A/N- For those awaiting it, sorry for the delay in an update to this story. Hope you enjoy, it couldn't all be plain sailing, could it?

Disclaimer- Downton belongs to Julian Fellowes/ITV/Carnival etc...

John sat on the edge of the sofa, watching as Anna dashed around here there and everywhere, straightening ornaments, wiping down surfaces with a damp cloth, plumping pillows. Her family were due to arrive any minute, ready for their guided tour of the capital. Even though she was into her seventh month of pregnancy, her energy showed no signs of waning. However, that could be because Anna was nervous about her mother visiting, wanting to make sure the flat was spotless her top priority.

Her family were staying in a nearby hotel tonight, and today, at the request of Molly, were to see all the sights, in particular, in her words, 'the palace where all the princesses live.'

'You are so beautiful when you get stressed out,' John said to her, although soon realising it was the wrong thing to say when Anna glared at him. He raised his hands in his defence, 'what? You are.'

'I am so nervous.'

'Why?' John shrugged, standing up and moving closer to her. He placed his hands on her arms, feeling Anna instantly calm underneath his touch. Looking into her eyes, he saw her features soften as she began to relax. The blue of her eyes made him momentarily forget what his task was before he remembered what he wanted to say. 'They are your family. They love you, they are wonderful people. They won't care what the flat looks like.'

'I know,' she closed her eyes, smiling a smile that never failed to take his breath away.

He placed a hand on her ever growing stomach. 'And this stress can't be good for Peanut, either. Besides, I'm the one who should be nervous, after all that happened a few weeks ago.'

'Sssh, they are fine with it.'

The assured nature of her tone set John at ease. She melted even more into his touch then, John pulling her into his embrace. He was trying to ignore the feel of her breath on his neck and the sensations it was sending coursing though his body, especially considering who was about to arrive. He placed a kiss on her cheek before she turned her head to meet his lips with hers. John instantly deepened the kiss, when it came to Anna he was so often left weak. As his hand travelled lower down her back, the doorbell rang.

'Oh,' Anna groaned, brushing her lips once more against John's. 'I was hoping they'd be late. They usually are.'

'We have plenty of time for this later,' John replied, releasing his hold on her. 'Go and answer the door.'

'Do I look alright?' Anna asked, standing back and allowing John to gaze at her from head to toe.

'Do you really need to ask that question?' John smirked at her warmly, taking in the sight of her in a floaty light blue summer dress, her blonde hair cascading down her shoulders. 'You look breathtaking. As always.'

Noting the more confident spring in her step as she walk towards the door, John exhaled a breath before Anna opened it. The noise was almost deafening as mother and daughter, sister and sister were reunited. John couldn't help but smile as Anna welcomed them.

'Darling, you look simply wonderful.' Harriet cooed as Anna fell into her arms. 'Pregnancy really suits you.'

'It's not fair, even at seven months pregnant you still look stunning,' Jane added, giving her sister a hug. 'You always were the pretty one.'

'Come off it, Jane,' Anna replied, encouraging her sister to give her a twirl. 'You look beautiful too.'

'Can I butt in?' John asked, stepping forward with his hand in the air like a school boy wanting attention from the teacher. 'All three Smith women look absolutely beautiful. But where is the littlest one?'

'John,' Harriet walked towards him with her arms outstretched. 'How are you, my love?'

'Alright,' John replied, kissing Anna's mother on the cheek. 'A little nervous. I gather you heard about our little disagreement.'

'Well, Anna is certain you are here to stay and that's good enough for us,' Jane informed John, moving closer so she could greet him. 'Dad, the boys, Becky and the kids are downstairs. Molly and Toby saw the park and couldn't just walk past so we said we'd run up here and fetch you both.'

'Right, I guess I should get into the mode of tour guide,' John took his wallet from the table and placed it in his back pocket. Allowing the ladies to go on ahead, John furrowed his brow when Anna hung back then was taken by surprise when she reached up to kiss his lips.

'That's to keep you going until later.'

'You are so good to me,' John said with a wink.

The summer sun was beating down on London town, Anna couldn't have wished for more perfect weather as she entertained her family in her new home city. As soon as she had seen him, Molly made a beeline for her new favourite person, John. She had insisted he hold her hand for the majority of their walk to the South Bank, both chatting animatedly as they strolled along. Toby had soon enough grabbed hold of his other hand, and the three of them made quite the picture, John even attempting to skip at one point, much to the amusement of Anna and the women in her family.

Every so often, John would stop to enquire about Anna's welfare, she saying every time that she was absolutely fine. It had become a bit of a theme in the past few weeks, John making sure Anna wanted for absolutely nothing. He treated her like a princess and it hadn't gone unnoticed by the female persuasion in her family. Walking a few steps behind the man she loved allowed Anna a rather shallow moment to admire his form. She loved how he always wore shorts in this weather when he wasn't working, today's cream knee length pair a particular favourite. The sleeves of his navy blue polo shirt hugged at his upper arms, she couldn't help but think to when those arms were holding her tightly. John hadn't been sure when Anna suggested the brown boat shoes they saw on a recent shopping trip, but after a few days he told her they had been some of the most comfortable he had ever owned.

Anna had to admit, she was loving being able to chat to her mum, Jane and Becky. She had missed their girly chats and girly chats in general, Gwen and Daisy both busy with work and Ethel was still keeping her distance after everything that had happened with John. She was growing closer to Mary, but there was nothing like gossiping with her family, safe in the knowledge she could say anything and not be judged.

Phillip and Gary had been interested to hear about John's career change, and his subsequent regular gig at Cheerful Charlie's. Anna loved to see John getting on so well with her brother and a man she considered her brother in Gary. It was so important to her that her family knew the man she knew John was, especially in light of their decision to hold off on marriage for the time being. Anna knew her Dad wasn't too impressed, and it had shown in his almost avoidance of John, which came as a shock to her when her mother had insisted everything was fine. If he had noticed, John was too polite to say so, still trying his utmost to be charm personified. Her mother had assured her over the phone that her Dad was alright with the situation, but she was beginning to realise he was anything but.

'Right, who would like to do the London Eye?' John asked as they reached the huge structure on the river.

Toby and Molly were jumping up and down, voicing their enthusiasm, both saying in unison, 'me!'

'I can't,' Anna replied, placing a hand on the swell of her stomach.

'So we thought the boys could take the kids on there whilst we found somewhere to have a coffee.' Jane suggested, looking to her husband and brother in law who were nodding in agreement, before her father. 'What about you, Dad? I'm sure they could use your help.'

'I don't know,' James shrugged his shoulders, his brief look to John causing Anna's heart to sink. John thankfully hadn't noticed, too busy trying to calm down an excitable five and seven year old.

'Go on, James,' Harriet encouraged, taking his hand in hers. Anna watched on, biting her lip in an attempt to not display her disappointment. Surely her father could see in this short time since they had left the house how committed John was to her and her family. 'You've always said how much you wanted to go on the London Eye. Now you're standing right next to it and you're not sure?'

James was looking at Anna now, and he must have been able to see the hurt in her eyes. Something in his gaze softened, she could almost see his resolve drift away. Before he had a chance to voice his agreement however, Phillip had taken hold of his father's arm and was pulling him towards where John and Gary were waiting with the children.

'Come on Dad, leave the ladies to their own devices for an hour or so,' they could hear Phillip saying before he looked over his shoulder and winked at them.

'Right, so we have an hour,' Jane said looking at her watch. 'I saw we find a bar and have a proper gossip.'

'That might just be one of your better ideas,' Becky was quick to add.

'Sounds good to me,' Anna smiled weakly, looking over at John with the men in her family. She felt her heart tug a little in her chest, everything he was doing was for her. She just prayed her Dad would come to realise that.

They had only had to queue for twenty minutes or so, which came as a relief to John. However, the kids were very well behaved and Gary and Phillip were letting their paternal qualities come to the fore in keeping their children entertained, qualities John was hoping would come as naturally to him when his own son had arrived.

'So, a boy eh, John?' Phillip said as they reached the platform where passengers boarded their pods. 'Excited?'

'Very, although naturally I think Anna was hoping for a girl.'

Phillip covered Molly's ears for a moment before whispering, 'so was I. But as soon as you hold them in your arms it's all forgotten about.'

'Daddy, please move your hands from ears, I can hear you,' Molly said, hands on her hips.

'What do you think, Dad?' Phillip asked, doing as his daughter had requested. 'Another grandson?'

James shrugged. 'No matter what the sex, Anna will make a wonderful mother. After all that has happened, I'm sure she will be over the moon with a healthy baby, no matter what it is.'

'Of course, I was only saying that…'

John didn't have a chance to finish his sentence, James walking on ahead and following Gary and Toby into the pod. Phillip placed a hand on John's shoulder, as Molly wrapped her little hand around John's once more.

'Don't worry mate, he's just worried about his baby girl.'

'Of course,' John smiled, before looking down at Molly. 'Read for this then, sweetheart?'

'How high does it go?' the little girl asked, looking tentatively into their pod before John felt her pressure on his hand increase.

'Quite high but you are perfectly safe,' John reassured her, allowing Phillip to step inside first before following with Molly.

Once the trip had started, Toby had also gravitated towards John. He didn't mind, he had been on the London Eye a number of times and his supervision of the children meant Phillip and Gary could enjoy their first time on board. John had to admit he enjoyed pointing out all the different landmarks to the two of them, finding something quite satisfying in teaching them both new things when they voiced questions his way.

As they began their descent, both children had clearly had their fill of John's little geography lesson, their respective Dads taking over their supervision. John felt he should use the last five minutes of the trip to approach James. He had been stood in the same position for the entire time, sharing brief conversations with his son and son in law and commenting on things he saw, but other than that, seemingly emotionless. Now standing behind Anna's father, John exhaled a shaky breath before moving beside him.

'Enjoy the ride, Mr Smith?' He thought his best tact would be to be polite and respectable.

'Erm, very agreeable,' James replied, shifting uncomfortably on his feet.

The elder man cleared his throat as the two men fell into an awkward silence. This could go one of two ways, John thought to himself. They could ignore the elephant

in the room, which would be John's failure to put a ring on Anna's finger, her family would return up north and no more would be said or insinuated until they came back down, probably after the birth of John and Anna's son. Or they could tackle the problem head on now, in these few minutes they would have alone before they were reunited with the women in their party. John knew which he would prefer.

'Look, I'm not an idiot, Mr Smith. I know you are unhappy I haven't asked your daughter to marry me.'

'Do we have to drag this up now?' James replied, an annoyed lilt to his tone as he placed his hands in his pockets.

'I fully understand your feelings,' John continued, ignoring James's reluctance to continue the conversation, 'in any normal situation Anna would be my fiancée.' James remained silent, John taking this as his cue to carry on. 'Be safe in the knowledge sir, that I love your daughter with all my heart and have done for so long now. Things progressed quicker between us than any of us would have liked, but I don't regret a thing. I can't wait to become a father, and the fact it is the father to Anna's child, well that makes it even better.'

'I know you love my daughter, John. That has never been in question. But what I can't fathom,' the man began his reply, clearly agitated, 'is why you won't ask her to marry you. Jane said something about bad experiences in a past marriage, but surely Anna is different.'

'Oh, believe me Mr Smith, Anna is different but there are other factors as well. Not just my failed marriage. I was in the army, I saw things which changed me.'

'I understand that,' James said with a nod, looking out over the horizon, memories of his own military career filling his conscious.

'And I promise one day, she shall be my wife. But she understands why it is too soon for me, and has promised she will wait. Something I definitely don't deserve.'

'Look, after Andrew all I wanted was for my daughter to be happy. And I think,' James stopped, looking up to John before correcting himself. 'No, I know she will be happy with you.'

'Well, I thought you might not be best pleased with the situation.'

'I'm not and I won't be completely content until you are married. But it shows balls lad, to confront me about this. That proves to me you are committed to my little girl.'

John allowed a smile to pass over his lips then, he was sure he could see the flicker of a smirk on James face as well. He was almost taken by surprise when James placed a hand upon his shoulder. 'I said when you were in Yorkshire to be the person that she needs. Well, maybe you should let her be the person you need her to be too. It's clear you both have a lot of healing to go through, be there for each other.'

'I promise we will be,' John nodded.

'Time to leave,' Phillip whispered behind them, John and James looking over their shoulders to see the door to the pod open.

No more words were spoken as the men exited the London Eye, John and James walking beside each other in a companionable silence behind the two Dads and their children. That was until they saw the ladies standing in a group together waiting for them, ice creams in hand. Molly and Toby ran in the directions of their mothers, the relief Gary and Phillip felt clearly visible. They had been quite a handful in the final few minutes of the journey.

'She always did have a sweet tooth, that daughter of mine,' James remarked to John.

'Don't I know it,' John replied, meeting Anna's gaze although they were still a fair distance from one another. 'I've been known to visit a particular fast food outlet to purchase her a strawberry milkshake at ridiculous times of the day.'

'It must be a committed relationship then,' James replied, offering John a smirk before greeting Harriet.

Anna stepped away from her family then to move closer to John. She was wearing a hopeful expression, having just seen her boyfriend and her father chatting in what appeared like an amicable manner. He placed an arm around her waist once she was beside him, before helping himself to a lick of her ice cream.

'You spoke to Dad then?'

'We reached an understanding,' John replied through a mouthful of ice cream. 'Approaching him about it apparently means I have balls.'

Anna used her hand that wasn't holding the ice cream to rub her stomach, her voice a whisper as she spoke. 'Well Mr Bates, I've known that about you for a long time.'

John met her gaze then, lifting an eyebrow in response before he felt Anna's arm move around his waist. He couldn't help but reach down and place a soft kiss on her lips, circumstances and present company be damned. This was the woman he loved and he didn't care who knew it.

'Eww, John,' Molly voiced her clear disgust at the image of him kissing her Aunty Anna before she began tugging at his hand for what must have been the thousandth time. 'What's next?'

'I thought we might get some lunch,' John suggested, moving his arm from Anna's waist to take her hand in his. 'We could walk over to Leicester Square, there are plenty of restaurants there. It's not far. We could go via Westminster Abbey and Whitehall. See some more sights.'

Everyone seemed to be happy with John's proposal as they began to walk, all except Anna who was looking at him with a quizzical eye, Molly running on ahead. 'It's at least a twenty minute walk from here to Leicester Square if we go that way.'

'I know, but the longer we walk,' he winked before finishing his sentence, 'the longer I get to hold your hand.'

The rest of the afternoon had passed by as well as the morning, especially now the tension had disappeared between James and John. After lunch and the customary trip to Hamley's which pleased Toby, John had been only too happy to take Molly to see the 'princesses' at Buckingham Palace. With everyone suitably satisfied and having seen and done everything they wanted to, John suggested they stay at home whilst he collected his mother for dinner back at the flat.

John was pleased for the loan of Robert's car, a precaution now Anna was entering the latter stages of her pregnancy. He never did like his mother using the underground, even if John was with her. He would be needing a car in the coming months, the baby being the catalyst to him finally looking for one but for now Robert's BMW would suffice.

'I hope you were charm personified, my boy,' John's mother said as John explained about their afternoon as he drove her across town to his flat in Lambeth. 'I am looking forward to meeting everybody. What are you cooking us all?'

'Something pasta based, everyone likes pasta don't they?'

John seemed nervous and his mother sensed this. 'Honestly lad, why don't you just order take out?'

'Because I want to show them their daughter or sister is in capable hands,' John replied before Helen interrupted into giggles. 'What?'

'And you're going to show them that by giving them your cooking to eat?'

'I can cook,' John insisted, causing Helen's laughter to increase. 'You've never complained about my cooking before.'

'No son, because I am your Mum and it's my job to be proud of everything you do.'

'I best get Anna to have them look through some take away menu's then,' John said, picking up his phone from the side pocket of the door as they stopped at a red light.

'John Bates, put that down,' Helen scolded, 'it is against the law to use your phone whilst driving. Plus, I only wanted to wind you up. And it worked.'

'Yes, thanks mother,' John replied sarcastically, putting his phone back. 'Spaghetti bolognaise be alright, will it?'

'Perfectly son.'

Arriving back at the flat, Helen's Irish nature came shining through as she became acquainted with Anna's family. His mother had always had a knack for talking to strangers, John confident enough to leave her chatting whilst he cooked in the kitchen. From his position behind the stove, John smiled as he saw Helen and Harriet chatting intently, James, Gary and Phillip had found a football match on television whilst Toby and Molly were playing on John's piano. However, John hadn't been able to ignore Anna's hand had barely left the small of her back. He met her gaze, questioning her with his eyes, but she only replied each time with a reassuring smile. John still wasn't convinced as Anna approached him in the kitchen.

'Are you alright?' he asked quietly, fully aware those gathered in the living area were within hearing distance and he cause any untoward alarm.

'I just feel a little uncomfortable,' Anna replied, helping herself to a handful of the cheese John had grated. 'Think it's all the walking we did today.'

'You make me feel bad,' he replied, regarding her with a sheepish smile.

'Oh, don't be,' Anna ran a hand over his forearm. 'It was lovely to hold your hand that little bit longer. I'll be fine. I just need a bath.'

Much to his relief, dinner was received with many compliments to the chef. But John just couldn't take his eyes off his girlfriend, and not in keeping with her recent healthy appetite she had barely touched her meal. As they brought the dirty plates into the kitchen to be washed up later, John on a promise of performing some songs for their guests before they left, he once again voiced his concerns.

'Should I call the doctor?' he asked as they piled the plates on the kitchen counter.

'Absolutely not,' Anna replied without missing a beat. 'It doesn't hurt, I just feel a bit restless is all. Please stop worrying.'

'I never stop worrying about you,' John answered with a smile. 'It's an expectant father's privilege.'

'And I'm lucky to have such an attentive man as you, but honestly it's fine.' She moved a little closer to him. 'I'm actually quite looking forward to having your undivided attention in bed a little later on.'

'It shall be yours, Miss Smith.'

'Hey, are you two going to stop whispering sweet nothings to each other and let John take over from those kids on the piano?' Phillip yelled from his position on the edge of the sofa. 'There is only so much Chopsticks I can take.'

'It's the only one I know, Daddy,' Molly replied, looking quite hurt as Becky nudged her husband in the ribs.

'And very nice it is too, sweetheart,' he tried to backtrack as John and Anna rejoined everyone in the living area.

'Stay and help me, Molly,' John suggested as he sat down at the piano. 'In fact, you can have first pick of what I play.'

John began by warming up playing a scale whilst those gathered speculated which One Direction song Molly would choose. 'I like Kiss You.'

'Bit hard to play on the piano though,' John said as he continued to play around on the keys, 'how about that one they sang on the X Factor.'

'Steal My Girl?' Everyone looked on amusedly as Molly and John continued their conversation, John taking it completely seriously. 'So if you play and I can help you sing?'

'I think that is a great idea,' John agreed, reaching beside him into a box and producing a tambourine and handing it to his accompanist. 'Think you can keep time with that?'

'I'll try,' Molly took the instrument from John, tapping it against her hand a couple of times.

'I'll play the intro, count to five then you come in with the tambourine. Okay?'

'Alright,' Molly said with a nod of the head, sitting up straight, seeming to take her task on board with the utmost seriousness.

'Good evening London,' John began, indicating to everyone he and his partner were ready to begin. 'I'd like to welcome you to this very special concert this evening featuring a brand new duo, Smith and Bates.' A ripple of applause came from those gathered, Phillip whistling for good effect. 'And for our first song, we'd like to play you Steal My Girl, by the one and only…'

John gestured for Molly to continue his sentence, she obliging with a squeal, 'One Direction.'

A scream, albeit tongue in cheek, erupted from the women gathered as John began to play the opening melody of their chosen song.

'Alright Molly, after five. One, two, three, four, five…' The youngest Smith girl showed natural rhythm as she played the tambourine in time perfectly with John's piano playing. 'Ready to begin?' Molly nodded as John counted her in once again. 'After four. A one, two, three, four…'

'She be my queen since we were sixteen, we want the same things, we dream the same dreams, alright…' they sang together, John singing that little bit gentler so Molly's vocals could shine through. He wasn't just being kind when he believed she had a beautiful singing voice, especially for one so young. 'I got it all cause she is the one, her mum calls me love, her dad calls me son, alright. Alright. I know, I know, I know for sure.'

'Join in if you know the words, guys,' John encouraged as he played them into the chorus.

'Do we?' Phillip rolled his eyes. 'She makes us play it in the car enough times.'

'Everybody wanna steal my girl, everybody wants to take her heart away,' John was amused as he could hear a few voices joining in from the audience, Anna included. He met her gaze as he continued to sing, 'couple billion in the whole wide world, find another one cause she belongs to me.'

'Daddy, stop singing,' Molly pleaded, slightly embarrassed at he father's enthusiastic participation, causing laughter to fill the room as John, ever the professional continued to sing, reaching the second verse.

'Kisses like cream, her walk is so mean, and every jaw drops when she's in those jeans, alright,' John made sure he was looking at Anna, lifting his eyebrows as he sang that particular lyric.

Having got over her embarrassment at her father's singing along, Molly was able to join in with John right to the end of the song, their performance receiving a standing ovation.

'Come on, John. How does a grown man know 1D that well?' Phillip teased. 'My excuse is my daughter is obsessed.'

'Well, I knew Molly was coming so I practiced for her.' John replied, smiling down at the girl sitting beside him. 'So, seeing as she picked the first song, I think it's only fair my little mate, Toby picks the next.'

'Do you know the Thomas The Tank Engine theme?' Gary asked with a chuckle.

'I want funk you up,' Toby said, rising to his feet from his position on his mother's lap.

'I beg your pardon,' Harriet rubbed her ear to make sure she wasn't mishearing. 'You want what now? Isn't he a little young to be using language like that?'

'No mum, funk,' Gary corrected her. 'I think he means Uptown Funk.'

'He just might do,' Becky agreed with a chuckle. 'We have it on repeat on the way to school.'

'I think Uptown Funk is a little out of John's comfort zone,' Anna began before the sound of John strumming his guitar caught everyone's attention.

'And what makes you say that, my love?' John asked as he continued to tune his guitar.

'I was just meaning arm swaying ballads are more your speed, no?'

'Yes, but working with a funk obsessed American has been rubbing off on me,' he explained, 'Jack at work is absolutely obsessed with that song. In quieter periods of the day we have been working on an acoustic version for one of his gigs, with him on vocals granted but I'll give it a go. Can't disappoint little Toby, can we?'

'I can't pretend to even know what song you are on about, but I am looking forward to it all the same,' Helen offered from her position in the armchair.

'I'm with you on that one,' Harriet agreed, the two women sharing a laugh before John took everyone by surprise and beginning the familiar tune.

'Wow, he's good,' Gary said as he and his brother in law accompanied John by helping with the 'doh, doh, doh's' that began the song, Molly joining in too.

'Alright, show off,' Anna rolled her eyes as John offered her a look as if to say, I told you so.

'This hit, that ice cold, Michelle Pfeiffer, that white gold. This one for them hood girls, them good girls, straight masterpieces.'

'What does this song even mean?' James asked, furrowing his brow as he looked at his son and son in law who were singing along with John.

'It's meant to be catchy, Dad,' Jane offered in response, tapping her foot in time to the music.

'Yes, well I've heard catchier air raid sirens,' James continued to moan until Harriet tapped him on the arm.

'Wait until you've heard it all Dad,' Becky said, 'I bet you won't be able to get it out of your head.'

'I think I'd rather be force fed Pedigree Chum,' James folded his arms, looking away from John before the expression Harriet was giving him caused him to start a little. All the while, John was getting in to his performance, the younger of those gathered thoroughly enjoying themselves.

'Girls hit your hallelujah…' John sang before his audience replied with an enthusiastic 'whooo.'

'Honestly, this is what you young'uns call music?' James continued to chide from his position on the sofa. He was surprised to see Harriet bouncing along to the music, shaking his head in response.

'Saturday night and we in the spot,' John sang before offering the chorus to the floor.

'Don't believe me, just watch,' most of those gathered sang back, much to James's chagrin. As the song progressed, Toby particularly enjoyed the 'uptown funk you up,' portion of the song, everyone allowing him centre stage as he added in his own dance moves.

'Looks like we have a Fred Astaire in our midst,' John offered, somewhat generously although his compliment endeared him more to what Anna hoped would be his future in laws. He got James back on board by playing him some Frank Sinatra, and his performance of Harriet and James's wedding song, 'When I Fall In Love,' was gratefully received.

What John had noticed however, was how quiet Anna had become as the evening grew older. It wasn't like her, she was usually the heart and soul of any room she was in, particularly with those she knew, but not tonight. When it came to saying goodbye to everyone, John suggested he call his mother a taxi, not wanting to leave Anna alone but she insisted he should accompany his mother home and that she was fine.

John was grateful for the quiet roads, getting his mother home and getting back to Anna in under an hour. Upon entering the flat however, something was amiss. The television was on, her dressing gown in a heap on the floor but Anna was nowhere to be seen. One look to the bathroom and John knew that was where he would find her. Rushing as fast as his feet would carry him, the image he saw before him was one he would never forget for as long as he lived. Anna was hunched over the basin, desperately trying to catch her breath. Stepping towards her, John stopped in his tracks as he felt something slippery beneath his feet. Looking to the floor, he didn't need too long to realise what had happened.

'My waters have broken, John,' she whimpered, turning her head to regard him.

'I knew there was something wrong,' John replied, stepping closer to her and taking her hand in his. 'Why didn't you tell me? We could have got to hospital.'

'I didn't want to worry everyone.'

'Oh Anna, when are you ever going to worry about yourself for once?'

'He's early,' was her next remark as she rested her head on John's shoulder. 'Eight weeks early. Why is he early, John?'

'I don't know,' John shook his head, 'but lets not panic. Let's get to the hospital and see what's what. Yeah?'

Anna nodded, holding on to his hand as if her life depended on it. He left her for the briefest of moments to collect her hospital bag which she had already packed as a precaution from the bedroom, picking up her dressing gown from the floor on the way out and wrapping it around her shoulders when he rejoined her.

'I'm scared, John.' Her voice sounded so weak, so fragile. He'd never heard Anna sound like this before, but one thing was for sure, John couldn't let her know he was just as scared as she was. He knew enough babies arriving early was never a good thing.

'There's no need to be scared,' John hushed her, kissing her temple. 'I've got you. Now lets get to the hospital.'

A/N 2- If you wish to hear how I envisaged John's version of Uptown Funk, copy and paste this link...

watch?v=wFxEftBWYhM