I’m re-reading your Downton Abbey stories, Chickwriter. I’m smiling through tears aftrr just finishing this particular one. So. Beautiful! Thank you for the beauty of your writings. ️

Just reread this piece and marvel at how much better it is than what actually happened in S3 and M/M's whole fertility storyline. I can see MD and DS actually bringing your words and emotions to life. Thank you.

Just beautiful...and yes, so frustrating that even Matthew never seemed to realize that he should invite Mary into the running of the estate. Nice Tom moments in this story, and an effective portrayal of what it can feel like to be in a fog of grief. Thank you for writing!

Ahhhhh-just how have I missed this treasure until now? This is a stunning work of grief, of healing, of two marriages and a family coming to terms just too unthinkable to bear.

Aww... I love this. Excellent writing, nice character progression and such a beautiful outcome. :-)

I just cried! This was absolutely stunning.

Beautiful!

This is amazing! One of the best DA fics I've ever read. Thank you!

I just wanna tell you that this story is amazin. I have tears in my eyes. AMAZING!

My tears are small tributes to this beautifully written story.

Apologies for the delay with this!

The imagery of them seeing death when they did is just really striking, and...terrifying, almost; reminding them both of Sybil, and Matthew holding onto his memories of war, and Mary hers of Pamuk. And it's really sad how they're pushing each other away, almost, and then keeping busy to not think about why they're not together. I really like Cora's memories of how they were as babies. I also like the little things - Mary/Isobel bonding, Edith in London, and how it all seems to go on around them, as life must.

Just beautifully striking and harrowing and heartbreaking, and with the only ending that is acceptable. :)

Simply beautiful. I almost cried at the beginning when Matthew was remembering the men who died in the war. Though nothing was said about it onscreen, I have no trouble believing that Sybil's death would have brought back such memories for him.

The rest of the story is simply powerful as well. I particularly liked the way you had the family struggling with their grief over Sybil's death. It's not so easy to forget something like that. In this I prefer your fic over the show; I was slightly disappointed that Robert and Cora reconciled so quickly after it happened, and I think this is much more realistic.

The way you said, "not announced, but shared" about Mary's pregnancy was fitting, I think. And it's natural that they would all be scared for her after what happened to Sybil.

Loved the ending with the family around Mary's bed and their son being named William. From the summaries that have been released for the last two episodes (though not the C/S yet) I've been wondering if Matthew and Mary will have a child by the end of S3 or the beginning of S4 if it is commissioned. If Fellowes does go that route, I hope they will have a boy.

A beautifully written story, and a lovely and sad study of grief (and emergence from it). I love your style and the voice you give Mary.

Love this!

Just beautiful!