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

Family

Every family has a story to tell. Welcome to ours.

John's Journal Entry

April 27th, 1928 9:20 am

I just threw open the two windows of my office to be greeted by the sounds of children's laughter and the smell of sausages frying. It makes me want to run back home and eat breakfast with the family. And speaking of the family, Percy has been with us for a week now, and he seems to be settling in nicely, given what he's been through.

But one night this week I was woken by Will shaking my arm. Percy was crying, he said, and he was on the verge of tears himself. I followed him back into his room, without waking Anna. The boy was curled up in a ball and had the covers thrown over his head, sobbing. Will crawled back in behind his friend, looking at me to do something.

I had no more than set on the edge of the bed when Percy tossed off the blanket and launched himself into my arms, crying his heart out. Will soon followed suit. That's where Anna found us moments later.

'What's happening?' she asked when she climbed onto the bed behind me, resting her chin on my shoulder, joining our group hug.

'I...I don't know…' I answered just as Percy let out a particularly mournful cry. 'Son, tells us why you're crying, please.'

'Yes, love, tells us,' Anna begged.

'Yeah, Percy. Why are we crying?' Will asked with tears rolling down his face.

The little redhead pulled back, sniffed and looked at each of us and started giggling. 'I don't know,' he said, shaking his head. 'But nobody ever cared when I cried before.'

'Well, we care!' Anna and I both voiced in unison.

'Yeah, we care,' laughed Will.

A big smile bloomed on Percy's face as we all tumbled back on the bed in a pile. Surprisingly, the girls slept through it.

Oh, here they all come. Anna has a girl in each arm, Percy's carrying Anna's sewing basket, and Will has our wicker picnic basket, which I hope is filled with our breakfast.

I think I'll stop here and greet my family. ~ John Bates

xxx

It had been raining that morning. The air heavy with the scent of wet dirt and fresh flowers. The sun, now shining from behind gray clouds, cast a fading rainbow in the distance. It was warm and damp, after weeks of dry weather, and the farmers were grateful for that.

At a little past one o'clock, John found himself in his office with a visitor, trying his best to keep an eye on his daughters. Anna was helping Archie with the lunch dishes and William and Percy were playing chess with Eamon, each waiting their turn.

'I see your girls are keeping you busy,' pointed out as John held Finn in his arms while Fee pulled at his trouser leg, whining to be picked up too.

'Indeed. Two at once can be quite...challenging,' John responded, attempting to walk around Fee to place Finn in their pen. After succeeding, under the attentive watch of the Sergeant, he took the other girl in his arms and placed her with her sister. 'There. Controlled now,' he chuckled.

'They're sweet girls, your daughters. You must be a very proud father.'

'I am.'

'I still remember when…' Willis hesitated, already regretting speaking of such matters. 'Well, times were hard for both you and Mrs Bates, but I'm glad everything turned out well.'

'I am too,' John sighed, resting his hands on his hips, and wanting to move on. 'So, how can I help you?'

'Oh right! I've brought you the keys to the Dolan's cottage,' Willis handed him a set of keys. 'Mrs Bates mentioned it again yesterday, and I asked Mrs Dolan's permission. The old woman is not...herself lately, or maybe she is, but she told me you could take everything that belongs to the boy. I reckon she's not very sad about being away from her grandson.'

'Sadly, I was expecting that, Sgt. Willis.'

'Also...there's something else I need to talk to you about, Mr Bates.'

'I'm all ears.' John motioned for the man to sit as he did the same. 'Please.'

'Well, Mrs Dolan, she's being transferred soon, Doctor Clarkson said less than a week now. She's doing a bit better, but she'll never be able to take care of the child again, not that she ever did really, and I need to ask you what's your intentions with the boy?'

'My intentions?' John asked, confused.

'If you and Mrs Bates intend to take the boy in for good,' Willis said, resting his cap on John's desk. 'Or if we need to call someone else to take care of that.'

'You mean, send the boy to an orphanage?'

'He hasn't got anyone else,' the sergeant shrugged his shoulders.

'Well, he's got us,' John said. 'Anna and I have decided, we are taking the boy in for good, if that's what's needed. An orphanage is out of the question. He's much better here with us, with people he knows, with a proper family.'

'I was hoping you would say that Mr Bates,' Willis took a deep, relieved breath. 'The poor boy needs someone caring to look after him. Now, you should go to Mrs Dolan and make her grant you legal custody. She needs to sign a document that proves she's given it to you and Mrs Bates, otherwise...I don't know, but we hear so many terrible stories about children being taken away and all sorts.'

'Right, it makes sense...and where will I…?'

'You should hire a solicitor and have him taking care of that for you,' Willis explained. 'Then, she should sign it for you, with him present, and maybe the doctor too, just in case. She's better, just…' He tapped his head. 'Things are not working as they were before, but plenty of people have heard her say she wants nothing to do with the boy and never has.'

'All right, thank you for telling me that, I hadn't thought about it. I'll take care of everything as quickly as possible,' John stated.

'Good, that's good. Well, when you're done with the cottage I'll need those keys again. Once Mrs Dolan's transferred the house will be up for rent. It's a dump, but nothing that can't be cleaned up, if you know someone who's interested…'

'Don't worry, you'll have it before the day's out,' John said with a smile, standing up and stretching his hand out to the sergeant. 'And thank you, I'll ask around and see if someone's interested.'

Willis shook his hand. 'Have a nice day, Mr Bates.' He turned around toward the girl's pen, and with a cheery grin, he bowed to them. 'And nice day to you too, ladies.'

xxx

The four of them, Anna, John, William, and Percy, walked down to the Dolan's cottage later that day. The weather was holding, and although there were a few dark clouds across the sky, it didn't seem like it was going to rain again. The cottage was at the end of the lane, shrouded by a canopy of big old trees, hidden from the sun. Anna wondered, how could a boy filled with so much light and energy come from a place like this?

'Goodness,' Anna took a deep breath as they entered the old house. Nothing but rags for curtains, a smell of damp and stained wood. 'Let's open the curtains so we can see something, shall we?'

She did so, and John helped, as the two boys stood waiting for some light to show them the way. There was little furniture, no carpets, no pictures on the walls; the kitchen and parlour were small and the ceilings mouldy, some windows had cracked glass.

'Where should we start, Percy?' John asked, swallowing hard. The sight of this fallen home making him feel terribly sorry for the boy. If they had known about this sooner... 'Your bedroom?'

'Yeah,' Percy nodded, now feeling a little ashamed. After living for a week in such fancy place, he understood that this cottage was in no way a good match. 'Upstairs.'

William was silent, taking in what his eyes could see, and spotting some mouse dejects near holes by the floor. It reminded him of Mr Mason's barn, and if that was the case, then his friend was poorer than he had ever thought.

They walked up the stairs, Percy showing the way to a narrow corridor with two doors. One was Granny's room, the other his own; his uncle was meant to sleep with him but more than not, he slept either on that broken sofa downstairs or fallen somewhere after a night of heavy drinking.

'My clothes…' The boy voiced, running to a pile of clothes next to a mattress placed on the floor. 'These are my clothes.'

'On the floor? For washing?'

'No, I just take them off and throw them there. The cupboard we had broke a few months ago.'

Now, Anna understood the condition the boy had been living in. 'Is that all of them?' she asked.

'Yes.'

'What about toys? Are there any you'd like to take? Books? Anything,' John spoke, looking around. William was at the bedroom door peeking in.

'The only toy I have is the soldier Will gave me,' Percy said. 'We didn't have much stuff.'

'All right then, why don't you show us where your granny kept her papers?' John suggested, sharing a knowing look with Anna. 'Maybe we will need your birth certificate, school papers, anything.'

'I think…' Percy thought for a moment. 'Granny had some boxes downstairs in the kitchen.'

'Let's go then,' Anna said, taking the few clothes the boy owned and putting them into a bag she had brought along.

'Now I know why you said you wouldn't miss your house, Percy.' William patted his friend back as the two walked ahead the adults.

'Yeah, your house is better.'

'Our house, Percy. It's our house now.'

Downstairs, Anna and John made their way across the littered kitchen, digging through boxes, trying to find anything important, but again, they found nothing concerning Percy.

'Old stuff...letters,' Anna sighed, putting one of the boxes back.

'Not even a paper from Percy's school. It's like he didn't even live here. What was this woman trying to do?' John said.

'She was doing nothing, that's the problem,' Anna shook her head angrily.

'Where are the boys?'

'I'll go to check. Keep looking, and maybe you'll find something.'

John nodded with a weak smile as Anna went in search of the boys, but at just that minute William walked in the kitchen.

'Oh! There you are.' Anna mussed his hair. 'Where's Percy?'

'He's in the parlour, looking for more boxes…' He approached his mother, grasping at her skirt, as he would do when he was only a baby trying to stand up on his own; as his sisters did now. His eyes big as he looked up at her. 'Why is this house so old? I don't like it?'

'It's probably no older than ours. It was just never cared for, darling. We'll be out of here soon. Stay with Daddy.' Anna held his round face between her hands, placing a soft kiss on his forehead. An overwhelming feeling suddenly washed over her. After so much suffering, life had been so kind to them, while to others it never ceased to disappoint. She walked to the parlour then, leaving Will to help John in finding Percy's name among all those papers.

'Percy? Where are you?' She walked in the next room, seeing Percy sitting on the old sofa. He was downcast, looking at something he held in his hands. 'What's the matter, darling?'

'I found this other box I never seen before,' the boy told her as she sat beside him. What he held was a photograph of a young woman. A young woman who resembled Percy so much, and although Anna was sure she knew who she was, she asked him anyway.

'Who's that?'

'It says Olivia…' Percy replied, turning the picture around to show her the name. 'My mum.'

'Oh...my, she was beautiful.' Truly beautiful, Anna thought, surprisingly beautiful...but then, George Dolan had been a handsome man too, in early days...before drink, smoke and a life of crime had aged him terribly.

'She was,' Percy nodded and when Anna wrapped her arm around his shoulders, he felt warm then, comfortably warm and cared for.

'You look a lot like her,' she told him.

'I didn't know that.'

'No?'

Percy shook his head. 'I only know she had red hair because uncle told me once.'

Anna bit her lip. 'Well, isn't it nice you found it? Now you know how she was.'

'Yes.'

'Percy?' John came in a moment later, followed by William. 'We can't find anything with your birth date, when is it, son?'

Percy only shrugged his shoulders, holding the picture of his mother to his chest. 'I don't have one. None of us did, I don't think.'

'Everyone has a birthday,' William stated, looking at his friend with a puzzled frown.

'Yeah but...well, I know I was born when mum died, and mum died in the Spring. Granny used to say she had lost her girl when the flowers were blooming, making Spring an endless Winter or something like that.'

'Spring…' John nodded. 'Do you know the month?'

'Could it be tomorrow,' Percy said. 'I wouldn't mind.'

'Yes! Tomorrow would be good! We already baked a cake this morning.' William agreed.

'No, it will be when it is,' John stopped the boys enthusiastic plan. 'That's what's right. You need to know when you were born, Percy.'

'Maybe we can go to Olivia's grave,' Anna suggested.

'Olivia?' John questioned.

'That's his mother's name.'

'Oh!'

'We can go to her grave. That will say when she died,' Anna said. 'We would know the day of Percy's birth then. Have you ever visited your mother's grave?'

'No...but granny did.'

'All right, it's settled then,' John decided.

'You and Will can pick flowers to take,' Anna smiled at the boys.

'Oh yes! We can, Percy!' William clapped his hands in excitement. 'I've never picked flowers for a grave.'

'Yes! I want to take my mum flowers.' Percy joined his friend's enthusiasm. 'I've never taken flowers to anyone's grave either.'

'All right then, I think we're all done here, aren't we?' John asked, looking over at Anna and waiting for her permission to leave.

'Indeed, we are! And it's almost time to feed the girls as well. Let's go home.'

'Who's that, Percy?' William pointed to the photograph his friend was carrying delicately in his hands as they walked back home, watching as, now and then, Percy chanced a look and a longing smile at it.

'My mum, Olivia.' Percy grinned, looking down at her features, tracing her eyes with his fingers. 'She's beautiful, isn't she? Mrs Bates said she was.'

'She is,' William nodded. 'You look like her and all.'

'Yeah...I think I do.'

xxx

'They will be walking pretty soon, Mum said.' William and Percy were in the bathroom, having a conversation about the kittens as they dressed in their pyjamas after a warm bath. It seemed that the little balls of fur were growing up to be quite adventurous and naughty, leaving Lily and Charlie rather worried about their whereabouts.

'Whiskers was trying to jump out of the cabinet, but Lily didn't let him.' Percy nodded. 'Do you think it hurts when their mummy carries them by their neck?'

'Nah, Mum said it doesn't, that's their way,' William reasoned. 'How else would they carry their babies?'

'Yeah, that's true.'

William dragged his stool from one corner of the bathroom to the sink, climbing up on it to see his image in the mirror, then, he took the boys comb, as John called it, and began to brush his hair exactly has his father did.

'You gotta brush your hair too, Percy. Mummy doesn't fancy messy boys in her house.'

Percy nodded, watching as his friend focused on the task, before handing him the comb.

'Like so?' the older boy asked, not finding the need to climb on the stool, instead, he rose on his tiptoes to see himself in the mirror.

'Yeah, like that,' William gestured. 'To the right.'

'How are you boys doing? Need help?' John peeked inside the bathroom.

'Look, Dad, we've dressed ourselves already,' William smiled.

'And now I'm brushing my hair just like yours, Mr Bates,' Percy added.

'My, my…we have two young gentlemen in this house,' John chuckled. 'Come on now, off you go. It's time for bed...I'll be joining you in a minute. Wait. Did you brush your teeth?'

Both boys nodded they did and ran off to the bedroom, ready to eagerly await their bedtime story, now one of Percy's favourite parts of the day. He had heard stories before, like the ones his teacher sometimes read, when he bothered to show up at school, but they couldn't compare to the tales Mr Bates told. There was something about how he told the story, something in his voice, so soothing, so calm, and even if he was reading it from a book, he had the ability to put you right in the middle of the tale.

'I asked Dad to start reading us Gulliver tonight. He's read it before to me but it's one of my favourites,' William told his friend, taking the book from the shelf.

'I don't think I've ever- Oh!' Something caught Percy's attention before he could finish his sentence, and slowly, he walked to his nightstand without saying a word.

'What is it, Percy?'

'It's...my mum's photograph,' Percy replied, touching a beautiful silver frame. 'It was under my pillow, and now it's here.'

At that moment, Anna came in the room with a stack of clean clothes in her arms.

'Don't make too much noise, boys. The babies are asleep,' she said quietly, placing the clothes inside the wardrobe. 'Daddy won't be long now; he's just finishing his tea. Oh, did you like the frame, Percy? I thought it would be nice to have your mother watching over you as you sleep.'

The boy nodded, moved by the gesture. 'I love it. Thank you, Mrs Bates.'

'We're going to have to think of something for you to call me other than Mrs Bates, aren't we?' she smiled at the boy. 'Have you chosen your story for tonight?'

'Yes, Gulliver,' William said.

'Oh nice, Percy is going to enjoy it very much. I'm going for my bath now. Goodnight.' She kissed the top of their heads before leaving the room, taking particular notice of Percy. The boy was silent, and only smiled at her, but she could see he was touched. He thanked her again, and she ran a hand through his thick, red hair, and the boys were left alone.

Percy took the frame in his hands and sat down on his bed, looking at it with a smile on his lips.

'Are you all right, Percy?' William asked worriedly, sitting beside his friend and putting an arm around his shoulders.

'I am,' the older boy nodded. 'I really like your mum and your dad.'

'They really like you too. And I do too.'

Percy looked over at William, and if this conversation had been held a few months ago, he would have said something like, 'You soft, flowery chump! Stop it before I punch you in the face.' But tonight he only grinned, circling William's shoulders with his arm too. 'I like you too, Will. I reckon we really are brothers now.'

xxx

'Hello, you,' Anna whispered from the doorway of the children's bedroom, fresh from her bath. She didn't want to wake them. 'Are you all done?'

'I am,' John replied back as softly. 'Look at him,' he gestured toward Percy, and when Anna looked, she saw the boy sleeping soundly, holding his mother's frame tightly against his chest.

'Aw, he's holding the photograph?'

John walked to her. 'Yes. He fell asleep looking at her, I don't think he cared about my story tonight, bless him,' he chuckled.

'Poor child.'

'Don't worry; I'm sure he will sleep good tonight. He's at peace.'

'I think so too.'

John motioned for Anna to walk ahead, closing the door behind him.

'I feel so sorry for him…' she sighed as they walked to their room. 'I can't believe how he was living. It's no wonder he wanted to be here all the time.'

John nodded, putting his arm around her. 'I feel sorry for him too but look at what he has now. We'll make sure he's well taken care of.'

'And loved, won't we?' Anna stopped, looking up at him for an answer.

'Of course,' John said.

'Honestly, John, do you think you can love him?'

He smiled at her, memory taking him back in time. 'You once said I was tribal, that no child but mine would do...but I have to tell you something…'

'What?' she asked, looking a bit confused at the smug look on his face.

'That's probably the only time in your life you were wrong about me.' He chuckled then, kissing her cheek.

'How so?' she insisted.

'I wanted children with you, the mix of both of us. To look at them and see a part of you and me, but that doesn't mean I couldn't love another child. You taught me many things, and one of the most important ones was that love never wears out, with time, it only grows.'

'You are very charming tonight, you know?' Anna eyed him from head to toe.

'Just tonight?'

She giggled at his words, and he couldn't help but join in.

'We are all so lucky to have you,' she said, running a teasing finger along the exposed skin of his neck.

'And I'm the luckiest for all of you, Percy, too.'

'Thank you.'

'No need for that, love.' He held her close to his chest, resting his chin atop her head. 'Loving me back is the best thanks you could give me.'

'So I won't need to thank you ever again then?'

He heard her giggle once more, and before she could react, he picked her up in his arms.

'Cheeky,' he said, kissing the tip of her nose before walking into their bedroom. Once there, he gently tossed her on the bed, knowing too well that the look on her face meant so much more than sleeping for both.

xxx

Anna's Journal Entry

April 28th, 1928 9:45 pm

We went to the Dolan cottage yesterday, and it was worse than I could have ever imagined. We had no idea Percy had been living in such squalor. And I doubt he was ever shown any love. We searched all through the house trying find paperwork on him, a birth certificate, school enrollment papers, just anything really. We found nothing. Not even a baby picture. It was almost as if his granny had tried to make him disappear. I feel so sad that we didn't help him sooner, but as John said to me, we're here for him now, and that's what matters.

I came home with a pitiful bag of clothes. I'll wash and mend them, but I still think most will be thrown out. I want him to have at least a couple of new trousers and shirts to start back to school next Monday. And shoes, definitely new shoes. We'll go shopping for that later this week. Will has more than enough underwear and socks. They can share for the time being.

This afternoon we walked over to the cemetery to find Olivia Dolan's grave. Percy had never seen it. I let the boys pick flowers from our garden. We learned Percy's birthday, too, from the date of her death. May twentieth. He never knew it, can you imagine? He said they didn't have birthdays. The boys were especially happy to realise they both born in May, albeit two years apart.

Oddly enough it was a very pleasant afternoon. Percy sat on the grass in front of the small tombstone and introduced himself to his mama, and he even introduced us to her as well. When we were ready to leave, I heard Percy tell her he would be back to see her soon. Afterwards, John and the boys and I walked to Maurice's Sweet Shoppe and bought some sticky buns which we took back to the hotel to share with the staff.

John will go to see Mrs Dolan tomorrow, I think. I'm a bit concerned she won't sign his care over to us. I'll never understand how a mother or grandmother could have so little compassion in her heart. John says she will sign without thinking twice.

I'm glad now that Percy decided not to see her. She doesn't deserve him. That sounds harsh, but it's how I feel.

~ Anna Bates

xxx

'What a beautiful day today…' John took in a deep breath, feeling the gentle Spring breeze blowing against his face. He and Anna walked hand in hand, the two boys ahead of them, both holding a bouquet of garden flowers. The clouds from the previous day seemed to have dispersed for good and the smile on William and Percy's faces almost contradicted the purpose of this walk.

'It reminds me of when I was a girl,' Anna said.

'Really?'

'Yes...my father died in the Spring too, and every Spring and Summer I would go to his grave, almost every day. I missed him so much. I remember I used to take a few flowers from the graves that had plenty and place them on those that had none. I felt sorry that some people were remembered and others would be forgotten,' she told him, looking up at the blue sky.

'You've always been too kind.'

'I suppose,' she giggled, teasing him and he couldn't help but join her.

'But just look at the size of those bouquets!' John spoke, calling the boy's attention with a playful smirk. 'Are there any flowers left in our garden or...?'

'I've never picked flowers for my mum's grave so now I'm making up to it,' Percy explained, eyeing his bouquet proudly. 'Mrs Bates said I could.'

'And that's a very sweet thought, Percy,' Anna assured the boy.

'Yeah, Will wanted to bring some too because he's a softy…' Percy looked over at his friend, who walked beside him carrying a bouquet of his own. 'And that's good.'

They reached the cemetery gate. It was only in the churchyard across the street from the hotel, walking in slowly and taking notice the graves they already knew.

'Let's look for it then,' John suggested. 'Olivia Dolan. You boys look that way, and Anna and I will look this way.'

It took them some time to find it. William and Percy would stop by the graves of those who had unusual names and wrinkle their noses; for Anna and John, it was the children's graves that gave them the hardest time. Olivia Dolan rested at one of the edges of the graveyard, right under a big oak tree, and it seemed that her stone was in pretty good shape, being only a few years old.

'Look! I found it!' Percy shouted. 'I found my mum's grave!'

'She's in a beautiful place; I must say,' Anna approached the tombstone, cleaning some leaves that had fallen on it. 'And in a good state.'

'Mrs Dolan must have come here to clean it often,' John said. 'And look! May twentieth.'

'What does that mean?' Percy asked, confused.

'That's the day your mother died, Percy, the day you were born,' Anna explained.

'Bugger me! I was born next month?'

'Me too, Percy!' William shouted, excited beyond belief by this discovery. 'We were both born in the same month!'

'That's grand, Will. It's like we are twins, almost.'

'Well…' John pursed his lips, trying to suppress a chuckle, 'Almost,' as Anna smiled lovingly at the boys.

'Maybe you'd like to say something to her now,' she encouraged. 'Place the flowers on top of the stone.'

Percy nodded before clearing his throat. 'Hello, Mum,' he began. 'I'm Percy, your son, and I brought you some flowers.' The boy placed the bouquet he had carefully gathered on top of the stone with her name. 'I thought you would like that because I never did, I didn't know…'

He looked up at John and Anna and they gesture for him to continue. 'Do you want us to leave you alone for a moment?' John asked.

'No, you don't need to,' Percy said, kneeling on the grass, William did the same. 'I want you to meet Mr and Mrs Bates and William. They are taking care of me now, so you don't need to worry about me. There's also Finn and Fee and Mr Eamon but they didn't come. Mrs Bates said you are looking after me always but now, if you want to take a rest sometimes, you can because now I have a family who watches over me all the time, even when I don't really need to be watched over..'

John felt Anna's hand reach for his, squeezing it softly. When he looked over at her, she was teary-eyed, listening attentively to what Percy was saying.

'Anyway…' Percy took a deep breath. 'I wish I had met you, but now I have your photograph on my nightstand so I know how you were. You were very pretty, mum. I will be visiting you more often now that I know where you are. And I'll bring you flowers every time, I promise.'

'That was a beautiful speech, Percy,' John told him with a smile. 'Beautiful and moving.'

'Thank you, Mr Bates. I thought I should be kinda soft this time too.'

'There are times soft is all you should be, you know,' John said, mussing the boy's hair.

'Can we put these flowers on the graves that have none?' William asked, looking at his bouquet. 'It's sad that some don't have anyone to bring them some.'

'Oh!' John laughed heartily at his son's words and looked over at Anna. 'I reckon he's your son, Mrs Bates.'

Anna giggled. 'Of course, you can, darling. That's very sweet of you.'

'I'll help you, Will. I think my mum would want her neighbours to have flowers too.''

The two boys spent some time embellishing the surrounding graves, even the ones having funny names. They cleaned them of dirt and leaves and made sure everyone had a flower on their tombstone.

'All right, boys, let's go home! It's almost time for tea!' Anna called them from the cemetery's gates, her arm circling John's.

'We're coming, mum!' William replied, running to his parents, but Percy reminded behind, taking a quick moment to go over his mother's grave one more time.

'I love my new family, mum. And I love you too. I live just on the other side of the road, so I'll see you soon.' He blew a kiss towards her name, after making sure the others couldn't see what he was doing.

Every Sunday after church, visiting Olivia's grave would become a tradition for them.

xxx

'There's something I need to tell you, John.' Anna sat down at the edge of the bed, her eyes glued on the wedding ring she now fiddled with. He could tell she was nervous, worried even, and he was quick to set the book he was reading aside.

'What's the matter, love?' he asked, reaching out for her, but when he did, she pulled away.

'Anna?'

'I'm pregnant,' she confessed.

'What?! Pregnant? Oh God.' He smiled broadly, his eyes watering with emotion, his heart racing in his chest. 'Another child?!'

'Yes…' but the way she spoke, the way she looked so sad about all of it made his thoughts turn serious.

'What's wrong, love? Aren't you happy?'

'John...the baby is not yours.'

'What?!'

'It belongs to Sergeant Willis,' she confessed.

'Wil- Willis?! Sergeant Willis?!'

'I'm sorry, John but...I've fallen in love with him.'

He felt the colour wash from his skin. He was sure he was going to throw up, and he was sure after doing so, he was going to die. At that very moment, their bedroom door was flung open, and Willis walked in.

'I'll kill you, you bastard!' John jumped out of the bed and went for the officer's neck. 'You are a dead man!'

'John, please no! I love him!' Anna begged him to stop as Willis tried his best to get away from John's grasp, but it was too late, he was set to kill the man and he would do it, right then and there!

x

'John?! Wake up!' Anna slapped his shoulder, after trying everything she could think of to wake him up.

'Let me at that bloody bastard…' John snapped out of it at once, opening his eyes to the bright light of the lamp. His heart was galloping, and sweat gathered on his brow. 'What?!'

'You were turning and tossing like a madman! And then you jumped out of bed cursing and swinging your arms...what's wrong? Were you having a nightmare?' she asked him.

'Urg, I think I was.' He ran a hand through his messy hair, trying to remember. 'Oh my! Indeed, I was!'

Anna smiled, relieved, 'And I was there too, I heard you saying my name.'

He eyed her then, with a suspicious look. 'You told me you were pregnant again.'

'Goodness! And that's a nightmare?' she teased.

'And then…' he pulled himself back, to rest against the headboard.

'And then what?' Anna asked. 'Come on. John, tell me.'

'You said Sergeant Willis was the father.'

'Oh my Lord!' She brought one hand to her mouth to muffle her laughter. 'That's insane! Why would dream that?'

'Don't ask, I don't know myself,' he replied, chuckling at his own dream.

'You are so silly,' she told him, shaking her head. 'Even when you sleep.'

John sighed in agreement, closing his eyes for a moment. The dream was still so vivid in his memory. Possibly the worst dream ever...well, there was that one time he dreamed he woke up naked in Mrs Patmore's bed...no, this was worse.

'And Willis of all people!' Anna added with a giggle. 'Lay down and hold me. You'll feel better,'she suggested, holding out her arms to him and shooting him a mischievous look.

'You promise?' He came to her, wrapping his arms around her as Anna buried her face in the crook of his neck.

'What if I was pregnant?' she asked, her voice muffled against his skin.

'Oh God, Anna, what are you telling me?'

'Nothing like that, but...what if it happened?'

'Well,' John tightened his grip around her, before placing a kiss on the crown of her head. 'I would be happy of course unless Willis were the father,' he joked, and that earned him a good smack on his back. 'Ouch! Stop!'

'I would be happy too,' she said.

'What are you telling me?' He looked down at her, cocking his eyebrow.

'And again, nothing like that,' Anna rolled her eyes. 'But if it happens, I'd be happy, just not yet. The babies are still...babies, and they aren't even walking and talking.'

'We will have our hands full with those two. It'll be tiring but also I can't wait for it.'

'Me too. And then, we have our four children already, with Percy.' Anna stated, burying her face back in his neck.

'That's true…'

'Goodnight, darling. No more crazy nightmares like that one, please,' she advised.

'I hope not! Maybe one of those dreams, where you and I make love on the kitchen table, would be nice,'

She drew back again, looking up at him with a soft blush on her cheeks. 'John Bates! Is that a reoccurring dream?'

'One of those I dream when I'm awake, actually. That, and the one where we're in the boy's treehouse.'

'What? The boys don't have a treehouse.'

'I promised we'd build them one this Summer.'

They both laughed at his words and with a final kiss, they fell asleep. No more crazy dreams that night...only the one about making love on the kitchen table.

In the kitten cabinet, the full moon was giving extra energy to the little ones. Anna and John would wake in the morning with small balls of fur all over their room; Lily watched over them, spread in the beam of the early sunlight that came through the window and Charlie stood guard by the cabinet door. Indeed, one big happy family.