As always, thank you so much. This chapter is on the shorter side, but I didn't want to bog the chapter down with extra information just to make it longer. Thank you for reading!

Chapter 74

Fall 1971

Whenever Jack came over with Annie, there was always such a fuss made. His younger cousins would run over to see her, cooing and touching her tiny fingers. Violet inched up onto her toes and jumped up, reaching out to touch the small bow on Annie's head.

"Girls," his Aunt Pippa called from the other side of the room. "Let your cousin through. He's here to speak with Gran and Granny."

"Can we keep Annie with us while you do?" Zinnia hopefully asked.

"No," Jack answered. All three girls sighed. "But after I speak with them, you can see her for a bit, alright?"

"Alright!" The three girls rushed back off outside. Pippa walked up to them both, rubbing the back of her fingers over Annie's cheek.

"She's adorable," Pippa said. "Mama thinks she looks like me."

Jack lifted up his baby, turning her to face him. Her bright blue eyes widened upon seeing her father. She reached out, grabbing his nose. He chuckled before looking back at his aunt.

"I see it."

"They're ready for you," Pippa then said. She kissed her great niece's cheek. Then she walked outside with her children.

Jack entered the large room. Both his gran and Aunt Mary were sitting on the small settee together, a blanket over both of their legs. His gran reached out for Annie. Without hesitation, he placed the baby into her lap. Anna cuddled with the baby.

"Why do you have Pippa?" Anna looked up at him quizzically.

"Gran, that's not Pippa, that's…."

"Here, why don't you let me hold her," Mary interrupted. She gently lifted the baby from Anna's lap. Her eyes met Jack's. He understood then not to try and confuse his gran any more than she already was.

Little Annie was fascinated with the necklace around Mary's neck, pulling on it and squealing with delight.

"She really does look like Pippa did when she was a baby."

"Really?"

"Yes," Mary said. "Her hair is a little lighter, but she has those eyes. Anna's eyes," Mary said longingly. Shaking her head, she returned her attention to Jack. "So where were we?"

"Amelia's parents came for a visit."

"Right. Oh. I know where we are. We're at you."

"Me?" Jack asked.

"Yes, you, our first grandchild. We were so very excited."

1940s- Downton Abbey

Anna was honored to be asked by Molly to be there while she was in labor with her first grandchild. She held her daughter-in-law's hand, coaching her through the entire process. But Molly hardly needed her. She was a constant show of strength. Anna couldn't recall being as calm and collected as her daughter-in-law was during the entire process.

A loud cry filled the room.

"It's a boy!" The midwife said. Molly cried out then, reaching her arms out towards her baby. The pink bundle settled the moment he was in his mother's arms.

"Oh Molly! He's beautiful!"

Anna felt a rush of love come over her for this new little boy before her. She stroked his cheek with the back of her finger as Molly's lips touched the top of his head.

"I want Johnny," she whispered.

"I know. They'll clean you up and then go out and get him."

"Will you go and tell him we have a boy?"

"Of course, I will."

As Anna exited the room, she saw her son pacing up and down the small hallway in their house. He paused upon seeing her, raising his brows.

"It's a boy," Anna said. Johnny's lips curled up into a bright smile.

"And Molly?"

"She did amazing," Anna informed him. She then walked to him, placing her hand on his upper arm. "She'll be tired, but both she and the baby are doing great."

There were tears shining in her son's eyes. She patted his cheek.

"Your father would be so proud of you," she said. "I'm so proud of you."

"We're naming him John Bates the third," Johnny told her. Anna's breath caught in her throat.

"Really?" Now her own tears threatened to escape. "Oh, Johnny!" She wrapped her arms around him, holding him tightly. His hands slowly moved up to hold her, as well.

"We wanted to carry on dad's name," he whispered into her ear. "We'll call him Jack."

Anna stepped back, giving her son a smile.

"I love it."

"Aunt Mary is in the living room. She arrived about an hour ago and said she wouldn't leave until she saw the baby."

They both chuckled at that.

"I'll go and tell her the good news. They should let you in to see your wife and son soon," she said, winking at him.

Then she made her way into the small, quaint living room. Mary sat impatiently by the window, tapping her foot against the floor.

"Love," Anna said. Mary stood, her eyes bright.

"So?"

"A boy."

"A boy!" Mary clapped her hands excitedly. "Oh Anna, we have a grandson."

"We do." Anna pressed her hands together, bringing them up to her lips. "We're grandmothers!"

Mary gathered Anna's hands into her, bringing them up to her lips to kiss the tips of her fingers. In this moment they knew they were alone, the midwife would still be busy with Molly and the baby.

"I'm so happy."

"Me too, darling."

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

A little while later, Mary and Anna were invited back into the room to see Jack. Molly handed the baby to Anna, while Mary looked on. Her finger reached out to touch the top of his head.

"Well, look at that," Mary cooed. "He's a handsome one."

"How are you feeling?" Anna asked Molly.

"Happy," she smiled. Johnny slid onto the bed next to his wife, kissing her cheek.

"Here," Anna said as she handed the baby to Mary, knowing how much she wanted to hold him. She couldn't hold her smile back as she looked at the perfect little boy in her arms. Grandmother. She couldn't quite believe it.

Mary only held the baby briefly, giving him back to Anna a moment later.

"I ought to head back to Downton. Anna will be staying for a few nights to help you both settle into a routine. I'll come by to visit. Is there anything you need me to bring?"

"No," Johnny answered.

Mary nodded. She left the room. She would miss Anna, but they had discussed this. Since Molly did not have a mother, Anna was the closest thing she had to one. A new baby could be a lot of work, and when they offered for her to stay a few days Molly immediately said please. Mary, though, couldn't find a good enough excuse to stay as well. It was one of those times when Mary hated having to keep everything a secret, but they were close enough for her to visit daily. She'd survive a few days without Anna in her bed.

"Aunt Mary!" Johnny called after her. She turned.

"Yes?"

"Molly and I are so pleased you came today," he said with a small smile. "We were discussing names and we wondered if you might be Granny?"

"Granny?" Mary pondered this. But her smile fell. "I'd love to be his Granny, Johnny, but I'm not sure it's a title I can take. We still have to be careful around others. As Lady Mary, people will question why Anna's grandson is calling me Granny."

"Right, of course," Johnny said with a sigh.

"Please, don't be upset with me."

"No, I'm not," he promised. "I'm upset with the world, is all."

Mary reached out, touching his hand.

"But I do see Jack as my grandchild, Johnny, and you as one of my sons. I'll be his Auntie Mary."

"Yes," Johnny said with a smile. "Absolutely. And we'll see you tomorrow?"

"Absolutely. Please, let your mum help you in all ways possible. She's thrilled to be here with you both, and she wants to help."

"I will."

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

"Can you believe it?" Anna asked a week later as she climbed into bed. Mary happily wrapped her arms around her lover.

"Believe what, darling?"
"That we're old enough to have a grandchild. George will marry soon. He'll have children. We're not quite as young as we used to be."

"Speak for yourself, darling," Mary said with a sly smile. Anna laughed, resting her head against the pillows. Mary reached out to stroke Anna's cheek. "I still feel young. We aren't that old, not yet."

"No," Anna agreed. "Are you ready to plan a wedding?"

With a shake of her head, Mary leaned forward to kiss Anna.

"I'm letting Mama and Amelia and her family plan it all. It is for them, anyway, isn't it? I'm only thrilled for the big day. I do wish you could sit with me."

"But I'll be there," Anna reminded her. "We still get to live these moments together."

"Yes," Mary said. "Now, Gran, what do you want to do for the rest of the evening? Read? Partake in physical activities?"

"Well, you won't be getting any of those if you call me Gran," Anna teased. Mary's hand darted out, wrapping around Anna's hip to draw her closer. Their noses touched.

"I'm a gran. We're grandmothers."

Mary smiled.

"We are."

To be continued...