Here's chapter 9, hope you all enjoy, I love getting reviews, thank you to those who have already reviewed!


Anna; if you are reading this, you have been granted the day off. I'll have told Mr. Carson (the human) and Mrs. Hughes that you were sick last night and not feeling up to working today. After last night I thought you needed a day off. I got the cat's box ready but I didn't have the chance to put everything else away.

I love you, I'll be in to see you at luncheon.

Anna glanced at the clock, it was just after eight in the morning. She smiled as she got out of bed, it was just like John to think about her and do what he could to make her feel better. She took her time getting ready for the day, making the bed, cleaning the washroom and getting laundry ready to be done.

She could hear the cat meowing as she walked down the stairs. She peeked into the parlour to find him playing with a ball of yarn. He was batting it around and then running after it and meowing. She smiled and went into the kitchen to make some tea. While the water heated, she bustled around the kitchen, putting things away and making a mental note of what they still needed to buy. As she made her breakfast she got out the ingredients for John's favorite dessert, they always kept the ingredients on hand but Anna hardly ever had the chance to make it for him.

After finishing breakfast, she made sure that Carson the Cat had food and set about to make her husband a treat.

The cinnamon tart was cooling on the table and the mint tea was steeping when John came in for luncheon. He hung his coat and hat in their usual place, and came into the kitchen. "All I've got are sandwiches." Anna's tone was apologetic, "and a tart."

"I'm sure it will taste wonderful." John smiled and moved through the kitchen. "I could get used to this," he pressed a quick kiss to her cheek before studying her for a moment, her skin was paler then usual, with dark circles under her eyes. But her eyes were bright with joy and her smile was genuine so he assumed the dark circles were from being awake so late at night and made a note to make sure she got to bed early that night so she could rest properly before work tomorrow morning.

"So could I." Anna responded "I love cooking for you. Although, when we have our hotel, I'll probably get tired of cooking every day."

John studied her for a moment, "It's been months since we talked about the hotel, are you still interested?"

"Yes." They sat down at the table, Anna had already set out the sandwiches on separate plates and she poured them both a cup of tea. "I've actually thought of a name for our hotel."

"Yes?"

"2nd Home Bed and Breakfast."

"I like it," John smiled at her, he was glad that Anna wasn't thinking only of her nightmares. "Oh," he remembered. "This came in the morning post." He held out the letter and she quickly opened it.

"It's from my mother..." Anna said, she scanned the letter quickly, "My father is injured, she wonders if I could take some time off to help them."

"How long would they need you?"

"For three weeks, the doctor says my father will be able to go back to work then."

"If Lady Mary can use Baxter for the three weeks, I think you should go."

"She's inviting you as well." Anna said, "Seeing as how they haven't met you and we've been married for three years."

"If his Lordship gives me the time, I'll be happy to help your family."

"I'll talk with Lady Mary about it tomorrow." Anna decided, folding the letter, she smiled at her husband. "What did you tell them about me, to get me the day off?"

"I told them that you were up late last night not feeling well. Mrs. Hughes and Thomas both guessed what really happened, but Mrs. Hughes said that you shouldn't feel guilty about taking the day off, it's a long time coming."

"Could you tell Mrs. Hughes thank you, for the day?" Anna asked, the cat came into the room but both of them ignored it.

John nodded, making a note to remember to speak with Mrs. Hughes "Did you have a good lie in?"

Anna smiled, "until eight, and then I didn't even come downstairs for nearly an hour after that." Anna forced a smile as she suddenly remembered why she'd been allowed the day off. "I hate why I was given the day off, but it was nice to sleep."

"You know we can make things work with just my paycheck if you'd like to stay home," John began to speak but Anna silenced him with a look.

"We have had this conversation several times before, John, it's better if I work and put my wages in savings. If we just have your wages we wouldn't be able to put as much aside each month." She smiled and leaned over the table to give him a kiss. She surprised the both of them by deepening it, her hands gripping his shoulders for a moment before ending the kiss and stepping back. John gave her a long look, before he moved his chair closer to Anna. He reached out for her, "May I?" he asked quietly.

Anna nodded quietly, as John cupped her face in his hands, he leaned forward slowly, giving her the chance to pull away, or tell him to stop. All Anna did was smile and close her eyes as their lips touched again, the kiss was gentle, much like the kisses they had shared before they'd married. It was long, but John pulled back suddenly as he felt the tears on Anna's face.

"What is it love, did I push you too fast?" he asked, wiping her tears.

Anna shook her head, smiling. "No, you didn't push me..." Her mouth worked for a moment. "Before I was attacked, I knew you were a good man. But then I saw how horrid a man could be, and it showed me how gentle and tender you are." Her eyes welled up again and John pulled out his handkerchief, "what did I ever do to deserve you?"

"That's funny, I ask myself that every day."

Anna smiled and they both went back to eating, they both knew that John would have to go to back to the main house soon.

"His Lordship said I'd be allowed off after I dress him for dinner, is there anything in particular you want to do tonight?"

"It's been a while since we just read together, can we do that? I'll pick the book out before you get home."

"That sounds wonderful." He gave her a smile, one that, before the attack had made her heart skip a beat and her knees grow weak. Now she blushed, feeling something in the pit of her stomach, it felt like a combination of attraction and disgust. She loved her husband, now more than ever that he was still standing by her even after everything that had happened. It had been five months since the attack and she still wasn't ready to give herself to him properly. John hadn't pushed her, his actions mirroring his words from the night before. She still couldn't wrap her head around it, most men would have divorced her by now, for not preforming her "wifely duties".

"Anna, I have a question." John seemed to be weighing his words carefully.

"Yes?"

"About your nightmare last night."

Anna sucked in a breath, suddenly imagining John's next words to be "I can't take this any more."

"You said that he used my nickname?"

"Yes,"

"Would you prefer it if I didn't use that nickname, when things are back to normal for us?"

Anna let out a shuddering sigh. "No, use it."

John's eyebrows raised and he swallowed before answering Anna. "Are you sure?"

"Yes, he's taken enough from us John. Lets don't let him take that away as well."

"Alright." John said, he glanced at the time, "I have to get back." he told her.

Anna smiled and they said their good byes, she watched her husband walk down the path back to Downton before turning and closing the door.


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