Here's My New Story

Time for Some Fluff and Happy Stuff!

Enjoy!

Autumn had descended upon Downton in earnest. It was late October and the leaves on the trees were starting to change. The air had become decidedly cooler as the last vestiges of an Indian Summer were chased away. It had been over a year since Bates and Anna had been reunited. May changes had taken place in the lives of all the inhabitants of Downton Abbey, both below stairs and above. Sybil and Branson's baby had been born ten months ago, a handsome boy. They'd named him Daniel Robert Branson, Daniel was Thomas Branson's father's name and Robert was of course Lord Grantham. Whatever animosity had lain between the Bransons and Lord Robert had melted away as soon as he held his first grandchild in his arms and looked into his blue eyes, so very like his mother's. The entire family adored the baby boy but Anna could tell that Lord Robert and the child would have a special bond while the lad grew. Lady Mary and cousin Matthew had married in April and a beautiful wedding it had been. Mary had never looked so beautiful as she did when her father, his blue eyes full of happy tears, walked her down the aisle. Both the bride and groom had been the very visions of happiness as they'd made their vows to each other. They'd taken a long honeymoon and traveled all over Europe and America, visiting some of Cora's family along the way. Lady Edith too had made a trip to America. She'd failed in her attempts to catch Sir Anthony Strallan but Anna felt she was better off trying to find a man her own age. Which she had…she'd met a dashing young man whose father had recently died and left him a fortune even greater than that of the Granthams. They'd become engaged a few months ago and the wedding was going to be held in New York after the New Year. Lord and Lady Grantham were very pleased indeed that they had finally seemed to have gotten all of their children settled into happy marriages. Cousin Violet was as feisty as ever, if a little slower when it came to moving around. Mrs. Isobel Clarkson had shocked everyone when she announced that she and the town doctor were going to be married. They waited until Matthew and Mary's nuptials and had a small ceremony of their own. They moved into doctor Clarkson's home together and Lady Mary and Matthew set up home in Crawley house where Anna now worked as Mary's ladie's maid. Bates still worked at Downton as Lord Grantam's valet. Thomas had been bumped back down to first footman and he'd made life living hell for the servants until he'd been ordered by Carson to either behave or pack his things and leave. Carson and Mrs. Hughes were the same as always, though Carson had never bounced back fully after his bout with Spanish Flu and the imposing butler had seemed a little frailer lately (though he'd be loath to admit it) Mrs. Patmore had fought for Daisy to be made her assistant cook and was approved. Daisy flourished under her new responsibilities. The Granthams had even paid for the young woman to go to London and have some cooking lessons in order to bring a little variety into their dining room.

So many changes, most for the better. But one thing had remained the same through all this. Anna and John Bates loved each other completely. They'd settled into married life quite well. Lord Grantham, in his unfailing kindness, rented them a small cottage on the property for much less than he'd normally charge. It was a cozy little home with a kitchen and living room downstairs and two bedrooms upstairs. It even had been fitted recently with electricity and indoor plumbing, something for which Anna had been ever so grateful. This morning she and John woke like they had every other morning since his return, tangled in each other's arms. The sun hadn't risen yet. Now that they lived in their own house they had to get up even earlier than usual. The trip to work was longer for John, their cottage was closer to Crawley house than to Downton. Anna's head rested on John's bare chest and she could tell by the pace of his breathing that he was no longer asleep.

"How long have you been awake?" she asked.

"Not long, about ten minutes or so." he answered in a voice still gruff with sleep. He pulled Anna into a tight embrace and kissed her on her forehead as he did nearly every morning, his hands stroking her hair. Anna breathed in and enjoyed the smell of him. He always smelled like the soap he favored and under that was just HIM, the smell of his skin after a day's work. Anna wished they could lay like this all day but they had work to do and could waste no time. Anna pushed back the covers and she and Bates got out of bed, shivering a bit as their bare skin was exposed to the chill of the room. Her head spun a bit as she got up but she dismissed it as being tired and in need of more rest than she'd been getting. She and John dressed in their uniforms quickly and went downstairs to make their breakfast. She prepared the toast and porridge while he prepared the tea. As the tea steeped he stepped outside for a quick cigarette since Anna did not allow smoking inside the house. By the time he returned their breakfast was ready and they both ate quickly, John having much more than Anna, who hadn't had much of an appetite recently. John watched her carefully, hoping she wasn't becoming ill. Some of the villagers had come down with tuberculosis and John couldn't bear the thought of his precious Anna coming down with the dreadful disease. As they cleaned their dishes and put them away the sun finally made its daily debut. They both left the house after locking up and walked up the path together until the spot where John would have to diverge in order to walk to Downton. They always stopped here and kissed each other goodbye for the day. Anna reached up on tiptoe and kissed her husband. He gave her a knowing smile then turned to make his way to work.

Anna watched as her husband limped his way up the path until she could see him no longer then made her way to Crawley house. The autumn breeze was cool against Anna's skin as she continued her walk. About halfway through her journey Anna was seized with a sudden wave of nausea. Luckily she was in a somewhat secluded area and no one saw as she emptied her breakfast into a nearby bush. This was the third morning in a row that she had been gripped by sickness as she walked to work. The young woman wiped her mouth with the handkerchief that she always kept with her, took a few deep breaths to steady herself and shakily continued her walk. She had resolved to visit the doctor during her lunchtime today. She'd never been seriously sick except for the odd cold here and there. Anna had her suspicions about what could be causing her illness. Her mother had told her the signs to look out for when expecting a baby; sickness, weight gain, her monthly courses ceasing. Anna certainly fit two of these criteria. She hadn't put on any weight lately (well not much) but her courses had ceased for nearly two and a half months. Anna was elated at the possibility that she could be carrying John's child. She had thought a few months before that she might be pregnant but it had turned out to a false alarm. This time she was certain that she was with child but she wanted to make sure with Dr. Clarkson before she told John. He'd be thrilled at the news and Anna couldn't wait to see the look on his face when she revealed what she hoped would be happy news. The young woman couldn't help but smile to herself as she continued her walk. Anna arrived at Crawley house ten minutes early, as she nearly always did. She entered the house through the servant's entrance and walked inside. Seated at the servant's table were Mrs. Bird and Moseley. The two were chatting idly as they finished their breakfasts. They smiled at Anna as she walked in and sat down with them. Things had been a bit tense when she had first come to work at Crawley house. Moseley still held a bit of a flame for Anna and Mrs. Bird didn't like another woman in the house but over time they'd succumbed to Anna's charm. Now they all got on well together.

"Good morning Mrs. Bates." said Mrs. Bird. The kindly cook gave Anna a scrutinizing look. "Are you feeling alright love? You look ever so pale."

"Oh yes Mrs. Bird I'm alright. I think I might be coming down with a cold but other than that I'm fine." Anna's fib seemed to satisfy the woman who didn't press her any further. The older woman had gotten up and brought Anna a plate of bacon and eggs with a steaming cup of tea. Anna said thank you and despite her earlier sickness managed to clean the plate. The eggs and bacon were delicious and the tea helped her feel quite a bit better. Silently she hoped that she wouldn't be sick again this morning. As soon as she finished her meal and cleaned up the bells rang, first for Lady Mary and then for Matthew. Anna got up and got the breakfast tray ready for Lady Mary. She hoped the day would pass quickly, Anna couldn't wait to get to the doctor and hear him confirm what she already knew in her heart. She, Anna Bates, at long last, was going to be a mother. A sly smile spread across her face as she headed up the stairs to Lady Mary's room.