This was a great read, and I found it very clever how you wove in those three fateful words and everything they induced with such a happy and peaceful scene. It's all the more poignant given the struggles Anna and John have had to have a child, and I think the consequences would hit John even harder. I really liked the last line and I feel it fit in well with John's character.

As well, it's always lovely to read a domestic scene and even better when Baby Bates is involved! The joy that John derives from Robbie (and from Anna too) is just so beautiful.

This story is really amazing. The storyline around Miss O'Brien is one of the best of Dowton (besides The Bates in the first 3 seasons of course :) and this scene I would have loved to see in Season 6 because that is something which really involved me in the show. And I also love to see this John Bates brooding and being clever and being butler. Come on - Thomas and everyone is forgiving him - he and O'Brien brought them into hell. This is a great Mr. Bates and a really wonderful fanfic. Thanks you so much. This is one of the fics I implement into my personal canon!

gah! so much to love about this story from a purely fluffy point of view... playing with a laughing baby. Go for the feels jugular, why don't you? In a tub, no less. OMG

The name- there's a moment in S6 where Bates tells Molesley that he doesn't like to be in debt to any man but he will acknowledge a true debt such as Molesley's role in clearing his name, etc. He might feel the same toward Robert who gave him a chance when other's wouldn't, who stood by him through prison sentences (seriously, can't believe i have to pluralize that), etc. But naming his son after Robert goes beyond that kind of respect... I think he would consider the Earl's unwavering loyalty and compassion characteristics he want his son to aspire to, so... loved that bit.

The struggle- No more bloody secrets. But this secret? What good can come from sharing it? It would help no one and hurt everyone that's already been hurt. But it IS a secret, just that fact alone makes this discovery sit in John's craw.

The bromance- That his mind went first to Robert's feelings is totally true to Bates' nature, I think. And I think you did well to show that it bothers him to think he would be responsible for putting, not only a burden of renewed pain and sorrow on Robert's heart, but the poison of hatred and desire for violent justice on his soul. How much has that simple aspect of the "valet" incident wounded Bates and Anna?

The conclusion- This part... "Sometimes bearing a burden for someone else was the right thing to do"... sums up banna for me. They are quick to pick up other people's burdens (to their own detriment... Bates abandons Anna to keep Lady Mary's secret, setting events in motion that brings so much heartache, prison, a death sentence... Anna keeping Lady Mary's birth control device secret and driving a huge wedge of suspicion into their marriage...etc) but so unwilling to ask others to share their own even with each other. Sharing burdens is their fatal flaw IMO. And here in your story, it seems you've enabled John to finally get the balance of sharing or keeping it just right. You've shown how all the mishaps of their story has brought him the ability to figure it out. Finally. Love how he's lighter by morning.

I think you've totally done him justice. Now, just to bug you (because I went away for barely a weekend and now I have mega-reviews to catch up on thanks to you) what would Carson do if he were in this situation?

I enjoyed the way you described John's feelings upon seeing Anna and their son enjoying their bath time together. Nothing could make him happier than seeing them having so much fun. The moment when John realized the meaning of that strange phrase Thomas told him years ago was a terrifying one to say the least. Interesting about John thinking over what to do with the information now that he has it. It makes so much sense that John would bear a burden for the Crawley's exactly like he has done in the past. Thank you for sharing this thoughtful story with all of us!

Thanks for this! Love it

I agree with the decision you have John Bates come to here, and the reasons he justifies it with. Sometimes, the truth is too hurtful and serves no good purpose. Then, the most you can Di for those you care about, is to bear the burden if secrecy yourself.
Lovely earlier scene of John with the soap, his baby and the bath.

this is a beautiful piece! I always thought that Bates would be curious about those three words...and Robbie is such a sweetheart.

H how sweet John playing with his little namesake :) I like how the name came about to...the soap falling and all the memories of those 3 little words , I am glad he worked it all out by himself and kept it to himself...that's what I love about John always wanting to save others from hardships

I love this story so much. You're a wonderful writer. I hadn't come across any of your stories before, but I will certainly read them now. :)

This is good

What a brilliant plot... connecting the Bates' bathing baby... to Her Ladyship's soap. Wow. And the secretive Mr. Bates has to keep yet another secret. Looks like you did a lot of research on the legal ramifications. I agree- hearing the info would be torture for Robert and Cora.