"Jeremy…" Mary's sing song voice attracted her son's attention. He had wandered away from the picnic blanket and was trying to chase a few butterflies in the nearby meadow. He turned around, gave a wide grin, and continued to run away.

She grunted and scrambled up from the blanket to chase him down.

"And to think we were happy when the boys learned to walk." She mused wryly as she scooped up her wayward giggling son into her arms.

Mary walked back to the riverside. Edith had kept George busy with some biscuit snacks while Mary went after Jeremy. With two rascally potential runaways at any moment she found the more hands the better.

Matthew was out on the Ouse. His scull was well down the river and not in sight anymore of the sisters who had set up a picnic by the river while he practiced for the York Autumn Sculls event. Matthew had finally joined a local club and signed up for the Masters race division. To his eternal dismay he no longer could participate in the under 27s according to rowing regulations. He was soon to be 36 and the inability to overcome his disappointment at growing older had kept him from participating in any rowing club races. It was like he was being relegated to the rubbish division.

And then he saw them race an event earlier in the summer and he took back all of his barbs and insults.

They were serious.

And fast.

And he felt his own competitive juices return. Mary had been right that time they had gone jogging around Downton after first spending the night together and she said he must really understand why she found it difficult to give up competition. He had told her about the Boat Race victories. And then how his career took over and he never again gave any thought to racing.

Watching the York Masters crew race to victory did just the opposite. He inquired that day about joining. And now he was to race in the Autumn sculls single and team race.

He and Mary were working hard, juggling taking care of the twins alongside the enormous help the extended family provided. Emily had started a nursing program in Leeds and could no longer be their full-time nanny. Mary hated all the new applicants and so they had been managing on their own for the time being.

Matthew rather liked it. Especially when it was like this. Long days by the river, picnicking with the children. Mary had to return to the Stables that afternoon to give Maggie her private lesson. And Matthew was to take the twins back to Crawley House and give them their baths and dinner. At almost 16 months they both had healthy appetites and usually ate whatever was on offer.

That last incident of George throwing his food across the kitchen was merely an aberration. Matthew had chuckled when he explained it to Mary after he had cleaned it all up.

Mary rejoined with an arched eyebrow, "And the crying jag that followed where both boys attempted to out scream each other for hours and refused to go to bed?"

Matthew's face scrunched in thought. "Testing their limits." He fell back on one of the lines from the parenting twins book Mary had purchased early in her pregnancy. It was now a joke between them as the touchy feely let your three-month-old make friends in order to get them into the best university advice had driven Mary to purchase another book entitled Why Mommy Drinks.

They both laughed for they had learned that it was the only way to get through raising twins. Take each day as it came. Each crisis. And then hand them over to a baby minder for an evening off.

So this day was very special. Family Only days they called them. No work of any kind. No horses. No business consultations.

Full of only twin love.

Matthew removed the scull from the river and made his way back to Mary, Edith and the children.

"Hello love." He bent down to kiss his wife. Mary's beautiful brown eyes turned upward. Their lips met.

Jeremy scrambled over and demanded his attention with a series of escalating pitched "Da Da Da Da….DAAAAAAA….."

Matthew scooped him up and kissed his cheek. "Attention grabber," he declared to his son before tickling his belly and giving him a hug.

Matthew leaned over to grab the water bottle Mary handed him. He took a long swig and then sat down next to Edith. Jeremy snuggled against his shoulder, wiping a sleepy eye with his chubby fist.

Edith was laying down against a couple of the pillows Mary had retrieved from the car. At five months along she was feeling tired. Her feet were swelling and had no idea, she said how Mary had carried two.

Mary just gave a knowing smile. "I really had no choice," playfully slapping Matthew's shoulder. "Twins run in his family."

"Twins run all over the place in my family." Matthew retorted as he pushed himself off the grass to chase after Jeremy who had spotted another butterfly.

Edith chuckled. "I feel wiped all the time. I've taken to blogging rather than writing any freelance articles that require much travel. I thought I'd be able to do it all. I read so many articles by women further along than me doing triathlons or joining an Antarctic expedition or whatever. …" She groaned. "I just want to take a nap."

"Ugh. Never read those things. They always make one feel positively incapable." Mary had drolly observed.

But then she couldn't resist adding, "Of course you'll have it easy." Mary shrugged her shoulders. Mary pointed a playful finger at her sister. "To paraphrase Monty Python I shall laugh in your general direction as you deal with just one baby." And she made a flippantly dismissive gesture with her hand.

The sisters laughed. "I'll be sure not to complain." Edith rejoined easily. "Especially as Bertie is insisting upon hiring an army of help."

"Mama will be the one running on empty. Visiting you, coming back here to see the boys, and then all the work at Downton." Mary held George in her lap, giving him one of the teething biscuits she had packed in a container. It would soon be a gloppy mess all over his face so with her other hand she reached for a premoistened facial wipe.

"She loves it so." Edith said. "I've never seen her with so much energy."

Both sisters were glad their mother had at last found her own peace. In her life. In her marriage. She and Robert were still working their way back to complete trust but the core of their love was ever present and visible to all the children.

"She does miss Sybil." Mary pointed out. "I'm surprised she hasn't decided upon a trip to Boston to visit her at Massachusetts General."

"Don't give her any ideas." Edith laughed.

Matthew reminded his wife, "We're going to be busy ourselves in the upcoming weeks."

Emily was to return to care for the children with help from Isobel and Cora while Mary and Matthew traveled to London. Matthew had work to do with CB Properties and Mary wanted to do some shopping as well as check out the Olympia Horse Show facilities. Matthew would stay in London as CB was considering moving to a new location in the Docklands closer to King's Cross where Google had built their London headquarters. Mary would return earlier than he and relieve Emily. He'd return after another fortnight.

But he'd have to share Mary's time with Anna. She would stay in the village for at least a week. Mary was hard at work choreographing a dressage routine and she needed Anna's keen eye to work out any problems. She would tweak the performance while ensuring Jellybean was in peak health with the vet.

Mary had made a strong showing in Warwickshire finishing second in both show jumping and cross country. She hoped to take that momentum into December to the Olympia Horse Show.

"It's all in hand." Mary said, wiping the sticky mess from George's mouth and face. And hands. And his knees as he patted them over and over while saying, "wa... wa… wa…"

"Want is his new favorite word." Mary shook her head. "I just can't wait for the terrible twos!" She maneuvered George on her lap into a more comfortable position. "You want another biscuit?"

George clapped his hands together and bounced as Mary reached into the container for another teething biscuit.

Noticing his brother getting a snack, Jeremy began to wail and stretch his arms out. "Da Da DA!"

"They'll be little beasts for sure!" Matthew pulled him back into his arms but the screaming continued until Mary handed him a biscuit to give to his unruly child.

"They fight over everything now." Mary informed Edith. "Toys, food, …"

"Our attention." Matthew added. "I'm beginning to believe in twin telepathy. I swear I could be in the playroom downstairs with Jeremy and I'll hear George begin to cry from upstairs. One minute he was asleep. The next he's yowling as if he knows I've got Jeremy in my arms."

"They'll just use it to break our will." Mary dryly observed.

She knew they were lucky. They had family and baby minders to help maintain their sanity. They were rich in ways that had nothing to do with money or status.

Mary kissed the curly haired top of her son's head, her gaze lingering lovingly upon her husband who held their other child. His eyes met hers.

They shone with love. For her. For their boys. For the life they've made together.

When he asked for her hand in marriage, Matthew had wished she take a chance on him. That he and she would create a life for the other that would enrich them both.

Though she'd hate to admit to any kind of vulnerability she had taken the plunge to trust. To love. To be loved in return. And she could no longer imagine any other kind of life for herself.

This was the best time of her life.

XX

"What?" Matthew tone was peevish. Sharp. "You want to do what?" He practically spat out the next word. "Date?" His face screwed into one of complete disbelief.

"Oh Matthew." His mother bit back. "Stop behaving like a pouty adolescent. You have a family now. Why can't I?"

Matthew's mouth snapped shut. But his eyes remained narrow and his jaw set. "Who is he?"

"Richard Grey." Mary answered from across the restaurant table. They were all having dinner with Isobel at a new favorite restaurant in York. "The Lord Merton. He's an old family friend."

Matthew remained confused. "The Lord who?"

"Dickie." Isobel said, using Richard's affectionate diminutive. "He's a Baron. It's an old useless title anymore. They lost all their money after the Second World War. But his legal acumen has garnered him respect and a healthy retirement income. Don't look so shocked Matthew. Don't you want me to be happy?"

"Of course I do." Matthew was startled. He had never ever considered the idea that his mother would date anyone. Would remarry. Stupid really, he realized. "I just didn't know anything about it."

Isobel turned to Mary. "I'm so very grateful you introduced us."

Mary smiled at her mother in law.

"You introduced them?" Matthew's bewilderment turned to his wife.

"Why not?" Mary was frankly shocked at her husband's seeming opposition. "When you were still in London Isobel came to help out with the boys and accompanied me to dinner. I didn't realize Papa had invited the Merton's. Larry used to date Sybil until she realized he was a prat and dumped him." Mary's mouth turned in disgust. "He's not changed a single bit unfortunately."

Matthew's eyes widened. Was that a trait that ran in the family, he wondered?

His fingers started to thrum on the table.

"But don't worry. His father is wonderful." Mary tried to reassure her rattled husband.

"He's delightful." Isobel agreed. "You'd hardly know they were father and son."

Matthew's mouth made a move to say something but nothing came out. He clamped it shut again.

"And in any case, I won't be marrying the son." Isobel timed that shot perfectly.

"Marry?" Her son paled and his voice pitched high with anxiety. "You don't even know him at all!"

"And your point is what?" Isobel coolly replied. "I believe I said much the same about you."

Matthew scowled and remained silent.

"It is a possibility." Isobel continued. "You don't approve? I don't actually think I need your permission. I will do whatever I like with what remains of my life. Dickie is grand company."

Mary was just about to kick her husband under the table to stop his petulant obstinacy towards his mother's private life when Matthew took a moment to close his eyes and reflect.

He sat back against his chair. What was he doing? It was just so unexpected. But it had been over well over fifteen years since his father's death. And it was time. More than time for Isobel to live her life the way she wanted. He had been her primary focus in life. She had given so much to him. She had accepted the decisions he had made in his life from the divorce of a woman she considered almost a daughter to the marriage of a woman he barely knew. Accepted them. And embraced the family he now had with Mary even though it was painful and difficult in the beginning.

Who was he to do any less?

"I'm sorry." Matthew turned directly to his mother. "I am very happy for you. I can't wait to meet him." He rose and kissed her cheek.

Mary breathed a sigh of relief.

"Thank you." Isobel said, as her eyes took in her son's worry. "I love that you are so concerned. But you don't have to be. I think you will find you have a lot in common."

Matthew replied, "I'm sure we will." He caught Mary's approving look and mouthed an "I'm sorry" to her as well. He had behaved like an ass.

He was so very happy in his life. He would ask nothing more than his mother be the same.

XX

Jellybean cleared the jump clean. Mary's focus had already turned to the triple combination ahead. She and her horse rode as one.

It felt perfect. Gliding over the obstacles. Feeling the horse's hooves dig into the sand and push off again to set up the force needed for the next jump.

She was in the zone. Nothing could stop them. The cross-country terrain was tough but the weather had been cooperative and it was not muddy that would have slowed their time.

The win in the Dressage event had been all the momentum Mary needed for the next two phases of the Three-Day Event.

Dressage had always been her nemesis. She preferred the fast-paced rush of adrenalin the cross country gave her over the nerve-wracking precision of dressage. But with Anna's training and Jellybean's skill Mary found herself more confident than ever in her own skills. They were judged on how well horse and rider could perform a series of prescribed events with increased levels of difficulty. Mary and Jellybean needed to perform as one fluid movement. She would give imperceptible signals and the horse would respond in kind. Jellybean needed to demonstrate confidence and attention. Various counter canters, trots, and gaits were graded. Mary needed to sit balanced in the saddle and appear in total control of her animal.

They had memorized their routine over weeks of preparation at Downton. Anna's critical eye essential from the side lines, jotting down notes and scoring as if she was an official at the Olympia Horse Show event. Jellybean needed to perform with rhythm and regularity. Mary needed to regulate Jellybean precisely while appearing relaxed and graceful. Both would be scored on a scale of 0 to 10. Anna would ring the bell and Mary would start the routine.

Anna was a strict judge. But Mary wanted her to be as brutal as an Olympic level judge. That was the point after all. To see if she could return to the highest level of equestrian competition.

And it had paid off. A perfect routine and Mary emerged in first place.

Jellybean strutted around the stall afterward, knowing she had been faultless.

Mary gave her a long brushing out. Her ears pricked up and snorting with pleasure, Jellybean was in horse heaven. Mary loved communing with her horse. Murmuring sweet compliments and nuzzling her withers calmed Mary down as much as it did the horse.

The next day's cross country was going well. Jellybean missed one rail and it wobbled and fell. But her time was fast. Rhythm again was the key. The connection learned in dressage holding horse and rider together in the fast pace of the cross country. Mary consistently kept the pace and Jellybean responded. She galloped away from the fallen rail, not willing to waste any time thinking how that could have gone. Instead she focused on the fence ahead.

Anna had told her that if she saved half a second after every fence by setting Jellybean up at a gallop she would be unbeatable.

She finished the log brush roll and the final jump was the water hazard. Jellybean was so well trained she did not hesitate but plunged in and doused Mary with water splash but they jumped clean, came out other side, and galloped across the finish line.

Mary paced Jellybean around the cool down area, awaiting the posting of her time.

She heard a small roar emerge from the viewing stand as her name emerged on top of the board.

First place!

Mary was so proud of Jellybean. She patted her neck and rubbed the withers.

The noise she had heard from the crowd was her cheering section. Matthew, the twins, Cora, Robert, Edith, and Bertie were all in attendance. Edith was in her last trimester and this would be her last trip away from Brancaster. No one wanted to miss this event. Mary had trained for months and everyone knew she'd win.

And it was all going her way.

After cooling off Mary guided Jellybean to the stall yard. Jerry met her and took over the responsibility of dealing with Jellybean because Matthew had made his way from the viewing stands to greet her.

"Darling! Darling!" He said, reaching out for her as she dismounted. His arms curved around her waist and pulled her in for a kiss.

"Let me get out of this helmet." Mary unstrapped and pulled it off. She reached out and kissed her husband again. "That's better."

"You were perfect." Matthew's face glowed with pride. "Your papa was cheering and screaming so hard your mama began to worry he'd have another attack."

"Are the boys behaving?" She was a bit winded still so they moved to sit on a bench under a large oak tree just off the course where they found a bit of peace and quiet.

"Bit fussy." Matthew acknowledged. "They need to get back for naptime. I told Cora that if she needed to leave with them back to the house we'd be along later."

Matthew had taken a short-term lease on a house near the course so that Mary could train and rehearse a fortnight before the competition and when the rest of the family arrived, they'd all have their own rooms as well as a kitchen, living, and outdoor patio for the entire group to rest and come together.

"Understandable." Mary leaned her head on her husband's shoulder. "I will need to meet with Anna tonight to go over some last minute details about tomorrow and the vet's giving Jellybean the onceover."

"I won't wait then." Matthew could see Anna waiting for Mary inside the livery yard. He waved.

Anna gave both of them a big thumbs up.

"Meet you back at the house." One more kiss from Matthew and he returned to rest of the family.

They all spent a quiet night as the boys had gone down early and no one wanted to disturb their slumber. The big day was upon them tomorrow. When Mary returned back around 8pm she was exhausted. There had been a slight scare with one of Jellybean's back ligaments but it was not sprained or torn the vet confirmed but it had taken longer than expected.

"So proud of you my girl." Robert kissed Mary's brow. He sounded a bit hoarse from all the yelling that afternoon.

"Get over here so I can hug you." Edith tried to get up from the sofa.

"Don't get up." Mary walked over. "It's a complete terror that last trimester. We don't want to upset little Juliet." She sat down next to Edith and the two sisters embraced.

"Where's Bertie and Matthew?" Mary looked around.

"They're outside working on the grill." Edith looked askance. "Not sure we'll ever have dinner."

"Come in to the kitchen and have a cup of tea." Her mother offered.

Just then Matthew opened the back door. "We're just finishing the kebabs. The steak is taking a bit longer." He looked inside the living room. "You're back." He was so pleased to see Mary home.

Mary smiled at Matthew but responded to her mother's offer of tea. "I will." Mary answered. "But first a shower though and a change of clothes. And then a good night's sleep."

She took a look at her husband. Matthew confirmed he was on complete dad duty that night. No disturbances.

But on the way up the stairs, Mary did motion him to follow her up to the suite they had picked for themselves at the corner of the house.

He nodded, walking over to say to her in private, "Let me just tell Bertie he's on his own for a while." He winked and made a move back towards the door to the patio.

She slowly slid a fingernail along his torso. "Don't be too long." She licked her lips and flicked her hair loose from its bands. "I need to relax."

"Oh I can make you completely oblivious to the world." Matthew's voice deepened seductively.

"Upstairs." Mary commanded. "Five minutes."

Their shower love making was slow and quiet. Neither wanted to call attention to their activities but neither could they resist having any time alone with the boys asleep and the rest of the family occupied. They kissed. Their lips slipping and sliding. Mary pushed her tongue deep into his mouth, running it all along his top palate and almost dipping down his throat. Matthew's body backed her up against one of the walls where the jets still shot out bursts of steam. Just to the right of the opening was the tile wall. She came to rest against it with a grunt.

His arms encircled and protected her. His knees opened up her thighs and he pushed his groin against her so that her entire body felt his weight. She could barely think straight as he thrust inside while touching her breasts with his lips. Mary's breath now came out in short bated gasps and moans. She fell back limp against the wall of the shower letting him jerk and thrust, pushing her with powerful strokes. Her moment of peak was near. She could feel it. It was overpowering her. She gripped his ass with her legs, tightening against him to lengthen her pleasure. His body shook as he grabbed her arms and spread them wide as his own reeling crest sent waves throughout his body.

"God that was good." He whispered as he dried his wife off with a towel.

"Delicious." Mary confirmed. She stood up and wrapped another towel around her body. "But I think you need to get back downstairs. We've already caused enough suspicion."

"The coast is clear." Matthew poked his head into their bedroom. "I don't hear anything from the baby monitor at least."

So after one last long, wet kiss Matthew dressed quickly and left her to finish drying and styling her hair.

He returned in time to see Bertie arrive with the steaks from the patio grill. Everyone was around the kitchen island putting fixings and side items on their plates.

"Are you still hungry?" Edith asked teasingly.

Matthew blushed. "Mary will be down in a few minutes."

His sister in law gave him a plate. "Is she going to do it you think? Tomorrow?"

Matthew's eyebrows lifted. "Hope so. She seems very confident. The best I've ever seen." He then asked, "Does she know that Sybil's flying in tomorrow to watch her?"

"No." Edith put a finger to her lips. "That's still a secret."

Matthew smiled and nodded. He was about to say something more when Mary arrived.

"Hail the conquering hero!" Her father cheered.

"Not quite yet." Mary tempered her father's enthusiasm. "Two down. One more to go."

"Piece of cake." Matthew murmured confidently in her ear. "You've got this."

Mary embraced her husband, a confident but not big-headed smile crossing her face.

She really did think so too.

XX

"Mary Crawley on Jellybean…" The announcer's voice echoed on the loudspeaker.

"Go for broke." Anna said sending Mary off to the first fence. A vertical with poles placed three above each other. The next an oxer with two verticals together spread wide apart.

Jellybean sailed over both.

Making great time, smooth gait, strong and confident in the saddle Mary took the descending oxer and the triple bar next. The brick wall. The combination. A series of fan rails. A water ditch.

This was a difficult course the Olympia Horse Show set up. A real test of rider and horse.

Mary was winning with flying colours. Her strides in between the jumps was on time. She wasted no effort getting Jellybean over each obstacle.

Accurate. No rails down.

"What a great horse." The announcer said as Mary finished the course. "And Mary Crawley's expertise was on show tonight."

The time displayed up on the board. No penalties. 50 seconds. The Three Day Event Gold Cup was hers.

Mary threw off her helmet in celebration. Waved it around as the crowd cheered.

She looked for her family in the viewing stands.

There was Matthew. Cheering and waving to her. He held up one of the twins revealing that George was adorned with a "Team Mummy" shirt. Bertie held up Jeremy wearing the same. Each twin displaying a broad toothy grin as they clapped along with everyone else.

She too was smiling from ear to ear. And was about to cry from all the overwhelming emotions welling up inside.

Her father so proud. Her own mother beside him. She took such joy in their reunion.

Edith sitting down to not jostle the baby but enthusiastically applauding.

And beside her was Sybil. Jumping up and down and cheering the loudest. She had traveled all the way from her post-residency at Massachusetts General to be here for Mary.

Her wonderful family.

She had done them all proud. Herself as well. She had quit. Fearing failure when Diamond went lame she didn't believe she'd ever ride competitively again.

Now Mary felt triumphant.

She knew now the future was hers as well. She'd give it her best. Try for Tokyo in 2020. To ride in the Olympics the ultimate goal.

But no matter the outcome, she had won. She was loved. She loved in return. Her husband. Her boys. Her family.

How could she ever lose again?

XX

Fin

Sigh… I loved writing this story. I hope you loved reading it. There will be an epilogue (within a couple/three weeks) taking this story further into the future (2024 Paris to be exact) so still some story to tell. I'm about to embark on working much more intently on the new WWI canon era story with a twist (The Gift) and I hope you find the opportunity to give that one a try. I can't thank everyone enough for reading and reviewing this story. I never expected to have my highest review count ever for Pushing In…but I am very very grateful.