~*~o~*~
Marty showed up at Todd's office at The Sun. He was surprised to see her even though they had bonded in recent weeks. They had spent a great deal of time together at the hospital before Starr's release. Marty had been one of the doctors following up on Starr's care after her transplant.
"Hey, Marty ... what brings you by?" Todd asked as he looked up from the article he had been editing for the next day's edition.
"I was hoping... we could talk..." she said to him hesitantly.
Putting his work aside, Todd's curiosity was aroused. She appeared greatly upset, and he wondered if it had anything to do with Patrick and Blair's budding romance. After all, he'd moved out of the penthouse when he realized Blair was once again involved with Marty's ex.
"Does this have something to do with Patrick?" Todd asked.
Marty went to stand by the window as she stared out at the busy street below. After awhile, she turned around slowly and met Todd's gaze. "I'm pregnant, Todd," she informed him.
"You're pregnant?" he uttered in disbelief.
"Yes," she responded. "With Patrick's baby."
"Does... does Patrick know?" Todd questioned.
"No, I haven't told him yet. He and Blair just lost their son... and they're together now. I don't think he's going to be thrilled to know *I* am carrying his child," Marty explained.
"When did this happen?"
"When Blair was in the hospital, right after Brendan died. It was only that once. The only time I ever slept with him," Marty said as tears filled her eyes.
Todd sucked in his breath. During that time frame, he and Marty had been getting closer. For a moment he felt a bit betrayed, but then he realized he had no right to feel that way. It wasn't Marty who had sparked his anger. It was Patrick Thornhart he wanted to kill. Why had the Irish poet taken advantage of Marty when he clearly had feelings for Blair?
"I'll kill him!" Todd growled as he jumped up from his desk.
"No, Todd. Don't!" Marty cried out as she wrapped her arms around him tightly and started to cry. She pressed her face against his chest as her tears fell, soaking his shirt. Not knowing what else to do, Todd slowly lifted his arms, placing them around her trembling body while she sobbed.
Softly, he caressed her hair, looking down at her with tenderness as she cried against his chest. "I slept with Patrick because I was afraid of my feelings for you," she admitted. "I wanted you... but I was scared after everything we'd been through. Patrick was safe... so I made a terrible mistake... and I gave myself to him. Now I'm carrying his child."
"You want to be with ME?" he asked her incredulously. He was madly in love with her (and had been all this time), but after how he hurt her, he never thought he'd have her in his arms again.
She nodded as she looked up into his eyes. "I still love you, Todd," she admitted. "I never stopped. The question is... how do you feel about me?"
"I love you, too, Marty," he answered as he brushed away her tears.
"Do you think you could be with me... even though I carry Patrick's child?"
"If you can get passed the pain that I caused you, I would be willing to overlook the fact that you're carrying his child. It's not like you cheated on me."
"But Blair hurt you so much when she got pregnant with Patrick's baby."
"She did, but that was an entirely different circumstance. You're not Blair," Todd stated. "Marty, I could forgive you anything... That's how much I love you."
Wrapping her arms around him even tighter, Marty cried; but this time with relief. Todd had taken the news far better than expected. Now she just had to tell Patrick.
~*~o~*~
It was late afternoon when Marty arrived at the penthouse where Patrick was now staying with Blair. Todd had wanted to go with her, but she insisted she had to handle this on her own. She didn't want Todd and Patrick to get into a huge argument or a possible fight. She was sure that wouldn't be good for anyone.
Patrick had been surprised to see Marty at the door. "Margaret, how are you?" he asked after he had invited her inside.
"That's why I am here to see you..." she responded. "I went to see the doctor the other day because I haven't been feeling well."
"Are you sick?" he asked with concern.
She shook her head. "Doctor Wolek ran some tests, and he said I am pregnant," Marty explained.
"Ohhh my God!" Patrick gasped.
Just then, Blair walked into the room. She stared at Marty in horror. "You're pregnant?" she exclaimed.
"I'm sorry, Patrick," Marty said with tears in her eyes. Without another word, she walked out quickly as she couldn't take the looks of despair on the faces of both Patrick and Blair. She knew that the news had to be devastating to them after the loss of their son.
After Marty had walked out, Blair confronted Patrick. "Marty's pregnant?" she cried out. "Tell me that this is NOT your child!"
"I swear to you, I only slept with her once... right after Brendan's death. The baby's mine."
"No!" Blair said as she began to sob hysterically.
Patrick wrapped his arms around her, but she pushed him away. "Blair, please-," he spoke as he tried to comfort her.
"Our baby just died... I was laying in a hospital bed fighting for my life... and you were FUCKING her?"
"That's not how it happened. She was comforting me and..."
"Ohhh I bet she was comforting you alright! By spreading her legs?"
"Blair, Margaret's not like that. It was her first time since the rape. We needed each other. I was hurting. She was hurting... and it just ... happened. After it was over, I regretted it so much, because I knew I loved you. And I knew this would hurt you," Patrick said as he stared into her eyes. "I just never dreamed she'd get pregnant."
"Well, she is pregnant! And I'm not! Our son is dead...and now you're having a baby with her!" Blair lamented.
She broke down into a deep, painful sobs as Patrick tugged her into his arms and held her. "I miss my baby..." she whimpered.
"I know. I miss him, too," he said to her gently. "I think we should get away for a while. We should go to Ireland on a little trip. Just the two of us..."
"What about Starr?" Blair asked.
"She can stay with Todd and Vicki for a few days. She's feeling better now after her transplant... and you need a little time away," Patrick coaxed. "We both need some time alone together after the loss of our son. We need time to heal and recover from our loss."
"What about Marty?"
"What about her? It's you I love, not Margaret. I care about her... and I'll be there for her because of the baby, but my place is with you. I love you, Blair. And I can't wait to show you how much," Patrick stated.
"Let's go to Ireland then," Blair quietly agreed.