Slowly but surely, I'm making my way through the SS fics, and this was both sweet and hysterical. Oh poor Tom! You did a wonderful job with this somewhat odd request ;o) but I get it, I too kind of like seeing Tom being nursed and fretted over by his wife, but I can imagine after a while, it might get a bit "annoying" (especially when he knows deep down, she's right) ;oP so this was funny to see. (And a great addition to your S/T fic universe!)

Oh my heart did go out to poor Niamh though, having to see Tom doubled-over like that and being scared for her father's health. I've been in a similar situation, so I don't envy the poor girl. And I'm glad Tom *did* agree to go and see someone after that. And then you threw in a little bromance too ;o) always nice to see Tom and Matthew together! Fun story (despite the subject matter) :oP all around! Great job!

Great fic. Poor N - thought her daddy was gonna die. Well that got his butt to the doctor. And Matthew coming to visit - perfect and getting him to get white roses for Sybil - even more perfect :) the part with Sybil examining Tom was hysterical. always love reading your fics.

A wonderful story this and contrived from such an unlikely prompt (but full marks for it to w s lowry). I suspect part of the reason why I found this delightful - apart from the writing - was that having suffered from kidney stones I can identify very much with poor old Tom -especially feeling sorry for himself. And another similarity, he is not a good patient. Let alone the fact that sybil makes everything worse so to speak by her no-nonsense approach!

Having Matthew come over to metaphorically mop Tom's fevered brow was amusing and the part about Cora going off the rails down in either Monte Carlo or Menton (it would have to be one of those two places) and perhaps both was hilarious!

Just what the doctor ordered!

The Irish Chauffeur

Lol absolutely loved this! Grumpy Tom was so much fun and having the girls watch him like a hawk was brilliant. It remind me of me and my brother after my dad had a heart attack. Like Tom he was extremely grumpy because he wouldn't let him get away with anything.

Love domestic!Bransons, and you did a great job with this - I could totally see Tom as one of those men who won't go to the doctor, and Sybil being all 'bossy nurse Crawley', taking care of him and helping him get better. Merry Christmas!

This was absolutely delightful, and I'm glad you were able to work it in with your ongoing story(ies) with Sybil and Tom, and their life in Manchester. I think we can all see Tom as a grumpy-pants patient, and he certainly was here (blaming Downton's soft mattresses - LOL), and Sybil had the patience of Job (and was the no nonsense nurse when she examined him and then foisted fizzy salts on him - oh, his pride). It made perfect sense though for Tom to finally realize he needed to see a doctor when he gave his daughter a scare (Daddy-guilt to the rescue!). I loved all of your little descriptions, from the witches brew to Dr. Brooke's passing disinterest of him as a a run-down middle age problematic patient. Thanks very much - it was a lovely light-hearted read for Christmas night!

This made me smile. :)
/a happy reader

outch... poor Tom! That wasn't an easy prompt I must say, but you resolved the task beautifully!