This is the sequel story to Unforgiven.
*~The Introduction~*
After four years of incarceration, Todd Manning had finally been released from prison. He had returned to Llanview with a purpose- to find the woman he loved and his little daughter, the child he had only seen in pictures since he had insisted that Marty never bring her to Statesville. Todd believed that prison was no place for a little girl. He couldn't wait to finally meet his daughter. All he knew about her was that she was three years old and her name was Cassandra Darlene Manning, but Marty had nicknamed her Cass. He knew nothing about his own little girl and his heart was aching for her.
He arrived at the address of the house where Marty lived. It wasn't much and it was located in a rather run-down neighborhood. "What's Marty doing living here?" Todd said under his breath as he approached the small, aging house.
"Hello?" he called out impatiently as he knocked upon the door. He waited and waited, but it seemed like no one was going to answer.
After several minutes, a man came to the door. "Yeah, whattya want?" he asked.
Todd stared into the face of Jason Webb. What was Jason Webb doing at Marty's house? "Where's Marty?" Todd demanded.
"She's not home," Jason said with a frown as he suddenly recognized Todd. Jason moved quickly as though he were about to slam the door in Todd's face.
"I want to talk to her," Todd insisted as he placed his foot in the door and refused to let Jason close it. "Where's my daughter? I'd like to see her."
Just then, an adorable little girl came to the door to stand next to Jason. She looked up at Jason with the most amazing deep blue eyes. "Daddy, who's he?" she asked as she glanced over at Todd.
"He's nobody," Jason answered.
Todd began to fume. "Dammit," he said in a growl. "You better tell me where Marty is... and you better tell me now!"
"I think you should leave," Jason said calmly. "Marty doesn't need you in her life anymore, Todd."
Jason then looked down at the little girl. Tenderly he caressed her long dark-blond hair. "It's almost your naptime, sweetie. Why don't you go wait in your room, and I'll be there in a minute to tuck you in?" Jason told the child.
"Alright, Daddy," Cassandra said with a smile as she hugged Jason ever so tight. She then hurried off to her bedroom, dragging her rag-doll along behind her.
After the child had disappeared from sight, Todd totally lost it. "Why the hell is MY daughter calling you Daddy?" he demanded of Jason.
"Ohhh I guess you didn't know. Marty and I got married... and I am Cassandra's stepdad," Jason replied.