A/N: Well, this was an interesting chapter to write. Honestly, in my eyes, it will never be perfect, but a good friend once reminded me that we're all our worst critics. Nevertheless, I hope you enjoy it, and do leave a review!
Disclaimer: I own nothing but my laptop, a large collection of assorted teas, and an adorable cat who gets away with far too much.
July 1922
Anna was tired to the bone. The unusual heat of the day was not helping matters; in fact, it only served in making her even more exhausted. Unnatural as it was, the sticky heat had invaded the countryside in late June and stayed since. Anna grimaced as her dress seemed to stick itself to her sides and she pulled at the black fabric with disgust, a reminder of the reason she hated hot days.
Running around preparing Lady Mary's things for her annual trip to London was certainly not Anna's idea of a fun chore, but someone had to do it, and she daren't ask another maid to help her carry some of the cases down, for fear of earning a sneer of defiance in answer. A life in service was too lowly for them, from what Anna gathered, and they'd rather sit around, reading penny dreadfuls and going to the theatres and making eyes at every man who looked like he might have some money. It was awful to see such great houses like Downton going downhill because people didn't want to do their jobs. With a shake of her head, she cleared her thoughts and focused on the task ahead. Her arms were stocked full of winter coats that hadn't been put away as of yet, and as she climbed the stairs to the attic, Anna wished she had thought to carry less.
Climbing the stairs to the attic was difficult at best, and it was no different this time around. Reaching the top of the narrow flight of stairs, Anna paused, breathing slowly. The sweltering heat seemed to press in on her in the compact space of the attic and beads of sweat prickled at her temple. The day had been long and full of tasks to do, and the heat had been unbearable. In the morning, she'd had a light breakfast, much to John's chagrin. John's half day was today, and he hated to loiter around the cottage, waiting for her, and so Anna encouraged him to go into town— the shops were bound to have a new trinket he might enjoy since they'd gone three weeks ago. With a huff of exertion, Anna wrenched the cupboard door open, the strong scent of cedar invading her senses. A sigh escaped her, and she set about folding the coats and placing them one by one in the cupboard.
It was tedious, time-consuming work, and by the time Anna was done, she was thoroughly tired. The day was almost done— shafts of orange light broke through the panes of the windows and lifted her eyes to the sight before her. Downton was a beautiful estate, and Anna loved it, but she couldn't wait to sell the house in London. Business dealings were going well, and Anna had been pleasantly surprised to hear that the new tenants had shown an interest in buying the place. John had been increasingly invested in finding an inn to purchase, and his excitement was contagious. Anna had been looking to Julia, a maid who had joined the house only two years ago, but who had shown promise as a potential replacement. The necessity for a replacement stemmed not only from the possibility of leaving Downton before the next year, but also because of the news Anna had received not two weeks ago. Cradling her still flat belly, Anna let herself imagine what it would be like to hold her first child— a baby. She had not told John yet, and she planned to this evening. With a secret grin, Anna turned from the window, shut the cupboards quickly, and clambered down the stairs quickly, relieved that the only work remaining was readying Lady Mary for bed.
A renewed vigor struck her and she practically ran down the halls and weaved her way down the stairs as she rushed to the servant's hall. John usually waited there for her on his half-days, ready to walk her home. With any luck, she might catch him alone and she could have a moment of privacy— but alas, her hopes were dashed as she rounded the corner, only to be greeted by the sight of an empty hall. Disappointment flashed through her, and Anna wondered where John was. Perhaps he had fallen asleep at home— Anna smiled at the memory of finding him once, book on the floor, hair askew, very much asleep on the loveseat in their sitting room one early evening. Sighing, Anna sat dejectedly at the empty table, sliding her button box closer to her. Usually, she left it on the table downstairs, the ease of access foremost in her mind, and she didn't mind if Her Ladyship's new maid used it. Anna had been working at Downton for years, and had amassed a large collection of buttons and ribbons and lace clippings— most of them were at home in the tin on the mantle, for her personal use or, occasionally, restocking this box. Setting about her work, Anna began to separate the buttons she had gathered throughout the past week, until she heard the ring of the bell beckoning her to Lady Mary's chambers.
Lady Mary had not taken long to attend to; the fading sunlight was still bright enough to light the path leading to the cottages, the long shadows stretching to the tips of the groves of trees as she passed. Anna was anxious to get home, eager to see her husband. Hastening down the wide dirt path, she contemplated different ways to tell John about the baby. She could clue him in, bit by bit over the rest of the week, making comments here and there, making him feel like he had figured it out himself? Or she could wait until morning? She didn't think she could manage to wait that long, not when she would be leaving in two days time. With a firm nod to herself, she settled on outright telling him tonight.
When Anna entered the house, she could hardly breath. Black smoke filled the air, and she coughed loudly, waving her hand in front of her face as she journeyed to the source of the awful smell. Reaching the kitchen, Anna gasped, sputtering, her lungs full of smoke, as she took in the sight before her. John stood in front of the oven, smoke billowing from the oven as he stared sheepishly at the blackened mess that congealed in the pan that sat on the countertop.
"What in the world are you doing, John?"
"Well, I was— I was trying to make dinner for you, and…" John's face fell as he gestured uselessly at the pile of charred something-or-other that sat in the pan. His hair was mussed, and streaks of white covered his face, evidence of his frustration.
With a smile, Anna's panic lessened, instead, an overwhelming urge to embrace John and kiss away the defeated look on his face overtook her. The sweetness of the gesture was not lost on her, and her grin widened.
"Silly beggar… I'll clean up and you go take a bath."
"Anna, you don't understand— tonight was supposed to be about you." Head hanging, John retreated to the far corner, untying the strings of an apron that was much too small for him. Anna followed him, her arms looping around his neck as she stole a kiss.
"I appreciate the sent— what are you wearing…? Is that… my apron, John?"
John's cheeks reddened as he blushed, clearly guilty of just that, while Anna's gale of laughter could no longer be contained. After a moment, her eyes stung with tears and her chest heaved.
"May I—" A deep, steadying breath. "May I ask why you're wearing my apron?"
Something that sounded halfway between a mumble and a whisper was her answer, and Anna prompted him again, wiping the tears from her eyes.
"I said: mine was in the laundry and I know you hate trying to fuss with my shirts."
"Well, thank you for your consideration, love, but I think you'd best clean up now."
John's retreat was quiet; the only sound he made was his shuffling steps up the stairs. Shedding her jacket and rolling up the sleeves of her dress, Anna surveyed the damage before her.
Anna had the mess cleaned up in a matter of minutes and soon had gathered all of the necessary items for sandwiches. It was late and Anna did not find preparing a meal appealing to her aching feet; John wouldn't mind, she was sure of it. The less cleaning they had to do, the better for them both.
A few moments passed while Anna readied their quick meal, and John's steps could be heard once more above. Anna glanced out of the window and into their small backyard— with a fond smile, her eyes fell upon the corner garden, her cheeks flushing slightly as she recalled the adventure they had had. Clearing her throat, she finished up the sandwiches. Two strong arms looped around her waist and Anna started at the sudden contact. Leaning back into her husband's frame, she swayed as he peppered kisses down her jaw.
"Leave them. We can eat later; I have a surprise for you." Anna felt her heartbeat quicken, and her mind whirred at the possibilities.
"A surprise, hmm?" Anna barely had time to set the plates down before John pulled her away, his rapid steps surprising, considering the trouble his knee had been giving him lately. A shriek of laughter emanated through the hall as Anna was lead to the sitting room.
Pulling away, John gave a grand sweep of his arm, gesturing to the sight before her.
"Oh, John!" Anna grinned, tears pricking at her eyes as she spied the contraption by the fireplace.
"I hope you like it. I put it on order when we were in town last— I knew you would want one…"
The great radio stood proudly next to the fireplace, the dark ebony polished and shining as the light of the fire illuminated the dials.
"How did you—"
"I talked His Lordship into giving me extra tasks to earn a little on the side for it. I told him it was for an important cause."
Anna sighed, her shaky breath steadying as she spoke, "But John, a radio? That's not important… Not half as important as something else."
"But it is, you see. Making you happy is important to me. I know you love music, and I know you love dancing; it makes you happy— and I can't dance with you at the servant's balls, but here, in our own home… I can." Anna's eyes stung, and her cheeks were hot as she cupped her husband's face in her hands.
"You make me happy, John— just you. Thank you… Though you might want to save what money we do have in future." With a smile, Anna pressed a kiss to John's lips and turned to the new addition, ignoring John's puzzled expression. Fiddling with a dial, Anna was pleasantly surprised when a blast of music emitted from the tiny speaker. With a smile, Anna turned to John.
"Care to dance, Mr. Bates?"
Wordlessly, John approached her, and Anna inhaled sharply when his large palms pressed to the small of her back, pulling her close to him. "Am I doing this right? I haven't danced in a very long time." With a lopsided grin, John offered her his hand.
"Oh, I don't know— I suppose we'll have to see." Taking his pro-offered hand, Anna marveled at how strong his grip was. Firm, his grasp was sure as he swayed with her. His steps were short in an effort to put as little strain on his leg as possible, but Anna found she didn't mind. The warm sounds of the symphony that played over the radio spurred them on, their movements fluid and smooth. John faltered slightly, but Anna remained quiet, instead choosing to smile reassuringly at her husband as his eyes snapped shut in frustration.
"Don't. You're doing fine." Anna murmured, her eyes trained on his face. With a small smile, John relaxed, his shoulders dropping as her hand smoothed over his brow. His broad frame was the perfect support as Anna drew closer, pressing herself flush against him, and she spoke, her voice barely audible over the music.
"Any news on the tenants? Have they decided to buy?" Their slow sway continued as his voice rumbled in his chest, his baritone speech rippling across her body.
"Well, I have to go to London soon to discuss it with them— they are very interested."
"How—" Anna paused, looking at John, watching as the pools of hazel flickered in the firelight, "How would you feel if we stayed on at Downton for a little bit longer? Until next summer?"
"Next summer? Whatever for? I thought you'd want to purchase as quickly as possible, while prices are down." John stopped his movements, pulling away from her as he regarded her carefully.
"Well, there have been some… changes since we last spoke." This was it.
John's brow furrowed, confusion settling on his handsome features.
"What could have changed?"
"Well… do you remember last year when we came home from Scotland?"
"Yes. Very well; you thought you might've been pregnant, but it was just the stress of Mister Matthew and looking after Lady Mary. What is this about? Are you saying…?" His voice trailed off as realization dawned on him.
"It's not stress, John, and it's not the heat that's been making me ill…"
"You're— you're sure, Anna?" John's voice caught and a grin broke his worried face as Anna nodded.
"I saw Doctor Clarkson on my last half-day. He confirmed it." An excited laugh escaped her and John hugged her close. "Are you happy?"
"Am I happy?! Anna, we're going to be… I'm going to be a father—" John paused, taking in the news, "And you're fine, everything's fine?"
With teary eyes, Anna hugged him close once more.
"I'm fine. We're fine." A smile stayed fixed on her face as John swayed once more, keeping time with the music.
The radio played on into the night, and joyful laughter filled the small home as the couple rejoiced in their newfound happiness.
A/N: I hope you enjoyed the fluff and Baby Bates-ness of the chapter. Regardless, please don't forget to review!