A/N: Chapter 13 is here! It's the last chapter of ADB for this year, but I hope not to take too long into the New Year to get subsequent chapters up. My goal is to finish this story by the end of next year though I obviously can't make any promises. Anyways, I hope you guys enjoy this and have a good rest of 2023 and start of 2024. Happy reading!

Chapter Thirteen

April 11, 1893

"I don't like that Harris just up and left you. What kind of loyalty is that? Especially with you being pregnant." Robert said as they were getting into bed. Harris had turned in her notice a week ago and left last night. She hadn't even said goodbye to Cora, and Robert was quite unimpressed with her behavior.

"Robert, it's alright," Cora said, defending her lady's maid's departure. "She was given a good offer by Lady Cavenham and it's much closer to where her sister lives. Her ailing sister, I might add. I don't blame her for wanting to be closer to her. Besides, Elsie– I mean Mrs. Hughes– does a fantastic job filling in. We'll find a permanent replacement soon enough."

"That is true about Mrs. Hughes. She's the only person I trust with you right now. With you and our little one," he professed, stroking his wife's baby bump through the duvet. "I want you both to have the best care possible."

"We do," Cora said assuredly. "We have you."

Robert smiled knowing his wife genuinely meant that and grateful that she appreciated him to such an extent. "Oh, my darling, I love you so much," he said sincerely, leaning in to press a kiss to his wife's lips. "Sleep tight, my love."

"I will if this little one doesn't keep me up too much," Cora said as she settled herself amongst the pillows, stroking her stomach lightly to settle the babe within her womb. "We love you too, by the way. We really, really do."

May 2, 1893

"Here you are, milady," Elsie said, handing her ladyship a cup of tea. "Ginger tea helped me with heartburn when I was expecting Julie."

"Thank you, Elsie. I appreciate it," Cora said with a grateful smile towards the housekeeper. With Elsie currently acting as Cora's lady's maid, she'd grown quite closer to her and they'd dropped the use of the more formal Mrs. Hughes when it was just the two of them. "I remember when I was having Mary, I had indigestion a bit, but nothing like this. All the reflux is making me nauseous, too. So, the tea should help with that. Thank you."

"I'm sorry, milady. It sounds terribly uncomfortable. Speaking of that, I have to ask, have you had any more of that stretching pain lately?"

"A little," Cora admitted. She had been experiencing some pretty significant pain as her joints and skin stretched to accommodate her little one, even accompanied by practice contractions at a few points. "Not as bad as yesterday, but I'm in bed and resting today. Hopefully they will hold off even when I get back out and about tomorrow."

"And if they don't, will you go on bedrest like the doctor suggested?" Elsie asked, gently prodding her mistress to look after herself.

"I suppose," Cora acquiesced. "You and Robert wouldn't let me do anything otherwise, I suspect."

Elsie chuckled, "You suspect right, milady. We want you to rest and take care of that little one."

Cora smiled. She appreciated how much they all cared for her even though she really didn't like being fussed over either. It was nice to be loved and cared for and to know that so many people wanted the best for her and her baby.

"Thank you, Elsie. I'll try. Sometimes though, when I have those practice contractions, I feel like they're trying to escape," she admitted, running her hand along her stomach tenderly.

Elsie felt for her ladyship. She understood that those practice contractions could sometimes feel real and for Cora to be having them so early must terrify her at the possibility of giving birth too early. "Just know that no matter what happens, I'm here for you, milady. And his lordship is too, of course."

Cora nodded. "Yes, you are, and I thank you both for that tremendously."

"Anytime, milady, anytime," Elsie said with a kind smile, assuring her mistress that they would always be in each other's lives. She would always take care of her ladyship if she could, and she knew Cora would always be appreciative of that fact, which made it much easier for them to be friends. And that's exactly what they were by now. Friends.

Later that night, as Elsie and Charles were getting ready for bed, Elsie took the opportunity to update Charles on her day. He knew she was worn out from all her extra duties helping her ladyship and would likely go right to sleep, so he looked forward to this opportunity to chat for a minute. He was grateful the Countess was being well looked after and knew Elsie didn't mind the work, but he would be glad when they found a permanent replacement.

"Her Ladyship is having a tough go of things this time around," she informed him. It wasn't her place to tell him all the medical details of what Cora was going through, but she wanted him to know so he could tell the other servants to be quiet on the gallery so her ladyship could get the rest she so desperately needed.

"I'm sorry to hear that," Charles said genuinely. "I'll make sure the others keep it down if she's resting and don't worry her about small things. We'll go to his Lordship for any menu adjustments or guest arrangements for the time being."

Elsie nodded in agreement and then decided to inform the rest of the staff of this decision in the morning. Anything they could do to take things off of Cora's plate, they would. But now it was time to put their employer's needs behind them and focus on themselves for the rest of the night. "Now, my love, is there anything I can do for you tonight?" Charles asked as they settled down into bed beside one another.

"A massage?" Elsie asked.

"I'd be happy to oblige," Charles responded with a saucy smirk.

"Don't get any ideas, Charlie," Elsie mock scolded. She was flattered and really wanted to take things further, but she just didn't have the energy to do so. "I need a massage and then I need to feed Julie and then I need to sleep."

"Alright, my love," Charles said in understanding, moving to rub his wife's shoulders.

"It'll be nice for Julie to have a playmate close in age once her ladyship has the baby. I mean as much as she can be given the situation."

"Certainly. I want that for her. The Crawleys have been so welcoming of our family, and I'll always be grateful to them for that," Charles said in agreement.

"Me too," Elsie agreed. "It's hard to believe Miss Mary is nearly five years old. Soon Julie will be a year old."

"Soon? She still has five months to go, love. That's your definition of soon?" Charles teased.

"I guess I was exaggerating a bit," Elsie acquiesced. "But she is getting older, and it does amaze me and sadden me how fast she is growing up."

"It amazes me too, but let's just try and savor every moment we have with them and not worry too much about all that. Deal?"

"Deal," she agreed, feeling much more relaxed after their conversation and her husband's wonderful massage. "Thank you, my love."

"You're welcome, beautiful," he said, pressing a quick kiss to her lips.

"I love you and our family so much."

"Me too, darling," he said sweetly, wrapping his arm around her as he settled down to sleep. "Me too."

May 16, 1893

Cora smiled from her place in the bed as she watched her husband undress across the room. She was admiring the view, and he knew it.

He lingered on certain articles of clothing before revealing himself just to tease her until she threw a pillow at him from across the room, making them both laugh. They loved to be silly like this with one another. It was freeing.

"My show wasn't good enough for you then?" Robert teased, tossing the pillow back on the bed before pulling his pajamas on and getting into bed beside his wife.

"Oh it was very good," Cora said saucily, "but it was teasing me too much. You should know better than to tease a pregnant lady. Especially a pregnant lady who is barred from acting on her urges."

Robert knew how frustrated Cora was that they couldn't be intimate. This pregnancy was doing a number on her, though, and they didn't want to take chances. "I'm sorry love," he said, stroking her cheek. "But maybe this will help your urges," he said suddenly, before locking lips with his wife in a passionate kiss.

"More like fuel them on," she said breathily when they parted. "But thank you."

"I love you."

"I love you too," she said, pressing a tender kiss to his cheek before settling down underneath the covers.

He chuckled ever so slightly thinking back on their prior silliness as he settled down beside her, wrapping his arms around her frame gently.

She tucked into him and felt safe. She always felt safe in Robert's arms, and she knew that feeling would never dissipate. She was grateful for her life and for her loving, supportive husband.

Which is how she knew she had to be honest with him about something that had been on her mind the past couple weeks. It was time.

"Robert," she said, switching gears to a more serious tone. "As much as I don't want to say this– and I'm sorry I'm saying it now after so much preparation has already gone into things– I don't think I can do the Season. I wanted to so badly, but I just don't have the energy."

"I'm sorry you can't go since I know you really wanted to, but, honestly, it's quite a relief to me to hear you say that. I've been so worried about you lately. You and our little one," he said, gently placing a hand on her stomach and stroking it.

"We're alright. The baby is strong. I feel movement a lot, and Doctor Clarkson says that's a really good sign. But my blood pressure is a tad high, and I've just been so fatigued from all the stretching pains and nausea that it's not recommended for me to travel right now. I'm not on complete bed rest, but I need to take things a little easier than I have been."

Robert nodded. He knew Cora would be insistent on being up and about at least a little bit unless the doctor forbade it, and he understood. It is hard to sit idle no matter the reason. But he also didn't want his wife overdoing it. He was glad she had come to this conclusion on her own without feeling pushed into it, and he knew it was the right decision for her and the baby's health. He wanted a vibrant future with them, and that could only happen if Cora got the rest she needed.

"You just let me know whatever you need, my love. I'm with you on this one hundred percent."

"Thank you," Cora said softly, "I love you."

"I love you too. I love you both," he said sweetly, pressing a gentle kiss to his wife's stomach before whispering to the baby inside, "Now let your mummy get some sleep, eh?"

"She will," Cora said, inadvertently revealing what she supposed the baby's sex to be and making Robert smile, "She's being very kind to her Mama today. And I thank her for it."

"And so do I," Robert agreed, pressing a kiss to his wife's temple. "Goodnight, love."

"Goodnight, darling."

June 17, 1893

"I feel it!" Edith exclaimed as her hand moved along her mother's stomach. Cora had come into the nursery to have some playtime with her girls and they had asked to feel the baby. She was glad they were excited about the new baby, especially now that Mary was coming around to the idea a bit more.

"Me too," Mary said sweetly. "When is she coming?"

"Well, we don't know for sure it's a girl," Cora reminded her daughter. The last time she'd been pregnant it was a girl, and that was the only experience Mary had to go off of which meant she tended to assume things were the same way now. "But the baby should be born in July."

"We're in June now, so that's only one month away," Mary noted and Cora praised her proudly. "When she's bigger, we will play tea party, and she will be my best friend."

"That's nice of you, darling. I'm glad you're excited about it."

"I am a bit," Mary admitted, cuddling gently into her mother's side.

"Does it hurt, Mama?" Edith asked, feeling a rather strong kick from the baby.

"Sometimes," Cora admitted. "The baby seems to think my stomach is a football," she teased. "But it's a good sign. It means they're growing strong and healthy, and we want that."

"Oh yeah we do," Edith agreed matter-of-factly, making Cora chuckle at the seriousness from her toddler.

"We certainly do," she said through a laugh. She truly loved how much her girls were concerned about her and the baby. "I love you girls so much, and that will never change. No matter how much I love this baby, I will never love you any less," she promised, pressing a kiss to Mary's hair and stroking a hand along Edith's back.

"We know," Mary whispered. "Love you, Mama."

"Love you too, baby. Love you to the moon and back."

June 23, 1893

She was in labor, and she was terrified. It was almost an entire month earlier than expected, and she knew that could spell danger for her baby. She didn't want to wake Robert up and scare him, but she was frightened and she needed him.

"Robert, darling, are you awake?" she whispered, shaking him gently.

"Mhmm? What's the matter darling?" he asked groggily.

"I'm in labor," she confessed, making him bolt upright immediately. "Robert, I'm so scared. It's too early."

He gently took hold of her hand and stroked soothing circles into her palm. "It'll be alright. I'm going to be right here the entire time."

"Get Elsie," she said through chattering teeth, clearly in a lot of pain.

Robbert nodded and gently stroked her back. "I'll be right back. Don't you worry, my love," he said soothingly.

Quickly, he went out into the gallery and found that Bridget, one of their maids was already up and about. "Bridget, get Mrs. Hughes please. It's urgent. And send someone for the doctor."

"Aye, milord," Bridget said, scurrying off.

Robert quickly returned to the room and got behind his wife on the bed, rubbing her back and hips soothingly to give her the necessary counter pressure to help with her contractions. "Oh, thank you, Robert, that's helping," she said through pants as the pain coursed through her.

"Of course, my darling, I'd do anything to help you get through this."

Cora nodded, "Can we walk around? I think it'd help with the pain."

Robert gently helped to ease her off the bed and stand beside it. He came up in front of her and let her wrap her arms around his neck so she could lean on him. She fell into his embrace with a moan, sweat beading across her forehead and dripping onto his nightshirt. He held her waist gently as they swayed lightly from side to side in an attempt to ease her pain.

Suddenly, they heard the sound of Cora's water breaking and she moaned at the pressure she was feeling because of it. "It's alright darling, it's alright. Let's get you changed," he offered and she nodded gratefully.

They were just beginning to make their way into the bathroom when Elsie came in. "Oh, milady, I see it's started," she observed, noting the agony on Cora's face. "Let me help you get changed," she offered. Cora nodded gratefully and accepted her help.

Elsie helped Cora get into a clean birthing gown and then placed her back into her husband's arms so she could set up the bed. "Do you want to get back in, milady, or walk around a bit more?" she asked.

"Get back in," she answered honestly, "I'm tired."

Elsie and Robert nodded and helped her in gently. She was clearly fatigued already, and things had only just begun. They hoped the doctor would be here soon.

When the doctor arrived, he determined that the baby was breech. Cora wasn't too worried about that because Edith had been the same way. She could manage that, but what she couldn't manage was for her baby to be sickly from being born too early, or worse for her baby not to be born alive at all. The doctor assured them, however, that the baby would be alright. There may be some minor complications or illnesses, but on the whole, it wasn't dangerously early and the baby was still kicking, which was a good sign.

As the day wore on, Cora grew more and more exhausted. She was losing a bit of blood and her temperature was increasing. She managed to power through thanks to the tender care Elsie and Robert provided her. They were constantly placing wet clothes on her face and giving her soothing words of encouragment. Robert continued to provide counter pressure to Cora's back to help ease the pain, and she would be eternally grateful to him for that as she genuinely didn't think she'd be able to cope with the pain without it.

Finally, she managed to push and her baby was born rather quickly once the pushing process had begun. She heard quiet cries and whimpers coming from her baby and took comfort in them as a sign her baby was here and would be alright. However, before she got a chance to meet her baby properly, everything went black.

She had passed out from the blood loss, giving Robert and Elsie quite the scare. Still, Elsie held on to the baby and soothed her until her Mama could hold her. She was tiny, but she was clearly a fighter. She had a strong grip and her breathing sounded clear. While that didn't mean they were a hundred percent in the clear, it meant she was stable for now. Cora, however, was not.

By the time the doctor managed to stop the bleeding, Cora was coming to a bit. She was the palest anyone had ever seen, but she was awake. Robert ran a hand tenderly across her cheek. "Cora, are you alright, my love?"

She nodded before moaning in pain. "It's alright, love. Don't push yourself. Just rest."

"Yes, rest," the doctor said, echoing her husband's sentiments.

"The baby?" she inquired in a horse voice.

"She's just fine, milady. And she's beautiful," Elsie answered. "I'll hold her for now. You rest and build your strength back up."

Cora nodded. "Sybil," she muttered as she began to drift back off into sleep.

"What was that, milady?" Elsie asked, but Cora was already fast asleep.

"She said Sybil. That was the name we decided on if we had another girl," Robert explained, tears welling in his eyes. "She's really alright?"

"She's wonderful," Elsie confirmed, a nurse behind her nodding in agreement. "Here, let's let her meet her Papa," she said sweetly, placing the babe tenderly in her father's arms.

Just then, the baby opened her eyes. Sybil's eyes reminded him of Cora. They were the same shade of ocean blue as Cora's are when they hit the light a certain way. "You're beautiful," Robert whispered in awe as he sat down and cradled his baby in his arms, "the spitting image of your Mama." Just as the comment came out of his mouth, he realized something. He wanted his little girl to be named after her.

Cora had shown great strength through this pregnancy and birth, and Robert knew if Sybil had even half of that strength, she would do incredible things. "You are so loved, Sybil Cora Crawley," he said emotionally, and he knew instantly that this was his baby girl's name.

When Cora awoke, he told her of the scare she gave them and they both thanked God that she had made it through. After that, she couldn't wait any longer to get her hands on her baby. Robert gently placed their daughter on Cora's chest. "Meet our daughter. Sybil Cora Crawley," he proclaimed.

"Cora? Not Prudence?" she asked, touched that he had decided to use her name instead of the middle name they had originally decided.

"Yes," Robert confirmed, "She deserves your strength."

"Oh Robert," Cora said with tears welling in her eyes, "That is so lovely. Thank you so much."

"I love you so much, my darling. You and Sybil and Mary and Edith are my everything."

"You and our girls are my world," Cora said, echoing her husband's sentiments. "Thank you for the best gift I could ever ask for, darling."

"Oh, and what's that?" he asked, pressing a soft kiss to his wife's crown.

"Family."