Chapter 8

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"Mrs. Bates, you are with child." Doctor Clarkson announced to Anna and Bates. Anna looked at Bates, and he hugged her. They went back to the Abbey to tell Iris. They were both a little nervous to tell Iris. They were afraid that Iris might be worried that they'll forget about her when the baby is born.

"Father, I have something to tell you!" Iris exclaimed when she saw them.
"We have something to tell you as well, but you go first." Bates said.
"Jack proposed last night!"
"I know. He had already asked my permission." Bates said smiling.
"Oh I'm so glad you approve!" she said hugging him. "Now what did you to want to tell me?"
"You're going to be a sister!" Anna exclaimed. Iris looked shocked at first. Before she would've feared being forgotten, but now that she was getting married it didn't matter. Iris hugged Anna and congratulated her. Iris said that she and Jack would live on his farm on the estate, and that she would write and visit as often as she could.

Later that night at the cottage, Anna and Bates sat in their sitting room very happily.
"How are you feeling?" Bates asked her.
"Mr. Bates, I believe that's the fifth time you've asked me that. I'm perfectly fine and so is the little one." she said putting a hand to her stomach. Bates came and sat by her.
"I can already see a little girl with your blonde hair running around our hotel and disturbing customers." he said smiling at her.
"What will Iris think when we leave Downton and buy a hotel?" Anna asked worriedly.
"She's getting married. I'm sure that she'll be far too busy settling in with him to even be concerned."
"I suppose so."
"I read in the paper today that some woman has been arrested for the death of Green. They suspect her."
"Poor thing." Anna said as Bates put a comforting arm around her.

Iris had heard of the woman being arrested. She sat in her room at Downton and cried. She knew now what she had to do.

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