You all are incredible. Thank you!

Chapter 55

Summer 1971

As Lavender brought over the tea for Pippa and Anna, Anna noticed the shiny locket dangling from her neck. Anna reached over, gently tugging it and effectively pulling Lavender with it. The girl stumbled slightly, trying not to drop the tray of tea.

"Mama," Pippa said, grasping on her daughter's shoulder to keep her steady. "What are you doing?"

"Where did you get this?" Anna just asked, looking at the locket. "This is my daughter, Pippa's, necklace. How did you get it?"

"Mama," Pippa said again, she worked on unlatching her mother's fingers from the locket. Anna turned toward her and let go with a sigh.

"Do you know where my daughter, Pippa, is and why this girl has her necklace?"

"Mama," Pippa murmured, her eyes filling with tears. "I'm Pippa. This is Lavender, my oldest daughter, your granddaughter. I gave her that necklace on her twelfth birthday, like you did for me."

Anna blinked harshly for a moment, inhaling sharply. That was when she felt a hand on her shoulder. She looked up to find Mary smiling down at her.

"She's right, darling. That's our granddaughter, Lavender. Our Pippa, beside you. She's grown up, hasn't she?"

Anna furrowed her brows. "Right. Of…of course."

Lavender sat on the other side of Anna then and opened up the locket to show her.

"It still has the pictures inside. There is Great-grandfather, Michael, and there is you and my mama." She smiled at her. "I especially love the picture of you two. You look so pretty, Gran."

Anna reached out to touch the photo. "I love it too. It's one of my favorites."

1930s – Downton Abbey

Anna tiptoed down the hallway, hoping she didn't run into anyone. It was risky staying in Mary's room with everyone here, especially all of the children. Tomorrow night, she would definitely have to stay upstairs in the maids' quarters. It would be much riskier with all the extra guests who would visit and stay later than normal. Some may even stay the night.

As she opened Mary's door and snuck in, she was pulled inside, making her gasp. Mary closed the door with her foot, keeping her hands around Anna's shoulders, before bending down and kissing Anna.

"Hi," she whispered.

"Hi," Anna said back.

"So, do I get to know the gift now?" Mary cocked up her eyebrow. Anna laughed. She took Mary's hand and walked her further into the bedroom. Mary was already dressed for bedtime, but Anna still needed to change. She sat to unbuckle her shoes.

"It was an old locket of mine," Anna said. "My father gave it to me for my sixth birthday. I replaced one of the pictures with a photo of Pippa and me."

"That sounds marvelous. She loved it, didn't she?" Mary smiled at Anna. Anna stood and began to unhook the buttons of the dress. It fell to the floor, leaving her just in her slip. Anna nodded to Mary, before sitting back down next to her.

"She really did," Anna said. "I…" Anna paused. She gave Mary a small smile and then grasped at Mary's hands. "She asked me something tonight and I told her yes. But I…well, I hope it doesn't upset you."

Mary sighed, "Was it about going away to school again? I thought we decided it wasn't time for that."

Anna smiled and shook her head, "No, nothing like that. Mary, Pippa asked if she could call me Mama when it's just us."

Immediately, Anna saw the tears shinning in Mary's eyes. She touched Mary's cheek and bit down on the inside of her lip.

"Oh Mary, I…I'm sorry. I…'

"Sorry?" Mary smiled, pulling Anna's hand from her cheek and bringing it to her lips to kiss. "Don't be sorry. I am so happy for you. These tears are happy tears, my darling. All those years ago when Pippa asked me if she could call me that, I told her no because I knew this day was coming. I knew she needed to reserve that special title for you."

Now tears were swimming in Anna's eyes.

"Truly?"

"Absolutely," Mary assured her. "Oh Anna!" She happily clasped her hands in front of her face. "How wonderful! Twelve years. Oh, my darling," Mary said, placing her arm around Anna to draw her close. "Oh I know how hard this has been for you and how special this truly is."

"It is," Anna agreed. Mary kissed her temple.

"Thank you," Mary then said into Anna's ear.

"Why are you thanking me?" Anna asked, looking toward Mary.

"For allowing me to raise her," Mary smiled.

"Well, you are her mother too," Anna winked.

"Because you allowed it," Mary said. "You gave me such a gift with Pippa." Mary brought her hands to Anna's cheeks and she slowly kissed her. Then their foreheads touched and eyes met. "I love you, so much."

"I love you," Anna said in response.

"Are you sure you can't sleep in the bed with me tomorrow?"

At that, Anna laughed.

"Absolutely not." She pulled away and then stood. She still needed to get ready for bed. "It will be a long day."

"Surely, exceptions can be made."

"They cannot," Anna disagreed. "I won't be treated special because of who I am to you. It isn't right, nor fair to the others."

"Oh, alright," Mary sighed. "Perhaps, next Christmas we'll go away somewhere."

"Oh, really?" Anna turned, smiling, as she slipped off her slip. Mary licked her lips.

"Yes, just you, me, and the children."

"I'd rather like that."

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

Christmas day was hectic, but fun. One thing was that her family knew how to plan a holiday celebration. All morning was filled with gifts for each of the children. Pippa received many new things for her horse, like a new riding outfit and a saddle. Her Donk gave her a large stack of books, most about archeology. She couldn't wait to read them. And her mama, Pippa smiled (she rather liked calling her that), had made her a new dress out of some fabric she had chosen. She got her brothers both some books. George wasn't as impressed, but Johnny was glad. They also got her books and a bracelet.

When they had finished lunch and everyone was spread out around the house before the big dinner that evening, Pippa went on a search for her Aunt Sybil. Perhaps right now, she would be alone somewhere and they could talk.

With luck, Pippa found Sybil standing right outside alone near the gardens. She skipped over toward her.

"Pippa," Sybil smiled. "Aren't you cold? Where's your coat?"

Pippa just shrugged. "Are you out here alone?"

"I am," Sybil chuckled. "Why? Are you searching for Sybbie? Aisling?"

"No, you."

"Well, you've found me," Sybil winked. "It gets a bit loud with everyone here. I needed a moment."

"Yes, it's so loud," Pippa agreed. She then swayed on her feet. "Aunt Sybil?"

"Yes, Pippa?"

"You…you know that Anna is my mother, right?" Pippa narrowed her eyes slightly. She knew that Sybil did know. Anna had told her as much.

"Yes," Sybil carefully answered. "Why?"

"Did…did you know my father?"

Sybil took in a deep breath, before shaking her head.

"No, I never met him." Her eyes looked out to the gardens.

"Do you know anything about him?"

"I don't," Sybil answered. "I don't know anything about him, Pippa." Sybil glanced at her. "I think that's a question for Anna and Mary, not me."

Pippa sighed. "They won't tell me anything."

"I'm sure they will one day," Sybil winked. "Now, I must go and find my children. Happy Christmas, Pippa." With that, Sybil disappeared inside.

Pippa remained by the gardens. She went and sat down on the bench and sighed again. Why was everyone keeping this secret?

"Pippa!"

Pippa turned and smiled. It was Mr. Carson. She jumped up and rushed over toward him, wrapping her arms around him. He held her close. She looked up.

"I didn't know you were here," she grinned.

"Just here to visit for a little while," Carson answered. Pippa stood beside him and took his hand, so she could walk him downstairs. She wondered if he knew anything about Anna being her mother or anything about her father. Her lips pursed and she wondered how she could bring it up.

But before she could think of the right way to ask, they were at the back door and Carson was opening the door to be greeted by Mrs. Hughes. She sighed. Perhaps, she could figure out a way to ask him later.

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

Before supper, Mary slipped into her room to move the gift she had gotten Anna for Christmas. She needed to fix the bow on top and make sure she had it hidden well enough so that Anna wouldn't find it, if she stopped inside.

Mary carefully pulled it from the drawer and smiled. It hadn't been found yet, thankfully. She had been terrified Anna would find it since she had bought it over a month ago. But it had been untouched.

Her bedroom door opened and she stilled. But she looked up and her sister, Sybil, was standing in the doorway.

"Oh, Sybil," she smiled. "Come on in and close the door."

Sybil did as she asked. Mary hid the gift back in the drawer and told herself she would fix the bow afterwards.

"Pippa was asking me questions about her father," Sybil said, getting right to the point. Mary groaned, clinching her hands in fists at her side.

"What did you tell her?"

"I didn't tell her anything," Sybil assured her. "But…she wants to know."

"Why can't she just let this go?" Mary asked.

"It is her father, Mary. Not knowing has to be hard for her," Sybil tried to explain. Mary breathed in deeply.

"I know, but this….Sybil, once she knows, she knows," Mary said. "And Anna…all of this, has brought back so much pain and nightmares for her. It's not the time."

Sybil gave a sympathetic nod.

"Well, I won't say anything. I promise."

"And don't tell Anna about this, please," Mary added.

"I won't."

When Sybil left the room, Mary twisted her lips. What was she going to do? Who else could Pippa go around and ask these questions to? Pippa was a bright girl, but if she said the wrong thing to the wrong person, this could be very bad. She fell back against her bed and sat, resting her face into her hands. She couldn't let Anna know that Pippa was still going around and asking questions. She would have to figure out a way to curtail it. She would find other ways to keep Pippa busy.

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

After dinner, Anna was rung to undress Mary. She made her way upstairs and went into Mary's room. Mary was sitting on the bed with a small gift in front of her. Anna smiled. She walked over toward the wardrobe and inched up onto her toes to grab the gift she had hidden.

"Ah, it's been in here the whole time?" Mary asked.

"It has," Anna chuckled. Every year, they both found new places to hide their gifts from one another. Usually, Anna's best bet was her room upstairs. But this year, she knew Mary would never suspect her own wardrobe.

She stepped over to the bed and climbed onto it so she was across from Mary. They both handed the gifts over to one another. Then they opened them. It was tradition to open them that night, after all of the excitement of the day was over.

Anna smiled when she opened hers. First, as tradition, there was a special note. Mary had the same from her. Then behind it was a beautiful ring with three gemstones on it. Anna lifted it up and ran her fingers over it.

"Oh Mary, this is too much," she said.

"No, it's not," Mary disagreed. "And those are the children's birthstones."

"I love it." She glanced into Mary's box that she had yet to lift the note to see what was below it.

Mary then lifted the paper and smiled. Anna had found a necklace that matched the bracelet she had given Mary all those years ago.

"Now, this was too much," Mary said, but she smiled. Anna leaned forward and gave Mary a kiss.

"Happy Christmas, love."

"Happy Christmas, darling. You spoil me so," she winked.

"I think it's the other way around," Anna said. She slipped the ring over her finger. Mary didn't often get her jewelry unless Anna specified something she wanted, because Anna hardly wore it. She usually bought her books or fabric that she knew she would enjoy. But Anna did adore this ring. Mary knew her well. She loved anything to do with the children.

"Well, you can spoil me by sleeping in here tonight."

Anna slipped back from Mary and off the bed.

"You know I can't do that," Anna tutted her tongue. "We have to be careful."

"It's quite dull being careful. I wish I could take your hand, lead you downstairs, and tell everyone you were mine."

Anna softly smiled, "I wish we could to that without any worries of what could be."

"Me too," Mary said with a sigh. "Me too."

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

It was late at night. Anna tossed on the small bed and her arms ached for Mary. Perhaps, she could sneak down now and be with her. But she stopped herself. She couldn't do that. It was far too risky. Her eyes glanced up at the ceiling and she thought about how wonderful the day had been.

The ring was still on her finger. She twisted it and smiled.

Then she heard her door to her room open. She sat up, her heart racing. Who would possibly be opening her door at this hour? But then she saw Mary's head poking in.

"What are you doing?" Anna whispered and giggled. Mary tiptoed inside and closed the door behind her, pulling the blanket she had with her up and over her shoulders.

"I told you. I can't sleep without you."

Anna just smiled. She scooted over on the small bed for Mary to lay down beside her. Mary happily sighed.

"This bed is small," Mary said. Anna slipped her arms around Mary, resting her head against Mary's shoulders.

"Well, there was a time when I would sometimes sneak into John's room at night and sleep in the bed with him. There was much less room for the two of us," Anna laughed at the memory, as she kissed the nook of Mary's neck. Mary didn't respond. "I'm not making you jealous, am I? Speaking of Mr. Bates?" She inched up and saw that Mary was already fast asleep. She smiled. She guessed Mary was right. She had just needed her to sleep.

Anna then closed her eyes and soon also drifted right off to sleep having Mary with her.

To be continued...