Blair lay on his chest comfortable in his arms, and loving the feel of his hand circling the side of her tummy. She felt her child settling back down at the touch of her father and then his hand moved. She had never thought of her lower back as an erogenous zone but under Todd’s masterful touch she lay there trying to will him to drop that hand just a little lower. Unable to stop herself she gave a little moan and quivered in anticipation, then her tongue flicked out and began to play with the nipple in front of her.
Todd gasped as her tongue set him on fire and he looked down into two sparkling emerald eyes. There was no question his tigress wanted to play. As his hand lowered to her firm buttocks she pushed at it as if begging him to continue and he obliged and found she was all ready for him. He could swear she began to purr as his fingers worked their way into her center. Her little sounds were working wonders on him and he stopped his touches and watched as she slinked on top of him like a cat and settled on him, letting him fill her. Her hands traced down the fine muscles of his chest coming to rest on his abs as she began to slowly move on him. Todd positioned his hands at her hips and watched as Blair gave herself over to the passion consuming her. She was beautiful above him, her eyes half-lidded and her hands leaving his body to begin fondling her breasts as she rode him. As she worked and caressed them, he watched fascinated as they began leaking an early milky liquid as she got nearer to her due date. She gathered it on her fingertips and offered it to him and smiled at him as he licked her fingers clean, his breath was now as ragged as hers. He drove himself deeper into her and rose up to capture her breasts first one and then the other with his mouth. He drank that sweet early offering and she grabbed tight to his shoulders as they climaxed together, then she clung to him as he continued to caress and enjoy her more bountiful breasts in the afterglow.
A short time later as they lay side by side his hand once again found his child. As if knowing her father was reaching out to her, the baby kicked. Blair watched his face and loved the look of joy that washed across it as the baby responded to his touch. It was going to be a good day.
Todd leaned forward and dropped a kiss on his daughter and then smiled. He quickly gave Blair a kiss and a pat on her beautiful backside and exited the bed. There was a lot to do that morning. Listening to her weak protest as he went to take his shower, he thought back to the days leading up to this moment.
Four weeks had passed since it was discovered that Natalie and Liam had been abducted. Initially, he had worked side by side with Bo and John trying every avenue to ascertain where they and the other missing girls were. He had used the picture from Vicki’s phone and with the help of Larry had figured out that Natalie was drugged when the picture was taken. One more text was sent to both Vicki and John and it had sent chills through all of them. The simple text read “Heed the Messenger.” They tracked the GPS signal to a flat in London, but all they found was Natalie’s phone. The place had been wiped clean leaving no trace whatsoever of the person or persons who had resided there
Two weeks later Bo had called off the search. The trails were cold, no one else had been reported missing and unless something new popped up, the police were stymied. He and Vicki both had investigators trying to track down the woman and boy who had boarded the plane. Thanks to John, he had secured footage from the airport and Shaun was working overtime trying to put a name to the woman. So far they hadn’t been able to identify her.
Todd had started back with his therapy, and with Ray’s help, the nightmares were beginning to get bearable. He began working in earnest to get Vicki elected Mayor and he finally had begun procedures to adopt Sam. Today was the day all of that came to fruition. He walked from the bathroom with the towel around his waist and admired his wife still residing in bed. “Hey Babe, we’re supposed to be in court in a couple of hours.”
Blair suddenly remembered what was going on. “Oh my God, why did you let me sleep so late? I have a million things to do before that. The caterer will be calling any minute wanting to know when they can come set up for the party.”
“Relax Blair, go take your shower and I’ll handle the caterer. I haven’t heard anything from the kids either. I think everyone slept in this morning. I better go rouse the household.”
Blair waited to get out of bed, instead, she laid there admiring her husband’s gorgeous body as he dressed. His mind was so occupied with the rest of the day’s activity that he didn’t realize she was watching him. Usually, he was a little self-conscious about being on display even with her. She loved that about him. It was a little quirk that she found very endearing.
Todd turned around looking for his belt and realized his wife hadn’t gone into the bathroom. “Damn it, Blair, you’re wasting time,” he said to cover his embarrassment. He always was uncomfortable when she looked at him like that.
Blair walked up and gave him her own quick kiss and patted his behind before taking herself into the bathroom laughing lightly.
Todd smiled quietly to himself, grabbed his belt, and headed to get the rest of the family up. He was about to knock on the boys’ door when it was flung open. Sam stood there already dressed in his best suit.
“Today’s the day, today’s the day!” Sam said as he barreled out of the room and wrapped himself around Todd’s legs.
Todd felt a lump in his throat as he realized Sam had been looking forward to the day as much as he had. “You got that right pal.” he reached down and lifted Sam into his arms. “ I guess you’re happy about this then.”
“You bet. You’re my best friend and now you’re going to be my dad all nice and legal. I can call you Dad just like Starr and Jack, and no one will be able to say you’re not. I love you.” Sam hugged him.
Todd blinked to keep the tears from gathering. Sam might have been Jake’s biological son, but Todd loved him deeply, his heart was overflowing knowing Sam loved him back. He looked into the room and saw Jack staring at him with serious eyes. Todd shifted Sam to one arm and opened the other one silently urging Jack to also give him a hug. For a moment Jack hesitated then he walked into his father’s embrace. Todd clasped both boys close. “I love you both very much. Always remember that.” He released Jack and set Sam back on the ground. “Come on, let’s see what’s holding up your sister and your niece.”
They made their way across the hall and knocked on Starr’s suite. She answered it still in her robe. “Well, it looks like all of you are ready. Dad, I’ve got Hope all dressed. Would you take her downstairs and keep her occupied so I can finish?”
Todd smiled and looked past Starr to his granddaughter all dressed in pink. For a brief moment he pictured Starr in his arms talking about her favorite color, it had been one of those rare moments following the DID trial that he had actually found himself back out. He had been ordered by the judge to get counseling and Starr had been removed from his custody. That motion had brought him to the front and he had gone with Vicki to say goodbye. Shortly after that, he had again regained control over his alters, but the damage had already been done. He shook his head. All of that was in the past now. The truth about his alters was out there for everyone to know, and now his little daughter had a daughter of her own. He held out his arms. “Come to Dragon.”
Hope squealed happily and ran into his arms and the four of them headed for the stairs.
They met Cole coming from the other hallway. He took Hope, and they headed down to breakfast, knowing the women would make it down by the time it was ready. Family Court proved to be a big hit for Sam. He felt so proud when the Judge asked him if he wanted to become Todd’s son. He stood there and solemnly looked at the Judge. “He’s my best friend and now he’s going to be my Dad all legal like. Right?”
“That’s what we’re here to decide. I just want to make sure you really want this.”
Sam looked at the tall man who played with him and told great stories. In his eyes, Sir Dragon was the best dad. He looked directly at the judge. “After my daddy died, I was really sad,” he walked over and took Todd’s hand, “He said that Daddy would watch over me from heaven and that he would take care of me down here. I love him. I want him to be my dad.” He looked up at Todd and smiled.
Todd’s eyes started to fill with tears and he reached down and lifted Sam up in his arms. “Thank you, Sam.” Together they looked at the judge. “What do you say, Your Honor?”
“As court proceedings go, this is always my favorite. I hereby declare that Samuel Manning, son of Jacques Boudreau and Margaret Cochrane, both deceased, is now legally, in the eyes of the law, the son of Thomas Todd Manning. Court is adjourned.”
Todd looked at Sam. “We’re all legal now, Sam.”
“Yeah!” Sam gave his dad a big hug. They were suddenly surrounded by the rest of the family, all of them talking at once and hugging Sam.
Later that afternoon, the celebration continued. Vicki and Jessica along with Bree and Ryder came over. Todd had spared no expense and a small carnival was set up on the grounds in front of Dragonheart. Sam’s school friends had been invited and soon the grounds were full of families and children enjoying the summer treat. Ray had come and was standing with Vicki watching the activities.
Vicki spoke. “He seems a little more rested. I’ve been very worried about him since Natalie’s been missing. I got the impression he blamed himself for it.”
“He did and I’m not sure he doesn’t still, but he’s working on it. What about you, Vicki? If you’ll forgive the professional observation. I think you’re struggling too.”
“I can’t afford to let it overtake me. Jessica, the children, and Clint all need me, and I need them just as bad. We’re helping each other through this, but Todd never lets himself readily accept help. For so long he had only himself to trust, he considers it a weakness in himself if people find out he’s hurting. When my brother loves you, he loves all the way. One thing for sure, "family” is all-important to him, and Natalie and Liam are a part of his family. I don’t think he’ll find any peace until they’re back home safe. Still, a day like today is a welcome relief. Look at him and Sam. It warms my heart just watching them.”
Todd had grabbed up Sam and was now teaching him how to throw a football into the outstretched hands of a cardboard receiver. The hands actually had a hole you had to throw the ball through to get points. Todd had managed to throw every one of his balls through and Sam and several other kids were in awe. Now, it was Sam’s turn. He listened patiently as Todd explained how to hold the ball and then how to throw it. His first two attempts came up a little short because he didn’t have the same strength as Todd, and couldn’t throw as far. The situation was swiftly corrected as the carny man moved the target in a little bit to accommodate the children and the next ball Sam threw went in. All the children cheered, Todd the loudest. Soon he was instructing all of them, and each of them managed to make it through the hole at least once.
The sun was beginning to set as the children and their parents took their leave. Throughout the afternoon, the children had been entertained by a man performing magic tricks, and now that same man found his way over to Todd. Todd looked at him and smiled. “Thank you. I couldn’t believe it when I found out you owned this little carnival. You seem happy.”
Zeus took off his magician’s hat and cape, throwing the cape across his arm. “I’m marvelous. I must admit after we parted company all those years ago, I kept hoping you would finally find what you were looking for. I’m glad things worked out for you and Blair. I ran into your daughter Starr earlier, it’s hard to imagine her with a child of her own.”
Todd remembered how Zeus had helped him during those first awful days back from Ireland. At one point he, Zeus, and Starr were going to take off together, but in the end, he couldn’t separate Starr from Blair and had gone home. Instead, he had parted ways with Zeus and now he felt remorse for using Zeus all those years ago. “Listen, about all those years ago, I’m sorry. If you ever need anything don’t hesitate to ask.”
“Maestro, like I said, I’m marvelous. I hope my little carnival brought you and your friends some joy, it’s events like this that make my day. Even my crusty old carnies love a day like this. We’ll be packed up and gone by morning. Have to be in Pittsburg by Father’s Day. Thanks again for hiring us, it was fun.”
The two men looked at each other and solemnly shook hands. Friendship had always been a hard thing for Todd, but he realized Zeus had always considered him a friend and had never blamed him for going back to Blair. It was a little humbling, to know that Zeus had put Todd’s happiness above his own. He wasn’t sure he would have been so generous. He had used Zeus for his own purposes but it was all water under the bridge now. Todd watched the man head back to his trailer and then turned and made his way inside to his family.
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