Blair climbed out of bed. She wasn’t feeling too great. She stood up, and the room spun. She promptly sat down again, the spinning of the room making her queasier. Suddenly her stomach revolted and she clamped a hand over her mouth, and stumbled to the bathroom. A few minutes later she stood over her sink splashing water in her face. She noted the dark circles under her eyes. It had been another sleepless night.
Todd had been gone for thirty days. She knew because she had started counting them the minute he had flown out of Llanview. To get through the days, she had thrown herself back into work. It had been difficult. When he left, Jack had taken every opportunity to rub it into her face that he had been right about his so-called father, and in order to protect him and the rest of her family, Blair had been forced to let him vent. Everything in her wanted to sit her son down and tell him the truth about Todd, but she knew he would never believe her. The only person other than herself who knew what had happened to Todd was Tea. But the days when she could talk to her about the men in their lives were over. Tea had severed their friendship when she said Todd deserved to be exiled from his family.
Blair looked at the rings dangling from the chain around her neck. She caught them and brought them to her lips, they were the symbol of Todd’s love for her,and until he returned, they were her little secret. Her thoughts went back to their final night together before he left. Todd had arranged everything. She smiled. He had always managed to put together their weddings at a moments notice. It had proven to be a very handy talent this time. Their first wedding had consisted of a Justice of the Peace, his wife and a little old man who searched for treasure on the beach. This wedding had come full circle. Once again Todd had a located a local Justice of the Peace, who with his wife, had come to Todd’s hotel room to perform the ceremony. Todd then enlisted the bellhop to be the second witness, and as the sun was setting, the ceremony began.
“Do you Todd Manning take Blair to be your wife, to have and to hold, for better or worse, in sickness and in health, as long as you both shall live.”
Before giving his answer, Todd rubbed his thumb on the inside of her palm and then met her eyes. She saw his love for her shining out of his eyes but when his voice caught momentarily, as he said “I do.” her heart stopped, hearing him stutter like he had the first time he told her he loved her. Her Todd, the one rarely seen by others, was standing in front of her declaring his love all over again.
For a brief moment she was back in the bedroom of the penthouse, feeling happier than she believed possible, flinging herself into his arms crying. She was brought out of her reverie when Todd squeezed her hand. “What?” She said looking at him.
“The judge asked you a question. Are you alright, Blair?”
She could feel herself blushing as she nodded and turned to the judge. “Could you repeat the question?”
“Certainly my dear.” the Judge looked over at his wife and they smiled at each other. “I quite understand. Love is never to be taken lightly. Take your time answering. Do you, Blair Cramer, take Todd to be your husband, to have and to hold, for better or worse, in sickness and in health, as long as you both shall live.”
Blair no longer hesitated. They had been apart for far too long and now, no matter what, they would face this future as wife and husband. “I do, with all that I am, I take you Todd Manning as my one and only husband,” she said staring into his beautiful hazel eyes.
“Excellent, do you have any rings to exchange?” inquired the Judge.
Blair started to shake her head no, then Todd pulled a set out of his pocket. “When? I don’t understand?” she said bewildered.
Todd smiled sheepishly. “I‘ve had them for a little while. I told you I would never stop trying to put us back together, and I meant it.” He opened his hand and there in the palm sat two platinum bands and an engagement ring. An emerald flanked by two diamonds was clustered on the engagement ring, and it was fashioned to interlock with the diamond atop the wedding band. Todd handed her his band and then took her left hand and placed her set on her finger. Then he smiled and offered his left hand to her.
Her hand shook as she slid his band on his finger. Only one thing remained.
“By the power vested in me by the State of Pennsylvania, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride. Don’t be shy young man. You’re married now.”
Todd looked at Blair, and they laughed, as they recalled almost those exact same words spoken by another Justice of the Peace, years before in Key West. This time it wasn’t a slight little kiss. This time they clung to each other, as passion flared. So lost in their kiss, both were startled when Todd was tapped on the shoulder by the judge. They parted reluctantly. Accepting the good wishes from the judge, his wife, and the bellhop, Todd paid them and saw them out. While he got rid of their witnesses, she found herself admiring her rings, watching them glint as the sun finished dropping from the sky.
Blair blinked as her rings flashed in her eyes. She sighed. “Stop this, Blair. It’s not doing you any good. You’ve got a job to do. You promised to hold down the fort, and you’re going to do just that. It’s only been a month. He said he would try and reach you as soon as he could. You have to believe.” Just then another wave of nausea hit her. Blair took a quick sip of water to quiet her stomach and then paused. “Oh My God, how could I be so stupid.” She ran to the desk in her room and pulled the calendar to her. “It can’t be.” she rubbed her lower belly. Of course, it could be. He’s Todd Manning after all. The father of your children. “Todd, please call. I have news.”
****
In a darkened room, a man sat alone. He kept an eye on the monitor turned on in front of him. He had been watching her all night. He had snuck back into town when he was sure he was no longer being followed. He had been concerned when she had dashed for the bathroom. Now he couldn’t help being curious about her latest movements. “What’s got you so excited? Damn, I should have installed microphones. I’d give anything to hear your voice right now. I’m here, as promised. I’ll be in touch soon. I love you, Mrs. Manning.” He set a phone down on the table with a note attached and left the room, locking it up. It wasn’t quite time yet for a face-to-face.
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Loving it, they are the most fertile couple in the planet.
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