A/N: I'm so sorry for the delay in updating this story. I'll be focusing on updating this one from here on out until it's done. I think I have about five chapters left. There's a bit of a time jump in here, but I think I explained it well enough. I love to hear your feedback so please review.

Chapter 26

Surprises and Adjustments

The first few weeks were hard for both John and Anna once he returned to his post at the firehouse. While they both enjoyed the long breaks together when John wasn't working, the days apart were proving to be difficult to say the least. They still called and text, but it wasn't the same now that Anna had gotten used to seeing John everyday when she returned home from work. The nights were particularly hard, Anna had become accustomed to sleeping with John against her back, his arms wrapped around her, providing all the warmth she would ever need. Now, she found herself yearning for the times when he was snoring loudly in her ear and breathing hot air onto her shoulder. She tossed and turned miserably, only to find that when she text John in the middle of the night, he too was also awake. They shared a laugh as they stared at the glowing screens before them and John told her that Mr. Carson's snoring could be heard from down the hall. They exchanged "I love you"s and "goodnight"s for what seemed like the hundredth time before John reminded her it would only be another forty eight hours until he was back home.

"Honey, I'm home," John announced proudly as he walked in the door with his duffle bag. He had just barely shut the door when Anna had nearly knocked him off his feet to throw her arms around him and wrapped her legs around his waist. John immediately dropped his bag to the floor and embraced her in a tight squeeze. They both pulled apart when the need for breath became necessary, the two of them panting heavily. "I hope that is the kind of homecoming I can continue to expect long after we're married," he said playfully before kissing her once more.

"Keep looking and tasting as delicious as you do and I promise your homecoming's will always be this memorable," she said with a smile. She unwrapped her legs and let her feet touch the floor once more.

"Goodness, perhaps I should stay away longer. Just imagine how much you'll desire me then," he teased.

"Don't you dare!" Anna scolded with a playful smack to his arm.

"Alright. Alright. You don't have to beg," he joked with his hands up in mock surrender. She hugged him once more and John caressed her cheek as he drew her closer to him for one more peck. He felt her forehead with the back of his hand.

"John, what are you doing?" she asked. Her eyes followed the motion of his hands.

"You said you weren't feeling well the last few days, I'm just checking to see that you're alright. You've had me worried," he said.

"It comes and goes," Anna brushed it off as she led him to the living room where she already had some snacks and hot cocoa set up. "I'm feeling much better right now. There's some bug going around the school, that's probably all it is." When John refused to move to join her in the living room, she turned back and saw the look of concern on his face. He didn't look very convinced. "It'll be fine. It's nothing worse than when I got sick before our trip to Ireland. Maybe it's just hanging around or came back."

"Maybe," he said as she convinced him to finally join her on the couch. "I just worry is all. You mean so much to me. I don't like to see you sick or hurt." John knew he was being a worry wart, but he couldn't help himself.

"I'm not hurt and I'm healthy as a horse. See?" she said with her hands outstretched so he could observe her more closely. "Now don't keep me waiting, John Bates." Anna patted the sofa cushion beside her and watched him with bated breath. She wasn't sure if it was the time spent apart, but there was certainly some truth to the statement that absence makes the heart grow fonder.

"Never," John said as he quickly got comfortable and slipped his hands around her waist. It wouldn't fail to take his breath away how sitting around just enjoying one another's company in this state of domestic bliss was more comforting and satiating than any night out on the town had ever been. She looked incredible as she sat across from him in an old pair of sweats and one of his old fire company hoodies. John encouraged her to lay back on the couch and give him her feet so he could give her a proper massage, as he did he noticed a set of wedding magazines on the coffee table. "Getting a head start already?" John asked as his head gestured toward the tiny stack.

"Well, I just wanted to get some ideas. Once Mary got wind of things she wanted to help in any way she could since my Mum isn't exactly jumping in to help out," Anna said slightly hurt. "It doesn't mean we have to do anything right away, but I would like to start planning things and it hasn't been easy with you being gone."

"I know love. I'm sorry. This whole change in routine is going to take some getting used to. But I'm here now," John pointed out as he ran a hand lazily up her calf and gave her knee a gentle squeeze. "How can I help?"

"We need to set a date," Anna said. "I don't know what your schedule will be like or how easy it will be for you to get time off."

"Robert can be fairly accommodating if I give him enough warning," John said with a smile. "Any particular dates you had in mind?"

"Most people seem to give themselves a year. Would you want to wait that long?" Anna asked.

"I'd wait for you as long as it takes. You name the date and I guarantee you I will be waiting at the end of that aisle with the dopiest look on my face. Monkey suit and all," John commented with a laugh. "I can't wait for you to be my wife. And I just know you're going to be the most gorgeous bride."

"You don't need to butter me up John Bates, you've already won me," she reminded him with a roll of the eyes.

"Just because I've won you doesn't mean the romantic gestures end there," he quipped. "That being said I will leave the date up to you."

"Alright. What do you say to next June? I'll be off on summer break by then. It will give us a little less than a year to plan. You'll have completed your one year of meetings. And if you want we can start looking at houses," she offered.

His ears perked up at the last suggestion and he stopped rubbing her feet. When he looked at her eyes they shone more brightly than he had ever seen at the mention of her flat. She was finally looking to the future and beginning to let go of the past. "Really? You're absolutely sure?"

"Really. I want a fresh start for us," she said with an enthusiastic bob of the head.

"June it is then," John replied.

Anna sat up to meet his lips with hers as she swung her leg over his hips. Anna straddled him as she began undoing the buttons on his shirt. Her hands roamed through his hair and settled for the shorter ones at the nape of his neck. His hands brushed against her hips and caressed her lower back, spurring her on. His touch set off a series of tingles in her lower half and she smiled through her kisses. She pushed his shirt off his shoulders and quickly removed his undershirt. Just feeling the heat radiating off of his chest and the way his lower half was responding to her was enough to encourage her to keep going. His eyes darkened with eagerness and she felt her heart beat quicken in anticipation. She had originally planned a quiet evening but staring at him now Anna knew she needed him more than ever.

"Anna...I thought..." he tried to speak between kisses. Her fingertips tickled at his sides and he giggled slightly. "I thought you wanted to plan for the wedding," he managed to get out.

Anna rolled her hips against him as she let out a groan of pleasure. "Can't we do both?" Anna said as John unzipped her hoodie.

"Is this really doing it for you?" John asked with curious eyes as he ran his hand over her bra-encased breasts.

Anna leaned forward to press herself against his hands. He and captured his mouth with hers. An overwhelming passion was building in the pit of her stomach and her hands moving on their own accord as if they were possessed. She cupped the bulge of his pants and he gasped in a way that produced a wicked grin of satisfaction.

"Floral arrangements," John muttered as he began to unclasp her bra.

"What?" Anna choked out between moans. His eyes looking more carefree than they had in ages and her name on his lips was all she could hear.

"Table runners and place settings," he joked once he successfully removed her bra. Her perfect breasts propped up before his eyes, her nipples still firm and at attention from his ministrations.

"You've gone mad," Anna concluded as she ran the pad of her thumb across his lips, before sealing it with a kiss. Though she wouldn't have had it any other way. He brought her more joy than she thought possible and the prospect of spending forever with him suited her just fine.

Anna stared at the tiny screen with a hand to her mouth as she re-read the words. This couldn't be right, she wasn't even sure how to feel about it. She shook her head as the thought fluttered across her brain. That wasn't true, she was over the moon. Anna had always envisioned herself a mother, ever since she was a little girl. The pull had only become stronger when she became a teacher, but now for once the child would truly be her own. Hers and John's. It had come sooner than they had planned and she still wasn't sure how considering they had been using protection. Anna hoped John would be as thrilled about the news as she was, but she wasn't sure what to expect. He was already trying to keep up with so many changes to his routine and a child was not something that one could just gloss over. It would take lots of preparation and she had rather hoped they could spend their first married year together getting to know one each other, just the two of them. But who determines what is the right way and wrong way to go about doing these things? After all she had known in her heart there was something different about John from the moment she met him. Anna had known she had wanted to marry him from the first time they shared a kiss and she knew she wanted to have his babies even before proposed. Just because they had done things out of order didn't make things less special or wrong.

Anna set the small test down on the sink and wondered if she should call John. As it was she already wished he'd been there when she found out. But the curiosity and anxiety would have killed her to wait another two days for him to return home again. Now she wished she had listened to his suggestion to go to the doctors and see if it was anything worse, at least then it could have been confirmed by a doctor. At least then he would have been here to celebrate with her now. Though she supposed she would have to get used to this. John wouldn't always be around if he continued his job with the department.

Deep down Anna knew she wanted this, but she supposed she should have it confirmed before making any announcements to John. If it wasn't for the fact that she'd been on the pill he probably would have suspected she was pregnant already. Anna ran a hand across her stomach wondering if it was possible John could have already noticed. She glimpsed at herself in the mirror. Anna couldn't see anything, other than the change in her color from being so sick the past few days. If it hadn't been for that, Ethel might not have made the suggestion in the first place that prompted Anna to check a calendar. Some simple addition in the days since her last cycle had her scrambling off towards the nearest pharmacy on her way home from work.

Anna couldn't contain the smile that was slowly creeping across her face as she envisioned a chubby baby with dark hair and hazel eyes. Or maybe it would take after her and have fair skin and hair as golden as the sun. She could only imagine the look on John's face as he held their baby for the first time and handled it with care; his size dwarfing their child. John would look as though he were falling in love all over again and it would only make Anna's love for him grow exponentially. It was a moment she hadn't realized she had longed for until now.

As if he had read her thoughts her phone rang out from the other room. She couldn't explain why but tears pricked at her eyes right before she answered it. It must have been her emotions running away with her; she was so ecstatic and scared. Picturing oneself as a parent was quite different from actually being one. The phone was on the second ring when Anna went to answer it. She wiped the tears from her eyes first before speaking, "Hello, darling." Anna hoped she hadn't worried him with the way her voice wavered and buckled with sentiment. She cleared her throat, "How are you today?"

"As well as I can be, missing you of course," his voice called to her across the line. "You sound different, your cold hasn't gotten worse has it?"

"No, I'm feeling much better actually," she replied as her eyes were fixed on the plastic device staring back at her from the bathroom counter.

"Did you go to the doctors?" he asked.

"No. But I'm going to go tomorrow, just to make sure. Perhaps there's something they can give me to help my stomach settle," she lied. The idea didn't sit well with her, but Anna didn't want to tell her soon-to-be husband that they were expecting over the phone. That was something to be settled face-to-face. Anna wanted it to be special, perhaps over dinner or at a special location. All she knew for certain was that she wanted to see the look on his face the moment he discovered he was going to be a father. Even if it hadn't been planned, she couldn't envision him being upset at such news. Not when they had both lost so much already, this would be blessing. A new life, and a chance at a fresh start; a baby that would be part her and John. Something to strengthen the bond they already shared.

"I hope so. I'd hate to think you are all alone in the house feeling poorly and I'm just sitting here unable to take care of you," he said.

The thought did cross her mind that she wasn't all alone anymore and it made her smile. Even though she knew he'd be back soon, John suddenly felt so far away and she wished he was there to hold her and share in her glee. But that would come soon enough, she'd just have to be patient. "I'll be fine," Anna assured as she guarded her secret.

"Just promise me you'll call when you leave the doctor's office and let me know if there's anything you need. I don't care if I get in trouble with Robert, I'll run home if I have to," he said only half joking.

"That wont be necessary, though I must say I'm inclined to see you try," she replied.

"I had hoped to take you out when I got my next leave from the station, but if you want we can just stay home and address wedding invitations or whatever else you'd prefer to do," he suggested. John didn't care if he sounded like a fool to anyone that was listening.

Anna suspected they would have to change some things around to accommodate the little one that would soon be joining them. Maybe it would be best to put any further planning on hold until she had a chance to speak with John properly about the matter. "Let's just play it by ear," Anna said. "I'd be happy just to see you and spend the evening in your arms."

"I couldn't agree more," he said with a chuckle that echoed through the phone. The fire siren went off and John had to end the call quickly, "Anna, I have to go. Duty calls. I love you."

"I love you, too. Please be careful," she said before he hung up.

Anna was watering the few plants she had on the tiny porch that overlooked her equally tiny backyard, if one could call it that. She was glad now that they had decided a move would be in order. There wouldn't be enough room for any little ones to roam around back here. Not properly anyway. She wanted to have a big tree that provided plenty of shade in the summer for them to share picnics praise. Maybe when their baby was a little older John could put up a swing.

Anna had been so caught up in her plans for the future she hadn't even heard John arrive home and come outside to join her. He snuck up behind her and let his hands drift around her waist and his fingers locked together so his hands covered hers. She let out a small gasp but quickly recognized his touch and scent. "You're looking particularly gorgeous today," John commented

"John, you scared me. I thought you weren't going to be home until later tonight," Anna said.

"If you want I can leave," he said before kissing her shoulder and neck. His hair hung down and tickled her exposed skin as he weaved about unpredictably placing a peck here and there. His lips smacking as it made contact with her skin.

"Absolutely not. I just meant that I wanted to surprise you with something tonight and I must look like a mess right now," she said.

John stood back and took a good look at her as he twirled her around. She was dressed in a pair of tattered overalls and one of her old t-shirts with her hair tied back in a braid. There was a bit of dried dirt smudged across her nose and forehead that she hadn't managed to notice, but it wouldn't have mattered. She always looked stunning to him. "Anything I can help with?"

"No. I've got it all under control," she said with her hands on her waist, "I think." Anna wiped the bit of sweat that had accumulated on her brow and let a hand come to rest on her stomach but quickly moved it away. She was determined to surprise John and didn't want to give him any hint of what was to come. "Besides, after the lovely trip to Ireland for my birthday I think you are long over due for a surprise of your own," Anna said with a look of satisfaction.

"Is that right, Mrs. Smith?" John asked. Anna nodded her head in a 'yes' motion and her cheeks blushed at the way he said her last name. John watched as she finished watering the last of the plants and put her gardening gloves away. He leaned against the railing of the porch, admiring Anna in her quiet beauty. "I've never been one for surprises you know," he said. "Hated them in fact."

"I know," Anna replied as she brushed a loose strand of hair away from her face and smiled at him. She only hoped she wasn't lying when she spoke again. "I promise you'll like this one."

Anna looked so peaceful and serene; even more than she had on their trip, if that was possible. He knew the last few weeks had been an adjustment and it had taken some getting used to. But she handled it well and he couldn't love her more for supporting his decision to return to his old post. "If it's from you, I'm sure I will," John replied. "I'll just go wash up then and perhaps you'll join me?" he asked with a raised eyebrow.

"I think that can be arranged," she answered back flirtatiously.

"You're being awfully quiet," John noted as he took another bite of the baked chicken Anna had made. She had been mindlessly pushing her food around on her plate the whole dinner, eyeing him intently, but smiling like a schoolgirl whenever John's eyes met hers. The lights that hung off the awning reflected in her eyes and it made them all the more enchanting. Anna had been sprucing up the backyard all afternoon and he had to admit it was indescribably gorgeous; well a close second to the adorable creature sitting across from him. The music played softly in the background, though he couldn't even begin to recognize or hum the tune because he was mystified by his Anna. She had chosen to wear a white dress sprinkled with pink stitched flowers that complimented her color perfectly.

"Sorry," she apologized. "Just thinking is all."

"I'd give you a penny for them," John stated.

"I'm sure you would, but I don't want to share them just yet. I just want to enjoy this-us-a little while longer," she clarified before taking a swig of her iced tea.

"Secretive and quiet. When did you become such a mystery?" he asked with a smile. When Anna didn't answer his question John's thoughts turned dark and quickly. She never really had given him all the details of her trip to the doctor's office. Oh God what if she was ill and they'd found something? He suddenly found it hard to swallow and was feeling suffocated even though they were sitting on their tiny porch under the stars. His hand tremor came back for a split second until she covered his hand with hers.

"John, where are you love?" Anna asked as she brushed his hair back with her free hand. The candlelight cast a glow on her face and made her look more radiant than he could recall.

"Just thinking," he replied with a weak smile.

"I dare say I think your version is much more dangerous than mine," she said. "

"Anna, I know you want to surprise me, but can you just tell me everything is alright?" he requested. "I feel like I've had too many surprises in my life that did not end so well. I'm not sure I could take another one."

"I was going to wait until after dinner," Anna began to speak.

"Oh god, I knew it…"

Anna shushed him and stroked his cheek, "John, I'm alright. In fact, I'm better than alright."

His brow furrowed as he tried to decipher whatever cryptic message she was sending him. John tried to read her face to get some type of hold of the situation.

Anna took a deep breath and prepared herself as best she could, their lives were about to change for the better, she hoped. "I'm pregnant," Anna blurted out before she lost her nerve.

"You're...wait...what?" he asked.

"We're expecting. That's why I've been out of sorts," Anna explained.

"Uh...wow! This is...this is huge. How? I mean didn't we...weren't you on birth control pills?"

"Apparently the antibiotics the doctor prescribed me from when I got sick last time rendered the birth control pills ineffective. Given the timing of things, I'd say it happened on my birthday or while we were in Ireland," she said.

"Oh," he said still trying to wrap his head around it all. He felt his mind trying to keep up with her revelation. How did she feel about this? She didn't appear upset but he couldn't tell if this is what she wanted. One thing was for certain, she was being awfully calm about this.

"I know it wasn't planned…"

"No, it wasn't," he said with a heavy sigh. "But I've never been happier in all my life," John confessed.

"Really?" Anna asked with tears in her eyes.

"Absolutely," John answered back. "I want to do it all with you: the late night feedings, changing nappies, the tiny socks and shoes." He motioned for her to come to his side of the table and sit on his lap. John held his arms out to meet her halfway and just before she sat down he stopped her and pressed a kiss to her still flat belly. He ran a hand across the thin fabric of her dress as he sought out contact with their baby. "Hello, little love," John cooed as he squeezed Anna's hand. He looked up to see her crying. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing," Anna said as she wiped her tears away. "It's just...I knew you'd be happy, but I didn't think you'd be this over the moon."

"Are you kidding me? Of course I am. I'm going to be a father; I thought this day had long passed me by," he confessed with watery eyes. "When are you due? When will you start to show? I want something I can see," John said in a playful but demanding tone as he placed his palm on her abdomen. His excitement was palpable and his smile was contagious. It was a clean slate for both of them, something that hadn't been scarred or broken.

"Give it time you silly beggar, it will happen. Soon you'll be wishing you couldn't see anything when I'm as big as an elephant," Anna joked. But she could not have found him more endearing or adorable as she caressed his forehead with the pad of her thumb.

"Never. I love elephants," he said in a teasing tone. "And I love you, Anna May Smith."

"I love you too," Anna murmured.

"So? When will he or she be arriving?"

"I'm going on three months now. I'd venture a guess that it will be sometime in March, " she said. "They wanted me to have an ultrasound while I was there, but I didn't want to go without you."

John pulled her down gently to sit on his lap and he kissed her more gently than he ever had. Running his fingers delicately over her belly as he squeezed her protectively to his chest. He professed his love to her over and over; promising that even with the new position at work he'd be there in every way possible and attend every appointment. "And you my darling? How are you feeling?" John asked. "Perhaps I shouldn't have you sitting on my lap," he said in a voice filled with worry.

Anna placed her hands on his shoulders to calm him, "No, I'm fine. We're fine" Her words produced a grand smile that nearly reached his eyes. "Nothing out of the ordinary, the morning sickness comes and goes. I'm not sure I'll be able to keep it a secret much longer from my co workers, if they don't already suspect."

"Why would you want to? I want to shout it from the roof tops," he said with a twinkle in his eyes. John opened his mouth like he might actually attempt to announce it to anyone who would listen in her quaint neighborhood.

Anna covered his mouth with her hand and said, "Hush you or I shall be forced to silence you myself."

"Prove it," John countered.

Anna's lips captured his in one fell swoop and they savored the single greatest moment they had shared together beneath the stars. It certainly didn't replace the loss of her brother or William, but if something good could come from their absence they would certainly cherish it. Aside from their wedding they had something more to look forward to and their hearts had never felt so light.

Anna fidgeted nervously with her hands and chewed on her bottom lip in the waiting room. John's eventually joined hers and tried to reassure her. "Are you alright?" he asked.

"I was just thinking, the night out with the girls a few weeks back when I drank too much. I didn't know then. You don't think that I hurt the baby do you?" she asked anxiously.

"Well, it probably wasn't good for the baby. But it's not as if you drink all the time. You haven't drank since or before then. I'd say it will be fine," he said.

"I wouldn't have if I would have known," Anna said almost frantically. Her eyes were darting back and forth as if she was mentally keeping track of any other mistakes she may have already made in their child's short existence.

"I know you wouldn't have," he said with kind eyes. John watched her face slowly relax, but her eyes still looked unsure. "Let's just wait and see what the doctor says before we start to panic." John offered what comfort he could in a single smile as their eyes met.

"Anna Smith," a nurse called from across the waiting room.

"Here we go," John said as he helped her up. As she made to walk ahead of him, John stopped and whispered in her ear, "It will all be fine, love."

"Any difficulties or cause for concern that you've noticed since you confirmed the pregnancy, Anna?" Doctor Hendrix asked. She was a slightly older woman with dark hair and fair skin. She had a thin frame and a kind face but Anna supposed that came from working in a field where one brought children into the world. The doctor ran her eyes down the chart examining all the information Anna had filled in as she awaited Anna's response.

"No, I don't think so. Should there be?" she replied anxiously.

"No, but with this being your first little one it's normal for mums to have questions or uncertainties," the doctor replied back. "Dads too," she gestured towards John.

John cleared his throat nervously as he asked the doctor, "How much longer do you think the morning sickness will last?"

"Every woman is different. Anna seems to have gotten a mild case so everything should be stabilizing soon," she offered. "But if not, please let me know. And of course until it stops she'll need to stay hydrated."

"Right," John replied.

"What if I drank alcohol before I found out about the pregnancy?" Anna asked in a warbling voice.

"Well that would all depend on how often and how much you drank," Doctor Hendrix replied. "Judging by your chart it looks like you have no cause for concern healthwise. You mentioned you don't normally drink, no smoking, you don't have any diseases that run in your family such as heart disease or diabetes that would normally be troublesome during a pregnancy."

"It was just the one time, I swear. I don't think even think I finished the third glass. I don't even normally drink," Anna answered back as if she were on trial.

"Calm down, Anna. I believe you. You didn't do anything to your baby if it was just the one time," she tried to put Anna's mind at ease. Doctor Hendrix asked a few more questions and filled in some information on the clipboard before she suggested Anna lay back on the table so they could take a look at their baby.

She told Anna to relax and lift her shirt enough to reveal her stomach. Anna kept her eyes on John the entire time as the doctor moved the little sensor back and forth across her belly until her voice broke the silence, "Ah, there we go. See that?" Doctor Hendrix pointed towards the screen. "That's your baby."

"You said you wanted something you could see," Anna said with her eyes still glued to the image on the screen.

"I did didn't I?" John asked before kissing the top of Anna's head. "I love you," he whispered into her hair.

"Me too," Anna replied back softly as she bit back a smile.

Anna and John tore their eyes away from each other long enough to stare at their baby on the monitor. "And it looks like things are progressing normally. Do you want to hear the heartbeat? " Doctor Hendrix asked.

"Can we? " John asked. His hand was still holding Anna's as a sound like horses galloping filled the tiny exam room. He had never heard anything like it, but John quickly came to the conclusion that it was the most incredible sound he'd ever heard. It took both of their breaths away and John now found himself staring at Anna's belly, knowing that this wasn't a dream. It was all becoming real and John's world had never felt so small in his life. Anna and their baby were his main concern now. It was a reminder of how far he had come; he couldn't be selfish anymore. He'd have to start taking care of himself more to ensure that he would be around for Anna and their child. He couldn't afford to be reckless at work. Soon there would be another member of their family that would be totally dependent upon them, a perfect mixture of him and her; though he hoped it leaned more in Anna's favor.

"The heartbeat is strong, Anna. I wouldn't lose sleep over the one drink. I'll be sure to get you a photo of your baby and then you can schedule your next appointment on the way out. Looks like you'll be meeting your son or daughter in the spring," Doctor Hendrix commented as she wiped the bit of gel from Anna's belly. She printed out the photo and handed it to John and Anna before writing out a prescription for some prenatal vitamins for Anna. As Doctor Hendrix made her way out the door she said, "Be sure she gets plenty of rest, Dad. She needs to eat healthy and not overwork herself."

The door closed with a click of the handle and Anna tugged at her shirt to put it back in place. They both had tears in their eyes when they looked back at one another. "She called me, 'Dad'," he said.

"I know, it's a bit surreal isn't it?" Anna said as she stared at the tiny photo in her hand. "Just wait until he or she is saying it."

"I can't wait," John said sweetly.