Mother and Father

The next morning they arrived back in Downton in their regular roles of Lady and chauffeur. Tom had his fingers crossed that he would hear back quickly from the last few papers. At least he had a job offer. They had decided if he had not heard from the others by the next Friday. They would tell her parents and leave then. Today was Thursday, which allowed them seven days before they would begin their lives as husband and wife in the open.

Sybil couldn't stop smiling when they had gotten up that morning. They had made love repeatedly through the night and were pushing their departure to the last minute.

"You're going to have to stop smiling or someone will get suspicious," Tom teased her.

"You're no better," she said.

As she stepped through the main door of the house, Edith came to meet her.

"Carson told me you went to see some friends from nursing school," Edith said.

"Yes, it was a nice visit," Sybil said.

"You had Branson drive you?"

Sybil was trying her best to keep her expression impassive as she had been trained, but Edith saw right through her.

"Yes, he was very accommodating."

"I bet he was," Edith said under her breath as they climbed the stairs.

Edith went to Sybil's room and sat on an ottoman while Sybil took her hat and coat off and set her case down on a chair.

"Tell me about your visit," Edith said with a frown. "What did you do Sybil?"

"Oh not much," Sybil said, she peeked around the door of her armoire at Edith. "The usual things, got married, had breakfast and came home."

"Sybil, you didn't!" Edith said with a shocked expression.

Sybil came over and showed Edith her ring. She had a huge smile that lit up the room.

"I did."

"He's the chauffeur! What will Papa say?"

"He has a different job lined up as a journalist. We're going to wait for a few days until he gets all the replies to the inquiries he sent out. He already has a good offer, so he's really not a chauffeur anymore."

"And I suppose you…?"

"Of course. We did wait until we were married. It was perfectly respectable. Try and be happy for me, Edith. You're the only one I've told."

Sybil opened her case and pulled out a very crumpled bouquet of flowers. She got an empty dish from her vanity and put the flowers in it with some water. She stood fingering the flowers lost in her memories of the previous day.

"How long has it been going on?"

"He asked me when I went to nursing school, but I only accepted a few weeks ago. Really, I've had feelings for him a lot longer. I just couldn't admit them."

"Sybil are you sure? Really sure its not just lust or an infatuation."

"I'm sure. I've never been so sure of anything in my life. He's decent and kind and perfectly lovely," Sybil said with a sigh.

"And poor," Edith said.

"He's not rich, but I don't care about all that. I never have. I'll have a normal middle class life, but that is what I want. I've never felt so free as since we got married. I don't know how to explain it. It's almost as though all the bonds of this life fell away the second we signed the register."

"I wish I had your optimism." Edith was looking at her hands and playing with the hem of her dress.

"You'll find someone too," Sybil assured her sister, "and then you'll feel exactly the same way I do."

A knock came at the door. It was Mrs. Hughes asking for help with some point about the housekeeping. Sybil's parents weren't expected back for another three days and she needed family approval on it. Edith got up to go and join Mrs. Hughes and left Sybil to her daydreaming.

Three days later Sybil's parents had returned. Tom had visited Sybil every evening during their absence through the secret passage. He had stayed through the night and they hadn't been disturbed. He had received back four replies to the six inquiries he had sent out. So far he had a considerable stack of requests for freelance articles but only one job offer. Sybil's mother noticed her daughter's change in disposition and commented on it.

"I think Sybil's in love," she told her husband their first night back.

"Well, who is he?" Lord Grantham inquired.

"I don't know," Lady Cora said. "She just said we would meet him soon."

"I don't like this one bit. You know how impulsive she can be."

"Now Robert, Sybil is strong willed but she's worked hard and accomplished a lot. Give her some credit."

"I just don't want her making any foolish decisions."

"She's young it goes with the territory. Were we any better at her age?"

Lord Grantham cocked an eyebrow at his wife. Then clicked off the light and snuggled down in bed.

"I remember what it was like," Lord Grantham said reaching for his wife. "That's what worries me."

The next two days passed without any word. Sybil was kept busy with double shifts, as both hospitals were short staffed. Tom was busy with errands and driving the family about. He had seen Lady Edith twice since his and Sybil's marriage. She had given him an odd look both times, but hadn't made any comment. Finally the last two letters arrived and it was time to make a decision. Sybil was on her way to the village hospital when Tom finally had a chance to tell her his news.

"We have three different cities to pick from," he said triumphantly. "We can tell your parents tomorrow, once we decide."

"It's wonderful news, darling," Sybil said. "We can discuss it tonight when I get back. I'll come to the cottage. Can you pick me up at midnight?"

"Of course," he said with a wink when he dropped her at the hospital.

When Tom returned to the Abbey he was told Lord Grantham wished to speak with him.

"Carson has told me you've handed in your resignation," Lord Grantham said.

"Yes, sir."

"This is rather sudden isn't it?"

"I've been thinking of a career change for sometime," Tom said. "I've recently made a personal commitment and the time is right."

Lord Grantham spotted the new wedding ring on Branson's left hand.

"And you wife is?"

"Not here sir. She will be joining me at my new position."

"I see," said Lord Grantham. "You will be missed."

"Thank you for saying so, sir. I hope that is the case."

"Why wouldn't it be the case?"

"No reason, sir."

"Well, that will be all. Congratulations on your marriage."

"Thank you, sir," Tom said. He had been gritting his teeth through the entire exchange. He was dreading the confrontation he knew was coming the next day. That night he picked up Sybil after depositing her grandmother at the dower house. She was tired and didn't bother going to the main house, but stayed at the cottage with Tom until they had made their decision on where they wanted to live. She washed her face and hands and then made the long trek back across the grounds. Tom walked with her until they were within sight of the house.

"Tomorrow, meet me at the bench by the elm at one," Sybil said. "Be prepared, this will be beyond difficult."

"Your father knows I'm married," Tom said. "I have been wearing my ring. The staff has been asking questions. Tomorrow can't come soon enough for me."

"For me either. Goodnight, my love," she said as she kissed him goodnight then made her way into the house.

Sybil flopped into bed that night and slept until almost noon the next day.

"Darn it," she said as she quickly took a bath and put on fresh clothes, and then began throwing items into her suitcases. She hadn't packed very carefully, but then there wasn't time. She looked at her ring on its chain around her neck before she joined her parents for lunch.

"Mama, Papa, there is someone I'd like you to meet," Sybil said carefully.

"Your mother mentioned you had met someone of interest," her father said. "You should invite him over."

"I've asked him to come over after luncheon to meet you," Sybil said.

Edith kept her eyes trained on her plate.

"That is rather sudden isn't it?"

"I've known him for some time," Sybil said. "I think you should be properly introduced."

"Fine, bring him through to the library when he arrives," Lord Grantham said.

"I thought you might like to meet him in the garden," Sybil said. "At the bench by the elm at one."

"We would be happy to, wouldn't we Robert?" Lady Cora said.

Sybil and Edith left the dining room together a short while later. Mary had not yet returned from London.

"Rather a peculiar request isn't it?" Lord Grantham said.

"Not that peculiar. Try and be civil. This is the first man she has ever shown the slightest interest in."

Lord and Lady Grantham arrived at the appointed spot in the garden slightly before one. Sybil and Edith arrived a minute or two after their parents. They had been in deep conversation that ended abruptly just before their arrival at the appointed spot. Sybil had her jacket and gloves on and kept looking nervously towards the garage. Branson approached from the direction of the servants' hall and stopped at Sybil's side.

"Yes, did you need something?" Lord Grantham inquired of him.

"I'm here," he said softly to Sybil.

"I can see that," Lord Grantham said. "But what do you want?"

Sybil moved closer to Tom and took his hand.

"Papa, Mama," she began. "I want you to meet…my husband."

"Your what?" Lord Grantham said incredulously.

"My husband. We got married last week," Sybil said.

Sybil's mother was aghast and sat with her mouth open not making a sound.

"You can't be serious," her father said.

"I assure you we are quite serious," Sybil said calmly. "Tom and I were married last week. He has a new position lined up at a paper in Dublin as a journalist."

"You expect us to accept this just like that?" her father questioned.

"I expect you to accept that I've chosen to live my life with the man I love," Sybil said steadily. Her father turned away from them and thought things over for a moment. Tom gave Sybil's hand a reassuring squeeze. After a moment her father turned back to face them.

"What did you hope to gain by marrying my daughter?" he directed at Tom. "I won't be giving you any money."

"I'm not interested in your money," Tom replied. "I love Sybil and I want to make her happy."

"A strange kind of love to take her from all of this, to what a flat in a Dublin slum."

"I'm not poor and I can provide for my wife in a decent neighborhood. Did you ever stop to think that happiness doesn't depend on wealth?"

"Now see here!" Robert yelled back.

"Robert," Lady Cora finally managed to say. "Getting angry won't improve the situation. How long has this been going on Sybil?"

"Tom asked me to marry him last year. I considered it carefully and accepted him only a few weeks ago."

"Good Lord," her father said. "All this time you've been carrying on behind our backs."

"We weren't carrying on," Tom's voice was rising. "I asked her, she accepted and we were wed as soon as it could be arranged. That's it!"

"We'll have this farce annulled," Lord Grantham stated. "No daughter of mine is going to go off and marry a servant."

"No, Papa," Sybil said. Her anger was starting to rise. "Tom and I are married and will stay married for the rest of our lives."

"Do you think you can just waltz in here, make this kind of announcement and then everything will be fine?"

"I was prepared for you to disown me. I didn't like keeping the truth from you, but I felt I had to. We're prepared to leave today."

"Oh no, you don't. You don't get off that easy! You can tell the staff yourself," said Lord Grantham.

"Fine we'll tell the staff, but you can't lock me up and throw away the key. I won't leave Tom. You'll have to face that."

"I can't talk to you right now," Lord Grantham said. "Go and tell the staff and we can discuss this later." For all Sybil's father was trying to hold his composure his shoulders were slumping and he was looking defeated at the loss of his youngest daughter.

"Fine, we will," Sybil said with a toss of her head.

As Sybil and Tom walked away towards the servant's entrance, Lord Grantham slumped onto the bench beside his wife.

"Did you know about this, Edith?" Robert asked.

"Only in the last few days," she replied looking at the ground.

"You didn't say anything?" her mother inquired.

"It was Sybil's secret to tell, not mine. She loves him I think."

"Well that much is obvious," her mother said.

"I won't have this," Robert said jumping to his feet. "I won't stand for it."

"Robert calm down," Lady Cora said. "The deed is done. We have to decide what to do next. She could leave and we'll never see her again."

Edith left her parents alone to talk through their shock and anger. When she got inside Sybil and her new husband were coming from the servants' hall.

"How did it go?" Edith inquired of her sister. She still couldn't bring herself to look at her new brother-in-law.

"They're all in shock," Sybil replied. "I thought Carson would have a seizure on the spot."

Sybil and Edith started to move upstairs towards the library. Tom hung back.

"Sybil, I can't."

"Don't be daft," Edith said finally addressing him. "You're my sister's husband. You're not a servant anymore."

They went to the library and discussed Sybil and Tom's travel plans. Edith agreed to drive them to the train. They wanted to catch the six o'clock. They would have just enough time to board the ferry and arrive in Dublin by morning. Edith left the two of them on their own for a bit until her parents decided to come inside. Lord and Lady Grantham entered the library to find Sybil with her arms around her husband's waist and her head on his chest. He was stroking her hair and obviously trying to comfort her. Tears were running down Sybil's cheeks. The entire scene pressed home how young she was and still vulnerable despite her show of bravado. When they realized her parents had entered the room. Sybil straightened up and turned away to wipe her eyes with a handkerchief.

"Edith said we might find you here," Robert informed them. "What are these big plans you have? You seem to have everything worked out?"

"We're going to Dublin. We'll stay with Tom's mother until we can find our own place," Sybil replied.

"How can you cut her off from her family like this?" Lord Grantham said his ire rising quickly.

"I'm not cutting her off. If you cut her off it will by your hand, not mine," Tom shot back.

"We'll be in Dublin, Papa. Anyone who wants to visit will be welcome. We're not running off without a word."

"I can't stop you then?"

"No, my mind is made up. We'll take the train tonight and be in Ireland by the morning."

"Think of the scandal," her mother finally said.

"What scandal?" Sybil replied. "You can tell people whatever you like. I'm not in trouble, we waited until we were married and I've married the man I love. It's hardly scandalous."

"Don't be disrespectful to your mother," Lord Grantham shouted.

"I can see this is getting us no where," Sybil said. "Tom and I are leaving. We are married and you can't change that. I will write when we are settled."

Tom and Sybil moved towards the door.

"This conversation isn't over," her father intoned.

"For now it is," Sybil said.

They left the library to find Edith waiting for them in the hall. The three of them walked down to the garage. Tom stowed their luggage in the car and drove them to the train. Sybil had been dabbing at her eyes the entire time.

"They'll settle down eventually," Tom said to comfort her. "I'm sorry it didn't go better."

"It may take a while," Edith said. "But I'm sure they will forgive you. Write to me?"

"Of course I will," said Sybil. She kissed her sister's cheek before they boarded the train.

"I'm sorry," Sybil whispered to her before they parted.

"Don't be, just go and be happy," Edith said.

Edith stood on the platform and watched the train until it was around the bend and out of sight. Her sister's behavior was scandalous, but when it came to it Edith felt a pang of envy of the adventure her sister was embarking on.