Epilogue

A week after Edward had shared his testimony with Thomas, he awoke in his shed, felling a bit lighter than usually. Today, he was allowed to return to work, and he hoped that it would keep him busy enough to take his mind off of his latest recounts.

As he went to emerge from his shed, he was surprised to see Sir Topham Hatt waiting for him. He quickly blinked the sleep from his eyes, trying to see as alert as possible.

"G-Good morning sir!" he stammered. "I wasn't expecting to see you here so early."

"That's quite alright, Edward," said Sir Topham Hatt wit muse in his voice. "I have a special job for you today."

"Yes, sir?"

"There's an important delivery coming in to the docks," the stout man told his engine, "And I need it picked up as soon as possible."

"What is it, sir?" the blue engine questioned. Was it just him, or did Sir Topham Hatt seem a bit… odd?

But the Fat Controller only smile. "You'll see it when you get there. Off you go!"

Confused, but not about to say no to his boss, Edward moved along.

When he arrived at the docks, there was no ship to be seen, and Edward assumed he would have to wait. He gave a subtle groan; he wasn't in the mood to do more sitting about.

The yard manager approached him. "The delivery shall be coming shortly," he told him. "It arrived just a bit ago."

Edward blinked, now even more confused than before. "But… if it's already here, then-?"

The sound of a whistle cut him off.

The mixed-traffic engine felt as though his fire could've gone out in one blow right then and there. The whistle was such a familiar pitch, its tone high and crystal clear in the morning air.

But there was no way.

Edward was sure he was still stuck in his daydreams, his memories, and he hoped that the delivery would get here soon so he didn't have to worry about having time to do so anymore. He looked ahead through the morning fog, and could've sworn that he saw a familiar color…

The most beautiful shade of red he'd ever seen.

The whistle came again, and as the red figure approached closer, he made out a small engine with a long funnel, six wheels, and a beautiful smiling face.

Before the figure cleared in the fog, he dared to call out, "…Bella…?"

And as she emerged from the mist, she smiled softly, and replied, "Hello, Eddie."

Edward didn't know how to react. She was alive. His one and only, whom he had thought scrapped for all these years, was suddenly before him, brighter and newer than the day he had met her.

Without wasting another moment, Edward lurched forward, bumping his buffers to hers. She laughed at his eagerness, though her laughter sounded a bit strained, like she was holding back tears.

But Edward was tired of holding back. He wept; oh, did he weep. Not of sadness, but of relief and pure joy.

"Oh, Eddie, there's no need for that," she soothed, though a few tears stained her own cheeks. "I'm home…"

"I… I thought I had lost you…" he whimpered. "I was sure that they wouldn't have been able to mend you… Oh, and I left you there! I'm so sorry, I-."

"Hush." Her voice was soft, nurturing, " I would never have asked you to put yourself in danger like that for me. It was no one's fault."

Hearing that put the old engine at peace. "Oh, Arabella… I missed you so much."

"And I missed you, my love."

"Did you find the delivery alright, Edward?"

The blue engine was interrupted by the booming voice of Sir Topham Hatt, who was watching the scene with soft features.

"Sir! How did you-?"

"I never knew you and Arabella shared such a bond." He gripped his coat. "When we sent her back to Wales for mending, I assumed that they may need an engine more like her there for a while. I had every intention of bringing her back someday. If I had known, I would've had her brought back to us much sooner."

"But," Edward inquired quietly, "How did you know?"

A soft 'peep' whistled in the air, and a small blue tank engine rolled up on the other line.

The old engine was lost for words. "Thomas? You…?"

"After you told me that story, I couldn't help but ask Sir Topham Hatt what had really happened to Arabella." Thomas grew sheepish. "I'm sorry, but to see the way it haunted you… I didn't like it. And when he told me that she was still alright, I-!"

"Thomas, you cheeky blue dog!" Edward grinned. "You're incredible!"

The small tank engine grinned back, overjoyed to see his friend back to his normal self.

As Arabella and Edward stayed there, eyes focused on each other and mouths curved in the widest of grins, the old blue engine felt happier than he had ever felt.

In fact, he was so excited, that he could've seen red.

A scarlet red.