A/N: I should really plan this out more thoroughly, as this sort of follows on from chapter 2, but takes place before chapter 4 and after chapter 5. Alas, here we are; chapter 6. I hope you all had a fantastic Christmas and let's see what 2014 brings!
It was New Years' Eve at Downton and after the Annual Servants' Ball, everyone-residents and staff- was in high spirits. The Servants had retreated downstairs to bring in the New Year, whilst the Family celebrated privately upstairs. For Anna and John Bates, this marked a new beginning: this was the first New Year they would be celebrating together, united as husband and wife. They could finally put the heartache and misfortune of the past few years behind them and look ahead; they could now plan their lives together without the threat of arrest looming over their heads. Neither Anna nor John had stopped smiling since his release, and they were both looking forward to the New Year tremendously.
Mrs Patmore and Mr Carson were pouring out the wine, filling each glass generously. John noticed that Anna politely declined a drink, and he didn't want to feel like he was spoiling her fun.
"You can have some if you want love, I don't mind. Truly." He looked at her openly and honestly.
"No, I don't want any." He should have known her answer before he even asked; Anna could be just as stubborn as him when she wanted to be. He raised his eyebrows at her, showing her he didn't really believe her. She simply smiled and took a sip from her glass of water. He watched her adoringly, smiling to himself before taking a sip out of his own glass.
"What are you hoping the next year will bring then, Mr Bates?" Anna asked, bringing him out of his reverie. He was surprised at her question, and contemplated his reply. When he did answer it was simple and honest.
"Well my darling, I hope to be happy, and with you by my side, I shall happier than I could've ever hoped to be."
She looked up at him, the slightest trace of tears in her eyes. They beamed at each other, and his hand shyly reached for hers, still getting used to be able to show his affection. As his hand wrapped around her smaller one, the clock struck 12 o'clock. Wishes of 'Happy New Year' rung through the servants' hall, but they only had eyes for each other. After a few seconds they both placed their glasses on the table and embraced. It only lasted for a few seconds, before they broke apart and he bent down to place a chaste kiss on her cheek. She leaned in to him and smiled. They were very close when he pulled away, and she leant up to kiss him quickly on the lips. His lips lingered on hers slightly, and when they broke away, they were both very glad that neither Thomas nor Miss O'Brien had seen them. They knew weren't doing anything wrong of course, but the Under-Butler and Ladies' maid were not the fondest of the downstairs couple, and always had to have a grumble.
"Happy New Year Mr Bates," she whispered.
"Happy New Year, Mrs Bates. The first of many more."