AN: I've actually finished telling the story I had orginally planned in Chapter 9. But then I decided to take the story beyond Mary's and Matthew's declaration of love. I thought about posting everything after Chapter 9 as a sequel, but I decided against that because the sequel would be longer than the original story and I believe that it works this way as well. At least that's what I hope. This will go AU in one (or actually two) major plotlines in the coming chapters, so just a little warning for those of you who prefer to stick to the original story as much as possible.
Thanks for the lovely reviews, everyone!
June 1914
Cora and Matthew
"You can go up Matthew. Mary and the baby are fine."
"Thank you, I'll, I'll"
"You go upstairs, Matthew. Take care of your wife and child."
Robert and Cora
"He didn't even ask if it is a boy or a girl."
"It's a boy."
"My grandson will be my heir. After Matthew."
"Yes."
"Are you all right Cora?"
"Yes. It's just, my little girl has had a baby. I can hardly fathom it."
"It is a strange feeling. But a happy one. And there's finally a boy in the family."
"Would you have been disappointed if it had been a girl?"
"No, of course not. I am only relieved because the settling of the succession takes a lot of pressure of the family. But especially of Mary and Matthew. I felt compelled to hope for a boy every time you were pregnant, even if I truly didn't mind. I love our three girls."
"Yes."
"Cora, are you sure that you are alright?"
"What?"
"Are you sure that you are alright?"
"Yes, yes. Just a little tired. And might have to throw up."
"It's the stress of becoming a grandmother."
"Maybe."