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Nollaig na mBan - so called "Women's Christmas". On 6th January, it is a tradition in Ireland that women meet for only-female gatheringa while men do all the cooking and housework.

6th January 1928 - Sybil

"Mummy!, Daddy!" Sybil heard in her sleep. She couldn't sleep any longer, especially since something heavy landed on the bed.

Still in drowsy daze, she furtively looked at Tom, who was also rubbing his eyes in order to be fully awake.

"Sybbie, what is it?" Sybbie finally mustered to ask.

"It's Epiphany today, isn't it? And Nollaig na mBan!"

"Yes it is, my darling," Sybil responded as she hugged her daughter good morning. "But remember that we are at Downton, Sybbie."

"It shouldn't bother us, should it?" Sybbie stated plainly. "We agreed with Grandpa that we would teach Marigold and George Irish traditions, didn't we?

At this point, Tom decided to interject. "We did, but it's hard to organise it here when everything is done by servants anyway. And it's impossible for me to imagine your Grandpa serving tea."

"But why not give female servants a free day here? And you, Matthew, and Bertie could help the male staff instead. While we all could have a pleasant tea-party just for girls, " Sybil proposed.

"All right, I'll tak with them during breakfast. "

"What about my father?"

"I'm certain he doesn't want to participate"

Sybil sighed. She knew that her husband was right.

"So, is my little princess satisifed now?" Tom asked as he tenderly stroke Sybbie's curls.

"Almost, " Sybbie replied.

"What more do you need?" both of her parents inquired.

"I want to stay with you in the morning. It's still pretty early, you won't be late for breakfast, Daddy."

Sybil laughed. "Of course you may stay, especially since the weather outside the window is so grim. We all need to snuggle and keep each other warm."

Her daughter smiled widely and positioned herself between her parents. Tom covered her with their quilt and all three of them fell once again asleep tightly embracing each other as outside the rain was melting all the remaining snow; a sign that the magical time of Christmas was drawing to an end.

It wasn't difficult for Tom to convince Bertie and Matthew to join him in preparing a surprise for their women. They also managed to convince Robert to give Downton female staff a free afternoon, so they may have similar gathering to upstairs women.

Mary, Edith and Cora accepted Sybil's invitation for tea in the library solely in female company. Sybbie and Marigold also joined enthusiastically.

When the female part of the family sat for their tea-party, door opened and four people entered carrying teacups, teapots, cake, and all the needed cutlery. Then husbands served their wives, while George served his cousins.

"I've learnt how to make tea, Mama," chirped George towards Mary as he poured Sybbie her tea.

"Very useful for the future Earl of Grantham," smirked his mother. "I remember when Sybil was learning to make tea before she went to become a nurse."

"I remember that too," laughed Tom. "What a sight to see!"

"At least I ventured out of my comfort zone," stated Sybil proudly.

"Don't forget that I can make scrambled eggs. Matthew taught me during our honeymoon," Mary reminded her sisters.

"But it's usually burnt," Matthew said.

"Stop teasing me, love. It was only once."

"Edith can make delicious tea, too," Bertie didn't want his wife to be left out.

"Well, the secretary at her office sometimes has a day off, doesn't she?" Mary teased.

"I try not to overload her as we're expanding now," Edith said proudly.

Cora Crawley observed her girls and their husbands and thoroughly enjoyed their pleasant chatter. She only felt sad that one of her sons-in-law would need to pour her tea. No way Robert would participate in something like this...

Suddenly, the door opened and Robert entered carrying a cup of tea. He approached his wife and put it on the table next to her.

"That's for you, my love. I've made my first tea in life. Even at my age someone may learn new things."

Sybil took Tom's hand quickly to give him a signal to stop smirking. She knew that it was very difficult for him to maintain composure, but she hoped that for her he would try not to laugh and make facial expressions of disdain.

She felt that Tom's hand pressed hers also. Yes, he understood, and yes, he would do this for her. Sybil sent him a small smile of gratitude in return.

Tom then bent and whispered into his wife's ear: "Your father had similar difficultes to you when you first tried to make tea, but he managed quite well in the end."

Sybil looked lovingly at her father. Yes he was full of flaws but also full of suprises. This whole visit was full of surprises. Tomorrow Christmas would be over and they would return to Dublin. Sybil loved her home, but also felt a pang of melancholy as always when Christmastide was over.

"So, little ones, have you enjoyed our Irish traditions?," she asked her nephew and niece.

"I loved it," George managed between bites of cake. "And I learned to make tea."

"I loved them too," Marigold concurred. "And I saw George looking like a devil who ate all of his Grandma's cake."

Everyone in the library laughed at this.

Tom noticed his wife's sober mood when, already dressed in nightwear, they were lying in bed and reading a draft of Tom's newest article together.

"What is it, dearest? Are you sad to depart Downton?" Tom inquired.

"It's my childhood home, after all, "replied his wife. "But I will be very happy when we return home. You know that I don't feel anywhere as good as in Dublin. Though truth be told, I'm happy to stay anywhere as long as you and Sybbie are with me."

Tom smiled at this and embraced his wife closer. "So, what troubles you?"

"I'm not troubled by anything. I'm just thinking about something... buy you'll call me a silly optimist."

"You know very well that I won't. Besides, I'm the reckless person here," Tom teased his beloved.

Sybil propped herself in bed, turned to face Tom and said quietly, "I'm late a few days.. it may mean nothing, but I have a very regular cycle..."

A small glimmer of hope crossed Tom's face. He tried to maintain his composure, however; he didn't want to raise both his and Sybil's hope hopes.

He delicately pecked Sybil's cheek and whispered:"May it be our Christmas miracle."