This is a really bitty chapter and I don't think it really flows in the slightest... Sorry if it's a bit crap!

Tom walked out of the room with his shoulders slumped. He'd not felt this bad for a while now. Sighing he rubbed his eyes and then his hair before heading down the grand staircase of Downton Abbey. He'd been planning on making a swift exit with his brothers and sisters to avoid further humiliation from Sybil's father, but Alfred the butler had come into the room and told him he'd be attending lunch.

When he got downstairs he entered the dining room where Robert, Cora, Mary and Edith were seated. Tom suddenly felt his cheeks burn red as Robert glared at him, realising he must have accidentally walked in on their family breakfast which he was not supposed to be attending.

"I-I'm sorry, I didn't realise..." he began.

But Cora cut him off, smiling encouragingly "It's alright Tom, do join us for some breakfast."

"I am sure Tom and his family need to be heading off" said Robert dryly.

"Oh give it a rest Robert" snapped Cora angrily before turning back to smile at Tom, "Sybil should be down soon and we have plenty to go round, I'm sure your brothers and sister must be hungry."

"Thank you" Tom said quietly, taking the plate that was thrust quite forcefully into his hand by the butler.

He sat down and let the conversation flow around him, wondering whether Sybil was avoiding him or not. He was lost in his thoughts when the door opened and Meara popped her head round the door.

"Tom" she hissed, everyone looking towards the door where she was standing.

She smiled at them sweetly, "Good morning" she said cheerily before turning back to her brother, "Tom, is it okay if I go with Sybil shopping? She said that you could take the boys out in the garden for a kick around and then we can all have lunch before we head back."

Great thought Tom She IS avoiding me.

Looking at his sister's pleading eyes he quickly gave in, "Go on then" he said.

"THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!" she smiled running in and giving him a hug before running off to join Sybil...

"This is so exciting" beamed Meara, "I've always wanted an older sister who I could go shopping with!"

"I suppose it's not the same going with Tom" giggled Sybil.

Meara frowned, "We never go shopping together... We just don't have the money".

"I'm sorry" sighed Sybil, "I didn't even think..."

"It's okay though" smiled Meara, "I wouldn't trade Tom in for a sister"

Sybil smiled, "He is pretty amazing".

"He IS amazing" said Meara, "Listen, I think it's about time we had the talk" she said seriously.

"The talk?" Sybil raised her eyebrow.

Meara giggled and pulled her into a coffee shop, ordered them some drinks and then sat staring at Sybil.

"The talk" she smiled, "The 'You hurt my brother and you are dead' talk" she winked.

Sybil laughed, "Oh that talk, well go on then, shoot!"

Meara looked at her straight in the eyes.

"My brother, as you know, has not had the easiest of times. BUT since you came along, he's been happy. He's been more than happy, he's been... Just words can't explain. He cares about you, a lot and I don't think he'll be able to deal with another person breaking his heart. SOOOOOOO, If you hurt Tom, I will be forced to take action into my own hands..." Meara giggled then, all serious having left her and putting on a deep voice said...

"I don't know who you are. I don't know what you want. If you are looking to hurt Tom, then I can tell you, I can't help you. But I do have a very particular set of skills; skills I have acquired over a very long career. Skills that make me a nightmare for people like you. If you love Tom then that'll be the end of it. I will not look for you, I will not pursue you. But if you don't, I will look for you, I will find you, and I will kill you." she said dramatically.

Sybil was crying of laughter, "Good luck" she smiled offering her hand to shake Meara's - and the two girls fell about laughing. Even through the joke though, Sybil knew the seriousness of Meara's words and she found herself wondering whether or not her own sisters would be as protective of her...

Having arrived back, a few bags heavier, Sybil looked out of the window at the approaching Downton Abbey. It wouldn't be long until the dressing gong chimed and Sybil didn't want to be on the end of one of Carson's icy glares, but as she stepped out of the car she couldn't take her eyes off the sight in front of her...

"He shoots... HE SCORES" yelled Tom as he and his brothers belted the football around the garden. Sybil watched as Tom ran off in celebration, being chased by three very energetic and hyper boys. He burst into laughter as he fell to the ground, the boys piling on top of her and Sybil smiled away, thinking about how she couldn't think of ever loving someone more. Larry could never be like this around children...

Tom's heart stopped when he saw Sybil and climbing up from the ground he headed in her direction. She was smiling and he prayed that that was a good sign. She smiled at him as he stopped in front of her and he offered her a small "Hey".

Tom wondered why he ever doubted Sybil's love for him as a moment later she had stepped forward with a "Hello handsome" and had him locked in a knee-weakening kiss.

"Ewwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww" chimed Tom's brothers, as Sybil and Tom kissed, earning them a swat from Meara who just shook her head and headed inside.

Tom felt on top of the world again as he headed down the stairs with Sybil hanging on his arm. She smiled up at him before giving him a quick peck on the cheek, causing his smile to grow further.

"So remind me who is going to be here milady" he said teasingly.

"Oh, it should be the same as last night except Matthew, Mary's fiance is going to be joining us" smiled Sybil.

"Mary's fiance?" asked Tom, "Please tell me he is nothing like your dad"

"He is pretty much the polar opposite" said Sybil.

"Good" laughed Tom, "We should get on like a house on fire then".

As they reached the bottom of the stairs Tom's laughter and smile quickly faded as he laid eyes on the person whom he had been speaking to that very morning...

"Isobelle, what a pleasant surprise, Tom, this is Matthew's mother Dr Isobelle Crawley - she's a psychiatrist."

Shit thought Tom.

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