Thank you all, so very much! Enjoy!

Chapter 14

John's hand skimmed up her side and dipped with the curve of her hip, before moving up and resting on the continually growing bump. With a sigh, Anna covered John's hand with her own and then pressed her back further against his chest. Her eyes slowly fluttered open and she turned her head back slightly to give John a smile.

"Good morning," Anna sleepily murmured.

"Good morning," John said, as he bent his head down into the nook of her neck and began to caress the curve with his lips. He gently turned Anna onto her back, while continuing to kiss down her neck to her chest. Anna moaned appreciatively. A slight giggle left her lips when John's fingers brushed against her stomach, gathering her shirt up and placing it above her bump. He placed both hands over the stretched out skin and pressed a kiss right between.

"How are my boys this morning?" John asked the bump.

"Probably sleeping, they played all night," Anna answered. She pulled herself up onto her elbows so he could get a better look at John's face. "Two boys. How amazing."

"Yes," John agreed. His lips moved around the curve of her belly, before they began to travel lower.

"John, you're going to be late for work," Anna started. John glanced up at her, hooking his fingers into the seam of her pants.

"It'll be worth it," he promised. And at that, Anna couldn't disagree. She lifted her hips to help him pull down her bottoms and happily enjoyed their morning.

-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-

"Thank you for our party the other day, Mary," Anna said, walking into her friend's office. Mary turned around in her chair and nodded. Reaching out her hands, she placed them on Anna's belly and smiled.

"Of course, I am so thrilled for you both! Have you guys decided on any names, yet?" Anna's head shook.

"Not yet. We are talking about moving to a house before the babies come for more space," Anna explained.

"Would you like to live on Downton property? I'm sure Papa could….."

"I think John is speaking with him today," Anna replied with a smile.

"Oh good!"

-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-

Anna had heard how there was more energy in the second trimester, but she wasn't feeling it. The babies already moved a ton at night and her sleep was often interrupted. She wasn't sure what would happen when they were larger and making bigger movements.

Slinking into the sofa, she kicked off her shoes and pulled the blanket over her body. John wouldn't be home for another couple of hours, so she was going to attempt a nap before then.

Just as she was getting comfortable, her phone dinged. Anna groaned, but lifted the phone in case it was an important message from John or Mary. Her face fell when she saw it was from Emma. Anna inhaled deeply and debated on whether or not she wanted to open it and see what her sister had written.

At first, Anna placed her phone on the coffee table and tried to ignore it. She didn't want anything to spoil her mood. The days since the gender reveal had been wonderful. All of her focus was on her two boys. The last thing she wanted to do was be brought back to the sadness her mother brought into her life. She wasn't the same scared twelve year old girl.

As she tried to fall asleep, however, her mind kept wondering what the text from her sister said. With a loud sigh, she reached over and grabbed the phone, swiping to open the text.

Mum said the meeting didn't go well. I'm guessing she wasn't sorry?

Anna's fingers twitched over the screen. Quickly, she wrote a response.

No, she wasn't. I am not speaking to her any longer. I understand if you want to have a relationship with her, but I can't.

Anna bit down on the side of her cheek and waited anxiously for her sister's response.

I understand. I'm sorry I pushed seeing her on you. That wasn't fair. I hope we'll still keep up sometimes. Good luck to you, your husband, and your future children. I love you.

I love you, too, Anna responded. Then she turned her phone on silent and curled up on the couch.

A few hours later she was awoken by the sound of the front door closing. Anna yawned and lifted her head up over the side of the couch.

"Oh, did I wake you?" John worriedly asked, walking over toward his wife and kissing the top of her head.

"It's okay. I needed to wake up soon," Anna answered. "How was your day?"

"It was good. Robert has some houses for sale. He said we could go by this weekend and see what we thought."

"How fun!" Anna exclaimed. As much as she liked John's flat, the idea of a home of their own made her excited. Also more room for two little ones was a plus, as well.

John placed his brief case on the table and then came around to sit next to Anna on the couch. He pulled her feet up into his lap and began to message her left foot.

"Yes, right there," Anna agreed, her head rolling back against the pillow. "I haven't planned a thing for dinner. I have been sleeping since I got home."

"That's alright. We can order in, if you'd like." Anna nodded, enjoying the foot massage.

When John was finished, Anna sat up and curled into his chest. John's hand lazily ran up and down the side of her arm, while Anna's fingers brushed against his shoulder.

"I think I know what I'd like to do one day," Anna said, as she glanced up at John.

"And what's that?" John's hand came up to brush a stray hair off Anna's cheek.

"I'd like to own a dance studio. Something little. Nothing competitive. Maybe a safe space for any at risk youth," Anna explained. John couldn't help but smile.

"That sounds amazing."

"Of course, it would have to be a while from now. After the twins are born, things will get pretty hectic. But maybe a few years later?"

"I think it's a great idea."

"Truly?"

"Truly."

-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-

"Do you feel it, John?" Anna questioned, walking through the house. John latched his fingers with Anna's and gave her hand a squeeze.

"I do, my darling," he agreed. This was the last house for sell on Downton property. The moment they both entered they knew it was supposed to be theirs. Neither could say what made this house more special than the others, but they knew they loved it.

"There is a perfect room for the boys and even a room we can make a playroom. And maybe a room for another baby Bates years from now," Anna added with a wink.

"I'd love that. A girl next time?"

"No," Anna said with a shake of her head. "I think we're going to have all boys. It's a feeling I have."

"A house full of baby boy Bateses?"

"Yep. All that look just like their father," Anna added with a smile.

"Well, don't put that on them. I'd rather they look like their beautiful mum." Anna turned so she was standing in front of John. She perched herself up onto her toes and wrapped her arms around John's neck.

"I'm just glad they'll be ours," Anna replied.

"Me too, my love."

-X-X-X-X-X-X-

Over the next few months, the two moved into their new house and began to prepare for the new babies and their arrival. As Anna grew, she grew more tired and uncomfortable. John and Anna decided it was time for her to stop working and rest while she could before the twins arrived. They both knew that once they were here that they would have little time to rest.

When John walked into his home, he found Anna asleep on the couch with a book in her hands. He quietly chuckled to himself. This was often how he found her in the afternoons. The twins liked to kick her all night long and Anna barely got any sleep.

Letting her sleep, John went into their bedroom to change out of his jacket and tie. As he lifted the tie over his head, he spotted Anna through the mirror. A smile graced his lips.

"Well, hello beautiful," he said to her, turning to face his wife. Anna shook her head.

"I don't know if beautiful fits the description. I look like a beached whale," Anna complained. "My feet are swelling and I weigh so much."

"No," John disagreed, stepping up to her and grabbing her hands. "You're absolutely stunning." He released one of Anna's hands and let it fall to the top of Anna's belly. "You are growing our two boys in there. I don't know what could be any more beautiful than that."

Anna winced slightly and her hand tightened around John's.

"Anna….are you alright?" Anna shook her head and gave John a weak smile.

"I've just been having these small pains all day, on and off. I think they are Braxton hicks, you know, false labor," Anna informed him. John's eyes narrowed, unconvinced.

"All day? How long all day?"

"I don't know. Since a little while after you left," Anna answered.

"Anna! I don't think that's false labor. Why didn't you call me?'

"It hasn't been regular and it hasn't been that intense. I…I didn't want to worry you," Anna honestly responded. Her nails then dug deep into John's hand and a small yelp left her lips. A moment later, panting, she said, "Okay, that one hurt."

"We should go to Hospital," John quickly stated. Anna's head shook.

"It's too early. They aren't even close enough to rush to the hospital."

"We should at least call Sybil," John said.

"Okay, you can call her. I want to lie down, rest before the hard part comes."

John helped her to their bed. His thumb ran along her jaw and rested on her chin.

"Do you need anything?"

"No, I'm fine."

"Are you sure?" Anna giggled and nodded her head.

"Yes. Now go and call Sybil."

"Okay."

-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-

Fifteen hours later, the world had two new Bateses. John continually kissed Anna's forehead and ran his fingers over the foreheads of their perfect boys that both laid in Anna's arms.

"You did it," John muttered into her hair. "You were amazing." Anna contently sighed, before pressing kisses against each little boy's head. They had been born with a nice mop of dark brown hair on top of their heads.

"Knock, knock," Mary's quiet voice said from the doorway. "Are you ready for some visitors?" With Mary was Robert. Anna nodded her head.

"Yes, come on in."

"Congrats, mate!" Robert told John, giving him a good firm handshake. "And these are the two new lads?"

"They are. I am a father. We have two sons," John said with a bright, joyful smile.

"Can I hold one?" Mary asked Anna, who nodded enthusiastically. Mary carefully took one of the babies out of Anna's left arm and rocked it in her arms. "What are their names?"

"You are holding Oliver," Anna told her friend.

"Oh, hello Oliver. I'm your Aunt Mary." The baby cooed and Mary smiled, as she allowed him to take hold of her finger. "And Oliver's brother is?"

"Lewis," Anna said. She brought Lewis up to her lips and kissed his cheek.

"Oliver and Lewis Bates, quite the pair," Robert boomed.

"Yes," John agreed, moving back to Anna's side. He took Lewis from Anna's arms and allowed her to fall back against the pillows. He could tell how exhausted she was. Mary seemed to notice as well. She placed Oliver into the small bassinet next to the bed and kissed Anna's forehead.

"Congratulations, Anna. I'll come by tomorrow." Then Mary grabbed her father's upper arm and led him out of the room. She knew if she didn't force it, he would miss the cues that the two needed their alone time with their new babies.

With Lewis asleep, John placed him into his bassinet too. He took a seat in the chair next to them and glanced at his wife.

"Rest," he told her. "They are sleeping, so you should sleep, too."

"But I'm enjoying looking at them," Anna replied, her face full of a new mother's glow.

"I know. Me too," John agreed. "But I promise they'll be here when you awake. Take the time while you can.'

"Alright," Anna stated. "You'll wake me if they need me?"

"Of course. Now sleep." It didn't take long. Soon Anna was in a deep sleep and John just looked over his three miracles, unsure how he had gotten so incredibly lucky.

To be continued...one last time :)

This story is almost over and it's been a fun ride. Thank you all for reading, liking, favoriting, and reviewing. I'll try to update the final chapter in the next day or so. Thanks in advance for any comments :)