Hi all! Here is the birth of Baby Branson! I'll explain the name in the next chapter (in relation to Downton) but I'll just say, a certain Kennedy is my rolemodel. ? ﾟﾑﾀ? Follow my Instagram: and comment "Unconventional brought me."
Disclaimer: I do not own Downton Abbey, though all original characters are my own.
The wait was agonising. Mary had insisted on delivering in the hospital, as she had with George, and Tom was glad.
Tom had created problems for himself by insisting he be there during the delivery, Doctor Clarkson was not pleased. It had helped, he was a calming presence for Mary, though inside he was sick with worry.
"Tom Branson!" Mary roared through a severe contraction. "You did this to me!"
Smirking slightly, her husband squeezed her hand tighter and reassured her, to no avail.
"When I get this child out of me, I'll have your-" her tirade was cut short by the midwife who implored her with "one last push m'lady,"
Suddenly the crimson, angry face of Lady Mary Crawley-Branson broke into a sparkling grin as a loud cry rang around the room.
Tom rushed from her side to check on the child, his relieved laugh joined the cry of their new baby.
"Well Sybbie got her wish darling!" Taking the proffered bundle newly wrapped in a bright white blanket, he slowly made his way to the chair on Mary's left.
"We have a daughter?" Disbelief mingled with elation read clearly on his wife's exhausted visage.
Grinning and nodding, Tom transferred the mewing girl into her mother's open arms. Kissing the pink, soft face of her new daughter, Mary whispered "Welcome to the world sweet one,"
Tom wrapped one strong arm around his wife and adjusted his daughter's blanket. "God Mary, I'm so happy, I could burst!"
Smiling softly she replied, "I remember someone else saying that,"
Raising an eyebrow and peeling his eyes from the sleeping baby, Tom enquired as to "whom,"
The watery pink of the sunrise made its way into the whitewashed room as Mary met her husband's eyes.
"Never-mind. This day is about life."
Understanding fully, Tom changed the subject carefully. "Shall we decide on a name for her?"
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The homecoming was relaxed, as most things were now at Downton. However, the majority of the servants met with the family to greet the new arrival in the Great Hall as the low temperatures were deemed unsuitable. Mr and Mrs Carson, married a month, stood at the head of the servants lineup. Their regal counterparts having travelled to the hospital to retrieve their hew grandchild.
Slowly, the magnificent oak doors of Downton opened to reveal a very content threesome. Tom Branson beamed with pride as he guided his wife towards the welcome party, his hand on the small of her back, knowing she was still sore. The little girl slept contentedly in her mother's arms wrapped in snug, soft blanket, a gift from Tom's mother.
Edith was the first to approach the new family. "I believe a congratulations are in order. How is my niece?" Cooing at the baby she received her thanks and answered as to the whereabouts of the children, who were in the nursery with nanny, eagerly awaiting their private audience.
Carson nodded his congratulations with a proud smile adorning his face as his favourite beamed. The incomplete family made its way to completion upstairs, but not before Lord Grantham announced that they would all celebrate the birth that evening, servants included.
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"Mama is back, Sybbie, look the car is there!"
George and his half sister sat in the widow seat of the nursery, their backs to the door, noses pressed against the window.
"She is," announced Tom. Both children jumped and scrambled towards their parents.
"Daddy, did Ma keep her promise?" Sybbie enquired as Mary handed the baby to him while they sat together on one of the beds.
Laughing he whispered, "Yes, my darling, you have a new sister,"
Gasping, Sybbie climbed atop the bed and peered over her father's shoulder.
"She's very pink Mama," a sceptical George mumbled to Mary. Chuckling, his mother replied that all newborn babies are pink, that he was especially pink. Folding his arms and huffing, George announced, "I want a brother next time,"
The baby let out a small cry as she adjusted her position in her father's arms and instantly, George's mood altered. He rushed over to Tom and held his new sister's minuscule hand, his eyes wide.
"What's her name?" An entranced Sybbie asked.
Glancing at Mary who smiled and lifted George onto her lap, Tom said, "Her name is Jacqueline,"
"You can call her Jackie though," Mary winked.