Chapter Two

A/N: Big thank you to my only reviewer, BelleLitteraire, for making me happy. Guys, I've had 311 views on this story and only 1 review. Please take 30 seconds to review and make me even more happy.

It was now only three hours before Mary and Matthew were due to arrive and Sybil had never felt more stressed. She had a nagging feeling in the pit of her stomach that she was desperately trying to ignore, the feeling that she had to prove herself to her sister and new brother-in-law/distant cousin. 'Of course I don't!' thought Sybil sternly. 'They aren't my parents. I don't need to prove myself to them.'

It was only when the key turned in the lock that the nerves really set in.

"Sybil? Can you come down to the dining room please? I've got a couple of surprises for you."

"Coming darling." she called from the top of the house, before taking a deep breath and walking downstairs to the dining room.

She paused again outside the dining room door, then scolded herself for being so silly and pushed open the light wood and glass to reveal a small part of her old family conversing with her new.

"Sybil!" exclaimed Mary, rushing over and embracing her youngest sister tightly. "I've missed you so much, darling!"

"I've missed you too, Mary." cried Sybil, her initial worries forgotten and drowning in the tears of joy streaming down her face.

"Oh, how are you, darling? Have you been alright, what with the baby and your work and everything?"

"I'm fine, Mary. I finish work in a few days, then I'll be staying at home, probably reading and sewing."

"Well, I'll be here to keep you company now, won't I?"

"Yes, if you can cope with me."

"Of course I can! I will not leave you for one minute."

"Thank you, Mary."

"Well," chipped in Matthew. "I think that this calls for a bit of a celebration. Why don't we all go for a drink?"

"I think that's a brilliant idea, Matthew. We can all go down to the Dublin Arms this evening for a knees-up. What d'you think, ladies?"

"Alright, but no darts. I'm tired of you constantly complaining that it's been rigged just because you only managed two eights and a twenty-one(!)"

"Yes, dear." he replied, grabbing his wife by the arm and pulling her into a passionate kiss.

"Right, I best get our coats then, shouldn't I?" smirked Sybil, pulling down the four coats from the coat rack, giving them to their respective owners and turning the key in the lock once more. Propriety be damned, tonight they were there to have a good time!

A/N: I'd just like to announce at this point that I have extreme writer's block on the next chapter. I have started it, but it'll probably be quite short and will take me about a week.