AN: Greetings to all of my wonderful readers! I do hope you enjoyed the last chapter! Here is another! I'm so sorry it's been a long time since my last updates! My internet was being stupid. But now everything is working, and I intend to make as many updates as I can!
DISCLAIMER: I don't own Downton Abbey
Nearly Two months have passed, the twins would be nearly two months old, And Edith would be nearly five months pregnant.
"It's funny to think that we'll be going back to live at Crawley house." Mary smiled at Matthew. She'd just come back from putting the babies to bed. "I'm glad; it will be nice to have a little more privacy." Matthew sighed. "Yes, it certainly will. We might actually get a chance to take care of the children without interference from our parents." Mary laughed. "And for other things…" Matthew suggested, and began to kiss her neck softly. "Matthew- Oh Matthew, do stop." Mary moaned, though she pulled him closer to her.
Their desire for each other was powerful. They hadn't been able to share in this since there short time to together after their wedding ceremony. "Matthew, we can't. Not yet darling." Mary insisted. He pulled away in frustration. He knew she was right of course, Mary was only just healing from the birth of his children, and he'd barely been strong enough to stand. "Soon my darling, when we've gone home." Mary promised. "Home?" He asked. "Crawley house." She clarified.
"Crawley house? I thought Downton was your only home." Matthew asked. "My home is where you and my children are. That is Crawley house." Mary explained. "I'm glad you feel that way." Matthew smiled and kissed Mary's forehead. "Oh, before I dressed for bed, I was going to check in on Sybil, the poor dear went to bed early with a head ache." Mary said as she stood from the bed. "Hurry back to me, my darling." Matthew smiled at his wife as he pulled out a book.
Mary quickly made her way down the hallway, eager to return to her husband. She knocked on Sybil's door, and was utterly confused when there was no reply. "Sybil darling? Are you in there?" She turned the handle on the door, and was surprised to find it locked. "Sybil?" She asked again, a bit louder. She turned on her heel and quickly headed to the servants quarters, and knocked eagerly on Anna's door. "Mary, my goodness, what is it?" Anna asked. "Sybil's door is locked, and she won't respond to me. I'm worried about her, do you have a key?" Mary asked quickly. Anna nodded, and quickly followed Mary towards Sybil's bed room.
"Do you suppose she's alright?" Anna asked. "I do think she is, but I want to be sure." Mary explained as they opened the door. "Sybil?" Mary asked gently as she entered the room. It was empty. "Lady Sybil?" Anna called timidly. "She's not here." Mary observed aloud. "Mary, is that a note on her pillow?" Anna asked as she noticed something on the spot Sybil's head usually rested. "I do think it is, yes." Mary picked up the note with a trembling hand, and gasped as she read it. "What is it?"
"Sybil's run away with Branson- they're going to elope!" Mary's voice was as shaky as her hands. "What?!" Anna cried out in surprise. "We have to find them before they do something terribly stupid. I'll get Matthew, he can drive us, please, telephone Edith, and let her know what is going on, and we must stop them." Mary ordered as she was making her way out of the room.
"Matthew!" Mary cried as she ran into their bed room. "Mary, what's wrong, is you alright?" He asked nervously as he caught her in his arms. "Yes, I'm fine, but Matthew, Sybil's run away to elope with Tom Branson, we must hurry if we are to stop them! Come drive us while Anna and I search, please!" Mary explained as she put on her coat. "Why stop them? You said yourself you wouldn't shun her if she did Marry Branson, Have you changed your mind?" Matthew asked in confusion. "I haven't changed my mind Matthew, but Papa will still have the same opinion I'm sure! They must go about this in the right way, and this is not it!" Mary growled. Matthew paused as if considering, before finally making his decision, and putting on his coat.
"Where do you suppose they've gone?" He whispered as he followed Mary towards the car. "I haven't any idea! Far enough away not to be caught." Mary guessed. "We'll go out the back door; they'll be less likely to notice." She took her husband's hand, and kissed him gently on the lips "Thank you for being so willing to help."
As they were leaving, Anna joined them "Mary, I telephoned Lady Edith, she said that she and Gregory will also go to search, and if they find her, they'll call us." "Wonderful, now, let's drive, and pray we reach her before something is done that can't be undone!" Mary replied as they climbed into the car. In a moment they had left and were on the road. "Do you suppose the children will be alright? If they wake and we arn't there?" Matthew asked. Mary furrowed her brow "Yes, they nanny is in her room, if they wake they'll be taken care of."
They drove on in silence, each one focused on what they could see in the headlights of the car, and what felt like hours of nothing when suddenly Anna gasped "Is that the motor Mary?" "I do think it is, Matthew, Stop!" Mary ordered, and he did so abruptly. "It's an inn; they must have stopped for the night." Matthew observed. "We must go in, let me do the talking." Mary said as they quickly exited the motor. Mary took Matthews arm, as they entered the inn, and Anna followed behind somewhat timidly.
At the front desk, a stout balding man sat, filling out paper work by candle light. Mary cleared her throat, and the man looked up "Oh, yes, how may I help you?" He asked kindly as he stood. "Hello, sir, I was wondering if there was a Mr. Tomas Branson staying in one of your rooms." Mary said sweetly. "I'm not supposed to discuss the other guests with people Madame." The man said apologetically. "Please sir, I'm Mr. Branson's sister, Mary, and this is my sister Anna, and my husband Matthew. Dear Tom is in trouble, please, if he is here, you must let us see our dear brother!" Mary dabbed away at the tears that she had forced to form in her eyes.
The man's face softened. "Of course my dear, there's no need to cry. A Mr. Tom Branson took a room here not too long ago with his young wife, I'd be happy to show you the way to his room." Mary nodded in appreciation but inside her heart was thumping unevenly. His wife? Was she too late? She couldn't be… there hadn't been enough time, surely they'd lied. As they walked up the steps after the man Matthew leaned over to Mary "I didn't know you were such a convincing actress." He whispered. "Every young lady is taught how to feign tears for sympathy. It works quite well, though I've never had to use them before."
"Here we are Tom Branson's room." The man said. Mary smiled her prettiest smile and dabbed at her eyes again "Thank you so much sir, I'll never forget this kindness!" Mary told him as she knocked on the door. The man left, sure he'd done right. After a moment it opened, and Tom opened the door with a look of bewilderment in his eyes. Before he'd had time to react, the three of them had entered the room. "Sybil Crawley and I do hope that is still your name, what on earth do you think you're doing?" Mary asked her sister angrily.
"Mary! Matthew, Anna! What on earth are you doing here?" Sybil gasped. "We came to find you before something happened, and I assume nothing has." Mary said. "Why? Why couldn't you just let me go, you know that I love Tom, why are you trying to stop me? I never would have tried to stop you from marrying Matthew!" Sybil felt betrayed, and outraged.
"Sybil, calm down, you don't realize your sister is on your side." Matthew told his sister in law softly, and Sybil looked at him in confusion. "What? You- really?" Sybil stammered. "Of course I am dear. After all, we're sisters, and where you are, I ought to be! Remember when you said that to me dear? How do you think I feel to know you were going to run away and elope, without telling me, without letting me be at the wedding, how do you think papa will take it? I want you to be happy Sybil, I truly do, and I will support you in this, but if you do it like this, you will hurt too many people. Come home with us tonight, and then later, the two of us will find the best way to tell Papa. Please Sybil, come home tonight." Mary begged. Sybil's lip quivered as she fought tears. "She's right Lady Sybil, please you must believe her!" Anna insisted. "Tom, I'm going back with them tonight." Sybil said. An expression of pain and loss crossed his face, one that convinced the three observers that Tom was truly in love with Sybil.
"Is this our goodbye then?" He asked sadly. "No! It isn't Tom, I love you, and I will be your wife. We will live together in Ireland as we planned. But my sister is right. I must go about it in a better way. I owe my family that much. But I will be true to you Tom, I promise it." Sybil stood on her toes and kissed Tom on the lips, before rushing out of the room. "Sybil!" Mary called after her as she followed her, with Anna close behind. Tom sat on the edge of the bed his face void of emotion.
"She will marry you Tom; you know that, don't you? She isn't lying when she says she loves you." Matthew said. Tom nodded, but no words came out of his lips. "DO you know how long Mary has known Sybil loved you? Since before we were married. She mentioned it often. She always wondered how she would react if Sybil decided to be with you. She made a decision long ago, that she would promise support the two of you, and be a champion for the rest of the family. And my wife will always keep her word. Don't give up, I never did, and look where I am? I've got the love of my life and two beautiful children. Good night Tom." Matthew said as he closed the door behind him.
Tom stared at the wall for a moment, before crumpling on the bed, and weeping.
AN: Not my best work I know. Not nearly enough M&M Fluff either… I'll make up for that later of course :D Thank you to all of my regular readers, you're my favorites!