Me: Hello, hello! Welcome back. Today, we've got another chapter done, however, not all things will be lighthearted in this chapter, as I stated earlier, Sir Topham Hatt I has retired, and I think we all knew this was coming.
Fred: Yeah, figured that was coming.
Vanessa: Yeah, the guy was a legend.
Me: And we're gonna see a season 5 episode adapted early.
Fred: Hold on, what episode are we talking about?
Me: Wait and see. Also, on a different topic, I've been getting asked by people on the site about commissions for one of my stories, A Stranger in Gensokyo, and unfortunately, I had to say no to quite a few, I don't do commissions. OliviaAdmond has informed me that people asking for commissions has become a trend on the site, and many who have accounts have left the site because of this trend.
Fred: holy-! That's insane!
Me: I know, you can't just sign up on the site just to ask someone for commissions, you can't do that, it's a violation, or rather, it will be once the creators of the site find out. Anyway, you might as well enjoy the chapter.
Two years after the Queen visited Sodor, Fred and Vanessa watched as Sir Topham Hatt had announced to everyone his retirement as he welcomed Charles into the role of fat controller.
That wasn't all, Vanessa had been given maternity leave while Fred continued his job as engine driver, he loved his job, and the engines all agreed that Fred was their best driver.
One day, Charles was in his office as Fred came to see him.
"You called for me?"
Charles nodded as Fred stood in the center of the room.
"Of course, I want to thank you for serving my father, he's been a godsend to this island for years."
Fred couldn't argue with Charles on that, he had served Sir Topham Hatt for six years.
"Of course. I nearly lost my position because of those three boys, but your father forgave me when he found out and kept me on the staff."
Charles nodded, he had heard about that story from his father, and he was greatful to have Fred among his staff.
"Of course, when my father told me of this story, I almost didn't believe him."
Fred nodded and smiled.
A day later, Fred waited in the hospital, Ceil and Abby had been trying to calm him down as he paced back and forth, Speaking of Ceil and Abbey, the two twins had joined the railway as engine drivers once they were certified and were Donald and Douglas's drivers, the four had gotten along so well as if they were universal counterparts to each other.
"Hey, Vanessa will pull through, she's a fighter."
"Yeah Fred, calm down. She's not going to die."
Fred didn't say anything until the doctor came out of the operating room, he had a smile on his face.
"Mr. Williams, congratulations, you're a father of three."
Fred was happy, he wasn't expecting triplets, but he was was ecstatic.
"May I?"
The doctor nodded as he moved aside.
"You may go in now."
Fred and his sisters went into the room as they saw Vanessa holding three newborn children, she saw her husband and sisters-in-law.
"Look at them, aren't they beautiful?"
Fred nodded, he saw two of the triplets as boys while the third was a girl.
"They most definitely are. What are their names?"
Vanessa smiled as she looked to her children.
"Their names are Daniel, Ian, and Amy."
Fred smiled, those were good names.
"I like those names, besides, I have a feeling that they'll grow up to be just like us."
A few days later, Fred was back to work as Vanessa stayed home to take care of the children, one night, Edward and Gordon were at Knapford Station as they were waiting for the stationmaster to blow his whistle, Edward decided to strike up a conversation.
"Say, Gordon, have you heard about Fred's children?"
Gordon didn't want to speak at first, but at the mention of Fred's children, he caved in.
"Very well, what about them?"
Edward smiled as he looked back on the memory.
"Fred and Vanessa's daughter, Amy, called me Eddie. I like the nickname, though I think her brain is maturing faster than that of a normal child."
Gordon looked in thought for a moment before replying.
"That is abnormally odd, but...also cute at the same time."
Edward smiled, he knew Gordon was right.
"Plus, Ian managed to get into places he's not supposed to. And Daniel, well, I'd say he's rather normal for a newborn."
Gordon didn't have time to reply when he started moving to his confusion. This also surprised Edward,
Gordon came back into the station a few minutes later and was rather embarrassed, Edward knew that Gordon's current situation was similar to when Thomas pulled his first passenger train, however, as things would have it, Gilbert, who had been driving Gordon, had mistaken a woman's floppy green hat as the guard's flag.
Gordon looked to Charles.
"Forgive me sir, I didn't mean to..."
However, Charles was understanding.
"It's not your fault, Gordon. Mistakes like these happen often."
Charles turned to face Gordon's passengers.
"Forgive us for the mix up. If you are sent to the wrong station, then do not hesitate to ask for a bus, we do accept refunds, so accept our apology." The Passengers weren't angry, but they understood that it was an accident.
The next morning, Gordon was sleeping in a siding, and his sleep was interrupted when Bill and Ben came up.
This led to the twin engines to joking where poor Gordon thought they were going to push him into push him, though Boco put a stop to the twins teasing him.
A few days had passed as one afternoon, Edward was to be taking the enthusiast on a special excursion to the china clay mines, however after Bill and Ben took them to the mines, Edward took the Enthusiast on the way back home, however, something went wrong.
Fred and Mike inspected the damage, taking off one of Edward's side rods off, Edward started off again, however he was late, Charles pointed to the clock once Edward, but the passengers cheered for Edward, Fred and Mike as they were glad to to have been brought here safely. Charles was told what had happened, and understood, and forgave Edward for not knowing.
Once Edward was repaired the day after, he was back at work at Wellsworth, He saw Gordon pull in.
"Hello, Gordon, Nice weather today, isn't it?"
Gordon huffed before responding.
"I suppose, but I wonder for Fred's children, I'm hoping they'll turn out like their parents, though, I'm hoping nothing supernatural happens to them."
Edward could sense the worry in Gordon's voice, they hadn't really finished their conversation when the mix up happened days ago.
"I'm thinking the same thing, they could drive any of us to be sure once they're older."
Gordon hummed in agreement.
"Yes, but all the same, I'm sure the others are aware, I just hope nothing bad happens."
Edward knew that Gordon's concerns were to be noted, he then had a thought.
"What do you think about Boco? He's a nice sort, isn't he?"
Gordon smiled, he quite liked Boco better than Diesel.
"He's a much needed improvement over Diesel, so is Daisy, Henry's gotten along well with them, though, I think James is still hung up over what Diesel did to us."
Edward seemed to take Gordon's word for it, it was true that Boco and Daisy were much better and more well received than Diesel was, but Diesel had left his mark in the big engines minds.
And in the former's case than the latter's, Daisy was lazy and stubborn, but she soon straightened out and did her work after Percy's accident, and like Gordon said, Daisy was a much needed improvement over Diesel because she was nicer, snooty at times, but friendlier all the same.
"I understand, besides, I believe James will get his comeuppance sooner than we think."
Edward didn't know it, but he was right, James was due for a local passenger train, but he had gotten stung on the nose by a bee.
Everyone saw the result later, and they laughed at James, who seemed to be calm about it after hearing from Fred about Big Red Nose day, an event would be held once every year to help sick and disabled children in the hospital, he didn't mind, sure the red nose would go away, but he knew that he'd support the children that were in the hospital.
Needless to say, all the engines were in agreement with James in supporting those children in the hospital.
One night Fred was helping Vanessa with putting the children to bed as he remembered something from a few years prior.
"Hey Vanessa? There was something that happened in my world in this time period."
Vanessa looked interested.
"Really? What happened in your world?"
Fred knew this was a serious topic, and sighed.
"Two years before Sir Topham Hatt was knighted, there was an incident in Barberton, Ohio."
Vanessa was now hooked onto this story, however, she didn't know what she was going to be in for when she next asked.
"Hold on, an incident? What happened in that town?"
Fred had a grimacing look as he began to tell his wife of the incident.
"There was a military convoy and everything seemed normal when a freight train passed by, that's where the trouble started, the convoy all got their tanks until one of them stopped on the rails, the passenger train was on the very line the tank stopped on."
Vanessa looked horrified, she didn't know that had happened, she dreaded to hear what happened next.
"Don't tell me..."
Fred nodded, knowing the outcome.
"Afraid so, the Sergeant and Private who saw the train coming got out just in time, their crew, however, weren't so lucky."
Vanessa gasped, looking even more horrified than before.
"Oh my god."
Fred nodded as he continued.
"The train hit the tank, and well... the diesel engine stayed upright, but at a forty five degree angle, and had very little damage with it only being superficial, the passengers onboard the train were injured, but were very lucky to be alive as only seven people were injured. Neither party were responsible for what happened, though...the crossing was ruled out when the level crossing was uneven."
Vanessa nodded, she was worried about those who were still in the tank.
"And the three soldiers in the tank?"
Fred sighed in a solemn tone as he spoke again.
"They didn't make it when the train hit the tank, surprisingly, the tank's engine stayed on, but the turret was sheared off. Like I said, neither party was responsible, the engineer who piloted the engine blew the horn, signaling the tank to get out of the way. That wasn't avoidable."
Vanessa nodded, saying nothing, She knew that Fred was upset by this as well.
The two went to bed as they had work in the morning.
The next day, Fred was driving Edward as the two were taking a goods train, on the way, they met Trevor, he told them about the garden party, and was excited, later, Edward looked worried, Fred noticed this.
"What's the matter Edward?"
Edward sighed.
"It's about the garden party, I wish there was something I could do, I want to be really helpful, like Trevor."
Fred smiled as he had an idea.
"I'll see if I can talk to Charles about it, I'm sure he'll approve. Besides, you're helpful in your own way, and that's on the railway. "
A day later, Fred went to Charles.
"Charles, The vicar is holding a garden party, and Edward wants to help out, he also has an idea to use posters to promote the garden party. I'm hoping that you find this to be a good idea."
Charles smiled and nodded.
"Of course I do, and it'll help the railway because I know it'll help us get another engine, because as of late, I've been meaning to find an engine for the new harbor."
Fred nodded.
"Of course, but we may need Percy and Duck to help build the harbor."
Charles nodded.
"Of course. Are you taking your family to the party?"
Fred nodded and smiled.
"I would never pass up the opportunity, plus, it would give the kids a chance to see the world outside the house."
At the house, Vanessa answered the phone as she was excited to hear about the garden party, and agreed to take the children with her.
An hour later, Fred, Vanessa and their kids were at the garden party, there had been a storm the day before and it rained heavily, leaving a huge patch of mud at the entrance.
Fred watched as Trevor was busy taking children for a ride, and a minute later, Bertie had gotten stuck in the mud.
"Help! I'm stuck!"
Fred sighed, this was typical for Bertie as he knew tires and mud don't mix, Daniel, Ian, and Amy laughed at Bertie, he wasn't having fun at all.
Terrance came just in time as he looked at Bertie with a half joking smile.
"I'm the one who has to plow fields, so we better get you out."
Bertie was freed from the mud a minute later, needless to say, Bertie was more careful around mud, now.
The garden party was a success, not only that, the vicar had also raised enough money for the children to go on a trip to the seaside.
One morning, Percy looked excited, he promised Thomas that he would take the children home as he had Mike and Gilbert driving him.
He arrived at Wellsworth as Edward was there, the tender engine looked concerned.
"Be careful out there Percy, a storm is headed this way, there could be a flood where you're going."
Percy smiled, he didn't care.
"A promise is a promise, no matter what the weather. I'm sure I can manage."
But the weather soon changed as it was time for the Vicar and the children to board Annie and Clarabelle, Percy shivered as the rain as began to pour down on him, his cheerful mood was gone when he felt the cold drops of rain hit his boiler, and he didn't like it one bit.
"Ugh, and it was a lovely day, too. Why'd the rain have to spoil it?"
Mike shrugged, he knew why.
"Harold and Edward did warn you about the rain, Percy. There's nothing we can do except get the children home."
Percy knew Mike was right, he couldn't let Thomas down as he left the station and was in the country side moments later, Mike and Gilbert saw that the river was rising and were concerned as the former spoke his worries.
"At this rate, there's bound to be a flooded section of track."
Gilbert nodded as he could only agree.
Percy was too focused on looking ahead as he tried to see where he was going.
"All this rain is keeping me from seeing where I'm goooooooiiiiiiiinnnnng!"
Percy ran into the water that flooded the track in front of him as water splashed right into his cab, putting him straight in the middle of the flooded area, and putting out his fire.
"Oh no! My fire, it's gone out!"
Mike sighed as he looked to Gilbert.
"We'll have to get some firewood from the guard."
Gilbert nodded, he followed out Mike into the muddy water and waded over to the break van and saw the guard come out, looking surly and annoyed.
"What's going on? Why aren't we moving?"
Mike then spoke first as he had a look of urgency on his face.
"We need some firewood, do you have any?"
The guard huffed, crossing his arms.
"No, why don't you take the floorboards from those antique coaches? They're much more useful in the scrap yard than on the rails, they're out of date."
This got a gasp out of Annie and Clarabelle as they were appalled but what they heard.
"What? No!"
"We will not have our floorboards taken from us! That will make the children wet, cold, and miserable! You sir, are a disgrace to the railway!"
The guard kept his arms crossed as he glared coldly at Clarabelle as she was the only coach who was able to look behind the train.
"Now see here, you useless out of date-!"
Before the guard could finish speaking, Mike and Gilbert pushed him aside as he fell into the muddy water, and pulled up the break van's floorboards, taking them into Percy's firebox and soon, Percy was feeling better than ever, he felt that he could tackle the water now that the rain had stopped.
"Finally! Let's make up for-!"
Percy soon heard mechanical whirring as he looked up to see Harold.
"Oh no, now he's come to laugh at me."
But Harold didn't as something hit Percy, he looked annoyed.
"Ouch! What am I? Target practice?!"
Mike realized what Harold was doing as he smiled.
"I'm sure he didn't mean to hit you, Percy. Besides, he's brought drinks for us!"
Percy then saw the box that had a parachute attached to it as he realized what he said had been rude.
"Sorry, Harold, I should have been nicer to you, and thanks for the drinks, now everyone will be happy."
Harold smiled.
"You're welcome, Percy. the rain has stopped and your field of vision is clear, just make sure you get to the station, I'll be there, waiting when you arrive."
Harold few off as Percy struggled on through the muddy water, and got out of the flooded section and was making up for lost time.
"I have to get there so the children can get home!"
Percy made it, he was tired, muddied, but triumphant as he reached the station, Thomas was waiting for Percy as he smiled.
"Well done, Percy! You were cutting it close, but you kept your promise. Thank you for looking after the children and Annie and Clarabelle."
Percy let out a few breaths before he replied.
"You're welcome, Thomas, it wasn't easy, let me tell you-"
The guard from the break van stormed over to Percy as he looked cross.
"No, Let me tell you what a horrible engine and crew you've been! You've pulled the floorboards from my nice, clean break van, and should have let me-!"
"Let you what?"
The guard turned to see Fred come out of Thomas's cab as he looked curious and very stern as the guard had pointed to Percy, Mike and Gilbert.
"They wouldn't let me take the floorboards of those antique coaches, they shoved me into the muddy water, and look at me! My uniform is ruined!"
Fred still had the stern look on his face as he slapped the guard across his face surprising everyone around him.
"Get a hold of yourself! This isn't about you! You don't decide what to do! Annie and Clarabelle are Thomas's coaches, they may be old, but he loves them and I do, too! Annie and Clarabelle are property of the North Western Railway, and they aren't your property! I think Charles should have the final say."
Charles nodded as he walked over as he looked to the guard.
"Fred is right, Annie and Clarabelle are invaluable members of this railway, and your behavior towards my engines and their crews have been horrid as they have reported to me. You are fired from this point on!"
The guard stormed off as Charles looked to Percy as he smiled.
"And Percy, Harold told me he can beat you at somethings, but not at being a submarine. I don't know what you two get up to, but I do know that you are a very useful engine on this railway, and I'm proud of you."
Percy smiled, but then remembered.
"But I was late, and..."
Charles smiled, knowing what Percy meant.
"I know, but you brought the children home, safely, and that's all that matters."
Percy smiled again, Mike whispered quietly to Fred.
"Percy's going to be bragging about this for weeks."
Fred nodded and whispered back to Mike.
"I know. Karma will finally catch up to him once he gets too puffed up in the smokebox."
And Fred was right, A few weeks later, Henry was going to rest in the shed at the harbor as he was tired from pulling the Flying Kipper, he was hearing Percy tell Bill, Ben and some visiting engines from the mainland about the time he braved the storm.
Henry didn't have the time deal with Percy telling his story as he backed down to the left side of the shed.
"What are you doing here? This shed's for Sir Charles Hatt's engines, go away!"
The visiting engines sadly left, feeling like they weren't welcome.
Percy was shocked, but Bill and Ben were furious at how Henry had treated the visiting engines.
"How could you be so rude to them? Those engines have done nothing to you!"
"Bill's right, You should be nicer to them!"
Henry snorted as he looked at the tank engine twins.
"Oh really? The day I am nice to those engines is the day Percy goes down a key!"
Percy looked shocked, he looked upset as he puffed away, Henry was tired, he didn't know he had predicted what would happen to Percy, Bill and Ben's opinion of Henry had even soured, Percy had said good things about Henry, and what they just heard had upset Percy.
"You know what, Henry? Percy looked up to you, and you hurt him, what kind of friend would you be if he had picked up on your attitude?"
"Quite right, Ben. Let's go, let's hope Henry stays in a tunnel, and maybe this time for good."
That insult stung Henry as Bill and Ben left, he knew both engines had a point, but his tired and stubborn attitude didn't want him to admit it.
"Why is it that nobody will forget that day? Would it hurt if they had just forgot about it for one day?"
Later, Edward was at Wellsworth as Bill and Ben came into the yard, fuming, and he wanted to see what was the matter.
"You two are back early? I thought you were going to listen to Percy tell his story."
Bill scoffed as he spoke first.
"We were, but Henry came and ruined the mood! He rudely sent the visiting engines away."
Edward seemed to remember how he saw a few engines coming through Wellsworth just a few minutes ago.
"So that's why I saw those engines a few minutes ago, no wonder they looked upset."
Bill and Ben understood how Edward looked confused and it made sense to them as Ben was the next to speak.
"And that's not all, when we called him out for being rude, he crossed the line, twice by saying the day he's nice to the visiting engines is the day Percy goes down a key."
Edward was shocked, he didn't want to believe that Henry had said that.
"Are you sure? I have never seen Henry act that way. Sure, I know he likes taking the Flying Kipper, but, lately he's had some late starts these last few days, and the storm from a few weeks ago has put him in foul mood, there are still some areas of Sodor that are still flooded, and Henry has to avoid those areas."
Bill and Ben were shocked, they hadn't known, but Henry's attitude toward them had reminded them that Henry didn't need their pity as Bill spoke next.
"Believe us, Edward, we heard it, ourselves, Henry sounded like he didn't need our pity, and he'll get what's coming to him, we don't have an idea on how to pay him out."
Edward knew Bill had a point, and decided to stop the twins from doing anything.
"And it should stay that way, you're right that Henry will get what's coming to him, but you two won't do anything."
And Edward was right, Bill and Ben didn't have to do anything.
Later that after noon, Percy had been so distracted thinking about Henry's words, the Freight Cars had pushed him past the key's danger sign and into the sea, that night, Henry was taking the Flying Kipper along the coast as the tracks gave way under the gravel and Henry went straight into the sea, it was luck that he had stayed upright, but he was stuck until morning, needless to say, Charles was not pleased.
Henry was brought into the Steamworks where he saw Percy, he was shocked, he then realized what he said had actually come true, Henry had a lot to think about as neither engine spoke to each other, the former still upset, and the latter filled with regret over what he had said.
Edward had seen James come into Wellsworth with a slow goods train, looking very annoyed.
"James? What's got you so worked up?"
James sighed as he explained.
"It's that blasted Henry. Apparently, he had ignored tThomas's warning, and went into the sea, and now I have to do his work on top of my own!"
Edward looked in thought as he then looked back to James.
"You know what? Karma finally caught up with Henry instead of it catching up with Percy, instead."
James was confused, apparently, he wasn't aware of Henry's treatment towards Percy.
"What do you mean? What's Percy got to do with it?"
Edward then told James what Bill and Ben had told him the day, before. James was shocked at first, but was soon cross.
"Oh, well that it explains it! Leave it to Henry to be tired and have an accident. Where's Percy?"
Edward sighed.
"At the Steamworks with Henry. It wasn't Percy's fault, so don't blame him for something that was out of his control. Thomas took Percy straight there after the incident at the key in the harbor, and told me once he got back to the sheds, I'm surprised you weren't even awake when Thomas came back."
James then felt bad for Percy, he then wondered what would happen now.
"What do we do now that we have to do more work?"
Edward didn't have answer for that as he saw Gordon rush by with the express, a few minutes later, stationmaster came up and spoke to Edward.
"Gordon is stuck on his hill, again. You'll need to bank him up the hill."
Edward sighed, it seemed like Gordon would never learn from his mistakes.
"Why does Gordon not think before charging up that hill and get stuck on it? He's never going to learn."
James then had a thought as he spoke up.
"Maybe he didn't think about stopping at the bottom of the hill, he could have reversed back a mile or two before he would gain speed and traction on the hill. Didn't he get stuck on the hill once before with that goods train before you helped him up on that hill?"
Edward thought about what James had said, it was true, and then he thought about James's idea on what to do, then he realized it, Gordon had never thought of that idea at all, he looked to James with a smile.
"That is a good point, Gordon does rush without thinking, after all. I hope you apply that idea to the next train, James, with Freight Cars and coaches."
James then went quiet, but smiled, that was a praise from Edward, the blue tender engine then made his way to the hill where Gordon was waiting.
"I assume you need my help?"
Gordon said nothing, feeling embarrassed and didn't want to admit it, Edward smiled.
"Never mind, Gordon, let's get you up that hill."
Edward pushed and Gordon pulled as the big engine reached the top, there was no whistle, but Edward knew Gordon was very embarrassed about the situation, though the big engine would claim that he made it up the hill with no problem at all, though nobody would believe him.
It was nighttime as Fred was with Edward as the married man looked to his engine.
"So, another incident with Gordon on his hill, huh?"
Edward smiled, not looking bothered.
"Yes, but Gordon was very quiet on the way up, no remarks or anything. I did find it odd, though, I think he'll just make a claim that he made it over the hill without any help."
Fred nodded, he knew that was typical of Gordon.
"Typical of Gordon, but nothing we can do until he gets his comeuppance, though that won't happen until sometime in the future."
Edward knew Fred was right, and he wouldn't get that chance until the future came at a later point.
"I suppose, but just once, I want Gordon to say thank you."
Fred nodded, sympathizing for Edward.
"He will, one day, but right now, he needs help up his hill."
Edward nodded, making his way over to Gordon's hill as he banked the express over the hill, and as expected from Gordon, he never said or whistled back a thank you to Edward.
Later that night, Vanessa was holding Ian in her arms, he was being particularly fussy, Fred came home as he saw what was going on.
"Ian's at it again, isn't he?"
Vanessa sighed, she didn't know what to do.
"He's been like this all evening, Amy's been put to bed, and so was Daniel, but Ian..."
Fred sighed, now he knew how his parents felt when he was born.
"Guess that's part of being a parent, I suppose."
Vanessa couldn't argue with that, Suddenly, Ian stopped crying as the little infant felt worn out and fell asleep, the mother sighed in relief.
"Thank goodness that's over."
She was wrong, it was Daniel's turn as he started crying.
Fred sighed as he knew it was his turn as he looked to his wife.
"Let me deal with Daniel."
Vanessa nodded, then she had an idea.
"We definitely need a babysitter."
Fred wasn't one to argue if a babysitter was needed to look after the children.
"We really do."
Fred went upstairs as he began to take care of Daniel.
A few weeks later, Fred was worn out as he was driving James, and the two had accidentally knocked over a signal, and it was all caused by engine whistle that didn't belong to James, needless to say, James was respectfully silent when he was teased by the other engines that night.
Fred's situation was only getting worse, week after week was one accident after another, none of them were his fault, but he was seriously wanting to have a vacation, Something Vanessa and the others, and even Charles, agreed on.
One particular day came and it would be where tragedy struck.
Fred was in the house, having a week off as he was reading the large Railway series book that had the stories the Reverend W. Awdry had wrote, reading the story where Sir Topham Hatt had retired.
He had finished reading as the telephone rang, he walked over to it as he answered.
"Hello, Fred Williams speaking."
The voice over the phone was Charles as he sounded stressed, Fred wondered why Charles sounded stressed and ready to break down into tears.
"What's going on, Charles? Is something wrong?"
Charles sounded like he was just about to break down into tears as he spoke.
"Yes, my father...he's just passed away."
This news hit Fred like a Semi and he was...for lack of a better word, shocked.
"W-what? Just when?"
Charles sighed as he replied in a melancholy tone.
"Just last night, mother informed me that father passed away in his sleep."
Fred was visibly distraught, Sir Topham Hatt I had passed away, and his reaction was to wait until after the call ended.
"My sympathies for your loss. He was a great man, stern, strict, but firm, caring and forgiving, and he is also a loving father to not just his family, but his engines as well."
Charles nodded, that was true of his father.
"Yes, he was a good man, and many of us loved and respected him."
Fred wondered when the funeral would be held.
"When will the funeral be?"
Charles was just about to break down, but he managed to stay composed.
"A week from now."
Fred nodded, and he really knew that he and Charles needed to mourn for the loss of Sir Topham Hatt I, and he couldn't ignore the funeral.
"I'll be there. I'll bring Vanessa, she says that she's got the kids a babysitter, so we'll go without any interruptions. Bringing infants to a funeral home is not a good idea."
Charles seemed to lighten up with that a bit.
"Good idea, besides, your wife made the right choice."
Fred smiled a bit as well, knowing his wife would plan ahead of time.
"Agreed. I'll see you at the funeral."
Charles bid goodbye over the phone as both hung up, Fred sighed, the news of Sir Topham Hatt I's death hit him just as hard as anyone would react as he silently wept, but he knew this would happen, eventually, wondering how Vanessa would take the news.
And speaking of Vanessa, she just came down the nursery bedroom, she saw Fred's face, wondering what just happened.
"Fred, honey? What's wrong? Did something happen?"
Fred looked to his wife as he told her everything Charles told him, and Vanessa wept with him.
An hour later, Fred and Vanessa had arrived to see the engines reactions as Charles delivered the news as he was sober and composed enough to break the news, Edward was especially heartbroken when he learned of Sir Topham Hatt I's passing.
The day wasn't all cheery as everyone had began work, Fred knew that he couldn't do anything when he was on vacation, and Vanessa had volunteered to take his place as she was ready to start work but swap with her husband when the children needed her.
Edward started the day like usual in Wellsworth and he looked upset, Vanessa wondered why Edward wasn't feeling himself.
"Are you okay Edward?"
Edward sighed, he stopped as Vanessa put on the breaks for him.
"No, Vanessa, I'm not, I've known Sir Topham Hatt since he was a little boy, and besides the Skarloey Railway and Mid Sodor engines, I'm one of the oldest engines on Sodor."
Vanessa sympathized with Edward because she had lost her grandmother when she was a little girl.
"I know how you feel, I lost my grandmother when I was little, and I understand where you're coming from."
Edward felt a bit better as he smiled, he then had an idea.
"If I may, I have an idea."
Vanessa seemed interested in what Edward had to say as she spoke up.
"Then by all means, Edward, go for it."
Edward smiled as he wanted to honor the former/late Fat Controller.
"I want to be the one to deliver him to his resting place since I've known him the longest."
Vanessa nodded, Edward's idea actually sounded good, she just hoped Charles would approve.
An hour later, Charles was in his father's office as he looked to the picture of his father on the wall, he heard a knock on the door.
"Come in."
Vanessa walked in as Charles was surprised to see her come to him.
"Vanessa, what a surprise to see you here."
Vanessa nodded, preparing to compose herself as she spoke.
"Sir, Edward spoke to me as he had an idea."
Charles seemed interested as he wanted to hear what Vanessa had to say.
"Well, I'm all ears."
Vanessa nodded as she smiled.
"Edward offered to be the engine to take your father to his resting place since he knew your father when he first arrived on Sodor, years ago."
Charles nodded, he liked Edward's idea just as much as Vanessa did.
"A splendid idea, I approve of Edward's idea, and I agree, aside from the Skarloey and Mid Sodor Railway engines, Edward is one of the oldest engines on this island's history. I think it would be fitting for our number two engine to be the one to take my father to his resting place."
Vanessa nodded in agreement, she needed to tell her husband about Edward's idea.
Soon enough, Fred was informed by his wife, and even he approved of the idea.
The day of the funeral happened as Edward watched the coffin be lowered into the ground as it was buried, he couldn't think negatively as he knew that while one chapter ended, another began.
Fred had similar thoughts, though, nobody was aware that Samantha Welsh was there among them, she couldn't openly mock the Hatt family for losing their loved one, and decided not to. Letting the funeral run its course.
She returned to her office, she looked at the paper of Sir Topham Hatt from the previous two years, she thought that she could ruin his reputation, but she stalled too long as she had not been at the ceremony where he had been knighted by the queen of England.
A low growl came out as it turned into a scream of anger, rage, and fury, tossing everything in sight as she fell to her knees. She couldn't believe it, all that work, all that planning, was it all for nothing?
Tears rolled down her face as they hit the floor, she was at a loss of what to do now.
Fred: Oh jeez, talk about mood whiplash.
Me: Yeah, this chapter seems to be be full of it for some reason.
Vanessa: Hold on, that incident at Barberton, Ohio, that actually happened?
Me: Yep, and there was a similar incident in Germany RIGHT at the Berlin wall, you can say that this was some time after the incident in Barberton because that happened in the late 1980s.
Vanessa: Dear lord, and here I thought it wouldn't get any worse.
Me: I know, I just wanted to point that out before we end the chapter. So stay safe, everyone. Oh, and credit goes to History In The Dark for the video on Youtube of the Barberton, Ohio incident.