Author's Note: Thank you for reviews/follows. The next chapter will be updated next Friday :)
February 1922
Spring had come early to Downton. The bared tears were now starting to bloom fresh leaves and blossom in the grounds, even if the chill of winter remained. Mary thought it pretty apt that with the seasons changing, it was time to announce some personal changes for her family. That morning, she had requested that her grandmother and Isobel be invited to breakfast so that she and Matthew could announce their happy news with everyone together. As she entered the dining room, she helped herself to some food and took her usual seat opposite Matthew and waited for everyone else to be seated.
"What are everyone's plans for the day?" Robert asked, taking his seat at the top of the table.
"I'm catching the train to London; I'll be staying for a few days. I have a meeting with my editor." Edith announced.
"A meeting with your editor?" Mary questioned, smirking at her sister.
"Yes. He's introducing me to some authors and we're discussing my column." Edith replied snappily.
"I'm sure you have much to discuss." Mary replied.
"Matthew, are you looking forward to the luncheon today?" Tom interjected.
"I certainly am. I was hoping that Mary could join us, Robert?" Matthew asked, looking towards the Earl.
Robert looked up from his plate and towards his daughter, frowning slightly.
"She can if she wishes, that is if it won't bore you." Robert stated.
"Not at all, papa. I think it's important that I take an interest." Mary replied.
"Since when have you wanted to take an interest in the estate?" Violet questioned.
Mary smiled, sharing a look with Matthew.
"I think it's important for the wife of the heir to the Earl of Grantham to take an interest in Downton. After all, one day it will be our children's future." She replied brightly.
"Children? Steady, Mary. You've only just had a child." Edith added.
"Yes, children. But thank you, Edith, for pointing out the obvious." Mary said, rolling her eyes.
"Surely it would be foolish to have another child when George is still a baby?" Edith commented.
"When it's your turn, you can do as you wish." Mary snarled.
Edith flushed furiously.
"Why do you always like to remind me that I'm destined for spinsterhood?" Edith argued.
"Why do you always have to suck the joy out of a nice announcement of my pregnancy?" Mary shot back.
The family looked between Matthew and Mary who could only look at one another. They shared a happy smile as Mary placed a hand over her stomach.
"Y-You're not?!" Robert asked, completely stunned.
"Yes. We're expecting a baby in August." Matthew replied.
Cora squealed with delight as did Isobel, both thrilled that they would have another grandchild in the summer before George turned a year old. Edith muttered a mere congratulations whilst Tom shook Matthew's hand. Once all the excitement had passed, Violet took a sip of her drink and turned to Mary.
"You certainly have been busy." Her grandmother commented.
Mary blushed slightly.
She knew that she and Matthew had not planned to have another child when George was so young, but it had happened now, and they had spent the last four weeks talking and planning about their second child. This time around, Mary didn't feel as sick as she had done during her pregnancy with George, but she felt more tired. Due to her pregnancy, it also meant they had to make changes in their care for George. She had to stop nursing him due to her pregnancy, so they had hired a nurse until he was weaned, and they had arranged to spend time with George in the library once they had finished afternoon tea. This was alongside their usual stopping by the nursery during the day to play with him and would check on him and Sybbie before turning in for the night.
"Blessed with three grandchildren," Robert boasted happily, "I'm a lucky man."
After breakfast, Mary accompanied Matthew on a walk through the grounds so he could show her the progress they were making on the farmland they had bought back a year ago. The old farmers were now house in cheap cottages on the estate whilst Matthew and Tom had invested in tractors and heavy machinery to farm the land.
The mud squelched under her boots as she crossed a muddy field with Matthew. He held his arm out to her and she looped hers around it and held on tightly. The damp smell of spring filled the country air as they walked, noting the mud from the rain last night.
"I think they're pleased for us." Mary commented.
"They are," Matthew agreed, "Now I suppose Cousin Violet will start keeping your diary busy so that I won't preoccupy your time."
Mary blushed.
"Apparently she said the same when my mother announced her pregnancy with Edith. We were only a year apart."
"That doesn't surprise me."
"Matthew…I've been thinking…" Mary trailed off.
He looked down at her curiously.
"What is it?" her husband asked softly.
"I know that we both want children…our own family…I don't have any regrets with it…but once this baby is born…I would like to leave it a few years before we think about expanding the family again." Mary said delicately.
She saw him look away; his jaw stiffened.
"I see." Matthew said flatly.
"Darling-"
"You want us to abstain?"
Mary stopped, tugging on his arm so that he would stop with her. Matthew turned to look at her, not daring to look at her.
"Matthew, I love you. I love George and I will love this baby. But carrying a child is a big responsibility. Having child after child after child is a lot for a woman to handle." Mary tried to explain.
"I understand that you're going through something so altering, Mary. I don't pretend to be ignorant of the struggles you face during pregnancy. But you're asking us to abstain from love making…I don't think that's something I can do…" Matthew sighed.
"Matthew-"
"I make love to you, Mary, because it's a joy. I love you coming alive in my arms, I love the feelings we both invoke in each other every time…call me selfish but I don't think I am willing to let that go for a long period of time."
"Matthew! If you would just listen for a moment!" Mary snapped.
He stared at her intently, his blue eyes filled with annoyance and hurt. Mary took a deep breath and met his gaze, giving him a small smile.
"I-I've read about…some methods…that people take to prevent pregnancy…"
"What methods?"
"There's a book which goes into more detail…but we can still make love…without conceiving a child…"
Mary blushed as she stammered through her explanation. Matthew's eyes widened as he took in what she had told him.
"I see." Matthew murmured.
"Matthew, I would be open to discussing more children in the future…but for now I think we'll have out hands full with two so close in age." Mary said.
"You have made some valid points." Matthew sighed.
"Darling, have I made you angry?" Mary asked.
Matthew offered her his arm and she looped hers through it once more. They carried on walking through the fields towards the farmland that Matthew wanted to observe.
"I'm not angry with you, darling. I'm just surprised. When I first heard your wish, I thought that was your way of saying that you've gone off me." Matthew replied quietly.
"I could never go off you." Mary insisted.
"Care to test that theory?" Matthew whispered playfully.
She grinned up at him.
"I'll test that theory as much as you'd like when we're alone." She teased.
She watched him gulp but his facial expression remained neutral until Mary felt him quicken his pace but instead of heading in the direction of the farmland, he diverted them through the trees until they found an empty storage shed. She gasped as he pulled her inside and pressed his lips to hers.
"Matthew!" Mary gasped in pleasure.
He started to remove her coat, growling with need as he pressed his lips to her throat. Mary sighed happily, running her gloved hands through his hair and pulled his face up to hers.
"God Mary," Matthew gasped, "You're too skilled at enticing me."
"Hmmm darling…perhaps I should show you that I haven't gone off you…" Mary whispered huskily.
Feeling bold, she placed another kiss to his lips before falling to her knees and her hands reached for his belt buckle. Matthew watched her eagerly, letting out a pleasurable groan as he and his wife spent the next thirty minutes showing each other just how much they desired the other.