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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A few days later Thomas had decided to spend the morning in the grounds, in the gardens with Ellie, As he set up the picnic provided by Mrs Patmore, he noticed a patch of wildflowers nearby. Inspired by the beauty of nature, Thomas carefully picked a few of the prettiest blooms and fashioned them into a flower crown for Ellie. As he placed it on her tiny head, he marveled at how beautiful she looked in her white dress and cream cardigan.
"Look at you, pretty girl," Thomas said, a broad smile spreading across his face. "You're beautiful."
Ellie giggled and cooed in response, her big pale green eyes sparkling in the sunlight. Thomas couldn't help but feel overwhelmed with love for his daughter.
As they sat together, enjoying the warmth of the sun and the beauty of the gardens, Thomas couldn't help but reflect on his life at Downton Abbey. It had been a long and challenging journey, but he had finally found a sense of belonging and purpose within the household. And now, with Ellie in his life, he felt more complete than ever before.
Ellie reached up and grabbed onto his finger, her tiny hand wrapping around his. He felt a surge of warmth in his chest, and he knew that he would do anything to protect and care for his daughter.
He soon had an Idea and wanted to give Ellie something new to try. He looked at the oranges he had brought with him and wondered if she would like them. Thomas remembered that he had a craving for oranges when he was pregnant with Ellie, and he wondered if she might have inherited his love for them.
"Ellie, would you like to try some orange?" Thomas asked, holding a small slice of the fruit in front of her.
Ellie gurgled and kicked her legs excitedly as if she understood what he was saying.
Ellie looked at the orange slice curiously, then reached out to grab it. As she put the slice in her mouth, she made a face, scrunching up her nose.
Her expression soon turned into one of surprise, but then she started to chew on the piece of fruit. Her eyes lit up with delight and she let out a little giggle. Thomas felt his heart swell with love and pride at the sight.
"You like it, don't you?" he said, grinning from ear to ear.
Ellie cooed in response, as if to say, "Yes, Dad, I do!" Thomas couldn't help but smile.
~
As he walked back into the servants' kitchen, he cradled her gently in his arms and whispered soothing words to her as she was starting to become a little agitated and was clearly tired.
"Shh, shh it's alright sweetheart," he said softly. "Let's get you settled for a nap, shall we?"
As he sat down in his rocking chair with Ellie in his lap, he offered her the bottle. She eagerly accepted it, and Thomas watched as she began to suckle on the nipple, her little eyes growing heavy with sleep.
Thomas gently rocked the chair back and forth, his heart full of love for his daughter. As she continued to drink the milk, he couldn't resist pressing gentle kisses to her head, feeling a sense of overwhelming joy and contentment.
"Look at you, my darling," he murmured. "You're growing so fast. It seems like only yesterday you were just a tiny thing in my arms."
Ellie stirred slightly, and Thomas held his breath, waiting to see if she would wake up. But she settled back down again, her breathing slow and even.
Thomas sighed contentedly and continued to rock her, reveling in the feeling of the weight of her little body against his chest.
"I love you so much, Ellie," he whispered.
He had always been a bit of a solitary figure, keeping his emotions hidden from those around him. But with Ellie from the second she entered the world, everything was different. He felt like he had a purpose in life, something to care for and protect, she had brought out the best in him and that was clear for everyone to see.
