A/N: Thank you for the kind reviews! There have been some concerns about the story coming to an end soon; there is fifteen chapter total to this story, so we have a ways to go yet!

From York to New York

Chapter Seven

Sybbie was the first to learn about their engagement and easily the most excited. "Are you really?" She exclaimed loudly, looking back and forth between them from her place on Mary's lap. Before either them could answer, she was throwing her arms around Mary, causing a startled laugh to leave her.

"Sybbie, be gentle!" Tom scolded, more sharply than he normally was with his beloved daughter. Mary was confused by it until she realized he was thinking of their baby.

"She's alright," she assured him gently, placid and looking down at Sybbie. "You're only excited, aren't you, dear?"

Sybbie nodded with enthusiasm.

"We'll need to tell Grandmama next," said Mary as they trailed behind Sybbie on their way to breakfast. "And I suppose we'll need to give some consideration to where we might live after the wedding so we don't infringe upon her hospitality." And, she thought, so they could be afforded some privacy.

"Well, I've already gotten a start on that." When Mary gave him a shocked look, Tom replied, "What did you think Sybbie and I were doing yesterday while you were at your thing?"

"You know, I really didn't give it much thought," said Mary, pleasantly surprised. "I was a little too concerned with my appointment to really pay much attention." At the word appointment, Tom gave her a questioning look. Mary smiled and nodded in response.

"And it was... all is well?"

"All is just as it should be," she assured him as they began walking down the steps. She paused before asking, "Why were you looking for places in New York?"

"After your grandmother informed me I was to leave in a few days time, I thought I'd best find myself a permanent residence in the city." Then, with a shy sort of smile, "There was no way I was going to be able to woo you all the way from Boston, now was I?"

Mary grinned. "So you didn't come here so we could revitalize our friendship?" she asked as they reached the bottom of the steps.

"No." Tom was clearly amused. "Is that what you thought?" When she said nothing, giving her answer away, he said, "I wanted to build up our friendship again before easing back into a perfectly respectable courtship which would eventually lead to a proposal."

Mary's heart beat faster, which seemed silly since they were already engaged. "What a relief we don't have to wait nearly that long," she remarked, causing him to laugh as they entered the dining room.

Any formal announcement of their news was ruined as Sybbie excited ran over to Grandmama, eagerly exclaiming, "Grandma Martha, did you know Daddy and Mary are getting married?"

Mary and Tom froze. Perhaps they should have talked to her about keeping things quiet...

Grandmama was stunned. She lifted up her head, looking at them before turning back to her great granddaughter. "I didn't know that, no," she said in a happy voice, though Mary knew it was manufactured for the benefit of Sybbie. "Why don't the three of you tell me all about it?"

Tom thankfully decided to fill her in, skimming over motivations or when they had reached this decision, simply informing her on their plans. All throughout, Grandmama put on a veneer of polite interest, all the while engaging in a silent conversation with Mary, asking her questions that could not be answered in the presence of Sybbie or Olsen. "We were just discussing our plans on finding a place to move into after the wedding," said Tom, shifting the conversation.

"Oh?" Grandmama looked surprised. "So you aren't planning on returning to Downton right away?"

"Not right away," said Mary smoothly. "We want a chance to adjust to our new life together before settling back into life at Downton."

Grandmama nodded. "Oh. Well, how nice."

"As a matter of fact, I've a few appointments to check out some flats." He glanced over at Mary. "I don't suppose you would like to join me?"

Grandmama answered for her. "I'm afraid I actually need Mary this afternoon. I need her help on something and I'm afraid it can't be delayed." She smiled before turning to her breakfast.

Mary turned to Tom. "Perhaps I can come along some other time. You know what I like, so I trust your judgement in finding something suitable."

Tom smiled at her and the meal continued. When they mentioned George coming to stay with them, Sybbie grew even more enthused than she already was, eager to see him again. However, Mary's excitement was dampened considerably when Tom and Sybbie left to go flat-hunting.

Grandmama waited until they were safely alone in the parlor to begin interrogating her. "You seem to have resolved whatever problems you had with him."

Mary eased herself down onto the sofa. "We have for the most part, yes," agreed Mary. She didn't need to know specifics; that was between them.

Grandmama smiled. "I trust I no longer need to send him packing now?" When Mary smiled, shaking her head, she said, "Good." She crossed her legs. "Does he know, then?" She didn't even need to clarify what she was referring to.

"Yes. He does."

Grandmama nodded. "That's good." She gave Mary a warm smile. "I don't need to tell you that your family won't be nearly as enthused as Miss Sybbie is, but I think the two of you are doing the right thing. He's a good man... and it's going to save you plenty of headaches by having a husband once you welcome your little bundle of joy."

Mary couldn't quite tell if Grandmama knew about Tom being the father or not, but she decided to not broach the subject. She didn't really feel like discussing the peculiarities of their relationship. If she point blank asked, Mary wouldn't lie to her, but she wasn't about willingly offer up the information, either. "I know."

—

Dear Edith,

It seems I will be staying in America longer than even we originally planned. I've found another solution. I know it is an inconvenience and for that I am sorry, but would you please accompany George to America? You were right; being without him is too hard for me to bear.

Love,

Mary

P.S. Before you ask, yes, you can bring Marigold too.

It was short, but it did the trick. Mary gave it to Klein, who promised to mail it straight away.

—

"I had a letter from Harold today," said Grandmama during dinner, sipping her wine. "He's returning to New York this week."

"Oh," said Mary, somewhat surprised. Truth be told, she hadn't given much thought at all to her uncle since she had come to America. Truth be told, she had only met him the once during Rose's Season and she hadn't really bothered to know him. Grandmama mentioned him occasionally, of course, but he had been off in Newport the entire duration of Mary's stay.

"I think he'll make it in time for the wedding," said Grandmama, which caused Mary to glance over to Tom. It seemed strange, Uncle Harold being at their wedding when neither of them really knew him that well, especially when they hadn't planned on extending the invitation to anyone save for Edith. "But I was wondering if maybe the two of you would be interested in moving to the cottage in Newport now that he'll be away. I know you were looking for places in New York but I wasn't so certain how much of it had to do with the city and how much of it had to do with remaining in America."

Mary felt rather flustered, knowing full well what she was getting at. "Well, I don't know how much thought we gave to it," said Tom finally, looking over to Mary. "I don't think it occurred to either of us to live anywhere else."

"You're welcome to stay in New York if you wish, of course," said Grandmama, reaching for her wine. "I don't even have objections to you remaining here... but I understand that with two small children, you'll want plenty of space and you'll want some privacy."

"We'll think about it," promised Mary. She glanced at Tom, wondering what he thought of the prospect, but his expression betrayed none of his thoughts. It wasn't until after dinner that they were actually afforded the opportunity.

"Did you find anything promising today in the way of flats?" asked Mary after Grandmama dismissed herself to bed, making them promise not to reveal to Mama she had left them unchaperoned.

"Not really. I was originally looking for two bedroom places for Sybbie and I. Now I've needed to look for a bigger place and needed to raise my standards, if you're to be living there with me." Mary simply smiled in response to that. She wouldn't apologize for having impeccable taste. "Though of course we have your grandmother's option to consider."

"What do you think?" asked Mary.

"I doesn't matter to me where we are, as long as I'm with you." He reached for her hand and the warmth in her chest grew exponentially. "I figured you wanted to stay in the city."

Mary shrugged. "I needed to get away from everyone who knew us. This was the only option that made much sense." She thought about it. Truth be told, she didn't know how well she would fare in a flat... and buying a house might be cumbersome when it came time to return home. "I don't mind the city, but I miss the quiet. And the cottage in Newport is lovely. It would remind me more of Downton." Then, feeling the need to convince him, she added, "It's right next to the ocean as well. The children would love it."

"Alright, then. We'll live in Newport until we're ready to return home." Tom smiled.

Home. "Is it your home now? Downton?"

"Strange as it is for me to admit, it is." Tom let out a soft laugh. "It's grown on me. Mostly because of the people there... but I've missed the estate, too. I've been dreaming of it since I left."

"Have you?" Mary was oddly charmed by the admission, tilting her head to the side.

Tom nodded, adding, "That is, when I wasn't busy dreaming about you."

Mary was startled by her own swiftness as their lips crashed together. She had missed him so much, to a level she hadn't been willing to admit. Having him here reminded her of that gaping loneliness that had permeated her existence and how grateful she was that it was gone.