Chapter Ten

"How are you feeling now, Anna?" Dr. Clarkson asked as he gently examined his patient. John had taken the time to phone the abbey and update Robert on Anna and the baby's condition.

"She is a tiny thing," John said, probably for the fourth time. "But she has a healthy glow and if she's displeased about the bumps and cracks the child doctor mentioned she doesn't complain."

"Bates, you sound so much lighter," Robert said smiling at Cora to let her know the news was good. "Once Anna is settled please allow me to send Lady Mary or her ladyship to sit with her. Get some rest and come see your son and daughter."

"Has anyone talked to them?" John asked. "I feel terrible neglecting them, but Anna…"

"No need to explain anything to me," Robert replied. "I had my share of this, trust me. I spoke to Johnny myself, and both children know they have a new sister. Now, get back to Anna so you can come see your older children and get some rest."

John agreed then headed back to Anna's room. "I can't be in bed that long!" John heard Anna protesting. "I have three children to care for and Mr. Bates, he…"

"Mr. Bates," John said softly as he entered the room. "Can take care of himself, the children, and you, Mrs. Bates as long as is required for your health. What kind of convalescence are we talking about?"

"Well, the fluids and IV therapy has increased Anna's blood volume so she is free from the shock. However, the incisions will take time to heal properly. It is imperative she remain as still as possible, no lifting at all, no strenuous activity of any kind."

"He says for at least for a month's time I cannot even lift the baby," Anna told John with tears in her eyes. "How can I care for her if…"

John closed the gap he'd left open for propriety's sake and took Anna's hands. "We will care for her," John said gently. "We will take the best care of all our children together. We'll be all right. Don't be upset, don't be upset."

John turned his attention to Dr. Clarkson. "When can I bring my wife home? She is right in one worry, our children need us. All of them."

Dr. Clarkson agreed. "When Anna can get from the bed to a chair and manage to sit up for a while without dizziness or fainting, I will release her to your care on the strictest orders that she remain in bed for anything except the water closet. Even after that, Anna you must bathe thoroughly until the incisions have healed."

John hated vague answers. "So that's days, weeks, months?"

"A week for certain, it could be two," Dr. Clarkson replied. "Dr. Cooke also needs to release the baby and he likely won't do so until he sees the shoulder and collar bone healing."

Dr. Clarkson didn't know the can of worms he just opened.

John knew he was in for it by the look on Anna's face. She grilled Dr. Clarkson about what he had said and demanded with her full spirit, "I want to see my baby. Now!"

Dr. Clarkson used that as a way to escape stating he would "arrange it". When he left Anna fixed her exhausted gaze on John. "Why didn't you tell me? I asked after our baby and you never thought to tell me she was born with painful injuries?"

John sighed, "I'm sorry, Anna. There are two reasons for that, the first being that you were and are still quite weak and exhausted and second, because to me our baby girl is perfect and what's more, she's perfect to herself. She doesn't act like an injured baby, she doesn't cry or fuss. She is fine, Anna. Perfect and fine."

"I still had the right to know," Anna replied. "I had the right to know that my own ineptitude injured our baby. I want to see my baby now, John. See to it that it happens please."

John knew he couldn't and shouldn't argue with her. It hurt that she felt she had caused Elizabeth's birth injuries but it was partially accurate. Her body had not complied with her desire and they were both paying the price.

A few minutes later, Dr. Cooke appeared with Elizabeth in her bassinet. "Mr. Bates, Mrs. Bates," he greeted. "Someone is ready for her next feed and to meet her Mummy."

Anna looked at the young doctor and smiled as her arms instinctually reached out for her baby. Dr. Cooke leaned down and gently transferred the slip of a babe into Anna's arms. "Oh, hello," Anna cooed at the little bundle. She offered the baby her knuckle and she immediately started to suckle.

John took a moment to look down at his girls. He would never tire of seeing Anna with a baby in her arms. Even though he knew this was going to be their last birth, he took immense joy and pride in the sight before him. Anna looked up at Dr. Cooke. "Tell me about my baby, doctor?"

Dr. Cooke clapped his hands together. "I am Dr. Brian Cook, a visiting pediatric specialist from York. I have been involved in your daughter's care since she arrived here. Most importantly, she is a very healthy looking baby. Her heart, lungs, kidneys and everything appear to be functioning normally. The difficult birth caused more superficial injuries, most distinctly the bruising on her temples and the fracture of her collar bone, both of which you can see, neither of which seem to bother her."

Anna nodded, "That's good to hear. Will she be all right?"

"Her injuries will heal. We already reduced her shoulder dislocation and that seems to be holding well," Dr. Cooke answered. He detected John shooting daggers at him with his eyes. The younger doctor didn't dare mention the possibility of delays, especially since he didn't know if that was accurate. "She's a good baby, well for the circumstances of her birth. It's a miracle she's here, it truly is."

Anna only nodded her head, fully entranced by her newborn daughter. She managed to thank the doctor as she played with Elizabeth's tiny hands. She counted her fingers, her toes, and kissed her tiny nose, cheeks, and forehead.

John moved slowly to sit beside Anna on her bed. He gently slipped his arms around her slight form and held both his girls closer to him. John pressed his lips to Anna's head and whispered, "I love you, Mrs. Bates."

Anna was sleeping when Mary and Cora came to take John's place. John had dozed off as well in the chair beside the bed but woke as soon as he heard the click of heels on the hospital floor. "My ladies," he greeted, rising as quickly as he could. He bit down on his cheek to keep from hissing in pain.

"Bates, how is she doing?" Cora asked. "She looks so much better."

"She's stronger, but not strong enough," John replied. "I'm so grateful your ladyships have come to be with her. I'll only be gone a short time, enough to shave and bathe then see the children "

"Take your time," Mary said ad gently as Mary said as

anything. "We'll look after them. I can't wait to see the baby anyway. Is she another blonde?"

John shook his head, "No, she favors Anna in build and likeness thank God, but it seems she has my coloring at least for now."

Cora nodded, "She's going to steal a lot of hearts "

John unconsciously covered his heart with his hand, "She already is, m'lady."

John didn't risk a sit down bath with his leg playing up as much as it was. The last thing he needed was for it to lock on him in the tub. He washed in the basin and shaved his face clear of the three days worth of stubble on his chin before changing clothes. Anna's bag was up at Downton, but the children would need changes of clothes. He didn't know how they would work out the childcare with Anna hospitalized for at least a week. He couldn't be two places at once. He needed to be at his wife's side, but he couldn't impose on Robert or anyone else that long to tend to his children

John slowly walked to the abbey with a little case for the children. Tired was not the word to describe how he felt, but sleep was a luxury he couldn't afford just now.

When John arrived at Downton, he walked into the servants hall and smiled at Mrs. Patmore and Daisy. The rest of the staff was going about their duties, so the hall itself was quiet.

"Mr. Bates, how is Anna and the babe?" Mrs. Patmore asked. "Have you eaten? Daisy, get Mr. Bates a plate of food and cup of tea."

Daisy gave John a smile and hurried to get him some food. "While you're here I'll fix a basket for you to take to Anna in hospital. She won't recover her strength from eating that stuff!"

John wanted to forgo the snack and go straight to his children, but arguing with Mrs. Patmore was like trying to herd stray cats, pointless, tiring, and a certain failure, so John ate the meal she provided, not realizing how hungry he was until he had finished the plate.

John's next stop was to see the children. He gingerly climbed the stairs wondering if Robert would ever get around to having a lift installed, but he knew it was a foolish notion. When he reached the top of the steps, John leaned on his cane to get his breath. He hadn't breathed this hard climbing stairs since his earliest days at Downton. He might have to sleep at home a few nights if only to let his legs stretch out.

When John caught his breath, he walked to the nursery where Nanny was doing letters with Margaret Mary and Caroline. Sibby and George were working with Johnny on the color wheel introducing him to an array of different tones and hues the young boy hadn't put names to yet. John simply stood in the doorway and watched. He glowed with pride as Margaret Mary finished the alphabet and Johnny recognized lavender as his Mummy's favorite color.

Maggie saw him first. Nanny had moved onto naming objects from a picture book when Maggie suddenly jumped up and took off for John at full speed crying out, "Daddy! Daddy!" at the top of her lungs.

John stooped and scooped Maggie into his arms, giving her a hug and kiss. "Margaret Mary Bates, seems to me you've grown in the last four days. Look at you." John tickled her belly as the little girl laughed.

Caroline, George and Sibby all lined up to greet their Donk's friend and favorite storybook reader. "Congratulations, Bates," Sybbie bid him already the portrait of a little lady.

"Thank you, Miss Sybbie," John replied and looked at his son. He slid Maggie down and moved closer to his boy, "Hello, Johnny."

Johnny didn't even look at John. Nanny saw the need to give the Bates family some time to talk, so she ushered the three Crawley cousins away to the night nursery.

A/N: Little cliffhanger there. Johnny doesn't seem to be too happy with John. Anna wasn't too happy with him either. Poor Bates. Thanks for reading.