A/N: I was going to post this chapter yesterday, but I forgot - whoops! Hopefully you'll like it. We see a bit more of John and Emily but this is only Emily's second day, so it's going slowly. Tell me what you think! :) And maybe if everyone seems to like it I'll update this week again, as I won't be around this weekend... We'll see how it goes. :)
Chapter Seven
The night had been uneventful, much to Anna and John's relief, as little Emily was probably exhausted from the long day they'd had, unused to train rides and a different home. Anna had woken up with John, as it was usual for them, but they both decided that he should have breakfast at the cottage, instead of their usual routine, which was to have breakfast at the Abbey. It was weird, Anna quickly decided, to wake up and collect blocks from the kitchen floor and to prepare her husband breakfast so that he could go to work whilst she stayed home.
"I'm getting quite used to this," John commented as he sat down and she prepared his toast. When she looked at him with questioning eyes, he smiled. "Your cooking. The stew was lovely last night."
Anna laughed. "Don't let Mrs Patmore hear you."
It was much too early to wake Emily, so they both decided to let her sleep. She was young and she could spare some time to have a lie-in - Anna herself hadn't had many chances of that as a child. Once they finished breakfast John prepared to leave, and she followed him to the door as he put on his coat and hat. She knew she must have a somewhat sad look on her face, seeing him go without her, and he certainly looked no different.
"It'll be hard without you," he said as she adjusted his tie.
Anna smiled, nonetheless. "You'll manage. Will you come for tea?"
"As soon as I can be spared," he told her promptly. "Don't hesitate on coming to get me if anything happens."
"All right," she allowed, kissing his lips fully. "Have a good day at work."
John looked over his shoulder as he left, a smile crossing his lips.
"It'll only be tolerable at the most, without you there."
Anna shook her head as she watched him go, and waved when he looked at her one more time before disappearing down the road. She sighed. This would be a very different day, she knew, but as much as she missed him she was quite excited to get started.
Emily had woken up naturally a few hours later, her hair completely dishevelled and yawning rather loudly. Anna smiled at her when she saw her in the doorway of the parlour, having just finished tidying up the cottage and had been in the process of getting Emily's clothes for a wash.
"Good morning, darling," Anna said cheerfully, noticing that Emily was barely limping today. That had to be a good sign. "Did you sleep well?"
Emily nodded, scratching her head sleepily as Anna guided her to the kitchen. She prepared her some porridge, which she ate heartily, before they set to get her ready for the day. Anna vaguely thought this wasn't too different to being a lady's maid, as she worked on Emily's hair. They chose a dress together, and Emily had chosen a blue one, simple but very nice. Soon she was all dressed, her blonde hair split in two plaits, and apparently very much awake. The little girl followed her into the garden in the back, as Anna set about washing the clothes Emily had brought from the orphanage, and she played and talked animatedly with Anna the whole time.
When luncheon came, she again made no complaints and ate everything on her plate, including all vegetables. Anna was sure they couldn't have asked for a more well-behaved child; Emily was certainly more on the quiet side, and Anna couldn't help but be reminded of John. Shortly after luncheon, much to Emily's interest, John arrived, having managed some free time to be with them. Emily had been shy upon his sight, but her eyes were glued to the package he was holding.
"Hello, darlings," he said as he came in, and kissed Anna on the cheek.
"You're earlier than I thought," Anna said with a smile.
"I could spare some time, but I'll have to get back soon," he explained, then turned to Emily, who had been sitting beside Anna on the settee. "I must say, your hair is looking very pretty."
Emily smiled. "Mummy made them," she explained, holding her plaits.
"I see," John winked at Anna. "Well, I stopped by the village just now and decided that you will need a friend here. So this is for you."
Emily caught the package he offered quickly, clearly too curious to mind. She took a rag doll out, simple but very pretty, Anna could see, though she was very different from her previous one. She watched John and Emily with love - her husband was such a thoughtful man. Emily looked up at him, as if expecting some sort of recommendation, and Anna could see that she loved the doll already. Unlike Molly, her hair was dark and had plaits too, which she suspected were quickly becoming a favourite of Emily's.
"Thank you!" Emily exclaimed as John laughed and took a seat on his usual chair. "What is her name?"
John pondered, then smiled at the little girl. "Maybe we can choose one together?"
Emily nodded solemnly, and Anna laughed to herself at the way John talked to her. She knew he was trying very hard, but Emily clearly had him around her little finger already. Adjusting her plaits, Anna decided to think of a name.
"What about... Rose?" she suggested, but Emily shook her head. "Rosie?"
Anna said rather aimlessly, but it got a chuckle from John.
"Maybe... Poppy?" he suggested, clearly unsure of what to say. Emily, however, smiled.
"Yes! Her name is Poppy," she decided, hugging the doll. "Can I show the flowers to Poppy?"
Anna chuckled. "Of course, but be careful, and come back soon."
"All right," Emily replied, walking a little too fast for Anna's liking, but she wouldn't say no to such an innocent request.
John held out his hand for her to take and Anna sat on the edge of the settee, taking it and lacing their fingers together.
"How has she been?"
"She's an angel," Anna sighed. "She ate all of her food, sat around when I was doing the laundry and even helped me make her bed. She seemed interested in cooking, I might bake a cake so she can help me out."
"I wouldn't want to miss that," John smiled. "And how have you been? First day out of work in... What, twenty years?"
Anna rolled her eyes. "Don't remind me. And not so many years yet, please," she reminded him, and he chuckled. "It's different. But not too much, really. How has been your first day without me?"
"Completely dreadful," he said instantly, and Anna laughed. "Daisy accidentally caught something on fire in the kitchen, and Mrs Patmore has been in a mood since then. Just a normal day, as you can see. Everybody sends their love, and they asked that you visit and bring Emily with you to meet everyone."
"Sounds like a good idea," Anna said. "But I'll wait a few days. I don't want her to feel overwhelmed."
"Yes, that would be best," John agreed, just as Emily returned, clutching Poppy to her side. "Did Poppy enjoy the flowers?"
"Yes!" Emily said happily, returning to sit by Anna's side.
"Really?" Anna asked, exchanging a look with John. "Maybe Emily and Poppy would help me with a cake in a bit."
"Can I?" Emily asked, flailing her little arms excitedly.
"Of course!" Anna told her, then looked at John. "What kind of cake would you like, love?"
John replied immediately. "Chocolate."
The word made Emilly giggle and jump a little on her seat, which was very endearing. Chocolate it would be, then.
After John left, they set on about baking the cake, though Emily more watched than helped, wanting to make sure the cake would be ready soon, and she must have asked over ten times if they could take it out of the oven yet. Indeed, she had only stopped asking when Mrs Hughes showed up, picking up the interest of the little girl when the housekeeper offered her a children's book.
"Mr Bates says she likes Peter Rabbit," the older woman had said, and of course she had made the right choice.
Emily couldn't read, but the drawings alone were enough to excite her. She was such a darling child, it was impossible not to find every little thing she did endearing. With Mrs Hughes, she had been shy and quiet at first, but soon enough she was giggling loudly and talking of all the exciting things in her new world. She showed Poppy around, asked Mrs Hughes to spell her name with blocks and even asked Anna to spell her own name with them - they might have another strong reader with them. Anna's heart burst every time the word 'Mummy' left her mouth, and she was quite sure Emily had only made their little family more perfect.
John had managed to arrive home at a reasonable time that evening, and found Anna knitting and Emily playing with Poppy in the parlour, clearly waiting for him. Emily smiled brightly when he entered the room, greeting him a little loudly, but he could only find it endearing. She was already in her nightclothes, seemingly ready to sleep. Perhaps Anna was right; perhaps Emily was warming up to him.
He proposed they read a book now, and Anna had smiled encouragingly at this. They had bought a few children's books for Emily, but she of course could not read yet. So he settled beside Anna on the settee, with Emily between them - though she visibly leaned against Anna - to start reading.
He did as best as he could - he had never actually read for a child yet, and he tried to make different voices and gestures. By the time he was on the third page of a Peter Rabbit book, Emily was leaning over him, to see the drawings too. She giggled sometimes, clearly finding the whole reading very amusing, but soon enough her body was leaning against his side, and her yawns became more frequent. When he was almost done, Anna spoke.
"John," she whispered, looking at Emily, and he looked down too.
Their little girl had fallen asleep against him, and his arm around her shoulders, holding her steady. He smiled, and so did Anna - it was past bedtime for someone.
"I'll take her," Anna said, but John shook his head.
"No, I can do it," he smiled.
He closed the book, and tried to pick Emily up in his arms as slowly as possible. She groaned slightly, but did not wake up. Leaving his cane downstairs, he slowly took her to her bedroom and tucked her into bed, leaving the lamp on once more. Emily held Poppy close and snuggled against her pillow, seemingly very comfortable.
He took some of her hair off her face and dropped a kiss on her forehead; she never even stirred. She really was a lovely child - she was similar to Anna, even. It was far too easy to be enchanted by this little girl.
Smiling to himself, he left the bedroom slowly, only to find Anna walking upstairs, holding his cane.
"You left this there," she handed it to him as she reached the landing. "Did she wake up?"
John shook his head. "Barely even moved. I'll go get ready."
Anna smiled. "All right, I'll just check in on her and I'll go too."
Anna took her time, probably checking the lamps and the locks, even if he had already, and when she reached their bedroom he was already in bed, distractingly reading a sonnet. He smiled when she came in, but frowned when he noticed she closed the door. They had not done it the previous evening because of Emily.
"She's fast asleep," Anna told him, unbuttoning her dress slowly. His throat felt dry. "So I thought we could make good use of you being home early."
Her shoes went first, and by the time she reached the bed she had already discarded her dress as well. He put the book on the nightstand and Anna straddled him, wearing only her underwear. He was slightly surprised at the intensity of her kiss and it took him a few seconds to regain full control of his thoughts, just as Anna took his shirt off.
"What is this for?" he chuckled, stroking her waist and bringing her closer.
"For being an amazing father," she said, kissing his cheek. "And for being an incredible husband."
"Are we sure this is me we're talking about?" he joked, peppering her face with kisses.
"Yes," Anna said forcefully, and he knew better than to argue. "Now, Mr Bates, we must be quiet or -"
But she couldn't finish her sentence, as he kissed the delicate skin right beneath her ear, and she let out a low moan. This would be something different for both of them, but he couldn't really say he didn't want to try. If anything, Emily only brought out qualities in Anna that he was only now discovering. John chuckled.
"Understood, Mrs Bates," he whispered. "But the same goes for you."
