The Reunion
She couldn't believe it when he just showed up at her door. She couldn't believe he'd appear all out of the blue, after he abandoned her. "What are you doing here, Patrick?" Marty demanded. She stood in the door way, staring at him, a frown upon her face.
"I'm here because I discovered the truth. I know about the baby. You gave birth to another man's child."
"That's right. I did," Marty said coldly. "I was artificially inseminated after our son and our granddaughter died and you left me- after John cheated on me with another woman. I wasn't going to wallow in the sorrow a moment longer. I went on with my life."
"And I am going on with mine," he countered. "Blair and I- we're back together."
"Well, I am happy for you, Patrick," said Marty, but she didn't mean it; at least not 100% percent.
"You and Blair make a perfect couple."
"Jealous, Margaret?"
"Not on your life. I don't need you, Patrick Thornhart," she said in a little hiss. "I deserve a real man, not a coward."
With the words she flung at him, Patrick was thoroughly pissed. He tried to push his way inside her apartment. He raised his voice, his stance threatening.
"I can't believe you would say that... after all we've been through! You loved me! I know you loved me!" he screamed.
"LOVED not love," Marty said pointedly.
He was backing her up to the edge of the couch. She couldn't run. She had to stay and face him.
Just then the baby cried. Their arguing had awakened baby Gracie. She was stirring in her crib, crying fitfully.
The commotion seemed to have disturbed Marty's neighbor as well. Todd Manning stood in the doorway. As his eyes swept the room, he saw Patrick backing Marty into a corner.
"What's going on here?" he asked with a frown.
"It's okay, Todd. Everything's fine," Marty said a bit to quickly.
"Mind your own business, Manning," Patrick threw over his shoulder.
Throughout the exchange, the baby continued to cry. Marty broke away, saying she needed to care for her daughter. After she left, Todd and Patrick exchanged glares.
"Are you the knight in shining armor now?" Patrick asked hatefully.
Marty came back moments later, carrying her daughter who was wrapped up in a pink fluffy blanket. "You can leave now," she said to Patrick. "I won't have you coming here... and upsetting Gracie."
Patrick glanced down at the little one in Marty's arms, the child she had conceived with another man. "I'm going home to Blair," he said under his breath.
He walked out quickly, stepping by Todd in the process. After he left, Todd approached Marty who was cuddling and soothing the baby.
"What was that about?" he questioned.
Marty looked at Todd with tears in her eyes. She was hurting so much; she couldn't speak.
"Are you and the baby alright?" he asked, his hand coming forward as if to caress her.
Just an inch from her cheek, his touch fell away. For a heartbeat, both of them stopped breathing.
"Marty, please... speak to me," Todd prompted. He sounded like a man in torment.
"There's nothing to say, Todd. Patrick left me. And John cheated on me. I lost Cole... and I lost Hope. All I have is Gracie. She's all I have."
Their eyes settled on the child. She wasn't crying anymore. Her blue eyes sparkled. She looked like a tiny angel.
"She's all I've got," Marty stated. "I lost everything. All I have is this baby. I can't bear anymore losses."
He dared to caress the baby's face. He trailed a fingertip down the infant's fragile cheek. When the tender moment ended, his eyes locked with Marty's.
"I should go," he said in a whisper.
Then he was gone... as if he had not been there at all.
Marty stood there, feeling a strong sense of confusion. Ever since Todd had moved into her apartment building, they had gotten along so well, often making small talk as they met in the hallway. Something was changing and she felt it.
Something was pulling her toward Todd.
"Am I losing my mind?" Marty said as her face contorted into a grimace.
That's the last thing I need, Marty was thinking. Todd and I are like oil and water. We don't mix. It's just a disaster waiting to happen.
Knowing that was true, then why did she want it to happen? Why would she even think of letting Todd Manning back into her heart?
