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Chapter 81

1960s – Downton Abbey

"Granny," Robbie said, walking into the library with a baseball in one hand and a bat in the other. "Where's Uncle Johnny and Jack?"

Mary, who sat at her desk writing a letter, glanced up.

"I don't know. Why would I know?"

"They weren't home. We were supposed to play this afternoon."

"I'm still not sure how I'm supposed to know. Molly wasn't there?"

Robbie shook his head.

"What about Tommy? Couldn't you play with him?"

Robbie made a face.

"No."

"Your father?"

"Dad's at a meeting in the village."

"Oh right. Well, I'm sure Johnny and Jack will be back later," Mary said nonchalantly. She folded the letter and placed it in the envelope. Robbie still stood there, waiting impatiently for Mary to give him an answer she didn't have. "Darling, I am sure they'll be back soon enough. Are you sure you got the date right?"

"She's coming!" Anna skirted into the room, gently bypassing Robbie. "Well, they all are!"

"Who is?" Mary asked. Robbie turned the ball in his hand. "Do you know where Johnny, Jack, and Molly have disappeared? Robbie had been told they were going to be playing some game this afternoon."

Anna turned her head back to look at Robbie. The smile from her face fell slightly.

"Oh, no, I don't know where they are. It's not like Johnny not to show up. They aren't at home?"

"No."

"Um…."

Before Anna could say anything else, the front door opened. They saw Jack stride in holding a bucket in his hands.

"Sorry we're late. We had to go to the store to get some more balls. Come on."

There wasn't a chance for Mary to say anything else, because both boys rushed outside. A chuckle left her lips. It was fun to have the children in and out of the house. They were older now, able to come and go as they pleased throughout the Abbey and their homes.

"Well," Mary said, raising her brows and letting out a low breath. Her eyes returned to Anna who still stood in the room. "Anyway, what were you saying, darling?"

"Pippa, Dennis, and the girls are coming for another visit. I think there's a new baby," Anna told her.

"Another one? What makes you think that?" Mary asked. She couldn't say she was shocked. It seemed every time Pippa and Dennis returned from their latest adventure they came with some sort of surprise, whether it be a new baby, a new pregnancy, or the bird they brought with them last time.

"Pippa said she had a surprise."

"But that could be anything. You don't think they've adopted a snake do you?" Mary cringed at the thought.

"Oh, I hope not. I'm hoping it's a baby." Anna crossed her arms over her chest, as her eyes glossed over in thought of the potential new grandchild. They missed their granddaughters, Pippa, and even Dennis. But they knew they led an extraordinary life.

"When will they be here?"
"Tomorrow."

"Oh good. That gives me time to have the house prepared. We should have the whole family over for dinner."

"Yes. That will be nice."

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

Anna had been correct. When Pippa and Dennis pulled up in front of Downton, there was a new baby in Pippa's arms. Anna nearly gasped when she saw the small infant.

"She looks just as you did," Anna said.

"I didn't even tell you the baby was a girl," Pippa replied with a smile on her face, handing the baby to her mother. "But yes. A girl."

"And what is this one's name? I'm sure you found something – creative." Mary glanced down at the baby in Anna's arms.

"Oh let me guess," George said, standing on the other side of Mary. He'd wanted to come out to greet his sister, as well. Johnny couldn't make it, however, he was in the middle of a big case, though he had promised to be back in time for dinner. "Orchid."

"No. Her name is Violet."

"Wait, Violet? As in your great-grandmother, Violet?" Mary sounded surprised.

"Yes." Pippa brushed her hand over Violet's cheek with the back of her finger. "She always supported me and gave me the best advice."

"That's a lovely name," Anna said. The baby made a small cry, but settled against Anna's chest as she maneuvered her in her arms. "What a lovely tribute."

"It really is."

They all walked inside. Pippa took Violet from Anna to show her off to Thomas and the rest of the staff. When she came back Zinnia climbed out of Anna's lap to tug on Pippa's skirts. The little girl looked up expectantly, reaching her arms up into the air.

"Sorry, Mommy has baby Violet right now."

Zinnia's face turned red, her mouth opening ready to let out a loud cry. Dennis swooped her up, turning her quickly, to get a giggle out of her.

"Now me! Me!" Lavender called out.

"Oh we do love when you come to visit. The girls have gotten so big," Anna said.

Once Dennis gave Lavender her turn to be twirled, she dizzily made her way to sit between both Anna and Mary.

"I can read now," the almost 5 year old said.

"You can?" Mary asked, astonished.

"She really can," Pippa said. "She stays up by candle light sometimes in our tent to read after the sun goes down."

"Impressive. Not that I'm surprised. You are your mother's daughter."

Lavender blushed, resting her head on Anna's shoulder. Anna reached over, brushing her hair back off her face.

"Maybe we should let the five of you rest. There are rooms ready for you upstairs. Then tonight, your brothers, their wives, and your nephews will be over for dinner. Rest up."

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

"Do you have everything?" Johnny asked, making his way over to where Pippa and George were chatting in the corner after dinner.

"Yes." Pippa lifted up an envelope. "George got the last set of tickets we'd discussed."

"Are we sure they'll take this?" George questioned.

"Why wouldn't they?" Pippa handed the envelope to Johnny. "It's our anniversary gift to them. They'll love it."

"Pippa's right," Johnny said. "They've been talking for years about wanting to do a vacation where they see all of Europe. We're just making sure it happens."

"What are you three up to?" Barrow's voice made them turn. He had a mischievous look upon his features. "You three alone is never good news."

"Oh Barrow," Pippa said with a roll of her eyes.

"Just like your mother."

"Am not." Pippa shook her head. "We're planning a surprise for our mothers."

"Ah, what type of surprise?" Barrow tried to see what Pippa held in her hands.

"It's a – "

Pippa cut off George with a look, then turned her eyes back to Barrow. "None of your business. Now, shouldn't you be off – doing something."

Barrow chuckled. The banter between Pippa and him were always his favorite parts of her visits. It reminded him of when she was younger. He nodded before making his way back out into the library.

"When we do tea with Mother and Mama after the children are all in bed and our spouses have left, we'll give it to them."

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

Anna happily sighed, taking a sip of her tea. While she'd enjoyed the evening with everyone, it was nice for it just to be the five of them. Mary sat beside her, while their children sat across.

"Mama, Mother," Pippa started, standing and handing them an envelope. "This is from Johnny, George, and me. Happy Anniversary."

"Our anniversary is in a week," Mary said. She took the envelope.

"Yes, we know. We wanted you to have this before then. Now, open it, Mother," George told her.

Anna peeked down at the envelope, watching Mary open it. Inside were brochures and tickets.

"What is all this?"

"A trip. You leave on Friday. You'll be gone a month."

"A month?"
"Yes," Johnny said. "It's all in there- hotels, train tickets, plane tickets. You'll see every place you've ever wanted to see in Europe. There's also information from the travel agent for you to plan where ever you want to head next."

"This is too much." Anna furrowed her brows.

"It's not. We wanted to do this." George pointed to the envelope. "I can manage the estate on my own now. We're all grown. It's time for you two to take a nice long trip for yourselves. And don't stop there. This is just the beginning. You don't need to be here for us."

"This is very kind," Mary said. "Very kind, indeed. I guess we should get packing, shouldn't we, Anna."

"Yes. I guess we should. Friday is just two days away."

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

Anna and Mary had traveled plenty before, but the thought of leaving without an idea of when they might return was different. There was no return ticket in their package, done purposely by the children to try and convince them to continue on with their travels when this finished.

"It is what I've wanted to do," Mary said that evening.

"I know."

"Do you think we should head to see Henry after we're finished on this excursion, then perhaps see some of America."

"Yes, we could to that."

"Then see where the winds take us. I wouldn't mind seeing where Pippa and Dennis are working next. See what that's all about."

"Yes, that could be nice. But could you survive sleeping in a tent?" Anna teased.

"We will not sleep in a tent," Mary said. "I'm sure they must have some hotels nearby, surely."

Anna laughed. "We can't be sure."

"Well, we'll plan it as it comes."

"Yes. That sounds lovely."

Fall 1971

Mary, Anna, Johnny, George, and Pippa all sat in the library in silence. Anna stared off in the distance, not recognizing anyone or anything around her. Mary's hand rested over Anna's. Days like today were the hardest, when Anna wasn't even there.

"Mama," Pippa tried, inching forward. "Should we all go outside? It's such a lovely day."

"You don't have to be here," Mary said, addressing the children. "You should be out living your lives. We don't need you to sit here with us."

Johnny glanced at his mother, a solemn smile upon his lips. "You shouldn't be alone."

Mary tightened her hand around Anna's.

"We're not. We have one another." Her eyes fell to Anna. Her heart broke. Anna wasn't here, not now. A shaky breath left her lips.

"You've taken all of this on, Aunt Mary. You need to rest more, let George, Pippa, and I help out more with Mum."

Mary blinked heavily. "You three already do help out plenty, but your mum wouldn't want you here when you should be out in the world. With the nurses, I can manage."

George bent down in front of Mary, taking her free hand into his own.

"Let us take over now, Mother. Pippa already stays here. Johnny or I will be over every day to help with what she can't handle. Now, just enjoy being with Aunt Anna, let us take over the heavy work and the worrying. Alright?"

Mary wanted to tell them no. Anna was her partner in life. It was her job to care for her, but the children were right. She was growing weaker. It wouldn't be fair for Anna to have to depend on her, when she didn't know how much longer she would be here. A tear slipped down her cheek.

"Alright."

To be continued...

This story is wrapping up to it's ending. Just a couple chapters left :)