Robert had taken time off work, to be with Cora and Mary. Cora was doing well, but she was very tired. The midnight feeding didn't help. He wished he could do something. Rosamund had said he should do more household chores. So, he did, he made sure there was dinner every evening, although some nights he ended up ordering take out.

He woke up and rolled towards Cora. Her side was empty, he looked at the clock, this wasn't the usual time to feed Mary. He got up and walked towards her room. There he found Cora sitting in the rocking chair, with Mary on her chest. Both fast asleep. Robert picked up a blanket and tugged Cora in. She moved but didn't wake up.

Robert looked at his two girls for a while. He felt lucky that this was his life. How could he have been so blind and not see what he had right under his nose. A wonderful wife, who loved him, although he didn't love her. And now a beautiful daughter. He walked back to the bedroom and fell asleep.

"Mama, invited us for dinner tonight." Robert said when Cora returned with Mary on her arm from a nappy change.

"At her place?" Cora rocked Mary, who was crying.

"No, at The Ritz. Mama said, we need to celebrate the birth of Mary and our anniversary." Robert took Mary from Cora.

"So, we are going to celebrate Mary's birth, in a place where we can't take her?" Cora rubbed Mary's back and made shushing sounds.

"There is a nanny service at the Ritz, we can take Mary with us and if she starts fussing they will take her." Mary was still crying in his arms. Robert handed her back to Cora. "Can you feed her maybe? So, she will settle down?"

"I just fed her, I don know why she is upset. Her diaper was clean, she didn't want to sleep either." Cora rocked Mary in her arms.

"You will figure it out. Mama expects us at 19.00 o'clock. Do you fit in that black sparkling dress you think?" He asked while walking towards his study.

Cora laid her hand on her abdomen, she lost a lot of the baby weight already, but she wasn't sure if she would fit in that dress. And it wasn't the easiest one to breastfeed Mary. "Robert?"

Robert stopped and turned around.

"Why didn't you tell me this earlier?"

"I thought I did. I must have forgotten. Sorry, you will manage and find something stunning to wear." He retrieved himself in his study, leaving Cora alone with the crying Mary.

Cora laid her down on the sofa and started moving her legs and rubbed her belly, hoping it was gas what was bothering her.

Rosamund had texted Cora, she would also be attending the dinner tonight, Mama had just invited her. Cora was standing in the bedroom trying on the black dress. It wasn't a comfortable fit, her breasts were a little bit too big still. She decided to go for her red pantsuit with a black blouse underneath. She felt more comfortable in it, hopefully it was fancy enough for Violet's taste.

She texted Rosamund her outfit change, and she got the response that Rosamund would also wear a pantsuit. Cora loved the friendship with her sister-in-law.

Robert entered the bedroom, with Mary on his arm. "No dress?" He said surprised.

"I don't fit in them, and this is much easier, for when I need to feed Mary. Why isn't she in her crib anymore?"

"I wanted to cuddle with her" Robert said brushing his nose against Mary's cheek.

"I hope she will not be fussing during dinner tonight, now that you have woken her." Cora said while putting away the dresses she tried on.

Robert laid Mary down in the cot in their bedroom and started changing. Cora looked at him. He was a handsome man, he had some tummy fat, but that made him only more attractive. Mary was fussing, Cora put a pacifier in her mouth and walked towards Robert.

She laid her hand on his arm. "I am sorry, for being cranky. I love to go out for dinner with you and your family."

Robert turned around and kissed her. This surprised Cora, but she answered his kiss with passion. She noticed some changes in Robert and she was embracing them with both arms.

Robert started acting nervously when they arrived at the Ritz. He helped Cora out of the car, she had Mary on her arm. He was pushing the stroller. "Cora, come on. Mama is waiting for us." He said when she lingered to talk with the doorman.

She followed quickly. "Robert, why are you nervous? I will take care of Mary, don't worry."

Robert didn't say anything, he just took her by the arm and walked to the back of the restaurant. Mary got startled by all the sounds, but Cora could settle her down quickly.

To Cora's surprise it wasn't just Violet and Rosamund sitting at the table. Her mother and Harold were there too.

"Mama!" Cora got tears in her eyes. "Harold." Robert took Mary from her, so she could hug her mother. "You didn't tell me you were coming over!"

"That would have ruined the surprise." Harold said.

"Oh Harold, it is so good to see you." Cora wrapped both arms around him. "Mama, meet Mary, your granddaughter." Cora turned towards Robert, who held Mary in his arms.

"Violet, told me, you had a home birth?" Martha said while looking at Mary.

Cora's cheeks coloured. "I did. I preferred my own home over the hospital, and I didn't have any complications."

"Don't defend yourself, come sit down, so we can eat." Harold said.

Robert stood in the doorway, looking at Cora. She was putting Mary to bed. Dinner had been splendid, and he was happy he could surprise Cora in this way. Martha and Harold would stay for another two weeks.

Cora walked towards him and wanted to pass, but he stopped her. Putting his arm around her waist. "Did I ever tell you how beautiful you are?"

Cora gave him a surprised look. "No." she said softly.

Robert pulled her closer and kissed her neck. "I am a really lucky guy, you agreed to marry me and you deal with me and my behaviour."

"Oh, Robert. Don't say it if you don't mean it."

"But I do mean it. I have been blind this last year and didn't see what a wonderful woman you are. And now you have blessed me with a beautiful daughter. You make me so happy." He kissed her and murmured. "I love you."

Cora pushed herself back a little and looked at him. "Are you sure?"

"I am as sure, as you are my lady!" He scooped her up and walked towards the bedroom.