Chapter Thirty

In John's curtain area, Anna gently removed the covers over his leg and the ice bag he'd been given. Instead, she poured the ice cold water into the basin and added a touch more before wetting a flannel and lying it over the mottled, battered skin. "The ice bag was too small," Anna said in a way of explanation to the nurses. "He'll get more relief with this."

John was leaning back in the bed, his eyes closed as he surrendered to Anna's touch. When she was finished applying the cool rags to his leg, John felt one on his face. Anna gently cleared away the perspiration and bits of sawdust that had accumulated there.

John opened his eyes, sensing Anna's face was close to his. He turned his head slightly until his lips brushed against hers.

"Thank you, my love," John whispered. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have done it, I was already tired. My legs hurt, so I wanted to stretch them. I should have been using the crutches more."

Anna stroked John's cheek and touched their foreheads together as they waited for the doctor to return with medicine. "His Lordship was wanting to come in," Anna said after a few quiet moments. "To check on you."

John nodded, "All right. Who's with the children?"

"The Carsons. I will try to go home before the older two wake. Maybe they'll have you sorted and home then too."

They shared another kiss then Anna and Robert swapped places. Anna sat down next to Mary and worried her hand over her face.

"How is Bates feeling?" Mary asked.

"He's in pain but he's trying to hide it," Anna replied. "He betrays it a bit, then he puts on that warm smile and no one knows how much it hurts."

"How are you holding up?" Mary asked. "It can't be easy."

"I'm worried, but I'll be okay as long as Mr. Bates is alright. A broken bone will mend Mr. Bates says but at his age? I'm just worried that one thing will lead to another then another…"

Mary reached over and held Anna's hand. "Papa will be here for Bates and I'm here for you. Everything Is going to be okay."

Anna nodded,"Of course it will. Mr. Bates is way he stepped up and worked while taking care of Elizabeth. I have never seen any man rich or poor take such good and direct care of his children, especially not from Mr. Bates' generation."

Mary started to laugh at the memory of Bates wearing a very tiny Elizabeth in a makeshift sling while sorting collars and shining shoes. He never batted an eye. Anna's recovery was all that he wanted and he'd do anything to get it.

Anna saw Dr. Clarkson heading back towards John's room. "Beg your pardon, my lady," Anna said, excusing herself. "Dr. Clarkson is going back to Mr. Bates' area. I must go."

Mary nodded, "Of course you must. Let me know what the doctors are saying." Mary gave Anna's hand a squeeze as she hurried back to her husband.

"Ah, Anna, there you are," Dr. Clarkson greeted. "I see you have been tending your husband."

"We are familiar with having to tend to swelling in the knee, Dr. Clarkson," Anna admitted.

She sat on the edge of the bed and took John's hand. Robert stood over toward the corner of the room in silence. He was there if they needed him and unobtrusive if they didn't.

"Well, we are still waiting for a final analysis of the x-rays, Mr. Bates, but even to my eyes, it is as we feared. The patella, that is, the knee cap, is broken and from the physical examination it is likely there is damage to the ligaments and tendons as well as the joint itself. You will need to have the leg immobilized for about 8 weeks to give it a chance to heal and preserve the function you had prior to this most recent injury."

John closed his eyes, overwhelmed by fatigue and

frustration at his failing body. It was his own fault. He knew he should have used the crutches more often and rested his hip and back to give him more balance but he resisted it and got himself into quite the pickle.

"Doctor, I have three small children at home, I have a job, I have a hotel that is not paid for, I have to get around," John said as if denial would change the facts.

"You have excellent strength in your upper body, more than men half your age. Once the break has settled you can get around with crutches or moving in and out of a wheelchair that we can loan you."

That seemed to make John feel better. Anna didn't say anything, she just held onto John's hand. "We will need to realign the broken pieces externally as best we can before putting on the plaster. We'll give you something for the pain and depending on how you respond, you can go home tomorrow."

Anna smiled at that. It would be better if she cared for John at home, she knew him and how his mind worked. She could provide the best for him.

"I'm not afraid of pain," John told Dr. Clarkson. "I don't want drugs. I have to be clear headed. The ether was awful the last time."

"Don't be ridiculous, Bates," Robert piped up. "You can't mean to have your leg set with no pain medication."

"I'll take a powder if I must," John replied. "I don't like how I feel on anything stronger."

"We can give you a sniff of chloroform to take the edge off," Dr. Clarkson suggested.

Anna looked at John with pleading eyes. She didn't want him to go through the procedure on his own guts. Why should he have to do that?

"Okay," John replied. "Chloroform then. M'lord, can you please wait with Anna outside?"

"Mr. Bates," Anna protested. She wanted to stay and hold his hand while he endured this.

"M'lord?" John would have none of Anna's protests. She'd forgive him later for his firm stance, he'd pay, but she'd forgive him.

Robert stepped closer to Anna, "Come along, he'll be right as rain the next time you see him. We can go and call Mrs. Hughes and update her on how he's doing."

Anna knew she couldn't argue. John had made his wishes quite clear. He did not want her there for this part, he wanted privacy to act or not act how he liked. She hated when he was sore or feeling ill from his leg and he still hid from her. He wasn't protecting her. As soon as he started to pull away she knew, but he thought he was shielding her and that was what truly gave him comfort.

Anna let Robert lead her to the nurses' desk to call home. When John was settled after getting his plaster she would go home and collect the children and bring Johnny to school and the girls to nursery. She would explain to them about their father and hope they weren't as scared as she was.

This was her wake up call. John was 17 years her senior. He and Lord Grantham were both considered "old" with many of their contemporaries already ailing or gone. They had young children and Anna knew she could not live without John. She needed him like she needed air. She would be strong for him. If he was weak, she'd be his strength, if he couldn't speak for himself, she'd be his voice, and if he couldn't walk, she'd pull him along. And they would make It. They had to. Their dreams were coming true and they had more than earned their good fortune. This would not be the end of their blissful family life, not by a long shot.

"Just breathe deeply, Mr. Bates," Dr. Clarkson told John as he prepared to adjust the knee and put it in a plaster.

The nurse held a cloth over John's mouth and nose and dripped the chloroform onto it. John took a few breaths then felt the world going dark and the pain finally released.

John's next conscious thought was that he ached. His back throbbed and his left hip ached. His head was foggy and his throat, eyes, and nose burned.

He felt a light pressure on his hand, a gentle caress of cool finger tips, and feather light kisses on his hand. John tried to open his eyes, he groaned at the light.

"Close your eyes, love," Anna soothed. "Wait till it wears off. You did so well, John. Your leg is plastered and we can go home soon. Just rest, my darling."

"Anna," John moaned.

"Yes, John. I'm here, I'm right here." John felt Anna's lips on his cheek, then a soothing moist cloth on his head.

John settled down for the moment with the coolness of the rag easing the burning behind his eyes. "What happened?"

"You had to have your knee fixed," Anna replied. "You fell, don't you remember? At the Inn."

John sighed, "Explains a lot."

Anna stroked his brow and pushed a strand of hair back. "Just rest. You'll feel better in a little while, just rest. I love you so much."

John sighed, keeping his eyes closed. "I love you, too," John murmured as he fell back to sleep.

"Mummy?" Johnny's sleep filled voice called out as the sun rose over the bed of trees behind the cottage. "Daddy?"

Carson heard the boy as he held Elizabeth on his hip. Mrs. Hughes was trying to assemble breakfast while she fed the babe, but was rapidly defeated.

Carson took the child leaving the cooking to Elsie.

Maggie came out next calling for her parents, but opposite. "Daddy," she called. "Mummy?"

Carson took a breath. The Bates children were well behaved and not inclined to tantrums, but they had gone to bed with their mother and were waking up with Elsie and him instead. That would be jarring for little children.

"Johnny," Carson replied gently. "Margaret."

Maggie turned around first. "Grandpa Charles!" She ran at Carson's legs and gave him a hug. "Where's Daddy and Mummy?"

Johnny came over quickly as well, but he didn't seem as jovial. His blue eyes bore into Carson's soul. "Is Daddy sick again?" he asked. Carson felt badly, the young boy was deeply affected by both John's illness and Anna's long convalescence after Elizabeth's birth.

"No, Johnny," Carson replied. "Let's go to the kitchen with Granny Elsie and we'll talk. Come on now. Scones for breakfast."

Carson led the children into the kitchen and they greeted their beloved "Granny Elsie" with hugs and kisses. Carson put Elizabeth in the pram and put Maggie in her seat. Johnny got up into his own chair as Elsie put the clotted cream and jam on the table.

Carson helped Johnny and Elsie helped Maggie make a plate then Carson spoke. "I understand you are wondering where your parents are. There's nothing to be afraid of, they will be home later on."

"Where are they?" Maggie asked taking a sip of milk.

"At hospital dear one," Carson replied. "Your Daddy hurt his bad leg last night after you went to sleep and Dr. Clarkson had to fix it for him. He is having a rest then he will be home with Mummy."

Maggie started to cry. Johnny slid off his seat and went to hold his little sister copying John when Anna was upset. "Is okay, Maggie. Daddy will be alright. Grandpa Charlie said."

Elsie stroked Maggie's hair. "Your Daddy is fine, wee one. He fell down and has a broken leg, that's all. People get broken bones all the time. I broke my wrist only last year and it is good as new." Elsie showed the children her mended wrist. "Now dry your tears and finish your breakfast. You can stay here today and draw pictures for Mummy and Daddy when they get back."

The children seemed appeased for now, much to Carson's relief. Elizabeth chose that moment to start babbling, her noises becoming more wordlike. Carson took Elizabeth out of her pram and started working with her again. "Who am I, Elizabeth," Carson asked. "Am I Grandpa? Grandpa Charlie?"

It was mid-morning when John and Anna arrived home. Tom had gone to get them in the car. John had a time getting into the vehicle with the heavy plaster and crutches, but between Robert and Anna they managed to help him.

Johnny was obediently coloring as Carson encouraged, but Maggie was full of nervous energy and couldn't take her eyes off the window.

When the car pulled up, Elsie had to grab her arm and hold her back so she didn't charge the car. "Let Daddy and Mummy get out of the car, lass," Elsie gently guided. "Daddy needs extra time to get in the house because of his leg. Go wait with your brother."

John saw his little girl's face in the window and sighed when Mrs. Hughes seemed to pull her back. Anna stood in front of him holding the crutches as John eased his body from the car.

"Take your time," Anna said gently.

"Do you need a hand, Bates?" Robert asked.

John shook his head and used his strong arms and chest muscles to lever himself up.

"Don't put your weight on it," Anna reminded him as John instinctually put his foot toward the ground. He was under strict orders not to bear weight on his leg.

"Don't worry," John said, though more sarcastic than soothing. He had made that mistake earlier and the stars were still before his eyes.

"Be careful, darling," Anna said softly. "Go slowly."

Robert didn't say anything, nor did Tom. When John and Anna were focused on each other, they often forgot there was anyone else beyond the two of them.

A/N: So, John is home and on the road to recovery, though how long and winding that road is remains to be seen, and I did love Grandpa Charlie in this scene. He wrote himself so well. Thanks for reading.