Note: Follows on from my other Downton Abbey ThomasxRichard fanfics- 'Unfinished Kisses', 'Take Me To London', and 'These Moments'
Thomas pulled off his jacket and placed it over the back of his chair, before sitting down at his desk. It was warm, spring finally making itself felt. Even though it was only mid-morning, it was already quite warm. Months of being cold all the time, meant that when it was suddenly a lot warmer, it was too warm. He needed to get used to it before he could enjoy it. He had however, just come back from a quick trip down to the post office, to post his latest letter to Richard. Of course he could have sent someone else to do that, but he liked to post them himself. It felt more personal that way. He flicked through his diary. Each date marked down with several tasks that will need his attention, although his mind wasn't in the right mood for any of that right now. It had been almost four months since he had last seen Richard in person, back at the beginning of the year when he had stayed over at Downton for the New Year celebrations. Almost four months since Thomas had what was probably the most romantic moment in his life, kissing Richard while the fireworks, bringing in January 1st, went off above them, snow from the day before lying on the ground, glittering in the light from the fireworks, and the stars above them. It was like something out of a movie, Thomas thought. Damn, I'm getting soft, he said to himself, smiling at the memory of that moment. These happy thoughts were a welcome change though. The house had been rather downcast, as the Dowager Countess passed away a few weeks ago casting the family and staff into mourning. Thomas didn't feel particularly hurt by her death, he couldn't honestly say he was fond of her, but he felt bad for not feeling sad, which was a new and confusing feeling for him as there was once a time he wouldn't have cared. Things were starting to cheer up downstairs at least though. Andy and Daisy were starting preparations for their upcoming wedding. They would have started sooner, but it felt inappropriate with the house in mourning, to be planning a wedding so soon. Thomas was happy for them, but couldn't shake the feeling of jealousy at the back of his mind. Quite simply, he wanted what they were able to have. His thoughts were interrupted by a knock at the door. "Good morning Mr Barrow," Andy said, as he closed the door behind him. "I was wondering if I could have a word?"
"Yes, of course. Sit down," Thomas answered, "How are the wedding preparations going?"
"Very well I think, Daisy seems to have most things in hand. But a few things have to be left to me, and that's kind of why I am here," Andy said, looking a little nervous. "Well, um. You see... I was wondering if I could ask you to be my best man at our wedding?"
Thomas didn't say anything. "What?" he said, a little in shock.
"I was wondering if-" Andy began to repeat the question.
"No no, I heard you. I just-" Thomas was not sure how to go on, he suddenly felt rather insecure. "Are you sure you want me to be your best man? Wouldn't someone else be a better choice?"
Andy hoped he had interpreted correctly what he thought Thomas was trying to get at. "Thomas," he said, dropping the formalities of calling him by his surname for a moment, "Daisy and I both think you make the perfect choice. You are the butler here and you are respected by all of us. I have known you for a long time, Daisy even longer. And don't think for a moment that your um, nature casts any problem over this decision. I'll admit I wasn't comfortable with men like you at first, but that was only out of ignorance, and I think I am beginning to understand a bit more now. I know you are a good person, Thomas, so who you prefer is not an issue for Daisy or myself. You have shown me more kindness than I would have expected to get, helping me out over several occasions. I mean, if it wasn't for you Thomas I wouldn't be able to write my own wedding invitations!" Thomas was rather taken back by this openness from Andy, and touched by it too. He wasn't sure if he'd ever get used to people saying nice things about him, he'd always expected the opposite. He also appreciated Andy's honesty. "Of course, you don't have to decide on your answer now. Think it over for a few days if you want," Andy said, after Thomas had said nothing once again. For a man who always seemed to have the perfect comeback for any situation, it was quite unusual to see Thomas so speechless.
"No- I don't need time. I'm sorry, was a little surprised by it all you see. I'll be your best man Andy," Thomas said quickly, as Andy got up to leave.
"Thank you Thomas," Andy said with a beaming smile on his face, which changed to a nervous frown before he continued to speak. "There was one other thing. It was Daisy's idea."
Thomas looked worried again. His emotions seemed to reflect Andy's at the moment. "Yes?"
"Well, as we were going through who to invite to our wedding, we were thinking about how Mr and Mrs Bates will have each other, Mrs Hughes will be with Mr Carson and Miss Baxter will probably go with Mr Mosely, so we thought maybe we'd invite Mr Ellis to come with you?"
Thomas really didn't know what to say to that. This was not the type of conversation that he was good at. It was way to personal and his head was spinning. Andy and Daisy were inviting Richard to their wedding so that he could be with him, as his other half, which he was of course, but not in public, Thomas thought. It might be too much of a risk, they would be amongst people who don't know about them,and who probably won't care to know either. He knew they would have to appear only as good friends at the most- nothing more than that. But that was no different than normal. So maybe it could work. The thing is they don't get to spend much time in each others company, they have to grab every opportunity and this is one of them. "That's really kind of you to consider inviting him. The only thing is, if people ask who he is to you two, what could you say?"
"We thought of that," Andy said, "Since he has been at Downton several times, and we know him now, we could easily just say he is a friend of Downton, and therefore of us. I don't think anyone will be too bothered, but even if they were, I doubt they'd question that."
"Well I'll ask him when I next speak to him Andy. I will say though, he's not too keen on weddings. But I promise I'll ask," Thomas said, satisfied at Andy's response.
"That will be great, I'll tell Daisy of your decision too," Andy said, as he left the room.
...
Later on in the day, Andy walked into the kitchen, glad to find that Daisy was alone so that they could talk. "I asked Thomas, about both things," Andy said, pinching a bit of pastry off the table. "He said yes to being my best man, though I think I gave him a bit of a shock."
"And about Mr Ellis?" Daisy asked.
"He said that he will ask him, although apparently he isn't keen on weddings."
"I suppose that's understandable." Daisy said, seeing Andy's expression, that indicated he was waiting for her to say more. "Well think about it. If a law was introduced that said that it was illegal for you to marry me or love me, and then you had to go to someone else's wedding and sit through it watching two other people happy together in public, it would be pretty painful."
"Never thought about that," Andy said. "I hope we did the right thing inviting him."
"I reckon we did. Thomas will get to spend some time with him at least. And he won't be on his own." Daisy paused for a moment, "It isn't right though. If I were in charge of the country then I would get rid of that law, make it more equal."
"I know you would, and that is why I love you," Andy said, quickly planting a kiss on her cheek, before getting out the room before Mrs Patmore came in, after hearing her footsteps approaching.