Chapter 11: The Penthouse.

POV: Lady.

Hours after we left Brighton, Thomas and I were cuddling up some since my boyfriend was still rattled by all that happened in his school. Oh gosh did it feel nice, having his arms wrapped around me, taking in his warmth. I couldn't help but snuggle like a kitten.

My gestures were replied with a nuzzle as he gave me a peck on the cheek. He was very much the kind of guy I wanted. Thomas would never cheat or simply use you. If he loved you, he loved you. If he disliked you, he disliked you. He wasn't one to lie about how he felt, and the warmth he gave out was something alright, for though small and not affecting me, I found my little amount of anxiety washing away, being replaced with comfort.

"Dang, those idiots who dumped him really are missing out." I thought as I continued to take in this feeling between us. "He's such a relieving force, when all said and done."

I then let out a small cheerful giggle as he nuzzled me again. He was clearly getting into this.

POV: Thomas.

"Lady..." I sighed as I had her between my arms. "I should've said this sooner, but thank you for getting me out of that horrid place."

My girlfriend just smiled and pecked my cheek as she nuzzled my neck.

"No need, sweetie." She replied tenderly. "My love for you is legit, and just for that single night I've got to know you quite a bit and to say it short, you really don't deserve all of that pain you keep getting again and again. I did basically say that when giving you that necklace, did I not?"

"Yeah you did." I replied as I then pecked her back. "I may not be the best boyfriend, but I'll try my hardest to make you happy."

"Dummy." She said back to me with a loving look. "You are the best in my eyes. So don't doubt yourself. I'm already happy as is. And knowing you, if you make a mistake you'll learn from it."

I nodded in response as Lady continued to nuzzle me.

Eventually, the two of us dozed off while snuggling. Gosh, we must've grew tired cause not even a second within my dream did I feel a sensation that woke me up. A kiss like sensation to be precise.

"Hey, sleepy head." My girlfriend giggled as I awoke. "We're almost there. So ready yourself."

"Right." I yawned in reply, as I then began to stretch a bit.

I've heard a bit from Lady about the penthouse that she and her family lived in. It was located in the top floor of Knapford's Shining Time Apartment and its front desk was ran by a woman named Stacy Jones.

As it then came into view, the place was oddly baren except for a few officers and the very desk's woman herself. The limo slowed to a stop as a few members of the apartment staff opened the doors.

"Welcome back, Lady, Burnett and Tasha." Stacy greeted them. "These officers managed to shoo away all of the reporters and flock of fans before you arrived. I hope that will relief of you three of some stress."

My girlfriend and her parents sighed as if they were relived to hear such a thing.

"Thank you, Stacy." Lady replied, as then the hotel clerk then noticed me.

"Excuse me? I don't mean to be rude or anything, but who might you be?"

I stammered a bit, for I'm still not used to people being polite to me. Fortunately for me, Lady gave Stacy her needed answer.

"His name is Thomas Billinton, my boyfriend."

"Boyfriend?!" She exclaimed. "Ah! I remember now! Lady mentioned you in our little chat on the phone on her way home! She mentioned that you're not exactly having the best life in Brighton so she decided to bring you here as your parents filed a case against your horrible school with their recommended attorneys before moving here themselves. I can clearly see that you have trust issues so please, take your time with warming up to the place and people here. I've worked here long enough to know for a fact that all the people here are quite kind and good of heart. You have nothing to worry about. And that is something I swear by."

Though I was still hesitant to trust and talk to anyone besides Lady and her family, there was something within Stacy's words that clearly reassured me about the people here. Taking it all in, I decided to lower my guard a bit and try to begin to trust others.

"Thank you." I simply said, as she nodded in acknowledgement.

"Let's not waste more time. Everyone follow me."

And so, that's what we did.

Entering into the apartment complex, I was amazed at how exquisite it looked and the massive size. However the penthouse is what really blew me away. Pool-table room, a cinema like screen room, 5 bed rooms, 4 baths, and even a swimming pool for crying out loud! Sheesh it was really the life.

As Lady then showed me to the room that I was to stay at, I still was processing that I was at a place of a rich person's life.

"You certainly got quite the life here." I remarked as my girlfriend sighed.

"Well, you're not wrong, but it's not easy being famous. Especially with all the cameras just want to flash at you."

"Because your privacy is invaded?" I asked knowingly as she nodded in response.

"I don't mind the attention. I really don't. But at times it does get overwhelming."

"That I can see." I replied, knowing that it wasn't exactly fun to be swarmed by people.

As we then stopped at the place where my room was to be, Lady pointed towards that was for mine as she reached to the handle to her's.

"Hang on, our rooms are right next to one another?!"

"For the occasions like the one night in the hotel, yes." She confirmed as she prepared to enter into her room. "I don't want you to suffer the pain that your nightmares bring you, so I want to be close by so I can comfort you. I'll probably be staying up late tonight to plan my next performance. So I'll be checking on you."

"Okay." I replied as I then stepped into my room and made myself at home.

POV: Lady.

After having a dinner delivered from one of our favorite restaurants, the night carried out without a hitch. Thomas was already feeling at home, Mum and dad were tag-teaming on their usual choices and I was busy trying to think up a good plan for my performance.

Though I don't mind having inspiration, or to reuse some ideas, I have a complex to throw a curveball or two if it was to be a plan for my tour's grand finale. It has to be something that would really grab the audience's attention. Something different from the rest of them. Ideas on changing my outfit came to mind, but remembering that I'm not one to be all too reveling when it comes to my body threw those out the window.

"Darn!" I muttered as I then tossed another paper into the waste bin groaning with frustration. "Argh! What am I missing?!"

Sighing I glanced at the clock on my wall to see it was ten to eleven, and decided it was time for me to call it a night. Ensuring that he was okay, I exited my room and went next door to Thomas's. I peered inside and gasped as I saw him shuddering uncomfortably.

"Thomas! Calm down! You're okay." I cried as quietly as I could so I'd only wake him up.

My boyfriend grunted and groaned as he opened his eyes, clearly shivering with fear.

I closed his door and then sat next to him as I wrapped my arms around him.

"You're okay." I cooed. "You're okay."

He shuddered once again as he rested his head on my shoulder, ready to cry. His nightmare was without a doubt horrible, as he held me tightly.

"I'm here, Thomas. I'm here."

His heart was very fast and loud as I embraced him. His fear shining within his eyes as his lips trembled.

Carefully placing my hand on his cheek, I let my words out softly.

"Would it help if I slept beside you tonight?"

He gave a small nod, and I gently slid under the covers. Laying down on his right as he went back to his previous position.

Say what you like, but we yet again only cuddled and it's going to be left at just that.
We haven't did anything under the definition of "IT" and we won't be anytime soon. For we have to get through these first weeks first and I know for a fact that they would be hard for the both of us.

As I then kissed him, I gave my lover a smile and continued to nuzzle and snuggle him as I gradually fell asleep. We had no further incidents that night and I was certainly glad for that, for I never liked seeing Thomas so scared. I wanted him to be happy and to feel safe and sound, and I very much intended to make sure he feel that way. He was my lover, and that was reason enough. Sodor was to be his home, and I'm going to ensure that it is.

To be continued...