The Lucky Lord

"Gratitude bestows reverence, allowing us to encounter everyday epiphanies,

those transcendent moments of awe that change forever how we experience life and the world."

John Milton

It all had threatened to overwhelm him. The birth of his grandson followed so closely by the death of his heir; euphoria followed by heartache and despair once again. The news of Matthew's death had hurt in so many ways. It had been Matthew's vision that had set Downton on a sustainable course for the future and as the current caretaker of the estate Robert knew what the younger man's death might mean for those plans. But that wasn't his first thought, his first thought had been about Mary. How would she manage this? And then his own grief filled him, a crushing pain filling his chest. But he pushed it aside to see after Isobel, who seemed broken in the wake of the horrible event. Several days passed with Robert trying to ignore his own grief in favor of helping the two women who were most affected.

It was Cora who recognized his state. It was she who finally made him face his own grief one night in the privacy of their bed chamber. It was she who held him as he sobbed over the young man who had been the closest he would ever come to having a son. And as she held him, she sobbed too.

Cora stood next to him as they went through the motions expected by tradition and society, his unfailing pillar of strength. The days passed slowly and the nights seemed longer as they passed through one of the worst periods of their lives. But Cora was always there for him, always available with kind words, a loving hug, a soothing stroke of her hand. Cora, his Cora…

He had told her just before they left Scotland to return to Downton how very grateful he was for Matthew, his life, his family, and most especially his wife. But on this particular September evening as he watched her managing the still grieving family, Robert Crawley realized that for the first time in weeks he was feeling something other than heartache. It was gratitude that filled his chest on this evening, gratitude for his wife.

He watched in awe as she quietly moved around the room; a word here, a quiet smile there, a hug for Isobel in shared understanding of the grief of losing one's child. In fact, Cora was able to help Isobel when others were helpless because only Cora understood from bitter experience what Isobel was feeling. And on the days when no one seemed to be able to cut through Mary's mantle of grief, only Cora was able to make an impression. As Robert watched his wife, appreciation threatened to overwhelm him.

Finally it was time to retire. As everyone disappeared behind their various doors, Robert caught Cora's elbow just outside hers. She turned and looked at him, surprised. "I just wanted to say," he began as he looked into her weary face, "how much…how wonderful I think you are…how grateful I am for you."

Her features broke into the first truly full smile she'd shown in weeks. "Robert," she whispered demurely.

"I mean it, Cora," he said softly, tears gathering in his eyes. "I don't know how any of us would have made it through…how I would have."

Her eyes glistened as she looked up at him. Slowly her hand made it to his face, resting along his cheek. Words weren't necessary between them in that moment as they gazed at one another through watery eyes. But Cora finally broke the trance to instruct him. "Go and change and then come to me; who knows, perhaps tonight will be lucky for you," she said in a lighter, teasing tone.

Covering her hand on his face with his own, Robert smiled down at his wife. "I will hurry," he said, "but my dear, since the day you married me, I have been the luckiest man on earth. Whenever you walk into the room, I feel my heart swell until I think it will burst."

Cora leaned up to kiss him, which he returned unreservedly. Then in a husky tome which Robert had come to know well over the years, she responded. "Well, we can't have you bursting; I feel it is my duty to provide you some relief," she teased.

Robert grew frustrated as Bates helped him change for bed. The man seemed slow this night. Finally Bates helped him slip into his robe and smirked. "You seem anxious tonight, Mi'lord."

Tying his sash, Robert turned and smiled at his valet. "Tonight Bates, I was reminded of how very lucky I am despite the heavy cloud that has been over this house; very lucky indeed." Then quickly he retreated to Cora's room to celebrate his good fortune.

I keep thinking I'll include other pairings but my mind keeps wandering back to Robert and Cora for these little snippets. I do hope you enjoyed this one.