A/N: There is a massive jump in this. I think the story has had enough recovery stuff so I'm moving it along a little/a lot. Just a short update but there will be more soon!

Thanks mega buckets to chocolateapples1432 for the ideas/inspiration!

Chapter 4,

Matthew had been walking for several weeks now. He was so pleased to be able to enjoy the freedom it gave him again. And that was not the only benefit – being allowed back to Downton with his wife and son. Baby William or Will as he called him, was as cute as ever. He spent as much time with him as was possible. Matthew was also enjoying being with Mary more. He had missed the nights they spent in each other's arms. However, there were still a few problems which needed sorting. The first was Roberts continued refusal to support the reforms. Matthew had, unusually, begun to lose patience. Perhaps he had used all his patience waiting for Mary. That said, he would have waited for Mary forever. He knew why she had refused to take sides but still felt that it was not about an argument between he and Robert but about preserving the estate. With that in mind, he had a plan to bring Mary on side.

….

"But where are we going?" asked Mary, for the millionth time.

"Youll see! Now stop asking and kiss me" he said, grinning broadly.

Mary smiled and leant in to press her lips to his.

"We're almost there anyway" Matthew pointed to the farm building which was now coming into view.

Mary looked to what he was pointing at and exclaimed: "You're trying to get me to take sides with you! That's Gray's farm."

"Darling, if you will let me show you, you will soon see my point" Matthew sighed. He had suspected that this was going to be tricky and already he was being proven right.

"Alright but will we be back home soon? I wanted to spend some time with William before dinner."

"Of course" replied Matthew.

…

"So you see, Gray is not using the land productively. It would be much more useful to us and the country by running as a proper fun. The way this land ought to be farmed." Matthew finised his speech. He glanced sideways to see if he had managed to convince her and could see the expression on her face which told him he had.

"Well…. Yes I guess I do." She admitted grudgingly.

"So will you convince your dear papa?" he asked.

"Yes. I believe I can but you must come with me." She said.

"Of course, remember darling, I do not want to turn you against your father I only want to make the estate stronger so that when I do die, which I pray will be very long away, William will have a strong estate to take over. I do it all for him, and you."

"You already had me convinced my dear Matthew" Mary smiled, pressed her lips to his cheek and dragged him back to the car with a "William will be waking from his afternoon nap soon"

….

"I cannot believe you are against me in this." Robert exclaimed.

"Oh papa, why do you have to be so over dramatic? Besides you know that I am never against you but again you have lost on this one. Matthew is doing what he thinks is right for the estate and I believe in him." She gave her father a defiant look.

"Even so, poor Gray. He does love that farm house." Robert sighed.

"I know, but this is about more than just Gray. I want our future to be secure so papa, for everyone's sakes, will you please just let Matthew continue with his plans. I know that you know that he is right. This is a business; there is little room for personal feelings."

To this Robert simply sighed again.

Matthew spoke for the first time: "Well Robert, what do you say?"

"I do not think I can stop you and I believe you will try your best for Downton so I suppose I agree."

Matthew and Mary exchanged a smile.

"That's excellent Papa!" Mary got up and kissed him on the cheek.

"Thank you Robert, I am truly grateful that you are on board. These changes will make Downton stronger, I am sure of it" with that Mary and Matthew went to see their son.

…

Willliam was growing bigger every day and his parents were revelling in his presence in their lives. When he had his nap, they would sometimes take time for themselves but when Matthew was busy with estate matters, Mary would sometimes sit with William when he napped. She thought he was even more adorable as he slept. Fortunately for William, he had inherited Matthew's striking eyes, although recently his hair had been growing in dark tufts.

Now at four months, Mary was enjoying trying to interest him in toys. Mary had even shocked the entire household by declaring she was going to make a baby mobile for above William's cot. The only one who did not seem surprised was Matthew. That night after her announcement, when he went into their bedroom, he pulled her into his arms and whispered "you are an even more amazing mother than I had ever imagined." and then he kissed her.

So after their talk with Robert, Mary and Matthew went up to the nursery where the completed masterpiece of a mobile now hang. Mary had wanted to make it special for William. It had five handmade objects hanging on it. The first was a stuffed W made from felt. The second was a mini version of Downton. The third was a mini Diamond which was partly representative of Mary herself. The fourth was a set of scales, the symbol of Matthew's proffesion of law. And the fifth object was a heart, embroidered with William's name, his birth date and the names of his loving parents. Mary had even left space for the names of siblings (if there were any). When Matthew saw it, his heart swelled with pride.

Yes, things were going very well. Very well indeed.

A/N

Any comments/ suggestions welcome