A/N: thank you for the reviews! Please please keep them coming. I really appreciate all your thoughts. :) Also I reckon that after both the deaths of Sybil and Matthew that Violet becomes more mellow and lets Tom call her Violet. Just my thoughts... Anyways read and review!

Chapter 5 Mary sat waiting in a teashop near the port of Liverpool. She stared out at the water thinking of Matthew. Over the last few months, she had managed to lock him away but then Tom had reminded her. He had unlocked all those feelings that she had managed to keep at bay. Just as a tear began to roll down Mary's cheek William began to cry and she quickly brushed it away as she turned to her baby son.

"She's on a passenger list for a boat which will leave at 10 o'clock from Liverpoolx" said Violet. "Fortunately, Shrimpy knows a man in the ship business."
Tom did not doubt it. Shrimpy, it seemed, knew everyone.
"Then I must leave straight away for I leave straight away I can get there in time if I drive" he said. Just as Tom finished, Robert and Isobel walked in with rather serious facial expressions. "What is it Robert? There is very little time!" said Violet, slightly irritated by Robert's interruption.
"I know mama, but you will both want to see this" said Robert, stern.
"You see, it turns out that Matthew wrote a will during the war. He has updated it since his marriage to Mary of course, but in this version, he left a letter to be given to Mary if he was... If he was killed in action". Isobel had to pause in order to regain composure. "I know it was written before their marriage but it may help Mary. I have not read it." Tom nodded and replied "I will take it with me." ...
Tom arrived at the port in Liverpool at 9.45 pm on the dot. It did not take him long and he immediately rushed to ask a porter how he would be able to locate Mary. The porter informed him that all passengers were on board and eating in the dining rooms. Mary would be in first class he knew so he asked directions to the first class dining room. He ran there as quickly as he could. ...
When Tom arrived he looked around wildly for Mary. He spun in circles until he finally spotted her, sat in a corner with William, picking at a chocolate tart. strode over to her and slid into the empty seat opposite. Mary stared at him in shock, unsure of how to react. "Mary, please do not leave. Come back home with me now. There is still time before the ship leaves. Please let's just get off this ship and then we can talk about it." Even after he finished talking, his eyes continued to plead with her.
"Tom, I...I do not ever want to go back. How can I? I will never be able to be rid of Matthew. He will haunt me for the rest of the days and I cannot deal with that. I cannot deal with the guilt I will always be riddled with. I cannot Tom so please do not ask me too." She was almost begging now.
"Oh Mary, Matthew would not want you to feel such things. He loved you a great deal. A great deal and he relished the time you spent together. It was not your fault how long it took for you to finally marry. Your son will be earl one day, you love Downton and so did Matthew. I know that he and you wanted William to love Downton like do. You don't have to promise to come back with me to Downton now. Just don't go to America because I promise you will regret it." "The ship will be leaving in 5 minutes Ladies and Gentlemen." said the announcement.
Mary knew Tom was right about Matthew and William and Downton and so she said "Alright." and called over a porter to get the luggage off the ship. The porter was hesitant but Tom slipped him a few shillings and he immediately ran to Mary's cabin.

As they stood watching the dock watching the ship sail away. Mary wondered whether she had made the right choice. She turned away from the sea and said "let's go and find a hotel." ...
"Mary, I have something for you" said Tom and he put Matthew's last letter into her hands. He kissed her cheek and went to his own room.
Mary stared at the envelope. Where had this come from? She went into her room and sat on the bed. Taking a deep breath she opened the letter. ...
There was a loud knocking on Tom's door. Pulling on his trousers, Tom went to the door and opened it to find one of the maids.
"Are you Lady Mary's brother-in-law?" she asked, politely.
"Yes, why? What's wrong?" he asked, an urgent tone in his voice.
"She is very upset sir, the manager asked for you to come at once" she turned and motioned for him to follow.

As he walked to Mary's room, he began to hear wailing. Mary. Oh dear God. He began to run. He wrenched open the door to her room and ran to her where she lay sobbing. He pulled her into his arms and began to whisper words of comfort into her ear. "Shhhhhhh, its alright Mary, It's alright." He repeated these words what felt like a hundred times. Mary looked up at him with red eyes and said, between whimpers; "did you read that letter?" "No" replied Tom.
"It's strange even dead he manages to Sat all the right things." "Perhaps you should sleep now Mary." said Tom.
"I think I may finally be able to now." she said. "Will you stay until I fall asleep?"
Tom smiled and nodded. Mary went under the sheets and closed her eyes. For the first time since Matthew's death, she slept peacefully. ...
Anyone want to know what that letter said?