30 June

"Well, at least the Queen of Sheba knows to book us first class tickets. I half expected to find ourselves in the very back of the plane," Violet grumbled, sitting by the window and handing Patrick one of her bags to stow above their seats.

Pausing with his hands still in the overhead bin, he gave her an irritated look. "Violet, stop that. Martha wants us to have a comfortable trip. She would never put Cora in coach – especially pregnant – and she'd never allow us to be separated from her. So, please, stop complaining about things that aren't issues – before we even get there. It's a long trip, and I'll be forced to insist you take a sedative."

"What on earth is the matter with you, Patrick? Don't be absurd. I simply stated that Martha did something right." Then she added under her breath, turning toward the window, "For once."

Patrick closed the bin with a snap, rolled his eyes, and set his chin. "Yes. That's exactly what it sounded like." He settled in beside her, pulling the emergency instruction brochure from the seat pocket in front of him and pretending to study it.

"Perhaps you're the one who needs the sedative," she mumbled while she fastened her seat belt, her eyes glued to the window.

He sighed and looked over at her. "Can we please not do this, Violet? You agreed to come on this trip, so I don't understand why you persist in this querulous mood you seem to be in."

Violet crossed her arms over her chest and tossed her head, meeting his look with a pout. "I don't like the States. And I'm thinking about all the deprivations we'll have to endure."

Rolling his eyes again, Patrick smacked the brochure down upon his lap. "This is lunacy. For one thing, you've never been to America before. So you can't know that you don't like it. And for another, it's hardly an undeveloped country, confound it. Furthermore, the Levinsons live very well; I don't think you will have to worry about wanting for anything." Tucking the brochure into the pocket once more, he took his book out of the bag at his feet. Opening it, he shook his head. "I don't think I've ever seen you behave so childishly, Violet. It's very unbecoming."

"I am not behaving childishly, Patrick. Really, you make me so annoyed." Waving at the passing attendant, she spoke across her husband. "A white wine, please, as soon as you can manage that."

Once the attendant had nodded and left, Patrick pinched the bridge of his nose between his thumb and forefinger, closing his eyes and resting the book on his knees. "You're being petulant, and if you keep on I will have to take that sedative."

This time Violet merely glared at him before twisting her body back toward the window, watching the scuttle of airline employees preparing them for take-off.

Patrick suppressed a deep sigh and opened his book, thinking it was going to be a very long trip.


Across the aisle, in the middle seats, Robert opened a blanket for Cora and draped it over her belly. Cora snatched at it and deposited it in his seat next to her.

"Robert, save that for when I'm actually cold, alright? And, if you're done putting our things away, please, sit down. I beg you. Watching you bounce around is nauseating." Her happy tone softened these admonitions, and she even gave a little laugh.

"Are you sure you don't need anything else from your other bag? And did you remember to wear the compression stockings the doctor recommended for air travel?"

Cora took his hand and looked up at him. It was like he'd taken any apprehension she might have had about flying in her state onto himself – and combined it with his own. He was a bundle of nerves. "Yes. I have them on. But do stop fussing and sit next to me. We'll get you a nice drink, and then we can relax." She ran her thumb over the back of his hand and smiled.

Inhaling a long breath, he exhaled slowly and then cupped her cheek. "I apologize, darling. Traveling like this makes me anxious anyway and when you put your pregnancy on top of that…." He gave a little shrug. "I'll try to settle down if it'll put you more at ease, Cora."

She nodded and patted the seat next to her. Leaning down, Robert kissed her forehead and sidled into his seat, picking up the blanket before sitting down.

"Much better already," she said with a grin.

"And you're comfortable enough?"

"Well, I can't say I'm too fond of these compression hose, but I'll brave it out until I can be free of them." Cora ran a loving hand over her baby bump.

Robert cocked his head at her. "I hear America is the land of the brave and the home of the free, or some such thing." He smirked, placing a hand over hers.

"God, Robert, no – don't," she begged, laughing. "No America jokes or puns, please. They're so awful!"

He leaned closer to her and whispered a much naughtier America pun into her ear, delighted to hear another peal of laughter as he knotted his fingers through hers over the baby bump, which shook a trifle now.

And despite her objections, Cora allowed him to keep telling her these ridiculous things – partly because she knew it distracted him from his nerves, and partly because, well, it was rather adorable.


Over one more aisle, Rosamund watched her brother and sister-in-law from the window seat. "Look at them, Marmaduke. They're so happy it's disgusting."

Marmaduke merely grinned and clutched her hand tighter. "I think people probably say the same when they're looking at us." Raising her hand to his lips, he kept his eyes on her as he kissed the back of it.

"You think?" She turned her face from Robert and Cora and focused on Marmaduke, a small smile forming.

"I wouldn't have said it otherwise, darling." Shifting a bit in his seat, to face her better, Marmaduke's expression grew more serious. "I know we've talked about it before," he said in a soft voice, "but are you alright? Spending this much time with Cora – and Robert – whilst they're expecting?"

Rosamund sighed, her eyes lowering, unable to stand the depths of the concern in his eyes. She shook her head. "Marmaduke, like you said, you and I have talked about it. Martha and I have talked about it. Cora and I have even talked about it. I'll be fine. We both knew it might be difficult when they began having children – for both of us. But," she said, looking up at him again, "we get to have nieces and nephews. Maybe it's enough."

The glitter of tears in her eyes made Marmaduke's heart hurt. He opened his arms and drew her to him, stroking her hair as she rested her head on his shoulder. "Do you remember our second honeymoon? Our trip to Paris? This reminds me of it."

Her chuckle had him grinning. "I don't see how. Was I a wreck then too?"

"Tsk, Rosamund. You aren't a wreck now. I only meant being on a flight together, going someplace new for a while."

"Yes, of course, Marmaduke. And you were quite a devil on that trip." She nuzzled into his shoulder more, smiling and remembering as the flight attendant began his spiel about safety.

Marmaduke kissed the top of his wife's head. "It'll be an adventure," he whispered. "I'll make sure of it."


Cora woke several hours later, her ears popping and the baby pushing into her bladder. "Oh, here we go," she murmured to herself. Reaching into her pocket, she got out a pack of chewing gum and put a piece in her mouth. Then, doing her best not to disturb Robert, who slept next to her, she placed her hands on the armrests and attempted to heave herself up.

But she didn't budge.

Taking a deep breath, she tried again. It felt as if her feet were asleep, and she scolded herself for not getting up sooner and walking around the cabin as she'd been advised to do.

"Cora? Are you alright?" came Robert's sleepy query from beside her.

"I'd hoped I wouldn't wake you, Robert," she whispered. "But now that you are…. I need to use the restroom, and I can't get up." She chuckled lightly.

"Of course, darling." Rubbing his eyes, he unbuckled his seatbelt and walked around the front of the first class seating, coming up beside her and grasping her arms in his. "Ready?"

At her nod, he tugged her up, wrapping his arms about her as she listed to the side as if inebriated.

"Whoa, steady there. You okay?"

"Yes. I just need to stand a moment before I move."

"Lean against me, then, love." Robert brushed a kiss over her cheek and kept his arms loosely about her.

They stood there a minute or two, Cora waiting for the feeling to return to her feet. After the needle-pricking sensation in them ceased, she drew back, keenly aware of the pressure on her bladder now. "I'm ready now, darling. Will you walk with me around the plane a few times after I come out? I need to get the circulation going in my legs."

Robert grinned at her. "Yes, Cora. I could use a turn about the cabin myself." He watched her pick her way to the lavatory, then looked down to his left at the poke he felt on his elbow.

"Everything alright, son?" Patrick asked, pulling out an ear plug and yawning.

Nodding, Robert leaned down a trifle. "She just needs a bit of a walk. The doctor was adamant about her doing so at intervals, to keep her blood flow going in her legs. In fact, it's better for all of us to do that, too. Something to keep in mind, Papa."

"Certainly, Robert." He jerked his head toward Violet. "Do you think I should wake your mother for that?"

"Right now?" Robert chuckled. "I wouldn't wake her if you know what's good for you. Besides, Cora and I strolling the aisles is probably more than enough people roaming about at a time."

Patrick grinned. "Don't tell her that. She might take it the wrong way."

Rolling his eyes, Robert let out a chortle. "I don't plan on saying anything. Ah – there she's ready for me to join her. Have a nice rest of your nap, Papa."

"Thanks, son." Patrick closed his eyes again as Robert walked to his wife. But, for all he tried to, he couldn't seem to fall back to sleep.

His book beckoned from the seat pocket. Pulling his ear plugs out and stowing them in his shirt pocket, he plucked the book up and opened it, but his mind kept wandering. Then his eyes wandered over to Violet. She'd put her pillow against the window, and her head rested on that, her hands tucked under her cheek just as she tended to do in bed. The lines evident upon her brow earlier when they'd bickered had smoothed, and Patrick discerned a slight smile on her lips. He wondered if she dreamt and, if so, of what she might be dreaming.

Patrick never liked it when they disagreed, even though it happened often enough. It was so much a part of their marriage that he'd almost gotten used to it, in a way.

But he still didn't like it.

For a long while, he simply observed her sleeping face and the quiet rise and fall of her chest as she breathed. He wanted to touch her hair, to pull her close and kiss her, to apologize for being surly. He recognized that the only reason she was here beside him right now was because he wanted to go and help his mate celebrate his birthday. Violet had had no interest in going to America or spending three weeks with the Levinsons, even if he also knew that she secretly enjoyed sparring with Martha.

He looked up and smiled as Cora, closely followed by Robert, passed his seat while having their ramble around the plane. It appeared they'd be doing several laps, and Patrick hoped it would do Cora good.

"Patrick?" came a sleepy voice from his other side.

Turning toward her, he couldn't help smiling as Violet stretched in her seat, her eyes scrunched up and her hair slightly mussed on the right side. "Come closer," he whispered, happy when she grinned and immediately complied. She must still be half asleep, he thought. With careful fingers, he combed through her hair to make it lie flat again. "There. Not that I mind it a bit untidy, but I know you wouldn't like it."

Violet grinned at him, moving the pillow down into her lap. "Did you get any sleep?"

"Yes, a little. But I couldn't go back to sleep." Patrick took her hand and glanced down at it. "I wanted to tell you I'm sorry for earlier. An argument isn't a nice way to begin a trip, and I know you didn't really want to come."

"Well, I didn't have to be so petulant," she admitted grudgingly. "But I still think I'm not going to like it there."

"Just – do me a favor, Violet?" When she cocked her head at him in question, he continued, "Give it a chance? For me? And, even if you still hate it, it's only a few weeks."

Letting out a low "humph," Violet fidgeted. "Fine. I'll give it a chance, as you say."

He drew closer to her, pressing a kiss to her cheek and whispering, "You'll be rewarded generously, I promise." He chuckled.

"Is that so?"

"Yes." Patrick nuzzled his face down against her neck with a small sigh. Then he felt the tremors of laughter bubbling up in her throat.

"So you'll have no objections when I take Fifth Avenue by storm?"

Distracted by her scent, he nibbled languidly under her jawline. "I didn't think you'd be much interested in that sort of thing," he remarked.

She kept up a soft chuckling, tilting her head a trifle for him. "The Queen of Sheba is bound to take us on some sort of shopping trip, Patrick, and you did say you wanted me to try to enjoy myself."

"Yes, and I do want you to enjoy yourself," he said, his breath warm beneath her ear. "But that wasn't the sort of reward to which I was referring." Drawing back just enough to smirk at her, one of his hands slithered under the pillow and blanket covering her legs and down to rub her thigh.

"Patrick, stop that," Violet hissed, her face a study in mortification and delight as she gave half a giggle. "Now is not the time nor the place."

"I can't think what you mean, darling. I've done nothing very naughty – yet." He waggled his eyebrows.

"That 'yet' better be many hours from now, when we're quite alone." Her voice took on a warning edge. As exciting as it might be, she had no wish to have Patrick try that sort of naughtiness just then.

He gave her leg a squeeze and withdrew his hand from beneath the blanket. "As you like, my love. At least let me give you a proper kiss."

When he reached up to caress her cheek, she smiled and nodded. "Since we argued earlier. And as a foreshadowing of things to come."

"Yes, darling," Patrick said, leaning forward to kiss his wife.


A few more hours passed, and Marmaduke burrowed through his bag, his forehead puckered and emitting little noises of frustration. Once he'd turned every small pocket inside out, all the contents piled in an unwieldy heap upon his lap, he huffed loudly.

"Rosamund, have you seen my good ear buds? My backup pair are crap and going static-y, and I want to listen to my book." He started stuffing his things back into the bag haphazardly, aggravated. When Rosamund didn't answer, he asked again, louder, "My ear buds? Roz?"

Turning to him, Rosamund plucked her right ear bud out. "What did you say?"

Marmaduke froze in repacking his bag, staring at her hand. "Are those my ear buds?" he queried in a semi-growl.

Rosamund shrugged. "I didn't think you'd mind, Marmaduke. I forgot to pack mine, and you have a second pair."

His eyes narrowed. "But that pair isn't working properly, and I am bored and want to listen to my book." Shoving the last few items back into his bag and the bag onto the floor, he faced her more fully. "Give them back, please."

"Marmaduke, I need the music to help me concentrate on this." She held up a thick book of Sudoku puzzles. "Do you want your wife to be bored?"

"No, but they're my ear buds, and I remembered to pack them, so…." Marmaduke grabbed for her hand.

She snatched her hand away with a grunt. "You're not getting them back, you devil. You can't make me." Rosamund shrank back against the window, holding the ear bud and book close to her chest, shaking her head with a faintly mirthful expression.

"Oh, I think I can," he replied, a wicked smile curling upon his lips. He leaned forward and put his hands on her waist before she could react, tickling her. "Give them up, or I won't stop."

"No! Stop!" Rosamund laughed, squirming in the seat but completely trapped and at his mercy. She gasped for air, exclaiming, "Not going to give them up! Not ever!"

Robert looked up from his book and over at his sister and brother-in-law, shaking his head and then glancing to make sure the noise hadn't woken Cora. Seeing that it hadn't, he tried to concentrate again, knowing his sister would hold out until she could no longer breathe.

Realizing this himself, Marmaduke rested his hands on Rosamund's waist, watching her catch her breath, her eyes sparkling and her cheeks flushed. She smiled, and he continued to grin at her until she very deliberately replaced the right ear bud and picked up her pencil again, getting comfortable in her seat once more.

"Bollocks," Marmaduke said, shaking his head. He turned and reached across the aisle, tapping Robert's arm.

"Hmm?" Robert tore his eyes away from the page reluctantly.

"You got a pair of ear buds I can borrow, mate? Your sister refuses to give mine back to me."

Robert chuckled. "Yes, well, I have a lot of experience with Rosamund's obstinacy. But I don't have any with me." At Marmaduke's sigh, he scrunched up his forehead. "I don't think Cora would mind if you used hers. She's asleep anyway."

"Oh, that would be excellent, Robert." Marmaduke waited while Robert cautiously unzipped the front pocket of Cora's purse and tugged out the pair of ear buds. "Thanks," he said as Robert dropped them into his palm.

"You're welcome." Robert leaned closer to Marmaduke, lowering his voice. "But if Cora wakes up and wants them, you're going to have to give them back or I'll rip them out of your ears. I won't risk a mood swing whilst in the air, mate."

Marmaduke laughed. "I don't blame you."


Violet and Patrick had fallen asleep together, Marmaduke listened to his book, and Rosamund did her Sudoku's when Cora woke up a while later, her stomach growling. "Robert," she said, starting to look through her handbag.

Robert jerked awake with a grunt, having dozed off while reading. "Yes, darling?"

"I'm hungry."

Closing his book, he shifted in his seat. "Where are your snacks?"

"I think I ate them all already." She rummaged through the bag once more. "Yes, I ate them all."

"Cora, those were supposed to last the whole flight."

"I know that," she hissed at him, dropping the purse unceremoniously to the floor and running her hands over her belly. "But they didn't. And the baby's hungry." She scowled at her husband.

Robert sighed and looked at his watch. "We only have another hour or so, Cora. I don't suppose you can wait that long, can you?" He sounded hopeful, but he knew the answer.

In answer, Cora merely cocked her head at him, glaring even more fiercely.

"Let me see what I can do." He got up, leaving the book in his seat and making his way toward the flight attendants.

Just as he was upon them, however, the plane began to shake. "Sir," one of the attendants said in an authoritative voice, "please return to your seat. We seem to have hit some turbulence." Another attendant got on the intercom to request that everyone put on seat belts.

"But, you don't understand," Robert began, starting to panic.

And not because of the turbulence.

"Sir, back to your seat whilst we go through this rough patch." Her tone brooked no argument.

Hanging his head a bit, he spun around and made his way back to his seat, clutching the other seatbacks for stability. Flopping down again and putting on the seatbelt, he looked at Cora.

"Well?"

"What could I do, Cora? There's turbulence." He swept eyes over her. "Why don't you have your seatbelt on?"

"It cuts into me, Robert. This will be over in a minute. And I'm still hungry!" Cora crossed her arms over her chest.

"Cora, put your seatbelt on, and I'll see what I can do."

"Are you negotiating with me? Because I'm not negotiating here."

"Please stop being so stubborn."

"You stop being demanding."

"The flight attendant said to put on your seatbelt!"

Cora let out an enormous sigh. "Fineeeee." She rolled her eyes as she snapped the belt into place. "Happy?"

"Ecstatic," he muttered, then turned to Marmaduke again, poking him in the elbow.

Punching the pause button on his player, Marmaduke tugged out one of the ear buds. "Does she want these back?"

"No, but please say that one of you has some food tucked away? Cora's eaten all her snacks, and she's about to hit a raging mood swing if she doesn't get something soon."

"I can hear you!" Cora called out over his head.

Robert closed his eyes with a sigh. "See?" he mouthed to Marmaduke.

Managing not to chuckle, Marmaduke turned to Rosamund, placing a hand on her arm. Once he had her attention he asked, "My dear, didn't you pack some extra food?"

"I did. Why? We're nearly there, aren't we?" Rosamund wrinkled up her brow.

"Tell that to the hungry pregnant woman," Robert explained in a low voice, earning him a poke in the back. "Ouch! Cora, it's only the truth," he said in a normal volume.

"It's not me, Robert, the turbulence made my hand slip," she said sarcastically.

"Rosamund, please, food," he pleaded.

Laughing, Rosamund picked up her bag and pulled out a package of crackers, passing them to her brother. "These might at least tide her over."

"Thank you. I owe you."

"I'm going to remember that," she said.

"Here, darling," Robert said to Cora, handing her the crackers.

She said nothing, simply tore into the package and began cramming crackers into her mouth.

"Slow down, Cora. You'll give the pair of you hiccups!"

Cora shot another withering glance at him, but chewed slower.

"Besides, that's probably the last of the food before we land." Robert picked up his book again and began reading.

Keeping one hand in the package of crackers, Cora slipped her other into the front zipper pocket of her handbag. "Robert, where did my ear buds go?"

Robert sighed and poked Marmaduke once more. "Sorry, mate," he said, holding out his hand.

"Bollocks," Marmaduke murmured. But he knew better than to argue and silently handed the ear buds back over to his brother-in-law. "Now what do I do?" he asked.

Shrugging, Robert gave him a sympathetic look. "Try to sleep again?"

"I suppose so. Wish me luck."

"Good luck."


Martha gave a little hop and shooed away the airport security guard who'd sidled up next to her. "My weary travelers!" she exclaimed, coming forward as the six poured out the door at the baggage claim.

"Momma!" Cora grinned and approached her mother with open arms.

"My, look at you, my beautiful baby!" Martha hugged her daughter and kissed each of her cheeks, then patted her baby bump gently. Then she twisted her head and addressed the retreating security guard. "See? I told you they'd be here in just a few minutes!"

The guard shook his head, and Violet closed her eyes in what seemed like pain.

"He kept trying to get me to circle around again, but I didn't want to give up my spot," Martha explained.

"Mother, you're not supposed to park here." Cora giggled.

"Well, I know that. So let's get everyone's things loaded up so we can head to Newport."

As she approached her vehicle to start opening doors, Violet stared at it in distaste. "What is that supposed to be?"

Martha pulled open the door to the back and frowned. "What do you mean? It's a van, Violet. Issi and I have it for when we bring people to couples retreats. It's just the right size for all of us and your luggage." She shrugged and beckoned Rosamund and Marmaduke toward her, hugging them in turn before stepping around toward Robert and Patrick to do the same. "It should all fit, but I have cording so we can put things on top if we need to," she said to no one in particular.

Violet stood still, squinting at the van and at Martha. She let out a long sigh and shook her head.

"What are you waiting for, Violet? You heard Cora; I'm not supposed to stay parked here. Shake your tail feathers, Empress!" Martha came up and embraced her while Violet cringed and stiffened, grimacing. Pulling away, Martha grabbed one of Violet's suitcases and wheeled it over to the van.

"I don't think I can take three weeks of this," Violet muttered to herself as she started toward the others with the rest of her things.

"Now, I propose that once we get clear of the city that we stop and have a good meal somewhere. I know there's only so much mileage you can get out of airplane food, and from what I've gathered, Cora's always hungry." Martha helped arrange the luggage in the back of the van while announcing this.

"Momma," Cora groaned, but giggled. "By the way – where does Daddy think you are?"

Martha shrugged and kissed her daughter's cheek as she passed her. "I told him the truth. That I was going into the city to get his birthday gift." She grinned. "And to get some new seat covers for the van." She flourished a hand at the seats. "Aren't they nice?"

"Very nice," Marmaduke said, helping Rosamund into the vehicle.

"I want Cora to sit up front with me, Robert." Martha put a hand on his arm. "The seat is more comfortable for her, I think."

"Certainly, Martha. I want her to be as comfortable as possible." He wrung Cora's hand and smiled at her. "Let's get you settled, darling."

"Everyone else – pile in!" Martha laughed and waved her arms as if herding them toward the doors. Once they'd gotten in and settled, she slammed the doors closed happily, unmindful of Violet's wince. Climbing into the driver's seat, Martha checked that Cora was comfortable, then twisted her head back to the others. "I hope you're all buckled up, m'dears. This Yankee doesn't play around when it comes to driving!"

As Martha pulled out from the curb a little quicker than was necessary, Violet clung to Patrick's arm and said to him in a low voice, "If we die by this woman's hand, I swear to God I'll personally make sure you're eternally punished, Patrick Crawley."

Patrick merely chuckled and shifted to put his arm about her shoulders and hold her close to him.