Chapter 220: James's Wonderful Life

When James finally got back to work after a month in the hospital, he found many changes waiting for him. Some were good, others not so much. One change he learned about was Edward moving to Wellsworth permanently. The other, though, was that Gordon and Henry seemed to hate his guts. No matter where he went, they seemed to be glare at him for seemingly no good reason. At last, he got fed up and confronted them.

"Are you really that dense? Ever since Edward left, there's been more work to do, and its only gotten worse with Christmas coming up. I've had to help with the slow goods while Bear handles the express. Oh, the indignity!"

"If it wasn't for your clumsiness, he'd still be here!"

James was appalled.

"But it was an accident! I didn't mean for that to happen!"

But Gordon and Henry refused to see sense. Thomas, Emily, and Molly tried their best to stand up for him, but to no avail. It got so bad that James didn't even want to sleep in the same building as them, so when it came time for the Flying Kipper run the week before Christmas, he was quick to volunteer.

"Smelling like fish for a week is worth it to not put up with the for the night," he told Molly before he headed out.

"Have you tried telling Sir Topham Hatt? He's the only one they ever seem to listen to sometimes."

"He wouldn't bother. He has much more important things to worry about than this."

"Well, you know I've always got your back."

"Thanks, babe. Sometimes I just wish you weren't the only one who did."

Molly sadly watched him go. She wished there was something she could do to make him feel better.

James's journey had a good start, but trouble lay ahead. The signalman had switched the early morning goods onto a siding to let James through. Gordon grumbled dreadfully as he huddled around the fire.

"Stupid Boco being to sick to come into work. Why should I have to get up early for this?"

The signalman was just about to set the points back when his stomach rumbled.

"Well, when nature calls she doesn't leave messages. I'm sure it'll be alright."

And so he forgot all about the points as he left to take care of business. But James was approaching fast, and by the time he saw the oncoming train it was too late. With a BANG! the trains collided, derailing James and the tail end of Gordon's train. No one was hurt, but James was worried.

"Oh dear. What will Sir Topham Hatt say?"

Fortunately, Sir Topham Hatt knew it wasn't his fault and the signalman was left with a strong warning. Gordon, however, was not happy.

"If you had brake soon enough, this wouldn't happen. Now I'm stuck out here even longer!"

"Calm down, Gordon. It wasn't my fault."

"All I know is this wouldn't have happened if Henry was here. You should stay in the yards where you can't get in my way."

This really hurt James. He thought Gordon was his friend, but now he was treating him like he was some kind of criminal. All day he was like this, shooting James deadly glares whenever they passed each other. Every time, James felt smaller and smaller.

That night, James sat down in his room and cried. Molly tried to come in and check on him, only for him to turn her away. Right now, he just wanted to disappear.

"I didn't mean for any of this to happen. I never wanted this! I... I wish I never came to Sodor."

With that, he went unhappily to sleep. He wasn't asleep for long, for soon a bright light came into his room. Unable to resist, he opened his eyes to see a man draped in a white robe standing at the foot of his bed.

"Who...who are you?"

"I am Ezekiel, an angel sent here in your distress."

"If you're an angel, where are your wings?"

"Ah, that's why I'm here. You said you wished you never came to Sodor, correct?"

James nodded solemly.

"I can't do anything right, and my best friends hate my guts. What good am I for? Everyone here would be better off without me."

"Are you sure about that? Come on, I need to show you something. Take my robe."

Cautiously, James took hold. His world whirled round and round, faster and faster, until everything sat still. Once he had collected his bearings, he found that they were outside Knapford yard.

"I don't get it. This is just Knapford station. What's so-"

"Shh. Look."

James did, but immediately wished he hadn't. There, pulling a rack of coaches into the station, was Thomas and his engine. But Thomas looked so different James hardly recognized him. He was dirtier, and slightly thinner too. But worse of all, all happiness and cheer seem to be gone from his face.

"Thomas! Hurry up with my coaches!"

"Oh, uhm, coming Gordon!"

Gordon huffed indignantly as Thomas brought the coaches to the platform.

"About time. Farewell, little Thomas."

Thomas sadly watched as Gordon drove off into the distance, longing to go beyond the station.

"One day, I'll get out and see the world. One day..."

But it was clear by his voice that he didn't believe that. James turned to Ezekiel in astonishment.

"But how? What about his branchline?"

"I've taken you to a reality where you never came to Sodor. And since he never rescued you after your accident, he never got his branchline, meaning he never got to experience the rails beyond his station. An increased workload and Gordon's overbearing personality just...broke his spirit."

James's heart sunk. He never realized how much of an impact he had on Thomas's life.

"Come. We have more to see."

Hesitantly, James took his robe once more. This time, they found themselves on a small street on the mainland. There was Percy, unenthusiastically delivering mail.

"Let me guess. Since Thomas never got his branchline, Gordon and Henry never went on strike, so Percy never came to Sodor, right?"

"Yes. And without proper experience, no railway would hire him. Thus, he went back home and went to work at his father's post delivery service."

Just then, a pair of naughty boys ran up and pushed him, sending his parcels and letters scattered all over the cobbled street.

"Watch where you're going, caterpillar!"

And off the two ran laughing. Percy sighed dejectedly and went about collecting his mail and going on his way, all the while wishing for something more. James almost shed a tear for him.

"Ezekiel, can we please go now? I know where I-"

"Do you? Come on. There's one last thing I need you to see."

James reached for the robe once more, dreading what came next. But instead of a wintery station or street corner, he found themselves in a cold, lonely cemetery.

"I'm afraid to ask, but...who are we here to see?"

Ezekiel remained silent, but he did solemly point to a small grave in a tiny corner of the graveyard. Scared, James approached cautiously, wiping off the layers to dust to read:

"Here lies Phillip. Gone to soon.

RIP."

James was so upset he burst into tears. Ezekiel walked up, a grave expression on his face.

"Without you there to take over mixed traffic trains, Edward never moved to Wellsworth and take over the branchline. Hence, he never met Phillip, and Phillip never found a family. The streets are no place to live. Especially for someone so young."

James just sat there for a minute, crying. Once he had composed himself, he turned to Ezekiel.

"I understand now. Please, take me back. I swear to never take my life for granted again."

But Ezekiel said nothing. He just stared at him.

"I swear I'm not lying! Please, take me back! I can't bear to see anymore of this!"

But alas, nothing changed. Frustrated, James grasped his robe...

Only to fall out of his bed, sheets clasped in his fist.

"It was...just a dream?"

But despite this, he felt much better about his life. Dream or not, he now knew that for better or worse, he should be grateful for the life he has. Just then, Molly, Thomas, and Gordon came bursting into his room.

"James, are you alright? We heard a crash."

"Huh? Oh, yeah, I'm alright. I just had a bad dream, but its okay now."

Relieved, Thomas and Molly went to get breakfast. But Gordon remained, knowing he had something to say to James.

"James, I owe you an apology. I've just felt so overworked the past few weeks, and I took my stress out on you. I don't expect you to forgive me after how I've treated you, but...

James smiled in understanding.

"Its okay Gordon, we all make mistakes. Friends?"

Gordon smiled in relief.

"Friends."

After that, James had the best day of his life. All of his trains were on time, and he didn't so much as bash into a set of buffers! Sir Topham Hatt even called him Really Useful, and even let him bring the express home. James had never felt more alive.

That Christmas, everyone was exchanging gifts. James beamed when he saw what Molly had given him.

"A red scarf! Oh Molly, I love it! Now open mine."

Molly slid open the box, to reveal a beautiful locket. She opened it to find a picture of the two of them together, beside the words "To Molly, who will forever hold my heart."

"Oh James, its...its..."

"Oh no, you hate it! Its okay, I can..."

"No, its...Its beautiful. I love it!"

James smiled in relief, slowly wrapping it around her neck. Just then, Thomas cleared his throat.

"Everyone, can I have your attention please? I wanted to give Emily her gift, and well... I think you all might want to see this."

Bending down on one knee, he pulled out a small box, eliciting a collective gasp from everyone when he opened it to reveal a beautiful emerald green.

"Emily, you're the love of my life and I couldn't imagine a future without you. Will you make me the happiest man on Earth and be my wife?"

Emily stood in shock for only a second before bringing him into the biggest hug she could muster, tears of joy running down her face.

"Yes. Yes, I will marry you!"

Everyone clapped and cheered! They all thought it was the best Christmas ever! And as James looked out the window to see the snowfall outside, he swore he saw Ezekiel smiling at him, a beautiful pair of wings adorning his back.

A/N: Happy Holidays, everyone! This year has been a real pain in more ways than one, which is why updates on my stories have been a little scattered. Thanks to all of you for your patience and support. May next year be better!