The World In Their Hands

What a lovely way to start the year, was the general response when they answered the question of when the baby was due. They'd waited until it was really rather obvious to tell the rest of the downstairs staff, who were quick in forthcoming with their well wishes and congratulations. Mr Molesley was especially effusive in hearing the news, exclaiming how wonderful it was. Miss Baxter had made the comment that he could look forward to teaching the junior Bates in the fullness of time, to which Mr Molesley was typically modest, making the comment that he didn't know if he'd be kept on for that long at the school.

Mrs Patmore mentioned that two of her sister's children had been born in January, and was quick to recount the old wives' tales about babies who were born in winter as being naturally hardy, equipped to take on any challenge that came their way. She soon followed up by saying that she was quite sure that the path ahead would be a smooth one for the little one, no doubt after Mrs Hughes had issued one of her unforgiving looks from across the servants' hall. Neither Anna nor John took any offence at the cook's words, both of them being too full of joy in sharing their utmost happiness with their closest colleagues.

It would certainly be a learning curve, and most definitely a year unlike any that they'd lived before, but they were ready for it. As ready as they could be, at least; they were wise enough to know that they would need to prepare for the unexpected. That was all part of the fun of parenthood; his Lordship and Lady Mary had said as much.

Once Lady Rose had rejoined the family upstairs, Miss Baxter and Mrs Patmore had quizzed Anna on whether she might have her dates mistaken. She answered by saying that she was as certain as she could be, although of course she hadn't experienced it before. I could be wrong, Mrs Patmore said, but you certainly look ready to drop at any moment. The thought unsettled Anna slightly, and that was before Daisy interjected and enquired as to whether it might be twins. Mrs Hughes was ever the voice of reason, making the point that, if anything, it was much more likely for a first child to be late. Perhaps she was intending to be reassuring, noticing how Anna had flushed a little at the conversation's turn. Everything at the cottage was in place; it had been for quite a few weeks now. Nobody was more eager to meet their little one than her and John themselves, but she still felt as though she needed those ten days or so to be completely ready. Not to mention that there was the wedding to get through first, not that she could ever expect to overshadow the future Marchioness of Hexham.

While the subject was soon diverted (though Mrs Patmore couldn't refrain from mentioning it once more, given how slight Anna typically was), the seed had been planted in her mind. That night she found herself taking longer to do everything, including getting off to sleep. Part of her wondered whether she might make it through the night without everything starting to happen. John was in tune with her but rather than play along with her worries he advocated reading as the solution. She didn't hear him read more than two pages before she was off to sleep, frayed nerves thoroughly soothed. When the morning arrived, the thoughts that had preoccupied her had evaporated with the early mist falling onto the ground. With soft words spoken to her stomach she was ready to face the day, settling herself to see the year out and wait that bit longer for the dream cherished so long to become reality.

Little did she realise that in less than forty eight hours she would be cradling their son in her arms.

Their son. They had a son.

How fitting it was that he made his appearance in the world under the same roof where his parents had first met, became friends and fell in love. It wasn't quite how it had been planned, but when it came down to it, it was really quite perfect.

From the moment both of them laid eyes upon him, they were completely and utterly in love, that was for certain. The entire world was centred around him, his head and one of his arms peeking from the shawl that he was wrapped in.

"I don't know what to say."

The smile filled her face as she turned her head to face John. While utterly exhausted, the warm weight of their little boy coupled with the look of sheer breath-taken joy written upon her husband made her feel light, as well as invincible.

"We've plenty of time for that," she assured him, rocking the baby ever so gently. He made a small sound, which was the sweetest thing either of them had ever heard.

She watched as John's hand came to tenderly stroke their child's head, and smiled as his lips pressed against her cheek.

"I love you," he said in a soft tone against her ear, "I love you both so much."

This moment, this very moment, was the most perfect one she had ever known in her life.

"And we love you too."

A/N: And there we have it! This took a lot longer than I was initially expecting, but it's great to make it to the end. Thanks so much to everyone who has read, favourited and reviewed.