Hi everyone, I'm back, wrapping up this story. There should be one more chapter after this one. This one is quite long, but it's because Baby Bates #2 is coming! Enjoy!

Snow was gently falling on this mid-afternoon on the 23rd of December. Daylight was already declining, as it was after all, one of the shortest days in the year. Anna and Phyllis were finishing the cleaning of the inn's rooms. Business had started quite well over the last three months for the new owners of the Grantham Arms, but the Christmas week was scheduled to be quieter. People were staying with their loved ones over the holidays, so there weren't many clients except a few estranged travellers. The Bateses were grateful for the little lull, as the new baby was due anytime now.

As they went back from the rooms to the storage area to put their cleaning things away, the two women came across John, who looked rather worried for Anna.

- Are you alright darling? he asked. Shouldn't you go and put your feet up for a little while?

As he spoke, he put a caring hand on her very large belly. She was now two days past the due date that Dr Clarkson had estimated, and seemed ready to burst at any moment. She pouted at her husband:

- Hey, if I want this baby to come out one day, I have to move. And I do want them to come out now! Nothing will happen if I spend my days lying around…

John sent her a sympathetic smile. For all her talk of not being in a hurry and dreading the birth three months earlier, now she was eager to meet her new baby, and fed up with all the little inconveniences of late pregnancy.

- Anyway, Lady Mary and Mrs Hughes are going to be there for tea any minute now, so I can't go and "put my feet up". Is Johnny still napping? she asked John.

- Yes, last time I checked he was, which was about ten minutes ago.

- OK, we'll go up and check on him, and prepare tea.

- You keep an eye on my wife, Mrs Molesley… he asked, smiling to Phyllis.

Anna had long since taken the habit of calling Phyllis by her Christian name, but it seemed that John couldn't get used to it, so he kept calling her Mrs Molesley, and so she answered him in the same way.

- I will Mr Bates, don't worry, she smiled back.

- I don't need anyone "keeping an eye on me", thank you very much Mr Bates, sneered Anna.

x x x x

Twenty minutes later, the kettle was boiled, biscuits and scones ready, and Johnny, who was a few days short of his second birthday, had woken up from his nap, when the two guests rang at the door of the Grantham Arms' private lodgings. Anna greeted Lady Mary and Mrs Hughes warmly, and introduced them into her sitting-room. The two women had taken on the habit of visiting Anna regularly, sometimes together like today, but more often separately, about once a week.

Once they were all seated around the sitting-room, Phyllis started serving tea while Anna was feeding Johnny his afternoon snack. Mrs Hughes accepted her cup of tea gladly and started:

- So Anna, are you really sure you won't be coming to the Abbey for Christmas lunch tomorrow? Everyone would be pleased to see you and your family!

Anna smiled and replied:

- Thank you so much for inviting us Mrs Hughes, I'm very grateful and I would have come gladly, but, the thing is, I'm due any day, or should I say any hour now. And I don't want to take the risk of getting stuck at the Abbey again. Not that I'm not grateful that Lady Mary left me her room last time, she added, looking at her former mistress, who shot her a knowing smile, but I really want to give birth in my home this time. So I'm not leaving the inn until the baby's come. We'll just have a quiet Christmas at home, the three of us. Or the four of us, if anything happens until then.

- Days must seem endless to you, said Lady Mary. I remember when I was having Caroline, oh my god, the last days were so awful. I just couldn't wait for it to end…

- Well… I've liked being pregnant very much, but… yes, Anna admitted laughingly, now I'm quite eager to meet that baby, and be able to breathe freely again!

- And not having to get up four times a night to go to the bathroom… mused Lady Mary.

- Yes, that too. Although anyway I'll probably be up for other reasons…

Mrs Hughes and Phyllis listened to the two mothers' conversation, but had no experience to share on the matter, not having had the joy of ever having born children.

- So, Mrs Molesley, how are you settling in your new way of life? asked Lady Mary kindly, changing the subject.

- Oh, perfectly well, Milady, replied Phyllis. I enjoy seeing Mr Molesley and the children every day at lunch and in the evening, and on Sundays. And Anna and Mr Bates have both been very kind to me.

- My mother still misses you though. Perkins is not bad, from what she says, but she's not you.

- I'm flattered to hear that Milady. I hope Lady Grantham does manage though.

- Oh she will, don't worry. Times are changing, and we must change with them, or else perish.

- Don't say that too loud around Mr Carson, Milady, warned Mrs Hughes.

All four women laughed at the memory of Mr Carson's profound aversion to change and modernity.

- How is your young niece doing, Mrs Molesley? asked Mrs Hughes.

- Oh, she spends her days her nose buried in books, as usual. We have to stop her in the evenings, and force her to go to bed, really, otherwise she would forget to sleep. Mr Dawes and Mr Molesley say she's going to do brilliantly for the exam next April. She seems quite gifted.

- It's a good thing if she can put those gifts to good use then, replied Mrs Hughes.

- What are the latest news from the Abbey? asked Anna.

Chatter went on for some time, as Lady Mary filled them up on the upstairs news while Mrs Hughes did the same regarding the downstairs inhabitants. At last, Lady Mary got up, saying:

- We should be off, Mrs Hughes, if we want to be back before the gong.

- Yes Milady, agreed Mrs Hughes.

- I guess you won't be coming to the Servants' Ball either Anna?

- Well, by that time I do hope that I'll have a newborn to care for, so, indeed, I won't be able to come this year, I'm sorry Milady.

- Yes, of course. It'll be strange though. It will be the first time in so many years when you won't be there for the Servants' Ball.

- That's true. But I promise we'll send news as soon as the baby's born, and you can come visit, added Anna, in an attempt to soothe her ex-employer's nostalgia. And we'll come next year.

- Alright then. Have a good Christmas Anna. Give Bates our best regards.

- I will. Have a happy Christmas too Milady, and you too Mrs Hughes. Give my best wishes to everyone at the Abbey. Johnny, will you say goodbye to Lady Mary and Mrs Hughes? she said, doing a bye-bye gesture.

- Bye-bye, said the child, enthusiastically waving his hand to the two women, who kindly waved him back before leaving.

When they had cleaned up everything they had used for tea, Anna told Phyllis she could go back home, since the inn was quiet.

- Are you sure? asked Phyllis. Will you handle it? I can stay and watch Johnny a little while if you want to rest.

- Don't worry, dismissed Anna. I'm alright, and if I'm not, Mr Bates is there to handle Johnny. Now go home and enjoy your family time.

- Alright, thank you Anna. See you tomorrow.

- Yes. And tomorrow you'll go back home as soon as the cleaning work is over.

When Phyllis had left, Anna sat down with her son and said to him in a conspiratorial tone:

- So, now, what if we prepared your daddy's gift?

- Daddy! replied the boy, beaming as he started dragging his mother in the inn's direction to find his father.

- No, no, we must not go and tell him! We are going to wrap up his gift so we can give it to him tomorrow, for Christmas! laughed Anna.

The child did not yet quite grasp the concept of Christmas and gifts…

x x x x

Back in the Molesleys' cottage, the two boys were playing on the floor while Phyllis was preparing dinner and Beckie was as usual bent upon her books.

- Beckie, warned Phyllis, dinner will be ready in about five minutes, I need you to put your books away, we'll need the table to eat.

- Yes, Aunt Phyllis, said the teenager, not looking up.

- And Beckie, said Joseph as he entered the kitchen, tomorrow is Christmas Eve, so I want you to put your books away, and not open them again until after Boxing Day. You need to take a few days off and relax, my girl. You're working too hard!

- But, uncle Joseph… tried the girl.

- No but, no but, Beckie, replied Joseph in a tone that allowed no argument. Taking some time off regularly is very important when you're preparing for an exam. It's part of a healthy routine, as well as sleeping and eating well. Tomorrow, we will all go out for a walk, enjoy some nice family time.

- Now, dinner is ready everyone, called Phyllis. Boys, come and wash your hands, and then help your uncle Joseph to lay the table please.

Soon little feet were scurrying into the kitchen. As they passed her to go to the sink, Phyllis ruffled the boys' hairs fondly. These children were nice and well-behaved, and she appreciated that she didn't need to tell them to do things a dozen times before they listened. They had been lucky to be blessed with this unexpected family. She exchanged a happy smile with Joseph as her husband handed the plates to his younger namesake.

x x x x

The next morning, the snow had stopped falling, but had covered the surroundings in a rather thick blanket during the night, and the village glittered under the timid December sun.

- Come on children, said Joseph when they had finished breakfast. You go put on your warmest clothes, and while Aunt Phyllis is at work, we'll go into the woods, to find our Christmas tree! Then we can decorate it, and have a nice surprise ready for her when she comes back!

- Oh yay! bellowed the boys excitedly.

Even Beckie seemed willing to participate in the adventure and forget her studies for a while.

While Molesley took the children out in the woods after having picked up his father and an appropriate axe, Phyllis was in the process of tidying the inn rooms with Anna. They had only two left to do, when Anna started wincing in pain, clutching her belly.

- Anna? asked Phyllis, concerned.

Anna had taken support on the nearby wall, her eyes closed, breathing deeply and slowly through the contraction. When it had receded, she opened her eyes and smiled to Phyllis.

- It's over. I think things might be starting up slowly. I've been having pains since this morning. But they're not really coming close yet.

- Do you want me to call Mr Bates? Or Dr Clarkson?

- No, no… it's too soon. We'll try and finish our work and see how it goes by then.

- Alright… replied Phyllis, uncertain. Let's wrap things up quickly then, she concluded, picking up the wiping cloth.

An hour later, as they finished their last room, Anna had to admit that things were quickening up. She whimpered through the next pain, and Phyllis decided to take action:

- Alright, now, Anna, I'm calling Mr Bates. Go up to your bedroom.

Anna nodded, and went her way to the Bateses' flat, while Phyllis went in search of her husband. She found him in the inn's office, balancing the chequebooks, Johnny sitting on the floor next to him playing with his blocks.

- Mr Bates? she called, knocking on the door.

- Yes, Mrs Molesley, is anything wrong? Anna?

- Not wrong, exactly, but… I think the baby might be coming. Maybe it would be wise to go fetch Dr Clarkson.

- God. Alright, thank you. Is she upstairs?

- Yes, I sent her to your bedroom.

- Good. I'll telephone the hospital for Dr Clarkson.

- Mr Bates, I was thinking, if the baby's coming now, would you like me to take Johnny with me to the cottage? So he can be out of your hair? Anna told me she wanted you with her for the birth, so you can't look after him at the same time.

- I couldn't expect that of you, and on Christmas Eve…

- Nonsense, we'd be pleased to have him, and he'll be having fun with the boys.

- Alright, yes, that's very kind of you Mrs Molesley. Maybe we should wait for Dr Clarkson, see what he has to say, and if it is really time, then yes, you can take him. I'll come and get him back as soon as everything's over.

- Don't worry, he'll be well looked after.

- Oh I don't doubt it, he smiled.

x x x x

An hour later, Dr Clarkson was finishing examining Anna, and after washing his hands, he turned back to her and her husband and concluded:

- Well, Mrs Bates, things are well under way indeed. The baby should be there tonight at the latest.

John kissed Anna's forehead, where little beads of sweat were starting to show after the last contraction.

- Thank you Doctor.

- I have two last patients that I need to visit today, so I'll go see them, and then I'll be back with you.

- I'm sorry for ruining your Christmas Eve doctor, apologized Anna.

- Oh, don't worry, I had absolutely nothing planned… Welcoming a new life is what Christmas is all about after all.

As Dr Clarkson made his way out, Anna and John smiled at each other, at the meaning of the doctor's words.

- I'll go tell Mrs Molesley. She offered to take Johnny to her cottage until the baby's come.

- Oh. That's kind of her. I'll go and prepare him a bag, Anna said, trying to get off the bed, but falling back on it as a new contraction hit.

When her grip on John's hand had softened with the end of the pain, he said firmly:

- You'll do nothing of the sort. You rest in bed, I'll take care of getting Johnny ready.

She sighed, but called herself defeated as she lay back on the pillows.

x x x x

When Phyllis entered her home, Johnny holding her hand, the boys stumbled on her as soon as she had set foot in the cottage, babbling cheerfully about their newly decorated Christmas Tree. Before they could drag her to the sitting-room though, Joseph appeared in the hallway, and noticed the toddler hiding behind her skirt.

- What is Johnny Bates doing with you? he asked.

- Anna has gone into labour, so I offered them to take him until the baby's born. You don't mind, do you?

- Not at all, not at all, beamed Joseph. The more the merrier, he exclaimed, bending to the little boy who seemed a little scared. Hello young master. Will you come see our Christmas tree? he offered, holding out his hand to the child.

Joseph junior and Stephen were over the moon, having never had any Christmas Tree in their house before. They had always lived in the city, with no easy access to woods to chop a tree down, and certainly no money to buy one. Phyllis uttered happy oohs and aahs, as the children commented their decorating work to her. Even Beckie's eyes glittered happily. When they had finally exhausted the subject, Phyllis turned to her husband:

- Well, maybe now we should get on with cooking our Christmas dinner, don't you think? That turkey isn't going to cook itself!

- Oh, don't worry, replied Joseph. I put it in the oven when we came back from the woods.

- Oh, good. Well we still have plenty of other things to get ready.

Old William Molesley suggested to the children:

- Why don't we go out to the backyard and build a snowman, children?

His offer was greeted with utter enthusiasm by the four youngsters, and minutes later, the house had emptied but for Phyllis and Joseph, who were working together in the kitchen.

x x x x

Night had fallen for several hours now, and Dr Clarkson had been back at Anna's side for as many hours. John hated to see his wife in pain and to be helpless to make things better for her, but the doctor looked serene, and kept assuring them that things were going exactly as they should. John would rather they went faster though. He kept mopping Anna's forehead with a wet cloth, whispering encouragements and loving words in her ear throughout the pains. From moaning though the contractions, Anna had recently turned to outright yelling through them, which according to the doctor was a sign that things progressed and that the baby was now lower in the womb, and making its way down. He had frowned at first when they had told him that Bates was going to stay in the room all through the delivery, but he had finally come round and had known not to argue with Anna Bates in labour. Right now John was doing his best to keep himself composed and not lose his nerves at the sight of his wife struggling to bring his child to the world. He had heard things the first time, from his waiting spot outside Lady Mary's room, but nothing compared to closely witnessing the intensity of what Anna's body was going through at that moment. He loved her more than ever for willingly putting herself through it.

His hand had gone completely numb for Anna's tight grip on it, and he couldn't tell how much time had passed when the doctor suddenly said:

- Alright, baby's crowning, you're doing an excellent job Mrs Bates! I want you to give your all on the few next contractions and then you'll meet your baby.

After a few minutes, that seemed like centuries to John, and some more deafening screams in his ears, and Anna's face turning scarlet during each contraction, the doctor finally held up the baby, who did a strange little sound.

- Mrs Bates, Mr Bates, you have a daughter! exclaimed Dr Clarkson cheerfully. Mr Bates, would you spread a warm towel on your wife's chest so that I can lay the baby there?

Utterly dazed, John took a few seconds to register what the doctor had just said, and to move to obey him.

- Er, yes, yes doctor, he stuttered.

Tears escaped on his cheeks as the doctor wrapped up the baby in a warm bundle and put her safely on her mother's chest. Anna was lying back on the pillows, her eyes closed in exhaustion, smiling and holding her daughter close. John was looking at them in wonder, his heart close to bursting with happiness. A little girl. A boy and a girl. Now he knew he was the happiest man on Earth. He knelt near Anna, not listening to his knee's protests, and kissed her cheek:

- Oh my darling… A little girl. She's just perfect. I love her so much. And you. You've made me the luckiest man ever.

Anna chuckled lightly, and turned her head to him, to kiss him lightly.

- And I'm the luckiest woman ever.

x x x x

Snow had started falling again more heavily, and Dr Clarkson had gone home, saying he'd be back in the morning to check on mother and baby. Anna and John were sitting shoulder to shoulder, back resting on the pillows, marvelling over their new daughter.

- I should go to the Molesleys and bring Johnny back, whispered John.

- He'll be asleep by now, replied Anna, as is probably the whole Molesley family. He'll be all grumpy if you go and wake him now. And moreover it's snowing like hell. Let him be. You'll go in the morning. We can enjoy a few hours of quietly gaping at our lovely girl.

John beamed at the mention of their newborn baby girl.

- Elizabeth Anna Bates. You are the most beautiful baby girl ever, and you have made your parents the two proudest people in the whole world, he said, stroking the baby's chubby cheek with his finger. I don't think you can ever do better in terms of Christmas gifts, my darling, he added, smiling dreamily at his wife.

- Nor will I try, she answered, laughing.

Then she sighed and pointed:

- First baby on New Year's Eve, second one on Christmas' Eve. What were the odds?

- Since when have we ever done anything according to the odds?

- You're right, she agreed.

They watched their sleeping baby girl silently for a few more minutes, until Anna said:

- I'm starving. Shall we tuck in that Christmas dinner we never got to eat until now?

- Oh, sure. Let me go down and I'll bring us a tray back.

While John was in the kitchen putting things together, the baby started fussing, her little mouth opening and closing, in search for nourishment.

- Are you hungry too, little one? asked Anna softly.

She swiftly opened her nightgown and presented the baby with her breast, on which little Elizabeth quickly latched.

- There you go sweetie.

As she watched her baby contentedly nursing, Anna let out a happy sigh, and felt her life was finally complete, according to her wildest dreams.

Happy Christmas everyone! (Yes it's July, so what? ;D)