Someone to lean on

A.N. So here's the wedding! I hope you enjoy it. Also I would like to thank 'Patience-young-Grasshopper' for writing the wedding night for me, it's perfect! Do yourself a favour and read her story "Addiction". I think it's one of the best Tom and Mary stories out there. Now without further ado, I present to you...The wedding chapter.

"Nobody understands,"

It was the first sentence he had heard from her in three months, it spoke of her profound grief. It spoke of his profound grief.

"Mary, I understand. I understand completely," he took her limp, pale hand as she continued to wear her blank expression. How greatly this Mary contrasted with the one of Matthew's moulding.

"They all say that, I suppose you truly mean it." She shook herself as her features changed, her emotionless visage now wore an apologetic mask. "What am I saying? Of course you understand, I'm so sorry,"

He squeezed her hand and was grateful.

Grateful to see she still had feelings for they had remained so concealed those few months after Matthew's death.

Tom shook himself from his reverie. He had decided to calm his nerves by recalling what had been the foundation of his and Mary's friendship but it had also brought Matthew into the situation, for he would never be forgotten.

The music started, the string quartet tuned up as Mary was due to arrive any minute.

Tom nervously straightened his tie for what seemed like the hundredth time.

The sun was high in the azure sky as the small number of guests took their seats in the open air. Robert had been surprised when Tom told him of his desire to marry at Downton, to marry on the grounds of the Abbey. However, his surprise was short lived as it was replaced with fierce pride. How well this man knew his daughter. But how on earth had they gotten to this point? Little did he know, his former and future son-in-law possessed the exact same thought, although he had the answer.

"Friendship," Tom whispered to himself, "don't knock it,"

Suddenly the registrar, overawed by his unfamiliar surroundings motioned to Tom. It was beginning. In a matter of minutes he would see his Mary and all would be right with the world. The guests, a blend of aristocrats and Irish friends of Tom's, all stood as Mary came into view. However Tom could not behold his future wife as she took her final walk as a single lady. Superstition prevented him from doing what had felt so natural, but then he had watched Sybil walk down the aisle...

A graceful figure appeared to his left. His Mary stood resplendent in her pale blue flowing gown. Her new bob adorned with the tiara she had worn at her first wedding and foregoing a veil, she sparkled beneath the afternoon sun.

Smiling, he whispered: "Oh mo Dhia, Mary, you're stunning."

Overcome with emotion she replied: "Tom Branson, I love you. This is, getting married out here, is all I've ever dreamed of,"

They joined hands as the registrar began the ceremony, both lost in one another.

They entered Grantham House after the reception and a short train journey to London. They would leave on honeymoon the next day, the location of which Mary had no inkling. The staff of the London house had been dismissed early as the newly married couple entered the house, pausing in the foyer and grinning at one another.
Tom smiled as he pulled her in for a kiss. Mary indulged him before pulling away. "I've got to freshen up first."
"You look beautiful already." Tom pressed his lips to hers again and she quickly lost herself.
"I suppose I could wait," she said with a nod. Leading the way upstairs, Mary ushered him into the bedroom seductively. She helped him out of his suit as he pulled her dress off almost frantically. Skin met skin and Mary let out a moan. Tom pulled her to the bed and her back hit the soft sheets.
He kissed her once more before pushing into her. Mary closed her eyes and gripped the bed as he began to thrust faster.
"My darling," he whispered as he pressed kisses all over her body.
"Don't stop, Tom," she said in reply. She met each of his thrusts and moaned in delight as he hit just the right spot. She gripped his forearms and met his gaze. Pure love and lust were present in his eyes.
Their bodies continued to press together and Mary felt as if her body would explode. She let out a cry as her body found release. A moment later, Tom moaned her name before pulling out of her. He laid down on the bed next to her as they both let their breathing return to normal. Mary sat up and turned to her new husband. "Shall we go again?"
She watched a smile form on his face as he replied, "Darling, I could never leave this room."
Mary laughed in delight as Tom rolled over and began kissing down her body to her most sensitive area. She knew they would not be getting much sleep the rest of the night.