Also, I'd like to note that I do not own ABC's One Life to Live or the characters and I will NOT be receiving any payment whatsoever for writing this story. It is intended for entertainment purposes only.
This story takes place during the time Blair is carrying Patrick's baby, but BEFORE Starr had developed Aplastic Anemia. AU and NC-17
~*Chapter Eight : Connections*~
When they arrived at the Palace Hotel restaurant, Todd had left Marty at their table so he could call the nanny and tell her they'd be home after dinner. Marty took a sip of her glass of water as she tried to push her nervousness aside. She had never in a million years thought she'd be on a "date" with Todd. She wasn't sure how she felt about it yet. All of it was just starting to sink in. She was married to Todd, they were raising two children together, but they weren't physically intimate yet. Deep inside, part of her wanted him ever so much, but she was afraid. When someone approached the table where she was seated, she nearly dropped her glass of ice water to the floor.
"Hey, Marty," Dylan said with a smile. "I didn't mean to scare you."
"Ohhh hi, Dylan," Marty said as she managed to return his smile. She hadn't seen Dylan in ages, considering she was always so absorbed in her work at the hospital, the recent loss of Patrick, and caring for Starr and Brendan.
"How are you doing?" Dylan asked. "I don't see you around much anymore."
"You're right. Things have been crazy. The hospital keeps me so busy... and then what happened to Patrick..."
"I'm so sorry, Marty. I know how much you loved him," Dylan said solemnly.
"It's been tough, but I am coping," Marty responded.
"Yes, you must be coping fairly well; you married Todd," Dylan observed. Marty didn't miss the hint of sarcasm lurking within his tone.
"Dylan, you don't understand..."
"No, I never could understand your connection to that man," Dylan said with a heavy sigh. "I warned you many times in the past... when you and I were together. Something always draws you back to him, again and again. He's going to hurt you, Marty."
"Todd and I are married now. And you need to stay out of it," Marty said shortly, her eyes flashing with annoyance.
"I just worry about you. I care very much," spoke Dylan. "I don't want to see you hurt."
"Dylan..." Marty said as she tried to keep her cool. She didn't get a chance to finish her sentence when she glanced up to see Todd standing there looking none-too-pleased to see her talking with Dylan.
"Well, if it isn't Mr. Boring," Todd said as he glared at Dylan with distain. "I didn't realize hicks like you dined at the Palace Restaurant."
"Shut up, Todd," Dylan responded with a growl.
"What business do you have with my wife?" Todd demanded as he emphasized the last word of his question.
"Dylan was just expressing his condolences for Patrick," Marty spoke as she became increasingly nervous for Dylan considering Todd's possessive nature was swiftly heading toward the edge of violence.
"You were just leaving, weren't you, Dylan?" Marty prompted.
Todd's eyes flashed with intense anger as he looked from Marty back to Dylan. "Stay away from Marty or you'll regret it," Todd warned in a low hiss.
"This isn't over, Marty," Dylan spoke, ignoring Todd. Somehow he had to get through to her that she wasn't safe with Todd. Obviously she was drawn to him, but the man was a cold-hearted monster. Shaking his head, he walked away from Marty and Todd's table and left the restaurant.
After Dylan had left, Todd sunk down into his chair. He gave Marty an intense look. "What was that really about?" he demanded.
"I already told you, Todd-."
"Don't lie to me," Todd insisted, his voice rising slightly. "I know there's something more. He still wants you, doesn't he?"
"Todd, things are over with me and Dylan. He doesn't want me... and even if he did, I don't want him..." she spoke softly as she tried to calm his anger and jealousy. "Remember what we talked about earlier. I'm in love with YOU."
Slowly the tension left Todd's shoulders as her words finally reached him. Even so, he didn't like Dylan anywhere near Marty. "If he talks to you again or even looks at you, I'll-," Todd muttered.
"Todd, please... you and the kids mean everything to me. I want nothing to do with Dylan," Marty implored him.
"Do you mean it?" Todd asked as he reached across the table and took her small hand into his.
"Yes, I'm so happy. The happiest I've been in a long time. I love Brendan and Starr so much. When I hold Brendan and he gurgles, my heart turns over. I just love that little guy so much. And Starr has the sweetest smiles..." Marty said sincerely. "I'm just scared, that's all. Scared I am going to lose you... and them, and it hurts so much. I don't want to lose Starr or Brendan after all I've already lost in my life."
Seeing the sudden tears that filled her eyes, Todd heart ached for her. "You aren't going to lose us, Marty," Todd said softly in reassurance. "We need you just as much as you need us. That's why I said we have to take things very slowly. I know you are afraid... and you have good reason to be fearful."
Their eyes met over the table as they were both thinking of that awful moment in the past where he had hurt her so deeply. Todd wanted everything to be right this time. He never wanted to hurt her again. He only wanted to make her happy. He raised her hand up to his lips and gently kissed her palm as a tremor moved through her body. "I love you, Marty. It's way past time I told you that. I never told you that before... but I've ALWAYS felt it. I love you, and I'm sorry for how I've hurt you. If I could take all your pain away and replace it with happiness, I would," Todd spoke as he gazed into her eyes.
"I just hope you believe me... and you will stay with me, despite how messed up things are. Everything will be good in time, you just gotta trust me," Todd promised.
Marty nodded, because she did believe him. She knew Todd was sincere and he would do everything in his power to make things right between them. A tear rolled slowly down her cheek as she held Todd's gaze. "I'm just so scared, because this isn't just about you and me anymore. If it doesn't work out between you and me, I'll lose Starr and Brendan, too."
"You'll always be a part of their lives- no matter what. I have something important I'd like to ask you. Blair died before Brendan even got the chance to know his mother. He's all alone in this world, and all he has is me. Marty, would you like to adopt Brendan... and be his mommy?" Todd asked her hopefully.
Touched beyond words, Marty began to cry. She was so choked up, she couldn't even speak. "Y- yes," she finally said tearfully.
Todd stood up, gently wiping away Marty's tears. When a soft sob moved through her, he gently drew her into his arms. "I love you so much," he whispered as he pressed a kiss on the top of her head.
From a table not so far away, Dorian Lord had heard the whole exchange. She knew that Marty and Todd had a week spot in their relationship, Dylan Moody, and she planned to use that to her advantage to get Starr and Brendan away from Todd. Blair would roll over in her grave if she knew that Marty was planning to be a mother to baby Brendan. Blair had despised Marty with a passion and had always wanted her no where near Starr. Dorian knew she had to stop Marty and Todd before the adoption had a chance to go through. Forming an evil plan in her mind, Dorian lay some bills on the table and quickly left the restaurant.
"I love you, too, Todd," Marty told him as she pressed herself against his chest.
Seeing how emotional she was at that moment, Todd asked, "Do you still want to stay here and have dinner?"
"No, let's go grab something from Rodi's and go home," Marty suggested.
"Alright," Todd agreed with a smile as he preferred yummy cheese fries from Rodi's and a cold beer to all this fancy food and drink anyway. He wasn't much for the soft music and candlelight, but he had wanted a romantic atmosphere for Marty. He paid the check, then led Marty from the restaurant. Their date hadn't gone so well, but he felt above all, they had made major progress. It was just a matter of time before she trusted him again; he was sure of it.
Across town, Dorian Lord had arrived at Dylan Moody's apartment. "Dylan, we need to talk," she said, when he came to the door.
"What's this about?" Dylan questioned warily. What in the world could Dorian Lord possibly want with him?
"It's about your three younger brothers and the family farm," Dorian answered with a wicked little grin on her face.
Dylan tensed. His family meant everything to him. After Marty had left him for Patrick and Luna had died, Dylan's brothers were all he had left in this world. "You better come in," Dylan said to Dorian.
