Rain Will Make The Flowers Grow

Rain Will Make the Flowers Grow

Summary: Henry and Hiro have a nice picnic, it’s too bad that it had to rain.

Rated G

Henry let a sad sigh escape his lips.  He watched the rain drizzle down ruining the beauty of the day.  Everything quickly became wet and dreary.  He had pulled the blanket and picnic basket into the gazebo where he now stood trapped, Hiro next to him.

“I hate the rain.” He mumbled.

Hiro chuckled lightly and squeezed Henry’s shoulder, pulling him closer, “It’s only a little water, my love, and it won’t last forever.”

“But we’ve planned this for days now!  The weather forecast said it wasn’t going to rain and I worked hard to make sure everything was perfect.” Henry said, growing frustrated.

Hiro gently stroked at a stray curl on Henry’s forehead, his knuckle gently touching him, their signal that Hiro was going to kiss him there, and Hiro placed his lips on his forehead gently.  Henry blushed but still pouted at the rain.  Hiro smiled against his lover's forehead, “We can still have the picnic here in the gazebo.  It’s beautiful here all the same, they planted lovely flowers all around.  Our afternoon date can still be successful.”

Henry looked down at the brown basket in his hand and the blanket that had fallen to the ground.  He smiled as Hiro nuzzled closer to him, another kiss gracing his forehead, “You’re right.  We can still eat and it would be a shame to waste the food.”

“That’s my flower.”  Hiro said, looking into Henry’s eyes with a soft smile.  He picked up the blanket, “Let me lay this down and then we can eat.”

Henry watched as Hiro flipped the blanket, letting it fall gracefully down, and then straightened out the edges.  Henry placed the picnic basket in the middle and started setting out the plates and food.

Despite the rain, the picnic was enjoyable.  Henry did his best to tune everything out, but when the rain got heavier he began to panic.  Hiro gently pulled him against his body and stroked his hair, something that Henry enjoyed despite his mysophobia.

“You know, I saw Camille and some of the others dancing in the rain a few days ago.”  Hiro said, “They looked like they were having fun.”

“I don’t know how they do it.  It’s scary.”  Henry said, eyeing the downpour.

“Thomas told me that he was able to get you out in the rain one time.  He reminded you that it’s just like the water in your boiler.”  Hiro recalled with a smile, “I was very impressed.  That was very brave of you, my flower.”

Henry blushed, “Th-that was just one time and it was to get a job done.  Not for fun.”

“Hmm.”  Hiro said thoughtfully, “The plants sure enjoy the rain though.  They become more vibrant, I think, when it does.”

“Well, they’re thirsty and it’s great when everyone gets a drink.”  Henry said with a smile, “Every leaf on every tree, every flower, every blade of grass gets a drink and it makes them grow so much.  It makes them happy.”

“Does it make you happy when they’re happy like this?”  Hiro asked.

“Of course!  I love it when the plants are taken care of, whether by myself or nature.”  Henry beamed, “I bet my garden is loving this right about now.”

“One less thing off your mind, dear?”  Hiro smiled, kissing the top of Henry’s head.

Henry leaned into him and chuckled, “Yeah.  I’ll have more time for you today.”

“So, the rain isn’t so bad.”  Hiro stated.

“No, I guess it’s not.”  Henry said looking out at the rain, “The plants are happy, so I’m happy, and we will get more time together today.”

“Hmm.”  Hiro hummed thoughtfully, looking a bit troubled.

Henry glanced up, “What is it, Hiro?  Is something the matter?”

“Well, there is one plant that I’m a bit concerned about.”  Hiro said.

“In my garden?  No, you shouldn’t be.  I’ve made sure each flower and plant is properly taken care of, planted in the right spot, placed in the right soil and right pot, down to the very details.”  Henry said a bit proudly.

Hiro stood, taking Henry’s gloved hand and helping him to his feet, “No, not in your garden, but in my own.”

Henry looked at him with a gasp, “You never told me you started a garden!  Hiro!  I would’ve helped you!”

Hiro chuckled, “It’s not much of a garden, I will say.  I have only one flower that I’m trying to take care of.”

“What species?  Did it not come with instructions?  It drives me insane when I find out that some of these stores sell the plants without a name or any inclination on how to take care of them.”

Henry was so preoccupied by his thoughts of nurturing a possibly dying plant that he hadn’t realized that Hiro had led him to the edge of the gazebo until Hiro reached his hand out to touch the falling rain.

Henry looked out nervously, “Hiro?  What are you-?  What are we doing?”

Hiro simply smiled at Henry, letting the rain gently fall on and in between his fingers, “You say, as a gardener, that when your plants are well taken care of, that you are happy, Henry.  I’ve seen you do so many things for your vegetation even when said that the plant may not necessarily be too happy with the decisions you had to make for them.”  He turned and looked at his lover with a soft smile, “I think sometimes, my love, that you forget how compassionate and brave you truly are.”

Henry looked at Hiro and then out at the rain, “I’m not that brave.  I…”

“I will not force you, Henry, but I won’t deny the tad bit of jealousy I felt when I heard that you even laughed in the rain when he took you out.”  Hiro smiled, taking a step out into the rain, leaving the hand that held Henry’s hand inside the gazebo nice and dry.

Henry looked both scared and surprised at his partner’s bold move.  His heart began to race at the thought of stepping out into the rain.  Anxiety and embarrassed thoughts clouded his mind.  He pulled his gloved hand out of Hiro’s, bringing it to his arm and looking down ashamed.

“Once an engine attached to a train was afraid of a few drops of rain…” He repeated, just as he had heard many others in the past.

Hiro left his hand stretched out, a genuine and compassionate smile on his face, “I’m not asking for an engine to come out into the rain.”  Henry looked up at him, a few embarrassed tears threatening to spill out.  Hiro’s smile never faltered, “I’m asking my flower if he’ll let me take care of him.  I’d like to give him water and see him glow, if he’ll only let me.”

Henry’s heart fluttered and felt like it was going to burst at the analogy.  His mind raced at what Hiro had said.  Hiro almost always called Henry his flower.  Flowers need water and sunshine to grow.  Water is like rain.  Rain is like the water in his boiler.  A little rain helps the flowers grow.

Hesitantly, but trying to be more confident, Henry took Hiro’s hand again.  Hiro very slowly and at Henry’s pace brought him out into the rain.  It was no longer raining hard, but it was still coming down.  Henry gasped when the cold droplets hit his gloved hand and then touched his arm.  He whimpered a bit and flinched, but Hiro kept him steady.  Slowly but surely Henry made it out into the rain.

Hiro took both his hands in his and smiled, flicking his wet hair out of his face, and gently removing Henry’s bangs from his eyes.  He smiled down at the smaller engine, pressing his forehead against his.

“Well done, my brave flower.”

Henry leaned against Hiro, Hiro pulling him to a hug, and he began to giggle.

“It’s… It’s not so bad.”  He snuggled against Hiro’s wet frame.

“And look at you.”  Hiro said, beginning to sway with him, “You’re absolutely vibrant, Henry.”

Henry beamed, blushing into Hiro’s chest.  At that moment, they heard two familiar whistles.  Looking up they saw Emily and Camille passing by, both grinning at them.

“Well done, Henry!”  Emily called, “You’re so brave!”

“Look at you go!  You’re awesome!”  Camille shouted, whistling again.

Henry blushed all the more but laughed and waved at his friends.  Hiro as well.  Once the two engines had passed, Hiro twirled Henry in a spin and swayed with him some more.

“I’m so proud of you, flower.”  He said, kissing his head again, “You’re far braver than that engine in your story.  I don’t think you need to pay him any mind at all.”

Henry snuggled into Hiro bashfully, “I… I want to do one more brave thing tonight.  If that’s OK.”

“It’s always OK, flower.”  Hiro pulled back looking down at him.

Henry swallowed and leaned up, kissing Hiro on the lips.  Normally, with all of Henry’s anxieties they have to take their time with intimacies.  However, with their time at the gazebo tonight Henry seemed to have a bit of a brave streak and he figured he better take his chance while he had it.  Hiro was indeed surprised but kissed him back ever so softly, their lips locked for a few seconds.

Henry pulled back with a gasp, cheeks absolutely pink, “I… I wanted to do that before… well, you know.”

Hiro smiled at his beloved, “You are amazing, Henry.  I am so glad to have you by my side.”  He cupped the green engine’s face in his hand, “You have grown so much.  I’m glad I have been able to be here to watch that growth.”

Henry curled into his hand, “I’m glad too, Hiro.  I’m glad you decided to stay on Sodor.”

“For my flower, of course.  I couldn’t leave you.”  Hiro smiled a bit mischievously and then picked up the big engine bridal style, earning a yelp that dissolved into giggles as Henry wrapped his arms around Hiro’s neck.

 “Hiro!”

Hiro only chuckled as he took Henry back into the gazebo.  The two spent the rest of the afternoon there until the rain passed, warming up using their heating ability and snuggling next to each other, finishing the food Henry prepared.  Hiro kept his arm wrapped around Henry the rest of the night, proud of the steps that Henry took with him that day and Henry snuggled close, never having imagined he’d do something he considered so terrifying and stressful as swaying in the rain.  The smiles on their faces never faltered once.

FanFiction.net is not gone.

Right now it’s a victim of DNS (Domain Name Service) spoofing. This means that a malicious party is trying to steal traffic from FFn by purchasing a very similar domain.

So if you want to read fanfiction and not see leaves, you have have to type out “www.fanfiction.net”.

Please share so people stop panicking.

So earlier today @anonymouse55555 asked me about my OC Camille and her model. Camille is an SR USA class tank engine, like Rosie. And something I’m realizing as the fanfic continues is just exactly how small Camille is compared to Gordon. For example this is a SR USA class tank engine:

And this is an LNER Gresley Class A1 aka Gordon

If that doesn’t sink it in, here are some stat differences in size. Camille’s locomotive weight is roughly 46 long tons (47.2 tons or 94,400 lbs.) vs Gordon who is 91.35 long tons (92.82 tons or 185,640 lbs.). He is MASSIVE compared to her!! Like I feel like I didn’t think this through when I thought up Camille and how cute Gordon would be with smol mate. Not only that but the length difference is Camille at 29 ft. 8 in. and Gordon’s at a whopping 70 ft. 5 in.

Like there is a significant difference but they’re adorable and this is canon in The Yellow Rose AU soooooooooo…. Smol girl with BIG BOI.

Also here’s some more stats to look at between the two, you can find them on their models wiki pages as well.

I’m glad you liked my suggestions!

The amaryllis idea for Henry came from the fact that I’ve been given an amaryllis bulb as a gift before. They’re not native to the area I’m from so they’re sold as houseplants here during the fall and winter. It was extremely satisfying to watch it grow from bulb to long green leaves to tall thick stalk to big gorgeous blooms over the course of six weeks or so, and if you care for them well they’ll bloom again the next year! If I could send you an image I would, they’re so beautiful.

My headcanon for Gordon liking butterscotch specifically wasn’t pulled out of thin air either; butterscotch candy is believed to have been invented in Doncaster, where Gordon and his siblings were built!

🎁 Gift Anon 🎁

Gift Anon, you strike again and I’m thrilled! I will have to look up an amaryllis flower. I’m unfortunately horrible at drawing off the top of my head, like I can draw but I have to look at an image and draw that and then add my own personalizations, but maybe if I can find an image of someone with one I can tweak it to be Henry and the plant because gosh it’s in my head now and I want to draw it!

I am currently reading the Thomas books (I bought the full collection) so I’m enjoying gathering information about the characters more so than the show gives. When other fans piece things together like the butterscotch and Gordon I think it’s the coolest thing. I know, it’s a simple connection, but I’m like 😃🥰 in awe. I’m so excited to add all this to the fanfic! Thanks again, 🎁 gift anon 🎁!

Ugh! I wish I could draw because I would be drawing the snot out of these characters with these ideas. But writing I’m good at and written it will be.

Nothing wrong with Camille being small! “Little engines can do big things”, after all! ;)

🎁 Gift Anon 🎁

I’m dying because I don’t know if this is a euphemism or not 😂 gift anon, you kill me!

I just realized I never posted my second short on here and I’m like “Ahhh!” Because the next short is in the process of being written. So…. Here it is!

Title: Gordon and the Goat

Rating: G

Summary: Camille works often with the farmers of Sodor and one day Farmer McColl really needs her help. But this helpful moment brings a little bit of strain into her relationship with Gordon, specifically when she’s been asked to care for a rejected baby goat.

Based on a real goat here at my homestead.

————————————

Camille had been out on her normal railway chores, taking goods from station to station and dropping off much needed grain and hay to the farmers of Sodor. She always enjoyed visiting the farm, especially Farmer McColl. He enjoyed teaching the young engine about farming and ranching. In fact, Camille, being small in stature, had been called upon to help during the spring birthing season to help animals that were struggling. Together, her, Farmer McColl, and Trevor had helped several cows with complicated birthing positions. It was such a joy to help out and see the little baby animals make their first noises and watching them stand for the first time.

She chugged along happily towards his farm. She was done with her freight cars for today and was happy that he was on her way to the next station. Farmer McColl was out working with Trevor when he saw her and flagged her down. Camille came to a halt with a smile.

“Do you need any help today, Farmer McColl? I don’t have any urgent deliveries right now.”

Farmer McColl scratched the back of his head, “I do actually. I have a rather big favor to ask of you and your crew if you don’t mind.”

Camille glanced back towards Edan and Dallas. They shrugged and hopped out of her cab so she could shift into her human form.

“What can we help with?” Dallas asked, hopping the fence. Camille and Edan followed him into the field.

“I’ve got a goat that’s a new mom and she’s rejecting one of her babies.” Farmer McColl said solemnly, “I’m so busy with the other animals that I don’t have time to tend to the little one and without intervention, she will die.”

Camille gasped, holding her hand over her heart, “That’s horrible! But what can we do to help?”

Farmer McColl waved for them to follow him back to the barn, he hopped back up on Trevor while Camille and the others climbed into the trailer.

“I know it’s a lot to ask, but I was hoping you’d be willing to take the little critter in.” The farmer said, “I’ve got plenty of colostrum from mom and lots of goat's milk. I can supply you with the right kind of bottles.” He sighed, “I know that’s a lot to ask but soon she’ll be able to be with the herd, I can get a bottle stand ready for her, just for now I need someone to watch her. A few days maybe a week at tops.”

Camille glanced at Dallas and Edan. Both looked very uncertain but knew the little tank engine was going to be more than willing.

As they reached the barn, Farmer McColl showed them in. Trevor opted to wait outside.

When Camille came to pen with a warming lamp she gasped. Down in the pen was a small goat, maybe 2 pounds. She was shaking while she tried to stand. She was white with a few little black dots on her coat. She had bright blue eyes. Her little bleats were very high pitched and soft.

“She’s adorable!” Camille coo’d. With that, Dallas and Edan knew they were doomed to take the goat. Farmer McColl brought a bottle with a thick yellow milk inside and handed it to Camille.

“This is the Colostrum she needs before she can have milk. I’ve tried getting her to drink but she’s not very willing. Maybe you could give it a try?” He asked the engine.

Camille entered the pen happily and sat down in the warm straw. She sat cross-legged and gently pet the little animal. At first, it shied away from her, but then it wobbled closer a few steps before falling. Camille picked the little doe up and cradled it in her arms. She offered the bottle, helping put it in the baby's mouth. The little goat let out a bleat of happiness, standing to the best of its abilities and nursed from the bottle, its little tail wagging happily.

“Well I’ll be hornswoggled.” Farmer McColl said with a smile.

Dallas sighed worriedly as Camille looked up and grinned at the two of them, “How exactly are you going to take care of a baby goat while we’re doing our chores?”

“The thing is maybe the size of a chihuahua, Dallas. It’ll be fine in her cab. Just put a diaper on it.” Edan said nonchalantly.

Dallas looked at the very happy engine, “What about the others at the manor?”

“Oh they’ll love her!” She grinned, “You honestly think they won’t melt looking at this tiny thing?”

He cocked an eyebrow, “What about Gordon?”

Camille waved her hand, “You don’t need to worry about him, I’ll take care of that.”

Dallas sighed and Edan grinned, “Looks like we will be taking the goat with us.”

Camille smiled as the baby relaxed in her arms curling up.

——

“Oh. My. Cuteness.”

Thomas had walked into the living room of the manor and stopped in his tracks as he saw the bundle of white on Camille’s lap. The little doe was sleeping curled up in a blanket.

Camille smiled up at him, pausing her game, “Isn’t she? Farmer McColl needed help with her because she was rejected by her mother. She really likes me.” She grinned, “He gave me a kennel and everything to take care of her till she’s big enough to join the other goats.”

“That’s so awesome! I mean, not awesome about her mom, but awesome you get to take care of her.” Thomas sat down beside her and pet the little sleeping figure, “Does she have a name?”

Camille beamed proudly, “I named her Breezy, because she was born on a windy Wednesday.”

“Breezy! I like it!” Thomas smiled.

Camille handed him a second controller and the two sat back to play Overcooked together for a bit.

Overtime the others slowly trickled back into the manor, each taking in the little goat with surprise. James wasn’t all that sure, not being a big animal person, but after the little goat gave him a soft “baa” and gummed at one of his fingers he quickly melted at her goaty charm. Edward asked the most questions about the responsibility to take care of her but was satisfied with all Camille and Farmer McColl had done.

Henry melted at her originally but then panicked quickly for his plants around the manor. Camille swore she would keep her away from his room or the plants on the balcony and in the kitchen. Hiro pet the little animal with fondness.

Percy was thrilled, laying down on the floor to let her climb over him. Thomas quickly joined him, tapping at the floor to get Breezy’s attention. Emily was indifferent as long as there wasn’t a mess, but occasionally petted the animal.

Percy was cuddling Breezy on the floor when he looked up at Camille, “Does Gordon know?”

All the engines turned to her curiously. She grinned bashfully, “Ummm… not yet…”

“Oh that’s gonna be fun to see. Gordon’s gonna flip.” James snickered.

“I’m going to flip at what?”

Everyone turned as Gordon walked through the downstairs entryway. He had removed his hat, suit coat, and boots. He raised an eyebrow looking at the rest of the team as they looked at him.

“What? Is there something on my face?” He asked.

Before anyone could answer a little bleat sounded in the room and Breezy hopped from her spot with Thomas and Percy to Camille, nudging her for a bottle. Camille gave a nervous laugh as she picked the baby goat up and gave her the bottle.

“Heh heh… Surprise~” Camille said looking at the shocked and slightly upset Gordon.

Gordon gaped looking between the goat and Camille as she nursed the little critter. When he finally found himself, Gordon sighed with a hand at his face, “Camille. No.”

“Well, wait a minute.” She started, “Farmer McColl and I-“

“Camille.”

The others watched as Camille tried to explain the situation and Gordon looked more and more exasperated. Little Breezy just curled up, falling asleep on the bottle, and got comfy on Camille’s lap.

“Gordon, she needs me.” Camille said with a frown, holding her ground against the larger engine.

She glared at him, he glared back at her. Glancing around at the others, Gordon cleared his throat, “If you all wouldn’t mind, I need to speak with my girl. Alone.”

The others quickly made themselves scarce. Thomas grabbed the Switch and two controllers for him and Percy to play with Emily in tow. James whispered a ‘good luck’ to Camille as he and Edward left. Henry and Hiro walked outside to do some gardening together. Camille sat with the baby goat in her lap, her eyes having not once left her boyfriend.

Gordon sighed again, “Camille, we’re engines. We don’t have time for pets.”

“She isn’t a pet, she’s livestock and she needed my help. It’s only temporary.” Camille retorted.

“What did Sir Topham Hatt have to say?”

Camille went quiet and looked away, “I haven’t told him.”

Gordon rolled his eyes in frustration, “Of course you haven’t, because you know what the answer is going to be.”

“Farmer McColl said she would die without help.” Camille said softly, stroking Breezy’s soft coat, “What else was I supposed to do?”

Gordon shrugged frustrated, “Tell him no. There has to be others.”

“Well he asked me.” She said through grit teeth, growing frustrated.

Gordon looked at her disapprovingly and she returned it right back to him. Eventually she looked away from him and down at the sleeping kid. He sighed again and sat down next to her, looking at the sleeping form. “Please do not get attached. I know you’re trying to do the right thing and I know your heart is already in it, but our job first and foremost is to the railway.”

Camille was absentmindedly petting the little goat, “It won’t be long, Gordon, I promise. Farmer McColl is making some sort of bottle stand where she can be nursed and can spend time with the other goats. He said only a few days, maybe a week tops.”

She leaned her head against her lover. Gordon huffed a bit, but placed his arms around her, “Alright then.”

——

That night, Gordon laid in the tub of the bathroom, trying to relax. It was getting late and Camille had insisted that the little goat sleep in the kennel in their room. She was prepping it with blankets and a stuffed animal, because of course, humming to herself delighted. Gordon sank in the warm comfort of the bath and let out a comfortable sigh. Although he originally hated the idea of baths after Camille had been in his life he found them more and more needed on hard days. She had all sorts of bath salts and minerals for comfort and every once in a while he really needed to indulge. He was thankful the tub fit someone his size, it must’ve been custom made although he didn’t give it much thought.

He was in a peaceful, restful state when he heard the light tippy-taps of hooves on the linoleum floor. Opening one eye he watched as the little goat had entered the bathroom, doing little hops as she explored. She would bleat every once in a while, quietly, but noticed him and cautiously made her way over.

For a split second, Gordon thought about splashing water at her, sneering. The little goat paid him no mind, curiosity had gotten the better of her. She walked up to him, sniffing at his fingers over the tub and gave them a little nibble, having no teeth it didn’t bother him.

“Oh, no. You’re not going to win me over.” He said as Breezy continued to nibble and sniff at him, playing by the tub.

She gave a warm bleat and hopped in a circle, almost knocking herself over. She regained her balance, looking around.

“Don’t you get hurt.” Gordon grumbled, “She’s liable to blame me.”

Breezy, who clearly did not speak or understand English, tried to do a kick in her hops and fell with a bleat.

He winced at her and, for reasons unknown to himself, scooped the little animal up and held her up above the bath. She just hung there on his hand looking at him. He stared at her back.

“What does she see in you animals?” He asked out loud.

Then, without much warning, Breezy squirmed hard and went right out of Gordon’s hands and into the bath with him.

“Oh, crap!” He yelled out as the little goat, soaked and frightened, bleated and kicked.

“Camille!!” He called out less than dignified.

Camille came running in and quickly grabbed a towel taking the panicked goat.

“Would you get that thing out of here?!” He yelled, standing up disgusted by sharing bath water with the kid.

“She’s not a thing, she’s a she!” Camille shouted back at him, “And how did she get in the bath anyway? She can’t jump that high!”

Gordon wrinkled his nose, “It… She fell and I picked her up and she moved and I dropped her in the water.”

Said goat was shaking her wet head and snorting as Camille dried her off.

“Oh, you poor baby.” Camille coo’d, cradling the baby.

Gordon’s head shot up, disgusted and mad, “She’s the poor baby? What about me?? My bath is ruined!”

Camille looked back at him, “You’re a big boy, you can handle yourself. She’s not even 24 hours old.” She turned and walked back to the bedroom, drying the baby off and talking to her like she was her own baby.

Gordon’s lip quivered in anger and he snatched the towel from the towel rack, proceeding to dry himself off. He murmured quite a bit under his breath.

——-

“No. No. No. NO. NO!”

Gordon was folding his arms over his chest absolutely livid. Camille had dried off Breezy, only for the baby to cry anytime she put it in the kennel alone. After worrying about keeping everyone up, Camille put a diaper on the kid and laid it next to her in the bed.

“She’s not going to hurt you, Gordon, and it’s the only way she’ll sleep without crying.”

“You are not sleeping in MY bed with a goat!” He demanded.

She sat up with a sigh, “Fine.” She picked up the sleeping goat and walked to the door.

“Where are you going??” He asked exasperated.

“I’m sleeping in my old room. That way I am taking care of the goat, you get your bed without a goat, and everyone gets sleep.” Camille said with a struggling sigh and left.

Gordon groaned, flopping onto his bed, running both hands over his face. It’d been a while since he hadn’t slept with Camille by his side and he didn’t enjoy it one bit. He grumbled to himself, angrily pouting, mimicking her voice in a higher pitch, “You get your bed without a goat and I’m gonna go sleep in the other room. BAH! I might as well sleep in the shed.”

He grumbled, pulling the covers over his head in a harumph. He scowled and wrinkled his nose at the whole situation, but eventually Gordon and sleep found each other.

——

The next few days went well for the most part for Camille, despite her and Gordon’s tiff. She woke up once in the night to feed Breezy and then slept till her alarm. Gordon was already up and gone to work so Camille had no problem returning to his private bathroom to get herself ready for the day. Little Breezy stayed right by her side, full of bouncing spirit.

Edan and Dallas greeted her and Dallas held Breezy while she shifted. Unfortunately for the trio, Breezy wasn’t nearly as eager to be in the cab not knowing Camille was the engine. She cried for her often but figured out the routine soon enough, when Camille did have time she would shift and offer Breezy her bottle.

They stopped at Farmer McColl’s for a brief moment one day. The farmer pat the little animal on the head and smiled.

“She looks much better than she did.” He smiled, “Thomas dropped some materials off today to help build the bottle stand. I hope she hasn’t caused any problems.”

“She’s getting into the routine.” Camille said, but looked a bit sad, “I just wish I could convince Gordon she’s not a handful.”

Farmer McColl gave her a soft smile, “Well it’s been about a week and I’ve got other kids that have been born. We could go ahead and try having her spend time with them. It’d be good for her.”

Camille smiled and kissed the little goat's head, “I think a play date is in order.”

She handed Breezy to Farmer McColl and they walked to a pen where easily 10 other goat kids were bleating and playing.

“They are the cutest!” Camille exclaimed watching as the baby goats hopped and kicked around.

“This pen gives mama’s a break and lets the kids go nuts.” Farmer McColl said as he put Breezy down. There were large wooden spools and little homemade seesaws around the pen. “She’ll fit in just fine.”

Camille smiled watching Breezy go and mingle amongst the other goats, starting little head butting fights and skipping around.

“Well, I’ve got to get back to work. I can come get her later.” Camille said with a smile.

Farmer McColl nodded his thanks and waved goodbye.

——

Camille ran into Gordon at Knapford later that night. He had just finished his Express run and was eager to see her. She stopped at Platform 2 and leaned into him a little while he waited for his passengers to unload. He smiled at her, a few passengers saying “aw’s” as they watched the engines cuddle.

“How was your day, my dear?” He asked her.

She sighed, “Better that you're here. But I feel odd without Breezy.”

Gordon looked a little surprised, “She’s not with you?”

Camille shook her head, “No. She's with the other goat kids at Farmer McColl’s. I’ve got to go get her soon.”

Gordon huffed, “If she’s with the other goats isn’t your job done?”

“Well, she still see’s me as her momma so not really. I’ve still got a job to do.”

“Momma?” Gordon asked, confused

“Well, yeah… and it’ll be a slow transition. I think…”. Camille looked worried.

“What’s the matter?” He asked concerned.

“I just… never thought of it that way till I said it outloud. Being a momma.”

“Camille, we’re engines. We aren’t capable of being parents.” Gordon said rather bluntly. He wished he hadn’t been but there was an uncomfortable feeling in his boiler.

“I know that Gordon. I know.” She sighed again, “But it’s never crossed your mind what it would be like to have a family?”

“I have you and I have Scot. I guess the rest of our team and household. That’s all I need.” He said, trying to be kind.

When she didn’t answer he couldn’t help but ask, “Do you want children, Camille?” The idea of small baby like engines driving around Tidmouth scared him, not to mention him being responsible for them.

She sighed again, “I dunno. I never thought of it before but… maybe…”

There was an awkward silence and then Camille asked, “What about you Gordon? If you could be a father, would you want to be?”

Gordon wanted to answer absolutely not but the more he thought about it, considering his relationship with Camille, he wasn’t sure. “I’m… not sure Camille.” He watched as some of his passengers, who had children disembarked. Some parents looked absolutely exhausted, others happy. He tried to imagine him and Camille with a small child, a mix of their looks, but he couldn’t wrap his head around it.

“Not that it really matters, since it can’t happen.” Camille said, watching the same passengers, “But it’s just a thought. Similar to us trying to fly.”

“But… you’ve flown Camille. Just not in your engine form.” Gordon corrected.

She whistled when her signal turned green, “That’s true. I’ll see you later, honey. Gotta go!”

Gordon watched her leave with a wheesh. This whole goat thing was really starting to worry him about Camille’s psyche.

——

“I want you back in our room.” Gordon stated when Camille got ready for bed. He leaned against the doorway of the bathroom in his normal blue shirt and plaid blue pajama bottoms.

She stopped mid brush, “But Breezy won’t sleep in the-“

“I know.” Gordon interrupted her, “But I want you back in our room. It’s been a week, Camille.”

She finished brushing her hair and smiled, “I’ve missed you too.”

“Why does it feel like you’ve been on the other side of the island instead of just down the hall?” He wrapped his arms around her, giving her a kiss on the cheek.

She laughed softly, “Probably because we’ve been in an argument.”

“Over a goat.” He said incredulously.

“A baby goat.” She corrected, watching Breezy clip-clop around the room.

Gordon scoffed, watching the goat, “A goat nonetheless.”

Camille picked the kid up and cradled her. Gordon looked in the mirror at the three of them. He tried hard to imagine the goat as a child instead and for whatever reason, his mind listened. Instead of the fuzzy goat, he saw a child. A little boy, with messy blue hair like his own but eyes like Camille’s. The scenario made his heart pound, especially with Camille looking so fondly at them.

She glanced at him in the mirror, concerned, “Gordon? Is something wrong?”

Gordon shook his head from the thought and looked at her, “I-I’m fine. Just lost in thought.”

“About what?” She asked.

Gordon paused, “About what you said earlier. About… being a mother.”

“Oh!” Camille said surprised, but with a smile, “Don’t mind me, Gordon, I was just thinking out loud.”

“Yes, but now it has me thinking.” Gordon hid his face in his hands for a second.

Camille turned away from the mirror to look at the real Gordon, “Do you want to be a papa, Gordon?”

Gordon wrinkled his nose, “I don’t think I like the sound of being called ‘papa’.”

Camille took no time to think, “What about dad? Or daddy?”

He leaned back against the wall, shaking his head, “I can picture it but at the same time I can’t. I’m an express engine! Not a father.”

“Don’t get worked up, dear.” She placed a hand on his arm, “It literally cannot happen. I’m a tank engine, there are no eggs here, my dude.” She said playfully, gesturing toward her hips.

He sighed and smiled, “It’s one less thing I have to worry about I will say that.”

“But for now…” she raised Breezy to his eye level, “You have to be a daddy goat to Breezy.”

He cocked an eyebrow at her, “You’re pushing your luck.”

Camille only laughed.

——

More time went by and Breezy grew. Eventually she was too big and wild for Camille’s cab and first thing in the morning she was taken to Farmer McColl’s. Time continued and, as it would happen, Breezy was becoming more and more reluctant to leave the other goats.

Camille found it to be bittersweet. It had become more work keeping an eye on the little goat. She pottied outside her diaper sometimes, particularly at night. She was starting to eat hay and was beginning to find ways to Henry’s plants. Her bleating was getting more loud and shrill, keeping everyone alert and awake.

She was an outdoor animal and it was time she lived like one.

Camille asked Gordon if he would come with her to drop Breezy off for the last time. Gordon found time to come off the main line and onto the branch line and join her. Breezy was in a happy mix of other goats, head butting, skipping, and playing. Farmer McColl had explained how she could officially be away from Camille no problem.

Camille felt a twinge in her chest, her heartstrings being pulled at.

“You can come visit anytime.” The farmer assured her, “Breezy comes from a long line of good stock, she’ll be living here all her life.”

Camille smiled at the idea of visiting the goat every once in a while on the branch line. Gordon put his hand on her shoulder for comfort.

“It’ll be OK.” He told her, “She’ll be here every day.”

Camille called for the little goat one last time and Breezy came running. She picked her up over the fence and gave her a hug and a kiss on the head.

“Thanks for being mine for a while, Breezy. I really will miss you.”

The goat gave a little bleat as Camille put her back down. She promptly went back to the other goats and began playing.

It was a hard goodbye for Camille. Her and Gordon left shortly after, saying their goodbyes to Farmer McColl. Things went back to normal at the manor too. Many of the engines in their spare time or passing on the branch line whistle to Breezy. Camille visits most out of any of them, eager to watch Breezy play and grow, happy she has the no-longer little goat in her life.