A/N: Thank you so much for your reviews, follows and faves! You are all too kind to me and I am so grateful! xXx

Disclaimer: Downton Abbey and its characters belong to Julian Fellowes.

At her desk she could see everything, but she always only saw him. A discreet man, quiet, the usual 'good afternoon and good day to you' kind of speech. He had asked for her help once, a few months ago, and although he was a regular like so many others, something made him stand out. Maybe it was the way he presented himself, always so tall and dignified, a proud look on his face. Perhaps it was his smile, so gentle and bright. Or possibly, the tender look in his eyes, whenever he avoided hers.

But that particular day would be different from the others.

She had caught him staring, again, but this time he didn't flinch and look away. He smiled instead and that gave her all the courage she needed. So, She stood from her place at the desk and walked to where he sat reading, excusing herself by taking a stack of books that had been left there by another person.

'You aren't using these, are you?' she knew he wasn't.

'No, I'm not…' he looked at her discreetly, pondering his next words. 'Do you need help?'

'Oh no, thank you. That's my job,' she said. 'Although I'm sure you know the proper place of every single one of them… you come here everyday, you probably know where everything is.'

He grinned looking down at the book he had been reading. 'I don't think so…I always read the same ones, and I don't come here just because of the books.'

'No?' she eyed him confused. 'Why would you come to a library if not for the books?'

'Silence, a good place to be at peace…' he looked at her as he spoke. 'Nice people.'

'You hardly talk to anyone.'

'I talk to you.'

'Just now,' she smiled and he answered back just the same.

'I don't need a long conversation to enjoy someone's company.'

She nodded, and the sincere expression that graced his features gave her enough confidence to try her luck twice. 'I finish in a hour, but I think you already know that…' he chuckled. Her words were absolutely true. 'Maybe you could invite me for tea.'

'I would enjoy a long conversation with you,' he confessed shyly, his hands fiddling with the pages of the book before him.

'So, am I invited?'

'The tearoom at the end of the street?' he asked and she smiled her response. 'You are invited then!'

'Very well.' She lifted her chin up in victory. 'But not before knowing your name, Mr?'

'Bates, John Bates. Miss?'

'Smith, Anna Smith.'

On that particular day the rest of their lives together had began.

xxxx

'My Darling John,

The days have been far too long and slow to go by without you here with us, dark even. As if the best part of both your mother and I was missing, and in a way, it is. You have always judged yourself so harshly, but little do you know how important and needed you are. Without you silence prevails. Laughter is subdued, never lasts too long. There's an emptiness in every room of this house. In your chair, at your desk, in our bed… in our hearts, in my arms.

I've been living for the day that you come back home safe and sound, and when I can finally hug you and know that you won't be leaving ever again. But life's not easy, we both know that, and I understand that at the same time, you are needed there. Maybe even more than here. Maybe I'm just being selfish. I don't really know what to think.

Taking all the longing away, things are going well. We've been staying at home most days, when we are not helping the ones who've lost everything. Last week we took in a mother and two children until they could find a place to stay. They travelled north yesterday, to stay at a cousin's house they didn't even know they had. It's sad to see all this. Fatherless children, desperate mothers…people without a home, without a shelter. The streets are chaotic. Everything is shattered. The library I worked for so many years has no windows or doors and most of the books have burnt to ashes. I was there the other day, with my friend, Alice. It brought tears to my eyes just looking at it, but I was able to find one of the books you always read there, and I've brought it home with me. I take it as a sign, as you know I would. You will be back soon to read it again.

All that has made me think about our first date. I spent most part of the night reviving it in my thoughts. You gave me your jacket after we had tea, and walked me home, and I kissed your cheek at the door before you could say another word. I still remember the look on your face. You turned red and forgot the jacket, and the next day you used it as an excuse to see me again. That was the first time in all my life I felt so confidante, and thinking back on that day I'm not even sure where all that courage came from. You said I make you feel young, well, you make me feel complete, alive, strong, and that is why I love you so very much. As for you being nervous when you proposed…Mr Bates, you could never me convince me otherwise. I know you better than I know myself, be sure of that.

Before I forget, your mother is sending her love and she tells you not to lose hope. To always think positive and to never despair. I am sure she wrote the exact same in her letter to you. She's right, you know, we are hopeful too, and sure that this will be over soon.

As for me, I can't wait to receive your next letter. To read your words and know that they were written just for me. To feel the paper in my hands and know that it was in yours too. It makes me feel closer to you somehow. I miss your touch.

With all my love,

Anna Bates.

Thank you for reading :)