A/N: My first ever fanfic. It's a drabble (I think that's what you call it) and it's set after Bates is released- just after his first Christmas with Anna. I'm a little bit nervous about posting this- I've been reading other fics for a while now and I often find myself gazing at the screen in awe at the many incredible writers there are on here. I've uploaded my work (not fanfics) to other websites before but hey, still a nervous:/ It's a lame title but I really couldn't think of anything else. I will update this as ideas pop into my head, but they probably won't be regular updates. I would really appreciate reviews and now I've realised this is a very long author's note so I'll just take a deep breath and...here goes
Small Moments
He was nervous. Everyone else was brimming with excitement and he didn't want to let her down. The annual servant's ball was only two days away and although he had spent Christmas blissfully tucked away with Anna in their cottage, he couldn't hide his apprehension.
"It'll be fine, don't worry! Your knee's been much better recently." She was trying to convince him, but John Bates certainly wasn't convinced, and he had a feeling he wouldn't be any time soon. They were currently making their way home from a busy days work at Downton, the house was a hive of activity with the preparations for the ball fully underway. It was snowing, just lightly, but enough to make Anna shiver. He pulled her closer and she shot him a cheeky look.
"What?" he said in mock protest. She was still grinning from ear to ear when his cold hands fumbled with the key. They scuttled inside and collapsed onto the sofa; it still needed replacing. John hung his coat up, locked the door and before joining his wife, he lit the fire. He sunk down on the sofa and Anna rested her head on his chest, hearing his steady heartbeat. This most simple of things soothed her somewhat, and her eyes lidded with tiredness. He gently kissed her forehead and fiddled with her hair. They were silent for a few moments, before Anna decided to remove the pins from her hair and plait it with practised ease. John watched her for a while and a natural smile spread across his features. Even after being out of prison for months now, she still managed to take his breath away. He doubted she would ever fail to take his breath away in fact. An idea was slowly forming in his mind and before Anna could get comfy again, he slowly stood up and offered her his hand. She looked adorably confused, which only made him grin broader.
"Seeing as you're so keen to steal a dance with me this year, I thought we could so with some practise." He winked as she stood, and then bent his head to kiss her hand. One of his hands found her waist and the digits of his other intertwined with hers. They began to move slowly, ever so slowly to the imaginary music and Anna giggled at the absurdity of it all. As they made their way around the room, they subconsciously drifted closer together until their cheeks were resting snugly together and their breaths were colliding and mingling, warming each other's faces and necks. He moved his nose to her hair and inhaled her scent, and unable to resist any longer, he placed a loving kiss on her cheek. He could feel her grin widening as her carried on kissing her, and she eventually lifted her head so their eyes met. He gazed adoringly, captivated by the depths of blue in her irises. Her gaze was equally loving; their faces moved together instinctively, finally finding each other and meeting in a soft, sweet kiss.
For the first time ever, John Bates found himself looking forward to dancing.
