Bittersweet Dreams
(Liverpool AU)

January, 1925

The Liverpool flat was a blur of activity today.

Sybil checked their suitcases again and boxes, making certain everything was in order before they left for Dublin. All of Tom's shirts and trousers fit neatly inside this suitcase, as did her cotton blouses and skirts. When she left Downton the first time, she hadn't brought most of her things with her, as she was eager to discard that frivolous lifestyle and integrate herself into Ireland. And it had been more difficult than she'd expected, but Sybil had.

Then both she and Tom had to flee Dublin, leaving everything they'd built for themselves, from the clothing, to furniture, to kitchen equipment behind as they escaped to the safety of Downton. Even the things they had bought or been given for the arrival of Constance had been left behind.

But now, Sybil wished to bring some of their things as they returned their lives to Dublin.

Her, son, Arthur, stared as Sybil counted the clothing in the suitcase again.

Sybil smiled at the boy's one – year – old face, which reminded her so much of Tom's. He wore a nice coat, a Christmas present from Mama and Papa, because the January weather would be chilly, especially over the Irish Sea. "Those are your Da's and your Mam's shirts. Yours and Constance's are in this suitcase." She patted the suitcase sitting nearby.

Sybil paused and peaked inside, relieved to see all her children's clothing were exactly where they should be, and then whizzed toward the kitchen.

"Sybil," Tom said catching her with an infectious grin on his face, "It's going to be all right. We've been planning this for a few months now. Everything we need has been packed, from the children's things to our clothing." Sybil sighed, knowing she was being silly, yet her eyes searched their kitchen for the items her mother had bought.

Her rolling pin, measuring tools, spice rack, baking trey, and cake tin were all extremely important to her, as they showed how well her mother understood her new life.

"And all your cooking equipment is in this box," Tom said, patting the box that sat on the table. Sybil grinned herself, loving that he immediately knew what she had her concerned. "I even have a pen, paper, and some ideas for new pieces to discuss on my interviews. I am eager get started on reporting again when we arrive in Dublin."

His eyes danced with excitement, just as they always did when he spoke of Ireland and the new republic, and Sybil's lips were drawn to his like a moth to a flame.

Arthur tugged on Tom's trousers, as they drew apart, clearly still not understanding what was happening.

Tom picked the boy up in a way that made Sybil's heart swell. "We're moving to Dublin," he said told him, even though they'd explained this to both their children already. It's a place full of possibilities now. And you'll meet Grandmam, your Aunt Sheena, Uncle Nolan, and cousin Jimmy there,"

Arthur grinned and nodded.

Sybil did as well, then squeezed her husband's arm to show continued support. The civil war in Ireland had officially ended in 1923, and Sybil and Tom had watched carefully for a year after that, to make certain Dublin remained safe. It was. Just as importantly, the self – government that some Irishmen and women had been fighting for almost a hundred years finally existed. This was a country that allowed a newspaper man like Arthur Griffiths and a woman like Constance Markiewicz to participate in politics. That was the world where their children should grow.

Of course, despite their eagerness to return to Ireland, neither one of them expected life in Ireland to be the way they thought it would be when they moved there the first time. Tom did not necessarily expect to earn a job at one of the newspapers just because he had an interview. And he knew he might not begin with writing, nor would he be able to receive the more dangerous reporting jobs. He had to think of the children. Sybil did not plan on finding a nursing job in Ireland, as her job as housewife and mother kept her much too busy.

They were still idealists and still knew life in Ireland would be wonderful for all their family, but in a far more real, and therefore even better way. In fact, Sybil's heart raced to board the boat and begin their next adventure.

Tom placed Arthur on the ground and squeezed Sybil's hand in response to her previous gesture. She knew his heart was racing as well. Then he picked up the box of kitchen equipment to carry it downstairs.

Sybil headed for the bedroom to retrieve the clothing when she heard Constance. "But why, Uncle Kieran?" she said in whiny voice. "I wanna stay with you." Sybil's heart broke as her daughter hugged her uncle and godfather for dear life.

"I'd love for you to stay with me, too," Kieran said, in an uncharacteristically serious voice. "But your parents need you to go to Dublin with them. Who else will take care of your brother and keep your parents from kissing too much? Besides, you have a bunch of relatives in Dublin, instead of little'ol me."

Constance held onto Kieran for another moment but finally withdrew. "I suppose you're right," she said, clearly trying to sound grown – up, but her little eyes showed how young she still was.

"And you'll be going to school when you arrive in Dublin, so you should make a lot of friends," Kieran said. "You'll learnt to write too, so I expect to see letters. I bet you'll write even better than I do, especially if you take after you're Da." Now his voice sounded more like normal, always humorous.

"Uncle Kieran!" Constance said, giggling a little in away that made Sybil smile.

"Please put your coat on Constance," Sybil said, as she stood, preparing to leave after all. "It's going to be cold outside, especially on the ship." She retrieved her daughter's coat, also a gift from Mama and Papa.

Constance pouted a little, but put her little arms through the coat, while Sybil picked up one of the suitcases, a smile still on her face.

Kieran gathered the other suitcase with one hand. Once her coat was done, Constance clutched his other hand. "Thank you for speaking to her," Sybil said softly. "I know she'll enjoy Dublin when we get there, but I wish the process wasn't so hard."

Kieran shrugged. "I've loved having her here. I enjoyed having all of you here. But I always knew you'd return someday. We've spoken about it many times between the three of us."

Sybil nodded. "Hold my hand, Arthur," she said holding out her other hand to her son as they prepared to go down the stairs for the last time.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

OOOOOOOOO

Cora sighed as the cab pulled into the loading docks at Liverpool. They'd already taken a train early this morning and now it would be the last time she and Robert would visit Sybil's family here. They were moving across the sea again.

"I suppose there is no chance they'll change their mind, now, is there?" Robert said, sighing himself.

"I'm afraid not," Cora said gently into his blue eyes. At least he handled this better than the last time Sybil had moved. Robert still loathed his daughter to move, especially as she now had two adorable grandchildren moving with her as well. Still, having accepted Tom as part their family made a huge difference. And Cora knew they were both relieved that Ireland was much safer than the first time Sybil had left.

He offered her his arm as they exited the cab officially so Cora could climb off easily in her long blue dress and heels but, in reality, they both needed the contact.

"Mama! Papa!" Sybil's voice said through the crowd of people chatter, engines starting, and ships honking.

Cora squeezed Robert's arm as she finally spotted their daughter, standing in a plain cotton skirt, holding tightly to little Arthur's hand. . Constance stood nearby, holding onto Tom's. When would Cora and Robert see them again? At least they all wore the coats Cora and Robert had given them for Christmas, considering how chilly it was in January, even outside of Yorkshire

Cora resisted the urge to run. "Sybil!" she said, shouting a bit too loudly for a countess as she approached her. "Oh, darling I'm going to miss you." Dropping Robert's arm, she hugged Sybil fiercely. Always the daughter who accepted affection the easiest, Sybil returned the embrace just as strongly. "You'll still write to us?" Cora couldn't help asking.

Sybil laughed as she withdrew enough for them to see each other's faces. "Of course, Mama."

"Lord Grantham," Tom's voice said in a much nicer voice than they spoke the first time they'd moved to Ireland. When Cora finally released Sybil, she could see Robert and Tom were shaking hands. Cora smiled at that. "We put our luggage already on the ship," Tom said, as if he still couldn't help telling Robert they'd done so without servants.

"Of course," Robert said, an edge developing in his voice. In response, Cora squeezed his arm again and studied his face until the hint of frown disappeared.

"We are just happy to see everyone today," she said, reminding everyone what was important. Sybil and Tom nodded.

Cora her attention to little Arthur, who'd she'd only seen twice so far. Sybil had been correct in her letters. He looked like Tom. "Hello," she said sweetly. "I'm your granny." She held out her hand, but the little boy clung to Sybil's side.

Cora's heart broke, and a part of her wished she could ask what Robert had suggested on the train. Was there anyway for Sybil and Tom to say in England? She needed more time for Arthur to know her and Robert.

But Constance grinned and waved at both of them. "Hello, Granny. Hello, Grandpapa," she said wiggling herself free of Tom. The little girl was already as fearless as Sybil, and Cora's heart swelled at that. Then she dashed toward Robert and shook his hand firmly, just as Tom had.

Robert chuckled in delight, making Cora's heart grow until she wrapped her arms around the mini – Sybil. "I love you," she whispered in the little girl. "And you'll be going to school in Ireland, so you'll write to us, too?"

Constance nodded. "Yes, Granny."

After seeing his sister interact with Cora and Robert, Arthur appeared more relaxed, and Cora held out her hand again. He pulled her blue glove off, staring at it in confusion. Of course, Sybil didn't wear gloves anymore, especially not ones made of silk.

Cora smiled. "That's Granny's, Arthur." She carefully picked up the glove and placed it back on her hand. "Don't worry about it."

The little boy nodded without saying anything, his face still adorably confused.

"Could we buy you luncheon before you board again?" Robert said, and Cora thought it was sweet that he was still attempting to delay the inevitable.

Sybil and Tom both shook their heads. "No, Papa, I'm afraid we have to leave now."

Robert nodded. "Please be safe," he said with a sigh, as he looked longingly at their youngest daughter.

"I will be fine, Papa," she said, kissing his cheek. "We all will."

With that, she picked up Arthur and marched off to the ship. Tom and Constance followed close behind. Cora and Robert stared at them for several moments, barely noticing the noise surrounding them. Cora found herself attached to his arm again, squeezing tightly at some point.

"I could take you to luncheon, while we are here, Cora," Robert said finally, and she had a feeling he was still delaying the inevitable.

"I think that's a wonderful idea," she said, swallowing a lump in her throat. Cora wasn't ready to return home yet.