A/N: Penultimate chapter! Hope you enjoy. (I know everyone's anxious for Baby Bates, good things come to those who wait ;) )
Disaster had struck.
Just a few hours ago, Anna had received a call from one of their clients, informing her that the event that she had so carefully planned to the last detail even though it was months off in advance needed to be moved so that it was earlier in the year to accommodate the busy schedule of an important guest. Moved so that it just happened to occur on the very same day that hers and John's wedding reception was due to take place.
She desperately tried to remain calm, thinking of ways that she could possibly make it work. If the event was in the morning and perhaps ran a little longer into the afternoon, she was sure it would be okay to cut back the reception by an hour or so. She needn't even have to arrive with John, though really they should make their entrance as the bride and groom. There was no reason why her commitments should impede upon John's enjoyment of the evening, although she knew that he would enjoy it far less the more time that she wasn't able to be there, sharing in every moment with him.
Her mind as well as her heart was racing twenty to the dozen, and somehow she reminded herself to stop and take a breath as Mary's voice travelled down the phone.
"Anna, don't be preposterous. You are not to go anywhere near it."
"But Mary, this is such a big deal," she tried to explain, though her voice was weak and she hardly sounded convincing. "If we lose the Flintshires as clients…and you know how fussy she is. The amount of time I've had to spend making sure everything is just right, and I'm not sure that they'll want anyone else. Or if anyone else will survive five minutes with them."
With every word she uttered, Anna felt like she could burst into tears. There really seemed to be no way around it, other than cancelling their reception completely.
"Well, they'll just have to like it or lump it," Mary returned defiantly, refusing to budge. "Granny always says that you get what you're given in life, and anyone foolish enough to argue about the little things will only get what they deserve when it comes to the bigger prizes. And they certainly don't deserve all the effort that you've put in."
Anna allowed herself a small smirk; they had tested her patience in every single one of their meetings, and at the end of each long and tiring consultation she questioned why she had ever wanted to go into this career. As much as she wanted to throw all cares aside, like Mary could seem to do when it came to other people so easily, the fact was it would only be Downton Associates who would feel the repercussions if the Flintshires ended up unhappy.
"Madeleine can take over," Mary went on calmly, the whole situation skimming like water off a duck's back to her. "She has more than enough experience, and she'll only need a couple of hours prepping on everything. I can't possibly see what they could find to complain about, and if they do find something then they really are being completely unreasonable. And I'd rather that we didn't have them on the books than have to spend time pandering to their every need."
Anna took a sharp breath in, out of courtesy more than anything else as she was in agreement with her partner. Still, Mary would not let her get a word in to either affirm or deny what she had said.
"But one thing is absolutely, positively clear: that you are unavailable to the rest of the world that day. Your role is not as an events coordinator, or PR supremo, but as Mrs Anna Bates."
The delighted grin spread across her face. Somehow it sounded even better when anyone else said it aloud than it did even just to her in her own head.
"And you are not to argue, otherwise I will personally have to come and take you into hiding. Not so much as one look at your iPhone or your planner. Do I have your agreement?"
"Yes, you do," Anna laughed, the smile breaking into her voice.
"Good," Mary replied promptly, sounding exceedingly pleased with herself. "And that's starting from now."
Before she could say goodbye, the line from the other end clicked off. Anna stared at the device in her palm for a moment, slightly bemused, until happier wonderings soon took over and she placed it down on the table, quickly covering it with a bowl and laughing to herself at the action she had taken.
Truth be told, she was very curious about all that was going to happen at this reception, mere days away now, and she was hoping that she may have been able to wrangle some information out of Mary once they had got off the subject of the Flintshires, even it was only hints. It had all been arranged by the Crawleys, with some other bits of input here and there, and they knew nothing about it, aside from the date and the time they were expected to arrive. The idea of not being in control was one that was largely foreign to Anna, and she had to admit that she found it rather strange and only a little bit troubling. The side of her that longed for precision and to be prepared for every eventuality felt desperate for information, and a wave of something – not quite escalated enough to be deemed panic – flowed towards her, starting to ebb away as quickly as it had descended. She reminded herself of all that had come to be when she had learned to let go, and with a smile that made her feel sure of everything, she decided that it wasn't a bad thing to be more relaxed about these kind of things. Indeed, it had brought only the best.
The sound of a key could be heard turning in the lock, and her steps were ahead of her thoughts as she padded into the hallway, taking in the sight of John laden with grocery bags. It was such simple things that she cherished so much in their life, away from the bluster and parade of times like the one that was just around the corner – as fun as she was assured that would be, too.
"I got your text when I was in work." Having relieved himself of the weight held in one hand, John swept the hair that had fallen over his forehead out of his eyes, his gaze pinned on her all the while. "Is everything okay?"
"It's fine. All taken care of."
She forgot completely about how dramatic she had been, the message she had sent surely sounding quite alarming, and sauntered over to where her husband was standing with an increasingly sultry smile written on her lips. Her fingers brushed purposely against his before she eased the remaining bags from his grasp, planting them down without caring where or how they landed. The feelings he inspired in her with so much as a look were almost unexplainable, and set her on fire instantly. She could see that there was an unspoken question in his eyes and it made her feel quite powerful. Then she wrapped her arms about his middle, keeping just enough distance between their bodies to be maddeningly teasing, and Anna relished the flicker that rose up there instead, unmistakable and aligning with her own intentions perfectly. His hands upon her were all that she needed to care about, and as they started to slide lower, questing fingertips trailing past the small of her back, she fought the urge to surrender then and there.
"But that's not to say that everything has been seen to," she purred, and then squealed as, quite decisively, John swept her from her feet and began to march them both up the stairs.
The two words he whispered in such a manner to her sent shivers spiralling out in every direction.
"Bedroom, now."
Anna giggled, thinking somewhere in her haze of desire that she couldn't possibly argue.
Robert and Cora had been incredibly hospitable, insisting that after dinner they stay overnight at their house, reasoning that it would make tomorrow run much smoother too. John joked to Anna that it was just a measure to keep tabs on them, ensuring they wouldn't run off and make a repeat performance of their actual wedding day. It seemed like quite an effort, even though they had insisted otherwise, and in the end both Anna and John felt that there was no possible way either of them could refuse. All had been fine and they gave the gesture nothing but the goodwill it warranted, until the time had come to retire upstairs.
Anna had perched herself on the foot of the bed, her legs crossed a little cautiously, the crimson burning of her cheeks just about cooling down now. Her eyes flitted around the room, taking in every aspect as John remained in the bathroom. Smoothing the palms of her hands down her pencil skirt, she tried to think sensibly. It was perfectly reasonable for them to do whatever they wished behind the privacy of a closed door, whatever that might be. She was quite certain that Cora and Robert had no qualms about continuing with their own usual affairs even when guests resided under the roof; they'd been particularly flirty over dinner which had amused her and John as well as giving them some more time to themselves.
But there had been plenty of moments when the longer married pair had taken their opportunity to closely examine the newlywed couple during the evening, keen eyes watching every pondered movement. The image became rather too clear in her head, of Robert and Cora stood crouched with their ears pressed to the plain of the shut door…
Thankfully John emerged before the scenario could become even more terrifying and horribly embarrassing, and Anna occupied herself with raking her eyes up from his impossibly long legs, past chest and broad shoulders to his face which somehow appeared more gorgeous than ever. This night was going to be unbearable, and it was only just beginning.
He simply smirked at her, as if he had discovered exactly what she was thinking. No doubt he had; even now, he could read her like the pages of a favourite book. She glared back at him, trying to play it serious and to tell him without words not to give her such a look, but once more she was rendered helpless.
"This reminds me of being back in halls," he quipped, a deeper smile snaking its way over his lips. "I was just down the hall from Rob as well then. Getting back after a night out," he stopped to pause for a few seconds, the mischief of memories overtaking him as he glanced at her from over his shoulder. "Sneaking a girl each up into our rooms."
This little exercise was obviously designed to make her wildly jealous, but Anna did her best to stay disinterested, finding the pattern of the bedspread fascinating as opposed to indulging John's nostalgia trip. Even so, she felt his gaze heated upon her and it was getting harder to resist being drawn in by the flames.
"And I imagine there must have been quite a few," she responded, still not managing to meet her husband's amazingly deep hazel eyes. "They must have been lining up around the block."
He gave a little chuckle at her insinuations.
"I could never complain, though I wouldn't go quite that far."
The modest tone of his voice coupled with those words, amongst the most candid he had ever been with her about his past, made her smile. She couldn't help but ruminate on the thought of him with other nameless and faceless women, mirages from his past, seeing him covering them with his gaze, touching them, kissing them. A cold shiver made itself apparent between the blades of her shoulders and the cleave of her chest, though she knew that she couldn't do anything about it, and she shouldn't have wanted to. There was a vague hint of sadness as he spoke again.
"You wouldn't have liked me back then."
Having finally seen photographs of him in his younger years, she highly doubted that that would have been the case. Discounting the difference in age between them, she would have been amongst the number that had been enchanted by him. All smouldering eyes and thoughtful expressions, a mane of hair that was untamed and begging to be tugged at. She felt herself blushing with the fantasies that were running through her head, and how they would have proved impossible.
Not too late she realised his true meaning, and her heart sunk in her chest. He never had a particularly high opinion of himself – though she liked to think that was gradually changing now – and she wasn't under any illusion that he had been a saint of any kind. He still wasn't, but she knew that he was a good man. He was the best man for her that she could ever imagine, and whenever he did wrong it was only because he was thinking too much about her and not himself. Whatever he may have done in the past – cheated or done something regretful in a fit of youthful impertinence, drunk too much or made too many unfortunate decisions – they had all been experiences he had learnt from. Most important of all, they were in the past. Without that, she was quite sure that they would not be where they were at this very moment. She could not regret a thing or waste time wondering what might have been if fate would have twisted in a different way.
She had to look up at him then, and her gaze instantly softened observing him. Sometimes she wanted to shake some sense into him, and she wished that he was always able to see himself through her eyes. At what had been then, she could only wonder. But here and now, and she had no problem believing for the rest of time, he was as close to perfect as it was possible to be.
"Silly beggar," she said softly, and was graced with a smile from him at the familiar term of endearment.
"It doesn't matter anyway," he uttered, rocking back on his heels with hands planted in the pockets of his jeans. "Because there's only one girl that has ever mattered. And she just so happens to be here right now."
"Well, I did wonder," Anna replied, a little cheekily as she caught his eye again. "You are a sweet talker."
It was just a shame that talking was all they were going to be doing tonight, she thought for a moment.
"It only matches how sweet you are." He flashed her a grin while she rolled her eyes briefly to the ceiling. His own gaze quickly became imploring. "I'm sorry, I don't know what I was thinking, bragging like that. What can I do to make it up to you?"
"John, you don't need to do anything," she chided, despite adoring the fact that he was willing to go to such lengths for her. She supposed she could have made it work to her advantage if she had been more cunning, but she was honestly happy enough to watch him as he was before her, clad in jeans and one of his checked shirts that she had a particular liking for.
An idea had seemed to spark in his head, she could tell from the expression on his face. He pointed a finger at her to signal that she should stay exactly where she was, but she couldn't help but be intrigued as he went over to the docking station that sat on top of the cabinet. His attempts to get the music to start playing on the device proved unsuccessful, and after a few jabs at the controls and frustrated huffs he decided to give up, sauntering back over to arrive in front of where she sat once more. Lips pursed, he started to hum a tune, swinging his hips in a seductive fashion while his fingers started to slowly work the buttons on his shirt free one-by-one.
"Oh my god," Anna half-laughed, half hissed with desire as John continued with his impromptu striptease, teasing the shirt over his shoulder blades before flinging it to the floor. She resisted the urge to flop onto her back on the bed with the disbelief of it all, instead propping herself on her elbows and making herself comfortable for the rest of the show.
Running one hand up and down the white t-shirt that still covered his torso, John smirked as he hiked the hem just enough to give a glimpse of his stomach and the start of the trail of dark hair that worked its way downward from his belly button. A noise that she was incapable of stopping left Anna suddenly; she had a weakness for that line of hair, nuzzling her cheek next to it a few times when they had been curled up together. It took far too long for him to slide the top over his head, the fabric almost reluctant to leave off hugging his body.
He afforded her a long ogle of his bare chest, hands dipping to begin their dance at the waistband of his jeans. Undoing the button and fly with ease, they soon fell around his ankles, getting there quicker with a particularly pronounced wiggle of his hips. Anna stifled a giggle as he tripped a little, an inelegant interruption as he got out of them completely. The pink flush of his cheeks was adorable and made her love him even more; it wasn't the most slick or conventionally sexy of displays, but he was still managing to drive her wild. He was left in nothing but his boxer shorts and Anna noticed that they fitted him a little too well, her gaze lingering before it was lifted at the sight of him crawling onto the end of the bed to join her.
"You didn't go the full monty," she pouted a little disappointedly, her face burning up at the feel of him rested inbetween her legs.
"I thought I'd save a little something for you," he replied, flashing her a wicked smile before his hands glided over her blouse. "There may have been others, but they were never treated to that. An exclusive for your eyes only, Mrs Bates."
"I'm honoured."
His touch was already working its magic through her clothes, his mouth teasing at her earlobe.
"May I handle these for you, madam?" he breathed hoarsely.
Anna let out a whimper of approval, goosebumps working their way up her spine as her husband began to rid her of her clothing, dotting soft kisses upon her skin as he uncovered her to the air. As her blouse joined the pile of his garments on the floor, his lips covered the expanse of her neck, tongue darting out at intervals to taste her skin. She grasped her hands to him; as heavenly as it was, she needed to feel his lips upon hers.
Weaving her fingers into his hair, his bare chest rubbed against her as they fell back onto the bed together, their kiss growing in intensity. Anna welcomed the wondrous feel of his hands caressing her sides and making their way down to her skirt as their mouths continued their dance. Just as he was about to pull it off her decisively, a thud from outside reminded them too abruptly of where they were. Not in the comfort of their own home, but someone else's.
Both pairs of eyes flew open and they sighed a little in frustration as they broke apart, sighs soon turning to lalmost uncontrollable aughter. John settled another sweet kiss on Anna's lips as she reclined, his hand gliding back and forth over her stomach, watching as she caught her breath.
"We can keep quiet," she lowered her voice to a reed of a whisper to prove that she was capable of it.
"That's never been the case with you before," John raised his eyebrows as he looked down at her still half-clothed. Anna aimed a small blow at his chest and then yelped in delight as he pulled her to his side, throwing the duvet quickly over both of their heads, soundproofing their giggles and allowing them to carry on where they had left off.
After a breakfast where both somehow had been able to hide their blushes about the night before, the boys were sent out of the house before the morning was over, with Cora issuing Robert with strict orders to be back by four o'clock on the dot. A swift goodbye kiss passed between John and Anna, the feel of him lingering delightfully upon her lips, and then the serious business of preparation could begin.
Anna was whisked into the sitting room, quite enjoying the fact that she didn't have to do anything other than be pampered and fussed over. Edith and Sybil took care of a hand each for her manicure, while rather surprisingly Mary was the one who volunteered herself to put up Anna's hair. When she confessed to being taken aback, Mary made the fair point that growing up with two little sisters meant that she'd had a lot of time to perfect the art, although both Edith and Sybil agreed that she had done a better job on Anna's hair than they'd ever had. Not long afterwards Gwen arrived, Cora promptly handing her a glass of champagne as soon as she got through the door. All of the girls were in giggles as they talked the time away, Cora reminiscing about her own wedding day and making her daughters coo and cringe in equal measure. Every so often, Anna found herself getting lost, phasing out the laughter that surrounded her. Though they were officially married she still felt the same butterflies swirling around relentlessly in her stomach, and as the day went on they became even more pronounced. She smiled as she supposed that they would never really disappear.
There was only one more thing left to do, and Anna disappeared upstairs with Cora following behind to help with the fastenings of the dress. She reasoned that she might as well get some more use out of the dress that had been purchased for the ceremony back at home; it was too nice to only wear once. She crept into the room with a bit of self-consciousness, which gradually faded when she was met with everyone's gasps and smiles. Anna smiled bashfully, giving a little twirl in the ivory dress that caressed the floor as she turned. One-by-one the girls came up to hug her, being careful not to crumple the dress or mess up her hair.
Gwen had hung back until last, and she stood just staring for what was a bit too long. Anna laughed lightly, wondering whether there was something wrong, and then noticed as her friend brought her hand slowly up to her face.
"Gwen," she enquired gently, "are you crying?"
"No," Gwen shook her head, gulping through her sobs, not taking her eyes from Anna. "Maybe just a little bit," she finally admitted, causing them both to start laughing, Gwen doing so haltingly between breaths.
Anna gathered up her dress as she walked the few steps over to her friend, them having been left alone in the room. Slowly, she took Gwen's hands into her own, causing her to look up and smile through her tears.
"I remember those nights at uni, when we'd get all philosophical and think about the future," Gwen started to say, "When we'd had a few too many. Or I'd had a few too many."
They both laughed at the memories, clear in both of their minds though the years had long marched on.
"I had all these grand ambitions, that I knew were too crazy to come true."
"Gwen…" Anna began to try and argue, her fingers smoothing against those of her friend's.
"Who knows," she went on, shrugging, "maybe someday, one of them will, at least in some form." She stopped to smile widely, letting go of one of Anna's hands for a moment to wipe at her eyes, exhaling a breath before continuing. "But I knew that you would achieve anything you set your mind to, and get everything you wanted. And this…"
Gwen broke off, her gaze travelling the length of the dress and back up again.
"This was always meant to happen for you, and I'm just so happy that you have it all now. You look absolutely bloody gorgeous."
The tears were stemming at Anna's eyes now, shaking her head at Gwen's lovely words.
"You are my best friend, you've always been there for me, and you deserve the world. And I just know that you'll get it, whatever comes."
"You'll always be my best friend, forever," Anna uttered, intending to keep the promise wherever life took the both of them. "If it wasn't for you, I don't know…"
"You would have found your way, right here," Gwen assured, a bigger smile forming on her face. "If there's one thing we can say it's that I'm always right. And you know that."
Anna laughed, nodding her head fiercely as her eyes watered. "God, what are you like? My mascara will be wrecked."
"Sorry," Gwen said sheepishly before laughing. "I've got some spare in my bag if you need it. That's one thing I'm good for on days like these."
"You're good for much more than that."
Gwen beamed at her friend's sentiments that echoed her own so closely. The past year and so many more speeded through Anna's mind, and she pulled Gwen into a hug, the embrace a silent offering of thanks for everything that she had seen through with her. Even though she had acquired another best friend now, she knew that she was entitled to have more than one and Gwen was one of the very best that could be had.
They sat in the back of the car, holding hands all the while through the journey, which was taking longer than both of them had expected.
"Mate, is there any chance we might get there before the clock strikes midnight?" John quipped, leaning forward as much as his seatbelt would allow him to.
"No need to fret, it's all fine and dandy," Robert returned, glancing up at the reflection in the rear-view mirror briefly. "Just needed to take a little detour, but we'll be there within ten minutes, scout's honour."
John sat back again and turned to meet his wife's gaze, finding his own curiosity mirrored there. Her palm had drifted upwards and was now rubbing against his arm in its suit jacket, the rhythm of her gentle touch soothing away all the worries he had. He could do nothing but smile down at her, their difference in height still apparent even as they were both sitting. She never failed to take his breath away completely, the beauty, kindness and comfort always held in her eyes putting him at peace even as she set a million different emotions sparking within him. Her light giggle as he brushed his lips over the back of her hand made him feel alive like nothing else, and he marvelled at the softness of her that he registered beneath his mouth. The thought often arrived in his head to amaze him in the midst of the most normal, everyday moments; that she was his, and better still that he was hers, and that was how it would be forever. Though every time he looked upon her he renewed his vow to keep her safe always, he didn't see vulnerability when he gazed into her eyes. She was made of a strength greater than he was ever capable of, solid and shining there through all of her delicate beauty, and he felt honoured and eternally grateful that she was there to make him strong too.
He gave her hand, dwarfed as it was within his own, another tender squeeze. Anna gazed up at him with a look in her eyes that bowled him over and the moment lasted for a little while, wholly appreciated by them both, before it was brought to a halt by Robert opening the door of the car at Anna's side.
"If you don't like it, then it's all Cora and Mary's fault," he announced, standing back to let them out.
John let Anna go first, touching his hand to the small of her back to make sure that she was steady. She waited for him to join her before she allowed herself to look, bringing her hand back safely to the shelter of his.
He could feel how amazed she was simply by the breaths she took, and the way her fingers twitched against his, shivering just slightly against the brisk breeze. He was full of smiles at her reaction, and found that he was rather astounded himself, thinking he couldn't have come up with a better setting if he had tried. Even while the sun had still to set fully, lights were shining bright, bouncing off the lapping of the river. A wide marquee had been constructed, set back against the river's bank, stretching across the whole scene, and that too was draped in twinkling lights from the outside. He wasn't sure how it had all been done, but he did know that Robert had friends in high places who could be called upon to help out with such things. Looking across to one side he saw the little line of boats that bobbed on the water, and smiled as he recalled the night he had climbed into one, eager to do anything he possibly could to make Anna happy.
Now she looked happier than ever, and his heart swelled to behold the joy that composed her completely.
"Robert, this is…" she struggled to get her words out, still too caught up in taking everything in to make complete sense.
"It's perfect," John finished, glancing lovingly at his wife as she nodded her approval at what he had said. "Thanks so much, mate. We really couldn't have asked for more."
"You might not think so when you know what's to come," Robert chortled, looking rather abashed at the grateful eyes that were upon him. "It was our pleasure. There's no one dearer to us all than you two."
John and Anna smiled at him, and then at one another as they became lost in each other and the perfection of everything again, not being able to help it. It wasn't at all lost on them, being back here. A meeting that led later to a kiss, tears of pain and sorrow that were washed away to be replaced by ones of heart-searing joy.
And now, as they went hand-in-hand to greet all who were waiting for them, the circle was complete.
It looked just as wonderful inside the marquee, soft lighting making the place glow and tables covered with flower petals and confetti, along with little touches that were personal to Anna and John; small diamanté jewels in the colour of her birthstone, quotes from his favourite books. Guests lined up to offer their best wishes, and it was a wonder that they managed to make it to the head table in the time that they did, accepting the many kisses and handshakes gratefully. In any other situation Anna would have dreaded being the focus of all attention, but she only needed to look at the man by her side to feel more than alright about everything. He made everyone else disappear, and made her feel complete.
The meal was sumptuous, Robert having got his best chefs to put together a feast. Everyone was in marvellous spirits, different conversations flowing throughout accompanied with a great deal of laughter. Robert had to clink his glass several times to get half of the guests' attention, and the other half were soundly roused by Tom's deafening shout that reverberated around the room.
"Yes, thank you to my son-in-law there. Never one to be subtle," Robert winced, nodding towards Tom who gave him a wink and a thumbs-up. "I know this is the moment you've all been waiting for. I can announce that the free bar is now officially open."
A cheer went up from the back of the marquee, and John tried his best to shelter his face from the onslaught that was about to come.
"Don't worry," Anna's sweet voice was a balm in his ear. "It'll be brilliant."
"As best man, it's a privilege and an honour to begin the speeches, and on behalf of Anna and John, the bride and groom," Robert paused for a moment as another, louder cheer went around. "I'd like to start by saying thank you to all of you who have gathered here today. Now I think everyone will agree with me when I say it's been quite an emotional day. So emotional, in fact, that even the cake is in tiers."
There were a few groans, some of disbelief that Robert had chosen to kick off with such an old joke.
"But not to fear, I can assure you that it is still edible. I'll let you in on a secret, I've actually prepared two speeches." Robert turned towards John, grinning while he fumbled in his pockets, producing two folded pieces of paper. "This is primarily for my own safety, given that this is the same man who shaved my eyebrows off in an unprovoked attack when I was worse for wear in our student days. I'd rather not risk any further retaliation, and it did take me over a year to grow them back, so I know which side my bread is buttered. If anyone is really desperate to know all of John Bates's most scandalous secrets, then meet me outside in half an hour and we can begin negotiating a price. Anna, don't worry, I've typed you up a copy for free."
Anna laughed in response, nodding her head at Robert's offer as he tucked away the paper in his left hand and began reading from the one in his right.
"The beginning seems like as good a place to start as any," he announced, lifting his eyes to look in the direction of John and Anna. "I've known John for the best part of thirty years, and the worst parts of them too. Looking at the two of us, you might say that we're from different worlds but from the day I met him, acting all cool and mysterious in the student union, I knew that we would get on famously. John is one of those fellows who is lucky enough to be blessed with many talents, which by all rights I should despise him for. Brains, a cracking sense of humour, a good head of hair that is only just starting to go grey, if you look very closely with a magnifying glass – honestly, mate, it's a good look, George Clooney will be cursing you soon enough for taking over all of his advertising deals – but if there was one thing that was missing in his life, it was the love of a good woman."
Robert's jovial tone turned serious suddenly, as a chorus of sympathetic 'aww''s rang out from the females in the room.
"If anyone would have asked me, I would have likely said with a great deal of regret that he might have stayed single until he hadn't just gone completely grey but bald instead."
"Cheers, mate," John's voice rose up from where he sat, cringing.
"Yet, as the saying goes, there was life in the old dog yet," Robert chuckled as he took in the mildly unimpressed expression on John's face. "Along came Anna, and somehow he managed to charm her into not only falling in love with him, but to tying herself to him for life."
"I thought this was supposed to be the better version," John whispered to Anna, who laughed his complaints off, straining to hear the rest of Robert's speech.
"All joking aside, I couldn't have been more thrilled when I knew that John and Anna were to take this momentous step. I know probably better than most of you young whippersnappers here what a special and sacred institution marriage is; there is nothing in this life more worthy of being celebrated than two people who were made for each other pledging their lives to one another for all time, consolidating their love to the rest of the world. And spending time in their company, I can assure you that there are no two people on this earth more in love than Anna and John. Except maybe for me and my lovely wife Cora – again, I'm aiming to save my own skin here."
There was a ripple of laughter as well as a nod from Cora, and John was now wearing a tight smile, starting to feel increasingly nervous as he realised it would be his turn soon enough.
"So for the two people that I am truly blessed to call friends, I wish all the happiness in the world as they can never have enough of it. A toast, to John and to Anna – Mr and Mrs Bates."
"Mr and Mrs Bates," the echo spread around the room as a sea of glasses were lifted into the air.
As the applause died down, John got to his feet, loosening the tie that suddenly felt a little too tight around his neck. His heart was pounding at an alarming rate and he tried to look straight ahead instead of down at Anna, knowing that the stunning way she looked wouldn't help matters. However, he was powerless to resist when she slipped her hand into his for a moment, feeling himself relax the longer her fingers stroked against his skin.
"I'm sure that most of you who know me know that I'm a man of few words, so I'll keep this short and hopefully sweet. To be honest, I thought that I'd escaped this part completely, but alas, Rob won't let me get away that easily."
A few playful jeers and shouts could be heard, and John laughed at them himself.
"What he said was quite right. I was never really one for being lucky in love, and after a while I'd decided to come to terms with my lot." Glancing down briefly, he saw that Anna's face had grown sorrowful, her gaze departing from his own as she looked down into her lap. The mere thought of her being upset sent daggers through his chest, an agony like he'd never experienced before. "But what is it that people say – love turns up when you least expect it."
That brought the smile beaming back to her, like the sunshine emerging from a sky of grey clouds.
"On a Tube train of all places. I think Transport for London should do something special, but I'll settle for a month's worth of free Oyster card travel."
As the rather polite laughter went around, he took in a deep breath, preparing himself for the words he was about to say.
"From the moment I saw the woman who is now my wife, my breath was taken away. She stopped me in my tracks, but at the same time she made my world start to revolve again and made everything make sense to me. I couldn't have ever imagined that she would agree to take a chance on me, but I thank whatever force there is in the universe that she did. Another unfavourable trait of mine that people will be aware of is that I think too much. Every time I think that I have the best day of my life pinned down in my mind, another one comes along to surpass it. I find that every single day that I wake up next to this beautiful woman and watch her as she opens her eyes before me, I know that it's going to be more wonderful than the last."
He broke off to look at her at that point, and the love that he found written upon her was almost too much to bear.
"Anna, to put it simply, you are my greatest love and you are my life. To tell the world that you are my wife makes me prouder than anything else, and I'll spend the rest of my days loving you and looking forward to all the best days that are in store for us."
John was nearly in tears as the room erupted around him. As he sat down, shaking slightly from the force of emotion he had conveyed, Anna's hand reached up to cup his face, the cool metal of her wedding band feeling wonderful against his skin. Her lips brushed quickly against his and he savoured the kiss that was sweeter than any he had known, uncaring that they were in view of everyone.
Robert was about to move proceedings along when Anna rose from her seat.
"If nobody minds, I'd like to say a few words," she said, her voice steady. "I know it's not traditional, but we haven't really observed itraditions too much anyway."
There were a few laughs and sniggers aimed at Robert as he bowed towards her, allowing Anna to say her piece. As he had done beforehand, she looked down at John longingly before she began.
"Like every little girl, I thought and dreamed about the time when I'd get married. When my Barbies had their weddings – to the same five Ken dolls – I'd wonder what it would be like when I was big and grown-up enough to do it."
John had to grin at the image of such innocence, and of how enthusiastic Anna would have been even then.
"It's probably a bit weird, but I didn't think all that much about the dress or the flowers," she admitted without care. "Instead I'd try to imagine what my husband would be like, and all the qualities he would possess. I knew that I wanted him to be kind and to think of others. When I got a bit older, I decided that he would have to be able to make me laugh and be able to put up with all of my complaints, while still not backing down from me. And it was quite important that I'd find him handsome, too."
She blushed a little at that particular confession, looking so adorable to John that he could have swept her into his arms and away from the crowds at that very moment.
"It took me a little while, but I knew from early on that I'd found all that in John. And so much more besides." She stopped to gaze at him again, smiling as he laid a kiss upon her hand. "He's not only my husband or my partner. John, you are my supporter, my confidante, my lover, my best friend, and the better half of me. I love you with all my heart and everything I have, always."
On that note, John was moved to stand again, placing his hands on his wife's tiny waist, bringing her up to his mouth for a deeper kiss. Cheers filled the room around them but all they were aware of was their breaths that were becoming one the longer they mingled.
He brushed his lips at her cheek when he'd been able to tear himself away from capturing her mouth, cradling her close and feeling overwhelmed with love.
"Your better half," he uttered to her alone, "You'll always be the better half of me, no question."
He could feel her twitch, the tell-tale signs of a wide smile; her hands bracing his chest possessively.
"Let's agree that we're that to each other," she said, and as ever, he knew to follow his wife's lead.
"Now, if the happy couple could take to the floor for the first dance."
Anna smiled as she took John's hand and pulled him up towards the empty dancefloor, waiting to be christened by them. She knew that out of everything he was most self-conscious about this, preferring to dance with her on the odd occasion alone where hundreds of eyes weren't trained upon him, but they'd worked out a compromise which she hoped would make things easier. She gave him a flash of a grin over her shoulder as he followed behind her, sighing quietly and happily when they found their place, his hands settling decisively on her sides. Gazing up at him it was as though they were the only two people in existence.
Cora stood on the stage, her hands braced upon the microphone stand. "This is from the groom, for his beautiful bride. He says that it's all he needs to say."
Anna waited full of expectation as the band started up, eager to know what song John had chosen. They were in each other's arms before Cora even started singing the first note, swaying in perfect time to the music. John took one of her hands up into his, smiling down at her as she rested it upon his shoulder.
"If you kissed the sun right out of the sky for me, and if you told me all the lies that I deserve, and if you laid all night in the rain for me, well I couldn't love you more, I just couldn't love you more."
Anna smiled as she let herself be guided by John, her head nuzzled against him as they moved together. One hand was firm upon her waist, the other stroking her cheek gently, and she couldn't think of anything more perfect.
"And if you loved me 'til my eyes gave no more shade for you, if you walked beside me all the long way home, if you wasted all of your time on me, well I couldn't love you more, I just couldn't love you more."
By the end of the song they were so close that they could have merged into one, sharing in a tender but searing kiss as the last words were sung. Anna felt as though she was floating above the air; she truly couldn't have asked for anything better. It was only John's hands that remained on her that assured her that she was still on the ground. They remained by themselves on the dancefloor as Mary took to the stage, giving a gorgeous rendition of At Last that stopped everyone still and brought the tears to Anna's eyes as she considered how true the lyrics were.
After that most of the guests started to pile onto the floor and reluctantly they had to let go of their hold on one another, though they remained close for the rest of the evening through touches or looks across the room.
While she was talking to the girls, she hadn't failed to notice that John had disappeared from sight even through the sea of people. Robert, Tom, Matthew and Evelyn couldn't be found either and she had to wonder for a moment, before reasoning that they'd probably found some hiding place to take a break from the proceedings.
The dance music came to an abrupt stop, and Cora's voice was amplified in the room again.
"Anna, there's a little surprise for you," she announced with a grin playing at her lips before she scurried off the stage.
A puzzled expression flew over Anna's face, not twigging completely even when five spotlights came down onto the stage. It was only when the bars of the song started that she broke into a grin, almost unable to contain her shock and excitement. When she saw her husband standing in the centre of the stage, his eyes planted upon her wearing a delicious little smirk as he was about to do what she would never have thought possible, her legs instantly turned to jelly.
"You are my fire, the one desire," he surprised her completely; he had said that he could sing but she had no idea he would sound this good, and what he was singing made it all the better as she knew there was real, true meaning there other than it being her favourite song. His gaze was burning upon her, sending her heart racing. "Believe when I say, I want it that way."
Applause started and John gave a twinkling smile towards Anna, before Tom slid smoothly across the stage and took over, the studied boyband pose he had taken up making the girls burst into hysterics. Anna held onto Mary to stop herself collapsing from the delight of it all, and as the guys moved around, harmonising and swaying from side to side in a routine they'd obviously spent some time practising, the girls were rapt, cheering and screaming through their giggles.
"Oh my god, Tom's really going for it," Mary exclaimed, watching her brother-in-law grabbing the air in his fists. "I never would have thought."
"Oh yeah," Sybil cooed, "he auditioned for 'the next Westlife' before he left Ireland. Made it to the last ten."
Anna's eyes however were glued to John, growing in confidence as he went to the side of the stage. She felt as pleased as punch that she was able to call such an utterly gorgeous man her husband, her cheeks glowing hot with the thought. As Matthew began to sing the slower break in the song, John was mouthing along the same words he had sung himself before for Anna only to notice. Her heart fluttered as she watched him, committing every word to her own mind.
Everyone was waving their hands in the air and a couple of lighters were held aloft as the performance came to an end. The five went with arms around each other as they took a bow and then bundled off the stage one by one to be met by their partners, more than a few single girls crowded around Evelyn, eager to get his attention.
John smirked as he made his way back to Anna, who stood with her hands on her hips.
"Did that match up to your idols, then?" he asked earnestly, though the hidden glee had crept up upon his face.
"Mr Bates, you have no idea," she said with barely disguised yearning coating her voice. "You are a dark horse."
He chuckled, taking in the enchanting demeanour that had overtaken her. "Well, as long as you enjoyed it, it was all worth it."
"That I did," she purred, reaching her arms out towards him with a look in her eyes that made him go willingly. "Come here."
Now he was the one powerless to resist as she wrapped her arms around him, pulling him into an embrace that was swiftly followed by the urgent press of her lips to his.
When he was met with a reaction such as that, he knew that he had no room to complain. Everything he did was only ever to make her smile.
Anna sat, watching the lights dance and bounce upon the river, hearing the faint thud of the music still playing inside the marquee from behind her. Taking in a breath of the night air, she let her mind wander as the water rocked the bottom of the boat gently below her feet. The mini-cruiser that Robert had arranged to take them away on once the night was over was vastly different from the rickety paddle boat they had clambered into near enough in the same spot, as the day that held their first date came to a conclusion. She thought the smile on her face had been permanent in the past few weeks, but it transformed a little at this moment in time, when she had considered all that had gone by. How she would have never expected that all of this would happen, but how wonderful it had been, far surpassing her wildest dreams.
The dreams that were for the future were occupying her mind as she felt the boat shift and bob, and she beamed up to see John standing at her back. He threw a blanket around her shoulders before he sat down next to her, Anna snuggling herself into his hands as he adjusted the garment further. She lifted her head slightly and John understood immediately what she meant, kissing her softly. She savoured the feel and taste of his lips, pulling him closer to deepen the kiss, and feeling like she wouldn't care if the world stopped spinning.
"What a day it's been," he uttered, slightly raspy from exhaustion as well as the kiss they had just shared.
"Mmm," she replied lazily, drawing little circles on his upturned palm with her finger, head rested upon his shoulder.
He hadn't failed to notice how comfortable she had made herself. "Tired?"
"A little." Her voice was a whimper against his chest as he brought his arm more securely around her. "But I want to see it through to the end."
Anna felt John's laugh rumble, there were few sensations that she cherished more. "Well, we've got a speed trip over the Thames to come. You can't fall asleep for that."
She made a little giggling sound, a hand snaking underneath his suit jacket. The briskness of the night's breeze was tempered when he kissed her forehead twice, gently moving her hair back from her face.
"The best is yet to come, Mrs Bates."
Anna lifted her head to meet his eyes, which were shining with love against the night. In the distance a familiar song had started up, and she noticed John's expression light up further, the smile that he wore a prize to her.
"See the stone set in your eyes, see the thorn twist in your side, I wait for you. Sleight of hand and twist of fate, on a bed of nails she makes me wait, and I wait without you, with or without you, with or without you."
She smiled back at him, the love that she felt for him reflected back and stronger than ever at that moment in time. He had told her so many times that he couldn't live without her, and as she placed her hand over his chest to feel his heart beating, she knew that she would be just as helpless without him.
"I love you," she said for the countless time, the sentiment meaning more to her in each instance.
"I love you," John whispered back as his forehead rested against hers.
Inside, Anna thrilled as much to feel his skin upon hers and those special words fall from his mouth once again. The celebrations that had been prolonged were coming to an end now, but she wasn't sad about it, only excited for the next phase of their life to begin. Their future together was sealed and it was a bond she would cherish forever, never knowing how much she had wanted it until the day John had come into her life.
She was just about to lay her head back down on his shoulder when one of his hands stopped her, sending tingles running through her as he stroked her face gently. Her blue eyes twinkled with delight as she saw the memory sparking to life on his face, the flow of the river carrying it towards them. Leaning further in, her heart was leaping as she could feel his breath falling warm upon her. She was just as breathless as she had been for that first time, when she had been the one taking the lead. Now there were no hesitations, only a simple question as the wedding band on his finger caressed her skin.
"May I kiss you, Mrs Bates?"
She broke her wide smile just long enough to give her reply.
"I thought you'd never ask, Mr Bates."
A/N: Their first dance song is I Couldn't Love You More by John Martyn. A romantic song and fitting, I think.
Just one more chapter to go, and then it's all over - welp.