Things may get a little steamy! Consider yourselves warned…quite steamy in fact, will try not to be too graphic!

Weeks passed and before Anna knew it February had arrived. She was now seven months along and feeling every day of it. In the weeks that had passed since the accident John had been housebound, his leg not well enough for him to get back to work. He was able to get around at home well enough but Dr. Clarkson hadn't given his permission for him to return to work until today. Anna had to confess she had enjoyed their time together as John recuperated. They had slept in most mornings. Anna enjoyed nothing in the world so much as the feeling of her husband's warm body cradling hers as they woke, his hand resting on her ever-growing belly. She loved the look of wonder and awe on his face whenever he felt their children move inside her. He often spoke to their babes at night, resting his head gently on her belly. He told them faerie stories passed down to him by his mother and by her mother before her and so on. He told them about their paternal grandparents whom they sadly would never meet. He told them about his life as a scoundrel and how he came to meet their mother. He placed his ear to her abdomen to try and hear their twin heartbeats. She and John both speculated excitedly about the twins she carried. Would they be two boys or two girls? Perhaps one of each. She and John both had many names picked out in each instance. If they were two girls they'd be named Katherine Mary or Josephine May, Katherine for John's mother and Josephine for Anna's. If they were two boys they'd be named Robert Charles or John Matthew, an honor to the current and future Lord Grantham and of course Charles for Mr. Carson who no doubt would be touched at the naming. Anna wondered if other men were this attentive to their wives while they were carrying their children. John would plant kisses on his wife's neck as she prepared dinner, would massage her feet at night by the fire. This morning though John had to get up before the sun in order to make his way to Downton. He rose as quietly as possible but Anna still woke all the same. In truth she'd been somewhat awake for the better part of an hour, the babies inside her were always very active in the morning and often woke her with their movements. After she heard him finish dressing she rolled over in bed, or at least as much as her cumbersome belly would allow. John noticed that she was awake and came over to kiss her before heading off to work. He also laid a kiss on her swollen abdomen before making his way slowly downstairs.

"Do you want me to make you some breakfast?" Anna called out after him.

"No dear, you stay in bed. I'll grab something at Downton," and with that Anna heard the door shut and the sound of her husband's slow, halting footsteps as they made their way up the path and toward the grand estate.

John's leg ached as he walked through the servant's entrance to Downton Abbey. He'd made it to work early enough for a bit of breakfast for which he was grateful. He sat down in his usual chair and rested his leg. It had been cold this morning and the porridge and coffee would do wonders for him. As much as he loved his job and enjoyed working for such a kind man as Lord Grantham John was also a little apprehensive about coming back to work. Anna still had two months before the babies were expected to arrive but he'd heard from some of the other servants that twins can often come early. Worry nagged at him every day that the babies would come too soon and that worry was worse now that he was back at work. He'd feel better if someone were with Anna during the day, perhaps he could persuade Mrs. Clarkson to look in on Anna from time to time. Anna's mother was due to come stay for a while until the babies arrived but she wasn't going to come until a month from now. His mind was so preoccupied that he hadn't heard Lord Grantham's bell ring and Carson had to draw his attention by shaking him slightly by the shoulder. John smiled sheepishly as he made his way upstairs to Lord Grantham's dressing room to get him ready for the day.

Anna busied herself during the day by getting things ready for the baby. Even with the clothes and items given to her by Isobel Anna would have to make some other articles now that she knew two babies were coming instead of one. As she sowed together a little shirt a soft knock came at the door. Anna got up from her chair, not without some considerable effort. She found that even simple tasks were becoming more and more difficult as her pregnancy progressed, not that she minded. She waddled her way over to the door and was greeted by a familiar face.

"Dr. Clarkson, whatever are you doing here?" Anna asked, smiling at the man who'd been so kind to her and John.

"I was on my way back to the village, I had to go out to check on a few patients and thought I'd stop by and see how you're doing," the doctor said, sounding a little out of breath.

"Well by all means doctor, do come in." The doctor walked through the threshold, black medical bag in hand.

"Can I get you something doctor, a cup of tea or anything?"

"Oh no my dear, thank you I'm fine. I won't be here for long. Is there somewhere private where I can look you over?"

"Oh yes, we have the living room through here, I can draw the curtains."

Anna led the doctor through to the living room and drew the curtains. He then worked over her as he often did, looking at her eyes, feeling the sides of her neck, checking her blood pressure, listening to her heartbeat and the heartbeats of the babies she carried. As he placed the stethoscope on her belly the babies moved around a bit. He checked the back of her head to make sure the wound she'd sustained in the cart accident was completely healed. After he finished examining her Anna put her clothes back on while the doctor waited in the kitchen. Anna ambled in and took a seat across from him.

"How have you been feeling Anna?"

"Fine other than being tired, sore and having to visit the privy every five minutes," said Anna jokingly.

"Well you seem to be in perfect health, just make sure to take things easy. You feel a little warm but many pregnant women tend to run higher temperatures while they're carrying. As always get plenty of rest and make sure to drink plenty of fluids, no matter how much you have to visit the loo. The babies seem to be growing as they should and their hearts sound strong. Do you have any questions for me before I go?"

"Well yes as a matter of fact I do, but…it's a bit embarrassing actually…"

"Go on.."

"Well doctor, Mr. Bates and I were wondering…is it alright if we're still….intimate… with each other while I'm expecting?" Anna's face blushed pink as she asked her question. Doctor Clarkson gave a little laugh.

"Well Anna, there's nothing to suggest that it does any harm to the baby or the mother. In fact I'd say it does more good. Just be careful and don't do anything too….vigorous." Now it was the doctor's turn to blush. Anna thanked him for everything and gave him a little money for his troubles. He took it with a smile and walked out the door and up the path. Anna closed the door behind him and went back over to the chair to resume her sewing. She was glad that she and John could still make love. To be honest she'd never felt so…desirous of his attention as she did now. Surely she couldn't be the other woman this happened to? Either way, Anna had a whole new reason to be excited for her husband's return home. She patted her belly and spoke to the babes within her, "Your Papa is going to get quite a surprise tonight."

John's leg ached terribly as he walked back home after a hard day's work. It was quite cold and the clouds hung low, threatening snow. As he neared their cottage he could smell the dinner Anna had prepared. He'd had nothing to eat since the servant's luncheon, having left Downton as soon as Lord Grantham had dressed for bed. As he opened the door to their cottage he was greeted by warmth and his wife who obviously had heard him coming. She leaned up and planted a passionate kiss on his lips, taking him completely by surprise. He nearly lost his balance as his wife embraced him. As she pulled back from him she gazed up into his eyes, her own blazing with heat and longing. John knew what that look meant. She walked away from him then and John watched her, watched the sway of her hips, the way her hair fell against her back. He stood there watching her for what felt like an eternity as she went to the stove and pulled out their dinner. She'd made a lovely stew and had kept it warm in the stove along with some bread that she had baked yesterday. As she put the dinner on the table she looked back over at him, smiling widely as she realized he'd been watching her. He then shrugged off his coat, placed it on the usual hook and limped over to sit at their dinner table. As they ate their meal Anna caressed John's leg under the table with her foot. He smiled evilly at her as she made her amorous intentions clear. After dinner Anna cleared things up while John went in to the living room to read a bit before bed. He stoked the fire up and sat down on the small loveseat. Anna joined him shortly. She walked over to him and stood in front of him. John looked up at her and his breath caught a bit. With the fire behind her and her hair down now she looked like beauty itself. He dropped his gaze down her body, enjoying the curve of her breasts and the sensuous lines of her belly. She reached over and took his book away from him, setting it on the loveseat so as to keep his place. She then reached out to him and motioned for him to take her hand, which he did. He followed her up the stairs, leaning heavily on the rail as they went. She pushed open their bedroom door and went about lighting a small fire in the fireplace. As she finished she turned to him, heat and longing filling her gaze.

"Get undressed," she told him. He did as she commanded. When he was finished he got into bed, the room was still a bit chilly. She came over to him then, having changed into her one silk nightgown that she had worn for their short-lived honeymoon. It stretched over her belly just enough to show off all the changes that had taken place to her body over the last seven months. Bates had propped himself up with some pillows so that he was almost sitting up. Anna climbed into the bed and came over to straddle him and gave him another fiery kiss.

"Anna what's gotten into you?" he asked breathlessly, his voice thick with longing.

"Nothing that I haven't got a right to as your wife. Or do you not want your wife to make love to you?" she asked with a devilish lilt in her voice.

"Well I must confess I like very much when we're together like this, but Anna, is it alright? I mean, will it hurt the babies or you for that matter?"

Anna shook her head, "No, not at all. Doctor Clarkson said that it was perfectly fine and that many couples remain…active…while they're expecting." Bates barely suppressed a laugh as Anna told him this news. It was obvious this had been on her mind for sometime and Bates would be fooling himself if he said it wasn't on his either. To be honest he quite liked how his wife's body had changed as their children grew within her.

Bates ran his hands up her back, the smooth silk and his wife's skin beneath feeling wonderful against his hands. He ran them back down and reached around to remove the night gown so he could look on his wife in all her natural glory. He traced his fingers along her collarbone and kissed the hollow of her neck. Anna buried her fingers in his hair and pulled slightly, drawing a low groan from his throat. She could feel his manhood harden under her. There was nothing between them now except air. Anna drew a soft hand down his chest, loving the feel of his dark chest hair against her skin, then down further and stroked his hardness with her palm causing him to close his eyes and for his head to fall back slightly. His big hands found their way to her breasts, giving them all the attention they deserved. Anna whimpered a bit at his touch and ground herself against him, letting him know she was ready for more. Bates then reached down and guided their bodies together, the two moaning softly as their bodies joined completely. Anna moved up and down slowly, rhythmically, her hips doing most of the work. Bates could feel her belly pressed against his own abdomen. He placed his hands on her hips as she moved, then down to her buttocks, kneading them as she rode him. Before long Bates could feel the familiar sensation that came before he reached his climax. As the sensation crashed over him he also felt his wife's body tense as her inner self spasmed around him, her own climax arriving just before his. As they clung to each other trying to catch their breath John held Anna ever so close, her head resting on his shoulder. He slowly rubbed her back as he held her in his arms. Her belly was still pressed into his abdomen and he suddenly felt a small kick against him. It was an odd sensation but he loved it all the same. The fire had gone out by now and he and Anna broke apart so they could climb under the sheets. Anna snuggled against him as they fell asleep. Outside the snow began to fall…