Short entries all to do with Banna.

Disclaimer: I do not own anything.

'It feels like it may be the coldest day we've had yet,' John said as he took out his heavy iron key, locking up their cottage.

'It is rather unbearably cold. It's almost the reason I dislike winter the most,' Anna replied, her breath turning into a small puff of smoke against the chilly morning air.

As John reached her side, Anna pulled her thick woolen coat tighter with one hand as her other searched for the warmth of his hand in hers. She gladly welcomed the warmth as his hand wrapped around hers, and they began their routine walk to the big house.

'What is the reason?' John asked curiously.

The only sound between them were their steps against the frost covered lane and the faint tapping of his cane, which neither seemed to ever notice.

'What reason?' she asked as she drew herself ever closer to his side, hoping to transfer more of his warmth.

'What is it that makes you dislike winter the most?' he answered back, casting his glance to the left and downward to meet her eyes.

'Everything looks the same in winter. I guess that is why I like spring so much. In spring, you have all of nature's beauty coming to life and making itself known. Everywhere you look there is something different to see. With winter, you have none of that. I guess that's why some people get the winter blues.'

'And do you have the winter blues, Mrs. Bates?' John asked sincerely as they entered the gate to the Abbey.

She offered him a heart felt look and caressed his forearm briefly with her free hand.

'I wouldn't say that,' she said back as the wind picked up it's strength, 'We better get inside before we catch our death out here.'

It was now in the afternoon, and Anna was carrying some fresh linens towards the service staircase when she spotted John shrugging into his coat.

'Where might you be going?' she asked with a smile as she approached him by the back door.

John finished on with his coat and placed his hat upon his head before he turned to her to answer, 'I have a quick errand to do.'

Anna's face was laden with worry as she replied, 'In this weather? Can't it wait until it's a bit warmer?'

He slid on his gloves one at a time and spoke softly, 'I won't be long. I promise.'

Anna knew whatever it was he needed to do he would do it regardless of the weather. It must be something for his lordship otherwise why would he be going out?

'Try to stay warm, Mr. Bates,' she said simply, locking her gaze on his, giving him the knowing look only they intimately shared.

'I will do my very best,' he replied with his genuine smile, and he then opened the back door and disappeared into the wintry day.

John had made it back into the servant's hall undetected, which was exactly what he was hoping for. He had been gone for about an hour or so, and now he was in his usual chair at the servant's table. It wouldn't be long until he would need to clean and polish some of his lordship's shoes, but for the time being he would wait to see if Anna came by.

Just as he had predicted, Anna came into the hall not long after he had arrived. He knew she would waiting for his return.

'There you are,' she said cheerfully as she came to stand next to where he was seated, 'Your errand didn't take too long.'

'I told you I'd be quick. How has your day been so far?' he asked in a quiet, loving voice.

'Oh, fine. I have several articles to mend for Lady Mary, so I better get on. I don't want to have to stay late tonight,' she said with a slight sigh.

'Neither do I. I'll see you tonight,' he replied as he stood himself up and took his cane from the back of the chair.

They both made their way out of the servant's hall and gave each other one last smile before they went about their tasks for the rest of the day.

As their day finally came to an end, John and Anna were making their way back to their cottage through the blistering, icy wind. Their traditional routine of holding hands as they walked was interrupted by the need to hold onto their hats and to pull their coats as tight as they could. They remained silent as the wind was too cold for conversation and made their lungs almost sting from the bitter cold.

When they reached their door, John took out his key and unlocked the door, allowing Anna to step through first. He closed the door firmly behind them, and while still in the dark assisted Anna off with her coat and hat then took off his own, placing them on the hooks by the door.

'I'll light the lamps,' Anna said, breaking the silence.

She stepped towards the small table they used for their meals and lit the lamp. When she did, she noticed a bouquet of poises in the crystal vase one of her cousins had given to them as a wedding present.

Anna turned around to see John propped up against the wall with a wide grin on his face.

'When did you have time to bring these here?' she asked sweetly.

'That was my important errand today,' he replied as he stood up straight, walking slowly over to her, leaving his cane leaning up against the wall.

'But how did you find these? Where did they come from?'

'From the green houses,' he replied with a faint shrug of the shoulders.

'From the green houses? John what if someone finds out you took these?' she asked hurriedly, hoping no one would find out he had taken them.

Gently taking one of her hands in his, he said, 'I asked Mr. Hayworth permission before taking them. He said the family rarely uses these, and it would be no problem at all to take a small bouquet of them. I wanted you to have something beautiful to look at to take away the winter blues.'

She leaned up and pressed a lingering kiss onto his cheek. As she pulled back, she whispered, 'I always have something beautiful to look at Mr. Bates, but this is the most wonderful surprise.'

The small bouquet of poises did indeed take the winter blues away.