Cora had dressed herself in a dark blue dress. It just reached her knees, the fabric was flowing. The dress accentuated her tiny waistline. With her high heels she barely reached Robert's height.

She loved that he was taller than she was. This way she could find shelter in him. Her head fitted perfectly between his shoulder and neck. But the last days, he didn't let her.

He was complaining about headaches since the beginning of this week. She worried, but Robert said everything was ok. He was distant and constantly rubbing his temples.

She hooked her arm in his and they walked to the entrance. Robert stiffened up and pulled her closer by wrapping his arm around her. Cora looked up worried, but then she saw John. He stood in front of the door. She lowered her shoulders, she made it clear to him, he wasn't welcome at the event, she thought.

"Hello John." Robert greeted him. "Did Cora invite you?"

"Well, uhm, no, not really, but." John stuttered.

"I am afraid Cora will be to busy to help you, you can take photos of the guests outside if you want. When all the guests have arrived you can go home." He didn't give John a chance to react. He walked further with his arm tightly wrapped around Cora.

"Wasn't that a bit rude?" Cora asked when they stepped inside.

"Coming to a party uninvited, that's rude "

Cora decided to keep her mouth shut, they would talk about this at home.

The whole evening Robert kept Cora close. John didn't come in, he had left. Cora tried to make the needed pictures inside, but with Robert clinging on to her, it was hard.

"Dear, why don't you get us some new drinks." She said, trying to get some time to make pictures of him surrounded by the guests.

"I understand, I am not wanted." And he walked off.

Cora sighed, there was something wrong. Why was he acting this way? Was it only John? Cora had warned John already to behave himself. But clearly, she wasn't clear enough. Monday she would have a chat with him.

On Saturday Robert had slept in, he complained about his headache the night before.

"Darling" Cora sat down on the side of his bed. "Can I do something? Do you want me to call a doctor?"

Robert could barely open his eyes. "I think, I just need some more sleep."

"You slept for 12 hours already, darling, I am calling a doctor." She brushed her hand against his cheek.

Robert closed his eyes and rested his head against Cora's hand. She waited until he was back asleep.

Cora had called the doctor and the advice was to go to the ER, to get Robert a check up. Cora called Rosamund to watch the girls.

After some tests, it turned out, Robert was working too hard. His brain was still a little swollen, it would take time before he was back to his normal self.

"You aren't going to the office next week, you will work half days at home, but that's it. No events, no working in the evening."

"Cora! I can't, I need to be at the office."

"No, you don't. We have enough staff around and I will be there and Rosamund. I will be strict, you are staying home. Nanny will be here next week, so you can rest."

The Sunday they spend in the conservatory, just relaxing. Mary and Edith sensed that Robert wasn't feeling well, and both played quietly.

Robert had indeed stayed the week home, but on Friday, he went to the office. He was missing some files in a folder.

Cora's office door stood ajar, and he could hear her voice, the other voice he didn't recognize. It was a male voice. He stopped to listen.

"I can't thank you enough for your help. It means the world to me. Can I interest you to go for lunch?"

Robert now recognized the voice. It was John. He opened the door slowly. He saw John hanging over Cora to type something on the keyboard. Cora was sitting in her chair, John stood next to her, and both his arms were over Cora. Robert scraped his throat.

"Robert, what are you doing here! You shouldn't be at the office this week."

"Well, I am, I hope I am not a disappointment!"

"You are never a disappointment. How can I help you?" Cora asked.

John had stepped aside, away from Cora. "I think I should go."

"I know you should." Robert almost breathed fire. "You don't have to come back at all, you are fired.

John left Cora's office. Cora took a deep breath. "And that's why you aren't back to work yet, you can't fire him. He is good at his job!"

"He is good at flirting with my wife!" Robert hissed

"He….. He." Cora was too stunned for words.

"You heard me right. He was flirting with you, and you didn't stop him. It was as if you liked it!" Robert stormed of to his own office.

Cora gave him a minute before opening his door. He sat at his desk with his head in his hands. She walked over, lowered herself on her knees next to him and took his hand in hers. "Robert, there is just one man I love, and that's you.

Robert looked at her. "He thought he could replace me."

Cora saw a tear in his eye. "Darling, even if he thought that, it was useless. No one can replace you. Oh darling, I love you. Don't you worry. No man, can steal me away from you."

Robert looked down at her. "How did I deserve a woman like you? I didn't trust you and I am so sorry."

Cora got up so she could hug Robert. "Are you coming back home, we will go for a walk with Mary and Edith. We will take tomorrow off, ask nanny to go somewhere with the girls. So, we can be together, just the two of us?"

"Thank God for you." He kissed Cora's neck. "Thank you for putting up with me."

It was late August, and the weather was starting to cool down again. Cora and Robert enjoyed the day without the girls to the fullest. They had taken a long bath in the morning, Cora said it was to relax. But she was sweater after the bath then before.

Robert wanted to discover every corner of the house with her. Cora let him lead the way and moved her body on his rhythm.

She was relieved, his headache had gone. It was definitely stress related. Although she thought Robert's work was the stress factor, it turned out, it was an employee who was the stress factor. She felt guilty by not noticing John's behaviour properly.

They ended up on the third floor, they were laying on the ground. Robert was playing with Cora's hair, twirling it around his finger. With his other hand he made circles on Cora's belly.

"Do you think, we made a little one which will start growing in there today?"

Cora covered his hand with hers. "Maybe, would you like that?"

Robert kissed Cora full passion. "I love seeing you pregnant. There isn't anything more beautiful than your growing belly."

"And the stretchmark's the girls left me with…."

"Those are your warrior scars and only make you more beautiful. They remind me of the incredible work you have done, to give me two beautiful daughters. And maybe, we will welcome a new one in 9 months."