Hi, readers. More happy times today! Enjoy!

March 2021

Since the previous evening, Anna felt tension slowly rising inside her. She was scheduled to have lunch with her mother that day, while Timmy was at school, and she was growing anxious. She had often wondered if this was a good idea. Everybody around her had encouraged her to do it, but she had been close to cancelling a number of times in the ten days that had passed since she had called her mother. She checked the time on her phone for the umpteenth time, and decided it was time to go. They were supposed to meet near York's train station, where Eileen Smith had booked a hotel room, and then take something to eat from a takeaway restaurant, since pubs and restaurants were still closed. Anna went to her bathroom, and looked at her reflection in the mirror. She thought she still looked somewhat tired, but then the last weeks, or rather, months, had been unforgiving. She at least looked a bit better than she did about a month ago, when John was in the ICU and she wondered if he would make it. She rearranged her hair and sighed, before turning away from the mirror.

Anna recognized her mother's silhouette in the distance, as she walked down the street in her direction. Eileen was petite and blonde like Anna was, and like Katie had been too. As she came closer, Anna noticed that her mother looked older, which was not surprising, since people were supposed to age in six and a half year's time. She must have changed too. But although Eileen seemed aged, Anna also thought that she looked freer, but at the same time a bit lost, like one would look when stepping out in the wide world after spending a very long time in captivity.

- Good morning Mum, called Anna as she approached her mother.

Eileen swirled around, a large smile lighting up her features.

- Oh, Anna, hi, she beamed.

The two women held each other's hands in silence for a moment.

- How lovely you look, finally said Eileen. You've not changed a bit.

- Ah ah, that's not true Mum, but thank you still, answered Anna.

Eileen looked at her daughter's face intently, and shyly asked:

- I'd really like to hug you, if you'll let me?

Anna didn't answer but rather bent forward and embraced her mother. When they parted, Eileen asked:

- So, do you know a good place here for takeaway?

- My favourite Indian restaurant is just around the corner, do you like Indian food?

- Sounds perfect to me.

They walked in silence until they found a bench in the nearby square, and sat to eat their lunch boxes. Silence stretched for another moment, both of them feeling a bit awkward. None of them seemed to know how they were supposed to start a mother/daughter conversation after having been out of touch for so long, and after parting on such terms as they had. They both decided to break the ice at the same time:

- Anna…

- Mum…

- You go, said Eileen.

- No, you, replied Anna.

- Alright, accepted Eileen. Oh my God, where do I start… Please, forgive me, I suppose, would be a good start. I'm sorry for having made so many bad decisions for so many years. For not being able to go against your father. You don't know how many times since you were born I have dreamt of putting both of you in the car, driving far away where he wouldn't find us, and start anew. But I never had the strength to act on it. Even when you were grown up and left, I didn't have the guts to leave him. I'm so ashamed.

Anna put her hand on her mother's knee and squeezed it.

- It's alright Mum. It's not your fault. It was his.

- But I did nothing to protect you. I wish I could go back in time and take a different road.

- Well, said Anna matter-of-factly, you can't. The past is the past, and no one can change it. But Mum, I'm happy now. And you have the right to be too.

A small hopeful smile crossed Eileen's face.

- I'm so proud of you Anna. You're that successful doctor, you're a mother, a wonderful one I'm sure.

- Well I don't know about that, but I'm doing my best.

- I'm sure you are. Would you show me some pictures of Timmy?

- Oh, sure, said Anna, reaching for her phone in her jacket.

The two of them beamed for a while over all of Timmy's pictures that were stacked in Anna's phone.

- Oh, I must show you what John and Timmy did for me for Mother's Day! exclaimed Anna, searching for the video of the song.

They watched it in silence, and once again it brought happy tears into Anna's eyes.

- Wow, that's a very sweet gift, said Eileen. They do seem to love you very much. So, this is the John?

- Yep, agreed Anna.

- He looks quite older than you, doesn't he?

- Yes, he is twelve years older. But I don't care one bit. He's my soul mate. Of that I don't have the slightest doubt. And he is the father Timmy has missed for so long.

- I'm very glad for both of you. So… you haven't kept in touch at all with Timmy's… genitor?

A shadow crossed Anna's face.

- No, she said curtly.

- Did he ever know that you had his child?

- No. And I won't ever tell him. Not that I could if I wanted to, because I have no idea of his whereabouts. And I'm not interested in them.

- Alright…

Eileen could feel her daughter had tensed, and she was not inclined in pursuing on that topic.

- I respect your decisions. If you ever want to tell me what really happened, I'll be there, she concluded.

- Thank you Mum.

They went on to discuss other things, among which the role the Carsons and Mary had played in supporting Anna during her pregnancy and in helping raising Timmy. They discussed how John and Anna had finally met after those several years being friends with the same family without knowing each other. They talked about John's work at Downton Abbey with Robert Crawley, about Anna's work throughout the pandemic. Eileen had been affected by a mild form of Covid at the beginning of January. She was sorry to hear about John's stay in the ICU, and about Mary's emergency delivery about six months ago.

After much catching up, Anna had to leave to pick up Timmy at school. Before they said goodbye, Eileen put her hand on Anna's cheek:

- I'm so happy that you agreed to meet me, my sweet girl. I really did miss you so much.

- I missed you too, Mum, said Anna.

- I'm…

Eileen hesitated for a moment, before going on:

- I'm thinking of moving back up here in Yorkshire. I have nothing left down there.

- Oh, said Anna, a little taken by surprise. Well, yes, that'd be nice. You said you wanted to be part of our life in the future, so it would sure be easier if you're around.

Eileen's lips curled up:

- I'm glad. When I sent you that letter, I feared you would just tell me to go to hell, after everything that happened. I would truly have understood if you had.

- I can't say it hasn't crossed my mind. I was angry at first when you called me… Well, I guess you had made that out from what I said to you, she chuckled. But I've cooled off since. I've thought a lot. I guess it's part of being an adult to learn to forgive one's parents for their mistakes.

Eileen looked intently to her daughter, her eyes shining with unshed tears.

- You're very wise.

- Well, you know, I've been working in an ICU for some years now, and I've seen a fair number of people who were caught unaware by disease or accident, and who regretted not having made the most of their lives, or not telling their loved ones what they meant to tell, not having mended bridges before it was too late and such things. It's a daily reminder that life is short and shouldn't be wasted.

- Right. It makes sense. So, I guess we'll see each other again soon?

- Sure. I really have to go now Mum. I can't be late at school.

- Of course. Goodbye my girl. Thank you so much for today.

x x x x

At the end of the afternoon on the next Friday, Anna was once again driving John's car towards Scarborough, to pick up John and bring him home this time. The mood was merry aboard the car. Anna had put some music on the car sound-system, and both she and Timmy were singing at the top of their voice:

"Cover me in sunshine

Shower me with good times

Tell me that the world's been spinning

Since the beginning

And everything will be alright..."

Timmy was beside himself with excitement with John's return, and he had harassed his mother dozens of time each day for the whole week, asking again and again when they were going to go fetch him. He had nearly made Anna go out of her mind.

At last, they arrived at the rehab centre, and John was there, waiting for them with all his stuff packed at his feet. Hugs and kisses were exchanged, and they stored everything in the car's trunk. Then Anna turned to John, and took his hand:

- Come on soldier, let's take you back home! she exclaimed with a happy gleam in her eyes. And don't you dare ever do this to us again.

John laughed.

- I'll try my best. Oh Lord I am so happy to finally come home. Like sleep in a real bed, eat some real food… Kiss my lady at will, he teased, nuzzling the crook of her neck.

- Well, let's go then! Timmy and I were thinking, pizzas, ice cream and a movie, as a welcome home party, is that alright?

- Sounds perfect to me!

An hour later, John had settled his luggage back at Anna's, and the three of them were sitting on the couch, eating pizzas. Timmy had chosen the movie from a list of suggestions Anna had offered, and so they were watching "M. Peabody & Sherman".

- Did you know that movie, John? asked Anna casually.

- No, he said. Quite interesting…

- Yeah, interjected Timmy lively, see, Sherman had no parents, so M. Peabody became his dad, even though he's a dog!

- Yes, I see, agreed John.

- It's like you and me! Like I'm Sherman and you're M. Peabody. Although I do have a Mum too, said the boy thoughtfully.

- And, also, I'm not a dog, sorry, replied John. And I'm far less clever than M. Peabody, too. I can't take you into time travel I'm afraid.

- Oh, I don't mind, said the boy breezily, waving his hand. I'd be too scared anyway.

- OK, well that's for the best then. We'll stick to guitar lessons. Much less dangerous than time travel.

Anna and John's gazes met across Timmy's small form snuggled between them, and they exchanged a silent laugh.

- Kids…, whispered Anna.

Timmy had requested that John told him his bedtime story that night, so Anna had already kissed the boy good night and left them together. She had finished cleaning the living-room and kitchen and went to the bathroom for her night-time routine. As she rummaged into her drawers, she came across the oxazepam pills flacon. She reached for it and held it out in her hand for a thoughtful moment. John was safe and back, the Carsons had got their second vaccine shots just the day before, her meeting with her mother had gone pretty well… She smiled to herself, and dumped the small container into the bin. She felt confident she wouldn't need it any more. She brushed her hair and her teeth and went back to her bedroom where she settled into bed, waiting for John, who came in moments later.

- He's asleep. I think excitement wore him out, said John in a low voice.

Anna smiled to him, and put her book down as he started to undress and crawled into the bed next to her. They looked intently at each other's for a few seconds, and each of them marvelled at the fire they saw burning into the other's eyes. It lasted a mere moment before their lips melted together, and their hands started exploring each other's body with an urgency that had rarely been matched in their shared history. A moan of pleasure left Anna's throat, and she panted as their lips reluctantly separated.

- Are you sure you're feeling up to this? she questioned, worried that John's physical state was still too fragile.

- Jesus Anna, I have dreamt of that moment every day and every night for over a month. It is all I could focus on to give me strength during rehab, when I was sweating my ass off, and all I wanted was to tell the physio to bugger off and let me die in peace. I closed my eyes and pictured that very moment, and I knew I could do whatever he wanted me to do, if it got me closer to being in your arms.

Anna gently stroked his cheek, and whispered:

- Alright then. But we'll take it slowly this first time. And I'll stay on top, so that it's less tiring for you.

- Whatever you wish my darling, he conceded. As long as I can feel your skin on my skin, and your lips on my lips, I'll be happy.

- Let's proceed, then, she said matter-of-factly, as she sat herself and took off her T-shirt deftly.

The world around them disappeared for a while, as they slowly celebrated their reunion.

They lay side by side, basking contentedly in the aftermath of pleasure, Anna's head resting on John's chest, and him absent-mindedly stroking her golden hair. Every other minute, a happy sigh escaped one or the other's lips.

- Boy, do I love you, Anna Smith.

Anna chuckled, and turned her face upwards to look up to John.

- And look at me. I spent so many years convincing myself that I needed no man in my life. And then I felt I was going to break down with the thought that I could lose you. I don't know if I needed a man, but I definitely needed you. I guess that means I love you too, John Bates.

John pulled her a bit closer and left a kiss on her forehead. Anna pulled herself apart from him a bit, and raised herself on her elbow:

- So… I've been thinking…

- Yes? he inquired, curiously.

- About what we discussed before you fell ill, that we would need to find a home for us. And then about what you said when you were in the ICU, that Timmy and I could live into your mother's house…

- Yes? he repeated.

- Well, then I added two and two, and I figured, maybe all three of us could move into your mother's house? I mean, if that's something you'd be willing to do, of course.

A large grin broke out on John's face, and he bent towards Anna to kiss her.

- I'd love it, he breathed into her ear. But we need to see if you like the house first! And it will need some refreshing. But if you do like it, yes, I'd be very glad. And I know my mother would have loved for me to have my family live into this house.

- Then we'll go and see it. See if we can picture ourselves making a life there together. Goodnight love.

- Goodnight my darling.

They fell asleep, their bodies still entangled, and slept better than they had for many weeks.

So, we are now almost back to present time. I considered putting this story on pause, giving myself time to see how things will unfold in Britain in the next few weeks, but I don't want to stop publishing now, since I have a good flow... So I decided to assume an optimistic storyline, in which the pandemic will slowly get better and the lockdown lifting goes on as planned. Then we'll see how it goes. If there are plot twists IRL, I'll try to adapt. Thank you for sticking to the story, and don't forget to review please!