First Steps
Robert cannot contain his excitement at the sight before them. Their Daniel, with his light brown curls, sweet crystal blue eyes and cheeky grin is toddling determinedly towards them.
"Come on baby. Come to Mama and Papa." Cora encourages lovingly before they are rewarded with another step and his infectious giggle.
"You can do it Danny boy." Robert beams as Daniel takes another and another step across the grass of his childhood home. "Danny?" Cora's face quirks into a smile. "I thought you hated it when people shorten his name." "No." Robert teases kissing her nose and thankful to have her virtually in his arms on a glorious summers day. "I hate it when your mother does it just to wind Mama up."
"I think we all hate it when she does that." Cora laughs. "True." Robert concedes.
The sound of Daniel's laughter gets closer and closer until, finally, he bundles into their waiting arms. "Ohohoo. MA!" They shriek with joy and press kisses on both sides of his cheeks before their own lips meet in a bone melting kiss.
Cora's eyes flutter open when they part for air, his hand strokes the soft skin of her cheek. "We didn't bring the camera." She whispers however, she still seems elated as Daniel toddles away to blow dandelions. "Oh, honey the girls will hate us." Cora chuckles in despair. "I'm sure they'll understand darling." He rubs her back and presses a loving kiss to her fore-head. "I know Robert, but what about Mama and mother?"
Robert furrows his brow in thought until, a devilish idea comes into his mind. "Robert Crawley what are you up to?" Cora asks inquisitively.
"I'm turning back time." He says smugly before going inside to retrieve their video camera and capture the precious moment "for the first time."
It takes them five attempts to record but, in the end both of their mothers are placated thankfully, none the wiser and as for the girls? They laugh at their parent's espionage and promise to keep their secret safe.
Because that day, their baby brother really had taken his first steps, he had just taken a few more than they had all let on.
Hope you enjoyed this mini sequel one- shot. x