Very soon after Mary had changed and they had all awoken, the nurse came to came to tell them that George was discharged. Mary breathed a huge sigh of relief, and Tom quietly appreciated it from his chair.
"So we can all go home?" she asked.
"Of course," the nurse said. "Master George was never in any real danger. Dr. Clarkson just wanted to keep him here overnight so he wouldn't risk opening the stitches. As long as you can keep him off his feet, he'll be fine in a few days," she smiled.
"Define a few days," Tom said, eyeing Mary. "He's a rather rambunctious toddler."
"Dr. Clarkson said that he should stay off his feet for the next 2 to 3 days," the nurse responded. Mary and Tom looked at each other. This would not be easy. "As long as he does that, and the stitches don't open up, he should be right as rain."
The nurse left and Mary let herself just fall for a moment. The events of the past 24 hours and the strain of uncertainty finally coming to an end… she just let herself fall, almost to the point of a faint. Tom saw it coming and caught her in his arms. She was instantly embarrassed.
"I'm – I'm so sorry," she said, shaking her head. "I don't know what came over me."
"Don't apologize, Mary," he said. "Not to me." He helped her to her feet again.
"George?" she called as her little boy rubbed his eyes.
"Mummy!" he answered from his bed. She went to his side and smiled as he looked at her. "My legs hurt," he complained.
"I know, my darling," she said. "But you've been such a brave boy. I'm so proud of you." She turned as she realized Tom was standing beside her. "Both Mummy and Uncle Tom are both so proud of you."
"Yes we are," Tom lightly nudged George's chin. George grinned.
"Uncle Tom, can we go home now?" he asked.
"Of course," he smiled. Mary looked at him with gratitude. For a moment – just a moment – Tom allowed himself to engage in a little fantasy. That Mary was his wife, and George was their son. That Mary was looking to him for strength because they were in love.
No, he shook his head. He wouldn't allow himself to indulge in that fantasy for more than a few seconds. Reality was more important, and he had a role to play. He had to look after Mary as a brother-in-law, not a lover. He had to look after George as an uncle, not a father.
Matthew was his father. He had to remember that.
Oh, Matthew, he thought even as he and Mary helped George into his new clothes. What would you think if you knew I had these feelings for your wife? And your son?
After they got George dressed Mary sat down and held her little boy in her arms and smiled at him. Tom smiled back, but was still feeling conflicted. Matthew, I think I'm falling in love with your family.
"What are you looking so solemn about?" Mary asked, bouncing George on her knee. "We're free to go home!" Tom smiled. "Are you going to drive us, or not?" she asked, her eyes sparkling.
"I can't wait," he answered.
As they drove back to the house, Mary seemed a little embarrassed, as though something had happened which she regretted. Tom dismissed it as some sort of post-traumatic paranoia and was just happy to deliver a healthy George back to Downton.
Cora, Robert, and Edith were all there to meet the party as they arrived.
"Welcome home," Cora said, as she lifted George into her arms.
"Careful, Mamma," Mary said, as she stepped out of the car. "He's got several stitches up and down his legs."
"We don't mind that at all, do we?" Cora said to George, obviously ignoring Mary's warning. Mary looked at Tom in frustration.
"It's alright," he whispered to her, even as Cora took George off into the house. Mary didn't look convinced. "Come with me," he said, offering her his arm. She thought for a moment, and then accepted it, as they entered the house together.
Edith watched them all enter the house, her curiosity piqued.
"Edith?" her father offered his arm. She accepted, but watched the group before her in great interest.