This is my first attempt at writing fan fiction. I have the whole thing mapped out. This a story that I have had in mind when I started reading these fan fictions on tumbler. This story will have humor, romance, angst, and hurt but there will be plenty of fluff and Bates babies. I hope you all enjoy it. Please review whether you like or not I just want some feed back.

All the characters with the exception of the Bates' babies belong to Downton Abbey and Julian Fellowes. I own nothing. I have taken some liberties and brought it to the modern era also I am totally not British and it will show.

The Guests

By mgarza2112

Chapter I: A Most Interesting Scenario

It all began with the usual suspects mocking and amusing themselves at the expense of others. Thomas and Mrs. O'Brien were openly mimicking John and Anna Bates as they departed to different departments.

"You would think he was going off to war or on his way down the Green Mile by the way she carries on. An actual fitting scene for Rhett Butler and Scarlett O'Hara," O'Brien sneered.

The fact John and Anna seemed to be a happily married couple was something Thomas and especially O'Brien could not fathom.

"Every time those two come by holding hands and giggling, it gives me a diabetic attack. So much sweetness it is downright disgusting especially for an old man like Bates," Thomas snorted.

"The thing is they only put up a front here at work. That man has so much baggage; for instance, he is old, he limps, he had a crazy ex-wife, he is a recovering alcoholic, he is an ex-con etc… The list is just too long to name and to top it off he is very annoying. I imagine she points out all his short comings, to which there are countless I am certain, every waking moment while at home," Thomas said smugly.

Both O'Brien and Thomas sneered and laughed.

"Oh, to be a fly at the Bates' residence because you know that the only way to really know what they are really like is to spend time with them at home," O'Brien said.

"Now that is something I would like to see Long John Silver's humble abode. They have, or more like he has, been insufferable. He is constantly speaking about that home as it was a palace. Ever since they married and she fell pregnant during their honeymoon they started that looking for the ever elusive family home. Once they found it they have not been able stop shut up about it," Thomas said with a frown.

"I believe Mr. Honorable deflowered his glass virgin before they married, and that is why they had a very short engagement," O'Brien said with a touch of jealousy.

"You know I caught them by the coke machine before they were engaged, and let me tell you it was getting heated. He had her pinned to the wall in the crevice between the copier and coke machine in the workers' lounge and his hands were under her skirt somewhere. She was not fighting him off either," Thomas said.

"She is no better. Mrs. Hughes walked in on them when she was sitting on his lap. Of course, Mrs. Hughes excused her because she was "in love" according to her. Mrs. Hughes had a nice little chuckle about it with that filthy old man Carson later on," O'Brien said.

Thomas just figured some people were lucky all the time, or in Bates' case became lucky at one point in his life. How Thomas envied John because he had been a broken man just like him and now he had everything. There had been silence for a while and then O'Brien spoke again, "Mr. Crawley practically bought the home for them and Mrs. Crawley almost furnished the whole thing for them. It only got worse once the twins were born. Mary Crawley furnished the whole nursery for them, and Sybil and Edith bought them an entire wardrobe. Those brats sleep on a better mattress than any of us. Their clothing reads like a who's who of fashion designers."

With that rant behind them they both got back to their sad lunch. O'Brien angrily observed Thomas because despite his personal lifestyle, which she despised, he kept getting promoted within the company. The latest promotion was a very coveted position by everyone, especially her. The position was for personal assistant to Mr. Crawley who was very laid back. When Bates had the position he had time to do many things with Anna. When Mr. Carson moved to the CEO table as Vice-President of the company, Bates took over his position as Director of Personnel. O'Brien thought she would be next in line because of seniority but Mr. Crawley jumped her for Thomas instead. O'Brien was appalled because she had given the company twenty-three years to Thomas' ten. She believed Mr. Crawley kept promoting Thomas because he did not wish to be seen as a homophobic. It also didn't hurt that Mr. Bates had personally picked Thomas for the position. As she pondered all of this O'Brien got an evil idea, well another evil idea. While Thomas picked at his lunch she plotted.

"You know they do have a very large house, and Anna has a soft spot in her heart for you. That kindness only intensified since that time you researched and found an organic solution for that little brat's colic," O'Brien said.

O'Brien did wonder why Thomas had been so concerned about the Bates' baby when the colic problems began. The baby cried all night for almost two weeks, and the new parents were at their wits end trying to calm their darling baby. They had seen doctors and specialists but nothing seemed to work. O'Brien suggested a swift swat on the baby's bottom would remedy the problem immediately. O'Brien had said this in the break room to the horror of everyone in the room. While Tom had to restrain John, who wanted to beat O'Brien senseless woman or not. It was Mr. Carson who spoke up immediately, "Mrs. O'Brien no child, much less a six week old baby, should under any circumstances be swatted because they are in pain. If your parents did that to you then I am beginning to understand your vile words and behavior. You poor excuse for a woman. You absolute insect!" With that last remark Mr. Carson took his leave from the room. Anna slowly approached O'Brien slapped her across the face and said, "Bitch!" As soon as O'Brien was struck she let out a yelp and stumped out of the room. The room then exploded in applause. Thomas went over to Anna and said, "I will email my aunt to see if she has any suggestions. My aunt has been a Nanny for over thirty years. Don't fret I will not rest until I find something to help your sweet baby. Even if he does look like Bates." Anna smiled at Thomas to let him know his words were not in vain.

It took Thomas many restless nights to make good on his promise. He researched on the internet and waited for his aunt to send him a response. Finally one night he received an answer from his aunt who recommended an old fashioned Irish remedy. It was a little oil made from some herbs that was to be rubbed on the baby's belly button or near it. Thomas found the herbs, brewed the little oil, and ran out in the rain to personally deliver the oil to Anna. It was a miracle for Anna because when he arrived the baby was screaming its little lungs out in pain. As soon as the oil was applied the baby stopped crying, and after about a minute or two there was a little burp and he fell asleep in Thomas's arms. Anna was so grateful she kissed Thomas and John hugged him. The next day a very excited John told Robert Crawley all about it. Mr. Crawley came right up to Thomas to thank him for helping the Bates and his little namesake. When Mr. Carson moved up so did John Bates and he took Thomas with him in the form of a promotion.

O'Brien felt some stomach bile come up to her mouth at the thought of helping those infernal Bates.

"This could be the solution for your little housing problem," she sneered. "You could get yourself a nice quiet room at their home and in the end we can appease our curiosity as to the harmony at the Bates' home."

Thomas would not mind spending time with the babies and being with them over the holidays sounded more appealing than being alone. Thomas thought of how unfair it was that he had to leave his home that he shared with his boyfriend Jimmy because Jimmy was still technically in the closet. Thomas had been upset with Jimmy for a while, and was actually thinking of breaking up with him. Thomas just thought of all the time he had invested in Jimmy and how used to him he was. Maybe spending time with a family was just what he needed. He did miss Christmas with his Mom and siblings, but his Mom had been a little frosty after he came out.

Thomas finally said, "You know that does sound like a better plan than mine. I will go talk to Anna. Well I better talk to her alone because Long John does not really like me and I doubt he will be happy to have me spend my holidays with them. You know that makes the whole thing very much worth it; I will get to annoy the hell out of him."