Sodor's Precious Child Ch. 3

…

Thomas had been on the island of Sodor for less than a week now, and everyone could already tell that he was fitting in just perfectly.

Along with his beautiful voice and looks, everyone soon noticed Thomas had a personality to match. He was very kind to everyone he met, and would try to help anyone he could. He hated seeing someone sad, and would go out of his way to help them, or listen to their troubles.

Thomas listened to what everyone had to say, be it stories, advice, tall tales, and anything in between. He was always willing to listen, and learn; just what was needed on the railway.

Shortly after the young boy arrived, he was given little jobs to do with others, until he got his own, so he didn't feel left out. Delivering packages and mail with Percy, working for the Duke and Duchess of Boxford with Spencer, helping Mavis at the Blue Mountain Quarry, helping Salty at the docks, and other things.

But Thomas' favorite thing to do on Sodor was work in the yard with Edward.

He was drawn to the older male. Though, it was quite clear on why Thomas was driven to Edward- the 29 year old was a mentor to Thomas.

Edward taught Thomas everything he knew. Partly because he was given the responsibility of watching him, but mainly because he wanted to earn the trust of the small boy.

He was also attached to two other people- Rosie and Gordon. It didn't shock anyone that Thomas was driven to Rosie. Rosie became a quirky, yet overprotective older sister figure to Thomas, and would do anything to make him smile, and vice versa for her.

As for Gordon- well, it did shock everyone that he became friends with Gordon. Gordon was a rather vain person, and had quite the brash personality. Thomas even tried to steer clear of him, but still remained friendly. Never had he thought Gordon would be truly kind to him- it was always forced.

Thomas' attachment to Gordon started out as unexpected. Thomas was playing outside in the front yard of Tidmouth, messing around with a ball by himself. He would kick it around, throw it, and toss it in the air. But while kicking the ball, he kicked it a little too hard.

Thomas watched it roll out of the yard, past the sheds where everyone's engines went after their work was done, over some train tracks, and out into the street about ten yards away from where he was standing.

Thomas sighed, and shook his head before he gigged. "Whoops."

So he started jogging towards the ball. He was quite a ways away from Tidmouth by the time he reached it. But as he leaned down to grab it, he was startled by honking.

Thomas looked up just in time to see a car slam on its brakes, trying so desperately to stop and not hit him. Thomas was frozen in fear, the ball locked in his hands with an iron grip.

He didn't move as he watched the car come closer. He was sure he was going to be hit until-

"Hey, look out!" Came a loud, booming voice.

Thomas didn't have time to look at where the voice was coming from before he was roughly pushed off his feet, and to the ground.

At first, he thought he was hit by the car, but there was little pain, and a weight on top of him. Slowly, Thomas opened his eyes- he never even realised he closed them.

When they opened, he was greeted with quite the sight.

On top of him- was Gordon.

Worry, concern, and anger were in his eyes. As they both sat up and stood, Thomas realised they were on the side of the road away from any possible traffic, and the ball was just a few feet away. Just then, he was roughly pulled into a hug.

"Don't- scare me like that!" Gordon yelled, pulling away, and roughly shaking Thomas by his shoulders, causing a whimper of pain to escape his lips. Immediately, Gordon loosened his grip, guilt edging its sharp sting straight into his heart. The last thing he wanted to do was harm this- this precious child.

"I'm… I'm sorry." Gordon said, rubbing the back of his neck sheepishly. "I just didn't want you to get hit by the car. I didn't mean to hurt you, honest."

Thomas tilted his head. Gordon- was apologising to him. After being so rude to him and ignoring him? But Thomas knew deep down, that everyone was nice, even though they seemed grumpy at first. Gordon was most likely just one of those people. They just needed a chance to show that they meant well.

So, Thomas smiled, and stood on his tip toes, since Gordon was much taller, and hugged him, making Gordon freeze up.

"You saved me…" Thomas whispered, hugging as tightly as his small body could manage, which wasn't very tight. "Thank you." He smiled.

After a moment, Gordon relented, and hugged back, smiling bit. "You're welcome." He said softly.

Then there was the sound of two people running towards them, making Gordon and Thomas break apart, and look. Out came running Edward and Rosie, worried expressions on both of their faces.

"Thomas!" Edward called out. "Oh, are you alright?! I saw everything and immediately ran out but I was afraid I wasn't fast enough! Oh cinders and ashes, you aren't hurt are you?!" Edward asked frantically, hugging Thomas, gentler than Gordon the first time.

Thomas smiled, and hugged back. "I'm fine." He smiled. "Gordon saved me." He said, looking back at the twenty-four year old.

Edward looked at Gordon as well with gratitude. "Gordon- I, thank you." Edward praised. "Thank you so much." He whispered, softly petting Thomas' hair.

Gordon smiled, a big, true smile, and nodded. "You're welcome." He repeated to the older male.

Rosie came up to him, and put a purple flower in his hair. "You're a life saver, Gordon."

Gordon this time, laughed. "Thanks for that Rosie."

That's how Thomas and Gordon's bond formed. All four of them ended up becoming closer, Edward, Rosie, and Gordon asserting themselves as the older siblings to Thomas, who didn't mind one bit.

…

Over time, everyone- including the Diesels- became protective of Thomas. They loved him like a son, a brother, and a friend. In all of this, Thomas made five new friends named Percy, Toby, James, Stanley, and Emily. They were all older than him, but again, Thomas didn't mind. They were the greatest friends he could ask for.

Edward, Rosie, and Gordon soon all legally became Thomas' adoptive older siblings, and they started to share a room in Tidmouth as siblings.

After that, every day, Thomas never failed in making someone smile, or laugh, or both. He brightened up everyone's day, with his own smile, laugh, or a joke.

To pay Thomas back, everyone would give him small gifts, and if he was sad, it was their turn to cheer him up, or listen to his stories and/or troubles.

Everyone finally realised- this is what they were missing. Thomas, is what they were missing. He replaced that missing feeling inside everyone, and on the island with a new feeling.

Happiness.

It's not like it wasn't there before, but- it was a new type of happiness. One where they could properly feel whole again. And because of that, how precious Thomas was, he then became…

Sodor's Precious Child