A/N: I'm dedicating this one to fuzzydreams (annamays on tumblr) as today is her birthday. She writes so many lovely Banna fics for us all, I thought why not a little ficlet for her today. This one tends to focus on John and Anna more than the children, but still includes some family fluff. I hope you all enjoy and please review :D

The Princess and the Ogre

It was evening and the sun was just about to go down. He regretted having missed dinner with his family that night but it was a rare occurrence and poor Mr. Andrews who normally covered the the front desk in his absence had caught a cold. John waited until one of the other girls arrived to take over so he could head home and get some sleep. Thankfully the walk home was a short one, with their living quarters being at the back of the property and just behind the inn. Tonight as John made his way up the small stone path to his home he saw that the lights were still a glow in the rooms upstairs. He smiled to himself as the sound of laughter could be heard coming through the open window. Anna must have given in to their children's pleas to allow them to stay up until their father arrived to tuck them in bed.

John had managed to make it into the house undetected. He removed his jacket and shoes before heading upstairs to find his family and announce his arrival. The sounds of the laughter and milling about above his head grew louder with each step he took as he ascended the stairs. A small step of light escaped into the hallway from the crack of the children's bedroom door. From the hallway he could see his gorgeous wife sat up in one of the beds, clapping along as their girls frolicked around the room in their white, cotton nightgowns. Jack was jumping around animatedly, no doubt weaving a tale of some sort, as he often did. John held off as long as he could watching them interact within their happy little bubble before the temptation became too great to join in on the fun.

"What's all this?" John boomed as he entered the room.

A startled look crossed all their faces before they quickly realized who it was and he was ambushed by three little pairs of arms. "Daddy!" they all squealed in unison. Each one begging to get their turn at a hug and kiss first. The sound of their chatter was deafening and muffled as they each talked at the same time in an attempt to recall the details of their day.

Coming home had quickly become his favorite part of the day and it had all started with Anna. Aside from his mother he had never known that a single person could be so enthralled by his arrival or presence in a room. But Anna had changed all that. It had started with an introduction and a handshake at Downton Abbey. Then when his Lordship had withdrew his release from employment and he found Anna crying in the courtyard regarding his departure. They soon turned to tears of joy when she realized he was staying. She had welcomed him with a barely containable smile when he returned from his stay at Kirkbymoorside. Then there was his release from prison. A day he'd never thought he'd see. And though he had uttered, "Thank God and you," he knew in his heart of hearts that it was her determination that had brought them to that point. Anna held him so tightly, like he might evaporate before her eyes if she let go even slightly.

To this day, her greetings had not ebbed in their passion or fervor. Anna still kissed him like a war bound soldier and lingered in her hold long after her hugs. She still inhaled his scent like she was sorting it away for the times when they weren't in one anothers sight. Anna traced the outline of his frame with her fingertips as her eyes held him in the highest regard. But what he loved best was how she always found some way to caress his skin with hers even when they were in public. She confessed one night after a session of heated lovemaking that it was because she craved him so and wanted to make up for lost time. They had giggled in the dark but it had struck a chord with John that he had spent far too much time dragging his feet in his pursuit of Anna. Or rather, her pursuit of him. From that day forward he made a conscious effort to give her a whisper of a thrill whenever he could to tell her he missed her and loved her just as much.

With the addition of each child, the welcoming only became warmer. They were certainly more chaotic, but he couldn't complain. John had never known that such a life was possible for him. That three tiny human beings, each one more miniature than the last would hold such a special place in his heart. And he had never expected the overwhelming surge of love they showered upon him. Even though his knee protested and it would earn him a harsh word from his wife, John lifted each of his children up, one at a time to receive the properly. He pressed a kiss to each of their cheeks before enveloping them in a hug. As he looked over his youngest child's shoulder, he noticed a disapproving look coming from Anna. John slowly set Jack down before heading over to greet his wife. He leaned his hand against the bedpost for support and dipped his head down to kiss her.

Anna positioned her forefinger in front of her lips so that John could not gain access to her mouth and spoke in an accusatory tone. "I should deny you for acting so carelessly just now."

"But you wont?" he inquired with a raised eyebrow.

"I'm strongly reconsidering," she replied with a playful smirk.

"Hmmm, is there anything I can do to tempt you Mrs. Bates?" he whispered back in a raspy voice. His eyes darkened as she pursed her lips together in contemplation. John caught a hint of her perfume wafting in the air; it was one she normally reserved for when she had plans of an intimate nature. His heart was now thumping in his chest in eager anticipation.

"Maybe," Anna answered as she tugged at his tie that hung loose from his waist coat. As his head inched closer she licked her lips and let her hand caress his cheek. "Perhaps, you can put the children to bed tonight," she suggested.

John let out a hearty laugh, "I think I can managed that." They both smiled and he finished what he had set out to do. Their tongues mingled in a most perfect manner as their lips pressed against one another. It never ceased to amaze him how each time they kissed was just as pleasant and intense as the first; it always left him yearning for more. But John was quickly reminded that they had an audience and his desires would have to wait until later. "To be continued," he muttered when he pulled away.

John turned his attention back to his two girls, both had their heads adorned with flower crowns. "And why are you two so dressed up before bed?" he asked.

"We're fairies, Daddy," Rosie said with the most adorable smile. Her flower crown was a little too big and kept falling forward to block her eyes. She adjusted it back into place with her small, pudgy hand as she swished her nightgown back and forth.

"You are?" John asked.

Rosie nodded her head excitedly as she bounced on her bed.

"Yes. And Mummy is the princess who was placed under a horrible spell so she must sleep forever until she can be woken up by the brave knight," Charlotte explained. Her chestnut curls framed her face and her hazel eyes danced about with childlike wonderment. His eldest daughter was usually so quiet in nature that he was taken aback whenever she spoke up. She could often be found with her head buried in a book, so it had come as no surprise that she had the most active imagination of their children. "Oh Mummy, you need to lay back down and pretend to sleep," Charlotte reminded her mother.

"Right," Anna said as she laid back down.

"So if you two are the fairies that must make Jack the…" John feigned ignorance.

"I'm the knight, Daddy," Jack chimed in proudly as he swished his wooden sword about in the air. Nearly five years old, he was quite a handful at times. He'd inherited both of his parents' stubborn nature and Anna's adventurous side. But he could be the most loving creature out of all of their children; always volunteering to help and ever protective of his older sisters. He didn't stray far from his Mummy and could usually be found cuddling in her arms or sitting on her lap. Anna had been right to name their son after her husband; Jack had taken after his father in every way. From his dark eyes, that were comprised of a kaleidoscope of colors, to his long limbs. An unruly lock fell forward into his eyes when he turned back towards his father, "Look, Mummy made me armor."

John admired Anna's handiwork. It looked as though she had helped Jack paint the outside of paper bags to look like armor and cut the holes in it for Jack's arms and head to fit through. "I see. Well don't you think this little game is missing something?" John asked.

"Like what?" Rosie asked.

"Oh, perhaps a monster of some sort to prevent the brave knight from reaching the princess. Like an ogre," John suggested in a gruff voice as he removed his waist coat and tie completely. He hunched forward his body as he tried to contort his body to look more like an ogre. John spoke in a deeper voice and stomped his feet about the room as he encroached upon Jack.

"No, Daddy. No!" Jack squealed as he tried to escape John's clutches.

"There's no, Daddy here," John reminded him with a grunt and a huff. He puffed out his chest as he ambled closer to Jack. John noticed Anna smiling as she watched on through her partially closed eyes.

Jack quickly dove under his bed and began to crawl toward the other side. John could have easily caught him, but pretended to move more slowly as he bent forward and grabbed at his feet. Jack called out for help as he clawed his way free.

The girls had already hopped over the bed to help Jack as they pretended to cast a spell on John and stunned him temporarily. "Run, Jack! Run!" Rosie encouraged.

"Be brave, Jack!" Charlotte called out. She waved her hands about an claimed to give him strength and speed.

Jack puffed out his chest as he held up his sword and pretended to take a swing at John. He let the wooden blade slide between his arm and side and fell onto the other bed. A slow and painful death soon followed and garnered a snicker from Anna. "Hush you, you're supposed to be sleeping," he reminded her.

"And you're supposed to be dead," she shot back.

Jack hitched up his armor as he walked over to Anna. He brushed her golden, blonde hair from her face and kissed her on the cheek.

Anna pretended to wake up all over again and let out a long yawn. Her eyes fluttered open slowly and she smiled at her sweet little boy.

"Good morning, Mummy," he said cheerfully. They all erupted into a fit of laughter.

"Jack, that's not Mummy. It's the princess," Charlotte corrected him.

"Oh right," Jack said as he pretended to kneel down on his knee. "Good morning, your Highness."

"My prince has finally arrived. And what a fine and noble warrior you are. You must have a very handsome father," Anna teased as she stroked Jack's cheek. A noticeable grin found a place on John's face, even as he still pretended to lay there helplessly. "And what might my champion's name be?"

Jack tossed his head back a little so that his hair wasn't blocking his eyes. He cleared his throat, "Jack Edward Bates."

"Then you shall be henceforth known as 'Sir Jack'," she added. "You are granted a key to the kingdom and be placed at the head of the knights of the roundtable."

Jack beamed up at his mother. "And my fairies?"

"Ah yes, they shall hold a position of honor in my highest court," Anna said as she bestowed a kiss upon each of their cheeks.

"And what of the ogre?" Charlotte asked.

John groaned as he moved slightly on the ground.

"Sounds like he's got a little bit of life in him yet. Take him to the dungeon where he shall be imprisoned as a slave to the Princess," Anna said with a knowing smile.

"The dungeon?" Jack said fearfully.

"You can just put him in Mummy's room," Anna whispered to Jack with a wink.

Jack winked back, "Right then, on your feet you big oaf!"

An hour later, after the children had been tucked into bed and kissed goodnight, prayers were said and lights turned off, Anna and John found themselves settling into their bed. Anna's eyes closed the moment she hit the pillow and upon noticing the state she was in when he rolled over to kiss her goodnight, John let out an exasperated sigh. John couldn't blame her, he knew that their children could be tiring even with the two of them present. They had clearly taken their toll on her. "Goodnight, love," he whispered into her ear before kissing her on the cheek. John found a comfortable position on his side of the bed as he began to drift off.

Suddenly there was a cold, but familiar hand snaking it's way across his middle and settling at the base of his waist. He felt his body begin to respond, but silently reminded himself that she may not be in the mood for such activities tonight.

"Do you really give up that easily?" she whispered in the dark. Anna could just barely make out his silhouette as she admired the shadows that were cast upon his features.

"I do when I know what's good for me. It's been a long day. I didn't think you'd want to," he said as his hand came to rest over hers.

"You held up your end of the bargain and a deal is a deal. Besides you heard our son earlier. You're my prisoner now, you big oaf," she teased. They both giggled and John ran his hand up and down her bare back with his roughed up fingertips.

"Anna, we don't have to if you don't want to. It can wait. You deserve to be romanced and catered to," John said as he pulled her closer to snuggle up together.

With those words Anna had heard enough. She swung her leg over his hip and positioned herself so that she was sitting just above him. Her hands ran up and down the expanse of his bare chest as they raked through his dark, coarse hair. She could feel his heart beat picking up speed beneath her fingertips and it drove her mad to know in all these years, his love for her had not faltered or diminished even slightly. Despite having three children and the changes to her body that had come with it, he loved her even more now than he did in those early years at Downton. Anna stared at him with all the love she could convey as she brought his hands up to her lips and kissed each one of his fingers. "John, it cannot wait. I've missed you terribly. Watching the way you were tonight with our children only made me desire you more. Take me now," she insisted.

It didn't take any further convincing on Anna's part. John removed Anna's nightgown in one fell swoop and was in awe as her hair came tumbling down her back as he released it from its confines. He cradled the back of her head in his large hands and brought her forward so that he could take her in his mouth and prepared to join them together. Without warning Anna began laughing into the crook of his neck and John paused his ministrations. The vibrations of her body were sending mixed signals as he felt his arousal grow beneath her weight.

"Anna? What's so funny?"

"I was just thinking...I really hope Jack doesn't come in to save me from the ogre I'm keeping in my dungeon," she said coyly.

John felt her smile against his kiss. "Let him try," John growled as he rolled her over and made love to her well into the night.