This story is AU. In this particular story, Todd hasn't been married to Blair and doesn't have any children with her.
~*~o~*~
After nearly four years apart, Marty had finally arrived back in Llanview with Todd. "So, what do you think of the house?" Todd asked after they had pulled up in the driveway.
"Well, it's getting rather dark out, Todd. I can't really see it right now," Marty responded honestly.
"I suppose you'll see it in the morning... and every day from here after, considering that we're back together," Todd said as he leaned over and kissed her.
"Yes," Marty said with a smile. "I'm back to stay."
"Let's go in and I will show you around," Todd offered.
"Great. I can't wait to see inside," Marty agreed.
They left the car and walked up to the front porch. "How do you like living in solitude up here on the hill?" Marty asked Todd as he was unlocking the door.
"It's very peaceful here," Todd replied. "But sometimes it gets lonely. I'm glad you're here, Marty."
Todd walked inside, carrying Tabitha's stuffed bunny. He set it down gently on one of the end tables in the living room as Marty entered the room and took a look around. "I love your house, Todd. It's so comfortable and cozy," Marty said as she gave him a smile.
"I am glad you like it, babe, because it's your home, too."
"There's just one thing," she said as a slight frown appeared on her face.
"What's with all these toys?" Marty asked.
Todd's eyes caught on Tabitha's toys which still set in the corner of the room. His heart ached when he saw her little books, her doll, and her toy dish set. "Uhhh well, I... " Todd began as he was taken offguard by Marty's question. He couldn't very well tell her that their daughter was a ghost and had spent the past few days with him.
"Actually, I have a couple of nieces," Todd responded. "Their names are Sarah and Jessica."
That was true. Todd did have nieces, but these toys were not theirs. The toys belonged to Tabitha, his precious little daughter he could not ever see again. Fighting back his tears, Todd hoped Marty wouldn't see through his lies.
"You must like kids very much if you bought these wonderful toys for your nieces," Marty said as she picked up the little stuffed doll.
"Yes... yes..." Todd responded. "I do like kids."
"Would you like to have another... someday?" Marty asked as pain shown in her eyes.
"Someday, Marty, I would... like to have another child with you," Todd responded.
"I- I don't know if I can," Marty told him honestly. "I had Tabitha far too early... and I went through a great deal of complications with my lupus during my pregnancy."
"I know you had a really rough time, but I don't want you to worry about that now," Todd said to her gently. "When we decide to have another baby, we'll search for the best doctor we can possibly find. You'll get the best care right from the start... and hopefully everything will be alright."
"I hope you're right, Todd... because I do want another child. It's hurts so much... especially with today being Tabitha's birthday," Marty said sorrowfully.
"I know, babe. I know you're hurting very much... but I am here now... and we're together again. We have a second chance at happiness."
"I am so glad you're alive. I thought I'd lost you forever," Marty said as she dropped the little doll and went into Todd's loving arms.
"You'll never lose me, Marty. Let's go to bed now. It's been so long... and I wanna hold you."
Marty's eyes got huge, but she didn't protest. She hadn't been with a man since before the rape. Her body was trembling when Todd lead her into the bedroom.
"I want to make love to you..." Todd murmured as he began to slowly undress her.
"I don't know, Todd. I-," she started, but he kissed her with so much passion he took her breath away.
"I need you, Marty. I want to be inside you," Todd spoke as he removed the last of her clothes. He then stood up and cast away his own garments. When he was entirely naked, he joined her in the bed.
"I love you... so much..." he whispered as he joined his body to hers.
"Todd!" she gasped as she felt him slip inside her. It wasn't exactly unpleasant... but it wasn't all that pleasurable either. Marty squeezed her eyes shut, trying not to cry.
"Does it feel good, baby? I am so close..." Todd warned her in a low growl.
She didn't answer as her entire body went tense. When Todd came inside her, Marty felt nothing. Nothing at all. With tears streaming from her eyes, she looked at Todd and trembled.
"I'm sorry, Todd... I am so sorry," Marty was sobbing.
In that moment, Todd realized Marty hadn't climaxed. They had made love, but Marty hadn't been ready. It had been far too soon.
"It's okay, babe. You just weren't ready," he told her soothingly as he held her close in his arms. "I love you... and I will wait for you as long as it takes."
Crying against his shoulder, Marty snuggled up in Todd's embrace. "I love you," she whispered.
Todd kissed her and soothed her as she fell asleep in his arms. After she had drifted off into the land of dreams, he kissed all of her tears away. He felt bad because he had taken her before she'd been ready. Marty had been through so much heartache, and Todd vowed he would bring her happiness and restore the sunshine to her life again. *Even without Tabitha,* he was thinking.