A/N Hi loves! Oh, so sorry I haven't updated in a bit. Dog things, work things, life things - ahhhh. Here's a bit more of the story for ya!

Christmas Eve, 1895 As soon as Elsie had finished helping Cora into her nightgown, she tiptoed over to Sybil's bassinet.

Having forgone a wet-nurse, or even allowed Nanny to care for her baby girl as she did Mary and Edith, Sybil was never far from her mother's arms the last three months since her birth. It suited Cora, as she'd been on bed rest for the first month and had ample time to bond with the newest Crawley girl. The only person, other than Robert of course, who had known the privilege of caring for her was Elsie.

Sybil slept peacefully in her crib, which had been passed down several generations and had so too been the first bed of Mary and Edith. Elsie reached down and tucked the afghan around her little feet a bit snugger. Winter had arrived at Downton and though the fires roared and crackled in each room, there was still a bit of a chill in the air.

"There you are now, jo." she cooed.

Tucking herself under the blankets of her bed, Cora smiled. She had come to feel truly grateful for her lady's maid. Sybil was a good baby- but she was still a baby, and though she tried not to worry anyone, Cora's health still wasn't tip-top after the birth. She tired quickly and found that most days, she needed to rely on Hughes more now than she ever had during the course of her pregnancy.

"Hughes," Cora whispered, "Why don't you bring her over before you leave, she'll want to nurse soon."

Elsie grinned, knowing she'd have a moment to cuddle the bairn a moment before she handed her off to Cora for the night. She gently lifted Sybil from the crib, not wanting to wake her, and gently held her against her bosom. She still had the sweet scent of a new life, downy tufts of dark hair the exact shade as Cora's, and perfectly porcelain skin. Walking her over to Cora's bedside, she gently lowered her into her waiting arms.

"You're a natural," Cora said quietly, "And Sybil loves you, I can tell."

"Oh, she's such a sweet, wee lass, m'lady." Elsie said, stifling a yawn. They had all been hard at work the last few night's preparing for Christmas. Elsie knew that Mary and Edith would wake the house from bottom-up bright and early tomorrow and she was eager to cozy into her warm bed with a cup of tea and drift off.

"Hughes, before you go, I have a little something for you." Cora said. She gestured toward her vanity with her gaze and Elsie moved toward it, her hand hovering expectantly. "Open the top drawer — it's a small, parcel with a gold bow."

"Oh, m'lady, you needn't have." Elsie blushed, "You've given me so much."

Cora smirked, "You may well have saved my life, if you recall Hughes. I hardly think I'm out of line to proffer a small token to you on Christmas."

Elsie opened the drawer and lifted a small box out. She shut the door quietly and looked up at Cora.

"You must open it now," Cora said giddily, "I can't wait until morning."

Turning the package over in her hands, Elsie untied the bow and gently lifted the lid on the box. Inside there was a beautiful silver locket — nicer than anything she'd ever owned.

"Oh, m'lady, it's too much." she said, stroking the cool silver, "Oh, it's so beautiful."

"Open it," Cora said. Sybil began to fuss in her arms and she rocked her gently.

Elsie clicked the locket open and, inside, there was a very fine lock of dark hair.

"I wanted you to have a lock of Sybil's hair." Cora said, "I hope you don't think it's a silly token."

Elsie gasped, looking up at Cora from across the room, "Oh, m'lady, not at all. It's the most precious gift I've ever received. I can't thank you properly."

"You've no need to. I'm overjoyed to give it to you."

She studied Elsie's face a moment; the look she wore gazing down at the little curl of baby hair was akin to the day Cora had allowed her lady's maid to feel Sybil kicking inside her. The look she had seen then may have been regret, but now it seemed to wind down much deeper into poor Miss. Hughes - a corkscrew of possibility, having struck rock.

"Hughes, I hope it doesn't make you sad."

Elsie looked up, her fingers resting gently at the side of her face. Her cheeks were flushed, as she was staving off tears. "Oh, no m'lady. Not sad. Grateful you've both come through it. Blessed to be able to take good care of you both."

"That's not exactly what I meant." Cora said. "I don't mean to pry but," a small smile tugged at the corners of her mouth, "It is Christmas Eve. Perhaps you'll forgive me."

Elsie swallowed, "In the spirit of the season."

"You are so wonderful with Sybil - you've been so loving to all three of my girls. And I see you giving a shoulder or a warm hand to the young maids." She gazed at her softly, "Hughes, you would be such a wonderful mother. You are, too, of course a splendid lady's maid but-" Cora bit her lip, thinking a moment. From her arms, Sybil cooed against her breast, "Hughes is it enough for you, at Downton? I don't mean to say I don't want you to stay - I do, very much. But I'd hate to think I'm keeping you from a more fulfilling life. On a farm, with a bunch of little children running about your skirts." Her eyes brightened, "Perhaps they'd even have your lovely brogue."

"Oh, m'lady." All her strength pulled up, trying to keep tears away, "I'm here, I've chosen a life in service because it's the best life I could hope to have." She shook her head, hoping the tears would shake right back down into her tear ducts, "It's all my choice, whatever comes of it."

She took a few steps nearer to the bed, tucking the blankets around Cora's feet. She let her eyes linger a moment on the back of Sybil's head, which was nestled into her mama's breast.

"As long as you're sure," Cora said, waiting for Elsie to lift her gaze. When she did, there was a brief pause as the two women exchanged carnal knowledge - one who was a mother because it was her duty, and one who was not because it was hers.

"Happy Christmas, Hughes." Sybil's tiny fist emerged from her blanket and Cora looked down, unbuttoning the top of her night dress.

"Happy Christmas, m'lady." Elsie smiled. She bid Cora goodnight and stepped out into the hallway. As soon as the felt the door click shut, she clutched the tiny box to her chest and felt tears begin to flow freely down her cheeks. She would let herself have this minor moment - it was Christmas after all - but that was all.

She would shed no more tears for bairns that weren't.