"Mmm" Sybil moaned as her fiancé pulled away from the kiss she'd been enjoying.
"Sorry love, but your mother and lady Edith requested the car for ten. I don't think they'd be happy to catch me kissing you in here instead."
"I know. I just wish it was different."
"Soon, love. Soon." Tom chuckled. "Or we need some inconveniently placed mistletoe. Then I would have to kiss you. Can't disappoint on tradition. "Sybil reached up to kiss him again, when an idea hit her. "Sybil, I have to go!" Tom protested weakly.
"Okay." Sybil nodded. "I'll try and come by later." She watched as Tom straightened his uniform and started the car with practiced ease. She couldn't help but feel proud of him, but also sad that they were stuck in the positions of lady and chauffeur for longer than they'd drove off and she wandered back in through the servants entrance, humming to herself. She was lost in her thoughts and practically waltzing back to her room when she bumped into her sister.
"Golly Sybil. Is there any necessity for you to be dancing down the corridor?" Mary complained.
"Oh Mary, it's Christmas. Can't I be happy?"
"It's not Christmas for another two days, and think of poor Matthew."
Sybil frowned. "Matthew survived. He's lucky. Thousands didn't… "
"Then think of them! And stop making all that noise!" Mary snapped and walked off, leaving Sybil staring after her. Sybil sighed. It was hard enough keeping the joy of her engagement to herself, but Christmas gave her a let up, and she wouldn't miss the opportunity. The war was over and to her it was time to celebrate after the stress and sorrow of the past four years. She whirled round to go back to her room.
"Oh!"
"Lady Sybil! I'm sorry."
"No, Jane, it's okay. I wasn't looking where I was going. But… is that mistletoe?"
"Yes. Lord Grantham wanted some in the Great Hall."
"Can I possibly have some?"
"What for, Milady?"
"Just a joke for a friend." She assured as Jane was about to apologise for her overly forward manner.
"Very good, Milady." She said and handed Sybil a couple of boughs of the festive plant.
"Thank you!"
Good enough for starters! She thought as she shut the door to her room. She took one small piece and wrapped it up, carefully writing Tom's name on it so as not to be too personal and set it aside to go with the other presents for the servants. The rest of the mistletoe, she started adding left over ribbon to, so that she could tie it up, given the right moment. If she went out, just before her parents started giving the gifts out, no-one should catch her. She giggled to herself, trying to picture Tom's face and his reaction when he realised.
--from “Present Puzzles” by syblime
25 days of Bransons CHRISTMAS fanfic moments Day 9