Um well first of all Merry Christmas! Second of all please, please, please don't hate me for this being so 'unchristmasy'. Please try to enjoy.
"Ahhh," she sighed, "Why does Mary have to always deny her inner child and refuse to celebrate Christmas like we use to; like crazy children with not a worry in the world. Oh and Edith, she's lovely really but her and Mary, they just can't physically be together.
"Unfortunately I completely understand. I know it's not my place to say but your sister Mary, she acts so grand and pretends she doesn't care but she must do; somewhere in that locked up heart, she must care," replied Mrs. Hughes.
"You know, I used to be jealous of Mary and Mr. Carson, I always wanted to be loved like that but it's okay now; I have you," Sybil said leaning her head on Mrs. Hughes's shoulder, "You're like my second mother, in fact you are my second mother."
Sybil's face glowed red and Mrs. Hughes could feel the heat through her dress, she hugged Sybil's head closer to her shoulder. She felt so proud, so honored; yet so sad.
A tear dripped down her face and she whispered, "I am so lucky to have you as a daughter."
Sybil smiled, "No, I should be the lucky one, I think if you'd gone a different way, had children and I still knew you; I'd be so jealous of those 'wee bairns.'"
"Don't you be mocking my roots young lady!" laughed Mrs. Hughes but then her face grew a little colder, "But you're not that young anymore are you? I mean; you're married now and you have a beautiful daughter. You're all grown up."
"Why thank you but you mustn't be so hard on yourself; as long as I have your shadow to lean upon, I'll always be the same little girl that came for your comforts on that stormy night. The same little girl who sat on the lap of the kindest of creatures she'd ever meet and looked up to see the face of that woman was you."
Mrs. Hughes laughed, "You do know how to make me blush."
"Not again," thought Mr. Carson, "That poor woman, not again."
"Mrs. Hughes?" he called.
She turned and smiled at him, "Yes Mr. Carson?"
"I know it's hard for you," he said gently, "But it is another Christmas we're living; another Christmas we're living without Sybil that is."
"I know," she finally signed, "you must think me mental."
"I don't…" he tried.
"Oh but you do," she answered while she patted the empty air that sat next to her.
Well thank you for reading, please leave a comment if you enjoyed and Merry Christmas to you all. However for all of you that like a slightly more cheerful touch, I wrote a few extra lines that will be left after this message. You don't have to read it so if you don't want to, read no more. Bye for now. ;)
Mrs. Hughes walked down the corridor to her room, with her Sybil by her side. The Sybil nobody else could see.
"You mustn't be too harsh on him," smirked Sybil, "I think he loves you, he's just worried for you."
"You know, I think you might be right. I hope you're right for I love him very much too."
Carson stood behind the other side of Mrs. Hughes's door, having heard everything of Mrs. Hughes's imaginary conversation; he smiled and felt in his pocket for the band of gold that he'd planned on giving Mrs. Hughes the night Sybil died.
He knocked at the door.
"Come in," said Mrs. Hughes.