A/N: This is my first real attempt at canon era Banna. Please be gentle. Should be three parts to this.

Disclaimer: I do not own Downton Abbey nor any of the characters.


The day before Christmas Eve had all but sneaked up on her as her feet carried her across the square in Ripon. The short bus ride over had been a welcomed one as fresh, powdery snow began to make its descent from the dull, gray sky making the air even more sharp to the touch. She pulled her coat tighter across her middle as snow sprinkled onto her face, and she picked up her pace to get to her destination.

She may had made herself late if it hadn't have been for Lady Mary reminding her of a certain errand she had to 'see to at once for her'. Once the reminder had been given, however, she had quickly tidied up Lady Mary's room and made her way downstairs. Her feather light steps assisted her in navigating the path from the stairs to the backdoor without being detected. She held her breath until she was safely outside in hopes her husband wouldn't catch her leaving the house. To her relief, he hadn't seen her.

She sighed gratefully when the shop's bell rang out. Stepping inside, she closed the heavy wooden door and allowed the warmth to seep through her frozen exterior. The room smelled of sawdust, varnish, and a heavy scent of cedar lingered in the air.

"May I help you?" said the shopkeeper as he came out of the back room.

He was wiping his hands on a cloth and had bits of sawdust scattered in his hair. But such was the appearance of a carpenter.

"Hello, Mr. Ailor. I'm Anna Bates, and I'm here to make the final payment for-"

She was cut off as Mr. Ailor said, "Oh! Oh, Yes! How do you do Mrs. Bates?"

"Very well. Thank you."

"I'm glad to hear it, and I finished it up yesterday. Would you like to come back and see it before you make the payment?" he offered.

She wasn't quite sure if it'd be unseemly to follow him alone to the back of the store, not to mention she still had some trust issues in regards to men, but she wanted to see the finished product.

"Yes, just for a moment," she replied with a slight nod of her head.

He waved his hand in the direction he just came from and said, "This way please."

This Christmas she had wanted to do something different for Mr. Bates. She had always seemed to get him the same types of things each year, and even though she knew he liked and appreciated what she had given him she knew this year needed to be different. The usual book he normally received wasn't enough.

What she had truly wanted to give her husband for Christmas was a child. They had both came such a long way despite their obstacles, and she knew he wanted a family more than anything just like she did. But they both believed it would happen when the time was right.

Once in the back room Mr. Ailor walked to the right and stopped in front of an object covered in white linen. Anna stood still as Mr. Ailor looked to her.

"Ready?"

She gave a small smile and answered, "Yes."

It was then he turned his head and took the sheet into both hands, pulling it away from the structure it kept hidden.

"Oh, my," Anna remarked as her hand came up to her cheek.

Two months prior she had been doing some browsing in Ripon's shops on her half day. Mr. Bates had been away with his lordship, so she had decided to window shop while Mr. Bates was away knowing he had a distaste for it. She had been wandering around a thrift shop when something had caught her eye along the far wall. A bookcase.

When she had walked over to it it had its fair share of scratches and scrapes, but the bookcase itself was beautiful. She hadn't known what type of wood it was at the time, but it had appeared a sturdy piece. She asked how much they were asking for it, and the shopkeeper told her to make an offer because it had taken up their shop space for so long. No one had been interested because of all the damage on the surfaces. She too had seen the damage, but the potential of the piece had intrigued her more than the exterior blemishes. It was more rectangle in shape with the longer sides being vertical. The wood across the top had a roman ogee shaping to it as well as the bottom. The front side panels had a delicate ivy wood craving that weaved its way up and down until it reached the corners which contained a Celtic knot in each one. She knew he would love it. He had plenty of books but nothing substantial to keep them on. She had been delighted when her offer was accepted. She offered low because she already knew she wanted to have it refinished which led her to where she was now.

"I took extra care with the carvings. You mentioned your husband is Celtic," Mr. Ailor said, bringing her out of her thoughts.

"Oh. Yes, he is."

"Then he's going to enjoy this piece."

She couldn't help the smile that formed.

"I believe so as well. You did an amazing job, Mr. Ailor. It looks brand new."

"Aye, it might as well be. I sanded her down real smooth and applied new stain to it. The dark oak was a good choice."

"Thank you. You said you could deliver it tomorrow?"

"That's right. Me and my apprentice will bring it over round two."

Her brow knitted together for a few seconds as she thought about the timing. The servants would be at luncheon during that time, but she could make it work surely.

"Everything all right?"

She snapped her gaze back to him and said reassuring, "Perfectly. May we go to the front for the payment?"

"Of course."

She had saved so much on her original purchase that she didn't mind the cost of refinishing it. She usually saved for Christmas anyway, so she just put a little more than normal so it would be perfect for him. She pulled out her change purse when they reached the counter, and she paid him.

"Thank you again, Mrs. Bates. We'll be at your residence at two tomorrow."

"See you then," she said as way of goodbye before she turned and left the shop.


"There you are."

She had just laid her hat on the shelf by the back door when she heard her husband greet her. He was stood at the other end of the corridor with a curious gleam in his eyes.

Walking towards him, she greeted him back.

"Hello," she said as she stopped just short of a respectable distance between them.

"Where have you been off to," he said lightly.

"I was on an errand for Lady Mary."

He shifted his gaze and noted, "You didn't bring anything back."

She was horrible at fibbing, but it was Christmas and she didn't want his surprise ruined.

"Yes, they were out of her soaps. She'll be highly disappointed."

She felt relieved when a soft smile formed on his face. She knew he had taken her word. She felt somewhat guilty, but the end result would be worth it.

"Looks like we're the first ones down for tea," he commented, changing the subject for which she was grateful.

"A rarity," she replied with smiling eyes.

He stepped aside to allow her to walk through to the servants hall first. They both sat down at the table next to each other and enjoyed the brief time they had alone together.

She felt herself warm when he took her hand into his underneath the table. His hands always felt like home to her, warm, protective, supportive, and loving. These moments they could capture during the day were a safe haven for her; a moment of peace amongst the usual rough tide of the work day.

"You feel cold," he stated with a healthy slathering of concern.

"I just came from outside," she chuckled as his adorable expression roamed over her face.

"We can sit closer the fire if you'd like," he offered.

"No need for the fire when your hand is in mine," she smirked.

She could tell he liked her comment by how his eyes shone at her. Most women complained about how they had to stroke men's egos, but she enjoyed stroking his when the time was right. It was a powerful feeling to her that she could make her husband's demeanor change and his chest puff out from just a few words.

His grip tightened on hers, and he leaned in as far as he dare.

"Is that so?" He whispered with hints of gravel in his tone.

"I think you already know the answer to that, Mr. Bates," she responded cheekily.

She noticed he was about to reply before Daisy came into the room and broke their moment. It still didn't keep him from giving her a look to inform her of his intentions when they got back to the cottage. She would have to try to hold him off until tomorrow. She had formulated a plan on how to keep the bookcase a secret until Christmas and making love with him that night was not part of it.

The end of the work day had arrived and now they were in their home. John had helped Anna out of her coat and hung it up on the hook by the door.

"Shall I fetch some coal?" he asked as his right hand fiddled with the curve of his cane.

She turned away from him half way to remove her hat and to also answer him without looking at him. This was his round about way of asking if they would be going straight to bed, and she knew from his tone he hoped that would be the case.

"A fire sounds nice," she answered simply but held enough meaning.

She placed her hat on the shelf as her gaze met his.

"All right," he replied, lingering in saying anything further just in case she changed her mind.

"I'll make us some tea while you're out," she offered kindly before raising herself up to press a kiss to his cheek.

He seemed satisfied with her response though not pleased, but he would never suggest more unless she showed the interest as well.

"I won't be long."

He walked over to the fireplace to collect the coal scuttle, and she went through to the kitchen.

When the fire was lit and the tea was made, they both slipped off their shoes and sat next to each other on the settee allowing the warmth of the fire to caress them in the coldness of the room.

Anna handed him his cup and saucer before picking up her own.

"It's almost Christmas Eve," John said with a smile in his tone.

"Yes, it is," she agreed pleasantly.

They both enjoyed the holiday. Probably even more so now than in the few years prior. They were here together, and everything at the time was just as it should have always been. She sipped on her tea to keep her nerves and excitement at bay. If she let on she would end up giving herself away.

"Did you tell Father Christmas what you wanted," he smiled before he raised his cup to his lips.

"There was nothing to ask for. I have everything I want right here," she answered.

"I agree, but surely there must have been something," he teased as his left arm circled her shoulders, bringing her closer to him.

He rested his cup and saucer on the arm of the settee which always seemed to make her anxious.

"Well, we'll just have to see, won't we?" She replied with a slight shoulder turn and twitch of her mouth.

There had been one thing she'd like to have. They had been in the village when they came upon a small jewelry box in a shop window. She didn't get to wear jewelry very often and didn't have many pieces, but the box was just the right size for her vanity. It seemed to be made out of procelain and cream in color with a pink rose pattern. It was feminine, danity, and something nice to store what pieces she did have.

"Mmmm... we'll know soon enough," he replied as they snuggled closer in the firelight.