A/N: And this, my friends, is the final chapter! I am thinking of doing an epilogue, but undecided.. What do you guys think? Anyway thank you so much to those who have read this and reviewed this and favourited this story - despite how angsty this is, I have really enjoyed writing this fanfic, particularly this last chapter! I really do appreciate reviews, so any are welcomed :) If anyone has any ideas or wants me to do an epilogue please say so and I shall see what I can do :) but for now, take care and thanks once again! CC x

November 1918

It was over. Everyone could breathe a huge sigh of relief as news filtered through that the war – the great war as people had begun to call it – had finally ended; all of the man who were still fighting could return home safe and sound. And as Mary sat in the grounds of Downton on the stone steps, surveying the many soldiers that still lived in the house, she quietly remembered those who would not be returning home – Evelyn Napier, Thomas, two young boys who had worked down in the kitchen… Downton had certainly not been affected by war. She could thank God numerous times for allowing others such as Dr Clarkson, William and of course Matthew to return home. A swooping sensation emerged in her stomach, a sensation that often appeared when she had thought of Matthew. She couldn't really deny the elation she felt when she found out Matthew was no longer engaged to Lavinia, an ounce of hope in her; yet nothing had changed in the months since she had gone. Mary shouldn't have really expected Matthew to have come running back to her straight away, not after everything but yet, she was… disappointed to say the least. But how could she expect him to say anything now, or indeed propose to her when he now knew of the whole Pamuk business? Mary lowered her head in shame as she thought back to the conversation the pair of them had had a number of days ago – the whole story spilling out of Mary's mouth as they had sat alone in the library. She clearly remembered the shock displayed on his face, his deep blue eyes full of hurt as he slowly digested the news, the truth. And before Mary could have said anything else, he had briskly walked out of the library, mumbling an apology as he went. Mary did not need it in black and white writing to know that she had quite possibly ruined everything, that there was no doubt now that Matthew would never ever propose to her. She had half expected him to run back to Lavinia, and strangely enough, she felt at peace. Despite knowing that she could have quite possibly lost Matthew for good, her mind was at the rest – the truth was out in the open, she had finally told him after all these years and it felt as if a huge weight had been lifted off her shoulders. Relief, she felt, and even though she experienced a fresh wave of pain, she would have to force herself to move on.

That was until she heard footsteps walking slowly towards her, bringing out of her trail of thought and looking up to see Matthew. Limping and wringing his hat in his hands, he walked slowly up to her, looking up briefly to meet her eyes before looking down again once more. Mary blushed furiously as she hastily moved to stand up, brushing her skirt as she waited for Matthew. Stopping in front of her, he looked to meet her eyes and Mary blushed furiously. After a few moments of awkward silence, Matthew broke it with a cough.

"Carson said you were out here, I hope you don't mind me intruding?" He said gently, meeting her gaze once more. Every time Mary looked into those piercing blue eyes, he entranced her, slowly losing herself in the deepness and beauty of them. She shook herself out of her daze, and eventually managed to form some words together.

"Not at all Cousin! I am grateful for some company," She smiled weakly at Matthew, who returned a small smile. She gestured for him to sit down, which he accepted gladly and she perched herself next to him, her hand inches away from his.

"I take it you have heard the news? That the war is finally over? "Mary broke the silence again this time, as Matthew shifted slightly, wincing.

"Yes, I received a telegram this morning. It is fine news," He spoke, his gaze fixed on the house, his hands still wringing his hat.

"Indeed it is! It's a great relief to know that it is all over at last," Mary spoke, ejecting some enthusiasm into her speech but yet this had no effect whatsoever on Matthew, for his gaze was still firmly fixed on the house and she gained no response. More silence. Then a whisper emerged, Matthew saying it so quieter she had to strain to hear him.

"Why Mary?" His voice a hoarse whisper, ragged with emotion as she turned away, placing her head in her hands. She could feel him turning towards her slowly, the hand that had been placed so close to hers had gone and another whisper spoke.

"Why didn't you tell me?"

Mary sighed heavily, turning away from Matthew – she could feel the tears coming once more and she was fed up of crying so much, for letting the many many tears escape. She spoke to the ground, not wanting to meet his gaze, not wanting to see the hurt.

"I…I was too ashamed Matthew," She shakily replied, rubbing her hand on the bridge of her nose, wanting all the pain to go, "I couldn't go through everything with you without you knowing, yet I-" She let out a heavy sigh once more as she poured her heart out to him, "I was too afraid."

Her last words hung in the air as Matthew slowly took in what she said. Turning slightly away from her, he looked once more at the big house as Mary was determined not to meet his gaze.

"You regret it?"

Mary turned sharply towards him, her mouth opening into a 'o' of surprise. How could he think she would have wanted this to happen, that it would ruin everything they had together? Then she remembered how attracted she acted towards Kemal Pamuk that night and she suddenly understood why he had asked. She nodded slowly, as Matthew turned slightly back to face her – god those eyes. Those wonderful eyes that currently displayed hurt, pain…

"I wish it never happened." She whispered, her voice full of emotion as Matthew nodded, "I'm ruined, my reputation, my family's reputation…and I lost you." Matthew turned slowly towards her as her vision became blurred, as a look of realisation hit him; he had suddenly realised why she had been so distant when he had proposed. He swallowed, gulping as if he needed air and Mary looked once more at her feet, not wanting to meet his gaze. She felt a light weight on her hand, fingers curling around hers, warm and soft. She saw as Matthew had delicately placed his hand on hers, stroking it softly and reassuringly. Looking up, all she saw was an unbelievable tenderness – no longer pain or hurt, but comfort.

"Mary…" Her name sounded like music to her ears, as she gently met his gaze, "You believe that you are spolit, ruined yes?" Mary nodded slowly in reply, tears tumbling down her cheeks. A gentle squeeze on her hand, fingertips dancing over hers.

"You're not Mary, don't think that."

Mary once again turned sharply to face Matthew, a shade of red flushing to her cheeks as he remained completely calm, his gaze still a picture of complete tenderness.

"How am I not Matthew?" Mary cried, a small sob eliciting from her throat, the grip on her hand tightening ever so slightly, "I am not virtuous Matthew, a man died in my bed! I beg you, tell me how am I not ruined?" She cried out as a strong arm snaked around her waist and she felt herself being pulled towards him. She protested slightly but found herself comfort as his other hand had let go of hers and was now stroking her hair gently, caressing it almost. She felt complete comfort as she curled herself against his chest, and soon she gave up protesting as she allowed herself to fall against his chest, slowly calming her. They sat like this, moulded together perfectly before he spoke.

"It's in the past Mary. It happened many years ago, you have learnt from then – you are anything but ruined Mary." He felt go of her slightly, to place a delicate finger under her chin, lifting it up so he could look her in the eye. She felt his thumb reach out and wipe a tear away, as she reached to grasp one of his hands, relishing the chance to be this close to him. "And you haven't lost me Mary."

She looked in surprise as she once again began to protest but she was cut off by Matthew's thumb now on her lips, quietly hushing her.

"You see Mary, this war. It is mostly horrid and awful and made me, well…" He paused, glancing down at his leg before meeting her gaze once more, "But you see, one good thing has emerged from it ," He sighed gently, his fingertips now slowly caressing her cheek, wiping tears away as her heart swelled with love for him. "It makes you realise the important things in life, the things that you should take for granted." He smiled softly.

"We were fools back then Mary, both of us. But now, we are mature, we have learnt from the past. I think it's time to make a new start," Mary nodded as she felt a smile – the first real smile of the whole situation as she reached up to stroke the scar on his right temple. She felt proud of that scar – to her it should how brave he was, how proud she was of him.

"And I want this new start to ensure that I never leave you again Mary," He smiled as Mary again nodded, beaming as an infectious smile crossed her face. Oh how can he be so wonderful? She thought, as Matthew also beamed. He suddenly moved slightly away from Mary, how was about to question and scorn him for moving before she realised what he was doing; Matthew was now shifting himself up onto one knee as Mary gasped at the realisation of what he was about to do. A hiss of pain escaped from Matthew as Mary moved hastily forward to help him but a hand shot out to stop her.

"No!" He said, his voice instantly softening, "I want to do this properly." Mary nodded and smiled, as Matthew adjusted himself onto his good leg, propping himself up on one knee. Reaching into his uniform pocket, he pulled out a small object, held between his thumb and forefinger. Mary gasped at the sheer beauty of the ring; a simple gold band with a small diamond attached. A smile spread across her face, as Matthew looked at her with adoring eyes, his smile holding so much love and adoration for her that Mary thought her heart could possibly burst with how much love she held for him.

"Mary I will only ask once more," He said nervously, shifting slightly closer to her taking her hand in his, stroking, caressing. "Do you love me enough to spend your live with me?"

Mary did not need telling twice.

"Of course! Surely you must know that I love you an awful lot!" She teased gently, beaming as a laugh escaped her, a giggle as she felt the cool band pushed onto her ring finger, the diamond gleaming in the light. Her own smile was as infectious and as joyful of Matthew's who had now proceeded to draw her close once more and cut off her giggles by placing his lips on hers. At first, it was soft, gentle, delicate but then passion soon took over and soon their lips were moving passionately against one another's, as years of love erupted. This could have happened so long ago, when they were younger but now their battle was finally over, their love finally declared as Mary moved her hands up to twist in his hair, oh how soft it was! She felt Matthew grip her waist tightly as one of his hands moved up to caress her cheek, stroking it as his thumb moved to stroke her jawbone. A soft moan escaped from Mary as she felt Matthew smile against her mouth as the kiss deepened and intensified before slowing, as the need for oxygen grew too much and they eventually rested their foreheads against one another's. They stayed like that for what seemed a lifetime, Matthew softly kissing her forehead as he refused to release his hold; not that Mary could complain. She had never felt so alive, so happy, so elated than she had done at that current moment – despite all of their disagreements, all of the foolish things that had happened in the past, somehow Matthew had since passed it all, well and truly cementing her love for him in her heart. She felt his lips move gently against her forehead, a gentle whisper full of love.

"I love you Mary. I never stopped and I always will." She beamed as she moved to kiss him once more, more passionate kissing as she found herself lost once more under his spell. When she finally dragged herself away from his lips, resting her head against his chest, his arms wounded around hers, she felt elated in the fact that they were now free to be together, free to marry, free to start a family. Nothing could compare to the future that faced them both, together.