Before long Thomas wondered if she might be hungry.
"Are you hungry? Would you like some breakfast?"
Ellie shook her head. "Can I just h - have a glass of milk, daddy?" she asked in her soft, melodic voice.
Thomas nodded, understanding his daughter's preferences. "Of course, sweetheart. I'll get it for you."
With a gentle movement, he carefully extracted himself from Ellie's bed and made his way out of the room. In the kitchen, he retrieved a glass and poured a generous amount of milk, knowing how much Ellie enjoyed it.
Returning to her bedside, Thomas set the glass down on the table and helped Ellie sit up in bed. His hands were steady and supportive, aiding her unsteady balance. As he settled down beside her, he handed her the glass of milk, his gaze filled with paternal affection.
"Here you go love," Thomas said, his voice laced with tenderness.
Ellie's tiny hands grasped the glass, her determination evident as she brought it to her lips. She sipped the milk slowly, her eyes never leaving her father's face.
"Thank y - you, daddy," she murmured, her voice filled with gratitude.
Thomas smiled, his heart overflowing with love for his daughter. "You're welcome, my darling."
~
Ellie's big, pale green eyes blinked sleepily as she looked up at her father, her face illuminated by a warm smile. With a little effort, she managed to convey her request, her words laced with innocence and curiosity. "Daddy, can I h - have a baby sister?"
Thomas felt a rush of emotions flood through him. The question took him by surprise, catching him off guard in the early morning light. He paused for a moment, gathering his thoughts before responding. "I'm... not sure, sweetheart," he replied, his voice gentle and contemplative. "But maybe, just maybe, one day."
He knew that Ellie's innocence and curiosity often led her to ask questions that were not easy to answer, especially when it came to matters of family and biology. But he also believed in being honest with her, in a way that she would understand.
"Well, Ellie," he began, his voice gentle and reassuring, "you came from my belly, and I don't know if I will be able to have another baby. But sometimes, miracles happen, and wishes come true. So, while I can't promise you a baby sister, I can tell you that there is a chance it could still happen."
Ellie listened intently, her big pale green eyes fixed on her father's face. She seemed to absorb his words, processing them in her own way. Thomas could see the hope shining in her eyes, and it filled his heart with both joy and trepidation. He wanted to protect her from disappointment, but he also didn't want to stifle her dreams.
As he spoke those words, Thomas's mind drifted back to the past before Ellie was born. He remembered the challenges he had faced as a gay man living in an era where acceptance was and still is scarce. He remembered the pain and loneliness, but also the resilience that had carried him through. And he remembered the day when he made the decision to become a father shortly finding out he was pregnant, defying societal norms and embracing the love he had to offer despite how Ellie came to be he wouldn't change a thing, she means the world to him.
Now, as Ellie climbed onto his lap, her small body finding comfort in his embrace, Thomas's heart swelled with a mixture of love and hope. He envisioned a future where his daughter would thrive, where her dreams would know no bounds, and where she would find companionship and happiness.
Ellie spoke softly, her voice filled with innocence and wonder, "I w - would like that. A baby sister so we can p - play together."
Tears welled up in Thomas's eyes as he looked down at his daughter, a surge of love and gratitude coursing through his veins. He pressed a tender kiss to her forehead, his voice filled with a quiet determination. "We'll see what the future holds, my darling. But no matter what, we have each other, and that's the most important thing in the world."
Ellie pondered his words for a moment, her eyes flickering with understanding. She had always been a perceptive child, despite her physical limitations. "Okay, Daddy," she said, her voice laced with hope. "I'll w - wait."
Thomas couldn't help but be moved by Ellie's trust in him. The responsibility of being a single parent was immense, and sometimes he questioned his ability to provide everything his daughter needed. But in that moment, he realised that love and devotion were the most important gifts he could give her.
And as the sun continued its ascent, casting a warm glow over the cottage, Thomas held Ellie close, cherishing the precious bond they shared. Together, they would navigate the journey ahead, facing whatever challenges and joys awaited them, hand in hand, their love as unshakeable as the ocean tides that crashed against the nearby shore.
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His Two Miracles | Thomas Barrow
FanfictionThis 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...