A/N - Thanks to those who are still reviewing/reading/enjoying this story.

Disclaimer- Downton belongs to ITV/ Carnival/ Julian Fellowes and not to me.

Travelling in a car three hundred miles north with a five month old baby wasn't ideal, but that was what John and Anna did, Helen a passenger too. Grandma was given the privilege of the front passenger seat, Anna entertaining Dylan in the back. His father singing along to the greatest hits of Dean Martin, Helen's choice, proved to be useful in soothing him to sleep. John was borrowing one of Robert's cars for the trip, promising his soon to be wife that once the wedding and the circus surrounding it was over he would look into buying one of their own.

Arriving in Yorkshire, the prospect of getting married was all becoming very real. It had meant a lot to Anna to be tying the knot up north, being a traditionalist and wanting to marry from home. John had no reservations in granting Anna her request. So long as she was happy, so was he. The surroundings were beautiful, and John had to admit it was nice to be away from the city, he was sure the countryside would be the perfect backdrop to the best day of their lives.

The four of them were to stay with Anna's parents in the lead up to the wedding, deciding to head up there a couple of days before the ceremony. Jane, Anna's sister had agreed to be maid of honour and little Molly was very excited to be joining Gwen in bridesmaids duties. Toby was a little less enthusiastic in his role as pageboy, at his suit fitting having taken off his burgundy bow tie and thrown it across the room.

The Crawley's were in tow, Robert, Cora and their relatives deciding to make the jaunt up to Yorkshire into a little holiday, the head of the family renting a cottage in the Dales. In turn with their blossoming friendship, Jack had agreed to attend the wedding as John's guest, having bonded well with Matthew and Tom since John's stag night as well. As luck would have it, one of Jack's university friends was from Yorkshire and he had scored a few nights on their sofa. As John remarked upon hearing the news, everything was falling into place.

There was a houseful in the Smith abode, the majority of them waiting on the doorstep as John pulled onto the driveway of Anna's childhood home. Before he had a chance to stop the car, Anna was exiting it and moving towards her family. Her mother greeted her first with an embrace, before her father. John smiled upon the reunion as he watched from the driver's seat, making sure the car was secure before leaving the vehicle himself.

'What a lovely home,' Helen remarked as she stood back, allowing her son to get Dylan out of the car.

'Isn't it,' John agreed, smiling in reciprocation to the sight of Dylan beaming upon seeing his father once more. 'Come on then, Peanut.' Shutting the door, John locked the car before placing his free arm around his mother's shoulders and holding Dylan in the other arm. 'Hello all.'

'There he is. Oh Anna, how gorgeous is he?' Harriet cooed to her daughter as she stood beside her father. John met Anna's eye before speaking.

'Thanks Harriet,' he replied in jest.

'Be quiet John Bates,' Harriet swatted him gently on the arm. 'You know full well I mean the baby in your arms. Hello Helen, so lovely to see you.'

'And you,' Helen accepted Harriet's offer of an embrace. 'It's so kind of you to allow us to stay here.'

'Think nothing of it,' James said from the doorstep. 'Please come inside, we've just brewed a pot.'

'You know you are my gorgeous boy,' Helen whispered to John, he winking at his mother in response.

'Uncle John!'

John would recognise that voice from anywhere, handing Dylan to his maternal grandmother before being met with the force an eight year old girl hurling herself at his legs.

'That's very nice,' Anna said from her position beside her father, looking at the scene before her as John picked Molly up. 'Don't worry about Aunty Anna.'

Once inside, Anna was touched to see her family had put on a little spread for their arrival. Apart from her friends who would be arriving separately, everybody who meant something to Anna was here and it was a wonderful feeling. Dylan was the centre of attention, being made a fuss of by the relatives who hadn't seen him for a couple of months. She couldn't remember being happier.

It was a little overwhelming, what with being back home and being with everybody again. Once they had eaten, Anna excused herself for a moment, Dylan happily bouncing on his granddad's knee. Helen was busy putting the world to rights with Harriet and John was holding court, telling anyone who would listen about how wonderful their son was. Smiling, she quietly slipped out of the living room.

Stepping out into the garden which had been the scene for many a happy childhood memory, Anna sat down on the brick wall that edged the patio. The large patch of grass that seemed to go on for miles when she was a little girl was in front of her. She missed the rolling hills that made up the Yorkshire landscape, but knew she wouldn't change her life in London for anything. This may have been home, but she belonged in the capital now. She had grown into a woman there. It was where she had met the love of her life and brought her son into the world. The city meant everything to her.

'You alright?'

Turning her head to look over her shoulder, Anna smiled upon seeing her fiancé walking towards her, not putting his shoes on before he came outside and treading carefully in his socks across the patio towards her. Just as she was about to reply, Anna felt her phone vibrate in her pocket. As John joined her by sitting on the wall, Anna opened a message from Gwen.

'The girls are in the county, staying at Gwen's Mum and Dad's.'

'I thought I could smell trouble,' John answered with a wink. 'Jack sent me a message earlier saying he was up here safe and well.'

'Good, it will be nice to meet him outside of your gigs,' Anna remarked before silence fell once more. After a few beats, Anna began to speak again. 'You know, when I was a little girl I used to line all my teddies up in the middle of the lawn and pretend they were the congregation, then I'd pretend I was getting married.'

She stopped as she heard the chuckle that left the man beside her. 'That is cute. Who were you marrying?'

'Well, this would have been the late eighties so probably one of New Kids On The Block.'

'Naturally.' Anna lifted her head to meet John's gaze, linking her arm with his as she did so. She picked a piece of lint from the sleeve of his navy blue shirt before dropping it to the floor. 'Never thought I'd actually marry my very own musician.'

'I'm hardly a musician,' John replied modestly, shifting uncomfortably on the wall. 'Mind you, neither were New Kids On The Block.'

'Oi,' Anna dug him in the ribs with her elbow. 'The Right Stuff is a classic.'

'Okay.' John furrowed his brow, not looking at all convinced. 'Your brother mentioned the open mic evening at the local pub tonight.'

'Oh, now that would be fun,' Anna mused before an idea sprang to her. 'You should call Jack over to come with us. What the hell, might as well ask Robert and co, and the girls. Make a pre wedding night of it.'

'Really?' Anna could sense John was sceptical. 'I thought you might like a quiet couple of nights before the wedding.'

'No, it's lovely having everyone here to celebrate with us. Why not start the celebrating now? I am guessing you are intending to perform at the pub?'

'I did bring my guitar, yes.'

'Great, call Jack and Robert, I'll call the girls.'

'Alright then,' John smiled, rising to his feet. 'So long as you are sure.'

'I'm sure,' Anna replied, grasping his hand.

He began to walk away before Anna noticed John turn around, mobile phone in hand. He was looking at her, really looking at her in that way he had done since the first moment they had met, and it affected her as much as it had done the first time. His lips upturned into a smirk and Anna felt her hands gripping more tightly to the wall to maintain her balance. 'Anna, are you happy?'

'Yes John,' Anna answered, nodding her head and praying her smile conveyed the pleasure she was currently feeling. She was home and was with the people she cared about most in the world and in a matter of days the man she loved with all her heart and soul would be her husband. 'I am happy.'

The Royal Oak had been overtaken by families Smith, Bates and Crawley, as well as a few others. The landlord was very happy, his open mic nights often only drew a small crowd so his eyes had lit up upon seeing the merry band enter his establishment. To the amazement and amusement of everyone, Jack had come armed with his keyboard ready to perform. John had expected nothing less. Dylan, Molly and Toby had stayed home with Harriet and Helen, who were quite happy to watch the soap operas accompanied by a bottle of wine. The older women had also offered to watch little George so Matthew and Mary could join the party, too. Despite being disappointed at being left behind, once John had read them their bedtime story Molly and Toby soon settled.

Walking to the bar to get the first round in, John encouraged Jack to follow him. If they were to perform tonight, it occurred to John they should discuss what they were going to sing.

'Wow, Gwen is hot,' Jack remarked in his American brogue, as he joined John at the bar.

'What?' John furrowed his brow, struggling to ascertain his meaning for a moment before looking over his shoulder to the woman sitting beside Anna before looking at Jack. He smiled. 'You like her?'

'Well I've only known her from the couple of times she has come in the shop with Anna, and in the ten minutes it took us to walk here but first impressions, she's pretty.'

'Well, as you know I only have eyes for the petite blonde beside her but yes, Gwen is very becoming.'

Jack began to laugh. 'Is that old man speak for she's gorgeous?'

'Hey, less of the old,' John replied, pretending to be hurt. 'Basically I am ordering a coke for me, two pitchers of lager, two bottles of white zinfandel and a pitcher of any cocktail so long as it has Vodka in it.'

Jack shook his head, a grin on his face as he eyed Gwen, Daisy and Ethel. 'Man, Anna's friends sure know how to party.'

'Yes, and how to keep things classy too,' John said with a sarcastic tone before gaining the attention of the barman.

'What are we going to sing then, Dude?' Jack asked once John had given his order. 'Something modern?'

'You know that's anything post 1995 to me.'

'How about some Kanye?'

'How about no,' John replied without missing a beat.

'You really don't like him, do you?'

'No I don't,' John shook his head. 'And anybody with the ability to hear should agree with me.'

'I know,' Jack exclaimed with the click of his fingers, choosing to ignore John's scathing review of one of his favourite artists. 'Why don't we premiere that Lady Gaga track we've been working on for the next gig?'

John loved the musical side Jack brought out of him. Before he met the young American he never would have dreamt of learning to play a song by such an artist. Some suggestions he drew the line at but John's repertoire was growing all the time because of his new accompanist.

'Alright,' John agreed. 'We'll just take these drinks over to the table then I'll put our names down. I trust you brought the foot drum?'

Jack smiled a wide smile. 'And my tambourine.'

Not many people had entered the proceedings, meaning John and Jack didn't have long to wait to perform. They approached the performance area amidst a chorus of cheers and wolf whistles from their group. Setting up their equipment, the landlord approached them with a quizzical eye.

'What on earth is that contraption?' He asked, pointing at the foot drum Jack was in the process of setting up.

'It's a drum,' Jack replied, pressing the pedal before rhythmic thuds began to fill the air.

'Why not just use a drum kit?'

John laughed as he took in the look of disbelief on Jack's face. His friends response was priceless, Jack lifting the carry case for the instrument. 'Because you can't fit a drum kit in a bag this size, man.'

Lost for words to formulate a response, the landlord turned to face the punters who made up the audience. He tapped the microphone once, then twice before speaking. 'Okay, your next act on The Royal Oak's open mic night is, er…' He turned to Jack and John. 'What are you called?'

John shrugged. 'Jack and John.'

'No man, Ross and Bates. Or better still, R and B.'

'Really?' John grimaced.

'It's cool. Ross and Bates, R and B, rhythm and blues. It's got a ring to it.'

'Okay, I think they are called R and B but they aren't sure. Anyway, they are going to sing for you now, Radio Gaga.'

'No,' Jack interrupted, 'a song by Lady Gaga.'

The landlord walked away then, leaving John and Jack to perform. They positioned themselves behind their microphones, the room was silent. With a nod of the head exchanged between them, John began to count them in.

'A one, two, three…'

As the chords on his guitar began to fill the air, Jack displayed his perfect rhythm and the connection they shared by tapping the foot drum and shaking his tambourine in time to John's playing. After a few bars, Jack started to sing the first verse.

'I want to hold them like they do in Texas please, fold 'em, let 'em, hit me, raise it, baby stay with me…'

The younger females in their party were seemingly loving their choice of song, whooping and clapping as John took over the singing for the next line, smiling as he saw Anna and her friends rising to their feet to dance. The expression on the landlord's face told John the usual acts on these particular evenings didn't evoke quite the same reaction.

'Love game intuition play the game with spades to start, and after she's been hooked I'll play the one that's on her heart.'

For the next part of the song, John and Jack sang together. He didn't like to come across as too conceited, so he never voiced his opinions, but John felt Jack's silky smooth tones complimented his more rough, rocky sounding voice perfectly.

' Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh…'

As they led the song further on, John couldn't help but keep his gaze solely on Anna. She looked like she was having the time of her life, singing along with her girlfriends. She seemed the epitome of happiness, and every time he took her in John had to remind himself to breathe. She really was beautiful, stunningly so and she did something every day that made John fall in love with her all over again. The way she was moving in time to the music, the sway of her hips, John struggled to believe Anna was really his. When she looked up to meet his eye as he and Jack neared the chorus, John struggled for a moment to remember the words.

'I'll get her hot, show her what I've got,' the two men sang in unison, John having to swallow hard before composing himself to launch into the familiar words of the chorus with Jack. 'Can't read my, can't read my, no she can't read my Poker Face.'

The pair struggled to hear their own singing over the participation of Anna and her friends, but John loved to see them all having so much fun. As they continued the song, a few of the other members of the audience were getting into the performance as well. But John only had eyes for his fiancée. Although he could see out of the corner of his eye Jack feeding off those gathered in front of them, John couldn't avert his gaze from the woman he would be calling his wife in a few days.

As the song reached it's completion, it was quite obvious John and Jack had blown their fellow acts out of the water. They were met with an eruption of cheers and applause once finished, Jack offering John a congratulatory high five. But then something amazing happened, and John thought he was hearing things. He could quite clearly make out the chant of 'more, more, more,' coming from those gathered, and they weren't the voices of those who had accompanied himself and Jack to the pub this evening.

'You'll have to ask the landlord about that one,' John heard Jack saying next. So he wasn't imagining it.

'Go ahead lads, you were the last act on the bill.'

'John?'

John looked up to see Jack's hopeful face and he couldn't help but nod his permission. He was taken aback. They had been appreciated at their gigs at Cheerful Charlie's, but this was different. This wasn't an audience out for a night of music. It was everyday people who had come to the pub to unwind after a hard day at work, or a catch up with friends. And they had enjoyed what he had just done with Jack. It was an amazing feeling. An addictive one in fact.

A realisation came over John. He had never really craved the adulation that could come with playing music, only ever really using it as an escape. But now he had nothing to run from, John had found a whole new respect for his craft, a whole new reason to enjoy making music. For other's enjoyment.

'Alrighty, so what do you want to hear?' Jack asked those gathered in front of them. John chanced a glance at Anna, who was looking on with a smile from ear to ear. He nodded in her direction, a gesture she reciprocated before he thought he should probably focus on the task in hand.

'You know Desperado?' A slightly rough, male Yorkshire accent said from the back of the room. 'By The Eagles.'

'A slight departure from Lady Gaga but I know that one.' John could feel Jack's gaze upon him. 'How about you, partner?'

Lifting his head to look at Jack, John nodded. 'You might need the keyboard for this one.'

******************************************
So what had started as playing one song as part of a little Yorkshire pub's open mic night had turned into Ross and Bates's first northern gig. Anna couldn't help the sense of pride that flowed through her. That man up there, playing any song that was thrown at him with passion and flair, was soon to be her husband. John was doing what he loved and it made Anna feel so wonderful she could possibly be the reason he could now enjoy his passion without having to use it as a release.

They had sung so many songs. From Lady Gaga to The Eagles, Ed Sheeran to Queen, Dolly Parton to Green Day. Any song that had been requested, the two men had given everything their best shot. As they came to the end of a rendition of Can't Buy Me Love by The Beatles, the landlord announced last call.

'One more song, lads,' he called over to them as people approached the bar to order their last round. John and Jack were deep in conversation behind their microphones, their back to those gathered.

'I wonder what they are talking about,' Matthew wondered before putting a handful of peanuts into his mouth.

'Well it might be the podgy tummy you are getting from eating all these snacky foods, Matthew Crawley.' Mary preceded to pat her husbands belly, much to the amusement of those gathered.

'Who wants another drink?' Robert stood up and began to take orders from his family, 'Anna?'

'Not for me, Robert.' Anna replied.

'Me and Daisy are going to get one last pitcher,' Ethel announced, rising to her rather shaky feet and dragging her friend behind her.

'Jack is brilliant, isn't he?' Anna turned to regard Gwen who had just spoken, one eyebrow raised. She had her suspicions Gwen might have been taken with the American by the way they had walked together and had been laughing most of their way to the pub.

'He's very good,' Anna agreed with a nod, 'they make a great team. Him and John.'

'Okay, so you may be able to tell from our accents that we aren't from these parts,' Jack began to speak, the background noise of fellow drinkers slowly dying down to listen. 'We are in fact in Yorkshire because my partner here is marrying one of your local girls in a couple of days.' Jack pointed in Anna's direction. 'The beautiful blonde on that table, in fact. So we have both made the decision to allow the bride to pick the last song.'

Anna felt the eyes of the room on her, but she was staring straight at John, he standing and rhythmically drumming his fingers on the top of his guitar, waiting for her to make her choice. He would be expecting some Weller, or perhaps one of her cheesy pop songs. But a moment suddenly came back to her, when she had popped into see John after a recent shopping trip with Dylan. They had stumbled across John and Jack at the back of the shop, working on a song by a rather famous artist. Her future husband was showing off a talent he never had done before, and Anna decided she wanted to hear it again.

'Okay, I'd like to hear some MJ.'

'Oh, good choice Anna,' Mary encouraged her friend. 'We might have finally vested the human juke boxes.'

'No, no,' John counteracted, taking one step forward. Anna realised John might have guessed which song she was meaning, probably remembering when she had walked in on him and Jack at Cheerful Charlie's. 'Which song, my love?'

'Black Or White.'

Anna felt her heart skip a beat at John's raise of the eyebrows and grin upon hearing her suggestion, but she knew he could do it. The two of them had sounded brilliant in the shop, and Anna knew they had been working on the song for a future gig.

'Alright, never let it be said R and B shirk from a challenge,' Jack spoke into his microphone. He looked behind him at the musical instruments sitting at the back of the stage, before trying to garner the attention of the landlord. 'Are they your instruments?'

'My son's. His band play here Thursday evenings.'

'Oh yeah, they're called Thumbs Up If You're Awful,' Anna heard Gary reveal, 'me and Phil were in here the last time they were on.'

'And our thumbs up were up quite a lot,' Phillip added.

Jack had gained permission to use one of the electric guitars behind him, currently tuning it up. It could never be said John and Jack didn't take their music seriously. Anna couldn't wait for this.

'Ready?' John asked Jack as he played the riff of the famous song on the unfamiliar instrument a couple of times, the audience reacting positively to the recognisable tune. Jack nodded, positioning himself before John turned to address the crowd. 'Okay, this is for my beautiful bride. Black or White.'

Jack counted them in this time and in the next moment the room was filled with music once more, Anna amazed as Jack even managed to still tap his foot drum in time. It was a very good attempt at such a famous song, and Anna could tell from the reaction in the room, everybody else thought so too. The upbeat nature also meant John and Jack moved more, which pleased her no end. Her husband had a natural rhythm and she loved to see him move in time to the music he was performing. She knew Jack took the lead a bit more on this song, his voice more suited to it but John was singing along all the same.

'I took my baby on a Saturday bang, boy is that girl with you, yes we're one and the same, now I believe in miracles and a miracle has happened tonight. But if you're thinking about my baby, it don't matter if you're ' John joined in with the next lyric, choosing to share Jack's microphone, 'black or white'

They continued in this vein, Anna prouder than she had ever been as she took in the sight of almost the entire pub on their feet joining in. It felt as though she really was at one of John's gigs and she knew he must have been absolutely loving this. But the moment was coming up when John was sure to take a few of those at her table by surprise, and she couldn't wait for it. As he began, Anna looked around the faces of those at her table, looking at John completely agog as he took the mantle from Jack.

'Protection, For gangs, clubs and nations. Causing grief in human relations. It's a turf war, on a global scale, I'd rather hear both sides of the tale…'

'Anna, John is rapping,' Tom exclaimed, pointing excitedly to the stage. 'And he's good!'

'You've heard him do that before, haven't you?' Mary asked with a smirk, Anna simply smiling knowingly in her direction.

'I've seen the bright get duller, I'm not going to spend my life being a colour.'

'Tell me if you agree with me, when I saw you kicking dirt in my eye, but if you're thinking about my baby, it don't matter if you're…' John and Jack continued to sing in unison before offering the next part to the audience which they gratefully accepted.

'Black or white.'

'I said if you're thinking of being my baby it don't matter of you're black or white,' Jack had now stopped playing and placed an arm around John as they sang together, 'if you're thinking of being my brother, it don't matter if you're black or white.'

The crowd erupted as they finished, John and Jack wrapping an arm around each other's shoulders and accepting the applause with a bow. After thanking the landlord who reciprocated gratefully, they were walking back towards the table, Anna moving forward and meeting John half way, wrapping her arms around his shoulders.

'You were wonderful,' she whispered.

'Thank you,' John replied, Anna feeling the warmth of his kiss on her temple.

'My very own rock star.'

*****************************************
The next day, Anna's family had surprised her and John with a trip to Scotland for a honeymoon, with Dylan of course. Both were overwhelmed by her families generosity, neither thinking they would be able to afford a trip themselves, what with John's overdue promise of buying a car and the cost of the wedding. It would be needed, especially in a few months time when Anna would be going back to work and she would need to ferry Dylan between Helen, Cora and possibly a day nursery.

As evening approached, John had packed a bag to take with him as he prepared to stay with the Crawley's. Tomorrow was the big day, and in keeping with tradition his best man had offered him the spare room at the Crawley's cottage. It hurt to be leaving Anna and Dylan behind, but tomorrow he would never have to be without them ever again. They would be a proper family, the Bates's and that notion filled his heart to the brim with joy.

Gwen had arrived to join the party, being Anna's bridesmaid alongside Molly and maid of honour, Jane. John took this as his cue to leave, asking to feed Dylan in the conservatory before he left. Sitting with his son in the relative peace and quiet- excited shrills could still be heard from the house- John stared at the little human being that had changed his life completely. Dylan looked back as he drank his milk, holding eye contact with his father. John couldn't help the smile that appeared on his face. He was holding his son. That thought never failed to give him goose bumps.

'Don't mind another one in here, do you John?' Lifting his head, John saw James entering the conservatory, closing the door behind him. 'Can't handle all that girly chat and Phil and Gary have taken the kids to the park.'

'Of course,' John replied, he wasn't going o deny the owner of the house entry to his own conservatory.

'So, you surprised a few of us last night,' James remarked as he got comfortable in the seat opposite John. 'I knew you could play the guitar and sing a bit, but that was impressive.'

'Thank you,' John was gracious in accepting his future father in laws praise, particularly when he hadn't always been a willing participant in the past when John was encouraged to play.

'I bet you never knew this but I used to dabble in entertainment myself. I used to sing in a band with a couple of my friends.'

'Really?' John raised his eyebrows in surprise, he really hadn't been expecting that. 'Anna never mentioned it.'

'Oh, I stopped when the kids were little, I had to work for a living, Harriet gave up to be a full time Mum. There was never time for music once they arrived. I used to sing to Anna when she was a little girl, but she, her brother and sister have no idea I was in a band.'

Curiosity overtook John. 'What did you use to sing?'

'Anything and everything,' James gently chuckled as he reminisced. 'I was a fan of swing but would give anything a go. There was one song in particular I would sing to Anna, by John Denver. Annie's Song, mainly because it almost sounded like her name.'

'That's a beautiful song.'

'We'd sit in the hammock that used to be over there,' James continued, pointing to the end of the garden, 'and I'd sing it to her. She was a proper little Daddy's girl.'

'She thinks the world of you, and Harriet as well. And do I.' John hoped his tone was telegraphing how grateful he was to the man before him, and his wife. 'You have raised a wonderful woman and I am very lucky not only to be the father to her son, but to be marrying her tomorrow.'

James chuckled at that, nodding profusely in the process. 'All we ever wanted for the kids was that they met someone who they could be happy with and we've been blessed that not only have they found that, we have found another daughter in Becky, and two more sons in you and Gary.'

'Sorry to interrupt.' Anna appeared at the door then, peering around it. 'Robert is here for you, John.'

'Right,' John nodded, sitting forward with Dylan in his arms.

'Dad, would you mind giving me and John a moment?'

'Of course not.' James heaved himself to his feet, stopping to pat John on the shoulder before looking to his daughter. 'Have they stopped talking dresses?'

'Come on Dad, this is the night before my wedding.'

'Hmm, I might go and nurse a pint at the Oak,' he replied teasingly before leaving the room.

'Is he all fed?'

'Yep, just needs his rusk but he seems satisfied at the moment.' John rose to his feet then, handing the boy over to Anna before taking a step back.

He watched intently as Anna held Dylan close, hushing him as he protested at being moved from his comfortable position in John's arms. It took no time at all for him to be happy and smiling at his mother. She was a natural and John would quite happily observe as they interacted with each other. It was the most beautiful sight in the world to John to see the two of them giggling together or Anna holding Dylan's undivided attention as she spoke to him. It was an overwhelming feeling to know the two perfect individuals before him were the centre of his universe.

'Okay, we have to say goodbye to Daddy now,' Anna said in whispered tones, looking up to meet John's gaze. 'As much as we don't want to.'

'Shall we make this quick?' John suggested, his voice a little broken by the emotions he was trying so hard not to let over take him.

Anna furrowed her brow, John could read she was concerned about him. 'Are you okay?'

He shrugged. 'I just can't believe how watching you pass me on a walkway every morning had led to this moment. Tomorrow I am marrying the most beautiful woman I have ever met and here she is before me, holding our son.'

She smiled at that, and in that moment all John wanted to do was kiss her. So he did, stepping forward and pressing his lips to hers, placing a strong hand on her upper arm, careful of the baby in her embrace. John knew better than to deepen the kiss, but he didn't need to. Any kiss he shared with Anna was filled with the same passion and feeling be it or passionate or innocent such as this one. He pulled away when he felt a slight warmth on his arm, looking down to see Dylan had decided to explore John's forearm with his mouth.

'Very nice, son,' John grimaced in mock annoyance, the sight of him wiping his arm clean causing Anna to giggle. John couldn't help but join in with her laughter, before placing a kiss on Dylan's head.

'Right, Robert will be wondering where you are,' Anna said, straightening one of the buttons on John's polo shirt as she spoke. He met her eye once more. 'See you at the top of the aisle.'

'I'll be waiting.'