Tom, Sybil and Sybbie arrived back at Downton Abbey just after noon the following day. That morning in Liverpool, Kieran had suggested that instead of the train, they take an old but reliable motor whose engine he'd rebuilt in his spare time but had little use for now that it was in proper working order. Having to depend on Pratt and Matthew to get around the estate, Tom had been considering buying his own car. Still, he was hesitant to take such a gift from Kieran, even when the latter insisted he'd make good use of it living in the country. What finally convinced him was Sybil pointing out that having their own motor would allow them to more easily consider moving away from Downton, even as far as Ripon, while Tom was still working as the estate agent.

By motor, the journey was longer, and with a few more stops and starts. Even so, once they were back at the house and Sybbie settled in with Lily, Sybil wanted to go directly to the train station to await Mary's arrival without any thought to getting any rest. Tom insisted that they stay and at least have a decent lunch, reminding Sybil that if the birth really were imminent, she would need her strength to help Mary get through it. Word was sent down to Mrs. Patmore to prepare a simple but hearty luncheon for them in preparation for what was likely to be a long afternoon and an even longer night ahead. They were only just finishing, about two hours later, when news came from the train station: Mary and Anna had arrived safely, but Mary had requested to go directly to the hospital.

Both Tom and Sybil bolted up from their seats.

"Get what you need," Tom said, "I'll get the car ready."

Sybil nodded then ran upstairs for her nursing uniform and a small carrying case. Then, she went over to Mary's room and grabbed a nightshirt, a dressing gown and a handful of toiletries. Once everything was packed, she ran downstairs and out the door. Tom was waiting in the car, already running, while Carson held the door open for her.

"We'll telephone with news once we know the situation," she said to the butler as he closed the door for her. "And it's likely the rest of the family will be on their way back now."

"Not to worry, milady, we'll have the house ready for their return," Carson replied.

Once on the road to the village, Tom asked, "Will there be a problem with an early arrival?"

Sybil thought for a moment. "I can't say I'm expert in this area, but it's really only a matter of weeks. Any earlier and I'd be more worried, but I think so long as there are no problems like I had, everything will be all right."

"She really shouldn't have gone," Tom said with a chuckle.

Sybil sighed. He was right, and Sybil couldn't help but feel a twinge of guilt for not insisting to Mary that she stay. Mary likely would have gone anyway, but she might have at least given the question due consideration had it been Sybil, a nurse and someone who'd experienced birth recently, who was doing the insisting.

"No sense in belaboring that point with her," Sybil said finally. "She likely knows it."

And indeed, when Tom and Sybil arrived at the hospital, only minutes after Mary, who was still in the entrance hall with Anna waiting for the duty nurse to direct her to a room, the first words out of Mary's mouth were, "I know, I know. You don't have to say I told you so."

Sybil smiled. "I would never."

"Lady Mary, we're ready."

The group turned to see Dr. Clarkson gesturing for them to follow him down the hall.

Before she did so, Mary looked at Tom. "We left the luggage at the train station."

"I'll get it—don't worry," he said, even before she'd asked the question.

"I have some things from the house," Sybil said, "but likely not everything you need."

"Why don't I go with him," Anna said. "I can unpack and bring back what's needed for yourself and the baby."

"And call Duneagle," Mary said.

"Oh, goodness, do they not know?" Sybil exclaimed.

"We sent word from the train station, just after we called the house, but I'd like to know for sure that Matthew's on his way.

"I'll call say you're back safe but that they should come back as well—if they haven't left already," Tom said.

"Pardon me," Dr. Clarkson interrupted. "I know plans have to be made, but if the child really is on his way, we should make Lady Mary as comfortable as possible as soon as possible."

"Quite right," Sybil said. "Go on, darling," she added, gesturing to Tom that he be on his way.

With the help of Sybil and another nurse, Mary was settled into a small bed in a private room, at the very end of the hospital, away from the main ward where she'd have ample privacy and quiet. Sybil went into the nurses' quarters to change into her uniform, and when she'd returned, Dr. Clarkson had just finished his examination.

"And your pain, how often are you feeling it now?"

Mary thought for a moment. "Every quarter of an hour, perhaps? I felt it an hour or so before we pulled into the train station. It's what prompted me to come here."

Dr. Clarkson nodded. "Well, it's still early on. If you wanted to go home—"

"No," Mary said firmly. "Unless you're prepared to tell me that the baby is not going to be born this week, I won't leave the hospital without him—or her."

Noticing Sybil behind him, Dr. Clarkson looked back and noticed the sisters exchange a look. He knew what they'd gone through the last time, and saw the extra care they wanted to take this time around. He, of all people, wouldn't argue. "Well, I can't promise that it'll be today, but tomorrow surely. You can certainly stay as long as you need."

"Thank you, Dr. Clarkson," Sybil said stepping forward. "I'll stay with her. You won't need to alter staffing for the hospital for the time being."

"Thank you, Nurse Branson." Turning to Mary, he added, "I can't imagine you'll be in better hands."

Mary smiled. "I quite agree."

Once he was gone from the room, Sybil came over and sat on the edge of the bed. "How are you feeling?"

"Anxious to have it done with now," Mary said. "But apparently, I'm just at the start. He did say that nothing looked out of order, not like . . ."

"Not like me?"

Mary nodded, as if afraid to say something more.

Sybil took Mary's hand. "Darling, I would never wish what I went through on you or anyone. You should hope that it all goes smoothly—I certainly hope as much for you. So you needn't feel guilty if it does."

"I just wish I'd known more—I would have spoken up, supported mama and Tom, so things wouldn't have gotten so dire."

"No sense in dwelling on it now. Just focus on keeping calm and resting. You'll need all your strength soon enough."

"Will you be here with me tonight?" Mary asked.

Sybil smiled. "Where else would I be?"

ooo

Mary had a fitful night's sleep, with the pains growing closer together and growing in intensity. She was tired but in good spirits and seemed ready for what came next in every respect save for Matthew's absence.

Sybil had remained with her all night, taking only a small rest in the early hours of the morning, when Isobel, who had come to see Mary the previous afternoon after being alerted as to her early return, came to check on her again and offered to give Sybil a reprieve. Sybil only slept for several hours, but by the time she woke up, she could see that the baby's arrival would happen likely no later than that very afternoon.

After another check from Dr. Clarkson, Sybil called the house to let Tom know and to summon Anna, so would help keep Mary comfortable while Sybil assisted Dr. Clarkson. With the family also due to arrive in short order, the house was a bit frantic as Tom and Anna gathered what they needed to go.

"Do you have everything?" Tom asked her as she put on her hat and coat.

"I think so," Anna replied.

"If there's anything else, anything at all, just telephone," Carson said.

"According to the doctor, there's nothing to worry about," Tom said, as he watched the old butler fretting as if he'd been asked to prepare the house for the royal family.

"Well, of course I worry," Carson said, holding his hands together in an effort not to wring them. "After Lady Sybil how could I not worry?"

Tom smiled. "Thankfully, Sir Phillip Tapsell is not on the premises this time and Lady Mary knew herself well enough to go to the hospital from the first."

Carson's brow furrowed slightly, never one to be entirely comfortable when Tom so liberally questioned Robert's judgment, but offered a small smile just the same, suggesting his concerns had been mollified somewhat. "Should I meet the others off the train?"

"I can do that," Tom said. "Between myself and Mr. Pratt, we should have room enough to get everyone home."

"You should take Mr. Matthew's car to the station and have the others brought here," Anna said. "He said as much last night when he telephoned. He can drive himself to the hospital and come back with the news when he's ready."

"Of course," Tom said with a smile. "I'll drive it there and stay with Pratt in case anything else is needed."

Carson nodded. "Yes. Good, good. Very good. And Anna, thank you."

Anna smiled and exchanged knowing glances with Tom. It was only after they turned to go that Carson remembered himself and added, "You too, Mr. Branson."

ooo

As predicted, Mary's delivery went off without complication. For Mary, after hours of waiting and waiting, once it was time, it all went by rather quickly.

She gave birth to a son.

He weighed a healthy seven pounds, with bright blue eyes and with features that suggested, even only hours after his birth that he would grow up to be the spitting image of his father.

Mary, being her father's daughter, was immediately pleased that she had borne an heir on her first try. Sybil, being Sybil, would have rolled her eyes at the sentiment, but she was too happy for her sister to offer any cynicism regarding inheritance, primogeniture, or any of the other silly notions that aristocrats cling to.

"He's perfect," Sybil said, as she handed the tiny creature, cleaned and bundled into a blanket, to Mary.

Mary had nothing to say for several minutes, overwhelmed as she was, physically and emotionally. Her eyes clouded over with tears, but there was no crying, only relief and love. Sybil smiled on seeing just how emotional her usually stoic, self-possessed sister allowed herself to be in that moment.

"Is he really all right? There's nothing wrong?" Mary squeaked out without taking her eyes off her son.

"Like I said, he's perfect," Sybil answered.

"He is, isn't he?" Mary said, her lips finally curving into a smile.

"Do you know what you'll call him?"

"Not yet," Mary replied. "We haven't settled on one. I liked Alistair, after grandpapa. Matthew was partial to George, though so far as British monarchs go, I think we can do better than that."

"Well, Matthew should be here soon enough, and you can decide. In the mean time, Isobel has spoken with Carson, so they'll have the news at home when they arrive. A wonderful homecoming, it will be, wouldn't you agree?"

But Mary was too taken with the bundle in her arms to say anything in response. Sybil could only smile, wondering briefly what it might have been like for her to contemplate her daughter in her first moments of life, not days after the fact, as had been her experience. Her mind didn't linger there, however. Given all that might have gone wrong for her, it was enough that she and her daughter had both come through it.

As it turned out, Matthew missed his son's birth only by a little over an hour. On the train back to Downton, Matthew felt deep regret over having let Mary talk him into staying at Duneagle without her—he regretted it just as deeply she regretted having gone to Scotland in the first place. But when husband and wife saw each other again and together beheld what they had made all was forgiven.

When Matthew came into the room, saying, "Can this hot dusty traveler come in?" Sybil smiled and left them alone without a word. Outside of the room, having closed the door behind her, she finally allowed the tears she had been holding back to wet her cheeks, tears of joy, relief and exhaustion all mixed together.

"You did well, Nurse Branson."

Hearing Dr. Clarkson, Sybil quickly wiped her cheeks, embarrassed that her boss caught her in such an emotional moment. Dr. Clarkson only chuckled in response.

"No need to hide your tears. It was your sister, after all, but like I said you did well."

"Thank you."

"I suspect she'll be well enough to go home in another day or two," Dr. Clarkson asked.

"I know this is how it goes under normal circumstances," Sybil said, "but I can't help but think of my own experience, which was so different . . . I don't know if I ever thanked you properly."

Dr. Clarkson smiled. "I was only doing my duty as a doctor."

"You saved my life," Sybil said quietly. "I hope I do my duty half as well."

"You do—you're an asset to the hospital. Being married and having children will make continuing your work as a nurse difficult, but you do the work well. You'll save your share of patients if you give yourself the chance to fulfill your potential."

Sybil was so taken aback by Dr. Clarkson's words, she didn't say anything as he smiled again before leaving her alone once more outside of Mary's room. She realized that even after all they'd been through together as doctor and nurse during the war, Sybil never considered Dr. Clarkson as anything other than her doctor. Now, she knew he was a mentor as well.

xxx

"These things are always rather nerve-racking, as you all well know. But all's well that ends well, and it won't be long before you'll be able to say hello to your very own grandson."

Isobel's words made everyone smile. The family, including Tom, who'd come back with them from the train station, was gathered in the library, where Isobel had met them with the happy news upon their arrival. She'd left the hospital shortly after the birth once it was clear that both Mary and the baby would be in no danger. Everyone was anxious to see the child, but Isobel, having been present for his birth, wanted to see her own son and see on his face the happiness of parenthood, knowing he'd be as wonderful a father as her husband had been to him.

"My grandson? Oh, my dear, how sweet and miraculous that sounds!" Robert said.

"Our grandson," Cora repeated. "And, yes, it does sound miraculous."

"Life is strange, isn't it?" Robert said.

"In so many different ways," Violet responded.

"No, I mean, I think of all the uncertainty between Matthew and Mary," Robert said, "or when the money was lost, and everything was so dark. Yet now here we are with two healthy heirs an estate in good order, and I wonder what I've done to deserve it."

Violet nodded, "I agree. But then we don't always get our just deserts."

Tom couldn't help but smirk. Very few get their just deserts, he thought, the aristocracy sees to that. He might have said it out loud on a different day, but even he could see that it would merely dampen the mood on such a joyous occasion.

The birth of his own child had not been so sunny—instead, fraught with worry over whether Sybil would survive, whether the child herself, taken from her mother in so unorthodox a fashion, would survive. But they did. Whether Robert considered Sybbie's birth "sweet and miraculous" was not something that concerned Tom. He'd long gotten used to the fact that in this house, in this kind of life, some things (like male heirs) mattered more than others (like daughters of runaway marriages). His wife and daughter were alive and thriving. For Tom, that was its own miracle. And if none but he celebrated it as such then so be it.

"I am rather anxious to hear from Matthew as to how he found Mary," Robert said looking at his watch. "When do you suppose he'll be back?"

"Can you really blame him?" Cora said with a smile. "You know how sorry he was to have missed the birth. I'm sure the last thing he wants is to be pulled away from them now."

"It would be nice to hear all the details," Robert said.

"We'll learn everything in due time," Cora responded.

"She's come through it, which is what matters," Violet said. "And there were no fisticuffs," she added with a look at Tom, who couldn't help but snicker.

Seeing how anxious everyone seemed, he said, "Perhaps I'll go to the hospital. I'm sure Sybil would like a change of clothes. I'm sure she would be happy to give a full report."

"Thank you, Tom, that's very thoughtful," Cora said.

With a nod Tom stood and left the room. He walked down to the garage to fetch his car and set off.

His car.

It would be long before he could repay Kieran for it, but Tom was very grateful for having it, for the freedom that it gave him and for the role it would play in the manner in which the rest of that fateful day's events would unfold.

Because without that old rebuilt motor, he'd not have offered to go to the hospital. And someone else would have had to see what he had to see.

A young man standing by the side of the road waving his hat and motioning Tom to pull over.

Another man, this one older, portly, yelling from the bottom of a steep embankment.

Wreckage that became more and more familiar the nearer Tom got to it.

He was running at a sprint as soon as he recognized it, but there was nothing waiting for him at the bottom.

Only the lifeless body of his friend, newly a father, a future earl.

Matthew.