It was over. After more than four years the war was finally over. So many lives had been affected by the war, not just those on the battlefields, but also those at the home front, including, in very different ways, both Sybil and Tom. In later years, both would come to the conclusion that if not for the Great War their lives would probably have been very different.

Despite their growing affection for each other, or rather on Tom's part his love for Sybil, without the paths their lives took during the war Sybil probably wouldn't have left the life she was born into. Although their friendship and conversations on diverse topics such as women's rights, society, and politics, broadened Sybil's awareness of the world outside of Downton, it was her work as a nurse in London that enabled her to leave the aristocratic life.

Christmas 1918 found Sybil back at Downton. She had been living in London for almost two years now and had only made one trip back to Downton. She thought the joy and happiness of the holiday season would be the right time to tell her family of her future plans.

She had always loved the festive Christmas season. As a child, it was the one time of the year she was allowed to visit the kitchens and help with the baking of Christmas biscuits. Although exactly what help she provided was debatable as she would wind up with flour in her hair and face and all over the smock Mrs. Patmore provided her. But anyone seeing the sparkle in her eyes and the broad smile on her face could not doubt how much little Lady Sybil enjoyed the baking.

From the time she was a toddler, Sybil had been captivated by the Downton Christmas tree that filled the grand hall. She was always the most enthusiastic of the tree decorators. It was always Sybil who woke first on Christmas morning so anxious to see what Father Christmas had left.

Sybil arrived just in time for tea on Christmas Eve. The tree of course was already decorated and the great hall was filled with the scent of pine. No one knew exactly what time she was arriving so there was no one to greet her. Only Edith was in the library and she and Sybil greeted each other warmly.

"I can't believe that all patients have already left Downton."

"The last ones left two days ago." Edith informed her.

"And the house is already looking as if they were never here." Sybil was somewhat awed at how quickly Downton was back to its former self. It was like it had never been a convalescent home.

"It does seem strange." Edith continued. "The house seems so quiet. I never noticed that before."

"Do you miss it?" Sybil had been delighted that Edith seemed to blossom with her work with the patients.

"I do actually. Although I guess I really haven't had the time to adjust yet." Edith answered. "It's nice to have you back."

Sybil hugged her sister. She and Edith had never been that close but they had never had the brittle relationship that Edith and Mary had.

"Sybil why didn't you let us know when you were arriving?" was her mother's greeting as she rushed into the library.

"I wasn't sure myself which train I would catch. Anyway, I'm here."

"Oh darling it's so wonderful to have you back." Cora enthusiastically hugged Sybil. "I think this will be my happiest Christmas in years."

Tea was a pleasant affair with just the three of them since Robert and Mary were out on some unknown errands.

Dinner was also a pleasant affair with everyone in a festive mood. Sybil guessed it was the combination of the holiday and the realization that the war was finally over.

Sybil was surprised to see Matthew at dinner. He had made it through the war physically unscathed much to Sybil's happiness. He and Mary seemed to have put aside whatever differences they had had and seemed to be enjoying each other's company. So much so that Sybil was taken aback that Sir Richard Carlisle joined them for Christmas Day.

Everything had been going so well that Sybil was glad she had come home for Christmas. However, that changed at dinner the day after Christmas. Carlisle had returned to London leaving just the family including Granny, Isobel and Matthew.

The dinner had started pleasantly enough. Everyone still seemed in a festive mood. It was only when Robert and Cora mentioned the future that things turned sour for Sybil.

"To put the war behind us, Cora and I have decided to host a ball in late January." Robert delightedly told the diners. "It's high time that we start socializing again."

Sybil just stared down at her plate.

"It's time we get you girls back in society" Cora beamed at Sybil and Edith. "I know the season won't start for a few months but there's no reason to wait. I'm sure many of the young men we know would like to come here for an evening of dining and dancing."

"We'll have to discuss who we shall invite so be thinking of who you'd like to see" Cora continued babbling.

Cora and Robert were so enthusiastic in their plans that they didn't seem to notice that neither Edith nor Sybil shared that enthusiasm. When the men and women separated after dinner, Sybil made her excuses and retired to her room.

She wasn't there an hour when Mary let herself into Sybil's room.

"Isn't the party still going on?" Sybil commented flatly.

"You don't seem happy about Papa's and Mama's plans."

"I'm not interested in a ball. I won't have the time to return here anyway."

"So you're not coming back for good?" Mary inquired.

"No. I'm going to continue my nursing in London."

"But you haven't told them yet." Mary said gently as she eased herself down on Sybil's bed.

"I was going to but the merriment of Christmas just took over. I don't want to fight with them or with anyone" Sybil murmured looking intently at Mary. "But I have plans for the future and they don't include Downton balls and the season."

"But they do include a certain Irishman?" Mary simply stated with no hint of malice.

Sybil snapped her head up. "What?"

"I came to see you in London about two months ago. I was waiting for you at that room at the entrance to your quarters." Sybil looked at Mary warily.

Mary continued "It took me awhile to place the man also waiting there. He was much better dressed than the last time I saw him. But when you came down and he kissed you, I knew for sure it was Branson."

"We didn't see you" Sybil said quietly. "Since Papa hasn't locked me in my room, I take it you haven't said anything. Why?"

It took Mary a few minutes to answer. She had so much she wanted to say but wasn't sure how to say it.

"Whatever you think Sybil, I do love you. I saw how happy you looked. You both did. I can't say this is what I wanted for you but . . . Are you happy … really happy?"

"Oh Mary" Sybil stood up. "I am. I do love him."

But Mary wasn't finished. She was curious "How did it happen? I thought he had returned to Ireland or was that all a ruse?"

"Actually we have you to thank for it"

"Me?" Mary replied incredulously.

"Well yes. If Tom hadn't left here he might never have gotten the job as a journalist."

"He's a journalist now?"

"Yes . . . for the Manchester Guardian. He did go back home but we wrote to each other. Then he got a job as a journalist and he'd come to London on assignment. This year he's been the paper's reporter in France. He's doing so well."

Mary had to chuckle at her sister's enthusiasm.

"Are you going to tell Papa?" Sybil asked.

Mary looked at her sister. She saw the headstrong and willful young woman, who wasn't above deceit to get what she wanted, but who was also the most genuinely sweet and kindhearted person Mary had ever known. Mary didn't doubt that Sybil and Branson were in love. Anyone that had seen them that night in London would have no doubt about that.

Looking quite serious, Mary said "I tried that once but looked what's happened." Then grinning, she continued "That's for you to do."

Sybil wasn't quite convinced; after all Mary had once before promised her silence.

Seeing the look on Sybil's face, Mary took her hands. "I promise Sybil. I won't break my promise this time. No matter what I think about it, I don't want to lose you."

Then the sisters did something they hadn't done in so long, they hugged before erupting in a fit of giggles.

Sybil was feeling so good that she was totally unprepared for the events that happened at dinner the following night. Surprisingly, until this point no one had brought up the subject of Sybil moving back to Downton. But even Robert's and Cora's angry reaction to Sybil's adamant stance on continuing to live and work as a nurse in London didn't prepare her for their furor over her next revelation.

"No man of our class wants a working wife especially a nurse" Robert continued completely forgetting that his heir sitting at the table was the son of a nurse and that said nurse was also sitting there.

"Well then it's a good thing I already have a man who is quite happy with my choice" Sybil thundered right back getting caught in the moment and not thinking clearly.

All heads snapped towards Sybil while a chorus of "what" and "who" simultaneously erupted from Robert, Cora, Edith and even Granny.

Realizing what she had said, Sybil took a deep breath. "I have been seeing someone in London. He's a journalist."

"A journalist?" Robert looked incredulous. The thought of first Carlisle and now this was running quickly through his head. "Have you totally forgotten who you are?"

"The qualities you find so important in a man, wealth and status, are not so important to me." Sybil calmly replied. "I want a man who shares my interests, who talks with me, who values me for my mind."

"And you've found this man? This journalist?"

"Yes I have."

"Why haven't we heard about him before?" asked Violet. "Does he have a name?"

Sybil looked at both Isobel and Mary before taking a deep breath and replying. "His name is Tom Branson and he works for the Manchester Guardian."

Isobel quickly jumped in "I read his articles. He's very good. He …"

"Branson …Branson …" Robert interrupted Isobel. "Wasn't that the name of the chauffeur who was interested in you?"

"Yes it is and … and he is the former chauffeur."

Cora who had been sitting quietly "You are in love with the chauffeur?"

"He's not a chauffeur any more mama. He's a journalist."

"This is preposterous. The chauffeur. My daughter is in love with a servant." Robert looked as if he had been slapped.

"Papa, how many times must I say it. Tom's a journalist now. As cousin Isobel said, he's a very good one. He's spent most of this past year in France reporting on the war."

"You are rejecting all that I stand for for this former servant?"

"Papa, I'm not rejecting you or this family. I love all of you. But I don't want to lead this type of life. I know what it's like to work, to be tired at the end of the day, to having meaning in my life. I'm not interested in dress fittings, and balls and paying calls."

"Fine, then Sybil if you want a different life, you shall have it. You will get no money from me. The chauffeur will not be welcomed into this house as a guest. You will be welcomed back only when you come to your senses." Robert stood. He stared at his daughter. But if he expected Sybil to back down he was disappointed.

Sybil stood "I will leave in the morning" and with that left the dining room.