"Don't forget who's taking you home, and whose arms you gonna be. So darling save your last dance for me" -
Perfect!

A good story

What a lovely ending! The reception was great. Would have been such a good inclusion in the series!

Loved the nice bit of sexual tension between them at the party, and then the first dance! I do like to imagine that one day John would find a way to dance with Anna, even if it wasn't necessarily conventional, and this fulfilled that very nicely. Mrs. Hughes stepping in to teach him how was great. Love the way you've portrayed that relationship. And Molesley trying to wriggle his way in...class.

I've loved the mix of humour and sweetness this fanfic has offered. This was reflected well in the end, with their teasing about Mrs. Hughes and Molesley as other suitors, and then leading on to the most perfect final three sentences.

Always love reading about their first night in the cottage! This was so beautiful and romantic. And in front of the fire is one of my OTP fantasies.

Anna and John's playfulness is so endearing. Loved him hiding his face from her and her throwing the rose petals and his mock-indignation at it all. And he's very brave to pick the elder Mr. Molesley's roses again!

The homeliness at the beginning of the chapter was great. I loved Anna's teasing about the number of bedrooms, and the fact that they spent the initial time together simply lying in each other's arms (though I can understand Anna's sentiments completely!)

So glad that John got his job back. Of course Robert wouldn't want Thomas. ;) And yay for wedding receptions! That's definitely gonna be a fun night. Can't wait to read about it!

This is such a wonderful beginning to a homecoming fanfic! Exactly what I need right now. Everyone's reaction to John's return was wonderful. Loved the Robert/John bromance, Anna and John's embrace in the hallway, Mrs. Hughes' enthusiastic hug, and Miss O'Brien's less nasty welcome.

I also loved Anna and John's walk to see their cottage. John saying that he was going to make a romantic gesture every day was just beautiful. I'm a melted puddle of goo here. The interactions between the two of them are just perfect.

Such a beautiful story. I liked how you had Bates and O'Brien able to make a bit of peace with one another, ditto Thomas, and keeping them all completely in character. Of course I adored the bits w/Lord Grantham; their relationship is my second favorite. Do I really need to say that I swooned at all the Anna/Bates passages? You truly did their relationship wonderfully; such an utterly lovely story.

Had to chuckle at Mrs. Hughes providing motivation to dance. Cute story! :)

Stealing Mr. Moseley's flowers-lol!

The scene with Anna watching him shave was very sweet, the simple idea that she looked forward to simply sharing normal, day to day activities.

I think you captured Bates well, that he would be a bit embarrassed by the fuss being made over him. I like the bit about Anna wanting to make his tea. Cute!

True to character, your story. Brilliant.

So lovely! Thank you so much for writing such sweet closeness and intimacy for these two!

They are so cute together *_*

Poor Molesley. I love John's regrowth of hope and purpose, but with that shadow still of prison gloom. I look forward to where you may take this.