Chapter 10

When Anna woke Phyllis the next morning, the bride could not contain her smile. "Are you excited?" Anna asked.

"More excited than I have ever been in my life," Phyllis replied.

"Daisy is making breakfast for us," Anna informed her. "There was no stopping her."

"She's to kind. Did you remind her that it's her day off?" Phyllis asked.

"I did, but she wanted to make you a special breakfast for your big day," Anna explained. Phyllis smiled and stood up. "Are we doing breakfast in our nightgowns?"

"If you want."

"Is Daisy dressed?"

"Yes, she is, but she's changing for the wedding."

"Well, I'll get dressed. Don't want Daisy to feel bad."

"Whatever you want to do Phyllis. It's your big day."

The pair got dressed and went out to the Bateses kitchen where Daisy was finishing their breakfast. "Good morning Miss Baxter, did you sleep well?"

"I did, thank you Daisy. You know that you didn't need to make breakfast right?" Phyllis asked, sitting down at the table.

"I wasn't going to make our host cook us breakfast."

"Well thank you Daisy, but I insist you let me clean up."

"I refuse," Daisy replied.

"Well, I won't argue with the cook."

"Good," Daisy said. Anna sat down and Daisy served the two of them and then herself. When she sat down, the trio ate their breakfast of hot cakes, fruit and tea. To prevent silence, they spoke about how they felt the morning of their respective weddings. Daisy, who had married first, spoke about how she had been confused, guilty and nervous. Confused about her feelings for William, and guilty because she was convinced she didn't love William.

Anna spoke about the nerves and the underlying fear that existed because of Mr Bates' late wife. Of course, in the end, this fear had been proven logical, as due to the suicide of the late Mrs Bates, Mr Bates had been imprisoned shortly after their nuptials.

Pyllis realized how lucky she was that her husband-to-be was not laying in his death bed or had a recently deceased wife, so her fears were lesser than those of her companions. She couldn't help but think that she was also luckier than a great number of women when it came to marriage. So many women never had the opportunity to marry for love many women in her place never had the opportunity to marry; and on top of that, she didn't feel the need to worry about Joseph having to go and fight in any war. She estimated, in her mind, that she and Joseph would have about 15 years of happy marriage before she became a widow. He could live longer, but if they didn't, she would be content with the time they had together.

Smiling at her friends, she rose from the table and retired to the sitting room as Anna and Daisy did the dishes (Daisy having finally agreed to accept her help). As she sat in the Bates' sitting room, her mind drifted to Joseph and what he was doing with his morning.

At the residence of Mr Bill Moseley, Thomas and Mr Bates were in the middle of a heated discussion with Joseph. "Look Joseph," John said. "Phyllis loves you, why can't you simply accept that and allow the two of you to be happy. Seriously, cut this out at once."

"Did you simply accept that Anna was in love with you when she told you?" he retorted.

"No, I did not. It took me time to reach that point, but when I did, I accepted her love and returned it. And though we've had setbacks, Anna and I are happy. Happier than I ever thought I would be in my life."

"And that's how you and Phyllis feel about each other," Thomas said. "I know that she loves you more than words could ever describe. Don't forget that I've known her for most of my life. She's worried and nervous about today, just as much as you are because she doesn't think that she deserves you, doesn't think she deserves the happiness you will bring into her life. And honestly, you both deserve the happiness that you'll have with a life together. I wish that I could be happy with someone, but I can't. But if Phyllis is happy, if my friends are happy, then I'm happy. All those ears where I was so bitter, I was only that way because the people that I considered friends, the nicest people I've ever known, weren't happy. Especially Phyllis; and I know I allowed my bitterness to bleed into her chance of being happy with you, but I know I was wrong. You and Phyllis will be happy, I know it. But the only way you two can be truly happy is by each others sides."

"Do you really think so Thomas?" Joseph asked, rubbing his face with his hands.

"It's much more than thinking, it's knowing" he replied. "Bet nobody thought I could ever be this optimistic."

"Believe me Thomas, it's a shock to all of us," Mr Bates sad. "It might make for a good story. To tell people that you're a human with a heart."

Thomas chuckled. "Come along. Breakfast is waiting."

"And Anna threatened me that if we're late, I'd pay for it," Mr Bates said. "And I don't intend to pay for your lateness."

Joseph and Thomas nodded and the trio went downstairs to where Bill Molesley had cooked them breakfast. As Joseph sat and ate his toast, he wondered what Phyllis was doing.

At the Bates' cottage, Anna was busy curling Phyllis' hair. "Is the curling iron your own Anna?" the other maid asked her.

"No, I borrowed Lady Mary's spare iron. She didn't mind, because mine broke."

"Lady Grantham's hair is naturally curly, so I never need to bother with a curling iron. But that was very nice of Lady Mary to loan us hers."

"As long as I take care of it, she doesn't mind me borrowing it. And I have to ask before I borrow it, so she doesn't wonder where it is if she needs it."

"That makes sense," Phyllis said, allowing Anna to style her hair, something she wasn't used to people doing for her. She had a distant memory of her mother styling her hair for something, but she couldn't even be sure if it was real or not. "How long have you worked for the Crawleys Anna?"

"Over 15 years now, why?"

"Have they always been such lovely employers?"

"They have. Mind you, there have been servants that didn't bring out the best in them, but generally they have always been splendid employers.

"Have you worked in other houses?"

"Only one, but they weren't as nice as the Crawleys are. Why do you ask?"

"Just wondering if others agreed that the Crawleys are unusually kind employers."

"Well, they do take very good care of those that work for them. They do many things other employers wouldn't dream of doing for their servants. Have you heard many of the stories about things the family has done for our fellow servants?"

"A couple, but probably not all of them. But just looking at what they've done for me; I mean, Lord Grantham could have dismissed me when he found out about my past."

"Yes, he could have," Anna said. "Just as he could have let me go when I married or when Mr Bates was arrested, but he didn't. I've learned from those the Crawleys have sacked, that a servant needs to do something unforgivable and completely their fault. They understand that their servants aren't going to be perfect, and that they're going to make mistakes, because they know these things about themselves."

"The last employer I had could take several leaves out of Lord Grantham's book. He was a cruel man who held a person's past against them. He would expect that his servants would be the person they had been when they made their mistakes, in order to force them into making them again. "

"That's absolutely horrible. Have you told Lord Grantham?"

"I have."

"Well, maybe he can do something about this man."

"Maybe, but I just don't want anyone to be hurt by him again, especially his servants."

Anna nodded and finished curling Phyllis' hair. "Now, how do you want me to put your hair up?" Anna asked.

"I don't really care how you do it. However you want, I suppose."

"Phyllis, you only get one wedding hairstyle."

"I know that Anna, but I'm more worried about marrying the right man than having the right hairstyle."

"Alright, I'll do your hair like I did Lady Mary's the day of her wedding."

"That sounds splendid," Phyllis replied, Anna going about finishing the bride's hair. They only had an hour until they were due to arrive at the Abbey, but Phyllis' hair was done in plenty of time to leave and walk back to the house.

When the ladies left the Bates' cottage for the Abbey, spirits were high as they laughed trying to take Phyllis' mind off of her nerves. She wasn't nearly as nervous as she had been, but Phyllis knew that until she and Joseph said their vows, a sense of nervousness would exist in her.

As they entered the back door, the trio ceased their laughter. Taking the servant's staircase, Phyllis and Anna made their way to the Mercia bedroom while Daisy went to the kitchen to help Mrs Patmore finish the wedding cake.

When Lady Grantham called out for them to enter, Phyllis and Anna proceeded into the room and were faced with not only Lady Grsantham, but the Dowager, Mrs Crawley, and Ladies Mary and Edith. Phyllis' brow furrowed in confusion, which made Anna chuckle. Looking at Anna, Phyllis' brow furrowed further.

"Do you know what's going on here?" she asked her friend.

"Of course I do. I helped Lady Grantham organize the whole thing," she replied.

"We wanted to surprise you on your wedding day," Lady Grantham explained.

"Well, I'm certainly surprised," Phyllis exclaimed.

"Not as surprised as you will be," Lady Mary said, smiling lightly.

About half an hour later, Phyllis knew that Lady Mary had been correct when she said that Phyllis wasn't as surprised as she would be. And the biggest surprise had only come a moment earlier when the ladies revealed yhat Phyllis wouldn't be wearing the dress she had been loaned from Lady Grantham.

She was shocked, and panicking until Lady Edith decided to put her out of her misery. "You still have a dress," she said. "Anna, explain it to her."

Anna smiled. "Well, you see, Thomas asked what you were doing about a dress for the wedding, and when I told him, he said that he had a better idea. So I listened and told Lady Grantham who go in touch with her dressmaker and those of us that wanted to pitched in a small sum for the cost. There were quite a few people who did pitch in, and Lady Mary and I designed the dress, we really hope you like it," she explained to a very shocked Phyllis Baxter. "Just as a reminder that Downton is your home and everyone here is your family."

Phyllis felt her eyes fill with tears. "Does Joseph know?"

"Oh no, of course not. The groom should be surprised about what his bride is wearing," The Dowager said. "No, as far as he knows, you're borrowing a dress from Lady Grantham."

"But that was my something borrowed."

"We've thought about that as well," Mrs Crawley said. "We knew that you would be worried about that."

Phyllis smiled. She never thought that she would have a family that did things like this for her. "Thank you all so very much."

"It's the least we could do. We would have done the same for Anna and Bates, but they eloped," Mary said smiling at her ladies' maid.

Lady Grantham smiled lightly. "Would you like to see the dress?" she asked. Phyllis nodded and Lady Edith opened the door to the room, revealing Madge holding a cream coloured gown. She entered the room and held up the gown for Phyllis' inspection. Phyllis' jaw dropped and smiles broadened on the faces of both Anna and Lady Mary.

"It's beautiful," Phyllis replied in a whisper as she reached out to touch it. It would fall to her ankles and the design was a mixture of her simplistic style and something slightly fancier. The stitching on the bodice was shaped in tiny flowers and the neckline had a touch of lace.

"We're glad you like it," Anna said. "Lady Mary and I spent a whole afternoon after the announcement designing it."

"And we had to get your measurements, so using a dress of Lady Grantham's and sizing you for that was the easiest way we could think of that wouldn't alert you to our plan," Mrs Crawley explained.

"And you're marrying into a family that loves flowers with a passion," the Dowager said. "Which is why it has a floral design. And I expect the flowers at the wedding will be wonderful."

"Yes, we picked them from Mr Molesley's garden," Phyllis said.

"And now," Lady Edith said. "Your new something borrowed."

"It occurred to us that Lady Sybil would have adored you. And since she is unfortunately unable to attend, the gift Lord Grantham and I gave her for her first season is being loaned to you for the day. It will later be given to Miss Sybbie," Lady Grantham said. "Mama, I believe you have it."

The Dowager nodded pleasantly and passed something small to Anna to hold onto. "We'll put it on her once she's in the dress."

Lady Grantham nodded, and everyone except her, Madge, Anna and Phyllis left the room. Phyllis was dressed in her wedding gown and shoes before Anna placed the small tiara-like hairpiece on her head. Upon seeing her reflection in the mirror, Phylls' jaw dropped once again.

"You look beautiful Baxter," Lady Grantham whispered. "You're ready to get married."

When they exited the bedroom, the other ladies smiled and relayed compliments to the bride. When Tom Branson arrived in front of the bedroom, he offered Phyllis his arm. "I'm your chauffeur for the day," he explained when Phyllis took his arm. He lead her down the stairs to where Lord Grantham was waiting.

He smiled as Tom passed her off to her employer. "Do you like the dress?" he asked.

"I love it m'lord," she replied.

"We thought you might," he replied, leading her out to the car. The ladies followed behind. Lord Grantham got into the same car as Phyllis, Anna and Daisy, and the others went in the other car. The ride to the village church was uneventful and when they arrived, Taylor, a hallboy with a keen interest in photography, took a few moments to capture Phyllis' big day.

When the time came to enter the church, Lord Grantham gave Phyllis his arm and led her inside. When she was halfway down the aisle, Joseph turned around and smiled brightly at the sight of her, which only made her happier.

When Lord Grantham passed her hand to Joseph, her heart began yo race. When Mr Travis spoke, asking the guests to be seated, Phyllis felt happier and safer than she had ever felt in her life.

finis.