Thank you all for coming on this journey with me. We are almost there. There will be one more chapter and then the story will finally be done. It was only ever meant to be 3-4 chapters and it got just a little bit away from me!

Cora stood in the drawing room after finishing her conversation with Mrs. Hughes. They had been home in Downton for 3 weeks and Cora had thought she may never have been happier to see her home. In honesty it wasn't just the home she missed, it was the people in it. She had found herself making up the smallest excuses to talk to Mrs. Hughes, or the tinniest of reasons to go downstairs and talk to Mrs. Patmore. These were the people she had lived her life among, and she had missed them a great deal. Although she would never say such a thing, heavens wouldn't Violet just keel over and die if she did. But she hoped the well thought out gifts and treats she had bought back for each and every one of their household staff had conveyed just a little of their place in her heart. She was glad they were back for Anna's sake as well. It had been as she had thought and Anna was in fact pregnant. The travelling and the different atmosphere and food were too much for her in such a condition and Cora was happy that they were all safely home and Anna and Bates could prepare for their child's arrival with greater ease. Cora had already ordered a rather expensive bassinet for the couple as they travelled through London on their way back to Downton. It was a testament to the way Robert felt about his valet that he did not even blink at the exorbitant gift Cora purchased for a servant. As long as no-one told Violet they would be just fine. In fact since being home everything had been picture perfect … everything except for Edith's poor heart.

"I thought I would find you in here" Robert's voice came from the door as he walked into the room, an extra spring in his step since their return.

"Why is that?" Cora asked as she moved over to the settee to sit down. Robert followed and sat next to her.

"You don't realize that you spend hours in here every day now?" Robert teased his wife before placing a gentle kiss on her cheek.

"No I didn't" she replied sincerely, she truly had not noticed but as she considered his words she knew he was right, "I suppose I have missed it here, I just want to surround myself with Downton." She said half jokingly, half serious.

"You have no idea how happy it makes me to hear you say that" Robert placed his hand on top of hers and squeezed softly.

Cora rolled her eyes at her husband in mock annoyance, "Honestly, why does everyone think I have no love for Downton? I love it here Robert, I have lived more than half my life here may I remind you"

Robert raised his hands as if warding off an attack, "Now now, please, let's just take it easy Mi'Lady. Twas just a joke" Robert said in complete jest now. Cora laughed before she leaned in and placed a soft, yet seductive kiss against her husband's mouth. He responded in kind, his hand wrapping around her back to pull her closer.

"I forgive you" she said as she pulled away from their embrace. Leaning in to whisper in her ear Robert murmured, "wouldn't you like to surround yourself in Downton upstairs?" Cora swatted his arm playfully before taking on a more serious face.

"I can't darling, the girls and I are taking tea with your mother soon." Robert pulled his face into a pout. "I have to get Edith out of this house darling, she is so melancholy. I still can not believe Jacob Traite didn't come to see her before we left. I was so sure once you had visited him …" her words trailed off as she let out a sigh. Robert's eyes darted nervously to the side and he pulled his hand from behind Cora's waist. "Robert what is it?" Cora asked.

"Actually Cora I have been meaning to mention something to you for a few days now." Robert stood to stand and Cora was not sure she was going to like what he told her. He stood over by the fireplace and placed one hand against the hearth … nope, she wasn't going to like it. He always stood that way if things were troublesome.

"Robert. Out with it" Cora said seriously.

"I received a telegram from Mr. Traite a few days ago." Robert began.

"You what?! Why didn't you say anything? What did it say?" Cora asked, questions flying from her mouth.

"Well, if you let me continue darling I can tell you" Robert said before taking a deep breath, "He wants to come here in a week"

"What?!" Cora asked, "Why?"

"It didn't say, he merely said he would be in London on business and would to visit here. He also asked if we not tell Edith, he doesn't want her to have an excuse to be elsewhere" Robert continued.

"No Robert! We have to tell her, it's simply not fair to spring him on her like that" Cora pleaded.

"I'm afraid I already told him that he could come and agreed to his request" Robert stood as tall as he could trying to convey a sense of power and strength. He knew neither would actually intimidate his wife, but it was worth a shot at trying to appear powerful and wise.

Cora shot to her feet, "Robert Crawley how could you? You can't surprise her like that. It's horrible. He's just here on business and wants to visit … open unhealed wounds more like" Cora started to say more but heard voices approach the door and clamped her mouth shut firmly shooting an angry glare at her husband. Mary and Edith entered the room ready for tea with their grandmother.

"Oh hello Papa" Edith said, "Mary would like to leave now Mama as she would like to call on Isobel quickly first" if Cora's anger hadn't already been directed at Robert she would have been annoyed at Mary's plan. Cora had had her fill of Isobel during their trip to the States, she had been happy to get some space from the woman as they all focused on settling back into their lives.

"How lovely" she said as she followed her daughters out the door. When the girls were far enough ahead of her she slipped her head back into the room and spoke to Robert once more, "I will finish with you later"

Days passed and Cora could not convince Robert to change his mind. He tried to explain to her that Jacob Traite was not a foolish or vindictive man and wouldn't do anything to hurt Edith. Cora tried equally as hard to make Robert see that blind siding her this way would not help at all.

"She will leave for London before he arrives" Robert said, knowing full well that's what his daughter would do if she knew Jacob Traite was coming. "She's not a child, we couldn't stop her"

"Robert, do you want her to reopen the wound? She's ended things with Gregson and is trying to move on from Jacob, now for him to turn up out of the blue will set her back to square one!" Cora pleaded and begged. It was no use. Robert would not budge … horribly stubborn man she thought. She had even threatened to just tell Edith herself, but the look in Robert's eyes had made her realize he was serious. She could not go above his word. He had given Jacob his word and he would not have his wife go back on it.

Cora was a nervous wreck as the date approached. When she realized her husband would not back down she had invited several other families in the area. She told Robert that if this was going to happen she would at least have it happen on her terms. Edith would not be stuck with no-one else to talk to but Jacob, she would make sure there were plenty of people with whom Edith could spend her time that night.

The day of his arrival dawned. Cora had invited Rosamund and several friends from London to come stay for several days to help take Edith's attention. They had arrived on the same train and Jacob and were on their way back from the station. Standing outside the house to greet their guests Cora wanted to run to Edith and tell her he was coming, tell her to steady herself for what was about to happen, but it was all too late. The cars carrying their guests and their luggage rounded the bend and proceeded up to the house. Edith stood chatting happily to Mary to Cora's right, oblivious at how her world was about to be torn to shreds once again. Cora looked with anger at Robert before closing her eyes to prepare herself for this first moment. Alfred walked to the first car and opened the door, Cora held her breath. Rosamund exited first, then her friends Lord and Lady Talbert. Robert and Cora greeted them all with warm embraces and words of welcome. Her daughters followed suit. The next car pulled up and Alfred opened the door. Sir Howard Milworth, Robert's friend from their years at boarding school stepped out, followed by his rather young wife Lady Veronica Milworth. She couldn't be much older than Sybil would be. Milworth had only recently remarried after the death of his first wife to the Spanish Flu after the war. Cora had never met Lady Veronica and was rather astonished at how young she was. It hadn't taken long, her attention had been taken by Milworth and his young bride but it had been long enough. She had meant to be prepared, but her attention had been turned for just a few moments, and now standing before them all was Jacob Traite. Cora fought every instinct she had to turn and look at Edith, she was desperate to know how she was doing. Years of training came to her aide and she kept her head forward as stepped out to shake Mr. Traite's hand.

"Such a pleasure to see you again Mr. Traite" she said, painting a smile to her face. Cora walked to his left so that she could observe Edith's reaction without turning around. Edith stood rigidly straight. Her mouth turned into a forced smile, but her eyes told the true story. Cora could see that they were glassy with unshed tears. She needed to get them all inside quickly. Calling out to Alfred to see to the bags she announced rather forcefully that there was tea in the drawing room and they should all follow as Rosamund would lead the way. Cora brought up the rear as their guest all moved inside. Mary glared at her mother as she walked past, Edith kept her head to the side so Cora could not see her face. The last two to walk in Cora reached and stopped Edith holding her by her arm.

"Darling I am so sorry I couldn't tell you he was coming." Cora said as she stepped closer to her daughter in an effort to comfort her.

"How could you?" was all Edith said before shaking her arm free and rushing inside.

Edith had not taken tea with their guests sending explanation via Mary that she had a headache and needed to rest before dinner. Cora had tried to see her but Edith would not allow her into her room. Mary had chastised her mother, "Why would she let you in now?"

Cora was a box of nerves as they all sat for dinner. She had given Robert a sound tongue lashing before they had come down for dinner.

"It's easy for you, she directs all her anger over this at me and you get off like a knight in shining amour" Cora had said, almost ready to cry.

"It will all be alright Cora" Robert had tried to placate his wife, but to no avail. She was not letting him off that easily. All Cora could do was get through dinner and have this night end. She would try to fix things with her and Edith after their guests left.

Dinner was relatively painless. Cora and seated Edith down the opposite end of the table as Jacob, and instead had placed Violet close by him. She had enjoyed herself watching Violet give Jacob every snide and overbearing comment she had about Americans, for once Cora was happy about the terrible things Violet had to say. F he was going to make her daughter go through this torturous evening then he could suffer too. It wasn't much, but it was all she had.

Finally able to go through the ladies left and began the usual games of cards and discussions about the room. Cora had tried to invite Edith to play with Rosamund, Violet and Lady Milworth, but Edith had rebuffed her every effort and sat in the corner with Mary. At least her daughters could get along in their dislike of their mother she thought.

The evening continued in much the same fashion after the men had come through. Robert managed to get Cora alone for a few moments in the foyer. He wrapped his arms around her and held her close.

"Robert let go, I am in no mood for your affections" Cora protested. He pulled her even closer and pressed his lips against hers. She fought him at first, but then gave in the soft feel of his lips against hers and the way his arms felt against her back. When they pulled apart breathless she scolded him once more.

"I am still angry at you"

"I know" he answered, "but you know I had no choice. I wouldn't have done this is I didn't think it would all work out, you do know that don't you?" Robert said as he gently brushed his fingers along her forearm.

"How can you be sure it will all work out? Edith is livid." Cora answered, her tone conveying concern rather than annoyance.

"I trust him Cora. I spoke with him for a long time in his office before we left. I know he loves her" Robert said reassuringly before they made their way back into the room.

The evening was drawing to a close. Violet was on her way home already and Mary had excused herself already. Edith could not stand to be in the same room as her parents and their best friend Mr. Traite any longer and had removed herself to the library to find a book to take up to bed with her. She would not be able to sleep well tonight, not after the heartbreaking shock of seeing him in her house. How could her mother have not told her? She didn't know which broke her heart more, Jacob's sudden appearance or her mother's meddling.

"You are hard to find" Edith's spine stiffened at the sound of his voice behind her. Damn! She had been avoiding him like the plague. She had tried to stay surrounded by others so they would not have to converse, let alone by themselves.

"You weren't supposed to be looking" she said coldly, not turning around.

"I suppose it was a shock to see me today, I am sorry for that" he said, his voice was getting closer as he neared her position. Edith kept her attention set to the bookshelf in front of her.

"It was rather a surprise. But my parents may invite whomever they like to Downton, it does not effect me" Edith made her voice as icy cold as she could muster.

"I'm afraid I invited myself, your father was very kind to let me come. I am not sure your mother was very impressed though" he said, his voice was directly behind her now. Her spine tickled with nerves at his nearness and she silently cursed her body for reacting to hid words that way. She could feel her heart beating rapidly at his nearness and knew it was going to take even longer to get over him now.

"Oh I'm sure she is thrilled to have a friend from home in the house" Edith said bitterly. She really should turn around now, giving him her back was not going to work forever, but she did not want to look into his eyes.

"I am not sure she would call me her friend, and I can understand why." He moved so that he was leaning his shoulder against the bookshelf and could now see the side of her face. "Edith, I came here so that I could explain myself" he reached out his hand to touch hers and she flinched as if she had been burned. She took several steps back from him and stood still.

"Please don't" she said softly. Her layers had begun to crumble at the touch of his hand on hers.

"Please just let me say what I came here for. It's rather a long way to come, I would like to at least do what I intended." Edith did not respond but looked away from him instead. He went on, "Before you left New York your father came to see me. Did you know that?" Edith shook her head, she was never going to survive this conversation with her heart. "Your mother had sent him, but he wanted to talk to me too he said. He told me about the reasons he married your mother" Edith's head whipped around to his face.

"He did what?" Edith knew that was her father's least favorite subject.

"He told me how he pursued your mother for her money, but he had fallen in love with her quickly after they were married" Jacob explained.

"Why would he tell you that?" Damn, thought Edith, she had been tricked into a conversation with him.

"He wanted met to know that not all marriages have the best start. Not every marriage starts ideally, but that love is something to treasure if you find it." He took a step closer to her. Edith tried to step back but realized she had backed herself against her fathers desk and had no where to go. She shook her head and a tear ran down her face.

"Why are you telling me this? Why are you here Jacob? We both know what we did to each other in the States. Our horrid motives, our deceptions. Let's just leave it alone" she pleaded.

He closed the distance to her and pulled her into his arms forcefully, "I can't leave it alone Edith. I love you"

"No you don't" she tried to shake herself free but he held her arms firmly, "It was an act, remember. A double act, both of us lying" she had tears running down both cheeks and her voice was weak.

"Who's the one lying now?" He said with conviction, "It may have started that way, but you and I both know that all that changed somewhere along the way. I can't even pinpoint when, but it changed. I fell in love with you Edith, and I know you feel the same way"

Edith let out a sarcastic laugh, "If you love me so much why wait so long? You could have told me this in New York." She was grasping at straws, she didn't care what had taken so long, hearing him say those words was like a symphony in her ears.

He sighed painfully, "It was my mother. I wanted to come to you, I wanted to see you before you left, I went straight to see her after your father left my office. But she was gone. She wasn't home. My father had taken her with him. Said she was better enough that he could finally take her with him and she had wanted to go with him. After all he did to her she still wanted to go with him. They had gone to Cincinnati and I had to follow them there and see for myself that she was alright." His voice caught in his throat, "it's like they are on their honeymoon again, my parents, after all this time … it's a miracle" his voice trailed off and then he looked up into her eyes, with conviction he went on, "By the time I had done that you had gone, I organized my affairs and prepared to follow you as soon as I could, and here I am. Standing here, in your home, in your country … because I love you Edith." He didn't wait for a response he pulled close to him and pressed his lips against hers. She tried to push him away, knew she would be gone forever if she gave into him. Fighting was futile. She let him wrap his arms around her back and she willingly wrapped her hands around his neck. She felt his lips against hers with tenderness and passion she found exciting and comforting all at the same time. She gave her lips to him and at the same time her heart. Breaking apart for air she felt him steady her with his hands. When he knew she was safe he took a step back. She was confused, where was he going? He had professed his love, sealed it with a kiss and then he was backing away from her. In astonishment she watched as he slowly knelt down on one knee in front of her. She gasped out loud and threw her hands to her mouth.

"Lady Edith Crawley. I have crossed an ocean to see you, I have crossed an ocean to kiss you. Will you make me the happiest man alive and do me the honor of becoming my wife?

Without even knowing how it happened her mouth opened and said "yes".