CARELESS MEMORIES - PART TWO

PREVIOUSLY

“Is she pregnant?” asked Téa.
“Yeah, she’s pregnant,” said Del, “This girl knows what she’s doing, Téa.”
“I think she tampered with the car’s brakes Del,” said Téa.
Del paused.
“I’ll find out if she did, trust me,” he replied.
They shared smiles.

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New York City…

Todd stood in front of the window where they kept the new babies. He stared lovingly at his new children, Taylor and Tyler but in his hand he clutched a copy of the NY Times. There was an article about Fiona Braxton in it. She talked about winning her photojournalist award and about her pregnancy and in the article she named him as the father. He was incensed over that. All day yesterday he had to deal with reporters wanting confirmation when all he wanted to do was spend time with Téa and his kids… his kids…
He left Trevor with Téa and had gone to spend time with Starr and Viki. He promised to have Starr over for a sleep over once him and Téa got home with the twins. Was he really going to change diapers?
While Del walked to Téa, Todd talked to Blair. Blair was getting pretty cozy with Téa’s brother. All though what would frustrate Blair was that Del could be gone for extended periods of time on assignment. Oh well. He chuckled at the thought. Blair and Del.
Téa was getting released today. Viki was giving them a ride back to Llanview since his car was totaled. She was out procuring car seats as he stood there looking at his kids.
“Mr. Manning, what does your wife have to say about you being named the father of Miss Braxton’s child?”
“Mr. Manning, what’s going on between you and Miss Braxton? We know she works for you…”
“Mr. Manning, are you divorcing your wife?”
“Mr. Manning… didn’t your wife deliver twins just yesterday?”
The reporters questions haunted him.
He felt a pair of hands on his waist. He took a step away and turned around.
“Oh. It’s you…” said Todd attempting a smile.
Téa smiled, “Who did you expect?”
“Nobody,” said Todd.
Téa took a step closer. She was wearing a pair of casual dress pants and a casual top. She put her arms around him and gave him a warm hug.
“I just signed my release papers. I guess we’re just waiting for Viki now,” said Téa drinking in his scent.
He lightly kissed her forehead, “I can’t wait to take you home.”
“Hey, you’ve got to take it easy it on me. I’m not up to 100 percent quite yet,” she said softly.
He laughed. She sure looked 100 percent to him.
She broke the embrace and noticed the newspaper in his hand.
“Why do you still have that paper with that article?” she asked.
“We might encounter more reporters today. They might ask a lot of tough questions,” he said soberly.
“Bring ‘em on,” said Téa, “I fear no reporter.”
“But you shouldn’t have to deal with them,” said Todd crossing his arms.
“Neither should you. And you won’t do it alone,” said Téa.
There was silence between them.
Téa put an arm around Todd’s waist and turned him so they were looking into the baby ward.
“Aren’t they great?” she asked lightly.
“Yeah,” said Todd.
“Todd, are you prepared for two a.m. feedings?” asked Téa grinning.
He looked at her and raised an eyebrow, “I hadn’t thought of that.”
“What about uncontrollable fussing? Changing diapers? Burping? Warming milk?” asked Téa trying not to laugh.
“All that too?” muttered Todd, “We might have to hire some more help for Judith…you know…”
“Yeah…we might have too…” she bit her lip and gave him the look.
He relaxed and smiled at her.
“I love you Todd Manning,” said Téa reaching up and brushing his hair behind his ear.
“Ummm. I love you Téa Manning,” he replied with an intensity she hadn’t heard in a while.
They melted into a tender, gentle kiss.
CLICK! SNAP!
They broke their embrace only to spy a reporter and a photographer leering at them.
“Mrs. Manning, do you have anything to say about Fiona Braxton’s allegations that your husband is the father of her child?” asked the reporter.
Todd and Téa frowned.
“Ah,” said Téa, “I’m not prepared to comment on Miss Braxton’s false allegations right now. I’ve just been released and I’m looking forward to returning home with my family.”
The reporter went to ask another question when a doctor put his hand on the reporter’s shoulder, “Do you mind? This is a hospital.”
“C’Mon Joe, we can wait,” said the photographer addressing the reporter.
The reporter and the photographer left.
“Thanks,” said Todd. His tone of voice was hard.
“Yeah,” said the doctor leaving.
Viki showed up with a smile, “Are you ready?”
“Sure, Viki. Take us home,” said Todd.
Todd and Téa signed the release forms for the twins and they left the hospital.

Llanview…

Todd and Téa, with the twins in their arms, walked into a full house. Carlotta, Del, Blair, Jessie, Roseanne, and Joey had decorated the house in pink and blue. Trevor and Starr were excited to see their parents. Todd and Téa put Taylor and Tyler down in their room and socialized with their guests. Téa began to get tired though and mentioned she needed to rest. With that mention, the guests got the hint and began to trickle out. Blair left Starr with Todd for the sleepover he had mentioned to her. As Blair and Del left, Del gave Téa a note and told her to open it later. When everyone had left, Todd checked on the twins and Téa read Trevor and Starr a story before her and Todd tucked them into bed. Trevor and Starr fell asleep pretty quickly and Todd and Téa retired to their bedroom.
As they walked into their bedroom, Téa opened Del’s note.
“What’s that?” asked Todd unbuttoning his shirt.
“A note from Del,” said Téa sitting down on the bed. Todd sat down next to her.
“What does it say?” he asked looking over her shoulder.
“Asa Buchanan is Fiona’s Godfather,” said Téa.
“Oh,” said Todd falling onto his back.
Again, there was silence between them.
Téa looked at her husband. He was staring at the ceiling. His face serious. His shirt open, revealing his muscular chest. Téa flopped down next to him. She took her hand and gently caressed his chest. He turned to face her.
“I don’t want you thinking of her right now. I want you thinking of me…” she said nuzzling his neck.
He let out a low moan, “Believe me – I’m thinking only of you right now…”
“Prove it. What color are my eyes?” she asked trailing her lips down his neck to his shoulders.
“Brown.”
“My hair?”
“Brown.”
“My…”
“I get the hint…” said Todd rolling into her and finding her lips for a deep kiss.
“We’ll deal with her tomorrow, all right Todd? Tonight – right now – I want your arms holding me tight – your lips on mine…” whispered Téa.
Todd began to unbutton her shirt.
“I’m so glad your home…safe… here… now… in my arms…” he whispered between his desire filled kisses. He enjoyed her lips too much.
She slid his shirt off and snuggled tightly against his chest.

The next day,
The Banner…

Fiona Braxton stood in front of Kevin Buchanan with her arms crossed. He had one hand on her crossed arms. His wife, Cassie, was working at her desk and didn’t look up once.
“How can you be sure Todd Manning is the child’s father? How do you know it’s not mine? And since when did you and Todd have…sex? You never mentioned it before…just that he would hit on you and you would turn him down…” whispered Kevin.
Fiona frowned, “To be honest, I don’t know which one of you is the father – and I’m not prepared to talk about what happened between Todd and I just yet. But I like watching him squirm.”
“Fiona…” whispered Kevin.
“What Kevin? You’re married,” whispered Fiona, “Your wife would leave you if she suspected this child could be yours.”
“And Téa won’t leave Todd because of this?” whispered Kevin.
Fiona laughed, “Au contraire. She’s determined to stay with him. Now, Kevin, I need a job. Are you going to put a good word in with your mother or what?” she whispered.
Viki opened the door to her office and walked out. She spied Kevin with Fiona and frowned.
Kevin took Fiona by the arm and walked up to his mother, “Mom, do you know Fiona Braxton?”
“Let me guess. Miss Braxton is looking for work?” asked Viki trying to keep the contempt out of her voice.
Kevin and Fiona smiled at her.

The Sun…

Todd stormed into his office and pushed his intercom button, “Cramer! Briggs! Get in here!” yelled Todd.
Kelly and Briggs ran in.
“Todd, what is it?” asked Kelly.
Todd was pacing, stopped, and looked up at them, “What’s going on down at the Buchanan docks project?”
“Asa’s made nice with the dock workers by meeting their salary and benefit demands. Why do you ask?” asked Briggs crossing his arms. Kelly put her hands on her hips.
“Old Man Buchanan is up to no good. Trust me. Something is going on down at the docks. And I want every available Sun reporter sniffing around down there until they discover what it is,” instructed Todd.
Kelly raised an eyebrow.
Briggs looked confused.
“Todd, you want us to purposely stir up trouble?” asked Kelly.
“I want our reporters to earn their paychecks!” said Todd raising his voice.
“I’ll get right on it,” said Kelly, “C’Mon, Charlie.” Kelly took Briggs by the arm and they walked out.
Todd sneered. Asa was behind everything Fiona set in motion and he was going to prove it. He would keep his wife and kids safe from the likes of Asa Buchanan.

The Courthouse…

Téa had received a call from Bobby Patino asking to see her before his trial reconvened after the lunch hour and Téa had agreed to meet him. She was feeling stronger but she wasn’t quite 100 percent yet and she knew it. Téa had left the kids with Judith and went to the courthouse. As she walked into the courthouse she saw Bobby and Sam in the hall in front of the courtroom. They approached her. She was dressed in casual wear.
“Ms. M – it sure is good to see you. Mr. Rap said you had your kids and you don’t look like you were even pregnant for a day,” said Bobby Patino smiling at her and offering his hand for a handshake.
“Hi Téa,” said Sam smiling, “I’m glad things worked out.”
“Hi Bobby. Hi Sam. Yeah, I had the kids. How’s the trial?” asked Téa shaking Bobby’s hand and giving Sam a quick hug.
“ADA Cyrus is slow and methodical but he’s wrapping up,” said Sam.
“Are you going to come and sit with us at the table again?” asked Patino, obviously glad to see her again.
“I don’t know Bobby. I’ve got my hands full with the twins,” said Téa. “Don’t you miss lawyering, Ms. M?” asked Bobby.
“Of course I do Bobby,” said Téa, “But…”
“I trust you Ms. M,” said Bobby.
Téa frowned. She’d been with him since the whole mess began last Christmas. “Maybe we should cut Téa some slack Bobby,” said Sam.
“Yeah,” said Bobby looking at the ground.
Téa could see the disappointment in his eyes.
“Hey Bobby, tell you what,” started Téa, “I’ll come back but on limited hours, o.k?”
Patino’s face lit up, “You mean it Ms. M?”
“Téa, you just got out of the hospital – you don’t want to do too much too soon, do you?” asked Sam.
“I’ll limit my hours Sam. Besides, I think Bobby misses me,” said Téa.
“All right,” said Sam, “But I’m going to have my eye on you. I don’t want your kids missing you either.”
Téa smiled and Patino returned it, happy to know she was back.

TO BE CONTINUED

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