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]

Sybil has relaxed now, sipping at a glass of wine and taking a moment to breathe before dinner is served. There's enough time for her to spend time with the guests, to chat and mingle as a hostess should. She can't help but look to Henri, but she knows there will be enough time to speak with him throughout the night and later. Sybil smiles at him across the room before turning to another friend to say hello.

[toanend]

"Hi," Katie says, smiling warmly, and leans in to kiss Sybil's cheek. She's become a master of managing such gestures of affection with Jamie still secure in her arms, pulling it off without a thought. "Thank you for inviting us, Sybil, this is wonderful. Is there anything I can do to help out?"

[adifferentlife]

"Katie," she says smiling, returning the kiss with pleasure, and sparing a moment to touch one to Jamie's head as well. She's happy to see her friend here, it makes all of the effort of today worth it to be surrounded by people she cares about. "You can tell me if things look right. I've ordered most of it, honestly, but what we used to do for Christmas at home isn't what they do here."

[toanend]

"It's just a gathering of friends," Katie says. "I'm sure everyone will love it." She smiles as Jamie reaches toward Sybil, chirping a greeting. When he talks, it doesn't yet mean anything to her, but it sounds more and more like he's trying to communicate like she does, and it's enthralling to her. "Come on, show me the kitchen."

[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."

[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.

[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."

[toanend]

"And look at you now," Katie says with a fond smile. Sybil has learned such a lot over the last few years and come such a long way. Learning to make cookies is an easy thing compared to leaving one's time and family. "You can do it. We'll just need the sugar, flour, eggs, and so on... A little counter space, too."

[adifferentlife]

"That might be the hardest part," she says with a laugh, shifting things about until she has at least some space and everything is out. Sybil stands straight, tying on an apron and smiling at her friend. "What do I do next?"

[toanend]

Katie jostles Jamie up and down as he cranes his head to watch Sybil. "Alright," she says, slightly singsong for the baby's benefit, "first you're gonna mix the flour, baking soda, and baking powder in a bowl. Oh, and preheat the oven. 375."

It's been a while since she really baked anything, but sugar cookies is one of those things that comes as easy as breathing, along with so many memories of growing up.

[adifferentlife]

"Oven is on, and flour mixed," she says proudly, turning to Katie with concern.

"Does he need anything? Juice?" Sybil offers it conscientiously, not having a great deal of experience with young children directly.

[toanend]

"You know, that would be great, actually," Katie says. "I have one of his cups in my bag. He's still using the little sippy cups, you know, but it's amazing, he can hold it all on his own now." Jamie watches her as she talks, something that fascinates her in turn. He's so small, but she feels like he's always learning so much. "I can put him down and help you a little more hands on then."

[adifferentlife]

It's sweet, really, and rather amazing, how attentive Jamie is. Sybil smiles as she gets a bottle of juice fromt he fridge - apple, leftover from the batch that she's added spice to and warmed. "Please. I think you over estimate my baking ability."

[radicalize]

"Sybil," Lucy says, all warmth as she approaches her friend, "Merry Christmas." She's brought a gift with her, left in a small bag in the corner, figuring that there's no real need to draw attention to it yet, least of all when Sybil has been doing so much. There'll be time for it later. For now, she only has a glass of her own in one hand, and a smile on her face. "Thank you so much for inviting me. And letting Max tag along."

[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?"

[radicalize]

"Still, I appreciate it," Lucy replies, well aware that it's kind of a big favor, or at least what seems like one to her. She agrees, though, without question. She wouldn't have wanted to spend Christmas without her brother. "And the party's beautiful."

[adifferentlife]

The party is beautiful, in its way. She knows that what she's thrown is nothing compared to what she's been used to at Downton, but there's no comparison. This is hers and the people here have become her family. "Thank you. It was important to me. To do this for us all."

[radicalize]

"I can't think of any better way to spend the holiday," Lucy says warmly, and it's entirely true. When there isn't really anywhere she fits now, she can't wish for home or the island. At least here, she has her brother and some friends, and that's more than she could have asked for.

[adifferentlife]

Sybil hugs her friend, whispering in her ear as she does. "Could I ask you something? Personal, that is, there's nothing wrong."

When she pulls back her usually pale cheeks are pink and flushed. "Only if you don't mind."

[radicalize]

It's a little unexpected, given the setting, but Lucy has no real reason to object. She shakes her head quickly, a slight crease between her brows. "No, of course I don't mind," she says. Whatever it is, she's sure Sybil has a good reason for asking. "You want to step into the other room or something?"

[adifferentlife]

"Thank you. Yes." It's a good idea, and Sybil is glad Lucy's suggested it. She hasn't meant to ask here, but found herself unable to stop herself from doing so. A hand in her friends, she leads the way to her bedroom, closing the door behind them.

"I- that is to say, Henri and I, we did things." Her face is burning, she's sure red as a berry. She's hoping desperately that Lucy won't judge her on this, is praying for it on some level. "Only I don't really know anything. About sex that is. More than we learn as nurses."

[radicalize]

"Oh," Lucy says, brow raising. It is, admittedly, kind of unexpected, in large part because she's pretty sure no one has ever turned to her for something like this, but now that Sybil has said so, she's pretty sure it shouldn't be. Such things are bound to happen sooner or later, after all, and it isn't as if, had she thought about it before now, she would have guessed that Sybil would have any experience in the matter. "You want me to... bring you up to speed?"

[adifferentlife]

It's embarrassing to ask, but Sybil doesn't know anyone else to go to. "Is it too much? I know it's not something we would have talked about at home. It was expected to just happen on one's wedding night."

[radicalize]

"Oh, no, it's not too much," Lucy says with a quick shake of her head. Unexpected, sure, but it isn't as if she minds. It isn't so far off from what she used to do with her friends when she was in school, though none of them then had very much experience. "I'm... not quite sure where to start, but no, it's definitely fine."

[adifferentlife]

"At the beginning?" She can feel the burn in her cheeks fading as she does her best to be confident and to act as if this were any ordinary conversation. "Honestly, the very start. How does it work? Is it... Is it painful?"