Memories Unlocked #25

# 25

Blair watched Todd get into the car and immediately lean his head back on the headrest and shut his eyes.  It was evident he didn’t want to talk anymore.  After she got in, she closed the window separating the front from back.  It would give Todd space while she and Vicki talked.   Blair turned to Vicki. “I know all this came as a shock to you.  I’m sorry I didn’t call and give you a warning.  I should have told Todd about you but I was hoping if he saw you he would remember on his own.”

“I understand Blair.  You’re right, it was a shock but right now my concern is for Todd.  Tell me about the paralysis.  How did it happen?  What has he been doing all these months?”

“Vicki, I was so mad at him for even thinking about kidnapping the children, that for the first month he was missing all I wanted to do was punish him for what he had done to me and Jack.   Then I found myself angry because he made no attempt to even contact Starr.   I thought that he had fled and decided to go somewhere and forget us, and all that time he was stranded on an island in the South Pacific.” Blair paused to gather her thoughts.

Vicki leaned forward and patted Blair’s hand in sympathy. “You didn’t know that and you had a right to be angry with him for what he did to you and Jack.  I was furious when I heard it.  But wait, how did you find out about the island?”

“Todd wasn’t alone on the island.  Tea and a man named Ross Rayburn were with him.  The investigator I hired to find Todd, found Tea and Ross and it was Tea who told what happened next.  According to her, Todd was anxious to get back to his family.  Vicki, he ventured out into the ocean on some flimsy raft!” Blair’s voice broke as she realized just how desperate Todd had been to get home.

Vicki sat back picturing her brother on a raft.  She knew better than anyone just how deeply her brother loved Blair and his children.  In the end, there was nothing he wouldn’t do to keep his family which is why he always overreacted and ended up messing things up. “Blair, how did he end up in Guam and how was he injured?”

“The only thing the doctors know is that he was in bad shape when he was brought to the hospital.  They were informed that a broken up raft was found not far from where he was discovered but Todd has no memory of that or how he got on it.  They determined his worst injuries were the result of the battering his body took coming through the reef around that part of Guam.  Dr. Sanchez said he was in surgery for over fourteen hours because of the broken arms and his back.  His head injury was also severe and he had some bleeding on his brain.  She believes the damage to his brain caused the memory loss and his back injury is the reason he’s paralyzed from the waist down.

“But you said he was partially paralyzed.  Does that mean he’s getting some sensations back?”

Blair nodded.  “The morning we found him, he began to feel his right leg and for the last two weeks, we’ve seen some improvement.  He’s currently wearing a brace on it to help give him some stability when he exercises.  Unfortunately, the left leg is still uncooperative, and he gets sullen and distant sometimes.  The only other encouraging thing is that he is having memory flashes.  I think that’s why he knew your face.  His memories are scattered and most of them violent.  He knows he raped someone.  He knows he’s been in prison.  And he knows he gave away his son.  In fact, when he saw us, he tried to leave Guam. It wasn’t that he remembered us, it was more about his remembering all the wrong he had done in his life and he didn’t want to hurt us.”  Blair’s eyes filled with tears. “Vicki, I’m scared he’ll never remember the love he had for us.  He’s so polite and concerned for me and the children.  I know he wants to feel  something more for us, but I also feel he’s holding himself away from us because of what he has remembered so far.”  Blair broke down and quietly sobbed as Vicki pulled her into her arms to comfort her.

****

Todd kept his eyes closed as the car began to move.  His thoughts were in turmoil. Well, Todd, this trip keeps getting worse.  You knew you were a bad man, that’s why you wanted to leave the kids.  It seems like everyone here knows your past too.  It’s probably a record even for you, getting arrested before you even get off the plane. He opened his eyes to stare at his legs and rubbed his right thigh. You certainly put on a show for Chief Detective Bo and his baby detective Antonio.  Being helpless in front of those men had really gotten to him and he angrily accused Blair of setting him up.  He remembered the look of shock and surprise on her face when he did it.  You really are a royal Jerk.  She had no idea they were going to show up.  You should apologize. He turned his head slightly and saw Vicki talking to Blair in the back.  Vicki, the woman in his dream was real and she was his sister.  It just reinforced everything else he had dreamt.  Just another reminder that his past was as violent as he thought but it made him sick to his stomach when he remembered his dream about Vicki.  If she was his sister than that meant the man who raped her was his father too.  Gee, old man, thanks for the perverted genes.  Obviously, the apple didn’t fall far from the tree with me.  

Unable to think about his past any longer he took a deep breath and opened his eyes to look at the town he was currently riding through.  It was a pretty good size city.  He spotted a building to his left with a large M on it and a few blocks down from that he saw a sign saying The Banner, but nothing struck a chord with him.  He had finally allowed the psychiatrist in Guam to hypnotize him after Blair and the children arrived but he was unable to grasp any further memories than those that seemed to come to him in dreams.  Because of that, he hadn’t been able to deepen his connections with Blair although he knew there was something between them.  He could see the hurt in her eyes and it just frustrated him even more. He turned to the driver and told him to lower the window so he could apologize to Blair.  As he turned a little in his seat he suddenly saw where the Limo was headed.

“Damn it.Blair I told you I didn’t want to come here.  I’ve had enough today.  I thought you understood I was through being under someone’s microscope today.”

At his first words, Blair was all set to return Todd’s anger with some of her own and then his final words hit home.  She saw the set of his jaw and realized he really was at the end of his rope.  She took a deep breath and then spoke to him softly.  “I do understand, Todd.  Don’t worry,  no one else will be examining you today.  I just need to drop off your medical file to Larry Wolek the Chief of Staff here.  He’s already aware of your condition and has promised to be discreet.  No one else has to know of your condition until you’re ready. I’ll be right back. You just need to wait a little bit and then we’ll head home.”  As soon as the Limo stopped Blair exited and headed in to see Larry.  

Todd visibly relaxed at Blair’s words and then his eyes met Vicki’s.  “I guess Blair filled you in on everything that happened to me.  Again, I’m sorry I don’t really remember you.  So.you’re my sister.  It must have been a real surprise for our mom and dad when I showed up so late in life.  I’m curious.  What were Mom and Dad Manning like?”

Vicki hesitated for a brief moment then decided Todd need to know certain truths so he could start to heal.  “Todd, I’m your half-sister.  Our father was Victor Lord.”

“Wait a minute, I know my name is Manning.  Of that I’m sure.  How come I don’t have the Lord name?”  Todd got a queasy feeling in the pit of his stomach.  “Wait, I get it, I’m a bastard aren’t I?”   

Starr had woken up and been quietly listening to her father talked to her Aunt Vicki.  Before her aunt could answer her father, she asked. “Daddy, what’s a bastard?  If you’re one, am I one too?”

Both Vicki and Todd were shocked at her innocent question.  Vicki knew it was a sore subject with Todd and that he had been bothered by it from the beginning, but she knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that Todd had done everything in his power to make sure his kids would never have that stigma attached to them. Still, she wondered how to explain the term to Starr.  Todd was pale and it was obvious he was also at a loss about what to say.

Vicki reached through the window and squeezed Todd’s shoulder gently then answered her niece.  “Starr, you are not and never will be anyone but the brightest star in your father’s life.  Your father used a word that simply means he’s a part of my family but he and I had different mothers.” While that explanation was true, Vicki hoped that Starr would never learn the real meaning of the word until she was truly old enough to understand it.

Todd looked at his sister and just reached and held onto the hand on his shoulder. The slight tightening of his grip on her hand was all that expressed his gratitude for her explanation.

****

Sam stood quietly as the Limo pulled away. “What the hell just happened?”  He shook his head.  Todd had looked at him and there had been no recognition in his eyes at all.  Was it possible?  Could Blair be telling the truth?

Sam dropped down onto his car seat.  You’re an idiot, Sam Rappaport.  If it’s all true, you owe Todd an apology. Todd’s blank stare at him and the very obvious need for a wheelchair made Sam a little sick to think about it. My God, what have I done? He remembered the young man who had played football under his guidance.  As a youth, Todd had been a live wire on the field and had developed a love of the game. He had always seemed like he was releasing some inner turmoil when he played.  It had been a little like trying to control a tornado when it came to Todd.  

When Todd first came off the airplane, his anger and his knee-jerk reaction to blaming Blair for Bo’s presence had rankled Sam.  It was typical Todd, the man who struck first and worried about consequences later. Sam was trying to protect  Blair from that Todd.  That was also why Sam had been sure Todd was playing everybody.  Yet when Vicki defended Blair, Todd had reacted totally out of character.  Instead of being snarky to his sister, Todd had seemed unsure of himself and almost gentle when he spoke to her.  It had made Sam pause.  Bo suddenly changing his mind and not going ahead of the arrest was also puzzling,  Just what had occurred on the plane.  Both Bo and Antonio had seemed uncomfortable and a little ashamed, not to mention surprised when Todd had wheeled his chair in the direction of the police car.

Sam sat back in his seat and started his car.  It was time to get some answers.  He had seen the daggers directed at him from Blair when she realized he had orchestrated the arrest.  She wouldn’t be any mood to talk to him.  He would just have to go see Bo and find out everything that happened on the plane.  “If you’re for real, Boomer, then I’m sorry but I need proof.” Sam put his car in gear and left the airfield.

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Who's the Real Todd? Chapter 46

SPECIAL EDITION

New Owner of The Sun, Shot!

Today, Samuel Toddman, the new owner of the Sun was found shot at his estate. Police are being sketchy about details but released a statement that a call for help had come into the station around 2:00 pm. Police were dispatched to the new Estate of Mr. Toddman to check on the validity of the call. Upon arriving, gunfire was reported and the police entered the premises to find Mr. Toddman shot on the floor in his office. It is believed that an unknown assailant shot Mr. Toddman and escape moments before the police entered the house. A manhunt is currently underway.

There is no information regarding Mr. Toddman's condition, although it has been determined a patient is being kept under secure care at Llanview hospital. No word has been released whether he is still alive or not.

In an interesting side note, a source at the police department reported that a suicide note was found on Toddman's computer. Could the police be trying to hide a suicide under the guise of an attack? It was recently revealed that Mr. Toddman was blinded while on his honeymoon. Could the note and the shooting be related? There are definitely some questions that need answering. This paper will stay on top of any developing news."

Carlo folded the paper and set it beside his brandy. He had finally received a call from Kipling stating that a patient, who had been shot, was brought into the hospital that afternoon, but that he was only seen by the few doctors that work with the Police. He was under police protection and only those authorized were allowed in to see him. Kipling said it was so hush-hush, none of his people knew the final condition of the patient. Between the call from Kipling and the Special Edition, Carlo was sure Todd Manning was out of commission for the time being, if not already dead. He was still perturbed that Vega had failed to check in but considering the manhunt maybe Vega had gone to ground. Carlo picked up his brandy and made a toast."To you Todd Manning, May you finally have some peace, I know I will."

Todd made his way back downstairs, it was getting close to dinner and Blair still hadn't arrived back home. He had spent the afternoon talking to Jake and getting details about his scheduled appointment with Kipling. Then they had discussed the special edition that had gone out the night before. The Sun's phones had been ringing off the wall as newspapers around the state wanted more info on Toddman's shooting. Todd had turned the ringers off on the house lines so he wouldn't have to listen to the number of calls coming in trying to get interviews with Blair.

Jake's visit with Kipling was to take place in two days which only gave Pete one day to find Carlo and snag him. Todd paced his office, he had decided as long as Carlo believed he was in the hospital near death's door, he would have to stay out of sight. Blair had left that morning with both implants so it was imperative that nothing prompt Hesser into sending more killers his way. He would be at a definite disadvantage this time and would only be able to rely on his wits since his eyesight was bad.
Todd had researched the properties around his estate and had come up with two possible locations for Hesser's hideout. He sat down in his chair wincing as his side twinged. He leaned back and decided to communicate with Pete while he waited for Blair to get home.

Wandering the halls of his mind he came to the Gym where Pete was beating the stuffing out of a bag. He could tell Pete was really restless,

"Damn Todd tell me you have some good news and you're going to let me out of here. It's frustrating as hell. You took another bullet yesterday. We've got to get that guy before he succeeds in killing us." Pete glared in his direction.

"That's what I came to tell you, I've located two possible sites for Hesser's hideout. If we get the ring, we'll go out tonight and search." replied Todd

"It's about damn time. I can't wait to get my hands on him, and Kipling too. You swore you would let me handle it, you're not going back on your word, are you? These guys are mine, right? As long as I don't kill them it's no holds barred."

"You have my blessing Pete, and Samuel and I will be cheering you on." Todd heard the front door. "Gotta go, I think Blair just returned." Todd sat back up in his chair and had just started to get up when Blair came into the room.

"I've brought Chinese for dinner. We haven't had any since your accident. but first I think you've waited long enough. Here, sit down." She placed his plate under her picture. "Now I'll be right back."

Todd felt his stomach rumble at the smell of the Chinese food sitting not too far from him. Hopefully, Blair wasn't going to take forever, wherever she went.

She came back and sat on the floor in front of him. "I hope you like these."

Reaching for his wrist she undid his watchband and set the watch down on the table next to him. She snapped the new watch on his wrist and he felt the shock run up his arm giving him a little jolt. He tried to see the design because as he felt it, he realized Blair had designed the whole casing. Then she grabbed his right hand and pushed the ring on his finger, this time the shock was exhilarating as his vision cleared and he looked down at his wife staring up at him happily. "Hi."

"Hi, yourself. Well what do you think?" she watched anxiously and his gaze fell to the two gifts his wife had given him. They were a set, unique in design. The watch casing was of a dragon curled around the watch face the dragon mouth partially opened spewing golden flames that became the band on one side but connected to tail on the other. She had used a smoky crystal that covered the inner workings of the watch which looked like golden pieces of treasure surrounding the digital time. It was beautiful, but the ring was magnificent. A golden dragon encircled a mysterious cache that glowed and sparkled as if alive under its clawed feet. The dragon's tail complete with delicate scales wrapped around the cord of the implant effectively hiding it, with the point of the tail completing its trip around his finger and nestling under the belly of the dragon, Todd looked at the the delicate cage the enclosed the glowing mechanism under the dragon's belly, He carefully removed the ring and looked at the underside and marveled at Blair's ingenuity. The implant was held in place by what appeared to be four tiny dragons, but these were simply etched beautifully into the actual gold prongs allowing the implant to touch his finger. Todd replaced the ring, incredibly touched by the care and thoughtfulness that Blair had put into the designs. Now the Master of Dragonheart had a ring of his own.

Todd reached out to cup his wife's face and they both felt the energy surge through them. "Thank You. These are incredible." he pulled her to him and thanked her till they were both breathless. Coming up for air he said. "That Chinese food smells great. Can we eat?"

Blair laughed and went to get some plates and flatware while Todd examined the watch and ring in more detail. Both dragons were exquisite down to the smallest details. Blair had given them dimension and life in miniature. The implants were so in tune with each other that everything he looked at was sharper and clearer. He knew one thing, he would have to be extremely careful not to lose either one.

"Todd, the jeweler who placed the smaller implant in the ring told me something interesting. He informed me that a small part was missing from the cluster. He wondered what the mechanism was used for and he was surprised it still worked since it was missing a part" she paused and shook her head. "Todd do you think the reason you can see by holding the implant, is because somewhere in your brain is the missing piece."

Todd looked at her. It was a very real possibility. This time he was going to leave it alone. "I don't know Blair, I'm still connected to them so yeah, there could be something that got left behind. The part that was killing me is out. I think I'll leave well enough alone. Right now, thanks to you, I can see again. Let's eat."

Several hours later Pete rolled over in bed and made sure Blair was sound asleep. He shook his head, wishing he had time for her, but he had a chore to do and playing with Todd's wife wasn't it. He dressed in black to blend with the shadows and slipped out the back door and made his way across to the forest. Moving around the perimeter of the property, he found several cameras trained on the front of the house. He knocked each of them down and destroyed them. After making sure, there were no more eyes on the estate Pete went and got the car. He headed in the general direction of the first site Todd had picked out for Carlo.

Pete pulled up to the first property and got out. He would know pretty quickly if it was Carlo's property. A quick look around satisfied him that he could cross that particular property off his list. It appeared to be the location of a hunter's cabin. Pete was all set to leave when he spotted something unusual. He hadn't seen it at first. "Damn Carlo, very clever." he hopped into his car and left before Carlo's men found him.

After a couple miles, he pulled off the road and hid the car. Grabbing up some dirt he rubbed some on his face and hands and reached into the glove compartment getting out Todd's gun. Then he started his walk back to Carlo's property. He slowed down as he neared it and stood in the treeline watching Carlo's men searching the perimeter. One of the men was headed his way and he knew he could use that. He backed away and waited for the guy and knocked him out as he passed him. "You're working for the wrong guy fella." Pete found some zip ties on him and tied him up. Then he took the guy's equipment and hat as well as his badge and joined the rest of the men as they began moving back toward the cabin. He lagged behind until he was the last man entering. He watched as the men walked toward the fireplace and it moved to reveal an elevator. Each man flashed his badge at a scanner by the elevator and then got on.

Pete watched the elevator close and set about studying what options he had and his avenues of escape. He walked back outside and finally saw what he was looking for, the air vents to the facility below. Now he knew what he was going to do. He made his way back to the edge of the perimeter and back to where he had left the guard. He clipped the ties and pocketed them and then put the hat and equipment back on the unconscious guard. "Sorry fella, but I need the badge," he thought to himself. Picking up a large branch he positioned it so the guard would think he had been knocked out by a falling branch. Hopefully, when the guard came to, he would be too confused and not realize he had lost his badge till he returned to the cabin.

Heading back down the road Pete worked out in his mind what Todd would need to do in the morning. He got in the car and headed back to the estate and Blair. Walking into their suite he noted she was still asleep. God, he was wired. He walked to the bathroom and shed his clothes and watch, leaving the ring on. Taking a band-aid from the cabinet he carefully wrapped the ring and turned on the shower. He was soaping up when he heard the door to the shower open. Pete whipped around and found himself face to face with Blair before he even thought about it, he had grabbed her and was devouring her lips, Blair eagerly wrapped herself around him taken aback by the ferocity of his embrace. He couldn't stop, the smell of her and his overcharged senses from the evening mingled and he took her, she was as much his as Todd's and right now he needed the release. "Woman you have no idea what you're doing to me at this moment," he growled. Blair felt a rush at his words and just went along for the ride. With a wild scream, he found his release and pushed her against the wall of the shower staring down into her eyes. The passion that raged through him was palpable and he began to fondle her admiring the feel of her body slick and smooth against his.

Blair stared into his eyes and saw something smoldering there she had never seen before. She felt a little like she was standing before some magnificent animal waiting to devour her and then she realized she was looking at Pete. Oddly she wasn't scared just more turned on. The animal magnetism that rolled off Pete was intense and her body responded as he caressed her. She relished the feeling and once more reached and pulled his mouth to hers this time doing some devouring of her own.

In the middle of it all, his kisses suddenly changed and Blair knew her husband had returned to claim his wife and she sighed and felt his love for her as the kisses became slow and lingering no longer controlled by his passion but tempered by it. He paused his kisses and looked at her. "Let's finish this in comfort." he turned and stopped the water, took her hand and led her back to bed.


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Chasing the Monsters: 50

"That was so fun, Dad!  I love looking for treasure!  I can't believe we found this old fork and that arrowhead!"  Sam was smiling, ear to ear.

Todd noted how good it felt to see his son that way.  "You never know what you're going to dig up.  Could be really important stuff."

"Not more important than my family, though," Sam said, nonchalantly.

"Yep."

"I still remember when you adopted me.  I can see it right now."  The boy smiled.

"Good.  And me too, I remember.  One of the greatest days of my life.  You became my kid."

"Yeah,"  he smiled.

"Sam, I wanted to talk to you."

"Sure, I like talking to you."

"Good, I like talking to you, too.  I wanted to talk to you about something, sort of, well, private."

"Okay," he looked up to his father, genuinely interested, and his innocence pained Todd so much, he had to shift his eyes.

"Sam, someone's been talking to you, on your laptop, and you didn't tell us.  Right?"

The little boy started breathing heavily, and looked down.  

Todd said, "It's all right, I'm not angry at you, at all.  I don't want you to be scared."

"No, Dad, I can't . . . no one has been talking to me."  

Sam couldn't look in his eyes, and he could see his son's hands shake.  He said, softly, "You know, when I was your age, I had a secret about a scary man."

Sam looked up, his eyes were brimming behind his glasses.  "That's bad."

"I didn't tell anyone.  Ever.  Not Grandma Bitsy, not anyone."  

Of course I tried to tell the police, but they wouldn't listen, but that's another story . . .

"Why?"

"I was scared.  I was scared the man might do something to me or my momma."

"You were?"

"Yeah, but the more I kept it in, the worse it got, and then I got angry, and it took a long time to get over being angry like that.  So what I wanted to tell you today, Sam, was that you don't have to keep quiet.  No one will hurt us.  I will protect you, and your mother and Ray, Starr, Jewel and Jack.  Always."  The boy looked down, and Todd saw a teardrop appear on his small athletic shoe.  He continued, "And I was really scared to say it because the scary man was not a stranger."

"You knew him?"

"Yes.  The scary man was my father."

Sam looked up quickly at Todd, with tears running down his little face.  "That man, Peter, right?"

"Yeah, he was my father, who adopted me when I was a baby.  He and Grandma Bitsy.  He was a very scary man, and you know that already because he scared you and hurt you and Starr and Ray.  But he was scary when I was a kid, too.  And I should have told someone."

The boy looked right into Todd's face as he spoke, and then his mouth twisted a little and he sniffled.  "Dad?"

"Yeah, Sam?"

"Dad, I . . .I can't.  I . . . think something bad will happen."

"Nothing bad will happen.  Let me just ask something.  Is this why you're having nightmares?

"I think so.  Maybe.  Sometimes."

Todd's chest was on fire with rage.  He did everything in his power to control it, as not to scare the child, but inside he wanted to explode and fly over to Greece to strangle Zeus with his bare hands.  "You want to tell me, Sam?"

"I . . .no," he cried.  "Dad, I can't, I'm scared!"  he sobbed.

Todd took the boy into his arms and carried him to the gazebo, where they both sat down, and he gave Sam a minute to take a breath and try and stop crying, but the tears continued.  "Sam, you know it's all right, to be scared.  I won't let anything happen to us.  Look, no one is here, but us."  Todd said.

"Yeah.  I know."

"Is this about . . . Peter?"

"It was at first.  I was scared of him, then Grandma Bitsy taught me to paint about it, and it helped me a lot.  But . . ."

"What, Sam?  If you can't say it, I think I might know."

"You do?"

"I think so.  And you shouldn't be afraid to tell me or your mother anything that scares you."  Todd patted the boy's back a minute and then said, "It's about . . . well, like me.  I had a father who was scary, and you do, too.  Right?"

The boy cried harder as if a dam broke.  Todd put an arm around him and rested his chin on Sam's head.  "Your father, the biological one.  Zeus.  Right?  He's scary sometimes?"

He nodded.

Todd said, "Tell me.  It's okay."

Sam, still leaning against Todd's chest, began to relate the events that had taken place in the last few months; what started as a mystery player contacting him on the XBOX network, turned into private messages during the game, and then to Skype sessions.  

Todd worried because Sam looked as if he was making himself sick crying so much, and he felt sick himself.  But he had to let the boy finish.  Finally, Sam went quiet.  Todd said, "It's all right, Sam.  You don't have to talk to him anymore."

His crying gave way to soft sniffling, and his breathing would catch every few minutes.  After a while, Sam seemed to be exhausted, and the crying had stopped.  He said, "Is he going to come here and hurt us?"

"No, he's not going to do that."

"Are you sure?" he said, looking up, innocently.  "Peter did."

"I'm sure about this one.  Positive.  Did he tell you not to tell us?"

He nodded, "Kind of.  He said it was our secret, and then he would tell me about what Peter did to you when you were little."

Todd's stomach lurched.  "What do you mean?"  His eyes squinted.

"He beat you up and stuff.  He talked about it a lot.  Maybe to scare me, I don't know."

Todd said, "Sam, let's go to the house, now, okay?"  He held the boy's chin in his hand.  "I don't want you to worry about this anymore.  I don't want you to think about it anymore.  And, I'm taking your laptop tonight with me, okay?"

"Okay, Dad."

"Just trust me, Buddy.  No one's going to hurt you."

"Okay.  But will someone hurt you?  or Mom?"

"No.  No one is going to hurt us either, especially not Zeus."

Sam stood up, and took Todd's hand, as they headed toward the house.  While walking, he had a strange pain in his throat that worked its way through his jaw.  He kept his head forward, and his eyes focused on the glass door.  He needed Blair.  

No, he needed to feel Zeus' neck in his hands as he squeezed with every ounce of his strength.  

"Dad?"  You're squeezing my hand too tight," Sam said.

"Sorry, Buddy."  He softened his grip but did not let go.

They walked the rest of the way in silence.

Blair was in the kitchen, bending over Jewel and giving her a snack when she looked up and saw them, her son, red-nosed, but seemingly in control, and her husband, steel.  She recognized his look immediately, and said, "Jack, are you up there?  Come down, please?"

She waited a few minutes, her gaze still resting on Todd.  His movements were too calculated, too precise.  He wasn't his usual fast-moving, interactive self as he usually was when with his children.  She paused, putting her hand on Jewel's head, and gently stroking her hair.  "Mommy," the little girl said.

"Something . . . Daddy's . . . not . . . right," she barely got out, more to herself than anyone.  

Please Todd.  Don't say Peter hurt Sam.  Please.  Please don't say that.  Then she flashed on her son, unable to speak in the hospital . . .

"Mommy? Daddy, Sam!"  Jewel said.

"They're coming, honey.  Almost here."  

The sliders flew open, and Todd and Sam entered the kitchen.  Blair said nothing; Sam stopped at the refrigerator to get a juice box.  Blair's eyes couldn't leave Todd's face as he went past her and Jewel and to the staircase.  She looked back to her children.  Jewel said, "Daddy, mad?"

Blair said, "Maybe, sweetie."

"He's mad," Sam said, drinking his juice.  She could tell from his face he had been crying.

"Why, Sam?"  she asked.

"I'm sorry, Mom."

"What for, Son?"

"I lied to you and Dad about something."

Jack walked into the kitchen just then.  "Dad just passed me on the stairs, Mom.  He's looking really, well, you know, about something."  Then he turned to the kids, "Hey, let's go play hide and seek, come on, Jewel, you too," and lifted her out of her high chair, carrying her on his hip.  Sam followed.

Blair bounded up the stairs as she heard the copter blades start to whirl above her.  She pushed her limits to get to the top as fast as she could, and raced to the bedroom, where she spied Bitsy, just poking her head out of her room, and Ray, right behind her.  "Blair?" Bitsy spoke softly, but didn't continue, as she caught sight of her daughter-in-law's expression.

Blair pushed the door open with panic and raced to the balcony.  Within minutes, she found herself on the helipad, banging on the copter door.  "Todd!  Todd open this door, damn it!  Damn it!  Tell me!  Now!"

In his rage, he realized that his wife had no idea what he had heard from Sam.  Can't do this to her.  She at least has to know what's happened.  Hesitantly, he shut the copter engine off and opened the door.  "I have to go take care of something.  It's . . . nothing to worry about right now, Blair.  I've got this."

"Todd Manning, you get out of that helicopter and talk to me, now!" she said, pulling at his safety belt and unhooking it.  "What is it?"  She was losing it, and screamed loudly, "Did Peter hurt our son?  What did he do to him?"

He jumped out of the copter as she dissolved into sobs, and wrapped his arms around her, holding her.  "No, no.  It's not that, it's not that.  Shit," he said.  "Damn it."  

He held her tightly to his chest and she cried first with fear and then relief.  His hand dwarfed the back of her head as he comforted her.  Through her crying, she said, "Then, what?  What is it, Todd?  Don't shut me out, not from this, please?"

He realized his going to Greece to strangle Zeus was going to have to wait.  He put an arm around her, and they went back into the house.  "All right, calm down, Babe," he said, "you won't believe it."

"Try me," she sniffled.

"Zeus."

"What?"

"Zeus, he's been secretly contacting Sam.  Sam's terrified."

"Zeus?  Why would he do that?  I don't understand," she said, sitting next to Todd on the couch in the bedroom sitting area, wiping the black smears from under her eyes.

"Not sure, but I intend to find out.  Then, I'm going to Greece to strangle the life out of him."

"Todd, now . . ."

"Bastard.  Fucking takes my life, my wife, my world.  Hurts my kids.  And just when you think it's over . . ."

She smiled very weakly, "Your kids.  You . . . thought of Sam as your kid even then?"

"He was your kid, wasn't he?  Since I first met him, I just loved that little guy."

She lightly squeezed his arm.  After a moment, she said, "I don't understand it.  Why, now, after all this time, would he be doing this to Sam?"

"Not sure, but as I said, I'll find out, even if I have to strangle it out of him."

"Should we call Tea?"

He stared at her in disbelief.  "What?  No!" his face showed confusion.  "I swear, me being gone really did something to you.  All that damn hair braiding.  Since when do you trust Tea like that?"

"I don't know, Todd, I just want answers.  We were friends, while you were gone.  Well, sort of."

"Sort of is more like it.  I doubt she was ever your friend.  But that's you, Blair.  You take care of people.  Got that big heart in there, heart of gold."

"I wasn't always that way, you know." 

For a moment, he couldn't help but think how beautiful she was, with her nose a little reddish from crying, and her face now smiling through it.  "You were.  You were that sexy, steel bad girl, but in here," he pointed to her chest, "was that big lump of shiny stuff."

She closed her eyes a moment and then opened them again to his.  She said, "What do we do?"

"I said, I'm going to go there."

"No, Todd, that's not the answer.  We should call the police."

"Police?  For what?  He's talking to his biological son, and there's no record of him saying anything bad or threatening?"

"I don't know.  Where's he talking to him, for God's sake?"  Blair asked.

"The laptop."

"Tha laptop, huh?  Skype?"

"Yeah, how did you know that?"

"Remember, Jack set it up for us, a few times, when we were apart?  You couldn't have forgotten that,"  she asked.  "Why don't we just confront him over the internet?"

Todd thought a minute and then said, "Okay, but how do I get my hands around his neck through the screen?"

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Who's the Real Todd? Chapter 45

Todd walked into his office and over to the desk where he sat down and found the jar for the implant. Reluctantly he put the implant away and let his eyes and mind adjust to the loss of sight again. He knew now that Blair had to get the ring finished, he couldn't stand being incapacitated much longer. He heard someone come in and looked up to see if he could figure out who. John had been talking to Natalie in the living room when he had headed for his office so it was either John or Natalie. Turns out it was both. "Were you able to get much Natalie?" He moved the wrong way and gasped as the gash in his side protested the movement.

"Christian was careful not to leave prints, Todd, if the bullet in the hallway and the ones in here hadn't matched those in his gun, you might have been in trouble. But they do match his gun and your conversation was taped by John. So we have Christian dead to rights. I just don't understand, I thought Christian was free of Carlo's control." said Natalie

"Natalie, Carlo is capable of much more than you realize. With regards to Christian, I think he should have a cat scan John, it's possible he could have problems from the bullet crease. I wouldn't want him suing me. If I'm right, there might be a way to keep Christian's incarceration to a minimum." replied Todd. He went on to explain about the implants to his niece leaving out the fact his own implants were helping him see.

Natalie was surprised by the latest information and stunned by what her uncle had been put through. Her mother hadn't told her about his surgery until it was over and she had believed the article when it had told how he lost his sight, now to find out he had been used as some sort of guinea pig for Carlo made her sick. "Todd, that's terrible what you've been through, no wonder Mom has been so worried. So you think there is a possibility Chris might have something similar in his brain?"

"I don't know Natalie, I just think he should be checked out. John, Chris came to kill me directly and didn't try and take me out with sniper fire. That means you can't connect him to the attempt on Manning. He also talked about Poseidon which means everything he's been doing stems back to those days when we know Carlo manipulated him. All of his problems started after Manning appeared in town. I think it's a safe bet Carlo used something on Chris, that he developed while experimenting on both me and Manning." Todd slowly got up from his desk feeling the wound protest his movements. "Blair should be home soon, I don't know how I'm going to explain this to her." Todd searched the top of the desk until he found his mobility device and turned it on so he could make his way back to the living room.

John and Natalie stepped aside so he could leave the room and followed him out. John had noticed the slump in his shoulders and knew Todd was missing the use of his eyes. He had really begun to like the guy, which surprised him, knowing Todd's past and everything. The guy was a survivor that was sure. Even blind, he had kept his cool and managed to outwit Christian. There weren't a lot of people who would have come out on top the way he had. Thanks to Todd, they had captured Christian in the act. It was possible Christian might have been the one who killed the two assailants Samuel had identified. If he was, two more cases could be put to bed.

Todd had walked over to the wall feeling along it till he found the place where the bullet had impacted into the stone. Luckily, Blair probably wouldn't notice that hole. He knew the ones in the office, as well as the bloodstains on the floor, wouldn't be easy to explain, not to mention the gash in his side.  No matter how he looked at it, there was no way he could lie to her about today. He made out the ocean sounds coming from the suite upstairs and turned to Natalie. "Natalie, I hate to ask, but could you go turn off the sounds in the Key West Suite."

Natalie and John looked at each other. They hadn't heard any sounds coming from upstairs. "Uh, sure Todd." Natalie headed upstairs to go find the sound. Sure enough, as she neared the rooms, she heard the sound of the ocean and seagulls. She found the control and turned it off and decided to check and see if the other rooms needed something turned off. No more sounds were emanating from anyplace upstairs so Natalie returned to join John and Todd in the living room. Todd was trying to clean up the mess he had made when he had knocked over the vase, but he was actually making it worse. "Todd, go sit down, I'm sure John has a few more questions for you. I'll clean that up."

Todd nodded and moved to one of the chairs away from the mess. He reached into his pocket and pulled out his handkerchief and began wrapping it around a finger he had nicked when he had attempted to pick up some of the shards. "So John what else do you want to know?"

"Why don't you just tell me what happened after you realized Carlo might have been sending someone here." said John.

Todd told John everything that had happened after Blair had left. He told about distracting Christian long enough to escape the suite and then he told how he had used the sounds from the suite to draw Chris into that room so he could get downstairs. He recalled how he hadn't known it was Chris till the intruder spoke while coming down the stairs and that was the reason he had accidentally knocked over the vase. "The rest you know John. I called you the minute I made it into my office. I can't tell you how relieved I was to see you after I had taken that shot."

The sound of a purse falling and her gasp drew all of their attention to the entrance of the living room where Blair stood shocked by what she had heard.

Todd tried to get up too quickly, winced and fell back into his chair. He felt something wet on his side and knew he was probably going to have to go get some stitches. The bandage wasn't doing the job. He covered the stain on his shirt with his hand and tried to get up to go to his wife.

John stopped him and said. "Stay put Todd.  Blair, what did you hear?"

Blair looked at John, then noticed what Natalie was doing. It was true, everything she had heard. "When? What about Chris? What shot?" She looked over at Todd and noticed he was favoring his right side. "Tell me the truth. Why are you here?"

John knew Blair had heard enough to know something bad had gone down. He respected her too much to lie to her. "Christian Vega came here today to kill Todd. Todd managed to evade him long enough to get a call out to me and then managed to keep him talking until we could get here. There was gunfire and Todd was injured but he managed to wound Chris and knock him out. Natalie and I were just getting the rest of the story from Todd which is what you heard."

Blair had rushed to Todd's side when John had said he had been wounded and saw the stain spreading on his shirt. "Why isn't he at the hospital. He's bleeding," she demanded, looking at John.

"I'm fine Blair, we can go get me stitched up after John and I finish." Todd tried to calm her.

"It's a flesh wound Blair, the EMTs patched him up, but we were trying to keep the incident under wraps. You know Carlo sent Christian, and we've been trying to figure out what to give to the media. I don't want him to know we have Christian." John felt bad, the wound had obviously started bleeding again, no wonder Blair was distressed. " If Hesser is watching, he knows one person was taken from here in an ambulance. We want him to believe it was Todd and that the perpetrator was gone when we arrived. The only way we're going to get Todd out of here now is to disguise him. Natalie, take off your forensic jacket and hat."

"John that'll never work, I'm in a skirt. If they're watching, Carlo will know a woman came in the house. Todd will never be able to pass for a woman." Natalie looked at them all shaking her head.

Todd suddenly got the biggest grin on his face. "You might be surprised Natalie." closing his eyes he went looking for her. 'Ms. Perkins, I need you.'

Ms. Perkins arrived and shifted positions sitting primly on the edge of the chair "My dear Natalie you have no idea how much I've longed to meet you. Now I understand from Todd you need me to get him out of the house. Blair darling, perhaps you have a skirt I can borrow, these jeans will never do. Oh my goodness, I'm bleeding, well this shirt is certainly a loss, we'll never get this blood out.  Blair, I need to find something to wear quickly because this wound is hurting me grievously. Detective, if you would help me up please." Ms, Perkins held up her hand and John aided her. "Thank you, sir. You're a true gentleman. Come, Blair, I'm sure we can make one of your wrap dresses work and then I can use Natalie's jacket and hat." Ms. Perkins placed her hand on Blair's elbow and sauntered out behind Blair.

Natalie and John watched stunned as she walked up the stairs following Blair. About twenty minutes later Ms. Perkins and Blair returned downstairs. The transformation was an eyeopener. Blair had pulled Ms.Perkins's hair back into a high ponytail similar to the way Natalie was wearing hers. She was now wearing a dress also closely resembling Natalie's skirt. She walked very sedately down the stairs holding the rail till she arrived at the bottom. "Detective, if you would please help me into the jacket and Natalie, how do you wear the hat. " She stood quietly as Natalie fix the hat. "Thank you, my dear. Well, Natalie, do you think I'll pass for you just to get out to the car." She struck a pose and waited for Natalie to answer.

He wasn't a pretty woman but after Blair had finished with him, he did indeed resemble Natalie enough to leave the house. "Ms. Perkins, I think it's going to work exceedingly well. So I'll stay here while the three of you head downtown and get Todd's side stitched. Blair, in order to leave the house you need to look like the grieving wife, but that will enable Ms. Perkins, as me, to appear to be helping you when in fact you're helping her. When you all return, I'll be able to leave with John."

John, Blair, and Ms. Perkins left the house. Natalie watched carefully out the stained glass windows and realized Ms. Perkins acted exceedingly well. Someone watching from far away in the woods wouldn't know it wasn't her. It was a little unnerving to see her uncle become a woman in front of her. Still, she knew her mother had Tommy, and Jess had Wes, so knowing Todd had Ms. Perkins made some sense. Natalie decided to take the time to check the rooms where Todd had said he led Christian, just to make sure she hadn't missed any evidence.

Arriving at the Hospital, John went and found Larry.  They smuggled Blair and Ms. Perkins into an examination room where Larry stitched up Todd's side, giving Todd a shot of antibiotics to ward off any infection. He took a few moments to check Todd's eyesight and made note of no improvement. He informed John that Christian was still not talking but he said he would order a cat scan to see if Christian might indeed have implants similar to Todd and Manning.

"Dr. Wolek, I can't thank you enough for taking the time to help Todd. That poor boy has already been through so much. Without your help, it is quite possible we could have been dead by now. You have very gentle hands, Doctor. I could hardly tell you were stitching." Ms. Perkins carefully gathered her dress about her again tying it up and waiting patiently for Blair to get the prescription Larry had written.

Larry had been surprised when John said he had a patient that needed services on the down low but when he saw who the patient was he had been flabbergasted. At first, he thought they had just disguised Todd to look like a woman until she started talking to him and he realized he was talking to an alter. Blair introduced him to Ms. Perkins and then they explained what had happened. "Ms. Perkins, I'm glad I was of service to Todd and all of you. What Carlo Hesser and Ivan Kipling did to him and Manning is heinous and if I have, in any way, aided in the means to catch them, I am glad. You have my sympathy for your loss of sight. I've seen some of Samuel's artwork around the hospital and I know it must be a blow to all of you."

"Yes, that is definitely an ongoing process to cope. You shouldn't worry about us Doctor, Todd is always one who bounces back. He'll succeed this time too." Ms. Perkins took Blair's arm and smiled in Larry's direction. Then they departed and began their trip back to Dragonheart, Ms. Perkins was quiet and Blair glanced over and realized that she appeared to be zoning out. More than probably she was having a conversation with Todd. Blair would have to wait until they were safely back home to find out what was going on in Todd's mind.

Ms. Perkins, Blair, and John arrived back at Dragonheart and entered the house. Natalie was waiting, having been on the phone chatting with the rest of the forensic team about any results that might have already been processed. Ms. Perkins handed the jacket and hat to her and had excused to herself to go change. Blair had wandered into the office. She saw the blood on the floor in two different places and felt a chill run through her. She noticed something on Todd's computer screen and sat down to read it. As she read, she realized it was a suicide note. God, Christian had forced Todd to write a suicide note. Her heart skipped a beat because she knew everything Todd had said in the note was true to an extent. She had to get the ring finished, Todd's sanity was on the line.

"I never meant for you to read that. I'm sorry." Todd was standing in the doorway staring in her general direction.

"Todd, I can't believe Chris made you write it, but I'm not sorry I read it. I know how hard this has been for you. Tomorrow everything will change. The ring is nearly ready and I've also got a new watch casing ready for the second implant. Thank you for surviving. We've got Chris where he can't hurt anyone else and maybe we'll be able to get him some help." she got up and went to Todd and wove her hands into his long luxurious hair. "I've got you and I intend to do everything in my power to keep you here with me, fully healthy." she pulled his face to hers and took his lips letting him know that he was everything to her.

John and Natalie found them embracing and quietly removed themselves from the premises. John had everything he needed from Todd. He looked over at Natalie and wished things were back to normal for them. He couldn't help being envious of Todd at that moment.

Not far away, Carlo sat waiting for word from his operative. Vega was usually very prompt, Carlo turned to looked at the tapes of the events that had taken place at Dragonheart. He observed Vega entering the home and then he waited. The next thing his cameras had caught was the sound of a shot being fired. It was followed by more silence. Then two more shots rang out right before the police arrived and moved into the mansion. Carlo watched as the police searched the grounds and figured Vega might have escaped out the back. He sincerely hoped that was the case, he couldn't afford for him to be taken into custody. Shortly thereafter an ambulance had arrived on the scene as well as Llanview's Forensic team, Carlo thought he recognized Natalie Banks entering. Soon someone was being transferred to the ambulance and it roared out of the driveway with sirens blaring. He watched as Blair arrived home and then saw her leave distraught with Natalie and John. Carlo pondered if Samuel had died or just been seriously hurt. Carlo reached for the phone. Calling Kipling, he asked. "Have you heard from anyone at the hospital that Samuel Toddman was brought in?...No?... If any one of your sources hears anything I need to know immediately." Damn he was just going to have to wait until either Vega called or a source contacted Kipling. Carlo stood up and walked out of the surveillance room.

Todd heard the front door close and knew John and Natalie had left. He broke the kiss to reach and caress Blair's lips with his fingertips. he loved the fullness and shape of them, she kissed his fingers sending shocks to his heart with each dainty kiss. His hands moved to examine every inch of her face. Samuel had worked from memory all those years and Todd closed his eyes and saw her features appear as his hands flowed over them. "Do you know how beautiful you are. I've never been able to figure out how you, of all people, wanted to be with me. Back when we first met, and you laughed at me in the bar, I was taken with you. There was something easy and natural between us. You lit something in me with your first touch and now the flame fills me. I burn for you, Blair. Feed my fire." he took her lips once more and it felt like everything around them ignited with their passion.

Some time later, he rolled over running his fingers down her side and smiled as she purred and moved into the caress. He held her in his arms, laid there and replayed in his mind how close he had come to losing her earlier. Unconsciously his arm tightened about her.

Blair had been listening to his heart beat in her ears when he had tightened his grip and she knew something had bothered him. "Hey there, give a woman a chance to breathe." his arm immediately loosened and she said. "What's the matter?"

"There was a moment today when I realized I might not survive. I was trying desperately to get to the office where the second implant was, and Chris's first shot barely missed me. My hands were literally shaking trying to open that damn container knowing he was going to come through that door and I wouldn't be able to stop him. Time slowed as the implant dropped into my hand and my sight returned and the door crashed open. There we were, he had me dead to rights. No one was more surprised than I was when he didn't shoot, and then I realized he figured I was blind and trapped, he didn't need to rush the shot. That was when he gave me my options, a quick bullet, or a chance to say goodbye to you. He decided to be lenient for your sake. I knew John was listening to the whole conversation, so I went along with the suicide suggestion figuring to stall as long as I could. Chris had no idea I could see him and when he began to raise his gun to shoot me as I was finishing the note to you I flung myself out of the chair just as his shot rang out. There were just seconds as he rounded the desk and took a second shot, he saw my gun too late to avoid my shot, and I rolled to avoid his shot. We both were very lucky." he felt Blair's hand touching his side. "I'm grateful I didn't kill him, I don't want to have to face that again."

Blair had seen the wound at the hospital and was also grateful. She was grateful that Todd's luck, when it came to being killed, as still in force, but she wondered just how many more lives he had left. She found herself stroking his chest and again his arm tightened around her but this time it was just enough to let her know he wanted her. She smiled and laid her head on his shoulder saying. "Let's not think about that, you're here with me, that's all we need to think about right now."


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Chasing the Monsters: 49

Todd started to pick up the things he'd knocked onto the floor.  "Nothing, I was . . . just mad."

"God," she said, bending down to help him, "you sure were.  Are you okay?"

"I'm fine.  I'm just dealing with everything."

"I know.  It better not be those tapes."  She looked around.  "Why is Sam's laptop in here?"

"Oh, that?  Just looking through it."

"Anything?"

"Nothing yet but I'll find out Blair," he said, and they both met up alongside the desk, putting handfuls of things back.  "You trust me, right?"

"Yes, I trust you."

"Okay, then let me handle it for now.  I promise when I have something substantial, I'll share."

"Okay," she said, looking down at the laptop, and then she said, "Don't let anything happen to him."

"I won't.  I promise.  He'll be all right.  He has you, and me," he said, stacking more things back on the desk.  

She said, "Are you working home today?"

He finally sat back down.  "Yeah.  I guess I will."

"That's good.  I like when you're around," she said, walking out, and called back, "I love you."

He looked at Sam's laptop again and shoved it aside.  

Instead, he set off with the intent to work and brought up the list of Chicago Police Department staff from 1976.

***

Timothy thought over the events of the day.  His mind, without his say-so resting most often on his interaction with Jack Ribsky.  He knew what the man was dealing with; he'd done it himself.  At the same time, he could not help but think thoughts of Erin, her death in front of his eyes, and her absence from his life.  He'd caught his like for the bottle during those times, when nights were so long, and living without her was unbearable.

"The drink was y'ar only friend, then," he said aloud, knowing that it still called to him, on occasion, and how hard he fought to keep it at bay.  He pushed the idea out of his head and went on to something else.

The promise he had made to this young man that had brought meaning into his life, was something that was high on his list of priorities.  Many times, when he felt the need to take a drink, he thought of the promise that he made and knew he had to follow through.  So many pledges to Todd had been broken in his life; he was not about to be part of it.  When they had been in Ireland, after Todd forgave him for lying about Carlo's death, paying the cost of his hospital bills, Timothy'd finally found a reason to be sober.  Here was this troubled man, sometimes so like a boy, who had been fatherless most of his life, and was asking, needing, that in his world.

Now, it was bigger than even that, for he had grandchildren, and a beautiful daughter-in-law: even one great-grandchild, all who loved him as their own.  They gave him more purpose, more meaning, and more reason than he thought possible.

So, as he sat alone, in his hotel room in Chicago, he resisted the urge to throw back bourbon, and instead, took out his wallet and cruised through his photograph collection.  His sister, Rebecca Katherine, as a child, and then, in her habit and wimple; a very torn and old photograph of Erin and Eric; his social security card.

Starr was first, though he had spent the least time getting to know her, he made a promise to himself.  Looking at the photograph of her with Hope on her lap, her mother's smile and her father's spirit staring back at him, he made a promise to get to know her better, and soon.  

The next photo was Jack, strong and young, and strikingly handsome.  He remembered the boy, hunched over the commode, puking his guts out on the eve of the opening, and how he later taught him to hate the drink as he learned to.

In the photo of Sam, he saw nothing of his parents, not physically, as it shouldn't have been.  But in his eyes was the hope that Blair had placed there over the time she had loved and raised him.  He smiled to himself and leafed through to the next picture and Ray, longish curls framing his face, was smiling up to his own finger, that was pointed heavenward.  A beautiful child, all he showed in his face and eyes was Todd.  If he had seen Todd as a child, he was certain that this was how he looked.  And finally, Jewel, the little diminutive beautiful doll-like child, a miracle for Blair, and Todd as well, that was brought into the world by her father's hands.

The last photo in the stack was of Todd and Blair, together.  It was a copy of their first real wedding, from 1995.  Todd with his long hair, and Blair smiling, with her upswept tresses and banana curls on each side of her face.  Her old style dress was a perfect compliment for his suit, and surrounding them were balloons, all shapes, in gold.  He smiled at their photo, realizing the love between them on that day was bigger and stronger than it ever was right then. 

This made him sigh, and put away his wallet, and say aloud, "My family," and closed his eyes, embracing sleep.  

***

Todd waited in The Sun Office until he knew the copter would be landing, bringing the boys home.  He worked on assorted small tasks that he had to complete, but noticed his concentration was lacking.  His mind was a mixture of Sam, waking from nightmares and himself, as a child, hiding from Peter in the closet or the shed.  He gulped, and sipped his coffee.  

When he finally heard the airborne vehicle approaching, he closed Sam's laptop, returned it to his room, and headed to the helipad.

Perzno brought the copter down, and Sam jumped out of the cabin, bookbag tousling on his back, and made a beeline for his room.  "Hey, Dad!  I won the spelling bee preliminaries."

"Whoa, big word there.  That's great!"  He eyed his older son, who took an immediate hint and went inside.

"Yeah, I'm glad, and now I go to the big competition."

"Well, that's awesome.  I'll be there."

"Okay," he said, and Todd instinctively put him up on his shoulders overhead.  "Let's go.  Duck in the doorway, Sam."

They walked through the master bedroom, and Todd put Sam down in the sitting area.  Sam said, "Where's Mom?"

"I think she's busy with the little ones."

"Oh, and where's Grandma Bitsy?"

"Probably doing the same thing.  I thought you and I could go outside for a while.  Want to?"

"Yeah!  I'll go change and put my stuff down."

"Okay.  I'll get my jacket and meet you downstairs."

Within a few minutes, Sam was hurrying down the steps.  "Mom, Mom!  It's going to be just me and Dad."

"That's great, I love those times," she said shooting him a look and licking her lips.

"Me too, but it's Sam's turn."

"Yay!"  Sam shouted and ran to the sliders.

Todd looked at Blair again, and this time, he reached up and touched the edge of the strand of hair that was framing her face.  He said, "Me and Sam, just us, Mom."

She nodded.  "Okay.  No bears, you two."

They went out into the backyard.


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