Author's Note: I think this is my last weekly chapter. I'll have the next few chapters out every other week. I hope you can stay with me for every two weeks. Most of my problems from last week seem to be resolving, but there is still things that are going on. The reviews are always the loveliest kind reviews. This is my longest fanfic that I have ever written for the public. I have two Cobert fics in the works. And thanks again to my friend Granthamfan for the continuous support and love. Enjoy!
*warning possible triggers*
Three weeks later
Cora had progressively gotten worse as the weeks went by. Thankfully, Susan and her remarks were gone after a week's stay. Robert knew that it would help Cora feel better about herself. Susan wouldn't be bragging about James all the bloody damn time. It wouldn't be "James that"..."James this".."James is"... every time she would walk or even start talking.
Rosamund and Marmaduke had headed back to London a week before.
Nanny Thomlin walked into the library with the children; Edith in her arms and Mary walking in at the foot of her nanny.
"Come here, my sweet Mary." Robert smiled as the toddler smiled at her father.
"Papa! Papa!" The little Mary gave a toothy grin. "Mama, better?" Mary looked curiously at her mother. It dawned on both Cora and Robert that Mary was old enough to realize something was up. "Mama, hold me." Mary question
"Of course I'm feeling better," Cora said in a emotionless voice as she reached out to take her daughter. Mary was happy that her mother would take her into her arms, not noticing the unhappiness.
Robert happily took Edith from the nanny. "Hello, my darling girl." He was happy that Edith had been looking well. He was worried because every time the children would come down, Cora would refuse Edith and she would spend most of her time with Mary. He knew it was because Mary wouldn't understand if her mother got up and left her.
But Robert would try to get Edith into her mother's arms. "Cora, look at little Edith's smile."
"I'm good, Robert." Cora fiddled with Mary's hair. "Thank you for trying." Her sad blue eyes looked up at her husband.
"Maybe next time, little Edith." Robert smiled at the baby bundled in his arms. She was almost a month old. Robert hated that Cora was missing out on Edith's first weeks.
Robert settled Edith in his arms as they watched the outside change. The colorful leaves were falling to the ground outside the window.
"Look at all the beautiful reds and yellows on the leaves, Edith. It reminds me of your beautiful hair." He pointed at the tree. Cora's small smile went unnoticed by the entire family. She was glad that the girls had him. Her favorite companion. Her Robert. Last year, Robert had finally admitted to his love for Cora. Cora's heart lept out of her chest when she heard the first 'I Love You'. The thing that frightened her most was that she going to fall out of love with her Robert.
Cora still tried to love her family, but her emotions would always win the battle.
Robert noticed that Cora was seeming more and more exhausted with each passing day. He wanted her to rest and not care about anything else. He didn't know how his mother would take it, but he would try. He knew his mother would refuse such an idea because Downton Abbey needed to appear to have strong leaders.
"Why would I oppose this, Robert?" Violet looked at her son.
"You usually oppose everything I suggest that has to do with Cora's well-being." Robert argued. "Even with my own two daughters."
"Well, Cora is family; we must protect her. I never liked her American mother, but Cora has begun to grow on me with her American ways." His mother paused. "Although, she is not a Crawley by blood; her children are." Violet reminded her son of facts that he already knew.
"I know this, mother. They are my children."Robert was becoming frustrated.
"So...we need to do this for Mary and Edith's sakes. For the girls to have a normal childhood, and not to be known as the children with a crazed or absentee mother." Violet looked at him. "If we stand here and do nothing about it, Mary and Edith will never forgive us if we have dirt on our hands. These girls will grow up at Downton Abbey and shouldn't think of Downton as the place that drove their mother insane. Do you understand? We must protect the future of Downton Abbey."
"I understand, Mama." Robert smiled. He was glad his mother loved that Cora was what the Crawley family needed. His mother's brick wall wasn't as bad as people who visited her sometimes thought. "Thank you, Mama." Robert gave his mother a kiss of thanks.
"All I ask of you is to keep Cora safe." Violet looked at her son. "I hate to admit this, but she is the one that keeps this family going. She's become the heart of Downton Abbey. I do not think your father or I can think of a life without your wife."
"How can I believe you?" Robert asked for the truth in his mother's eyes."
"My life was made to protect Downton Abbey, and Cora has made her mark on this land. Why must I stress this to you, Robert? You know this. I have risked my status for protecting your wife." Violet looked at him. "I was wrong with Cora. She makes you happy,and was the best suit for you."
"Did I hear you say that you were wrong?" Robert looked at his mother with all honesty.
"Your ears never fail, Robert." Violet concurred to his thoughts.
Dr. Clarkson stood as he saw the son of the earl enter his office.
"I apologize, Dr. Clarkson, for interrupting your work." Robert stepped closer.
"No apology necessary, Lord Downton. It's been a slow day." The Doctor maneuvered around the desk.
"I have a question to ask of you. " Robert stood straighter.
"What is it your…inquiry?" The doctor looked at Robert with confusion. "Couldn't you have sent for me? Lord Downton, I could have come to the big house." The doctor inquired.
"I'd rather come here than you come to the big house." Robert looked at the doctor hopefully.
"Is everything alright with your health, Lord Downton?" The doctor began to worry.
"I'm quite alright, Doctor." Robert took the chair the doctor had offered. " It actually has to do with Lady Downton."
"What is wrong?" The doctor looked quizzically at the young lord.
"She seems to be down in her sorrows after the birth of the baby, Lady Edith." Robert unfolded his findings to the doctor. "She doesn't want anyone to know. So I came to ask what I could do to make it easier on my wife." Robert asked.
"I have not seen Lady Downton for myself, but there a discovery that is quite new to psychological viewings of the mental health, Lord Downton," the doctor informed Robert. "But I am quite certain she has developed this by what you speak of."
"It's quite new?" Robert questioned.
"Quite. It was first diagnosed in your generation." The doctor smiled warmly. " It's called Post-Partum Depression, which is a cloud of guilt and emotions following the birth of a child"
"Post-Partum depression." The word fell off of Robert's tongue rather awkwardly.
"Yes. I would like to exam Lady Downton for myself, but I am sure that this is what it is. It is rather treatable." The doctor smiled.
"Thank God," Robert sighed. "Have you seen anyone else with this condition?"
"I have. A couple of women in the village seemed to have symptoms, but the symptoms vary for each woman. It is still, as I said, quite new, so please keep this within the close family and the staff that needs to be privy to such a diagnosis."
"I will; thank you doctor." Robert smiled. "Do you know how I could help her?"
"Give her some space." The doctor looked at him writing some other key help. "Tell your family to do the same."
Cora had helped herself into the bath, her still-sore muscles relaxing as she lowered herself into the warm water. Oh, she loved the bath. Her struggle, her pain seemed to disappear. She smiled at finally being at ease.
The warm bath water that Stanton had drawn was her friend. Her only friend that could console her. Nobody could. Not Robert, nor Rosamund. Just the water. It did not fight with her. It was just there. The water listened to her pain.
She continued to lower herself, closing her eyes as she felt the water and darkness engulf her body. She was at peace as she slowly slipped into unconsciousness.
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