Downton Abbey

Lost in Paradise

Disclaimer: I will say the normal stuff of course I don't own anything just borrowing Mr. Bates and Anna for a while… I also borrowed the Title from a song by Evanescence. There is No copy write infringement intended with the use either…

A/N I'd like to say a special thank you to awesomegreentie and Poma14 for their encouragement, it is very much appreciated as always...

Summary: There is no one who could love the way John and Anna love each other but, is love enough? This is a modern and AU fic … Happy Reading!

Chapter one

To say life could be cruel was an understatement. It was the third week that he had sat next to her bed watching her chest rise and fall with the short burst of oxygen through the long blue tubing. His wife, his beautiful vibrant wife; Anna was lying there and there was nothing he could do.

John Bates was a kind man, but when it came to his wife he would do anything to protect her. Sitting there watching her fight knowing he was helpless he realized that he failed in his one and only duty. To be fair it was out of his control.

Four weeks Earlier

The sun streaked through the window blinds casting shadows over them as they slept. John was the first awake and this was typical, not that it bothered him. It was his favorite time of the day. To lay there and watch her, his Anna sleep, the way she buried her head in the pillow and how she somehow managed to always snuggle up so close to him that it was as if she was an extension of him. Taking care not to wake her he nuzzled her neck with his nose. Loving the way she smelled of soap of lotions.

"Morning," Anna yawned as she turned her body into him still yet to open her eyes.

"Morning my love," He smiled pulling her to him. "I'd love to hold you all day, but I have a meeting with Robert in less than an hour."

"I have a meeting with Mary to plan our next trip to America… I don't want to leave you for a day not to mention two weeks." Anna complained punctuating her sadness with a kiss to his neck.

"Well my dear we do work for the biggest Corporation in England and we are special assistants to the Owners, Presidents and COO's of said company." John told her. Truthfully he hated the fact that she and Mary Crawley were going to America without him, but it was her job. Begrudgingly they both got out of bed and began their morning routine. John's feet hit the cool hardwood floor as he sat up on the side of the bed he reached for his cane and made his way the few feet to the bathroom.

Upon hearing the shower knobs turn and the water flow Anna sat in their bed, her knees to her chest with the blankets resting her on her knees. She often wondered how she managed to get so lucky. Not just to have a career she excelled in but, to love her husband as much as she did? Still lost in her own thoughts Anna didn't hear John shut the water off. It wasn't until he began to walk towards the closet just at the foot of their bed, did she notice he was there, dressed in only a white towel that was wrapped around his waist. Stretching loudly she made her way out of bed; walking up behind him Anna softly kissed her husband between his still damp shoulder blades before making her way towards the shower.

An hour later they rushed around the small kitchen holding their coffee cups and toast in hand. "I'll miss you…" John said smiling at his wife.

"I should hope," She told him with a small smile, "…it's only two weeks…" Anna remarked. Though she really couldn't tell if she was reassuring him and herself, to be fair it wasn't her first trip to America, even so it didn't make leaving him easier. Sitting her cup in the nearby sink she squeezed her husband's hand, "we're going to be late if we're not careful."

London was a busy place crowded with tourists from the America's to other European cities. John made his way through the heavy traffic towards Grantham Towers where he and Anna worked for an old noble family. Though in the modern age they were the most prestigious Equestrian Company Europe had ever known. The office building was an innovation a modern yet Victorian style castle that once housed the Earl of Grantham and his family. Mr. Robert Crawley was the Earl's heir. Though Robert held the title it held no power. The power he held lay only in the business that he and his daughter owned and ran together.

Parking their car in there reserved spots the headed for the heavy double door entrance. Like every morning they were greeted by their head of PR Mr. Carson and their HR director Mrs. Hughes. "Good Morning Mrs. Hughes, Mr. Carson," Anna greeted the older workers with a smile as John helped her with her coat.

"Good Morning Mr. Bates, Good Morning Anna," Mr. Carson greeted them both. Charles Carson was in his early sixties' a striking man with a gruff demeanor and a kind heart. He and Elsie Hughes had worked for the Crawley family for over thirty five years and the family meant everything to them.

John and Anna headed for the third floor to their respected office which was positioned right beside their bosses. The bell of the elevator signaled the beginning of their work day, "See you later," John said to Anna as he went left toward his office and Anna went right towards hers.

Walking into her office Anna hung her coat on the rack next to her door. Quickly she rounded her desk dropping her brief case on to her desk, picking up a memo pad and a golden ink pen she made the short trip into Mary Crawley's office. Mary Crawley was very unique she could be ruthless in business and even cruel to family, but if you were lucky enough to really know her like Anna knew her you were privy to acts of generosity and loyalty that could never be tested. "Good Morning Mary," Anna greeted her cheerfully, "How are you?" She asked taking her seat just next to the oak carved desk.

"Fine, but it's too bloody early," Mary groaned picking up her coffee cup from its saucer.

"Late night," Anna said with a slight smirk. "You wanted to discuss the 'America trip.'."

"Oh yes," Mary said restricted. Leaning back in her high backed office chair she continued, "We'll be going to Kentucky to look at some stud samples and a few races… if all goes well we'll purchase at least four horses from H&A farm."

"Aren't four a bit presumptuous given we have not yet seen the animals?" Anna questioned curiously.

"Normally I'd agree with you, but poppa knows the family and trusts their word, at any rate it is up to you and me to finalize the deal."

"Yes," Anna said looking down at her pad, "The jet departs Heathrow tomorrow at nine AM and we arrive in Cincinnati Ohio at nine Pm tomorrow local time… from there a car service will take us to the farm."

"That's fine Anna," Mary told her looking at her computer.

Standing Anna asked, "Will that be all?"

"Yes," Mary said smiling, "Thank you."

Taking her leave Anna walked quietly back to her own office, sitting down behind her desk she kicked off her high heels. Turning on her computer she began checking the flight plans, hotel reservations and custom requirements. Hunched over her desk she didn't even notice the figure hovering outside her open door. "Aren't you finished with that?" John said to her.

Looking up Anna couldn't help but, smile, "yes," she told him, leaning back tiredly in her chair. "What time is it?" Anna asked.

Taking out his pocket watch John told her, "It's after six my darling…" He watched her from where he stood outside of her door.

"Oh, I'm sorry I didn't realize?" She said in distress.

Laughing lightly he entered the office standing behind the guest chairs in front of her wooden desk he admonished her, "it's alright Anna…. Let us go home."

Nodding her head in tired agreement she watched as he made his way toward the coat rack to retrieve her coat. Slipping on her slightly uncomfortable heels she went over towards him, "How was your meeting with Mr. Crawley?"

"It went well… He thinks we'll 'close' on the Wentworth property by weeks end." He told her helping her into her wool pea coat and scarf.

"Really how many pounds did that cost us?" Anna asked.

"Around 32,980.88 GBP an acre…" He explained as they made their way to the elevator. "…he says it was a bargain for the barns and land space." John explained holding the doors open for her to step inside.

"…seems a bit pricey," Anna observed watching him hit the elevator buttons.

"Quite, but so are four unknown racing horses…" He said laughing. They loved their jobs, but sometimes the lengths that their employers went too seemed a bit excessive even to them.

Sliding the key to the lock of the door of their home John took a deep breath out of tiredness and disbelief. They had been married for almost ten years and yet it never seemed to amaze him that someone like Anna would love an old worn out man like him.

Hanging up their coats Anna made her way toward the bedroom, "I'm going to change, are you going to cook or should we order something?" She called as she walked away.

"I'll order pizza," He called to her. Loosening his tie and kicking off his shoes he pulled out his phone and called the Pizza place from down the street. Quickly he placed their normal order one large meat lover's pizza. Clicking the 'end' key on his phone he dropped it on the bar that separated the kitchen and living area.

In his stocking feet he made his way to the bedroom to change. Unbuttoning his dress shirt he watched Anna rummage through there drawers to find pajama's that she hadn't already packed. Finding nothing she huffed in annoyance. "I have nothing to wear." She told him as she turned her arms across her chest in defiance.

Slightly he opened the drawer the held his old soccer t shirts and tossed it in her direction, "here wear that…" He told her while putting a t shirt on himself. "I ordered the pizza,"

"Alright then…" She told him. To him she was sexy in anything but, there was something about her in his old shirt that stirred his love for her.

"Come here," He whispered letting his cane smack the floor. She walked slowly into his open arms and smiled as his lips touched hers. It was the usual slowly gentle yet probing kiss he'd always given her that she loved. The need for air broke them a part. "I love you," He told her.

Burying her head into his broad chest she mumbled, "I love you too…" The doorbell ringing brought them back to their surroundings once again, "It's the pizza boy, get it and I'll be out in a jiffy…" Anna told him with a gentle push.

Doing as his wife commanded he gave the pimple faced boy his payment and a generous tip. Closing the door John deposited the box on the bar and called to her, "Anna it's here… I'll get the tea."

"Ok love," she told him. Turning on the TV she found a film for them to watch. Heading toward the kitchen she grabbed the tea cups while he balanced the plates of pizza, "let us watch this,"

"Ok," He told her. When the pizza and tea were gone John took her hand and pulled her up from the couch and led her to bed.

Pulling the covers back Anna crawled into bed barely awake she fell into her pillow. John changed into his Pajama pants before joining her. The light from the bed side lamp illuminated her face reminding him of how beautiful she was. Switching off the light he kissed her forehead lightly, "Good night."

TBC

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