Robert dialled Cora's number, he added some more estates to their round and that would take two more weeks.

Cora was coming closer to her due date, but they just needed to go. He hoped she would understand. John had tried to talk him out of it, of course. But he insisted they needed to do this right now. Reluctantly John agreed.

"Darling?" Cora said while picking up the phone. "How good to finally hear your voice again."

"Hi." Robert started. "How are you feeling?"

Cora's hand rested on her belly. "Some heartburn today and my back and feet are killing me. I am glad when you are back home, so I can rest a little bit more."

"Well, about that." Robert started.

"No! Robert, you promised." Cora said.

"I know what I said. This is just something we have to do. It is just another 2 weeks. You will manage?"

"Another two weeks closer to the birth of our little one. You said it would be three weeks, and now you are adding two more?"

"Cora! I will ask Rosamund to come a little more often to help you with whatever you need." Robert said.

"Maybe we should ask her to be present with the birth, so you won't have to bother!" Cora was annoyed.

"Don't be like this. Of course, I will be present with the birth. You still have about 2 months."

"What if the baby comes early? You will not be here! Robert, I need you home. You staying away longer really makes me anxious."

"Calm down Cora, it is your first baby, he will not come early."

"Stop saying he!" Cora hissed. "But by all means stay away!" She dropped her phone.

"Cora? Cora, are you still there?"

"I guess, she didn't take it that well." John said, when Robert put his phone back in his pocket.

Robert sighed. "Pregnant women!"

"You are not being fair right now." John said. "Cora is close to 33 weeks, right?"

"You know that better than I do." Robert joked.

John gave him a puzzled look. "It is something you should know. But never mind, are you sure we are going to add those two weeks?"

"Absolutely." Robert opened his laptop and started working again.

John had called Rosamund to check on Cora. She had bought some chocolates and just rang the doorbell. She had used her key because Cora didn't answer the door. She found her in bed.

"Are you awake?" She startled Cora. "No, no, don't get up." She sat down on the matrass, softly pushing Cora back.

Rosamund wiped away a tear from Cora's cheek. "Let it all out."

"Why is he like this?" Cora sobbed, holding Rosamund's hand.

"I wish I knew." Rosamund squeezed Cora's hand. "Can I do something for you?

Cora shrugged her shoulders. "I don't know."

"Did you already eat something?" Rosamund looked at her watch, it was 18.00 o'clock.

Cora didn't answer.

"You need to eat something. Do you want pancakes?"

Before Cora could answer, Rosamund left. Minutes later Cora heard the mixer in the kitchen. She laid down a little bit longer. She was exhausted.

Cora must have fallen asleep because she was woken up by Rosamund. "Dinner is ready." She helped Cora up. As she heard Cora breath in deeply, she asked. "Does it hurt somewhere?"

Cora smiled. "No, the baby is just very active and is using my hips as a goal post. Do you want to feel?"

Cora took Rosamund's hand and placed it on her belly. She was grateful for the friendship she was giving her. She wanted to give Rosamund as much experience as possible. She had seen her face during her latest scan. She was sorry for Rosamund, that she could not experience this herself.

"Rosamund?"

She looked up. "Yeah?"

"If Robert isn't home when my labour starts, do you want to be present? I could use your support. But only if you don't feel awkward!"

"Or course, I would be there! Definitely. But I am dragging Robert back home in two weeks."

Cora chuckled. "Deal, now, lets eat." She walked towards the kitchen.

Cora had cleaned the whole house, it was difficult, her belly was really getting in the way. She was now 8 months pregnant. Just 4 weeks left until her due date.

She sat down in one of the relax chairs, she was having Braxton hicks and they were hurting her. She made herself a cup of tea. Tonight, Robert was coming home, and she wanted the house to be spotless. Now she had to deal with the consequences of being too active.

She stretched her back and rubbed her belly, in the hope to relief some of the pain. Her doctor had explained about the Braxton hicks and there was no reason to worry. It was just her uterus preparing for the birth.

She put her feet up and pulled a blanket over herself. It was a cold January day, outside the terrace was white with snow.

A soft touch on her shoulder woke Cora up, it was Robert who was standing next to her. He kissed her cheek and touched her belly. "Look at how much you have grown."

"That is what 5 weeks in the last months of pregnancy can do!" Cora said with a cold voice.

Robert bent down, and laid his ear on her belly. "Hello, little boy, how are you doing in there?"

Cora moved in the chair. "Can you not!" She said, trying to get up.

Robert gave her his hand, she took it, because the chair she was sitting in, was a little bit too low to get up from herself.

"Hope the trip was a good one." Cora said.

"It was." Robert followed Cora to the kitchen and started talking about all the estates they visited. He didn't notice how tired Cora was, she had sat down again on a kitchen chair. She barely listened to him.

"I will help you unpack tomorrow, I am going to bed now." Without waiting for Robert's response, she wobbled to the bedroom. She never heard Robert come in, she was asleep before her head hit the pillow.