Hi people. So, I've lost some of my mojo (and of my readership too, it seems) on Breaking the Waves, so I thought I would let it rest for a little while. Don't worry if you're interested, I'll come back to it in due time.
In the meantime, I thought I'd start on that story, which was born into my mind when Lemacd asked for a happy Baxley story. So I promise there will be no drama in this story (or really just the minimal amount necessary for the story to unfold, but not much). I like going back and forth between Modern AU and canon-era, so let's go back to 1927, just when the Royal visit has ended. Enjoy, and let me know what you think.
Chapter 1: New beginnings
The storm had quieted down, as the Royal party had finally left Downton Abbey, and the family had been seen off safely to the ball. The servants gathered in the servants' Hall, that had recovered its usual atmosphere. They sat down at the long table, and had a quiet dinner, unhurried since there was no dinner to be served upstairs. Every one was chatting and commenting on the Royal visit, and the coup d'état they had led against the Royal staff. For sure, those few days would stay carved into the marble of Downton history. When the dinner was over, the Bates family prepared to go back to the cottage. Since the family did not know at what time they would come back home, and since it was not unlikely that this would happen in the small hours of the morning, they had told their personal servants to go home and not wait for them. So, Anna, Bates and the little Johnny, were ready to walk their way home.
- Goodnight everyone, called Anna to the staff.
- Goodnight Mrs Bates, Mr Bates, replied Ms Baxter and a few other voices in unison. See you tomorrow.
The three Bateses started their walk home, but the youngest one soon requested his mother's arms. The walk was quite a long one for his little legs. As she carried him, John noticed that she stifled several yawns.
- You seem tired, my darling. Those days have been quite hectic. Do you want me to carry him? he offered.
But Anna knew that it was hard for him to manage carrying the boy, who kept getting heavier, on his one free arm, while the other was busy with the cane.
- No, I'm alright. But I'll welcome my bed tonight.
When they finally made it home, John went straight up to put his son to bed.
- I'll make us some tea meanwhile, said Anna, as he walked up the stairs with the boy, already half asleep on his shoulder.
But when he went back down to the sitting room, he found the kettle whistling on the stove, and his wife asleep on the settee. He went to the kitchen and put the fire out, and came back to Anna. A gentle squeeze on her shoulder roused her. She stirred and mumbled:
- I think I might have dozed for a moment.
- I think you have, he laughed. Never mind tea, let's get you in bed too.
A few minutes later, they had settled in bed, her snuggled against him, and his hand slowly stroking her now short blond hair. He had been sorry the day she had decided to have it cut. He had always had a special infatuation for his wife's blond locks, since long before she had become his wife. But he was not one to tell her what she could or couldn't do, and when, following Lady Mary's lead, she had decided that she wanted a "garçonne" hairdo, as was the new fashion in those années folles, he had kept his objections to himself.
- This Royal circus has really worn you out, he noticed, as Anna was yawning, out loud this time.
- It has… she agreed.
But after a few seconds' silence, she went on:
- Although, it might not be just the Royals…
John shifted himself a little in the bed, to get a better look at her face:
- What do you mean? he asked expectantly.
She was unable to conceal her happy smile longer.
- Well… I wasn't going to tell you so soon, but… we did agree on no more secrets so…
- So?! he repeated, not willing to get ahead of himself, although he was starting to guess where she was headed.
- I think I might be pregnant.
The brightest of grins split his face in the following second.
- Oh, my darling!
He hugged her closer, and bent to kiss her nose.
- I'm so happy, he beamed. How sure are you?
- I'm three weeks late, and I've been having those symptoms that can't really be mistaken… But…
A shadow crept on her happy face:
- We can't get carried away with joy before I've been to see Dr Ryder again, you know that.
- Yes, of course.
- I'll have to talk to Lady Mary, and arrange a trip to London. Sooner than last time hopefully, so we don't have to do it in an emergency this time.
- That'd be better indeed.
He suddenly realized something else:
- Oh, Jesus, and you went out in the dead of night, under the pouring rain to set out all those chairs, in your condition! Anna, that was unreasonable!
- Ah, ah, Mr Bates, don't start treating me like an invalid. I won't like it.
He pouted, but knew very well that he was never going to have her act any other way than the one she would decide. He had had enough time to realize it during her first pregnancy, when she had worked until the very last moment, although he had begged her to rest hundreds of time.
- Sorry dear, he said, stroking her cheek. I'm just worried about you, is all.
- I know you are Mr Bates. And I love you for that.
- So… If we're to have two children, maybe we'll have to discuss again our plans for the future… I mean, Lady Mary has been very kind to Johnny, but I don't think it would be proper for us to fill Downton's nursery with little Bateses.
Anna laughed.
- Yes, we'll have to discuss it, in due course. But there's still time for that. Right now, I am exhausted.
- Of course, you should sleep, my darling. Sorry I'm keeping you up. Goodnight.
He kissed her one more time, and whispered lowly in her ear:
- I love you Mrs Bates… before turning the lamp off.
x x x x
In her little room in the servants' quarter at the Abbey, Miss Baxter was preparing herself for the night too. In the past, the servants' quarters had been fully occupied, but these days, more and more rooms stayed empty. Now Mrs Hughes was living in her cottage with Mr Carson, Daisy was living at Yew Tree Farm with Mr Mason, and Albert, the hall boy, lived in the village with his family, as did all the maids. So it was really only herself, Mrs Patmore, Andy and Thomas Barrow left. As she was going through her nightly routine, Miss Baxter was thinking back on the last days' events, and particularly over Mr Molesley's part in them. She knew that many people thought he was silly and had acted foolishly in front of the King and Queen, but she couldn't help finding him endearing. It had been months now, or really years, in fact, that she'd been trying to make him understand without being too obvious that she had feelings for him, and that she would like him to make a move on them. Last time they had talked, she had tried to say it as clearly as she could.
"You can never be a fool to me", she had insisted. How could she make it more plain?
She thought he had caught her meaning this time. But would he find the guts to act on it? She knew he was very shy and self-conscious. She wondered if she would have to ask him out herself in the end.
Sighing, she settled in bed with her book.
x x x x
The next morning, all the staff was gathered around the breakfast table, as Mr Barrow was giving out the morning post.
- This one's for you, Miss Baxter, he said, handing her the envelop.
Anna, who was sitting beside her, was pushing food around her plate. She had been having bouts of morning sickness these last few days, which made it difficult to eat anything in the morning. Tea was the only thing her stomach accepted gladly. So she took the offered distraction gladly when she heard Baxter, exclaim:
- Oh, that's nice, as she read her letter.
- Good news, Miss Baxter? she inquired.
- Oh, nothing grand, replied the older lady's maid. Only my sister inviting me to my nephew's birthday. I'll have to ask Mrs Hughes and her Ladyship if they would let me change my half-day next week.
- Oh, I didn't know you had a sister and a nephew near?
- Yes, because they only moved to Ripon a few months ago, when my brother-in-law found a place in a factory there. Before they had been living in Southampton, so I didn't see them a lot. But I'm glad they're near now. I am the boy's godmother, so it's good I can see him more often.
- Oh, yes, it's nice indeed.
Conversation went on, until Albert the hall boy appeared in the door frame, calling out:
- Miss Baxter, there's Mr Molesley outside, he says he'd like to talk to you.
Baxter looked up, surprised as to why Mr Molesley would show up that early in the morning on a school day. She got up and walked to the back door.
- Thank you Albert, she nodded to the boy as she passed him.
She stepped out in the back yard, and indeed found Molesley, turning his hat in his hands, looking quite flushed.
- Good morning Mr Molesley, she said, in her most welcoming tone, hoping to help the man soothe his spirits.
- Good morning Miss Baxter, he replied.
- What brings you here, before school?
- Well, you know, it's just… he stuttered, as was his habit when his nerves got the best of him.
Miss Baxter took pity of him, and put a reassuring hand on his arm:
- Mr Molesley, it's alright. Just get it out.
He exhaled a nervous laugh, and said:
- Alright, get it out, you're right. Well, I've kept thinking about what you said to me the other day, and… I was wondering if… I mean… If you'd like to come with me to the pictures someday.
She smiled fondly. At long last, he had asked her out. Good things came to those who wait, they said.
- I'd love it, Mr Molesley!
Then she thought back about her sister's letter she was still holding.
- Although… I'm sorry but I already have something planned for my next half-day. See, my sister had asked me to come to my godson's birthday next Sunday, in Ripon. Oh, but maybe I could ask her if I can bring you? Would you like it?
Molesley flushed to the roots of his sparse hair.
- You would… introduce me to your family? he asked, in disbelief.
- Why not? If we're going to… be seeing each other, you might as well meet my family. I already know your father.
- Er, alright, well, I'd be very glad, if your sister will have me.
- I'll write her back today. I'll let you know! Now, I have to get back, I'm sorry. I don't think Her Ladyship will be up that early, after yesterday's ball, but you never know. And I have some work to do.
- Yes, and anyway, I must go back to the school. Have a good day Miss Baxter.
- And you too, Mr Molesley.
As Mr Molesley started his walk back to the school, a triumphant grin on his face, Miss Baxter went back into the servants' Hall, smiling too, although more discreetly.
- So, Miss Baxter, how's the suitor doing, asked Thomas Barrow, his usual smug grin plastered on his face.
- Don't be unkind, Mr Barrow, she warned.
But Thomas's mind was too filled with memories of a certain Richard that day, to waste too much time on teasing others. He didn't think much of Molesley, but hell, if he was to Miss Baxter's taste, what could he say. Unlikely as it was, Her Ladyship did ring the following instant, and Baxter made her way upstairs, a smile still lingering on her face.