An update so soon, who would've thought! After a couple comments on the last chapter I wanted to make sure that you didn't hate me for too long. So hopefully this makes most people happy. What I have been trying to do over the last few chapters is to make sure that Mary feels secure in her decision. I did not want to take this an obvious story where everything goes smoothly. But since myself and others are upset about the S3 finale I would not dare leaving this story without a happily ever after. So fear not! There will be bumps and curve balls, but just got with the flow.

Also, since I had such a long break between chapter 17 and 18 I just want to make sure that people are still interested in the story. So let me know if this is something I should continue or just wrap it up ASAP.

Thanks again:)

Mary awoke from her nap feeling well rested and less confused than before. Everyone had been pulling her in different directions. Her father wanted to pay Matthew off, her mother wanted her to lie to Matthew, and Matthew just wanted to do everything and anything he could do for her.

It should be a pretty simple decision for most people, but everything was becoming more complicated by the hour. Mary had finally decided what she had to do. After being pulled every which way she knew she had to make her decision known to everyone.

Some might say she is naïve and too young to deal with what she has been handed, but Mary has always been a strong person. When she was confronted with problems in the past she faced them head on and did not second guess herself.

Of course there were others to worry about now though. Her child, Matthew and her whole family would be changed by her decision. She got changed into her dinner attire and prepared to face Matthew and her family.

Mary descended the stairs in a full-length red dress that accented all her curves. Matthew was waiting for her at the bottom of the stairs and was left breathless from her beauty. He grabbed one of her hands and kissed the top of it, as well as complimenting her on her attire, but only loud enough for Mary's ear to hear.

The two walked together into the dining room, but were seated across from each other. Dinner continued as it usually did with Lord Grantham discussing the cottages and Lady Grantham and the Dowager Countess discussing the latest London gossip.

It was not until towards the end of dinner that Mary had gotten enough courage to finally address everyone. She cleared her throat and made it known to the whole table that she needed their attention. Everyone stopped their conversations at once and waited for her to proceed.

"As you probably all know Matthew and I have been faced with quite a difficult situation. None of this is something we wanted or expected, but it is nonetheless something that must be taken care. Since dinner last night I have discussed the issue with Mama and Matthew separately and Papa, I know you talked with Matthew. After hearing all the alternatives I believe that I have finally come to a decision. Unfortunately, Mama I will not be taking your advice and Papa, seeing as Matthew is still seated at this table I assume he has not taken you up on your offer.

This leaves me to tell you all that I will not only be keeping this baby, but I am also going to stay with Matthew and try and make things work. We both understand that this is going to be difficult, but I do think there is a point in trying to work together."

Mary finally took a break to gather all her thoughts, as well as wait for everyone to step in with their own two cents.

It was Lord Grantham who spoke first, "Mary, I cannot stand by and let you do this. To throw your whole life away on some young love! I cannot support this, I just cannot! If you want to raise this child with Matthew then you must do so on your own. I meant it…nothing. There will be no financial support from us, including Cambridge…if you even went back that is! After all the things I have done for you and your sisters you will be no better than if you were a part of the working class."

"Well Papa if that is what you have to do then I must accept it. But I cannot just leave Matthew out of this. Matthew has made it very clear on numerous occasions that he supports me in all the decisions I make regarding this child and that he is prepared to help support me and the child so that we can be a family. So, if you are unwilling to get past this I do not want to be a burden to you any longer. Matthew and I will pack our belongings and return to Cambridge immediately. If you could be so kind as to inform your driver that we need a lift to the train station that would be much appreciated."

Matthew stood up from his seat and walked over to where Mary was. He still had not said anything, but he didn't really need to. As he stood next to her he showed Mary and the rest of her family that he was ready to stand by her through thick and thin. He wrapped his arm around her arm as they left the dining room for their bedrooms. He did not see the need for niceties anymore so he did not properly excuse himself from Lord Grantham.

Outside Mary's bedroom Matthew stood in front of her holding her around the waist. He assured her that she made the right decision. She looked up into his bright blue eyes and found peace. When she saw him like this she did not feel scared or worried about the future because in his arms she always felt safe. Mary thought of the child growing within her and up at Matthew again and thought, "we are safe."