Thank you for taking the time to read our stories. We hope you enjoy them as much and we enjoy writing them. Sadly, we don't own John & Anna, we just gently use them. Eamon, Will the twins and now Percy do belong to us, however. If the Journal has given you a chuckle or a case of the warm fuzzies, please consider leaving a review. It makes our day. :)

In Our Home - Part 1

'Finally asleep.' John cheered when he walked in their bedroom, untying the belt of his robe.

'That took longer than expected,' Anna replied from the bed, resting the book she had been reading in her lap.

'Well, one of your daughters decided it would be fun to stand in her cot and giggle at us. The little monkey,' John chuckled, joining her under the sheets, and leaning back on the headboard with a big yawn.

'And who would that be?'

'Finn.' He closed his eyes allowing them to rest while she spoke.

'Of course…' Anna shook her head with a loving smile. 'Finnie will be our naughty girl.'

'And Fee will like dollies and dresses and books about princesses,' John declared.

'Why didn't you call me?'

'Well, I knew she wasn't hungry...I took her out and read the rest of the story with her in Will's bed. They fell asleep at the same time. I just had to put her back in her cot, and she settled just fine.'

'Good. I hope she doesn't wake up again tonight.'

'I don't think she will….I'm so tired.'

'Are you?' Anna asked, running a hand along his jaw.

'My eyes are anyway…' John replied, pinching the bridge of his nose as a smile began to grow on his lips. 'I'm getting old, love. You've got an old husband.'

'Stop that.' Anna smacked him softly on the chest. 'Anyone would feel the same if they'd spent the whole day with their nose in paperwork like you did today. Why didn't you ask me to help?'

'You had other things to do, like being all social with the guests,' he said with a wink. 'And my readers help a lot, but eight hours of staring at words and numbers is tiring.'

'Well…' Her hand returned to his chest to play with the buttons of his pyjama shirt. 'You know how I feel about your readers, Mr Bates. They just make you extra handsome.'

John chuckled at her words. She had expressed her views on his glasses many times. He didn't understand it, but he was glad she felt that way. 'You're so silly; you know that?'

'Come here, you.' She pulled him to her then, and he fell willing into her arms and a deep kiss. It promised so much more than a goodnight's sleep...that is until a loud knock echoed through the house.

'What's this?' Anna broke the kiss, trying to understand what was going on. Was it the children, the wind? Oh, there is was again!

'Someone's knocking,' John said, looking at Anna in confusion.

'At this time?'

'Maybe it's Father,' John stated, not worrying too much about it. 'I'm going to - what are you doing?' he asked as he crawled out of bed to put his robe back on, seeing his wife doing the same.

'Your father wouldn't be knocking on the front door. He'd used the back. I'm going with you,' Anna told him.

'Now stay put -,'

'I'm going!'

He nodded then, knowing too well nothing he could say would change her mind. After putting their robes and slippers on, they hurried down the stairs, afraid another knock would wake up the children.

'Who's there?' John turned on the hall light, calling through the door.

'Sergeant Willis.' A muffled voice answered from the other side.

'Oh goodness!' Anna brought a hand to her chest. 'What does he want now?'

'Don't worry, love. It's probably nothing…' John assured her before speaking out again. 'Just a moment!'

He unlocked the door and opened it, and when they saw the reason for such late visit, they could hardly believe their eyes.

'Percy?' Anna and John both exclaimed in surprise.

'I'm sorry Mr and Mrs Bates, but there was a...situation,' Willis answered quietly, resting one hand on Percy's shoulder, which the boy was quick to shake off.

'Please, come in.' As soon as John spoke, Percy ran in Anna's direction, wrapping his arms around her middle, and burying his face in the fabric of her robe.

'What happened, Percy?' she knelt to his level, running her hands gently through his hair.

'His uncle…' Willis began, his voice as soft as a whisper, almost as if trying to spare the child from the terrible tale, but knowing too well it wouldn't be possible to do so. 'He got shot when he was robbing a house earlier this evening, in Ripon. The owner came home after work and the man was there, going through his things and…' He looked down at the boy, feeling sorry for him.'...well.'

'Oh God. Killed?' John asked, and Willis nodded.

John took a deep breath, taking in the news and looking over at Anna. She returned his worried expression and with a gentle nod, John told her to take the boy into the parlor.

With Percy out of earshot, the sergeant continued in a low voice. 'Yes, George Dolan was bound to that end, one day or the other but...the worst part is the boy. When I informed his granny, the shock was too much for her, I suppose. She passed out and when we brought her around she was like a crazy woman. The boy tried to run to her, but she physically pushed him away, screaming to leave her be. She cried she had lost everyone she'd ever loved. That's when the boy begged me to bring him here, and Mrs Dolan said yes, go and don't ever come back. So, can the poor lad stay or do I have to take him...I don't know-' Willis asked aloud, peeking into the parlor to look at Anna too.

'He stays,' John told him. 'Don't worry about him Sergeant Willis; we'll take care of him. Percy is always welcome in our home.'

'He said you wouldn't turn him away,' Willis said.

'We would never,' Anna replied, smiling down at the boy, as she helped him out of his jacket.

'We'll speak to Mrs Dolan when she feels better, don't worry about the boy. We've got him,' John insisted.

'All right, then. I'll say goodnight. And I'm sorry for the late hour.'

'That's not a problem. Goodnight, and thank you.' John accompanied the sergeant to the door, and when he walked into the parlor, Anna was talking with Percy.

'Did you have dinner?'

Percy shook his head no.

'Are you hungry, my darling?'

He just shrugged his shoulders, unsure of what to say, his eyes big on her; then he looked over at John.

'John, can you warm up some milk for him? And give him a big slice of cake, I'm going upstairs to get him something to wear to bed.'

He nodded, taking the boy's hand and walking him to the kitchen. Percy sat down slowly, watching as he fixed his snack. It seemed stuffy, and John cracked open the window. In the silence, the two they could hear the night outside; crickets, a dog barking in the distance, the breeze against the treetops.

'Is that big enough?' he asked the child, setting a plate with a slice of cake before him.

Percy nodded, a tiny smile showing on his downcast face.

'How are you feeling?' John asked as he sat down beside the boy.

'All right.'

'All right? Is that all?'

'Granny doesn't want me. I didn't want to be there with her either,' Percy said between bites. 'I knew Mrs Bates wouldn't mind me staying over,'

'And me,' John told him, resting a hand on the back of his neck. 'I don't mind it either.' Percy relaxed under his touch. 'You'll always have a place in our home, Percy, whenever you need it, hm? Do you want more cake?'

'No, thank you, Mr Bates, I'm full already.' The boy smiled at John, before downing the warm milk.

At that moment, Anna came in the kitchen. 'Are you done eating?'

'Yes, Mrs Bates. Mr Bates gave me a big hunk of cake.' Percy said, earning smiles from both Anna and John.

'That's wonderful! Now, come with me. I've found you some pyjamas and I told William that he will have a guest in his bed. I think he's going to be happy about it...although he was too sleepy to answer,' Anna giggled. 'And you have to wash your face and brush your teeth. I bought a new toothbrush for you because the last time you stayed you didn't have one.'

'Do I really?' Percy wrinkled his nose looking over at John, who nodded at him.

'Better do what Mrs Bates says,' he told the boy with a wink.

'You do, of course. Come on,' she took him by the hand. 'You should have been in bed long ago.'

'Nah, I always stay up late.'

Anna looked one more time at her husband before taking Percy up to the nursery. John only hoped the boy would sleep well tonight.

It seemed Percy Dolan was to be a new chapter in their lives.

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John's Journal

April 19th, 1928 10:35 am

It's been an upsetting twelve hours for us. Sgt Willis came knocking at our front door last night with Percy Dolan in tow and some shocking news. It's probably spread through the village by now, so I might as well write it here.

Percy's uncle, a long suspected thief, was killed during a home burglary in Ripon. Sgt Willis was delivering the bad news to Dolan's mother, Percy's grandmother. The woman did not take the news well and sent the poor lad away. Percy asked to be brought to us. Of course, we took him in. He can make his home with us for as long as he needs to. Permanently, if need be.

And now this, Dr. Clarkson came to see us this morning, with the news that Mrs Dolan was taken to the cottage hospital during the night and would probably be sent a home for the elderly in York, later this week. He said if Percy wanted to see her we should bring him around, but he didn't advise it.

It could be the last time he ever sees his granny, Anna and I feel we should give him that option, but is that a decision one so young is capable of making? We just don't know.

In the meantime, Anna and Percy and I will go to the Dolan cottage, probably next week. Sergeant Willis said he would drop the key off when the police were finished with their investigation. We'll let Percy bring anything back with him that he needs. Pictures, toys, and clothes. And tomorrow I will be talking to Mr Molesley about Percy's school attendance, which apparently has been very spotty the past few months. He's a smart boy, and we don't want to let his education suffer.

Anna kept the children at home this morning, but they will all be here for lunch and the rest of the day, unless she has something else planned for them. Ordinarily, the boys would just run off and play, but we don't want Percy exposed to any gossip or stares because by mid-day the whole village will be buzzing with the news of George Dolan's death.

Things will work out, I'm sure. It might not always be easy, but the boy will be safe with us, probably safer than he's ever been in his young life. We've enough love to go around.

~ John Bates

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In Our Home - Part 2

'Do you want potatoes, Percy?'

Anna asked, but her answer was yet another unsure shrug. Percy Dolan was not being himself today, and that was no surprise. He was downcast, spent most of his morning quietly, while William tried to cheer him, coming up with new games and even telling him he would give him two of his boats. Percy thanked Will with a smile but that had been it.

Now the boys and Anna were sitting at the table in the gazebo; their garden fairly bursting with new blooms. John had carried the twin's playpen out earlier for her and placed them in a shady spot. As always, they had pulled themselves up and were bouncing on the balls of their chubby feet, drooling and laughing.

They had decided to eat out here in the privacy of their garden rather than the pub. Many of the patrons knew George Dolan well, but few liked him. It was best to keep Percy away from prying eyes and the whispers for as long as they could.

'Come on, darling,' Anna pleaded with a sigh. 'These are just like the ones I made the other night, you loved them.'

'I'm not really that hungry, Mrs Bates,' the boy answered.

'He's sad mummy, he wasn't playing too much either,' William informed Anna, looking over at his friend with a worried expression.

'I know he is, love, and he has every right to be, but he's got to eat, don't you, Percy? Food always makes everything a little better.'

Percy nodded in agreement. 'Well, that's true.'

'So potatoes then,' Anna served him. 'If you can't eat it all that's all right.' She then served William and herself.

'Where's Mr Bates?' Percy asked, chancing a look toward the office window.

'He's won't be long. He was just asking Caleb- Oh! Here he is now.'

'Yes, here I am…' John walked over with a grin. 'I didn't make you wait too long, did I?'

'No, but Percy was asking after you,' Anna said. 'I think he wanted to wait until you were here to start eating.'

'That's very nice of you, Percy. Thank you.'

'I'm here too, and now that we are all here, let's eat,' Eamon came from behind John, taking a chair and clapping his hands together upon seeing the food on the table. 'Shepherd's pie and roasted potatoes and carrots!'

'And then a good nap in the garden after, I reckon,' John stated, wagging his eyebrows the boys, and they couldn't help but giggle at his remark.

'You're a jealous bloke, aren't you? Always coveting my naps.'

'I certainly am not! I just find it odd how you can sleep the way you do after eating so much. I know I couldn't.'

'Sailors digest while they sleep, that's what they do, so the waves won't make 'em sick,' Eamon reasoned.

'If you say so,' John chuckled at his father's answer.

'I do say so…' Eamon replied, taking the plate of food Anna had just filled for him. 'Thank you ever so much, my darling daughter,' he said slowly, leaning toward John, only to tease him a little further. John groaned and shook his head.

'And why this long face, Percy?' The old man turned to Percy then, with a cheery tone to his voice. 'A boy with such fiery hair shouldn't show so much blueness.'

'He's just taking in what happened, it's too recent.' Anna answered for the boy, her eyes kind and her smile gentle. 'With time he will be back to his energetic self, won't you?'

Percy nodded, managing a tiny grin. 'And I'll eat everything on my plate.'

'That's a good start!' Eamon exclaimed, and he attacked his food.

William continued trying to make his friend laugh, talking about the adventures they would have together and giving him a full report about the kittens.

'They're almost walking, Percy, I swear. We can go up and see them after lunch. But Lily doesn't like when they try to leave their bed. She wants her babies where she can see them, isn't that right, mummy?'

'Oh yes. Mothers don't like their babies away from them. Isn't that right, my girls?'

Finn and Fee smiled at their mummy, taking the chance to beg to be taken out of their pen.

'Oh not, yet. Mummy's still eating,' Anna said and that seemed to be enough for now. The twins were used to this routine, and they were outside, after all, their favorite place to be.

The conversation lulled and John looked over at Anna with a serious face. She nodded and mouthed, 'Go ahead.'

'Percy,' John began, resting his cutlery on his plate. '...there's something we need to know…you see... your granny was taken to the hospital during the night, she wasn't feeling well.'

'She never does,' Percy said softly, looking down.

'They'll have to take her somewhere else so she can recover properly, and well…' Anna explained, resting her hand on the boy's back. 'We don't know when she'll be back, when you'll see her again.'

'And Doctor Clarkson said, if you want, you can go visit her before she leaves, to say goodbye to her,' John continued. 'I can take you there... if you want.'

'To say goodbye?' Percy looked up. 'But...will I ever see her again?'

John sighed, 'We don't know, son. It depends...we don't really know.'

'I don't think I want to,' the boy shook his head.

'No?' Anna asked.

'Granny doesn't like me anyway,' Percy replied.

'Percy, don't say that, of course she -,'

'No, she doesn't,' he interrupted Anna. 'She's always saying it.'

'Well, if you don't want to see her you don't have to, we won't make you do it, but, think about it,' John told him. 'She won't be leaving just yet, all right?'

Percy nodded his answer before taking a bite of his buttered bread. Everyone was silent after that, sharing looks, but the boy had the last word in this. They couldn't make him go. After the way his granny had raised him, it was no wonder he felt this way.

'So,' Anna clapped her hands together, changing the course of the conversation again. 'I have plans for our afternoon,' she said, with an enthusiastic sparkle in her eyes. 'Mrs Jule, who has that huge garden next door to Mrs Patmore's Bed and Breakfast, came around this morning, did I tell you that? And she brought sunflower seeds and more strawberries to plant, also lavender, and I was thinking, what about the three of us spend our afternoon working in the garden? It will be so beautiful when everything begins to bloom. What do you think, boys?'

'Yes! I love planting stuff!' Will proclaimed.

'I ain't never planted anything before,' Percy said.

'Oh, you'll love it, Percy.' Will tapped his friend's shoulder and that was enough to make Percy excited about it.

'Finn and Fee will love to play around in the dirt too and you boys need to keep an eye on them so the don't eat it.' John said with a chuckle. 'I'll be watching you from my desk through the window...while Granddad naps in his chair.'

'I'll be doing that, all right. Better plant in silence then,' Eamon nodded, finishing the last crumble of pie from his plate.

'As if noise would bother you!' John laughed out loud. 'Jack was barking right in your ear the other day and you're snoring like a pig.'

'Oh there, boy! That's respect for you, hm!' Eamon frown at his son.

'You'll see, you'll feel so much better afterwards, Percy,' Anna said. 'Gardening helps one heal their heart and soul.'

'Listen to Mrs Bates, lads, she knows what she's talking about,' John said, winking at the two boys.

Not long after, the twins were out of their pen and in their parent's arms, joining everyone at the table, gumming on pieces of bread crust with delight.

The two boys couldn't wait for gardening time, and when it came, the Bateses garden was filled with laughter and dirty children, and a big, goofy dog, digging holes and rolling in them.

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Anna's Journal

April 19th, 1928 9:45 pm

Today was certainly a busy one. Will, Percy and I planted a long row of sunflowers and we added more strawberry plants to our patch, then we lined the part of the path leading back to the stream with lavender on both sides. That should be beautiful in a couple of years. I'm so tired, but it's a good tired, you know? And did we ever need a bath! The boys went first and I ran clean water for myself because you should have seen theirs, then I left mine for John to use.

Speaking of John, he just walked by our door on his way to bathe, pointing his finger at me and winking, saying, 'I'll be there in a minute, Mrs Bates.' It must be storytime is over and our ever-growing family is all tucked in. I thought an earlier bedtime than he's used to would be a problem for Percy, but I guess the gardening wore him out today. His appetite seems to have returned too.

John made a point of having a meeting with Mr Molesley after school. Percy has been showing up at school whenever he didn't find something more interesting to do. According to Mr Molesley, that was most of the time. He knows how to read a bit and he can write and spell, somewhat. John says he can work with him and get him up to speed. And he will be going to school. John and William will walk him every morning and see him in the door. It will be good experience for Will too, who starts in the Autumn. I'll pick him up after school just to make sure he stays the entire day. He's too bright not to see to his education.

Now I just need to get his clothes sorted. He's wearing Will's right now, but they're really too short for him. Sergeant Willis promised we could get in the Dolan cottage soon so we can get more clothing and whatever else he wants. I don't know how long he'll be with us, but we're going to take care of him and love him as much as we can for as long as we can.

Tomorrow, I thought it would be nice to have a walk down to the stream. I'll ask Sarah and Daisy to watch over the girls. It will be their nap time anyway. Granddad even mentioned he might like to go along. It should be fun.

And here comes my handsome husband now. My that was a quick bath. Maybe I should check behind his ears to make sure he was thorough. Goodnight!

~Anna Bates

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In Our Home - Part 3

'Come this way, boys! I see a wonderful spot under that tree.'

Anna pointed out a big oak tree at the edge of the stream bank, watching as the boys ran past her to claim it. She carried an old blanket under her arm, and a small basket with apples and cheese and a jar of lemonade in her free hand. There was a nice breeze blowing, and the sun shone from behind leaves and a few lazy clouds now and then. The perfect Spring day.

'That'll be a good spot for a nap, all right,' Eamon stated as they approached the big tree. Anna was quick to place the blanket on the ground.

'Thank you for coming with us, Father. It's nice to have you here,' she told the old man as he sat down with her help.

'Yeah, John should be here too…' he nodded. 'He's been working a lot getting the hotel ready for a new season.'

'He has, but he loves it. He's always dreamed of having a life like this. But he would love to be here now, I'm sure.'

'Next time we'll all come, the girls too,' Eamon smiled.

'Mummy, mummy! Where's the jars?' William and Percy ran to her filled with excitement.

'Oh, right here…' Anna reached inside the basket. 'There, now be careful and try not to fall in the stream.'

'It's all right, Mrs Bates, I'll take care of Will, and I know how to swim!' Percy said, puffing his chest out.

'Do you really?' Anna asked the boy, rather impressed, as she helped them out of their shoes and socks. She knew they would want to wade and had dressed them in short trousers accordingly, thank God.

'Oh yes, I've swum in this stream many times...in nothing but my skin.'

'Ha!' Eamon laughed, slapping his knee. 'That's exactly how boys should swim, I reckon.'

'Let's find a good place to dig worms, Percy!' William jumped up, pulling his friend with him.

'Near the water, where it's damp,' the old man shouted.

The boys kneeled down on the bank, touching the ground and trying its softness. Finding a good place to dig, they began filling each jar with dirt and a few fat worms.

'Whoa! Look, Will!' Percy exclaimed, eyeing his jar. 'We got a bunch!'

'Look at them...so disgusting and wiggly.' Will wrinkled his nose admiring one particularly squirmy red worm, trying it's hardest to climb out of the jar. 'Let's show Mum and Granddad!'

The boys ran back to the blanket, 'Look, mummy, we've got a bunch of 'em. They are gin...gig...gigant.'

'Gigantic,' Anna corrected William, shaking her head with a loving smile.

'That's right what they are!' Percy insisted. 'Gigantic!'

'Oh my! Look at the size of 'em!' Eamon leaned across the blanket to take a better look. 'If I had known I'd have brought a fishing pole.'

'Maybe next time,' Anna said, feeling a bit unsure about the worms wiggling so close to her, even in a jar. 'Why don't you put the lids on the jars. We wouldn't want them to crawl out.'

'Mrs Bates, they need to breathe,' warned Percy.

'Yeah, Mum. Hey, Percy, Dad taught me how to fish last year,' Will was mesmerised by the worms. His face was so close to the jar, his eyes were beginning to cross.

'Ha! But you didn't learn from the Mighty Fish Master, right here,' Eamon pointed to himself with a smug smile. 'That's what folks used to call me because I was like,' he motioned the movements of tossing the fishing net into the water and then pulling it back. '...and gotcha! One after the other.'

'I can fish with just my hands…' Percy said with a nod.

'You can, huh?' Eamon eyed the boy dubiously.

'Yeah. You just crouch down in a shallow part and don't move a muscle, and then when one swims past...BAM! You got 'im. Easy.' Percy explained, shrugging his shoulders, as if the technique was something as simple as breathing. 'Easy stuff.'

'Mum says she saw Daddy do that once. Isn't that right, Mum?'

Anna nodded her head, thinking back on that day; John Bates hadn't been very graceful, and honestly, he hadn't meant to catch the fish with his bare hands but, nevertheless it had been a great catch! The memory brought a smile to her face.

'Small fish.' Eamon disdained.

'Big fish!' Percy bugged his eyes at the old man, bringing his arm up, 'As big as my...my arm!'

'I'd have to see to believe it.' Eamon shook his head, folding his arms and pursing his lips, and that's when Percy took the business seriously.

'Wanna bet?' the boy asked, spitting on his palm.

'No, no bets, boys.' Anna interrupted the two before it was too late. 'If Percy says it's so...then, I'm sure he'll show us sometime.'

'I'll show you and Will and maybe even Mr Bates, but not the Mighty Fish Master over there. If he's so good, he doesn't need to see my methods.' Percy spat, cocking at red eyebrow at the old man.

'You don't say! So I got John Bates Junior there to put up with now…?'

'My father ain't John Bates though,' Percy told him, a bit confused, and that suddenly triggered Will's curiosity.

'Who is your daddy, Percy?' the younger boy asked.

'Dunno. Don't have one, I guess.'

'Everyone has a dad,' William insisted.

'I don't. Granny always said that I don't have one so- Oh look! Mr Bates!'

'Hello everyone!' John greeted them as he approached, swinging a basket in his hand.

'John? What are you doing here?' Anna stood from the blanket and walked toward him.

'Well...I took a break and Archie had just made a chocolate pudding,' he showed everyone the basket he was carrying. 'So I thought it would be a perfect excuse to come and see how much fun you were all having.'

'Chocolate pudding!' Will and Percy exclaimed in unison, running to John.

'Still warm,' he said, taking out two spoons and handing the container with the steamy pudding to the boys. 'Be careful.'

'Came to spy on us, I reckon,' Eamon said with a chuckle. 'Wanted to make sure the wife wasn't running off with the old man.'

'He knows he doesn't need to worry about that.' Anna wrapped her arms around John's shoulders.

'Can't be too careful with a pretty, young wife,' John winked, holding her to him. She rested her head against his chest then, and from the corner of her eye, she could see the boys blowing on their spoons.

'Now, eat it slowly, it's not good to eat pudding when it's still hot,' Anna warned.

'I lied,' she heard her husband whispering in her ear and when she looked up at him he was smiling at her.

'You did?' She was confused.

'I came because I missed you,' John confessed, his voice still low and teasing. 'You're always within a call's reach, and when you're not it makes me wish you were.'

'Silly beggar.' She shook her head at him, but she felt the same way.

'Will my confession earn me a kiss?'

'More than a kiss, if you want.' They pressed their foreheads together, before kissing softly, minding that they were being watched by the others.

That was enough to make Will's stomach knot. 'Yuck! Why do you always do that?' the boy complained.

'You wouldn't be here otherwise, Will.' Percy told him knowingly, 'They gotta kiss so babies happen.'

"Huh? I think we got enough babies, so you can stop now,' Will groused.

'Yes, well,' John cleared his throat and swallowed a chuckle, as he and Anna joined the others in the blanket. 'So, what have you boys been up to?'

'Look, dad! We have a bunch of worms in a jar, look!' William pointed at the jars.

'Mr Eamon reckoned they'd be good for fishing,' Percy informed him..

'Percy knows how to catch a fish with his hands, just like you, Dad!' William told his father.

'Do you really, Percy?'

'Yes, I do. Mr Eamon doesn't believe me and we were going to make a bet and spit on it but Mrs Bates said no. I can show you some day.'

'Huh! But you won't show it to me!' Eamon grumbled. 'That's what that beggar said, he wouldn't show it to me.'

'I was only joking, though,' Percy smiled at the old man.''Course I'll show it to you.'

'That's better.'

'Do you like our worms, Dad?'

'I do...uh...very much.' John eyed them closely through the glass, unsure of what to say. 'They're nice looking as far as worms go... Say, how's that pudding?'

'Delicious!' William said.

'Best pudding I've ever had!' Percy replied. 'I don't think I've had chocolate pudding before either.'

'Don't forget to thank Archie when we get back home,' Anna told them. 'He'll be pleased to hear it.'

'I should get back…' John sighed, but not really wanting to go.

'No, Daddy! Stay with us, please!' Will threw his arms around John's neck, begging his father to stay.

'Well…'

'Please, Mr Bates, stay with us!' Percy ran to John then, mimicking what his friend was doing. John couldn't believe the boy was expressing so much to him and when he looked over at Anna, with the two boys around his neck, he saw her smiling tenderly at the scene.

'All right, you beggars.' He wrapped his arms around each boy, squeezing them gently. 'I'll stay a little longer.' With that, he removed his jacket, unbuttoned his waistcoat, loosened his tie and opened the first couple of buttons on his shirt. After all, there was no reason not to be comfortable.

A little longer was over an hour, and John found himself leaning back into his wife's body. Anna was sitting against the tree trunk, her arms around his shoulders, holding him to her while he tried so hard not to doze off. She caught him just in time when she spoke.

'Look at them…' she said, tapping softly on his chest to make him look. William and Percy had dug more worms and were now putting them on Eamon's shoes, as the old man snored loudly.

'Let them be…' John chuckled, closing his eyes again. 'Nothing more fun than playing pranks on snoring old men.'

'You are so wicked sometimes!' Anna giggled.

'I'd stay like this forever…' He took a deep breath,snuggling into her, taking in the rays of sunlight that reached his face between the tree leaves overhead. 'Although, to make it perfect, our girls should be here too.'

'You don't mind Percy, do you?' Anna asked him.

'Of course, I don't, I told you that already.'

'Because...I want him to feel loved. With time, we'll soften him up.'

'Anna, I know all that and I promise you, he will be a part of our family for as long as he needs. I like the boy, I really do...and you know what? I think he likes me too and maybe that's probably why I grew fond of him. At first, he tried to defy me but I think that was his way of knowing me, somehow...he was trying me, testing me out and now I feel like he trusts me.'

'He certainly does, and he needs a father figure and I don't know a better one. Well, you heard him begging you to stay.'

'Good food, new clothes, and clean sheets will turn Percy Dolan into a polite little man, you'll see.'

'Were you talking about me?' Percy piped up.

'Were you eavesdropping on us?' John asked, shooting the child a playful look.

'Only 'cause I heard my name.'

'We were just saying that we are so happy to have you here with us.' John assured the boy with a smile.

Percy's heart lifted at John's words. No one had ever said that to him before and although he was still sad about what had happened, he was sure that with this family he would always be loved and happy.

Yes, comfort and gentle words, bedtime stories, a best friend who was also his brother, hugs from adults who actually wanted to be with him, like a real, mum and dad almost. And even a grumpy granddad, to boot. Oh yes, life was looking up for Percy Dolan.

In our house,

Let love abide

And bless all those

Who step inside.

If you want to know more about John's hand fishing exploits, be sure to read 'What A Catch' by handy-for-the-bus, right here on FF dot net.