Pile Up
Disclaimers: I woke up this morning and had an idea about John and Anna that I thought cute. I don't think I've already seen it in any other fanfic with them, so I tried to put it down. I was also kind of tired of reading some false physical description of John and chose to be honest here about it. Because I fell in love with John Bates and I love everything about him.
So please, bare with me. I'm curious to know when you'll understand what's going on. I'd love to have some feedback! Thanks for reading and enjoy!
Late December
John woke up next to Anna in their bed. She was tangled in his arms and seemed so peaceful in her sleep. Her eyes closed let him admire her long eyelashes. Her little nose and delicate lips were tempting him to kiss her. But he didn't want to wake her up, it wasn't often that his wife got to sleep and woke up naturally in the morning.
He gently caressed her jawline before quietly getting up. The wooden floor behind his feet was so cold. He usually went around the house barefoot, Anna was always wondering how he could walk barefoot anywhere which in turn made him laugh and he usually told her it was because of how he grew up and his time in the army. But this particular morning, it was too cold even for him. He went towards the cupboards and grabbed his new pair of slippers that Anna gave him at Christmas, three days ago.
It had been the most magical Christmas he had ever had. It was their first time as a married couple and the snow had decided to fall right on Christmas Day. It had altered all his romantic plans and instead of an afternoon at the spa for Anna to be treated as she rarely had the time for, working as hard as she was being a nurse, the snow had piled up on the roads and everything had been cancelled. Anna had taken him outside in the garden and they had started a snow fight, which he let her win but would never admit to it, just because he loved her face when she thought she had beaten him.
After a couple of snow angels, both of them were freezing and had decided to head back home. He had started a fire in the mantle and Anna had brought him a cup of hot cocoa that they had drunk on the sofa, snuggled up together under a plaid. After they had watched a Christmas rom-com on the telly he had ordered her to get upstairs and give herself a good bath and to take her time as he wanted to surprise her with dinner and home-baked biscuits and cakes.
He had had just the time to lit the last candles when she had come downstairs, magnificent in her blue dress, her hair tight loose in her back into a braid. She had put just enough make-up to make it special but still look natural. She was a true goddess. They had ended their Christmas making love until they fell asleep in each other's arms.
John smiled as he remembered this magical evening. He looked at the window. The once green garden was still wearing its white coat. It had stopped snowing and the birds were starting to get out, looking desperately for a spare piece of grass.
Anna turned in her sleep, probably feeling the loss of his arms around her and his warmth. He headed for the bathroom and started his routine. He was still wearing his t-shirt and boxers he wore to sleep. Another one of Anna's presents, he thought. She knew he loved to wear boxers as he didn't like to feel tight and she had bought him a pair with the colors of his Scottish ancestors, the Keith tartan, mainly dark blue and green.
While he was brushing his teeth, his eyes fell on a device he wasn't too fond of. He didn't know why he was drawn to it this morning, but he took the scales and placed his two feet on it.
"Shit," he murmured under his breath. That was 5 pounds he had gained since the last time he had checked.
He got off it, put it back in its place and went to spit his toothpaste out and washed his mouth. He frowned looking at himself in the mirror. It must be the holidays, he told himself. All these big meals and the cold. He would have to be more careful after the New Year and start exercising a bit more to lose what he had gained.
He felt two hands snaking under his shirt and holding him.
"Good morning, husband," Anna said, still a bit sleepy. She saw the look on his face in the mirror while tiptoeing to look above his shoulder. "Or is it?" she asked with a concerned look on her face. "What's the matter? Is something wrong?"
She turned him around so that she was now facing him. He smiled gently and stroked her face.
"Your husband is a brooder, Mrs Bates. And brooders brood," he told her. "But now that you're here, it's starting to be a good morning, indeed."
He leaned towards her and kissed her passionately. When they parted, her concerned look was replaced by a large smile.
"Good Mr Bates, because I wouldn't have it any other way," she said playfully.
This time she kissed him and a noise stopped them in the middle of it. It was his stomach rumbling. They laughed before Anna gave him a kiss on the cheek.
"I'd better go prepare breakfast" she teased before disappearing graciously in her red nightgown.
February
John came back from his run at 7am. Anna was already up and she was getting dressed in their bedroom. He lingered in the door frame a little to admire her body before making himself known. He went to kiss her hello but when he motioned to go to the bathroom she grabbed his arm.
"Where were you?" She asked, frowning. "I woke up this morning and you weren't there."
"I went for a run," he said, smiling. He took the chance to hold her against him once more, his hand caressing her naked back. He kissed her a second time and headed for the bathroom. "I'm gonna take a shower. I'll take you to the hospital on my way to the office!" He told her while exiting their bedroom.
When he got out of the shower in his boxers, he passed her coming to the bathroom. She gave him a slap on the butt and gave him a cheeky grin. Oh, how he loved this woman. If they weren't needed at work he would take her to bed right this instant. But Robert was waiting for him and Anna had "lives to save" as he called it.
He grabbed a pair of trousers and started putting them on. But as he tried to close them, the trousers were too small. How come, he thought. They couldn't have shrunk in the wash already! They had only been bought last November…
He patted his stomach and tried to close them once again but failed. "Fuck!" He yelled, and in a moment of rage he took them out and threw them at the other side of the bedroom. He sat back on the bed and exhaled loudly, his head in his hands.
"John?" came Anna's worried voice from the bathroom. "Are you alright?"
"Everything's fine," he said, rising to his feet and going to pick up the trousers he had thrown out.
He grabbed another pair, a bit larger, and put them on. This time he managed to get the fly up but his paunch was still sticking out.
At this moment Anna, not convinced by his answer and alerted by his tone, came into the room. She immediately noticed how uncomfortable he was and how he shied away, taking his shirt and quickly passing it on.
"John," she said again, with a more serious tone this time. "Is this because of your weight?"
He froze and tensed at her words. So she had noticed, he thought. He felt ashamed and looked at his feet.
"Hey" she said with a tone mixed with compassion and concern. She went in front of him and took his hand in hers, squeezing it. He looked her in the eyes.
"I can't put on the trousers you bought me last November…" he said ashamedly. "I don't understand. I thought it was because of the holidays and all the grand meals we've had. But come January I made the resolution to lose weight."
"Oh John," she said, putting her hand on his cheek. "I love you the way you are! No matter the size of your waistline." And as to affirm her words, she put her arms around his belly and hugged him. "I didn't fall in love with abs." She poked his stomach and a small laugh escaped his lips.
"True, I've never been this ripped guy, like Thomas or Tom" he interrupted her.
This earned him a small slap on the arm.
"You silly beggar! It's not what I'm saying. I didn't fall in love with a body. I didn't fall in love with Tom because I fell in love with you. You, John, the person, inside AND out. It hurts me that you would think me this shallow"
"I don't think that of you, it's just…" John stopped. He was struggling to find the right words.
"What John?" She eyed him worriedly.
"You're this gorgeous creature, all fit and slender while I'm this fat old guy…" he didn't get the chance to finish his sentence. Anna grabbed his head and kissed him gently in an attempt to shush him. When their lips parted, John was out of breath and out of words. He opened his eyes and saw her looking at him, an air of mischief on her face.
"I thought we had settled these issues when we decided to get married, John. I love you the way you are. I've been so worried, you weren't acting like yourself. Always up early in the morning to run or at the swimming pool after work… I don't want you to change, John."
There were tears forming in his eyes. How did such a wonderful woman choose him? It was crazy to him. But then his face grew darker. Anna frowned again.
"But you see," he said, "like you said I've been running and swimming and trying real hard but I haven't lost any weight. In fact, I gained some more… I'm considering seeing the doctor this afternoon."
She seemed to think for a few seconds and then squeezed his hand once more.
"I agree," she finally said. But before he could talk she continued. "But not because of your weight, John. Just because there might be something wrong with you. And I don't want to jeopardize your health."
She grabbed her coat and handed him his.
"Now, my cuddly teddy bear, we must go or I'll definitely be late."
She smiled at him and dragged him behind her out of their bedroom.
"Mr Bates?" the secretary called out.
He grabbed his coat and stood up, trying to dry his sweaty palms on his trousers.
"Doctor Clarkson will see you now in room 3," she said, showing him the direction.
John crossed the corridor and entered the examination room.
"Ah, Mr Bates! Good afternoon," the doctor said, shaking his hand.
"Good afternoon, Doctor. Thank you for accepting to see me on such short notice."
"No problem. Take a seat, please. I'll be with you in a minute, just the time to clean."
John went towards the desk and put his coat on the back of his chair before he sat down. In the corner of his eyes, he saw the measuring tape and next to it on the ground, the scales. He swallowed and a bid of sweat formed on his brow.
Doctor Clarkson finally came on the other side of his desk and sat on his chair.
"So, what can I do for you Mr Bates?" he said, joining his hands together on the desk.
John pulled at his collar before he spoke.
"I'm concerned about my weight, Doctor. I've been piling up the pounds recently and I can't seem to lose them," he said looking at his feet.
"It's maybe just the holidays, we all tend to gain some weight during that time of year. But to get rid of the extra pounds, we're not equal in this area."
John gave him an unconvinced look.
"I need to know the extent, Mr Bates. Can you undress and get on the scales, please?"
John had dreaded this moment ever since he had made the appointment. He reluctantly stood up and started to take his shirt off and his trousers next. He felt a bit stupid and too exposed to his liking. Dr Clarkson was waiting for him next to the scales, giving him a reassuring smile. At least he wasn't judging him.
As he approached the scales, the Doctor noticed how John's limp was more pronounced than usual. He had been his doctor ever since he had come back from Afghanistan wounded after he had saved Robert's life. He had managed to limit the extent of his injuries but it had left John with a permanent limp. He knew him and in 10 years John hadn't limped that badly.
"Is your knee hurting, John?" he asked, worried.
"It's been throbbing more than usual lately," John admitted.
"Have you been doing anything that would have put a strain on it?"
John's cheeks reddened.
"I've been trying to lose weight since January and I've been running and swimming at least twice a week."
"John! Running is the worst thing you could do to your knee!" Dr Clarkson put his hand on John's shoulder and took a more compassionate tone. "You can still go swimming but only if you follow my instructions. I'll write it down for you when we're done here. Now climb on the scales."
This was it. He took his courage in both hands and hopped on the scales. The numbers seemed to yell at him. How could he have gained 10 more pounds since December?
John gave a shy look at Dr Clarkson who was noting the number on his notepad. It was very faint but John saw his eyebrows knit a little and a flicker of concern in his eyes.
"Very well, John. You can put your clothes back on. I'm gonna enter the new data in your file on the computer."
John didn't need to be asked twice. He struggled a bit with his trousers but felt relieved when he put his shirt back on. As he sat down again at the desk while he finished buttoning his shirt back up, Dr Clarkson had put his glasses on and seemed to be thinking.
"You said you've tried to lose the extra pounds?"
"Yes, Doctor, since January."
"And what's your diet?"
"The same. It's what I don't understand. I haven't changed anything and I've been exercising more. I admit I've let myself be tempted by a couple of sweets, but if anything, running and swimming would have stopped the weight gain, not the other way around!"
"And when have you noticed your weight gain?"
"Since the end of December," John said, remembering this time he had used the scales.
"It's quite sudden, then," Clarkson thought aloud. "I'll take a blood sample to make sure it's nothing to worry about. We'll be able to tell if it's a symptom of a more serious problem such as hypothyroidism or Cushing's disease. Don't worry, John. We'll find the problem if there is one. In the meantime, I can only advise you to sleep earlier, reduce the amount of stress and try to cut short on those sweets," he said giving him a wink.
"Thank you, Doctor," John said while getting up.
"I'll see you again once I'll have the results. Isobel will give you a blood test in the other room." He handed his hand for John to shake. "Until then, Mr Bates, take care and don't go running."
John laughed and thanked him as he took the piece of paper with the instructions he had promised him, and left the room.
In the evening, John was lying on their bed reading.
Anna came out of the bathroom in her nightgown, finishing to apply some cream on her face.
"So, how did it go?" she inquired.
John looked at her from above his book. His breath hitched in his throat when he saw her. He took his glasses off and put them with his book on his nightstand.
"I had to do a blood test," he told her. Her eyes showed worry and so he went on. "Only as a routine. He just wants to check and rule out possibilities. I've got an appointment in two days so he can tell me the results."
"Good. I trust De Clarkson. And I know he'll be through."
She placed her slippers on her side of the bed and climbed next to John. She started kissing him and caressed his cheek.
"I love you, John. Never doubt it."
And she started snaking her hands beneath his t-shirt. His skin tingled when she touched him and he felt the urge to touch her. He kissed her more passionately and started brushing her thigh. She moaned as she deepened their kiss and she grabbed his shirt trying to remove it.
Suddenly John broke their kiss.
"Anna…" he said, stopping her from taking his shirt off.
Anna frowned and straightened herself in front of him. Without taking her eyes off of his she brushed her hands against his thighs and went up. She felt his arousal and smiled at him. She took his shirt again and pulled it over his stomach.
"You are beautiful, John" she whispered to him while peppering his belly with kisses. She took the time to play with his short dark hair sprayed over his stomach. John leaned back and gave in to her. She went further up and finally took his shirt over his head. John couldn't contain it anymore and kissed her while helping her get rid of her nightgown.
As they laid down together on the bed in their afterglow, Anna suddenly got up and headed for the bathroom. John heard her throw up and quickly put his boxer back on and went after her. He found her sitting next to the toilets, her skin a bit pale.
"Are you okay, sweetheart?" he asked. He went to rub her back gently and she gave him a small smile.
"I am now that you're here. It must be something I ate."
"Come on," he said, helping her to her feet. "Let's get you to bed. I'll bring you herbal tea, it'll maybe help to settle your stomach."
He gently kissed her forehead and put her to bed.
The next morning, John woke up to the sound of Anna throwing up again. He went to the bathroom and held her hair while she emptied her stomach.
"There, there," he tried to soothe her. "That's it, Anna. You're not going to work today. I'll call the hospital for you."
"But…" Anna began.
"But nothing," he cut her. "You need to rest. You've been tossing and turning in bed all night."
"Oh, John, did I wake you up?"
He smiled at how amazing his wife was. Even though she was sick she was worried only about him.
"Don't worry about me, Anna. I'm used to insomnia. I'll manage," he reassured her.
He put his clothes on and brought her a new herbal tea he had made her before getting to work.
Later that day in the afternoon, John felt his stomach bubbling. He felt hot all of a sudden and tried to loosen his tie.
"John?" Robert asked.
He looked around and realized he hadn't paid attention to a single word during the meeting for a few minutes now.
"John, are you alright? You look a bit pale," Robert told him, concerned for his friend. It was unlike him to be so unprofessional during a meeting and he did seem to be unwell.
"I'm good," John lied. But suddenly he felt very cold while sweat gathered on his brow and a wave of nausea hit him. "Actually, I think I'm gonna be sick."
He got up and stormed off the room to the toilets. There he threw up and tried to calm his breath. He wiped his mouth with some paper when he heard footsteps.
"John, is everything okay? Do you need anything?" his friend asked.
"I'm sorry Rob… I think I caught a bug. Anna is sick too."
"Oh, I'm sorry, mate. Get back home, and take as long as you need. Don't worry about us. And get better soon."
"Thanks Rob."
Back at home, John found Anna asleep on the couch. He leaned in to kiss her and she woke up.
"John? What time is it?" She looked at the clock on the wall behind him. "Why are you home so early?"
She put her hand on his cheek and gave him a worried look.
"John! You're hot! Are you sick?"
"I threw up at work, Robert sent me home."
He slouched on the sofa next to her and sighed.
"Oh no, John! I'm so sorry I contaminated you."
"Shh, it's not your fault Anna." He grinned. "It only means we get to spend more time together."
She smiled back at him and as he opened his arms for her, she snuggled against him.
"Those extra pounds suit you well, Mr Bates," she teased him. "You're so comfortable." And she wrapped her arms around his waist. He gave her a kiss on the top of the head and they fell asleep on the sofa.
The next morning, John and Anna were still sick. But weirdly enough, they were both craving chocolate. So John had gotten up and had baked a little something. The oven rang and John got up from the sofa.
Anna who was still watching a movie they had put on, looked at him go.
"It smells good," she told him. "What did you make us?"
"Us?" He said, raising one eyebrow. "It's just for you Anna. I don't want to put on some more weight. I made some chocolate muffins."
He proudly put them on a plate and brought them to her.
She took one and took a bite. She closed her eyes while chewing.
"Hmmm, it tastes like heaven. Thank you, John"
When she opened her eyes again, she saw the look on John's face. Watching her eat this muffin was definitely like pure torture for him. It was clear he was craving them as much as she was. She laughed and he frowned.
"What is it?" he asked, confused.
"I can see you're dying to eat one. Come on, John, one won't hurt you."
"Are you trying to fatten me up, Mrs Bates?" He playfully asked.
"Seriously, John, you're almost drooling over them."
She took one and handed it to him. He exhaled in defeat.
"Alright, you win."
He took a bite and sighed happily. Anna tried to stiffen a laugh but failed. John opened one eye, and caught her giggling. He smiled and noticed some chocolate on the corner of her lip.
"You've got some chocolate, here," he pointed at her face.
"Take it off, then," she challenged him.
He leaned over her and licked the spot of chocolate. She cupped his face and continued to kiss him. They both laughed while Anna snuggled back again against him.
An hour later, there were no more muffins left, and John was guilty of having eaten more than one, easily swayed by Anna's temptations. John felt better and Anna seemed to be getting better too.
"I'm gonna have to go to the doctor's," he said.
She eyed him confused.
"For the blood test results," he explained. "But I'm gonna talk to him about this bug we caught. In case it comes back."
"Can I come with you?" she asked him with pleading eyes. "I'm bored to death being stuck here. I'll stay in the waiting room if you want."
"Alright," he agreed. "Let's grab your coat then."
When Dr Clarkson asked him how he was doing, John told him about the little bug Anna and him had caught.
"But it's alright, now, I feel fine," John said to the doctor.
"In case it comes back, I will prescribe you with some antispasmodics."
"Thank you."
"And what about your knee?"
"Since I didn't get the chance to run since my last appointment, it's all good," smiled John.
Dr Clarkson let a small laugh escape his lips. Then his computer beeped.
"Ah, your results just arrived!" the Doctor announced.
He put his glasses on and looked carefully at the numbers on his screen.
John was getting more and more nervous, his leg was shaking unconsciously.
"All your levels are good," Dr Clarkson finally said. "Your blood sugar is a bit high, but it's nothing to be concerned about for now. Be careful in the future though, as it could turn into diabetes."
John let a sigh of relief escape his lips.
"But, then, why am I piling up the pounds?" John asked.
"We've ruled out the most serious causes. Don't worry John, there is an explanation, but we'll have to find it."
He then took his glasses from his nose and looked at John with a pensive air.
"Did you say that Anna was sick too?"
"Yes. She actually passed it to me. But she feels better now, in fact, she's in the waiting room."
"It's a long shot but what if…" Dr Clarkson began but trailed off. "Can I ask you to go get her, I would like to examine her."
John didn't understand why he wanted to see Anna, but he did as he was asked.
He sat alone in the waiting room, waiting for a sign. The secretary was typing on her keyboard while talking on the phone. When Dr Clarkson's door opened again, John was lost in his thoughts.
"John?" Anna asked, her head poking out of the door frame. "Dr Clarkson would like to see us both together."
John got up and a knot formed in his stomach. What did the doctor have found? He quickly closed the distance between the two of them and took her hand in his.
"Are you alright?"
"I'm fine," she told him. "Come."
They both sat in front of the desk. After a few minutes, Dr Clarkson came back to his office and sat across from them.
"I think I have finally cracked the case," Clarkson smiled.
"John, Anna," he said while looking them both in the eyes. "You are pregnant."
Anna escaped a small cry and turned to look at him, her eyes shining with tears of joy.
"Oh my god," John said, completely dumbfounded. "Can you say that again?" He asked, not trusting his ears.
Clarkson laughed before announcing him the news for the second time.
"John," Anna grabbed his attention, "we're gonna be parents!"
Finally, his brain registered the words and a tear ran down his cheek.
He cupped her face and kissed her tenderly.
"We're gonna have a baby!" He said excitedly. Anna squeezed his hand and caressed his knee.
"But, I don't understand. How is that related to my weight gain?"
Dr Clarkson straightened in his chair.
"John, you are experiencing what we call "sympathy weight gain" or "couvade symptoms."
John looked at him with round eyes.
"It's not very well-known yet, but it would seem that your body is preparing to become a dad and to accompany Anna into her pregnancy. Anna experienced her first morning sickness and your body mimicked her pain. It appears you're going into this pregnancy hand in hand."
Anna took his hand in hers again and looked at him with fresh new tears in her eyes.
"Oh John!" she said, more in love with him than she'd ever been before.
"Anna is soon going to enter her second trimester. She will start to gain weight too as she will be growing your baby. If you want, I can give you the number of a pre-natal yoga group you can attend, Anna. And John, you are welcome to join her. It would be good if you want to limit your weight gain. I will make an appointment for you with your OBGYN Anna. And John," he turned to him, "don't worry too much. It's normal. I'll keep monitoring you if you wish, but you're healthy for now. Congratulations," he said.
John shook Clarkson's hand and kissed Anna on the top of her head. They were going to have a baby!
Epilogue, August.
Six months later and ten pounds heavier, John was holding his son on the sofa. He had woken up when he had cried and went to soothe him back to sleep.
But as Anna walked into the living room she found them both fast asleep. It was no wonder for her that their son was secure and at ease in his father's arms. She had always taken refuge in his bear-like stature and she loved to snuggle next to him. She smiled as she admired her men. They were perfect. She knew that John was ashamed of piling up so much during her pregnancy and wanted to do post-natal exercises with her, but to her he was just perfect the way he was. She loved the way he had developed his dad-bod and how he had been her partner in every important way during her pregnancy. He had been getting to the grocery in the middle of the night whenever she had woken up with some crazy cravings. He had accompanied her to every little check-up. Remembering his face when they saw their son for the first time on the sonogram, tears formed in her eyes.
She didn't care about the perfect image of a family, with mum, dad and baby all fit. As far as she was concerned, weight was overrated. As long as they were all healthy, it was all that mattered. And she was glad that, apart from his blond hair and bright blue eyes, their son looked in every way like John.
Anna leaned over them, kissed her baby's chubby cheeks and dropped a gentle kiss on John's forehead, and tried to comb the strand of hair that was falling on his brow.
She laughed when it came back on his forehead and she went into the kitchen to make them breakfast while they were both gently snoring.