Chapter Five

John gave Anna a 20 minute nap then gently woke her. "Come, my darling, let's go for a little walk."

John wrapped Anna in her robe then held onto her tight as they started another round of strolling.

Meanwhile, Cora was taking a break and sitting with Robert in the library. "I feel so sorry for her," Cora sighed. "Her back is in spasms and I'm using all my energy to rub them out but it's not working."

Robert reached over and rubbed Cora's hand with his own. "Are you sure this isn't too much for you?"

Robert didn't mean her illness, Cora knew that. He was thinking about their darling, Sybil.

"I've been at other births since then," Cora reminded him. "Sybbie just turned 10."

"True," Robert acquiesced. "But this is the first one that seems to be having some problems and I…"

Cora gave Robert a peck on the cheek. "Im fine, my love. Sybil would be with Anna every minute if she were still alive. It's the least I can do in her memory. She loved Anna."

"If you feel like you can't do it, in any manner, just tell someone. No one will hold it against you" Robert assured Cora.

"I know, but I'll be fine," Cora comforted. "How's Bates holding up?"

"He's on edge," Robert replied. "If he were a drinking man I'd have been able to keep him occupied longer or at least returned him in a stupor, but he's not so…you'll have to try and deal with him a little longer."

"Dr. Clarkson said it could take 10 or so more hours. If Anna can do it, I can," Cora declared. "Now, don't sit down here and drink port until Bates comes down or you'll be the one in a stupor."

Robert gave Cora a teasing pat and firm kiss before she rose to head back upstairs. She arrived while Anna was in the middle of a contraction. She had crouched down to the floor as she had done earlier and Bates had followed her down, his weight on his good knee, one hand on her back, the other on her belly. Mary was holding Anna's hands. "Mama, I told Mrs. Hughes she could run a tub for Anna in your en suite. To help her relax."

"Quite right," Cora agreed. "How are you feeling, Anna?"

Anna didn't answer, it was then Cora heard John's voice. "Forty-six, forty-seven, forty-eight…" He was counting slowly until Anna took a breath and relaxed.

"We're managing, your ladyship," Anna replied. "I'm trying to convince Mr. Bates to check on the children before bedtime."

"Oh, that reminds me," Mary piped up. "I told Johnny you would read him a book tonight. He was crying earlier and…"

Bates nodded and leaned almost all his weight on his cane to stand up from the floor before helping Anna to her feet. "You soak in the tub, love, and after perhaps our little one will get a move on, hmmm?"

Anna went with Mrs. Hughes to settle into the warm tub. They were hoping it would relax her so she got a little relief and so that the baby came sooner. John limped into the nursery. His knee, hip, and back were on fire, it felt as if the bones were grinding in a mincer, but this was nothing compared to what his dear Anna was experiencing trying to birth their child.

"Daddy!' Johnny exclaimed as John entered the nursery. "Daddy! Daddy!" Maggie squealed rushing her father along with her brother.

"Bates! Bates!" Came the gleeful cries of Sybbie, George, and Caroline. They all loved this gentle giant that was their donk's loyal servant and friend. It warmed John's heart to mean something to these children beyond simply a servant.

"Hello, hello," John greeted giving his little ones a hug. "Have you been good for Nanny? Johnny, you havent snuck off, have you?"

"Angels, Mr. Bates," Nanny replied.

John sat in the rocker with Maggie on his good knee and the other four around his feet. He picked up Caroline's copy of the Velveteen Rabbit and began to read in the softest of voices, enchanting the children with the tale.

By the time the story was ended and the children settled for bed, Mrs. Hughes had come for John. "It's time to say goodbye, Mr. Bates. Anna's waters have finally broken and things are moving along a bit better now."

John smiled, finally. "I'll be along at once."

Cora and Mary had set Anna up in bed, surrounded by pillows. Her hair had been combed and plaited and her nightgown changed. John moved to sit beside her on the bed. He took hand into his own and kissed her palm. "Remember, my darling, I'll love you however, whatever, whenever…"

Anna squeezed his hand and gave John a kiss, "However, whatever, whenever…I'll see you when it's over, Mr. Bates. Father of three…"

"I can hardly believe it," John murmured as Mrs. Hughes knocked on the door. "Mr. Bates, if you please…"

Robert had the chess board set up when John made his way into the small library. He hated having to leave Anna, but such was his lot. Robert had rung for tea and sandwiches also knowing that John hadn't eaten much earlier and had skipped dinner entirely.

"Take a seat," Robert invited. "I have tea and sandwiches, and Daisy snuck on a few biscuits. You should try and eat something, Anna will be exhausted after such a long lie in."

John eased himself onto the settee and bit the inside of his cheek to avoid hissing when his knee shot razor blades of pain up his leg and into his lower back.

Still, Robert saw him wince, something he had rarely seen in the 18 years John worked for him. "John?"

The tone of Robert's voice asked all the questions his words didn't.

"It's fine, Robert," John replied. "Just a little sore, a lot of walking."

"It isn't fine," Robert challenged. "I've been working with you for 18 years and I have rarely seen you make…I have rarely seen that look on your face. Has the shrapnel moved again? Was this why I left you in the center of the village, so I wouldn't see you go into the hospital?"

John looked down in shame. He had tried to hide the increased pain from Robert, from Anna, from everyone, he truly did, but he had failed. How could he ever expect Robert to keep up his end of the investment in the hotel if he knew?

"John, don't start brooding," Robert lightly imploded. "Tell me what's going on. I can't help if I don't know. How can I keep up my end and protect Anna and the children if I don't know?"

John glared at Robert, "Cheap shot using my long suffering, laboring wife against me."

Robert took a sip of his tea, "All's fair…"

Robert backed off for the moment, "Eat something. If Mrs. Patmore finds out you haven't she'll be in a state."

John took two of the small sandwiches and took a bite of each one. The food seemed to turn into a rock in his throat and made it hard to swallow. He tried to avoid shifting position to relieve his back for fear he would give himself away at best or cause more pain at worst though to take a sip of tea to try and force down a third bite he had to. John felt himself grimace again, this time he knew he would have to say something.

"It's the old wound," John sighed. "It's always come and gone, good days and bad, but lately it's a different type of pain and it is um…traveling a bit, and with a new babe coming I thought I'd pop round and see Dr. Clarkson."

"And?" Robert couldn't help but feel guilty. This had happened because of him. It wasn't his fault, he knew that, but if not for John's selflessness he would not have ever been wounded. It was Robert that fought like the devil for the field doctors and surgeons in London to save the leg when it would have been easier to amputate. That was a decision he would stand behind even until this day seeing how his former batman, valet, and friend blossomed to life with his family.

"And it's not the shrapnel," John replied. "Well, not entirely at any rate. Old Clarkson says I have arthritis. He says there's naught to be done but rest, but not too much rest, ice but not too much ice…It'll only get worse as I age."

Robert stood up moving John to do the same. He would still stand in respect for his lord, his lady, and his dearest wife when she didn't scold him for it. "Sit down," Robert sighed. "I am going to ring for Andrew, he can move that ottoman closer and you can raise it up a touch while we wait."

"I can get the ottoman myself," John replied. "I don't need coddling, and I don't need Anna fussing either. She has enough to deal with given the children."

John got the ottoman and positioned it so he could elevate his bad leg. "I'll get it sorted. I won't be a burden on my wife. The hotel is going to allow me some more time off my feet that'll help some."

Robert conceded to his friends pride and clapped his hands, "Okay, now black or white. You're about to be a father again, so you choose."

The game began in earnest with Robert setting John up with quite a challenge. Robert was just about to call a check mate when the library doors opened to reveal Mary. "I'm ever so sorry, Bates," she said quickly. "There's no news just yet but Nanny…Johnny won't stay settled. He keeps asking for you and Anna."

John nodded and looked at the chess board. He reached down and moved his piece to get himself out of check.

Johnny was sitting up on his little bed with Nanny when John came in. Johnny brightened when he heard the tap of his father's cane. "Daddy!"

John moved closer and nodded to Nanny to give him a few minutes with his son. Johnny eyes were red and tears were on his plump little cheeks. "What's the matter, me lad?" John asked gently. "Can't get to sleep?"

Johnny shook his head, "I miss Mummy and my bed at the cottage."

"Oh, I see," John replied. "Yes, our own beds are the most exquisite comfort aren't they? And as for Mummy, she's busy having the baby right now. I know you miss her so much, but soon, when the baby is here, you can see Mummy and give her the biggest hug and kiss you can. Okay?"

Johnny nodded, "Will you sing to me?" He crawled into John's lap, knowing his father would never deny him this.

John didn't reply, he simply held his son in his arms and started to rock and softly sing. "Over in Killarney. Many years ago…"

A/N: And that's chapter 5. Anna will have the baby soon, promise.

The song John is beginning is Too Ra Loo Ra Lor Ral, or Irish Lullaby. It is a family favorite. Thanks for reading.