I apologize for the extensive hiatus. I never intended to go so long between updates, but life became a wee bit busy. I hope to get another chapter or two written over my holiday break. Fear not, this story has not been abandoned! Enjoy!

Previously on Love Comes Quickly: Anna has her fashion show where John is a surprise guest.


By the time Anna made her way backstage, the journey slowed by well-wishers congratulating her on a job well done numerous times along the way, the shock of seeing John sitting in the audience front and center had worn off only slightly. When she eventually made it back to the changing area, she was met with Mary, who was calmly removing her runway makeup and Anna's shock at seeing John quickly turned to suspicion. She considered Mary one of her best friends, having known her since their university days, and felt there was little they couldn't talk freely about or share with each other.

"So," Anna asked as she approached Mary, who was sitting at one of the hair and make-up tables, "who was that man sitting next to your father?"

Anna knew exactly who he was. Even though she'd only seen the man in person one time, she'd seen him in his profile pictures, her dreams, and practically every time she closed her eyes since she first came across his profile. She was that enamored with him. Still, she wanted to know how, and how much, Mary knew of him. Chances were if he was a good enough friend with her father to attend a fashion show, then they were probably very close. And Mary would definitely have some explaining to do.

Mary stopped what she was doing instantly at the sound of Anna's inquiry. "What do you mean," Mary replied nonchalantly. "How do I know which man?"

"You know exactly which man I'm speaking about, Mary. John, the man who was sitting next to your father in the front row!"

Mary stared blankly back at her, guilt clearly written upon her face. Resignedly, Mary answered, "John's an old family friend. He's been friends with my father for years and is practically a brother to him. John works for him, too as his personal assistant. But, I suppose you already knew that part," Mary trailed off

Anna crossed her arms and stared at Mary, her gaze hardening and her blue eyes piercing into Mary's brown ones. "Ok, but why did you warn me off of him when we came across his profile that night. If he's been friends with your family for so long, then why were you so hesitant for us to even communicate, let alone possibly date?"

Mary hesitated for a moment before responding, "That's not my story to tell." Mary paused as she contemplated how much more about John to divulge to Anna. "Just, there are things you don't know about him, things in his past. He's a good guy and I knew you'd fall for him once you started chatting. I just don't want you to get hurt."

Just then, an assistant with a headset approached the pair. "I'm sorry to interrupt, Miss Smith, but there are some media waiting to speak with you."

Anna closed her eyes and exhaled a quick breath, replying to the assistant, "I'll be right there."

Anna turned her attention back to Mary, "I don't know what to say to that right now. Only that I know my own heart, and I know my own mind. I can make my own decisions."

Shame flickered across Mary's face, knowing once again she'd underestimated the tenacity and independence of her friend, "I'm sorry, Anna. I know you can. Will you be joining us tonight?"

Anna shook her head, "I don't think that's a good idea right now. I need some time to process all this."

"I understand. Go do your media thing, and I'll talk to you later."

Anna walked briskly away to face the gathered media, though it was the absolute last thing she wanted to do at the moment. If she were honest, she wanted to go back to the audience area to see if John was still there, but at the same time, she had no idea what to say to him. She really would need some time alone with her thoughts. There was obviously something about his past that Mary thought would put Anna off, yet she had no idea what. If only that blasted assistant hadn't interrupted their conversation! But, as much as she wanted Mary to tell her the entire story about John and his past, she would much rather find out directly from him.

Quickly finishing with the media after providing short and sweet answers to their questions, Anna walked briskly back toward the stage area and peaked through the curtain separating the backstage from the audience, hoping against her better instincts that she'd find John sitting in his front row seat waiting for her. She tried not to be disappointed in the drop of her stomach when she realized that he had already left. Just as she had expected, yet hoped against. Releasing a heavy sigh, Anna gathered her emotions and retreated backstage to pack up her things and head home.


John sat staring at the stage as the venue cleared out around him. The show had ended fifteen minutes ago and he still could not believe Anna was the designer of the show he had been lucky enough to see. And she seemed just as surprised to see him, when they locked eyes for a brief, yet wonderful moment as she walked down the runway with her models at the end of her show. Coincidentally, arm in arm with Robert's daughter, Mary. He wondered how he hadn't put the pieces together sooner. He knew Mary was a model and he knew from talking to Anna that she was in fashion, but never once considered the two might know each other. But Rob had to have known. Suddenly, John felt a dueling sense of anger and betrayal wash over him. He'd talked to Rob about Anna before. And told him about her career. He had to have known this was the same Anna. Why would Robert make him come here without some kind of warning? John paused. This was Robert he was talking about. He loved the guy, but he sure could be clueless about such things. But, he had to know for certain.

"John. John!"

John shook his head in an attempt to release himself from his train of thought, and realized Robert trying to get his attention.

"John, we need to head back to the office. Let's go."
"Wait, aren't you going to go congratulate Mary," John asked as he gestured to the stage next to them.

"No time for that, I've got a full afternoon of meetings ahead. Besides, we're having a little celebration for Mary at the house later. You will be joining us, right?"

John sensed this was his opportunity to question Robert about Anna. "I'm not sure. Will Anna be there?"

"Anna? I assume so. She is a large part of Mary's success after all."

"Oh, I think I'll sit this one out."

"Why?

John floundered for a suitable answer. Even though the party was taking place after work hours, Robert always expected him to show up at his social functions, as both his assistant, and more importantly his friend.

"Wait a minute!" Robert gasped, "Anna is the same Anna you went on a date with!"

At John's subtle nod in confirmation Robert continued on, "I don't know why it took me so long to put two and two together. Actually, come to think of it, Mary mentioned something about this to me a few weeks ago. Did the date not go well? Is that why you don't want to see her at the party? "

"No, the date went well. We have a lot in common and I'd like to see more of her."

Robert started at John, a look of utter confusion on his face as if John had sprouted an extra pair of ears right in front of him. "I'm not following. If everything went so well and you want to see her again, why are you avoiding going somewhere where you'd actually see her again?"

"You saw her fashion show and how talented and self-confident she was up there. Why would she want to be with a guy like me? No offense, Mr. Crawley…"
"Stop right there," Robert held his hand up in front of John to stop him from continuing, "pretend we're off the clock and call me Robert. We've always been friends first, after all."

"Fine," sighed John, "Robert, no offense, but she's an up-and-coming fashion designer and I'm a personal assistant. I've had my share of personal troubles she knows nothing about, not to mention a shrew of a wife hanging onto me like a leech sucking the very life out of me with each moment she remains in my life. Anna's too good for someone like me. She may not think so now, but she will. Eventually. And I can't bear to think of that happening."

"Oh my dear fellow, you're so much more than all of that and if you just talk to Anna and tell her your fears, I'm certain she'll understand. I've known Anna for a few years now and that girl is wise beyond her years. If there's anyone on this earth who will understand you, it's Anna. Just…be honest with her."

"So you're saying I should go to the party then?"

"Yes, now this has been far too much talk about feelings for this Englishman. And we do need to be going. Unless you fancy rescheduling all of those meetings for a second time."

John quickly turned on his heel and ushered Robert out of the venue. After all the trouble he put himself through rearranging Robert's meetings in order to come here, there was no way he was going to go through the hassle again. At least not if he could help it.


With the marathon afternoon of meetings finally completed, Robert and John headed for the Crawley residence for Mary's celebratory party. John casually glanced through the crowd of family and close friends gathered for the occasion hoping to spot the flowing blonde locks he'd become enamored with in such a short amount of time. But it appeared she was nowhere to be found.

Mary happened to notice John not so subtly looking around, obviously looking for someone. She had an idea he was searching for the presence of one blonde haired, blue-eyed fashion designer and could see his countenance becoming more and more disheartened with each unsuccessful visual pass around the room. Finally she decided she needed to put him out of his misery.

"Are you looking for someone?" Mary asked as she approached the man she considered an uncle, a glass of wine in her hand.

"No," John answered none too convincingly.

"Anna couldn't make it if that's who you were looking for."

"I wasn't."

"You could've fooled me."

'Fine, yes I was hoping to see Anna. Your father told me she'd likely be here and I wanted to talk to her about some things."

"Well, I'm afraid it's my fault she's not here." Mary fiddled with the stem of her wine glass, unsure of what to reveal to John. If there was one thing Mary Crawley hated it was being made to look like a fool. Disclosing to John why Anna was upset with her would surely accomplish that.

"What? Why?" John was obviously confused as to why Mary would not want Anna to come to an event celebrating the successes of both women.

"She's a bit upset with me about something I said during one of our girly nights, that she just happened to find out about today. Don't worry, she's avoiding me more than she's avoiding you."

"So, she's avoiding me? Well, I can't say I blame her. She's probably realized she can do much better than me. She's probably better off not being here."

"She's not avoiding you John, she's avoiding me," Mary replied with an exasperated sigh. "I forgot one very important trait about Anna. She doesn't like her opinions influenced by others. She likes you, John. And I was stupid to try to warn her off you, especially seeing how happy you make her. Though, full-disclosure, I did insinuate that there were things about you she needed to know before she gets in too deep."

John stood in stunned silence. On one hand, the fact that Anna had admitted, or at least shown to her closest friend that he made her happy after knowing each other for a short time brought him so much joy. Yet on the other hand, John knew that he would likely only bring her pain. Was breaking Anna's heart down the road worth the risk? Or would John make the same mistake as Mary and feel the wrath of Anna for not giving her the opportunity to make her own decisions on the matter. John did know one thing; he no longer had any reason to be at this party. Especially as he was only there with the hope of seeing Anna.

"If you don't mind, Mary, I'm going to be heading home. It's been a long day and I have a lot to think about. Let your father know I've left."

"I understand and I will. Good luck, John."

John set his half-empty pint glass of coke on the mantle nearest him and snuck out of the grandiose Crawley home. He had a lot of thinking to do. He needed to do what was right. If only he knew what that was.


It was the evening after her fashion show, and Anna could not get her fight with Mary out of her mind. She'd wanted to speak with him immediately after Mary came clean about John's relationship with the Crawley family, but by the time she had made it back to the audience area after fulfilling her media obligations, John and Robert had already left, presumably to return to work. The Crawleys threw a celebration for Mary's accomplishments at their house later that evening, and while Anna knew she was welcome, and almost expected to attend, she had a feeling John would be there, too as he was apparently a close friend of the Crawley family. As much as she wanted to confront him about his past and why he had not contacted her since their date, she knew the Crawley house was not the appropriate place. And besides, she was meant to leave to Yorkshire the next morning in order to make it in time for her mother's garden party the following evening. She preferred to speak with him away from prying eyes and ears, anyway. Though, when she'd have that opportunity again she'd never know.

As Anna loafed around her flat unwinding from her recently hectic life, she considered texting him as she did have his phone number. But she reconsidered, as she did not want to bother him if he was busy. And she'd consumed half a bottle of wine and very little food, which would surely be a recipe for disaster. But then again, wine was how she found herself in this situation anyway. Plus, what was she going to say to him? Oh, you know the Crawleys too? Ever been to Downton Abbey? So what's your big secret? Let me guess, you are a serial killer and I'm your next victim. And surely, he wouldn't want to speak with her now. If he had any desire to see her again he would have contacted her already. With a heavy sigh and a glance at the clock on her cable box, Anna deemed it time to get a start on packing for the weekend. The last thing she wanted was to spend her precious free time flitting about Yorkshire's elite, but she did promise her mother she'd be there and Anna wasn't one to go back on a promise.

The next morning found Anna up with the birds, an odd occurrence all together as usually it would take near on five alarms to lure her from slumber. She knew she couldn't chalk it up to anticipation for the weekend as she was dreading her plans enough already. Something lured her from sleep, almost a sense that something was waiting for her. She rubbed the remaining sleep from her eyes and padded her way toward the kitchen. She might as well luxuriate over a steaming cup of coffee before getting a real start on her day. After starting the pot, Anna made her way over to the table where her laptop sat. She switched it on, more out of habit than any desire to do work. Clicking over to her email she saw a notification from Soulmates. And more importantly, a message from John. With a heady mix of excitement and trepidation Anna clicked on the link and began to read.

Dear Anna,

First, I want to apologize for not calling you like I said I would. It was very foolish of me, but I have my reasons. After our wonderful date together, and seeing and speaking to you in person, I've realized that you are far too good for the likes of me.

After seeing you at your fashion show yesterday, it was made even more obvious. You have a bright future ahead of you, and I'd hate to hold you back with my troubles. I'm sure you have an exciting and busy life, and I'm well, me. Not exciting, and really quite boring. So, this I ask of you, please go to sleep and dream of a better man. I'm certain he's not me. I'm sorry.

Be well,

John

No. Anna thought to herself. No, no, no. Without further thought Anna quickly began to form a reply. She wasn't going to let him go that easily.