Robert stood at the open library windows in his dressing gown, his hands clasped tightly behind him, watching the dawn break on the horizon. Streaks of orange touched the gardens and trees, gilding them with light. He hoped the glory of the sunrise would prove a good omen.

Tom and Rosamund sat on the settee behind him, talking quietly, having given up trying to keep Robert calm. In fact, this was the most sedate they'd seen him all night. Ever since the house had been roused with the news that Cora was in labor, he'd been in the library, pacing or sitting down and then standing right back up again, picking up random things and putting them down, running his fingers through his hair so it now stood on end. Hazel appeared every half hour or so, as instructed, to let him know how things were going. Although her reports contained nothing of alarm, every time she entered the room, Robert's chest constricted painfully until she'd told him all was well. Rosamund attempted to give him Scotch, for his obvious nerves, but he refused. At this, her eyebrows had risen, and she gave Tom a look of both surprise and slight unease. Her brother had always believed in the power of a good Scotch as a balm for nearly everything.

To be honest, Robert couldn't forget what had happened with Sybil, even if Cora showed none of the same signs their daughter had; he couldn't forget the loss of their son, even if it hadn't been in childbirth. Although the threat of loss was slim, he knew, it was no less real to him. But he also knew that if anything seemed wrong that one of them – Mary, Edith, Hazel, Isobel, or Dr. Clarkson – would make sure he knew right away.

Staring out at the golden-orange clouds, Robert heaved a deep sigh and brought one of his hands around to rub it over his bristly chin. He was aware that labor could take much longer, but he was impatient – and every time his chest constricted in that manner, he knew it could easily turn into a panic attack.

The library door opened, and Robert's heart beat harder as he turned. But it wasn't Hazel this time; it was Edith. She approached her father with a broad smile, her hair a little disheveled and her tangerine dressing gown slightly askew. "Congratulations, Papa." She took his hands and squeezed them, smiling. "They're getting cleaned up to see you now."

Robert's entire aspect transformed, his face shining with the dawn light and with his own joy. "They're fine? Both of them?"

"Yes, they're doing wonderfully." Edith wrapped her arms around her father, embracing him.

"Thank God," he breathed against her temple as he returned her hug, his eyes alight. He felt the knot that had resided in his stomach all night long begin to loosen.

Once Edith had released him, Tom and Rosamund approached him with congratulations of their own. Robert couldn't keep from beaming at them all. Then, he departed the room at a sprint, taking the stairs two at a time, meeting Dr. Clarkson and Isobel at the top of them.

Seeking reassurance, he wrung the doctor's hand and asked him, "They're well? The baby is healthy? And my wife?"

Dr. Clarkson smiled at him. "They are the picture of health, Lord Grantham. Lady Grantham had a normal delivery, and she's doing very well. I'll of course come back later in the day to check on them both, but I was very pleased with how it all went."

Robert's smile widened and he kissed Isobel on the cheek. "Thank you, Isobel, for helping Dr. Clarkson with the delivery."

"You're welcome, Robert; it was my pleasure. Congratulations!" Isobel took his hand and pressed it warmly, grinning.

"Thank you, thank you both." Robert didn't notice the two holding hands – nor would he have cared at that moment. He hurried past them and almost literally ran into Mary just before he reached his wife's door.

"Papa, you're a father again." Mary's greeting held only a trace of sadness as she removed her hands from the small baby bump and reached up to hug and kiss him, her countenance glowing.

Robert's breath caught as he thought about this. "I am, Mary. Goodness, who knew I would be doing this again at my age?" He laughed and kissed his daughter's cheek.

"Well, it doesn't matter. You'll do marvelously."

As she stepped back, he noticed the shadows under her eyes. "Darling girl, you've been up all night. You should go now and get some sleep."

Mary smiled at him. "Not to worry. I napped between contractions. Besides, I'm too excited to go back to bed now. I will go downstairs and find the others, then have a nice long sleep later."

Robert pressed one last kiss to her forehead before they parted. He walked the few steps to his wife's door, startled when it opened to reveal a cheerful Hazel laden with soiled linens.

"Oh, Lord Grantham, how very happy I am to be here to see the arrival of your fourth child." Tears shone in her eyes as she looked up at him.

Robert grinned at her. "I am, too, Perkins." He leaned down and kissed her soundly on the cheek, unable to contain his happiness and gratitude at the moment. "Thank you so much for everything that I know you did for her ladyship, and for coming down to let me know what was going on. I have a feeling you would have done it even if I hadn't asked you to."

Hazel blinked a few times, momentarily dazed. Then she colored a trifle and smiled. "Of course I would have, my lord. I knew you would be anxious."

"I was. Very. But I hear I have nothing over which to be anxious."

Her smile growing softer, Hazel shook her head. "No, you don't, your lordship. And I've just finished cleaning everything up. They're waiting to see you."

Robert's grin widened, his heart beat picking up speed now. He stepped back to let the tiny woman pass him, then addressed her again. "Perkins, please let everyone downstairs know? And – I am grateful to you. I know having you there made it easier for her. It made it easier for me as well." He paused, then added, "Make sure you get some rest. I know you have seemingly boundless energy, Perkins, but even this must have taxed you."

Hazel laughed lightly. "Don't you worry, my lord. I'll be just fine. And it was an honor and a pleasure to help her ladyship. It always is." With another warm smile, she turned, making her way downstairs.

Taking a deep breath, Robert pushed open the door and peeked into the room, then stepped in, closing the door behind him. Cora raised her eyes from the bundle in her arms to him, her face radiant.

"Come and sit with us, Robert. Your son would like to meet you."

Robert froze, his blood rushing in his ears, unsure he'd heard her right. Thinking back over the last quarter of an hour or so, he recalled that no one had said whether the baby was a boy or girl – and he hadn't asked. He'd only wanted assurance that they were fine. It was the only important thing to him. He cleared his throat. "Did you say – did you say 'son'?"

Cora grinned from ear to ear. "I did, darling." Tears began falling down her face. "We have a son," she said in a near whisper, still endeavoring to believe it herself.

"We have a son?" he asked, incredulous.

"Theodore Robert Crawley – if you don't mind the middle name. We hadn't talked about that." She watched his face, then carefully extended her hand to him. "Robert, come here."

Looking up from where his eyes had ultimately rested on the floor, he took in her smile and tears, her tired yet happy visage, the bundle she held, and finally went over to them, taking her outstretched hand and sitting next to them on the bed. "Cora," he said, a lump forming in his throat as he looked upon his son for the first time, "he's beautiful."

Cora's eyes followed his to the baby in her arms. "I know. He's perfect. And completely healthy." Her heart swelled up with love for her son. Then she glanced up at her husband, and her heart swelled even more, to where she thought it would burst.

Just then, the baby opened his eyes, and Robert's breath caught. "He has your eyes, my love." He stared into their blue brightness, feeling a tear run down his own face.

Bending forward slightly, Cora kissed the glistening track the tear had made. "And your hair line." She chuckled.

Robert ran his other hand through his tumbled locks, laughing. "Yes, well, as long as his grows, we'll be fine."

"It will," she whispered. "Would you like to hold him?"

Beaming, Robert nodded. "I would. Very much." He took the baby in his arms as Cora passed him over. "Cora, I didn't think I could be quite this happy."

"I know, my darling." She smiled on them both, then yawned.

"Shouldn't you get some sleep, sweetheart?" He turned a concerned look on her as he paused in running a gentle finger over his son's face.

Cora shook her head. "He'll need to eat soon, I think. I'll wait until he's nursed and then gone to sleep before I do." She smiled tenderly at him before leaning her head upon his shoulder, fixing her eyes on the baby. "What a true gift our Theodore is, isn't he, my love?" she whispered.

Robert swallowed against the lump forming once more in his throat. "Yes. And he would have been if he were an Amelia." He turned and pressed a kiss to the top of Cora's head before resuming stroking their baby's face. "Our son," he said softly, still hardly daring to believe it. "Our son Theodore."

Theodore's cries woke Cora several hours later. She winced as she sat up in the bed, an involuntary groan of pain escaping her lips.

"Cora?" Robert stuck his head out of the washroom, shaving foam on part of his face.

Smiling at him wearily, Cora shook her head. "I'm alright, Robert. Just the normal soreness after giving birth. Would you mind checking to see if he's wet for me while I get up for a minute?"

"Do you need help?" He went back into the washroom to finish shaving quickly.

"No, I'll be alright," she called to him. She listened to him run water to rinse his face as she swung her legs over the side of the bed and prepared to stand.

Robert reemerged, patting his face dry with a towel. He walked over to her and kissed her tenderly on the lips while she was getting her bearings to stand. She put a hand on his cheek, grinning. "Very smooth."

Returning her grin, he took her hand and kissed it as well, then asked once more, "Are you sure you don't want help?"

She shook her head again. "I'm fine. I'll let you know if I change my mind." Her eyes moved to the bassinet as the baby's cries grew louder. "Please check him for me? Then I'll see if he's hungry."

Robert pressed another kiss to her hand and then went over to the bassinet, lifting the baby out and holding him against the front of his dressing gown. He watched as Cora stood and made her way slowly to the washroom, her hands grasping her bedside table and then the door. Her face was screwed up in pain. Robert wished he could take it away.

Since he couldn't, he did as his wife had bid him and checked the baby, finding that he did need to be changed. Robert chuckled a bit as he performed this operation, realizing that he'd never done this procedure with a son before – and that he was a tad rusty at it anyway. But he successfully got the diaper on the baby and wrapped him in his blanket once more, noting that his crying had stopped. Robert held him close to his face and kissed his cheeks, inhaling his baby scent.

Cora came out of the washroom with ginger steps, just in time to see this last part. She paused, watching them, smiling. Robert settled the baby in his arms again with a kiss on the forehead, then saw his wife standing there. He smiled at her. "Are you alright, darling?"

She nodded, then slowly – with less cringing – walked back to the bed, climbing in carefully and propping herself up against the pillows.

"Do you think he's hungry?" Robert asked. "He calmed down once I changed him."

"I don't know, but I'd like to find out. His cries had an effect." She began unbuttoning the bodice of her night dress, then held her arms out for Theodore once she was ready. Robert gave her the baby, then sat facing them on the edge of the bed. Cora held the baby close to her, happy when he latched on and began to nurse. She winced again.

"Is he hurting you?" Robert watched her face in some alarm.

Cora chuckled a little. "It always takes a bit of getting used to, and they're sore. But it's eased some now." She smiled tenderly at her husband. "That's right, you weren't facing me earlier, were you?"

Robert shook his head, his brow still creased with concern. "Do you need anything, sweetheart? I can ring down for some breakfast."

"I am actually hungry, now that you mention it." She watched him stand and walk over to ring the bell. "Robert, have you slept at all?"

"No – well, I couldn't. I sat here and watched you two sleep for a while." He grinned. "Then, once it was late enough, I went downstairs and telephoned Mama to tell her the good news."

Cora shifted the baby around so he could nurse on the other side, grateful for how easily he latched on, remembering how long it took for Edith to take to it, and how frustrated it made her. Then she looked up at Robert. "And what did she say?"

"Oh, she was pleased, Cora. Very pleased. She inquired about how you were feeling. She said she knew you'd be too tired tonight, but wondered if she might come to dinner tomorrow evening so she could celebrate with us and meet her newest grandchild." He thought he heard some sort of commotion out in the hallway, but didn't want to interrupt their conversation.

"Well, I'd like that very much, if I'm feeling up to it. I don't see why not."

"I also had a telegram sent to your mother. I told her she'd be welcome to visit, but I have a feeling she'll wait until the baby is older – and possibly after Mary has her baby." The noises in the hallway grew louder.

Cora chuckled. "That sounds about right. She'd want to wait until things are back to some semblance to normal, otherwise she might see very little of me." Her eyes left his and went to the doorway. "Robert, do you hear that?"

"I do. Perhaps I should see what's going on out there." He went to the door and opened it.

Just a little way down the hall, Sybbie and her nanny stood facing one another, the girl looking daggers at the woman who leaned down to her level. "You can't disturb them, Sybbie. Your grandmama is resting."

Sybbie stamped her foot. "I want to see 'Melia!"

Robert barely stopped himself from laughing aloud. For one thing, he thought it was the first time he'd heard Sybbie refer to herself in the first person. For another, either no one had told her the baby was a boy, or she hadn't understood what it meant when they had.

Making his face serious, Robert cleared his throat noisily. "What's this all about?" He stood in the doorway, his hands on his hips.

"Gan-papa!" Sybbie shrieked. She ran up to him, dropping the things she carried in her arms and enthusiastically wrapping them around one of his legs instead.

"I do apologize, your lordship. I tried to keep her in her nursery –" The nanny looked frustrated and panicked.

Robert made a motion with his hands and smiled at her. "Never mind, Nanny. I'll take Sybbie for a while. Her ladyship is awake, and I'm sure she'd like to see her."

The nanny nodded and went back down the hallway just as Hazel showed up. "My lord? You rang?"

"Perkins, why aren't you resting?" He chuckled and scooped Sybbie up before she got the notion in her head to go looking for her grandmother and the baby without him.

"Oh, I did, Lord Grantham. Several hours." She grinned.

"Well, that's alright then. You've had more than I have." He thought a moment, having forgotten why he'd rung the bell. Then he shook his head with a slight laugh. "Yes, might you bring some breakfast up for both her ladyship and me?"

"Certainly, my lord. As soon as Mrs. Patmore can make it." She grinned and winked at Sybbie, then went to accomplish the task set her.

"Now, little darling, do you want to meet the baby?"

Sybbie nodded seriously.

Robert met her serious look. "You have to be very quiet, Sybbie. If you are too loud, I'll have to take you back to your nursery."

She nodded again. Then, as he was turning to bring her into the room, she tugged on his sleeve and whispered loudly, "Gan-papa, my babies!" She pointed to where a doll and a stuffed bear lay on the floor at his feet.

Chuckling, Robert bent down and picked them up, handing them to her. She hugged them up to her chest, grinning.

"Guess who I found having an altercation with her nanny in the middle of the hallway?" Robert asked rhetorically as he closed the door behind them.

"Me!" Sybbie exclaimed in her loudest whisper, her eyes watching her grandmother.

Theodore had finished nursing and Cora held him against her shoulder, rubbing his back gently. She smiled at her granddaughter and husband. "Someone just couldn't wait any longer to see her new playmate, could she?"

Sybbie shook her head. "I want to see 'Melia."

Cora laughed lightly, exchanging a look with Robert. "Will you explain, or shall I?" she asked.

"I will," Robert replied, smiling. "You have your hands full." He walked over to a chair and sat down in it, Sybbie on his lap. "Sybbie, dear, Grandmama had a little boy instead of a little girl. So there is no Amelia. The baby's name is Theodore."

Her confusion was evident. "No 'Melia?"

"No, no Amelia. But that is still the baby that Grandmama was carrying. The one you felt when you pressed your hand to her tummy. It's just that you have an uncle instead of an aunt. Uncle Theodore." He stroked her hair, watching her expression change.

"Gan-papa, can I have a 'Melia?"

Robert laughed a little, looking over her head to Cora, where she smiled at them and kept rubbing their son's back. "Perhaps Aunt Mary will have a little girl, but you'll have fun with Theodore too. Once he's old enough."

Sybbie scrunched up her face, apparently deep in thought. Then it cleared and she smiled and gave a small nod, as if having decided something. She held up the doll she'd had clutched to her. "This is 'Melia," she said. Then she held up the stuffed bear. "This is T-t-t-dore."

Cora spoke now. "Would it be easier for her to call him Teddy? Would you mind, Robert?"

Shrugging, Robert turned to Sybbie. "How about Teddy, little darling?"

She looked at him. "Teddy?" She pointed toward the baby with her bear.

"Yes. And –" he laughed, realizing something – "bears are called teddy's sometimes anyway. After that American president. Theodore Roosevelt."

Cora laughed too. "That's right. I'd forgotten that."

Robert kissed Sybbie's forehead as she asked, "I see Teddy now?"

"Well, I think you can, but you need to put those down." He placed her on the floor, then watched as she set the doll and bear on the chaise. He wanted to give Cora time to reposition the baby and get comfortable again, so he asked, "Where did you get those, Sybbie? I don't remember seeing either of them."

Sybbie tugged at his hand, knowing she couldn't climb onto the bed herself. "Ann-Roz-mund gave them."

He smiled, thinking that would be exactly something his sister would do. "And you look very pretty today. Is that a new dress?"

She paused in tugging at his hand to look down at her copper-colored dress. "Yes, Gan-papa. Ann-Roz-mund give it, too." She pulled at him more adamantly now. "Come on, Gan-papa," she pleaded in her loudest whisper.

Robert glanced at Cora, and, at her nod, brought Sybbie over to his side of the bed and put her down upon it, watching her crawl close to her grandmother and the infant. He sat down beside his granddaughter, facing the three of them so he could observe them more easily.

Sybbie peered between the folds of the blanket wrapped around the tiny face. "Hello, Teddy," she whispered.

Cora looked at Sybbie tenderly. "Might you give Grandmama a kiss, my darling?"

Sitting up on her knees, the girl reached up to kiss Cora's cheek, then wrapped her arms around her neck in a cautious embrace. Settling back down again, she asked, "Gan-mama, I hold Teddy?"

Robert and Cora exchanged a look over her head. Robert replied in a soothing voice, "Sybbie, I think he might be too heavy for you yet."

Sybbie turned a pathetic face on her grandfather. "But I want to hold him." Her voice had risen in volume.

"Little one, remember what I said to you about being too loud." Robert touched her cheek. "And you'll get to hold him soon enough."

Letting out a pronounced sigh, Sybbie nodded grudgingly and turned back to the baby. "Gan-mama, Teddy nap time?" She'd apparently observed his eyes drooping and now closing.

"Yes, I think so, Sybbie. And soon it will be my nap time too. After we eat breakfast." She glanced at Robert. "You did ask for breakfast, yes?"

As he opened his mouth to answer, a knock came at the door. He grinned. "Yes. That'll be it now, I would say." He got up and let Hazel and another maid, each carrying a tray laden with food, into the room. Then he walked around and gently took the sleeping infant from his mother, placing him into his bassinet with a kiss. He had Hazel settle Cora with a tray and took his own from the other maid. "Thank you, Perkins." Hazel smiled and nodded, closing the door behind them.

He got himself comfortable on the bed, Sybbie still between them. "Would you like some fruit, little one?" he inquired, glad to see his wife already eating with great appetite.

Sybbie looked at his tray, licking her lips. She nodded. "Bacon, too, Gan-papa?"

Robert laughed. "Didn't you eat breakfast, Sybbie?"

She took the strawberry he gave her with one hand and the half piece of bacon with the other. "I don't like oatmeal," she said simply as she bit into the bacon.

Cora glanced at her granddaughter and then her husband. "This is just the beginning," she said, chuckling.

"I know," Robert replied, winking at her.

They all ate a hearty breakfast, then, after Robert removed the trays and checked to see that Theodore still slept, they all lay back on the bed. The two adults were exhausted, and Sybbie didn't want to leave, so Robert had given her the doll and bear, and she played quietly with them while he and Cora fell asleep. Not long after, Sybbie clasped her toys to her orange-clad chest, turned on her side, and closed her eyes, drifting off as well.

The next evening Violet, Isobel, and Dr. Clarkson arrived at Downton for a celebratory dinner with the family. Cora, Robert, and Theodore were the last to join the others. Robert clasped the baby in his arms and walked slowly as Cora leaned against him. Tom came forward to help her to a chair while Robert went to sit by his mother.

"Mama, your grandson, Theodore Robert Crawley." Robert grinned at her. "Would you like to hold him?"

Violet waved a hand, but smiled at them. "No, no. You hold him, Robert." As she peered at the baby, he blinked his eyes open, a dense fringe of dark lashes surrounding his blue eyes. "He has a strong resemblance to Cora, doesn't he?" she remarked.

Robert chuckled. "Lucky for him." He shot a mirthful glance at his wife, who smiled back at him, shaking her head.

"We Crawleys are no slouches, brother dear," Rosamund interjected with a gentle laugh.

Cora added, "I agree with Rosamund." She continued to smile at her husband, a caressing lilt to her voice.

Violet hardly paid attention. She wasn't very much of a baby person, but she had to admit that her grandson had already pulled on her heartstrings. And he did even more so when she placed a tentative finger to his chin and he reached out to grasp it in his tiny fist.

Robert beamed at them both, then looked over at Cora, who watched Violet and Theodore with tears in her eyes. Then, disbelievingly, he saw his mother draw a handkerchief out of her pocket and touch it to her cheeks.

At this juncture Carson brought a trolley into the room with champagne and glasses for everyone. Robert looked confused. "I didn't ask for this, Carson."

Rolling her eyes, Violet cleared her throat. "No, Robert, I did." Not taking her finger away from Theodore, she accepted the glass Jimmy offered her with a nod. "I thought we could have a proper toast before dinner."

Will wonders never cease? he thought. But he held his tongue. Once everyone had champagne glasses, Robert gazed around the room at all the happy faces. It was such a change from when they'd met a little more than six months before in the same place, champagne flutes in their hands. And he couldn't stop grinning.

"To Cora and Robert," Violet said, raising her glass. "Congratulations on your son. And to Theodore Crawley."

Everyone drank – Cora and Mary having only tiny sips of their champagne, exchanging glances while the others had much longer sips.

Robert leaned closer to his mother. "Thank you, Mama."

"Nonsense, Robert," she said somewhat brusquely. "There is nothing for which to thank me. I'm simply pleased that this one is here and that he and Cora are doing so well." Violet kept her eyes on the infant's face, her smile belying her tone.

"Alright, Mama," he said, his eyes meeting his wife's across the room. They shared a tender glance, each knowing the other was happy that the others appeared pleased at how things had turned out – knowing that the two of them were happy beyond measure.

The following weeks fell into their own pattern of feedings and bathings and naps, cuddles and frustration and tears, happiness and love and exhaustion. Cora and Robert deferred hiring a nurse until Theodore would be sleeping mostly through the night, so his care fell to them, with the help of their daughters, Tom, Hazel, and – in a pinch – Sybbie's nanny, who was kind enough to offer her services when needed.

With these first weeks, the couple were reminded of when they'd had the girls as babies. They'd forgotten just how difficult it was never to have any time alone together. Either the baby needed them, or they were simply too tired to do more than fall asleep in one another's arms – for which, remembering a span of over a month when Mary had slept between them when Edith was an infant, they did not make the mistake of being unappreciative. However, their lack of time alone put a strain upon them, a strain they endeavored to bear patiently, but nonetheless one that both felt keenly. As with the girls, they were grateful for their son, loved him dearly and treasured the moments spent with him in his all-too-fleeting babyhood. But, to be frank, they missed one another.

So it was with great anticipation that Cora met Robert at the dividing door of his dressing room the night after her six week post partum appointment with Dr. Clarkson, Theodore nearly asleep in her arms.

Robert closed the door behind him and looked at her somewhat curiously. Her cheeks were bright pink and her eyes shone in a way he hadn't seen since – well, since the night Theodore decided to make his appearance. "Cora? Are you alright?"

In answer, she leaned up and kissed his mouth eagerly. Then she said, "Yes. Very much so." She stepped back from him and rubbed Theodore's head gently. "Say goodnight to your son, darling. He's going to sleep in his nursery for the first time tonight."

Staring at her, Robert opened his mouth and closed it again in surprise. "He is?"

Cora nodded, grinning. "It's all been arranged. Hazel will stay there with him, and when he gets hungry she'll feed him from a bottle."

"Are you sure that's wise?" He took Theodore from her in order to kiss his forehead and cheeks and watched him grow even drowsier, a yawn escaping his tiny mouth.

"She'll use the same formula – that percentage method – they fed Sybbie before she got her wet nurse. And you see it didn't hurt her any. Besides, it's one night, Robert, and one that we need." She stood on her tiptoes and whispered to him. "I had my six week appointment today, and ever since Dr. Clarkson declared me completely healed, I haven't been able to stop thinking of you."

Her breath was hot on Robert's ear, and he closed his eyes, suppressing a sudden moan of longing. "Well, I suppose one night can't hurt," he conceded, opening his eyes again to take in her smirk. He said goodnight to his son, then watched as she exited the room with him to bring him to his nursery and leave him with Hazel. As he waited, he turned out all the lamps but one and sat on the bed, all of a sudden nervous. It had been six weeks. He hadn't even had the energy or desire to remove himself to the washroom in the middle of the night during this time – even though he knew Cora would have understood, and even encouraged him. Her obvious enthusiasm and yearning to be alone with him, to be with him, however, already proved infectious.

Cora returned, shutting the door and leaning upon it, her face flushing. She lowered her eyes, unexpectedly shy now. She became aware again of the changes another pregnancy and childbirth had wrought upon her body. She'd not regained her pre-pregnancy shape and size yet, and it made her self-conscious.

Robert studied his wife for a few moments, wondering what she could be thinking. She looked… well, hesitant. He stood and went to her, putting his hand under her chin and gently lifting her head so he could look into her eyes. "Cora? What's wrong?"

Sighing softly, Cora gazed at him searchingly, knowing she was being silly. But she told him anyway. "I'm afraid you won't like the way I look," she whispered.

"Apparently you haven't seen me ogling you in your bath lately." He grinned, then turned serious when she tilted her head at him, her face begging him for a solemn answer. Letting his hand slide up to caress her cheek, he kept his eyes upon hers and said very softly, "Cora, I have never thought you anything other than beautiful. Your beauty radiates from here –" here he put his other hand to her chest, over her heart – "and the fact that you've just given me another child…." His voice faltered, and he blinked back tears. "I love you. All of you. And I always will," he whispered.

Cora watched his face as he said these things. She knew he meant them. Every last word. "I love you, too, Robert. Always." She reached up to wrap her arms around his neck and pulled him to her, touching her lips to his gently, tentatively.

Robert slipped his hand from her cheek into her hair and his other arm around her waist, crushing her to him as he deepened the kiss. It seemed no time at all before she was encouraging him to walk backwards toward the bed, undoing the tie on his dressing gown and sliding it from his shoulders and onto the floor. Her deft fingers worked at his night shirt, fondling his chest between buttons and causing an acute reaction below his waist. Soon he was twitching her dressing gown tie loose and pulled back, astonished that she wore nothing beneath it. "My, you did plan ahead, didn't you?" He chuckled, then held her at arm's length, his eyes meandering up and down her body, the bulge in his pajama bottoms proof enough of how much she affected him. She blushed again, but didn't lower her eyes this time. Instead she smiled and slowly lowered the dressing gown down her shoulders, teasing him. "Oh God, Cora, don't," he pleaded, suddenly bounding forward and applying his lips and tongue to her neck in such a way that she couldn't help crying out gratefully.

Finally, all their garments scattered on the floor, Robert laid Cora tenderly upon the bed, venerating her with his gaze, his touch, until she was panting and begging, "Please, my love, please. I need you so much."

Fitting his body between her legs, he rested his weight upon his elbows and brushed her hair back from her face. "I need you too," he whispered.

As she pulled his head down to kiss him again, he entered her slowly, gently, not wanting to cause her any pain. Pausing, she said softly, "Robert, I'm fine, I promise. Please…." She punctuated her statement with an upward thrust of her hips, causing him to groan deeply and apply his lips to hers once more as he moved against her in a deliberate rhythm – both steady and tender.

Robert endeavored to pour all his love for her – this exquisite creature, this strong woman, his amazing wife and mother of his children – into his actions. He wanted to truly make love to her; if he could make her feel even half the love he felt for her, then he would be the happiest man alive.

Cora's hands roamed over his body; her fingernails scratching down his back, her fingers threading through his hair and squeezing his buttocks blissfully. She panted and sighed and begged him for more. She kissed his lips and face and nibbled his earlobes and suckled his neck. And, after a while, she arched her hips up and pressed herself against him, breathing heavily, her eyes closing in ecstatic joy, a loud, lusty cry rent from her throat. She felt his hands under her behind and his own breathing quicken for a few luscious moments before he, too, cried out and fell against her. She reached up and cupped his face, kissing him tenderly and then resting his forehead against hers. "I love you, Robert," she whispered, happily exhausted.

Opening his eyes and looking into hers, unmoving, he continued to pant, but whispered in return, "I love you, too, Cora." Once he'd gotten his bearings back, he wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled them onto their sides, their foreheads still touching. "Beautiful, magnificent mother of our children, wonderful wife who puts up with a stubborn husband." He chuckled wearily.

"Oh, Robert," she said, reaching one hand down to pull the bed clothes over them. "I couldn't imagine being happier with anyone else."

Robert smiled widely. "I should hope not," he murmured, his eyelids growing heavy.

"Let's sleep, darling. Perhaps we'll wake on Theodore's schedule, and we can have another go." Cora continued to caress his face as they fell asleep in one another's arms, utterly contented.

Sometime in the early morning – after another tumble in the middle of the night – Cora dreamt again of children. There were seven in all. They held hands and grinned up at Cora and Robert in the orange-gold dawn. Four girls and three boys who were chattering and laughing, and who then went off to play together, splitting apart into groups. The two eldest girls wandered into the gardens, bickering, nevertheless clasping their hands together tightly. The youngest children – two boys and a girl – approached Robert and Cora, holding up their arms to be cuddled. The two remaining children – a boy and a girl – started down the path away from Downton, waving to the rest of them. Cora felt her heart hurt when she saw them leave, but she knew they would be alright. They'd be taken care of. And she turned to the three in front of them, knowing it was their place to take care of these little ones.

When she woke, Cora focused her eyes upon her husband's in the early morning light. Robert was stroking her hair and watching her face. "You're smiling," he whispered.

"Yes. I had a dream. I had a dream that we'll all be alright. Whatever happens. Because we're family, and we love one another." She smiled even wider and leaned forward to press a tender kiss to his mouth.

Robert smiled in return. "We will, darling. Despite everything, we have so much to be grateful for. And I give thanks for you most of all."

Cora touched his face, beaming at him. "And I for you." She kissed him again, then drew back. "Let's go spend the morning with our son, Robert."

"I think that's a marvelous idea, my love."

And so they did.

Orange: "enthusiasm, warmth, energy, balance, vibrant, demanding of attention"