4:30 in the morning. Time to get up for work. I used to wake around 5:00, but now with JJ I have to take some more time to feed, burp, change, and clothe him. JJ was a little leary this morning. I'm sure last night he discovered something was up because I cried while I fed him. That's our little secret.

"Anna, are you ready to go?" Mr. Bates yelled from the kitchen.

"In a minute!"

I hugged my little boy tightly and whispered in his ear.

"Today mummy has to take care of Lady Mary and you are going to be with Nanny Ellington. I want you to remember mummy and daddy love you however, whatever, whenever."

I picked up JJ and held him tight as we traveled up the drive in the morning dew. The dusty rocks below my feet crunched. Each step I took felt like something was tugging me back to our little cottage. As much as I wanted to see Lady Mary and return to work, I wanted to spend time with JJ as well. Mr. Bates kept looking down at me. He could tell that I was anxious about this. He did not say anything, but I know he wanted to.

As we approached the door, I was bombarded by Mrs. Hughes, Mrs. Patmore, and Baxter all welcoming me back. They all looked a little blue, but they all had a reason to be. Mrs. Hughes no longer has Mr. Carson here. Daisy is gone to the farm and Mrs. Patmore is just beside herself. And now Moseley is working full time at the schoolhouse. I can tell Baxter misses Moseley. She has a certain look in her eyes. I know that look. I've had that look when Mr. Bates left Downton for a year. At least she knows where Moseley is.

I removed my coat and hung it up. I carried JJ into the Servants' Hall and played with him until Mary rung. Before I attended to Lady Mary, I made a stop at the nursery.

"Good morning, Nanny Ellington!" I sung.

"Good morning, Anna. Are you ready to be back to work?"

"Not as ready as I thought I was going to be, but I'll manage."

"Well, don't worry a bit. JJ is going to be very happy here with the others kids… when they wake up."

"The children look so peaceful sleeping in there beds. Well, I better be off to Lady Mary.

I walked down the halls of Downton to Lady Mary. Strolling in, she and Mr. Talbot were arguing like I have never seen. They were both screaming at each other calling the other vulgar names. Mr. Talbot bolted off in an angered rush. Lady Mary looked flustered and embarrassed.

"Sorry, Anna. Great way to start off your return. Anyway, I'm heading out with George this afternoon. I'll ring around one for that, but right now just help me dress."

"It's okay M'Lady. No harm done."

"Oh also, I forgot to tell you that I had to order a new hair dryer, so you might need to get used to the new one."

"What happened to the old one?"

"I was trying something with my hair and I suppose I didn't know how to use it properly, because I nearly set Downton on fire. Luckily I did not: unlike Edith."

We both laughed. I suppose I didn't need to ask what had happened because in the back of her head she had singed hair at the tips.

"How is Lady Edith doing?"

"She's well, but I'm sure that husband of her's will be tired of Edith soon. I wouldn't be surprised if Edith comes home with Marigold sobbing over a filed divorce."

I didn't answer and attended to my work.

For the rest of the day I mended, shined shoes, and played with JJ in between. I had to sneak to visit him though. Neither Mr. Barrow nor Mrs. Hughes would like me playing with him that often. Needless to say, I was glad to go home that night.

"I know you missed him today. Actually, you couldn't have missed him, because you were with him the whole day," Mr. Bates teased after I put our son to bed.

"How did you know?"

"Anna, do you really think I didn't check on him throughout the day? Both times I checked in you were there with John."

"Are you going to Mrs. Hughes? Or worse Mr. Barrow," I giggled.

"Are you kidding? Why would I tell them about my wife doing the sweetest thing she's ever done: love my son to pieces."

"Oh, Mr. Bates."

"I love you, Anna." he stated lovingly as he kissed my forehead.

"I love you, Mr. Bates."

A woman couldn't ask for a better man than Mr. John Bates. I guess I'm one of the lucky ones.