Mrs. Tom Branson, and the London Tea Room
Disclaimer: Downton Abbey belongs to Julian Fellowes and ITV. This means I own nothing; except the few characters I've created for my own use.
Summary: This is a one shot looking at how Sybil and Tom became reacquainted with their old friend Gwen Dawson. In this variation, Lady Sybil Branson is relaxing in a London tea room, waiting for Tom. While watching the rain, she runs unexpectedly into an old friend. How will Gwen react to Sybil and her new life as Mrs. Tom Branson?
Rating: T (though sadly nothing explicit)
AN: It's called fiction! There was no research involved, I just pulled everything out of thin air; although I did try to make it as realistic as possible! This is canon, through the Christmas episode. The rest are just my ideas of what could/should happen.
3
It was a gloomy rainy afternoon outside, as Lady Sybil Branson sat in a warm and cozy London tea shop. She was enjoying a cup of pipping hot tea and the two decadent pastries her husband had insisted on purchasing her.
"Tom really, I don't need two" Sybil had half heartedly argued, rolling her eyes at his purchases.
"Of course you do, you're eating for two now" came his reply, giving her that boyish smile which always seemed to melt her heart.
As she sat there, Sybil felt more relaxed than she had in months. With the heightening tensions in Dublin and elsewhere in Ireland, the upcoming nuptials of her sister Mary had given the couple the perfect excuse for returning to England. They had both breathed a sigh of relief, upon disembarking the ship that had brought them to Liverpool.
Sybil no longer feared for her husband's safety. That he'd be shot in the street by an English soldier, simply because he was an outspoken Irishman who wanted home rule. It didn't seem to matter that he wasn't interested in violent insurrections or joining the groups who used terror as a weapon. Tom had always championed the power of words, to change people's minds through peaceful means. His articles had attracted enough attention that he had already been questioned by the military police once. Not that Sybil would ever mention this to her family. So leaving for awhile seemed like a smart idea.
Tom had been seriously thinking of making the move permanent, though he hadn't yet mentioned this to his wife. In her present condition he didn't wish to worry her needlessly. While they were in Dublin he too had constantly feared for Sybil's safety. Not only that she would be attacked for simply being English, but that she would find herself in the wrong place at the wrong time and be a casualty of terror.
For these reasons, as they disembarked in Liverpool they both felt a great sense of relief. Their greeting at Downton had been mixed and awkward to say the least. Those upstairs and down were having to deal with the social upheaval. Some did better with change than others.
Lord Grantham was still uncomfortable with the situation, resulting in him being cold and distant towards his guests. This contrasted greatly to Lady Grantham who was positively glowing with excitement over the impending birth of her first grandchild. She had resigned herself to the fact that her daughter had chosen to marry Tom and if pressed would admit that she respected him. Maybe it was the American in her, but she couldn't deny she admired how he had made something of himself. Lady Grantham saw that it was his love, his devotion to Sybil which had propelled him and the fact that her daughter was clearly loved, gave her comfort.
Sybil's grandmother, who's philosophy has always been to make the best out of any situation, informed her that his employment in journalism was "something I've been able to work with". She wasn't entirely sure she wanted to know what Granny meant by "work with". No doubt it had to do with what ever factious story was being circulated about her husband's origins.
Perhaps the most racist comment she made, which should've made Sybil cringe, but she instead took it in the spirit it was intended, acceptance. Upon her arrival, her grandmother had motioned towards her growing waistline and said "Sybil dear, I say the one good thing about marrying an Irishman is that they know how to father children."
Her sister's had become more acquainted with her husband, in his new status, during their visit to Dublin. They graciously accepted him into the family, as it was polite and proper to do so; though they did help Granny spread the tale of the Irish journalist who swept Sybil off her feet during a visit to London.
Tom's reception by those downstairs had been just as varied. Mr. Carson took Lord Grantham's lead and was cool with disdainful politeness. While Thomas saw Tom as somewhat of a hero, having gone against the oppressive class and seducing a Lady. Having worked with Sybil at the hospital he had gain some respect for her as well. So although he wasn't overly warm, which was not in his nature, he had no desire to scheme against the couple. Mrs. O'Brien had never been overly fond of Sybil and her wild unladylike ways or Tom and his progressive ideals. Though she checked her attitude publicly, because Lady Grantham was so pleased.
Mrs. Hughes and Mrs. Patmore, who had both had an inkling of the budding relationship, took great pleasure in their obvious happiness. Daisy of course found the whole affair terribly romantic. She was more than happy to teach Sybil new recipes and help her make Tom's favorite dishes during their visit.
Despite the mostly gracious acceptance into her old home, Sybil had been relieved when Tom's editor in Dublin had requested he go to London for some meetings. He told her, it was about publishing some of his articles in British papers and the possibility of writing an article or two during his stay in England. What he didn't tell her was that these were also unofficial job interviews. Knowing that Tom was thinking of staying in England for the foreseeable future, his editor had kindly made a few calls on his behalf.
While Tom saw these meetings as a possibility for future employment, Sybil had seen them as an excuse to get away from Downton for a few days. Her husband had initially planned to go alone, but she persuaded him that she should travel with him.
"We won't be able to travel once the baby comes and we could finally see the National Museum, walk through Hyde park, visit bookshops and do all the things we were never allowed to do together" she tried to persuaded him.
"Are you sure you should be traveling, wouldn't it be better to stay here and rest?"
"Tom Branson, you are not leaving me here alone; so you can go gallivanting around London!"
"Gallivanting?, honestly Sybil be realistic... I'm going for work" he said trying not to smile too broadly at her latest emotional outburst.
"You're abandoning me here, so you can escape my family and enjoy your holiday"
The tone of her voice persuaded him not to further the conversation, or attempt to defend himself. He hardly had any notions of enjoying himself and his thoughts were more concerned with having successful interviews.
The next afternoon saw the couple on a train bound for London, where they were to stay with Lady Rosamond. Sybil's aunt had taken great pleasure in Tom's inclusion into the family, mostly because it bothered her brother so much. She welcomed her niece and her husband with open arms. Lady Rosamond had always known that Sybil would marry for love and not material gain. To her, Sybil's choice wasn't as shocking as it seemed to some.
3
Sybil is now sitting in that cozy tea shop awaiting her husband's return. Tom had left her there to attend a meeting down the block. Though not before he had insisted on settling her at a table, making sure she had everything she may need while he was gone.
"I won't be gone long, do you need anything else?"
"No I'm all set, go you don't want to be late"
"Okay, you know were I'll be, right?"
"Don't fret, I'll be fine, now go"
Kissing her quickly on the cheek he said softy "I love you, Mrs. Branson".
"I love you too, good luck" with that he smiled and walked towards the door.
Watching the rain steadily falling through the window, she didn't notice that the small tea shop was steadily filling with patrons attempting to escape the rain. She was too busy in her favorite daydream, the one where she imagined what her unborn child looked like. Would they have their father's beautiful blue eyes, his honey colored hair, would their laughter sound as magical as Tom's?
"Excuse me dear, do you mind if I join you, it's getting awfully crowded in here?" asked a fashionably dressed older woman, who approached the table smiling.
"Oh... of course not" Sybil said smiling coming out of her daydream, shaking off the thoughts which had become increasingly centered on her husband and less on her unborn child.
"I'm Mrs. Copper dear, it's lovely to meet you"
"Mrs. Branson, it's nice to meet you too" Sybil replied smiling, standing to move the stake of books from the chair next to her. Tom had insisted she bring several volumes to ensure she was entertained while he was away. She set them down on the floor by her chair and made room at the table for her guest.
Mrs. Cooper noticed the condition that Sybil was in and said, "My dear, you best enjoy being out, even on a day like today... from the looks of it, you'll have to go into confinement fairly soon".
"Yes... I'm afraid of that."
Mrs. Cooper smiled at her and said, "maybe you can talk my daughter-in-law into starting a family, she's a nice girl but she really needs to give up these ideas about women working once they're married."
"What does she do?" Sybil asked politely, sipping her now tepid tea.
"She's the personal assistant of some banker" she said dismissively, Mrs. Cooper obviously held fast to the old ideals. She felt a woman's place was, baring her husband children and caring for home.
Sounding very much like Sybil's own father, Mrs. Cooper continued "It was all well and good, when my Charlie was in France but now that the war's ended things need to go back to the way they're supposed to be".
"Charlie manages a chain of groceries" she said proudly, then politely inquired "what line of employment is your husband in?"
"My Tom's a journalist and foreign correspondent" Sybil said proudly, stretching the truth only slightly. He was reporting from London now, which was not Dublin where he was based. So really, he was a foreign correspondent now.
"Did your husband report from France during the war?"
"No, unfortunately he failed his medical", she said quietly. Pretending, as she knew she should, that she was upset her husband had not served his country. When in reality she had been elated that he had been rejected by the army. Had he been drafted he probably would've ended up arrested and in prison for being a contentious objector. Making their chances for a future together slim to none.
"I'm sorry to hear that, both my boys proudly served their country."
In order to avoid commenting, Sybil took a large bite of the second pastry Tom had insisted on purchasing. He had been right, she was still rather hungry.
"Well if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go grab a cuppa now that the line's died down"
"Certainly"
As Mrs. Cooper left, Sybil turned her attention back to the rain outside of the window. She started thinking how wrong it was that she should be forced to stay at home, just because she was expecting a child. Why was it so improper for her to be seen in public once she started to show? You'd think it would be a sign to everyone that she was a good and proper wife. Not only had she done her duty and given herself to her husband, but was also giving him a child, quite possibly an heir! Maybe the scandal was that seeing her growing waistline made people envision how the child was conceived.
3
After the couple's failed elopement, they had spent a considerable amount of time in the back of the motor getting acquainted with each other's persons. Sybil's resolve to only engage in kissing before they were married had quickly crumbled; it wasn't just the feel of his hands brushing up her body, but her own desire to explore the man underneath the uniform that compelled her relax some of these ideals.
In addition to their physical explorations, they also talked as they had never done before. Conversations on politics, women's rights and how the world had changed since the war, took a back seat to them planning their future. Finally they were at liberty to share with one another more intimate personal matters and how they had always imagined they would live together.
During one afternoon while they were cuddled up together in the back of the motor Sybil made the unpleasant discovery that Tom had much more experience, too much in her opinion, with the opposite sex. What had started off as conversation about children, turned into something else entirely.
"I know there are things we can do to prevent having children but-"
"You do?" Tom asked, interrupting her.
"Yes, my nurses training didn't focus entirely on male anatomy"
"Really?" he asked intrigued, and also a bit uncomfortably. If he was honest, he had never really given much thought to the "education" his betrothed had been given, nor was he entirely comfortable with the idea that she'd seen other men without their clothing.
"Yes, they educated us so we could protect ourselves against those "randy officers", so we wouldn't end like poor Ethel... how to prevent having children before we wanted them"
"You want them, don't you?"
"Yes!" Sybil said brightly, tightening her hold on Tom, who smiled at her just as warmly. He pulled her towards him and kissed her thoroughly pouring all his emotions into it.
Smiling up at him shying, still out of breath from the kiss she said softy, "I want us to have our own family, to create our own little world... don't you?"
"Yes, but really I just want to give you the life, you've always wanted"
"I never wanted to imagine what my life would become, until you gave me your love... then I was so too scared to even dare to dream of the wonderful life we could have together... the kind of husband I know you'll be"
"I just want to make you happy"
"How have you imagined our life will be together?"
"We'll live in a cozy little flat, in a smart area of town, where we'll wake up every morning in each other's arms... and we'll start the day by working on making our family" he whispered the last part kissing her neck and pulling her even closer.
"Tom, I've never" she said nervously, not really why she was stating the obvious or bring up the elephant in the room.
"What you don't think women's rights should extend to all aspects of life?" he said teasingly pulling away to look at her as she grabbed one of his hands.
"Have you?" Sybil asked quietly ignoring him and staring down at their joined hands. She wasn't sure she really wanted to know the answer, because she was not so naive that she didn't know men rarely remained chaste until their wedding vows. Tom was young, handsome and very charming; Sybil knew he could have his pick of women. Why he wanted her still seemed a mystery at times. Every day she was blessed that the man she loved wholeheartedly returned her feelings and she wasn't going to take that for granted.
Tom suddenly shifted uncomfortably, not wanting to go down this particular avenue of discussion. He wasn't about to lie to her, but he didn't want to upset her either. So taking a deep breath he chose his words very carefully.
"Yes, when I was young and foolish back in Ireland... but then I came to England and I met this girl who was so beautiful inside and out" at these words Sybil looked up into his eyes as he continued "even though I thought she was so far above, that she was out of my reach... she's all I think of, all I want... since I met her, I've never looked anyplace else" at these words Sybil kissed him. It was all she needed to hear. That she had all of his heart and all of his desire.
Tom and Sybil had thoroughly been enjoying married life and it wasn't a surprise to them that they became pregnant so quickly. They had years of repressed desire for one another, that they no-longer had to contain.
3
"Mrs. Branson, I'd like you meet my daughter-in-law, Gwen Cooper."
Sybil was brought back to the present as Mrs. Cooper began walking back towards the table, cup and saucer in hand. Gwen moved around her mother-in-law and caught sight of Mrs. Branson for the first time and exclaimed excitedly "Lady Sybil!"
"Gwen!"
TO BE CONTINUED...