#moonlessmonday

It had not been difficult for things to fall into place after that. Of course, it is very ignorant to say that everything is easy, or had been easy, because that wouldn’t been true. Nothing this good could ever be easy, but everything else just sort of fit into their rightful places. Cora has never been happier since she’d moved here, and Robert seems so far from what he’d used to be before they got together – grumpy, annoyed, and sullen. He’s still very strict in class, but he’s no longer surly.

The students have taken notice of it too, and Cora tries very hard not to gloat or burst with happiness when her classmates speak about how much lighter Robert’s demeanour has been lately. She tries not to toot her own horn, but she knows she’s partially responsible. She knows this because she feels the same amount of elation and happiness that he feels.

Mary, too, has been such a perfect fit in her own life. She’d been doubtful, at first, where she would fall in the strong and healthy father-daughter dynamic, but everything seems to just fit. Mary has taken to her, and she truly does enjoy the toddler’s company. Mary is very insightful for her age. And although, they haven’t spoken to her about the true nature of their relationship, out of fear she might tell someone they cannot trust, Mary seems to know and regard Cora as someone special – in both their lives, and Cora can’t help but be grateful that she has the pleasure to be in both their lives.

It’s been hard to keep things tightly under wraps. Cora is conscious of being caught and getting Robert in trouble, and Robert is on the same boat. There’s so much more at stake than just his position in the school – there is Mary to think about, and neither Cora nor Robert is ready or willing to sacrifice her for anything. It’d be nice to walk together hand in hand when the air gets too bitingly cold, or kiss when the ghost of their last kiss begins to fade from their lips, or scream into the world that they’re together, that they are in love, but it is never worth risking Mary for just that.