A/N So this is 21 pages long. I read the reviews, and I know some people wanted nice family shizz. So this is that, with a twist.

I hope you enjoy it, and that it's easy to follow. Thanks for all the reviews on this story, I've had great fun writing it. Cheers.

Disclaimer: Same as previous chapters.

Epilogue

-Year 2034-

Wiping a weary hand over her face, Anna walked into the kitchen. She had been busy recently, and John must have left her to have a lie in, the clock now ticking gently past eleven. Expecting John to be sitting at the table, she was surprised to see the kitchen empty, save for a huge bouquet of flowers on the table, a post it note attached to the vase they were safely sat in. Looking at the piece of paper on the table beside the flowers, the note simply read,

'Back in half an hour, these are for you. John x.'

Smiling to herself, Anna lifted the post it note from the vase. Reading it, she rose a hand to her lips, even after all these years John never failed to move her with his thoughtfulness.

Reason #7305: Twenty years ago today you saved my life when you said I do, again.

Clutching the little yellow paper to her chest, Anna closed her eyes. These little yellow post it notes had been a daily occurrence, ever since she and John remarried. He vowed on their wedding day that he would leave her a little note each day of their married life, each one listing a reason why he loved Anna. Day seven thousand, three hundred and five had arrived, their twentieth wedding anniversary.

Anna was now in her fifties. She hadn't worked for twenty years, leaving the solicitors office after re-marrying John. His HGV job paid very well and the fact their house was bought outright meant she could stay at home and raise their three children without the added pressures of a full time job. John felt it was the least he could do after Anna had forgiven him. He promised he would spend his life making things up to Anna and enabling her to spend all her time with her children went some way to achieving this.

John had just turned sixty five and was newly retired. He had worked his way from HGV driver to Managing Director of the haulage company. With his army pension and the money he had made through his hard work, he and Anna could live comfortably. It had been a long time coming. John was now ready to enjoy his retirement and devote his time fully to his wife.

After taking in the scent of her flowers, Anna returned upstairs, the tiny piece of paper safely in her grasp. Walking into the spare room, she moved towards the corner and moved the chest of drawers to reveal a blanket covering a stack of boxes. There were twenty of them, each one labelled with a year. Lifting the most recent one from the top, she opened it and placed the post it note inside. The boxes contained the previous seven thousand, three hundred and four notes John had left Anna. He had no idea she had kept them all, but she had. After closing the box, she placed it on the ground and reached for the box that contained the first years worth of notes. Opening it, she rifled through them, looking for number one. When she found it, she leant back on her haunches and stared at John's writing. Suddenly, thoughts of when she had first found it flooded through her mind.

-20 years previously-

John insisted he take the boys to stay with him at Robert's house the night before the wedding. Robert was to be his best man, Dylan and Oscar his Ushers. After Anna had accepted his proposal, John didn't move back in straight away. He wanted to do everything properly, and that meant not living together until they were married. Anna laughed as she reminded her fiancé they had three children together but John insisted they do the right thing.

Anna woke up early that morning, with the excitement of the wedding and came downstairs to start making some preparations for the reception at the house after the ceremony. In the kitchen, she was surprised to see a vase of flowers on the table. Walking towards them, she saw 2 little yellow notes attached to the vase. She saw John's name at the bottom of the note first, furrowing her brow as she wondered how he could have got the flowers in here unnoticed.

Reading the note at the top first, it said:

I have decided that for every day of our married life, I will list a reason of why I love you so much. They will be left around the house each day, it is your job to find them. The first one is below.

Taking the next note from the vase, Anna felt tears welling in her eyes as she read the words neatly written.

Reason #1: You have given me a second chance I don't deserve and I will forever be grateful for that.

-Present day-

'Anna, are you about?' Hearing footsteps coming up the stairs, Anna quickly closed the box and put it back on the stack, before they all came tumbling down in her haste.

'Oh blast,' she exclaimed, scrambling to save the last box from crashing to the floor. John appeared at the door, looking highly amused and carrying a white box.

'Everything alright, sweetheart? I went to the bakers and bought us some cream cakes for...' He stopped and looked at the pile of boxes around Anna, a confused expression on his face. She admitted defeat as he leant down beside her.

'I suppose you want to know what's in the boxes?' Anna said, beginning to stack them again.

'I'm a little curious.'

'You know how you leave me a note each day?' Anna stood up, placing the last box on the top of the pile.

'Yes,' John raised an eyebrow suspiciously as he moved to stand beside her.

'Well, in these boxes husband, is every note you have written for me. Each box is assigned a year. Silly, I know but...'

John silenced her by pressing his lips to hers, completely taking Anna by surprise. She wrapped her arms around his neck, bringing him closer to her, John manoeuvring swiftly to avoid his pastries being crushed.

'What was that for?' Anna asked breathlessly, staring at him with half lidded eyes.

'How can something as perfect as keeping all my notes be silly?' John replied before brushing his lips against Anna's once more. 'I just had no idea.'

'We've never spoken about them,' Anna shrugged. 'Quite odd when it's such a daily occurrence.'

'It's part of my routine,' John agreed with a nod of the head. 'Get up, have a shave, brush my teeth, write Anna her reason today for why I love her.'

'I never understood how you managed to think of different ones each day.'

'It's easy, there are a million reasons why I love you. I'm just telling you each of them, one day at a time.'

'You'll never live long enough to tell me all of them.' Anna said with a chuckle. John took her hand and led her out of the spare room. 'Where are you taking me?'

'Well, if I won't live long enough to write down all the reasons, I could at least show you some of them along the way.' He looked back at her with a smirk which still managed to cause stirrings within her, even after all this time. Although his hair was greyer, he had still kept some of his charms that Anna had fell for almost thirty years previously. She still often lost herself in his eyes, the crinkles at the edges when he smiled still doing things to her she couldn't explain. He was a fit man as well, Anna fully believing if you didn't know how old John was, you certainly wouldn't say he was sixty five.

'John Bates, it's nearly lunch time.'

'We best get moving then. I don't move as quickly as I used to and the kids will be around at four.'

'Oh,' Anna replied with a smirk of her own dancing upon her lips. 'Experience has taught me we'll be done by four.'

John walked down the stairs, the sound of china being bashed about from the kitchen intriguing him. Moving down the hallway he stood still as he watched Anna carefully wrap cling film around plates filled with sandwiches and cakes. Leaning against the doorframe, he smiled as she cursed when she realised there was no more room in the fridge. Age hadn't been unkind to Anna. She kept her hair in a tidy blonde bob, her hair hadn't succumbed to the grey that John's had. A few light wrinkles lined her face, but other than that John didn't think she had changed a bit since when he had first met her. Her figure was still perfect, despite the five children she had given birth to. John allowed his mind to wander to his children. Although a shock to them both, twins Max and Amelie were born a few weeks before Summer turned four. Now seventeen, Amelie was at college studying drama whilst Max had followed in his father's footsteps and joined the army as soon as he left school.

Anna and John found themselves alone, Amelie and Max out with their older siblings at a theme park for the day. Oscar was now twenty five and a doctor. He lived with his pregnant fiance, Holly in a house a couple of streets from the house where he grew up in. Dylan was a year older, living with his wife, Sarah and son Oliver an hours drive over the Pennines in Manchester. He taught English in a secondary school in the city.

They had all come together for Summer's wedding, the day after her parents wedding anniversary. Although only twenty one, she was to marry her childhood sweetheart. David had met Summer on their first day of secondary school and they have been together pretty much ever since. Engaged on Summer's eighteenth birthday, both sets of parents asked that they both go to University separately before committing to the other. With their studies completed and the relationship still going strong, the wedding date was set. They rented a small flat twenty minutes or so away from Anna and John, David working as an Estate Agent and Summer a primary school teaching assistant.

The wedding was only to be a small affair, the reception to be held at Summer's childhood home. Being on a Sunday as well, it was a little out of the ordinary. Anna had prepared a buffet, with the help of Gwen. She had lost her mother a few months previously, John and Gwen, and her children a tower of strength as she came to terms with her loss.

Everybody was close, the importance of family being drummed into the children by John and Anna from an early age. There were squabbles between the five siblings but all in all, it was a happy home they grew up in. The night before the wedding, Summer had requested that her brothers and sister came together for one last time, under the same roof all as Bates's before she became Mrs Summer Anderson.

Shutting the fridge door, Anna suddenly noticed she was being watched.

'John Bates, you made me jump.'

'Sorry,' John replied, walking into the kitchen, reaching his wife and placing his arms around her waist. 'Everything sorted?'

'Getting there,' Anna replied with a sigh, leaning back into John's touch. 'Why she couldn't have a normal wedding reception with caterers I'll never know.'

'Because she wanted a small gathering, that's our Summer for you. Nothing too fancy, so long as she's got the people she loves nearby.'

'I suppose,' Anna agreed. 'The cake was very nice by the way. Thank you.'

'My pleasure.' John growled, pressing his lips to Anna's neck. 'How we are going to fit fifty people in this house tomorrow I have no idea.'

'I just hope the rain stays away, we can all go out in the garden then.' Anna looked out of the kitchen window, the gazebo John and his sons had erected outside standing in the middle of the lawn. 'It will be nice to see the kids this afternoon.'

'Yeah, did Dyl and Ossy say what Sarah and Holly would be doing with Ollie today? It would be nice to see our grandson, what with him living in a different county.'

'That's still a sore subject with you, isn't it?' Anna asked, moving away from John to see if she had space in the larder for the last remaining tray of sandwiches. She carried on talking from inside the large cupboard. 'The job came up in Manchester and Dylan took it. More money, better prospects. You can't deny him wanting to do right by his family. You did it enough times, all those long hours we didn't see you.'

'I guess,' John said with a sigh. 'And we'll see Oliver tomorrow.'

'Exactly,' Anna agreed, reappearing and moving towards John. 'Do you want to go and buy the pizza's for tonight? The kids will be here soon.'

As she sat on the floor, in front of John in the armchair, her arm curled around his leg, Anna's heart swelled with love as she watched her children laughing together over Dylan's questionable drawing of a banana. Playing Pictionary had become a regular part of proceedings at family gatherings over the years. It was always boys against girls, Anna, Summer and Amelie usually emerging triumphant.

'How can that be a banana?' Max said, pointing at the picture on the flip chart with an amused grin on his face.

'Well Dad said it was a moon.' Dylan shrugged, looking in the direction of his parents. 'They are sort of the same shape, are they not?'

'Either way, it's another point to the girls.' Summer rose to her feet and crossed out the girls 9 and replaced it with a 10. 'Oh, would you look at that. First to 10 wins. What do you know?'

'Alright show off,' Oscar threw a napkin in Summer's direction as she gave Amelie and Anna each a high five in turn. 'Anyway, shall we do the surprise now?'

'What surprise?' Anna asked suspiciously, looking back at John who was as equally in the dark as she was.

'Max, being the strong soldier you are, you can do the honours.' Dylan patted his youngest brother on the back. 'It's in the big cardboard box by the front door.'

'It's always me,' Max moaned as he got up and disappeared into the hall.

'What's going on?' John asked.

'Well, you don't think we'd have forgotten you were married...'

'Re- married,' Summer interrupted Oscar as Max came back into the living room with a large, slim cardboard box, about two inches thick. 'Remember Dad was an idiot for a year or so.'

'Yes, thank you Summer.' John sighed as Anna turned her attentions back to him, chuckling slightly.

'Well, this is your gift. From us.' Max explained, handing the box to John as Anna moved to the side of the armchair.

'You open it, Anna,' John said softly with a smile on his face, encouraging his wife to take control.

Silence fell, the only sound was that of Anna tearing the cardboard as all her children looked on with expectant faces. John was highly amused, this reminded him of many a Christmas morning over the years where the opening of Anna's present was the highlight. All the hard work through the year lead up to that moment, the gift from her children to thank her for everything she did for them.

With the box finally open, Anna looked inside and managed to fit her fingers round the edge of what was inside. Gently lifting it from the box, her eyes lit up as what was inside was revealed to her. It was a canvas print of a picture from their first holiday together when the twins were only three or four. They were in Florida after finally going on the holiday Daddy had promised them before he was deployed. The picture wasn't from Disneyland, it was of them on the beach. A passer by had kindly taken the photo, the twins on Dylan and Oscar's lap. Summer in the middle and John and Anna behind. Anna had always coveted the photo, although the original copy was only small.

'I don't know what to say,' Anna gasped with a shaky voice, running her fingers over the photo. 'It's beautiful.'

'Do you really like it, Mum?' Amelie asked, sitting beside her mother and putting her arm around her.

'It's perfect, isn't it Dad?' Anna replied, lifting it up to show John who was visibly moved by the whole act. Not only had he been blessed with a beautiful wife, he had also been gifted with five children who made him feel so proud every day. This was just like them all to do something so thoughtful and it touched him more than he could put into words.

'It certainly is, Mum.' John met Anna's eyes, grinned slightly before looking over at his children. 'What a wonderful gift.'

'Yeah, well it's the least the two of you deserve,' Dylan remarked. 'And the picture is significant. The day you finally took us to Disneyland, albeit almost 5 years late.'

'We got there in the end though, didn't we?' John replied in mock annoyance.

'I'll just go and put this upstairs so it doesn't get ruined,' Anna stood up and moved to leave the living room. As she was walking out she added, 'Then your father can put it up on the wall the day after the wedding.'

'What she doesn't know is I am planning to drink so much tomorrow I won't know what my name is come the day after, let alone be able to put a picture up.'

'I heard that, John Bates,' Anna called from the stairs, causing everyone else to laugh.

'Twenty years married, eh Dad?' Oscar smiled, leaning back on the sofa. 'I still remember when you told us you were back together.'

- Twenty years previously-

'Gwen and Elizabeth aren't going to be happy,' John whispered as he and Anna pulled up outside the house. Anna had just spent the night at John's flat, the two of them having just got back together.

'Stuff them,' Anna replied, getting out of the car before walking ahead of John. She realised he wasn't beside her, turning back to look at him still next to the car. 'You aren't scared of my mother, are you?'

'I've always been scared of your mother.'

Anna sighed, walked back down the path towards John and placed a kiss upon his lips. 'Forget Mum is even there. We are telling the kids Daddy is coming home. Focus on that.'

'Alright.' John replied, looking beyond Anna. 'It's a lovely house. I just wish I'd been living here sooner.'

'Look, lets not dwell on that,' Anna took John's hand, squeezing it gently. 'You're here now, that's all that matters.'

'Sure you don't mind me not moving back in until after the wedding?'

'No,' Anna replied with a huff. 'I suppose not. But you have promised me my big white wedding, it might take a while to organise.'

'Not really, I spoke to the vicar at the local church and his next available date is only six weeks away. Cora knows a DJ for the reception, their daughter will let us use the hall she uses for her dance lessons and I'm sure you and your Mum can handle the catering. Then it's just your dress and my suit.'

'You have it all planned. How did you know I'd say yes?'

'I wasn't sure you would. I just knew if you did you'd want to be married as soon as possible. So I sounded a few people out, it's actually all booked. Cora has even arranged appointments for you at some bridal shops. With your perfect figure, she doesn't think you will need too many alterations.'

'And what date is this?'

'Six weeks away yesterday. It's all sorted.'

'I don't know what to say,' Anna lifted a hand to her face. 'Thank you.'

'I'm just relieved you said yes,' John added. 'I didn't fancy the phone calls cancelling everything.'

'But until then, you'll be living in your flat.'

'Yes.'

'Oh well, I'll just have to find some way to escape here for a couple of hours to spend some time alone with you. If last night is anything to go by.'

John placed a hand around Anna's waist and pulled her to him before pressing his forehead against hers. 'I love you, have I told you that?'

'Yes, but I'll never get tired of hearing it.' Anna took the opportunity to steal a kiss before leading John the remainder of the path. As soon as the door was open, Anna and John's ears were met by footsteps running down the stairs.

'Mummy, we saw Daddy's car out of the...' Dylan stopped talking as he took in the sight of his Mum and Dad holding hands in the doorway, Oscar peering from behind him. 'Mummy, are you and Daddy friends again?'

They both laughed at their sons statement before meeting each others gaze. 'I guess we are,' Anna answered her son, John gently grinning at her.

'Are you coming home, Daddy?'

'I am, Ossy,' John replied as he watched them both take the final few steps to meet them at the bottom. 'Well after the wedding.'

'Wedding. What wedding?' Elizabeth appeared with Summer in her arms from the kitchen.

'Hi Mum,' Anna walked towards her mother and gave her a kiss on a cheek before taking Summer from her. Anna looked back at John who had both Dylan and Oscar in his embrace.

'Hello Elizabeth.' John said tentatively.

'I'll say this straight off the bat.' Elizabeth began, pointing in John's direction. 'I know you weren't in the best frame of mind. But, hurt my daughter again and I will hunt you down. You may have fought for this country but I will be a more formidable opponent than any enemy forces you have encountered. Believe me.'

'Understood,' John replied with a slight hint of a smile which he was relieved Elizabeth reciprocated. 'It seems I have a lot of making up to do.'

'You do,' Elizabeth agreed. 'And you can start by taking us all out to dinner to celebrate.'

-Present Day-

'Nan was quite the outspoken one, wasn't she?' Dylan said as Anna rejoined them in the living room.

'She was just looking out for her daughter,' John replied, taking Anna's hand as she sat back down in front of him.

'What are you talking about?' Anna asked.

'When you guys told us you were back together,' Oscar replied before looking at Summer. 'I doubt you remember it, do you?'

'As I have told you many times, Oz. My first memory is Dad walking around the garden with me in the dark, the outside lights shining and him singing My Girl to me.'

'You used to be awful at bedtimes, Sum,' Anna said, looking at her daughter. 'If you knew your Dad was around, you wouldn't settle for anybody else. Max was the same when he was a baby as well. I blame the fact that you both have your mother's looks.'

'Well, I am the exception to your rule, mother,' Oscar said, pointing to his head full of blonde hair.

It was true. Oscar, Summer and Max shared the same features as their mother although Oscar was much like his Dad in his outlook on the world. They all had blonde hair, blue eyes and both Max and Summer shared their mothers temperament as well. Dylan and Amelie were much more like John with their dark hair and hazel eyes. It made it even more unbelievable that Max and Amelie were twins, one being blonde and the other brunette.

'I remember the wedding well enough,' Dylan said. 'A trip to A and E after falling over a table.'

'Well, you wouldn't stop running, would you?' Anna scolded playfully. 'Mummy did warn you accidents would happen.'

'And it was alright, you only broke a toe.' John added with a small chuckle.

'My foot actually and it hurt!' Dylan exclaimed, rubbing his foot. 'A lot.'

-20 Years Previously-

'Look, you two stay here. I'll take Dyl to the hospital,' Cora said, taking the screaming little boy into her arms.

'But I don't think I should leave him...'

It was too late, Cora had already taken the little one in her arms and into a car where she was asking one of the chauffeurs of the wedding car to take her to the nearest Accident and Emergency.

'God, do you think he'll be alright?' Anna looked up at John panic stricken as her husband looked on at the car leaving. 'Maybe we should follow.'

A crowd had gathered behind them to see what all the commotion was about. John place a hand on Anna's shoulder before turning around to address the guests.

'We think he's broken his foot.' John announced, moving himself towards the crowd.

'Look. Cora will look after him. We have three daughters of our own, she knows what she is doing.' Robert tried to reassure the bride and groom.

'Yeah, I know but he should be here, and if he'd listened to me, he wouldn't have hurt himself...'

'Hey, sssh,' John pulled Anna to him as she began to cry, the pressures of the day getting to her. 'He's broken his foot and at worst, he'll be on crutches for a few weeks. It's fine. All boys break a bone at some point in their life. I broke my arm, my wrist and leg by the time I was ten.'

'But that's because you were a clumsy fec...'

'Thank you, Colin,' John interrupted one of his Irish cousins as Anna fell into a fit of giggles.

'It is time for the first dance,' Robert pointed out. 'The DJ is waiting.'

'Come on, they'll be back in no time. And I'm sure Cora will call if it's anything more serious. Which it won't be. Come and share a dance with me. Even if we come straight back out here and wait for Dylan to come back.'

The first dance shared, Anna was able to put Dylan to the back of her mind for the four minutes the song lasted whilst she danced in John's arms. She couldn't help but become lost in his embrace as he quietly sang every word of 'The Reason' into her ear. His attempts as the high notes during the middle amused her somewhat before they ended the dance with a kiss. John then took Summer his arms, Anna finding Oscar as they danced to 'My Girl' immediately afterwards.

Anna's whole evening was spent glancing at the door, waiting for Dylan and Cora to appear. A couple of hours passed with no news whatsoever until Robert announced he had received a phone call. Dylan had broken his metatarsal and had been put into plaster. They would be back any time to see John and Anna off on their honeymoon.

'Well, we can't go now. How would that look? Swanning off to the south of France when our son is in plaster.'

'Yes you bloody well can,' Elizabeth argued back. 'I'll take care of him. You're only gone for four nights because that husband of yours can't book his holidays right.'

'Thank you, Elizabeth,' John said impatiently before turning his attentions to Anna. 'Sweetheart. it's our honeymoon. And the summer holidays. It's not like Dylan's got to go to school with the cast on, is it?'

'Mummy.' They all looked down to see Oscar looking up at them, happily munching away on a sausage roll. 'Will Dylan get a present now he's broken his foot? Because Harry Thompson at school got a mountain bike after he fell down the stairs.'

Three confused faces looked back at him before Oscar took another bite out of his sausage roll and walked towards where Gwen was playing with Summer, leaving them to it. As they bickered, Dylan appeared at the door, hobbling on his crutches with Cora following him closely behind.

'Mum, look. I've got crutches,' Dylan exclaimed, waving one of them in the air. Anna rushed towards her son and wrapped him up in her arms.

'You silly boy,' she exclaimed before peppering his face in kisses, much to Dylan's annoyance. 'I've been worried sick about you. Are you alright? Does it hurt?'

'A little bit, but the crutches are way cool.'

'Thanks Cora, so much,' John said with a smile as he leant down to speak to Dylan. 'Now do you see why you mustn't run inside?'

'Yes Dad,' he replied unenthusiastically.

'John, the taxi is on it's way to take you and Anna to the hotel,' Robert informed his friend, taking his role of best man very seriously. 'You best get changed.'

'Do you think we might have ten minutes alone with the kids, before we set off?' Anna asked, stroking Dylan's cheek.

'Of course,' Robert replied.

In a few moments, once Anna had changed from her wedding dress, Anna and John were leading their children outside to a small park situated behind the hall. Although Oscar wanted to play on the swing and Summer was much more interested in chewing on a piece of bread that was laid out for the buffet, Anna insisted they sit on the bench together. Dylan sat in between his Mum and Dad, Oscar with his mother and Summer on her father's knee.

'Now, you know Mummy and Daddy are going away for a few nights.' Anna began, before gently kissing Oscar on the head.

'On your moneymoon,' Oscar replied.

'Honeymoon,' Dylan corrected him with a roll of the eyes, Anna and John sharing an amused grin out of their sight.

'We'll be back very soon though, and when we are Daddy will be living with us again.'

'It's going to be awesome,' Dylan remarked, resting his head against John's arm.

'Awesome indeed, son.' John replied with a chuckle.

'The last year hasn't been easy, on any of us.' Anna continued. 'But we just want you to know that Mummy and Daddy have sorted it now. For good. So Daddy won't be leaving again, will you Daddy?'

'Never,' John breathed, looking Anna in the eye. 'There is no where else on earth I would rather be than with the four of you. You are my whole world and I love you all so much.'

'Good. Because we love you a lot too. This is us now. Forever.'

-Present Day-

'I still have a dent in my foot.' Dylan protested as he began to untie his right shoe. 'Take a look.'

'No thanks,' Oscar put his hand over Dylan's to still his movements. 'Hang on, wasn't it your left foot?'

'Haha, very funny pipsqueak.' Dylan ruffled Oscar's hair before tying his shoelace again. 'It did hurt.'

'Alright, we believe you old man,' Max teased.

'Hey less of the old. If I'm an old man, what does that make Dad?' Dylan looked towards his father who was wearing a slight grin.

'You guys make me feel young, but not as young as your mother makes me feel.' John looked down at Anna, flashing her a wink resulting in groans from their gathered offspring.

'Ewww Dad, I have to sleep tonight,' Amelie grimaced. 'In my mind, you guys have only done it four times. When you conceived each of us.'

'Believe me, Am,' Anna said as she squeezed the back of John's leg. 'It's been plenty more times than that.'

'Mum!' Summer exclaimed with a giggle, Dylan getting up and walking towards the door. 'I can't hear this, I'm going to check in on Sarah and Ollie.'

'Ask after Holly for me,' Oscar asked his brother. 'I did text her but she hasn't replied.'

'Get off your arse and do it yourself,' Dylan retorted, leaning around the door frame.

'I'll tell Mum and Dad what really happened to the antique vase that Christmas Eve...'

'What vase?' Anna furrowed her brow, looking at Oscar.

'Nothing,' Dylan quickly interrupted. 'Anything else you want me to ask Holly?'

'Nope, that's fine.'

'Can I ask you a question, Mum?' Max asked, flicking through his phone as he did so.

'Yes,' Anna replied ominously.

'Were me and Amelie a mistake?' John almost choked at the candour to his youngest son's question, Anna could only laugh out loud. 'Was it a shock?'

'These are very personal questions you are asking,' Anna remarked, looking up at John who simply raise his eyebrows at Anna. 'Shock is the wrong word. You were a nice surprise.'

'The shock came when we found out your mum was expecting twins.'

'I'll never forget the day when you told us you were having twins,' Dylan announced as he walked back into the living room. 'Everyone's fine by the way.'

'Cheers bro. Weren't we with Nan and Gwen?' Oscar continued. 'I remember I was annoyed at Summer because she had broken my transformer.'

'Oz, I was four. That was seventeen years ago. Are you ever going to let it go?'

-Seventeen years ago-

'Wow.' John said.

'Wow,' Anna said in agreement.

Sitting in the car outside Elizabeth's house, Anna couldn't take her eyes off the scan picture. John looked at it over her shoulder before releasing his seatbelt. Slowly, Anna turned her head so she could see John. He moved his eyes to meet hers, a huge smile on his face.

'You are getting the snip, no excuses now.'

'What?' John shrugged, looking back at the picture. 'I can't help it if my, err... productivity is err.'

'John, shut up.' Anna interrupted. 'How are we going to cope with five children under ten?'

'Like we always manage. Because we have each other. And so long as I have you nothing shall ever phase me.'

'God, you're irresistible when you say romantic things like that to me,' Anna murmured, placing a hand on his cheek and pulling him closer to her. She gently brushed her lips against his, the kiss becoming more intense almost instantly.

'See,' John breathed, moving away. 'This is our problem. We can't get enough of each other, Even now. Even after all these years, three or what will soon be five children, with you three months pregnant with twins.'

'Exactly. So you'll have to have the snip.'

'Anna,' John wailed as she got out of the car. 'I am not getting the snip.'

Once in the house, Anna was met by one very upset Oscar and a guilty looking Summer. John followed behind, a gentle smile on his face. He loved to watch Anna and the children. In fact, the post it note he had left her that very morning read, 'because you are a wonderful mother.'

'Mummy, Summer broke my Optimus Prime,' Oscar whined, showing his mother the object with a piece snapped off.

'I didn't mean to,' Summer whined.

'Darling, maybe Daddy can fix it.' Anna said dismissively before showing them the picture. 'You see, there is not one baby in mummy's tummy, but two,'

'Twins?' Elizabeth nearly fainted at the news.

'Yes mother. Twins.'

'Bloody hell. I hope John is having the snip.'

-Present Day-

'We best be going, I told Sarah we'd only be another half an hour and the landlady of the bed and breakfast locks the door at 11.'

'I wish you'd have all stayed here,' Anna moaned, standing up as Dylan and Oscar did.

'Mum, you've got the three young ones here,' Dylan explained, 'there's hardly enough room to swing a cat, And you'll be busy enough tomorrow morning without Oliver running around.'

'I know, you're right. As usual. My two clever boys.'

'Ahem,' Max made his presence known from his position in the armchair.

'You're mummy's brave little soldier, Max. And don't forget it,' Anna called back to him, her son grimacing at his mother's teasing tone.

'See you three scallywags tomorrow,' Oscar said to his younger siblings, kissing Amelie on the cheek before shaking Max's hand. He turned to Summer. 'And you, miss. See you tomorrow.'

'Bye bro, don't be late. Half one, be there on the button.'

'Oh, we wouldn't dare be late,' Dylan smiled. 'Night Max and Amelie.'

Both waved before they and their older sister began to pick up all the board games, plates and glasses that had been used. John and Anna walked Dylan and Oscar to the front door before returning to the living room and beginning to help.

'Mum, Dad, we'll do this. Go to bed.' Amelie insisted. 'Please.'

'Are you sure?' John asked, standing behind Anna and wrapping his arms around her waist. 'I am pretty tired.'

'Yeah, it's the age catching up with you,' Max said matter-of-factly, causing a stern look from his parents.

'And you're okay, Summer?' Anna asked. 'With everything?'

'Yes. I am really excited and probably won't sleep, but I am fine. Go to bed.'

Within a few moments, Anna and John were in bed together, the sounds of their children going to bed having tidied up making Anna feel a little better as she wriggled under the covers. She held John's hand tightly under the cover, leaning her head gently against his shoulder.

'That was a lovely evening,' John remarked, Anna sighing in agreement. 'We didn't do too badly, you and me. They're great kids.'

They are indeed, we are very lucky. The canvas was beautiful.'

'It was.' John turned on his side to rest an arm over Anna's stomach. She placed her hand over his arm as John kissed her forehead. 'It was nice to talk about the old times. We've made some wonderful memories together. But they wouldn't have been half as special if you hadn't been there to share them with me. And Summer getting married tomorrow. My baby girl. Well, my oldest baby girl. Do you know...'

John stopped speaking, the sound of Anna's breathing becoming shallower indicating to him that she had succumbed to sleep. John laughed gently to himself, Anna falling asleep as he spoke to her was becoming a more regular occurrence. Kissing her forehead once more, he gently removed his arm from her stomach and in a few moments, he himself, fell into a peaceful sleep.

Stirring slightly, John squinted as daylight flooded the room. Looking at his watch, he read it was just past ten o clock. Anna wasn't beside him, and after a few moments of stretching his relaxed limbs, John was soon aware of her whereabouts as noises from downstairs began to fill his ears. He could hear the kettle boiling, and the sound of laughter, Anna having left the bedroom door open. Sitting up in bed, John reached into the drawer next to his side of the bed. He pulled out a wad of yellow post it notes, and a pen. Tapping the top of the pen against his chin, he began to think what his reason for loving Anna today could be. Once written, John placed the yellow paper on Anna's wardrobe door, she was sure to see it before she got dressed. Reaching for his robe, John put it on and made his way downstairs.

'Good morning, Father,' Amelie said cheerfully as she saw John enter the kitchen. She and Summer were at the table busy making their way through their breakfast, lovingly prepared for them by their mother.

'Sleeping beauty makes an appearance,' Anna teased, moving towards John and kissing him on the cheek.

'Hey, I'm father of the bride today, I needed to be rested up for the occasion. And on that note, how is the bride feeling?'

'Nervous,' Summer answered as John kissed the top of her head, before doing the same to Amelie. 'But excited.'

'Good, that's how it should be.' John sat beside Amelie before becoming interested in what Anna was cooking. 'Is there any more of that going?'

'Patience husband,' Anna said as she tilted the frying pan in her hand.

'Where's Max?' John asked.

'Gone for a run,' Amelie replied though a mouthful of food.

'Rather him than me,' John grimaced as Anna placed a plate filled to the brim in front of him. A proper full English breakfast.

'You used to go for a run every day when I first met you,' Anna recalled, moving back towards the cooker. 'You used to come back all sweaty and dishevelled.'

'And more often than not you'd join me for a shower...'

'Please,' Amelie slammed her cutlery down on the table. 'Trying to eat here.'

'Sorry,' John said through an amused expression. 'With you being at Uni, and Max away training we've got used to having the place to ourselves.'

'Honestly Dad,' Summer moaned. 'We don't want to know what goes on when you and Mum are alone.'

Finding their children's torture thoroughly hilarious, through his mouthful of breakfast John shared a grin with Anna. After slyly winking at his wife, John jumped as Amelie stood up abruptly, picking up her plate of food in the process. She had seen the whole thing.

'I've had enough of this, I'm taking this through to the front room.'

'I'll join you, maybe watching some television will take my mind off the nerves.'

Now alone, John and Anna both started laughing. Anna moved to sit beside John at the table before speaking. 'You should stop teasing them like that. You'll give them nightmares.'

'Rubbish,' John replied before cutting into one of the sausages on his plate. 'What would they have thought of us if they had come home an hour or so earlier yesterday?'

John raised his eyebrows at Anna, the grin returning to his face. 'John Bates, you're making me blush.'

'I know,' he whispered, leaning in to meet her lips with his.

'Oh, for God's sake.' John and Anna pulled away from each other to see Max standing at the fridge, reaching for a bottle of water. 'You'd think you two were just about to get married the way you carry on.'

He disappeared out of the kitchen, walking into the living room to join his sisters.

'I'm going to start helping Summer get ready, time is getting on.'

'Anna, you know that I love you.' John announced suddenly. 'Don't you?'

'Of course.' She gave him a puzzled expression. 'Why?'

'I was sitting there in the living room last night, just sat watching the kids. And I just couldn't believe I had a part in creating something so perfect. Even now, I have to pinch myself to believe I am a father. To believe that you chose me to share your life with.'

'You silly beggar,' Anna gently chided, tapping John's hand before he clasped his fingers around Anna's.

'I'm serious. Thank you. For making my life worth living. I didn't deserve you the first time so I sure as hell didn't deserve you the second...'

'Stop right there,' Anna interrupted, placing a finger on John's lips before moving her hand to rest on his cheek. 'I have never wanted anybody else. You are the only man I have ever loved. We've had our ups and downs, but I just wouldn't work without you. That year apart showed me that. So don't ever say you don't deserve me.'

'Alright,' John breathed with a smile on his face. 'I'm sorry.'

'Now, I'm going to help our daughter get ready to get married. Eat up, it's going to be a busy day.'

With Summer now dressed and waiting downstairs with her father, Anna went into the bedroom she shared with John to get herself ready. Although having completely forgotten about it, Anna smiled as she saw a post it note attached to the wardrobe. She knew John wouldn't forget. Taking the paper from the wardrobe door, she sat down to read it.

Reason #7306: For giving me the greatest gift a woman could ever give a man, a child. You gave me not 1, but 5 and I thank God everyday to have them and you in my life x

Inhaling deeply, Summer peered out of the window as the church came into view. Clutching onto John's hand, she looked at him, an expression of concern etched on his face.

'Are you alright, my angel?' John asked as the car came to a halt.

'With you by my side, yes,' Summer replied, squeezing her father's hand.

'I like David but this isn't easy you know, Summer. I know Dylan is married, and Oscar soon will be but it's different when it's your daughter's big day. It was bad enough when you moved out, I just feel like I'm losing you completely today. '

'You still have Amelie...'

'Yes, I know that and I love her with all my heart but you were my first little girl,' John explained, turning in the car to face Summer. 'A right little Daddy's girl you were as well. I wasn't there all the time for the first year and it broke my heart every time I had to leave you. And the boys. I missed them too but me and you, we seemed to have a special bond from the start.'

'You know, I read once that a father should be his son's first hero and his daughters first love. I think I can speak for myself and the others when I say that is the case for us all. We are all so lucky to have not only you, but Mum as well. We were brought up in a house filled with love and protection, and we can't thank you enough for that.'

John looked away, overcome with emotion as he raised a hand to his lips. His voice was breaking as he spoke. 'You have no idea how much it means to hear you say that.'

'Oh Dad, it's the truth.'

They were interrupted by Anna knocking on the window of the car. 'Come on. Fashionably late is one thing, but twenty minutes?'

John and Summer both erupted into laughter, looking up at Anna as she tapped her watch.

'Ready to give me away, Daddy?'

'I'll never be ready to do that, but if I have to give you away to any man, David is a wonderful choice.'

'Come on,' Anna was still banging incessantly on the window before stepping aside to allow the chauffeur to open the door.

'Is David okay?' Summer asked, taking the chauffeurs hand in hers as he helped her out of the car.

'He's fine.' Anna replied. 'I'll see you later. Good luck, sweetheart.'

Anna kissed Summer on the cheek, smiled at John before running back inside. John was left with his two daughters by his side.

'Let's do this, shall we?' Amelie said, walking to stand behind Summer as she linked her arm with John's.

'You both look stunning today,' John remarked as they began walking towards the church, 'I'm a very proud father indeed.'

They reached the entrance to the church, the amount of people before them causing Summer to gasp. It was packed to the rafters, Summer was sure she had never had so many people staring at her at once.

'Bloody hell,' she stated under her breath as the organist began to play. 'I don't think I can actually move.'

'Really?' John said, looking down at Summer concerned.

'Relax Summer,' Amelie advised as they finally began to walk down the aisle. 'Look straight ahead. But not at the vicar, hot he is not.'

It must have been the nervousness of the situation but Amelie's simple remark caused John to start chuckling. It was just like his youngest daughter to make such a comment, to say exactly what she thought at a time like this. Summer was laughing softly too as Amelie began to quietly chastise the rest of the congregation.

'Also, don't be distracted by Great Aunty Violet's headwear,' Amelie continued. 'She assures us no animals were harmed in the making of it.'

'Am,' John hissed, the laughter now freely flowing as the three of them made their way down the aisle. It had worked. Summer's nervousness had all but disappeared as David came into view.

Once at the top of the aisle, Summer turned to hand Amelie her flowers. John bent down to place a kiss on Summer's cheek before turning his attentions to David.

'Take good care of her,' John said, moving Summer's hand in the direction of David's.

'Always,' David assured his future father in law as he grasped Summer's hand.

John nodded in acknowledgement before moving to stand beside Anna in the front pew.

'What were you lot laughing at?' Anna asked, her lips upturned into a curious smile.

'Nothing. That youngest daughter of ours should be a fashion critic.'

John walked out onto the decking, spotting Anna sitting on the bench to his right, his morning coat wrapped around her shoulders. Hands in his pockets, he moved towards her. She looked up to see him approaching her, sitting up to give him some room to sit beside her. John obliged, wrapping an arm around Anna's shoulders. The front lawn was awash with empty glasses, bottles and plates.

'That, my love. Was a good day.'

'Indeed it was,' Anna agreed, kissing John on the cheek. 'The kids gone up to bed?'

'Yeah, Max was bladdered. Amelie showed him to the right room.'

'Well, he deserves to cut loose a little.' Anna defended her son. 'Especially with how hard he's working.'

'Oh, I agree. I was talking to Robert earlier, they reckon he'll make a sergeant by the time he's 21. That will be a proud day.'

'Oliver was a handful,' Anna giggled as images of her grandson played through her mind. 'Reminds me so much of Dylan when he was a little boy.'

'Yes, I called him Dylan by accident a couple of times today.'

'Really?' Anna laughed before pressing herself closer to John. 'Bless him. Dylan's such a great father, reminds me of someone else.'

'Thank you.' John rubbed his temple against Anna's before kissing her there. 'And Oscar has it all to come. Holly was looking well.'

'She was, and I have no doubt Oscar will take in his own father's footsteps as well.'

Sighing, John looked to Anna as she turned her head to meet his gaze. 'You've never doubted me, have you?'

'I always had faith in you, John,' Anna revealed, settling back down against his chest. 'It was the only thing that kept me going at times. Anyway, what were you and the girls laughing about on the way down the aisle?'

'Oh, Summer was nervous so Amelie tried to diffuse the situation with her brand of humour.'

'Oh God, who did she make fun of?'

'Aunty Vi,' John revealed. 'It was highly amusing.'

'It looked it. It was lovely to see you all walking down the aisle, laughing together. It's a sight I shall treasure in my memory until my dying day.'

'As shall dancing with you tonight in mine,' John replied. 'It was a nice gesture of Summer to play our song.'

'The Reason. It was.'

'Talking of reasons, did you find your post it note for today?'

'I did. And it was wonderful.'

'Here's to the next seven thouand, three hundred and six reasons why I love you.' John quipped.

'Blimey,' Anna laughed, her body shaking against John's. 'Are there really that many more that you can think of?'

'Yes,' John replied confidently. 'And I can't wait to tell you them all.'