He was thankful for the twenty minute bus commute to Ripon as it gave him a chance to rest his leg. He wondered idly what Anna was doing to prepare for their union. He pictured her in an elegant white dress, long veil and her hair in a sophisticated style that the ladies of the house wore. He could feel himself sweating from nerves as she walked down the aisle on the arm of a dignified Mr. Carson. He then felt regret that he couldn't give her a proper church wedding like she deserved. Instead they were marrying in the registrar's office in secret as if they were ashamed of themselves. Where was the romance?

"I'd rather have the right man than the right wedding." Anna had once told him.

That comforted him somewhat as he stared out the window. Mother Nature must have known it was his wedding day as the day was beautiful. It was an oddly warm and bright March day. Smiling he admired the trees and other such natural beauties. When the bus finally reached Ripon, it was nearly noon and they had to be in the registrar at two o'clock. He strolled around to look in different shops. After checking out a couple of shops, he found a small bookstore. Seeing that he had plenty of time, he decided to take a look at what the store had to offer. He scanned the books trying to find a book that would properly convey his feelings for today. He perused and slid his fingers over the bindings until his fingers paused on a book of poetry by Elizabeth Barrett Browning. He curiously opened to a random page and smiled at the words he read in a murmur.

"How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.

I love thee to the depth and breadth and height

My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight

For the ends of Being and ideal Grace.

I love thee to the level of everyday's

Most quiet need, by sun and candle-light.

I love thee freely,as men strive for Right;

I love thee purely, as they turn from Praise.

I love thee with a passion put to use

In my old griefs, and with my childhood's faith.

I love thee with a love I seemed to lose

With my lost saints,-I love thee with the breath,

Smiles, tears, of all my life!- and, if God choose,

I shall but love thee better after death."

John closed the book and closed his eyes. He marveled how a woman long since dead was able to pen the words and feelings of his secret soul. Anna's face filled his mind and his heart warmed at the thought of her face beaming up at him in love and trust. Smiling he took out his pocket watch to discover that Anna's bus would be arriving in ten minutes. He nodded and put the watch back into his vest. He walked up to the front the counter and handed the young girl working the money for the book. Bidding the girl a good afternoon, he stepped out into the warm spring sun and made his way towards the Registrar. He made it to the front of the building as a few newly wedded couples came out, joy written over their faces. He turned his head as one couple kissed each other to give them privacy. While staring down the street, a feeling of dread cut through the happiness he was feeling.

"What are we doing?" He asked himself. "I know I want to marry her, just as I know she wants to marry me. But is it the right thing to do? I could be arrested any day for Vera's suicide, I could lose everything, especially Anna. Why does she love me? How can she when she knows what I am, who I once was?"

He began to pace in agitation as he puzzled at his inadequacies and why she loved him. He stopped short as he realized why. Because his past and the storm that may come does not matter. As this thought came to him, he turned to see a female figure walking down the road. He felt his heart stop as the figure came closer. Anna wearing her blue coat and carrying a bouquet of flowers. He sighed as a happy smile spread across his face. Her smile was brighter than the sun that lit her face.

He took her hand and placed it in the crook of his arm as they walked up the stairs to the building. As they went up, another blissful couple came out and kissed each other. Anna looked at them before beaming up at him. John grinned as he opened the door for her. They were shown a small room where they could hang their coats. He carefully helped her out of her coat and hanged it up for her. He shrugged out of his and hung it up with his hat before removing his gloves and stuffing them in a coat pocket. He discreetly reached into his pocket and pulled the ring out of the box before he snuck the box into another coat pocket. He turned to see Anna adjusting her attire and admired the white blouse and the beautiful midnight blue skirt that complemented her hat. If he had it his way, she would always wear that shade of blue, it made her look divine. He smiled gently and took her hands before giving a slight squeeze.

"Are you ready, Anna?" He asked softly.

"I have been ready for a long time, Mr. Bates." Anna's reply gave him the last assurance he needed.

Nodding, he lead the way down the corridor as he stepped over the threshold, he looked back at her with a tender smile as she followed him into the room. He nodded at the two people serving as witnesses as they approached the bench where the registrar stood. The registrar smiled as he indicated where they should stand.

"Welcome. Now, the process is very simple. I shall read the vows and you will repeat after me. Mr. Bates will recite them first and you will follow, Ms. Smith. Are you both ready?" He opened his book and looked at them expectantly. John nodded as Anna murmured her assent. They looked at each other with a final smile as John took her hand in his. The registrar smiled as he read the words.

"I, John Bates." He began.

"I, John Bates." John recited.

"Take thee, Anna May Smith." The registrar continued.

"Take thee, Anna May Smith." John repeated.

"To be my wedded wife." He supplied.

"To be my wedded wife." John smiled wider as he said the line.

The registrar indicated to Anna.

"I, Anna May Smith." He cued to her.

"I, Anna May Smith." Anna responded.

"Take thee, John Bates." He quoted.

"Take thee, John Bates." Anna's eyes never left his.

"To be my wedded husband." The registrar continued.

"To be my wedded husband." Anna followed.

"And now the ring." The registrar instructed John.

John withdrew the band from his pocket and gently placed it over her first knuckle.

"With this ring, I plight thee my troth." The registrar read.

"With this ring, I plight thee my troth." John slid his thumb over her hand.

"As a symbol of all we have promised." The registrar encouraged.

"As a symbol of all we have promised." John uttered.

"And all that we share." The registrar concluded.

"And all that we share." John finalized in triumph.

With the last vow read, John slid the band until it was nestled properly on Anna's finger. John's heart swelled as he realized that the moment he waited for had finally come.

"It therefore gives me great pleasure to say you are now husband and wife together." The voice of the registrar rang out in finality and satisfaction.

Anna laughed as her eyes shone with happiness and John chuckled with his own joy.

"I love you." John mouthed to her.

"And I love you." She responded in kind.

Needing no cue from the magistrate, he lowered his head as she lifted hers and they met halfway for their lips to press together for their first kiss as husband as wife. The two witnesses politely applauded as the couple finally parted and smiled.

"My many congratulations, Mr. and Mrs. Bates." The registrar offered his hand to John. "I hope you both have a very happy life."

"Thank you, sir." John replied as he took his hand. Anna murmured her thanks as she shook his hand.

The registrar called up the man and woman who bore witness. John paid the fees before he and Anna filled out the paperwork and the marriage certificate which was signed both the registrar and the witnesses. After the documents were taken care of and John thanked the witnesses, the registrar walked them to the coat room with the promise that the necessary papers would be delivered within a couple of weeks. He again congratulated them before leaving them.

John and Anna grinned at each other before he helped her into her coat. Their eyes never leave each other as they put on their gloves. Once his bowler hat was in place he offered his arm to Anna. She took it and they left the building. They walked to the nearby park and when they stepped through a grove of trees he stopped them and stared at her in wonder.

"We did it." Anna breathed. "We're finally married."

"Yes." John laughed. "We are indeed."

He slipped his hand to her neck to cup her jaw. He kissed her softly and slowly. Her hand rested on his chest as the kiss deepened. After several moments, they pulled back with heavy breath.

"Anna." He gasped as he rested his forehead against hers. He caressed her cheek while they composed themselves.

"Mr. Bates?" Anna looked at him in confusion.

"Shall we find a place to sit for awhile? I know we must make a hasty return to Downton, but I cannot do so without having a moment for us to talk." He placed a hand on her back when she nodded and led her down a secluded path where they found a stone bench to sit on. He took her hand as they sat down. He covered her hand in both of his.

"Anna?" He hesitated.

"Yes?" She encouraged.

"How familiar are you with...well...the aspects of marriage?" He struggled to find the words.

"You mean what happens between a man and a women when they are married?" She supplied helpfully.

"Yes, precisely. Now that we are married, there are new things that are now allowable, and even encouraged." He squeezed her hand thoughtfully.

"I am...aware of my duties. I may not know the particulars, but my mother told me that all I need to do is allow my husband his pleasure." Anna stared ahead as she said it.

"Ahhh..." John rolled his eyes. Duties indeed. "It should be pleasurable for both of us, Anna."

"Mr. Bates..." Anna began.

"John, please." He smiled.

"John. I don't know how to do those things." She flushed in embarrassment.

He chuckled and kissed her hand. "It will be my job and pleasure to teach you."

"Will it hurt?" Her eyes had apprehension.

"It might, but it would only last a moment. I will make absolutely certain that you were as ready as possible." He smiled in reassurance.

She smiled weakly in reply and John wrapped his free arm around her. He rested his cheek against her head.

"I won't make you do anything you don't want to do, Anna. I can wait until you are ready." He whispered.

"I don't want to wait, John. I want to be your wife in every way and not just in name as I am now. More than anything, I want to please you." She shyly looked up at him.

John never considered himself an overly and openly emotional man. Nevertheless, he felt a knot at his adam's apple. "Why does she love me?" he again asked himself.

"You have always pleased me, and you still please me. You will be perfect when we come together. I swear it." He tilted her head up and kissed her softly. "Now, we must hurry, the next bus will be here in ten minutes time."

He helped her to her feet and quickly led her out of the park. They made their way through the village and made it to the bus stop with a couple of minutes to spare.

"It's strange." Anna remarked. "When we get on this bus, it'll be like this afternoon never happened."

"Yes, I'm afraid you'll have to remove your ring when we get to Downton. But it is only for a few days. Once the funeral is done and things calm down, we will be able to tell everyone our news and we will be able to be together properly." He gave her hand a final squeeze just as the bus came into view.

By some miracle, they were able to sit together near the back. John looked down to see that Anna had removed her glove and the little minx was slowly sliding his gloved down his hand. He reached down and pulled the article off so that her fingers could entwine with his. He smiled at his wife's resourcefulness. His wife. He pondered that, it was hard to believe that the thing he fought for for so long had finally happened. But he was here, she was here, and his smile widened as he saw the outline of the ring under Anna's glove. His thumb stroked her hand a they sat in comfortable silence. A mile out from Downton Village, they reluctantly withdrew their hands and quickly pulled on their glove. John helped her from the bus and they walked down the road to go back to the Abbey.

John had something on his mind but was at a loss on how to approach it.

"Anna...?" He asked hesitantly.

"Yes?" She replied and watched his face as they walked.

"We will have to wait to consummate our marriage, you know that, yes?" He flinched at her soft gasp.

"Yes, I know that." She blushed as she stared ahead. "Even if I wish we didn't have to."

It was John's turn to flush. He looked around before placing his hand on the back of her neck. "It will happen eventually, and when it does I will be the happiest man alive. I just don't want to put your or me in a position that could result in either of us losing our place."

He smiled at her as she wrapped her arms around his waist. He slipped his arm around her waist and kissed her head. When Downton came in view they stopped and turn to each other.

"Well, this is it, Mr. Bates." Anna grimaced as she slipped off her glove and looked at the wedding band that rested on her hand.

John took her hand and kissed it before he removed the ring. He slowly kissed each finger before taking the glove and enclosing her hand in the leather. He handed her the ring and smiled as she slipped in into her coat pocket. They quickly made their way to the back and into the courtyard. Anna exhaled sharply when John pulled in her in the middle of the heap of stacked crates.

"I love you, Anna Bates." He whispered as he took her face and cradled it in his hands.

"And I love you, John Bates." She murmured after she wrapped her arms around his waist.

He smiled and pressed his lips against hers and kissed her with all he had. Anna picked up on the mood and poured her feelings into her reciprocation. Gasping for air they pulled apart and straightened their clothing. He gave her a final smile before arranging his facial features into somber mourning. She followed suit and they walked through the back door.