September 2nd, 1927 ~

Finally, I'm back at work after almost a whole week off. I don't remember ever being so sick in my life as I was those first few days. Anna was an angel of mercy, of course. She's the prettiest and best nurse ever, but when Dr. Clarkson came by yesterday afternoon to proclaim me fit enough to return to the hotel...well, I suspect she was happier than even me to have her normal life back.

I fully admit I'm a terrible patient, but every inch of me hurt like the dickens. I overheard Anna and Sarah talking and Sarah agreed that Caleb was a big baby too when he was sick. Too? A big baby? Maybe women are just better equipt to handle pain than men.

One thing I do know though, I'll never be able to enjoy chicken soup again. Not only did I get sick on it, but one miserable afternoon when I was trying to choke down a bowl Jack decided to jump up on the bed. Hot soup and milk all over me and the bedding! Actually milk doesn't appeal to me much anymore either, or maybe it's the cinnamon.

William was a trooper though. Anna wouldn't let him in the bedroom because as she said, I don't need two sick men to cope with, so he sat in the doorway visiting me and delivering me cards. He made me five Get Well Daddy cards for the five days I was home.

Anna moved the girls into the nursery while I was sick. The Dr. said babies, especially breastfed babies, have a natural immunity but we didn't want to take any chances. I don't know if they're moved over for good or not. It's gone well, but I suspect Anna will want them back in our room for awhile longer.

The hotel seems to have run just fine without me, thanks to our wonderful staff. Sam told me I should have taken another week off, just to be on the safe side. I'm not quite sure how to take that.

From my office window I see Anna hanging sheets on the line. That's something to look forward to tonight. She just looked at me, winked and blew a kiss. Now that is promising...

I'd best get some work done today.

~ John Bates

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~ Sexual Healing ~

When Anna told him they should keep the babies in the nursery, at least for one more night, John's evening suddenly got brighter.

He glanced up at his wife, standing in the nursery doorway. She had a mischievous smile on her lips and her eyes appeared to be filled with racy thoughts. Did that mean…? John crocked his eyebrow at her.

'He's asleep, you know?' Anna whispered.

John looked down at the drooling boy curled into his side. Indeed he was sound asleep and probably had been for the past five minutes. He eased William off of him and tucked him under the covers and stood up from the bed, nearly stepping on a sleeping Jack in the process. John then placed the book on the shelf and checked that the girls were off in dreamland. Nothing would bother them tonight, except their empty bellies, John thought.

He moved towards Anna, and with every step he took her smile broadened. When he reached her he gave her a quick kiss on the lips and quietly closed the door behind them.

'What's this, Mrs Bates?' he asked her, eyeing her new nightdress. He took her face between his hands and kissed her again with great relish.

'Oh, this old thing? she giggled. 'I thought maybe it might bring us better luck this time,' she smiled, looking down at the pale pink silk covering her body.

'I'm sure it will. It's already working its magic,' he whispered into her neck. Then he bent down and lifted her into his arms, like a bride to be taken across the threshold. 'Shall we retreat to the boudoir, M'lady?'

Anna wrapped her arms around his neck,'Yes please, Mr Bates. And be quick about it,' she giggled, and he kissed her deeply before taking a step. 'But be careful of your leg, though.'

'Would you stop fussing…?'

'But...' Anna bit her lower lip, running a hand down his chest. 'I can't help it. I just got you well.'

'I will drop you!'

'No! You beggar, don't you dare.'

She couldn't help but squeal in his arms, as he tried to bite her neck. As their bedroom was just across the hallway from the nursery he only had to take a few steps before they were near their bedside.

The room was filled with candlelight. Anna had indeed set the mood.

John was intending to place her gently, romantically, on the bed and ravish her at his leisure and her pleasure, at least that was the plan. What actually happened is at that exact moment the cat ran from under the bed causing John to lose his footing, dumping Anna unceremoniously on the mattress with him landing directly on top of her. 'Bloody Hell!' he swore, 'What was that?'

'I think you stepped on the cat.' Anna couldn't stop laughing and as soon John saw Charlie fleeing the room, he joined in.

'This was all part of my plan, I meant for that to happen,' he said, untangling himself from Anna and getting up to shut and lock the door, maybe a bit too loudly.

Anna shot him a warning look. 'The children, John!'

He stopped and listened for a second. 'I think we're alright. '

'We'd better be,' she warned. 'I can't wait for you much longer.'

That comment stopped him in his tracks, as he momentarily wondered what she was proposing to do on her own. Then moving back to the bed, he hovered over her. 'And now, my beautiful lady, what's next?'

'Quit talking and undress me,' she pleaded, her hands running up and down his flexed arms and her eyes locked with his.

Always aiming to please, he did as she requested. His hands grabbing at the hem of her gown and in one motion pulling it up and off her body to reveal her absolutely naked skin, but for the lacy white garter she had around her thigh.

'Oh yesss...' he whispered. 'We will keep that on.'

'As you wish.' She smiled up at him before wrapping her arms around his neck and pulling him to her, kissing his lips urgently.

'And now?' he asked her again, his eyes daring hers.

'Touch me and...' she blushed, and he chuckled, knowing exactly what she wanted.

His hands began to travel her body then, as his eyes focused on her face. That was something he loved, more than anything, to see her on the brim of pleasure. To see how she responded to his every touch, every kiss. How her face gave away all her body was feeling. That and the sounds she made. The sound of her voice echoing in his ears as he gave her everything she wanted, everything she needed, and as she begged him for more.

He lingered on her breasts, knowing how wonderfully sensitive they were, and now, more than ever. Massaging each one carefully, he took one of her nipples between his lips, and his eyes smiled at her, and of course, Anna couldn't help but grin down at him and running her hands through his hair, persuading him to continue. He did exactly the same to the other, taking as much time and dedication, being careful as he always was, but he knew that now, in her condition, his touches would have to be more soft and gentle.

He traversed the length of her body. His mouth and tongue leaving a wet trace along her skin, as he kissed every inch of her; her neck and collarbone, the valley of her breasts, her stomach and lower, and lower, until he reached her thighs.

There, he kissed the inside of each of her legs, smiling happily when he saw the garter, and playfully he looked up at her while he took the fabric between his teeth, tugging on it slightly, the sensation making Anna tremble and moan.

Her body was responding almost too well and too quickly to him. She had dreamed of this night for weeks now and all of the waiting made her rather impatient.

Anna played with his hair while he explored her, and prayed to everything she held dear for the children to sleep soundly. Another interruption would probably drive her mad. She needed her husband tonight, more than ever, and she would have to have him no matter what.

'What?' she smiled down at him when she caught him staring. His chin resting on her lower belly.

'You are just so beautiful,' he answered. 'More beautiful than ever.' His hand came to caress her soft skin there. Her body still not in pre-baby condition, but she couldn't have been more appealing to him, more perfect. 'And I love you so, so much.'

She had tears in her eyes after his words, and if she had had any worries about the way her body was now, any doubts that he would still find her attractive, all of that was gone for good. She whispered she loved him back, more than anything, and he gave her a cheeky smile that left her breathless.

His mouth found her core, and he began to work hard and focused on making his wife as pleased as possible before he joined them together. He lapped at her, while his fingers parted her folds, to give him better access to her centre, his own desire pulsing urgently against the fabric of his trousers. With every touch and glimpse of her, so wet and ready for him, John could feel his body react in unison with hers, as if they were already one. Their skin was goosebumped and he continued to suck and lick and touch, until he ventured one of his fingers inside of her, and then another one...and she was done.

She came back to earth seconds later, with her husband still kissing her at the apex of her thighs. He smiled up at her with a wicked twinkle in his eye, and she noticed then how tightly she was grabbing at her pillow, and how her legs were wrapped around his shoulders. That made her chuckle.

'Why are you still dressed?' she asked him.

'I didn't have time...' he winked.

'Come here.'

John moved up her body, settling over her as she began to unbutton his shirt. He kissed her every time a button was undone, feeling the heat of her lower body wetting his trousers where their bodies met, and he couldn't help but thrust his hips against her, the instinct too strong to hold back.

She took his off shirt, then his undershirt, and they both worked together on his trousers, taking them off as fast as possible. And soon John Bates was as naked and very aroused.

'Finally!' she giggled happily when he settled above her. She reached down and found his length and took him firmly in hand.

'Oh, Anna,' he hissed, kissing her neck as she stroked him.

His hardness was pulsing in her hand, hot and heavy and needing to be inside her. Ever so slowly, as John aligned their bodies, she rubbed it against herself before positioning it at her entrance. He moaned, and plunged into her, coming to that so familiar feel of her, but at the sound of Anna's sharp intake of breath, he froze and daren't move.

'Are you alright?' he asked. 'Am I hurting you?'

'No, you're not. John...' she moaned, spreading her legs wider apart, persuading him to continue.

'Are you sure? You gasped,' he spoke looking down at her, his arms supporting his weight and his hands, at each side of her head, playing with her hair. 'Because...I want you to love this.'

She smiled at him and kissed his lips before replying. 'I do, John. I gasped because it feels so good.' Her arms came around his neck and she pulled him to her for another kiss. This one heated and passionate, slow and wet and with her encouragement he began to move inside her, slowly and carefully, ever so gently and then all else was forgotten.

They moved together and moaned in unison. The sounds their bodies made adding to their excitement. John's gentle moves turned into urgent thrusts, in and out of her faster and deeper. Her legs wrapped around his waist, bringing him closer to her, and her nails dug into his back, sending him to the edge of sanity. He held her leg, the fabric of the garter against his palm, bringing it up on his arm to open her more to him, the friction point of their bodies changing, making Anna cry out in pleasure and bite his shoulder. It would leave a mark. Wonderful bliss. And above all, undying love.

Their ends came soon after that. His hand found her center once again and he massage her there while he moved in and out of her. His fingers in rhythm with the rest of their bodies and she came undone, moaning in his ear while he whispered words of love and passion against her lips.

It only took him a matter of seconds to follow her. The sight of her, flushed, sweaty and panting for breath was enough to make him come to his end, as she held him against her chest tightly, their hearts beating as one.

'That was wonderful,' she told him, kissing the top of his head as he lay on her using her breast as his pillow.

'I missed you like this...we need to do this every night,' he said smiling, satisfied, after placing a kiss between her breasts.

'If those little beggars let us...do you remember when William was a baby?'

'Finn and Fee...are so much nicer...than he was though,' his voice began to fail him and a wonderful feeling of tiredness crept through his body, and Anna chuckled, knowing too well that soon he would be sleeping as soundly as a little baby.

'Yes...I hope they are.' She reached over to her bedside table grabbing the flannel she had placed there earlier. 'Roll, John. Let me clean us off and get you under the covers before you go to sleep.' She started to wipe the evidence of their loving from him.

'Are we done for the night then?' he mumbled, 'Mmm, Anna, that's feels really good...'

Anna chuckled and gave him a pat. 'Tomorrow night, my love. And all the other nights. You get under the covers now. I want to blow out the candles and open the door so I can hear the children.'

When Anna returned to bed John was still splayed nakedly on top of the covers and on the verge of sleep. She grabbed the quilt from the foot of the bed, covered him and snuggled in beside him. He turn on his side and pulled her close, draping his long leg over her. Soon she heard and felt his soft snores against her neck. The heavy feeling of his body wrapped around hers was too good and she wanted to enjoy it as much as she could. As the minutes passed, she caressed his arm as he slept, knowing that soon the babies would cry for food and that she would have to go tend to them. John would awaken too and he would help her as he always did.

Life was indeed good, and now, it was complete.

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September 3rd, 1927 ~

It's 7 am and I fully plan on going back to sleep as soon as John leaves for work. He's in the bathroom right now. I noticed he was limping a little more than usual this morning. The poor man, he tripped over the cat last night and fell funny. He was so mad at that cat, but we were soon laughing about it. I feel a little guilty sending him off while I get to go back to sleep, but only a little bit.

William won't get up for another couple of hours. The twins, who had their last feeding only an hour ago are sleeping soundly. So as soon as John is gone - blessed silence. Don't get me wrong, I love everything about my life, but sometimes it can be overwhelming and as much as I cherish my family, I also cherish these quiet moments when I can crawl under my quilt and fall back to sleep.

I promised Will he could ask Percy Jenkins, his little friend from down the road over for the afternoon. I'm not overly fond of Percy. Is it too terrible of me to say that about a child? May God forgive me, but he just strikes me as a sneaky young man. I'll be keeping my good eye on him. Will does need to be around children his own age though. He'll be starting school in a year and I can hardly grasp that fact. They grow so fast. Oh, and I'll be moving my babies back into our bedroom tonight too. They did well in the nursery and Will loved it, but after a week I think he's ready for them to move out. And I'm ready to have them close again.

John just gave me a goodbye kiss and said he'd run home to see the children around 10 am. He just can't stay away for too long. And lest you think I'm a lazy wife who sends her husband off to work without any breakfast, he has a breakfast council meeting this morning. I'm just going to end here and go back to sleep for a while.

~ Anna Bates

The journal entries are written by handy for the bus & terriejane.

We'd like to thank the lovely annamays (aka fuzzydream) for being our beta.

Thank you for reading :) please review