AN: There will be severe Tom bashing in this fic.
"Congratulations Lord Grantham and Lady Grantham! You have a beautiful granddaughter!" Sir Phillip Tapsell beamed, sending a look of 'I told you so' to Dr Clarkson. Dr Clarkson sat there and fumed silently, he knew that something wasn't right and no one was listening to him; he just had to hope for all of their sakes that he was wrong. If he wasn't, then it would be too damn late to prevent what was going to happen to the youngest Crawley girl, if she did indeed have what Dr Clarkson thought she had.
"Oh just look at her Sybil, darling! She's beautiful!" Cora cooed, taking the small bundle from Phillip Tapsell. She looked intently at the tiny baby, she had Tom's eyes and Sybil's mouth and she had the most amazing jet black hair, just like Sybil had when she was a baby. Cora bent down to show her the small bundle, trying to get her to take the baby and bond with her.
"Not now mama, I feel tired and I've got a headache. Take her to Tom and Mary" Sybil whispered sleepily, her forehead dripping with sweat. Cora was beginning to feel a little uneasy, something didn't feel quite right. But, Phillip Tapsell was the best and he had told everyone that she was fine right? So, she pushed down her worries and took the small bundle to the awaiting members of the family. Tom jumped up immediately, eager to see his new child.
"You have a daughter, Tom!" Cora whispered, placing the little bundle in his arms. Tom gasped as he looked down at the child, she was so tiny and perfect. He couldn't believe that they'd both made something as perfect as this. He kissed the little ones forehead and nuzzled her tiny nose with his own.
"Hello, my darling. I'm your daddy!" He cooed softly, gently walking around with her. Mary's eyes filled with tears, she had a niece! George had a little cousin to play with, she was so happy in this moment. After a few minutes, Tom approached her and handed the tiny baby to her.
"I thought the little one might like a cuddle with her Aunt Mary! I need to go to Sybil now!" He grinned, elated at the thought of his little family. Mary gently held her new niece, gently bouncing her and kissing her tiny forehead. She looked up at Tom, smiling affectionately at her brother in law.
"Can I take her with me to the nursery so she can meet Matthew and George?" Mary said quietly, not wanting to disturb the little one in her arms to much. Tom nodded affectionately and ran into the next room to be with his beloved Sybil. Mary made quick strides towards the nursery, cradling her niece so delicately and lovingly. She pushed open the door and fell in love all over again with her husband. Matthew had George on his knee, about to read him a story. George was only a year and a half old and already he loved being read to, his speech was already coming a long nicely as well. Matthew's head shot up and he smiled as Mary made her way over to him.
"We've got a niece Matthew darling! George, look my little darling. This is your cousin!" Mary bent down so she was level with her little boy. George looked at the little baby and giggled, gently poking her with his finger. Mary's eyes filled with tears, her son was being so good with his new cousin. George held his tiny arms out, seeing his mama holding the baby made him want too as well.
"Mama I hold it please!" George continued stretching his tiny hands out and Mary gently helped him hold his new cousin. George leaned forward and pressed a tiny kiss onto the baby's forehead. He giggled as the tiny baby wriggled a little.
"Hi baby!" George babbled incessantly, talking to his new cousin. Mary giggled, she could already tell that the two would become very good friends. After a few minutes of George holding his cousin, Mary gently took the newborn into her arms.
"I think it's papa's turn to hold the baby, Georgie! What do you think?" Mary spoke enthusiastically as the little boy nodded his head with a giggle. Mary walked towards her husband and gently placed the newborn into his arms. Matthew fell in love with the little girl from the moment she was placed in his arms, he cradled her protectively and kissed her tiny forehead.
"Hello my darling, I'm your Uncle Matthew. Your Aunt Mary and I as well as your big cousin, George are very pleased to meet you!" He cooed, gently putting his finger in her little hand, smiling wildly when the newborn gripped onto his finger. He sat down on the big rocking chair, making room so that Mary could sit down too. George grabbed hold of the book and took it towards his parents, Mary scooped him up into her lap.
"Would you like me to read to you Georgie?" Mary whispered, kissing his cheek when the little boy snuggled in his mother's arms. George nodded firmly and Mary began to read, not just to George but also to the newborn tucked up in her husband's embrace. She was so happy in this moment, getting to spend some time with George and Matthew also with her little niece. She had no idea of the nightmare that was soon to unfold.
Around an hour or so later, Mary and Matthew had put both George and their niece to bed. The new nanny that had been hired, Nanny West was now in the nursery and keeping an eye on the two children. Matthew and Mary both left the nursery, a huge smile on their face and walked towards the room where Sybil would be. They entered the room and joined Tom and now Edith who must've just got back from London. Mary approached Sybil and gently held her hand, something didn't feel right. She was drowsy and almost seemed delirious. She didn't think this was normal, she'd never been like this after she gave birth to George. Then came the loud scream and the thrashing.
"Edith! Edith get mama and papa!" Mary screamed, watching in horror as Sybil kept smacking her head and screaming in pain. Tom clung to his wife's hand, a look of panic on his face. Edith came back quickly with both Cora and Robert who were in a state as well.
"What's wrong with her? Sir Phillip what is wrong with her?" Robert said in a panic, Phillip had gone very quiet and that was when Dr Clarkson stepped forward, a look of regret on his face.
"It's preeclampsia..." Dr Clarkson whispered, and they all stared at each other in horror. They hadn't listened to their doctor who had tried his hardest to tell them that something was wrong with Sybil.
"Do something!" Tom cried out, clinging onto Sybil's hand as she screamed and clutched her head with her other hand. Dr Clarkson approached Cora, Robert, Mary, Edith and Matthew. A look of regret marred his face, he didn't know how he was going to tell them. If only they had listened.
"There's nothing we can do for Lady Sybil now. I'm very sorry but it's too late!" Dr Clarkson said with regret, watching as they all fell apart. They hadn't listened and now the youngest Crawley girl was going to pay the price. All they could do was watch in horror as Sybil began to have a seizure. Mary let out an agonising scream and Matthew wrapped her in his arms, protecting her from the sight before her.
"Do something!!" Tom screamed again as Dr Clarkson approached the bed, taking her pulse and shaking his head. No, not like this! She couldn't be gone. Dr Clarkson turned to the family and shook his head again.
"I'm so sorry... Lady Sybil has passed away," he said sadly and Tom buried his head in his hands and wept angrily, angry that his wife was dead and angry that they hadn't listened to Dr Clarkson. Mary sobbed in Matthew's arms, not her baby sister.
"How can this be? She's only 24 years old!" Robert looked at his youngest child, now pale and cold on the bed. No one answered him, all too shocked to say anything and that's when they heard it. The little baby crying, screaming would be a more accurate description. Mary pulled away from Matthew slightly and dried her tears. Tom sat up angrily, his eyes were completely different; cold, unfeeling and callous. It was almost like a switch had been flipped.
"Someone go and deal with her!" He snarled and turned away, devoting all his attention to Sybil. Mary gasped slightly, this wasn't the same Tom that she saw only a few hours ago. She stood up and went to the nursery, Matthew quickly following on behind her. She opened the door to the nursery both children now awake, her little niece screaming. It was almost as if she knew. Mary reached straight for the little girl, picking her up and cradling her in her arms.
"It's alright my darling, Aunt Mary's here. It's alright my love, you're already so loved!" She cooed, walking over towards Matthew who had scooped George up for a cuddle. She kept the little girl close to her chest, gently rocking and soothing her.
"I'm going to take her to Tom, I'll only be a moment!" She pecked Matthew's lips and made her way to Sybil and Tom's bedroom. Tom sat on the bed, angrily wiping away tears. He looked up at both Mary and the baby, a look of anger and disgust on his face. Mary couldn't believe it! This was so different to how he was only a few hours ago.
"I don't want to see her, so don't even bother bringing her to me!" Tom turned away and Mary felt extremely protective of that little girl in her arms. Whilst she understood he was grieving, she couldn't believe how callous he was being towards the baby.
"Aren't you even going to name her?" Mary enquired, watching as Tom turned to her a look of indifference on his face. He felt as if all the light and joy had left him and whilst he knew it was irrational, he put all the blame on that baby. If she'd never been born then his wife would still be here.
"I'll call her Sybbie. Sybbie Mary Cora Branson," he turned away from them and Mary's eyes filled with tears as she made her way out towards the nursery again. She entered the room and Matthew glanced up, a look of confusion on his face. Mary handed him the little girl, who he cradled in one arm and his son in the other.
"Take them both to our room darling, I'm going to get Anna to sort a cot out for the both of them. I'd feel better if they were in our room tonight! Tom's not doing so well, I'll explain it later. By the way, her name is Sybbie!"Mary said softly, watching as Matthew smiled sadly and pressed a kiss to both children and headed to their bedroom. Now all she needed to do was to find Anna.
Around two hours later, Anna had set up two cots one on each side of the bed and had left the two adults to it. Matthew had laid George down, lovingly kissing his forehead and tucking him up. He watched as the little boy slept, a feeling of love washing over him. Mary kept little Sybbie in her arms, she was falling in love with the little girl in her arms.
"Tom was so callous and cruel Matthew, I know he is grieving but he won't touch her. It's almost like he blames little Sybbie for poor Sybil's death," Mary whispered and Matthew stroked the baby's head, his stomach twisting with anger, guilt and shock.
"He just needs time, my darling. He will come round soon, he will love his little girl! How could he not? She's so beautiful!" Matthew cooed, kissing Mary's cheek. They didn't realise just how wrong they were.