The next morning, Todd was up early, with the rising sun, and watched it as it made its way into the low portion of the sky. Pinks, oranges and purples burst around the sun, and he studied the way it brought magical shadows to the backyard.
"I know it's a touchy subject with you, Blair, but I want us to stay on here in Ireland for a little while longer." Todd said, his back to her as he stood, looking out the French doors.
Her heart felt as if it was deflating. "I was kind of looking forward to going home."
"I know," he said, turning to her. He approached the bed, and sat by her. She was propped up against pillows, and the last of her breakfast tray that he had fixed was over her lap. He gently picked it up and moved it. "I understand, but I have my reasons."
"Okay," she said, folding her arms, "what are they?"
"First, I just shipped Jenna here. I mean, she's getting off the jet in a couple of hours."
"That can't be it."
"It's not. It's about Aiden."
She became pensive, and looked puzzled. "Aiden?"
"Yeah. He has that affliction, the condition, whatever it is. I want to see it through, get him some medical help. Maybe he can try to live a normal life. Maybe someone can help with his memories."
Blair had a sudden realization. Todd identified with Aiden because he, too, had blocked painful memories. But she also knew that in some way, Todd was saying that remembering had healed him, or at least was in the process of doing so. She said, "You really want to take that on, right?"
"Yeah, I mean, he's a good guy. Committed to this RA21, and somehow inadvertently was part of saving me and us, a few years back."
She unfolded her arms. "I guess so, Todd. Whatever you want. As long as you don't go off into the catacombs again, or go anywhere dangerous."
"That, I can promise. Unless you call Sister Rebecca's kitchen dangerous."
"Well, not exactly."
"Settled?"
"Sure, why not? Jack is going to be so happy about Jenna. He was just telling me he missed her."
"Well, not anymore, and I aim to please. She has the first cabin."
"All right. Is it ready?"
"I had Tina go and spruce it up. You know, it happens to be two cabins away from Aiden's, and he's there right now."
"I see what you're doing, you little matchmaker!"
"Me? Nah," he got up, taking her tray. She began to throw her legs over the side of the bed, and he said, "No, no. You stay here, I'll be back. Rest is good. You know what Larry said."
"Larry? When did you talk to him?"
"Last night."
"You called him?"
"First, I put you to bed, then I called him. I told him what was going on, and he told me bed rest as much as possible to make sure things stay good."
"What about a doctor?"
"Thought of that. Your aunt should be up here in, like, . . ."
"All right, Blair, let's talk," Dorian said, walking in the room, without announcing or knocking.
"I'm going to take these dishes down, Babe. I'll be back in a little while." Todd said.
Dorian walked toward the bed, and sat where Todd was not moments before. "Blair," her voice was sweet and comforting, "tell me what happened?"
"I don't . . . I just get scared, Dorian. I've tried to fight it, but it doesn't work. It just keeps happening, over and over. I'm afraid," she broke down in tears, "so very afraid."
Dorian took her niece in her arms. "Don't be afraid, Blair. Everything's fine. Todd's all right, the baby's healthy. You have to stay calm for her sake. Another Cramer woman in there."
"Manning," Blair corrected, "She's a Cramer-Manning. Jewel."
"All right, Jewel, then. To protect her, you can't be getting all nervous, and out of sorts. You need to stay calmer."
"I was sick over Todd going to Dublin. I just . . . I thought somehow I'd lose him, like I did before. It scared me to death."
"I know, but remember, he's tough. And he's here. And he loves you, very much."
Blair sniffled. "Well, you are certainly telling a different tale these days."
"Maybe I've learned a thing or two."
"Maybe." Blair sniffed again, and looked at her hands. "You never understood him, or us. Not really, anyway."
"Well, give me a chance, at least. I think Todd has."
She looked up at her aunt. "He has. You know, lately, he's not said too much bad about you. He kind of thinks you're okay. Except he still thinks you're not a real doctor."
She rolled her eyes, "Now, let me give you my best medical advice. Trust him, trust yourself. Relax, Blair. Relax and try and enjoy this pregnancy."
"It's my last," she said through tears.
"Yes, for all intents and purposes, it's your last. So let's enjoy it. You and Todd should relish it. Don't be afraid."
"You're telling me to trust him. I should be afraid of you. I think you're losing your mind!" She smiled.
"I mean it. No one would give his life for you the way Todd would. And that makes me trust him. If I do," she stood up, "then you definitely should."
Blair smiled, but her eyes were still tearing. "Thank you."
Dorian said, "You're welcome. But I still think a check-up would be a good idea. Maybe at Dublin Hospital?"
"Maybe. Today, I'd just like to rest."
"All right," the older woman said, "I'll see you later." She exited the room, and Blair watched her go. A few seconds after her leaving, Todd's head poked back in the door.
"Is it safe?"
She smiled, "With you around it is."
He came into the room, in the lightfooted way he did, and jumped onto the bed next to her. "Just fooling around. She's okay, that Dorian."
"Funny, she said the same thing about you, more or less."
"Times change."
She took his hand, and placed it on her belly, in time for him to feel the movement of their next child. "They do."
***
Tina puttered around the cabin, trying to neaten it as her brother had asked. She had added fresh flowers, and a table-top easel with paints and brushes, as requested by Todd. Everything seemed arranged perfectly, and she went to the far side of the room just to open a window and air the place out briefly.
She opened the glass panes, and it was colder than she thought, but the air was fresh and the place needed a bit of air, to release the stuffiness. She put her jacket on, while she waited for it to do its trick, and then heard a crash from outside.
Opening the door, she peeked out, seeing Aiden, sprawled on the ground. She ran over to him, leaving the door to cabin one ajar, and knelt on the cold ground beside him. "Aiden? Aiden? Can you hear me?"
He didn't respond, so she took her cellphone from her pocket and dialed Todd's number. "Todd, it's Aiden, he . . . it looks like he collapsed outside. He was trying to carry his tray back to the house, and . . . yes, okay."
She shut her phone, and patted his face lightly, saying, "Aiden, open your eyes," and received no response. Todd was on his way out there, and Perzno was already alerted, for he heard the noise and barreled out of cabin two, and came to them.
"What happened?" The copter pilot asked.
"I think he . . . collapsed. Something."
He said, "Miss Tina, you're shaking. It's all right." Perzno knelt beside them, and felt for a pulse.
Shaun, who was just getting himself out of the shower, said, "Hey, everything all right?"
as Todd made his way across the lawn.
Aiden opened his eyes, and spied all four of them leaning over him. "Ay, top of the morning, all of ya. What's the news? I'm winning the Irish Sweepstakes, am I?"
Tina sat back on her heels and sighed, tears springing to her eyes. Todd spoke first, "Hey, Buddy, you all right? What the heck happened to you?"
"It happens all the time. I guess I should have warned ya. I can't help it. Another side effect. Sometimes, the pain, other times, I faint dead away."
Todd put his hand out. "Can you sit up?"
"I can. I am very capable of sitting. I do it often," he said, lightheartedly, but needed a great deal of support to be able to sit erect. "There," he said, looking to Todd for approval.
Perzno said, "I don't think you need us, Mr. Manning. We're going back inside." He and Shaun retreated with a nod from Todd. Aiden, looking after them, saluted and smiled. It was then he caught Tina's eye. Immediately, his expression changed. He reached out and touched her face. "Dear Lady, why are ya crying?"
Todd, standing, called the house to let Blair know Aiden was all right. Feigning reason, he stayed on the phone, off to the side, while his sister and Aiden spoke.
She sniffed. "I . . . was scared, I guess."
"Well, I'm sorry. I probably should have warned ya about the perils of being me."
"It's not that. I thought you . . . I feared that . . ."
"Ya thought I went to meet my maker, did ya?" He threw back his head and laughed. "Not my time. He wants nothing to do with the likes of this one. Shot in the head, I was. That's leaving me half a man, I guess."
Todd looked at Aiden, the phone still dangling from his hand against his ear. He could hear Blair, "Todd? Todd? Are you there?"
Todd stared at Aiden, and made his way to his side again, saying into the phone, "Babe, I have to go," and ending the call. "Aiden, you're all right, huh?"
"Ya might say that, though not really. Ya know I don't know my life, Todd. And Tina, I should have warned ya more about my affliction. I only know a certain part of my past, and the cause of it. But before I was found, I have nothing but blank in here." He tapped his head. "But more importantly, I want to make sure you, little lady, are all right."
Todd accepted his word, and turned to go back to the house. His head spinning, he wondered if there could be any possible way . . .
"Tina," Aiden said, still cradling her face in his hand.
"Yes, I'm being silly. I'm all right. Perfectly fine."
"Were ya upset because there was a dead man on the lawn, or were you upset because it was me who died?"
She looked into his blue eyes. They were similar to hers, slightly familiar, as if she had known him all her life. "Both. But mostly the second."
He grinned, and said, "Well, then, that's a 'Yeeoooo' if I ever heard one." He'd shouted the expression, mid sentence, and then moved in and took her lips with his.
***
He walked into the bedroom, feeling a bit numb. He sat on the bed. Blair looked at him, glancing up from her magazine. "Todd, what's wrong?"
"I don't know."
"Well, something's bothering you. Is Aiden okay?"
"He seems to be fine. He collapsed."
"What is it, my love? A memory?"
"No. Nothing like that."
Blair hated to admit to herself that she was selfishly relieved. He'd come so far. "What is it, then?"
"Aiden. I should have told you about this before. Now, it's just . . . well it's crazy, that's what it is."
"All right, he's not dangerous or anything?"
"No, not that. He . . . he showed me a picture, Blair. In the tavern. Of his mother. She was about Jack's age in the photo. She looked so familiar. I couldn't place her."
She touched his arm. "What are you thinking, Todd?"
"He was raised on the island of Innishcreg. They supposedly found him, as a child, injured to the head. The picture, the familiarity, and then today, he said aloud how he got the wound."
She sucked in air, "Oh, Todd. I wish I could say I am following you, but I don't think I understand."
"He was shot. In the head. He lost the early years of his life. He was found, by a family, and raised by them." He was pacing, and his voice was escalating, "His mother, was familiar to me. Blair, I just . . . I think . . ."
She stood up and went to him. She took his face in her hands, "It's okay. Just say it. I won't hold you to it, if that is what you're thinking."
"I just know I saw her before. I can't think of where I've seen her. It's kind of been on my mind. Did I run into someone who looks like her at Dublin Hospital? Or what if it has to do with the time I was here in 1995? Could it be someone from then, when I was in Innishcreg? I don't remember much of that, you know, it was . . ."
"It was a hard time for you. Painful, you were in recovery from so many wounds. You were . . . almost dead."
"Yeah. Right. I'm confused. It's on the edge of my mind, and I can't grasp it. What if I'm confusing things from the eight years . . ?"
She felt a hollow pity in her heart, followed by a wave of nausea. "I don't know, but I do think it will come to you, My Love. Maybe you should just let it."
He pulled her into his arms, and let her wrap hers around him. She fondled the hair at the back of his neck, and he gave himself to the feeling of her, against him. "Blair," he whispered.
"Yes?"
He looked into her eyes, and touched her nose with his. He took her lips in his, and his tongue ran around hers, as he felt her hands slipping further into his hair. She pressed herself against him, and felt him respond to her. Pulling back, she said, "I love you very much."
"I'm grateful. I love you, too," he said, stroking her hair and leading her to the bed.
*** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** ***
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