Life of a Lily Chapter 3

Disclaimer: I am not Julian Fellowes but I admire him so for creating these wonderful character who I do not own!

Thank you all who have reviewed, favorited, and followed so far; this is my first try at Downton Abbey fanfiction and I am struggling a little with the character dynamics, etc. That is why I wrote the last chapter, I simply wanted to experiment and then it turned out I liked what I wrote. This chapter picks up in the action... signifcantly ;)

I hope you enjoy it!

"Mary, you should take it easy," Robert warned around the dinner table as they discussed what their plans were for tomorrow. She rolled her eyes as quickly everyone, especially her husband, chimed in.

"May I remind you all that William came a month early and he was perfectly well," Mary sighed.

"Yes but it does not mean I want all my children to be born early," Matthew quipped.

"You won't," Mary sniffed. "Bertie was not!"

"Perhaps we should not go out tomorrow," Isobel fretted. "I know I promised you both I would take you into Ripon and buy you a-"

"Mother and I can go," Matthew added.

"You will do no such thing," Mary huffed.

"It's snowing Mary dear," Cora informed her.

"Really Mama, I had no idea… I'll be fine to ride in the car to Ripon and back and then I promise I will not leave this house until the baby is born," she insisted.

"If you insist," Isobel said.

"I do," Mary put an end on the subject.

"Shall we go through," Cora suggested and Matthew immediately stood and rushed to his wife's side. She was so large she could no longer get up herself. Once the men joined them, Matthew suggested they go to bed early, so they could rest for the journey, no matter how short it really was.

"Are you sure," he said as he sat on the edge of the bed and kicked his slippers off.

"Really Matthew not again," Mary rolled her eyes. "You realize Bertie and William have started to treat me as fragile because that is how you treat me. You're sons are completely you."

"Well, I hope we have a daughter that is completely you," he murmured, leaning back on his pillow, his hand finding its way to her stomach. Mary trapped his hand there and turned to him seriously.

"And if it's a boy," Mary said.

"She'll be very insulted you called her a boy," Matthew joked.

"Matthew," she hissed.

"I'll love him just as much as I love Bertie and William," he vowed. "But I have a feeling it's a girl."

"You have a feeling," Mary said incredulously. "I believe it is I who has to carry him around and I feel like it's a boy."

"I love you," Matthew smiled and kissed her on the cheek. Mary stopped him and brought his face closer to hers.

"I deserve a better kiss than that," she whispered and leaned forward so she could kiss him lightly on the lips.

"You do," he smirked.

"MAMA!" they heard a wail come from the hallway. It was Bertie. "PAPA!" Mary rustled in bed as if she could go get him.

"I'll get him, you stay here," Matthew reassured.

"Pretty soon, that will be a wailing baby," Mary said wistfully.

"It shall," he responded as he got up and walked out of the room, returning minutes later with a whimpering Bertie.

"Darling, did you have a nightmare," Mary whispered as Matthew placed him near her. Her four year old nodded and snuggled closer to her. "Mama's got you." With her baby boy in bed with her, Mary was thankful for a full night of sleep despite baby kicking her all night. Whatever she got was more than she was sure to get in the future.

Despite everyone's protests, after breakfast and spending a few short hours with the boys, Matthew and Mary headed to Crawley House to pick up Isobel. She insisted on letting her buy some things they were sure to need for the baby so the trio went off to Ripon. They ate luncheon out and spent a majority of the afternoon in shops, Mary resting on a bench every once in a while, until the snow suddenly began to fall harder.

"Mother," Matthew warned as he eyed the sky and Isobel was insisting they go into one more store. "I believe it's wise that we go home now."

"Spoil sport," Mary chided as they went outside to where their chauffeur was parked. Even Mary was surprised at how much snow was beginning to pour from the skies and suddenly felt uneasy. Matthew helped her into the car and they set off. The drive to Ripon was not a terribly far one, but the driver was forced to drive at a slow pace because of the accumulating snow.

"After this," Matthew muttered. "You're not leaving your bed."

"Am I under your orders then," Mary sighed.

"Yes," he insisted as he noticed she put her hand on her stomach. That second, the car suddenly began to slip. Mary gasped and cried out in pain, but it was drowned out by the screech of the car. Matthew immediately pushed Mary back gently and he used his body as a shield, bracing for impact. Isobel, who was in the front seat, immediately turned around.

"Are you okay back there," she called as the driver managed to gain control of the car and stop.

"Yes I believe so," Matthew said. "Darling are you all right?" Mary nodded unreassuringly but Matthew was too concerned about getting into an accident, his own accident hovering in his mind, to notice.

"Milady," he said. "Mr. Crawley. I'm afraid we might have to ride out the storm here."

"Good god man are you mad!" Matthew snapped.

"Matthew, he's right, do not snap," Isobel warned. "The conditions are too dangerous."

"My wife is pregnant," Matthew said.

"Your wife's not just pregnant Matthew," Mary whispered harshly, clutching her stomach, batting his hand out of the way. "She's in labor."

"Are you excited to have a baby brother or sister," Cora asked Bertie as she sat down on the nursery floor beside her grandson.

"Sister Grandmama," Bertie insisted. "Papa said."

"Brother," William added from across the room. "I want another brother!"

"What's wrong with the one you already have?" Cora laughed.

"Bertie's stupid," William huffed.

"AM NOT!"

"ARE TOO!"

"AM NOT!"

"Boys settle down please," Cora smirked at her grandsons. "Would you like to join Grandmama in the drawing room for tea, you may not be allowed to drink it yet, but you could give me company."

"YES!" Bertie giggled, holding his arms out for his Grandmama to pick him up.

"What about me Grandmama," Sybbie asked sweetly.

"Of course my darling," Cora smiled as she lifted Bertie into her arms and led them down the stairs to the drawing room. She rang for tea for herself and sat down in a chair, Bertie was babbling about his little sister again while Sybbie and William continued with their game. She only wished the weather was better and she could have Theo and Lizzie with her as well. She admits, being Countess of Grantham, she had ushered her girls off to nannies and governesses more than being their mother, but she was happy to have a chance to spend with her grandchildren. All of the joy, none of the responsibility despite the fact that three of them lived under her roof.

"Where's nanny and Miss Emily?" Tom asked as he saw his mother-in-law with his daughter as he and Robert made their way from the library to the drawing room a short while later, they heard the laughter and playing of the children.

"Doing the children's wash I suspect, she left once she knew I had them, and Miss Emily had the day off, Sybbie was in the nursery anyway," Cora explained. "When are Matthew and Mary expected back?"

"Probably just in time to change," Robert commented. Cora looked up at the nearest clock and eyed her grandchildren. It was almost time for them to have dinner and Bertie was beginning to rub his eyes sleepily.

"Isn't that right about now?" Cora questioned. "The children are getting tired."

"I am not tired Grandmama," Bertie mumbled. "Where Mama and Papa?" Cora began to get anxious as she decided to look outside the window.

"Robert however are they going to drive through that!" she exclaimed.

"I'd have stopped if I was driving," Tom muttered quietly, trying not to bring attention to the fact that he used to be their chauffeur. Worriedly, Cora rang the bell to get one of the servants to answer their questions. Albert arrived several moments later.

"Yes milady?" he asked.

"Albert, did Harrison mentioned when he was due back with the motor?" Robert asked, taking over.

"Right about now Lord Grantham," Albert mentioned. "I suspect the snow is making driving more difficult."

"Right," he nodded. "Was he dropping Mrs. Crawley off before?"

"I was under the impression Mrs. Crawley was dining here this evening, along with the Dowager Countess my lord," Albert said.

"Right you are," Robert suddenly sat down.

"Thank you Albert, you may go," Cora told him. "Robert," she whispered harshly. "Mary is pregnant."

"Do not worry until after the dressing gong my dear," Robert reassured.

"What?" Matthew suddenly exclaimed.

"I'm in-" Mary began but broke off with a sudden groan. Matthew felt a pool of water around his feet. "My water broke."

"Harrison, can you get us to the house safely?" Matthew asked immediately to the chauffer whose face went white with shock and embarrassment at the condition of Mary.

"I'm afraid you don't have time for that Matthew," Isobel said, suddenly getting out of the car. Harrison was quick to think and did so as well.

"Mother, what on earth are you doing?" he asked as Isobel climbed into the small backseat.

"AH!" Mary clenched her teeth, her hands grasping the material of her dress in agony. "I am NOT having this baby here, in the middle of the road."

"I'm afraid, my dear, that your baby has a different plan," Isobel said.

"No," Mary shook her head. "With William and Bertie, there was hours before I-" she broke off again, clutching her stomach.

"Mother, are you sure," Matthew whispered.

"If her water has already broken and the contractions are coming that fast, yes," Isobel informed her. "And if I stand corrected this might not have been the first time you've felt this today." Mary bit her lip and drew a painful breath. She refused to meet Matthew's eye.

"Mary?" Matthew questioned.

"Earlier this afternoon, yes," Mary said through clenched teeth, still staring straight forward as if she could still prevent this from happening. "Before you say anything Matthew I thought it was false! That's why I kept sitting down!"

"Mary, you need to be ready," Isobel braced her. "I think it's almost time."

"Matthew," Mary breathed. "Please get out of the car or something… it's not proper."

"There's no way I am leaving you, or our child," Matthew protested. "I'm staying, you can hold my hand."

"I'm serious Matthew, get out!" Mary exclaimed. She hadn't even realized she was now grasping onto his arm as a wave of pain hit her again. "Oh God! Matthew please get OUT!"

"Are you truly going to make him stand in the snow?" Isobel questioned.

"Well Harrison is!" Mary snapped until she realized why. He was exploring to see how much further they could truly get as well attempt to clear a path to the road. "Help him," was her last ditch attempt to get Matthew out, finally resigning herself that she was having this baby in the car.

"Sorry my darling but you can't get rid of me that easily," Matthew brushed her hair back. That's when he realized how much pain she was truly in. With Bertie he had been there at the beginning and was ushered out by Dr. Clarkson almost immediately. "Hold my hand, as tight as you can. We'll do this together. Just breathe."

"The only one who is doing anything is-" Mary muttered. "Oh my," she gasped.

"Breathe Mary, just keep breathing," Matthew whispered in her ear as she let out another moan. The contractions were getting closer and closer together, and to Mary it felt like more and more painful.

"Matthew, lean against the window and hold her up," Isobel instructed. "Mary, just lie back and hold his hand, you'll be fine. And remember to breathe." Mary nodded, realization suddenly settling in. It was cold. She only had a nurse with her, no doctor. There was a very large possibility something could go horribly wrong.

"She will be fine, right?" Matthew whispered, terrified. "They will both be alright, right?"

"I was with Dr. Clarkson both with William and Bertie Matthew, I know what I am doing," Isobel said confidently. "Ok Mary, I must… check."

"Of course," she gritted out. Matthew's grip on her tightened, she was breathing so heavily and in so much pain no wonder the men were seldom allowed in the room.

"It won't be long now," she promised, she rubbed her knee comfortingly. "Next contraction, I want you to push."

"Already," Mary's voice was panicky and out of breath. "But… but…"

"I'm right here love, squeeze my hand," Matthew breathed in her ear. Mary tried a confident smile, but failed miserably.

"You might regret saying that," she whispered.

"Sir, if I go slowly I could," Harrison began, getting back in the driver's seat.

"GET OUT!" Mary screamed. Matthew felt bad for the poor chap but he had terrible timing.

"Ok Mary, are you ready dear?" Isobel questioned.

"Yes," she gulped, her hand closing tightly around Matthew's, her eyes closing for a brief moment without pain.

"Push," Isobel commanded. Matthew gritted his teeth as the strangled cry escaped out of his wife's mouth, her hand tightening so hard on his, if she wasn't so slight she might have broken it.

"You are doing brilliantly," Matthew murmured in her ear. "You can do it my darling." For how quickly the labor progressed, it took five pushes just for the head to crown. Matthew's hand was beginning to go numb, Mary's cries too weak to be any more than whimpers. He felt her shiver and wished he thought to put his jacket on her when he had the chance.

When it was over, he felt Mary's body give a shudder as she collapsed against him. Her screams replaced with the wail of a baby.

"I'm so proud of you, I love you so much," Matthew sighed. Mary couldn't respond, she was too exhausted, anxious, and cold. Matthew shed his jacket immediately and placed it over her shoulders.

"Isobel," she murmured. Coincidently, blankets had been on the list of things Isobel had bought for them, so as she looked up towards the baby, it was almost cleaned off. She felt Matthew stiffen when he saw the blood and if she did not want to hold her baby so badly, she would have made a remark.

"Mother," Matthew said.

"It's a girl," Isobel beamed and Mary let out a short cry of delight as she handed her off to Mary gently, swaddled in several blankets.

"Oh," she whispered, turning to Matthew. "Oh my darling." Matthew was not even looking at her; his eyes were on the gorgeous baby girl safe in her arms.

"A girl," he smiled. "A baby girl."

"Hello my darling little girl," Mary breathed. "You didn't want to wait to meet your Mama and Papa, did you? Despite the circumstances, I'm quite glad."

"She's you," Matthew choked out. "Just as equally beautiful."

"Oh Matthew you might have your hands full," Mary chuckled as the baby blinked open her eyes and revealed golden brown orbs that matched Mary's perfectly. A tear escaped Mary's eye. Her boys were Matthew, blue eyes, blond hair or in William's case dirty blond hair that looked like a mix between her hair and Matthew's. Her baby girl, was her, completely and utterly her.

"Do you think she knows, how long we have waited for her, how much we wanted her," Matthew asked, not daring to take her out of her mother's arms just yet.

"She doesn't know much of anything yet my darling, she's minutes old," Mary watched as one of her hands reached out and grasped onto Mary's hair.

"Does she know how much we love her," Matthew tentatively reached out a hand to stroke her downy baby hair.

"I just gave birth to her in a car," Mary said. "I think she knows that."

He suddenly looked at his own mother who was busying herself, wrapping something into the bag that had once held the blankets his girl was now swaddled in. "What on earth are you doing Mother?"

"I'm just getting rid of the-"

"Isobel please," Mary sighed. "He witnessed too much already."

"Nothing in the world would have kept me away from this moment," Matthew pressed a kiss to her cheek.

"Milady," Harrison said quietly. "Do you think it would be okay if I start driving again, we'll go slowly?"

"Yes, of course," Mary nodded, closing her eyes, hardly believing the ordeal she just went through.

"Be careful," Matthew warned. "We have precious cargo now."

"Yes sir," he nodded and hopped into the driver's seat again. Isobel sat in front.

"We must go as fast as you can manage," she informed him. "Mary and the baby need to see the doctor and we must get them out of the cold. Do you think that you could safely get Dr. Clarkson after you drop us off?"

"Yes Ma'am," he nodded. Comforted, Mary snuggled up into Matthew, holding her baby girl close to her chest.

"I love you Matthew," she whispered. "I love our family."

"What should we name her?" Matthew questioned.

"Something equally as beautiful as she is," Mary said. "But… tomorrow." She looked out the window, noticing for the first time how dark it was.

"Sounds good to me," he said, pulling both his girls as close as he could as the car began to move, once he is no longer worried and they are safe at Downton, this will be a rather comical situation.

So that escalated quickly ;) You can assume that Lily Crawley is that baby in the car if you want (you most likely are right haha!) Next chapter is everyone's reaction to you know, Mary giving birth in a car…

Please let me know what you think by reviewing, I'd be open to any suggestions that you want for this story!