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Chapter 22

Anna glanced at her hair in the mirror, making sure there were no stray hairs sticking up. She was quite excited about their evening tonight. Soon, she was going to have to make all of this up to him, do something special that was only for him. He had done so much for her.

In the other room, Ruby began to fuss. Anna paused what she was doing and listened for John. He was calling out from the bathroom. Anna inhaled sharply. She turned and made her way to the nursery, her heart aching at Ruby's stressful calls.

Slowly, she walked toward the cradle, glancing down at the baby's red and angry face.

"It's alright," Anna whispered down, gently rocking the cradle. Ruby only screamed harder.

"Ruby, I'll be right there, very soon!" John's voice called out.

"Your daddy is coming," Anna tried, bending over and brushing her finger against Ruby's wet cheek. The baby continued to wail. Without much thought, Anna bent over and lifted Ruby up into her arms. It wasn't until Ruby was snuggled against her chest and her cries had stopped, that Anna realized what she was doing. Tears immediately sprung in her eyes and she only held Ruby closer. Her eyes closed, as she pressed kiss after kiss against Ruby's head. Everything just felt right. The fear was gone. All she felt was an immense love for this little girl in her arms, her little girl.

It was then that Anna realized John was there. She met his gaze, overwhelmed. He smiled, coming forward and kissing the top of her head.

"I did it," she whispered. "Oh, John, I did it. And now, I don't ever want to let her go." She didn't know how she was supposed to put Ruby down now that she had finally been able to pick her up.

"You did," John murmured into hair. "You did."

"She stopped crying," Anna said in awe.

"She loves you," John replied, his hand coming up to pull her close to him. "She knows you are her mummy."

Anna's breath hitched in her throat.

"I don't think I can go to dinner tonight," she then said. The thought of being away from Ruby now was unimaginable. John chuckled.

"No, we will stay home."

Anna glanced up, now noticing that half of John's face was still covered in shaving cream.

"It's a good thing too, Mr. Bates, because you look a little silly."

The lift in her voice had Ruby glancing up. Anna met her eyes and smiled down at her.

"Doesn't your daddy look a little silly, Ruby?"

Ruby blubbered something intangible and then blew a raspberry with her tongue, making both John and Anna laugh.

"Yes, I ought to go and clean this up. Then maybe I can meet Mrs. Hughes half way so she doesn't make the full journey to the cottage tonight." He kissed the top of her head again, before leaving the nursery.

Anna walked her and Ruby over to the rocking chair and sat down, turning her so she could see her face.

"I'm sorry I took so long," Anna whispered to her. "But I promise, I won't go anywhere again."

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

Elsie was early when she arrived at the cottage, so it surprised her when Mr. Bates opened the door before she even knocked. He seemed startled that she was at his doorstep.

"Mrs. Hughes, you're early," he said. He had his coat in his hands, as though he was about to put it on.

"Yes, I hope that is alright," Elsie answered. She began to step forward to come inside, John moved so she could walk in.

"It is. Only, we no longer need your services. I was on my way to meet you," Mr. Bates told her.

"Oh," Elsie worried, her brows knitting. "Has something happened with the baby? With Anna?"

Before Mr. Bates could answer, she saw Anna walking down the stairs with Ruby in her arms. Anna didn't spot her, not yet. She was focused on Ruby, whispering into her hair and holding her tightly to her chest. Elsie's heart skipped a beat.

"Oh," she now said, breathless.

"I know," Mr. Bates replied, his own face still in awe. "I think we'd rather stay in tonight with this new development."

Elsie met Mr. Bates' eyes. They were full of relief and happiness. It was the same feeling that was soaring through Elsie. After all this time, Anna was finally holding her daughter and she looked so natural. All the uneasiness had faded away.

Anna had now realized Elsie was here and she walked over toward her, rocking Ruby in her arms.

"I'm so sorry you came all this way."

"Shh, don't you worry. I am happy for you," Elsie strongly stated, she reached out and gave Anna's arm a gentle squeeze. "Enjoy your little one. I will see you both tomorrow."

After telling them goodbye, Elsie turned to walk back to Downton. By the time she arrived, she didn't realize that she was crying. All of the pent up worry was now able to release, as she felt so happy that Anna had finally come around. She had Anna back; they all did.

"Mrs. Hughes?" Mr. Carson asked upon her entering the back door. She sniffled, trying to quickly wipe her tears away. "What's happened? Aren't you supposed to be watching Ruby tonight?"

"Oh, Mr. Carson," she blubbered, her emotions taking over. "She's back. Anna is back."

It took a moment for Mr. Carson to understand what she was saying, but when he did, his lips curled upwards.

"I told you she would be."

"Yes, you did, Mr. Carson." She wiped her cheeks once more. "Tonight is an easy night, little needed to be done. Would you like to join me for dinner?"

Flustered, Mr. Carson glanced around. "With me?"

"Of course with you."

"Then I would be honored to, Mrs. Hughes."

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

Anna hadn't wanted to put Ruby down for bedtime, but she knew that her schedule was important for both her growth and their sleep. She left the nursery, knowing that she would likely end up back in there in the middle of the night to watch her as she slept.

When she reached the bedroom, she saw that John was already spread out in the bed. He appeared more relaxed than she had seen from him in a very long time. Anna made her way to him, sitting at the side of the bed and grabbing at his hand. His other hand came up to touch her cheek and she leaned into his touch.

"I owe you the world," Anna whispered. "If it weren't for you, who knows…"

"Shh," John just stopped her, sitting up more. "You are my wife, Anna. I love you more than anything. You were there for me, when I was arrested, put on trial, and then in prison. Did you ever leave my side?"

"That wasn't the same," Anna murmured, her eyes glancing down at her hands. "I left you to raise Ruby alone. I…I…"

"No," he interrupted. "It was not your fault. This was out of your control. I know that if you had been able to control this, it never would have happened. I promised to love you and I meant that promise when I made it. And I am sure there are still some hard days ahead. But we've made it to the other side and I am so very glad."

Anna met his eyes, bending forward to give him a chaste kiss.

"I am too."

Ruby began to fuss and John sat up, preparing to go and get her. Anna placed her hands on his shoulders, gently pushing him back.

"I'll get her." John smiled.

"Alright."

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

The next morning when they arrived at Downton, Anna was the one to pick up Ruby from her pram. She adjusted the bonnet on her head and nuzzled her nose against Ruby's cheek. She had been afraid that Ruby would grow tired of her and want for her father more. But Ruby was happy as long as one of them was carrying her. It seemed John was right and knew that she was her mother.

Anna held her tightly, not quite ready to hand her over to Nanny.

With John's hand on the small of her back, Anna was ready to step inside. He was ever her strength. She knew she would likely be gone from this earth if it weren't for him and his love, as well as the care from everyone at Downton.

They entered the downstairs to be immediately greeted by Mrs. Hughes. She fussed over Ruby, thankfully not drawing attention to the change in the air. A few others gathered around. This happened some mornings when time lagged. Everyone wanted to get a look at Ruby. She had become a bit of all of theirs. And this morning, Anna was able to enjoy it.

"There's my favorite little one," Thomas cut in, reaching out for Ruby to take his finger.

Anna did note that everyone seemed to be eyeing one another, likely noting the fact that Anna was actually holding Ruby, but thankfully no one said anything. Well, not at first.

"Anna!" Daisy exclaimed. "You're holding Ruby! You never hold her! Are you feeling better? We have all been so very concerned."

"Daisy," Thomas curtly began, "Did Mrs. Hughes' discussion about using discretion not register with you?"

"Oh! Sorry!"

Anna just nodded. "It's alright. I should probably take Ruby up to Nanny before breakfast."

"Yes, back to work everyone," Mrs. Hughes called out. Everyone scattered, leaving John and Anna alone.

"I'm not sure I'm ready to hand her over," Anna confided to John, as he walked her and Ruby to the bottom of the stairs.

"You'll be able to visit her throughout the day," he reminded her. He bent forward kissing her forehead. "I'll see you soon." He used the back of his finger to rub Ruby's cheek. "Be a good girl for your mummy. See you soon, my little darling."

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

John woke up in the middle of the night surprised to find Anna missing. He quickly got up, concern still filling his frame. It had only been a little over twenty-four hours since things had changed and he couldn't help but worry when Anna disappeared.

However, he had no reason to be. He found Anna in the nursery with Ruby in her arms. Both were asleep in the rocking chair. Ruby was tucked in Anna's arms. He smiled.

Carefully, he lifted Ruby out of Anna's hold, causing Anna to awake. She blinked, half asleep and confused.

"What?"

"Shh," he soothed. "Go on back to bed. You fell asleep with Ruby."

He placed Ruby into her cradle and then found Anna now awake in their bed. She was rubbing her eyes with the back of her hands.

"She was fussing," Anna explained. "I hadn't meant to fall asleep with her in my arms."

"You were tired."

"Do you really think that everything will be better from here on out?" There was a bit of fear in Anna's eyes. He couldn't imagine what terrors Anna had faced in her mind and he could understand why she would be scared to go back to that place.

"I do," John assured her. "We're going to be alright, my darling."

"Yes, there is some hope now," Anna smiled. John bent forward, kissing her crown.

"Hope," he agreed.

Anna's brows furrowed, "What is Ruby's middle name? You never told me."

John chuckled, "I never gave her one. I thought you might want to when you were better."

Anna met John's eyes, resting her hand on his chest. "What about Hope?"

"Ruby Hope Bates?" Anna nodded. "Yes," John agreed. "I rather like that."

"Me too," Anna replied, yawning.

"Now, go to sleep. You need your rest."

He laid down and Anna curled into him, her head resting against him. He ran his hand up and down her back until she was in a deep sleep. Slowly, he pressed a kiss against the top of her head, before joining her in her slumber.

To be continued...

This story has one more chapter and then an epilogue. Thank you for reading :)