Cora woke up in the middle of the night, Robert wasn't there. She felt Robert's side of the bed and that was cold. She had gotten to bed early, Robert had not come to the bedroom when she fell asleep. She got up and checked the bathroom, also empty. He wasn't in Oliver's room and also his study was empty. Cora got downstairs, the kitchen and conservatory were empty. Then she heard his snoring, she opened the guest bedroom on the ground floor. Robert was sleeping in that bed. She didn't know why he did that, but she decided to let him sleep for now and ask him tomorrow morning. Robert was still exhausted, even though he had worked from home for the last week and slept every afternoon. Cora got back in bed and tried to sleep some more. It was hard to fall asleep again, she was worried about Robert.
In the morning the smell of breakfast woke her up. She put on her bathrobe and walked downstairs. Robert was in the kitchen, making breakfast and humming to the music that was playing. "Robert? Why did you sleep downstairs?" Cora asked.
Robert turned around. "I tried walking up the stairs last night, but I got so out of breath that I gave up and decided to sleep there."
"Robert, you really need to go to a doctor. This isn't normal. You sleep so much and the fact you are constantly out of breath without doing anything, worries me."
"I will take a week off next week. No working, also not from home, so I can really rest."
Robert had indeed taken the week off. Some days he felt really good and some days he couldn't do anything. He sat on the couch watching the birds in the garden. Cora sat down next to him, she leaned against him. "How are you feeling today?"
"I think I have a good day." He leaned back in too the back of the couch.
Cora scooted closer and laid her head on his chest. But she got up quickly. "Robert? Do you feel that yourself?"
"What do I feel myself?"
"Your heart? It doesn't have a regular beat! You need to get that checked out, maybe your fatigue and shortness of breath comes from that."
"Oh, I have that for a long time now, I am used to it."
"Please go for a check-up, darling. I need you longer in my life."
Robert got an appointment the next day, when he called and explained his symptoms, the doctor wanted to see him directly. Robert didn't understand all the fuss, but he followed. He knew by now, that when Cora was worried, he better listened, she would not calm down otherwise.
The doctor listened to his heart and send him in for some tests. He suspected a heart rhythm disorder. Robert got a lot of tests that same day and it turned out he had a bad arrhythmia, but the reason for that was even worse. He had partially obstructed coronary arteries, he needed surgery soon. The doctor had asked if he felt any tightness in his chest. And Robert had to answer yes to that question.
He called Cora as soon as he was back home "Where are you?" He asked when she answered her phone.
"I am at the park with Oliver, what took you so long? Did they find something?"
"They did, can you come home, please?"
Cora send Oliver upstairs to play in his room, she found Robert in the conservatory. He was staring into nothingness. She slightly touched is arm. "Is it bad news?"
Robert pulled Cora close. She let him hug her, she knew it didn't help if she pressed him to answer her now.
"I need surgery." Robert started. "I am at the edge of a heart attack."
Cora looked shocked. "Oh my God."
"I am not having one." He took Cora's hand. I am just not far from one.
"Please, take care of yourself!"
"That's what I have you for. And you are doing so well." Robert smiled at Cora.
"You need to watch your diet from now on. No more alcohol and slowing down with coffee. White fish and chicken." Robert pulled a face. "I will be strict!"
Robert's operation was scheduled within a week. Oliver would stay at Rosamund's, so Cora would be free to go to the hospital.
The morning of his operation, Robert sat on the settee. Cora sat in front of him on her knees. Her hands in his hands. "Cora, if this is it, just know that I have loved you very, very much."
"This isn't it, darling. We won't let this be it." Cora gave Robert a tender kiss.
A tear escaped Robert's eye. "I am really nervous."
"I will be with you every step."
The operation went smooth no complications. Cora was waiting for him to return. The girls all had called to ask if he was already back up and if they could come. Cora told them she would call if she knew more. Robert was brought back to the room. He was still groggy from the anaesthesia.
Cora brushed his hair. "You are back! Thank God, you are back." The doctor told her what they did during surgery. Robert should, from now on, always watch his diet and adjust to being more fatigue. His arrhythmia was still there but the blockage in his veins was gone.
Cora sat next to Robert waiting for him to fully wake up. She watched him anxiously, he was turning 58 this November, he was too young to die. She was going to take better care of him. Healthier meals and more free time. Maybe now was the time to prepare Matthew for the takeover.
She must have fallen asleep, because she woke up from Robert squeezing her hand. "You are awake, darling."
"I am for a while now, but you were sleeping so peacefully. I didn't want to wake you.
"I told the girls, I would call the moment you woke up. But now I fell asleep myself. I am sorry. Did you already call them?"
"No not yet, I wanted to be with you. You never know how long we have together, and I want to soak up every moment with you."
Cora's eyes filled with tears. "Don't say things like that, you are not going to die. Not yet. The doctors told me that you will be fine, as long as you take care of yourself. And I will make sure you will do that. Please don't say things like that."
Robert touched Cora's cheek. "I am sorry, darling. I didn't mean to make you cry." He tried getting up to kiss Cora, but he couldn't. Cora smirked and got up to kiss him instead.
Cora left the room when the girls arrived, it would be too busy for Robert. Three was not allowed said the nurse, but she would turn her eye for this once. Rosamund was in the waiting room with Oliver. He ran towards her. Cora got down to pick him up. "Your daddy will be home soon!" She kissed him on his cheek.
Rosamund had a worried look on her face. Cora embraced her. "He will be alright, the operation went well. He is already looking better. Why don't you bring Oliver to him?"
"Are you sure? Don't you want to be with him?"
"He is your brother, go and talk to him." Cora notched Rosamund towards the door. She closed the door behind her and took in a deep breath, tears started welling up in her eyes. Suddenly she felt arms around her. Her girls had entered the room and were hugging her.
"Dad will be alright" Sybil said.
"He is a fighter, and he will be back home soon" Mary said.
Edith didn't say anything, but she was the one who held Cora the tightest. Cora kissed all three of her girls on their cheek and squeezed Edith's hand. "I am blessed with you three as my daughters."
Robert stayed in the hospital for a few days. He could walk again, without shortness of breath and the wounds were healing fast. He got some exercises to do every day. For his arrhythmia he got medicines and a monthly check up for the upcoming months.
Cora helped him out of the car and walked him back inside. She made the spare bedroom their temporary bedroom. She didn't want him to climb the stairs already.
"Darling, maybe it is time to sell this house?" Cora said while bringing Robert his cup of tea in the conservatory.
"What?" Robert looked at her in surprise. "But this is your dream home?"
"I know, but it is getting too big for us. We could move back to an apartment building?"
"I leave that up to you. You found this gem, so I bet you will find a new palace for us. But for now, please sit next to me, so we can enjoy this lovely summer day together. By the way we still need to buy a present for Oliver, he is turning 5 at the end of this month."
"How could I forget that? How stupid of me, I didn't make any invitations for his birthday party. I will start doing that tonight. But now I just want to enjoy this cup of tea and being together with you.