A/N: The end of our journey! And hopefully one that everyone will enjoy. Much thanks to everyone who has reviewed, followed or favorited the story, and much much thanks to HWW who kindly let me write her original idea for this, and Terrie for editing. I enjoyed writing this little story very much and I hope everyone has enjoyed reading it as well. But now... One more chapter so we can see how life has treated Mr and Mrs Bates - and their new additions!

Chapter Twelve

Ten little fingers and ten little toes. A button nose that she had a feeling would take after hers, and pouty lips that were entirely too adorable. Anna was completely mesmerised – she was sure she could stare at the baby all day. Her eyes opened to reveal the lightest blue, also so much like her own, but the little hair she had was very dark. She was here, and they already loved her so, so much – John had been so anxious upon seeing her, but the minute he looked at the baby, Anna felt a flutter in her stomach. She had only seen that look on his face once, and it was when they first brought Emily home. She could see him falling in love with their baby girl right in front of her eyes, and when he had joked that he had been blessed with many girls to love – Anna couldn't mind sharing.

There was, however, one other person to meet the baby, and Anna felt slightly anxious to see Emily's reaction to her little sister. She had heard way too many stories about jealousy between siblings, and she only had to look at the Crawley girls to know it was so, though it was never something she had experienced personally. Though their little girl had always been very happy about the baby, sometimes even more anxious than they were, Anna knew that the real challenge would start now.

The baby yawned, her little fist holding Anna's little finger tightly, her eyes examining her with interest.

"We are so very happy that you're here, my angel," Anna whispered. The labour had taken well over a day, and she was thoroughly exhausted – but she couldn't even think about sleep yet. Mrs Hughes had been with her through it all and only left when the room had been cleaned and the sheets changed. Finally, at nearly ten in the morning, the baby was born; she was apparently very unhappy to be out here, and was only quietened when Anna spoke to her. But she was perfect, in every sense of the word, and Anna couldn't feel have felt more blessed.

The door creaked slightly, and Anna looked up to see John carrying a very anxious Emily into the bedroom. Their little girl's eyes were wide as she took in the sight of her mummy and the baby, but it was clear she was very much curious.

"Someone is very eager to meet the baby," John announced, and Anna patted the bed beside her, John's side of the bed, for them.

"Come here, my darling," Anna asked, and John put Emily down on the bed. The little girl scooted closer until she could see the baby, and Anna watched as her mouth opened awe. "This is your little sister, Charlotte."

Emily's eyes darted from the baby to Anna. "A sister?"

Anna nodded, taking her little finger from Charlotte's fist and Emily tentatively took her place. When the baby held her tiny finger, Emily giggled, looking from Anna to John, who was now sat on the bed next to the little girl.

"She's strong!" Emily exclaimed, and the baby wiggled a little. "Oh, I love her, Mummy."

Anna's breath caught in her throat at Emily's words, and she looked from her girls to John, who was watching the scene with so much love in his eyes she felt rather overwhelmed. In a way, she thought Charlotte wouldn't be here if it wasn't for the joy Emily brought into their lives, and she truly couldn't remember being as happy as in this moment.

"Mummy, are you crying?" Emily's voice shook her up, and she smiled.

"Mummy is just so very happy to have you and your sister," Anna sniffed, hardly believing in her own words. She kissed Emily's hair and the baby's forehead. "And Daddy, of course," she exchanged a smile with John. "Would you like to hold her for a moment, my darling?"

Emily's eyes widened. "Can I?"

John chuckled. "Of course, but you have to be very careful," he warned her, motioning Emily to sit upright and the little girl did so. Anna passed the baby carefully to her, placing her on Emily's lap, and John supported Charlotte's head and helped Emily hold her properly. Whilst Emily was a little clumsy, she was extremely delicate with Charlotte, and the baby merely grunted at being moved, soon settling down.

"Hi Charlotte," she said very slowly, bring her hand slowly to caress the baby's hair. Charlotte flailed her arms a little. Emily grinned at John, then Anna. "I think she likes me!"

John's free hand found Anna's on Emily's lap, inches from the newest addition to their family.

"She loves you, darling," John said, looking at his girls. "Just like we do."

John touched Anna's waist softly, careful not to startle her, and he kissed her neck slowly. Anna only hummed against him, her hands stilling for just a moment as she washed the dishes. They had had quite an eventful day, what with organising a small birthday party for Emily – her first with them, which was special enough for them as well. It was attended by a small number of the servants, as well as the two young grandchildren of the Tripps', who had become Emily's playmates when they were around.

Emily had been overjoyed by the presents and the cake Daisy had prepared especially for her, as well as a few candy dishes Anna prepared. As a result, the little girl had been extremely excited throughout the day, though the evening found her very much exhausted. Anna had bathed her whilst John looked after Charlotte, and he entertained them both while Anna had to finish cleaning everything, though Miss Baxter and Mrs Hughes had done most of it already.

"John, please, you know I need to finish this," Anna asked with a laugh, and John kissed her cheek once more before letting go of her. "How are the girls?"

"Just fine. Emily was drawing and making faces at Lottie," he smiled, taking a table cloth to help her dry the dishes. "She won't be able to keep up much longer, the day she had."

"Them both, you mean. Too much excitement for such young creatures," Anna laughed. "I think Emily had fun. I hope it was a nice birthday for her."

"I'm sure it was. She was very happy," he assured her, knowing Anna worried about these things. He doubted there was anything special for her at the orphanage, and he was quite sure these memories would soon be forgotten, what with Emily being so young when they got her. "And Lottie should have one more feeding tonight and that's it."

Anna looked at him with a suspicious glance as she turned off the tap and grinned at him. "Where are you going with that, Mr Bates?"

"Nowhere," he said, perhaps too quickly, but he couldn't help but grin. "You know we have yet to celebrate ourselves."

"I do know that," Anna leaned against the counter. "It's not every day that my husband gets to buy us a hotel."

"That was yesterday," he reminded her with a grin, leaving the cloth on the counter and slipping his arms around his wife.

Anna kissed the hollow of his throat. "I know. But Lottie kept waking up and then Emily surprised us…"

"And we should be glad she did that then, and not a few minutes later," he whispered, kissing her lips slowly. Anna smiled against him.

"You're right," she kissed him once, twice. "I miss you."

They saw each other every day and every night, and he knew exactly what she meant with that – it was a relief, somehow, to hear the words. He certainly wasn't the only one.

"I miss you too," he said nuzzling her neck and making Anna giggle.

"Do you ever…" Anna started, and he stopped for a moment, just breathing in her scent and stroking her narrow waist. "Do you ever miss those days, with just the two of us?"

John thought for a second, but ultimately shook his head. "Do you?"

Anna shook her head. "No. It just feels like it's been longer since it was just the two of us," she ran her hands through his hair and sighed. "Can you believe it? A year ago we were wondering if we could adopt Emily. Now we have her and Lottie."

John smiled. "And who knows how many more in the future."

Anna giggled loudly at this, accepting his kiss happily. They truly had a lot to celebrate for – the fourth birthday of their eldest, smart little girl, and Lottie herself was celebrating her third month of life – which was filled with many happy moments, and many learning moments as well, for all of them.

They learned new things about their girls every day – and he didn't think it was too bad to think of maybe having another to add to their happiness, if fate allowed it. He relished in the memories of them – Lottie was becoming a mirror of Anna, except for his dark hair, and Emily seemed to be the only one who could get her to giggle and laugh all day. She was an easy baby, who seemed to enjoy sleep quite a lot, and he was completely enamoured by all of them. It was lovely to see the easy relationship between the sisters flourishing; Emily would often try to engage Lottie in her own activities, even if the baby was much too young to know how to deal with that. Still, they had great moments together – just last week it looked like Emily had got a dream come true in the presence of a box big enough for her fit inside it, and every time she disappeared inside the box, Charlotte would grow anxious and giggle loudly when Emily showed up again. Anna was tired, he knew, and he felt guilty for not being as present as he wanted to be in their lives, but every time she spoke of their daughters she was happy, and the glint in her eyes never ceased, especially with the change they would have in the near future. It made his heart burst with love, for all three of them.

Now, with Emily's fourth birthday, he hoped he could try and teach her how to read before school, as she was so interested in books and words, her inquisitive nature reminding him of himself in a young age. He didn't have much time now, unfortunately, but he would hopefully cease his activities as Lord Grantham's valet in a few weeks, if everything worked out as planned. They had had a couple of viewings of hotels on the seaside recently, and ultimately decided on one in Scarborough, in a rather nice area and with a lovely view to the sea. It would be wonderful to raise the girls there, near the sea and still not too far from Downton. They had yet to tell Emily, but he was quite sure she would love it - as would Lottie.

"Come on," Anna pulled from him, before they got carried away. "Let's get the little ones ready for bed and then we can follow them too."

John sighed, his hand never leaving hers as they reached the parlour. Indeed, both their children were still where he had left them – Lottie was kicking her legs slightly from her position on the blanket, whilst Emily had fallen asleep beside her. Sharing a smile with his wife, he picked up the pencils and crayons from the floor, as well as a few papers. He reached for Emily slowly, trying not to wake her, as Anna got Lottie from the floor, who was blowing bubbles happily, excited to see them. Emily did not so much as grunt when he picked her up, her head quickly resting on his shoulder. She might be four, but she was still very much his little girl – and he hoped she wouldn't grow up too fast.

He was about to head for the stairs when Anna's voice called him.

"John, look at this," she said, handing him a paper – Emily's drawing.

He took it with some difficulty, and his heart swelled upon seeing it. Emily had drawn them – he supposed, at least. He was the tallest figure in the childish artwork, he could guess, with dark body and dark hair, and Anna was beside him, with bright yellow hair. Emily was beside him as well, yellow hair just like Anna's, and the smallest figure was beside her – Lottie. They all had over exaggerated smiles on their faces. He loved it.

"We might have an artist in our hands," he joked, though his voice cracked slightly. He looked at Anna, at the now impatient Lottie rubbing her face against Anna's dress, obviously hungry, and at the sleeping girl in his arms.

It might have taken them a long time to get here, and many changes might have happened in the last year, but the results had been far better than he had ever dreamed of. And he certainly couldn't wait to see what the future had for them.