Cora looked at her phone, another message from Robert. She ignored it and went on with her work, she was ignoring him for two days now. Harold was planning to go to America tomorrow, and she had to arrange all his meetings there. It was a good thing Harold kept her this busy. She was heartbroken, she really thought she had found the man of her dreams. But with Violet there was no way, they ever could be happy together, she better stayed away from him. She even contemplated about changing her number, but it was too much of a hassle.

Cora got up and walked into Harold's office: "Harold, would it be ok, if I went with you on your trip? I can use a change of scenery."

Harold lifted just one eyebrow: "Sis, why are you running away?

"I am not, Harold, I just need to get away for a while, I need to forget Robert and go on with my life.

Harold sighed, "go check if you can book an extra seat."

Cora had managed to get another seat on the same flight with Harold. She packed her suitcase and was ready to go. They would meet each other at the office and ride in the same taxi to the airport. When Cora arrived at the office, she saw a very well-known figure standing in front of the building. She felt her stomach jumping, it was Robert! What should she do, she couldn't turn around, Harold would never forgive her if they missed the flight, so she walked on. She saw Robert spotting her. His face lit up, but in the same instance turned dark again, when he saw her suitcase.

"You are leaving?" He exclaimed.

"No, not leaving, just on a business trip with Harold, why are you here."

"Cora, why are you ignoring me? You keep denying my calls, and you don't even read my messages. What have I done wrong?"

"You didn't do anything wrong, but your mother made me very clear to stay away, I was so ashamed when she found me on your terrace, I (have) never been yelled at like that in my adult life. And I do not want to repeat it"

"Cora, my dear, my mother was way out of line, and I told her that. I wanted to tell you that, I told my mother I love you, but you never picked up your phone. She will have to accept the fact that I love you and will spent the rest of my life with you if you let me! Cora, I love you!" He let out a soft cry, and a tear was rolling down his face.

Cora dropped her handbag and closed the distance between them, softly wiped away his tear, and pressed her lips against his. He answered and put both arms around her. He held her tightly and whispered in her ear: "Please Cora, never leave me"

She kissed him again, pressing her body against his, soaking up his body warmth. When she heard a soft: "ahum"

Harold was standing next to them: "I guess this means I am going alone on this trip?

Robert was the first to answer: "No, this only means that Cora will have a reason to come back to London, am I right?" He looked at Cora foolishly smiling.

Cora was smiling from ear to ear and could only nod in agreement.

"I will talk with my mum, and once you are back you two are going to meet properly." He gave her a final kiss and helped her in the taxi

Cora had an amazing time in America, it was good to be back. She met up with some old friends. It was strange how she had changed in all those years in England.

Harold had told her not to do anything work related, and just enjoy her holiday. He didn't have to say that twice. Once a day, she had a video call with Robert, she really missed him. She was still anxious about meting Violet again, but Robert reassured her it would be ok. He arranged for them to go out for lunch once shew was back in London. In public his mother would at least not yell.

Before she knew it, they were waiting to board the plane to go back home, these two months had gone by so fast and at the same time so slow. She had texted Robert what time her scheduled landing time was, and he had answered to be there to pick both her and Harold up, Cora had muttered it would be too late, but Robert had insisted.

As promised Robert was waiting at the arrivals, every time the sliding doors opened his heart jumped a little, but it wasn't Cora. Finally, after what had felt like an hour, he saw her walking through the doors. Her face angelic as always lit up when she saw him standing there. She ran towards him, and he barely managed to stay on his feet. They shared a small kiss and then she put her hand in his and they walked to the car.

Robert rarely drives his own car, it was so much easier to get around in a taxi. But he wanted to take Cora for a special date if she was up to it.

They dropped Harold off, and Robert asked if Cora was too tired, or that if she wanted to go somewhere special?

Cora had to admit she was tired, but she didn't want to disappoint Robert, so she said she wasn't. Robert drove the car out of London, to a village called Kenley. Robert had rented the Norman Fisher Observatory, for a private star gaze experience.

"Happy belated birthday Cora." He kissed her tenderly.

"How did you know yesterday was my birthday? Did you talk to Harold?"

"I will not tell you all my secrets" Robert smiled.

The stargazer was showing them where to look, Cora was sitting next to him, resting her body against his, and he felt her body go limb, her breathing slowed down, she was fast asleep.

Robert scooped her up, and carried her to the car, she was resting her head on his shoulder, she didn't really wake up when he sat her down in the car. He buckled her up and drove home. He decided to drive to her home and lay her in her own bed. Her keys were in her handbag.

Robert carried Cora to her bed. He tried to help her out of her clothes, but it didn't really work, so he just took of her shoes, and scooped her legs underneath the duvet. He wanted to leave the bedroom, when he heard: "Don't leave, please stay" so he took of his pants and vest and got in the bed next to her. She turned around and wrapped her arm around him, her head resting against his chest.

He could lay here all his life he thought. Softly he brushed her hair, kissed her head, and closed his eyes.