Hello everyone! I know I haven't updated my other stories in a few days. It's been a crazy week. I will update them hopefully over the weekend. Here comes another post movie cannon story. It's been a while since I've written a cannon based story. I do hope you'll enjoy it!

Cottage Full

Autumn 1927

Things had finally begun to settle down after the visit from the King and Queen. Life had gotten back to normal. John was happy. He had his wife and his son. It was more than he had ever believed he would be fortunate to have.

He and Anna enjoyed their positions at Downton Abbey. The people there were like their family. They all cared about one another and Johnny was doted on constantly. He had the love of everyone downstairs, even Thomas. Though he and Thomas would never be friends, there was some respect there. And they had grown somewhat closer with the arrival of Johnny.

While they did love their lives, he and Anna had begun to seriously discuss their plans to purchase a hotel nearby. They loved the area and didn't want to leave everyone. However, it was time to move forward. Johnny was growing more and more each day. They wanted a life where they could have more time with him.

Life was nearly perfect.

John was happy and perfectly content. However, he noticed that there was a hint of sadness on Anna's features lately. She'd cover it up and say she was fine, but he knew her well. And despite the fact that they had spoken about no more secrets, John knew that Anna still tried to protect him when she felt disappointment of any kind.

He knew what it was about, of course. More children. Anna had wanted another child. After Dr. Ryder had been able to diagnose her symptoms, they had both believed there would be a little sibling for Johnny, especially since Anna had gotten pregnant so easily many times. But every passing month came and there was no pregnancy. John was alright with it. He wasn't young and they had Johnny. However, he knew Anna longed for one more child. She also wasn't getting younger and they had to face the reality that Johnny would likely be their only child.

John had no doubt that Anna was thrilled to have Johnny. She adored him. She was a wonderful mother, just as he had expected her to be. And she was very happy. She had been doing well with not having more children for a while and the excitement with the King and Queen had put her thoughts elsewhere. Yet, now it was back. He could see it on her face. She had read an article about the new Adoption of Children Act that had been passed back in December. He recalled how she grew quiet as she read it and her eyes glazed over slightly with a want or maybe a need. He knew he should have said something then, but he hadn't.

She, of course, never said anything to him. Once, she had told him that she didn't see him as one who would want to adopt. But he knew that she would love to. She would be wonderful. There was absolutely no doubt in his mind that Anna would love any child they brought into their home as much as she loved Johnny.

That day, John lifted the paper up from the table. It had been read by Lord Grantham that morning and then Thomas and perhaps more of the staff that day. Anna was upstairs getting Johnny for their walk home that evening. He knew he had a few spare moments to read through and see if there was any news he needed to know, though he knew Lord Grantham likely would have told him if there were.

Overrun Orphanage in Ripon- Children Needing Homes

John's lips twitched. It was almost as though his thoughts summoned this article. He skimmed it quickly. He felt for these children, he did. However, what could he do?

Adopt, an internal voice said to him. He shook it away. While Anna would be wonderful, could he? Of course, he had wondered about how he would be as a father. He shouldn't have. It had come easy to him. Johnny was his everything, next to Anna. He loved them more than life itself.

He scanned the article again. But then he shook his head. Would they even want him, a convicted felon, to adopt a child? But if Lord Grantham wrote him and Anna a recommendation….again, he shook his head. This was crazy.

He closed the paper and set it on the table right as Anna and Johnny were entering the hallway.

"Papa!" Johnny called out. He reached his little hands over and John smiled, lifting Johnny into his arms.

"Nanny says he napped longer than usual, so Johnny might be up later tonight," Anna explained. She grabbed Johnny's hat and secured it on his head.

"That's alright. He and I will read some by the fire," John kissed his son's cheek. The little boy just laughed, before kissing John back.

They said their goodbyes before beginning the journey home.

Anna chattered on about her evening, but John remained silent. He couldn't get the article out of his head.

"Are you listening to me?" Anna playfully asked, a chuckle passing through her lips. John turned to her, nearly blushing from embarrassment.

"Sorry, my darling. What was that?"

"Mama!" Johnny now insisted, reaching out for Anna. He did this sometimes, going back between the two of them on the walks home. Johnny often walked most of the way to Downton Abbey in the mornings. But at night time, he liked to be held. John was certain it was because of the darkness.

Anna took Johnny into her arms and held him tightly. It made John's heart race in his chest. She was wonderful, perfect. She was the best mother. He wanted her to have as many children as she desired. He wanted her to have the children all around them moment as they set by the fire. He realized he probably couldn't give her that, but he could possibly give her another child. One more to spoil. One more to be a sibling to Johnny.

"Why are you looking at me like that?" Anna nervously giggled, feeling shy. John just smiled.

"I've been thinking."

"Oh, Mr. Bates, that sounds dangerous." They continued their walk to the cottage. They were nearly there. Even though Nanny had warned Johnny may be up later than usual, he was already growing weary from the walk and his head was on Anna's shoulder.

Inside, Anna walked Johnny up to his bedroom. And much like John suspected, she came down without him.

"He was nearly out by the time I changed him. Must have played hard with the other children. Now, what were you thinking about, Mr. Bates?"

He patted the settee for her to sit down next to him. She slid beside him, resting her head on his chest and allowing his fingers to run through her hair.

"I've been thinking that we should go up to the orphanage in Ripon, see about adopting a child." At that, Anna sat up. Her eyes searched John's face, before a small laugh left her lips.

"You're joking."

"No," he stated, serious. "You want another child, don't you? A sibling for Johnny?" John knew Anna well. She was trying to see if John was absolutely serious and if he completely understood what this would mean.

"But….that's not really what you want, is it?" Her words were full of caution. John brought his hand up to her cheek.

"I didn't. Not a while ago, but I was wrong, Anna. I do believe I could love any child."

He then saw hope spread across Anna's face, but she was still trying to hold it in.

"Would they even let us adopt? You….your criminal record…."

"Lord Grantham would write us a recommendation; I'm sure of it. You could stay at home with the children. Then we could seriously begin looking for a hotel to buy once we're ready. We can manage on my wages alone."

"Are you absolutely serious, John?"

"I am," he assured her. It was now that Anna smiled and let out a happy sigh.

"How old?"

He narrowed his eyes. "What?"

"Well, how old would we want the child to be?"

"I don't know, younger than Johnny?"

"Yes, maybe," Anna stated. "Everyone wants a baby. We may need to have realistic expectations."

"My darling, I want whatever makes you happy. I have no doubt that I will love this child and I know for certain that whatever child we find will be so very lucky to have you as its mother."

"This is really happening?"

"Yes, my darling. It is."

To be continued...

As always, let me know what you think and if you'd like more :)