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]

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."

[wipeawaythedebt]

"It was nice of you to invite me, ma'am." Even if he's not sure why. Elizabeth, sure, the two women seem to be friends and he's not one to begrudge Elizabeth her friends, but him? He can't imagine he came off as the party sort.

"You do things like this often?"

[adifferentlife]

"Not very, no. Though I miss them. We always used to have parties and dinners and Downton. My home," she adds, in case he misunderstands. "I think it's lovely, having the people about you that you care about and are interested in."

[wipeawaythedebt]

"I guess. I've never really been the type to have a lot of friends." Not in a long time, since he was bounced from the Pinkerton's, really. But then, he figures that was for the best, despite everything, he never really liked being a cop for hire. He liked choosing his battles.

Well, mostly. Can't say he had much of a choice about Elizabeth, but there you go. Life was funny that way.

[adifferentlife]

"Then this can be a new start. Darrow, days like this?" She's endlessly optimistic, seeing everyone in the best possible light. "After all, we're you're friends now."