A/N : I just thought this could be cute since Anna was so eager to know about Gwen kids in Season 6 episode 4 !!

please review !


Anna woke up like every morning, her husband's arms draped around her waist. She smiled at the feeling. It felt nice to be in his embrace, for her it was the greatest feeling on earth. She left out a pleased sigh at the knowledge she would experience it until she drew her last breath. She placed her hand on her stomach, where their child was growing peacefully. John wasn't aware of it yet, she would tell him soon after she had put the stitch on. She couldn't wait to share the happiest news with her husband. They had longed for it and it was finally happening. But Anna was still frightened about the prospect of something going wrong with her pregnancy, she didn't want to lose another baby. Hold on, my darling, she silently encouraged her unborn child.

She felt kisses on her bare shoulder. She smirked, realizing John was awake. She turned around and greeted him by capturating his lips with hers.

"Good morning, Mr Bates" She rasped.

"Good morning, Mrs Bates"

"Should we get up ?"

"I'll start breakfast, while you get dressed," he said.

"You're a darling" She gave him another kiss on the lips.

While Anna dressed herself, John busied himself in the kitchen making them eggs and bacon.

"Smells good" She said as she came down the stairs. She went to the door and opened it to retrieve the morning newspaper when she noticed a letter with it. It was from Gwen.

"We have a letter from Gwen" She told him when she came back to the kitchen where John was sitting at the table. She began to open the envelope.

"Oh it's been a while, how is she ?" John asked, shoving a spoonful of scrambled eggs into his mouth.

"She's well," Anna said, while reading the letter. "So is her John" Anna gave John a smile, which he reciprocated. "Oh my, she has just given birth to twins" Anna gasped.

"Twins, I bet she's pleased," John joked.

"It's funny, though, I've known Gwen for twenty years, I remember us talking about boys and now she's married and a mother and I am married too" she said, hiding her smirk. She had almost given herself away. She had to be careful or she would spoil the surprise.

"Yes, it's funny how far you've come" John replied, not dragging any attention to the kids part of what she had said. He knew the subject to be a sensitive one. Her miscarriages have been hard on Anna and on him. He still longed for a family with her but he wouldn't breathe a word of it if Anna didn't broach the subject first. "So, you were talking about boys ?" He feigned innocence.

"God knows you were often the subject of our discussions"

"My, Mrs Bates, you really fancied me a lot back then ? "

"Well, I married you so I think you can answer that yourself" Anna smirked. "I think I'll write her back tonight"


That night, while John was readying himself, Anna sat at their little desk to write her letter to Gwen. Her news concerning the twins had made Anna happy the whole day. She was thinking of her own baby growing inside of her. Not any baby, her and John's baby. Their first child. Anna was both excited and frightened. She hadn't told anyone yet, except for Lady Mary. She wanted to tell John but she couldn't bring herself to, she was so afraid of jixing it. If she made it through the third month of this pregnancy, she would tell him. But for now, she felt like she would burst if she kept the secret to herself any longer so she thought she could tell Gwen. She had been her friend for so long, she had been a surrogate sister when Anna had been separated from her biological one against her will. She knew Gwen would be thrilled for her and would keep her secret.

My dear Gwen,

I'm so happy to hear from you after this long. I know your life has been busy, mine has been too. I'm glad to know the business is going well. Here the things are how they have always been yet everything has changed. My John and I are doing well. The last months - well the last years to be honest - were not easy but as usual we overcame everything.

I'm so pleased for you being a mom now. I was telling John how crazy it was that we've known each other since we were both in our twenties, gossiping about boys and now we're both grown women almost in their forties with a husband. I need you to send me a picture of these two lovely boys. I'm truly happy for you, you deserve to have a lovely family. About that, the last time I wrote to you, I told you about our difficulties in having a baby with John. Well, you're the only one I've told for now - except for Lady Mary because she came with me to the doctor - but I'm pregnant. I haven't told John for the moment because if I miscarry again, he would be heartbroken but I promise to tell him soon. I'm almost three months gone and the doctor told me I should undergo an operation to help me keep the baby at three months. I'm so happy yet scared. I count on you to give me some motherly advice.

I hope to see you both really soon

All my love,

Anna

Anna sighed happily as she put her pen back on the desk. She heard John come behind her and quickly put the letter in its envelope and hide it in the desk's drawer.

"We're being secret, my darling ?" He said, kissing her head crown.

"Mind you" she replied in jest.


John and Anna were in bed. She had announced her pregnancy to him a few hours ago at the Carsons welcome back party. He couldn't keep from kissing his wife, her nose, her lips, her neck, her cheek. John kept on thanking her, showering her with I love you's. His hands were protectively draped over her stomach, as if he wanted to protect his future child already, which is what he wanted to do.

"Anna Bates, I think you made the happiest man on earth, again" he whispered in her ear, making her shiver.

"It's all thanks to you, John"

"Oh I think you played a great part in it too, Mrs Bates" he joked before asking."Say, Mummy" Anna beamed at hearing her husband call her by her new title "how long have you kept that secret ? Obviously Lady Mary knew and Mr Branson as well"

"Lady Mary was the one who recommended Doctor Ryder to me. I told her the day I learned I was pregnant" she gave him a soft smile "She told Mr Branson on wednesday when he drove us to the station"

"You should have told me"

"You know I didn't want to get your hopes up and end up breaking your heart if I miscarried again"

"Anna-"

"I'm sorry, John, but I was, and still am, frightened anything could go wrong"

"It won't, don't worry" He sealed his promise with a kiss.

"I also told Gwen in the letter I wrote before she came to visit" Anna blurted.

"What ? You told Gwen before you told me ?" He asked, feigning the offense.

"Well, you told his Lordship you wanted to marry me before you told me, so we're even" she countered, poking her tongue. John started to tickle her sides causing Anna to wriggle in his arms.

"John, stop it !" She begged.

"Make me" He rasped. She kissed him senseless in response. Though they didn't go any further because Anna's stitch was still a little fragile.