Authors note: AU where Matthew lives and Tom dies. Constructive reviews are always welcome!
Sybbie was lying on the hospital bed, her body covered in cuts and bruises. She was completely and utterly numb, this was all her fault! She couldn't believe that she had been so stupid and naive! Why had she gone to that stupid political meeting, her beloved papa would never have been in the car if she hadn't have gone and neither would she. Now here she was with cuts and bruises all over her face and body and her papa was probably lying in a room somewhere just as bad or worse off! It had started out like any other day, oh how she wished that she could turn back time.
Sybbie had gotten up very early in the morning, excitement filling her small body. Today was the day! Her friends had planned for them all to go to a meeting about giving women more rights, things had advanced since her mother had went to her first meeting but it wasn't nearly enough for Sybbie's liking. Now her mother was dead and Sybbie felt it was her duty to continue on her mama's work, women deserved more rights than what they got and if she could help in anyway then that's what she'd do! She had snuck out of the house quietly, not disturbing her Aunt, Uncle or cousin and rushed to the village where she was meeting her friends Joan, Claudia and Winnie.
They had found each other quite quickly, giggling away and talking in shushed tones about how excited they were to do their bit, to be apart of something bigger than themselves. She felt like her mama would be proud of her, she hoped anyway. This all made her feel a lot closer to her anyhow. They had walked into the hall where the meeting was being held, taking a seat at the back of the room. It was packed, they could feel the energy of everyone there and it felt fantastic! They had watched as a young woman probably around the age of 22 stepped up, their eyes drawn to her.
"It's only been 4 years since women have had the right to vote on the same terms as men! But still, we are not paid nearly as much as they are, we have to resign from our jobs if we get married and if we don't get married then we may as well have no life at all!" She had yelled, encouraging the participants to yell in agreement, they were all so fed up of the power men had over them in society and it showed. One by one, different women came up to share their stories, the four girls watched and listened in awe! Some of these women had been through hell and back and they felt like they had made the right decision to be there.
The meeting had lasted for around 2 hours, Sybbie had felt absolutely elated as she walked outside into the village hall car park and chatting excitedly to her friends until she saw her papa standing there, his hands on his hips and his face red with fury. She knew she was in trouble, especially when he grabbed her hand and pulled her to the car.
"Sybil Mary Cora Branson, what were you thinking? Get into the car!" He hissed, his Irish brogue coming out in full force as Sybbie got into the car. She rolled her eyes, he was always so dramatic. It was only a small meeting for heavensake, it wasn't like she had murdered someone. Well, she may as well have done with the way he'd reacted. He started the car, angrily driving away as he glanced at his daughter.
"What were you thinking running off like that without telling anyone where you were going! It's dangerous! It was only by chance that I heard Anna talking about a meeting going on today... you could've been hurt potentially! Some of these people are just spoiling for a fight, I am very disappointed in you," Tom had been so angry that his little girl had run off without his permission. She was exactly like her mother, she was stubborn and hot headed but on the other hand, beautiful and kind. He already had grey hairs showing and he knew it was down to that little girl of his.
"Well mama got to go to these meetings! I have my own opinions on the subject, I wanted to go. I'm old enough to! I'm sure mama would've been proud!" She hissed, crossing her arms and staring out the window. Tom rubbed his hair in his distress, wanting to report that Sybil had been 22 when she went to her first meeting and not 12, and how dare she argue with him when he was concerned for her safety.
"Your mother wasn't allowed to go to those meetings actually! Your grandfather went absolutely mental when he found out about her going, your uncle Matthew actually had to rescue her from one when she got pushed down and hit her head! It's only because I love you that I'm getting so cross, I don't want to lose you!" Tom said not paying much attention to the road as he was driving, instead he looked at his daughter.
"Yes, well I hate you! You've embarrassed me in front of my friends! It's 1932 papa, times are changing!" She hissed, her eyes suddenly going wide as she spotted the other vehicle coming towards him at speed, she let out a scream.
"Papa!" She yelled as Tom leaned forward, shielding her body with his, the sickening sound of crunching metal could be heard before she passed out, thinking of the last words she had said to her papa.
Sybbie came out of her memory, angry tears sliding down her cheeks. She couldn't believe that she had told her papa that she hated him. She'd never meant a word of what she said to him, if that was the last thing she said to him then she'd never forgive herself, ever. She heard the door open to her hospital room and saw her Aunt Mary and Uncle Matthew rush in, their faces pale with worry. She winced as she sat up, her body hurt so badly she felt like she couldn't breathe from panic. Her face crumbled when she saw her Aunt Mary.
"Aunt Mary," She slowly reached for her bursting into tears pitifully. Mary sat on her bed, gently pulling the young girl into her arms and hugging her close. Sybbie buried her face into her Aunt's chest, her body convulsing with sobs as her aunt stroked her hair. Sybbie still had no idea about her papa, she hoped he was ok. She'd never felt so guilty in her life, all this because she'd been so selfish.
"Oh darling... I'm here, so is your Uncle Matthew. We are right here, sweetheart" she soothed, gently moving herself so that she was fully on the bed with her niece. She was only 12, still a baby really and already she had been through so much. Sybbie whimpered in pain and clung to her Aunt, she felt sick. Where was her papa? She wanted her papa. She needed to apologise to him for everything she had said.
"Aunt Mary... Uncle Matthew, where's papa? I need to see him," She hiccuped pitifully and Mary looked at Matthew, her heart breaking as she realised that they would have to be the one's to tell her. To tell her the devastating news that her papa was never coming back. Matthew sat down on the chair beside her bed, ready to react in a moments notice if he needed to. Mary took a deep breath, gently stroking the little girls hair.
"Sybbie sweetheart, the doctors did everything they could. But, your papa had so many serious injuries to his body and his brain... I'm so sorry my love..." She was interrupted by a loud scream, Sybbie jolting away from her so violently that she fell off the bed. She would've landed on the floor, but Matthew was there to catch her. He held her close as she fought, half heartedly kicking and punching out.
"Don't say it Aunt Mary! Please, don't say it!" she felt sick, as her body convulsed with sobs. Matthew shushed the little girl, holding her tight until she slumped against him. He couldn't be gone, not her papa! What had she done... this was all her fault! Mary rubbed her back, tears fell from her eyes, she hated that she had to be burdened with such a huge loss. Both of her parents gone and she was only 12, so young to be going through this.
"I am so sorry my darling, but they couldn't save your papa. They tried so hard, but he's gone my love." Mary kept rubbing soothing circles on her back whilst the little girl screamed, crying for her papa to come back. Matthew stroked the little girl's hair, her cries pulled on his heartstrings. He couldn't believe that Tom was gone, not like that... not so violently.
"I don't want to be here... I want to go home, where's papa! I need to see him... please!" Sybbie sobbed, allowing Mary to pick her up in her arms. She hadn't been told she could go home yet but Mary didn't care. Their little niece needed to be at home, with her family. Not stuck in some cold hospital where her father's body was a few feet down the corridor. She held Sybbie's head into her shoulder, speed walking out of the hospital entrance and away from prying eyes. Her heart broke when she heard Sybbie's muffled voice.
"I never got to say goodbye..." her arms tightened around Mary's neck and all she could do was whisper sweet nothings in her ear. Telling her that everything would be ok, that she wasn't alone and how much she was loved, that she had her family and they would look after her. It seemed to calm the young girl somewhat, she allowed Mary to put her into Matthew's car and sit beside her. Matthew got into the front and began to drive, every now and then keeping an eye on his wife and niece. The poor girl was staring into space, her breath hitching.. she just wished that she was with her papa.
It had been several hours since they'd gotten back to Downton. Sybbie had run off to her room and slammed the door shut, Mary had been about to follow her when she felt her husband's gentle hand on her arm, gently keeping her back from going after the young girl.
"Mary darling, we need to leave her be. She's gone through such a shock, we just need to let her process it now" Matthew had soothed her, hugging her tight while she teared up. Tom was like a brother to her she would miss him terribly, she would miss his quirks, his advice on the big bad world and his jokes. He had come into their life and turned it upside down in such a good way. She sobbed on Matthew's chest, allowing him to comfort her and kiss away the pain.
"I know darling, I miss him too!" He croaked, tightening his arms around her. What a mess, how had things gone so badly wrong in the space of 8 or 9 hours. They had lost a brother and friend, George had lost his uncle, Sybbie had lost her papa and Robert and Cora had lost their son in law. Matthew frowned slightly.
"We need to get a hold of your mama and papa," he whispered softly, pulling Mary out of a daze. Of course! They wouldn't know yet, having decided to visit Cora's mother and brother in New York last week. They knew they couldn't ring, it was far too expensive even for them. Mary pulled away from her husband, making her way to the library and pulling out sheets of paper and a pen. God, she was dreading this. She didn't know where to start! She put the pen to paper and began to write.
Dearest mama and papa,
I hope you are both well and that grandmama and uncle Harold are doing well too. Something bad has happened, earlier today Tom and Sybbie got into a car accident. Sybbie is fine physically, a few cuts and a lot of bruises but she will make a full recovery. As for Tom... I am so sorry mama and papa but he didn't make it! We really need you to come home, as soon as you can. I know this will come as a shock to you, it did to all of us too when the hospital rang. I look forward to seeing you both soon,
Your affectionate daughter, Mary
Her tears seeped through the paper as she folded it up and put it in the envelope. She'd kept the letter short and to the point, scared if she put too much thought in that she'd fall apart more. She got up and paced slightly, trying to calm herself down. She was a wreck, this reminded her of how valuable and precious life really was.
"Where's George?" She whispered, turning to Matthew and hiccuping slightly. He wiped her tears away and held her hand, rubbing small circles on the back of it.
"He's at John's... remember he was meant to be staying." Matthew said gently, soothing her fraying nerves. She needed her boy home now where he was safe from anything bad happening. Their little niece was home, now she just needed her little boy back. He couldn't find out about his uncle's death from anyone else, she grabbed her coat. Matthew trailing behind her, getting Carson to fetch the car so Mary could go and get their son. Someone needed to be here with Sybbie, they couldn't both go.
In a few minutes, the chauffeur had bought the car round. He got out and opened the door so Mary could get in, Matthew helped her in and pecked her cheek, telling her to have a safe journey and that he loved her. He stayed out there until he could no longer see the car, the cold air chilling his body and he went inside. This was a mess, one big mess that he wished never happened. 'Oh Tom I miss you already' he thought.
A couple hours had gone by and Sybbie was getting worse and worse, the anger she felt was getting increasingly more volatile. She grabbed the antique vase off of her bedside table and threw it at the wall, causing it to smash into tiny pieces. She sunk down onto her knees in the broken china, sobbing pitifully for her father. She felt like she'd been there for hours, until she heard the door creak open and a heavy set of footsteps.
"Papa?" She looked up hopefully, just for a moment she forgot. Her heart broke all over again, kind of like the broken china she was now kneeling in. Matthew's breath caught in his throat, the poor little girl. He saw the broken china and reached for her, picking her up in his strong arms. Sybbie fought it at first, kicking and screaming. She didn't want him, she wanted her papa and it was all her fault that he wasn't here. Matthew held her with ease, gently bouncing her in his arms, he needed to get her out of here. Away from all the broken china, away from everything that could hurt her in this room. He didn't trust her to be on her own at the moment.
"I know my darling, I know how much this hurts. Come on, let's get you out of here" He soothed, gaining in confidence when she wrapped her arms around his neck and hugged him tight, allowing him to comfort her as they walked down the corridor towards his and Mary's bedroom. He gently put her on the bed, turning to ring through to downstairs.
"Carson, could you send up two cups of hot chocolate please? Also, some biscuits please" he said kindly, realising the poor girl hadn't eaten anything since this morning. He took a seat next to the little girl, wrapping an arm around her and cuddling her tight. He looked down apologetically when he heard her wince, he'd forgotten about her injuries.
"Sorry darling," he apologised and kissed her forehead. His smile grew as she snuggled into his chest, he looked up and nodded his thanks seeing one of the maids bring in their tray of cocoa and biscuits.
"Where's Aunt Mary?" She hiccuped, reaching for a cup of cocoa when Matthew gently prodded her to. Matthew took the other cup, drinking a small gulp and kept her in his arms. His fatherly instincts growing as she hiccuped against his chest, he wished that he could spare her from this pain, she didn't deserve this. She was so young to have lost both of them.
"She's gone to pick George up from John's darling, she'll be back soon!" He said kindly, picking her up into his lap when she burst into tears. He stroked her hair and let her cry, only making out some of what she was saying to him.
"Want... I just... I want Aunt Mary!" She said pitifully, clinging onto his shirt. He rocked her in his arms and kissed her cheek, whispering sweet nothings in her ear. He could feel her slump against him, the soft snores telling him that she was asleep. He laid her down next to him, keeping her in his arms. He wanted Mary to get home, their little one needed her.
Mary came in not too long later, holding onto her distraught son. He had been in tears when he found out the news about his beloved uncle, completely in shock as they all had been. It didn't seem real, it felt like a cruel joke. George looked up at her, his eyes bloodshot and teary.
"Mother, can I sleep in with you and father tonight?" He blushed at how childish he sounded, Mary nodded wordlessly. They didn't need words, all the love that she had for him came out in her gestures and glances. She opened the door, leading George in. She smiled at the sight of her husband, cradling her sleeping niece in his arms. He was so good with her and George too, she was so lucky to have a man as kind as him. George just jumped straight into the bed next to Sybbie, Mary went into the bathroom, got changed into her most comfortable pair of pyjamas and then joined them in the bed.
Mary and Matthew wrapped the two children up in their arms, keeping them safe and sound for tonight. They had no idea of the heartache that they would face tomorrow morning, they didn't think anything could be worse than what they were facing right now.