A/N : Hi ! I'm back with another chapter !

There isn't long before John proposes, thank God !!

A big thanks to anyone reading this story, especially to my wonderful best friend and beta Becca (ily)

Shoutout to Arwen on Twitter for finding the Cobert wedding anniversary quote!!

read and review !

June was warm, a nice treat for the summer holidays that had just started. Anna smiled as she looked at her boyfriend, laid in the sunbath next to her in their blooming garden. Since they've been back from Ireland, she had decided to let her worries aside and just enjoy the moment. While the newlyweds were surely enjoying some good times in a castle in Limerick, John and Anna treated themselves with a sunbathing time, on this warm day - at least for the Yorkshire weather. John had put on a sleeveless t-shirt but still wore jeans, to Anna's great dismay. She knew he was self-conscious about his knee's scar but she couldn't help but to be a bit disappointed he wouldn't relent just for her eyes. As for her; she was in a bandeau top bikini, allowing her skin to tan. She closed her eyes, bathing in the warmth of the burning sun. John opened his eyes to look at his girlfriend. He was a lucky bloke indeed. While she had decided to enjoy the moment and not worry about an upcoming proposal, John couldn't help but think about it. He knew he wanted to marry her and that she wanted to marry him, he only had to get a grip and take that next step. He thought of the ring resting in his desk's drawer. Each day that passed with Anna, he broke away from his past life more. He would do anything to make this marriage work; he owed both of them that.

"You're staring, Mr. Bates" she pointed out, dragging him out of his thoughts.

"Doesn't a man have the right to stare at his girl ?" he retorted in jest, smiling. Then he remembered something. "Rob's inviting us tonight to watch football."

Anna rolled her eyes. "No, he's inviting you while Cora and I will talk on our own all night."

"You could always learn about football" he teased, rising from his longchair to sit next to her on hers. He hooved over her, causing Anna's breath to hitch. He smirked, a stray lock of hair fell before his emerald eyes and Anna was breath taken.

"My dad used to play with me and my sister, but we were really young."

"I could teach you," he suggested, his hand absent-mindedly stroking her thigh. Anna shivered but tried to keep her composure despite her growing need to kiss him senseless.

"Oh yes, John Bates, the great footballer" she giggled, earning herself a playful slap on the side of her thigh.

"Oi, I deserved that scholarship ! I was really good, if you must know" he growled, before quickly kissing her.

"You're good in everything" she racily commented, kissing him back; dragging him to her.

Later in the night, they were sitting in Robert and Cora's living room. The men were shouting at the referee, through the TV, while Cora and Anna nursed cups of tea, trying to chat through the noise. Anna was happy to see her boyfriend so joyous. She saw this side of him every day, but it was rare for her to see him at ease around other people. John genuinely liked spending time with the Crawleys and so did Anna. After fruitless attempts at getting the boys to calm down, the girls decided to go upstairs to look after Marigold. Edith had been on the verge of breakdown and Cora suggested she should take a break from motherhood, at least for a night. Edith reluctantly accepted - having the feeling she would be a bad mother if she did - and went out with her aunt Rosamund, with whom she was really close. Her mother assured her she would look after the little girl. She knew eventually that the boys would be too loud, and she would end up upstairs with the baby.

Anna and her entered the nursery. The walls were a light, soothing blue. Anna found it absolutely charming. It seemed perfect for a baby, and she wondered what her potential future children's room would look like. She couldn't wait to discuss all those kinds of matters with John. Soon, she reminded herself. She had to be patient. She walked over to the crib where Marigold started to fuss. She looked at Cora, who just smiled at her. Anna bent over the crib, taking Marigold in her arms.

"Hey there, what's wrong, my angel ?" she cooed, rocking the baby in her arms gently. "Tell Auntie Anna."

Anna continued to talk to the little girl and rock her until she calmed down, miraculously.

"I usually never have her calm down this quickly. And I had three children ! You're a born mother, Anna !" Cora congratulated her, making Anna a tad shy.

"I hope so" Cora looked at her with a question written over her face. "No, I'm not pregnant. But if it happens, I hope to be up to the task."

"I've known John for over 20 years, being a father has been a dream of his for almost as long. You'll have children and you'll be the most amazing mom, Anna. Believe in a woman of experience !" Cora assured her, with a hand on her shoulder, which she extended to stroke Marigold's cheek. Anna smiled a little. She had never suspected John dreamed of being a father. She knew he was keen to have a child with her but wasn't expecting him to long for it as much as she did. This warmed her heart, and she daydreamed about him being the perfect father she knew he would be.

Unsuspected by the women, John was behind the door, observing his girlfriend holding Edith's daughter. He came upstairs to go to the toilet and came across this scene and had been unable to tear his look away from it. He managed to stay unnoticed this long. Cora had been right, he had hoped for children desperately when he was married to Vera. However, when he realized she wasn't sharing his dream, he had to resign himself. Although disappointed, he respected Vera's point of view. He couldn't deny that knowing Anna longed for a child with him as much as he did, had made him happier. He went back downstairs before he could be seen, still smiling.

A week later, John surprised Anna when he came out of their bathroom to their bedroom dressed in a Manchester United football kit. She looked at him, biting her lips. He was terribly handsome in his shorts. She knew he was insecure about his knee but she had to admit she always found it sexy when he was wearing shorts. His hair was tousled in the way she liked (she suspected he had done them this way on purpose). She walked his way, splaying her hands on his chest, looking at him with a mix of love and lust.

"May I ask why you're dressed like that ?" she questioned without tearing her gaze away from him.

"Today I'm teaching you football, so go and get dressed" he playfully slapped her butt.

"Giving me orders now ?" she teased and he only smirked. She tore herself away from him, walking to the wardrobe to pick a pair of shorts and an oversized t-shirt. She undressed (and noticed John gazing at her bottom) before putting on the clothes she had chosen. They put on socks and shoes before heading to their garden.

She discovered the pretence football field he had built using some of the school supplies (kindly provided by Thomas). John stood in the centre, with a ball in his hands, smiling proudly. Anna let out a giggle. Oh, she loved that man.

"I can't believe you've done all this for me," she uttered, struck by his thoughtfulness.

"I would do anything for you," he said warmly. Those words resonated in both of their hearts.

"So, should we get started ?" she suggested, walking over to him.

John taught her the basic rules, and Anna was a good student. She quickly caught the trick. She was highly enjoying herself as she ran after the ball to mark a goal. John smiled happily at his adorable girlfriend. He tried to counter her to catch the ball and in their eagerness, they fell down, entangled. Anna burst into a contagious fit of laughter, which John quickly joined. Their eyes met and they stopped laughing. The mood quickly changed and they leaned in to kiss each other languidly. Eventually, they parted in need of oxygen.

"I never thought football was this fun" Anna wondered out loud.

"Are you actually referring to the game or this kiss ?" John joked, smirking.

"The kiss was a great addition, it's true but I mean it, I had fun. Thank you, my love" she admitted.

"You're welcome, darling !" he replied, punctuating his sentence with a kiss "Will you watch football with me now ?"

"I leave that to you and your boyfriend, but I would definitely get more invested now" she teased and he rolled his eyes, realising she referred to Robert as his boyfriend.

After a few moments, she opened her mouth again but interrupted herself right away "Will you…"

"Will I do what ?"

"Teach our future children football ?" she asked, awkward at bringing up the topic. They would sometimes talk about their potential future children without really thinking about it. However, there was always an implication lingering behind these trivial conversations. Marriage.

"That. And many other things" he assured her, kissing her cheek sweetly, earning him a smile.

"You know, you're very hot in your football kit" Anna remarked and John had to chuckle at her forwardness.

"Seriously, love, I need a shower" he retorted, smelling his armpit and scrunching his nose.

"We can take it together" she suggested racily. She could see John gulping. He didn't say anything more and just helped her up.

They went inside, straight to the bathroom. They undressed each other. Despite their undeniable desire, they took things slowly. Their kisses were slow and sensual. They devoured each other's mouths, their tongues tangling in a perfectly executed dance. Anna moaned loudly as John left wet kisses on her neck, while his hands roamed her perfect ass.

"Let's take that shower" he whispered sultrily in her ear. She nodded weakly.

They entered the cubicle of the shower, and John turned on the water. The feeling of it running over their hot naked body was divine. They resumed their kisses. John held Anna's hips to press her flush against his body, allowing her to feel his growing desire. He pressed his hardness to her wet heat, testing how ready she was. He left her lips to bite her shoulder racily, soothing the bite with his tongue, tracing the path to her earlobe, which he suckled. Anna left out a moan, arching into him, nearly having him come undone.

"Can I ?" he managed to ask. She breathed a racy "Yes".

He was inside her with a thrust. He started rocking back and forth torturously slowly. Anna's legs quivered and she locked her arms around his neck as his were holding her hips firmly as he thrust into her. He quickened his movements as both her cries and his knowledge of his girlfriend's desire warned him that she was near her climax. He could feel his own coming. He backed her against the wall of the shower, holding himself with a hand above her on the wall. He thrusted hard and fast until he cried out her name. She whispered his, out of breath, falling limp into his arms. Once they came down from their high, they resumed their shower, applying shower gel and shampoo on the other, lovingly. No matter how good the sex was, those moments of afterglow were Anna's favourite.

"I certainly hope you don't do that with Robert" she said when they sat down to eat lunch after their shower. John chuckled, giving Anna a scolding look.

The next day, around 10, Anna was awakened from her lie-in by a call from Mrs Carson. She reluctantly disentangled herself from her boyfriend's naked body to answer it. It was rare for Elsie to call her in the morning causing her to worry a bit. She knew Charles had a fragile health and she hoped nothing had happened to him. She then calmed herself realising older people weren't having a lie-in, even during the summer holidays.

"Elsie ?" she said, in a still sleepy voice which made John chuckle. He loved hearing her hoarse voice in the morning.

"Oh Anna, my dear, I hope I'm not waking you up" she could hear Elsie's concern and felt embarrassed.

"No" Anna lied, throwing a dark look at John who was laughing beside her.

"I'm sorry but we received the papers for your adoption this morning. We wanted to tell you", Elsie admitted in her usual motherly tone.

"Do you need my signature ?" Anna asked.

"No, we're going to fill them up then send them to the judge. When we have their answer, we will be convocated in court for them to judge our case" she answered.

"Let's hope it will work out" Anna wished genuinely.

She had dreamed of being part of their family for a really long time and she couldn't wait for this dream to come true. Even though, in her heart Elsie and Charles had always been her real parents. She missed her dad from time to time, but he had died when she was a small child and she started to remember him less. Her childhood was fading away, and she had no wish to remember her teenage years. She still held some affection for her real mother deep down, but she couldn't forgive her for what she did. Even when she died, she mourned her with some distance, still holding a grudge for her failure as a mother.

After a few more minutes chatting together, Anna hung up. She sighed heavily, obviously worried about the issue of this case. She took refuge in John's arms, letting herself be comforted by the warm bulk of her boyfriend.

Anna spent the week that followed highly worried about the outcome of the case. John tried his best to soothe his girlfriend by organising little dates for her. Anna was grateful to her boyfriend for going out of his way to make her feel better. This only solidified the enormous love she had for him. She would often find solace in their lovemaking too. Anna was amazed by the feelings John making love to her were able to stir in her. Every time, whether it was slow and romantic or rushed and passionate, it felt like it was the first time they came together. She truly hoped those feelings wouldn't ever die down. She often heard that married couples lost that flame and she hoped they wouldn't. It wasn't only sex between them but John had taught her how sex could be. Alex had made it a chore, something she had to do to please him by fear of losing him or worse, him hitting her. John made her feel sexy, desirable, and loved.

At the end of the week, Anna received a new call from Elsie confirming the date of their convocation. July 5th. That was a week from now. She exchanged an excited look with John as Elsie told her the news. John could see fear in his girlfriend's eyes which made him lean in to press a kiss on her forehead. She would need another distraction, he thought. Then, he was struck by an idea he hoped Anna would like. He prayed along with his girlfriend for a good ending to this case. If it succeeded and she became Elsie and Charles' legal daughter, he would give her something to celebrate it. He thought long about what he should give her. There was a nagging little voice deep down that whispered to him "You know what she wants, John Bates, a proposal." He was battling with this voice although he knew it was right. He couldn't propose right now; it would steal the thunder of Anna's long-time dream coming true.

The right gift idea came the next day as they were playing football. Anna bemoaned that her clothes ended up all dirty when they did. She was wearing her old University of York jumper and matching sport shorts. John thought she looked amazing in them, although she would definitely wave away his compliments - she was stunning in sportswear and high ponytail -. He decided he would make her her own football kit. He set himself to work that same night while Anna was showering. He opened his laptop and typed the website's url - his cousin Brendan had made one for Erin's oldest son, David and had recommended the site to him -. He decided on Manchester United. He found it romantic for his girlfriend to wear the kit of his team. He was about to choose the name and number to put on it when Anna came back from her shower, in a short nightdress that fit her curves perfectly. John gulped, quickly closing his laptop. He opened his arms to embrace his girl.

"What were you doing ?" she asked, resting her head on his chest, breathing in his scent.

"Watching football's results" he replied without missing a beat. He didn't want Anna to discover his gift.

Although he started cuddling with his girlfriend, his thoughts were occupied by the football kit.

"I can't wait for the 5th. If I could, I would go to the judge's house right now to extort his judgement on the case" Anna bemoaned and John had to chuckle.

"Be patient, my love. I'm sure everything will go well" he assured her with a kiss on her temple.

"I want to belong again. After my dad's death, I felt lost in my own family. The Carsons were the first people who made me really feel like I belonged somewhere."

"I understand that…It will happen, darling," he promised her and he hoped he was right. It also made something click into his mind. He knew what to put on the football jersey.

On the 5th of July, Anna and John met the Carsons at Ripon's court. Elsie hugged her daughter-to-be as well as her boyfriend. The older woman seemed as nervous as Anna, but her husband seemed calmer. John had talked to him on a few occasions, and he had to admit the man seemed a bit intimidating. However, he saw the fatherly look he gave Anna, and it warmed his heart. His girlfriend deserved to be surrounded by people who loved her.

The judge approved the case. It was only a matter of paper signing but Anna was officially Elsie and Charles daughter. She broke down as soon as the judge exited the court.

"Anna, are you alright ?" John asked her, a bit worried.

"Yes. In my whole life, I've never been happier !" she whimpered happily.

Charles, to the surprise of everyone, started sobbing. He went to hug Anna and she reciprocated, hugging him tightly.

"My precious girl, I am so happy to be your father" he told her very emotionally. Even his wife was surprised by his outburst of emotion.

"Oh dad…" It was the first time she was calling him that. He held her tighter.

Eventually they pulled away when Elsie suggested they went out for dinner to celebrate. They agreed and went to an Italian restaurant. John had packed his gift in the car and hid it from view. He retrieved it and walked with Charles, ahead of Anna and Elsie who were chatting together. He quickly hid it before Anna could see it. His girlfriend's father didn't ask about it, although he was curious.

When the dessert came, Elsie raised her glass to make a toast. "To Anna Carson, our amazing daughter."

"Aw," Anna cooed, "Thank you mum." Elsie smiled at the nickname.

"To Anna" both John and Charles said in unison.

It hit John that she was still wearing a name that wasn't his. She had waited years to be a Carson and now he wanted her to abandon that to be a Bates. Was it right ? They both wanted to marry, but would she want to be wearing his last name? Suddenly his gift seemed wrong.

"I saw John hiding some sort of present, and I need to know what it is," Charles pointed out and John's face turned red. Well, he had no choice now.

"It's a gift, for Anna, to celebrate this day" he explained, scratching his neck.

The two women looked at him with curiosity. He took Anna's gift and handed it to her.

"Congratulations, darling" she opened the gift. She gasped when she unfolded the Manchester United kit and saw the back with "BATES" and "17" written on it. Tears welled up in her eyes. It was written "Bates". He wanted her to be a Bates ? She looked over to her boyfriend who had an anxious smile on her face.

"Oh John" she whispered in love before reaching up to kiss him. Their kiss lasted a bit longer than a kiss in front of her parents should have lasted. "Thank you, my love, so much."

John was relieved his gift seemed to have touched his girlfriend. She had made no comment about the name written on it, so he supposed she wasn't put off by it.

The evening went well. Anna couldn't stop smiling as she chatted with her parents. From time to time, she would chance a glance at her boyfriend, giving him a loving smile when their looks met. Once home, Anna pushed him against the wall, kissing him with as much passion as she could.

"What do I owe this amazing kiss ?" he questioned breathlessly when she pulled away.

"I love you. You are the most amazing boyfriend ever, that's why !" she said hotly, kissing his neck.

"Did you dream of having a Manchester United kit this much ?" John chuckled at her eagerness.

"Silly beggar… You were so thoughtful lately, always being there to support me and this gift was…perfect" she chose her last words carefully. She wanted him to know that she was really touched by him implying she was a Bates. She made him know with no words by making thorough love to him.

Robert and Cora had invited them the next Saturday at their house for their wedding anniversary. 25 years together. John envied them. His first marriage had lasted almost as long but had been deprived of any of the love Cora and Robert shared. He wished for Anna and his marriage to last as long - even longer - because he knew they already shared that amount of love. He knew deep down they would be each other's love forever.

They arrived at the house around 9 pm. They were always impressed by how beautiful their friends' houses were. It was huge compared to their little cottage. Not that Anna didn't like their cosy little cottage, and it was big enough for it to be a family home. The thought was endearing but she resolved herself, it would happen when it would happen.

They were greeted by Cora and Robert themselves, Anna was beautiful in her fluid dusty pink long-length dress, but she was put to shame by Cora's magnificent red-velvet strapless dress. The boys didn't look too bad themselves, Robert in a grey costume while John was handsome in his black trousers and buttoned-down white shirt.

"Anna, John, you made it !" Cora exclaimed, hugging them.

"Of course we did, I wasn't going to miss my best friends' wedding anniversary !" John joked.

The evening went on. Cora had asked Mrs Patmore to make the dinner. It was mainly hors d'oeuvres and canapés, but Beryl had been happy to help. The school team had known each other for years and spent a lot of time hanging out at each others' places. Everyone was here, including Robert's mother Violet, Matthew's mother Isobel and Cora's mother Martha, who came straight from New York with her brother Harry (his full name was Harold but he hated being called like that). O'Brien had also been invited and her fondness for Cora meant that she had come, for once. She seemed nicer than usual recently, John noticed. He wondered if that had something to do with the conversation Anna and he had witnessed in Scotland. Rose was also part of the party. The young girl lived with Robert's mother. They all knew it wasn't the best host for a 16 years old girl, but the old lady needed company and since her parents started the divorce arrangements, she had preferred living there.

Everyone was having fun, chatting with each other. John watched as his girlfriend was laughing out loud with Thomas. She was a lively spirit, and he thanked God everyday for giving him this amazing woman. He had to make an honest woman of her like his grandmother would have said. He had the ring and he felt ready. Soon enough he would propose to her. He only needed to find the right way to do it. He was a romantic man at heart and wanted to do right by her. He had proposed to Vera, like many things they shared, during an argument that ended in rough, passionate yet clumsy sex. He realised then that whatever he'd do with this proposal, it would instantly be better than his first one. However, the feelings he had for Anna were ones he never felt before. It was deep, pure and beautiful. Whatever he was going to do for this proposal had to be grand!

At some point during the dinner, Robert rose from his seat, a champagne glass in his hand.

"Listen everyone, I would like to raise a toast to the most amazing person in this room." He looked over at his wife with a soft smile which she returned. "Marriage is a lottery, as we're often told. But I am a man who has drawn a winning ticket. I have been awarded a bumper prize : beauty, brains, a heart, a conscience, all in one. I give you, my Cora. The best companion in the world."

Anna and John exchanged a look at their friend's words. There was an unspoken agreement that they felt the same as Robert did for his wife. They had too found a bumper prize in the other.

"Oh Robert" Cora cooed, tearfully. She dabbed at the tears in the corner of her eyes.

"To Cora and Robert !" John toasted and everyone mimicked him, raising their drinks to the couple's health. The couple smiled as they exchanged a long kiss when Robert sat back down. They spent the rest of the night sharing glances and kisses like newlyweds. They left the party quite early and everyone suspected why. John had to laugh, he had seen them as newlyweds, twenty-five years ago, and it's as if he had been transported into the past. Thankfully, the woman at his arm now was Anna, and he didn't feel jealous like he had done back then. He placed a kiss behind his girlfriend's ear, making her shiver. She looked at him with fire in her eyes, and a glint that came from her drunkenness.

There were dances and as usual for Crawleys parties, some horrible drunken karaoke. As always, Joseph Molesley granted everyone an awful drunken rendition of a pop song but the contestant that surprised the audience the most was Anna's. John had to stifle a laugh while watching his girlfriend bursting the notes very off key to "I Will Always Love You" by Whitney Houston. At some point, John decided to intervene before Anna ruined her reputation in front of her friends, colleagues and students - as Rose was present-. He walked to where his girlfriend was and took the microphone out of her hands.

"It's time to go home, my love," he told her softly, stroking her hair. She nodded tipsily and took his hand.

They excused themselves to their hosts - which had been back from upstairs, quite dishevelled - and left the house. John helped her to climb in the front seat of the car. She nodded off during the trip back home. John smiled lovingly. She was the cutest human being when she slept. They finally parked in front of their cottage.

"Anna, mo ghra, we're home," he woke her up sweetly. She walked gingerly to the door, helped by John.

He took her to their bedroom, undressing her so she was only clad in her underwear. He took a t-shirt from her drawer and helped her put it on. Then he went downstairs to make her some coffee to sober up. She drank some of it, but he could see she was being consumed by her sleepiness. He went to change for the night.

After he put the covers over her, he made his way to leave the bedroom.

"Stay with me" she whined, looking at him with glowing big blue eyes.

"Of course I'll stay, my darling," he answered in a hushed tone. He came to rest beside her on the bed. He was on his back, Anna lying on his torso, her arm draped around his waist. John kissed the top of her head.

"I think we should get married," she murmured.

"What ?"

"You and me. Married." She mumbled into his shirt.

"Well, we'll get there eventually," he assured her, although he didn't know if they should be having this conversation right now.

"No, I want us to be married. I want to be your wife already, John. Marry me," she whined like a child who wants a toy. John froze, did she just propose to him half-asleep?

"You're drunk and sleepy, darling. We should discuss this when you're better" He told her, bending to place a soft kiss on her lips. She hummed in appreciation.

"I love you John Bates" were the last words coming out of her. Soon, John could hear her soft snores. He smiled to himself. The amount of love he had for this woman was as big as the world. She was the most wonderful woman and she had just proposed to him. He left out a little chuckle. She was really one of a kind. He promised himself and her that soon he would make her wish come true, he would ask her to be his wife. Perhaps in a more romantic way.

"And I love you Anna…Bates" he whispered, testing this sweet combination of their names. He liked it.

John sent a text to his married friends during the night, just after Anna had succumbed to slumber.

John : Guys, I need help. How do I propose to Anna ?

Tom : Finally !

Matthew : Right, mate !

Robert : John, you old dog !

The next morning, Anna woke up with a big headache and no memories of her impromptu proposal.