A/N - Apologies if this is similar to writings in 'A Forbidden Attraction.' Truth is I made this chapter harder than it needed to be. Google wasn't forthcoming in helping with my research (surprise surprise), so if there are any historical inaccuracies can we overlook them, and not lynch me. Ta :)

Disclaimer: Downton belongs to Julian Fellowes/ITV/Carnival

It was clear from early on that there was something different about Anna's pregnancy. She began showing very quickly, much sooner than normal. And then, on a routine appointment the doctor confirmed it. Travelling back in the van with George, she couldn't keep the grin from her face. She wouldn't reveal anything, wanting John to be the first to know. The journey seemed to last longer than usual, Anna willing it to end so she could share her news with the man she loved. Bounding into The Swan, she sought out John immediately, locating him cleaning glasses behind the bar. Looking up, his expression was puzzled as she almost ran to him, a smile as wide as he had ever seen illuminating Anna's face.

'Afternoon,' John bowed his head, a smirk upon his lips. 'I trust the appointment went well?'

'Can I talk to you? Maybe we could go for a walk?'

John looked over Anna's shoulder at George, who was already walking behind the bar before taking the glass and cloth from John. 'Go on. Myself and Harold can cope here. Take the rest of the day.'

'George, I...'

'John,' he replied sternly, almost pushing his cousin out of the way. 'Go.'

Once outside, Anna was still revealing nothing as she lead John in the direction of the brook nearby. They walked in near silence, John's mind going into overdrive. She seemed happy, he was pretty certain nothing was wrong. Reaching the bench that sat on the middle of the bridge, Anna encouraged John to sit down with her.

'Are you going to tell me now?' John asked, waiting for Anna to get comfortable before sitting beside her. He rested his cane against the bench. 'The suspense is killing me.'

She turned to him, her face beaming before taking his hand in hers. John looked down at their entwined fingers, Anna's thumb gently making patterns on the back of his hand. 'It's twins, John.'

'I'm sorry?' He looked up in disbelief, his eyes meeting Anna's. 'Twins?'

'The doctor said I am larger than a woman should be this far gone in the pregnancy. He examined me and is certain.'

Standing up, John limped forward a couple of paces. Anna's heart was beating so hard she could almost hear it thunder in her ears, nervous to John's reaction. She needn't have been. He turned around, his face the picture of happiness as Anna stood up.

'Looks like I'll need to take on some extra shifts at the pub, doesn't it?' John said with a chuckle, moving closer to Anna. He rested his forehead against hers, her hands in his and his voice barely a whisper. 'Twins, Anna. How are we ever going to manage with twins?'

'I don't know,' Anna answered with a shrug before chuckling. 'One each, I would imagine.'

Weeks had turned into months since that conversation had taken place. Two of everything had been bought. Anna was positively blooming as her pregnancy progressed, seemingly without major incident. Her doctor would be bringing a colleague to assist in the delivery, the birth to take place at their cottage. Anna was now due to give birth at any moment, having been advised that twins are more often than not premature. George had been very generous in granting John time off to spend with Anna, particularly as the due date came nearer.

'We're a right pair,' John joked as Anna joined him in the back garden. She lowered herself onto the bench he was sitting on, John instinctively moving over to allow her more room. 'You hobbling about ready to give birth any moment, me with my knee.'

'You think this is bad, wait until they're older when we have two little ones to chase around.'

John placed his arm around Anna's shoulder's before replying. 'Well, by that time you would have lost the tummy, my love. It will be much easier for you to keep up with them.' He noticed she was holding a letter. 'News from Downton?'

'Just that Daisy is proving herself an excellent head cook, but William is missing in action. And Captain Crawley.'

'I'm very sorry to hear that,' John replied sincerely.

'But they are remaining positive. No news is good news.'

'Indeed. Anything else in the letter?'

'There is no news of Vera, seems Lord Grantham's bribe may have done the trick. Mrs Hughes likens her to Harry Houdini.'

'Now that's an insult,' John began, edging closer to Anna. 'To Houdini.'

Anna remained silent, staring ahead at the evening sun as it bathed the garden. John had noticed her becoming lost in her thoughts more and more, especially as her pregnancy came to term. He gently squeezed her knee.

'Are you alright, Anna?'

She turned to look at him, a weak smile on her face. 'Of course. Why?'

He wasn't convinced. 'What's troubling you?'

'If I told you I was scared would you deem me terribly ridiculous?'

'Scared of what, exactly? Becoming a mother?'

'No, not that.' Anna shook her head before looking up at John. 'The part before that. Giving birth. The thought of it is bad enough with one baby, but two.'

'That's not ridiculous, that's natural my darling. But you're not going to be alone. The doctors will be with you, Agnes, Emily...'

'But not you.'

'No. Not me.'

'You see, ever since we ran away together you've been my strength. I've looked to you in times of trouble and the one time I need you the most you're not going to be there.'

'Believe me, Anna. It's not my choice...'

'I know that, I know it's not the done thing to have the father present. I just wanted to tell you what was on my mind.'

'And I appreciate that.' John took Anna's hand in his. 'But I hope you know even though I can't be beside you, I'll be with you. Nothing is going to change that.' As Anna rested her head on John's shoulder, he gently kissed the top of her head. 'I'll be downstairs. No doubt pacing the floor, or limping the floor...' Anna began to chuckle then and it was music to John's ears. 'I won't be far away, I promise.'

And then the day arrived, two weeks from Anna's due date.

John's mind was clearly elsewhere as he dropped what was his third glass of the lunchtime shift. George rolled his eyes as he bent down to clear up the mess, John fumbling and extremely apologetic. Anna hadn't been herself that morning, and it was all John could think about. Nothing else mattered, not beer glasses or changing barrels. Just Anna.

Although the area they had moved to meant they could live their life as they chose to, he wished there was a hospital closer by. Giving birth was dangerous as it was with one baby, but Anna was strong and he knew that she would be absolutely fine. Her doctor, Doctor Harris, had reassured Anna he would do everything within his power to ensure a safe delivery for both the babies and mother. John had to admit he felt slightly better in the knowledge that Doctor Harris's colleague, Doctor May had delivered twins in the past. Anna would be in good hands.

'Look John, why don't you clean some tables?' George suggested, pointing out into the seating area. 'I'll clear this mess up.'

'Alright. I am sorry George, I'm all over the place today.'

Suddenly the door swung open, Emily was out of breath as she approached the bar. 'John, it's started.'

'What?' John could barely process the meaning of Emily's words.

'Quick, the birth. Her waters have broken. Ma is over there with her now, Anna's calling for you. She wants you.'

'I'll call Doctor Harris,' George announced, disappearing into the back room.

'Is she alright?' John began to untie his apron before throwing it on the bar.

'She's fine, it's early stages so far. But the babies are definitely on their way.'

George reappeared. 'Dr Harris and his colleague are leaving now. You go, I'll be with you later.'

'George, you really don't have to...'

'No John.' George was insistent as he ushered John and Emily towards the door. 'I promised you I'd keep you company, we just won't open this evening. People will understand why. Anna might be doing all the hard work, but it's not going to be easy for you either. You need someone with you.'

'Only if you are...'

'For heaven's sake, John. Go to Anna. She needs you. I'll be over as soon as I can.'

John followed Emily across the street then, realising after a few steps he had forgotten his cane at the pub but the thought of returning for it never entered his mind. He was almost running by the time they reached his garden gate, Emily pushing it open before allowing John to walk past her. He stopped to look at her as a cry from inside caught his attention. Anna. Emily offered him a warm smile, placing a reassuring hand on the top of his arm.

'It's all going to be alright.'

Closing his eyes, John bowed his head as another of Anna's cries filled the air. 'I'm scared, of what I'm going to see when I get in there.'

'You can't think like that, John. She needs you to be strong for her. Now, come on. She was asking for you.'

Keeping a tight grip on John's arm, Emily lead him to his front door. Opening it gently, she stepped inside, John following gingerly before shutting the door behind him. Taking a deep breath, he allowed Emily to walk on ahead to the living room. She opened the living room door and that was the first glimpse John saw of Anna. She was sitting on a dining room chair, leaning over the table. Agnes was beside her, rubbing her back. John could feel his heart breaking with every step closer he took.

Anna was in pain and there was absolutely nothing he could do about it.

'Ah, look who is here, Anna.'

Agnes stepped aside so Anna could look up. She met John's gaze, her eyes swollen with crying from the pain, her brow glistening with the residue of her exertion, but she was still able to afford him a weak smile.

'Hello,' she gasped.

'Hello.'

Then silence fell as John and Anna's eyes remained locked on each other.

Agnes indicated to Emily it might be an idea to give John and Anna some space. The two women left, leaving John and Anna alone. He closed the distance between them, ignoring the complaints of his knee to bend down beside her.

'Doctor Harris is on his way,' John informed Anna, she wincing as another contraction began to over take her. John was in despair, he had no idea what to do as Anna gripped tightly onto his hand. Closing his eyes, he pressed a gentle kiss to her temple as she squeezed his hand tightly.

'It hurts so much. I don't think I can do it, John.'

How could he respond? What could he do to reassure Anna that everything would be fine when he was just as frightened as she was? John knew one thing and that was that he couldn't voice his fears to Anna. She needed to know that John believed in her. She had fought for him enough times in the past, now it was his duty to return the favour. She had always been his strength, his support, always there with an encouraging word of how life could be. Now Anna needed him to be the same.

John moved closer so he could whisper in Anna's ear. 'You know I'd do anything to make this easier for you. It's out of my control, and you have no idea how much I hate that, Anna. But know this. You are the strongest, most courageous woman I know. And you can do this. I know you can.'

'Thank you,' Anna brushed her forehead against John's, her eyes tightly closed. 'It's just I don't know what I'd do if things went wrong. With one of the babies. Or both...'

If John was honest with himself, he hadn't even considered the welfare of the babies up until this point, his main focal point had been Anna. He allowed his mind to wander to a dark place for the briefest of moments. What if at the end of all this, he had to make a choice? What if he had to make decisions no man should ever have to make? He shook the thought from his mind instantly. It wouldn't come down to that. It simply couldn't.

'Anna, you can't think like that. We must remain positive.' John's voice was much louder now, his voice persuasive as if he was trying to convince himself as well. 'Once all this is over, we'll be together, cradling our two newborns in our arms. Let no other scenario play in your mind but this one.'

John sat in the armchair, darkness filling the living room. It was two in the morning, John had insisted George go home and get some sleep. His cousin had refused, and now the gentle ticking of the clock was accompanied by a soft snoring coming from the other armchair. Occasionally, the sounds nearby would be joined by the odd muffled cry, coming from upstairs. They had become much more frequent since George had dropped off, John becoming more anxious as the sound sent shivers down his spine. Emily had been in contact a few times, assuring John Anna was fine and that proceedings were going to plan. Doctor Harris and May had arrived carrying two big bags each, telling John as they lead Anna upstairs that they were prepared for every eventuality.

Emily's last update had been an hour or so ago, informing John that the doctors believed the first baby would be born within the next couple of hours. Anna's cries were all of a sudden all John could hear. It was the uncertainty of it all he hated. He stood, looking up to the ceiling above him as one long groan escaped Anna. John squeezed his eyes shut as silence fell abruptly. The ticking of the clock was almost deafening as he prayed for some noise to emanate from above his head. He wasn't at all prepared for what he was to hear next.

A cry, but this time not Anna's. A noise he had never heard before, but was suddenly sure he would soon become very familiar with. A babies cry. He allowed a smile to play on his lips, then footsteps on the stairs made him turn his attention to the living room door. The click of it opening brought George out of his slumber as Emily appeared at the door.

'Baby number one has been born,' she announced breathily, a huge smile on her face. 'It's a girl.'

'A girl,' John breathed, raising a shaky hand to his mouth. 'We have a daughter.'

'That's fantastic,' George's voice was gruff with sleep, but still filled with enthusiasm as he placed a hand on John's shoulder.

'And Anna?' John asked, moving slightly closer to Emily. 'Is she...'

'She's tired, but holding up. I think the first baby being born is enough to spur her on. She's doing so well.'

'Tell her I love her, and how proud I am of her.'

'I will.' Their attentions were drawn to upstairs as with the living room door opened, Anna's cries were much more audible. 'I best be getting back up there. It won't be long now until you can see them.'

John nodded as Emily disappeared up the stairs, every inch of his body wanting to follow but knowing that he couldn't. George's arm reached across John then to close the door, then he lead John from the door to sit down once again.

'So, you're a father. How does that feel?' George lit the candle sitting on the mantelpiece, before studying the clock for the time.

'I can't even begin to process how it feels, until I know Anna is well.' John's eyes found the ceiling once more as another of Anna's groans filled the air.

'She is, you heard what young Emily said. She's doing so well.'

'But there is still one more baby...'

John was stopped dead as silence fell once more, like it had five or so minutes previously. His eyes met with George's as the wait for the next sound from upstairs seemed to take an eternity to arrive. Silence. And it was deafening as seconds must have turned into a minute. Then two.

'I have to get up there.' John moved as quickly as he could to the door, George manoeuvring himself to block the path before John's hand reached the door knob. Eyes met and a breathy sigh filled the air as George pushed John back into the living room. George placed a hand on John's shoulder as he noticed his cousin's eyes glistening, tears threatening to spill from them. 'This is killing me.'

As the words exited his mouth, finally a noise. John closed his eyes and released a breath as a babies cry, different from the one he heard before reached his ears.

'Thank God,' John bowed his head, realising for the first time there was something else in this world he could love as much as he loved Anna.

Thundering down the stairs as fast she could, Emily swung the door open. John looked over George's shoulder at the young girl, her face tear stained but full of joy.

'It's another girl, you have twin daughters, John.'

'I do?' John allowed himself a little chortle, in relief more than anything. 'And Anna?'

'Is demanding she be allowed to hold them,' Emily replied with a laugh of her own. 'The doctors are examining them and taking too long in her opinion. They are very small but both well and good. Anna's absolutely fine, she did amazingly.'

'But what about the second one, why did she take so long to cry?' George enquired.

'She needed oxygen, but she's alright.'

Agnes appeared behind Emily then, a pile of towels over her arm. 'You should be very proud of your wife, John. She's certainly the strongest woman I've ever come across.'

'I know that.' John nodded in agreement before resting his hand on Emily's. 'Thank you, to both of you. For being here.'

'It's the least we could do. The doctors will be down in a few moments so you can go and meet your daughters.'

Agnes placed a freshly brewed pot of tea on the table as Doctor Harris and Doctor May made their way into the living room. John was immediately on his feet, bounding towards the two men with an outstretched hand.

'I don't know how to thank you both,' John said, a broad smile across his face as each man shook his hand in turn.

'All is well at the moment, but I insist on staying nearby.' Doctor Harris replied.

'You can stay at my public house.' George offered. 'Over the road.'

'Thank you. That way I am near just in case and I can examine the three of them tomorrow. Only when I am sure everything is alright will I leave for Aberdeen.'

'I appreciate that, Doctor Harris. Really, I do.' John looked beyond the two doctors to the open living room door. 'Can I go up now?'

'Certainly, Mr Bates.' Doctor May replied with a grin. 'Congratulations, you have two beautiful, healthy baby girls. And a wife you should be proud of for all of your days.'

'Believe me, she is far more than I deserve.' John turned to the three exhausted people sitting at the table behind him. 'I don't meant to be a terrible host, but do you mind if I...' John looked to the ceiling, to indicate where his intentions lay.

'Of course not,' Agnes replied in her strong Scottish brogue. 'Go to them. We'll just have a cup of tea then be on our way.'

With a nod of his head, John left the living room and made his way towards the stairs. His body was filled with anticipation, a feeling he had only begun to experience since he had met Anna. As he reached the landing, he composed himself before treading the floorboards towards the room he shared with Anna. John stood open mouthed at the sight before him as he opened the door. Anna's knees were bent so she could support both the babies at the same time, her arms placed securely around the top of them, one hand on each of their heads. She was talking to them, so softly that John could barely hear what she was saying. She was pale, her hair tied back unkemptly yet the smile she was wearing was more beautiful than John had ever seen. She looked the picture of joy, and it made John's heart swell with love that he could have played a part in what was making Anna so happy. Then she looked up, and John's gasp was audible, his heart beating so fast he was sure Anna must have been able to hear it.

'My little darlings, it looks like Daddy has finally managed to join us.'

'Can I come in?'

'You silly beggar, of course you can. We've been wondering when you would appear.'

As he walked closer to the bed, his gaze was fixed on the two bundles laying contentedly on Anna's knee. As she was towards the middle of the bed, John was able to perch down beside her, his back against the headboard. Anna watched him intently as took in the two babies resting on her lap. She had to catch her breath as his smile grew before he gently stroked the brow of the baby nearest to him, the size of his finger against her face reminding Anna how small they both were. They both had dark, wispy hair covering their heads, little button noses, John couldn't believe that something so small and perfect could exist. One of them was asleep, every so often twitching her little hand as Anna's finger ran over her arm. The other was awake, her sparkling blue eyes focussed on John. Meeting her gaze, John couldn't put into the words the emotions running through him as she stared back at him.

'Aren't you going to say something?' Anna broke the silence that fallen.

'Sorry, I'm just a little overwhelmed,' John replied before kissing Anna's forehead. 'Our daughters. I can't explain how I'm feeling at this moment. Only that I am so incredibly in love with you. I didn't think it was possible to love you more, but then you make this happen and...' He stopped for a moment as his voice stuttered a little, meeting his little daughters evoking emotions he had never dreamt of feeling. 'You gave up everything for me, then you give me the greatest gift of two healthy children. I don't deserve any of this. I owe you so much.'

'Ssssh,' Anna hushed him, resting her head on his shoulder as John placed his arm around her. 'Ever since the day I met you this is all I have ever wanted. To live my life with you at my side. I didn't give up anything to be with you, leaving Downton to move up here was the easiest decision I ever made.' She looked away from him to the babies she was cradling. 'Look what I would have missed out on if I hadn't come with you.'

'I thank the Lord every day you convinced me in that courtyard that this was right.'

'How can anything that feels this right be wrong?' Anna said in response, snuggling in closer to her husband. 'This was meant to be. And that's all there is to it.'

A/N 2- Ideas for names greatly received. I'm not sure if twins would have required Anna to give birth in a hospital, but all I could find on the subject was that hospital births were not commonplace until the 1940's.