Chapter 5 Andriel's Voice

Thomas reached out with his right hand to knock on the door of his family's home with the same knocking signal he'd used before, as he held his suitcase in his left. Andy stood beside him also holding a suitcase.

The cornflower blue door opened to reveal Julia. Her face lit up with joy when she saw them both. She turned her head to call back into the house, "Mother! Rose! Thomas and Andy are back home!"

Then she stepped forward and threw her arms around the two of them tightly. She drew them both into the house before closing and relocking the door just as Rose came running around the corner and up the hall. Amelia followed at a slower pace behind her.

"Thomas! Andy!" Rose cried. She threw her arms around them and Julia with a wide smile matching her sister's. "We're so glad you're both back, but why? What happened?"

"When we told mister Carson our plans, he decided to send us back early," Thomas explained with a return smile. "It was the first time his old-fashioned ideals have worked in my favor."

"Yes," Andy agreed. He was also smiling at them as Amelia joined their embrace. "After all, we did not wish to go back to Downton. Even temporarily. We are very glad to be back with you all here."

"This is where you both belong," Amelia stated firmly. "With us, your family. Working as a servant is all well and good, but it is more than clear that the Abbey did not deserve my boy. Or you, either, Andy dear. I am glad you are both home to stay."

"We all are," Rose said. Julia nodded in agreement, still smiling.

"Why don't you and Andy get settled in your room again," Julia suggested. Happiness made her eyes shine as she looked up at her brother. "Rose and I will get started making lunch for us all."

"That sounds wonderful, thank you," Thomas said, smiling in return at the three women.

"Yes," Andy agreed, also smiling widely. "Thank you, Julia and Rose. The bread you two make is the best I have ever tasted, truly."

The sisters blushed pink with pleasure at the compliment, both of them giving Thomas and Andy another tight hug before heading for the kitchen with their mother following.

The next day Thomas officially reopened the clockshop for business and Andy headed to the market to purchase dirt, pots, seeds, and plants. The three women accompanied him to purchase the few grocery items they would need for the next week or so.

When Andy returned with Amelia, Rose, Julia, and his supplies a bit over an hour later the clocks from Lavender Place had already been delivered and Thomas was getting the things ready he would need to work on them.

The women headed into the house so the men could work without distraction. Andy greeted Thomas with a brief kiss and a smile before beginning to arrange his plants and plant his seeds in the pots he'd chosen with clear skill and care.

Thomas occasionally glanced at his soul mate fondly while he worked on the first clock, surprised when Andy began to sing in a soft, lilting voice that sounded similar to a Welsh accent. He was astonished, his mouth opening soundlessly, when the already grown plants visibly reacted to Andy's beautifully toned voice. Their drooping leaves perked up in reaction to the faerie prince's singing, and the flower blossoms became bigger and brighter as they soaked up his attention while he watered them.

Then Andy carefully watered the potted seeds and began to sing to them, his brown eyes shining as they sprouted and grew unnaturally fast, pushing up out of the soil and into the mid-afternoon light. Their leaves grew and unfurled rapidly, tiny flowers or vegetables appearing now in response to the enchanted call of his voice.

Once the sound of Andy's lovely voice went silent Thomas waited a few moments in quiet reverence before speaking softly. "That was beautiful, my love. How long have you been able to do that?"

"Thank you, Thomas," he answered with a smile. "My gift came to me as soon as I was able to speak at the age of three. I would laugh and the plants of the faerie realm would all dance for me. If a faerie has a non-vocal related gift, it could show up anywhere from age three to five. Sometimes as late as six, but that's rare."

"I see. It is wonderful, Andy."

"Thank you. I have been thinking, could we perhaps turn part of the back room into sleeping quarters for us? We would still eat meals and spend time with Amelia, Rose, and Julia, obviously. But I would prefer a little more privacy for sleeping. And lovemaking, of course. Which I hope to engage in fully soon. When we both feel settled and secure."

"That does sound nice. Yes," Thomas agreed, smiling at the other man. "Would you like to start work on it this weekend?"

"That sounds wonderful, my darling."

"Then it is a plan."