ABOUT

[Lady Sybil]

Sybil took a deep breath, trying to calm herself before Tom returned home. She pressed one hand to her stomach and the other to her back. She paced back and forth for a moment, biting her lip as she tried to predict his reaction. Surely he had no reason to be unhappy, but that didn't prevent the knot of worry in her stomach as she contemplated telling him that she...that they were having a baby. She was fairly confident that they had enough to support a baby, and she was sure that her mother would be thrilled. She smiled as she thought that her mother would soon become 'Granny Cora'. She sat down in an armchair, chuckling slightly. But it suddenly hit her that she had no idea how to be a mother, and her own mother was so far away. She hadn't even come down for her wedding. Maybe she wouldn't be thrilled. Maybe she would be ashamed.

She looked down at her stomach, patting it absent mindedly with her hand. "Hello baby! Can you hear me? No...I don't suppose you can." She sighed. "Let's hope your daddy gets home soon. I don't think I can wait much longer."

Sybil glanced at the clock, counting down the minutes until Tom got home. As she did, she allowed herself to daydream about what would happen when the baby was born. A sudden image of Tom and a little girl with dark brown curls flitted through her mind, and she beamed, wrapping her arms around herself as a warm feeling flooded her chest. Suddenly she felt less nervous, and much more excited. She laughed again, wondering if she'd gone mad. What on Earth would Tom think if he came in and found her laughing away to herself? This was a serious matter! She calmed herself a little, but carried on smiling and watching the clock.

[Branson]

Tom pulled his key from the lock and pushed the door open, dropping them into the woven basket on the side, closing the entrance behind him. It had been a staggeringly long and tiresome day at work, he had stayed far too late and was duly exhausted. He fully expected to be chastised by his wife again about not asking for extra pay. It was the holiday season, and he supposed they really could do with it but he was awful at taking money off of people. Still, the newspaper he worked for had plenty and could certainly spare, especially as he was putting in extra hours not required of him. Though, if he didn't finish this article they would have his head and probably his job too, so he concluded that his staying late was far from selfless.

"Sybil, darlin', you about?" He called from the kitchen, getting a glass of water from the tap. Sometimes, she might be at the shops at this time with his youngest sister.

He spotted his dinner on the sideboard, covered and kept warm by an upturned plate. Of course she had already eaten, it was so late. He felt guilty then, that she had to have dinner on her own, he would make sure that this wouldn't happen again, even if he had to face the glaring of his boss and colleagues. He heard laughter coming from the living room and smiled, at least she was home. It meant that she was probably with a friend or one of his sisters though and he really did want to spend some time with her tonight without the hassle of guests; he was tired.

Making his way to the living room, he came to the happy realization that she was indeed alone. Then what had she been laughing at? He smirked to himself, never failing to be amused by her. "You look happy about somethin', love."

He perched himself on the armrest of her chair, stooping a little to give her a kiss on the cheek.

[Lady Sybil]

"Tom! You're home!" Sybil beamed, kissing him lightly on the cheek. She twisted in her seat so she was facing him. "I am happy. Extremely happy, actually. I...have some news."

She looked him, biting her lip. "Promise not to...overreact?" She waited for his affirmation before pushing on. "Okay, I'll say it fast." She took a breath. "I'm pregnant. The doctor says probably about two months along." She looked at her stomach, then back to him, her eyes silently pleading with him not to be angry, or worried. This was the agonising part - waiting to see how he would react. There really was no predicting it, though she was almost certain he'd be pleased. But she couldn't stop the niggling concern in the back of her mind that sounded suspiciously like Mary.

[Branson]

Tom blinked a couple of times, scanning her face for any trace of joking, there was none there. Surely not so soon? She looked a little nervous, perhaps she thought he would be upset. That couldn't be further from the truth, he was thrilled. He huge grin invaded his face and he laughed loudly in pure joy. He was going to be a father! Excitement and anticipation rolled into one consumed him and he jumped up from the armrest, tugging her up from her seat too and pulling her in for a tight hug. He quickly realized though, that he should be altogether gentler and loosening his arms a little around her, he clutched her waist.

"Sybil, I...Jesus Christ almighty. You're pregnant! How? Wait, don't answer that."

He rested his chin on her shoulder for a moment, laughing on a sharp exhale, before dragging his eyes up to meet hers and pressing his lips to her forehead. His gaze soon dropped to her stomach and he rested his open palm very gently on it, smiling all the while. "I'm so happy." He uttered, shaking his head. He couldn't believe this; it was such amazing news!