Many thanks again for all the lovely reviews on the last chapter.

Also, this chapter is dedicated to dear Zaibi as my present to her. I'm horrible at choosing gifts so what's possibly better than a little Cobert fluff.(:

To all my German readers who support me through kind reviews and PM messages; Ich danke allen die mir die Möglichkeit gegeben haben und allen die es gelesen haben was ich geschrieben habe. Das bedeutet viel. Ich kann es nicht in Worte fassen. Ich danke Ihnen aus tiefstem Herzen und ich liebe euch alle.

To all my Croatian, Serbian, BiH and some Slovenian readers who may understand; Htijela bih se zahvaliti svima onima koji su mi dali priliku i pročitali ono što sam napisala. To mi znači uistinu mnogo. Ja nemogu staviti svoju zahvalnost u riječi. Hvala vam još jednom iz dubine duše. Volim vas sve.

CHAPTER XXV

Love and Compassion

A sense of peaceful joy resided in the environment. The wind stopped hurling cold snowflakes at the windowpanes and the only thing that could be heard was fire crackling. Grey coloured clouds were beautifully decorating the sky of Downton, preparing it for the early hours of the fresh winter morning.

To Robert, everything was still surreal and it felt like one of those strange story endings one could hardly picture happening in real life.

Robert sat by the large window in their peaceful bedroom. The tall glass window beside him was slightly frozen from the cold harsh weather outside, but to Robert, it was the most beautiful day of the 20th century.

That magnificent feeling of finally having his son in his arms was heartwarming. So small, innocent, vulnerable and perfect... Just like his mother.

William was the fourth and youngest of his children. Will reminded him so much of Sybil when she was the baby. Both of them were a pure copy of their mother. Adorable full cherry lips, extremely long black lashes, spellbinding coloured eyes, tiny little nose and perfect ivory skin... but the hair... both of them had inherited his dark hair. Everything he loved about Cora was in his son, he was pure perfection.

Will was extremely beautiful. Not that being his father made him biased... alright, maybe a little... but he was truly was the most beautiful baby Robert had ever seen.

Robert took special time to admire him during that moment they were alone because he knew that later it would be impossible to be alone with his son. His grandmothers would occupy him immediately... especially Cora's mother. Martha always had a soft spot for young children, unlike his mother, Violet.

The baby was slowly trying to open his eyes. Robert knew he was trying hard to take a peek at him through the veil of his long lashes with those stunning sapphire eyes, but seeing that he was a newborn baby, it was a little difficult for Will to keep his eyes open.

Robert softly tickled his little button nose and he wrinkled it in return.

What a joy! He was adorable!

Robert totally forgot how it felt to be a father to a newborn. It felt like ages since the last time he held his daughter Sybil, like this. And all this felt like déjà vu since they were so similar.

Being unable to restrain himself, he planted a kiss on William's little forehead once again as he had done more than ten times before. His tiny fingers brushed his face as if acknowledging the kiss.

Will knew who Robert was; he recognised the sound of his voice and his heart beamed in happiness at his closeness ever since he was inside his mother, but now that he had been born, William had finally captured the image of his father in his mind. He loved him, and he loved Cora too.

Robert's eyes were filled with gentle tenderness. Their baby was so like Cora and him in so many ways, yet different too... But those differences didn't matter because to him, William was pure perfection and he loved his little one terribly.

Robert tilted his head down to nuzzle his tiny forehead. He could swear that no baby on earth was this charming. He was as sweet as sugar and enchanting as cinnamon on Christmas Eve. It was definitely something he inherited from Cora.

Slowly, Robert turned his head and gazed over at their bed.

His life, his Cora was fast asleep under fresh creamy feathered bedcovers Rosamund had changed after the birth. The new blankets and pillows smelled like lavender and it spread around the room, sending gentle waves of calmness.

His Cora was completely drained and utterly exhausted. Since she fell asleep, and it was almost immediately after their son's birth, she was in the same position. She hadn't moved the whole night. Her chest was swiftly rising and falling, her eyelids closed over her diamond eyes.

Just the thought of losing her a few hours ago made Robert shiver. The thought of losing her forever had trapped Robert. He felt weak and useless at the idea of not being able to have her by his side.

But Cora had chosen to risk her life to bring their son into the world and she had succeeded. Now when Robert remembered a few past months and how close they were to losing this tiny miracle in his hands, he couldn't help but blame himself. He felt like such a fool for putting them through so much pain.

Slowly, Robert walked towards their bed and as the baby began to stir in his arms, he sat right next to his sleepy Cora.

He observed her for a second and then the little one in his arms. They were both extremely beautiful, and even though the birth had drained her completely, his wife looked stunning under the soft light of the new day that just dawned.

The idea of having a son who looked like Cora immediately brought a smile to his lips. He could already picture William running around the house in pure wonder and excitement.

Intending to wake Cora up, Robert reached to caress her face with the back of his fingers. She shifted slightly under his touch. Her eyelids gently fluttered open, but then they closed again. He leaned over to kiss her forehead and Cora softly opened her eyes again. She blinked a few times, still sleepy. Even though she was sore and tired, Cora managed to smile when she caught a glimpse of the tiny bundle of love Robert was holding in his arms.

It took her a moment to gather the strength she needed to speak.

"I'm feeling awful." Cora softly whispered, amused nonetheless.

Robert chuckled. "I know, but you were great. I'm very proud of you." He warmly smiled, nuzzling her nose as he placed their baby on her chest. Cora immediately cradled William with tender care.

"Is he alright?" She lovely looked at the little one in her arms and she gently brushed his layer of soft dark hair with her slender fingers. He looked like a porcelain doll with bright blue eyes, ivory skin and dark hair. Cora couldn't believe that this child was hers. The life she had created with someone she deeply loved.

"Don't worry, Clarkson examined him and he's just splendid." Robert whispered softly reaching out and taking Will's little fist, showing Cora his fragile tiny fingers. "Ten fingers, ten toes, developed lungs."

She smiled, knowing her baby was alright. Robert helped her into a sitting position, propping a few pillows behind her back. "Don't sit up completely or you'll regret it."

"Trust me, I know." Cora laughed softly and with curiosity she looked at her child.

"When I saw Sybil for the first time, I was impressed because she looked so much like you. But when I look at Will, I'm speechless." Robert murmured softly into her ear.

"Mini me." Cora whispered and happily smiled at her own words. She cradled him inside her arms, still in awe. It was her son, her very own son. "It's so... bizarre, isn't it?"

"It really is." Robert agreed with her. They didn't expect him this early. It had all happened overnight and no one was truly prepared for that.

Cora turned to look at him. Her eyes shone with utter happiness. "Robert..." She gently whispered, trapped in a deep sense of bewilderment. "... We have a baby."

He smiled, his eyes glistening too. The emotions flowing inside him were strong. "Thank you," He whispered. "For giving him to me... after everything I had done." Softly, he leaned to press his lips against hers.

"Thank you for surviving it." Cora chuckled, giving him a little peck on the lips back. Robert shook his head, amused.

"I don't know what would I do without you. If I had to choose..." His voice shivered at the thought of losing her and this tiny miracle in her arms. He kissed her forehead and caressed her soft hair, admiring his wife's beauty. She truly was his everything. Not Jane, not anyone else... but Cora.

"We were both fine in the end." Cora avoided the subject, gently caressing her son's smooth skin under her fingertips. She didn't want to recall those unpleasant memories.

She allowed herself to rest on her husband and they peacefully gazed at their son. The baby was indeed precious in every way, and he was theirs... truly theirs. It was easy to admire the little one they had both created out of providence.

Absolutely unaware who he was and how adored he was by his parents, Will stirred a little. In that moment he complained with a weak whimper, triggering more of his parents' attention.

"I believe he is hungry." Robert smiled a little.

"Hasn't he eaten anything?" Cora's face softened.

"Rosamund and I tried to feed him, but he refused everything..." Robert said and stared at his wife. "We didn't want to wake you up."

"He's demanding..." Cora lovely smiled and moved her hands to undo the ribbon of her nightgown.

"It seems that Mother Nature's rules never change when it comes to motherhood." Robert laughed, burying his face in her caramel hair.

Cora giggled. "Alright, let's try this." She cradled the baby closer to her chest and little William snuggled in with no hesitancy. A minute later, in the cozy embrace of his mother, the little one latched on, nursing almost instantly.

Cora looked down tenderly at the little one in her arms, the one that made her a mother once again. The baby slowly nudged Cora with his little fingers, enjoying the tight closeness of his mommy. "It's so strange." She watched him nurse in awe.

"I think it's beautiful." Robert gazed tenderly at the image of his wife and newborn son. It was something he would keep in his memory forever. They were both so calm and adorable. He couldn't take his eyes off them.

Robert leaned his head against the headboard, closing his blue eyes. "I can't believe I'm going to say this..." He tenderly patted Cora's leg. "... but I'm tired."

"And I'm voluptuous." She raised her eyebrows.

Robert opened his eyes at her last comment and added a smirk. "You're being naughty."

Cora giggled, suddenly arranging William who had fallen asleep while nursing. "He's asleep." Cora gently whispered and started rearranging her nightgown as Robert laid back in bed, slowly drifting away in his sleep.

Cora snuggled against her husband with her baby cradled on her chest. William's tiny head was right above her heart, hearing his mother's steady heartbeat that made him calm. He was listening to the same familiar heartbeat he had listened all this eight months, but this time from the outside.

Mini me... She warmly smiled, closing her eyes and putting her gentle palm on her little son's back. Not noticing it, Cora yawned and gave up as well, falling into the most wonderful dream.

A/N (important) : Chapter XXV is over and there is still one more chapter left until I end this story. So, if there is a question you have about Forgotten Body, go ahead and post it in your review. Then, after I upload the last chapter, I'll do an Author's Note with as many answers I can reasonably fit in. So, if you have ever wondered why any of the characters did what they did or what they thought, or have a question about why I wrote something the way I did, now is time to ask.

And even if you don't have any question, please leave a review.