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Chapter 16

"What…no," Anna cried, her hands clutching over her chest and her head shaking back and forth.

"Now, hold on," Elsie attempted to calm, as she stepped into the small cottage. "We don't know who exactly was hurt or if Lord Grantham and Mr. Bates were even on the train. Because of a train crash, there have been several delays."

"This is too much like Lou," Anna continued to sob. "No, no."

Elsie gave her a somber look and took Anna's shoulders into her hands.

"We don't know anything, yet. Let's not get ahead of ourselves, alright? Let me make you some tea, before I have to head back to Downton for the night."

"I can't go through this again."

"Come now, sit," Elsie led her to one of the chairs at the kitchen table and she began to make the tea.

When Elsie placed it in front of her, Anna attempted to gulp it down, but her mind was only on John and what she would do if he didn't come home. She wasn't sure she would survive it.

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

For hours after Mrs. Hughes went back to Downton Abbey, Anna paced back and forth, tears streaming down her face. She was going to lose him too. And not only her, the children. They were going to lose their father.

Eventually, she had ended up asleep on the settee, her eyes dry and red from all the crying.

The sound of the door opening made Anna jump up. It was dark and it took a moment for her eyes to adjust. She was certain it was Mrs. Hughes coming to tell her bad news. But then her eyes made out the broad shoulders and the curve of his hat. She let out a relieved sob.

"Oh my god," she cried, rushing over toward John. "I…I was so frightened."

She wrapped her arms around his strong frame, crying into his chest with harsh, unrelenting sobs. She heard the sound of his luggage dropping onto the floor and then felt his own arms coming around her.

"What's all this, my darling?" His words were soothing and full of love.

"There…there was an accident! I thought…."

"Shh," he murmured into her hair. "It's alright. I'm alright. We missed that train. I'm sorry we came back so late. Because of the crash, we were unable to catch another train. We were trying to find a way home and were unable to get a message back to the Abbey to let everyone know we were alright."

"I thought you had died," Anna continued on.

"I'm here," he assured her, rubbing her back with his hand. "Shh, my darling. I'm here."

Anna pressed her face deeper into his chest and she happily smelled in his scent. It was musky from his travels and there was the faint smell of peppermint that she always smelled on him. He had a habit of munching on peppermint.

"I'm sorry," he said, his lips nearly touching her hair. She just closed her eyes, praying to the Lord above and thanking Him for bringing John back home to her.

Slowly, she lifted her head and met his eyes.

"I….I love you, John. I was so scared," her confession brought about a smile and also a frown upon John's lips. His hand came up to rest on her chin and he shook his head.

"No need to be scared anymore," he promised. "I'm here. I'm not going anywhere." Then a thought seemed to pass over him and he ran his finger over her lower lip. "Will you stay?"

"Stay?" Anna asked, her brows furrowing.

"Here, with me, with Declan. Will you remain my wife?"

At that, Anna smiled and a small laugh bubbled up into her throat. "I thought you'd never ask."

John smiled brightly then. "Good, because I love you, Anna. I love Louisa. I want us to be a family."

Anna nodded, perching forward so that their foreheads could touch. Their eyes closed and they pressed their lips together in a caste kiss. As they separated, their eyes met.

"I have been wanting to say that for a very long time," John told Anna. He tucked her hair behind her ear. Then he rested his hand on her cheek. "You'll truly stay?"

Anna chuckled, "Yes, silly beggar. I had been hoping you would ask."

John's thumb grazed over her cheekbone. "I promise I will be the best husband I can be to you and the best father to Louisa."

Anna brought her hand over his. "I know you will."

They kissed once more.

"You should go to sleep," John then told Anna. He could see the tiredness within her eyes.

"Right," Anna agreed, though neither could take their hands off the other. "You should too."

"I'll walk you up," John offered.

They made their way upstairs and stopped at Anna's bedroom door. Her eyes lingered on it a moment, before she took an extra step forward. John's eyes widened, as a smile grew upon his lips.

"Are you sure?"

"We're married, aren't we?" Anna asked, tugging him toward the master bedroom.

"Yes."

"Then we ought to share a room."

They entered the bedroom and Anna shut the door behind them. She glanced around the room and felt at ease.

"I don't expect…."

But Anna cut John off by inching up on her toes and kissing him again.

"Shh," she simply said, her hands running up to help slide his jacket off his shoulders. "I want to be your wife in every way." She felt John shudder beneath her hands and then he took her hands within his own and kissed the tops of her knuckles.

"I want that too, but there is no need to rush."

"I would say it's quite the opposite, Mr. Bates, and that this has been something we have both wanted for a very long time."

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

John awoke the next morning slightly disoriented. It wasn't until he felt the warmth beside him, that his lips curled up and he shifted closer to the woman beside him. She was curled toward him, her hair fanned out around her face. He reached out to brush it off her cheek and her eyes slowly opened.

"Hi," he whispered.

"Hi," she replied back with a smile.

"Do you still want to stay?" He asked, his hand combing through her hair. She gave him a hazy smile and then laughed.

"Absolutely."

"Good, I'm so glad." He bent forward to kiss her and then brought her into his arms, feeling so warm and blissful.

Within mere moments, her breaths had deepened and he knew she was back asleep. He couldn't help but smile.

The cry of Declan calling out for Anna made her stir slightly, but John just kissed the crown of her head and told her to remain in bed.

"I'll care for the children this morning. You sleep. I'll bring Louisa in when she needs to nurse."

Anna made a pleased sound, before turning and falling back into her deep sleep.

John quickly dressed and went into Declan's room. The moment the boy saw him, he smiled.

"Papa!"

"Oh, I missed you," John said, lifting his son from the bed.

"Where's Mama?"

"Asleep," John answered.

"She's still here?"

"Yes, and she's not going anywhere."

"Promise?"

"I promise."

TBC...one last time for an epilogue. Thank you again!