A/N- So here is my latest modern AU Fiction. It took me ages to settle on an idea. I finally chose this one after watching an episode of Frasier. (I have shamelessly stolen a couple of jokes form the show and added them in here. Sorry Paramount and Mr Grammer).

It's something slightly different, looking at the Anna and Bates dynamic from a different angle. It is set over the course of just under a year, each chapter a month. I am trying to make it slightly jovial as my last couple of pieces have been quite angsty. There will be angst here, but hopefully a few laughs aswell.

I hope you enjoy.

Disclaimer: Downton and all its wonderful characters do not belong to me.


John Bates's head was throbbing. An all too familiar feeling for a Sunday morning. As he slowly opened his eyes, he suddenly realised he was in a room he didn't recognise. He was in a bed, that much was for sure but his current hung-over state was rendering coherent thought a little difficult. The walls were a deep purple, there was a Justin Timberlake poster on the wall. John grimaced, he didn't have one of those up in his room, that much was for sure. Turning his attention directly to his right he saw a signed picture of Olly Murs in a frame, sitting upon the bedside table. It read,

'To Anna, never stop being a Troublemaker, love Olly Murs x.'

He turned his nose up at the terrible 'joke' before feeling a slight draft. Looking down his body, the covers pooled at his waist, he also noticed he was as naked as the day he was born. Blinking a few times, it was becoming increasingly apparent to him that he wasn't alone. Soft breaths were clearly audible, and they were definitely too effeminate to be his. Slowly turning his head to his left, wincing as he did so, the first thing he saw was flowing blonde hair, splayed out about the pillow the young lady was resting her own head upon. She must be called Anna, if her signed picture was anything to go by. Fragments of memories from the previous evening trickled into his conscious. He and Anna had got talking at the party after he had finished his set. He could remember getting into a taxi, then almost as soon as the driver had begun to drive, Anna was upon his lap, knees at his hips, his hands moving down her thighs before coming to rest on her bottom as they began to kiss.

It was hot.

Once back at Anna's, they continued what they had started, which must have lead to how he found himself now. Sitting up in bed, John rubbed his eyes as he waited for the room to stop spinning. It came as a relief that his clothes were easy for him to get hold of. Slipping on his boxers, he made putting on his trousers more difficult than it needed to be by nearly falling over. Anna remained asleep throughout his 'performance', still snoring gently as John picked up his shirt. The item absolutely stank of beer for a reason he couldn't fathom until he remembered an enthusiastic Cha Cha Slider had knocked him as he walked past with a freshly pulled pint. Slipping on his shoes then picking up his suit jacket, John gently tiptoed to the end of the bed.

Now suitably dressed to leave her house, John turned to look at Anna as she still slept soundly. She really wasn't bad to look at all, one of his better choices John thought to himself, maybe a little harshly. He might leave her his number. Looking behind him at Anna's dresser, noticing some paper and a pot filled with different coloured biros, he scribbled down his number.

'07700 900852, Ring me if you want. John.'

Suitably satisfied with his little note, he placed it on the table beside her before making his way out of the bedroom. As he reached the landing, John looked at all the film posters and posters of pop stars that adorned the walls. The framed picture of *NSync, complete with signatures in gold pen told him all he needed to know about her musical tastes. The Backstreet Boys poster on the opposite wall further backed up his suspicions, then the life-size cut out of Robbie Williams standing beside the top of the stairs cemented it. In between these music 'icons' she had film posters up of what seemed like every chick flick ever made. Pretty Woman, Notting Hill, Titanic. John considered her choices for a moment. Who was he to judge when he listed all the Herbie films in his top twenty?

It seemed she had been keeping eBay in business, the amount of signed merchandise on show. Maybe he wasn't giving her enough credit though, she might have got the autographs in person. She was either a compulsive shopper or a skilled stalker. As he reached the top step of the stairs, his eyes were met with a humungous framed film still of when Johnny lifts Baby in Dirty Dancing. Shaking his head, softly chuckling, John made his way downstairs and into the hallway that lead to the front door. His faith in humanity was almost restored when he noticed a Bon Jovi concert poster on the wall beside the front door.

The he stopped. What was he doing? Why was he scrutinising her film and music choices when there was a high possibility he would never see the woman asleep upstairs ever again, let alone set foot in her house once more. Opening the door without another glance around his surroundings, he stepped outside into the chilly spring air. The April showers were living up to their name, John deciding to use his jacket as rain cover.

Nowadays, this was how he usually spent his Sunday mornings. Leaving the bed of a woman he had met the night before. In his job as a singer, he would perform at parties, weddings, christenings. Anything that would earn him enough money to pay the rent. That rent, he owed to his best friend, Robert Crawley.

It hadn't always been this way.

Up until a couple of years previously, he been in a solid, happy marriage with his now ex wife, Vera. Having met Robert in their days in the army, John had decided he would go on one more deployment before leaving the army to pursue his hobby as a career, that of singing. He never wanted to be a pop star, just to be a wedding soloist or to perform at parties would be enough. A sergeant in the Yorkshire regiment alongside Robert, he would sing around the barracks and when on exercise, everyone telling him he should be in Take That rather than leading them into battle. Singing gave him a release, an opportunity to forget the troubles war had scarred him with.

However, on his last deployment to Afghanistan, a routine patrol ended in himself and Robert coming under heavy enemy fire. John was shot in the knee, saving Robert's life in the process. Once back home, his injury and the need to use a cane for a period of time repulsed Vera. John turned to drink to help himself through the pain of his memories, as well as that of his wife rejecting him. Robert saved him from slipping into a deep, drink dependant depression whilst Vera turned to the arms of another. As soon as John found out, he left his wife, and had been living with Robert and his wife, Cora, ever since.

As John struggled through the divorce, Robert encouraged him to follow through with his plans of being a singer, helping him set up his own business. If he had his way, John would do a set list filled with songs from the likes of U2, Nirvana and Oasis. Robert made him see that 'Smells Like Team Spirit' wasn't a popular choice for a couple's first dance at their wedding. Recording demo's featuring more suitable songs for the events he was trying to get business for, within a few weeks John's bookings were into double figures.

Now, two years down the line from his divorce, John's weekends were filled for the next six months with weddings, anniversaries and birthday parties.

The way his marriage has disintegrated left John with a fear to commit himself to another relationship. Although now in his mid forties, John seemed to still have what it took to attract the ladies. Cora, Robert's husband, would often tell John he was a great catch. He had the dark, brooding features women seemed to love. And he could sing, and she knew that went in his favour as well. Despite all this, John hadn't had a proper relationship since he had divorced Vera, instead engaging in a series of one night stands. Sometimes he would see the women again, but John would get out before the situation became too deep.

Often after he had finished his gigs, John would stop for a pint and more often than not some woman would approach him asking for a drink. At weddings, it was usually the one who was always the bridesmaid, never the bride. He wasn't proud of it, but what was the harm? He was single and always safe. John would rather engage in an evening of something meaningless than give up his heart, only for it to be broken once more. He couldn't go through the pain again. And as far as he was concerned, he never would.

Now on the street, John set about trying to figure out exactly where he was and how to get home. It was going to be a long morning.


Stirring slightly, Anna opened her eyes before instantly closing them again, the sunlight bathing her room seemingly too bright for her to comprehend right now. As she adjusted to her newly awakened state, in a moment of sheer panic she suddenly remembered what had happened last night. Sitting bolt upright, her heart was racing as she looked at the empty space beside her. For a moment she tried to believe she had imagined leaving the party with that man last night, but the creases on the sheet beside her betrayed those thoughts. Shaking her head, she moved around to place her feet on the floor. Turning to reach for her watch to assess the time, she noticed a piece of paper covered in bright blue writing in a style she didn't recognise. Moving her watch to her other hand, she took the paper in her hand, reading the words before her. John. That was his name. The singer. She suddenly felt shame spread throughout her that she hadn't even been able to remember the name of the man who shared her bed last night until she saw it written.

What would her mother think?

Immediately wanting to banish thoughts of her mother from her mind, especially at a moment like this, she dropped the paper on the dresser, put on her dressing gown before making her way to the bathroom. As her hand came into contact with the metal of the door handle, she heard the doorbell ringing. Looking down at her other hand, she realised she hadn't actually read the time yet. Bringing the time piece closer to her, she squinted as the clock face went from blurry to become clear enough to read. Half past one.

'Bollocks!' Anna exclaimed, turning on her heel and running down the stairs towards the front door. She knew exactly who would standing on the other side. And she wouldn't be happy. Opening the door, she was met with the familiar figure of her best friend. She had her hands on her hips and was tapping her foot impatiently. Her forehead was contorted into a frown, her eyes were boring into Anna.

'Mary, I...'

'Midday we said.' Mary interrupted, walking into the house beyond Anna and into the kitchen. 'You aren't even dressed yet and we've lost our booking at the restaurant now.'

'Sorry,' Anna sighed, shutting the front door and following the path Mary had just taken. 'I had a pretty eventful evening.'

Mary already had the kettle boiling, pulling two cups down from the cupboard. 'Oh yes, your colleagues party. Gwen is it? How did it go?'

'Okay, I think,' Anna was wincing as she took a seat at the kitchen table. 'Gwen seemed to have a good time.'

'And did you pull?' Mary's tone was lighter now as she turned to take in Anna, slumped over the table.

'God Mary,' Anna's voice was muffled as she remained face down on the table. 'I did something last night I promised myself I never would.'

'Oh Anna, don't tell me you sang Like A Virgin on the karaoke.' Mary whined, her voice tinged with disappointment. 'Just for our girly nights in, that's what I told you. It wouldn't be fair to inflict that on the world...'

'No, something worse than that.'

'Worse than your tuneless version of the Madonna classic?' Mary's interest was piqued as she sat beside Anna at the table. 'Spill.'

Sitting up, Anna was clearly annoyed her friend was taking pleasure in her discomfort.

'Come on Anna, we all know a problem shared is a problem... well... its gossip. But who can you share gossip with if not your best friend?'

Letting out another deep sigh, Anna rested her head in her hands as the admission fell from her lips. 'I spent the night with a man I only met last night. The singer, at the party.'

'Is that it?' Mary replied, clearly disappointed as she rose to her feet and made her way back towards the kettle.

'What do you mean is that it? I have never slept with a man I barely knew in my life.'

'Then, you haven't lived my darling. Everyone's had a one nighter, you aren't the first and you certainly won't be the last,' Mary explained as she added milk to the steaming hot water she had poured into the mugs before her. 'That's if it was a one nighter.'

'Well, he did leave me his number on the bedside cabinet.' Anna said, watching as Mary placed a mug down in front of her.

'Are you going to call?'

'I doubt it. It can't have been that special, I didn't even remember his name until I read it on his note. Isn't that terrible?'

'Oh, please. I've spent the night with some men and haven't even been able to recall where I met them, let alone their names.' Anna's look of disconcertion lead Mary on to quickly change the subject. 'So, he was the singer eh?'

'Yeah, John was his name. I don't know what came over me. All I know is I am never doing that again. I feel so guilty. Dirty...'

'Alright, alright, stop right there,' Mary raised a hand to stop her friend in her tracks. 'Was he prepared?'

'Erm...' Anna rubbed her brow as she tried to remember such an intricate detail. 'Yes, he had something.'

'And did you enjoy yourself?'

Anna sat back in her chair as the memory of John's hands all over her body made her suddenly feel warm. He certainly knew what he was doing, that much was for sure.

'I'd be lying if I said I didn't.'

'Well then, just chalk it off as a moment of madness. It was April Fools Day yesterday after all. No harm done. Just take it for what it is. You are a big girl, you both obviously got what you wanted from it, God knows you must have been gagging for it...'

'Thank you, Mary,' Anna took a sip of her tea before her friend continued with what she was saying.

'How long had it been? I remember the Christmas tree was still up...'

'Yes, okay, You made your point.' Anna met Mary's amused expression then, herself beginning to chuckle gently. 'Can we still go out for something to eat? I'm famished.'

Mary nodded. 'Maybe we could add in a little retail therapy, to ease your conscience of the guilt a one night stand brings.'

Anna stood up and walked over to Mary, wrapping her arms around her shoulders before giving her a peck on the cheek. 'You're the best. Give me twenty minutes.'

'Well, I've already given you an hour and a half, what harm will twenty more minutes do?'


-3 weeks later-

Walking back into the office, Anna was clutching her stomach as she sat down behind her desk. Gwen looked over at her concerned as Anna composed herself, shaking her mouse to get rid of her Boyzone screensaver, before her Justin Timberlake desktop wallpaper came back into view. Looking over her monitor, her eyes were met with the concerned gaze of Gwen.

'Are you alright now?'

Anna looked down at her keyboard. She had to get payroll submitted in the next hour or no one in her department would receive their wages. Her job was boring as hell, yet it paid incredibly well. She and Gwen worked for a large law firm. It was their job to ensure any correspondence was distributed to the right people and on time, and to converse with clients as well as other tedious tasks that made Anna often wonder if her life was worth living. There were some perks, on occasions one of the senior partners, Tom Branson would come back from his lunch break often sweaty and dishevelled after rather a strenuous session at the gym. And sometimes she would be required to visit the New York office, which more often than not would turn into a 5 day shopping spree.

'Yes, something I ate at lunch I think.'

'I would believe that, if you hadn't been sick every day for the past week.' Gwen stood up, carrying a pile of folders to a cabinet situated behind her desk. 'You should go to the doctors.'

'I know I should. I probably will, if I am sick again.'

In the next moment, Anna was rising to her feet and making her way to the bathroom.

'I'll call for you,' Gwen shouted after Anna. 'Doctor Clarkson isn't it?'


Tapping her foot nervously as the Doctor looked intently at his computer screen, Anna waited to hear his diagnosis. She had listed her symptoms in great detail. Nausea was the main reason for her distress, although at times she couldn't stop eating. She was tired all the time, yet she got more than eight hours sleep a night. Doctor Clarkson listened intently, tapping away at his computer. He was taking a while to say anything, Anna couldn't really be ill, could she?

'Okay Anna. You don't mind if I call you Anna do you?'

'Well it is my name...'

'May I ask, are your nipples tender?'

Laughing out loud, Anna relied on her usual mechanism when feeling nervous, humour. 'Why, Doctor Clarkson, shouldn't we share a date first before you ask such a question?' As the doctors face remained deadpan, Anna realised she should give him a serious answer. 'I guess.'

'And, when was your last cycle?'

'Well, I haven't been out on my bike for a while, I don't seem to get on with the lycra...'

'Your last period, I mean.' Doctor Clarkson interrupted, causing Anna to jump a little. 'When was your last time of the month?'

Anna considered for a moment. She was a week late, but hadn't worried about it too much.

'Five weeks ago.' Anna replied with a shrug. 'They can be late sometimes though, can't they?'

'Yes Anna, especially when a woman is pregnant.'

'Pregnant?' Anna exclaimed, her heart beating as thought it might beat out of her chest. 'But I haven't had...'

Suddenly Anna thought of the night she had shared with that singer. John if she recalled correctly.

'Have you had relations in the past month?' Doctor Clarkson asked as he stood up and walked to a stack of cabinets behind his desk.

'Well, yes but I'm not proud of it. I was lonely, he was charming and things got out of control. We got into the taxi, I don't know what came over me. He had enormous...'

'Please, spare me the details Miss Smith.' Doctor Clarkson removed a white box from one of the cabinets and walked back to his desk before sitting down. 'All I need to know is has it been within the last month.'

'Well yes, it was April Fools Day.'

'I bet it was,' Doctor Clarkson replied, raising his eyebrows.

'But he used protection...'

'Sometimes protection lets you down.' He smiled as Anna took the box in her hands. 'Go to the bathroom and take this test. It might be negative, but we should check, just to make sure.'


'Pregnant?' Mary was pacing the living room as Anna sat on the sofa, watching as her friend took in the news that had just been revealed to her. 'It must be that John's. You haven't slept with anyone else since the French Revolution, have you?'

'Yes, thank you Mary,' Anna snapped. 'What am I going to do?'

'I suppose the most important question is, are you going to keep it?'

Mary moved to sit beside her friend now as Anna thought about her question. She had just had her thirty second birthday, a woman's body clock was different to that of a mans. And she always came over broody when Gwen's sister would bring her baby into the office. She lived in her big old house on her own, maybe something like this was what she needed. Something to live for finally.

'Yes, I think so,' Anna replied, her voice barely a whisper. 'I have always liked the idea of becoming a mother.'

'But the reality is so much different. Your body will change. Stretch marks, everything moving south. And that's even before the sleepless nights and nappy changes. It won't be pretty.'

'Well, it's lucky I have such a supportive friend to help me through it then, isn't it?' Anna smiled, tapping Mary on the hand. 'Getting rid of it is out of the question. I am a big girl, I can do this.'

'What about the father?'

'What?'

'You need to tell him. You have his number don't you?'

'Do I though?' Anna asked, closing her eyes and pinching the bridge of her nose. 'He obviously has no interest in me.'

'Anna, it's his right to know. If he wants nothing to do with it then he's an arsehole but as you say, I'll be here. And your parents.'

'Oh God, I forgot about them.'

'Well, you need to call this John first.'

'I know,' Anna sighed, staring at the ceiling. 'I know.' She turned to see Mary's expectant face.

'Well, no time like the present is there?'

'I'm not calling him now,' Anna dismissed her friends advice. 'Besides, he's probably out somewhere singing the greatest hits of Rick Astley.'

'Just try, and if he answers invite him over tonight. I can meet him then.'

Anna stood up and made her way to her bedroom. Walking to her dresser, she moved a few perfume bottles around before finding what she was looking for. Why she hadn't thrown the number away, she didn't know. Anna would never have called if it wasn't for the circumstance she found herself in now. Sitting on the edge of the bed, mobile phone clutched in one hand, his number the other, she couldn't recall the last time she had felt so nervous. The man she was calling could have been a perfect stranger, she wasn't even sure what he looked like. Only that he had dark hair. And that the sleeve of his shirt was wet. And he kissed her like no other man ever had in her life. Beginning to type in his number, her finger hovered over the call button. Inhaling deeply, she pressed it. It rang for a couple of moments before he answered.

'John Bates.' Anna was struck dumb, she had no idea how to continue the conversation. What she had to say would turn this unassuming man's world upside down. She struggled to comprehend how she would convey her message in words. 'Hello? Who is this?'

'Erm... sorry.' Anna squeezed her eyes shut. 'It's Anna. Anna Smith.'

'Anna Smith? I don't know an Anna...' He stopped dead, Anna could tell he was slowly remembering who she was. 'Did I meet you at a party?'

'Yes, you did.'

'I left you my number, in the bright blue pen.'

'Yes.'

'Anna, you know I didn't...'

'Look, don't worry. I'm not ringing to confess my undying love.' Anna interrupted, her voice slightly more harsh than she would have wished. 'I need to see you.'

'Oh God, I won't have to be tested a multitude of infections will I?'

'No, of course not,' Anna shouted, thoroughly insulted. 'How dare you.'

'I'm sorry, that was a stupid thing to say. I'm not an arsehole, honestly.'

'Hmmm...' Anna wasn't so sure but decided to carry on regardless. 'Are you able to come round to my house this evening?'

'Can you not just tell me over the phone? The football is on...'

'Blimey, men and their bloody football.'

'Women and their need to want everything right now.' John replied without missing a beat.

Anna allowed herself to smile, they were arguing like a proper couple and they had only spent a matter of a few hazy hours together previously. 'Please. It's important.'

She heard John sigh deeply but could sense he was relenting. 'Oh alright. I can be with you in twenty minutes.'

'Thank you, John. I really appreciate it.'

John hung up then, Anna storing his number in her phone. She believed she was going to need it in the future.


Pulling up in his car outside Anna's house, John switched off the ignition to his black Range Rover. He didn't need a car so big, but it was all he was left with after the divorce so he was damned if he was going to downsize. Jumping out of the car, he took in the house that stood before him. Anna must do well for herself to be able to afford such a nice house. He remembered all the memorabilia that decorated her walls and laughed to himself. Then it dawned on him that he should probably be more concerned with what had caused him to be here tonight. Maybe he had left something behind. Treading the path, he rang the doorbell. Anna appeared within what seemed like seconds, seemingly nervous as she struggled to spread her lips into a smile.

'Hello John.'

'Anna.'

Anna was surprised to find him wearing glasses. Why, she didn't know. It was a perfectly normal item of clothing for a man to wear. They seemed to make him more distinguished than she could remember. Would their baby need glasses? Would her child be bullied? Kids could be ruthless. Inwardly curing herself, she tried to banish those thoughts from her mind. She was really getting ahead of herself.

'Everything alright?' He asked with a smirk, raising his eyebrows slightly.

'Yes, of course. It's just you are taller than I remember.'

'Oh, well I guess last time we were together, well, for the majority I was lying down.'

'Yes, that must be it.' Anna agreed with a nod, seemingly ignoring the joviality in his tone and taking what he was saying seriously. 'Come through.'

Stepping aside to allow John inside, he stood by the foot of the stairs, taking in the Bon Jovi poster once more.

'He's good, isn't he?' John remarked, pointing at the rock star.

'Jon Bon? He's not bad. Shall we go through to the kitchen?'

Anna lead the way, John following behind taking off his jacket as he walked. Once in the kitchen, he rested his jacket on the back of one of the dining chairs. Anna intended to introduce John to Mary before, upon seeing him, Mary dropped the teaspoon she was holding.

'Bloody hell.' Mary muttered under her breath.

'Mary, what are you doing here?'

'Oh, so you two know each other?' Anna asked, suddenly finding herself very confused, her eyes on Mary as she leant down to pick up the spoon she had dropped in her shock.

'I'll say, I live with her parents.' John replied, his face shining. 'How are you, pipsqueak?' He looked at Anna, holding his hand about a metre from the floor. 'I've known her since she was this big. I am Godfather to her little sisters, Edith and Mary.'

'Why didn't you tell me you knew him?' Anna hissed at Mary.

'I didn't know you meant this John. There are a lot of John's in the world, Anna,' Mary replied flustered, turning her attentions back to making the tea.

'Didn't you guess when I said he was a singer?'

'There are a lot of John's who are singers, Anna.' Mary's voice was panicked as she reached for the canister that held the sugar. 'John Lennon. John Denver...'

'But neither of them would hardly be gigging as Yorkshire's Premier Wedding and Party singer, would they?'

'And why not?' Mary argued back.

'Well for one, they're both dead!' Anna exclaimed before looking back at John who was finding everything entirely amusing.

'Besides, I never thought for a million years it would be this John. He's old for a start...'

'Hey!' John took offence to Mary's words before putting his hands in his pockets. . 'Do you mind if we skip the pleasantries and get onto the reason why I am actually here.'

'Yes, I think that would be best,' Mary agreed, carrying two mugs to the table and setting them down. John sat at one end of the table, Anna the other. Mary placed herself in the middle. 'Anna, you start.'

'You're staying?' Anna asked, looking at her friend.

'Of course,' Mary answered, placing a hand on top of Anna's. 'I am your support, your guidance.'

'You're nosey more like...'

'Okay, what's going on here?' John opened his hands. He flailed a lot, Anna had noticed. It was annoying. Would her child share that trait? 'What have I done?'

'Quite a lot, actually.' Mary said slyly before taking a sip of her tea.

'I'm scared now,' John admitted, shifting uncomfortably in his seat.

'Look, there is no easy way to say this.' Anna began, looking from John to Mary who was watching the two of them like this was the afternoon matinee at the Odeon. Anna rolled her eyes before averting her gaze to John. He looked terrified. Anna needed to alleviate his fears. 'I need you to know, although I am still a little shocked, I am perfectly happy with what has happened.'

'For heaven's sake,' John breathed, placing his elbows on the table, clasping his hands together and leaning forwards. 'What is it with woman and their cryptic messages. Just tell me.'

'Very well. I'm pregnant,' Anna said, her eyes locked on his as her words lingered in the air. 'And it's yours.'

Silence.

Both Mary and Anna were staring intently at John as he stared blankly back at Anna, as if he was looking straight through her. Still more silence. Anna could take no more.

'Please say something,' Anna said, breaking the stillness in the room.

'But I wore...' John scrunched up his nose before continuing, '...a thingy.'

'Sometimes thingies fail, the doctor told me,' Anna informed him before taking a sip of her tea. 'And yours failed. It must have split.'

'But they never have before...'

'Shall we call Durex and ask them for your money back?' Anna snapped impatiently. 'Have you read the box? They advise they are only effective ninety nine out of a hundred times.'

'Well given John's history with women recently, he was under pressure to beat those odds.'

'Mary, you aren't helping.' Anna turned her frustrations onto her friend.

'How are you so sure it's mine?' John asked.

'Honestly, John,' Mary began, resting a hand upon his wrist. 'It's yours. Anna hadn't been with anyone else since before Christmas.'

'So that would be why she jumped me in the taxi...'

'Yes, thank you,' Anna interrupted. She looked at John once more. 'I know this a lot to take in. God knows, I've known since this afternoon and still don't believe it. I just want you to know I am absolutely fine with this, John. I don't want anything from you. I am willing to do this on my own. I have wonderful parents,' Anna's tone turned slightly sceptical as she looked at Mary. 'And wonderful friends, I possess the money and means to raise the baby on my own. I just wanted you to know that you were going to be a father.'

'After I had convinced you to tell him.' Mary chipped in and in turn received a glare from Anna.

'You weren't going to tell me?' John murmured.

'Only because neither of us had any intention to see each other again. But Mary made me see sense. It's only fair. If you walk out of here tonight and want nothing to do with the baby, then I'll accept that. It's fine.'

John cleared his throat as he sat back in his chair again. 'Look, Anna. I believe the baby is mine, I won't be asking for an DNA tests or to go on Jeremy Kyle.'

'Thank God, that man is a cretin,' Mary commented before bringing her cup to her lips.

'Mary, be quiet for once in your life,' Anna squealed.

'She has a point, Mary,' John agreed, eliciting a chuckle from Anna and a moan from Mary. 'I just need time to get my head around this.'

'I completely understand.'

'Give me a few days, maybe we could meet up and I'll let you know what I decide?'

'I think that's fair,' Anna smiled, standing up as John did the same. 'I'll text you my number later on.'

'Alright, I best be getting on.' John reciprocated Anna's smile, took hold of his jacket before looking down at Mary. 'See you around, Mary.'

'Not if I see you first,' Mary replied, not even affording him a glance.

Walking out into the hallway, John turned to Anna once he reached the door. They stared at each other for a moment, neither sure what to say.

'You know I...'

'John, it's..'

Both laughed as they both tried to break the silence at the same time. Anna gestured for John to speak first.

'Are you sure you are okay? This obviously wasn't in your plans and I can't help but feel bad...'

'John, please. I am fine with this. It's not ideal, but I have always wanted a baby. In my imaginings I'd have been in love with the father, possibly married to him but it is welcome all the same. I am happy.'

'Good,' John's sigh of relief was audible.

John leant in then, taking Anna by surprise as he placed a soft kiss on her cheek. When he pulled away, Anna was taken aback by how beautiful his eyes were, how they crinkled at the edges when he smiled. He really was a very handsome man. He opened the door then, turning away from Anna until he was standing on the doorstep. He looked back over his shoulder, nodding his head slightly.

'Goodnight Anna. I'll be in touch, I promise.'

'Thank you. Good night John.'

She watched as he made his way down the path, unlocking his Range Rover as he went. As he got into the car, Anna considered how much she had changed the life of the man now sitting behind the wheel. He had been told, at his time of life, that he was to be a father. How must that make him feel? John took the news surprisingly well after he had got over the initial shock. His manner had left Anna feeling like he might want some involvement with the baby. The thought of that didn't worry her at all. John seemed like he had his head screwed on.

Shutting the door, Anna placed a hand on her stomach. She could hardly believe a new life was growing inside of her. It made her feel incredibly excited. And blessed. She suddenly felt very tired, and realised she should get used to that feeling, for the next eighteen years of her life if she thought that far ahead. Not that she believed for a moment she would get a wink of sleep, it was time to turf Mary out and head up to bed.

It had been a crazy day.


Nothing makes my day quite like a review. If you have the time, please let me know your thoughts. Thank you :-)