Sandwiches

The home was quiet when Anna Bates came back from helping Mary with a brief errand. It was supposed to be her day off, (" that's not how being a lady's maid works." As she had told Mary many times.) but Mary had been out with George when he spilled milk all over himself and Mary, causing both their clothes to be ruined, and consequently Mary's hair as well.

So Anna had rushed up to Downton to help, but now she was back home, and ready to relax. As much as Anna could relax, that is.

"John?" She called out, setting her purse down on the coffee table. "Where are you?"

"Out here!" He replied, his voice sounding farther away than she thought it could in their small home.

Following it, her eyes landed on him where he was standing in the backyard, a blanket laying beside him in the grass.

A smile quickly grew on her face. "Why, Mr. Bates! What's all of this?"

He leaned down, kissing her gently. "I thought since we both have the day off, why not take advantage of the opportunity to have a date?"

"I love you." Standing on her toes, she kissed his cheek. "What have you made, love? I'm ready to be amazed."

"Well, you may want to lower your standards just a bit." He chuckled. "I've made us sandwiches. I wasn't sure what kind you would be in the mood for, so I made a turkey one, a jelly one, and a cucumber and cream cheese one."

"That was very thoughtful of you." She surveyed the blanket. "Shall we sit?"

Nodding, he slowly lowered himself to the blanket.

They sat close as they began to eat.

"This one is so good, I may need to try the rest to see if they measure up!" Anna laughed, wiping her lips with a napkin. "These were a nice touch."

"I assumed they'd be useful."

"John! Are you saying I'm a messy eater?" She fake-scoffed, crossing her arms. "I'll make them useful to you." She got a dollop of jelly and smeared it onto his nose. "Perfect."

"Anna!" He exclaimed incredulously. "What's gotten into you?"

She grinned. "I suppose I'm just enjoying our day off." Taking a napkin, she wiped it off his nose. "There- better now?"

He cupped her cheek in his hand. "I will be, after a kiss?"

Her laughter filled his ears. "Have you rehearsed that? It sounds out of a novel!" Her eyes met his. "But I'm afraid it does work." Leaning forward, she pressed her lips to his.

She felt his lips smile against her's. "I'm very glad I made all those sandwiches."