A/N: It's time to meet John's mother and sister. Thanks for the reviews!

Disclaimer: Despite my best efforts, ITV won't even let me rent DA.

Anna was nervous, more nervous than she had ever been. She had changed her shirt five times and her skirt 10 times. She had only met a boyfriend's family one other time and they had taken an instant dislike to her. 'What if his mother doesn't think that I'm the right woman for her son? I know how much he loves her. Could he ever really marry someone that his mother didn't like,' she thought.

"Anna, the cab is here," John said, interrupting her thoughts.

Anna took one last look in the mirror and put her ring on. It still felt new and strange to her. It had been catching her eye at the oddest moments. John helped her into her coat and she grabbed the bouquet of lilies that she had bought earlier. They walked downstairs and got into the cab. She settled herself next to him and asked, "what's your mother like."

"She's the kindest, sweetest, most patient mother that a man could hope for. She was a teacher for many years and she still gets letters from her old pupils."

"And what's your sister like?"

John hesitated for a moment, "my sister is a difficult person to like. She's never held onto a job for very long and has always lived with our parents."

"Always lived with your parents?"

"Yes, she was diagnosed with with bipolar disorder while she was in university. I think that she took it as an excuse to not do anything with her life."

"Sounds a bit like my cousin Olivia, except she got married and then didn't keep jobs."

They fell into silence and Anna's stomach started roiling. Her mobile chirped. It was her sister.

When are we expected tomorrow?

I'd say sometime around 1.

Should I bring anything?

No need.

Is something wrong Anna?

Not really, I'm just going round to meet John's mum and sister.

Ah, that's always a nerve-wracking visit.

How did your meeting with Mark's family go?

Well enough if you consider that we were still in university and getting married.

I hope that today goes as well. I think that we're almost there.

Alright, lots of luck. They'll love you.

Putting her mobile into her pocket, Anna took a few deep breath as the cab pulled up to the curb. She took John's hand as she got out and they walked up to the door. His mother buzzed them in and she was waiting for them. Anna thought that she looked quite kind.

"Mother, Anna. Anna, Mother," John said with a smile.

"You can call me Aisling," his mother said, "I've been hearing all about you from my Johnny."

"Nice things I hope," Anna replied with a smile.

"Oh yes, he's been singing your praises for weeks."

"Oh yes my dear brother has made you seem quite the saint," said John's sister who had been sitting in the kitchen.

John looked a bit pained. "Anna, my sister Vera. Vera, Anna."

"It's lovely to meet you Vera," Anna nervously said. She handed the bouquet of lilies to John's mother.

"So my Johnny tells me that you work as an editor," Aisling said as she washed the dishes from tea.

"Yes, I've been working at Grantham House since I graduated," Anna replied as she dried the dishes.

"Do you like the work?"

"Oh yes, I love it. It's especially nice when you work with a great writer like John."

"He is a lovely writer, but then I'm his mother so I'm a bit biased."

"Well I agree that he's a lovely writer. After I met him, I went straight out and bought his novel. It's one of the best things that I've ever read."

"I'll never understand why it wasn't a better success."

"I don't know either, but at least we love it."

"Very true. Do you write?"

"Not very much, I write a few small pieces when needed, but I'm much more comfortable just editing."

Aisling handed the last dish to Anna. "There you go dear. Thanks so much for helping with the washing up."

Anna was snuggling under the covers on her bed when John came out of the bathroom. "My mother told me that she really likes you."

"Well, I really like her. We had a nice chat while we washed up."

"She told me. I'm sorry about Vera though."

She tried to banish his sister from her mind, but it was hard to let go of the nastiness that seemed to emanate from Vera. "I'm fairly sure that she doesn't like me," Anna sadly said.

"I'm fairly sure that she's never liked anyone that takes even an iota of attention from her. It's not just you"

"I suppose that makes me feel a bit better."

"And anyway, isn't the important thing that I like you," he asked with a half smile.

"I hope that you more than like me," she knowingly replied.

"Oh Anna Smith, I absolutely, utterly adore you," John said and he turned out the light.

A/N 2: I wanted to do something a bit different with Vera and hit on the idea that I used. Interesting times are indeed ahead.