Red

The time they had to wait for their cottage to be ready was excruciating to both John and Anna. Of course they were thankful just to be back together at all, but a married couple should not be forced to sleep in separate bedrooms...especially one that had been kept apart for as long as they had. Mrs. Hughes had tried, God bless her, but Mr. Carson was having none of it.

"What kind of example would that set for the younger staff?"

Mrs. Hughes had rolled her eyes in annoyance, and then returned to them with an apologetic smile.

The only alone time they had was in the courtyard in the evenings. They cherished every second they could find, and tried to make the most of it. Sharing less than chaste kisses and touches when they felt that they could get away with it, but neither of them wanted to tempt fate or risk getting carried away.

One evening, Anna expressed her growing impatience and desperation and John felt that it was his job to reassure her.

"Would you like me to tell you what I think our married life will be like when we get into the cottage?" He whispered into her ear, using the closeness to nibble on her earlobe. Something he'd learned on their wedding night drove her mad.

She smiled up at him, and her cheeks were flushed with the most brilliant red he'd ever seen.

"Please, Mr. Bates...do share." Anna took his hand in hers, and he began to play with her fingers.

"Well, to start we will have to get everything cleaned up and livable….which could end up being a rather fun process. Painting, arranging furniture, making it our own home."

"I've always dreamed of building a home with you, having our own space, and our own things." Anna's smile was breathtaking.

"And we shall have it my darling. Our own private oasis away from the madness of Downton. We will have our own wash basin to share," John winked at her, and her cheeks reddened again. "Then there's our bedroom. Every night I will watch you dress for bed, comb your hair, braid it all nice...only to then take you into my arms and undo all the work you've done. I want to learn every inch of your body Anna, learn what pleases you, where you like to be touched and how." He paused to give Anna a moment to catch her breath. He'd never spoken these thoughts out loud before, but it had all been things he'd thought of during those lonely nights in his prison cell.

"And what about your pleasure, Mr. Bates? I have a lot to learn about you as well." Her voice was low, but John felt himself responding to her words like never before. My my, his wife was racy.

"You are my pleasure, my darling. Learning you will bring me mine….but yes, we will explore each other. Of course, I am always yours to do with as you please."

Her eyes darkened considerably as she smiled up at him. "Oh I can't wait to have my way with you again."

"And again, and again, and again…" John teased, before catching her mouth in a heated kiss that took both their breath away. When they were forced apart by their need for air, John pressed his forehead to hers.

"But you know...as much as I will love taking you to bed every night, Mrs. Bates...there's something else about living with you that I will love just as much, if not more."

"And what's that?" Anna whispered, still breathless.

"Waking up beside you every morning. Your face being the first thing I see when I open my eyes. It's all I've ever dreamed of." The tears came quick, and took him by surprise. He tried to keep his emotions in check so as not to worry her. But his Anna wasn't phased. She reached up and wiped the tears away, leaving gentle kisses where they had been.

"All of our dreams are about to come true, Mr. Bates….John," they both smiled. "And I can't wait for each and every one."