Hello! Yep, I couldn't resist, I came back to this story a little earlier than planned, but that's ok! Thank you for your lovely response to the last few chapters (I'm glad you were pleased with the Bransons finally making up!) Now it's time for a letter :oP

Dedicating this chapter to my good friend cassiemortmain, who is the "Susan" to my "Sybil" :oP

THANKS FOR READING and welcome to all the new followers/readers of this tale! I hope you enjoy!


Chapter Forty-Four

Dearest Susan,

CONGRATULATIONS! Oh what wonderful news to discover! I confess, I snatched the envelope from Tom's hands so quickly when he told me a letter had arrived from you, that I tore a tiny piece off! But not to worry, the damage wasn't great enough to prevent me from reading the good news you had written!

A BOY! Oh Susan, I am so, so happy for you! Is James pleased? Oh, foolish question; I'm sure he is beyond happy just as you are, and I have no doubt he (and you as well) would be every bit as happy had it been a girl. But oh how wonderful—truly, I am so glad for you both; words fail me, all I can seem to do is repeat myself! Oh please, when you have the chance, I do hope you will be able to send a photograph in a future letter; I long to see little Peter (though you did a marvelous job in describing him—a full head of dark hair, just like his father, with large blue eyes and large-boned as well! Ten pounds! Gracious, I don't think any of the children whose births I have assisted with Sister Claire were that big! How was your labor? Oh, forgive me, no doubt a memory you wish not to revisit, but…oh Susan, I'm just so glad you and Peter are doing well, and…ah, I can't stop rambling! Imagine what I would be like if I were sitting with you right now?)

…And…and thank you, also, for your sweet words about…well, about if you could, you would ask me to be little Peter's godmother. I…I am truly moved, I…I can't begin to explain how that affected me, seeing your words. I understand of course why you can't; I would make a very poor godmother living so far away, but still…thank you, Susan. I…I feel the same way. Oh gracious, now I'm crying again! How I wish we weren't so far apart; I would love to hug you right now.

And…as to your little joke about Tom and myself…

No, first, let me explain before you start gasping, Tom and I are not expecting, at least not yet. However, there was a…a moment where I thought I was. Meaning, I thought I was pregnant. Again, I'm not, but…well, for a moment I did think I was (due to my cycle being late). However, it turned out to simply be that…late, and nothing more. But there was a brief moment when…well, to put it plainly, where I "panicked". Oh please don't misunderstand, Susan, I do want to have children someday, and I would love to give Tom a son, or a daughter (or both!) the way you and James have, but…I'm not just ready yet. Nor is Tom, or so he tells me (but I do believe him; I don't think he's simply saying that to "appease me"). It's just…does it sound terribly selfish to say that I would very much like to enjoy our marriage where, for the moment, it is just the two of us?

I hope I am making sense. I tried to explain this to one of Tom's sisters and she looked at me as if I had sprouted another head! It's such a foreign concept here; a woman wanting to wait when it comes to having children. Though that's naïve of me to say; I'm sure the concept is every bit as foreign in England, as well.

No, he and I are choosing to wait for the time being. Though it does mean we have to be…creative, in a manner of speaking, in making sure that we…don't.

Alright, please don't say this to anyone, not even James (though really, who are you going to tell, being there in Liverpool while I'm here in Dublin? But still…indulge me with your discretion for the moment). I've recently become…a thief.

The hospital where I've been taking some courses and where once a week I do rounds with Sister Claire has a storage cupboard (like most hospitals) and…like the hospital in York where we did our training, this storage cupboard also keeps a supply of…French letters.

…Do you understand what I mean now when I say I've become a thief? I try to be discrete, and not take too many, but you have no idea, Susan, how difficult it is for a married woman to get her hands on such things! Because naturally, being a "married woman", why would I want such things? Tom knows, though; he's well aware of my thievery, and teases me about it every so often (though not too much, as he knows I can sometimes be a little sensitive about the subject, and one night he went too far and let's just say that the item in question which I had stolen did not get used that evening because I refused to perform the task which would have led to its use). Yes, he has been careful about his teasing ever since.

Sorry, I couldn't help giggling there. Although I will admit, it's difficult to refuse him. Is that true for you with James? I'm sure it is. Men, they can be insufferable sometimes, but they can also be terrible charmers. Tom is well aware of his "abilities". He simply thickens his accent and murmurs "me darlin'" to me and I feel my knees go weak. Add that cheeky, crooked smile of his, and I have to hold on to something to keep myself from melting where I stand. But all that aside, he is a wonderful man and a wonderful husband. He never pressures me, never pushes (in fact, I would say I've become much more of the…the "instigator" if you will, when it comes to…intimacy—oh Lord, how hot my face is; he's just in the next room, and he would no doubt laugh and heartily agree with me if he knew what I was writing!) But truly, Susan…I blush as I write this, but…I never realized how much…FUN…being married could be! And you know what I mean when I say "fun", I'm sure.

Well, besides that, Tom and I are well, thank you. I continue to work and train with Sister Claire and according to my instructors at the hospital, I am doing well with my studies. I am hopeful that perhaps by summer's end, I can start taking on more of a role here at the hospital? Not that I mind assisting Sister Claire. I never truly considered midwifery as a possible future, but I do enjoy it (though it can be heartbreaking at times, but then…that's nursing in general, I think. Heaven knows we've both endured heartbreak in the caring of wounded men). Though I cannot deny, I do miss being and working in a hospital as well. So we'll see what the future brings. But I am happy for the work I am doing, and very grateful for Sister Claire! She's a wonderful teacher and very patient with me. I think she would like to see me perhaps follow in her footsteps, and become a midwife like her…and I just might, perhaps. Again, we'll see what the future brings!

Tom is well, though he's taken a bit of a blow at the newspaper. An article he worked so hard on, that he was so positive would be the one that would finally lead to being published was turned down. He tried his best to hide it, but I could tell he was devastated by the news. That was a week ago, so he's better now, though he does feel frustrated in trying to understand what his editor wants from him. I know he would like to get something published before we leave for Galway, which we hope to do by the middle of July.

At long last, our honeymoon is in sight! I am excited (and not just because of that), but also I look forward to seeing more of Ireland! Tom's mother is originally from Galway, and he still has some family who live there. I would very much like to see his grandfather's sheep farm which he visited on occasion when he was a boy. And the ocean, of course! If it's warm enough, I hope Tom and I can go swimming. I've never swum in the ocean before, Susan, have you? That would shock Granny no doubt. Perhaps I should make sure that Tom and I have our photograph taken in our bathing suits? Gracious…that reminds me, I'll need to purchase one before we leave for Galway! I wonder if Tom has one? Oh I'm rambling again, but rest assured, I'll send you a postcard when we do go!

And speaking of going…I should finish this letter (though I honestly feel I could write and write and write for ages!) But Tom was here when I got home, and the first thing he did (after giving me a lovely "welcome-home" kiss, was hand me your letter, and so after I read it, I immediately began writing my reply. Though judging from the smell coming from the kitchen, he's been very good in making us supper while I've been sitting here writing to you. So I best go and show my appreciation by eating that meal…

And then continue to show my appreciation in other forms later.

Oh Susan, are you laughing? I'm laughing myself, so loudly that Tom actually just asked me, "What's so funny?" But honestly, can you believe that the shy earl's daughter who was your roommate all those years ago back in York, and who was so adamant that the man named Tom Branson was "just a friend", would make such a comment like that?

Perhaps you can. You always seemed to be a few steps ahead of me when it came to matters of the heart.

Oh Susan, again, I wish you and James and little Peter nothing but the very best! Blessings upon you all, and please write to me again soon, or as soon as being a new mother will allow. I eagerly look forward to your next letter and hearing more about Peter, as well as yourself. OH! And Susan, do you remember that book? The one by Marie Stopes? I know we've spoken about it before in our letters, but…if you could, would you send me a copy? I will, of course, pay you back, but…well…I don't think I need to explain myself, but having such a book would be very helpful (and would lessen my guilt when it comes to taking French letters!)

Thank you, my dear friend. And again, congratulations!

In fond, loving friendship,

—Sybil