A/N: Well folks, we have reached the end of this little story. I was a little sad when I finished this at five chapters, because I kind of wanted there to be more, but sometimes we don't control those things…..Bates and Anna ended it for me :) Plus this is my first completed multi-chapter fic, so that's exciting!

I sincerely hope you have loved reading this as much as I loved writing it. A million thank you's for all the reviews, and support!

Now that this is done I'll be getting back to long neglected other works, so stay tuned! Thanks again guys, I love you all! xo

Disclaimer: Same as Ch. 1-4

~3 Months Later~

Anna eased herself out of bed gently praying that the sickness she'd been experiencing over the past few weeks would leave her be. Today of all days she felt entitled to ask for this smallest of favors. She stood warily in the middle of the room, and breathed a heavy sigh of relief when her stomach didn't revolt against her.

"Thank you." She whispered into the morning air.

This was a special day indeed; it was their sweet William's first birthday as well as her and John's fifth wedding anniversary. My how time had flown by them. She could hardly believe that her baby was one. He had grown so much just in the last three months alone. He was saying more words including Mama and Dada, yes and no...no being his favorite at the moment. He'd also recently begun to pull himself up, and show signs of walking.

Yes, her sweet Will was growing up fast, but as she moved slowly into the bathroom so as not to jinx her good luck of not being sick, the thought played over in her mind that they could possibly have another little one to watch grow up soon.

She was having the exact same symptoms she'd had with William; sickness, moodiness, and she'd yet to start her cycle. However she'd been holding off on saying anything to John. He'd been encouraging her to see the doctor because of her illness, but she'd put it off. She had a pretty good idea that it wasn't a flu as he suggested.

She tried to tell herself that she was keeping it from him because she didn't want to get his hopes up if she was wrong, but that was only partially true. The truth of the matter was she knew as soon she shared her suspicions he would start to worry. With good reason, she thought to herself. She'd been terrified at first; what if she had the same feelings after having this baby that she had after William? What if she lost herself again? What if this time she couldn't find her way back? If the stress of one baby was enough to drive her to the brink of madness, would two send her over the edge? These dark thoughts plagued her for the first few weeks, and she feared she was reverting back to her old ways. But just like he had every other time before John had pulled her from the darkness with words of love and encouragement.

As she stood looking at herself in the bathroom mirror she realized that she wasn't the same person she'd been after Will was born. She knew now what it felt like to lose yourself in despair. How it felt to think you weren't worthy of all the blessings in your life. How much it hurt to feel alone in your personal hell. But she wasn't alone anymore. Her husband had braved the darkness, and dove head first into the pit she'd buried herself in. He saved her. She no longer felt alone, and she knew that would be the difference this time around. She knew what to expect. She felt confident, brave, and most of all loved. John was going to be worried and have concerns, she didn't deceive herself of that, but she would do everything she could to prove to him that she could handle this. His faith in her was unwavering; she had no doubts that he would see the determination in her eyes, and that would cast out all fear.

William's party wasn't until that afternoon so Anna dressed herself, and decided that this morning she would pay that visit to Dr. Clarkson. Tonight would be the night she told John about the growing joy that awaited them.

Anna couldn't keep the glowing grin from her face all through Will's party, and it didn't go unnoticed by her husband. She told him that it was just excitement over their baby boy's day, and teased him with a surprise for their anniversary later on. His eyes heated immediately, and she giggled to herself. They had definitely resumed their marital activities with a fierceness after that first time 3 months ago. After his release from prison Anna thought the passion between them had reached it's peak, and couldn't travel any higher. She was proved most assuredly wrong these past months.

They simply could not get enough of each other. William was now sleeping in his own room, and that freed them of any awkwardness of making love with their son sleeping next to their bed. Six months ago she would have never thought it possible for them to crave each other the way they did now. John made it clear to her time and time again how much he adored her and her body; every part of her she'd been scared about he worshipped. It didn't take long for her to use her new figure to her advantage. She'd found a new small shop in York that carried all the latest Paris fashions, including some rather racy bedroom attire. She only managed to talk herself into one purchase, but it had certainly been more than worth it. In fact….she thought she might wear it for him again tonight seeing as how she wouldn't be able to soon.

Absentmindedly, she placed her hand on her abdomen. She could not wait to tell him about their new addition tonight. Dr. Clarkson had assured her that all was well, and that they both seemed perfectly healthy. He expressed a little concern with her age, but all it meant was that he would want to see her a little more often.

After everyone had gone back to the house, and it was just the three of them she stood and watched her husband and son playing in the grass together. Anna felt a sense of peace wash over. She allowed herself a moment to linger on how much things had changed for them. She could honestly say now that it was all behind them that she truly had never been so happy in all her life.

She made her way over to her little family, and laughed as William called her name with excitement as she approached. She sat a little apart from them, and motioned for him to try to walk to her. He'd been trying lately, but was still a little wobbly on his feet. With John's fingers clutched tightly in his little fists he made his way towards his Mama. Anna clapped, and cheered him on as he made it closer to her, and when he left John's reach he finished the short walk on his own.

"Oh William! You did it!" Anna praised him, and as she caught him in her arms they collapsed on in the grass together. "That's Mama's big boy." She tickled him relentlessly, and when she finally sat up she caught John's adoring gaze as he watched them.

"Blow Daddy a kiss, Will." Anna whispered, and made the motion with her hand which he mimicked. William giggled as John pretended to catch the kiss, and placed it on his cheek.

"Oh that was a good one, little man." John said, and Will pushed his way out of Anna's arms so he could toddle between the two of them.

They played until the sun began to disappear on them, and when William fell asleep they walked back to the house in peaceful, blissful silence. As Anna looked from her sleeping boy in her arms to her handsome man walking beside her she realized that these were the moments she lived for.

Anna quickly changed into the corset and underwear that made up part of her anniversary gift for John. The piece accentuated every part of her body that his appreciation had made her love as well. Her ample breasts spilled over the top showing a scandalous amount of cleavage, and it flared out at just the right angle as to accentuate her wider hips. Three months ago she never would have imagined herself in such an outfit, yet here she was; flaunting her assets for her husband. She smiled; perhaps some would think her a wanton harlot, but she reassured herself with John's words from the first time she'd worn this outfit for him.

"Darling, what we do behind closed doors is our business. We are married, and if we enjoy these activities and neither of us feels uncomfortable then there is no harm in them."

He'd thrown her a wicked smile before prowling towards her like a lion hunting prey.

"And I assure you….I will never feel uncomfortable with whatever way we choose to pleasure each other."

"I quite agree with you….Mr. Bates."

That had been the last words spoken between them for the rest of the evening.

She snapped from the memory when she heard John's footsteps across the hall, and quickly made a few adjustments before pulling on her robe. She sat at her dressing table, and began to brush out her hair as he entered their room and greeted her with his adoring smile.

"Why don't you let me do that?" He said quietly as he walked towards her. She relinquished the brush to him, and closed her eyes as he soothingly ran it through her hair. She'd never quite understood his fascination with her hair, but it pleased him so she indulged him.

When he finished she stopped him from braiding it for her.

She stood from her chair and wrapped her arms around his neck. "It will only come out later." His eyes darkened at her words, and he kissed her with fierce determination. God, how she loved to kiss him.

He gave her quite a pout when she pulled away, but it didn't last long as she pushed him down on the bed. His gaze burned her as she slowly removed her robe and sauntered over to him. As she straddled his waist, and began to unbutton his shirt, she left hot wet kisses down his chest as she went. She was rewarded with a deep groan from him.

She met his eyes then from her position just above the waistline of his trousers, and slowly began to undo them.

"Happy Anniversary, husband." She growled.

His fingers tangled in her hair, and he somehow managed to respond to her. "A happy anniversary indeed, my naughty wife."

There were no more words exchanged for quite some time after that. Only moans, and gasped words of love as they made love with such intensity that it was quite possible the bed could have caught fire beneath them and neither would have noticed.

They laid tangled in each other's embrace; both of them sweaty and trying to regain control of their breathing. Anna tightened her hold around his waist, and placed a gentle kiss onto his chest. She looked up see him smiling down at her.

"That was quite the anniversary present, my love. Thank you." His words were still husky, and it made her shiver. She rubbed gentle circles into his side with her thumb, praying that he would be as happy about her next present as she was.

"I have something else for you."

"Well that's a coincidence, because I have something for you as well." His tone was playful, and it made Anna giggle.

"Oh really?"

Without pulling away from her, John managed to reach into his side table drawer and brought out a small box. Anna felt excitement bubble up inside of her as he handed it to her, and placed a soft kiss to her forehead.

"Open it." He whispered into her hair.

She opened the box, and gasped as she found the same three heart necklace he'd given her six months ago. After she'd taken it off in her fit of anger it had disappeared; to be honest it took a few days before she even thought to ask where it had gone to. She felt terrible for tossing aside such a thoughtful gift, but John had reassured her, and told her that he would give it to her again when the time was right.

She looked to him with tears in her eyes.

"Notice anything different about it?" His smile was bright with boyish excitement.

She looked back at it, and noticed a small charm that hadn't been on the chain before. Holding it gently in her hands she noticed an inscription: Love Never Fails.

The tears spilled over, and she melted further into his embrace. He pulled away a little, and motioned for her to sit up so he could put the necklace on her.

She held the charm in her hand. "Oh John, I love it. It's perfect, except…." She let her words linger in the air before looking up and meeting his confused gaze. She laughed to ease his tension. "Don't worry darling it's nothing to fuss over. It's just now these three hearts hold a different meaning for me than they did when you gave this to me the first time."

"How so?"

"Well before they represented you, me, and William." She paused to see if he was going to catch on to where this was leading. When he just stared at her blankly she couldn't help but roll her eyes.

"And? What do they represent now?" He asked.

"Well now they stand for you, William…..and our new little one that will be joining us soon." She couldn't say it any more plainly than that, and she rather enjoyed watching the play of emotions on his face as he pieced her words together.

Finally he settled on pleasant shock, and gathered her even more tightly into his arms.

"Oh Anna! Do you mean it?"

She giggled. "Yes John. I saw Dr. Clarkson today, remember? Everything is wonderful. I am three months along so we will be meeting him or her sometime around October."

"You're three months? But we just barely started...um I mean...well we just got back to making love three months ago?" His stuttering was so utterly adorable that she couldn't help but tease him.

"And?...Your point is what, Mr. Bates?" She smirked.

"I guess I just didn't expect this so soon. We were married four years before Will came along."

"Well I suppose some things just get better with age."

He joined her in a fit of laughter before things became a litte more somber. She sighed...she'd known this was coming, and felt prepared to put him at ease.

"Anna…"

"I know what you're going to say John. I have thought a lot about this…"

"You have? How long have you known?" He sounded slightly hurt, and she suddenly felt bad for not having shared her suspicions with him.

"I've had a pretty good idea for a few weeks. I was having the same symptoms I had with William, but it wasn't confirmed until today and I didn't want to get your hopes up if I was wrong."

He nodded, and that seemed to put him at ease. She watched him brood for a moment before he turned fully towards her, and took her hand firmly in his.

"We can do this Anna. I won't let you go through what you did before. I will be here for you every step."

She smiled at her dear husband. "I know. That's why I'm not frightened anymore about this. Before I felt alone and trapped; like you wouldn't understand what I was going through, but now I know you do...more so than most husbands that's for sure. I feel confident, and brave with you by my side. I know we can accomplish anything as long as we are together."

A tear slipped from his eye, and she leaned up to kiss it away. He held her in place for just a moment turning his head slightly to meet her lips in a gentle kiss. When she pulled away they were both crying, but finally they were tears of joy being shed.

"I'll need to be around more….to help you when the new baby comes."

She could tell he was thinking, and let him have a moment to work out whatever he was going to say next. She watched a light flash in his eyes; an idea...he met her gaze, and he looked positively elated.

"I think it's time Anna."

"Time for what?" She asked, confused.

He grasped both of her hands.

"It's time for us to finally live our dream. To do what we talked about doing so many years ago….on a dark night, alone in the servant's hall." He smiled, and it clicked in her mind.

"Our hotel." She sighed.

"We've saved enough. We can start looking now, and purchase after the summer season. That would give us some time to make it our own before the baby is born, and still be able to settle in, and adjust before the next season begins. We can work together….and have the children with us." He was beaming, and she couldn't help but smile back with fresh tears in her eyes as she remembered the last time he'd said these exact words to her. Only this time these were not just hopeful wishes of an uncertain future. This was their life, and these dreams were well within their reach.

She knew John was right, and she would need him more when the new baby came. God forbid the darkness try to take hold of her again, she wanted him there as much as possible...or at least within reach.

She realized he'd been waiting for her to respond.

"So? What do you say, my darling?"

She tried to think of something poetic to say; something that portrayed how deeply she loved him, and loved the idea of living their dreams together with their growing family. However when she opened her mouth all she could say was, "Yes John."

She buried herself in his arms and cried, and as always he understood her perfectly. He knew that these were happy tears, and held her tightly.

They had been through so much the past year….so much since the day they met. At long last every dream they'd ever had, every hope for the future...for a life together, for children, for their hotel...it was all coming true. They'd paid a steep price for their happiness, and braved so many storms together but it had all been worth it.

As the night waned on they shared their ideas, and hopes for what was to come. And when sleep finally beckoned them, their dreams were mirror images of each other. Both rested comfortably in the knowledge that whatever was ahead of them their love would always win.

Well that's it! Awwww…leave me a review, and let me know what you think! Thank you, thank you, thank you! :) xo