could pretend they were the only five in this world, for just a little while.
"Ah, Anna," Mary stated, straightening her back. Though her demeanor was one of a Lady, Anna could easily spot the way her lips twitched and eyes glanced over Anna. Mary might be subtle to everyone else, but not her. No, she knew Mary all too well.
"Yes, m'lady?" Even though no one was around, they were in the house. At any moment, someone could turn a corner and overhear or see them.
"The children were asking if you would read them a bedtime story."
"Yes, George just asked me."
"Brilliant," Mary replied, her eyes twinkling. "Then I guess I'll see you later, at bedtime?"
"Yes, you will."
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"I wish you'd just tell me," Mary said to Henry and Charlie, as they led her and Anna through the town.
"Oh be patient," Anna told her, giving her a wink. Mary huffed, but she then smiled. She couldn't ever help but smile when Anna was near her.
When Henry had invited her and Anna into town, Mary was curious with what this was all about. It had taken some time, but Mary had decided to keep her friendship with Henry. There was something special there and it was nice for Mary to have a friend who knew everything about her. She now had a confidant. Anna and he got along, as well. So it was perfect.
"It's a surprise," Henry said.
"I hate surprises."
"Don't be so contrary," Anna playfully bumped her with her shoulder. Mary wanted to reach out and pull her closer, but Charlie didn't know about them. He did know that they were more like friends than a Lady and her maid, but the rest was more complicated. Mary didn't know if she could trust him with that information. She had no intentions of telling him any time soon.
"I'll be however I want."
"Well, we are here, so it doesn't matter," Charlie stated. Mary paused. She had no idea what they were talking about. Her eyes scanned the road.
"Look up," Henry said. Mary did as he asked. There was a sign: Talbot and Rogers Motors.
"What?" Mary laughed. "You two are moving here?"
"Yes, we've decided it's time to settle down somewhere, so why not? This would be our new occupation."
"How exciting!" Anna excitedly stated, clapping her hands.
"And this is what you both want?"
"Racing is no longer what we want, but we still need cars to be a large part of our lives."
"Shall we take a tour?" Charlie asked them.
"Yes, absolutely."
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"Well, that is exciting," Anna said later that night. She slid into the bed and curled right into Mary's side. Almost automatically, Mary's fingers began to run through her hair.
"Yes, I think it is. It will be nice to have them nearby. Henry said he's bought a house too. He wants to have us over to dinner." Anna sat up slightly.
"How would that work, exactly? I'm not sure lady's maids often go to dinner with their ladies."
"No," Mary agreed, running her fingers over Anna's shoulder and pulling down the gown slightly so she could touch more skin. "But times are changing, Anna. And Henry is also your friend. So Mama and Papa might grumble about it, but they'll get over it."
Anna seemed to mull this over. She closed her eyes as Mary's hands became more daring over Anna's skin. Mary never got enough of her. There were days she wished they could remain in bed and never have to get up for pretenses.
"How is Mr. Carson?" Anna then asked, as her eyes popped open. Mary frowned, though her hand did not leave Anna's skin.
"I am not sure. But this house will care for Carson, no matter what happens."
"I know he means a lot to you," Anna murmured, her own hand coming up to caress Mary's shoulder.
"He does." Mary felt Anna inching closer toward her. Anna's lips gently touched hers and Mary let out a low moan. "I love you, Anna."
"I love you, so much."
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Mary stood at the front of the house with the household. Everyone had come out to say goodbye to Sybil, Tom, and the girls. Sybil had her hands around her growing belly. This was a harder goodbye than Edith. Perhaps because they were closer or because Sybil knew the truth and she would no longer have her to confide in.
"I'm going to miss you," Mary said into her sister's ear.
"I'll miss you," she replied. Then she quietly added, "You and Anna come and visit us, please."
"Of course," Mary promised. She gave her sister's hand a squeeze and then stepped back. This would be a big adjustment. Tom would no longer be the one to help her with the estate. But Mary knew she could handle it. Tom knew it too. He told her as much when he informed her that he and Sybil would be moving to Ireland.
"You'll visit often," Robert said. His eyes were on the two little girls and then Sybil.
"Of course, Papa," Sybil promised. Sybil hugged both of her parents, before getting into the car.
They all stood and watched as they drove away. Mary felt that sadness sweep over her again. There were so many changes. Carson would be retiring soon, her sisters had both moved away, and the children were growing older so quickly.
When everyone else was gone, Mary found that Anna was still there. Anna was always there. She walked up to Mary and stood right beside her, her fingers just gently brushing over her knuckles discreetly.
"It's the end of an era," Mary repeated what Edith had said all those weeks ago.
"It is. But it's the start of new beginnings, my love. It'll be exciting to see what the future brings."
Spring 1971
"We've named her Joanna," Jack said, placing the small, delicate baby girl into Anna's arms. The little girl had the same light downy hair as Johnny had as a baby.
"Joanna?" Anna glanced up at her grandson.
"I am the third John Bates and so we decided we should name her after you and my grandfather."
"Oh, it's beautiful," Mary beamed, glancing over Anna's shoulder. "She's beautiful."
"She is," Anna agreed.
"We're going to call her Annie," Linda chimed in.
"Hello, Annie," Mary said, her hand touching the baby's cheek. Anna smiled up at Mary.
"We have a great granddaughter, Mary." Mary's lips curled up into the brightest smile.
"We do. Our newest beginning."
"Our newest blessing, our Annie."
To be continued...
That is the end of Part 3. Next we have Summer of 1971. And in the past, we move to the 1930s. Pippa will be 11, George 12, and Johnny 14 when we return. What is in store for them all next? Find out soon with part 4. It will be updated soon! Thank you again for reading!
