AN: Thank you everyone for all of your recent reviews and for staying with this story this far! This chapter alludes a little to my own head canon that Cora had at least one pregnancy in the four years between Edith and Sybil's birth that ended in miscarriage and that contributed to her pregnancy with Sybil being difficult.

21 October 1900

Dearest Brother,

By now I know that Cora has written you and so very dear congratulations from Marmaduke and myself. Of course we are all doing our best to look after them, but Cora is a bit unstoppable these days. I write this letter from Downton and though she is a bit tired she seems in good spirits and says she feels fit. As a favor, Mama and I are looking for a cook. The assistants have been making do but a proper cook is needed, perhaps someone who will help us fatten our Cora up now. It's a surprise though, so do not give us away!

Now you must take very good care of yourself even more than ever. There will be a new Crawley waiting to meet his (hopefully) papa very soon.

Much love,

Rosamund

"Mama? What are you doing?" Cora asked trying to sound as congenial as possible. In truth, her patience was as thin as it could be. The landowners were due for their annual meeting in less than a half hour. She had been spending the morning preparing her update on the irrigation upgrade and summoning her courage to deal with an ever hostile Jarvis. A persistent headache that had taken hold of her the night before only seemed to grow in strength as the day drew on. The last thing she needed was Violet's meddling. Carson had followed quickly at her heels after announcing that the Dowager had arrived.

"I thought it wise to attend. To support you of course. Carson, I think I'll sit across from Lady Grantham." Violet ordered from across the dining room table and the butler jumped to rearrange the seating assignments.

Cora's nostrils flared and she took several deep inhalations, hoping to find a level of calm before speaking, only to hold her breath for a moment, before sniffing. "What is that smell?"

"Oh," Violet waved her hand as though swatting away her question, "I've had one of the housemaids add some calla lilies to the floral arrangements. Though I can barely smell them."

Cora's head buzzed, her jaw clamped tight. She clenched and then released her hands. Her sudden anger turned quickly to a detached curiosity as the buzzing grew stronger, drowning out whatever words Violet was mouthing to her. The nausea that she had brushed off that morning as just a product of her headache churned her stomach and the room grew darker as her eyes lost focus. She could feel the sensation of falling before she realized she really was.

Carson's alarmed, "Milady!" sounded far away though he was at her elbows, gently guiding her into one of the dining room chairs. Violet's face swam within inches of her own and Cora couldn't keep her head from bobbing on her neck, it suddenly feeling much too heavy.

"Cora!" Violet commanded. "She's as white as those lilies. Carson, help me with her."

As quickly as the dizziness had hit, it dissipated, leaving Cora disoriented and shaky but aware once more. "I'm fine, really," she insisted weakly, pushing to stand.

"Easy, milady," Carson instructed, holding his arms at either side of her, ready to catch her if she should sway again.

Cora smiled thankfully at him. Violet scrutinized her cautious movements. "I think perhaps we should call Dr Clarkson."

"We can't," Cora replied, "he's in London for a month training medics that will be leaving for Africa. There is some interim doctor at the hospital. Besides, I'm perfectly alright."

Violet didn't move, continuing to regard her skeptically. Cora's smile faltered slightly and then fell as a stronger wave of nausea rolled up her spine. Covering her mouth with her hands she dashed out of the dining room and ran to the downstairs ladies room. The battle she had waged against sickness all morning had finally beaten her.

"Is this the first time you've been ill?" Violet inquired quietly, waiting at the door when she exited.

"Yes," Cora answered slowly. "I haven't felt quite right in a number of days but this is the first for, well...that…"

Violet placed a hand on her forearm, causing her to stop and turn. Violet's features were calm, impassive, but there was a warmth in her eyes that hadn't been there before. "When was the last time you bled, dear?"

Cora bit her lip, "Oh I don't know…" Cora gasped, "Since before Robert came home in August. I've been so preoccupied..." Cora cupped her forehead, a hand instinctively going to her belly.

Violet's thin lips stretched into a hopeful grin. "Well then, you've been working yourself much too hard. You need to rest. And eat!"

"Oh God, could it really be?" Cora wondered. Her heart pounded with excitement and longing and her first thought was to tell Robert. It was only when thinking of him that she felt a stab of fear. What if he never laid eyes on this child?

If the landowner's luncheon hadn't tapped the remainder of her energy, the fussing of her mother in law would have. The woman was in her bedroom, directing poor Jenkins on all that she would require given her condition, as though Jenkins hadn't seen her through her last pregnancy and Sybil's birth. Cora rested on the chaise lounge, only half paying attention to the two women. Her thoughts were full of Robert and their newest child. She almost couldn't believe the turn. It was all she had wished for in the last few years, and especially once Robert had left, and now that it seemed her wish had been granted, she would be lying if she didn't admit to being a little overwhelmed.

She had been lucky for her first pregnancies, feeling nothing more urgent than a bit tired and achy. Then the miscarriages happened between Edith and Sybil, and though Dr Clarkson had told her after each one that there was no reason to suspect she couldn't have another healthy baby, her pregnancy with Sybil had been a difficult one. The birth even more so.

Surely it was the memory of that time that propelled Violet into action now, but still a part of Cora resisted the coddling. There was no time for sensitivities. The estate needed her, as did the house and the girls. She had put up a fight when Violet had all but took her by the arm and dragged her to her room after the luncheon. Mrs Hughes had been expecting her to go over the date book. But now that she was resting, a warm cloth placed on her still aching forehead and a steaming cup of tea at her side, Cora had to admit that she may be pushing herself just a little too much, especially in light of the baby.

"I'm going to have Carson send someone down to the hospital and bring back this new doctor. We need confirmation and I'm not entirely comfortable with your pallor." Violet said quietly.

"Hmm," Cora mumbled, the restorative promise of sleep glueing her eyes together and wiping out any more thoughts.

John Bates used the silence to contemplate his companion. They sat watch, staring into the vastness of the desert darkness, ready for some unseen threat. Usually during these nights, John could count on his superior to fill the time with companionable conversation. Leftenant Crawley had been a pleasant surprise to John, much more congenial than any aristocrat John ever had the acquaintance of.

That was until three days ago when a letter had come from England. They had been in Lt Crawley's tent, John repairing the laces on his boots, when the mail clerk arrived. Of course there was nothing for John, there hardly ever was. Vera wasn't the writing type, and for that John was grateful, imagining her letters would only be filled with spiteful recriminations anyway. There was something for Lt Crawley, and from where John sat, he could make out the loopy, graceful penmanship of a woman's hand. Usually letters from home stoked Robert Crawley's mood, invigorating him with a renewed energy that was contagious.

At first, this last letter seemed to have the usual effect. Under the cover of his work, John had kept one eye to the other man as he read. His grin had widened while scanning the page and in the lamplight John had thought he saw the glint of a tear in the corner of his eye. It appeared to be happy news. But the days following saw the leftenant in a quieter state, almost introspective, and dangerously preoccupied.

"Bates?" Robert asked, unexpectedly stirring the stillness. "Have you ever wished to be someplace other than where you are?"

"Yes, milord, I have. Quite often." Bates replied, the truth spoken softly.

"You see, Bates, I've never known the feeling until now. Isn't that strange?" Robert wondered. His eyes remained straight ahead, as though looking for something in the dunes.

"I would say that you have been lucky then, milord." Bates told him.

Robert nodded his head and finally turned to Bates, "I've been very lucky. You've no idea." Robert looked away once more, sighing. "It seems Lady Grantham is expecting our fourth child."

"That is exciting news!" Bates declared kindly. "And she's well, I hope?"

Robert rubbed his chin, a days worth of stubble and grime scratching at his palm. "That's the thing...from what I can tell, yes, but it was my sister who wrote, not Cora."

"Perhaps her letter beat Lady Grantham's." John offered.

"Perhaps...I'd give anything if I could to be there right now," Robert's voice was tight with held back emotion. He cleared his throat.

"Of course you would. You're going to be a father again. You want to meet your new little one." John said.

"It's not that," Robert replied. "Well, I mean, yes I want to meet my child. It's just….it would be utterly disgraceful to talk about this back home, but here it seems...but she had a difficult time last time, with our youngest…"

"And you're worried," John finished.

Robert huffed out a short breath, "Yes."

"Then you have your answer." John pointed out.

Robert squinted in the dark, "To what?"

"Why she didn't write you herself. She didn't want you to worry."

"You're right of course," Robert conceded. "But worry I will. And write her, as soon as we get back to camp." The two men sat in silence once again, each deep within their own thoughts.

"Congratulations, Leftenant." John finally said, smiling at the man who met his gaze.

Robert's face broke out in a large grin, for a moment setting aside all of the concern for himself and Cora and the growing child that this news had brought. "Thank you Bates. Thank you very much!"