~~~ Chapter Seven ~ Headed Toward a Tropical Paradise ~~~
Todd stuffed as much food into his mouth as he possibly could before he and Marty left their wedding reception. He headed over to the Llanview Mall where he proceeded to buy Marty everything she might possibly need, including clothing and accessories for their honeymoon. The saleslady was pleased when Todd went up to pay for the items. He had bought enough clothing for Marty to have a new outfit every single day for a month, plus extras such as a two piece bathing suit, nighties, bras, panties, shoes, etc. They had also purchased toiletries, jewelry, and a new luggage set for Marty's clothing. After they had everything Marty needed, they took the limo to the airport where Todd's jet was waiting for them. It was early afternoon when they boarded the plane. Soon they were situated in their seats, getting ready for take-off. Now that they were alone, he wanted her back in his arms. "Come here and let me hold you," Todd said to her as soon as the plane was on its way toward their destination.
Marty was so glad that their vacation had officially began. Todd had been so incredibly generous when he bought her everything that she would need for their honeymoon and so much more. She sat down next to Todd and let him wrap his arms around her. "Today has been the happiest day of my life and it's all because of you. Thank you so much for everything that you've done to make today so special," Marty stated.
A smile came to Todd's lips when he heard how happy he had made Marty. "That's great then," he said as he slipped his arms around her and pulled her in close. "That's what I wanted most of all... to make you happy."
He thought about what she had said... that today had been the most happiest day of her life. Even more so than what she had shared with Patrick? How could that be really possible?! Did she truly love him all that much? But as he held her in his arms and saw her eyes sparkle with so much beauty and happiness, he knew that it was true. Marty really did love him. His heart danced at just the thought of it.
Suddenly it seemed as though he couldn't get close enough to her. He pulled her onto his lap and held her against his chest. "How are you feeling?" he questioned as he caressed her hair. "Does it seem like those medicines they gave you at the hospital are beginning to work?" In addition to the lupus medication she had been given, the doctor had also prescribed Marty something for nausea. She had no sign all day of being sick, so Todd had every reason to believe that her health was beginning to improve. Since he hadn't been around for Blair's pregnancy with Starr, he didn't know what to expect. He was concerned about Marty and the baby and wondered suddenly if going off to a tropical location had been a good idea.
"I'm feeling great," she stated as she snuggled even closer to Todd. "You don't need to worry about me so much. I just got everything I have ever wanted, so I promise that I'm not going to let my lupus get the best of me."
They were both breathless as she kissed him. "Todd, how long until we get there?" she asked when her lips withdrew from his.
"I'm supposed to worry about you. That's my job now," Todd responded with a little smile. "You're carrying a baby, you know. A baby I want very much..."
He was everything she had ever wanted?! Who would have known? He believed they were truly meant to be together. He knew it in his heart. Holding Marty closer and tightening his arms around her, he never wanted to lose her again. She was everything to him.
She leaned over and kissed him suddenly, pulling away again before he had a chance to respond. When the kiss ended, he answered her question. "I don't know exactly how long it will take us to get there, but I assume we will be arriving sometime after dark. That's okay though. We can get a good night's rest... then explore the island in the morning."
Right now he was content to hold her and spend time with her on the plane. It was so nice to finally be alone with her. She looked absolutely ecstatic. She was practically glowing. Was it the pregnancy... or was it being married to Todd? Knowing he had made her that happy made him feel ecstatic, too. In that moment, he knew that he could tell her soon exactly how he felt for her. He knew she was ready to hear it because she had said she loved him, too.
Marty was so comfortable in Todd's arms. She was so tired from the day's events that she closed her eyes and drifted off to sleep while he stroked her hair.
She was sitting on the beach in her bathing suit, holding a beautiful baby girl. Todd was playing in the water with Starr. They were celebrating because he had just gotten custody of his little girl. She was so happy until he showed up. "Give me my daughter, Marty," Patrick demanded as he walked toward her. "She's not your daughter; she's Todd's," she insisted as she stood up and held her baby close to her . She attempted to walk away from Patrick, but he only seemed to get closer. "Give me my fucking daughter, Margaret!" Patrick shouted as he grabbed her arm and tried to force her into letting her baby go. "Stop it! You're hurting me," Marty pleaded. "Leave her alone," Todd growled as he walked our way. "I can't do that, Manning. She has something that belongs to me," Patrick stated coldly as he withdrew a gun and aimed it directly at Todd. "No!" Marty cried out as Patrick shot Todd in the chest. Afterwards he yanked the crying baby out of her arms and disappeared. "Please don't leave me, too," Marty begged Todd as she knelt in the sand and tried to stop the bleeding. Then he and Starr disappeared as well. The only thing remained was Todd's bloody clothes. "I need you, Todd.
It had been an incredibly long day and Todd started to doze off as he cuddled Marty in his embrace. He hadn't been resting long when he heard her crying out in her sleep. She was sobbing when she woke up. He felt her kiss on the lips.
"What is it, Marty? What's wrong?" he asked in concern.
That's when he heard her say, "Thank God you're still here."
"Of course I am still here," he chuckled lightly. "Where would I go?"
He realized then that she was terrified and she had obviously had a frightening dream. Todd pulled her close as he did his best to soothe her. Tenderly he kissed her over and over again. "You're safe, Marty... and I will never leave you," he promised. "I'm going to keep you AND our baby safe. You trust me, don't you?"
His greatest fear was that Marty may suffer a miscarriage and lose the baby she carried. He already loved that baby as though it were his own, and he knew Marty could not withstand another loss. She was already reeling with the loss of her son Cole. Todd didn't want Marty to lose another child.
"Thank God it was just a dream. I dreamt that we were at the beach with Starr and our baby girl. You were playing with Starr in the water and I was holding our baby on the beach. Patrick... he shot you and stole our baby girl away from me. You and Starr disappeared and I was left with nothing but your bloody clothes," Marty explained as she held onto him so tightly. "I can't lose this baby and I can't lose you again. You left me once and it nearly destroyed me... nearly destroyed both of us. I can't go through that again. I won't survive it."
She loved Todd when he had initially left her, but she loved him so much more now. She was so happy now that she was terrified that something would come along and destroy the bliss that she had discovered with Todd.
"It's okay, Marty. I'm not going to leave. I promise you that," he said, gently kissing away each of her tears. "I couldn't leave because you mean EVERYTHING to me. I'm sorry I left you then... and I hurt you. I've been paying the price for my actions ever since that night- because I abandoned you when I should have stayed. You're right; it nearly destroyed us both... but I'm not the man I was then... and I would NEVER leave you. I need you with me. I'm NOT letting you go."
He caressed her hair and kissed her to soothe her. He then realized that it was early evening and they would soon be arriving on the island. His stomach growled as he hadn't eaten since their wedding reception and he was famished. "We'll be there soon," he said as he continued to hold Marty in his embrace. "I think we both need dinner and a good night's sleep. Tomorrow we can go to the beach."
Marty still had tears in her lashes as he gazed at her. He wanted to take her pain away, but he wasn't sure how. He could only hope that in time her fears would subside. He had hurt her deeply in the past... but this time Todd was determined to do everything right to the best of his ability. He wanted to make her happy.
Marty felt better when Todd promised that he would never leave her. She smiled when she heard Todd's stomach growling. He had always had a ravenous appetite that he could never seem to appease.
The pilot announced that they should put on our seatbelts because he would be landing the plane. Marty climbed out of Todd's lap and sat next to him as he buckled her seatbelt. She looked out her window and saw the most spectacular shades of oranges and purples being cast across the ocean as the sun was setting in the horizon. "Isn't this the most spectacular thing you've ever seen?" she asked as she looked at Todd.
"Yes, it is," he agreed when Marty asked if it was the most spectacular sight he had ever seen... but he wasn't speaking of the wonders Marty had seen out her window. He was speaking of her beauty considering he couldn't take his eyes off of her. She looked happy again and Todd was momentarily relieved. Once the plane landed, he was sure that the rest and relaxation of the island would do wonders for the woman he loved. After all, he had rented their own private beach house, complete with all the amenities she could possibly desire. Right now, he had his mind on the gourmet meal which would be waiting for them once they landed.
After the plane was safely on the ground, Todd took off his seatbelt and rose to his feet. "Shall we go?" he asked Marty as he took her hand in his. He couldn't wait to start their honeymoon. They'd be all alone in a romantic paradise which was exactly what he had wanted.