HAPPY LADY SYBIL LIVES DAY! The day where I reject JF's reality and subject my own.

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Right! On to the next chapter!

o o o

Sybil and Tom stood in front of the parlor window, bathed in the black and blue light coming from the storm clouds outside and in pale yellows from the candle sitting on the small table next to the sofa.

"No Sybil. This is a bad idea."

"Come on Tom. A little rain never hurt anyone."

A flash of light illuminated the room as the muffled sound of thunder miles away quickly swept through the room. The patters of rain hitting the window, roof, and exterior of the house became white noise as the rain stayed longer.

It had been a childhood fantasy of Sybil's, to play in the rain. Growing up in prim and proper Downton Abbey, playing out in the rain was unladylike and frowned upon. She could hear Granny cluck her tongue in disapproval and say something witty about how nonsensical children were. (Most of the time, her criticisms about children in general were thinly veiled condemnations directed towards Sybil.)

In spite of all her years of debutante training, molding, and sculpting, turning her into a marriageable young woman for a man of the upper class to dote upon and one day marry, her "childish" idea stuck with Sybil and she was determined to do it one day. As for the rest of it. Who cared a fig about it all anyway? She knew she would always marry for love and not a position. And now, Sybil had love and not just any love. All consuming love. Tough love. Joyful love. Frustrating love. Passionate love. Angering love. Funny love. Boring love. Happy love. Above all else, true love with her true love. Tom Branson.

And she wouldn't have it any other way.

Tom looked incredulously outside the window. He remembered she told him she loved storms. She loved watching the rain as it hit the pavement in waves in an ever inconstant pattern. As the wind started to pick up, the droplets of water on the window grew larger and streaked. He gestured towards the curtain-less window and stared at his eccentric wife as another roll of thunder filled their ears.

"A little rain? It's storming!"

She crossed her arms, determined to get her way.

"Well what do you suppose we do? We have no electricity and our last candle is about to go out."

An idea clicked into Tom's head and he smirked. He pulled her in close and nipping at the skin of her neck. He murmured into her shoulder.

"I can think of one thing…"

Tom's hands roamed all over her body and Sybil had to fight hard to keep herself from getting swept away in another bout of lovemaking.

"Tom, focus for a moment…mmm…We can do that after…"

She pushed his head away from her neck. Tom groaned as his face fell in disappointment. Sybil brought her hands up to his shoulders as his rested at her waist. She rubbed his shoulders though the layers of fabric from his shirt and waistcoat. She blinked once and asked him a question.

"Haven't you ever wanted to play out in the rain before?"

Tom thought for a moment.

"No."

"Never?"

"I can't say I have."

Sybil pulled away from his touch and headed for the door. If he wasn't coming with her, he wasn't going to let him spoil her fun.

"Fine. I'll go by myself."

She left the parlor and entered the corridor to the door, with Tom right on her heels.

"Sybil! You can't go out! You'll get wet!"

She unpinned her hair and let her long curly tresses fall down her back. She would probably get a haircut soon. Pinning her hair and taking it down every day was becoming a hassle. Those bobs look good. I wonder if I would look good in them as well.

Sybil opened the lock and turned the door handle. The door swung open. A gust of cold air rushed in chilling the entire house.

"I think that's the point of playing in the rain."

She bounced happily out the door. She ran into the street, confident that no one would be outside. The rain was cold. It hit her shoulders until her blouse was soaked through. The puddles she inadvertently ran through drenched the hem of her skirt and shoes, along with her stockings. Her hair stuck to her head and got heavier and heavier as it became water logged. She shivered, but smiled. It was exactly the way she imagined it.

Sybil ran all along the street and sidewalk, breathless but still laughing. She stopped by the door, facing the street. She looked up and closed her eyes, feeling the water as it tapped on her face. She opened her mouth to stick her tongue out. The cold water cooled her warm tongue. Sybil savored the coolness and the freshness of the rain water.

Tom stood by the door, the light behind him casting a shadow on his face. He smiled. Watching Sybil roam around, carefree was a joy to see. She was so happy. If she was happy, so was he.

After five minutes of watching her get drenched in the rain, he called out to her.

"Sybil! Come back inside! You'll catch a cold."

Sybil yelled from across the street.

"Five more minutes!"

She held her hands out as she watched the rain tap on the palms of her hand in that same inconsistent pattern. She looked up and she swore Tom had smirk on his face. The light shielded his face from her, but she knew her husband. Giddy from playing outside, Sybil ran across the street to the front door, his face becoming more and more enshrouded as she approached.

"Come on Tom! The rain's not as fun without you!"

With a smirk and his arms folded across his chest, he shook his head no.

"Please? Will you come out, for me?"

She rested her hold hands on the fabric of his folded forearms and pouted. Tom could never say no when she pouted like that.

He stepped away and started to unbutton his suit jacket. Sybil shrieked in delight. It had worked! He shrugged it off, leaving him in his waistcoat and shirtsleeves. Tom stepped outside into the rain to stand next to Sybil. He pulled the front door closed and shivered. The rain was falling down harder, dousing Tom more quickly than he anticipated. His hair started to fall into his eyes. Sybil noticed and pushed the strands back, away from his face. Tom leaned in close and kissed Sybil on the forehead. His warm lips were like heaven on her freezing skin.

"If I get sick, you're taking care of me," Tom said.

She stepped away and intertwined their fingers together, getting them both ready to run through the empty Dublin street.

"Of course I will love."