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Chapter 10

Anna turned onto her side and slowly opened her eyes surprised to find Declan standing at the side of her bed, eyeing her carefully. The little boy just smiled when he saw her eyes open and he moved closer, placing his hands on her bed.

"You awake, Nana?" He brightly asked her. Anna smiled back at him.

"I am now," she murmured, reaching over to pat the top of his head.

"Declan!" John's voice called from the hallway. Anna could hear John's uneven steps coming toward her room. John's face peeked in and then he quickly turned away, almost as though he was afraid he was invading her privacy. "Declan, come here. Leave Anna alone."

"It's alright," Anna assured Declan. "Go on. I'll be downstairs in a minute."

Declan skipped away to the door.

"Sorry about that," John murmured, keeping his eyes down and shutting the door behind him. Anna just chuckled. She appreciated his gentlemanly nature, but there was nothing he needed to worry about seeing. She was still in bed and covered with the large blanket she had made for herself.

Pushing down the covers, Anna stood. She walked to her window in her room and opened the curtains. She only had a view of their small backyard and the backs of other cottages nearby. But it was still a lovely day. She smiled.

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

He prepared a big feast for breakfast. It was how Declan had snuck away from him. The little boy knew how to be quiet and spry on his feet. He had been asking about Anna and John kept telling him to wait because she was still asleep.

As he had turned to flip the pancakes, Declan had rushed upstairs in search for her. John was glad that Declan had taken so well to Anna. Though it was beginning to worry John what would happen with Declan once Anna had to leave. His little boy finally had a mother. Had he been wrong to give him this for only a short while?

He sighed. While he wasn't that much of a cook, he could make a simple breakfast. He cut up some fruit and sat them down on the table. Declan was now sitting in his own seat and playing with the family of bears Anna had gotten him for his birthday.

"Good morning," Anna's voice then filled the room. John's heart immediately swelled. He turned to see her bright and smiling.

"Good morning," John began. "I am so sorry that Declan broke away…"

"Please," Anna insisted. "Don't apologize. I didn't mind." Anna's eyes then fell to the table full of all the breakfast foods. "Wow that looks amazing. Why didn't you wake me? I could have helped."

"You watch Declan every day. Might as well rest up while you can," he said with a small wink. "It's all ready. Come on and sit down."

Anna did as she was told, taking her seat across from Declan's. The boy smiled brightly and showed Anna his bears.

"Declan, go and put your bears up so that we can eat breakfast."

"Alright!" Declan said, jumping down from his seat and gathering all the bears into his hands. He then took them to a small basket that was on the floor in the living room, before returning to his seat at the table.

"I was thinking," Anna began, "What if we all walked into the village today? Went somewhere for lunch?" John could tell that Anna was slightly nervous at this suggestion.

"That sounds wonderful," John replied, grinning. "Something different."

Anna seemed to ease with his response and she gathered a large bite of her food.

"I think so too."

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

They had grabbed sandwiches at a local shop and then went to sit down on a bench by some beautiful flowers to enjoy the lovely weather of the day. Declan found some children nearby to play with, so Anna and John watched him across the way as they munched on their light lunch.

John glanced over to Anna, who kept smiling while she watched his son play. He could see that she loved him. It was a weird feeling, knowing that his son was loved much like a mother would love him. It both warmed his heart and broke it. Anna would not be with them forever.

Shaking his thoughts away, John took another bite of his sandwich.

"I don't get to do this often," John mused. "I should bring Declan out here more. Often on my days off, we stay at the house."

"I'm sure he enjoys that too," Anna told him. "He adores you."

"And he adores you," John said, his eyes lingering on Anna's face. She was so beautiful, inside and out. While he knew the circumstances that brought her to him were tragic, he now couldn't picture his life without knowing her.

"He's such a lovely little boy," Anna continued on, obviously not realizing that John was staring at her. "I enjoy my days with him."

"I am so grateful for you, Anna," John said. Anna turned her face to him then and met his eyes. His breath nearly caught in his throat. "I couldn't do this without you."

"And I couldn't do it without you either," Anna simply answered, though the words held such meaning to him. "Do you mind if we go for a walk around the shops?"

The change of conversation was welcomed and John nodded.

"No, of course not. That sounds lovely. I'll get Declan and we can meet you over there at the bookshop." John stood, grabbing his cane. He could see Declan running around with the other children and having a blast. It would likely be hard to pull him away. Best to let Anna go on ahead.

Anna also stood and gave John a nod, before making her way across the street to the book store. John made his way toward his son and the other children. He laughed when Declan accidently ran into his leg, glancing up and smiling from ear to ear.

"Papa!"

"Tell you friends, goodbye," John said to his son. "We're going to go and meet Anna at the bookshop."

"Bye! Bye!" Declan immediately yelled, waving frantically and then taking his father's hand within his own. John was impressed at how easily that went and the two of them walked to the book store.

Before they stepped inside, John made sure that Declan's clothes were straight and to clean a smudge of dirt off his cheek.

When they went in, John quickly found Anna walking along the stacks. He was surprised when he saw that she appeared sad. She faced the two of them and pushed a smile on her lips, but John could tell she was unhappy. He had thought she was enjoying the day.

"Are there any books you'd like to get?"

Anna's head shook.

"No, that's alright."

"Are you sure?" John lightly pushed. "There are so many to choose from."

Anna inhaled sharply and her head ducked down, "Lou couldn't read. I had been working on teaching him how to read before he…passed. I was just reminded of the nights reading to him in our little flat."

"Oh, I see," John said. "We can go into another shop if you'd like."

"No," Anna quickly replied. "I love books. It was just a memory. I'm sure there will be more."

"Perhaps, we should get some books to read to Declan," John then said. At that suggestion, Anna brightened.

"Oh, yes. He loves books. Don't you, Declan?"

The little boy eagerly nodded.

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

Anna stopped by the window of a clothing shop. Her eyes fell on a beautiful blue hat in the window. She had never had anything so beautiful before. Her fingers went into her pocket to touch the few coins she had brought along with her to purchase flowers for Lou's grave. There was no way she would have enough for a hat like that. Plus, she was trying to save the extra money for Lou's gravestone. She sighed.

"Do you want that hat?" John questioned her, stepping up beside her. Anna just shook her head, turning away from the window.

"I'd never need something that elegant," she brushed off. "What would I do with a hat like that?" She chuckled to make it seem unimportant.

"Go out to dinner or just wear it because you like how it makes you feel," John answered.

Anna stepped faster, as Declan had begun to move forward and took his hand within her own to keep him from rushing away. Then she looked to John and shook her head.

"That seems rather wasteful, does it not?"

"Why don't you let me get it for you," John offered, "as a thank you for watching my son."

"You've given me a place to live and a weekly allowance," Anna stated. "I don't need a hat."

"My money is your money, Anna. We are a team, you and me."

Anna's heart clinched and she chewed on her lower lip. What was that feeling she felt? It obviously wasn't love; she still loved Lou. Friendship? Yes, that must be it. Anna hadn't had a friend in a long while. Sure, she had some acquaintances at her work in the city, but no close friends since she was a tweeny.

"I appreciate that, Mr. Bates," she grew formal, the closeness of them making her a little uncomfortable. "But you already bought me lunch."

"As I said," John just smiled, "we ate lunch together. It is our money, Anna. As long as you are married to me, what is mine is yours."

Anna blushed slightly. She had been very fortunate for John Bates to find her that evening and offer her this proposition. He was kind and caring. Had it not been for him, she would likely be working in a factory somewhere trying to save up to go to America and praying that she would be able to have enough by the time the baby was born.

"You're too kind," Anna finally said.

John just shook his head and gently touched the small of her back to lead her as they stepped down onto the street. His touch was electric. She nearly jumped from his contact, but was thankfully able to control herself. Then his touch was gone and she found that was a little disappointed.

"Here," John said, holding a fist over Anna's hand. Curiously, Anna opened her own hand and John dropped some money into it. "For Lou's flowers. I'm going to walk Declan back down with the other children. You take your time visiting your husband, Anna. We're in no hurry."

"Thank you."

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

That night Anna offered to put Declan down to bed. In the meantime, John decided to make Anna's tea for her. He knew she drank some every night and wanted it to be prepared when she was done.

He finished just in time to hear Anna stepping into the kitchen. She rested herself against the frame of the doorway and crossed her arms across her chest.

"Are you joining me tonight, Mr. Bates?" There was a playfulness to her tone. His heart skipped a beat.

"No, I'm afraid I don't like tea before bed. It makes me jittery," John confessed with a light laugh. Anna pushed herself up and smiled.

"That's funny. It calms me and helps to lull me asleep."

"And you're sleeping alright?" John hoped he wasn't prying too much. He just knew she had been struggling at the beginning of moving in with him.

"I am," Anna took the tea cup from his hand and walked over to the settee, taking a seat. John sat down beside her, pulling his new book from the table beside him.

"Would you like me to read aloud?"

"That could be nice," Anna stated. She slid deeper into the cushions, resting her head against the back. John couldn't help but smile. She really did seem like she belonged here now.

He read through the first chapter; his eyes scanning over to Anna after every few sentences, to find her eagerly listening to the story. But as he started the second chapter, he heard Anna gasp. As he glanced over to her, he saw that she was sitting up, her hand on her belly, and a smile growing on her lips.

"When are you due?" He just asked her. Anna sheepishly looked up at him, blinking rapidly.

"I…Sometime in January," she answered. "I…I probably should have told you sooner. I…I'm sorry. I only found out a little while ago and I…."

"It's alright. I was wondering when you were going to tell me."

Anna's mouth widened and she gulped like a fish for a moment, before asking, "How long have you known?"

"Since you turned your nose up to the eggs I made for breakfast," John simply answered. Anna looked pensive, her brows furrowing.

"I…I didn't even know then. I thought…." Her words paused. "I really am sorry for not telling you earlier. I wasn't meaning to deceive you. I just didn't know how…I promise I'll…"

"I think it's wonderful," John sincerely told her. "A little one to remember your Lou by. It's a blessing, truly and I couldn't be happier for you."

Anna let out a relieved sigh, before taking John's hand and placing it over the swell of her belly.

"I just felt him kick," she murmured. "It's why I gasped."

John couldn't believe she was trying to let him in on this special moment of hers. Vera had never allowed him to touch her belly when she was pregnant with Declan. She had only yelled at him for putting her through it.

"There," she said, pressing his hand harder. "Did you feel it?" John shook his head.

"No, I didn't."

Anna frowned. "It isn't very strong, maybe when he's bigger."

"And you know it's a boy?" John curiously asked her. She kept saying the word he with such conviction that it seemed she knew for sure.

"No," Anna chuckled. "I guess I'm hoping it's a boy for Lou."

"Did he want a boy?"
"He wanted two boys and two girls," Anna told him, meeting his eyes again. "But I guess I'm hoping it's a boy who looks like him."

"Whatever you have, you will still have those memories of him. But your little one will be his or her own person."

"That's true," Anna agreed, sliding back into the cushions. "Will you read me one more chapter before bed?"

"Absolutely."

TBC...