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Chapter 1
The first thing Mary had noticed was the blood gushing from Matthew's head. Even with her, what some would call, limited medical experience she knew the situation to be very grave. Having recovered from the shock of seeing her husband so hurt once more, she went to his side and took his hand, despite the protests uttered by the various doctors and nurses. She gripped it tightly as though that would be enough to guarantee that Matthew would go on living. Surely, surely after Sybil, God would not take away Matthew too?
What was there to say? What was there to do? Mary felt wave upon wave of despair. After all, how could it be that her husband was to die so soon after the birth of their child? Mary could not even begin to try to understand and so she kept praying for Matthew's life. She almost jumped out of her skin when someone layed a hand on her shoulder. It was Cora.
Mary's thoughts all came out at once. "what's going on Mama? What has the doctor said? Will he be alright? What -".
"Well, let me speak Mary! Clarkson does not yet know fully the extent of Matthew's injuries. We need more time" said Cora. "Now, your baby needs you, Matthew is not going anywhere".
They had had such a lovely walk back from the village after they had visited Isobel. They Mary was laughing after making one of her usual jokes about Edith. Matthew was telling her off for being unkind.
"Yes but you still love me don't you?" Mary said, smiling.
"Always" declared Matthew, pulling her in for a kiss.
They continued walking back to the house and everything was as it should be.
The memories of him and Mary's somewhat turbulent relationship continued to fade in and out of focus….
"But I don't understand nothing has changed"
"Everything's changed"
"But you can't be sure I was going to refuse you even if it had been a boy because im not"
"That's the point I can't be sure. Of you. Or of anything it seems. The last few weeks have taught me that…"
Oh why had he not simply taken there then?
Mary was sitting in Matthew's room at the hospital with their son in her arms.
She whispered to Matthew "What shall we call him? I was thinking about Albert perhaps, or Robert after Papa". She looked at Matthew willing him to answer but his eyes remained firmly shut and all was silent except the sound of their breathing. Mary gave a sorrowful sigh and got up. There were arrangements to be made.
A few days hence….
Since Matthew's accident, Mary had spent nearly all her time with him at his bedside or nursing her new born son. Why had he not woken up? Why had he not come back to her? These questions were constantly on Mary's mind and she felt so unbelievably helpless. What use was she to Matthew? She could do nothing save hold his hand or speak words of comfort. The baby was still nameless. After all, it would not be right for her to pick out a name withought Matthew. Oh Matthew, she thought, please open your eyes? Please open your eyes…
Over the past few days Mary had become increasingly frustrated at Matthew. Even though she knew she was being unfair to him, she could not help it. Why would he abandon her? Why would he leave her alone at a time like this? It was at that moment that Mary lost her composure and almost yelled in Matthews face about how could he leave where and about how much she needed him. She then burst into floods of tears and buried her face in Matthew's chest.
Then she heard the faintest "my darling?" from Matthew's lips. Mary looked up in bewilderment at Matthew's face; his eyes were finally open although they seemed to be struggling to do so.
"Oh Matthew!" was all Mary could say.
Put simply, Matthew was awake and for now that was all Mary cared about. And now, after Matthew's awakening she finally had the courage to speak to Doctor Clarkson about Matthew's condition.
"Mrs Crawley, Matthew's injuries are rather extensive. He has broken many bones and I would not be surprised if he had some problems with his memory. He will have to stay here for at least four weeks until I can allow him to return home" Clarkson explained, speaking louder every time Mary looked as though she was about to interrupt.
"Surely with Syb-" Mary stopped; she sometimes still forgot that Sybil was no longer with them and changed her answer. "Yes, I understand but I should like to stay here with him as much as possible".
"Well, naturally you may visit for as often and as long as you like." Clarkson replied.
"May I sleep here? I want to remain as close to my husband at all times." Mary said firmly, sensing that Dr Clarkson would protest.
Dr Clarkson took several moments to consider her request. It occurred to him that whatever his reservations were, Lady Mary would simply cite her family's generosity to the hospital and get her own way anyway. Let us just save us the fuss, he thought and then agreed to Mary's request out loud.
The first time that Mary and Matthew spoke properly again after Matthew had woken up, the first thing Matthew said was "How is our boy?"
"He is doing rather marvellously I must say." Mary said, smiling.
"Have you yet picked out a name?" He enquired, curiously.
"I was waiting for you silly!" Mary replied, partly offended that he would consider that she had to waited for his input. She pushed the feeling aside and said "did you have any ideas?"
"I should like William" Matthew said, decisively.
"After William Mason? Yes, I must say it feels right" said Mary. "And then Robert as his second name? After Papa?"
"Yes! Do you know, I do not think we have ever made a decision so easily!" said Matthew.
Mary smiled, thanking God that everything would be alright.
AN: The next chapter will focus on Matthew's recovery and a surprise challenge…..