AN: Hello again! I know I've updating like crazy the last few days, and that's because I'm on Vacation, and figure I might as well! I know I promised this would be the wedding chapter, but I've found it was far too long as one chapter, and so I've decided to break it up into two chapters! I hope you don't mind!
DISCLAIMER: I do not own Downton Abbey.
Anna entered Lady Mary's room at nine o'clock in the morning, and saw something she'd never expected to see. The three Crawley sisters all sleeping side by side on Lady Mary's bed, sharing a blanket, sleeping with smiles on their faces. She smiled herself at the sight, and opened the curtains letting in the sunshine.
"Good morning Lady Mary, Lady Edith, Lady Sybil." Anna said as she gently woke each one in turn. The sisters woke groggily, and stretched out. "We must have stayed up much later than we thought." Sybil groaned as she collapsed back on the bed dramatically. "Oh come now Sybil, you must wake up, It's Mary's wedding day!" Edith said as she poked her sister in the belly as they'd done as small children.
Sybil sat up again excitedly "Of course it is! Goodness I nearly forgot! In truth, I thought it might all have been a dream!" Sybil stood up and pulled Edith along with her "Edith and I are going to our rooms to freshen up, and then we'll join you to help you ready!" As they left you could still hear Sybil's chatter down the hall "Oh Edith isn't this delightful? Mary is to Marry!"
When they were alone, Mary and Anna broke into delighted laughter. "My lady, I'm so happy for you!" Anna spoke truthfully, as she looked upon Mary not only as a generous employer, but as a dear friend, perhaps a sister. "I'm sorry I didn't have a chance to tell you myself, I was whisked away by my dear sisters and had no chance to talk to anyone." Mary explained.
Anna shook her head with a smile "No excuses necessary My Lady, I'm just so happy to see you happy at last! Now let me see what we should do for your hair on your wedding day!" Mary took her seat at the vanity, and looked at herself in the mirror. She looked no different than she had yesterday morning, yet now everything was different. She was going to be a married woman in… five hours! Anna set to brushing out her hair, and pining up soft curls, and brushing in pear combs.
Just as Anna had finished setting her hair, a light knock came at the door. "Come in." Mary said, expecting Sybil and Edith. Instead in came Violet Crawley, standing tall and proper with her walking stick. "Oh, Granny! I wasn't expecting to see you this morning!" Mary said, turning to face her. "You're my oldest grandchild, and I've got a gift to give you." Violet smiled as she sat on an ornate chair beside the vanity.
"Granny! It's hardly necessary!" Mary protested gently. "Oh but it is dear. I've been saving these for you for years!" Violet pulled out a black box, and handed to Mary, who upon opening it was greeted by the beautiful sight of the most beautiful ornate gold and pearl jewelry. "Oh!" Mary Gasped as she ran her fingers over them. "You see dear, my grandmother gave them to me on my wedding day. Her grandmother gave them to her, and her grandmother to her. And someday, you'll give these to your granddaughter on her wedding day." Violet dabbed her eyes quickly to avoid having tears fall from her eyes in front of her granddaughter and the ladies maid.
"I'll wear it proudly Granny." Mary promised as she took it from the box, and handed it to Anna who placed the necklace around her delicate neck. "It suits you." Violet smiled as Mary slid on the bracelet. "Thank you Granny, it's beautiful." Mary stood, and kissed her Grandmother gently on the cheek, something she'd not done since childhood. "Well, I'll be going now, so you may finish getting ready! We wouldn't have the bride be late for her own wedding." And with a tender pat to Mary's shoulder Violet left the room.
Only seconds Later Sybil and Edith burst through the door, each carrying there purple gowns, and matching shoes. "Mary! You're so beautiful!" Sybil cried as she took Mary in her arms, and kissed her cheek. "Thank you Sybil." Mary smiled at her dear little sister. "Now, you two mustn't be my bride's maids with hair looking like this! Anna, would you please?" Mary asked standing and sitting Edith in her place. "I would be glad to miss." Anna smiled and began brushing Edith's blonde hair gently.
"I'll help you dress Mary!" Sybil said happily, as she pulled Mary to her wardrobe and pulling out the Flowing blue gown. "Oh Sybil, I could get one of the other maids to help, you don't have to." "Don't be ridiculous Mary! It's your wedding day, and I am your sister and I will be the one to dress you!" Sybil said with the determination of a child in a temper tantrum. "Well, if you insist." Mary Laughed as her little sister helped her lace up her corset, and button up the back of her dress. "Perfection!" Sybil smiled as she moved to trade places with Edith whose hair was finished. "Edith, would you like help with your dress?" Mary asked, already picking up the purple gown. Edith was speechless by the kindness her sister was suddenly showing her, but nodded, afraid to reject the show of kindness.
When all three had been dressed, and styled to perfection they crowded together in front of the mirror, and observed there appearances. Mary looked positively stunning, the light blue contrasting her dark eyes and hair to perfection, the empire waist showing off her soft curves, the lace adding a romantic touch. Sybil looked full of happiness, pleased to see her darling older sister finally marrying Matthew. Edith tried to match the joy that was thick in the air, but she found it difficult, as she'd spent so long being bitter, and unhappy.
"Oh! I'd almost forgotten! Your bouquet!" Sybil went and retrieved the bouquet of soft pink roses from the dresser, and placed them in Mary's pale hands. "I don't see what all the fuss is about- it's only going to be a quiet ceremony." Mary said, but she smiled and looked happily at her bridal bouquet. "Don't act as if it's nothing! It's your wedding day!" Edith spoke up, finally feeling able to connect with the happiness her sister was feeling.
They were interrupted by a soft knock on the door, followed by the entrance of Cora. "Oh my darlings! You're all so stunningly beautiful!" Cora held her hand to her mouth as she held back her happy tears. "Oh Mama, don't cry, the wedding hasn't even begun!" Mary protested. "You did such an excellent job Anna, thank you." Cora smiled kindly at the maid, who curtsied in response. "You'd best go ready yourself Anna; you don't want to miss the ceremony!" Mary told her and Anna curtsied and exited the room, knowing that she'd have to hurry if she wanted to make the ceremony on time.
"It's nearly one thirty, shall we go down?" Cora asked her daughters who nodded in consent. As they left, Cora caught Mary in a motherly embrace and kissed her hair "I've waited since the day you were born for this, and now you're marrying for love! I've never been so happy for you my dear one!" Mary smiled at her mother, and took her hand as they walked down the steps.
"Is that my little daughter?" Robert Crawley's voice caught in his throat at the sight of his little girl holding her bridal bouquet, and looking so beautiful. "Papa" Mary said with a smile as her father kissed her hair. They walked together, just behind the others, and then stopped. "Mary, are you certain this is how you want things done? People will talk, and they will not take kindly to the news." Robert was thinking mainly of Richard Carlisle, who hadn't seemed like a man who would take no for an answer willingly.
"Papa, I know full well what people may think of this situation. And I am not afraid. I want more than anything to marry Matthew, and I am entirely willing to face any consequences that might bring." Mary assured him as they began walking towards one of the cars that had been called upon for the occasion. "And you're entirely certain this is what you want. This is the way you want it done?" Robert asked one more time as he helped his daughter into the car that would drive them to the church.
Mary laughed exasperatedly. "Papa, if I wasn't sure, you know I wouldn't be doing it!" Robert smiled, knowing that his daughter had always been strong willed, and entirely capable of standing up for herself. All of his doubts melted away then, and he relaxed sitting beside his oldest child. "You know, my dear, though I've waited long for the day you would marry, I cannot say that I am pleased to be losing you." Robert sighed, thinking of the day Mary had been born, and he'd held his tiny baby girl in his arms the first time.
"Dear Papa, you'll never loose me. Actually I wanted to ask, if while Matthew is…away, I was hoping it would be alright if I stayed at Downton, in my old room?" Mary asked, unable to bear the thought of being alone in Crawley house, while Matthew was far away from her. "Of course my dear one. That room will always be yours, and you're welcome to stay at Downton anytime you'd like." Robert smiled at his daughter, glad that she might still need him.
The car pulled up at the church, and Robert helped Mary out of the car. "Are you nearly ready my dear?" he asked as they approached Sybil and Edith, who waited at the church doors. "Yes." Mary's heart sped up in her chest. She knew that Matthew was inside of that church. He was waiting for her to enter, and become his wife. The thought alone made her want to run through the doors and sprint down the aisle into Matthew's arms.
"That's good. Because it's nearly time." Robert said as he watched Mary join her sisters, the three of them whispering and giggling the way sisters were supposed to. It made his heart hitch in happiness at the thought of his three dear girls, agreeing at last.
Cora leaned out from behind the door after a few minutes with a grin on her face. "It's time." She smiled, and Mary took her father's arm. "No matter what Papa, I'll always need you." Mary whispered as if sensing his feelings. Robert smiled and opened the door, as the time he'd been dreading had finally arrived.
He would have to give away his little girl.
AN: I know, it was very long, but Next chapter will be the wedding, followed by the wedding night! I'm not sure how detailed the wedding night will be, as I've never really written a love scene of that nature before… But I hope you did enjoy this chapter, and don't hate me too much for postponing the wedding chapter!