With the morning sun shining bright, showering the deck in a golden light, Cora walked towards the railing. Today they would arrive in New York, she could already see land. She started on her new book, it had taken her some time to find new ideas, but being away from home and everything, she was a lot more creative. The fact that Robert spent most of the time lying down, gave her time to write. He had been seasick the moment they stepped on board. After the second day, he felt better, but unfortunately, that lasted only 2 days. Even though the yacht was quite stable, you could feel the rocking. Cora rested her hands on her belly, with every week passing she could feel more movement, and these last days her little one was calmer it seemed. Where Robert could not handle the rocking, this little one seemed to like it.

"Breakfast is ready." One of the staff that Violet provided appeared on deck.

"Thank you, Johnny," Cora replied and walked back inside. "Is Mr. Crawley already up?"

"I have not seen him this morning." The boy replied.

Cora went down to the deck where their bedroom was and opened the bedroom door. She heard Robert in the bathroom and according to the sounds he would not want breakfast. She felt sorry for him, but luckily today was the last day on the sea. Cora sat down on the bed and waited for Robert to reappear. This took quite a while and at one point she contemplated going to him. The moment she stepped towards the bathroom, Robert opened the door.

"Oh, my poor darling." Cora rushed to his side. Robert had a grey colour on his face. "Breakfast is ready, but I am afraid you do not want anything else than a dry biscuit and some tea again." She wrapped her arm around him and guided him back to the bed. She pulled the bucket next to the bed closer, so he could reach. Gently she brushed his hair backwards. "I will not take long."

After a very luxurious breakfast, Cora walked towards the kitchen, to ask the chef for some toast and ginger tea. The chef was used to this ritual in the meantime. And there was already a tray waiting for her.

She found Robert on his side, with his eyes closed, but she knew he was awake. "Here is your toast and tea."

With slow movements, Robert pushed himself up and took the cup from Cora.

"It will not be long now. I asked the captain and only a couple more hours."

Robert let out a deep sigh. "I am sorry."

"For what?" Cora asked surprised.

"This should have been a holiday."

Cora smiled softly. "It is not an entirely wasted week. I used this time to start a new book and." She brushed over her belly. "Our little one seems to enjoy the rocking very much."

"Does he?" Robert stretched his hand and rested it on her hand.

"She or he," Cora emphasised the 'she'. "Is very calm since we stepped on board."

"Well, our little one does not take after me it seems. I am glad." He now moved his hand over her belly, searching for movement. Cora guided his hand to where she felt the baby move. Robert's face lit up when he felt a small kick.

"By the time we travel back, you will be able to feel much more."

"I rather not think about that." Robert pulled a face.

This made Cora smile. "We will stock up on anti-seasickness medication." She took his hand in hers and started massaging his wrist and putting pressure on it. She had read that it could help with seasickness.

"Hello Cora." Harold greeted them when they arrived at her mother's house. He kissed both her cheeks. "Welcome home."

Cora kissed him back and smiled. "Home is now in London, my dear brother."

"We know that, but this is still your home." Martha's voice sounded.

This made Cora sigh, she did not want to argue. They left London to be away from all the arguing that went on between them and Violet, and now her mother continued with it here. She heard Robert taking a deep breath. They had taken some time for him to settle down a bit, once they were back on land. But he was very tired, and she knew he would prefer to go to their room. "Hello mother, how lovely to see you again."

"It is good to have you back in my arms." Martha replied, while hugging Cora.

"Robert is not feeling well and I would like for him to go to my room so he can get some rest." Cora took his hand in hers. "I will be down for tea soon." Softly she tugged on Robert's hand so he would follow her. She heard him greeting her mother and brother while he walked past them.

When it was almost dinnertime Robert started to feel better. He freshened himself up and went downstairs. A maid was in the hallway and told him that everybody had gone outside to the garden. He let her guide the way because he had no idea how to get there. This house was not as big as Downton was, but it was also not small. The last time he was here, he had not spent much time in the house, so he was not just to the layout yet.

"And what about a book tour in America? You are here now, and we could try an arrange something. Or you could come back soon and do a tour. I know some people who will arrange it. The last tour was a great success."

"Mama, I am not sure how that would work. Cora is not allowed to fly." Harold said.

"Well, we will first go to a doctor here. I am sure that he knows how to fix your problems, and you will be healthy before you know it."

"Dr Clarkson is an excellent doctor, I do not need to see one here. The fluid in my brain is almost gone, it is just a matter of time before it will be gone fully."

Robert had lingered in the doorway. He saw how Cora's hand went to her belly, but she stopped just in time. She was wearing a wide blouse; her belly was not visible this way. He was transported back to the last time he was here. Her mother had forced her on that book tour, he was glad he went and brought her back to London.

"At the moment I am working on a third book. It will be something new; I am not using the same characters, and I want to explore what else I can write."

Robert decided it was time he would let them know he was in the garden. He stepped closer and Cora was the first to spot him, he melted when he saw how her face lit up, when she saw him. "How are you feeling?" She said while getting up and kissing his cheek.

Robert slid his hand over her back. "I am feeling much better. Being back on solid ground and some sleep was what I needed" He sat down next to Cora. "It is good to see you again, Martha. Harold."

"Do you want something to drink?" Harold asked.

"It is almost time to eat dinner, do not offer him something that will ruin his appetite." Martha scolded Harold.

Robert grinned and said. "A glass of water would be nice."

Cora took Robert's hand in hers and softly squeezed it. "Mama, we have some news to tell you."

Robert felt how Cora's hand got sweaty. Why was she nervous, would Martha not like that they were expecting? He could not imagine she would be unkind about it.

"In about four months you will be a grandmother, and you will be Uncle Harold." Cora said while she had a big smile on her face.

"You are pregnant?" Harold asked.

"Yes, I am." Cora's hand went to her belly, when her hand went to the bottom of her belly, her blouse did not hide the rounding anymore. Robert loved the sight of her being proud of her growing tummy.

"That explains why you wanted to come here so desperately that you would go by yacht." Martha said. "Congratulations, but you could have just called."

"We wanted to tell you in person. You are Cora's mother and important to her. That is why we made this trip." Robert said. "But since Cora had her book tour we could not come earlier. The weekend before we left, we told my parents, and we are happy to be here and tell you and Harold." He put his hand on Cora's knee. "And we also see this as a last holiday before we are with the three of us."

"Is it a boy or a girl?" Harold asked.

"We do not know. It will be a surprise until the little one is born." Cora smiled at her brother.

"And your brain fluid is not affected by being pregnant? Is it dangerous?" Harold looked at Cora genuinely concerned.

Cora smiled softly at Harold. "I have very regular checks, and the fluid has stayed the same over the last five months. Dr Clarkson is not sure I can give birth in a natural way or that a c-section would be a better option. We have to discuss that once we are back home."

"A s-section would be a much easier option. Would it not?" Harold now asked.

"Of course not." Martha suddenly said. "That is a major operation. Let us hope you will be healthy enough to just give birth to your baby. Now it is time to go and eat dinner."

Robert held Cora back, when Martha and Harold walked towards the house. "When you want to leave to a hotel earlier, just let me know and we escape."

This made Cora laugh, she leaned against his shoulder. "We could take your mother's harshness; we can take my mother's cold behaviour. Let us just enjoy this time here, I am very curious though to your surprise."

"I am not going to tell you what it is. You will have to have patients."