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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By the morning Thomas lay in the hospital bed, his eyes slowly adjusting to the dimly lit room. He groaned as he shifted his weight, feeling the dull ache in where the IV was attached. As he glanced down, he saw his daughter Ellie curled up on his chest, fast asleep. He smiled softly, knowing that she was safe and close to him.
Just then, the door creaked open and Doctor Clarkson entered the room. "Good morning, Mr. Barrow. How are you feeling today?" he asked, pulling a chair over to the bedside.
Thomas rubbed his eyes, feeling the grogginess of the medication still lingering in his system. "I'm feeling better, thank you," he replied.
Doctor Clarkson nodded, pulling out his stethoscope and beginning to listen to Thomas's breathing. As he worked, Thomas couldn't help but feel grateful for the doctor's care and expertise. He knew that he wouldn't be alive without the timely intervention of the hospital staff.
As Doctor Clarkson finished his examination, he turned to see Ellie still sleeping soundly on her father's chest. He couldn't help but smile at the sight. "How is Ellie doing?" he asked.
Thomas looked down at his daughter, brushing her hair away from her forehead. "She's doing well, all things considered," he said.
With Thomas's check up complete Doctor Clarkson left the room to leave it in quiet once again. As Thomas was lost in thought, he heard a small sound coming from the other side of the room. He turned his head and saw Ellie waking up. Her eyes fluttered open, and she stretched her arms above her head, letting out a small yawn.
Thomas couldn't help but smile at the sight of his daughter. He reached over and gently stroked her hair, pressing a kiss atop her head. "Good morning, my darling," he whispered.
Ellie turned her head and looked up at him, a smile spreading across her face. "H - hi Daddy!" she exclaimed, moving to sit up and hug him.
Thomas wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close. He could feel her small body snuggled up against his chest, and he was overcome with emotion. He had never felt so much love for anyone as he did for his daughter.
As he stroked her cheek with the back of his index finger, Ellie gazed up at him with her big, pale green eyes, and Thomas felt his heart swell with love.
Ellie reached out a hand to touch his face, and Thomas took it in his own. He felt her tiny fingers curl around his.
As he looked at his daughter, he knew that he had been blessed with something truly special. Ellie was a reminder that love could conquer all, even in the darkest of times. And with her by his side, he knew that he could face anything that life threw his way.
~
She was the most precious thing in his life, and he was grateful for every moment he spent with her. As he sat her in his lap with her back to his chest, he picked up a book from his bedside table and had an idea of something they could do together. "Ellie, would you like to learn to read?" he asked her.
Ellie's eyes widened with excitement. "R - read?" she asked, looking up at her father.
"Yes, darling," Thomas replied, smiling. "I'll help you."
He opened the book and began to sound out the words, pointing to each letter as he spoke. Ellie watched him intently, her small fingers tracing the letters on the page.
"Good job, Ellie," Thomas said, as she sounded out the first word on her own.
But as they continued, Ellie grew frustrated with herself, stumbling over the words and struggling to make sense of the letters on the page. Tears welled up in her eyes, and she looked up at Thomas with a pained expression.
"I can't do it, D - daddy," she said, her voice trembling.
Thomas felt a pang of sadness at her words, but he didn't let it show on his face. Instead, he pulled her closer to him, wrapping his arms around her and holding her tight.
"It's okay, sweetheart," he said softly. "Learning to read is hard, but you can do it. I believe in you."
He kissed the top of her head and felt her snuggle closer to him, her small body warm and trusting in his arms.
They continued to work on the book together, Thomas patiently guiding Ellie through the words and encouraging her when she stumbled.
As they continued to read, Thomas couldn't help but think about how lucky he was to have his daughter in his life. She had brought so much joy and meaning to his world, and he knew that he would do anything to protect her and help her thrive.
In that moment, as he sat in his hospital bed, teaching his daughter to read, Thomas felt a deep sense of gratitude and contentment. He knew that whatever the future held, he and Ellie would face it together, with love and determination.
