A/N: With the third Downton Abbey movie being announced today, I thought I would get back into writing for my favourite couple on the show to get myself excited for what is to come and also to get myself back into writing for this fandom/Banna because I have missed it so much and they bring me so much joy. This is only going to be a short one-shot collection, but I really hope that you like all the family fluff. Happy reading!

31st December, 1925

Sinking into the chair beside the bed, John propped his cane up against the nightstand before making himself a little more comfortable and cradling his newborn son closer to his chest. He watched him for a time, making mental notes of the tiniest things he did, and chuckled at the look that appeared on his face when he laid a small hand on the thatch of hair on his chest. It was a foreign texture to him and the look on his face told him he was unsure what to make of it. Nevertheless, after a minute or so he decided it wasn't all that bad and curled his hand into the hairs he found while nestling deeper in his arms. He was so small, he thought to himself, so fragile and innocent, and already he had the most intense, overwhelming desire to shield him from the world and the evil lurking in it.

A lump came to his throat and his heart swelled when his son blinked up at him while sucking happily on the pacifier Anna gave him, deep blue eyes practically staring into his soul as he studied him as intently as he was him. In his opinion, he couldn't have resembled his mother more if he tried. He had wisps of hair so fair he almost looked bald, a button nose that pointed at the tip, he had her lips and even her eyes. His eyes still had time to change colour, he knew, but he hoped that they would remain blue. His one wish during her pregnancy was that their child would come into the world the spitting image of her and his wish had been granted. Every time he looked at his little boy, he was going to be reminded of the remarkable woman he was married to and that pleased him more than he could say.

The light rustling of bedsheets caught his attention some time later and he looked over at the bed to see his wife was beginning to stir. He watched in silence, unsure if she was truly waking or it she was going to turn over and settle back to sleep, but her eyes soon blinked open and she brushed her hair out of her face and he smiled. "What are you doing sat all the way over there?" She asked him as she propped herself up on one arm, her voice still deliciously rough with slumber as she wiped the sleep from the corner of her eye before running a hand across the space he'd not long vacated. "Come back to bed. He can lie between us for a little while since we're up. He's not got long to wait until his next feed either, so no point in you putting him back in his basket until he's eaten."

He nodded in agreement before reaching for his cane and standing from the chair, his hold of their son tightening as he carried him over to the bed. Once he'd climbed back in next to her, he settled the baby between them and watched her move closer to him beneath the quilt. She laid a hand on his belly through the little nightgown Lady Mary found for him and kissed his nose, happiness etched into her features when she pulled back and looked into his eyes. "Mummy would be flattered by how you're looking at me right now, my sweet boy, but I know you've gone and thought about that tummy again and all you're seeing right now is milk." She told him in a soft voice, looking up at John when he chuckled.

"You just wait. He is going to love you so much."

"I hope so. But, for the moment, I suppose all I am to him is where the good stuff comes from."

Her gaze fell to their son a second time when he began to fuss and his dummy fell from his mouth and she smirked at his impatience. "You really are a Bates," She laughed as she sat up and raked a hand through her hair before reaching for him and cradling him in her arms, the thumb of one hand stroking his hip while she freed an arm from her nightgown sleeve and pulled the fabric away from her chest. It took her a minute to help him latch on, following Doctor Clarkson's advice, but he started to suckle once he was settled and she kissed his forehead before her husband put an arm around her shoulders. "He has your impatience when it comes to his mealtimes. I am definitely going to have my work cut out for me, cooking for you boys."

"Shouldn't be so good at it then, should you? You could give Mrs Patmore a run for her money." He buried a kiss in the side of her neck.

"You won't say that around her if you know what's good for you." She teased, looking up at him.

He took the opportunity to press three soft kisses to her lips, the hum that came from the back of her throat when he lingered for a moment longer than necessary causing warmth to pool in his chest when he pulled back. They fell into comfortable silence when she settled in his arms again, their attention fixed on their boy as he suckled and did his best to keep from falling asleep. He wasn't succeeding in the slightest though, his eyes were growing heavier by the minute and they both knew there was no chance of him getting to the end of his feed. "I can't believe he came from us," She brought her free hand to the back of his head and brushed her thumb against the downy hair there, the faint sound of appreciation their son made only deepening her love for him. "He is absolutely perfect and I couldn't love him more if I tried."

"Me neither," John mumbled, kissing the side of her head. "I'm so proud of you. Have I said that?"

"Only about six times," She teased, eyes shining as she looked at him. "But I love hearing you say it, so say it as much as you please."

"You made me so proud tonight. You made the whole thing seem like a complete breeze."

"I must be quite the actress then because that was the hardest thing I have ever been made to do."

"You got through it though," He reminded her. "You are the strongest woman I know, I mean that."

"I love you." She whispered.

"I love you too." He assured her.

She leaned in to brush her lips against his before tucking her head into his neck and going back to listening to the soft sounds their son made while he nursed, her thumb tracing the curve of his ear and causing him to shiver in her hold. She was beyond tired and the pain and discomfort was starting to kick in, but she was also the happiest she had ever been. She had a lovely, healthy baby boy and the most wonderful, supportive husband and she knew they were all she was ever going to need and more.

She had never doubted it.

A/N: Thank you so much for taking the time to read chapter one. I really am looking forward to this little fic and I hope you are too. If you have the time, I would love for you to leave me a review to let me know what you thought. Thank you for the support and I will see you all soon.