This was written and posted originally on tumblr. It was a fic request with the prompt of "Don't Lie." I also am introducing another original character in this chapter, Tom's older brother Malachy 'Mal' Branson.

I'm actually on hiatus from tumblr and fan fic writing at the moment as I finish my thesis. I do have some fics already written that are being edited and they might be posted while I'm on hiatus. However, this might be my last update until September. I hope you enjoy it.

Sybil glanced at the clock as it struck eight. Tom was now two hours late and she was starting to worry. He had said that morning he was going to be late.

"Only an hour at the most, love. Don't wait for me to eat."

Having the day off, Sybil had spent the day doing laundry and cleaning the house. When she made dinner, she had every intention to ignore Tom and wait for him, but her hunger got the best of her. She left the rest of the stew on the stove for her husband, as he was supposed to be in soon. However, Tom hadn't arrived home at seven.

Yawning, she stretched out on the couch to read. With North and South in her right hand while her left rested on her swelling stomach, she tried to focus on reading. Within minutes she was asleep.

Two hours later, Sybil woke up, startled by a loud noise from the spare room. Thinking it was a robber, she quickly rose from the couch and grabbed the vase that was on the side table, ready to strike. However, she stopped moving when she heard Tom's voice coming from the room.

"Shh, Mal. I don't want to wake Sybil."

Appearing in front of the two men, she announced her presence. "You already have."

Glancing at the clock and seeing the time, she stared down her husband and brother-in-law. "Tom Branson, where have you been? It's after ten! You were supposed to be home four hours ago!"

Tom looked down on the ground, a sheepish look on his face. "I was with Mal at his shop."

"For four hours! Don't lie to me, Tom!"

Mal, whose eyes had been darting back and forth between his younger brother and his wife, decided to intervene. "He's not lying, Sybil. I swear on Lily's life."

Hearing her brother-in-law swear on his daughter's life calmed Sybil a bit. "What were you doing there?"

Tom looked up, his cheeks reddening each second. "I wanted to surprise you."

Puzzled, she asked, "Surprise me? With what?"

He glanced at his brother. "I might as well show her now."

Both men stepped aside, revealing a beautiful, oak crib. Sybil gasped when she saw it.

"Oh Tom! It's so beautiful!"

Tom walked over to her wrapping her in his arms. "I'm sorry I worried you, love. But I wanted to keep this a secret until it was ready."

She looked up at him with tears in her eyes. "I'm sorry I yelled."

He chuckled. "Nothing I didn't deserve. Do you really like it?"

"I love it!"

Mal chuckled. "I'm going home now. I'm glad you like the crib, Sybil." He kissed her on the cheek. "Goodnight you two."

He quickly left the room and the flat, leaving the soon-to-be-parents to themselves. Sybil walked up to the crib and ran her hand over the smooth wood. "It's really happening, isn't?"

"What?" asked Tom, confused.

Turning towards him, she answered, "We're going to be parents."

He went over to her and kissed her.