The last weeks had been hectic. Movers had started packing up their home, and they started living out of their suitcases. Mary and Edith were both affected by the chaos in the house and Cora was stressed out because of it.
“Dear, why don’t you take the girls and sleep at your mother’s house for the next nights. It will be chaos with all the boxes.” Robert had taken Cora’s hand to stop her from flying around the house.
“I can’t, I need to know where everything is going, which box has what in it.”
“We can ask your mother or Rosamund to watch the girls, so you will have your hands free?” Robert suggested
Cora sighed, gave him a quick kiss, and said: “I will manage, just two more days and we will sleep in our new home.”
+++
Robert closed the door behind them, Cora was holding his hand. “This is it, the last time we close this door.” He said.
“A new chapter will start, and we are going to make so many new happy memories in our new home, sweetheart. I know you are sad, you lived here for so long. I am grateful to have memories together with you here. Although I will miss the lights of the city, we will get birds in our backyard in return.”
Robert pulled her close and held her tight. He was grateful for her. She always knew what to say to comfort him.
+++
Robert parked the car in the garage, and they walked up to the house. Robert was holding Mary’s hand; Edith had fallen asleep the moment Cora put her in the baby carrier. Her heartbeat had a magical effect on her little girl, she caressed her back, and took Robert’s free hand.
Robert opened the front door, Mary and Isis galloped into the hallway. Cora wanted to follow, but Robert stopped her. He started to pick her up.
“No, don’t do that, I will be too heavy with Edith on my chest.” Cora chuckled in a light protest.
But Robert put one hand on her shoulders and the other under her legs, and he scooped her up. He carried her over the doorstep.
Cora nuzzled her nose in his face. “I love you so much.”
Carefully Robert put her down and kissed her. “Welcome home, my darling.”
+++
The house was turned into a palace, it had a luxurious feeling and at the same time it was incredibly cosy. The bright sitting room, with access to the garden, would become their favourite place in the house. The kitchen was attached to the enormous dining room. Cora had managed to give it a cosy feeling. They would eat in one corner of the room during normal weekdays, but when the whole family came for dinner, they could extend the table and use the whole length of the room.
On the first floor there was the master bedroom, Cora had made sure there was a two persons bath and they installed a walk-in shower. The study on this floor was Robert’s office, this way he could work from home easier. Robert wanted to make an office for Cora, but she said, she could work from the kitchen counter, or dining table, as she did for the last year.
The second floor had the bedrooms of Mary and Edith, their rooms shared a bathroom. There was only a walk-in shower, Cora could give the girls a bath in her bathroom. Mary’s room was decorated with flowers, Cora tried to give Mary as much say in what her room would look like, as was possible with a nearly 1,5-year-old. For Edith they chose a light-yellow theme, with honeybees.
On the third floor, Robert wanted to have a cinema room, but this was still in progress.
The other rooms on the different floors, had been untouched. There was a small study on the ground floor, a bedroom on the first and second floor and the small apartment above the garage. They only remodelled the bathroom in there. They hadn’t decided what to do exactly with the rooms.
+++
Cora had cooked a wonderful dinner, Robert was putting Mary to bed. Cora was downstairs with Edith who refused to sleep. She was planning Robert’s birthday. Next month he would turn 30, and she wanted to do something special. She had bought him a present but wanted something special and she just got the best idea!
Robert came back downstairs, she shut her laptop before he could see the screen. “What are you doing?” Robert asked.
“Just some work, but I am done for the night.” I will try to get Edith to sleep.
Robert bend down to kiss her. “You weren’t working, I see it on your face.”
Cora just chuckled, picked up Edith and walked upstairs. Robert followed her very close. “Tonight, is the first night in our new bed.” His hands rested on her hips, and she felt her body react.
They both kissed Edith good night and to their relief, she fell asleep instantly. Cora closed her door and turned around. Robert was standing so close, she bumped into him.
He started kissing her neck, her body trembled. She hooked her feet around his legs and let him carry her to the bedroom. She tried to unbutton his shirt, but failed miserably at it, she wanted him so bad, her hands were trembling. She had to stop trying to take his clothes of when Robert pulled her shirt over her head. She stretched out her arms, his fingers touched her bare skin when he took of her bra. His mouth kissed every inch of her skin and when he reached her belly, he started to take off her pants. Her skin was glowing underneath his touches, his hot breath made her shiver.
Once he had taken of all her clothes and she was laying there naked in the bed, he started with his own clothes. Very slowly he started with his pants, then he started with his shirt. Cora couldn’t wait any longer, she ripped his shirt of his chest and worked on his nipples with her mouth, her hands all over his back.
They fell back on the pillows, Robert positioned himself so he could enter her, she was more than willing. Her chest rose and fell with rapid breaths, Robert loved the sight of it. He covered her mouth, his tongue reaching just the tip of hers, caressing her and then withdrawing. Cora pulled him back and forced him to kiss more intensely.
She pulled him even closer and moved her hips on his rhythm. Her hands moving from his hips to his back. They both reached their climax, Cora was laying half on top of Robert, her hand playing with his chest hair.
“This is the first night of the rest of our lives.” Robert whispered in her hair.
Cora raised her chin to give Robert a kiss. “We will grow old together in this house. We will see the children grow, that’s all I want.
+++
The morning of Robert’s birthday Cora got up early to make a proper English breakfast. His present was waiting on the kitchen table. She got back up to wake up Mary and Edith. She dressed them both in cute blue dresses. Mary’s hair in two tails, and for Edith she put a bow in her hair.
She gave them both an envelope. “Girls, go wake up your daddy. Edith was already wrinkling the paper, but Mary held it in front of her, as if she was holding something very special.
With Edith on her arm and Mary in front of her, she opened their bedroom door. Robert was still asleep, she nudged Mary towards the bed. “Wake daddy up darling.”
Mary climbed on top of Robert. ” Wake up” she said with her high pitched voice.
Robert opened his eyes and tickled her. “What do you have there?” He pointed at the envelope. Mary gave it to him.
Inside was a certificate from ‘world star register UK’ Cora named a star after him. He looked at her, standing there with Edith on her arm. And he couldn’t describe how much he loved her. He held out his arms. “Darling, this gift is so precious, thank you. I will never forget our stargazing experience, although you fell asleep that night.”
Cora sat Edith down on the bed and kissed Robert. “Happy birthday, my star.”
“What do you have here.” Robert pulled Edith close and took the envelope from her hands. Inside there were two paintings, one made by Mary, and the other one was from Edith’s hands. “I will hang these in my study. Thank you.” He kissed both Edith and Mary on their heads.
“I have breakfast waiting for you, do you want to take a shower first?”
“I will put on my robe and come downstairs, maybe we can shower together after?”
Cora giggled, “Not while the girls are awake.”
Upon entering the kitchen Robert saw the box on the table. “Another present?” He gave Cora a surprised look.
“Just open it.” Cora pushed the gift his way.
Inside the box was a beautiful platinum ‘Patek Philippe Ellipse’ watch.
“Now you can admire the exact configuration of the nocturnal sky in the northern hemisphere, with the apparent movement of the stars and the phases and orbit of the moon. You always wanted a ‘Patek Philippe’ and I thought this was the best moment to give you one.”
“You are a darling. I love it, really, I love it.” He placed the watch on his arm. The navy blue, alligator square scales band, and shining case, looked amazing on him.
He sat down for his breakfast Cora had put in front of him. “When is the family coming?”
“I asked them for dinner, so we could go out to the London Zoo.”
Robert took Cora’s hand. “I love having a quiet day with just the four of us. Why not just stay home and enjoy the peace and quiet. We could both use that after the hectic last months.”
Verhalen van Traan 