A/N I'm happy to be posting this chapter. It may be the only one for a while. Just started Grad School and I'm super busy. So lots of reviews, follows, and faves would be particularly appreciated right now (yes, I'm shamelessly begging). Oh and my apologies if you are a Liverpool fan, but I had to use somebody.

I don't own…

November 16, 2013

Anna snuggled down further into John's side as she watched the rain trickle down the bus's window. Despite the weather, she had a huge smile on her face; a smile most decidedly not matched by John. She nudged him with her shoulder, trying to coax him into giving her some kind of a grin, even a small one.

"I don't know why you wouldn't let me hire a cab to take us to the restaurant. It is your birthday after all," he grumbled.

"And because it's my birthday I should get to do what I want, and I can't think of anything nicer than riding the bus with you. You have no idea how many times I dreamed of sitting with you like this when we first met. And every day I had to get on the bus alone and ride to work dreaming of your eyes and your smile. Now my dreams have come true and I want to enjoy them."

"Yes, Love," John agreed, but Anna saw him roll his eyes.

"You're just out of sorts because you're nervous. What happened to my big, strong war hero?" she teased.

"Your big, strong war hero always disputes the fact that he is one, but even granting you that, he only had to face the enemy. I'm facing your parents."

"They'll love you."

"Will they?" John raised his eyebrows.

"Why shouldn't they? Laura and Colin think you're marvelous, so you know they'll be on our side tonight."

"We have sides now?" John interrupted in a slight panic, "Why do we need sides if they'll love me?"

"Alright, not sides then, but they'll help keep the conversation going and get us over any rough spots."

"Now there are rough spots? Good lord."

"John, relax," Anna squeezed his arm for comfort, "what could they find to dislike? They aren't the kind of parents who disagree with the man their daughter brings home just on principle. They loved Colin from the very first."

"Yes, well, Colin's not 15 years Laura's senior. Nor does he walk with a cane or have a history of addiction and a 'not quite' ex-wife. What could they possibly disagree with?"

"They'll see the same things I see in you, Mr. Bates," Anna smiled again, "don't you worry."

"That's another thing," John continued, "don't call me 'Mr. Bates' tonight. It just emphasizes that I'm closer to your father's age then your own. Makes me sound like I was your Maths teacher or something."

"Hey, I met Vera for you. And I fought for you when I met her. All I'm asking is that you be your wonderful self and my parents will see that you're the best thing that's ever happened to me. I'm happier than I've ever been in my life John, and that's down to you. That's all they want for me. You'll see."

As the bus pulled to their stop near the restaurant, John turned to Anna, "I love you. No matter what happens tonight, remember how much I love you."

They stepped off the bus and walked arm in arm down the block. All the way, Anna rubbed John's arm in an effort to reassure him. He opened the door for her and she immediately recognized her parents, sister and brother-in-law at one of the tables. As they approached the group, Anna's family rose to greet them.

Anna's mother embraced her daughter with a warm smile, "Anna, darling, happy birthday. You look wonderful, is that a new dress?"

"Yes, Mary let me pick something for my birthday. What do you think Laura?" she said, turning to her sister.

"It's smashing, Sis," she gave Anna a hug and then did the same for John, "You're looking rather smart yourself, John."

Anna turned toward her parents, beaming with pride, "Mum, Dad, this is John. John, this is my father, Henry Smith and my mother, Audrey."

John moved his cane to his other hand and leaned forward, flashing them both his best smile, "Nice to meet you Mr. and Mrs. Smith. Your daughter is, without a doubt, the most amazing woman I've ever met."

He shook hands with them and as they were all sitting down Anna's father said, "Well our Anna thinks you're amazing too, so I guess the two of you are well matched."

"And please call us Henry and Audrey, John," her mother chimed in.

Anna could feel John physically relax beside her and she didn't think she had ever loved her parents more than she did in that moment. She squeezed John's thigh beneath the table as if to say 'I told you so'.

"So I'm afraid we're a little ahead of you on the cocktails," Anna's father said cheerfully, "What are the two of you having?"

"I'll have a champagne since it's my birthday," Anna answered brightly.

John was a bit nervous as he answered, "I'll just have a sparkling water. I don't drink."

"Oh that's right. Anna told us," her father continued, "probably drink too bloody much myself, truth be told. Much healthier not to. Good for you, John."

The rest of the dinner passed happily as Anna's parents seemed to go out of their way to draw John into the conversation. Bit by bit, he was able to relax and enjoy Anna's joyous family reunion. It made sense to him now how the woman he knew had become so happy, optimistic and generous of spirit. How could you help it being raised in this family?

Anna's father even went so far as to bring up John's injury instead of skirting around the issue, "Anna tells us you were wounded in the line of duty, John. Saving the Earl of Grantham's life or something. I've met the Earl on several occasions what with Anna and Lady Mary being so close. It was a life worth saving, he's a good man. Thank you for your service to our country."

John shook his head, "Henry, I'm afraid I owe you and Audrey an apology. I was very… apprehensive about meeting the two of you tonight."

"More like dreading it," Anna teased.

"Yes, alright, thank you for that Love," John smiled as the others laughed. "But I have to say, you've gone out of your way to make me feel welcome and comfortable and I'm humbled by your generosity."

"Oh, don't think we didn't check up on you, John," Audrey said between bites, "but Laura and Colin said they had met you on several occasions and that you were perfectly suitable. And Lady Mary likes you, so…"

"And she doesn't like anybody," Laura added.

"I just want my little girl to be happy," Anna's father interjected, "and you obviously do that. In fact, I've never seen her so happy before with anyone. I know my girl," he beamed at Anna, "and she's probably the best judge of character I've ever known. If she trusts you, then I trust you, at least until you give me a reason not to."

John shook his head, "I won't, I promise. Anna is the best thing to ever happen to me."

"Of course you won't," Anna kissed his cheek, her eyes shining with pride. She was sure this was her best birthday ever.

"I do have one serious question for you, John," Henry said, trying to look stern, "and my support of your relationship with Anna may very well rest on your answer."

John sat straighter in his chair, "Yes, sir?"

"Who do you support in the football?"

John looked around the table for a clue as to whether or not he could reveal his true feelings, but aside from Anna's eyes going wide, he found no help.

"My family have always been ManU supporters," John said with no little amount of trepidation in his tone of voice.

Colin lowered his head and refused to make eye contact with John.

"Manchester United?" Henry boomed, "Manchester United? Anna, what were you thinking? I could handle the age difference and the divorce, but you had to fall for a United fan?"

"Sorry Dad," Anna laughed.

"It's not my fault, Henry," John defended himself goodnaturedly, "I always say you don't so much pick your team as inherit them from your family."

"So if you and Anna have children, my grandkids will be United fans? Over my dead body."

Anna was appalled, "Kids! Dad what are you talking about?"

"Oh I'm not rushing you two into anything my girl, but these things have to be placed out in the open from the get go. Don't you agree, John?"

"I do, Henry. I do. Don't tell me you're a Liverpool fan?"

"Good god no. They're the only team I hate more than Manchester United. We root for Newcastle in this family. Always have and always will, isn't that right Colin?"

"Um, yeah, sure. Go Newcastle," Colin raised his fist in a lackadaisical salute.

"That's right," Henry enthused, thumping his knife on the table.

Colin looked to John and whispered, "Sorry, mate."

By now the women were laughing and rolling their eyes.

"Let's change the subject, shall we?" Anna's mother asked, "Now John, Anna's father and I are here until Monday and we were planning on taking the girls and Colin on a river tour of London tomorrow. We'd love to have you join us."

"Oh please, John?" Anna pleaded.

"Yes, please John?" Colin joked, "Henry and I hate to be outnumbered."

"I'd be happy to. Maybe Anna and I can have you over to mine for brunch on Sunday morning if you don't already have plans." John almost couldn't believe he had made the offer but he really wanted to repay the Smiths' kindness in some small way. He was rewarded with Anna's biggest smile of the evening, and his heart swelled to near bursting that he could make her so happy.

He couldn't help but add, "Maybe there will be a ManU match we can watch together, eh Henry?"

"Well that's our weekend all sorted then," Anna's mother inserted quickly, "now let's see what they have for puddings, shall we?"

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John and Anna had just put the Smiths in one taxi and Laura and Colin in another and waved them off down the street.

John turned to Anna, but before he had a chance to speak she took him by both of his lapels and smashed her lips against his.

"What was that for?" he laughed, after regaining his balance on the slippery walk.

"For being utterly wonderful, that's what. You completely charmed my mum and dad. They loved you even after you admitted to following ManU."

"You always give me too much credit. They were determined to like me."

"And you never take enough. That's why we're perfect for each other." She smiled up at him and kissed him again.

"What would you like to do now, birthday girl? Go for a walk along the river? Visit a pub? Whatever you want."

"I want you to take me home and make love to me."

John raised his eyebrows, "It's your birthday and I'm the one getting a present," he smirked.

"Let's get a cab, I'm freezing."

"I thought you wanted to take the bus? 'It's so romantic'," he sing-songed, trying to sound like Anna.

"Not now, I'm cold and tired."

John wrapped his arm around her and signaled for a cab, "Not too tired for your 'present' I hope."

Anna snuggled into his side, "Never too tired for that, Mr. Bates."

On the way, John convinced Anna to spend the night at his, which didn't take much cajoling as she loved the views of the Thames. He opened the door and let Anna enter first. As soon as he turned on the lights she saw a huge bouquet of red roses in a vase on the table. There were a card and small gift in a rectangular box lying next to them.

Anna walked to the table almost in a trance, "John, you shouldn't have."

Stepping in behind her and wrapping his arms around her waist he whispered, "Of course I should. It's my job to spoil you."

Anna turned her head, "It's not your job."

"My hobby then," he corrected, eyes twinkling. "Open your gift."

"Cards go first. That was always my mum's rule," Anna ripped into the card and read it carefully. Then she got to the part John had written by hand,

My darling Anna,

I've never been a religious man, but I thank the heavens and all within them that such a special person was born. It is you who are a gift to me, the truest gift I've ever received, and to this day (probably forever) I will never understand why you settled on me. But I'm beginning to believe you have and that you don't regret it. You fought for me like a petit tiger against Vera, and I have never felt so loved. The words to express the depths of my feelings for you are yet to be invented, but I will try my best to show you every day for the rest of my life.

Happy (I refuse to put the number here as it will only make me feel ancient) Birthday my love.

Your John

When Anna looked up at him she had tears in her eyes.

"Are you alright?" John asked, secretly pleased that his words were causing this reaction in her.

"Alright? I've never been so happy nor felt so loved in my life."

John reached behind her and took the box from the table. "Here, open your gift," he said, handing it to her.

She ripped into the paper and saw the name of one of the more expensive downtown jewelry stores on the top of the box. She lifted the lid and pulled out a charm bracelet with three charms already dangling from it: a bus, an umbrella, and a heart with a 'j' on it.

She started to chuckle.

"Do you like it?"

"I love it. It's perfect. But shouldn't the heart have an 'a'?"

John wrapped her back in his arms and kissed her neck, "No, it's 'j' for John. It's my heart and it's belonged to you almost from the moment we met."

"Almost?" Anna asked, with a touch of cheek.

"Well, I had some silly notions about being tied to Vera for awhile. At first I was afraid to get hurt again, then I thought you deserved better, but your perseverance has paid off."

He leaned in to kiss her as she was saying, "Thank God."

And he had just enough time to respond, "And you," before their lips met.