A/N: This is my first DA story and my first fanfiction story in a long time. Please read and review!
Disclaimer: I don't own DA. If I did, Anna and Mr Bates's biggest problem would be what to name their baby.
For the first time in perhaps her life, Anna Smith woke before anyone had a chance to wake her. She smiled to herself and nestled down under her covers. As the minutes sped by, she luxuriated in the sunshine peeking through the window and the delicious feeling of waking up natural.
Soon enough Daisy came down the hallway and woke everyone else. Gwen looked at Anna in astonishment. Gwen was always nearly dressed by the time that Anna was finally pulling herself out of bed. She said Anna's name, once, twice, but Anna seemed to be in a different world.
Anna seemed to float down to the servants' hall. She had nothing by smiles, even for the very puzzled Thomas and Miss O'Brien. She took her place next to Mr. Bates and it seemed as if her entire body was humming. She looked around the table and wondered how everyone could eat their porridge so quietly. Couldn't they hear the thrum? She looked at Mr. Bates and couldn't believe that even he seemed oblivious to her.
Never in her life had a day flown by so fast. It was breakfast and then it seemed like she was helping Lady Mary out of her evening frock and into her nightgown in mere minutes. Anna decided to read from the book of poetry that Lady Sibyl had given to her. She liked being in the servants' hall when it was quiet, just the crackle of fire to break the silence.
Before she could finish Keats's "Ode to a Nightingale," she heard the tell-tale tap of Mr. Bates's cane on the step. He sat next her and started to read the day's paper. As the minutes ticked by, Anna tried to will herself to say something, to move, anything. She was sure that if she let out her breath too quickly or he accidently brushed his hand against her, she would burst into flames.
Very slowly, she closed her book, stood up, and said good night. She slowly walked out of the hall, but sped up as she got further away from the hall, nearly sprinting into her room. She quickly tossed her maid's dress off and wiggled into her night gown. After climbing under the covers, she tried to fall asleep, but her mind wouldn't let her. All she could think was 'He nearly kissed me. He nearly kissed me.'