Matthew cradled Mary's head in his lap on the floor of the dining room. "Mary?" He queried anxiously. His fingers gingery moved stray strands of hair from her face.
She mumbled a few words, "I'm fine…just a little faint."
Though they were slurred Matthew's exhalation of relief echoed in the open space of the dining room.
"Thank God." He whispered, his lips against her pale cheek.
Cora, torn between her husband and daughter, cast a desperate eye towards Matthew's.
He directed with an assurance he didn't feel but felt Cora needed, "Go with Robert. I'm here. I'll take care of her."
Mother and son in law shared a look. His jaw was set, his eyes crystal clear. Cora nodded with a newfound confidence and fled the dining room to catch the ambulance before the vehicle drove away. Carson had already seen the ambulance driver outside with the gurney.
The EMT, after taking Mary's vitals, told Matthew to follow them to hospital. She'd be admitted for observation in Maternity.
Matthew fell a bit apart after Cora left. So much had happened. He put a shaking hand to his brow.
The EMT grunted and pointed towards the blood on his shirtsleeve. He managed to say, "It's not mine or Mary's. It… splattered from …from Robert."
The woman nodded briskly and left to join the driver to take his father-in-law into York.
"You heard her," Matthew said, moving so that he could lift Mary up into his arms. She half consciously struggled, trying to stand on her own. "I'm taking you in." He carefully helped her to stand, but kept his arm around her waist as she was still quite woozy.
"Your car is too cramped." She complained. "Let me just go upstairs and rest. We are supposed to see Dr. Walsh tomorrow. I'll be fine." But Matthew knew better. Mary's hollow eyes and pale cheeks concerned him greatly.
"Then we'll take yours." Matthew gently chided her. "No way out of this, my dear. You need to be checked out." And he carefully began to lead her outside. She fell against his shoulder, her eyes closed.
Carson silently approved of this new husband of Mary's. She would never have listened to anyone else.
"Lady Mary always keeps her car keys in the bowl to the right of the doorway." He told Matthew. Leading him out towards the door he took them out of the bowl, opened the oak door, and said, "Careful of the step here sir. It is a bit tricky."
"Thank you." Matthew scooped Mary up into his arms. It was easier just to carry her outside. Her legs were very weak. He grunted softly and adjusted her against his left shoulder. He stepped over the thresh hold and out onto the gravel driveway. He hurried as fast as he dared towards her car. Carson clicked and it beeped. He then opened the passenger door allowing Matthew to cautiously moved her head inside and against the seat back.
Mary said weakly, "I'm fine." And she adjusted herself in the seat. Matthew clicked the safety belt.
He gave Carson one last grateful nod of thanks, and got into the driver's seat.
"The hospital is two miles down the main road past the village."
Matthew started the engine of the Jaguar and pulled out of the driveway. All along the road, his head lurched back and forth between it and his passenger. Mary regained some strength on the short trip past Downton Village. She sat up straighter in the car seat. "Papa?" She queried Matthew.
He glanced over at her. And shrugged helplessly. "I don't know. He was conscious but in a great deal of pain. Your mother went with him in the ambulance."
"I want you to find out." Mary reached out and gripped his arm. "You must find out."
"I will, darling. I will." Matthew's ragged response. "But first we have to make sure you and the baby …"
He choked up before he could complete the sentence. Tears formed and ran down his cheeks. "We have to make sure!" His words hoarse, stricken with emotion.
Mary understood, his concern making her love him even more. "I feel better, Matthew. I truly do. It was just a spell. Or stress from seeing Papa like that."
Matthew said nothing as he made the last turn into the Casualty lot. He rushed around the front of the car and helped Mary out. Someone came out with a wheelchair.
They wheeled Mary up to the Maternity floor. "The ambulance driver said to expect you." The OB nurse said. "We'll go in here." And she indicated a room.
After adjusting Mary in the hospital bed, the nurse used the fetal Doppler monitor. "We'll use this to see if the baby is in any kind of immediate distress."
But no sound emanated from the device. She shifted it around, but still nothing.
Matthew tried not to hover, but he leaned over the nurse's shoulder to see the device. "Is it working properly?" He snapped, a deep frown etched on his face.
Mary shushed him. "Let her do her job." But she too looked concerned.
"Sometimes it's too early for the portable." The nurse said calmly, knowing full well the anxiety of expectant parents. "Let's try the ultrasound."
"Thank you." Matthew said.
She adjusted another machine over Mary's belly. Covered it with the gel and began motioning the device back and forth.
And soon the soothing sound of heartbeats could be heard. A whooshing sound that was music to Mary's ears. An image appeared on the computer screen, grainy and difficult to spot the baby so early in the first trimester.
"It's very fast." Matthew expressed, though relieved to hear anything at all.
"A heart rate of 150-179bpm is just fine." The nurse reassured again.
"Does that mean the baby is in good health?" He hovered over the nurse's shoulder again.
Mary sat back in the bed, but her hand clenched Matthew's with a strength he did not expect.
He got the hint. "Sorry." He apologized to Breanna, crinkling his nose. "I didn't mean to interfere in your job."
"It's fine Mr. Crawley. I'm very used to dealing with anxious fathers." The nurse continued to swipe Mary's abdomen with the monitor. She became silent
"Is there something wrong?" Mary was now the one worried. "Why are you looking so closely at the screen?"
"Ummm…" the nurse hesitated. Two sets of panicked eyes met hers as she turned her head towards them.
"We need to confirm this with the doctor of course. But I've been a nurse for over twenty years. I think I can say with 98% certainty I see one gestational sacs containing two embryos."
Matthew blinked, one eyebrow narrowed. "Two?"
"Two." The nurse enunciated again.
"So…" Mary struggled to get a better look at the screen, trying to see whatever the nurse saw in the grainy image. "Twins?"
"From what I can discern. I thought I heard a second heartbeat, but it could have been background noise or even your own heart." She pointed to Mary. "This might also explain your fainting spell and your increased lethargy. In the first trimester having twins the body is working overtime to nurture more than one baby."
Matthew said, still in shocked awe. "We're having twins." He looked at Mary who mirrored his own stunned shock. "My darling…" He breathlessly kissed her on the lips.
"Let me go get the doctor on call to confirm." The nurse left the room.
Mary could not believe it was possible. She flung her arms down both sides of the hospital bed.
"Twins don't run in my family." Mary exclaimed as soon as she left the room. "Do they in yours?"
"Not that I know of." Matthew admitted, scratching his head. "But I think it can just happen."
They stared at one another for a full half minute in utter disbelief, letting this knowledge soak in.
"Did Dr. Walsh not indicate anything like this in your initial visit?" Matthew asked.
"No." Mary shook her head. "She just confirmed the pregnancy and we made the appointment for tomorrow."
The doctor on call, Dr. Michael Evans, walked in and stopped their private conversation. "I hear we have some good news?"
"We're still taking it in, but yes very good news indeed." Matthew smiled first at his wife, and then the doctor.
The doctor positioned himself next to the ultrasound and repeated the procedure.
Matthew asked Dr. Evans "Can you tell if they're identical?"
"Yes." He said. "See here the shared outer sac and the same inner one?" He pointed to the image on the screen. It was finally making sense to Mary as she studied it.
"That means monozygotic twins."
Matthew squinted harder.
"Identical." The doctor explained in more layman's terms. "They started from a single zygote."
"Amazing." Matthew was transfixed by the ultrasound images.
"Thank you, Dr. Evans." Mary said in a far more practical tone of voice. "Will I need to be kept for any more observations?"
"We'll monitor you overnight. Then once Dr. Walsh has a chance to confirm and consult with you in the morning, we'll take it from there. I don't see any signs of distress, however. They look perfect."
"Perfect." Matthew murmured. "They certainly are."
The doctor left the room.
"Matthew…" Mary's voice came as if from a distance.
"Hmmm…" He turned around, his eyes wide open, a radiant smile on his face.
"I hate to have to ask…" She bit her lip.
Matthew snapped back to reality. "Yes. Your father." He walked over and gave her another kiss. "I'll find out right now." But seized the private moment to say, "I know this is not at all what you wanted Mary. You had so many plans of your own." He looked so troubled, deep frown lines etching his forehead. "I keep barging in and changing your life. I feel I've ruined your dreams. This makes it even more …."
But Mary reached out and kissed him hard on the lips. "Never think that." She said fiercely.
Matthew's eyes searched Mary's. The look of love within those pools of dark brown never wavered.
"We'll talk more later Matthew, but know this. I am just as excited, just as scared as you. We do this together."
His mouth quivered with emotion, but he kissed her gently. "I love you so very very much."
Matthew ever so reluctantly pulled away from Mary's arms. Saying softly, "I'll go back to Casualty and see where they put your father." He pulled his hands through his pockets. "I'm afraid I left the house without either mobile…."
"Well that's understandable." Mary said. "There was quite a lot going on."
Matthew chuckled lightly. "I'll get your room number and call you as soon as I know anything."
He left and returned to the admit desk. "I need information on a patient, Robert Crawley, the Earl of Grantham."
The woman looked up. "Are you a family member?"
Matthew smiled broadly. "Yes. Yes I am. I am Lord Grantham's son in law."
She checked the computer. "A nurse will escort you inside and to his room. He's already been taken to surgery."
Matthew was not surprised. What he had witnessed shocked him. He still had blood stains on his shirtsleeve.
Very shortly a man motioned him from an inside door. Led him down the hall and up the elevator and finally into a semi-darkened room.
Matthew shaded his eyes to peer inside.
"Cora?" He thought he saw a figure against the window.
She turned, her voice expressed breathless relief. "Matthew."
The two met in the middle of the room.
"How is Mary?"
"Is Robert out of surgery?"
The two asked at the same time.
He answered hers first.
"Mary is fine." He pulled his fingers through his hair. "She was just overtired. They gave her some fluids and have checked all her vitals. They're going to keep her over night. The baby…"
He stumbled.
"What is it?" Cora's tone apprehensive.
"Sorry…" He flashed a reassuring grin. "I didn't mean to sound like anything was wrong. It's the most wonderful of news. I'm just not sure Mary would want me to tell without her."
"Tell me Matthew. I need some good news."
"We're having twins it seems." He lifted his eyebrows. "The doctor confirmed it just now. Identical."
"Oh my goodness!" Cora was delighted. "I never even thought of that."
"We'll know more tomorrow when Dr. Walsh examines Mary." He moved slightly away. "How long will Robert be in surgery?"
"Another hour or so. There was quite a discussion I gather as to wait to see what how his condition developed. He let this ulcer go so long it perforated. They don't always elect for surgery it seems, but in his case they're doing an exploratory laparotomy. If he has complicated PUD then he might need a gastroduodenal reconstruction. In any event, he's expected to make a full recovery. But will be on medication."
"Good God…" Matthew said sympathetically. "PUD?"
"Peptic ulcer disease." Cora answered. "Stupid man. All of this could have been prevented had he been more up front. But that is ever Robert's problem. They could have checked it with an endoscopy and maybe have achieved hemostasis without ever needing surgery."
"Cora." Matthew was impressed with her ease with the medical terminology "How do you know so much about it? I had no idea you were this knowledgeable."
Cora said, "Who do you think encouraged Sybil to pursue her medical school dreams? I didn't, you see." She shrugged reflectively. "I met Robert. We married. He … He didn't have the time to wait for me to do all the rotations, the internships." She dismissively gestured in the air with her hand. "It was so long ago. But some of the terminology sticks to the brain."
Matthew nodded. "I should probably remember more than I do. My father was a doctor. My mother a surgical nurse. She despaired that I did not take up the family profession and misspent my youth in playing cricket and reading English."
"You turned out just fine as far as I can see. She must be very proud." Cora responded. "I look forward to meeting her."
"Thank you." Matthew answered politely. He walked over to the hospital telephone. "I told Mary I would keep her informed of Robert's progress."
"Matthew…" Cora began, then hesitated.
He stopped, the handset in hand.
"Nothing."
Matthew paused.
"It's just …" She looked around as if to see if anyone was listening. She then gave Matthew an appraising look. "I think you know more than you let on."
Matthew was about to forswear any particular knowledge when he was cut off.
"Let's not deny it, shall we?" She directed.
He nodded affirmatively. "Robert has confided certain information to me. I was wrong to shout at him about it this evening. I do apologize if it any way contributed to his upset."
"How were you to know he kept this condition a secret? I hardly realized how serious it had become."
Cora clasped Matthew' sleeve with trembling fingers. "Robert is a good man. He's a bit lost in the 21st century, preferring to traipse around the estate and harken back to a time he and his kind had power and influence. We had some trouble a bit back. But that's all over, isn't it?" She gave him a searching look. "I have such a feeling it's all going to come back. Like a bad dream, returning and bringing ghosts."
"I couldn't say Cora." Matthew demurred softly. "Robert was very angry after he spoke to me. Why I was fired I believe. I knew too much. But I got the sense this… this information weights very heavily. And more so as time goes on. He wants to tell you very much. But I believe he's afraid. He's very afraid of how you will respond."
Cora bowed her head. "It's as much as I thought. Thank you, Matthew, for your understanding." She exhaled heavily. "All we can do is wait now."
Matthew turned to make his call to Mary's room. Said he'd be back to tell her everything before he returned to Downton to pick up some toiletries for her overnight stay.
He put the receiver down.
"Matthew." Cora inquired, "As you are going home. Would you be so good as to see to Violet? She's far stronger than she makes out, but she will be in need of some reassurance. I'd telephone, but she's always complaining she can't hear anything. I doubt she'll want to return home. We always keep a room ready for her at Downton."
Matthew affirmed. "I will. And I'll check in when I get back. Mary's on the Maternity ward. Room 304 if you want to telephone or go see her. I'll bring everyone's mobile as well."
Matthew returned to his wife's room. Informed her as to as much as he knew about her father's condition. Then said he would not be long in returning with an overnight bag for Mary.
He kissed her lips and lightly rubbed her belly with a ridiculous grin on his face, he turned to leave.
"Go on you." Mary laughed. She was so relieved to hear about her father.
Mary pulled him down for another kiss. Deep and long, she didn't want to let go. "I think Mama will want to sleep in her own bed after she knows Papa is out of surgery. When she does, I want you to go home for the night as well. Sleep in my…" She stopped. "I mean our room. Come back in the morning."
"But I was actually going to sleep here…" his hand pointing to a stiff-backed chair, Matthew stopped at Mary's hand on his cheek.
"That uncomfortable thing?" Mary pulled a face. "I'll be fine. You look done in. You're still jet lagged as well I think. Come back to me in the morning. But before you do, would you do something for me?"
"Anything." Matthew took the opportunity to kiss her again.
"Tell Jerry that I won't be available. You don't need to go into detail, but he'll know what to do." She put a hand to her brow. "I'm going to need to think how to deal with all this."
"But not right now." He kissed her forehead. "Now you rest."
"Alright. Alright." Mary snuggled under the extra blankets she had asked the nurse to bring to the bed.
Matthew drove back to Downton.
Carson it seemed already had arranged for a bag to be packed by Mrs. Hughes.
"Did you …" But Matthew did not finish the thought out loud. Was Mrs. Hughes brought from her own home to do that, he wondered.
"Thank you." He simply replied, then asked. "Has the dowager countess already gone?"
"No." Carson answered. "I asked if she wanted me to hire a taxi, she said she would wait in the library a little longer for word."
"I see. Lord Grantham is in surgery. Mary is resting and will be observed overnight." Matthew told Carson, who he knew would never ask for the information. "Lady Grantham asked that I inform the dowager of her son's progress. I'll go in now."
Matthew detected a wisp of a reassured smile on the older man's face as he led the way towards the library.
He was glad he could bring some comforting words.
Matthew walked around the corner of the red settee to find Violet sipping a cup of tea.
"I heard you come in, Mr. Crawley."
Matthew smiled convivially. "Matthew, please."
"Matthew it is." Violet responded in kind, "You may call me Violet. I take it from your pleasant demeanor that all is as it should be?" She began to pour him a cup.
Matthew sat down opposite and accepted the hot drink gratefully.
"Yes, Lady Grantham…. Erm…Violet. As far as I can report, Robert is currently undergoing exploratory surgery but is expected to make a full recovery. Mary is resting. I'm to bring her some things for an overnight stay."
Matthew's lips twitched in sudden delight. Violet noticed.
"Yes. What is it? You're itching to tell me something more. Good news I trust."
"Mary's having twins it seems."
"My my you two are productive." Violet said dryly.
Matthew appropriately blushed.
"And my son is expected to be out of surgery when?"
Matthew checked his watch. "He should already be in recovery. I need to get Cora her mobile so she can communicate."
"Yes. I'll text her."
Matthew cocked a curious eye brow.
"What?" Violet seemed amused. "I may be a bit hard of hearing according to my daughter in law, but I am getting the hang of typing words on a screen."
"Of course." Matthew replied easily. He rather liked Violet Crawley a great deal. "I'm to bring Mary and Cora's mobiles back to the hospital."
At that Carson walked back inside. "Mrs. Hughes has the case ready by the door."
"Thank you." Matthew nodded.
"Take yourself home." Violet said kindly to Carson. "You've been such a help this evening, but we've finally got it all in hand."
Carson hovered in the doorway. "It's been quite a chop and change evening. But I'll be here at the usual time in the morning to open the house."
Carson retired.
Matthew scratched his chin. "I would have gotten Mary's bag." He said to Violet. "I didn't expect him to get the housekeeper back to the house so late in the evening."
Violet leaned forward. Matthew did the same. She said, "We think they're living in sin." She said the word as an elongated whisper, then tittered in enjoyment. "We let on we have no idea."
Matthew grinned conspiratorially. "I see."
Violet took a sip and they sat for a moment in companionable silence.
"What you said earlier." Violet looked over at Matthew. "About being able to buy Downton because my son's finances are in considerable disarray?"
"I spoke out of turn. I do apologize."
"Not if you spoke the truth. Sometimes hard truths must be told. Was it true?"
Their eyes met in silent understanding.
"That bad?" Violet exhaled in lament. "My son has many good qualities. Finances has never been one of them. What is the nature of this disarray?"
"I can't give details. In part because of the privacy between client and consultant, but Downton is being mismanaged. I put it rather badly in the hope of getting through to him. I can help if he'd let me. Certainly not by buying his estate out from under him, but working to control his debts."
"Let me try." Violet asserted firmly. "I should have taken this in hand much earlier. I'll get through to him."
She stood up. "But right now, you look half dead. Will you make it to the hospital and back?"
Matthew took her arm and they both exited the library. "I'll be fine. It's not that far."
He escorted Violet up the stairs to her rooms and there he wished her a good night.
Violet turned one last time before closing her door. "You've shown your true self this evening."
Matthew looked rather alarmed. She would not forgive his faux pas after all.
"You are just as good a man as Mary said." Violet pronounced. "I am very pleased to welcome you to the family."
Matthew was staggered by such a compliment from such formidable a lady. He bowed and took a step back, saying simply "Good night."
The door closed.
Matthew walked down the stairs, content that despite all the uproar and dissension, it turned out to be a most splendid night indeed.
XX
Mary was asleep when Matthew returned to her hospital room. He left the bag on a chair and her mobile by the bedside.
He kissed her cheek and left. "I'll see you in the morning."
Cora met him at the entrance. "Thank you for driving me back. Robert's still very groggy from the anesthesia. He'll be better tomorrow."
"I'm glad." Matthew replied.
"Maybe we can all start again. When he recovers."
"I hope so." Matthew opened the car door for Cora.
He moved to the driver's side and started the engine. They made good time back to the house. Cora unlocked the front door, set the alarm, and the two wearily made their way up the stairs.
"Mary's room is down the corridor to your…" Cora started to explain, but noticed Matthew had already made the left turn.
He peered over his shoulder sheepishly. They had never told her parents that he had already spent a week end at Downton.
Cora smiled, saying without any further directions. "Good night Matthew. It's been a long day. I'm glad it's ending on a happy note."
Matthew walked down the left corridor and entered Mary's bedroom and threw his bag on the floor, quite ready to do nothing more but shower, brush his teeth, and sleep.
And that was precisely what he did.
Well into the morning.
In fact he overslept, rubbing his eyes against the bright sun as its rays struck his face.
Matthew awoke suddenly. "Dammit." He looked at his mobile. 10:23am. And two messages from Mary.
Good morning love. Going to see Papa. Meet you there.
And another.
Still with Papa. Mama's arrived. Have a good long sleep. You deserve it. Remember our appointment with Dr. Walsh is 11:30.
He raced to dress into jeans and a t shirt. Pulled on the lightweight jacket he brought. Grabbed his keys and exited by the front door. He walked around the house and the half mile towards the horse livery yard.
He saw Jerry outside, walking one of the horses.
"Hello." He called out. "I'm Matthew Crawley."
Jerry Stahl turned around. "Glad to meet you."
The two men shook hands.
"Mary's in hospital." Matthew said.
"Anything serious?" Jerry guided the horse towards the side of the yard.
"No." Matthew was relieved to tell him. "She will be back today. We'll talk more later. It seems I overslept and now I must get to the Village to meet her."
"Give her my best. Everything is in order here. I'll inform Claire not to expect Mary for their weekly office meeting."
"Thank you."
Matthew made his way towards Mary's car and drove the now familiar route to the hospital.
He waited outside Robert's room for Mary. He did not want to start anything he could not finish with Robert and their appointment with Dr. Walsh was pressing.
Mary met him down the hallway.
"Loitering with intent to cause more trouble?" She teased.
Matthew was so happy she was in a good mood. "You look so much better, my love." He kissed her. "I'm so sorry to have slept in. I must have been more tired than I thought."
"You earned it." Mary replied.
They made their way across to another building. "Dr. Walsh is right in here."
After they waited for their appointment, Dr. Walsh confirmed what was so observable the night before.
"Twins indeed." She said to the parents to be. "This changes everything."
And she proceeded to outline how Mary was to take it much easier in the coming days, weeks, and months. A new diet. A new exercise regime. More frequent checkups. More tests.
Mary's head was spinning. "Bed rest for two weeks?" She protested as they left the appointment. "I have responsibilities."
"You trust Jerry, don't you?" Matthew tried to be the diplomat. "And me." Then his mouth pursed playfully, "as much as you hate being out of control, you're going to have to let me take care of some things."
She shivered in simulated horror, "And if you fail in your duties?"
"You'll just have to punish me." His dark tone seduced, his eyes half lidded.
"Oooh…" Mary pursed her lips. "Maybe bed rest won't be such a bad thing after all."
XX
Matthew was so glad Mary was in such good spirits. Her father on the mend, Cora back home. Mary actually accepted the idea of taking an afternoon nap before going over some the accounting with Matthew to catch him up to speed.
He took the opportunity to take a walk down to the village. He wanted to buy some flowers for her bedside.
Instead he noticed a large metal plaque on the side of one of the houses, a square framed house adjacent to the village church.
Crawley House 1805 the inscription read.
It must have been one of the estate properties that had gone up for sale in a previous generation. Mary had mentioned her grandfather clearing some acreage. There was no indication it was currently for sale, but that could change given the right price.
Matthew idly scratched his chin in deep thought. An idea fermenting in his brain. He turned down the High Street, scrolling through his smartphone's browser at the same time. Once he found the address indicated on the screen, he entered the office of Foxworth and Mather, Estate Agents.
"Hello" as one approached. "I'm Matthew Crawley." He handed the woman his business card. "I'm interested in a property in your village…"
XX
Wonder what Mary will think of that? :)
More to come! Robert's confessions next! Baby stuff! Hope you review! I love 'em