Hope from the Ocean: 30

It had been a challenge for The Mannings to organize moving their family to Europe for  a temporary but indefinite period, but with all of Todd's resources and the support systems they had, it went off considerably smoothly.  The worst of it was getting Sam onto the plane with his myriad of injuries and dealing with Mixie's stress and air sickness.  

The flight was mild, no turbulence was met.   Todd's private jet served its purpose well with his family, and their entourage, enjoying the trip in comfort.  Dorian seemed to be appreciative that she was included and chatted with Sister Rebecca Katherine most of the flight; Jack was still distressed having to leave Jenna.  Todd and Blair had considered leaving him behind with Addie, but after deliberation, they both decided they needed the family together, and they remained steadfast in that decision.  He seemed accepting of it, especially when Todd said he would fly Jenna out any time they had a break long enough for a visit.  Tina found herself preoccupied with Ray, and tended to his needs as the flight endured.  Hope was initially frightened on the plane, when it took off, and huddled close to her mother for support.  It wasn't until later, when Sam chimed in to add to her comfort by pointing out the clouds outside the windows, that she forgot her fright.  Blair's head lolled onto Todd's shoulder, and soon, they had landed in Dublin Airport and were met by none other than Timothy Broderick.

"Look at The Manning brigade," he announced, extending his arms to give his sister a welcome hug.  "Welcome to The Emerald Isle!"

"Broham, y'ar always at your best when y'ar here, for some reason.  The sea air agrees with ya," the nun said.

He looked over her shoulder and saw Dorian, and Todd would never forget his expression. "Dorie," he said, and his eyes twinkled with a sort of awe.  

He opened his arms and she went into them and said, composing herself, "Timothy.  I'm glad you're safe."

"So far, so good, Darling," he said.

"Dad, you all right?"  Blair said, hugging him.

"Can't ya see?  I'm perfectly all right."

"Any news?"  Todd asked.

"Nothing yet.  However, I think we're onto something.  I'll share it with ya later."

After the rest of the greetings, everyone headed to the stretch limousine that Todd had arranged, to head out to Courtown Demesne.  Everyone piled in, without the annoyance of luggage, since Todd had everything shipped ahead of them.  

As they approached via limousine, they shared various exclamations of impression with the beautiful castle manor.  On almost 400 acres of land, Courtown Demesne spread across the green grass with splendor.  A long row of stables flanked it on one side, and white, black-trimmed cottages spotted the grounds.  Blair looked at her husband and said, "You never stop surprising me, Todd.  This is so beautiful."

"It's a beautiful place for beautiful people.  All of you, my family, my kids.  You, Blair."

She smiled warmly, and tilted her head.  She whispered to him, "Todd.  You're beautiful, too.  For thinking of it.  For finding a way that we all can be together and still help Marty.  I was wrong about that.  It's the right thing to do, Todd.  You were right, and I was just jealous and terrified, I guess.  And guilty."

"What happened when you were pregnant with Starr has to be behind us.  Sure, it's part of the story, but it's not the ending.  Not this time."

She rested her head on his shoulder.  They let the whole entourage get out of the limo, with the exception of Sam, who was going to need help.  Blair stayed with her head on Todd's shoulder, both of them looking at their sleeping middle son.  "Look at him, Todd.  He's so adorable.  To think we . . ."

"No.  We didn't.  I wasn't about to let that go down."

"You were afraid, I saw it in your face.  It scared me."

"I was, but it's over.  He's all right.  Let's wake him, and I'll carry him out.  Come on, Big Guy.  We're here."

Jack stood outside the limo. in case his father needed help.  Todd reached inside, and slid Sam over toward the door, Blair getting out the other side of the stretch, and cradled him in his arms to bring him out.  Jack said, "You need any help, Dad?"

"No, Jack, thanks."  Todd carried Sam in his arms to the front door.  The rest of the group was already inside.  

Jack said, "Dad, this place is majorly cool."

"Thanks," he said, lifting Sam to tilt his cast enough to get him in the door.  

The entrance hall where they all gathered was adorned with a grand oak staircase which was complemented by a large domed skylight.  Off to the side was a parquet-floored dining room, a study, and bright morning and drawing rooms, all adorned by original period features.  The walls were covered in high sash windows.  The ceilings were paneled and decorative marble fireplaces could all be seen while standing in the foyer.  "We're here," Starr said, propping Hope on her hip.

"The Mannings are moving in," Jack said, running up the staircase.  At the top, he turned and said, "Just, wow!"

Todd smiled, still holding Sam, who was going in and out of drowsiness.  Blair said, "Let's go up and assign rooms.  Sam could use a rest, and so could all of us, most likely.  It's a huge time difference."

The crew went up the stairs, and each grouping selected a bedroom: Starr and Hope got a lovely one with a large picture window: Jack had his own room with a view as well.  Sam's place was next door, with a small balcony, to which he said, "Oh no, not again!"

Down the hallway, Sister Rebecca Katherine settled into a modest room that, unlike the others, had a small portion of stained glass above French doors, and Tina, with Little Ray in tow, took a very bright room, that could easily have Ray's crib moved in.  Everyone was settled.  Dorian and Timothy headed to the guest wing, which had an outside entrance, to get her settled in.  He had already decided to remain in town in Dublin, where he could do more work on the case at hand.  Dorian, smiling, presented him with the second key, for times he wanted to come and see her.  Everyone was pleased, and most fell onto their new beds with a yawn and a stretch.

Todd and Blair, him holding her hand gently, found the remaining bedroom.  Dressed in raspberry and burgundy, with bright, paned windows, overlooking the scenic Dublin and Wicklow Mountains, the room was astonishing.  She walked to a door along the far wall, spotting an ensuite bathroom, dressing room and walk-in wardrobe.  She looked at him.  "This is elegant.  I love it, Todd."

"It came this way.  I didn't do a thing."

"Except buy it for us."

"Yeah, well, I did.  I figured with all the time we've spent over the years dealing with Ireland, and the fact that Dad's from here, why not?"

She sat on the bed, and removed her shoes.   "You love him, don't you?"

"He's the only father who hasn't left me or hurt me. . . or died."

"He's a good man."

"I keep thinking about the last time we were here.  This feels so different.  It's light here, bright.  All I can remember about Rialto is darkness and Dublin was the same, dismal."

"I know.  Maybe it's how you felt at that point, when you were there?  How you were feeling?  It was a really sad time."

"Maybe.  But look at it here," he went to the windows.  "It's beautiful, really.  I'm not much for quiet, but this quiet works."

She watched him, strong and steady, with his back to her, looking out over the grassy acres.  His hair was lightened by the bright sunlight, and his hands were customarily in his front pants pockets.  She said, "I like to see you happy, Todd.  Because you make me happy."

He turned and looked at her, and walked to the bed, sitting down.  "Should we break this in?" he asked, rolling his eyes up to the impressive headboard that reached the ceiling and draped over with velvet trimmings.

"Do you want to?" she asked, "Or are you tired?"

"I'm a little tired, but I want to," he said, leaning toward her.

***

"Why are you leaving?"  Dorian said.

"I'm going back to Dublin.  It's important, Dorie.  We're onto something, and Patrick's time could be short."

"All right.  Will you call me, or come back?"

"Both.  Ya know that.  I can't stay away from ya long.  I'm glad ya got over y'ar ire at me."

"I did, but that can change, you know.  No taking chances with your life, Timothy."

"Ay.  Just give me the benefit of the doubt, woman.  And I have John McBain and his men around me, what can go wrong?"

She didn't want to answer.  Instead, she kissed him, long and passionately, and ran her hands through his silvery hair and along his neck.  She said, "I . . . wanted to . . ."

"Ya want to say ya love me?  Don't ya?  Because I love you, Dorie."

"I love you, Timothy."

"See, that wasn't too bad, now was it?"

"No, but I like the man to say it first."

"Ah, an old fashioned girl."

"I suppose."

"I'll be back, just give me time," and he walked out the door, looking back for a moment to smile at her.

***

"Lord, please bless Timothy, and take care of him.  Watch over him, Lord, and protect him.  And keep The Mannings and their extended family safe and happy here in Kildare, and let us all bring ya praise and honor, in Jesus' name, Amen."

She was kneeling, her elbows on her new bed, her pajamas already on, and she refolded her hands.  "And Lord, please help Todd to stay strong for his family, Blair to trust in ya for her babe's life, and Sam and Bea to recover from their wounds.  Thank ya."

She stood up, and sat on the bed's edge, and surveyed the area around her.  "It feels odd to be going to sleep when the sky is bright, but it's night at home.  So strange, this time thing is."  She tucked her feet up into the bed, and pulled the sheet over herself, removing her glasses.  She closed her eyes and said, "It's good to be home, Lord.  Thank ya, for this chance, and please, if it be your will, help us bring Patrick Thornhart home to his love."

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