The emotion that you've conveyed for Matthew here is so strong! I love that all he wants is to come back to Mary and the baby. A sweet read!

Aww

Excellent story. I can practically feel Matthew tossing and turning in bed, missing Mary and his little chap. I always appreciate getting inside a characters head and this moment was so raw, and awakening in more than one sense.

I'm so happy you have Matthew returning to the hospital. This is exactly how the story should have played out. I enjoyed this.

It's beautiful! I wish Fellowes had your vision about Matthew and Mary...

Really liked the mention and reflection about war and the glimpse of the little family. Well done!

What a beautiful story. It was just perfect with Matthew not wanting to leave the hospital, him not being able to sleep without Mary, and then walking to the hospital. Great job.

So beautiful, my dear. Everything JF was too distracted by his big drama points to really focus on. So I'm glad you did, very well done :)

Very emotional exploration into Matthew's first night as a father. So many ghosts reappeared. Loved that in the end Matthew realizes that he deserves this and there's only happiness now, especially when he sees his family again. Congratulations on your first canon piece! Wonderfully written.

This was so good. Your description really captures the misery of the trenches. You touch on several things that I've always wished had been dealt with in canon: that he still has issues from his injury, his guilt about the Swire money, and that the war still affects deeply. It always bothered me that once he was up and walking, that was it. And, of course, even though he came around to using the money to save Downton, even if he unltimately glad to do it for his and Mary's children, he would feel guilty about it-how could he not? And I love how you describe his "PTSD," with Mary keeping him alive. Lastly, the A.S. Byatt quote is perfect! I know this is complete, but I hope you will revisit this verse in future one shots!

My heart too! Love the opening quote! The only thing I don't like is the word "complete" already!

So sweet. It's a subtle shift where they now face anxiety about something but it's something they will share together and enjoy together, as opposed to something that will divide them. Very well done!

How sweet... I simply adored this. You have dear Matthew down so pat, the War haunting him and love filling him with hope, the continued guilt and the chance to earn what in fact he of all people deserved.

How cute! Well done it's lovely! :)

Beautiful story. If only this was the way canon had gone. Great characterization. Love the mention of the effects of the war on Matthew. Well done!