A/N: So, believe it or not... There was a tie between baby boy and baby girl! At least there was a tie when I wrote this (by now it's not tied anymore but this is all done). You'll have to read to find out what happened... But I hope everyone enjoys it! Baby Bates is always great no matter what, in my opinion... ;) Thanks for reading, and I hope to see you with the next story!

Epilogue

Anna opened her eyes slowly, adjusting to the light in the room, and closed them again. Surely it couldn't be morning already. The bedroom was too bright and she wouldn't mind a couple more minutes in bed. The room was completely silent, which was quite odd. Her head ached slightly but not enough to bother her too much; probably from the wine she drank last night. No one could blame her, not really – not after breastfeeding for a little over a year and being sober through it all. She didn't drink too much, but it was enough to make her light headed. She rolled over, hoping to find her usual source of warmth beside her, but the bed was empty. She opened her eyes again.

No John to be seen, and one look at the cot by her side of the bed told her no baby could be seen either. Anna frowned and sat up instantly, wondering where they might have gone, but it only took a second for the door to open, and a smile lit up her face.

John was holding a very quiet Oliver in one arm, while his other arm was perilously carrying a small tray. The baby smiled upon seeing his mother, his chubby little arms leaving John to reach to Anna, and her heart could have melted then and there. The sight of her boys together was always enough to make any day brighter. John was already dressed for the day, but Oliver still wore his pyjamas, his short blonde curls still dishevelled from sleep.

"Mama," Oliver squealed, his eyes still holding a trace of sleep; Anna thought he was very much like John, but she knew his adorable laziness and fondness of sleep probably came from her, as did his eyes. His hair had been nearly white when he was born, but she noticed how it was darkening as he grew up. He was named after her late father, and there were definitely see traces of him in her baby boy. "Mama, Mama."

"Come here, baby," Anna said, reaching for him, then smiling at John. "Good morning, love."

"Good morning, my darling," he kissed her temple softly as Anna hugged Oliver close. "This little man was quite hungry so I sneaked to the kitchen and asked for some fruit. We're settled to have breakfast with the family later but I don't think it's cheating if it's for the baby."

"The baby and his mummy, you mean," Anna said playfully, noticing the tray he brought had more than just a few fruits, warm coffee and even a toast. "Has he eaten?"

John nodded. "I changed him when he woke up too, but we had no accidents," he flashed her a smile. Anna put Oliver down on the bed and accepted the tray John offered. "How are you this morning?"

"I'm okay," Anna told him dismissively as he crossed the bedroom and sat beside Oliver, who was now crawling towards the pillows. John gave her a stern look. "Fine, I've a bit of a headache. I only really had maybe three glasses of wine."

"It makes an impression when you haven't had any for so long," he joked, catching Oliver and bouncing him on his lap. The baby giggled heartily. He was of a gentle nature, their baby boy – prone to moments of mischief, really, but he was an easy baby all in all and while their routine changed with Oliver's arrival, she really couldn't imagine life without him now. There were quite a few milestones ahead, yet – Oliver still couldn't walk without help, however impatient he always was to get on the floor, and he still was prone to babble many incoherent words, though every day he discovered a new one he could speak. Like yesterday at George's second birthday party; Oliver had picked up the word dog, after chasing a very patient Isis all over the house.

They would be going home this afternoon, and only really stayed at the Abbey because Anna's mother was visiting her sister in Liverpool. Sam offered them the house, but they politely declined – her little sister was in a very new relationship with a local young man, and she didn't want to intrude on what could be a nice romantic weekend for them.

"You didn't have to bring all this, though," Anna said as she took a bite of the toast, then offered some to him.

"God knows just when Mary will wake up, and you saw how much wine she drank last night," he joked.

Anna chuckled at his words, shaking her head. She ate heartily – she was hungrier than she thought – and stopped every now and then to give Oliver a little bit of banana – his current favourite – and make funny faces at him. A contented sigh left her as she watched John stand up to open the curtains and the windows. She put the tray aside and tickled Oliver's tummy. Summer was always beautiful in Downton Abbey.

"Do you remember the last time we stayed in this room?" John asked, turning around from the window to flash her a smile.

Anna felt her cheeks burn slightly but smiled, "Of course I do."

"How did we go from a night of passion," John started, walking towards the bed again, "to me changing a nappie when I wake up?"

Before Anna could answer, however, Oliver burst out laughing for some reason, and both parents couldn't stop from joining him.

"You think this is so funny, don't you? Don't you, my love?" Anna asked, reaching for Oliver and kissing his cheek lovingly. John sat beside Anna. "We've come a long way, I suppose. With this little one and everything."

"And we might get another soon," John ventured, stroking Anna's knee softly. She playfully glared at him. "What?" he said. " I know we've only just started trying but it can happen."

"It should happen, but I don't expect it to happen until a few months at least," she reminded him.

"Okay, a few months until our little girl then," he said slowly. Anna couldn't stop herself from smiling at his eagerness. "Or another little boy, of course."

"Of course," she agreed, moving to stand up and holding Oliver with her. The baby boy was immediately restless against her arms.

"Down, down," he asked, squirming his chubby little legs. "Mama, down."

"Okay, let's walk then," Anna acquiesced, bringing the little boy to the floor and holding his hands so he could try out a few steps. "There you go."

"I go!" Oliver squealed, one tiny step after another.

Anna laughed at his little voice, turning her head to look at John, who was watching them. "What is it that you're brooding about?"

John shook his head. "Not brooding. Just thinking," he smiled. Oliver walked slowly towards the window, with Anna following. "Do you ever regret that night?"

"The only thing I could regret is that I did not stay here with you that morning," she told him with a smile as Oliver stopped by the window.

"Up, up," the little boy demanded, and Anna bent down to hold him.

"But really, even regretting that makes no difference," she told John slowly amidst Oliver's babbling as he took in the view. "We found each other anyway."

"That's true," John said. "Still, we would have had some more time getting to know each other."

"I think we still do that quite regularly, husband," Anna laughed as John hugged her from behind, his arms around her waist. He lay a soft kiss just beneath her ear. "John, behave. At least until we're home," he kissed her neck. "You know this little one will be out like a light the minute he gets in the car."

"It's a good thing he takes after you," John chuckled, then stepped away.

"Duck!" Oliver said rather loudly, and Anna jumped slightly. The little boy was pointing out the window and looking at Anna. "Duck!"

"Let's take him to the lake later," John suggested, "so he can feed the ducks."

"Good idea," Anna said, adjusting Oliver against her hip. "I'll go freshen up and then give him a bath."

"I'll go see if anyone's up yet," John said, motioning to the door and kissing her lips quickly.

"Okay, see you in a bit."

"Yes, you will," he said, winking at her before he left the bedroom.

Anna kissed Oliver's hair and didn't bother to hide a smile at the memories this room called to mind.

She couldn't wait until they were home so she could relive them properly.