This is the story of Thomas Barrow.
Thomas Barrow has been working as the first footman at Downton Abbey for years. He's always been careful to keep his personal life hidden from the prying eyes of the other staff members and the Crawley family. Bu...
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Later that night after a busy day, Thomas finished changing Ellie into her nightclothes, she fussed and wriggled in his arms, clearly not enjoying being exposed to the cooler air. He quickly pulled the nightdress over her head and began to wrap her up in a blanket.
"There, there, little one," he cooed softly. "You're all warm and cozy now."
Ellie continued to fuss, and Thomas realized that she might need some extra comfort. He carefully placed her against his chest, her head nestled underneath his chin.
"There we go," he whispered. "That's better, isn't it?"
Ellie let out a contented sigh and snuggled closer to her father. Thomas smiled down at her, marvelling at how tiny and delicate she was.
"You're getting so big, Ellie," he said. "It feels like only yesterday that you were born."
Ellie cooed in response, and Thomas chuckled softly.
"You're quite the chatterbox, aren't you?" he said. "What do you have to say for yourself, hmm?"
Ellie responded with a series of gurgles and squeaks, and Thomas couldn't help but laugh.
"I wish I knew what you were saying," he said. Thomas couldn't help but smile at her adorable noises. "What are you trying to tell me, little one?" he whispered, his voice filled with tenderness.
Ellie seemed to agree, and she continued to make all sorts of noises as Thomas settled into bed. He held her close, feeling her small body rise and fall with each breath.
"You're my little angel, Ellie," he said. "I'll always be here for you, no matter what."
Ellie seemed to understand, and she snuggled even closer to her father. Thomas closed his eyes, listening to the sound of her breathing and feeling her warmth against his skin.
It was moments like these that made all the hard work and long hours at Downton Abbey worth it. Despite the challenges of being a single father, Thomas knew that he was lucky to have Ellie in his life.
As he looked down at her, he couldn't help but marvel at how much she had grown and changed in just four short months. Her features were becoming more defined, and he could see that she was starting to look more like him. Her pale green eyes and dark hair were unmistakably his.
"You're looking more and more like me every day, you know that?" he continued, looking down at Ellie's face. "Those green eyes of yours are just like mine, and that dark hair – definitely a Barrow trait."
As he spoke, Thomas felt a sense of awe and wonder at the fact that he was a father. It was a role he had never expected to play, but now that Ellie was here, he couldn't imagine his life without her.
"Ellie, my sweet girl," he whispered, pressing a gentle kiss to her forehead. "I promise to always be here for you, no matter what. You're the best thing that's ever happened to me."
With that, Thomas settled down in his bed, Ellie still cradled against his chest. He couldn't help but feel grateful for the gift of his daughter, and for the chance to be a father – even if it wasn't in the way he had expected.
"You're getting bigger every day," he remarked, as he stroked her cheek with a gentle finger. "Hopefully one day you'll be able to walk and you'll be causing mischief around the halls of Downton like a little whirlwind."
Ellie responded with a gurgle of delight, and Thomas chuckled softly.
"You always know how to make me smile," he said, as he settled back onto his bed with Ellie snuggled against him. "my little Ellie."
As they lay together in the quiet of the night, Thomas felt a sense of peace wash over him. No matter what challenges he faced as a single father, he knew that he could always count on Ellie to be his light in the darkness.
"Sweet dreams, my darling," he whispered, as he placed a soft kiss on the top of her head. "I love you more than words can say."
All the worries and stresses of the day melted away, replaced by a deep sense of love and contentment.
"You know, Ellie," he said softly, "I never knew how much I needed you until you came into my life. But now, I can't imagine ever being without you."
Pressing another gentle kiss to her forehead, savoured the soft warmth of her skin.
