My goodness, it has been a minute. But a minute I could not be more thankful for. Life has been beyond kind to me these past few years and I hope it has been to you. I took a break I felt I needed and I could not be prouder of that decision. But writing has remained a passion of mine and I felt I needed to come back. So, to all of the people who have read my work before, for now, I will be re-writing and re-uploading two of my favourite fics I've ever written. This (Christmas 1914) and Sky Full of Stars while I find my feet again and work on new material. And I hope beyond anything that you will enjoy this updated and hopefully better version of my first-ever attempt at writing. It feels so unbelievably good to be back.
To any new readers that this fic may find welcome! I am absolutely honoured to have you here. This will be a story written around the plot that Cora did not lose her baby. Doctor Clarkson determined that Cora was around four months pregnant when he examined her and she lost the baby very shortly before the start of WW1 in July 1914. So if she hadn't had her "accident" that would make it in or about a Christmas baby and that is the backbone of my story. I am as always so unbelievably grateful for any feedback that you'd like to leave!
Christmas 1914
Christmas. For many, a time synonymous with joy and bliss, laughter and celebration. But the Christmas of 1914 was a candle flickered by the winds of war. Mere months ago the nation had been rocked by the announcement that they were at war with Germany. In the months that followed The Crawleys had watched as one by one the young men in their employ and among their tenants received the dreaded "calling up" letter and periodically waded through the solemn telegrams from parents, siblings, and friends stating the names of those who would never again be seen on the grounds. But even as Robert and Cora continued to give best wishes to hands they would never shake again, as the seemingly endless telegrams continued to arrive, and a reeling Europe seemed to come apart at the seams, there was a hand to shield the candle that year and joy had still managed to creep its way into the walls of Downton.
Cora was expecting her fourth child in over 18 years and was due any day now. And so the house was filled with moments where nothing but excitement existed. And, looking back on it later, would come to be known as the sensation that got all in Downton through as the early war raged. For however bleak the outside was, inside there was something good to wake up for tomorrow. And every being in the place cherished that. This excitement ushered in Christmas Eve and allowed it to be one that was contented. For their dinner, they had managed a rather fine spread, all things considered. The feast was as a whole somewhat depleted from their usual of course but that didn't bother them. The ladies had sat down to dine in dresses of beautifully festive shades of red and green, Cora positively glowing in a beautiful velvet and silk gown. Robert, who looked rather dashing himself in his bright red uniform, could not keep his eyes off her for the duration of the meal. Isobel and Matthew were also in attendance and coupled with the customary presence of the formidable Dowager made for an evening of entertaining squabbling. But most of all the evening was taken as an opportunity to shut out completely the horrors unfolding around them. They reminisced and laughed, recounting memories of Christmas' gone by. But as the main course wine was served, they took a moment to return to reality and raise a glass to those who would not see this Christmas and for peace for those they left behind. They finished their meal at about a quarter to eight and adjourned to the drawing room for the traditional light-hearted game of charades, a firm family favourite.
Cora perched herself in the comfy chair right by the fire tenderly holding the hand of her husband seated next to her. The two watched and laughed as their daughters tried valiantly to convey their given subjects, and the poignancy of the contrast between them and what was to come was not lost on either parent. Each action flashed one similar of each young woman as a child in their minds. And the joy of the idea that they would get to see another child make those same memories made each of their souls burst. But this future prompted one more thought in Cora's mind. It pained her heart every time she dwelled seriously on it because she knew that there were endless things more important. But the idea that she had been granted one more chance to give Robert a baby boy, the son and heir he had wished and longed for all these years, incited a desire within her she had not known for years. She privately recounted the births of her three daughters. How every time he had entered the room to take his first look at their new child, his face had dropped slightly upon the announcement that it was a baby girl. She knew how hard he had always tried to keep the disappointment from his countenance. But each and every time he failed. And even though every time the baby was placed in his arms his face was wiped and the incredulity and pride of holding one's own child for the first time took over, the damage had always been done. However unforgettable the twinkle in his eye when she would hand him their new baby and how much she revelled in the thought of being able to see it again just one more time, the thought of seeing that deep, overruling, and total disappointment haunted her.
She gazed down into her lap as her mind wandered and was kicked swiftly and hard in return. This reminder of the child's presence snapped her out of her dread and returned her to the unimaginable excitement of what was about to happen. She silently repositioned her left hand and replaced it with her husband's. Robert turned his head from the game at the sensation of his hand being moved and she watched in delight as his face lit up at the child once again reminding them they were there. He leaned over, placing a soft kiss on her cheek and as he pulled away whispered softly, "Merry Christmas my darling" before returning his attention to the game. She smiled to herself as she also brought her attention back to the festivities, giving a hearty laugh as Sybil pulled a face in a desperate effort to make her topic known.
About half an hour later the sound of heaving pounding on the front door echoed through Downton's main hall. As Carson surfaced to answer it the sound of the laughter coming from the drawing room brought a smile to his usually severe face. He was somewhat vexed by the beckoning as it was snowing unusually heavily that night. So heavily in fact that three beds had been made up for it would be next to impossible for their house guests to travel home. Nevertheless, he unlocked the door as duty demanded. But as the knocker was revealed horror crept over Carson. For the apparent leader of the uncovered men greeted him with the cocking of a gun that was slowly raised towards him. And in a low and confident voice stated "Good evening. We're here to see His Lordship".
So, there's the updated first chapter! I really hope you enjoyed it as much as you did the first time if you are revisiting it and if you are new I hope this makes you excited to hear more! I'll try and have the next chapter up within the next two days. Thank you so much for reading and again any feedback is so greatly appreciated!