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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The dim light of dawn seeped through the curtains, casting a soft glow across the small, tidy room that Thomas Barrow and his daughter Ellie shared. The past night had been a tumultuous one, leaving both father and daughter exhausted and battered in more ways than one.
Thomas shifted gingerly in bed, his body aching as he turned onto his side. Every movement seemed to send jolts of pain through his ribs. He winced as he recalled the events that had transpired just hours ago. A thief, brazen enough to infiltrate Downton, had attempted to make off with the silverware.
As Thomas slowly opened his eyes, he gazed down at his daughter nestled beside him. Ellie lay in peaceful slumber, her tousled raven hair fanning out on the pillow. Her tiny frame was curled against his side, her arms wrapped around his middle. Even in her sleep, she clung to him, seeking comfort and security.
Thomas sighed softly, his fingers lingering on her cheek before he shifted his gaze to the room around them. The morning light painted everything in a gentle glow, casting a serene ambiance over the space they shared. It was a modest room, but it was theirs, a sanctuary where they faced life's challenges together.
As he looked back at Ellie, memories of the previous night flooded his mind. He recalled her brave attempt to protect him, her small hands gripping the intruder's arm as she had shouted for him to stop hurting her father. The image of her face contorted in both fear and determination tugged at his heartstrings. She had been his little guardian, defending him with all her might.
A soft sigh escaped his lips as he carefully shifted Ellie's weight, allowing her to rest more comfortably against him. He pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead, his heart swelling with love for this extraordinary girl who had brought so much light into his life.
Carefully, Thomas brushed a strand of dark hair away from Ellie's forehead. She stirred slightly, her brows knitting together in a slight frown. He reached out a gentle hand to stroke her cheek, his touch light and tender. The events of the previous night had taken a toll on them both, but his daughter's resilience never ceased to amaze him.
The scar that ran along the lower part of Ellie's cheek that ran the length of her jaw caught his attention, a pinkish reminder of a past trauma. Thomas's jaw tightened as he remembered the fire that had scarred her when she was just a helpless two-week-old baby. It had been a deliberate act of malice, orchestrated by the vindictive Miss O'Brien, who had since been imprisoned for her crimes. Thomas's lips pressed into a thin line as he contemplated the darkness that had touched their lives, threatening the safety and happiness he so fiercely guarded for Ellie.
As the morning light continued to brighten, Ellie's eyelids fluttered open, revealing a pair of deep, trusting pale green eyes. A sleepy smile curved her lips as she looked up at her father, her fingers curling against his side.
"M - morning, Daddy," she mumbled, her voice soft and filled with warmth.
"Morning, darling," Thomas replied, his own voice a mix of weariness and affection. "How are you feeling?"
