Todd woke up early and was determined to leave the hospital before Blair came looking for him. His IVs had been removed but the nurse told him he had to wait until his doctor arrived before he could be discharged. He was too amped up to just lay there and wait for Larry to come so he decided to see if his legs were any stronger after the previous day's adventure. He sat up and let both legs drop off the bed then tentatively stood up to see if the left leg would hold up again. Sure enough, both legs were stable and Todd breathed a sigh of relief. He began walking around his room using the IV pole for a little extra support and felt himself getting stronger the longer he walked.
Larry entered the room and stood quietly watching his patient. Not wanting to startle Todd he stepped back out of the room and knocked.
Todd looked anxiously at the door fearing his visitor was Blair then visibly sighed when he saw it was Larry. "Oh Thank God, I thought you might be Blair. I want to surprise her and if she sees me now, I won't get that chance." He walked back to the bed and sat down.
" I wasn't aware you had progressed out of the braces. I'm impressed. I should have known it wouldn't take you the normal time to get back on your feet. You've always been a quick healer when you put your mind to it." He walked over and had Todd lay back down on the bed so he could properly look at his shoulder wound. "You're going to have to take it easy with your right arm and shoulder for a while. It looks like that wound hasn't been able to heal properly. It was pretty messed up last night, the stitching should have held what happened? "
"A couple of overachieving rookies thought they had captured a harden criminal and threw me up against a brick wall. The shoulder hit the wall first and I knew the wound had opened back up. Then they made things worse by pulling my arms back to handcuff me. It took Bo coming up to us before they let me loose but the damage had already been done. Then I also had the misfortune of my left leg giving way as I tried to walk away with some dignity." Todd rubbed the leg knowing it was stronger but not 100% yet.
Larry checked the legs and looked at Todd. "So you want to surprise Blair. Why don't you want her to know you can walk without a brace?"
Todd looked at Larry. "I made a promise to myself when my memories began returning. One of my favorite memories was Blair, all decked out in a stunning gown, walking down the steps toward me when we were getting ready to crash the Crimson Gala. We had been snubbed and it seemed appropriate for the newly married Mannings to show the upper crust of Llanview that there was a new power couple in town. She literally blew me away that day even though I tried to appear unaffected but I'll never forget that moment again. It's my turn to stun her. I'm so tired of being tied to wheelchairs and braces and I want my life back with Blair and the kids and the family we made before I blew it up. I can only do that if I can prove to her and myself that I can finally stand on my own two feet again. Do you understand?"
"Todd, I understand what you are trying to do, but being able to walk on your own two feet won't really prove anything. If you want to prove yourself to Blair then you need to make real changes in your behavior. Do you think you can do that?"
"Larry, I had a lot of time to think when I found myself without my memory or legs. I also found out that I could survive without both. I think I can be a better man for Blair and the kids, but I want to be able to do it standing up on my own two feet again. Blair deserves a whole man. So please keep my secret. I'm willing to be rolled out of here in a wheelchair so that I can surprise her in my own way at home."
"I won't spoil your surprise but I expect you to continue your therapy for a few more weeks. Those legs need to strengthen properly. Just don't be in a super rush. As for your shoulder, I'm giving you a prescription for an antibiotic to fight the remaining infection. Also, you'll still need to take it easy for the next week. Do you understand me?"
"I promise to behave myself, and take it easy but I won't like it."
"Don't worry, Larry. I'll make sure he takes it easy." Blair smiled at both men and then moved to stand beside Todd. "So is he able to go home then?"
"He's able to go home. I'll finish the discharge papers but I mean it, Todd I want you to take it easy."
"I gave you my word and I'll be sure and call my physical therapist when I get home. Will that work, Larry?"
"That's fine Todd." Larry nodded at Blair and left the room.
Blair flung herself into Todd's arms. "Oh My God! When I saw you last night I was so scared. Why can't you stay out of trouble?"
Todd gently pushed her away. looking at her shocked. "Hey wait a minute, I'm not the one who has been writing about a crime syndicate even after they've threatened me." he glares at his wife.
Blair blushes and has the grace to look a little ashamed. "Okay, you're right, all of this was my fault."
He started to reach for her face but only managed to pull at his new stitches and winced. "I've got to stop doing that."
"My poor baby. Let me make it better" She leaned over and gently kissed his shoulder then Todd's left hand cupped her chin and drew her lips back up to his. A few minutes later Blair stepped out of the room so Todd could dress in the clean clothes she had brought him.
Just after she rejoined him, the door opened and a nurse brought in a wheelchair. "Dr. Wolek said you're discharged," She rolled it close to the bed and started to give Todd a hand.
"I'm perfectly capable of getting myself into a chair. I've done it for months." He growled.
"Todd, she's only doing her job. Don't be a grouch."
Todd glared but reluctantly allowed the nurse to assist him. Blair gave him a quick kiss on top of his head."That wasn't so hard, was it? I'm going to go get Williams and we'll meet you down at the entrance."
Todd watched her leave and turned to the young nurse. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have acted like that. Get me out of here. I just want to get home."
After a lot of arguing, Blair had Williams drive to the penthouse. Todd insisted that Williams take him upstairs. Blair protested. "Todd, you won't let me take you home to La Boleai, where I can look after you. At least let me come up and get you settled."
"Blair, I'm just supposed to take it easy. I'm slightly injured, not an invalid, and besides, I need to make some plans. We've waited long enough. I want to make things more official for us but there are some things I need to do. Give me that time. Let me get my bearings again and I'll call you later tonight."
Blair wasn't happy but when Todd said he wanted to make things more official she began to think it might mean Todd wanted to finally be a family again. It was getting close to dinner time when Todd called her.
"Hey, Blair, do you want to have dinner with me? I'm all rested and I'd really like to spend some quality time with you. Why don't you come by around seven? Dress in something fancy. Although I'm not quite ready to go out on the town, we can have a quiet party for two like we had at our second wedding reception What do you say?"
****
Blair spent the next hour trying on one outfit after another. She wanted it to be special. After going through two-thirds of her closet she spotted a dress she had only worn one other time. It was the dress she bought for the Crimson Gala and she and Todd had been on top of the world. Dorian would have a fit if she knew Blair was going to wear the same dress twice but Blair took it as a sign that things were finally back on track with her and Todd. This time the secrets were behind them and it was time to put everything back together again the right way.
****
Todd spent the afternoon making all the arrangements. Once he had everything set. He started making himself go up and down the stairs until he could do it smoothly and without the need to do more than steady himself with a couple of fingers on the rails. This night was just for them. He was just putting on the cufflinks when he heard the front door open. He slipped into his jacket and went to the top of the stairs.
Blair entered the outer foyer and called out to Todd. There was no answer so she continued into the living room. She stopped and looked around A lovely table was set up close to the Fireplace and candles adorned the room, Todd still hadn't made an appearance so Blair started to go look for him in the downstairs bedroom where he had been living since he had moved back in.
Todd took a couple steps down and stopped her. "Blair."
Blair spun around and saw Todd standing up on the stairs. She was overwhelmed with all sorts of emotions as she watched him come down toward her. He looked magnificent in his black tux and she remembered another night when he has stunned her. "Oh, Todd. I can't believe it. How? When? Why didn't you tell me?"
Todd didn't answer her. Instead, he stepped off the stairs and walked to her. He swept her into his arms and kissed her. Blair melted and kissed him back. Her questions would wait. Her husband was home and whole.
The End
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