*Rating's gone up to T*

Okay, so here's the next chapter, I've set it out so it covers the course of one day, over a few weeks (that probably makes no sense) but the purpose of this chapter is to give some context to the story, the filling in the sandwich if you like. So you get an idea of their life together during this time, in preparation for the next chapter :)

The tickle of stray hair fluttered against her cheek after every familiar, hot breath from beside her. Mary was beginning to enjoy mornings again, now spent huddled with her husband as apposed to the unwelcoming bathroom and nausea for company. It had been a few weeks since they told the family and both were now settled with the idea of baby Crawley. She was teetering in that place before sleep, where one is aware of the senses, but can't quite control them when Matthew shifted heavily. His voice caught loudly in his throat, making her surface into consciousness once more.

Mary turned her head on the pillow to face him, his features relaxed contentedly in sleep, blond hair flopping errantly over his eyes. He looked just like a little boy… what if they had a baby boy? Would he look just like Matthew? A smile spread across her face, yes, she hoped all their children would inherit his blue eyes and sandy hair. She observed him some more for a few moments before giving into temptation and brushing the blond locks away from his face, trailing her fingers lightly down his cheek and following the curve of his jaw to his neck. Mary could only think of a handful of times that she had woken properly before Matthew, most mornings she would place an often inaccurate and misguided kiss on which ever part of him was nearest, mumbling her goodbye as he left for work. She wondered, indulgently if Matthew had ever watched her like this in the morning, unable to decide whether this made her feel more loved or affronted, she nestled in closer to his chest. Walking her fingers gently along his shoulders, over his torso and down to his hips where she left her hand to rest by the smattering of blond hair above his pyjama bottoms, skimming the bare flesh with her finger tips.

"Mary…" Matthew's rough voice was barely audible and she continued her attentions with renewed vigour, reaching over lightly to place kisses across his chest.

"Mary…" He attempted a warning tone, it was really very early, and on his day off "Not that I mean to complain my darling…" but he had been up rather late last night.

"Good…then don't" she mumbled between kisses.

Matthew chuckled in spite of his objection, this was not such a very bad way to wake up he supposed. "Well darling, if you insist!" He rolled over in an attempt to gain the upper hand, and to his pleasure he succeeded.

A somewhat startled Mary now lay on her back as a rather more alert Matthew peppered hot kisses from the soft skin exposed across her chest, to the nightgown that covered the rest of her. Taking torturous delight in her squirming he continued down to her belly, where he encountered, however small, the gentle swell that resided there.

Matthew paused; he knew his wife's body, better than the back of his hand. But it was changing with every day that passed, and it mesmerised him to the point of fascination. "Give me your hand darling…" He reached out excitedly and felt around until he found it.

"What are you doing?" Mary giggled as he tugged her hand down to rest on her stomach.

"Can you feel that? You've got a bump! Our baby's growing!" Pressing Mary's palm between his hand and the small bump, he was overcome with joy and affection and started his kissing attack anew.

Mary rolled her eyes, her reply dripping with sarcasm. "Really Matthew…I hadn't noticed! I've only been pilling on weight; soon I won't be able to fit into half of -"

Matthew playfully slapped her hands away, shushing her. "Oh hush darling, I rather like the way you're…filling out" his hands slid inside her night gown to dance over her smooth hips and belly.

"Matthew Crawley!" She sat bolt upright "You will not get away with that!" She spurned, batting him away.

A low chuckled reverberated in his throat "Oh really my darling, and what are you going to do punish me?" Matthew's reply came from somewhere between her thighs, where he was tracing open mouthed kisses up and down the insides of her legs.

"Well…" said a slightly flushed Mary, as she pushed on Matthew's shoulders to get him to face her, pulling him to a sitting position, "I'm sure I could think of something…" she purred as her fingers lightly scratched down his bare chest to his waist band. Mary smiled, pleased with herself, yes this would be delightful revenge. Her fingers paused before slipping under into his pyjama bottoms. He was putty in her hands. Suddenly she broke away "But I'm sure you've got far more important things to do my dear" she smiled brightly before withdrawing her hands, quickly getting out of bed and giving Matthew a chaste kiss. Stalking off to the bathroom in a manor as to make sure that his eyes followed her all the way. Although very pleased with herself she'd not accounted for the fact that it was not only Matthew left unsatisfied. Oh well, she thought, he would be begging for her forgiveness later, and she would give in to him quite willingly.

Matthew was left, mouth hanging open as Mary sauntered out of the room. He flopped onto the bed with a grunt of frustration, she was being purposefully tempting.

A few days later at breakfast…

Isobel was finishing her breakfast when Matthew sat down at the table and unfolded his newspaper.

"You're up late, don't you have work today?" Isobel enquired.

"I was with Mary…" Matthew breezed without thinking, chewing on some toast and scanning the paper.

"Oh dear, she's not being ill again in the mornings is she?" Isobel asked in concern.

Matthew looked up confused, until he realised what he'd said. "No, no, nothing like that she's just…" utterly insatiable "A bit restless…" Matthew gave an awkward cough and shifted in his chair, pleased that his mother seemed more interested in the possible medical explanations than his rising blush. She was prattling on about something, no doubt something she'd already told him many times…

"…and like I say, she will get more uncomfortable… Matthew are you listening?"

His attention was brought back, as he feigned attention. "Yes mother, or course I'm listening!" He smiled before looking back down at his paper his mind not focusing on the words.

Isobel made a short sound of disapproval "Well, I'm heading off to the hospital, I might pop back for lunch" She rose from the table, brushed off her dress and made to leave.

"I might not be here, I'm going up to the Abbey to help Robert with some estate matters, I haven't asked Mary yet but she might come with me." Matthew smiled at his mother over the paper.

Isobel regarded her son, already so much like his father. "Okay, well I shall see you both at dinner in that case…Oh, and a letter arrived for Mary this morning, I left it on the desk. Goodbye"

"Goodbye mother, have a nice day." With that Isobel went, leaving Matthew in peace to read his paper.

Mary descended the stairs a little later and swept in busily as Matthew was still reading. "Morning Matthew" She chorused sweetly whilst sending him an endearing smile.

"Morning darling" Matthew replied smirking at his wife's cheerful tones, considering the mornings events he was surprised that she hadn't gone back to bed. "I'm going up to the Abbey today, would you like to accompany me?"

"Do you have business with Papa? You didn't mention it before…"

"Yes, sorry, I forgot to. Oh, and you have a letter apparently, mother put it on the writing desk."

"Thank you" She moved over to the desk and picked up the envelope, casting her yes over the familiar letters. "It's another one from Sybil – I can honestly say that between her and Isobel you'd think that I had the plague with all these…medical terms and symptoms they warn me of!"

"Don't worry about mother, she's only fussing." He softened seeing the slight concern etched on her face, even though she tried to hide it. "I'm sure they don't mean to scare you Mary…"

"I'm not scared!" She shot back hastily. "Honestly Matthew. I just tire of being told the same things" her voice calmed, "That is all." She looked down at the letter in her hands. "I don't think I'll come with you today, Mama will no doubt try and impart some more of her pearls of wisdom, and I don't think I have the patience, or the stomach for it." Mary smiled at Matthew, who had now stood from the table and had come around to her.

"Are you sure?" He reached out and stroked her arm. "I hate to think of you here alone."

Mary could see the worry rolling off of him. "Don't be so melodramatic Matthew!" She chuckled "I'll be fine; I've plenty to keep me occupied until your return" She kissed him on the cheek "Now, I shan't keep you any longer. Papa won't forgive me if I detain you from your business!" She chirped happily, as Matthew set about getting his had and coat.

"Goodbye darling" He leaned in for a kiss, which Mary returned with equal enthusiasm.

"Bye Matthew." She brushed down the lapels of his coat and gave him a smile of appraisal. "Off with you then…"

"Are you sure you don't want to come?"

Mary gave an impatient laugh "Goodbye Matthew." With a departing smile, she watched his retreating back and closed the door to Crawley house.

The following week in the afternoon…

It had been a few hours since Matthew had left for work and Mary was bored,

She huffed out a long breath and dropped her hands into her lap. She looked down at the growing bump under her dress and cradled it with her hands, smiling she gently rubbed her growing stomach…Mary stood and climbed the stairs, walking to the nursery. She pushed open the door, stepping into the now light and airy room. Matthew had been desperate to start decorating as soon as possible, and had cleared the room of all the furniture. Now all that was in there was the beautiful crib that her parents had insisted on gifting them and in the corner, the rocking chair that Matthew had seen in Ripon and brought in a flurry of excitement. Mary's smile broadened as she sank into the chair and gently started rocking smoothing her hands over her stomach.

"Me and your Papa can't wait to meet you little one…" She cooed quietly. It had become a habit of Mary's, to talk to her belly. Only when alone though, anyone else might think her mad, she could hear Isobel say 'The baby can't hear you dear'. Which of course Mary knew, but it didn't matter really…"Because you are the most precious gift that we could ever be given."

Isobel had popped back from the hospital to change, but on her way downstairs something caught her attention. She stood by the open door of the nursery, watching her daughter in law rock slowly back and forth humming and singing softly under her breath. Her heart burst with maternal pride and she couldn't help letting out a long, happy sigh.

Mary was startled as she turned around to see Isobel standing at the door. She shot up from the chair unsteadily, her face flushed instantly. "I didn't know you were home…I was just…" Mary started, wringing her hands in embarrassment.

"I didn't mean to frighten you Mary" Isobel said kindly "You have such a lovely voice, it won't be long until you're singing lullabies!" She said cheerfully attempting to put Mary at ease.

Mary gave a shy smile "I – I don't know any lullabies…" she looked sheepishly at the floor.

"Oh? I used to sing them to Matthew all the time, until he fell asleep" Isobel said wistfully smiling as she remembered her darling baby boy.

The thought of Matthew as a baby softened Mary. "I used to sing Sybil to sometimes, when she couldn't sleep. I was forever being scolded by my governess when she found me in the nursery in the mornings, instead of my own room." She laughed nervously.

Sensing Mary's trepidation, Isobel tried to reassure her. "You'll be a wonderful mother Mary, you and Matthew will make brilliant parents. I'm so proud of you both." She took Mary's hand.

"I hope so…Matthew's taken to idea like a duck to water…"

"But you don't feel the same way?"

"I do, I just…I don't think I know how to be a mother, Sybil says that it just comes naturally, but what if it doesn't?"

"Listen to me Mary" Isobel sat her down in the rocking chair, kneeling down and holding Mary's hands. "When you hold you child in your arms for the first time, you will fall in love that little baby, more than you ever thought possible. I know you Mary, you are a fearless fighter, fearless in love and you will be a fierce mother…I promise." Isobel gave a genuine smile, and got back to her feet. Mary was still clutching her hand.

"Thank you Isobel…" She said honestly, before dropping the other woman's hand and standing up. "I apologise" Mary tried to laugh it off "Sybil informs me in her letters that it is normal to loose control of one's emotions. I'm sure she exaggerates!"

Isobel chuckled "Sybil's just excited, that's all…You know if you have any questions you can ask me, and not just about the medical side of things." Isobel placed he hand on Mary's arm, looking her in the eye. "When you married my son you didn't just become his wife, you became my daughter too. I'm here for both of you Mary, and I don't want you to ever feel like you can't talk to me about things because I'm Matthew's mother." She gave a reassuring squeeze of her arm and left to leave Mary to her thoughts.

Dinner at the Abby a few weeks later…

"So, Mary" said Cora "How's the nursery coming along?" She turned expectantly towards her daughter smiling.

"Oh, well you'd have to ask Matthew" Mary said beaming at her husband. "It's become his little project, and I'm not allowed to see until it's finished."

Matthew chuckled and he addressed his cousin. "Well cousin Cora, I can't tell you too much" he winked playfully "but it will be finished shortly."

"Good" replied Mary mockingly "That means we've enough time to start again before the baby's due!" She laughed and placed her hand on Matthews on the table, smiling adoringly at him. Everyone at the table tittered and continued with their dinner conversations. They shared a secret smile and went back to engaging with the others.

After dinner, Robert and Matthew split from the Ladies to have a drink, they sat by the fire in the library while Robert smoked a cigar.

"Well Matthew, I'm impressed with your dedication – decorating the nursery!" He said excitedly drawing another puff from his cigar.

"Yes…I know she jokes, but I really do hope that she likes it. God forbid I have to start again!" Matthew chuckled nervously, swigging his brandy.

"I'm sure she will." Robert reflected "You always seem to know what's best where Mary's concerned my boy…"

At this Matthew looked up, not knowing how to take the older mans statement. But he saw nothing but genuine affection in the Earls eyes. Robert smiled lost in his thoughts.

"Honestly Matthew, you are the best thing to ever happen to Mary…and the estate, I couldn't ask for a better heir…or a better son."

Matthew felt terribly awkward, although Robert had been like a father to him over the years he felt odd talking so frankly of his feelings. "Really Cousin Robert, thank you, but it's unnecessary. I love Mary…" he added "And the future you've given me is more than I ever deserved."

"Well my dear boy, we will just have to agree to disagree on that score." Robert drank the rest of his drink, clapped his hand to Matthew's back and they went to re-join the Ladies.

Later that evening…

"Mary darling, let's get you to bed…" Matthew smiled, seeing her book start to drop from her hand. She refused to acknowledge that pregnancy made her tired, and every night she tried to reach the end of her chapter. And every night Matthew had to scoop her up from the living room and take her upstairs.

She protested weekly, but relented when Matthew threatened to carry her if she refused. They went to their respective rooms to get changed, and when Matthew came in she was already tucked into their bed. He slipped in beside her and she instinctively snuggled up to him. He breathed in the scent of her hair as he stroked her shoulder lightly.

"I'll let you see the nursery tomorrow if you like?"

"Mhum, I can't wait to your handy work darling…" She mumbled into his chest. "I'm sure it's beautiful."

Matthew chuckled at her attempts to stay awake and coherent and held her tightly to him. "Goodnight Mary." He kissed her head as he felt her relax into his arms contented, their child safely encased between them.

So it was quite a short chapter, let me know what you think!