A/N: Hi again! Thanks to everyone who reviewed or favorited or followed or whatever else you can do here now! I love getting those notifications – they make me so happy :D! You all are wonderful!

I would like to intro this chapter by saying it was came out of a conversation I had with my sister who is a diehard Anna/Bates shipper. She kind of inspired this by something she said in the conversation. Please enjoy!


1928

"Did Mr. George enjoy his birthday?"

"I think so. He was certainly spoiled today – we can say that at the very least."

"Well, if that's the case, I'm sure he did enjoy it."

"I just can't believe how old he's gotten already – far too old for my liking," Mary said.

Anna smiled. "I can understand that."

"Still… I suppose it's all right to spoil him once a year. It's not every day your only child turns seven." She paused for a moment. Her only child – the thought saddened her. "But he was so quiet all day," she continued. "I was worried he wasn't enjoying his day at all. But I think I've got to the bottom of it. He asked me a rather interesting question as I was putting him to bed," Mary told her, giving Anna a look in the mirror as Anna prepared her for bed herself.

"Oh? What was that, milady?" Anna asked as she began brushing Mary's hair.

"He asked me how he would know if he was in love," Mary replied. Anna saw Mary smile slightly in the mirror and had to laugh a little herself.

"And did you have an answer for him?"

"I just told him that I didn't know how he would know, because everyone is different. I didn't know I was in love until I was in love. It wasn't sudden, but it happened gradually, and I wasn't aware of it until I was completely hopeless. But I did warn him that he must wait to do anything until he's sure – settling for someone he doesn't really love just won't do."

She paused for a moment, and then added, "He looked so serious, and I honestly didn't know how to answer him. I know what my mother told me when I was younger, but I'm sure it's different with boys. Matthew would have probably known just how to handle it. He would have had exactly the right words."

They were silent for a few seconds following this statement.

"Was there anything in particular leading him to ask?" Anna finally pondered aloud.

"I asked him that very question. And he said there was a girl at school, and he warned me she was younger than him, and he said that his heart starts to race when he sees her, and his palms get sweaty, and he feels like he can't talk when he's around her. He said he was certain he was 'hopeless,' too."

Anna smiled again and said, "That sounds very serious to me. What a lucky young woman, to have earned the affections of such a sweet boy, and at such a young age, too. Maybe he's already found the next Countess of Grantham."

Mary laughed at the irony of Anna's statement. "I'm not sure how her parents would feel about that."

"Well, you'd better tell him to take his time. Being a countess is more work than any little girl can commit to," Anna replied, as they both continued to laugh at the adorable, yet absurd, possibility.

"I asked if he would tell me her name," Mary continued.

"Do you know the girl, then?"

"Oh, yes, we've met a few times," Mary said vaguely before finally getting to what she thought Anna would find the most amusing. "You wouldn't guess who he said it was."

Anna stopped braiding and gave Mary an inquiring look in the mirror.

"Margaret Bates."

They caught each other's eyes in the mirror before bursting into a fit of giggles.


Courtney (my sister) would love nothing more than if there were a Baby Bates (something I think everyone wants) who will then grow up to marry George and become the Countess of Grantham.

Now, do you see that little text box at the bottom of the screen (right below this) that says, "Type your review here…"? Could you maybe write something in there and click the "Post Review" button? Much appreciated!