Aftermath
Chapter 24
Robert and Cora had developed a lazy routine to their days. She fixed meals with Mrs. Smith's guidance, they read, talked, slept and made plans. For them, it was perfect. The downfall was that it gave them both a lot to reflect. Their first trip to Switzerland came up a lot. One day, as Cora watched Robert napping; she remembered back to their arrival at the chalet years before.
Mrs. Smith showed them around the house and where all the extra blankets, pillows, and food was. The chalet was nice but simple compared to Downton. Still, Cora loved the prospect of time alone with her husband. Robert was less certain. The trip to Switzerland had been exhausting with Robert sleeping on a chaise lounge in the cabin the entire time.
"This is so nice. Of course, you'll have to trust my cooking." Cora joked.
"It will be fine." Robert said as he sat down and picked up a newspaper. Cora sat down next to him, hoping he would pay attention to her.
Hours later, Robert still hadn't said a word to her, other then thanking her for dinner. She had to wonder what their sleeping arrangements would be. She wanted Robert next to her, but he didn't trust himself. He hadn't even touched her since the incident that sent them to Switzerland.
"Robert, I know you are nervous about it, but I would really love for you to sleep next to me. I miss you." Cora begged. She was already in her nightgown and robe.
"Cora, please. I don't want to hurt you if I wake up like that again." Robert objected. He was also in his pajamas and robe.
"You can't have slept well. Please, Robert." Cora asked as tears filled her eyes. She knew that Robert hated to see her cry.
"Alright, I'll lay down with you, but just until you fall asleep." Robert consented. He would not be falling asleep in Cora's bed that night. They both got into the bed and Cora attempted to wrap herself around Robert to hold him in place.
"Robert, can you hold me?" Cora asked. She already had her head on his chest, her arms wrapped around him, and her legs tangled around his.
"This won't make it easy for me to get out of bed when you fall asleep." Robert remarked. Out of sheer habit, he wrapped his own arms around her and let her settle on his chest.
"That's fine because I don't want you to." Cora answered. She leaned up and gave Robert a long kiss on the lips.
"Just go to sleep, my dear." Robert said.
That exact routine was repeated for over a week. The first three days, Robert slipped out of bed when Cora fell asleep. Then he began to fall asleep and surprisingly didn't have any nightmares.
On the fourth night, Robert began talking about the South African War, and Cora listened to every word. She comforted him and assured him that they would be alright. By the sixth night, the kisses become more intense until they were making love.
There had been times over the years that Robert's memories of his time in South Africa reoccurred, but they had both learned some coping mechanisms.
What most wives would refer to as the worst period of their marriages, Cora had loved it. It had brought her and Robert closer and they developed a trust that hadn't existed in their marriage before. They told each other their deepest, darkest secrets; up until Jane Moorsum and Simon Bricker. They could just never go back to not talking and holding each accountable.
In the last chapter, I referred to Robert's PTSD as battle fatigue. It was pointed out that in that time period, it might have been called shell shock. I've heard both for that time period. Battle fatigue did become more of a popular term during WWII/Korean War/Vietnam War, but I have seen the term from the Civil War on. Writing period Fanfics is not easy! Thanks for the reviews and sorry for the delay in an update.