A/N- Thanks for all the reviews, this one's set in the 2012 Christmas special and there's a few moments in this one but I couldn't help it. I guess this one is about Rose realising what kind of marriage she wants and comparing her parent's marriage with theirs xxx
1921
Rose
The Crawley's had come on their annual visit to Duneagle and Rose couldn't be happier. Having them around would mean she had to spend less time with her mother, and she really did adore the Crawley's. She had known them all her life and they had been most welcoming when she had visited Downton the previous year. She particularly loved the dynamics of their family. They always seemed so happy, they had had their disagreements of course but generally they got along very well, especially compared to the dynamics of her family. Her and her siblings had gotten along ok, and she loved her father, but her mother changed everything. She always criticised her and argued with her, and her father.
When Rose was younger she had thought that all marriages were like that, unhappy. But as she grew older she realised that not everyone's was like that, that not all marriages were loveless. It was seeing Cousin Cora and Cousin Robert's marriage that made her realise this. They were happy, truly happy, and they were in love, completely and utterly in love. They looked at each other with an undeniable sparkle in their eyes and they spent time with each other, both in public and behind closed doors. Now that Roses mother had begun discussing marriage she decided to watch them more than usual.
Following dinner on the first night of their stay Rose was sitting next to Cousin Cora on the sofa, though she wasn't talking to her. Cousin Cora was sitting with her back slightly to Rose, instead facing her husband. They were talking and laughing together, something her parents never did. "I do worry for Mary." Robert commented, glancing over at their eldest child.
"Yes, I don't think she should have come, though it is her choice." Cora sighed.
"Like Mother like Daughter."
"What's that supposed to mean?" Cora asked.
"Nothing my dear, though if I recall correctly you never did as you were told when you were pregnant." He laughed. "Don't you remember insisting on continuing as normal up until you actually gave birth."
"That's a bit of an exaggeration Robert." Cora chuckled.
"Oh really?" He asked, leaning forward. "Must I remind you what happened with Edith?" He gazed into her eyes, wearing rather a large smile. She held his stare for a few moments before breaking into a fit of uncontrollable giggles. She was surprised to find none of their family batted an eyelash to their uproar; clearly this was not something out of the ordinary. They stayed wrapped up in each other for the remainder of the evening and when it was time to go up they went up together, his hand on her lower back. About a half an hour later Rose went up herself and she noticed Cousin Robert walking eagerly towards the direction of his wife's bedroom, a wide smile across his face. Something Rose had never seen on either of her parents.
On the fourth day, Rose was sitting alone in the gardens, enjoying the nice weather. She saw them walking back towards the house. They had been out walking, just the two of them, just as they had done every day of their stay. Rose eyed them curiously. She watched as they walked together, arm in arm. Rose could see them talking to each other. And as they were about to walk up towards the front door, Cousin Robert stopped in his tracks and turned his wife around so they were face to face. He gazed into her eyes before leaning in and planting a soft kiss securely on her lips. When they parted they just stared at each other for a few moments wearing looks of complete love and satisfaction, before they finally went inside. Rose had never seen her parents do that, they had never casually stopped to show their affection for each other. And apparently, Cousin Robert and Cousin Cora did this a lot more than propriety allowed. There wasn't a day of their stay that Rose didn't notice some sort of public show of affection on their part. But it was the night of the ball that she saw the most heart warming scene.
It had been a pleasant night, despite her mother being particularly difficult. Rose had enjoyed the dancing and the other luxuries of lavish balls. It was late when Rose finally exited the ballroom; she was the last out as all her family had gone up a while beforehand. As she stumbled through the upstairs wing she saw two figures at the far end. At first she thought they were servants but as she looked closer she realised that they weren't as they were swaying silently together. Cousin Cora had her head rested against her husband's chest and his arms encircled her waist. They were dressed in their night clothes, after all it was late. They swayed in silence until she spoke softly; "I'm sorry Robert, for waking you up so suddenly."
"You don't have to apologise my love." He whispered, kissing her forehead. "You know that you can always wake me up."
"I know. Thank you." She said softly. "I love you Robert."
"I love you too Cora, so very much." They continued swaying but he leant down to kiss her, and he tightened his grip on his waist. Rose watched for a few seconds before turning on her heels deciding to take the longer way to her room.
During their visit Rose had seen the true extent of their marriage. They were happy, truly happy, and they were in love, completely and utterly in love. They looked at each other with an undeniable sparkle in their eyes and they spent time with each other, both in public and behind closed doors. Each time they had visited Rose had thought she may see a change in their relationship, which showed her that their marriage was turning into the same cold and unfeeling marriage her parents were in, but each time she had been wrong. Every time they were as close as ever, closer if that was possible. And this time was no different. Seeing how happy they were gave Rose hope. There was hope for her future; she could have a happy marriage, a loving marriage. And she wanted one exactly like theirs.
A/N- Let me know what you think xxx
