A/N- You wait ages for one chapter then two turn up at once. Striking while the muse is hot.

Disclaimer- Nothing belongs to me...

John opened the door to his consulting room, his patient's owner offering him words of gratitude as he stepped aside to let them leave. Morris the Jack Russell was one of John's more favourite clients, he looked after well by his owner and only darkening the doorstep of the surgery for his six monthly check up.

'Oh thank you, Doctor Bates. Hopefully we won't see you for another six months.'

'Hopefully not,' John smiled, watching as Morris and his owner made their way to the front door. 'Take care Morris, and you too Mr Johnson.'

'Another satisfied customer,' Sybil smiled over her shoulder at John from her position by the filing cabinet.

'I try my best.' John reached for his next patient's file, looking right slightly when movement caught his attention. It was Joseph, and he looked a little worse for wear. 'Howdy partner. You alright?'

'I've just been chasing one Neville the Parrot around my consulting room. He needed a nail trim, but didn't necessarily want one.'

'Ahh, good old Neville,' John remarked with a chuckle. 'Has his other little problem sorted itself out?'

'No, he still calls me Baldy.' Sighing, Joseph picked up the file on his next patient. 'Ahh, something a bit more pedestrian. Mickey the cat has suspected fleas.'

Sybil retook her seat at the desk, picking up her nail file as the phone rang. She sat and listened to it ring, John and Joseph glaring at her. She lifted her gaze, her two bosses staring at her with a look of disbelief. 'Oh, I get it. You want me to answer the phone?'

'Well yes, seeing as you are the receptionist,' Joseph pointed out.

'You were both standing there, it's your practice.'

'Sybil,' John warned.

Rolling her eyes, Sybil lifted the receiver to her ear. 'Good afternoon, Bates and Molesley Veterinary surgery, Sybil speaking.' Sybil nodded as she listened. 'Doctor Bates, Maddie's Dad. Yes, he's right here.' She handed the receiver to John. 'It's the receptionist from Maddie's school.'

'Fancy that, a receptionist making a phone call,' Joseph quipped before moving to call his next patient through.

'Hello, this is Doctor Bates.' John furrowed his brow. His expression changed to one of concern. 'She's been sick? Oh bless her heart. Yes, I'll be there to get her as soon as I can. Thank you for calling.' John hung up. 'Maddie's not well, I need to go and get her.'

'Aww, the poor little dear,' Sybil cooed, picking up the phone and beginning to dial. 'I'll see if Jimmy or Andy can cover your afternoon appointments.'

'Thank you, Sybil.' John realised Joseph had gone into his room. 'Can you tell Joe for me. Perhaps Phyllis can cover until one of the locums get here. Joe can sign off any medication she feels is needed.'

'We'll sort it John, just go,' Sybil instructed him.

'Sorry, I just hate it when she's sick.'

'I know,' Sybll rubbed his forearm. 'Go to her, she most probably wants her Daddy.'

The school was only a ten minute drive from the surgery, and John was emergency contact for both Madison and Milo since Anna started her job in Manchester. His baby girl was rarely poorly, which made the times she was all the more worrying for John. He never wanted her to feel any discomfort, be it a grazed knee or a tummy upset.

Arriving at the school, John parked outside the reception. Once inside, he saw Madison sitting on a chair, hugging her knees with her teacher, Mrs Brown beside her reading her a book. John felt his heart constrict, she looked so unwell. 'Hello.'

Madison looked up immediately upon hearing his voice, but instead of running to him in a state of excitement like she usually did, she just began to cry, reaching her arms out to him. Closing the gap between them, John lifted her into his embrace. He rocked her gently.

'There, there little one. Daddy's here.'

'Sorry for having to call you, Doctor Bates,' the teacher began, rising to her feet. 'We know how busy with work you must be.'

'Nonsense, thank you for calling me. She should be at home if she is ill.'

'Did she complain of feeling sick at home this morning?'

John tried to remember. 'No, nothing. She did leave a slice of her toast which isn't like her, but she seemed alright in her self.'

'There is a sickness bug going around the class,' the teacher informed John. 'I guess it's found its way to Maddie.'

'Oh dear, I wonder if that means Milo will be affected.'

'It's quite possible, although he ran over from a rather vigorous game of chase to see if Madison was alright.'

'Sounds like Milo,' John said with a chuckle. 'Does he know she's coming home?'

'Yes, he does.'

'Right, it's my afternoon to pick them up from after school club. I'll have to make other arrangements. It could possibly be his mother, or his grandparents. I'll ring back when I know who.'

'Don't worry, Doctor Bates. We are quite familiar with the family now.'

'Thank you, Mrs Brown. My wife doesn't work on Friday so she'll watch Madison tomorrow.'

'Okay Doctor Bates,' Mrs Brown lifted a hand to stroke Madison's arm. 'Hope to see you on Monday, Maddie.'

'Bye,' she replied in a weak voice.

Once Madison was settled on the sofa in her pyjamas, a blanket over her and washing up bowl not too far away in case she was ill again John text Anna to inform her what had happened. Milo would be picked up by Charles and taken for a burger after school as well. John considered for a brief moment how lucky they were to have such great family so close before one look at Madison on the sofa meant she was centre of his attention once again.

She had been sick when they had arrived home, the poor little mite really distressed in the process. John hated this. She looked more peaceful now however, clutching on to her blanket and blinking slowly, as if she she would drift off into slumber any moment. His text alert buzzed, John looking at his phone to see that Andy had come in to cover his afternoon. Work was sorted, Milo was taken care of so all that John had to do was care for his daughter.

'Daddy.'

'Yes, little one,' John said softly, sitting beside her on the sofa.

'Can I have a cuddle, please?'

'Of course,' John sat back against the sofa as Madison turned around. She sat on his lap and John reached for the blanket she had left behind, draping it over the both of them. Her head was resting on his shoulder, her little hand wrapped around his much larger one which rested on the top of her legs.

'I feel horrible, Daddy.'

'I know darling, it's not nice feeling sick, is it?' John felt her shake her head. 'Why don't you sleep a little bit? Maybe you'd feel better after a nap?'

She sat up suddenly. 'Daddy, what about Milo? How will he get home?'

He hushed her, encouraging her to settle her back down. 'Grandad is getting him from school. You'll see him later.' Madison fell silent then, John closing his eyes as the quietness around them made him somewhat lethargic himself. Madison's voice startled him.

'Daddy, can we have some music on, please?'

Looking across the room, John looked at his daughter's iPod in it's dock. He shifted a little, reaching to the coffee table beside him where the remote control was conveniently placed. Squinting, he found the play button and pointed the control in the direction of the dock. Music filled the room, John soon recognising it to be from The Lion King. He settled back down, one look at Madison telling him it wouldn't be long until she was asleep.

Opening the front door, Anna wasn't used to the quietness that greeted her. Usually on a Thursday evening around half past six the house would be bustling with noise. Madison and Milo would be sat at the table doing their homework, or squabbling over a board game or something similar. Anna noticed the living room door was closed. Intrigued, she gently opened it to be greeted with a sight that made her heart melt.

Be Our Guest playing quietly in the background, John and Madison were fast asleep on the sofa, she holding onto him tightly as he gently snored beneath her. The bond they shared only added fuel to the fire that Anna couldn't have picked a better man than John to be a father to their own child. She sighed, walking to them and unable to resist placing a kiss on John's forehead. He didn't flinch. Anna pulled the blanket further up around them before leaving them to it and searching for her own child.

After walking to the kitchen, Anna soon realised where he was. The early summer sun was beating down on the garden, and Charles and Milo were making the most of the lighter evenings, kicking a football around. Deciding to interrupt their game, she stepped outside.

'Hello, hello,' she said cheerily, Milo looking towards her instantly.

'Mummy!" He squealed, running towards her and almost leaping into her embrace. Charles trudged after him, clearly worn out after the game he had shared with his grandson.

'Hello Baby,' she kissed him on the head, before accepting a kiss from her father. 'Hi Dad, thank you for getting Milo for me.'

'It's no bother,' Charles ruffled Milo's hair. 'We got back about an hour ago. He's been fed and everything. We didn't disturb Maddie and John, they looked far too peaceful and what with her being poorly...'

'Thank you, Dad,' Anna smiled. 'I've left them too. Poor little thing, John tells me it's been going around the class.'

'Everyon'e been off sick, except for me, Harry. Georgia and Flynn,' Milo informed the grown ups present.

'Right, well there's been no signs from him that he's coming down with anything,' Charles shrugged. 'I should go, I promised your mother I'd collect her from her over sixties club tonight rather than making the old dear walk.' They walked inside. 'Oh, we've mucked out the pigs and what have you. Saves John doing it later.'

'Dad, you're amazing.'

'I know,' Charles called back over his shoulder as he made his way down the hallway. 'See you later.'

The front door closed with a gentle thud. Anna looked down at Milo, who was kicking his shoes off by the back door. 'Mummy, are we going to wake Madison and John up?'

'Now, why would we do that?' Anna asked him with a smirk.

'Because I want to watch my cartoons before bath time.'

'Ahh, I thought television might have something to do with it.,' Anna took off her suit jacket and hung it on the back of one of the dining room chairs. 'We aren't waking them up, you'll just have to watch it in Mummy and Daddy John's room.'

Milo sighed in frustration. 'But Mummy, your TV is so small...'

'But nothing, Milo Bates. Now get up those stairs. If my TV isn't good enough we can miss the cartoons and skip straight to bath time.'

'No, your TV is fine,' Milo groaned, heading up the stair wth Anna following. They made their way into the bedroom she shared with John, Milo leaping onto the bed and jumping a couple of times for good measure.

'How many times do I have to tell you, Trouble? Mummy's bed is not a trampoline.' Anna continued into the en suite, splashing some water onto her face. With the onset of Summer came a less comfortable commute home. She leant over the basin, a sudden flash of nausea overcoming her for a moment. Oh God, she hoped she wasn't getting what Madison had.

'Mummy, I don't know how your TV works.'

Milo's voice caused Anna to lift her head. It seemed her turn had passed. She walked back into the bedroom, taking the remote from her son. She pressed a few buttons and soon enough one of Milo's programmes came on.

'I'll go and start running your bath, Baby. Would you like bubbles tonight?' He didn't respond, Anna looked over her shoulder to see him at the end of the bed, transfixed on the screen in front of him. She rolled her eyes then began to cross the landing towards the bathroom, talking to herself. 'Yes Mummy, I would love some bubbles and thank you for putting my programmes on. You're the best Mummy in the world...'

All the while she was bathing Milo, it seemed Anna's nausea earlier had been more than a turn. Her stomach felt as though it was doing somersaults as she sat beside the bath, trying not to show her son how she was feeling. She was relieved when he said he was ready to get out, and even more relieved when he told her he'd rather have a story CD rather than her read for him. The time now well past seven thirty, Anna left her sleepy son with his audio book, and left the room. The sight of a dishevelled John leaving Madison's room made her jump.

'Christ,' she brought a hand to her chest. 'John. I thought you were asleep.'

'I was,' he replied in a croaky voice. 'But I woke up and thought Maddie would be better in her own bed. She's well gone.'

'Bless her,' Anna stepped closer to her husband, placing a hand on his wrist. 'How is she?'

'Hasn't been sick since I bought her home earlier, must be a twenty four hour thing. She needs to stay home tomorrow, if that's alright?'

'Of course it is,' Anna smiled, before wincing, bringing a hand to her stomach.

'Are you okay?' John asked, taking a step towards Anna and resting a hand on her shoulder.

'I hope so, I had a funny turn before Milo's bath and have been feeling a little nauseous ever since. I hope I'm not getting what Maddie has.'

'Why don't you have a bath and I'll bring you some tea and toast. Maybe an early night will do us both some good. It's been a worrying afternoon.'

'You have the best ideas, Mr Bates.'

Satisfied Madison was comfortable on the sofa in front of her Frozen DVD, Anna set about carrying out some of the chores in the kitchen she usually left until her Friday off. Madison seemed a lot better, still not herself but she hadn't been sick again. Anna on the other hand had been ill just after John had left that morning with Milo, then again after returning from feeding the pigs. She never got an upset stomach, it just wasn't like her. The only time she had was when she had first fallen for Milo...

Anna sat down abruptly at the dinner table. She couldn't be, could she? It was entirely possible, she and John had obviously been trying, and they had spent a lot of time 'trying' recently, especially in Brighton. She began to count on her hand, working out when her last cycle was. It could be. Just then, her phone began to ring bringing her out of her reverie. Anna stood and took her phone from it's place charging on the kitchen counter. The school were calling.

'Hello.'

'Hello, Mrs Bates?'

'Yes, is everything alright?'

'Sorry to call you, but it seems Milo may have caught the bug that is going around. He's just vomited whilst lining up for lunch. Seems he couldn't get to the toilet in time.'

Only my son, Anna said to herself. 'Right, is he okay?'

'He is sitting in reception at the moment, looking as white as a sheet.'

'Bless him, assure him someone will be on their way to get him. It will probably be my husband as I'm home with a poorly Madison at the moment.'

'Yes Mrs Bates, how is Maddie?'

'She's okay, nothing a day at home won't cure.'

'Of course. So I'll tell Milo Doctor Bates is on the way?'

Anna smiled. It sounded odd to hear her Mr Bates referred to in such a way. 'Please, thank you.'

It occurred to Anna if Milo was now poorly, she must have caught the bug he and Madison had. It simply made sense that she would, rather than her being pregnant. They had struggled for six months, why would it have suddenly worked now?

An hour or so passed before the sound of the front door caused Anna to drop the cloth she was using and walk into the hall way. John was there, a sleeping Milo drooped seemingly half way over his shoulder.

'Oh, my poor Baby,' Anna walked towards them, taking her boy from John's embrace.

'He is not well at all,' John informed his wife before kissing her on the cheek.

'It hits them so quickly, he was bright as a button this morning.'

John peered into the living room, recognising a song from Frozen. 'How is Madison?'

'Quiet, but she hasn't been ill again.'

'Must just be a twenty four hour thing then,' John supposed before turning his attentions back to Anna. 'I have to go, but I only have two appointments and a call out. I'll be home by four.'

She was going to tell him how she was feeling, but soon realised if she did he would cancel his appointments and stay at home. The last thing she wanted to be was a nuisance. 'Okay Darling, see you then.'

'Love you, Sweetheart,' he said, kissing her again quickly on the cheek then Milo's head, 'I'll be back as soon as I can.'

Four O Clock couldn't come soon enough, Anna deteriorating by the minute it seemed. Milo was asleep on the sofa, Madison gathering enough strength to move to the little table she shared with her step brother to do some drawing. Anna was in the armchair, chatting intermittently to her step daughter as she coloured.

'My picture will make Milo feel better, won't it?' Madison asked as she dropped a red pencil back into the box and rattled around the others before deciding she now needed to use green.

'I'm sure it will, poppet,' Anna said weakly, keeping her eyes closed and pinching the bridge of her nose.

The sound of the front door opening was heaven to Anna's ears. Madison stood up and walked to the living room door. 'Hello Daddy.'

'Little one, how are you?'

'Much better,' Madison replied, taking John's hand and leading him into the living room before returning to her colouring. John looked at Milo, fast asleep on the sofa before turning his attentions to Anna, her legs hanging over the side of the armchair. Her eyes were closed. John quietly trod the carpet towards her, kneeling down when he reached her. Anna sensed his presence and opened her eyes.

'What's up?'

'I think I have what the kids have,' Anna murmured, 'I was sick all morning and then this afternoon I have no energy.'

'Why didn't you tell me when I dropped Milo off?' He asked, softly brushing her forehead with the back of his hand.

'Because you wouldn't have gone back to work and you've already had yesterday afternoon off.'

'Yes, I would have stayed but you and the kids are more important than work. Joe would have understood.'

'It's fine,' Anna insisted, rising to her feet but instantly stumbling. John steadied her.

'No it's not fine,' John argued, 'come on. Up to bed. I'll bring Milo up and you can share our room. Keep the sickness confined, so to speak.'

'But where will you sleep?'

'I'll manage,' John smiled. 'There's a perfectly good sofa here and failing that, I'm sure Milo's Bed will suffice for one night.'

'You can sleep in my room, Daddy,' Madison suggested as she continued colouring. 'I have a bean bag you can lay on, we can have a sleepover.'

'See,' John shrugged. 'I'll be fine. Come on, to bed with you and I won't take no for an answer.'

'Usually I'd find that remark enticing,' Anna said weakly as she trudged towards the stairs.

Monday morning arrived and with it brought the children a clean bill of health. John struggled to get them to sit for their breakfast, let alone get their shoes on and ready to leave for school. Helping Milo on with his backpack, John looked at his watch before looking up the stairs with a concerned expression. It was nearly eight and Anna still hadn't arrived downstairs. She needed to leave for the station in a couple of minutes and she hadn't any breakfast yet.

Whilst the children had recovered over the course of the weekend, Anna had only seemed to get worse. John was worried, especially when she had insisted late last evening that she would be fine to go to work. It couldn't have been the bug the children had, especially seeing as they were back to their old selves within twenty four hours of the symptoms hitting them. She appeared then, not looking well at all. John opened the front door and unlocked the car.

'Go and get in your seats, guys. I'll be there to strap you in in a minute.'

Both children ran outside without so much as a backward glance as John observed Anna's slow trudge down the stairs. 'You can't be serious about going to work?'

'John, I'll be fine once I get going.'

'Anna.' He said sternly, blocking her path towards the kitchen. Their eyes met, and it seemed this caused her stance to weaken. She released a sigh in resignation. 'It can't be a bug. You are lethargic and it's lasted more than a day. Besides, wouldn't I have caught it too?'

'Probably not, your stomach is impenetrable. I've seen those red hot curries you seemingly eat with ease.'

John allowed an easy smile to pass his lips before placing a hand on Anna's hip. 'Go back to bed, and I'll call your doctor to come and see you.' Anna began to argue, but John hushed her. 'Just to make sure there is noting more to it. Besides, you've been running after the kids all weekend, I'm sure a day in bed to yourself and you'll be right as rain. I'll call work for you as well.'

Anna pressed her lips to John's. 'Thank you.'

He moved away then before adding, 'and I'll be home for lunch to check on you.'

John climbed the stairs, the house very quiet and he following that trend, lest he wake up his resting wife if she was asleep. The doctor would have been by now, John arranging a call out for shortly after he had taken the children to school. He opened the bedroom door to see Anna sitting up, looking pensively out of the window. John's entrance had interrupted her however, she turning to look at him.

'Anna,' he creased his brow, 'how are you feeling?'

'Come and sit beside me,' she almost whispered, holding her hand out to him. He obliged, crossing the room and sitting down on the bed. He took her hand in his.

'Did you see the doctor?'

'Yes, she came a little while after you'd left.'

'And?'

'It's definitely not a stomach bug.'

John was confused. And suddenly worried. He had wanted Anna to see the doctor as a precaution. Although it had never entered his mind she might actually be ill for a whole other reason, Anna's demeanour was worrying him. 'You're scaring me. What is it?'

'Hyperemesis Gravidarum.'

'What? What the hell is that?'

'I told the doctor I never get stomach upsets, it's just something that hasn't affected me. I'm lucky in that respect. Then I told her the only other time I can remember being really sick is when I fell for Milo.'

Anna's words hung between them for a moment as John processed what Anna had just revealed to him. The corners of his mouth tugged into a smile. 'Anna, you're not...'

Smiling now herself, Anna continued. 'She looked at my notes and it's recorded that I suffered with this when I had Milo. I had completely forgotten about it, don't ask me why...'

'Hang on,' John interrupted, running his free hand through his hair. 'Hyperemesis Gravidarum. Isn't that what Prince William's wife suffers from in the early stages of pregnancy?'

'Let me finish, Mr Bates,' Anna gently teased him, leaving him in the dark slightly longer. 'The doctor asked me when my last cycle was, then she examined me before asking if I'd take a pregnancy test.'

His heart began to thunder in his chest, the smile on his face returning. His grip on her hand tightened. 'Anna.'

'It was positive. I'm pregnant,' Anna whispered, almost as if she said it any louder it would make it untrue. He could see tears welling in her eyes. 'We're going to have a baby, John.'

John had no words, the only thing he wanted to do was hold Anna in his arms and never let her go. Pulling her into his embrace, he couldn't help the tear that rolled down his cheek. With relief, more than anything else in this moment. He had dreamt of this too, but Anna had wanted it so badly, and now she had it it filled his heart with more joy that he could ever put words to.

'I don't think we should tell the kids yet, not until the three month scan. The doctor thinks I am only three or four weeks gone. She left a prescription for some anti sickness tablets. If I get any worse I should to go to hospital straight away but she doubts I will if I take care. She's signed me off for a couple of weeks and confined me to bed rest.'

'Of course, whatever needs to happen will happen,' John assured her, 'but how will we explain it to the kids? Your being in bed I mean. They'll worry.'

'Just be honest, that I am ill at the moment but I will feel better.'

'Okay,' John nodded before his smile was back. Their gaze locked on the other as he placed a hand softly on Anna's stomach. 'We did it.'

He was sure he had never seen such a breathtaking expression on Anna's face as the one he saw in response to his gesture. Anna placed a hand over where John had put his. She nodded, her voice filled with emotion. 'We did it.'