Robert glanced at Cora, they were sitting in Dr. Clarkson, she would get her operation this afternoon. He saw her taking a deep breath. He reached for her hand, and she closed her fingers around his. She did not look at him, but she squeezed his hand firmly.
"I will see you in theatre." Dr. Clarkson said. He touched Cora's shoulder and walked out of the room.
"Are you nervous?" Robert asked.
Cora nodded, she stared in front of her. "I know, this is not a big operation, only a hysteroscopy, but still."
"I wish I could go with you and hold your hand."
Cora turned her face and looked at him. "It is enough you are holding it right now and will do when I come back." She smiled.
A nurse entered the office. "Are you ready Lady Grantham.
Cora sighed, she thought she had made it clear she didn't want to be called like that. Robert squeezed her hand and held her back for a second. "Darling, they cannot help it, it is your title, and they are expected to use it."
"I just cannot get used to it. I am not a lady."
"Oh, but you are more than a lady." Robert grinned and notched her out of Dr. Clarkson's office.
Cora turned around and kissed Robert. "I love you." She said while walking away.
"I love you too." Robert said. He spotted Isobel in the hallway and walked towards her, kissing her cheek while greeting her. "Hello Isobel."
"Hello Robert, I figured you could use some company during the wait." She said.
Robert wasn't sure he wanted company but didn't want to send her away.
Once they sat down in the waiting area, Isobel started. "Cora will have to put her legs up in supports, then the doctor will insert a speculum to be able to insert a hysteroscope. With that thin tube he can do the procedure."
Robert squirmed, he never liked medical details. "How long will she be under?"
"That depends how easy he can remove the scar tissue." Isobel put her hand on Robert's arm. "She will be fine."
Robert nodded.
"You will feel sleepy in a couple of minutes, do not fight the feeling. Try to give in, we will take good care of you." The nurse said to Cora.
Cora was already laying in the bed, with her legs in the supports. A sheet was covering her lower halve. She took a shaky breath, Cora felt anxious. What if Dr. Clarkson could not remove everything. Or worse something went really wrong. Did she tell Robert she loved him enough? She felt tears stinging in her eyes.
Gently someone took her hand, it was the nurse. "Take a deep breath, think about happy things and do not worry too much. You are in the capable hands or Dr. Clarkson."
Cora nodded and looked up to the nurse. She saw her calm face and calmed down herself. All of the sudden she was tired, Cora heard the nurse talk, but she could not react.
When Cora woke up, she heard a lot of beeping, she was confused for a second.
"Everything went well Lady Grantham." A nurse said. "How are you feeling?"
"Alright I think." She answered. "It feels like I am on my period."
"That is totally normal Milady. You will have some bleeding and cramps, but those will go away within a couple of days. We will bring you back to your room now."
Cora was wheeled back to her room, she felt weird lying in this bed and being driven around, but it also made her sleepy.
"How is she doing?" Robert asked, when the nurses wheeled her in. He looked at her relaxed face.
"She is doing fine. The doctor will come and update you soon."
"Can I talk to her? Or do I need to let her sleep?"
The nurse smiled. "She is still groggy and sleepy from the anaesthesia, but you can talk to her. It will help her wake up."
Robert bent down and kissed Cora softly on the lips once the nursed had gone. Cora's eyes did not open, but he saw a smile on her lips. He kissed her again and sat down.
Cora's hand searched for Robert's. "Did it work?" She asked.
"We do not know that yet, sweetheart."
Cora slowly nodded. "I feel weird." She said.
"That will go away within the next hour." Dr. Clarkson's voice sounded.
"Dr. Clarkson." Robert got up and shook his hand.
"I was able to remove 90% of the scar tissue. Your uterus looks good, I did not find any other problems and I except that you will be up and running in two days. For today and tomorrow I want you to do it slow. We do not want any bleedings. You will see some blood, but that is normal. When it starts changing colour or amount, I need you to call me."
"When can she go home?" Robert asked.
"I want her Ladyship to be a bit more awake and then after she ate something and went to the bathroom, you are free to go home."
"Good." Robert said relieved.
"Are you going back to London? Or are you staying here?" Dr. Clarkson asked.
"I was planning on driving back to London tonight."
"If I may." Dr. Clarkson started. "I advise her Ladyship to take some rest and not be in the car for so long."
"So, it is better if we stay here in Downton, you are saying?" Robert frowned but made the decision to stay. He would call John to take over for the test of the week. They were not going home yet. Cora needed her rest, and to be honest he could use it too.
Dr. Clarkson left the room.
"Robert." Cora's voice was insecure. Quickly Robert turned back to Cora and took her hand in his.
"What is it darling?" He saw Cora's worried face and it worried him.
"If this didn't help, I would understand if you wanted a divorce."
Robert was to stunned to speak for a minute. He scraped his throat. "Where is this coming from." He squeezed Cora's hand. "I love you, with or without baby."
"Are you sure?"
"As sure, as I am sitting here, holding your hand. Oh, my darling, try not to worry too much. We will know soon if it worked and if it did not, we will be as happy as we are now." He saw Cora's eyes falling shut. He felt a pain in his heart. Cora wanted a baby so badly, and now she was scared she would not be good enough for him anymore. He kissed the tip of her nose. "Try to sleep some more, I will be here holding your hand." Cora let out a deep sigh and Robert saw her falling asleep right away.