Hi everyone! So, it's been a little while since I've updated this story, so let's go back to our two favorite couples' adventures. This chapter will be mostly Baxley. I'm afraid there's a sad news at the end, I'm sorry about that, but it was a sacrifice I had to make in order to achieve my ultimate goal. Enjoy!

On this August evening, Baxter and Molesley were alone in the servants' Hall, chatting over a late night cup of tea. Every one else had already gone to bed, including Barrow, who had left them to their own devices, once again ironically commenting about how Mr Carson would not have let them get away with that. The wedding date had been settled for the very beginning of September, and Molesley was still haunting the servants' Hall at any occasion. That night, Phyllis had been worried, because her sister had written to her again, and this time, the young Joseph had been taken ill with measles.

- I hope it doesn't get too serious, she said, sipping her tea.

- I think it rarely is, for children his age, isn't it? replied Molesley.

- Yes, you're right.

- Ah, children. Both such a joy and such a worry… mused Joseph.

Phyllis eyed him warily:

- Aren't you too disappointed that I won't be able to give you any?

Molesley scoffed:

- What? No! I never thought I'd get married ever, let alone have children… I mean, I would have liked being a father, don't mistake me. But I've abandoned that idea long ago. I've got all my pupils now.

He bent towards Phyllis and gently took her hand:

- Don't worry, Phyllis, you'll be more than enough to make me happy.

Baxter smiled:

- I'm glad to hear that.

- But it is the truth, my dear.

After a few seconds' silence, he went on:

- What about you? Do you regret not having children?

- Oh, me… I never really thought of it. Like you, I'd never thought I'd get married so I never even considered it. But… I guess I would have liked it too. But well, we have to take life as it comes. It seems parenthood was not meant to be, for us. As you said, you will be enough to make me happy.

Molesley smiled back to her.

- I'll be going home now, it's late, you should be sleeping, and so should I.

They both got up, and he kissed her chastely on the cheek.

- I can't wait for us not to have to part every night, she said.

- Yes, me too, he agreed. Soon, my dear. It's less than a month away now.

x x x x

The sale of the Grantham Arms had been completed at the beginning of August, to the great satisfaction of both sellers and buyers. Now Anna and John spent every moment they could spare from the Abbey there, to get it ready. They had chosen to close the inn for two months to have it refurbished and modernized before reopening it mid-October. Anna's due date was just before Christmas, so they would be well settled when the baby would come, as they had wished from the beginning. They had agreed with Lord Grantham and Lady Mary to stay in their service until the end of September, but the masters had granted them more free time to allow them to manage the transition.

That day, Anna was sewing curtains for their future lodgings, using the sewing machine that John had given her as a present for her last birthday. She was now as well equipped, if not better, as Baxter. And she was making the best of it, producing curtains, bed linen, towels and such like for them and the inn, and clothes for the whole family. She was a skilled seamstress, even Lady Mary agreed on that. The Lady was often lamenting these days about how she would never find as good a lady's maid as Anna had been. Anna had offered to train Lily as her replacement, since the girl had been in the Abbey's employment as a house maid for years and she was a good worker. After debating, Lady Mary had decided that she would start dressing herself on her own, much to her grand-mother's dismay, as she didn't feel anyone besides Anna would fit in to play that intimate role. But Lily would be in charge of managing her clothes and shoes. As for the chats that Lady Mary said she would dearly miss, Anna happily hinted that her former employer would always be welcome for tea in their new lodgings, an offer Mary intended to take on as often as possible. On the other hand, Lord Grantham had not resolved to do without a proper valet. The habit of having someone to dress him was so old and well-ingrained, and he was less prone to "modernizing", so he was looking for someone to take Bates's place. Barrow of course was no longer interested in the position, having secured the more enticing place of butler, and there was no other male servant in the staff who was in a position to be given the job. Andy was not interested, as he intended to gradually take over Mr Mason's farm, and Albert was much too young and inexperienced. Lord Grantham had asked Bates and Barrow to conduct interviews of candidates together and to introduce him with whom they thought would be a suitable candidate. The two men were not overly keen on having to spend more time together and find common ground, but since it was needed to organize Bates's departure from the Abbey, Barrow found some goodwill to put into the task.

As Anna was finishing sewing her piece of curtain, John came back into the cottage, back from the inn. Anna looked up and brightly smiled to him, as he bent over her and kissed her hair:

- Hello my darling. Are things progressing as you wish?

- Very well, when I'm not hindered by this young man putting anything he can find into his mouth, she said, gesturing to Johnny, who was sitting on the floor beside her, playing with toy animals. I found him chewing on one of your belts earlier!

- Naughty boy, laughed John. Well I hope it helped with the teething at least.

- How did it go for you? asked Anna. Is everything settled with the plumber and the electrician?

- Yes, it's all done. They will be starting the work as soon as the inn is closed, next week.

- Good.

They had decided to modernize the building, updating the electricity to bring it to the whole building, and to add a sink to every room of the inn. Some of the rooms would even have a complete private bathroom. As they were speaking, Johnny had noticed his father's arrival, and had got up and was now tugging on his pants and noisily trying to obtain his attention.

- What's that now, my lad? said John bending over his son. This is a very fine horse you have here, he said, taking the toy the baby was handing to him. Do you want to play with your daddy? Well I'd like that too.

John bent down to pick up more of the little animals, but Anna quickly got up to help him, since it was hard for him to pick up things on the ground, due to his bad leg.

- I can do it, darling, he protested, you shouldn't be doing that in your state.

- I have less difficulties reaching the ground than you do, she scolded, my state notwithstanding.

She swiftly collected all the toys and put them on the nearby table, so that John could play with his son easily. With a thankful smile, he sat down on the chair and picked up the baby who was eagerly holding out his arms to his father. When the child was settled on his lap, both turned their attention to the little animals:

- So, what do we have here? mused John, holding out one toy. That's a cow. How do the cow go, Johnny? The cow goes…

- Mooooohhh, answered the little boy.

- That's right, my boy, the cow goes moooohh!

As they went on with the other animals, Anna went back to her sewing machine. Before she focused back on her work, she let out of sigh of contentment. She felt love and happiness flowing through her body, and a discreet smile lit up her face when she felt her unborn baby kicking in her belly. As she rubbed the bump in response, she whispered:

- Yes my little one, we are going to be very happy, the four of us.

x x x x

The last week of August was under way and Baxter was finishing to dress Lady Grantham on that hot morning.

- So, Baxter, is everything ready for the wedding? asked Lady Grantham kindly.

- Yes, Milady, smiled Baxter. We're both thrilled.

- Where will you be holding the party?

- Oh, we'll have just a little festive lunch in the servants' Hall. We don't want to do anything grand.

- It's scheduled on September the third, is that right?

- Yes Milady.

- You'll take a full day off on that day then.

- Thank you Milady.

- And there will be a honeymoon?

- We'll be spending three days in Scarborough. Anna and Mrs Hughes will cover up for me, don't worry Milady.

- Oh I'm not worried. I'm glad you decided to stay in service even though you're getting married. You're a good worker and a fine lady's maid. I would hate to lose you.

- Thank you very much for saying that, Milady, replied Baxter, blushing a little.

- It's bad enough that Lady Mary and Lord Grantham have to part with their personal servants. I wouldn't like too much change at once.

- I have no intention of leaving, Milady.

- Good.

Baxter focused on doing Cora's hair for a moment, then said:

- Would you allow me to go to Ripon tomorrow Milady? Only I just received a new letter from my sister. Well from her neighbour precisely, telling me that my sister has caught measles after her son. I would like to visit them.

- Oh, how terrible! Of course, you should go, Baxter. Is it the same sister who lost her husband not long ago?

- Yes Milady, that's her.

- How unlucky… I do hope she's not to badly ill. Cousin Isobel was telling us this measles epidemic in Ripon is quite bad… it's almost surprising it has not yet reached Downton.

- Let's hope it doesn't.

- You're right. Anyway, do go, don't worry.

- Thank you Milady. Now will that be all? asked Baxter as she had put the final touch to her employer's hair.

- Yes, thank you Baxter.

- Very well, Milady.

x x x x

On the next day, Baxter was coming down from the bus that had brought her back from Ripon, and Molesley was anxiously waiting for her at the bus stop.

- So, how did it go? he asked. How is your sister?

Phyllis looked very worried and her eyes shone a little too bright.

- She's very ill… Joseph is fine, he's recovered, but now it's her, and the little one who are ill at the same time! Their neighbour and Beckie are looking after them the best they can, but it's a fine mess… Angela barely recognized me when I was there, she was all gone with the fever.

- Oh, Jesus. I'm so sorry Phyllis.

- One thing's for sure, she won't be able to be there at the wedding next week. I'm so disappointed, I was so happy that she was going to come and bring the children…

- Do you want to postpone the wedding? asked Joseph. I'm sure it can be done. We can wait for her to get better. If that means so much to you that she's there.

Phyllis looked at Joseph for a moment, obviously thinking over his offer, then she shook her head.

- No. We've waited long enough. I want to be your wife as soon as possible. And besides, everything's settled, Mrs Patmore and Daisy have planned everything for the wedding lunch, and the honeymoon… No, let's not change anything.

- Alright, as you wish, my dear. I hope Angela will be better soon. We can always visit her after the wedding, on our way to Scarborough.

Phyllis smiled fondly at her fiancé. He was so kind and considerate. She felt a lucky woman.

x x x x

Three days later, the staff was gathered around the breakfast table in the servants' Hall. That morning the Bates family had joined the living-in staff. They often ate breakfast in the cottage nowadays, but that day, Bates and Barrow were seeing two valet candidates early in the morning, so the family had come to the Abbey earlier. Baxter's and Molesley's wedding was only two days away, and Anna was chatting with Baxter over their cup of tea.

- So, Miss Baxter, I hope we'll find a moment in the morning to have a last dress fitting.

Phyllis had indulged in buying herself a new dress for the occasion, not a proper "wedding dress", as she felt it would look a bit ridiculous on a bride in her late forties, but still a nice dress, that Anna had insisted on upgrading a bit more with some additions of her own making.

- I think so, agreed Phyllis. I have well advanced on my duties yesterday evening, so I'm not overwhelmed today.

A few hours later, Anna and Phyllis had found refuge into Mrs Hughes's sitting-room. Phyllis had put on the dress and the matching hat and gloves, and Anna was turning around her, making her last minute checks. Mrs Hughes was fondly watching over them, while she was sitting at her desk balancing her check-book.

- Well, I think this is quite satisfactory, concluded Anna. We'll only have to add a few fresh flowers on that hat on the day and you'll be a lovely bride!

- Lovely, indeed, agreed Mrs Hughes, beaming. I'm sure Mr Molesley will be delighted.

Phyllis was profusely blushing at the compliments. She was not used to being pampered and looked after.

- Thank you so much for your kindness Mrs Hughes. And you Anna. I feel bad making more work for you, and in your state.

- Don't worry about me, replied Anna. I'm in perfectly good health. I'm glad to have done that for you.

- Well, I'm going to go back to change into my uniform now, concluded Baxter.

As she was making her way to the door, Daisy knocked and entered the room. Her eyes grew wide at the sight of Baxter in her fancy outfit:

- Oh, Miss Baxter, you look gorgeous!

- Thank you Daisy.

As the girl continued staring at her, Mrs Hughes interrupted her reverie:

- Yes Daisy, what was it you needed?

The assistant cook shook herself up and said:

- Oh, yes, sorry, Miss Baxter, telephone call for you. About your sister I think. In Mr Barrow's office.

Phyllis's face fell down immediately.

- Oh Lord. Thank you Daisy, she said before rushing out of the room.

Anna and Mrs Hughes remained alone in the Housekeeper's sitting-room, and they discussed the Bateses' settling in the Grantham Arms for a few minutes, before Baxter came back. There was no more trace of joy left on her features, and tears shone in her eyes.

- My dear, what is it? asked Mrs Hughes, alarmed.

- Oh, Mrs Hughes… cried Baxter. Measles have killed my sister…

And she broke out into harsh sobs.