I was rewatching some of Season 3 over the weekend, and I realized what a giant dolt I have been with this story. Mary and Matthew went on their honeymoon to the South of France. I am not that geographically challenged that I think Paris is in the South of France. I just forgot that little detail and my brain filled it in for me.

Anyway, here is my final chapter. I hope you have enjoyed this fic! I enjoyed writing it.

Two weeks later, Anna found herself once again settled in front of the cozy fire in the servants' parlor at the Crawley's London home.

The final half of the trip for her had been much more pleasant than the beginning, thanks in no small part to Lady Mary and Mr. Molesley, whom had both done their best to bolster her spirits. Even now, when she thought of the delicate garter tucked away in her suitcase, she couldn't help but smile, thinking about John's reaction when she told him about it.

After the infamous shopping trip, Mr. Molesley had found a circus in town and together, they had picked out which animals Mr. Bates may have seen in Africa, and which were the best illusions to describe to him. Anna found that just being able to talk about her husband helped to ease the constant ache she had felt since she left him the last time.

The housekeeper poked her head in the door. "Mrs. Bates. I almost forgot to give this to you. It's a note from Mrs. Johnson. She asks that you call on them again before you leave back for Yorkshire."

The woman handed Anna the note and Anna read her tenant's words. She hadn't really intended to call on them again, but Mrs. Johnson's words were urging. We have found something you might be interested in. Anna wondered what in the world that could be. She'd find out in the morning, she supposed.

The late morning found Anna already in the small parlor of her rental house. The train they were taking back to Downton left at 3:00, and she still had to see to Lady Mary's luggage, so she couldn't stay long.

"Mrs. Bates, please forgive me." Mr. Johnson began once tea had been poured, piquing Anna's curiosity. "We had discussed that cupboard that was papered over when you were here last."

Anna nodded. "I'm sorry, Mr. Johnson, I'm afraid I haven't had an opportunity to discuss it with my husband yet."

The man in front of her looked embarrassed. "Well, that's just it. My brother was here, helping me with the nursery furniture and I mentioned the cupboard. I guess he misunderstood, because he opened it."

"Oh." Anna dismissed his concern. "That's alright. As long as the space is useful, it doesn't matter to me."

"Well," Mrs. Johnson joined the conversation. "There was a box in the cupboard. We thought you might be interested in the contents."

Mr. Johnson brought a small box from around the side of the sofa and opened it toward Anna.

Pulling put the first item, a cloth, delicately wrapped in tissue paper, Anna gasped at the faded inscription. John's christening gown. Pulling the paper open revealed a tiny, snow white gown, carefully pressed and wrapped to be preserved. Touching the delicate material, Anna could envision gently dressing her own child in this very same gown one day. How special that would be.

The trunk offered more treasures and the next items Anna pulled was a set of pictures, one of a small boy with dimples she would know anywhere, sitting uncomfortably next to a younger Mrs. Bates. His shock of unruly hair made Anna laugh softly. He was battling that hair to this day. The other was heart wrenching, John as a solider, his face serious. The handwritten date was 1899, just before he was wounded. What a journey this man would have before he became the man who was her husband.

Setting the pictures aside, Anna was surprised to see the last item in the box. It was a pack of letters, she would recognize the stationary anywhere. She had bought it on a whim one day while she was running errands in Ripon. Hers, white with a border of pink poppies, and his a plain heavy cream. Both were included in this packet, letters that she and John had written to Mrs. Bates before her death.

A thought suddenly came to Anna's head. "How long do you suppose that cupboard had been closed up like that?" She mused, more to herself than to her companions.

"The newspapers that were used to pack the trunk were all from the last five years." Mr. Johnson commented. "And my sister-in-law said that the wall paper was a newer pattern." He shrugged, "She knows about those kinds of things."

Anna's lips pursed tightly. "So, she had the cupboard papered over so we wouldn't find these things." These were the words that came put of Anna's mouth, but the words in her head were much harsher. Vera had hidden these treasures from John's childhood and papered over them, probably assuming they wouldn't be found for a very long time indeed. Every time she turned around, Anna found Vera had done some other despicable thing. How sad it must have been to be her.

"Thank you, Mr. Johnson, Mrs. Johnson. These are treasures to me indeed."

With the small parcels clutched to her chest, Anna bid them both a good day and headed back to the house to prepare for their departure.

It wasn't until she was settled on the train on the way back to Downton that she untied the bundle of letters. She set aside the ones that she had written, focusing instead on the ones from her husband. One in particular caught her attention. Mrs. Bates had labeled the front of the envelope in her shaking hand. John's response to my letter about Anna's visit.

Smiling, Anna read the words her husband had written to his mother, all those years ago.

Dear Mother,

Thank you for telling me about Anna's visit. She and I have discussed it at some length. I am not pleased that all of Downton now knows about Vera and my former prison sentence, but I am pleased to be staying at Downton, so how could I be upset with her?

As to your other question, my darling, meddling mother, there is nothing going on between us. And there won't be either, until I can get this situation with Vera sorted out, which seems impossible as I so not know how to even contact her. I do feel a great affection for Anna, she is a dear friend and the greatest ally I have ever had next to you. But, a romance between us would only end with both our hearts broken, I'm afraid.

There was a space on the paper before his next words.

I am kidding myself. I am head over heels in love with her. I just don't know what to do about it.

Anna felt the tears prick her eyes. It wasn't long after this that Mrs. Bates had died and upon returning to Downton, John proposed to her. She wondered what words of wisdom Mrs. Bates imparted on her son in those last days.

Whatever it was, John had been devotedly hers from that point forward, even during those dark days when Vera had forced them apart.

"Anna." Mrs. Hughes' voice interrupted Anna as she was packing the small christening gown in her drawer next to her garter. She placed the pictures and letters on top and closed the drawer before turning. "Yes Mrs. Hughes?"

The housekeeper held out two packets of letters. "I have been collecting these for you while you were away. I believe these are all from Mr. Bates, and these are the rest."

"Responses to my inquiry from Vera's book, I imagine." Anna replied.

"Well, it looks like you have a lot of reading to do, so I'll leave you to it." Mrs. Hughes handed her the letters and left her in the privacy of her room.

Anna picked up the second stack of letters, she'd save John's for when she was finished. The top two were returned, addressee unknown. She set those aside to ask John about them when she saw him next. It wouldn't do to not seek out possible information from Mr. Harlip or Mrs. Bartlett, no matter what information the rest uncovered.

Anna slit open the first letter, thinking about the tiny christening gown in her drawer. They would use that gown one day, she and John. They would have a life together, of that she was determined.