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.
~*~o~*~
Patrick walked into the hospital feeling cold and numb. His precious son had died. He thought he had no more tears left to cry. He had been crying so much his eyes were now swollen. There was nothing left. He just needed to make sure that Blair was okay. He stepped off the elevator clutching the yellow rose in his hand. He was taking it to Blair, Brendan's beautiful mother. Even if she was unconscious, he would place it at her bedside. It was their last tangible link to their baby son.
Before he could enter Blair's hospital room, Marty approached him. "Patrick," she said softly. "Blair's awake."
"What?" he said in a gasp. "Is- is she alright?"
"No," Marty said sorrowfully. "She's devastated. The doctors had to give her a sedative when she heard about Brendan, but she's awake now again..."
"Who told her?" Patrick demanded.
"Todd," Marty responded.
"What right does Todd Manning have telling Blair that OUR son is dead?" Patrick exploded.
"Todd is her husband," Marty stated.
"They are getting a divorce... and Brendan was OUR child, mine and Blair's."
"I know that, Patrick..." Marty said tearfully. "Is that why you chose not to include me in the plans for Brendan's funeral and you didn't want me there during the burial?"
"This is ... difficult for me. I have never had to bury a child before. And with Blair in such a fragile state, I couldn't even think straight," Patrick said as he pulled her into a hug. "Forgive me for hurting you, Marty."
Marty hugged him close for a moment, comforted by the embrace. Despite how amazing it felt to be in his arms, Marty knew their connection was fading. Patrick loved Blair. When Blair had been injured in the accident, the truth had been revealed. Marty feared it was over, but she wasn't quite ready to let him go. She had been hurt far too many times in the past when it came to relationships with men, and she had mistakenly believed that nothing this painful could ever happen with her and Patrick. With her heart breaking, she stared up into his dark eyes.
"I need to see Blair," he quietly stated. He didn't even recognize the enormity of her pain. His grief and concern for Blair was far too intense. His urgency to get to Blair was all-consuming. He placed a soft kiss on the top of Marty's head... then he walked away.
With tears streaming from her eyes, Marty watched him disappear into Blair's hospital room. She was losing him. She could feel it. What they had shared had been something brief and tender... but now it would seem it was over.
~*~o~*~
Patrick took a seat at Blair's bedside, holding the yellow rose in his trembling hand. "Patrick," she said softly as she reached out for his hand.
"Ohhh Blair," he said as he took her hand, pressing it against his cheek. "I'm so sorry..."
"I tried to protect you and Brendan. I did everything I could after the accident, but it wasn't enough," he murmured sadly.
"You did your best... and that's all anyone could ask," Blair told him. "I just can't believe he's gone- our precious baby boy."
"He shouldn't be gone. He should be in the nursery with all the other adorable babies."
"Did you... did you get to see him?" she asked him as tears stung at her eyes.
"Yes. I got to hold him. He was so beautiful."
"What- what did he look like?"
"For one so tiny, he had large, strong hands. And he had your hair. I didn't see his eyes. He looked like he was sleeping... so peaceful," Patrick told her as his voice broke.
He placed the yellow rose in her hands. "In memory of our son... since you couldn't be there today at his service. This was on top of... his casket..."
"Ohhh my God..." Blair said as she let out a painful, heart-wrenching sob. "Not my little boy. No. No! Nooo!"
Patrick held her close as she cried her sorrowed tears. "I don't want him to be gone. I wanted to hold him and tell him that I loved him," she choked out.
"He knew," Patrick assured her as he kissed her cheek and tasted her tears. "When I held him, I told him how much we love him... and how much we'll miss him."
No other words would come as the sobs emerged from deep within Blair's soul. She cried and cried as Patrick held her close. He thought he had no more tears left to shed, but Blair's sorrow overflowed, his own heart broke anew. As they cried together, the bond between them became even stronger.
"I need to let you get some rest now," Patrick said as he reluctantly let her go.
"Don't go, Patrick," she whispered as she clutched the rose against her chest.
"It's been a long day, Blair... but I'll be back tomorrow. I promise," he said as he placed a tender kiss upon her forehead.
Blair closed her eyes, laying back against the pillows. She was totally exhausted. At that moment, there were no more tears left to cry.
Before he left the room, Patrick crushed her close again in one last hug. "I love you," he whispered into her ear.