Mary handed William over to Matthew so that they could bond while she changed. She didn't expect the boy to fuss when she moved away from him. He squirmed in Matthew's arms and became more insistent by calling out to her.
"He doesn't like me," Matthew noted sadly.
"He is just not used to seeing you with dark glasses," she explained. "Give him some time to warm up to you." She gently coaxed William back into Matthew's arms before moving away again.
"That'll take a while if he's like you," he joked. He tried to keep a straight face when he saw Mary's stern look.
"Need I remind you that you're still within the punishment period," she said, trying to look angry.
"I haven't forgotten but I hope you'll still let me be myself," he suggested. "Besides, you didn't say I couldn't." He realized then that she could ask him to stop teasing her for that long and he would have to abide by it. He hoped she wouldn't or it would be a very long and dull two months; he held his breath.
Mary thought the same thing and opted for a better occasion to use her power over him. She flashed him a smile before heading to the dressing room.
"You're not leaving me alone with William are you?" he asked, trying to keep the boy in his arms while he squirmed.
"I think William will settle down once I'm out of sight," she said.
"He might cry," he said, worried William would be that upset.
"Then as his papa, you need to find a way to calm him down."
...
Mary waited to hear the sound of crying but was quite pleased when she heard the pure sound of laughter from her son from the other room.
"It sounds like they're having fun," Anna noted, knowing that it wouldn't take long for William to figure out the man behind the dark glasses was his father.
"I just hope Mr. Crawley doesn't wear him out or he would be cranky when he is presented to granny."
"Master William just needs a short nap and he's usually back to his cheerful self."
Mary had to agree and continue to marvel at his resilience. She wondered if he was like Matthew given his own recent recovery. "It appears he is very much like Matthew isn't he?"
Anna smiled and followed Mary back to the bedroom so she could finish fixing her hair.
Mary stepped in first and saw Matthew bouncing William on his knee. "I see you've found something that he enjoys."
"He is your son after all," he teased. "I wonder how old he'll be when he asks for his first horse."
"Let's get him to walk first," she replied, tempering his fatherly enthusiasm. She shared an amused look with Anna as she sat at her vanity.
Matthew chuckled and lifted William up so they were face to face. "You will be walking soon enough won't you my dear chap?" He knew time flew by fast as evident by the boy's size compared to when he first saw him when he was born.
"Darling, you should get ready," she reminded him. "You will need to mend fences with everyone before granny arrives."
"I'll send Molesley up," Anna offered. She also offered to take William back to the nursery but Mary declined.
"I can get ready on my own," Matthew noted when Anna had left the room.
"Then why did you fight so hard to have him stay on?" Mary teased.
Matthew decided to ignore her and instead looked at what William was pointing at. He realized his son wanted Mary's teddy bear. He approached and studied it.
"What does he want?" she inquired.
"I think he wants your teddy bear," he replied. "What happened to it?" He noticed that one of the teddy's ears was mended.
"Sybie managed to get her hands on it when Edith brought her here one day and just wouldn't let go. The ear ripped off when Edith tried to take it away from her. Anna tried to mend it but it's not quite the same."
"I'll get you another one," he said, lifting the toy into his free arm. He tried to keep William tucked firmly in his other arm which was hard because the boy was reaching for the toy.
"You will do no such thing," she countered and took the toy away from both of them. "I think it gives it character." She placed it back in its place before reaching for her son.
"And sentimental value," he teased. He liked seeing this side of her that she hid so well.
"You won't tell anyone will you?"
"You don't have to ask; although I think you really shouldn't hide your softer side from everyone," he assured her, kissing her before heading towards the dressing room door.
"But I keep it hidden especially for you; so you're the only one who knows about it."
Matthew felt honored and grinned. He knew she showed her softer side on occasion to others but with him, she had been freely candid.
"I'll meet you downstairs," she said. "I need to call Isobel to let her know you're home."
"Do you know how angry my mother is?" he wondered, trying to get a sense of what he will be facing when she arrived.
"Let's just say that she'll be taking my side on our arguments for a while," she joked. She laughed softly when she heard him groan.
...
"Welcome home Mr. Crawley," Carson greeted him when he came down.
"It's good to be home," Matthew replied honestly. "I've missed it quite a bit."
"We were beginning to think you didn't miss us at all," Carson noted frankly.
Matthew knew Carson well enough to know that was his way of saying he did miss him.
"Lord and Lady Grantham are in the drawing room," Carson informed him and started to walk towards it when he saw Mrs. Hughes.
"Hello Mr. Crawley," Mrs. Hughes greeted Matthew when she approached them. "It's good to have you back." She gave Carson a quick nod to not let him feel left out.
"I sure hope so because Carson still seems quite cross with me," Matthew said jokingly, sharing a look with her.
"I am not," Carson said incredulously. He realized late that they were joking when he saw them grinning. He huffed and walked away.
"Don't mind him," Mrs. Hughes said. "He pretends not to care but he does very much."
"I'm glad to hear that," he said, glad for the confirmation. "By the way, I'd like to thank you for keeping my secret."
"Mr. Molesley told me the lengths you both went through to get home," she revealed. "I'm just glad it turned out as you planned."
Matthew was about to reply when Mrs. Hughes signaled for him to be silent. He turned to see Mary approaching them.
"Good morning milady," Mrs. Hughes greeted before leaving the young couple alone.
"What was that about?" Mary asked.
"She told me that Carson missed me," he said with a wide grin.
"Of course he did," she replied, wondering why he doubted that. "Everyone did and now you have to assure them that you're here to stay."
"I suppose mother and Cousin Violet are on their way?"
"Yes, they're both coming for luncheon. But I suggest you gain support from mama and papa before they arrive."
"Crikey," he exclaimed. "Will you help me get through the inquisition?"
"Of course darling, though I don't think you need my help," she said. "Now come along and win over two more supporters."
...
"Ah, there you are," Robert said when Matthew and Mary joined him and Cora in the drawing room. "We were beginning to think you weren't coming down until your grandmother arrived."
"Blame Matthew, papa," Mary responded and gave Matthew a quick smile.
"I thought you were on my side," Matthew whispered in her ear.
"I am, but if you can't manage mama and papa on your own, I'm afraid my help won't be any use with Isobel and granny."
Matthew finally understood what she meant by supporters. "Yes, I'm afraid I was too worn out from my journey."
"Perhaps you can tell us all about it," Cora prompted him.
"Matthew, you're home," Rose said excitedly when she entered the room. "I'm so glad to see you again." She gave him a quick hug.
"It's good to see you as well," Matthew replied. "And I mean that literally." He saw Rose's eyes widen in surprise.
"You can see?" Tom asked when he walked up to them. "That's great news."
Matthew waited for everyone to have a seat before he began telling them his journey. He could see that they were all quite happy how it all turned out.
"Well, I for one am just glad it turned out well," Robert said, echoing Matthew's thoughts.
"But why did you do it all alone?" Cora asked, still believing that they should have been consulted.
"That was my mistake," he admitted, reaching for Mary's hand. "I'm very sorry for making you worry needlessly. Mary told me about your attempt to find me in London. Will you be able to forgive me?"
"Of course we forgive you my dear chap," Robert said without missing a beat.
"Just don't do it again," Cora added.
"Don't worry mama, he won't," Mary assured her. She turned to Matthew to see him confirm it was so.
...
"Where is Edith?" Matthew finally asked, looking around the room. "Won't she be here when your grandmother arrives?"
"She'll be back from London soon," Mary replied, taking the drink he offered her.
"What was she doing in London?" he asked, curious as to why she was there.
"She went to see Gregson," she informed him. "We can discuss it later because Isobel is here. Good luck." She touched his arm to offer her support before moving away to give them a private moment.
Matthew took a deep breath before turning around to face his mother. "Hello mother." He could tell from her look that although she was relieved he was home, she was not all that pleased.
"I'm quite disappointed in you," she confirmed. "I raised you better than that. How can you just leave like that knowing we would all be worried?"
"I made an error in judgment," he agreed quite contritely. "Please forgive me mother."
"Has Mary forgiven you?" she looked at her daughter-in-law who was seated with her family. "She was most affected by your action you know. She had to deal with a lot of things while you were away."
"Yes, she has," he revealed. "That proves that she loves me."
"Of that I have no doubt," she said. "A mother knows these things." She added when he turned a puzzled look at her.
Matthew turned to look at Mary and imagined her saying the same thing when William was grown. He hoped he could witness that for himself.
"You shouldn't be reckless," she continued. "You have a lot to live for now." She wanted for him to live a long life with the family he loves.
"You're beginning to sound like Mary," he joked. "You know I have to live my life or what's the point? You probably shouldn't have raised me with a mind of my own." He couldn't help tease his mother about that.
"I just want you to be careful and grow old with Mary," she noted hopefully.
"I'll try my best," he promised.
...
Mary walked towards Isobel and Matthew when it looked like they have reconciled. She overheard him promise he would try his best before Isobel noticed her approaching.
"Matthew tells me that you've forgiven him," Isobel noted happily. She got confirmation when she saw Mary smile. "I would have at least punished him a little for scaring me like that."
"Mother, please don't give her any ideas," Matthew complained. He turned and looked pleadingly at Mary.
"He knows where he stands with me and what he has to do," Mary assured Isobel while touching his arm. "Don't you darling?"
"Absolutely!" he agreed definitely.
"Well, if he forgets, just give me a call," Isobel said in support of Mary and as a warning to Matthew. She gave him a motherly look that reinforced her words before joining Robert and Cora.
"You were right; my mother is on your side on this."
"If it helps, mama is on your side; she supports your initiative."
"So I just need to get through Cousin Violet's scolding and things will be back to normal?" They were facing the family so they didn't notice her arrive.
"Why would you presume that I will scold you?" Violet asked. She waited patiently as the two turned to face her.
"Granny," Mary greeted her and kissed her cheek.
Matthew opted to remain silent and smiled boyishly, hoping he could avoid any further scolding.
"I'm glad you're home and well," Violet began. "Although I think I added a wrinkle or two and some gray hair worrying about you."
"I apologize," Matthew said. "I didn't mean for that to happen."
"Oh, don't worry about me," she assured him. "I think no one will notice."
"You look distinguished as always," he joked before realizing it was probably not a good time for that.
"That may be but did you consider if Mary's ready for the same?"
Matthew turned to Mary before replying. "I will be more considerate in the future." He looked into her eyes and made it a promise.
"Good, now come have a seat with me and tell me all about your adventure," Violet said with a smile. "I particularly like to know how you evaded everyone looking for you." She walked towards her usual seat and waited to hear his tale.
Mary was about to follow Violet when Matthew stopped her. She looked up to see what he wanted.
"Thank you," he said. "I know they're only willing to forgive me because you have."
"Have I?" she asked jokingly. "We'll see if you can survive two months first."
"I'll manage," he joked back. "To be honest, I thought you'd ask for more."
"Tit for tat," she replied. "And who said I can't extend your sentence especially if you misbehave?" She was quite sure he would question something she said along the way that would warrant an extension. She smiled sweetly and challenged him to contradict her to prove her point.
"It is your prerogative," he conceded, avoiding her obvious bait. He was about to say something else when Robert interrupted him.
"Matthew, come and tell mama and Isobel what you told us," Robert invited him. "Don't keep them waiting."
"Here I go again," he whispered to Mary. "I probably should have written it down so they can just read this part of my memoir."
"Maybe someday our children can read all about it," she said supportively.
Matthew grinned at her before giving her a quick kiss then walking over to tell his tale.
Mary was about to join him when Tom walked towards her.
"I'm glad Matthew is back," he started. He could clearly see the relief in her face and he was glad for her. "When do you think we should tell him?"
"He just got back," she replied. "I think we still have some time before we need to tell him."
"Do you think he will agree to it?"
"I'm not sure," she admitted. "But leave it to me to convince him." She knew Tom meant well but felt he should be more patient. She saw him consent before leaving him to sit beside Matthew just in time to catch the tail end of his story.
"So when do you have to see Dr. Duke-Elder again?" Isobel asked.
"Probably in a week," he guessed. "I look forward to learning when I can stop wearing these glasses."
"Do you have to go to London for that?" Cora asked.
"Papa, can you request that he make a house call?" Mary asked.
"My darling, he's a very busy doctor," Matthew reasoned. "He probably can't spare the time to come all the way here for that."
"I think if he can abandon his hospital to take you to Geneva, he can spare a day to come here to see you," she argued back.
Matthew saw Mary's determined look and remembered their agreement. "I'll call him and ask for him to come."
"Are you sure?" Robert asked. "I'm more than happy to do that for you."
"I think he'll accommodate me since he needs me for a presentation he is planning about the procedure later on."
"What kind of presentation?" Violet inquired.
"I'm not quite sure yet," Matthew replied. "I suppose he'll show me off as an example of a successful operation."
"I think it's a wonderful thing to promote a new medical procedure," Isobel noted. "You are certainly a good example of it."
"You would allow him to be paraded like a show horse?" Violet asked incredulously.
"Granny, I'm sure the doctor will not do that," Mary assured her. "But I think Matthew will be helpful in promoting it for the good of medicine."
Matthew looked appreciatively at Mary and reached for her hand to thank her support.
...
Mary was waiting for Matthew to finish his call to join the family for luncheon when she saw Edith arrive. Her sister was rushing to make it on time.
"Hello Mary," Edith greeted her, slowing her pace.
"Edith, just because I said I'd support you doesn't mean you should be careless," Mary warned her.
"The train was late," Edith said. "Surely you can't fault me for that."
"Hello Edith," Matthew greeted her before Mary could comment.
"Matthew!" Edith exclaimed. "You're back."
"Yes I am," he replied. "And please, don't make me retell my journey again; I think twice is enough."
"Of course it is darling," Mary seconded. "If Edith can't be home in time for family events, then she will have to find her own way of catching up." She gave Edith her signature glare that silenced any objections.
"I was just joking," Matthew said after Edith left them. "I think I will have to retell the tale at least one more time when your grandmother arrives and sees me wearing dark glasses."
"Then Edith can hear it then," she acknowledged. "Anyway, what did the doctor say?"
"He'll come see me next Saturday," he replied.
"Good," she noted with relief. She turned to head for the dining room when Matthew reached for her hand to detain her.
"Thank you for supporting me earlier," he said with gratitude. "I know you don't like me being paraded any more than Cousin Violet does."
"I've come to appreciate modern things like you," she said with a smile. "And I'm very glad such a revolutionary medical operation is available to you." She gave him a quick kiss on the cheek before heading to luncheon.