As always, thank you so much!


Chapter 72

1940s- Downton Abbey

A happy sigh passed through Mary's lips as Anna's hand grazed up her back before she began to zip up her dress. Anna kissed Mary's neck, drawing her hands up with the zipper. Mary smiled at the mirror, looking at Anna. She then turned, pressing her lips against her lover's. They remained like that for a moment before Anna had to step back.

"All three children home again," Mary said with a smile.

With the end of the war and George now home, they decided to throw a large party. They had to wait a few months, wanting Pippa to be able to come. It also gave George time to adjust back to life at the Abbey after being gone for so long and also being a captive for several weeks at the end. That was why George had been missing in action. They had taken him as a prisoner of war. Mary was grateful every day that his captors surrendered George and the other prisoners in an attempt for mercy. George didn't like to speak about it.

"I think Mama and Papa are hoping George will fall for one of the girls who has been invited." Mary rolled her eyes. She then chuckled. "I believe her name is…. Marjorie. Her Papa is a Duke in Wales."

"Oh?" Anna asked, her fingers running along Mary's sides. "And what do you think about that?"

"I think George only just got home. He doesn't need to rush anything. But I know Papa wants to ensure George has an heir now that he's home."

"I'm sure George will be able to figure this all out on his own," Anna said. Her hands dropped from Mary, making Mary miss her warmth.

"I guess I am ready now. Everyone should arrive soon." She walked over to the window to glance down. There were already cars pulling up around the drive. Mary sighed. This would be their first big party since before the war.

"Mama?" The door swung opened to Pippa on the other side. She wore trousers with a white blouse and her hair was drawn up into a simple ponytail.

"You certainly are not wearing that?" Mary gasped. "Are you trying to cause your Granny to have a heart attack?"

"Oh Mother," Pippa said with an exaggerated roll of her eyes. "I don't want to wear a dress. What is wrong with my outfit? It's posh enough."

"No, no, it is not. Anna, tell your daughter to change."

Anna placed her hand on Mary's upper arm, giving it a squeeze.

"What if we found a nicer top, and I did your hair a different way, Pippa?" Anna suggested.

"I guess that could make it more acceptable. But if your grandparents ask, I had no idea you were wearing trousers downstairs."

"Fine," Pippa answered. Anna kissed Mary's cheek before following their daughter down the hallway and into her room.

Now that Mary was alone, she sat down at her vanity, taking a moment for herself. Her lips curled up at the thought of her stubborn daughter. Even though it frustrated her to no end, she was proud of the girl she'd raised for being her own person. Mary knew no one would ever force her to be anyone but herself in life.

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

"George, you look stunning," Cora told her grandson with a smile. "The one day Earl."

"Alright, Mama, let's not embarrass him," Mary cut in. Then she smiled at her son. He was dashing.

"Oh my god," Cora then said under her breath. Mary followed her eyes to find Pippa coming down the stairs. The change of top did little to take away from the trousers, but her hair was done up in a much more acceptable do.

"Just don't draw attention to it, darling," Robert said with a tight smile.

"Why did you allow her to wear that?" Cora whispered harshly.

"I had no idea what she was choosing to wear. She is a grown woman, Mama. Just leave it be."

"I like it," George said, breaking up the tension. "It's Pippa being herself."

Mary gave her son a grateful grin. She patted his shoulder.

"George is right. We should know by now we cannot dim Pippa from who she is. We just have to accept it."

Pippa turned in the opposite direction of them, obviously not wanting to hear anything from them about her outfit.

"Ah, George, look, there is Lady Marjorie. Isn't she beautiful?"

Mary glanced over at the door where Marjorie was coming through. She was pretty. She looked at her son. He seemed indifferent.

"Come on, George, we'll take you over to meet her."

Mary stayed behind. It was enough that her parents would be there overwhelming the poor dear. She instead went around the corner where everyone had gathered. Pippa stood over in a corner, speaking with some ladies at the party. Mary quickly noticed several men looking at her daughter. At first, she thought it was appall about what she was wearing until she realized they were all commenting on how beautiful she was. Mary felt a bloom of pride. Her daughter was beautiful. To her, Pippa looked so much like Anna, especially around the eyes.

It also showed how Pippa, being herself, drew the boys to her. They liked her spark. Mary couldn't be prouder.

"Oh," a voice said. Mary realized she had bumped into someone. She turned, seeing Molly.

"Oh Molly! I'm so sorry."

Molly shook her head, smiling. Her hand then came down to her rounded belly, making Mary's smile grow. There was her and Anna's first grandchild. She remembered the day they had been told that Molly was expecting. Anna was so thrilled that she kept Mary up almost all that night talking about how their family was going to grow.

"How are you feeling? Where is Johnny?" Mary glanced around.

"He went downstairs in search of Anna," Molly answered.

"Oh, right. Well, she should be upstairs soon," Mary said. "Perhaps they'll come upstairs together. Do you need me to get you anything?"

"No, I'm fine. I'm having a lovely time."

"Good. Do tell Barrow if you need anything," Mary told her. She gave her a wink and then continued walking around. She looked for Anna, hoping she would be upstairs soon. As she saw some people dancing, she thought about pulling Anna onto the dance floor. Oh, what a scandal it would be.

"What are you thinking about?" A voice asked. Mary turned. Her lips curled up into a large smile.

"Henry!" Then she saw his wife. "Oh, and Maggie! What a surprise!"

"Your parents invited us," Henry said with a twinkle in his eye. "We decided to come and surprise you and Anna. Where is Anna?" Henry glanced around the room in search of her.

"She's working downstairs, but she will be up shortly. You forget that in this house she is head housekeeper."

"Right," Henry said. "Well, perhaps while we're here, we could go out to dinner one night."

"Yes, that does sound lovely."

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

George stepped outside, growing overwhelmed by all the people inside. Since the war, he found he didn't enjoy loud events. Voices coming all around him could make him grow anxious.

As he walked out towards the gardens, he saw someone standing with her back turned to him. Her blonde locks were halfway up. He walked up beside her, looking up at the stairs above them both.

"It's a beautiful night," he said, turning to look at her. She nodded, not meeting his eyes.

"It is."

"I don't believe we've met. I'm George."

That drew her attention. She turned to him, giving him a small smile. Her eyes were an intense green, making his breath catch in his throat. He wasn't sure he'd ever seen anyone as beautiful as her in his life.

"Hello, I'm Amelia Evans."

"As in Lord Pederson's daughter, Amelia?" George asked.

"Yes."

"I guess I should be calling you Lady Amelia, then."

She blushed.

"No, please only call me Amelia."

His smile grew.

"Alright, Amelia."

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

It thrilled Anna when she found Henry and Maggie at the party. She couldn't speak with them now, because the family wouldn't approve. She gave them a wave, knowing she would see them again later. She continued walking around the downstairs, hoping to get a moment to see Mary.

As she stepped around the corner, she saw Mary standing right outside. She smiled, sneaking out the door. Mary was all alone, so she went to stand beside her.

"Hi," she whispered.

"Look." Mary pointed her finger to the gardens. Anna followed it until she saw George and a girl talking. "They've been speaking for nearly half an hour now. Mama sent me to search for George, saying Marjorie wanted to dance. When I found him out here with her, I couldn't interrupt. He looks so happy.

"He does," Anna agreed. Since they were alone and likely no one was looking out the windows, Anna reached her hand over to brush her finger tips over Mary's knuckles. "Our children are all grown, Mary. We will soon be grandmothers."

"I think this means it's time."

"Time?" Anna asked, amused.

"For us to start traveling the world."

"The world? I still have to run this house."

"Not too much longer," Mary disagreed. "You've worked for this house for many years. Everyone would understand if you decided to retire."

"But would they be alright with me staying in the house?" Anna wasn't so sure.

"I would figure it out, but I am ready, Anna, for us to take adventures. Of course, we'll be here to help George as he prepares to become the Earl one day. And we'll be here to spend time with our new grandchild, but it's time for us to take more time for us."

"That does sound lovely."

"Yes, it does."

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

"I think I'm going to marry her," George told his siblings, as the three of them sat in the library hours after the party had ended. Molly had already gone to bed, tired. But Johnny, George, and Pippa stayed up together, alone.

"You only just met her," Pippa said.

"I knew I would marry Molly when I met her," Johnny stood up for his brother.

"See?"

"Yes, but you have a better head on your shoulders," Pippa teased.

"I've invited her to breakfast in the morning," George said, ignoring Pippa's comment.

"Well, I, for one, cannot wait to meet her," Johnny said with a smile. "You'll have to let Molly and I meet her after breakfast."

"I will," George promised. He yawned and checked his watch. "Oh dear, it's nearly three in the morning. I should head to bed now so I will be awake enough when she arrives. Though, Pippa, if you overslept and miss it, that would be alright."

Pippa stood, "Oh, I'll be there. Don't worry."

Johnny and George met eyes before laughing.

"See you in the morning."

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

Anna woke up to a note on the pillow beside her. She realized the sun was already out. Looking at the clock, it was hours past when she was supposed to be downstairs. She grabbed the letter.

Darling,

You were knackered from all the work last night. I turned off the alarm. I've told Barrow you're sick and he'll have to manage on his own. Stay in bed all day if you like, read, rest, do whatever you'd like to do. I'll be back up after breakfast to join you for a little while.

Always, Your Love

Anna smiled, folding the paper and placing it into the drawer in her bedside table. She brought her arms above her head with a yawn. Then the door opened. For a moment, she panicked. But it was only Mary who quickly locked the door behind her.

"Are you enjoying your lie in, darling?" Mary asked, slipping off her shoes before climbing into the bed beside Anna.

"I am. You didn't have to do that."

"I'm only showing you what retirement could be like." Mary bent forward, kissing Anna. "You'll never believe who was at breakfast this morning."

"Who?"

"Amelia, the girl George was speaking with last night. George invited her."

"Oh?"

"Yes. I think he's smitten with her," Mary said. "Mama and Papa were a bit put out that it wasn't Marjorie he invited, but I do think they like her."

"And you? What do you think of Amelia?"

"I like her. She's quiet, reserved. But I can already see a spark between her and George, though really, it's too early to tell."

"Yes."

"He only better not run off and marry her without me there," Mary added. Anna chuckled, pulling Mary next to her on the bed.

"I don't think you'll have to worry about that, my love."

Fall 1971

Mary slowly unlatched her arms from Anna, kissing her cheek. She had to carefully sit up, making sure not to wake Anna. As she sat up, Maebh was already coming into the room with Mary's medicines and food.

"I was just about to wake you," she said. "It's time for your meds. I'll need to wake Anna soon too."

"Let her sleep until then, please," Mary said.

"Of course."

Maebh set the tray down before handing Mary her medicine. Mary quickly took them.

"George rang. He and Amelia are coming over for lunch today. It's supposed to be nice. You could eat outside. Anna always likes the outside."

Mary smiled over at Anna.

"Yes, that sounds lovely. Tell the new cook…. um…."

"Mrs. Williams."

"Yes, tell her to make Anna's favorite sandwiches, please."

"I will."

"Thank you, Maebh. That's all for now."

Maebh left the room. Mary took a few bites of her food. Then Anna stirred next to her, turning onto her back. Her eyes slowly opened.

"Darling, you're awake."

Anna sat up slightly.

"George and Amelia are coming to lunch. Doesn't that sound lovely?"

"Yes, will they marry?"

Mary ran her fingers through Anna's hair.

"I think they might. He'll propose any day now."

"Good." Anna stole a grape from Mary's plate, making Mary smile. She lifted the tray up, giving it to Anna.

"Here, darling, go ahead and eat. I'll have Maebh bring me more food." Mary rang the bell.

"Maebh is only two," Anna said, confused.

"Right, but she's here with Sybbie and likes to help," Mary covered. She kissed the top of Anna's head. "Just eat, darling. You need to keep up your strength."

"Alright."

"I love you, Anna." Mary took Anna's hand for a moment, bringing up her hand to her lips.

"I know that, silly beggar. Now, will you let me eat?" she teased.

"Yes, eat." Mary let out a shaky breath, briefly wondering if she'd ever have any more actual lucid moments with Anna in the future or if this was how it would be from now on.

To be continued...