Chapter 6

Anna took in a breath before she quietly knocked against the closed inn door of the room she'd been visiting for the past few months.

When it opened, John greeted her with a smile as he closed the door behind them then slid both arms across her waist lovingly. "Have you been able to put your feet up and rest at all?" he asked, his concern evident in his gentle voice.

"Actually, yes, I have. Lady Mary has also seen how tired I look and has made sure I do take a lie down during the day when I can." Anna laid down immediately allowing John to bestow his soft kisses on her face. The same kisses that made her heart skip several beats every time she felt them.

Anna brought her arm against John's chest when she pulled back, "Before we start, I received a call from Dr. Clarkson."

The kisses immediately ceased as John met her eyes expectantly, "What did he say, Anna?"

"I'm pregnant, I'm pregnant Mr. Bates," Anna whispered so low he strained to hear, but the second set pf words came clear.

John looked up so they met eyes through clouds of tears that matched his slowly quivering lip. She was pregnant. When he opened his mouth to speak only a noise came out, he was so overwhelmed with emotions.

It took several attempts before John managed to speak, but even then, it came broken in laughter, "Oh my god, really? And you're sure?"

"Yes, I am sure. Dr. Clarkson called me with the news just before I'd left to come into town with Lady Mary. I'm pregnant Mr. Bates, we're going to have a baby," Anna smiled, without daring to take her eyes away from him.

"Oh Anna, my darling, I've never been happier than this moment, right now," John cupped her cheek smiling.

Still holding her cheek, John leaned close until their lips brushed in a slow kiss while his other hand played with her hair. The kiss felt wet from his happy tears, but she Anna dared not break it even when they laid down on the bed.

John chuckled and slowly stroked Anna's cheeks, laughing when she took his large hand and moved it over her belly so he could feel the small bump. "You can start calling me John now Anna. Oh my God, we're going to have a baby."

"I am going to find a job in town so we can get out of this inn and maybe into a cottage that will be close to Downton. That way you can continue being Lady Mary's maid until you don't feel up to it. I don't want you to overwork yourself Anna, so rest when you need to," John gently instructed.

"Don't worry I will, trust me Lady Mary will ensure that I don't work too hard," Anna quietly giggled.

John slowly slid his hand and cupped behind Anna's head, slowly twirling her hair. "You have made me so happy; I don't want anything to happen to you. Are you happy, Anna? That we are going to have a baby even if you'll be considered unvirtuous?"

Anna gave a quiet giggle, "I am quite happy, even unvirtuous, because being with you has been so wonderful. I have no doubt that you will find a job, but please go see the doctor before you do so he can see what he can do for your knee."

John only nodded; he had a responsibility now more than ever to take care of himself.

"See what the doctor says, and I will return on my next day off," Anna cupped his chest then leaned forward for a kiss.

Anna pulled back slowly, cautiously searching his eyes, "May I why you never had children with your wife?"

The word brought a low scowl from deep within his throat, "Because I would never be with her in that way. We just grew apart from each other, but mostly because she was a shrewd, manipulative witch. After the police investigated her for theft, I took the blame and went to prison for her. "

Anna watched his face change into a sagged frown as he spoke again, "We haven't spoken or laid eyes upon each other for years. When we were together, she kept me at arm's length all the time, and not just physically. After a while, I didn't want her that way or any way anymore."

His large body gave a shudder just remembering the long years he spent being married to her.

"That sounds absolutely horrible, so why not divorce her so you can be done with her?" Anna whispered.

"She won't allow the divorce, and I can only file if I can get proof that she has caused adultery, abandonment, or cruelty, which I don't have. There were times I have tried to live out a dream, my own little business, but when I saved, she stole all of the money," John sighed unhappy just thinking about it.

The sad twinkle in his eyes nearly brought Anna to tears, "I am ever so sorry you had to go through that abuse. Marriage should be a happy, loving time where you support each other and care for one another. "

"Yes, it should, which unfortunately I have not experienced and probably will not until she dies, or i am able to divorce her. I wish it could be different Anna, because you deserve that, but I can't," John pleaded, wanting her forgiveness.

Anna took hold of his hands with a quiet hush to sooth him, "I will wait as long as it takes for us to get married, Mr. Bates. Even if it doesn't happen, that doesn't matter as long as we are together, that is all I want."

They both shared a smile then slowly leaned forward for their lips to meet in a gentle kiss.