Chapter IV

It felt like the world stopped turning when their eyes finally locked. They just kept staring at each other, speechless. John was too nervous to speak, mostly because he was afraid of how she would react to seeing him again. Anna, on the other hand, couldn't believe her luck! She thought she had messed things up for good, when she had returned to the stall after she and Daisy had finally managed to find Gwen, and discovered that he had already gone.

They would have spent the whole afternoon staring at each other, if Robert hadn't spoken up. ''Hello, Anna,'' he grinned, and looked first at her and then at his friend, who was still standing next to him, tongue-tied.

Anna cleared her throat, then stammered, ''…hello, Mr. Crawley.''

''Oh Anna, how many times must I tell you, please call me Robert.'' He smiled and walked toward her. ''I see Cora has finally taken pity on us and sent some hot drinks. May I?'' he asked, nodding toward the mugs in her hands.

''Yes…yes, she did.'' Anna handed him one of the mugs.

''John?'' Robert turned to him and smiled. ''Would you like some tea?''

''What?'' John finally shifted his gaze away from Anna to look at his friend.

''Tea?'' Anna smiled sweetly and offered him a mug.

''Yes, please.'' John approached her slowly. ''Thank you,'' he said, taking the drink. She didn't look upset or disappointed at seeing him, he thought. If anything, she looked pleasantly surprised. But if she was glad to see him, why in the world hadn't she shown up at the stall as they had agreed?

''I think I hear Cora calling me,'' said Robert, when he couldn't stand the silence any longer. ''Stop brooding and talk to her!'' he whispered to John, and walked inside before John could protest.

''So…'' John began, when the front door closed. ''…hi.'' He shifted nervously from one leg to the other.

''I'm sorry,'' she babbled, surprising him. ''I'm so sorry about the other night, but something came up. You see, my best friend had a little too much to drink and my other friend couldn't find her and asked me to help…but it took a lot longer than we expected. I wanted to explain, but by the time we found her, you had already gone, and…''

John smiled, sensing her sincerity. ''Was your friend all right?''

''Yes, yes - she was…she is,'' she nodded, and returned the smile. Thank god! He wasn't angry with her! ''She had gone to get another drink and, believe it or not, managed to fall asleep behind of one of the tables.''

''Oh, I believe you, I know the feeling.'' He laughed and took a step closer. ''John Bates.'' He removed the glove from his hand before offering it to her.

''Anna, Anna Smith,'' she replied, and placed her much smaller hand in his. Finally - some kind of contact! She savoured the feeling of his warm hand against her colder one. ''No Josh with you today?'' she asked, suddenly feeling her nerves return.

''No, he's spending Christmas with his family back in Scotland,'' John replied softly, not yet letting go of her hand. ''He's my sister's boy.''

''I do hope you've apologized to his parents on my behalf. I still can't forgive myself for knocking his front teeth out,'' she said sheepishly.

''Believe me, he's perfectly fine. You helped him. Really, don't worry about it,'' he chuckled.

''Are you sure?''

''Completely,'' he said softly, and looked her directly into her clear blue eyes. ''How is your cheek?'' he asked, pointing to her face.

''Better.'' Anna gently brushed the bandage with her hand. That side of her face still hurt, but right now that wasn't important. He was here…and standing just a few feet away from her!

''I really am sorry. I would never...''

''I know,'' she broke in. ''I'm fine. Really.''

''I'm glad.'' He still felt bad about hurting her. ''Are you staying for dinner?'' He cleared his throat nervously and looked down when he caught himself staring.

''I am. You?'' she asked, hoping he would say yes. And he did.

''Yes. I just moved back from Ireland and Robert was kind enough to ask me to join them this year.''

''I'm glad he did,'' Anna said quickly, and felt herself blush.

''Yeah, me too,'' he chuckled, glad that she seemed truly happy to see him. ''You should go back inside.'' The snow had started to fall even harder, and he would feel terrible if she got sick because of him.

''Ummm, yes…you're probably right. It is getting cold.'' She realised that she was beginning to get chilled without her coat. She had thought she was only popping out for a second to give Robert and his friend a hot drink, never in a million years imagining that Mary's dad's friend would be John. ''See you later?''

''Absolutely,'' John grinned, and his eyes followed her until she disappeared indoors.

xXx

''Mary?! MARY!?'' Anna barged into her friend's bedroom just a few seconds after she returned indoors.

''What is it?''

''He's here!'' Anna was hopping up and down like an excited child.

''Who's here?''

''The guy I was telling you about!'' Anna almost squeaked.

''You mean the mysterious John who almost killed you?'' Mary asked, lying on her bed, reading a magazine.

''Yes!'' Anna said, too excited to correct Mary's choice of words. ''Come here!'' She grabbed her arm and pulled her to the window. ''Look!''

''What?'' Mary looked out and saw two men shovelling snow in front of the house.

''That's him!'' Anna said, her face glued to the glass.

''Where? All I can see is Papa and Uncle Joh-...OH MY GOD!'' Mary almost screamed, looking at her friend in shock. ''You mean, your John is our John!? But…but…he's old, Anna!''

''Oh, come on - he can't be that old!'' Anna smiled, her eyes lingering on John's broad shoulders as he worked.

''He's 38, Anna! That's old.''

''13 year age gap…it could be a lot worse,'' she giggled.

''Gross.'' Mary moved away from the window and sat down on her bed. ''Of all the Johns in the entire country, you have to go and pick the one who is like an uncle to me! Oh god - please promise me that when you two get together, you won't ever talk to me about his body!'' she moaned, and buried her head in a pillow.

''So…you think I have a chance?'' Anna's eyes lit up.

''Seriously, look at you! You could get any man you want!'' Mary looked up at her friend who at this point was absolutely glowing.

''Who could?'' Cora asked, as she was passing the open bedroom door.

''Anna could!'' Mary turned to her mother. ''But you'll never believe it - our Uncle John is the John who almost killed her the other day.''

''Mary?!'' Anna's face went bright red. ''Cora, don't listen to her…I just…''

''Oh, that's why he was running around the kitchen like a chicken without its head when you two arrived,'' Cora smiled, finally understanding John's odd behaviour.

''What do you mean?'' Anna asked, and Cora was happy to tell them what had happened.

''He's a good man, Anna,'' Cora added when she was finished with the story. ''He's had his share of troubles, but that's more his ex's fault than his.''

''Ex…as in…?'' Anna asked.

''…wife,'' Mary replied. ''A nasty piece of work, if you ask me.''

''She was. But she's gone now.'' Cora turned to Anna. ''And if you think you like him, don't let the fact that he's divorced stop you. He is one of the nicest, most honest, and most honourable men I've ever met. He has a heart of gold. I think he's just been unlucky in love.''

''Yes, Anna,'' Mary added quickly. ''I might be grossed out by the fact that you're hot for my dad's best friend, but I have to agree with Mama. John is the best!''

''And so is his arse,'' Cora added.

''Mama!''

''What? I have eyes,'' Cora laughed.

''Oh god, first Anna, now you?!''

''Oh Mary, grow up,'' Cora teased. ''Like it or not, John Bates is one fine hunk of man, especially his…''

''La-la-la…I'm not listening!'' Mary covered both ears with her hands and ran out of the room as both Cora and Anna burst into laughter.

''Would you like me to seat him next to you at dinner?'' Cora asked, closing the door after Mary was gone. She had been working on the seating arrangement for the last two weeks, but if there was even a slight chance that Anna could make John Bates happy again, she was all in.

''What?'' Anna's smile grew bigger. ''You would do that for me?''

''I would.''

''Thank you so much!''

xXx

''Robert! How do I look?'' John walked into his friend's study, after spending the last hour trying to choose just the right tie out of his suitcase. If he had known that Anna would be there, he would have packed his finest suit. He could only hope that his simple black suit and white shirt would be good enough.

''What do you mean?'' Robert looked up from his notes.

''Come on, Robert…'' John pleaded. ''How do I look?''

''Uh…good?''

''Oh, forget it.'' John was about to walk out when Robert stood up. ''Wait.'' He walked over to John and straightened his tie. ''Listen to me - you look fine.'' He rested his palms on his friend's shoulders. ''Stop stressing yourself out. You said she was happy to see you, right?''

''She was,'' John grinned.

''The last time I checked, that is a very good sign. Especially after what you did to her face.''

''Oh god, don't remind me!''

''I'm kidding, Johnny - relax!''

''I can't! I'm sweating like crazy - I've already changed my shirt three times.'' After their conversation, John had not seen Anna all afternoon. Cora had informed him that she had gone with Mary to town. Apparently, they had some last Christmas shopping to do. But what Cora had chosen not to mention was that the girls had gone to get Anna a new dress for tonight's dinner.

''You're going to be fine.'' Robert let go of him when the first chime of the doorbell echoed through the house. ''Ready?''

''Not really.'' John was nervous. He was about to have dinner with her. Not alone, but still... She made him feel all giddy inside and, after everything that had happened with Vera, he knew he couldn't screw this up.

''Oh, come on, let's go,'' Robert laughed, before walking out with him to greet the first guests.

xXx

''Dinner is served. Please follow me,'' Mr. Carson, the family butler, announced after all the guests had finally arrived. Well, not all. Anna and Mary were still nowhere to be found.

''Where is she?'' John whispered to Robert, as they were making their way to the dining room.

''Relax, John. I'm sure she and Mary will be here any second now.'' Robert smiled to himself. It was such a change to see his best mate acting all nervous and sweet after everything he had gone through with that witch of an ex-wife named Vera. But he could not be happier for him.

''I hope you're right.'' John walked into the room, taking in the longest table he had ever seen. Walking along it, his eyes scanned countless small name cards on the plates in an attempt to find his seat. He had no idea with who Cora had seated him with, but he hoped it wasn't going to be Miss O'Brien as she had a few years ago. Dreadful woman, John recalled, as he finally found the card with his name. For some reason Cora had placed him at the far end of the table, but he didn't mind at all, especially after he looked at the name on the card next to him. ''Oh, my god,'' he inhaled sharply as he read the name, Miss Anna Smith. Looking up, he saw Cora smiling at him.

''Merry Christmas,'' Cora mouthed toward him and the only thing John could do was to nod and smile back at her. That bloody Robert - he could not keep his mouth shut if his life depended on it, John thought.

''Please be seated,'' Robert greeted everyone warmly, and just as the guests were about to sit down, the main door opened wide and in ran Mary and Anna.

''I'm sorry we're late, Papa!''

''Yes, yes. Just find your place so we can begin,'' Robert replied, slightly annoyed with his perpetually late daughter.

''Sorry, Mr. Crawley,'' Anna apologized, and walked towards her chair, brightening when she saw who was seated next to her. ''Good evening, Mr. Bates,'' she said when she finally reached him. He was the only one still standing, his mouth slightly open and his eyes drinking her in. She was wearing a simple black sleeveless knee-length dress, but she could not have looked more beautiful.

''Goo-…good evening,'' he managed to stutter, his eyes still on her. ''You're beautiful,'' he blurted out before he could stop himself.

''Thank you.'' She blushed, glad Mary had forced her to get a new dress just a few hours ago. ''You don't look so bad yourself.'' She had to laugh when she saw a slight blush on his cheeks, too.

''Yes, well…shall we?'' He pulled out her chair.

''Thank you.'' Anna saw Cora watching them as she sat down, and she could not be more grateful to her. John was the first man in a very long time who made her feel all mushy inside. She did not know much about him, but the way he was looking at her let her know that the feeling was mutual. And it felt right.

John and Anna spent the entire meal talking about anything and everything. It felt like they were the only ones in the room, and they had eyes only for each other. Little touches and long glances had been shared between them and at some point John was sure he could feel one of her legs brush against his. She was amazing, both outside and inside. Funny, smart, quick, polite, and honest, which was so completely the opposite of what John had been used to with his ex.

''What do you mean you love winter? Nobody loves winter!'' John chuckled as the dessert was served.

''What is there not to love about winter!?'' Anna laughed. Cora was right; he seemed like such a good man! ''Snow, hot chocolate, warm socks, Christmas carols, warm woollies…''

''Icy pavements, runny noses, layers upon layers of uncomfortable clothes, snow shovelling, long cold nights…''

''…which are lovely if you spend them in front of a cosy fireplace,'' Anna interrupted playfully.

''Not if you're all by yourself.''

''So, why don't you ask me to join you?'' Anna blurted without thinking. ''I mean…'' she quickly started to backtrack when she realized what she had just said.

''Would you?'' John grinned, ignoring her embarrassment.

''I would,'' Anna smiled back at him when she saw he was serious.

''It's a date, then.''

''It is.'' She took a sip of her drink as they continued to stare at each other. There was definitely something happening between them, and what was even more important, they were both prepared to find out what that something was.

xXx

The dinner was soon over and, as the guests retreat to the drawing room, John disappeared for a few moments, giving both Cora and Mary an opportunity to find out what had happened during dinner.

''He's sweet,'' Anna offered shyly, not ready to share too much at the moment.

''Is he?'' Mary grinned, enjoying the blush on her best friend's face.

''Mary, leave her alone.'' Cora gave her daughter a stern look. ''Anna, whatever is happening, believe me, you are doing it right.''

''What do you mean?''

''He has this look in his eyes…a look I've not seen for a very long time.''

''Anna is getting sooome tonight!''

''Mary, please be quiet and go find Matthe-…'' Cora began, when all of a sudden someone appeared behind the three of them.

''Excuse me, ladies,'' John said simply, taking Anna's hands in his and pulling her away.

''Where are we going?'' Anna giggled, as she followed him.

''You'll see.'' He looked back and winked at her, stopping near the front door where everyone had checked their coats. ''Could we get Miss Smith's coat, please?''

''Here you go, sir,'' said a young lad, and handed the coat to John, who quickly helped Anna put it on before once again pulling her behind him, this time outside to the small park adjacent to the house.

''What are we doing here?'' Anna asked, out of breath, wondering what was he up to.

''Wait.'' John looked up into the dark sky, hoping he was right about this.

They stood still in complete silence for a few moments until Anna's voice cut through the cold air. ''John?''

''Just wait,'' he said gently, but suddenly Anna understood. She could smell it in the air…her old friend was back!

''It's sno-…'' she began, as the first new snowflake landed in John's hair.

''It is.'' John finally looked at her and before Anna knew it, he had wrapped his hands around her waist and pulled her against him. ''Might I kiss you, Miss Smith?'' he asked boldly.

''What do you think?'' she whispered, and before he could respond, she stepped up on her tiptoes and touched her lips to his. The kiss was slow at first, shy even. But once they both relaxed into the embrace, there was no way back. John slowly backed her against a tree, his right hand slowly trailing up and down her side as their tongues danced together for the very first time.

''Oh, god!'' Anna gasped into his mouth when his palm cupped her behind, pulling her even closer into him, if that was even possible. He knew exactly what he was doing, and at this point she felt a little lightheaded. It was simply too much to comprehend, but it felt so, so good.

Leaving her lips, John placed a few gentle kisses on her neck and on the cheek that he had hurt just a few days ago.

''Merry Christmas, Anna,'' he whispered softly into her ear.

''Merry Christmas, John.''

beta: annambates! :D thank you! :)

hi reader :O sorry I'm late with this