Every single chapter was so adorable! I can't get enough Anna x Bates fluff, thank you so much for your wonderful work :)

i can't get over how much I love this

Oh this was so cute. Love mama Bates :)

Always love to read about Mrs Bates the elder, and I'm sure she did have a role to play in giving John a bit of a push along in ensuring that he didn't give up when it came to being with Anna. I love that you started it for the start, and straight away I loved John's mother, talking about how nowhere was the same as Ireland. And of course she knew even then.

I love how over time John wrote more about Anna and her little quirks. And I love that his mother gave such appropriate advice at the time of the 'almost kiss'. Seems very significant.

It's a lovely touch that while John is reluctant to show off about their relationship, he is asking her to come to his mother's with him. And he's still nervous about it, bless. I also like the linking to 2.1, with John having told someone else about his feelings before her. Anna getting stroppy was cute, and the little Eskimo kiss! Too cute.

Anna being nervous, John being reassured then thoroughly embarrassed, Margaret as a force of nature - I loved it all. Ugh and I loved John imagining them already married. It's lovely to see another side to John - through Anna and Margaret's respective stories. And I love how forthright but exactly right Mrs Bates is. Love her recognition of both having hearts in their eyes. And yes, I'm certain Anna's reasons for investigating were slightly selfish.

I adore what Margaret says about Anna always being there and thinking the world begins and ends with him. Beautiful sentiment, and so true. That it was something she never had was very poignant. And I loved that Anna took charge on the night of the garden party.

Aww, Anna wanting to impress John's mother. How could she not? And I'm glad for both of them that he wants to give her a proper courtship.

This was a lovely end to a brilliant collection!

Oh I love this scenario so much. There's so much possibility in the time between S1 and S2, and especially in the contrast between how the world is changing and things with Anna and John staying the same. I love the really beautiful and emotional statement of Anna still being able to breathe because John was there, and how that's contrasted with the cheeky little remark about it being nice to hear something confirming his feelings for her.

I love how you wrote the sisters, with Lady Mary's biting remarks, and Sybil being quite sneaky! You built up the whole 'will he-won't he' question of John asking Anna so well, and my heart was going out to Anna. And just as I thought he wouldbe his usual maddening self, there was that glimmer of hope...but I think that's the first time I've been furious with Mrs Hughes! And Molesley - bless him - just about topped it off. Poor Anna.

It's quite funny for John to assume that Anna will be going alone. Already that says so much...oh bless her, dressing up so she can impress John from afar. And then he goes ahead without her! Oh John, I'm not sure you deserve for her to be making such effort for you.

It was funny to read about Anna's 'suitors' squabbling over her attention while all Anna was concerned about was John. It's sweet to see him so jealous, but also painful. But as ever you have to admire Anna's persistence. You're always so good at unravelling John's thoughts, and the push and pull between the head and heart. John thinking he doesn't have the right to be jealous is so great. Plus, the little touch of him smoking at first -brilliant.

Anna practically begging for him to say he loved her was heartbreaking, I loved when she reached to cup his face. So emotional. The shy way he asks her for a kiss, so lovely. It's always well worth waiting for their kisses. I wasn't expecting Molesley to come out! The way John pulled it back was so very John - not overt or hurtful at all, but everything is clear. And yay, things have changed for them! Always so good to read about :)

Excellent!

Oh, yes! I always like to imagine that Anna went to visit Mama Bates with John, and this was the perfect scenario. I've been trying to work one out for a while for a little story I have planned. Whilst I'm sad this story is over now, your writing and characterisations are spot on and I love all the little moments you have written for them. They're all very believable, which of course makes it easier to imagine in your head. Thanks for taking the time to write and share these with us, and I can't wait to see what else you have for us! Hope you're well :)

I think this one shot may be one of my favorites! I always wished mother Bates would have more screen time.

( is being weird, so hopefully this sends!) I've always loved John's mother for the short bit of time we got her in the show, so I really liked getting more of her here. A very lovely chapter to end the collection with!

Absolutely loved this. Loved seeing moody/jealous John. He's like a little boy and it was wholly adorable.

Oh why couldn't we have seen anything like this in the show? It was perfect. Poor Molesley, I admit, but we sort of get used to saying that as we watch the show. It was nice to see Anna having fun and dancing, even if she did have an eye on Mr Bates most of the time and was worried about him. I loved the ending though, and how Anna eventually persuaded him into a kiss. There are so many different scenarios you could envision for their first kiss (if it was before on on-screen one, which I think it was) and one where Anna has to forcefully persuade him is probably one of the viable ones. But yes, rambling aside I really enjoyed it. Lovely writing as always and brilliant characterisation, I like how with your writing it takes no real imagination to see it in your head, it just sort of pops up. If that makes sense? I don't think I'm making sense anymore. Great chapter! Thanks for sharing with us.

Oh, I wish we could have seen this scene and THIS one would have done the job handily!

I love that he got it together enough to ask her, or at least sincerely intend to ask here-a good sign he was teetering on the cusp. And bless Mrs. Hughes for her no-nonsense appropriating of Anna's date! And, bless Sybil's at least somewhat self-serving setup. I'm sure she had her own reasons but it worked out nicely for others.

I suppose I could acknowledge one could be somewhat impatient with him, but I actually found John's hangdog questioning at dinner that night endearing, even if it was somewhat pitiful. He doesn't seem to be enjoying lying in the bed he's made, but it's all for the greater good of course!

And poor Anna and the official date from hell. You captured the extreme awkwardness that is all things Molesley, and between that walk, Bates' moody sulkiness, and the eager farmer, I bet Anna was wishing that punch was spiked.

Still, when it all came out, I'm SO glad she finally got him to listen to her! She more than deserved it at that point. Really they both did. He's about to be a much happier man. Their kiss was beautifully written and I just loved the detail of Anna waiting for the inevitable wave of self-loathing and being pleasantly surprised to see it's more of an ineffectual trickle. Lovely to see he's ready for another go so soon. :-)

I loved John for being the one to find his voice and claim what's going on between them to Molesley. It's such a big step for him, and so fast when he's just capitulated to himself. That was a really gratifying moment, as I'm sure it had to be for Anna. The moment of her asking him to promise it won't all have changed the minute she leaves was so poignant. I'm glad he was willing to reassure here.

Very lovely work!

I really loved this chapter!

You babe, that was epic. I wish they hadn't jumped quite so much between season one and two, so we could see gorgeous scenes like this. Poor ol Molesley, always a step behind the rest ;) got no luck there, Anna's snogged him now she won't give up easily

I loved this chapter. I love a good jealous Bates story. Great writing, can't wait to see more from you!