AN: Thank you SO much for the lovely reviews, you guys are amazing! Again, please bear with me. I promise I have this whole story planned out, and it gets interesting (hopefully lol) I just needed to start the story off with these ... it will make more sense later. I can also promise you that this story will be completely Sybil x Tom - and the rating may eventually get bumped... oooh!

Far Away from Home – Letters From Home

My darling boy,

Thank the Saints! At last! It's wonderful to hear from you.

I fear I may have alarmed, Joseph, our postman while waiting so eagerly for your letter to arrive each morning. Maire insists that she is so embarrassed by my constant pestering of him; she will never be able to face him again when he delivers our post.

Congratulations. I can't believe my baby boy has a baby of his own. You're going to be a fine father to your sweet baby girl. If you're anything like your own da, (who God granted that you remind me of so very much) God bless his soul, then she will be one lucky little lady.

You must tell me everything about little Alanna Róisín Branson, don't leave anything out.

Please pass my love on to Sybil and tell her that I am truly honoured that she took my advice. I tried to tell her before she left Dublin that I knew she would be okay. It's a mamai's instinct to know these things. As she no doubt already knows.

Orlaith and Maire are excited to meet their new niece. Liam says he'd already written to you and I have yet to speak to Kieran or the girls. I'm planning to have them all over for dinner on Sunday after church to sit and talk of our newest gift of Grace from God.

I hope it won't be long before you can come home. Sybil was only with us in Ireland for a short time, but it already feels so empty (and quiet) without you both here.

I miss you very much. Please look after yourself and that darling family of yours as you are looking after my family also.

Your loving, ma

Dear Tom,

Mamai allowed me to include a quick note with her letter. Did she tell you how she scared Joseph this morning? It wasn't yet light outside before she had opened the door while he was still sorting out our letters. She made him jump. His daughter Mary-Kathleen is in my class at school, so everyone will know what happened by tomorrow.

I hope you and Sybil are well. I'm excited to meet baby Alanna. Does she cry a lot? Ma says that I'll be old enough to care for her alone by the time you come home. May I?

Guess whose poems I am reading for school? James Joyce! Mamai said I like reading almost as much as you. Is it true what Sybil told me about the Library at Downton? How it has over a thousand books? I can't imagine so many books in one place. Has she read them all?

I should go; it's my turn to set the table.

I love you,

Maire

AN2: Please take a second to leave a review and let me know what you think. Constructive criticism is welcome (and encouraged.)

Róisín - "Little Rose"