The year is 1937. The Crawley Family has moved along in years but there are still some familiar faces about as well as many new ones. And there are some exciting times ahead, though they may not know it yet. Let us begin as George heads home for the holidays from boarding school to spend a terribly boring time in the one place in the world he doesn't really want to be but fate will forever draw him to. Downton Abbey.

Happy reading! Much Love.

Chapter One:

He sat on the train quietly watching the landscape pass by. It was a dreary day. It suited his mood perfectly.

He could see his reflection in the window and out of boredom and gloom he watched his own eyes for awhile. They looked tired and unexcited. Mirrors to his soul. He was not looking forward to the break from school. He was one of those rare ones from his boarding school that preferred not to go home for the holidays. All his mates had spoken eagerly for weeks about seeing their family and the amazing gifts they would get. Or holidays in the Alps. One of his friends was even going to New York. How lucky he thought to himself. He had begged his Grandma-ma last year to let him go on holiday with some friends but she had adamantly refused. She wanted him to spend Christmas with the family.

He did understand. His Grandma-ma had always been the one on his side out of everyone in his family. She defended him and ever since he could remember, she was the one would listen when he would speak. And she listened to his dreams and never spoke of how they would never become possible. He bloody well knew he was destined to become the Earl of Grantham. But he could dream couldn't he?

No. His fate was tied to the title. It was his future and there was nothing he could do about it. But at least he could have these final moments on the train by himself to mope. The train rounded a corner and the familiar landscape of the lands made him sigh out loud. He was not looking forward to the attention of his other grandparents. His Granny wasn't the worst but she always looked him with such sad eyes. She was the worst for that. So many people looked at him with those sad eyes. He should be used to it but he still noticed.

His Grandfather, the Earl, would drag him around the properties showing him every little nook and cranny. But he didn't have the heart to tell him, especially after that one time, that he had no interest in the fields and the sheep.

And his mother. If she was even there this year. She hadn't come back to Downton for Christmas last year and he hadn't been especially sad. Their relationship was strained at the best of times and had been since he was young. She was the one who had sent him off to boarding school and though he assumed she had meant it as some sort of punishment, he actually really enjoyed his time away. He assumed it was because she couldn't stand to look at him and it made him just a touch bitter. It wasn't his fault his father had died on the day he was born. Well, perhaps it was a bit, but it seemed to him his mother would never be the warm, loving mother that some of his mates bragged about.

In his 16 years he had come to terms with it. At least he had tried to come to terms with it. He would miss seeing Anthony though if they weren't there. And his younger sisters. Anthony had always been good to him. And his sisters were adorable. They were surprisingly intelligent for their young ages and he delighted in seeing them whenever he could. To see them meant his mother would be there. And that he dreaded.

He was snapped out of his musings by the train blasting it's whistle as it approached the town. As it slowed down he looked at his reflection one more time and put the most fake smile he could muster on his face. It made him laugh. Too much. He toned it back a bit and it genuinely made him smile. He was excited to see his Grandma-ma if no one else. For her, he would put on a smile and brave the storm.

The train slowly chugged to a complete stop as he gathered up his things. He made his way to the door and poked his head out looking around looking for the familiar figure of his Grandma-ma. He did not see her immediately and made his way along the platform looking for her. He was surprised. Surely she knew what time his train would arrive. He had spoken to her that morning. She had confirmed.

As he approached the back of train and the economy seats, he saw an elderly woman stepping gingerly out of one of the cars. Without a second thought he quickened his step and offered her his arm. She looked up gratefully and familiar eyes looked into each other.

"My God George! You are the spitting image of your father... And growing up so tall and handsome! Hello my boy!" Elsie took the final step down and pulled him into a warm hug. He responded completely. He had always adored the older couple who ran the downstairs at Downton. Their retirement five years previously meant he didn't always get to see them as much as he liked. They were living two villages over and had their Inn to run, they couldn't always get away.

He felt a strong hand on his shoulder.

"Now Elsie," A deep voice boomed. "Let us not forget protocol, he is still Master George to us."

Carson stepped to take Elsie's arm with his left hand and reached out with his right one to shake the boys hand.

"Please, you can always call me George." The younger man shook the outstretched hand firmly and his smile was legitimate.

"We're going to call you Mister Crawley soon if you don't stop growing." Carson inspected the boy and could not find a single fault in his appearance. He was well dressed and stood tall. Everything the young man should be to make the house proud.

George looked around, a bit uneasy at the inspection of the former Butler.

"I'm just looking for my Grandma-ma. She was supposed to meet me, but I don't seem to see her anywhere..."

All three of them walked back to the luggage car together, the elderly couple questioning the younger man about his life in general. He filled them in best as he could. George refused to let Carson take his bag and actually picked up Elsie's as well as a gentleman should. Carson relented but didn't seem pleased about it. They entered the terminal and George looked all around for his Grandma-ma but still didn't see her. He started to worry just a bit. She was never late. He heard the main door open and he looked to see a girl not much older than him sweep in. She was clearly American by her fashion sense and she looked slightly flustered. But she was familiar. She saw him and a huge smile erupted on her face.

"Cousin George! Thank Goodness I'm not too late!" She ran towards him and held out her arms for a hug.

He dropped the bags with a loud thud that turned many heads in the station.

"Sybbie! What a surprise! I had no idea you were going to be here! It's so wonderful to see you!" George was sincerely enthusiastic. It had been 3 years since he had seen his cousin and even though they wrote to each other regularly, he had not expected to see her there.

When their hug finally broke, Sybbie looked up to see the couple standing next to her cousin. She broke out in an even bigger grin and flung herself at both of them.

George smiled to himself at the expression on Carson's face. Clearly he was not used to the outward animated emotions of the American girl. He put his hand over his mouth to smother his smile but was so glad to see his cousin. Perhaps this Christmas wouldn't be so bad after all.

But wait. Why was Sybbie here to meet him? Where was his Grandma-ma? He was suddenly more than just a bit worried. When he asked his cousin about it, her face turned dark and her eyes turned serious. His heart dropped.

She relented almost immediately. "Oh George. The look on your face. I can't tease you anymore..." She changed her expression again so quickly that George looked shocked. "I begged her to let me come meet you so we could have a proper chat on our way back to Downton.

George glared at her for her trick, but he also relented quickly. He had missed his cousin antics and hadn't realized how much until that moment.

"You're off the hook this time. Is there a car outside? Where can I put these bags?"

"Oh George. Let the chauffeur take them. And why don't you two take the car back to the Abbey. You're staying with us at the house right? Sybbie turned back to the older couple.

"Yes we are my Lady. Your Grandparents were kind enough to invite us to stay for the holidays. I thank you very much. It is very kind of you to offer. " Carson had a strange tone to his voice as he watched the beautiful young lady before him. She had the look of her mother and it made his heart twitch with paternal warmth. She had grown up quite nicely indeed.

"Oh posh with that My Lady business. You can just call me Sybbie."

"Of course My Lady."

She turned to look at the old Butler and just shook her head in delight. She adored Carson so much, and wasn't afraid to show it. George looked at Carson and didn't see one bit of give. He would be a stickler for the old ways until he could no longer make wits anymore. Some things never changed. George smiled. It seemed he hadn't needed to force a smile because he had been completely honest so far in his outward feelings.

Sybbie called out the door for the Chauffeur.

"O'Malley! Come get these bags for us would you? And be a dear and take Carson and Mrs. Hughes back to the House. We'll walk. And catch up. Won't we Cousin George."

He had no choice but to completely be willing. And he was authentic.

The Chauffeur came running in and grabbed the bags from near George's feet. He ran them back out to the car and was holding the car door open for the older couple as they all exited the train station. Carson helped his wife into the back seat of the car and then climbed in after her. As he settled, he watched the chauffeur stare after Sybbie as she walked away holding the arm of her cousin. Carson grunted and O'Malley turned back to him and looked just a tad embarrassed. He shouldn't stare after her like that, he knew, but he just couldn't help it. There was something about her.

"Oh Stop it." Elsie batted his arm and slipped her hand into Carson's as the car started down the road.

"Stop what my dear?" He smiled at her.

"Stop looking so proud. I don't think I can handle it for ten days." Her eye twinkled as she teased him.

"I have much to be proud about. It shall be a wonderful Christmas I do believe." He kept his thoughts of the Chauffeur to himself.

They both waved to Sybbie and George as they drove past them. The younger two smiled and waved back, and immediately resumed their conversation that had George seeming to laugh out loud.

"Yes Indeed. Just like old times."

To be continued... and that right soon. ;)