This story is the sequel to "Into the Darkness." It is AU. Warning: Abuse and dark subject matter mentioned. This story begins nine months after "Into the Darkness."
~*~o~*~
Victor had everything set up for the barbeque. Marty was helping him prepare the food. She had made a salad and a desert. Victor was prepared to grill steaks, burgers, and hotdogs. Soon they had everything ready and their guests started to arrive.
Victor opened the front door to see Sam and Blair. "Daddy!" Sam exclaimed, giving his father a hug.
Victor smiled and picked up his son. "Wow, you're really getting big!" he said as he carried Sam inside. Blair followed.
"How are you, Blair?" Victor asked her.
"I'm great. How are you?" she questioned.
"Perfect, now that my son is here," Victor answered as he tickled Sam.
Sam laughed as his dad set him down. He ran outside to the backyard. "Are Starr and Hope here yet?" Blair asked.
"No, not yet. They should be here soon, and they are bringing Jack and Dani."
"Ohhh ... about that..." Blair said quietly. "Have you... talked to Tea?"
"She and I aren't on speaking terms," Victor responded. "I'm lucky she allows Dani to come over and see me."
"Well, Dani isn't a child anymore. Tea can't really say that you can't see her."
Victor grumbled. "Ohhh Tea always has PLENTY to say."
"Victor, I'm sorry. I know you've been through so much," Blair said as she lay her hand gently upon his arm in a comforting gesture.
Marty walked in, carrying little Tommy. "Hey," she said to Blair.
"Hello, Marty," Blair said quietly. Although Marty and Blair had been rivals in the past, they were trying to get along now for the sake of those they loved. They shared a granddaughter and their families were intertwined.
"How's little Tommy?" Blair asked as she looked at the tiny child in Marty's embrace.
"Ohhh he's doing great," Marty replied. "Would you like to hold him?"
"Sure," Blair answered. "I just love little babies."
Marty placed Tommy into Blair's arms. Victor looked on and said to Blair, "You should find yourself a man and have a couple of them."
"Ugghhh, no thank you. I'm not looking for a man... and my baby-making days are over."
Marty laughed softly at Blair's comical response. "I think this little guy's it for me, too," Marty said as she gazed at her son who was wrapped up in Blair's arms. "I am just lucky to have him."
"You're very lucky," Victor said as he kissed the top of Marty's head. She gave him a hug as she knew he was thinking about Tiara. The loss of his daughter was still fresh on his mind and incredibly painful. He had his son Sam, and he loved Todd's kids like his own, but even so, he'd always mourned Tiara.
Just then the doorbell rang again. Victor opened it to see Starr, Jack, Hope, and Dani. "It's time to get this party started," said Starr as she started giving everyone hugs.
"I'm glad you could all come," Victor said to his guests.
"Where's my cute little brother?" Dani asked. She then saw little Tommy in Blair's arms.
"Ohhh is this him? He's SOOO cute!" Dani exclaimed.
"Yes," Marty said with a smile. "That's Tommy."
Starr looked on at her precious baby brother. "He looks like Dad," she commented. "I wish he were here to see him."
"I wish he were here, too," Marty said quietly. She wished she had never lost Todd to the darkness. And everyday she wished he could have held his son. It was unfair, but she had to continue living. She had so much remaining to live for.
She bent down and picked up little Hope. Lovingly she kissed her granddaughter's satiny cheek. "I've missed you, sweetie!" she told the little girl.
"When are we going to eat, Dad?" Jack spoke up. He still considered Victor to be his father as he had never really bonded with Todd.
Victor laughed at Jack's enthusiasm for food. "You must have gotten your vivacious appetite from your dad AND your uncle," Blair commented as she knew Victor loved to eat as well.
"Why don't we go out on the back patio, and I'll start the grill," Victor suggested. Victor lead the way, and soon they had all gathered on the patio. Marty sat Hope down so she could go play with Sam on the swingset.
"It's such a gorgeous day," Blair said as she sat down holding the baby.
"It is. I just love it here," Marty said as she joined Blair at the table.
"Victor, you picked a fabulous location to build your house," Blair told him as he was prepping the grill.
"Thanks. I'm glad you approve," Victor said with a wink to Blair.
"I can't believe how fast the kids are growing up. Even Sam," Marty commented.
"Well, this little guy here needs to catch up to them," Blair said as she looked at the baby boy in her arms.
"I'd like to hold my baby brother now, Mom," Starr spoke up.
"Alright, honey," Blair said as she carefully handed Tommy to Starr.
"He's so adorable," Starr said as she hugged him close. She got tears in her eyes as she thought of her father. They'd always been very close, and she missed him so much. "Dad would have been so proud of this little guy. He just loved little babies."
"Can I hold him, too?" Dani asked eagerly.
"When's dinner going to be ready?" Jack asked with annoyance.
"Starr, why don't you, Jack, and Dani take the baby inside and go watch a movie? I need to talk to Blair and Marty about something very important," Victor stated after he had put the meat on the grill.
"Sure, whatever. I'd rather sit inside in the air conditioning anyway," grumbled Jack. Soon Jack, Dani, and Starr had went inside with Tommy. As Hope and Sam were having fun on the nearby play equipment, Victor had a chance to talk privately with Marty and Blair.
"Victor, what would you like to talk about?" Blair asked curiously.
Victor took a seat at the table next to Marty. "I am concerned about Tea. I'd like you to talk to her for me," Victor answered.
"You want me to talk to Tea?" Blair asked with surprise.
"Yes, I think you might be able to reach her. I've tried, but it always ends in a violent screaming match. I just can't take it anymore. She's insulted Marty for the last time," Victor responded.
"She isn't saying much to anyone. I haven't really talked to her in months. I've tried several times," Blair stated. "But she always avoids me. I think she's deeply depressed, but it's coming out in the form of anger. And yes, she does hate Marty very much."
"Marty doesn't deserve her hatred. I helped Marty out when she needed me. I did not cheat on Tea-."
"I know that, Victor. You don't have to defend yourself to me. Tea's just bitter. She's in state of mourning. And she wants someone to blame..."
"Tea's been through so much," Marty spoke up. "But you have a connection with her. Victor and I think you may be able to help her."
"I- I could try," Blair said softly. She truly did miss Tea. At one time they had been incredibly close, but then Tea lost her little daughter, and then everything had crumbled. Now all Tea did was immerse herself in her work. Even Dani was suffering from Tea's withdrawal.
"I've talked to Dani and she's very worried about her mom. Tea just isn't herself anymore," Victor stated.
"Are you still in love with her?" Blair asked.
Victor stared off into the distance. "I still love her. I'll always love her. But no... I am not IN love with her," he responded. "But I do care about her... and I don't want her to suffer."
Marty placed her hand over Victor's. She knew all of this was tough on him, too. He was trying to deal with Tiara's death, plus the untimely loss of his brother. Although he and Todd had never been close, Todd's death had effected everyone Victor loved. With all the recent tragedy, they all must pull together as a family and find some sort of peace and hope again.
"Daddy, are the hotdogs done?" a little voice spoke up.
Victor turned around to see Sam. "Do you want a hotdog?" Victor asked the boy with a smile.
"Yeah, Hope and I are hungry."
Victor got up to check on the food. "I would say the hotdogs are definitely done," he laughed, holding up a charred one for Sam's inspection.
"Ewww... Hope has to eat that one," Sam stated... and everyone laughed.