Author's Note: From this point on, I will aim to update every Friday evening (UK time). I currently have a few more ideas for M/M to post and they are currently underway. Thank you for the support so far :)

January 1922

It was rather frosty for New Year's Day. Frostier than it had been last year, that's for sure. Matthew could recall last year quite easily.

The New Year's Day shoot was something that Matthew knew he wasn't very good at. But each year he accompanied the men who were participating, and Matthew joined in with the sport, enjoying that his wife would be by his side as he tried to shoot down the birds. Last year, she had decided to cheer him up for missing so many birds by leading him off into the trees for some time alone. Luckily, they hadn't been caught.

Once his gun was loaded, he looked up at the sky and pulled down on the trigger. The shot was fired straight at the bird who fell fast out of the sky. Matthew smiled, looking to his wife who smiled encouragingly.

"Well done darling." Mary cooed.

Matthew smiled, placing his gun down to his side as he strolled casually over to her. He leaned into her, capturing her lips in a quick kiss.

"Thank you, darling. I think your encouragement has boosted my confidence this year." Matthew joked.

"Isn't it a wife's job to encourage her husband?" Mary teased.

"Just as much as it's mine to thank you for your encouragement."

Matthew loaded his gun again, watching as more birds tried to fly across the blue-grey sky. He took another shot, but this time missed and sighed.

"I heard a conversation between mama and papa earlier today." Mary informed him.

"Oh? What would Cousin Violet say if she knew you were eavesdropping on your parents?" Matthew scolded mockingly.

Mary rolled her eyes.

"They shouldn't have left the library door open if they wanted to keep their conversation private." She said defensively.

"Perhaps." Matthew agreed quietly, loading the gun again.

"Papa seems to be rather unhappy about something you have discussed with Murray." Mary said.

Matthew froze, he knew exactly where the conversation was heading. Ever since he had told Robert of his plans for a will, his father-in-law had a few concerns, the primary one being that Mary would be his co-heir with George if he should die a premature death. Robert had tried to get him to reconsider his plans, but Matthew had refused. The will was now finalised, with both George and Mary to receive an equal portion of everything he owned. He had also nominated Mary as the trustee to George's inheritance should he die before his son reached maturity.

"Did your father discuss with your mother what I have discussed with Murray?" Matthew questioned.

Mary shook her head.

"No. Mama ceased the conversation when Carson announced my arrival into the room. All I heard was that Papa wasn't happy about something." She answered.

Matthew took another shot, missing yet another bird which was only to be shot down by Tom who stood yards ahead of them.

"I suppose you would like to know of my business with Murray?" Matthew asked.

He turned to face her, her eyes alight with curiosity.

"If you like," Mary drawled, "Only if you feel you have to tell me."

"I was planning to tell you soon; I suppose I was waiting for the right time."

The birds that had been shot were gathered up as the party of people moved on to the next spot for the shooting. Matthew handed his guns to a loader and offered his arm to Mary as they lingered behind the party. He didn't want this discussion to be overheard by people it didn't concern.

"My meetings with Murray over the past few months have been to develop a will." Matthew said quietly.

"Oh." Mary said surprised.

They carried on walking at their slow pace.

"Now that we've been blessed with George, I found myself feeling utterly idiotic for not having made me before. Should I die early, I want my wishes known to all." Matthew muttered.

"Of course. I'm surprised you haven't made a will before now." Mary said, still stunned.

"I know, darling. I didn't want to be morbid, but I had a thought about it the evening before we left for Duneagle. If I died without a will your place in the world would be questionable. Any child we had, boy or girl, would be left in the same place. Of course, now that I have a son, an heir, I sought to get the will completed." Matthew explained.

"I'm happy you have managed to ensure that George will be well looked after in the event of your death."

"Not just George, my darling."

They stopped walking, with Mary looking up at him confused. Her brown eyes still filled with curiosity but with added wonder. Matthew cupped her cheek in his gloved hand, stroking her soft skin that was now pink from the cold, January air.

"Darling, my will names you as my co-heir. You and George get equal share of everything I have." Matthew stated warmly.

His smile widened as she processed what he had just told her. Her arms went around his neck in a tight embrace before she let go and kissed him. Propriety be damned. Matthew wrapped his arms around her waist, lifting her off her feet as the kiss deepened into a blissful moment between husband and wife. When she broke the kiss to catch her breath, he set her back down on her feet and held her hand tightly.

"Darling…are you sure?" Mary asked.

"I've never been surer of anything than my love for you and the life we're building together. I don't want this life to end yet Mary, but if it should, then I should ensure that my wife and child are provided for properly." Matthew replied.

Mary beamed, her eyes glistening with happiness.

"Well…Mr Crawley…thank you for sharing your secret with me…" she breathed.

They carried on walking, a little far behind the shooting party now that they didn't get the chance to participate in the next shoot. Matthew was fine with finishing his participation, he was content to walk with his wife and watch. Mary's hand stroked the fabric of his coat playfully, causing him to look at her.

"What is it, darling?" Matthew asked in a murmur.

"I was just thinking…" Mary mused.

"Oh?"

She smiled playfully up at him.

"When George is old enough to learn to shoot…is that something he should learn from his father?" Mary teased.

Matthew chuckled lightly.

"Perhaps not. But I suppose it would be a good experience for a father and son to share?" Matthew replied.

"It certainly would. Papa would have loved to teach a son to shoot if he had had one."

"I suppose he would have."

"I think you should try and teach George. You might learn a thing or two yourself." Mary teased.

Matthew chuckled. He loved it when she teased him. Ever since they had been married, he knew that her teasing was a term of endearment, her way of flirting with him at times. Turning to face her, he raised an eyebrow.

"Would it please you if I were to learn a thing or two about shooting?" he questioned in a whisper.

"It might. My only thought is that it might please George to have a competent teacher when the time comes." Mary whispered back.

"I'm sure it would. However, darling, there are other areas I am more than competent at." Matthew teased.

"Oh, there are," Mary agreed, a glint of mischief in her eyes, "But teaching your son to shoot is a big accomplishment in life."

"I'll endeavour to try and please you, my darling."

"Yes. Especially as there may be two sons to teach at the same time."

Matthew froze, his eyes widening as he looked down at his wife. His heart raced against his chest, his hands dropped to her stomach, placing them gently over her coat.

"You're not…" Matthew breathed, as if needing it confirmed again.

"I am. It's rather early, about eight weeks Dr. Clarkson believes. I don't want to make the announcement yet, but I found I couldn't keep it from you." Mary confirmed quietly.

Matthew kissed her happily, pulling her into his arms as she wrapped hers around his neck. The kiss was only brief, both bearing the shooting party that surrounded them as Matthew released her.

"Oh, my darling…I'm the happiest man in the world…" Matthew said tearfully.

"You're pleased then?" Mary asked quietly.

"More pleased than I ever could be…another child…so quickly…" Matthew mused.

Mary blushed slightly which only made Matthew grin. Their married activities had only resumed two months ago once Mary had been given the all clear after George's birth. They had been making up for those months that they had missed but Matthew had not anticipated that his wife would fall pregnant with their second child this quickly. Not that he was complaining, there had been a time when he had been worried that he would not be able to father a child let alone multiple children. His injury during the war had made his future seem so bleak and once he was recovered and it was evident that he would live a full life with a wife and family, he had been so happy. The fact that his wife and family were Mary was the picture he could clearly see and had seen ever since he realised that Lavinia wouldn't have wanted him to live an unhappy and unfulfilled life.

The shooting was over, the birds gathered up as the party all walked back to the house for lunch. Matthew walked with his wife slowly back to the house, quietly discussing their shared secrets in hushed whispers. As they sat down to lunch, Mary sat opposite him, Matthew pondered over what life would be like with two children. Life with George was wonderful but with all his meetings about managing the estate taking up his day he was lucky with the amount of time he did get with George. Of course, Tom helped as he had taken over as agent of the estate, but his time was still decreased with his son.

After lunch, Mary headed upstairs to lie down. Matthew headed up after her to check on her. Once in the bedroom, he saw his wife lying on top of the bed, yawning loudly.

"How are you, darling?" Matthew asked, closing the door behind him.

"Tired. Luckily baby hasn't made me sick yet." Mary replied.

"Can I get you anything?" Matthew asked.

Mary shook her head, smiling as she waved her hand at him, a gesture for him to join her on the bed. Matthew walked over, taking his side of the bed as he joined her, cradling her in his arms as she snuggled into his chest.

"Two children before we've been married for three years." Mary commented amusingly.

"We've been blessed to be so happy in love." Matthew sighed happily.

"I wonder how many children we will end up having. I confess I had not anticipated having our second so soon after G eorge."

"Neither did I, Mary."

"But you are happy about it?" Mary asked, looking up at him.

Matthew smiled, stroking her cheek with his thumb. He leaned down to kiss her enthusiastically, she moaned into the kiss, her hands cupping his face until he broke the kiss.

"There. Will that convince you?" he smiled, echoing her words from so long ago.

Mary smiled.

"Convince me again." She whispered.

Matthew was more than happy to oblige her. His mouth moved over hers hotly, holding her to him tightly as she moved her hands to the front of his shirt. Matthew broke the kiss and stroked her hair gently.

"We'll have as many children as we want and each time you tell me that we're expecting a child, I will be thrilled. I will love each and every child you birth and cherish the fact that you have given me the greatest gift of all." Matthew promised.

Smiling once more, Mary cuddled into his side and let out another yawn.

"Sleep, my darling, I'll wake you before tea."

He saw her smile sleepily against him before her brown eyes closed and she drifted off into a peaceful sleep as he held her in his arms; feeling absolutely thankful for her and the family that they were building together.