Thank you so much for the reviews of the past chapter. This is one of the longest chapters I've ever written and I've thought of eliminating a few of the scenes but in the end decided to just go with it. I think you'll be surprised by the ending of this chapter so as ever I'd appreciate your thoughts.

May 1924

Mary stands in front of one of the bedroom's tall windows where sunlight streams in casting her in a warm glow. She smiles at the sight outside her window for it seems as if the seemingly unending grip of winter has finally disappeared for the dull browns of winter have been replaced by the colors of spring. Everywhere she looks the trees are now full and lush with the green of new leaves. The field in front of the house is no longer brown barren land but now a mass of newly green grass and in the distance that green is broken by a wide strip of bright yellow of daffodils on the mound leading up to the pillared temple called Jackdaws Castle.

That folly had always been a favorite place of hers. As children she and her sisters had spent many summer afternoons playing there. Even now she liked to wander over there and sit on the stone steps from where she had a magnificent view of the house. Sometimes she'd close her eyes and she'd vision a young energetic Sybil darting around those pillars and, if she concentrated enough, she'd hear that delightful laugh of Sybil's. She was always surprised those images didn't bring a tear but rather made her smile in appreciation of those happy days of childhood spent with her winsome youngest sister.

Oh Sybil darling can you imagine that I actually look forward to this day. I'm sure you're giggling thinking that one of the best days of my year is the day I spent with your beloved Tom! With that thought Mary took one long last look at the sky. Reflecting that last year this day had begun quite stormy she loves this morning there is sunshine and the sky's a vivid cloudless blue and she smiles thinking that it will be a perfect day for a picnic.

"You seem quite chipper this morning my lady" Anna comments at Mary as she set about folding Mary's nightclothes.

In a lighthearted manner, which only emphasized Anna's description of her, Mary replied "well it looks like it'll be a beautiful day. After such a gloomy start to spring how can one not be happy to see the sun shining and the trees in bloom?"

Anna chuckled. "Of course my lady. It's just that-" holding the nightclothes draped over her arm she looked at Mary quite surprised at her words.

"What you think I can't appreciate a beautiful day?" Mary asked teasingly.

Mary turned back to look out the window. "I think Anna that being the Estate Manager has made me more conscious of the weather and the seasons."

"Well whatever the reason it's nice to see you in especially good spirits."

"Anna I think you're confusing me with Lady Edith. Now there's someone gloomy and morose. All those months in that the good Swiss air doesn't seem to have revitalized her."

"Well I have better things to do with my time than think of Edith." Mary quickly closed her eyes and shook her head as if trying to eliminate all thoughts of Edith. Mary picked up her gloves from the vanity table. "I'll probably be gone all day … may not be back until tea time."

Anna could swear there was a swing in her step as Mary walked out of the bedroom. It was most peculiar thought Anna.

Tom set the bouquet on the top of the sheet of stone. He kissed his fingertips and then touched the stone, resting his hand there he closed his eyes and said a silent prayer. Sybbie standing beside him, holding the hand of her Aunt Maeve, mimicked her father although her hand couldn't quite reach the top of the high gravestone.

But instead of a prayer, Sybbie Branson said loudly "Wake up Mummy" as her little hand beat against the stone.

"Sybbie darling Mummy isn't there. She's in heaven."

"But if Mummy isn't here why we here?"

Tom glanced at his sister as if pleading for help but like him Maeve has no good answer to Sybbie's question.

"Daddy why's mummy in heaven and not here with us?"

Tom looked down at his daughter whose face was looking up at the sky. He saw the clear blue eyes of his daughter, eyes that so reminded him of her mother, and took a deep breath. He wasn't prepared for this conversation. How do you explain death to a not quite four-year-old?

He kneeled down beside Sybbie, his hand gently caressing the side of her face. "It's just where she's needed."

"But" Sybbie looked from her father to the stone slab that was Sybil's grave and then lifted her face to look at the sky. "But I want to see her" the child whined as she stomped her foot.

Tom picked up Sybbie and stood holding her. "You did see her once. She held you in her arms and I think it was the happiest I ever saw her." The image of that night, of Sybil holding their newborn daughter and Tom sitting beside her on that bed, came to him unbidden. For just that short glorious time they had been a family. He quickly blinked his eyes, he couldn't cry, not now, not in front of Sybbie.

Standing just inside the wooden gate of the graveyard, Mary was happy to spot Tom and Sybbie standing by Sybil's grave. She wasn't surprised since he had written her that he'd be here but she knew that plans sometime fell through. Although looking at Tom, Mary thought that probably nothing would stop him from coming here on this day.

As it always did Mary's sight drifted from Tom and Sybbie standing by Sybil's grave to Matthew's grave. She felt a slight bit of embarrassment, or was it shame, that Tom made an effort to come all this way to visit Sybil's grave and yet she who could easily walk here so rarely did.

"But Daaaddy"

Mary quickly turned at the sound of Sybbie's wailing. As she looked at them Mary realized that something seemed wrong, that Tom looked a bit … addled.

Just then Maeve spied her and the young woman warmly smiled at her while tugging on her brother's arm.

"Mary" Tom quickly called out in greeting. As she began walking towards them she thinks Tom looks relieved and she wonders again as to what was going on.

"I guess I shouldn't be surprised but I'm just not prepared" Tom carelessly ran his hand through his hair as he and Mary sat on the lone wooden bench in the graveyard. Shaded by the overhanging drooping branches of an oak tree planted on the other side of the low stone wall that bordered the graveyard, the bench provided a clear view of both Sybil's and Matthew's graves. Maeve had cajoled Sybbie into going with her to find a sweets shop leaving her and Tom alone.

"We often talk about Sybil and of course Sybbie sees the photographs of her." As Tom talked Mary imagined his flat was filled with photographs of Sybil. "But she's at the age when she realizes her playmates have mothers who are there and she just can't understand why her mother isn't."

Although he looked away from her Mary could see that Tom's eyes had filled with tears. "How can I explain to her something that I can't understand?" Tom's voice quivered as he spoke. "I mean I understand death but I can't understand why Sybil was taken from us so soon. One year. We had one blessed year together."

Mary quietly reached over and took Tom's hand in hers. Tom closed his eyes, shook his head and took a deep breath. Opening his eyes he turned to face Mary. "Sorry about that."

"You've nothing to be sorry about Tom. It's strange how you think your grief is over, that you can look at their picture or remember some event and you smile fondly instead of breaking out in tears and then something …" Mary looked off towards Matthew's headstone "and then something … it might be the smallest of things but it cuts into your heart once again and you're reminded of that aching loss."

And although Mary thought it she didn't say aloud an aching loss that you think another man might help you forget but the time you spend with them just reminds you how special Matthew was and that you're not really ready for someone new.

"I think your advice will really pay off Tom" Mary said as she proudly showed him the newly created repair shop. "It was definitely wise to buy the tractor you recommended and I think the tenants are quite pleased how it has eased their work. The Bolton lad has enthusiastically taken on the responsibility for not only driving it for all the tenants but for keeping it in good shape."

Tom walked around what had once been a neglected barn that now housed the tractor as well as the newly initiated repair shop. Mary had the feeling that Tom felt at home here and that he could have spent the rest of the day here talking about the various tools and ways to expand the use of the shop. She chuckled at how even Sybbie seemed familiar with some of the tools and she nodded as Sybbie pointed out "wrench" and "spanner" although she herself had absolutely no idea of their use.

"I think you could spend all day here Tom" Mary began quite thankful that Timmy Bolton was busy elsewhere or else Tom might not leave and she had more places to show him.

"So Lady Mary the pig farmer!" Tom chuckled as they stood at the wood railing of the pig sty. He had been impressed with her rattling on about the estate as she had deftly motored them around. She had shown them newly planted fields of corn, barley and oilseed rape as well as a new commodity for the estate, sugar beets. Of course there had also been fields and fields of sheep. Much to Sybbie's delight they had stopped at one such field where newly born lambs huddled near their mothers. Watching Sybbie fuss over the lambs Mary was reminded once again of her neglect in sharing such things with little George.

"Laugh all you want but I've done my research and I'll have you know this should be quite profitable for the estate" Mary retorted. "In a year or two you'll see that everyone will want Downton bacon on their breakfast table."

"Oink! Oink!" Sybbie laughed. "Oh Daddy look there's a baby piggy!" Sybbie clapped her hands as she bent down to look between the wooden rails.

"Can I pet the baby piggy Aunt Mary?"

"I'm afraid his moth-" Mary quickly clamped her mouth shut thinking it might not be good to bring up the word mother even if she was talking about a pig. Mary leaned down and put her hand on Sybbie's back. "Pigs don't like to be touched Sybbie so you'll just have to look at him from here."

"Well speaking of bacon I think I could certainly go for some lunch" Tom announced. "How about the Grantham Arms?"

"I think I can do much better than the Grantham Arms" Mary said as she stood up.

"So how does this spot seem for a picnic?" Mary asked as she slowly eased the motor car to a stop. At the top of a hill with a view of Dunsmere lake below and gently rolling hills dotted with trees partitioned by stone fences into fields, some of which had sheep grazing contentedly on the green grass, it was indeed a lovely spot for a picnic.

"Much smoother than last year." Ignoring the view Tom instead was watching Mary. "I think you've really gotten the hang of driving a motor car."

"Well I certainly get a lot of practice driving around an estate this large. I can't imagine back in the day when my father had to go around the estate on horse drawn cart."

Standing beside the motor car, taking in the view Maeve asked "Is all this part of Downton?"

"All in that direction" swept her hand to the left and then center. "But there" she pointed to the right "the estate goes to just this side of those last hills."

Maeve marveling that one person could own all this land, focused on the lake. It looked so calm and inviting compared to the sea where her family had sometimes holidayed. "That lake looks wonderful for a swim on a fine summer day."

Mary frowned. "I'm afraid I've don't swim. There were a couple of times Mama organized picnics there, generally to impress potential suitors, and we'd have row boat races."

"Tom are you sure you know how to row a boat?"

"I don't think it takes a genius to row a boat Sybil"

"But we're going in circles."

"I just thought you'd like to see the view from all angles."

"I'd like to see the view from the middle of the lake."

"Is there some rule that I have to rush there?"

"Tom!"

"Okay … okay if you insist"

"Tom!"

"I said-"

"Log! Tom you're going to hit that-"

The row boat tilted precariously but Tom was quite proud he managed to keep it upright. Sybil however didn't seem quite so impressed.

"Just how to you propose getting this boat back to shore with no oars?"

He looked in panic as he saw the two oars floating away.

"Tom!"

Startled out of his reverie Tom looked first at Maeve and then Mary "What?"

"You seem to have drifted off."

"It does like a fine place for a swim" Tom piped up. "Although I imagine that water is too cold for a swim in the summertime."

Mary had seen that look on Tom before. "Is there something you care to share with us Tom?"

"What?" Tom could feel his face flush. "I'm not sure I know what you mean.

Mary and Maeve passed a knowing look between them and Maeve couldn't help but giggle.

"Somehow I never pictured you like this" Tom, leaning back against the tall oak tree that shaded most of the blanket, said as he looked over at Mary.

"Picture me like what?"

"Remember the time the family visited" he paused as if he himself was trying to recall something. "What was that place … when your father thought you'd have to leave Downton" he furrowed his brow as if deep in thought. "Downton Place" he smiled that it had finally come to him. "Downton Place" he repeated. "We had a picnic there" he said the word as if it was something bad. "Only it was linen covered tables and folding chairs and fine china and of course footmen serving."

"And your point is?

Tom rolled his eyes. "That Lady Mary wouldn't be caught sitting on a blanket eating sandwiches."

"Tom if you're implying I've changed you're right. I have changed but then circumstances have demanded I change."

She looked at him. "I don't mean just because of Matthew but …" she turned to gaze out across the field with the lake now shimmering in the sun's rays. "I love Downton and I want to be able to leave it for George. But Papa … Papa can't quite seem to grasp the changes we need to keep Downton going. He thinks we can just keep going on as before and somehow it will all work out. You wouldn't believe the resistance he put up to the pigs and even the sugar beets and you can imagine his thoughts about the new tractor and the repair shop."

"And of course he bristles at the slightest hint or suggestion that there was mismanagement of the estate. But it's made me realize the research I have to do. You've been an unbelievable help in pointing me in the right direction. You'd probably laugh seeing the way I pour over farming magazines and journals."

She laughed. "Yes fashion magazines have been replaced by those for farm equipment and I eagerly await my weekly copy of The Yorkshire Agricultural Digest."

"See Mary, just as I said you've changed."

"And I'll have you note Tom that while we didn't have tables and footmen we didn't eat sandwiches!"

Mary stood up and brushed crumbs off her skirt. "But now that I think about it I wish maybe I did have a chair. I think I need to stretch my legs a bit. How about we take a short walk?"

Meave and Sybbie joined them on their walk although for most of it Sybbie would run ahead and Meave would chase after her. When they were back in sight of the motor car, Sybbie dashed off to find any remaining biscuits left from their picnic.

Mary stopped walking and stood watching Sybbie. "I've never taken George around the estate. Nanny takes him outside but I don't think they go very far. Actually I'm embarrassed to say that I don't really see him outside of the nursery or tea time in the library."

"Now that the weather is good take him outside. You don't have to worry about entertaining him. Look how content Sybbie was looking at the lambs and the piglets. Believe me he'll find plenty of things of interest."

Mary turned and smiled at him. "I wish we could talk more often. I don't have anyone here that I can really talk to. Papa and I usually end up fighting and Mama is consumed with Rose's coming out and Rose … well her only interests seem to be dancing and trying to see whatever she can get away with."

"What about Edith. You said she's back."

"Oh please Tom. Yes she's finally come back from months in Switzerland but all she does is mope about the house. I swear she's gloomier than ever."

Tom laughed. "So you haven't completely changed!"

"Seriously Tom if you had to spend time with her you'd … well … you'd …"

"Now Mary don't be so harsh."

"You sound like Sybil. She was always the peacemaker."

"Why can't you and Edith get along?"

Mary shook her head. "From the earliest I can remember we'd fight. She'd steal my doll or pull my hair."

"And you never did such things to her?"

"Well if I did it was because she deserved it."

Tom shook his head. "Sybil never understood what was wrong between you two. She couldn't imagine why you two couldn't see the best of each other rather than the worst."

Mary eyes softened. "Darling Sybil. Only she'd see the best in us." Mary took a deep breath. "She deserved better sisters than either me or Edith."

"Don't be so hard on yourself Mary. She loved both of you" then teasingly added "whatever your faults."

"You tell me not to be so hard on myself and now you're admitting I have faults?"

Tom chuckled. "Just being honest Mary."

"See that's what I've been talking about. I need someone like you to talk to."

Sybbie's laughter drew attention and they watched her marching around.

"Do you ever think of seeing someone Tom?"

"What do you mean?"

"Of courting someone. Having someone to share your life with."

"You mean getting married again?"

"If it comes to that."

Tom ran his hand through his hair and looked at his daughter who was happily picking wildflowers with Maeve. He smiled at the sound of her laughter. "I'm not at that stage yet Mary and honestly I'm not sure if I ever will be."

"There's somewhere I'd like to stop before we go to the railway station."

While Mary hadn't been surprised by Tom's request for she knew that he took these visits to remember his time with Sybil she was absolutely stunned when he told her where he wanted to go. "Are you sure?" she couldn't help but ask.

Stopping just outside of the high brick wall, the house visible through the open iron gates Mary asked again if Tom was sure he wanted to go on.

"Aye Mary" he said quietly. "It's something I need to do."

As Mary drove up the wide gravel drive Tom reflected how on many times he had made this drive. During his time as chauffeur he had probably driven here more than anywhere else. Looking out the window at the manicured lawn he thought the only changes here were from the color of the seasons. Today the lawn and trees were bright green with a splash of color from some late blooming bulbs.

As Mary stopped the motor car at the steps leading to the front door Tom turned to her and said "I'd like just Sybbie and I to go in."

It was just five steps up to the front door but Tom hesitated half-way there. Although he had been here countless times, he had never entered this doorway. Not even when he and Sybil had fled back to Downton had he ever been inside this house.

Other than Isobel she rarely had unexpected guests so Violet Crawley was quite surprised when Sprat announced that she had a visitor. She was thankful she was seated in her favorite wingback chair for she might have fallen when Sprat moved and Tom Branson and his daughter stood facing her.

"Branson" she uttered without thinking before turning her attention to the little girl.

She wasn't sure what was the greater surprise, the former chauffeur or the little girl holding his hand. Her hair wasn't her mother's dark unruly mop that never seemed to stay confined by ribbons but otherwise there could be no mistaking that this little girl was Sybil Crawley's daughter.

He nodded his head in greeting. "Your ladyship."

She made to stand but, dropping Sybbie's hand, Tom quickly stepped forward "please stay as you were. We only have a few minutes since we need to catch the train but I wanted to-" Tom faltered. He looked around the room which looked as formal and uncomfortable as any in the abbey.

"Please sit. I hate to have to look up to someone when I'm talking to them." Violet pointed to the small high backed love seat in front of her.

"I … we'll … just …"

As Tom fumbled Violet lifted her cane once again and pointed at the small loveseat opposite her. "Sit please."

He sat down uncomfortably and lifted a squirming Sybbie to sit beside him.

"I wanted to come in person and thank you for the money. The fund you set up for Sybbie." He looked at his daughter and his face lit up with his smile.

"I guess there's no point in my denying I set up the fund but how did you know it was me?"

"I thought at first it was Mary but she seemed stunned when I confronted her about it and quite frankly I can't imagine his lordship doing so not after he-"

"It's best not to get into those things" Violet waved her hand.

"So you were the most logical one." Tom smiled "And you were the one that sent the money for us to come to Mary and Matthew's wedding."

Thinking of that disastrous dinner with that horrid Larry Gray Violet remarked "Another occasion with events we won't talk about."

"I want you to know that I only use the money for Sybbie. It's allowed me to hire a lady to look after her while I'm at work which is so much better for both of us. I can concentrate on work and she's not confined to the closet size playroom I made for her off the garage." Tom found himself rapidly talking. "I haven't spent a penny on myself but then again I guess you could say I've benefitted from it."

Noting Sybbie's pretty red and checked dress with a matching red sweater, her white stockings and shiny black shoes which contrasted with Tom's cheap suit Violet had no doubt that the young man spoke the truth.

The awkwardness Tom was feeling was interrupted by Sybbie. "Daddy look" she said as she jumped off the sofa and ran towards the wall opposite. "Look Daddy that's mummy" she excitedly said pointing to a painting of the three Crawley sisters.

"Mummy" she said again as she stood on her toes trying to touch the painting which Tom thought must have been done when Sybil was about ten years old.

"Sybbie don't touch" Tom said as he hurried over to her.

Sybbie turned towards Violet. "You know my mummy!"

Violet was a bit bewildered but she was the Dowager Countess and she quickly composed herself. "Yes I knew your" she hesitated "mummy."

"Does mummy come here?" an excited Sybbie continued as she, in a movement best be described as something between a walk and a skip made her way towards Violet, stopping to stand directly in front of the older woman.

Looking past Sybbie, Violet looked at Tom.

"Sybbie love Mummy lived near here when she was little like you." Tom picked up Sybbie. He looked at Violet. "I'm sorry your ladyship maybe I should have left her outside."

"I've said what I came to say so I best be going." He nodded at her and turned towards the door, still holding a squirming Sybbie.

"Wait Bran … Tom" Violet said as she stood up and then slowly walked over to a small table in the corner of the room.

"When your mummy was just a bit older than you" Violet said as she began walking towards Tom and Sybbie "she went to New York and she brought me this back." Violet opened her hand to reveal a silk hand fan with a hand painted scene of a blue dragonfly hovering near three large pink lotus flowers on a pale green background.

Sybbie's eyes had widened in fascination as Violet had snapped the fan open. "It's beautiful!"

"I think she would like it if I gave this to you" Violet said as she closed the fan and handed it to an eager Sybbie.

"Look Daddy" Sybbie said as she tried to snap open the fan but failed.

"Why don't you go on out to the motor car and show it to Aunt Mary and Aunt Maeve. I'm sure Aunt Mary can show you how to open it."

When Sybbie had darted out of the room Tom looked at Violet. "I'm -"

But he didn't get to say whatever it was before Violet interrupted him. "Lovely child."

Tom could swear there were actually tears in the old lady's eyes. Violet took a couple of steps away from him and rested her hand on the back of the loveseat. "She's so much like her mother who was a delightful, if rambunctious child."

Violet took a deep breath. "It looks as if you're doing a fine job in raising her child."

Then her composure in tack the Dowager Countess faced him. "I do hope Tom you'll bring her back here again."