Life of a Lily Chapter 4
This chapter picks up right from the last one.
Cora felt a lump in her throat as she handed her crying grandson off to a nanny. He was too old to be rocked anymore, but his usual nighttime routine of his Mama and Papa tucking him in would be broken for the first time he probably could remember. Even William managed to whimper, "Mama, Papa."
"They'll be here when you wake," she reassured and left the nursery to go downstairs. "I hope." Hesitantly, the scene unfolded downstairs.
"That was the Dowager Countess milady," Carson informed her getting off the phone. "She was inquiring whether she was still expected for dinner because no one has arrived for her, I informed her of the present situation and she wishes to be updated the moment we know something."
"Very well Carson, thank you," Cora breathed. "Oh where could they be?"
"Harrison is a very capable driver milady," Carson reassured her.
"I'm sure he is but Mary is pregnant, what if something goes wrong," she fretted, turning to her husband who was looking out into the snow. "They tried so hard to get pregnant again Robert what if-"
"If I may say, Matthew would go to the ends of the earth to protect them, protect them both," Tom said confidently.
"Should we send out a search party," Robert finally spoke up.
"It would be cruel to make anyone go out in this," Tom mentioned. "Not to mention dangerous."
"Telephone Crawley House, perhaps they stopped there to ride it out," Cora said.
"We've already done so Cora," Robert said.
"Are you not worried?" Cora asked. "Perhaps Sir Anthony and Edith! Their house is close to Ripon, maybe…" She broke off rushing hastily to the telephone.
"Can I get you anything my lord?" Carson asked.
"No, no that's alright Carson," he muttered. "I'm fine, you may go downstairs if you wish, reassure everyone."
"Of course my lord," Carson nodded.
"And I know you are worried about her too Carson, I appreciate it," Robert told him. He didn't hear what Carson muttered; only saw lights outside and a car driving fairly slowly towards the house. "Dear God! It's the motor!"
"What?" Cora rejoiced from the other room.
"It's them," he breathed and walked briskly to the front door and outside. None of them were prepared to see what they did. Isobel got out of the car and seemingly helped Mary out of it who looked rather disheveled, Matthew following behind, while Harrison drove off again. When the car left, the trio stepped forward. They weren't just a trio.
"Oh my dear," Cora gasped. In Matthew's arms, was a baby, Mary looked exhausted and was leaning on Isobel, visibly no longer pregnant. Mary looked up tiredly and smiled weakly at their shocked faces.
"Don't they have a story to tell us," Tom chuckled.
"Come inside, quickly," Robert hissed. "James! Tell Mrs. Patmore we need food, any of it that she can find to give them!"
"Papa, it's fine," Mary murmured. "I'm too tired to eat anyway."
"Is it a-" Cora whispered, still in shock.
"A girl," Matthew beamed. "Harrison's gone to fetch Clarkson." He handed the baby off to her grandmother and went to Mary's side to guide her in.
"How on earth did this happen?" Robert asked as they let Mary rest in the library briefly.
"It's all my fault," she sighed. "I'd thought it was false so I didn't say anything."
"It's no such thing," Matthew said. "I should have forbid you to go out, I went with you, I encouraged it."
"If you forbade me darling I would have insisted I go," Mary sighed, looking up at her mother who had yet to take an eye off the baby in her arms. It took a trained eye to see the tears in the corner of her eyes.
"But still," Matthew rubbed her back gently, desperately trying to keep her awake before the doctor got there.
"But I'm so glad you did," Mary whispered weakly. "I don't know if I could have done it without you, or your mother."
"Do you think you can manage the stairs milady?" Carson asked. "The maids have turned down your bed for you and-"
"I… I don't know," Mary said, biting her lip. She didn't like to admit to being weak, but the ordeal she just went through has left her downright exhausted. Plus
"Well then," Matthew said, bending down and scooping her up in his arms. "Cora do you have the baby?"
"Yes," she smiled proudly. "Oh Mary, she's the most gorgeous baby I might have ever seen. She's.. she's…"
"Matthew," Mary snapped. "You will hurt your back!"
"You are worth it," he said and began climbing the stairs carefully. Robert slipped ahead of them to open the door to the bedroom. The baby's bassinet for when they would have her sleep with them was already there.
"Robert do ask someone to get rid of that for tonight," Cora said. "The baby mustn't be in here when Mary needs to rest."
"No Mama," Mary whispered. "The bassinet stays here, she shall sleep here tonight."
"But Mary darling," she protested. "If you would have had the baby here a nurse would have taken her for the night."
"But I didn't Mama, Matthew and I can manage, I did not have the baby here, he shall sleep in here tonight as well," Mary said. Matthew placed her in bed and whispered in her ear.
"What happened to Lady Mary, the one who loved tradition," he smirked.
"She had a baby in a car," she sighed, her eyes suddenly drooping.
"My lord, Dr. Clarkson is here," Carson announced.
"Send him up," Robert said, quickly excusing himself from the room. Despite how many 'rules' they were breaking, Cora, Isobel, and Matthew stayed in the room while Clarkson went, first over Mary, then the baby, with a fine toothed comb.
"You've got a strong baby girl there Lady Mary," Clarkson smiled. "Mr. Crawley, you won't know what to do with yourself in a few years."
"She'll not be married till she's thirty, or later," he announced and everyone laughed quietly, not to wake up the baby.
"I suggest you all get some rest," Clarkson said. "It's been an eventful night." Anna rushed in and helped Mary quickly change out of her dress and into a nightgown, Isobel, who was now holding the baby, was even hesitant to leave the baby in their room.
"I want her near me," Mary sighed. "I don't care if this is not how it is usually done. We've just been through a lot together in under an hour. May I have her for a moment?"
"Of course my dear," Isobel said and placed her in her mother's arms. They excused themselves leaving Matthew, Mary, and the baby.
"I cannot believe she is here," Mary whispered. "I'm so happy and so tired."
"I do believe we are in for something," Matthew said as Mary pressed a kiss to her sleeping daughter's nose before giving her to him. Matthew barely had time to stand up before Mary was fast asleep. Using his time wisely, Matthew began to talk softly to his daughter.
"You do not know how much I love you," Matthew whispered. "And I hope in time I will be able to show you. You may not agree with me most of the time, you may think I'm being unreasonably strict, but I love you so much my darling and I am only doing it because I want nothing to ever happen to you. You are my sweet girl, I have known you only for hours but my heart belongs to you." The baby blinked open her eyes and looked towards her father inquisitively. "I thought I would love no other girl or woman more than I love your mother until today. I have two girls in my life and I'm not about to change that." The baby yawned. Carefully he placed her in the bassinet, turned off the light, and climbed into bed next to his wife.
"Lady Mary and Mr. Crawley have returned safely and with quite a surprise," Mrs. Hughes announced downstairs.
"What is it?" Ivy asked.
"Lady Mary has had the baby," Carson informed them all.
"In the car," Daisy gasped. "Is that safe?"
"Of course it isn't safe," O'Brien rolled her eyes.
"Are they okay Mr. Carson?" Alfred asked.
"Yes, Lady Mary and the baby are perfectly well, but I must remind you that they need rest and that we have a baby in the house again," Carson said.
"What sex is it?" Mrs. Patmore asked.
"A girl," Carson smiled. "Now all of you, back to work." Carson dismissed himself.
"And she looks exactly like Lady Mary," Mrs. Hughes commented to Mrs. Patmore.
"So in sixteen years, we're in for another one," she laughed.
"I don't know about sixteen Mrs. Patmore… maybe six."
"What on earth are you doing on your feet?" Matthew said as he opened his eyes for what felt like the sixth time since initially laying down his head. He was surprised to see the sun was up and it was the morning. His wife was standing over the bassinet.
"I'm being her mother, which you would not allow me to be last night," Mary huffed. "I am much less tired now."
"But sore?" Matthew said sternly. "Are you still sore? Dr. Clarkson said you should not be out of bed if you are sore."
"I shall be sore for days Matthew," she dismissed.
"Is she awake?"
"Yes, just blinking up at me with those beautiful brown eyes," Mary beamed.
"Bring her here then," Matthew smiled. Mary picked up the baby and brought her to her side of the bed to lie back down, trying not to let Matthew see her wince as she did.
"How did we ever get so lucky Matthew?" Mary asked. "Two beautiful boys and now this perfect angel?"
"I don't know about luck," Matthew chuckled. "I did almost die after William was born."
"And that is why you never bought another blasted car," Mary rolled her eyes, her hand patting his cheek. She leaned her head on her shoulder and they both looked fondly at their daughter. They watched as the baby began to make a sucking noise with her mouth and let out a tiny cry. "Oh dear, she's hungry I think."
"Would you like me to leave my darling?" Matthew whispered, although he would rather not.
"No, no," Mary shook her head. "It may not be proper but neither was last night." She shifted her nightgown down and lifted the baby up to her chest. Immediately she began to feed. "And it's not like you haven't seen all of this before."
"Indeed," Matthew smiled widely. "Although I don't think I have ever seen something so beautiful."
"I can hear Granny now," Mary whispered.
"I don't care," Matthew kissed her cheek and Mary smiled fondly at him, and then together they both looked down at their daughter.
"What should we name her?"
"I don't know," Matthew said. "You were so convinced we were having a boy, I was sure you were set on Reggie."
"Our daughter will not be called Reggie Matthew," Mary teased. "Something… something pretty."
"Like Mary," Matthew raised his eyebrow and Mary smacked him on the chest, the baby let out a squeak from being detached from her mother's breast for a brief second. "She doesn't like her Mama hitting her Papa."
"Oh Matthew, you are such a-"
"A what?" Matthew leaned in and kissed her on the lips.
"Lily," she whispered suddenly, her eyes staring intently at the baby. "What about Lily? Miss Lily Crawley?"
"I think I've never heard a more perfect name," Matthew beamed. "But what about the middle name? The only thing you ever considered was Violet? Lily Violet sounds too… too…"
"Flowery might be the word you are looking for darling, and I agree completely," Mary nodded. "Granny might be upset, but I have the perfect middle name for her."
"And what might that be?"
"Come on Bertie darling," Isobel led her youngest grandson down the hall.
"Gran Iz, Grandmama, where are we going?" William asked.
"To see your Mama and Papa," Cora answered. "They have something or rather someone to show you." Even William didn't seem to know what was going on, so when they knocked on the door and Matthew told them to come in, Cora and Isobel were excited to watch the scene unfold.
"Bertie, William, there is someone we would like you to meet," Mary said as Matthew lifted the boys onto the bed one and a time.
"Mama no belly," Bertie pointed out, reaching for his mother's now almost flat stomach.
"Yes, Mama does not have her belly anymore because you see, you have a baby sister," Matthew explained, taking the baby out of the bassinet.
"Sister?" Bertie said excitedly.
"A sister," William muttered.
"Pretty," Bertie gasped as she was placed in Mary's arms. He scrambled to get a closer look but Matthew held the boy back.
"You must be careful," he warned. "She won't be able to play for a while, she's still rather little."
"Name?" Bertie asked.
"Meet Lily Isobel Crawley," Mary introduced and immediately looked up at her mother-in-law for a reaction.
"Oh my dears," Isobel whispered, tears springing to her eyes.
"If it wasn't for you Mother, who knows what would have happened," Matthew looked up from his family.
"I approve," Cora nodded, patting Isobel's back. "Now I believe we should let them be for a while, don't you?" Isobel leaned over her grandchildren and kissed Mary's cheek.
"Thank you," she whispered gratefully.
"Thank you," Mary reiterated. "Matthew was right. You brought her into the world, she should remind us of you every time we call her by her full Christian name." Matthew grabbed his mother's hand, squeezed it reassuringly, and she left the room. "William, do you want to hold your baby sister?" Mary asked.
"Me! Me!" Bertie exclaimed. "I can, I held Lizzie and Theo!"
"Yes you did, but William is older, would he like to first?" Matthew said.
"No," the six year old huffed and jumped off the bed. "I want a brother, give her back!"
"I'm sorry my darling, but we cannot, we love Lily already, just as much as we love you," Mary told her boy sadly.
"More," he muttered. Mary handed Lily off to Matthew so he could help Bertie hold her.
"More," Mary gasped, getting out of bed no matter how sore she was. "I love all three of you equally. You are my handsome little prince."
"You wanted a girl," William said. "I know you did!"
"William dear, do you remember when Mama lost her baby?" Mary bit her lip. "If you don't that is ok, I just remember how dearly you wanted a sister."
"Not anymore," he was on the verge of a tantrum and Mary scooped him up in her arms.
"You know you don't have to protect Bertie, he is a boy, just like you," Mary pointed at him, touching her finger to his nose. "But Lily, Lily you get to be her big brother. I never had one; I was the oldest you see. And being the oldest, especially an older brother, mean's that not only we will love you, but Lily will love you very much because you protect her."
"Like a knight!" William suddenly perked up. He waved his arm like he had a sword in his hand.
"Yes my darling boy, like a knight, you have a big responsibility now… and we need to know if we can trust you," Mary said. He was still too little to understand anything about heirs and titles, but Mary imagined this was how the conversation would be when they tell him he will be the future Earl of Grantham.
"You can," he nodded enthusiastically.
"And Bertie will be her big brother too," Mary added. "He's too little to know what that means; you must teach him how to be a good big brother to her."
"I will," he nodded again.
"Would you like to hold her now?"
"Bertie my turn!" he chirped and the baby let out a whimper.
"Do remember now my dear chap, you must be quiet," Matthew whispered. "Lily doesn't like loud noises."
"Shhhh," Bertie put his fingers to his lips as Lily was taken out of his arms. William didn't need much help holding Lily, but Mary was still watching over him intently. She didn't go through such an ordeal to have her baby girl that she would just let them go.
"Look at them," Matthew smiled.
"We've got our family Matthew," Mary sighed, leaning into his embrace. Watching her two boys interact their daughter brought tears to her eyes.
This was a fluffy chapter where basically I just wanted them to name her, this is the last chapter of Lily as a newborn, the next chapters are going to go a bit faster because they are going to show random moments of her growing up (still a baby) and Mary/Matthew parenting, Bertie and William being siblings, and her relationships with all of the Crawley family. There is a point to this story, and we will get there eventually, but for now just sit back and enjoy watching them all fumble through it all. Every moment you see has something to do with the main thing no matter how big or small it might seem once we get there!
Please review and let me know what you think (: If you have any ideas for a chapter/a moment, please let me know this story is not completely set in stone!