Thank you! Enjoy!

Chapter 27

"Do you have everything you need for the church?" Elsie questioned Anna as she walked out of her bedroom and into her living room. There, Elsie and Mary were playing with George and Carson.

"Yes," Anna breathlessly answered. It had come so quickly. After feeling like she had waited forever, the wedding day was here. John had slept over at the cottage with Charles the night before and Anna wondered how well that had gone. In her hand, she held her wedding dress and Carson's dress for the ceremony. Just the day before, John had signed the official paper work making Carson his daughter.

"You have everything set up for your father and me tonight?" Elsie asked. Anna's brows furrowed. It had been why they waited until Carson was six months old to get married. Anna had thought she would be ready to leave her for just one night, but now she wasn't sure. Even though she trusted her parents completely, she had never been away from her daughter for more than an hour at a time.

"I…I have, but do you think it's necessary? I…I'm sure John and I could just…."

"Anna, Carson will be fine," Mary cut in. "Your parents are more than capable. You and John deserve a night, parent free, on the day you get married."

"I know, but it's just…." At that moment, Carson's eyes met Anna's and she reached her little hands up toward her. Anna gently placed her garments against the side of a chair, before going over to pick her up. The small girl cooed happily and rested her head against Anna's shoulder. "I….." Tears welled up in her eyes.

First time parenting was hard. There was this love that Anna couldn't explain and she wanted to protect Carson from everything in the world. Her hand went to Carson's back and she rubbed gentle circles over it. She knew that if she said she wanted to cancel the hotel for the evening and stay home with Carson that John would agree.

"Anna, dear," Elsie gently said, she knew her daughter was dealing with bouts of postpartum anxiety. "I promise we will call you if anything happens, but I am sure that Carson will be just fine and happy with us."

Thankfully, Carson sat up, hearing her Granny speak and reached over to her. Elsie took her granddaughter into her hands and kissed the top of her head.

"Alright," Anna replied. "You…you'll text me every hour until she's asleep?"

"Yes, of course, dear."

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

The wedding was small and quaint. Anna hadn't wanted a large affair. She just wanted to be married to John. In the small room set aside for her to get ready, Mary helped her zip up the back of her dress. Glancing up at the mirror, her lips parted. It was hard for her to believe that she was here now. Several months ago, she was sure she would be alone raising a baby by herself. But she had John. John loved her. He loved Carson. And Alex Green was being put away for forty years with no chance of parole.

"Oh, Anna, you look stunning!" Elsie gasped. Anna's cheeks blushed.

"Thanks, Mum," she quietly replied, unable to look away from herself. She was so incredibly happy. There was a time, not too long ago, when she didn't think she would ever feel happy again.

After turning and kissing Carson's cheek, Anna stepped out to her father. Upon seeing his daughter, Charles' eyes watered.

"Oh Anna," he breathed.

"Dad," Anna embarrassingly murmured. "Don't make a scene."

"You're absolutely gorgeous, my dear daughter," he told her, pulling out the handkerchief and wiping under his eyes. "I'm so very happy for you."

His sincere words made Anna's own eyes water and she quickly took the small cloth from her father's hands to dab under her eyes so that her make up wouldn't be ruined. But as Anna placed the handkerchief back into her father's hands, Mary stepped out with Carson on her hip. She would be carrying Carson down the aisle in the wedding. Charles instantly reached out for his granddaughter, making Anna laugh. She loved the bond the two already shared.

"Honestly, Mr. Carson, we're about to walk down the aisle," Mary scolded, pulled herself and Carson back so Charles couldn't grab the baby. "As soon as the wedding is over, you can hold her yourself."

Charles mumbled gruffly under his breath, but didn't reach out for the baby again. He knew Mary was right. And right now, he needed to walk his baby girl down the aisle. Praying that her happiness lasted for the rest of her lifetime.

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

John's eyes twinkled, as he watched Carson coming down the aisle in Mary's hands. The little girl had a bright smile on her face. She wore a light blue dress with a small flower crown over her head. Half way down the aisle, the little girl snatched it off and it dropped onto the floor, making all the observers laugh at the cuteness of it all.

Mary made it to the front and Carson's eyes were large, like saucers, taking everything in. She was an observant little thing and she flapped her hand happily with the music.

A moment later, the music turned, signaling for everyone to stand. John's heart leapt within his chest. He hadn't expected to be the excited or this anxious in this moment. The two had already been living together as a family for over a year now. But today they became official. She became a Bates. He could feel a few tears threatening to escape as soon as he saw Anna enter through the doors.

He knew she would look radiant; she always did. But in this moment, he could feel his heart hammering in his chest. Today was the new beginning in their new lives. For years he had loved Anna from afar, afraid he wasn't good enough for her. Here they were today. Two souls becoming one. They had a beautiful daughter and the world at their feet. He was the luckiest man alive.

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

Anna's hand hadn't let go of John's since they had walked back down the aisle with one another as husband and wife. As they spoke with their few guests, Anna remained attached right at his side. They were official.

"Alright dear," Elsie's voice spoke. Most everyone had cleared out, their reception had been a very small gathering with a few finger foods and drinks. "We're about to take Carson home for her nap."

Anna bit down on her lower lip and her eyes glanced around looking for her father, who had the baby.

"I want to say goodbye first," she told her mother. She felt as John tightened his hold on her hand to try and give her some comfort. He knew leaving Carson for the night was a big step for his wife. His lips curled into a smile. He could now call her his wife.

"What are you smiling about, Mr. Bates," Anna playfully asked. John bent over, kissing the top of her head.

"Oh, I'm just so very happy, Mrs. Bates," came his reply.

A moment later, Charles came over with Carson in his hands. Anna quickly took her and peppered kisses all over her cheeks.

"Are we sure this is a good idea?" Anna asked John. "What if she wakes up in the middle of the night and we're not there."

"She'll be fine," John assured her. "We're only going to be twenty minutes away. We can be back in a flash if she needs us." While a lot of Anna's fears were typical first time mom fears, there was the added issues with her anxiety. Sybil said it was not a surprise that Anna would be suffering with postpartum anxiety after what all she went through. They helped her through this with therapy and being patient with her worries. But her parents and John also knew that Anna deserved a night out childfree. They were carefully pushing her in an attempt to show her that Carson would be just fine.

"Yes," Charles agreed, reaching back for Carson. "She has me. You know your mother or I won't let anything happen to her."

"I know. I just worry…" Anna paused her words, knowing that deep down she was overreacting. She bent over and kissed Carson's cheeks. "Be a good girl. Mummy loves you so much. Please, call for anything! Even if you can't find her favorite lovey."

"We will. Now go! And enjoy yourselves."

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

The moment they entered the hotel room, Anna crashed her lips against John's. This was a moment she had been waiting for all these months. Her arms wrapped around his neck, deepening their kiss, and she dragged him further into the room with her.

John seemed to take a second to realize what was going on, before his hands came to rest on her lower back. He felt Anna's lips part slightly and took advantage by slipping his tongue through them. Anna moaned.

"I….I…." Anna could barely speak; she was already breathless. She had built this up so much in her head that fear had become to take over. What if she wasn't good enough for him? What if he could tell that she had been changed by him? And just like that, the snake was back to destroying her life.

"Hey," John soothed, his hands ran down her arms and grasped at her hands. "We don't have to do anything tonight, Anna. You are my wife and I have already been made the happiest man alive," he promised her.

Anna slowly licked at her lower lip and sighed. She shuddered.

"I….I want this, John," she assured him. "I just….it may take me a minute to be ready."

"Take as long as you need, my darling."

The two settled down on the sofa that was in front of the bed. Anna curled against John and turned on the television.

"We're married," Anna giggled. She perched herself up and kissed John's cheek. "I'm Mrs. Bates."

"I know and it is so wonderful," John exclaimed. Anna slowly inched herself up and brought her legs on other side of John. She brought her hands on the back of John's head and smiled.

"In a few years, I'd like to have Carson a baby brother," Anna informed him. John's lips twitched up to a side smile.

"Is that so?" Anna's head nodded. She lowered her head so she could press her lips against John's. Her hands slid from his head and skimmed over his chest.

"I love you," she said, strongly. John brushed his hand over Anna's cheek, kissing her gently.

"I love you, too."

"I'm ready," Anna murmured against his lips.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes."

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

Anna awoke the next morning feeling renewed. A smile spread over her lips and she turned so she could see John. He was still snoozing. Upon seeing his sheet almost all drawn over on her side, Anna chuckled to herself. She inched closer to him and kissed his nose. At this, John's eyes fluttered opened. Seeing Anna, his lips curled up into a smile.

"Good morning," he huskily stated.

"Good morning," Anna repeated, her heart fluttering. "We have some time before we have to get back home. I was wondering if you'd like to…."

Before she could finish her sentence, John turned Anna onto her back and pulled himself over her, making Anna giggle.

"What if I was going to suggest breakfast?" Anna questioned. John's face fell slightly.

"Sorry, my darling. I didn't mean…." He began to slide away from her, but Anna grabbed his arms to keep him where he was.

"I was only teasing," Anna told him. "This is exactly what I was suggesting."

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

A few hours later, they were back at their house. Anna nearly knocked the door over trying to get through it to see her daughter. John was only a step or two behind her, he had also missed his little girl.

"Ah, there's Mummy," Elsie said, as she lifted Carson from the playpen on the floor. Anna eagerly took the little girl and held her tightly to her chest.

"How was she? How did she do?"

"She did great," Elsie promised. Just then, Charles walked out from the guest room and offered them both a bright smile.

"Did you both have a good time?"

"We did," Anna replied. "Thank you both for watching Carson for us."

"Anytime, truly, Anna. Just let us know when you'd like us to do it again."

Anna ran her hand down Carson's back and kissed the top of her head. "Probably not any time soon. One night was enough for now."

"Well, when she's older, love. We'll get out of your hair, so you guys can enjoy your day as an official family."

Anna gave her parents both a hug and then walked them to the door. Then John came up behind her and placed his hand on the small of her back. Even though the three of them had already been a family, there was something special and different about this moment. Anna rested her head back against John and sighed contently.

They decided to go out to the backyard. There they had a small area to sit. As the three of them sat and enjoyed the sunshine, Anna thought about how lucky she truly was to have the two of them in her lives.

To be continued one more time...