A/N: Alright so I posted this a little earlier than expected but only because I got so much done yesterday and I felt bad that you hadn't actually gotten to meet Mrs. Smith yet. I'm glad to see such positive feedback already. Thanks to a-lady-to-me and terriejane for reading through this again. Enjoy and please review :)

Part II

"There's my girl," the older woman said as she stepped onto the platform. There was still a bit of steam swirling around them that had come off the wheels of the train as it came into the station. She was simply dressed in her Sunday best, a light blue skirt and a white blouse with a large straw hat; ever the country girl. She still had traces of blonde streaks in her graying hair, but it was a touch darker than Anna's. The country life had been kind to her; she didn't look a day over fifty, even though he knew otherwise. She had the same kind greyish-blue eyes as her daughter and a warm smile to match as she embraced Anna. When they pulled away from one another she handed Anna a tin of biscuits and some flowers. "That's from David, to congratulate you on your new home."

"But not on the marriage," Anna silently noted to herself. "Oh, that was thoughtful of him," Anna replied hoping she hadn't sounded too hurt.

"You're brother wished he could come too. But someone has to keep the farm going," her mother explained.

"Of course," Anna said with a smile. After all it was the reason she had been sent to Downton in the first place. Anna's wages at Downton were more than she could ever hope to pull in for her fair share of labor on the farm. Once at Downton she had sent a portion of her earnings home to her mother and father until they had gotten back on their feet and even after they had gotten back on their feet she had continued to do so. That is until she had married John. After that the money she had always set aside for her family had gone into saving for their future hotel.

Anna's mother tilted her head to the side slightly as she took in her daughter's appearance. Her eyes squinting as she tried to pinpoint exactly what it was that was off with her daughter. "Are you feeling alright dear? You look as though you are going to be sick," her mother noted.

Her mother had always been so perceptive, perhaps she couldn't keep her pregnancy a secret as long as she thought. In truth, she did feel sick, all that bobbing around in the car had done little to settle Anna's stomach. Anna wanted to answer her but couldn't find it in her heart to lie to her mother. Thankfully John had no trouble stretching the truth. "It's the weather," he filled in. Mrs. Smith now craned her neck in curiosity towards the man who had been standing silently behind her daughter. "It's been rather unpredictable as of late. She'll be fine though. Won't you darling?" John asked.

"Yes," Anna nodded automatically is she fought off the urge to retch then and there. She forced a smile and felt her stomach calm when John placed his hand on the small of her back.

"You must be my daughter's husband. John is it?" she asked in an unreadable tone as she extended her hand.

John knew very well that Anna had told her his name before, but he had prepared himself for a bit of apprehension from Anna's mother and pretended not to notice. "That it is, Mrs. Smith," he said in the sweetest voice he could manage, taking her hand in return and shaking it. "I hope your trip was agreeable," John remarked.

"It was satisfactory," she answered quickly. "You can call me, Helen."

"That shouldn't be a problem," John said with a smile.

"You'll be a dear and grab my bags won't you, John?" she asked. "Or are you unable?" she said as her eyes followed down the length of his cane.

Anna bit her tongue but shot her mother a disapproving look.

"Not a problem. I can manage just fine," John said as he extended his hand to take her claim ticket. As John limped over to the luggage car he winked at Anna over his shoulder to assure her that he did not need her to take up arms for him.

"That was rather unnecessary," Anna commented.

"Well, how was I to know what he was able to do?"

"He's a working man mother, not an invalid," Anna shot back.

Helen turned to face Anna squarely, "Sweetheart, let's not let our reunion be marred by a quarrel. I meant nothing by it. If it makes you feel any better I'll apologize to him when he returns with my bags."

"No, I think that would only further serve to embarrass him. Just leave it be," Anna instructed.

John returned momentarily with the bags and hitched them up as best he could with his one arm. Anna offered to help, but knowing of her condition he didn't wish to have her carrying more than she had to. He pointed towards the car, "Well, ladies your carriage awaits."

"Oh, you both didn't have to go through such trouble for me," Helen responded.

"Nonsense, nothing is too much for you," John replied with a hint of sarcasm, but it had gone unnoticed. "Lord Grantham thinks very highly of Anna and wanted to make sure she and her mother were taken back to the cottage in style," he added.

"He only thinks highly of Anna?" Helen inquired as John loaded her bag onto the back of the car.

Anna's features hardened at what her mother was implying. "John's being modest mother. He was Lord Grantham's batman during the Boer War and took a piece of shrapnel to the knee saving Lord Grantham's life." Helen stood there with her mouth agape, but before she could say anything more Anna started up again. "In fact, he valued John's services so much he insisted that John stay on as his valet in spite of his injury," Anna said while attempting to maintain her composure. John gave his wife's hand a gentle squeeze as he helped her up into the car and gave her a cheeky grin in gratitude for fighting in his corner. Though this should have come as no surprise, since that is all she had ever done since the day they met.

"My, my, my Mr. Bates. You have a rather colorful past I must say," Helen replied as she patted the back of her hair into place.

"Don't we all," John shot back in a cool, even tone. And with that he extended his hand to help his mother-in-law into the back of the car and gave the door a small, but noticeable slam. He hopped in the front to allow Anna and her mother to share idle chit chat in the back, but found the remainder of the car ride to be a rather quiet one. It was certainly going to be an interesting two weeks.