Tears were dripping down Cora's cheeks. Robert brushed them away. "Darling, don't cry, this isn't a final goodbye"
Cora looked up to Robert. "I don't know how we are going to do this. You have your life here and I have my girls in New York. I don't know how smart these two weeks were."
"Don't say that. Please don't. We will find a way." He kissed her lips. "I am not letting you go this time."
Cora leaned in on Robert and buried her face in his shoulders. "I hope we will find a way."
They shared a passionate kiss, before Cora had to go through customs. She gave one last view to Robert. Was this going to work? How were they going to do this? What if this was going to turn into heartbreak? These two weeks had been magical. It felt like she knew Robert her whole life, as if those years with Daniel didn't happen. She felt at ease with him. Robert gave her a feeling that she never had before. He listened to her and was interested in her ideas. The flight back home was hard. She was happy to see her girls again, but knowing Robert wasn't there was hard.
Robert got in a taxi back to his apartment. He missed Cora already. He sat down to write her a letter.
Dear Cora, as I write this letter, you are still in the air, back to your home. I can't thank you enough for coming to London. You gave me the best two weeks of my life. How did I let you go all these years back. I feel so stupid, for wasting all these years without you.
I cannot ask you to leave everything behind, but I hope we can make this work. At this moment I can't tell you how, but we will find a way.I will come to New York next month. Maybe I can meet with your girls, if they want.
My darling Cora, sending you all my love and kisses. Your Robert.
Cora stepped inside her home. She felt empty inside. It was late at night, she made a cup of tea and sat down at the kitchen table, staring at the painting on the wall. Years ago she made a painting with Daniel, Victoria, Tayler, Olivia and herself. She made it from a photo they took during a holiday. Daniel was standing on the other side of the girls. Why didn't she see the signs earlier? And now she was sitting here alone in New York, but in her heart, she was with Robert. She had felt this connection 24 years ago, but ignored it and when she met Daniel, she thought she was happy. No, she was happy, the first 5 years were happy. She had loved his attention, she had loved their romantic evenings together.
The love she felt the day Victoria was born. He had coached her through the birth, held her hand and the moment he took the little girl of her chest she could not have loved Daniel more.
She remembered when she told Daniel she was pregnant again. That look on his face! He had showered her with kisses. The months following had been hard. She had all sorts of pregnancy problems, but Daniel was there every step of the way. He had taken Victoria with him to work, when Cora had morning sickness for almost all day, so she was free to rest when needed. Her tummy was growing steadily and Daniel had adored her changing figure. Within a year after Tayler's birth, she found out she was pregnant again. Daniel had been ecstatic, Cora not so much. She was still recovering from Tayler's pregnancy and birth. But seeing Daniel so incredibly happy made it worth it.
And then just two years later, everything changed. Cora felt her eyes stinging with tears, she didn't stop them. They were flowing steadily.
"Mum" a soft voice asked.
She startled Cora. "Tayler, dear, I thought you girls were asleep." She brushed her tears away.
Tayler walked over and hugged her mother. "Was the trip to London disappointing?"
"Oh no, definitely not. I had an amazing time. I just…." Cora stopped, she couldn't tell her daughter this. "Never mind, darling. I will be alright. I am just tired." She stood up. "Tomorrow I will feel better." She cupped Tayler's cheek and walked upstairs.
The next morning she got up early, trying to fight against the jetlag, she started making breakfast, she had no idea if her girls wanted breakfast. The first one down was Victoria.
"Mama, you are back. Good to see you." She hugged her mother. "How was your trip?"
"It was wonderful, London is a lovely city."
"Did you meet up with Robert?" Victoria had looked around before she asked the question.
Cora's eyes grew. "How did you know? I didn't tell you."
"You left a letter on your desk in your atelier. I read it, I know, I should not have. I put it away directly afterwards and didn't tell anything to Tayler or Olivia.
Blushing Cora lowered her eyes. "I indeed met with Robert. But you have to know, I didn't have any contact with him when I was with your father. I met Robert before I even knew your father, and we lost contact once I was back in New York."
"Did he ever come to New York?" Victoria asked.
"No, never. It didn't work out and then I met your father and you know the history of that."
"Is he coming to New York this time?"
"Why do you ask?" Cora looked surprised.
"Mum! Your eyes twinkle when you say his name. I think you like him very much."
"Good morning, mum I missed you and your pancakes." Olivia said while walking into the kitchen.
Cora gave Victoria a meaningful look, that this conversation was over. She was going to tell Tayler and Olivia, but not right now. She kissed Olivia on her cheek and gave her a plate with pancakes. "You slept at home? I thought you were going to live with Max?"
"Oh, I am. But I wanted to be home when you came back. I have missed you."
Cora brushed her hair, how sweet her youngest daughter was. How would she react on the news her mother was seeing another man? How was she going to make a decision? She could never leave her girls behind? Or could she? They were all three on the brink of flying out of the nest. Olivia already did. She would be here alone in this big house. Quickly she turned around to hide her red eyes from the upcoming tears.
Victoria, Tayler and Olivia were sitting in front of the fireplace. Cora had asked them to come over. Olivia was living with Max and Victoria was spending more time at Dan's place than she was at home.
"Girls. You know I went to London a few weeks ago. It wasn't just a holiday. Before I met your father, I went to London and met a man called Robert. We had an amazing time together, but when I went back to New York, he couldn't come over and then I met your father. When I was in London on my holiday, I met up with him again. And I don't know how to tell you girls this, but……"
"You are in love!" Tayler exclaimed.
"Ssst, let Mama talk." Victoria corrected her.
"In love is maybe a too big of a word already, but we want to explore if we can love each other. Robert will come over to New York, next week and maybe you girls can meet him?"
"Mama, as long as you are happy, we are happy right, my darling sisters?" Victoria said.
Cora was taken back a little with Victoria's support. She never supported her in anything, but she loved this change in behaviour and just embraced it.
