Every Christmas with the Bransons is Special

…Despite Sybbie’s drooping eyes, Matthew continues with his story about the lovely and political princess, who defied her royal legacy when she announced she would marry the servant boy.  She cared not for the crown or the wealth that went her title; all she cared about was the man who, in her eyes, was a prince among men.  And despite his first initial uncertainties about the match, the king came around to the idea, giving the princess his blessing and welcoming the servant boy into his house as his son-in-law.  The two married on Twelfth Night, and celebrated the event with a ball for all of the castle’s servants, an event that quickly became a beloved tradition for generations to come.

​Staying with her grandparents at Downton between the week of New Year’s and Epiphany, Sybbie finds herself feeling homesick and missing her family back in Ireland. Luckily for her, Uncle Matthew cheers her up by telling her a sweet bedtime story about a beautiful princess (with a taste for politics) who captures the heart of a castle servant. 

But what does he have to offer the princess, who could have any man she desires?  Lucky for him, his best friend (who strangely seems to resemble Sybbie’s uncle) plays “fairy god-brother” and helps the servant boy “look the part” so he can mingle among the palace’s many posh guests.  And it does the trick, as no one, not even the princess’ snobby suitor, Sir Lawrence Grey, realizes who the servant really is.

…Except one.  But the princess doesn’t care about tailored suits or dazzling riches.  She knows the servant boy the second he enters the room, and knows without a doubt that if she does marry anyone in the kingdom, it will be him.

A Roman Holiday

Journalist Tom Branson and his wife Sybil Crawley-Branson are going on their first holiday since getting married eighteen months ago. After much discussion, they decide to go to The Eternal City, Rome.

For Sybil, it’s a dream come true, especially since one of her favorite films is Roman Holiday. Knowing this, Tom rents a Vespa and drives her around just like Gregory Peck drove Audrey Hepburn. The young couple visit the Colosseum, the Mouth of Truth, the Pantheon and the Trevi Fountain, among many other traditional tourist sites.

At the behest of Tom’s devout Catholic mother, the Bransons attend Sunday Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica. It ends up being a moving experience for the pair, especially as they enjoy Pope Francis’s sermon.

Sybil and Tom do travel outside of Rome, driving 47 km north to a quirky little town called Calcata. Tom heard about it through the New York Times and a delightful book, An Irreverent Curiosity. Once there, they find this ancient village is now filled with bohemian artists and a few restaurants creating fascinating modern takes on traditional Roman cuisine. The Bransons enjoyed the village so much, they stayed for three days.

After two weeks, the young couple return to their London flat, loaded with souvenirs and gifts for their friends and family. It is not until a month later that they find out the came home with another souvenir: their unborn child.

It was meant to be a simple dinner party…

Tom Branson didn’t want to be spending New Year’s Eve with a bunch of toffs; he’s a serious political journalist! But his editor insisted–after all, Lord Grantham has quickly risen in the ranks within his party, and there are already murmurings about the possibility of one day being Prime Minister.  Yet whatever hope Lord Grantham may have had in that regard, goes right out the window, when the clock chimes midnight and instead of joyous cries wishing one another a “Happy New Year!”, the air is filled with a housemaid’s scream…

The body of a Turkish diplomat is found in one of the upstairs bedrooms…a bedroom that isn’t his.  He’s been shot in the chest, but there’s no trace of a weapon.  Now this simple dinner party has turned into a case of “whodunit?”

Was it Lord Grantham’s eldest, a woman who was rumored to have had a history with the diplomat? 

Her jealous fiance, who has been glaring at the diplomat all evening?

One of the footmen, who was serving as the diplomat’s valet, and who may also have been a secret lover?

Or perhaps Lord Grantham himself? 

…And then there’s Lady Sybil, Lord Grantham’s youngest daughter.  She’s fiercely protective of her sister, but unlike the rest of her family, doesn’t hold their political opinions.  She’s very progressive in her ideas, and quite…forward…in other manners as well.  She offers to help him with solving the mystery, but can Tom truly trust her?

The journalist in him says one thing, while the man in him says quite the opposite…

Christmas 1924

For the first time since Sybbie’s first one, the Bransons are at Downton for Christmas. The last three years saw them staying in London due to work in 1921 and 1922, and home last year when Tom and Sybbie both came down with the flu. With Sybil pregnant with their much wanted second child, both thought it was the perfect time for a holiday visit to her family’s estate.

Sybil was nervous that her daughter wouldn’t enjoy the holiday as much at Downton. Tom, on the other hand, thought their little girl would have a ball. Sybil was glad her husband was right. Sybbie took to Downton at Christmas like a fish to water. She adored the giant Christmas tree in the hall and decorating it with her parents, cousins, and her Downstairs Aunties and Uncles.

For the Parents Branson, the visit enable them to catch up her sisters and enjoy some quality time together. Baby Branson made their presence known on several occasions, especially when mummy discussed politics with Auntie Mary.

However, Sybil’s fondest memory of the holiday was seeing her daughter’s blossoming relationship with her grandfather. Visits between the Bransons and the Crawleys were not frequent, with the exception of Cora, who visited her daughter’s family at least once a month. Seeing Sybbie bond with Donk, as she called Robert, warmed Sybil’s and Tom’s hearts. The Earl of Grantham doted on his granddaughter, even allowing her to stay up for “The Game” on Christmas Eve. Sybbie, in turn, adored her grandfather and often followed him around whenever she escaped the nanny and the nursery.

In the end, it was a very Merry Christmas for the Bransons.

Sybil returned his smile. “Ready as I will ever be.”

“I parked the car outside the gate so that no one could hear us starting it, so we’ll have to walk there,” said Tom, reaching for her suitcase and stepping off the porch.

“I don’t mind,” said Sybil. “I’d rather leave quietly.”

“It seems rather unlikely, a revolutionary carriage driver…”

“Maybe, but I won’t always be a carriage driver!  I’m going to make something of myself someday…”

She laid her tea beside his and sat in his lap as he instructed. She had missed the physical closeness, too, but was too shy to ask or make the first move. She placed her arms about his neck to steady herself. He pulled her closer by her waist and looked into her eyes. God he loved her so. He raised his free hand to stroke her cheek. “You are so beautiful. I still can’t believe you’re mine.”

Sybil looked down in modesty, a blush creeping upon her cheek at the intensity of his love. Not one to share her feelings, she struggled a bit before whispering, “I am yours.” Tom then lifted her chin with his free hand and leaned in to kiss her. The kiss between them intensified by the moment, but knowing that it can go no further until they are married, Tom’s hand merely roamed her back to pull her against him. Her fingers in turn caressed his neck and played with the hairs on the back of his head.