A/N I loved every minute of writing this chapter. Hope you guys enjoy reading it as much, To all the loyal reviewers- you guys rock. Thanks for sticking with the story.

Disclaimer- Nothing DA related belongs to me, still. Alas.

He was very quiet. A few moments had passed since her confession. His gaze had left hers to study the floor, he was hunched over, leaning on his knees with his elbows. John needed time to process what she had just told him, God knows it was still a shock to Anna and she had known for a couple of days. When he stood up, Anna's line of vision followed him, taking a few steps towards the river. He had his back to her, his arms folded. He began to pace the riverbank. John still hadn't looked at Anna, his face, his expression was unreadable. It was becoming too much for her to take.

'Look John, I'm not asking anything of you. I am still trying to get used to it myself. If you need a few days to decide what you want to do...'

She was taken aback as John finally looked at her. 'I'm not going to say I'm happy about this, Anna.'

That was it, then. Emotions overtook Anna. This had been her biggest fear. That this would break them. Her bottom lip began to wobble, she could feel the warm sting of tears in her eyes. John had begun to walk back towards her, Anna could detect a slight gleaming of tears in his eyes, too. 'I knew it. I was worried about this.'

'About what?'

Anna shook her head, the tears flowing freely now as John sat back down beside her. 'You'll think I have done this to trap you.'

Whatever Anna had expected his reaction, laughter hadn't been it. 'Anna, a man can only be trapped if he wants to be trapped. I could run for the hills right now and get on with my life.'

She kicked the ground beneath her feet upon hearing his words, her sobs muffling her voice somewhat. 'Why don't you then?'

Anna was a mere spectator as John wrapped an arm around her shoulders, pulling her tightly to him. He pressed a light kiss to her temple, Anna releasing a shaky breath as she registered his touch.

'I'm not going to feed you lines about standing by you, that implies I don't really want to be here, because nothing could be further from the truth. It doesn't matter what I think Anna, all that matters to me is how you feel about this all.'

'But it does matter what you think.' Anna insisted, 'it matters a great deal. I've just told you I am carrying your child. How does that make you feel?'

She watched as John considered her question for a moment. He tilted his head to the side, his arm still positioned around her shoulders. Turning his head to look at Anna once again, he slowly raised his eyebrows before a smirk formed on his lips.

'Relieved really. At least I know now my bits work.'

After giving him a disbelieving look, Anna couldn't help but smile as well. Their smiles soon turned into laughter. John pulled her more into his embrace, telling Anna more with his actions than words ever could. He wasn't pushing her away, although he had admitted he wasn't exactly happy, he wasn't leaving her to face this alone. She had known deep down he wouldn't. Not John.

The loss of his arms around her came as a shock to the system, but it was soon replaced with utter love and admiration for the man beside her as he moved to kneel in front of her, taking her hands in his. Anna had never seen the look in his eye. Sincerity. Devotion. John was the only man who had ever shown Anna such emotions.

'I love you and I meant it when I said we're in this together, Anna.' She couldn't help but rest her hand on his cheek, the familiar sensation of his slight stubble against her palm somewhat reassuring. 'Yes, it's come earlier than any of us would have ever imagined, hell it wasn't even certain this would ever happen for us and it's not ideal, it's completely the wrong time but I think...' John shook his head, his voice filled with a conviction that made Anna's heart sing as he closed his eyes and corrected himself, 'I know we can handle this.'

'Truly?'

'Truly.' Anna lifted her hand to run her fingers through the hair at John's temple, relief flowing through her veins before he continued. 'Five months, that's how long we've been dating. But you've held my heart for much longer than that. And as far as I can see, I don't want anyone else to have it. Fate brought us here, and if these are the cards we've been dealt, we better learn pretty quickly how to play them.'

As John wrapped his arms around her waist, still knelt on the floor, Anna held him tightly to her, resting her head on his shoulder. She felt ashamed at how she could have thought for even the slightest moment of time John would abandon her. This was different, they were different. God had bestowed this gift upon them, a gift she was certain she would never receive, and to her that was a sign that some higher power believed they could cope with it. Together, they were strong.

John had walked Anna home that evening. She had sat in his arms in the armchair for hours, both trying to contemplate the road on which life was taking them. Anna was pregnant, and he was the father. He could process no other thought than this for quite some time. When John had told her earlier that afternoon he wasn't exactly happy about the situation, he had meant it in that moment. However, as the notion he was to be a father began to ever so slightly settle within him, that feeling slowly subsided.

Anna had assured him on the walk back to her flat that she was alright with everything. Shocked, but feeling blessed and lucky she had something she thought she never would have. That alleviated John's fears somewhat. In his concern, John had asked if Anna had been to the doctor, she replying that she had and that with her history, she was eligible for an earlier scan if she so wished. Already being six weeks gone, a scan at eight weeks would probably be able to detect a heartbeat and an appointment for two weeks time had been set.

Tears began to escape her then, thankfully this time they were tears of happiness, rather than despair. John knew Anna must have been hurt in the past to believe he would ever leave her to deal with this on her own. That wasn't who he was and he loved Anna too much to do that to her. Even though they had only been together for a short time, he already knew life without her wasn't even worth contemplating.

He remembered when he was married to his ex wife, how he used to spend time at his mother's house, she listening as he told her all that was wrong with his marriage. She offered him some words of wisdom, the words which indeed lead him to start divorce proceedings.

'When you know someone is right for you, you know it, my boy. And I think deep down you know Vera has never been right for you.'

Those words of advice had never been far from John's mind since he had been with Anna. It felt right, what they shared between them. John had never felt like this before. Anna was who he had been waiting for. Time didn't come into it and never had done. If John was honest with himself, time became immeasurable when he was with her. It felt like they had been together forever. He couldn't remember what it had been like without her.

Anna had agreed that John could visit his mother the next day, to tell her the news. She had also requested they travel to the north after the scan, to tell her family in person rather than over the phone. It would be a shock to everyone and telling them face to face would be appreciated rather than hiding at the end of a phone line. Anna also suggested they not tell friends until after the twelve week scan. John agreed, of course he did. A united front. They were in this together, after all.

Leaving her later that evening, not wanting to be a distraction with Anna insisting she was going back to work in the morning, John was in a haze of being so in love with someone to getting to grips with the enormity of what had happened that day. A small, rather vain part of him felt some satisfaction in being able to provide something Anna believed she would never have. Something she so desperately wanted. Anna was going to be a mother, and it was partly because of him. That amazed John as he negotiated the crowds on the underground.

As he travelled back into the centre of the city from Anna's south London home, John thought it a frightening prospect, that of bringing a child into the world. God willing, in a little under nine months time he and Anna would be parents. Wow. Walking along the south bank to his apartment, he thought about their circumstances. They were so lucky. Turning on the lights, his home now bathed in light he knew money wasn't an issue when for so many first time parents it was. They were emotionally ready for the challenge. Both had experienced enough in life, he was in his mid forties and Anna was in her thirties, age wasn't a barrier.

If he really thought about it, nothing was a barrier. Anna and John loved each other, both had promised the other they weren't going anywhere. They were solid. However, a look to the wall behind the armchair, of him and some of his comrades from his army days taken in Iraq, reminded him there still so much Anna didn't know. John didn't know why but his eyes were drawn to his wedding band as he wrapped an arm around Robert's shoulder. Marriage. The thought scared him. That would be the next logical step, but John's experience of it had left him with a bitter taste in his mouth. He was certain of his feelings towards Anna, he loved her with all his heart but the thought of marrying left him feeling cold. One day, maybe. But not now. He shook it from his mind. Anna hadn't mentioned it, that was enough for John. If she did, they would discuss it, but until then he wouldn't bring it up.

And the thought of marriage didn't enter his mind again as he negotiated a sleepless night. John even allowed himself for the briefest of moments to wonder if the baby would be a boy or a girl. He didn't entertain those thoughts for long, though. All that mattered was getting to the eight week scan and making sure everything was alright. Anna had confided in him she was scared about it, it wouldn't help if he began running before they could walk.

The morning arrived and John was up and showered before the sun had risen. He wanted to make sure he was on his spot at Waterloo, in place for when Anna would inevitably walk past him on her journey to work. He knew what he would be performing when she walked past him. Anna had put some music on as they sat together the evening previously, and this song had begun to play, striking a chord with John. So many songs were reminding John of Anna now, music was the only way he believed he could sufficiently express his emotions and always had been.

It had been slow going, John had been singing for an hour so far and he barely had a fiver in his case. He didn't mind, some mornings were like that. There was only one person he was waiting for, perhaps that showed in his performance. As he finished a rather lethargic attempt at Oasis, he looked at his watch. Anna would be here any minute. Tuning his guitar, he tried to remember the chords for the next song. Humming to himself as he strummed his guitar to ensure it sounded right, movement to his left caught John's attention. He recognised some of the commuters, knowing from his months of busking here they passed around the same time as Anna.

Beginning to play, he cleared his throat before it was time to sing the first line of the song. As if on cue, he saw her. Anna. He was struck dumb for a moment, just playing the melody of the song as he watched her walk ever closer. She was dressed immaculately, as she always was for work. But there was something different about her, something John had never noticed before. A glow, perhaps. She looked content, at peace and it touched John to his bitter core. He smiled. She now had the one thing she had always wanted. And suddenly, he wanted to sing.

'I, I'm so in love with you. Whatever you want to do is alright with me.'

Anna had looked up now and met his gaze, her face was now displaying the smile she seemed to reserve for him. It only spurred him on to put more passion into his performance, causing a group of thirty something ladies obviously in London for a day out stopping to listen too. Anna stopped a few feet short of them, the stream of people passing by had slowed down to a trickle.

'Let me say that since baby, since we've been together, loving you forever is what I need…'

John's turned his gaze from Anna to the group of women who were enthusiastically singing along, attempting to hit the high note of 'need' along with him and laughing together when they failed.

'We'll leave those to you, love,' one of the women said, John smiling upon hearing her words and nodding to acknowledge her remark as he continued singing. He looked back to Anna who was watching the situation unfold with amusement. The women carried on accompanying John as he approached the chorus, his line of vision focussed solely on Anna as he sang.

'Let me be the one you come running to, I'll never be untrue…' John stopped singing to address the group of women standing beside Anna. 'Come on ladies, you take this bit.'

'Ooo baby, lets stay together…' they all wailed in unison, John able to hear Anna's laughter over them. He joined them once more for the next line, letting the grin leave his face impossible as he realised Anna was singing along too. 'Loving you whether, whether, times are good or bad, happy or sad, good or bad, happy or sad.'

'Nice singing, geezer,' one of the women said, dropping a ten pound note into John's case as he played out to the next verse. 'And you're gorgeous too.'

'Thank you.'

John replied quickly, noticing Anna nodding her head, seemingly in agreement to what the woman had just said. The group walked away, leaving John, Anna and a few intermittently passing commuters. He lifted his eye brows for her benefit before embarking on the next verse.

'Why, somebody tell me, why people break up, turn around and make up, I just can't see, you'd never do that to me…'

'Would ya baby?'

Both Anna and John turned to see two young black men, approaching them with headphones around their necks, seemingly singing along with John.

'Staying around you is all I see…'

What John had hoped would be a private moment with Anna, or as private as busking outside Waterloo could be, was turning into an audience participation number. The men stood beside John, one of them putting their arm around him. They could sing, although John suddenly felt like a member of a boy band as they accompanied him. He looked at Anna whose laughter suggested she was enjoying the sight of them together very much.

'Here's what I want to do…'

'Come on then lads,' John gave in, even joining in as the two young men attempted a shuffle in time to the music. 'Let's, let's stay together. Loving you whether, whether, times are good or bad, happy or sad. Good or bad, happy or sad.'

'You've got the moves, dude,' the man who had his arm around John said, the other dropping some coins into his case. 'Sick.'

'I take it that's good,' John said as the men continued on their way, looking to Anna for reassurance. She nodded and John realised this might be a good time to end his song. They were somewhat alone. He was transfixed as Anna reached into her bag, pulling out her purse and taking a two pound coin from the section at the back. He watched as the metal hit the inside of his guitar case before lifting his head to meet her gaze. 'Thank you.'

'No, thank you,' Anna replied, moving backwards a few steps. 'And I concur. Let's stay together.'

'Most definitely,' John breathed, looking at Anna through a narrowed gaze, clenching his jaw. 'Have a good day.'

'And you, Mr Bates.' Anna reached for his hand with her own, grasping his thumb. 'See you tonight.'

The kettle seemed to be taking ages to boil. John's mother was potting about her kitchen, mumbling about something or other that had happened at the day centre she visited. John hadn't really acknowledged what she was saying or had been saying since he arrived. He had got as far as a 'what are you doing here?' and 'would you like a cup of tea,' before he found himself at the kitchen table, in a daze. How was he going to break this news to her?

'I said you're very quiet there, Johnny,' his mother said, placing a steaming mug of tea in front of her son. 'Something on your mind?'

'You could say that,' John replied sheepishly before lifting the drink to his lips and taking a sip.

'Is it to do with that lovely lass of yours?' John lifted his gaze to meet his mother's, a smile brightening her features. 'How is young Anna?'

'She's fine,' John answered with a nod of the head, although he couldn't quite bring himself to reciprocate his mother's expression, such was his nervousness.

'Don't look too happy about it, will you lad.'

John exhaled a deep breath, averting his gaze from the woman sitting opposite him to the picture on the mug he was holding. Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck. The mug John's mother had always put his tea in when he visited. He allowed himself a chuckle at that. One of those little details in life you took for granted but one day noticed and it suddenly made you feel reassured, reassured that someone loved you completely. John knew her love was unconditional. He could do this.

'Anna's pregnant, Ma,' John breathed, making eye contact with her once. 'And it's mine.'

'What?'

'Yeah,' John drew out the syllable, his voice a whisper. 'We're going to have a baby.'

'Bloody hell, Johnny.' Her tone was one of disbelief, shock. She wasn't shouting, John took that to be a good sign. 'How long have you known?'

'She told me yesterday, but she's known for a few days. She's six weeks gone.'

'Blimey.' She rose to her feet then, walking to the counter and leaning on it. 'And it's definitely yours?'

'No doubt. I'm the only man she's been with for a while. And I trust her wholeheartedly.'

'Of course you do, my boy. I shouldn't have asked that. Anyone who sees you together can tell how devoted she is to you.'

Silence fell then, his mother's reaction mirroring John's the day before. It was a lot to take in. She had probably grown accustomed to the fact she would never become a grandmother, now here he was telling her he had got his girlfriend of five months pregnant. As if she could read his mind, her next statement left her lips to break the stillness that had overtaken the room.

'It's so soon. Weren't you careful?'

'We have been,' John replied before shifting uncomfortably, this not something he really felt appropriate to discuss with his mother of all people but he was going to have to. 'Apart from the very first time. In the heat of the moment we just…'

'Spare me the details,' his mother interrupted him, John was relieved at her intervention. 'Well, I'll say something Johnny. At least we know now all your equipment is in full working order.'

John cocked his head to the side, finally unable to suppress a grin. 'That's what I said.'

Laughter filled the room in the next moment, his mother approaching her son and wrapping her arms around him. John revelled being in her embrace, relieved she seemed to be taking the news quite well. She was surprised, but that was to be expected.

'Just tell me you are going to stick by her.'

'Of course, I love her, Ma. I told her we are in this together.'

'That's my boy. Anna's a wonderful lass and deserves to be treated right and I know you will do.' She grinned, stroking John's cheek before resuming her position opposite him at the table. 'How does Anna feel about it all?'

'Shocked. But happy.' John stopped talking, taking a sip of his drink as thoughts of what Anna had been through came to the forefront of his mind. 'Anna revealed something to me, something that happened to her. It resulted in her being told she might not be able to have children.'

'How awful.'

'Yeah. We're having an early scan in a couple of weeks to make sure all is well. But she's pregnant and I think because of what she was told, she is feeling blessed this has happened.' John ran a hand through his hair, looking beyond his mother to the kitchen window. His voice broke a little as he spoke. 'To be the man who has given her this, Ma. It's just the most indescribable feeling. I know the moment I see her holding the baby will be the most amazing of my life.'

'Are you going to make an honest woman of her? I think you should.'

John had known that question was coming, he sat up in his chair as the words reached his ears. He had to be honest. 'No. Not yet. I love Anna and she knows I am going nowhere. That is enough for me.'

'Alright son, I won't push you,' she responded, a chuckle evident in her voice. 'I know your view of marriage has been tainted and I understand why.'

'One day,' John assured her, running his index finger along the coaster his mug was resting upon. 'But not at the moment.'

'So we've heard how Anna is feeling, and I am over the moon, my boy.' His mother's voice was practically sing song as she spoke. 'But what about you? You're going to be a Daddy.'

'I told Anna I wasn't happy about it when she first told me,' John admitted, feeling a little ashamed at the words sitting here twenty four hours later. 'The only thing that mattered to me was that she knew I wasn't going anywhere. It's such an overwhelming feeling, knowing that there will be something in this world that relies solely on you.'

'It is, believe me.' His mother offered John a knowing smile. 'But let me tell you son there is no other sensation like it. It's a gift and you should treasure it.'

'I shall try to,' John smiled. 'But you're happy with the news?'

'John my boy, I am absolutely thrilled I am going to be a Nan. I best dust down my knitting needles.'

As she cooked dinner, Anna was relieved to have a few moments alone to ponder all that happened over the past few hours. John would be joining her in a little while, and she was glad of some time to catch her breath.

After John's rather entertaining rendition of 'Let's Stay Together,' she was left in no doubt that he wasn't going anywhere. It was them against the world now and it thrilled her heart more than she could ever put into words. Upon arriving at work, Anna felt that she had to tell Mary, with her being Anna's employer, as well as one of her best friends. Knowing what she did, Mary was thrilled for her friend, reassuring Anna her secret was safe and any time she needed off was no problem.

She had finally spoken to Gwen and told her friend she was fine, the doctor had said so and she was not to worry. She explained her ignoring all Gwen's and texts as a fault with her phone, which she was grateful her friend bought. Anna didn't want to tempt fate by telling those who didn't need to know. Not yet. It just all seemed too good to be true.

When John arrived, he explained how upon hearing Anna had told Mary, he had also told Robert. The were like brothers and he didn't want Robert hearing the news from anyone but him, despite Anna insisting Mary wouldn't blab. He also described how his mother had been thrilled with the news and that she was there for them in whatever way they saw fit. She was such a lovely lady and Anna was grateful she and John had her in their life. John also revealed what his mother had thought he should do. After dinner, they had retired to the living room. When one of them stayed the night, sharing an armchair before bed had become their routine. The fingers of Anna's left hand were toying with the hair that revealed itself to her at the top of John's shirt, his words leaving him in a whisper.

'Ma thinks I should propose.'

Anna was taken aback by that. It had never really entered her mind, the fact she was becoming a mother superseding any other thought she might have had. As absurd as it sounded, she didn't think she and John were ready for that. But in that moment, she really wanted to know what John thought.

'And?'

John shifted a little beneath her, clearing his throat before replying.

'Look Anna, you know enough about my past to know my divorce was messy. Marriage doesn't make a relationship any stronger, not in my opinion anyway. I was married to someone who my feelings for were incomparable to my feelings for you. I have experienced a hundred, no a thousand things with you that I never did with her.'

'I understand,' Anna replied and she meant it because she did. John was telling her that he didn't see why he needed to prove he was in love with her and standing by her by marrying her. And he didn't need to. His actions and words every day told Anna all she needed to know.

'If you want a metal band on your finger to tell the world my commitment to you then I'll do it. But you have my heart and soul Anna, and in my opinion that's worth more than a piece of metal or a sheet of paper.'

'You're heart and soul is enough for me,' Anna replied, pressing her lips to John's. He returned her kiss with fervour, their first passionate embrace since the whole sorry mess with Ethel. She broke away, wanting to broach the subject. 'I spoke to Gwen today. Ethel is horrified.'

'Good,' John replied without missing a beat. 'Never leave me alone in a room with her. Please.'

Anna chuckled at his words. 'Can't really blame her for finding you irresistible. I do.'

John's expression was one of wonderment as he looked at Anna. 'I cannot believe you are defending her. Someone you claim is one of your best friends tried to kiss, or rather ambushed your boyfriend and you are just saying you can't blame her. You even thought I was cheating on you.'

'I'm hormonal,' Anna shrugged, 'expect months of this.'

'Alright, but Ethel has a lot of bridges to build, I can tell you that.'

'Yes, and she knows that too. She knows I am livid. But she was off her face.'

'Whatever,' John disregarded Anna's remark, 'let's not waste our evening talking about Ethel.'

'What did you have in mind, Mr Bates?' Anna moved her hand from his chest to run a finger over his cheek. She was finding his ranting rather endearing. His eyes had turned rather dark, a mischievous smile had broken across his face.

'Did the doctor mention anything about not being able to…' He lifted his eyebrows in a way that made Anna's insides flutter. Anticipation coursed through her veins.

'No, but I'm sure it's alright. You'll just have to be gentle with me.'

John nodded, indicating for Anna to stand up. He followed, wrapping his arms around her waist from behind and placing his lips on her neck. As they made their way to her room, she was hoping this was one activity they wouldn't have to give up as her pregnancy progressed.

The atmosphere was decidedly joyful as John drove Anna back home from the hospital in Robert's BMW. The initial anxiousness that had been the order of the day on their way to her appointment had been completely forgotten as soon as their babies heart beat could be heard in the room. Hand in hand, their eyes met as the noise played out. It was fast, John likened it to that of a speeding train. Anna's face was a picture as she watched the screen, everything being explained to them by the doctor. John committed the image of her features at that moment to memory, she looked so overjoyed. John was overjoyed. Seeing the baby on the screen, a living organism made it all seem so much more real. His child.

It was all perfect. Their baby was perfect.

The doctor had likened the foetus to a peanut, and a nickname for their child had been born. Peanut. John decided in that moment he was going to refer to the life growing inside Anna using that term from now on. It wasn't just a foetus, it was a human being. Something that should have a name.

Now back at her flat, John followed Anna down the hallway to the kitchen. She was grasping the picture of the scan in her hand, studying it before placing it upon the fridge.

'I just can't believe it.' Anna was shaking her head, looking at the picture in disbelief.

'Me either,' John agreed, standing beside her. 'Our baby.'

John looked down to see Anna trying to stifle a sob, it had been an emotional day but he hated to see her cry, especially at a moment like this.

'Are you alright?' John asked. A tear began to fall down her face and John's concern increased ten fold. 'My darling, what is it?'

'Nothing, nothing bad,' Anna shook her head, lifting a hand to her wipe the tears from her face. 'It's just, when you said our baby just then. It made me realise that Peanut,' she released a small laugh at the term, John smiling as he realised she had used it. 'Is ours. Our baby. He or she is the first thing that belongs to both of us. And I like that.'

What an amazingly beautiful woman the mother of his child was. John couldn't respond to the wonderful thing she had said with words, choosing instead to pull her closer to him with one hand and meet her lips in a kiss. John had such a hold on her that Anna's feet were barely touching the ground. Wrapping his other arm around her waist, he bent his knees before lifting Anna completely from the floor. She was laughing, John joining her as he spun them around on the spot.

All in that moment, John realised he was holding his whole world in his arms, the two people at the centre of his universe and he suddenly realised his whole life had been leading up to this moment.

There was no place he would rather be.

Yeah, I nicked the last scene from the Christmas special. It was pure, unadulterated joy.