Elsie and Charles walked, each holding Sybbie's hand, toward the cricket field, swinging Sybbie between them. The couple looked at each other, love in their eyes, and laughed at the girl giggling between them. When they arrived at the field, Sybbie let go of their hands and ran toward her father, a large smile on her face.
"Daddy!" She exclaimed, her arms up. Tom chuckled and picked her up when she got to his feet. She put her arms around his neck, holding tightly to him. Elsie and Charles walked up to them, arm in arm, smiles on their faces. Tom turned to them and smiled.
"Have you been a good girl?" Tom asked his daughter. Sybbie nodded. He raised an eyebrow and turned back to the couple standing in front of him.
"She's been lovely. We've enjoyed having her." Elsie said, smiling at Sybbie. Sybbie smiled back before her facial expression changed to one of worry.
"Do I have to leave?" Sybbie asked her father. "I want to stay with them." Sybbie said. Her father nodded.
"You don't have to leave yet. You're going to stay with them for two weeks. They'll bring you with them when they go back to Downton to work." Tom told her, dissolving her worries. Sybbie smiled again. Tom, Charles and Elsie talked for a few more minutes while Sybbie ran around with George and Marigold.
"Tom, Carson, 5 minutes." Robert said, walking up next to them. He turned to Elsie, a smile on his face. "Ah, how lovely to see you. Enjoying your time off?" He asked. The Carson's nodded.
"Immensely, My lord." Charles said. "It's been wonderful having a child around the house. It makes one feel young." Robert chuckled.
"It does, doesn't it? I hope you're not getting too worn out. Robert said.
"Not at all. She's a lovely little girl and it's been a joy having her." Elsie said, smiling. Sybbie ran up to them and put her arms up, waiting to be lifted by Charles. Charles lifted her up easily, tickling her as he did. Sybbie laughed, which made everyone else laugh.
"Sybbie, I want you to listen to Mrs. Carson, okay?" Tom told her. Sybbie nodded and yawned, laying her head against Charles' chest. The other four chuckled.
"She wouldn't take a nap before we left. She was too excited." Elsie said, brushing the girl's hair off her face. "I'll make sure she gets some sleep while we're here. It's a good thing I brought a pair of blankets." Tom helped Elsie lay one of the blankets down while Robert held the other blanket. Elsie sat down and Charles put Sybbie gently down in her arms. Sybbie nuzzled into her arms and sighed, relaxing. The men smiled at Elsie and Sybbie. Tom and Robert looked at Charles and smiled, seeing the love in his eyes. Elsie looked up at Charles and smiled back, settling Sybbie on the ground. Robert lay the blanket over Sybbie and pressed a kiss to her forehead. Robert looked at his watch.
"It's time to get ready to play. I'll see you later, Mrs. Carson." Robert said, bowing slightly. Elsie nodded. Charles turned to Tom.
"I'll be there in a minute." Charles said. Tom nodded and walked away, following Robert. Tom and Robert turned around, watching the other two.
Charles leaned down to kiss his wife.
"You'll cheer for me?" He asked, smiling. She nodded, smiling back.
"Of course. Good luck." Elsie told him. He nodded and walked toward where the others were practicing. Elsie watched him, love in her eyes and sighed, shaking her head. She looked down at Sybbie, happiness on her face. She pulled out her book to read while waiting for the game to start.