The train journey home was tedious for Cora. She couldn't move for fear of her husband having a heart attack! Ever since the little "incident" at the ball, Robert refused to leave Cora's side - following her where ever she went, constantly asking if she was alright, and even threatening to lunge at a man who rudely nudged into his wife at the train station. It was beginning to get on Cora's last nerve.
On the train, Cora sat and looked out at the scenery swishing past through the window with aging eyes. Yes, the world did look pretty, but it could be awfully cruel. She longed nothing more than to fulfill her role, to provide a suitable heir for Downton and now her health was falling her, she feared her last chance had crumbled to dust, swept away by the blowing winds of chance right in front of her, the ashes of her hopes, her dreams.
Her destiny.
She could feel the anger bubbling up inside her, threatening to escape from her mouth and her eyes. The primal, distressing screams and sobs of a mother who had lost a child. A child that would never be, her son.
"For goodness sake Cora! Pull yourself together. Stop acting so desperately, you still have your three precious daughters and a devoted husband, who loves you even though there has been no male heir conceived. You are incredibly lucky, so gather yourself and be incredibly thankful for what you have! "
Cora felt her Mother's words rattle round her head. It was not anger she could feel threatening to escape, no this was far more disgusting.
She leapt from her seat and excused herself to the lavatory. Robert close on her heels. Cora wept with sadness and disappointment, as the hot, heavy acid crept up her throat and scented the air. There was no doubt about it, Cora Crawley was sick.
Robert forced his way into the small bathroom and cradled his wife, her fragile bones digging deep into his skin as they sat on the floor. He soothed her as she sobbed and smoothed down her hair whilst she was sick. Robert was not usually one to get involved but this was important, he loved his wife more than anything, and nothing would stop him from caring about her - even his hatred of illnesses.
Robert lifted Cora back to their carriage and laid her down on the seat. He gently placed his jacket over her and watched as she slept. He looked over his shoulder, to see his three english roses asleep also. Robert sat down and placed his wife's head in his lap. He soon followed suit and fell asleep as the train trundled on.
The car ride back to Downton Abbey was dreadfully silent. Cora was still very sleepy and the girls had ridden in the second car, to avoid the awkward conversation that would probably occur between their Mother and Father.
As they approached Downton, Cora began to stir and a smile graced her lips as she caught sight of her beautiful, grand home and the magnificent staff lined up outside.
They were greeted by Mr. Carson and Mrs. Hughes. Whilst entering the house, Carson had begun detailing Robert of every event he missed in the house and various other information. Cora stepped aside to speak to Mrs Hughes.
"Is everything alright M'Lady?" enquired the worried Housekeeper, she had never seen Her Ladyship so pale or tired, never mind underweight in her time at Downton.
"To be perfectly honest Mrs Hughes, no everything is not alright, I'm not very well, so could you please call Dr. Clarkson for me and tell him to get round here as soon as possible?"
"I call right away, would you like me to fetch you anything?" Asked Elsie still worried about Cora's health.
"No, I'm fine for just now, but if you could possibly inform Robert that I need to go take a nap?" replied Cora weakly.
Mrs Hughes just nodded and away she went.
Cora stood for a minute. She watched as the maids and butlers hurried past with several luggage boxes. Scurrying back and forth.
She watched as her daughter's car drew up. As one by one they elegantly climbed out, so young and carefree. It was in that moment she felt so insecure, so old, so... ill.
The fever was building up inside her, rising up throughout her body. Her coloring draining out with her life and well-being. She needed to get out of those wretched furs.
"Where is O'Brien when I really need her?." Thought Cora as the fever raged, controlling her like a puppet.
Like a puppet, her legs bowed under the strain, swaying and shaking. The temperature continued to soar, climbing higher and higher, burning in her veins. The lump in her throat reappearing, moving further towards her mouth. The words she tried to produce, to scream for help, would not escape. Anyone watching from a distance would have thought she was going insane.
As Mary, Sybil and Edith entered the house, Edith caught sight of her mother standing shaking in the hallway.
"Mama?" She called out in curiosity.
There was no reply. Just an eery silence and then a horrifying sound. An almost choking sound. Gasps.
Mary and Sybil snapped their heads at the gasping. The looked worriedly at each other, panic set in their eyes. For a brief moment, they seemed to have a common bond. Then chaos ensued.
The girls followed the awful sound, until they found their mother, doubled over frantically gasping for air. None of them knew what to do.
"Mama!" Mary cried out.
"Oh Good Lord!" she sobbed.
Without thinking Mary run off, her hand over her mouth. Sybil went to run after her but Edith stopped her.
"Forget about her now! We need to help Mama!" She pleaded.
Sybil and Edith got Cora lying down on the ground, to prevent her from falling. They both took turns at trying to reassure their panic stricken mother, each holding one of her cold, clammy, almost lifeless hands.
Mary came running back with Mr. Carson and Mrs Hughes. They both stopped in their tracks when they saw their employer laying on the floor, erratically breathing and gasping for air. Mrs Hughes was at Lady Grantham's side in an instant stroking her hair back out her face. She damped her mistress' forehead with the damp towel she had been carrying.
"I've called for Dr. Clarkson." informed Mr. Carson.
"He was already on his way over, one of the nurses said he should be here any minute" Stated Carson giving a knowing glare to Mrs Hughes.
Mrs Hughes was about to speak of her guilt when Edith cries interrupted her.
"She's stopped moving."
Edith tightened her grip on her Mother's hand and began to shake her shoulder with her other hand.
Sybil quickly checked to see if her mother was still breathing, watching as her chest rapidly raised and fell.
A silent wave of relief washed over everyone present. They all sat watching and waiting for any signs on conscious life.
Suddenly, there was a loud knock at the door.
Dr. Clarkson.
Carson ran to the door to open it. He greeted the Doctor and ushered him in.
"You must come quick, it appears Lady Grantham has collapsed. She's unconscious just now, but she seemed to be having difficulty breathing." Said Carson grimly.
"For Goodness Sake! I though it was just a stomach flu" replied Dr. Clarkson angrily.
The butler and the doctor hurried to the crowd gathered around Cora. As the doctor pushed through he saw the concern and guilt in the girls' eyes.
"Mr. Carson, perhaps you could help me lift Lady Grantham to her room where I can examine her?"
Swiftly Mr Carson swept Cora off the ground and into his arms, protecting her like a little child. Like his own child. He looked down at the defenseless woman in his arms and realized just how much he owed to this woman.
Meanwhile, Mary and Edith set about trying to find their father to inform him of the unfortunate news.
Mrs Hughes, as ordered by the doctor, went about finding towels and a basin of water. She informed Anna that she was needed upstairs and that she would need to take over downstairs for the time being. Anna asked no questions but her curiosity burned inside her. She knew better than to ask, as Mrs Hughes seemed incredibly stressed.
Sybil retired to the library, in hopes of finding her father and to reflect on what had just happened.
Upstairs, Cora was coming around.
"Hello, Lady Grantham. It's Doctor Clarkson here. I don't want you to move just now, I want you to remain lying down and keep on taking nice, deep breaths." ordered The Doctor.
Confusion was spreading across Cora's face, her forehead and eyes creasing.
"Where... What?" mumbled Cora to herself.
"Don't worry, Lady Grantham. You're safe now." came a friendly Scottish voice.
With a silent nod of understanding, Mrs Hughes left to let the Doctor do his work.
He began to examine Cora, poking and prodding and asking all manner of questions. It was all a bit much for a woman who until recently, had been unconscious.
After the examination was complete, Lady Grantham seemed even more confused. She lay in her bed, completely speechless. Whilst gathering his tools togethers, Dr Clarkson smiled.
"If that's all?" Dr. Clarkson said before reaching for the door.
"Are you sure about the diagnosis?" Cora whispered.
"Certainly" He assured.
"Now, you just remember to take it easy. You've been under far to much strain and stress lately, the panic attack you had earlier today was proof of that! I want you to stay in bed for the next few days, just to allow your body time to recover."
"I will. Thank you, Dr. Clarkson." Cora replied defeatedly
"It's always a pleasure, Lady Grantham. I have to say, you really had a flare for dramatics today!" He chuckled to himself before leaving.
As the doctor returned downstairs, he was meet by a familiar face.
"Hello doctor, I didn't know you were here," Robert said.
"No, Lady Grantham... sent a message," Told Dr. Clarkson, not knowing if Robert was aware of today's events.
"Why? She's not ill, is she?" he asked, concern creeping through the cracks of his face. He knew something was amiss with Cora.
"Not ill, exactly," the doctor smirked.
"Would you mind waiting in the library?" he queried. Thinking the worst of the Doctor's cryptic message, Robert quickly dashed upstairs.
Before He knew it Robert and reach Cora's room and, flew open the door. Cora lay on the bed, her mind quite clearly elsewhere.
"Cora?" Robert asked fearfully, his hand still on the door.
Cora snapped out of her trance and looked at her husband with a puzzled look.
"What's wrong? Why was the doctor downstairs?"
"I have some news..." She started.
Robert stepped towards Cora, his hands starting to shake with fear and dread.
"Are you sick?" he wondered.
"No, Robert. I'm not sick darling..."
"Then what?" What else could it possibly be?
"I'm pregnant," she answered unsurely.
Robert stopped moving. He could understand what his wife had just said. His mind could not compute. He had to sit down to take this all in. He placed himself rather forcefully on the edge of her bed.
"Pregnant?"
Cora's somewhat happy appearance disappeared. A frown forming on her face.
"Well, you needn't be so shocked," she quipped offendedly.
"Give me a moment, you haven't been pregnant in eighteen years..."
"And I'm pregnant now," she said rather harshly
"I don't understand what we've done differently..." he mused.
"Stop right there. If you want to know more, go down and offer the doctor some whiskey," she hissed.
Cora couldn't quite believe Robert's reaction, and although she could not quite make sense of the situation herself, this was not the reaction she was hoping for.
"I can't take it in," he sighed.
"But you're pleased?" she asked timidly.
Robert took her delicate hands in his, "Of course I'm pleased," he said joyfully, directing her hands to his lips and then kissing her briefly. She sighed contently and they embraced.
"I love you Cora," he breathed into her hair.
"You better not keep the doctor waiting, Mr Crawley." Cora smirked.
"I'll still be in this bed when you get back" she added
"Why will you.." Robert started.
"I'll tell you later, but I'm sure the good doctor will inform you" She interjected.
It was then that Cora realized, she was going to be a Mother to another little child. Her prayers had been answered. Perhaps, her luck was about to change after all.