Note: This story is a sequal to my other ThomasxRichard story, Unfinished Kisses. Most of this story should make sense on its own, though there are some references to moments from Unfinished Kisses in this story.
*Disclaimer: Downton Abbey tv series and movie and/or the characters are not owned by me*
Thomas Barrow was in another good mood, he'd been in a lot of those of late. He was taking a chance to relax for a moment after breakfast, outside in the yard. Leaning up against the wall where he has spent a lot of his time over the years, smoking and taking the time to get away from it all for a brief moment. It was his place. Breathing out, he closed his eyes and let his mind wonder, back to that night spent in the countryside with Richard Ellis, who had paid him a surprise visit one day at Downton. Thomas felt the cool breeze brushing his face, just as it had done that night. As he fell further into his daydream he could feel Richard's lips on his own, then on his neck, his chest and on other parts of him too. He missed him of course, in an ideal world he could see Richard everyday, be with him in the open, but this wasn't an ideal world. He had learned however, to make the most of what he has. He has a long distance relationship with this amazing man, and bearing in mind that he had not had any sort of relationship like this, well ever, made this a huge improvement in his circumstances. He was grateful and savoured every letter he'd get, each one was special, each one made him feel special cause someone cared about him that much. To put it simply, he felt loved, for the first time in his life.
The backdoor opening snapped Thomas out of his little daydream, "Mr Barrow, the morning's post is on your desk," Andy said. "I was going to give it to you earlier, but you looked a world away out here."
"Ah, right. Thank you Andy," Thomas said, waking up a little. "Andy," he said, walking up to the backdoor. "When was the last time you and Daisy went out together?"
"Um, I'm not sure. It's not often our half days are on the same day," Andy explained, taken back a little. Mr Barrow, had never asked him anything about him and Daisy before.
"Well, you should take her out one day, I'll see to it that your half days are on the same day, in the near future."
Andy smiled, "Thank you, that would mean a lot," Andy said. He was still trying to get used to the 'new' Mr Barrow.
...
"You look happy Andy," Anna Bates said seeing him come in after Mr Barrow.
"Yes, Mr Barrow just offered to make sure mine and Daisy's half days match. He's different these days isn't he?"
"I think he's happy thats all" Anna replied.
"He gets a lot more letters than he used to, do you think he's got someone? Is that possible for him?" Andy asked
"It's possible for anyone to be happy around the right person, that's all I'll say. Be sure though Andy that you don't spread any rumours or gossip about this, it will not do Mr Barrow any good," Anna said as Andy was leaving the room.
"Yes of course. I understand," Andy said. Maybe he didn't understand completely, but he was happy that Mr Barrow was happy. Besides, if Mr Barrow was happy, then things would be easier for the rest of them.
...
Thomas closed the door of his office and took the pile of post that Andy had put on his desk. Quickly looking through the mail, putting aside anything that didn't immediately interest him, he finally saw what he was hoping for. An envelope with a London postmark, addressed to him in Richard's elegant handwriting...