A/N: I am so, so happy you guys are enjoying this! I love writing it! Just, you guys need to prepare yourselves for the upcoming chapters. They are a little hard on the heart and emotions...but I hope you like them anyway. Again, thank you sooooo much to those who support me with each chapter I post. It means the world to me!

The season is dying down and the Craweys prepare to return to Downton. However, everything is not exactly as it seems. What does Cora suspect? What could possibly be so incredible that it could change everyone's lives?

Chapter 11: This Could Change Everything

The London streets were bustling with men in fine attire and ladies in beautiful styles. The London social season brought everyone to mingle together at balls and fine dinners, so many grand affairs.

The beautiful green park was especially a popular spot as groups walked elegantly and cheerfully beneath the warm sun.

Lady Rosamund Painswick inwardly sighed contently as she enjoyed the London air, sun, and the beautiful people around her.

The Crawley family was especially a fine sight to see, the three beautiful young women mingling with several other young people, some potential suitors and others jealous ladies.

Cora and Robert trailed not far behind the young people, walking with other respectable older couples. Rosamund walked just behind them, conversing with Sir Haworth beside her. Or rather pretending to listen to him babble. His dull conversation only put a slight damper on her mood. She was good at pretending to listen to boring old Englishmen.

Actually, she found her attention drawn more towards her brother and sister-in-law than Sir Haworth.

Rosamund watched with her sharp blue eyes as Cora and Robert walked closely together, side by side, their arms brushing every few seconds.

She then noticed her brother looking down at his wife, the most longing and adoring look on his usually stoic features. Cora was far too busy watching her daughters with bright motherly pride, but when she suddenly tipped her head towards his, bringing her lips closer to his ear, Robert quickly turned his eyes away. Rosamund smirked when she saw this, her brother hiding the fact that he had been openly staring.

"Sybil has truly been a success," Cora whispered to her husband, her blue eyes full of pride as she watched her youngest daughter laugh with three handsome young men. Robert glanced down at his wife before looking towards their daughter.

"It is only her first season, Cora," he reminded her. "Don't meddle too much, though I know you love to do so."

Cora looked up at him with a glare. He didn't meet her eyes, only smiled at his own teasing.

Rosamund smiled at her brother so in love. She missed that feeling for herself. And she couldn't help but continue to watch and listen.

"I do not meddle. Can you blame the many young men that like our daughters? They are beautiful. Mary has so many suitors, and she's grown into a striking woman. Edith might not be the belle of the ball, but her heart is beautiful and she is such a help," Cora gushed, smiling with motherly pride as she spoke of her daughters. Robert smiled lovingly at her, the mother of his daughters whom he loved.

"And now Sybil..." he continued for her, watching the way her blue eyes sparkled like sapphires as she looked up at him from beneath her hat. He couldn't help taking a moment to really look at her, observing her style and her natural beauty. The white dress she wore looked beautiful on her striking figure. Her tan hat sat atop her head of beautiful dark curls. Her fair skin glowed from the happiness he knew she was feeling. He could see the joy in her striking blue eyes. Her rose colored lips smiled lovingly up at him, and he found the desire to feel them on his own lips. She looked just as beautiful as the night he first laid eyes on her, more beautiful if that were even possible.

And now she was his.

Cora watched as her husband looked her over, feeling a blush color her cheeks at the appreciation in his eyes. And when he looked into her eyes, she felt her heart skip a beat. She wasn't a stranger to the feeling of butterflies in her stomach, Robert always had this effect on her.

And then Robert's gaze was suddenly flickering between her eyes and her lips. She felt her blush intensify and she had to force herself to look away from him.

Robert chuckled lightly as she looked at the other people around them, making sure they hadn't witnessed his undressing of her with his eyes.

"Must I remind you of propriety, darling?" Cora whispered, watching Lord and Lady Nichols walking just to the left of them. Robert smirked and shook his head, quietly taking her dainty gloved hand and slipping it into the crook of his arm.

"Of course not, my dear," he chuckled softly, bringing her gloved hand to his lips and placing a soft kiss on her knuckles. Cora could only watch lovingly, a smile on her lips.

At this time, Rosamund decided it was time to remind them of her presence and the presence of others around them.

"Robert!" she called, causing them both to pause and turn. "Cora, dear."

"Rosamund," Robert greeted politely, though Rosamund could hear the irritation in his voice for having interrupted him romancing his wife. She only smirked at this.

"Dear Brother, we must be getting back to the house or we'll miss the dressing gong," Rosamund spoke in her perfect English accent, laced with amusement.

She could see the look of disappointment on Cora's face clearer than she could see it on her brother's.

"Oh...already?" the lovely dark haired woman voiced her feelings in her American accent.

Rosamund smiled and nodded. She knew that the fresh air felt nice and was sure she understood Cora's disappointment.

What she didn't know, however, was that her sister-in-law hadn't been feeling well earlier in the day and the walk in the summer London air had seemed to help.

Rosamund witnessed Robert's adoring smile as he chuckled slightly at his wife before looking for their daughters. The three young women were already looking their way and he gestured for them to come. He watched with amusement as they told their disappointed followers goodbye.

Rosamund saw it before Robert did, the sudden look of illness that crossed Cora's face. Her brother's attention was quickly drawn to his wife, however, when he suddenly felt Cora's grip on him tighten and he felt her waver slightly. Immediately, he turned to her.

Rosamund could see that Cora looked suddenly quite pale, the rosiness in her cheeks having disappeared. Her hand had gone to her stomach once she was stable on her feet.

"Are you alright, Cora?" Robert asked quietly, his voice so full of worry and concern.

Looking at both her husband and sister-in-law, Cora forced a smile through the sudden and short lived wave of nausea she experienced. The feeling hadn't lasted long, only long enough for Robert and Rosamund to notice.

"I'm fine," she answered, regaining her composure and gracefulness. Closely examining her, Rosamund felt she had to disagree. Cora did not look well.

"My dear, you have lost all your color. Are you sure you are quite well?" she asked further. Cora smiled and nodded.

"I must just be tired from these busy months. The season is only just dwindling down after all," she responded, hoping to distract those around her from the sudden bout of illness she experienced. Rosamund nodded and sighed. She knew Cora had purposefully changed the subject to the upcoming end of the season. She was a masterful hostess and knew just how to manipulate a conversation.

"You're quite right. Your family will be leaving me tomorrow morning. How the time has flown!" Rosamund spoke. Robert nodded, though he still watched Cora closely, his arm still firmly holding her.

"It will be nice to return home to Downton," he said, gaining an irritated look from Rosamund. He only smiled teasingly.

With that, the family began walking towards the park exit and the car.

Cora held onto Robert's arm as they walked back to Rosamund's car, her mind wandering. She still wasn't feeling entirely normal again. There was still an uneasiness in her stomach. She desperately hoped she wasn't becoming ill. That would surely spoil their plans when they returned to Downton.

After an enjoyable dinner and night of socializing, Cora couldn't wait to get in bed. She was exhausted. And it seemed that within minutes of laying in the soft bed, she was drifting to sleep. The sound of Robert coming into her room barely registered in her mind, and she didn't move.

Robert looked up from untying his robe. He saw Cora lying peacefully in the bed, her beautiful face relaxed and her blue eyes closed. He smiled softly at the beauty of her. How he didn't deserve her...

Throwing his robe over one of the chairs, Robert slowly and quietly climbed into bed, reaching for the lamp to turn out the light. He paused when he felt Cora shift towards him, her bare arms wrapping around him. She buried her face into his side and he smiled before turning out the light. He took her in his arms and laid beside her, holding her close as her breathing deepened. Sleep soon overcame him as well, his thoughts and dreams filled with the woman in his arms.

Light filtered into the room from behind the white curtains, coming to rest on the two figures in bed. Cora squinted her eyes against the light, and moaned softly as she came to consciousness. She felt Robert stirring beside her, already more awake than her.

"Good morning, darling," he spoke softly, kissing her temple softly. Cora didn't smile though, to his confusion. A sudden panicked look appeared on her face and before he could say anything, Cora jumped out of the bed and ran for the washroom.

Robert sat up in bed, his brows furrowed confusedly. At the sound of his wife vomiting, he quickly threw the covers off of him and ran to help her. On his way, he rang for O'Brien.

As he entered the white room, he saw her over the lavatory. He quickly went to her and knelt behind her, putting a comforting hand on her back.

Cora moaned to herself, the nausea not quite gone. She was finished vomiting though, and flushed away the remains of her dinner from the night before.

"I'm sorry," she croaked, putting her hand to her forehead. Robert rubbed her back and pulled her hair away from her face, pushing back any of his own illness that he felt at the smell of vomit.

"Darling, don't be sorry. It's not your fault you're ill. Do you feel better?" he asked in concern. Cora nodded slowly.

"Yes, and I'm sure a bath will help," she spoke softly. Robert immediately stood up and went to the large white bath, turning on the faucet. Cora watched him curiously.

"What on earth are you doing?" she chuckled softly and weakly, her amusement putting a slight sparkle back in her blue eyes. Robert looked up from the running bath, giving his wife an odd look.

"I'm drawing a bath for my dear wife. Is there a problem in that?"

Cora smiled at his sweetness and shook her head in adoration.

"You must go get dressed for the day and make my excuses for missing breakfast," she said softly. "O'Brien will be here shortly to help my with my bath."

Robert looked worried and uncertain, so Cora began to push herself onto her feet. Her husband immediately jumped to help her, his hands gripping her arms and waist.

"Thank you," she whispered embarrassedly, "but I can manage now, darling. See? I'm fine."

Robert nodded and hesitantly let go of her arms, his eyes watching her closely for any sign of sickness.

"I'll be back to check on you after you've dressed," he promised, pressing his lips to her forehead. Cora closed her eyes and smiled at the feeling, his hand rubbing her back lovingly.

"Alright. I will be here," she said with a soft chuckle. Robert finally let a smile slip onto his lips.

"Feel better, darling."

And with that, he left her in her room.

With a sigh, Cora walked to her bed and collapsed onto it. She ran a hand a slightly shaky hand through her hair, while her other hand went to her stomach.

When Mrs. O'Brien entered Her Ladyship's room, she knew something was wrong. Her Ladyship sat on the edge of her bed, fingers touching her lips and a hand wrapped around her middle. She looked very deep in thought. She didn't even acknowledge her as she came to stand beside her.

"M'Lady?" she called out.

Cora jumped slightly, gasping as she looked up to see her maid.

"O'Brien," she said with a smile, her hands going to grip the mattress. "I'm sorry, I was miles away."

"'Tis alright, M'Lady. Is the bath running?" O'Brien suddenly asked, looking towards the washroom. Cora looked towards the sound, letting out a soft laugh and closing her eyes as she shook her head in amusement.

"Oh, yes. His Lordship thought he'd fill the bath for me, but he's left to dress," Cora explained amusedly. O'Brien nodded and watched as Her Ladyship stood up, preparing to undress for her bath. With this signal, O'Brien hurried to prepare the bath properly.

Moments later, Cora sat in the warm bath, left alone with her thoughts. She didn't move, only laid her head back and wrapped her arms securely around her middle. The season in London had started out wonderfully, but just a few months ago, Cora had begun experiencing small bouts of fleeting illness. She felt warm and tired. She felt nauseous. Certain foods she had developed an aversion to, even just the smells. And...things had become irregular.

Cora closed her eyes and bit her lip. She had a feeling she knew what was wrong...

But how could that even be a possibility? It wasn't possible, was it?

Cora sighed and felt her tears gathering behind her closed eyes, her arms wrapping more tightly around her stomach.

This could change everything.

A/N: So season 1 is dwindling down, we've almost reached the end. Did you guys enjoy the oneshots taken from the first series? What do you hope to see as I write into the second series? I'm pretty excited, though I feel this next series will be full of angst! But plenty of love too. Anyway, let me know if you have any moments you'd like to see!