Chapter 289: Molly's Surprise

Summer was drawing to a close on Sodor. Tidmouth was hosting an end of Summer concert, and people from all over Sodor were going to attend. The Sodor Brass Band was going to perform, and everyone was most excited.

The week before the event, Sir Topham Hatt came to see Molly.

"Molly, I'd like you to take The Brass Band to the concert starts at noony, so don't be late."

"Yes, sir. I won't let you down."

Molly was so excited, she wouldn't stop talking about it all week. Everyone rolled their eyes, but secretly they were happy for her.

But on the day of the concert, trouble struck. Molly woke up and was almost immediately hit by a wave of nausea and ran towards the bathroom. She was so sick that she couldn't stand on her own.

"Come on," James said firmly. "I'm taking you to the doctor."

"But what about the Band?"

"I'm afraid someone else will have to take them. You're too sick to do it."

Molly sadly nodded her head, knowing her husband was right. James phoned Sir Topham Hatt to let him know before taking her to the hospital.

"I see," said Sir Topham Hatt. "Give Molly my regards. Bertie shall have to take the Brass Band."

Bertie was happy to help, and collected the band without issue. But trouble lay ahead. It had rained heavily the night before, leaving the roads wet and muddy. Bertie took a corner too fast, and the bus drove right into a muddy ditch. Bertie tried to back out, but it was no good. They were stuck!

"Bother! Now what'll we do?"

"I guess we'll have to walk it."

"Are you kidding? Even without our instruments, it's much too far to walk."

"Well, do you have any better ideas?"

Just then, they heard a whistle. James drove in with a passenger train, having left Molly in the care of the doctors at the hospital.

"Need a lift?"

Gratefully, the band climbed into one of the coaches, their fellow passengers struggling to make room for them. Once everyone was aboard, James set off for Tidmouth, promising Bertie to call for Butch once they had stopped. Bertie could only watch as the train drove away.

"Great. There goes my plans for today."

James got back to the house that night in good spirits. He'd gotten the band to the concert safely, and he enjoyed the show. But he was worried about Molly.

"I hope it wasn't anything serious," he thought to himself. But he felt much better when he saw Molly laying in bed, reading a book. She smiled when she saw James come in.

"Hello dear. How was the concert?"

"Pretty good. Is everything alright? Emily said she gave you a ride home, but she wouldn't tell me anything about what happened."

Molly's smiled broadened, and grabbed James in a bone crushing hug.

"Woah, Molly, are you alright?"

"I'm better than alright. I just got the most amazing news!"

She then handed James a small object. When he saw it, he picked her up and twirled her around, crying tears of joy.

It was a pregnancy test. And it was positive.