Tom and Elsie walked down the lane toward the Abbey, smiles on their faces.
"How do you think they're going to take it?" Elsie asked. Tom shrugged.
"I don't know. I think they'll want me to stay, of course, but they'll be okay with it. At least they'll be happy for me." Tom said. Elsie put her hand on Tom's arm.
"We'll be happy whatever you decide," Elsie told. Tom nodded and sighed, taking Elsie's hand wrapping it around his arm. They walked the rest of the way to the Abbey in silence.
When they arrived at the Abbey, they went in through the front door, Elsie uncomfortable.
"Tom, Mrs. Carson, what are you doing here?" Mary asked, walking down the stairs. Tom turned to Elsie, who nodded, giving him a reassuring smile.
"I want to talk to everyone, together. Where are they?" Tom asked. Mary looked confused.
"In the library, having tea," Mary said, cocking her head. Tom pulled Elsie into the library, Mary following. Everyone turned around when they saw Tom and Elsie.
"What are you two doing here?" Cora asked, standing up. Tom sighed and walked to where tea was set up, making two cups and handing one to Elsie, who took it kindly besides feeling very uncomfortable.
"There is something I wanted to discuss with all of you," Tom said, taking a sip of tea. Everyone looked confused.
"And this has something to do with Mrs. Carson?" Violet asked. Tom nodded.
"I have become very close to the Carson's, and so has Sybbie. And we want to move in with them, and they have very graciously agreed." Tom said, getting right to the point. Robert nodded.
"I see. Do you think of them as family?" Robert asked, curiousness on his face.
"I do. I think of them as my parents and Sybbie thinks of them as her other grandparents." Tom said, smiling at Elsie, who smiled back.
"And you'll be in the village, have a life outside of Downton, without having to go very far. You'll still be the agent; you just don't want to be here every single day." Robert said, confirming everything Tom felt. Tom nodded.
"It's not that I'm not grateful for everything you've done. I am. Very grateful. It's just that I want to have a life outside of these walls, and Sybbie and I both love the Carson's and they love us. We'll still be able to see you, but just not every day. We'll still come up and sleep here from time to time, to give the Carson's space." Tom said. Elsie blushed. Everyone nodded. Robert stepped forward, a smile on his face.
"I understand. You must do what you feel is right. We support you. At least this time you're not leaving the country." Robert said, patting the man on his back. Tom smiled, relief flowing through him. Cora stepped forward to shake Elsie's hand.
"You're very lucky. You get two wonderful people who love you." Cora said, tears in her eyes. Elsie nodded, smiling.
"Thank you, My lady. We're very happy." Elsie said. Cora nodded and turned to Tom.
"When were you planning on moving out?" She asked, holding her hands in front of her. Tom sighed.
"I was thinking that I would go upstairs and pack my things now and move in today, but I'd bring Sybbie back here to pack her things and say goodbye," Tom told them. They nodded in agreement and he went upstairs to pack while Elsie stayed downstairs.