A/N: Here us Chapter Two of what is proving to be a longer and bumper story than even I could anticipate. I hope I'm doing the characters justice, as I said, I'm new to the show and to the Fandom. I hope to hear your feedback as we go along.

Chapter Two

"Three more signatures and two sets of initials," Robert's banker told the two men as they signed loan papers for the required work on the new inn. The two men had been signing things for the last hour. John had discussed the purchase with Anna after getting home from work the night they had toured it.

"It needs work," John told her as he held her swollen feet in his lap gently massaging to try and relieve some of the pressure. "More than I'd like, but I can see to most of it. His lordship has offered to provide some workers and we can put on a few village lads."

"His lordship should be providing help considering he's investing in the project," Anna replied as she massaged her rounded belly and tried to soothe the baby to sleep.

"Anna," John sighed. "Lord Grantham isn't forcing our hand. We are wanting to move out of service, have more time together, and his lordship has to continue to diversify to try and survive. It's meant to be a partnership, but if you aren't keen then we can say thank you but no thank you and that's all."

Anna shook her head. "You're right, we could, but we shouldn't. This has been our dream for almost 20 years, and finally it's attainable. Still, I don't want you to be burning the candle at both ends and in the center besides trying to work, see to the renovations, and with the children always demanding your attention. It could be too much for any person to take on, even the untouchable Mr. Bates."

John chuckled as he gently ran his hand up Anna's leg then back down again. "Nothing is too much or too hard when you want something as badly as we have wanted this,and with you with me, I can manage, more than manage, what needs to be done."

John raised one of Anna's feet and placed a light kiss there, "So, are we doing this?"

Anna smiled as she pulled her legs off John's lap to try and get off the settee. John pushed up from the seat and felt the pull of a long day's work in his knee and his back. He reached down to help Anna get up then received her as she stood and gave him a kiss. "We are."

They had to speak to Lord Grantham's banker to secure a small loan for the renovations, having purchased the property out right, they used it as collateral. Robert had offered to loan the money personally, but John had refused that. He didn't want to entangle their friendship in business any more than Robert already had when he came up with the idea of investing in the inn.

"Are we almost finished?" John asked Robert quietly. "I have an appointment back in Downton later today and Anna's time is nearly upon us. Days now I'm certain."

"This is the last cycle," Robert assured John as he scrawled his final signature.

John was relieved. He hadn't wanted to leave Downton at all until the baby was born, but the clock was ticking on securing the loan at a decent rate. Banks weren't loaning money very readily, though the continent and America were hit much harder than the United Kingdom. Still,that tide could turn at any moment so Robert and John wanted to assure they secured the required money.

Handshakes were exchanged, then Robert and John met Stark at the car. Tom was occupied elsewhere on the estate, so the former full time chauffeur did the job of driving them into York for the meeting. "Where is your appointment, John?" Robert asked. "We can drop you if you are running short on time."

"Thank you, m'lord," John replied. "But even still, I should check on Anna before I go just in case. We have friends dropping by every few hours when I'm not at home just in case, but…"

"You wouldn't be you, John, if you weren't worrying about something," Robert teased lightly. "Why don't I drop by then on the way and make sure all is well? That way, if things have, uh, begun, we have the car to fetch her to the abbey or the doctor straight away."

It was decided merely a day ago that Anna would still labor on her own, as in not in the hospital, but that she would, if possible, do so at the abbey. The family was set to move to the old manor within the next few days. It would be easier to handle both the childcare and the labor supported by the abbey, as well as keep John busy while Anna did what was needed to bring their child into the world.

Drs. Ryder and Clarkson had pronounced her healthy enough to deliver the child outside a hospital setting. John felt better with a plan that didn't require a house full of people and his rushing back and forth to see to Johnny and Maggie if Anna's labor went on longer than expected or desired.

"I couldn't ask that of you," John replied. "I'm sure all is fine."

Robert shook his head, "You didn't ask me, I offered. Do you wish to accept or not is all that's required?"

John studied his lap for a moment then, "Yes, I do wish to accept, m'Lord. If it wasn't a necessary appointment I…"

Robert nodded, "I understand."

John had Robert drop him in the middle of the square then walked the short distance into the hospital. He knew the way to Dr. Clarkson's office like the back of his own hand. They had been there for three pregnancies, upset stomachs, teething, the list went on, though in all that time John had never been the patient. He hadn't been formally examined by a doctor since he was forced to when he left prison.

"John Bates for Dr. Clarkson," he told the nursing student at the front office.

"Go on in, he's expecting you," the young woman replied. She reminded him of her ladyship as a young woman from the pictures Robert had with him in Africa.

"Mr. Bates," the elder Scotsman greeted. "Children aren't with you today?"

John shook his head. "No, I'm here for myself today, Dr. Clarkson."

"What seems to be the problem?" Dr. Clarkson asked as he stood to begin an exam.

"It's the old injury," John replied. "It was doing well for a while, any pain would go away with a little soak and maybe a powder, but lately it just isn't enough. The pain is different, a grinding ache and it goes into my hip, my back…"

"Well, see if we can find out why," Dr. Clarkson encouraged and began to examine John.

Back at the cottage, Anna was enjoying a little peace and quiet while she folded freshly washed diapers and tiny undershirts. It was hard to believe Johnny or Maggie ever fit into anything so small. The babe inside didn't feel that small, but she knew from experience now that how they felt inside and how they looked outside were different. She felt a familiar ache in her back and shifted her position a bit in effort to shift the baby to a different location. Once this chore was done, she would put her feet up for just a couple minutes and that way when John asked she could answer him truthfully that she rested some. Truth was, she couldn't get the house clean enough.

Anna hummed a little tune to herself, slightly shifting her hips and moving her foot to and fro as she folded the clothes.

The last thing she expected was for Robert to come knocking at her door. "Anna?"

Anna jumped and tossed a couple of folded diapers into the air as Robert called her through the open top of the stable style door.

Anna turned with her hand on her chest, "Your lordship? What…Is John alright?" In her shock, Anna hadn't thought to call her husband Mr. Bates in Robert's presence.

"John is fine, Anna. He had further business in the village, I dropped him on the way back to the abbey. It's my fault he was running so late, so I offered to check in on you."

Anna let her hand drop to her belly in relief, "Thank you, m'lord. That was very kind. I'm alright, really. Just uh, big and clumsy."

Anna tried to bend over to pick up the dropped diapers, but she knew to stoop to her knees in this situation would not be a good idea.

"Allow me," Robert offered kindly. "Is there anything you require?"

"No, thank you, m'lord," Anna replied. "Lady Mary was by a couple hours ago. She took the children up to the house to play and left a basket. These care baskets are too kind of you and her ladyship."

"Not at all," Robert assured. "This family has been through a lot together, we take care of each other. No gratitude is necessary."

"All the same," Anna replied. "Can I make you some tea?"

Anna moved her hand to rub her back again. It hurt, and she just wanted her John to come home and make her feel better.

Robert wasn't sure what to do. Anna was a little flushed and it was clear to anyone with eyes her hands and feet were puffy. If he left and somehow Anna went into labor by herself, John would kill him. If he stayed and continued to make her uncomfortable, John would kill him. The right choice was a crap shoot.

"Or I have lemonade," Anna offered. "And Mrs. Patmore's oatmeal cookies.

There was the answer. Minimal work for Anna, Robert made the decision to remain at least for a glass of lemonade and to see Anna ate a little something though she only took one cookie and only ate half of it.

Robert made chatter about Anna's plans for the children's summer holidays and for the inn until it was nearly time for the next check in. "Thank you for going out of your way, m'lord," Anna said as she saw Robert out.

"Move up to the abbey as soon as you wish," Robert affirmed. "And send word if you want us to keep the children, I know Lady Grantham would love to have two more little ones to spoil."

"I will," Anna assured. "Thank you again, your lordship."

When Robert took his leave, Anna felt the shooting, burning pain again. She sighed, "Come on, baby," she whispered. "Tumble over for Mummy."

When the pain hadn't lessened by the time Anna was done straightening up, she resorted to Lady Mary's old "hang the baby" trick. She got down on all four next to the settee and let her belly hang down, breathing deeply as she went.

"I'll know more once I have a chance to study the x-ray a bit more, Mr. Bates, but I don't need to do to see that the joint is badly inflamed. The lack of space around the joint suggests there is little to no cartilage, that is the padding between the bones of the knee either. Indeed, the bones of the pelvic girdle are also inflamed, but there is more normal spacing there."

John sighed, "So how do we fix it? I take a pill? Get a shot?"

Dr. Clarkson shook his head, "There's nothing to do besides moderate exercise alternated with longer periods of rest and aspirin. For your hip and back, that will fade in time if you get the proper amounts of both exercise and rest. Neither you nor I are young men anymore."

John nodded, but he felt young. He felt vibrant and joyful with their little family and new business venture. Except for these aches and pains, John had to remind himself he was 62 whereas Robert sometimes had to do that to remember he wasn't 80.

John stood and shook Dr.Clarkson's hand. "Thank you, doctor. It was worth a chance anyway."

"Mr. Bates," Dr. Clarkson said quickly. "Have you ever considered wrapping the knee or bracing it, might take some of the strain off your hips and back."

John flashed back to the prehistoric knee brace he wore when he first arrived at Downton. "If you think it could work I'll give it a go," John replied. "I best get on, else Anna will worry."

Dr. Clarkson agreed, "If you need me at all for Anna, don't hesitate to call."

John smiled slightly as he put on his hat, "We won't," John assured then walked out the door.

A/N 2: Osteoarthritis is one of the oldest ailments known to man. There is evidence of it going back to early man. They had effective treatment for it even as late as 1931 except what was described. While women are the most affected, men can and do struggle with arthritis related ailments as well. Hope you have enjoyed and continue reading.