War and Peace

Sybil still wished her two neighbors hadn't died, and Tom's anger at the IRA continued to linger. Nevertheless, they went on with daily life. Things were particularly good the day Tom finally bought a kitchen table.

"It's a nice one, Tom," Sybil said with a nod, studying the smooth wooden table. "I look forward to sitting down to eat now."

Tom nodded, "Me, too," he said as he placed one of the chairs in front of the table.

"What, is leaning over the counter too much for you, ma'am?" Kieran said to Sybil as he placed the other chair on the other side of the table.

Sighing, Sybil wished Tom's family would take her more seriously now that they were married. "I was acceptable while we saved money for a table, but I'm glad to have one now," she said firmly.

"I think it's a good size for us, too," she said, meeting Tom's eyes and then studying the table again with him. It allowed room for their family to grow, but it wasn't too big for the size of their small kitchen. It was exactly what they needed.

Kieran shrugged, as if he still didn't understand Sybil. "Well, I was happy to help you bring it here, Tommy. Ma'am," he said.

"Kieran, you know you can – "Tom said, rolling his eyes a bit at his brother.

" – call me 'Sybil," she said, smiling that she knew exactly what her husband was going to say to his older brother. It was great when they understood each other perfectly.

OOOOOOOOOO

But they didn't always understand each other.

"I heard there's going to be a 'Peace Day' in Dublin to celebrate the end of the Great War next Friday," Sybil said as they ate dinner using the new table a couple of days later. "And I thought it would be nice to go." Her mind flashed to all the gentlemen she'd once danced with during the London Season who'd died in the war. And all the soldiers she'd treated in the Downton hospital, many of them who had never recovered.

"Absolutely not," Tom said firmly, his eyes looking straight at her, flashing with anger and passion. " I was so relieved I didn't have to cover it for the paper; I'm certainly not going to go on my own time. I'm not going to any celebration about the English war."

Sybil felt her own temper rise at his response. "This isn't about your anti – English sentiments, it's about all the good people who served and died in that war. Many of them were men I treated. And what about Brigid's husband, Brian?"

Tom shook his head, his voice growing louder. "I'm not going to support anything involving England, Sybil, and you should know that. Just because I'm not writing directly for the IRA doesn't mean I still don't believe in Irish Independence. And Brigid knows that Brian shouldn't have joined the British Army, anyway; she told us so herself." He stabbed his corned beef, as if he were attacking something.

"But Tom, since Brian did join the army, Brigid appreciates their support with his pension. And it's not even about that; it's about honoring the man your oldest sister married. Sean and Catlin's father." Her hands flew up and down, accidently dropping her fork as Sybil grew more and more frustrated with him. "And you can believe in Irish Independence and still honor the men who served in the Great War."

Tom shook his head again with a huge scowl on his face. "No. I cannot celebrate the British military." Then he stabbed another piece of corned beef. "Especially not an event that takes place in front of Dublin Castle."

Standing up, Sybil pushed her chair in loudly. "Why can't you listen?" His inability to listen to her sometimes reminded her suspiciously of Papa. "This is important to me to support and honor these soldiers, Tom." Finding a nursing job was becoming lower on her priorities, but Peace Day was far more essential.

Tom just scowled so Sybil left to retrieve water from the pump for the dishes. There was more war than peace in their flat.

OOOOOOOOOOO

Tom still scowled often in Sybil's presence a couple of days later, even as they went to church together. Sybil had begun to feel a bit more comfortable in the Catholic Church, but nothing was comfortable today. Her body was tense, sitting next to Tom, and she struggled not to scowl as well.

Why couldn't he listen to her about Peace Day? It had nothing to do with Irish politics…

Sybil barely paid attention to the organ music, as she was too cross to focus. She did, however, notice Mrs. Branson's reaction to her and Tom's behavior. Several times, Sybil believed the other woman glance at both of them in disappointment. Once, the older Mrs. Branson even shook her head as she looked.

Sybil thought that was odd. When they'd fought just before their wedding, her mother – in – law had been almost glad. What was even stranger was how the older woman very obviously spoke to Tom after Mass was finished, whispering in his ear quietly enough so she couldn't hear, but clearly not happy with her son. Next, the older Mrs. Branson whispered something to Sheena.

As they all left the church, Sheena approached Sybil, smiling brightly. Jimmy, attached to his mother's hip, grinned as well. "I hear you wish to go to the Peace Day celebration."

Sybil sighed, feeling herself becoming cross all over again as she thought about Tom's additude. "Yes, I wish to, but someone won't listen." She glanced at Tom, who was walking several feet away from her.

"Well, I thought you might like to come with Nolan and me," Sheena said, completely ignoring Sybil's irrigation. "I wish to go as well, to honor Brain."

Sybil nodded, relieved to hear that honoring Brian was important to another person in Tom's family. "Mam has already agreed to watch Jimmy so Nolan and I could attend. It would be easy for you to come with us."

Sybil suddenly remembered that Nolan was Sheena's husband's name. He seemed rather quiet, as Sybil had yet to hear him speak much. But if he and Sheena wished to bring her, Sybil saw no problem with that. "Yes, I'd like to go to Peace Day with you," she said, purposely a little louder than normal.

Would Tom scowl again? Sybil watched his reaction. But to her surprise, he nodded in her direction at her announcement.

"Great," Sheena said with a nod. "I'll come by your flat at about nine o'clock next Friday." With that she retrieved her bicycle and placed Jimmy in the front basket.

OOOOOOOOOO

"So, are you truly fine with me going to Peace Day with Sheena?" Sybil said as they entered their flat. She was still reeling from his calm reaction, compared to the way he reacted when she brought it up several days ago.

Sighing, Tom said, "I suppose it's fine as long as I don't have to go. And I trust Sheena and Nolan to look after you."

"I don't need 'looking after' Tom, and you should know that." Sybil said, feeling a bit cross again. Why must he be so unreasonable? She waved her hands in frustration.

Sighing Tom nodded. "I do but try to understand my concern. I'm far from the only Irishmen who doesn't like this 'Peace Day celebration.' There could be riots. But if Sheena and Nolan are there, then you should be fine. I know it's important to you."

Sybil didn't answer. She hadn't realized how many Irishmen were opposed to Peace Day.

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

On Peace Day, Sybil watched with Sheena and Nolan as the soldiers marched around Dublin Castle with the same light tannish uniform all Englishmen wore. It fascinated her that many of the soldiers were obviously Irish, with their ginger-colored hair. And she knew if they spoke even more would do so with the same brogue.

"I hadn't realized so many Irishmen were in the British military," Sybil said to Sheena, leaning closer so the woman could hear her whisper. Sybil had expected most Irish would be anti – English even before she arrived. And in many ways, she knew they had good reasons for thinking that way.

But after living here, she'd discovered that Tom's brother – in – law had died in the Great war and now scores of men were marching around in celebration of the that war had ended in English uniforms.

There weren't many in the audience, though. There was a group of women, weeping as they watched the soldiers, and Sybil's heart went out to them, realizing they must have lost husbands or sons in the war. There were a couple of families with small children, waving, probably at their fathers. And there were a few what appeared to be newspaper men, dressed in suits and carrying notepads.

And there were Sheena, Nolan, and Sybil.

Nothing like the large crowds of people such an event would attract in England, even if it were raining. But the weather today in Dublin was nice with even the sun peaking from behind the clouds, and a breeze brushing against her skin. Sybil felt sorry for those poor soldiers, and she was determined to support them in addition to honoring Brian and all the soldiers she'd treated at Downton.

"Yes, more Irishmen than you would expect joined the English War," Sheena said, whispering back to Sybil while watching the ceremony. "Some, like Brian, did it because they desperately need money. Others wanted justice for the Belgians." Sybil nodded, remembering how the Germans had attacked so many civilians and innocent villages when they'd invaded Belgium. Papa had raved about it for days.

"But even so, a lot of people here associate the English War as wrong, especially with the threat of conscription last year. So, they don't wish to be involved with anything to do with that war," Sheena said. Her voice was still soft, but Sybil found the words so surprising they may as well have been shouted.

Sybil had thought she knew everything about Irish politics. With Tom as her mentor, how could she not? But it appeared it was more complicated than she'd ever thought.

"Nolan and I have decided not to take sides," Sheena said as she smiled at her husband, still quiet as he stood next to her. "He's a clerk for a protestant lawyer, so it makes it all so difficult. But I know it's very important to Tom, and I okay with that, too."

Sybil still struggled to grasp what this all meant when there was a loud thump from the soldiers. All stood at attention.

OOOOOOOOOOOO

"…. So, I'm glad I went the Peace Day celebration," Sybil said gently to Tom that evening as they ate their lamb stew. "It was important to me to honor Brain and all the other soldiers." She gazed at him across the table, glad to be able to look at him directly.

Tom nodded, neither smiling nor scowling

"And you will be happy to know there were no riots," Sybil said, trying to be optimistic. Although she still believed if there had been any fighting among the crowds, she would have been able to handle it.

He finally managed a small smile as he met her eyes across the table. "That's good to hear."

Warmth flooded Sybil that had nothing to do with the stew she was eating. She paused for several moments, just enjoying his smile.

"I think this Peace Day might be something we'll need to agree to disagree about, Tom," Sybil finally said, remembering Sheena's words from earlier today. "I admit, I didn't appreciate why you found it so offensive before, but you need to understand that honoring soldiers, no matter what the circumstances that they fought, will always be important to me."

Her suggestion hung in the air for several moments as they ate their stew silently. Sybil knew it went against Tom's instinct to accept different opinions, because it kind of went against hers, too. As they were both stubborn, they liked to convince everyone that they were right.

"I suppose we could try," Tom finally said with a sigh. He reached across the table and squeezed her hand. "I hate how tense everything has been for the last few days."

Sybil met his hazel eyes, so deep and intense. It was ironic, considering Peace Day celebrated the end of the Great War, but it almost seemed like there was a war between her and Tom. "Me too." Warmth flooded Sybil again, and before she knew it, they both leaned across the table and kissed.

He tasted of lamb stew and that was suddenly a flavor she was desperate to enjoy more. She pushed her tongue in deeper, and he tasted of something better. Passion and Tom mixed together. She had to keep kissing him, so she walked around the table (which Sybil now regrated buying, because it was in the way) and wrapped her arms around him, kissing him again.

Somehow their recent fight made everything between them more amazing. "I can't get enough of you, mo ghra," Tom whispered in her ear as his fiery hands touched her body.

"Neither can I," Sybil said, her heart pounding even harder than it already was as he spoke that name. She lost herself in his eyes as she stroked the back of his neck.

Before she knew it, she lost it completely as he kissed her again. The deepest, most passionate kiss she'd ever experienced.

Everything after that was a blur. At some point in time, they ended up in their bedroom, giving each other's bodies even fierier kisses and saying "mo ghra" over and over again.

"How did we get here?" Sybil asked, her heart still racing as she combed Tom's hair while he covered her naked breasts with his hot lips.

"I don't know," Tom murmured, still kissing her as Sybil felt his heart pound, too. "But I don't think I care."

"Quite," Sybil said, her eyes widening in excitement as he spread her legs.

OOOOOOOOOOOO

Sybil still laid on the bed as her heart finally began to slow. "I don't want you to think what we had been doing wasn't enjoyable because it has been," she said, still gently combing her hands through his hair. "But that was…" She couldn't even begin to describe their recent experience.

"I know," Tom said, sounding both proud and happy. He lifted his head to grin at her. "The fight was worth it."

Chuckling Sybil kissed him softly, without passion this time. That was her Tom, a bit too arrogant for his own good. And she loved him for it.

Suddenly, Sybil's eyes widened and she sat up in bed. "I forgot to wash the dishes!"

Tom laughed fully, puffing out his chest as he did so. "I made you forget everything, didn't I."

Shaking her head at his arrogance, she said, "Even if you did, they still need to be done." Quickly she dressed and headed for the kitchen.

OOOOOOOOOOOO

A couple of days later, things were peaceful again. The kitchen was filled with the aroma of beef stew as Tom arrived home.

"I received a letter from Mary today," Sybil said, opening her sister's letter while keeping a watchful eye on the stew.

"That's nice," Tom said, giving her a warm kiss in greeting. "I'm glad your family still keeps in contact with you."

He glanced over her shoulder, reading some of the letter, his presence making Sybil feel warm, comfortable, and excited all at the same time.

Dear Sybil,

I hope you are still doing all right there. I worry that you have gotten in over your head, living in a tiny flat and doing more chores than I can even imagine.

Sybil sighed, wondering how long it would take for people in her family and in Tom's to realize that this was the life she wanted, and she was happy here. Her eyes met her husband's, knowing he was all she would ever need, and he grinned.

Meanwhile, we are trying to return to normal at Downton. We all bought Mama her customary gifts for her birthday last month, and Papa had his typical special dinner last week. Mama also had Carson bring out some champagne to celebrate. Papa got handsy, as usual. Oh well.

Despite her lingering soreness at her father, Sybil giggled at that. For all the changes Papa was forced to accept in the past few years, some things remained the same.

I meant to tell you what has happened to poor Bates while I was in Dublin, but there was never a right moment. Papa has been desperately trying to bail him out of the jail, at least, for the past couple of months. He's spoken to the Murray and the police several times on the telephone and in person, but nothing has worked so far. Of course, Papa grows more and more cross about this issue, and I have to agree with him. It is terribly unfair.

"That's too bad, that Bates is still in jail," Tom said, with a sigh. "No one who knows him could believe he is capable of murder."

Anna tries to put on a brave front, but naturally, she is beside herself with worry about him. Did you know they secretly got married, during your last couple of weeks here? Now she can't even spend nights with her husband, and she's so concerned what might happen with the trial. Still, she spends every one of her half days visiting him.

"Poor Anna," Sybil said, her heart breaking for her former maid. She couldn't imagine how she would feel if her Tom were locked up away from her, especially for a crime he didn't do.

A couple of weeks ago, I took Anna with me to York, objectively so she could carry my packages, but truly so she could see Bates an extra day. She was quite grateful. If the police still don't allow Papa to pay the bail, I plan to take Anna to York again a couple more times before the trial. It's the least I could do, considering how unfair the situation is.

"That's nice, what your sister did for Anna," Tom said, his voice sounding shocked. "I mean no disrespect against your sister, but I have difficulty picturing 'Lady Mary' doing something so…altruistic for a servant."

Sybil giggled a bit and looked up from the letter to explain. "She may not for some of the other servants, but Mary and Anna have been quite close for the past few years." But his face still wrinkled in confusion, probably trying to fit what he'd seen of Mary at Downton with what Sybil and the note were telling him. "Truly, Mary is nicer than most people realize, but for some reason she thinks she has to conceal it behind coldness."

Memories of all the times Mary had done nice things for Sybil, without even being asked, flashed though Sybil's mind.

Moving on to the conclusion of the letter, Sybil suddenly remembered the beef stew. She rushed to the pot, sniffing as she went. "I don't think I burned it this time," Sybil said, immediately taking it off the heat. She carefully dished into two bowls, still watching for any signs she'd ruined the dinner.

"Do you remember all the dinners I ruined when we first arrived?" she sighed, placing both bowls on their new table. She saw no signs of singed meat, and the aroma of cooked beef, carrots, and turnips filled her nose.

"Yes, but you were just learning then, Sybil," Tom said as he sat down. "You did what you always do. You committed yourself to it and practiced until your food came out fine. Now your bread and stews are delicious, mo grha."

"Thank you, Tom," Sybil said. His amazing words almost blocked out the smell of the stew, especially with the use of 'mo ghra' again, and the look in his warm hazel eyes. She was particularly looking forward to the bedroom tonight.

OOOOOOOOOOO

Sybil and Tom were active in the bedroom that night, and the next several nights afterwards as well. Meanwhile, Sybil continued to all the necessary chores around the flat, trying to be the best wife she could, while Tom worked at the Irish Times. Things were peaceful between them again.

But the peace disappeared one night, when Tom announced something he'd heard from the other reporters at the Irish Times. "The IRA have killed Detective Smyth of the Dublin Police," he said, as they ate dinner at their new table. Tom causally scooped up a piece of cabbage on his plate.

Horrified, Sybil dropped her fork as she stared at Tom, hoping for something more from him. At most, a sign that he was only jesting, or at least evidence that he was just as disturbed by the news as she was. "Your Irish Army has killed a police officer?" she said, searching his face for a hint of a smile for a joke, or scowl of irritation.

But she found none.

"Yes," Tom said, scooping up another mouthful of cabbage, as if there was nothing wrong with that. "They say it was necessary because he's an enemy of the new republic…But I have to admit, I hadn't expected Irish to be killing other Irish, or killing people in front of their family." His hazel eyes, normally flamed with passion when he discussed the Irish Republic, were now sad, and his voice sounded disappointed.

Sybil wasn't sad or disappointed. She was extremely cross. And she didn't understand why Tom was not.

"Tom, that's not 'a necessary killing.' That's murder," she said, her voice becoming louder and her hands flying everywhere. "And in front of his family?" Sybil shook her head, almost losing her ability to see. "These are the people you wanted to write for last month? It's a good thing it didn't work out, because I wouldn't want my husband to have anything to do with them!"

Tom's voice suddenly sounded louder, as he said, "The IRA are controlling this revolution, Sybil, and they are absolutely necessary to fight the British."

Sybil's blood boiled even hotter at his words, and her hands flew all over the place again. "There are better ways to fight than those methods, Tom. I cannot believe you don't know that."

Sighing, Tom stabbed a forkful of corned beef. When he finished swallowing, he said, "I do struggle with the methods they used this time, but sometimes sacrifices need to be made for the greater good. The republic will be worth it, Sybil. The Irish War against the British has truly begun."

Sybil wanted to believe that, for Tom's sake and for hers. She wished to believe the Irish Republic would be everything her husband had always thought it would be - a country Irish could be proud of that allowed more rights to both men and women than England had ever had. She hoped Ireland would be a great place for them to raise their children someday.

Normally, Sybil was known for her optimism and warmth. She could even see the warmth in her sister, Mary. And Tom complimented Sybil on her optimistic nature many times during their engagement and even their unusual courtship.

But the information Tom shared today made her natural optimism difficult, and he refused to see it. Looking into his hazel eyes from across the table, Sybil sighed. "I don't like what you are telling me the IRA did, and I can't believe it's justified."

"I think this is another instance where we will have to 'agree to disagree,' Sybil. Just like we did for Peace Day," Tom said finally, his eyes staring back into hers.

Sybil didn't answer, not liking her own words, which sounded so wise two weeks ago, pushed back at her. For several moments, they ate their corned beef and cabbage in silence.

"I admit, I'm glad I'm not covering that incident with Detective Smyth for the Irish Times," Tom 's voice said, while Sybil stared at her plate. "I'm still working on that follow – up to my earlier piece on the railroad workers."

"Please show it to me when it's finished; I would still like to read it," Sybil said, finally looking up to see a small smile on Tom's face.

"I will." They finished their dinner feeling much less tense, but Sybil wished she could trust their peace would last. She still didn't like what he said about the IRA, and even more, she disliked the way he dismissed her concerns.