Sodor's Precious Child Ch. 2
A.N. Special thanks to Goldsaddletank for helping me with this story. :D Who also helped me in the last chapter, but I was too much of a klutz to actually type that… so thank you!
…
Edward walked away from Sir Topham Hatt's office, still confused. Because while he got an explanation for why the railroad has been so busy, another question was built into his mind. Who was the new arrival?
He knew that he was an orphan, and that he'd been at an orphanage for quite some time, but he still didn't know much about him. But then again, neither did Sir Topham Hat.
He was so lost in thought he didn't realise that he was being called until a hand landed on his shoulder making him jump. He gasped, before looking up into caring green eyes. "Oh, hello Henry." He smiled. "What do you need?" He asked his taller friend.
Henry smiled that kind smile that everyone knew. "I was wondering if you found out why we're so busy." He asked.
Edward nodded. "I have. We're getting a new arrival." He explained.
"Wait what?" Henry said, clearly confused. "But we've gotten new arrivals before, with not much work..."
Edward nodded. "I know, which has risen others questions in me." He replied.
Henry sighed. "Then, we're still at square one?"
Edward shook his head. "Oh no. Sir Topham Hatt told me why we're so busy is because this new arrival is going to be young. And that he's from an orphanage."
Henry gasped. "Oh my… well, do we know how young?"
Edward shook his head. "No. But neither does he. The orphanage wouldn't release much on him."
Henry nodded in understanding. "Well, do you at least know when he'll arrive?"
"In a few days." Edward answered.
"I see…" Henry mused quietly. But he perked up after a moment. "Well, come on then." He smiled, taking Edward's hand and walked back towards where their engines resided. "We have to get to work. Gordon and James will be grumbling all day! I just know it!"
Edward merely laughed, before following after him.
…
Gordon muttered to himself as he put his engine in the sheds near Brendom Docks, before starting to walk to the docks themselves. There was a new arrival, and Sir Topham Hatt wanted everyone to be there.
He didn't understand. New arrivals came to the island before with little fuss, so why was this one so special? He sighed. No point in trying to argue, so he walked to the Docks, where everyone was already at, and stood by Edward which, by now, was quite common.
He found himself always standing by Edward, Rosie, or both. Which surprised him a little, since before he was always with Spencer and/or James.
But, he decided not to question it, and just waited for what would happen. Sir Topham Hatt soon arrived, and stood on a crate, and turned his workers attention to him.
He cleared his throat. "As you all know," Boomed Sir Topham Hatt. "There is a new arrival coming." The answer he received were quiet murmurs. "And we've been overly busy preparing for him."
"Yes Sir." Percy nodded, standing next to his brother Henry. "And we'd like to know why."
Sir Topham Hatt nodded in acknowledgement. "I understand." He said. "This new arrival will be coming shortly. And as I told you before, I did not know much about him. However, just a few hours ago, I was able to find out why he is so special. And that reason is because he is young. At only the age of fifteen."
Everyone gasped. "And, he'll be working here?" Asked Toby, who was standing next to his older sister, Flora.
Again, their employer nodded. "He will be here shortly, as said before." Sir Topham Hatt confirmed.
Everyone nodded, and waited until a worker came up to Sir Topham Hatt, whispering something to the man in charge.
"Hm… I see…" Sir Topham Hatt mumbled. Then he looked back to his workers. "Change of plans!" He announced. "The boy is arriving now."
As he finished that last sentence, a ship pulled into the docks. Its arrival caused everyone's attention to divert to it as the boat pulled into the docks.
The platform was lowered and a man in a sailor suit came into view at the top of the platform.
"May I present, Thomas from England." He said importantly. He moved out of the way, and in his place, walked a small boy.
Everyone's eyes widened and their jaws dropped- even Sir Topham Hatt's.
This person, this boy- who stood at the top of the platform, seemed to have a glow around him as he wrung his delicate fingers together
He moved so angelically down the platform towards them, it was almost like he was gliding. He looked at them all with these ice blue jewels, as he examined everyone new in front of him.
The smile that slowly graced his pink lips was bright enough to light up an entire town. "Hi, I'm Thomas!" He introduced himself while waving.
Those three words threw everyone for a loophole. Thomas' voice was like silk. The most calming thing anyone ever heard on that crazy railway.
"Um… hello. I am Sir Topham Hatt." He introduced himself as well, walking up to Thomas after he recovered from his initial shock. "I am pleased to meet you."
Thomas smiled and waved again, before bowing. "Hello Sir! I'm pleased to meet you too!" In Thomas' excitement, he jumped and twirled a bit, and that made everyone else notice something about him: his looks.
His skin was pale and smooth, like that of a porcelain doll's. His hair was light blue and fluffy, like a cloudless sky on a winter day. And each time he moved, his hair seemed to move like waves in the water at the beach. And, as stated before, his eyes were like ice blue jewels; crystal clear, wide, and pure. He was the picture of pure innocence.
Everyone took their turns introducing themselves to Thomas. With each person Thomas met, his excitement grew, as did everyone else's awestruck attitude.
While everyone wanted to show Thomas around, in the end, Edward was given permission to look after Thomas for the day, so he took Thomas back to Tidmouth to give him some lunch.
"Y'know Mister, I think I'm gonna like it here!" Thomas said, as they went towards Edward's engine.
Before Edward could respond however, they reached Edward's engine, and Thomas' eyes widened and he gasped.
"Oh…" He whispered in awe as he gazed at the sky blue tender engine. "Is that… your engine, Sir?"
Edward chuckled. "Yes, Thomas, it is. And I hope you do like it here, but please, do call me Edward." He smiled.
Thomas nodded. "Ok Edward!" But his attention quickly went back to his engine. "Are we going to ride in there?!" He asked excitedly, while jumping around.
Edward smiled, as he listened to Thomas ask about his engine. He nodded after a moment. "Yes we are, we're going home."
Thomas stopped, and stared at Edward in question. "Home?"
Edward nodded. "Yes. To Tidmouth. That's our home, and it'll be yours too." He smiled.
Thomas smiled as well. "Oh yay!" He cheered. Edward chuckled softly as he helped Thomas into his cab.
Quietly, he threw coal into his engine's firebox, and soon, they were on their way.
As they went down the tracks, Edward listened to Thomas talk about his journey to arrive on Sodor. He gazed down at Thomas in wonder, listening to him ramble excitedly about his trip.
His sparkling blue eyes, soft hair that matched, his pale skin… he truly was an angel.
He smiled after a moment. Maybe he's what we've been missing… Edward thought to himself as he gazed down the tracks on their way to Tidmouth.
