I read this a year ago and (for some unknown reason), didn't ever review it. But I just wanted to let you know that it was this story that inspired me to publish my own here, so thank you so much for sharing it.
As always, a wonderfully touching, moving story written with such care and attention to detail. Bravo.

this is probably the best Downton fic I've ever read. just wow.

you made me sob like a baby. this was wonderful- well written and very good description of everything important. you made me feel with the characters and probably even ruined me for other mary/matthew stories :)

This was one of the very first fic I read, and now rereading it, I remember how it had struck in my heart and left me hopelessly inlove with M/M.
You're a Darling and I love you, for your words. Keep tapping along, as there are many of us who hang on every word you say. Cheers

Beautiful love this story can't believe I just found this you have captured their passionate side so well in this story! I enjoyed it so much want to reread it now. For some reason I always enjoy some of the angst moment between M&M until they resolve it this was just so much fun to read thank you for sharing this!

Read the whole thing. I don't know how many times I cried. This is breathtakingly written (does that make sense?). Esp. love the desperation they felt for each other, and the need to be together in the sick bed together, not wanting to be separated from each other. Sad about Grantham and Edith, but I guess the Flu did have to take someone. I love how he proposed, and you-know-what, and kept her ring all that time. I wish, in some ways, DA was all about Matthew and Mary without 10 other plots. I guess that's what FanFiction is for...to fill in the missing pieces. Great read!

Thankyou 3

I read this and the two connected oneshots in a single afternoon.

Very well written. I just love it. Particularly the way that you, in the later chapters, showed more of what happened that first night in flashback. Matthew's dawning awareness of what Mary had done for him and how he unintentionally broke her hand was perfect, as was them calling for each other during the flu.

The way you ended the story with the announcement of their son's birth was well done, and I'm glad you followed that up in "To Let It Go..."

"Wisdom of a Lifetime" was a brilliant read as well; how Violet and Mary understood each other during that scene. I laughed when Violet said "Idiots," since Isobel used the same line earlier in AOW.

I'd read the whole story...could not put it down.

So wonderful,romantic,and sad for Robert and edith.

They, sleeping together even in sickness is so romantic.

Just love your stories.

You are so talented. Thank you.

Beautiful. Poignant. Sad. Gut wrenching.

wow. from staart to finish, this story left me breathless. absolutely wonderful. i'm so sad that edith and robert had to die, but it was your way of telling a story and in the end it all fit in so well together. i'd just like to say i love your matthew in this story. lovelovelove.

I don't often review fanfics (mainly because I read them on my phone and it's old and silly so it doesn't let me), but I had to make an exception for this one, because it is INCREDIBLE!

Honestly, I think it's the best M/M fic I've ever read!

I've gotta say, I wanted to hit Matthew in chapter 4...but I don't think it was out of character. Maybe for Matthew in an ordinary situation, but this isn't an ordinary situation; he's been at war, he's injured, he thinks Mary doesn't give a damn about him, about ANY of the soldiers (but especially him) and, to top it all (para colmo al males, sorry, just been learning that in Spanish), she's just revealed aboit Pamuk etc. But it doesn't stop me from wanting to strangle him, especially considering all that Mary does for him in chapter one (which was completely beautiful and haunting and poignant) And then when he finds out...and oh, so much M/M goodness.

The horse-riding school bit was beautiful, really showed Mary's selfless and altruistic side (in regards to someone other than Matthew)which I think we don't see enough of in the show.

I like how you handled the break-up with Lavinia, with minimum angst (at least when it came to THAT pairing), just two mature adults realising that they didn't belong together.

Your Isobel was wonderful (sorry, jumping around chapters here) and the scene with Matthew, recovering from the flu, shouting for Mary: SO powerful, and I like the echo of the beginning.

Overall, this was an amazing story; there are so many great M/M stories on here, but this was a cut above the rest. It retains the angst of the TV show but intensifies it, and I honestly think I prefer this version to Fellowes' version (although it's so sad that Edith and Robert died). It honestly made me cry, and that doesn't happen very often.

Well done, and thank you.

Naha :) x

So. Beautiful.

"the ghost of a smile returned to his face. "You're safe, then?" he murmured. "I was so worried..." - this crushed my heart a little bit. He was worried about her health and safety while he was in the gruesome trenches? Of course he would, he's Matthew! But still...

"She was almost irritated by the fact Lavinia had to be told to be quiet." - this made me smirk, even though I have no real reason against Lavinia other than the fact that she's an obstacle to Matthew and Mary's happiness.