- You seem bouncy tonight Anna? inquired Lady Mary as she was getting ready for dinner.
- I'm looking forward to tomorrow my Lady, smiled the Lady's maid.
- Why is that?
- You know I changed Mr Bates's and my half-day for tomorrow? It is Mr Bates's birthday, and I have a special day planned.
- Oh, I see. That's sweet.
- He has been so good to me in those past few months, I felt like I needed to do something special.
- Well I'm glad to know things are good between you two.
- Thank you my Lady. Everything's not solved and gone away but… we're going forward.
Anna took a moment in silence to arrange Lady Mary's hair, before asking:
- And… you went to York today? How did it go?
- Oh yes. I must say, your attorneys are really interesting women. I've been impressed. Anyway, they briefed me on the trial and all. But I'm not one of the most crucial witnesses, I saw you a bit later. Mrs Hughes and Dr Clarkson will really make the deal, if you want my opinion. And you of course.
- I do hope so, answered Anna thoughtfully. But all the same, thank you so much for taking the trouble my Lady.
x x x x
It was lunchtime the next day, and Bates was coming back from his Lordship's dressing-room for lunch in the servants' hall. He scanned the hall in search of Anna, but did not find her.
- Mrs Hughes, have you seen Anna? he asked the Housekeeper.
He knew that Anna had arranged for both of them to have their half-day that afternoon, but half-days usually began after lunch. However, Anna had negotiated otherwise with Mrs Hughes and Mr Carson, and she was already at the cottage, waiting for him, though he didn't know that.
- Mr Bates, I think Anna has already gone back to the cottage, you should join her there, answered Mrs Hughes with a smile.
- To the cottage? Already? But…, he said, puzzled.
- I think she has planned something for your birthday, added Ms Baxter with a friendly smile.
- Oh. And, you and Mr Carson agreed on us leaving before lunch, Mrs Hughes?
- We did. You deserve a little quality time together, Mr Bates. Go.
- Alright, thank you. And good afternoon then, he said, going to fetch his coat and hat.
As he came near the cottage, a delicious smell made his stomach grumble. So, Anna had cooked a birthday lunch. He entered the house and called in:
- Anna?
She appeared from the kitchen, wearing an apron.
- Yes darling.
- You little minx, you didn't tell me you had lunch at home planned!
- Well, how would it have been a surprise if I had told you?
He circled an arm around her waist and kissed her.
- It smells so good… Did you do it all?
She chuckled.
- I must confess that I have relied a little bit on Daisy… But I helped her, yesterday afternoon.
- This is such a good idea!
He looked at her at arms' length and noticed the clothes she was wearing underneath the apron.
- Aren't those the same clothes you wore on our wedding day?
She flushed a little bit, and smiled:
- I wondered if you would remember. Yes, they are.
- I will never forget how radiant you looked on that day my darling. And still today, he added, kissing her forehead.
- You're a flatterer Mr Bates! she chuckled. Come in, it's ready, we should not let it wait.
She pulled on his hand, and led him to the kitchen. She had laid a fancy table, with a delicate table cloth, fancy plates and cutlery she had obviously borrowed from the Abbey since they didn't own such at the cottage. There were candles and a flower arrangement carefully disposed on the table.
- Oh, Anna, this is beautiful. You shouldn't have taken such trouble.
- Oh, and why shouldn't I take a little trouble to celebrate my beloved husband's birthday?
He laughed.
- Alright, you win. Let's taste this, I am famished.
- Great! Sit down.
She took the dish from the oven and served their plates. She made a point to keep the conversation light and away from the trial subject. They managed to enjoy a nice and simple intimate moment, leaving behind for a while the shadows that had kept tailing them for the last months. When they had finished the main course, before serving dessert, Anna fetched a small box and handed it to John.
- Happy birthday John, she smiled shyly.
- Oh, Anna, you shouldn't…
- Please, stop telling me what I should or shouldn't do for you, John, or I'll get crossed! she said pointedly.
He held his hands up, admitting defeat.
- Alright my love, thank you very much, he said, accepting the gift with a warm smile.
He concentrated a moment on opening the gift, and his eyes grew wide when he discovered the delicately crafted pocket watch.
- Anna… It is wonderful! I love it, he said, getting up to kiss her.
Before he could, she stopped him and said:
- Look at the back of it.
He turned the watch around and noticed that she had had some words carved on it. He whispered:
- "Love always, your Anna".
He felt his eyes water, and his voice wavered slightly:
- Oh darling, thank you so much.
He put the watch carefully back into the box and on the table, before lifting her off her feet into a tight embrace.
- I love you, he murmured against her neck.
- I love you too.
When he had put her back on the floor, she quickly wiped her eyes and said:
- Should we eat dessert now? This I made myself. Under Daisy's supervision.
- Nice, he replied. Let's taste it then.
After finishing their lunch, they had settled quietly into the settee, with steaming cups of tea, and Anna had enjoyed John reading to her a chapter of the novel they had started a few days ago. It was a habit of theirs, which she loved. He would read out loud while she would knit or sew something. The sound of his voice had a soothing effect on her, and they would discuss their respective views on the storyline or characters. When John came to the end of the chapter, she gathered her courage, and took the book out of his hands to put it back on the table.
- Don't you want me to go on? he asked.
- Maybe later. Right now, there's another gift I'd like to give you.
- What? Another?
She flushed a little and answered:
- This one you'll unwrap upstairs.
He looked a bit puzzled, but followed her upstairs. She entered the bedroom, then boldly stood in front of him. He looked around the room, and asked:
- So? Where is it?
She chuckled. Men really could be thick sometimes. Even her beloved husband. She made a hand gesture to show herself.
- It is I, you silly beggar. I want you to make me yours again.
Comprehension dawned on him, and he looked at her, worried:
- Oh, Anna, are you sure you want to do this?
- This is why I dressed like I did on our wedding day. This is going to be our second wedding night. Even if it's three o'clock in the afternoon.
John smiled, and brought his hand to her cheek.
- Alright…
Her hand came to rest on the back of his, and she looked up to him, trust shining in her eyes.
- Just bear in mind that I'm about as nervous as I was on our first wedding night. But it went well in the end.
John laughed at the sweet memory.
- We could say that indeed. "Well" is rather an understatement if you ask me.
- So, I'm confident that it will be alright this time too. I have faith.
- I have the greatest faith in you my darling.
- Now, listen to me. You say you have faith in me, so please, don't ask me every other minute if I'm sure, if I'm alright, if I really want this or that. It only makes me more nervous. I know you do it out of concern for me, and I'm grateful for it, but I don't need it right now. I need you to trust me to know what my limits are, and to tell you if needed. Alright? I just want you to act normally. If something comes up, I'll let you know. I swear.
He looked at her intently, and softly answered:
- Alright. I understand.
- Thank you.
With that, she put her hands on the back of his neck, and pulled him into a kiss. She soon pulled him onto the bed and they laid side by side. He trailed kisses in the crook of her neck while his hand undid her white blouse's buttons
- You are so beautiful Anna, I want you so much, he whispered huskily in her ear.
His words sent tingles down her spine, and she breathed back:
- I know, I want you too. I am yours, and you are mine.
- For ever my love. May I unwrap my gift completely? he teased
- Please, do.
He got her rid of her clothes gently, but efficiently, until his eyes met with the garter. He looked up at her and she gave him a saucy look.
- So you did plot this to the smallest details, did you? he smirked.
- I might have…
- It's been such a long time since I've seen this beauty, I must inspect it closer, he said, bending upon her.
He started lining wet kisses on her skin just above the garter, and she closed her eyes, moaning. She opened her eyes when she felt his mouth leave her skin.
- I think I need to unwrap myself too, said John, sitting upright on the bed.
- Let me help you, she said, getting him rid of his shirt and undershirt.
Her hands hungrily roamed his chest and back while he worked on losing his pants. Soon they found themselves naked under the covers. The feeling of his naked body brushing on hers felt glorious, and she knew he was feeling just the same when her hand closed around him and started teasing. He inhaled sharply and mouthed:
- Oh God Anna… Please, easy, it's been more than six months… We don't want to hurry too much.
- I'm sorry, she whispered, releasing her grip.
- It's alright love. Please, let me take care of you. That would be my best gift.
- How can I say no to that, she chuckled.
She laid back and surrendered herself to his attentions. Six months may have passed but he had not forgotten what set her on fire. She enjoyed his ministrations for a good while, then suddenly felt it was time. She turned around and climbed up on him, straddling him. She bent upon him and nibbled on his earlobe:
- Now it's my turn to lead, she whispered.
She straightened up and saw the look of wonder and worship on his face, and a smile dawned on hers. This felt good, and she was not afraid. This was were she was meant to be. This was home. She moved on top of him and took him inside her, and she marvelled at how right it felt. It didn't feel foreign or alien. On the contrary, she felt he was filling up the last piece of her that was missing. He was making her complete. His hands settled on her hips, and his thumbs started drawing small circles on the skin of her belly. She felt powerful when she started moving and read pleasure and anticipation on his face. She moved on her own rhythm for a while, and when they were almost there, he suddenly sat up, and held on her so tight, his lips finding hers, tongues dancing with each other. They continued moving in harmony, until they both found grace at the same time, wrapped around each other, murmuring loving words into each other's ear. Afterwards, they stayed embraced for a long time, cheek against cheek, their tears mixing up together in a wet pool between them. Then John collapsed back on the pillow, sighing deeply, and Anna lay down at his side, his arm around her. He couldn't stop kissing the top of her head.
- Love always, your Anna, she murmured against his chest.
- My Anna, he repeated in wonder. The strongest and most beautiful woman the earth has ever seen, who will overcome every challenge God will send her.
She smiled.
- Don't say that too loud or He'll think He can go on and send me some more. I'd say I've had enough now. A little quiet and happiness would be nice.
- I'll do everything in my power to give you that my love.
- I know you will, she said, stroking his chest with the palm of her hand. I love you John.
- I love you too Anna, so very very much. Every day I think I cannot love you more, and everyday I am proved wrong.
There we are, V for Victory (phase 1)! Love conquers all...