So I didn't put any A/N in the first chapter, but here goes. I'm obviously a big fan of Downton Abbey and I love Anna/Bates. I decided I wanted to write some fics exploring their possible future life with children. I've enjoyed reading some really great fics on this site and figured I might as well contribute my ideas. I'm not sure how regularly I will update, I guess it will depend on how often a different scenario pops into my head. If you would like to suggest a scenario and I feel I can write a decent chapter, I will. Like I mentioned, the chapters will not necessarily be chronological. We may jump forward to Jack as a young man or back to when he's a baby for example. I would greatly appreciate any reviews to know that at least someone out there is reading my work. Constructive criticism is always welcome of course. I'm glad to be a part of this fandom and appreciate all the artwork/fics/vids fans put out there for other fans to appreciate.

Also, please note the fic is rated M. This chapter shows why. It's not incredibly graphic, but it is for adults. Future chapters may also include adult content.

And it goes without saying that I do not own these characters and intend no harm.

"Hungry fella isn't he?" John asked, climbing into bed next to Anna.

"I don't know where he puts it all!" Anna laughed, moving Jack off one breast and onto the other.

"Well, he's a busy boy. Works up quite an appetite. Don't you son?" John said, then reached a finger down to gently tickle his son's tummy. Jack broke away from his mom, offered his father a gummy grin, and then quickly returned to his meal.

Anna chuckled and stroked her son's head. Both she and John realized their good fortune to have such a happy baby. He was two months old and while he had a few days where it seemed all he wanted to do was cry, on the whole he was very content and caused little fuss.

"Well if he carries on like this, lord help us when he's older. He'll eat us right into the poorhouse!" Anna said.

"Nonsense. We'll just have to arrange for Mrs. Patmore to smuggle food to us. Baskets of food brought here under the cover of night."

Anna laughed and watched as her son ended his feed. He let go and looked up at her, his lips milky. He sighed and Anna interpreted it as his way to express satisfaction with the meal. "All right, here we are," she said, wiping the milk from his lips and bringing him up to her shoulder. She began to pat his back and he snuggled against her. "My, my, a big meal and then instantly off to sleep. Reminds me of someone else I know."

Before John could respond, Jack let out a burp. "Another similarity!" Anna teased.

John chose to maintain his dignity and ignore her teasing. "Here, give him to me," he said. This had become a part of their bedtime routine. Anna would nurse while John readied himself for bed and then hold the baby so Anna could change into her nightthings and braid her hair. Anna transferred the baby to John and got out of bed, removing the simple dress she had been wearing to change into her nightgown.

John adjusted Jack so that he was against his chest, his breath blowing against John's neck. He couldn't help but watch Anna. She had gone to Dr. Clarkson three weeks ago and later told John that it was fine for them to resume their lovemaking, but so far that had not happened. John had made a few attempts, deepening their goodnight kiss, kissing Anna's neck and shoulders to wake her in the morning, but nothing had happened. Anna had never been shy about initiating before and John could only assume she was not yet ready to resume that part of their lives. He understood and truth be told he was often quite tired after a long day of work and then being with Jack so he didn't want to pressure her. He knew she was tired, even the happiest of babies could be exhausting and of course they were both adjusting to this new experience. That didn't mean that he couldn't watch her undress with great interest as he was now however.

She now sat on the corner of the bed, her back to him, and took down her hair. She brushed it and then braided it with speed and agility. She stood and turned to him. "Is he asleep?" she whispered.

He brought the baby down from his shoulder. Jack was indeed asleep. John placed a kiss on his forehead and then gave him to Anna. Anna also gave him a kiss and then gently placed him in the bassinet that was against the wall on her side of the bed. She gazed down at her sleeping son for a few moments before turning off the lamp and climbing into bed next to John. "Goodnight," she said, leaning over to give him a kiss.

"Goodnight my love," John replied. He held out his arm and Anna cuddled into him, her head on his chest. She ran her hand up and down his chest and let out a deep sigh. John closed his eyes.

ooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

"John! John, wake up!" Anna hissed. She put her hand on his chest and shook him.

"What? What's wrong?" John said, gradually coming awake. He suddenly sat up in bed. "Is it Jack?"

"No, no...listen! I hear something downstairs. I thought I heard glass breaking!"

John rubbed his eyes and then listened closely. Sure enough there was a thump.

"Stay here," he whispered as he climbed out of the bed and started for the door. Anna got up and began to follow him. "Stay here I said!"

Anna took a step back and solemnly nodded.

Bates walked out the door and down the stairs. He heard a small crash. It sounded like someone was in the parlor. He wished he had brought his cane, at least he would have had a weapon of some sort. But he kept on down the stairs, looking for movement in the shadows. He kept on until he stood in the parlor's entrance. He knew that he could run his hand along the wall and find the lamp to get some light into the room. It was somewhat risky, but John didn't want to just wander into the dark until he bumped into the stranger.

Meanwhile, Anna had followed her husband out the door. She was frightened yes, but also a bit angry now. Who would dare come into their home? She stood near the top of the stairs, close enough to the bedroom so that she could quickly get to Jack, but she was able to pick out John's movements in the bit of light from the full moon.

Suddenly, John turned on the light. "Who's here? Show yourself!" There was another crash, louder this time and John found himself almost face to face with the intruder. The man wore a knitted mask and John could only see blue eyes looking at him. Of more concern was the gun the burglar now had pointed at him. It was a small pistol, not terribly dangerous for long-range, but would certainly be effective in these close quarters.

"Stay there! Stay there!" shouted the burglar.

Anna found herself frozen with fright. She could see her husband and she could see the man with a gun. She tried to think of something to do, something to help John, but her feet were rooted to the spot.

"Calm down now mate. What are you doing here?" John said calmly.

"I said stay there! I'll kill you! I will! I'll do it!"

"Ok, I'm not moving. Relax," John said and held up his hands to show he wasn't armed.

"Where's the money? I know you got an inheritance! Where is it?" the thief demanded.

"I don't have any money here. You must be mistaken."

"No, I heard you have money. Now where is it? Give it to me!"

"You're wrong mate. I have no money," John replied.

"You're lying! You think I'm not serious?" And with that the burglar stepped closer, raising the gun so it was just a foot from John's face.

Anna bit her tongue to keep from screaming. She didn't want to startle the burglar and have him accidentally pull the trigger. What could she do? How could she get help?

And then her husband moved. He brought his hand up and hit the burglar's elbow, sending the gun across the room. John then punched the man in the stomach, making him double over. An uppercut to the eye and the man slumped to the ground. John quickly turned the man over, sat on his back, and twisted his arm behind him.

"You come in my home, where my wife and son are, with a gun? You bastard. You're lucky I don't kill you right now or at least break your arm," Bates growled. Anna had never heard him like this, his voice was calm but full of anger. The burglar struggled as best he could but John tightened his hold on the arm and the man cried out in pain.

"John?" she said cautiously, coming down the stairs.

"Anna, get Jack and go to the Tripps. Tell Walter to go to Downton and tell Mr. Carson what has happened. Stay there until he returns with help."

Walter Tripp worked in the stables and lived two cottages down from the Bates. John knew he would be able to get to Downton the quickest.

"I don't want to leave," Anna said.

John turned his head to look at her. "I"ll be fine. Get Jack and go. I've got this handled. There won't be any trouble will there?" John said and twisted the man's arm again. He cried out in pain again.

"No! Please, I'm sorry!"

"Anna go."

Anna turned and went back to her bedroom. She put on her robe and slippers. She picked up Jack as gently as she could. He stirred a bit and made a sound of protest, but quickly went back to sleep. Anna hurried down the stairs and out to the Tripps'.

00000000000000000000000000000000

Anna stayed at the Tripps' home until she saw a group of men, including Lord Grantham and Mr. Carson, going towards her house. "I'm going to go see what has happened. Thank you for your help."

"Are you sure dear? Do you want me to keep the baby?" Mrs. Tripp asked. She had let Anna put Jack on their sofa and made some tea.

"No, I've got him. I'm sure it will be sorted soon. Thank you again."

Anna got Jack and walked back towards her house. When she walked in, Mr. Carson was the first to notice her. "Anna, are you alright?" he asked.

"I'm fine Mr. Carson, thank you. How is John?" she asked worriedly.

"He's fine. He was sitting on the fellow when we arrived. Do you know who it was?"

"No, I don't."

"It was Paulson! The new mechanic! He said someone had mentioned Mr. Bates' mother leaving an inheritance. Apparently he enjoys gambling and has quite a few debts. Why he didn't try to break in at Downton, I don't know."

Anna closed her eyes. She had met the man only once before and he had seemed perfectly nice. To think he would break into someone's home!

"Oh dear. Let me put Jack down."

"Yes, of course," said Carson and he smiled at the sleeping boy.

Anna went upstairs and put her son back in his bed. She took a deep shaky breath, thankful that he had slept through the whole mess. She had to chuckle at the thought that he had once woken up angrily when she had dropped a teacup on the floor but managed to sleep throughout an entire burglary.

She went back downstairs. A constable had arrived and had Paulson in cuffs. John stood in the middle of the room. He had been able to get his robe and had that on, but his feet were bare.

"Are you hurt?" she asked, walking towards him.

"Anna did you see it? I can just imagine! Bates was always the best fighter, nobody wanted to cross him!" crowed Lord Grantham.

Anna met John's eyes. He smiled at Lord Grantham's excitement and took her hand. "I'm fine. Are you?"

"Yes, I just can't believe it. Of course Jack slept through the whole thing."

"I think we should go back M'lord. Anna, there were two broken glasses and a small figurine was chipped. I cleaned up the glass, but you may want to check it in the light of day" said Mr. Carson, coming up behind Anna.

"Thank you Mr. Carson, I will."

"Yes, I think it's all under control," Lord Grantham said, then turned serious, "Anna, I am sorry you had to go through this. Paulson had a good reference. I'll be sure to call his former employer. I'm so relieved that everyone is safe. I'll see to it that he gets the punishment he deserved. Bringing a gun into the home!"

"Thank you M'lord," Anna said.

"Well done man. Oh, and don't come in tomorrow morning. Carson here will take your place, you need your rest," Lord Grantham said and shook John's hand. The group quickly left and Anna went to lock the door behind them. She rested her forehead against the door for a brief moment and then went to return to the parlor. She quickly dropped her robe on the floor.

John was standing in the middle of the room. He turned towards the sound of her footsteps. "Quite a bit of excitement wasn't it?" he asked.

Anna didn't answer. Instead she grabbed her husband and pulled him into a deep kiss, her tongue making her intentions quite clear. John stiffened in shock, but quickly responded to the kiss, wrapping his arms around her. Her hands quickly undid his robe's belt and she pushed him towards the sofa. He fell onto it with a huff and Anna quickly straddled his lap. Her lips began to nibble on his earlobe.

"Anna? What's gotten into you?" he asked, but at the same time his hands were working to pull her nightgown up and over her head.

She leaned back and tossed her nightgown to the floor. "You were so brave!" she said and began kissing him again. His hands came up to her breasts. "Careful! Not too much," she said.

"Sorry," he said in a muffled kiss.

She stopped suddenly and took his hand. "Are you hurt? Your hand?" she asked and kissed his knuckles.

"They'll be bruised, but I'm fine."

"Of course you are," she said and set to work on his pajama buttons.

"Let's move. Here, yes, hold on," John said as he put his hands on Anna's back and then moved them to the floor. He quickly removed his pajama top and his bottoms soon followed. He returned to kissing Anna, moving towards her neck but she kept bringing him back to her lips.

"My big strong man," she said, "I want you John. Now." Her hand went down his front and took hold of him. He released a deep growl. After all this time he was exquisitely sensitive and her light touch felt like heaven. She guided him to her and he began to enter her.

She whimpered. "Slow," she said breathlessly.

John went as slow as he could, feeling her adjust to him. God she felt like heaven. "Is this fine?"

"Yes," she panted and John moved, beginning a gentle rhythm. She squealed and then bit John's shoulder to quiet her moans.

"Anna you feel so good. My god."

"More John. I'm fine now, more...harder," she said.

He leaned back on to his knees, momentarily breaking their connection. He took her legs and lifted them so her knees were over his forearms. He then entered her again.

"Oh yes! There! Yes, so good! Don't stop!" she cried.

John didn't stop. His thrusts becoming more forceful, their bodies meeting powerfully. He drove into her again and again. Anna's hand moved down her body and she began to touch herself while John thrust into her.

"Yes," he hissed. "Show me. Don't hold back. Let it come my love."

"Oh John," she cried and then her breath began to quiver. John freed one hand and placed it over her mouth. He knew when she reached her climax she could be quite vocal. He continued to move and soon Anna gave a high pitched groan and shuddered. John watched her, the skin on her face and neck blossoming into a rosy red and he bent down to kiss her. She grabbed his hair and kissed him desperately. Her body shook, the intensity of her feeling nearly overwhelming her.

"Anna, I'm close..."

"Yes love, please. I love you so much. And you're so gorgeous and strong. My man," she breathed in his ear.

"Anna," he cried, his voice strangled and his hips hitched against her. A deep growl escaped him and a deep pleasure filled his body. His climax was powerful and Anna held him against her as he drove blindly into her, aftershocks making him flex his hips again. Finally, he relaxed against her. Anna's hands ran up and down his back, soothing him. She rolled her hips as best she could and he whimpered, his hips moving involuntarily. Anna placed kisses where she could, his hair, his ear, before closing her eyes and enjoying their closeness.

After a minute, John raised his head. He kissed her and then rolled onto his back beside her. She grabbed his pajama bottoms and gently cleaned them off before snuggling against her husband.

There was silence until John laughed. "What's so funny?" she asked.

"I was just thinking, gee, I wish we could have a burglar every night!"

Anna smothered her laugh against his chest.

"Do you feel good? It didn't hurt did it?" he asked.

"I feel wonderful," she said dreamily.

"Good."

They laid together for a bit longer, but both were in danger of falling asleep. Finally they got up and gathered their things, John slipping on his bottoms and Anna putting on her nightgown. They climbed the stairs and quietly entered the bedroom. A quick check to make sure Jack was still sleeping and they crawled into bed.

Anna once again rested her head on John's chest, her fingers running through his chest hair. Once again they were safe and sound in their bed. She'd always known that John would protect her from anything, but she had never expected to be in a situation like this where he had to defend their home from an intruder. Placing a kiss on his chest, she closed her eyes and drifted off, warm and content with her family around her.