A/N: I decided to make a story about the amazing garter quote. I try to make this a companion story to season 3.

This is my first foray into writing fan-fiction. I'm studying to be an engineer, so it's probably not the most "creative" or "descriptive" story, but I don't think there's too many grammatical errors. (Engineers do math good, not English). And last but not least, Free Bates!

Anna stayed in bed refusing to open her eyes, knowing she would have to wake up shortly. She had been in France for about a week and was finally getting use to the routine it brought. Lady Mary and Mr. Crawley seemed to enjoy their time alone which provided Anna with more free time than she was used to having. In addition, Lady Mary enjoyed sleeping in while on holiday, so Anna had the opportunity to sleep an hour later than normal. Anna felt like she was catching up on a year's worth of sleep.

As Anna began to stir, she realized the date. "I was married a year ago today," she said quietly to herself. And of course, her husband had been in jail for 363 of those days. Anna had not slept very well during the majority of those nights. Every time she closed her eyes, she saw him being arrested, being in jail and as the trial drew closer, she even imagined him hanging. Mr. Bates haunted her dreams. Not every night was bad, some nights she reimagined their past or pictured their future together. Those nights were usually the ones where Anna got more than a couple hours of sleep. But in the last month or so, Anna's body finally gave into the exhaustion and allowed her to sleep for full nights. The problem she had more recently was getting out of bed. When she slept, she at least had the chance of being with him. But awake, she realized he was gone.

Anna finally sat up and began to prepare for the day. She began absent-mindedly playing with her wedding band. She remembered how she did not wear the ring the night they were together in case someone saw it. The family now even seemed to forget that she was truly married to Mr. Bates, more than just carrying his name. Of course, Lady Mary knew, but maybe the rest of the family never heard about their one night together. That was actually one of the first thing Mrs. Hughes asked when Anna finally told her she was married. Mrs. Hughes was concerned about pregnancy and Anna being alone, but after a month, that problem was disregarded, but Mrs. Hughes' worry for Anna did not wane. Since Mr. Bates and Anna were legally bounded, there was no need in the last year for people to consider their physical relationship.

Anna chuckled as she remembered the conversation that Lady Grantham had with Mary before her wedding. Yes, two people together in love can have the most terrific fun. Anna appreciated that moment to laugh with some married women about their experiences, even if she had to remind them she was also married and understood what they meant. Lady Sybil seemed to be enjoying her mother's attempt at advice. But of course, Lady Edith didn't seem as enthused, the lone bachelorette in the room. It was so funny with everything that was going on in her life that Anna could still feel sorry for Lady Edith.

Everything Anna thought about came back to Mr. Bates. She recalled the time before either of them had admitted their love. He helped her make the bed, and how even he seemed to pity Lady Edith. It was so funny how long they tiptoed around the subject of love. But Mr. Bates always had his reasons.

Even in her own head, she would still think of him as Mr. Bates, but she was slowly working on calling him John. After 7 years of their relationship constrained to the formal address, he was Mr. Bates to her. But as she was now Mrs. Bates, she worked to think of him by his Christian name. Of course, she still referred to him as Mr. Bates around others, but she addressed all letters to him as John. One of the few times she called him John to his face was on their wedding night, in the throes of passion. There was something so intimate about reserving his name for special encounters. Even when they were laying arm in arm, Anna still referred to him as Mr. Bates. Anna smiled thinking about that night. One day, she will be able to call him John every day in their own cottage, and every night too if she wanted. Little hopes about the future gave Anna the strength to go through each day without him. But today seemed to bring the weight of the situation down on her like a pile of bricks. Has it really been a year? In some ways, it seemed many life-times ago, but she could still remember everything. Anna then realized she was stewing in thought for too long and had to hurry up to get Lady Mary's and Mr. Crawley's breakfast.

With the rustle and bustle of her mornings, Anna sometimes forgot she was in France. Her extra downtime in the afternoon allowed for opportunities to visit nearby towns and beaches and everything else the south of France had to offer. Anna was still trying to think of some way to bring France to John. She of course was writing details of all of the sights and experiences down to share with him. He was very adamant that she would visit France. He wanted her to enjoy the world for the both of them, and she took the request seriously. John was stuck in the same cell and same routine day after day. Anna had to be the light for him, the link to what was outside those walls.

After going down to get the breakfast tray, Anna walked to their bedroom and paused outside. She did not hear any sounds so she knocked on the door. She knew they enjoyed their privacy so gave them a little extra time to make themselves decent, if necessary.

After the appropriately length, Anna finally opened the door.

"Good morning, Anna." Mary greeted her.

"Morning, milady." Anna set down the tray.

"Any plans for today?" Mary asked.

"Oh, probably more of seeing the sights." Anna really had no plan, but she needed some time out of the house. She had walked around town the other day, but hoped to explore it a little more. She hoped she would find something to distract her. Distract her from what? Him? Because she would never stop thinking about him. But maybe she could surround herself with new experiences and force herself to be happy. This was never how Anna pictured spending her first anniversary: feigning happiness, alone, on someone else's honeymoon, her husband in jail.

Anna continued, trying to sound cheery. "I saw a little crêpe place nearby, I may try there. I would offer to bring you some back, but I'm afraid I may be out a while."

"No worries. We may meander around town a little later as well. It may be a little while but I'll ring when I'm ready to get dressed but I should not need you after that until dinner. Enjoy the town"

And with that, Anna left. She heard giggling from both Lady Mary and Mr. Crawley as she closed the door. A pang of jealousy surged through Anna. She had been trying to not let it bother her, but it was her anniversary. There they were enjoying each other when she could not even touch her husband. How could she not think of Mr. Bates and how they should be celebrating it together? Anna knew it wasn't Lady Mary's fault, but she wished they weren't always so happy. But alas, that's the whole purpose of a honeymoon, being blissfully happy with the one you love. Someday, Anna and John would have more than just one night. They will go on a little honeymoon once he is freed.

Anna walked back to her room with the thoughts of her future honeymoon on her mind. While it put a small smile on her face, she knelt down. Anna opened her suitcase and found what she was looking for. Anna did not mention to Lady Mary what her main plan was for the day. Anna had brought all the letters John had sent her so far. Anna swore there was a least 100 letters as she took them out. She planned on rereading each and every one. She needed some way to be near him today. Anna hoped she would still be up for town later in the afternoon. Some of John's letters brought her immense happiness, as he confessed his love and doted on her, but other times, they just reminded her of what they were missing. He never tried to show it, but she could sometimes read the pain he was in. Anna would even read those letters because they were a part of him. She sat down on her bed and took out the first letter.

A/N: I like the idea that Anna counted the days of his imprisonment, so I think my math is right (and I like math :) ) at 363 days Bates and Anna got married on a Friday, Lavinia's funeral was on a Monday, 1920 was a leap year. I couldn't find a date of Mary/Matthew wedding or Anna/Bates wedding, but they both happened in spring, so I thought the one year would work.