Hi guys, new chapter- I seem to have got the impression that no one is reading this story anymore, but I'm going to upload this anyway.

Pleeease review, really need some more encouragement- really hard to write when you think no one is reading.

Hugs and English Tea x

I hope with all my heart that my family will approve. Over the past few days I've been constantly worrying about how they will take to the fact that he's an Irish socialist, how strongly opinionated he is, and the fact that he is nine years older than me. I have warned him that my parents are strict and that they expect me to choose the 'right man' when I am older- in their language that means marry. But we haven't said anything about marriage yet. It hasn't come into conversation.

As I drive down the long driveway towards my family house, I take a couple of quiet deep breaths. I really want this to go well. I feel Tom looking over at me, and I know he knows that I'm nervous.

'It's ok Sybil,' he says comfortingly, putting his hand in mine. I smile at him lovingly. I know it will always be ok with him.

I park the car in front of the house, and see Mary and Edith come out, followed by my parents. I decided to ask Mary and Edith to come so to make it more comfortable- it's easier with six people rather than four. Tom appears beside me and takes my hand, giving it a squeeze. I squeeze back, glancing at him positively.

'Sybil darling, it's so wonderful to see you,' my mother comes forward first, giving me a tight hug.

'Mama I'm so happy to see you, I've missed you- all of you,' I say, letting go and looking at all my family.

'Hello my darlings,' I say to Mary and Edith, giving them both hugs. I then turn to face my father. I give him a hug, having to step up on tip toes to reach him.

'Hello Papa, I've missed you,' I say.

'And I you my girl,' he smiles at me.

I turn back to Tom and take his hand again. 'Mama, Papa, this is Tom Branson- Tom, these are my parents and my sisters Mary and Edith,' I say. My mother steps forward first and to shake his hand.

'Lovely to meet you Tom,' she says in her soft American accent.

'And you Mrs Crawley, I'm so glad to have finally met you,' he says. A good start, I think to myself. My father then steps forward rather stiffly.

'Mr Crawley,' says Tom, holding out his hand. My father takes it, saying 'Mr Branson,' he replies. I try to stay calm at this very formal welcome. I was hoping I was hoping my father would have been a little friendlier.

'Come inside you two, it's freezing out here- we'll make some tea,' my mother cuts in after a short silence- thank God it didn't turn out to last too long- and leads all of us inside. I walk in with Tom after my family. He leans down to whisper in my ear.

'I think that went well,' he says.

'You did well my darling,' I smile back.

'And while I'm here, can I just say- your house is bloody massive!' he exclaims.

'I tried not to make a big thing of it- I'm a little embarrassed really,' I blush.

'Don't get me wrong- I love it- although I wouldn't want to live in it,' he says.

'You can see my view of it perfectly,' I giggle, giving him a quick kiss on the cheek, neither my parents nor my sisters noticing, as we walk into the drawing room.

xxx

The afternoon and evening goes pretty well, with my father and Mary being civil towards Tom. Thankfully, Edith and Mama are much friendlier towards him, politely making conversation with him, asking about what he does and his plans for the future.

After dinner we go into the library. Tom looks around in awe as we all sit down.

'Mr Crawley, you have a wonderful library,' he compliments.

My father looks more impressed than he has all evening. 'Thank you- what are your interests?' he asks. I smile, relieved that my father is taking an interest at last.

'History and Politics mainly,' Tom nods slightly.

'Heavens,' my father seems more impressed now.

After some time of talking, I look over to see Mary trying to catch my eye. When she does, she beckons me to come with her.

'Papa, we're just going to go to the drawing room- sister catch-up you know?' Mary says sweetly. My father nods slightly and goes back to talking amongst the remaining four people in the room. I look back at Tom and smile at him. He smiles back as I leave the room.

We walk into the drawing room, and I have a feeling I know what's coming. Mary closes the door behind her.

'Sybil,' she starts, but I cut her off.

'Mary, I know what you're going to say. You don't approve of Tom, am I right?' I say.

'No I don't. He isn't what is expected of you. You are going to have to find another match, someone who is richer and has a higher social status.'

'What time are you living in, the 19th century?' I say. She can't really be serious.

'I am saying what our whole family is thinking- they are trying to be polite, but they are hoping that you will come to your senses and realise that you cannot marry that man,' she argues.

'We haven't talked about marriage yet,' I decide to just make that clear. 'But that doesn't mean we won't ever marry. We have only been together four months, so it isn't at the top of our priority list.'

She is silent for a moment. 'Sybil... he's not rich. He says he wants to be a journalist, and I don't doubt that he will one day become one- I can't deny, he's intelligent. But he can't honestly support you can he? Not now, working in a garage.'

'Oh Mary you know I don't care about all of that,' I say, astounded that she thinks I would care.

'Oh darling, don't be such a baby,' she says.

'I'm not being a baby- I am being an adult, making my own decisions. And I decide that I want to be with Tom, and I love him, with all of my heart. You can't change that.' I say.

'Well I may not be able to now, but I'm fairly certain that I can bring you round to see the light,' she says, putting down her final statement.

'Well I'm not certain. He is the best man I have ever met, and I really doubt there is anyone else like him. I'm not going to walk away from him. I don't want to lose him. I don't want to say anything more to you about it at the moment. I will talk about this with you another time,' I say finally. I flounce out of the room, closing the door behind me. I can't believe she would think this is just some meaningless short relationship- this is for real. I run upstairs- I don't think I am able to face the remainder of my family tonight.

Of course, my parents have put me and Tom in separate bedrooms- they obviously don't realise how serious our relationship is, plus they probably don't want their youngest daughter sleeping with someone they've never met.

I go into my bedroom, the same one I had before I left home. My belongings have all gone, and the room has been made into a guest room, but the colours haven't changed- sophisticated pale pink, with a white carpet and calm floral curtains. I still feel as if I belong there, and this comforts me.

I sit down on the bed and think about the conversation I've just had with my older sister. I can't stop a few tears trickling down my cheek as I go over the scene in my mind. Hearing her say all those things, how Tom won't be able to support me, how it will probably all be over in a few months- it all upsets me deeply.

I'm not sure how long I've been sitting there alone, but suddenly I realise it has become dark. I turn on my bedside light, when I suddenly hear a soft knock on the door. I only want to see one person right now.

'Who is it?' I ask quietly.

'It's me sweetheart,' I hear the voice I am hoping to hear.

'Oh, come in Tom,' I say, still sitting.

The door opens, and as soon as he sees me, with my tear-stricken face, he closes the door and rushes to my side, wrapping his arms around me. I take hold of him tightly. Holding him now is what I need most, and feeling his body, warm against me, instantly makes me feel better. I start softly crying against his white shirt, sniffing.

'It's ok my darling, just cry it out. I'm not going anywhere,' he whispers to me.

After a while, I get hold of myself, and sit up to look into his eyes. He looks at me, and wipes away the tears on my cheeks. I smile at him.

'Now, will you tell me what the matter is?' he says to me.

I hesitate, but then decide he should know. 'Mary... Mary doesn't approve of me seeing you. She thinks... she thinks you won't be able to support me.'

'And what did you say?' he asks.

'What do you think? I said that I would not leave you. I also... I also said I love you... with all my heart,' I say.

He grins at me, hugging me and kissing my neck. I hug him back, slightly confused.

'Why are you smiling? I thought you'd be upset,' I said. He leans back and looks at me.

'Why would I be upset? You said you wouldn't leave me, and you also said you loved me- that's way more than enough to make me happy for a long time,' he says, still smiling at me and cupping my face.

I take one of his hands and hold it in mine, then stroke his cheek with the other. 'I love you so much,' I say, feeling tears form in my eyes. I kiss him softly, making my love for him obvious with it. He kisses me back passionately, moving his hands to my neck.

I want him now, to comfort me, to hold me, and to say it's ok. I start to unbutton his shirt, opening my lips and letting his tongue enter and explore my mouth. Suddenly he takes me by the shoulders and pulls me back, his shirt half unbuttoned.

'Should we really do this, when we're in your parents' house and they don't even want you to be with me? In my opinion it isn't such a great idea, as much as I'd like to,' he says.

I think to myself for a minute. 'You're right... but would you stay with me tonight? I don't want to be on my own when I know you're right down the hall.'

'Of course I will my sweetheart. Do you want me to get you a glass of water? You look a little pale.'

I nod, standing up slowly. He kisses my forehead and creeps out of my room, quietly closing the door. I smile at the door, grateful that I have met someone as caring and wonderful as him.

I get into bed and just close my eyes, breathing deeply, cleansing myself of all the stress of the evening, soothing my mind. I hear a quiet click of my door, and open one eye to see Tom putting a glass of water on my bedside table. I watch him sleepily as he pulls his shirt over his head, takes his jeans off, and climbs into bed beside me. He doesn't touch me, realising I'm having a quiet moment. When I finish, I move and shape myself to his hold, melting myself into his warm body. I keep breathing deeply, holding onto him. I feel myself getting drowsier, my eyelids closing only for me to start awake, and restart the falling-asleep process. After maybe about twenty minutes, I finally fall into sleep, dreams of frowning parents and caring boyfriends surrounding me.

xxx

I hug my mother more quickly than when we arrived, then I flash a smile at her. I do the same for Edith, but when I get to Mary, I just stand there, not sure of what to do. But she unexpectedly pulls me into a tight embrace.

'Think about what I said. You know it makes sense,' she whispers in my ear. I pull back, look her in the eye, and shake my head as I walk backwards from her towards the car, towards Tom. I don't say anything.

And this is how I leave it. I get in the car, and stare straight ahead as Tom starts the car and pulls out of the drive.

We are silent for about ten minutes, until Tom says, 'Honey, it's ok.'

'How is it ok? My family don't like you; you could see it in their behaviour. I'm sorry, but it was obvious,' I say rather snappily. I instantly feel bad. He shouldn't be made to feel out of place, especially at this moment.

'I'm sorry. It's my parents' fault. They should learn to accept my decisions and be proud for me. I'm angry at them, not you. I couldn't be mad at you Tom.' I say after a few seconds of silence.

It stays silent, but after a while I feel him take my hand and give it a squeeze. He doesn't let go, and we stay like that, driving home under the setting sun.