Happy Valentine's Day to all of our readers. :)

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Tiny, Shiny Red Hearts - part 1

8:00 pm, February 13th, 1928

John passed by the kitchen table where Anna and Will had their heads together. They had been hard at work on some project since the dinner dishes had been cleared away. He barely noticed what, since he had his sights set on the big glass jar on the counter, filled to the brim with fresh baked, heart-shaped, chocolate frosted biscuits.

Anna raised her head, 'John Bates, stay out of those. There won't be any left to take over to the pub tomorrow. And Will and I worked very hard on them, didn't we, little love?'

'Yeah, Daddy. Those are for Valentine's Day,' Will piped in, then continued on with what he was doing.

'But why are you taking them to the pub when your dear Valentine's are right in this house? Besides, I just watched granddad walk out the back door with one in each hand.

'Why that sneaky old man,' Anna giggled. 'And we're taking them over to place on the bar tomorrow...to pass out. Everyone needs some Valentine cheer. If it reminds even one man to run out and get his wife a box of sweets or a card, it will be well worth it.'

John looked at her and then at the jar of biscuits. 'I remembered to get you something, Anna. You just can't have it until tomorrow. So, please?' he pouted.

She sighed, 'All right, but just one. We're watching you.'

'Yeah, Daddy, we're watching you,' Will echoed.

John poured himself a cup of milk, grabbed his biscuit and sat down at the table. 'What are you two doing?'

'We can't tell you. It's a secret,' Will whispered, mysteriously. Then he smiled at his mother as if they were in cahoots on something.

John dunked his biscuit in his milk and continued to watch them taking small pieces of shiny red paper, folding them in half and cutting them into tiny hearts. There was already a small pile of them on the table in front of him. 'Oh. How many do you need?' he asked, growing ever more curious.

'Hundreds,' answered Anna.

'Yeah, hundreds, Daddy. They're really little,' chimed Will.

'And these are in honour of Valentine's Day?' John asked.

There was that smile again, exchanged between mother and son. Then Will giggled and Anna winked at him.

'We have an extra pair of scissors. Would you like to help?' Anna ask sweetly.

'You should help, Daddy. We've got a lot of them to do.'

From their play pen in the corner Fee let out an indignant, high-pitched squeal as her sister grabbed a stuffed lion out of her hand, but that was quickly forgotten when she remembered she had a thumb to suck.

The light hanging above the table cast a soothing golden glow over the kitchen. It was warm...comfortable. Nice...this is really nice, John thought to himself, why not? 'Sure, why not? I have nothing better to do.'

Anna handed him the scissors and Will pushed a stack of red paper toward him. 'See Daddy, you just fold the paper in half and cut out the heart. It's really easy. Even you can do it.'

'Well...thanks, son. I'll try my best. Now Will, do I have to poke my tongue out of my mouth like you do? Does that help?'

'John... don't tease...' Anna said with a smile.

'Right. And we need how- '

'Hundreds,' Will and his mother both answered in unison.

'Hundreds.' John set about his task, still not knowing what the tiny red hearts were for, but contented just the same.

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Tiny, Shiny Red Hearts - part 2

Valentine's Day - 1928

It was noon on Valentine's Day and the Grantham Arms Pub was packed with an unusual number of couples for lunch, on top of their regular pub patrons. It seemed almost like entire village of Downton had decided to gather there. If this continued, John figured he'd have to open up the banquet hall for the over-flow, which was fine with him. All but one of the tables was occupied. A table for two, right up at the front, by a window. The table had a 'reserved' sign on it.

The fireplace, at the centre of the side wall, was burning brightly, warming the entire room, making one forget the brisk wind outside which rattled the old panes of the windows with every gust. But, inside, the Grantham Arms Pub Room was the image of comfort and harmony.

Half an hour ago, Eamon had deemed it a proper restaurant, like one of those fancy ones you find in London or Paris, but in their case, this was more like a countryside roadhouse. He predicted they had good times ahead. Oddly enough, the usually cautious John had agreed. Of late, their business in this old pub was becoming so much more than the selling of ale.

Back in the kitchen, Daisy and Sarah helped Archie, prepping meals from their small but varied menu. Caleb was manning the reception desk in the hotel wing and while they only had five overnight guests they figured that was quite good for mid-February.

John and Eamon worked hard behind the bar, managing to keep their patrons satisfied. 'Those biscuits Anna and Will baked are all gone!' Eamon pointed toward the empty jar as he leaned on the worn, though highly polished counter, beside John. For now everyone seemed to be enjoying their food and drinks. Eamon was glad for the lull to rest his leg. 'Everybody loved them.'

'Yes, Anna will be happy to hear that,' John smiled, pleased. He knew Anna loved it when people enjoyed her food. Who didn't after all? William would be really excited too. He was quite proud of his part in baking the biscuits.

'Maybe you can tell her to bake a tray just for us next time? I'm sure we deserve it too.' Eamon suggested, elbowing John right in his ribs.

'Quit doing that! And what are you complaining about. You got more than I did,' John grumbled, rubbing his ribs where his father had nudged him. 'Never seen a man eat so much…'

'That's 'cause you never looked in the mirror while you were chowing down.' The old man laughed at his own words. John just rolled his eyes.

Then he spotted Anna and Will walking toward them.'Oh, there you are. Where are the twins? Sleeping?'

'Very peacefully, bless them. You'll have to keep your ears open if they cry,' Anna replied, looking around the pub, excited to see such a full house. 'How's everything going? It's packed! That's wonderful.'

'Indeed, we are full-up, except for yours and Will's table,' John said with a wink, rounding the bar and wrapping an arm around her shoulder.

'You shouldn't have,' Anna shook her head on seeing the reserved sign on the front table. 'We could have eaten in the office if you needed that table.'

'Nonsense, today's is a special day and I want you to eat at a proper place in our own pub,' he stated decisively, walking her to the table near the window. 'Come on, love, take your seat.'

'That's the best table John.'

'For my best Lady,' he replied, giving her a sweet smile.

'You are a cheeky devil.'

'I want to sit by the window, mummy!' William ran past them, taking the window seat and immediately pressing his nose against the icy pane. 'Look mummy, I can see all the way to the square.'

'You certainly can, darling,' Anna nodded, sitting down and admiring the view for a moment too.

'And what will you be having today, milady and young sir?' John asked, leaning forward in a submissive manner, pretending to be a mere servant of the two, which at times he was.

'The chef already knows what we are having, Mr Bates. Thank you,' Anna chuckled, placing the white napkin over her knees.

'Very well, milady, as you wish.'

'I want orange juice!' William spoke before John could walk away.

'Is that all, Master William?'

'For now, yes... Mr Bates.' The boy giggled looking at his mother, covering his mouth with his hands.

'Very well, Master William. Always at your service.' John smiled as he walked away then, joining his father behind the bar again.

'You nearly rotted my teeth with all that sweetness of yours,' Eamon told him with a teasing look gracing his features.

Oh Lord, give me patience. 'I reckon you'd need teeth for that,' John replied.

'Have all my teeth, all right!'

'All but twenty of them.' This time John laughed and Eamon grimaced disapprovingly, having to leave it at that to serve a beer at the end of the bar.

John placed a finger inside his collar in an attempt to loosen it. His neck was sweating. 'Is it hot in here or is it just me?' John wondered aloud.

'Too many folk breathing in one place, I reckon,' his father answered, back nodding.

'Yes, I suppose,' John agreed, bringing one hand to his handkerchief pocket, ready to clean the the sweat from his forehead.

But as soon as he pulled the piece of white linen from its place, thousands of tiny, shiny red hearts exploded out of it, flying delicately through the air and landing all over him. He froze in the moment, not knowing what to make of it, and it was only when he heard his wife and son shouting 'Happy Valentine's Day!' that he understood and remembered what this was all about. The hearts he himself had helped to cut out the night before...their little game turned against him, but he couldn't help smiling now, with a red, flush glowing on his cheeks.

'Happy Valentine's Day, Mr Bates!' he heard the crowd of people cheer, when they realised what was happening. Men raised their glasses and women giggled. John didn't know what to do or say, so he just glanced toward his wife who was looking happily at him, with that cheeky sparkle in her eyes.

'Happy Valentine's Day, Johnny boy,' his father then whispered, patting him on the shoulder as he shook off the hearts that had fallen on him too. His words didn't irritated John this time. All he could see now was Anna, as she walked toward him, readying an excuse on the tip of her tongue. But excuses wouldn't be needed. Instead, all along to bar the men began to chant.

'Kiss, kiss, kiss, kiss.'

'Come on, Johnny, kiss your missus.' Eamon's voice was loud behind him, and Anna's eyes were bright as she approached. Suddenly, as if some foolish, romantic soul had possessed the body of this oh-so private man, John swept his wife off her feet, wrapping his arms around her middle and kissing her right then and there. A long, slow, soft kiss, nearly causing the women in the room to swoon in envy.

'You will pay for this,' he managed to tell her when they broke apart, noticing the wonderful blush on Anna's cheeks. Everyone around them clapped and cheered. That is with the exception of Will, still sitting in his place by the window, wrinkling his nose at the sight, pulling his tongue out and averting his eyes at once. He had seen too much of this nonsense at home. 'Ew! Mush!'

'Oh yes? And what are you going to do about it?' she dared John, raising her chin to him. Before she could say another word, he was pulling her by the hand into the hallway that led to their office.

And in that relative privacy he reached for something from the inside pocket of his jacket. A midnight blue velvet bag. He took Anna's hand, emptying the contents of the delicate pouch in her palm.

'John!' she gasped at the sight, bringing her free hand to her mouth. A necklace of lustrous pearls. Beautiful, delicate pearls with a golden clasp.

'What do you think?' John asked, looking at her adoringly.

'I think you spoil me, Mr Bates. I love it!' Anna said at last, eyeing the strand in her palm, touching it every so gently.

'And I love you,' he whispered, smiling.

'Put them on me?'

'My pleasure…' John took the necklace then, doing what he had imagined when he first saw it in the store. He leaned into her so he could lock it behind her neck and gently, he let it fall over her collarbone. The dress she was wearing today exposed just enough of her silken skin and he dared to dragged his fingers along the pearls, until he reach the edge of her décolleté. 'Beautiful,' both the necklace and his Anna.

'I love you, John.' Anna kissed him deeply, wrapping her arms around his neck and bringing herself closer to him.

'I hope you have learned your lesson.' He cocked his eyebrow at her playfully, placing his hands on her hips and resting his forehead against hers.

'Oh yes,' she teased him, playing with the hairs at the back of his neck. 'But, maybe you will have to teach me more later tonight.'

'Well, sacrifices for love are the best ones to make!' John exclaimed, smacking her bottom as she turned from his embrace and began to walk back into the pub room. She didn't complain. Instead, she looked back at him and winked racily as she always did. It didn't have to be Valentine's Day for this. For John and Anna Bates, every day was special.

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Thank you for taking the time to read this chapter. All of the entries are lovingly written by Handy-for-the-bus & Terriejane. We don't own John & Anna, but we wish we did. Alas we just gently use them. Eamon, Will and the twins do belong to us, however. If you enjoy the Journal, please review. It makes our day. :)