A/N: I am so sorry for not updating sooner, I know it can be so painful waiting for updates. I had it ready to be updated a while ago but I decided I wasn't happy with the chapter and I've been re-jigging it a lot. Anyways, thank you for putting up with me and thank you for reading. I'm so glad you guys are enjoying the story, anyways happy reading!


Downton began to feel alive again, Christmas was right around the corner and the blissful time of year brought much needed news for Cora. She's been looking forward to Christmas for a long time, but not because of the holiday itself. No, it was because of Robert, he was on leave for the holiday season and she was internally leaping out of joy. Christmas was a week away and she was truly feeling the magic of the season. The light snowfall blanketed the English countryside with a glistening coat of soft snow and the grey skies of winter weren't dulling anyone's mood. As Cora came down the grand staircase, she noticed Sybil was already elbow deep in Christmas decorations. Cora chuckled softly at the sight, Sybil's favourite time of year had always been Christmas, ever since she was a little girl. She remembers her youngest daughter's first Christmas from all those years ago. The little girl would squirm in her arms at the sight of any Christmas decorations. It was comforting to Cora to see that she was very much the same, because the world seemed to be changing almost too fast for her to keep up. Sybil began to climb up the ladder to place ornaments on the Christmas tree, as she noticed Cora coming down the stairs her smile stretched a bit further.

"Good morning Mama! How are you feeling today?" Sybil, so sweet and caring, she always worried about Cora. Even though Cora always noted that Sybil shouldn't have to care for her.

"I'm quite well, thank you Sybil dear. You must've gotten up early to start with the Christmas decorating, correct?"

"Of course! Oh, Mama when will Papa be home?"

"Three days." Cora's smile was truly genuine when she uttered those words. Robert would be home, safe inside the safe walls of Downton. He is coming home, only temporarily, but she hadn't seen him since the end of July which is a terribly long time to be away from each other. Cora began to make her way to the library, she had to go through all the paperwork piled on top of the desk. Robert would be horrified to see that she was doing his work in her condition. She was about five months pregnant and to be perfectly honest she wasn't feeling quite well. She wasn't as sick as she used to be, but she would still feel a bit ill from time to time. She had a constant back pain and the hormones were already driving her, and the rest of the family, crazy. She would experience sudden mood swings all the time and even though she was only five months, she was sick of it. She could tell she was driving the family mad, but she couldn't help it and only Robert would truly understand her. She was so insecure without him here with her, so lost.


The bright sunlight trickled through the cloudy skies of Downton, and the light layer of snow sparkled when the light touched it. As he stepped off the train, he took a long, deep breath, inhaling the cool air. For the first time in a while, it didn't smell of smoke, or death for that matter. The horrors of the war hadn't reached his home and he was incredibly thankful. He was arriving home from the horrid battlefield three days early. He hadn't told anybody, he wanted it to be a complete surprise, though he hoped it would go as planned, or it would lead to an awkward situation. He applied for early leave and thank god he got it, his family was awaiting him. Cora, his pregnant wife was waiting for him, and coming home early would be quite a lovely surprise. The motor soon that he had called for soon picked him up from the station. The driver was slightly confused when he noticed that it was Lord Grantham who called him, he obviously expected Robert to have his own chauffeur pick him up. Though Robert took the little baggage he had and hopped into the car, simply bursting with excitement. As they pulled onto the familiar drive, he began to feel like a child on Christmas morning. Giddy, elated and grinning madly. Robert took a deep breath as the vehicle made its way in front of the abbey, and he lightly clapped his hands together when the car came to a full stop. As he climbed out, the medals on his uniform clinked together and he heard the familiar crunch of gravel beneath his feet. Yes, he was home. Though he was slightly afraid that Cora wouldn't even be there. What if she was out? No, Cora would be there, he only felt this sense of belonging at home when Cora was with him. He grabbed his one small trunk, dismissing the driver and insisting he didn't need him to take in indoors. Robert knocked on the large front door to be greeted with a surprised expression from Carson.

"Milord, you're back! We weren't expecting you for another three days, or else we would have all been here to receive you."

"Don't bother about it Carson, I managed to get early leave and didn't have time to write." Robert made his way inside and the door closed behind him. He noticed the great hall was already decorated and he suspected most of it was the work of dear Sybil. "Carson where is everyone today?"

"Lady Mary, Lady Edith and Lady Sybil have all gone to Ripon for the day. Also, I do believe Her Ladyship is in the library."

"Thank you so very much Carson."

"I shall go inform the servants of your arrival," and with that Carson made his way downstairs and Robert was simply standing in the entryway, staring into the great hall. He was about to seek out Cora, but then he saw her rushing across the hall.

"Cora!" Her name delicately rolled off his tongue and echoed through the great hall. She swiftly turned around on her heels and almost fell back when she saw him, letting out a small gasp. He could see her better now, her majestic eyes, her ivory skin, her lovely dark curls pinned up with care. He also noticed the bump of her stomach, and his face softened at the sight. Robert began to make a mad dash towards her, and as he got closer he noticed the tears spilling over her eyes. Soon enough, though it felt like forever, Cora was in his embrace once more. Their arms wrapped around each other and Robert felt is own eyes starting to prick as he heard Cora's muffled tears of joy. His arms held on to her tightly, and as he pressed her body to his he could feel the small bump against his own stomach.

"Robert, you're here. I can't believe it. I've been waiting for this for so long"

"Me too Cora, me too," and with that he quickly brought Cora's head into the crock of his neck and kissed her forehead. They were slowly swaying back and forth while Cora's tears cascaded down her face. Robert didn't know how long they'd been embracing already, and frankly he didn't care. The two of them could stay like this forever.


Carson immediately rushed down the stairs to tell everyone the good news. His Lordship was home three days early, he knows that everyone's spirits will immediately be brightened. As he made his way downstairs the silence he found wasn't unusual, but in fact completely normal. The war had made for dismal conversations in the servants hall, no one wanted to talk about it but somehow that seemed the only subject worth talking about. Yet Carson finally had some news to share that will return the liveliness that was usually found downstairs. As Carson strode into the room everyone stood and looked at him, attempting to read his face to know what kind of news awaits them.

"I have excellent news, His Lordship is back three days early." The servants all let out a sigh of relief and began to softly cheer. One of their own was home, it was a joyous moment in the servants hall. "But this also means that the house is in full order once again so we should all get to work. Oh, Mr Bates Lord Grantham's bag is in the entrance hall. "With the cheery announcement delivered he made his way upstairs to help get His Lordship settled. As he turned into the grand hallway he noticed that it was still occupied. There he saw His Lordship tightly embracing Her Ladyship, they both didn't notice he was there. Carson just decided to come back later, not wanting to disturb their happy reunion.


"Yes, that's everything. Thank you Bates, goodnight to you." Robert was in a hurry to leave his dressing room so he could curl up beside Cora. He's been dying to feel her next to him for months and now the time has finally come. As he burst into her bedroom, he was relieved that O'Brien had already left and he didn't have to wait on her. What he was in front of him was magical, Cora was sitting at her vanity, dressing gown draped over her shoulders and dark curls cascading down her back. She immediately noticed his presence and stood up to meet him.

"Oh Cora, how I missed you." Robert took extra time to admire his wife. God, she was enchanting. The curve of her stomach was even more apparent when it was not being covered by the thick fabric of her dresses.

"We all missed you Robert, the girls were all so happy when they saw you. It reminded me of when they were little."

"Yes, I think Mama was even shocked" Robert chuckled.

"Does anything really shock her" Cora giggled back at him. He missed this, laughing with his wife. Talking with her, hearing her delicate voice. As they climbed into bed their eyes met and they both smiled at each other, turns out the holidays were truly magical. Robert lay in the bed and was content feeling the warmth of Cora next to him, he wasn't cold anymore, not with her there.

"How are you feeling?" He never got to ask her about the pregnancy earlier, they didn't have much time alone before social convention interrupted them. Though as an Englishman, it was sometimes hard to ask about these things, he wanted to know.

"I'm holding up. Though I'm always tired and the sickness hasn't stopped yet, which is odd because it is usually gone by the end of five months. And the worst part is that these hormones are driving the family and myself mad." Cora let out a large huff as she finished with her rant and her hand went to rest on her stomach. Robert was about to speak but it turns out she wasn't finished, "Also time where my wardrobe will have to be drastically altered is coming, oh Robert I don't want to be fat again."

"Cora you won't be fat, don't think of it like that. You'll be glowing, and you will be happy and I will be admiring you every step of the way." Cora smiled at this, he loved to make her smile and to see her eyes light up. Robert clasped her hand that was resting on her stomach and rubbed his thumb over her palm. Soon enough Cora snuggled up against him and fell asleep, he then turned out his own light and pulled the covers up. One of his hands was lightly rubbing her stomach, and he felt her body relax under his touch. Soon enough, they were both fast asleep, finally at peace in each other's arms.


Once again, anything recognizable from Downton Abbey I do not own.