Thank you all! Sorry that it's taken me a while. I was on a deadline on my second manuscript, but I have finally done that. Now I can get back to focusing on this.


Chapter 80

Fall 1971

"Anna? What are you doing, darling?" Mary stepped into the hall where Anna stood, holding a picture frame in her hands. It was rare for Anna to get up and walk now. Her body was weak; she needed a wheelchair most days to get around.

"Who is this?" Anna asked, turning the frame for Mary to see. Mary walked closer to Anna. She placed her hand on Anna's back, helping to keep her steady.

"Darling, that's Pippa and Dennis, on their wedding day," Mary said. As her eyes fell to the frame, she smiled. She remembered this day clearly.

"Who are they?"

The smile from Mary's lips fell. She took the frame from Anna's hands before placing it back in its spot. Then a small breath left her lips.

"Where is everyone? The house is quiet. Mrs. Hughes asked me to…." Anna's brows knitted in confusion as she tried to remember. "I'm sorry, Your Ladyship. I…."

"Who do you believe I am?" Mary asked, trying to keep her voice steady. She never knew what time period Anna's mind was in.

"The Dowager, of course. I…."

"Right," Mary said. She felt the lump forming within her throat. The doctor told them they were to play along with whatever Anna said. If they tried to explain, it confused her more. "Well, Mrs. Hughes said you were to come with me into the library."

Anna nodded. Mary guided her along to the library, and then helped her down onto the settee.

"Should I make us some tea?" Anna asked, starting to stand.

"No, why don't we just sit here for a while."

"I'm not sure that's proper." Anna fidgeted with her hands in front of her. Mary quirked up the side of her lips, heartbroken. She forced a shaky breath between her lips to steady her heart.

"Well, we won't tell anyone." She winked. "Come on now, Anna. Have a seat. Tell me about your time here at Downton. Does everyone treat you well?"

Anna sat. She glanced around, as though she was afraid to get caught. Then she looked at Mary and nodded. "Oh yes. Everyone has been very kind."

1950s – Downton Abbey

Mary ran her fingers under her eyes. Over the past year, she'd become the matriarch of the family. Sometimes, she struggled to believe she was old enough, but here she was, the eldest Crawley.

"Stop that," Anna said, coming up behind her to rest her chin on Mary's shoulders. "You only become more beautiful each day."

"So do you." Mary turned, catching Anna's lips with her own. The door to the bedroom remained open. Mary thought about how for such a long time they wanted this freedom in their own house.

"I thought we might go to lunch."

"That sounds like a lovely idea, darling."

Mary finished getting herself ready. The two of them walked downstairs to find Dennis chatting with Barrow at the front door. Upon seeing Mary and Anna, he smiled. He said something to Barrow before walking over towards them.

"I came here to speak with the both of you."

"The both of us?" Mary asked.

"Yes."

"Well, alright. Why don't we go into the library?"

Mary asked Barrow to get them tea. They went and sat in the library. However, Dennis seemed unable to settle. He paced in front of them for a moment, sat at the edge of the chair before standing back up and shaking his head.

"Is everything alright?" Anna reached out.

"Yes. It's only – Pippa might not like this. She really doesn't need permission for anything. However…"

"What is this about?" Mary broke in.

"I'd like to marry Pippa," Dennis said. He looked flustered, running his fingers through his always slightly disheveled hair. "I know it is up to her, of course. She would tell me, as such. But as her mothers…."

"Oh, Dennis." Anna stood, walking toward him and bringing his hands into her own. "We would love that. Wouldn't we, Mary?" Anna glanced back at Mary, who still sat on the settee.

Mary knew Dennis made her daughter happy, so of course she would be happy to add Dennis to their family. However, she felt this immense sadness at the same time; a sadness she couldn't pinpoint. She brushed it away, standing and nodded.

"Absolutely, we would. But as you said, Pippa's permission is the most important." Mary forced a smile upon her lips. She felt Anna's eyes on her, burning against her cheek. Anna always could read her.

"I wondered – " Dennis inhaled nervously. "Pippa has spoken about wanting one of your rings. Not particularly your wedding rings from your husbands, as she knows those are important to you, but perhaps another ring that holds meaning?"

Mary pondered this. Outside of the ring from Matthew and the bracelet from Anna, most of her pieces held little to no meaning and were meant more for style.

"Oh!" Anna spoke up, making Mary turn to face her. "I may have something that could work. Wait here."

Anna walked away, leaving Dennis and Mary alone with one another. Mary's curiosity had her wanting to follow Anna, but she knew it would be rude to walk away.

The two sat back down in their respective seats, waiting quietly for Anna's return. Sadness swept over Mary again, and she wondered what about this made her feel this way. Her eyes moved to Dennis, who sat quietly, bouncing his right knee up and down.

Finally, Anna returned with a bright smile on her face. She held a small, simple silver ring.

"I know it doesn't seem like much, but Pippa has always liked this ring of mine. It was a ring I bought with money early on when I got a job, but I never wore it. Silly, I suppose." Anna's face fell, as though maybe the ring wasn't a good choice. "Maybe Mary has something better."

"Me? Pippa despises gaudy jewelry, as she calls it," Mary said, with a roll of her eyes, "No, I think she'd prefer something simple like that. If not, she's welcome to come and choose on her own. Pippa's never been one to follow convention."

"True." Dennis beamed now. He took the ring from Anna. "Oh, there's a P carved on the inside. Was that intentional?"

"No. I never even realized it," Anna said with a chuckle. "Maybe that's why she liked it."

"Maybe so."

They drank tea and chatted with Dennis for a little while longer before he left. Quiet settled over the room once more. Mary placed her cup down on the table before her and let out a low sigh. Anna's hand rested on her knee, giving it a loving squeeze.

"What's wrong?" Anna asked. Mary shook her head.

"Why do you think something is wrong?"

"You've looked forlorn since Dennis said he wanted to marry our daughter."

"Have I?"

"Don't lie to me," Anna said pointedly, raising her brow. Mary laughed.

"I don't know. A sadness hit me when he said it, but I couldn't tell you why. He loves Pippa, clearly, and she loves him. She won't accept his proposal unless she wants to."

"But?"

"Pippa's always been independent. I worry she'll…." Mary placed her hand over Anna's. "What if she marries and settles down and never goes out into the world again. Do you think she'll be happy?"

"Oh Mary, our Pippa will never settle down, even with Dennis. Do you really think she'd do that?"

"I never have," Mary said. "Not before today."

"Dennis knows who he is marrying, Mary. I have a feeling their world will remain full of adventures, even when they have children."

Anna's words helped Mary brighten. She imagined Pippa traveling around the world with a child strapped to her chest, as another helped her father dig in the sand.

"Yes. I think you might be right."

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

When Pippa was younger, Anna often thought of her daughter's wedding day. In her daydreams about the event, she saw herself standing from afar. She never knew her and Pippa would be able to have as close of a relationship as they had now, or that the people in the house would know the truth about her and Mary. She definitely didn't know that Pippa would choose to have both her and Mary walk her down the aisle. It almost felt surreal.

Pippa wanted a small wedding, just those who were close to her. Her main reasoning was because she wanted her mothers to be a part of her wedding. If she choose to do a larger wedding, they wouldn't be able to do it. Secrets still had to be kept in the outside world, outside their safe haven.

Anna placed the veil over Pippa's unruly curls that she managed to pin half way up. Mary stood beside them, looking at Pippa through the mirror.

"You really have to leave tomorrow morning?" Mary asked.

Much like Anna predicted, Dennis and Pippa would not be staying around Downton. They were heading to Australia in the morning for their next adventure.

"Yes, Mother," Pippa said. She turned. Both Mary and Anna gasped. She looked beautiful in her gown and veil. "Don't make a fuss," she warned.

They exited the room, making their way down to where the wedding would take place. The doors remained closed with just the three of them on the other side. Mary took one arm; Anna the other. Anna and Mary looked at Pippa, then one another. Their daughter was getting married.

"I love you both," Pippa whispered, kissing both their cheeks. "I wouldn't be here without either of you."

As the doors opened, Anna felt the tears springing to her eyes. No, this was never something she ever could have dreamed of happening back all those years ago when she held Pippa for the very first time.

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

It was a little over a year later when Pippa and Dennis returned to Downton for a visit. Mary stood by the window, waiting to see the car pull up.

"They're here!"

Anna walked over to join her. They went outside. Dennis got out of the car first, moving around to open the door for Pippa. Both Anna and Mary were shocked when she stepped out of the car holding an infant in her arms.

"A baby?"

"You never told us you were having a baby," Mary said.

"We wanted her to be a surprise."

"A girl!" Anna and Mary made their way to the small bundle in Pippa's arms. "Well, what is her name?"

"Lavender Annette," Pippa told them. She gave them both a smile.

"She's absolutely stunning. Give her here to me." Mary reached her arms out for her granddaughter. Pippa handed her over. "What will she call me?"

"Granny like Robbie and Tommy do."

"And me?" Anna asked, her eyes still on the little girl.

"Gran, of course." Anna glanced up.

"But…"

"We want them to be your grandchildren in all the ways, just like you are my mothers. Granny and Gran."

"I love it." Mary kissed the top of the little girl's head. "Oh Anna! Can you believe it? Another grandchild?"

Anna smiled.

"It is quite wonderful."

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

"Zinnia? Her name is Zinnia?"

Pippa had been home for the birth of her second child, allowing Anna and Mary to be a part of it.

"Yes, Mother," Pippa said, handing the baby over to Anna.

"But why Zinnia? Of all the names in the world, don't you think that name might be a little…."

"Mary," Anna interjected. "I'm sure Pippa has her reasons for the name. And I think it's quite beautiful."

"Thank you, Mama."

Mary rolled her eyes.

"You're saddling your poor child with such a strange name."

"Shh now," Anna said. She walked over to Mary, placing the baby into her arms. "Look at your granddaughter."

Mary melted at the sight of the little girl in her arms. "She is beautiful."

"We're going to stay for a few more months, if that's alright."

"Of course, it's alright. We love when you are here," Mary said.

"And then where are you headed?" Anna asked.

"Back to Egypt."

"Off on to another adventure." Mary smiled. "What fun these girls of yours will have."

To be continued...