A/N Don't know when I last posted but with life right now I guess my schedule won't be that regular. Figured I better just post this chapter since it is ready. I will do my best not to leave you on any cliff hangers though. No news yet so keep sending us your thoughts and prayers (and long, long reviews).

I don't own yadda, yadda, yadda…

Far too quickly the time came for John to return to his play in London and he and Anna resettled into their nightly texting and calling routine. It turned out that John's birthday was going to fall on a Monday and he asked Anna if she could come to London for the weekend. Rob and Cora were planning a dinner party for him on Sunday night and he really wanted her to be there. Although it was close to finals, which didn't please Dr. Carson any too much, she got permission to miss class and make the trip. They both felt a little bad about asking him, considering the conversation John had had with the professor before leaving for London, but they decided that the only way to convince him that Anna could balance her life was for him to see her actually doing so.

She fretted over what to get John for his birthday and thought it was tremendously unfair that people should be allowed to be born in December. She knew what she wanted to give him for Christmas, but coming up with something else besides was proving a bit of a challenge. Gwen turned out to be no help at all as she kept suggesting skimpier and skimpier underwear. Although Anna was sure John would appreciate it, she wanted him to have something he could actually keep. Finally, she broke down and called Leslie to ask for ideas. Leslie was thrilled that Anna had called her; she suggested something related to Manchester United since John was such a big fan. Anna couldn't believe she hadn't thought of it herself, having been raised in such a sports centered household.

Anna and John were both pleased that their times apart were proving to be shorter than expected. There seemed to be more and more reasons for Anna to make her way to London for different events and although John felt slightly guilty that Anna was the one making the sacrifices, she continually told him she was more than happy to do so.

The weekend of John's birthday finally arrived and Anna was greeted at the curb of 'The Downton Arms' by the ever vigilant Mason.

"So good to see you again, Miss Smith. You're becoming quite a fixture around here and I couldn't be happier."

"Thank you Mason, that's so kind."

"Not at all, Miss. You're a great favorite with all the staff here. Not everyone treats us as real human beings, but you do. You seem to really see us, just like Mr. Bates. That Miss Kennedy never did, I can tell you that." William seemed to suddenly realize what he had said, "Beg your pardon ma'am. That was out of line."

"It's alright Mason, I won't tell," Anna smiled, "It seems Miss Kennedy had that effect on a lot of people."

William opened the door to the flat and waited for Anna to enter, "I'll just put these things in Mr. Bates' room. Could you have a look in the fridge while I do? I know he left you some food, but I'd like to be sure you don't need anything else before I leave. I get off at 11:00 and I'd like to know you're settled. It'll help me sleep better."

"Mason, you spoil me," Anna chuckled.

"I try to," William said happily as he left with the luggage.

Anna gave a cursory look in the refrigerator and then moved to read John's note.

Hello Love,

Welcome back. I'll try to get home as soon as possible but there have been mobs of people at the stage door each night and I know how you feel about me skipping it. Heaven forbid "Rowena from Blackpool", who has no doubt spent her life savings on this one trip to London and has wanted my autograph her whole life, go home empty handed! I must confess that the hordes of women waiting every night are much more likely to be for the young studs I'm working with. I'm the consolation prize I'm afraid.

Don't wait up. I'll wake you when I get home (if I can)!

XOXOXO John

"Everything alright, Miss Smith?" William called from the sitting room.

Anna made her way back from the kitchen, "Oh yes, I'm fine for the night. Enjoy your rest."

She let William out the door and went back into the kitchen to make some tea and get something to eat. When she had finished it was already passed 11:00 and she made her way into the bedroom intending to read. It wasn't long before she closed up the book in order to protect herself from the heavy tome hitting her in the nose. When John got home he kissed her several times but she never stirred. As he was exhausted himself and knew he had two performances the next day he just let her sleep, content with the fact that he could snuggle in next to her surrounded by her warmth and her scent.

"John," Anna said as they were lying in bed the next morning, "I hope you aren't too disappointed that I didn't wait up for you last night. I tried, but I was exhausted. I had to get six days of school work done in four this week."

"I'm sorry, Anna. It was probably selfish of me to ask you to come. It's too close to finals," John kissed her shoulder by way of an apology.

"No, it's not that. I didn't mean to complain, I just don't want you to be disappointed that we didn't make love last night."

"Anna," he shook his head slightly as he went on, "is that what you're worried about? I'm not some randy twenty year old. We don't have to have sex every time we see each other. In fact, I'll be 47 in two days" he joked, "I probably couldn't make love to you every day if my life depended on it."

"You haven't done so badly, Mr. Bates," Anna smirked.

"Yes, and thank heavens for it," John chuckled, "but you have to remember, Miss Smith, you've been giving me a lot of recuperation time in between.

They both broke into a fit of laughter and John was amazed to reflect on how often that actually happened when they were in bed. Being in bed with Anna wasn't just sexy or passionate, it was also fun, truly intimate. John couldn't really remember sharing in exactly this way with anyone before. He turned away from Anna and opened the drawer to his nightstand, removing a small box with a big bow.

"Before this weekend becomes all about my birthday I have a little gift for you. It's not much and it's really a present for me as well, but it's something I really want you to have."

"John," Anna scolded lightly, "I should be giving you presents, not the other way around."

"As I said, it's not much. But it will please me for you to have it."

"Should I open it?"

"Probably a good idea, unless you've developed x-ray vision since we were last together," John smirked and Anna smacked him playfully on the shoulder.

She tore open the paper and lifted the lid on the box. Inside was a key on a gold, heart shaped key ring. There was a single diamond sparkling in the heart which was engraved with the words, "Anna and John" in a beautiful script.

Anna looked into John's eyes as he said, "It's a key to the flat. One for you to keep with you always. No more need to borrow the guest key; you're not a guest. Not here... not anywhere I live. You belong anywhere I am."

Anna had tears in her eyes as she spoke, "How can you say this is not much? It's everything to me. You're everything to me, John." She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him.

They continued to kiss each other languidly for a few minutes before John said, "So what will you be doing today while I'm at the theatre? I probably won't have time to come home between shows but maybe you could meet me and we could share a bite in my dressing room."

"Sorry Mr. Bates, but it just so happens I'm already booked for the day. Leslie and Mary have offered to take me Christmas shopping and out to dinner."

"Oh, well excuse me. And here was I thinking you came to London to see me," he teased, "I had no idea you were so much in demand, Miss Smith."

"I can skip dinner if you want," Anna said with some concern.

"Nonsense," John waved her comment away, "I'm only joking. You have no idea how happy it makes me that you're all getting along so well."

"They've gone out of their way to be kind and inclusive. They never seem to want me to have to fend for myself while I'm here." Anna considered herself lucky to be so well looked after.

"I pay them to keep an eye on you... so you don't end up with someone younger and smarter than I am," John joked.

"Silly beggar," Anna responded by swatting his chest and quickly following it with a kiss, "I have all the man I need right here in this bed."

"Hmm, let's put that to the test then, shall we? After all, I've had a few weeks to recuperate, haven't I?" John smiled evilly and covered her body with his own.

An hour or so later Anna and John were sitting at his small table eating lunch, somehow they had never managed to get around to breakfast, before John had to head off to the theatre for his matinee.

"It's the last day of November, why go Christmas shopping so early?" John asked between bites.

"Mostly because I was invited, but it's a good idea anyway. I have to send all my presents home this year and who knows how long that will take. Better to get them in the post early."

"True, what do you plan on getting everybody?"

"I don't know really. I buy whatever strikes my fancy in the moment. I guess I'll get presents for the friends in St. Andrews today too if I can. More variety here in London. How about you? Can I do any of your shopping while I'm out today?"

"Maybe pick up some small things for the flat here? Or trinkets for my family, if you see anything you think they would like. I like to get the big gifts myself. It's more personal."

She smiled across the table at him, struck again by the sense of how wonderful he was, "Well I can tell you from personal experience that you always know the perfect thing."

He smiled at her compliment, "You could pick out a gift for Cora for me though. I always seem to struggle with her presents."

"Ok, do you want me to get a gift for Rob and Cora together, or just her?"

"Oh no, Rob and I always buy gifts for one another ourselves." Anna began to smirk so he quickly added, "Very masculine gifts, I might add."

"Mmmm," Anna shook her head and giggled, "no doubt."

"Seriously, though, pay attention to whether or not Mary and Leslie seem to fancy anything in particular. You can give me ideas and I can go back and pick things up later. Do you need any money?"

"No John," Anna said with a touch of frustration in her voice, "I can afford to buy my own presents for people, thank you very much. Honestly, sometimes you act like I'd have no way to take care of myself if it weren't for you."

"Not at all," John apologized, "it's just that I know your relationship with me puts certain financial demands on you that wouldn't be there otherwise. I don't want to be a burden."

Anna rose from the table and lifted her plate and tea cup. She went to John and placed a quick kiss on the top of his head before continuing into the kitchen, "You could never be a burden dear, don't be silly. Exactly what 'financial demands' are you putting on me?"

"Well," John thought a moment, "the trips up here, for one thing, and then there are the evening gowns and red carpet wear. You'd never need those if it weren't for me. And then Angus' expenses. You wouldn't have him if I hadn't given him to you."

She could tell he was going to continue, but she cut him off, "All bad examples, Mr. Bates. If I wasn't willing to pay for Angus' upkeep then I could have turned him down, but I love the great ox and I would never begrudge the cost involved. The travel to London and the 'red carpet wear' as you so ingeniously put it, don't even count. You always tell me to use the credit card for those and you pay the bill. And you still pay me £50 a month to live in your house. I'm beginning to feel like a kept woman."

"It's a small price for me to pay my love." John smiled and began to bus his own dishes into the sink. "I tell you what," he chuckled, "if you want to earn your keep, you can do up the dishes after you walk me to the theatre and walk Beauty back home. How about that?"

"Sounds fair, but doesn't my contract include kissing privileges?" Anna said as she quickly turned and wrapped her arms around John's waist.

"As many as you want," he grinned, granting her request happily.

They made their way to the door and put on their hats and jackets, then gathered an excited Beauty and began their walk to the theatre. Along the way they chatted quietly in their usual fashion, John with his head bent slightly down to Anna's level and Anna with her hand tucked tightly into the crook of John's arm. Anna held the umbrella over their heads while John kept hold of Beauty's lead.

From time to time they noticed a passer by taking an extra long look at them, sometimes whispering and sometimes even giving them a wave. Finally, a young woman was brave enough to approach them saying, "Aren't you John Bates from 'Life at Highclere'?"

A feeling of trepidation passed through John quickly as he remembered how Vera would act if their private time were intruded on by a fan, but just as quickly he remembered that this was Anna, and he couldn't imagine her reacting in a similar manner.

He smiled at the fan and said, "That's right, I am."

The young lady bounced on her feet as Beauty sniffed at her, "I just love your show. You're my favorite character. I tried to get tickets to your play but it was all sold out. Do you think I could get a picture?" She began to fumble with her phone.

"Of course," John smiled his best movie star smile but before she could snap the picture Anna spoke, "Why don't you let me take a picture of you and John together? Surely that would be much nicer."

"Really, you wouldn't mind?" the fan asked, obviously thrilled with the idea.

"No, not at all," Anna smiled, "it would be my pleasure. Now get in nice and close you two. Big smiles." She snapped the photo and handed the phone back to its owner.

"Thank you so much Mr. Bates. I won't bother you any longer." She hurried off down the sidewalk a few steps then turned and said, "Mr. Bates…"

John and Anna turned and looked at her expectantly.

"Your girlfriend is lovely, just lovely."

"I couldn't agree more," John smiled and gave Anna a kiss right there on the street before continuing on.