The next morning, Thomas woke up, feeling alert and prepared. Emily woke up too and could see he was wanting to leave and reassure the twins. She kissed him softly, hoping it would calm him at least a little.
"Alright, Emily. I'm gonna go and calm those twins down," he said.
"Good idea, Thomas," said Emily. "Just be sure they stay safe. I don't want the other engines bothering them just for my sake. I'm alright and they're sorry. I know it."
Thomas kissed her and set off to find the Fat Controller. He found him at Knapford Station.
"Thomas? Where are you going? You're supposed to collect Annie and Clarabel for more passengers," he said.
"I know, sir," said Thomas. "But…I'm very frightened for Donald and Douglas. I understand they really caused Emily a great deal of frustration and inconvenience, but…I had a horrible nightmare about them last night." Thomas described it to the Fat Controller. He was almost a little frightened himself after hearing such details.
"Take me with you, Thomas. I think I need to tell them about your achievement with Edward this past summer." Thomas agreed and the Fat Controller went right along with him.
At Arlesburgh, Donald and Douglas woke up with a start. Their nightmare was still fresh in their mind…and so was their heated encounter with Gordon that night. They now had less than twenty four hours to respond to Emily in a way that would convince her they were truly sorry before they would be locked up for the week if they didn't apologize by 10:00 p.m. that night.
"You alright, Douggie?" asked Donald.
"I dinna know, Donnie," replied Douglas.
"That nightmare we had last night, Douggie…" said Donald. "What if it means something? What's to become of us?"
"I cannae say yet, Donnie. We'll take some time to think aboot something for the lassie," said Douglas. "There be plenty of things we can do to make her happy."
Suddenly, they heard a gentle bump on their shed door. Douglas' heart skipped a beat.
"Uh-oh!" he whispered, barely audible.
"We'll apologize on the double," whispered Donald as the doors slowly began to open. The twins braced themselves for a lot of pain and damage. Tears of fright leaked from their eyes as they squeezed them tightly shut…then they heard the voice.
"Donald? Douglas? Are you there?" asked Thomas as the doors opened fully.
Douglas burst into sobs of terror as he huffed forward and confessed. "Please don't attack us, Thomas! We didnae mean to cause Emily's accident! Truly, we didnae! We're truly so sorry!"
"Attack you?" Thomas laughed. "Why, the very thought of it!"
"R-really, laddie?" Donald asked, surprised. "You're not going to attack us…bury us in an avalanche…incinerate us in a fire…or try to scrap us?"
The Fat Controller stepped out of Thomas' cab. "You silly engines! How could you not know that Thomas' 'inner demon,' as Emily calls it, has been vanquished?"
"What?" asked Douglas. "What do you mean, sir?"
"Thomas has learned not to unleash his rage for Emily's sake anymore. Edward helped him break past that emotional wall this past summer. He'll react accordingly from now on even if Emily does have a rough spot from time to time."
"That's right, you two," said Thomas. "While I am cross at what happened to Emily, I know you two wouldn't do it intentionally. I'm here to see to it that you DO make it up to her…but also so that you stay safe from Gordon."
"Oh, of course," said Douglas. "Sir…Gordon came by last night after Donnie and I woke up from a scary nightmare of him trying to break into our shed. He said that if your orders aren't clear enough, he'll order us about today…remember when he, Henry and James ordered Duck and Percy about?"
"Yes, I do," said the Fat Controller. "And if he even tries, I shall be rather put out with him. You two spend some time thinking about something for Emily, and be sure she sees you before 10:00 p.m. tonight. Otherwise, you two will not be wanted for an entire week!"
"We know, sir," said Donald. Then Thomas left to return to Knapford Station so he could collect Annie and Clarabel.
"Well, brother, let's get going!" said Douglas. "We cannae think of everything just idling here."
"Aye, Douggie," said Donald. And the twins set off to see what they could do to make Emily very happy. As they huffed along the line, they were very careful of encountering other engines, making sure they didn't block any lines or points. No engines spoke to them. All they did was sneer with displeasure at them. The twins understood they'd be disliked for a while until Emily got what she needed from them. Donald looked left and right, trying to find inspiration for something to do for Emily. He could see children playing in the snowy meadows. Some were making snow-angels, some were building snowmen and some were sledding down the hills.
"Douggie…do you think we could show Emily all these happy children?" asked Donald.
"Hmm…Nae, Donnie," he said. "Those little lads look happy indeed, but Emily must see them quite often. I think she needs something unexpected…something special."
"Aye, Douggie. Keep thinking," said Donald. And they continued down the line. Suddenly, they heard Emily's whistle. She was taking her own passengers for the day and seemed a little better. But when she looked at the twins, she didn't seem too interested.
"Good day," was all she said, not pleased or angry as she passed by. Douglas was determined to see her smile again as he and Donald huffed further down the line. Then suddenly, they saw Molly huffing along the line, taking a choir to a church to practice carols for Christmas Day.
"Hello, Molly," called Douglas.
"Hello, Donald and Douglas," said Molly. The twins suddenly remembered their nightmare the previous night…and remembered seeing Molly being awoken by Gordon then following him.
"What's wrong, you two?" asked Molly. "You look frightened."
"Oh. M-Molly," said Donald. "We had quite an awful nightmare last night…about Gordon."
"Gordon?" asked Molly. "Strange. He woke me up last night as he stormed through Tidmouth Station."
Douglas' heart jumped in his throat. Maybe their nightmare was truer than they thought. "Really?! Did you follow him in the night?"
"No. I just went back to sleep. Why?" asked Molly.
Douglas frightfully described their nightmare to Molly, making her feel concerned for the twins.
"That must have been frightening," said Molly.
"Aye," said Donald. "Then he actually did come by and say he was going to order us about today…but we haven't seen him yet."
"But what does this all have to do with?" asked Molly.
Donald and Douglas shamefully explained about Emily in the middle the other day, to Molly's annoyance and realization.
"I see," she said, frowning slightly. "Well, it sounds like you two gave her a very rough day."
"That's why we're trying to find a way to make her happy again," said Donald. Douglas suddenly heard faint singing from Molly's coaches. He suddenly got a potential idea.
"Molly…where is that choir going?" he asked.
"I'm taking them to the church to practice singing carols for Christmas Day," said Molly. "Why do you ask?"
"Well…after their practice, will they be busy around 9:00 or 10:00 p.m. tonight?"
"Why do you say that?" asked Molly.
"The Fat Controller demanded that we make amends for Emily before 10:00 p.m. tonight, or we'll get locked in our shed for the week for what he did to Emily…and that choir gives me an idea. So, will they be busy after practice today?"
Molly's driver checked his pocket watch, then mentioned the time to Molly.
"Hmm…It's 12:00 right now," she said. "They'll be rehearsing for a few hours. Their practicing today will be done around 6:00 p.m. After that, I'll see if they're busy again."
"Thanks, Molly," said Douglas. Then suddenly, Molly turned down a different line and Donald and Douglas were on their own again.
"Douggie…" said Donald. "That's a good idea…but isn't there more we can offer Emily?"
"I'm still thinking," said Douglas. "It's nae Christmas Eve or Day yet…but I think a Christmas choir would be nice for her…"
Donald and Douglas huffed on, beginning to get more ideas. Molly certainly gave them an idea that could possibly impress Emily. But then, much to their nervousness, they stopped at a level crossing…and there was Gordon.
"Oh no!" whispered Donald. "He's right there!"
Gordon had not forgotten what he said the previous night and took his chance to order the twins about. "And WHAT are you two doing out here again?" he asked angrily.
"We are thinking of surprising the lassie. Fat Controller's orders," said Donald, trying to avoid anything unpleasant.
"You are not tricking Emily!" snapped Gordon. "You are returning to your shed where you can't do any more harm! Perhaps THAT can be your amends to Emily! Giving her complete peace for a week!"
Douglas spoke next. "Now, Gordon, we spoke to the Fat Controller, and we're ready for helping Emily…for making her happy, for-"
"Your SHED," insisted Gordon. As the gates opened and he set off on his own. Donald and Douglas watched him go by and pondered what he said. Should they keep to their pledge to make amends for Emily, or submit to Gordon's demands and obey him?
"You are nae listening to him, Donnie," said Douglas. "Pleasing the lassie comes first."
"Well said, Douggie. If we return to our sheds, Emily won't get anything." So Donald and Douglas decided to resist Gordon's order and keep trying to look for plans. Soon they came to a field, full of trees that would soon be cut down for the Christmas Festivals and parties. This gave them another idea.
"Look at those trees, Donnie," said Douglas. "Surely there's one small enough…to give Emily to have all to herself."
"Aye! That's right! Good thinking, Douggie," said Donald. "She'll really love that!"
"But we're gonna need a flatbed for the right tree," said Douglas. "You go find one while I look for the right-sized tree."
"Aye," said Donald, and he set off to find a flatbed. Then Douglas began looking slowly across the field for a good tree Emily would surely like…
Meanwhile, Gordon eventually stopped at a station where Molly was dropping off her choir so they could go for their carol practice. Molly looked up and suddenly remembered seeing him pass her by the other night.
"Hello, Gordon…" she said, a little nervously.
"Hello, Molly," Gordon replied.
"Mmm…Gordon?" Molly began. "I was sleeping at Tidmouth Station last night…and you went past me. You looked very angry and I heard you berated Donald and Douglas over what they did to Emily yesterday."
"Too right I did," huffed Gordon. "Forming a large snowball and having it bash into Emily all because they wouldn't shut their mouths! I always thought they had a hint of decency and sense, but they proved me wrong! They should just be locked up for a week as the Fat Controller warned them of! If they don't get back there as I ordered them to, I'll take them there myself!"
"Stop!" whistled Molly. "They're both sorry. You know it. Please let it go, Gordon. Christmas is nearly here, and we all need to be merry!"
Gordon's glare slowly disappeared, but he remained serious. "It's revolting," he sighed. "But then again, my passengers can't wait." His whistle blew and he had to go on. Molly watched him leave and thought more about what the twins wanted.
"I'll have to come back here around 6:00 to pick them up…then ask them if they're busy," she said to herself.
"Come along now, Molly," said her driver. "We have to gather lights to decorate the stations."
So Molly set off back to the yards to find her long festive goods train. When she got there and gathered her train, she had nine trucks full of decorations, one truck for each assigned station. She was still thinking about what Donald and Douglas had said to her. Perhaps she could help them a little more. If the choir wasn't busy that evening, perhaps she could do something else to help. She soon reached Tidmouth Station first. As some workmen unloaded one of her trucks, she thought if she could save a few decorations just for the twins.
"Excuse me, driver," she said. "May I please keep a small amount of decorations in each truck?"
"Why, Molly?" asked her driver.
"I want to keep a fair amount in case the twins can use it to apologize to Emily."
"I'm not sure, Molly," said her driver. "We have plenty of stations to decorate."
"Christmas is a time for giving," said Molly. "The least I can do is help those twins make Emily happy."
"We'll see," said her driver. "If the stations are decorated enough, I'll see what we can keep for ourselves."
Soon Tidmouth Station was considerably decorated and indeed two or three pieces of decorations were left in Molly's first unloaded truck. Then she moved on to the next station, Dryaw. Knapford Station would be decorated later for a real event that Christmas Eve. At Dryaw Station, Molly asked another question.
"May we keep one set of lights please?" she asked.
"Alright," said her driver. "Luckily, there's an extra one for right here." The workmen continued to unload her truck until that one set of lights was left.
And so, at all the following stations, Maithwaite, Elsbridge, Crosby, Wellsworth, Maron, Cronk and finally Kellsthorpe, Molly's trucks were mostly unloaded to decorate the stations except for one, two or three pieces of decoration left in each truck.
"Well," she said. "All my deliveries are done. How much do I have left in my trucks?"
Her driver checked all nine trucks in sequence. After that, he collected the remaining decorations and placed them all in her first truck, filling it right back up.
"Well, Molly," he said. "We have one set of lights, one bundle of holly-sprigs, two rounds of tinsel, twelve Christmas baubles, and one star."
"Lovely," said Molly. "What time is it now? My choir will be done at 6:00 p.m."
Her driver checked the time again. Quite a while had passed, visiting several stations while also checking what decorations to keep. "It is 2:20 now. We still have plenty of time."
"Can we take the remaining decorations to Knapford Station?" asked Molly. "They'll be safe there for the twins. Then we can go find them and tell them."
"Good idea, Molly," said her driver, and they set off to keep the decorations there until they would find Donald and Douglas.
Meanwhile, Douglas had found the perfect-sized tree and was keeping his eye right on it. It was a small to medium sized tree, but it was not easy to hold his gaze on it while waiting for Donald to come back just for a flatbed. Suddenly, he came back with a flatbed. Douglas didn't look at his brother, so as not to forget his tree.
"Where were you, Donnie?!" he asked frustratingly.
"We cannae cut the tree down ourselves!" said Donald. "I also went to find some woodsmen to help with our tree."
"Oh…of course. I didnae think of that," said Douglas. Three woodsmen stepped out of Donald's cab and stepped out into the field. Douglas kept his eye focused on the tree and directed the woodsmen over to the right spot.
"The tree we want is the slightly medium tree," said Douglas. "The one I'm looking at right now…you're walking right to it…yes, that one!"
"Alright, lads, let's get to it," said a woodsman. Then they all worked together, axing the stump of the small tree for some time until it toppled over. Then they all worked hard to drag it carefully back to Donald's flatbed. Being a small tree, it wasn't too heavy for three men to haul up onto Donald's flatbed and fasten it down.
"Now, where shall we keep this tree for Emily?" asked Donald.
"Knapford Station," suggested Douglas. "It's the main station on the line. I think it's a prime location for her amends."
When they returned to Knapford Station, it was 3:00 p.m. There were three hours before the choir would be done, and seven hours before time would be up for the twins if they didn't get everything prepared. The woodsmen unloaded the tree and stood it up carefully on the platform.
"Thank you, sirs," said Douglas. "We really appreciate your help."
"You're welcome, you two," said a woodsman as they went on their way home.
"Hey, Donnie. We forgot something…decorations!" said Douglas.
"What? But…hold on, what's in that truck?" asked Donald. Molly's one truck full of her left-over decorations was right beside them.
"We're in luck, Douggie! This truck is full of decorations for the tree!" he whistled.
It took quite a while to carry the decorations from the truck to the opposite platform where the tree was standing, but soon enough, everything was ready for decorating.
Donald and Douglas watched as their plan came to life on the platform. The tree had the lights wrapped around it, then the tinsel was coiled around. After that, all twelve Christmas baubles were arranged around the tree, and then the star. Lastly, the holly-sprigs were set up along. When it was all finished, the time was 3:30, and Donald and Douglas thought the tree looked absolutely lovely.
"This is absolutely beautiful, Douggie!" chimed Donald. "Won't Emily be pleased?"
"Oh, I sure hope she will," said Douglas. "I cannae wait to bring here and…" They suddenly heard an engine arriving at the platform beside them. It was Gordon again. He did not look very happy seeing the twins still outside.
"Oh, Gordon, what do you want now?!" complained Douglas.
Gordon started off angry, but then changed his mind. "I demanded you stay in your shed! When I give you an order, I expect you t- …How did you…did you set all this up for Emily?" He asked as he looked at the opposite platform.
"Aye, Gordon. We did," said Donald.
"Hmm…it's like how Thomas had Tidmouth Sheds decorated after he and Terence saved me and my passengers all that while ago…" said Gordon, obviously getting lost in thought.
"Yes, well. I should be…going," he said. And he continued on with another passenger run. Donald and Douglas both sighed with relief. Gordon finally understood what they wanted to do, and they were very close to pleasing Emily. Then at that moment, Thomas arrived with Annie and Clarabel.
"My goodness! What's this?" he asked.
"Our plan for amends," said Douglas. "What do you think?"
"I think it looks brilliant," said Thomas. "You two have done well so far."
"But…Thomas?" asked Douglas. "I don't think this is enough."
"Why not?" asked Thomas.
"We're still thinking of what else to do for Emily. We have this tree…but we also met Molly earlier today and she was escorting a choir to practice singing carols…We've yet to learn if they're busy after that or not. We still have a few more things to think about for Emily…but being her handsome knight, do you have any suggestions?"
Thomas heard what they said about a choir…then suddenly it came to him.
"Well…you said you want that choir to be involved…I think it's a marvellous idea…I know what her favourite Christmas song is," said Thomas. He whispered it to Donald and Douglas. They were both very excited now.
"Aye, Thomas. That would be absolutely grand for our sister figure," said Douglas. "If the choir is available…we can bring them here and sing it for Emily."
"Oh, that's very merry, you two," said Thomas.
"Thomas…when everything is ready, could you find Emily and tell her to meet us here?" asked Donald.
"Certainly, Donald," promised Thomas. After his passengers left, he left Annie and Clarabel in a siding and left to find Emily, while Donald and Douglas waited to receive any word from Molly.
Later that day, around 5:40, the winter sun was setting fast, and Emily was almost finished her passenger runs, when she saw Molly stop beside her.
"Hello, Molly," she said, much happier than she was with the twins.
"Hi, Emily," said Molly. "How are you? Are you doing any better since yesterday? I heard what happened between you and Donald and Douglas."
"Thomas made me feel better last night…and now, I'm waiting until 10:00 tonight for any form of apology from those twins, or they'll be locked away for a week. I know they didn't mean to put me through all that trouble, but they were still very quarrelsome when I was in need."
"At least Thomas was there for you in the end, wasn't he?" asked Molly.
"Oh, of course he was," said Emily. "I had a nice evening with him at Knapford Sheds, like we always do."
"Very good. I must go now, Emily. I have to pick up my choir from their carol practice," said Molly, and she set off on her own, while Emily went on her way to finish the last of her passenger duties.
When Molly returned to pick up her choir at the same station, she found them returning to her coaches. She took her chance and asked if they were busy with anything else and mentioned Douglas' idea…then after they boarded her coaches, she set off, with much-needed good news for Donald and Douglas. When she came back to Knapford Station, she found them, waiting and rather tired now.
"Molly!" gasped Donald. "Is the choir busy or not?"
"They are free for tonight, you two," she said. "I'll have them hide just outside the station until Emily comes…and by the way, I saved those decorations for you. Now I see you put them to good use on that tree."
"Oh! Thank you, Molly!" whistled Douglas. Then Molly went to find Thomas and tell him everything was ready. Suddenly, the Fat Controller arrived at the station and saw what was going on.
"What's all this? Donald? Douglas? This tree…those decorations?" he asked.
"It's part of our amends for Emily, sir," said Donald.
"We found the tree and Molly spared us some of her decorations from her deliveries," added Douglas.
"Hmm. Looks like you won't be locked away after all," said the Fat Controller. "I'll wait here until Emily comes."
The Fat Controller then went inside his office to check the timetable and Donald and Douglas waited, feeling much more excited.
Thomas was still on the main line, looking for Emily when Molly passed by and gave him the news. Thomas whistled with joy and thanked Molly as she passed by. Thomas kept looking for an engine to help find her and bring her to Knapford. Eventually, he spotted Henry up ahead.
"Henry! Hi!" called Thomas.
"Hello, Thomas. What are you up to?" asked Henry.
"Well, after Donald and Douglas caused some trouble for Emily, they have been ordered to make amends for her."
"I know, Thomas. Gordon told us that he was listening to you and Emily last night," said Henry.
"H-he was?" said Thomas. "I did not know that."
"He was quite angry at the twins, and was bent on getting back at them…but what are you so happy about?"
"Everything is set. We just need to find Emily," said Thomas. "Please come with me and help me look for her." Henry agreed and went right along with Thomas.
It was now 7:00 p.m. Thomas and Henry suddenly saw Emily up ahead. Now was their chance to inform her of the special surprise.
"Emily?" whistled Thomas. Emily looked up and could see excitement in the two engines' eyes.
"Hello, you two. What's up with you?" she asked.
"Come with us to Knapford Station," said Henry. "There's something you must see…with Donald and Douglas."
"Hmm…OK," said Emily. "I wonder what this could mean…" And she began following Thomas and Henry back. They all went slowly and gently to let Emily relax herself for when the big surprise would be presented to her.
Eventually, the engines arrived at Knapford Station. She could see Donald and Douglas side by side and waiting for her, with their flatbed on the far right platform. The Fat Controller was waiting beside the twins and the stationmaster was hiding behind the station wall, with something else to support the surprise. Emily looked at them and slowly approached them.
"Hello, Donald. Hello, Douglas," she said neutrally.
"Hello, Emily," the twins said together.
"Is this your amends that you were supposed to give me before 10:00 tonight?" she asked.
"Aye, Emily. It is," said Douglas. "Firstly…we are truly so sorry for our utter silliness and idiocy yesterday. It wasnae right to put you through all that fuss and annoyance when you were trying to help us with that important shipment."
"And we did everything we could to make things better for you. To apologize through doing something special for you."
"OK, and what special thing did you do for me?" asked Emily. This was the time for the amends to prevail.
"Close your eyes, Emily," murmured Douglas. Emily did so and waited. She heard quiet footsteps arriving on the platform. Then she felt something being put on her front. Then lastly, she felt an increase of light through her closed eye vision. A few more moments passed, when she heard Douglas speak again.
"Open your eyes now, lassie," he said. Emily's eyes opened…then she squealed with delight. She suddenly had a red ribbon on her running plate. Right next to the ribbon was a beautiful red rose, placed there by the stationmaster. When she looked to the platform, she saw an entire choir, ready to sing for her. Then she looked to where the extra light was coming from…right there was a slightly small, but amazing Christmas tree sparkling with lights, tinsel, a star and different-coloured Christmas baubles all around it.
"Oh…Donald…Douglas!" she cried. "This…this is…so lovely! Thank you!"
"That tree is for you, Emily," said Douglas. "For you to take back to Tidmouth Sheds."
"For me?" Emily gasped.
"It's just aboot to get better, darling," said Douglas. He turned and winked to the choir. Then they all began to sing.
"Silent night, Holy night
All is calm, all is bright
Round yon virgin, mother and child
Holy infant so, tender and mild
Sleep in heavenly peace,
Sleep in heavenly peace."
Emily smiled and almost squealed with joy again. She was hearing her favourite Christmas song again…and it was arranged by Donald and Douglas. She didn't only think of this as an apology, but as a perfect early Christmas present from her brother figures. Then Thomas, Henry, the twins and even Emily joined with the choir.
"Silent night, Holy night
Son of God, love's pure light
Radiant beams from thy holy face
With the dawn of redeeming grace,
Jesus, Lord at thy birth
Jesus, Lord at thy birth."
Thomas heard it first two years ago, then the other engines heard Emily's lullaby singing, and now Donald and Douglas heard Emily singing for their first time. Just like the other engines, they both thought she sounded so beautiful, they nearly cried. She sounded very beautiful indeed. So gentle and happy as she sang. They continued to sing with all their effort until they were done.
"Silent night, Holy night
Shepherds quake, at the sight
Glories stream from heaven above
Heavenly, hosts sing Hallelujah.
Christ the Savior is born,
Christ the Savior is born."
Emily was very happy. Hearing her favourite song sung by Thomas and the twins, and having a Christmas tree all to herself was such a treat to be given after what she had been through the previous day.
"Th-that was so beautiful!" she exclaimed. "Thank you, everyone!"
"You're welcome," the four engines replied. The Fat Controller was very pleased too.
"Well done, you two," he smiled. "You can stay in business. Emily looks much better now."
As the choir went home, Thomas' driver carefully hauled the Christmas tree onto the flatbed and fastened it down, standing up. Thomas and Henry then went on their way back to Tidmouth Sheds, carefully taking the tree with them…and Emily stayed with the twins for just a while longer.
"Well, you two," she said. "In spite of what you did to me yesterday…you were both very thoughtful to give me such a treat."
"Ach, no. It wasnae just the two of us, Emily," said Donald.
"We had a little help from Thomas and Molly," Douglas continued. "They both protected us from Gordon while we prepared this surprise. We thought of having Molly's choir sing for you, and we found this tree. Molly also provided us the decorations…I just hope you're very happy now, Emily. We're still rather embarrassed by what we did, and we never wanted you to go to all that trouble."
"I know you didn't, Douglas," said Emily. "I am very happy now. And…I did want something to be done, like the Fat Controller ordered you to do…but I never thought I'd get a Christmas tree all to myself, and get to hear my favorite Christmas song ever! I think you two deserve a little reward each, for making me so happy."
"Really, my sister?" smiled Douglas. "What be that?"
"Donald first," said Emily. She switched to his line, then buffered up to him, smiling sweetly. Donald waited for Emily to do something…until she touched her nose to his.
"A little sisterly affection for you, Donald," whispered Emily. Donald smiled and sighed quietly as he felt Emily's soft nose press against his own. After a minute or two, Emily reversed away from him.
"There. How was that?" she asked.
"Very cute, Emily," said Donald. "And I'm…I'm very relieved you didn't allure me again."
"Oh, are you now?" Emily asked coyly. "What did you think yesterday?"
"Uh…you were…well…" Donald began. "You must be very…very good with Thomas when you do that."
"Well…yes, I am," replied Emily.
"Well…it's early to say, but…Merry Christmas, Emily," said Donald. "I'm on my way back home. Coming, Douggie?"
"I will soon," he answered. "Just as soon as Emily rewards me."
Donald looked at him and Emily for a moment, then answered. "Very well. See you later, brother!" Emily waited until Donald was out of sight before switching back to Douglas' line and buffering gently to him.
"Now, Emily. What's my reward?" he asked.
Emily smiled. She made sure they were completely alone, then she buffered closer to him. "Douglas…even with all the rubbish I was dealt yesterday…there's one thing you did that Donald did less of."
"What be that, lassie?" asked Douglas.
Emily blinked then spoke. "Between you and me…I think you were slightly, if not much more considerate of me than Donald while I was helping you out. You were the first to talk with me when we first started out…you agreed to my request to take the front…and even though you resented that request on Gordon's Hill, and caused that snowball that Donald provided with his coal…you were the one to notice the problem and try and save me…in spite of your continuous arguing."
"Oh…well, don't mention it, Emily," said Douglas. "After you and I worked at Arlesburgh, I couldn't leave you stranded out there in the snow."
"And after Donald left to get Harvey, you stayed with me and consoled me about how to manage with you two, and I think that's very brotherly of you to do for me. So you didn't break your promise after all."
"It's the least I could do to honour my sibling relationship with you, Emily." Then he remained silent for a few moments. Emily wondered what he wanted to say next.
"…What am I to you, Douglas?" she asked. Douglas paused for a moment…what he said made Emily shudder with deep emotion.
"My favourite sister…a real treasure," he said, looking right into her eyes. In that moment, Emily could see that while being a twin brother, Douglas had an exceptional bond with Emily. As such, she decided to appreciate his remark and reward him.
"OK, my No. 10 brother, close your eyes and you will get a lovely surprise." Douglas shut his eyes, and waited. Emily held back a giggle as she looked at the excitement in his smile. Douglas felt Emily buffer up to him, then...he felt something very soft, warm, gentle and amazing on his right cheek, and as he felt all this, he heard a quiet smooch. Douglas opened his eyes and saw Emily giggling softly.
"I'm your favourite sister…so as my favourite brother…I love you, Douglas," said Emily. "And for being so considerate of me, a sisterly kiss is what you deserve."
Douglas just gaped, still feeling her cloud-like soft lips on his cheek. Emily then gently touched her cheeks to Douglas' and cuddled him softly for a few moments before she reversed and switched out of his way.
"Bye-bye, Douglas. Merry Christmas," she cooed sweetly. Douglas went dashing into the night, with a little hint on his cheek and giggling with delight.
"He-he! Yeah! Ooh, Emily! THAT was a kiss!" he squealed, continuously whistling and cheering with joy at what he had received.
Emily returned to Tidmouth Sheds were all the other engines were waiting. As she backed into her berth, she noticed her Christmas tree was resting beautifully right beside her so she could look at it anytime she was here.
"Aww, that tree is so lovely, and it's for me!" she chimed.
"Well, Emily," said Thomas. "Donald and Douglas made amends for you. Are you happy again?"
"I'm very happy, Thomas," she smiled. "I appreciate this surprise so much…and Donald and Douglas really are brothers to me."
Gordon heard everything and could see how happy Emily was. "Well…I wish to take back all my words of wanting to get even with those twins and have them sent away…I tried ordering them about, but they made the choice to keep doing as the Fat Controller told."
Edward sighed. "Seriously, Gordon? You challenged the Fat Controller's authority?"
"Yes, I may have, but it seems the twins made a wise choice and obeyed the Fat Controller's orders, not mine. As such, they seemed to have made Emily happy again." Edward looked away from Gordon, forgetting everything now that Emily had been apologized to.
"Well, Christmas is coming soon," said Thomas. "Are you excited Emily?"
"Very excited, Tommy," Emily chimed as she blew him a kiss. "I wonder what will happen this year."
"Well, we'll just have to wait and see," said Thomas. "I love you, Emily, and Merry Christmas."
"Merry Christmas, Thomas. I love you too," smiled Emily. Then all the engines fell asleep, looking forward to Christmas Eve. So Emily had worked with both twins for the first time, getting into a bit of undeserved trouble with them, but then got a lovely apology she never expected. Thomas was happy that Emily was doing better now, and soon, Christmas Eve would arrive and something absolutely wonderful would happen.
Once again, another happy ending. Wasn't that sweet? Christmas is upon us once again, and as always I'll have a special story to celebrate the holidays, a special present for you all. This years gift is of course based off of the Nativity, otherwise known as the birth of Jesus Christ, only with a few interesting twists. So comeback on Christmas Eve for *Thomas' Christmas Nativity* and leave your reviews for this chapter. See ya soon folks!