AN: Thank you so much 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 and Anna, we just use them gently. However, we do own Eamon, Will, the twins, and 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.

:) Handy-for-the-bus & Terriejane

~ Celebrations & Nostalgia ~

May 18th, 1928

~ from John Bates' Journal

The boy's birthdays are upon us, Percy's in two days, on the 20th, he'll turn seven and Will's next week on the 26th. It's hard to believe, but he'll be five, going on twenty-five. Anna and I have talked about it, and we've decided to take the whole family to the seashore on the 26th, a week from Saturday, to celebrate both birthdays. We haven't told anyone as yet, but I think it will go over well.

We'll take the earliest train out on Saturday morning, to a small village called Whitby. It's right on the sea, and we're hoping it won't be as crowded Scarborough. We've booked two connecting rooms at the Seacrest Inn overlooking the beach. Father and the boys will be in one room and Anna, the girls and I in the other. We'll have the whole of Saturday and the night and return home on the noon train on Sunday.

Anna has ordered swimming suits for all of us, and she told me they arrived this morning. To say I'm reluctant to wear one is and understatement, but she can be very persuasive. I told her there's a good chance it will be too chilly to swim anyway, but she's convinced the weather will be warm and sunny. I hope she's right. Either way, we'll make the best of it and have a wonderful time.

We hired a permanent helper for Archie in the kitchen. Our pub dining room is busy every day; the banquet room is booked at least twice a week and with Anna's Tea Room opening now, Archie is pushed to the limits. Anna hired Emma Buckley, the wife of our night barkeep, Frank. She'll be coming in after lunch and stay through the dinner hour and help to clean up.

Friday looks to be a busy day. Anna is planning a small birthday party for Percy in the garden, and just now Lord Grantham called to say he would be dropping in for lunch that day. He hoped I would have time to join him. Of course, I will always find the time for my dear friend. He said he'd been up in the attics going through some old trunks, and he had some photographs to share with me. He sounded… nostalgic.

I have some banking to do. I'd best end this.

~ John Bates

xxx

Dinnertime, May 19th, 1928~

'May I share the news?' John asked Anna as they all ate dinner that night. Meat pie with boiled veggies and mash, and leftover biscuits from tea for dessert. The twins played in their pen, just to make sure they wouldn't interfere with the meal, but truth to be told, they were getting too big for that, and they spent more and more time at the table in their high-chairs.

'What news?' the boy's ears went on alert after John's words, and they both looked up from their half eaten dinner.

'Did you find out you're the King's cousin? Now that would be good news,' Eamon laughed, teasing his son.

'If I were it wouldn't be from your side, for sure,' John replied shortly, shooting the old man a look, but Anna wouldn't allow their bickering to evolve, at least, not yet. She was excited about this news too.

'Stop it, you two. Go on, John, tell us.'

'Well, we are going on a holiday next weekend,' John said with a big grin. 'To Whitby, by train.'

'To the seashore.' Anna added, clapping her hands together.

'The seashore?! That's grand news!' Will cried, smiling over at Percy.

'Oh, I never saw the sea before. Or been on a train! Am I going too?'

'Of course, Percy! We are all going,' Anna said, patting the boy gently on the shoulder.

'Does that we include the old sailor or…?'

'Of course, Father' she chuckled, 'The whole family is going.'

'We do need you to help us with the children, after all,' John teased.

'Otherwise, I wouldn't be going, eh?'

'You would, Father. Don't mind him.'

'We'll have so much fun!' William exclaimed.

'Yeah! Why are we going?' asked Percy.

'Well, it's a birthday present for both you boys,' John said. 'We thought you would like it.'

'Bugger my dear life!' Percy couldn't believe his ears. 'I never had a birthday present and I ain't never been to the sea, and now I'm having both?!'

'We can build sandcastles, Percy!' William planned, unable to stop grinning. 'And bury our feet in the sand, and we can sail our boats in the ocean.'

'What about a swim?'

'Well, if you don't think the water is too cold.' Anna replied, and the two boys couldn't help but giggle enthusiastically. 'I've ordered swimming suits for all of us.'

'Here now! Oh, I don't know about that,' Eamon complained.

'The boys will be sleeping with you, Father, and the girls with us. John booked two bedrooms.'

'Sounds perfect to me!' Eamon said.

'You'll be seeing your old lover, Father,' John chuckled, and at that, he got everyone's eyes questioning him. 'The sea, I mean,' he explained.

'Oh yes…' Eamon nodded and recited,

'I must go down to the seas again, for the call of the running tide

Is a wild call and a clear call that may not be denied;

And all I ask is a windy day with the white clouds flying,

And the flung spray and the blown spume, and the sea-gulls crying.'*

'You remember when I taught you that poem, son?'

John nodded, a far away look in his eye.

'Can we leave the table, Mum?' William begged.

'What about your chocolate biscuits?' she asked.

'We can eat them in the parlor. We want to finish our fort, please, please, please.'

The two boys faced her, their hands together in a begging manner and fake pouts.

'All right,' Anna shook her head lovingly. 'Wash your hands though…and don't get crumbs on the floor.'

'They'll have fun, we all will,' John said after the boys left the kitchen. 'Percy will be over the moon with everything.'

'Every boy should be given something special on his day. That one missed a lot, living with that old bat.'

'Father…' John shot Eamon father a look.

'Am I lying, though? I ain't. Good riddance to her, and now that we are at it, to her crazy son as well.'

'He still speaks highly of her,' Anna sighed. 'He says he misses her sometimes.'

''Course he does,' Eamon continued. 'She was the only example of a mother he had, even if she was a bad, wicked one.'

'Well, he's happy as he could be, and well treated and taken care of, and he knows it.' Anna smiled, relieved that they had been able to take the boy in.

'He does…' John nodded. 'I'm sure he does.'

xxx

May 20th, Percy's Birthday, 1928 3:35 pm ~

'Please, M'lord, sit down.' John gestured toward the chair across from his desk. Robert Crawley had arrived at the pub with his son in law, Mr. Branson not a long ago, and John had already greeted him in there. 'Did you enjoy your drink?'

'I did. You know I always do. You see…' Robert sat down, crossing his legs. 'I should come here more often, to know what's going on in the village. I used to be more present, but nowadays I seem so satisfied sitting at home. It's been months since I last went to London, come to that!'

'Without wanting to sound too impertinent, I reckon it's a matter of age, M'lord and growing too comfortable in one's skin,' John smiled. 'I find myself feeling much the same. Fortunately, my home is two steps away. Indeed, if not for the business I find myself in I'd probably be a hermit and only surround myself with family.'

'You are lucky, Bates, I can't deny that. But at least you're useful, you contribute, people like you -,'

'M'lord -,'

'I know it for a fact. What do I do but spend my days at home doing nothing but looking out of the window and being bored out of my skull? Certainly not like the old days, hey Bates? I used to be a man of action,' Robert said. 'Fighting the good fight. King and country and all that. I admit to more than my share of reminiscing of late. Do you ever think of those days, Bates?'

'Rarely. It almost seems like a different lifetime to me. I've heard you spend hours playing with your grandchildren.'

'Yes, The children do seem to enjoy my company still. They're the only ones who make me feel worthy these days.' Lord Grantham shook his nostalgia away. 'But enough of my sob stories, Bates. Pay no attention to my ramblings. I have more than most men to be grateful for, still, I do miss our conversations. We always had so much to talk about, and you understood. We were of an age, I suppose. '

'And still are,' John nodded, watching closely as Robert took an envelope from the inside pocket of his jacket. 'I miss those conversations too.'

'I've brought something I found in the attic,' Lord Grantham displayed five of six photographs atop John's desk. 'When I was going through an old trunk. Look at these...do you know who they are?'

'Oh, I do indeed!' John immediately put his readers on to take a better look at the photos. He couldn't believe what he was seeing. The memories came flooding back.

'We were fit fellows,' Robert laughed, pointing at their younger versions, his cheeks turning red.

John Bates, early thirties, nearly shoulder length hair and slim figure, his expression, a serious one. Robert Crawley, thirty-five, mustache and sideburns, a Captain's cap and a very confident look on his face.

'Indeed, my lord! Fit and proud and ready to take on the world,' John chuckled.

'I miss that trim figure of mine,' Lord Grantham sat back, patting his belly. 'But I couldn't put up with that anymore…'

'You enjoy your food too much, M'lord if you don't mind my saying ' John teased, cocking his brow at his lordship and rubbing his own belly.

'Oh, so true,' Robert told him with a wink. 'I'm not the only one, though.'

'That's a fact!'

'When you first came to Downton, I imagined you would show up with that long hair of yours. '

John laughed and ran a hand over his head…'times have changed.'

'Do you miss it? Any of it?' Robert asked.

'Well...I do miss being fit and able to run a mile without losing my breath…' John smiled, thinking back on life before his wound. 'That's about it.'

'Yes. They were good days, but I suppose we wouldn't want them back.'

'Certainly not, my lord. Well, you already had your family, your daughters, your wife…'

'Indeed...and little did you know something better awaited you.' Lord Grantham sighed, pleased for his friend.

'Better?' John placed the photos back on the desk, looking his former master deep in his eyes. 'Something extraordinary.'

At that moment, Anna came in the office, a twin in each arm; both with sleepy, angry faces.

'Oh! Mrs. Bates!' Robert stood at once, greeting her with a smile.

'M'lord, how are you?' she asked.

'Very well, thank you. And how're the little ones?' he replied, pointing to the little girls.

'Fussy after their nap, I'm afraid,' Anna answered.

'Come on here,' Robert reach for one of the twins then, taking her in his arms. 'Er...Finn?'

'Fee, M'lord,' John said.

'Right. I will never tell them apart. Hello, little one?' His friendly smiled earned him a two-toothed grin from Fee, but the girl was quick to hide her shyness on his lordship's shoulder.

'I didn't know you were here, or-' Anna tried to apologise. She should have knocked before coming in, but she thought John would be all by himself. The boys were outside, admiring the half finished treehouse. Eamon was watching them and napping in a chair.

'Oh no, it's quite all right,' Robert assured. 'Actually, it's good you came. I brought some photographs...show them, Bates. From when your husband and I were in Africa.'

'Oh, how nice!' Anna exclaimed rather curious, as she handed Finn over to John. 'Let me see. Go to Daddy, Finnie.'

John handed her the photos after taking the girl, watching her reaction. 'Well, what do you think?'

Anna couldn't help but giggle. 'You were so skinny!' she said, before looking at his lordship apologetically. 'I mean, I'm sorry…quite dashing too. And long hair?!'

'Your husband walked around with quite a mane; that's for sure. Do you think he should he grow it back?' Robert teased. Fee was quite enamoured by the shiny, golden buttons of his collar.

'Never! I fancy him the way he is now. With the extra weight and all,' Anna grinned, looking over at her husband-

'Ha! Cora has me on a strict diet! You're a lucky man, Bates. Well, I should be going, Tom's waiting for me,' Robert said, handing the girl over to Anna. 'Good day to you,' and he extended his hand to John, 'and you can keep that one, Bates. Keep it in a place of honour; the others are mine.'

Lord Grantham took the other photographs with a wink and soon he was out of the office, leaving Anna, John and the twins alone.

'Extra weight, hm?Do you think I'm fat?' John said. The babies were on the floor now, free to crawl around the office. It wouldn't be for long, though. Anna had planned a special tea for Birthday boy, Percy in the garden at four, taking advantage of the good weather. Not a party exactly, because that would be celebrated the following weekend, just a little something to recognize his day.

'I didn't say you were fat, did I?' she told him in a low voice, and he knew what her next move would be. His Anna knew many things, many secrets of seductions, tricks even, but he also knew everything about her; she sat down on his lap, exactly as he had expected.

'So what did you say?' he whispered in her ear as soon as she wrapped her arms around his neck, and he did the same around her middle. The twins had found an abandoned toy on the floor, and now they were carrying on a conversation, surely something important and rather interesting; only they knew what that was about.

'I like you better the way you are now,' she cooed, feeling him nuzzle his nose against the skin of her neck; he kissed her there. 'There's more of you to love.'

'Oh yes?' he teased, breathing in her scent and pushing a lock of hair that had fallen from her updo to behind her ear. He kissed her again, this time on her cheek.

'There's nothing more handsome than a big, strong man,' she insisted, knowing too well he loved when she said he was a big man. There were so many meanings behind her words and he knew it; that was precisely why he loved it.

'Big, strong man, huh?' he chuckled. 'That sounds better than extra weight; that's for sure!'

'Silly beggar,' Anna slapped his shoulder softly, and for that, he kissed her on the lips, leaving her breathless and in need of more. After all, who could resist a big, strong man like her husband?

But it was tea time, and there were babies in the room, and William peeked through the window at that very moment asking, 'Mum, is it time to go pick Percy up at school? Don't forget his birthday party!'

'Oh yes, it probably is. I'll be right there, Will.' Anna stood from John's lap and straightened her dress. 'You'll have to watch the girls, darling. I don't have time to take them. Later tonight, Mr. Bates,' Anna sighed, 'remind me where we stopped, will you?'

'Oh, I will...don't you worry about that. Or, we could just lock ourselves in that closet over there now and refuse to come out until we're ready.'

xxx

After so much rain, the sun was finally shining brightly again, atypical for this time of May; but no one dared complain about such glorious days of late.

Percy felt this day, and the beautiful weather was in his honour. Why? Because today was his seventh birthday. In the whole of his seven years, this was the first time he'd even considered his birthday. In fact, until recently he didn't even know when it was.

But that was all changed now that he was a Bates boy. Today was Friday, and when he arrived home from school, with the whole wonderful weekend to look forward to. He found a beautifully dressed table set in the middle of the gazebo, chocolate and strawberry cake, milk, tea, cinnamon biscuits and several packages wrapped in brown paper, tied with silken ribbons - and all of this was for him. Today was Percy's day.

Oh, he felt so special, showered with so much love and attention. He felt like one of those boys everyone said born with a silver spoon in his mouth, although he never really understood the meaning of that; it didn't matter now.

'Papa!' Percy shouted through the office window, spotting John still sitting at the desk. 'It's time, Papa! Come on!'

'I'll be right there, son!' John smiled at the boy, putting his notes and glasses aside, and came out at once.

'You almost missed it, Papa!'

'Goodness me, I would never forgive myself if I did.' He wouldn't have missed it, of course, but Percy was way too excited to think straight at the moment, and John wouldn't tell him otherwise. The boy ran ahead, joining the others in the gazebo.

'Are we all here?' Anna asked, casting a loving smile at John as he approached them. The girls played in the grass with a vigilant Jack. A lazy Charlie was sleeping in the shade, and Lily watching the scene from above, from Anna and John's open bedroom window - she had babies to care for; maybe after eating cake, the boys would take the kittens out to enjoy the sun.

'Not so fast, here come the rest of them,' John said looking around.

'Wait for us!' They heard Caleb calling, and when they turned around, they saw him, followed by Sarah, Daisy, Grandad and Archie.

Percy slapped his forehead as soon as he saw them. 'Jeez! I have guests and all!'

'But of course, my darling.' Anna said, running a hand through his thick red hair.

The Birthday Song was sung, and the candles were blown with great zeal, and Percy couldn't stop smiling. He cut his cake, dismissing Anna's help, and made sure to give the biggest slice to his brother Will; Finn and Fee had their chance for a taste, but they were more interested in grabbing the cake than eating. There were sweets as gifts from Caleb, Sarah, and Archie, and a jumping rope from Daisy. From Mama and Papa, Percy got the two latest Hardy Boys Mystery Books, The Tower Treasure and The House on the Cliff. William gave him a drawing he had done the night before; two boys holding hands by the sea with sandcastles all around them. And Grandad gave him a compass so that no matter what, he'd always be able to find his way home to his family.

Later, as promised, the boys took the kittens outside, making sure to keep an attentive eye on the little beggars, who were now walking and jumping around, trying to find spots to hide and butterflies to chase.

The day ended with the little balls of fur suckling their mother's milk under the shade of the lilac bushes; Finn and Fee napped on a blanket on the grass and both Anna and John enjoying the gentle sun on their faces. Will and Percy jumped rope, already thinking about the new mystery book Papa would read to them at night. Eamon, as usual, was napping in his chair.

'Well, I better go now, I have some paperwork for the village council to finish. Sometimes I wish I had said no to them,' John sighed.

'You always love doing it in the end. And honestly, we had the best fête last year, and you may not agree, but it was all due to your effort and ideas,' Anna told him.

'Nonsense,' he scoffed looking over at her, and she couldn't help but roll her eyes. 'Anyway, I should go. It's almost six; I'll be back within the hour.'

'Will you have room for dinner?' she chuckled.

'Of course!'

'Wait!' Percy said, and he stopped jumping rope and ran to Anna and John. 'Thank you, Mama and Papa.' he opened his arms wide enough to take both within his grasp. 'Today is the best day of my life!'

The two looked over at each other, emotion written on their faces.

'We're very happy to have you with us, darling,' Anna said, leaning down to kiss the top of the boy's head.

'I am too.' Percy looked up at them with a big smile. 'I'm the luckiest boy in the world.'

John grinned down at him, running a gentle hand along his cheek before pinching his chin.

'Now go play with your brother, son,' he told the boy. 'He's waiting for you.'

It was normal now calling Will his brother and the twins his sister, but every time someone did, Percy still felt overwhelmed. Overwhelmed by everything in this new life of his. Every single day was a happy one, one after the other. He was indeed the luckiest boy in the whole world, and he knew he had the best Mama and Papa. Oh, he did feel special, indeed!

xxx

From Anna's Journal

May, 20th 10:00pm ~

Today was Percy's birthday. We held a tea party for him in the gazebo. Maybe next year we'll have a party with his school chums, but he doesn't seem to have made too many friends as yet. Mr. Molesley says that will all change with time. I hope he's right.

John's taking a long time getting the boys down tonight. I know they wanted to begin reading that new Hardy Boys Mystery. I think even John enjoys those, but I'm ready to have my husband in here next to me.

John mentioned I've bought swimming suits for all of us. Mine is blue and ever-so-revealing. Ah well, that's the fashion now. John will look so handsome in his, that is, if I can talk him into wearing it. I'm confident he won't win that battle. I have my ways.

Next weekend, on Will's birthday, we'll be boarding the train and leaving for our trip to Whitby. The boys seem almost as excited for the train ride as the destination.

We had, at one time, hoped to by a small hotel in Whitby. It's a beautiful village, but then the Grantham Arms was offered to us, and it was just the perfect fit. We have no regrets. But I can't help but wonder what it would be like waking up with the sound of the waves against the shore and the gulls overhead.

The rooms we've rented face the sea. The first thing I'll do is fling open the windows. Next weekend's get-a-way will be a treat for the whole family.

Ah, here comes the lovely Mr. Bates. My night is complete.

~Anna Bates

*Sea Fever by John Masefield