My dearest Anna,

I am truly offended - how could you possibly even dream up something as ludicrous as me growing tired of trying to decipher your squiggly little letters when they are all that I look forward to? You clearly don't know me as well as you'd thought, for I have more patience than you realize to get me through the slow task of reading your hand. And though it takes up much of my valuable time, your compelling accounts of life at Downton both above and below stairs certainly make that time worthwhile.

Of course I can recall the old place. How could I ever forget it? I know that house inside out and could walk it blindfolded if you dared me to, but which could possibly prove fatal if I tried since we both know that I'm not exactly the most graceful on my feet, especially when it comes to stairs.

But oh, how the images of the Abbey basked in all its splendor of a fine dinner, crowded and bustling with the noise of party guests, hipping and hopping with maids and footmen scrubbing here or wiping there haven't yet escaped my dwindling memory. But I know that house best covered a thick layer of dust that seems to gather much faster than any number of maids or footmen could clean it away.

Yet as much as I yearn to walk those all too familiar hallowed halls once again - and maybe even dust a few paintings as I went - I can't say I'm all that jealous of the work that now lies ahead of the servants. Is it too late to reuse what decorations and food remained of Lady Mary's wedding? I suppose so... well, at least Lady Edith is a little less afraid of getting her hands dirty than Lady Mary is. What little assistance she actually contributes to the preparations of her own wedding must count for something does it not?

But oh what a shame it is for all that are being put to work. You all seemed to have just barely survived the chaos of the last Crawley sister wedding! I suppose everyone must now be dizzy with relief when they think of what trouble and pandemonium Lady Sybil spared them all by marrying abroad. I know I would be. But then I don't think either of the other Crawley girls would have caused even half as much fuss as Lady Mary. I for one think her crown is much too big for her head. I know you probably don't appreciate the harsh opinions I have of your mistress so I best stop talking while I can.

On the subject of the wedding, I have to say I'm quite surprised Lady Edith and Sir Anthony are actually going ahead with it. Of course, we all knew her relentless persistence would eventually win him over, but I kind of figured he would put end to it just as quickly as it was started. And if he didn't, then I thought his Lordship would have to - there is quite an age gap between the two after all... but then I suppose one could say the same of us and yet we're as content as lovebirds in spite of our seemingly perpetual bad luck. Oh, how sorry you must be to have married such a boring old cripple as myself.

And my dear, I don't think it's as difficult to watch the children fly from the nest as you think it is. For in this era, I highly doubt society parents are sad so much relieved with tears that they managed to marry off all their children before the age of thirty. Our time is all about status and position, and it is not only for that reason that I am glad to have been born to generations of proud, hard-working third-class people but also to be capable enough to dress myself every morning, which I don't think is too shabby for a crippled old fool like me if I do say so myself.

Just promise me when we do wind up as two old crows who bicker from dawn till dusk everyday we'll get our future spoiled-rotten children to keep us separated. If we're going to be the ones who raise them then the least they can do is keep us from leaping at each other's throats, which will undoubtedly be the only form left of entertainment for two such crotchety old boobs like us.

If I was being honest (and with you I always will be) I fear for when we have children not because I think we won't love them to bits but because I think we'll, in fact, love them TOO much, or even just enough not to be able to refuse them anything. Just ask yourself this; did you not grow up just wanting things? Did you not see other schoolchildren like yourself and pine for some of the things they had? Did you not catch glimpses of store windows and wish for some of the things they had on display? Or hanker for even the simplest things such as a proper feast for dinner or a jar of cookies in the pantry or a pillow that didn't prick you with its feathers whenever you tossed or turned in bed at night?

I don't mean to sound ungrateful for the way I grew up, truly I don't. But I think that if we were all being honest, we all have a desire or two from our childhood that was never fulfilled and I also believe that it will show through our children and how we parent. So when we do settle down, I fear you must be the one to say no to the children as I won't have the heart to. And if you're as weak as me, then we might just have to tie up our money as tightly as his Lordship's late father did the estate as I don't think either of us would be too happy if we went bankrupt fulfilling all of our childrens' meager desires.

Well, if I am to write you some enticing African War tales you'll have to give me more than just a week to put it all together. Let me get back to you on this... in the meantime, do try not to exhaust yourself from all the wedding preparations to be done. I do look forward to seeing an Anna only as weary to the bone as the one I left behind.

And do take your time looking through those responses - we don't want to miss anything. And of course Vera didn't have many friends, she isn't even half as lovely as you my dear.

All my love,

John

P.S. I am eagerly looking forward to this "surprise" of yours.

I am SO sorry for how long this update has taken me! Life just got in the way work, studying, new braces, etc, and I just lost track of time. I also lost track of my writing in this story a little (if that makes any sense at all) and it certainly took some time to find myself again but I hope it's still good enough to read!

Anyway, thank you to everyone who is still keeping up with this story and please let me know how you liked this chapter!

-birdywings