John beamed as he took Anna's hand in the registry office. Lady Mary had insisted on coming, dragging her new husband along with her. In her words, "it's what one does for those that mean a great deal to them" and they were honored to have her. Lord Grantham, due to previous engagements, couldn't attend and sent his apologies but Mrs. Hughes stood as one of the witnesses, occasionally dabbing at her eyes with a handkerchief.
John recited the words and slid the ring on Anna's finger with more joy that he'd ever felt in his whole life. He even felt his hand tremble slightly as Anna did the same for him. They couldn't stop grinning like idiots at each other and when the Registrar said they could kiss John couldn't move fast enough. He pulled gently on her hands and she met him in the middle, smiling as wide as her face would allow.
After a moment they broke apart, Anna giggling to herself as John tucked her hand into the crook of his arm. They left with their small party and John basked in the sunlight of the out of doors. As he brought his head down, he saw Aphrodite leaning against a tree in the distance. She put the crook of her finger to her head, as if tipping an invisible hat, before stuffing her hands in her pockets and walking away.
John did not have time to wonder why she did not vanish as Mr. Matthew was busy shaking his hand and Lady Mary offered her congratulations. He thanked them, kissed Anna briefly, and then listened intently as Mrs. Hughes gave him a stern finger.
"You take good care of her Mr. Bates. I expect her to be only happy with you, you understand."
"I do Mrs. Hughes," John looked down at his glowing bride, "And I will."
"Good." Mrs. Hughes put her handkerchief back in her bag, "Then I've nothing more to say on the matter except that I'll see you both back at Downton day after tomorrow."
"We'll be there Mrs. Hughes." Anna hugged the older woman, "Thank you for coming."
"It was a pleasure dear." Mrs. Hughes stepped back as Lady Mary came forward, holding a small envelope in her hand.
"I do hope this isn't too forward but Papa and Mama thought they should do something for the two of you, since they couldn't come, and asked that I give you this." Lady Mary handed the envelope to Anna, "Now we'll send the car for you day after tomorrow so there's no reason to be late. We've got a boat to catch the day after that and I'll need help packing."
"We'll be nothing if not punctual." Anna opened the envelope and her mouth fell open. "I don't know what to say milady."
"That you'll enjoy yourselves and not think about America until you get back. There's plenty to do but it'll keep until then." Mr. Matthew took Lady Mary's arm, "And Lord Grantham wanted to congratulate you both. That's why he gave you the reservation at the hotel."
"It's too generous we can't possibly accept." John tried to insist but Lady Mary shushed him.
"It's too late now. Mrs. Hughes helped get your things together for your honeymoon since it's the least we could do." She rolled her shoulders, looking very satisfied with herself, "And it's a nice hotel so they won't let you cancel."
John sighed, Anna almost pleading with him, "We're overwhelmed with gratitude."
"We are taking your wife away from you quite soon after your wedding so I'd say that's really nothing on our end to give you this." Mr. Matthew shook both of their hands again, "And within a fortnight there'll be a cottage ready so when Anna gets back the two of you'll have a home of your own."
"Thank you milady." Anna dabbed at her eyes and Lady Mary almost looked scandalized.
"There's no need to cry. You're about to have the best days of your life. Don't waste any of your tears on this." Lady Mary waved them away, "Now go and enjoy your honeymoon."
John took Anna's arm and they walked in the direction of the hotel. True to Lady Mary's word when they gave their names- Anna almost unable to speak through her happy laughter at the sound of 'Mr. and Mrs. Bates'- the footman showed them to their room and explained their cases had been brought up that morning. John tipped the man, who nodded his gratitude, and left them to their own devices.
Anna broke away from John to see the washroom, gasping at the size of the tub. John came up behind her and nodded approvingly, "I might actually fit my entire body in that."
"We could try."
"Alright then." John moved past Anna and climbed into the tub in his suit, sinking into place as she laughed.
"What are you doing Mr. Bates?"
"Seeing if I fit in the tub." He smiled at her, draping his arms over the side and pretending to relax as though in a warm bath, "Feels fantastic."
He cracked an eye open at her, "Care to join me?"
"Maybe later." She waved him out, "Come on."
He climbed from the tub and followed her to the rest of the room. She walked to the edge of the bed, touching the spread with delicate fingers as she walked up one side. She pressed gently on the pillows and even pulled a corner straight. John just watched her, waiting until she stopped at the base of the bed and brought her hands up under her chin.
"This is beautiful."
John came up behind her, enfolding her in his grip with his hands around her waist. He leaned his head on her shoulder, kissing her just beneath the ear. "It suits you."
"I could never afford to sleep in a bed like this."
"Well tonight and tomorrow night… and perhaps even all day tomorrow, we get to." John continued kissing down her throat to her collar and then made his way back up, feeling her shiver, "Care to see if it's as comfortable as advertised."
"Don't you want-" Anna whimpered as he teethed at her earlobe, bringing one of her hands up to hold his head to her neck.
"Want what?"
"To eat?"
"Not food." John slid one hand to hold at her hip as he pulled her closer to his body, his other hand working up her blouse to pop the first button loose. "Are you hungry?"
"If I was-" Anna took a deep breath and almost unconsciously rocked back into him as he stroked a finger between her breasts, "I think I can wait."
"I'd hate to delay you dear if you are hungry." John popped the last button and worked the blouse from the skirt, "If you want to eat now we can-"
Anna spun in his hands and pulled him to kiss her.
Unlike their kiss at the Registry Office, chaste and socially acceptable, this had John almost screaming for air in a second. Anna plunged her tongue into his mouth with a force he did not believe her size allowed. Her grip on his neck and the side of his face almost prevented him from moving. Not to mention the way she thrust her hips toward his, rubbing against him like a cat in heat.
John gripped tighter with his hand at her hip while his other hand moved to her hat, working the hatpin loose enough to let both fall to the ground. He worked a hand into her hair, dropping the pins on the bed behind Anna as carefully as possible before running his fingers through her tresses. He had never touched real gold before but he was sure it felt like this.
Anna released him for just a moment and it was enough to get her blouse off her arms. John used the second to shuck off his own jacket just as Anna's deft fingers worked his tie loose and almost snapped him in the face with the force she used to yank it off his neck. John tried to find the fastenings for her skirt but when she took his mouth again it was all he could do to hold onto her.
Her fingers were everywhere and John wondered how she maintained her focus since her effort at his mouth had not lagged but she had his waistcoat and shirt unbuttoned in no time. When her fingers scratched through his chest hair, smoothing over his skin, he moved his own hands around her back to work the ties loose on her corset. His fingers were not careful enough on the fastenings so he could only whine in her mouth.
Anna took the hint and popped her corset fastenings in quick succession, almost throwing it behind her to free her arms enough to force his shirt and waistcoat off his body. They both swayed a moment, understandably lightheaded and John tipped Anna just enough to have her fall back onto the bed. She bounced slightly and giggled as John leaned over enough to kiss her quickly.
He pulled back when she reached for more but only answered her whine with a removal of his shoes. She seemed captivated, watching him move, and John took advantage of the moment. For the first time, since he suggested it without words, he was in control of their actions. He bent, removing his belt, and then took one of her feet in his hands.
Anna leaned on her elbows, still in her skirt and chemise, as John unlatched her shoes. He was slow, and gentle, and ran his fingers up her legs to find her stockings. He rolled them down with care, placing them next to her shoes. John shifted toward the bed and only grinned at Anna's expectant face as he located each of the pins, even moving her slightly to grab the final one. He placed them in her hat and pushed it over the floor so all his concentration could go to his new bride.
She put her hands on his arms as he moved up the bed but she did not lead again. Anna merely trailed her fingers up and down his arms, chest, face, anything she could reach as he finally found the catch for her skirt and popped it loose. She lifted her hips so he could pull it off. He dropped it on the floor next to his shirt before unfastening his own trousers and dropping them to the floor.
With the only clothing left between them underwear, John stalked toward the bed. Anna shifted up as he knelt on the edge and crawled toward her. The darkness in her eyes probably matched his own and when John took her lips with his again he felt her fervor in the way her body writhed against his.
He moved his hands down her chemise and lifted slightly so he could run his fingers over her stomach. She held him to her in the kiss with one hand on the back of his neck but the other wrapped over his shoulders, trying to tug him closer to her. But John had other plans and he lifted the chemise enough to stop their kiss and pull it over her head.
They both froze. The passionate speed halted to a crawl as John just stared at her. He watched the blush rise in her cheeks and over her neck but John met Anna's worried eyes with a kiss to both her cheeks, right where the blush bloomed. She sighed and reached for him but John kissed down to her neck.
Her hands tried to find a hold on him but John captured both of the wandering appendages and lifted them over her head. She whimpered and he kissed her before whispering in her ear, "Do you remember when I said I wasn't hungry for food?"
She nodded and John worked his way down her neck, alternating his kisses with gentle sucks to leave a trail of bright red patches. He looked up to meet her eyes as his other hand touched her bare side. She twitched with it and then moaned as his hand moved up to caress her breast. "I'm hungry for something else."
"What?" She managed as his gentle brushes had her trying to get closer and farther away.
"You." John placed his lips right where his fingers had just brushed and Anna cried out. He released her hands and she immediately used them to hold him to her as he continued his loving adoration of her perfect form. He stroked down her sides, kissing all over her chest before massaging her delicate breasts. She tried to speak, perhaps to tell him what she wanted, but the only sounds John drew from her were gasps and exclamations.
These only spurred John onward and he worked his way down to the line of her knickers. Anna, almost delirious with the sensations, nearly bucked off the bed as he traced a trail under the waistband. She lifted herself enough to see him as John kept his fingers just at the edges.
They stared at one another and John put a hand to her cheek, "Do you trust me?"
"With anything." Anna put her hands over his and pushed her knickers down.
John dragged the material the rest of the way down before flinging them in the same direction of her chemise. He ran his hands back up her legs, tickling her hips. He smiled to himself as he saw the object of his intentions, remembering how she'd fallen apart in his arms in the alley after the recital.
"Then trust you'll enjoy this."
Anna nodded, but still had a slight shadow at the corner of her eyes. John took one hand and held one of hers in his grip. He kissed the back of her hand as he crouched back on his legs. His other hand moved toward her center, circling the bundle of nerves at the top. Anna cried out, leaning back against the pillows.
John kept his fingers light, his touch firm but quick, and stroked around the outside of her folds. He worked over her inner thighs, treating her almost like chocolate that might melt in too much heat. He listened to the sounds she made, watched how her chest rose and fell with her quickening breath, and smelled the mixed tang of her sweat from his efforts and her body's response to the delicate play he administered to her most responsive nerves.
When she was almost incoherent John ran his hand down from her hip to hold one thigh as his other hand opened her just enough to slip a finger inside. She groaned, rising with her hips to try and meet the feeling. John lowered his head to kiss right at the top of the crux between her legs and Anna's head came off the pillows. Their eyes met and he bit down slightly there. Her eyes practically rolled back into her head as he continued his ministrations with his finger, adding another before too long.
He kissed lower and lower, finally gaining the position he sought for some time. As his fingers curled inside her, he sucked her bundle of nerves. She tried to respond with words or motions but nothing could quite come together. John sucked lightly at the area and she nearly shrieked. He slowed his fingers, wanting to taste her as much as possible, and worked in tandem with the exertions of his mouth and tongue.
Within moments, now with three fingers working her in a gliding scrape and his mouth worrying every bit of flesh between sucking licks, she screamed. John kept going, drawing out her sounds until his name was all she could manage to say. Her body shuddered, her legs and stomach trembling under his touch as he used his free hand to massage her down from the high.
John withdrew his fingers from her, licking them as Anna finally turned to stare at him. Her eyes were no longer blue, blown out from arousal and pleasure. She managed to get an arm around his neck and pulled down to kiss her.
The force of her hold surprised him, given her orgasm, but when she sucked at his mouth John was lost. His own arousal rested on her stomach and she shifted toward it while drawing the taste of herself from him. He tried to keep himself upright as Anna's leg came to his side but a moment later she used her hand at his neck and her leg at his side to put his back to the bed.
She broke kiss, breathing hard, and smiled down at his surprise.
"I rather think it's my turn Mr. Bates."
