Very, Very Happy

In any other circumstances she would have found it very frustrating, and also very lazy of her. It was still very strange to be here, lying in bed in one of the rooms at Lady Rosamund's residence as if she had any right to do so. She had slept for most of the morning and early afternoon, and it was only now that the news was beginning to sink in. The doctor's words echoed clear in her mind, bringing a smile to her face.

"Your baby is safe, Mrs Bates. It all went well."

She let herself think properly, somewhat indulgently, now that it was not just a hazy prospect that she hoped could come to be but completely real. She touched her stomach tentatively, not expecting anything but feeling relief and a surge of happiness. At last, she could allow herself to be excited.

There came a knock upon the door and then a voice.

"Don't get up."

It was such a funny sight to see; Lady Mary coming through carrying a tray. She moved very slowly towards the bed, as though she was afraid of dropping it at any second.

Anna tried valiantly to stop herself from laughing, but she couldn't manage it.

"This is quite a shift in roles, m'lady."

"You're one of the very few people I'd do this for. Are you comfortable?"

"Very much so."

"You won't need to move a muscle. I shall be going out shortly, but I've spoken to Mead. If there's anything you require, all you have to do is ring."

"I think I'm alright, though I appreciate it very much."

Lady Mary smiled fondly.

"Thank you, m'lady. Ever so much. I don't know how I can ever repay you."

"Nonsense," she waved a hand, "like I've said, you've done more than you have needed to for me over the years. It was the very least I could do in return. I hope that now you can enjoy some peace of mind."

"Much more than that. It means everything, to me and to Mr Bates."

She was already imagining the look on his face as she told him the happiest news there ever was to tell.

"I'll call Doctor Ryder first thing tomorrow just to check that everything is as it should be, he's said he's happy to come out. Then we can head back, and we'll have you back in the hands of Bates." She paused for a moment with a smile, before adding, "both of you."

What a wonderful thing that was to think about.

He had not expected to feel as euphoric as he did, not given the thoughts that had stirred in his mind since he had seen her off in the cover of darkness. He had not believed that there was anything the matter with Lady Mary, and he tried all he could not to let matters run away with him. There was relief when he saw the car returning early that morning, yet fear had crept up upon him too. A cleaver across his chest that told him, once and for all, that was it.

How quickly things could change, and how glad he was of that.

Ecstatic.

Throughout the party he was restless, almost unable to keep still. Trying to mask the complete and utter joy that was bounding around inside him was the toughest feat he had ever faced. Anyone would imagine that he was incredibly happy for the newlyweds, almost happier than they were themselves. He was desperate to catch Anna alone but it proved impossible. Indeed he had to wait until the gathering was over, and then they had their respective duties to go about.

Her voice rang in his head and gave song to his heart, the radiance of her smile replayed to him as he hurried through his tasks, being more careless than he usually was.

"Really."

The time finally came when they could leave for the night, Anna giving rather prolonged farewells to Mrs Hughes, as she was to continue to be known. She smiled at him as they gathered up their things, and he had to fight hard to resist the urge to sweep her up as they got out of the door, being all the more mindful of her welfare.

Instead he kissed her with the full pelt of his feeling, wrapping his arms around her petite and precious frame. He could feel her smiling against his mouth, the joy transferred.

She didn't need to ask him what it was for, and he could not give a singular coherent answer.

"You know you have made me the happiest man living?"

She let out a melodic laugh. "I thought that Mr Carson had that honour for the time being?"

"He can contend me for the title if he likes. Not that I'd say why."

"Not just yet," she said, and of course he was more than content to comply with her wishes, even if he wanted to climb to the roof and shout it for the world to hear.

For now it was enough that both of them knew, as well as Lady Mary and Mr Branson, to whom he would be eternally grateful.

"Half of me thinks I'm going to wake up any moment," he confided.

He saw the recognition in her eyes, which was eclipsed by the smile of sheer beauty on her face.

"I know," she answered, and reached to clutch his hand, "but it's real. We're going to have a baby, John."

What a marvellous thing that was to hear, and a fact that he would never tire of.