Downton Abbey - The Story of Emma Barrow

See You Again (April 1917)

Sitting on the floor, Emma played with her wooden figures. Every now and then, the hall boys and housemaids complained that she sat in the way, but that didn't stop the young girl from continuing to play. It was Anna who immediately recognized the soldier, "Emma, look who's here," she spoke gently. Emma looked up, her eyes scanning the room. Two housemaids sat at the table, doing their needlework. Beside them sat Anna, and behind her stood Daisy. On the other side stood Mrs. O'Brien and a man in a soldier's uniform, who revealed a warm and heartfelt smile.

Emma stared at him with her mouth half open, before a huge grin formed on the face of the 5-year-old. "Daddy!" she exclaimed excitedly. She immediately jumped up from the floor and ran straight into the waiting arms of her father, who crouched down to her level. "There's my little dwarf," he smiled and wrapped his arms tightly around her. Emma's tender arms wrapped around his neck as she pressed her face firmly against his chest, "Daddy, I missed you so much," the little girl confessed.

"I missed you too!" he replied, planting a kiss on her cheek. It had been two and a half years since he last held his daughter in his arms. Three birthdays he had missed. And if it hadn't been for Mrs. Hughes, his daughter might not even recognize him anymore. But the housekeeper made sure to show Emma a picture of Thomas and read his letters to her before bedtime.

"I missed you more," Emma stubbornly declared, "And I love you very much, Daddy!"

Thomas felt like bursting into tears, but certainly not in front of all his former colleagues. But that one phrase, "I love you," he hadn't heard it in what felt like an eternity. And suddenly, that very phrase was said to him, and he couldn't bring himself to return his child's affection. Instead, he pressed another kiss on Emma's cheek before resting their foreheads together. At least the others couldn't see his overwhelming emotions. Emma's small hands touched his cheeks. Perhaps the child was just as overwhelmed as he was. Emma pressed her head against his chest once again. Despite not seeing each other for so long, she instantly felt safe in his arms.

"You've grown up," Thomas remarked gently, "How old are you now? Three? Four?"

"No, Daddy," she giggled, "I'm five years old!" and she showed him all five fingers.

"Five?!" Thomas marveled, "Then you're a big girl!"

"Yes! I'll be going to school next year!" she explained proudly. As neither Thomas nor Emma wanted to break free from their new familiar embrace, he lifted the child in his arms and positioned her comfortably at his hip. After all, he had to show what a great father he was. Lady Grantham had made some connections for him so he wouldn't have to return to the front. One of those connections was that he was a single father who hadn't seen his child in a long time, which made a position - especially due to his injury - at the Downton hospital more fitting.

"What's wrong, my little dwarf? Why are you so sad all of a sudden?"

"I don't want you to leave," she sniffled, burying her face deeper into Thomas's shoulder, "Please Daddy don't ever leave me again!"

"That's good because I'm staying in Downton."

"Really, you're staying?" she asked hesitantly.

"I'm staying," he confirmed with a nod, though his child wasn't convinced by his words. With his finger, he gently booped her nose, "You can believe me. I won't leave you again!" Thomas was satisfied with her more or less approving nod and shifted his gaze to the circle of housemaids and kitchen maids.

"Where is William?"

"He's in training for the army," Daisy explained.

"I thought he died out of love for you," Thomas chuckled.