I’m a blubbering mess after reading this story... in less than 2 days, I must confess! Thank you for this beautiful AU of Downton. The characters were marvelous and the details were perfect. I wish I could watch this! I would’ve loved to seen Mary married to Richard. I don’t think he was a bad person and she would’ve become a tremendous woman if they writers decided to go in a different direction!

I have to say that I think MaryMatthew getting married was a tad fast and a bit forced. I love them together too and I liked how you set it up. I just wish there were more in between Richard dying and M/M getting married.

The last scene with Richard and the children made me cry like a baby! Emily saying ‘if I wasn’t as strong, would you stay?’ Absolutely murdered me.

There were so many more lines that were just beautiful. I could go on and on!

Thank you so much for putting your heart and soul into this story. I’m so glad I found it 3

Emily

Just finished reading this story! Thank you for sharing this!

Hello, I'm re-reading (for the 3rd or 4th time) your story and I wanted to repeat that you're really a wonderfull, wonderfull author, miss Kittyplank! thank you for taking the time to write this story and share it here with us! I hope we'll someday be able to read a new story from you! Hugs from Portugal, Célia

My joy for Sybil's return wasn't in vain (not that I was expectin it to be). What a wonderful scene, so emotional and raw but also tender and funny in some bits and the characters are handled so beautifully even when they are at their worst behaviour. Your writing made me miss Sybil. I know Jessica Brown Findlay wanted to leave the show and it's best to let go, but this made me think about how Sybil would have been such a support for Mary when Matthew died.
I had to stop myself from screaming as I read the scene with Isobel and Matthew. It brims with life and sentiment and worry and poignancy.
I continue to be fascinated by how you are drawing Emily and Mary's dynamics and I can't wait to see where it is going.
At risk of sounding repetitive, Sybil is the best. And what a joy it was to see hr put people in their place.
Violet's mental downfall is starting to creep up and it is heartbreaking.
The scene between Mary and Matthew was ripe with tension and so well developed. It may have gotten lost in the shuffle as the show went on but I think the entail informed so much of Mary's demeanour it was nice to see her relief at how her daughter would have to be put in the same situation.

This was sad and awkward and heartbreaking and tense and beautifully drawn until we get to dinner and it all goes up in flames.
At risk of repeating myself, I must congratulate you on your grasp of the characters and I really like the perfume detail.
Sybil is back! I can't wait to read the rest.

I don't like Richard much, never had, but you're leading me to sympathise with him and it's not just due to the fact that he's ill, but also to the way you present his feelings, particularly the humiliation and the wish to remain as independent as he can, even if in only small things now, and I like the detail of him relating better to Matthew's behaviour back then when he was injured.
I like the observation about how Mary's behaviour of taking it on could be her way of showing that she was as good as any son.
Wow - Emily's take on 'divine' cause-consequence regarding Matthew's presence and Richard's illness was quite something and a very interesting bit.
I am riveted by Mary and Emily's dynamics. They seem so real.
Your portrayal of Mary during these trying times has been wonderful to read. She's still Mary in the sense that she gets things done, but she's also vulnerable and feels burdened and even wistful sometimes. And the exchange between her and Matthew at the end of the «sweet shop» section was on point and felt so like something we could have seen on the show.
I loved the conversation between Richard and Robert. You managed to be faithful to the characters once again while giving them a new ground to stand on. They didn't become friends all of the sudden, but they can see each other in a different light now.
I never knew I wanted a heart-to-heart between Richard and Violet until I read your scene. How wonderfully it is written.

You convey everything burdening Mary so well and the bit about how she has already given Richard her forgiveness is beautiful and poignant.
I don't know what else I can add about how much I like your Mary x Matthew scenes without becoming too repetitive. I particularly enjoyed that bit when Matthew realises that he didn't like to see Mary smoking due to the action per se but because it reminded him of so many things about her he didn't know.
I think my favourite thing about the story so far is the grasp you have on how these characters react towards each other, for good and for bad. May and Richard's argument seems quite organic and truthful to what we know of them. Let's hope he doesn't write it in his will that she can't marry Matthew a la Casaubon in Middlemarch.
Oh no you didn't, Mary.
I've been feeling bad for Richard, but wanting to take Downton as a collateral in case Rober fails to pay his loan back is just too cruel.
You give him an earful, Violet. You keep doing that.
I think the reactions in light of Richard's news are quite in tone with what we know of the characters.
I was surprised by Richard's visit to Matthew and the reasons and I'm quite curious about how this will unfold.

I absolutely loved the first part where you ahve Violet and Isobel pondering on Mary and Matthew's current standing and Richard's impending arrival.
I never knew I wanted Mary and Matthew playing in the snow until I read your chapter.
It's understandable but kind of heartbreaking to realise the sort of dread going through people now that Richard is back and those somewhat idylic times have probably come to an end.
These dinners are like watching a play, with everyone on their toes and the polite façade ready to crumble. I had already read this chapter the first time, but I still can't read the dinner scenes fast enough because I want to see where they will lead.
How lovely was Mary and Carson's nightcap? I always liked their relationship and you brought it up beautifully.
I may not like Richard much - never had and it's not only due to his standing between Mary and Matthew - but the scene where he tells Mary he's sick was really sad.
And you've just wow-ed me with another wonderful Mary x Matthew scene that made me go through so many emotions there's no space here for them all.
Mary and Richard's interaction was quite bittersweet, and I think I must congratulate you on that. These chapters have been such a treat to read.

I continue commending you for your eye towards the changes (or not) Mary's return would bring to the family and the dynamics not only with those living at Downton but also Edith. Those paragraphs and the dialogue between those two are so rich.
And Mary in trousers? How far we have come!
I like the way you bring up Richard's absence in a way that shows what a rift there is between him and the Crawley's. He may not be at Downton but he's still quite a figure inside the family (even if more due to dislike than fondness).
I like the way you've been presenting Mary a great deal but I also like the way you've been presenting Matthew. On one hand, his life may seem less changed than Mary's (he's still at Downton and hasn't married or has children) but he has changed despite still maintaining some characteristics that we recognise as his.
Mary and Matthew talking at ease with each other and somewhat being friends. It warms my feels so.
I like that despite everyone thinking Anthony is dull, he's not a bad man. It was something that came across in the show and that you mention here to good use.
Dinner drama. I'm always up for that, particularly when its tension is so palpable.
Mary and Matthew's conversation. There's nothing else I can add. Truly. It's so well-written and «them».

The last time I watched Downton was probably around the time the finale was aired and I have been missing the show as of late so reading Mary's return feels a bit like returning myself.
I liked the way you juggled Mary's doubts and tiredness and awareness of the new circumstances with having to keep a brave face for the children, who, by the way, continue to read as extremely vivid.
I've always had a soft spot for Mary and Carson's connection and the parts where you explore it are beautiful. That bit where you wrote that Mary never hugged Carson because she was afraid he wouldn't hug her back was heart-breaking.
It's kind of interesting (but also heartbreaking depending on who we're talking about) to read some details now that we know how the story went, like Edith marrying Strallan and Sybil having a family.
«Thank you, Robert. I'm old, not blind» is a beautiful introduction to Violet.
You are so good at drawing the family interactions and dynamics.
«She knows I'm not much of a walker anymore and she can't help but show off». Slow clap
Matthew's thoughts in the paragraphs were you introduce him are wonderful.
«Don't worry, my boy, look at Abraham, he had his son when he was one hundred» - This is such a Robert-like thing to say. You have a wonderful grasp on how the characters talk.
What a tender scene you drew between Matthew and Peter. It's beautifully done.
When Mary sees Matthew for the first time again and Matthew sees her? Ugh. My heart.
«It's good to have you home, Mary».
I'm so here for the tension between these two.
And what a wonderful way to finish the chapter.

I had started reading this fic a long time ago but after some computer troubles that left me without my 'favourites' folder and not a single clue of the name, I had to forcefully quit it. Yet, it never left me for good, as I kept thinking of it from time to time and I was truly glad when I was able to find it again. I'm looking forward to read it in full this time.
I really liked this chapter. I think you convey the dynamics of the family very well and Mary is recognisably herself.
I also like the way you present the children and their interactions. It all feels very life-like and helps give a feeling of «lived-in», if I may say so.
There's a certain sense of urgency as the story goes on that is deepened by the dialogue in the end, even if I had already liked it even before Mr Tibbet's phone call.
Belated thanks for having shared the story with us. I can't recall if it was already completed when I started to read it for the first time, but I'm glad I can read it until the end now.

This was really good, and sweet, and in-character. Good job!

You just write the most amazing fanfics! To be honest, I've seen the summary so many times but I didn't have the heart to read it because of Carlisle but your Richard is much more bearable (not really but still) than others' Richards. So happy for M/M and Rabbit and Emmie. Epilogue please? I want to know what happens years after the wedding. Thank you!

What a beautiful story!

Such a charming ending! Im glad you dealt with all of Mary's doubts - rushing off to marry without any hesitation would have been a much more Sybil-like move. This was Mary to a tee. Loved it!