Haha, I've been writing Bruises on the Heart but I thought I'd keep you waiting just a little longer :p
This one is obviously another 5 years later, Sybil left and got married when she turned 22, she's now coming back for Mary and Matthews wedding (imagine they've only just got together) :)

Twenty Five

"Look Cora, I'm not saying I don't want Sybil here…"

"You just don't want Tom" she finished for him, beginning to lose her patience.

"Do you?"

"Yes I do, Sybil loves him, one day he'll be the father of our grandchildren, he didn't exactly steal her away and we can hardly forbid him from staying here and before you say anything, he will stay in Sybil's room with her, I'm not letting you put him in the servants quarters!"

"I wasn't going to suggest that, simply that he might find it quite awkward being upstairs for once"

"So you want Sybil to go down and eat with the servants?"

"I'm sure she wouldn't have a problem with that!"

Cora simply made a face and stormed off, true, she could be unfeeling at times but she wasn't about to shun her daughter simply because of who she married. Robert however, despite saying he wanted to part friends, was still completely against the idea of Branson being part of the family – he really was insufferable.

Edith watched as Cora stormed away and looked back at Robert,

"What was that about?"

"Sybil"

"Mama doesn't want Branson hear?"

"No she does, it's me, I never agreed to their marriage but now he has to come here as well?"

"What did you expect, they'd marry and you'd never see them again?"

"It seemed to be what she wanted"

"Sybil loves you both; she used to be your favourite"

"I never had favourites" he insisted,

"Oh, you did" she smiled sadly at the floor and walked off. Robert was sure that women tried to convey a message without even saying anything; they didn't seem to understand that he couldn't read minds.

Edith entered the drawing room, expecting to find her mother but instead finding Mary;

"Oh have you seen Mama?"

"Yes, she was just in here. She's in a terrible mood, papa doesn't want Tom to come but mama refuses to turn them away." She rolled her eyes and looked out of the window.

"I heard, I suppose we were all caught up with the prospect of them marrying, no one thought about the aftermath" they both sighed, they loved their sister dearly but she certainly knew how to cause problems.

"Are you alright? You don't look … well, happy." Mary looked over tiredly,

"I'm fine, I am happy, just tired. As odd as it may sound, I'm not one for being in the limelight, not anymore." She smiled cheekily at her, ever since Sybil had grown up and left the two of them had sorted out their differences and were surprisingly close now. Edith walked over to Mary and placed her hand on her arm, smiling, she wasn't sure why but some form of understanding past between them. Mary left without saying where she was going but Edith knew, she knew Mary wondered the house at night, the gardens if it was summer, she wasn't sleeping well, haunted by two ghosts that stood in the way of Matthew.
She hadn't heard anyone come into the room until she heard a familiar voice calling her name;

"Lady Edith?" she turned round to see Mrs Hughes standing beside the door, with a perplexed look.

"Yes Mrs Hughes, sorry."

"If you're looking for your mother I'm afraid she's gone up to bathe"

Edith sighed, "Ok, thank you"

Mrs Hughes smiled and turned to leave, "Mrs Hughes?"

"Yes my lady?"

"Do you think Sybil should come for Christmas?"

"I...It's not my place to say m'lady"

"Yes it is, you're her second mother Mrs Hughes, if anyone else should be asked it should be you."

"Well, I certainly wouldn't mind seeing her again, it's been a while since I've seen her" she tried to answer in a way that couldn't be manipulated into an argument against her employer.

"You've missed her haven't you?"

Mrs Hughes looked up; sometimes it was if everyone could read her thoughts,

"Yes I have milady"

Edith smiled thoughtfully, both she and Mrs Hughes were the ones that suffered most from Sybil leaving, being the closest to her, everyone else did miss her but had become hugely side tracked compared to the pair of them. Edith squeezed Elsie's wrist and walked around her, out of the door.

"So, her ladyship got her own way then"

She spun round, half frightened to see Charles leaning against the doorframe of her sitting room.

"She did yes; Mr and Mrs Branson are to arrive tomorrow afternoon. Though I gather it wasn't just his Lordship that was against them coming." She sighed and turned back to her desk,

"Branson didn't think it was his scene?"

"No, it was Sybil actually; she hadn't been looking forward to the prospect of coming back, as much as they've accepted her marriage the tension in the air's still a little too thick for her liking." She rubbed her head, attempting to get rid of the migraine she was developing, when she felt Charles's arms slide around her waist;

"I take it you've shut the door?"

"Yes I did"

She leant her head back against his shoulder and closed her eyes, wishing she could stay there forever.

"What are you thinking?" he leant down to lightly kiss her neck and stroke it with his nose, happy to see her smile return.

"Oh nothing just that… well it's been three years and Sybil still doesn't think her marriage is acceptable, we've been married nearly five years, is our marriage acceptable yet?"

He paused for a while before diverting her from her question, "you want to tell them?"

"I don't know. Sometimes I want to; sometimes I'm glad we haven't. But sometimes I want the freedom to be able to kiss you in public, to hold your hand to be in your arms if I'm sad without the fear that people might see! I want to wear my wedding ring, to be able to tell people my name isn't Elsie Hughes anymore, I want to be the Mrs I really am, not someone I used to be. That's not me anymore; this is me, with you."

He turned her round to face him,

"Elsie, I had no idea you felt that strongly towards the matter. Why haven't you said before we could have spoken out months ago!"

"I've only recently decided that'd how I feel, but if we are going to tell them, let's wait till Lady Mary and Mr Crawley leave for their honeymoon, let things die down a little!

"Then again, we could tell them now, they can hardly do without a Butler and Housekeeper right now"

"I don't want to risk it" she sighed again, flinching slightly as her headache got worse.

"Go and lie down darling"

She looked in astonishment at him,

"You think after five years I can't notice when my wife's unwell, go on, to bed with you, I'll inform Anna." He kissed her on the cheek as she left, she walked slower than normal as she did when she was ill, leaning against the railing of the stairs as she ascended them – he worried about her whenever she became quieter than normal, then even more when she was ill.
He spent the rest of the morning working; he finished it in time to get some of her work down. As it came to lunchtime, he sat back in his chair and pondered over what she'd said, he would only ever do what she wanted but he was quietly confident that they wouldn't be sacked; she was just as valuable to the family as he was.

There was a knock at the door and Anna looked in,

"Luncheon is served Mr Carson"

"Thank you Anna, you might want to pop up and tell Mrs Car…Hughes, she may not want to come down but tell her all the same" he smiled, hoping she didn't notice his near slip of the tongue; luckily she didn't and quickly hurried off.
They waited for a few minutes but Charles allowed them to begin without her, after a while Anna reappeared, Anna gave him a grim look and whispered as she walked past;

"She's been sick Mr Carson but I convinced her to come and eat something," Elsie slowly followed looking pale and the two women took their usual seats attracting little attention from the rest of the staff. The majority had finished and Charles noticed Elsie had barely eaten anything and was pushing the food around her plate,

"Are you alright?" he leaned over and took hold of her hand under the table.

"Yes, I'm… fine" she didn't look at him but closed her eyes, placed her hand on her forehead and took a deep breath in, shaking slightly. He immediately stood up, holding her arm he pulled her up, placing the other hand on her back as he led her swiftly out of the servant's hall and towards the downstairs bathroom. Anna was soon to come and see what was wrong;

"Make sure she stays in bed for the rest of the afternoon Anna, if she's any better tell me and she can go to her sitting room but no more work." He instructed as he left her to take Elsie back upstairs. He went to dismiss the rest of the staff, rushing off to avoid any questions on Elsie.

He entered the library with his usual poise and found his Lordship alone at his desk;

"Ah Carson, is anything the matter?"

"Yes milord, Mrs Hughes has been taken ill, she'll be fine but she's gone to bed for now"

"Do we need to telephone for Dr Clarkson?" much to Charles's surprise, Robert stood up looking panic stricken.

"No no, I daresay Anna will be able to take care of her your lordship, and you know Mrs Hughes, she doesn't like any unnecessary attention"

"Indeed" Robert chuckled, sitting back down "hopefully she'll have recovered by tomorrow"

"For Lady Sybil's return?"

"Yes that…" he broke off and gazed blankly out of the window.

"Anything the matter my lord?"

"Just that, she's not Lady Sybil anymore; she's Mrs Branson, no longer my little girl. She's her own woman making all her own decisions no matter how outrageous"

Charles wasn't sure how he was supposed to reply to that but luckily Robert carried on;

"If we need any sense talked into her, I gather we can still rely on Mrs Hughes, she's been the only one who can get through to that girl – twenty years of trying but no, Mrs Hughes has always been the favourite."

"I gather she always had a soft spot for Lady Sybil."

"Well, who couldn't, those huge sapphire eyes, long dark curls, a real daddy's girl. Do you think we did something wrong Carson?"

"Not at all my lord! As you said, she makes her own decisions; I know there were times when even Mrs Hughes couldn't talk any sense into her."

"I suppose, well I'm feeling more optimistic on the concept now, Tom's a kind enough fellow and clearly makes her happy – that's all any father wants for his little girl."

"Indeed my lord" he had to speak from presumption rather than experience, "will that be all?"

"Yes thank you Carson please let me know how Mrs Hughes is"

"Of course milord" he left with the same poise but a little more confidence in his heart, enough to make him take a little risk and ascend the maids staircase rather than the men's.
She was lying on her side fiddling with her hair when he entered, she was rather surprised for him to do this during the day but she was pleased to see him.

"How are you feeling, any better?"

"I am now you're here" she extended her hand, beckoning him forward; he knelt beside her bed and held it, gently stroking it and kissing it.

"Much better now" she smiled coyly, "to what do I owe the pleasure?"

"I just went to his Lordship to inform him you were in bed"

"Oh you didn't, Charles you know I don't like…"

"…unnecessary attention, yes I know but I needed to tell him"

She huffed and rolled her eyes, but noticed there was something different about the way he looked at her, there was far less worry in his eyes as there had been earlier.

"Charles, what it is?"

He sighed and stroked some hair behind her ear, "I think we should tell them."

"That we're married?"

"Yes"

"Are you sure? You don't mind risking your job? What's made you so sure all of a sudden?"

"Yes I'm quite sure, you see when I spoke to his Lordship and I mentioned you were ill, he immediately sprang to his feet and asked if we should get the doctor, he looked almost as worried as I was"

"And that means he won't mind the fact I'm married to you?"

"If he was that worried about you, it means he cares about you – he wouldn't turn you out of a job, I'm sure of it. This place barely functions when you're not there, let alone is we were both gone, do you fancy leaving this place in the hands of Miss O'Brien?"

"Dear god no, but are you sure about this?"

"As sure as I was when I asked you to marry me in the first place"

She laughed softly but let out a yawn, "anyway, you my wonderful wife need to sleep and I need to go and instruct Anna on getting the guest rooms ready"

"Say that again – the beginning bit"

"My wonderful wife" he leant forward and kissed her forehead as she closed her eyes and smiled. "And soon I'll be able to do that in public without a care in the world besides you." He left her nodding off, lingering by the door to watch her, as interesting as linens were, he'd much prefer to be up here with her.

The next morning didn't go all to plan, Elsie hadn't come down for breakfast, they'd been informed by Anna that she was better but not fully recovered. Charles so desperately wanted to go and see her but the morning was filled with last minute preparations for the Branson's arrival. By the time he had a moment to breath, it was time for the staff to congregate out on the drive, he knew this would not be what neither Sybil or Tom would want but they had to do it regardless.
The couple arrived and stood uncomfortably in front of everyone, there was silence until Cora smiled and embraced Sybil, while Robert shook Tom's hand. Charles couldn't tell if the air was fully cleared or if everyone just wore a very realistic mask. He allowed the family to enter the house so he could close the door before walking over and standing near Robert. Before Anna and William could get to them, Tom and Sybil had taken their own coats off, triggering a smirk from Mary; they simply had their coats taken from them and there was finally a dash of uneasiness in Tom's face.
They were once again placed in an edgy silence before Sybil looked up;

"Mrs Hughes!" She shrieked causing everyone to jump and look round, Elsie was wearing her usual dress with her hair slightly looser; she looked better but still worryingly pale. She smiled slightly and addressed Lady Grantham;

"I'm sorry my lady for not making it down, I tried but Anna felt I shouldn't be standing up too long"

"It's quite alright Mrs Hughes, I'm just glad you're feeling better" she placed a reassuring hand on Elsie's arm.
Sybil stepped forward and took everyone by surprise by hugging Elsie;

"It's lovely to see you Mrs Hughes, it's been far too long"
Elsie was unsure as to how to respond to this awkward hug but she lightly tapped Sybil's back,

"It's good to see you too my lady"

She glanced at Cora, who, sensing the tension suggested they should all retire to the drawing room for tea. It was only Sybil who stayed back with Elsie, when she held her arm to prevent her following her family.

"How far gone are you?" She asked bluntly, despite knowing exactly what she meant, Sybil pretended she didn't so Elsie'd explain.
"You did just hug me; you've always been very slender so I did notice"

Sybil stared at her open mouthed but with a shameful expression,

"14 weeks give or take"

Elsie sighed, "When are you going to tell them?"

"I don't know, I can't tell them before the wedding, but if you've noticed Mama probably will as well" she looked down; her bump was small, but big enough to be noticed slightly.

"You just be careful my girl, I can't tell looking at you from the front; only when you stand sideways on or hug me so just avoid that and you should be safe until the wedding's over. I presume Tom knows"

"Yes I told him straight away"

"How did he react?"

"He's overjoyed, he can't wait to have a child, and I know he'll be a good father – he's taking such good care of me."

Elsie smiled, she regretted having initial prejudices against the marriage as she could now see that it worked perfectly, a little awkwardly but perfect for them and that was all that mattered. Despite her parent's doubts, the news about their first grandchild would certainly dispose of those doubts.

"Well, I'm very happy for you both. And just so's you know, we're planning to tell people about our marriage after the wedding too – so it looks like all the secrets are coming out.

They both laughed,

"Yes I suppose they are, how are things between you and Mr Carson?"

"Never better, things are always a little complicated but when it comes down to it, we have each other and that's what matters"

"My words exactly."

Charles then came out of the drawing rooms and approached the two women,

"Lady Sybil, your mother is wondering where you are"

Sybil rolled her eyes and both Charles and Elsie repressed their laughter, she strode off and as Charles was about to follow he felt a little hand at his shoulder, turning him round and bringing his head down so his lips were in close proximity with hers;

"Better have smelling salts at the ready, who knows what the next few days will bring" she tittered and kissed him lightly before sauntering off back to her room leaving him dumbfounded and wondering what on earth she meant.

I am doing an epilogue because I have thought of an idea ;) As you can tell, I've kept William (and Bates) but got rid of Thomas – oh if only. Hope you still like this one, please review.