AN: For starters I'd like to thank those of you who've been following my story! And thanks to those of you who reviewed! I'm glad you're enjoying my story! Disclaimer time! Downton is not mine!
Everyone sat around the dinner table, making unimportant chatter, laughing every now and then. Matthew and Mary where sitting side by side, not talking much, but sharing looks, and grinning like idiots. Violet watched them with knowing approval. Isobel and Sybil noticed something was different between the two.
"Cousin Isobel, has Matthew said anything to you about Mary?" Sybil asked as she leaned over to Isobel. "I was just going to ask if Mary had said anything to you about Matthew." Isobel laughed. "They're acting differently somehow- Oh!" Sybil gasped as she noticed the glint of a gem on Mary's finger. One that hadn't been there this morning. It was on a particular finger. Mary noticed Sybil's shocked expression and followed her line of sight to…
"Blast!" Mary thought to herself as she quickly placed her hand back on her lap. She'd forgotten she had to hide it, just for a little while longer, as it already felt so much a part of her. Sybil made eye contact and raised her eyebrow, silently asking the question. Mary gave a short nod and a smile and Sybil grinned broadly, her mind filled with a million questions that she couldn't ask right now.
Matthew looked over at Mary, and made clear eye contact, as if to say "Now?" Mary looked around the table, seeing that her mother and father where in conversation with Granny, Isobel and Edith where talking, and Sybil's eyes where still locked on Mary in disbelief. Mary looked back at him with a content smile, and nodded in approval.
They joined hands under the table and Matthew cleared his throat. "Everyone, I have an announcement to make." Everyone at the table fell silent, and they shifted their focus to Matthew. "Well, what is the news then Matthew?" Robert asked after a moment without words. "Mary and I are engaged!" Matthew announced proudly as Mary took her hand out from underneath the table, now clearly showing off her sparkling Engagement ring that Matthew had put on her finger only hours ago to mark her as his own.
There was a clatter of silver wear falling to the plates. "You're what?" Cora asked excitedly. "Engaged." Mary said matter of factly. "But, you can't be… Lavinia?!" Edith exclaimed somewhat angrily. There was a brief silence before Matthew spoke "That's been broken off." Everyone seemed to break into chatter all at once, and so loudly no one could really enter into conversation.
"Ehem!" When Violet Crawley cleared her throat everyone listened. "Now, My Granddaughter is finally going to marry the man that she has loved for a great length of time, and I for one intend to hear their wedding plans." With that everyone shifted attention back to Mary and Matthew who only felt nervous about sharing their plans now.
"Because of the circumstances, Mary and I have decided we're to have a simple marriage, tomorrow, at two o'clock in the afternoon." Matthew said almost quietly. "Two O'clock?" Mary asked happily. "If that's alright." Matthew smiled. Mary nodded.
"Two O'clock tomorrow?!" Cora cried out in surprise. "Yes." Matthew smiled. "Now, I'm not one to object to young love, but it does seem rather rushed." Isobel said with a smiled. "Is there a reason for this rush- a time constraint of sorts?" Robert straightened out his shoulders, and looked at Matthew with rage in his eyes. "Papa! No, of course not! I can't believe you'd even suggest such a thing!" Mary cried out in horror.
"Well, there is a reason for the rush, but no, not the one you so kindly suggested. We're going to be married tomorrow because we are at war, and the future is so unpredictable. And now, whatever the future may hold, we want to face it together." Matthew said, never breaking eye contact with the man who was going to be his father in law.
"For better or for worse." Mary said silently, leaning over to Matthew who smiled at her lovingly. "I for one think it's a wonderful idea." Violet smiled and nodded approvingly at Mary. "There's so much to do! Mary, Edith, Sybil, go up and find something suitable for Mary to wear, perhaps something similar for the two of you to wear to be brides maids- if that's alright with you Mary." Cora asked. Mary nodded and smiled "That sounds splendid." "If you don't mind, Granny, Isobel and I will handle the rest of the arrangements." Cora asked, somewhat unsure. "That would be wonderful."
"Then please, go above stairs now, and hurry! The groom isn't supposed to see the bride the night before the wedding!" Cora protested, causing Mary to laugh. "Alright, I'll go!" She smiled and stood, having her hand taken by Sybil who was already leading them out of the room. Mary looked back and mouthed a quick "I love you!" to Matthew before he was out of sight.
"Mary! I can't believe it! You're getting married, and you didn't tell me straight away!" Sybil said feigning hurt. "We wanted to surprise you all." Mary said with a smile. "Well, you certainly succeeded in that." Edith, who was a few steps behind them and quickly trying to catch up, sighed bitterly. Mary halted, and looked at Edith.
"I do wish we didn't fight Edith." Edith looked at Mary in surprise. "I… don't know what to…" "I'm sorry for the things I've done that have hurt you. And I forgive you for everything you've ever done to hurt me. I know you've not apologized, and I don't ask you to. But today I realized that life is too short to go on holding grudges, or hating people- especially not people who you must see on a nearly daily basis. I don't know that we will ever be friends, but we should at least be on pleasant terms." Mary smiled at her sister. "I agree. And I'm sorry." Edith's apology was not as long or heartfelt as Mary's had been, but it was enough.
As they entered Mary's room the three girls where chattering away happily and picking through Mary's wardrobe, pulling out things that were lightly colored and pretty. "Oh Mary! This is such a wonderful thing! This time tomorrow you'll be married! I can't believe it!" Sybil was practically bouncing with excitement. "You think you can't believe it?" Mary Laughed happily.
A powder blue dress trimmed with floral lace was decided upon for Mary, and Edith and Sybil agreed to wear purple dresses. The three girls changed into their night gowns together, and sat together on Mary's bed, reminiscing about years gone by.
"Mary, are you nervous about- you know?" Sybil asked with a blush. "Sybil! You shouldn't ask such things!" Edith gasped in surprise. "And why not? We all know what happens between married folk, why should we pretend we don't?" Sybil asked. "Because, we're ladies, and such things just aren't discussed!" Edith herself was blushing just at the suggestion that they spoke of such things.
"No, Edith, It's quite alright. We're sisters after all, and I assume that what we say in this room will in fact stay here?" She asked, technically addressing both Sybil and Edith, but keeping eye contact with Edith. Edith nodded, her face burning in shame over what she had done.
"Then to answer your question Sybil, I am a little nervous about it, but I cannot say that I'm not excited." Mary blushed at the last sentence, causing both of her sisters to giggle. "Do you suppose it's true what they say?" Edith asked, surprising her sisters. "What?" Sybil asked. "That it's only to pleasure the man, and it's simply a wifely duty, used to make children?" Edith's voice quivered with nervousness even at the thought. The three sisters sat in silence for a moment, none of them with an answer. "
"I don't think that could be true. Not if you marry for love." Sybil said after a moment of thought. "She must be right; if there was nothing good a woman could get out of it except a child than a woman would never take a lover." Mary felt shame wash over her as she remembered the night she'd spent with Pamuk- the thrill of it all, the disgusting thrill of it all.
"I'm sure it will be fine Mary, I've never seen anyone look at anyone with as much love as you and Matthew look at each other with." Edith took Mary's hand, showing her sister a sign of friendship for the first time. "I'm sure I'll be fine." Mary reached for Sybil's hand and smiled, as for the first time since there very early childhood, the three sat in contented and friendly silence.
AN: I know this chapter was long and maybe not that enjoyable to read, but I thought that the sister bit at the end was an important touch… and if it hadn't been this chapter you would have had to wait a whole other chapter for the wedding! That's right, stay tuned for the wedding chapter, coming up next!