This is just a fluffy, nothing to it one-shot. It's my 7 year wedding anniversary today and my husband is away for work, so the two of us can't be together. This short fic was inspired because I miss him and wanted a little happiness for John/Anna today within all the mess in the world. Enjoy!

Always

A light chuckle, wrinkled up nose, and slight smile all occurred as John began to pepper kisses over the curve of Anna's shoulder and up to her neck. His hand wrapped around her middle and he pulled her closer to him in bed. She sighed, content to be in his loving arms.

"Happy Anniversary," John murmured into her ear.

"Happy Anniversary," Anna replied, snuggling closer to him and enjoying the time with just the two of them. "I love you."

"I love you, my darling."

"How long until the children come barging in here?" Anna questioned, rolling onto her back so she could meet John's eyes.

"Well, I may have already gotten up with them and bribed them with tablet time to leave us alone for a little while longer," John confessed.

"Silly beggar," Anna playfully said, bringing her lips to his. She brought her hand up to the nape of his neck and moaned as he deepened their kiss.

"And that's not all," John added, pulling back slightly. His fingers ran along the side of her leg, stopping at her hip to draw lazy circles. "Mary will be here in an hour to take them for the day and night."

"Truly?" Anna asked, her lips curling into a brighter smile.

"Yes. I've had this planned for weeks," John declared. Anna caught his hand with hers and she tangled their fingers together. Then she brought John up, so that he was perched over her and she grinned.

"We have a little time before they get here," Anna said with a wink. John laughed and bent down, catching her lips with his own.

"We probably have about twenty minutes before one of the kids barges in here."

"Plenty of time for round one, Mr. Bates."

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

"Good-bye! Be good for Aunt Mary!" Anna called out as Mary's car drove away. She leaned back against John and he pressed a kiss on top of her head.

"Alright, we have three hours before the surprise, so what would you like to do?" At his words, Anna turned to face John and her face lit up.

"Surprise?" John nodded. "What type of surprise?"

"Well, it wouldn't be much of a surprise if I told you, would it?" John teased. His hand ran up her side and curved up to her back, pulling her closer to him, so he could kiss her.

"How do I know how to dress?" Anna questioned, inching herself even closer to John, her hand curling at the edge of his top.

"Hum….." John said, his breath catching in his throat, as her hands slipped up under his shirt and ran over his chest. "I guess you'll have to guess." He got out, before lifting up his hands so Anna could pull his shirt up and over his head.

"That's not very kind, Mr. Bates," Anna murmured. She stepped back and John groaned at the loss of contact between the two of them.

"Alright, alright, something nice, but comfortable," he answered, making his way back closer to her and catching her lips into a kiss. "But until then, nothing."

"I can handle that."

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

John opened the door for Anna and the two stepped outside in the city of London. It had been a surprise that was for sure. About an hour before they left, John mentioned she should pack a bag. They weren't expected to pick the kids up until lunchtime tomorrow.

The valet at the hotel took the car and drove it away, as the bell hop took their bags for check in.

"Can we afford all of this?" Anna asked. This was a luxury hotel. They usually stayed in nice hotels, but not ones with amenities like this. John's hand came up to the small of her back, as he nodded.

"I've saved up for a little while for us to have a special anniversary treat this year. You deserve it," he strongly stated, kissing the top of her head.

"Well, you do too, John. You're a great father and husband," Anna said with a smile.

"It's easy when I have a wife like you and children like ours," John said, leading Anna into the hotel. "Now that we are here, I can tell you our plans for the evening."

"Oh yeah?"

"We have dinner at 6 and then a show at 8," John told her.

"What show?" Anna enthusiastically questioned. Her love of Broadway was well known, but going to live shows didn't get to happen often. It had been nearly five years since she had seen a show.

"I got tickets for Wicked." At this, Anna squealed in delight. And John chuckled. "Good, I was hoping I made the right choice."

"It's my favorite," she replied.

"I know, my darling. We've listened to the soundtrack many of times," he added. "We have about two hours before dinner. So I thought we could walk around Piccadilly or…."

"Or go and enjoy our room at this luscious hotel?" John laughed.

"Or that, whatever you wish."

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

There was a feeling of euphoria that filled Anna whenever she sat within a theater watching a live show. Her body could feel every emotion as the actors on the stage. It felt magical, almost untouchable. As the final song was sung, Anna could feel a tear sliding down her cheek. She inched up slightly to get closer, as if she could be on the stage with them.

When the curtain calls began, she jumped to her feet, clapping heartily for each and every one.

"Brilliant," she told John. "They were just brilliant."

"They were," John agreed, but he couldn't keep his eyes off of her. The joy over her face made his heart nearly burst. He was glad he had been able to plan this special evening for them both. With young children, it was rare they got this time together.

As the lights flickered on and the people began to leave, John grabbed Anna's hand.

"Do you want a shirt? Or anything from the gift shop?"

"Truly?"

"It's whatever you want," John said with a kind smile. Anna couldn't help but smile in return. They went to the small little shop right outside the door and Anna choose a shirt with Elphaba on it and lyrics from the song Defying Gravity on it.

"This has been perfect, John. Now I can't wait to curl up in that nice bed with you and watch some telly, before falling asleep. And we get a proper lie in in the morning," she said.

"Yes. We could go and grab some ice cream before heading back to the hotel," John offered.

"Oh, yes, ice cream sounds wonderful. You've really thought of everything, haven't you?"

"I just wanted you to have the perfect evening," he sincerely said, kissing her cheek.

"And it has been. I love you. Happy Anniversary."

"Happy Anniversary. I love you too, my darling. Always."

The End