Chapter 14
They are sitting under his favourite tree, Robert holding Cora while their one- year old little lady babbles away to Pharaoh from her Mama's knee. "Can you believe she's already a year-old Robert?" Cora gasps in wonder, kissing Mary's cheek and leaning further into his embrace. "No." he breathes out in contentment. "It feels only a moment since she was born." He chuckles. "A long moment."
"Hmm." Cora sighs. "Do you think she liked her party?"
"Yes." Robert nods pressing a small kiss to the back of Cora's neck. "Being Queen for a day suited our darling Mary quite nicely." Robert emphasises warmly. "I know." Cora nods. "I just don't want her to grow up spoiled rotten."
"She won't be- "Robert assures. "At least not too much."
"Not too much." Cora giggles in agreement and then her expression turns wistful as she tilts her head to kiss him. "MA!" "And what about Pharaoh?"
"Hmm." Robert grins before giving in. "Alright, we'll spoil them both terribly and his puppies whenever he decides to father some that is."
Cora's eyes are alight at the phrase. "Robert." "We're having another puppy darling."
He knows that wonderful look. "You don't mean a dog, do you?" Robert beams and she shakes her head, joyful tears brimming her eyes. "Mary is going to be a big sister."
"Oh Cora." Robert gasps elated before they meet in several ecstatic kisses before reluctantly breaking for air. "You are happy then." Cora beams. "That we'll have two."
"My dearest, I am ecstatic."
"MA! Are you happy Mary?" They ask together bending to kiss her cheeks. "No." Mary said her new word happily.
"Well, we can't have everything." Cora laughed. "I do." Robert murmurs sweetly. "I have my world in my arms and I love it dearly."
"We love you too." Cora whispers. "So very much, though, I must admit I am quite nervous to be doing this again so soon."
"So am I. A father twice in just over a year gosh, what a thought. Hmm. We make quite the team don't we my darling?"
"Yes." Cora says between small pecks. "Quite the pair." She agrees before he seals the echoed words with a kiss.
"Now, shall we go in? There's still a slice or two of Mary's cake that we have yet to indulge in?"
"Why Robert Crawley are you suggesting we sneak into the kitchen?" Cora giggles as he kisses and helps them up. "We're celebrating it is practically mandatory darling."
"Hmm." Cora agrees. "Quite the pair indeed."
They will be married for over seventy years with four children, three daughters and a son and surrounded by six grandchildren and five great-grandchildren and Pharaoh's descendants. For some, it may seem like a dream, for Robert and Cora they will maintain it is all they have ever wanted.
A happy life together, to watch the children grow.
Thank you so much for all the love. Apologies for the shortness but this is the only way I could imagine ending this story. Thank you.