Fanfiction Update - Tumblr Posts

The Yellow Rose of Sodor main fiction will be updated every Monday. I don’t have a time for Monday but it will be on Monday’s. Cause Monday’s need to be happier and I have given my soul to make them better. How many times can I write Monday before people get annoyed?

Monday has been made better with a fanfiction update! Chapter 4, Rails of Gold has been added! FanFiction.Net is still being a pain to add stuff to but eventually it’ll get there.

It’s Monday! You know what that means. The Yellow Rose of Sodor will be updated today! I’m having to switch to my computer to update because my bold and italicized texts aren’t going through via my iPad or iPhone for whatever reason. I hope you’re looking forward to the update. I also have a couple of shorts that will be added on here as well as on ao3. Still working with FanFiction.Net to be nice to me.

Anyway, have a fantastic Monday!

I apologize for lack of content this week. I have caught Strep Throat and being a mom of two and a homesteader, life has kicked my trash. I was ahead on writing chapters but I’ve fallen behind now and I’m needing a few days to get back to where I want to be, plus I’m putting another chapter in the middle of what I’ve already written because it furthers development where it didn’t before.

I also havent posted any shorts either. It’s been a yucky week and I’m gonna try and catch up this weekend before my husband starts his week on/week off work weeks on Monday. His work schedule affects my writing one so we will see how this goes.

In further news, I have discovered how The Yellow Rose of Sodor will end and it’s a bit of a doozy. Tragic, even I would say. But not horribly so. It’s still a happy ending but it’s got conflict.

I also have been, possibly against my better judgement, writing a more mature themed fanfic in the A/B/O theme. Nothing graphic, but I’m an adult and I have needs lol If I do decide to post that, I will let you all know but it will be marked, at least on here, as “thorny rose” to indicate it’s a spicy post 🌶️ 🔥

Other than that, I’m just in recovery for now. It won’t take long, but maybe a bit longer as a mom. I’ve also got a vacation coming up and my birthday. Summers are busy for us. We have our fishing trips, bear baiting, moose hunting in the fall, etc. Pure Alaskan wild times!

So, thanks in advance for your patience! I will be doing my best to keep things as they are. A new chapter should drop on ao3 on Monday as scheduled.

I just realized I never posted my second short on here and I’m like “Ahhh!” Because the next short is in the process of being written. So…. Here it is!

Title: Gordon and the Goat

Rating: G

Summary: Camille works often with the farmers of Sodor and one day Farmer McColl really needs her help. But this helpful moment brings a little bit of strain into her relationship with Gordon, specifically when she’s been asked to care for a rejected baby goat.

Based on a real goat here at my homestead.

————————————

Camille had been out on her normal railway chores, taking goods from station to station and dropping off much needed grain and hay to the farmers of Sodor. She always enjoyed visiting the farm, especially Farmer McColl. He enjoyed teaching the young engine about farming and ranching. In fact, Camille, being small in stature, had been called upon to help during the spring birthing season to help animals that were struggling. Together, her, Farmer McColl, and Trevor had helped several cows with complicated birthing positions. It was such a joy to help out and see the little baby animals make their first noises and watching them stand for the first time.

She chugged along happily towards his farm. She was done with her freight cars for today and was happy that he was on her way to the next station. Farmer McColl was out working with Trevor when he saw her and flagged her down. Camille came to a halt with a smile.

“Do you need any help today, Farmer McColl? I don’t have any urgent deliveries right now.”

Farmer McColl scratched the back of his head, “I do actually. I have a rather big favor to ask of you and your crew if you don’t mind.”

Camille glanced back towards Edan and Dallas. They shrugged and hopped out of her cab so she could shift into her human form.

“What can we help with?” Dallas asked, hopping the fence. Camille and Edan followed him into the field.

“I’ve got a goat that’s a new mom and she’s rejecting one of her babies.” Farmer McColl said solemnly, “I’m so busy with the other animals that I don’t have time to tend to the little one and without intervention, she will die.”

Camille gasped, holding her hand over her heart, “That’s horrible! But what can we do to help?”

Farmer McColl waved for them to follow him back to the barn, he hopped back up on Trevor while Camille and the others climbed into the trailer.

“I know it’s a lot to ask, but I was hoping you’d be willing to take the little critter in.” The farmer said, “I’ve got plenty of colostrum from mom and lots of goat's milk. I can supply you with the right kind of bottles.” He sighed, “I know that’s a lot to ask but soon she’ll be able to be with the herd, I can get a bottle stand ready for her, just for now I need someone to watch her. A few days maybe a week at tops.”

Camille glanced at Dallas and Edan. Both looked very uncertain but knew the little tank engine was going to be more than willing.

As they reached the barn, Farmer McColl showed them in. Trevor opted to wait outside.

When Camille came to pen with a warming lamp she gasped. Down in the pen was a small goat, maybe 2 pounds. She was shaking while she tried to stand. She was white with a few little black dots on her coat. She had bright blue eyes. Her little bleats were very high pitched and soft.

“She’s adorable!” Camille coo’d. With that, Dallas and Edan knew they were doomed to take the goat. Farmer McColl brought a bottle with a thick yellow milk inside and handed it to Camille.

“This is the Colostrum she needs before she can have milk. I’ve tried getting her to drink but she’s not very willing. Maybe you could give it a try?” He asked the engine.

Camille entered the pen happily and sat down in the warm straw. She sat cross-legged and gently pet the little animal. At first, it shied away from her, but then it wobbled closer a few steps before falling. Camille picked the little doe up and cradled it in her arms. She offered the bottle, helping put it in the baby's mouth. The little goat let out a bleat of happiness, standing to the best of its abilities and nursed from the bottle, its little tail wagging happily.

“Well I’ll be hornswoggled.” Farmer McColl said with a smile.

Dallas sighed worriedly as Camille looked up and grinned at the two of them, “How exactly are you going to take care of a baby goat while we’re doing our chores?”

“The thing is maybe the size of a chihuahua, Dallas. It’ll be fine in her cab. Just put a diaper on it.” Edan said nonchalantly.

Dallas looked at the very happy engine, “What about the others at the manor?”

“Oh they’ll love her!” She grinned, “You honestly think they won’t melt looking at this tiny thing?”

He cocked an eyebrow, “What about Gordon?”

Camille waved her hand, “You don’t need to worry about him, I’ll take care of that.”

Dallas sighed and Edan grinned, “Looks like we will be taking the goat with us.”

Camille smiled as the baby relaxed in her arms curling up.

——

“Oh. My. Cuteness.”

Thomas had walked into the living room of the manor and stopped in his tracks as he saw the bundle of white on Camille’s lap. The little doe was sleeping curled up in a blanket.

Camille smiled up at him, pausing her game, “Isn’t she? Farmer McColl needed help with her because she was rejected by her mother. She really likes me.” She grinned, “He gave me a kennel and everything to take care of her till she’s big enough to join the other goats.”

“That’s so awesome! I mean, not awesome about her mom, but awesome you get to take care of her.” Thomas sat down beside her and pet the little sleeping figure, “Does she have a name?”

Camille beamed proudly, “I named her Breezy, because she was born on a windy Wednesday.”

“Breezy! I like it!” Thomas smiled.

Camille handed him a second controller and the two sat back to play Overcooked together for a bit.

Overtime the others slowly trickled back into the manor, each taking in the little goat with surprise. James wasn’t all that sure, not being a big animal person, but after the little goat gave him a soft “baa” and gummed at one of his fingers he quickly melted at her goaty charm. Edward asked the most questions about the responsibility to take care of her but was satisfied with all Camille and Farmer McColl had done.

Henry melted at her originally but then panicked quickly for his plants around the manor. Camille swore she would keep her away from his room or the plants on the balcony and in the kitchen. Hiro pet the little animal with fondness.

Percy was thrilled, laying down on the floor to let her climb over him. Thomas quickly joined him, tapping at the floor to get Breezy’s attention. Emily was indifferent as long as there wasn’t a mess, but occasionally petted the animal.

Percy was cuddling Breezy on the floor when he looked up at Camille, “Does Gordon know?”

All the engines turned to her curiously. She grinned bashfully, “Ummm… not yet…”

“Oh that’s gonna be fun to see. Gordon’s gonna flip.” James snickered.

“I’m going to flip at what?”

Everyone turned as Gordon walked through the downstairs entryway. He had removed his hat, suit coat, and boots. He raised an eyebrow looking at the rest of the team as they looked at him.

“What? Is there something on my face?” He asked.

Before anyone could answer a little bleat sounded in the room and Breezy hopped from her spot with Thomas and Percy to Camille, nudging her for a bottle. Camille gave a nervous laugh as she picked the baby goat up and gave her the bottle.

“Heh heh… Surprise~” Camille said looking at the shocked and slightly upset Gordon.

Gordon gaped looking between the goat and Camille as she nursed the little critter. When he finally found himself, Gordon sighed with a hand at his face, “Camille. No.”

“Well, wait a minute.” She started, “Farmer McColl and I-“

“Camille.”

The others watched as Camille tried to explain the situation and Gordon looked more and more exasperated. Little Breezy just curled up, falling asleep on the bottle, and got comfy on Camille’s lap.

“Gordon, she needs me.” Camille said with a frown, holding her ground against the larger engine.

She glared at him, he glared back at her. Glancing around at the others, Gordon cleared his throat, “If you all wouldn’t mind, I need to speak with my girl. Alone.”

The others quickly made themselves scarce. Thomas grabbed the Switch and two controllers for him and Percy to play with Emily in tow. James whispered a ‘good luck’ to Camille as he and Edward left. Henry and Hiro walked outside to do some gardening together. Camille sat with the baby goat in her lap, her eyes having not once left her boyfriend.

Gordon sighed again, “Camille, we’re engines. We don’t have time for pets.”

“She isn’t a pet, she’s livestock and she needed my help. It’s only temporary.” Camille retorted.

“What did Sir Topham Hatt have to say?”

Camille went quiet and looked away, “I haven’t told him.”

Gordon rolled his eyes in frustration, “Of course you haven’t, because you know what the answer is going to be.”

“Farmer McColl said she would die without help.” Camille said softly, stroking Breezy’s soft coat, “What else was I supposed to do?”

Gordon shrugged frustrated, “Tell him no. There has to be others.”

“Well he asked me.” She said through grit teeth, growing frustrated.

Gordon looked at her disapprovingly and she returned it right back to him. Eventually she looked away from him and down at the sleeping kid. He sighed again and sat down next to her, looking at the sleeping form. “Please do not get attached. I know you’re trying to do the right thing and I know your heart is already in it, but our job first and foremost is to the railway.”

Camille was absentmindedly petting the little goat, “It won’t be long, Gordon, I promise. Farmer McColl is making some sort of bottle stand where she can be nursed and can spend time with the other goats. He said only a few days, maybe a week tops.”

She leaned her head against her lover. Gordon huffed a bit, but placed his arms around her, “Alright then.”

——

That night, Gordon laid in the tub of the bathroom, trying to relax. It was getting late and Camille had insisted that the little goat sleep in the kennel in their room. She was prepping it with blankets and a stuffed animal, because of course, humming to herself delighted. Gordon sank in the warm comfort of the bath and let out a comfortable sigh. Although he originally hated the idea of baths after Camille had been in his life he found them more and more needed on hard days. She had all sorts of bath salts and minerals for comfort and every once in a while he really needed to indulge. He was thankful the tub fit someone his size, it must’ve been custom made although he didn’t give it much thought.

He was in a peaceful, restful state when he heard the light tippy-taps of hooves on the linoleum floor. Opening one eye he watched as the little goat had entered the bathroom, doing little hops as she explored. She would bleat every once in a while, quietly, but noticed him and cautiously made her way over.

For a split second, Gordon thought about splashing water at her, sneering. The little goat paid him no mind, curiosity had gotten the better of her. She walked up to him, sniffing at his fingers over the tub and gave them a little nibble, having no teeth it didn’t bother him.

“Oh, no. You’re not going to win me over.” He said as Breezy continued to nibble and sniff at him, playing by the tub.

She gave a warm bleat and hopped in a circle, almost knocking herself over. She regained her balance, looking around.

“Don’t you get hurt.” Gordon grumbled, “She’s liable to blame me.”

Breezy, who clearly did not speak or understand English, tried to do a kick in her hops and fell with a bleat.

He winced at her and, for reasons unknown to himself, scooped the little animal up and held her up above the bath. She just hung there on his hand looking at him. He stared at her back.

“What does she see in you animals?” He asked out loud.

Then, without much warning, Breezy squirmed hard and went right out of Gordon’s hands and into the bath with him.

“Oh, crap!” He yelled out as the little goat, soaked and frightened, bleated and kicked.

“Camille!!” He called out less than dignified.

Camille came running in and quickly grabbed a towel taking the panicked goat.

“Would you get that thing out of here?!” He yelled, standing up disgusted by sharing bath water with the kid.

“She’s not a thing, she’s a she!” Camille shouted back at him, “And how did she get in the bath anyway? She can’t jump that high!”

Gordon wrinkled his nose, “It… She fell and I picked her up and she moved and I dropped her in the water.”

Said goat was shaking her wet head and snorting as Camille dried her off.

“Oh, you poor baby.” Camille coo’d, cradling the baby.

Gordon’s head shot up, disgusted and mad, “She’s the poor baby? What about me?? My bath is ruined!”

Camille looked back at him, “You’re a big boy, you can handle yourself. She’s not even 24 hours old.” She turned and walked back to the bedroom, drying the baby off and talking to her like she was her own baby.

Gordon’s lip quivered in anger and he snatched the towel from the towel rack, proceeding to dry himself off. He murmured quite a bit under his breath.

——-

“No. No. No. NO. NO!”

Gordon was folding his arms over his chest absolutely livid. Camille had dried off Breezy, only for the baby to cry anytime she put it in the kennel alone. After worrying about keeping everyone up, Camille put a diaper on the kid and laid it next to her in the bed.

“She’s not going to hurt you, Gordon, and it’s the only way she’ll sleep without crying.”

“You are not sleeping in MY bed with a goat!” He demanded.

She sat up with a sigh, “Fine.” She picked up the sleeping goat and walked to the door.

“Where are you going??” He asked exasperated.

“I’m sleeping in my old room. That way I am taking care of the goat, you get your bed without a goat, and everyone gets sleep.” Camille said with a struggling sigh and left.

Gordon groaned, flopping onto his bed, running both hands over his face. It’d been a while since he hadn’t slept with Camille by his side and he didn’t enjoy it one bit. He grumbled to himself, angrily pouting, mimicking her voice in a higher pitch, “You get your bed without a goat and I’m gonna go sleep in the other room. BAH! I might as well sleep in the shed.”

He grumbled, pulling the covers over his head in a harumph. He scowled and wrinkled his nose at the whole situation, but eventually Gordon and sleep found each other.

——

The next few days went well for the most part for Camille, despite her and Gordon’s tiff. She woke up once in the night to feed Breezy and then slept till her alarm. Gordon was already up and gone to work so Camille had no problem returning to his private bathroom to get herself ready for the day. Little Breezy stayed right by her side, full of bouncing spirit.

Edan and Dallas greeted her and Dallas held Breezy while she shifted. Unfortunately for the trio, Breezy wasn’t nearly as eager to be in the cab not knowing Camille was the engine. She cried for her often but figured out the routine soon enough, when Camille did have time she would shift and offer Breezy her bottle.

They stopped at Farmer McColl’s for a brief moment one day. The farmer pat the little animal on the head and smiled.

“She looks much better than she did.” He smiled, “Thomas dropped some materials off today to help build the bottle stand. I hope she hasn’t caused any problems.”

“She’s getting into the routine.” Camille said, but looked a bit sad, “I just wish I could convince Gordon she’s not a handful.”

Farmer McColl gave her a soft smile, “Well it’s been about a week and I’ve got other kids that have been born. We could go ahead and try having her spend time with them. It’d be good for her.”

Camille smiled and kissed the little goat's head, “I think a play date is in order.”

She handed Breezy to Farmer McColl and they walked to a pen where easily 10 other goat kids were bleating and playing.

“They are the cutest!” Camille exclaimed watching as the baby goats hopped and kicked around.

“This pen gives mama’s a break and lets the kids go nuts.” Farmer McColl said as he put Breezy down. There were large wooden spools and little homemade seesaws around the pen. “She’ll fit in just fine.”

Camille smiled watching Breezy go and mingle amongst the other goats, starting little head butting fights and skipping around.

“Well, I’ve got to get back to work. I can come get her later.” Camille said with a smile.

Farmer McColl nodded his thanks and waved goodbye.

——

Camille ran into Gordon at Knapford later that night. He had just finished his Express run and was eager to see her. She stopped at Platform 2 and leaned into him a little while he waited for his passengers to unload. He smiled at her, a few passengers saying “aw’s” as they watched the engines cuddle.

“How was your day, my dear?” He asked her.

She sighed, “Better that you're here. But I feel odd without Breezy.”

Gordon looked a little surprised, “She’s not with you?”

Camille shook her head, “No. She's with the other goat kids at Farmer McColl’s. I’ve got to go get her soon.”

Gordon huffed, “If she’s with the other goats isn’t your job done?”

“Well, she still see’s me as her momma so not really. I’ve still got a job to do.”

“Momma?” Gordon asked, confused

“Well, yeah… and it’ll be a slow transition. I think…”. Camille looked worried.

“What’s the matter?” He asked concerned.

“I just… never thought of it that way till I said it outloud. Being a momma.”

“Camille, we’re engines. We aren’t capable of being parents.” Gordon said rather bluntly. He wished he hadn’t been but there was an uncomfortable feeling in his boiler.

“I know that Gordon. I know.” She sighed again, “But it’s never crossed your mind what it would be like to have a family?”

“I have you and I have Scot. I guess the rest of our team and household. That’s all I need.” He said, trying to be kind.

When she didn’t answer he couldn’t help but ask, “Do you want children, Camille?” The idea of small baby like engines driving around Tidmouth scared him, not to mention him being responsible for them.

She sighed again, “I dunno. I never thought of it before but… maybe…”

There was an awkward silence and then Camille asked, “What about you Gordon? If you could be a father, would you want to be?”

Gordon wanted to answer absolutely not but the more he thought about it, considering his relationship with Camille, he wasn’t sure. “I’m… not sure Camille.” He watched as some of his passengers, who had children disembarked. Some parents looked absolutely exhausted, others happy. He tried to imagine him and Camille with a small child, a mix of their looks, but he couldn’t wrap his head around it.

“Not that it really matters, since it can’t happen.” Camille said, watching the same passengers, “But it’s just a thought. Similar to us trying to fly.”

“But… you’ve flown Camille. Just not in your engine form.” Gordon corrected.

She whistled when her signal turned green, “That’s true. I’ll see you later, honey. Gotta go!”

Gordon watched her leave with a wheesh. This whole goat thing was really starting to worry him about Camille’s psyche.

——

“I want you back in our room.” Gordon stated when Camille got ready for bed. He leaned against the doorway of the bathroom in his normal blue shirt and plaid blue pajama bottoms.

She stopped mid brush, “But Breezy won’t sleep in the-“

“I know.” Gordon interrupted her, “But I want you back in our room. It’s been a week, Camille.”

She finished brushing her hair and smiled, “I’ve missed you too.”

“Why does it feel like you’ve been on the other side of the island instead of just down the hall?” He wrapped his arms around her, giving her a kiss on the cheek.

She laughed softly, “Probably because we’ve been in an argument.”

“Over a goat.” He said incredulously.

“A baby goat.” She corrected, watching Breezy clip-clop around the room.

Gordon scoffed, watching the goat, “A goat nonetheless.”

Camille picked the kid up and cradled her. Gordon looked in the mirror at the three of them. He tried hard to imagine the goat as a child instead and for whatever reason, his mind listened. Instead of the fuzzy goat, he saw a child. A little boy, with messy blue hair like his own but eyes like Camille’s. The scenario made his heart pound, especially with Camille looking so fondly at them.

She glanced at him in the mirror, concerned, “Gordon? Is something wrong?”

Gordon shook his head from the thought and looked at her, “I-I’m fine. Just lost in thought.”

“About what?” She asked.

Gordon paused, “About what you said earlier. About… being a mother.”

“Oh!” Camille said surprised, but with a smile, “Don’t mind me, Gordon, I was just thinking out loud.”

“Yes, but now it has me thinking.” Gordon hid his face in his hands for a second.

Camille turned away from the mirror to look at the real Gordon, “Do you want to be a papa, Gordon?”

Gordon wrinkled his nose, “I don’t think I like the sound of being called ‘papa’.”

Camille took no time to think, “What about dad? Or daddy?”

He leaned back against the wall, shaking his head, “I can picture it but at the same time I can’t. I’m an express engine! Not a father.”

“Don’t get worked up, dear.” She placed a hand on his arm, “It literally cannot happen. I’m a tank engine, there are no eggs here, my dude.” She said playfully, gesturing toward her hips.

He sighed and smiled, “It’s one less thing I have to worry about I will say that.”

“But for now…” she raised Breezy to his eye level, “You have to be a daddy goat to Breezy.”

He cocked an eyebrow at her, “You’re pushing your luck.”

Camille only laughed.

——

More time went by and Breezy grew. Eventually she was too big and wild for Camille’s cab and first thing in the morning she was taken to Farmer McColl’s. Time continued and, as it would happen, Breezy was becoming more and more reluctant to leave the other goats.

Camille found it to be bittersweet. It had become more work keeping an eye on the little goat. She pottied outside her diaper sometimes, particularly at night. She was starting to eat hay and was beginning to find ways to Henry’s plants. Her bleating was getting more loud and shrill, keeping everyone alert and awake.

She was an outdoor animal and it was time she lived like one.

Camille asked Gordon if he would come with her to drop Breezy off for the last time. Gordon found time to come off the main line and onto the branch line and join her. Breezy was in a happy mix of other goats, head butting, skipping, and playing. Farmer McColl had explained how she could officially be away from Camille no problem.

Camille felt a twinge in her chest, her heartstrings being pulled at.

“You can come visit anytime.” The farmer assured her, “Breezy comes from a long line of good stock, she’ll be living here all her life.”

Camille smiled at the idea of visiting the goat every once in a while on the branch line. Gordon put his hand on her shoulder for comfort.

“It’ll be OK.” He told her, “She’ll be here every day.”

Camille called for the little goat one last time and Breezy came running. She picked her up over the fence and gave her a hug and a kiss on the head.

“Thanks for being mine for a while, Breezy. I really will miss you.”

The goat gave a little bleat as Camille put her back down. She promptly went back to the other goats and began playing.

It was a hard goodbye for Camille. Her and Gordon left shortly after, saying their goodbyes to Farmer McColl. Things went back to normal at the manor too. Many of the engines in their spare time or passing on the branch line whistle to Breezy. Camille visits most out of any of them, eager to watch Breezy play and grow, happy she has the no-longer little goat in her life.

Chapters: 9/? Fandom: Thomas the Tank Engine & Friends Rating: Teen And Up Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Gordon (Thomas the Tank Engine)/Original Character(s), Henry/Hiro, Flying Scotsman (Thomas the Tank Engine) & Original Character(s), Flying Scotsman & Gordon (Thomas the Tank Engine) Characters: Gordon (Thomas the Tank Engine), Edward (Thomas the Tank Engine), Camille - OC, James (Thomas the Tank Engine), Thomas (Thomas the Tank Engine), Percy (Thomas the Tank Engine), Henry (Thomas the Tank Engine), Flying Scotsman (Thomas the Tank Engine), Emily (Thomas the Tank Engine), Hiro (Thomas the Tank Engine), Midas - OC, Zephyr - OC, Bull - OC, Rocket - OC, Sir Topham Hatt Additional Tags: no beta we die like men, Eventual Romance, Alternate Universe - Human, Engines can shift back and forth, Gordon is emotionally constipated, Sibling Rivalry, Sibling Bonding, Rating May Change, Transformation, but I still love him

New Chapter Summary:  Gordon encounters a horrible passenger and it's up to Camille to make help him come out of his funk. Rhinos are in need of help. A day at the zoo reveals more feelings than originally intended.

Heeey everyone… *slowly slinks into view* Sorry I’ve been MIA for a bit. The summers get crazy hectic for me and my family. I’ve been meaning to post content but I’ve been basically go go go from the moment I get up to the moment I get to either the hotel/b&b/family members house.

I’ve got several more chapters of The Yellow Rose written and some side stories as well. I just haven’t had the time to edit and perfect them before posting.

What I’m thinking of doing is putting The Yellow Rose on a longer hiatus (don’t panic, only for a bit) and we may be strictly shorts for the next little while. I’ve got my son’s birthday coming up and we’re in the middle of fishing season and then hunting season comes next. It’s basically how we provide meat for our family and close relatives, so this is a very important season.

But I promise you, The Yellow Rose isn’t going away, in fact I made myself cry writing a few things both out of sorrow and out of happiness.

I look forward to all of y’all reading it! Also I would just like to réinvite people to the asks. You can ask the characters just about anything and they will respond! Curious about someone’s feelings? Ask away! This includes for the Short Stories as well. I know I haven’t explained how our dear Scotty broke his leg yet so you can always ask about that.

Does that mean the timeline is a bit nuts? Ummm yeah. Most of the shorts either take place after The Yellow Rose or before. Weird I know. But these are pieces that don’t necessarily fit in the main story perfectly. But the shorts won’t spoil the main story. So feel free to ask! Camille has been bouncing off the walls waiting with anticipation and any much longer and she might break something.

Camille: I would not!

Uh huh… So anyway, please don’t be angry with me, I’m only one person and I’m like mom/wife/teacher/farmer/author/EMT/huntress all rolled into one. Im surprised my arms haven’t fallen off yet.

Have a lovely day though everyone! I’ll be posting soon, I promise!

OK so, this is out of the blue but I feel I need to say this specifically for myself if not for anyone else. I joined this fandom not that long ago when I realized there was a fandom for the Thomas and Friends franchise and honestly it’s been a very fun and pleasant experience.

HOWEVER, I am concerned because it’s starting to feel like I’m one of the older fans of this fandom and, not that anyone has specifically made me uncomfortable, but I am starting to feel uncomfortable that Im possibly the problem. I haven’t done anything nor has anyone done anything rude to me but im just starting to feel my age and I’m worried that I’ve made others uncomfortable or maybe I shouldn’t interact with others in the fandom because I’m in my 3rd decade of life now.

So, what I’m thinking about doing is probably getting off of tumblr. Not that I haven’t enjoyed this space and it has been a fun ride but Im noticing, that many of who I interact with are probably minors and now I feel really self-conscious about my age. I’ve had a blast and it’s been fun but I’m worried my age will make others vastly uncomfortable with interacting with me.

I think if anything I’ll keep updating about my fanfic because I’m still writing it and thoroughly enjoying it. I don’t want others to feel at fault or uncomfortable around me is all. I have loved talking with all who have been on here and maybe after some thought and prayer I’ll decide to stay. But first and foremost I’m a wife, mother, teacher, and homemaker. I’ve always enjoyed being in different fandoms like Fullmetal Alchemist, Yugioh, Studio Ghibli, Final Fantasy, Mario, Zelda, Harvest Moon/Story of Seasons, Ace Attorney, and now Thomas & Friends and many many more but with a series such as this where a much younger audience can and is involved I just don’t want to accidentally step over boundaries.

This isn’t goodbye (yet) but it’s just my late night thoughts and my wondering if this is something I should really be apart of. Again, no one has made me feel unwelcome. This is all an internal struggle right now as I’m really realizing, “Oh my gosh I just turned 30”.

Another Life Update

I know I’ve disappeared again and I apologize. Some of you know that I live in Alaska and currently where I live it’s pretty much on fire. My husband works for the fire department on our area and he’s out there from 7-11 at this point, besides his normal job working for DoT (department of transportation). My in-laws are living in the small town that is basically on fire and we’re almost evacuated last night but the call hasn’t been made so they went home.

My original plan was to bring The Yellow Rose of Sodor back this past Monday but things have gotten busy. We had a fire nearby us too caused by lightning, but it fizzled out on its own. If I can get my internet to cooperate I will upload the newest chapter today. I have several shorts ready as well, but life is currently a bit crazy. Right now I’m using my phone to post and it doesn’t like it when I try to do the bigger chapters because of course it doesn’t.

So that’s my update for now. If I can you will see an update for The Yellow Rose today, which will be awesome because it’s The Dance!

Another fun little side note, many of you may have noticed the frequent communication I’ve had with @smol4bluengine and they’ve been ever so kind to let me create a character for Camille and Gordon. This is completely AU from the Yellow Rose because, although I find it to be absolutely adorable, it doesn’t exactly fit for the story.

So, things to expect soon:

•New chapter for The Yellow Rose

•The following, but not limited to, shorts: Pebble, Broken Bones Heal pts 1 and 2, The Dance: Aftermath (James x Edward) - Rated M

•More cameos of Camille’s brothers (as I may have accidentally neglected them)

•A bit more rated M (not Explicit!!!) content: violent/scary themes with the villain appearing, intimate/sexual themes (don’t get your hopes too high, the explicit stuff stays with me), tear-jerking life and death situations

•Guaranteed HEA (Happily Ever After)

TL;DR The world is on fire and writing is hard to do with 7000 acres 30 minutes away coming your way and fast. It’s gone from 700 to 7000 in 5 days despite efforts. Fire is scary stuff and my internet is down.

CHAPTER 11 IS HERE!!!

Chapters: 11/? Fandom: Thomas the Tank Engine & Friends Rating: Teen And Up Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Gordon (Thomas the Tank Engine)/Original Character(s), Henry/Hiro, Flying Scotsman (Thomas the Tank Engine) & Original Character(s), Flying Scotsman & Gordon (Thomas the Tank Engine) Characters: Gordon (Thomas the Tank Engine), Edward (Thomas the Tank Engine), Camille - OC, James (Thomas the Tank Engine), Thomas (Thomas the Tank Engine), Percy (Thomas the Tank Engine), Henry (Thomas the Tank Engine), Flying Scotsman (Thomas the Tank Engine), Emily (Thomas the Tank Engine), Hiro (Thomas the Tank Engine), Midas - OC, Zephyr - OC, Bull - OC, Rocket - OC, Sir Bertram Topham Hatt Additional Tags: no beta we die like men, Eventual Romance, Alternate Universe - Human, Engines can shift back and forth, Gordon is emotionally constipated, Sibling Rivalry, Sibling Bonding, Rating May Change, Transformation, but I still love him Summary:

All her life Camille was treated as an equal to humans. She was raised as the daughter of an old man and his wife who couldn't have children of their own. But after they passed away, Camille was left with an empty hole in her heart and the sudden realization that not everyone around her saw her as an equal. With the threat of being scrapped near her doorstep, she is sent away to the Island of Sodor, a safe haven for engines. There she starts her life completely over with new friends, a new life, and a bright future. She quickly befriends the Steam Team, who all welcome her with open arms. Almost. There is this one engine she can't quite wrap her head around, but maybe she's not the only one struggling with the new situation. Something is just so... enticing about him.

Gordon x OC (Camille)

Rated T for now but that rating may change due to more adult situations in the future.

I read the latest chapter and I can’t stop smiling! I’m glad my ideas were able to help you. You really brought everything to life, especially with the scene between Gordon and Camille. I’m waiting with bated breath for what comes next!

🎁 Gift Anon 🎁

Gift Anon! Your time to shine arrived!! 😁 I wouldn’t have been able to do it without your suggestion! It was such a fun thing to write too! I absolutely loved writing it! Thanks once again my favorite anon!

Miscommunication

Summary: Gordon uses voice to text and it goes poorly. Based on a true story between a husband and wife.

The Vicarstown station was all abuzz this particular day and Gordon was doing his best not to grow irritable with it. He was used to the loud stations but today was exceptionally loud and full of school age children. Many excitedly had disembarked from his brother’s mainland coaches and filed into his. Today was an exceptionally special day for the children.

Scot chuckled at his brother, watching the children jump up and down excitedly from the breakroom, “Why so glum Gordon? I thought you liked pulling important coaches.”

Gordon grumbled, leaning back against a wall, a cup of coffee in hand, “Field Trips aren’t my idea of important coaches. Thomas or James could’ve easily picked these children up.”

“Ahh, but these children are from some high dollar preparatory schools, Gordon. They’re the children of the wealthy and famous. A few of them are the children of the museum's finest patrons and the owners themselves. And you were asked for specifically: Sodor’s famous Gresley express engine. You should be honored.”

Gordon sighed, “I would normally, yes, but I don’t do well with children, especially the preteen ones.”

Scot chuckled again, “Yes, I will admit they’re the harder of the age groups. But think on the positive, dear brother, you’ll be going to the animal park and your beloved works there.”

Gordon smiled a little, “There’s that, yes.”

Scot grinned, “You two have been awfully cozy recently. So when will she graduate from my brother’s girlfriend to my sister-in-law?”

Gordon felt his heart beat harder and quicker at his words, “I haven’t… we just aren’t.. I’m not-“

“I tease, little brother, but you seem awfully sensitive about it. Thoughts of your own wedding coming into view since Edward and James’?”

Gordon stood up as he listened to the overhead speaker announce his train and straightened his tie, “Whether I am or not is none of your business.”

Scotsman rolled his eyes and laughed, “I’ll remember that when you start coming to me with proposal ideas.”

“Hmph!” Was all Gordon said as he opened the door, “Good day, Scotsman.”

As the door shut, Scot continued to laugh and watched as Gordon walked to his platform, “Good day to you too, little brother.”

——

As Gordon approached the platform he was unexpectedly swarmed by the school children. Although at first he was irritated, he quickly basked in the popularity as the kids asked for photos with him and even a few autographs. His driver and fireman chuckled as they watched him easily switch into celebrity mode. It’d been a while since he’d been like that. But due to Sodor becoming more and more of a popular destination and his relationship with Camille, he was quickly becoming a very popular engine to see.

“Just how fast can you really go?” A young man asked after taking a selfie with the tall engine.

“Well, I’ve been close to going 100 at one point and a few remodels later I’m sure I could manage.” Gordon responded proudly.

“That’s pretty fast for a steam engine.” Another commented. It took Gordon a bit of restraint from responding poorly to the scathing remark.

“Can you do it today?” An energetic youth asked, practically bouncing.

“Yeah! Yeah!”

“Go super fast!”

“Let’s fly down the rails!”

Gordon cleared his throat, “As exciting as it would be, Sir Topham Hatt has strict rules for his railway and I’m afraid the speed is much lower than 100.”

“Awwww…” the school children pouted.

“I read your girlfriend works at the animal park we’re going to.” A girl said, swinging back and forth on her heels. That got a few “oooo’s” from the other children.

Gordon smirked proudly, “The Yellow Rose works proudly and efficiently at the Animal Park. She’s a wonderful companion. She’s one of the most useful engines on the island.”

“Do you love her?” Another girl asked, clearly interested. In fact, many of the female children were coming closer at the change of topic.

Gordon smiled at the thought of Camille, “Yes, I do. Very much.”

“Awww!!”

“That’s so cute!”

“Do you guys kiss?” Asked another.

Gordon was a bit shocked at the straightforward question, “I don’t believe that’s any of your-“

“Do you guys have sex?” A male student asked with a bit of a smug and rude tone.

“Now, just a minute-!” Gordon thundered at the question.

“Ummm they’re trains, I don’t think they can have sex.” Another pondered out loud.

“But he’s got a human form!” The other retaliated.

“My dad works on the mainland railway and he says engines can have intercourse even in their engine forms.”

“Enough!!” One of the teachers appeared after seeing the flustered and irritated Gordon and then upon hearing the students' conversation, “You owe him an apology! Maybe you should stay behind at the station and write a paper about how asking such intimate questions is both rude and inappropriate.” Some of the students groaned and rolled their eyes. The teacher glared, “And your parents have to read and sign it.”

That got their attention quickly and they offered apologies, though Gordon felt there was no true remorse. He simply snorted and began to turn away, eager to text Camille and give her warning of just what’s coming her way.

“Oh, Mr. Engine, I do have an appropriate question though.” A meek voice called out.

Gordon glanced at the smaller child who spoke out. They shrank at his size and demeanor. Gordon sighed and faced them, remembering Camille’s words about approaching shy children. He knelt down to their eye level and tried his best to not look intimidating.

“Yes?”

The child swallowed and looked bashfully at the ground, “Maybe The Yellow Rose will know this better but ummm I was curious about the new wolves. The new ones born at the park.” Gordon nodded, signaling them to continue, “D-do you know when they were born? I’m hoping to see them but if they’re too little they won’t be out in the enclosure.”

Gordon looked down in thought. He did remember Camille excitedly telling him about the new baby animals, but he wasn’t sure when exactly she mentioned it.

“I’m afraid I don’t know. Cam- er… The Yellow Rose is more up to speed on that sort of information.” He stood and smiled.

The child nodded and smiled back, just happy with the interaction, “O-ok. Thank you, Mr. Express Engine, Sir.”

He nodded as the child turned back to their teacher and all the children began flooding into the coaches. Gordon began to walk to the front of the coaches but, before shifting, reached for his phone to send a message to Camille.

Upon finding their recent conversation, he pressed his thumb to the mic icon and asked: “When were the wolves born?” and quickly put it away after sending it to Camille, shifting onto the rails and getting himself coupled up.

——

Camille stared at her phone in utter confusion and concern. She had read the text over and over again and there was no figuring out exactly what Gordon had meant.

As she waited at the front gate for his arrival, she was asked to be part of the greeting committee for these children, she kept reading the text repeatedly. When she heard the familiar sound of Gordon’s whistle she looked up and straightened her uniform, putting her phone away.

The nearby zookeeper smiled at her teasingly, “Are you excited because you’ve been asked personally to help with this tour group or is it because your boyfriend is here?”

“A little of both actually.” Camille admitted with a smile, “It’s nice to see each other besides coming home some days exhausted. There are days when things run into the late hours that we only see each other for a brief moment before we fall asleep.”

“Must be nice.” The zookeeper sighed, “I just go home alone and eat ramen.”

“You can’t possibly be that bad off.” Camille looked at her with a shocked expression.

“No, no, I’m not. However, I’m a horrible cook.” She laughed, “Ramen’s easy.”

“I’m going to bring you some easy recipes tomorrow.” Camille chuckled, “There’s no way you’re that bad.”

“Try me.” She responded with a grin.

Gordon came to a halt in front of the Sodor Animal Park station and let off an exceptional amount of steam. He could hear some of the middle schooler’s cheer at him and a proud smirk crossed his features. As they began to disembark and the zookeeper spoke with the teachers and Camille made her way over to her great engine.

“Heya, handsome.” She smiled, walking up to his buffer, “What brings a fancy thing like you all the way down to these parts?”

Gordon smirked at her, but played along, “Oh, you know, I couldn’t help my curiosity when I heard from the grapevine that there was actually a famous engine around, as you say, ‘these parts’. I thought they must be wrong as I’m the only famous engine on this island.”

Camille crossed her arms, the grin on her face bright, but challenging. She ran her tongue over her teeth in thought, “Well, I hate to burst your bubble but you are, in fact, wrong. There is another famous engine here.”

Gordon feigned shock, “Oh really now?”

She nodded her head, “Yes sir.”

“Well, they must not be that famous. I would’ve heard about them otherwise.” He replied snootily looking away, but he couldn’t help stealing a glance back at her.

She huffed, “Well, maybe you haven’t heard of them because they had no desire for you to hear about her.”

“Oh, it’s a her engine, is she?” Gordon replied.

“As a matter of fact, yes. She’s the prettiest engine around these parts. No engine would dare compete against her.”

“So she’s famous for her beauty.”

Camille turned and pointed a finger at him, “Not just that! She’s got an award winning personality, she loves animals, and she’s mighty fine at romancing great big tender engines.”

“Hmmm.” Gordon said, looking in thought, “I might have to see this famous engine then. She sounds… intriguing.”

She climbed aboard his buffer and sat down, swinging her legs, “She’s a lot more than that, buddy.”

“Beautiful, smart, great personality, sounds like she has it all.”

“Well, she is missing something. One fatal flaw I’m afraid to her perfect record.”

“Oh?”

She looked up at him, a hint of romanticism and sorrow in her eyes, “She has no one to call her own.”

“Oh, that is sad.” Gordon responded with a soft smile.

“If only she had someone big and strong to hold her on sleepless nights.” She stood looking at him.

“Must be terrible.” He said with a small nod.

“It is. It’s very cold.” She inched towards him.

“I could keep her warm.” He said with a low growl, his firebox heating up.

“I bet you could.” She smiled and kissed his cheek softly.

“Awwwwwwwww!!!” Came a chorus from behind the two.

Camille pulled back with a blush and a smile, while Gordon did his best to regain his composure, his rather proud personality and appearance taking over once more. The teacher moved the children along with the zookeeper, who looked at Camille wide-eyed at her boldness.

Camille cleared her throat and looked at Gordon, “Looks like I’ve got to go.” She smiled at him, tracing a finger on his cheek.

“Don’t get yourself in trouble on my account.” Gordon huffed.

“I know you’re doing it for show.” She smirked and kissed his cheek one last time, lowering his defenses once more though he tried to hide it, “Love you, big guy.”

She hopped down from his buffer and was unable to see the clear blush on his cheeks and across his nose at her words. He fumbled a bit, clearing his throat, “Love you too, darling.”

As she went to join the others, she remembered his text and turned to look at him a bit curiously, “Let’s talk about your text later tonight after work, OK, Gordon?”

Gordon raised an eyebrow at her, but whistled and nodded in response. He watched her walk back and eagerly took questions from the preteenagers and was very animated with them, which caused much laughter and excitement. He whistled twice signaling his departure and went to a side rail to take a much needed nap. However, he couldn’t get her words out of her head.

Why on earth would she need to discuss wolf pups?

——

When Gordon and Camille were able to reunite, it was late into the night. Camille had worked exceptionally hard at the animal park that day, tour after tour and question after question and had gotten quite dirty. She refused to come home in such a state and had herself washed down and her firebox cleaned out to be prepared for the following day. She yawned loudly and stretched her back, leaning far back with her hands out and interlocked, when she joined her beloved on the bed. He had the news on, which was boring but whatever, and was patiently waiting for her. She quickly changed into a tank top and pajamas and curled in next to him. She sighed contentedly in the heat.

“You sure know how to make a girl feel welcomed and comfortable.” She said, snuggling into him.

He chuckled and looked at her, “Anything for my famous engine.”

She grinned and chuckled, “You know it!”

The two sat in silence, Camille occasionally yawning and stretching, changing positions to get more comfortable against him.

“So, about that text.” She said with a hint of humor.

He didn’t take the hint, flipping channels, “What of it?”

She sat up, “What do you mean ‘what of it’? That was such a weird and out of character text!”

Gordon looked at her with a cocked eyebrow, “Is it wrong to take an interest in the animals?”

“Interest?!” She said with a shocked expression.

He turned to her, ignoring the TV, genuinely confused, “I don’t understand why you’re so shocked. It’s your job and I didn’t know the answer. A student asked me about it and I figured it would be better to ask you.”

Camille’s face held genuine horror and amazement, “A student asked you that?! And you asked me?! You considered that?!”

“Why are you getting loud?? What’s the big deal?” He asked, getting irritable.

“Wait, are we talking about the same text?” Camille asked, squinting in confusion, “I don’t think we’re talking about the same text.”

“I haven’t sent you another text and you never answered me. I texted you through my watch and then shifted to get the children to their destination. I just figured you were busy. Why is this riling you up so badly??” He asked exasperated.

Silence.

Camille seemed to be in thought and then asked cautiously, “You used Siri, yeah?”

Gordon sighed, “Yes, as I’ve done before when I’m in a hurry.”

Silence.

Then laughter.

Gordon looked at Camille like she had grown a third eye as she began laughing hysterically.

“What has gotten into you?”

She picked up his phone and tried to stop laughing, “You need to read your last text to me.” She handed it to him.

Gordon raised an eyebrow at her but indulged her nonetheless. As he opened up his texts and went to his and Camille’s conversation he was prepared to show her exactly what he had texted. However, to his utter embarrassment the text did not, in fact, ask ‘when were the wolves born?’. He covered his eyes in horror and dropped the phone. Camille burst out laughing again.

“Ohhhh, the indignity…”

“Read it out loud.”

“Absolutely not.”

“Do you see why I was so genuinely concerned and confused?”

“I absolutely do.”

“Are you going to look at me?”

“No. Never again.”

Camille continued to laugh curling onto his lap and trying to pry his hands from his face. He wouldn’t budge. She tried moving a finger just to look at his eyes. Nope, that wasn’t working. She laughed as he slowly sank down into his pillow and turned the TV off. He rolled over, effectively removing her from him, and curled into the bed, pulling the covers over his head.

“Goodnight, Camille.”

She continued to giggle, “Goodnight, Gordon. You silly.”

“I’m not silly.” He said with offense.

“Well, you’re something then.” She said, spidering her fingers up and down his back in a massage-like manner.

“We speak of this to no one.” He said, a bit snippy about it.

“No one dear.”

She looked at her phone again and the laughter started right up again. There in the English letters read Gordon’s text:

“Where’s the wolf porn?”

Save the Date 😏

New chapter is up!! This is another one that’s in the Child AU (I’m a bit baby hungry and writing fictional characters children helps out a lot 😅)

Thank you to @smol4bluengine for doing the little roleplay weeks ago! I wouldn’t have been able to do this without their help!

Look forward to more shorts! I know Pebble is one that’s been looked forward to for a while but I’m still perfecting it, some pieces are just not molding together the way I would like.

I’ve also gotten some great help from @pxmun2 and I will be writing their fic soon! Again, lots of thanks for the fans of Yellow Rose. It wouldn’t be nearly as successful without y’all!

Thanks again!

-Kamiko

If you don’t read on Archive, here’s the short here!

A Great Father

Children AU

(Rated G)

Loosely based on a conversation between me and @smol4bluengine on tumblr. Comes before This Son of Mine.

Gordon was panicked.

He looked all around the busy station of Vicarstown, ignoring the odd looks people were giving him. He was supposed to be meeting up with his brother and his nephew any minute now for a playdate followed by a weekend with the whole family. Problem is, you can’t really have a playdate with one kid and his kid was currently missing.

“Erik!” He called, trying not to sound too panicked, but the seconds were beginning to turn to minutes. 5 to be correct.

He looked around the station, there was no sign of the little engine anywhere. Gordon’s heart began to race in his chest. Erik was an adventurous sort of child and was easily distracted. A butterfly could’ve flown nearby and he would’ve gone after it. Gordon had told his son to stay in the break room while he went to go check if Scotsman had arrived and when he’d gotten back, the boy was gone. He first checked the restroom, the little engines were much like human children, but found it empty and began to check all the cupboards and everything he could think of. But Erik was nowhere to be found.

Gordon looked around and had asked a few of the Vicarstown railway workers if they’d seen him, but so far no one had seen anything. He was starting to feel ill. What if he had hopped in one of the many trains and went off somewhere else on the island? What about him getting on the mainland? What if he was on the rails on his own, although he wasn’t wide enough to reach both sides of the rails, he could basically bounce along the rails like a car. Another engine could easily run him over!

What if someone had taken his son?

True fear reached deep in his soul. What if someone had taken Erik? Him, his cousin and his friends were the first of his kind; there might be someone out there that wanted to know the ins and outs of the toddler engines. What if… what if they started taking him apart?

Gordon tried to steady his breathing. Panicking and over-thinking would do him no good. Erik would have screamed and fought… right? Someone would have seen something. A child with grey like skin and engine wheels at his ankles, he would stick out. So then… why hadn’t anyone seen anything?

His thoughts were broken for him as he heard the familiar whistle of The Flying Scotsman pulled into the station. He looked up as the charismatic engine backed into the station. He tried to smile like he wasn’t about to have a full blown panic attack as his nephew, Mikhail, whistled at him from his brother’s cab. Scot’s fireman had to have a tight grip on him as the toddler was about ready to jump from the window.

As soon as the engine stopped, the fireman and driver hopped out with baby in tow while the large two-tendered engine shifted to his human form. Baby Mikhail, or Mikey as was his nickname, eagerly bounced in the fireman’s arms, his little wheels turning as he waited for his dad’s arms. Scot grinned wildly at the little engine, taking him in his arms and tossing him a little up in the air. Mikhail squealed with each toss. His dad rubbed noses with him and held him close. Then he turned to face his brother.

“Gordon!” He grinned brightly.

Gordon waved but the panic was written all over his face.

Scot quickly changed his expression, noticing his brother’s demeanor, “Gordon? What’s wrong?” He placed Mikhail down and the tiny engine blew bubbles at his dad’s feet. Scot looked around, “Where’s Erik?”

“I… I can’t find him.” Gordon confessed and Scot paled, “I went to check if you had arrived, I left him in the break room and told him to stay put, but when I returned… he was gone.”

“Have you called Search and Rescue? Harold?” Scotsman asked, “The faster we do, the faster he’s likely to be found.”

“No! I…” Gordon started and looked away, “I just need to look around… I’m sure he’s here.”

“Gordon… the longer we wait…” Scot started, feeling very uncomfortable with the idea of prolonging search and rescue, “What if he’s on a train to the mainland?”

“I just…if I don’t look for him some more… I…”. Gordon sighed, running a hand through his hair, messing it up from its normal brushed back state, “Camille’s going to kill me…”

Scot looked at his brother with sympathy. Gordon had been incredibly rough on himself since it had been revealed that Camille was pregnant. Of course, they all thought that it had to be some sort of error seeing as engines had never been pregnant before. They had both decided to take on the task of parenthood with building an infant engine, a small engine with which they had both donated small pieces of themselves that had been melted down and turned into major components for the baby’s body.

What neither of them had considered, and why would they considering the fact that it had never happened before, was Camille becoming essentially pregnant with the baby’s soul. It was a shock and a surprise, but basically the baby’s essence grew inside her as its body was built. And although she didn’t go through most everything that a human woman went through, it was incredibly hard on her. Gordon felt responsible for it all. She was the first ever engine to go through something like this, and although Gordon wanted to curse at Lady for what Camille was going through, Camille said she’d do it again in a heartbeat to feel that close to her son. A blessing or a curse, Gordon felt inadequate the entire time. And when the baby’s soul left Camille’s body for its own, Camille had woken up in a panic frightening both herself and her husband. If it wasn’t for the call that their son’s body was beginning to stir and wake up, Camille was beginning to assume the worst and that she had lost the baby entirely.

They had both raced in the middle of the night to the Steamworks where their son's body was completed and waited with bated breath as his tiny eyes began to open and he started to cry. Victor had theorized that just like a human baby feeling out of place outside it’s mothers womb, this baby engine would also feel frightened with his soul outside his mother and inside his own body. Camille immediately edged forward, her buffer gently touching the baby’s but when that didn’t comfort the little one, who was blinking to get his eyes adjusted to the light, she shifted to her human body and held him close to her heart, patting the top of his boiler and rocking him from side to side.

From then on out, Gordon had felt a major shift in responsibility and also a massive shift in feeling like he was inadequate. Camille had carried the baby’s soul and fell into her motherly instincts easily. Gordon, however, had always felt left out of the equation. When he approached Sir Topham Hatt about it, or rather the Conductor had dragged it out of him, the man smiled and said it was normal for a new dad to feel a little left out. He explained that it was normal for baby Erik to feel completely reliant on his mother. She was everything to him for months prior to entering his engine body, but that didn’t mean that the baby wasn’t interested or didn’t love his father. The Controller encouraged Gordon to help with the daily and nightly struggles and so Gordon jumped into his fatherly duties both terrified and readily.

Although Erik didn’t shift immediately to his human form, once he did everything became like taking care of a human toddler. He wanted to try everything and seemed to constantly get himself in some sort of trouble, whether that was putting things in his mouth that he shouldn’t, biting, or climbing his daddy’s desk and nearly toppling over. Gordon found himself, on more than one occasion, wondering how on earth he was going to get the baby to adulthood with how often it felt like he was coming to his rescue. Things were becoming very messy as well, from messy eating to messy diapers. Gordon counted himself lucky that for the most part Erik stayed in his engine form. Though he still had to have his boiler and firebox cleaned often and when the little one wanted to play that became a hassle on its own. There were lots of late nights where both parents rotated rocking and walking with an upset baby. Gordon couldn’t believe how insane it was to have to keep walking even after it seemed like the baby fell asleep. Somehow he knew his father was ready to put him down. Some nights, Gordon even took the little engine outside to just roll around the shed with the doors shut while he tried to catch a few winks.

Little Erik soon was very interested in his father and was curious to see what Gordon did for work shortly after he was able to attend work with his mother, since her work was close to home. That’s what led to today’s event of Gordon taking Erik with him on the Express to meet up with Scot and his new son, born months and months after Erik.

Scot used his foot to scoot Mikhail away from the rails and placed a hand on his older brother’s shoulder, “We’ll find him, Gordon. But if we don’t in the next ten minutes, we need to call search and rescue.”

Gordon nodded, though the sick feeling never left his stomach. He smiled somewhat, beginning to look around the station again, “I.. I don’t know how I can ever look Camille in the eyes knowing I’ve lost our son.” He sneered at himself, trying to make sure Mikhail didn’t see though, “Some father I’m turning out to be..”

“Don’t sell yourself short yet, Gordon. We’ll find him. He can’t have gone too far.” Scot picked up his child and held him close, “Was he in his engine form? Is he good at shifting yet?”

“He was in his human one…and he’s not very good at shifting yet.” Gordon looked around again. “I’ll check the break room again, if you can look around the platforms nearby.”

Scot nodded and went to his break coach where he kept his luggage separately and pulled out the bassinet-like stroller for Mikhail. The little green engine wasn’t too thrilled about being put back in a situation where he couldn’t move around and began to fuss, lip quivering while looking up at his father.

“Hey, little buddy, it’ll be OK.” Scot smiled, pulling out a dummy, “We just need to help Uncle Gordon real quick and then we can go play at the park.” The baby opened his mouth eagerly at the green pacifier and his dad put it in his mouth. With the baby content Scot began to look around, pushing the stroller as he went, looking for his little nephew.

——

Erik began shaking nervously in the train car as he got further and further from Vicarstown. Daddy had gone out of the break room and hadn’t returned for a bit. The little indigo engine had left the room in search of his father when he had heard the announcement for the train going to the animal park and he eagerly hopped aboard. Mommy worked at the animal park and he was scared without his daddy.

He had snuck aboard the cars, there were only two, and was with the passengers luggage. He was hiccuping and crying softly, scared for what was going on.

It wasn’t long before he heard the door open and he looked up at one of the railway workers.

“Erik? What on earth are you doing here?”

Erik had no idea how the human knew his name but they had soft eyes and looked greatly concerned. He shied away nonetheless, whimpering. The coachman knelt down and gently smiled, “It’s OK, Erik. I work with your mommy and daddy’s friend Thomas. That’s who you’re riding with right now.”

Erik still kept his distance, hiding himself beside some luggage. The coachman sighed, but stood back up understanding the child’s fear. He went out and spoke with both Annie and Clarabel, who then spoke to Thomas who pulled over to a side rail.

Erik really began to panic at that point, crying quite audibly. He wasn’t really sure if this was Thomas’s train, he had never been on a train before besides his parents’ own cab. Hearing the footsteps approach made his heart race and he started hiccuping again, but as the door opened and saw Thomas approach him, the sobbing began all over again.

Thomas smiled softly at the crying boy and knelt down, “Erik, how did you get on here? Your daddy is gonna be really worried about you.”

“I wan’ my daddy!!” The little engine cried, reaching out for the familiar engine.

Thomas picked the little engine up and cradled him, “Shhh, little buddy, it’ll be OK. I can get you back to your daddy in a bit, I just have to finish my jobs first.”

The little engine had quickly become a mess of tears and a bit of a runny nose, “I… I… I wan’ my d-daddy…!”

Thomas held him close, shushing him as he bounced him in his arms, “How about I call mommy and let her know where we’re at. She’s closer and we can get you to her, OK?”

Erik looked at Thomas for a few seconds, sniffling and hiccuping, and then nodded.

“Alright.” Thomas said with a smile, “Let me call your mom. She should be available right now.”

——

“Gordon, we have to call Search and Rescue. It’s been almost a full half hour.”

Gordon was in a full panic. No one had seen Erik running around, which meant that he probably did, in fact, board a train. Anyone that had seen him would’ve been on the train as well.

“Gordon!” Scotsman yelled at him, pulling him out of his panic. The younger brother looked him in the eyes, “If he’s on a mainland train now we’re going to be in a worse situation. They could take off in any given direction. Look, I’m gonna call Jess to keep an eye out and she can reach out to a couple of our cousins. You need to call Search and Rescue.”

Gordon nodded almost mindlessly and reached for his cell phone when a call came in. Both him and Scot recognized the ringtone set for Camille.

Gordon took a deep, shaky breath before answering, “Hello.”

“Gordon!” Camille sounded cheerful.

“H-Hello darling.” Gordon said, trying to compose himself.

“I was just calling to see how the play date was going. You promised me pictures and I haven’t seen anything yet. I was beginning to wonder if I had a crappy signal in the park.”

Scotsman looked at his brotherly, gently signaling for him to tell the truth. Gordon cleared his throat, “Well, you see darling, there was a bit of a mishap and that’s why-“

“Mishap? Is everything alright?” Camille cut him off.

“N-no, well, yes actually. Everything is fine. It’s just that…” Scot looked at him wide eyed as if to say ‘What are you doing??’ Gordon quickly glanced down at the sleeping engine in the buggy, “Mikhail fell asleep shortly after getting here so things haven’t worked out as well as we had hoped.”

“Oh, that’s a bummer, but I’m sure Scot’s loving that. It’s hard with a new life, I’m sure you remember.” She said sympathetically.

“Yes, I remember. Sleepless days and nights.” He sighed, bringing a hand up to his eyes to rub his temples. Scot stood next to him with a disapproving frown on his face, arms folded.

“Well, let him know things do get better. I mean, things get more difficult in different ways. Erik has a tendency to wander, I’ve actually thought about putting him on one of those kiddie leashes.” She laughed.

Gordon gave a snort, “I don’t think we should do something like that to our son. Think of his dignity.” Lady above if that isn’t a grand idea though, he thought to himself.

“I know, I know, Gordon. But some days when I’m out and about with him, he just disappears on me. Sure, I’m at the park and I can find him in a minute or two, but it scares the crap out of me! No matter how much I try to tell him he can’t go running off on mommy, it seems to happen all too often.”

Gordon felt bad that he took relief in the fact that his wife was struggling with this too. Although she had lost him for maybe a minute and Gordon was coming up on an hour.

“Oh, hey, I’ve got to go! Thomas is calling me. He’s just coming in from Vicarstown with some passengers and he’s running a bit late. I’ll take to you later, dear! Love you!”

“I love you, too, darling.”

*click*

Scot glared at him, “You’re digging your grave deeper by not telling her the truth.”

Gordon glared back, “I’m doing the best I can by keeping her from panicking.”

“She’s going to find out, Gordon! Sooner or later! And what if something bad has happened?! Is that how you want her to find out?” Scot gestured, but tried to keep his voice down for the sleeping baby.

“If I find him first then there will be no problem.” Gordon said through gritted teeth.

“IF! And if she had done this to you, you would be livid. Like she’s going to be when she finds out you lost him and then didn’t seek help immediately.”

Gordon sighed, “I’m calling Search and Rescue now.”

“Good.” Scot said, dialing his wife, “I hope they have a lot more luck than we are.”

——

When Thomas arrived at the animal park, Camille was pacing by the main gate. She had canceled one of her train rides, offering refunds for those who were meant to ride, explaining that there was a family emergency. She all but ran to the front gate, waiting for Thomas.

When Thomas came to a stop, she ran up to meet him as his driver carried a terrified Erik from the cab. When the toddler saw his mother, his tears started all over.

“Mama!!”

Camille scooped him up from the driver’s arms, “Oh my sweet baby!!” She cradled him close while he cried, “What on earth happened?? You were supposed to be with daddy today!”

When the child didn’t respond, Thomas cleared his throat, “I think I can answer that.”

Camille walked up to the end of the platform and looked at Thomas’s face, “What happened, then?”

“Well, they announced on the PA Speaker that I was going to the animal park from Vicarstown. I don’t know where Gordon was, but I’m gonna guess Erik knew that you worked here and wanted to see you. I don’t think he knew just how far away he was going to be from his dad. Originally, all he wanted was Gordon, but I couldn’t turn around so I figured I’d just hand him off to you.”

Camille bounced the boy as he wrapped both arms around her neck and cried into her shoulder, “But Gordon just told me he had Erik not but a minute before I got on the phone with you. If he’s got a kid, who’s kid is it??”

Thomas sucked in his breath through clenched teeth, “I don’t want to start any trouble, I’m just speculating, but maybe Gordon…lied?”

“But why would he??” Camille asked, her heart rate beginning to come down. However, she slowly felt her anger build.

“Well… maybe he was embarrassed? I mean, it’s not a fun thing to admit you lost your child. Or maybe he didn’t think Erik had gone far and didn’t want you to panic?”

Camille frowned, “But our child could’ve gotten really hurt…. It’s unacceptable.”

“I know that too.” Thomas said gently, “But, we all know how Gordon can get when things get out of his control. He has a really hard time asking for help and if his driver and fireman weren’t there on some occasions I’m sure he never would have.”

The female engine sighed, “He’s just lucky our baby is alright.” Erik looked up at his mother, “But you shouldn’t have run off on daddy. He’s probably worried sick about you right now.”

“Sowwy mama…”

Nevertheless, she hugged her son tight again, patting his hair down from the mess it had become, “We need to call daddy and let him know you’re OK.”

“And fast!” Came a voice from behind.

Thomas’s coachman came running towards the two, “Search and Rescue just got sent out on a call for a missing child at Vicarstown station. I’m pretty sure they’re looking for little Erik here.”

Camille reached for her phone and as she went to call Gordon, his name popped up instead.

“Gordon, I-“

“Camille, I’ve lost Erik.”

Camille’s heart stopped briefly at the words, despite knowing the child was safe and sound. The panic and worry in her husband’s voice saddened her heart though, and she found herself unable at the time to get angry with him.

“I heard about Search and Rescue, but-“

“I’ve looked all over for him, Cam.” Another pang in her chest. Gordon rarely called her by the nickname everyone else had, “I left him in the break room for just a few minutes to check if Scot and Mikhail had arrived and when I returned, he was gone. I shouldn’t have left him alone, I know, and I’m kicking myself for it.”

So that’s what happened. Erik, his little mind easily bored and distractible, left the break room to probably look for his dad, she concluded, and then heard the speaker talk about the animal park and jumped on the train headed there to see his mom.

“Gordon, I-“

“I understand if you’re angry. Scot’s nagging has been awful. I just… I thought I could find him without having to alert anyone or the authorities and I didn’t want you to worry.”

“Gordon, I have him.” She finally got through, “He jumped onto Thomas’s train to the animal park.”

“…He’s safe?”

Camille sighed softly, rubbing the toddler’s back, “He’s safe. But not very happy with himself.”

Erik looked up, showing some interest in the conversation, “Daddy?”

Camille nodded, “Daddy.”

Erik curled in her arms, “…mad?”

Camille put the phone to his ear, “Why don’t you talk to him?”

Erik was quiet for a bit and Gordon, calling for Camille wondering why the phone went silent, was about to hang up when he heard the little voice.

“Daddy…?”

——

“Erik?!” Gordon shouted with relief on the phone. Scot quickly looked up at his brother, who nodded, “Son, you were supposed to stay in the break room.”

“I got scawed…”

Gordon sighed, trying to reign in the bit of aggravation and anger he felt. There was no use getting upset now. He really wanted to get onto his son about the dangers of running away and not listening when his parents tell him something, but right now, he was just relieved his son was on the island, safe and sound with his mother.

“I’m sorry you got scared, son. I wasn’t going to be gone long.”

“It fel’ wike it…”

“You know daddy would never leave you.” Gordon replied. Scot took the hint and took care of informing the others that the child was safely found at the animal park. He was sure there was going to be some comeuppance about raising children though.

“I sowwy…”

Gordon heard his son begin to cry and it poked at his heart.

“You stay with mommy and I’ll come pick you up with Uncle Scot and Mikhail. We can go home and you two can play in the yard. How does that sound?”

Erik sniffled, “Mhm..!”

Gordon sighed with relief, a small smile forming on his face, “Hand the phone back to mama and let me talk with her.”

“Otay…”

“Hey.” Camille said, “I’ll hold onto him until you get here. Be safe, OK?”

“I… I will be.” Gordon responded.

“Hey?” She called out.

“Yes?”

“I still love you, Gordon. Don't beat yourself up.”

Gordon sighed once more, “I’m going to try really, really hard not to.”

——

That evening, back at Tidmouth Manor

All the adult engines were sitting on the back porch of the manor watching as the children played happily together. Mikhail, being the youngest, sat peacefully in a makeshift swing for baby engines as his father pushed him lightly with his foot. Everyone had gathered together and they had decided to have some water and snacks on the back porch while the children played before bedtime.

“Danny! Behave yourself please!” Emily called to her son, who was wildly chasing after an upset Erik.

“Yes, mama…” The little blue engine called, ceasing his chase of Erik who was getting irritable.

The conversation around the table was mainly focused on Mikhail and Scot and Jessica’s adjustment to parenthood, not to mention Jessica’s adjustment of learning how to care for a baby steam engine. Occasionally the baby would babble incoherently at them as if trying to join the conversation. Jessica would smile softly, albeit a bit sleep deprived, at her son and Scot would occasionally babble back at the baby causing squeals of laughter.

Edward hissed a bit as he sat down at the table after a hard days work. James looked at him worriedly, “Everything alright? Is the baby OK?”

“James, I’m fine. I’m just carrying a soul, I’m not really pregnant.” Edward said a bit grumpily, “You’re being much.”

James pouted, “Sorry for worrying about your wellbeing.”

Camille laughed, “I think that about sums up relationships while carrying little souls, wouldn’t you say, Em, Jess?”

“Oh, absolutely!” Emily called.

“Here, here.” Jess said, raising her soda can.

“I was not that bad!” Scot said in mock offense.

“No, you were worse.” Jessica said with a smirk. “I swear I couldn’t go to the bathroom without you at the door worrying about me.”

“Did you get a million texts a day? I certainly did.” Emily laughed too.

“It’s not like we’re actually pregnant.” Camille said, “We’re just carriers of the soul. We don’t have little bodies growing inside us. Not to mention, how on earth would Edward get the baby out?”

“I don’t even want to think about childbirth.” Jessica said, causing some laughter.

“I’ll be honest, I didn’t think male engines could even carry, but here I am.” Edward said, “And I’m certainly glad I will not be experiencing labor and delivery.”

“When you feel the soul leave for their body though, it’s an… interesting feeling.” Emily said.

“I freaked out, I won’t lie.” Camille said, looking sheepishly at Gordon.

“If I hadn’t known any better, I would’ve thought she miscarried or someone had shot her.” Gordon said, after taking a sip, “She was crying and yelling and I thought something terrible had happened.”

“It’s not a fun feeling.” Jessica added, “After being with their little presences from months on end and then in a moment they’re gone,” She shook her head and shuddered a bit, “It certainly feels like you’ve lost the baby. It’s like a part of you just vanishes.”

“I was lucky we were going to check on the baby’s building.” Emily put her hand on Thomas’s, “I about came off the rails, but we were already on the way so it wasn’t a panic to get up and head over to the Steamworks.”

“Heavens above, how I wished that had happened.” Scot said, with a bit of a frown, “I missed it. I was in Scotland finishing up my route when I got Jess’s call.” He pretended to hold up his phone, “‘The baby’s coming! The baby’s coming!’ If someone had clocked me I’m sure I would have beat that 100 mile record coming home.”

There was a bit more laughter as Scotsman continued his story of him about causing an accident at the station he was in such a rush.

“I mean, my child was taking his first breath, opening his eyes for the first time and I was ready to run over any engine in my way.”

Jessica chuckled, “You’re here now and let’s be honest, he’s all about his daddy. Almost like he’s forgotten who carried him for almost a full year.”

Scotsman grinned, “Yeah that’s right, isn’t it buddy?” He undid the baby’s buckles and picked him up from the bassinet and held him above his head, making all sorts of noises causing Mikhail to squeal all the more.

“Has he been able to shift yet, Jess?” Camille asked.

Jessica sighed, “No, not yet. But he hasn’t exactly tried.” She smiled at the two as Scotsman tickled the baby’s boiler, “The doctors and builders think he’s just not interested yet. Seeing as he’s still in the range that we’ve seen from just your children” he gestured to Edward, Emily and Camille, “they’re not worried just yet. They think that when he really wants to start playing with us or doing things Scot does, he’ll want to. We just don’t spend a whole lot of time in our human form and that’s probably contributing.”

“That’s fair.” Emily said, “Daniel wasn’t all about shifting for a while either. He would watch Thomas in the yard shunting the trucks and hearing them fuss about it and it made him giggle. So, he enjoyed pretending with his toys that he was biffing and bashing and it took him a while to want to shift.”

“I think Erik shifted so quickly because most of the ‘pregnancy’ I stayed in my human form and I stayed shifted for most of his first few weeks. When I started going back to work and we went to see Gordon a few times is when he started wanting to be in his engine form more.”

Camille glanced over at the two children playing and snapped her fingers, looking stern, “Ah! Ah! Erik! I don’t know what you’ve got, but it doesn’t go in your mouth.”

Gordon quickly looked over and decided to go see what was going on. He walked over to his son and Danny.

Erik quickly threw the toy food down and grinned at his father, “Daddy!” He was practically bouncing, little arms reaching upward and fingers grasping open and shut for his father.

Gordon picked up his son and was quickly enveloped in a hug. Erik squeezed him tight and giggled at his father’s warmth and comfort. Gordon smiled softly and rubbed the little one’s back.

Erik pulled away and looked at his father before briefly looking down, “I sowwy daddy… I didn’ mean to wun away…”

Gordon sighed and looked the toddler engine over. Camille had eventually given him an earful and Sir Topham Hatt kept things from escalating, but deep down Gordon was still kicking himself. He felt like he honestly deserved more yelling and consequences, he had lost his child after all! But in the end, he was becoming his own worst enemy and critic. Despite everything though, he couldn’t stay mad at Erik.

“You gave your mother and I quite a scare today, Erik. You disobeyed me and could’ve gotten seriously hurt.” Gordon scolded.

The little one couldn’t look him in the eyes.

“But, you’re safe and as long as you’ve learned to listen to us I believe everything will turn out alright. Your safety is what matters most to us, son. We don’t know what we’d do without you. Your mother and I love you very much.” He gently pushed back the boy's bangs and kissed his forehead.

Erik looked a bit amazed at his father, “Daddy scawed?”

Though Gordon didn’t like admitting it, he felt that lying to the child was the worse option, “Yes, daddy got scared.”

“Bu’… daddy neva’ scawed.” Was the little reply.

Gordon glanced over at the others. Both Camille and Scot were wrapped up in the conversation and didn’t pay him any mind. His mind went back to all the chaos the three of them had gone through, all the times he either thought or nearly did actually lose them; how much they meant to him. And now with a new life, a thing that had never happened ever before (which seemed to becoming the trend of Sodor steam engines), and all the new blessings and struggles that came with being a father, Gordon realized just how foolhardy he would be to not admit he was afraid.

“Sometimes I do get scared.” Gordon admitted to the toddler.

“Bu’ daddy big and fast and stwong! And bwave!” Erik said, pretending to flex his muscles.

Gordon smirked, “Yes, I am that. But part of being brave is knowing when to admit you’re scared and doing the brave thing anyway.”

Erik looked at his father and then down, “I not bwave…”

“Says who?” Gordon asked a little offended for his son, “You were brave today, son.”

The child shook his head, “I got scawed… and cwied…”

“I’ve cried.” Gordon admitted, though not loud enough for the others to hear, “Your mother has cried before and Uncle Scot has too. Crying has nothing to do with being brave. And as for being scared, you’re still little. You have me and your mother to look for when you’re scared. We’re here to love and protect you, that’s our job. When you’re with us, scared or not, we’ll be there for you.”

Erik looked up in curiosity, “Why?”

“Because I’m your father… I’m your daddy. I’m here for you.” Gordon said with a small smile, “We’re family. We are a part of each other.”

Erik gave a small yawn and snuggled into his dad’s shoulder, “Otay.”

Gordon chuckled at the very simple answer, “OK?”

Erik smiled sleepily, “Yeah. Otay.” Another yawn, “I love you daddy…”

Gordon felt his heart swell with pride, beginning to rock the little engine boy, “I love you too, son.”

——

Gordon had returned to the chatting group moments later with a sleeping Erik in his arms. Daniel had become a bit cranky with it getting late and his friend asleep to where Emily needed to get him to bed. With things getting late, it was time to get the other littles to bed too.

Jessica and Scot were staying in the guest bedroom again, which ended up being Thomas and James’ old rooms moved together to make a bedroom and a bathroom. Little Mikhail wasn’t too thrilled to be going to bed after such excitement either and was becoming fussier by the minute. Scot checked the infant's boiler after a minute of the fussy behavior and it was concluded someone was just overtired. He asked Jess to remind him to thank the others for putting a rocking chair in the bedroom in preparation for the little guy as he sat down with the grumpy engine.

“I hope we don’t keep everyone else awake.” His wife winced as Scot rocked the fussy babe.

“They’ve each gone through this and dealt with one another’s kids.” Scot reminded him and yawned, “They’ll be fine.”

The new build wailed at his father’s attempt at settling him down.

Scot sighed, “Alright, alright, I’m up.” He stood and cradled the little engine, walking and lightly bouncing him. The baby quieted slightly but seemed to still be at odds.

“Are you sure he’s not hungry?” Jessica asked, reaching for the bottle on the side table, “I brought the bottle warmer. It won’t take long to warm the water.”

Scot looked down at the continual fussing baby and sighed in defeat, “Might as well.”

She did just that, plugging in the little device and pouring water into the little steamer before placing the bottle. It was an adjustment for her taking care of an infant steam engine, that was for sure. Had their son been a jet like herself, she felt like things would’ve been easier, but there was a deep sense of pride in these Gresley engines that she somehow felt such adoration for and after everything her husband had gone through during the steam purge, she couldn’t bring herself to ask for the infant to be built after her own kind.

When Mikhaïl let out a particularly strangled cry, Scotsman frowned at the infant, “Now there’s no need for that.”

Jessica chuckled tiredly, “He can’t communicate yet, Scot. It’s got to be hard trying to communicate your needs. Have you checked his firebox?”

Scot opened the tiny door and peeked inside, “He’s fine, love. Just cranky.”

With a little ding, the bottle was ready. Jessica tested the temperature of the water on her wrist before handing the bottle over to her husband.

“You’ve taken care of him all day, Scotty. Sure you don’t want me to take over?”

Scot sat back down with the baby and offered the bottle. Somehow, Mikhaïl will still having none of it, “Jessica, babe, you’ve been flying all over the place for the Duke and Duchess for the past several days and you’ve taken Mikhaïl with you, I can handle one day.”

“Mhm.” The brunette said skeptically, “You're doing so well, right now.”

“Shut up.” Scot teased back and stuck his tongue out, “C’mon little buddy, throw daddy a bone.”

Mikhaïl, whether out of sympathy or frustration, took the bottle, eagerly sucking down the warm water.

“Easy, Scot, too much too quick and he’s going to spit up.” Jessica warned.

Scot removed the bottle nipple from the baby's mouth with a small pop, “Easy, tiger, slow down.” After a bit of whining, he gave the bottle back.

A few more minutes and Mikhaïl had fallen asleep with the bottle in his mouth. Scot replaced it with a binky, which the little engine sucked on sleepily, and tucked the sleeping baby boy into his bassinet. Jessica pulled the bassinet to the edge of the bed, hooking it in place where she could reach her arm out and pat the sleeping baby. Scot curled up behind him and kissed her behind the ear.

“We made a cute kiddo.” The two-tendered engine smiled.

Jessica smiled, “Yes, we sure did.”

As Edward and James were getting ready for bed, their little one, Katie, had managed to sneak from her bed, where she had fallen asleep quite early enough to miss the party, and into her father’s bed with Pebble in her arms. Edward made a light hearted comment about how eventually with a second on the way she was going to have to start staying in her own bed. James, however, snuggled the raven haired little girl close.

“She’s only this little once, Ed. I don’t want to rush it.”

Edward smiled at the two. Katie looked like James and easily acted like him too. There were days that, despite the child not really biologically being theirs, that Edward began to wonder what on earth she inherited from him if anything at all. Katie snuggled into her daddy, James wrapping an arm around her, but rolled over bleary eyed and reached out for Edward.

“Papa?”

Edward smiled and took the littles one's hand, which she did her best to tug him closer. Chuckling, he curled closer, but with enough room for Katie to move around, and sighed contentedly with his little family. His belly glowed a bit, the gold light warming him with the comfort of their new little one’s soul close by. Before he could reach down to feel its warmth he felt James’ hand move from Katie to his stomach. He opened his eyes to see James looking down at the glow, almost teary eyed. He placed a hand over James and closed his eyes again, drifting soundly to sleep.

Emily and Thomas were able to wrangle Daniel into some PJ’s. Thomas, who’s bad habit was riling up the little engine before bed, was propping the little one on his feet and held the toddler’s hands out like they were wings. Danny was all giggles as his dad made plane noises as he moved him from side to side.

Emily rolled her eyes and chuckled, “Alright you two, it’s time for bed.”

“Awww…” Danny pouted as his dad stopped the game and laid him on his little bed.

Thomas chuckled, “Tomorrow’s another day, Dan. You can go play with the others. It’ll be a blast!”

“But you and mama hafta wok...” He pouted.

Emily sat down on the floor next to the bed, “But we won’t be long. You’ll have a great time tomorrow with Grandpa Hatt.”

“Will he bwing tweats?” Danny’s eyes lit up.

Thomas laughed, “Doesn't he always?”

“Mhm!” Danny said, nodding with a yawn.

“Alright, buddy, it’s time for bed.” Thomas ruffled the boys hair before pulling the covers up and climbing off the small bed. “Goodnight, kiddo-pop.”

Danny giggled sleepily at the nickname, “Nigh-nigh daddy. Nigh-nigh mummy.”

Emily fixed the little ones hair and kissed his cheek, “Goodnight baby.”

Down the hall, the remainder of the Gresley family was working their way to bed. Erik had woken up briefly, though regretted it when his mother and father had him brush hair and teeth. The little nap had him wanting to play more and he was bouncing on his parents bed as they got ready for bed.

“Erik, it’s bedtime.” Camille reminded, “Not playtime. We need to wind down.”

Erik whined at his mom’s words, opting to bounce only a little where he thought they wouldn’t hear him.

Gordon looked out the bathroom door at the bed with a firm look, toothbrush in his mouth, “Son.”

Erik sighed and laid down in defeat.

When Gordon returned to the bathroom he spat out his toothpaste and cleaned himself up, “He gets it from you.”

Camille looked at him in a fairly amused agape look, “I know you didn’t just say that.”

Knowing he had gotten under her skin, he dried his face and smirked, “It’s true.”

“No, no, I don’t think so. Last I checked you had him built as a mini Gresley tender engine, not a tank engine. He’s taking after you.” She teased back.

“Well, then he’ll be perfect.” Gordon smiled proudly.

Camille poked at him, “He already is.”

That’s when they heard the TV turn on, though the volume dropped very quickly.

Camille sighed and rolled her eyes, despite the smile on her face. But Gordon was already out the door.

“Frederick! No TV.” He said, earning sad eyes from the little engine, pouting with his full name being used.

“Bu… bu’ daddy…”

“It’s almost an hour past your bedtime, no buts young man.” Gordon turned the TV off and picked up the small engine, “It’s time for bed.”

The little boy went limp dramatically in his father’s arms and said father turned and looked at his wife, “He takes after me, huh?”

Camille giggled and walked up to the two. She brushed some of the hairs out of Erik’s face and kissed his forehead. Erik grinned and reached for his mom with delight. She held him close as she walked to his small bed and knelt down next to it.

“Goodnight my sweet boy.” She kissed the top of his head again, “Pleasant dreams.”

As she laid him in bed and tucked him in, Gordon pressed the knob on a sound machine nearby. It was a gift from Camille’s brothers, the same exact one she had gotten when she was a new engine. Although Gordon had originally teased her about it as she was an engine like him, already an adult with no childhood, the effects it had on their child to get him to sleep quicker was astounding. Now, Gordon never put Erik down without it, he didn’t care about the codependency some talked about as eventually Erik might have to sleep in a shed and noise was always plentiful.

He knelt down next to his son’s bed and softly kissed the boys head. Erik was already droopy eyed and getting cozy.

“Goodnight, my little one.” He said before turning out the bathroom lights that illuminated the room, save Camille’s bedside table lamp. For a while, he sat on the edge of his bed watching as the little one curled into a comfortable position and went to sleep. Camille sat next to him and curled into her spouse.

“You’re a great father, Gordon Gresley. Despite the hiccups.” She smiled.

“I’m just glad he’s safe.” He sighed in relief.

“We’ll talk to him.” Camille said, “Maybe get that kid leash thing.”

“Camille…” he said in a small reprimanding tone, though he still secretly thought it was a grand idea.

“Do you want to go through a day like today again?” She asked.

“….” Gordon sighed, “I’ll think about it.”

She sat up and kissed his cheek, “It’s about time we went to bed too.”

“Yes.” He yawned, “I believe you’re right.”

Both engines curled up in their bed, Gordon laid down facing Camille’s side as she turned off the light. She smiled, as she did almost every night, as he pulled her against him making her the little spoon. His arm wrapped around her, hand over her belly something that had become a habit after her pregnancy.

“Goodnight dear.” She yawned.

“Goodnight, my darling.”

Chapters: 17/? Fandom: Thomas the Tank Engine & Friends Rating: Mature Warnings: Graphic Depictions Of Violence Relationships: Gordon (Thomas the Tank Engine)/Original Character(s), Henry/Hiro, Flying Scotsman (Thomas the Tank Engine) & Original Character(s), Flying Scotsman & Gordon (Thomas the Tank Engine), Edward/James (Thomas the Tank Engine), City of Truro/Flying Scotsman (Thomas the Tank Engine), Thomas/Emily (Thomas the Tank Engine) Characters: Gordon (Thomas the Tank Engine), Edward (Thomas the Tank Engine), Camille - OC, James (Thomas the Tank Engine), Thomas (Thomas the Tank Engine), Percy (Thomas the Tank Engine), Henry (Thomas the Tank Engine), Flying Scotsman (Thomas the Tank Engine), Emily (Thomas the Tank Engine), Hiro (Thomas the Tank Engine), Midas - OC, Zephyr - OC, Bull - OC, Rocket - OC, Sir Bertram Topham Hatt, Diesel 10 (Thomas the Tank Engine), "Devious" Diesel (Thomas the Tank Engine), Paxton (Thomas the Tank Engine), Philip (Thomas the Tank Engine), Spencer (Thomas the Tank Engine) Additional Tags: no beta we die like men, Eventual Romance, Alternate Universe - Human, Engines can shift back and forth, Gordon is emotionally constipated, Sibling Rivalry, Sibling Bonding, Rating May Change, Transformation, Implied/Referenced Torture, Psychological Trauma, Major Illness, Near Death Experiences, Sexual Content, Trains getting married, gay trains, Hurt/Comfort Summary:

All her life Camille was treated as an equal to humans. She was raised as the daughter of an old man and his wife who couldn't have children of their own. But after they passed away, Camille was left with an empty hole in her heart and the sudden realization that not everyone around her saw her as an equal. With the threat of being scrapped near her doorstep, she is sent away to the Island of Sodor, a safe haven for engines. There she starts her life completely over with new friends, a new life, and a bright future. She quickly befriends the Steam Team, who all welcome her with open arms. Almost. There is this one engine she can't quite wrap her head around, but maybe she's not the only one struggling with the new situation. Something is just so... enticing about him.

Gordon x OC (Camille)

FINALLY, MY MASTERPIECE IS COMPLETED!

Pebble

Rated G for General Audiences

Summary: Pebble’s, the stuffed rhino that belongs to James, origin story.

“What are you going to do?”

“Me?! What do you mean?? You were involved too, Thomas!”

“Yeah, but I’m not the one who broke it.”

“I didn’t know it was going to break! James’ shouldn’t have asked me to help with his laundry if there was something like this in here.”

Thomas and Percy stood next to one another, both with a slightly worried look on his face, looking down at the washing machine and the piles of wet fluff that littered all over James’ clothes. Mixed in the clothes, and the producer of the fluff, was a very deflated rhino plush.

“M-maybe he won’t notice or care?” Percy asked frantically with worry, glancing at Thomas. “I didn’t even know he had a stuffed animal until he asked me to put his laundry in the wash.”

“Was she in the basket?” Thomas asked, not taking his eyes at the devastation of the stuffy.

“No…” Percy confessed, “But she was filthy, I mean even her red bow had faded, and she was next to his laundry so I figured she was just supposed to be in there.”

Thomas picked up a piece of the fluffy innards of the stuffed rhino and squeezed the excess water out of it. “I dunno, Percy. James doesn’t just keep random things and he freaks out when anyone touches his stuff.”

“We’ve got to hide her then!” Percy said, frantically picking up the fluff, holding out his shirt like a pouch and stuffing them in there, “We can fix this right?? Do you think Emily or Camille know how to sew?”

Thomas eyed him, “You know they’d slap you for that kind of remark.”

“I don’t mean it like that! I just don’t know any guys that do and I know Camille does cross stitch sometimes!” Percy shrieked, panic beginning to take over, “What if this was really special to James?? I’m a dead engine!”

Thomas couldn’t come up with a rebuttal for that and quickly helped sort of the fluff from the clothes and put James’ clothes in the dryer. It easily looked like half of the stuffed rhino had fallen out and she looked like a raggedy dog chew toy by the time they fished her and her red bow out.

“I’m so dead…” Percy whined.

“Not if we can fix her first.” Thomas smiled confidently, “It can’t be that hard to fix!”

At that moment, the laundry room door opened and both engines startled, Thomas hiding the rhino behind his back. Percy had no way to hide the shirt pouch he had created but pulled it close so the contents couldn’t be seen. Edward walked in and looked between the two of them with an odd expression.

“Is something the matter guys?”

Percy was basically shaking where he stood. Although James would have been the absolute worst person to see at that moment, Edward, being James’ significant other, was indubitably the next worst thing.

Thomas, however, didn’t seem to think so. He looked relieved, “Oh Edward! It’s you! Percy could really use your help!”

Percy squawked at his best friend’s sudden betrayal.

Edward still looked fairly confused, “In the laundry room? It’s not that hard and we’ve done this for years, Percy, I would’ve thought you figured out the laundry machines by now.”

Percy’s face fell flat, “I’m not so dumb as to not know how to work the laundry machine.”

Edward blinked and looked at the two, “Well, if that’s not it, can I get by? James forgot to do his laundry and I know he asked the two of you to help but-“ He stopped and began to worry himself, “You didn’t do something to James’ clothes did you?”

“What?! No! Are you crazy?!” Percy asked, still holding tight to his shirt, his slightly pudgy belly showing, “Who in their right mind would mess with James’ clothes??”

Edward sighed and placed his hands on his hips, “Then what is this all about? Why are you two so antsy?”

When Percy couldn’t quite find the words to speak, Thomas took the lead again much to Percy’s chagrin. Thomas simply revealed the deflated rhino and her ribbon that he had been hiding.

Edward paled a bit at the sight.

“You washed Pebble??”

“She has a name?” Thomas asked incredulously.

“Sh-sh-she was right by his laundry!” Percy tried to explain as Edward came close and held the floppy remains, “A-a-and she was dirty and I thought she was supposed to have been in the basket since a couple of other clothes hadn’t made it into the basket and I didn’t know she had a hole in her because I wouldn’t have put her in otherwise and I’ve got her fluff here-“ He showed Edward his makeshift kangaroo pouch, “and I’m gonna fix her I just have to call Camille or maybe Emily and I promise to stuff her back properly and everything please don’t tell James!”

Percy was panting from lack of oxygen after such a confession and watched as Edward held onto Pebble and opened up the now very large hole in her side.

“We’ll need to be quick.” Edward sighed, pulling the remaining fluff out and handing it to Percy, placing Pebbles in the dryer with the rest of James’ clothes, “James doesn’t go one night without Pebble nearby and he will notice, I guarantee it.”

Percy was nodding quickly as Edward spoke, hanging onto every word that the older engine said, looking for guidance. Thomas, however, couldn’t keep his cheek in check.

“What’s a grown and married engine like James doing with a kids stuffy?”

Edward smiled as he shut the lid and started the load of laundry, “It’s not too long of a story. I can tell it to pass the time.” He smiled at Percy and knew he would have to reassure the small engine down from a full panic attack, “We can get her fixed before James comes home. You’re lucky I’ve had to stitch her before. C’mon.” He led the way out of the laundry room, holding the door open, “Let’s get her fluff cleaned up.”

All three engines made their way up to James and Edward’s room. Edward grabbed a towel and hair blow dryer from their private bathroom. He asked Thomas to go grab a small bowl from the kitchen and laid the towel down. He then nodded at Percy, signaling him to drop all the fuzz.

“This is everything?” He asked.

Percy nodded, “Y-yup!”

Thomas returned with the bowl and handed it to Edward before sitting down on the floor and joining the other two engines. Edward gently squeezed the excess water from the fuzz and placed it down on the towel to dry.

“Pebble has been around for a while.” Edward said with a smile, “Though not even I knew about her until James’ started moving into my bedroom. He kept her a secret, I think, due to his pride.” He chuckled, “You all remember how much he used to look up to Gordon? I think that in part was why he hid her. He didn’t want Gordon thinking he was small, weak, and childish.”

Thomas rolled his eyes at the mention of the large tender engine, “Of course Gordon’s involved somehow. He sure knew how to be a bossy butt when we first all started working together.”

Edward chuckled again, “Well, I think Gordon’s own pride comes from his own familial issues, but we won’t get into that today.” He moved the bowl after squeezing the last bit of stuff n’ fluff and turned the hair blow dryer on low, starting to dry the fluff slowly.

“James got Pebble from one of his passengers shortly after we became a team of six. He doesn’t really remember when, but it was before Emily’s time.”

——

James had brought himself to a screeching and grinding halt at the station, barely keeping himself from overshooting the platform. He smirked brilliantly.

“Heeeeere’s James!!” He shouted to the other passengers at the platform and to Gordon who was trying to catch a few winks.

The larger engine startled, looking around, when he caught a glimpse of the red engine. He sneered, “Really, James? Must you do that every time you arrive at a station?”

James looked at him haughtily, “Do you have to say ‘express coming through’ every time you depart or arrive at a station?”

Gordon gritted his teeth and rolled his eyes, “I have a very important job, you know. Announcing my comings and goings keeps every keen and wary that a large, powerful, and fast engine is approaching and to make sure to get out of my way. We wouldn’t want any accidents.”

It was James’ turn to roll his eyes, “You’re not the only important engine on the island, Gordon. Not to mention, I’ve had to do your job a few times for you since you have a knack of getting into trouble with the boss.” James smirked.

Gordon wrinkled his nose and closed his eyes, “Hmph!” That was the end of that conversation.

“Yeah, yeah, yeah.” James said with a sigh, waiting impatiently for his passengers to load and unload.

His driver came up, not looking too thrilled, “James!”

James sighed irritably, “What?!”

The driver glared and pointed a finger at him, “You’ve got to stop doing your stops like this! You could injure yourself, or members of our team, or worse yet a passenger! What if someone was thrown from their seat or hit their head? It would’ve been your fault!”

James frowned, “They should know how to stay seated till I come to a complete stop. Not my fault if they’re bad at keeping seated or balancing.”

His driver looked ready to fight some more, but heard the whistle from the station master and looked to see the doors shut for the coaches.

“Listen to me, James. One day, your reckless driving is going to get this railway into a lot of trouble.”

James rolled his eyes, “Oh please. Me? Trouble? Ha!”

But of course, there would be trouble. As it so happened, not long after this little conversation James ended up in the Steamworks with terrible dents, scratches, and cuts alongside his face and paintwork. The cause? He was so busy trying to be splendid and fast that he nearly hit a stray cow that had found herself stuck on the rails. Her hoof was caught and seeing the engine barreling down the lines she panicked all the more. James did his best to brake and move onto a different set of tracks, but it was no use and he ended up derailed on his side. Worse yet, his passenger cars ended up coming with him. It was a very serious accident with several critical injuries. He thanked Lady above that not a single passenger was labeled a fatality.

He found himself unable to look Sir Topham Hatt in the eyes as he was scolded repeatedly and almost threatened to be removed from the rails indefinitely. The passengers and their families were suing the railway and it was all James’ fault. He couldn’t help the frightened tears that ran down his face or the constant apologies he spoke as a result of the accident. A VIP was ready to have him scrapped and the pressure was put on the Fat Controller that it was seen through. The railway leader refused to have such a monstrous action happen, taking a life was not going to fix injuries faster, and it was no quick and painless death for an engine to be scrapped. James was staying, however he was to be taken off the lines and then some. He wasn’t going to be pulling coaches anytime soon.

The others visited him when he could, Edward most of all. Years later, that moment would become one of the turning pivotal points in their relationship. James still was nervous despite everything.

He was feeling particularly upset with himself one day, sitting all alone in the steamworks, when his former driver approached him with his little girl. She was holding a stuffed animal close to her chest as they approached. He looked up at them nervously.

“James, this is my daughter Tilly and she has something she wants to give you.” The man nudged her forward, “Go on, Tilly dear.”

The little girl walked up to James’ buffer and showed him a stuffed rhino with a red ribbon around it’s neck, “This is Pebble! Whenever you’re scared or afraid you’re supposed to give her a big hug because rhino’s are tough and can make scarier things go away.” He blinked in surprise at her, “I.. I know you can’t hug her but you can have her. Daddy said you’re really sorry about what happened and that mean people were saying really mean things about you. But you’re my favorite engine, James, and you’ve gotta be tough.” She smiled up at him and placed the toy on his buffer, standing on her tiptoes to nudge it closer to his face, “Pebble will scare all those bullies away. Mummy even gave me a splendid red ribbon to tie on her. I hope you like it.”

James looked down at the stuffed animal and the little girl who smiled up at him, a few teeth missing in her grin, and he couldn’t help but smile back. Not one passenger had ever given him a gift before and here this little girl was just looking out for him.

He swallowed and smiled at her, “Thanks Tilly, I’ll take really good care of her.”

She pointed a finger at him in a feisty manner, “You better! She’s the best stuffie in the world and she should go to the best engine in the world!”

He smiled brightly for the first time in a long time that day. James thoroughly apologized, again, to Sir Topham Hatt and the others and after a while was back on the rails. He had his driver hide Pebble in his cab and on days when he was alone or feeling particularly down he had the man pull her out from the cab and put her on his buffer to have close. When the day did come that the engines were able to shift one of the first things James did, once he had gotten used to his legs, was hold Pebble close, besides hold his beloved Edward.

——

“And that’s the story.” Edward said as he finished drying all her fluff, “At least we can get her repaired. She is pretty old.”

“No wonder James is so protective of this toy. I would be too.” Thomas said.

“And I ruined her…” Percy said feeling down, out, and defeated.

Edward chuckled, “No, you didn’t ruin her Percy and it’s not the first time Pebble has found herself de-fluffed in a washer.” He winked, “If you keep my secret, I’ll keep yours.”

Percy and Thomas chuckled, though Percy found himself really relieved, “Thanks Edward. Your secret is safe with us.”

Edward smiled, “Now, let’s go grab her from the dryer and get her all sewn up. We’ve still got some time before my husband gets home.”

Percy grinned, “You sure like to call him that, don’t you, Edward?”

Edward looked kindly at the small engine, “More than you can ever know.”

OK I haven’t done any venting about the upcoming wedding chapter but GUYS, I HAD A BREAKTHROUGH! I could NOT for the life of me get a groove for James’ walk up the aisle nor the pep talk the others were giving him but the music was such a key part of that! I have been a very musical oriented person all my life from choir to band to piano to church choir and musical auditions (though I never made it far or big) and because James’ song wasn’t really clicking it was making it really hard to write and everything felt so… blah! I almost postponed everything because I was feeling the heat on this chapter! BUT TONIGHT I found the SONG!! And OHMYGOSH, my heart filled with all sorts of emotion when it was played (both the wedding version and the actual song itself *no spoilers*) and we are in it to win it baby!!! I am SO EXCITED now!!!

Chapter 19: Forever and Ever is here!!!

Hey everyone! Just wanted to let y’all know I’m taking a little breather for The Yellow Rose. I’ve been writing between 20-30 pages per chapter and we’re about to reach a lot of dramatic points so I’m taking a breather this week. I know I’m usually good for each Monday but I’m real tired and I ended up with the 24 hr flu and so yeah.

But that being said, asks are still totally welcome and I will be trying my hand at the traintober writing prompts. Also, I’m still working on Henry as Venusaur! I’m excited to keep working on things! Just needing a breather! 😁