Chapter Five

May 1929

Lucy had been right. The baby was a boy. Samuel Conor Branson had been born a few hours prior and was now sleeping in his mother's arms. Lucy stared down at her sleeping son in awe of how perfect he was– and how tiny. He would need his mum and dad for everything, and she was proud and grateful that Tom knew how to be just what their little boy needed. He was everything for everybody, and that's what would make him a great father. He would always be there when Samuel needed him.

Samuel had been loved from the moment Lucy even suspected she was pregnant, and he was loved even more abundantly now. As Lucy stared down at her baby, she knew the name they had chosen for him was perfect. She had fallen in love with the name while she was pregnant, and it just seemed so fitting for him now that she could see his face. He had wispy blonde hair that she could already tell was going to get a bit darker and be more like his daddy's in color as he grew. He also had Tom's smile and her nose. He was perfect. And the Irish name Tom had chosen for his middle name went perfectly with the first name she had picked. He had the best of both worlds, and Lucy couldn't be more happy for him. He was going to be so loved.

"I'm so proud of you," Tom whispered, bringing her out of her trance to look at her husband as he walked over and sat gently down beside her on the bed. He had stayed beside her through the labor, despite it being extremely difficult for him, because he did not want to be separated from her should anything go wrong. Luckily, all went smoothly and Lucy was the epitome of strength despite the pain.

"I couldn't have done it without you here with me, staying beside me and loving me and praying for me," Lucy said sincerely before giving his lips a soft peck out of gratitude.

She knew it was hard for him, but she was glad it was important to him to be there. Now that all was over, and the doctor had given them both a clean bill of health, she was ready to bask in the glory of their son with her husband and to introduce their little one to his older sister. "Let's let Sybbie meet him now," she said softly, returning her gaze to the newborn and grazing her thumb over his hand which was poking out of the blankets.

Tom made a noise of agreement and kissed his wife's temple before getting up to go fetch his daughter. When he reached Sybbie's room, he gave a small knock before propping the door open and poking his head in. The girl had already gotten into her pajamas and was lounging on her bed reading a book despite it being only 6 o'clock in the evening.

"I see you decided to be cozy," Tom commented as he took a step into his daughter's room. Sybbie nodded with contentment as she looked up at her dad and set her book down on her nightstand. "I have some news for you," he said softly, taking a seat at the foot of her bed.

"Do I have a brother or a sister?" Sybbie asked, already aware that Lucy had given birth because her governess had told her Lucy was in labor before she had left for the day.

Tom chuckled softly at his daughter's question before answering, "a brother."

"And Lucy is okay?" she asked. After having some conversations about how her mother had passed, Sybbie understood a little bit about how giving birth could be dangerous at times and she wanted to make sure her stepmother was alright. Tom was proud of his daughter's thoughtfulness, and he smiled. Seeing the soft smile on her father's face answered her question for her before he even spoke a word.

"She's just fine," Tom answered, "a little sore and tired, but perfectly healthy and so is your brother."

"I'm glad they're both okay," Sybbie said. "What is his name?"

"Samuel Conor Branson," Tom answered proudly. "You can meet him if you'd like. Lucy wants you to."

Sybbie nodded excitedly and uncovered herself from the duvet. Placing her feet in her slippers as she spoke, she said "Let's go, daddy."

Chuckling at his daughter's eagerness, Tom quickly stood and took her hand as they walked down the hall. "Someone wants to say hello," Tom said softly as he entered the room where Lucy and the baby were.

Lucy looked up and grinned widely at her stepdaughter. "Sybbie, darling, come meet your brother," she whispered happily. The young girl went over and got in bed beside her, quickly moving her head to peer into her baby brother's face.

"He's sleeping," Sybbie noted, "He looks so peaceful."

"He's glad to meet his family, I think," Lucy said, reasoning her son's contentment. "Would you like to hold him?"

"Yes please," Sybbie said politely, sitting back and placing her arms in a position to cradle the baby like she had done for her younger cousins and Johnny when they were babies. Lucy gently transferred the baby into her arms and placed a soft kiss to hair. "Sybil Catherine Branson meet Samuel Conor Branson," she whispered, looking on with pride as she watched the young girl have her first interaction with her baby brother. Tom and Lucy were both teary-eyed as they watched Sybbie whisper and coo at the baby in her arms and promise to love and protect him always. She was always so sweet and thoughtful, and they knew she would be an incredible big sister.

After Sybbie had had some time with her brother, he started to fuss a little, so she gave him back to Lucy who settled him as she motioned for Tom to join them on the bed. He sat on the other side of his daughter and pressed a kiss to her cheek. "What do you think?" he asked her.

"I love him so much," Sybbie answered happily. "I love our family."

"I do too," he said sincerely, pressing another kiss to the top of his daughter's head, silently vowing to cherish her and her brother with all his might for as long as he should live. "Now, shall we have some dinner in bed as a family?"

Sybbie nodded eagerly. "Yes please, I'm hungry."

"Lucy has proposed breakfast for dinner. Is that alright with you, darlin?"

"Yesss," Sybbie said excitedly, making her parents chuckle.

"Well, I guess that settles that," Lucy said, reaching over to pull the chord for the bell. "Let's get Samuel fed and ourselves fed and then maybe we can have some more snuggles with him."

"Okay," Sybbie agreed, cuddling gently into Lucy's side as her stepmom wrapped her free arm around her to hold her close. She was glad the young girl had taken so well to their growing family, and she couldn't have asked for a better family. This family was where they were loved beyond all measure, and it was exactly the place where they all belonged.