"Grandpa! We're back!" Sybbie shouted, running into the castle. Charles picked her up and spun her around, tickling her all the while. Sybbie kissed him on the cheek when they stopped. She looked around, waiting for her favorite person to appear. "Where's Grandma?" She asked.
"She's upstairs resting. She didn't have a good night. But I know she'd love to see you." Charles said, putting her on the floor. Sybbie nodded and ran up the stairs. Charles watched her before turning to Tom.
"Is Mum alright?" Tom asked, setting their bag on the floor by the stairs. Charles nodded, walking them up the stairs.
"She's fine. She had a nightmare last night, about losing us, but she's fine." Charles told him. Tom nodded, hurrying to his parent's room. Charles smiled, following slowly. He stood in the doorway to the room, watching as their son and granddaughter fussed over Elsie.
"How are you, Mum?" Tom asked, bending down to kiss Elsie on the cheek. Elsie leaned up and smiled softly as her son.
"I'm fine. Just a rough night. But you two are home now, everything is better." Elsie told them, tickling Sybbie and pulling her close. "Now, tell me all about your trip."
"It was so fun! I got to play with Donk and Granny all day yesterday!" Sybbie said, jumping up and down. Elsie chuckled, running her hand down Sybbie's back. Tom smiled at his daughter and sat down on the bed next to Elsie.
"What did you do, Tom?" Elsie asked, turning to face him.
"I took many long walks with Isobel and played cards with Mary and read in the library. And I realized something." Tom told her. Elsie cocked her head in interest.
"What did you realize?" Elsie asked. Tom smiled and took Elsie's hand.
"How boring it is at Downton, and how much fun it is here. With my parents." Tom told her. Elsie smiled, tears forming in her eyes. Charles walked in and took Sybbie, bringing her to her room for her nap.
"Thank you for that, Tom. It's been hard without you here. Quiet, but hard." Elsie told him. Tom nodded, taking her hand in his.
"Isobel told me to tell you she expects to be invited to the castle sometime soon. She wants to see how we're getting along here." Tom said. Elsie laughed, shaking her head at Isobel.
"I'll call her tomorrow. You should go get some rest. I'll be fine. I promise." Elsie told him, patting his hand encouragingly. Tom nodded, kissing her cheek once more before going to his room, taking Sybbie with.