New Year's Day had dawned a few short days later, welcoming in 1920 with mixed emotions. Ella was slowly getting back up on her feet; she was still very pale and very tired, so for the most part she just rested during the day and only came down for meals, but she was no longer in pain, well not physically. Her emotional pain was a lot harder to get over.

She relied heavily on the support of her husband and both of her families, but there was one member she was really struggling with. She was determined to move on with her life, hers and Henry's, but she hated the fact that their loss had caused Sybil to feel awkward. Ella held no ill feeling towards her sister for her happiness and, in a way, she was looking forward to sharing Sybil's experience.

She knew that Sybil was avoiding her. She wouldn't sit next to her at dinner or spend time with her upstairs or down. The thought of this division between them made it even harder for Ella to cope and Elsie could see this without her daughter having to say a thing and she could also see the pain that this awkwardness caused Sybil.

She wasn't too sure if she was overstepping the mark, but she decided to see Sybil on her own to see if she could mend a few bridges on her daughter's behalf. She went to Sybil's room where the young woman was sat reading. Tom had gone down into the village with Matthew and Henry and Ella was asleep.

'Might I come in?' Elsie said as she knocked and opened the bedroom door, but she kept her tone formal, although she chose not to refer to Sybil by name or by title.

Whilst her relationship with Sybil had grown alongside that of her relationship with her daughter, she had never spent any time alone with Sybil; therefore, she was uncertain if the young woman would find it acceptable to continue in such a casual way when Ella was not present. So she continued, but cautiously.

'Of course you can Elsie; is everything alright? Is Aurie alright?' Sybil asked with concern and Elsie then dropped her formal tone.

'She's alright, but she'd be a lot better if you would go to see her. I don't want to overstep the mark, but you need to speak to her and spend time with her.' Elsie said.

'You don't need to worry about overstepping the mark Elsie, we're family, you, Aurie and me and Mr Carson too; but I can't bear to face her, knowing that I still have a baby and she has lost hers.' Sybil replied as she pointed to the chair beside her bed and Elsie took it.

'I'm not saying that it will be easy for her, but that's where we will be needed the most, to support her. Your baby is going to be born, whether or not you see your sister, but don't you want to make her feel less awkward about it?'

'Of course I do Elsie; you know that Aurie means so very much to me and I want her to be so much a part of my baby's life, but I don't want to hurt her either.'

Elsie felt sorry for Sybil, as she could see how conflicted she felt, but she thought that she knew how to fix it, it was just going to take a bold step on her part.

'I think it's time that the three of us spent some time alone. Come with me.' Elsie said as she then led Sybil from her room, down the hall and into Ella's room, where Ella was now awake and sat by the fire.

She felt delighted to see her mam and her sister, but she felt so dismayed to see how uncomfortable Sybil looked. She didn't know what to say to her to make things better and Sybil didn't know what to say to Ella either.

'I think it's time that you two had a conversation about what has happened. No one on this earth can support each other more than the way you two can, but the way things stand, you're not supporting each other at all, which is making your pain worse for the both of you.' Elsie said as she sat Sybil on the bed next to her twin and she then took the chair beside the bed.

'She's right Aurie, I have been avoiding you and I am so sorry. I don't want to hurt you and I know that I have, but I don't know what to say to you or do for you. I know that you are hurting so much just now and I can't begin to imagine what it must feel like, but I don't want to rub it in that I will have a baby and that you will not.' Sybil explained tearfully, which brought tears to Elsie and Ella's eyes too.

'Oh Sybbie, how could you think that? I want to share your joy, I really do and I don't want you to feel otherwise. I want to be the first person, well, second after Tom of course, that you come to when you feel it kick for the first time, or when you are in need of someone to rub your back or your feet because they're sore, I want to be the one that helps you and I most certainly want to be there with you when you deliver your baby.' Ella replied bravely. 'I know, that none of these things will be easy for me, because I was so looking forward to us sharing these experiences together; but it would be a whole lot easier to do them with you, than to be forced out altogether.'

Sybil sat and sobbed at her sister's words, knowing that everything that Ella had just said was genuine and true, but it was Ella's bravery and strength that really made Sybil weep; she didn't think that she could have been that strong if the tables were turned.

'I'm always here to support you, I hope you know that Aurie.' Sybil said as she hugged her sister tightly.

'I know that Sybbie; it's your support and love that's going to help Henry and me get through this. And yours too Mam; I can't get through this without you both.' Ella replied as she began to sob and held out her free arm to Elsie, who hugged both the girls tightly.

After a few moments Ella wiped her tears and tried to control her emotions, trying not to let her grief get the better of her. Elsie didn't sit back in the chair, but stayed sat on the bed beside Ella.

'So what happens next? Do you have to go back to see Doctor Clarkson?' Sybil asked as she also dried away her tears.

'Yes, I've to see him at the end of the month for a check-up, sooner if I notice any problems though.' Ella explained.

'You will be fine Ella.' Elsie said as she squeezed her daughter's hand comfortingly and, indeed, she was right.

The weeks after her miscarriage seemed to disappear in a blur as Ella continued to rest and recuperate. Henry was more doting and loving than ever and despite some earlier concerns that their loss might have driven a wedge between them, Ella and Henry were more in love than ever and their grief seemed to have strengthened that love.

When the day came for her check-up, Henry went to work at the hospital as normal, but he was unnerved and apprehensive. Even though he was a doctor and knew that she was well, he was a husband first and foremost, which meant that he worried like any other.

'My darling, please stop worrying about me. I shall be fine, you'll see. You've done a marvellous job of looking after me, so there's no chance that I could be anything but fine.' She had said as they'd walked down together to the hospital. 'Anyway, you know that Doctor Clarkson is only going to take some tests today, he won't be able to give me the results for a while yet.' She'd added.

'I know that my love, but I do worry about you; you are the love of my life and my sweetest spirit. If anything were to ever happen to you, I don't think I could go on without you.' He said passionately and his words made Ella stop as they walked down the tree-lined lane into Downton.

'Oh Henry, you say the most beautiful things sometimes, but you needn't worry so much; although it is reassuring to know how you feel. I love and adore you more with each day that comes and I do hope you know that.' She said as she cupped his cheek and kissed him gently. 'Once today is over, I can truly start my recovery and then, in a couple of months, perhaps we can start thinking about our family again.'

'Well don't rush yourself Ella because I certainly won't rush you. When you feel the time is right to try again, then I will be happy to, but you have to remember that your body has suffered a trauma as much as your emotions have and you need to give yourself time to heal properly.' He replied as he took hold of her hand and walked her further down the wet lane.

'Yes Doctor.' She responded with a mischievous grin.

When they got to the hospital Ella's confidence took a real dive and she tightly gripped Henry's hand as they went in.

'Are you sure that you don't want me to come in with you?' He asked tentatively as they sat outside Doctor Clarkson's room.

'I'm quite sure; I know that you are a doctor, but you are also my husband and there are just somethings that a husband should not have to deal with.' She said with a smile.

The door to Doctor Clarkson's office opened and the nurse stood in the doorway, ready to usher Ella inside.

'I'll be in my room when you need me.' Henry said as he watched the door close behind his wife and he could feel his heart racing beneath his ribs.

Whilst Henry paced around his examination room, moving paperwork from one resting place to another, adjusting his desk and cleaning his already gleaming equipment, Doctor Clarkson was busy with Ella. He took some blood samples, a urine sample and checked her blood pressure, as well as giving her a general examination.

'Would you like Doctor Forbes to come in now Lady Aurelia?' He asked once his examination was complete.

'Yes please Doctor Clarkson.' Ella replied tentatively as the nurse then left the room to get a nervous Henry from his room. Doctor Clarkson waited for Henry to take a seat next to his wife before he continued.

'Well I can confirm that everything is fine. You seem to have recovered well, but your blood pressure is still a little elevated, not alarmingly so, but enough that it warrants more bed rest and for you to take it easy for a little while longer Milady.' He explained and Henry gave her a sideways glance and saw how irritated Ella looked; she was fed up of bed rest. 'We should have your urine and blood samples back within a few days, but I doubt that there is anything untoward there.' He reassured, much to Ella and Henry's relief.

After her appointment with Doctor Clarkson, Ella and Henry went into his room for some privacy. He was grateful that he didn't have any patience until the afternoon, so he could spend a little time with his wife, to reassure her and comfort her should she need it.

'I suppose this means that I will be getting the car home.' Ella joked, but she received a stern look from her husband.

'It most certainly does; you heard what Doctor Clarkson said. Your blood pressure is up Ella, which means that we need to take a little extra care with you.' He replied as he took her into his arms.

'Yes Doctor,' she replied cutely as he kissed her on the nose. 'Whatever you say.' She added with a wink, her playful side slowly returning, which did make Henry smile, but he also worried that she wasn't taking her health seriously enough.

'I mean it Ella; I want you to have early nights and lie ins in the mornings, if you have to go into the village then get the car and most importantly, I don't want you getting stressed over anything, so whatever is going on in your family, whatever arguments may be taking place, you are not getting involved.' He said and even though she knew he was right, his orders still annoyed her a little. 'Now then, I want you to sit for a few minutes whilst I telephone for Withers to come down and collect you.'

Ella did as she was told and somehow managed to do as she was told for the four days that followed. She loved Henry and knew that he only wanted the best for her, so she didn't want to cause him more concern or worry by disobeying his doctor's orders. But when Doctor Clarkson had telephoned to arrange an appointment with her, neither of them had been prepared for what he had to say.

This time Ella wanted Henry in the room with her when she received her results and she felt a little uncertain of herself when she saw Doctor Clarkson entering the room with a large smile.

'Doctor Forbes, Lady Aurelia, it would seem that I have the most excellent news for you. I suspected it a few days ago when I first examined you Lady Aurelia, but I needed the blood and urine samples to confirm it.' He explained cheerfully, but Ella just managed to look confused. 'You are still pregnant.' He added and both Ella and Henry were stunned.

'Pregnant?! But how can that be, when we haven't…you know…' She asked Henry uncertainly and with an awkward glance in Doctor Clarkson's direction.

'It's quite simple Milady; you did indeed suffer a miscarriage, I am sorry to say that nothing has changed that, but it would seem that you had been pregnant with twins and for whatever reason, you lost one of them, but the other twin has survived.' He explained calmly and finally she understood.

The news stunned and delighted Ella, but she felt such a mix of emotions. She was ecstatic that she was still expecting, but she had still lost a baby and this pain was still as raw as the day it had happened, which led her to feel rather confused about how she should feel about this baby. She wasn't certain that she was ready to feel the love again that she had once felt.

'Does that mean the baby is at risk Doctor Clarkson? I mean, is it going to be healthy and am I likely to lose this one too?' She asked.

'As far as I can tell, there should be no reason for you to lose this baby, not now and there should be no reason as to why the baby should not be happy and healthy. You are young Milady and healthy yourself, so there is no reason why, going forward, you shouldn't have a normal pregnancy.' He reassured. 'I will keep a much closer eye on you and your blood pressure is still high, so we will put you on a diet that should help to control that and, yes, I am afraid it also means a lot more rest over the next few months.'

After a few moments of stunned silence, Ella clasped tightly onto Henry's hand and he smiled with teary delight at her. Doctor Clarkson then excused them, advising that he would come up to the Abbey in a few days to check on her and then Henry led her into his examination room again.

He sat her down in his chair and smiled as he watched her stunned expression.

'How do you feel my darling?' He whispered with glee as he knelt beside her.

'I don't know, I'm…I'm just so shocked!' She stammered quietly.

'It will probably take a few more days to sink in properly, but we are to be parents after all my love and it's the most wonderful, wonderful news.' He laughed with delight, barely able to contain himself and he was so glad to see a smile starting to form on Ella's face and that familiar twinkle reappear in her eyes.

'We are, aren't we?' She whispered and they both placed their hands over their growing, unborn baby.

That was quite a short fic this time, with lots of angst and heart break, but at least it ended happily for them, so I'll be sure to make my next fic extra fluffy to make up for it lol. It's already in the pipeline, so stay tuned folks! As always, thanks to all my wonderful reviewers and to my #1 fan lol xxx