As always, thank you for all the reviews and kind words! They're really motivating ;)

The Big Event 1920

Then he [Jesus] put a little child among them. Taking the child in his arms, he said to them, "Anyone who welcomes a little child like this on my behalf welcomes me, and anyone who welcomes me welcomes not only me but also my Father who sent me."– Mark 9: 36-37

September 1920

She's so beautiful... a true miracle of life. I want to always be able to protect her from the evils of the world, though I know that this isn't possible... Hopefully, I'll be able to bring her up so that she'll be a strong woman able to deal with all that's painful and wrong... She's so similar to Sybil, that's a good sign. I know her for just a month, and I'm already head over heels in love with her. It may not seem like a fitting comparison for me, but she's our little princess; and our little angel sent to us.

Tom couldn't help but look with admiration at Sybil dressing Saoirse in an baptismal outfit. He felt so full of love for these two women. The little one definitely looked like a small angel in her white robe.

"You two just look like Madonna and the Holy Child right now," he whispered tenderly to his wife.

Sybil beamed and put Saoirse close to her chest. "Every child is holy to its parents, isn't it?"

Tom just had to move closer to the two most important people in his life.

"Come, St. Joseph, and sit with us," Sybil laughed encouragingly and pointed at the place on the sofa next to her.

Tom did not need any further encouragement; he quickly sat beside his wife and put both Sybil and Saoirse in a close embrace, just like he had done when they had shared their first family moment.

Subsequently, the sun finally decided to shine stronger on that otherwise gloomy day, and the little family became wholly covered in sunlight.

Tom and Sybil laughed joyfully. Both knew that it was a perfect moment for a little kiss. A kiss that didn't turn out to be little, though, it needs to be said.

Not to mention that they were also aware that for them every moment could be suitable for a little kissing session.

Robert Crawley decided not to go for his granddaughter's christening after all, though he did not intend to forbid attending the event to any other member of the family. He was well aware that both his mother and his wife were going, but this fact wouldn't change his mind.

In order to avoid any talks from Cora, he decided to hide in the library until the family departed for the church. He sat with a book on the sofa and waited, resolute not to allow anybody to talk to him and try to convince him to go to the christening.

But he didn't expect her, of all the people, to come.

Robert didn't even notice how she had entered the room. At one moment, he simply raised his eyes from the book that he was reading, and then he saw her standing next to him.

He had to admit that she looked beautiful in a dark green dress that complemented her blue eyes and black hair so well.

"Papa," Sybil began the conversation. Her voice was peaceful and not at all tainted with anger or annoyance. "I've come to ask you to think once more about your decision. I'm not asking this for me or Tom, but for Saoirse. It's not her fault, Papa. You can have your problems with me or Tom, but do not punish your granddaughter, who's got your blood in her veins, for her parent's choices. Maybe you feel like I've rejected the life that you gave me, and while I don't agree with this, I can sooner understand your stance with respect to me than a one month old child."

Lord Grantham swallowed nervously, but Sybil continued, "You showed your disapproval by not coming to our wedding. Isn't it enough? Even if you choose to continue to disapprove of my marriage, please do not disapprove of your granddaughter."

Robert felt that Sybil's words were reasonable, and her firm, but non-confrontational tone did have an effect on him. His previous resolution was breaking. What wrong would it do to show a unified family front at the christening?

For the time being, however, he tried to evade a direct answer and asked the first question that came to his mind, "What's her middle name, after all?"

Sybil realized that it was only an attempt by her father to diverge from the topic, but was nevertheless glad to provide him with an answer to it, "It's Sybil. Yes, Tom insisted on that, but surely you won't question his motives behind this choice?"

No, indeed, he couldn't.

Having seen her father's hesitance, Sybil decided to ask a straightforward question: "So, will you come to Saoirse's christening?"

Lord Grantham silently nodded even though he couldn't even pinpoint what made him change his mind.

"Saoirse Sybil, ego te baptize in nomine Patris, et Filli, et Spiritus Sancti."*

I'm so happy that our little girl is baptized into the Catholic faith. It means a lot to me, especially now that I don't know when I can see Ireland again. A granddaughter of an English aristocrat is baptized into the Catholic faith during the Anglo-Irish war and has an Irish name which means "freedom"… And it's all thanks to Sybil, my darling, dearest, loveliest Sybil… She wanted to make me happy, and she did.. I'm so thankful to God that Saoirse is so similar to her. I'm also happy about her middle name… Boys are so often named after their fathers, why can't a little girl have a name after her mother? What's more, such a wonderful mother…

What a joyful day! Our little girl is baptized in front of my whole family! It's a pity that, except for Kieran, Tom's family can't be here. I'm happy that at least Saoirse is baptized into the Catholic faith and has an Irish name… It's not important only for Tom, but for me as well. And Tom looks so happy! He's sometimes in low spirits lately because he still can't find a job, but now he's so radiant! I love his smile so much… He also had it on his face when he asked me whether Saoirse could have "Sybil" as a middle name. How could I say "no" when I was the one who chose her first name (and we always want to be equals!), and I know that this makes him happy as well? I so love to see him smiling and happy…

The sun was now shining brightly through the church windows, directly at the overjoyed parents and a slumbering infant. Robert Crawley couldn't help but think that they looked as if they had been taken from the pictures that hung throughout the church. A picturesque family indeed! They truly seemed to be happy together. Suddenly, the baby awoke from her sleep and began fussing in her mother's arms. The girl's small mouth opened in a loud cry, and Robert realized that he just saw her whole face for the first time.

And I'm her grandfather… Maybe Sybil's right – what did this child do to be disapproved of? It's such a vulnerable, innocent little person?

The fragility of Saoirse Branson filled Robert with unexpected feelings of self-doubt and regret. He immediately tried to fight them off and focused on the mass instead, but this was followed by an annoyance resulting from not understanding anything. Stupid Catholics and their weird Latin rites!

He looked again at his daughter and her small family – they still were a picture of utmost happiness. Both Sybil and Bra… Tom were completely concentrated on calming Saoirse (nothing would change his mind that this name was just plain stupid) down, gently rocking the little girl, and not stopped smiling even for a while during the whole ordeal.

Whatever I may think about them, they do seem truly happy…

After a festive post-christening dinner and saying goodnight to Saoirse in the nursery, the Bransons headed for their bedroom. Once they were both in bed and in each other arms, they were finally able to share the observations that they had made during the whole day.

"Kieran behaved quite well… despite that constant nagging about beer, of course," remarked Tom, "I expected worse, knowing hislove for the English aristocracy and its habits."

"My family was surprisingly patient. All in all, indeed it wasn't as bad as we had expected."

"Speaking of Kieran… I talked to him about any possible prospects for me in Liverpool."

Sybil's whole body tensed. It was definitely what she was dreading to hear. "What are they, then?" she ultimately managed to mumble.

"Not bad, actually. There is a possibility of a job that fits my qualifications and renting a flat at a low price. Plus, Kieran's children may take care of Saoirse when we both will be at work."

"But it is a mechanic work?"

"Of course."

A heavy silence fell upon the spouses. Neither Sybil nor Tom knew what to say next, which was a rare occurrence between them.

"Another newspaper rejected me, Sybil."

Sybil bit her lip nervously. To be honest, she didn't know what to say or do anymore.

"There's also something else… I talked to Matthew today after the dinner. Apparently, your father's estate manager has decided to leave. And Matthew, well, he wants to propose to your father to hire me."

Sybil's eyes grew wide. "But why? Since when you're skilled in estate managing?"

"I'm not, but I've given Matthew a few tips about modernizing Downton recently, and now he thinks that I've got the talent. He says that the most important thing is to have someone whom you trust to do the job, and that I'll learn quickly how to do it… So, what do you think?"

Sybil was too surprised by this news to answer immediately. She looked at her husband inquisitively in order to see what he thought about this idea, but Tom's face was expressionless.

"I… don't know what to think about it. Is it even in agreement with your beliefs?"

"Trying to preserve an aristocratic estate and thus perpetuating the class system? No. But you and Saoirse are more important for me than my beliefs. I need to support you as well as I can, and I don't want to live on your father's generosity anymore. "

Sybil took a deep breath. "Please, wait a little longer. I don't want you to sacrifice your beliefs for my sake. You now see everything in a bad light, but some better opportunity must come along eventually. Just wait a little longer. I know that you can be patient. Remember how long you waited for me?" she smiled weakly at him.

Tom sighed. "You are worth everything, that's the difference. I fear that I'll need to decide between Liverpool and Matthew's offer soon."

"Don't abandon your dreams and don't throw away everything you've achieved to this point, please…"

"The point is, Sybil," Tom said in a surprisingly rough tone, "that I feel useless as of late. You can't understand this because you'll be starting your work at the hospital soon."

Having said so, Tom gave his wife a quick kiss on the cheek and without a further word turned on his side and closed his eyes.

* Saoirse Sybil, I baptize thee in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit

Well, not everything is a bed of roses, right? :P

Next up:

"Fighting for Your Dreams 1919"