AN: Sorry for the delay between updates again, I've been rather busy, but here it is now!

DISCLAIMER: I still don't own Downton Abbey

The next morning, Mary woke wrapped in Matthew's arms, and for the first time since his return, warm skin was pressed to warm skin. She smiled contentedly, sighing and settling more comfortably against her husband's chest. What they'd done had been nothing near what they'd done together in the first days of their marriage, but it was still so sweet, so wonderfully blissful…

She felt Matthew stir, and stretch his arms. "Good morning Darling." Mary greeted cheerfully. "Good morning." Matthew kissed the top of her head adoringly. "Did you sleep well?" Mary asked. "I feel as though we hardly slept at all." Matthew laughed. "Mmm, yes you might be right." Mary agreed, folding her hands over her large stomach just as she felt a little nudge against her skin. "It moved!" Mary smiled at her husband happily.

"I'm sure it did, I feel as though you say it every hour." Matthew teased. "And what if I do? It amazes me, Matthew. It reminds me that something is alive inside of me. A part of me that couldn't be here without you, someone the two of us made by loving each other!" Mary insisted, happy tears forming in her eyes. "Well, when you put it that way…" Matthew trailed off, suddenly very distracted by the idea of kissing his bride again, and perhaps repeating the previous night's activities…

"Have you thought of any names you'd like darling?" Mary asked after a moment's silence. "What? Names, I suppose I have. Have you?" Matthew asked. Mary smiled and nodded "If it were a girl, I quite like the names Margaret, Catharine, Esther, and Eva." "And for a boy?" Matthew asked. Mary looked down at her folded hands, slightly ashamed. "I hadn't even thought of names I'd like for a boy. I was afraid that if I even hoped for a boy, I wouldn't get one, and God knows it's what everyone is hoping for!" Mary cried. "Mary, don't get upset. Of course certain people are hoping for a boy, but not me. I'd love any child that had you for a mother." Matthew stroked Mary's cheek gently. Mary smiled at her husband and kissed his hand. "Have you thought of a name for a boy then?" Matthew nodded. "What is it Matthew, the suspense is killing me." Mary asked, a hint of her old sarcasm filling her voice.

"I know it isn't a family name, but if we are blessed with a son, I'd like to name him William." Matthew said quietly. Mary stared up at her husband, noting the tears that formed in his beautiful blue eyes. "After William Mason?" she asked after a moment. "Yes. Without him, I'd never have come home to you." Matthew said, as tears began to spill. "I think that's a wonderful idea darling. William Patrick Crawley." Mary smiled. "Patrick?" Matthew asked. "After my poor cousin, who died on the Titanic. Without him, we'd never have met." Mary admitted. "I think William Patrick Crawley is a splendid name, if it is a boy. And I quite like your names for a girl, though I'll admit, Margaret and Esther are my favorites." Matthew admitted as his wife kissed away the few tears that remained on his face.

"I'd like to use your mother's name as the child's middle name, if it's a girl." Mary said surely after a minute of consideration. "Really?" Matthew asked. "Yes, really. Do you think your mother would mind?" Mary asked as she rose from the bed. "No, I'm sure that she wouldn't. But may I ask why?" Matthew smiled as his wife began to slowly pick through her clothes. "She's always been there for the two of us, supporting what's best for us, and taking care of us. Even when she was in France, she wrote me often, asking how I was feeling. Now that she's home, I feel as if I've barely seen her, though I suppose I've been busy with Edith's wedding." Mary rambled as she decided on a dark blue day dress.

"It's almost strange to think that Edith is married now." Matthew laughed to himself. "It is, if I hadn't seen it with my own eyes, I'd wouldn't believe she'd married for love." Mary laughed, and then her mood shifted as all of the previous day's negative events came rushing back to her mind. She pulled on her pink dressing gown and sat on the edge of the bed, suddenly feeling as if the weight of the world was on her shoulders.

"Mary, darling, are you alright?" Matthew reached out, and was just barely able to rest a hand on her shoulder. "I have to tell Papa." Mary covered her face with her hands in horror. "Oh." Matthew let out a long breath as he thought it over. "I have to, I can't let him read it in a paper, it would only be worse!" Mary's heart began to race as panic set in. "Mary, it can't possibly be that bad now, you're a settled woman." Matthew insisted. "I know. And I'm happy to be settled, and with you. But Matthew, people will talk, people will stare. People will treat this child differently, I just know it! And papa, oh dear papa, he'll be so disappointed in me! Matthew, if I were unmarried, he might have disowned me!" Mary buried her face in Matthew's chest again, trying to calm herself with the familiar rhythmic beat of his heart.

"I'll be with you when you tell him. He can't get too angry with you Mary. You've done everything just right. You married strategically, you're carrying what just might be the Heir to Downton, and you've proved a faithful and loving wife." Matthew comforted. "You make me sound like a creature of duty." Mary laughed. "You're one of the lucky few who can both do your duty, and have love." Matthew stroked his wife's hair, a gesture he'd learned calmed her.

"I never could have married for love and duty if you hadn't come along. I hope you know that, Matthew. I'd never have been able to love Patrick as I love you." Mary sighed into his chest. "I'd never be able to truly love any other woman so long as you're still on this earth." Matthew smiled into her hair and settled in contentedly amongst his pillows.

"We really ought to get up, if we're going to tell papa, the earlier it is the better." Mary muttered sleepily. "Five more minutes?" Matthew murmured like a tired school boy. Mary giggled, and nodded. She pulled the quilt over her body, and settled happily against Matthew's chest, praying that this content peace could last.

AN: I know it's been a while since I updated! I'm sorry! I've been terribly busy, with a full class schedule. Tonight I had the opening night of the musical I'm in and so on and so on. I know, just excuses! I'll get the next chapter up ASAP!