A/N: My author's notes have been ridiculously long lately. Sorry about that!

I've had this written for almost a month now but I think it's quite fitting I'm posting it when all of these Rock the AU stories are being posted. This is how, in my mind, the Branson delivery should have been handled. Enjoy!

Song: You and Me - Dave Matthews Band

Tom rolled over. His cheeks were kissed, not by the lips of his wife but by the light she had turned on illuminating her side of the bed. Doing his best to adjust to the change, he opened his eyes and saw that her side of the bed was empty. It was then that he sat up, so awake and suddenly very worried.

"Syb?" He asked, pushing off the covers so that he could stand where she stood, at the foot of the bed, resting against the bedpost. "Is it time?"

"I don't know. My water hasn't broke yet but she's kicking like crazy. I can't sleep…"

Tom touched a soothing hand to her stomach, feeling their child there, moving and twirling to make her presence known. "We're calling Dr. Clarkson."

"Tom…" Sybil began. She gave up quickly, feeling another rather painful kick in her abdomen that caused her to double over. "It's time," she assured him.

A few minutes later, Dr. Clarkson was at the house. Cousin Isobel arrived shortly thereafter, just as Sybil had requested. The two had grown close, with Isobel being a mentor for the youngest Crawley daughter even beyond her nursing years. Sybil wrote to her while she was in Dublin and was comforted to find that Isobel still stood up for the young girl at the dinner table, much in the way she had in the letters they exchanged. As she told Sybil, Isobel was especially fond of Tom and she often admired the respect shared between the two young lovers.

The only thing complicated about Sybil's pregnancy was the argument that occurred just an hour before when Sybil insisted that Tom be in the room during the delivery. Cousin Isobel sided with Sybil, admiring Tom for wanting to experience such a thing while Dr. Clarkson struggled with the idea that for the first time he would not be the only man in the room.

When they arrived, Tom and Sybil were having a similar discussion, one that they assured the rest of the room was most certainly not an argument.

Two nurses walked around the room, readying towels and instruments for the birth. Sybil was back on the bed now, massaging her stomach through the pale material of her nightgown. Tom sat at his desk, writing a short note to his mother to be sent out in the morning. He didn't look at her, but the two somehow shared glances that made Dr. Clarkson and Isobel anxious.

"Sybil, you really should have woken me up," he called over his shoulder.

Sybil sighed. "I was fine." She breathed out. "You woke up, didn't you?"

"Tom, maybe-" Dr. Clarkson began. He was cut off, Tom sitting next to Sybil on the bed to hold her hands in his lap as he leant in and kissed her forehead.

"We're fine," they both replied, lost in one another for the last time before the night changed them forever.

Two hours later they were parents to a beautiful little girl with a crown of hair as dark as her mother's. Freckles spotted the tip of the child's nose, mimicking the skin tone of her father. All of these things would change, they imagined, but they wished a picture could be taken of them so lost in this moment. Their daughter was perfect, and they both said so as they took turns leaning down to press kisses to her small round face. Both parents were as overjoyed as they could be, coddling the child as they held onto one another. Every so often, Sybil would lean into Tom, and kiss his neck or his cheek. He'd return the favor, pressing a kiss to her cheek and then the corner of her mouth. The more this continued, the more they seemed to forget that they were not alone.

A knock sounded at the door, pulling them out of this dreamworld. A nurse answered, finding Lady Mary on the other side. Sybil invited her in, smiling just as wide as her sister as Mary caught sight of the child. Unable to hold her joy, Mary covered her mouth with her fingertips. Everything about the picture before her whispered momentums of happiness, ones she used to have to strain her eyes to see.

"Hi," Sybil whispered, unable to take her eyes off her daughter.

"She's beautiful," was all Mary could manage. She stepped into them, just as lost in the moment as Sybil and Tom were.

"She's your goddaughter," Tom said, finally looking to Mary. The glance didn't last long; his eyes immediately returned to Sybil and their daughter.

Mary stepped into them, sitting on the opposite side of the bed. "Really?"

Just long enough to miss a yawn escaping from her child's mouth, Sybil smiled at Mary. She nodded, and Mary beamed.

"What's her name?"

"Madeleine."

"Pretty," Mary managed, still covering her lips. But the word was not enough. Suppressing the ping of jealousy swelling in her own stomach, Mary noticed how happy they all looked, just lost in one another; the most perfect little family.

Mary returned out to the hall where everyone else was waiting for the news. "Sybil would like a wash before anyone sees the baby. She apologizes for making everyone wait but she's awfully tired."

"And how is the child?" Edith questioned.

Mary couldn't contain the smile she refused to let disappear from her face. "A girl," she began. "Madeleine...absolutely stunning."

When Dr. Clarkson and Isobel left the room, the family filtered out, some returning to the library where Carson had set out tea, while others, Mary and Matthew in particular, went to their room to await the news. A nurse remained in the room, tending to the child in her bassinet while Tom grabbed towels and a fresh nightgown from their armoire.

The nurse ignored them, finding herself to be just as infatuated with the child as her parents were. If it weren't for Sybil's exhaustion and Tom's need to make her feel better, Sybil would have refused the bath Tom offered her. She gave in though, needing to feel warm water and the pads of her husband's fingers on her aching muscles.

"Are you ready?"

"I can walk," Sybil said, watching as Tom leaned down to pick her up, already making it up in his mind that he was to carry her into the bathroom. Her voice said one thing, but her body said another. Sybil nestled into her husband, realizing only then when her daughter was out of her arms and she was in his, how weak and vulnerable she was feeling.

Tom had already begun to run the water when Sybil handed their child over to the nurse. When they entered the bathroom, Tom gently sat Sybil down on the bench in the corner by the window before walking over to turn the still running spout off. A silence washed over the room as Sybil watched her husband dip his calloused hand into the water to test the temperature. It must have been perfect, because he returned to her. He pressed a kiss to the corner of her mouth, and he would have deepened it had she not read his mind.

Sybil moaned. She slipped her tongue past his lips to the warmly delicious confines of his mouth. Something that used to be like the exchanging of secrets was now a secret for them to keep. They'd tell the world eventually, or maybe the presence of their daughter already had, but they were madly in love, and growing more and more fond of each other as the days passed.

Sybil's toes touched the cold marble floor below, bending and stretching along the stone. She dragged them, and Tom noticed, watching her grow more and more impatient. Again he found himself kissing her lips, slowly at first, then, as if it was something she had asked for, cupping her cheeks and tasting her, pushing his tongue past her lips. It was always like this; a kiss to his temple in appreciation and an embrace from him to return the favor. She moaned, feeling a different kind of electricity burning in her stomach.

Tom toyed with the hem of her nightgown from his position kneeling before her. He lifted it up, urging Sybil to sit forward so he could rid her body of the soft material. Golden skin glistened. She was still warm from the pushing and breathing that had rid her body of all of its energy. Now, she was naked, and he resolved to tell her just how beautiful she was, even exhausted and pained like this after such a natural task.

A smile tugged at her lips while Sybil gave in, allowing Tom to press small kisses to her neck. He ran a hand down to her stomach, touching the skin that used to protect their daughter.

"Beautiful," he murmured, suddenly missing the swell of her tummy but knowing that she was just as perfect like this. He blushed, and she did too, thinking how long it would take for her to be in that state again, expecting and round.

"You were great," he whispered before pressing a kiss to her earlobe. Sybil leaned into him, no longer thinking of how unattractive she must have looked. Such a thought quickly disappeared as he continued to love and praise every inch of her. It made no different to him. He had fallen in love with her before all of this, before she was allowed to tease him with the fancy lingerie Mary had bought them for their wedding. He liked her mind, and the woman she was. Of course he loved her like this, and he would show her too, showering her skin with kisses and words of admiration. What was important was that the kisses and the words didn't cease the moment they were through and she put her nightgown back on. If anything, they only continued, and she found herself repeating such things back to him, her words thick with gratitude.

When he picked her up, a set of goosebumps dotted her skin, only to disappear as he helped her to settle into the warm bath water.

Sybil leant back, feeling the bath water caress her skin, causing her to relax. She dropped her head back, feeling the cool white porcelain hug her neck as she stretched her feet out to rest on the other end of the tub. She hadn't had a bath in nine months and the little girl in her, the Lady even, missed the feeling of being encapsulated in a large tub like this. The one they had in Dublin felt as if it was half the size. Sybil giggled, thinking back to the time when they had christened that tub only after making love on the bathroom floor. It may have been smaller, but their bathroom in their flat back at Dublin held memories this room never would. At least not yet, not before tonight, she thought.

Tom had disappeared, walking across the room to the linen cupboard. He grabbed a soft washcloth, a sponge, and Sybil's favorite bottle of rosewater body soap. Watching him go, she admired the way he had rolled up his sleeves and never allowed the exhaustion he was also feeling to take over his features. Instead, he was proud, only allowing the elation he felt for his wife and their new daughter to remain on his face.

She didn't need to ask, and she certainly didn't object. He kissed her forehead and then began loving all the different parts of her with the warm washcloth he held caressing her skin. He began at her toes, using the sponge to massage her feet. Each toe then the balls of her feet received the love they deserved as he thanked her for being so strong tonight.

Then, he moved up, to her ankles first, then the insides of her calves. He kissed the skin there, making waves up toward her knees. This caused Sybil to brace herself on the sides of the tub. With her head still dropped back, she felt as if her body was on fire even as the water in the tub began to cool. Something that was so beautiful earlier that night had now become passionate, as he showed his gratitude up and down the skin of her stomach, paying special attention to her lower abdomen.

He knew that perhaps he shouldn't, but a small smile urged him on, as he allowed the sponge he was holding to dip beneath the water and tease at the swelling between her legs. She was in pain before and parts of her still were but she felt nothing now except for the way her husband loved her body, each and every inch of exposed skin, all of it, shivering beneath his touch.

The sponge was dropped and Tom picked up the washcloth that had floated to the bottom of the tub. The soft cloth was at her breasts now, pressing soft circles into her skin as he washed her skin with the sudsy material. She cooed, dropping her head back. The water was warm, but Sybil found herself hardening as the water and his hands created a delicious friction upon her chest. She wanted to cry out but she was too tired. Instead, the silence acted as a comfort, confirming everything it ever took to bring their child safely into this world.

"Tom…" she attempted. Her voice dropped off though, unsure of what to say to thank him just as much as he was thanking her. This was gentle and urgent and every ounce of what she craved. "I love you," was all she could manage before her mouth dropped off saying other things in silence.

His hands responded, continuing to comfort her as they whispered something similar in return. She was unsure of whether she should fall asleep or kiss him. Her body wanted both, but she accepted the latter all too willingly. It was him who had to guide her through it and she was suddenly reminded of their first kiss and how nearly two years ago she was forced to allow him to do the same. Then, she was self conscious but now she was so very sure that she wanted him like this. And that such a thought was okay to have and would forever be okay.

Tom paid special attention to her hair, massaging her scalp as her black curls were taken over by the shampoo he lathered her head with. She leaned into him, her eyes fluttering as his fingers pushed her hair into thick soapy curls. With his help, she dipped her head back, ridding her hair of the soap so that a small film of suds remained at her hairline. With the washcloth, he pushed that away before pressing a kiss to her wet forehead. She smiled into it and captured his lips against her own. Even like this, so frail and tired, she needed him.

"Thank you," she whispered as they pulled away. She was clean now, but her body was still tense. She wanted to hold her daughter, and for her husband to hold her as she did so. All was confirmed as he helped her stand up, quickly wrapping her body in a fluffy towel.

She leant into him, practically collapsing against his frame. He picked her up again, not bothering to drain the tub before carrying her back to their bedroom. The nurse saw them enter, and quietly stepped away from the basinet where Madeleine was fast asleep. She didn't smile at the couple, knowing better than to interrupt such a moment. She had never seen something like it, the willingness of a husband to appreciate his wife after such an act. Tom did all of that though, and so much more. As he heard the door shut behind him, he walked to the armoire, making a stop on the way to glance down at his sleeping daughter in her crib.

"How is she?"

Tom could only smile. "Perfect."

"She looks just like you."

Sybil shook her head. "She is all you, love."

He sat next to her now. In his hands he carried a pair of lace knickers and a freshly cleaned silk nightgown. It was his favorite and due to the growing child inside of her, she had not been able to wear it since before Mary's wedding.

"Lay back," he instructed. He watched as she did so. Sybil allowed her towel to drape open, laying beneath her like a blanket while her skin dried underneath the dying light of the fire.

Parts of her still ached, but she calmed down as he pushed her knickers up the length of her legs before slowly pulling them up over her hips. Laying before him in nothing but panties, she closed her eyes, feeling so exposed. She didn't move though and she enjoyed the way, even in this state, she was still so beautiful to him. Everything he felt for her was everything she was too afraid to feel.

Sybil lifted her arms toward the ceiling, allowing Tom to drape the material over her head. It pooled on her shoulders before drifting downward only to pool at her waist. She scooted up, allowing him to reach for the material and pull it down to finish off the process. He kissed her forehead and then walked away, getting back into his own pajamas. He wanted to wait, to prove to her family that he could handle all of this, and appear to them just as they wanted, if only for her. He didn't care at this point. They both had worked so hard to get to where they were, here, in her old room, a room they both had called home for the past week. He wasn't going anywhere, and now with the birth of their daughter and the conception of many more children in the future, he wasn't sure he wanted to. They could think what they wanted, but he was happy. Somewhere, maybe not here nor back in Dublin, that was enough.

The young couple was underneath the covers of their bed when the family walked in. Sybil was holding their child, with Tom holding her. Mary stood back, watching as the rest of the family admired the child she was already so in love with. She understood it now, and she saw the way Sybil and Tom needed nothing of the sort. Still, such thoughts were comfortable to them now, especially with a child to care for and no other cares in the world.

All of the family members gushed on how beautiful the child was. Cora commented on her button nose and the black curls atop her head. Matthew and Edith laughed as the child cooed against Sybil's chest, clearly wanting to be fed again. Robert was silent, but agreed with all that was said. It was only when the family filtered out, that he thought of all of the words he wished to give to his daughter and her husband and how there must be a time in the future for them to be said. He was happy for her, that much he knew. He hoped she knew it as well, or at least felt it as she watched him stand by intently.

When they cleared, Sybil allowed Madeleine the one thing she had practically been asking for since her birth. For the second time that night, she allowed her daughter to latch onto her breast and begin sucking. Sybil winced, causing Tom to look over from the book he was reading to touch a soothing hand to her shoulder. "It hurts?" he questioned, simply unaware of the answer.

Sybil could only nod. She closed her eyes, allowing a rush of pain to wash over her as their daughter continued to milk. "I'm just sensitive," she replied. Soon, it became easier, and Sybil and Tom both watched in total adoration as their daughter fell asleep still connected to her mother's chest. They could only smile as she detached her small mouth from Sybil's nipple. Sybil sighed at the loss of contact, allowing Tom to take their child and put her back in her crib while she covered herself back up.

He got back into bed, pulling her close. "You did great," Tom whispered before pressing a kiss to her temple. "You're so brave."

Sybil smirked, looking up to her husband. "You're brave. I think Dr. Clarkson almost fainted knowing you were going to be in here through it all. And I think that's supposed to be your job, the fainting and all. Most men would…"

Tom kissed her nose. "I couldn't miss this." He breathed out, feeling sleep settle into his body. "She's perfect. You were perfect."

"Tom?"

"Yeah, Syb?"

"Let's just spend the entire day in bed tomorrow. I don't care what they think and if they say anything about you joining me, we can ignore them because it's what I want," she emphasized.

Tom beamed. "I'd love that."

She didn't respond. Her body was too weak and an answer was not needed. With the lights still on, they both allowed sleep to take them. Curled into one another, they kept their promise, sleeping in the next morning only to spend the entire rest of the day in bed. It was the first and last day they would ever accept trays up in their room.

Sybil and Tom passed Maddie (as they had begun to call her) back and forth. They were taking turns eating small bites off their plates before once again getting lost in the love they created. They napped when she napped, and spent moments in the lazy heat of the summer afternoon propped up on their elbows discussing how happy they were to finally be here. They were parents and their daughter was healthy and blithe. They had waited for this moment for far longer than either of them could have guessed. Now that it was here they were afraid to open the door allowing the light from the hallway and all of the world's preying eyes to come in and question their state.

As usual, thanks for reading! Please please please review if you feel so compelled!

x. Elle