AN: Here it is, the chapter where the baby will be born! Thanks to everyone who reads and reviews! You're the very best!

"Did it hurt this badly when Catherine and William were born? It must have." Mary thought. Her mama had done her best to disguise her excitement at the sudden turn of events, but she had handled the situation with grace, ordering Mary and Matthew's old room made ready for the birth so her daughter wouldn't have to walk up any stairs. She had even made the necessary phone calls explaining things to Isobel and the Dowager. And she had taken this Patrick Crawley situation in stride, and asked after his health, his story, and so on. He seemed to have all of the answers.

"Will you be staying here then, Patrick? Until Robert comes home that is? He'd be so happy to see you. And you'll just love Robbie. He is darling. So like you as a child, climbing all over everything. He even fell off of the same pony you did, though he didn't break his arm like you did- and I suppose Diamond could hardly be considered a pony any more." Cora said calmly, letting Mary squeeze her hand as a contraction rippled through her.

"Oh yes- I did, fall off of that brown horse didn't I...And my arm was in a sling for two months. Worth it though I suppose, I do love to ride." Patrick said reaching out and holding his left arm. Mary smiled, even through the pain that rippled through her abdomen. That was the final nail in his coffin so to speak- Patrick had hated riding horses, but he had always been competent at it, he'd never fallen while riding, at least not at Downton- and never on Diamond. And his arm had never broken. Mary was about to say as much when Isobel burst into the room.

"I walked over as quickly as I could, I left Mrs. Bird with the children, I thought you would need some comforts from home darling." Isobel huffed, holding up a bag.

"Oh good. Now, let's get Mary settled in her room." Sybil said, bracing herself to help her sister up from her chair. Her mother and other sister made moves to follow her, but Mary shook her head.

"No, no, you cannot leave Cousin Patrick here all alone. Not on my account." Mary insisted, giving her sister a serious look. Edith gave her a barely noticeable nod, and smiled at her. "Though Mama, do you suppose that you could go to Crawley house to watch William and Catherine? And when Papa is home, perhaps he could bring Robbie."

"Of course I will darling. I'll go in just a few moments." Her mother promised, oddly unable to protest at being forced from her home.

"Come on now Mary, we can all see how uncomfortable you are. Let's get you settled into bed." Isobel said, stroking her daughter-in-law's hair.

"Yes, getting into bed, that will help so much." Mary snorted sarcastically, and Sybil bit back a laugh. "Oh, did someone call Matthew, and tell him to come to Downton?" Mary asked as they lead her towards the ground floor bed room she had shared with Matthew, the room where Catherine and William had been born, where Matthew stood for the first time when they'd been told he never would again.

"Of course. We just caught him before he left his office. He'll be here as fast as he can." Sybil promised.

"Is Anna coming?" Mary asked next, suddenly freezing and breathing deeply.

"I'm right here Mi'lady." Anna said, coming around the group so that Mary could see her.

"Oh, I'm so glad." Was all Mary could muster as a light sob escaped her lips. "This hurts so very bad."

"I know darling. But you will get through it." Isobel promised her, with a gentle pat on her hand. They moved as swiftly as Mary could manage, and once they were in the bed room everything went like clockwork. Anna removed her from her simple blue dress, dressed her in a silky nightgown that Isobel had brought, and then swiftly began pulling pins from Mary's chestnut hair. Isobel and Sybil prepared the bed, and then helped Mary into it. For the mocking she had done of it all, it did feel much better to be in bed than it had to be standing up.

"Did someone call the doctor?" Anna asked after a moment, and they all looked at each other dumbstruck, except for Mary, who's eyes were screwed shut as she bore the next pain.

"No...I simply didn't think to." Sybil admitted, looking down at the floor.

"Neither did I." Isobel sighed.

"Well, I'll go call him now." Sybil said.

"Who are you calling?" Mary asked, suddenly aware of the situation.

"The Doctor." Isobel said.

"Gregory or Clarkson?" Mary asked as she rubbed tiny circles over her belly.

"Who do you prefer?" Sybil asked.

"Gregory, I suppose. He delivered Catherine and William after all." Mary said, and Sybil left the room quickly without a single word. Mary slumped against the pillows again, and stared at the canopy of this bed...One that had become rather familiar to her at one point, the very same one she had stared up at while laboring over William and Catherine. Somehow, even though she had wanted to be in Crawley house, this felt positively right. "When will Matthew be here?" She asked a few moments later, suddenly feeling entirely incomplete without him. How on earth could she deliver his child without him there holding her hand? She had birthed Catherine without him present, and it had been wrong. But it had all been made right when he'd been there for William's birth but a few moments later. Then seeing him hold his daughter, his first born, in his arms, looking at her with such love...

"He'll be here as quickly as he can darling, you know that." Isobel promised. Mary nodded tensely, and wiped her sweat dampened hair away from her forehead.

"Anna, would you please braid this mess for me?" Mary huffed. How long ago had it been, when everything was still? Having tea and silly arguments with her mother? Before the impostor (For she was certain he was one!) had arrived to claim the estate? Before she had had this awful ache in her back that she knew meant there was no going back. The baby was on it's way now. Anna's reply was muffled by a fresh wave of pain, and she dug her fingernails into the sheets, all the while thinking "Where is my Matthew?"

"Gregory will be here soon darling." Sybil said as she entered the room. She immediately rushed to her sister's side, and took her hand tightly in her own. Mary nodded as she felt the worst pain yet tear through her, her eyes screwed shut in pain, her teeth grinding together fiercely.

"Remember to breathe darling, please, remember to breathe!" Isobel reminded her as she approached and stroked her daughter-in-laws hair. It was all Mary could do to take several short breaths. The air seemed to shock her chest, making her feel as if her chest was on fire, that's how long she had gone without breath.

"Ooh. That was delightful. Matthew is never allowed to touch me again." Mary hissed, throwing her free hand over her eyes.

"Could you use anything darling?" Sybil asked.

"A glass of water I suppose. Is it wrong of me to say chocolate?" Mary asked, her eyes wide.

"No, of course not, Mi'lady, I'll fetch it immediately!" Anna said, tying off the end of her braid, and disappearing through the door.

...

Edith had never felt more terrible in her life. This, Patrick, This impostor, was being far too familiar with her. And the only thing that she wished to do was rush up to be at her sister's side. Mary needed her, needed her so very much.

"Edith, please. You've got to believe me. Don't you remember?" Patrick asked, taking Edith's right hand in his own.

"Mr. Gordon, please." Edith gasped, and scooted further away from him.

"I love you Edith, I know that you loved me, couldn't you still? I'd make you countess in a minute if it were in my power." Patrick begged.

"Mr. Gordon, I am married!" Edith sputtered, holding up her left hand, showing her rings.

"You forgot me too?" Patrick asked. Edith gasped, and looked down at her toes. She thought quickly, and then bit her lip and looked at him.

"Do you remember the time that you kissed me?" She whispered, not daring to look up.

"Oh Edith...How could I forget?" He asked, leaning towards her.

"When was that again?" Edith asked.

"It was the day before I left for the Titanic, wasn't it?" He asked.

"No." Edith said coldly.

"I'm sorry, some of my memories are a bit shady still- oh, I remember! It was New Year's eve." Patrick said. Sweat had begun to bead on his forehead.

"Patrick Crawley never kissed me, not on the lips, not on the cheek- once or twice on the hand. But he never kissed me." Edith said firmly.

"Edith, I..."

"That's Mrs. Lowe, or Lady Edith to you, Mr. Gordon, or who ever you are. Now, leave, immediately!" Edith shouted, pulling on the bell to summon Carson.

"Edith, look, please,"

"No! Stop talking, leave please! How dare you come into my family home, insisting you're the dead heir! You're a terrible man, a terrible awful man!" She rose from the couch and began pacing angrily back and forth.

"What can I do for you Mi'lady?" Carson asked, having come in from the hall as quickly as he could.

"Carson, this gentleman, has insisted he is Patrick Crawley, however, we've proved beyond a shadow of a doubt that he is an impostor. I'd stay and help you to deal with it, however my sister is down the hall having a baby, And I wish to go to her immediately. Can you manage Carson?" Edith asked, her bearing straight and proud.

"My Lady, It would be my pleasure." Carson said with a nod.

"Thank you Carson." She smiled, and then hastily left the room.

...

"Ohhh! Gah, were is Matthew?!" Mary screamed in the midst of another racking contraction. Her back felt as if it was ready to snap in two, her nether regions were being torn apart- it was all Matthew's fault, and he was no where in sight.

"It's all right Mary, You're only about four centimeters dilated. He'll be here in time." Gregory told her, causing her to groan miserably.

"How can I not be half way there! It's been days!" Mary moaned against the pillow.

"It's only been four hours Mary, You're doing just fine." Edith said in a soothing voice. She carefully dragged a cool cloth across her sister's sweat drenched forehead.

"I want Matthew." Mary whimpered, and ran her hand over her belly. "Hurry up you, darling, and get here!" She begged, whispering to her child.

"I'll go telephone his office, see what's held him up." Isobel said, rising from her chair to find her son.

"P-patrick, Where is he?" Mary asked, nibbling her lip.

"Carson is taking care of him, Mary. He's out of our hair." Edith promised. Mary nodded, and looked to Anna, who approached quickly.

"Here you are mi'lady. This is what you wanted yes?" Anna asked as she held the water to Mary's lips. She drank thirstily, and then leaned back.

"Thank you Anna, you're an angel." She sighed, And Sybil, Edith and Anna laughed. "It's not funny, it's true. She's fantastic...Matthew, where's Matthew? Some one bring me chocolate!" Mary muttered, staring up at that same gray canopy.

"Here you are mi'lady." Anna said, holding a chocolate scone up to her ladies lips. Mary took a few bites, and then felt another contraction.

"Oh! Mmmmm!" Mary screamed, and dug her hands into the bedspread- she was in such agony that she hardly noticed the bedroom door opening.

"Mary, Mary my darling, are you alright?" Matthew asked, breathless as he came into the room.

"Matthew? Oh Matthew! My darling! Oh! You're never allowed to touch me again after this!" She growled. He smiled tentatively at her, and came around the bed to take her hand. "Can I have a few minutes with him, alone?" Mary asked after a few minutes. Everyone was silent, and looked to Gregory.

"There's enough time. We'll come back in an hour, or as soon as you call for us." Gregory nodded, and everyone left the room, leaving the two alone.

"Matthew my love. Hold me, please, hold me." Mary begged pathetically. Matthew obliged her immediately, climbing into bed, and wrapping his arms around her. "Where have you been darling? Where have you been?"

"Im sorry, I was caught up at work, and then the road was a bit rough. But I'm here now dearest, and I won't leave your side ever again." Matthew Promised, kissing her forehead.

"Mama would have a fit if she knew I'd dismissed everyone to have you with me while I was in labor." Mary laughed, but then took in breath through her teeth. "Oof!"

"A contraction darling?" He asked, even as her nails dug into his arms, stinging a bit even through his jacket- not that he would complain. After all his wife was in labor!

"I hurt all over. It's you're fault I know. Why would you do this to me?" Mary asked, leaning pathetically against her husbands shoulder.

"I'm sorry darling. I wish there was a way I could do this for you." Matthew frowned.

"You should be sorry. But I still love you. And I love this one too. But I hate this part. Funny how in just less than a year I'd already forgotten how much it hurts. Right now it feels like I'll never be over it!" Mary said hoarsely.

"How can I help you darling? Please, tell me." Matthew begged.

"Just hold me. And rub my shoulders please. It's the least you could do after what you've done to me!" Mary insisted, and again Matthew happily complied, disregarding his wive's stinging jabs. She was in labor after all.

"Oh! Ow, ow, ow!" Mary sobbed, burying her face in her hands. "Every time I think that it can't get any worse! Then it does!"

"I'm so sorry darling, so so very sorry." Matthew said, biting his lip. When the pain was over, she leaned back against Matthew's chest, and looked up at his eyes.

"Mm. I'm tired darling. So tired." Mary sighed.

"I can imagine that you would be. Mother tells me you've been at this for four hours." Matthew marveled. Mary opened her lips to make a quip, but then she felt it. Very strangely, she knew it was time.

"Matthew, the baby is coming!" Mary cried.

"Well, obviously darling, that's what you said before." Matthew chuckled.

"No, no, Matthew, I mean that it's coming, Right now!" Mary gasped, clutching at her belly.

"What do you mean? Gregory said that-"

"Oh, I know what Gregory said darling, But right now, our baby is ready!" Mary moaned.

"I'll go get Gregory-"

"No! No, no! There's no time for that! You're going to have to catch this baby!" Mary moaned.

"Mary- wha- no!"

"Matthew, are you going to argue, or are you going to catch your son or daughter?!" Mary snapped.

"Yes. Yes, I suppose..." Mathew stammered. He'd never been so relieved as when the door burst open, and Sybil marched in.

"Mary, I'm sorry, I was supposed to be listening for if you screamed, but Tom came by and distracted me. Are you sure there's no time to get Gregory?" Sybil asked, stepping up to the edge of the bed, her eyes going wide. "Sweet Mother of God, I can see the head!"

"Does that answer your question?" Mary gasped. Sybil sat down, and pulled her sleeves up to her elbows.

"Alright Mary, Push when you're ready. I'm here." Sybil promised, though she herself felt terribly scared. Mary nodded, gripped Matthew's hand, and bore down with all of her might, and suddenly the cry of a child filled the room.

"What the- How did that happen?" Gregory asked as he barged into the room.

"Same way that it usually does." Sybil said, her eyes still wide as she passed the baby on to Isobel to prepare for the after birth.

"She was only four centimeters." Gregory gaped, and came forward to help Sybil.

"I know what I was. But now there's a baby here." Mary shrugged as she leaned against her husband's shoulder, letting out a sob of relief. She was barely even aware of the chord being cut, even of the light pushing she had to do to remove the after birth. All that she could focus on was the feeling of Matthew's arm around her shoulders, and the loud wail of a baby- her new baby.

"What is it then? Can I have them?" Mary asked weakly.

"Here you are. Congratulations." Isobel said, handing her a small bundle, wrapped in the blanket Isobel must have brought from Crawley house. She laid the baby in her daughter in law's arms, and then grinned at them. "Another little prince."

"Mary, a prince. A son. You were right all along." Matthew said, his eyes filling with tears.

"Hello Reginald Carson Crawley. You're perfect darling, so perfect." Mary said, leaning forward to kiss his tiny face.

"My son." Matthew said, his voice full of pride.

"William is going to be so happy to have you. A baby brother. I think Catherine will start to feel quite left out." Mary laughed through her tears.

"She will not. She'll be ever so loved, and very protected from any wrongful suitors." Matthew promised. Mary reached out a hand, and stroked her finger over his chubby little cheeks.

"Look at all of that hair. Just like his papa." Mary smiled, and accepted Matthew's kiss. "He's going to be just as handsome as you are too, I can tell."

"He's got your nose Mary, Look at it. He's got your very perfect nose." Matthew said, kissing her nose.

"I love you so much precious. So, so much." Mary cried, leaning her head against Matthew's shoulder. Everyone else in the room seemed to vanish, except for the three of them. They were so happy together. So happy.

AN: So it's a boy, and this is the end of the chapter! I don't know how much more story is left, but I'll keep going! Thanks to everyone who reads and reviews!