AN: So I googled it and apparently Mother's Day is celebrated at a different time in England, but I'm posting this now because reasons. So, Cora's first mother's day. It's just a silly, little, fluffy thing. Enjoy.
When Robert awoke that morning he rolled over and gazed at his wife. He could see how exhausted she was. Even though they had a nanny, Cora had insisted on breast feeding herself and had refused the wet nurse. She had not expected that baby Mary would want to take most of her meals in the middle of the night. Babies did not, it seemed, care what time it was when they were hungry. The nanny came in almost every night to get Cora. At first Robert had insisted on getting up with her, but after awhile she refused to let him come. She saw no reason that they both had to be miserable.
He had been pleased at first when she gave him an excuse not to get up, but he was starting to feel guilty. Cora had almost fallen asleep the day before during tea and his mother had not been amused. Her behavior towards Cora had only gotten worse since they had produced a female child and it took little instigation for Violet to lash out at her. Cora had left the room with tears filling her eyes.
Robert had finally come to the decision that it was time to do something. He had realized that Mother's Day was quickly approaching and it gave him a perfect opportunity. He had brought the staff in on the plan and they helped him prepare.
He silently slid out of bed and out of their room. In the nursery he found the nanny and his daughter fully dressed and ready for a day out. "Do you have the solution cook prepared?" He inquired.
The woman nodded. "Yes. It will work fine for one day, but it's not as good for the baby as her mother's milk."
Robert agreed and picked up Mary's bag. "I'll be down in the foyer in a moment."
He walked to his dressing room and rang for his valet who arrived quickly and helped him dress. As the man left Robert heard someone moving in the next room. He opened the door and discovered his wife about to leave bed. "Oh no you don't darling. You're not allowed to leave that bed."
Cora stared at him confused. "What do you mean Robert? Mary's going to be up any moment. I have to go feed her."
He smiled indulgently. "Actually, you don't. Mary is already up and dressed and downstairs. We are going out for the day. You are to spend the whole day in bed. You haven't slept for a full night in weeks and you need to rest."
Cora did not look convinced. "But what will Mary eat? And what if she needs me for something? Or what-"
He cut her off with a gentle kiss. He rested his forehead against hers. "It's all taken care of darling. Today is for you. Enjoy it."
She sank back down in the bed and smiled up at him. "Thank you."
"No. Thank you. For being a fantastic mother and wife. I cannot even explain how grateful I am. Happy Mother's Day." Cora watched him leave and then rolled over and fell instantly back to sleep and then stayed that way for the rest of the day.