This chapter uses some dialogue from the show. That definitely does not belong to me. ;) Enjoy!

Chapter 6

It was time for game night and tensions were high between Anna and Elsie. Elsie avoided eye contact with Anna, which let Anna know she was still hurt that Anna was keeping something from her. As Charles set out their first game, Anna shifted uneasily on the small couch next to John. Tonight was going to be a long one.

"Monopoly?" John incredulously asked.

"Yeah," Anna told him, a small smile forming on her lips. "We play whatever games have been left over the course of the year by other guests. This game has been here for five…."

"Six," Charles interrupted.

"Right, six years now," she continued. "It gets hairy. Watch out," she playfully warned, before lightly pushing against his arm.

The touch sent a slight shiver down John's spine and he wanted to reach out to touch her back. Had her parents not been sitting right across from them both, he may have found the courage to do so. However, he didn't. He just moved forward to grab one of the silver playing pieces.

"I'm the hat," Charles stated, holding out his hand for John to give him the piece back. John almost chuckled, asking him if he was joking. But when he looked up and saw the seriousness in his features, John just handed it over.

"I'm the dog and Mum's the car," Anna filled in. "You can choose any of the other pieces left."

John looked over the last few pieces carefully, as if he would be playing this same game for years with them and he would always have the same piece. He choose the rider and the horse.

"Good choice," Anna replied, before bumping her shoulder against him. Her playfulness made him wonder if she was putting a show on for her parents. As she sat back, he effortlessly placed his hand right above her knee, making her turn to meet his eyes. He swallowed hard. Looking back at him was the brightest smile. Her hand landed on his and gave it a small squeeze.

The clearing of a throat made them both jump slightly and turn back to Charles and Elsie. Charles gave a disapproving glare, making John drop his hand from Anna's leg. At 46, John didn't realize how intimidated he could still get by a girl's father until this trip. There was something about Charles' eyes that could make you feel like a teenage boy again.

The game started off well. Anna was in the lead, but not by much. Charles was near behind, buying up the best property. Anna hadn't been wrong about her father being competitive. He was always making sure everyone was following the rules to a T and didn't let anyone slide if they got near his property.

"Mum, you can't do that," Anna chuckled, as her mother tried to leave the jail spot on her next turn, even though she hadn't done one of the required moves to be able to do so.

"Yes, I can," Elsie argued.

"No," Charles agreed with Anna. "You can't."

Anna turned to John and shook her head, "I told you Mum likes to change the rules."

"I do not!" Elsie argued, but there was a lightness to her cadence. Anna chuckled. Then she and Charles met eyes and began to laugh heartily.

"You do, Elsie," Charles told her.

"No, you both just twist things so you'll win!"

"Never!" They both said at the same time. More laughter filled the space of the room. Anna realized it was the first time the entire trip that she had felt this free with her parents. This was exactly the night they all needed.

An hour and a half later when the game wrapped up, with Charles triumphant as the winner, Anna helped her mother put up all the snacks from the night. Anna placed some of the trash into the bin and began to wipe down the counter.

"Tonight was fun," Anna said to Elsie.

"It was," she replied. "It was nice to have you back, Anna. It has seemed like you have been gone this entire trip. Like your head is elsewhere."

"I don't know what you mean," Anna lied. But she did. She knew exactly what her mother meant. Ever since…..a chill ran up her spine….she'd been different. It had been hard to be the Anna before.

"You do," Elsie countered. "Just answer me one question, Anna, and I won't ask you another one." Anna swallowed hard, but nodded her head.

"Okay."

"Are you okay?"

"Yes, of course," Anna quickly answered, pushing a smile on her lips. "I'm great." Elsie's lips fell into a straight line, but she gave Anna a small nod.

"Alright. But you know your father and I are here if you need us, right?"

"Yes, Mum," Anna said, walking toward her and wrapping her arms around her mother to give her a tight hug. "I do." As she pulled back, she gave her mother a smile. "I promise everything is okay."

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

There was a lit path from their condo to the beach. Anna decided to take advantage of it and head down toward the beach to clear her head. It was a perfect night. Quiet. Peaceful. The stars were bright and Anna grew sad knowing that she would be leaving in just two days back to the real world.

She hated that she had lied again to her mother tonight. She wasn't okay. Everything wasn't alright. At night, she had nightmares. Back at home, she was terrified. She was pregnant with a baby that would grow up without a father. And from now until forever, her life would be changed. She wasn't even sure who she wanted to be anymore.

Lost in her thoughts, Anna heard steps behind her and anxiously turned. She was glad to see it was only John behind her.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to frighten you," John quickly stated. He placed his hands up in surrender. "I saw you were walking and wasn't sure you should be out here alone at night."

Anna twisted her lips to one side and shook her head. "It's not like I can get knocked up twice." It was crude and a bit off putting, but Anna wasn't sure she cared. The old Anna wouldn't have, but she just didn't have it in her to anymore.

"It's not like…..I only wanted to make sure you were alright," John told her. Anna sighed.

"Thank you. You're right. I shouldn't be alone out here. But oddly, I feel safe here. I'm not ready to go back home," Anna confessed to John. "I…I don't feel safe there. At home, I can barely sleep. I just keep fearing that he'll…." Her breath hitched within her throat and she shook her head, moving her eyes to glance over the soothing waves.

"Anna…."

"It's stupid…."

"It's not."

"It is," Anna brusquely stated. "He doesn't even live in the Downton area. He lives in London. I'll never see him again. I….it'll be fine."

"Anna, it's not stupid to be afraid," John told her again. "What if you came and stayed at my place for a little while?" Anna met his eyes and her lower lip came up between her teeth. Her eyes searched his to make sure he really meant it.

"But…wouldn't that…." She couldn't find the words. So instead, she took a few steps closer to John and reached her hand out to take his. It was much larger than hers. Strong. Her thumb ran over his knuckles and she thought about how safe he made her feel. Even though a man had pinned her down and hurt her in the worst way, she didn't fear John. No, his hands would never harm her, never hurt her.

"You know," she said quietly, beginning to take a few steps toward the ocean and making John come with her. "I had quite the crush on you. There were several times over the past few years I tried to get you to ask me out on a date."

At this revelation, John paused his steps. "What…..?"

"Yeah, but…." Anna sighed, "That doesn't matter. Not anymore."

"It does. It does matter, Anna," John replied. He squeezed Anna's hand lightly and gently pulled her closer to him. "I…I've felt the same way."

Tears immediately began to prickle behind Anna's eyes and she suddenly felt overwhelmed.

"See, it doesn't matter now. Perhaps if before, but now…." Anna's voice caught in her throat. John lovingly cupped one of her cheeks with his hand and ran his thumb along her cheek bone.

"And why wouldn't it matter now?"

"Because I've been spoiled. Because I'm pregnant, with another man's baby."

"You are not spoiled," John strongly told her. "Not even close."

Anna sniffled.

"Come stay with me. I have a guest room. I'll let you have control over the remote," John said.

"Truly?" Anna asked him.

"Truly," he replied, "I'll even let you watch that god-awful show about house hunting." Anna lightly chuckled and brought her hand up to cover John's. Then she gently pushed it off her cheek and inched herself forward. Perching up on her toes, she pressed a soft, gentle kiss against John's lips.

"Okay," she said, falling back down to her flat feet. "I…..I think staying with you for a little while might be good idea."

"Good," John answered, his lips still warm from her touch.

"Would you like to walk down the beach with me?"

"Of course."

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

It was their final full day at the beach and Anna had woken up with a feeling of sadness and disappointment at the pit of her stomach. She wasn't ready to leave tomorrow and have to face the real world again.

Although, she was grateful for John's offer to stay at his place for a little while. It would be nice. Him admitting to her that he shared the same feelings she did added an air of excitement to her world. Not that she would ever expect him to date her, not now, not after….

She shook away her thoughts. She wanted to enjoy her last day with her family. None of that was allowed in her mind today.

Fridays were always her favorite day of vacation. In the mornings, she and her dad would go down to get donuts. Then they would go to see some historical sites, before heading to get ice cream. It had always been their special day. Anna was sure it had started as a way for her mum to get some quiet time at the end of her vacation. But it had become a tradition that Anna looked forward to every year.

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

As Anna left to go on her excursion with her father, John went to sit on the back porch of the condo to read his book. Like the entire week, it was beautiful outside. He sat back and placed it feet up onto the ottoman, before opening his book to the next chapter. It was then that the porch door opened and Elsie stepped out to join him.

He quickly closed his book and dropped his feet back to the floor.

"I hope it's alright for me to disturb your morning for just a quick moment," Elsie started.

"Of course," John quickly said, sitting up straighter and pointing to the chair across from him for her to take a seat. Elsie nodded, before sitting down.

"You see, I have to get to the bottom of what's bothering me, John. And I believe you can help," she started. John's body tensed. He had not expected to be cornered by Anna's mother while she was away.

"I doubt that," he stated, trying to keep his voice calm. He had promised Anna he would keep her secret.

"The thing is, I know you can," Elsie simply stated. "I know you know what is going on with my daughter. And you will tell me."

To be continued...

It'll probably be about a week before I can update again. Thank you for reading and if you get the chance, please drop a little note letting me know what you think. Thanks!