HERE IT IS! The *real* last chapter to this story; just a "quick" epilogue showing the Crawleys reactions to learning that Tom's alive (and a brief mention as to what happened after he and Sybil were reunited). Keep in mind that at some point later this fall, I *will* write the companion piece to this story, which will be told from Tom's POV, and that will have another epilogue that will go even further to share what happened :o) so if you have more questions, just be patient for when that story gets written!

THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH FOR YOUR SUPPORT DURING THIS PROJECT! It was fun! Tough at times, but fun to do! I'm glad I decided to tell this story as I did, through daily "short" updates, and had the chance to explore Sybil working as a nurse on the front, and explore her and Tom's love story with that as its backdrop. But YOU made it worth it, so thank you for your readership, for following, for favoriting, and for sharing your thoughts. I really, really appreciate it.

Once again, happy birthday Patano, as it was for her birthday that I wrote this story!

Prompt: "Are you sure this is what you want?"

April 1919

His hand is warm and his grip is strong, but Sybil can feel it trembling too as they both stand before the Earl of Grantham and the rest of the Crawley family, seen together for the first time at last, as husband and wife.

A thrill still courses through Sybil's skin at that thought. Wife. She's Tom Branson's wife, in every way. Not just according to a slip of paper, but truly—his wife. And he is her husband, though in her heart, he always has been.

It's awkward, this first meeting back. Sybil was vague in her telegram about why was staying in Dublin for a several weeks, making it sound as if she were going to bond with Tommy's Irish grandmother, but then it was after the special license had been procured, and the tiny ceremony had taken place, and she really did become Mrs. Sybil Branson…did she finally write to say that Tom was not only alive, but that the two of them were now, truly married.

It didn't take long for a reply to come back.

Her sisters offered up their surprise, but also their congratulations, while her mother was very shocked, but even she sent a second telegram to say she was happy for Sybil, before scolding her for not telling her sooner so that she and Papa could come at the very least, and then going on to say she was demanding they come back to Downton and have their vows renewed so that she could be present.

As for her father…

Robert Crawley saved all of his words until the couple was standing before him in Downton's drawing room.

"…I'll accept the fact that you could not have come sooner because of what Sybil says—"

"He was a prisoner of war, Papa!"

"—but that does not excuse the fact that you seduced a young girl, stole her virginity—"

"PAPA!"

"ROBERT!"

"He didn't 'steal' anything that I didn't freely give!"

"Oh please," her grandmother groans, looking like she might ring for smelling salts.

"I did not 'seduce' anyone," Tom growls, squeezing Sybil's hand. "Give your daughter some credit—"

"Yes, yes, I know," her father grumbles, having heard this rebuff before.

"Robert…" her mother tries to reason, her voice soft yet firm. "Tom is alive…that is what is important. He and Sybil are married, truly married, and Tommy has a father again. We should focus on that and be glad."

"GLAD!?" Robert Crawley turns and points a finger at Tom. Sybil stiffens and grips his hand a little harder. "What do you do? How can you possibly hope to provide for her AND my grandson!?"

Tom lifts his chin. "My brother owns a garage; after I returned to Ireland he offered me some work and would like to make me a partner—"

"WORKING AT A GARAGE!?"

"PAPA!" Sybil hisses.

"With all due respect, milord," though there is no "respect" in Tom's voice, but then he hasn't truly been shown respect from her father. "But you seem to think that Sybil can only be happy in some version of 'Downton Abbey', and if that were true, she would not have married me."

"Well she'll soon learn how very different her life will be," he mutters.

Sybil lifts her chin. "It will be a life filled with love; that is all I know." She squeezes her husband's hand before continuing. "I am aware that it will be hard at times, and different, but that's every life, and every marriage!" Her eyes fly to her mother, as well as her sisters, whose husbands are also there, Sir Anthony standing somewhat awkwardly in the background, and Matthew who has been leaning forward, looking ready to speak at any given moment should that moment arise. "But…after everything I experienced while serving as a nurse during the War…" she shudders as some of the memories flow through her. "…I have learned how different life away from Downton can be. I have lived it. And I look forward, very much, to living a life with Tom, our son, and any more children we may be blessed to have."

Her father opens his mouth, but Matthew finally takes this moment to speak. "Not that Tom needs my validation," he first states. "But I will proudly call him my brother-in-law, should anyone ask. He saved my life, and thanks both to him and Sybil, I am now married myself with a child on the way…" Mary leans forward then and takes her husband's hand. "…Tom, I am glad you are part of this family, and I wish you and Sybil every joy."

"As do I," Sir Anthony adds, speaking for the first time since he and Edith arrived. "Though I do not know the chap," he mumbles somewhat embarrassingly as he looks at the other faces around the room. "But…I can see how happy he makes Sybil, which is just as Edith makes me feel, so…"

Sybil tearfully smiles at both her brothers-in-law; her sisters have chosen very wisely.

"Robert…" Cora Crawley murmurs, looking at her husband and telling him with that look to let go of his prejudices; it's time to move forward.

He sighs and glances at Sybil before murmuring, "…Are you sure this is what you want?"

She's never been surer of anything. "I am." She doesn't even look at her father, just at her husband.

"Well…" her father sighs, glancing at her grandmother who just gives him a silent nod. "Then I suppose you can take my blessing with you, not that you ever needed nor that you want it—"

"Thank you, Papa," Sybil tells him, leaving Tom's side just for a moment to hug her father, relief flooding through her at his words. She can still see he is struggling…but Lord bless him, he is also trying. And never is that more obvious than when he steps towards Tom and offers him his hand to shake.

Which he does.

"If you mistreat her, or the boy, I see to it that you're torn apart by wild dogs."

Sybil groans, but Tom does smile at his father-in-law's words, before replying, "I'd expect no less."

"Are we quite finished?" her grandmother interrupts.

Everyone sighs or groans before turning to the Dowager Countess and nodding. "Good," she holds her arm out for Tom, who does come to take it, before insisting that he lead her into the dining room. "So I understand that you're political Mr. Branson? Have you ever thought about a career in that?"

THE END