Chapter 12: Bells of Magenta and Azure.

As Lady promised her soon-to-be-husband, she did what she could to enjoy the day. The two fathers in the families, eventually warmed up to one another, exchanging information on engine care. As the sun slowly began to set again, they had the camp completely dismantled and were on some coaches being towed by Skarloey's engine. Gordon and his engine were at Crovan's gate, waiting for them as the narrow gauge engine pulled in.

"Hello, Thomas, Lady. How was your camping trip?"

"Great!" The E2 driver in blue replied. "Thanks for asking, Gordon. And I'm sorry if there was no bachelor party this time round."

Gordon just grinned as he gave his reply.

"It's fine. No hard feelings. As a matter of fact, the last one was a complete disaster and it wouldn't bide well now, especially with you having a daughter."

The young man in blue and his fiancé both smiled as they and their families entered into the single coach behind Gordon's engine. With a whistle, the blue A3 departed from Crovan's gate.

About an hour or two Later...

At Tidmouth, Thomas, Lady, and everyone else in their families got off as Gordon prepared to depart.

"Are you sure that you guys don't want to go back to Kirk-Ronan?" Lady asked her parents and brother as they smiled in reply.

"We're sure, Lady." Burnett spoke. "Besides, if we just spent the night at your place, it would make things easier for us."

Lady cracked a smile as she took in her father's words. She was glad that they wanted to be with her through the entire ordeal and rightfully so. Facing towards her lover, she gave Thomas a quick kiss on the lips as her eyes met his.

"I'll see you and Trudy tomorrow, Thomas."

"Will do, Lady. Have a good night."

"You too."

Both bride and groom smiled as they then went on their separate ways. As they walked through the streets, Lady saw the drugstore still open and decided it would be best to stop there first.

"Mum! Dad! Brother! Excuse me! But I must make a quick stop here. There is something I must get." They all nodded and watched as Lady darted in. When she returned, she had a box and receipt in her hand. Tasha took one look at the item Lady grabbed and gasped in surprise.

"A pregnancy test?!" She exclaimed. "Lady! What the?!"

"Let's just keep the details to a minimum." She said with a blush. "Thomas would be very embarrassed too should I rat upon what happened THAT night."

Both Tasha and Burnett nodded in acknowledgment as they took in their daughter's words. They knew that Thomas loved her dearly and wouldn't ever mean any real harm towards her. Continuing on their journey, they arrived at Lady's apartment which now was mostly packed up thanks to the endeavors of her fiancé and friends. Pulling out the couch's bed and a cot she had in the closet, she settled up two places for her parents and brother to sleep at for the night. As Tasha and Burnett decided to make up a dinner with what's left in the fridge and Proteus watching a movie, Lady entered into her bathroom to use the test on herself. No more than five minutes after she had entered into the bathroom, did she burst out with the look of disbelief.

"It's positive!" She cried out. "The test was positive!"

A silence was held as the three other Stones widened their eyes in surprise. Presently Tasha broke it as a small grin cracked between her lips.

"Looks like Trudy's going to be a big sister." She remarked softly. "All the same, be sure to focus on your wedding tomorrow and wait for the right moment to tell the news to Thomas and Trudy, Lady."

"Yes, Mother." Lady replied as a firm look was upon her face. She intended to be the best mother for ALL of her children, including Trudy.

Several Hours Later...

As the morning sun shined over the island once more, the big day had arrived. As they planned, Thomas and Lady would get ready at their homes while their groomsmen and the bridesmaids are waiting at the church nearby the orchard on the Brendam Branchline, where the Vicar of Wellsworth would be the preacher to them, while Gordon would bring them back to Tidmouth. In short, Sodor was a complete buzz over the event, and each closest friend of Thomas and Lady, each had a special task to do. They were all excited, and eager to help. Just moments before the Wedding's start, Thomas was on board a coach that was being towed by Edward's engine. He was dressed in his wedding tux. His coat and trousers were black as his shirt and waistcoat were white, while his tie was blue. He sat nervously as Trudy sat next to him with a blue hairband and a white dress.

"You kay, Daddy?"

"I'm fine, Trudy." Thomas replied with a nervous exhale. "Just a bit nervous is all."

Memories flashed across his mind as his previous wedding with Jeanne came back into his thoughts. He was blind to them before, but now, he could see signs of her on-coming mental downfall. His hands shook as he thought about these. He hoped that Lady wouldn't have the same fate as his ex. Trudy immediately caught on and was quick to state her mind.

"Lady wants to be mummy!" He blurted out. "Lady won't ever hurt me, Daddy!"

Once again, the three-year-old's words struck Thomas hard. He smiled and cried joyfully as he took them in.

"Yes, you're right. Lady's nothing like Jeanne. She proved herself worthy to be a mother. There should be nothing for me to fear." He kissed his daughter on the forehead as she cracked a smile.

Presently, Edward's engine arrived at the church on the Brendam branchline, allowing Thomas and Trudy to get off. As per to his and Lady's plan, Howard, Tanya, and Timothy were all there first. A little boy in a navy blue suit and a woman in a sapphire dress walked over as they saw Edward step out of his engine.

"Daddy!" The boy cried out.

"Hello, Evvey!"

Tara and Everette Pettigrew were Edward's wife and son. Like Trudy, Edward and Tara had Everette for about three years now. With him being close to Thomas, Edward offered to have Everette as his and Lady's ring bearer. As the K2 driver held his son, he glanced over at Thomas, who was holding Trudy.

"Henry is on his way with the Stones." He explained as Thomas nodded with acknowledgment.

"Okay. I'll head into the church now. Trudy, please wait here with uncle Edward. I have to be ready for Lady."

Trudy nodded and smiled as her azure irises gazed at her father.

"Go daddy! Go!" She replied encouragingly as he smiled in reply.

The minutes passed, and Thomas stood at the altar. He held his breath, preparing himself mentally as he glanced about the place nervously. His best man, Percy, sat with the groomsmen, while Lady's maid of honor, Emily Stirling sat with the bridesmaids. Soon, the organ player changed the song to an all too familiar tune as the doors soon opened.

The sight took all of Thomas's breath away. Lady stepped gracefully down the aisle as her vail gracefully swayed. While her dress was white all over, ribbons and bows of magenta and gold were added to it. One was even around her waist as a white hairband sat in place of her usual dark pink one. She smiled as Thomas removed the front of her vail, gently guiding it over her head. His eyes met hers, gazing in awe and amazement.

"You look very beautiful." He uttered softly as Lady giggled in happiness.

Soon, the Vicar of Wellsworth cleared his throat, catching the attention of everyone attending.

"Ladies! Gentleman! Drivers and Staff of Sodor! Today, we are here to witness the union of Thomas Howard Billinton, and Petra Jennifer Stone. Before we began, is there anyone who would object?" Luckily for the couple, no-one who would was there so only head shakes were seen from the crowd. "Excellent!" He remarked with a smile. "Now! Thomas! Petra! Please recite your vows to one another." No sooner had Thomas attempted to state his, Lady recited her's first.

"Thomas Howard Billinton. From the first day I saw you, I could tell that you were a kind and sweet man. Even as I denied it, I kept finding myself with this lingering love towards you. When I finally met you in that grocery store, I was in deep awe. You were prepared to give up everything, just to help your daughter, even after something so traumatic. I never admitted this, but that fact alone greatly inspired me. It inspired me to be the best person I can be no matter the situation. Furthermore, I know how overwhelming this second wedding must be for you, so to help, I'll give my vow first. In the days forward as your wife, I vow that I would give you and Trudy the best amount of love I can give and protect you both from whatever threatens us. I cross my soul and heart that I would be the best mother that Trudy would ever have and always ensure that your goal of her having a wonderful life is fulfilled. Jeanne is wrong for what she did, Thomas. If it came down to it, I'd even give up my own life to protect you and Trudy from her. I love you both and I mean that."

The words that Lady said in her vow shook the hearts and minds of everyone in the ceremony. The voice and intent behind them were truly sincere as both Thomas and Trudy felt.

"Such a beautiful vow, Petra." The vicar remarked. "Okay. Your turn Thomas." Thomas exhaled sharply as he let out his nervous breath. He gazed firmly at Lady as he prepared to give her his own vow.

"Petra Jennifer Stone. I'll admit that it hasn't been easy, but you have been a true light to Trudy and I. You showed us that there was nothing to be afraid of after Jeanne done that horrid deed, and I can't thank you enough for it. You gave Trudy the experience that she should've had with a mother, and she was smiling more because of it. You are strong-willed, kind, sweet, not to mention very beautiful. I've grown to love you as a whole and am always found my breath taken away. In the days coming as your husband, I vow that you will not be left crying under the pain and sting of betrayal and that I will stay by you forever. I'll continue on to love you as well as Trudy and do my best to ensure that nothing bad happens to any of us. Jeanne is nothing compared to you and I mean that in more ways than one. I am happy to be with you today, and I am certain so is Trudy."

Many "Awws" sounded across the ceremony as Trudy smiled joyfully at her father's vow to Lady. The vicar grinned happily as Everette stepped over with the rings and pillow in his hand.

"Wonderful, Thomas." He remarked. "Now then, it is time to exchange the rings. Thomas, Petra. You know what to do."

Each grabbing a ring, Thomas and Lady placed them on each other's fingers. As the exchange was finished, one last step was now in play. The moment of truth was now upon them.

"Thomas. Through thick and thin; through snow and dust; through rain and shine, do you take Petra as you lawfully wedded wife?"

"I do."

"Petra. Through thick and thin; through snow and dust; through rain and shine, do you take Thomas as you lawfully wedded Husband?"

"I do."

"Then by the power invested in me, I pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride."

As the guests cheered, Thomas kissed Lady full on the mouth as long as he could. The moment when they broke apart, they smiled at one another and gestured Trudy to come over to them. The three-year-old smiled joyfully as she was embraced by the arms of her parents.

"Mummy. Daddy." She uttered happily as tears of joy fell from her eyes. Her wish had finally become true.

An Hour and a Half Later...

The after-party was a little chaotic, but nothing as severe as Thomas's Bachelor Party for his first wedding. He and Lady both fed each other pieces of cake as the guests of theirs danced on the floor. While they laughed at the awkwardness of Timothy, Gordon, and Toby, they also smiled at the others who danced with their lovers. Percy did share a speech focused on how Thomas was one of the best engine drivers on the island, but it was the next event that really took the center stage of the party just before the night.

"Now! The moment for you all! The Bride and Groom's solo dance!"

Everyone cheered as Thomas and Lady got on the dance floor. As they practiced in secret, they began to waltz to a slow song. They smiled at one another, gracefully making the scene theirs. As the song eventually came to an end, they kissed and Lady promptly picked up her bouquet of roses from the table where she and Thomas sat at. All of the Bridesmaids saw this and knew what was to come. She tossed it high into the air, and it landed in the hands of Emily.

"Yes!" She exclaimed! "James! It's our turn next!"

James blushed as red as his tie in embarrassment as the other groomsmen all chuckled. He wasn't exactly as confident as he made himself out to be, especially around his fiance, Emily Stirling.

The party carried on for a little while longer until it was time to head home. Thomas, Lady, and Trudy all rode home in the coach behind Gordon's engine. As the tracks brought Trudy to a gentle sleep, Lady knew that she had to tell Thomas about a certain result from the night before.

"Hey. Thomas. Remember Yesterday morning?"

Thomas gazed at his new wife and nodded in reply.

"Yes, I do. Did you test yourself?"

"Yes." Lady replied as her voice hesitated to reply. "It's official. Trudy's going to be a big sister."

A smile cracked between Thomas's lips as he held his wife against his shoulder.

"We'll prepare for the child, and when ready we'll tell Trudy. For now, let's worry about the present and focus on other things. As I said, Trudy probably isn't the kind of girl who would be made over having a sibling. As a matter of fact, quite the opposite of that. That fourth bedroom nearby ours might be the best one for a nursery. I don't think that I have ever gotten rid of Trudy's crib so if it's still in good condition we can use it."

"Okay." Lady replied softly as her new husband kissed her on the cheek. As expected, he was thinking about the situation carefully.

To be continued...