A/N This is my first entry in the "Picture is Worth 1,000 Words Challenge" on Tumblr. Thanks Terriejane. Not my best writing but here it is. It probably doesn't fit with canon too well, but who cares.
As always, I don't own...
John felt like a fool. It had seemed like a good idea when he was out walking Isis, but now it just seemed silly. What was he thinking? How did he imagine he would ever get the small bouquet of violets past any of the other staff members? And even if he did, how would he get them to Anna without crushing them beyond worth?
And yet, as he walked the grounds with the dog for the third time this week, the Earl being under the weather, he saw the small purple blooms and couldn't help but imagine how Anna's face would light up as he gave them to her. She appreciated even the smallest gesture he sent her way. He knew this, even though he didn't understand it. It seemed to be worth any amount of risk of teasing by Thomas or any of the others.
Truth be told, he would get her the moon if she asked for it. His Anna was worth any risk, any sacrifice he could make for her. His Anna. As of the last few days, she truly was his Anna. They were engaged. John could hardly wrap his mind around the glory of it. What was a little ridicule compared to the fact that he had a right to such gestures toward her, now that everyone knew they were engaged?
The other night in the servants' hall, Anna had confided with tears in her eyes that she never in her whole life had expected to be this happy. If only she knew how he had struggled to hold back his own tears in that moment.
With that thought in his mind, John turned his efforts from how to hide the flowers from the staff, to how to hide them from Anna. He desperately wanted to give them to her tonight in their courtyard. As he went through the servants' entrance with the dog, John decided to confide in one person and one person only. He left Isis with Mrs. Patmore, who enjoyed dropping the dog a scrap or two from time to time, and made his way quickly down the hall to Mrs. Hughes' sitting room. He knocked softly and waited as close to the door as he possibly could, using his body to block anyone's potential view of the flowers.
As he heard her utter "come in" he steeled his courage for what he was about to ask. He opened the door and stepped inside.
"Ah, Mr. Bates, how can I help?"
John could feel his face and neck beginning to get warm. But, he reminded himself, this was for Anna. His fiance.
"I was wondering if you might have a little vase I could borrow for these?" He held the violets out sheepishly before him.
"Oh Mr. Bates, they're lovely" she sighed and John only felt slightly idiotic as the older woman placed her hand over her heart. She rose saying, "I think this might be just perfect."
She reached up on her shelf and handed him a small glass vase, simple but beautiful, "How thoughtful of you," she continued kindly, "Anna will love them."
He couldn't bring himself to make eye contact as he said, "Thank you, Mrs. Hughes."
"You're very welcome, Mr. Bates."
He left the room as quickly as he deemed polite and made his way into the empty bootroom. He put a bit of water into the vase and then placed the flowers in. He stored his little gift in one of the cupboards. It wasn't a foolproof plan, but it would have to do.
Later that evening, John was sitting at the table with a cup of tea and a book of poetry. With the Earl being ill, he didn't have much to do this evening so he sat waiting contentedly for Anna to return. A thought struck him and he the opportunity to make his way into the bootroom to retrieve the flowers.
He took them outside and set them behind one of the crates. Leaning against it himself, he let his mind drift to Anna's smile and the light he would see in her eyes as he gave her the flowers. Then he imagined how it had felt to hold her in his arms the other night. How it had felt to finally kiss her lips. He had to admit that the shiver that ran through him as he anticipated holding and kissing her again had little, in anything, to do with the chilly air in the courtyard.
Just then, he heard her quiet, but obviously joyous inquiry, "Mr. Bates?" and his heart leaped in his chest.
It was mere seconds before she was pressing herself into his embrace and snuggling under his chin.
"I thought I told you to call me John?" he whispered, eyes twinkling.
She looked up at him, smiling, "I know, but it will take a little getting used to."
"But being in my embrace and having your arms around me doesn't take any getting used to?" he teased.
"Of course not. I've imagined that thousands of times!"
"You have, have you?" he smirked.
Even in the dim light of the courtyard he could see Anna blush, "Well...I mean…"
He stroked her cheek, "I'm just teasing my darling. I'm glad to know you've dreamt of this," he held her tighter to his body, "If you knew all the things I've thought about you, you'd really have a reason to blush."
"Mr. Bates!" Anna exclaimed in mock horror. "Just what kind of man have I agreed to marry?"
"One not nearly good enough for you, Love. But one who loves you more than the heavens and the earth. Here, I got you something today while I was out with Isis."
He leaned down and retrieved the vase, suddenly feeling rather shy.
"I picked these for you today while I was out with Isis. They aren't much but…"
"Oh John," Anna whispered, not even realizing what she had said, "they're lovely."
John grinned like a fool, "What did you say?"
"I said they're lovely."
"Before that," he rasped, lifting her chin with his crooked finger.
A slow smile spread across Anna's face, "I called you John. I guess I'm getting used to being your fiance."
"Don't get too used to it, Miss Smith," he sighed as he leaned in closer, "you'll be my wife much longer than you will ever be my fiance."
And with that, he kissed her.