Only a few days had gone by since Bill and Ben's most fascinating and unexpected heroism, following their lockup for three weeks since their close slide with Thomas and Emily. Then after four days of trying to see a need for change, resulting in various outcomes, the unthinkable suddenly came to be when Bill and Ben saved Rosie and her passengers from the crippling Suspension Bridge when she broke down right on the unsafe line. The outcome such as it was took the island by storm, with Thomas and Emily most particularly seeing that Bill and Ben were much more than what they seemed to be. But the big and exuberant surprises weren't over just yet. There was more yet to come for all the engines to find out for themselves, starting at Ulfstead Castle.
It was a beautiful sunny day on the Island of Sodor. Thomas was happily puffing along his Branch Line with Annie and Clarabel, when suddenly, a most unusual and extraordinary sight came soaring through the sky above him. His eyes shot upwards, and he saw what looked like a jet shooting across the sky. He was most certainly not expecting this, and he immediately felt a particular surge of excitement rush through him.
"Wow! What was that?" he asked.
Both Annie and Clarabel had to agree they had never seen anything like this. Thomas then rushed the rest of the way up his Branch Line to finish his work and see what this flying object was all about...and that flying object continued to shoot through the sky, soon passing over Rebecca and her passengers.
"Wow!" she exclaimed with a broad smile as it flew overhead with a tail of white smoke billowing behind it. "I MUST see what that thing is!"
Meanwhile, Percy was busy delivering the last of a small mail run. All was quiet and still, until suddenly, the flying object came rocketing through the air, and whizzed right by Percy! Letters from Percy's post bag flew everywhere, and he let out a big gasp when he saw what was in the air.
"That's a UFO!" he exclaimed as some children and adults gazed up at the object themselves.
"We'd better see what this is all about," said Percy's driver Richard.
So Percy left his mail wagons in a siding and darted off to follow the flying object. Then Thomas came rushing up on the line beside him.
"Thomas! Did you see that...that thing?!" Percy exclaimed.
"Yes, Percy! I don't know what it is, but let's follow it!" Thomas whistled.
Then he sped on ahead, then switched to Percy's line, leading the way, just as Rebecca came rushing up behind Percy in great excitement.
"Thomas! Percy! Do you see what's in the sky?" she exclaimed.
"Yes, Rebecca! We have! I say we follow it!" Thomas declared.
So Thomas, Percy and Rebecca all followed the strange object along the line, immensely astonished, nervous and excited alike as to what it could be. Then they all came to the hill that would bring them up to Ulfstead Castle. As they huffed through the castle gates, they saw the object soaring around the castle grounds.
"What do you think it is?" Thomas asked.
"An alien from outer space!" Percy exclaimed.
"I don't care what it is! I just love it!" Rebecca bubbled excitedly.
Then all three engines lined up side by side at the platforms and came to a stop as they watched the object land on the field beside the lines. It circled a little, then settled right down. Now the engines could see it clearly. It looked like a car with wings, and was fissuring so much steam, almost like Merlin could do with his three funnels.
"Wow!" all three engines gasped.
As the steam thickened, it seemed like a door hatch was opening on this car-like vehicle. To Percy, it was quite overwhelming and a little frightening for him.
"Oh, no! I can't look!" Percy exclaimed as he shut his eyes and reversed.
But then to Thomas and Rebecca's eyes, a familiar figure appeared through the steam, wearing a pilot's helmet and goggles.
"It's the Earl!" Thomas exclaimed.
And it was. Sir Robert Norramby removed his goggles and saw who had come along for the ride as it were.
"Oh, hello, you three! What were you doing here?" he asked.
"We wanted to find out what the mysterious flying object was," said Thomas, who then noticed someone else coming out. "Oh...who's that?"
"Let me introduce you to a good friend of mine who's come all the way from America," said Sir Robert.
And through the steam appeared someone who no one on Sodor had ever seen before. There stood a young woman in a brown leather jacket and bright blue shirt underneath, and she removed her helmet and goggles too.
"Hi, guys. I'm Ruth," said the woman, with a most exuberant smile with a delightful chirp in her voice.
"Hi, Ruth! My name's Thomas, and this is Percy and Rebecca," said Thomas.
"Hello," Rebecca greeted as Percy slowly came back and opened his eyes again.
"We're part of the Steam Team," said Thomas. "We...we wondered what your strange flying thing was."
"Oh, that?" said Ruth, looking at the Flying Car. "It's one of my inventions."
Percy gasped with surprise. "YOU invented a spaceship?!"
"I wish I could invent a spaceship, Percy," Ruth giggled. "No. This is a Road Plane."
"And you'd better get used to seeing strange and wonderful things around here," said Sir Robert. "Because we're organizing a very special Fair. A Technology Fair."
"It's going to be called 'World of Tomorrow'," Ruth gleamed eagerly. "And it's going to happen right here on Sodor!"
"Wow! Um...what's 'ten-key-og-icles?" Percy struggled to ask as he sometimes misspoke a few big words from time to time.
"Oh-ho-ho. You mean...technology, Percy," said Ruth. "It's using science to invent newer and better things."
"We've got inventors coming all over the world to show their inventions," said Sir Robert.
"And there'll be a stage, with lights and a spectacular giant wheel!" Ruth declared.
"Wow!" Rebecca exclaimed.
"Come on, then, Ruth. Let's get you settled into the castle. Then we can check over the preparations. The World of Tomorrow is on the way!"
Percy and Rebecca were indeed most amazed by what they had seen and heard just now. But Thomas had a few other things tweaking at his mind as he took everything in about technology and inventions, which he would soon bring up among the other engines once they were all together.
"Come on, Percy!" Rebecca chimed. "We simply must tell the others about all this! "
"Oh, yes!" Percy whistled. "What do you think, Thomas? Emily will surely be most excited!"
"Uh...yes...right...of course," Thomas remarked, a little unevenly.
While Thomas, Percy and Rebecca left Ulfstead Castle to spread the word, Sir Robert escorted Ruth inside the castle grounds to help her settle in well enough for the preparations to begin. At that moment, Millie came along after keeping busy herself throughout the estate.
"Bonjour, Sir Robert," she whistled. "All is going well and...Ooh. Who is this lovely lady?"
"Oh, of course. Millie, meet my friend from America, Ruth!" Sir Robert beamed. "Ruth, this is one of my engines, Millie."
"Hello there, Millie," smiled Ruth. "Very nice to meet an engine like you."
"Bonjour and Merci, Madame Ruth," Millie smiled back. "Pleasure to meet you. What are you doing here on Sodor, may I ask?"
Sir Robert and Ruth told Millie all about the upcoming Technology Fair, just as they told Thomas, Percy and Rebecca. As soon as they had explained everything, Millie was immediately excited and intrigued by the prospect of seeing so many inventions.
"Wow! A Technology Fair!" Millie exclaimed. "That sounds brilliant! So...will I be doing anything for the Fair?"
"Well, Millie," said Sir Robert. "Most of the Fair will consist of showing inventions on the stage. But you, Stephen and Glynn will of course be providing tours of the estate to our guests, so they may see the inventions throughout grounds over the course of each day."
"Oui, monsieur, I shall," Millie promised. "Anything to make guests happy. I look forward to what you have to show us, Ruth."
"I'm sure you do, Millie," said Ruth. "I'm really looking forward to this Fair and what everyone will think of it. People and engines alike."
And Ruth made her way inside the castle to settle in. Sir Robert then turned to Millie again, just in time to see her smile begin to lessen and fade away. Then Millie suddenly looked out beyond the castle's bridge and gave a little sigh of gloom. After hearing the basic gist of what the Technology Fair would be, she was now feeling overflowed by a certain memory from almost a year ago concerning the last significant event that was held at this castle...when she last saw Luke.
"Millie? What is it?" Sir Robert asked. "If there's anything wrong, do tell me, please."
Millie sighed again and looked a little sadly to Sir Robert.
"Ohh...I don't like to sound miserable or unenthusiastic, Sir Robert," Millie said lowly. "I'm truly excited to see what this Fair may show us all...but with that said, I now realize that there is one very pressing absence hitting me already."
"Hmm," Sir Robert pondered. "I think I know what you're on to, Millie, but please tell me anyway."
Millie took a deep breath and didn't beat around the bush.
"This news is now making me think about that Little Railway Show Percy put together for little engines...including myself...and Luke."
Sir Robert heard this and immediately nodded. His thoughts were fully confirmed. "Yes...of course."
"Percy may have misunderstood what the Thin Clergyman meant by small engines," said Millie. "But his idea did bring all the small engines there could be so they could see the show...including Luke."
"Oh, dear. I know just what you're thinking, Millie," said Sir Robert. "And I know just how you feel. But I'm sorry to say that with all the preparations starting tomorrow, I really don't see how we could work in a visit from Luke. There's much to do in so little time."
Millie sighed sadly. She knew that preparing the Fair was the top priority right now, and even her love and affection for Luke couldn't stand in its way, and surely he would be kept busy at the Blue Mountain Quarry just the same. But then Millie felt something click in her boiler. Given that nothing big would start happening until the next day, she thought up an idea.
"Hmm...Sir Robert?" she asked. "If I may?"
Sir Robert looked at Millie and could see a pondering look in her eyes, almost like she were trying to coordinate something.
"What is it, Millie?"
"I have a thought, Sir Robert," said Millie. "It's been almost a year since I last saw Luke, and the Little Railway Show was a lovely time for us both to spend together. Right now, I know there's a mass of preparations to be made with this Fair, and I know that it means Luke would barely have any chance of seeing me while it's happening...but I can't help but ask...since the preparations don't start until tomorrow...is there's any chance I could see him beforehand? Tonight, perhaps, if it's at all possible? Please?"
To this, Sir Robert began thinking and pondering himself. He trailed his hand along his palm, considering in his mind, his eyes trailing left, right and up to Millie every few moments. Then he began pacing up and down a few paces, obviously thinking carefully, while Millie waited. At last, he stopped pacing and looked up again, while Millie held her breath, waiting for his answer.
"Well...seeing him during preparations would indeed be most undoable," he said. "But when it comes to before the preparations begin...perhaps that can be arranged. I'll give Mr. Percival a call and see what he says about Luke's schedule. If it works out, I will let you know."
Millie gave a gasp and bubbled most excitedly. "You...you'll do that for me? You will?"
"Yes, Millie. I shall. But only because you'd have time to spend with him now, rather than later."
And Sir Robert turned and went inside the castle to make the call, while Millie waited hopefully and anxiously for the result. This would either be another chance for her and Luke to meet up, or yet another long wait until the next clear time they could spend together. After about ten minutes, though to Millie it felt more like twenty, she saw the door open, and Sir Robert came out again a little quickly. Millie looked right at him as he stopped and looked up.
"Well? What did he say, sir?" she asked.
"It's all worked out, Millie," he smiled. "Mr. Percival says Luke is clear to come tonight. He will tell Luke the news this evening. Therefore, when night falls, you be sure to give him a warm and loving welcome...as you always are for him when you are together."
This was it. After almost an entire year since their last meetup, Luke was coming back to his bluebell yet again. Millie's heart nearly jumped into her mouth as her cheeks flushed a strong red and she bore such a large smile with her eyes glimmering. Then she gave a big whistle of joy and a squeal of glee.
"Peep-pe-e-ep! Merci, Sir Robert! Merci beaucoup!" she rejoiced. Sir Robert just smiled to see his blue engine this happy in quite some time.
Meanwhile, as the day progressed, Thomas, Percy and Rebecca were spreading the word of the Technology Fair to the rest of the Steam Team, and a few others too. Percy told it to Nia and James, Rebecca told it to Gordon, and Thomas told it to Emily.
"Inventions? A Technology Fair? Unbelievable, Percy!" Nia exclaimed when Percy told her the news. "This Ruth character sounds most interesting!"
"She certainly is, Nia," Percy replied. "What do you think, James?"
"Well, it wouldn't be unbelievable without little old me!" James replied. "I am Molly's Rail Rocket after all! That would have been quite a show for this Fair!"
"Inventions on the stage, and so much technology! What do you think, Gordon?" Rebecca asked when she told him the news.
"Hmm...interesting to ponder, isn't it, Rebecca?" Gordon replied. "We'll have to see what comes about over the next little while, won't we?"
As for Thomas, despite his inner unsure feelings earlier, he managed to put on a smile when he found Emily and told her the news too. Emily listened to everything Thomas said, and was immediately intrigued by all she had heard.
"A Road Plane? Whoa!" Emily chimed. "I don't believe I've ever heard of such a thing...and a Technology Fair with different inventions on the stage? That IS a surprise!"
"Yes, Emily. Yes, it is," Thomas said steadily. But secretly, he still had those little unsure thoughts tugging at his smokebox.
"I can only wonder what we could all see," Emily wondered.
"Well, everything starts happening tomorrow, Emily," said Thomas. "Perhaps we'll know a little more then."
All throughout the rest of the day, the talk of the pending Technology Fair continued. Even after the sun went down that night, the Steam Team was so excited, they just couldn't stop thinking about new inventions. By the time they all settled in at Tidmouth Sheds, they had so many speculations and ideas as to what could possibly come about, although Thomas kept mostly quiet, still thinking a little uncertainly about the prospect of inventions and newer and better things.
"What kind of inventions do you think they might be?" Nia breathed heavily.
"They might be railway engines of the future!" James suggested. "Oh, I wonder what that'd be like!"
And some of the engines imagined just what that would be like, entering a daydream of most unusual scenarios. Gordon imagined shooting right through a station and up alongside Flying Scotsman with two giant red rockets on his sides.
"I could be the fastest engine in the world! Rocket-Powered Express coming THROUGH!"
And he roared right past Flying Scotsman at a most astounding speed. Next it was Nia's turn, imagining herself rolling down the pyre rails at Arlesburgh and into the sea!
"All aboard the Underwater Adventure Train!" she called as she dove into the sea and her funnel turned into a propeller driving her through the water.
Then Rebecca imagined herself running along the line, decorated all over her front with countless balloons and puffing party sparkle from her funnel.
"All aboard the Party Train, your one-way journey to fun-fun-fun!"
And above Rebecca's Party Train, James' imagination took him to the sky with two sets of wings, on his boiler and on his tender.
"I can fly! I can fly! I can fly! I-can-fl-y-y-y!"
Suddenly the daydreaming stopped as James looked to all the engines staring at him.
"What? Oh...I can dream. Can't I?"
Through all the engines' daydreaming, Thomas had been keeping very quiet, still thinking about what this "World of Tomorrow," would entail with all the inventions. A few certain fears the engines felt in the past every now and again were creeping into Thomas' boiler again, and when Percy spoke next, it only fueled the uncertainty further for Thomas.
"Do you think one day the mail will be able to deliver itself?" Percy asked.
"No, no, no," Thomas began, then stopped with a skip in his heartbeat. "But wait a minute...if mail COULD deliver itself...then maybe one day passengers won't need us to deliver them either!"
Then Thomas imagined himself with Annie and Clarabel on his Branch Line, waiting to let passengers on-board.
"Hop aboard!" Thomas smiled.
But suddenly, to Thomas' affront and surprise, all the passengers took off, soaring through the air. Thomas looked and saw them all wearing jet packs. Now he had no passengers to look after.
"Oh, no! There's nothing for me to do!" Thomas exclaimed.
Then he saw the Fat Controller spinning and weaving around through the air with a jet pack of his own.
"Whee!" he called as he hovered in front of Thomas. "Well, I have to say, Thomas. These jet packs are really useful!"
And off he soared through the air, ending Thomas' daydream, and bringing back more of those old fears.
"...With all these new inventions, we engines won't be useful anymore!" Thomas worried.
Emily heard Thomas and could tell he was worried, but she wasn't so quick to be worried herself. She and the others knew about the time Hugo came and how worried the engines were about him replacing them, but given that he was an experimental engine in his way, and only a passenger engine at that, the engines' fears and rejection towards him were most unwarranted. And given that this would merely be a Fair with stage presentations, she felt as though there wasn't much to worry about.
"Don't be silly, Thomas," she said with a chiming smile.
"Nothing will replace us engines," said James.
Then he and the Steam Team backed into their berths for the night. But Thomas wasn't so sure. The thought of all these inventions made him worried.
Meanwhile, in the midst of all the talk of technology and inventions, the engines at the Blue Mountain Quarry had been keeping very busy. Luke in particular had worked hard all day, and was now resting in his shed, with his mind only focused on one thing right now. As usual, Luke had been greatly anticipating the next chance he would get to see Millie again, ever since their last meetup at the Great Little Railway Show. Even though he and Millie knew their times together were few and far between compared to the other couples on Sodor, it still got lonely for Luke, even with the other engines working with him. However, given the word that spread on this particular day, while he had been working, Luke had noticed some of the engines murmuring excitedly to each other. He couldn't catch much of what they were saying, but he did hear a few things about technology and fairs, and it made him curious enough to wonder what it could all mean.
"Almost another year since we last met...when will it come next?" he asked himself. "I do miss you, Millie. And all this talk about...technology and Fairs? Most interesting, I must say..."
At that moment, Luke heard footsteps coming toward him. He looked and saw the Thin Controller coming toward the shed. Ever since his talk with Sir Robert that afternoon, he had been eager to tell Luke the most welcome news, and now the time had come for Luke to feel the absolute best an engine like him could feel, which only came about with the magic of his lovely bluebell.
At first, Luke didn't suspect much as the Thin Controller came right to him and stopped.
"Good evening, Mr. Percival. Is there something you need to talk with me about?"
"Good evening, Luke," said the Thin Controller. "And yes, I do wish to talk with you. I see you've worked hard today, and I'm indeed pleased with your efforts today."
"Thank you, Mr. Percival," said Luke. "Proud to do whatever work I must...although, I've noticed something different today."
"What's that, Luke?" asked the Thin Controller.
"Well, today, I heard some of the others spreading murmurs about something at Ulfstead Castle...something about a Technology Fair. Is that correct?"
The Thin Controller nodded, taking note of what Luke said and slowly worked it in.
"Well, their murmurs are in line, Luke. There is to be a Technology Fair at Ulfstead Castle. Inventors are coming from across the world to display their inventions for everyone to see. People and engines alike."
"Really?" Luke smiled. "It all sounds quite exciting. At Ulfstead Castle, is it?"
"That's right, Luke," said the Thin Controller, working it in further. "Why do you say that?"
Luke's smile faded and he sounded lonely again.
"Well...that means Millie will be seeing it herself. I'm sure she'd love it...except for the fact that I can't be there to enjoy it with her. I still have a lot of work to do here for quite the while yet...and Heaven knows when I'll get to see her again. It's been nearly a year since we saw each other at the Little Railway Show...and given how much the Earl has to do for this show, I know there's no chance of me seeing Millie again soon anyway..."
The Thin Controller knew this to be true and nodded. "Yes, Luke. That is indeed true...which is why I came to tell you...the news."
Luke suddenly looked up with a dance in his eyes, and his heart began to beat harder. "What news, Mr. Percival?"
"Well, the point is, Luke, this Fair is going to be big and busy, no doubt," said the Thin Controller. "From tomorrow onwards until the Fair is over, there will be such a big bustle, there's practically be no chance of you and Millie seeing each other during that time."
Luke thought as much and sadly looked down at his buffers...until he heard the Thin Controller again.
"However..."
This made Luke look up at once. "Yes?"
"As the circumstances stand, preparations don't start until tomorrow morning...and your work tomorrow starts a little later than usual. And so...I suggest you take advantage of the time you have now...thanks to what Sir Robert told me earlier today. He gave me a call and told me that Millie's been wondering about you since your last meetup. As such, before the Fair's preparations begin, Sir Robert and I have agreed...that you and Millie can spend the night...together."
In this moment, Luke's eyes bulged and his heart throbbed strongly. He had not felt this way for almost a whole year since seeing Millie since the Great Little Railway Show. Now another chance had come for the two of them, at a most fitting time.
"Mr. Percival...is...is it true?" he gasped. "I can go see her tonight?"
"Of course you may, Luke," said the Thin Controller. "Tonight is the night. Just be sure to be back all the earlier tomorrow morning."
"Yes, sir. I will be, sir," Luke promised. "Thank you! Thank you!"
And with a dancing heart, Luke set off out of his shed and into the night to see his lovely bluebell again after so long.
Meanwhile at Ulfstead Castle, while Stephen and Glynn were asleep in their sheds, Millie was still awake and waiting by the main gate for Luke to come. Ever since sunset, she had been preparing herself to see her perfect engine again, and now all she could do was beam and smile in utmost anticipation, waiting for his most anticipated arrival. In the midst of the Fair coming very soon, before all the bustle would start, this was such a gift for her to be given, and all she could imagine was seeing Luke's smile again when he would see her again too.
"He's coming," she whispered and let off a little wisp of steam. "He's coming...oh, Luke...my little tree. Please come soon..."
And in that moment, as the moon shone steadily overhead, Millie's ears began to pick up little traces of sound from beyond the gates. She went very still and looked straight ahead as the sound came closer and closer...then she saw a little glimmer of light from around the corner. She held her breath and felt her heart racing fast. The beam of light grew stronger and stronger, until it suddenly turned and flashed before her eyes. Then as Millie looked ahead...there was Luke, huffing swiftly into the castle grounds, which made her heart soar.
As Luke made his way around the bend, he looked up and saw Millie waiting right there for him, and he immediately felt all his strongest sentiments reawakening again. He saw Millie gape and smile immensely to his arrival. Then she began gasping with overflowing joy to see him again, which only made his heart beat harder too.
Luke came closer and closer until finally, he slowed down and stopped right before Millie's buffers. Then he took his chance to gaze into her eyes again, watching as they glistened lovingly in the moonlight. Millie gazed back into Luke's eyes, bearing such a big smile of joy and gratitude to see her favourite engine again after so long.
"Bonjour Millie," Luke beamed happily. "My lovely bluebell."
"...Bonjour, Luke, my little tree," Millie whispered. "So very lovely to see you again at last."
"Oui, Millie. It certainly is," Luke nodded. "It's been a long time yet again, my lovely bluebell. Not since last summer have we met up. All the way back when Percy told us all about the Little Railway Show."
"Oui, Luke," Millie whispered back. "When Rosie and Stanley had a chance to be together...and you and I as well. It's been yet another long time for the two of us."
"Indeed," said Luke. "But now...here we are again. Only you and I."
"Well? What are we sitting out here for?" Millie gleamed. "You come right with me, Luke. Into my shed."
And Millie reversed quietly down the line, giving Luke a thin, coy smile, ushering him to follow. Luke obliged and followed her at once. He caught up to her and they both rolled over the castle bridge and were soon within its walls again. Millie kept reversing until she reached the turntable, went right across it, then settled right in her shed. Luke eagerly followed her path across the turntable, then finally buffered up to her with a gleam in his eyes and the adorable smile Millie loved so much.
"Ahh...this is perfect," Millie whispered. "Here in my shed...with you again, Luke. I've waited quite a time for another chance to be here with you."
"As have I, Millie," Luke whispered. "Nothing makes me happier than to be with you, whether it be at the Blue Mountain Quarry, or here at Ulfstead Castle."
"You make me happy above all else just the same, Luke. Whenever we may be," Millie whispered. Then she remembered. "So...have you heard what's coming soon?"
"Oh, yes, Millie," said Luke. "I know just what you're referring to. The others at the quarry were talking about it too. So I hear there's an entire Fair being put together here, celebrating all sorts of inventions. A Technology Fair?"
"That's right, Luke," said Millie. "That's exactly what Sir Robert is putting together with this Ruth friend of his. I must say, she's quite a flashy sort. She says the Fair will be called 'World of Tomorrow,' and there will be many inventions being shown on the stage here."
"Wow..." Luke whispered with deep thoughts. "It all sounds most interesting and, I say...inventive."
"He-he. That's certainly true, Luke," Millie giggled.
Then suddenly, Luke's smile faded and he seemed a little sad. "But...only one thing, Millie."
"What is it, Luke?" Millie asked.
"Well...Mr. Percival said all the work to prepare the Fair starts tomorrow. From then on until the Fair is done, you'll be busy with Stephen and Glynn...and I'll be too busy at the Blue Mountain Quarry with everyone else to see anything about this Fair."
Millie sighed. "Yes. I know, Luke. But the schedules must be met, and we must both do what is asked of us."
"I know. It's just...if only I could be here for you while the Fair was on," said Luke. "I know there's no chance of that, but given our visit right now...when I have to leave again, I'm worried you won't have much fun with the Fair...without me enjoying it with you."
Millie nodded slowly. She knew Luke had a fair point. He wouldn't be here to see the Fair, and she wouldn't be working with him in its duration. But she knew fully well it wouldn't do to dwell on what could be, and instead they had to dwell on what was actually happening. She softly pressed her cheeks to Luke's, who looked up and saw her pucker her lips, which made his heart beat even harder. Then she touched her lips to his cheek and planted a very soft, dainty kiss right where she pleased.
"O-ohh...oh, Millie..."
Luke's heart throbbed and his face blushed strongly as he felt Millie's gentle, perfect lips again after so long. It felt absolutely perfect and there was indeed no equal for Luke to ever be blessed with feeling. Then Millie smooched very quietly and let go of his cheek, casting a most heartfelt smile to the love of her life.
"Luke, my precious gem," she whispered. "You may have all your work to do at the quarry, and I will indeed be bustling about with this Fair...but that makes no difference to me whatsoever. You're much more precious to me than any fair or invention, and your visit right now is more than I could have hoped for. Between you and me, you're the finest invention I could ever be gifted with having as the one I love above all else."
Luke's heart felt like it would melt to Millie's ever-sweet and loving words she had for her engine, and he leaned in and kissed her cheek right where he pleased. This made Millie gasp quietly, then slowly sigh and let off a little swirl of steam as Luke's lips explored Millie's soft, warm face for a few moments. Then he let go and smiled right at her.
"Oh, Millie," he whispered heavily. "You're the finest invention I could ever be blessed with having to love too. No fair or invention can ever outshine you in my eyes. I can do without seeing any Fair...but I could never do without seeing you again tonight, my lovely bluebell."
Millie's eyes were now starting to tear up to Luke's words, and she didn't hesitate to let them tail down her face.
"Luke...my little tree...you never cease to make my heart flourish in all its purity!" she gushed. "And in the midst of this coming Fair, and every time we've met up after long waits, I think we both know one thing to be truly certain."
"What's that, Millie?" Luke asked.
"However busy we may be in our own time, and however much time we're away from each other...we will never walk away."
Luke took the last few words in and felt his heart stir in a particular manner he couldn't recall feeling much before. Millie felt her heart stir too.
"Yes, Millie," Luke whispered at last. "We will never walk away. We may be distant from each other as to where we work, but neither of us will ever walk away from the other. Not you, or I."
Millie's heart jittered and flipped strongly in her boiler as her eyes gleamed with Luke's for some time.
"Millie," he said eventually, looking right into her eyes. "I see it's getting late, and the Fair's preparations can't wait further than tomorrow."
"Yes..." Millie said slowly, starting to see where this was going.
"As for me, I have to leave to return to the quarry early tomorrow," said Luke. "But I promise to wake you up to say goodbye when I do. That way, you won't have to wake up alone first thing."
Millie's eyes shimmered gently, but purely. She and Luke knew this pattern all too well now, and they knew that instead of wishing it didn't have to end, they had to treasure every moment they could get out of tonight. Millie nodded slowly and blinked once.
"Merci, Luke," she whispered with a smile.
"Now, my love," Luke whispered as he slowly began to lean in. "Shall we?"
"Oh...Oui-Oui, Luke," she whispered. "Come here, my love. Let me feel your lips again...I love you..."
"I love you too..."
The two little engines slowly closed their eyes and puckered their lips together. Luke and Millie slowly inched closer to each other, until at that serene moment, it began. Their lips came together and locked into a deep and long-awaited kiss. After almost a whole year's wait, Luke and Millie's fireboxes fizzed intently and their boilers bubbled very surely to feel each other's lips kissing again. Luke felt Millie's warm, soft and curvy lips slowly rubbing with his as she felt the same with Luke's lips and this sent a steady tingle through both their boilers, right up into their funnels.
"Mmm...mmhmm..." Millie whimpered quietly in Luke's kiss. "Mmm..."
"Hmm...mmhmm..." Luke hummed surely to Millie's lips.
After about five minutes, their lips softly let go and they took in their breath for a few moments, gazing dreamily into each other's eyes. Then Luke smiled bigger and leaned in for Millie's face. She watched as he reached his lips out and began nipping and preening her cheek with his lips, planting little kisses up, down and every which way he could.
"Oh...oh, Millie...you're so soft," Luke whispered purely. "Oh, I love you..."
"Oh-oh-oh...Luke...that-that tickles..." she tittered happily as she felt Luke's little kisses tickling her so playfully. "L-Luke...he-he-he."
Luke's heart was jiggling with such delight as he heard Millie's quiet, delicate little giggles and he proceeded to gently nip her chin next, kissing right in the middle, earning a blush and a little chirp from Millie. Luke absolutely loved hearing Millie's soft little sounds to every kiss and nibble he pampered her with. Then she brought his lips to her other cheek and very gently began to suck on it, feeling her warm cheek tugging along with his lips. This made Millie gasp sharply and shudder vividly.
"Ohh...! Hah...ahh, Luke...ohh, that feels so nice..." she crooned. "You're a perfect kisser...too perfect for words...ooh-hoo-hoo..."
"I love seeing you smile, and hearing you giggle is even better, Millie," Luke whispered. "I love you so much."
And he leaned down and gave her chin a tiny little suck too. To this, Millie felt her steam ports tickle softly, then she gently let off a warm little wisp of steam.
"Ahh..." she sighed in absolute bliss. "Ooh, I love you too, Luke. I love you so much. That's so lovely...oh..."
Luke watched with a soaring heart as Millie's steam gently drifted upwards and away into the night air.
"That was so lovely, Luke. Thank you," Millie whispered.
"Anything for my lovely bluebell," Luke smiled joyfully.
Millie smiled big, then gave an eager little giggle. "Well...you did a very nice job pleasing me...what say I repay your loving dues, ci vous plait?"
Luke tried not to blush as he anticipated what Millie would do in return, but he welcomed whatever would come with open buffers.
"Oh, Millie. All you'll do is make me even happier...and you'll be even happier too."
Millie cooed so purely and with such delight, she almost fainted. But she held together and batted her eyelashes to Luke. Then she closed her eyes and puckered her lips. Luke breathed heavily as she leaned in. Then her lips touched to his cheek and she started kissing up, down and everywhere she pleased, making her hum most happily. Luke felt just how soft and warm her lips were wherever she kissed him, and he felt his entire body gradually feel immensely relaxed as he blushed redder and redder.
"Oh...oh, Millie. I...I love your lips...oh, my bluebell," Luke whispered with such joy shining in his heart.
"Shh...Luke. Shh..." Millie whispered smoothly.
This drove Luke's heart to an even faster beat as she kissed up and up his face until she came to his little nose and kissed him there too. Luke shuddered and laughed softly to Millie's lips tickling him right there. Millie giggled too as she leaned down and kissed his chin a few times over too.
"Oh, you're so, so cute," Millie whispered. "Now...let me make your steam swirl too. Here I come."
Luke gasped softly as Millie closed her lips around his cheek and began to very softly suck on it, dotting her tongue ever-so lightly on the tip of his cheek. Luke immediately felt a strong shiver course through his boiler and he leaned upwards in response to Millie's persistent nurturing as her magic kept working its spell on him.
"M-M-Millie...Millie!" he whispered strongly. "Oh, Millie...I...I'm just about ready..."
"Shh...it's okay, Luke," Millie whispered as she gently sucked his other cheek. "Just close your eyes and relax, my dear. Millie loves you...yes..."
And as Millie nibbled Luke's cheek one more time, that was enough to let his steam ports let off steam too as he sighed shakily but very happily.
"Ohh...Millie," he hummed with a solid smile. "That was perfect...no other engine can compare with you to be mine, my lovely bluebell."
Millie's eyes gleamed and she felt very happy in the moments she and Luke were spending together.
"No other engine can compare with you to be mine either, Luke, my little tree," she gleamed. "Now...what say we engage in the best way we can?"
Luke knew exactly what this meant and immediately touched his cheeks to Millie's sending a warm little flow through them both.
"I will take whatever you have for me, Millie, just as I know you'll take what I have for you."
To this, Millie nodded and smiled with all her lovely teeth. "Merci, Luke. Je t'aime...je t'aime..."
"Je t'aime aussi, Millie," Luke whispered. "Je t'aime aussi...so very much..."
Finally, the time had come upon them both. They slowly leaned in, puckering their lips once more, until they came together again and entwined together into a deepening kiss, bringing Luke and Millie deeper and deeper into their spell of lust and fervor for each other. This was the peak of their night together, and they would not waste a single moment of it. Their lips rubbed and caressed each other with such warmth and care for several minutes to count...until it became even better.
Luke ever-so slightly felt Millie's tongue gently and carefully pressing against his lips, asking for gentle and loving passage. Luke's eyes opened and saw Millie looking right at him. Then she slowly felt Luke open his mouth and bring his tongue to hers.
"Mmm...!" Millie hummed strongly against Luke's lips. "Mmhmm..."
Luke hummed back just the same as their eyes rolled back into their heads and they started French kissing there in the soft and quiet night all around them. Luke felt Millie's soft, warm and delicate tongue gently dancing with his, and he followed her pace perfectly. This went on for almost two hours, and over that time, Luke and Millie kept worshipping each other's mouths with such peaceful care, only letting go of each other's lips a few times to catch their breath and whisper their everlasting love for the other, as they always did whenever they had the time. Every once in a while, they alternated between kissing, nibbling and sucking each other's cheeks, but only a few minutes after doing any of the three, they fell right back to French kissing and slipping further and further into each other's everlasting heartstrings of love, never to be broken or walked away from.
At last, after nearly two hours of overdue nurtures and gifts to each other's faces and hearts, Luke and Millie's lips began to slow down and their kisses became softer and gentler. They looked into each other's eyes with such loving smiles as they began to feel sleepy and they both felt most impressively satisfied with all they had partaken in tonight.
"That was so amazing, Millie," Luke whispered at last, holding back a yawn. "I love you so much, and I will never walk away from that."
"Oh...ohh..." Millie smiled as she gave a yawn too, practically falling asleep already. "I love you too, Luke. You were so wonderful tonight...and I will never walk away from our bond either."
Luke gave a sigh and closed his eyes with such a smile.
"Oh...oh, Millie," Luke whispered. "I love you so much...I couldn't be happier just so be with you again, my lovely bluebell..."
But when Luke opened his eyes and looked up again, Millie had already fallen fast asleep. Seeing this Luke's heart beat most warmly as he gazed at her sleeping form. Then presently, Millie snored and mumbled softly in her sleep. This made Luke's heart twitch with such perfect delight as he snuggled to her face and kissed her chin as she snored quietly again.
"Ohh...Bonne nuit, Millie," Luke whispered as his eyes slowly shut. "Sweet dreams, bluebell."
"Zzz...sweet dreams, Luke, my love. Zzz...Bonne nuit, my little tree," Millie mumbled deeply in her sleep.
Luke soon fell fast asleep with Millie, and they slept tightly and surely. They slept in bliss and harmony all through the night.
Finally, after a whole night's sleep within the walls of Ulfstead Castle, Luke's eyes just began to trail open as he looked around and remembered where he was. He saw the walls of the castle, and Millie's sleeping form with her cheeks still pressed to his. It was then that Luke saw the first little creases of sun beginning to beam on the top towers of the castle, casting a pinkish-red glow as the night began to depart. Luke knew he had to go home, and he had to see Millie off properly.
"Millie?" he whispered and kissed her nose. Millie hummed and stirred as she woke up slightly.
"Mmm...Ohh...Luke?" she yawned as her eyes slowly opened.
"The night is ending, Millie," Luke whispered. "The sun is rising. I loved every moment of last night. It's the best I've slept in almost a year, all thanks to you, my bluebell."
Millie looked around and saw the night was indeed ending. Luke's visit was now over, and they'd have to await the next visit.
"Merci, Luke," she whispered. "I loved every last moment with you too. And thank you for waking me up...so I could say goodbye to you while I could."
"You're forever welcome, Millie," Luke whispered as he kissed her lips once more, to which she kissed right back.
After they softly let go, Millie watched as Luke reversed onto the turntable and started to turn around to make his way home.
"Au Revoir, Luke. Je t'aime," Millie smiled.
"Au revoir, Millie. Je t'aime aussi," Luke replied as he set off. "And good luck with the Fair!"
"Merci, Luke," Millie called. "And look forward to our next meetup!"
"I will, Millie!" Luke called once more, and off he set out of the castle grounds and back to the Blue Mountain Quarry.
"There he goes again," Millie said softly. "He'll be back...and until then...the World of Tomorrow is on the way."
So Luke and Millie had parted ways once again, as it always was for them both. But as always, distance and long waits made no difference to either of them. Their visit the night before had worked out perfectly, and they would meet up again one day soon enough. As for the Technology Fair, there was much to be done, and this very morning marked the start of the whole Steam Team pitching in to piece the Fair together. There were a lot of jobs to do, deliveries to make and shipments to collect to add to the Technology Fair's table, and as would turn out, Thomas wouldn't be the one fearing about being replaced for long. In just a little more short time, these inner fears would shift away from Thomas and briefly return the other engines once again. Beyond that, there would soon be an inventive truth to be told, and some interesting outcomes that would result from this Fair, as Emily and David would find out in particular together.
Finally onto something new, and finally another Luke and Millie story. I know "Marvellous Machinery" isn't all that well liked by fans, but I enjoy it for how ridiculous it can be, and it's given us another chance at giving Luke and Millie some attention, so that's always a plus. Anyway, next story will place far more focus on the two specials, this was just the appetizer. Until then, tell us what you thought of this story, and as always, stay safe.