Daddy's Home

Daddy's Home is the eighteenth episode of the first season of The Railroad Girl.

Summary
Thomas and Edward's father, a big blue engine named Gordon, returns home after being away from them for quite some time.

Story
One day, Thomas was reading a Captain America comic he had bought from Totally 60's and sipping a box of apple juice when he heard the mail slot open and close.

"Mail's here," said Thomas.

Thomas went to collect the mail, and saw a bright blue envelope that had his and Edward's address on it. When he examined it more closely, his eyes grew wide.

"I've gotta show Ed," said Thomas.

Thomas then went to Edward's room, where the latter was tuning his bouzouki.

"Hey, Ed," said Thomas, "look!"

Thomas handed Edward the envelope. Edward gasped.

"It's from Dad," said Edward.

Thomas was surprised.

"Wow," said Thomas, "we haven't heard from Dad in ages! What's it say?"

"There's only one way to find out," said Edward.

Edward opened the envelope and extracted its contents, which was a letter that said:
 * "Dear Thomas and Edward,"
 * I've missed you so very much, so I think you'll be pleased to hear that I'm finally coming home today. We've got so much to catch up on. Plus, I'm anxious to hear what you two have been up to. Hope to see you soon!
 * Love,
 * Dad."

"I can't believe it," said Thomas, "Dad's finally coming home!"

"But when will he be here," asked Edward, "that's what I wanna know."

"See for yourselves," said a voice.

Thomas and Edward looked and saw a big blue tender engine with the number "4" on its tender standing before them. Their faces lit up.

"Dad," said Thomas and Edward in unison.

Thomas and Edward embraced their father, whose name was Gordon.

"It's been a while," said Thomas.

"Sure has," said Gordon.

Edward then looked at the cuckoo clock on his wall.

"Oh, my," said Edward, "I haven't made breakfast yet!"

"No need," said Gordon, "I picked up some omelettes from Totally 60's on my way."

"Oh," said Edward, "okay. Thanks."

"No problem," said Gordon.

While the three engines ate, they watched The Brady Bunch on TV.

"It's great to see you again, Dad," said Edward.

"Thanks," said Gordon, "and the same to you. So, how've you two been getting along?"

"Very well," said Edward.

"Well, that's good," said Gordon.

"How's Uncle Scott doing," asked Thomas.

"Oh," said Gordon, "he's doing much better as a matter of fact. He's back on his wheels now."

"That's great," said Edward.

Just then, the doorbell rang.

"Come in," said Edward.

The door opened and in came Bright Eyes and Doki.

"Hey, guys," said Doki.

"Who's that," asked Bright Eyes.

"Doki, Bright Eyes," said Edward, "meet me and Thomas' dad, Gordon."

Bright Eyes and Doki were surprised at Gordon's size and the fact he was related to Thomas and Edward.

"Wow," said Bright Eyes, "you're big."

"Yeah," said Doki, "when did you get here?"

"This morning," said Gordon, "I returned home from England last night, stayed the night at the docks, then came here."

"Why were you in England," asked Bright Eyes.

"Our uncle," said Edward, "the famous Flying Scotsman, was in a very, very, very bad accident. And he asked Dad to keep him company while he recovered."

"You guys are the nephews the Flying Scotsman," asked Bright Eyes.

"Yeah," said Thomas, "it's cool, isn't it?"

"It is," said Doki, "By the way, Gordon, welcome to Winter City!"

"Thanks," said Gordon, "you're Doki, right?"

"Yup," said Doki, "how'd you know?"

"Your friend James told me about you," said Gordon, "He told me that you helped Thomas find out who was stealing everyone's Christmas stuff. Is this true?"

"It sure is," said Doki, blushing.

"Why are you blushing," asked Gordon.

Thomas told his father about the high-speed roller coaster ride he and Doki had when they got into Smudger's hideout and how Doki had wet himself from the loop-de-loop.

"Sounds like one scary, stomach-churning ride," said Gordon.

"You think," said Thomas.

"And that's not all that happened, is it," asked Edward.

"Nope," said Doki.

"What else happened," asked Gordon.

"Well," said Edward, "there was this one time where Sir Handel framed Rusty for donut theft."

Gordon was shocked.

"He really did that," asked Gordon.

"Oh, yeah," said Thomas, "he made Duncan very upset."

"Well," said Gordon, "that was just low."

"Yeah," said Thomas, "but he did get punished for it."

"That's good," said Gordon.

"That," said Edward, "and I finally got a girlfriend."

"You did," asked Gordon, "who is it?"

"Her name is Molly," said Edward.

"You mean Murdoch's daughter," asked Gordon.

"Yeah," said Edward, "how did you know?"

"Murdoch's an old friend," said Gordon, "he was one of the first engines I talked to when I came home."

"Cool," said Thomas.

"Anyways," said Doki, "we'd love to stay, but we've gotta go."

"Okay," said Thomas, "see you guys later!"

With that, Doki and Bright Eyes left, leaving the three engines to watch the show. After a while, Edward looked at his watch.

"Guess I better get started on lunch," said Edward.

"Now, wait just an apple-picking minute," said Gordon, "Edward, you stay here and watch TV. I'll take care of lunch."

"Oh," said Edward, "alright."

With that, Gordon went to the kitchen, and soon produced franks and beans with homemade garlic toast.

"Mmm," said Thomas, "that looks good!"

"Bon appetit," said Gordon.

After lunch, Thomas and Edward continued to tell Gordon about what had transpired.

"So, you went through all that to save a girl from child abuse," asked Gordon.

"Yup," said Thomas.

"I must say," said Gordon, "I'm very proud of you, Thomas."

"Same here, little brother," said Edward.

"Thanks," said Thomas.

Just then, there was a knock at the door. Thomas went to the door and peeked through the peephole to find James there.

"It's James," said Thomas.

"Let him in," said Edward.

Thomas opened the door and James entered.

"Hey, James," said Edward, "what's up?"

"Not much," said James.

James then spotted Gordon.

"Hey, Gordon," said James, "haven't seen you in ages!"

"I just came home today," said Gordon.

"Cool," said James, "anyways, the Narrow Gauge engines heard about your arrival and are hosting a party to celebrate your return at their place."

"Nice," said Gordon, "we'll be there!"

Later that evening, they arrived at the party, where Gordon talked to Murdoch.

"It's good you're home, Gordon," said Murdoch.

"Me too, old chum," said Gordon, "me too."

Meanwhile, Thomas was with his friends Stanley and Ryan and watching Gordon and Murdoch converse.

"It's sure nice to have Dad back," said Thomas.

The End