Rating: PG-13 (for kissing)
Spoilers: none since the story takes place in 1906

Summary: It is Christmas Eve at Downton. After an early dinner they all gather in the drawing room for Christmas carols and the traditional reading of Dickens' A Christmas Carol. Later the same night, Mary and Matthew share a secret in order to surprise Sybil.

Note: If the thought of a fourteen year old girl innocently kissing a fifteen year old boy bothers you, I suggest that you either close your eyes when you see that coming, or that you find something else to read.

Use of Contemporary Slang: British and American soldiers used the term "Hun" for the Germans during World War I. The term came from a speech made by Kaiser Wilhelm II of Germany in 1900 where he compared the German army to Attila's Huns. It is not a word I would personally ever use, but I thought it might fit here. Even though the word was not commonly used until WWI, and therefore does not fit this timeline, please forgive my artistic/historical license. Since Britain is at the time of this story just recovering from the Boer War; war and soldier's life was most likely something that fascinated young boys such as Matthew quite a lot. No offence meant to anyone :)

Special thank you to the lovely Tambear for catching missing commas, odd grammar and offering excellent suggestions & advice!

…

Thank you for reviews and comments. The posting/revising happens faster with feedback (it's a fact!). Love it, love it! Please feel free to drop me a line.

…

…

Chapter 5/9 – Christmas Eve at Downton

After an early dinner they all gathered in the drawing room. On this night of all nights, the men did not spend time with their port and cigars, but instead gather with everyone else for Christmas carols and the traditional reading of Dickens' A Christmas Carol.

Aunt Rosamund sat by the piano playing one cheerful song after the other. Edith was standing next to her turning the pages. Several people were gathered around the piano including Mary and Matthew, and Sybil of course. Sybil was gazing up at her big sister, grinning from ear to ear. Mary had a very nice voice and Sybil loved to hear her sing. Sometimes she would stop singing just so she could listen to Mary instead.

When there was a break in the music, and some people returned to their after dinner drinks, Sybil pulled at Mary's arm.

"Can you sing Scarborough Fair? Please Mary, pretty please."

Mary looked down at her sister's eager face and nodded. "Of course, darling."

Rosamund struck a chord and Mary took Sybil's hands as she started to sing.

"Are you going to Scarborough Fair?
Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme
Remember me to one who lives there
For once she was a true love of mine."

Matthew leaned back against the sofa cushions and watched Mary as she sang. Her voice was clear and very pleasant. It surprised him a little. Most of the time when daughters were encouraged to perform for guests, they were far from talented. Mary however had a beautiful voice.

When she came to the last verse she encouraged them to sing along. Matthew joined in and his eyes met Mary's. She smiled and bowed her head as the last words fell from her lips. After a few quiet seconds loud clapping started and she smiled. Sybil dragged her over to the sofa and the two sat down next to Matthew. Mary accepted a glass of lemonade from one of the footmen. She sipped it and glanced at Matthew.

"You are really very good," he said to her.

"Thank you. I enjoy singing. Besides, I'm completely hopeless on the harp."

Matthew laughed and shook his head. Sybil made a face at her.

"You don't play the harp, silly," she said to Mary.

"Precisely," Mary said and grinned at her.

Sybil jumped up as Carson brought out the stand and started to set it up next to the piano. She chatted excitedly with him; helping him get the legs right and he happily let her. Matthew turned to Mary with a confused look on his face.

"What is this all about?"

"It's a Downton tradition," Mary explained. "Carson always reads A Christmas Carol on Christmas Eve."

"How nice," Matthew said excitedly.

"Mary," Cora said and touched Mary's shoulder. "May I please have a seat?"

Mary got up and offered her seat to her mother. Matthew did the same to the Dowager Countess as everyone gathered closer to the piano.

Sybil sat down on the rug on the left and waved for Mary to join her. Mary smiled and eased down behind her, pulling Sybil closer. Matthew was standing next to the sofa as Carson started to read.

The room was silent except for the occasional crackle from the fireplace or clinking of glass when a drink was refilled. Carson's steady voice told the tale of Bob Cratchit and Mr. Scrooge, Tiny Tim and the Christmas goose. The story was familiar, and touched each and every one of them in some way or another. Matthew sat down on the floor behind Mary when he started to get tired standing. Sybil was stretched out with her head in Mary's lap, her arm around Dido, Lord Grantham's yellow Labrador, fighting to keep her eyes open as she watched Carson read. Matthew touched Mary's arm and pulled her back so she could lean against him. She was tired too, he could tell from the sleepy look in her eyes. Perhaps that was why she did not object to the warm comfort of his chest. Casually leaning against the side of the sofa Matthew held Mary's hand as she sat so close to him. He knew no one could see it, since their hands were on the floor next to his left leg, hidden by their bodies and the sofa.

By the time the story came to an end and Carson read the last words, Sybil was asleep. Mary was leaning heavily against Matthew, her eyes sleepy.

"And so, as Tiny Tim observed, God Bless Us…" Carson said slowly.

"Every One!" they all chimed in.

Carson bowed his head and closed the book, resting his hand on top.

"Merry Christmas, ladies and gentlemen."

"Merry Christmas!"

The end of the story concluded the evening's festivity and there was a lot of shuffling around and some laughter as everyone filtered out of the room, making their way to the bedrooms. Lady Grantham smiled at her two daughters on the floor with Matthew. He had become quite their hero, she noted.

"Mary, I will ask Nanny to carry Sybil upstairs," she said softly.

"Please, allow me," Matthew said quickly and moved around to scoop the sleeping girl up into his arms.

Sybil woke enough to wrap her arms around his neck and mumble 'Matthew'. Cora smiled and caressed Sybil's dark hair.

"Thank you Matthew, that's very kind of you."

He smiled at her. "It's my pleasure." He glanced at Mary. "Would you be so kind to show me the way to the nursery? I am dreadfully sorry but I haven't the faintest idea where it is."

Mary laughed and nodded. "Come on then."

Mary kissed her mother good night and wished her a Merry Christmas before leading Matthew upstairs.

.

.

Nanny was waiting in the doorway to the nursery. Edith was already asleep in her bed. Sybil's bed was turned down so Matthew gently put her down. To Mary's and Nanny's surprise he carefully removed Sybil's shoes and then covered her with the thick duvet.

"Good night Sybil," he whispered and kissed her forehead.

As if she noticed that she was in bed, Sybil woke up. She blinked a few times as she tried to focus on Matthew.

"Matthew," she whispered. Then she gasped and sat up. "It's Christmas Eve! I must hang my stocking."

Matthew laughed and nodded. Spotting it on her little nightstand he held it up.

"Is this the one?" She nodded. "How about if I just hang it right here at the end of your bed?"

"Thank you," she said and yawned.

"Since you're awake now, let's get you out of your dress," Nanny said and ushered Mary and Matthew out of the nursery.

Mary waved to Sybil and then she and Matthew were cut off by the closed door.

"I tell you, she's a Hun," Matthew whispered to Mary.

Mary covered her mouth not to laugh. "Matthew! That is not very nice at all."

"Well, is she very nice?"

"No," Mary admitted.

"My point exactly."

.

.

Matthew had walked her back to her room. To Mary's disappointment he just smiled at her and wished her a good night before strolling down the hall towards his own room. Mary went inside finding Rosie waiting for her.

"Did you have a good time tonight, milady?" Rosie asked as she undressed Mary and helped her into her nightgown.

"I did," Mary said excitedly and met Rosie's blue eyes in the mirror. "Did you hear Mr. Carson read the story?"

Rosie nodded. "I was listening in the back. It's my favorite. It makes it really feel like it's Christmas, don't you think, Lady Mary?"

"Absolutely!" Mary said and laughed. She turned around once Rosie was done braiding her hair. "I am so excited for tomorrow. I can't wait to see what Father Christmas brought."

Rosie nodded and caressed Mary's cheek. "Then you better be off to bed now, milady, or he won't come. You know that."

Mary rolled her eyes but slipped into bed when Rosie held the comforter for her before tucking her in. Mary smiled up at Rosie.

"Good night, Rosie, and Merry Christmas."

"Merry Christmas, Lady Mary," Rosie said and blew out the candle before she left the room.

.

.

Even though tired, Mary was tossing and turning in bed. She sighed and flopped onto her back.

"One... two... three…" she whispered as she tried counting sheep the way Carson had taught her.

Ten minutes later she would have been a very wealthy sheep farmer had they been real sheep. She sat up and fluffed her pillow. It was a bit better and she settled down with her hands under her cheek, staring into the tiny flames in the fireplace. She gasped when the door opened. She closed her eyes tightly, just in case it really was Father Christmas. A moment later the door closed.

"Mary?"

Mary sat up in bed. "Matthew?" she gasped.

Matthew grinned at her. "Sorry if I woke you. I need your help."

She frowned. "With what? It's Christmas night. You must know that you have to be in bed."

Matthew sat down on the bed by her feet and placed a small box on the thick duvet beside him.

"I wanted to give Sybil and Edith some sugar mice in their stockings, but I can't seem to find the nursery," he admitted and made a face. "Will you help me? I have one for you too, you know."

Mary giggled. "You got me a mouse?"

"Sure did." Matthew opened the box and showed her. "Which one do you like best?"

"The pink one, but I know that Sybil likes it too."

"I think there are two," Matthew muttered and moved the treats around. He grinned at her as he presented her with a pink sugar mouse. "Merry Christmas, Cousin Mary."

Mary smiled and took it from him, placing it on her nightstand. She was kneeling on the bed. They looked at each other and he quickly leaned forward to place a kiss on her lips. She gasped. She knew it was wrong for a lady to kiss a man in her bedroom, even if he was barely more than a boy. Matthew just smiled at her.

"Merry Christmas, Matthew," she whispered.

He smiled and closed the box. "Shall we?"

Mary jumped off the bed and grabbed her robe. Feeling that she should at least try to behave like a young lady she slipped it on and tied it securely. She put on her slippers and nodded to Matthew. Together the two silently tiptoed down the hall towards the nursery.

.

.

Mary had her hand over her mouth trying not to giggle as Matthew struggled to put the little sugar mice in Edith's and Sybil's stockings. He hushed her which only made her want to laugh more. Finally done, he took Mary's hand and the two tiptoed out of the nursery.

Outside the door the two grinned at each other and hurried down the hallway. Mary stopped by the stairs and peeked down. The grand hall was empty except for the large Christmas tree.

"Come," she whispered to Matthew and ran down the stairs with her dressing gown flowing behind her.

Matthew followed silently behind her, clearly amused. Mary finally stopped by the Christmas tree and looked up at the top. She turned her head and smiled at Matthew when she felt him next to her.

"Promise not to laugh," she whispered.

"Of course," he said and gently touched her shoulder. "What is it?"

"I always come down here to the tree after everyone has gone to bed."

He tilted his head and smiled. "And?"

"I close my eyes and make a wish."

"What a great idea," he said and smiled at her. He held out his hand to her and she took it without hesitation. "Close your eyes. No peeking, Mary," he teased.

She giggled, but closed her eyes. His hand was warm in hers and it almost felt as if he was part of her. Mary gasped as the words formed into a wish in her head. Let Matthew be mine.

"That must have been some wish," he whispered in her ear.

"It was," she said softly, wondering how it had happened.

The old clock chimed one and they looked at each other, suddenly very aware that it was Christmas night. Matthew tugged at her hand and together they hurried back upstairs to bed.

…

The story will continue in Chapter 6 with Christmas at Downton; sugar mice, church and good times ensue. Patrick makes an appearance, and Mary gets a visitor. Matthew and Mary continue to solidify their newfound friendship.

Please feel free to let me know what you think about the Christmas celebrations at Downton. Would you also like to hear Carson read A Christmas Carol? Btw, Dickens actually edited his own work to shorten it down so he could read it to an audience. It is this version that Carson read to the Crawleys on Christmas Eve 1906. It is possible to download it for free online, should you want your own copy :)

Lord Grantham's dog, Dido, is named after the founder and first Queen of Carthage, not the singer! Just wanted to clarify that…

BTW, my first language is Swedish so any comments in Svenska/Dansk/Norsk are also welcome! :)