A/N: Happy Mother's Day to all the Mommies out there!

It's a beautiful day! Enjoy!

XX Kate

Cora may not have loved Robert back then – back when he was simply a title and she, an heir. They of course had completed each other in that way from the very beginning. Yet from the moment they had said 'I do,' Cora and Robert would come to know that they were so much more than just socially matched. They fit together like puzzle pieces, she'd come to think. They were paired perfectly – his wit, her charm, his hard and traditional demeanor and her warm, welcoming one, his dashingly handsome English looks and her elegantly beautiful American ones. It was true; they honestly understood one another – not only socially – but emotionally, mentally, romantically, and physically.

And it was also true that she certainly loved Robert Crawley now. Years later, she was, and continued to be head over heels, short of breath in love with this man.

She considered herself a lucky woman.

What was, originally, an arranged marriage that she had been convinced she would grow to regret had turned out to be a relationship with the man of her dreams.

Yes, Cora considered herself to be a lucky woman.

…

Throughout breakfast Cora could hardly contain herself. It could have been the changes that her body was undergoing or perhaps it was just because she was happy, but she could not keep her hands from Robert. Her fingertips lingered on his as she passed the butter, her forearm 'accidentally' nudged him while he was occupied with the newspaper, and finally – becoming impatient – Cora had slipped her hand down to his thigh.

He jerked in surprise but tried to cover it up with a cough to keep from causing any commotion. He looked at Cora in shock, but she wouldn't meet his eyes – she wasn't going to let her fun end that easily. Instead, she kept her gaze on her own paper, yet continued to slide her fingers up and down his leg suggestively.

What had gotten into his wife? Of course it wasn't proper for her to be acting in such a way – but really, what could be done about it without bringing attention to the situation?

Robert bit his lip and placed his hand over Cora's, if nothing else, but to stop an unwanted visitor from appearing at breakfast.

Finally, after what seemed like a tortuously long amount of time, Edith and Sybil excused themselves from the table to tend to their own daily happenings.

"Can you give us a moment," Robert asked the butlers who occupied the room. The two men nodded and exited quickly. "What in heaven's name has gotten into you Cora Crawley?" he bellowed as soon as the door was fastened firmly behind them.

Cora didn't hesitate – in fact, she didn't even blink. "I don't have the slightest clue what you're talking about."

He smirked reproachfully, "You may cause the death of me, my love," he said.

"I certainly hope not!" – It was mock astonishment. She couldn't hide her smile.

"I wonder what I must have done to deserve such a fortune in my life," Robert asked rhetorically, gazing pensively out the window.

"You're a good man. You deserve good things," Cora said simply, taking his hands in her own.

"You're wrong. I don't deserve you," he countered.

She laughed out loud, "How wrong you are my dear, how wrong you are."

…

Since breakfast, Cora had been waiting to return to her husband's side. Usually, she didn't have an issue with being apart from him – she had duties herself as the countess and she didn't have trouble filling her day. But today, all she seemed to want to do was to spend time with him.

She finally couldn't wait any longer.

"Are you in the mood for a little stroll, my love?" Cora asked gently, hesitating on whether she should have even bothered her husband, who was currently absorbed with a pile of documents on his desk.

He glanced up at the sound of her voice and smiled, "I would love to darling, why don't you just give me a few moments to wrap up and I shall meet you in the entry."

She smiled in return, "Of course."

Cora was just about to go call O'Brien to fetch her jacket and hat when she stopped dead in her tracks by the door to the servant corridors – she had heard her own name being muttered. Did you hear the news of Lady Grantham?

She stood still, just on the other side of the wall. She couldn't see any faces but she could fully make out the voices – two males – a butler and…the newspaper boy? Delivery man?

"Yes, I heard the news. But I didn't believe it myself," one man snorted.

"I agree, at first I thought it was just idle gossip…a put-on, you know?" he paused, "I mean, she is most certainly a beautiful woman, but she is old enough to be a grandmother for goodness sakes!"

Cora winced. Robert had, in the meantime, joined her on this little eavesdropping session. He touched her shoulder and she jumped, startled.

"You don't have to listen to this nonsense," he whispered into her ear.

She shook her head, "It's ok, I want to hear it," she promised, turning back to listen.

The conversation between the men continued. "Aren't they quite old to be active in that area," he paused and they both laughed uncomfortably, "I never pegged Lady Grantham as a slut…but…I suppose that makes Lord Grantham a lucky man."

Robert had heard quite enough. Before Cora could stop him, he barged past her and into the entry way.

"Excuse me men!" he thundered furiously.

They both jolted in shock, "M-M'lord, I do apologize," the butler stuttered nervously. The delivery man was frightened into silence.

"W-we were just talking…" the man foolishly continued.

"Yeah, about my wife!" Robert boomed. Cora stood in the doorway, alarmed at the scene unfolding. She was just about to intervene when she witnessed Robert's arm swing back and his fist make contact with the butlers jaw.

She screamed out in surprise as the man stumbled backward from the blow, "Robert!"

Robert just shook out his hand, mumbled an apology, and hustled away quickly.

The two men just stood, frozen in place, the butler's lip was bleeding as he rubbed his jaw in pain.

"I am so sorry about my husband's behavior," Cora fussed, "Do you want me to call the doctor?"

"No, no thank you m 'lady, I'm the one who should apologize. I deserved that. I shall put in my resignation at once," he mumbled, clearly horridly embarrassed.

"That's probably for the best," Cora sighed and hurried away to find her husband.

…

Robert was not a violent man. In fact, the only harm he'd ever caused to anyone was when he was on the front fighting in the war – and then, it was completely necessary. He was ashamed at what he had just done; especially in front of a lady none other than his wife. He should have controlled his anger. A stern talking to would have sufficed for punishment enough.

Just then, Lady Grantham came through the door, joining him in his bedroom. She didn't knock. She stood without saying a word. She didn't have to – her face said it all. She was disappointed.

"Robert," she finally said, taking a seat on his bed next to him.

He looked down in shame. "I'm so sorry Cora that should never have happened. I lost my temper and for that, my pride did not go unpunished – I just simply can't listen to someone say such awful things about you" –

He was suddenly interrupted by Cora's mouth connecting with his own. It was passionate and full of love. She pushed him easily back on the bed, perching herself on top of his chest as she continued to kiss him. "You're always there for me, aren't you?" she whispered between kisses. It wasn't really a question – more of a statement. Cora knew the answer.

He smiled into her mouth. "Always Cora," he assured.