This is a bit cheesey but I enjoy some cheesiness in Downton. You may not. I thought I'd warn you. Oh also I assumed that since Thomas is now valued in the house he would be moved up to valet when Bates was gone. I probably should have mentioned this earlier, sorry! Enjoy!

6 Months Later

It had taken no time at all for Robert and Bates to resume their former routine. They simply fell back into it- a very natural routine that was only broken when Anna's pregnancy was nearing its end. And Robert was hardly surprise when he opened the door one morning in July and Thomas was waiting in his room.

"Is everything alright with Bates?" Robert asked, thinking stupidly for an instant that he might somehow be imprisoned again.

"Yes, my lord. It seems that Anna has had the child."

"Really?"

"Bates sent a note to the house that it had happened sometime in the night and that we shouldn't expect him or Anna today."

"He didn't happen to mention the sex of the child?"

"No, your lordship. It seemed rather hastily written."

"I'm sure it was. He has a newborn. Everything has to be done in haste."

For the rest of the day Robert was thrilled. He realized several times that he was smiling at nothing. The happy news kept rushing to the forefront of his mind and a sense of pride continually washed over him. Still grinning the next morning he went into his bedroom to change and had taken off his robe before he looked up and realized that it was not Thomas who was taking it from him.

"You shouldn't be here!" Robert cried. Bates smiled back at him.

"Anna's mother has come down, my lord. I was assured many times before leaving the house that they would be able to manage without me."

"Take any time you need to stay at home, Bates. There are more important things than who manages my clothes at this point."

"Thank you, my lord. I might need to be there just a week so."

"Nothing is wrong? The child is healthy?"

"Yes, my lord, he's fine. Anna is doing well."

"He? It's a boy then?"

Bates nodded, a sheepish grin on his face.

"Named for his father?"

"Yes." Bates sighed, contented.

"You look years younger, old chap." Robert examined him and realized just how drastically different he appeared. Bates hadn't changed in form but he carried himself much more easily, confidently- his limp seemed almost graceful, he was so sure of his steps.

"I'm not sure how you've managed that. I looked horrible after the girls were born."

Bates chuckled in response. "Anna was wondering if…if your lordship would care to come and visit us-all of us."

"I would love to." Robert replied, grinning.

However, much to his displeasure, Robert could not find the time to get over to the cottage until late in the evening. In contrast to the last time he had been there, the weather was very fine. He didn't mind waiting outside until Bates unlatched the door.

"I'm sorry I couldn't make it over earlier." He murmured, coming into the hall.

"It's alright, my lord. Anna wasn't feeling quite up to visitors. I'm afraid she's gone to bed."

"Ah should I come back tomorrow?"

"No, that won't be necessary, my lord. She's left Robert with me for the time being. If you want to follow me…"

"Of course…" Robert said. He followed Bates down the hall, his hands in his pockets, bewildered as to why he had called his son a name that was not his. Bates opened a door and went into the adjoining room, genially lit by a fire in the hearth. Two sets of chairs were placed across from each other and to the side of one of them a bassinet. Bates smiled, crossing the room. He scooped a tiny bundle from it and sat down.

"I thought you said he was named after you." Robert asked warily, approaching one of the empty chairs. Bates slowly raised his head, clearly reluctant to take his eyes off of the infant.

"Please." He murmured, nodding at the chair next to him. "He is named John but…Anna and I agreed that having two John Bates was bound to get confusing so we decided to call him by his middle name."

"Which is Robert? Named for who?" he choked out, half knowing the answer already but not wanting to recognize it.

"You, my lord. He's named after his father and…you." Bates said quietly, his eyes returning to the child.

"Oh." was the only thing Robert could manage to say. He felt strangely flattered and embarrassed. He found his legs were trembling slightly and he ungracefully lowered himself into the chair. Robert thought for a moment that he ought to protest but then realized that it would be useless. He was more certain of one thing now than he had been before: Bates was bound to him by more than mere gratitude.

"Would you like to hold him, my lord?" Bates asked, glancing up at him.

"I…I suppose."

He stood and leaned over Bates, gingerly taking the child in his arms.

"It's been so long since I've done this…" Robert murmured, attempting to recall the proper way to handle an infant. "Mary hated it when I held her. Sybil didn't mind but Edith was the only one who really liked me as a baby." The boy settled in his arms. There was a fair amount of blonde hair, resembling Anna's, scattered on the top of his head. Everything else, however, was distinctly like the boy's father. His dark eyes were fixed on Robert.

"He's lovely." He murmured, "You must be terribly proud. Congratulations, old chap."

"Thank you."

The child began to squirm.

"Ah, Mary liked to do this to try to get away from me. It's alright. Your father's here." Robert murmured, tentatively standing up. He tried to jostle him as little as possible as he lowered the child into Bates' arms. Bates sighed, staring lovingly down at his son.

"You know, my lord, there have been some very dark points in my life but…this…this makes it all worthwhile."

"I'm glad you think so." Robert murmured, "You deserve this, my friend."

A contented silence fell over them, the light from the fire flickering on the walls. Bates sat, rocking slightly in his seat, cradling his new born son. Robert recalled each time he had held his girls for the first time, the awe and love that he had felt coursing through him.

"I should go…" Robert said quietly.

"Are you sure, my lord?"

"Yes, yes. I'm afraid so." He slowly got up, trying to be as quiet as he could. Bates awkwardly shifted the child in his arms in an attempt to stand.

"No, there's no need for that. Not now." He said hoarsely. "Besides, I don't think…" he licked his lips, "Robert wants you to move at all." He walked to the door and pulled it halfway open before he turned back.

"You're certain about calling him Robert?"

"Yes, my lord, very certain." Bates replied and Robert was sure that Bates was trying to keep himself from grinning.

"Well…good night, Bates."

"Good night, my lord."

It was still very warm out as Robert walked back to Downton. He never would have imagined that he would feel so thankful for the war-but now, just in the smallest way, he was. Never would he have thought that his life and the life of his batman, his valet would be so intertwined but now it seemed odd that it should be any other way. Robert glanced up and in dark he could see the faint outline of Downton in the distance. In that moment he felt something settle within him. In a rush he thought that perhaps he had made up for his folly of the previous year, in a small way. Perhaps.

And there we go! I am planning on writing an alternate, guilty verdict ending (even though I don't think it is going to happen at all) because I have several scenes planned out in my head, including another epilogue. I hope you were pleased with this one!