PREVIOUSLY

Téa turned around and faced Todd, “Todd, you treat my love like a careless memory…in Puerto Rico you basked in my love – you believed in it. My love tells me you didn’t father that child, yet you insist I have doubts about that. I have no doubts. I know you didn’t father that child. Right now – right now – you carelessly throw my love aside…wanting to believe I doubt you when I don’t…” said Téa sadly, “Why are you so insecure with my love?”

Todd was taken aback. Her words shocked him. He loved her! “Téa…your love…I believe in it – I do…” whispered Todd placing his hands on her arms drawing her into him, “I would never be careless with your love…”

“So you say Manning,” whispered Téa.

Todd wrinkled his brow and leaned over kissing her – savoring her lips… “I swear to you Téa – I would never be careless with your love,” said Todd firmly.

“Then don’t doubt it. I believe you. I know how you feel about me – I believe in the love you have for me…” whispered Téa.

“Yeah…” was all Todd could say. He took her into his arms and held her tight.

*****************************************************************************************************

August 2001

Todd made a face and raised an eyebrow. He was in the twins’ bedroom. Tyler was up and quiet but Taylor was fussing. After a quick check of her diaper, he knew why she was fussing. Judith and Jackie weren’t due for another hour. Trevor was playing in his room and Téa was in the shower. They had an appointment with Judge Rothchild later on in the morning. He was judge who ordered the amino. The results were in. And he for one couldn’t wait to get them.

“O.k., Taylor…Daddy’s gonna…change your diaper…” said Todd making a face and grabbing his supplies, a clean diaper, powder, and baby wipes. He placed Taylor on her back and tried to sing.

“La la la…” muttered Todd, “Aw, screw it.”

Todd undid the diaper…

“Eweweww…kid…” muttered Todd. He took the baby wipe and wiped her small bottom. Taylor’s frown turned into a happy smile. Todd threw on the powder.

“Yeah…no rash for you, kid…” muttered Todd.

Todd put on the new diaper and threw out the funky one. When he turned around the saw Téa leaning against the doorway, dressed in a bathrobe, her hair wet and she had an amused smile on her face.

Todd was flustered, as if he was a kid who got caught with his hand in the cookie jar.

“What are you looking at?” muttered Todd picking up Taylor. She was happy.

“You,” said Téa grinning at him, “You are a good father.”

Todd put Taylor down, “So, am I a good husband, too?”

Téa got serious, “What do you think Manning?”

“I don’t know what to think, Téa. I don’t know what to say to convince you otherwise… that I don’t treat your love carelessly…” said Todd, “Téa, those words haunt me – I would never be careless with your love.”

Téa melted, “Oh, Todd…”

She ran to him, putting her arms around him – embracing him in a warm hug. He put his arms around her, breathing her scent and savoring her body.

“I’ll get better…Téa, I’ll try…” said Todd.

“I never met to hurt you Todd,” whispered Téa, “You’re the best husband I know. The only husband for me. This stuff with Fiona…it’s starting to wear me down, you know.”

“Téa…” whispered parting from her and finding her eyes.

“Todd, forget those words…” she whispered as she placed her hand behind his neck and pulled him into a kiss. He savored her and slowly they parted.

“We need to get ready. We’re due in judge’s chambers soon,” whispered Téa.

He nodded his head. It was time for his shower. He understood that stuff about Fiona getting on her nerves, and he couldn’t blame her.

****************************************************************************************************

The Judge’s Chambers…

Téa and Nora, who was representing Kevin, got together and made arrangements to have the results of the amino revealed in an informal session rather than have a formal session in court. Once paternity was established, they had arranged for the judge to name a guardian ad litem for Fiona and her unborn baby. Téa was confident the outcome would reveal Kevin was the father.

Currently, Todd was pacing the judge’s chambers. Téa was sitting down on a couch reviewing the petition. Nora and Kevin sat on an adjacent couch. Kevin was twiddling his thumbs. The door opened and Judge Rothchild accompanied by Dr. Hart walked in. Todd took a seat next to Téa. The judge took his seat.

“I see both parties are present,” said the judge.

There was a pause.

“Does everyone understand why I ordered the amino?” he asked.

“Yeah,” said Todd, “Fiona’s a loony tune and claims the kid is mine but I never slept with her – however my nephew over there, Kevin did.”

Everyone looked at Todd.

“Eloquently put Todd,” replied Nora.

“Yes, it’s true the paternity of Ms. Braxton’s child is unknown. And we all know Ms. Braxton has been deemed mentally incapacitated. And since she is thus mentally incapacitated, I feel the paternity of the child must be decided so the father can make competent medical decisions for the child and mother,” explained the judge.

Todd looked at Téa and frowned.

Kevin took a deep breath.

“An aminocenistis is not an easy medical procedure to undergo. Ms. Braxton tolerated the procedure well and her and the child are fine. Now, an amino done to test for paternity will reveal some genetic information that may identify the father, however the most conclusive test would be to wait until the child is born to conduct a paternity test. I’m now going to let Dr. Hart discuss the results of the testing,” finished the judge.

Téa looked at Todd, and took his hand in hers.

Nora gave Kevin a pat on the back.

Dr. Hart smiled at Todd, “I know there some special identifying features in Todd Manning’s genetic makeup. It’s these features that his son, Trevor, shares that make Todd the only possible donor for his son. Now, I understand Todd and Kevin are biological related?”

Kevin and Todd glared at each other.

“Yeah – he’s my uncle,” muttered Kevin.

“I thought so. Kevin shares some, not all of these identifying features. What I was looking in the amino were the identifying features Todd has but Kevin doesn’t. I found none,” said Dr. Hart.

“What are you saying? The results are inconclusive?” questioned Nora.

Todd’s eyes bugged out.

“Yes, the results are inconclusive. Kevin or Todd could be the father of this child,” confirmed Dr. Hart.

“Great!” said Kevin, “We got nowhere!”

“Now, according to our agreement here,” started the judge, “I still have to decide who will be the temporary guardian ad litem until the paternity test can be made,” said the judge trying to be as tactful as he could.

“What?” exclaimed Todd.

“Why? Can’t the court make the decisions?” demanded Kevin standing up.

“Counselors, this behavior will not be tolerated in my chambers,” instructed the judge.

“Todd, don’t,” said Téa standing up next to him, biting her own lip.

“Kevin – sit down and chill out,” said Nora.

Kevin and Todd sat down.

The judge’s face grew hard, “One of you got Fiona Braxton with child. I will hold one of you responsible for that child’s care and the care of the mother until a paternity test can be conducted."

“Great,” muttered Todd.

“Now, I’m going to ask you each a series of questions. I will take thirty minutes to reflect on your answers and then deliver my opinion,” explained the judge.

“Téa,” whispered Todd into her ear, “Can he do this?”

Téa’s heart sank, “I can voice our dissatisfaction but this option was one we agreed upon with Nora and Kevin as a last resort if the tests came back inconclusive.”

“We agreed to this?” whispered Todd.

Téa nodded her head and whispered, “Don’t you remember?”

Todd made a face, “Yes.”

“Counselor?” asked the judge, “Are you through conferring with your client?”

Nora and Kevin glared at Todd and Téa.

“Yes,” said Téa.

Todd could feel his anger rise. He didn’t understand how Téa could love him – support him – against this horrible accusation – but she did. He turned to her suddenly and smiled at her.

The judge turned to Kevin, “Now, Mr. Buchanan, did you have sexual relations with Ms. Braxton?”

“Yes,” muttered Kevin.

“What is your martial status, Mr. Buchanan?” asked the judge.

“I’m legally separated pending a divorce,” answered Kevin. The judge looked at Kevin and raised and eyebrow.

“Do you have any children, Mr. Buchanan?” asked the judge.

“One, a son. He lives with his mother in Texas,” replied Kevin.

“When was the last time you saw your son?” asked the judge.

“It’s been a few years,” muttered Kevin.

“What is your son’s favorite color?” asked the judge.

“I don’t know,” said Kevin.

The judge turned to Todd after writing down a few notes.

“Mr. Manning, did you have sexual relations with Ms. Braxton?”

“No,” said Todd curtly.

“Mr. Manning, what is your marital status?” asked the judge.

Todd made a face, “Married. You know my wife – I’m sitting right next to her.”

“Keep the sarcasm out of the answers Mr. Manning,” instructed the judge.

“Do you have any children, Mr. Manning?”

“Four,” said Todd, “A daughter who lives with my ex-wife and two sons and another daughter with my current wife.”

“When was the last time you saw your sons?” asked the judge.

“This morning,” said Todd shortly.

“What is your sons’s favorite color?” asked the judge.

“Well, Tyler’s only four weeks old he hasn’t picked one yet. Trevor, who is a toddler likes red,” said Todd.

“Thank you. You both can wait in the courtroom while I deliberate,” instructed the judge.

Todd did his best to reign in his anger.

****************************************************************************************************

Téa and Nora sat on the plaintiff’s table while Todd and Kevin paced on opposite sides of the empty courtroom.

Nora looked at Téa and spoke in a low tone of voice, “Téa, I know it’s really none of my business but don’t you have doubts about Todd and Fiona? What has you convinced Todd didn’t sleep with Fiona?”

“Nora,” said Téa firmly but keeping her voice low, “I know Todd. What bond that is between us – it’s unbreakable – we have a connection I can’t describe – you can find it in a look – he shares things with me that I know he would never – could never – share with others…”

“I’ve seen your connection Téa,” said Nora, “And please don’t take this the wrong way, I don’t understand it. I’ve never seen anything quite like it.”

“Nora, I don’t know if that’s a compliment or an insult,” said Téa evenly.

“Maybe it was neither, just an observation,” said Nora.

“On the record Nora,” said Téa, “I can’t stand Fiona Braxton. I have suffered ENOUGH at her hands. She forced me to go into labor early – oh, I know there’s no definite proof she sabotaged the brakes to Todd’s car, but I have a gut feeling she did – she kidnapped my son – and there are other violations against my family. I don’t want Todd named as even the temporary guardian ad litem. I don’t want Todd responsible for a child he did not bring into the world. He doesn’t deserve that.”

There was a pause between them.

“I’d probably feel the same way if I was in your shoes,” said Nora, “With Bo, mind you.”

Dr. Hart walked into the courtroom, “Judge Rothchild is ready to give is decision.”

Todd stopped pacing. Téa got up, walked to him, and stood before him. They exchanged THE LOOK.

“Take my hand,” whispered Téa, “Draw courage from me, because I need to draw courage from you…”

“Yeah,” whispered Todd smiling at her. It was a nervous smile. They walked back into the judge’s chambers.

*****************************************************************************************************

Todd and Téa and Nora and Kevin sat on their respective couches, listening to the judge.

“…even though Mr. Manning has denied intimacy with Ms. Braxton, she insists upon it. Of course, I take her mental incapacitation into my decision. Mr. Manning has established a pattern of stability and demonstrated responsibility in regards to children. I hereby appoint him the temporary guardian ad litem for Fiona Braxton and her unborn child until a paternity test can establish firm paternity,” concluded the judge.

Todd clutched the side of the couch. His worst nightmare had come true.

“You can’t do this…” muttered Téa.

Nora and Kevin turned toward Téa.

“You can’t do this, Your Honor,” said Téa more firmly and loudly.

The judge looked at her, “Counselor?”

Todd relaxed and turned to Téa.

“Your Honor – there is a bad history between Ms. Braxton and this family – my family – my God! Ms. Braxton kidnapped my son! My son has a limp everytime he walks because of her! How can you expect Todd – us – to make any rational decisions…” yelled Téa.

Todd put his hand on Téa’s arm.

“Counselor,” interrupted the judge, “I have to think of the best interests of an innocent unborn child – and I’m sure Mr. Manning and yourself will do the same until the paternity if firmly established. Now, this meeting is adjourned.”

Téa was speechless.

The judge got up and left. Dr. Hart glanced at Todd and Téa. Téa was shaking – visibly upset – Todd was doing his best to reign in his own temper.

“I’m sorry,” muttered Dr. Hart, “For what it’s worth, I believe you.” He walked out.

Téa got up, walked up to Kevin and smacked him across his face.

Nora got between them.

“You bastard!” yelled Téa. Todd came up behind her and grabbed her arm.

Nora shuffled Kevin toward the door.

“Stay away from me!” yelled Téa, “And my family!”

“Téa – calm down,” muttered Todd.

“Téa – you ever stop to consider Todd really did sleep with her?” yelled Kevin as Nora threw him out the door leaving Todd and Téa alone.

Téa shrugged out of Todd’s arms and turned to face him. Todd was taken aback. Téa was visibly upset – her whole body was shaking, tears flowed down her cheeks, and her lips trembled.

“Téa…” muttered Todd.

She fell to her knees and wrapped her arms around herself.

Todd fell to own knees before her. He took his hand and tilted her chin up so he could make eye contract with her.

His own body began shaking, “Téa – don’t do this…you’re scaring me…”

“Me? I’m scaring you?” she muttered through her tears.

“Yeah. I’m the one who is suppose to be mad – hell, I should be trashing this guy’s office right now,” said Todd trying to lighten the atmosphere in the room.

“So why aren’t you?” asked Téa?”

Todd immediately took her into his arms trying to stop her shaking.

“C’Mon – stop it – now. I mean it, Téa. Stop it. Please? I can’t stand to see you like this…” his voice was shaking.

She pulled away to look at him, “It’s just catching up with me Todd. I’m mad. I’m really mad at that woman for what she’s done to this family.”

“So am I,” said Todd. And then he confidently leaned into her, kissing her, trying to make her pain – her hurt – go away. She kissed him back. They got caught up in the intimacy of the moment.

TO BE CONTINUED...

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