Lucky
"They can't have you. Do you hear me Robert Crawley?" Cora whispers tenderly to her sleeping darling. He looks so pale. So fragile. She's been assured by Doctor Clarkson that the worst is over, that he is out of danger and will make a full recovery but she still needs him to know. "Whoever it is up there cannot have my Robert." Tears roll down her cheeks and she is grateful that the girls are back at the abbey. "You know the girls wanted to stay over-night- watch over us. But, I told them not to worry." Cora smiles tearfully as she softly strokes his cheek. "You wouldn't want them to fuss even though, you and I both know you would secretly love it."
"Fluffed up pillows, treats from Mrs Patmoreā¦" She reels off a list playfully before a lump nearly chokes her again. "They are all waiting for you. Mary and Edith, Sybil, Tom, Matthew and our beautiful grandchildren." "Even Mama told me that under no circumstances are you allowed to leave this earth before her." Cora chuckles thinking about her rich but, fragile. "I won't be up-staged. Not by my boy."
"You silly, wonderful man." Cora sniffs. "Do you know how much you mean to me?" "We have no secrets remember?" Her lips press ever so finitely onto his thankfully warner brow. Then suddenly, as if awakened from a dream she sees those magical eyes begin to groggily open.
"Cora." He says her name with a weak but devoted smile. "Oh." The gasp that escapes her mouth has barely been uttered before she is saying his name with so much love, so much relief. She can finally breathe again. "Oh Robert! Robert I love you so much!" However, the words are soon swallowed up when Cora feels his lips slowly but passionately find her own. They manage to say "I love you. I treasure you. I don't ever want to leave you." When the blessed declaration is over and they have taken in the necessary air she just holds his hand as he tries to speak again. "Dar-ling I'm-"
"Shh." Cora whispers soothingly. "If anyone should be apologetic it's that ulcer." Robert chuckles at his sweet Cora. She always found the silver lining.
"Your dress?"
"Is replaceable- you my love- are absolutely not." Her radiance gives them both strength and in a few short hours he feels the relief of cold water trickling down his throat before his loving nursemaid encourages him to eat a slice of driest toast he has ever eaten. Doctor Clarkson had said he was to stay for at least three nights for observation. Strict bed rest and no strenuous activity for at the very least, six weeks.
"How's the toast sweetheart?" Cora beams cheekily, noticing the look of humurous disdain. "Terrible but the thought of being without you is worse. How are the girls? Mama? Carson?" Robert asks with more energy, wanting to know anything and everything all at once.
"Carson like your wife and everyone who loves you." she pauses to give his lips a gentle kiss tasting the crumbs and the butter that still lingers on his lips. "Is just glad to know you're going to be alright."
"I love you Cora."
"I love you Robert Crawley. Please don't ever scare me like that again." They are nestled together, his arm and a shared blanket gently around them. She didn't want to leave him and he couldn't be without her, any wrath they might face from a disgruntled matron tomorrow is nothing compared to what could have been. "Oh Cora, I promise I will die with you when we are older than church mice." She hums in agreement however, just as they close their eyes she hears him chuckle. "But first I shall speak with Clarkson about my exile."
"MA! Go to sleep you." Her kiss tickles his cheek, that and the medicine numbing the pain to a dull ache that makes him see how incredibly lucky he is to be alive and to hold his Cora in his arms.
So he does as he is told. Happily.
Hope you enjoyed this one shot. Please review.
