The Earl of Grantham awoke next to his wife, her dark hair had come partially lose of her braid during the night and lay across the pillow. He loved waking up next to her like that. No-one shared this moment but the 2 of them. In their lives they were surrounded by servants and family and the duties of their titles, but in this moment it was the 2 of them and no others. He stroked her hair for a moment and she stirred, rolling over so her face was toward him. He gently kissed her nose and crept from the bed. He made his way quietly to his dressing room and rang for Bates. While he waited for his valet he thought about how close he had come to losing Cora. First with the Spanish Flu, then when Sybil died. He had not thought they would come through it, but together they had made it, eventually. Of course before all of that had been the miscarriage of their son. He still got quite upset when he thought of that day, that awful moment. He could have lost Cora then too, but she was much stronger than her petite frame appeared. Although she had mourned the loss of their son, and of their last hope to be parents once more. She had not pushed him away as she had with Sybil.

The knock at his door bought him out of his thoughts and in looked Bates.

"Good Morning Milord" Bates said as he entered the room. He did not sound quite himself and Robert thought he looked like he had not slept at all.

"Bates, are you sick?" Robert asked instantly. They had an honest relationship and Robert enjoyed being able to converse freely with his Valet. Thomas had been a fine Valet, but he was not Bates. They did not share the same history and they did not have the same ease as Bates and Robert did.

"No Milord I am quite well" Bates replied

"You don't look it Bates. You look bloody awful" Robert continued.

"I'm quite fine Milord" Bates assured him as he began the process of dressing his Lordship.

All through breakfast Robert could not shake the feeling that Bates was not alright. There was definitely something wrong with him, maybe he wasn't sick, but there was something. He knew John Bates well, and he also knew Bates would not say anything to him unless Robert all but forced him too.

"There is something bothering Bates I just know it" Robert told Cora as he sat in her room during her breakfast. "Either that or he really is ill"

"Well why not send him home then? Although I doubt he will go, he's got such a work ethic." Cora said. She found Roberts concern for his Valet always so endearing. They had shared so much the two of them, and she knew theirs was more than a servant master relationship. She felt strongly for O'Brien, but it wasn't the same as Bates and Robert. They had been through a war together. Although, O'Brien had seen her through a lot over the years. Miscarriage, Spanish Flu, War, Death … O'Brien had been there for all of it. She had always kept Cora abreast of things below stairs as well as helped her talk out her own thoughts. She was one of her closest confidants.

"He would never do that. He'd have to be passed out to lie down." Robert said half jokingly. "Wait, how is Mary? Perhaps Bates has the same as she does. What did Dr Clarkson say it was?" Robert asked, sounding like he was onto something.

"Oh, no I don't think it's that darling. She's fine anyway, just tired." Cora tried to be vague, but Robert was still pursuing it.

"Cora if she is ill then perhaps Bates has what she has. I would feel awful if we knew what was wrong and kept the solution from him. Poor fellow. Surely Dr Clarkson gave her something?" he kept on.

"No Robert I'm sure it's not the same thing" Cora tried to find something to distract Robert with. No luck.

"Cora, are you really not going to tell me? This is absurd. What aren't you telling me?" Robert sounded disappointed and I bit hurt, not really angry, more frustrated with his wife. She couldn't do it anymore.

"Oh Robert. You mustn't tell her you know. She's sworn me to secrecy. But darling, Mary is pregnant." Cora let the words spill out, fast and happy.

"Pregnant!" Robert repeated, a smile starting to spread across his face.

"Yes darling. Isn't it wonderful! Another grandchild. She is quite well, just very very tired." Cora explained.

"Well that is fabulous news! I am thrilled for her and Matthew." Robert came to Cora's bed and sat next to her placing a kiss on her forehead. "Darling, you have made me so happy just now I can hardly stand it!" he leaned over and kissed her lips softly. Cora reached up and ran her hand through his hair as she accepted his kiss.

"I'm so glad darling" Cora breathed as their kiss parted and Robert lay next to her on top of the bed. She lay across his chest and listened to his heart beating. Her life was really quite wonderful and she was the most content and happy as she had been in months. Robert stroked her hair and she leaned up onto on elbow and kissed him again. As she pulled away she looked at his face, at his eyes, and she became quite bold for still so early in the day. She kissed him again, more passionately than before and for a much longer time. He pushed her back a bit so their lips separated and he could speak.

"Cora! What are you doing?" he was rather breathless, intrigued, excited.

"Robert, Shut up" she breathed as she kissed him again. She let her hands cradle his face and then up to his head where she let her fingers run through his hair and down his neck.

"Cora" Robert managed to come up for air, panting "I'm already dressed, what about …" she cut him off.

"Robert." She said in her most seductive tone, "Your wife is trying to have her way with you. Don't make me beg" and she lay back, pulling him down on top of her by pulling on his jacket. They lay there, inches apart breathing heavy. Robert was trying to think why this was not a good idea, but Cora's hand was running up and down his arms and her chest was heaving underneath him.

"Screw it" he whispered, and kissed her passionately. She accepted his kisses and murmured her delight in his touches and kisses. She took off his coat and unbuttoned his shirt. He loosened the top of her nightgown and found her breasts heaving underneath. He laid kisses across her chest and she groaned in pleasure and desire. She let her hands roam over his chest and scratch her nails down his back. He could not hide his intense pleasure and Cora finally began to undo his pants. He lifted up her nightgown and entered her with a groan of pleasure he could not keep under control. They moved together, kissing and touching and pleasuring each other for the next half an hour. Finally Robert was spent and Cora was grinning like a giggly schoolgirl as they back in each other's arms.

"Lady Grantham" Robert said, "I do believe I love you"

"Lord Grantham, I am very glad to hear it."Cora said happily, "I love you too"

"Cora" Robert began again, "You're going to have to act as Valet, I cannot have Bates return now without sullying your honor!"

Cora started to laugh as she got out of bed and began the process of redressing her husband