A/N: I haven't quite decided how many chapters this will be just yet, but I may jump forward and backward in time as the ideas come to me. I was actually already planning on doing this for St. Patrick's Day, so I was thrilled when some of you suggested I use that holiday next. Unfortunately, I'm just not that patient, so I posted it early. Poor you. I know. Anyway, please enjoy and review!

St. Patrick's Day

It was still early, Anna had anticipated the pub would be busy tonight, but she had hoped to steal a moment alone with John before the festivities really got started. It was St. Patrick's Day and she had just finished up a shift at the hospital after trying to reach John several times earlier, but had been unsuccessful. The two of them seemed to be playing a game of phone tag. And while she hadn't planned to tell him over the phone, she at least wanted to put his mind at ease. As she pushed in to the pub she found Mary trying to keep up with drink orders behind the bar. The new guy, named Alfred, was doing the same as he set two pitchers of beer on the bar top.

It seemed that not long after their initial meeting the bar had made a turn around. John credited her for that, though she could never understand why. But she would admit he seemed to enjoy his work more since they had begun dating. Steady business had allowed for John to hire on more help and in turn spend more time with Anna when she wasn't working crazy shifts. Their schedules were difficult at times but it suited them just fine. Anna had voiced her dreams of being able to take off some time soon for them to travel but John kept insisting they should save their money to buy a proper home. She could still hear his words ringing in her ear, "A flat above a bar is acceptable for a single man, but not for a young married couple, Anna." She had to admire his tenacity for wanting to provide her with every possible luxury, but she didn't need things like that to make her happy.

"William," Anna called out at the back of the bar. "Have you seen John?"

"I think he's signing off on another shipment, you want me to get him for you?"

"No, that's not necessary. I'll just change and come back down in a few," Anna answered back as she headed towards the stairs that led to their flat.

As she looked around their tiny flat she now realized there was some truth to John's words. A flat wouldn't do, at least not for long. Anna slipped into something a little more festive than her scrubs and ran a hand along her abdomen as she glanced at herself in the mirror. Things were certainly going to change. Six months would pass in the blink of an eye. She only hoped John felt the same way about her news as she did. After all they had only been married a few months and while she was sure he also wanted a family; a child was not something they had planned on so soon. Anna shrugged on a loose-fitting, green sweater, a black skirt that reached just above her knees and some black pumps to match. She touched up her make up a bit after looking so pale from the morning sickness and put on a matching headband with shamrock antennas attached to it. Without further delay, Anna traipsed down stairs to take a seat at the far end of the bar. If she couldn't tell John about their news now, Anna figured she could at least hang out with him at the far end of the bar. She wasn't sure she'd be able to keep her eyes open long enough to tell him after closing time, but she would certainly try.

As Anna made her way to the bottom of the stairs the first person she ran into was Mary. "Cute outfit," Mary complimented when she noticed Anna's arrival.

"Thank you. I'm rather in the mood for celebrating tonight," Anna replied, hoping she hadn't sounded too ecstatic and given herself away. She strummed her fingers nervously on the bar before Mary took notice.

"You alright?"

"Fine," Anna answered back a little too quickly.

"Can I get you started with a drink?"

Anna was about to order something, when she paused and thought better of it given the recent news of her condition. "Maybe just a water for now."

"Sure. You feeling okay? No offense but you look awfully pale."

"I was a little under the weather earlier, but I'm feeling much better now," she replied. At least it was half true.

Mary sat the glass of water down in front of her on top of a napkin as Anna took a seat on the bar stool. "I think John's in the back. You want me to fetch him?"

"No. I'll wait," Anna responded as she tried to summon up the courage for how she was going to tell him. She was probably making more of this than she needed to. John would probably be as happy as she was, if not more.

Suddenly two pairs of hands were covering her eyes; hands that she would have recognized anywhere. Large, capable, rugged hands that had memorized every contour of her body and freckle on her skin. "Guess who?" he cooed into her ear with a raspy voice. The sound sent chills down her spine and set her stomach a flutter. Anna smiled inwardly, "Colin Firth?"

"That old bugger?" John teased back.

"Old bugger? He's not much older than you," Anna said as she turned on the barstool to face her husband and let her hands play with the collar of his shirt. "Though I must say, he doesn't hold a candle to you in the looks department."

"Well thank God for that," John sighed before letting his lips sink into hers. Their lips lingering a little longer than necessary, but neither could find it in them to care or pull away a moment sooner. They chuckled softly before breaking apart and John moved a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "Are you feeling any better?" he asked with a hint of concern. Though he had to admit she looked better than she had the past few days.

"I am."

"Were they able to fit you in for an appointment?"

"They were."

"And?"

"And…"

"John! The sink in the back is clogged and flooding over again!" William shouted.

John let his head droop down and his eyes rolled back, "I'll be right back. Hold that thought." He tapped her nose lightly with the tip of his index finger before kissing her lips once more. As he walked away he turned to ask her, "It's a clean bill of health though, right?"

"The coast is clear," she replied with a smile that stretched across her face.

The rest of the night seemed to pass by in a blur. Anna helped out where she could but John kept insisting she had already worked a full shift at her job and for her to relax. She brought down something for him to eat later but he could hardly catch a moment to get more than a few bites in. Making further progress on their earlier conversation was out of the question.

Instead she tried to distract herself and join in on the celebrations. Some of their dearest friends had filtered in throughout the evening, traditional Irish music was blaring, drinks were flowing, and the room came to life with chatter. Robert Crawley was already three sheets to the wind and it was barely pushing ten in the evening. His daughter, Sybil, had shown up with her new beau, Tom Branson. It seemed that he and Robert had an unspoken competition going on to see who could get wasted first. Meanwhile, Edith, Robert's middle child kept making failed attempts to get her father to notice her and introduce him to her new love interest, Michael Gregson. Anna could only chuckle as she sipped on a glass of ginger ale to settle her stomach.

"Here you go," a familiar voice said as a pitcher of green beer was plopped down in front of the table. John began distributing glasses as he went around and said his hellos and thank yous to everyone for supporting his business by choosing to party in his bar. When he got down to the last glass he filled it for Anna and handed it to her. "And this one is for you my love," John said as he let out a tired but relieved sigh before sitting down beside her.

Anna felt her stomach begin to churn just looking at the glass. Not that she hadn't drank green beer before but it certainly wasn't a favorite. "I think I'll pass and just finish up my ginger ale," she replied sweetly. "I'm sure someone else here will drink it."

"Oh alright," he replied not thinking much of it. John then held up the glass, "Anyone else want Anna's beer?"

"I'll take it," Tom offered.

"Wait a minute," Sybil cut Tom off. "Anna hasn't had any tonight."

John turned to face Anna with an inquisitive look, "Is that true? Are you still not feeling well?"

"No," she quickly answered not wanting him to worry. "I just didn't...I can't." Her voice was soft as her eyes fell to her lap where her hands were fiddling with one another nervously.

"What is it?" John inquired in a low voice so only they could hear one another.

"I didn't want to tell you like this," she replied. Anna had envisioned a nice evening to themselves. Somewhere quieter.

"Tell me what?"

Anna cast off a tiny smirk as she bit her lower lip nervously. Then she leaned forward and whispered in his ear, hoping he could still hear her confession over the music. When John pulled back his eyes were wide open, his eyebrows raised, and slowly the penny dropped. Anna could see the revelation sinking in as a smile began to take shape across his face.

"You're sure?" he asked aloud, though not loud enough for anyone else to hear them.

Anna nodded her head emphatically with tears in her eyes, realizing that he was just as ecstatic as she was.

John wasted no time in lunging forward to frame her face with his large hands as he peppered her lips and cheeks with kisses.

"We're going to have a baby," Anna whispered.

"We're going to be parents," John responded in equal measure. "I'm going to be a Dad." The corners of his eyes crinkled as the dimples of his cheeks seemed to blossom.

"Yes, you are my darling." She stroked his cheek and smiled vibrantly back at him.

John suddenly pulled away from her and stood on his chair as he lifted his fingers to his mouth and blew out a whistle to get everyone's attention. "William turn the music down for just a second and don't let anyone else in!" John instructed.

The young lad did as John said and for a moment there was a disgruntled moan in the room as the festivities were brought to a temporary halt.

"I have an announcement to make!"

"John, what on earth are you doing?" Anna asked with a giggle. She could no longer contain the joy that had settled on her face.

"Don't worry love, I won't tell them you're pregnant…"

The room quickly came to life with cheers and wishes of congratulations.

John made a motion with his hands to silence the crowd. "I just want to tell them I'm going to be a Daddy and that for the next half hour drinks are on the house!" he replied with a look of pride. When he hopped back down, though his head was still floating on cloud nine, John kissed Anna passionately once more. "I have never loved you more or been prouder of you than I am in this moment. You have given me more than I could have ever dreamed of Anna May Bates."

"Well I didn't exactly do it all on my own, Mr. Bates," Anna replied softly.

"I know. And that makes it all the sweeter. My life changed for the better when I met you...almost in this exact spot," John answered back. "Now I'm learning there is even more to be celebrated. I'm positively over the moon," he confessed.

"As am I, my incredible husband," she replied with genuine affection.

The celebrations continued long into the night. Some were drinking to John and Anna's news, but most were there simply for St. Patrick's Day. Whatever they were there for, it made no difference to John. He only had eyes for Anna as he reflected on the life they shared and the one they had created. John could hardly find it in him to leave her side the rest of the night or stop his hand from drifting to the barely-there bump of her stomach. It seemed that this year there would be even more to celebrate. While the two of them shared kisses and embraces, it was clear to everyone else in the room there that more deserving people had never existed.