This story is AU. In this particular story, Todd hasn't been married to Blair and doesn't have any children with her.
~*~o~*~
"Tabitha, what do you mean by that? What do you mean when you say you will to take me to your mommy when it's time?" Todd questioned.
"My mommy needs you, and I must take you to her when it is time," Tabitha replied.
"But you said she was dead..."
"She died when I was a baby."
Todd stared at Tabitha with a frown upon his face. He was more confused than ever. When he questioned Tabitha further about Marty's whereabouts, he ended up frustrated by her evasive answers. Finally he let out of sigh of defeat, deciding he'd just have to trust that he really would be reunited with Marty when the moment was right.
"Tabby, you have a bunch of new toys now. Would you like to play with them?" Todd offered.
Tabitha nodded eagerly. "I got you books, too," said Todd as he withdrew the toys, games, and books from the shopping bags. Tabitha came to his side to check out all his purchases.
"I like them very much, Daddy," Tabitha said as she stared at the small set of toy dishes and the play food. "Will you play with me?"
"Sure," Todd said as he took her in his arms and gently deposited her onto his lap. "But I'd like to read you a book first. How about this one?"
"It's about a naughty little bunny who hides from her daddy when it's time to go to the hospital," Todd said to her teasingly.
"No it's not," Tabitha spoke with a little laugh.
Todd kissed the top of her little head, then began reading the book. "Once upon a time, there was a cute little bunny hopping through the forest..." Todd spoke.
Tabitha smiled, wrapping her arms around Todd's neck as he was reading her the story. After he finished, she gently kissed his cheek. "I loved the story, Daddy. No one's ever read me a story before."
Todd gave her a sad little smile. "Not even Auntie Kiki?"
Tabitha shook her head. "Can we play with the toys now?" Tabitha asked enthusiastically.
"Sure, we can. What would you like to play with first?"
"The play food," she responded, handing the package to Todd.
"Don't you want some real food, Tabby? You haven't eaten anything since you got here," Todd pointed out.
Tabitha shook her little head. "I'm not hungry," she answered softly.
Todd looked into her sparkling blue eyes, gently brushing the pale blond hair back from her little face. In that moment he realized, *My daughter never eats. There is something strange going on here.* As he stared at her adorable face, it all came together for him. His daughter, the little girl he was learning to love, was something of the supernatural. Even though the realization came to him full force, he was not afraid. There was nothing evil emanating from this small child in his arms. Only love and goodness. She was like a lost little soul, bursting with light. He loved her and never wanted to be apart from her.
As their time together grew shorter, each day Todd would ask, "Is it time for us to go to your mother?" Even if he had to die, he still wanted to be reunited with Marty. Only then would their family be complete. Everyday when Todd would ask his question, Tabitha would reply, "Not yet... but very soon."
~*~September 11, 1997~*~
Then came the day of Tabitha's fourth birthday. Something was decidedly different about that particular day. A knock came to the door while Todd and Tabitha were playing with her new toy dishes and food. "Be right back. I'll get that," Todd said to Tabitha as he stood up and went to the door.
Todd pulled the door open to see Dr. Larry Wolek standing there. "Come in," said Todd as he invited Larry inside. Dr. Wolek stepped into the living room with Todd.
"Larry, this is my daughter- Tabitha," spoke Todd, gesturing to the small child playing on the floor.
Larry looked at Todd as though he had lost his mind. "Todd, there's nobody there," Larry stated.
Todd's eyes flew to the spot where Tabitha was yet playing with her toys. She held a single finger up to her little pink lips and whispered, "Shhhhh."
"Larry, did you HEAR that?" Todd asked urgently.
"Hear what?" Larry questioned.
Todd's eyes were huge when he realized that only HE could see or hear Tabitha. Shaking his head to clear the shock and confusion from it, Todd asked Larry, "Why did you stop by?"
Larry withdrew some papers from his lab coat. "I have the DNA results on the strand of hair," Larry replied.
"What do the results say?" Todd questioned. "I don't need to see the paperwork. I just want an answer."
"The DNA tests have confirmed that the child is definitely your daughter."
A happy smile came to Todd's face when he realized that he and Marty had a link that would forever bond them. It was true- Tabitha was his and Marty's daughter. "So, where is she?" Larry asked. "I'd love to meet her."
Todd crossed his arms over his chest. "I'm afraid you can't see her right now," Todd responded honestly.
"Have you heard from Marty?"
"No," Todd said as he shook his head. "But I'm going to be meeting up with her very soon."
Larry stared at Todd, thinking he was acting very strange. "Well, Todd, if you need anything else, just let me know," Larry offered as he walked over toward the door.
"I'll do that, Doc," said Todd as he let Larry out and closed the door behind him.
Todd turned and looked at his little daughter. "Happy birthday, Tabby," said Todd, holding out his arms to his little girl.
Tabitha stood up and ran into Todd's arms. "It's a girl," said Todd as he hugged his precious daughter close. For the first time since Larry told him the DNA test results, Todd actually let himself fully believe it. He and Marty had created a child together, and here she was, cuddled in his embrace.
"Daddy, it's time," said Tabitha as she looked up at her father.
"Time for what?" questioned Todd.
"Time to go to Mommy. She needs you."
Ready to accept his fate, Todd agreed to go to Marty's side.