Disclaimer: I do not own Downton Abbey.

Chapter 8 – A Step Towards the Future

Matthew stayed up all night holding his son while waiting for news on his wife's condition. The rest of the family tried to stay awake with him, though inevitably fell asleep, though all refused to go home. Finally, in the wee hours of the morning, Doctor Clarkson made an appearance.

"She's come out of the worst of it." He said, earning sighs of relief from all. "Do not mistake me, there is still danger, I will not give you false hope, but she has made it out of surgery as well as we could have wanted."

"So what danger remains then?" Asked Lord Grantham.

"There is still a chance that infection will set in. If it does, it will depend on where the infection originates that will determine her fate." The doctor explained, pressing on before they could ask what he meant. "If an infection sets in internally, that is to say inside her body, there will be little anyone can do for her. Medicine may help in such a case, but it is rare that it works for such an infection. However, if it is an infection at the site of the incision, that is much easier to deal with and she will almost certainly live."

"But there is a chance that infection may not set in at all?"

"Yes, there is every chance. She is young and healthy; there may be no further complications. However, it is not something I can guarantee."

"Thank you, Doctor Clarkson." Said Matthew. "For all you have done for her." The doctor smiled softly and walked off.

Infection did set in, internally much to everyone's fear and dismay, and for nearly an entire week Sybil was wracked with fever. Matthew barely left her side, doing so only to see his new son once a day. Finally her fever broke and she began to get better. After a few more days, Doctor Clarkson was confident that she would fully recover.

"I thought you said that there would be no hope if an infection set in internally." Said Matthew after hearing the news that she would recover. Sybil was sitting up in bed, finally strong enough to do so, though unable to do anymore than that.

"Not quite. I said there would be little anyone could do for her, which is true. There was naught much we could do except try to bring her fever down." He said. "However, if the patient is strong enough they can recover on their own. It is rare, to be sure, but certainly not unheard of."

"And I am overwhelmingly grateful for that." Matthew said, looking to Sybil who smiled back. The sounds of a cooing baby were then heard and Sybil's head snapped in the direction of the door. She had yet to actually see her son properly. Having been delirious during the birth and falling into fever soon after. Doctor Clarkson discretely left them alone as the nurse Lord and Lady Grantham had hired arrived. She handed the child to his mother before retreating herself, leaving the new family alone.

"He's beautiful." Sybil said in a somewhat raspy voice. Matthew merely nodded his agreement, moving his hand over to rest alongside Sybil's in cradling their son. "What did you call him?"

"Nothing yet." He admitted. "I didn't think it right to name our son without you."

"I was thinking we should call him William." She said with little hesitation. "He saved your life, paying with his own instead." Matthew looked on his wife with pride. He knew the kind of woman she was, and was not at all surprised that she would name her son, the future Earl of Grantham, after a servant; however, he still couldn't help the pride that welled inside him at her suggestion.

"What will Cousin Violet say?" He asked, trying to stop the tears that had begun to well up. "The heir to Downton named after a servant. How is she ever going to sell that at court?" Sybil couldn't help the roll of her eyes, though she knew that he was entirely joking.

"I'm sure Granny will think of something." She replied. "Even if she only says he is named after the man who saved your life in the war and no more than that." The two turned their attention to young William and sat in contented silence for a bit before Matthew decided on the middle name.

"Robert." He said. "William Robert Crawley." Sybil smiled happily. Two days later Sybil was brought home, much to everyone's pleasure. Word quickly spread that the baby had been named after the late Private William Mason, former footman at Downton, and a buzz went through the servants' hall. Daisy, William's wife for all of five hours, wasn't sure what to feel, but settled on pride and happiness at Mrs. Patmore's encouragement, no matter that Thomas and Ms. O'Brien said it was all a show. As the weeks passed, Sybil healed and returned to her normal life, even going back to caring for the soldiers who still remained, when she wasn't caring for her son. Life at Downton settled down and a peaceful Christmas and New Years was had, shortly after which the last of the soldiers returned home and Downton became a private home once more. It was then that the next big upheaval happened, though in the best way possible. Sybil and Matthew were saying goodnight to William in the library, the child being brought to them as Matthew could not climb the stairs to the nursery. Sybil had placed nearly four month old William on the couch as she went to ring for nanny, when the next thing she knew Matthew was crying out. She whipped around in time to see her husband, who'd been paralyzed and in a chair for over half a year, kneeling beside the couch, their son in his arms.

"Matthew!" She cried, rushing to his side.

"He rolled over." Matthew explained. "He was going to fall off the couch and…"

"You caught him." Matthew seemed in shock at that realization, but could not deny it was accurate. "Can you feel your legs?" She asked and he nodded, not trusting himself to say anything or even move. "You mustn't over do it." Sybil quickly took William and gently laid him on the carpet for a moment so he could not roll of the couch again, before helping Matthew back into his chair. She then handed the baby to him before rushing over and ringing frantically, waiting for anyone to come. Hurried footsteps were heard a few moments later and the door burst open to reveal Thomas, who'd returned as a footman, for the time being at least, now that the war was over.

"You rang, my lady?"

"Yes, go get papa. And Mama. Go get everyone, quickly!" Hearing the urgency in her voice Thomas all but sprinted from the room and did as asked. Not a minute later more hurried footsteps were heard and the family rushed in, all of them looking concerned.

"What is it? What's wrong?" Robert asked.

"Mary will you take William for a moment?" Sybil simply handed her son over, it not having really been a question.

"Of course." She murmured. Sybil then went back over to Matthew and with his wife's help, Matthew got to his feet. The family gasped and lurched forward as one, shock and wonder written on their faces.

"My dear fellow!" Robert cried jovially when the shock had worn off. "I cannot believe it, but this is marvellous. Simply marvellous!" Matthew smiled in agreement as Sybil helped him sit back down, saying he shouldn't overdo it. "Carson!" He turned to the butler who had naturally appeared when he'd heard the commotion. "Send for Doctor Clarkson at once."

"Very good, my lord." He replied, unable to stop his own joy from shining through. The family all gathered around as they waited for the doctor/ Isobel, who'd been with the ladies in the drawing room after dinner, was tearfully hugging her son. Doctor Clarkson arrived not quite an hour later and was very honest in his examination.

"There is only one possible explanation. It starts with my own mistake." He said. "Every indication told me the spine was transected, which would have been incurable."

"But when Sir John Coates came to see Matthew he agreed with you." Said Lord Grantham.

"Well he didn't. Not entirely." Admitted Doctor Clarkson. "He thought that it could conceivably be a case of spinal shock. That is to say, intense bruising, which is sufficient enough to impede the leg mechanism."

"But which would heal." Sybil concluded. "Why didn't you tell us?"

"Because I didn't agree with him. And I didn't want to raise Captain Crawley's hopes to no purpose."

"I understand. And I don't blame you." Said Matthew, and though she was still somewhat upset, Sybil couldn't disagree.

"You must take it slowly. Rome wasn't built in a day." The doctor cautioned

"I know."

"And I'm afraid you will carry a bruise on your spine for the rest of your life."

"But I will have a life?" Doctor Clarkson smiled.

"Yes. I think we can say that. You will have a normal life and it won't be long in coming."

~/~

After the doctor's visit, Matthew grew determined to get better as quickly as possible. Sybil made sure that he took his time, not letting him get ahead of himself, though she too was glad for his recovery. By May 1919, Matthew was walking almost normally, though he still made use of a cane, and was determined to play on the house team for the annual cricket match held in late July. Sybil thought he was pushing himself too far, though Doctor Clarkson said it was not an unrealistic goal, though he had to be prepared for it not to happen. Even with the doctor's warning Matthew determination saw him lose the cane by mid June and be practicing for the match by the start of July. His happiness shone through and though she still occasionally reminded him to not over do it, Sybil couldn't bring herself to stomp on that happiness. A few days before the match, Sybil was dressing for dinner when her sisters came to see her.

"Thank you, Lily." Said Sybil. "What is it?" She asked once the door had closed behind her maid.

"I don't know." Said Edith. "Mary refused to tell me until we were all together." The two turned to their eldest sister, who seemed uncharacteristically hesitant.

"I wanted to ask you both for your help." She said, her sisters' eyebrows shooting up at this rare request. "I have invited someone to the cricket match and I am not certain that Mama and Papa will approve."

"Is this a new beau?" Sybil asked, to which Mary blushed.

"It must be serious to garner this reaction from you." Edith noted, though not calculatingly as in the past. Edith and Mary had gotten along better since the war started and their better relationship had continued afterwards. They were by no means bosom buddies, they doubted they ever would be, but they were not at each other's throats constantly and their trust in each other as sisters, to always be there for each other if they were truly needed, was no longer in doubt.

"His name is Sir Richard Carlisle." Mary said, causing Sybil and Edith to share a worried look, both knowing that name.

"The owner of all those newspapers?" Asked Edith.

"Mary, how…" Sybil tried to find the right way to put this. "I mean, Sir Richard is known to be quite ruthless…" She cut off realizing she wasn't doing this well.

"Yes he is." She admitted. "I know all about his reputation, but that is in business-"

"Is it?" Edith interrupted, actually seeming worried for her sister. "He is said be ruthless in general, not just in business."

"Rumours." Mary brushed it off.

"And you're certain?" Mary went to offer more protests or excuses for his reputation abut Sybil cut her off, grasping her hand. "If you are certain, then we will give him the benefit of the doubt." She promised. "But if even Edith is concerned for you, then you have to admit that there might be reason for it."

"Sybil is right." Edith agreed. "There is usually some truth to rumours."

"Yes, and I know there is some truth. But I have not seen any evidence that he would not make an exemplary husband."

"Husband? Serious indeed…" Both sisters were surprised.

"I am almost twenty-eight years old, of course I'm thinking about a husband."

"But is he the right one?" Edith asked the key question.

"I don't know." Mary admitted. "But he could be, which is why I'd like your help with Mama and Papa, and Granny come to think of it. If he is the right one I want them on my side when the time comes."

"We'll help you, Mary." Sybil assured her. "So long as he treats you well."

"Yes, no one is allowed to treat you poorly except me." Edith offered her own support, such as it was. Mary smiled and grasped her sisters' hands.

"Thank you both." She said sincerely. "Now, shall we go down before I drown in the sentimentality?" It was not lost on them that she said 'I' not 'we', and seeing the Mary they knew was back, the three sisters went down to dinner laughing.

~/~

Three days later Downton's gardens were in packed with the entire village, who'd come to cheer on their side in the annual cricket match. The house team had lost the last three years running, and secretly Matthew thought they'd lose again today. Although almost fully healed, he was feeling the exertion of playing in the match, and cricket was not the most physical of sports. Sybil could tell he was feeling it and shot him disapproving looks throughout the day; however, so long as it remained an uncomfortable grimace and not a painful one she would let him have his fun today and make him rest tomorrow. The family had been introduced to Mary's new beau earlier in the day, and both Sybil and Edith could see the truth in both their argument and Mary's from a few days previously. There was undeniably a calculating coldness to him that they had expected. Sir Richard was a self-made man, his wealth coming from his business ventures, not from years of inheritance, nor did he, or anyone in his family, possess a title beyond the knighthood he'd been granted. He clearly liked the thought of being welcomed into the aristocracy and the sisters could see the wheels turning in his head of how he could further use this to his advantage. However, Sybil could not deny that he had genuine affection for Mary. The small smile he wore as he looked at her as she held her nephew spoke volumes, and told Sybil that he was quickly falling in love, if he hadn't already, and that Mary was likely right: no matter his ruthless manner with others, he would be a devoted and loving husband to Mary.

"Sir Richard." Sybil greeted, coming over and taking her son from Mary when the eight month old reached out for her.

"Lady Sybil." He greeted in return. "You have a very charming son."

"Thank you." She said, glad to note the sincerity in his voice, silently marking off another tick in his corner. "Where is nanny?"

"Gone to get some baby paraphernalia." Said Mary. "Shall I tell her you're looking for her?"

"No, that's alright." She said, noting Matthew's arrival, the game having reached a time out.

"Mary, Sir Richard." Matthew greeted, wrapping an arm around Sybil and dropping a kiss on William's head. "Would you excuse me if I stole my wife away for a moment?"

"Of course." They said, Mary happily taking William back as Matthew led Sybil away from the crowd.

"What is it?" She asked when they were far enough away for some semblance of privacy. In response Matthew pulled her close and kissed her quite thoroughly, only pulling away when some good natured cheering was heard from some players who were passing by on their way back to the field.

"Not that I'm complaining, but what was that for?" Matthew smiled down at her, still refusing to let her go.

"I love you." He said simply. "I love you so much I didn't think it was possible."

"As I love you." She replied, feeling giddy at his admission even though it was not by any means new.

"Seeing you standing there with our son, I was struck by how happy I am. And how much I'm looking forward to the future with you." Sybil smiled.

"You make me just as happy, Matthew. And I cannot wait to see what the future holds for us either."

"Matthew, hurry up you're keeping everyone waiting!" Robert called, stopping anything else Matthew might have said.

"I have to go." He sighed.

"Of course you have."

"I hope I can count on your not to laugh when I drop the ball." Sybil laughed.

"You can always count on me." She said it both sincerely and teasingly, Matthew knowing that he could always count on her, but that she would not hesitate to laugh if he did indeed drop the ball.

"I know that." He finally released her and began walking back to the field. "And I shall do all I can to ensure you have no reason to laugh at your husband today!" He called back to her. When the game resumed, Matthew caught the ball at the opportune moment, winning the game with a look of shock on his face, and Sybil could not stop the laughter that escaped her as she cheered the loudest of them all.

A/N - And that is it, the end! At least for now, maybe I'll write a sequel, who knows, but not anytime soon I don't think.

I loved the scene between the three sisters in this chapter, even if it is discussing Sir Richard. As to that...not sure if he and Mary will work out. He was a bit of a scumbag in the show, as they acknowledge he is here, but I think he did have genuine affection for Mary, as she did for him, so who knows what would have happened between them if her love for Matthew wasn't an issue. I've leave that to the sequel, if there ever is one.

Thanks for reading, and as always, review please!