Robert tucked Ava in, read her a bedtime story and sat on the couch in the living room with a cup of tea. His phone call with Cora had worried him. He wished he could be with her, but Ava needed to go to school, and John needed him at the office.

The business was thriving, and Robert was really thankful for that. During Ava's treatments John stepped up. He felled blessed by having such a good friend and business partner.

Tomorrow Cora would come back home. He felt lost without her by his side. Time was flying by, 10 years ago he wasn't even thinking about having a relationship and now he was married for 9 years, and Ava was almost 7.


Robert's heart jumped when Cora walked through the sliding doors. When he stepped close, he saw dark circles under Cora's eyes. "You didn't sleep on the plane?"

Cora leaned into Robert soaking up his hug. "I did, but I am just tired from this trip. Sleeping without you next to me is hard."

"I feel you, darling. Tonight, we will both have a good night sleep." He took over her suitcase and walked towards the car. "How is little Daniel?"

"He is such a sweet angel. It was wonderful to be there right after he was born. I realised I missed so much of my girls lives. But all three of them are flourishing. Is Ava at home?"

"She is, it was late, and she will have a school day tomorrow. Anna is back at our place to watch her.


Cora said thank you to Anna and let her out. She went into Ava's room really quick to check on her. She was fast asleep. Robert had already gone to bed and was waiting for Cora

"I know you will be jet lagged but come to bed with me. I can use a good night sleep." Robert winked.

"I am tired enough to sleep, so no worries about me lying next to you." Cora changed into her pyjamas and scooted next to Robert. She rested her head against his chest and was asleep before Robert could kiss her good night.


Robert was walking back from the coffee corner to the office. He loved having these little brakes during his day. This morning Cora was still asleep when he got up and brought Ava to school. It was pouring, so all the people were rushing over the street. In front of him he saw a familiar figure walking. Hiding in the collar of her coat against the rain. He sped up his pace and held his umbrella above her head and said: "Where are you going? I can walk with you, so your beautiful dress will not get ruined"

The woman looked up at him with a radiant smile. "I remember those words from roughly 30 years ago." Her hand slid into his and he felt the weight of her hand on his arm. "I am on my way to your office, darling. How did you know I was coming?"

"I didn't know that. I just got my coffee and saw you walking. Of course, without an umbrella." Robert answered.

"I know, I am still not used to the weather in this country." Cora leaned into him. "But I have my own hero to save me from the rain."

"I didn't know you were coming, did I forget an appointment?" Robert asked. He felt Cora take a deep breath. "Are you alright?" He asked with a worried voice.

Cora looked up at him and stopped walking. "Can we go somewhere instead of your office?"

Now Robert got really worried. "The office is empty today, but of course we can go somewhere else if you want?"

"The office is fine." She answered, lowering her eyes.

"Cora? You got me worried, can't you tell me right now?"

Without looking up she said: "I went to the doctor today, to get some blood work done."

"What? Why?" Robert's eyes were big.

"We better go into your office darling, or sit down somewhere." Cora gently took Robert's hand

"You got me all worried now. Can you please tell me now?"

"I am extremely tired for some time now. At first, I thought it was because of all the stress with Ava. But her final treatment is now over a year ago. Then I thought maybe I am going into menopause, but I still get my period regularly. My girls pointed out my skin colour is off and made me promise to go to a doctor once I was back home."

"What is the doctor thinking off? Oh darling, how did I not notice this. Why didn't you tell me sooner?" Robert wrapped his arm around Cora to hold her close, he felt her shiver. "Come we will walk back to the office, you're getting cold. You can tell the rest once I have set you down with a warm cup of tea."

Cora was relieved he finally wanted to go back inside. She was exhausted from the doctor's visit, but she didn't want to worry Robert even more.

"What type of cancer is she thinking of?" Robert said while holding Cora's hand in his. He had made a cup of tea for them both and they sat down on the couch in his office.


"She didn't say that it is cancer. There are a number of reasons possible, why I am feeling this worn out. Besides some abdominal pain I am not having any other problems."

"Darling, why did you go to New York if you were feeling this way?"

Cora looked up at Robert, she saw the hurt in his eyes. "Darling, I needed to be there for Victoria. I already missed the birth of Jessica. And if I am really ill, I wanted this trip to remember."

Robert broke down in tears. Cora took his face in her hands. "Darling, no, don't cry. We will know more soon and if there is really something wrong, we will see then! Please darling, don't you worry. I am still here, sitting next to you. We had the best 10 years of our lives and if it is up to me, we will have at least another 10 ahead of us."

"You mean the world to me, you are everything." He kissed her, pulling her close. Cora's hand moved to the back of his head. The kiss was long and passionate. A kiss that said more than words, they both felt what couldn't be said in words.