Cora softly brushed over Patrick´s head. This feeling was so wonderful, she thought. This little boy was depending on her, but she needed him too. His warm little body against hers, gave her peace. Every time he latched on; she felt her heartbeat calm down. She took a deep breath, what was Violet trying to do? What did she do wrong? It bothered Cora that Violet was so openly against the relationship between her and Robert. She was glad his father was a lot more welcoming. Patrick was a wonderful man, who gave her the confidence that everything would work out in the end.
"Cora?" Martha's voice sounded soft when she opened the door. "Is Patrick already asleep?"
Cora looked down and saw his eyes wide open. "He is not done yet, so you can talk normal."
"How are you feeling?" Martha asked.
Cora raised her eyebrows. Her mother never bothered about her feelings. "I don't know." She said softly.
Martha sat down next to Cora. "I wonder why you are taking this beating from Violet. You should stand up for yourself more."
"Oh Mama." Cora sighed. "It doesn't help. I hope she will one day see that I am not that bad person she thinks I am."
"She will see that soon enough; I will make sure of that." Martha said.
This shocked Cora, she knew her mother was always standing up for herself, but she never really did that for her, and she wasn't sure she wanted a clash between her mother and Violet.
"Cora and I will figure this out together, we don't need our mothers to fight for us." Robert, walked into the room.
Martha looked up at Robert. "I guess you are right. But Cora is my darling girl, and I will protect her when needed. Now, I say goodnight, I will see you two in the morning."
"Cora!" Robert walked closer to Cora. "I mean it, we don't need our mothers to speak for us. We are adults and can figure our lives out, ourselves."
"I can only agree with you, but the fact is, your mother hates me."
"She doesn't hate you!" Robert said.
"It seems like it." Cora got annoyed that Robert was defending his mother after what happened this evening. "The way she treats me is horrible and I don't know if I can take much more of it."
"I will go and have a chat with her, because you are right. She should not treat you the way she does. I want to spend my life with you, and she doesn't have a say in that."
Cora got up to put Patrick in his crib, she bend down and kissed him goodnight. She felt Robert standing next to her. He also kissed Patrick goodnight. Cora leaned in on Robert. "Did you mean that?"
"I will definitely go and talk with my mother, do not worry about that." Robert answered.
She tangled her fingers in Robert's. "I didn't mean that part. She turned to look at Robert, who was looking at her with a puzzled look. "I meant the part that you want to spend your life with me." She felt Robert's grip on her hand getting stronger.
"With every fibre in my body." He raised his hand to her chin and stroke with his thumb over her lower lip. "Cora."
"Sssssst." Cora kissed Robert's thumb. "Let's stop talking." She got on her tiptoes to kiss him, but just before her lips touched Robert's, he playfully pulled back. Cora tugged on his arm, to pull him back. But again, just before her lips touched Robert's he turned his face, and she kissed his cheek instead. "You are torturing me." She moaned.
Robert lifted her chin and smiled at her. "I know." He lowered his face and kissed her where her neck touched her chin. His thumb slowly runs down her neck. This gave Cora chills all over her body.
She looped her arm around Robert, she loved that he wasn't all muscles, she could feel he was a little bit chubbier. She softly squeezed his side, which resulted in Robert scooping her up from the floor. Cora let out a giggle, and at the same time she felt Robert's mouth on hers.
"You will wake Patrick." He murmured against her lips.
Cora's lips curled up in a smile. "So, I have to make noise to be kissed by you, got it."
Robert softly bit on her lip. "Don't you dare." But he said it with a smile and walked out the room, with Cora still in his arms.
Robert poured a cup of coffee for Martha.
"Cora still asleep?" She asked.
"I think she will be up by now, but I let her sleep. I fed Patrick, so she could sleep in."
Martha had a playful smile on her face. "I guess she needed some extra rest after yesterday evening."
Robert realised; Martha had heard them. He knew it was risky to please Cora in the hallway, instead of walking directly back to their room. His cheeks coloured.
"Nothing to be ashamed off. Do you have some more of those delicious eggs?"
Robert made eggs benedict for Martha. "I can make some more, if you want." He was relieved with the change of subject. At that same moment Cora walked into the kitchen, she was still in her morning robe.
"Good morning, did you sleep well." Martha inquired.
Cora's cheeks instantly coloured, the look on her mother's face let her know, she knew what they had done. The doorbell rang, and Cora walked out.
"Saved by the bell." Martha said under her breath.
"Rosamund?" Cora exclaimed. "I did not know you were coming. I would have been dressed. I am sorry."
Rosamund stepped inside and kissed Cora on her cheek. "Do not worry about not being dressed, I did not tell you I was coming, but Papa called me, and I wanted to talk to you right away."
"Oh." Cora felt her stomach sinking.
"Where is Robert?" Rosamund asked, while taking of her shoes.
"He is in the kitchen with my mother. Rosamund can you please tell me what is wrong."
"I want to talk to you both, can we sit down in the living room?"
"I will go and get Robert. Do you want a cup of tea?"
"Yes, please." Rosamund answered.