A/N: This chapter is extremely fluffy and sweet...beware if you're diabetic! I'd like to give special thanks to JamesLuver who has recently left thorough reviews for each chapter of this fic and they are appreciated beyond measure. Thank you to all reviewers, anonymous and not. I hope to get a second chapter of my M rated fic up in the next week. But in the meantime, family fluff.
The wind outside was howling. Anna listened to the low whistles and creaks as she sat at the kitchen table, sipping some tea. Her labor had begun. She knew all the signs, having gone through it twice before, and realized there was still some time. It was just about 4 in the morning and she hoped to let John sleep some more before waking him. Both of her previous labors had started in the middle of the night and this had been no different. She'd been awake since 2, slipping quietly out of bed and roaming the house. She checked on her sleeping sons, dusted some furniture in the parlor, and mended a pair of Will's trousers.
Standing, Anna took a deep breath, her abdomen tightening, and clutched the table. Soon the pain subsided and she let her air out with a whoosh. It was time to tell John. She made her way back up the stairs, guided by her candle, stopping once more to look at Jack and Will, now 5 and 3 respectively. They were both very excited to have a new sibling. She suspected that they wanted another brother, but Anna and John were hoping to add a daughter to the family. Still, she would be happy either way as long as the baby was healthy. She had been blessed to have two big, healthy babies before and she hoped this trend would continue.
John was snoring softly. The poor man, Anna thought, doesn't know what he's in for. Anna smiled, then sat on the bed to rub John's arm and wake him.
"John...John, wake up."
Bates groaned and then slowly opened his eyes. "Anna?" he whispered. A yawn overtook him as he rolled onto his back.
"It's time. The baby is coming," she said.
He sat up in bed. "Now?" he asked, panic in his voice.
"No, silly. There's plenty of time. But we might as well start preparing."
"Oh, yes all right. And how are you? Does it hurt?" John asked, reaching out to put his hand on her stomach.
"Getting a bit worse, but not too bad right now." She covered his hand with her own. "Here we go again," she laughed.
John smiled back. He yawned once more before kicking the covers off. "Here we go," he agreed, "All right, get back into bed. Let me just wash up and get dressed. I'll make a quick breakfast for myself and by then Mr. Carson should be up and we can call. I'll call Dr. Clarkson now."
Anna agreed and got back into the bed, sitting up and pulling the covers back up to warm her cold feet. She watched as John gathered his things and then went down the hall to their bathroom. She started to rub her stomach again. She was at the point where she was quite ready to have the baby, her sore back and aching feet reinforcing that thought each day for the past few weeks. But now that it was happening she felt a bit melancholy. Oh she was overjoyed to meet her new baby, but thinking of no longer having John and her sons placing their hands on her bump to feel the baby move was something she would miss. Jack and Will had been fascinated by the entire process, eagerly listening to and reporting on the exploits of their sibling in the womb. Will was convinced the baby had a football in there and was kicking it. As Anna had grown larger, she wasn't too sure that there wasn't a ball in there with the baby as well. Their excitement had been something she'd treasured.
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"Mummy!"
Anna opened her eyes and sat up straight. She'd sat down shortly after John had left with the boys for a quick trip into town. What had supposed to have been 10 minutes of rest had turned into nearly two hours of sleep.
"Mummy!" Jack called again and this time Anna called back, telling him where she was. He ran into the room, followed quickly by Will and then John. John held a large shopping bag.
"What's this?" Anna asked, putting her arms out for the boys. They came and sat down on either side of her and she pressed quick kisses into their hair. John sat on the chair beside her.
"Well," John began, "we were in town and the boys decided they wanted to buy presents."
"Presents?" Anna asked.
"For the baby," John said quietly and smiled warmly at Anna.
"Did they?" Anna asked, immediately feeling tears in her eyes.
"They did. And since dad was paying, they felt quite generous indeed," he teased. "Boys, show your mum what you got." John pulled a box out of the bag and handed it to Jack.
Jack pulled the ribbon from the box and opened it. "I got the baby a teddy bear," he said excitedly.
"Oh Jack, that's wonderful! The baby will love it! Oh, thank you!" Anna enthused. The bear was quite soft and fuzzy looking. She could imagine her child sleeping with it as he or she grew. Anna wiped away a tear and then put her arms around her eldest son, holding him tight. Jack blushed, pleased with his mother's reaction.
"Now mine daddy," Will said. John handed him the box and he gave it to Anna. "Open," he said.
Anna did and pulled out a quilted baby blanket. It was a soft yellow and had animals in a parade embroidered on the edge.
"Oh Will, how pretty! Look at all the little animals," Anna exclaimed.
"There's a elephant," Will said, pointing at the lead animal who carried a small flag with its trunk, "and there's a lion and a tiger and a bear and a..."
"Yes, I see. It's so beautiful," Anna said, politely cutting Will off. "The baby will love it. It's so soft!"
"Daddy said babies need to be warm," Will explained.
"They do. This will help so much, especially since the baby will be here when it starts to get cold." Anna gave him a hug as well. She then reached out to pull Jack back into her embrace. She hugged them both tightly and began to cry.
"Daddy?" Jack asked.
"Mum's just really happy. They're happy tears," John explained.
"Oh, I'm sorry," Anna said, laughing, "Daddy's right, they are happy tears."
"Does the baby like the presents?" Jack asked.
John smiled. "Let's find out," he said. He moved to Anna, bending down to put his ear against her belly. He had told the boys that while babies are inside the mother's tummy, the father can hear what the baby is saying. John insisted only the father could hear because Will was intent on telling everyone that he thought the baby was telling them all to eat biscuits for dinner. Since then the boys had been excited to hear the baby and father talk. Anna leaned back a bit to accommodate John and put her hand against his head. "Do you like the presents little baby Bates?...Hmm, I see...oh you do? Good...Yes, they are. Yes, I'll tell them."
"What did it say?" Will asked.
"It said that it loves the presents. It thinks the teddy bear will be very soft and cuddly to sleep with and it said the animals on the blanket are the very best animals in the world and the blanket will be so warm. And the baby said it is lucky to have such wonderful brothers and it loves you very much and can't wait to meet you."
Both of the boys grinned, looking very proud of themselves.
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Anna laughed to herself now, remembering that moment. The blanket and bear were sitting in the little bassinet that would soon be home to a new occupant.
"Dr. Clarkson said he'll come about 6, but to call if you need him sooner. I called . He'll let everyone know and he was sure Mrs. Hughes would be over shortly to help," John said, coming back into the room, now washed and dressed. Mrs. Hughes had been there through Anna's previous labors as well. It was a great comfort to have her there and hear her encouragement.
"Then I guess we'll just wait," Anna said.
"Do you want anything?" John asked.
"No, I'm fine. Here, sit and keep me company," she said, patting the bed. John did as told and they sat together, John holding her close when a contraction came, but otherwise just passing the time discussing their new arrival. The talk turned to names once again.
"I still like Joseph for a boy," Anna said. "But perhaps Charles? Mr. Carson would be pleased."
"And for a girl? Are we still decided? I know I am," John said, kissing Anna's temple.
"Yes, Catherine Anna. I like it." Catherine was the name of Anna's beloved grandmother. John liked the name and, from the stories Anna told, would have liked her. He had been the one to insist upon Anna as a middle name, thinking it only fair since they already had John Robert and William John. He had tried to persuade her out of using John as a middle name again if they had a son, but she had just smirked at him.
"Perhaps I could call her Kate? Or Katie?" John asked, "Would that be fine with you?"
"That sounds lovely," Anna agreed.
They continued to visit, enjoying each other's company, both excited. Anna's contractions had strengthened a bit, she hoped it would be a quick delivery. The boys would likely wake up when they heard the commotion of Dr. Clarkson arriving and they agreed that John would watch them rather than sending them off to Downton.
Mrs. Hughes soon arrived, bringing with her some treats for the boys to have later. She busied herself around the house, making sure John would be able to give his full attention to his sons and not have to worry about any cleaning or cooking.
Time passed with Anna's pains growing steadily worse. She would clutch John's hand and he would try not to feel too guilty for making her go through this all again, forgetting that she was quite a willing partner in all of this. Dr. Clarkson soon arrived and John stepped out when he asked to examine Anna. He went to check on his sons.
He found Jack awake, but still snug in his bed. "What's happening? I heard noise," the boy said.
"It's your mum. She's going to have the baby soon," John said, sitting down beside him. Jack crawled onto his dad's lap.
"The baby? Today?"
"Yes, today. You'll have a new brother or sister," John said, nuzzling the boy's hair and gently rocking back and forth.
"Daddy?"
John looked at Will who was just waking up.
"Good morning Will. Come here," John said.
Will got out of his bed and John picked him up and set him on his lap, grateful that he could still hold both boys.
"Mummy's going to have the baby," Jack said.
Will gasped and looked up at his father. "Baby here?" he asked.
"No, not yet. Sometime today though."
"Where's mummy now?" Jack asked.
"Dr. Clarkson is examining her. He will let us know more about when to expect the baby. But how about I go see if he is done and then you can say good morning to mum?"
Both boys nodded and John eased them onto the bed. "All right. Get your slippers on and wait here. We'll see mum and then have some breakfast."
Just as John approached their bedroom, Dr. Clarkson opened the door. He smiled at John. "Everything seems to be going well. I don't think we should have a terribly long wait. Progress is steady."
"Good," John said, "I'm going to take the boys into see her before things get too far along. Please go have a cup of tea. I believe Mrs. Hughes is preparing breakfast. Help yourself."
John entered their room. Anna smiled at him, her hair slightly undone and it was evident the pain was growing worse. John told her about the boys waking and wanting to see her. She readily agreed, wanting to get some cuddle time before she had to focus all of her efforts on delivery.
The boys seemed a bit shy as they entered the room. They looked around to see who was there and when assured it was just Anna, went and jumped on the bed. They took turns hugging Anna and then settled beside her.
"The baby will be here today?" Will asked.
"Yes it will. Are you excited?" Anna asked.
Will nodded.
"From out of your tummy?" Jack said.
"Yes, that's right."
"How will it come out?" Jack asked.
Anna and John looked at each other. "Ummm..." John began.
Mrs. Hughes entered the room, immediately distracting the boys. "Oh thank god," John sighed.
"Why hello there my little men! Are you helping take care of mum?"
Both boys nodded vigorously. Anna reached out and grabbed John's hand, squeezing tightly. John realized she was having a contraction, but trying not to show it so the boys wouldn't be scared. He stroked her forehead and tried to soothe her. Mrs. Hughes noticed this as well and engaged the boys in conversation until she could see the pain leave Anna's face. "Well, how about you fellows give your ma a kiss and then we'll go get some breakfast. I've warmed some of Mrs. Patmore's biscuits and it won't take long to fry up some eggs."
Jack and Will each gave their mother a kiss and hug before leaving with Mrs. Hughes. John stayed behind to assist Anna. "John, this is going pretty fast," Anna said, her breath puffing out as she battled another contraction.
"Do you think you'll be able to push soon? Should I get Dr. Clarkson?"
She shook her head. "I'm not quite there yet, but it's not going to be long." Her face grew red and John wiped away the beads of sweat. They sat together, John trying desperately to comfort and Anna summoning all of her strength.
When Dr. Clarkson returned, he told John it was time for him to leave. After a last minute with Anna, he kissed her and left the room. He entered the kitchen where the boys were sitting and drinking their juice. Mrs. Hughes was washing some of the breakfast dishes. "Mrs. Hughes, you can go up there. Dr. Clarkson said it's time."
"It is? Oh my!" Mrs. Hughes said, grabbing a towel and wiping her hands. "I've left you a plate to warm in the oven Mr. Bates. I'll go up and keep you informed of everything."
"Thank you," John said and got his plate. His appetite was suddenly quite healthy and he ate quickly. The boys were chatting with him about the baby and John was glad Jack had lost his curiosity about how the baby got in Anna's stomach and how it would get out. When the boys had first felt the baby move, Jack had asked how it had gotten in there. John has spoken vaguely of a father planting a seed and love making a baby grow, but he could tell Jack was skeptical about this explanation.
John took the boys to play with their trains in the parlor, helping them to build a track around the sofa. But a cry from Anna was soon heard, making her sons worry and pester their father with questions about Anna being hurt. John decided to take them outside and got them into their coats. He watched as they rode their little tricycles up and down the road, his eyes on them and his ears listening for any cries from Anna or calls from Mrs. Hughes.
He kept them out as long as he could, but the air was cold and their cheeks were soon quite red. So back inside they went, back to their trains and trucks. They could hear movement and noise upstairs, but John assured the boys everything was fine and normal. Mrs. Hughes came down once and told everyone that things were going well and it wouldn't be long now. She turned back at the top of the stairs to see three worried faces looking back up at her. Laughing to herself, she entered Anna's room.
Anna was trying her best to be quiet, knowing that her sons would worry if she voiced her pain, but it was difficult. It was getting to that point where she didn't care what happened so long as the baby just came out. Mrs. Hughes wiped her forehead and gave her small sips of water. Dr. Clarkson was uttering encouragement, telling Anna that she would have to start to push soon. Anna didn't look forward to the task, already she felt exhausted and just wanted to take a nap.
"All right Anna. I want you to take a breath and then push at the next contraction. All right? You've done this before," Dr. Clarkson said.
Anna nodded her head and gripped Mrs. Hughes' hand. She wished John could be there, but she was happy he could be there to watch Jack and Will.
The delivery was underway in earnest now. Anna pushed as hard as she could, Mrs. Hughes encouraging her and wiping the sweat from her face. Dr. Clarkson told her she was doing wonderfully and that it would just be a bit more now, just another big push and then another. Anna struggled, tears leaking from her eyes as the pain became nearly overwhelming. But she fought on, doing just as Dr. Clarkson had said.
"More Anna, just a bit more. He we go! Once more. Wonderful...here we are!"
And suddenly there was an angry cry. Anna slumped back against the bed, her eyes watering as she looked at Dr. Clarkson. He cleared the baby's nose and mouth, then held it up for Anna to see. "You've got your girl Anna," he said.
"A little girl," Mrs. Hughes squealed.
Anna could only smile. "She's got good lungs," Dr. Clarkson remarked and moved the baby to lay on Anna's chest.
"Hello there little darling...hello," Anna said, bringing her hand up to run a finger down the baby's back. The baby quieted a little but was still upset at being so rudely disturbed. Mrs. Hughes moved in with a damp towel to clean off the tiny body, but Anna barely noticed. She was entranced with her newest child and lifted her head to kiss the baby as best she could. She felt the warmth of love for this new being rush through her body.
Downstairs, John and the boys were practically jumping out of their skin. They'd heard the baby's cry and the boys had started to run up the stairs, stopping when John reached out to grab their legs. "No, not yet. Mrs. Hughes will come tell us."
They were very impatient. John could hear the bedroom door open and then some footsteps, but nothing else. John wanted to go up, desperate to see his new child but he did his best to be calm so as not to excite the boys even further. They were sitting beside him, bouncing excitedly up and down.
Finally, after what seemed much too long, Dr. Clarkson and Mrs. Hughes came down stairs. "Can we see the baby?" Jack asked eagerly.
"Now, now, how about we let your pa see the baby first and then you two can go up? Would that be all right?"
Jack and Will both pouted. "Boys, let me just have a minute with mum and then I'll call you right up," John said.
"While we're waiting how about we have some of the cake I brought with me. Mrs. Patmore made each of you a little cake."
The boys' eyes lit up and they turned to their dad. "Have that and some milk and then you can come up."
Mrs. Hughes led the boys away and John turned to Dr. Clarkson. "Another wonderful delivery. Six pounds, healthy."
"Boy or girl?" John asked.
"Now Mr. Bates, you know that is for Anna to tell you. Get up and see for yourself. I'll leave now, keep an eye out for Anna, if there are any issues, don't hesitate to call."
"Yes, thank you Dr. Clarkson. For the third time."
"My pleasure," Dr. Clarkson said. The two men shook hands, but John was too impatient to see him to the door. He hoped the doctor would understand his breach of etiquette. Instead he rushed up the stairs. He knocked briefly before opening the door and poking his head in.
"John, come in," he heard Anna say, exhaustion and happiness evident in her voice.
"The boys are with Mrs. Hughes. They're quite eager, but she brought cake to distract them," John said as he entered the room, keeping his eyes on the bundle in Anna's arms.
"Good. I want to see them too. In the meantime, come sit."
John did as told, as he had with Jack and Will he sat beside Anna to be properly introduced to his child. "Catherine, I want you to meet your daddy. John, I want you to meet your daughter," Anna said.
John beamed, his eyes going to meet Anna's. "A daughter?" he asked. Anna nodded and moved the blanket a little so the baby's face was more visible. John gasped. "She's beautiful."
The baby had a few strands of dark hair and her deep blue eyes stared up at her father as he took her in his arms. "Hello there little Kate," John whispered, "I'm your dad."
Anna watched as John inspected the baby, just as he had done with Jack and Will, examining the little hands and feet, gently stroking the rounded belly. The baby was calm, waving her arms about a little, but perfectly content to be inspected by her father.
"Do you think she'll pass the boys' standards?" Anna asked.
John laughed. "Oh, I think they'll adore her. And I bet she'll adore them."
"Did you see she's got your dark hair," Anna asked, reaching out to run a finger over the dark wisps.
"I did. I hope everything else is all you," John said. "Including your courage. Ladies nowadays have more opportunities. If she has your strength and spirit there will be no stopping her!"
"Prime minister?" Anna teased, but she was touched by John's words.
"Good heavens no, I wouldn't wish that job on any of our children."
Anna laughed and watched Kate curl her hand around John's finger. "She's pretty perfect isn't she?" Anna mused.
"She is indeed. I'd say we're pretty good at making perfect babies, wouldn't you?" John mused, placing a tender kiss on the baby's forehead.
"Oh yes, quite."
They sat together for a few minutes more before deciding it was time to introduce her to her brothers. Anna waited as John went to fetch them, talking softly to her daughter before hearing the creak of the door opening. John held the boys' hands. Their eyes were wide and John lifted each onto the bed before sitting down too. They both stared at the baby, unblinking. John put his hands on their backs, which still didn't distract them. "Boys," John said, "this is your new little sister. Her name is Catherine."
"Cathin," Will said quietly.
"Catherine," John gently corrected.
"You can call her Kate," Anna said, smiling at John.
"Kate," Will said again.
"She's so small," Jack said, then started to reach out to touch her. He stopped at the last second and shrank back.
"No, go ahead," Anna said, "take her hand."
Jack did and Kate immediately gripped her hand around his finger. He looked up at his mother with surprise. "She's holding my hand!" he exclaimed.
"She's saying hello. She can't talk yet so this is her way," said Anna.
"Me now," Will said and he took Kate's free hand. The process repeated itself. "I can talk so I will say hello," he said to his mom, and then to Kate, "Hello."
Anna smiled and wiped away a tear. She met John's eyes. They smiled at each other, both overwhelmed with love. "Would you like to hold her?" Anna asked.
Both boys nodded eagerly. "All right, Jack first. Come sit here by me, put this pillow on your lap."
Jack did as told and John helped to arrange it so Kate would have some support. Then Anna slowly transferred the baby to his arms. Jack stiffened, but Anna whispered to him to look at how happy Katie was in his arms and he gradually relaxed. Will took the opportunity of having Anna's arms free to lay himself against her. John was going to tell him not to, but Anna shook her head and let the boy rest his head against her chest. She worried that he would become jealous of not being the youngest anymore and didn't want him to feel ignored.
On his own, Jack craned his neck to kiss the baby's cheek. Anna felt tears roll down her cheek and she noticed John's eyes were shining as he watched his three children interact. "Will's turn now," he said. Will remained in Anna's lap, turning around and John helped Jack pass the baby to him. Anna put her hands under Will's to offer support. Once in her brother's arms, Kate stuck her small fist out and waved it around. Will looked up at his father, a big grin splitting his face. "She likes me!"
"She does," John agreed, "She loves the both of you so much."
"I love her," Will said.
"Me too," Jack agreed.
"So we'll keep her then?" John asked.
Both boys were scandalized and looked to their mother. "Mummy?" they both said.
"Your father's just teasing. Of course we'll keep her," Anna laughed.
John moved to sit next to Jack at the head of the bed and put his arm around his eldest son. The family talked quietly, observing things about Kate, discussing when she would be able to play outside or ride a bike. As the boys discussed what sort of bike she would want, Anna and John met each other's gaze. "Thank you for this," John whispered.
Anna bit her lip. "You're welcome, but I couldn't have done it without you."
The two leaned towards each other to kiss, jostling the children. "Mummy! Kate was almost asleep and you woke her!" Jack protested.
John and Anna laughed and turned their attention back to their three most precious possessions.