CARELESS MEMORIES - PART THREE
PREVIOUSLY
“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.
**************************************************************************************************************************************
July 2001
Late Evening…
Todd had stayed late at the Sun. Jed Allen had dug up some interesting
information about Asa Buchanan’s docks project. The dockworkers were
receiving their pay raise but Asa had no intention of following through
on
their benefits. Now, Asa was using sub-standard construction materials
in
an effort to save money. Todd wished he had more. He continued to
stare
out his office window onto the twilight of the Llanview skyline.
Kelly Cramer walked into the office. She was dressed in casual
wear.
“Todd? What are you still doing here?” she asked approaching his
desk.
He turned around to face her.
There was silence for a bit. He stared at her, a funny expression.
“Damn you Cramer,” he said in a monotone.
“What?” asked Kelly clearly confused by his comment.
“You brought that whore Braxton into our lives,” said Todd walking away
from the window towards his desk.
“Agh. What? I don’t…” muttered Kelly.
“Did you know Asa Buchanan is her Godfather?” asked Todd hands in his
pockets.
“Ah, no,” said Kelly picking up her purse from Todd’s desk, “She never
mentioned Asa before. How do you know this?”
“I just do,” said Todd, “Cramer – your boarding school buddy is making
my
life hell.” He stood behind his desk. Kelly stood in front of it.
“Todd, you were the one who encouraged her…” said Kelly.
“I never encouraged her!” said Todd raising his voice, “Her and Asa are
out
to ruin me and hurt my family!”
“I guess that Times article upset you,” said Kelly holding her
ground.
Todd sneered, “I resent being named the father of her kid. She knows
damn
well I’m not.”
“I’m sorry Todd,” said Kelly, “Maybe you should calm down. She doesn’t
work here anymore.”
There was a silent pause between them.
“Is there more Todd? More you’re not telling me? Besides the Asa –
Fiona
connection? Besides this libelous Times article – what’s got you
convinced
Fiona and Asa are out for you?” asked Kelly trying to make sense of
Todd’s
behavior.
“I don’t want to say,” said Todd lowering his voice.
“Oh,” said Kelly.
“But if you see your buddy anytime soon you tell her I won’t allow her
to
hurt Téa or my kids again. I will not live without Téa again,” said
Todd
firmly.
Kelly paused and looked at her watch before speaking, “Todd, it’s eight
o’
clock at night. Shouldn’t you be at home – with your family?”
Todd’s face fell.
Kelly walked out.
*********************************************************************************************************************************************************
Todd walked into his home. It was quiet. Too quiet. Twilight filtered
in
through the windows. Slowly, he made his way to the room the twins
shared.
Taylor and Tyler were each in their cribs, bundled up, and sleeping
soundly.
He smiled and gave each one a gentle kiss on their small foreheads.
Todd
then went to Trevor’s room to check on him. His bed was empty. Todd
raised
an eyebrow and walked into his bedroom. He saw Téa and Trevor, snuggled
together, sleeping, with Téa clutching a bedtime story book. Gently,
Todd
picked up his eldest son and carried him to his bedroom. Todd tucked
Trevor
into bed and noted how his son could probably sleep through an
earthquake
given the opportunity.
Todd walked back into his bedroom and changed into his bedclothes – his
boxers and put on a robe. He took the book out of Téa’s hand and
snuggled
next to her, gently stroking her arm, admiring her figure.
She stirred, “Todd?”
“Uh Huh,” he said softly.
“Where’s Trevor?” she asked with a touch of panic to her voice.
“I put him to bed. He’s all right,” said Todd.
Téa reached over and began stroking his hair, “What time is it?”
“About a quarter of nine. The twins are sleeping,” said Todd.
“Yeah. I feed them around seven and they went to sleep shortly after
that,” replied Téa.
Todd gazed deeply into her eyes.
“Did you have to work late?” asked Téa.
“Kinda,” said Todd, “A reporter came in with a last minute story.”
“Oh. Are you hungry? There’s leftovers in the kitchen,” said Téa.
Her
hand trailed down his face until her fingers reached his mouth. She
teased
him.
“No, I’m not hungry,” said Todd closing his eyes, savoring her
touch.
“Have you had anything to eat?” asked Téa.
“No,” said Todd. He opened his eyes and mocked her gesture. They
silently
stared in each other’s eyes. Slowly, Téa dropped her hand to his chest
and
rested it there.
“I hired another girl to help Judith out today. She starts tomorrow.
Her
name is Jackie,” said Téa.
“Good. More hands to change diapers,” remarked Todd smiling.
“You can’t avoid diapers Todd. They’re coming for you…” replied Téa
with a
big grin.
“Watch me. What else did you do today?” he asked, once again lightly
stroking her arm.
“I saw Bobby Patino today and I agreed to go back to work on the case,”
said Téa.
Todd broke the intimacy of the moment and sat up.
“Why did you do that? Don’t you need to… recover…still from the
C-section?
What about the kids?” he demanded making a face.
Téa sat up as well, “You didn’t let me finish. I agreed to go back but
I’m
limiting my hours. I’ll stay with the kids in the morning and go to
work in
the afternoon.”
“I don’t like it,” said Todd.
Téa looked him straight in the eye, “I’m going to do this Todd
Manning.”
Todd stood up, “Téa!” he exclaimed.
She looked up at him, “Todd! Look, I don’t want to fight with you over
this.”
“Then don’t do it,” said Todd beginning to pace.
“O.k.,” said Téa, “I feel a disagreement…. coming on.”
Todd stopped and looked at her finding her eyes. They pleaded with
his.
Softly he said, “I don’t want to fight with you either Delgado. But I
don’
t have to like it.”
“What’s bothering you Todd?” asked Téa crossing her arms.
“What do you mean?” he said crossing his arms.
“Don’t think I don’t recognize your old tricks. Working late – eating
very
little – avoiding your family…” she started.
“I am not avoiding you!” exclaimed Todd.
“What do you call it Todd? The twins missed you tonight…missed your
touch…
and Trevor is really starting to get excited about having a daddy…he
wanted
to spend some time with you tonight,” replied Téa calmly but firmly.
He opened his mouth, paused, and closed it.
“Well?” asked Téa.
“I’m…scared, Téa,” said Todd.
“Oh, Todd,” said Téa gently, “Because of Fiona and her tricks? Don’t
be.
I’m – we’re not going anywhere.”
“Téa, I will not live without you again. I did it once and it was a
nightmare. I don’t want her or Asa hurting you. The kids need a mom
and I
need you,” said Todd firmly.
Téa walked into his arms and held him tightly.
“Todd, oh Todd. That is not going to happen,” she said
confidently.
He put his arms around her and lost himself in the moment – rubbing his
face in her hair.
She looked up into his eyes, “Don’t let this fear consume you, Todd.
We
will expose Fiona's lies and Asa's tricks- and we’ll do it together.
Don’t
shut yourself off from the kids – Starr, Trevor, and the twins – don’t
shut
yourself off from me…”
“You’re right, you know. I shouldn’t let this…” his voice droned out
and
suddenly he kissed her – with passion – with fire – with an intensity he
hadn’t been able to for a few months. And she responded with equal
passion
and intensity.
“Wow. That was some kiss Manning,” she said softly as they parted.
“You don’t say Delgado,” he said, “I need you. I love you,” he tip
toe’d
them closer to the bed, “And I can’t wait until your 100% - so we can
make
love again.”
She smiled at him as they sat down next to each other on the bed. She
took
her hand and slid it into his robe, rubbing is broad chest, “I can’t
wait
for that either.”
He kissed her again. They fell on the bed in an intimate embrace.
********************************************************************************************************************************************************
The Next Day…
The Sun…
Todd hung up the phone and frowned. Jed’s story about Asa’s
construction
materials wasn’t going to be ready until tomorrow. As he looked up.
Viki
walked in.
“Todd,” said Viki calmly.
Todd stood up with his hands in his pockets, “Hi Sis – What brings over
here? Checking out the competition?”
Viki stopped in the middle of the room and waited for Todd to approach
her.
They exchanged a light hug.
“I have news for you Todd,” said Viki smiling.
“Oh?” said Todd raising an eyebrow.
“I hired Fiona Braxton,” said Viki.
“You did what?” exclaimed Todd, “Why Viki?”
“Calm down,” said Viki.
“Calm down? The woman is out to screw me over – and my own sister know
this – then turns around and hires her?” yelled Todd.
“Calm down Todd,” said Viki again.
“Calm down she says,” stated Todd.
“Are you calm yet?” asked Viki.
Todd frowned, “All right, I’m calm. Now why?”
“I saw her talking to Kevin in the newsroom yesterday and it dawned on
me.
Dear sweet Fiona is a loose cannon. She’s jerking around my brother and
my
son. Someone has to keep an eye on her,” explained Viki.
“You Viki? You’re going to keep an eye on Fiona?” asked Todd.
“Yep. Me.” said Viki smiling.
“Well, maybe it’s not such a bad idea,” said Todd taking a breath, “At
least she’ll be around when I expose her little scam.”
Viki frowned and raised an eyebrow.
****************************************************************************************************************************************************************
Buchanan Enterprises…
Fiona walked into Asa’s office. Asa dragged on his cigar. Fiona sat
down
in a chair across from Fiona.
“What’s your latest trick Fiona?” asked Asa.
“I got a job Asa. At the Banner,” said Fiona.
“Well, aren’t you the annoying little flea,” said Asa, “Manning’s got
reporters crawling over all over my docks project. Your little
paternity
scoop ain’t keeping him busy enough.”
Fiona frowned, “Well no doubt he’s annoyed. I hear reporters from
other
papers keep hounding him.”
“I don’t want him annoyed Fiona – I want him out of my docks project!”
exclaimed Asa.
Fiona wrinkled her brow, “How badly?”
“How badly what?” demanded Asa.
“How badly do you want Manning out of your hair?” asked Fiona.
“Pretty damn bad!” exclaimed Asa.
“All right,” said Fiona, “Consider it done.”
“What’s going on in that head of your Fiona?” asked Asa, “Don’t be
tampering with anymore brakes. I don’t want anyone hurt.”
“You don’t need to know what I’m going to do. Just know it will be
done
and I’ll do it tomorrow,” said Fiona standing up.
Asa grinned, “Damn you Fiona.”
TO BE CONTINUED
================================================================================================================================================================
Copyright owner: DimWitt. Orginally published on "Violet's TnT FanFiction Website" Publication date: 9 April 99. Copyright owner provides the information on this server to anyone, but retains copyright on all text. This means that you may not: distribute the text to others without the express written permission of the copyright owner. You may: print copies of the information for your own personal use, store the files on your own computer for your personal use only and reference hypertext documents on this server from your own documents. Todd Manning, Téa Delgado Manning, Asa Buchanan, Kelly Cramer, and Viki Carpenter are owned by "One Life To Live" and ABC Daytime. Trevor Manning, Bobby Patino, and Fiona Braxton are characters created and owned by DimWitt and Island Girl =================================================================================================================================================================
