Robert watched Cora getting ready for the day, it had taken weeks before she aloud him to sleep over. She was still a little bit distant. He had missed watching her in the morning, but mostly he mist smelling her hair, when she was resting her head against his chest. He knew he had to work hard to regain her trust.

Cora deliberately was very slow with getting dressed this morning, she walked around in one of Robert's shirt that he left months ago, it showed of her long legs, but just hide enough to give Robert something to dream about. She knew she was teasing him, but she couldn't help herself. A part of her wanted to forgive him fully, but the other part still needed something more of him.

They were going for tea at her mother's, Martha had fallen in love with Robert the moment she met him. She was a little over enthusiastic, but Cora told Robert, that was her American blood, she couldn't help it. And he should just embrace it and go with the flow. Robert always joked how Cora was right in the middle of her mother and Harold her brother. Martha being very present and Harold almost invisible. Cora had told Robert, that Harold was an exact copy of her father. He figured Cora was the perfect mix, she was present, but knew when to be in the background. She fitted perfectly in the British upper-class.

"Cora, at what time are you and Robert coming on Christmas morning? Harold will be here also."

Robert answered before Cora could: "Well, Cora and I will be away for Christmas, we will be back on boxing day. Robert tried not to look at Cora. He hadn't told her about their trip. But he remembered the request she made.

"And when were you going to tell me." Cora asked semi indignant, but she was giving Robert a sneaky look.

"I had hoped to keep it a secret for a little bit longer, but we are leaving on the 24th and will be back on the 26th of December. Sorry, Martha that means we can't be here on Christmas morning."

"I can live with that, will you be here for dinner on boxing day? And were are you going?"

"That, I will keep a secret, even for you Mrs. Levinso'" Robert teased.

Robert and Cora decided to walk back home, they walked arm in arm.

"You aren't going to tell me? Where we are going?" Cora asked.

"As I said, I will keep it a secret, you just wait and see" he stopped and kissed Cora. She resisted a little, but realised it wasn't working, Robert had a magical effect on her.

Robert arrived at 'Levinson and son' he knew Cora would be out with friends, so it was safe.

"For what do I owe this pleasure?" Harold asked.

Robert scraped his throat: "You know I love your sister very much, and well, as her, and of course your father has died, there is just one man in her life, I could ask this question." He paused a minute, to work up the courage. "Harold, I am asking for your sisters hand in marriage."

Harold clearly had not expect this question, but he recovered himself fast and answered: "I will give you the hand of my sister, but you need to realise, I know where to find you if you ever hurt her."

Robert had planned this trip to the littlest detail, he wanted this to be perfect. He had Cora told what kind of weather she could expect, and that they would be in a city. She would need some formal evening wear, but also clothes to walk in.

Cora had packed her bags, she never had so many problems deciding what to bring. Where was he taking her? When she arrived at Robert's place he was looking at her with a cheepisch smile, and she just loved him for who he was.

How could she keep him at distance until now, that was over, no more distance between them. Without saying a word she gave him a very passionate kiss, he was a little bit startled by it, she noticed. It was weeks ago they had shared a kiss like this, but it felt like the right moment to let him know she was fully his.

"I have a surprise before we go." Robert turned around, and when he turned back he was holding a beautiful sparkling black dress. "Tonight we will have a special dinner and I wanted you to feel special, so I bought this dress for you, do you like it."

Cora touched the fabric, and exclaimed: "Robert, I love it, really I do." I need to get my black heels for tonight then.

Cora felt quite nervous, on their way to the taxi, Robert was holding her hand and softly rubbing with his thumb over the back of her hand. It didn't matter where he was taking her, she would love it, just because they were together.

At the airport Robert had told her they were going to Vienna. The flight had gone smooth and at arrival a taxi was already waiting to bring them to the hotel. Robert had booked the Presidential Suite in 'Park Hyatt' and enormous room, there was a grand piano in the middle of the room. Cora sat down and to Robert surprise she was very good at it.

"You never told me you played?"

"That's because I don't really do it anymore, it is a long time ago, I had my last lesson." She stopped.

"Please don't stop, I really like it, is this the only instrument you play?"

"At the moment yes, but I would love to learn to play the guitar one day"

The day went by, and when it started to get dark, Robert said they had to go back to the hotel to get changed. At the hotel Cora changed in to the black dress, it fitted like a glove. She was surprised he had managed to buy this without her being present. Robert had told her his secret, he took one of her dresses to the store and they made the dress specially for him in that exact size. He himself was wearing a black tie. He looked handsome Cora thought.

In front of the hotel a carriage was waiting for them, Robert held out his hand to help Cora inside and said: "Here you go my princess." Cora smiled at his reference. The carriage took them to Schloss Schönbrunn, Robert had said there was a special dinner here tonight, she didn't know dinners were hold at Schönbrunn. There was a red carpet, which they followed in side.

Cora was amazed by the beauty of this castle, she had read about it and had seen pictures, but in real life it was even bigger than she had imagined. Robert excused himself, he needed to go to the bathroom. He left Cora alone in the big entrance hall. After a few minutes, a staff member walked over to her and said: "They are ready for you my lady." And he offered her his arm.

"My partner just went to the bathroom, can we wait a minute please?"

"I will go back for him, but first I will guide you to your place."

A bit resistant Cora took his arm and followed, she could hear a waltz being played. "Tonight you will dine in the Great Gallery my lady" the staff member said. Cora was impressed, how had Robert arranged a dinner here. It must be with a lot of important people, how ever, she didn't see any other attending guests. She wanted to ask about it, but they arrived at two big closed doors. The member of staff said: "Just wait here for a minute my lady, I am going to get your partner." And he left.

Cora heard the music coming true the door, she was admiring her surroundings when the doors opened. A beautiful painted room, with golden accents presented itself, she looked around but besides the musicians there weren't any guests in the room. The member of staff who had guided her earlier ofered again his arm and guided her inside. Cora wanted to ask where Robert was, but then she saw him. He was standing in the middle of the room. She was guided towards him.

When she stood before him, Robert took her hands. "Cora, I know we only met at the beginning of this year, but I know I want to be with you for ever. I have done some stupid things , but I will never hide anything from you from now on. Cora, my love, that time I almost smashed a door in your face, was when I knew I wanted to get to know you. We had some ups and downs last year, and I know, it just has been a year but." He got down on one knee and held out a little box. Cora gasped.

"Cora, darling, will you be my forever princess, will you marry me."

Happy tears were welling up in Cora's eyes: "Yes, yes, yes. Yes I want to marry you." He took her hand and carefully put the ring on her finger. She took his face in her hands when he got up, and kissed him and again and again. "Oh, Robert, you don't know how happy you made me."

"Cora, you can not know how much you have changed my life, I will be forever yours" he picked her up and twirled her around.

Cora woke up, a little bit dazed. She had the most wonderful dream, she moved her hand and felt a ring on her finger. It wasn't a dream, it was real, Robert had proposed. He had proposed! She rested her hand on Robert's chest, carefully not to wake him, she was playing with his chest hair. He inhaled deeply and mumbled something, she moved her body, so she was resting against him. She kissed him carefully, "Good morning my darling"

"Good morning, my fiancée. Hmmm that feels good to say, my fiancée." He smiled foolishly and took her hand where he had placed the ring on. "Do you like the ring dear? I can't tell you how long it took me to find it."

Cora, looked at it, it was shimmering all over, there was one bigger stone surrounded with smaller ones, it was really beautiful. "I love it and I love you." They shared another kiss.

The had spend the morning laying in bed talking and did some more sightseeing. Before they knew it, it was Sunday morning, time to go home. "I can't wait to show my mother my ring." Cora chatted enthusiastic while they got their snacks served in the plane. "I wonder what Harold will think of this."

"I know he approves my dear, I asked your brother for your hand. I couldn't ask your father, so I went to the most important man in your life, your brother.

Cora started to tear up: "I really appreciate that you did that. Thank you so much, I miss my father so much." He wrapped his arm around her and let her cry. He kissed the top of her head.

The rest of the flight Cora had talked about all the wonderful memories she had with her dad and Robert had shared his memories from his dad.