This story takes place right after the car accident that claimed the lives of Cole and Hope Thornhart in Port Charles. This story is obviously AU.
Xxxooo
Todd arrived at the hospital as soon as Blair gave him the news. Cole Thornhart and his little Peanut were dead. He just couldn't believe that it could be true. He rushed to his daughter's side, and while he held her hand, he cried with her. He told her he would get justice for the young lives that had been taken far too soon. He made her a promise that the ones responsible would not go unpunished. And once she had fallen asleep from exhaustion, he had called Marty. She needed to be here to say good bye to her son. He refused to tell her on the phone the truth that was far too ugly for words.
"Just come at once to Port Charles, New York. I am General Hospital," he told her on the phone. "And bring Patrick." As much as he hated Marty's husband, he didn't want her to have to hear the devastating news all on her own.
Marty arrived at the hospital, but Patrick did not accompany her. Todd was surprised that she had travelled alone. "Where's Patrick?" he asked.
"He... wasn't able to come," Marty responded quickly. "What's going on, Todd? Where's Cole and Starr?"
"Marty, you need to sit down for this," Todd insisted. He lead her to an empty conference room and once she was seated, he proceeded to tell her about Cole and Starr's accident.
"I am so sorry, Marty... but Cole and Hope didn't survive."
"No... noooo..." Marty said as tears filled up her eyes. They couldn't be gone. Not Cole- her only living child and Hope- her precious little granddaughter.
"I'm afraid it's true. They died instantly when the car exploded. There was nothing anyone could do," Todd told her sadly.
"I can't lose Cole... and Hope. I've already lost one child... and now Patrick, too," Marty spoke in a painful sob.
Todd looked at her questioningly, wondering what she had meant, and then she proceeded to tell him that Patrick had died only a week ago of a fatal illness. Now Marty was all alone in this world, considering that Cole, Hope, and Patrick all had died.
"Not little Hope. She was so small and beautiful. So full of life..."
"I know, Marty. I called her my little Peanut. She meant the world to me. In her, we had everything," spoke Todd. "She was OUR granddaughter... yours and mine. The only living connection we had to one another. And now she's gone."
Staring into his eyes, she couldn't dispute his words. Everything he said was true. Every single word. She was wondering, *Have we lost all Hope?*
The question hung on her tongue, but instead, her concern was with Starr. She asked about Todd's daughter. "How's Starr?" Marty questioned.
"She was injured, but the doctors say she'll be alright. Physically, she'll heal, but emotionally, my little girl has gone through the greatest hell."
"It's the most horrific pain ever to lose your child." And how well she knew as she had now experienced it twice.
"I want to see her, Todd. Please take me to her," Marty pleaded.
As Todd lead Marty down the hallway to see Starr, Marty asked, "Where is Blair?"
"She had to go back to Llanview to make arrangements for Sam and Jack to stay at Vicki's. We've been taking turns staying at the hospital with Starr. She needs her parents and she can't be alone right now."
"I want to be there for her, too," Marty told him. "I love her so much. I always have."
Todd smiled because he remembered the care and concern Marty had always given Starr, even when she was just a baby. "Thank you," was all he said as they arrived at Starr's room. "I'll let you go in and talk to her awhile, and I'll wait right outside."
"Marty, you're here," Starr said when Marty walked into the room. "Did you hear the terrible news?"
Marty came over and took Starr's hand into hers. She gave Starr a gentle smile. "Yes, honey. Your father told me," Marty said as her voice broke.
"I'm so sorry... I tried to get them out of the car," Starr sobbed.
"I know, sweetie. It isn't your fault. I know you did the best you could."
"I loved Cole sooo much... and my little girl- my precious baby girl is gone."
Marty and Starr held each other and cried. As their tears fell, Marty couldn't help but think that all hope was gone. Everything seemed dark and cold. There was so much emptiness now that her son and her granddaughter had left this world. The beauty of a thousand tomorrows had fled with them.
"Excuse me, Marty. I am not feeling well." Starr got up cautiously from her hospital bed. She ran into the adjoining bathroom to throw up. Marty went after her with concern. She brought Starr a cold wash cloth and helped her back into bed.
"What's wrong? Why have you been throwing up?" Marty asked.
"I don't know. I've just been getting sick a lot lately. I guess it's all the stress I've been under. I've been throwing up the past few days."
Marty stared at Starr in shock. "Could you be pregnant?" Marty questioned.
"I- I don't know..." Starr murmured.
After a moment, the possibility struck her. "Ohhh my God, do you think I am?" Starr asked in a gasp.
"I think you should ask your doctor to perform a pregnancy test."
Overcome with emotion, Starr burst into tears. Marty held her close as she tried to comfort her. At that moment, Todd walked in. "What's wrong, Shorty? What's got you so upset?" Todd asked Starr with concern.
"I- maybe- I..." Starr spoke incoherently as the words just wouldn't come.
"Marty?" Todd asked, placing his questioning gaze onto her.
"Todd, Starr told me she's been throwing up a great deal lately... and I made the suggestion that maybe she should ask her doctor for a pregnancy test-."
Todd stared at Marty, absorbing her words but afraid to hope. "I might be a grandpa again?" Todd asked as he looked over at his daughter.
Starr nodded as fresh tears rushed from her eyes. She didn't know how she felt about it yet. Lying back down in her hospital bed, she was overwhelmed by all that had recently occured. Her little girl was dead and so was the man she had loved. She had been praying for days that a miracle would occur- that somehow it wasn't true and that Hope and Cole would be found alive. Sometimes miracles happened and wishes really did come true. Was THIS the answer to all her prayers? Could she really be carrying Cole's child?
TBC