Cora's and Rosamund's POV:
"You can relax now," the doctor smiled as he came out of the room. "She is in excellent health and so is the baby. You were completely right Lady Grantham, she was just experiencing a more intense Braxton hicks but I expect they will start turning into mild contractions over the next few weeks as she is so close to her due date. So Doctor's orders are bed rest and try to keep her stress levels to a minimum."
"Oh thank goodness," Rosamund exhaled deeply as she squeezed Cora's hand. "Thank you so much for coming by and silencing our worries!"
"Yes we couldn't be more grateful," Cora chimed in with relief. All she could think about though was checking on Edith.
"It was my pleasure," the doctor nodded. "Now I have given her a mild sedative that will ensure she rests for the next few hours but she should be back to normal by the end of tomorrow. If you'll excuse me I have another late night patient I must attend."
Once the doctor was out of earshot Rosamund leaned over to Cora and whispered with a mischievous smirk, "I wonder if this late night patient isn't a patient at all."
"Oh Rosamund stop it," Cora tried not to smile as she playfully swatted at her sister-in-law. "Come on let's go check on her."
"You know she is going to throw a fit over the instructions he left," Rosamund stated as they headed for the door.
"We will deal with that bridge when we cross it," Cora chuckled knowing Edith wasn't going to like being told she was going to have to do nothing for a month.
Cora's, Rosamund's, and Edith's POV:
The two older woman did their best to sneak in quietly incase Edith was asleep but the old hinges on the door had other plans.
At the sound of the door creaking, Edith's senses were activated and she forced her eyes to to open. There she found her mother and Rosamund walking towards her with smiles and worried eyes.
"Oh darling I am sorry if we woke you," Cora said apologetically as she absorbed Edith's state and took a seat next her. Edith was laying on her back with one hand resting above her head and the other on her belly. Cora could tell by looking into Edith's eyes that whatever the doctor had prescribed for her was taking effect fast.
"It's alright Ma'ma," Edith smiled softly as she reached out for Cora's hand. "I wanted to see you anyways."
"Oh really," Cora replied returning the smile to her daughter as she grabbed Edith's hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. "And why might that be?"
"I have discovered that after what I experienced tonight there is no way I am doing this alone when the time comes," Edith chuckled lightly as she used her other hand to extend her grasp to Rosamund as well. "And that goes for the both you."
"Well of course you aren't doing this alone!" Rosamund refuted as she reached forward and gently stroked Edith's cheek.
"We will be here every step of the way," Cora inserted as well as she began tucking Edith in a bit more. "How are you feeling?"
"I feel rather splendid at the moment especially in comparison to early," the blonde sleepily stated as she let go of Rosamund's hand and began gentle patterns on her curved stomach.
"So no discomfort at all anymore?" Cora asked as her brow raised in hopefulness.
"A little but nothing like earlier," Edith replied as her eyes seemed to get even heavier, threating to take her to a world of sleep. "What did the doctor say?"
Rosamund and Cora turned to share a knowledgeable look with one other before Cora answered. She knew Edith needed to rest and decided on leaving certain details out for the night. "That the baby is healthy and things are happening as they should. We will talk about it more in the morning darling, once you've rested." She didn't take things lightly where her children were concerned especially after losing Sybil to childbirth and she was not going to let anything stand in the way of Edith's health even if that meant Edith herself.
"You just worry about getting lots of sleep so this little one stays healthy," Rosamund stated as she stood up and bent to down to kiss Edith on the head.
"Don't worry Aunt Rosamund," Edith replied softly with closed eyes as her aunt kissed the top of her head. "I really do feel much better now."
Rosamund looked down on Edith as she stood tall once again and smirked knowing Edith would have said that even if she had a temperature of one hundred and five.
"You know I don't quite believe you."
At this Edith chuckled and let her head fall back against the pillow, "I love you Aunt Rosamund."
"I have a found regard for you as well my dear," she answered with a warm smile as she reached out and brushed Edith's cheek. "I'll let you get your rest now."
"I'll be down in a few minutes," Cora stated to Rosamund as she turned to leave the room. "I'd like to speak with you before you turn in for the night."
Rosamund nodded in response and then took her leave quietly shutting the door behind her. When Cora turned her head back around after watching Rosamund walk out she found Edith's eyes closed. She smiled, fondly thinking back to how many times she had been blessed to see her girls fall to sleep and rise yet again in the morning. Though her heart would never fully heal from losing one of her precious jewels. She would never see her youngest fall to sleep or rise with that infectious smile Sybil was just born with. She knew she had to savor these moments with her girls. No one was promised another day with the ones you hold close, no one promised another day to fix their mistakes, and looking at Edith resting peacefully with the next generation of Crawley's safely in her womb she was grateful to have been given all the time she had. She would not live life aimlessly or stand on the sidelines any longer when it came to those she loved. Life was to short for that.
She leaned forward pulling the covers up to Edith's chest and then softly started twirling one of Edith's loose curls around her finger. Edith's eyes opened slowly at this and met her mother's eyes with tired ones and goofy smile. " Mhm what are you looking at?" she pushed out as sleep called her louder.
Cora couldn't help but chuckle softly at Edith's child likeness in that moment, "oh I was just reveling in the peace I found in watching sleep. Knowing your ok and still with me... it does something for a mother's soul. You'll understand soon."
"I think I am already beginning too," Edith answered as she leaned her head into her mother's palm and closed her eyes.
Cora held the weight of Edith's head in her palm and moved her thumb back in forth hoping to lull Edith into sleep. "Rest now darling, I'll here if you need me at all."
"I love you Ma..."Edith trailed short as she gave in and shut her eyes for good.
"I love you too," the mother replied as she too kissed Edith's forehead and left to find her comrade.
Cora's and Rosamund's POV:
"Is she asleep?" Rosamund inquired as Cora entered the library.
"Yes..." Cora smiled and then began to laugh. "I think whatever that doctor gave her was just what she needed."
"Poor dear has been so restless lately," Rosamund replied laying one leg over the other.
"Yes although I can't help but feel as though I had a hand in all this," Cora said more seriously as her gaze fell to her lap.
"Now why would you think that?" Rosamund asked confused as she reached out for Cora's hand.
"I just think earlier might have been to much for her," Cora began. "She needs complete rest and not to deal with anything that might raise her emotions higher than they already are."
"Well that I can agree with you on," Rosamund raised her eyebrows. "For starters, she should most definitely not be allowed to contact that bloody excuse she has for an editor. She gets hotter than a kettle pot when she talks to that man."
"Yes she rather does doesn't she?," Cora laughed picturing her daughter throw her arms about in frustration. "There is much entertainment there but you are quite right. We must start rising before her as well so she doesn't get any ideas about sneaking off alone before we have a chance to do anything about it. Another thing is her green house..."
"As long as she doesn't try to move anything around on her own that should be fine," Rosamund thought aloud in response to Cora.
"We might start her labor if we try to keep her out of there anyway but we'll need to make sure she doesn't stay out there too long," she internally winced thinking about what Edith's reaction could be.
"Hopefully we can appeal to her non adolescent side and she will simply see this is for the best," the red head stated as she shook her head with a smile. "We have our hands full with that one don't we?"
"We certainly do," Cora smiled as well. "My last thought is that I should move my things into the room next to hers just in case."
"That is an excellent idea...would you like me to move to the same wing as well?" Rosamund inquired.
"If it is not to much trouble for you," Cora began. "The closer we are to her the more likely it is we will hear her should she need us."
"I will have them move my things tomorrow then," Rosamund answered willingly.
"Thank you so much Rosamund...you have been such a marvelous help through all of this and I couldn't be more grateful for it," Cora smiled at her sister in law as she stood placing her drink on the table.
"I wouldn't want to be anywhere else," Rosamund replied truly grateful herself to be apart of this.
Cora gave Rosamund a quick peck on the cheek before she took her leave. "I do believe I am going retire for the night, I am quite tired myself," Cora stated as she walked towards the room's exit.
"Goodnight Cora," Rosamund's voice hung in the air as the door closed behind the raven.
Surprisingly enough considering how late they had ended being up by the time the doctor left and going to sleep after Cora, Rosamund woke up to sun spilling into the skyline outside her windows. She would have preferred to get another hour or two of sleep but she knew there was no point trying to fall back to sleep now. After she had readied herself for the day she first peeked into Edith's room and found her almost in the same position she had left her in last night. She felt a breath of relief leave her body knowing Edith had finally slept well.
"Good morning milady," the butler smiled as she reached the end of the stairs. "Shall I have them bring in breakfast early?"
"Oh no don't trouble yourselves I think I will just take up outside till Lady Grantham comes down," She replied with quick smile and then headed for the door. As the door closed behind her she took a deep breath reveling in the crisp morning air. America was certainly not England but the view here was stunning she'd give it that. The estate was backed up of to a lush tree line and faced a cliff the meant the sea with loud crashing waves on the other side. She decided that she liked to walk to the cliffs and began her trek at a steady pace. As she walked she began to think about lastnight. Though she had done her best to remain calm she would have been lying if she said it hadn't terrified her. Never having experienced childbirth herself they way Cora had, it all felt foreign to her. In one way she felt useless and in many other ways she felt robbed. Watching Edith get the experience of having a child reminded her everyday that she didn't get that and she had no idea what Edith was going through. Though she loved Edith as her own there still was the lack of the fact she had not carried Edith in her body. Just then she began hearing the sound of tires and looked up to find two cars coming down the drive. "Who on earth could that be?" she muttered.
The cars pulled up beside her and came to quickly to a halt. She could instantly make out the face of her brother stepping out of the car and she erupted with a smile. "Robert! This is a surprise, we weren't expecting you till tomorrow!" She stated excitedly as she hugged her brother tightly.
"Thank god we arrived when we did," Mary scoffed as she exited the car herself. "I don't think I would've been able to bare one more of Papa's tangents about unsolid ground."
"I was doing no such thing," Robert retorted.
"Oh my dear Mary," Rosamund beamed as she pulled Mary into a hug whether she liked it or not. "I am so glad you both are here."
"So are we!" Robert threw in. "How are things here?"
"We shall get to all of that in due time first you two need to wash the sea off you and have a rest."
"I can settle with that," Mary answered readily dying to soak in some warm water.
"I'd like to see my beautiful wife first," Robert interjected as they all began to walk back towards the house and the cars were taken up as well. "Where is she?"
"Sleeping, and you should let her stay that way!" Rosamund intertwined their arms. "We had a bit of a scare with Edith last night and we both were up well into the early morning.
"Scare?!" Robert stopped and turned to his sister. "Is she quite alright? What about the baby?""
"Yes everything is fine!" Rosamund assured her brother. "The doctor came to make sure everything was normal and gave her something to make sure she rested."
"Thank god!" Robert sighed in relief. "I am sorry but after Sybil I feel so helpless in all this."
"Believe me I understand," Rosamund smiled sadly as she had just been living in that thought as well. "It was just a Braxton hicks though and she got through it beautifully."
"I remember getting those," Mary thought back to her pregnancy. "They were bloody awful."
"I am going to pretend I know what you are talking about," Robert smiled and shook his head.
"Dear Pa'pa, you'd think after marrying a woman who bore you three daughters you would know a bit more about it," Mary laughed.
"I prefer to stay in my own area thank you," he replied laughing himself.
Once they walked into the house Robert headed straight up to clean himself up while Mary hung back with Rosamund. "How has Edith been doing in all this?" She asked.
Rosamund turned and gave Mary a smirk, "Care is not something I am used to seeing on you Mary."
"Well it is my job to keep you on your toes now isn't?" She replied with sass that was never far from the service.
Rosamund laughed as she began moving towards the stairs. "With great strength but I think you should ask herself once she wakes up."
"You are no fun at all..." Mary pouted.
Cora woke to the feeling of all to familiar lips resting on her forehead. She slowly opened her eyes to find her lover's orbs staring back at her. "Robert?" she asked stunned almost. "I am dreaming?"
"Only if you want to be," he smiled lovingly at her as he sat down beside her.
"Oh Robert..." Cora smiled as tears welled in her eyes. "When did you get here?" she asked as she wrapped her arms around his back and laid her head on his chest savoring the warmth she had missed so much.
"Only about an hour ago we got here much earlier than we had expected," he answered and kissed the top of Cora's head.
Cora inhaled his scent taking pleasure in his arms around her. "I have missed you more than you could know..."
"My heart has not been full or whole since you left," Robert answered pulling back and kissing Cora tenderly.
"Mmmm," Cora moaned feeling sparks all over. "I missed that too," she chuckled as she laid down placing her head in his lap.
"How are you doing my darling? Rosamund told me about last night," he spoke softly.
Cora breathed deep and remained silent for a while thinking about how she actually had been feeling. She hadn't really been able to think about it recently for if she did she'd be putting Edith's emotions at risk. In fact the only thing she had been thinking about was making sure Edith was alright.
"Cora?" Robert called again.
"I will not lie to you..." Cora began as she sat up again looking into Robert's eyes. "It has been so hard. I feel so worried all the time and tired the rest. I feel silly saying that considering everything Edith is going through I just have been so lost without you."
"After everything you have endured it sounds perfectly normal and far from silly," he smiled as placed his hand on the side of her face. "Are you sure you wouldn't like me to stay longer than a week?"
"I couldn't ask you do that..." she smiled sadly as she leaned into his touch. "There is so much that has to be done at home."
"Nothing that couldn't wait for two of my girls," he answered with a large grin.
Cora looked at Robert's face lovingly as she thought their family. "Come with me..." she stated as she stood up and reached for her husband's hand.
"Where are we going?" Robert asked as he let her lead him out of the room and down the hall.
Cora stopped at a door in the hallway and quickly let go of his hand as she opened the door slowly and peeked in. "Showing you one of your girl's," She replied as fully opened the door and led him in.
There silence fell upon him as he found Edith deep in sleep in a much changed yet beautiful state. "She's changed so much...'" he said aloud.
Cora came up behind them and linked their arms as they watched their sleeping daughter. "She was so worried about how you would react to seeing her," she stated leaning her head against his shoulder.
"What do you mean?" he asked puzzled to what she meant.
"The last time she saw you she could still hide the fact that she was pregnant even if you knew and now you are seeing her at 8 months pregnant Robert and there is nothing she can do it about it. She was worried you react negatively," Cora explained lowering her voice to make sure they didn't wake her.
"She's absolutely beautiful to me no matter what and I could never react negatively to something as precious as this," he replied shaking his head.
"That's what I told her but I don't think she believed me...make sure you ease her mind when she talks to you the first time," Cora instructed like the mother she was.
"Of course I will," he answered. "So are things going well? Has she struggled?"
"It has been harder on her then any of us could imagine but she is taking it in stride and with great strength," Cora began. "I have never been so proud before."
"That sounds like the daughter I know," he laughed gently with pride. "The apple doesn't fall far from the tree."
"I only wish I was more like her," Cora smiled as she turned away from Edith. "Let's go before we wake her I want her to sleep as long as possible."
"My darling Mary," Cora held her arms out as she walked towards her eldest. "You don't know what it does for me to see you both."
"It is good to see you too Ma'ma," Mary smiled lightly as she embraced her mother. "Life alone with Pa'pa has been positively dreadful."
"Might I remind you to speak a bit kinder to the man who shall give you your inheritance," Robert gave Mary a little smirk.
"Oh I was only joking don't get your feathers ruffled," Mary acted cool like she always did.
"You must fill me in on things," Cora elated. "How is that grandson of mine?"
"Growing more and more each day," Mary replied giving her mother a genuine smile. "And taking quite a shine to Isis."
"Oh Isis!" Cora beamed. "I do miss her so."
"She was entirely unsettled by all of us leaving without her," Robert frowned thinking about his beloved dog's behavior.
"The poor thing," Cora shook her head. Since the moment she had meant Robert he had never been without a dog and had loved each and every single one of them almost about as much as his children. "And Tom? Were Sybbie and him alright?"
"Yes I think Tom might have actually been happy we were leaving," Mary chuckled. "Though we told Isabel and Granny to go check on him one night."
"Well that would be a sight," Cora muffled her laugh even though it still floated like wind carrying leaves.
"I say where did Rosamund sneak off too?" Robert asked looking around the room.
"I believe she went to go have some brunch," Mary inserted as she started for the door. "Which is just what I am going to do myself."
The four of them were all eating and talking together about nothing in particular until Mary decided to further question the situation her sister was in once more.
"What dangers are Edith in exactly after what happened last night?" Mary looked back and forth between her aunt and mother. "I mean will I able to talk to her myself today?"
"Of course you can Mary, don't be silly," Cora answered as Mrs. Hugh came in. "And as for the dangers as long as she rests and is careful your sister will be fine."
"Excuse me milady, you told me to inform you when Lady Edith had woken up," she stated at the door. Everyone stood at the housekeeper's words but only Cora began to quickly move.
"If you'll excuse me I am going to check on your sister," she smiled gently at Mary, heading for the door.
"Would you like me to come darling," Robert called before Cora had a chance to disappear.
"I think it might best if I break the news to her that you both arrived early. I wouldn't want to catch her off guard."
"About what?" they all heard a voice come from behind them. To their surprise they all found Edith sauntering into the room from the entrance on the other side, with her hand pressed in supporting her lower back. She was dressed in a beautiful yet flowing ivory dress that fell over her form perfectly and matched her for once free curls.
Cora felt worry rise quickly in her chest as she watched Edith's gaze fall on her father and sister. "Edith! What are on earth are you doing down here?" Cora started to fret as she quickly went to her youngest's side. She shouldn't have gotten out of bed yet, let alone got dressed and come down here. Even though Edith looked beautiful, Cora could still see the tiredness, discomfort in and around Edith's eyes. "Darling, after last night you need to be off your feet resting." Cora was starting to rethink not telling Edith last night what the doctor said. "That is going to start happening more and more."
Once Edith had regained herself from the surprise she felt at first she quickly put her best foot forward and met her father's eyes. "I'm perfectly well Ma'ma we can discuss it later first let me say hello..." she said meekly as she looked at her mother trying to reassure her and then looked back towards her father and sister. "Ma'ma had told me you both weren't arriving till tomorrow."
Cora could see the pools that started in her eyes as she stared at her father and just prayed that this wouldn't elevate her blood pressure.
"We were lucky off enough to reach land early," Robert smiled as he closed the gap between his daughter and him. Robert looked Edith over all the while pride beaming from his eyes. "You look absolutely radiant darling," he sniffled a bit taking in the change motherhood was bringing to Edith. Robert then wrapped his arms around Edith hugging her for a moment.
"Don't fib to me Pa'pa, I did look in the mirror this morning you know," she laughed lightly. She was so relieved to see her father so welcoming towards her though her mother would be happy to say I told you so. "It is so lovely to see you," she said as she reached up on her toes and placed a kiss to his cheek.
"And you dear sister..." Edith smiled turning to Mary opening her arms. "Come here." If the words Mary had spoken to her before she left were true she was a lot more enthusiastic to have her here. She loved her mother and Rosamund but they could be quite overbearing at times and she could very much enjoy talking about normal things sister's talked about. "Hopefully now that you are here I will have help when it comes to those two," she smirked glancing over at Cora and Rosamund.
"Of course you will little sister," Mary chuckled in that deep throaty way only Mary could as she kissed Edith's cheek. "Pa'pa was right though...motherhood suits you."
For sister's this comment would have been normal but for Mary this was her way of letting Edith know all was well and this would not change things between them.
"Thank you Mary that means so much to me," Edith gave a watery smile as she reached out and touched Mary's cheek.
"What can I say..." Mary started smirking ear to ear. "Not every girl in world was lucky enough to get me for their sister."
"You know you can be such a child when you want too," Edith shook her head laughing as she jokingly pushed Mary.
"Edith do be careful," Though it concerned her for Edith's health, Cora was filled with happiness as she watch this scene unfold between her two girls. They had never gotten along since they were children and up until this season of life Cora had expected them to remain the same way. If anybody would have asked her a year ago if her daughters were close she would've laughed but it seems life has the most unexpected ways of bringing people together. They had both lost their little sister to childbirth and neither were willing to test fate again.
"You should listen to her you know," Mary chimed in looking at Edith in that way she always did.
"OH don't you start too," Edith scoffed as she placed both hands behind her hips and headed to grab a cup of coffee.
"We are only looking out for your best interest my dear," Rosamund interjected worried about her niece as well.
"Though everything was fine last night the doctor left clear instructions to make sure you were on bed rest till this baby gets here and if you think for even a moment young lady that I won't hold you to those instructions for the well being of my daughter and grandchild you are sorely mistaken...now give me that," Cora said firmly but with all love in the world as she took the coffee away from Edith and replaced it with tea.
"This is most unfair," Edith pouted taking the tea from her mother.
"I know darling," Cora smiled as she tapped Edith's nose with her finger. "Only a few more weeks to go and then this little one will be here. Now sit down before you give me a heart attack."
CHAPTER TEN EVERYBODY! please comment share your thoughts with me! Till next time
RL