This story is AU. In this particular story, Todd hasn't been married to Blair and doesn't have any children with her.
~*~o~*~
Todd's hand was shaking as he knelt down and gently traced the etched name on his daughter's stone. How could it be true? The little one who had come to him had been a ghost or some sort of angel? His baby girl was dead. Tears silently fell from his eyes when he realized he may never hear her sweet voice again or hold her in his arms. His heart was aching so much he felt like it had ceased to beat.
What in the world did this mean? Tabitha was dead... but where was Marty? Why did his daughter lead him here?
Todd picked up the little yellow bunny and hugged it. Was this all he had left of his precious little girl? Tabitha had loved this bunny so, and she had left it for him. Yes, it would appear that this was all he had left.
"Tabby, I love you. I wish you could say," he said over her grave. "I'll miss you forever, baby girl..."
Holding the little bunny close, Todd rose and started to walk away, but suddenly he stopped in his tracks. There was another grave, right beside Tabitha's. It read: "Katherine M. Saybrooke."
"Auntie Kiki," Todd uttered.
The date on the stone was the exact same date as Tabitha had appeared on Todd's doorstep- September 1, 1997. Somehow Aunt Kiki's death had triggered Tabitha's spirit to come to him... but why?
"Marty," Todd spoke as his heart lept in his chest.
*I've gotta find her,* Todd thought. Her grave wasn't here, so he assumed she was still alive.
Todd ran toward his car, carrying the little bunny he had taken from Tabitha's gravestone. He climbed into the car and placed the bunny in the seat right next to him. Having Tabitha's favorite toy so close made him feel that she was not that far away. He could still feel her presense so strong, even though she was gone.
"Tabby, what should I do? How do I find your mother?" Todd spoke aloud.
He started the engine of the car, knowing he had to search for Marty. Tabitha had came to him from the other side, and she had lead him all this way. There had to be a reason... and the reason was Marty, and Todd intended to find her.
~*~o~*~
Todd's search lead him to the nearest gas station. He filled up his car with gas, then went inside to question the locals. It was a fairly small town, surely someone had heard of the Saybrookes.
Todd gathered up a few snacks and a cola and walked up to the counter. He reached into his wallet for his credit card after the clerk had told him the price of his purchases. A few people stood in line right next to him as they too waited to pay for their items. "I'm looking for Marty Saybrooke," Todd said to the clerk. "Would you happen to know where I might find her?"
An old man who stood in line beside Todd spoke up. "I know Marty," he stated. "What would you be wanting with her?"
"I'm an old friend," Todd answered. "I heard about the death of her aunt... and I'd like to express my condolences."
The old man nodded. "I can give you directions to her house," he told Todd. "Do you know where the cemetery is?"
"Yes, I was just there."
"The Saybrooke house is on Washington Street... right across from the cemetery. Big two story house with a wrap-around porch. You can't miss it."
"Thanks," Todd said as he took his credit card from the clerk and grabbed his bag of snacks. "I appreciate your help."
"I hope you find her," the old man said as Todd hurried from the gas station.
"I hope, so, too," Todd called back.
~*~o~*~
Minutes later, Todd arrived at the huge two-story house across from the cemetery. He stood on the wrap-around porch and rang the doorbell. As he waited for Marty to answer, his heart pounded loudly in his chest. What would he say? What would SHE say? Would she tell him that she hated him? Would she demand that he get the the hell out of her life? After all, he hadn't seen her since the trial. It had been over four years since he had last looked into those gorgeous blue eyes of hers. It had taken him that long to realize how much she truly meant to him... and how horribly wrong he had been. Did he have another chance with her... or was this all just an illusion?
A few moments passed, then the door came open. There stood Marty, the woman he loved. "Marty," he spoke as he gazed into her eyes.
"Todd!" she gasped as her face became deathly white.
"Marty, it's me. Are you okay?" Todd asked her with concern.
"It can't be you," Marty uttered. "You're dead."