A/N: Here it is, the last chapter! I want to thank everyone who has been reading along, especially those of you who were kind enough share your thoughts with me every day! I really appreciate it and loved sharing this experience with you!

From Yorkshire to New York

Epilogue

or

From New York to Newport

The waves crashed against the shore, causing George and Sybbie to let out delighted shrieks as they ran away from the water's edge, their small feet making imprints upon the sand before being washed away by the time. Tom was chasing after them, the legs of his trousers rolled up. He seemed more youthful, far less inhibited than he had ever been at Downton. In a way, living away offered them some freedom from themselves and the way things had once been. Though they had only been married a couple of months they had reinvented themselves in a way, able to spend much more time with the children here.

Mary had thought Tom mad when, after she made some remark about putting in an advertisement to the paper, he suggested they go without a nanny for their time in Newport. In fact, it had prompted their first fight as a married couple— though, after their fearsome battles at Downton, it hardly seemed like nothing more than a minor spat. Mary had argued that with her pregnancy, she was going to grow tired more easily and once the baby came, she would be even more exhausted. Tom had been sympathetic but made a compelling argument:

"I'm not saying that I don't appreciate having a nanny at Downton. I understand... but it's not the way I was raised. And I don't think it's a bad way to have a childhood, but some of my happiest memories I have from when I was young are of the times when it was just me with my parents and brother."

Mary, who had been ready to counter him, was stunned into silence. As much as she loved her childhood at a Downton, she did remember how rare a treat spending time with her parents had been. She was more involved with George's childhood than her parents had been with hers when she was his age, but it was by no means an extensive amount of time. Downton meant there were duties she had to fulfill and their attentions were consumed with other things like work.

"When we go home, things will return to normal... but until then, I think it would be nice if we could make an effort to be more present in their lives. To give them plenty of happy memories with us," Tom implored. She could hear his unspoken thoughts, about how they would never have memories of Matthew or Sybil, and how there was no sense in taking this time for granted.

But Mary was still hesitant. "I just don't know how I'll manage once the baby is here," she said, voice warbling despite her efforts to try and remain strong. Tom's eyes widened and he took a seat beside her. "I was barely there when George was born... and I don't know how I will manage."

Tom immediately looked guilt before reaching out and pulling her close to him. It took Mary a moment before she reminded herself to relax into arms. "It will be different this time. For both of us," he added, only reminding Mary that their concerns were likely the same. "But I promise I'll be there for you."

In the end, a compromise had been made; Tom vowed to allow her to hire a nanny if it became obvious that it was too much for the pair of them to handle alone and agreed to hire someone for the baby once he or she arrived.

In the end, Mary was pleased he had put up his fight. It was nice being able to spend time like this George and Sybbie. Days like today made Mary especially grateful for it and it wasn't nearly as taxing on her as she feared it would be.

Tom began walking towards her, trousers sliding down further and further with each step her took until they came down to his ankles, and George and Sybbie began tearing around again. Mary kept a watchful eye on them, trying to make sure they didn't go too far into the water, but spared a quick glance for her husband.

"They've tired you out, then?"

"I wanted a break... and to keep you company." Tom sat down beside her on the blanket she had laid out across the sand.

Mary reached up, adjusting her hat so the sun's warm rays weren't shining right into her eyes. She let her eyes flicker over to Tom again briefly before saying, "I think we ought to tell them tonight."

"About the little one?" When Mary nodded, he grinned and asked, "What's brought this on?"

"It's getting harder and harder to keep things hidden," she said, thinking of how her dresses had grown tighter. Klein had already let them out but now it was about time for her to purchase new ones to accommodate her. "They'll start wondering why Mummy is the size of a boat."

"You're not the size of a boat," Tom said instinctively, ignoring Mary's good natured roll of the eyes.

"And we've been married for almost two months now... we ought to tell the rest of the family soon that we think we may be expecting." Tom chuckled at that. "Barring Edith, of course. But I think the children should know before we tell everyone else."

"I agree," said Tom. He draped his arm across her shoulders before sidling up next to her. "So tonight, then? After dinner?"

Mary nodded. "I wonder what they'll think." She certainly hoped they would be pleased.

"George'll be thrilled," Tom answered without hesitation. When Mary gave him a surprised look, he explained, "I forgot to tell you, but last week he was asking me if he could have a baby brother."

"Was he really?" Mary asked, amused. She looked out at her son, who was bending down to pick up a seashell in the sand.

"He was," confirmed Tom. "Though I suppose we can make no promises about a brother."

Mary contemplated it for a moment before asking, "Do you want it to be a boy?"

Tom blinked at her with surprise. "It doesn't matter to me," he replied almost immediately. "I'll just be happy as long as we have a happy, healthy baby."

Mary grinned, though she saw a trace of melancholy in his eyes. She had a feeling that she knew what he was thinking about but knew it was best to leave that for another time. Dr. Rosenthal, who she had paid a visit to not two weeks ago on a quick trip to the city, said that they were both doing well and perfectly healthy... though she supposed that was little reassurance to Tom. Nevertheless, she had already promised to go to hospital when the time came.

Mary leaned against his shoulder, not caring about the brim of her hat, which was crushed by her movement. Being this close to him was a comfort that she treasured each and every day. She stared out at George and Sybbie again, thinking about how, only a few months ago, she had been on her own. How glad she was that it was no longer the case. Her hand settled on her stomach, her smile only growing wider when Tom's hand instinctively reached out to cover her own. She used to worry about the sort of life her child would be welcomed into... and she was beyond pleased that she could give him or her a wonderful family that would love them very much.