A/N: Here we are, finally at the last chapter. Thank you for all the reviews, follows, and favourites. Much appreciated. :)

7. The Last Day

Their final day at the fair was very enjoyable indeed. Anna walked with a little girl in each hand while John gripped onto his son tightly, and they squealed in delight at the strange new customs of an Irish event. There was dancing, which the girls immediately wanted to try, and John stood on the side lines smiling proudly as he watched Anna twirl and twirl with their daughters, their shouts of happiness music to his ears. He loved seeing the bright flush on Anna's face, her eyes shining with joy, her laughter loud and free. She was beautiful.

John insisted on trying to win another prize each for them all on one of the stalls, and they giggled as he missed time and time again, unable to replicate his luck of the previous evening. Anna stroked his back soothingly, consoling him that it didn't matter, and Maeve took charge, putting his failings to shame—Martha, Grace, and James all came away from the stall clutching a new toy.

Their lunch consisted of hot chicken thighs, which Maeve had insisted on buying, and which they ate as they moved around the grounds. There was a helter skelter, and Martha was over the moon to be allowed to ride it by herself; Grace furrowed her brow and whined when she was told that her mother would need to accompany her if she wanted to ride it too.

By mid-afternoon, Anna could tell that all three of her children were beginning to tire, so she declared that they should start heading back. This was met with indignant protests, but she held firm.

"You'll only be falling asleep over your dinners," she said. "You need a nap."

"No tired," said James, yawning wildly. "Stay!"

John ruffled his son's hair. "Son, you'll soon learn that there's no point in arguing with your mother." His eyes twinkled as his gaze met hers. "If there's one thing that I've learned over the years, it's that she's always right."

Anna giggled, and then relented when she saw the disappointed looks upon their faces. "All right, what if we have one ride on the Ferris Wheel and then go home?"

They made their way towards the big wheel, getting themselves in line. Because the wheel was significantly smaller than its namesake, they found that there was not enough room for all of them in one cabin. Maeve offered to take the children so that Anna and John could have a few moments alone.

"Do you still want a go?" Anna asked him as they watched the other squash themselves into the tiny compartment.

"Why not?" he smirked. "I can't say that I've ever been on a Ferris Wheel with my girl before."

Her stomach fluttered pleasurably upon hearing him calling her his girl, and her breath snagged when he took her hand and helped her into the little car that followed. John knew that he probably looked ridiculous, forcing himself into such a tiny space, but the sound of Anna's giggles more than made up for the dent in his pride. Once he was seated, squashed in beside her, Anna took his hand properly again, squeezing it between both of hers.

"This is nice," she sighed.

He had to agree with her. He loved spending time with the children, teaching them how to read, or helping them to create imaginary worlds to lose themselves in, and he wouldn't change any of it for the world, but it was nice to sometimes spend a few minutes alone with his wife.

She rested her head against his shoulder as the cart slowly began to move upwards. He pressed his forehead against her hat, closing his eyes and relishing the smell of her hair.

"I love you," he breathed quietly. "I love you more every day."

She glanced up at the cart above her head, making sure that all of their children were preoccupied with staring out at the view of the world shrinking below their feet. A quick glance below her feet confirmed that no one was staring up at them. Without further ado, she dipped her head back and meshed her lips against his, bringing a hand up ardently to the back of his neck. John's own hand drifted down to cup the base of her neck, his tongue parting her lips so that he could kiss her properly.

She parted from him with a gasp when she felt his hand graze the side of her breast, suddenly remembering where they were, and was flustered to see John's gaze so dark on her.

"You're beautiful," he rasped. "I wish I could take you back to bed right this moment."

"Don't," she moaned. "Don't give me such images."

He nuzzled against her, a smirk curling the edges of his mouth. "Well, perhaps we'll be able to get away together for a couple of hours. If the children are going to be sleeping, we won't be disturbed."

"Your cousin will still be around," Anna reminded him.

"Then we'll have to be very quick indeed so that she doesn't notice our absence too much," he growled, bending to kiss her again. She groaned into his kiss before pulling away again.

"Really, Mr. Bates," she huffed. "You're going to have to behave yourself. We're in public now."

"And here was me thinking that you liked being kissed in public," he murmured. "I can't have any complaints about that, by the way. You taste like floss."

She groaned again, heating further. "Behave yourself. Otherwise I'll be forced to take drastic action."

"Oh?" he said innocently. "And what might that be?"

"Wait until we get home, and I'll show you," she said, her eyes flashing promisingly.

He couldn't wait for that.

John held Grace in his arms, hitching her closer as he leaned against his cane while Maeve unlocked the front door. She snuggled further into his neck without waking up. Her little snuffling breaths made his heart swell painfully in his chest, and her warm weight in his arms was bliss. James had fallen asleep in Anna's arms behind him, and Martha trailed her, rubbing at her eyes.

"I'll go and put the kettle on," said Maeve, removing her hat. "Would you like a cup, Anna, John?"

"Not for me, thank you," said Anna. "If you don't mind, I'd better start the packing for tomorrow. If I leave it much later I won't want to do it."

"I don't blame you there. Johnny?"

"A cup of tea sounds nice," he agreed. "Let me help put the children to bed first."

"Of course. Take your time." Maeve bustled away into the kitchen, leaving Anna and John alone.

"Straight to bed, young miss," Anna said as Martha took her shoes off.

"Not tired," she protested.

"Martha Rose Bates, if you want your father to read to you later on you will go to bed this instant."

"But Mummy, that's not fair!"

"It's very fair. I know how grouchy you get if you don't have a nap."

"Just like your mummy," John joked, and received a dark glare from his wife for his trouble. Deciding that he better hold his tongue while he was still in her good graces, he walked towards the staircase. Still whining under her breath, Martha followed behind him, clomping up the stairs.

"Go into your room," he told her on the landing. "Mummy and I will tuck you in in a minute. Do you think you can manage getting into your nightgown?"

"Pa, I'm a big girl now! I don't need nap time!"

"I know, my darling. But it's better to listen to Mummy. Mummy likes to think that she's right."

"She likes to think that she's right, does she?"

John winced at the sound of Anna's voice behind him, turning round sheepishly. "Hello, darling."

"Don't you hello darling me, John Bates."

Martha giggled. "Pa, have you been naughty again? Will Mummy smack your bottom?"

"Martha, don't say things like that, it's not for polite conversation," sighed Anna, though she raised an eyebrow at her husband and lowered her voice so that their daughter couldn't hear. "Though I do wonder if I'll have to take her up on that suggestion, Mr. Bates."

John shivered at the thought, but cleared his throat and turned away as Martha's inquisitive eyes darted between the two of them. "Anyway, Martha, go and get changed. Mummy and I will be with you in a minute."

Pouting, Martha trailed into the room before them, discarding her clothes with wounded injustice. Anna and John exchanged smiles as they followed, carefully laying the twins on their bed. It wasn't worth disturbing their sleep by undressing them fully, so John unbuckled Grace's shoes while Anna unbuttoned James' tiny waistcoat and pulled it off. Once accomplished, they pulled the sheets up over them, keeping them snug and warm. James twitched but didn't wake.

Martha had managed to undress herself in this time. Now clad in her little white nightgown, she stood there forlornly. Anna couldn't help her giggle, moving forward to sweep her up.

"Oh, darling," she sighed, "we're sorry. You are a big girl now. But you don't get any chance now with school. You'll be starting back when we get home, so you should make the most of it."

John came up behind them, wrapped his arm around Anna's waist. "And don't remind her too much of that," he advised. "Mummy is going to heartbroken losing you in the day again."

Anna shot him a look over her shoulder. "I'd hold my tongue if I were you, Mr. Bates. Who is the one constantly lamenting how fast they're all growing up? I dare say you'll be in a worse state than me."

"I'd stop with that smart mouth of yours, Mrs. Bates," he shot back. "Remember how ticklish you are?" His fingers dug just slightly into her sides, a teasing warning.

"You wouldn't dare, not now," she said. "I'm holding Martha."

"Maybe not now," he murmured in her ear. "But later all bets are off."

She suppressed a shiver at his words. "Little ears," she reminded him again.

"What does that mean?" Martha asked.

"Never you mind, baby girl. Now, let's get you into bed. Give Pa a kiss."

John leaned down over Anna's shoulder as Martha stretched herself up. A little hand found his cheek, patted it for a moment, before she placed a sloppy kiss there. John smiled, returning the gesture, lingering by her cheek and breathing in the scent of her skin. Soon, it would lose that baby smell, would take on the smells of the world as she experienced more and grew older. Anna stepped away, moving to lower her onto the bed. She snuggled down, finding her stuffed rabbit and cuddling into it. Anna pulled the sheets up over her, moving to press a kiss against her cheek too.

"Sleep, darling," she whispered.

Martha closed her eyes. Sweeping her hand one more time through her little ringlets, Anna stepped away from the bed. She motioned for John to follow her, closing the door quietly behind them.

"A couple of hours' peace to get the packing done," he joked. "Do you think you can manage it?"

"With the way you strew your clothes about, I'd wager that I'll end up leaving a sock or two behind here."

John lowered his voice so that even she had to strain her ears to catch his words. "I think last night you were doing the strewing, my dear."

Blushing, she reached out to smack his arm. "Oh, be quiet."

He smirked broadly. "Is that your way of letting me know I've defeated you?"

"Most certainly not," she huffed.

"No one likes a sore loser, Mrs. Bates."

"I'm not a sore loser," she said, and leaned up to press her lips to his. The kiss was soft and lingering, exactly the kind that would have had him pulling her to the bedroom while they had a snatched half an hour to themselves. When she pulled away, he wound his arm around her waist and snugged her against him.

"And just where do you think you're going?" he murmured, and tried to pull her in again. She stopped him with a hand braced against his chest.

"I'm not going anywhere. You, however, have got to go down for tea. Maeve is waiting," she said.

He groaned, resting his forehead against hers. "You tease."

Smirking, she wriggled away. "And I think that makes me the winner after all."

John shook his head. He should have learned by now that he would never outsmart Anna Bates. And he hoped that would never change.

They had shared a pleasant hour and a half with Maeve, drinking tea and talking quietly about the season to come when they heard a thump above their heads. Anna and John exchanged looks. Martha was awake.

"There's some leftover cake in the kitchen," said Maeve. "Shall I get her some of that and a glass of water?"

Anna shook her head. "Don't worry, I'll sort her out. You've done enough running about after them for one day."

"I don't mind doing it. I like having your young bairns around."

"No, honestly, it's fine. John and I have to speak to her before she comes down."

"Very well, if you're sure. Will you be long?"

"I shouldn't think so, no. John, are you coming?"

"Yes, dear," he murmured dutifully, smirking at her as he followed her out of the room. She ignored him pointedly, and he chuckled to himself. No wonder their eldest daughter was a headstrong thing.

They found Martha on the landing, rubbing her eyes with her fists. She'd changed herself back into her dress, though the buttons were open all the way down the back. She extended her arms for Anna to pick her up as soon as she saw her, and Anna obliged, hefting her up.

"Careful," John warned her as she adjusted their girl on her hip.

"Honestly, John, there's no need to fuss. I'm perfectly capable of picking her up. Aren't I, sweet pea?"

"Yes, Mummy!" Martha agreed.

"There. Are you going to argue with your daughter?"

"That's hardly fair. You know she's got me wrapped around her little finger," he huffed.

"What's that mean?" Martha asked.

"It means that you're a very clever girl," he replied, ruffling her golden locks. She beamed at him.

"Let's take you into our room for a minute so we don't wake up your brother and sister," said Anna. "We need to get your dress buttoned properly."

"I tried," she pouted, wriggling in her arms. "They're too hard!"

"Well, we'll sort it out for you, won't we, Pa?"

"We certainly will," said John. "Come on, darling."

The three of them went into their bedroom together, and John closed the door behind them so the sound of their voices wouldn't disturb their babies. Anna sat Martha down, urging her to turn around so that she could fasten the buttons. She did it with the practised ease that came of years of dressing someone else, squeezing her arms around her daughter's round middle when she'd finished.

"There," she declared. "As pretty as a princess."

"Faery, Mummy," Martha corrected her, then turned to her father with pleading eyes. "Pa, I want to look again!"

Anna smirked over her daughter's shoulder, mouthing words at him. John understood them at once: you got yourself into it. He couldn't mind. He'd walk to the ends of the earth for his family if that was required of him.

"We'll see," he said. "We might be able to get out for half an hour before bed later on."

Martha swung her little legs over the end of the bed, an expression of her excitement. Anna leaned down to press a kiss against her hair.

"But we've got something else to talk to you about first," she said.

Her little legs were still swinging as she tilted her head interestedly to the side. "What is it, Mummy?"

Anna took a deep breath, smiling as she felt John's arm come around her shoulder, drawing her closer. "Well, we've got some very exciting news."

"You found a faery?"

"No, not quite."

"Oh." Martha furrowed her brow. "What, then?"

John took her hand, lacing their fingers together as she smiled blindingly. "Well, my love, you're going to have another baby brother or sister."

Martha looked intrigued. "A baby?"

"Yes, that's right."

"So Gracie and James aren't going to be the babies no more?"

"Well, they'll still be little. But there's going to be someone even littler."

"It's good news, isn't it?" John murmured, pulling her closer and pressing a kiss against Anna's temple.

"Yes." Martha sounded a little uncertain.

"You don't sound very pleased. What's wrong?"

"Nothing, Mummy. I'm confused."

"Confused?"

She nodded vigorously. "How do you get a baby?"

Anna choked a little, eyes widening. "What?"

"Where has the baby come from?"

Anna shared an awkward glance with John, shifting in her seat. "Well…your pa gave it to me."

"Pa?"

"That's right."

The little girl was silent for a few moments as she mulled this over. And then she frowned again. "Can Pa give any lady a baby?"

John groaned almost inaudibly beside her. His cheeks were flushed bright red. Anna herself felt her neck beginning to burn, but she tried to keep her voice steady.

"Yes, he could, if he wanted to."

"But Mummy is the only person I want a family with," he added quickly.

"Where is the baby?" Martha asked, ignoring her father. "Can I see it?"

Another dumbfounded gaze from John. Anna sighed, rubbing her forehead. "Well, the baby won't be here for a while."

"But why not?"

"Because the baby needs to grow."

"In the garden, like a plant? Will we have to water it?"

An unintentional bubble of laughter welled up inside her at her daughter's serious look, and she could feel John shaking beside her. "No, sweetheart, it's not growing in the garden."

"Where then?"

"Well, the baby is in my tummy right now."

Martha's eyes widened, and she seemed much more interested.

"In your tummy?" she asked, reaching out a little finger to touch it uncertainly. "How?"

The heat spread from Anna's neck to her cheeks, and she glanced once at John before answering. "Well, your pa put it there."

"In your tummy?" the little girl repeated. "How did Pa put it there?"

John managed another choking sound, and then fell utterly silent.

Oh good God, this wasn't exactly the direction that either of them had planned the conversation going in. How could they even begin to describe the complexity of love and the more intimate points of marriage to a little girl who could only just fathom that a gentle kiss meant that Mummy and Pa loved each other?

"Was it magic?" Martha asked helpfully.

"Yes, something like that," said Anna, relieved.

"So Pa is magic! Pa, can you cast spells and make faeries appear?"

So much for it being helpful. Anna had to smile a little at John's mortified face, squeezing his hand.

"Well…I mean, I'm not…" John stammered, his face scarlet.

"You are, Pa! You are!"

"Well, what about all those other pas out there? Not everyone can be magic, love."

"They have to be! How else would a baby get inside Mummy?"

"Yes, magic," Anna quickly agreed. Having her daughter think that her pa was some sort of magician like in the books she read was much easier than having to find some other way of explaining it.

"Will the baby be here soon?"

"Oh, not for a while yet."

"But how long? A week?"

Anna chuckled. "I'm afraid not. It won't be for at least another five months."

"But…but that's forever!"

She giggled harder at the uncomprehending look on her daughter's face, reaching out to stroke her hair. "It'll be here quicker than you can think, my little love. And you'll be able to feel it in my tummy."

Martha looked intrigued. "What?"

"Well, when the baby is growing in my tummy, sometimes it'll kick to let me know it's still there. And then you'll be able to feel it."

"Is it kicking now?" she asked, intrigued, reaching out a little hand to poke at her stomach inquisitively. Anna caught hold of her hand gently.

"No, not yet," she said. "It's not big enough yet. Soon."

"And Martha, you have to be very careful with Mummy now. Mummy is protecting the baby until it's bigger, so we've got to make her job easier by making sure that she's always comfortable. That means you and Grace and James have got to be good all of the time, otherwise Mummy might get poorly. Do you understand?"

The little girl nodded, before hopping off the bed. She looked up at her parents with beseeching eyes. "Can I pick the name? I have lots already! I like Mr. Tibby, like my rabbit."

Anna stifled a giggle. "Mr. Tibby Bates? Well, it's certainly interesting. But what if it's a girl?"

Martha didn't seem the slightest bit deterred. "Martha Two!"

"We'll see," said John, smiling. "We've still got lots of time to decide."

Seemingly satisfied with the answer, Martha decided that she'd had enough of the conversation, and skipped out of the room in search of her scruffy toy rabbit. John knew that she'd probably be back within minutes, with the book in tow, so he took the opportunity to wrap his arms properly around Anna, bringing her as close as possible from the positions that they were sitting in, his lips lingering just behind her ear.

"That went well," he murmured.

Anna collapsed against his side in a fit of silent giggles, and John couldn't stop himself from following suit. She turned then so that she was facing him properly, a grin tugging at her lips.

"So you're magic, Mr. Bates," she purred, running her hands down his arm. "How did I not know this before now?"

"I thought you did," he growled, leaning in to her. "After all, I'd say last night was rather magical…"

He kissed her before she could come up with some sassy retort, slowly, deeply. She responded in kind, her hand moving up to cup the side of his face, her other finding his hand and drawing it to her stomach. Another baby. He could still barely believe it. Now that the dam had been broken, he could hardly wait to make love to Anna once again, to let her know how much he was affected by the idea of her carrying his child, to give her all the pleasure that he could and more, because she deserved the world. He couldn't stop himself from drawing her closer, his tongue lingering at her lower lip—

"Pa!" The cry was distant, but it brought them back to their senses at once. Reluctantly, they parted, panting hard. John noted with a pleased thrill that Anna's cheeks were pink.

"Martha's got her book," he said breathlessly.

Anna stood, extending her hand to him. "Then we should go together. I've always enjoyed hearing a master storyteller at work."

He took her proffered hand, twining their fingers together. "And I've always enjoyed your lovely tales. Perhaps we can take it in turns."

"I'd like that," she beamed, tugging for him to follow her. John allowed her to lead, his eyes roving over every inch of her, his heart swelling impossibly in his chest.

Even now, Anna still thanked God for the life that they had. Even now, John still thanked her. Because without the spirit and tenacity that his Anna had shown over every single year that he'd known her, his life would be a lot less wonderful than it was now.

Thank God, he found himself thinking, and you.

Dinner passed quickly, and soon the Bates family was crowded into Maeve's front room. For the moment, Martha was content with paper and colouring crayons, drawing a haphazard picture of their family. At least, that was what John guessed she was drawing. They looked a bit misshapen, but he thought he spied his signature cane.

Anna bounced Grace on her knee, their little girl giggling and kicking her feet as she soared in the air. James, still obviously feeling the effects of his cold, had his thumb in his mouth and was dozing against John's chest. He held him protectively, rubbing a soothing hand down his back. Maeve sat in her armchair, knitting. She looked wistful.

"I shall miss ye tomorrow," she said. "I've grown used to having you around."

"We'll miss you too," said Anna. "We've had a wonderful time, truly."

"I'm glad you've had a happy time."

"Very," said John. He exchanged a look with Anna. She nodded. He cleared his throat. "Actually, it got even happier last night."

"Yes, so Martha tells me," she said dryly, which made them both blush.

"Not that," John hissed, casting a glance at his eldest daughter, who miraculously had not raised her head on the mention of her name.

"My, then it must have been exciting. Pray tell."

John couldn't stop the smile that broke over his face, reaching over to squeeze Anna's hand. She squeezed back and turned to Maeve with a beaming smile of her own.

"We're expecting another addition," she said quietly, cuddling Grace closer on her lap.

Maeve clapped a hand to her mouth. "Sweet Mary, that's wonderful news!"

"We certainly think so," said John.

"You should have told me sooner! I would never have allowed you to do anything here if I'd known. You should be resting and saving your strength."

"Precisely why I didn't. I didn't want to be a burden. Besides, I couldn't find the right time to tell John until yesterday, and I wanted him to be the first to know."

"I suppose that's understandable. My, Johnny, fancy you with such a big family! I never would have expected it all those years ago."

He hadn't expected it either, not for a long time. But to know that none of this was a dream, that he had the most incredible, strong-willed, beautiful woman in the world for his wife, two wonderful daughters to spoil at every opportunity, a son to carry on the Bates name…it was overwhelming. He would relive each of those dark days of the past if it meant that the end result would always be this. Squeezing Anna's hand, he tried to convey everything he couldn't say in that touch. She shot him one of those smiles of hers, reaching up to stop Grace tugging on the chain that hung around her neck—one of her earliest wedding anniversary gifts.

"When is the bairn due?" Maeve asked.

"Some time early in the autumn," answered Anna. "Martha will be back at school then, so I suppose we'll have to work something out."

"What is there to work out?" said John. "You'll stay at home, and I'll see her off to school. I'm sure one of the lads wouldn't mind covering for an extra hour, just until I got back."

"Men don't often take their daughters to school while the mother stays looking after a baby."

"Baby?" Martha finally looked up from her drawing with interest. "Mummy, will I have to go to school?"

"Of course you will, sweetheart. You're a big girl now."

"But the baby!" she said. "I want to stay home and play!"

"The baby isn't a dolly," John corrected her softly. "She'll be too little to play for a long time."

Martha pouted. "But why?"

"Because they haven't developed enough when they first get here. James and Grace are only just big enough to really understand playing, aren't they?"

"James and Gracie pull my hair," Martha grumbled. "And they chew my toys! And…"

John cut her off quickly, before she could go into another of her half-incoherent tirades. "Well, the baby will be much, much smaller than they are. She won't be able to talk or walk or even crawl. Most of the time she'll cry or sleep."

Martha pouted. "Babies sound boring. Pa, magic her less boring!"

"Martha, I won't listen to you talking like that," he warned her. "It's not a nice thing to say. Say sorry or there will be no faery searching tonight."

Clearly frightened by the prospect, Martha turned to Anna with large eyes. "I'm sorry, Mummy!" she said.

"It's all right, darling," Anna said. "It might seem strange now, but you'll love your new baby brother or sister when they get here. You wouldn't want to not have Grace and James, would you? Then you'd be lonely."

She nodded, a little teary.

"Now finish your picture and we'll go for a little walk before bed."

"What was the magic talk about?" Maeve asked as their daughter did as she was told. John groaned as Anna giggled, her own cheeks tinged pink.

"Martha's got it into her head that John has magicked the baby into existence. We thought it was better than trying to get her to understand the alternative."

"Quite right," Maeve shuddered. It was clear that John's cousin would have been quite happy to think the same as their child. Quickly changing the subject, she said, "I noticed that you kept saying she throughout that conversation, Johnny. Is that intuition?"

"Wishful thinking, more like," Anna said smartly. "He was like that when I was having Martha and the twins."

John wasn't fazed. "I was right with Martha, and I was half right with our twins. The odds are in my favour."

"John's always wanted a houseful of girls," Anna informed Maeve. "Which I suppose puts him at odds with the rest of his kind, because most men I've met are desperate to have sons that they can show off."

"If there's one thing I've learned in my life it's that women are the superior sex," John said good-naturedly. "Why wouldn't I want a houseful of girls to be proud of?"

"He's a way with words, I'll give him that," said Maeve. "No wonder you're pregnant again."

"Yes, thank you, cousin," John groaned. He jostled James a little in his arms, standing up. While he was most certainly enthusiastic about the act that had got Anna pregnant in the first place, and while he was comfortable having intimate discussions with his wife because they were so completely at ease with each other, he drew the line at other people being too involved in their private affairs. Clearing his throat, he snugged James into his shoulder. "Right, little chap, I think it's time for bed. I'll take him up, ladies."

"I'll be with you in a minute," said Anna. "Grace wants to finish looking at the pretty pictures in the book, don't you, darling?"

"Yes!" their baby girl squealed, bouncing and trying to grab at the delicate chain around her mother's neck again. Anna disentangled her fingers gently. Shaking his head, John left the room.

"I don't know, son," he said. "I think you're going to have your work cut out keeping your sister in line when she gets older."

James, still sleepy, sucked at his thumb. Anna would say he was exactly like his father, that he would grow up to be quiet and stoic and the very apple of his eye. John couldn't find it in himself to mind. Though he would vastly prefer all of his children to take after the creature of quicksilver and light who had made his world a wonderful place all those years ago when he had first stepped inside the walls of Downton Abbey, there was a part of him that he knew would take great pleasure at seeing the expression on Anna's face as she watched her son grow up to be just like his father, and his fleeting chance of immortality would live on through him.

Still, the two boys being outnumbered by a group of headstrong girls who would run rings around them sounded very pleasing indeed.

Maeve elected to stay behind to watch the twins when they were put to bed while Anna and John bundled Martha into her coat and took her for her last short trip to the edge of the forest in search of faeries. She walked between them both, a hand in each of theirs, quite content to chatter about all number of things. Anna listened intently, her head turned downwards, frowning in that absorbed way she did, the little lines appearing in her forehead that suggested she was concentrating hard. John was content to take a back seat, simply revelling in watching his wife and his daughter interact with each other.

"Pa?" Martha said at last, turning her attention on him, "do you think you will be able to make the faeries appear tonight? Mummy did say you were magic! Please magic them here for me!"

John glanced at Anna helplessly. "It's not as simple as that, my darling. The faeries have got to want to appear."

Martha pouted. "Not even for me? We're going tomorrow! Can't you tell them, Pa?"

"I've got an idea," Anna said. "Why don't you stay here with Pa and look, and I'll go in a little further to see if I can see anything? They might be scared of Pa because he is so much bigger than they are."

"I should come with you, Mummy! I'm smaller than Pa! I won't scare them!"

"And leave Pa all alone? Do you really want to do that?"

John opened his mouth to say that he didn't mind waiting here if Martha wanted to go with Anna, but he caught a glimpse of the look in Anna's eyes. She had that glow about her, the mischievous one that told him that she was plotting something. That look had fascinated and aroused him more times than he could count over the course of their marriage, and he felt that same tug in his stomach now. He tempered it by shaking his head and squeezing Martha's hand within his own.

"That's right," he said, his voice trembling just slightly, "I would rather you stay here with me. Let's search around these bushes first, all right?"

"All right," Martha agreed reluctantly. "But what about you, Mummy?"

"I think I'll go a little further into the trees," she said. "My own mum always used to tell me that there was something mysterious about a forest in the country."

"We'll try there in a few minutes," John told Martha, seeing the longing on her face. "But we'd better check the bushes here first, just in case. You wouldn't want to miss anything, would you?"

"No," she agreed.

"I'll see you soon," Anna said, directing her words at him. With a lingering look, she vanished into the trees. Martha tugged on his hand, and he followed her mechanically as she dropped down onto the floor to crawl through the foliage. He was a bit disquieted about allowing Anna to go into the woods alone after dark, but he knew he had to trust her now. He thought he finally understood her plan. They'd joked about it, but still…

"Have you found anything yet?" he called, to distract himself more than anything. Martha's head popped up. John swallowed a chuckle at the leaves that had caught in her blonde hair.

"No, Pa," she said. "Shall I check in another one?"

"You could do," he said, slipping his hand into his pocket, turning his gaze further out. Anna was out of sight now. How much longer should he wait? A few minutes would surely be long enough. Martha crawled through the dirt towards the next bush. Her dress would be ruined by the end of the night. Anna would have his guts for garters.

"Martha, love, watch your dress," he said. "You don't want Mummy to be cross with both of us, do you?"

"But the faeries!" she protested again, as if that made everything completely justifiable. John sighed.

"I don't think they're in there," he said, hoping it would entice her to get up. "They like to hide further in. I think we should try there now."

Martha's head appeared again. "All right, Pa," she said. She dusted off her knees with her equally grubby hands, and skipped back towards him, holding her hand out for him to take. He did so, wincing slightly as the slimy muck smeared on his palm.

"This way, then," he said. Together, they meandered further into the woods. Anna wouldn't have gone too far.

He was right. In the distance, he caught a flash of blonde. She'd taken down her hair, the locks flowing around her shoulders. And there was a flash of white. Heat bolted through his body. Her shift. Good God. What was the woman trying to do to him? Stopping dead, he tugged Martha closer to his side.

"There!" he whispered. "Do you see?"

Martha let out an audible gasp, pointing. "There, Pa! There's a faery!"

He swallowed hard. "That's right. A faery. The faery queen, to be exact. Chosen because she is bigger and more beautiful than the rest."

From how far away they were, it was difficult to tell that it was Anna. She almost shone in the moonlight, bending down to pick wildflowers and twine them through her hair. Martha's eyes shone with the excitement of it all.

"Can we get closer?" she asked. "Can we try to talk to her?"

"They scare easily," he said. "We'd best stay here."

Slightly reluctantly, Martha nodded. She was clearly entranced with the innocence of youth, but John was entranced for another reason entirely. Christ, his wife was half-naked out here in the wilderness, almost as if she belonged with the fey people. He swallowed hard. Conjured up furtive imaginings of what it would be like if Martha wasn't here, taking her hand and lowering her to the floor, making love with her in the heart of Mother Nature. He had to stop thinking like that, otherwise he would make a fool of himself. He cleared his throat and took a step back.

A twig snapped under his heel, echoing in the silence.

Anna's head shot up at once. For a heart stopping moment her eyes met his, before sweeping along to look at Martha. Their daughter squealed and tugged on his hand.

"She sees us, Pa! She sees us!"

No sooner had the words escaped her mouth, Anna turned away. With a flick of that long blonde hair and the whisk of her shift, she was gone, deeper into the woods.

"Pa, we should follow her!"

Martha's loud voice broke him out of his temporary paralysis, and he forced himself into action.

"I told you, they scare easily," he told her, his voice gravelly. "She'll have gone into hiding now. We won't find her again."

Martha's bottom lip popped out in her characteristic sulk. "Pa, this is your fault!" she scolded. "You scared her!"

"I know, I'm sorry. Pa is a clumsy oaf. Now why don't we go back to the edge of the forest and wait for Mummy to see if she found any? She might be waiting for us already, and if she isn't, well, I don't think she'll be too long now, not now I've scared the faery queen away."

She nodded, opening her arms to be picked up. He indulged her, snugging her close to his chest and picking his way through the foliage extra carefully, determined not to lose his footing. It took them no time at all to reach the edge of the forest again. As predicted, Anna was nowhere in sight, but he knew she wouldn't be far behind them. He hitched Martha more securely into his arms, ignoring the burn in his knee, and waited.

Ten minutes later, Anna reappeared, suitably redressed and rosy cheeked, if a little dishevelled. She shot him a smile that would rival the devil's, stopping in front of them to catch her breath. Martha, who had been beginning to doze, snapped awake at once, squealing her mother's name and clamouring to be transferred into her arms now. Anna took her at once, kissing her cheek and shifting her to her hip.

"Mummy!" Martha babbled, "Mummy, we saw a faery! We did!"

Anna gasped in surprise, her eyebrows rising. "Did you really, my little darling? Where?"

"In there!" their little girl replied, pointing over her mother's shoulder. "She was in there, all alone! Do you think she was lonely?"

"I doubt she was lonely," said John. His voice was still gravelly. God, what Anna inspired in him. "Faeries have nature for company."

Martha took no notice, continuing to regale her mother with exaggerated tales of what they'd seen. "She waved at me, Mummy!"

Anna shot him an amused look over Martha's shoulder. "Perhaps she wanted to steal you away, little love. You're so pretty that she wanted you to go and live with the other faeries."

Martha's little face contorted in a frown for a moment. "Really?"

"They'd have to fight me to take you away," said John, placing his hand on the crown of her head as he moved around to Anna's side. "You're my little girl."

"Don't get your pa started on a subject like that," said Anna, and he could hear the smile in her voice. "You'll never hear the end of it. Just wait until you've got a gentleman caller at the door."

"What's a gentleman caller?"

"Never you mind," said John. "You're far too young to be thinking about any of that. When you're thirty perhaps we can discuss it."

"And only then because you'll be too old to do anything about it," teased Anna. "Now come on, let's get away from here before the faeries decide to whisk our baby away from us."

John pouted at her obvious amusement, but couldn't stop the internal glow he felt as he looked at his wife and his eldest child.

By the time that they reached home, Martha had convinced herself that she had actually spoken to the 'faery', and was busy filling Anna in on the intricate details of their conversation. Anna was indulging her to the limit, helping her to weave a tale of adventure.

"Right, miss, straight to bed with you," said Anna as they slipped in through the front door.

"Not tired," said Martha through a yawn.

"We'll see about that. Let's say goodnight to Maeve and get you into your nightdress."

Maeve, who had popped her head out of the sitting room at the sound of the door, smiled a melancholy smile. "Ah, love, how was the hunting?"

"We saw one!" Martha reported happily. "She was very pretty!"

Maeve cocked a questioning eyebrow at John. "You did, did you? Well, I'm glad of it darlin'. I told you Ireland was a magical place. Sleep tight."

Martha accepted the kiss pressed to her cheek. Anna turned in John's direction.

"Give your pa a kiss too," she said.

Martha stretched out and wrapped her arms around his neck. John closed his eyes, savouring the moment of his baby girl pressed close to him, her scent filling his nostrils. He pressed a kiss to her forehead and then her cheek, watching the way her eyes scrunched in delight.

"Goodnight, my darling," he said. "I'll see you in the morning."

"I think I'll head up too, once I've got her settled," Anna said apologetically. "It's been a long day and I'm rather tired."

"Of course," said Maeve. "You must look after yourself now. Sleep well."

"You too. See you in the morning."

With a final nod, Anna left the room.

"And then there were two," John joked.

"I was just about to pour myself a cup of tea. Would you like one?"

"I would. Thank you."

John strolled over to the sofa and settled himself down as Maeve bustled about fixing the tea. It was strange to think that their time in Ireland was already drawing to a close. It had gone by in the blink of an eye, but John relished the new memories that they had made. The country would always own part of his soul, with its heritage running through his very veins, and he was glad that he had been able to share a piece of that with his family. Perhaps one day they would be able to return. Nowhere had ever felt like home the way that Yorkshire had since the day he had walked through the doors at Downton Abbey, but he would always have a soft spot for the place where he was born.

Maeve bringing him his cup broke him from his thoughts, and he took it from her with a smile. She didn't return it, however, looking pensive.

"What's the matter?" he asked her.

"You'll think me foolish," she replied.

"You were always far wiser and more quick-witted than I was," he said. "So I shall be glad of the opportunity to feel superior at last."

She didn't smile. Her index finger tapped against the side of her cup. "It's just that I've got used to having noise and people around the house. I shall miss you all when you're gone."

"We shall miss you too," he said quietly. "I shall miss you. You've been so good to us. Being here…it's like the clock has turned back."

"All good things must come to an end," she sighed. "But it has been good to see you looking so well and happy, Johnny. Out of everything, I can be grateful for that." She stood abruptly. "I think I've had quite enough for one evening. I'll turn in. Will you be long?"

John shook his head. "I'll just finish the tea."

"Very well. I'll see you in the morning."

"Goodnight."

He watched her place down her used cup and saucer and fluff the cushion she had been leaning against. She shot him a smile that didn't reach her eyes and made for the door.

"Maeve."

She stopped in the threshold and he stood, meeting her in a couple of strides. His arms slid around her and he hugged her fiercely, his eyes closing as he remembered the two of them in their younger days. She seemed to understand everything he couldn't say, returning his embrace just as hard. They stood like that for only a few moments before she slipped away. This time, her smile was more real. Still sad, but her eyes twinkled. Patting his arm, she turned and slipped away. John was left to stare after her. His own smile was small. It was true, all good things had to come to an end at some point.

But that didn't mean that he couldn't enjoy every second of the time that he did have.

He found Anna already abed when he entered the room. She'd left the oil lamp on low. It cast flickering shadows in the half-darkness. He gathered his things together and went to the small bathroom to ready himself, returning to the bedroom and closing the door quietly behind him. Padding over to the bed, he lifted the sheets and slipped between them, snugging Anna closer. She stirred when he put his hand over her stomach, her own coming up to cover his.

"Hello," she said sleepily.

"I'm sorry if I've woke you."

"It's all right. I was only dozing."

She was quiet for a time. He thought she might have drifted back off, but she moved again, lacing her fingers through his.

"We've had such a nice time here," she murmured.

"Life changing," he teased, caressing her covered stomach with his thumb.

"I'm afraid Yorkshire isn't going to hold nearly as much excitement for Martha now that she's seen a faery."

"Oh, I don't know about that," he growled, lowering his mouth to her neck and beginning to shower it with kisses. "I've reason to believe that that particular faery is native to Yorkshire."

She giggled, turning her head to give him better access. He was eager to take her up on the offer. "Oh? What makes you think that?"

"Because I saw one too," he said, turning his attention to her shoulders, pulling her nightgown down so he had access to her bare skin. "Dressed in white with tumbling hair, the most beautiful creature that I've ever seen."

"How intriguing," she said, squirming when his mouth found a particularly sensitive spot. "The most beautiful creature you've ever seen?"

"Yes. I was entranced. How daring of her, to walk around in the woods in such a state of undress…"

All pretence was gone now as she rolled over to face him. His hand found her hip as their mouths met, his fingers curling and urging her closer. Her leg hitched up over his, the silk of her thigh pressing into his knee. He shuddered at the sensation of the pressure on his old bones, kissed her with greater ardour. When they parted, her eyes were bright and her skin flushed pink.

"You were incredible," he said hoarsely. "You looked as if you belonged out there like that."

"I didn't want to disappoint Martha," she replied. "She's been so excited about seeing a faery; I knew she would be crushed if she left without catching a glimpse of one."

He closed his eyes and remembered the way that Anna had looked, with her hair falling down around her and her white shift billowing. Even at such a distance he could trace the contours of her body, knew every inch of skin that was barely hidden.

"She wasn't disappointed," he said. "And neither was I."

She dipped her head to kiss him again, all traces of tiredness gone from her countenance. "It's our last night in Ireland. Let's make the most of it."

Slowly, her hand slipped under his pyjama top, fingernails scouring the skin of his stomach. He shivered, felt his lower half tightening in anticipation.

"A night with a Yorkshire faery," she breathed, and that sealed the deal. He ringed his arms around her back and rolled her onto the mattress, silencing her squeal with his mouth. Soon, they were lost in the fantasy of a man and a faery and a world of magical bliss.

Their lovemaking made the night pass quickly, and soon it was time for them to leave. Maeve hugged each of the children in turn, kissing their little cheeks gently, before turning to engulf Anna in her arms.

"Take care, dearie," she said. "And look after those little 'uns."

"We will," Anna promised, squeezing her. "Thank you so much for inviting us. We've all had a wonderful time."

"I'm glad to hear it."

"Anna, Seamus is ready for us," John announced, coming up behind them. "The bags are in now."

She nodded. "All right. I'll go and get the children settled in the backseat. What do you say to Maeve?"

"Thank you," they all chorused together, turning bright eyes on the older woman. She laughed, and ruffled their hair affectionately.

"Quite all right," she said. "I hope to see you again soon."

Anna offered her one last smile, and then began to bustle the children away, deflecting their pleadings to stay. John gripped his cane more tightly, and bent in as Maeve reached up to kiss his cheek.

"Take care, John," she said. "And take care of your family."

"I intend to," he told her.

"Your Anna is a good woman."

"Believe me, I know it." His gaze drifted to the car, where he could see her helping Grace into her seat. "I've always known it."

The look on his face—so soft and loving—left Maeve in no doubt that he would follow those words through until the end. She squeezed his arm lightly and he cleared his throat, coming back down to earth.

"Come and visit us in Yorkshire soon," he said suddenly. "We can show you around England. There's plenty of room at the hotel. Anna has the baby in the autumn and it will mean the end of the summer season. Please, come then."

She smiled. "I'd like that, John. Very much."

"We'd like it too. And you must meet our new addition."

"Then that's what I'll aim for."

He nodded, and then returned the peck to her cheek. "And now I must get going. We don't want to miss the boat."

She watched him turn and limp away from the door, down the pathway to the waiting taxi. He clambered inside, raising his hand once in farewell, and then the taxi began to pull away, leaving Maeve standing alone.

It was a relief to tumble into bed that night, their limbs exhausted. John gathered Anna up in his arms, pressing his lips against her neck, tucking her snugly against his front. She sighed in bliss, lacing her fingers through his, pushing back against him as hard as she could. The children were all tucked up in their bed squashed in the corner. The week had tired them out, and they had soon fallen asleep when Anna and John had put them to bed a couple of hours earlier. They had spent the time since then quietly reading together, Anna tucked up against her husband's side. When she had felt her own eyelids beginning to droop, she had conceded defeat and put down her book, rolling onto her side, allowing the sheets to envelope her.

John glanced down at her, peering over his glasses. "Tired?"

"Just a little. It's been a long week."

"It certainly has," he agreed, placing his own book on the bedside cabinet. "I'm not sure that I'll be able to sleep yet, but lying here with you sounds more than agreeable."

She sighed happily when his heavy weight settled down onto the mattress beside her, his arms looping themselves through hers and resting against her stomach. He pressed a kiss against her clothed shoulder, then sighed heavily, his breath ruffling her braided hair.

"Oh dear," she teased. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing," he said. "There's nothing wrong at all. I was just thinking about how wonderful it's been to get away with you and the children. No need to worry about anything. Just time for us to behave like a proper family. I want more of that when we get back home."

"And we'll have it," she reassured him. "It's not like we haven't had it at all. And I know that you need to work hard to keep the hotel going. We all love you for it."

"I've invited Maeve over to visit once the summer season is over, if that's all right with you."

She linked their fingers together, brought them to her mouth. "That's perfectly all right. I'd love to see her again, and it would be lovely to return her hospitality."

"She'll enjoy seeing the baby too."

"Another little Bates to introduce her to," Anna mused. "Another little John if we have a boy."

John groaned. "Anna, we talked about this when we had James. I don't want a son to have my name."

"You got your own way with James. I'm afraid I won't let you have your own way again. If our baby ends up being a boy, then we shall have another John Bates on our hands."

He knew that she wasn't exaggerating. If his wife was determined to have a little John Bates, then she would have one. It wasn't something that he wanted to argue with her about now, so he snugged her closer and murmured in her ear.

"Then if you're determined to have a little John, I want a little Anna if we have a girl."

"That's not fair," she protested.

"It's more than fair. One of us is going to get our own way. I suppose we'll see who in the autumn."

"Very well, Mr. Bates. To the victor, the spoils."

He sucked in a breath when she nibbled at his fingertips, and untangled them from her grip with a groan. "Don't tempt me, Anna."

"All right, I'll stop." He couldn't see her face, but he could hear the smile in her voice.

"Minx," he growled. "You'll be the death of me one day."

She cast him a cheeky glance over her shoulder. "We'll see about that. But I do promise that we'll get the lock on our door sorted as soon as we get back home. That's at the top of my priority list."

"Good," he said. "Because I'm not sure that I'll be able to control myself when I get you back to our bed."

She shuddered pleasantly at his words, closing her eyes when he pressed his lips against her neck once more. His teasing seemed to have petered out, so she kept her eyes closed, listening to the sound of his breathing, feeling it blowing against her ear. He was so warm against her, and she knew that she'd never been as content as she was at that moment. Her life was perfect. A home of her own. Three beautiful children. Another, final addition on the way. A loving, gentle husband who would do anything for her. It was all mind-blowing. And yet it was all real.

She couldn't wish for anything more.