His Two Miracles | Thomas Barrow

Chapter 19

Thomas stood in the hallway of Downton Abbey, clutching his two-week-old daughter Ellie against his chest. The heat of the fire still lingered on his skin, but he didn't care. All he could focus on was his baby girl, who was whimpering and coughing in his arms.

Lord and Lady Grantham rushed over to Thomas, their faces etched with concern. "Is she alright?" Lady Grantham asked, reaching out to touch Ellie's tiny hand.

Thomas nodded, but his voice was strained with emotion. "She's breathing, but she's in distress. We need to get her checked out by Doctor Clarkson."

Lord Grantham's face darkened. "And we need to get Miss O'Brien arrested. This was no accident. She started this fire on purpose."

Thomas nodded, his grip on Ellie tightening. "I know it was her. I saw her."

Lord Grantham turned to Mr Carson, who had just appeared at the end of the hallway. "Mr Carson, send for the police. We need to have Miss O'Brien arrested for arson."

"Yes, my lord," Mr Carson said, scurrying off to do his master's bidding.

Lady Grantham spoke up, "Let's get her to Dr Clarkson right away. We need to make sure she's alright."

Thomas nodded, his eyes never leaving his daughter's tiny face.

As they made their way to the drawing room, where Dr Clarkson was waiting, Thomas couldn't help but feel a surge of anger towards Miss O'Brien. How could she do something so cruel? He had always known she was capable of terrible things, but he never thought she would go this far.

"I hope they throw the book at her," he muttered to himself, as they entered the drawing room.

Dr Clarkson was already waiting for them, his face grave as he took Ellie from Thomas's arms. "Let's have a look at her, shall we?"

"She seems to be alright," he said at last. "But she has sustained a large burn that covers the right side of her face, more so her lower cheek and upper neck ."

Thomas felt his heart break at the news. His precious daughter, only two weeks old, already scarred for life.

"Oh no," he whispered. "Not my Ellie. Not my sweet little girl."

Lady Grantham put a hand on his shoulder, trying to offer some comfort.

"We'll do everything we can for her, Thomas," she said. "We'll make sure she gets the best medical care available."

Thomas nodded, but he couldn't shake the feeling of despair that had settled in his heart. Ellie would never be the same again, and it was all because of Miss O'Brien's actions.

"You're safe now, Ellie," he murmured. "Daddy's here. Daddy will always keep you safe."

Lord Grantham appeared in the doorway, his face grim. "The police are on their way. They'll be here shortly to take Miss O'Brien into custody."

Thomas nodded, his jaw clenched. He didn't know what he would say to her when he saw her. How could she do something so terrible, to a newborn baby no less?

Thomas held Ellie close to his chest, his heart beating in time with hers. He knew that they had a long road ahead of them, one that would be filled with fear and uncertainty, but he also knew that they had each other. And that, he knew, was all that mattered.

~

Later that night, as Thomas lay in his bed with his daughter sleeping beside him, he listened to her wheezy breathing and felt a deep sense of helplessness wash over him. He knew that there was little he could do to ease her pain, but he was determined to do everything in his power to make her comfortable.

However the burn on his daughter's face was a constant reminder of the fire that had almost taken her life. Thomas couldn't bear the thought of losing her, and the guilt he felt for not being able to protect her was overwhelming.

"I'm sorry," he whispered, his tears falling onto the baby's soft blanket. "I'm so sorry."

Thomas held his daughter close, her head resting against his chest as he rocked her gently back and forth. He could feel her tiny body shaking with each breath, and it broke his heart to see her in such pain. He thought back to the day she was born, how he had held her in his arms and felt a love that he never knew existed. Now, only two weeks later, he was faced with the reality that his daughter was hurt.