A/N: Thank you all for the views, follows, and reviews! I hope I don't disappoint. Here's a longer chapter. Apparently they like to eat a lot-well, I said I wrote about what I knew! Ha! There is no intentional similarities between this story and any others...and I promise it's eventually going towards a means I've not read in any other story. Similarly, I do not own any of the characters or anything related to Downton Abbey.

Chapter 2

Anna had willingly gone into work the next morning, for a change. Not that she did not love her job; she did. It was waking up that she hated. But today, she was glad to get to work and out of her condo. She needed to talk to Mary. Last night she didn't want to talk to anyone. She just wanted to process the abrupt end to her dying romance. Today, she needed to vent.

"Good Morning," Mary offered cheerfully as Anna stepped into her office. The duo had formed Metrolina Event Planning after Mary completed her MBA. Anna graduated a few years earlier with a bachelor's degree in hospitality management and had worked for a local hotel in their events department before teaming up with Mary to start their own business. Truthfully, the company was Anna's dream, but she did not have the funding to get it off the ground. With Mary backing most of the endeavor and Anna adding in what she'd been able to save for the three years she was with the hotel, the two women had been able to create a successful business in the Queen City.

When Mary looked closer at Anna she noticed the dark circles under her partner's eyes. She narrowed her own as she asked, "Late night last night?"

"Something like that," Anna replied. She dropped her purse beside one of the chairs in Mary's office and took a seat without invitation. "Greg was at my door when I got back from the gig last night."

"Oh, I see," Mary smirked. "Kept you up all night, did he?"

"Well, I had fitful sleep, but not for the reason you're thinking," Anna half-smiled. "I broke up with him."

"Whaaat? I thought he would be 'the one.' He was handsome, had a great job, seemed respectful. What went wrong?" Mary asked in disbelief. Anna cocked an eyebrow as Mary had never been so vocal about Greg's attributes, but didn't let it deter her.

"He got another woman pregnant."

"He didn't!" Mary exclaimed. "What a bastard! Did you have any clue he was cheating?"

"No, but I'd felt the relationship unraveling for a while," Anna answered truthfully.

"Really? You never let on," Mary said.

"Oh, you know me. I like to keep things private unless there's a reason to let it be known. Now there's a reason. Greg and I are finished."

"Are you okay with this?" Mary asked, concerned for her colleague and friend..

"I am okay that we are broken up," Anna sighed. "I'd be lying if I said I wasn't hurt, but I'd been trying to decide if I wanted to keep pursuing this or if it was going nowhere. Greg just made the decision for me."

"Oh, Anna," Mary comforted as she walked towards her friend to give her a hug. "You deserve so much better."

"I know," Anna answered, returning Mary's hug. "My pride is hurt, but I'll make it. I just need some time to process everything. And let's just keep this between us for now. I don't want to be pitied by anyone. I'm a big girl. I can handle it."

"Yes, you can," Mary agreed.

A few weeks later, the Queen City Brass Quintet closed another successful concert at the fundraiser for the local children's hospital. The group had originally formed to play for Dr. Charles Carson's retirement celebration nearly ten years ago. All the members were linked by Dr. Carson, the illustrious Band Director Emeritus at Queens University, who had taught them all at some point in his tenure. Robert and John had studied together with Dr. Carson in the 1980s, and Joseph had learned under Dr. Carson a few years later. Mary and Anna had studied with the renowned professor shortly before his retirement.. The group had been such a hit and enjoyed themselves so much that they decided to stay together. They now performed fairly regularly, although most of the gang were not musicians by trade.

Robert had succeeded Dr. Carson as the Director of Bands at Queens, but John had followed his passion of reading and writing and only still participated in music for the fun of it. He was an adjunct professor of creative writing at the university and had published several novels over the past few years. Joseph owned a chain of successful floral stores, and was engaged to marry the owner of the dry cleaners next door to his flagship shop. Anna's and Mary's firm had planned tonight's event, and they often solicited Joseph's company for these affairs, as was the case tonight. Similarly, the QC Brass Quintet was a favorite choice for entertainment.

Because of their music as well as their professional partnerships, the group had become very good friends over the years. It was not uncommon that they went out together after a recital, particularly if it ended on the early side. Tonight was just such a night and they gathered at an uptown restaurant for a bite to eat and a couple rounds of drinks. The group conversation centered around Joseph's upcoming nuptials and Robert's wife's back surgery. As the conversation began to wane, John saw an opening for something he'd meant to address all night.

"Mary, go with me to Joseph's wedding," John requested as he sipped on his ginger ale.

"Why?" Mary asked, clearly confused by her "uncle's" canvass.

"Because Vera will be there and I need someone I trust to keep me distracted and her away from me." It was bad enough that she'd already made sure he found out that she would be at one of his best friends' wedding.

"Uncle John, you know that she'll figure out I'm Mama and Papa's daughter in a heartbeat and that we aren't together," Mary answered, as she reached across the table for his hand. He was her father's best friend and had been around since before she was born. She'd never be able to make Vera believe that she and John were in a relationship.

"I'm not asking you to pretend to be my girlfriend; it's more of a body guard that I need," he smirked, thinking Mary would make a good one. "Just someone to help me keep an eye out for her and make sure she never corners me alone. Besides, you were a mere child the last time she saw you-she probably wouldn't even recognize you."

"Well, I can try to keep an eye out for her, but I already promised Papa I'd be his date as Mama is still recovering from her back surgery. Surely there's some lady-interest in your life that would go with you."

"None who know the Vera story or that I want to tell. Maybe I'll just stay home," John muttered, half under his breath.

"Oh, no you won't," Joseph chimed in. "You and Robert are my best buddies, and you must be there. I'm really sorry that Vera is distantly related to Phyllis—you don't know how much—but Phyllis insisted she had to invite her, even if she didn't want to." Joseph paused for a moment and looked back and forth from John to Robert. "I know it's kind of late notice, but Phyllis decided that she wants a couple of bridesmaids after all, and I want you and Robert to stand up with me."

"Joseph, the wedding is only two weeks away!" Robert exclaimed. "You couldn't have mentioned this before? If you have specific tuxes you want us to rent, we'll be pushing the deadline, and it will cost us extra for the rush," he bemoaned.

"Well, I was hoping your reaction would be more like, 'I'd love to support you, Joe,'" Joseph moped. "I figured you guys could just wear your quintet tuxes," he shrugged. "They match and that way there's no extra cost involved." Robert relaxed a bit at Joseph's admission.

"Of course we're happy to stand with you," John stated, but inside he was groaning. No way out now.

"I know," Mary piped up. "Anna could be your date." Anna almost choked on her drink. "Did you know that Anna had a crush on you when she was a freshman in college?" Anna was mortified at Mary's announcement and felt her cheeks turning beet red. Anna recalled telling Mary about the crush when she was younger, but she had hoped that Mary would keep it to herself and that John would never find out.

John gave Anna a crooked grin and replied, "How flattering." He chuckled at her red cheeks and gave her a wink to rub it in. Anna put her head in her hands and groaned. She didn't think she could be any more embarrassed. Furthermore, the butterflies were back at the wink he directed toward her.

"Seriously, though," Mary continued. "You're both single. It seems like a good solution to me."

"What about Greg?" John asked, turning toward Anna. The group had met Anna's beau a few times when he had attended their concerts or parties at the Crawley's house.

"Greg is no longer in the picture," Anna answered. All eyes were focused on her, imploring her to elaborate. She looked around the group and realized no one was going to speak until she explained in more detail, not that it was any of their business. "I found out he was cheating." A chorus of curses towards Anna's ex-boyfriend could be heard around the table.

Anna looked across the table at John, connecting with his concerned gaze. "I'd be honored to go with you to the wedding, John, if you want me to."

"Of course he wants you to," Mary interjected, rolling her eyes. "Did you not hear him practically beg me to go with him?"

"Mary!" Robert chastised, but continued to look from John to Anna as if he was watching a soap opera on television.

"Anna, are you sure you're okay with this?" John asked. "There would be no expectations except to help minimize my contact with Vera." There was no way Vera wouldn't show up to this wedding. She'd never miss a party, and if she thought she could make John miserable then it was only more fun for her. John's stomach roiled just thinking about his ex-wife. "You don't have to do this. I've dealt with her most of my adult life. One more night won't kill me."

"I'm sure you're right, but I'd be happy to go with you and be your lookout. As two single friends I'm sure we'd end up hanging out at the wedding anyway. If we can join forces to keep that shrew of an ex-wife out of your fun, I'm all for it."

"All right then. It's settled," Robert announced. Anna giggled as John shook his head. It was exactly like Mary and her father to take over and assign them to be each other's wedding dates. But now that John knew about her secret torch for him when she was younger, she wasn't sure she could look him in the eye. She just hoped that she could hide the fact that she'd never really gotten over it.

Anna was ready to throw her phone. Greg kept texting her, and his messages had no real substance. Just things like, "Can I call you?" and "I need to talk to you." She'd turn the phone off, but she used it for work purposes. I can block him, Anna thought but as she picked up the phone to do just that, another message from Greg came through. "Fine. I'll just let you know via text that I'll be at Baxter-Molesley wedding with Melissa. Just thought I'd let you know so you wouldn't be surprised." Anna dropped the phone as if it burned her. Great. Anna assumed Melissa was Greg's baby-mama, but who knew for sure? Even though she no longer wanted Greg in her life, she did not really want him to rub his new one in her face.

At least John would be with her at Joseph's wedding. Just as she would do her best to keep Vera away from John, she was sure she could count on him to keep Greg away from her. Also, now that she needed John to be her date as much as he needed her with him, maybe he wouldn't suspect that she was still harboring that crush from over a decade ago…even if she was.

Anna came out of her office after finishing the contract for the grand opening of a new seafood restaurant in South Park and was looking for Mary. She was hoping that her friend was free to go shopping with her tonight. Joseph's wedding was three days away and she still hadn't decided what to wear. The ceremony was in the evening, which indicated formal attire, followed by the dinner-dance reception afterward. Anna had a couple of appropriate dresses at home, but Greg had seen her wearing each one several times. She meant it when she said that she did not want him back, but she'd be lying if she said she didn't hope he regretted letting her go. She didn't want to make him jealous, per se, but wanted to make sure that he knew she was moving on with her life and that she had no regrets about losing him.

To her surprise, when Anna entered Mary's office, John and Robert were both there. All three turned when she walked through the open door. "Hello, love," Robert welcomed enthusiastically as he walked over to Anna and gave her a hug and a kiss on her cheek. "How's my favorite surrogate daughter?" he asked. Anna's parents had both tragically died in a house fire nearly 20 years ago, and she loved that she had Robert and Cora to look up to as parental figures.

"I'm great," Anna smiled as she returned his embrace.

"John and I were downstairs at the coffee shop and thought we'd come up and see you ladies. Maybe take you to dinner? Mary's agreed," Robert offered.

"It sounds like a plan to me," Anna started. "If Cora won't mind you getting home later?" she asked with genuine interest.

"Nah," Robert answered. "I've already promised to bring her dinner home. She's glad; she's tired of my atrocious cooking," he smiled as he released Anna from his embrace and then walked away towards the window.

"I was thinking we could work out the details for Saturday night over dinner," John admitted as he, too, approached Anna for a hug. "How are you feeling? You look well," he stated as he unwrapped her from his embrace and took a step back from her. He was still concerned that she was more upset about her break-up with Greg than she let on the other night. Yet, she did not look as if she was losing sleep or pining over what was not meant to be. He was happy that she didn't seem consumed by the break-up. He had met Greg numerous times and while he did not dislike the man, he had never really felt Greg was the right person for Anna. John had never voiced that opinion to Anna, or anyone for that matter, as he felt with his failed relationship with Vera that he had no right to judge.

"I was just suggesting the steakhouse across from new restaurant we're working with next week." Mary interrupted John's thoughts. "It will give us a chance to scout our party venue across the street. I'm curious on the renovations they've made." Mary turned her attention to Anna and continued, "I've just finished my work for the day. Anna, will you be much longer?"

"No, I was actually looking for you to see if you were available to go dress shopping tonight for the wedding," Anna answered. "So, I'm all finished up and good to go whenever you all are."

"Well, don't let us stop you if you need to shop tonight," John interjected, seriously.

"We can go tomorrow night," Mary offered before Anna had a chance to respond. "If you're free then, Anna, that is."

"Sure," Anna agreed. "Dinner with some of my favorite people sounds like a great idea."

"It's settled then," Robert announced.

John and Anna sat on one side of the table with Robert and Mary on the other side. Both men were working on ribeye steaks while Anna chose the smaller filet and Mary a peppercorn tuna entree. She had insisted that it was a "steak" when the rest of the table rolled their eyes at her.

"So, John," Anna began.

"Hmm?" he acknowledged as he chewed his food.

"Turns out Greg is going to be at this wedding with his new lady friend," Anna revealed. John put his utensils down and turned to give Anna his full attention, as did Mary and Robert.

"Anna, are you going to be okay with this?" John asked, not sure if he was asking if she was okay about going with him to the wedding or about seeing her ex with his new woman.

"I am. I admit, it makes me feel better that I will be going as your date. I feel less pathetic with a date, and I'm hoping you can keep him away from me just as I'll try my best to keep Vera way from you," Anna told him.

"Absolutely," he agreed with most sincerity. He held Anna's gaze for a few seconds, and the look they shared was so intense that Robert felt the need to clear his throat.

"So Molesley's wedding is three days away," Mary mentioned. "Let's get these logistics planned. What time do you boys have to be at the church on Saturday?"

Robert was glad to have the subject changed, but groaned before he answered as there were parts of the nuptial ceremony that he was not looking forward to—namely pictures. "Joseph wants us there and ready by 4:00 p.m. for pictures. Seriously, 3 hours early? We're gonna be in those monkey suits at least 8 hours. Not looking forward to that."

"So as your dates, are we supposed to be there at 4:00 as well?" Mary asked as she raised her fork to her mouth for another bite.

"I guess that depends on if you want pictures with us," John quipped. "I mean, we are awfully dapper in our tuxes," he said, taking another bite of his steak.

"Or we could just take a selfie at the reception," Mary piped in. "I don't know about you Anna, but I'm not sure I want to sit there for 3 hours watching Joseph and Phyllis take every possible picture imaginable. I'd rather just look at the photo album later."

"Right. I'm with you, Mary," Anna agreed, as she hated sitting around idly waiting on other people.

"So, we should just show up about 6:30? You two won't be able to sit with us anyway during the ceremony, right?" Mary addressed the men.

"I don't think so," Robert answered. "Joseph has promised me it's only a 30 minute ceremony, but says we'll be standing at the front with him the whole time. Oh, by the way John, did Joe tell you that they are not having separate ushers? That will be on us as well."

"No, he hasn't mentioned it to me, but you see and talk to him more often. I guess I'm not surprised as it's not uncommon for groomsmen to pull double duty," he sighed, not really looking forward to guiding people to their seats. "My only request is that you escort Vera to her seat." An involuntary shiver ran down John's back.

"Not a problem," Rob started. "However, if you're hoping to avoid her altogether you're out of luck. Unless I'm terribly wrong, she just walked in the front door."

You've got to be kidding me, John thought. Of all the eating establishments in this city she has to come into this one. He looked up just in time to see Vera approach their table. "Well, John Bates. It's been a long time," Vera cooed. "What are the chances I would run into you tonight?" John was wondering the same thing. Vera had moved to Pawley's Island fifteen years ago, and he'd only seen her once or twice since. Even the divorce proceedings had happened without them having to be in the same room. Vera looked good. He wasn't attracted to her anymore, but she had kept herself up. She had made it clear to him fifteen years ago that he was too old for her, and though he could never prove it, he was pretty sure she had taught the local college boys more than a few lessons. Of course she took her time releasing John from their marriage, mostly to torture him and to ruin any prospects of him beginning a family with someone else. She had known how badly he'd wanted to start a family, after all. He and she may not have been compatible, but Vera knew that John was fiercely loyal and would not cheat on her-if nothing else than to keep her from his inheritance as he knew she'd be able to leach more from him if she could claim adultery. She'd never thought much of the house in the mountains that his family had left him; it wasn't her style and she did not like to be isolated away from civilization. However, she knew that it would sell for mint as there were many people who were looking for a vacation home to help them escape the rat race. For that reason, she was a bit sorry that her ex-husband was so loyal and upstanding. She could have bought the beach house she'd always dreamed of if he'd just once slipped up.

Vera looked at the four friends sitting at the table and focused on Robert. A sly smile crossed her lips as she stated, "Robert Crawley. You haven't changed one bit. Looks like you got rid of Cora, though," she said as she looked at Mary. "I see you have a type as this one resembles Cora from 20 years ago." Robert clamped his hand on Mary's leg to keep her quiet when she started to respond. Mary and Vera going at it could come of no good as they both could have tongues like razors.

"This is Cora's and my daughter, Mary, Vera. Cora could not make it tonight," he informed her. Vera snorted in reply and then turned her attention to Anna, who sat on John's right.

"And who is this Johnny? If she's your daughter perhaps I need to call my lawyer and revisit that divorce settlement." Before John could respond, Anna stood and offered her hand to Vera.

"No, I'm not John's daughter. I'm his girlfriend, Anna." Vera looked taken aback that John had such a young, beautiful girlfriend. John tried his hardest to keep the mirrored shock he was feeling off his face.

"Well, I'm Vera Bates," Vera replied, emphasizing her last name. "John's wife."

"Ex-wife," John corrected as Anna sat but continued to confidently hold Vera's gaze.

"I keep forgetting," Vera oozed. "The divorce has only been final such a short time, and I was your wife for twenty years," she cooed as she looked at John.

"Oh, yes," Anna remarked before John could say anything or become more uncomfortable. "John has told me all about his marriage. I guess I should thank you holding on to him so long so that no other woman was able to snap him up before I got my chance." Anna laid her hand possessively on John's arm and gave him a look of adoration.

John was flabbergasted. He wasn't sure how to react, and Anna's hand was burning her imprint into his arm.

"Well, then," Vera recovered. "It's nice to meet you, Anna. I see you like a project; you've got a big one on your hands." With that, Vera walked away and joined a man at a corner table. John was relieved when she left but he was still focused on Anna and her portrayal as his girlfriend. He mentally shook his head and told himself not to go down that road; it wouldn't lead anywhere.

"What was that?" Mary almost spit out, breaking John's thoughts.

"That was Vera," John responded as he took a long drink of water.

"I wasn't talking about that," Mary explained. "I was talking about Anna being your girlfriend!"

"Ah, that," Anna remarked and her face turned red. "I couldn't let her belittle John. We know the hell he went through to divorce her. No way was I going to let her put him down like that. He is so much better off without her, and I did not want her thinking otherwise."

"You think that highly of yourself, do you, now," Mary smiled as she resumed eating her dinner. "You being John's girlfriend means he's improved his life, eh?" John couldn't help but think, Anna would be a major improvement over Vera, even if he knew there was no truth to Anna's claims.

"Ugh, it's not that. It just came out, okay?" Anna defended herself, even though she knew Mary was teasing her and only trying to get her flustered, much like she did when she revealed Anna's schoolgirl crush on John. And it was working.

"Regardless, Anna," John interjected as he reached over for her hand. "I'm grateful. I never would have asked you to tell her you were my girlfriend, but right now I'm thankful. If nothing else, it got her to leave." John leaned down and kissed Anna on the temple, thankful for her support. It seemed so long since he had felt any unexpected kindness at all. He suddenly found himself looking forward to, if only just a bit, Molesley's wedding.

"You're welcome," Anna answered softly, as her voice seemed to have momentarily left her after feeling the graze of John's lips on her face. She gently squeezed his hand and then pulled hers away, desperately wanting the subject to change before her friends could tease her anymore. Thankfully the waiter chose that moment to check on the group and tension was broken.