This story takes place after Todd has returned from Ireland. Blair is pregnant with Brendan and currently living with Dorian. Todd and Blair are separated and going through a custody battle as Blair wants to take Starr away from her father. Marty is siding with Todd because she believes he is a good father, and Patrick has been there for Blair who is carrying his child. Patrick and Marty are dating but are not officially a couple. The situation becomes more complex when suddenly Starr becomes very ill.
~*~Llanview Hospital~*~
Blair was still in the hospital as she was slightly weak from the testing that had been conducted on Brendan's cord blood. Patrick stayed by her side, holding her hand, much to Todd's dismay. Patrick was the father of her baby, but Todd was still her husband, so he didn't like the man he considered to be his greatest enemy always hovering around. Dr. Andersen and Dr. Sands called everyone into Blair's hospital room with news of the test results. Thankfully Brendan and Blair were both going to be fine despite the scare they had experienced in the operating room.
"Blair, good news. You can go on home today. Both you and the baby are going to be fine," Dr. Sands told her patient.
"That's great news. But-but what about the test results?" Blair asked. "Is Brendan a match for Starr?"
"That's what we wanted to discuss with you..." said Dr. Andersen. "We just got the results back..."
"Well, what IS the result?" Todd demanded. "Is my little girl going to be okay?"
"The news is good," responded Dr. Andersen. "The baby is a match."
Blair let out a squeel of delight, squeezing Patrick's hand. "Ohhh thank God!" she gasped. "As soon as Brendan's born, the cord blood can used in Starr's transplant, right?"
"Yes," Dr. Sands answered. "But we'd like to speak privately with you and Mr. Thornhart..."
"Dr. Saybrooke and Mr. Manning, will you please step outside a moment?" Dr. Andersen asked kindly.
"What?" Todd said in a growl. "Why do I have to step outside? It's my daughter's life we are talking about here. I'm NOT stepping outside."
"Come on, Todd," Marty said as she lightly touched his arm and tried to coax him out into the hall with her.
Todd glanced at Marty, a scowl still upon his face. "Fuck this," he said under his breath as he reluctantly went out in the hall with Marty.
~*~Todd and Marty~*~
"What are they talking about in there?" Todd hissed as he and Marty stood out in the hallway for what seemed like an eternity.
"I am sure it has something to do with Brendan," Marty said with a heavy sigh as she wasn't liking this anymore than Todd. Recently, Patrick had given all of his concentration and affection to Blair and the baby. All Patrick could think about was his son. Marty hated feeling as though she was second-best.
"I'm glad the kid's going to be a match, but I hate all this bullshit," Todd snarled. "Your hairy boyfriend should have kept his hands off MY wife."
"You better just accept it, Todd. Blair and Patrick are having a baby," Marty said as she didn't look at all happy about it. Although she wasn't as vocal as Todd, she hated this just as much as he did.
Todd looked like he was going to upchuck. "Everytime I think of that baby... all I can think about is that moment I caught them FUCKING on my living room floor. Makes me sick," Todd said with a groan.
"I'm sorry you had to see that, Todd. But Brendan's going to save Starr's life. As crazy as all this has been, something good will be the final result."
Todd nodded, because he was thankful to know that his daughter's life would be saved. He just wanted all of this over fast and for Starr to get better. He wanted his little girl healthy and at home where she belonged. Once again, Marty had managed to calm him down when no one else could. "Thank you, Marty," he said to her softly. Their eyes met and held as they stood in the hallway together, silently waiting.
~*~Patrick and Blair~*~
"What do you want to talk to us about?" Blair asked the doctors worriedly. "Is there something wrong with the baby?"
"Your son is healthy and perfectly fine," Dr. Sands assured her patient. "But Dr. Andersen and I feel that Starr's time is limited. We need to do the transplant as soon as possible or we could lose her."
"Ohhh my God, no!" Blair exclaimed. "I can't lose my little girl. How soon... how soon can we do the transplant? Brendan's not even due for another six weeks!"
"We suggest an early induction," Dr. Sands gently explained. "And upon delivery the cord blood can be collected for Starr's transplant."
"Wait!" Patrick spoke up. "Won't that be dangerous to Brendan?"
"There is always a slight danger with an early induction and we must consider that Brendan will be six weeks early, but we have every indication that your son should be fine-," spoke Dr. Andersen.
"Then there is no way. I won't put my son in danger," Patrick stated as he crossed his arms across his chest.
"Patrick, wait!" Blair gasped as she was having a difficult time dealing with all the decisions. She wanted BOTH of her babies to be okay.
"No, Blair. We have to think of Brendan. We don't even know if this transplant is gonna work. If you deliver early, and something happens to Brendan-," he began.
"Mr. Thornhart, we will take excellent care of both Blair and Brendan. There is no need for concern-," spoke Dr. Andersen.
"No, I've heard enough," Patrick growled. "I'll be out in the hallway, Blair. Come out after you're dressed." And with those words, Patrick walked out.
"Patrick!" Blair called out as she started to sob.
~*~A few minutes later~*~
"Well, what's going on in there?" Todd demanded of Patrick when he stepped out in the hall.
"Blair's getting dressed now," Patrick said as he refused to look at either Marty or Todd. Marty could tell that Patrick was extremely upset. Patrick was practically shaking as he struggled to get his emotions under control.
"What is it, Patrick? What's wrong? Is something wrong with Blair or the baby?" Marty asked in concern.
"The doctors want to deliver Brendan early, but I won't allow it," Patrick stated. "I WON'T put my son's life in danger."
Blair walked out of her hospital room, approaching Marty, Patrick, and Todd. "Patrick, we have to talk about this," she implored.
"Blair, I have made my decision. No early delivery," he told her.
"But Patrick, Starr's life could be in danger. She needs the transplant NOW," Blair gently reminded.
"What?" Todd exclaimed as he glared into Patrick's face. "My little girl could DIE if she doesn't get that tranplant. Why are you being such an asshole?"
"I understand that Starr needs the transplant, but I am only trying to protect my unborn child. There is a chance an early delivery could cause complications-," Patrick stated.
"Patrick, Dr. Sands and Dr. Andersen are right," Marty spoke up. "There are very few complications that can arise with an early induction. Brendan should be fine."
"Doesn't anyone care about my son in this?" Patrick exploded.
"Everything isn't just about YOUR son!" Marty snapped. "We are talking about Starr's life here. All I ever hear you talk about is your precious son!"
"Shut up, Marty!" Blair hissed. "YOU just stay out of it! None of this has anything to do with you!"
"Yes, and that's the problem!" Marty said as she gave Blair and Patrick an angry glare.
"Patrick, will you take me home please?" Blair asked him as she placed a hand lovingly on her bulging stomach. "I've had enough of this crap today. I need to go home and rest."
"Alright, let's go," Patrick agreed as he took Blair's arm and shot Marty an angry look.
Patrick and Blair got on the elevator and after the doors had closed, Marty finally expelled her breath sharply from her lungs. All the pain and resentment that had building up inside her had just now exploded into Patrick's face. Marty felt awful for blowing up as she had, but in her eyes, Patrick was being unreasonable. She could only hope that he would change his mind about the induction, because Starr needed the transplant as soon as possible.
"Todd, I'm sorry," Marty said as she turned to look at him. She wondered what he had thought of her outburst.
"You screaming at Patrick like that wasn't exactly very professional, Marty," Todd remarked.
Marty nodded. "I know, and I apologize. I'm just frustrated. I only want Starr to get better. And Patrick doesn't seem to see how crucial an early delivery is going to be in her recovery. All he cares about is that-that baby."
"Well, THAT baby is going to save my little girl's life. Remember that, Marty. That's what you told me earlier, right?" Todd reminded.
Marty knew he was right, but at that moment, she was consumed with anger. "I'm going home now..." she said with a heavy sigh. "Good night, Todd."
~*~Patrick and Blair~*~
As Patrick drove Blair home, they both had calmed down considerably. It was a slightly foggy night with rainfall as they drove on route 9. "Patrick, I understand how you feel-," Blair began, her hand on her stomach as she felt Brendan's strong kicks.
"Let's not argue, Blair," Patrick said as he was doing his best to watch the road.
"I don't want to argue. I want to talk about Brendan. I love him so much," she said as she gave him a smile. "I don't want to do anything that might possibly hurt him."
Patrick glanced over at her, then reached across the distance between the bucket seats to place his hand over hers as she felt their son moving. "I know you love him," he said as he gently squeezed her hand.
"He's going to save Starr's life. It's a miracle," she said as tears filled her eyes. "Ohhh Patrick, I don't want to lose either one of my children."
"We're going to figure out what to do, Blair. I promise," Patrick said gently as he raised her hand to his lips and tenderly kissed it.
Blair melted at his soothing gesture. "Brendan's really active tonight," she told him with a small laugh.
"He knows his mother should have put on her seat belt," Patrick teased.
"Ohhh well, my stomach's too big. It's just too uncomfortable," Blair responded. "I think he wants us to sing to him."
"Ohhh he does?" Patrick said with smirk. "What does our son want his parents to sing?"
"I dunno. Probably an Irish song, considering he's half Irish."
"Hmmm... Okay. How about 'The Irish National Anthem?'" asked Patrick as he began to teach Blair the lyrics in Irish.
"Wow, I think he likes it," said Blair with a giggle as she felt her son's fiesty kick as she and Patrick sang to him.
They continued to sing to Brendan as they drove on route 9 toward Blair's home. The rainfall increased as the car started to hydroplane. Patrick did everything he could to keep control of the vehicle, but when an oncoming car swerved toward his vehicle, he went off the road. Blair screamed as their car went crashing into a tree. The tires screeched and glass shattered all around them. Then in the darkness, there was nothing but dead-silence.