Since I last posted, the fifth anniversary of Sir Anthony's and Lady Edith's failed wedding has come and gone. Yet here we all still are, finding ever more ways to right that wrong. It's a minor miracle for which I thank Providence, and the writing fairies, AND MOST OF ALL YOU my friends in the Andith fandom, every day.

...

"There are other bears like me!" Paddington breathed.

"And royal support like this will only mean one thing tomorrow!" insisted Matthew. "Victory!"

"Oh God!" swore Robert.

...

Dinner at Strallan House that evening was more animated than ever. The air was full of hope and excitement for tomorrow's debate. Matthew and Lord Merton were discussing what Dickie should say in his own speech. Celia was distracting Paddington by telling him funny stories about Anthony when he was a boy.

But both Anthony and Edith were silent. Occasionally, their eyes met.

Anthony: She said she loved me! To my face. In front of her father and everyone. She said she'd always loved me, and always would. Dear God, how I love her! I would do anything, anything at all to earn her trust again, and to make her happy. Tomorrow…

Edith: He's so quiet tonight. Does he think I'm listening to Celia? Have I offended him by saying what I did, publicly, to my father and everyone? He sets such importance by propriety. Is he disappointed in me? The debate tomorrow will not be so bad as the Commons. But what…what if he doesn't love me anymore? And tomorrow I must return to Downton with Papa; I owe him and Mama that at least. And perhaps it would be for the best. Tomorrow…

…

In the mid-morning sun, Stewart and Paddington strolled about in Old Palace Yard, the closest spot to the House of Lords that a small bear was allowed. Some of the Palace guards had come over to say hello and shake paws and express their support for Paddington's crusade.

"We could do with a few bears in the Forces, you know?!" said one.

"Definitely! It'd bring us a whole new set of skills! Climbing! Sniffing! All sorts! Do you think you might take the King's Shilling, Mr Bear?" asked another.

"I would be honoured to" replied Paddington diplomatically, "but I fear I'm probably too unfit for His Majesty's service. Too many marmalade sandwiches! Also, my best talents are in languages, but I daresay other bears would be delighted to offer those skills you mentioned, if we are permitted to serve."

"Their Lordships would be barmy not to vote in your favour."

"Yeah, but we both know, don't we Jim, that their Lordships are barmy most of the time!"

"Even more so when their drunk!"

The two guards laughed at their shared joke then wandered back to their beat, waving at butler and bear amicably. Stewart and Paddington smiled politely back, but once the guards had gone, they looked at each other with unspoken worry on their faces.

…

Inside the chamber the debate was proceeding quietly. The Lords do not wave their order papers and shout and cat-call in the manner of the Commons. Things are calmer, more deliberate, more dignified, after all they do not have to worry about re-election. Peer after peer stood to make a number of points, refer their colleagues to previous case law or to a piece of personal experience. Some involved the lady bear in Queen Mary's service, and all these reminiscences were complimentary. One or two alluded to bears who had lived within noble families in the past, or, to general surprise, were living within them at the present. There were indeed, more bears like Paddington: many more.

Celia, Matthew, Anthony, and Edith watched silently from the Public Gallery. So far everything said by the speakers indicated that the mood of the House was with them. Near the end of the debate, Lord Merton stood to give his contribution. Dickie Grey had taken Matthew's guidance and his speech related the story of Paddington's arrival in England, how he met Anthony, and what had prompted the two of them to embark on the journey that had led to this debate. Paddington's nobility and decorum shone through the narration. (No mention was made of Cointreau!) The speech was received with many heads nodding in agreement.

Finally, the Lord Chancellor called on Lord Grantham.

Edith had a hollow in the pit of her stomach. She reached down between the seats and took Anthony's hand. He glanced at her, and squeezed lovingly in response.

Robert stood, looked at his notes, shook his head and set them down on the seat behind him.

"My lords, it is very difficult for me to continue in the antipathy I have hitherto felt for this motion, because of two developments. Firstly, like everyone here, I have the greatest respect for my Sovereigns. I freely admit that the revelation yesterday that Her Majesty the Queen has graciously welcomed a talking bear into her household with His Majesty's blessing shook my former convictions. Secondly, yesterday I met Mr Paddington Bear himself."

Robert looked up to the Public Gallery, towards his least-understood daughter.

"Certainty and steadfastness in opinion is, in the main, a valuable trait in political life. Of that there can be no doubt. But surely the strength and ability to change one's mind when given ample cause and evidence is an even greater quality? This is what I now wish to declare. I will be voting for bear emancipation at the conclusion of this debate."

He sat down again to much congratulation from other noblemen. He was still looking at Edith, who now had tears streaming down her face. Anthony passed her his handkerchief, taking care of her with great tenderness; a fact not missed by the Earl of Grantham as he watched with damp eyes.

…

Although it was clear to everyone else who was going to win the vote, some of the Lords Spiritual had requested a formal division vote just to make sure. The lobbies were cleared and the Division Bell rung. Anthony, Edith, Matthew, and Celia stood watching as the peers of the realm filed through registering their votes. Finally, they saw Lord Grantham walk through the corridor to be counted as a vote for the motion, followed by Lord Merton. Very soon the Lords were sat back in the Chamber awaiting the result. The Lord Chancellor stood and read "Votes against the motion: 27. Votes for the motion: 292. The motion is passed and is now law subject to Royal Assent".

Anthony closed his eyes, a huge sigh of relief escaping him. When he opened them again, Edith was gazing at him tearfully.

"Oh, Anthony!"

Without warning, stamping on her doubts before they could take hold, she stepped to him and kissed him square on the lips. It was a short kiss, awkwardly done and full of nerves, but Anthony thought it was the best kiss of his life. Instinctively, his heart soaring, he brought his good arm around her waist and kissed her back.

The Gentleman Usher of the Palace of Westminster didn't want to interrupt. In fact he thought it was very sweet that this legal case had brought two estranged lovers back together again. But rules were rules. He coughed politely and was about to ask the lady and baronet to stop kissing in the public lobby of the Mother of Parliaments when a blur of brown fur shot passed him at enormous speed, launched into the air and collided with Anthony and Edith, cutting their caress short and sending all three of them across the mosaic floor with a grunt. Once they'd recovered a little, Paddington hugged them both with joy.

"You did it! Sir Anthony! You did it! I'm a FREE BEAR! Thank you, thank you, thank you!"

"Paddington!" Stewart shouted as he raced into the hall, finally catching up with his ursine charge. He saw the chaos the bear had caused and also helped his master and his master's lady get back to their feet.

Addressing Anthony with the utmost politeness, the Gentleman Usher said "With the utmost respect sir, I'm afraid your bear cannot yet be received into the Palace grounds, not until Royal Assent has been granted…which I'm sure it will be very soon…if Victoria has anything to do with it." He looked truly torn between duty and allowing a little leeway in this most unusual case.

"My apologies, Sir Anthony" gasped Stewart, "we heard the news and Paddington became very excited and just ran. I just couldn't keep up with him."

"Please don't concern yourself, Stewart. You've done magnificently really, considering…" Anthony turned to the Gentleman Usher.

"Thank you, sir, and I offer my sincerest apologies for…" He waved a vague hand trying to cover everything. Then he remembered something the man had said.

"You said 'Victoria'? I'm sorry, but I…?"

"Victoria is the name of Her Majesty's bear-in-waiting…so called because they found her on Victoria Station just after she'd arrived from Peru."

"Good heavens, Paddington! Did you hear that?"

But Paddington was so shocked and astounded that he couldn't speak.

Anthony turned around to Edith. She wasn't there.

Looking for her desperately, he saw her walking away in the company of her father, out of the stone halls of government, and out of his life.

…