The familiar foggy feeling of waking from a morphine-induced slumber greeted Bates once again. As he woke he felt a warm, familiar hand wrapped around his own. He looked over to see Anna sitting beside his bed, her eyes lighting up as she looked down at her husband. The evening sunlight filtered through the window behind her, causing her hair to glow like a hearth fire. She looked like an angel sitting there with the sunlight at her back. Her grip on his hand tightened and a wide smile spread across her face.

"I've had just about enough of sitting in hospitals waiting on you to wake up," she admonished playfully, pushing the hair away from his forehead as she did so. She ran her fingers over the small gash in his forehead, the stitching very similar to that of her own wound. The presence of his wife by his side gladdened Bates to no end. As he sat up in bed pieces of what had happened came back to him. His face filled with worry as he remembered the awful details of the crash and his subsequent trudge to the hospital. He noticed now that his leg was in quite a bit of pain, worsening as the morphine started to wear off.

"Anna, are you alright. You hit the ground so hard, there was so much blood, I thought I'd lost you…I thought I lost both of you…is the baby alright?" he asked sounding increasingly frantic, placing a large hand on Anna's abdomen. Beneath his fingertips he could feel the wrappings placed around her in order to help hold her body still so her ribs could heal. "Oh God," he said as tears started to well up in his eyes. "Anna I'm so sorry. This was all my fault. If I hadn't insisted on taking that damned horse and cart none of this would have happened. I swear I'll shoot that beast myself when I'm well."

"Now John, you and I both know that what happened was an accident, neither of us could have foreseen this. You will not blame yourself, I've had enough of you blaming yourself for things out of your control. And don't blame the horse either, they're animals and they don't know any better. He was afraid and he ran, end of story. He's back in the stables now, a little worse for wear, but you will not harm that animal John, promise me!" Anna looked livid, her face flushing red as she finished her speech and Bates knew better than to argue with her when she was in such a state. To be honest he didn't think he had the strength for it. Somewhat begrudgingly and a bit put out John nodded his acquiescence. Anna kissed him lightly on the lips then, a sort of apology for snapping at him.

"But Anna, you haven't answered my question. Is the baby alright?"

"Yes John. I'm fine, you're going to be fine, and…" Anna placed his hand back on her belly and with her other hand caressed his face, "…our babies will be alright."

John was taken aback for a moment. Maybe his mind was still a little slow from the medication but he could have sworn Anna had said babies! As in more than one….

"Anna, did you say our BABIES will be alright?" Anna gave John a huge grin as she nodded to answer him. The man looked stunned as this news sunk in. Not only had his wife made it through the accident without miscarrying, but they now knew that they were going to have twins. TWINS! Bates could scarcely believe his good luck. He took his wife in his arms then and hugged her tight, the two of them laughing until Anna whimpered in pain as John's embrace sent a jolt through her ribs. John kissed her deeply, not caring that they were in public and had a small audience.

"Doctor Clarkson says that their heartbeats are strong and that as far as he can tell they're growing at the normal rate. Also…I'm pretty sure I felt them move earlier." Anna turned around then as she heard footsteps approaching. "Ah, speak of the devil." It was Doctor Clarkson, coming to check on both of his patients.

"Mr. and Mrs. Bates, it's good to see the both of you awake. Nurse.." Doctor Clarkson motioned to one of the young nurses to bring over the curtain so he could examine John's leg. The young lady did as she was asked and went about her duties. Doctor Clarkson moved around to the side of the bed to be able to examine John's leg. The injured limb was still quite swollen and looked very painful but Dr. Clarkson promised that the swelling would go down in another few days.

"Mr. Bates, I'm afraid you're going to have to stay here for at least another week. That should give you ample time for the swelling to go down so that you can walk, though I'd advise that you not put any weight on this leg for two months at least, perhaps longer."

Bates looked dismayed at this news. "But Dr. Clarkson, I'm a valet. If I can't walk, I can't work. I have to work, as you well know Anna and I have a baby, sorry, babies on the way. I have to provide for my family."

"Ah, I see Anna's told you the news. Well Mr. Bates I've already spoken to Lord Grantham about your injuries and he's more than happy to grant you leave while you recover at your normal salary. He was here the day after you two came in but we still had you sedated." Bates breathed a small sigh of relief at hearing this but it was mixed with a sense of unease and guilt. He hated to be a burden to anyone, especially to Lord Grantham who had already shown him more kindness than any man deserves in a lifetime. Bates knew now that he could never repay the kindness bestowed on him by Lord Grantham, even though he knew the man felt as if he owed Bates. Bates had saved Lord Grantham's life in Africa, the price of which had been the injury to his leg. Bates now felt that he had been repaid ten times over, though no return was necessary in his eyes. Doctor Clarkson moved on to check other patients and the same nurse came back and took the curtain away. The sun had now sunk below the horizon, it was time for Anna to return back to the women's ward for dinner. She kissed her husband goodbye and sat back down into the waiting wheelchair as another nurse came to wheel her back. She held his hand until she was forced to let go.

"I love you John Bates."

"And I love you Anna Bates. Don't leave me here alone for too long."

"I won't, I'll be back as soon as I can."

Bates watched her until he could see her no longer. A while later it was dinner time and his meal was brought to him on a tray. He managed to eat most of the food despite still feeling a bit groggy and a little nauseous. After dinner there was tea and soon after that it was lights out. Bates was tired but sleep eluded him, there was too much going through his brain. He couldn't be happier that Anna was alright and that their babies seemed to be fine. Bates would never have forgiven himself if Anna had miscarried. He couldn't bear to see her in pain or disappointed, and, if he was being truthful with himself, he already felt a strong bond with the children she carried. If Bates had previously held any doubts about his impending fatherhood they were long gone. He couldn't wait to experience his new life as a father and to see his children grow. He just hoped that he was up to the challenge and that he would be a good father, loved by his children. He would certainly try his best…