Timeline: Screw Disney. [Still in] Dublin: The Happiest Place On Earth.

Song: Towers - Bon Iver

Sybil had been to church but not once had she ever even seen a Catholic Church, much less sat through a mass of the same religion. She was almost as nervous about going to church as she was for seeing the people there, the Irish people, the girls mostly, with their simple frocks and bright smiles. This was also the first day she'd meet Tom's family and they, her. She had spent the past few days with his mother and sister Katherine, both of whom she was growing extremely fond of. They were kind and outspoken, a sharp contrast to the family she had left behind in Yorkshire. It was always one or the other, with Sybil being the exception to all of it.

Katherine was Tom's favorite sister and immediately Sybil knew why. She was reserved but never afraid to use wit when she felt it was necessary. Her and Sybil got along immediately, right after Katherine had her chance to make fun of Sybil for ever seeing something in her older brother. Sybil smiled, realizing her love for Tom was something that could never be explained. She had a million reasons for it, all of which he shared, but none that she would ever consider revealing to the rest of the world.

Tom's youngest brother, Patrick was the most fond of Sybil, something that Tom found rather amusing. It made Sybil uncomfortable; she was not yet used to receiving much attention from anyone but Tom. Growing up at Downton had protected her from the world, providing her a safety that could often be confused for immaturity.

Sybil was beautiful, Tom knew that from the day he had met her, and apparently so did his youngest brother. The day after Sybil arrived Patrick asked her if she wanted to go into town with him. Sybil politely neglected the offer, sending the seventeen year old into a blushing fit as he embarrassingly pushed the peas in his soup around with his spoon. Tom could only laugh, reminding himself how kind and desirable she was and how somehow through it all she had picked him.

On Friday she had met Mr. Branson. Though she was warned of his past and his involvement during the rising that led to his current job in Belfast, Sybil found herself enjoying the time they spent after dinner, drinking tea and discussing literature. He was brilliant, and he took to her right away. Tom enjoyed this all the same, always watching from the far sofa as his father and bride to be engaged in discussions on London, the upcoming elections, and Sybil's work during the war. She was happy to share, a fact Tom was sure of only because he knew how much she enjoyed impressing those she never needed to. It matter far more than the opinions of those who she was told would count.

Helen, despite her apprehension, was learning to love Sybil as well. She'd never admit it, but she enjoyed the way the young girl insisted on helping with meals and how Sybil had secretly asked the elder woman if she could teach her to make coffee and do laundry. Helen laughed, quickly agreeing when she saw how serious Sybil was. Helen could only smile, knowing the exact intention behind it as Sybil watched each morning to see how Tom took his coffee.

In Dublin, she was living for Tom, something that somehow allowed her to finally live for herself as well. Not once did she ever pretend to be a girl she was not. Sybil was a Lady, something Mrs. Branson had no trouble reminding the young girl of. Sybil would smile her way, feeling a fondness for a title she never felt she deserved. She was different. Not better, but different. And then suddenly she wasn't sure if she was talking about her family back home or the new family she had created in Dublin.

As they walked in to the church, Sybil took off her hat and gloves. The early summer morning was surprisingly warm but she thanked her attire all the same as she suddenly felt eyes pressed into her skin. Tom felt them too, resting his hand to the small of her back out of habit.

His family walked up ahead, leaving the two to stay back and take it all in. They did and then immediately regretted the fact. Never before had Sybil felt like more of an outsider. Her stomach was spinning and she thanked the strength in Tom's grip as she was ushered into the pew to sit. Tom genuflected, causing Sybil to stop and stare. The trend continued when he knelt next to his sister, leaving a confused Sybil sitting on the bench beside them.

She remained calm, looking around at the crosses on the wall and the large marble statues lining the alcoves. A faint light shone in through the glass windows above, illuminated the organ pipes on the ceiling above the altar. It was similar to the church in Downton, but on a much larger scale. Sybil heard her father's voice, stating so many things about the flashiness of the Catholic religion.

As she looked around, her eyes observing the chatter occurring between families and friends, she failed to notice Tom was sitting again. He grabbed for her hand, holding it in his lap. She smiled at him, loving how concerned he was. Sybil hoped her bright features were enough to convince him that she was comfortable.

"You okay, love?" His lips brushed against her earlobe sending a faint shiver down her spine.

"It's just different," she whispered, unaware of who was listening. Different was okay, she reminded herself. Different was good.

"They're staring at me. Not you," he confirmed. "I haven't been home since before the war. I'm sure they thought I had died," he offered.

It was supposed to comfort her but Sybil faltered, her face becoming pale. "Please don't say that."

Tom smiled, stroking her thumb with his own. "I love you," he whispered, kissing her nose.

A blush painted Sybil's cheeks as she closed her eyes to savor the moment. Not once had she ever seen anyone share such affection in her church back home. She was reminded that life was different here and she thanked God, wherever he was, for that.

"I love you," she whispered back.

Tom glanced over, the end of the pew now being filled with a group Sybil could only assume to be the rest of his family. They were loud, but in a way that was welcomed. The women stopped to say hello to other members of the congregation as the men led their children into the family's pew.

Sybil couldn't help but smile, loving how warm everything was. Tom waved at all of them, everyone's eyes lighting up as they saw him. Sybil wanted to wave as well but didn't quite know how. She smiled instead, a permanent fixture on her face since she had arrived in town. It was easier than explaining herself and allowing them time to listen to her English accent while they separately took in her posh clothing. She had tried to dress down since arriving, but with their limited budget she wasn't afforded the time or money to spend on clothes that would make her fit in. Her satin blouses and shined shoes would have to do for now.

After mass, after all of the gestures and Latin prayers she didn't understand but vowed to learn, Sybil finally met the rest of Tom's family. Elizabeth, his eldest sister, hugged her with so much enthusiasm, Sybil thought she would burst. Instead she glanced back at the blonde, listening as she told Sybil how much she was looking forward to meeting her. Sybil met Elizabeth's husband and then her children as well as Tom's brother Daniel, his wife, and their three kids. Kieran was absent from mass but Tom assured Sybil of his commitment to the Sunday breakfast that followed.

The brisk air welcomed them out onto the street as the entire Branson family filtered out of the church. Helen stopped to thank the priest for such a lovely homily while Sybil and Tom talked on about something only the two of them could understand. Katherine noticed though, especially taking note of the way girls that used to be so in love with Tom took Sybil in. Her brother and his soon to be wife were oblivious and she thanked their love for pulling curtains that allowed them to ignore the prying eyes around them.

Arriving back at home, the trend continued. The rest of the family fell into their same routine, only stopping to notice the way their brother was with this new girl. Elizabeth smiled as Tom helped Sybil out of her coat and hung it up for her. Even Daniel and Patrick made brotherly comments as Tom and Sybil shared a few kisses in the foyer while the rest of the family headed into the kitchen and they swore they were alone. They had never seen their brother like this, so completely encompassed by something that calmed him down and made him look at the world differently. She was a challenge to him, and they saw that in the way she wasn't afraid to question what their brother was saying but she did it so kindly and with an open mind.

Tom was right, the house was loud, but the love within it made it seem so much larger than Downton ever was. Breakfast was accompanied by the clanking of silverware on Mrs. Branson's china. Everyone talked amongst themselves, somehow finding a way to convene in between conversations on local talk and occupations. Sybil was invited into the conversation which prompted her to invite herself into many of the smaller talks that were occurring when they family failed to convene.

Tom breathed a sigh of relief, loving how he didn't have to babysit her. It wasn't something he'd dislike, just an annoyance he knew her to be better than. She was her own woman and she often carried a conversation better than he did. After all, Ladies were brought up to entertain society with small talk and opinions fed to them from a very early age. The thought comforted him in a way he was unaware of. All the fears he had of his family accepting her had dissipated as the bowls and platters on the table emptied and the glass cups were refilled with coffee and tea.

"Tom, have you begun looking for an apartment?"

"We're signing a lease tomorrow," Sybil explained. She was beaming, thinking back to the day at the Grantham Arms when they both settled on the same flat only to find out that it was still available for rent when they arrived in Dublin.

"And you start work when Tom?" Mr. Branson asked.

"Tomorrow as well."

Katherine sat forward. "Sybil, what will you do in the meantime?"

"I plan on looking for a job," she stated, matter of factly.

"With Tom's wages, is that necessary?" That was Elizabeth, her eyes concentrated on her son sitting on her lap, but her question, no matter how simple, shot a dagger toward her brother and this new girl. Sybil was beginning to see that perhaps Tom's views on the world weren't shared by the rest of his family, much less all of Dublin. He was everyone's favorite, and still the rebellious boy with the ever handsome smile she fell in love with.

"It's not about money, Elizabeth. She wants to work," Tom explained. Sybil placed a hand on his own, doing her best to calm him down. Everyone else noticed, but said nothing, their eyes instead trained on the tension hanging like a newly formed cloud over the table.

Elizabeth persisted, finally looking up as her son ran away to play with the other children in the den. "Have you worked before?"

"Elizabeth…" Tom began, suddenly wanting all the noise to cease. Or perhaps it was too quiet, and he wanted a different conversation to take over completely.

Sybil did not falter. She continued to smile and answer the girl's questions. She had expected this and was armed with polite responses as her hand continued to stroke Tom's. "I have. I was a nurse during the war."

"A wonderful nurse," Tom said with a smile before sipping at his beverage.

"Hospitals here are different. As long as you understand that," Daniel offered up. Tom shot him a look and then suddenly felt sorry for doing so. He knew what his brother was getting at and that it was merely a warning and not a criticism. Tom just wished he had the time to explain all of this to Sybil before she received the news as an attack from a family she had only just met.

"A hospital is a hospital. You separate yourself from all of it nonetheless." Now it was Tom's turn to stroke her hand, pushing at her thumb while it pushed back. She was answering a question the rest of them had heard differently. Sybil referred to the emotions she felt and her ability to step back and leave her feelings behind at Downton when Tom drove her to work each morning. Such feelings were only uncovered when she discussed her day with Tom on the same ride home. It was something that made her as free as sneaking out to the garage to see him. Her answer was not needed, but showing all the same. Goddamn her innocence, he thought with a small smirk to his lips.

"I suppose that's true," Mr. Branson piped in again.

Katherine was at the counter now, retrieving the kettle from the stove. "Ma, maybe you could talk to Aunt Anne about getting Sybil a job-"

Sybil sat up straight again. "Oh, no, that won't be necessary. I have no problem applying myself."

"Of course," Helen said sweetly.

Sybil smiled over at Tom. She made a note to inquire about his sisters' behavior after breakfast. Maybe when they took up their routine of doing dishes, a time that was also spent for Tom to teach Sybil some gaeilge phrases though he insisted his family rarely spoke it anymore.

The young lovers, elbow deep in suds, splashed water on each other causing Sybil's distinct laugh to echo throughout the small house. Tom was sure that once they had left the sitting area his family would begin discussing her, but as soon as they were alone all he could hear was the way she whispered things to him. Suddenly watching her lips move was all he could focus on.

Katherine came over and sat on the kitchen counter, something that soon received scolding from her mother as she continued to add dishes to the pile Tom and Sybil were attacking. "Yes, Katherine?" Tom inquired, glaring at his prying sister.

"I can't spend time here? This isn't your house anymore..."

"No, I suppose it's not."

"Plus, you guys want me on your side. Everyone else is just waiting for this to fall apart. Elizabeth says-"

Tom's shoulders dropped as he turned to face his sister. "Was that necessary?" His eyes looked to Sybil, her hands concentrating on the plates left in the sink. She didn't seem to be too concerned by his sister's words. Her power to deflect was growing the more she was here and he wanted to pull her in and kiss her cheek to remind her that he would never doubt them the way everyone else seemed to.

"I didn't say they wanted it to, Tom. I just said that's what everyone's waiting for. You two are too good to be true...what's the catch?"

Sybil finally looked up, if only to smile. "There is no catch."

"We've had more than enough time to figure all of this out," Tom added in agreement.

Katherine's legs were swaying off the counter reminding Tom of all of those nights spent in the garage with Sybil. "How did that work anyway? How does a Lady fraternize with the help?" He thought back, smelling the grease mixing with her perfume as she would slowly walk in and invite him into a conversation they had certainly already exhausted.

"It wasn't fraternizing, Katherine. Your brother is my best friend." Sybil was stern now, her eyes unable to focus on anything other than the silverware left in the sink. She was afraid that if she looked up Katherine's eyes would reveal things she was not yet ready to hear. Sybil scrubbed, dipping the fork she was currently washing into the warm water to rinse it off.

"And your parents were okay with you hanging out with your driver?"

"They didn't know..."

"Oh…" A pause allowing Katherine to make the necessary connections. "You two have been sneaking around for this long then?"

"Katherine, please..."

"I'm sorry. I'm just curious. I'm really rooting for you two," she said, jumping off the counter. "And Sybil, I don't think you're pregnant." Katherine headed back out to the sitting room, leaving Tom and Sybil to watch her go.

When she was gone, Sybil added more dishes to the water to soak and wiped her hands on the apron around her waist. "Why does everyone think I'm pregnant?" Her eyes were wide and her voice was incredulous causing Tom to laugh.

"Because they can't understand why someone as perfect as you would agree to leave your life and live with me. They want to make an honest woman out of you…"

Sybil stepped into him, wrapping her arms around his neck. Tom settled his hands on her hips, loving the lack of distance between them since they left Downton. They couldn't seem to keep their hands off of one another lately. "I love you, Tom. I love you, I love you, I-" He cut her off with a kiss then one more. She deepened it, not caring if her hands were wet as she fisted the back of his vest. He moaned into her mouth, needing her much closer.

"That, is why everyone thinks you're pregnant," Katherine whispered, dropping the last pile of dishes onto the counter to be washed. Tom and Sybil stepped apart, blank stares on their faces to replace the explanation they should have prepared. When she was gone again, Sybil dropped her head onto Tom's shoulder, laughing into the abrasive material of his shirt.

When the dishes were done, all placed haphazardly on a towel on the counter to dry, Sybil and Tom stole away to the guest room to read the paper. While in Liverpool, they found that they enjoyed this pastime, especially because it allowed Sybil to rest against Tom, pretending to read the periodicals as she listened to his heart beat beneath her.

A knock on the door warned them, but both in a Sunday stupor were too complacent to part. "Ya?" Tom called out, being greeted by nearly all of his siblings at the door who didn't seem to need an invitation to enter the room. Sybil smiled, finally being urged to sit up as the eyes of her in laws were cast deep upon her.

"We're all heading out..."

"Sybil, come into the village tomorrow and we can discuss wedding plans," Elizabeth invited, causing Katherine to beam in agreement.

"Oh, right. Of course," she finished. She was unsure of Elizabeth, a girl who was often both ebullient and doubting.

"It's good to have you home, Tom."

"Slán."

"Slán go fóill," they all murmured, leaving the room just as quickly as they had entered it.

Sybil curled into Tom again, not caring that the door was still open. "Say it again," Sybil teased.

He kissed her. "I am never saying goodbye to you."

"Not even if I beg? Please?" she said, complying to her threat.

"Not even then." He kissed the tip of her nose, then her lips, settling into something he most likely should not have enticed with the rest of the world invited in. They both thought nothing of it, Sybil crawling up toward him as he pulled for her, hiking her one leg up and over his own. She purred, her body feeling electric as he touched her like this, so gently and so sure. The two remained like this for quite some time until Helen walked by, managing to avert her gaze just long enough to let her son and his fiance know that she had seen more than enough.

Sybil giggled and then settled back into Tom. The two of them had the uncanny ability to go from being lovers to friends and then back to a place at rest where they found themselves somewhere in between.

Sybil sat up, straightening out her blouse. She was looking in the mirror that rested on the top of the small dresser parallel to the bed. "I liked church today."

Tom sat up with her, suddenly feeling an urge to put the paper down. "Did you really?" His eyes were searching hers now, looking for any sign of doubt that went unnoticed in her voice.

No longer enjoying the playful way her back was turned to him, she shifted her body so that one leg was up on the bed while the other draped down toward the ground. Sybil thanked Dublin and the skirt she wore for allowing her to finally be so casual with Tom. "I did. I want to go again."

"We go every Sunday," he said, returning his eyes back to the black ink on the starched paper he held in his hands. There was a hint of humor in his voice that Sybil brushed off as she continued.

"I want our children to be Catholic, Tom."

The newspaper was dropped again, this time closed completely and set on the bedside table as Tom sat forward and reached for her. "Sybil, it's too early for-"

She crawled over to him again, sitting in a way that only she could, her legs crossed over one another, she a little girl and he the man she loved. "No, I do. You're my life now. You're Catholic and today I saw how much your religion means to you and I couldn't help but to think back to Downton where we just went to go. It didn't mean anything," she added for reassurance. The words were as comforting to her as they were to him.

Tom stroked at her cheek, pulling her face into his so he could kiss her forehead. "I'm a lucky lad, you know that?"

Sybil blushed, looking down toward the quilt they both sat on. "Not as lucky as I am. Your family doesn't hate me. I am overjoyed." The last bit made her look up, her eyes catching on his in the process. His gaze burned through her, making her wonder if he had caught the way her words existed to convince both of them of things left unstated.

"I told you they'd like you."

Sybil nestled into him again. Tom was holding her now, loving how she fit perfectly against him. "My accent sticks out like a sore thumb. And they don't seem to like that I want to work which is-"

Now it was Tom's turn to look down. He didn't know why but he was suddenly ashamed of his family for reacting the way they had. He was thankful though, that she had questioned it in a way that only Sybil could. She was naive to everything but the fact that there were things in this world she was unfamiliar with. "They love that you want to work. I think you won over them with that one. They're just worried."

Sybil looked up, her lips just inched away from Tom's. "Worried about what?"

"You're English, Syb."

"I am?" She feigned shock causing Tom to drop his head back and laugh.

"It's hard enough getting a job around here. It's not going to be easy for you."

"We'll make it," she whispered in determination.

Tom kissed her, finally giving her the one thing he knew would reassure her. "Of course we will. Please don't tell me you're doubting it now."

"Never," she spoke all too quickly and with much more volume than either of them had expected. "I just like to say it. So you know I trust you and I believe in us and there isn't anywhere I'd rather be."

A silence settled over them, filled with heavy sighs and stolen kisses. "I'm going to invite my parents and Edith and Mary to the wedding. I don't know if they'll come. They've never been to a wedding outside of our church. Or London, for that matter…"

"Will you be upset if they don't show?" Tom studied her, waiting for her response. He hated himself for asking already knowing he'd be heartbroken by the answer when he finally heard it hit the air.

"Of course I will. But I'll get over it. They don't matter anymore. I have everything I need right here."

She sounded so sure but Tom doubted her because he knew better and he felt the way she sighed against his shoulder. She was comfortable here and he knew she loved him but that didn't mean she didn't miss home or the life and people she had left behind. "Sybil, it's okay to be hurt by it."

"I know," she spoke softly, holding back a tear.

Tom kissed the corner of her mouth. "You're not betraying me if you say it. I'd be mad too. Hell, I am mad."

She looked up to him again, hating that she had to separate from him to do so. "You're mad? You care what they think?"

Tom shook his head with a small laugh. "I don't care what they think but I absolutely care how you feel. I don't like seeing you hurt. And I hate that it's your own family doing the hurting."

"Tom-"

"Yeah?"

"You're my family...I'm going to miss you when you move out," she said, referring to the lease they were going to sign tomorrow. She wondered if he was thinking about it as much as she had. In church, her mind wandered, hoping for a large bed and a clean kitchen, and fresh linens hung in the bathroom. She wondered if it would have an expansive window in the living room and if they'd have enough room for a table to seat more than just the two of them for when company came. She imagined it would be filled with love and that her and Tom would spend Sundays after mass curled up on the couch exploring one another. She blushed at the thought, an excitement creeping into her cheeks and then down to her toes.

"But then my Mam can't catch us on the couch each morning," Tom pointed off, causing Sybil to laugh as it was confirmed that his mind was not too far from where hers floated. She had felt bad about their behavior, but only long enough to stifle a laugh into her nightgown each morning.

She had waited nearly six years to be with him and now that she was, she couldn't bear to be pulled away. Leaving her own bed to join him on the couch was a routine now, with him no longer fighting her on the matter. Her body provided him with warmth, among other things, things his mother would be none too pleased to hear about come morning.

"Exactly," Sybil smirked, pressing her lips to his collarbone.

"Tease."

"You love me."

"I do," he said as if it were the most natural thing in the world. Lately, it was and he wondered why the words hadn't fallen off his lips earlier in their friendship.

"And it's only a month." Sybil was reminding herself just as much as she was reminding Tom. She was already counting down the days in her mind toward a goal she had set when Tom's sisters first suggested they begin wedding planning.

"A month?"

"That will be enough time to write my parents and invite them, don't you think?"

"I think so...a month then?"

"Do you think the church will have an opening?"

"The church? My church?"

Sybil kissed him on the mouth. Her boldness caused Tom to growl, pulling her toward him so that she could straddle his lap. "Our church. I told you, I want to do this," she beamed, pressing her palms to his chest.

"You're terrific." It was all he could manage and he prayed that his mother wouldn't walk by as they shared this intimate moment together. Beginning to work at such a young age, Tom had little time for romance and he knew that with Sybil's season occurring at the outset of the war that no gentlemen had come calling for her. He was thankful for both now, and the way her body fit perfectly against his as they spoke in a language only they understood. They were the teenagers he had imagined they would be if the world turned more slowly and was much less disapproving.

Not much to say. I was just in a mood to post, I guess. Let me know what you think, please and thank you!

x. Elle