Thank you all so much! I hope you continue to enjoy this journey :)

Chapter 9

Anna hadn't slept well. She had tossed and turned, her mind going back to the farmer and how close he had gotten to hurting her. She kept imagining what would have happened if John hadn't shown up in time. At one point in the night, she had jerked herself awake from a nightmare. Her hand rested over her beating heart and her mind had raced with memories of her stepfather.

It was what had torn her family apart. Her sister had already met her husband and didn't believe Anna when Anna confessed what he tried to do to her. Anna had pleaded with Amy to take her with her to America. But instead, her sister told her she needed to just stay away from their stepfather if she was so scared.

Then Amy was gone and her mother wouldn't listen either. Anna left soon after, once she struck her stepfather with the scullery knife and her mother sent her away. About a month later Anna heard that her mother and stepfather had died in a fire. She knew she should have been devastated to lose her mother, but she had felt, instead, a sadness for not having the mother she needed.

Anna sighed and adjusted her dress among her hips and stomach. It was going to be hard to hide her pregnancy much longer. She was starting to show. Based on her math, she should be close to fifteen or sixteen weeks now. It seemed almost impossible that she was that far along already.

Her eyes welled with tears and she bit back the sob in her throat. Lou would be so thrilled. She hated that he was going to miss every part of this. Oh how she wished he had at least known that they were going to have a baby before he passed.

Anna shook away the tears and met her eyes in the mirror. She could do this. She would do this. She hadn't any other choice.

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

John held onto Declan's hand, as they made their way down the path toward his work. Declan was thrilled to be heading to Downton. He knew that Ms. Patmore would spoil him rotten.

He did hope that Mr. Carson wouldn't be too angry that he was bringing his family into work today. But there was no way that he could leave Anna and Declan home with Caleb around. He didn't trust that the man wouldn't try something again with Anna.

Every time he thought about what could have happened if he didn't arrive when he did, his blood boiled. That man deserved more than the punch that he received.

Thinking of the crash against the man's jaw, John moved his other hand carefully against his cane. There was some swelling this morning. He had to take off the bandage to add more ointment and then replace it with a new one. It didn't look nearly as nice as when Anna had done it, but he didn't know how to ask her to do it again.

His eyes moved over to her. She was quiet, but not distant. She had smiled at him a few times and thanked him again for saving her. All in all, she seemed more comfortable to be around him. For that, he was glad. He wanted them both to enjoy this arrangement.

They moved up over the small hill and Downton Abbey came into sight. Beside him, Anna gasped and paused in her footsteps.

"You…you work there?" She asked, her eyes wide.

"I do," John smiled.

"Wow," Anna said, astonished. They then continued their path forward and toward the large estate. "I've never quite seen anything like it."

"Never? Surely you saw large buildings in the city," John stated. He let go of Declan's hand, instead reaching out his hand to help Anna over a large hole in the ground that needed to be fixed. With a grateful nod, Anna took his hand and leapt over the hole. Then Declan jumped into it, giggling, and then back out on the other side. John's legs were long enough to easily step over it.

"I did," Anna stated, her eyes still on Downton. "But nothing out in the open like this and I certainly didn't get to go near anything as beautiful. We were hard workers. Lou always promised he'd take me to one show, but it never happened. He thought maybe…." Anna's words faded. But she didn't shy away from John. Instead, she actually continued on. "Well, he thought maybe after he earned enough here, he could take me back into the city for a weekend and we'd do something special."

John's lips curled down slightly. He hated that Anna hadn't been given that time with her husband.

"I am sorry you never got to do that."

"Me too," Anna quietly replied. A shaky exhale left Anna's lips, but she remained steady and moved forward. John noted that her eyes were dry and his heart felt lighter. It seemed she could now speak about her husband without tears. While he knew it was only a tiny step forward and that Anna would have days where she felt like the world was crushing her again, it was still a step in the right direction.

When they reached the large house, Declan jumped ahead and attempted to push open the door. John laughed, stepping forward to help him. The door swung inward and Declan fell forward slightly, landing on his hands and knees.

"Oh Declan! Be careful!" Anna cried out, worried. But the little boy popped right up, heartily laughing.

"I'm alright, Nana!" He said. "See!" He lifted up his arms and spun around.

"Come on in," John stepped to the side to allow Anna to go in first. She slowly made her way in through the door and then moved to the side so that John could come in next. "Everyone will be pleased to meet you," John assured her.

They made their way down the hallway. He could already hear the hustle and bustle of the morning start. Daisy was the first to come around the corner, holding some sort of tray within her hand. But when she spotted that John had brought Anna and Declan, she paused and her lips curled up brightly.

"Mr. Bates, is this your new wife? She's beautiful!"

John smiled in acknowledgement and he saw Anna's cheeks blush.

"It is. Daisy, this is Anna. Anna, this is Daisy."

"Daisy!" Ms. Patmore's voice boomed. "Where have you gone?"

"Coming!" Daisy called back, rushing away. "Mr. Bates has brought his new wife and Declan!" John could hear Daisy calling out as she walked away.

Within mere seconds of her declaration, many more glanced around. Barrow and O'Brien stood at the end of the hall and John could see the wheels turning in their heads already. However, Ms. Patmore tore his attention away, because she came around another corner and squealed in delight at seeing Declan.

"Oh! There's my boy! Want to come and have a treat! And you're the new Mrs. Bates?" Ms. Patmore scanned her up and down. "Nice to meet you."

"N…nice to meet you too," Anna stuttered out.

"Mr. Bates! Might I have a word with you!" Mr. Carson's strong voice commanded. John told Anna to go on with Ms. Patmore and that he would be right back.

He walked down and into Mr. Carson's study. As soon as the door was closed, Mr. Carson started in.

"What is the meaning of this, Mr. Bates? We are not here to entertain your family."

"Yes, I understand that Mr. Carson. You see there is a dangerous man near our home and until I can get that settled, I needed to bring them here with me. Anna can keep Declan outside in the garden or we'll figure something out so they are not in the way."

"Dangerous man?" Mr. Carson questioned, not understanding.

"He tried to force himself on my wife last night," John explained in further detail, making Mr. Carson's entire face blanch.

"Oh," was all Mr. Carson could respond. "Well, then, yes, of course." John could tell he was flustered by the mere thought. "Make sure they keep out of the way. This is still a house of mourning."

"Yes, Mr. Carson."

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

Mrs. Hughes was kind enough to promise to oversee Declan and Anna for the day. So John was able to resume his normal workload.

The day started normal enough. He was trying to think of how to bring up the farmer to Lord Grantham when he noticed John's hand.

"Good lord, Bates! What's happened? Has that new wife of yours caused some trouble," Lord Grantham joked. John's eyes grew dark and he shook his head.

"No, m'lord. It was one of your farmers."

"One of my farmers? What in heavens name could have happened between one of my farmers and you, Mr. Bates? Honestly, it's not worth getting in a row with someone. You could have done worse than bust your hand!"

"I got home just in time to find him cornering my wife. She was screaming. I am so thankful I got there in time."

Lord Grantham grew quiet and pensive, as John continued with his dressing of his boss. He remained quiet for what seemed like an eternity, but was more likely only a mere moment.

"What's his name?" Lord Grantham finally questioned.

"Caleb Brown."

Lord Grantham made a disapproving sound and shook his head.

"That man has always been trouble. Well, it ends now. I'm going to tell him he has to move. We'll find another to fill his place. I don't need anyone who stalks around and intimidates the women of our estate."

"Yes, m'lord. Thank you. It will make me feel much more comfortable leaving my wife and son at home alone."

"And where are they right now?"

"I brought them in with me. I do hope that's alright, m'lord. I didn't feel…"

"Of course. Only stay half a day today, Bates. Go home after lunch. Barrow can cover for you for a few days until Mr. Brown has been escorted off our property."

"Thank you, m'lord. I do appreciate it."

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

"And this is the library," Mrs. Hughes told Anna. Once Declan was sorted and happy with Ms. Patmore and Daisy, Mrs. Hughes decided to take Anna on a tour of some of the rooms of the home. Anna just stood in awe at all the books.

"I…I can't believe it," she murmured.

"It is amazing," Mrs. Hughes had to agree.

Anna's hand came down to rest on her stomach, the books making her think of a bright light in her childhood when her father would bring home books and sit her down each night to read them. He had loved to read. Oh, how she hoped she could instill that love to her little one.

She caught Mrs. Hughes' eyes on her hand and Anna quickly dropped it, her own eyes shooting over to the books. But Mrs. Hughes wasn't going to drop it.

"How long have you known?"

"A few weeks," Anna admitted.

"And what does Mr. Bates think about the new baby?"

Anna swallowed hard.

"He doesn't know. I….I didn't know when we married. I'd swear it before God! I only…"

"Shh, now, dear. I don't believe you tried to deceive Mr. Bates. But why haven't you told him?"

Anna brought her hands together in front of herself and began to chew on the inside of her lip.

"I'm not sure. I guess I am worried about how he'll react," Anna honestly replied.

"Oh, Mr. Bates is a good man, Anna. He will be pleased for you," Mrs. Hughes stated.

"He may be understanding, sure, but I doubt he'll be jumping for joy that I'll be adding another mouth to feed in his home," Anna replied.

"I think he'll surprise you."

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

Once they had gotten home, Anna went upstairs to take a nap. At first, she had been hesitant to even ask for one. But John had seen how exhausted she looked and insisted she go on up.

He missed her that afternoon. However, he was grateful for the few days he would get to spend at home. It was a nice, unexpected surprise. He played with Declan outside for a while as she slept and by the time he had come in, she was making them dinner.

He put Declan down for bed. When he came back downstairs, he found her making her nightly tea.

"Would you like some?" He smiled at the simple question she asked him every night. Though he was sad that she would be disappearing for the rest of the evening once her tea was ready.

"No, thank you." He went over to the settee and sat down, pulling his book from the table.

While he waited for Anna to finish up and go upstairs, he was pleasantly surprised when she came and sat on the large chair to the side of the settee. He couldn't help but brighten his smile.

"I enjoyed today," Anna began their simple evening conversation.

"I did too."

To be continued...