A/N: We are spicing up these entries a bit by writing little scenes of Anna and Bates daily life. I hope you all enjoy this little change. You will find these scenes between xx

June 3rd, 1927 ~

Yesterday was Anna's doctor's appointment and I insisted on going with her. I hadn't for any of the other appointments and she didn't want me to at first. She told me to stay at the hotel with William but I couldn't let her go by herself this time. She getting so close to her due date and I want to experience as much of this with her as I can, so I left William with Caleb, Sarah and Archie and I went along. She called me a silly beggar, but I think she was glad I did.

The appointment didn't take that long, actually, Doctor Clarkson just wanted to see Anna and listen to the babies heartbeats. He said the two of them are doing very well, and my wife is not putting on too much weight after all. She thought she was. But maybe that's because she never carried two babies at once, so she didn't know exactly what to expect. Her blood pressure is good too, and she's doing very well, but the doctor said she has to start taking it easier, rest more, do less…sleep whenever her body demands it. With twins, he said, things escalate faster and a premature delivery happens very often, and that's what we don't want! The babies will be born in August, if everything goes as expected. The doctor asked her if she was thinking about having them at home or at the hospital, and of course Anna wants to have the babies at home just like she had William. That's one more reason for her to rest and to take better care of herself. If the babies are born full term a delivery at home will be safe.

And all this has made me think that we should hire a reliable person to manage the dinner hours. The business is going well, and taking on one more person wouldn't be too much. I'll be better able to go home earlier in the evenings and tend to Anna and William more, and I can always take my son with me to the hotel during the afternoon so Anna can rest. I can watch him playing in the garden or he can draw and paint in my office, bring some game to play or read a book… or run around with Caleb or enjoy having the lad following them. So we are decided, and will write an ad for the paper this coming week. I need to take care of my wife, and we did buy the hotel to spend more time together after all. When the twins are born I'll have more time to help Anna with the babies. I want to be a present father and husband, that's all I've ever wanted.

Our walk back from the doctor's was very enjoyable. We rarely go out in the daytime, just the two of us so we took advantage of the sunny afternoon to stroll through the village. Sometimes I still find it hard to believe this amazing woman chose me. When her hand is resting in the crook of my arm I know I practically strut down the street.

We stopped by Moulton's Bakery for a slice of cake and a pot of tea. It turned into a very pleasant and surprising afternoon, I must say. Even now, one day later, I'm thinking about it.

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The sun was shining again that afternoon, and they sat close together at a little round table outside of the bakery to eat their cake. There was a gentle breeze caressing their faces as the enjoyed the cool shade from the overhead awning.

'What?' She shot him a look. 'The doctor said I was not putting on too much weight after all!'

'I never said you were, quite the opposite,' he smiled delightfully while she took another bite from her chocolate cake.

'I think…' she tried to speak while chewing. 'We should ask Mrs Moulton… to bake a few cakes for us to sell with dinner…I know we have Archie now but her cakes are the best!' Anna settled heavily back in her chair and rubbed her belly.

'That would spare Archie some time…he's not a baker, even though his carrot cake is delicious,' John commented. 'How are you feeling? Is the walking too much for you?'

Anna looked at him for a moment and rolled her eyes. 'I wish you wouldn't fret so much…I'm pregnant, not ill,' she said at last.

'My darling, that's my job. I fret and you scold me for it…could it be any more perfect than that? And then, I know you lied to the doctor…you do carry heavy loads all the time, back and forth, and up the stairs and down. You did it everyday when we were renovating the cottage.' He lifted his brow at her to make a point, but she could only smile.

'I won't anymore, I promise. I worry as much about our babies as you do.' Anna leaned her head against his shoulder.

'I know you do, love.'

They remained in silence for a moment, enjoying this little break from their daily lives, before Mr Bantry, one of the members of the town council approached them.

'Mr Bates, Mrs Bates. How are you doing this fine day?' The older man doffed his hat, and John did likewise. 'I was just going to see you, what a coincidence!'

Mr Bantry smiled and Anna took her head immediately from John's shoulder.

'Good afternoon, Mr Bantry, what can I help you with?' John stood but Anna remained seated when the older man told her there was no need for her to move from her place.

'You see, an opening has become available on the village council. We like to have prominent local businessmen. Anyway, we think you're just the man to fill it. Actually, we're sure you are! What do you say?'

John looked back at Anna who was sitting with a wide smile on her face.

'Well…I…I'm very honoured that you thought of me…I don't really know what to say.' John stammered in surprise. A member of the council?! He certainly wasn't expecting this.

'Don't answer just yet. I'll give you some time to think about it. I see you are busy here,' Mr Bantry looked over at Anna, grinning. 'I won't take any more of your time, but come to the council meeting on Monday. Three o'clock sharp…we ought to meet to make it official, or not. No pressure, but we would be very happy if you said yes.'

'Thank you very much, Mr Bantry. I will think seriously about it and get back to you before week's end. Both men shook hands and with that the older man left them alone once again.

'Oh my.' John sat down, looking at Anna with an expression of shock. 'What do you think of that?'

'My husband, a member of the council? ' Anna shifted closer to him, kissing his cheek. 'I think I'm so very proud!'

'What should I do?' he said, still quite surprised.

'It's your choice, of course…but I think you should accept. It's an honour and you deserve it.' She patted his thigh and kissed his cheek again.

'I'll think about it…but now,' he stood from the bench and helped her to her feet, 'we must get back before William drives them all insane.' He wrapped one arm around her waist.

'When our son is old enough, I'll let him know what you say about him,' she chuckled, adjusting her hat.

'Ah…I've heard you say exactly the same things, my darling. He'll know I mean it with all the love and care in the world…'

They resumed their walk, arriving at the hotel not ten minutes later, where they were greeted by young Will, fresh off kitchen duty with Chef Archie. John pulled a wrapped up slice of cake out of his jacket pocket for him and his mother gave him a nuzzly kiss.

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Oh! Anna, I spotted that cat you've been talking about. He was right there on the kitchen window sill when I was having my morning coffee. We made eye contact then he swished his tail at me and he was off.

I can see that it's still a kitten. Black and white and maybe a little brown…with a long tail. It appears we have another family member, I suppose…a rebel, it would seem, who only shows at meal time.

It really has been a most interesting day!

~ John Bates

John Bates, I knew the cat was real! Jack doesn't meow or drink milk. Now I want to see it too, and if it's a kitten I really want to get a glimpse of it. When I was a girl I always played with cats that lived in the farm. But I'm afraid if William sees him he'll want to bring him inside though, so I'm not sure. Jack's a sweet natured dog but I don't if he's ready to have a cat as his mate. I'm going to be on the lookout for him, now that I know he uses our window sill to sun himself. How could have I missed him? The cheeky…

As John wrote, we went to the doctor yesterday and yes, I do need to rest but it's not like I am ill. John always makes a too big deal out of things. Doctor Clarkson said I was doing very well indeed, I just need to sleep when my body tells me to. He also said that it's fine for me to take care of my garden…if I stop getting exercise completely then I'll put on weight, and that's what I don't want. But, I do agree that my husband needs to spend more time with me and Will, so of course I think his idea is brilliant!

Hiring someone else to help in the pub at dinnertime will allow him to come home earlier, maybe even in time to dine with his family. Now that would be lovely, and after the twins are born, who knows, we might be able to go home together everyday. Because I will be there during the days, and surely I'll take the babies with me.

And of course I want the twins to be born at home! I want them here, I want my room and my bed. I don't want to be in an hospital with people I don't know. Only if I really have to, but I won't. My children will be born in their home. And besides, if they're born in the hospital John won't be able to be with me. He wants and needs to be there for the birth of our children. I will never forget the look on his face when the midwife let him cut the cord and placed a squalling William in his arms. I know, it's unusual for the husband to be in the room but he insisted and that man will have his way. I needed his hand to squeeze anyway.

So, it didn't surprise me at all when he checked in on me times. And he took William with him to play in the garden while I took a quick nap. I have to say, I felt so much better after dinner, I should do it more often but I really hate to sleep knowing that I have this and that to do…but John said he was going to take William with him every afternoon for an hour or two while I rest. I just know I'll feel guilty about it. My husband working and watching our son while I lay in bed…it doesn't seem right.

I'm waiting for John now and writing in this journal. It's almost midnight and that nap really gave me extra burst of energy but it won't last forever. I hope he doesn't take too long. William went down after a good warm bath and a bedtime story hours ago. I shall wait now… I sure could really use a snuggle.

Oh, I need to remember to add the wonderful photograph I took of William on Lord Nelson a couple of weeks ago and a new one of Archie, our lovely chef. (I said that just to tease John. Haha! Love you, my darling! Xxx)

~ Anna Bates