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Chapter 48
Summer 1971
George held the cup of coffee in his hand and took a slow sip, before making a face. The coffee at the hospital was bitter. Placing it down on the countertop, he saw the doctor coming by. He had questions about his mother's condition. Since she passed out that morning, they had been told nothing.
"My mother?" George asked. He wished he had taken his wife's offer up on coming to the hospital, but he had told her to wait until they knew more. Sometimes he could be as stubborn as his mother.
"You can visit her now," the doctor quietly said. "She is very ill. Her heart is weak."
George felt the tears welling up in his eyes.
"Will she be able to go back home?" George knew how much his mother loved Downton. She would hate being here in this hospital.
"I can't answer that at this time. We need to keep her here for now, Lord Grantham."
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"Mama is missing her," Pippa said into the phone to her brother, George. "I think she's confused. She's been walking all around in search for Mother." Pippa heard George sigh.
"Mother is still sleeping," George told her. "But they said she should wake up soon."
"Mother is going to be angry she's there," Pippa tried to lightheartedly say, but it broke her heart. Both the women they loved were growing closer to the end of their lives. She blinked back the tears. "Please keep me updated on Mother, tell her I love her and will visit her soon."
"I will. Goodbye."
Pippa hung up the phone and walked back to the library where her mama was standing at the window. Her hands were clutched together and she had a look of determination on her face.
"Mama," Pippa gently said, touching Anna's shoulders. The woman tensed and turned quickly to face her.
"Where is Mary?" She just asked, her eyes wide and wild.
"Mama, she's at Hospital. In a little while, I'll take you to see her."
Anna glared at Pippa. "Who are you? Why are you here? Where are the children? Where is Mary? Where is everybody?"
Pippa swallowed hard.
"Mama, I'm Pippa. I am your daughter. I'm yours," she desperately told Anna, needing her to remember her. Anna blinked harshly, tugging her afghan over her shoulders.
"I want Mary," was all she responded. Pippa slowly nodded.
"I know you do, Mama. We'll see her soon. I promise."
1930s Downton Abbey
Mary and Anna loved being at Henry's shop. In many ways, it was their escape from prying eyes. There was a back room where they would go and talk with Henry, as Pippa would examine the cars up front with Charlie. In this private room, Anna and Mary could sit with one another on Henry's settee and hold hands or touch one another in sweet ways. Henry never minded or said a word about it.
They spent a lot of time with Henry at his shop or his home. He even started talking with a woman from America, who seemed to be as open minded as he was. They hadn't met her yet, but both women were thrilled for him.
Leaving the back room, they found Pippa standing over the engine of the car, tweaking something with a tool. Mary had no idea what type of tool it was, but it seemed Pippa knew just what she was doing.
"Maybe she'll work with cars," Henry said. Mary made a face. That was not her hope for any of her children. Despite her friendship with Henry, Mary still wasn't a fan of cars. Though she never would get in the way of any of her children's dreams, even if she didn't like them.
"Do you think so, Uncle Henry?" Pippa asked, standing up and rubbing her greasy hands on the dirty towel beside her.
"You can do whatever you want," Anna told the girl with a smile. Mary glanced at Anna and she could see the mixture of joy and pain that seemed to always be in Anna's eyes when she looked at Pippa. She loved that girl so much and Mary knew it pained Anna not to be able to tell her who she was. But they had decided to wait until Pippa was a little older to tell her the truth. It wasn't that they wanted to lie, but they had to be sure the timing was right. It was a huge truth to tell her and they both knew she needed to be ready for it.
"Hum," Pippa pondered. She jumped down from the stool and walked over toward Mary and Anna. Her dress was covered in grease and grime.
"Why didn't you put on one of the covers?" Mary asked, glancing at all the stains.
"Oh I can clean them out, it's alright," Anna gave Pippa a wink.
"I don't like the covers. They're scratchy."
Mary rolled her eyes. Pippa could be quite stubborn and it was showing more and more lately.
"Well, we ought to go, Mama and Papa are expecting us for lunch," Mary told Pippa. Then she leaned over and gave Henry a quick peck on the cheek. "See you later."
"Yes, goodbye, Henry."
"Bye!"
-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-
"Philippa, what on earth has happened to your dress?" Cora gasped, as Mary and Pippa joined them for lunch. Pippa glanced down at the stained dress before shrugging her shoulders.
"Just some grease," she told them, taking her seat.
"We didn't have time for her to change," Mary explained, sitting down next to her daughter. Cora and Robert met eyes and then shook their heads. Lately, they had really been pushing that now that Pippa was eleven, she needed to start acting more like a lady. They had even begun calling her Philippa instead of Pippa most of the time, saying it was much more distinguished. Mary did wonder how long that would last, especially with her papa. He seemed to enjoy Pippa's spirit more. Her mama, however, wanted her to be a proper lady.
"So, how is Henry?" Her father asked, meeting her eyes. It always had that same look in them. He and her mother were still hoping she and Henry would marry.
"He's has an American," Pippa answered for her, leaning over to grab the bowl of bread from the middle of the table. "Maybe he'll marry her."
"An American?" Cora questioned, shocked. "He's dating her?"
"Yes, Mama," Mary easily answered. "Why are you so shocked?"
"Well, we hoped…." Cora began, sighing.
"I told you that Henry and I are just friends."
"A friend you see weekly," Robert added.
"Trust me, they are just friends," Pippa broke in with a chuckle.
"What does that mean?" Robert curiously questioned her.
Pippa's shoulders moved up and down, "Nothing."
Mary shook her head when both of her parents looked to her for clarification. She didn't know what Pippa was laughing about, but she was right. She and Henry were only friends.
"You leave tomorrow for London?" Cora then changed the topic of conversation and Mary was glad for it.
"Yes, but I'll only be gone a couple of nights. Just dealing with tax stuff, nothing too fun and exciting."
-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-
"Two whole nights without you in my arms," Mary groaned as she tightened her hold on Anna in bed. She had wanted to take Anna with her, but with the way things were set up, it wouldn't have been possible. The two would have spent more time apart and Mary didn't want Anna just waiting around for her.
"I will miss you," Anna agreed, resting her head on Mary's chest. Her fingers ran up and down Mary's arm, giving it goosebumps. Mary kissed the top of Anna's head and then rubbed Anna's back.
"I was thinking about the parents' weekend coming up at the boys' school."
"Hum?"
"Well, what if we stayed at a home nearby. We could be there, just the two of us, for a few nights."
"Just us?" Anna asked, sitting up and smiling. Mary brought her hand up to brush along Anna's jaw.
"Yes, just us. It's been a while since we did a weekend alone. We'll visit the boys on Saturday, but we can head up early or stay a few days later. I can say there is business I need to attend to. I handle it all now. Mama and Papa won't know either way."
"I do love the idea of not having to hide," Anna agreed.
"Me too, darling. Even if it's just for a little while."
Mary tugged Anna closer to her so that their lips could meet. She still never could get enough of her soft lips and the way Anna's fingers could brush along her skin. It was the most wonderful feeling to her. She always felt so loved.
"One day," Mary began, "One day, we won't have to hide in this house. We will be safe here."
Anna gave a solemn smile. "I hope that's true."
"It will be."
-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-
Anna eagerly opened the two letters that she had received from the boys. They had been gone for just a few weeks now and she missed them both dearly. She hadn't been sure if George would send her letters and so when the one from him arrived, her heart had felt so full. She went back to a quiet spot and sat down. Then she read over them. Both boys told her all about how school was going and what classes they were taking.
George's was long. He was a talker, though. And so Anna was told almost every detail of the previous week. It actually made Anna chuckle seeing that his letters still held his personality. Johnny's did as well. His was a lovely letter, mainly detailing the most important aspects of his school. It also was full of concern for how they all were doing and telling her how much he missed her, but for her not to worry about him. He was enjoying school and learning. He was so much like his father.
Anna held the two letters to her chest. She would have to write them back. It seemed George enjoyed more of the social aspects of school and Johnny appeared to prefer the learning. But they both had friends and George said he did enjoy his literature class. Oh, how she couldn't wait to see them soon.
Having plenty of free time today, Anna decided to go on upstairs to begin working on the letters for each boy. She wondered what all she could tell them. Not too much had happened while she they were away. Much was the same, except the big absence of the two of them. But she didn't want to tell them just how much they were missed. It wouldn't be fair to them. No, they were spreading their wings.
As she made her way up the stairs, she was surprised to see Mrs. Hughes looking flustered. Upon seeing Anna, she quickened her pace.
"Mrs. Hughes?"
"Anna, we….I have been looking for you. It…Anna, it's Pippa."
Anna clutched her hand on the railing and met Mrs. Hughes' eyes.
"Pippa…what…what about Pippa?"
"She was playing outside and climbing up a tree. She fell. They had her rushed to the hospital."
"Wait…what do you mean she fell? Did she break something?" Anna felt suddenly so overwhelmed.
"I don't know. I just know she's there. Her governess said she was hanging upside down and hit her head pretty harshly."
Hot tears stung Anna's eyes. "Oh my god."
"Go on, dear. Go see her."
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When Anna finally made it to the hospital, she was met by Isobel up front. She didn't know where Dr. Clarkson was. Perhaps with Pippa. She didn't care. She just needed to see Pippa. She needed to see how her daughter was.
"Oh, Anna," Isobel greeted, standing from the desk.
"Where is Pippa?" Anna glanced around the small hospital that thankfully was still here years later. It had taken a lot of fighting to keep it here.
"She's over there," Isobel pointed to a closed curtain.
"I need to see her. I need to know how she's doing," Anna tried to remain calm, but she felt so anxious.
"I'm sorry, Anna, but I can't allow that. Pippa is Mary's ward. We are trying to contact her and get her home, but you are not allowed to have that information. I know you are close with Mary's children, but…."
"No, I have to see her," Anna felt desperate. "Please, just tell me how she is doing. Please."
"Anna, I can't. I have to follow…"
"She….she's my daughter," Anna finally said, no longer willing to keep this secret if it meant she had to be kept from her. "She's mine."
Isobel's eyes widened.
"Lady Mary took her in as a ward for me, but she's my daughter. She's my little girl."
Complete belief and understanding immediately filled Isobel's features.
"Why don't you let me take you to her," she then said. "She should be fine. We just have to watch her for a few days." Isobel whispered. That calmed Anna's heart rate some.
Isobel opened the curtain and Anna saw Pippa lying there. Her eye had a bandage over it and her cheek was red. Her arm was also in a sling.
"Go on," Isobel whispered. "I'll give you some time."
Anna slowly sat down next to Pippa and took her unarmed hand into her own. A stray tear slid down her cheek.
To her surprise, Pippa stirred and opened her one good eye. Her head turned slightly and she made a face.
"Shh, darling," Anna soothed. "Don't overdo it."
Pippa narrowed her eye and squeezed Anna's hand.
"Did…" her voice was scratchy and tired.
"Shh," Anna whispered again. "Get some rest."
"Did you tell Isobel you are my mother?" Anna felt her heart tighten. This was not how she expected this moment to go. But instead of letting herself worry too much about it, she just held Pippa's hand a bit tighter, leaned forward, and gently placed her other hand on Pippa's cheek.
"Yes, Pippa. It's true. I am your mother."
To be continued...
I cannot tell you how excited I am to have finally gotten to this scene. Pippa finally knows :) Now how will that change things and how will she take it? Thank you for reading!
