AN/Thanks so much for taking the time to read our stories. John and Anna don't belong to us, but Eamon, Will, the twins and Percy do. If you enjoy it please consider leaving a review. It makes our day. :) Handy & Terriejane

~ Before the Maid Arrives ~

June 28th, 1928 11:15 am

From the journal of John Bates

Lord Grantham called just now. He's invited me up to the Abbey to take luncheon with him on Thursday. I don't know what that's about. Maybe he just wants an old friend to talk to like he said, but he's seemed... how do I put this? He seems dissatisfied with his lot in life of late, as strange as that sounds. Lady Grantham is spending time in the States with her mother. Perhaps he's just lonesome. We shall see.

The twins teething has let up somewhat, for which we're all thankful. Everyone slept through the night for the first time in days. Anna was able to come into work, and I'm so happy to have her here with me. It's just not the same when she isn't. In fact, my baby girls are happily playing in their pen right outside my office window, talking up a storm. They keep yelling Mama and Pa, but no sign of Da as yet. Every time they let out with a Pa, I answer them with Da. Anna laughs and says I need to be patient, but… I'm still not entirely convinced Pa means Grandpa and not Papa.

And this is strange. I see both boys, each wearing an apron of Anna's. Percy even has a scarf tied around his head. They appear to be feather dusting their tree house. I have no explanation for that.

There's something going on here today, but I don't know what. My father is behind it all; I'm convinced of it. The boys are acting suspiciously too, and even Archie. I'll just pretend like I don't suspect anything and hope it all comes to light before the day is out. I first noticed it when...

xxx

John rounded the pub counter carrying an envelope he had just picked up from the morning post. It was addressed to Eamon Finbar Bates. John's curiosity was piqued. His father rarely received mail.

'Father? You have a letter...' he announced as he handed it to the old man. 'It's from the paper? What's that about?'

'What is it to you, hm?' Eamon turned his nose, grabbing the envelope at once and holding it tight to his chest. 'Nosy boy, you always have been.'

John sighed and left his father to his little secret.

As soon as his son was out of earshot, the old sailor set off in search of the two boys. He found them in the garden, sitting under the shade of their treehouse. 'Boys? Boys? Look! I got the answer for your Mum's letter. Shall I open?'

The three glanced back toward the hotel, making sure Anna was out of sight. No sign of her.

'Open it, granddad!' William begged, clapping his hands together. Beside him, Percy was jumping up and down in excitement.

'Yes, open it!'

'If we win, Mum's going to be so happy.' Will dreamed aloud, already picturing the look of joy on his mother's face.

Eamon opened the envelope slowly, only adding to the suspense while the boys waited, their little hearts beating nervously in their chests.

'Oh my!' The old man eyed the paper, reading it as fast as he could. 'You won! Oh Lord, you beggars won!'

'Yes! We won Percy!'

'We did, Will! We bloody won!'

The boys held hands, dancing around in circles, their excitement unable to be controlled.

'The maid will arrive at the cottage next Monday at eleven in the morning,' Eamon read the contents of the letter. '... and will stay every day until five o'clock for two whole weeks! She'll prepare meals if needed, babysit!'

'Mama is going to be so happy and so proud of us too!' Percy smiled.

'And she'll be able to rest and play with us for two whole weeks!' William added.

'And with Papa too!' Percy remarked. 'He misses playing with mama.'

'He does, does he?' Eamon asked with a chuckle.

'Yeah, he said so last night. We said we missed Mum playing with us because she's been so busy and Dad said he misses playing with her too,' William explained pouting his lips in pity. 'Poor Daddy.'

'A lot, he said.' Percy emphasised.

'Oh!' Eamon grinned. 'Right...er...go play now, you two. I have get back in the pub now before your dad sees I'm gone. ' The old man shook his head with a grin, as he walked back into the hotel to finish his work for the day. He spotted his son checking on the jars of pickles and pickled onions. It was time to order again.

'John?' the former sailor cleared his throat, readying himself for another round of teasing. 'Heard word you've been missing your games lately.'

'Games?' John asked.

'Your games yes, with the wife,' Eamon cocked his brow suggestively.

'What are you talking about?!'

'Just something the boys told me.'

John eyed his father for a moment. The old man was laughing at him; his cheeks were red and his eyes tearing up. He would never understand some of the things the old man said, but he reckoned that was Eamon Bates' goal.

'Whatever you say...I have work to do, and so do you. Go on now, before you fall asleep at the bar.'

With that John left, taking note of the new items he would have to buy, and wondering about the letter his father had received. He was sure that was behind all of this. He would tell them soon enough, or at least John hoped so.

xxx

'Now this was a grand dinner...it was...it was,' Eamon stated, leaning back in his chair and rubbing his swollen belly.

'You say that every night,' John said with a grin.

'And I'll continue saying it! When you're a certain age, there are things in life that you appreciate more than before, and I reckon for me, that's food. Especially when it's cooked by my lovely daughter,' Eamon smiled and winked at Anna.

'You're a sweet-talker, Father,' Anna laughed.

Eamon looked smugly at John then, only to tease him further. 'I suppose I am. You're not the first one to say it, and you shan't be the last, my girl.'

'Oh please,' John rolled his eyes.

Eamon continued, 'I just hope you'll be the one cooking and not that maid you've…' he began to stammer when he saw the look of shock on the boys faces, he knew then he had made a big mistake. 'Oh shit...she didn't know, did she?'

Percy and Will glared at him and shook their heads. No, she didn't know!

'It was going to be a surprise!' Percy slapped his forehead to point out the old man's thickness.

'Wait. What are you talking about?' Anna asked, looking over at her husband.

'Don't look at me, I'm as clueless as you are,' John answered.

Will gave a long sigh before telling them the deal. 'Percy and I wrote an essay for that 'Best Mum' contest. Granddad helped.'

'And we won!' Percy told them.

'You didn't?' John could hardly contain himself. His boys were damned brilliant! 'My God!'

'Yeah, and Mum will get a maid for two weeks. That's was the prize.' William told them.

'Oh my goodness!' Anna exclaimed, bringing one hand to her chest. She couldn't believe what she was hearing.

'We did it because you've been so tired, Mama,' Percy said with a loving smile. 'We felt sorry for you because you take care of us all. You wash our clothes…'

'And cook yummy foods,' Will added.

'Kiss our boo boos good again.'

'And clean the house.'

'And watch over the babies.'

'And Dad and Granddad, too.'

'Aw...my precious boys,' Anna said, trying not to cry. 'You're the sweetest; I don't deserve you.'

'So you can put your feet up while the maid works for you,' Percy suggested.

'I'm the luckiest mummy ever for having the most wonderful sons. Oh, my! A maid, just for me? Did you hear that, John?'

'Indeed! Very well done, lads,' John cheered. 'You are two proper gentlemen.'

'Old wives would say these two will be proper husbands. Ha!' Eamon laughed.

'I can't wait! When will she be here?'

'Next week,' Will replied to his mother.

'On Monday, at eleven,' Percy completed.

'Oh, good...we still have a few days.'

'What for?' John asked, her upon seeing her thoughtful expression. He knew well she was making plans.

'To tidy everything up, of course!' Anna responded.

'What?' the others questioned, confused.

'I thought the idea of a maid was for you not to have to tidy anything,' John wondered aloud.

'Oh, but no...I mean, yes, but…I don't want her to come here and think we're slops. I want everything in place,' Anna stated. What if she finds dust bunnies under the beds? Or...or, dirty towels in the bathroom? She'll think we are living like pigs, and I won't have that.'

'Seriously?' her husband eyed her.

'Yes! I don't want her to tell the other maids how unorganised we are. How I can't handle the work. How my children, husband and father in law walk around like beggars. People respect us, they think well of us, and want that to continue.'

'I thought you never cared what people thought,' John persisted.

'I don't...but I don't want them to think nonsense either.'

'So...you'll have to clean house before the maid come so she doesn't think we live like pigs?' he asked with a playful smile. She took it personally and eyed him scoldingly.

'I'll rest when she's here. Now, who's going to help me with the dishes?'

'Me...and Father,' John agreed, gripping Eamon's shoulder with his hand.

'I'm surrounded by good boys,' Anna said, wrapping her arms around their necks and kissing both on the cheek. The two men blushed, and the boys laughed. From their high chairs, Finn and Fee girls began to fuss for an early bedtime.

xxx

'Do we really have to do this?'

'Oh come on, boys. Only one more basket.'

It was the third that day. The third basket of laundry that Anna had given the boys to hang outside. She had washed everything with the help of her father in law, whom she had bribed with his favourite dinner that same night.

'Got me hands all sore from scrubbing. I feel like an old wife with ten children at her bay,' he complained, dropping down onto his favourite garden chair. 'I thought the reason the boys won you a maid was so she could do the work.'

Anna turned to look at him, a baby on one hip, and the other using her leg to stand. 'Why is this so hard for all of you to understand? I can't have another woman come into to my home to clean and leave thinking what a pitiful housekeeper I am. It's a matter of pride. I will not be moved on this. I think most women would feel this way. Now we will just get things all ship-shape and then I'll be able to relax and enjoy having a maid for two weeks.'

She wasn't sure if the old man had heard a word of what she was saying because he'd picked up the fluffy yellow cat and began playing with it.

'Oh, come here, Mr Sunshine.' The yellow kitten jumped on the old man's lap, and they both settled down for a nap in the sun.

Anna shook her head and sighed.

'Anna?' John called from their bedroom window. 'You weren't serious about me dusting all the books on the shelves, were you?'

'Of course! Everything. We always dusted the books at the Abbey.'

'Honestly…' she heard him grumbling. 'Why don't you just bar the door when she comes and not let her in?'

'Honestly…you should be cleaning instead of complaining.'

He rolled his eyes at his wife and pulled his head inside, knowing too well it was easier, in the long run, to just do as she asked.

Anna took one last look around the back garden, picked up Finnie, who had a death grip on the hem of her dress and announced, 'All right, I'm going inside. I want to wipe out the silverware drawer; I'm sure I'll find crumbs in there. Boys, don't let those clothes fall on the ground. I'll be watching you.'

The boys huffed as she went inside, chancing a longing look at their granddad who was already dozing off, together with his cat friend.

x

'The bookshelves are all done. I never realised we had so many,' John said as he came down the stairs and into the kitchen some time later. 'The boys have quite a collection too. Maybe we should think about donating some to the library before we buy anymore.'

'John Bates, I can't believe I'm hearing this coming from you of all people. You're the worst offender. It's not me who buys them two or three books each week.' She smiled at him from over her shoulder, as she cleaned the cutlery before putting it back in the drawer.

'I confess, but that's before I had to dust them all. Where is everyone?'

'Percy and Will found some money while plumping the couch cushions, so now the checking all the furniture. Father was sleeping, but I woke him to watch the twins and water the garden,' Anna said looking out the window. 'I hope he doesn't spray the girls.'

'He won't.' John chuckled, taking the moment alone to come behind her and wrap his arms around her waist. 'You're the Queen of this busy hive, aren't you, my love?'

She giggled. 'Goodness...sweet talking in broad daylight? Feeling frisky, Mr Bates?'

'As if I need darkness to show how much I love you. Now, can we put an end to this? You're wearing yourself out, and all of us too.'

'We'll have two weeks to rest,' she reminded him.

'Well, not me. I still have hotel work...unless the maid can do that too.'

His words made her stop for a moment, and she suddenly realised how silly she was being. Not for cleaning everything, she would do it in any other case, but for asking him, better said, begging for him to help her. Of course, he was not part of the deal with the maid. She would be the only one who's life would change for two weeks. What had she been thinking?

'Mummy! We're hungry.' William interrupted them as he walked into the kitchen, followed by Percy.

'Yeah, my belly is roaring.'

'You're right...it's time for our tea! I'll fix you all something. And boys,' she was looking at John too, 'You've all done a terrific job today, and Mummy loves you very much. And no more cleaning! That's the maids job.'

Everyone cried, 'Yay!'

'I'll set the table outside, hm?' John suggested. 'We haven't had tea in the garden in a few days.'

'Sounds perfect, love. Please do. I'll make ham and cheese sandwiches for us all. And I bought some cinnamon and raisin biscuits at Moulton's Bakery yesterday. They sound good, don't they?''

x

Anna looked around her colourful garden with a contented sigh. John and Eamon both had a child on their knee feeding them bits of their sandwiches. Percy and Will were having a race to see who could eat the most biscuits in three minutes. She would usually put a stop to it, but she just didn't have the heart to today. She was happy, she was contented, she was in love, and she was a very lucky woman.

xxx

It was later that night when things fell right into place again. Their home had become the epitome of peace. The little ones were sleeping, the boys had had a long story time as John had found a few lost books behind their bookshelves while cleaning; they would dream of dragons and brave knights.

Now, Anna was sitting up in bed, massaging lotion on her elbows and knuckles, something she often forgot to do. She waited for her husband to come back from the bathroom, where he was enjoying a warm, full tub bath she had prepared him.

'That bath was heaven,' John sighed contentedly as he walked into the bedroom, his tall figure temporarily blocking out the light spilling in from the hall. He had a towel wrapped around his waist, and Anna couldn't help but notice the drops of water sliding down his impressively, hairy chest. 'I feel so much better now.'

'You weren't feeling well?' Anna asked him worriedly, but her eyes couldn't help but travel along his body. She felt as attracted to him now as she had been on their first night together.

'Oh, I mean, just tired,' he said, sitting down on the edge of the bed facing her. One of his hands came to brush his damp hair away from his forehead. 'And you? I bet you're tired as well.'

Her response was a shake of her head, as she began to crawl toward him, a seducing smile playing on her lips. John knew something good was about to happen when she reached him, she draped one hand on his neck while the other ran down his chest, his hairs springy against her fingertips.

'You know you're the best husband in the whole world?' she smiled before placing a kiss on the corner of his mouth, and slowly he began to melt in her arms.

'Am I?' John groaned, pulling her closer to him and she fell into his embrace in a set of giggles.

'Yes, and I want to thank you so much for today, for every day…' Her hands were on his cheeks as she spoke, making him look deep into her eyes. She wanted him to believe in her, to know her words came right from her heart, to know she would never, ever take him for granted. 'I shouldn't have asked so much of you.'

'Nonsense -,' she interrupted him, placing a soft hand on his lips. She ached to kiss him, but she wouldn't before finishing her speech.

'No...I mean it. You do so much already; you work so hard and on top of that I ask you to help me around the house. Today was such a crazy day, and you didn't even question me.'

'Well, I might have, just a bit,' John smiled, taking her hand from his mouth and kissing her knuckles. 'I have to help you, and you work hard too. You're a wife and mother... that alone is a full-time job!' he chuckled. 'And you work at the hotel all the time.'

'We are a good team, aren't we?'

'The best team,' she kissed him then before he could speak again.

'Especially…' she continued, playing with the hairs on his chest; hairs that often would sneak out of his shirt collar at the most inappropriate time to tempt her, '...when we are alone.'

'Especially then, yes…' It was his time to kiss her, to roam her body with eager, longing hands. Within moments, John had found his way on top of her, the hem of her nightdress coming up with his every movement.

'So you're not very tired after all, Mr Bates?' she teased him, enjoying as he began to place soft kisses on her neck.

'Not for this, I'm not…' he replied. 'You know, when the maid's here, we'll have more time for this.' He continued to travel down her body, stopping over her still covered breasts. 'I mean, you won't be so tired...we can go to bed a bit earlier and -,'

'Enough talking, John,' she demanded, lifting his head to her eye level. 'Just kiss me!'

Next time: The maid arrives!