Epilogue

Five Years Later

John stepped outside, behind the restaurant, to find his nearly five year old daughter standing on a stool next to her mother handing her tools to fix the engine in the car. Ada, the second born twin, was a spitfire. She was curious about all things and took after her mother. If she could fix it herself, she wanted to do it.

"Mama," the little girl asked, leaning forward more. "That doesn't look right, does it?" Anna sat up and smiled, running her fingers through one of Ada's pigtails.

"You're right. That's what is wrong. Are you going to help me fix it?"

"Yep!"

"My smart girls," John then said, letting it be known that he was at the back door. Anna turned to him, her smile growing. He stepped forward and kissed Anna, before kissing the top of Ada's head. "Shouldn't you be getting ready, my darling? The event starts in a little over an hour."

Anna twisted her lips, while looking at the time on her watch.

"Oh yes, I best run over to the house and get ready. Mary will kill me if I show up looking like this."

She kissed John once more.

"Ada, we'll finish this at another time. Go inside with your father and wash up. I'll be back in just a moment."

Anna went around the side of the building, right as Ada jumped from the top of the stool into John's arms. Ada was always jumping from high places expecting John to catch her. It had taken him awhile to learn to brace for it, but now he was always prepared. Out of all three of their children, she was the most adventurous.

He carried her inside to find Jack assisting Alfred with the cupcake decorations. Jack had become quite interested in baking over the past couple of years. Both Alfred and Ivy were kind and patient, teaching him how to bake different desserts.

"How do they look?" Jack asked, looking up from his work.

"Magnificent," John honestly replied. "Where's your brother?" John's eyes scanned the restaurant. "Ah," he said, when he saw Hugo, Ada's twin, sitting in one of the booths scanning through one of his books. Hugo was the quietest and most pensive of the Bates' children. He was always trying to learn.

He let Ada down and told her to go to the restroom to wash her face. The children would be taken upstairs during the event to stay with a sitter.

"Alright, what can I do to help?"

-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-

Mary was not used to not being in control of these events for her and Anna's outreach program. But Anna had insisted that this particular fundraising night would be handled by her and John. Mary was told just to show up and to have a speech prepared for the evening.

They stepped into the restaurant and Mary was pleased with the decorations and set up. She smiled and walked forward.

"This is lovely," she said.

"You sound surprised," Anna teased.

"I do not," Mary replied. She felt a tug on the edge of her gown and glanced down to see her youngest son, Daniel, pointing at the stairs.

"May we go upstairs and play with Jack, Hugo, and Ada now?"

"Yes, darling," Mary answered. She looked to Matthew and he nodded, understanding that she wanted him to take them upstairs. While George would go right up to the sitter, she knew that Daniel was rambunctious. They often found him getting into what he shouldn't be.

While Matthew took the boys upstairs to play with their friends, Mary followed Anna over toward the bar. There was an array of foods for the guests who were coming.

"I forgot to tell you that Lavinia and Simon Hastings have RSVPed that they will be coming tonight."

"Oh," Mary said. "I haven't seen them since we visited before I fell pregnant with Daniel. I wonder how they are faring."

"Well, I have never met Simon, so this will be a treat."

"Just not too much of a treat, Mrs. Bates," John's voice came from behind them. Mary and Anna turned to him and smiled.

"No, not too much," Anna winked.

"Don't worry Bates," Mary began with a grin, "Anna is very much in love with you."

"I know," he replied, leaning toward Anna and kissing her cheek. "And I am very much in love with her too."

The door opened and it was Simon and Lavinia. Both Anna and Mary straightened their shoulders.

"We should go and say hello."

-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-

"Wow, seeing him in person is a different ballgame," Anna whispered to Mary. "I better watch my blood sugar around Simon, or I might end up in a coma." Mary laughed.

"Alright," John's voice came into her ear, "I think you have some work to do in the back." Anna giggled.

"Not jealous are we, Mr. Bates?"

"Never." He touched her lower back and winked, tilting his head to the back door.

"Oh, yes, I do have work to do in the back. Um, Mary can you cover while the rest of the guests arrive?"

"Certainly."

Anna followed John to the far back room. His hands slid up and under her dress, as her hands worked to lock the door behind them.

-X-X-X-X-X-X-

"Where is Anna?" Mary complained to Matthew. "It's about time for our announcements."

"I'm not sure," Matthew answered. "But I am sure she and John will be back shortly, wherever they are. Maybe they went upstairs to check on the children."

"No," Mary replied. "They went in the back. Perhaps, they were looking for more plates. This is clearly not enough."

She patted Matthew's upper arm and walked down the back hallway. She pushed the door. It was tight, but she shoved against it once more.

"Oh my god! Again!" She yelled, stepping backward and covering her eyes with her hands.

She heard Anna laughing and coming closer to her.

"You didn't see anything," Anna said.

"I saw enough," Mary stated, trying to find the door.

"I'm dressed. It's over," Anna continued to speak.

"I…I just want to close the door." She felt as Anna pushed her back slightly and then heard the door close. She opened her eyes to find Anna before her and she frowned.

"Honestly, you can be so dramatic, Mary," Anna smirked. Mary's eyes rolled.

"I really could live my life not walking into that again," Mary said, as Anna locked their arms together and led her back down the hallway.

"We were already done," Anna laughed. "You didn't see anything."

"I saw enough."

"Shall we say hello to our guests now?"

"Yes, and then I'll go and wash my eyes until I no longer see you and Bates entangled in my memory anymore."

-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-

"I'm proud of you," Matthew told Mary that evening, as the two of them climbed into the bed.

"Of me?"

"Yes, look at all you have accomplished, all the women you have already helped," he said, pulling her closer for a kiss.

"I couldn't have do it without you, darling," Mary said to him.

"Our sons are so fortunate to have such a strong mother."

"And they're lucky to have you too. I love you," she murmured.

"I love you, too."

-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-

"Tonight was a success," Anna said, as she sat down on their couch. They had just gotten Ada to sleep. She had still been hyper from playing with her friends.

"Because of you," John told her. He brought her closer to him and kissed the tip of her nose. "You and Mary have done great things."

"I'm glad she asked me to be a part of it. It has been healing."

"Healing?"

"Yes. I'm able to help others and it has helped me heal myself, in a way."

"Then I'm glad to hear it, my darling." John rubbed Anna's shoulder. "Should we go to bed? You look exhausted."

"Maybe in a little while. I'm enjoying sitting in here in the quiet with you."

"Alright, sounds good."

Anna inched closer to John and rested in his arms. Yes, this was what life was all about.

THE END

Thank you all so much for reading and joining me on this journey! I appreciate you all! :)