Wedding Day

As soon as Marty was able to stand, Reverend Carpenter arrived at the cottage to marry them. They wanted there to be no doubt in anyone's mind that Todd was the baby's father.

They were marrying young; in their late teens, but Dr. Larry made it clear that he approved of their union. At the wedding, Larry announced that Todd wanted to take over his uncle's farm and the Manning cabin was where Marty and Todd would be living.

Marty felt uneasy when she heard the news, but Dr. Larry assured her that he and Merrie would be cleaning the cabin. He promised to rid it of anything which might remind Todd or Marty of Peter. After the cabin was ready, then Marty and Todd could move into the residence.

The baby girl whom Larry and Meredith had named Hollie Anne was snuggled in Merrie's arms as Todd and Marty spoke their wedding vows. At first Larry had feared that Barbara's baby would not make it, but the infant had started to flourish under Meredith's tender, loving care. Marty was nervous as Reverend Carpenter announced that they were 'Man and Wife'. Andrew told Todd that it was time to 'kiss the bride.'

With utmost tenderness, Todd pressed his lips against Marty's. Little Danny cheered as it was now official. "You're my big brother now, Todd!" Danny spoke up with excitement.

Todd hugged the boy as he promised to take good care of his sister. He was all smiles as the wedding ended. Marty was his now... forever. He vowed that nothing would ever take her from him. Not again.

~*~o~*~

A couple of days had passed. Meredith and Larry had the Manning cabin prepared for Todd and Marty to move in. Friends and neighbors had come to help with the cleaning and preparation. The pigsty had been cleared and all trash had been removed from the premises. Marty was pleased to see that the cabin itself was spotless. She walked from room to room, seeing the transformation. All traces of Peter Manning had been removed from the property. She was thankful that the cabin would be a place where she and Todd could start their marriage, but as she stood in the bedroom, staring at the huge bed, once again, she became fearful.

Meredith and Larry said their goodbyes to let the newlywed couple get settled. They found Marty in the bedroom. "We are leaving now," Larry said to Marty. "If you need us, don't hesitate to walk over."

Meredith hugged Marty and kissed her cheek. "We'll see you soon, sweetie. We left some dinner for you and Todd in the kitchen."

"Thank you, Mom and Dad," Marty said. She hugged Dr. Larry before the Wolecks left the cabin.

Marty jumped nearly two feet into the air when Todd stepped into the room. Her parents were gone now, and she and her new husband were all alone. She fretted, thinking about their 'wedding night.'

"Marty, it's alright," Todd tried to reassure her when he noticed her fearful expression. "I'm not... I'm not expecting anything to happen tonight."

Marty bit her lower lip, looking at him. She couldn't even speak; she was so afraid.

"I would never hurt you... or rush you," Todd stated. "Baby, I love you. So much."

A tear slowly slid down Marty's cheek. Very tenderly, Todd wiped it away. He took her hand. "Let's go have some dinner," he coaxed.

"Alright," she agreed.

She allowed him to lead her into the main room of the cabin. It served as the kitchen and the living quarters. She sat down with Todd at the table, seeing the food that her parents had left for their meal. There was a large bowl of ham and beans, freshly baked cornbread, and hot apple pie. "This looks delicious," Todd said as he was fixing them both a plate.

"I don't think I can eat, Todd," she said. "I am nervous."

"You need to eat... for the baby," Todd said gently.

She frowned at the mention of the child. She didn't want to think of the unwelcome intruder she was carrying in her womb, his uncle's child. She spent most of her time wishing the child away.

"Marty?" he said as he tried to coax her to eat.

"I'm ready to go to bed, Todd," she said softly.

She got up from the table and disappeared into the bedroom. She slipped out of her wedding dress and put on her nightgown. A moment later, she was seated on the bed.

After eating, Todd placed their dishes in a pan of water to soak. He tidied up the kitchen, then he joined Marty in the bedroom. "Marty, we need to talk," Todd said.

"About what?" Marty asked innocently.

"I want to sleep here with you tonight-," Todd spoke, but the words barely left his lips when Marty became agitated.

"Ohhh no, Todd. You can't... I can't," she protested.

"I need you to listen to me," Todd said gently as he knelt down at the side of the bed. "I only want to hold you... like I did when we were young. Remember?"

He waited but Marty didn't respond. She looked like she was about to burst into tears or rush out of the bedroom. She was trembling as she was so upset.

"Marty, please..." Todd begged. "I just want to sleep in your arms. I NEED you."

"I need you, because I am hurting, too," he admitted. "My aunt died... and I loved her so much. I saw my uncle get shot. Baby, my heart is wounded."

She watched as a hot tear rushed down Todd's cheek. She longed to wipe it away, but she couldn't. She did not dare.

"I- I never told you, because I was... I was so ashamed, but my uncle... he raped me, too," Todd spoke in a choking voice.

Marty stared at him when she heard his words. The pain was bursting inside her heart. How could Peter have been so cruel? How could he have caused so much pain and destruction?

"Ohhh Todd," was all Marty could say.

"I need you, baby... and you need me. We can heal together," Todd said. "And someday, if we are lucky, our marriage can be happy and whole."

She slowly shook her head because she didn't believe it. She wanted to tell him that she would never be able to be a proper wife to him. She wanted to tell him she'd never be happy, because she was pregnant by a monster. She didn't want the baby. She didn't want any of this. How would she ever be happy or whole?

"Marty, I'm happy about the baby, even if you're not. I've always wanted to be a dad."

"I don't want to have this child. Maybe - maybe I... will have to give it up,' Marty said. She couldn't even look Todd in the eye; she felt so ashamed - ashamed because she was raped and even more ashamed because she didn't want to keep the resulting child.

Very gently, Todd wrapped his arms around her. With tenderness, he lifted Marty into his arms. As she began to sob, he carefully lay her down upon the bed.

"Shhhh," he murmured.

He lay down next to her and cradled her in his embrace. Moments passed and Todd continued to comfort her as he kissed her softly upon the brow. "I love you, baby... so much. Try to get some sleep," he whispered.

The tears fell on his chest as Marty let all the pain and heartache out. But gradually, her crying lessened. She was beginning to relax. She snuggled up next to Todd. He was her safety and her protector. She realized that crying in his arms had been a wonderful release.

"Good night,' she murmured as she pressed a kiss upon his cheek.

Author's Note - This is the last chapter for awhile as The Stars is now going on hiatus. I am completely out of plot.