Thank you all for your kindness and reviews! Here is chapter 52! There are at least 8 more chapters for part 4 and then we still have part 5 to go after this one. Thanks for sticking around.

Chapter 52

Summer 1971

With a sigh, Mary thought how she was glad she and Anna had gone to the beach in the spring. Because now she was much too weak for the journey. Not that she would admit that out loud. She was already annoyed enough by how her children were treating her as if she were made of glass.

Pippa was always there, right around the corner, checking in. And then the boys came by nearly daily, if they could. It wasn't that Mary didn't enjoy seeing her children. She did. It was the reason they were by often that annoyed her.

"Mary?" Anna was sitting on the settee in front of the television. Mary had to carefully slide out of the bed. She was thankful no one happened to be eyeing her like a hawk right now or else they would have insisted to help her over to Anna. She grabbed he cane Johnny had brought her the day before and used it to assist her.

When she reached the settee, Anna patted it and smiled up at her. Many, many moons ago Mary had learned that it was rare that she could tell Anna no. All she ever wanted was to make her happy. Using the cane, she balanced herself to sit down next to Anna. Then ever so carefully, Anna rested her head on Mary's shoulder. This made Mary smile.

"Oh my darling," she murmured, as she wrapped her arm around Anna's shoulder to pull her closer. "I do so love you."

"And I love you."

1930s – Downton Abbey

Anna gently combed through Pippa's curls, knowing that if she brushed them too much they would become unruly. Then she sprayed some water on it and used her finger to help twirl the beautiful curls, before twisting it up into the bun like Pippa requested. Normally, Anna pinned half of it up with a ribbon or did plaits on the side. However, Pippa said she wanted a more mature look.

As Anna looked in the mirror, she saw that this hairdo made Pippa look much older. She sighed. She wasn't sure she was ready for her daughter to be a young lady. She was still only eleven, though her twelfth birthday was just two months away.

"Oh!" Pippa gushed, "I love it, Anna! Thank you!" Pippa stood and then walked over to the full length mirror in the bedroom. She had chosen a beautiful purple dress with lace around the edges. In an odd way, it made Anna think of when she was eleven years old. Though their lives were so very different. Her mother had done her hair, but it had been in a style prepared for work. She started working at a young age around the neighborhood, cleaning and watching babies. Then she was sent away. Anna shook away her thoughts. She was so glad her children had a better start than she did.

"You look so grown," Anna murmured.

"It's great!"

"Are you sure you'll be alright here while Mary and I go and visit the boys? I wish you could come along, but only parents are invited for this trip."

"Yes," Pippa answered. "I will see them when they come home for their Christmas holiday. They get a whole month off."

"That's true," Anna said. Pippa turned toward her and twisted her lips slightly, before walking up to Anna and searching her face. Anna could tell that a question was sitting there between them and she knew what question it was. Anna braced herself. She wasn't ready to broach the topic of Pippa's father. Once it was said out loud, it couldn't be taken back. That weight, no matter how much it wasn't Pippa's to bear, would be there.

But Pippa shook her own head and Anna let out a sigh of relief. The question wouldn't be asked today.

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

"Mary," Pippa said, entering her bedroom. Mary turned, shocked at how grown Pippa looked with her hair pulled up. "May I borrow one of your necklaces?"

"Why are you all dressed up?" Mary asked, her brows furrowing. "Do you have a beau?"

At that, Pippa laughed, "Certainly not. I don't plan on marrying anyone." She rolled her eyes. "But, I do want to be treated like an adult."

"An adult?" Mary chuckled. "You're kidding, right? I caught you just yesterday sliding down the bannister."

"Well, I'm nearly twelve. It's time I act older." Pippa straightened her shoulders. Mary narrowed her eyes.

"What is this really about, Pippa?" Pippa shrugged her shoulders. "Is this about going off to school, again?" The way Pippa shifted let her know that was it. "Darling, I promise we will send you off in a couple of years. It's just not time yet. Plus, most schools for young girls teach about being a lady. I don't feel that's what you would want, is it?"

Pippa sighed and fell back against Mary's bed dramatically.

"No," she muttered. "I do not."

"Alright then. Trust that Anna and I are trying to get you the best education we can."

"Oh, alright," she sighed again. Then Pippa began to tug at the pins in her hair. "This bun was hurting my head anyway."

"Here, I'll help," Mary suggested. She walked over and began to assist Pippa. When she was done, she placed her hands on Pippa's cheeks. "There's my Pippa," she said with a smile.

Pippa pulled back slightly, her lips falling.

"Why won't you or Anna tell me about my father?"

Mary inhaled sharply, "Not that again, Pippa. I promise, there is nothing to know."

"I asked George and Johnny…"

"What?"

"Yes, I wrote them a letter and neither of them knew. George hadn't even known Anna was my mother. Johnny did though. I think he knows everything. He may even be lying about this."

"Johnny definitely doesn't know," Mary said, sitting down next to her daughter. "But he was three when you were born. So I guess maybe he remembers Anna having you. You told George and Johnny everything?"

"Well, yes, they are my brothers, right?" Those words made Mary's heart swell. Her hand went back to Pippa's cheek.

"They are, darling."

"And don't worry, they won't tell anyone."

"Yes, you and your brothers have proven you are good at keeping secrets. Perhaps, you all are too good," Mary mused. What other secrets were they keeping from them?

Pippa just rolled her eyes.

"Now, go see if Anna has time to redo your hair. We have lunch with your Donk and Granny before Anna and I leave on the train to visit your brothers."

"Do I have to?'

"Absolutely you do, now go on."

Boarding School

Anna hadn't thought that Johnny could grow any taller, but he had. He was so much taller than her now. She was sure he was as tall as his father had been. He quickly brought her into a hug and kissed her cheek.

"I've missed you," he whispered into her ear.

"Oh, I've missed you too," she replied. They walked over to where Mary was meeting with George. He also looked bigger. How had they grown so much in just a month?

The first part of the parents' day was a tour of the school. They were separated in different groups according to age, so Mary and Anna had to walk with their boys separately. Anna had been hoping they all could stay together. But after the tour they would have a luncheon outside. There she would be able to talk to George more.

In each classroom, Anna got to speak to the teachers. Each one told her how smart and kind Johnny was. She loved to know how well he was doing in school. He often sighed and told her it wasn't a big deal. But she knew it was. She was proud of her son and who he had grown up to be.

When they were finally done with the tour, they found Mary and George outside. George already had a plate of food. It was not surprising to Anna. He was always hungry. As a child, he used to run downstairs and beg Ms. Patmore for more sweets. And she generally had given in to him. It wasn't hard. He was a sweet child and it was easy to want to give him whatever he wanted.

"How was your tour?" Anna asked Mary and George.

"Fine. George is doing well enough. Yours?"

"Good," Anna said.

"Oh, it's good to be with the boys," Mary then said, smiling.

"Yes," Anna agreed. "Should we find a seat?"

Downton Abbey

If Thomas was going to do anything with his knowledge about Lady Mary and Anna, he would need proof. Just seeing them once in the hallway would mean nothing. He could have misread it. And no one would believe him anyway.

He needed to go into their bedrooms and search. More than likely, that would be where he might find something. The problem was finding a way to enter each room without being seen. He may be able to get into Anna's room easily enough. He was the Butler. That title held a sort of privilege. As long as Mrs. Hughes didn't find him, he could likely say anything to whomever and get away with it. With Mrs. Hughes living in the cottage, it did give him an advantage there. However, Lady Mary's room was more difficult.

During lunch time, he made an excuse of why he wouldn't be joining them and headed right up to the Servants' Quarters. There he was able to sneak into Anna's bedroom. It was tidy. The bed looked as though it hadn't been slept in in years. He wondered if it hadn't. Then he walked to her dresser. Each drawer was filled with clothing. There was nothing else inside. He sighed.

When he looked up, he saw the photograph of John Bates staring back at him, almost as though he was warning Thomas not to be in there. Thomas just turned away. The man was dead. He couldn't hurt him.

He checked everywhere else he could think of in the room. Under the bed, beneath the mattress, in the covers. There was nothing. He would have to try Lady Mary's room next. It did make sense that things would be hidden in there. Her room came with more privacy.

Now, how did he make it into her room without being seen?

Boarding School

"Mother?" George asked, as he walked with Mary along the pond by the school. Johnny had taken Anna back inside, wanting to show her his bedroom. But George wanted to remain outside. He had always loved the outdoors.

"Yes?"

"Who is Pippa's father?"

Mary paused her steps. Then she sighed, "Pippa put you up to this, didn't she?"

George stopped walking and laughed, "Yes, how'd you guess?"

"It sounds like her. She's relentless in her pursuit. But I won't tell you. I can't tell you. It's not my secret to tell."

"Alright," George shrugged, obviously not too bothered about it.

"Aunt Mary!" They heard calling from a distance. Mary turned around to find Johnny running toward them with a big grin across his face. Anna was steps behind him. "We're allowed to leave for a bit! Why don't we go into town?"

"Oh, that sounds fun!"

Downton Abbey

Thomas decided to wait until everyone was in bed. That allowed him a better chance of not being caught. He entered Lady Mary's bedroom and he quickly closed the door behind him. Then his eyes scanned the room. Where might she hide something? His eyes landed on a locked drawer in her vanity.

He made his way to it and pulled on the drawer. It was locked. Well, that would make sense to hide anything in there. But there had to be a key somewhere. He opened other drawers and searched. He found nothing.

Again, he tried the drawer, but this time he lifted it slightly. It opened, no issues. There were many letters inside, folded up. He also stumbled upon some pictures. He pulled the pictures out first. There were several of the children. One of Anna holding Pippa. And there was one that seemed innocent enough of Lady Mary, Anna, and the children. To the untrained eye, it appeared as two friends and their children. However, Thomas did not miss the look on their faces as they looked at one another. Those two were in love. The children were much younger in this photograph. So they had been together for a long time.

But this picture would not do. He needed more. He took out one of the letters and began to read it. It was written to "My Darling" and signed by "Your Love." No names were mentioned. He groaned. He lifted another. Each one used the same language, until he came upon one particularly steamy letter. It was labeled "My Darling" again, but it ended with "Always, Mary."

The problem was that it didn't specifically label Anna as her lover. The words in the letter were enough for a scandal. He tucked it in his jacket pocket. Then he searched for more pictures. He knew that years ago Johnny had taken several with that camera Mary bought him. Finally, he stumbled across one of Anna and Mary. It was just the two of them staring at one another. Mary's hand was on Anna's hand. It could be innocent, but pair it with the letter and it told the whole story. Thomas grinned. He added the photo with the letter, pleased. Then he made sure the drawer looked as though it hadn't been messed with, closed it back up, and easily snuck back upstairs.

No one would be the wiser.

Near the Boarding School

Mary was so glad that they had decided to stay in a house near the boarding school instead of a hotel. Here, they had been able to be just them. Here, they hadn't had to have an ear out while they spent their time together. They could speak without worrying of listening ears. It had been the best evening.

And now, as they laid together on the couch, still covered in the lovely sheen of love making sweat, Mary felt complete. Anna rested on her chest, as Mary's fingers ran up and down her bare back. With the light from the fireplace, Mary could still see the pink on Anna's skin from her exertion earlier. This was how it should always be.

"We should stay an extra night," Mary murmured into Anna's hair. Anna shifted slightly and Mary pulled her closer, kissing the crown of her head. "I need more of this time with you."

Anna's head nodded, she bent up and kissed Mary's lips, before cuddling back against her.

Everything was absolutely perfect.

To be continued...