Chapter 40: How I'm Feeling Part 3: Thomas

Thomas woke up with his alarm and sighed while sitting up. Thomas then looked at his phone and noticed the date. Even though Thomas knew this day was coming, he knew nothing could prepare him for it. He turned and noticed the framed photo of him as a new-born baby with his father and mother, being more focused on the latter. "Happy birthday mom," Thomas said to the smiling picture of her, getting then out of bed. After making some stretches, Thomas got out of his room to go on his morning jog. He walked past his father's study and noticed him sleeping at his desk, what he found off. "I wonder why dad is sleeping in his study?" Thomas asked himself. For a moment, he thought it could have to do with that day, but Thomas realized it was for the best to put that thought aside, making then his way downstairs. Thomas then left his house and started jogging. Thomas was fine for the most part of his job and then he started thinking about his mom and her last birthday that they had together.

(Flashback)

"Happy birthday mom," Thomas said bringing in a cupcake with a candle alright lit to his mother, who was in bed. "Sweetheart, you didn't have to get me a cupcake," Emily said placing her paperwork to the side. "Did you forget your birthday again mom?" Thomas asked with a chuckle. "I believe so," Emily taking the cupcake from her son. "Dad was always the one to remind you of your birthday," Thomas said, sitting on his mother's bed. "He sure did," Emily said before blowing out the candle. "What did you wish for?" Thomas asked curiously. "I wish for the same thing every year and every year I get it," Emily explained. "Really? What's that?" Thomas asked. "Your happiness," Emily said as she took a bite of her cupcake. "Thanks mom," Thomas said with a smile. "Oh, you have something on your muzzle," Emily said as she looked closely at her son. "Really? What?" Thomas asked. "This," Emily said pushing the cupcake in her son's muzzle. "Really mom?!" Thomas shouted with a smile as he grabbed some cup cake and put it on his mother. "No!" Emily shouted while laughing.

(End of Flashback)

Thomas ran and ran as fast as he could trying to forget the memory he was having, as, even though it was a good memory, it still was painful. He was so focused in trying to think over the memory that Thomas tripped and fell down, hitting his knee. "Damn it!" Thomas shouted while laying down on the ground. "Thomas?" A voice said coming up to him. Hearing that voice, Thomas then sat up and saw Tori jogging. "Tori?" Thomas said, starting to blush out of embarrassment for having fallen in front of the girl he liked, as Tori ran up to him. "Hey! What are you doing on the ground?" Tori asked. "Um… just resting," Thomas said, forcing a smile. "Are you sure? You look hurt," Tori said looking down at her friend. "Nah, I'm good," Thomas said trying to stand. Thomas yelped in pain while, quickly limping towards a nearby bench, sitting back down. "Yeah I guess I'm a little hurt," Thomas confessed.

"Do you need me to call someone? Maybe your dad or stepmom?" Tori asked, now sitting down next to Thomas. "No, it's okay I'll be fine, I just need a little rest," Thomas replied. "Are you sure? That doesn't look good," Tori commented. "I already told you I'm fine!" Thomas replied, with some harshness in his voice. Realizing quickly the way he talked to Tori, Thomas started feeling really bad. "Sorry, Tori, it's just… today is a particularly bad day," Thomas confessed. "I can see that, but what's going on? Is it any problems with your family?" Tori asked. "Not exactly… it's just that this day… brings some memories that are a little painful," Thomas told. He took a moment to take a deep breath, before deciding to tell her what was going on with him. "Today… it's my mom's birthday," Thomas told. "Today is Mrs. Heeler's birthday? That's wonderful! Let me guess, you don't have a gift to give her and you're trying to figure out something, right?" Tori asked.

But after noticing Thomas deeply sad look, she realized her mistake. "Oh… you meant your other mum… sorry, I…" she said. "It's okay, Tori, you didn't have how to know," Thomas replied. "It must be… hard for you," Tori said to Thomas. "Honestly, I didn't know how I was able to get out of the bed, but now that I did, I just want this day to pass as quick as possible," he replied. "How about your dad? I bet it must be also hard for him," Tori said. "I guess… honestly, I didn't pay that much attention, I just… wanted to go jogging and clear my mind of everything, to forget that this day has ever happened," Thomas confessed. "Well, if you want my opinion, running from your problems won't just make them go away," Tori replied. "That sounds something my psychiatrist would say," Thomas commented. That caused Tori to drop a chuckle. "Maybe, but it doesn't make it any less true," she replied.

"You know, I understand what you're feeling," Tori told. "You do?" Thomas asked. "Yeah… you know, I also lost someone very important to me, my granny, she was always so comforting, I knew I could talk with her about anything, not to mention she baked these delicious cookies… when she died, I went down, but the worst happened when her birthday came and, just like you, I tried to avoid it as much as I could," Tori said. "So… what did you do?" Thomas asked. "I… didn't do anything, my grandad did, he put on a party to celebrate her birthday," Tori told. "A birthday party? Wow… I bet you didn't like that… I know I wouldn't." Thomas said. "Well… initially, I was like that, but… I remembered what my granny would want me to do… to be happy and cheerful as I has always been, to celebrate her life," Tori replied. "Yeah… no offense, Tori, but I don't think that's for me…" Thomas replied, while looking away and down.

"Maybe… or maybe not, you just have to try it…" she told, before turning Thomas' face to hers. "But if there's one thing I know… it's just you must never dread this day that is full of good memories, you should cherish it," Tori told. After she said that, she gave a kiss on Thomas' cheek, one that left him to blush a bit. Tori then got up. "I need to go now, my family is waiting for me for breakfast, see you Monday, Thomas," she said, waving him goodbye and returning to her running. Thomas stayed where he was for a while, reflecting on what Tori had told him. Despite knowing she was right, Thomas didn't know if he would be able to do it. How could he? How could he celebrate her mom's birthday when she wasn't there to be celebrated?

After recovering from the fall he had, Thomas returned home. Once he got in the house, he immediately smelled the sweet aroma of breakfast. That was something that was able to put a little smile on him for a brief moment. Maybe he could just have just a quick bite before taking a shower. Not only that, but maybe he could find a little joy with his sisters, as they had a way to make him feel happy even during his darkest moments. And so he started climbing the stairs…

(Ten minutes later)

After the heart breaking moment with his father in the kitchen. Thomas took his shower and thought about his actions towards his family. "Stupid! Why did I do that!" Thomas said to himself while in the shower. Thomas used up the hot water and then got out of the shower. He shook himself off and then used a towel to dried the rest of himself off. Thomas then went to his room and sat on his bed. Thomas felt guilty for the way he acted to his father and to the rest of his family. Suddenly there was a knock at his door. "Come in," Thomas said looking at his door. Bandit then walks in and shuts the door behind him. "Hey mate," Bandit said softly. "Hey dad," Thomas replied. Bandit then went over to his son's bed and sat down next to him. "Hey mate I'm sorry I pressured you into doing things you don't want to do," Bandit said looking at his son. "No, dad I'm sorry for yelling at you and making you feel unwanted," Thomas said hugging his father.

Bandit hugged his son back. "It's okay mate I understand your hurting and I'm hurting too," Bandit said holding his son. "I know dad," Thomas replied. "Why were you sleeping in your study?" Thomas asked letting go of their hug. "I had a nightmare about your mum," Bandit confessed. "You did?" Thomas asked. Bandit nodded in response. "I thought you stopped having those?" Thomas asked. Bandit chuckled, "believe it or not mate I still have them and I do still think of your mum from time to time," Bandit explained. "I'm sorry dad," Thomas said resting his head on his fathers shoulder. "It's okay mate, I just keep it to myself because I don't want you to think I can't handle myself," Bandit explained. "Then maybe we should be more open with each other," Thomas suggested. Bandit smiled at that. "I think we should too mate," Bandit said hugging his son again.

The father and son hugged for a little bit while wagging their tails . "Alright dad there's something We have to do," Thomas said as he stood up. "Really? And what's that mate?" Bandit asked. Thomas thought about what Tori said and knew she was right. "We should have a party to celebrate mom," Thomas said with a soft smile. "You know what son your right we should do it," Bandit said with a smile. "Good, should we go after lunch?" Thomas asked. Bandit smiled at that. "Sounds good mate," Bandit said and he stood up from his son's bed. Thomas nodded as he and his father left the room. Thomas and Bandit went to the living room where Chilli and girls were at. Thomas then walked up to Chilli and hugged her surprising her. Chilli then hugged her stepson back and said. "What's this for sweetie?" Chilli asked. "Mom, I'm sorry for the way I acted it's been a rough morning," Thomas said still holding on to Chilli. Chilli and Bandit looked at each other and smiled as Chilli pats her son on the back. "Hey, I know your going through a tough time, you and your father both and don't think that you hurt my feelings because you didn't," Chilli said before kissing Thomas on his head.

"Thanks mom," Thomas said letting go of Chilli. Thomas then goes over to his sisters and sits with them. "Hey guys," Thomas said softly. "Thomas we're sorry that we made a mistake about it being our mums birthday," Bluey said as she sat close to her brother. "Yeah, we're sorry," Bingo added also sitting close to her brother. "No, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to snap at you two it's not your fault not at all," Thomas said holding his sisters close. "But guess what?" Thomas said with a smile. "What?" Both girls asked. "We're going to have a little party for my mom later today," Thomas explained. "We are!" Both said standing up. Thomas nodded with a smile. Chilli looked to her husband who then explained what they were doing later. Chilli agreed and thought it was a nice thing to do.

Later on that day after comforting Rad. Bandit and Thomas come home. "I hope he'll be alright," Thomas said as they walked into the house. "He'll be fine mate trust me," Bandit said with a smile. "I hope so," Thomas said rubbing his arm. Bandit then placed down the box that held their cake and looked at his son. "Mate, me and your uncle have been through so much together and when I say trust me you need to do so," Bandit said placing his hands on his son's shoulders. "Okay," Thomas said looking down. "Dad?" Thomas said looking up. "Yes mate?" Bandit asked. "I think… we things are a little better I think I should spend more time with uncle Rad get to know him more," Thomas suggested. Bandit smiled at that. "I think that's a good idea son, he'll like that," Bandit said still with smile. "Now let's get this party going," Bandit said as he grabbed the cake and he and Thomas went upstairs.

The family then lights some candles on the cake and sing happy birthday to Emily. Bandit and Thomas take the time to make the wish and then blew out the candles. "What did you wish for?" Bingo asked. "They can't say other wise it won't come true," Bluey added. "Actually we agreed on the same thing," Thomas spoke up. "And what's that?" Bluey asked. "Everyone's happiness," Bandit said while placing his hand on Thomas's shoulder. Thomas smiled at his dad before they started getting into the cake.

Kodiwolf321 A/N: hey guys! Here's the final part of How I'm Feeling and I hope you enjoyed these three parts. As we continue on me and Rakoon1 will focus on more happier subjects and themes going forward and doing what Thomas had said about Uncle Rad diving deeper in there relationship and get them closer much like him and Uncle Stripe are close. I already have the next chapter planned out with Stripe being included and I got the next chapter after that planned out as well but first before we continue with Sad Faces we will turn our focus back to "When Loves Around" for a bit and then I'll get back to working on "Numb" and "Happy Faces: Bluey" alright guys I'll see you soon! Have a good day or night!