Chapter Two: Can Engines Raise Kids?

While Rebecca and Gordon paid attention to their son, the woman slowly approached them as she kept her neutral face as possible while her eyes told otherwise. Once she got close to them, she cleared her throat as she went straight with the question, "Excuse me, you two? Is he your son or something?"

Rebecca and Gordon noticed the woman as Eli saw her as well. When the young boy saw her, he couldn't help but feel dread from her as he looked at his mother, "M-Mum? Who is she?"

"I don't know, sweetie, but hop inside my cab.", she whispered gently as she didn't feel comfortable with the woman's question.

Eli obeyed as he hopped from Rebecca's running plate as he hid inside her cab. Rebecca and Gordon's respective drivers and firemen were just fetching some afternoon snack. Once Eli hid inside, he popped his head to watch the situation, "Why would you ask that question?", Gordon asked as he raised his eyebrow while maintaining a calm persona.

"Well, forgive me. I was just curious as you were treating him like he was your child, that's all.", the woman explained as she tried her best to not show her true colours.

Rebecca and Gordon looked at each other with a nervous look on their faces. Should they tell her the truth or tell her that it's not her business. However, being the kind and polite engine that Rebecca was, she answered, "Well, he's my son, and we love him very much."

When the woman got the answer she needed, she growled deeply in disgust before she cleared her throat and kept her fake sincere smile, "Ah, how sweet of you. Two busy engines raising a child. I must say, it seems that your plate is full."

"Oh no, there's no trouble at all… umm, what's your name, may I ask?", Rebecca asked as she felt embarrassed.

"Oh, how rude of me for not introducing myself, Rebecca and Gordon. My name is Trudy Darvill, but please call me Miss Darvill.", the woman replied as she placed her hand on her chest.

"So, Miss Darvill, why is it you want to know about our son?", Gordon questioned as he frowned because they felt like she invaded them.

"Well, I don't mean you pry, but don't you think that having a son is quite a challenge?", Miss Darvill asked as she sneered.

Rebecca and Gordon looked at each other once again as Rebecca decided to answer, "It is, but we love him very much."

"Is that so?", Miss Darvill frowned before she went straight to the point, "Listen you two, you know that you're engines right? So how is it possible you manage to raise him when you can't feed him, give him proper shelter, and make sure he gets lots of attention?"

Rebecca and Gordon frowned as Rebecca asked, "What do you mean?"

"You know? Engines are different to humans, and besides, engines can't legally adopt him.", Miss Darvill pointed out.

Just before the two engines could respond, Eugene, Liam, Graham, and Troy showed up and noticed the commotion, "What's going on?", Troy whispered.

"Got no idea, but I'll go and check.", Eugene responded as he went to approach the woman while Liam followed.

When they got close, Eugene spoke, "Excuse me, Ma'am, but what's the commotion about?"

"Pardon me, Sir, but I assume you're one of their drivers?", she asked as she raised her eyebrow.

"Yes, I am, and I was wondering what's going on?", Eugene questioned.

"Well, your engine said she's raising a human child, yet she clearly has no legal evidence she did. It's clear to me that the boy has no real parents.", she growled silently.

"He's actually legally adopted.", Liam explained, "And Rebecca and Gordon are their legal parents. We even went to court for it."

"Is that so?", Miss Darvill raised she eyebrow with a smirk, "Now that's something you don't hear every day."

"Now, if you excuse me, we have to go and finish off our task." Eugene explained as he and Liam were about to walk off.

"Oh, we are not done yet!", Miss Darvill spoke like venom came out of her mouth.

The two men froze as they turned around, "Pardon?". Liam glared.

"Let me say this. That boy can't be raised by engines. It doesn't matter if he's legally adopted, which I find that story hard to believe, engines are not capable of raising a human while they have a job!", she snarled.

Eugene was lost at words. The way the woman spoke with such disgust and disrespect enraged him. He couldn't stand her at this point. Liam was so fuming as the woman showed a lack of compassion or understanding, "Listen, if you got a problem, we could discuss this civilly or end it right now!", Eugene spat.

"I do have a problem for a good reason.", Miss Darvill explained, "I'm an orphanage caretaker, and I do have the rights to take him away."

During this heated argument, Eli was eavesdropping on the whole conversation. When he heard Miss Darvill mention being the orphanage caretaker, his eyes widened, and he began to breathe shallow. The thought of being taken away to a place where he's far from home scared him. He didn't want to be separated from his engine family. He loves them just as much as they do.

As the conversation went intense, Rebecca stepped in and ended up being in a mama bear mode, "You leave our son out of it, and you won't take him away. He's mine!"

"Oh, I wouldn't dream of doing that, especially if there's legal evidence, my dear.", she smirked.

"I suggest you leave before I call the police.", Liam suggested as he frowned.

"Gladly. All this argument is for nothing.", Miss Darvill replied as she walked away.

As she walked away, she spotted the young boy hiding, and she gave him a sinister smile and a deep chuckle. Eli was frightened by her behaviour as she hugged his mother's cab tightly. While Miss Darvill walked away, she looked back and glared, "I will sort this out. Even if it means doing it the hard way."

When the woman left the scene, Eli slowly got out of Rebecca's cab as he went to Eugene, Liam, Graham, and Troy, "Hey… will I be… taken away?", he asked nervously.

The four men looked at each other as Liam gently bent his knees and placed his hands on his shoulders, "Of course not. You belong with Rebecca and Gordon. They are your parents, and they do have the legal rights to raise you.", he assured him.

"B-but… what if the police gets involved or worse?", Eli asked as tears began to escape his brown eyes.

"Even the police are involved, they can't do anything about it. You'll be alright. This woman can't do anything.", Liam explained as he gave him a gentle, kind smile.

Eli's tears fell down his cheeks as he looked at his parents before he ran to them, climbed on his mother's running plate and hugged her tightly, "I want to stay with you, Mum."

Rebecca was surprised by his quick action before she closed her eyes and whispered, "I promise. I won't let anything happen to you. You're safe with me, and your family will protect you."

Eli sniffed his remaining tears as he looked at her, "Really? You mean it?"

Rebecca blinked as a nod, "Yes, and we love you very much!"

Eli slowly smiled as he felt the aura from Rebecca. It was a comforting and safe aura. He always felt secure and safe whenever he's around her. She may be kind, happy, and playful, but she was also known to have a protective nature, and if anyone tried to harm her son, she wouldn't tolerate it. The same goes towards Gordon. He wouldn't allow anyone to mistreat his son.

Once he began to calm down, Rebecca then asked, "Shall we go back to Tidmouth Sheds, and see the others?"

Eli nodded, "Yes, please."

With that, Eli hopped off from her running plate as he went inside her cab. Each of the respective drivers and firemen went on their own engine as they headed their way to Tidmouth Sheds. Gordon and Rebecca looked at each other lovingly before looking at their now happy son. They were glad that they could provide a lot of things to him as possible, and make sure he was safe from harm's way.

Once they were gone, a silhouette of a woman glared at the long gone engines as her eyes glowed like an eagle watching her prey. She growled as she mumbled, "This isn't over, boy. You'll soon belong to me, and I'll make sure your precious engine family will never find you!"

…

The sun began to set as all the engines returned from their hard days at work. Eli was delighted to see them and get to talk to them. All the engines noticed Eli, and they were pleased to see him. Once they all settled in their respective sheds, Eli spoke first, "Good afternoon, everyone!"

All the engines replied with either "Good afternoon, Eli.", or "Hello, Eli.", and Eli smiled. He loved his family very much as he knew how to make them smile, "How's your day at work?", Eli asked with such curiosity.

All but Henry responded that their day at work went smoothly while Henry sighed and frowned. Eli immediately took notice as he hopped off from Rebecca and ascended onto Henry's running plate, "What's wrong, Uncle Henry?", he asked.

"I kept coughing soot, and I went to The Steamworks to get examined. I didn't get to be useful today as I felt ill.", Henry coughed.

Eli felt sorry for him as he hugged his cheek, "I'm sorry to hear that. You'll get better."

Henry looked at Eli's pure eyes as he slowly smiled, "Thanks, Eli."

Everyone smiled at their heartwarming interaction. All of Eli's fears of being taken away faded away as he felt safe with his engine family. The engines loved him very much and would do anything to make him happy. Once he was done hugging, Eli noticed Edward as he asked kindly, "So, Eli. I heard you had a music lesson with Cara. How was it?"

"It was great, Uncle Edward, and Cara taught me how to play the guitar! Although I think James performed the flute better than me.", he grinned.

James was surprised about this as he blushed in a delicate shade of red before he chuckled, "At least engines can make better music."

"Yeah, right!", Eli laughed as the other engines laughed with him.

After their heartfelt conversation, Liam stepped in, "Well, Eli. I believe it's time to go home

Eli frowned, "Aww, can I stay with them for the night? Please?", he begged.

Liam then tried to explain, "Now, Eli. It wouldn't be as comfortable and…"

"Please! Just for one night!", Eli made puppy eyes.

Liam thought until he sighed with a smile, "Alright, but you do need to get changed and have a blanket and pillow with you."

Eli was thrilled, "Yay!", he squealed as he hugged his mother's cheek.

Rebecca giggled as she kissed her son's forehead, "Alright, let's go."

With that, they wasted no time as Eli went into Rebecca's cab as they headed their way to the Baker's house. Once they arrived, Eli rushed inside to have his quick dinner before changing into comfortable pyjamas and bringing his blanket and pillow. After that, he bid farewell to the Baker's before hopping inside Rebecca and heading home to Tidmouth Sheds.

…

Night time came as the moon rose, and the owls came out to play. Eli was preparing to go to sleep when he noticed everyone else was falling asleep except his mother. He smiled at first before he sighed sadly. Rebecca immediately took notice of her son's behaviour, "Eli? What's wrong?"

"N-nothing. It's just… that woman. She was so scary. I don't want to be taken away.", Eli replied as he cuddled himself with the pillow.

Rebecca sighed as she looked at her son sadly, "Oh, Eli. I promise that nothing will happen to you, and if anything happens to you, we will find you."

"You promise?", Eli asked.

"Rebecca blinked as a nod, "Promise."

Eli smiled as he hugged his mother before he began to yawn, "I think I'm getting a little bit sleepy."

Rebecca giggled quietly to avoid waking the others up as she whispered, "Goodnight, son."

"Goodnight, Mum.", Eli whispered back.

With that, Eli tucked himself to sleep with a comfortable blanket and a soft pillow to rest his head on. Once he closed his weary brown eyes, Rebecca smiled before she sighed as she looked at the sky, "Can engines really raise kids?"

After thinking to herself, she began to yawn before she closed her eyes and fell asleep. Everything seemed peaceful at Tidmouth Sheds as Eli was fast asleep, feeling safe and secure with his engine family, but was he safe or not?