PREVIOUSLY

"Take off your sunglasses Mommy," said Trevor, "You don't have to wear them inside."

Téa smiled, "You're a sweet boy, you know."

Del leaned up against the doorframe watching them.

Todd leaned over Téa, placed his hands on her arms and whispered into her ear, "Our son - the lawyer."

Téa briefly smiled.

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August 2001…

Todd Manning rolled over in his bed only to discover the space next to him was empty. Slowly, he opened his eyes and looked at the digital alarm clock on his wife’s nightstand. 6:10 a.m. He let out a breath of air and rolled onto his back.

He could hear the fuss the twins were causing and he could hear kitchen sounds and voices – probably Téa and Trevor as they prepared breakfast for the twins.

Todd smiled a broad grin. Today was a very special day. First up, the twins had a check-up and Dr. Hart was going to draw their blood, testing it for hemophilia. The testing would confirm if the hemophilia gene effected the twins or not. But more importantly, Téa had a check-up with her doctor, Dr. Clayton. Téa had been following his directives – following his diet and exercise regime. In the last four weeks her strength had improved and her eye had gotten better. She had the sutures removed two weeks ago and her eye was almost as good as new. This check-up would verify Téa was 100 percent and that meant he could be intimate with her again. And he was arranging something very special…

Téa peeked her head into the bedroom. She was wearing her silk peach bathrobe and looked absolutely stunning. Then Todd noticed his son sticking his head into the bedroom door, imitating Téa’s gesture, at about Téa’s mid-thigh.

“I see you’re up sleepyhead,” said Téa smiling at him.

“Yeah. Can you handle the twins? I gotta talk to T.D. for a minute,” said Todd sitting up on the bed. He wore only a pair of silk black boxers.

Téa grinned at Todd while trying hard not to stare at him, “Sure. T.D. go talk to your Daddy, o.k.” She walked out.

Trevor nodded his head and walked into the bedroom. Todd lay down on his stomach and kicked his feet into the air. He noticed Trevor wasn’t using his crutches. Him and Téa had been lax in enforcing his use of the crutches, however, Trevor’s limp was slight but his improvement had been slow. Trevor climbed onto the bed and mimicked his father’s body language even placing his head in the palm of his hand.

Todd smiled.

“T.D., you know today is a very special day, right?” started Todd.

Trevor nodded his head ‘no’.

“Well, the doctor is going to examine your Mommy and if he thinks she’s better, he’s going to give her a clean bill of health,” continued Todd. He lowered his voice so it wouldn’t carry.

Trevor just looked blankly at Todd.

“So… I’ve got some special plans for her…” continued Todd.

“What kind of plans?” asked Trevor.

“Well, can you keep a secret?” whispered Todd.

Trevor nodded his head ‘yes’.

“Well, I’m going to take your Mom on a vacation… just her and me for a day or two – and when we come back, we’ll take you and Starr on a vacation…” whispered Todd.

Trevor frowned, “You and Mommy are going away again?”

“Yeah – but it’s a special going away. Your Mommy is going to love it…” replied Todd.

“She will?” asked Trevor.

“Uh-huh…” whispered Todd.

“Do me and Tyler and Taylor have to go to Aunt Viki’s?” asked Trevor looking very serious.

“Yep. But you like it at Aunt Viki’s don’t you? Jess thinks you guys are pretty cool…” whispered Todd.

“Aunt Viki and Jessie are nice,” said Trevor innocently.

“All right. Now you can’t tell your Mom about my plans…” said Todd.

“When will you and Mommy go away?” asked Trevor.

“If everything works out, we’ll leave tonight o.k.?” said Todd.

“I’ll miss you,” said Trevor.

Todd’s heart melted hearing his son say that. He reached over and started to tickle Trevor, picking him up and turning him over on his back. Trevor giggled uncontrollably.

“You love me?” asked Todd through his own giggles.

“Uh-huh…” giggled Trevor.

Téa walked in holding Taylor while feeding her a bottle, “What are you two plotting?”

“Nothing,” said Trevor looking up at his mother with a guilty smile.

“C’Mon, T.D., we gotta help your Mom get the twins ready…” said Todd seriously.

Téa grinned at the both of them.

Todd let Judith in. Judith was going to watch Trevor while Todd and Téa took the twins in for their appointment.

Trevor looked up from watching TV, smiled, and waved ‘hi’ to Judith. She returned the smile. Téa was in the shower so Todd snuck into the kitchen and used the phone on that extension. Todd called Viki. He told her if the doctor gave Téa a clean bill of health he planned to ‘wisk’ Téa away on a romantic getaway that day and asked if the kids could stay with her. Viki agreed and Todd told her all about his plans.

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Llanview General…

Todd and Téa were walking down the halls of the hospital. They had just come from Dr. Hart’s office. Todd was pushing the twin’s stroller. They were up and squirming around. Dr. Hart had taken their weight; Taylor was up to nine pounds, ten ounces, and Tyler was up to ten pounds, two ounces; length; and had drawn a small vial of blood from each of them to be tested. Dr. Hart explained their genes would be identified and then compared to a sample that Téa had all ready given. The testing would take at least a week. They paused outside of Dr. Clayton’s door.

“You go in by yourself and I’ll wait with the twins in the waiting room,” said Todd with anxiety in his voice.

“Are you sure Todd? I know… you’re excited about this visit,” said Téa grinning at him, just as nervous as he was.

“Well, aren’t you excited?” questioned Todd. He leaned over close to her, “It’s been driving me crazy – having you so close to me – not being able to touch you…”

“Ditto Manning,” she replied opening the door and walking in.

Todd followed her in. Téa signed in and was called in shortly after that. Todd sat down, parked the twins in front of him and picked up Taylor who had been fussing. He began making faces at her and she smiled at him.

The door opened and Nora and Bo Buchanan walked in. Nora signed in and Bo and Todd exchanged awkward glances. Bo and Nora went to the opposite side of the room.

“So, ah, Todd, this is a sight – seeing you in a ob/gyn waiting room,” remarked Nora, “Holding a baby.”

“Ah, this is Taylor, Nora,” muttered Todd standing up, “Tyler’s in the stroller. Téa’s got a… you know… one of those female visits…”

Bo looked on with an amused grin on his face.

Nora creeped forward and peeked into the carriage. Tyler was holding a stuffed animal and smiled at her. Bo walked up beside her.

“Manning, I don’t think we’ve seen your twins yet. Your boy looks…good,” said Bo, putting his arm around Nora.

“Yeah… he’s got Téa’s eyes,” remarked Nora.

“Ah, yeah, thanks,” muttered Todd.

Nora got close enough to catch a glance at Taylor and Bo looked over her shoulder, “She’s a cutie Todd… she looks more like you than Téa…”

Todd smiled, “Ah, thanks…”

“I just hope that for the kids sake – and Téa’s – that Fiona Braxton isn’t having your kid,” said Nora crossing her arms.

Todd frowned, “Don’t go there Nora. Téa told you I wasn’t.”

“Right,” said Nora taking a seat, “They’re cute kids Todd.”

“Yeah,” said Bo, “You got nice kids.”

“I know,” said Todd still standing up.

A few more minutes went by. Todd was feeling a dozen emotions – worry – anxiety – giddiness – and he just wanted it over with.

The door opened and Téa walked out with Dr. Clayton behind her. Nora and Bo stood up.

“Hi Téa,” said Bo smiling slightly.

“Hi, Bo – Nora,” replied Téa with a great big grin on her face. She turned to face Todd.

Todd put Taylor in the stroller, crossing his arms, dropping them, and crossing them again. He let out a breath of air and wrinkled his brow.

“Ah, well?” he asked anxiously.

Téa smiled, “I’m fine Todd.”

“Fine? What do you mean by fine?” he asked.

“She’s 100 percent,” said Dr. Clayton, “As you refer to it.” He was grinning too.

“You got the green light?” asked Todd as visibly excited as she was.

Bo and Nora looked on, not quite seeing this dynamic between Todd and Téa before. It was amazing how they could ignore everything and everyone in a room and be ‘into’ themselves…

“I got the green light,” Téa confirmed.

Todd took her into his arms and gave her an intimate hug, “Yes!”

She drew back and looked into his eyes, “You are pretty excited…”

“Yeah, I am. Téa, I…” he started.

“What?” she asked.

“I…ah…planned some time for us…without the kids…to start today…” he said hesitantly knowing other eyes were upon him.

“Really? What?” she asked lost in his eyes. She didn’t care. She was happy.

“It’s…ah…surprise. I’ve all ready made arrangements for Viki to take the kids. The jet leaves at three this afternoon…” said Todd in a low tone of voice. However, it was obvious to Téa that Todd was just as excited as she was.

“Jet? Leave at three? Where?” asked Téa surprised.

“Téa… it’s a surprise!” insisted Todd.

“Yeah… let him surprise you,” said Nora.

Todd and Téa shared a quick kiss.

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Todd's Office

Todd stopped by the Sun for a quick visit after the hospital. Téa took the twins home and was going to prepare the kids for their stay at Viki’s. Todd was looking forward to this ‘away time’ with Téa, all though he realized that there were other issues in their lives that needed attending too. For one, the jury in Téa’s case was still in chambers deciding the fate of Bobby Patino. For another, Kevin and Cassie were on the outs and Kevin had subpoenaed the courts to conduct an amniocentesis on Fiona in an attempt to identify the paternity of the child. Fiona was still a basketcase up in Bellevue. And Todd was close to exposing Asa’s duplicity with his dock’s project. Old Man Buchanan was feeling the heat but as far as Todd was concerned, it wasn’t as hot as should be, and when he got back, he was going to see to it that Asa’s lair got scalding hot.

Todd trotted into his office and got on the phone, “Cramer! Get in here!”

Kelly walked into Todd’s office, her arms crossed, “What? I actually work hard you know!”

Todd softened, “Look, I know. I’m leaving for a few days…”

“You are a pain-in-the-ass to work for, you know? So what now? Why? Where are you going and how long am I in charge?” asked Kelly playfully.

“I’m taking Téa on a vacation. We’ll be gone two or three days and the destination is a secret for now. I’ll call you when we get there. Look, I know I’m not easy to work for but we do have somethings in common,” said Todd smiling at Kelly.

“Yeah? What?” demanded Kelly smiling at him.

“Old Man Buchanan. We’re close to exposing him and I want you to keep the heat on him. It’s important…to me.”

“Not a problem. I hope you two have a good time,” said Kelly.

Todd smiled.

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The Llanview Airport...

The Manning jet taxied off the runway and took to the air. Todd snuggled Téa close to him as they cuddled on a plane sized love seat.

“Todd, this is happing all too fast,” said Téa as Todd held her close, rubbing her arms. They were wearing casual clothes.

“It can’t happen soon enough. Do you know how much I want to make love to you right here and now? Knowing I can?” he asked, his voice full of excitement.

“What? We’re not going to?” she questioned half-seriously, turning around to face him.

“Well, I’m going to do my best to hold back,” said Todd, “Until we get to where we are going.”

“And where are we going Todd?” asked Téa as she began to nuzzle him – his neck.

“All right, I’ll tell you,” he said closing his eyes and soaking up her attention.

“Todd…” she prodded.

“We’re…ah…going to…” started Todd. Téa’s lips found his, teasing him.

“Ah…Puerto Rico…” he finished between her kisses.

Téa broke the kiss, “Puerto Rico? Really?”

“Yeah. San Juan. I’ve got us a chalet on the beach – a private beach…” said Todd. He noticed Téa had begun to caress his chest over his clothes. And he liked it.

“Todd, I can’t remember what Puerto Rico was like,” she said softly, “This is wonderful!”

“What?” asked Todd surprised, “Aren’t you Puerto Rican?”

“Well, I was four when my family moved to New York,” explained Téa.

“You’ve had me fooled all these years…” said Todd smiling at her.

“You never really asked Todd,” said Téa.

Todd took her into his arms – kissing her face – her neck – and unbuttoning her top – going lower.

“Todd, why are teasing me like this?” questioned Téa breathlessly.

“Because I can. Just wait till you see what I’ve got planned for us at this chalet…” he hinted.

There was an awkward silence between them before Téa spoke up, “Ah…Todd…we need to talk…” She suddenly became very serious.

“O.k., about what?” asked Todd snuggling her close to him. He looked up into her eyes, her shirt half unbuttoned.

“Ah….Todd…if we’re going to resume our…intimate, sexual, physical life…we should probably discuss…ah, you know, birth control, now rather than later…” muttered Téa as Todd’s hands rubbed her arms and nuzzled her neck. He stopped but didn’t pull away.

“Téa, I want to have a dozen kids with you…if not more…” he said in a dreamy haze.

“Todd, we just got done having twins. I think we need some time to ourselves…” she replied in his embrace.

He cracked a smile and took a breath letting Téa’s word sink in, “Téa…I…yeah, you make sense…but, for how long?”

“I don’t know Todd, until it’s right, you…” she said. His physical presence was beginning to distract her.

Todd took his hand and titled her chin so her eyes met his, “Téa, you’re right…I don’t want to rush into having more kids…but I don’t want to rule out having more kids either…”

“I wouldn’t do that to you Todd, but I think we should hold off – a bit… don’t you?” She took her hands and again, lightly began to rub his chest.

“Yeah…we should…I need to be…like this…with you right now,” responded Todd.

“Dr. Clayton gave me a prescription to the pill Todd. I’ve filled it…but I wanted to discuss this with you before I started taking them…” said Téa trying hard to focus on the conversation and not Todd’s roaming hands.

“The pill – it’s pretty effective, huh?” questioned Todd as he began to nuzzle her neck again, his hand inside her shirt.

“99 percent,” whispered Téa, “In fact, I’ll take one right now if that’s o.k. with you…”

“It’s the right thing to do,” said Todd, “Because I want you – I need to touch you…”

“Ah, Todd, you’ve got to wear a condom for the first month too,” said Téa, “I brought a box…”

Todd frowned, “I do?”

“Ah, promise me…you’ll keep two in your pocket…” she whispered.

“Two?” said Todd frowning.

“Two.” confirmed Téa.

“All right, Two…” replied Todd kissing her lips…

“Te amo quierdo…” she whispered hauntingly betweeen kisses.

“Ditto Delgado,” he replied finding her lips, holding her close. It was going to be very hard, holding back, until he got her to his romantic getaway. The hum of the plane’s engines droned on and they kissed…

TO BE CONTINUED

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