Christmas Lunch

[adifferentlife]

The best way to celebrate any holiday is to share it with people that one care's about, Sybil is sure of that. It's why she's organised this, a luncheon for any and all that she's friends with. It's not something she's done before, and it feels very adult to be hosting a party within her own home. It's not something she ever imagined doing in such a small space, or without a staff to support her, or even before she was married with her own home, but those aren't things that are considerations here.

Instead she's let everyone know when to come and to bring something to share with the others. She's ordered in the main part of the meal, a roasted turkey instead of a goose and a roast of lamb as well. There's champagne and wine, and she has the record player Kaine gave her in the corner playing christmas carols by Bing Crosby. There's a small tree of real pine with strings of beads strung through its boughs and little elecric lights twinkling. Henri has helped her to decorate and do the cooking that she's tried, even if most of the cookies she made needed to be thrown our they were so burnt.

Once people start to arrive she relaxes, allowing herself a glass of wine once she's sure everything is in order and things are going well. At some point there is nothing else she can do, other than talk to her guests; her friends. It's nothing like a Christmas at Downton, but her second one here in Darrow and it feels like the Christmas it's supposed to be.

Comments

[adifferentlife]

"Thank you for coming," Sybil says softly as she comes up beside him. The girls have already told her in detail about their Christmas morning and she finally has time to say hello to at least one of their fathers. "It sounds like you've had a wonderful Christmas morning."

[adifferentlife]

"Thank you," she says gratefully, leading the way through to the kitchen that is now-crowded with food and containers. "I tried making sugar biscuits, cookies, this morning. I'm afraid it didn't work. I've never baked before."

[adifferentlife]

Sybil smiles and offers Lucy a quick kiss on her cheek. She's delighted to have her friend here, one of her first in this city. "Of course, I couldn't imagine it without you. If we're to share the holiday, should all of our family not be here?"

[adifferentlife]

It would be a lie to say that she wasn't still nervous around Booker after their misadventures. But he'd saved her life with his power, whatever it was, and he was important to Elizabeth. That made him welcome here, as much as any of her other friends. "I'm glad you could make it."

[adifferentlife]

Her entire face brightens when she sees him, moving through those who are gathered to welcome him with a hug. "Kaine, you came."

Of all she's invited, he was the one she was unsure of coming. That he's made it means a great deal to her. "Happy Christmas."

[jaimemieux]

"And I am honored to be here," he said, a hand drifting down to brush back her hair. "Now, tell me- I know you have mentioned many of your friends, but I fear I have yet to put names with faces. Who do we have here with us?"

[jaimemieux]

"Oh, yes? You work at the hospital?" Combeferre said, pleased to have found this connection. "I was studying medicine previously. Sybil has been kind enough to show me the medical establishment here." Perhaps someday, he would call the hospital his place of work as well, though that goal still seemed much further away than it ever had in Paris.

The infant's solemn expression brought a smile to Combeferre's lips. "And who do we have here?"

[jaimemieux]

"Lucy, what a surprise." That first week in Darrow had been a blur of faces, and information, and strange sights, but he remembered the young woman who had so kindly helped with his books, and understood something of his bafflement at the world in which he had found himself.

He offered a small bow, as was still his habit. "And nice to see you, as well. I was not aware that you knew Sybil."

[jaimemieux]

Combeferre was doing what he could to meet all of Sybil’s friends present at the party, but mingling had a way of taking its toll. He enjoyed the company of others, but had never had a talent for idle conversation, and the new faces, as few as they were, had begun to swim before him.

Seeing the gentleman standing in the corner, he wondered if he was not the only one who found himself surrounded by unfamiliar faces. He made his way over and offered the man a polite smile. “Can I get you anything, M’sieur?"

[jaimemieux]

“Mr. Barrow, isn’t it?” Sybil had pointed out Thomas earlier, and though Henri was eager to meet this friend from home - the sole connection she had to a life and family left behind, in fact - he had hesitated up to this point. The fellow seemed decidedly worn, and Henri was no fool; Christmas did not always bring joy, and he was loathe to burden the man with introductions and holiday cheer. But avoiding him seemed ruder still, so Henri approached and offered Thomas his hand in greeting. “I do not think we have had the pleasure to meet yet."

[adifferentlife]

Sybil looks around to the crowd, wondering where she should start. She points to Mike and Neil, and their girls, knowing that Henri has at least met them before. "Mike and Neil you should have met at their party. Near the wall there, that's Booker, he's here with Elizabeth. Thomas should be coming, he's the one from my home, but he's not here yet He might bring his friend T.J. As should Lucy and her brother Max, and Katie and her son Jamie."

[badtotheclone]

"Of course," I say, like it was always a foregone conclusion that I would come. Maybe it was. For her I'd do almost anything.

I give her a hug, surprised at how awkward it doesn't feel. Guess I've gotten used to it over the months. I guess I'd even admit to liking it.

"Merry Christmas to you too."

[forthedog]

"Thanks for asking us." From a little way away, Flo catches sight of Sybil and curtsies, something that she's been spending an inordinate amount of the last few minutes practicing.

"It's been... great. Different." He smiles a little wryly. "Last Christmas morning they showed up, so."

[toanend]

"Oh, this is my son Jamie," Katie says, smiling down at him. She's mostly thankful he's been so well-behaved today. He's not always this quiet and calm, but today he seems content to watch the world around him. "Say hi, Jamie. Yeah, I'm a nurse. I'm studying to become a doctor, though."

[toanend]

"Oh, well," Katie says, surveying the mess, "that's easy enough to fix. If you have the ingredients still, anyway. They bake in no time at all. I can walk you through it." That way they can see where Sybil slipped up, and next time she'll know what to do. Frankly, Katie thinks she was rather brave to try it for the first time for a party no matter how they came out.

[petit_poete]

"Oh yes, thank you for inviting me," Jehan replies with a warm smile. He still was uncomfortable addressing her as 'Sybil', and since she insisted he not call her 'Mademoiselle Crawley', he generally refrained from using her name at all if he could help it.

"You have very kind friends," he added, looking around the room at the guests in attendance.

[jaimemieux]

Henri nodded, searching his mind for what details Sybil had previously mentioned about those present. "I am very glad that so many of your friends were able to come."

[jaimemieux]

“Alors, hello there,” Henri said with a bob of his head. “Always a pleasure to meet another friend of Sybil’s.” He shared a grin with Katie. “Oh, yes? You are studying here in Darrow?”

[adifferentlife]

"As am I. I'm glad you get to meet them, you and Jehan as well. We should all have the people we care for about us on Christmas, shouldn't we?" It was true of every day, really, moreso on a holiday. "Is there anyone I should introduce you to?"

[adifferentlife]

"You're sure?" She's doubtful because it had seemed anything but simple when she tried it. "If you don't mind. Barely three years ago I couldn't even make a pot of tea myself."

[adifferentlife]

"Of course you're invited. It would be silly for you not to come." He's a friend of hers, she likes to think, and a dear friend of Henri's, which means his welcome is near absolute.

"Kind or perhaps very hungry," she says with a gentle laugh.

[adifferentlife]

"Would you like something to drink?" It's an automatic offer, but no less warm for having made it to everyone who comes. "I've a gift for you too, you musn't leave without it."

[adifferentlife]

It's sweet and lovely, and she curtsies back with a smile before turning back to Mike. "Oh- That's the loveliest gift, I think."

[jaimemieux]

"Oh, non, it's quite all right. I would not want to keep you from your hosting duties for long." A playful note entered his voice. "Not at all fair, when I already get to see so much of you."

[adifferentlife]

Her smile is sweet, as is the way she kisses him quickly on his cheek. "I should make sure everyone has a drink."