A/N- A nice big slice of festive fluff for you here. John and Anna play happy families on Jemima's first birthday. The next part of the '3 part epilogue' will be a bit different the first two. Expect it in the next week or so...

Disclaimer- Downton and all its characters belong to Julian Fellowes/Carnival/ITV


Christmas Day

John carefully crept back into the room he shared with his wife, conscious of the early hour and not wanting to wake her. Little did he know, she was already awake, startling him as she turned on the bedside lamp.

'Why, hello there Father Christmas,' she teased, sitting up in bed, a grin from ear to ear as John shrugged off the large red jacket that draped from his shoulders.

'I don't know why you're teasing me, you are the one who wanted me to do that for Jemima.' John argued back, removing the hat from his head and the beard from his face. 'She won't have a clue what's going on today.'

'But I will,' Anna moaned as John climbed back into bed beside her. 'It's her first birthday as well as her first Christmas at home. I want it to be special. Father Christmas delivering her presents to her. What's more special than that?'

'Nothing, I suppose,' John said as he got himself comfortable. 'Despite the fact she is snoring like her mother in there and will have no recollection of my even being in her room, Father Christmas or not.'

A year had passed since Jemima had blessed John and Anna's lives. Their love for her knew no bounds, both truly believing the fact she brought them together made them love her even more, if that were possible. After marrying in the April after she had been born, John and Anna were now revelling in their happy marriage. They loved being together day after day, waking up together and falling asleep in each other's arms- when Jemima would let them of course.

She had grown, much to John's relief, to be the spitting image of Anna, all bar her dark, slightly curly hair which she had inherited from her father. She shared the same sparkling blue eyes as her mother, as well as her beautiful smile and curious nature. Jemima had caused many a heart stopping for her Mum and Dad, especially since she had started being able to walk a couple of weeks previously.

Becoming a father was by far, the best thing John had ever done. The pride he felt seeing Jemima learn new things every day astonished him, as well as the love he felt when he held her in his arms, or the occasions she called him, 'Dada.' He would treasure the first time the word had escaped her, through a fit of giggles as he played peek a boo with her at bath time. He wasn't ashamed to say he shed a tear. At last he had a purpose. To be a Dad to Jemima, and a husband to Anna.

Some of John's happiest moments over the past year had been seeing Anna and Jemima together. If there was a more beautiful sight than that of Anna and Jemima giggling together, or lying together asleep on the sofa in the living room then John wasn't aware of it. He would happily stand by and watch, completely mesmerised by the two females at the centre of his universe.

John often cursed himself nowadays about those initial doubts that had clouded his and Anna's early relationship. How he could think history would repeat itself, he didn't know. Anna was the most wonderful, caring woman he had ever had the pleasure of meeting. His love for her had no beginning, or no end and he had no doubt she would be by his side for the rest of his days. Anna was the love his life, his only regret being he hadn't found her sooner.

'Besides,' John said suddenly, breaking the stillness that had fallen over the room since Anna had turned off the lamp. 'What we have to tell our guests later today is special enough, isn't it?'

Anna didn't answer. She had already fallen back into slumber, snoring gently, her breath hitting his neck in small, soft blasts.

'Like mother, like daughter.'


Standing in the doorway to the living room with a mug of tea in his hand, a slightly disappointed expression covered his features as John watched Jemima and Anna. The former was having a whale of a time inside a large cardboard box. Her mother was kneeling beside her, hands covering her eyes until Jemima stood up, before Anna would reveal herself shouting boo, causing Jemima to chuckle hysterically. Anna looked over her shoulder to see John standing there before hearing him sigh.

'Oh darling, don't be too disheartened,' Anna said sympathetically as Jemima disappeared inside the box once more. 'It's a fact universally known that kids this age have more fun playing with the boxes than the toys that came in them.'

John sighed once more before approaching Anna, placing the drink he had made on the mantelpiece, experience teaching him to keep it well out his daughters reach. He sat on the sofa behind Anna, crossing his legs yet keeping silent.

'You're not really that upset, are you?' Anna asked, leaning her back against the sofa as Jemima began to throw the little pieces of polystyrene that had kept the contents of the box safe. 'I'm sure in time she'll begin to love the karaoke machine that Daddy bought her.'

'I'd just love her to enjoy singing as much as her Dad does, that's all.'

'She does, have you not heard her rendition of Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star?' Anna asked, an amused grin fixed on her face. 'She'll be dueting with you at your gigs in no time.'

'Uh-oh Dada.'

Both John and Anna turned their attention immediately to Jemima, who was pointing to the mess she had made on the floor with the polystyrene pieces. Anna couldn't help but laugh as John moved to clear up some of the mess.

'I see, Jemima makes the mess and Daddy has to tidy up, is that it?'

Anna felt her heart swell as John lifted their daughter from the box, pretending to make Jemima fly like an aeroplane as her soft giggles once again filled the air. He was a natural with her, the love they shared reminding Anna of the happy relationship she and her brother shared with their father. Anna had always said if she found a man that was half the father her own Dad was, she would be blessed. The truth was, John more than matched Trevor's efforts. Anna was very lucky indeed.

John was not only a wonderful father, but a perfect husband as well. Nothing was too much for her as far as John was concerned. She had never known a love like it, in her whole life had never expected to feel the way John made her feel. When he looked at her it was as if she was the only woman in the world, when he held her it was the only time she truly felt safe. John really was her soul mate, a perfect match. She was in no doubt they had been made for the other.

'I thought I could hear voices.'

Iris appeared in the doorway, picking up the bin bag John had half filled with wrapping paper from Jemima's exploits earlier, and instinctively moving to tidy away the mess Jemima had made with the polystyrene. She was staying with John and Anna for Christmas, and had taken it upon herself to take over the household chores, much to John and Anna's chagrin.

'What time did you get up? It's only nine o clock as it is.'

'Not long ago, sit down, Mam,' John insisted, walking to her with Jemima under his arm. Iris sat in the armchair as John took the bin bag from her, then placed Jemima down on her Nana's lap. 'Give Jemima a cuddle.'

'Merry Christmas, Iris,' Anna smiled, passing her mother in law a silver gift bag. 'This is from the three of us.'

'Ah, I hope you didn't go to too much trouble for me,' Iris said with a chuckle, taking the bag from Anna whilst setting Jemima so she was leant against her chest. She had such a way with Jemima, that the little one seemed to be transfixed every time she was in her grandmother's company. Anna had moved back to sit on the sofa, John sitting on the floor beside her, his arm resting on Anna's lap. Jemima began to tug on the gift bag Iris held in her hand. 'Alright young'un, are you going to help me?'

Iris lifted the gift from it's bag, carefully wrapped in tissue paper as John and Anna looked on at the scene before them. Jemima was ripping the paper, causing Iris to chuckle at her forthrightness.

'You're definitely not as laid back as your father, are you?' Iris laughed, Anna making noises in agreement. By now, half the tissue paper was on the floor, revealing a silver picture frame. Iris removed the rest of the paper until a picture of John, Anna and Jemima came into view, she gasping audibly at the sight of it.

'Mama,' Jemima wailed, pointing at Anna in the picture.

'That is your Mama,' Iris cooed, kissing Jemima on the head before looking at her son and daughter in law. 'It's beautiful.'

'Well, you said you only had one of the three of us at the wedding, and Jemima's grown a bit since then so we thought it was time you had an updated one.' John explained. 'And you have always been difficult to buy for.'

'It's perfect,' Iris replied, clearly moved by the thoughtfulness of the gift. 'I shall treasure it. Now, enough about me. Anna my dear, would you please pass me over the gift bag with a snowman on it, and the one with the pink rabbit. It's time I spoiled everyone else.'

Iris placed Jemima on the floor, she choosing to sit beside her Nana's legs as Anna passed the gift bags she had requested to her. She lifted a red envelope from the snowman bag first, handing it to Anna.

'This is for the two of ye,' she said in her strong Irish accent as Anna took the envelope. 'Something I'll hope you'll enjoy.'

John allowed Anna to do the honours as she tore into the envelope to reveal vouchers to spend on a London theatre show of their choice.

'It's to make up for the weekend you were meant to come down to see that show, but couldn't because Jemima was poorly. You'll all stay with me, and you two will go out for a night on the town. I'll look after the baby.'

'Thanks so much,' Anna said, looking at John with a grin to match his own. 'Maybe this time we can go and see Mamma Mia, rather than We Will Rock You.'

'Hmm, Queen or Abba? Tough choice, not. Freddie and the boys win every time.'

'Come on, John. That weekend was doomed from the start. First you stupidly booked a gig for the same night, then the car wouldn't start then to top it all, Jemima developed croop. Something tells me we aren't meant to see We Will Rock You.'

'We'll talk about it later,' John said through clenched teeth behind a smile, before looking back over at Iris and Jemima. 'What's in the bags, Mam?'

'Hmm, I wonder?' Iris said, a sarcastic lilt to her tone. 'Could it be gifts for Jemima?'

'Haha,' John replied as Anna burst out laughing.

Lifting the bag with a rabbit on the side, Iris reached inside to reveal a box. She helped Jemima to open a Winnie The Pooh piano, Jemima entranced by it's flashing lights and the noises it made.

'Great, because that isn't going to get annoying,' John remarked, rolling his eyes. 'How I miss the days she was content with sitting in her bouncy chair chewing on a teething ring.'

'Those days are gone, my love,' Anna replied, ruffling John's hair with her hand. 'Treasure these early Christmases and birthdays. In a few years she'll be wanting a mobile phone or laptop for Christmas.'

'She is having neither until she is in her twenties,' John rebuked, shuffling uncomfortably. 'I don't want her texting boys all the time, or having a Facebook profile.'

'Good luck with that one,' Anna laughed. 'It's lovely Iris, the piano. Thank you.'

'It's my pleasure,' Iris smiled contentedly, watching as Jemima explored her new toy. 'The other present, her Christmas one is a little more practical. Just some clothes so I'll leave those for you to open.'

'Thank you, Iris. For everything.' Anna said with all the sincerity she had within her. 'We couldn't have done all this, this past year, without you.'

'I should be thanking you,' Iris smiled warmly. 'If it wasn't for you my son would still be unhappy and we wouldn't be sharing precious moments such as this. You are a wonderful woman, Anna.'

'Wow, I don't know what to say,' Anna choked back a sob before looking down to meet John's warm gaze. 'I am truly blessed to have the three of you in my life, truly I am.'

A moment of silence passed before John looked over at Jemima, completely engrossed in her new present.

'I don't get it,' John began to whine, moving to lie on his stomach beside Jemima as she pressed as many buttons as she could on her piano. 'Why does she love this, but not her karaoke machine?'

'Does the karaoke machine have Winnie The Pooh on it? You know she's crazy for him.' Anna pointed out, collecting the gift bag containing the rest of Jemima's presents from Iris. 'Besides, all might not be lost. The way she's playing that, maybe she's destined to become the next Alicia Keys.'

'Hmm, I could live with that,' John leant back on his haunches, looking over his shoulder at Anna. 'Shall we swap gifts now, or later?'

'Later I think,' Anna answered, looking at her watch. 'Mum and Dad are due over at ten, and I need to have at least made an effort at starting the lunch or she'll only berate me.'

'Let me help,' Iris said, 'I insist. We can go and make a start whilst John and Jemima practice their father- daughter show.'

Anna looked to the floor to see John softly singing Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star as Jemima thrashed about the keys on her piano.

'That would be lovely, thanks.' Anna winced at the noise the toy was making as Iris stood.

'I wish ye would tell me the big announcement you both have,' Iris said, following Anna into the kitchen.

'All in good time. We'll announce it once Mary and everyone are over this evening.'


As everyone around them chatted happily, John and Robert shared amused glances as they sat in front of the Christmas tree, both surrounded by piles of socks.

'Come on then, Bates. Your final sock count is...'

'Ten pairs,' John replied, lifting up a rather fetching pair sporting a reindeer. 'A new record for me. You?'

'Twelve,' Robert sighed, looking over at Cora who was excitedly exploring the Fireman calendar Anna's mum had bought for her. 'Are we really that hard to buy for?'

'Well, I didn't know what I wanted and you can never have enough socks.' John pondered, looking over at Anna who was helping Jemima with her new stacking blocks.

'You got socks too then, lads?' Trevor said in a mundane tone, sitting beside them clutching a few pairs of his own. 'I wouldn't mind but I opened my own bodyweight in underpants from Linda this morning.'

'Stop moaning.' Linda's trill caused Trevor to turn around abruptly. 'If I didn't buy you underwear at times like these you'd never buy your own.'

'Did you get everything you wanted, Robert?' Cora asked, finally putting her new calendar down.

'Yes. My dream of opening a sock factory is well on track.'

John sniggered, picking up his piles of socks and placing them in a gift bag. 'We could go into partnership, mate.'

'Oh come on, you men are happy so long as you get your turkey dinner and a few beers inside you.' Mary quipped as she read the back of the box that housed her new hairdryer. John, Robert and Trevor shared a look that said what Mary had just supposed was possibly true.

The day had been everything Anna had hoped it would be. Everyone Anna and John loved were present, apart from Darren who was in Newcastle with his girlfriend. Trevor and Linda had joined John, Anna, Iris and Jemima for Christmas lunch, before Cora, Robert and Mary joined them for Jemima's birthday tea in the evening. Such was the closeness between all present since the union of John and Anna, that all had exchanged gifts. What the men didn't know was that it had been a joke between the women to buy them all socks.

'You should be grateful, Johnny,' Iris pointed out to her son. 'When you were growing up I had to darn your socks nearly every day because we couldn't afford to buy you new ones.'

'Yes Mam,' John acknowledged his mother's comments with a huff. 'I know.'

'Shall we give them their proper present now?' Anna asked, looking at all the women individually, each nodding in response. 'John, that white envelope behind the carriage clock on the mantelpiece. Open it.'

'Okay,' John's tone was sceptical as he walked towards the mantelpiece, reaching for the envelope. Walking back to Robert and Trevor, he opened it to reveal three tickets to a stadium tour of the Nou Camp football stadium in Barcelona, accompanied with tickets to a Barcelona match as well. 'Bloody hell, that's incredible.'

'We all chipped in,' Cora explained as the three men almost jumped around in excitement. 'Iris paid for the flights, myself and Anna the football tickets, Mary the stadium tour and Linda the accommodation. Consider yourself spoilt, boys.'

'This is fantastic,' Trevor exclaimed, moving to Linda and placing a kiss on her cheek.

'Well, we all know we can be nagging and bossy...'

'Ain't that the truth,' Robert interrupted his wife before being met with her icy stare. He flashed her a cheesy grin before laughing awkwardly. 'Love you.'

'We just wanted to let you know we are lucky to have you,' Anna continued before meeting John's gaze. 'And how much we appreciate you.'

'I don't know what to say,' John shook his head in disbelief. 'Thank you.'

'Anyway, what I want to know is this news John and Anna have promised they would reveal today.' Mary announced as John placed the tickets back in the envelope. 'All these secrets the past few weeks, unannounced babysitting duties, what's it all been for?'

'No time like the present, I guess,' Anna shrugged.

John and Anna locked their gazes, both smiling intently at the other. As he placed the envelope safely back on the mantelpiece, John picked Jemima up before holding his hand out for Anna to take. She did so, following him to stand beside the tree as Robert sat next to Cora, Trevor sitting next to Linda. Anna and John had the undivided attention of their guests.

'You want to tell them, or should I?' John asked, looking down at Anna.

'You do it, you're better at announcements than me.' Anna answered, squeezing John's hand.

'For the love of God,' Iris exclaimed impatiently. 'Will one of ye tell us?'

John took a deep breath before wrapping his arm that wasn't holding Jemima around Anna's shoulders. 'My wife and I are thrilled to announce that she is thirteen weeks pregnant.'

A chorus of gasps went up around the room before embraces were shared between their guests and the happy couple.

'What wonderful news,' Linda wailed, throwing her arms around Anna. 'I am so pleased for you.'

'Thanks Mum,' Anna replied, 'it was a little unexpected but we're thrilled all the same.'

'I think this calls for more drinks all round,' Robert announced, disappearing into the kitchen.

'So that's why you haven't been drinking,' Mary said, placing a hand on Anna's shoulder. 'I have to say I had my suspicions but didn't think John had it in him once, let alone another time.'

John cleared his throat before responding. 'Thank you, Mary.'


Having just said goodbye to his guests, John wandered outside to find his Mother sitting on the bench on the decking. Every time he saw the bench he remembered the conversation he and Anna had shared just after she had told him she was expecting Jemima. Where he had revealed all about Vera and his past, where he believed their relationship had truly begun.

'Alright mammy?' John asked softly, sitting down beside her. 'It's been a wonderful day.'

'It has,' Iris agreed, nodding her head. 'The best Christmas for many a year.'

'Indeed.'

They sat in silence for a moment before John felt Iris's hand upon his. 'I'm so proud of you, my boy. Watching you today, with that little daughter of yours. You never had much of a role model for a father, but seeing you with Jemima makes me realise you could have taught your Dad a thing or too.'

'Mam,' John said softly, closing his eyes. 'Let's not talk about him. I had all the role model I needed in you.'

'You're a good boy, Johnny,' Iris whispered, her voice breaking slightly. 'The most perfect son a mother could wish for. And now you're about to become a Daddy for a second time. You must be excited.'

'It wasn't planned. It just happened. But we're happy about it.'

'I'm glad.' Iris stood up before stroking John's cheek. 'I just hope I'm around long enough to see both of them grow for a few years yet.'

'Mam, of course you will be,' John replied, placing his hand over the one Iris had placed on his cheek.

'Goodnight son, I do love you.'

'I love you too, Mammy. Goodnight.'

Sitting in the garden with his thoughts for a while, John decided he would go upstairs and help Anna put Jemima to bed. As he reached Jemima's bedroom, he saw it was empty before he heard noises coming from his own room. Walking to the slightly ajar door, he smiled as he saw Anna and Jemima lying on their tummies on the bed, looking at a book. Beside Anna was a small gift bag, reminding John he still had a present of his own to exchange with Anna.

'Ahh, Daddy's here,' Anna murmured, pointing to the door. Jemima looked up and began to shake excitedly at the sight of her father, a trait she had developed soon after she was born in response to seeing John.

'Hello ladies,' John crooned, stepping inside the bedroom and closing the door. 'Do you know something, Jemima. We haven't given Mummy her present from me and you.'

John walked to his wardrobe, opened it and pulled out a small box. Anna watched intently as he sat down on the floor beside them, before passing the box over to Anna.

'This is from me and Jemima.'

'What do we have here, then?' Anna asked Jemima as she opened the box carefully. She rose a hand to her mouth as she revealed a beautiful silver locket. Lifting it from the box, she opened it to see John had put a picture of himself and Jemima in one side, and one of the baby scan picture in the other.

'It took me ages to get the pictures the right size to fit inside,' John explained as Anna explored the locket. 'I hope you like it.'

'I love it,' Anna was openly sobbing as she reached down to stroke John's cheek. 'It's beautiful.'

'You chose well, young Jemima,' John said with a chuckle, then turning his head to kiss Anna's palm. He helped her put the locket on, once secured Anna taking the charm in her hand, squeezing it gently.

'We have a gift for you as well,' Anna said, reaching for the bag beside her.

'The Barcelona trip is enough, Anna. You do spoil me.'

'Oh believe me, it was more than enough.' Anna agreed as she pulled out a box. 'This isn't expensive.'

'Way to kill the moment, my love,' John laughed, taking the box from Anna before Jemima went to snatch it from him. He pulled the lid off, inside was a new leather wallet.

'You said you wanted one, but I wanted to do something different with it. Open it up.'

John did as he was instructed, opening the wallet to see a picture printed on the inside of Anna and Jemima. He smiled broadly at what he found, looking up to meet Anna's gaze. 'It's beautiful. This will be the first time in my life I won't mind opening my wallet.'

Anna laughed before her face turned slightly more serious. 'You don't regret anything, do you? All of this?'

'Of course not,' John replied without missing a beat, his brow furrowed. 'What makes you say that?'

'Well, this time a couple of years ago you were a free man, free to do whatever you wished. Now you're a married father of one with another baby on the way. Must be quite a shock to the system.'

'I wouldn't change one thing about my life now, Anna. You have to believe me. I cringe now when I remember I ever had any doubts about you. Life without you doesn't even bear contemplating. I shudder at the thought. I'd be nothing.'

'I'm glad,' Anna reached down to place a kiss on John's lips, Jemima babbling happily as her mother and father continued to converse beside her. 'You and Jemima mean everything to me, and with this new one on the way I am going to need you more than ever.'

'Well, it's lucky for you that there is nowhere else on earth I'd rather be.'