As always, thank you! We're on chapter 75. Never thought we'd see the day! The story has a bit longer to go. I can't say exactly how many chapters it has left. I guess we will wait and see. We do have to explore the 50s and 6Os still. We will be in the 50s very soon.

Chapter 75

1940s- Brancaster Castle

"Oh darling look," Mary whispered into Anna's ear. Her eyes followed Mary's finger where she pointed at Marigold and Pippa chatting along the massive gardens at Brancaster. They stood over at a far corner themselves, finding it much easier to find places where they could chat and hide away than they'd originally expected.

"Still as thick as thieves," Anna said. "I bet when Aisling shows up she'll join the two of them."

"Very likely," Mary agreed. She wrapped her arm around Anna's, smiling up at her.

"Lady Mary," Anna teased, making Mary laugh.

"Oh, everyone is much too busy with the last minute details of Marigold's wedding in a few days. Today, we get to be unnoticed until dinnertime, and I'm quite thrilled about it."

Mary watched as Anna's cheeks brightened by the thought.

"Me too."

"When will Johnny and Molly be here? They are bringing Jack, aren't they?"

"Yes, of course. They won't arrive until the day before the wedding. Johnny has a case to wrap up."

"Right," Mary said. "Busy one, he is."

"He is."

"Takes after his father in that way," Mary added with a wink.

Anna's fingers brushed along the uncovered skin of Mary's arm, making Mary shiver. They turned the corner, getting themselves further lost inside the gardens to become invisible for the day.

It was nice to be away from Downton for a short trip. While Downton held Mary's heart, sometimes a break from all the responsibilities that came with it could be nice. Though she now allowed George to take care of most of those responsibilities. It was difficult, handing those reigns over to him. But at the same time, she was proud of her son, and Amelia, who was proving to be a wonderful wife and partner when it came to the house. Despite her quiet demeanor, she spoke up when she disagreed or came up with her own ideas.

And her parents were extra pleased that she was now carrying her first child, who would be the heir to Downton. Mary was also pleased, but she didn't care much about any of that heir business, not anymore. Perhaps because it had filled so much of her worries when she was younger. Now, she just wanted to enjoy her family and her freedoms with Anna.

They turned another corner, spotting Sybil and Tom in the mists of kissing. Anna quickly unlatched her arm from Mary's, as Mary gasped loudly.

"Sybil! Tom!"

They broke away sheepishly, a blush rising up on Tom's cheeks. Sybil only smiled, rubbing her hand up and down Tom's arm.

"We weren't expecting anyone to be back here," she said.

"I can tell," Mary said in response. "Well, I think Anna and I will turn this way. When will your children be joining the festivities?"

"They all arrive in a few hours. Tom has to go and pick them up."

"Lovely. I look forward to seeing them."

The two of them quickly moved further away from Tom and Sybil, ending up in another random corner of the gardens. That's when they broke into laughter, making them feel much younger than they were.

"Well, at least we know they still like one another," Mary laughed.

"Oh yes," Anna agreed.

"We could do the same," Mary suggested. Anna shook her head.

"No, we mustn't! We found them out. If anyone caught us, it wouldn't end the same way."

Mary sighed, but nodded.

"You're right."

"I usually am," Anna cheekily replied, earning a playful nudge from Mary.

"Ah, I hope the ride wasn't too long," Anna said, helping her daughter-in-law by taking Jack from her arms. She kissed his pudgy cheek, still amazed by how much he looked like John. "Where is Johnny?"

"Grabbing the bags." Molly placed her hand on her lower back. She was due in just two months' time. Both she and Amelia would be having babies months within one another.

"Mum," Johnny then said, walking up to her. Both his hands were full with luggage, but he bent over to kiss her cheek. "It was kind of them to invite us, as well."

"Of course, Marigold has always been fond of you, Johnny. You did spend four years together in the nursery."

"True."

"And how was Jack on the train?" Anna asked. She brushed her hand along his cheek, making the little boy giggle.

"He was good," Molly answered. "I think he enjoyed watching out the window. Also, everyone around us spoiled him rotten. I do think he's been a bit spoiled by the seats, too. Mary purchasing us first class for the trip has Jack believing he'll always have such lush accommodations."

"Ah, well I'm sure if Mary has a say in it, you always will."

"But we won't accept them," Johnny reminded Anna. Anna nodded. She understood. Much like his father, Johnny was proud. He liked to do things on his own. The only reason he'd accepted these tickets was because his wife was largely pregnant with twins and they had Jack with them. It allowed for an easier journey for them both.

Tom generously had driven Anna to the train station, so they got into the car with him to head back to Brancaster. The entire ride Jack sat on Anna's lap. She relished every moment with him. Though she saw him all the time back at Downton, the past few days without him had felt much too long.

When they arrived, Mary was outside ready to greet them. Pippa was with her. She reached out for Jack right away, and Anna held the little boy closer to her chest.

"Pip!" He cried out, bringing out his little hands. Pippa smiled triumphantly.

"I'm surprised he remembers you," Johnny said, helping his wife out of the car. "I don't think he's seen you since…."

"Christmas," Pippa answered. "Sorry, but I've been busy. My next stop is to America."

"Really?" Molly asked, happy for Pippa. "That sounds exciting."

"Yes, I am helping with an exhibit at a history museum in New York City."

"How adventurous!"

They all walked inside the home. George had been chatting with his grandparents and cousins when he saw them walk inside. He walked over, now trying his chance with Jack.

"Oh, I only just got him," Pippa said to her brother. "You get to see him all the time, plus you're having your own little one soon. Where is Amelia?"

"Upstairs, sick."

"And that's a reason why I'm not sure I'm even having children." Pippa shuttered.

Anna saw Mary about to say something, but she shook her head, saying it wasn't worth it. Since their arrival, Pippa kept telling them both not to get any ideas in their heads about weddings and children from her.

"Marigold is beautiful," Mary told her sister, as they stood around at the reception. Edith nodded, proud of her daughter.

"She is."

"I can't believe that all our children are getting married and having children. Certainly, we cannot be old enough for that."

Edith chuckled.

"It appears we are. Are you thrilled about Amelia and George expecting their first?"

"I am," Mary said. She looked around the room for Anna. Sweet Marigold had insisted Anna come along as a guest and not a maid for this trip. Sometimes, Mary struggled to believe such a sweet child belonged to her sister.

"And Pippa, does she have any prospects?"

"Pippa? Not that she'll tell us, if she did. You never know with her. You can't tell her what to do. She's so stubborn," Mary said with a shake of her head.

Again, Edith laughed.

"Well, she does take after you."

"What is that supposed to mean?"

Before Edith could continue, Sybil came up to the both of them.

"Mama and Papa are insisting we take a big family picture outside."

"The photographer already got a family photo," Edith said with a sigh.

"Yes, but inside the church. Mama and Papa want one outside."

"So, they want us to wrangle up all of the children and grandchildren in the middle of this?" Edith complained.

"They do," Sybil answered.

"Well, we better do it. They'll never drop it."

Once the picture was taken, everyone scattered off again. But Mary walked up to the photographer, asking if he'd wait for a moment. She also told George, Amelia, and Pippa to wait. Then she grabbed Anna, Johnny, Molly, and Jack.

"Oh, this isn't a good idea," Anna said, the moment she realized what Mary wanted to do.

"Why ever not?"

"Won't it look suspicious?"
"No. Everyone knows we're close and the children are close. Just two pictures. One of the children and one with us and the children. We'll stand on either end, make it about a picture of us with the children."

"Oh, alright."

As they finished up the large photo, Mary convinced Anna to take one of just the two of them.

"Please," she asked, her smile wide. She knew that like she struggled to tell Anna no, Anna did with her, too.

"Alright. But we don't stand too close."

"Deal."

After the pictures were taken, Mary pulled Anna to a far corner off out back. It was growing dark now, but the party inside continued.

"I love you," Mary whispered.

"And I love you. How will you explain those pictures to your sister?"

"I told the photographer to send them straight to me. And if Edith sees them, well, she's dense. She won't question a thing."

Anna's brow rose, not quite sure.

"I promise you, darling, we'll just be pleased to have these pictures. When will we have all three children with us again? Pippa is about to head over to America. It's hard to pin her down."

"I guess you're right."

"I'm always right."

Fall 1971

Mary always enjoyed the photos from Marigold's wedding. Well, she enjoyed all the pictures taken over the years. But something about this photo made her smile. Maybe it was knowing how against marriage and a family Pippa had been and her marrying just a couple years later. Or it was because it was before tragedy hit them. Her hand ran over Molly's face.

"Love," Anna said, placing her head on Mary's shoulder. Mary patted her shoulder, lifting up the picture for Anna to see.

Anna studied it carefully, almost as though she wondered who half the people in the picture were. Her hand brushed in the same spot where Mary's had.

"But we got our happily ever after," Anna said.

"Of course, we did," Mary agreed, kissing the top of her head. "I had my happily ever after the moment we became us, darling."

"Yes," Anna agreed. "When will Pippa come back home?"

"She's here, darling. Her and the girls. Would you like me to ring for them?"

Anna shook her head.

"No, I'm enjoying the quiet for now," she said. "Just us."

"Yes," Mary said. "Me too, darling. I always enjoy when it is just the two of us."

To be continued...