A/N: Sorry for the long delay between updates. The holidays are a very busy time at work, and I had a final project to prepare for as well. I'll be back to updating a few times a week for each story.

Thanks to the "guest" reviewer for checking on things. I am doing well, thank you very much for inquiring.

Chapter Twenty-Seven

John awoke, as he usually did, a quarter of six. He habitually rolled over and reached out to pull Anna in for a few minutes of cuddles before they had to start their day. His hand met with only cool sheets. She'd been up for a while.

John stretched and sat on the edge of the bed until the blood started pumping again before reaching for his cane. He hated using the crutches and brace so much he had worked out a compromise with Anna, he'd use his cane all the time, even when at home or simply moving around the library in the abbey.

A few weeks ago, as part of the same compromise, John had gone to see an orthopedic specialist in Leeds. There he received more x rays and other tests which confirmed what Dr. Clarkson had already said. However, the doctors in Leeds had a few ideas on how to handle the pain without John having to be drugged to the point of uselessness.

With the combination of rest, ice, warm baths, aspirin, and rose hip tea John was feeling better. He still had trouble with his knee and his back would ache, but nothing like before his stint in the hospital.

When John didn't find Anna in the kitchen, he knew where she was likely to be. Slowly, he climbed the stairs to the children's rooms and found his wife in the doorway to Johnny's bedroom.

Gently, John slid his arms around Anna's waist from behind as she watched their son in the last moments of slumber. "I thought I'd find you up here," John whispered into her ear. "Are you alright?"

Anna sighed, "I couldn't sleep all night. Johnny was so nervous about today, he looked so small at the dinner table last night. Are we forcing it?"

"No," John replied softly. "Johnny's going to be six years old, and six year old little boys go to school. Master George will even be going to Eaton this year, pretty far away from home. Johnny will only be in the village with Mr. Moseley there to keep his eye out."

Anna sank back into John's embrace. "I never thought the day would come when I'd be putting confidence in Mr. Moseley, but I'm glad he'll be nearby."

"Me too," John admitted. "He's my baby, too, even if he is a boy. We need to make sure he grows up to be strong and wise, but also compassionate and kind. That's a big job. I'm just so glad it's one we get to do together."

Anna slid her arms around John's neck as she turned to fully face her husband. She leaned on his toes and gave him a soft kiss on the lips. "I love you, Mr. Bates," Anna whispered. "Why don't you wake Johnny and I'll go start some breakfast so he'll be ready for his big day. Are we both going to walk him?"

"Of course," John replied. "How else could I make sure you actually let him go?"

"Oh, you," Anna laughed with a playful smack to his arm as she headed down the stairs.

John limped toward Johnny's bed and sat down on the edge. It did seem like yesterday he was Elizabeth's size, just learning to roll over and say "goo" and shake his toys to see how they worked. Now, he was going to be starting school, his first step toward really growing up.

John gently shook Johnny's shoulder, "Johnny. Time to get up, me lad," John burred quietly.

Johnny fussed and rolled himself over, "Five more minutes, Daddy," Johnny whined.

"Oh, now, Johnny, it's time to get up for school," John countered. "You don't want to be late on your first day."

Johnny rolled over and looked up at John. "Daddy, do you think they will like me?"

"Oh, Johnny, of course they'll like you," John soothed. "You mind your manners and be kind and friendly and you'll do great, everything will be just fine." John assured the little boy. He hoped he'd spoke the truth. Children could be mean and he never wanted for his young son to have to experience that. Still, it was likely he would at some point in his life.

"And remember, if something does go wrong, what do you always have to do?" John prompted.

"Always give back love," Johnny replied. "Do you always give back love, Daddy? When someone is mean to you?"

John thought about that for a second. He could lie and reply in the affirmative, but there was no lesson there. Besides, he felt the truth was always best in steering the children. "No," John admitted. "But I didn't start fights, Johnny, and that is more important. Always try to do as Mummy does and give back love. It's hard to be cruel to love, son, but if someone is, if they just don't get it…it's okay to finish what they start. Don't make enemies by accident, do you understand?"

Johnny nodded again, "But I still don't want to go. I want to go to nursery with Miss Caroline and Miss Sybbie."

"I know," John soothed. "But you're old enough now to go to the village school. Mr. Moseley is the school master now, he'll watch out for you. It's going to be so much fun! Don't worry about anything, just be yourself. Can Daddy get a hug?"

Johnny threw his arms around John's shoulders and held on so tight that John wanted to give in and let him stay in the nursery at Downton to learn from Fraulein Josephine. Still, Johnny was a working class lad and working class lads went to the village school.

By the time Johnny, Maggie, and John appeared in the kitchen Anna had a full English breakfast prepared for her family. Little Elizabeth was in her pram, propped up on pillows so she could see the family festivities and learn to react to the different voices and sounds all around her. Lately, she had become more animated, especially when they were playing with her.

Anna admired Johnny in his navy blue short pants with white, starched shirt, and navy knee socks. John had slicked his hair with a little pomade and helped him shine his shoes.

"Look at my big boy, all set for school!" Anna praised. "You look so handsome and tidy!"

"Daddy helped me do my hair like his," Johnny said proudly. Johnny was nothing if not proud of parentage. He would tell perfect strangers in Ripon about his father, the valet to the great Earl of Grantham, and his mother, former lady's maid to the heir to all of Downton. He'd brag about his father's military service and their proprietorship of the inn being restored to its former Victorian era glory.

"Well, Daddy did a very good job, indeed," Anna replied "Now, be careful not to spill on your clean shirt. You too, Daddy."

Marriage to John demonstrated that for his neat appearance, he was rough on his clothes. There was almost always a spot or two on his shirt or waistcoat that needed attending to before wash day. Anna teased him that it was because he had to sit too far back from the table.

"Are you saying I'm fat, Mrs. Bates?" John had challenged. He had put on some weight in the 13 years they were married.

"Not fat, Mr. Bates," Anna replied. "Just a touch pudgy, but I don't love you any less." She gave him a peck and it was done with, though she had cut back on the amount of sweets and cakes that were available in the house.

Lately, John seemed to have dropped a couple pounds. Anna supposed it was to do with how much extra work he'd had during her long recovery and then the energy required for his own.

Still, Anna couldn't think of a better place for their family right now.

Anna pushed the pram, while John held Maggie's hand. Johnny held onto the side of the pram like Anna taught him when Maggie was smaller as they walked the short distance to school.

They made it a few minutes before the bell rang. Mr. Moseley was directing all of the youngsters starting school for the first time where to line up. He bid a special hello to John and Anna.

"My goodness, little Johnny Bates starting school," Mr. Moseley mused. "Time does fly, doesn't it? Are you excited, Johnny?"

Johnny turned his face into Anna's skirt and played shy. "He's a little nervous, Mr. Moseley," Anna provided. "But Mr. Bates has spoken to him about behavior and we know he'll do us proud. Johnny, say hello to Mr. Moseley."

Johnny did as his mother instructed. Anna got down to Johnny's level, which given how much the boy had grown, wasn't a long trip, and smiled. "Now, you be a good boy. Listen to your teacher and study hard. Mummy will be back to collect you later."

"What about Daddy? He won't come?" Johnny asked, unsure why both his parents took him to this place, but only one would collect him.

"Daddy is going to work now," Anna replied. John slowly dropped to his good knee.

"I took the morning off to come with you for your first day of school," John explained. "Because it is such a very special day for you and all of us! I'll be home for tea later and you can tell me everything. Now, what did Daddy tell you about today?"

Johnny recited that John told him school would be fun, that he was to mind his manners, and "Don't start any fights, but I can finish them."

Before Anna could correct that particular lesson the bell rang and Johnny had to be off with the rest of his class.

Johnny held onto Anna's legs and refused to budge. John struggled to his feet, leaning on both his cane and his wife to get up off his knees. At his full height once again, John prompted his son to let go of his mother's skirts, but all in all, they go through drop off with a minimum amount of tears, Johnny's at any rate. Anna was another story.

When Johnny turned around to wave a final goodbye to his parents, Anna broke down into sobs. John sighed and slid his arm around her shoulders. "He'll be alright, my darling," John soothed. "He's a strong, good boy. Besides, it's only the first year, he'll be home before tea time."

Maggie looked up at her mother, not sure why she was so sad. "Mummy, why you crying?" she asked, her dark hair shining in the sun.

Elizabeth's hair had lightened after her birth, but Maggie's was dark like her father's. It was such a contrast against her lily white skin and crystal blue eyes. All of their children had the same eyes. Anna reached down to brush back an unruly piece of hair that had fallen from Maggie's half braid.

"I'm sad because Johnny went off to school," Anna replied. "Because it means he's growing up, and Mummy wants you to stay her babies forever."

Maggie contemplated this, "I'll do it,Mummy. I'll stay your baby forever and ever. Daddy's too."

Her innocence touched both their hearts. John gave Anna a kiss, then bent to give Maggie and Elizabeth a kiss before they started for home.

John made sure Anna was settled with Elizabeth at home before he and Maggie departed for the abbey. They felt Maggie benefited from doing early lessons with Miss Carolin and Miss Sybbie, the same way Johnny had. John wanted his children to have equal opportunities in life. Johnny might not want to run the hotel when he grew up, Maggie might do it instead, and she'd need her education.

"Mind Nanny and Fraulein Josphine now," John gently warned as he let his daughter go into the large nursery room. She merely nodded and jumped right in with her friends for lessons.