Robert returned from his ride. He took one of the horses that was in the stables, he loved riding here in the countryside. Cora was sleeping in. The operation was three days ago, and she was starting to feel better. The first two days, she had some bleeding and cramping, but that was normal.
It was a cold spring day; you could feel the abbey was still cold from the winter. Thomas walked towards Robert and took his jacket.
Robert headed upstairs; in the corner of his eye, he saw Mrs. Hughes.
"Her Ladyship is in the library" she said.
"Thank you, Mrs. Hughes. I will change first."
"Of course, Milord. Do I need to send Thomas up?"
Robert smiled, he did not need anybody to help him undress, but this whole house had stood still in time. "Thank you, but that is not necessary. I will manage." Quickly he changed out of his riding clothes and went back downstairs, he entered the library, where he saw Cora in front of the fireplace. She was sitting on the settee, reading a book. She had put her hair in a lose braid, some curls had escaped. He stood still in the doorway, watching. He saw Cora's slender fingers turning the page, her eyes moving over the paper. He closed the door softly, Cora turned her head and looked at him. The moment she saw Robert, there was the brightest smile on her face.
"There you are." She stretched out her hand. Robert got closer and put his hand in hers, sitting down next to her.
"This is nice." He said, warming his hands.
Cora leaned in on him. "For a big house, it can have its cosy spots."
Robert looked around him, the library was not really a cosy room, none of the rooms were. All were just a little bit too big, to become cosy. He chuckled. "There is just one really cosy spot in this house." He said this with a grin on his face.
Cora swatted at his knee. "Stop that, behave." But she said this with a smile. "We should go home soon."
Robert turned towards Cora. "Are you sure?"
Cora moved her hand towards Robert cheek. "I am feeling fine. The bleeding has stopped." She felt Robert squirm, he hated talking about things like that. "I know, this is your estate, but I prefer to be in our own home."
"Speaking of our own home." He started. "We should decide what we are going to do, live at my place and sell your house. Or sell both and buy something new?"
He saw Cora had to think for a second. "We should sell my house. We are perfectly happy in your house, and we have enough space." She put her hand on her abdomen.
Robert put his hand on top of her. "Who knows, we might need to use the extra rooms soon." He looked up again into her beautiful blue eyes. Her eyes were so full of love, he almost melted. What had he done to deserve to be this happy?
"We should start packing." Cora got up, she kissed Robert and walked out of the library.
Robert quickly followed, took her hand and they walked hand in hand upstairs.
Cora closed the door behind her. "Good to be home." She put her jacket on the coat rack and kicked off her shoes.
"There is no place like home. Although my home is where you are." He kissed Cora's neck and disappeared into his office.
Cora knew there must have been a lot of work for the restaurant. Robert did not bring his laptop to Downton. She had loved him for that. He was fully focussed on her, luckily, she could persuade him to go out after the first day, otherwise he would have been next to her the whole time. Even though she loved him, she needed her own time. She watched him walking towards his office. He had tiny love handles, she loved how he was like a teddy bear. He had forgotten to take his shaver to Downton, and now he had a full stubble beard. Surprisingly, it was a soft beard and Cora noticed she loved playing with the little hairs. 'Should I leave it on?' He had asked this morning. Cora got into the kitchen, to check was she needed from the supermarket, when the doorbell rang.
"I will get it." She yelled towards Robert's office door. She knew perfectly well, Robert would not even try to open the door, but still.
"Oh, hello, that is a surprise." She said when she opened the door.
Standing on the doorstep were Anna and John, with little Johnny.
"Come in, come in." Cora stepped back and took both their coats. "You know the way." She pointed towards the hallway. Quickly she went over to Robert's office, opened the door, sticking her head around the corner. "We have guest, are you coming?"
"I need to finish this and then I will come. We were not expecting anybody I thought?"
Cora opened the door fully and walked towards Robert. You are correct. but you cannot let them wait, please come. They are your friends."
"Little Johnny is here?" His whole face lit up.
Cora smiled and nodded. "Yes, he is and apparently he brought his parents with him, she chuckled.
Robert rushed out of his office to great them. Cora stayed behind for a second, her hand moved to her abdomen, they should wait for at least two weeks before they could try. It would be wonderful if the operation worked. Robert needed a little one, seeing his face lit up, when he saw Johnny was heart-warming. She hoped she would give him the joy of being a father one day.