Thicker Than Blood

Rated: T

Genre:Hurt/comfort/angst

Summary: Major Angst Warning!! It's 1931 and life is being kind to the Bates family, but as they are the Bates family we know things can't stay rosy for long.

Note: This story is an extension of The Pact and continues to explore the ever disappearing line of propriety between the Crawley and Bates families. The ships for this story are Banna and Cobert and we again see the strong friendship between Robert and John. Mary and Anna also demonstrate a deep, open friendship.

This story is loaded with medical angst, love, anger, fear, depression, and of course triumph. I researched as best I could what was and was not invented in 1931 and then tried to consider Dr. Clarkson's approach and the size of the hospital involved.

Mrs. Crawley and the Dowager Countess are no longer with us in this piece. Plus, there are more Bates children.

I did appreciate the reviews for The Pact and Robert will definitely have to hold up his end. Please leave a review.

This is a pretty long, multi chapter story.

Chapter 1

April 1931

"It's big enough," Tom pronounced as he, Robert, and John explored a picturesque property on the road between Downton and Rippon. With Anna and John's third child due in a week and two youngsters already, both John and Anna knew his time in service was coming to an end.

In fact, with the world economy in one of the worst financial depressions it had ever seen, service, at least as they knew it, was coming to an end. Most of the rooms at the abbey had been closed off. Only Mrs. Patmore, Mrs. Hughes, Andrew, and Baxter remained besides John. There were two daily maids that came to clean but were not part of the household. Daisy was now a part time laborer since she and Andrew had children.

Then there was Anna, John's precious, beloved Anna. She would aid Lady Mary for formal events and the two women took tea twice a week while the children played. Other than that, Lady Mary managed without her own maid, and Anna was a full time mother and wife.

Thankfully, with Mary and Tom's foresight in diversifying investments, much of the family money still survived. The farms were doing well enough and with real estate as cheap as it was, the three men decided to pool their resources and get the Ol' Yorkshire Tea Shoppe & Inn up and running.

"Might be too big," John commented. "It'll be just Anna and I for a while yet. Johnny and Margaret Mary will be too young to help yet, and the new baby, well…"

"Stop trying to talk yourself out of this, Bates," Robert told his friend. They still didn't use first names unless they were alone though they had finally told Cora and Anna they did so. "This has been your dream, yours and Anna's since before the War."

John nodded in agreement to that. "That it has, m'lord. Our own little business, more time together, our children about us, that's the dream. I just don't know if a building this size is a wise start. It needs work, too, and a lot of it."

"Plenty of folks around here and all over need jobs," Tom commented. "Henry and I are turning people away a few times a week. We could send them here. Bring on a few lads from the workhouses."

"Anna wouldn't abide that," John replied. "Not around the children. It's a wonderful find. Do you know the time frame on the price they gave?"

"A few days at most," Robert replied. "It won't last long. Discuss it with Anna tonight. We should get on and get back to our wives."

"Her ladyship looked better today," John commented. "She had some nice color in her cheeks."

Robert smiled, "Yes, Dr. Clarkson has her on an infusion now. She goes into the village for it and it seems easier on her than having to drink those awful concoctions even with Mrs. Patmore's expert hand."

"Let's hope she stays on the treatment this time," Tom provided. "She seemingly does well, then she goes off and goes back down hill again. It's very hard on the children."

"It isn't much of a joy for Cora, I assure you," Robert defended. "That stuff was ghastly and it would make her sick. I have learned more about pernicious anemia and B12 deficiency and liver drinks to fill up two lifetimes. It's an ugly business."

The three men turned to head back to the car. The ground was uneven so John took his time, all the while having to stifle disbelief at the most squeamish man he had ever seen helping his wife drink pulverized liver, but he did it.

When Cora had been diagnosed three years ago with the once fatal illness, pernicious anemia, Robert had involved himself in every test, every treatment, every side effect, everything. There had been plenty of sleepless nights, plenty of tears, and a fair share of anger, but they were on the other side of that for now and enjoying a scaled down life with those closest to them.

Tom dropped John off at the cottage first, then headed to the abbey. John promised to be back to get Robert ready for bed,though that time was now more for a good chat than much else. During the day, John served as valet, under butler, and private secretary for Robert, Tom, and Lady Mary on the business end of the estate. It was still a great deal more time away from home and on his feet than he desired at this stage of life.

John pushed the door open and was greeted first by Margaret Mary. Everyone else called her Maggie, but to John she was Margaret Mary, Margaret for his mother and Mary for her ladyship, Anna's own mother, and about dozen other relatives besides. She was a daddy's girl if ever there was one. She was the picture of her mother, as was their son. Fair hair, blue eyes, bright smile…and the love of John's life.

"Daddy," Maggie greeted, reaching up for John to scoop her off the floor and put her on his hip.

"Hello, my Beauty," John greeted, kissing her cheek. "Were you a good girl for Mummy?"

Maggie nodded, "Yes, and Johnny too."

Johnny appeared from the kitchen and ran to hug his father as Anna waddled her way out of the kitchen to the sitting room.

"You're early," Anna greeted with a smile. At 45, she was going to be an older mother than was "normal" but as John often said, they had gotten a late start.

John gave Anna a kiss then slid his daughter down to the floor. "Go wash your hands for tea," John instructed. "Johnny, help your sister now."

The children ran off as John slid his free arm around Anna's full waist. "How long have you been on your feet?"

"John…" she warned with just her tone.

"And why are you cooking? You know Mrs. Patmore always sends a basket, I'm sure someone will be by any minute."

"I don't want the charity," Anna replied. "I can handle my own family, or I shouldn't be having one."

Anna pulled back and John looked up at the ceiling. There they went again. "Anna…" John sighed. "Please…the people that say such things are merely jealous of what we have. I have a good job, we have beautiful children, good friends…You are a wonderful mother and wife…"

Anna shook her head, "But I'm not. I try so hard, I do, but I'm so big and my feet ache, my back hurts, and I get so tired…" Then she burst into tears.

John moved in to hold her. He knew there was nothing he could do or say right now that would make it better. If he suggested that she rest, she would get angry or cry harder. If he didn't, she would likely shout at him for putting her in this position. Silence was golden in moments like these.

"Let me know what you need, my Darling," seemed to be the best thing to say.

"Just hold me a moment longer to let me get together," Anna sniffled. "I'm sorry. My back is simply throbbing."

"I'll rub it for you when I get home tonight," John promised. "And I'll see to serving the tea if you like."

Anna shook her head, "I can do it."

Just as she made that declaration, Mrs. Hughes appeared at the back door with a basket teeming with goodies.

Anna started to laugh softly as she heard the children's voices excitedly greeting "Granny Elsie". The Carsons had been like grandparents to the children since before Johnny was born. It seemed so natural when Miss Sybbie had taught Johnny that Mrs. Hughes was his Granny and that Carson was Grandpa. Add to that Lady Mary, Mr. Tom, her ladyship and his lordship and the Bates children had a full extended family.

John gave Anna a kiss on the forehead and went to collect the basket. The upset averted for the moment.

After the children had their tea, John had to return to work. Anna gave him a kiss and told the children to tell their Daddy good night. "Why do you have to go away every night, Daddy?" Johnny asked. It was the same thing every night when John had to leave.

"I have to help his lordship make sure the abbey is secure and snug for the night. It is a very big place for him and her ladyship to do on their own with just Mr. Tom."

Johnny nodded, "And I have to be a good boy and help Mummy."

John kissed his son's soft hair. "Daddy is very proud of you. You are the best son to your Mummy and the best big brother. Now, off to the bath. Daddy will see you in the morning."

Johnny bounced off his father's leg and ran to the bathroom. John leaned on his cane, struggling to get up after the walk on such uneven ground earlier. He really was getting too old for this.

"Tough time with the little ones?" Robert asked as John aided him in changing into his pajama and dressing gown. The scar on Robert's leg was the only remnant of the wound he suffered a few years ago, the wound that ultimately bridged the last bit of distance between the two men.

Robert sat down on the edge of the dressing room bed to slide on his slippers.

"That and Anna," John sighed. "She decided sudden like she was going to cook the tea. Of course, I told her she shouldn't have done that and there you have it."

"Anna's had a rough go," Robert sighed. "It can't be easy keeping after the two of them, trying to work even part time, and being the age she is…"

"Not to mention a cripple for a husband," John sighed involuntarily rubbing his aching knee.

"Acting up again?" Robert asked. "Or was it the ground today hmm?"

John sighed, "Bit of both I think and Margaret Mary wants to keep being carried around the house."

Robert stood up, "Do you want me to grab Tom and ask him to…"

John was already shaking his head. "No need, I can manage. I don't want to upset Miss Sybbie's bedtime. M'lord…"

"John…" Robert countered as soon as the formality left John' lips.

"Robert," John corrected. "I was just going to ask when. Anna's time comes, would it be too much trouble for Johnny and Maggie to spend the time here at Downton with Nanny?"

"Not at all," Robert replied quickly. "In fact, Lady Grantham had mentioned it earlier that if I should mention that to you. She wants to be there with Lady Mary at Anna's lying in, if she is well enough."

"Her ladyship doesn't need to concern herself with that," John replied. "We will do fine with Lady Mary and the midwife I'm sure."

"All the same, I think she is feeling a bit nostalgic, so it will be Uncle Tom and Ol' Uncle Donk on duty."

"Please to Heaven, tell me my children don't call you that?" John's face was bright with embarrassment.

Robert shook his head, "But I wouldn't mind if they did."

John left for home while Robert went into the bedroom. Cora was reading as she waited for him to come in and do the same. "You're later than usual tonight," she commented. "Everything alright with Bates?"

Robert took his slippers and dressing gown off then slid into bed. "Yes, for a man whose wife is about to give birth I'd say so. I tell you, my dear, if that were me, in my sixties with two small children and another one coming…" Robert shook his head. "I'd be no good for waiting."

"You weren't any good at it in your twenties," Cora was quick to remind him. "I remember, it was the last two weeks of my pregnancy with Edith and Nanny went to collect the washing. I don't remember where the other maids were, but you ended up playing with Mary in the Great Hall for about five minutes. I'd never seen such a look of horror…"

"Well, the child decided to spew some sort of milky substance all over my best jacket," Robert defended. "All the while you were not even sleeping, you were reading The Lady."

"I had my feet up," Cora laughed. "And I was trying to grow a human being in a very small piece of real estate."

Robert got quiet and played with the edge of his sheet. "I got better, didn't I?"

Cora leaned over and gave him a kiss on the cheek, "You got a lot better, we all did, and we still will." She made her way underneath Robert's arm and burrowed by his chest. "Read to me?"

"You're tired already?" Robert confirmed reaching for the book Cora had been reading.

She shook her head, "No, my eyes sting."

Robert dropped a kiss on her hair and began to read from the place Cora indicated with her finger. He wasn't surprised when she only managed to stay awake for about a half hour after he started reading. When Robert was sure Cora was asleep, he closed her novel and took up one of his own volumes. When she shifted uneasily, he started reading again knowing she was too far gone to understand what he was saying but still awake enough to desire the sound of his voice.

Robert read another hour before checking on Cora to make sure she was deeply asleep before closing his book and going down himself.

That's Chapter One. Read/review and let me know what you think so far.