Despite only living at Downton for the first eight years of her life, Sybbie was there so much she had her own personally decorated bedroom.

Since she and her family visited so often, she continued to have friendly relationships with the staff.

Her most prominent friendship was with Mrs. and Mr. Bates.

Her aunt Mary and Donk spoke very highly of them since she was born, and as she got older, she witnessed their kindness and love for herself.

She didn't know everything of their pasts, but she was aware that they faced many struggles before they were even married, and she admired how they still wed after all the trials they had faced, and continued to stick together when there were troubles throughout their marriage.

Anna had the strongest faith she'd ever witnessed, and she hoped to grow to be like that when she reached adulthood.

1928

Sybbie held her cousin in her lap as Johnny Bates attempted to play with the younger girl.

"Carolina." He said as he held out a wooden sheep.

Sybbie's eyes widened. "That was so good! You're so smart, Johnny." she grinned at the young boy, who laughed gleefully as he was praised.

Caroline titled her head to look up at her older cousin. "Baa?" she lifted the sheep up to her face.

Clearly knowing she was a little jealous of Johnny getting applauded and not her, Sybbie grinned. "Yes, Caroline! A sheep does baa. Good job!" she kissed her soft cheek and the baby burbled happily.

"Bee. Why can't we play cars?" George whined from his spot next to Johnny.

"Because the younger two like to play zoo." she hoisted Caroline off her lap and set her gently on the rug beside her, trusting that Nanny would look after the almost two year old. "You and me can play cars."

George nodded as he rolled his little red car back and forth.

Sybbie raced a green car beside his, but her attention wandered over to the door when Mr. and Mrs. Bates quietly walked in.

They stood there, his hand finding its way onto her waist as they lovingly watched Johnny play with Caroline.

Sybbie smiled as she observed this small display of affection.

Even at age eight, she recognized how her family and their staff differed in their physical affection levels.

But it made her happy when she saw people show how much they loved each other, which wasn't something most adults in her family did to one another.

Anna rested her head against John's chest and he leaned down to kiss her temple. "He's such a wonderful child."

Her eyes shined. "Yes, he is. He must have gotten that from you." she chuckled.

He laughed along, shaking his head. "If anything, it was from you, my beautiful, kind, wonderful wife."

"Aww," Sybbie whispered as she heard this.

Mr. and Mrs. Bates, although she had been quiet, both heard the girl. "Miss Sybbie? Were you eavesdropping on us?" John smirked as he walked over.

The girl reddened. "No…"

Anna came over and kneeled down in front of her with a motherly but playful smile on her lips. "Are you sure?"

Sybbie grinned sheepishly. "I like when you're happy." she mumbled a little.

Anna glanced up at her husband with a surprised and joyful look. "When Mr. Bates and I are happy?"

She nodded. "Yes."

John gazed at his wife and then their son. "So do I, Miss Sybbie."

1938

"Anna?" Sybbie turned around in her chair and glanced at her aunt's lady's maid who was helping her get ready for her 18th birthday celebration.

Anna set down the jumper she was holding. "Yes, Miss Sybbie?"

"Please, just Sybbie." she waited for Anna's nod to continue. "Do you think I'll find a husband some day?"

The older woman's brows rose in surprise. She had not anticipated the girl asking this to her of all people. "I think you will, Sybbie. I didn't meet Mr. Bates until I was much older than eighteen. You have time."

Sybbie nodded slowly. "Yes, yes, I know that. But what if the time never comes? There's such a thing as spinsters, you know."

Anna chuckled. "Yes," she began unbuttoning the young woman's dress to put on her mother's old, stunning jumper. "But you know, your Aunt Edith thought she would never wed, and look at her now. She's been married for over a decade and has three children."

The room fell silent as Sybbie contemplated this. "There's nothing wrong with being single your whole life, if that's what one wants. It's just,"

"That isn't what you want."

Sybbie nodded again. "Exactly."

Anna sighed, and started helping her into the jumper. "I'll tell you, dear. Have faith. Have faith that one day, you'll meet the love of your life, and you'll know. You will know."

Sybbie nodded, and turned to face the mirror as the jumper was on and buttoned. She glanced at Anna's teary-eyed expression. "Anna?"

The Lady's Maid shook her head with a small, reminiscent laugh. "Oh, Sybbie. You look so much like her." she pressed a hand to her heart. "With the half of you that's Sybil, there isn't a way that you won't find a love. A love like your mother's was something someone sees once in a lifetime."

Sybbie's heart ached and warmed all at once. "What was her love like?"

"She loved unconditionally, fully, without thought. She didn't care about class. She didn't care about what was seen as proper. She loved without, without bounds."

"I hope to do that someday."

Anna set a hand on her shoulder. "You already do, Sybbie. You are so much like your mother."

Thank you if you've been following this story, and for reading another chapter! I think this is the last chapter of this story, and then there will be the Epilogue about Sybbie and her husband. (who I've made up and I made up quite some time ago.) I hope you have enjoyed this story!