December 1925

Matthew stood in the doorway of the nursery, smiling to himself as he watched his wife gently rock backwards and forwards in the rocking chair, humming a tune to the baby who had just finished suckling at her breast. His eyes glanced down at his daughter, taking in a slow breath in and out as she peacefully slept in her mother's arms.

He had been here twice before, watching Mary nurse and cradle their children and each one of them preferred different ways to soothe and settle. When George had been an infant, he had preferred to fall asleep with a gentle bounce of the arms that would ache until he had settled into a deep sleep. With Charlie, he had preferred to be held upright and then placed in a cradle hold. Catherine preferred to be rocked to sleep in the chair.

Without even realising, Matthew had joined in the humming of Mary's tune to which Mary stopped and looked over her shoulder at him with a raised eyebrow.

"Well if it isn't the king of the kingdom, taking a moment to watch over his little princess." Mary teased.

Matthew smiled at her, moving from his position in the doorway to stand behind her. He knelt to the floor, looking over her arms to see his sleeping daughter more clearly.

"How is she?" Matthew asked quietly.

"She's well. Perfectly content and happy." Mary replied softly.

He studied his daughter's face, feeling his heart skip a beat as he watched Catherine smile sleepily as Mary held her still. Catherine was now two months old, and she was starting to resemble Mary more and more every day that passed. While her eyes were still a dark navy, Matthew silently hoped that they would darken by the time she turned one, to resemble Mary's unique brown shade.

"Can I take her?" Matthew asked.

Mary nodded, shifting in the chair slightly and gently handed the baby over to Matthew. He held her head firmly in the crook of his elbow and arm, using his hand to settle on Catherine's back whilst his other arm slid under Catherine's legs and rested against his other arm. He gently rocked his arms backwards and forwards in a straight line, listening to the sleepy coos that escaped his daughter's mouth.

"I can't believe we've made something so perfect." Matthew gushed.

"Give it two years and I think she and Sybbie will be thick as thieves and be putting the boys in their place." Mary joked.

"Well then, she'll take after her mother." Matthew smiled.

"What do you mean?" Mary asked innocently.

He met her playful stare, her brown eyes sparkling mischievously.

"Just that you know how to sway me." Matthew replied.

"I have no idea what you mean, darling." Mary laughed.

Matthew placed a kiss to his daughter's forehead and walked over to the little crib that was placed in the centre of the room. He gently placed Catherine into the crib before placing a blanket lightly over her.

"When do you suppose the renovations will be completed for the new nursery?" Mary questioned.

"Soon, I hope. But I suppose we should have waited, what with Bertie and Edith's wedding next week." Matthew answered.

Mary nodded.

After Catherine's birth, Matthew was pleased that Mary and Edith seemed to be getting along a little better. It was Mary who had encouraged Edith to tell Bertie the truth about Marigold and his sister-in-law had told him on a morning walk after breakfast. The aftermath had been a little awkward and difficult. Bertie had retracted his proposal and headed back to Brancaster to sort out all of his new obligations that wouldn't wait, leaving Edith heartbroken once more. But Edith had been determined not to wallow. Things were going well with her magazine, and she had started enquiring about schools near London where Marigold could stay and made the decision to move to London permanently. But Mary had meddled, arranging a scheme with Rosamund to get Bertie and Edith together for dinner to talk things through…and while Edith hadn't been pleased at Mary's meddling…the scheme had worked. Bertie and Edith were getting married on New Years Eve at Downton before heading off on their honeymoon for a month. Cora had already been planning with Bertie's mother to spend a few weeks at Brancaster with Marigold to settle her in ahead of Edith and Bertie returning from their honeymoon.

"It'll be strange not having Marigold here. But I suppose she'll be happy to have her home with Edith and Bertie at Brancaster." Mary mused.

"Do you know how they plan to explain Marigold's presence in their home?" Matthew asked.

"Edith mentioned it while we were out walking one morning, they plan to legally adopt her as their child. Edith said it was Bertie's idea." Mary replied.

"Well…that's fantastic…" Matthew said happily.

"The story is to continue the tale that Edith has already been telling. That Edith took a shine to the girl and took her in because her guardians couldn't afford to keep her and because their bond has strengthened in that time, Edith felt unable to leave her behind when she married, and Bertie proposed that they become her adoptive parents." Mary explained.

"And will Marigold call them Mama and Papa?" Matthew asked curiously.

"I suppose. Edith desperately wants to be able to use the word Mummy with Marigold but has never been able to. Now she can." Mary replied.

"It'll be nice to see Edith have some happiness at long last."

"Yes. But the next difficult step is when Edith has to tell Marigold the truth."

Matthew nodded. He was truly happy that Edith would soon be able to have some version of the truth out in the world. A world where she and Marigold could enjoy a true mother-daughter bond without having to hide their connection. Even if this version did still conceal the true circumstances of Marigold's conception and birth from the world. What mattered was that Edith had found a man who would love Marigold as his own child and had come to accept it all.

Before any more could be said on the subject, Nanny returned to the nursery to bring Catherine to the day nursery. Matthew lifted Catherine gently out of her crib and placed her in the bassinet before Mary kissed her forehead and Nanny left the nursery for the day.

"Do you have some time?" Matthew asked.

"Yes. Why?"

"Come with me to the study, there's something we need to talk about."

Matthew and Mary headed from the nursery down to the study, closing the door behind them as Mary walked over to Matthew's desk and perched herself on the edge of it, raising an eyebrow as he closed and locked the door behind them.

"Well then, darling, what did you need to 'talk about'?" Mary said in a playful whisper.

Matthew chuckled, walking over to her and placed his hands on her waist.

"All in good time, darling, but first there is actually something I want you to read." Matthew stated.

Mary frowned as he moved around her, pulling out several pieces of paper and handed them to her to read. Her brown eyes scanned across the top of the page, reading the latest amendment to his will. Matthew waited patiently as Mary's eyes widened when she finished reading the first page.

"Have I read this correctly?" his wife questioned.

"You have." He confirmed.

"You're…the children get a good, equal settlement when you die…but you are leaving all ownership of your half of Downton…to me…"

"Everything I own of Downton, the rest of the money I have once the children's settlements have been paid and put into a trust. I've named you as the trustee to George, Charlie, and Catherine's inheritance. Everything else I own, is yours, all bar a few things I've left to my mother." Matthew confirmed.

"Your sole heiress?"

Matthew nodded.

"Oh Matthew…I…darling…" Mary muttered, unsure of what to say.

"I know it's a tough subject to talk about, my darling, but I want to be prepared and leave nothing uncertain. With each pregnancy I've drawn up a list of amendments and carried them out. I decided that I don't want the children to have more or less than the other so they will all get an equal share of money should I die unexpectedly. But you have put so much effort into making my vision for Downton become a reality, that should I die unexpectedly, my vision will continue with you to oversee it." Matthew explained.

"Darling…" Mary muttered.

She still seemed unsure as what to say. Matthew smiled at her warmly, leaning forwards and pressed his lips to hers. Mary closed her eyes and wrapped her arms around his neck, deepening the kiss as she opened her mouth to his. Matthew moaned throatily as his tongue met her teasing pace, his hands went to her skirt hem, pulling it slowly up her legs as he heard a rustle of paper fall to the floor behind him.

He pushed her skirt further up her legs, revealing her nude-coloured stockings that stopped mid-thigh. Matthew groaned as he pulled away from her lips and stared down at her legs. Mary grinned as she met his heated gaze and her hands went straight to his jacket, pushing it off his shoulders to that it joined the pile of paper on the floor.

"Here?" Matthew questioned in a whisper.

"Why not?" Mary giggled, her fingers undoing the knot in his tie.

"Just…it's the first time…since you gave birth…is here really…"

"Darling, you're doing far too much talking and far too less things to satisfy me." Mary chastised.

Matthew groaned as he felt her hands on his belt buckle, untucking his shirt from his trousers and her hands crept underneath his shirt to feel his stomach. He jolted as she lightly tickled him before her hands retreated and started to pull his trousers down over his hips.

"Mary-"

"Do you not want to, darling?" Mary asked teasingly.

Her tone of voice was playful, but her eyes were serious, and her hands acted as if they had a mind of their own. His arousal flared, tightening as it grew under her touch. Matthew groaned as she touched and stroked him, pushing his trousers down to his ankles along with his underwear.

"I seem to be overly dressed, what do you think, husband?"

Matthew growled and reached behind her, pushing aside the rest of the papers that lay on the desk and lowered her gently down on to the desk so that her back rested against the polished wood. The thought suddenly occurred to him that he had forgotten to bring a condom…it wasn't a conversation that they had managed to have since Catherine was born. As he looked down at his wife, Mary grinned and her hand went into her skirt pocket, pulling out a tiny wrapper and handed it to him.

"I had the foresight to pocket one this morning when Anna wasn't looking." Mary said quietly.

Matthew chuckled.

"You had the intention of locking us in a room for some privacy?" he asked playfully.

"Mmmhmmm." Mary hummed.

Matthew tore open the wrapper and pulled the condom on to his length, adjusting Mary's position until they were both comfortable and he leaned over her, thrusting into her slowly as they both let out a pleasurable gasp. Feeling her, hot and tight around him made him want to buck his hips hard and fast against her own until he could release but the one thing that he knew was that he wasn't a selfish being…whenever he made love to his wife, it was for her pleasure just as much as it was for his.

Mary moaned loudly until Matthew silenced her with his lips. He kissed her hotly, tongues teasing and hands trying to grip whatever they could. Matthew didn't release her lips, needing her to be quiet so not to alert the staff or any other family member as to what they were doing. He slowly moved his left hand between their bodies, reaching between their hips and pressed down on her nub which caused her to cry out into his mouth. His fingers circled gently, applying just enough firm pressure for Mary to spasm and jolt, her hips bucking up into his as she continued to moan into his mouth.

As she came undone, Matthew released her mouth and held still, enjoying the feel of her tighten around him as she came down from the high.

"Don't stop!" Mary hissed.

Matthew grinned and thrust his hips back into her as hard as he could, claiming her lips once more as she moaned again. Faster and faster his hips bucked, his hands moving to hold her hips still as her arms wrapped around his shoulders and she clung to him desperately. His mouth never left hers, he groaned needily as her teeth nibbled his bottom lip. She felt so hot, so desirable, so…Mary…

The sound of the desk moving against the wooden floor went unnoticed by either of them as Matthew felt that pulsing ache in the pit of his stomach. Sweat began to fall from his forehead, down his neck and back as Mary clung to him, her nails digging into his shoulder blades. They continued to kiss each other hotly, desperately as if they were trying to draw oxygen from each other. But that was exactly how Matthew felt every time he kissed his wife or made love to her…he needed her just as much as he needed oxygen to breathe and live his life each day.

Mary let out another cry into his mouth as she went flying over the edge a second time. Matthew pushed into her once…twice…thrice and felt himself spill. He collapsed on top of her, his arms bearing his weight so that he didn't crush her. He could feel his heart beating hard and fast in his chest and smiled lazily as he felt Mary's pulse point thrumming hard against his cheek.

"That…was…" Matthew said breathlessly.

"Mmm, delightful!" Mary agreed with a grin.

Matthew let out an amused huff of breath as he regulated his breathing. His heart was still pounding fast as he placed one last kiss to his wife's lips and pushed himself off her and the two sorted out their clothing as best as they could. Then they went about picking up all the discarded papers that lay scattered all over the study floor.

Matthew buttoned up his waistcoat and straightened his tie as Mary finished placing the papers back on the desk.

"I have to go, I have to check in with some of the tenants and then have a chat with Tom about developing some of the unused land into better housing." Mary sighed.

"Well then, I shall see you later." Matthew smiled.

Mary returned his smile and left the study, leaving Matthew alone to ponder more on estate matters.

oOo

As Robert switched on the lights, the Christmas tree was aglow with bright and warm white lights, making the various coloured ornaments shine and twinkle. Mary smiled as George and Charlie's eyes lit up with wonder. She positioned a cooing Catherine in her arms to a vertical hold and carefully walked the short distance to the Christmas tree, holding Catherine under a branch so that her daughter could study the sight more closely. Mary watched with joy as Catherine stared up at the white, twinkling lights, letting out a gurgle as Matthew flicked an ornament above her head, causing it to clink and chime as it collided into another ornament on a neighbouring branch.

"I think she likes it." Matthew whispered.

"I think so." Mary replied softly.

She bounced Catherine gently as the baby continued to gurgle, her dark eyes mesmerised with the beauty of the tree. Just as George and Charlie had been fascinated when they had been smaller just like their sister. Matthew clinked the ornaments again, which only made Catherine's mouth twitch as she widened her mouth to a lovely smile.

"She looks so much like you, my darling." Matthew whispered so only she could hear.

Mary looked up at him, seeing his eyes sparkle as he watched Catherine look around up at the Christmas tree.

"I'd like to go for a walk in a moment, if you'll come with me?" Mary whispered.

Matthew nodded and the two of them handed Catherine back to the nanny and gave George and Charlie a quick cuddle before heading out of the house. Mary looped her arm through her husband's as they walked across the snow-covered lawn.

"Was there a particular reason why you wanted to go for a walk?" Matthew asked.

"Well…nothing that couldn't have waited…but I wanted to talk to you away from the busy house…" Mary replied.

It was the topic of how many more children they would have now that they had been blessed with three. All those years ago when it became apparent that she and Matthew were struggling to conceive, she had gone to her mother who had suggested she go and see Dr. Ryder. When Dr. Ryder had confirmed that she had a little problem that needed correcting, she hadn't thought she would be lucky to have three beautiful and healthy children. She had only anticipated one or two. But now it was apparent that she and Matthew had no problems in conceiving a child, their enthusiasm was the same as it had been the first time that they had made love after their marriage. How quickly she had conceived Charlie after giving birth to George was enough proof that she was able to have lots of children.

But the problem was she was unsure how many more she wanted.

Matthew had told her a long time ago that he had always pictured having a large family because he had been an only child. Matthew had mentioned maybe they could have four children. And the more Mary had thought on it since Catherine's birth, she decided that she and Matthew needed to have a conversation about it.

"What is it?" Matthew asked, his voice filled with concern.

"Well…Dr. Clarkson has said that I've recovered well since Catherine's birth, and she is a very healthy little girl. But we haven't decided how many more children we want to have and how soon we want them." Mary replied.

Matthew nodded, his facial expression changing from concern to deep thought.

"You said that you pictured us having four children…does that still stand?"

He looked down at her, giving her a small smile.

"Darling, we can have as many as you want. If you are content with the three that we already have then we won't have any more. If you want another then we try and conceive whenever you feel ready." Matthew assured her.

"I'm not sure at present. Three children are already a lot and Catherine is still tiny. There's a lot to consider."

"Such as?"

"Well, George and Charlie have such a small age gap and they are quite close now that they're older. They love Catherine and I'm sure she will have a close bond with her brothers as she grows…but I don't want her to be on her own…" Mary mused.

"I see." Matthew said simply.

"But there's also my predicament of my role as the Agent. I've only just returned to my duties and I'm grateful that Tom took over from me for a little while, but I don't just want to keep popping out babies." Mary stated.

"I'm not asking you too." Matthew assured her.

Mary studied him closely, noting the serious look on his face and knew that he was taking in each word she said. Six years ago, she was engaged to a man who wouldn't have listened to her about her desires and wants, Sir Richard would most likely have expected her to open the society doors for him to expand his businesses and give him a handful of sons. It was nearly six years ago that Matthew had proposed to her for the second time and not once had he ever made a demand of her.

If anything Matthew treated her as an equal in their marriage. The fact that he had considered her for the role of Agent and managed the estate with her proved just how much he valued her input and ideas.

"Mary, there is a lot to consider but I'm not pressuring you to conceive any more of my children when you're not ready. Presently, I believe you're conflicted about that choice, as if you're unsure of so many things." Matthew whispered softly.

Mary looked at him and nodded her confirmation. The fact that he understood her conflicted mind made her feel so much at ease.

"And if I eventually decided I was happy with the three children we already have, you wouldn't resent me for saying no more children?" Mary questioned.

Matthew stopped in his tracks, turning to face her.

"How many times do I have to say this, my darling wife? Please will you hear me: I love you. I want you to be happy. And if only having three children makes you happy enough that you don't want any more children, then I will be content." Matthew stated impatiently.

Mary blinked.

"I-I sometimes feel that you compromise a lot for my happiness and never make any demands of me to ensure your own." She muttered.

Matthew cupped her cheek in his gloved hand, forcing her gaze to look up at him.

"I don't need to make any demands of you. You're my wife, not my submissive slave. I am content, Mary." Matthew whispered.

Giving him a small smile, she met his lips as he bent his head down to hers and kissed her sweetly, the two of them losing themselves in the quiet winter wonderland that was their home.

oOo

A week after Christmas, Edith was finally married. And Mary had never seen her sister look so happy. Although she was ever loathed to admit that she felt anything other than a rivalry with her younger sister, Mary had found herself softening a little towards Edith lately. She didn't know whether it was because she knew about her sister's struggles with having a child out of wedlock and keeping the relationship that she had with Marigold a secret or if it was because she herself was a mother and felt pity for Edith's struggles; but she felt that maybe things could be slightly better between the two of them. After all, Edith was the only sibling she had left.

But Edith looked radiant as she and Bertie were officially declared man and wife at the church. Her sister couldn't help but smile widely as everyone left the church and headed back to the Abbey for the reception. Mary felt at peace as she watched her sister converse with her guests, only leaving the reception to check on Catherine and freshen up, right as she was about to head back downstairs to wave Edith off on her honeymoon, Anna's waters had broken on her bedroom floor.

She instructed a maid to ring for Dr. Clarkson and inform Matthew about the situation and requested that her husband tell Bates about Anna going into labour. Once the maid had left the bedroom, Mary helped Anna into one of her nightgowns and got her into her bed.

"Milady…this isn't right…" Anna winced.

"Hush now, I don't care if you give birth in my bed, it can be cleaned up. Besides, are you going to walk back to your cottage and give birth there in your present condition?" Mary asked.

Anna let out a gasp of pain and clutched at the bedsheets. Mary knelt beside her and took hold of her right hand, stroking the back of it gently. Anna cried out in pain, an intense pain which Mary knew all too well.

"Take slow, deep breaths." Mary instructed in a whisper.

Anna nodded, following Mary's example just as Dr. Clarkson walked into the bedroom with Bates at his side.

"Mrs. Bates, would you allow me to examine you?" the doctor asked.

Anna nodded, closing her eyes as she calmed down from the contraction and looked to her left as Bates sat on the edge of the bed, his walking stick propped up against the side table and his hands covering hers. The bedsheets lifted slightly, the nurses holding it back as Dr. Clarkson examined Anna and nodded.

"You're lucky, Mrs. Bates, you should have a short labour." Dr. Clarkson said encouragingly.

The stitch that Dr. Ryder had inserted all those months ago had been removed a few days ago to prepare Anna for the birth of her child. Mary had seen her friend smile brighter at the prospect that she would soon be delivering her long-awaited child and had offered Anna some extra leave so that she could rest but her friend had declined, insistent that she was fine to work for a few more days.

As Mary pressed a cool cloth to soothe Anna's sweaty forehead, her friend screamed in pain with each contraction that came and went. Mary could only reassure Anna that it would pass, tell her to breathe slowly and encourage Bates to hold Anna's hand and support her through the worst pain imaginable. Bates held Anna's hand, whispering words of encouragement and affection as Anna began pushing.

"Keep going Anna, just breathe." Mary smiled.

Anna screamed, her chin bearing down to her chest as she pushed and then stopped. Taking a deep breath, Anna pushed again. And again. And again. Panting and moaning. Mary knew the pain her friend was in all too well and when she saw the look on Dr. Clarkson's face and knew that Anna was mere moments away from greeting her child.

"One more large push please, Mrs Bates." Dr. Clarkson instructed.

"AAAAAAHHHHHH!" Anna screamed, her face red and sweaty as she bore down her chin to her chest once more.

The next thing Mary knew, the wailing cries of a newborn baby filled her bedroom. She smiled and wiped Anna's forehead as her friend took some deep breaths and cried happily as she set her eyes on her newborn son.

"Congratulations, Mr. and Mrs Bates, you have a healthy son." Dr. Clarkson stated with a smile.

The squalling child was handed into his mother's arms, fresh tears of joy falling down Anna's face as Mary smiled with genuine glee for her friend and her long-awaited child. Even Bates looked entirely different as the new family basked in the happiness they now shared.

After Anna was cleaned up and rested, Matthew joined them to give them a brief congratulations before Mary departed the bedroom with her husband, wishing the Bates family a Happy New Year and headed downstairs to join the rest of the family in the annual sing along of Auld Lang Syne in the great hall.