Rating: PG-13 (for kissing)
Spoilers: everything up until the Christmas Special

Summary: Mary sighed and rested her hands against the cool window. She was deep in thought on this chilly January night, fondly remembering those magical days between Christmas and New Year's so many years ago.

Note: I considered including their first meeting after 1907, but then I changed my mind. This is a Christmas/New Year's story so because of that we fast forward to the holidays in 1919. Consider everything progressing pretty much according to canon.

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Chapter 9 – Christmas 1919, Downton Abbey

Mary sighed and rested her hands against the cool window. She was deep in thought on this chilly January night, fondly remembering those magical days between Christmas and New Year's so many years ago. She had been so happy, so had Matthew. They had lived in Sybil's little dream world, if only for a short while.

"You were the first one who really believed in me," she whispered softly. "Even back then you thought I could brave the storm." She touched her lips, feeling the tingle again. "The first one to kiss me and to call me a woman."

After the shoot on New Year's Day 1907, Matthew and Isobel had returned to Manchester. Mary and Matthew had written to each other for a little while, but after a few months, the separation started to blur the memories and the letters became fewer and fewer. Then he had gone away to university. Her father had mentioned it at breakfast one morning. Matthew was studying law. She felt oddly proud of him, but then pushed the thought away. It was a childish dream to think that any of it might actually turn out the way Sybil had imagined on that beautiful winter day in 1906.

These days Matthew was a broken man. Mary knew she had played a significant part in how that came to be. Her thoughts went to Richard and for the first time she knew with absolute certainty that marrying him would make her a broken woman. What a pair they would make, her and Matthew. She closed her eyes and rested her forehead against the cold pane. It felt good, and strangely enough it made it somehow easier to think. Straightening up she walked to the door, finally feeling confident that her decision in regards to Sir Richard was the right one.

Perhaps with time she would be able to ease Matthew's pain, make the scars fade. Even if they would never be more than friends, it was enough. It had always been enough. She would stay with him here at Downton. She owed him that. She owed him so very, very much.

As she descended the stairs, he came towards her in the grand hall. She smiled at him and he returned it. She took his offered hand and together they entered the drawing room.

.

.

Mary fell back on her bed and laughed softly. In just a few days her life had been turned upside down again. She glanced up at the canopy just like she remembered doing that night when they first met, and had done many times since. She was alone since she had sent Anna to bed hours ago.

Mary got up and disrobed, slipping into the nightgown Anna had left out for her on the bed. Not bothering to braid her hair, Mary slipped between the sheets and pulled the duvet up to her chin. She grinned again, somehow unable to stop. She rolled over on her back and looked up again. After a moment she sat up and held out her left hand. It was bare, but soon it would have his ring. Too excited to sleep she tossed the covers back.

Mary silently walked through the hidden world inside Downton, her destination clear. She stopped in the doorway and smiled at him. Of course he would still be up. She needed him, and he was here. He looked up and she smiled at him.

"I see that you're wearing slippers this time, Lady Mary," Carson said and the corner of his mouth curled a little.

"With age comes a little bit of wisdom I hope," she teased.

"Would you care for some hot chocolate?" he asked as he got up.

"I would," she said and touched his arm when he came closer. "But please allow me to do it."

"You, Lady Mary? Mess up Mrs. Patmore's kitchen? I think not," Carson huffed.

Mary chuckled and followed him into the kitchen. Just like she used to do when she was a child, Mary leaned against the table, watching the old butler quietly move around the kitchen.

"Is there enough for two, Mr. Carson?"

Mary twirled around and stared at Matthew. He was in his pajamas and dressing gown.

"Matthew? What are you doing here?"

"Mr. Crawley, I see you still have trouble sleeping when Lady Mary is up, roaming the hallways," Carson said and added more milk to the pan.

"Did I neglect to inform you that I decided to stay here tonight?" Matthew teased and caressed her cheek.

"Yes I believe you did," Mary said and took a step away from him glancing at Carson over her shoulder.

"Well I am."

They stood side-by-side, leaning against the table, just like they had the last time. Mary arched an eyebrow when Matthew stuck his finger in the sugar canister. She suppressed a giggle when he held up his finger to her lips. She felt her face fluster a little as she closed her lips around his finger, tasting the sugar. She watched him bite his lip as he slowly pulled his finger out of her mouth.

"Well, here we are."

Mary's head snapped around and she smiled at Carson who was leading them into the servants' dining hall. She took a seat and Matthew sat down across from her. They lost themselves in each other's eyes for a moment until Carson cleared his throat. They looked up at him and he raised an eyebrow.

"Is there something you wish to tell me?"

Matthew chuckled and looked at Mary. She nodded. When he held out his hand to her she confidently placed hers in his.

"Carson, you're the first to know that about an hour ago I asked Mary to marry me," Matthew said.

"And I accepted!" Mary added in excitement.

Mary beamed at the old butler and he smiled fondly at her. He cupped her chin and nodded.

"It has been a long time coming, milady, but I am very happy for the both of you. Congratulations."

Mary got up and kissed his cheek before hugging him. "Thank you Carson."

"Now I will go back to my office. I assume that I can count on no shenanigans from the two of you."

Matthew chuckled and nodded. "I give you my word, Mr. Carson."

"That is good enough for me, Mr. Crawley."

They watched the butler leave. Once he was out of sight, Mary turned to Matthew and took a step closer, easing down on his lap. He gaped at her.

"Mary! No shenanigans. I gave my word."

"But I didn't," she whispered in his ear.

Matthew laughed and wrapped his arms around her. She leaned down and placed a very thorough kiss on his lips, a kiss that spoke of future promises, and a lifetime of delight.

THE END