"It would be strange without her Ladyship in this house." Mrs. Hughes said. Mrs. Patmore, Carson and she were in her little office. As always, they ended the day there, just as a little wind down, before heading up to bed.

"It is something I never imagined happening. They were such a lovely couple" Mrs. Patmore said.

"They were indeed." Mrs. Hughes answered.

"These days people are so easily giving up, I have to admit, I am disappointed in them." Carson said with a deep frown.

"Oh, Mr. Carson. You can be so old fashioned sometimes. You know what happened, you want her ladyship to just forget about that?" Mrs. Hughes replied.

Carson hummed but did not answer.

Edith walked towards her mother's bedroom. Sybil had gone to Tom, and she saw Mary enter the drawing room where her father was. There was light coming under the door, Edith hoped her mother would still be awake. When she entered the room, she saw that the light came from the fireplace and her mother was in bed already. Her bedside lamp was out. "Are you asleep." She asked, trying not to speak to loud.

Cora turned around when she heard Edith's voice. When the door opened, she suspected it to be Robert, and she had quickly turned off her lamp. Now she turned to face the door. "What is it darling?"

Edith stepped inside and closed the door. She sat down on her father's side of the bed. "I wanted to tell you that my articles are all accepted, and I got that job."

Cora pulled herself up and reached for Edith's hand. "Darling, that is wonderful news. Congratulations."

"Thank you, Mama. It is so strange; I have a job now."

"You are growing up so fast. I remember the day you were born as if it was yesterday." Cora smiled.

"Were you and Papa happy when I was born." Edith had pulled her hand back.

"What do you mean darling? Of course, we were. We were over the moon with such a perfect little girl. The most adorable thing was that you were born with so much hair already and it was so blond it looked red. Like your aunt Rosamund. You wrapped your Daddy around your finger, the minute I put you into his arms."

"And were you and Papa happy together?" Edith ignored her mother's words.

Cora raised her eyebrows. Did they not show their daughters they loved each other over the years.

"I mean, after I was born, there were no children for a couple of years, before Sybil came."

Now Cora blushed. "It was not because your Papa and I did not love each other enough, let us leave it that." Cora did not want to go more into dept with her daughter about this subject. Her sex life with Robert was not something she wanted to discuss with Edith. She always said they could ask her anything, and she was more than willing to explain about the things. But there was a line. She could never tell Edith the ways Robert had pleased her, or how she had found Robert's preferred positions. Suddenly Cora realised why Edith asked that question. "Please do not tell me you think, your birth was the reason for your Papa and me to fall out?"

Edith lowered her head and looked at the bed cover.

Cora wanted to wrap her arms around Edith, but she was not sure if Edith would want that. Her middle one was not always the cuddling one. Instead, she took her hand in hers again. "As I said at the dinner table, the three of you are not the reason your father and I are applying for a divorce. You three were the best thing that happened to us, and you made our marriage only better. Truly darling, you are a token of our love for each other."

"Why do you not love Papa anymore?"

This made Cora think, did she truly not love Robert anymore? She was hurt by him, she was disappointed and betrayed, but she still loved him. "Sometimes there are things that happen in a relationship. A lot of things can be mended, but unfortunately this cannot. Darling, I wish I had something else to tell you, but you father and I cannot stay together."

"When you move to London, can I come with you?"

Again, Cora was surprised by Edith's question. "Of course, I will look for a place where there is room for all you girls. But are you sure you want to live in London?" Cora had never suspected that Edith was a city girl. Although she did not seem in her place here at Downton either.

"The magazine is located in London, and it will be easier when I am also in London."

"I thought you could write from home and send your articles in?"

Now Edith blushed. "Michael, has asked me to help with more than just writing articles. He wants my opinion about the designs and so on."

"Michael?" Cora asked, with a happy tone.

"I mean, Mr. Gregson. He is the owner, and he is looking for another editor."

"Do you like that Mr. Gregson?" Cora tried to get more information out of Edith, it seemed that, this Mr. Gregson meant something to her.

Edith's cheeks got even redder. "I am not sure if the feelings are the same on his side. But I like seeing him." Edith looked up to her mother. "Please do not tell Papa?"

Cora could not think of a reason, why not, but it was not up to her. "If you want me to keep silent, I will. Of course, I will. Does anybody else know?"

"I told Aunt Rosamund."

Cora chuckled, of course she had told her aunt. It seemed that Rosamund always knew more about Edith then she did.

"Are you mad, I told Aunt Rosamund and not you?" Edith had moved further up the bed and was now sitting cross-legged facing her mother.

"Why would I be mad about that? She is your aunt, is she not?"

"But you are my mother and ..."

Before Edith could finish her sentence, Cora wrapped her arms around her. She kissed her cheek. "My darling girl, you worry too much about everything. I love you; your father loves you and you are perfect the way you are. Now, I really need to go to sleep, I am exhausted."

Edith was holding both her mother's hands. "Can I sleep here tonight?"