Chapter 1 – Prologue

Thursday 18TH December 1919

Dublin

Tom and Sybil Branson have been married since the 18TH April 1919, exactly eight months ago, and they couldn't be happier, finally living the lives they were destined to, not as the lady and the chauffeur, but as the nurse and the journalist; Mr and Mrs Branson.

Tom's new job as a junior political journalist with 'The Republic' national newspaper, and Sybil's new job as a nurse at the city of Dublin's women's and children's hospital, means that the young couple can live comfortably with both their wages in their two bedroom small flat. They had bought their flat in Dublin, whilst the banns were read and was fully furnished by their wedding night.

Like all couples they have their disagreements, but Tom and Sybil had made a pact on their wedding night, never to go to bed angry. So arguments in the Branson household, were generally followed by making up, which almost always led to passionate love making.

Even though Sybil's older sister's Mary and Edith had come across for the wedding, no-one on Sybil's side of the family had visited since, and neither had Tom and Sybil to Downton, but letters were conversed regularly with the majority of her family and friends, all that is apart from Robert.

Since arriving in Dublin, Sybil has called Dublin home, and she is a welcomed addition to the Branson family, though it did take a little time to win them all over.


Sybil had started her shift at the hospital at eight o'clock in the morning, after enjoying an early breakfast with her husband, it was now half past four and her shift was coming to an end. She headed to one of her most trusted colleagues and best friend Dr Ava Thompson's office, one of the younger doctors at the hospital.

Dr Ava Thompson is half American, half Irish and the only female doctor at Dublin's women's and children's hospital. She was brought up in New York with her father Joseph 'Joey' Thompson an American affluent businessman and Aoife O'Conner an Irish immigrant to the states, and teacher. Ava has four siblings; Joseph Junior, Declan, Darragh and Erin, the strong Catholic raising of her parents made sure of that. Ava is a modern woman, proving that by entering what is perceived to be a man's profession, she believes in equality and rights for women, and a free state for Ireland. Sybil and Ava had bonded and became friends the day Sybil came looking for a job at the women's and children's hospital, bonding primarily on the fact that they are both foreigners with different accents in Ireland even though Ava's mother is Irish Ava has never lived in Ireland permanently only visited during holidays.

Knocking the door twice, Sybil heard a faint 'come in', so she proceeded to enter the small, slightly cluttered office.

"Ah, Sybil, come in, come in, take a seat," Dr Thompson exclaimed jovially gesturing to the two chairs next to her desk. "How was your shift?"

"Thank you, it was good Mrs Gallagher delivered a healthy baby boy during a home birth I was called out on and Sean O'Neil well you know he's recovered from his pneumonia and is going home, it's been a good day." Sybil smiled.

Sybil had taken a course not long after arriving in Dublin, to become a qualified midwife on top of being a nurse, and was successful.

"That's great news, I heard that Master Gallagher had a strong pair of lungs on him, and Sean well he hugged us both didn't he," Ava chuckled. "What can I do for you? You seem awfully nervous, I don't bite I promise." Ava's strong New York accent softened.

Sybil looked down at her lap, where her hands are fidgeting nervously.

"I think I'm pregnant!" Sybil blurted. "I well, I don't know for sure but I've got some symptoms, I've been feeling nauseous, my breasts," Sybil blushed. "Are tender and my cycle is late."

"Right from your symptoms you might be expecting, so let me examine you and we'll see, now take a deep breath and count to ten and release, I know both you and Tom want children, why are you so nervous?" Dr Thompson asked.

"I didn't think I could get pregnant, well what I mean is that me and Tom have been married awhile and well we haven't really tried to prevent a pregnancy ..." Sybil blushed as memories of love making with Tom in various locations throughout the flat flooded her mind.

Ava and Sybil continued to talk for a few minutes before Ava led Sybil to be examined.

Fifteen minutes later and the examination was over, Sybil was back sat in the chair next to her best friend's desk awaiting her diagnosis.

"Well Sybil, I can say that all your symptoms as a collective, show that you are in fact pregnant, I would estimate an around a month or so gone." Dr Thompson informed Sybil with a wide grin. "Congratulations!"

"Really!" Sybil gasped. "I mean are you sure?" Sybil stammered her hands unconsciously dropped to her abdomen which is clad in her grey nurse's uniform.

"As sure as I can be," Ava chuckled. "Now you need to listen to your body's needs, sleep when tired, eat when hungry, and drink when thirsty, you should be able to keep working if your well enough until you are four months along before leaving to prepare for the birth of baby Branson, and you can always come back when the baby is six months old and weaned, whenever you are ready." Sybil nodded at her best friends instructions.

"Thank you so much Ava," Sybil hugged her friend.

"You're very welcome, and I want to see you for monthly check ups on you and the baby, so pop in to see me on the 18TH January, and are we still on for Saturday?" Ava asked as she returned the hug.


Sybil is overjoyed, she is pregnant, they are going to have a baby, and she is carrying Tom's baby, starting the family they always talked about. Walking s home, in the chilly winter weather, it wasn't raining thank heavens! Sybil had wrapped herself warm in her thick dark blue winter coat, scarf and gloves. She can't stop smiling, Sybil is so happy, everything was finally falling into place. Reaching the flat Sybil was surprised to find that the door was unlocked, meaning Tom was home, home early. Entering her home Sybil was greeted by the heavenly smell of beef stew and vegetables coming for the kitchen.

Ever since getting married Tom and Sybil shared chores, so one day Sybil would cook the next Tom would, the same was said for the other household chores.

"Tom I'm home." Sybil called out as she removed her scarf, gloves and coat placing them on the hooks in the hallway before entering the living room, standing near the small coal lit fire, in order to warm herself up.

Tom was stood in the kitchen of the flat they shared, finishing up cooking dinner, putting the pans on the heater to keep it warm until both he and Sybil are ready to eat dinner. Tom had taken his suit jacket and tie off, his shirt sleeves were rolled up, showing off his muscular forearms. Hearing his wife's voice filter throughout the flat, he rushed to the living area.

"Love, you must be freezing, come here I don't want you getting ill, not now, you've just got over a cold." Tom's Irish accent had become stronger since returning to the country of his birth. He pulled his wife into a warm loving embrace in an attempt to warm her up from the winter weather, but also to fulfil a need to have each other close as they hadn't seen each other since breakfast.

"I am a little cold," Sybil chuckled, burying her red nosed face into his shoulder.

"Well, we'll have to get you warmed up then," Tom kissed the top of her head. "I missed you today."

"I missed you to," Sybil admitted, pulling her head off of Tom's comfortable, muscular shoulder to look up into her husband's blue eyes. Sybil's gaze kept dropping to his lips then back up to his eyes. "Aren't you going to welcome me home properly?"

"Of course Mrs Branson," Tom winked, as his right hand came up to caress Sybil's soft cheek as he leant forward, fusing his lips to hers.

Tom and Sybil have always greeted each other with a kiss when they get home, as well as a kiss when they both left each morning, no matter how angry, upset, late or busy they are.

Sybil's arms went instinctively around Tom's neck, pulling Tom deeper into the kiss. Tom responded, his hands wandering precariously close to her toned, shapely behind, as his tongue slid across Sybil's full bottom lip, causing Sybil to part her mouth ever so slightly, their tongues began dueling passionately. The married couple's bodies, flush against each other. Sybil broke this kiss, due to her dire need for oxygen, slowly lowering her hands from Tom's neck to his broad shoulders. If only her family could see her now!

"I'm all warmed up now," Sybil smirked, her right hand drawing patterns on her husband's shirt clad chest. "What's for dinner?"

Tom let out a chuckle. "Are you now?" Tom raised an eyebrow as he caressed her behind, causing Sybil to squeal. "Beef stew and vegetables for dinner, Ma's receipt, plus I know it's your favourite." Tom told Sybil, as he waggled his eyebrows making Sybil laugh aloud.

"Hmmm, my favourite, it smells heavenly," Sybil moaned, her hand laid on Tom's chest. "How long until it's ready?"

"It's ready now just needs just dishing up," Tom smiled. "Come on love, let's eat!" Tom announced in his thick Irish brogue, cheekily capturing another quick kiss to Sybil's lips.


Within minutes the kitchen table was set and the young married couple were tucking into their dinner, it was now six o'clock.

They never get changed from their work clothes in order to eat dinner if they had both been working late, unless they had guests or were going out for dinner.

Sybil couldn't help it, that she is still smiling, so happy at the new life growing inside of her, so happy in fact she could burst. Tom kept stealing glances at his beautiful smiling wife while they ate, discussing their work days. He knows that Sybil loves her job, no matter what challenges it entails, but Tom can't quite pin point exactly why she is so happy.

"Syb, darling, why are you smiling?" Tom asked using the pet name he gave Sybil when they finally got engaged. "You, love, have been smiling like that ever since you walked through the door." Tom continued as he slid his hand into hers across the table.

"Tom, I found out something today, that I think you will like very much," Sybil stated vaguely, still smiling as her thumbs caressed his knuckles.

"What did you find out; it must be good?" Tom asked playfully in reply.

"I'm pregnant Tom! About a month or so along, we're going to be parents." Sybil gushed, happy tears threatening to flow out of her blue grey eyes.

"P-p-pregnant?" Tom stammered, taking in the happy news. "Oh my darling, you have no idea how happy this makes me," Tom slid off of his chair and crouched down in front of Sybil. "We're going to be parents," Tom repeated as he kissed both of her hands. "This is the best gift I have ever gotten for Christmas."

"You really mean it?" Sybil smiled, happy tears springing from her eyes, no way she could hold them back now! "I didn't think we could have children, I mean we have never really done anything to prevent it since we have been married," Sybil blushed. "I am so happy, I cannot wait for August when our baby will be born."

"We are having a baby Syb how can I not be the happiest man on this earth right now, I love you and the baby we have created so, so much." Tom sealed his proclamation with a soft, sweet kiss to her lips. "What about your job as a nurse, what happens now that you're pregnant, I know how much it means to you?" Tom asked gently.

"I love you to, both you and our child," Sybil kissed him once again. "Ava, told me I can work until I am around four months along and start to show as long as it isn't too strenuous on my body before I have to leave to prepare for the birth and she said that I can return when I'm ready when the baby is six months old and weaned." Sybil informed Tom with a wide smile. "Can I tell Mama in our Christmas letter?"

"It sounds like you have everything figured out, and you know I will always be around to help out with the baby when I can and to support you," Tom reached up and caressed his wife's soft cheek, Sybil nodded in recognition. "And of course you can tell Lady Grantham, we can tell Ma tomorrow or Sunday as well if you'd like as Ava is coming round on Saturday. Come on, let's clean up from dinner, write some letters and have an early night." Tom exclaimed as he stood up still holding Sybil's hands in his. "It's time for me to take care of you."


After doing the dishes, both Tom and Sybil started to get ready for bed; Tom in his dark blue check pajama bottoms and white undershirt, Sybil into her light blue nightgown with her dark blue dressing gown tied loosely around her still slim waist.

Sybil sat in the small study of their flat, just next to the living area, at her desk handwriting a letter to her mother, when two large warm hands graced her shoulders.

"Are you writing to your mother, or to Lady Edith, or Lady Mary?" Tom asked, placing a soft kiss to her exposed neck.

"To Mama, so it can go out in the morning post and get to Downton before Christmas, and you really must call them Edith and Mary at least when it's just us, they can't hear you, I promise." Sybil exclaimed, teasing slightly, leaning her head to rest on his hand still placed on her slender shoulder.

"Alright, I will try; it's a force of habit, I did used to be your families chauffeur, Sybil." Tom chuckled.

"I know that, I remember sneaking off to the garage whenever I could to talk to you," Sybil smiled at the memories flashing through her mind. "But you're a journalist now and I couldn't be a prouder wife!" Sybil stated with a proud smile and a gleam in her eyes as she looked up to her husband, now stood beside her.

"Well, I am a very proud husband to the best nurse in all of Ireland," Tom replied with a cheeky smile.

"You are a little biased Tom," Sybil giggled.

"Is it such a bad thing?" Tom questioned with a quirk of his eyebrows.

"No not at all," Sybil replied. "I love you."

"I love you too." Tom captured Sybil's lips for a small loving kiss. "I'm going to read in bed, finish your letter and I will post it on my way to work in the morning." Sybil just nodded in acknowledgement.

Tom walked out of the study, leaving Sybil to write her letter to Downton, in their bedroom Tom pulled out his collection of newspapers, lying sat upright at the headboard on his side, the left side of their double bed and began to read.


Writing her letter, Sybil had started off slow, choosing her words carefully, but it soon sped up as the sentences flowed soon after she had started to write.

Dearest Mama,

We hope everyone is well at Downton, and we wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy, Healthy New Year!

I'm sorry it's been a little while since I last wrote to you all, but Tom and I have been busy with work and settling into our new home, with our new schedules and routines. Tom's recently got the front page article for The Republic and I couldn't be any prouder. Tom was so happy, you should have seen him, and he's doing a job he was such a passion for and succeeding at it. We had a little get together at Ma's house to celebrate with the family and a few friends. He wasn't expecting anything, so it was a total surprise, but I know Tom loved it.

My job at the hospital as both a nurse and a midwife is going well, and I have made more friends since my last letter! Ava has continued to make me feel right at home, we are the best of friends, we tend to go out with a few of the younger doctors and nurses, sometimes Tom joins us to. I have met so many people from all walks of life, some accept that I'm English, some don't, but I simply love my life here in Dublin with Tom. Just today at the hospital, Mrs Aileen Gallagher from across the street, a close friend of the family gave birth to healthy baby boy during a home delivery, which I delivered with the aid of fellow midwife Sister Agnes. The little boy had such a pair of lungs on him! Also today at the hospital, little five year old Sean O'Neil has finally recovered from his pneumonia and is going home just in time for Christmas! He was so excited when Ava and I told him and his parents that he hugged us both, Ava and I have treated Sean from the start; Sean told us that we are his favourite doctor and nurse.

We are both so very sorry to hear of Mr Bates' arrest, Tom and I both truly believe in his innocence. Anna keeps us informed of the developments, I hope you, Mary and Edith can keep us up to date and tell us if there is anything we can do. I do hope Anna is well, her letters had become infrequent as of late, but at least we now know why, please give her our best and tell her we are thinking of her. I don't know how Anna does it, I don't think I would cope if we were in the same situation, thank goodness we're not.

Tom and I have some news of our own; we are going to have a baby, I'm pregnant. Oh Mama, we are so, so happy. According to Ava, I am a month or so along, due sometime in August. I told Tom this evening, and he told me it was the best Christmas gift he had ever been given, my being pregnant, I was so happy when he said that, I cried. I honestly didn't think I could have any children, and we have been married eight months. Tom has always been the optimist, saying that it will happen when it happens and I never truly believed it until now. We are going to tell Ma tomorrow and I know she will be elated at the news as I hope you and Papa will be. Please don't tell anyone other than Papa, especially not Mary and Edith as I want to tell them myself and I want to make sure all is as it should be before getting everyone excited, just in case it isn't meant to be.

I hope that you and Papa will come round to our marriage. Tom makes me so very happy, he is a wonderful, wonderful man, and I just wish you could know him like I do. I know that our engagement came as a shock to the family but I do truly, deeply love Tom and have done for many years, I was just too scared to admit it when he first proposed to me. I know Papa thinks my marriage is some kind of rebellion or passing fad but it isn't, I hope you all come round to our marriage by the time the baby is born, and as we both want all of you to be a part of our lives.

All my love to the family.

Your loving daughter,

Sybil Branson

Signing her name at the bottom of the letter, Sybil put down her pen, neatly folded her letter and put it in the pre written and stamped envelope. Leaving the envelope on her deck Sybil made her way to the bedroom.


Standing in the open doorway Sybil could see that Tom was fast asleep, with a newspaper open on his chest. Quietly Sybil crept into the room, quickly collecting the newspapers, putting them back in the drawer. Removing her dressing gown, Sybil slipped under the covers and snuggled into her husband's warm body, not realizing that he was beginning to wake up.

"Syb," Tom murmured sleepily. "Are you alright?"

"Yes Tom, I'm alright, just finished the letter to Mama ready for posting tomorrow." Sybil paused. "Do you think they will be happy about the baby? Sybil asked genuinely concerned.

Even though Cora writes to Sybil regularly, it wasn't clear whether or not she had come round to Sybil and Tom's marriage.

"Your mother will be happy I'm sure, and your sisters too," Tom smiled. "They will come round eventually and love our baby just as much as we do, don't you worry." Tom reassured as he wrapped his arms around his wife.

"I hope so," Sybil whispered into Tom's chest, before sitting up slightly for a goodnight kiss.

"They will," Tom agreed, capturing Sybil's lips with his for a quick, loving kiss. "We're really having a baby," Tom's eyes lit up, as his right hand down Sybil's body to her slim abdomen where their baby lay. Sybil placed her smaller, more delicate hands on top of his.

"A baby Branson," Sybil agreed. "Ma will be pleased that she's getting grandchildren from at least one of her Branson boys." Sybil giggled.

"Legitimate children anyway," Tom chuckled, knowing his brother Kieran's behaviour.

"True," Sybil laughed, snuggling deeper into Tom's body. "You're warm," Sybil sighed contentedly.

"And your feet are freezing!" Tom added cheekily, earning him a swat to the chest. "I love you Mrs Branson."

"I love you to Mr Branson," Sybil replied with a slight, ladylike yawn.

"Sleep my love if you're tired," Tom whispered, placing a kiss to the top of his wife's head, which was now snuggled into his chest, with one hand running through Sybil's newly bobbed hair Tom continued. "Goodnight Syb."

"Goodnight Tom," Sybil said sleepily.

Within minutes the young couple, fell asleep in each other's arms, happy with the news that they were going to become parents, dreaming of what the future might bring.


Wednesday 24TH December 1919

Downton Abbey

Cora and Robert were enjoying each other's company in the drawing room, after all the dancing of the evening at the servant's ball. Ever since Cora's near death encounter with the Spanish flu, Robert had become more attentive and loving in public, more so than usual, almost as though living every moment as it may be their last. Sat next to each other, their hands intertwined, Robert nursing a small glass of whiskey, discussing Mr Bates, Mary and Sir Richard.

There was a knock at the door; Mr Carson entered carrying a small silver tray, with a letter placed in the middle of it.

"Excuse me milord, milady, the evening post has finally arrived," Mr Carson huffed, holding out the tray as proof.

Robert nodded at the butler and one of his most trust allies, as he took the letter off of the tray.

"Thank you Carson," Robert thanked Carson, he nodded in acknowledgement and left the room.

Turning his attention to the letter in his hand, he noticed the return address - Dublin. It can only mean one thing, it's from his youngest daughter, Sybil. Sighing, Robert handed the letter to his wife.

"It's from Sybil," Robert offered reason as he walked over to his desk, picked up his letter knife and handed it to Cora.

Cora opened the letter, passing Robert back his letter knife and quickly read the letters contents. Even though Cora had yet to come round to Sybil's choice of husband, she was proud that her daughter followed her heart, and therefore she refused to disown her daughter, her flesh and blood. Cora loves her youngest and misses her deeply, especially since Sybil hadn't been back to Downton to visit since she left eight months ago.

"Oh!" Cora gasped, bringing a gloved hand to her mouth.

"What is it?" Robert asked genuinely concerned for Sybil's safety in Ireland.

"Sybil's pregnant!" Cora exclaimed, her facial expression a combination if shock and delight. "Sybil says we are not to tell anyone else as she wants to tell them herself when she is sure everything is going smoothly."

"I wondered why she didn't ask to come for Christmas," Robert mumbled.

"Robert I will not be kept from my first grandchild. This isn't the lifestyle we wanted for Sybil, but it's what has happened and we must accept it. One of my biggest regrets was not going to her wedding to see our baby getting married." Cora told her husband, not breaking eye contact. "And now our baby is starting a family of her own and I will not be kept away from that. I want Tom, Sybil and the baby to be able to visit Downton, and I will be going to Ireland to visit them. Sybil is happy and in love. Tom's family have accepted her, and I do not want to be replaced Robert." Cora exclaimed sternly.

"Nothing I say will change your mind," Robert mused. "You're turning American on me," Robert sighed. "As much as it pains an Englishman to say it, I do love Sybil; of course I do, she's my youngest daughter. If I can't change your mind I see no point in a quarrel." Robert compromised, still not quite coming to terms with the fact that the former chauffeur was his son in law, even though he gave them his blessing.

"No, you will not change my mind Robert." Cora smirked. "We're going to be grandparents by August!" Cora gushed, taking Robert's hand in hers.


Friday 19TH December 1919

Dublin

Tom and Sybil had decided over breakfast that they would tell Ma their happy news tonight, as they were going round for dinner at Tom's childhood home, just two blocks from their flat.

Margaret Branson nee Brennan is an Irish catholic woman born and bred. In her early sixties she has worked as a dressmaker and seamstress her whole life, starting at the mere age of ten. She married Darragh Branson; a dock worker whom she was childhood sweethearts with when she turned nineteen, in 1876. During her marriage to Darragh, they had only two children; Kieran born 1881 and Tom born 1890. Darragh passed away from heart failure not long after the Easter Rising of 1916; Margaret being recently widowed had been able to keep running her home with a combination of savings and her income as well as both of her sons sending a portion of their income home to her.

When Tom and Sybil first arrived in Dublin, a few days after Lavinia's funeral; Margaret thought them both very foolish. Her first impressions of Sybil weren't great, as she thought that Sybil was being very naive and that once she got bored of Tom and living a very different life than Downton, that she would run straight home to her family. As the weeks went by with Sybil living under her roof, Margaret got to know Sybil a lot better; that she was an early riser, keen to learn, opinionated and political as well as being very in love with her son. Margaret soon welcomed Sybil as the daughter she never had to her family telling her to call her Ma, teaching Sybil everything she wanted to know; about the upkeep of a home, marital life, life in Dublin, and especially the wedding and wedding night as Cora hadn't told Sybil everything she wanted to know, even with her nurses training her details were lacking.

The young married couple were getting changed from their work clothes, getting ready to go to dinner with Ma. Tom had a rough day at work after having altercations with his editor over his new article Tom was currently working on but he still came home happy because he was coming home to Sybil. Sybil had a great day at work after the matron had hinted at the possibility of Sybil getting a promotion to become a senior nurse soon, even though the hospital well all but Ava didn't know she was pregnant, but it was still good news as she had earned the possibility of a promotion on her own merit and hard work.

"Tom, do I look alright?" Sybil asked as she walked into the living area, where her husband was waiting, her soft, pure tones breaking Tom out of his reverie.

Sybil was wearing a long pale grey skirt, white blouse, matching pale blue cardigan, and a blue winter coat with black slightly heeled shoes. It always takes Tom's breathe away, how beautiful upper working class, lower middle class wife.

"Love, you look beautiful as always," Tom exclaimed as his blue eyes graced her body, taking a moment to take in her beauty.

Tom's wearing a blue grey suit, a white shirt, a blue tie and black shoes; holding his grey fedora ad grey coat in his not having the need to gel his hair back like he used to do when he was in service, Tom's dark blonde hair now flopped onto his forehead. It had taken Sybil some time to get used to seeing Tom in his natural state, wearing normal clothes not his uniform livery, from when they attempted to elope to Gretna Green till their marriage in Dublin.

"Thank you," Sybil blushed under her husband's gaze. "You look rather handsome in your new suit," Sybil smiled as she reached up to straighten Tom's crooked tie.

"Why than you milady," Tom joked with a deep chuckle, earning him a swat to the chest from his wife.

"And you were worried that I wouldn't be able to cope without a ladies maid and yet you cannot seem to dress yourself properly," Sybil giggled, as she caressed Tom's clean shaven cheek.

"Maybe I like you dressing and undressing me," Tom flirted arching his eyebrows seductively.

"You are insatiable," Sybil responded, placing a chaste loving kiss to his lips.

Tom shrugged with a cheeky grin.

"What can I say, I'm a man in love, married to my beautiful wife who I love more than life itself, also I'm going to become a Da, I couldn't be happier than what I am right now, I feel as though I might explode with happiness." Tom exclaimed with a wide grin pulling at his lips.

"I'm so glad you're happy, because you make me very, very happy Mr Branson, I love you," Sybil smiled.

"I love you both to," Tom replied as he placed his right hand on Sybil's abdomen, before pulling her into a hug. "Are you ready to go?"

"Yes, let's go, can't keep Ma waiting," Sybil nodded.

Releasing each other from the warm comforting embrace, Tom opened up his jacket and proceeded to put it on. Sybil watched as Tom put on his jacket, her hands unconsciously wrapped around her abdomen, she felt so content, she is pregnant with their baby everything is perfect.

"No we can't, I'll get a clip round the ear," Tom chuckled.

Leaving their flat; Tom and Sybil walked arm in arm, Sybil leaning into his shoulder, the winter air was chilly following the gentle snowfall, and it really was a picturesque scene, with the sun beginning to set, especially so close to Christmas.


Since getting married in April, Sybil and Tom both reveled in the fact that they can be free with their expressions of love, even in public. Whilst the banns were being read, there had been several close encounters when Tom and Sybil were unchaperoned, spending time alone together; stolen kisses, hugs, holding hands, as well as many more steamy encounters dangerously close to breaking there no more than kissing rule, but they never did specify where they could kiss.

Holding onto Tom not only as a show of love and public intimacy, but as a precaution as the winter weather had caused the pavements to become icy; the memory of her mother's miscarriage caused by a simple fall still haunts Sybil. Within fifteen minutes they were a street away from Tom's childhood home, on the way they had discussed many topics, Ireland and its trouble, Tom's new article, Sybil's possible promotion, and how they may break the news of the baby to Ma.

"You know it's my first Christmas as a Branson, and our first Christmas together," Sybil announced as she looked up at her husband.

"The first of many, and next Christmas there will be three Branson's in our home; me, you and our baby," Tom added as he stopped walking, and cupped his wife's face in one hand, the other placed tenderly on her abdomen. "Mrs Branson believe me when I say that I am so happy I could burst, I cannot wait to live the rest of my life with you, raising our children," Tom proclaimed before pressing his lips to Sybil's. "Though Christmas in Dublin won't ever be as grand as at Downton." Tom continued.

"You make me happy, so very happy, and the rest of my life spent with you sounds rather heavenly, raising our children, waking up every morning with you by my side. Tom you know I don't care about grand, what's special about this Christmas, is that I am spending it with you, as Mrs Branson." Sybil smiled at the thought of raising their children together, and waking up every morning to a good morning kiss from Tom.

Tom nodded with an almost childlike smile. "It does sound rather heavenly doesn't it? I know you don't care about grand, I just, well I can't believe you're here with me, it feels like a dream."

"Well you better believe it Mr Branson, because I am here to stay!" Sybil exclaimed as she looked up at her husband with a cheeky glint in her blue grey eyes.

Tom chuckled. "I sure hope so, I mean to keep my family together, happy, loved and fully supported." Tom replied with a wink. "Sybil, you and our baby are all that matters to me now, politics aside, I would never do anything to put the both of you in any danger, I love you too much to ever harm you." Tom promised looking deep into Sybil's eyes as they both stopped walking.

Not breaking eye contact with her husband. "I know you won't Tom darling," Sybil caressed Tom's cheek. "I trust you." Sybil placed a soft loving kiss to his cheek. "I love you." Sybil placed another kiss to the opposite cheek. "Our baby," Sybil repeated in awe, holding Tom's face with her hands, Sybil began to giggle. "It's sometimes weird to think that we made our baby out of love, when I was raised that it was a woman's duty to provide an heir," Sybil mused aloud, leaning her body into Tom's as they stood two streets away from Ma's.

"Do you think it's a duty?" Tom asked, genuinely curious as to where Sybil stood on such matters as they never really discussed it in much detail since discovering their news yesterday.

"No, of course not, we made this baby out of love, we both want children, it's no duty to carry and deliver our child into our world, especially not to me, it's a joy to become a mother, and we don't have a need for an heir Mr Branson." Sybil smirked. "And if I remember rightly we were thoroughly enjoying ourselves when we conceived, making love is certainly no duty."

Tom dropped his voice low to a hushed whisper. "Making love to you Sybil Branson, is certainly no duty milady, I love you, I love our baby, and I love our life here in Dublin," Tom cupped Sybil's face with his masculine hands, capturing her lips with his.

"I love you," Sybil whispered. "I love our new life together, and our baby," Sybil responded placing a chaste kiss to the corner of Tom's mouth. "I'm hungry," Sybil added with a bashful smile.

"You are? Come on let's get to Ma's before dinner gets cold," Tom suggested as he held his arm out for Sybil to hold onto, pulling her into his side.

"Yes let's," Sybil nodded.


The couple continued to walk the street down to Ma's family home, arm in arm, what they didn't notice was that Ma was watching them from her living area window. Opening the gate, Tom being a gentlemen held his arm out waiting for Sybil to enter the front garden first; the couple shared a smile as they both walked up to the front door together. Tom knocked the door twice.

Margaret Branson opened the front door within seconds, wearing her apron and her greying dark blonde hair pulled back away from her face and a pale green dress.

"Come on in, both of you, quick before you catch a death," Margaret gestured wildly with her hands for them to come in, her thick Irish accent cutting through her words.

"Hello Ma," Tom took his hat off, placing a gentle kiss to his mother's cheek.

"Hello Ma, how are you?" Sybil added as she embraced her mother in law.

Margaret nodded with a smile. "I'm doing very well thank you, come on through you two, I've made chicken soup, it's just on the warmer, how are you feeling?"

"That's good, and I'm a lot better thank you," Sybil smiled, not wanting to reveal her pregnancy till at least during dinner.

After hanging their coats, gloves and hats in the cupboard under the stairs, Sybil and Tom followed Margaret through to the kitchen. Upon entering the kitchen, Tom and Sybil almost instinctively began to lay the table ready for dinner, stealing playful glances at one another. Within minutes the small family were sat around the table, said grace and began to enjoy their warming meal.

"Are you looking forward to your first Christmas away from Downton?" Margaret asked looking across the table at her son and daughter in law.

"Yes I am rather, I do miss my family, but I love living here in Dublin and I have a new family to celebrate the birth of Christ with," Sybil replied, as Tom slipped his hand into hers.

"It'll be a bit different from Christmas at Downton, of that I can assure you," Margaret chuckled.

"And I will enjoy it even more so because I will be spending it with Tom and you Ma," Sybil reasoned, before she took a spoonful of her chicken soup.

"A charmer you are," Margaret smiled. "How as work been at the hospital?" The older Mrs Branson continued.

"Working at the hospital has been going really well, Mrs Gallagher has had her baby, he has quite the set of lungs on him," Sybil chuckled at the memory. "And little Sean has finally gone home just in time for Christmas, he gave me and Ava a big hug."

"I had heard Aileen had gone into labour, have they picked out a name yet? I'm glad, you really enjoy your work don't you?" Margaret commented as she dunked her bread into her soup.

Tom just sat back and watched his wife and mother converse whilst he ate his dinner in silence, with a smile on his face.

Sybil paused for a moment in thought. "I don't think they have named him yet but I doubt it will take too long. I do love my work, I have made many friends." Sybil took a sip of her water.

"How about you Tommy, how's work been?" Margaret inquired looking at her son, catching him gazing lovingly at his young wife.

"Hmmm, oh it's been good, today I've just had some altercations with the editor over my current article that I have been working on," Tom snapped out of his trance to answer his mother. "Have you heard form Kieran lately, I've only had a couple of letters since the wedding?" Tom asked, still holding Sybil's free hand under the table.

Margaret sighed. "Not since October, but it doesn't surprise me, that boy cannot be tamed, he'll be the death of me I tell you."

"He's not that bad," Tom responded, as some sort of weak defense of his older brother. "I mean, he has a steady job," Tom shrugged at the looks his wife and mother were giving him. "What! It's better than not having a job and being wild."

"I suppose so, I just wish he would settle down, he's coming up to forty years old, with no wife or children," Margaret sighed at her eldest son's antics. "I'm not getting any younger, I would like to see grandchildren before I pass on," she hinted with a smile.

Sybil and Tom almost choked on their soup at the mention of grandchildren, sharing a loving and slightly nervous glance, Sybil nodded with a smile, and it was now time to share their news.

"Ma about that…" Tom started but paused due to the lack of words running through his head, rendering him speechless.

"About what?" Margaret asked, slightly confused as her brow furrowed.

"Grandchildren." Tom continued, placing a tender hand to Sybil's knee, glancing up to meet his wife's eyes, before turning back to face his white haired mother.

"What Tom is trying to say is that I am pregnant," Sybil explained, a wide grin pulling at her lips. "We're going to have a baby."

"Oh my dears," congratulations to the both of you," Margaret gasped, bringing a hand to her slightly gaping mouth. "That's why you have been ill isn't it? How far along are you?" The bombardment of questions began.

"Thank you, according to Ava I'm around a month or so gone, due around August," Sybil smiled, as she squeezed Tom's hand that was still placed on her knee.

"Oh Sybil, Tommy, this is just wonderful news, just wonderful," Margaret exclaimed, tears lining her blue eyes. "Tommy son, you've got to take care of her, Sybil's doing all the hard work.

"I fully intend to take care of her as I always have done," Tom responded with a proud smile. "It's the best Christmas present I have ever gotten." Tom leant over to Sybil and kissed her cheek softly.

"That's my boy, I have to say that this is cause for a celebration, let's clear up the dinner plates and get dessert," Margaret announced, as all three of them stood to clear the table.

Tom kissed his wife's cheek before collect some of the dishes and taking his leave to the kitchen leaving his Ma alone with Sybil for a minute. Margaret walked around the table and engulfed Sybil in a warming embrace.

"My dear girl, how are you feeling?" Margaret asked, wiping the happy tears from Sybil's eyes.

"I'm really happy, excited but terribly nervous, you know about my Mama's miscarriage, I just want everything to run smoothly," Sybil explained. "We both want children, I thought I would never happen," Sybil giggled.

"I'm so happy for you both, if you have any questions about anything don't hesitate to ask dear, I know you're a nurse but if you ever need anything from another perspective you can always come to me, my dear." Margaret smiled, sincerely.

"Thank you so much, for everything, you welcomed me into your family, put up with my sisters when me and Tom got married, I'm not sure I could have managed that," Sybil thanked her mother in law. "I will be sure to come to you with any queries I have, I may be a midwife and a nurse but I have never been pregnant before neither have I given birth so I have a feeling I will need all the help I can get."

"You're more than welcome my dear," Margaret paused before continuing. "Have you told your family the news yet?"

Sybil nodded. "I wrote to Mama, Tom posted the letter this morning, I expect Mama will be excited and happy to be becoming a grandmother, I'm not sure what Papa will think." Sybil sighed, she loved her father very much but sometimes he could be so English.

"They will come round eventually, especially when they see the baby for the first time," Margaret reassured Sybil, gently rubbing her arm.

Neither one of the Branson women noticed Tom leaning in the kitchen doorway, listening and watching his mother and young wife interact. Tom smiled at the mention of the baby, after the talk of Sybil's family. Tom truly believed that the Crawley's would come and attend the wedding, well at the very least Lady Grantham, Lady Edith and Lady Mary but just her sisters were in attendance, which in a certain way was welcoming that the Crawley sisters were fighting their corner.

"Sorry to interrupt you two beautiful ladies but dessert is served," Tom interrupted Sybil and Margaret's continued conversation into the different trimesters and what to expect, with a cheeky grin.

"Always the charmer my Tommy," Margaret stated with a smile.

Sybil let out a laugh.

"You are beautiful Ma," Tom affirmed, with a boyish grin and a kiss to his mother's cheek. "And Sybil you are so beautiful, you're glowing." Tom continued to flirt.

"You won't be saying that in eight months' time," Sybil told him with an uncertain look about her.

"Yes you're absolutely right," Sybil's mouth gaped open. "You will look even more beautiful because you are carrying our child," Tom replied caressing his wife's smooth cheek, leaning to give her a quick peck to the lips whilst his mother was putting the dessert of fruit cake and custard around the table.

"I love you," Sybil managed to reply, holding back her happy hormonal tears.

"I love you too," Tom tapped her nose playfully, before slipping his hand into hers guiding her back to the table, pulling the chair out for her and pushing it gently back in when Sybil sat back down. Tom then did the same for his mother before taking his seat at the table.


The small family enjoyed their dessert of fruit cake and custard, discussing many things including; Christmas, the baby, work and family. Margaret sent them on their way at quarter to nine in the evening, with a server of the remaining chicken soup to the last them the weekend. Tom and Sybil lazily walked home in the calming darkness, the street lamps flickering every so often basking an orange glow onto the pavement and the road below.

Reaching their apartment Tom let them both in, quickly discarding of their coats and shoes; Sybil put the server of soup in the kitchen, whilst Tom stoked the fire to warm the flat.

Sitting on the sofa in front of the fire Tom gestured for Sybil to join him. "Come sit with me darling," Tom reached and grabbed her hand, gently pulling her toward him.

"It's getting late you know, we've got Ava coming round for dinner tomorrow evening," Sybil continued to rattle off a few chores that they both need to do over the weekend.

"Syb," Tom tried to stop Sybil from working herself into a state. "Sybil, darling, I know you're nervous about your family finding out about the baby, but everything is going to be alright you'll see." Tom pulled Sybil into his lap and enveloped her into a hug, placing a kiss to the top of her head.

Catching Tom completely by surprise Sybil turned to face him, whilst still sat in his lap, and kissed him firmly on the lips, wrapping her arms around his neck. Hesitating at first, Tom deepened the kiss running his tongue in-between his wife's lips, parting them slightly before delving into the depths of Sybil's mouth. Sybil moaned into the kiss, her hands ruffling through Tom's dark blonde hair at the back of his head. Tom's hands started to wander, his lips never leaving Sybil's, his hands gently caressing the outlines of her breasts through her cardigan and blouse.

"Tom," Sybil moaned breaking the kiss, her forehead leaning against his.

"Sybil, god, I love you," Tom groaned huskily. Who knew an English aristocratic lady could be so wanton!

"Show me," Sybil whispered directly into her husband's ear, before licking, sucking and kissing his neck starting at the back of his ear.

Soon after their wedding night, a night of slow tentative and clumsy love making; Sybil had son learnt what drives Tom mad with a mixture of love and lust, the first of which, his neck.

"God!" Tom gasped as her tongue made contact with his neck. "Sybil love, why don't we take this to our bedroom?" Tom panted, his evident arousal bulging in his trousers of his new suit.

"Come on then," Sybil whispered as she took Tom's hand in hers as she pulled him up and in the direction of their bedroom. "I think it's time we should celebrate."

Reaching the bedroom Tom closed the door, before turning his attention to his glowing wife. Stepping forward Tom reached out putting one hand on her hip, just like he had done back at the garage just over a year and a half ago, the other hand coming to caress her blushing cheek.

"Sybil, you're beautiful, so very beautiful," Tom murmured against her lips, leaning in to capture them with his own.

Sybil eagerly responded to his kisses, deepening it further as her hands made short work of undoing the buttons of Tom's suit jacket and waistcoat, pushing them off of his shoulders onto the floor below; not caring if they were to become creased. Tom began his assault on the buttons of the blue cardigan Sybil was wearing, letting it fall of her shoulders and down her arms, his lips kissing the soft skin of her jaw.

"Tom, I need you," Sybil gasped as Tom palmed her blouse covered breasts, her nipples becoming erect under his ministrations.

The couple shed the rest of their clothes including their underwear before lying back on the bed, on top of the covers. Hovering over his wife; Tom kissed his wife soundly on the lips before continuing down her body nipping, sucking and licking down the column of Sybil's slim neck, the valley of her fuller breasts. Sucking on her left nipple, Tom fondled her right breast; Sybil arched her back at the contact.

"Tom, please!" Sybil moaned, as Tom switched his attention to the right nipple, fondling the left.

Tom raised an eyebrow, mouth still suckling on her right nipple. "Please what?" Tom queried as he raised his head from her breasts, to then continue kissing down her slender abdomen, stopping at her belly button.

"I need you, inside me," Sybil panted, a slow burning feeling began to build deep within her.

"Oh darling, just relax and let go," Tom murmured against her skin, as he kissed each hip, tracing his tongue down to the dark neatly trimmed curls at the apex of her thighs.

"Oh god!" Sybil gasped.

Tom breathed gently on her sensitive nub, before sucking on it, continuing to suck and lick down her slit. Sybil lifted her bottom off of the bed encouraging more contact from her husband. No-one could ever accuse Tom of being a selfish lover, if anything he was a selfless lover. Continuing to lick and suck on Sybil's most intimate area, Tom began to finger her warm, wet center with one digit.

Sybil let out a deep groan. "Hmm, Tom!" Her body tensing as she bucked against Tom's hand.

"Let go my darling, let go," Tom murmured like a mantra, as he added a second digit pumping in and out of Sybil at a picked up pace.

"Tom!" Sybil screamed, her hands grabbing the sheets of the bed in pleasure as a powerful orgasm came over her, her essence coating Tom's fingers. "I love you," Sybil panted trying to catch her breath.

"I love you too," Tom murmured huskily, slowly licking her essence off of his fingers. "You taste so good, so sensual."

Before they had married, Sybil had no idea that making love could feel so good! The first time that Tom had kissed her most intimate part was on their wedding night, Sybil had been nervous but also confident about what was going to transpire after talking to her mother in law, who had given her all the details she needed without beating around the bush. When Tom had kissed down her body, taking notice of how her body reacted, reaching her navel Tom had gently pulled down her underwear, revealing her neatly trimmed dark curls, he had kissed both sides of her hips and her thighs before murmuring 'trust me', to which Sybil had allowed him to go lower, burying his face into her warm center. Sybil had been so surprised and slightly horrified that her eyes widened and a shocked gasp escaped her lips. As the sensations took over her, she relaxed and her embarrassment soon faded away.

After sucking his fingers of Sybil's sweet essence, Tom made his way back up his wife's body glistening body, kissing random spots as he went. Tom's erection was throbbing, aching for the feel and sensation of being buried deep within Sybil's tight warmth. Reaching Sybil's head, Tom smiled looking deep into her blue grey eyes, Sybil's arms wrapped around his neck. Catching Tom by surprise, Sybil rolled them over so that she was lying on top of her husband. Sybil giggled as she leant in for a kiss, cupping Tom's face in her hands. Straddling Tom's hips, her warm, wet center only centimeters away from Tom's hard member.

"God! Mrs Branson," Tom exclaimed breathless, not only from his heightened arousal, but also from the passionate kiss he had just received. "I am completely at your mercy." Tom continued with a groan.

"Hmmm, I like the sound of that," Sybil whispered huskily as she licked her lips, directly into her husband's ear; all whilst her body rubbed against his muscular frame, her erect nipples rubbing tantalizingly across Tom's goose pimpled flesh.

"Sybil!" Tom groaned, his hands groping at the flesh of her bottom.

Sybil panted, kissing Tom's neck. "I want you."

That simple three worded statement caused Tom's hips to buck at her admission, his engorged member brushed up against its desired location. Sybil sat up, her hands finding her wanted object, stroking his member slowly, Tom groaned lowly in pleasure. Lining Tom's hard penis at her entrance, Sybil lowered herself slowly and teasingly on his at least eight inch hard member, sliding in with ease.

"Christ Syb!" Tom gasped, as Sybil took all of him in. "So tight!"

"Tom!" Sybil let out a hushed scream, a rather familiar burning starting in her lower abdomen again, she steadied herself by placing her ladylike hands on Tom's well defined six pack.

Allowing Sybil to adjust to him being inside of her, Tom reached up and fondled Sybil's sensitive breasts.

Even after being married eight months they are still learning each other's bodies and how to make sex pleasurable for the both of them. Sybil had grown leaps and bounds with her confidence since their wedding night, becoming more dominant in telling Tom what she wanted, as well as showing her body and being naked around Tom without being bashful.

Sybil started to move herself up and down slowly, groaning loudly as she took him deeper and deeper into the warmth of her sex. Tom supported Sybil's light weight by holding her bottom, guiding her up and down.

"Oh love," Tom managed to stammer out.

"Tom, hmmm, harder," Sybil moaned as she let her head fall to Tom's collarbone, licking the saltiness of his skin.

The new angle heightened Tom's senses, as he began to the thrust frantically in and out of his wife, meeting her movements. Sighs, panting, groans, moans, grunts and screams are all that they could both hear as their movements increased in pace as they both reached their passionate climax together.

Both of them catching their breath, Sybil collapsed onto Tom's chest drawing lazy circles on his chest, both still bare and on top of the covers.

"Syb, darling I love you so much," Tom murmured as he ran his hands gently over her skin.

Sybil sighed contentedly. "I love you too," Sybil kissed his chest chastely. "But I am getting a little cold." Sybil giggled.

"We better get you under the covers then," Tom winked with a smirk.

Tom and Sybil slowly got to their feet sorted their clothes that are scattered across the bedroom floor, before slipping their pajamas on lazily, and climbing under the covers. Under the covers, Sybil snuggled into Tom's side her hand resting on his pajama shirt clad chest.

"Tom," Tom's right eye opened, his arms wrapped round Sybil's body a little tighter. "Goodnight Tom, I love you."

"Hmmm, I suppose it's a good thing that I love you too," Tom smirked, earning him a slap to the chest.

The newly expecting parents, fell asleep dreaming of their life together and their baby.