Thank you all! We're at the happy conclusion with the epilogue coming at you tomorrow! :)

Chapter 23

Time had moved forward and they had fallen into a wonderful routine of life. The dark stage of Anna's life was now but a memory. There were no more bad days, no more nightmares, and only sometimes did Anna get transported for a moment or too with a flashback. But she was always able to shake herself out of it and if, by chance, she couldn't, she could find John who would help her through it. These times were so rare, however, that it didn't impede their happiness.

Anna gathered Lady Mary's hair up into a beautiful twist, adjusting a pin within her hair.

"And then she began to pull herself up, m'lady!" Anna exclaimed, giggling. "It seems rather early, don't you think? She's only seven months old, but she did it. Mr. Bates is so glad we moved her into a cot. She was standing just staring at us when we went in to get her this morning, proud of herself. I think I am going to have an escape artist on my hands in the near future."

She pinned another hair, only to notice tears within Lady Mary's eyes.

"Oh, Lady Mary, have I hurt you? Is…is something wrong?" Lady Mary shook her head, quickly blinking the tears away.

"No, I am only so happy to see you happy, Anna. I was terribly worried about you. I never thought I would see you this cheerful again."

"I'm sorry that I worried you," Anna replied, frowning. "I do appreciate all you did for me, m'lady. If it weren't for your flexibility with my schedule and understanding, I don't know…"

"Think nothing of it," Lady Mary simply waved off. "How long did you fret over me after Matthew died and tried to get me back to the land of the living? You've been such a dear friend to me and I was only worried I would never get to see my friend again. But here you are, back with us."

Anna began to feel teary-eyed then. In a different world, she may have wrapped her arms around Mary and given her a tight hug. However, propriety reminded her that she mustn't. So instead, she offered Mary a smile and a thankful nod.

"It was quite the long road, but I am glad to be back."

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

As usual, Anna dipped into the nursery to check in on Ruby. She was standing in her cot, a smile gracing her lips the moment she saw Anna. Quickly, Anna lifted her into her arms, bringing her close, and taking in the wonderful baby smell.

When things had first begun to get better, Anna fretted about overstepping John's role in Ruby's life. She often asked him if it was alright if she went and got Ruby or if she could dress her in the mornings. Finally, John told her she didn't need to ask him, that Ruby was their child, she was her mother. He was glad to see her taking her role.

Anna moved to the rocking chair and grabbed some toys for Ruby to play with. She had a little while before lunchtime and most of her chores for the week had been completed already. Ruby contently grasped at Anna's buttons on her dress and looked up at Anna with her joyful grin. Anna rubbed Ruby's cheek, unable to stop smiling. She was her baby girl. It was hard to remember why she had been so scared.

The door opened and Anna saw it was John. She loved these moments when he arrived around the same time that she did. Though she was sure the two extra bodies in the room often bothered Nanny. She personally preferred only one of them, but she never said anything. John took the seat next to his girls and reached out, hoping Ruby would come to him. And like most times, she did. She was her daddy's little girl. Anna wasn't the least bit jealous. In fact, it made her so very happy to see the two of them together. And she knew that they had bonded for a time when she was not emotionally there.

"She loves her daddy," Anna said, smiling.

John held Ruby up so that he could kiss both of her cheeks. Then he blew a raspberry at her stomach, making Ruby giggle. He did it once more, before placing Ruby into his lap and rocking her gently.

Then John's eyes grew concerned. "Have you been crying?"

Anna brought her hand up to her cheek to feel it wet. She shook her head. "I'm fine, I promise," she strongly added. "Lady Mary and I were only talking about the past. We both got a little emotional, is all."

"Ah," John replied. "I'm glad you are doing well."

He reached over and placed his hand on top of Anna's. She felt her body warm and she felt a sensation flow through her that she had not in a very long time. She turned over her hand so that their fingers could join and she happily sighed. Life was good.

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

Anna made her way down through the downstairs' hallway and heard some whispering between some of the younger maids. Usually, she was not one to try and listen to secret conversations, but something caught her attention. They said the name Green. Everything grew cold. She stepped closer to the doorway so she could catch what they said.

"Yes," one whispered. "He was killed by a young cook! He tried to attack her. Do you think he did that to anyone here?"

"No, you don't think…." Another one quietly replied back.

It had been so long that Anna had thought the life of Alex Green was no longer a topic to be discussed at Downton Abbey. Yet, his story must still be moving along these walls. They had either met him or at least seen him from a distance. If they found out her secret, what would that mean?

"Anna?" She jumped, turning to find Mrs. Hughes behind her. Mrs. Hughes must have seen the paleness of her cheeks, because she insisted that Anna come into her parlor for a moment.

Inside of Mrs. Hughes' parlor, Anna began to panic.

"They…they know…I didn't think…everyone will be talking….." She sputtered, unable to get a full sentence out of her lips.

"What are you talking about, dear?"

"Mr. Green," Anna finally answered, the word feeling sour on her tongue.

"Oh, they are still going on about that," Mrs. Hughes answered, with a quick shake of her head. "That has been going on around the downstairs since he died, Anna. If anyone was going to figure it out, they have by now."

Anna tightened her lips. "Do…do people know?"

"I'm afraid some have guessed, yes," Mrs. Hughes gently said to her. "But Anna, it hasn't changed anything about how they feel about you. Could you honestly tell me who knows and who doesn't?"

Anna thought on it and then her head shook. "No," she whispered.

"Exactly. No one thinks any differently. Everyone cares about you, Anna. I think the evidence of that has been made clear, don't you?"

"Yes," Anna had to agree. "Who else knows?" Anna tried to think of everyone downstairs. "Wait," she added. "I'd probably rather not know."

"That's right," Mrs. Hughes agreed. "That is probably best."

She didn't know why, but this did make Anna feel much better.

"Now, how about…"

But before Mrs. Hughes could say anything else, Anna had thrown her arms around her shoulders.

"Thank you," Anna whispered into her ear. "Thank you for saving my life…for helping me through this hard time."

"Oh Anna," Mrs. Hughes replied, bringing her own arms up around Anna. "I'm so glad for it. You know I do care for you very much?"
As they pulled away, Anna nodded. "I know. I care for you too, Mrs. Hughes. I wouldn't be here without you."

Mrs. Hughes' eyes grew wet. "I'm glad you are here, Anna."

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

Anna laid against John's chest, gently tracing her fingers over the lines on his pajama top, while he read his book. Her fingers moved down, up under the top, to touch the warm skin. Her eyes moved upward to her husband, who had lowered his book.

"What are you doing, Mrs. Bates? Trying to tickle me? I am not ticklish," he playfully reminded her.

"No," she answered, leaning forward and pressing her hand against his skin. "I thought I might repay you for all your patience and love." She then took the book from his hand and placed it on the bedside table.

"Anna," John said, shaking his head and sitting up slightly. "You don't have to do anything for me. And I won't have you do anything you are not ready for."

"It's been over a year," Anna replied, continuing to inch her hand up against his top until she could feel the course hair of his chest.

"It'll take as long as it takes," he simply stated. "I only want this when you are ready."

Anna licked her lower lip, before bringing her leg up and over so that she was on top of him.

"I am ready, John."

He eyed her carefully. "Are you sure? I don't want…"

"I'm ready," she stated again. "I knew the moment you touched my hand in the nursery. I knew I needed to be yours again."

"You've always been mine," he gruffly responded, before Anna bent down and kissed him. His hand came up to her hair, deepening their kiss. Anna began to kiss tracing along his jawline and then toward his neck. She continued downward, on a mission, until John lifted her up and laid her back onto her back.

"But…" she pouted. John shook his head.

"We tend to you first," he said, his hand reaching out to rest on her stomach.

"Tonight is about you," Anna disagreed. "I want to thank you…"

"My darling," John began, as he kissed her neck and made her moan, "It's always been about you, don't you see that? And I won't be happy until I am sure you are completely satisfied."

Anna bit down on her lip.

Their lips met and John did as he promised. He loved on her until her toes curled and her body screamed out for release after release. She had forgotten how it felt to be this free and open with the love of her life.

John kissed up her side and then laid lazily beside her, as she calmed from her many highs.

"You see, my darling, this right here makes me the happiest man on earth. You being completely free with me, it is my greatest reward."

"I need you now," Anna breathed then. John smiled and moved over Anna, joining them. She felt whole and complete in that moment.

They took it slow, relearning one another and basking in what they had missed for so long. When they were finished, Anna clung to John and begged him to stay for just a moment longer.

"I'm going to crush you," John said into her ear.

"Then crush me. I missed this." He looked up, meeting her eyes, before pressing a kiss to her forehead.

"Me too, my darling."

She finally allowed him to roll beside her, where he pulled her into his arms. They laid there content for several moments, before they heard a cry from the nursery.

"Let me," John insisted, kissing her hair over and over. "I'll be right back."

John slid from the bed and grabbed his pajama pants from the floor. Anna watched him, deeply in love. They had finally reclaimed everything back.

To be continued...one last time :)