A/N: Thanks for the lovely reactions to the wedding (ahhh, all the feels, still) :) Let's find out how everyone reacted to it... (also I apologise for the amount of references to '90s music in this chapter. Some might be clear to all, some may not.)
I'm thrilled that this story has won a Highclere Award for Anna/Bates Modern AU - still can't quite believe it. Thank you so much everyone who voted and continues to read :))
"Anna May Smith, do you mean to tell me that you got married in the middle of nowhere, with nobody around to see it?"
Anna winced as her mother bellowed down the phone at her, feeling very much like she was 14 years old again and being told off for sneaking out of the house later than she should have done. Yet she could tell this would have more far reaching repercussions. There had been a prolonged silence of shock when she had first relayed the news down the line, and she wondered briefly whether her mother hadn't fainted from the trauma of missing her first daughter's wedding. She had moved quickly past that initial stage and was now on to being completely aghast and partly in denial. Anna was not so eagerly awaiting the violently weeping "but how could you do this to me?" stage, feeling it was nearer round the corner than she realised.
Gathering some courage and sighing inwardly, she braced herself to speak.
"Mum, Scotland isn't the middle of nowhere. And Mr Carson was there, you've said yourself that he's as good as family."
There came a quiet 'humph' from the other end of the line in reply.
Anna bit some skin from her bottom lip, catching the sunlight glinting from the rings on her finger. A sense of peace pervaded her and she felt reassured, the frantic sound of her mother's voice a million miles away for a few moments.
Coming out of her reverie, her voice was low as she continued.
"I think you might be exaggerating just a tiny bit."
Almost as soon as she said it she regretted doing so, scrunching her eyes shut as a tirade flowed, resting her hand against her forehead. She waited patiently for her mother to calm down and catch a breath, and even after that she didn't dare speak again until it was absolutely necessary.
"…so no, Anna, I don't think I am exaggerating. I just, well, I just can't believe…"
She could hear the distinct sound of sniffling, and went cold. Her mother was trying valiantly to stifle her sobs, exhaling a long steadying breath which echoed down the phone.
"I can't believe you would do this," Susan gathered herself, her tone flat. "I'd expect it from Beth, but not from you. Never from you."
The guilt was being laid on extra thick now.
"We were so excited. We had plans…"
Anna was slightly confused and amused at her mother's use of 'we' as she spoke. "I know you were, Mum. And honestly, it wasn't meant to hurt or spite you. I just decided things were getting a bit overwhelming, and it didn't seem right to feel that way beforehand."
Susan sounded suspicious before she even resumed speaking. "So this was your idea? I know John doesn't like fuss…"
"Mum!" Anna couldn't help feeling offended at her mother's insinuations, pursing her lips to stop anything regretful from spilling out. "We decided between us, but yes, if you must know, I was the one who put it forward, and John went along with it. For my sake."
She recalled when she was up for her birthday, and their heart-to-heart sitting in the kitchen. Surely she didn't need to reaffirm the words she'd said then to her mother again now. He'd do anything to make me happy, and he makes me very happy indeed.
"So if you want to blame anyone, then blame me."
Susan sighed, a little whimper punctuating the end of it.
"Of course I don't blame you," she was relenting, very slowly, Anna could tell. "But I can't deny that I'm disappointed. Is your family that bad that you wanted none of us to share in your day with you?"
Clearly, she'd thought too soon as the guilt struck her firm again.
"Oh, Mum…"
Anna let her mum spill out her frustrations without interruption, feeling that it was the very least she could do in the circumstances. The emotions spiralled as if on a rollercoaster, and Susan was in the flow of another charged rant when John came through from the kitchen with a mug of tea, steam wisping from the top. Anna smiled gratefully up at her husband as she sat cross-legged on the sofa, butterflies whirling in her stomach looking at him dressed casually with his hair hanging over his forehead and a bit of slightly scruffy stubble lining his jaw. Now that he had placed the mug down onto the coffee table he was miming speaking and making a series of gestures, and Anna shook her head, having to stop herself from bursting out laughing at John's actions. She clamped her other hand to her mouth when the giggles threatened to emerge, muffling sounds of agreement to her mother. All the while she glared at John, telling him off silently while he sat opposite, grinning at her before sipping from his own tea.
"Okay, Mum. Yes, yes I will. We're both really busy with work, so you know…okay, speak soon. I promise. Bye, love you, bye."
The phone bleeped and Anna cradled it briefly in her hands before dropping her head into them instead, weaving her fingers tightly into her hair, a long sigh escaping her.
"Come on, a bit of tea will solve that. It'll go cold before long."
She glanced up to see John standing again before her, a smile pulling her lips upwards as he put the still warm mug into her hands, crouching down to her level. A simple look and smile from him had the amazing ability to turn her world right around.
"She's upset, then?" he enquired gently, rubbing his fingers over her knuckles.
"That's something of an understatement," Anna said, rolling her eyes. "I think that conversation contained every possible shade of human emotion. I suppose we should be grateful she's out of Hulk mode."
John's soft expression turned to a grimace. "Let's not put that image into our heads." He soon smiled again, smoothing his palms repeatedly and soothingly over her thighs. Certain sensations started to rise in Anna as he did so; she'd never properly fathom the wonder of his touch and how wonderful it always made her feel. "Still, at least it's over and done with now. Time to cool off, a big bunch of flowers and box of chocolates through the post, all will be well."
The look in Anna's eyes told that perhaps that wouldn't be the case, and she continued to teethe her lip, which was now sore with the way she'd been worrying away at it over the phone conversation.
"Out with it, gorgeous wife."
She nearly melted with the way he had said that, he could never fail to make her troubled thoughts fade away.
"Well, Mum has an idea of her own of how we can make it up to her."
Anna was sheepish as she relayed her mother's quite in-depth suggestion to John, not quite sure of how he'd take it, whether he'd be alarmed or unbelieving or simply resigned to his fate. He listened patiently as she went on, only the slightest hint of visible emotion breaking through to crack his otherwise unreadable expression.
"So," she paused to take a breath, eyeing John carefully from beneath her eyelashes, "what do you think to it?" She smiled a little as she was reminded of something he'd said weeks ago, before they were married. "I suppose you'll be getting what you wished for after all."
The silence lingered between them for a few moments, and briefly she had the idea that perhaps he'd been having her on with all that. That was until she could see the smile gradually creep up onto his face, shining through his eyes first of all.
"Well, it'll be a bit of a stretch," the words rolled from his tongue slowly. "Waiting at the bottom of the aisle, seeing you look absolutely stunning once again." A smile that made everything much more than just okay. "But I think I can survive."
Anna was flooded with relief, and thankful that she'd married such a patient man who wasn't just willing to do what it took to make her happy, but would follow the rules set out by her family too. She took him by surprise a little; he choked out laughter as she threw her arms around his neck, hugging herself to him as she leant over the edge of the sofa. Breathing in his scent deeply, she brushed her lips against his cheek, his rough stubble grazing her.
"You needn't do it just to please her," she looked into his eyes which were unwavering despite all she was saying. "I'd understand, and Mum would too, eventually."
He took her face in his hands, making her smile with his tender touch and laugh as she balanced precariously on the edge of her seat, though she was completely supported by him.
"Anna, I could not think of a better day, and I'm not saying that to get on your mum's good side." The backs of his fingers glided over her cheek, arriving to cup her chin, making her gaze into his eyes that were so warm. "I would marry you a million times over, of course doing it once more doesn't bother me. It thrills me."
She was ecstatic at hearing that, even if she knew it was true deep down. And even with all the fuss that was bound to occur, she was thrilled to know she could get to do it again too.
The church blessing in Yorkshire went smoothly, with surprisingly little interference from Anna's mother about how to go about things. They went up a couple of days early to enable Anna to find a dress and get fitted, and there had been tears all round when she emerged from the dressing room, not least from herself too. It may not have been her actual wedding dress but it still made her feel immensely special, and there was something about the situation and tradition of it that caught her. John had been similarly struck when he saw her for the first time that day in the church; Anna would always remember the way he looked at her, following her path once more, dabbing at his eyes as he beamed a smile through his emotion. Aside from Beth complaining that she resembled a Quality Street sweet in her flowing dark purple maid of honour dress, the day went without any hitches, another special memory to treasure. Her mother was never far from sight throughout, her proud smiles making all the difference. When she took both of their hands in hers after the ceremony, Anna couldn't stop smiling as Susan welcomed John properly into the family, knowing how much it meant for all of them.
Sitting across from each other in the restaurant, they were finishing up on relaying the day to Mary and Matthew, the long overdue celebration they'd promised to have with them to celebrate their engagement months back finally coming to pass. While Mary was pushing the remainder of her food round and round her plate, the screech of cutlery on the china plate setting Anna's teeth on edge, Matthew was smiling brightly, taking in everything they'd said enthusiastically and with genuine interest.
"That all sounds fantastic, you must have had such a great day. Both days," he pointed out cheerily, gaining smiles from Anna and John in turn. "Yorkshire, sounds like a lovely place to get married." As he spoke, Anna could see that Matthew was trying to meet his fiancée's eyes, which were still staring down at the table. He took a quick gulp of wine when he couldn't attract her attention. "I've actually got family in Manchester, and I went to university there as well. I wouldn't mind going back sooner rather than later." Matthew lifted the glass to his lips again, clinking it back down on the table awkwardly once he'd finished. "Mary, what would you say to a wedding up North?"
The look that was shot across the table was enough to kill everyone there stone dead without any words. Matthew even reeled back a little in his chair on being on the receiving end.
"I was joking, of course," he coughed out abruptly, fiddling with the tablecloth and nearly bringing the candle that was sitting atop crashing down.
Anna and John exchanged a glance with one another, Anna pursing her lips as John raised his eyebrows, concealing the smirk threatening to rise on his face. It soon vanished when he turned to Matthew, whose dejected expression was enough to extinguish any amusement.
"Time for another bottle, if the ladies want one," John broke the uncomfortable silence that had descended, emptying the remaining droplets between the three glasses, leaving his own out. "And for you as well, Matthew."
"I'll get it." Matthew was on his feet immediately, seemingly desperate to get away from the table and a heavily sulking Mary, already fishing his wallet from the back pocket of his trousers.
John stood too, holding his hand out. "This one's on me. But you'll have to come up and say the name," he nodded at Matthew before turning to wink at Anna, "I missed out on all my French pronunciation in school."
The pair of them walked off towards the bar, leaving Anna and Mary sitting side by side at the table. Looking at her friend cautiously, seeing her mouth turned down in a fixed pout and her gaze settled elsewhere, Anna had an inkling that whatever was the matter was more than just a lovers' tiff.
"Is everything okay?" she ventured with soft words, reaching out to place a hand on Mary's arm and then putting it on the table-top between them when Mary twitched away, seeming to anticipate the action.
"Fine," Mary replied shortly, twiddling the pendant of her necklace between her fingers, allowing a somewhat bitter smile to emerge. "Positively splendid."
"Well, you could tell it to your face," Anna chuckled, earning her a glare that was almost on par with the one Mary had aimed at Matthew minutes before. At least Mary was looking at her now; that was some kind of progress. "I'm sorry, that was a bit uncalled for. But you've been off all night, and I don't like seeing it."
It hadn't just been this evening if she was being truly honest; something had been strange for days now, weeks even. Chalking up the time, it didn't seem coincidental. Surely Mary couldn't have been jealous that she had beaten her to getting married, especially considering their respective plans.
"This is your celebration night, after all," Anna added as a final reassurance, holding both hands up by her sides. "I've no intention of stealing your thunder."
Mary let out a sharp laugh before her mood turned quite suddenly, and she seemed to look even sorrowful.
"Did you really think I was worried about that?" she replied, her voice softer than usual, her brown eyes imploring as she shook her head and then sighed heavily.
"Well, I don't know," Anna countered. "You've not exactly been very forthcoming, and I didn't want to think I was making you uncomfortable." She gazed into her lap, wringing her hands and unconsciously hiding her rings from view. She stilled them at once, placing her left hand carefully on top of her right. She had made her decision – the right decision – and Mary would just have to learn to live with it. "I'm sorry if you thought it was rash, but you know that it wasn't in the slightest. As much as I love you, we're very different people and it's going to follow that we're not going to want to do everything the same way. It was my wedding, and I did it how I wanted. I know it didn't please everyone, but there you go."
She sighed out any slight regret she held quickly and then brightened with a smile as she looked to Mary once more.
"It doesn't mean I can't still squeal over things with you," she offered, catching sight of a very brief and very small smirk from Mary.
As quick as it was there, it disappeared again, and Anna wasn't sure what else she could do.
"It's not that," Mary finally gave way, letting her icy exterior crack. "It's your life, Anna, of course you can do whatever you want. I'm not in a position to rule you. It's just…I thought you might have thought differently. Been a bit more considerate."
She felt a bit of a sting at Mary's words, her usual preservation having melted away. They hadn't been so unreasonable, and the first thing they did when they had gotten back was to share the news, which had been received well. The last thing they'd intended was to be inconsiderate of anyone's feelings.
"John is Papa's best friend. He'd never say it, and he wouldn't be best pleased if he knew I was saying it, but it upset him to know that he wasn't there. Really, he's like family to us." She paused for a moment, her eyes clearing as she turned in towards Anna. "And, the same goes…well, I've never had a friend like you before in my life. You are my best friend."
Mary had reached forward across the table, and she had taken hold of Anna's hand. A few tears were springing at Anna's eyes, and though she tried her utmost to hold them back, they appeared for Mary too.
She quickly let go of Anna's fingers, looking to the side and shrugging. Mary was not one for exaggerated displays of affection, but the moment had been enough to reflect her feelings and it had made an impact with Anna.
"Mary, I'm sorry. I didn't really think…that is, I didn't expect you'd feel like this."
"It's nothing," Mary shrugged once more, her façade building back up again although she didn't seem quite so annoyed at everything now. "It did all sound lovely, and I'm so happy that everything went so well." She smiled sincerely. "I just would have liked to have been there to celebrate with you, that's all."
Anna nodded and smiled back, patting her hand against Mary's arm. Though she wouldn't have swapped their day for the world, perhaps she hadn't realised that they had been a touch selfish. Mary's friendship was important to her, of course it was, and the Crawleys had made such a difference to her life, and John's too – he would be the first to admit that.
"Aside from more wine, is there anything I can do to make it up to you?"
Mary propped her chin onto her upturned palm, deep in thought. After some moments, she cast a sideways glance at Anna.
"I don't suppose you could acquire Ryan Gosling for one of the upcoming events?"
Anna bit back a laugh. "And what would Matthew have to say about that?"
"It's alright, he knows about my list." Mary gave a nonchalant toss of her head, and both women dissolved into raucous giggles, still helpless with laughter when their men arrived back.
Hopping to her feet, Mary scooted around the table, unhanding the bottle of wine from Matthew and placing a sound kiss on his cheek. Though perplexed, Matthew decided not to question the sudden change in Mary, rolling with it and welcoming her as she snuggled against his shoulder, in happy view of the rest of the diners.
John smiled over at Anna, finding his own opportunity to go around and steal a kiss of his own, which was happily given.
"Everything sorted?" he whispered into his wife's ear.
"For now," Anna gave in reply, running her fingers over his cheek before leaving a kiss there.
"I thought Gwen was going to keep me on the phone all night," Anna exclaimed, putting away her clothes in the wardrobe as she got ready for bed. "She's absolutely full of ideas for the 'hen night', including a bar crawl around all the haunts we used to visit at uni." She tutted, standing still at the foot of the bed for a few moments, stealing a glance of herself in her strappy-top pyjamas in the mirror. "I've no doubt she'd be able to do it, but I just can't keep up anymore. Not that I was ever much of a drinker to begin with. I'm dreading what she'll say if I suggest something quieter."
She waited to get a response from John, who was already underneath the covers. The only thing she detected was a faint hum of agreement, some minutes after she had paused. Turning around, Anna was aghast at the sight she discovered.
"John! I thought I said, no work in bed." She cringed at the sound of herself; they'd been married just over a month and the last thing she wanted to turn into was a nagging wife. But it was the only rule that she had decided to impose and wanted to stick to, for his sake more than anything. She raised her eyebrows as he looked up pleadingly at her, fixing him with a pointed look. "That's how it all starts, the slippery slope downhill."
He had noticed the teasing in her voice, casting his eyes back down to the manuscript he was holding.
"Just one more page, I promise."
Anna rolled her eyes at him as she padded over to the bedside, intrigued to see what had him so engrossed. She also had to confess to loving watching him reading, it was quite a show to witness. The way his face would focus in rapt concentration, the excitement and passion that overtook him when he found something especially gripping absolutely endearing to her. Not to mention that she found him incredibly attractive – even more so than usual – when he was wearing his black-rimmed reading glasses. At the moment they were slipping gradually down his nose, tantalising to track. Before she could reach out to push them up, he did the job for her.
"It's quite good, actually," he announced, eyes scanning the last few sentences he'd put aside to read. "Could do with a few changes and tweaks here and there, but the premise is interesting. It's about an undercover female assassin, who has a completely different life when she's away from the city. Ridding the world of injustice."
Anna craned over where she was sitting on the edge of the bed beside him. "Hmmm, very girl power. Maybe I'll have a look when you're finished."
"Not in bed, though," he shot back, placing the manuscript out of her reach. Anna tilted her head to the side in mock-disapproval before letting out a giggle which made John's eyes light up. "I think that's what's got me so involved, she sounds like a fantastic woman."
"Oh, really?" Anna replied, the merest hint of disguised jealousy in her voice.
"Yep. Smart, resourceful, sassy…" he reeled off the list of qualities in a dreamy tone, staring off into space before he turned his intoxicating gaze towards her again. "…blonde."
She smiled as he furrowed his brow at her, a delicious smirk gracing his lips.
"Well, she sounds perfect."
"Almost," he replied. "She is six foot, though. I can see where that would be an advantage, but I prefer a more petite lady."
Anna scrunched up her nose. "Can't be towering over you when she's in heels."
"Certainly not," he followed without missing a beat. "I'd say around…5'2''? Now that would be perfect."
"You charmer." Anna laughed underneath his appreciative gaze, feeling herself still burn with the purpose of his words. Her hand reached down to link with his where it lay just above the duvet cover, and she sat staring at how they were entwined for some moments, lost in her thoughts; something which was always too easy to do when they were alone.
The silence between them was comfortable; they both still revelled in these times, the novelty exciting but the prospect of knowing they'd spend the rest of their nights in much the same way making them happier above all. After the trials and tribulations they'd both faced, apart and together, the reward seemed more than deserved. Whatever was to come, and they didn't fool themselves that it would all be so perfect, they'd face it knowing that at the end of it all they'd have this safety and love to return to, always.
What was troubling them right now was far less of a concern, but it still mattered to John, his heart physically aching to think that Anna was being put out in any way. After some discussion, and receiving more than a fair bit of persuasion from all sides, they'd agreed that they would have a belated reception to celebrate their union with their closest friends. It wouldn't be anything too extravagant, and in truth they were both looking forward to it, having enjoyed their private and quiet wedding. That day had been solely for them, free from anyone else's expectations and to share in the love they had for one another, just the two of them together. They were blessed to have friends who understood their need to do that and were eager to mark the special time in retrospect. Yet Anna's wellbeing was placed above all else for him, and she would not get herself stressed out about the proceedings if he could help it, and he would.
"Gwen's your friend, if you tell her you don't want a mad one then she'll understand." He rubbed his fingers over her hand in slow, comforting motions, coaxing a smile from her that lifted his heart. "This might be for everyone else to enjoy with us, but it's on our terms. That goes for the day itself too."
Anna nodded down at where his hand was covering hers, a smile curving the corners of her lips upwards. She had every intention of sticking to her guns, but a word of reassurance from her husband always helped. Lifting her eyes to find his gaze soft upon her, she felt herself begin to melt, the weight and worry of the world that was lifted from her shoulders making her feel so light that she nearly slumped down upon his chest.
"And we'll always have Scotland," he reminded her at just the right time, eyes twinkling as his hand stroked down her arm.
Tingles rose within her recalling what had been the most perfect few days of her life.
"What I'd give to be back right now," she sighed, her happiness sounding through most of all. "Walking through the glens, looking up at the sky…staring at the ceiling afterwards," she chuckled impishly, watching the smirk cover John's face too.
"I know, my love. Memories I won't forget in a hurry." His voice was soft and sentimental, his smile enchanting as it held her where she sat. "You wore me out that much, it's no wonder that I'm always in bed early now. It takes me a little longer to recover these days, you should know."
"I didn't hear you complaining at the time," she retorted happily, still basking in the glow of all she had accomplished.
"And I never would. The only cause I'd have to complain is if you don't join me in the next few minutes."
John adjusted the covers to reveal Anna's side of the bed, and she smiled as she made to lift to her feet, looking across to her bedside cabinet. She frowned when she discovered that the pot of moisturiser was missing, but she didn't have to look very far to locate where it had got to. Unscrewing the lid, her suspicions were confirmed when she noticed that a sizeable glob had been scooped out and John's head lowered to the covers as she turned her gaze to him.
"Have you been using this?" she questioned, not really knowing why she was accusing when she already knew the answer. "It's £80 a jar!"
"I'll buy you another," he promised with a smile, lifting a hand to smooth the skin at his jaw. "Besides I'm more in need of it than you are. Look at that – 'anti-ageing'. Got to start now if I'm going to keep up with my beautiful, younger wife."
Anna laughed as she swiped another small blob of the mixture onto the end of his nose, luxuriating in one last look at him spectacle-clad before she lifted them from his face, John happily passive to her actions.
"I happen to think you are thoroughly gorgeous just the way you are, John Bates."
As John had been dragged out on the town with the boys, Robert arguing the point that he'd never had a 'proper' stag night, the girls had gathered round at the house for Anna's hen party, which involved lots of wine, nibbles and cupcakes that Anna had spent most of the afternoon baking. Mostly they were assortedly sat around chatting about anything and everything, Daisy being perched on the arm of a chair as Edith knelt in front of her, painting her nails a shade of peachy pink. In the middle of the room, Gwen and Sybil had rolled up the rug and moved the coffee table out of the way while they bounced around, laughing wheezily and dancing to the '90's CD they had fished out of Anna's side of the CD collection.
"Oh, turn it up!" Sybil shouted above the music as the first bars of C'est La Vie by B*Witched played out. "I used to love this song when I was little. I used to try and Irish jig every time I listened to it."
"Which was on repeat, for nearly a month solid," Cora piped up from the corner, wine glass in hand. "I remember having the very real dread that the ceiling was going to come crashing down more than once. Your father had to hide the CD because he was going to start a fight otherwise."
"Do you fight like your da as well?" Gwen yelped as she crashed against Sybil, sending the pair of them into giggles as they started to do their best take on Irish dancing, legs flailing and Gwen's arm lifting as she craned to higher the volume of the stereo.
"Not too loud," Anna strained to make herself heard as she reached forward to dig into the bowl of crisps, "I don't want to startle Mrs Berry next door."
Gwen observed the request, lowering the music before resuming dancing with Sybil, their energy not waning a bit.
"Pass it here," Mary gestured for the CD case that was sitting on top of the table. Edith handed it over, standing and waiting for a 'thanks' which Mary muttered reluctantly when Cora gave her a cautioning look, before she went back to finishing up Daisy's nails.
Anna shuffled closer over to Mary, running her eyes down the tracklist, cringing inwardly at the majority of the cheesy songs that she recalled listening to as a teenager, many that she danced around her bedroom to and could likely still sing the words to off by heart given a single listen. Both let out a little shriek when they came across one band in particular.
"Backstreet Boys," Anna sighed, looking off dreamily for a moment. "They were my absolute favourites. Nobody else came close."
Sybil stopped hopping about long enough to turn and look accusingly at her eldest sister. "Mary had the biggest crush on Nick Carter. She even had a framed picture of him by her bedside, and she used to kiss it every night before she went to sleep." She giggled wildly, causing her ringlets of hair to bounce around her head. "And don't try to deny it, Mary. I saw the lip prints on the glass."
As Mary turned a shade of crimson, Anna reminisced about her days as a fangirl, hardly believing it was that long ago. "Nick is all yours, just so long as you stay away from Kevin," she turned to grin at Mary, taking a sip of wine to stop her cheeks from flushing. "I lay claim to him when I was 16, and he's still mine."
"So you've always been into older men, then?" Gwen remarked cheekily, causing whistles from Sybil and gasps from the rest, while Anna simply held her hands up.
"I admit it without any shame whatsoever," she answered, appearing completely refined as she sat back on the sofa with her glass, crossing one leg over the other at the knee. "And maybe one day I might tell you what you're missing out on."
That caused more whoops of delight to reverberate around the room, Anna smiling rather smugly as Gwen pouted and then laughed along too.
"No, you can keep your boyband members and film stars," Anna said happily and with complete confidence, "because I have the most perfect man in the whole world."
There came a chorus of 'aww''s from the rest of the girls as Anna reclined in her bliss, before counter-arguments started to filter in.
"Well, that's where you're wrong, because my Tom is the most perfect man," Sybil smiled widely.
"No, my Anthony is."
"And my William too."
"Okay, okay, we all have wonderful men in our lives." Having started it all off, Anna sought to bring some peace to the proceedings. "But John is the best," she whispered quietly into her glass, foolishly smiling to herself.
Gwen looked rather sheepish as she clambered across the room to reach her drink. "And I can't even argue the case for the single girl…because I'm not single anymore."
All eyes turned towards her with smiling and slightly shocked faces, except for Sybil who seemed to already be in on the secret.
"And when did this happen?" Anna enquired to her best friend, who was now glowing almost the same colour as her hair under all the heated attention.
"A month or so ago," she replied, relaxing as she took a few sips of wine and leaving them all hanging from the edge of their seats waiting to hear more. "His name's Sidney, and he part-owns a club in Soho. He's friends with my little brother, although he is older than him. I've known him for a while, and things just…happened."
"Will you be bringing him to the reception?" Mary asked.
"Maybe, it's early days, we're just having a bit of a laugh for now." Anna could tell from her friend's expression that she wanted more than that, though she wasn't willing to give more away right now. "We'll see."
"No pressure," Anna smiled reassuringly from where she sat. "I'll look forward to meeting him whenever I do."
Gwen nodded back with a rather shy smile of her own, and Anna was charmed to see it, feeling rather protective of her oldest friend suddenly.
"So we're all coupled up now," Sybil exclaimed cheerily, lifting up her glass in a toast. "That's pretty cool."
"But we still need to fix Evelyn up with someone," Edith chipped in. "Poor thing, I still don't think he's over Mary turning him down when they were at school. Though he had a lucky escape if you ask me."
Before Mary could make a sharp-tongued retort, Cora was up, retrieving the wine bottle as a pretence for standing as referee between her two warring daughters.
"There's no need to worry about him, Edith, he's an intelligent and good-looking man who's perfectly capable of finding his own date," Mary chose to take the more dignified road instead, not taking the bait. "Anyway," she clapped her hands, "the boys are out of sight for tonight. Let's leave them to it and change the subject."
While Gwen and Sybil went over to the stereo to skip through the tracks on the CD and Daisy, Edith and Cora chatted amongst themselves, a brief and rather unexplainable feeling swept over Anna. She managed a smile at Mary before she stood up from the sofa, raising her voice a bit to be heard above the music.
"I'm just going to go and bring the rest of the cakes in from the kitchen."
She leant against the counter, stealing a look at her phone while she got a few moments peace. She wasn't sure why she felt this way; surely she could go one night without being with John, or perhaps the situation had intensified even further now that they were married. She could legitimately worry about him now, being his next of kin. But she wasn't worried, really. She trusted the boys not to go too wild; give it a few hours and he'd be back home, sprawled out on their bed after a little help from her getting upstairs. It wouldn't be that he'd had too much to drink, just that he'd be shattered from being out since half six.
Anna was stifling her giggles at the image, smiling at the thought of snuggling up beside him on top of the bed while he was still fully dressed, when Mary sauntered in through the archway.
"What's so funny?"
"Oh, nothing," Anna replied, composing herself. "Just something that came into my head."
"Okay then," Mary narrowed her eyes at Anna as she took her glass over to the sink. "If married life means that you start to lose your marbles, then I have a lot to look forward to."
"Thanks very much," Anna tutted, causing Mary to start giggling and then doing the same herself. Checking one last time to see if any messages had come through since a minute ago, she placed her phone down on the counter next to her, letting out what she thought was a rather silent sigh, until it was obvious that Mary had noticed, the two women's gazes meeting across the short distance.
"I'm sorry if you feel press-ganged into this whole thing," Mary started, remorse evident in her soft stare. "We shouldn't have made you feel like you needed to do something. At very least, I shouldn't have gone on about it." She finished polishing her glass clean with the tea towel, twirling the stem in her fingers. "You know me, like a dog with a bone all of the time."
Anna smiled, shaking her head at her friend. "No, it's fine, honestly. I know it's only because you care, and I can't complain that you do." There were shrieks of laughter coming from the sitting room which instantly made her happy; she was utterly thankful for the friendship she had from everyone that was there around her. "It's been a fun night. Very civilised. Much to Gwen's regret."
"I don't know, she seems to be having a pretty good time dancing with my sister. They could give Beyonce a run for her money. Maybe." They both laughed at that; whatever the girls lacked in skill they more than made up for in enthusiasm. "Anyway, we have the right to be civilised now, being in serious relationships."
Anna looked pleased, revelling once more in the changes in her life as she considered them again, while Mary seemed to hesitate for a moment.
"God, don't you find it scary sometimes?" Mary divulged, seemingly out of nowhere. "I mean, this is it. Apart from having kids, there's nothing left to do. We're actually grown-ups."
Her eyes widened within her head as she searched for the bottle opener, scattering on top of the counter for it. Anna passed it into her hands coolly, and Mary let out a laugh, realising she was getting into a bit of a flap. Putting down her glass, she placed her hands on her hips.
"I love Matthew, I really do. But sometimes I find myself thinking at night about how I'll be tied to him for the rest of my life. And it seems too much to comprehend, for a few moments. I hope he thinks the same, otherwise I'm screwed."
They shared another chuckle, before Mary asked the golden question.
"What's it like to be married then? As good as everyone makes it out to be?"
Anna couldn't stop the smile from splitting her face; her ecstatic expression probably said everything for her without her needing to answer.
"I can't speak for everyone, but honestly, it's wonderful."
She was fully aware that she was still considered to be in the honeymoon phase, and eventually this kind of euphoria would pass. But she never imagined that it would between her and John. From waking up next to him to having his face as the last thing she saw before she closed her eyes each night, he made every single second of the day better than she ever imagined it could be. Even when they were apart for the briefest periods, like tonight, she felt her heart beat out of time and though a part of her was missing. She was always able to feel the print of his lips against hers and his arms wrapped around her waist, and to know that he was hers for life gave her more joy than she could ever know.
She shook herself out of the daydream she had slipped into, meeting Mary's anxious gaze with warm and smiling eyes.
"I can't properly explain it," she bit back the grin that had formed with not much success, "I know only that I am now who I was meant to be."
Mary smiled at that, almost as much as Anna did, the realisation apparently just hitting her now and sending sparks fluttering within her chest.
Before they went back into the sitting room, Mary caught hold of Anna's hand and gave it a little squeeze. It seemed that any doubts she had were now allayed and the smile she gave told not just of her own happiness but for true joy for her friend too.
When they got to the door, Sybil barged over to them, phone cradled in her hand. For a split second, anxiety surged up in Anna as she noticed how breathless Sybil was, but the grin she soon wore said there was nothing to be worried about.
"Tom just text me and said where they've all ended up," she babbled excitedly to a confused looking Anna and Mary, who were still standing in the doorway. In the next second, Sybil grabbed onto Anna's hand, starting to lead her back into the hall and towards the stairs. "I've come up with a brilliant idea."
"Whose idea was this again?" John huffed, casting an accusing glance at a far too enthusiastic looking Tom, who was sitting opposite. "The '90s were bad enough the first time around, as I remember."
"Well, you've always got the other option," Robert leaned in, pulling the plastic bag up from where it lay by his feet. "Lamppost, handcuffs, boxers and the shirt of your choosing."
John had been less than impressed but everyone else had found it absolutely hilarious when at the start of the night Robert had proudly presented him with three football jerseys – one Arsenal, one Liverpool and one Manchester City – with 'Bates 47' emblazoned on the back.
"Not a cat in hell's chance," John replied firmly, jabbing a finger towards Robert who was grinning widely.
He let out a quick sigh and decided to say no more; a '90s karaoke night in a pub was definitely the lesser of two evils, and at least it was rather comfortable. Tom had bagged them a prime spot on one of the long couches, directly facing the stage. At this minute the younger man was intently scanning a list in front of him, not taking notice of Matthew and Evelyn as they tried to engage him in their conversation.
"What do you think, lads," he looked up towards John and Robert in deep contemplation, and the two simultaneously leaned forward to catch what appeared would be a question of much significance. Tom held up the laminated songlist in his hands. "Robbie Williams or Ricky Martin?"
John put his head into his hands while Robert chuckled heartily. After a few moments John couldn't help but join in the hysterical laughter, and Tom looked genuinely perplexed as he couldn't get out a comprehensible answer from either of them, so he moved further along the seats to canvas opinion elsewhere.
Beforehand, John had been full of trepidation about the evening, not knowing quite what Robert had in store. Despite his pleas for something low-key, he was aware that he had already denied his best friend the chance to perform best man duties once before, all those years ago when he had all but severed contact from most people, and so he felt it was only fair that he play along. He found himself a little envious of Anna, getting the chance to enjoy a quiet night-in. Then he worried that perhaps he really was getting past it; were those nights when he would happily stay up as dawn was close around the corner really all those years ago? Yet to his relief and enjoyment it had been a great night. He should never have doubted him, as aside from the football shirts, Robert had judged everything perfectly. All of the guys had had a laugh with just the right levels of raucousness, and John had to admit that it was fantastic to celebrate the wonderful occasion with the group who had become good friends to him in the past months. For too long he had only been able to count the true mates he had on one hand – well, on one finger alone – and while his family was still relatively distant, it was a blessing to have so many stand-up guys around to depend upon. Looking around, they were all laughing and joking – even Anthony had loosened up after a couple of pints – and the good spirits were still running high, bringing an appreciative smile to his face.
Yet the longer the night went on, John found that he was missing Anna more and more. Now that all of their nights were spent together, whether they were out with others or just by themselves, he found that he was even more intoxicated by her; her sweet smile, her gorgeous laugh, the way she would seek out his hand to hold whenever she could and how she could look at him with those beautiful eyes and make nothing else matter. A few hours without her were like years of separation. What he'd give now to wrap himself around her, take in her warmth and scent that was simply like home to him; he had the luxury of knowing he would go back to her arms for every night of his life, and that was the greatest treasure that could ever be.
He had thought he was being subtle as he stole a look at his watch, but he had obviously failed, given that he knew himself it had been more than just one glance he had took.
"Keeping you from somewhere, are we?" Robert's voice sounded in his ear, and he turned to give a rather sheepish look at his friend. Robert was smiling quickly enough, clapping a hand to John's shoulder. "I remember that time well. Newlyweds…days full of wonder, and nights too." He gave a knowing wink and a nudge of his elbow. "Not a minute goes by when you're not thinking about them, or what you could be doing with them."
"Yes, and I remember that time as well," John retorted, thinking about when he had played third wheel to Robert and Cora throughout more than half their time at university, and for too long afterwards. "At least I can say that I know what it's like now. Better late than never, eh?"
He felt himself smiling foolishly as he said it. He had cursed himself for so long months ago, wishing that the fates could have conspired earlier and he could have met Anna so much earlier, when he might have had more to give. How different the path of his life would have been if she had been there, with all of her love and comfort. He didn't think that way now, knowing for certain that everything had worked out almost completely for the best, in both of their cases.
"And the same goes for tonight," John added, raising his glass towards his best mate, who shook his head and the praise away modestly. "I am sorry that you couldn't have seen it, mate. We both are. But you know…"
"Of course I do," Robert assured before John could even finish. "It was yours and Anna's day, and God only knows you deserved it. If it was half as wonderful as mine and Cora's, then I know it was bloody amazing."
John smiled, already sentimental for the day that had happened not too long ago. Having put his glass back down on the table, he threw his arms around his friend in an enveloping but thoroughly manly hug.
"Blimey, how many have you had?" Robert remarked jokingly, "I should have kept a closer eye on you."
"I don't need it," he briefly recalled a time when such a statement would have been foreign to him, "I've got other things to put me on a high now."
They shared a knowing smile as the others milled around them, past grievances and unspoken words well passed under the bridge. A wave of joy and even deep relief passed over Robert's features at his friend's happy state, so deserved after so many years, before he started to buzz with excitement again.
"I won't want a late night myself," he said, tapping the face of his watch, "I've got to perfect this best man's speech, there's only a week. I want to make sure Cora's awake to listen to the latest draft."
"Wouldn't it put her to sleep," John teased as he raised his eyebrows, "or do you have other things in your repertoire for that?"
"Watch it, Bates," Robert narrowed his eyes conspiratorially, "just remember I know many horrifically embarrassing stories about you. Anna might just change her mind when she hears a few."
John chuckled at that, safe in the knowledge that the opposite was assured. Standing up, he patted his pockets, finding that his phone was still where he expected it to be.
"Just going to get a bit of fresh air, and maybe give the missus a call."
"No, no!" Tom had jumped out of his seat near enough to the ceiling, and John and the rest of the lads were absolutely baffled as they all looked at him. "I mean, you don't want to go and miss anything. There might be a bit of George Michael next."
"Now you're talking," Robert perked up immediately.
John took his seat again on Tom's anxious command, sneaking a brief and longing glimpse at his phone before putting it away again and entering into the familiar banter once more. The songs came and went, with nothing of note except maybe a particularly tuneless and wrongly memorable Liam Gallagher impersonation. John wondered if maybe Tom was up next – he'd gone away from the table for a bit beforehand – and just wanted to make sure nobody was denied his moment in the spotlight.
There was a deafening screech of feedback from the microphone before the voice of the compere came over the system again.
"Now we've got a last-minute addition to tonight's bill, and what a treat it is. I'm sure you'd all agree that no '90s night would be complete with these five girls who took the world by storm. Here to add some spice to your life, it's the Hot and Spicy Girls."
"Is that…?" Evelyn said almost under his breath before the two figures at the front of the stage burst to life, starting up the familiar song.
"Yo, I'll tell you what I want, what I really really want…"
"So tell me what you want, what you really really want."
The spotlights flared up, and sure enough, the suspicions had been confirmed. Sybil and Gwen were firing the lyrics back and forth, hopping around and clad in suitable outfits for their respective personas. Tom's eyes were popping out of his skull to see Sybil in the figure-hugging leopard print crop-top and leggings, and the rest of the assembled stag party were stunned into silence by what was unfolding before them. Three others were standing with their backs to the audience, still in the shadows though their shapes could be made out, and John was transfixed to the one in the middle, shorter than the rest though still wearing a pair of towering sandals. Her hips and bottom were swaying in time to the music and he felt the blood rush to his temples in anticipation, following her hypnotising movements.
The song kicked in fully, the light was thrown onto all five and cheers began to erupt from another group of girls on the other side of the room, who were obviously enjoying the nostalgia.
"If you want my future, forget my past," Mary sashayed forward to the front of the stage, looking ever the professional. John couldn't help but look past her, though; he hadn't been able to take his eyes from her since the first second he had realised, and now she was coming forward to take her moment.
"If you wanna get with me, better make it fast."
The spotlight shone on Anna, her blonde hair loose and brighter under the stage lamps, the lacy pink dress she was wearing accentuating every single one of her curves and displaying her legs to wonderful effect. When he was able to think straight, which took a little while, John could have sworn he had seen it somewhere before. He smirked delightedly as the memory of the old photograph came back to his mind, quickly followed by the remembrance of heated kisses in what had been her room.
People were clapping along, Tom had leapt to his feet and started whooping and punching his fist in the air in time to the beat, Robert was a mixture of mildly horrified and immensely proud to witness his three daughters cavorting on the stage. But nothing and nobody mattered in that moment to John other than Anna. She looked absolutely fantastic; his heart was pounding hard in his chest with how mind-blowingly gorgeous she was. She was having the time of her life up there too, singing and smiling and spinning around with the other girls. Every few moments she made sure that she looked his way, giving an extra wiggle of her hips and blowing a couple of kisses straight towards him, which made him grin unstoppably. He wasn't sure whether this whole show was done with him in mind, though a quick glance at Tom seemed to suggest that it was, but the way Anna was moving was enough to keep him more than happy.
The girls darted about the stage full of energy, Sybil and Gwen trying to outdo each other with jumping as the track came to a lively conclusion. Several people were on their feet and Tom was leading the applause, the girls maintaining their poses before breaking into fits of giggles and acknowledging the reception they were being given. John's surprised gaze was still firmly locked on Anna and she threw him a bright smile back, sharing in another secret moment together while commotion reigned all around.
"Well, young Branson," Robert exclaimed as the cheering died down, still somewhat taken aback by what had just occurred, "I'd like to see you top that."
"I wouldn't even try," John interjected with a grin planted firmly on his face.
Tom had, after all, took to the stage not long after the girls' performance with a rousing version of Let Me Entertain You and the night was wrapping up with Sybil and Gwen still hogging the microphone between them, making their way through All Saints' entire back catalogue. At the back of the pub the other couples, Daisy and Evelyn stood around, getting ready to head home.
"You could have been the sixth Spice Girl," Robert said to Cora, rather disappointed that he'd missed out on the chance to ogle her in a skimpy outfit.
Cora rolled her eyes in reply. "I'm more like Old Spice," she exclaimed, to which Robert tutted loudly, kissing her on the cheek. "Fleetwood Mac were more my thing, but the '90s was a bit late for them, I suppose."
"Another time," Anna smiled as she gave Cora a hug before her and Robert headed for the car.
As she turned back, she couldn't escape the satisfied smirk that was all over John's face, and laughed to herself.
"The other lads seemed to like it," he said, putting on a cool façade that amused Anna. Even as he pretended, his full attention was on her and her alone.
"I think Matthew just couldn't believe that Mary was in tracksuit bottoms," she laughed, recalling how Mary had decided to be Sporty Spice by giving the reasoning that she could sing, and Edith couldn't, so she'd be better off being Posh. "I see he's taking pictures for posterity."
They both glanced over to where Matthew was in front of Mary angling with his phone, having to prevent himself from bursting into laughter again while she attempted to hide her face. The sight made them chuckle simultaneously, before they turned and caught each other's gaze at the exact same moment, the sensation making them catch their breath.
Anna smiled as she recovered, getting closer to rub her fingers over the collar of his jacket. She revelled in feeling him shudder beneath her fingertips as they brushed the back of his neck on purpose.
"All I care about is whether you liked it," she intoned in a chime, looking up at him with heavily lidded eyes. "Don't think I didn't remember. This was a treat for you."
He could hardly bite back a mischievous grin at that confession. "Gatecrashing my stag night."
"I didn't see you complaining."
John chuckled throatily as Anna started to run her hands down his chest, having to stifle a groan as he imagined the same scene playing out a little differently when they returned home.
"That's because there's no way on earth that I could. I can't be without you for very long at all." His smile turned softer as he took up one of her hands in its trajectory, linking it with his. "It was only hours, and I missed you every second."
Anna promised herself she wouldn't cry, but it was getting to be a hard promise to keep with the way he was gazing at her. Instead she wore a smile that was sweeter than ever, which made her whole complexion shine.
She held her hands to his sides as he ducked down towards her, positioning her head to allow him access to the best spot to kiss her cheek. She was a little surprised when his lips swerved away, landing just by her ear instead.
"I've got to say, I was rather hoping for a rendition of 2 Become 1."
Anna managed to remain calm as John's palms travelled up her body, exhaling a little breath.
"Well, I wasn't going to say anything, but I have still got the dress on. I was thinking that could be something of a private performance instead."
She never got tired of the look that graced his face whenever she said something even slightly risqué, just as much as she never got tired of his lips pressing softly against hers.
"Did you mean what you said?" Anna asked softly, losing herself in his eyes as he smiled down at her, the perfect ending to another perfect kiss. "About missing me?"
The crinkles at the corners of his eyes increased as he beamed more. "Of course I did."
"Good," Anna replied, brushing her lips quickly with his again. "Because I missed you too. So much."
John scooped his arms around her slight frame, almost lifting her from the ground as he met her mouth in a deeper kiss.
"It's a good job you're going home with me tonight, then."