Hello everyone! I apologize for the long time between updates. I am also behind in reading any updates from others and I apologize for that too. We had a family emergency. But I am back now. Thank you as always for reading and continuing with my story. Enjoy!

Chapter 69

Fall 1971

When Molly walked into the library, she found Mary sitting on the couch reading a book. Anna was asleep on the bed, her breaths labored. Molly could see that from the doorway. But she knew both Anna and Mary were under great care.

"How are you feeling?" Molly asked, sitting down next to Mary. Immediately, her fingers went around Mary's wrist to check her heart rate. It was a habit now when she visited to check on both of her mother-in-laws. Though this really wasn't her expertise. She was a surgeon. Molly could easily perform a surgery on them, but she couldn't assist with Anna's failing memory or Mary's heart problems.

"So? Shall I live another day?" Mary cheekily asked, earning a smile from Molly.

"It appears you shall," Molly said in return. Mary bent over, kissing Molly's cheek.

"Good."

"Anna's breaths appear labored. Has the nurse mentioned anything about that?"

"Not to me, she hasn't." Mary sat up to get a better view of Anna. Her eyes clouded over in worry.

"I'll check her over," Molly assured her.

"I'll ring for both Maebh and the other nurse."

Molly made her way over toward Anna. Her face softened as she grew closer to the woman who had treated her as her own since the moment Johnny brought her to this very house. Molly's fingers brushed over Anna's brow, pushing the hair off her face. Her heart ached.

It had been a while since Molly's university days, but she did recall the lessons on end of life. Labor breathing usually came often toward the end. She frowned.

"Will she be alright?" Mary asked. Molly offered her a kind smile.

"Of course she will."

1940s-Downton Abbey

The past several days had been so full with the celebrations of the children coming back home that Anna hadn't had a chance to spend any time alone with Molly. Today, as the house was quiet and for a little while, Anna decided to take Molly outside on a tour of the gardens alone.

"It's so beautiful here," Molly said, as they turned down the pathway that led to the gardens. "How wonderful for Johnny to get to grow up in such a place!"

Anna chuckled.

"Yes, he had a great childhood," Anna agreed.

"Well, because he had you as a mother. After all you've been through, you've continued to show him such strength and determination by how you've responded."

"I've only done the best I can," Anna said.

"Don't sell yourself so short, Mrs.…Mama….Mother…What would you like me to call you?" Molly stopped her steps and turned to face Anna. "You see, my own mother died several years ago. Now you're the only mother I have. But I don't want to be presumptuous…."

"You may call me whatever you wish," Anna said. Her hand reached out to touch the stray auburn hair that had fallen over Molly's cheek so she could push it back behind her ear. "We are happy you are a part of our family, Molly."

Molly's lips curled up into a bright smile.

"I'm happy too."

"Johnny tells me you want to be a doctor."

"I do. A surgeon."

"Big dreams," Anna said. "Do you plan on having children?"

"We do," Molly replied. She kicked a pile of snow that had accumulated by the edge of the pathway. "In a few years."

"Yes, no need to rush it when you both have big aspirations. Mary and I will be happy to assist you both in any way you need."

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

That evening, Mary planned a special dinner that included Johnny, Molly, and Anna. Tomorrow was Christmas Eve. Everything would be busy and hectic, and then they would have to take George back to the train station to return to war. Tonight was the only time they could have the evening together.

Mary made her parents reservations to eat at a local hotel, so they would have their dinner without their prying ears. Mary realized then that this would be Anna's first time sitting at the table with her here in this house. And their first time as a family at this spot.

"Are you sure this is a good idea?" Anna asked as she entered the dining room. "You having the Head Housekeeper and her son and daughter-in-law to dinner? I'm not sure how that will look."

"Let them talk," Mary simply said. "Everyone in this house knows how close we are."

Anna narrowed her eyes.

"Well, perhaps not how close." Mary winked. "But Johnny is a married man now. It only makes sense that we should celebrate together."

Anna stepped a bit closer to Mary. She still needed to change for the evening. For tonight, Mary told her she wanted her not in her uniform. For tonight, she wanted them to be a proper family. For tonight, they could pretend that this was how it always could be.

"I love you," Mary whispered, her fingers reaching out to touch the back of Anna's hand.

"You know I love you," Anna said in response before taking a wide step back. She was always better at discretion out in the open.

"Always."

"I ought to go upstairs and get changed."

Anna excused herself, leaving Mary alone in the dining room. She had been dressed for a while, wanting to oversee the set up for their dinner. There was this immense pressure she'd put on herself to make sure it went perfectly. She realized it was because this may be their only meal sat at this table together as a family, especially for quite some time.

"Mother." Mary turned from the table to find Pippa standing in the doorway, still dressed in her day dress and looking stubborn as ever.

"Yes, Pippa," Mary sighed. She rubbed her temple with her fingers. She'd have thought by now as a young woman that Pippa's antics would have calmed. "Why aren't you dressed?"

"I'm not coming to dinner," Pippa said.

"Yes, you are," Mary said. "You absolutely are Philippa."

Pippa took in a sharp breath before crossing her arms over her chest.

"I'm of age now, Mother. You cannot force me to attend."

"Cannot force you? I will drag you to this table by myself if you attempt to refuse. And you will behave yourself. You will not destroy this evening for your brothers or your mama. Do you understand me?"

Pippa kept her eyes on Mary, not saying a word.

"Do you?" Mary asked once more.

"Fine," Pippa stated. Her arms dropping to her side. "I guess I won't say a single word at all."

"Sounds preferable to me, darling. Now, go on up and get changed."

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

Pippa sat at the large table, keeping her thoughts to herself. Her mother sat at the end of the table, taking over as the head. Her mama sat beside her, while Johnny and Molly sat across from them. And George sat at the other end.

The meal was magnificent, full of all the foods they loved. But she was too in her own misery to enjoy it. She kept to her promise not to say anything. Instead, she focused on the pattern of the tablecloth.

"Will you begin university together?" Mary asked of Johnny and Molly.

"We would like to attempt it. I've already begun my schooling, so I will go back to attend. We're hoping they'll have a spot in the medical school for Molly."

"If not, we'll have Johnny focus on his first," Molly answered.

"Well, I don't want you two to worry a thing about money. You both need to focus on your schooling for now."

"That's very kind, Aunt Mary, but I believe we can manage it," Johnny said.

"Nonsense. You'll accept my assistance for your home and bills."

"Lady Mary, let Johnny and Molly do this on their own," Anna broke in with a smile. Pippa frowned. Even at this family meal, her mama had to call her mother Lady with the footmen about.

"Oh alright, but you're to come to me if you have any financial woes. I won't have you without what you need."

"I can manage that," Johnny answered.

"Good."

"Are you ready to go back, George?" Johnny asked his younger brother. George lifted his drink and took a long sip. Pippa had been told for years how much he looked like his father. She'd spotted the picture of Matthew on her mama's side table and studied it, seeing the similarities herself. Sometimes, she did wonder if either of her mothers saw her own father in her features. She hoped she looked nothing like him.

"I am ready to go back to my duty, yes," George said.

"We will miss you," Anna said. "We wish you could stay longer."

"Yes, but I will be back home soon."

"Of course you will," Mary said, leaving no room for there to be any other way.

"Would you like to join us to travel back for Johnny's schooling in a few weeks, Mama Bates? Johnny and I have been talking about…."

Mama Bates? Pippa's body froze.

"Who do you think you are?" She interrupted Molly. Her eyes shot toward the woman. "You don't belong here."

"Pippa!" Both Mary and Anna gasped together.

Then there was a loud clang against the wood as Johnny placed his napkin down and then stood.

"You will not speak to my wife like that," Johnny said. His cheeks were flushed with anger.

"Your wife? You've hardly known her. Now you bring her into this house and…."

"That is enough, Pippa," Johnny growled.

"Yes," Mary agreed. "It is. Now, Johnny, please sit down. Pippa, what do you have to say for yourself?"

Pippa inhaled sharply. Her eyes moved between everyone at the table. She felt hot tears pooling behind her eyes, ready to spill at any moment. Now it was her turn to stand and throw her own napkin onto the table.

"I hate all of this. And my mama is not yours," she sneered before turning on her heel and rushing outside without her coat.

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

Mary felt hot with both anger and embarrassment at her daughter's behavior. Her eyes shot to the footmen, hoping none of them were smart enough to make sense of Pippa's words about her mama.

"I'll tend after her," Anna said, pushing her chair back to stand.

"Oh, no, let her stew out in the cold," Mary disagreed. "Acting like a child." She shook her head. "I'm not sure what's gotten into her."

"Might I go to speak with her?" Molly asked. Her lower lip came between her teeth.

"I'm not sure that's a good idea," Johnny disagreed.

"No," Mary agreed.

"I think I might know why she's so upset with me. Perhaps, if I spoke with her, she and I could come to an agreement."

"You underestimate how stubborn Pippa is," Mary said.

"Let her go," Anna stated. "Go on, Molly."

Mary saw Johnny was just as concerned as she was. But Molly didn't let their concerns deter her. She got up from the table and went right out through the way Pippa had.

"Well, it seems we could be missing quite the show," Mary said in an attempt to lighten the load.

"Perhaps I should go out there to oversee it," Johnny said.

"No," Anna disagreed. "Let your wife and Pippa settle this together. Molly is quite capable of handling herself."

"Your Mum is right, Johnny," Mary said in support of her Anna. "It will all work out in the end."

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

Pippa sat on the edge of the stair, hugging herself tightly with her arms. She was too stubborn to go back inside and grab her coat. No, she would stay out here for a while longer until she was certain everyone had finished eating for the evening. Though she guessed she could sneak in through the back door and back up to her room.

Footsteps behind her made her turn. She expected to see one of her mothers behind her, but it was Molly. She sighed and turned back around. Molly sat down right next to her.

"I didn't come to take your mama or your brother away from you," Molly began. Pippa didn't answer. "And I shouldn't have called her Mama. I…. I can call her Mrs. Bates if you prefer that. I know that out in the open you cannot call your mama Mama. It must be so difficult to have to keep that a secret."

Pippa still said nothing. She tucked her arms beneath her legs to draw them closer to her.

"Your brother adores you, Pippa. He's told me so much about you. I've been excited that I'll have a sister. You see, I'm an only child."

Pippa just made an indistinct sound.

"And he's told me how your mums have raised you together in secret. That must be hard. I know you must want to be able to tell the world all about Lady Mary and Mrs. Bates, your wonderful mothers. I know Mrs. Bates would love to tell the world all about how you, incredible Pippa, are hers."

Pippa blushed at that.

"You're just trying to butter me up."

"I don't butter people up," Molly said. "I only say things the way they are. You're very smart, very determined. But maybe a bit stubborn."

Pippa's eyes moved to her.

"Alright, very stubborn."

Pippa laughed at that.

"They say I get that from Mother."

"You have your mama's eyes," Molly told her. Pippa chewed on the inside of her lip.

"Yes, I've heard that." Pippa rubbed her calves, hoping to warm them up. "Sorry for my behavior. I just didn't expect…."

"For the brother you haven't seen in over a year to come home married?"

"Yes, that."

"It was a surprise to us, too. We didn't know we'd fall in love, but we did."

"And you really love my brother?"

"Oh, I love him more than I can explain."

Pippa nodded.

"You can call her Mama Bates, if you'd like."

"No," Molly disagreed. "I won't take your title from you."

"What about just Mum, like Johnny?"

Molly smiled.

"Alright. As long as you are sure."

"I am."

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

"Well, maybe we need to have Molly around for all Pippa outbursts. She could calm an angry bull."

Anna chuckled at that.

"I'm just glad it's all wrapped up, rather neat and tidy. Now we can enjoy the holiday."

"Yes," Mary agreed. She climbed into the bed next to Anna, nuzzling her nose against Anna's cheek. "What if we went to London soon?"

"Hum?"

"I could come up with a good enough excuse after the children leave. The two of us could go away for a week. That could be our Christmas with one another. We could enjoy a nice dinner and maybe a show."

"You do spoil me," Anna said, happily sighing as Mary's hands ran down her sides and to the edge of her gown.

"Always, darling. Always and forever."

To be continued...