Todd's Saga 26: The Struggle

       Todd said goodnight to his sister and walked back down to Victor’s room.  He opened the door and stood looking at his brother.

Victor glared at him.  “That’s it then, you’re just going to keep me tied up.  At least have the decency to let me use the bathroom.  It’s been over eight hours since Clint helped me out.”  He glanced over the side of the bed at a plastic bottle lying on the floor.

Todd chuckled at Clint’s ingenuity. He had forgotten that particular essential problem when he had left Clint and Victor that morning.  It looked like Clint had managed to make do.

Victor snarled. “You think it’s so funny.  I know for a fact there were times you were unable to help yourself.  Shock therapy can do that to a man.”

 The smile faded as Victor’s truth hit home.  He recalled the embarrassment and indignity he had felt when Kent and another man had cleaned him up after Baker had hit the switch on the electric chair he had been hooked up to. Bile backed up into his mouth over the memory. He swallowed hard, tasting the bitterness and walked over to where he had left the tape the night before.  He pulled out his pocket knife and walked to the end of Victor’s bed.  Taking the knife, he slashed the tape holding one of Victor’s legs to the bedpost and started to wrap both legs together.

“What the Hell!” Victor immediately jerked his foot loose and attempted to send a kick to Todd’s head.

         Todd barely escaped a heavy blow to his head, jerking back as Victor’s shoe scraped across his forehead.   “Naughty, Naughty, Victor.   You’re not going to take me out that easily.”  He grabbed the foot and while Victor continued to struggle, he managed to bind the two feet together.  He left the feet apart just enough for Victor to take small steps.  “There, that should hobble you.”  Before cutting the other foot free from the bed Todd went up to the headboard and uncuffed one of Victor’s hands.  He placed a knee on Victor’s chest to keep him from making another attempt to flee as he uncuffed the second hand and proceeded to cuff both hands together. 

        Victor tried to fling Todd off his chest, struggling to find a means to take him down, but his brother just put more of his weight down on him. “You won’t get away with this Todd.  Viki will never let you keep me like this for long.”

        Todd stared dispassionately at his brother.  “Don’t be too sure of that.  She saw what you attempted with Clint and understands probably better than you how important all of this is.  Okay, you said you wanted to use the bathroom, so this is how it’s going to work.  I’m going to cut your other leg free and we’ll make our way there.  No sudden moves Victor.  This is your one chance to do something with a little bit of your dignity left intact.   You behave and the privilege will continue.  Think what the alternative will be.” 

        Victor stopped fighting and reluctantly nodded.  

        Todd hopped off of Victor and quickly sliced the tape binding him to the bed, then held onto Victor as he swung his legs off it.  He helped Victor get to his feet and they began their strange walk to the bathroom.  

        Effectively hobbled, Victor let Todd guide him to the room.  The whole time Victor was taking in his surroundings.  It was clear that the home he was in, was an older structure.  The bathroom looked like it dated back to the early 1900s.  Unfortunately, the lateness of the hour made it impossible for Victor to see anything outside the window.  He still had no idea where he was.  Todd stood guard over him, so he was unable to do anything but relieve himself.  In his head, a plan formed.  If it went as expected, Todd would no longer be a problem and his whereabouts wouldn’t matter. “I’m finished, Todd. Let’s go.”  As they made their way back down the hallway, Victor made his move.

        Because Victor behaved himself on the way to the bathroom, Todd let his guard down.  It was a mistake.  He was totally unprepared when Victor suddenly stumbled and toppled to the floor.  “Damn It, Victor!   Can’t you keep your feet under you?”  He reached down to help his brother up.

        Victor slammed his two feet into Todd’s gut.   As Todd doubled over from the hit, Victor took another swipe at his head, this time connecting and clipping him just under the chin causing his head to snap back. 

        Todd fell to his knees beside Victor, struggling to stay conscious.  He reached for the hall table, sending it crashing to the floor just as Victor wrapped his arms around Todd’s neck, and began to cut off his air with the handcuffs.

        Viki heard the crash and rushed into the hallway. “My God, Victor.  Stop!”

        Todd heard Viki’s voice, but it sounded like it was down a tunnel.  He knew Victor had him well and truly caught and it was getting harder and harder to breathe.  Try as he might he couldn’t break Victor’s hold.

       Victor looked at his sister and snarled. “Why?” He continued to apply pressure. Todd’s struggles were getting weaker. “He killed Tea and Dani and just walked away without a scratch..  Hell, he shot me and got away with that.  I’m just putting him down like he deserves.”

        “Please Victor.  He’s your brother and Tea and Dani are fine.  They’re alive in Llanview and worried sick about you. Listen to me! I wouldn’t lie to you.  Wait. please!” Viki pleaded. “Let me prove it to you.”  She saw Victor waver and slacken his hold.

        “How?” Victor refused to let Todd go.  His brother had passed out and it would be a simple matter to finish the job.  Viki had gotten his attention.  More than anything Victor wanted Tea to still be waiting for him.  “Prove to me that Tea’s alive.”

       “Please Victor, let me get my phone.  We’ll call her, you can watch me to see I’m not trying to trick you.”

       “Go get it. But if you’re trying to fool me, I’ll snap his neck.  He might be my brother, but I feel nothing for him.”  Victor watched as Viki ran back to her room.  He looked at the unconscious man lying in his arms.  “You better hope Viki is telling the truth.  I swear if this is another trick, I’ll finish what I started and finally be rid of you.”

       Viki frantically ran back out into the hall and cautiously knelt next to her two brothers. “Look, Victor, it’s Tea’s number.  I’ll dial and when she answers, you’ll know I’m telling the truth.” She sent the number and put the phone to Victor’s ear.

****

       Tea turned over in her bed and reached for her phone. Seeing Viki was calling she answered the phone. “Viki, what is it?  It’s two in the morning.  Are you alright?”

        Victor was stunned. His voice was shaky. “Tea, is that you?”

       Tea sat upright in bed shocked. It sounded like Victor.  Was she imagining this whole thing? She looked again at the phone and it still read Viki’s number.  “My God.  Wait, I don’t understand.  Where are you?”  She looked around and suddenly realized it wasn’t safe to say anymore.  Like Viki and Blair, she had had the house searched for bugs and several had been located.  One was in the bedroom. She jumped from her bed and went into the adjoining bathroom and turned on the water.  Then hugging herself, she sat down at the vanity.  “Victor, it’s me, I can’t believe I’m talking to you.  Oh please tell me you’re alright!  I’ve been so frantic since Todd showed me the note saying the Organization had you again.”

       Victor loosened his hold around Todd and reached to take the phone from Viki.  All that was important in that minute was talking to his wife.  “It’s really you.  I’m not dreaming.  You’re alive.”

       Tea’s brow furrowed. Something was wrong. “Victor, of course, I’m alive.  I’m talking to you, aren’t I?  Where are you?  Are you at Viki’s?”

       Victor heard the anxiety and tremor in Tea’s voice.“Shh, it’s alright.  I don’t know where I am, but I’m not at Viki’s.  I am using her  phone.”

       Tea ran a hand through her hair.  “This is all confusing.  Why do you have Viki’s phone?  Is she with you?”  Feeling a little light-headed, Tea wet a cloth with a little bit of water and held it to her forehead.  Her heart was racing. Victor was alive and talking to her but he wasn’t making a lot of sense.

         Victor looked beside him where Viki was trying to revive Todd.   They had been telling the truth.  Tea was alive.  He turned his attention back to his wife. “It’s rather complicated.  Tea, I need to know if Dani is still okay.”

         Tea sobbed. “Oh Victor, I’m a terrible mother.  I said everything wrong and now Dani’s running around with a man old enough to be her father.  She won’t even talk to me anymore.  She’s alright though.  Victor, how did you get away from the Organization?  When Todd left he promised he’d get you back safely but then he disappeared himself. They found his plane in ashes and poor Blair, she loved him so much, it almost destroyed her when she heard the news.”

        Listening to Tea, Victor began to wonder if he had totally misjudged his brother.  Tea had just confirmed Todd’s promise and she had no idea he was alive and well.  Todd had somehow faked his death to get the Organization off his back.  Victor glanced again at his sister.  Naturally, Todd had kept Viki in the loop.  Victor understood why, too.  Viki’s love was the one constant they both shared.  He knew Blair probably was also involved.  In order to keep the secret, they had chosen to keep Tea out of things.  “Tea, I can’t say anymore.  The Organization is looking for me, again, so I need to stay away from home.  I’m sure Viki will tell you everything she can when she sees you again.”

       Tea sensed Victor was ending the call.  “Wait, don’t hang up!  Come home, Victor.  Bo will protect you.  We’ll get you help.  I don’t know what they did to you, but we’ll find a way to fight it.”  Tears were streaming down her face. She knew what his answer was going to be and it tore her apart.

        Victor closed his eyes as he heard the anguish in her voice.  He couldn’t bring her into this whole mess.  He looked at Todd beginning to stir in Viki’s arms.  In his head, he kept hearing a voice telling him Todd was the source of all his troubles, but suddenly it didn’t ring true.  Tea was alive and so was Dani.  The Organization had lied to him, not Todd.  “Listen, Tea.  It’s too dangerous for me to come home.  There are things at work here bigger than me or Todd.  I love you, just remember that.” Unable to stand the sound of her crying he disconnected the call.

        His shoulders sagged as he stared at the phone.  Coughing and movement alerted him to the fact that Todd was regaining consciousness.  Victor moved away from Todd and Vicki and reached to remove the tape from around his feet.  He stopped suddenly when he felt the cold barrel of a  gun at the back of his head.

        “Hold still, Victor.” Clint stood behind Victor, holding the gun steady. “Viki, is Todd alright?”

         When she had pulled Todd’s unconscious body away from Victor, he was so still.  She had feared Victor had killed him.  She had attempted to wake him and suddenly he had gasped for air.  All of her concern had been for Todd as she held him and listened to his labored breathing.  Finally, his eyes had fluttered open.  Hearing Clint’s question, Viki nodded as Todd rolled onto his side, coughing and wheezing as he took in bigger breaths of air.  “Easy, it’s over.  Just take it slow.”

        For his part, Todd struggled to fill his oxygen-starved lungs with some air.   After a few minutes, he felt stronger and attempted to sit up.  His eyes finally began to work and he saw Clint holding a gun on Victor.  The last thing he remembered was Viki yelling at his brother.  “Thanks, Clint.  I owe you.”

        “You don’t owe me, Todd.  Thank Viki.  She’s the one who got Victor to stop.”

         Todd pulled himself up to a sitting position and turned to his sister. “Viki??...I...How??”

         Smiling tremulously, Viki explained.  “I had him talk to Tea.”

          Alarm bells started going off in his head.  He got to his feet unsteadily. “We need to leave.  If they’ve been monitoring Tea’s calls, they’ll know where we are now.” He staggered back against the wall, as a wave a dizziness took him.

         Viki had gotten up too and now she steadied him.  “Todd, it’s alright.  I didn’t use a house phone.  I used my regular cell.  The only thing anyone will be able to tell is that Tea received a call from me.”  She glanced over at Victor still sitting on the floor under Clint’s watchful eye. “I think the big question we need to ask is, did it help?  Do you believe us now, Victor?”

         Todd felt a sense of relief as Viki’s words penetrated the fog still in his head.  He couldn’t help but admire his sister even more.  She had stopped Victor from killing him and she might very well have finally gotten through to Victor as well.  It should have comforted him but at that moment he would have liked nothing better than to see Victor dead.  Suddenly the gun went off.  He watched as in slow motion, Victor slumped to the floor, a pool of blood spreading out under him.  Clint stood above him, his face impassive. Todd was powerless to stop the old man.

        Clint said. “The Organization must be protected at all costs.” 

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Failings of the Fathers: 14

"So, my Dad said he'd do whatever."

"I'm going to college, free?" Jenna asked.

"Sure.  Why not?  It's not like he can't spare it."

She was quiet, walking beside him, to their favorite lunch place.  Settling themselves down on the little picnic blanket that Jenna had brought and stashed in an empty locker in the deserted "art hall" as they called it, they took out their lunches and started to eat.

"I'm not sure what to say about it."  Jenna said.  "You know, your Dad paying for my school."

"Then don't say anything.  It's not like you have to."

"I mean, I feel so . . . lucky."

"Well, you are.  Just let it go at that, I guess."

"What about you?"

"Not sure yet.  I really just want to stay around here and work for my father.  He's missed a lot of my life, and I don't really want our family apart again."

She nibbled at her lunch, but he could see his last words had affected her.  "Did I say something wrong?"

"No, I just . . . don't have a family anymore, really.  Just me and Lynnie."

"I'm sorry.  You can share mine, if you want to.  We have more than enough."

She laughed, "I guess you do.  And it seems to keep on growing.  Timothy adopts your father, and now, Timothy has a son that's living, and your mom's going to have a baby."

"Yep.  That's how Mannings roll."

She laughed again, eating some more.  Then she said, "Jack, even with all the bad things, your family is fortunate to be together.  And, all of you love each other, and work to stay together.  That's the important thing."

"People think we're crazy.  The Dysfunctional Mannings."

"Dysfunctional?  Isn't that term sort of relative?"

He thought.  "Maybe so, because for me, I like the way we function, for the most part, just not the crap my father has had to go through, and my mother, too."

"Maybe none of it matters as much because they have each other."

"Maybe."

***

Bitsy pulled Little Ray out from under the crib by his feet, spying them sticking out to reveal him.  She looked right into his face, and shook her head "no."

He gently patted her face.  "Okay.  No.  No Gamma."

She smiled.  She put him down and put out her hand.  He took it, and they walked together to the stairs.  He looked up at her and said, "Lunch?"

She nodded.

In the kitchen, Bitsy puttered about, getting his lunch items ready: organic chicken nuggets, some carrots and a peach, all cut into the right sized pieces for an almost-three year old.  He was in his highchair, and was banging on the tray.  She came over to him and put her hands over his.  Looking into his face, again, she shook her head "no."  

Ray stopped.  Finally, she brought his food to him, and he said, "Thank you!" and dug in.  She petted his hair and went back to cleaning up after herself.  

Todd's feet were heard on the stairs, and he rounded the corner into the kitchen already talking, "Gotta get Ray lunch . . .oh, Momma, you already did that."

She nodded, from the sink.  She finished the last few items from his lunch prep, and then turned toward Todd, wiping her hands.

"Momma, you don't have to."

She nodded, as if to say, "Yes I do."  She smiled.

Her hair at the left of her face was falling out of the twist she wore to keep it all out of her eyes.  She was in a simple dress, that reminded him of a little girl.  It was white, with calico flowers.  Her signature white bobby socks were at her ankles, with no shoes.  He smiled to himself.  She plopped into a chair.

He said, "You're tired, from chasing him huh?"

She nodded, and laughed a little.

"He's a handful, we know.  Does he kick you?"

She shook her head, "no."

"Well, you're about the only one.  I won't let Blair near him because he's gotten into that bad habit."

She put her hand out toward the refrigerator, toward the memo pad.  He got it for her and handed it and the pencil to her.  She wrote, as Ray ate and made his usual sounds of enjoyment.

He doesn't kick me because I speak his language.

Todd laughed aloud at this, and handed the pad back to her.  "Really?"

Yes.  We understand each other.

"You were a great Mother, makes sense you're a great Grandma."

Her face changed, and she broke down into her hands, elbows resting on the table.  He went to her side, "Momma, stop, now, what's this about?"

She cried softly.  Ray said, "Gamma sad."

"Momma, come on.  It's all right."  He slid the pad toward her.  She didn't write.

"Momma?  Ray's getting worried.  You have to stop crying now.  It's really all right."  He put an arm around her shoulders.

"Gamma sad.  Down, Daddy."

"Not now, Ray, just a minute."

"Down Daddy!  Down!"  the toddler yelled, and took his spoon and slammed it.

Bea looked up and composed herself.  She stood and straightened her dress a bit, and went to Ray.  Looking directly into his eyes, she shook her head, "no" and then waited.  He slowed his slamming, and then, after a few minutes, he stopped.  "Gamma sad?"

She shook her head "no" again, and put her fingers to her mouth and shushed him.  "Shhh."

"Down, Gamma."

She shook her head "no" again, and made another "Shhh."

He went back to finishing his peach, and she turned to the table, taking the pad.  Don't ever say I was a great mother.  But you can say I am a great Gramma.

***

It was a few hours before the copter returned the boys to the house.  They came in through the master bedroom, mainly because they knew their mother was there all day now, and had been for the last three days.  They trudged in, after wiping their feet on the mat outside the towering glass panes.  Sam was first, "Mom!"  he said, running to her bed and jumping on.

"No, young man, get off here with those shoes.  Get them off first."

He did as she asked, and then jumped back on, hugging her gently, and sitting next to her.  He was waving a paper at her.  "I got a hundred."

"Let me guess, spelling?"

"No, Math!"

"Great job!  Sam, you're so smart."

"Just like your father," Todd said, from the door.

Jack was already at the fireplace, starting one.  "I have an idea," Jack said, from the sitting area.

"What's you're idea?"  Blair asked.

"Let's have a family night, right up here, remember, we used to all the time downstairs, though.  Grandma Bitsy can come and Ray, until he runs away from us eight or ten times and has to go to bed."

Blair laughed.  Todd said, "You have it all figured out, huh?"

"Yep," Jack said, closing the fireplace guard.  The fire was already picking up.

"Mommy, what do you think?"  Todd asked her.

"I think it's a decent idea, sure!  Daddy, what about pizza?"  Blair questioned.

"Why do you two call each other Mommy and Daddy when we're here?"  Sam said.  "You're Todd and Blair."

There was light laughter in the room.  "Okay, Blair, I think pizza can be arranged."  Todd added.  "But for you?  Are you supposed to avoid spicy food?"

"I think spicy means spicy hot, not pizza."  Blair said.

"All right, it's all settled then," Todd said.  "I'll get the pizza going in about an hour.  Until then, you guys hang out and do homework.  Mommy, I mean, Blair, you choose the movie."

"Thank God she's choosing," Sam chimed in, "I can't watch that Evil Dead II another time.  Gees, Dad, you gotta let go."

Blair burst out laughing, and Todd put his arms folded over his chest.  "What?  Are you saying that I am obsessed with that movie or something?"

Jack rolled his eyes, "No offense, Dad, but yeah."

"Maybe just a little," he said, going off to get Bitsy.  Sam hankered down in the sitting area, cracking the books.  Jack went and got some items he needed from his room for his study session.  Bitsy returned with three sketch pads and her pencil box, and since Little Ray was still napping, all of them had some quiet time to get things done.  Blair was making a list of things they would need for the new baby.  Somewhere in her heart, she realized the baby was on her way, sooner than later.  In the midst of their silence, after Todd returned with his tablet to work on The Sun, Sam blurted out, "Grandma Bitsy had a dream about the baby."

Everyone in the room just looked at him, while he was still focused on his homework.  Blair said, "Really, Sam?"

Bitsy shook her head "no" as if it were nothing.

"Yep.  She had a dream about the baby.  It was little, and beautiful and precious.  And it was perfectly healthy.  It was really small.  She drew it."

Todd looked up, surveying what was going on from a side point.  Blair said, "Momma, did you draw her?"

Bitsy sheepishly looked at Blair, and nodded slowly.

"Can I see?"

The older woman got up, and took her sketch pad to Blair.  Handing it to her, Blair noticed she had written something under it.  

The dream about the baby.

The picture was the side view of a man's hand, with a baby in it, like a cradle.  The fingers held up the head lightly, and the baby's legs, of course, were curled in toward herself.  Blair's eyes filled with tears, and Todd, seeing things might become emotional for her, put his tablet down and went to the bed.  He crawled on next to his wife, and leaned over to see the drawing.  "That's a beautiful drawing, Momma.  I think it's symbolic, that the baby is held up by her father's love," Blair said.

Bitsy nodded.

Blair asked, "Bitsy, did you dream the baby was small?"

She looked at Todd first, and then to Blair and nodded.

"She was tiny?  Like this, in your dream?"

She nodded again, this time taking her "talk pad" and writing:  Yes.  She was so beautiful and perfect in every way.  She was moving, and breathing, and alive and so so precious.

Blair's tears fell, but her face was one of gratitude.  "Thank you, Momma.  This is so special."

Bitsy nodded once in acceptance of the thanks, and went back to her drawing spot by Sam.  Both Todd and Blair studied the drawing another moment.  He said, softly, "See, the baby was happy and alive."

Blair waited, then said, "Bitsy's right.  The baby is going to be here soon, and she will be tiny.  The doctor said the same thing, Todd."

Todd looked at Blair and said, "And alive.  Perfect in every way, and alive."

"And safe in your hands, My Love," she said.

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The Mysterious Samuel Toddman : Chapter 8

Samuel rolled over in bed "God, My head is killing me. Wait.  How did I get here? I remember standing in the sitting room talking to the girls. Ahh this head!" he gingerly sat up noticing that he was still dressed except for his shoes. Standing up he made his way to the bathroom. "That's strange, the medicine cabinet is opened." The pain was intense he reached for the aspirin and took two. Samuel closed the cabinet door and grimaced as he viewed those hated scars glaring out at him from the mirror. "You're the culprits for this headache, just because I wanted to remember how I got you." Samuel returned to the bed, sat down and reached for his shoes. Doing so caused the room to spin. Samuel gripped the edge of the bed until the spinning stopped. "I might have to slow down a little bit. I'm not even going to be able to work if this keeps happening." He carefully put his shoes on and headed for the kitchen.

Grabbing the coffee pot, Samuel filled it with water, he noticed that his hands were shaking. "Get a grip Samuel. Okay something happened you can't explain but whatever it was you're still here." He couldn't stop wondering how he got to his bed and what had occurred before that. He looked around the room, nothing was disturbed. The front door was still bolted, no one had been in here last night, but Samuel felt like someone had put him to bed. He shook his head trying to clear the cobwebs, but that was a mistake as his head throbbed even harder. "No matter, I've got to get something accomplished this morning." He reached for his cup and filled it with some of the coffee being brewed, took a croissant from the counter and sat down at the table. "I just need to eat something and then back to work."

When he finished eating he filled his cup again and headed for the loft. The pain was easing up and Samuel had an idea for the next painting. He grabbed up a blank canvas and carefully moved his Muse to continue drying. Gathering his supplies around him, he took a brush and started to put the background in the painting. The colors were dark and murky and then shapes began to form. As he painted he found himself seeing a dark alleyway with one ghostly light shedding its glow on the scene below then a face appeared in his head one he had never seen. This face wasn't one of his Muses, but he knew her. He found he couldn't stop painting even though the pain in his head was once again returning. He kept going as her long hair unfurled around her face, he painted her lips trembling and her eyes glistening with tears, pleading at him. Samuel stood frozen staring at the lovely woman, his heart, as well as head, pounded ferociously. She was so scared. What had happened to bring that look to her eyes? Samuel was fascinated and frightened. The woman had some connection to him. He backed away from the painting taking the whole picture in. But even as he stood there it seemed to get bigger and he was suddenly standing in that alleyway. He was inches away from that face. Just as suddenly Samuel clutched as his chest.

Searing pain was making it hard to breathe. Samuel collapsed in a nearby chair praying for the pain to stop. He willed himself to think calm thoughts, this wasn't the time to panic. He looked around for one of his paintings of Dee. She would help, she always helped him. There she was, he focused hard on the painting of Dee laughing at him. There was snow around her and he had painted her with a ridiculous Santa hat on her head. She was so endearing. As he looked at Dee the pain began to subside, his breathing eased up and he was able to take a deep breath once more. It was alright. His heart was beating normally again.

He stood back up and looked at the painting he was working on. He deliberately avoided the face and instead decided to concentrate on the background a little more. While he was looking he saw a sign appear on the wall behind the face. Picking up his brush he quickly began putting the sign in the painting. When he was done he read it to himself. "Rodi's." Was it a real place?

***

Blair walked over and looked down at the sketch. He looked so real staring up at her from the table. She remembered thinking how breathtaking Todd's looks had been in those early years. There had always been something soulful and compelling in his eyes when he looked at you. It was as if he could see the real you. The combination of those eyes and the scar added an air of mystery to him. Todd always managed to draw attention to himself simply by a nod of his head or a knowing glance in your direction. Blair sat down and drew the sketch closer. She and Christian had talked late into the night about the possible reasons Samuel looked like Todd. Was it conceivable for Todd to have a twin? Not likely. Blair knew Todd's history and was pretty sure if Todd had had a brother, Irene would have written it in her diary all those years ago. Both she and Chris talked about the possibility of him being a double. It was a fact in the world that doubles do exist.

Blair looked at her watch. In less than an hour, Tomas would be coming for her. She was going to have some fun. Shoot, she was in Paris. One of the most romantic cities in the world. She was single and it was time to give herself a treat. Tomas was handsome and appeared to be unattached so she was going to enjoy herself. Taking a quick trip to the bedroom, she touched up her makeup , winked at her reflection in the mirror and grabbed her bag off the bed. After a quick peek at the contents of the bag, and noting that everything necessary was in it, Blair headed toward the door. Just as she reached for the handle, a knock was heard. "Yes, who is it?"

"Dearest Blair, it is your tour guide for the Day" Blair laughed and opened the door to find Tomas standing there smiling.

"You look enchanting My Dear, but don't forget your wrap. It is still nippy this time of year in Paris. I am hoping this will become a long friendship so that I'll have the privilege of also showing you Paris in the springtime. But we have today, and I will make the most of it. Come Paris awaits." He assisted her into her coat and they departed.

Arriving in the lobby, he took her arm and lead her out to a waiting cab. "Now, if you will allow, I chose to make reservations for us in the Eiffel Restaurant. This will give you an excellent view of Paris and we can discuss where to venture next." Blair was thrilled. She was going to see the Eiffel Tower and she was in the company of a very handsome and charming man. The cab ride proved very enjoyable as Tomas filled her in about Paris and told her amusing stories about some of it's famous history. By the time they arrived at the Tower she felt completely relaxed. They exited the cab and she gazed up at the incredible structure in front of her. The pictures she had seen didn't do it justice. She gave Tomas her hand and together they made their way to the restaurant. Tomas kept her fully entertained during lunch and as the meal was winding down, Tomas suggested several other places they could visit that afternoon. Blair accepted and they continued their adventure.

***

At the Charles De Gaulle International Airport a flight from Bermuda was arriving at the gate. The gendarme watched the passengers exiting, he couldn’t help but smile when he saw a charming mademoiselle exit looking very out of place in her summery clothes. As if knowing she was being watched Alex looked up and saw the handsome Gendarme staring at her. She put on her best smile and walked to him. " Excuse me, do you speak English. my French is very rusty."

The young officer replied "Yes Mademoiselle, what can I help you with?"

Her smile got bigger as she inquired, "Perhaps you could direct me to a Shoppe in the airport where I might purchase some more seasonal attire. I'm afraid I left Bermuda in somewhat of a hurry and forgot how much colder it was here." The young officer obligingly directed her to a great shoppe and Alex quickly added to her wardrobe. "Carlo's paying for all this I might as well take advantage of it." After changing into a beautiful cashmere sweater and suede leather slacks as well as some comfortable boots, Alex put on the lovely mink jacket she just purchased, gathered her new purchases and headed to baggage to retrieve her luggage. With her luggage retrieved Alex made her way to the exit and a waiting cab. "The Ritz." she informed the cab driver.

Alex sat back in the cab recalling the recent call from Carlo. She wasn't entirely sure why he had sent her here. She recalled a night eight years ago when they had happened upon the body of a man. When Carlo had turned him over, they both had been surprised to see the face of Todd Manning looking up at them. He had been beaten to within an inch of his life and was barely alive. Carlo had wanted to leave him, but Alex felt she owed him her life. If it hadn't been for Todd she would have been rotting in prison. She begged Carlo for his help and Carlo had agreed, but on his conditions. He told her he would take care of Todd, but she was to leave everything to him. At that, he had sent her away. She didn't know what happened after that until she met Todd later with his new face. She had just assumed that Carlo had financed Todd's recovery. But now he was asking her to go see this man in Paris.
.
What did Carlo mean she would know him when she saw him? She didn't know any Samuel Toddman and it was weirder than that. Carlo said he wasn't to know who he really was? That made no sense at all.

The cab pulled in at the Ritz and The Doorman helped Alex out. She entered and proceeded to registration. Then Alex headed for the Suite. Once inside she decided she'd better let Carlo know she was in Paris. She needed a little more information but was not sure if Carlo was going to give her any more. Taking off her Jacket, Alex reached for the room phone and called room service. It had been a long flight, tonight she was just going to unwind. Tomorrow would give her time to find out anything she could about this Samuel Toddman and she could also check into the restaurant that Carlo had mentioned.  A few hours later, relaxed and replenished, Alex picked up her wine glass and pulled out her cell phone. It was time to call Carlo!

"My Dear, how lovely to receive your call. So you are now in Paris? Excellent have you already made contact?" Carlo inquired.

"Well no,Carlo, that is why I called, after running everything you said to me on the phone yesterday, I'm a little confused. You said this had something to do with what happened eight years ago. I recall that night and that was when we helped Todd Manning. But I don't understand what this man has to do with Todd. Todd's in Llanview, yet you intimated that this is about him. You told me not to let Blair see me. It's very confusing." pleaded Alex.

"It will become clearer Alex, if you do what I tell you and don't ask any more questions. Now it is essential that you make contact with him before Blair can. You must get him to trust you enough that he'll be willing to go to the States with you.  He frequents a restaurant called Au Diable De Lombardes. With luck you'll find him there. Don't fail me Alex and again don't let on you know who he really is? "

Just as Carlo was about to hang up, Alex said one more thing. "But Carlo I don't know who he is. I've never heard of Samuel Toddman. You say I'll know him when I see him. I don't understand.”

 Cryptically Carlo replied."You will!" and cut the connection.

Alex put the phone down. It looked like she wasn't going to be able to leave everything till tomorrow. She was going to have to find him tonight. Alex set down her wine and made a call to the Concierge."Yes, are you familiar with a restaurant known as Au Diable De Lombardes?"

"Oui Madame, the Diable is a popular place with Americans."

"Excellent.  Could you make me a reservation for 9:00 o'clock tonight?"

"Oui, Madame, there will be a car waiting for you when you are ready to leave."

"Thank you monsieur. That will be fine." Alex hung up and went to the bedroom to see what she was going to wear for this seduction scene.

***

Samuel finished cleaning his brushes and took another quick look at his painting. Careful not to dwell for a moment on his subject's face he studied the portrait. It was a dark portrait in both the color and the mood that emanated from it. He could not remember any other portrait that he had done over the last eight years being so dark. He was beginning to believe his portraits and paintings were parts of his memory. But if that were true, then this painting depicted something very alarming and very scary indeed. This portrait was screaming violence and fear.

He steeled himself and looked at the face of the woman in the picture. Again his heart started palpitating and he felt overwhelming panic, he didn't want to know this woman. He had done something awful to her and he didn't know what that was but it was tearing into his soul. He shuddered and felt tears begin to make their way down his cheek. As he looked he was again in that alleyway, but now it was like standing and watching someone else. He stood there unable to move as he watched a man move closer to her. She was crying and he, the other man, was laughing getting some perverse pleasure out of her fear. From the corner of his eye, another figure entered the alleyway and started yelling,suddenly the new figure picked up a pipe and hit the laughing man across the face. Samuel felt that blow and reeled. Dismay and anguish welled up as he realized what he had just seen. He was the laughing man and that was when he got his scar. "Oh God, I was a Monster.” He didn't want to remember, but it was too late.

The memory wasn't going to go away, and Samuel knew in his heart that there were other memories even more horrific to come. Shakily Samuel left the loft, he felt dirty. He had to get out of the apartment. Right now he couldn't face his Muses, he couldn't face himself. He grabbed his coat, but he didn't take out the mask. He was ugly and he couldn't hide from it any more. Down on the street, he hailed a cab. "Take me to Au Diable." As the cab pulled away, Samuel felt like he was drowning in his thoughts.

***

Alex was looking at one expensive outfit after another, and then she paused. I don't even know what kind of place this is. I need more information. She went to her bags and pulled out her laptop and started searching for info on the restaurant. There it was. Well she didn't need to dress fancy for that place. Mr Toddman wasn't too selective where he ate but at least they served drinks. She could work with that. She looked down at the sweater and slacks and decided they would work just fine for this initial encounter. Now all she had to do was connect with Mr. Toddman. She grabbed her jacket and headed out. Down in the lobby she crossed to the concierge and said. "I'm Ms. Olanov, would you call a cab and cancel that 9:00 o’clock reservation, I'm going to go now." When the cab arrived, Alex got in and told the cabby "Au Diable"



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Failings of the Fathers: 13

"Good morning, Mommy," Todd said, bringing the tray into the bedroom, and she gently came to waking and sat up.

"What's all this?"

"Me, taking care of you, for a change."

"Thank you.  I appreciate it, so much."  She looked at the tray, relishing the idea of some breakfast.

"I got you some really good stuff."

"Sounds great."  She took a bite of fruit, and then said, "So, when are you going to tell me about what happened last night?"

"Uh, what do you mean?"

"You weren't in bed for a while.  What kind of snack would take all that long?"

"It was a big snack."

"You didn't want to upset me.  You had a dream.  Again."

"Let's not talk about that right now.  How are you feeling?"

"I'm great.  Todd, you don't have to hide from me."

"I know, I just . . . with everything from yesterday, I couldn't tell you anything that would stress you."

"I'm okay.  Really.  Now what happened."

He sat on the edge of the bed.  "Same dream, same stuff.  Momma woke up, she came and talked with me."

"I'm glad she was there for you."

"She was.  I think we needed it.  We talked about Peter.  She told me to let go."

"And?"

"I guess I should.  But it's like he's the one holding on.  I wish him gone, he shows back up.  It's always about the same thing, he wants to burn me, and take everything I've loved."

Blair had been keeping her thoughts to herself, and though she had hinted to Todd before that she felt strange about the time frame that the burn occurred, she didn't push it.  She said, "Then I guess you should."

"Can I ask you something, Blair?"

"Sure, why not?" she said, digging into her meal.

"Could . . .if this burn is from that time period. . ."

"Uhuh,"

"If someone did burn me, I mean, who would it be?"

She didn't want to answer, at first.  She wanted him to leave it behind, and just move on with their lives.  But she knew, somewhere inside her, that the burn was suspect.  It was obvious that it had been from that time.  She remembered seeing it.  The scene flashed through her mind:

"Shorty?  What are you doing up?  'Cause we took you out of that warm crib at Aunt Viki's huh?  It's warm up here, you just, try and sit still for a minute, okay?"

It was then she had appeared at the door.  He turned to her, and said, "What are you looking at?"

"You're a wonderful father.  You are."  She'd said.

He was so bitter; so far from her.  "Never thought I'd hear anyone say that to me?"

"Why not?"

"Well, look at my role models.  I mean, everybody knows Victor Lord's sterling reputation.  I don't know whether I was better off being abandoned by him or I was just lucky not to be raised by him.  And then there's warm, loveable Peter Manning, whose favorite hobby was to kick the crap out of me."

She'd sat by him.  "What a pair of fathers.  Makes me kind of happy I never knew mine.  But that's not gonna be the case for you, is it Starr?  No."  She'd said, changing her voice to suit her baby daughter.  "Todd, I'm . . . no wonder it's so hard for you to trust anyone.  Even me."  Back to Starr, she'd said, "I'm gonna go get your favorite blanket, okay?  Be right back."

She quickly had grabbed the blanket off the crib and went back, listening to him outside the bedroom door. 

"So many things to learn about you.  Your favorite blanket, your favorite food.  How to shut you up when you cry.  I mean, do you like to be rocked, or do you like the bounce?  I feel like I've gotta learn it all so quickly, you know, because you're gonna change.  And you are, you know.  I'll be there for you.  It won't be like it was with me.  I would lie down in front of a train for you.  And no matter what, no matter what you decide to do, you could be a bank robber or an accountant, and it wouldn't matter."

She moved closer to the doorway, and watched him.  He was holding Starr on her feet, as if she were standing.  He'd said, "I would never make you feel stupid or worthless or bad.  And I will never betray you, in any way.  I swear.  And then maybe you won't be so afraid.  Maybe you'll even like people.  Wouldn't that be nice, huh Squirt?"

She'd looked at him then, her heart splintering at his words, and at the same time, his brown shirt was rolled up at each sleeve, and she was positive could see the scar from the burn, on his inner forearm. . .

"Blair?  You all right, Babe?"

"Yes, I was, just remembering something.  When Starr was little, when you first met her.  Around that time."

"We've come a long way from then."

"I know we have.  But it was right after you came back, from Ireland.  You were so bitter and hurt."

"I was an asshole."

"Todd!"

"Well, I basically was.  But go ahead, what are you thinking?"

"Maybe you should consider the fact that I am pretty positive I saw that burn when you and I were at the penthouse, and you were talking to Starr about how you wanted her life to go.  Remember?"

He thought a moment.  "About the train?"

"Yes.  That one.  Your sleeve was rolled up, and I saw it, right there," she pointed to the one he had now, that was mixed in with a host of others.

"Okay.  So it was there."

"It was."  She finished off her breakfast.

"What are you saying, Blair?"

"I'm saying that . . . maybe you should investigate a little.  Maybe you could check into it?  Like, was it a wound from the shooting and the car being thrown into the ocean?"

"How would I do that?"

"I don't know, exactly.  Or something, maybe you could find someone who knew your mother and father, when you were younger, and find out more about what happened after his death."

Todd's face was filled with recognition.  "Why are you saying this, Babe?  Are you saying you think Peter did this?  He was dead.  I watched him die."

"When has that stopped anyone in your life story?"

He stopped and thought about what she said, and answered, "I'm not going there.  It was imagined, that's it.  No use in trying to resurrect the dead."

She raised an eyebrow.

"Okay, so I was dead once, too.  But, this is different."  He said. 

She folded her arms, and gave him the "really" look.

"Okay, so a bunch of people were dead and aren't.  Victor was, and came back and then there was Me.  Asa."

"You, more than once."

"Yeah, true.  He's not alive, Blair.  If he's alive, it means he could hurt you, or the kids."

"No, he can't hurt us.  We can take him.  He's an old man now, don't forget."

He kissed her nose, "I can't.  It's just . . . I can't let myself even think it.  I know it's all in my head."

"Then maybe someone out there knows who that was in your room at the clinic."

"You're stuck on this."

"Kind of.  Simply because I know you are."

"You believe me."

"Yeah."

"It was so real," he said, staring off.  "I remember it so clearly, he grabbed my arm."

"I know.  Maybe it was a replacement, or maybe a trick.  Maybe the Men of 21 started early.  Carlo?  Mitch?  He knew you, he was involved with Bitsy."

"Maybe," he didn't sound convinced.

"Why does it have to be that you're crazy?  That you imagined it?  Why couldn't it have happened to you?"

Her faith in him was surprising, and something in him warmed as he realized just how much she believed in him.  Here she was, hoping it happened so that she wouldn't have to accept he was insane, and here he was, wishing he imagined it, so that he did not have to face the next assumption:  if it happened, did that mean the someone who did it was alive somewhere?

***

Aiden was wheeled out of surgery on a gurney, with a pale green sheet covering him.  The second of his exploratory surgeries was complete.

Tina was waiting, in his room, and Timothy, as well.  Both had been there several hours, and were seated in the uncomfortable faux leather chairs often found in institutions.  She looked up from her knitting, and said, "He's back, they must have finished."

Timothy stood, as did Tina.  His limbs felt stiff and sore from the lengthy sitting.  He said, "He's alive, one good point, eh, Martina?"

"Yes, one good point."

Wheeled into the room, his gurney was brought against the bed, and locked.  Two orderlies lifted him on the count of three, and placed him effortlessly on his bed.  He didn't stir.  Tina went to the bedside, and Timothy close to her.  He reached over and touched his son's hand.  "Eric?"

There was no response, as a nurse came in.  "He'll be sleeping for several hours.  He won't come out of this fully until then.  You may as well go home."  She primped his pillows and fixed the sheets, and then connected all of the equipment to monitor him.  "It's already three in the afternoon.  You must have been here since this morning, say, over six hours?"

"We have," Timothy answered her.  His beard was slightly thickening with white stubble.  

Tina said, "When will he wake up?"

"As I said, could be several hours now.  Perhaps you should come back later, and check on him.  You know we have no visitor hour restrictions here."

Tina looked to Timothy, who said, "Is he all right, Nurse?"

"He's perfectly fine.  Came through it well."

"Thank ya," he said, and leaned over to look into his son's face.  Tina rested a hand on Timothy's back as he did so.

"He's so peaceful," she said, softly.

"He's going to get well, Dear Lady."

"Shall we go home, and come back?  Or should we wait here?"

"I don't know.  I want to be here when he wakes, as ya do as well."

"Let's just go to the cafeteria and get something to snack on, then," she said, realizing neither of them had eaten since breakfast.

"Good idea."  They walked arm in arm through the hallway, but not until both had kissed his unbandaged cheek.

As they entered the cafe, both took trays and got snacks and drinks, and brought them to a table by the window.  He said, "Zurich is somehow dull."

"I thought the same about Dublin.  No offense."

"Cities seem so gray."

"Yes."

"Ya have to eat to keep up y'ar strength, Dear One."

"I am, or at least I am trying."

"Why don't ya tell me some of those stories from y'ar adventurous past?"

"I'm . . . not in the mood, honestly."  Tina said.

"Isn't that Calvin, Malcolm and Miguel coming this way?"  He looked closer.  Aiden's friends.  "Yes, I believe it's them."

"They have the same idea we do."

"I see that," he said, as the men took a table not far from the two of them.

"Should we call Todd?"  she asked Timothy.

"Perhaps we will later, when he wakes.  He'll want to know how Eric's fairing, and we won't be able to say much to him now."

"That's true.  And you know how my brother is about these things.  He'll use that Manning intuition and try and read through it all anyway."

"He's quite the investigator, I'll say.  Some adventures he's had, and likely will.  Though some were not pleasant."

"I don't want to think about it," she said.  "At least Blair's okay this time.  He worries so much about her, since they lost their daughter."

"Yes, but another on the way."

"Thank goodness, yes."  She finished her snack and started sipping her tea.  "Those kids adore Todd."

"Amazing, considering the likes of the father who raised him."

"I know.  But they love him so much."

"He's a fortunate man in that area, he is."

"Kind of nice, two natural girls, two natural boys, and Sam."

"He loves them all so dearly, he'd give his life for any of them."

"He would.  I know that for a fact," Tina said, and she jolted a moment, as she was bumped by Calvin, getting out of his seat to go back for seconds.

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Failings of the Fathers: 12

He woke up, and immediately caught himself, trying to breathe slowly and barely move.  He didn't want to wake her, and didn't want her to know that he was still having the nightmares.  She'd been through enough, and with the recent developments with the baby . . .

He stared at the ceiling but couldn't shake it.  Peter was by the bed.  By THIS bed.  Looking at us.  He said it again.  He wants everything I ever loved.  Everything.

He closed his eyes, and said in his mind, "He's not going to hurt anyone.  He's dead, and that's that.  Let's go.  Get it together."

Still, after a few minutes passed, he couldn't get the image of Peter at the foot of the bed from his mind.  He slowly got out of the bed, and felt her move.  She touched his back, and groggily said, "Todd?"

He said, "I didn't eat enough.  Going to get some food."

She turned over to her other side, and became quiet again.  He touched her hair gently, and got up to make his way downstairs.

He was tired.  Nightmares interfered with his rest, and he was feeling it.  It wasn't as bad as it could have been, when he was going for days and days without rest, but it was starting to catch up.  He sat, outside the bedroom door, and attempted to get his bearings.  His knees up, he lowered his head and concentrated on clearing his mind.  I have a wife, her name is Blair.  I have a family, I have a home.  He repeated his mantra, and variations of it, over and over to try and clean the images and, hopefully, go back to sleep.

His concentration was broken by soft footsteps next to him, and he looked up.  It was Bitsy.  She was in a long, floral flannel nightie with a high ruffle collar and little pink socks.  He lifted his face until his eyes caught hers, and she tilted her head, as if questioning.  She crouched beside him, and put her hand on his head.  He whispered, "Momma."

She nodded.  She touched his mouth, and then motioned as if she wanted him to tell her.  Somehow he knew what she was asking.  "Peter.  He's . . . in my dreams.  I can't make it stop."

She opened her mouth, as if she wanted to speak.  And try as she might, she could not form words.  Instead, she nodded, as if prodding him on.  He said, "I can't wake Blair.  The baby."

She nodded again, in understanding.  At this point, she was sitting next to him, on the floor, looking into his face.  He whispered, "He wants to take everything from me."

She shook her head, violently, "no."  She got up, in the dark and left him, scurrying in her stocking feet, and came back with a pad.  She wrote:

No.  He can't.  He's not alive.  He's dead.  No one can take everything from you, except you.

He read it, and looked to the ceiling, eyes moist with tears.  "He won't go."

You must let him go.  You tell him to go.

"I tried.  He won't.  He comes back.  This has been all my life, Momma.  I hid it from everyone, from you, from Blair, from Tea, from myself.  All my life."

He's dead, Todd.

"He's only as dead as he is in my head."

You can stop that.  Dr. Ray.  And Blair, she loves you.

"I can't stop the dreams about him.  Since I went back to the clinic, in Switzerland."

I don't really understand, but tell me, My Angel.  I'm here.

"I was there, in the 90s.  Some men tried to kill me, shot me in the back, threw me over a cliff in the trunk of a car.  I was shattered, physically, and emotionally.  Blair was pregnant with Starr.  She thought . . . she thought I died.  After a while, I was sent to a Swiss clinic.  While I was there, I . . . thought I saw Peter."

When was this?

"Like 1996."  He looked at her puzzled expression, and he said, "No, he was dead.  I know, it couldn't have been him.  But . . ."

But, you saw him?

"I did.  He was by my bed.  He took out . . . he flashed his lighter."

Oh, the lighter.  He loved that thing, and what it could do.  I know.  I remember.  In your dream, he burned you?

"He grabbed my arm.  It was so real.  He burned my arm, and I have a scar where it was."

Bitsy didn't say anything, she just looked at where he pointed, and then she swallowed.  She thought, and then wrote:  How did Peter die?

"Heart attack.  I was in the room when he died.  He died with me there."

She pursed her lips.  I'm sorry you saw that.  But he was dead, if you saw him die.  He couldn't have burned you.  Could you be confused?

"Yeah.  Hell, yeah.  The men who kidnapped me . . ." he stopped, looking at her face.  He seemed to be searching for something.

Don't be afraid to tell me, Todd.  It's all right.  Go ahead, the truth.  It's the best thing.

"The men who kidnapped me used it against me.  They burned me, too, and cut me, did other things.  Even Blair was confused by it.  She thought she remembered the burn, but she's not sure either.  Anyone could have done it, it could have happened anywhere.  In the car crash off the cliff, for God's sake."

She didn't respond, she just brushed his hair with her hand.  He continued, "I don't know, Momma.  He just won't let go."

Todd, it's you who won't let go.  I know what he did.  I lived it with you.  Sometimes, it invades my heart, and my mind.  It's horrible, all of it.  I know, and I'm sorry.

He wasn't quite sure what happened, but he suddenly was overwhelmed by her words, and hung his head.  When she heard the rasps of his own weeping, she pulled him to her, wrapping her arms around him the best she could.  He grabbed the edge of her sleeve and gripped it.  "Momma," he said, "I should have stopped him."

No.  No.  She scribbled on her pad, while he still leaned against her shoulder.  You were a little baby, and then a little boy.  You couldn't save us.  You have to let go of that, too.

He closed his eyes and felt his mother's arms around him.  For a moment, he felt like a foolish man, being coddled like a child.  But the next moment, he could do nothing but accept her comfort and resign himself to trying to move on.  

"Momma," he said, softly, and she made the only sound she could. 

"Shhh," and lightly kissed the top of his head.

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Failings of the Fathers: 11

The next morning, Todd and Blair fed the kids and prepared them for school.  Jack was particularly tired and not enthusiastic.  In contrast to that, Sam was excitedly chattering at the table about his spelling bee that day.  Finally, Jack said, "Squirt, can you quit?"

"I'm just happy, because I am going to win the spelling bee.  Yay, yay, going to win the spelling bee," he sang.

Jack buried his face in his hand and said, "I give up."

"What's up, Buddy?  Tired?"  Todd said.

"Yep.  I was up until two studying for a science exam."

"That will do it."  He poured Jack a cup of coffee, "Try some of that."

"You guys don't like me drinking coffee."

"Sometimes there's a use for it,"  he said.

That was when he caught sight of Blair, leaning on the counter, as if catching her breath.  "Hey, Babe, what's going on?"

"I . . . don't know.  I felt a cramp, I think."

Todd felt alarmed, but he didn't let on.  "Oh yeah?  Come on, let's sit you down."  He took her arms to support her and led her into the family room.  The two boys became very quiet.

She said, "I'm okay, I really think so."

He sat beside her.  He was aware of the lack of noise in the kitchen, and knew he'd have to assure them as soon as she was all right.  He said, "Any more?"

"No, it was just one.  It didn't feel like a contraction.  It just felt crampy.  Not sure how to explain it, but I think I'm fine."

"Let's wait a second and see," he said.

She looked at him.  "The boys."

"They're okay."

In the kitchen, Jack was definitely awake now.  "Mom's okay, Sam, don't worry," he said, as the look on his brother's face went from elation over the spelling bee to dread.

Sam said, "I don't want Mom to be hurt, or sad.  I don't want our baby to die."

"Our baby won't die.  She's okay, really."  Jack said.

"Go see, Jack, please?"

Jack got up and went to the family room.  Peeking around the corner, he said, "Sam's flipping out."

"Bring him in here, Jack.  So he can see I'm all right."  Blair said.

Jack did what his mother said, and Sam ran to her, stopping short when he got there.  "Mom, are you okay?"

"I'm okay, Honey.  Just resting."

"Okay.  Mom, I don't want anything bad to happen."

"I don't either.  It's all right," she said.

Todd took Sam in his arms, and carried him back to the kitchen.  "What do you say, Bud?  You finished with your breakfast?"

"Yeah, I guess."  There was worry stamped across Sam's expression.

"Come on, go and get ready.  Get your book bag, and your coat.  You guys have to be in the copter in a few minutes."  Todd said.  Out of the corner of his eye, he saw his mother coming down the stairs, with Ray in her arms.  

She looked at him quizzically.  He said, "It's going to be okay, Momma."

She put her hand out to Sam, and he went to her, quietly.  She walked both of the younger boys back to the staircase and upstairs, while Jack tended to his mother, and Todd hastened back to her side.  "Better?"

"I'm fine, really.  It was just a little quirk."  She said.

Todd said, "We're going into town today to get you checked out.  That's all, Blair.  We're not talking about it."

"Okay," she agreed.

Jack said, "I'd better get going.  If you guys need me I'll be upstairs."

For a minute, Todd was nervous being left without the copter, but he felt somewhere in his gut that things would be all right.  She hadn't had another cramp, and she was calm and nowhere near panic.  He said, "You okay?"

"Yeah, I'm fine."  She went to try and get up, and he stopped her.  

"No, wait a few minutes.  Let's just sit."

They did.

Sam was nervous, and asked more than enough questions when they were up on the second level.  Bitsy adeptly put Little Ray into his playpen in the nursery, and then took Sam's hand and led him to her room and her desk.  She immediately took a pen and paper, and wrote, furiously.

You mustn't be upset.  Your mother is all right.  The baby will be born and she will live.  She'll be tiny, but she'll be perfect.

"How do you know all that, Grandma?"

I just know.  I dreamed of it.  The baby will be precious and small and beautiful.

"Do you promise?"

She nodded.

"Okay.  I want a baby sister.  I already have a baby brother, and an older brother, and an older sister, too."

She smiled, handing him the smaller sketch pad.  He said, "You want me to work on my elephant?"

She nodded again and patted his head.

He sat at her desk, and opened the sketch pad.  There were a few pages where he started drawing his elephant and "messed up," in his words.  This time, he was slower, more methodical.  He wanted to get it right.  Bitsy had perfectly planned a way to distract him from Todd and Blair.  But, she was not worried.  It was all over her face.  She believed what she was saying, and therefore, Sam did as well.  She covered his hand with hers and showed him how to shadow and use shorter strokes to create the curves.  He completed the head, and said, "I did it!"

She nodded and smiled, admiring the work.  Then she put the pad back down and instructed him, with hand motions, to go back to his drawing until Jack called him for the copter ride to school.

***

Aiden's eyes fluttered open, and Tina was there, waiting for it.  He looked at her, without turning his head much.  He said, "Something hurts."

She grimaced slightly, and took her hand to his shoulder, smoothing it.  "I'm sorry.  Do you need the nurse?"

"No.  Just telling ya that it hurts."

"It was exploratory surgery, remember?"

He remained quiet a moment.  "I suppose."

"What can I do for you?"

"Hold me hand.  That's all there is."

She took his hand and held it, lightly squeezing so he would feel the pressure.  He closed his eyes again, and she bit her lip.  Damn it.  Why does he have to suffer?  Those Men of 21, whoever they are, deserve worse than what was given to them.  No wonder the RA21 see Todd as a hero.

A slight knock at the door signaled her to look up, and she brushed her tears from her under-eyes.  She said, "May I help you?"

"We're his friends, Dear Lady," a handsome man a little older than Todd said.  His accent was distinctly British.

"We've come to just see how he's doing," a taller, older man said.  He seemed vaguely familiar, as if he had the face you see everywhere.

"Is he all right?"  the dark-haired man asked.

"He's sleeping."  She smiled weakly.  They all stood by the door, waiting.  She said, "Well, come in."

The three men, in typical patient garb, walked closer.  Aiden didn't stir.  All three of them looked him over, and then the oldest said, "He's fine.  Let's go."

"Your lack of sensitivity is showing," the British one said.

"Nothing to see here.  He's asleep.  We can come back later." He was gruff.

"That's true, kind of," Tina agreed.  "He's going to sleep a while, they said."

"Well, we're glad to have seen him," the man with the dark hair said.

Tina spoke to the eldest.  "You're American.  I can tell by your accent."

"So, what of it?" he almost snapped.

Tina almost snapped back, but the British man spoke up, "Don't mind Calvin, he's not that friendly."

The young Spanish guy said, "Got a permanent chip on his shoulder."

"I'm Malcolm," the Englishman said, "and this is Miguel.  That callous old coot over there is Calvin."

"Pleased," she said.  "I'm glad Aiden has made friends here."

"He's a very friendly guy," Miguel said.

"He is.  He's kind, and he's funny," she agreed, "and I can tell you're from the U.S. as well."  Miguel nodded and brushed it off as something he was not going to discuss.

"He tells great stories," Malcolm added.  Calvin was already by the door.  "Well, we best be going.  Tell him that we were here, will you?"

"Certainly."

They left.  Tina realized that Aiden's whole life had been ingratiating himself to strangers.  He had learned, over time, to befriend people and bring them in, no matter how short he had known them.  She reminded herself of this as she shook off the visit from the three men.  It struck her as slightly strange that they were that concerned, but again, she'd never lived the way Aiden had.  And, she knew how easily he made connections with people.  It had been a matter of survival for him in Rialto.

She looked back to his face, which was peaceful in sleep.  She folded her hands and heard the voice of Sister Rebecca Katherine in her head.  Our father . . .

Am I praying?

It must have been the one thing she took with her from her days as Sister Martina Agnes.  She didn't stop, she just continued to close her eyes and recite in her mind the words she'd heard daily from Sister Rebecca Katherine, kneeling next to her in the chapel at St. Anne's.

***

Williams pulled up in front of the medical center where Blair's OBGYN was stationed, and parked.  Todd made ready to help her out of the limo, but she hesitated.  He said, "Come on, Babe, get out."

She just sat.

"Hey, you in there?"  he repeated.

"I can't, Todd."

"Why not, what's wrong?"  She saw alarm in his face.

"I'm scared.  I'm afraid to go in."

"Why," he said, tenderly, and sat back inside the car with her.

"I . . . I don't know," she said, looking to her hands.  They were shaking, and he covered them with his.  

This brought her eyes to his face.  He said, "Nothing to be afraid of.  They'll help if you need it."

"I'm scared that . . . that they're going to say . . ."

"They're not going to say anything like that."

She looked into his eyes.  "How do you know?"

"I just know."

"She's not moving.  I haven't felt her move in a few hours."

"Do they move all the time?  I don't remember Ray moving every minute."

"No, but she moves a lot."

"Well, she has to sleep, too.  Maybe she's napping."

She cracked a smile, even though it was weak.  "I guess so.  The doctor did say that unborn babies sleep like real ones.  They sleep a lot."

"Right.  And you never noticed before because you were too busy worrying over me."

"Maybe."  She sighed.

"You ready?"

"I guess," she said, and turned toward the door, leaning on him for help.

In the waiting room, he held her hand, and could feel it still jittering in his.  He said, "It's going to be okay," because he didn't know what else to say to her.  Jewel, come on, just kick your mother.  Just once, for God's sake.  

In the examination room, Blair got herself up on the table with the help of the nurse and Todd, and got ready for her exam.  A sonogram was planned, and the doctor assured her, reminding her that stress could be bad for the baby as well.  "Just lie back, we're going to take a picture.  The heartbeat is fine, and strong."

She sighed again, and Todd saw tears run out of her eyes.  He grasped her hand, and waited.  There on the screen was Jewel, and she appeared to have her thumb in her mouth.  Blair said, "Oh, my God, she's so tiny and beautiful, isn't she, Todd?"

"Yep," he said, clearly moved.

"She's sucking her thumb," she added.

"She is."  He sighed.  "Look at her."

The technician said, "She's fine, just resting.  I'll have to doctor come in and discuss it more with you."

A few minutes later, the doctor made her way in.  "Blair, I've warned you about stress."

"I know.  I've been pretty good."

"Has she, Todd?" the doctor asked.

"Not really.  I mean, I think sometimes, well, I can sometimes cause her stress.  My . . . situation.  Still recovering from some things that I have to work through."

"I heard about it, and Blair's mentioned some of it.  In fact, we had a lot of talks about this very thing when she was pregnant with your son.  She wants to be part of your life, but I've told her to remember to keep it as light as she can, especially now."

"What do you mean, especially now?"  Blair asked, worried.

"The baby is small for her gestation.  She's not under distress, but sometimes, babies become rather still if labor is coming."

"Labor?"  Both Todd and Blair said.

"Yes.  She's old enough to survive outside you, Blair, but she's very small.  So we want her to keep residence as long as we can.  We can help that by staying calm and relaxed, as much as you can, and not exerting yourself.  I'd suggest bed rest at this point.  Other signs are pointing me in this direction, especially the fact that both Jack and Starr were early babies."

"Is she all right?"

"She's fine.  Strong heartbeat, and seems to be pretty happy in there, sleeping."

"Oh!" Blair called out.

"What?"  Todd asked.

"She just kicked me, right here," she pointed.  He put his hand over the place she showed him. 

"There she goes.  We woke her," he petted her hair.

"I guess we did," she smiled.  "All right, bed rest.  I want her to be bigger, it makes coming into the world easier."

"All right, I'll give you some reading material on the kinds of things you should avoid.  Bed rest, and just take care of yourself, and Todd, take care of her."  The doctor handed Blair some papers.

"I will," he said, sitting back, as if relieved.

She looked at him as the doctor left the room.  "She's all right."

"She's a Manning, what did you expect?"

"I guess nothing else."

"Exactly."  He helped her get dressed.  "I'm getting a wheelchair."

"No, Todd, that's ridiculous . . ." 

He interrupted, "Nope, you're listening to me.  Bed rest and care.  And this means no baths."  He said, leaving the room for a moment.

"All right, no baths."  she called after him.  After a few minutes, he was back with the chair.

"I have to stay calm, it says here," she said, looking over the materials the doctor had left.  "And...ut oh."

"What oh?" he responded.

"No sex."

"Eh, so?  Whatever works for Jewel works for me."

"Stay hydrated.  That means tons of water."

"That's easy enough.  I'll have a water cooler brought into the bedroom."

"You spoil me," she said, as he helped her into the chair.

"That's my job," he said, kissing her forehead.

"Okay, wheel me out, driver!"  She teased.

He did, and once on the sidewalk, he put the brakes on her chair, and started to help her out of it.  She said, "Geesh, Jewel's back with a vengeance."

"Well, again, she's got that Manning thing going on."

"I know,"  she said, and finally plopped into the limousine seat.  

He slid in next to her, after running the chair back into the waiting room.  "So, we're on our way home.  What shall we do tonight?"

"Watch movies."

"Sure.  What movies?"

"You choose."

"Then I want Evil Dead II."

"Again?"

"I can't help it that Bobbie Joe looks like my wife."

"Well, she does, but not all that much."

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