Sybil and Tom's arrival wasn't as traumatic as Mr Carson had anticipated. On opening the door to her she immediately greeted him like a friend she'd not seen in a long time, rather than a servant as he had expected. She asked him if he knew which room they were to stay in, but gave no indication that she expected him to take them there. In fact, her first question was about how he was feeling after his illness and she had shown great concern and relief as he told her. Of course, the person most pleased to see her was Ella, who had missed her twin terribly.
'Oh Sybbie, I can't believe you are here at last!' Ella exclaimed as she launched herself into the arms of her sister, so delighted to be reunited.
'Aurie I've missed you so much,' Sybil replied as she squeezed her sister.
'And Tom it's so lovely to see you too; I hope you've been looking after my sister well.' Ella said mischievously as she gave her brother-in-law a peck on the cheek.
'I've been doing my best, but to be honest, she can take care of herself,' he replied with a grin to his wife.
'How is your mother doing?' Sybil asked as she linked arms with Ella and walked them both into the drawing room. It greatly pleased Ella to hear Sybil calling Mrs Hughes her mother so naturally and it was important to her that her sister should be accepting of her relationship with her natural mother.
'She is doing much better; I won't lie, I was very concerned about her for a while and it was very touch and go for a time, but she's a fighter and she pulled through. She's still in bed resting though.' Ella explained as they all sat down together, but Mr Carson hovered in the doorway, a little uncertain as to what he should be doing. 'Mr Carson won't you join us?' She said encouragingly as she indicated one of the seats.
'If you are sure Milady; I wouldn't want to impose,' he said as he walked further into the room and reverted back to his old ways.
'Mr Carson, I told you that we don't need to change how things have been just because Sybbie is here; it took me long enough to persuade you to call me Ella in the first place, I don't intend on doing anything to change that now.' Ella said reassuringly.
'Exactly Mr Carson; I don't want to hear any of this "Milady" nonsense either. You must call me Sybil whilst we are here; it'll be refreshing to be treated normally for once.' Sybil explained and Ella was glad to see Mr Carson did seem to relax a little as he took his seat amongst them, just as Henry entered.
'How's she doing?' Ella asked, referring to the fact that he had just finished examining Mrs Hughes.
'She's doing absolutely fine; she just needs plenty of rest but you can go up and see her again if you like.' He explained. 'Did you have a pleasant journey down?'
'We did thank you; it's lovely to be reunited with you. We've really missed you all, haven't we Tom?' Sybil replied.
'We certainly have; although I think it's Mrs Hughes and Mr Carson who has been missed most.' Tom replied with a laugh, which Sybil reciprocated knowingly.
'Why? What's been happening?' Mr Carson asked with concern.
'Oh nothing that Anna couldn't deal with Mr Carson, just one or two practical jokes at Mr Molesley's expense.' Sybil replied as she quashed her laughter.
'Well this sure sounds interesting; but for now, would you like to come up and see Mam?' Ella asked.
'Absolutely, I'm looking forward to seeing how she is.' Sybil replied as the two girls left, the men remained where they were in awkward silence. 'So how have you been enjoying your time away?'
'Sybbie it's been so lovely; I've not had to worry about getting dressed for dinner or have my life governed by airs and graces. It took Mr Carson a little while to get used to the change in status, but he's really made an effort to get to know me as a person and not as his employer. And I've loved being able to spend time with my mother, without being interrupted or fear of someone finding out about us.' Ella explained in quiet whispers, but with a happy broad smile. 'Don't misunderstand me, I love our parents and I love you, Mary and Edith too, but I'm finally getting to find out who I truly am and it's so refreshing. Henry has been so wonderful and I'm very much enjoying being a wife.'
'Oh being a wife has lots of advantages.' Sybil replied suggestively making Ella raise her eyebrows.
'Sybbie, don't be so vulgar; what would Granny say if she could hear you?' She playfully chastised, but she didn't really mean it and Sybil knew that. They both had similar minds.
Ella led Sybil into Mrs Hughes' bedroom and was delighted to be able to share her mam with her sister. She realised that since they had all found out the truth, Sybil and Mrs Hughes hadn't actually spent any time together and certainly not in the capacity of Ella's mother.
'Milady it's very good of you to come.' She said as she put down the book she'd been reading.
'Well when Aurie said you were unwell, I had to come and see if you were alright and if there was anything I could do to help; but I'm very glad to see that you are looking well.' Sybil said as she and her sister sat on the bed.
'Well Lady Aurelia has been taking very good care of me Milady; I've been very lucky to have her, Dr Forbes and Mr Carson by my side.' Mrs Hughes replied politely and she cringed inside at having to adopt her formal tone again regarding her daughter, she had almost forgotten what it felt like to have to shield her true identity in Ella's life and she suddenly felt a sharp pang in her chest at the thought.
Both Ella and Sybil noticed the look that crossed her face and it hurt them both. Sybil couldn't imagine what it must have been like for Mrs Hughes all these years. After finding out about her sister's and housekeeper's truth, Sybil had often though about how Mrs Hughes must feel. She loved and admired the housekeeper as much as Ella did and realised how much courage it must take for the older woman to exist so close and yet so far from her daughter, but in reality, Sybil's imaginings, and even Ella's, couldn't possibly come close to the kind of pain Mrs Hughes felt.
'Mrs Hughes, please don't feel you have to call Aurie Lady or Milady or any of that whilst I'm here. I can see how much being able to spend time with you has meant to Aurie and it is so nice to see you both together. I can't imagine what it must be like for you, well for both of you, to want to be together but have to keep it so secret all of the time. So please Mrs Hughes, I don't ever want you to feel like you have to hide anything from me. You are my sister's mother and you gave me such a wonderful gift in my twin; so whatever I can do to help you both, whether it is here or back home, please let me know and I will do what I can.' Sybil said and it profoundly affected both Mrs Hughes and Ella.
'Well then, welcome to our little sanctuary Sybbie.' Ella said with a broad, watery smile and was touched by her twin's beautiful words. She truly did appreciate her support.
'Oh and please don't call me Milady either Mrs Hughes.' Sybil added with a hurried smile.
The three women shared a very special moment together and Ella was so blissfully happy that she felt fit for bursting, as everything she wanted in her life came together. She now had her husband, her mother was marrying the man she was madly in love with and now that she saw how accepting Sybil was of her relationship with her mother, she no longer felt that she had to hide it from her.