Cora was walking in the park behind their house. She had to get some fresh air. Nanny was home for Mary and Edith. She couldn't stop thinking about Patrick. His little hands in hers.Why did this happen? She was feeling guilty.

Robert came home early, he had started working again. He found nanny with the girls, she told him Cora had gone out for a walk in the park. Robert walked to the park, to see if he could find her. He did, she was sitting on a bench near the fountain, staring into nothingness.

He felt his heart full of sorrow. She should be sitting their with a little boy in her arms. Now they were left with an empty feeling and he knew Cora felt guilty. It wasn't her fault, but she felt like that.

Silently he sat next to her, she looked up and gave him a faint smile. "I needed to clear my head."

"No, better place than outside darling." His arm rested on her shoulders. Cora's head was against his shoulder. Patrick's still birth was 3 months ago. "How can I help you darling?"

"I don't know. I miss Patrick so much. He should be born around this time, not 3 months ago. I wish I had taken better care of myself."

"Stop right there, you didn't do anything wrong. Sweetheart, this was something that no one could prevent. It is heartbreaking and I miss Patrick in everything I do. But, darling, this isn't your fault."

"My head knows you are right, but my heart will not accept it." A tear escaped her eye.

Robert brushed it from her cheek and kissed her tenderly. "I know my darling, I know."

Cora nestled a bit more against Robert. "I am sorry darling, I know you struggle too." She took his hand and held it in her lap. They just sat there for hours. Listening to the sounds of nature. Soaking up each others bodywarmth and finding peace in each other.

While they walked home, hand in hand, Robert said: "Maybe we need a break, go for a holiday? Just the two of us. We have some bad times behind us, and I want to make new happy memories with you again."

"Darling, I want to make them too, but Mary and Edith should be part of those memories. Why not go with the four of use, we could bring nanny, so we have the evenings off for ourselves?"

Robert stopped walking. He turned towards Cora and kissed her. "You always have the best ideas, I love you."

Robert manged to get two weeks free, Rosamund had already taken over a lot of his duties, since his accident. Cora made all the pictures she needed and could easily be away for two weeks. Robert booked a villa on one of the Canary Islands, La Palma. Villa Guadeloupe, a colonial house from the early 20th century, with a private swimming pool, located opposite the beach of Puerto de Tazacorte.

It was late November, but the weather was nice as always on the island. Mary and Edith had behaved good during the flight. Cora was worried, because it would be their first time in the air.

They had spent the whole day at the beach and Robert took the girls inside to wash up from the sand. Mary had played with it the entire time, both Cora and Robert had watched with surprise. Normally Mary wasn't getting her hands dirty, but both girls were building castle's. They even played together.

This holiday was everything they had wished for. To calm down and make new wonderful memories together. Patrick was in their minds, but not depressing them. He was with them included in every happy memorie.

Nanny went out with Mary and Edith on Robert's request. He sat next to Cora, who was fast asleep on a bed outside. He took her hand, she only turned on her side, but didn't wake up. He contemplated to lay down next to her, but they had dinner reservations. It was his birthday. This morning Cora had surprised him with a new wallet. It was just a small gift she said, and it was, but he didn't need anything big.

Robert raked his fingers through her hair and kissed her on her cheek. Cora woke up and gave him a big smile. Her hand pulling him close to kiss him. "Where are the girls?"

"Nanny took them to get some food, we should also chance for our dinner."

Cora had bought a bright red summer dress for this evening. It was flowing around her body, and Robert loved seeing her move in it. All her curves were accentuated. He himself was wearing a light linnen suite.

Dinner was in a small local restaurant. They enjoyed the local cuisine, and maybe both had a bit much to drink.

On their way back to the villa Robert was singing 'I'm into something good.

'She's the kind of girl who's not too shy

And I can tell I'm her kind of guy

She danced close to me like I hoped she would

Something tells me I'm into something good'

He took Cora by her hands and danced with her in the streets. She followed his movements and loved this worry free evening. When they entered the villa Cora sushed him down, to not wake up the girls.

Robert sang in her ear:'We only danced for a minute or two

But then she stuck close to me the whole night through'

"Come to bed, darling.' Was Cora's response

Mary was standing at their bed side, nanny behind her with Edith and and a plate in her hands. Mary shook Robert's arm. "Daddy, breakfast. Daddy, wake up."

Robert pulled his arm carefully underneath Cora, trying not to wake her. "Darling, did you make this?" He looked up at nanny.

"She helped with it, sir." Nanny answered.

Robert cringed, he had told her she didn't need to say sir, Robert was ok. But her previous placement was for a lord and lady, so she was used to it. He sat right up and took the plate from nanny. In the meantime Cora had woken up, Edith had crawled on top of her. Cora gave her cuddles and Edith giggles were heartwarming. Mary's hand pulled on his arm.

"Daddy, to the beach?"

"Ofcourse we can go to the beach today." Robert answered.

"No Edith, no mama. Daddy please?" Mary's eyes were big and she looked adorable, the way she pleaded her case.

Cora chuckled and leaned over. She gave Mary a kiss. "You can have your daddy today, darling. Edith and I stay here."

"Sweetheart, are you sure? You can come too?"

"Robert, Mary wants time with you alone, take that as a compliment and enjoy it. Before we now it she will be grown up and then the day's for Mary daddy dates will be in the past." She played with Mary's hair. "You be nice for daddy today."

Mary almost ran out of the house, when they were finally ready to go to the beach.

Cora had stayed with Edith in the villa, she had read a book and played with Edith. When it was lunchtime, she brought the lunch Nanny had prepared to Robert and Mary. Edith had followed in her footsteps. Mary's face went dark when she saw them coming, Cora noticed it immediately. It hurt her, as young as she was, she found ways to hurt her mother's feelings.

She brushed Mary's hair, not letting her know what she felt. "We will be gone soon, darling, don't you worry."

Robert hadn't seen Mary's face and said: "you two could stay and enjoy lunch with us."

Cora gave Robert a look. "It's ok, we will eat at the house. See you later." After a quick kiss she took Edith's hand and walked back.

That evening in bed, Robert wanted to talk about what happened at the beach. "Darling, why do you give in on Mary so easily?"

Cora sighed and lifted her head up from his arm. "Some day's it is not worth the fight and I want this holiday to only have happy memories."

"I don't understand why Mary treats you this way."

"Oh, I do, she blames me for bringing Edith home. As little as she is, she understands it."

"Edith is her sisters and she has to accept that." Robert's voice was hard.

"One day she will, Maybe it will just take time." Cora sushed Robert. She turned her face and kissed him. "For now, just enjoy our last night here, tomorrow we will fly back home again.

Robert moved his hand to Cora's waist. "We should make the last one memorable." He moved on top of her.

Cora hold him of for a second. "I can't get pregnant," she said with her voice soft. "It's to early."

"Ofcourse darling, but we can have fun in so many other way's." He winked and kissed her collarbone