The day had finally arrived. It felt like forever for Branson since they were out walking and asked her that question. He was aware of the consequences it will bring when (one day) the family would find out. But that wouldn't stop him in a million years. How could he ever miss the opportunity to marry his one true love? He thought maybe they were rushing into this, maybe they should take their time. But Branson didn't have time. He received his orders to join the army that morning. He realised what this would mean. In a couple of months he would have to leave Downton and head off for London for training before being sent to the front. There was nothing he could do to stop himself from going. What if he was injured, or worse…killed? He couldn't bear to think about it. Not that he was afraid to die; rather he was afraid of what it would do to Sybil. He was deep in thought when he pulled up the car at the front of the house, precisely at 10 o'clock. When he arrived he was greeted by the warming sight of her standing at the front door with her bags packed.

"Are you ready to go milady?" He joked as he smiled.

"Tom!" She smiled back.

"Sorry. Sybil!" His Smile was fixed onto his face (for the time being) as he placed her bag in the back with his and helped her into the seat next to his. As he sat down, he did a quick check to see if anybody else was around, before gently stroking her cheek and giving her a soft, yet passionate kiss. Her heart was pounding as they pulled away down the drive, but as they did so, one would have been able to see a small fair figure, very similar to that of Anna's, peering out the window. When she heard Thomas suggest something was different with Branson, and when she saw the looks between him and Lady Sybil, she knew something was happening. She tried to dismiss the idea, but what she saw that very moment had only confirmed it. She wouldn't dare tell his lord and ladyship; however something on that scale would be difficult to keep hidden.

As they drove up to Scotland, Sybil could tell something was wrong with Branson. She tried to come up with reasonable ideas as to why he would be so blue on his wedding day, but the only one that seemed likely was the idea she had been trying to keep out of her mind since that summer day almost two years ago. She had to know, but before she questioned him, he spoke,

"Sybil," He paused, his voice was filled with anxiety. At that moment, she knew what this was about. It wasn't about what they were about to do, it was about the war.

"Yes?" Her voice almost shaking.

"Sybil, I got a letter in the post this morning."

"Tell me."

"I've been called up." He said, confirming her worst fears. "I'll be leaving in a couple of months. I'm worried I'll never come_"

"Don't say that!" She trembled at the thought. "Don't say anything of the sort."

"I don't want you to worry about me! I'll be safe. Safe knowing that you're safe at home, waiting for me."

"Then we'll have to make these few months count." She muttered as a small tear rolled down her right cheek.

"Don't cry." He said as his voice started to break into tiny pieces.

"Better to cry now than when you leave. My family will see." She looked at him in earnest. "We're going to have to tell them sometime."

"After I've left; when I can't be fired!" They both smiled through the on coming tears.

When they arrived at Gretna Green, Branson changed into his smartest suit and Sybil put on her floating white dress she had made (in secret) by her local dressmaker and she sailed towards Branson standing over the traditional anvil as the blacksmith conducted the ceremony.

"Till death do us part." They both repeated. The words hanging in their memories. The fear of what the future would bring for both of them felt so tangible and yet the joy of this happy occasion still shone through.

"I now pronounce you husband and wife." The ecstatic cheers of the crowd that had gathered for the wedding reflected the smiles of the man and wife as they walked out to the car and drove off to their hotel. No one at Downton could have predicted what would happen when they employed an Irish socialist chauffeur three years ago, and no one could have predicted on the day of their wedding what the future would hold for these two lovebirds over the oncoming years. It was their responsibility to live it.