Aftermath
Chapter 27
Cora walked into Violet's bedroom. Robert had summoned her just a moment before, but it looked like Violet had fallen asleep. Cora sat down in the chair that Robert had vacated and "despite her harsh words and criticism, Violet had been more of a mother to Cora than her own mother had been. Watching Violet's chest rise and fall with each breath, she remembered watching her when she and Robert came back from their honeymoon, and how unhappy Cora had been.
"You have got to remember how we do things. Just because you have lived on the edge of the wilderness, doesn't mean we can call you an Indian. People expect that you are at least civilized." Violet complained to Cora. Robert and Patrick were out visiting tenants and Cora and Violet were eating luncheon together.
"I'm originally from Cincinnati and have lived in New York for years. Hardly the wilderness." Cora argued.
"In England, we have buildings, including Downton Abbey, older than America. And then there is your religion, or lack thereof. What will happen when you and Robert have children?" Violet asked. Cora was not particularly religious, and Violet had been fairly prejudiced when she found that Cora's father was Jewish. Martha was not at all religious and it had rubbed off on Cora. She believed in God but was not really part of any religion.
"I suppose that we will christen them into the Church of England, since their father observes that religion." Cora answered.
"Probably a safe bet, since you probably never learned who Noah was or anything about the crucifixion." Violet ridiculed.
"Noah built the Ark, and gathered two of each animal, along with his wife, his three son's and their wives. When the floods came, they were safe. I'm paraphrasing of course, and you would need to explain the crucifixion a bit more. It was a way of executing criminals, practiced by the Romans. It involved torture and it is how Jesus died. And yes, I know about Jesus." Cora answered. For a second, she could see the shock on Violet's face, but it faded away.
"And just how soon will it be before you have a child? Your Lady's Maid tells me that you and Robert frequently couple." Violet said. Cora was beginning to get a headache.
"We've only been married a month, so it would be hard to say." Cora answered. She honestly didn't even know the symptoms for pregnancy.
"You'll know." Violet answered simply.
"That's the problem, I'm not certain I will. My mother never told me…" Cora stopped before she said too much.
"She never told you what?" Violet asked softly.
"I don't know how to tell if I am pregnant." Cora said.
"Oh. Well, you might feel sick a lot. You might empty your stomach. With Rosamund, it was all day long for all but the last month. Robert was much easier. Barely any sickness and it was an easy pregnancy. No pregnancy will be the same. What makes you ill with one will be what you crave with the next." Violet explained as she poured another cup of tea for Cora. Her voice had a much kinder tone.
"Is there anything else? My mother explained nothing to me. Absolutely nothing." Cora said. She was thoroughly embarrassed. She didn't feel comfortable asking Violet, but she had no one else to ask.
"Oh my. Did your mother ever tell you how you would become pregnant?" Violet asked.
"No! This is so embarrassing." Cora admitted. Instead of some cold reply, Violet took a deep breath and squeezed Cora's hand.
"Well, I don't think I have to explain what Robert and you have to do, do I? That might be a bit embarrassing for me, but I will if you need me to." Violet questioned.
"I think I have that figured out." Cora said.
"Do you have any questions? Or has Robert…explained?" Violet asked.
"He has. He's been quite understanding. Will it always be like this for him and I?" Cora asked.
"If you are very lucky, yes. I have a question for you, though. Please don't be embarrassed when I ask. Do you love Robert?" Violet asked.
"Uh…I suppose I do. He is very good to me and he is very understanding, but I know that he doesn't love me." Cora said.
"He doesn't love you yet. Patrick and I had a similar marriage. It took us a long time. I'd had Rosamund and Patrick was happy with a girl, but then Robert was born two years later. Most couples like us, once they have an heir; and sometimes a spare, the husband takes a mistress and the wife becomes ambivalent. I didn't want that, but I didn't know how to keep that from happening. Then Russia happened and I realized what I stood to lose. Robert is a great deal like his father and is a little…scared of emotions, and we are English. We don't talk about love, even if we feel it." Violet explained. Cora didn't want to ask what had happened in Russia because she didn't want to upset Violet.
"So, what did you do?" Cora asked.
"I never did." Violet said.
"You've never told…you've never said 'I love you' to your husband? How long have you been married?" Cora questioned.
"Almost twenty-six years and we are English." Violet answered.
"I don't think your nationality should be an excuse to not tell someone that you love them. After almost twenty-six years, I don't think you'll scare him." Cora said.
"Maybe I am scared of his answer." Violet answered.
Cora remembered the conversation well. Of course, she and Violet had had their arguments through the years, but there had been a basis of respect. Just as Cora was beginning to wonder if Violet would wake up, her eyes popped open.
"You came?" Violet asked.
"Of course. I was shocked that you would ask for me." Cora said.
"I asked for you to apologize for all I've ever said to you that was wrong, rude, inconsiderate, condescending, and just mean-spirited. And I also wanted to say, because I don't have to ask for you to do it; take care of Robert. He has always loved you so very much. Also, I know that Mary hurt you in the worst possible way. She is terrified the one person who has always loved her, but held her responsible, will no longer love her because of her actions. You have been the emotional core to our family, especially now that Sybil has died, and we need that. We've missed it the past six months and we all should have reached out to you, me included. I am glad that you and Robert are working through things." Violet said.
"I've always loved you like a mother. You did things for me my own mother didn't. And yes, I will take care of Robert and I have forgiven Mary. You once said that she held the trump card, because she was family. You need not worry about all the things you've said, because all the times you've been there for me, explained things, held me to a higher standard, and demanded I be the wife your son deserved." Cora remarked as she squeezed Violet's hand. Violet's breathing was becoming very labored and Cora reached over and rang the bell for a maid, knowing Robert would be summoned as well.
"I finally told Patrick…after you and I talked. He laughed, kissed me and told me that he had been waiting for me to say since Robert was born. I don't know why he never said it until then, but he didn't. I've missed him so…and Sybil, and Matthew…" Violet said.
"Just wait for Robert. He needs to be here." Cora answered. With every breath, Violet was struggling more.
"You'll take care of my baby boy?" Violet asked.
"I will. I promise, just hold on. Don't go, just yet; Mama." Cora said, just as Robert came through the door and knelt next to the bed.
"Its alright, Mama. I'm here now. Cora is here. Rosamund is on her way from Downton. Just hold on." Robert said. He was holding Violet's other hand and Edith had come in but stayed by the door.
"I love you both so very much. I am just so tired. So tired. I just can't…" Violet said. It took both Robert and Cora a moment to realize that she had passed away. Neither of them knew quite what to do, so they both stood up and fell into each other's arms. Like so many years before, after Sybil's death; they both began sobbing.
Kind of an emotional chapter! I wanted to give some background on Violet and Cora's relationship, even if it seemed a bit out of character for Violet. I wanted her to take on the role of a mother to Cora. Thanks for the reviews.