Author's Note: Happy reading!
"What was it you wanted to tell me?" Mrs Hughes raised an eyebrow as she and Anna stood together in her pantry once she had closed the door behind them. "Is something wrong?"
Anna shook her head with a smile. "Nothing's wrong, I promise. I just wanted to speak with you away from the others," She reassured her before gesturing over to the table. "Could we sit down?"
Mrs Hughes nodded before the two of them approached the table and sat down together, her hands coming to rest in her lap as she looked across the table at her. "What is it?" She asked her.
"I…I wasn't going to say anything yet," Anna admitted as she lost her gaze for a second before looking her way once more. "I wanted to speak with you alone because I didn't want to risk the others overhearing and the last thing I wanted to do was steal your and Mr Carson's thunder."
"Anna, the anticipation is killing me." Mrs Hughes told her when she fell quiet for a few moments.
Anna chuckled under her breath before taking a deep breath. "I'm pregnant."
Mrs Hughes felt her heart swell, her eyes widening with surprise. "Och, that's such wonderful news! Are you feeling alright? How is everything with you and the wee one?"
"I had a bit of a fright a couple of days ago," Anna revealed. "I thought I was having a miscarriage, so Lady Mary invented an illness so we could go to London without anyone becoming suspicious. I hadn't told Mr Bates yet at that point. While I was there, Doctor Ryder did a procedure he told me about a while back and it worked. Everything went well luckily."
The two of them looked at one another for a time before Mrs Hughes reached across the table and laid a hand on the young woman's cheek. "There is no one living who deserves this more than you and Mr Bates. Both of you have been through hell and back these past few years,." She said.
"I feel the same. I can't help feeling this is some kind of reward for us." Anna replied.
"And you'd be right," Mrs Hughes nodded in agreement. "This is your reward."
Anna sighed. "A few nights ago, I told Mr Bates I wouldn't have gotten through these past few years without him. He was just amazing and he got me through them. I feel the same way about you."
"But I didn't do anything." Mrs Hughes frowned.
"How can you say that when you were the one who cleaned me up after what happened the night of the concert?" Anna shook her head. "You were the one who came and sat with me for hours on end when I moved back in here because I couldn't sleep. You kept my secret when I asked you to and you just made everything that little bit easier. You've always supported me."
Mrs Hughes smiled. "Perhaps it's because we spent so much time talking in here when you first arrived, I don't know, but I do have a bit of a soft spot for you," The two of them chuckled at the memory. "You have come such a long way since then. Watching you get to this point has been such a privilege for me."
"You've been more of a mum to me over the years than my own has," Anna felt herself becoming somewhat emotional as she looked at her lap for a second. "She hasn't contacted me in so long."
"Then that is her loss," Mrs Hughes told her, causing her to lift her gaze back to hers before a small smile crossed her lips. "I know we're no relation, but if I were your mother than I would be so proud."
Anna sucked her bottom lip for a second before shifting forward slightly on her chair. "While we're on the subject., I…I was wondering if you would agree to being this little one's godmother."
Mrs Hughes was stunned into silence. "I, uhm…have you spoken to Mr Bates about this yet?"
"He already knows I want you to be godmother, we've spoken about it before and he knows I wouldn't ask anybody else," Anna explained. "He also saw me coming in here, so I'm sure he has an idea what we're talking about."
"Oh, it would be an honour," Mrs Hughes told her, her voice trembling. "A true honour."
"Thank you." Anna breathed a sigh of relief..
Their conversation was interrupted by a knock on the door, the two of them turning in their chairs to look over at the door before they smiled when John opened the door and made his way into the room. "I apologize for interrupting," He said before his attention turned to Anna. "But I'm ready to start walking back to the cottage whenever you are."
Anna nodded. "I'm ready now."
"She's just told me the news," Mrs Hughes informed him. "Congratulations, Mr Bates."
"Thank you, Mrs Hughes." He beamed while his wife rose from her chair and came to join him.
He laid a hand on her back through her uniform when she turned back to the housekeeper. "Thank you again for agreeing to be Godmother," She said. "I really do appreciate it so much."
"As I said before, it is an honour." Mrs Hughes assured her.
Anna and John gave her a final smile before they said their farewells and left the pantry. Once they had reached the hooks their coats were hanging from, he helped her into her coat before she did the same for him and they put on their hats. They left through the back door then, him reaching for her hand.
She looked up at him and smiled at the look he was giving her, chuckling under her breath when he brought his free hand to her cheek and eased her head back so he could kiss her tenderly. She leaned into him as the kiss lingered for a moment and when it finally broke he leaned his forehead against hers. "We're having a baby." He breathed, his breath warm as it hit her face.
"We are," She replied tearfully. "I'm sorry I hid it from you for so long."
"Don't be sorry," He shook his head, pulling back to kiss her brow. "You did it to spare my feelings."
Bringing her free hand up, she let it run slowly down his arm while lacing the fingers of her other hand with his. "Can we go home?" She asked "I think I want to celebrate a little before bed."
"Come on then. Let's get you home," He agreed. "Both of you."
He kissed her once more then before giving her hand a tender squeeze and beginning to lead her out of the courtyard. Once they were on the path that would lead them away from the grand house, she smiled to herself as something dawned on her.
For the first time, in a way, they were walking home as a family of three.
Author's Note: Thank you so much for taking the time to read. Reviews welcome and appreciated!