"I am sorry to inform you Mama, but this Christmas, Cora and I will not be celebrating at Downton."

Cora's head whipped towards him. They had not fully discussed Christmas after that morning in Robert's apartment. She had not known how to start the conversation about it again.

"Are you taking Cora somewhere special?" Rosamund asked.

"It is a bit of a secret still, but yes. Cora and I will be away during Christmas this year."

Cora looked around the table to see the reactions. They had been invited to Rosamund's because Violet and Patrick were also in London. Patrick did not react at all; it seemed as if he was falling asleep. She could only imagine how tired he must be after travelling for so long. She had been, the last time they went to Downton, and she was in good health. Marmaduke was smiling, and Rosamund gave Robert a proud look, but Violet was getting angry.

"We could do the same, my dear." Marmaduke looked at Rosamund.

Who chuckled and rubbed over her big belly. "I will be about one and a half months away from giving birth. If you do not mind, I prefer to stay closer to home."

Cora was relieved to see how easily Rosamund got through this pregnancy. It did suit her very well; she had a fuller face and more colour on her cheeks.

"So, you are also not coming to Downton?" Violet now directed her arrows at Rosamund.

"If I feel well enough, we could come to Downton of course. But let us see how I feel around that time."

"You do realise that Mrs Patmore needs to prepare, and she needs to know it in advance if you are coming or not."

"We will let you know on time, but I think that we do not need to put that pressure on Rosamund. Mrs Patmore will manage perfectly fine if we tell you one week in advance."

"I cannot believe this. Patrick, why do you not say something? You cannot tell me that you do not have an opinion about this." Violet huffed. "Patrick!" She said a bit louder. "I am talking to you."

"Mama, I think that Papa has fallen asleep. Let me bring him to his room. We can talk about this later." Robert interrupted his mother.

Cora got up to clear the plates. Rosamund followed her example, but Marmaduke took her hand. "Why do you not take a rest on the sofa? We will arrange some tea and clear up here."

"I am pregnant, not invalid." Rosamund pulled her hand back and followed Cora.

"Honestly men. He gave Maud a free evening, knowing perfectly well we would have guests tonight and now he is expecting me to sit down and do nothing." She put her hands on her back and stretched.

"If you are uncomfortable? I do not mind cleaning up the rest." Cora offered, giving Rosamund a worried look.

"Oh, Cora. I am seven months pregnant. What would you expect?"

Cora looked at the ground. "You are right. I am sorry."

"Do not be. I appreciate the offer, but I promise you that I am feeling fine. Tell me, it seemed as if Robert did not tell you about the Christmas plans?"

Cora laughed. "You have a sharp eye." She saw Rosamund sitting down on one of the barstools. "We have not really discussed it. My mother wants me back in New York, but I am not going to do that. I want to spend this Christmas with Robert. It is our first one together, I cannot go away without him."

"That does sound so adorable. Your first Christmas together. I hope to hear soon where you two will be going."

"Of course, I will tell you as soon as I know."

"Right, at least Robert managed to get you away from our mother too."

Cora's cheeks coloured.

"Oh dear, no need to be ashamed. I can totally understand that you were not looking forward to a Christmas with my mother.

Robert wheeled his father to his bedroom. He had noticed that since his stroke, he slept in his mother's room. It still felt strange, knowing his parents slept in the same room. His mother was very strict with doing things in the old-fashioned way. But his father's illness had changed somethings within her.

"Papa, you need to wake up." He tapped his father on his cheek.

Groggy he opened one eye and immediately closes it again.

Robert decided that he could perfectly sleep in the clothes he was wearing right now. He opened the covers on the bed and lifted his father. Carefully putting him down on his back. He then tugged him in and said goodnight.

For a while, he kept looking at his father. It always wondered him, that Patrick had fallen for Violet. He had such a kind and soft nature, especially compared to his feisty mother. But in a weird way they seemed to be happy together and was that not the only thing that mattered? Being happy with your spouse? He knew he would be very happy with Cora as his wife. Even though they were only dating for a couple of months now and did not even know each other a year ago, he just knew that Cora was the one he wanted to marry. He imagined them living at the Abbey with a bunch of children running around. He could already see a very pregnant Cora taking the other children to bed. That would be a dream come true if that was something he would have in his future.

He could not wait for Rosamund to give birth; it would be his chance to see Cora with a little one in her arms. He could also not wait to see how Rosamund would be as a mum. He had never imagined that she wanted children, but now here she was two months away from becoming a mother.

"Robert?" Cora's voice sounded softly from the doorway. "Everything alright?

He turned towards her and pressed his finger against his lips while walking towards her. He closed the door behind him and kissed her cheek. "Nothing wrong. I was just thinking about a lot of things and meanwhile I was watching my father."

"How is he feeling?" She rested one hand on his hip.

"I do not know; he has not been awake. I put him down and tugged him in, he had an exhausting day."

"He did, but I am glad he came with your Mama, that must be a good sign."

Robert wrapped his arm around her back and started walking back to the living area. "I am not sure if it is not just stubbornness."

"What do you mean? Do you think he is pretending?"

Robert sighed. "I do not know, but the fact that he fell asleep during dinner does worry me a bit." He pulled Cora closer. "Let us not stay too long, I want to tell you what I have in mind for Christmas."

"You could tell me now. It was a surprise to hear we will be doing something, other than going to Downton, what I was expecting."

Robert stopped. "Are you disappointed that we will not be together with the family?"

Cora pressed a kiss on his jaw. "Far from disappointed, just surprised to hear about it during dinner."

Robert put his hand on her cheek. "I should have told you, but I wanted to surprise you with it."

"It is alright darling. I know now that you have something special in mind."

"I hope Rosamund will stay at home too. Not sure if she should travel to London when she is that pregnant."

"Oh Robert, she is pregnant, not ill. Please promise me that if we ever have children, you will not treat me like an invalid."

Robert put his hand on her abdomen. "Would you like to have children?"

She covered his hand with hers. "It would be a dream to have them together with you."