Helloo!

Summary

Sybil and Tom Branson return to Downton Abbey, and Robert Crawley is not happy. With Sybil in a delicate state, 8 months pregnant, will she and her father be able to reconcile in time or will Robert never get to meet his grandchild. Rated T for violence and descriptive gore.

Well, this is different. Usually I write Twilight stories but I also love Downton Abbey and I thought, why not :D

This will centre around Sybil and Tom but it will include different characters and their points of view on them.

Enjoy!

May 1921

"You'll be fine Tom. Please, don't fret." Sybil cooed, taking her husbands hand to stop him shaking.

Tom sighed, his hands fidgeting and itching to yank the door on the train open, jump and run for the hills.

But even that was too risky, even for him.

Besides, Sybil would never forgive him; nor would his in-laws.

They'd think him a joke, well even more than they did now. They have never agreed with Sybil's or his love; just undermined it and criticised. He rested his hand on his wife's, relishing in the comfort.

"I know," he mumbled.

"I hope you don't get like this when we come to see my parents." Sybil murmured softly to her stomach, as there, for the world to see was a protruding bump, encasing and protecting a tiny baby.

Tom smiled, beaming at Sybil's motherly tone. It came so naturally to her, though he knew she was terrified. He reached out, stroking the bump in an adoring fashion.

"Next station Downton, Next station Downton." The conductor announced, walking through the carriages.

"Oh dear Lord," Tom grumbled under his breath, taking a deep, and to him anyway, necessary breath.

"Calm down," Sybil giggled, bringing her hand to her mouth to cover and muffle her incessant laughter.

"Oh yes, this is so very funny, darlin'." Tom playfully chastened his wife. "I'm going to a place where the man of the house would gladly serve my head on a silver platter while he and his butler spit on it,"

"Oh don't be such a martyr, Papa is not that bad." Sybil sighed, shaking her head.

Though she loved living in Dublin and though it pains her to see her husbands discomfort, she had missed Downton. She missed her family and the perpetual calm of the countryside.

The trains whistle wailed, signalling the arrival at the station. Smoke billowed down the sides of the carriages, creating a curtain and with it, making an aura of suspense; the passengers disembarking would be hidden from their greeters.

The door to their 2nd class booth, courtesy of Lady Grantham, opened, Tom stepping out first to help his wife.

"Oh I always hate this part," Sybil mumbled, looking down at the gap between the platform and the carriage.

"You've got hold of my hand haven't you?" Tom said.

"Mmm-Hmmm," Sybil squeaked.

"Then you're not going to fall," he whispered.

She closed her eyes, holding Tom's promise close to her heart and took a step out. She sighed, contented when she safely landed on stable concrete.

"Safe and sound," Tom said, smiling widely. "Silly Mama," he murmured, stroking their unborn child.

She rolled her eyes and took his hand, pulling him towards the 2nd Class luggage pile.

Cora had been waiting for this for months.

Though no-one in the house, bar from Mrs Hughes, Mrs Pattmore and Anna, who had been sworn to the most binding rule of secrecy, today was going to shock them all.

She had secretly sent her youngest daughter money so she and her husband could come and visit at Downton.

In their library, she put in Sybil's favourite flowers, arousing suspicion from her far too observant daughter Mary.

"Ah, those are Sybil's favourite," She commented, an eyebrow rose in speculation.

"Yes, and they're mine," She smiled, trying to avoid her daughters onslaught of questions.

"Oh really, I thought your favourite flowers were red tulips," Mary mumbled. Her eyebrow never relaxed and a smug smile started to play around her lips.

"Am I not allowed two favourites?" Cora snapped.

"Oh, for goodness sake, Mother. What are you scheming? You would never have these Iris's in the house unless it was her birthday! What is going on, or I swear-"

"Oh, hold your tongue, confounded girl!" Cora growled, turning to face her daughter finally. "Now, listen to me and what I say will never leave this room."

Mary's face fell and she sat on the chaise lounge, breathing heavily.

"I'm listening."

Cora stared at her daughter, wondering if she should reveal her secret.

She could see her daughters patience weaning and she knew that if the perpetual silence between them continued, Mary would storm away; busying herself with her wedding to Matthew and no doubt Mary would feel betrayed by her mother's reluctance.

So, to avoid all shouting and caterwauling, Cora sat in front of her daughter and began.

"Alright, I give in. Sybil and Tom are coming today to stay for a while. I have been writing to them for months and she wants to speak to Papa. The last time we saw them, he wasn't very forthcoming towards them."

She waited for her daughters reply but nothing came. Mary just stared at the floor, trying to make reason of what she had been told.

"Can't…I mean…What?" she stuttered.

Cora waited for her daughter's response. She hoped and prayed that Mary would be excited that her youngest sibling was coming but the look that crossed her face showed that she wasn't.

"Why didn't she inform me? I've been writing to her too," Mary gasped.

"Well, she has something to tell us all and she wanted the visit to be a surprise so for goodness sake, let it be so. Do not give me away," Cora said, harshly.

Mary nodded, an expression of contemplation evident, causing Cora to become wary.

You see, when Mary has these odd and very rare moments of thought, the aftermath of which are usually very insightful. Cora promised Sybil and Tom that she would give nothing away but if Mary asked or said something which happened to be true, she couldn't lie to her.

"What time will they be here?"

And just like that, Cora sighed, relaxing and ridding all thoughts of Mary's nosey and insightful nature…for now.

Cora looked around for a clock, gasping at the time she saw.

"Very soon, any minute now I'd say and I haven't asked Mrs Pattmore to make tea!"

"I'm sure they can do it themselves," Mary muttered snidely, standing to leave.

"Please," Cora begged. "Do not ridicule your sister or Tom. They are proud of the life that they have and we will support them in every way because, mark my words, your father will be dead set against it,"

And with that, mother and daughter parted ways, awaiting the arrival of their guests.

As Lord Grantham walked around the gardens, Isis at his side, he felt a change in the air.

The chauffer, Mr Young, had gone out and he had no idea why.

He originally thought it was to get Cousin Isobel or his mother but the latter being already at the house and Isobel working mercilessly at the Refugee camp. He frowned, wondering what was going on; everyone had been acting strangely all day!

He recalled the moment when he saw Matthew and Mary walking out of the house, hurrying off somewhere, whispering some secret and shocked faces being the by-product.

He also remembered his wife and middle daughter, Edith being very exuberant at breakfast; like something was coming they had been waited a long time for.

He shrugged it off at the time but now it seemed to matter more than ever.

"Good Afternoon, Milord!" Anna smiled, striding gleefully towards the house.

"Hello, Anna." He smiled back. "What's gotten into everyone today, eh girl?" he asked Isis.

She just barked, running off towards the house. He sighed, mumbling about everyone being so annoying.

Inside, everything was the same, except it wasn't. Maybe he was just paranoid, or just having an off day.

"Afternoon Milord," Thomas said, though his cheerful tone was excessively forced. No change there then.

He saw the other maids, preparing for luncheon and bringing in extra chairs. Had they run out or were they having guests?

"What are you doing?" his mothers high, but harsh voice rang. He smiled, chuckling slightly at the terrified maid holding a vase of flowers.

"Erm…"

"Mama, leave her be. I'm sure Mrs Hughes told her to move them." He sighed and his mother scowled at him.

"Robert, something is going on. Don't you feel it?"

"I do, Mama, but I think they're just circulating the flowers,"

He was right.

It was turning to late spring, early summer. New flowers would be needed soon and to do that everything has to be moved and swapped around so the house seems like a bustling circus.

"No, that's not it." She murmured, waving her hand so to bat away the ludicrous thought. "Trust me Robert. Something is going on, and we're not in on the secret."

Now that got him thinking. He strode off to the library to find his wife, maybe she knew.

Anna, after changing for the dinner service, decided it was time to prepare for her own and the servant's dinner.

She could hear Mrs Pattmore grumbling about making tea this late and complaining at Daisy for messing something up again. She laughed to herself; Mrs Pattmore could be rather entertaining in her scolding, though she wouldn't dare say it to her face to face.

She smiled when a familiar face walked in, kissing her cheek softly.

"Hello. Did you hear? Tom and Sybil are coming today." Anna announced to Mr Bates or John when they were alone. Sometimes even husband.

"Are they? Well, I'm sure his Lordship will be in a very good mood when I dress him for dinner," he grumbled.

She sighed, smirking at him. Though John wasn't selfish, he would do whatever it takes to avoid his lordships anger and annoyance and with Lady Sybil coming…well he's in for a very rough evening.

"I can see it coming," He sighed exasperated.

"Well, just suck it up," she giggled, placing the knives and forks for the servants dinner.

They were alone and they constantly checked for the likes of Miss O'Brien ear wigging.

No doubt she would go and run her mouth to anyone and everyone. That woman spreads gossip like wild fire and though Anna had to be civil with her, there were moments in Anna's mind when Miss O'Brien deserves a good slap.

"She has every right to visit as does he and anyway, you said you liked Tom,"

"Oh Tom's not a bad lad, not at all, in fact I can't think of anyone better for her but I just wish that-"

"That his lordship would accept it? We all do, trust me. Even Lady Mary's getting sick of it now."

"Hmm. When are they coming?"

"Any minute now. Their train gets in at half past 11."

John nodded, checking the clock. 11:45pm. they would be here soon. He then frowned.

"Anna, dearest, how do you know all this? You haven't been ear wigging have you? You're getting as bad as Miss O'Brien." He smiled jokingly at the last.

He knew his Anna and she was one of the most trusted servants; she wouldn't spy or eavesdrop.

She even turned in Sir Richard Carlisle when he asked her to spy.

After that, she became a confidant to the ladies of the house.

She gasped at the insinuation and playfully smacked him on the arm.

"No, silly, her Ladyship told me, Mrs Hughes and Mrs Pattmore. She said that she had to have some of us know so to make the preparations for their arrival go smoothly…and also to cover for her if his Lordship found out." She said her tone hushed.

"Why are you telling me?" he frowned. Surely Anna shouldn't be telling him.

"Because…you need to be prepared for his Lordships anger." She answered.

He raised and eyebrow, still wary that she had told him this top secret information and the lengths that her ladyship was going, this seemed to be the correct term.

"I hope I won't get you into trouble for telling me this," he mumbled, standing. He stroked her arm slowly, kissing her temple once.

"Oh don't worry, I asked her Ladyship first. She said that she was incredibly stupid for not telling you before." Anna giggled.

She grabbed the simple plates from the cupboard, placing them in their specific places.

It still seemed strange to her, after all this time, to not put a plate out for Tom. He was very entertaining, especially when he and Mr Carson would have debates about the current news.

He never lost one.

"I saw his lordship this morning out walking Isis." Anna smiled, continuing. "He looked very observant."

"Hmm, maybe you're giving too much away."

Ding, Ding, Ding!

A bell rang and echoed through the servant's hall. The front door. They're here.

Anna smiled widely and John pointed his finger at her, telling her to keep her excitement to a minimum, even though he could barely contain his own.

Tom bounced nervously on his heels when Sybil rang the door bell.

He had taken off his hat, tracing the rim in his hands to keep him occupied and to keep him from looking directly at the person who would answer the door.

"Stop that," Sybil scolded but a wide smile gave him enough evidence to him that she was laughing at him. "Go and get the suitcases if you want to avoid them," she giggled. She read him like a book.

"Good idea," Tom smiled widely and almost ran to the car.

Sybil shook her head and stroked her stomach. She could feel her small baby kicking her, telling her that she was awake. Of course, Sybil doesn't know if it's a girl but Tom is absolutely positive that it will be. She couldn't wait to laugh at him if and when he's wrong.

She rang the doorbell again, to be met by her mother's bright smile.

"Mama!" she cheered. Her mother laughed, thrilled to see her again and hugged as tight as Sybil's bump could let her.

"Oh darling," she gushed, kissing her on the cheek. Sybil swore that she saw tears in her mother's eyes.

She glanced over her mothers shoulder for a moment to see Mary and Matthew, both of them smiling widely. Great, they knew all along.

The smiles faded though when she stepped to the side to greet them.

"Oh my word," Mary gasped. Sybil shrugged, rubbing her stomach.

"You're right there. What on earth have you packed?" Tom asked, dropping Sybil's suitcase to the floor just inside the front door.

"Clothes," she said bluntly, laughing slightly at Tom's surface stupidity. He rolled his eyes.

"And?" he pressed.

Ah. Damn, he clever, she thought.

Sybil, unbeknownst to Tom, had packed some baby clothes in case the baby was born here at Downton; she was only 5 weeks away from her due date.

He raised an eyebrow and shook his head.

"I don't want to know," he mumbled lightly and turned to his beaming mother in law. "Lady Grantham," he greeted.

"Oh don't be silly," she shook her head, opening her arms for an embrace. He took it gladly, knowing that he had worked hard to win her over. He wouldn't do anything to anger her. "Cora, please."

He laughed slightly and said, "It doesn't feel just right to call you that yet but when it does, I assure you I will,"

Cora smiled, admiring his honesty. Though normally she would have been rather peeved as other suitors would have called her Cora without permission; the fact that Tom didn't and rather gracefully turned down the offer, got him into her good books permanently.

"Very well, I do hope that it will be soon," she smiled widely, pulling him inside.

"What's going on?" Violet's voice echoed as she strode, as best she could to the front door.

Both Sybil and Tom groaned inwardly; this isn't what they wanted.

"Sybil? Branson?" she asked, completely shocked at the turn of events. "Well, you must be the guests we are having for dinner,"

"Yes, they are and please Granny, he is no longer our employee; his name is Tom." Mary sighed, still staring out of the corner of her eye at Sybil's stomach.

She was glad that it was quite dark in the doorway and her Granny's eyesight wasn't at its best. A heart attack at this moment wouldn't be the best thing.

"Granny," Sybil smiled slightly.

"Hmm, I'll call him that when it feels comfortable," she murmured, displeased. Her tone soon changed to one of delight when it came to Sybil. "Dear, it is wonderful to see you again. Are you keeping wel…w-what is that?" she gasped, pointing at the protruding bump.

"A baby, Granny," Sybil whispered. "We're having a baby," She took Tom's hand and squeezed it gently.

They heard someone clear their throat but it was just Mr Carson and Thomas bringing the bags. Carson gave Tom a disapproving look and just nodded in greeting. Tom reciprocated the gesture and went to pick up some bags.

"Here let me take that," Tom heard Matthew say.

"Oh no, it's alright, I've got it. It's rather heavy so mind your back there," he said, smiling but feeling rather guilty that the new heir of the estate was trying to carry his suitcase.

"Are you sure?" Matthew mumbled. He tried to lift it but placed it straight back down again. "You're right it is rather heavy. Sybil, what on earth have you got in there?" he laughed slightly, Mary joining in.

Sybil scowled, sticking her tongue out at her husband who was laughing at her.

"It's good to see you again, Sybil. And congratulations," Matthew said warmly. Sybil blushed, he was the first to congratulate the baby.

"You too. And thank you,"

"I still can't believe it; I'm going to be an aunt." Mary smiled widely, trying to keep her composed mask on but Sybil could see straight through it. She could tell that her sister was brooding and she noticed her subconsciously rub her own stomach. Sybil smiled and wrapped her arms around Mary.

"Sis!" she squeaked.

They laughed together and Lady Grantham soon ushered them inside, closing the front door with a loud bang.

Everything was just as she remembered. The large central hall leading off in all different directions, the stairs on the far wall, lined with red carped, trailing up to the bedrooms and her fathers study.

She gulped.

She wanted to gather and ready herself before seeing her father.

So did Tom.

"I see your father didn't come to greet us," Tom whispered in her ear.

"He doesn't know,"

Tom gasped, looking at her very wildly. He couldn't believe it. He shook his head with the shock and tried to make sense of Sybil's reasoning but he just couldn't.

They were already on his taboo list and they were un-talked about in front of him and now they were unexpected, by him, in his own house.

He ran his hands though his hair in exasperation.

"Are you alright, Tom?" Cora asked.

"Lord Grantham doesn't know we're coming?" he whispered.

"No, and he wont know until dinner. But don't worry, I've got it all sorted." Cora smiled. Tom sighed, looking between his wife and his mother in law. He nodded reluctantly but he trusted them. They made their way upstairs to Sybil's old room, being careful and quiet so not to attract his lordships attention.

"Anna will come and get you when we're ready," Cora smiled as the others left.

"Where's Edith?" Sybil asked.

"She's out but she's coming straight up here to greet you both, don't worry." Cora sighed. "It really is good to see you again, and congratulations."

She placed her palm on Sybil's stomach and kissed her daughters forehead. With that, she left.

Tom exhaled, flopping on the bed.

"Well, that wasn't so bad,"

"Humph, that's because they're the people that like us,"

"Hey, it's over half of your family. That's better than I thought,"

Sybil giggled, sitting next to her husband to kiss him.

'Finally, dinner,' his lordship thought.

He had been quite famished since 4pm and he could, at last confront his family about to aura of joy about the house today.

At around noon he heard some commotion going on at the front door but he didn't bother himself with it. He heard his wife and mother there so, whoever it was that visited was in good hands.

Bates was brushing his jacket, precise and perfectly as always.

"Thank you," he smiled.

He couldn't help but notice the extra energy in his long time friend John, maybe it was because he and Anna could live and work in peace together, all the other Mrs Bates debacle over and done with.

"You look very joyful Bates. Is there something I do not know?" he asked slyly.

"I don't know what you mean, Milord," John retorted, smiling. Robert laughed.

Of course, it was none of his business.

"Oh nothing, the whole house just seems to have had an extra boost of happiness and I don't really understand why,"

John nodded, his face straight so to hide the secret.

"Maybe everyone's just happy because there is no ill in the world; after the war and everything else. We have been under a black cloud for a while sir,"

Robert nodded, buckling his cufflinks and adjusting his sleeves.

"Ah maybe your right. It doesn't feel rather strange to have no sense of sadness or anger over the house,"

Robert smiled, knowing that his lordships words held such deep irony. If only he knew…well he would soon.

"Thank you Bates," Robert smiled and walked down to the dining room.

He met Cora at the top of the stairs, taking her arm. She was glowing, he had never seen her smile so much. He spied Mary, Matthew and Edith; they too were smiling.

Humph, maybe Bates was right, he pondered and no more thoughts of a secret glee entered his mind.

"How are you tonight, my dear?" he asked his wife.

She nodded and then suddenly had a sharp intake of breath.

"Oh I only have one earring in. I must go and get the other one, be back in a moment." She said, and rushed back to run up the stairs.

Robert shrugged and entered the dining room to see that the table was a little larger than usual.

He shook his head, dismissing his silly thoughts. He wouldn't let them poison the rest of the household's good mood.

He took his seat at the top of the table, smiling at his daughters and soon to be son in law. He frowned at the phrase; the other one he had he wasn't as proud of. He still curses his youngest daughter for leaving and till swears that she will return, crying and begging for forgiveness.

They were whispering indistinctly to one another. It wasn't anything new to him; he usually wasn't involved in their conversations unless they asked him a question or his opinion on something.

He counted the place settings to notice that there was two more.

"Carson?" he whispered, calling him over. "Do we have guests?"

"I assume so, sir. Her ladyship requested two more place settings for tonight," He mumbled.

Robert nodded and smiled as his wife entered the room.

She took her seat on his right, opposite his mother.

He noticed that the seat next to Cora was vacant, as was the seat next in between Matthew and his mother.

"So, dear, who are our guests?" he asked. "Carson tells me that we are expecting some."

He saw his mother shift uncomfortably in her seat and eye Cora. Her look was accusing; 'it's your fault' the spoke.

Cora sighed and looked to the door. Everyone else went quiet and smiled widely.

"Are you coming in or not?" She said, beckoning with her hand.

Robert frowned. Who on earth was here?

He stood as they entered his jaw slacked in shock. She smiled weakly at him, her hands skimming over her far too large belly. He on the other hand stood proud, far too proud for his liking. He wrapped his arm around her waist, pulling her into his side.

"Lord Grantham," he greeted, no hint of a smile in his voice or on his face.

Robert looked around at his family; they were all smiling slightly at Sybil and Tom, Lady Grantham especially. Anger flooded through his veins and his adrenaline spiked.

How dare they not tell him that they were coming!

"What is the meaning of this?" he hissed angrily. Sybil and Tom shifted uncomfortably.

"Robert!" Cora snapped, standing up. "They are our family you will not talk to them like that!"

"Be quiet Cora! This is an outrage! Who invited you?"

"Papa please-" Mary tried.

"Shut up!" He roared. "Well?"

Sybil bowed her head and covered her face with one hand, her shoulders jumping slightly. Tom notice and kissed her cheek, bring her face up to meet his with a finger. Her eyes were red and tears were streaming down them.

Tom felt a flash of anger for Lord Grantham for upsetting his daughter, especially in the state that she is in.

"You were right. This was a bad idea." She whispered and ran out of the dining room, sobbing.

"Sybil," Tom called. He looked at Lord Grantham once, glaring and ran after her.

The whole room was silent.

Cora, Mary and Edith all stood at once, running after Tom and Sybil.

"You will apologise," Cora hissed and left, slamming the door.

Robert slumped in his seat, his anger slowly diminishing.

He could sense his mother's disapproval and Matthew's discomfort.

"That…was unforgivable," Violet said. He heard her chair softly scrape the floor and the door to the drawing room closed.

"Cousin Robert," Matthew murmured. He got up and left too. The door to the hall way closed and he was left alone with Carson.

There was an uncomfortable silence for a long time and all that could be heard were Sybil's sobs.

"May I offer some advice Milord?" Carson offered warily. Robert looked up at him, stood by his side. He gestured to the seat next to him and Carson sat, sighing heavily before speaking.

"It has been almost a year and a half sir and she is very close to having a child. I suggest that you accept them or else that child will be someone that you heard about through the people around you. He or she will be a distant dream that you will never see."

Robert looked at his butler, his oldest companion, shocked.

"Are you saying that they wouldn't allow me to see my grandchild?" he spoke quietly. Carson nodded.

"Yes Milord. That's exactly what I'm saying. So please, be careful or else there will be no children visiting here any time soon," He said gravely. "If that's all Milord, I will tell Mrs Pattmore to make some tea for the ladies."

Robert nodded, waving his hand in dismissal.

He could feel the tears welling in his eyes for so many different reasons; Firstly for being angry at Sybil and Tom, guilty for screaming at them and for upsetting Sybil in her delicate state and disappointment in himself for angering his entire family.

He gathered himself and went to find Sybil and Tom.

A/N: Did you like it? I hope it was good. I rarely do 3rd person stories but I thought I'd give it a go.

I hope it was a good representation of the characters. This all takes place after the Christmas special.

Please tell me what you think :)

Cheerio!

Jess xxxxx