This is the third and final part to Christmas Revelations. Thank you to everyone who has read, favorited, and/or reviewed the story. Again, I am indebted to my wonderful beta scarletcourt.

December 26, 1920

Unfortunately for the Bransons, any romantic plans they might have had were scuppered when Rosie woke up fussing shortly after they returned to their room. It was the start of a long night with very little sleep for the family. While both Sybil and Tom believed that it was her teething that was to blame, they were concerned that she could be sick, as Rosie kept tugging on her ear. Thus, an apologetic Tom woke Evan a little after two in the morning to ask his medical opinion. Thankfully, after examining her, Evan declared that Rosie was only teething. However, Sybil and Tom still had a long night, as their baby girl struggled to get comfortable, only getting brief spurts of sleep.

It was only a little after half past six, and shortly after being fed, that Rosie calmed down and fell asleep in her mother's arms. When Anna came in to check on the family, she saw the three of them on the bed asleep, with Rosie safely cocooned between her parents. She quietly left them, judging that the little family needed their sleep, and went to attend to Edith.

It was only when the family was having breakfast together before going to church on that Sunday morning that they learned what had happened in the middle of the night. Everyone but the Bransons were in the dining room when Evan and Alun arrived there. The two men greeted everyone and went to the buffet to make their plates up. As they were sitting down, Matthew noticed the dark circles under Evan's eyes and joked, "Having trouble sleeping as the wedding gets closer?"

Evan chuckled and answered. " Thankfully no. I can't wait to marry Edith. However, Tom woke me up in the middle of the night to examine Rosie. She—"

"Is Rosie ill?" asked Robert, unintentionally interrupting Evan.

His soon to be son-in-law gave a little smile. "She's fine, but she is teething. Some babies tug on their ears when they're teething. Sybil and Tom were worried that she had an ear infection." He paused to take a sip of his coffee. "They must be exhausted."

Mary added, "They are. Anna told me that when she went into their room, all three of them were asleep. She left them as they were."

"Then so will we," said Cora. Turning to Evan, she said, "Thank you for looking at Rosie."

Smiling, he replied, "I didn't mind. She's going to be my niece in a few days. I wanted to make sure she wasn't sick as well. And I like Tom. He's a very smart, self-educated man."

The family continued to talk throughout the rest of breakfast before it was time to go to church. Robert was quiet as everyone else talked, worried about his granddaughter and still thinking about the moment he caught between Sybil and Tom last night. He remained contemplative throughout the church service, especially as the sermon by Reverend Travis was about asking for and giving forgiveness. He realized as he thought about his daughter that he hadn't really talked to Sybil since she announced her intentions to marry Tom.

When they returned to Downton from church, Cora went and checked on the Bransons while the rest of the family went to the library for some tea. They had been in the library for a quarter of an hour before Cora entered, announcing that Sybil and Tom were awake and were finally eating some breakfast.

"I would have been down sooner, but I was holding Rosie while they ate. Poor little dear. She is not very happy today. She only really wants her mama and papa."

"I think you mean mummy and da," interjected Matthew jovially.

Cora just gave him a look and sat down next to Edith on the red sofa. After finishing their tea, everyone drifted off to various corners of the household while Robert stayed in the library, all of them wanting to leave the servants a wide berth as they prepared the house for Edith's wedding. When luncheon arrived, Sybil and Tom were still absent. This time it was Mary who reported that Rosie was still fussing and that her parents would have lunch in their room. Robert thought that the conversation he needed to have with his daughter would not happen for several days.

However, a couple hours later, he was walking past the drawing room and was surprised by the laughter of all three of his daughters. Peeking into the room, he saw his daughters, with Rosie asleep in her mother's arms, having a private tea together. Robert hadn't seen his youngest since he saw her and her husband dancing and kissing in the library the night before, but he could see that she was tired. He listened for several minutes before he turned to leave. He stopped when he saw Tom standing next to him.

"I'm just checking on them," whispered Tom.

Robert nodded and continued to listen with his son-in-law for a bit.

"May I ask why you chose Róisín?" asked Mary as she sipped her tea. "It wasn't a name you mentioned in any of your letters or when you were here for my wedding in June."

Sybil smiled at her sister's question. "The names we had liked just didn't fit her when we saw her." She stopped for a moment, thinking of her husband and the joy on his face when he saw Rosie for the first time. "Tom and I disagreed over her name at first. He wanted to name her Sybil after me. He said, and I remember this exactly, 'Love, no one I know is as strong as you are. She should have a name that conveys strength.' I wanted her to have her own name. Eventually I won when I said that she didn't look like a Sybil."

Edith began to laugh and Mary followed. Once her sisters stopped, Sybil continued. "He did give me the idea for the name. The morning after Rosie was born, he went out to the stalls with his sister and came back with two roses, a red one for me and a white one for Rosie." She got a faraway look in her eyes as she recalled the morning after her daughter's birth. "Looking at her white rose, I thought of the Yorkshire rose. I also remembered that a symbol of Ireland is Róisín Dubh. When I mentioned this to Tom, he liked the idea of a name that linked both of our backgrounds. I chose Róisín after Tom mentioned it means little rose." She smiled. "I like to think of her as our little rose."

"That she is," said Tom, entering the drawing room, followed closely by Robert. "I'm sorry to interrupt." Looking at his wife, he asked with a voice full of concern, "How is she?"

Sighing, Sybil said, "Sleeping, though she'll need her nappy changed in a little bit."

Reaching out his arms, "I'll take her now. I can change her nappy while you enjoy the rest of your tea."

Sybil hesitated. "I'm not sure. What if—"

He interrupted. "She'll be fine, Syb. You need a break."

She nodded and allowed him to take Rosie. Seeing her father, she gave him a small smile.

Robert greeted his daughters. "Good afternoon. I didn't mean to interrupt. I was passing when I heard the three of you laughing. I couldn't help myself and peeked in. Heaven knows the last time all of three of you laughed together. I wanted to commit it to memory."

Everyone chuckled, knowing how difficult it was for all three to get along at once, though they were getting better at it.

Mary spoke up. "Fortunately, you two are not interrupting. Our tea was almost done. The sandwiches have been eaten and Sybil had most of her sponge."

Sybil scoffed. "It's not just my sponge. Mrs. Patmore made it for all of us."

Edith shook her head. "I will have to disagree. Mrs. Patmore usually makes Victoria sponge for our afternoon teas. However, you're visiting and she knows you don't like raspberry jam. That's why this sponge is filled with strawberry jam and cream. It's Sybil sponge."

Mary laughed at Edith's remark and Sybil just rolled her eyes at her sisters. Looking at the clock, Mary said, "I need to get my coat and hat. Matthew and I are going into Ripon."

Sybil looked at her sister. "What do you need in Ripon?"

"A few things. I think Matthew and I want some time to ourselves. The house hasn't been this busy in a while. Besides, it's a lovely winter afternoon." With that, she left the room.

Edith also rose to leave. "Well, I'm off to my room to read. I want to enjoy my last few days there before the honeymoon and the move to London. I will see you at dinner."

Tom, seeing this as an opportunity for Sybil and her father to talk, excused himself and followed Edith upstairs, though he walked to Sybil's old room. It was perfect timing because Rosie woke up needing her nappy changed.

Back in the drawing room, Robert sat down on the sofa next to Sybil. "I was wondering if we could talk."

Sybil, feeling awkward around her father, glanced down at her hands before looking up and answering her father. "Perhaps we should. At least, Tom keeps insisting I talk to you."

"Really?" asked Robert, the surprise clear in his voice.

Sybil gave her father a sharp look. "Yes. From the time Tom first proposed to me, he always promised to welcome my family. He doesn't want to fight with you. If it can be avoided, he makes an effort to do so." Picking up her cup of tea, she added, "You don't make that easy for him."

Robert shifted in his seat, knowing there was some truth in her words. "Were you hurt when your mother and I didn't attend your wedding? Your mother believes you were."

Sybil's answer was barely above a whisper. "I was and I still am hurt. I thought you wanted to part as friends. I've wondered since if you only said that to make sure I kept in touch with mama, Mary, and Edith. Or if the funeral for someone so young influenced your mood."

"I did mean those words when I said them. But...but-"

"What papa?"

"I thought you would come back. I didn't really think you would marry Tom. I thought once you arrived in Ireland, you would realize what a rash decision you made. That you would realize you didn't think everything through."

Sybil chuckled humorlessly. "So when you received the invitation, you couldn't accept you were wrong?"

"Perhaps. I felt rejected more than anything."

"Why on earth would you feel rejected? I wanted you there. Tom wanted you there."

He looked at his daughter, his sadness evident. "This is the only life I know. I love it. But you didn't and I thought I was a failure." Sighing, he continued. "You've taken to your new life with such enthusiasm and ease."

Sybil shook her head. "You're wrong. Yes, I was enthusiastic, and still am, about the new life I embarked on with Tom. But, it hasn't been easy. I knew it was never going to be easy. I need you to know that. I also need you to know that my decision to marry Tom wasn't made out of boredom or ridiculous romantic notions." Taking a deep breath, she plunged ahead. "He proposed to me when he took me to York for my nursing course."

Robert's eyes widened in shock. "What?"

"Tom proposed in November 1916 and I didn't give him an answer until February 1919. He waited over two years to know whether I loved him and would marry him." She sniffled and a tear ran down her eye. "He's an incredibly patient man. He's not perfect, but then neither am I."

"I had no idea," he whispered.

"That's because you and most of the people in this house automatically assumed the worst about Tom." She felt herself getting angry as she remembered her father's words in the drawing room nearly two years ago. Her voice raised, she barked, "You assumed that he seduced me when we announced our plans to marry. Mama assumed we were going to live together unmarried when we arrived in Dublin. It was insulting not only to Tom but to me. You even accused me of being juvenile and having no ability to think on my own."

She turned away from her father, needing to calm herself down. "Why did you try to bribe him? I told you I loved him, but you ignored it."

Shamefaced, he answered, "It's what I was taught one did when you wanted to get rid of a problem. Money was the only thing that was wanted. Tom, obviously, proved that wrong."

Sybil snorted. "He would. He doesn't like the fact that we need the allowance you send. He insists that it's only for me or Rosie. Tom doesn't like it so much that he has been working at his uncle's garage a few nights each week and on Saturdays to make ends meet. And, he doesn't know that I know this, but he was offered a position with the Irish Independent recently. He's considering it."

"How do you know he's considering the position if he hasn't told you?"

Smiling, she answered. "I know my husband." Pausing for a moment, she continued, "And his sister Katie told me."

"Why wouldn't he tell you?"

Sighing, she answered. "The Independent has different political beliefs than Tom. He's a socialist republican and the paper is nationalist and critical of socialism and communism. Also, the Murphy family own the paper. William Martin Murphy was the owner until he died last year. He was the leading employer behind the lockout in 1913. Tom's older brother lost his job in the dispute and knowing Tom, he's trying to decide between taking care of his family versus holding on to his beliefs."

Robert didn't fully understand, but knew he never had to face that decision, or any like it, in his life. "What about when you return to nursing?"

"It looks as though I won't be returning to nursing. The hospital won't take me back. I checked other hospitals, but I've been told that they won't hire me as I am married and have a child. There are a few that I haven't checked, but I'm not optimistic." She laughed humorlessly. "Tom was so mad when he found out. He almost went to the hospital to give them a piece of his mind. He knew about the marriage bar, of course, but Tom thought that with t"

"He really wants you to be happy, doesn't he?"

Beaming, but with tears in her eyes, his daughter answered. "It's all he's ever wanted for me. He promised to make me happy. If I want to work and it'll make me happy, then he wants me to work." She sighed. "I think it makes him angry that so much change has taken place the last few years, but some things remain the same. Things that in his eyes shouldn't remain fixed."

Looking down at his hands, Robert wasn't sure what to say. He settled on revealing what he saw last night. "I saw the two of you in the library last night. I went to pick a book out to read, thinking that everyone was in bed. I was surprised to see the two of you dancing around the library."

"It's our Christmas tradition. We couldn't afford to give each other gifts last year, so we danced around the flat on Christmas night, talking about the baby and our hopes for the new year. I told him I wanted to always dance with him on Christmas and Tom, as always, remembered."

"I still don't understand your relationship with Tom, but I am trying. Last night gave me a tiny glimpse into how the two of you are with each other. I am sorry for hurting you, Sybil. I know I can't undo the damage, but I'm hoping to be given the chance to repair it. Will you let me?"

Flinging herself at her father, she exclaimed, "Oh papa. Of course I want you and mama and everyone in our lives." Pulling back, she added, "Besides, I think Rosie is attached to you and Isis. She absolutely adores you."

Tears were in his eyes as he said, "I do love her. I know I haven't reacted well to her being raised Catholic, but she is my granddaughter. I do and will love her no matter what."

Father and daughter talked for fifteen minutes more. After their conversation, Sybil went to her room to check on Tom and Rosie while Robert went to the library to think over their conversation. He was surprised to find his son-in-law and granddaughter in the room when he got there.

"Sybil went up to check on you and Rosie."

Chuckling, the younger man replied, "She forgets that I have more experience with babies than she does. I should be offended, but I can't help but love how protective she is of Rosie."

Looking lovingly at his granddaughter who was curled against her da, Robert asked, "How is she?"

Sighing, Tom said, "She's very uncomfortable. I wish I could take this pain away from her, but I can't." Placing a gentle kiss on her temple, he pulled her closer and rubbed her back, hoping he was bringing his daughter some comfort.

Robert looked thoughtfully at Tom. "You're a much better father than I was and am from the way things are between Sybil and me."

Tom's face showed his concern. "I take it that your conversation didn't go well."

"It did, but I'm realizing that though I love my daughters I might not have been a very good father to them."

Looking at his own daughter, Tom said, "Sybil does love you. She doesn't like fighting with you. I don't think you're a horrible father. I think if you were a horrible father, none of them would want to be around you."

Pouring himself a glass of Scotch, Robert glanced at his son-in-law. "You're too kind to me. Especially considering that I haven't been kind to you."

Tom just gave him a small shrug, unsure how to respond. Robert sat down across from Tom and watched him for a bit as he tried to comfort Rosie.

"I never did that. I never comforted my daughters when they were teething or ill. That's what the nanny is for. When they were older, I was good at cheering them up, Sybil especially. The age difference between her and her sisters contributed to that. She always sought out affection. Always wanted to know more."

Smiling, Tom said, "Sounds like Sybil."

Softly, Robert spoke. "I blamed you. Not just for proposing to my daughter but everything that she did after you started to work here." Sighing, he continued. "I'm ashamed to admit it but it was easier to blame you than to accept I failed as a parent or that Sybil was always different."

Tom chuckled, causing Robert to give him a puzzled look. "I'm sorry but Sybil is the same way. She hates to fail. Though I've never seen her as a failure. Nor do I think you're a failure as a parent."

"Again you're too kind." Putting his drink down, he stated, "I knew she was interested in the vote before you began working here, but she became more vocal and active with it after, I thought, after the announcement, you started. The same with her desire to go to school. She'd asked before but she became more insistent in 1913 that in hindsight I blamed you for putting ideas into her head. I thought you had seduced her and manipulated her. Then the count..."

Tom's face lost all color when he mentioned the count. "I really didn't know that we were going to the count when I took her to Ripon. I need you to know that I didn't even kiss her until she accepted my proposal. And that's all we did until we were married."

Robert nodded. "I know. I also know that she became more outspoken not because you put ideas into her head, but because she found a kindred spirit in you. She had someone to talk to and that in turn gave her the confidence to ask for and pursue what she wanted."

Looking at his own daughter, Tom said, "I know how you feel now that I have a daughter. I just want to protect her. I know you saw my pursuit of Sybil has breaking your trust and if I could have courted her properly, I would have. But..."

"Yes?"

"But I knew you wouldn't let me and would fire me. It was partially selfish on my part but I just loved her so much. I love her and Rosie so much that I don't have it in me to feel guilty about how everything happened."

Robert laughed at his words. "I can understand that. Sybil told me when you first proposed and how long you waited for an answer." He saw the young man blush. "You are a patient man."

Tom chuckled. "Not really. There have been very few things or people that I've waited for. Sybil was worth it. No matter how frustrating it became, everything since she said she would marry me has made the wait worth every single second." Smiling at his daughter, he said, "If I hadn't waited, Rosie wouldn't be here and I don't want to imagine life without her or her mother."

"I shouldn't tell you this, but Sybil knows you have been offered a position at the Irish Independent."

He made a face and muttered, "I shouldn't have told Katie about the job. She and Sybil are as thick as thieves."

Robert smiled. "She knows that you're trying to make the best decision for you, as well as her and Rosie. However, I got the impression that she thinks you won't be happy working there."

Tom let out a breath. He sat and thought for a few moments before he spoke. "I don't have the luxury to put my political beliefs before my family. Do you know that the hospital won't take Sybil back now that we have a child? Her only other option would be to work as a private nurse, but that would require more night shifts than she wants."

Robert nodded, indicating his knowledge. Seeing this, Tom continued. "It's absolutely ridiculous. My mother was all prepared to watch the baby while Sybil worked, but that won't be happening now. It hasn't been easy the last several months without her salary. I've been working at my uncle's garage as much as I can, but that means I don't have much time to spend with Sybil and Rosie. If I take this position, I won't need to work for my uncle."

His father-in-law nodded his head. "I wish I could offer you some advice, but some recent events show that I don't know much when it comes to money. I can only tell you not to make a rash decision and talk with Sybil about it."

"I was planning to talk to her. Whenever I'm stumped, she's the first person I go to." He looked at Robert, puzzled about something. "What did you mean you don't know much about money?"

Robert closed his eyes and shook his head. "I didn't mean to let this slip. More so because I haven't told Cora yet. When I was in London, I met with Murray. I went against the advice of the estate's advisors and invested a huge chunk of money into Charles Ponzi's international reply coupon scheme. Well you read the papers, you know how that turned out. Coupled with other bad investments, the estate is for all intents and purposes bankrupt." Looking around the room, he said, "This will more likely be the last family Christmas at Downton Abbey."

After a few minutes in silence, Tom responded. "I'm sorry," he said. "Truly. We might have very different beliefs, but I don't wish bad things to happen to anyone. When will you tell Cora? And the rest of the family?"

"I'm telling Cora tonight and will tell the family after Edith's wedding. No point in putting a damper on her big day. Besides, Cora and I will need to discuss what to do. We have a few options and like you, I'm not sure which is the best for us. Please don't tell Sybil yet."

"I won't."

The two men sat in silence for several minutes. Tom took the time to look at the older man. He saw the weariness and the burden he was carrying. He realized that Robert had been like that since he returned from London. The only times he seemed at ease had been the times he held Rosie. Standing up, Tom walked over to Robert and silently offered the man an opportunity to hold his grandchild. "Perhaps the two of you can comfort each other."

Smiling, Robert took the peace offering and the comfort. He carefully took Rosie from Tom and pulled her close. After a few minutes, Tom left grandfather and granddaughter to themselves.

Robert looked Rosie in the eyes and said, "I can't promise you Downton, but I can promise you no matter where we go, you will be loved and adored, Rosie."

He kissed her temple and brought her closer, finding solace in taking care of his granddaughter.