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]

Yet her own gazes were as often in his direction as they were toward those that she spoke to. It was something she didn't work to resist, not today. Sybil is content for all of their friends to see the affection she feels, some sort of decision made.

"Are you having fun?" She asks it in all seriousnes, her fingers wrapping around his as she does. "Or is it torture?"

[jaimemieux]

Combeferre chuckled. "Nothing torturous about it at all." He leaned in to kiss her temple. "You look lovely. I hope you are taking time to enjoy yourself?"

[adifferentlife]

"I am, yes," she admits, knowing that had she not emerged from the kitchen or stopped doing little things that didn't truly need to be done someone - likely Henri - would have stopped her. "There's no point to having all one's friends about if I don't spend any time with them, is there?"

[jaimemieux]

"My thoughts precisely." He grinned softly. "You have done a lovely job with everything, I hope you know." Combeferre knew she had been a bit nervous about the event, for all she had hurried through her preparations with head held high. "A success, indeed."

[adifferentlife]

"Thank you," she says sincerely, needing to hear the words as much as she hates needing the reassurance. "It's good to have everyone here. To have you here."

[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?"

[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."

[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."

[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?"

[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."

[jaimemieux]

"Yes, yes. Of course. Alors, but first-" Playfulness still dancing in his eyes, he caught her hand and pulled her towards him for a proper kiss. "Now you can go." He grinned.

[adifferentlife]

She laughs and smiles, squeezing his hand. Sybil is completely smitten, and she's sure all of her friends can see it as much as she can. "Thank you, my darling."