You truly look amazing.” Robert said offering Cora his arm, while walking towards the entrance.
“I can only say the same thing about you.” Cora gave him a radiant smile. “Thank you.”
They were guided to their seats. Cora leaned into Robert. “Are you nervous?”
“A little bit yes, what if I win, I need to speech.”
Cora smiled at him and touched his arm. “You will do fine, I bet Edith helped you with a speech?”
“She did indeed. Thank you for being here tonight.” Robert smiled back at Cora.
“Of course I am here. Sttt. it is starting.”
+++
“Can you see mum and dad?” Sybil asked her sisters.
“Yes, yes, they are there, awww look at hem.” Edith exclaimed.
“Mama, looks so happy.” Sybil said.
“They both look happy.” Mary said.
+++
“And the winner is……………. Robert Crawley.”
A loud applause rose and filled the room. Robert walked towards the stage and started his speech.
He ended with: “I have to thank my wife Cora, she made it possible for me to let the business grow and flourish the way it does these days. My girls are a huge inspiration to work harder every day.” He walked offstage and joined Cora again.
She smiled with a sheepish smile at him.
When the ceremony was done, all the tables and chairs were put aside, a band started playing and there was room for dancing. Robert put out his hand as an invitation for Cora to dance with him. Of course she accepted. She loved dancing with him, their body’s fitted perfectly.
“Do you regret divorcing me?” Cora asked softly.
Robert looked at her with raised eyebrows. “Where does that question come from?”
Cora chuckled. “You called me your wife in your speech.”
Robert’s cheeks coloured. “Did I? I think out of habit. I am sorry.”
“Don’t be, it’s alright.” Cora laid her head on his shoulder. She was getting drunk she noticed, every time when her glass was empty it was filled with wonderful champagne again. It was good they were on the dance floor, she couldn’t get a new drink here.
After a while Robert guided her back to their seats. “I can’t thank you enough, for being here.” He said.
Cora kissed his cheek. “Thank you for inviting me.”
Robert noticed she was talking with a double tongue. “We should go home.” He said.
“Are you sure? We could dance some more?” Cora got up and pulled Robert with her to the dance floor.
The party kept going until late in the evening and all the time Cora was in Robert’s arms.
+++
“Careful.” Robert said when Cora almost tumbled out of the car. He rushed around the car to help her to the door. He watched her walk further in. She turned around. “I need help getting of this dress, do you want to help?”
Robert stepped inside. “Of course, hop, upstairs with you.”
Giggling, Cora walked up. Robert had to catch her twice, because she stumbled. He had to laugh internally, Cora never was good with alcohol, but she was so funny drunk. He pulled the zipper of her dress down and turned around to give her some privacy.
“You can look now.” Cora said.
Robert turned around and was shocked. There she was standing in front of him, without any clothes on. He felt his body react on the sight. He had always loved her shape. She was slender, but had the perfect rounding’s. Her small breast were still firm. Her belly had a slight bulge from carrying their children. Her hips were irresistible.
“You like what you see?”
“Oh Cora, you know I do. Please put on some clothes.” He lowered his eyes.
Cora stepped towards Robert, her hand caressing his cheek, lowering to his neck and chest. “I miss your touch.” She said, softly kissing his neck.
Robert’s hands moved automatically towards her hips. He felt her warm skin, so incredibly soft. Her hot breath on his skin, aroused him. He knew he should be the wiser person now, Cora was drunk and didn’t know what she was doing. He should stop this.
Cora’s hands worked on the buttons of his shirt, she managed to reach his skin and her fingers played with his chest hair. She moved her kisses back up, kissing his jawline, moving to his cheek bones, his nose and finally she touched his lips.
She slightly parted her lips and touched him with the tip of her tongue. Robert’s whole body tingled. His hands were still resting on her hips, but started to move up over her back. Cora pressed her body against Robert’s. While holding him close, she stepped backwards toward the bed. She tried to pull him down.
Slowly he moved with her until, she was lying on her back. She stretched her neck to kiss him again. Softly he pushed her head down. His hands on her shoulders. He saw her close her eyes and before she realised it herself, she was asleep. Robert pulled up the duvet and tugged her in. He sat down and looked at her. Her face was like that of an angel. It amazed him how she didn’t age. She still had that youthful look. Some wrinkles around her eyes and mouth, but those were from her smiling all the time. It was a rare occasion when he had seen her mad. Well no, he should not lie to himself. He had seen her mad face, her ice blue eyes could kill and she tried to kill him several times with them. It was a strange sensation, but in a way he missed fighting with her. Especially in the beginning, their fighting always ended up, upstairs. He chuckled and got up from the bed. He felt Cora’s hand grab his.
“Don’t go,” she murmured.
He contemplated for a second, the smartest choice was going home, but decided to get in on the other side. He undressed himself to his underwear. They would see what would happen in the morning.
When Cora felt him get in the bed, she turned towards him and put her hand on his arm.
Verhalen van Traan 