A/N Thanks for all the lovely reviews, I'm overwhelmed to get such positive feedback from all the Banna and Chelsie shippers. I hope you all like this next chapter, I had originally intended to have a short scene with Mama Bates, but she ended up becoming a force to be reckoned with. I think she'll end up playing a bigger role in future chapters. As promised, I included another Grandpa Charlie scene and healing Chelsie scene. And John gives Anna her "perfect day". Another big thanks to A-Lady-To-Me for all her help with this chapter. Hope you all enjoy it, please review!

Chapter 8

John went to open the side door that led to the kitchen, but suspected it would already be open. He could already smell the welcoming scent of a home cooked meal and he couldn't wait to get inside as he shifted the bouquet of flowers in his arms and removed his sunglasses. He straightened his tie and made his way inside undetected. He eyed her standing at the sink washing a fresh head of lettuce and humming a song to herself, it warmed his heart to see her looking so happy. "There's my favorite girl," he said charmingly.

She turned around as she wiped her hand on a dish towel and set the lettuce down, "So, you do care about your sweet, elderly mother."

"Hmmm, I see a sweet woman but I don't see an elderly one," he said as he procured the bouquet from behind his back.

"Johnny, you are far too good to me," Margaret said as she stroked his cheek lovingly and smelled the roses.

"Nonsense, you deserve it," John said as he placed a kiss on her cheek. John spun her around like they were dancing as he picked up where she left off with the tune she had been humming.

"You're a charmer like your father," Margaret noted as she reached for a vase in one of the cupboards.

"Well, let's hope that's where the similarities end," John said sarcastically. He motioned for her to leave it to him and reached over her to grab the vase for her.

As she added water to the vase he snuck a hand behind her to grab a crouton from the salad bowl and she lightly swatted at his hand and he dropped the crouton back in the bowl. "John Bates, that's for dinner," she scolded playfully.

"Alright, I give," he said with raised hands. He watched her tend to the flowers with such care as she arranged them in the vase. Her hands were still delicate, despite years of hard labor working all sorts of odd end jobs to provide for him. He noticed her arthritis was beginning to give her trouble, so he helped wherever he could. She was in her mid sixties, but was still quite active and sharp as a whip for her age. She had dark hair like him, but thicker and with more curls. They shared the same hazel eyes and facial structure, but she was a good foot shorter than John. He always found her utterly adorable when she used to tell him, "Just because you're a grown man now, doesn't mean I can't still ground you."

"So, to what do I owe the pleasure?" Margaret asked as she pulled a lasagna out from the oven.

He leaned over her shoulder to take a whiff of the dish as she cut two pieces and placed one on a plate for herself and one for John. "Can't a son just stop by to check on his Mum and share some delicious food with her?"

"Normally? Yes, except for the fact that I have barely seen or heard from you in the past two weeks. Must be a pretty girl that has lured you away from me," Margaret teased as she pinched his cheek and handed him a plate and the salad bowl.

"Mum," John groaned as he set his stuff down on the table.

"Don't you 'Mum' me. I know when I'm being passed over for someone else. You make the same face you did when you were a teenager and wanted to hang out with your friends or girlfriends," she said. She set a dish of butter out on the table and headed toward the fridge to grab a pitcher of sun brewed tea.

"I don't make a face," he said growing more irritated.

She lifted her head enough to look over the door of the refrigerator and eyed him, "Yes, you do John David. You're making it right now." He winced at the mention of his middle name; it made him feel like he was five years old all over again. She set a glass out in front of him and poured him some tea as he leaned on his elbow and nervously rubbed at the back of his neck. "Elbows off the table," she reminded him. He did as she asked and promptly put a bite of lasagna in his mouth. "Have you forgotten your manners completely? Prayers first," she said.

John set the fork down with a clank against the plate and folded his hands while bowing his head. His mother blessed the food and made the sign of the cross over her chest when she finished. How his mother still managed to keep her faith after all the curves life had thrown at her he would never understand. But he had been raised a Catholic and if going through the motions put a smile on her face he would pray with her and attend mass with her on holidays and special occasions.

When they finished she helped herself to some salad and asked, "Are you going to tell me about her or are we going to pussy foot around for the rest of dinner?"

"Mum!" John said as he nearly choked on the bite he had been working on. He wiped at his mouth with a napkin and finally gave in, "Her name is Anna." Just the sound of her name on his lips made his eyes light up and his heart beat quicken. "We met on my first day back in London when I went to have breakfast with Robert at The Shop Around the Corner."

His mother was getting excited just watching him talk about her. "What's she like? "

"She's a kind, honest, funny, and smart woman."

"So far these are the opposite qualities of Vera," she noted.

"She's petite and blonde," he continued to gush and his mother smiled at him. There were other physical attributes he liked about Anna, but he'd rather not share those with his mother.

She saw a spark there that she hadn't seen in sometime and it made her happier than she could ever begin to express. "Well she certainly seems like the whole package. What does she do?"

"She's a waitress. Although I think that was more out of necessity than a choice," he commented. "Anna really helped calm my nerves my first day here and made me feel welcome to Downton," John said as he averted his eyes for a moment. He looked around the tiny kitchen that he had grown up in, most of the décor outdated. The wall paper was faded and the linoleum had begun to peel back at the edges. The mustard yellow refrigerator was still covered with pictures of the two of them through the years. He had offered to buy her a new one more than once, but she was adamant that it worked just fine. There was something very comforting about it though, it reminded him that some things would never change. Sometimes he'd watch his mother move around the kitchen while he ate at the table and would remember sitting there after school working on homework as his mother brought him a fresh plate of cookies.

Maybe it was too soon to tell her about Aidan. But the more he thought about it the more he realized that if there was anyone that would understand Anna's situation, it was his mother. He supposed it couldn't hurt; after all she wasn't meeting Aidan just yet.

"John?" his mother asked, trying to bring him back to reality. "You look very deep in thought. What's on your mind?" she inquired as she rubbed the top of his hand.

"There's something else," he said as he clasped his hands together and turned to face his mother. "She's a single mother. Anna has a four year old son," he added.

John's mother continued to eat her food, completely unfazed by his revelation, "That's nice."

"That's it?" he asked sounding surprised.

"Well, yeah. What else did you expect me to say?"

"I don't know. I guess I expected you to have some reservations about it," he explained.

"Well, I'm a bit surprised, but not about her having a son. More surprised that you want to be with someone that has a child. You've never really expressed a desire to have children," she stated.

"True. But Aidan is such a sweet little boy," he expressed. "I didn't think it was possible to be taken with someone so quickly or with her son. We seem to hit it off so far and even though things are still new I just got a feeling that this is a good thing."

"That's good. I'm happy for you. Even on your best days with Vera, I don't remember seeing you this happy," she pointed out. "You know my motto."

"If it feels right, go with your gut," they said simultaneously. They shared a giggle and returned to eating their dinner.

"Any chance you'll be bringing her by soon for me to meet?" she asked as she sipped on her tea.

"Not yet. She hasn't even met my friends and we are trying to let Aidan adjust to the idea of us before we go throwing other family members into this," he said considerately.

"Well you could always just bring Anna. But I understand if you want to wait and keep her to yourself for now. I do hope that when you decide to make things more serious, you decide to bring the little one by," she said as she squeezed his arm reassuringly. "Besides this may be the closest I come to having a grandchild, so if my status changes to potential grandmother I want to know as soon as possible," she warned.

"Oh, Mum," he moaned once more.

"Calm down, don't get your knickers in a bunch," she said with a warm smile.

As soon as she had finished her dinner, Margaret rose from her seat to begin clearing the table and cleaning the dishes. "This was nice. I hope to see you more often. Though I suspect that won't be the case now that you are courting this Anna," she said with a squeeze of his shoulder.

"I'll still make time for you," John vowed as he rose from his seat to bring his plate to the sink. "Let me make it up to you now by cleaning up the kitchen," he offered.

"I tell you what; we do the dishes together and I'll send you home with some leftovers," she said.

"Sounds tempting, but I'm sensing a catch somewhere in here."

"You have to promise to come by more often. I'm thinking once a week, the day of the week is up to you," she added.

"That sounds like a deal I can live with," he said with a sly smile as he began scrubbing the pyrex glass serving dish to spare her joints. She began to dry and he saw her pause for a moment, "Mum?"

"I'm fine," she said with tears in her eyes.

"You all right?"

"I missed this. I hated when you moved away with Vera, but I convinced myself that she made you happy. So I tried to be happy for you. When the marriage ended, I thought you'd move back but you didn't. And now you are back and I've hardly seen you. You're all I have Johnny," she praised to catch her breath for a moment. "I'm just…I'm just being silly is all," she reasoned. Margaret placed a dry glass up in the cabinet and wiped at her eye with the back of her hand.

"I'm sorry, Mum. I felt like a failure when my marriage crumbled and I just couldn't face anyone after she bled me dry," he explained. "Especially because you warned me we were a horrible match from the get go. I should have listened to you. You've always had my best interest at heart and I ignored your warnings and the signs that were so obvious," he said with his head lowered. "But I never stopped loving you. I promise I'll make it up to you," he said as he pulled her in for a hug. They stood there for awhile and John felt a pang of guilt at having not spent more time with the woman who had sacrificed so much for him.

"John David, I know what you're doing right now. Stop right there. No brooding in my presence," Margaret said as she pulled away from him.

"I'll be sure to take my brooding elsewhere," he joked. He returned to washing the dishes and began humming the tune again that his mother had been singing earlier. "How is your health? Did Dr. Clarkson say anything about you taking it easy since your heart attack?"

"I'm fine."

"You can't blame me for asking your going to be sixty seven years old soon and you live all alone in this house," he argued gently.

"I don't need you reminding me of how old I am," she said with a scornful look. "While we're on the topic of age though…"

"Oh boy, here it comes," he said with a long sigh.

"If Anna has a four year old son she must be a young woman. How old is she?"

"She's twenty eight," John said as he awaited her response.

"Well, she's a great deal younger than you. But maybe you need a younger woman to keep you on your toes," she said as she nudged him playfully with her elbow in his side.

"I'm only forty four, Mum,"

"I know and you'll always be my little boy," she said. They shared a smile and mirrored each other's mannerisms as they finished the dishes, eventually settling into a comfortable silence as they continued cleaning up the kitchen.

Anna stood by the door as she patiently waited for Aidan to put his shoes on. "Nearly ready little man?'

"Mmhhmm," he said with a nod as he tapped his Velcro strap in place. Anna suddenly remembered to grab a light jacket for him just in case and fished one out of the hall closet. As she put the hangar back onto the rod in the closet Aidan asked, "Mummy, why are we going to Grandpa's? I thought you said we are going to the zoo today." His face was bunched up in curiosity as he waited for her answer.

"We are sweetheart. But, Mr. Bates lives across town and it was easier to meet halfway in between," she reasoned as she shut the door to the hall closet.

"Why?"

She should have known as she gave a small roll of the eyes. "It just is my darling. Besides, we need to come back to Grandpa's afterwards so you can sleep over at his house and visit with Jasper," she explained.

"Oh," he simply responded as she began to usher him out the front door.

Anna grabbed his overnight bag and checked herself once more to make sure she had her keys, cell phone, and purse. Right after she had gotten all the stuff loaded into the car Aidan exclaimed, "Wait I forgot Mr. Bear!"

Ann let out a huff knowing they were already running late. She didn't want to have to unload him from the car. "Love is there any chance you can get along without him tonight?"

"No Mummy, I need him!" Aidan whined as he threw his arms against his booster seat.

She pulled the keys from the ignition and rushed back inside with Aidan, not wanting to run the risk of leaving him in the car on his own. "Ok, but make it quick," Anna said as she unlocked the door again and Aidan ran past her. Anna drew her cell phone from her pocket and quickly shot off a text to John. Sorry for the delay, Aidan forgot his bear. We're on our way J

She supposed John would have to get used to this sort of thing when dating someone with a small child. Her phone chirped again just as Aidan made his way around the corner and ran toward the door. No rush. Take your time. You're travelling with precious cargo. I'll wait at your Dad's. She smiled to herself as she led Aidan back down the path from their house and placed him into the car once more.

They pulled into her father's driveway twenty minutes later and saw that John was already standing outside leaning on the hood of his car. He had been looking at the small, but simple home that Anna had grown up in and couldn't help but think that there was something very comforting about it. It reminded him of his own home that he had grown up in with his mother and then it dawned on him that he and Anna, although a sixteen years apart, had essentially grown up fifteen minutes away from one another but had never crossed paths. Even in their shared friendship with the Crawley family it had never happened. It had saddened him somewhat that they hadn't met sooner, but he was thankful for having met her at all. He probably would have mucked things up had he met her way back when anyhow.

He was jarred from his thoughts when Anna gave a small, playful tap on the horn of the car. He smiled and waved to Aidan when he spotted him in the car window and Aidan waved back. John chuckled lightly when he watched Anna struggle to get Aidan out fast enough and the little boy ran up to him out of breath. "Watch out for the cars," she warned as she watched him hop onto the sidewalk.

"Hello, Mr. Bates," he said with a broad grin. The warm sun made his hair shine brighter than before and the wind blew his long hair around.

"Hello, Aidan," John greeted him with a tiny hand shake. He looked past the boy to see Anna grabbing a tiny duffle bag and offered a hand, "Anything I can help with?"

"No, I was just going to put Aidan's overnight bag in the house before we left," Anna answered as she attempted to find the spare key to the house on her key ring. He couldn't help but notice that this was the first time he had seen her out of her work uniform or formal wear. He smirked a little when he realized he had managed to see her in pajamas before he had even seen her in plain clothes. She wore a pair of well-worn, figure-hugging jeans and a navy blue blouse with little white flowers stitched into the a pattern around the neckline. Her hair was down, billowing in the breeze much like Aidan's had and she looked lovely as ever. There was something about her natural grace and beauty that had him utterly captivated. He tried not to stare too long, especially when he noticed Aidan was watching him.

"Someone having a sleepover?" John asked as he looked down at Aidan.

"Yup! Me," the little boy answered back enthusiastically. "Grandpa lets me stay up late, we play with my dinosaurs, and we make smores in the fire place too."

"Sounds like fun," John said as he watched Aidan become sidetracked with getting Jasper's attention through the window. The poor mutt looked like he might break through the glass in an attempt to reach the child. Jasper howled and barked playfully while scratching his paws against the window and Aidan only encouraged his antics as he pressed his face to the glass.

Just as she got the door open Jasper came bolting out and knocked Aidan over in an attempt to lick his face and John quickly picked him up and dusted him off. "Are you okay?" he asked as the dog continued to weave circles in between his legs and around Aidan.

Aidan just laughed back at him before answering, "Yeah, he does that all the time." Something about the way he laughed and smiled looked so much like Anna it was uncanny. He shook his head in amazement and chortled a bit as he dusted the boy's knees off.

John heard the sound of another car pull up the driveway and saw an older man exit it; he assumed this must be Anna's father. He was slightly taller than himself, though they did have similar builds. The older man was wearing a pair of aged jeans that hung loosely around his waist. He had a simple grey t-shirt on and looked as though he had just gotten done performing some sort of handy work. He caught a glimpse of him that first night at Anna's house, but they never got to meet properly. John gulped at the prospect of getting to know Charlie a little bit more. He knew from their phone conversations that Charlie was a big part of Anna and Aidan's life and he didn't want to make a bad first impression. He gulped as he watched the tall, broad shouldered man walk toward him with authority.

"Grandpa!" Aidan shouted as he jumped over the two steps that led up the porch. He nearly tripped as he ambled toward Charles but made it safely into his grandfather's loving embrace.

"Hey! How are you my boy?" Charles responded excitedly as he hoisted the boy up with ease. Charles looked up and saw Anna emerge from the house as he sized up the younger man standing by his front door. He vaguely remembered him from the night Aidan had gotten sick, but had not expected him to stick around. He would never admit it aloud, but he had almost wished he had just left that night. Now that John was here to stay, Charles was more concerned about the man who was courting his daughter and spending more time with his grandson.

"Good! Mummy and Mr. Bates are taking me to the zoo!" he reported with his arms thrown around Charlie's neck.

"Mr. Carson," John greeted with an extended hand. "It's a pleasure to finally meet you properly." Their hands met and they shook cordially.

"Charlie is fine," he corrected.

"Anna has told me so much about you," John stated.

Charlie's eyes knit together in confusion as their hands naturally pulled away. "Really? Hopefully good things?"

"Well of course," John said. They shared a nervous laugh that petered off into an uncomfortable silence. John felt like a teenager all over again, trying to make nice with the parent of the girl he was wooing.

Charles set Aidan down to play with Jasper in the yard and the boy took off with a squeal. "I find that interesting," Charlie commented as he watched his grandson roll around on the grass with his dog.

"Why's that?" John asked with intrigue.

"Well, I find it odd that she would speak of me to you, but she hasn't made much mention of you to me," Charles replied. John's mouth hung open for a moment. All manner of words escaped him as he stood before Anna's father. "In fact, I didn't even know you were all going to the zoo today," he noted.

"Hey there! What are we talking about?" Anna asked as she walked up behind John and placed a hand on his arm.

"Um, nothing. Maybe we should get going," John said looking crestfallen. He pulled his keys from his pocket and headed over to his car to start loading the booster seat. "Come on Aidan!" he called out once he reached the car.

"M'kay!" Aidan shouted back as he headed toward John. He stopped halfway to the car and turned back to run over to Charlie and said, "Bye Grandpa. See you later." He hugged Charlie's leg and the older man patted the boy on the back lovingly.

Anna and Charlie watched as John placed Aidan into his booster seat. "I don't know what you said to him, but you better be nice to him," she said playfully. Charlie had his arms crossed and let out a heavy sigh. "He's been a perfect gentleman since I met him and he's great with Aidan," she reasoned.

"Well I wouldn't know, I've hardly seen you since you've met him," he argued back evenly.

"Awww, is someone a little jealous?" Anna asked. She held back a giggle as she watched him try to figure out the way to loop the seat belt into the booster.

John shifted the booster chair once more as Aidan sat in it and kept playing with his toys. "So Aidan?"

"Mmmm?" Aidan said as he walked his dinosaurs along John's forearm.

"I don't know if you've noticed, but I'm trying to impress your grandpa here. So could you tell me how to loop this into the seat?"

Aidan stopped playing for a moment as he rolled his eyes and let out a groan. "The bottom strap goes here. The top goes across here silly," Aidan said as he pointed to his chest.

"Right. What was I thinking?" he said playfully. When he went to strap the belt in place he noticed Aidan making chomping noises and asked, "What are you doing there pal?"

"The dinosaurs are eating the grass," he answered simply.

"You mean my arm hair," John replied.

"Yeah. The grass," he replied before returning to his game.

John shook his head in amusement. "Hey, can I see one of those dinosaurs?" he asked. Without hesitating Aidan leaned over and handed one to John and they began playing for a moment.

"I'm not jealous," he said with a hint of emotion in his voice. "I'm just not ready for things to change. I've gotten used to things the way they were. What about our weekly dinners?"

"We can still have our weekly dinners," she argued. "And I still love you. Not everything has to change," she assured him. Anna raised herself up on her tip toes and kissed his cheek and gave him a squeeze. "I'll see you later when I drop off Aidan," she said.

"Have fun!" he said. Charles patted his leg with his hand to call Jasper over and walked slowly back over to the porch.

"Bye Grandpa! Save me a smore!" Aidan happily shouted from the window and waved.

Charles waved back, "Drive carefully!"

"I'll take extra special care of them," John promised.

Charles watched them drive off with a heavy heart as the car became smaller in the distance. He heard a small cry from Jasper and gave the mutt a good scratch behind the ear before muttering, "Well, now what?"

"One, two, three! Wee!" Aidan squealed as he was launched into the air. "Higher!" he demanded.

The little boy stood in the middle with John and Anna on either side of him as he held each one's hand. Anna gave a tiny eye roll to John, but a knowing smile from him told her he was all too happy to oblige. This time John and Anna counted off with Aidan as they mustered their collective strength to swing him in the air once more. The child's legs kicked freely before coming back down to earth.

"Again!" Aidan encouraged as he got a running start and jumped.

John looked over to Anna to gain her approval. He watched as she let out a small groan and rubbed at her shoulder with her opposite hand. "I think that's enough Aidan, you'll kill your Mummy's arm," John said.

"Awww," Aidan pouted.

"I can lift you up though," John offered. "How about a ride on my shoulders?"

"Yes!" Aidan cheered as he prepared to be placed on John's shoulders.

"John, you don't have to do that," Anna maintained.

"He's fine. He doesn't weigh much," John claimed. He picked the boy up and gave Anna a reassuring smile. John had one hand wrapped firmly around Aidan's leg to balance him as he wriggled about on his shoulders and the other down at Anna's side so that their fingers could find one another. They made their way through the entrance of the zoo and immediately Aidan began directing them to which exhibits and animals he wanted to see first. "Alright Captain, where to?" John addressed the boy using his best impersonation of a pirate.

"The bears first!" Aidan said as he wrapped his arms around John's neck tighter with anticipation.

"Is that your favorite animal now?" Anna asked as she lathered some sun screen on the boy's ears and nose.

"No. But it's Mr. Bear's," he answered resolutely.

"Gee, can't imagine why," John mumbled sarcastically to Anna. It earned him a wicked grin as they made their way towards the bear exhibit.

John set Aidan down so he could walk up to the railing. The little boy gripped tightly to the edge of the enclosure and peered down into the pit with fascination. Aidan moved back and forth along the rail trying to get a better view while John and Anna stood behind him moving closer towards one another. He hooked an arm over her shoulder casually and she smiled up at him endearingly.

The thought crossed her mind that this was the first time she hadn't seen him in a tuxedo or work suit. He had managed to get away from work on a few occasions to have lunch at The Shop Around the Corner. While he certainly filled a suit out nicely, she had been rather curious to see him in regular clothes. Now she was looking at him with a hint of salt and pepper stubble. His hair completely free of product appeared feathered around his ears and kept flopping forward into his eyes, which warranted a casual stroke of his large hands through his hair as he pushed it out of his face languidly. He wore intoxicating cologne that reminded her of Old Spice and filled her lungs in the most pleasurable way. His plain black, short sleeve shirt was form fitting and revealed more of his broad build that she had spent hours day dreaming of. His jeans seemed to hug his ass just so, that with every step he took she felt she was being hypnotized. It was becoming increasingly difficult to not stare at him; she bit nervously on her lower lip when he finally caught her and she feigned interest in one of the exhibits behind him. When she gained enough courage she looped her arm behind his back and let her thumb hang in his back jean pocket.

He looked down at her longingly after that; wanting so much to kiss her, but unsure if he should act just yet. He wasn't sure if it was because Aidan was present or due to the fact that she seemed so innocent, but he couldn't seem to act on his intentions. Something inside him told him now was not the right time. She looked into his hazel eyes and gulped hard and he felt his mouth dry up at the possibility of going any further right now. And yet they were slowly moving towards one another. He thought his heart might burst from his chest when her body turned towards his so that they were now facing each other. His hand moved behind her head to cradle it and tangle his fingers inside her hair as she tilted her head up. God help them both if a comet came hurtling toward Earth in that moment, he would only be so unlucky to be struck down before reaching her lips.

"Mummy! I can't see the bears!" Aidan yelled as he ran up towards her and pulled at her hand.

They both jumped back in unison and she wasn't sure why but she felt a sense of relief rush through her. It confused her. She was attracted to him and she was sure she was falling in love with him. He was nothing like Henry, so she could rule that out. Aidan tugged at her arm once more and she followed him back towards the railing as she looked back at John to mouth, "I'm sorry."

"You can't see?" she said as she hitched him up a little higher. She took a look around and couldn't see much of anything; the bears must have been being fed by one of the zoo keepers.

John walked up behind them and leaned over the railing with his hands clasped together. "There's one. Looks like he's sleeping," John explained as he pointed it out for Aidan.

"Rather strong contrast compared to what you see on the Discovery channel isn't it?" she joked.

"He just needs to be woken up. Aidan can you growl like a bear to make him wake up?" Aidan nodded his head shyly in a no motion. "Out with it then," John encouraged with a laugh. "Like this," John said as he imitated a bear growl.

Aidan looked up at Anna like John was a crazy person but neither of them could contain their laughter as he kept up with the noise. Aidan began growling soon too and before they knew it the bear had woken up and growled so loud that it echoed throughout the zoo. They all froze in place with their mouths hung open before all saying in unison, "Whoa!"

"That was awesome! Do it again!" Aidan tried to persuade him to do it once more.

"I think we should head over to one of the other exhibits now," he suggested. "Come on I'll race you." Aidan hopped off the steps and ran along side John as Anna trailed behind them content with the way the day was playing out so far. He never ceased to amaze her with the way he made Aidan feel included and important.

"Come on Mummy!" Aidan called out from up ahead.

"On my way! Stay with John!" she called back.

Charles walked into The Shop Around the Corner with his hands buried in his pockets. Funny how when he had been driving in the car he had just wanted to be alone and think for a moment, but then he realized he had unknowingly driven himself here. He just had to see her. She always had a knack for making him feel better, even when they weren't on the best of terms or speaking. They hadn't seen each other since she came to tend to him when he had been sick. Yet somehow hearing that she thought Anna was happy had simultaneously filled him with dread and relief.

Charles took a seat up at the counter and was immediately attended to by a tall, red-haired bus boy named, Alfred. "Can I get you anything to drink to start you off with?" Alfred asked as he pulled out a notepad and slid a menu over to Charles.

"Do you have any alcohol?" he asked half-joking.

"Fraid not," he replied.

"Just tea then," he requested. "Is Elsie in today?"

The young man finished writing down the order for tea and said, "I believe she's doing inventory in the back. Would you like me to tell her you're here?"

"If you would," he answered back sounding somewhat disappointed. "Also," he handed the menu back to Alfred, "If you could get me a grilled cheese sandwich and some tomato soup that would be great."

"Sure."

They carried on the rest of the day enjoying all the zoo had to offer. Aidan stopped at every exhibit and asked a million questions that both John and Anna were all too happy to answer. Anna kept reminding him he didn't have to indulge him every time, but John found Aidan to be very intelligent and well spoken for his age. They all seemed to get along well and John made an effort to let Aidan and Anna share a few private moments. They watched a few shows and took Aidan to the petting zoo to feed the baby goats and pigs. While there, Aidan and Anna had a good laugh at the fact that one of the goats seemed overly fascinated with wanting to chew on John's jeans.

John left for a moment to go get some more animal feed and when he did Anna pulled Aidan onto her lap. "Are you having fun my love?" she said in a somewhat serious tone.

"Mmhhmm," he answered with a nod of his head and pet one of the pigs that walked by him. "I liked riding on the train too. Can we take the train back home later?" he asked optimistically.

She couldn't help but laugh at his innocence. "Oh to be young and free of problems", she thought to herself. "Yes, sweetheart," Anna replied. She looked back to check on John and see if he was on his way back yet. Anna debated on whether or not she should ask him this now, but she had to in order to put her mind at ease. No ones opinion of John mattered more to her than Aidan's. "And how do you like John?" she asked.

"You mean, Mr. Bates?"

"Yes."

"I like him, he's fun," Aidan said still somewhat distracted by the animals milling about.

Anna took a deep breath and steadied herself, "How would you feel about Mummy seeing more of him?"

"You mean like school days?" he asked excitedly.

"Well, yes those too," she answered back nervously.

"Can he sleep over like Freddie and Charlie?" he asked referring to Jane Morrison and Ethel Park's little boys. It dawned on Anna then that Aidan saw John as more of a playmate for himself.

"Uh, no sweetie," she answered. Anna tried to reorganize her thoughts and start over before John returned. "Aidan...John and Mummy...well we want to date each other. Would that be okay with you?"

Aidan turned around to look fix her with a serious look. He looked as though he were trying very hard to contemplate the proposition she had presented him with. She could only imagine what was going on in his head right now and prepared herself for whatever questions he might have. "Is Grandpa going somewhere?"

"No."

"Then why would we be spending more time with Mr. Bates?"

"Um…"

"Would Mr. Bates live with us?"

"No...well…" she was at a loss. Perhaps she should have waited to bring this up. "John and I love each other and we would like to see each other more. It won't change things for Grandpa, we'll still see him and we still love him. But more importantly it won't change things for me and you. We'll still do some things just the two of us, without John. Does that make sense?" she asked as her eyes glassed over with unshed tears.

She squeezed him tightly to her and he shifted in her lap to face her. Aidan placed his hand on her cheek and said, "Yes, I understand. Don't cry Mummy. We can see John more." He threw his arms around her neck and she kissed the side of his head as she hugged him back.

She wasn't sure how it had happened and it almost made her heart swell in her chest just thinking about it. He sounded older somehow, wise beyond his years. It didn't sound like a sacrifice or a compromise, she was sure in her heart he liked John. But it was music to her ears to realize that Aidan genuinely understood what she was asking and that he gave her his blessing with that small gesture.

"Is everything alright?" John asked as he walked back up to them and placed a hand on her shoulder.

"Perfect," Anna replied as she placed a hand over his and gave it a gentle squeeze.

Charles carried on picking at his meal occasionally looking up from his plate to see if she had emerged from the back of the restaurant. Each time he saw someone else appear behind the counter he reminded himself that it was he that was constantly pushing her away, that he couldn't and shouldn't expect her to be at his beck and call. He looked out the window and saw that even with the wind blowing harder than it had been earlier, it was still a lovely day. The sun was shining and there was hardly a cloud in the sky. He wondered if Aidan was having fun and how many more lonely meals he would have to endure now that Anna would be spending more time with John.

"You look as though you have the weight of the world on your shoulders," the familiar lilt in her voice beckoned him.

He couldn't help but smile as he turned back to look at her. She certainly was a sight for sore eyes in her eggplant blouse and black dress slacks. Her dark locks hung just past her shoulder and framed her face perfectly. Her hair was chestnut and had a touch of auburn when the sunlight hit it just right and it captivated him in a way that was inexplicable. She wore just enough makeup to highlight her beautiful features and a set of pear drop earrings that drew his eye to her neckline. He felt his cheeks and ears redden and forced himself to look down at his plate to get himself under control. When he looked back up at her their eyes met and he felt as though he would melt right there under her heated gaze. She still looked at him like he was the only man in the world for her; her eyes filled with such tenderness and devotion.

"Alfred said you asked for something stronger. You okay?" she asked, her voice filled with worry. "Is it something I can do for you?"

"No. I just needed to see a familiar face," he answered honestly. But she could tell he was holding something back.

"This wouldn't have anything to do with Anna and Aidan going to the zoo today would it?"

"You knew about it too?" he asked sounding betrayed.

"Well, she asked for the day off," she explained.

"Uh," he let out a long groan as he covered his face with both hands and pushed his hair back.

Elsie bit at her bottom lip, remembering how much she loved to watch him run his large hands through his salt and pepper hair. His hair had gotten long, he needed a trim. He was starting to get a little duck tail at the back of his hair and it was driving her mad. She leaned forward on the counter with her hands clasped together so that she met him halfway. It also emphasized the swell of her breasts that were now practically in his face and he was trying harder than ever to keep a straight face as he spoke with her. "Is it that you don't approve of her suitor or is it that you don't like the idea of her spending so much time with him?"

"Would you find me very ridiculous Miss Hughes...if I said I felt as though I were being replaced?" he asked sounding glum.

"What's brought this on?"

"Nothing, except at times I wonder if I'm just a sad old fool," he said more to himself.

"Mr. Carson, I think you are a great many things. I think you are a man of integrity and honor, but silly is not one of them," she answered back wisely. "So no more of that please."

He smiled back shyly at her. "I know she still loves me and I know Aidan does too, but I feel like I'm slowly being placed back on a shelf while a newer model is being brought in. I've helped her through it all and you have too. Alice's death, puberty, learning to drive, and high school. When Aidan arrived we were the first to hold him after Anna, I rushed him to the hospital when he got croup and was there for his first day of school," he trailed off for a moment; lost in thought. He spoke in a low voice and said, "They're all the family I've got."

She felt badly for him. He had lost his wife, his daughter had pushed him away for a time, and then just as things had settled into an easy routine his world was turned upside down by the arrival of John Bates. If there was one thing she knew for certain about Charles Carson it was that change did not come easily to him. The best thing she could do for him is hear the man out and lend a shoulder for him to lean on. She noticed he was tapping his hand on the table nervously and waited for him to speak his mind.

"I just feel like…," his hands waved about wildly when he couldn't express his feeling in words.

"Like what?" she demanded.

"Like I'm going to miss whatever else is to come. She'll need me less and less now I suppose," he concluded.

She placed her hand on his, it happened before she could even think about what she was doing. Elsie stroked his forearm with her thumb in soothing circles and offered him a comforting smile. "Charles Edward Carson!" she scolded. "You don't honestly believe that do you?" He shrugged his shoulders slightly. She lowered her voice so that only he could hear her, "Do you remember when we were going to tell Anna about us?" He blushed and nodded his head enough for her to see. "Do you think that Anna would have worried that I would be taking her mother's place?"

"No of course not," he answered quickly.

"Right. And why do you think that is?"

"Well you weren't trying to take Alice's place," he replied.

"Yes, but also because you respected Anna and Alice's memory enough to make sure that I didn't do that," she explained. "I think Anna respects you enough to make sure that you are still present in her and Aidan's life. And she has no intention of replacing you." She gave his arm a gentle squeeze; the gesture sent tingles up his spine. ,"Give John a chance," she urged.

"I'll try," he said half-heartedly.

"Still want that drink?" she asked.

"Yes, but I reckon I should head back home if I want to do that."

"Well, one won't kill you," she said under her breath as she produced a small flask from behind the counter. "Don't worry, it's your brand," she said with a smile as she added some to his empty cup of tea.

"You're too good to me. I don't deserve you," he said. "Thank you."

She paused for a moment with her mouth half open, clearly taken aback by his confession. "I'm just glad you thought to come to me first. Can we please go back to being friends that are on speaking terms?"

"We were always friends," he said. "I just wasn't the friend I should have been and I apologize for that," Charles admitted as he placed his hand on top of hers.

They had just left the zoo, Aidan was still riding on a high from his day at the zoo, but was clearly tired. He began to whine at the prospect of having to walk anymore and so John took him in his arms and carried him the rest of the way back to the train station. Aidan recounted to them what his favorite parts were and began asking John what they would do the next time he saw them.

The tube was more crowded than usual, so John settled for having Aidan sit in his lap once they found an open spot. Anna's arm grazed against John's as they scooted as close together as comfortably possible. "Aidan, you still never told us what your favorite animal is," Anna said.

"I love the kangaroo!" he said.

"Is it because they hop around all day like you?" Anna joked.

"No, because they ride in their mummy's pouch. So they can stay together," he said. "Like us Mummy," he added with a kindhearted smile.

John couldn't have been more proud in that moment if Aidan were his own flesh. Anna leaned forward and kissed her son on the top of his head. "That's an excellent reason to like the kangaroo," John commented. "You know my Mummy and I were all on our own for as long as I can remember."

"Really?" Aidan asked.

"Yeah, but that's not a bad thing. It makes your love for your mummy extra special," John stated and watched as Aidan nodded in understand.

They continued riding in silence, Anna half falling asleep on John's shoulder and Aidan passed out in his lap. Anna woke when she heard the public announcement system call out the next stop that lay up ahead with a crackle of the intercom. "Sorry, did I nod off?" she asked.

"For a little bit, but it's fine. It's been a long day," he noted as the sound of the train droned on beneath their feet and the London scenery passed them by.

"It has," she said in a low voice. Internally she was hoping her hair didn't look a mess and that she hadn't drooled on his shoulder or snored, God forbid. "I told Aidan about us," she said seriously.

"Oh. How did that go?"

"Better than I expected," she said. "I'm still not really sure he grasps the concept of our situation, but he certainly seems to fancy you and gave us his blessing," she reported.

"And what exactly is our situation?" John feigned ignorance.

"Well, I rather fancy you," she said in a whisper.

"Do you now?" he asked.

"Today was wonderful," Anna said as she beamed at him. "I couldn't help but notice you checked everything off the list for giving me my perfect day."

"Well not everything…" he said as his voice trailed off. She looked at him a bit confused. "You said you wanted a proper lie in," he reminded her with a smile.

"I did say that, didn't I?"

"Mmmhhmmm," John said with a nod of the head. "I know it wont be today and it probably wont be tomorrow, but whenever you are ready and we reach that point where we are having um…" he cleared his throat and looked down to see that Aidan was still sleeping. "When we are having 'sleepovers', for lack of a better word," he said as his cheeks turned crimson, "I promise to fulfill that dream. You can sleep until you wake naturally and I'll have breakfast going for you and Aidan whenever you want."

She was overwhelmed with the love she had for him in that moment. "How did you get to be so sweet, John Bates?"

"You can give all the credit to my mother," he replied with a smile. "I'm glad I was able to give you this day. Truly."

"You really went out of your way to make sure we both enjoyed ourselves and I can't thank you enough for the way you are with Aidan," she said. Anna glanced down to see that Aidan was fully asleep and leaned forward, "In fact…"

He looked over to meet her gaze and noticed her eyes darkening. Before he knew what was happening her lips were upon his. It was gentle and over before he knew it but John could have sworn when it happened he saw stars. The chaste gesture still managed to convey all the love they shared between them. She left him in a daze the way her lips had shifted in pressure and molded to his. His eyes were still closed when she pulled away as he savored the feel of it all. It had been the highlight to an amazing day. He had never felt so blessed to be on the receiving end of a love like this. John would have gladly given her his heart then and there, knowing full well she loved him more than ever.