Disclaimer: I do not own Downton Abbey, or the characters. I am just playing with a plot twist!

Summary: After Lady Mary and Jane's wedding present, Anna finds hers dreams have come true at precisely the wrong moment. Suddenly, John has more to fight for than ever before… CS12/S3 AU.

Of Extraordinary Blessings

Part 1

Anna didn't figure it out until John had nearly been in prison for three months. She knew she had missed her courses and been sick… but her husband was on trial for his life and she was left alone after just a mere weekend of marriage. She felt that was reason enough… But on the day she did come to realize the truth, her feelings were so mixed up inside of her she had no idea which way to turn.

For years, she was sure she had loved Mr Bates with a passion a woman only felt once in her lifetime. And she wanted children with him …. So that when they got the hotel they could have them with them….

But suddenly, she found that now she was with child, the timing was all wrong. She wanted to be pregnant when John was at home to help her pick out a cot, to go into Ripon to buy their child a pram…

But he was locked up in prison and she was alone and… pregnant.

For the following two days she felt as if she was in a daze, walking about and doing her duties but not as if she was… her. It felt as if she was someone else and she knew she was, because from the moment Doctor Clarkson had confirmed what she thought she had become someone else. She had become someone's mother…

There were those in the house who knew and loved and cared for her though, even with John away… and one of those was the housekeeper.

Unable to hold it in anymore, she went to her…

"What am I going to do?" she asked Mrs Hughes once she had explained the situation. "How will I support us?"

"You will have this child. And you have the money Mr Bates put in your name and Anna… you are respected here. I doubt Lord Grantham and Lady Mary will let you face this alone. And nor will I." Reaching across to the maid, Elsie took her hands and held them. "Does Mr Bates know?"

Anna shook her head. "I don't want to put it in a letter."

"Well, your visit is next week, isn't it?"

She nodded.

"This will give him strength, Anna. I know it will."

A tear dribbled down her cheek. She had no doubt in her husband's innocence, yet the place he was in was so dangerous…

"What if they never know each other?" she asked in an impossibly small voice, as she put a hand over her stomach…

Her greatest fear could very well become a reality.

X x x

It was the hardest thing in the world for Anna to sit at the prison with John and be unable to hold his hand.

She missed him. More than when she was ignorant of the knowledge she had their child in her womb.

She wanted him, she realised as she looked at his careworn face, more than ever before too. She wanted them both to be at home, his fingers in her hair and his hand on her back. This should be bringing the two of them closer still… but now she did not know how that would be possible.

"Asides the obvious, is anything the matter Anna?" John asked. "You're very quiet."

She tried so hard, every visit to be strong for him, he knew that. And she was going to have days when she was incapable of that.

Looking over, she knew she should tell him… for it would cheer him to know he would be a father. But it would worry him too. She knew it would. And she didn't want to add to his burden, which was already so heavy.

"No. Nothing. I'm quite alright." She smiled. "…asides the obvious…" He could remain in ignorance… for just a little longer…

X x x

"I mean to carry on working," said Anna as she stood before Lady Mary and Lord Grantham in the library. The betrayal of telling the two of them before she told John was a bitter one…. But practically the Crawley's had to know that she was with child. "As long as I can… and my mother says she will help, so after the child is weaned, I can come back, if you'll have me."

"Of course, we will have you," Robert nodded as his daughter did the same.

"There is no question of that. Oh Anna… I know the timing isn't wonderful…"

"But, yes," the blonde said as she put her hand upon her stomach, allowing a small smile to appear on her face. Two weeks had passed since she had found out. The reality of having a baby was sinking in and. "I am happy," she confirmed. As much as she could be.

The most wonderful thing about it she was that not for a moment was she on her own. Not anymore.

"Where will you live, when the baby comes?" Robert inquired.

"My mother says I can live with her."

"That's two villages away," Mary sighed. She didn't like the idea of Anna being so far.

"I know."

As much as Anna loved her mother and looked up to her (and she did), the idea of going home with the baby didn't thrill her. People would get the wrong end of the stick and then there were her younger brothers and sisters to consider…

She swallowed back the thought of John, the hotel, the baby in their father's arms as he doted upon them.

"It won't be very convenient when Murray needs to see you. Or for you, if you are to continue working here."

"It's all the choice I have, until Mr Bates… comes home," she forced the words out with a smile, trying to make the eventuality of that happening sound as if it was an inevitability.

"What if I were to give you another choice?"

"I don't understand, milord."

"Anna, when Bates returns home, I intend to give the two of you a cottage on the estate. Let me give it to you a little early," he sighed.

"Give?" she questioned.

"They'd be no rent. You and the baby will be provided for, you will have your own space. And in time, you will have your husband and your baby will have its father home."

Anna didn't know what to say – all she could do, in fact, was burst into tears.

X x x

Walking into the prison, Anna rested her hand on her stomach. The past month had changed things. John would know that she was pregnant… he had eyes after all and her stomach was now swelling. Perhaps not obviously so to a passer-by… but he knew her, her body…

He'd know.

Since she had now found a home for all of them, she felt able to tell John. She and the child would have a semblance of stability even if it was not the one they wanted. He didn't have to worry.

The prisoners were all in the separate tables and cages when the visitors were let in as usual. Anna was shown down to John.

His eyes rose from the table as she stepped in and he smiled, truly, to see her. How his spirits could remain intact she did not know but she matched his smile.

For a moment they examined each other's face before his eyes left her face, down her body and then just as she had known he would…

John's eyes went wide.

Anna sat opposite him, and longing to take her hands she grinned. There was a silence between them for just a moment. "Four months," she answered his unasked question. "Five to go… "

His remained dumb for a moment… "A wedding night baby?"

"Apparently so."

The silence between them returned as he digested the news…

"Oh Anna, I am so sorry."

"Don't be. It's not perfect," she sighed. "I know that. But the baby will be perfect, John… please be glad."

"Glad? Anna, that doesn't quite cover it," he said as he forgot himself and touched her hand. "You wonderful, wonderful… you're going to be such an incredible mother…"

"No touching!" the prison guard yelled. John visibly winced as he removed his hands from on top of hers, as if it hurt to so.

She nodded, as tears welled in her eyes, her hand colder now after the fleeting warmth. "And you're going to be a brilliant father. It's going to happen, John. You need to come home-e-e," she said as she sniffed, took a deep breath and tried to control herself. "Now more than ever before. I can't do this alone."

"You can, but by god, if I have my way you won't," He sighed. "How long have you known?"

"Please don't be angry… a little over a month. I didn't want to worry you and – and I was still getting used to the idea myself last time I came," she explained. "But I've a plan now. His lordship says we can have one of the cottages, so baby and I will have a home to wait for you in."

"And you have the money… That should be enough to see you through, but I – I, oh Anna," he sighed. "A baby."

"More than that, John. Our baby," she grinned.

Her smile was infectious and he let out a chuckle as he begun to get used to the idea. "By god, this will keep me going. I don't suppose –"

"There is no way of knowing… but just between us… I am almost sure it's a girl already. Don't ask me how or why… but I think we're having a daughter."

"A mother's intuition," he said softly. He would trust to that. "She'll have her mother's beauty."

"And her father's charm, no doubt."

X x x

Four months later…

As John came into the dock, he felt sick… but the feeling only increased when he saw Anna in the gallery.

The two of them had fought, more than once, over her attendance at the trial. At eight months pregnant, she really should have been at home resting… and he really should be waiting on her hand and foot, spending his days preparing the nursery and his nights with his ears pressed up against his wife's bump, caressing it and talking to their child. But life had been cruel to them.

He was also absolutely sure the last place she should be was in a court room watching the father of her unborn, but soon to be born child, be tried for his life. So he had said to her when she had last visited that she was not come… yet he knew in his heart she would not heed what he said.

Throughout the day he kept his eyes fixed upon her, for any sign of discomfort. He barely knew what Mrs Hughes, Miss O'Brien or his lordship sad… though he knew from his wife's expression told him that it did not help their cause…

X x x

"Let me take you home… please. Papa can stay for the verdict."

John had not been the only one who had been more concerned with Anna than the proceedings. Lady Mary had known the maid since the two of them were girls and after all they had been through… they were friends.

Truly.

And she did not like to see her so distressed when she was in such a delicate condition.

"I won't leave him, the same way you would not leave if it was Mister Ma – Sir Richard, on the stand," She said as she sat down. "I beg your pardon, milady."

"Not at all," Mary sighed as she sat by her and put her hands on her shoulders.

If the two of them could not have a little honesty between them that day then she had no idea when the two of them could.

The jury did not deliberate for long – Mary had no idea if that was a good or a bad thing in her mind and so she said to Anna. But in her heart she knew it did not bode well for them.

Anna's lip begun to tremble long before the juryman stood.

X x x

John had once heard that a picture was worth a thousand words. He only hoped his expression conveyed a thousand feelings he looked at Anna and her bump.

He loved them. He was sorry. He was desperate and heartbroken. He wanted to be with them. He wanted her, their child… he loved them.

Both of them.

He heard the judge ask if they found him guilty or not guilty. He knew he had stood but he did not know when. They clouded his every movement. The thought he might not get to be with them…

If this was the last time the three of them were together… if this was all they would get…

Then he'd savour it.

"Guilty."

With that one word the foreman head done it.

He had robbed him of everything that mattered, of all the riches he had ever had. He had taken Anna from him and him from Anna.

He'd never hold the tiny child growing in her womb. They jury had robbed their unborn baby…

His baby daughter…

"No, this is wrong, this is terribly, terribly wrong!"

His eyes flashed back to Anna as the guards at his side took his arms to restrain him but he could see the panic in her eyes and face. If only there was something he could say or do to comfort her.

"I love you. Anna, Anna, look at me," he said as he caught her attention. "I love you both."

The words which she wished to return were on her face but it seemed she could not muster the energy or the strength or the focus to get them to leave her mouth.

As he was taking down she was removed from his eye sight.

Death… execution… he was going to die. They'd be no cottage or hotel or baby for him.

That was when things got so much worse.

A fresh scream came from the court room, one which signified fear and physical pain, not just emotional torment.

"ANNA!" he yelled, his attempt to turn back and get to her, though he was quickly restrained by the guards. "Have a heart – that's my wife!" he cursed them as he fought with everything he had, ignoring how his knee protested his every moment. "ANNA!"

"You are going nowhere," the guard told him.

"John… John, the baby…"

X x x

He had known endless nights of torment and grief. When he had been in prison for theft… the long night watches in South Africa… when Vera had forced him to leave Downton.

But nothing like this.

Tears trickled down John's face as he held the photograph that had served as his oxygen since he had once more been imprisoned. Her face. Her lovely face…

John found he did not care much about his own fate. If he was to die, then die he would.

But the girls… his girls…

If something happened to the baby and he was not there to comfort Anna… if the baby died and he never so much as got to kiss child's brows…

Then there was the worst that could happen.

In that case, he would merrily run to death… for he did not want to live, and had no interested living in, a world without she who was his everything.

"Please god…" he prayed, even though he did not think he believed in such things… "Please don't let them die… please… don't take her…"

X x x

"It was a miracle we could get her back here," said Mary as Sybil, in her nurse's uniform ran down the corridor.

Isobel had recognised the pains Anna felt as labour before they had so much as left the court room. Luckily, they had come slowly and Pratt's safe, gentle driving had meant they had managed to get back to the Abbey, Anna having insisted she did not want to go to the hospital.

Mary supposed she would be safer there but after the day she had, she did not think any of them could seriously criticize Anna for not thinking straight.

Her ideal birthing place had been the cottage, but Isobel had put her foot down at that. They weren't going to take her somewhere without a telephone. If they ran into trouble they had to be albw to get help fast…

So, they had managed to get her to a modest room in the east wing.

"She'll be ok," Sybil said, squeezing her hand gently as she bypassed her sister and went into the room.

Mrs Hughes sat by the edge of the bed, holding Anna's hand. Isobel stood at the foot if it. The door shut behind Sybil and she knew Mary had re-entered the room.

Anna lay on the bed, already beyond exhaustion. She lay limp, as if she had been beaten, tears upon her cheeks.

"Anna?" Mrs Hughes asked gently. "I am so sorry… I am so, so sorry. I didn't meant to makes things worst."

"Then why did you? Why not lie?" she did not care about oaths or prayer books or bibles… none of it mattered.

Her family was what mattered, it was all that counted.

To that Elsie had no answer. "I didn't want to say –"

Anna's eyes flickered to her and there was an anger in them, which soon died when she looked into the face of the house keeper – as if she had known she did not want to say what she did, as if she believed her.

She gave a nod. Her mind whispered curses while her heart understood the truth of the matter.

Perhaps Anna had just decided there was only so many fronts she could fight a war on, because as her body contracted, she reached for Elsie's hand. No verbal forgiveness could match that gesture.

"There's my girl," the housekeeper said softly, running a hand through her hair. "You doing so very well…"

"I want John."

"I know you do… but you have to focus now on the baby," Mary told her from the other side of the bed, rubbing her maids back tenderly. "Just think… what it'll be for him to get this news. And don't think it is over yet, Anna, because it's not. Papa and Murray are already protesting the verdict. "

"They are?" she asked as she rolled over, tears leaking afresh.

"Yes. None of us are beaten yet, so you must not lose all hope. We may yet be able to at least covert the verdict… but let's not worry about that right now."

"The baby," whispered Anna as she seemed to re-enter herself. The reality of what was happening right then hit her.

"A new year's baby… what could be luckier?"

"A baby conceived on a wedding night… my mother always said a baby on the wedding night bespoke all kinds of blessing. That the union-n-n was true, and right." She said through gritted teeth.

"And so it is. Come on, Anna," encouraged Sybil as her body once more contracted.

The night was sleepless for the five women in the room, as it was for many at the Abbey and beyond. Lord Grantham sat up with a whiskey, recounting the day's events and waiting for the news while his wife held his hand. Charles Carson sat in torment in his pantry, also waiting for news that would relieve them at least a little. Sarah O'Brien sat motionless at the bottom of the servant's stairs, racked with guilt and hoping for news of a healthy baby.

There had been a time when a healthy baby for John and Anna would have been of no consequence to her. Now it was her dearest wish.

At the Prison in York, John sat, rocking back and forth, waiting for news that would relieve him of the hell that healed him captive.

X x x

At five forty seven, the cry which was more the mewling of a kitten filled the room. Sybil Branson, who had attended many births in Dublin over the past six months, and now expected her own in the next six months, held in her hands the tiny child who had been born most likely a little earlier than she was ready to be, but with no adverse effects that the nurse could see.

As Isobel wiped her down, a mass of dark hair became apparent on her head, and her eyelids opened to reveal the blue eyes which peaked out at them.

"It is a girl," Anna grinned, the sadness of the day before set aside for just a moment.

"Yes," Sybil nodded, coming around to place baby Bates in her mother's arms. "A baby girl, Anna."

Elsie and Mary who had stayed with Anna all night looked on with delight as she held her daughter.

"Anna, she is a beauty."

"Hello, you," Anna smiled as she held the little body to her, wrapping her up under the comforter so that the thin, sweat damned night dress was the only thing that separated them. Her daughter lay right over her heart, shielding it from the pains which it had felt. "Look at you, sweetheart. You look just like daddy, don't you?" she asked.

Even she was surprised when her voice did not break. But she wasn't sad the baby looked like John. It didn't hurt. It was as it should be, and made her love her daughter all the more. Her daughter looked up at her for just a moment before settling down between her breasts and falling right to sleep.

"She's my little bit of perfect," Anna explained to the women who stood and sat about her, as she stroked the back of her new-born's head, holding her in place with her other hand. "No one will ever hurt her… or take her away."

"No, Anna. They won't," Mary sighed. Neither of them would allow that.

An hour later the sun was coming up. By all rights the ordeal of the last forty eight hours should send Anna in to the deepest longest sleep. But instead she sat up in the grand bed, a pot of tea by her side, changed into a fresh night dress. She was wrapped up in blankets and in her arms, also wrapped up warm, lay the daughter she had carried inside of her for so long.

It felt bizarre to see her rather than feel her, to be able to kiss her tiny blessed face and stroke her minuscule fingers.

Elsie had gone to the cottage to fetch what they needed… Mary was yet to leave her side.

"My lady, you said not to give up hope last night… or did I dream that?"

"We've written to the home office. Murray and Matthew won't let it go… neither will we or papa. It's not over, so never say –" Mary shut her eyes. Her choice of phrase and words were – unfortunate.

"Die?" Anna asked, with a sad smile at the gallows humour. "No, I won't say that, milady." She said as she turned her eyes back to the seeping child.

Mary changed the subject.

"What are you going to call her?"

Anna smiled softly, keep her tone soft so as not to disturb her little sleeping beauty. "I don't know yet…"

X x x

My Dear Bates,

I will keep this letter brief… I know it won't matter much but please forgive me for what I said at the trial. I regret it bitterly and wished I could have helped you. I'm so sorry for the harm I did to you, who has helped me time and time again.

Now the news you have no doubt being waiting for lies in the letter inside of this one. My dearest Bates, congratulations.

I only wish you were here.

Yours sincerely,

Lord Grantham.

Discarding his lord's letter, he took out the inside letter of which he had written. Tears spilled afresh down his cheeks just at the hand writing… he would know that writing anywhere.

He could breathe again knowing that Anna was writing… breathing… living.

Thank god. With shaking hands, he opened the envelope and pulled out the letter.

Dearest, dearest John,

I wish you were here. The trial has broken my heart. I can't bear what has happened. I will be allowed to visit you later within the week. His lordship has written to the Home Office to try and get the judgement over ruled. Let us hope he can because the alternative is too terrible to consider. I can't be without you forever.

There is, however, a little joy even now for us perhaps. I was right all along and now we have a little girl. She has ten toes and ten fingers and she's a cherubic little angel, despite being early. Doctor Clarkson said she is entirely healthy in every way and she eats constantly. Her colouring is just like yours and I think she will grow up to be just like you. She seems to love quiet and cuddles, though she doesn't like lots of people fussing over her.

We have a daughter. I would very much like it if you could tell me her name on my arrival when I see you next. I'll be happy with whatever you chose, love.

Forgive me if this is all a little incoherent. I am a little tired still after my labour.

Oh John. I wish that you could hold me now and forever, for I am always, always, always,

Your Anna

Sent with love from both Mrs and little Miss Bates.

His thumb rubbed gently over the last two words.

Miss Bates.

He was a father. Anna was a mother. And there was everything to fight for.

He was a condemned man. But he would not give them up.

He would not.

Laughing, he smiled a little. Anna, as ever, was right. Even now, there was both joy and hope.

X x x

Mr Murray's telegram comes like a star in the darkest night.

Its life imprisonment.

But at least it is life.

X x x

John sat up straight as she walked in slowly. "You should be in bed still."

"I'm fine," Anna brushed off his concern as she sits opposite him. "You're…"

"Here? Alive? I could say the same about you," he said as he sighed, relieved beyond words to see her face. The letter had reassured him that she lived but it had not been until he had seen her face he had believed it.

Every time she came here he wanted to kiss her and to hold her. More than ever.

"How are you?"

"There is going to be time enough for that later. How is she? How's our daughter? Anna, thank you so much… how are you? You're pale."

She laughed a little. Just five days had passed since she had given birth. "I am a little tired but that's nothing out of the ordinary, or so I am told." she reassured him, her hand itching to reach across the table. "She's – John, she's wonderful. She has rosy cheeks and chummy thighs, but is tiny of course. She sleeps and eats well…"

"Where is she?"

"With Mrs Hughes. It was hard to –" she paused as she looked downwards, betraying herself for just a moment.

She could not remember ever feeling so torn as she did in that moment.

"To leave her."

She nodded. Only for him would she have done so.

"How long will you have off?"

"I will go back to work once she's weaned. For now, I am her lady's maid," she teased. "Mrs Hughes and Miss O'Brien say they can look after Lady Mary between them – I think they both feel guilty for the part they played in the verdict so… they'll help. Have you thought about what I asked?"

He nodded. "I wish I could see her… make sure she looks like… Evie… Evie Tilly. If you like it."

Anna's face split in to a smile. "Evie Tilly Bates. It'll be nice to give her a name and register her."

"You like it?"

"I love it. And I love you. You should know I am not going to rest until your home… with Evie and I."

"You are going to have to rest for her sake. Anna, the two of us have been reprieved," he said as he chastised himself. He smiled… "The three of us, have. But you cannot go around grey faced and in mourning… you have to enjoy these next months. I will live and you will bring me stories and tell me how our baby is changing. And in time… perhaps we will be as we should be. You have to live Anna, for our little angel. I miss her so much. I never knew, Anna, I never understood. How much you could miss someone you've never met."

She nodded, reached over and took his hand in her own, prison laws be damned.

"It won't be forever, I swear. You'll hold our baby, soon, John. I swear."

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