As always, thank you.

Chapter 68

1940s-Downton Abbey

"Married?" Anna's voice cracked with the question. Mary's eyes immediately turned to her. She could see the paleness in Anna's cheeks and the way her hands had already begun to ring in front of her nervously.

"Yes," Johnny proudly said. He brought his arm around Molly's shoulders, drawing her closer. "We got married just two days ago."

"Well," Mary said, trying to cut through the tension. "How wonderful." Her words were tight. This was not what they'd expected. Again, she looked at Anna. Anna always spoke about Johnny's wedding day and how she couldn't wait to watch him get married. They both knew that when Pippa got married, while Anna would be thrilled, she wouldn't be able to take part in the ways she'd like.

"It's so very nice to meet you, um…." Molly stumbled slightly and her cheeks turned pink. "Mum? Mother? Um… Mrs. Bates?" Molly leaned forward and pressed a kiss to Anna's cheek. "Johnny has told me so much about you! I am so thrilled that I get to be a part of your family." She bit down on her lower lip. "And you are Lady Mary." Molly grew more timid. "Johnny says I can call you Aunt Mary, but I think I should stick with Lady Mary. Do… do I bow? I… I've never met a Lady before." Again, she blushed.

"No, you don't need to bow," Mary told her.

"And this is where you live?" Molly glanced up at the large house. "Wow. I've only lived in a small flat in London my whole life. I can't imagine living somewhere like this and now I get to stay here!"

Mary gave a humorless chuckle, still overwhelmed by this information. But it seemed Anna was even more overwhelmed, because she still had said nothing else to either of them. Finally, she gathered her wits to invite them both inside.

"Why don't you both come in and get settled?"

"Yes," Johnny agreed with his mum.

They stepped inside through the front door. Thomas stood there, waiting to greet Johnny. He was almost as thrilled as they were to see Johnny again.

"Who is this?" Thomas asked upon seeing Molly.

"My wife, Molly."

"Oh." Thomas' lips curled up into his mischievous grin. "What a surprise."

"Hi, are you Mr. Barrow? Johnny has told me so much about you!"

Mary quickly learned how talkative and friendly Molly was.

"Oh really? Like what?"

"Well, I know you have worked here for a very long time, starting as a footman. He says you taught him how to fish. And he's told me…." Once again, Molly's cheeks turned bright red. She closed her lips and shook her head.

"We're exhausted," Johnny broke in.

"Right, long journey," Anna agreed. "Why don't you let Mr. Barrow call some footmen up to help with the luggage and go on up to your room?"

"Sure."

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

Mary found Anna pacing in the bedroom. Her eyes fixed on the floor. Anna was so within her thoughts that she hadn't even heard Mary enter the room. And when Mary placed her hand on Anna's shoulder, Anna jumped.

"Sorry, darling." Mary offered her a small smile. "I would never have guessed this from Johnny, Pippa- absolutely, but never Johnny."

Anna didn't respond.

"Darling?"

"I think it's romantic," Anna said.

"What?" Certainly, Mary had not heard that correctly.

"Well, we're in a war. Times are uncertain. Johnny has a good head on his shoulders. I highly doubt he didn't think this through. He must be very much in love." Anna smiled then.

"You're not upset you missed his wedding?"

"Maybe, a little," Anna honestly answered. "But we both know how fleeting life can be. His father and I ran off to get married the moment we were allowed. If I'd been able to marry him sooner, I would have. I can't fault them for wanting to be together as soon as possible."

Mary's lips curled upwards. Leave it to Anna to find the good in all of this. She supposed Anna was right. She often thought back to how long she and Matthew stayed apart when they could have been married much earlier. And how different things may have been, all the years they wouldn't have lost.

"What do you think about Molly?" Mary then asked.

"She's sweet," Anna said. "We'll learn more about them while they are here. I wonder if they plan on moving back to London or staying here in Downton."

"Here, of course," Mary flippantly replied, earning a chuckle from Anna.

"They likely have their own dreams and aspirations outside of us. Johnny still needs to finish law school." Anna paused and then frowned as a thought passed through her. "I wonder what she knows about us. I guess this is when the cover-ups begin, again."

Mary sighed. She hadn't thought about that.

"Well, we knew this day would come. We will make it work. We always do."

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

Anna found Johnny alone outside in the gardens. He sat with his back away from her on the bench. Briefly, Anna wondered where Molly might be. Her best guess was that she was taking a rest up in the bedroom.

Walking up to her son, Anna placed her hand on his shoulder. He looked up and smiled.

"Mum," he said warmly. He stood, kissing her cheek before asking her to sit down next to him. They sat in silence for a brief moment. "Are you angry at me?"

"Not at all," Anna said.

"No?"

"You're grown now, Johnny. These are the decisions in life you get to make. I trust I've raised you well enough to know you didn't make this decision lightly."

"I didn't," Johnny assured her. "Molly is the one."

Anna grinned.

"I remember that young love feeling. I knew I loved your father early on."

"Would you have married him within the first few weeks of meeting him?"

"Absolutely."

Johnny's smile grew. Sometimes when he smiled, he looked so much like his father.

"She's smart," Johnny explained. "She was my nurse when I got injured. Now, she wants to become a doctor."

"A doctor. Ambitious."

"Yes," Johnny agreed. "And she knows everything."

Anna cocked her head to the side.

"What do you mean, everything?"

"About you and Aunt Mary. About Pippa. All of it."

"She does?" Nervousness ran through her. Every time they allowed someone into their small circle of trust, it frightened her. The larger the circle got, the more likely someone who shouldn't know the truth might learn it.

"Yes. She thinks it's wonderful. Apparently, her parents raised her to be open-minded about such matters." Johnny twisted his lips in thought. "She respects what you both have accomplished."

A tear slipped down Anna's cheek. It came out of nowhere, surprising both her and Johnny. Johnny reached out and touched her cheek, wiping it away.

"I've made you cry."

Anna placed her hand over Johnny's.

"No, darling, you haven't. I'm pleased that you've found such a wonderful young woman to build your life with."

Johnny smiled.

"I am, too."

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

It just so happened that Pippa and George would be on the same train heading to Downton. Pippa made sure their seats were next together, and she eagerly awaited his arrival. She sat in her seat, constantly glancing back and forth, hoping to see him. She tapped her fingers on her knees.

"Pippa!" a loud voice boomed. She jumped up.

"George!" She stepped out into the aisle to throw her arms around him. Relief flooded her. He was here. Her brother was here. He seemed taller than she remembered.

"You're going to make my top wet," George chuckled into her curls. She pulled away, shooting him a playful look.

"Ah, there you are."

The two of them sat down in their seats.

"Are you excited to be home for Christmas? How long do you get to stay?"

"Not too long," George answered. "I'm expected back before the New Year."

"Oh." Pippa tried not to sound too disappointed. She should be thrilled she was getting to see her brother now. She shouldn't already dread what was to come. That would spoil their time together. "Mama said Johnny will be home for the holiday."

"Yes, Johnny wrote me," George said. Pippa frowned. She hadn't gotten a letter from her eldest brother. "I'm sure he wrote to you, as well," George added, seeing the hurt on Pippa's face.

"What did his letter say?"

"Only that he would be coming to Downton," George said.

"Mama said he won't be able to return to the war. I worry how Johnny is taking it. He feels he should be out there, helping."

George ran his hand over his chest to flatten his jacket before letting out a sigh.

"It isn't an easy thing," he said.

"What isn't?"

"War."

Pippa frowned. Her hand rested on top of her brother's, and she gave it a small squeeze. George wasn't one to show any type of weakness. It was what he got from their mother.

"I wish you could also stay home," Pippa admitted. George shook his head.

"No, I have a job to do. And I do it well." He winked, trying to act as though he wasn't as affected as he was.

"Well, I'm sure you do," Pippa answered. She didn't quip back like she normally would.

"And how are your studies?"

"Fine." Pippa tapped her free hand against the bag at her side. "In here is my newest research. I have to fight the hardest in my classes to be taken seriously. They think because I'm a girl I shouldn't be in archeology."

"They're idiots. They should know how lucky they are to have you."

Pippa gave George a smile.

"I'm glad you're coming home."

"Me too."

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

"You're married?"

"Ah, congrats, Johnny!" George gave Johnny a firm handshake.

They were surrounded by all the family and staff for their arrival. George heard his grandfather ask him to come back over. He knew there would be many questions about the war. He patted Johnny's shoulder and gave Molly a nod. But then he saw Pippa, still standing there with her mouth agape.

"Married?" She asked again.

"Yes," Johnny said. He had his hand entangled with his new wife's.

Pippa's eyes kept moving between Johnny and Molly, then down to their combined hands.

"Why did you get married?"

"George!" His donk was already at the door, waving him over. But George couldn't steal his eyes away from the scene unfolding in front of him. Molly's cheeks went white from Pippa's question, and Johnny's brows furrowed in anger.

"Because we're in love. We're married."

"Mama," Pippa murmured under her breath to Anna. "You can't have approved this!"
"Pippa," Johnny broke in angrily.

Thomas had already sent the staff back inside, but he'd also stayed behind to watch this unfold.

"We should go inside," Mary said, taking over the situation. "George and Pippa, you both must be so tired from your journey. George, I know your donk is looking forward to hearing all about everything, but you can go upstairs and rest first."

"I am very happy to meet you both," Molly meekly said. Pippa huffed.

"Mother, are you…"

"Inside now, Pippa," Mary said between clinched teeth.

"Yes," Anna agreed. "You should go inside."

George gently grabbed his sister's upper arm and tugged her toward the front door. Thankfully, both Johnny and Molly went with Anna to the door for the servants. It was probably best to separate them from Pippa for right now.

When they reached the inside, Pippa jerked away from his grasp.

"Pippa, you were very rude," Mary said.

"I don't care. I don't like her. And I don't think Johnny should have gotten married!"

She turned on her heel and rushed up the stairs in a huff. George watched his mother's shoulders rise and fall with a loud sigh. Then she shook her head.

"Your sister can be rather…."

"Dramatic?"

Mary grinned.

"Exactly. How are you, darling? Your arrival has been overshadowed by Pippa's outburst."

"It's alright. I'm used to it." George chuckled. He was then surprised when his mother's arms wrapped tightly around him, not caring they were in the main area where anyone could see her show of affection.

"I'm so glad you're home."

"I missed you too, Mother. But I'm here with you now."

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

"Your daughter caused quite the show," Mary said as she climbed into the bed that evening. Anna laughed.

"Oh, so she's mine when she's dramatic?"

"Absolutely. She definitely didn't get that from me."

That earned a hearty laugh from Anna. But Anna only cuddled into Mary's arms, happy to be held by her. They remained that way for several moments, not saying another word. There was satisfaction there. All three children were home. Even though there was some discontentment, it didn't take away from the joy they felt.

"I do hope Pippa will come around," Anna then said. "I don't like her and Johnny at odds."

"She'll get over it, darling. We'll speak with her in the morning."

"Yes, we will."

Fall 1971

"Mum, I didn't know you were coming today," Jack greeted his mother. He kissed her cheek.

"Your father dropped me off. He had to run back to work."

Molly took Johnny's hand before he led her through to the library. Pippa was just leaving the library and stopped when she saw Molly. Immediately, she rushed forward to pull Molly into a hug.

"Oh, how are they?" Molly asked. Jack knew his father gave her daily updates and that his mother came by as often as possible to see them both. But her job at the hospital kept her very busy.

"I'm scared," Pippa admitted. Jack could see the tremors in his aunt's body from the fear of losing her mothers.

"I know," Molly whispered. "They love you so much."

Pippa pulled back slightly.

"They love us all very much."

To be continued...