Thank you all!

Chapter 77

1950s- Downton Abbey

"Ah, look darling," Mary said, handing Anna the letter she held in her hands. Her parents were out of town for a few nights visiting Edith, so Anna and Mary could have full freedom in the house. With the staff now fully aware of the 'big secret' and tested out to be great confidants, Anna and Mary had such freedoms now.

"Oh, it's from Pippa." Anna opened up the letter, sitting closer to Mary on the settee in the library. She read over Pippa's words, smiling with each passing sentence. "It sounds like she's enjoying this new venture in Greece."

"She travels everywhere," Mary said. She glanced over Anna's shoulder to get a better look at the letter, while her hand twiddled a stray hair of Anna's. She quite liked it like this in the house with her parents off and about.

"Zoom!" They both heard and looked up. Little Robby ran into the room with a toy airplane held up high above his head. Behind him, not quite as fast, came Tommy. He held a different, smaller plane in his hands, trying to keep up.

"Oh Granny! Aunt Anna!" Robby showed them both his airplane.

"It's lovely, darling," Mary said, reaching out to touch Robby's cheek. "I like yours too, Tommy."

Tommy gave a small smile, lifting his plane up for them to see. He only had a few words right now, so Robby did all the talking for them both most of the time.

"I'm sorry," Amelia said, entering the room. She held a book in her hands. "I was reading and they just ran off."

"You know, we can hire you a nanny," Mary reminded her.

"I know, but right now it's not what I want. I do know it's expected of us. I had a nanny growing up and George did, too."

"We don't always have to follow expectations." Mary winked. She then placed her hand on Anna's knee and gave it a gentle squeeze.

"We don't," Anna agreed with a smile.

"I'm glad you say that," Amelia said. "Come on boys, let's leave Granny and Auntie Anna alone for a while, alright?"

"Oh alright," Robby said with a sigh.

Amelia guided her boys out of the library, leaving Anna and Mary alone.

"I wonder what she meant by that," Mary said.

"Meant by what, love?"

"I'm glad you say that. What do you think she and George want to do that doesn't follow expectations? You don't think George wants to forgo his title as Earl do you?"

"George? Never," Anna said. "I'm sure it's something else, or maybe nothing at all. Perhaps, she was just referencing the nanny."

"Perhaps. Yes, it was likely that. We should get back to Pippa's letter. Anything else interesting?"

"She's not a fan of the man in charge of the trip."

"What's his name?"

"Dennis."

Greece

"You think you know everything," Pippa said, crossing her arms tightly over her chest. "You do know you're not the only person in here who understands archeology."

In front of her, Dennis Barnet stood with his glasses sitting crookedly on his nose. He adjusted them and then narrowed his eyes at Pippa.

"I never said I knew more than you, Pippa," he said in his American accent. "I was only explaining…"

"You were only telling me how you expect me to behave. I don't need you to tell me how to behave at the dinner tonight."

Dennis sighed.

"Fine." He got back down on his knees and grabbed his brush. Pippa watched him. She could feel the heat rising up her cheeks.

"Why are you like that?" Pippa asked. Dennis didn't look at her, keeping his attentions to his work.

"Like what?"

"So…argumentative?"

A low chuckle left Dennis's lips.

"Me? Argumentative? That's rich coming from you."

"From me?"

"Yes," he said calmly, "from you."

Pippa tightened her lips and shook her head, but she didn't say anything else.

Downton Abbey

Lord and Lady Grantham were back home, so Anna had to be more careful once she reached the upstairs. They did go to bed earlier now which made it easier in the evenings. She walked down the staircase past Mr. Barrow and then went into the parlor. There was still so much that needed to be done.

Her door opened and Mary stood on the other side.

"Love?" Anna asked, standing. Mary stepped in.

"George and Amelia want to move out," Mary said.

"What?"

"They don't want to live in this big house with all of us. They want to live in a smaller house to raise their children."

"Oh," Anna said. "Where would they move?"

"They mentioned the Crawley House," Mary answered. "But it's so…small." Mary made a face. Anna laughed.

"It's large enough for them. They have a family now, Mary. It must be difficult here with all of us overseeing what they do. I bet they'd enjoy the privacy. They'd still be nearby, able to visit often."

"I guess," Mary agreed. "George told me after dinner that he'd like to remain there even when he becomes Earl. But Downton Abbey is his home."

"It is, but so is the area surrounding it. Plus, he could change his mind in a few years."

"True," Mary said. "I'll miss the children running around the house."

"I'm sure they'll still be by often. Johnny and Molly bring Jack over several times a week."

"Yes, that's true, they do." She frowned.

Anna grasped her hands around Mary's drawing her closer to her.

"Our children have grown, love. We have grandchildren."

"We do." Mary smiled. She then leaned forward, resting her forehead against Anna's. "Our grandchildren."

Anna's lips curled up. She ran her thumbs over Mary's knuckles.

"When do they plan on moving?" Anna asked, as she stepped back slightly.

"Soon. Mama and Papa were more shocked than I was, but they came around to the idea. We're fortunate to still have our home when so many have lost theirs over the years. I guess it isn't too out of norm for the next Earl to live in a smaller home."

"No, it's not."

"But we'll stay here."

"Of course, we will."

Greece

"Here," Dennis said, handing Pippa a box filled with old letters. "Be…" he paused and decided against saying to be careful. Pippa took the box from him.

"Whose letters are these?"

"An old couple from over two hundred years ago. I've read through several, they were lovers."

"Oh." Pippa put on her special gloves for touching old papers and lifted out the first one. "Ah, female lovers."

"Yes," Dennis said.

"I know in Ancient Greece homosexuality was a part of everyday life, but was it in the 1700s?"

"I thought you knew everything," Dennis said. Pippa rose her brows.

"I didn't say I knew everything. I said you didn't."

"Well," he said with a sigh, "Throughout history homosexuality has always existed, even if it was not accepted. They've only had to keep it hidden more or less depending on the time period. It was not as accepted in 1700s, but like all time periods there were pockets and areas where it was accepted more than others. They had ways of finding safe spaces."

"Ah. And what are your thoughts on all of this? I'm sure you find it all hellfire and brimstone."

Dennis adjusted his glasses, something Pippa noted he did much too often.

"No," he said with a shake of his head. "I study history. I understand how it's just as natural as a man loving a woman. The only thing I feel is, what you called it, 'hellfire and brimstone' is when it involves children. That is not natural."

"Oh yes, I agree," Pippa said. She almost smiled, but then reminded herself she didn't like Dennis. "Do you know anyone who is in love with the same sex?"

"No," Dennis answered. "But I don't know many people. Most of my work is done alone."

"Oh."

"Do you?"

"Yes. My butler and my mothers," Pippa simply stated. Dennis's jaw dropped. "What? I thought you didn't find it unnatural?"

"I…I don't. I just didn't know…"

"Not many people do. As you said, they have to find their pockets of safety."

"Right."

"Anyway, what are we to do with these letters?"

"Read through them, make notes. They may end up in a museum if we find anything particularly interesting."

"Oh alright. I can handle that."

Downton Abbey

"Pippa is coming for a visit," Mary said. "She just rang."

"She rang?" Anna asked, surprised. Pippa was usually too far away from civilization for weeks at a time to make a phone call. It was why they always got letters.

"Yes, from the train station. She should be here soon."

"Oh my!" Anna stood. "I need to have her room made up!"

"And she said she's bringing a guest," Mary added.

"A guest?"

"Yes, Dennis."

Anna widened her eyes.

"I thought she hated him."

"Me too."

"Well, looks like I'll be getting two rooms ready for the evening. She better not have gotten married," Anna added under her breath. Mary placed her hand on Anna's arm, pausing her.

"Darling, you were pleased when Johnny got married, weren't you? Why would it be any different if Pippa did the same?"

Anna pondered this for a moment.

"I don't know. I just…the relationship between Pippa and me is very different than the one I have with Johnny. There was so much more I had to miss with her."

"Oh, darling. I sincerely doubt she's married. She probably is only bringing him for history purposes. There is a lot of history in this house."

"True. There is."

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

Pippa and Dennis arrived just a short while later. They stood awkwardly beside one another, not touching. It was clear as day that they were not married, or even dating.

"I wanted to come and visit," Pippa said, kissing Mary's cheek and then her Granny's. "And with the coronation of the new Queen coming up, I thought this would be a good time. Dennis is curious to see it as well, so I invited him along. I do hope you don't mind."

"No, we do not mind at all, do we Mama?"

"It's lovely to meet you," Cora said. "My husband, Lord Grantham, will be back shortly. I'm sure he'll be pleased to meet you as well."

"It's nice to meet you both," Dennis said. Cora smiled when she heard the American lit to his voice.

"Oh, an American. Nice to have another one," she winked. "Where in America did you grow up?"

"I was born in Boston, but I lived all over the east coast. My parents also enjoyed history. My father was a historian and my mother a teacher."

"Well, your rooms are ready. I'm sure you'd like to rest after all that travel."

Mary pointed them to the staircase. One of the footmen grabbed some of the luggage and followed them upstairs. She gave her mother a nod and then went in search of Anna, who was still downstairs.

"They're here," Mary told her.

"Oh. Upstairs?"

"Yes. Not married. Just friends," Mary said. "He's an American." Mary rolled her eyes, making Anna chuckle. "They've come to attend the coronation with us."

"That's nice."

"And he's handsome," Mary added with a wink.

"I'm not sure any of that will matter to Pippa," Anna said. "She's always cared more about what is inside someone than how they look."

"True."

Mary brushed her hand over Anna's cheek.

"No, go on up and tell Pippa hello. I know you've missed her!"

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

Pippa's door was ajar. When Anna stepped inside, she was surprised to see Dennis and Pippa sitting across from one another and talking.

"Oh! Mama!" Pippa jumped up, rushing over to her and wrapping her arms around Anna's neck. "Dennis, you met my mother downstairs, but this is Anna, my mama."

Anna chewed on the inside of her lip, not expecting Dennis to know all about who she was to Pippa.

"Don't worry, he knows he can't say anything to anyone."

Dennis stood from his own seat and reached out his hand. Anna took it and gave it a quick shake.

"Yes, don't worry. Secret is safe with me."

"It's nice to meet you, Dennis."

"It's nice to meet you. It's nice to see this house. Pippa's told me a lot about it. I'm excited to learn all about the history here before we head to London."

"Well, I'm sure Pippa will be happy to show you whatever you'd like to look at." She smiled. Pippa was still holding onto her arm. Anna leaned into it, so pleased to have her daughter home for a little while. She'd been gone since she'd visited after Tommy's birth. It had been far too long.

"I will let you both rest. Maybe tomorrow we could go to lunch somewhere."

"Yes, that would be nice."

Fall 1971

Pippa stood by the large window in her room, wiping the tear from beneath her eye. She heard her door open. She turned to see Dennis standing there. Relief flooded her body. He'd been away for the past couple of months on an assignment in Greece. If her mama and mother weren't as ill as they were, she and the girls would have gone with him.

She rushed to him, wrapping her arms around him. He did the same to her, holding her tightly. He kissed the top of her head.

"Mama is hardly here anymore. Mother is becoming less of herself as she watches Mama lose herself. This is so hard, Dennis."

"Well, I'm here now," he promised. "I'm going to stay for a while."

"What about work?" She looked up.

"There will always be work for us, my sweetheart, but I think right now you need me here."

"I do." He kissed her, bringing his hands to cup her cheeks. "I do."

"Your mama was awake when I arrived. Should we go down to see her?"

"Yes. We have to take the times while we can."

They walked downstairs. Anna was sitting up on the bed with Mary standing beside her, encouraging her to eat some of her food.

"Ah, who is that handsome man?" Anna asked, twisting her lips curiously as she pointed with her finger.

"Mama, it's Dennis," Pippa said with a laugh. She tugged Dennis further into the room. Then she looked up at her husband and winked, "I always told you my moms thought you were cute."

They went into the room and sat down. While her mama didn't remember much about who they were now, she did tell them a story about her little girl, Pippa, who had just turned four years old and liked to climb all over things she shouldn't in the house.

To be continued...