Summary: Continuation of 03x09 Finding Matthew, telling Mary, and a visit that night
The End of Our Story
Where was Matthew?
The family waited anxiously for him to arrive with news of the baby and Mary, after Sybil's horrific death they were all on edge. Lord Grantham had called the hospital and Anna assured him Matthew was on his way. She sounded confused when Lord Grantham had said Matthew had not arrived.
"I think I will take the car and go look for him, before it gets dark," Edith said
Edith saw one car in the road and one in the ditch. She saw the man dragging someone from the car. She saw the blonde hair caked in blood, the once bright blue eyes now cold and unseeing. It was a face she knew all too well.
Dear God, no! Matthew! …..Mary…
Edith darted out of the car and went to get a better view. She hoped to God she was wrong, for Mary and the baby.
She was not wrong.
They decided to tell Mary when she came home. Lord Grantham had Matthew's body taken care of along with the car. Mary wouldn't need to do anything.
When Mary arrived, all were there to greet her.
"Oh mama isn't he just beautiful! He looks just like Matthew." Then she realized which very important person was not present. "Where is Matthew? Is he…"
"Come inside, dear," her mother interrupted, eyes glistening with held back tears. "We have something to tell you."
Dead? Matthew?
Mary made a sound unfamiliar to her. It was raw and animalistic. Mary couldn't see anymore, everything was going blurry. She heard voices but couldn't tell who or where they were coming from, or if she had imagined them. The room seemed to be spinning. She couldn't make sense of anything. She looked around wildly. All of a sudden Mary felt two people at her elbows. They lifted her from her chair and helped her upstairs to her room.
She plopped down on the bed, still trying to get over the shock of the wretched news. The realization finally hit her full force.
Matthew is gone. He's dead.
"NOO!" Mary screamed and then the tears she hadn't realized were stinging her eyes rolled down her cheeks. She threw herself into the pillows. She kicked and punched and screeched and sobbed until all her energy was spent. Anna came in to tuck her in to the large, and now seemingly empty, bed.
Despite her exhaustion, Mary could not sleep a wink. She laid in bed motionless, silent, just thinking over the events of that fateful day: what had happened, what it meant, what to do next. The last part is one she struggled with.
Next. How can there be a next, a tomorrow, without Matthew. What will happen with the estate, the money, the title, the baby… how will I sleep, eat, breathe if Matthew isn't here anymore.
"But I am here, my darling."
Mary sprang up from her position on the bed.
"It can't be you" she whispered, her eyes squeezed shut in disbelief. When she opened them again she saw the familiar piercing blue eyes, the neat blonde hair… of Matthew, her Matthew.
"I've come to say goodbye, since we didn't get a chance." Matthew said.
"I don't understand. You're dead, you're…"
"Yes, I am. But I couldn't go without saying goodbye."
"Oh, Matthew…" Mary reached out her hand cautiously to caress the cheek of the man she loved. "Don't leave me again. I couldn't bear it."
"I will stay tonight but I'm afraid I can't stay longer."
The two of them laid back down in the great bed. Matthew curled around Mary, wrapping his arm around her waist. With the warmth of her lover, husband, and friend encircling her one last time, Mary fell asleep.
When she awoke, Matthew was gone but the sun seemed to shine just a tiny bit brighter and Mary could breathe just a tiny bit easier.