June 12th, 1927 ~

Anna will be working side-by-side with me today at the hotel. We are forcing Caleb and Sarah to take a rare day off, as it's their 4th anniversary. They say they won't know what to do with themselves. Anna suggested a trip into Ripon for dinner and to see the new film, Seventh Heaven starring Janet Gaynor and Charles Farrell. I only know all about this film this because Anna has mentioned more than a few times how much she wants to see it. Maybe we'll go the first part of next week.

I'm actually quite excited, I love having Anna here, and my son of course. I would have them by my side always if I could.

So, now I'm waiting for my family to arrive. As soon as we finish our lunch Sarah and Caleb will be free for the rest of the day and night.

I should go do some paperwork before Anna arrives. Will write soon.

~ John Bates

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John sat in the comfort of his office resting his feet on his desk for a couple of minutes. He smiled to himself listening to his wife in the reception charming everyone around her. His Anna was indeed a social creature, and he had learned so much from her skills.

William was in the kitchen with Archie, helping the young chef making a list of the groceries they needed the last time he checked and he was glad that his son would grow up with such pleasant people around him.

Feeling very contented John leaned a little further back in his chair and closed his eyes for a few seconds before opening them again and glancing towards his desktop. He couldn't take a nap, not while Anna was working. Maybe there were some papers that needed to be looked over…but when he checked, he saw a strange thing. Not strange to him of course, but strange for being there at all. What was that doing on this desk? And who did it belong to?

'Classic Art,' he whispered taking that not so proper magazine in his hands. 'What on earth?'

Oh John Bates knew these kinds of magazines well, although it had been in his distant past, during the war and in jail...he had seen some, admired them too. Dare he take a look now? Thoughts of his Anna came to mind, not so proper thoughts either. It had been more than a month now, since they had last made love, but thing was...that was his fault. He was so afraid for the twins. He had been the same with William at first but that time it was only one baby, with two it seemed that something could go wrong...Then curiosity took the best of him, that and maybe a slight longing for something forbidden, and he opened it. His brow raising higher with each page turn and goodness, there were some very naked women… 'Oh God! Anna!'

His wife entered the office, her smile dying on her lips when she saw his shocked look.

'What's the matter John?'

His neck grew red and he began to sweat profusely. 'Nothing!...nothing's the matter. I just…nothing,' he stammered, rolling up the magazine and trying to shove it under the desk.

'What's that?' Anna frowned, walking towards him, holding her hand out. He suddenly felt like a child caught in the act.

'Oh that?' He looked shocked, as if he didn't know how this offending thing suddenly appeared in his hand. 'Oh just...what's that? A magazine, yes. An art magazine.'

When Anna saw its cover her eyes were immediately on him, shooting him an accusing look. 'An Art magazine my eye, John Bates!'

'Anna, it's art, look.' he took the magazine and pointed to the word Art on the cover and fanned its pages open very quickly for to her see. 'They're posing. It's for Art students...'

'And Art lovers...' she continued, 'who should be very ashamed of themselves.' That's when she took the magazine from his hands and looked at it herself. Her expression growing upset.

'Look, love, it was just curiosity. I was not even looking at it properly.' He was being honest now. He had been curious but these magazines didn't do anything to him. Yes, they had been a sight for sore eyes back in the day, when he was young and lonely but now, not anymore. He had imagined his wife instead, in the pictures that he saw. She was the only woman he wanted.

'I understand that...you look at me and you don't like what you see because I look like a...a...' she tried to hold back her tears. 'Do I displease you so much that you have the need to wash your eyes with these...women?'

'What?!' John stood from his chair at once. 'What are you saying, Anna? Do you really think I was coveting those women?'

'I know I am fat and even more now with two babies...I'm not as appealing as I-'

'Anna, stop!' He brought his hands to her cheeks, caressing her gently. 'You couldn't be more beautiful than you are now, my darling. I was just looking for the sake of a look. You are the only woman I desire.'

'But they are all so beautiful.'

'Anna they are posing, they are models, that's their job. And then, you are so much more beautiful than any of them.'

'I'm not sure about that...' she sniffed loudly.

'Well, I am. One hundred percent sure.' He kissed her forehead before continuing. 'I don't even know how that thing came to be here. Someone must have placed it there. And you see...I miss you and I was just... I'm going to throw it away.'

'No!' She stilled his hands. 'You miss me?'

He looked down a bit embarrassed, his hands dropping to take hers. 'We haven't made...love for more than a month now and I miss you. So much.'

She gave him a small smile, her mood improving a great deal. 'Maybe...we could keep it.'

'Whatever for?' he looked at her confused.

'Well, maybe...after the twins are born, I could...pose just a little for you. Just like them?' She bit her lower lip with a mischievous look on her face.

'You naughty girl.'

'And...maybe, tonight we could...' she traced the buttons of his vest. 'You know...'

'Anna,' he chuckled almost nervously. 'What about the babies?'

'I'm not the one who has held us back, John. That's you and your fears. Not mine. Do you really think I've wanted to wait until the babies are born?! I miss you too! So much.'

John nodded silently before placing a sweet kiss on her lips. That night she waited for him, turning every page of that magazine...those women were so seductive. When he arrived home she was wearing only her robe, and the two of them loved each other until dawn.

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Oh my! How tired can I get from one day of work? Not even proper work. I've just been standing behind the desk. And not standing really, I was seated most of the time, and I talked to the guests, asking them if they were enjoying their stay and our services...but that was about it.

Of course my condition doesn't help, but for someone who is used to being as active as me it's a bit irritating. But this will pass, our babies will be born soon and I'll take more than 30 pounds off my back, literally. I can't wait to have them in my arms and see their little faces. I am really eager to meet these two. And so is everyone else!

Apart from being tired I had a wonderful day at the hotel. I really do miss working. Being there for the guests. Helping with everything I can. Being at a calls reach from my husband.

Talking about my husband. I caught John reading a not so proper magazine. Well, reading…looking at, more like. It's not one of those you read. At first I was a little unsure, let's say, but his poor face when I said he didn't find me appealing anymore… He really is a darling man. And now that I think back on it, when I first caught him it was a rather funny sight. He was so nervous and he was red like a tomato! And let me just make it clear that I am a modern woman…and I did my share of sneaking into not so proper books in the past…I may still do it now and then at the bookshop. I think it's more curiosity than anything else, and maybe just pure instinct. Anyway, how can I be upset if I've done the same? I think we have the need for something forbidden now and then.

I see that John wrote that Sarah and Caleb took the day off. We insisted, it being their anniversary and all. I suggested they go to the cinema in Ripon to see a new film, but they decided to stay closer to home. I spoke to them before I left work and they enjoyed their day very much! They went down to the stream and had a little picnic. They are such a match those two. But working without them is not half as fun! And with Daisy coming in a month, our hotel will be quite the place to be! And I've noticed that Archie is rather happy about that prospect too. Love is everywhere in this little place of ours.

Now I shall wait for my husband. As much as I could sleep for three days straight, tonight it will be special and I shan't go to bed before he arrives. I have prepared something just for the two of us and I can't wait!

~ Anna Bates