The last chapter ended in November, we are now in early July.
(Thank you all for the reviews and messages, it is overwhelming)
Victoria was adjusting Cora's hair. "I wish I had your curls?, Mama." Olivia and Tayler were helping each other into their dresses.
"This is so exciting." Olivia said giving Cora her warmest smile
Rosamund got in the room. "Are you ready? Oh my, Cora, you look stunning. That blue is amazing. I know I was sad you would not marry in white, but this is perfect. You were totally right to get this cobalt blue, your eyes pop out even more!"
Cora's cheeks coloured. "Thank you, and I think I am ready. Why am I so nervous?"
Tayler straightened the train of Cora's dress and then they all left the room.
Cora looked at herself in the mirror. She tugged a curl back in that escaped the pins. She was going to be Mrs. Crawley. Her heart fluttered when the orchestra started playing the 'love theme' from Cinema Paradiso composed by Ennio Morricone.
When she walked out of her room towards the ceremony room there was a surprise.
"Dear little sister, as Papa can't give you away…. I am here."
"Harold!" Cora exclaimed, fighting against her tears, but failing miserably.
He took both her hands. "Save those tears, I am glad I am a good surprise."
"Of course, you are. Oh Harold, thank you for being here." She slid her arm in his and together they walked towards Robert. Cora had to force herself to walk and not run. Robert looked so handsome in his light grey suit with a tie the same colour as her dress.
Harold offered Robert, Cora's hand and said: "take good care of her. I know where to find you!"
Robert took Cora's hand and kissed it softly. "I will cherish your sister."
After the ceremony and dinner, the tables were cleared and moved away. Robert walked over to the orchestra and took a microphone.
"Thank you all for coming today. We could not have wished for a better day. For now, it is time to dance. Cora and I will open the evening. My dear, I know you are expecting the orchestra to start playing Menuetto from Luigi Boccherini, but I asked them for something different. You are my American princess and I want to honour that." He held out his hands and walked over to Cora. The orchestra started playing the instrumental version of Goldilocks, Shall I take my heart. Robert guided Cora over the dance floor. She loved being in his arms.
After the first dance he danced with her girls on the tunes of Menuetto. Cora danced with Harold.
"Why didn't you tell me you were coming?" She asked him
"Robert wanted to surprise you, and I loved that idea. You don't know how hard it was not to tell you, when you called to invite me, and I had to tell you that I couldn't come" Harold smiled at her.
"Robert is a sweetheart."
"I hope he stays that way." Harold said with a frown on his face.
Cora leaned against his shoulder. "This feels different, Daniel never gave me the feelings I have for Robert."
Cora felt a tap on her shoulder. She looked in the smiling face of Robert. "It is time to go home, my dear. We have an early plane to catch tomorrow"
"The building is even more beautiful in real life." Cora said. "And look at our room, we did good booking the Poggio all'Oro suite."
Robert took her hand and kissed her. "Tonight, I want to have our real wedding night."
Cora saw his cheeky smile, she knew he wanted more yesterday, but she was exhausted, and they had to get up at 6 am to catch the flight. "You can have your wedding night every night this week."
"Can we make it days?" Robert moved his hand to her hip.
"I want to see something while we are here. Don't you." Cora smiled at Robert.
"Hmm, well alright, I guess you are right. It would be a waste not to taste the wine and see the surroundings."
"Darling, I am yours for the rest of our lives, there is no rush."
The day before they had to go home, Cora walked back into the room, Robert was sitting in the window reading a book. Cora got down next to him, handing him a small package. Robert moved a bit so there was more room for Cora.
He looked at her. "What is this?"
"Open it." Cora said.
Robert removed the paper wrapping and opened the elongated box. His eyes opened wide. "Are you sure? Is this what I think it is? Are you?" His gaze went down to her abdomen.
"I am. We are going to have a baby."
"I don't know what to say." Robert said, still staring at the strip in his hands.
"Are you pleased?" Cora asked with a soft, unsure voice.
Robert looked up, took her face in his hands and kissed her. "Oh, I am more than pleased. Darling, I could never have wished for it. I know we didn't do anything to prevent it, but I wasn't thinking about you being able to get pregnant again."
"I am turning 42 this month, I am not old!" Cora said with a slight irritation in her voice.
Robert took Cora's hand in his and with his other he touched her abdomen. "You are definitely not old, my darling, from now on, I will take even better care of you. You are going to make me a father!" His whole face smiled.
Cora's heart melted. She wasn't sure if she was happy when she found out she was pregnant. She felt stupid for not using something to prevent this but seeing how happy Robert had made her doubts go away. She was 'only' 42 and having a baby with Robert was wonderful. She leaned her head against his shoulder, and they sat there for a while. Until Robert said: "Oh! Are you alright to fly tomorrow?"
Cora chuckled. "Darling, I must have been pregnant when we came here, so I did already fly. And there is no problem with flying until the 28th week."
Robert pulled her even closer. "You are not lifting those suitcases again!"
Cora tried not to roll her eyes, Robert was over excited and way too protective already. "Darling? Can you promise me one thing?"
"I will promise you everything my dear."
Cora sighed. "Please let me figure out what I can do and what I can't, don't think for me alright?"
Robert pulled back a little. "I am too much already. I am sorry, I am just so incredibly happy and I want to keep you and the baby safe."
Cora gave him her biggest smile. "I know, darling, I know."
