PREVIOUSLY

She pulls away first, not because she wants to, but mostly because she doesn't want things to move too quickly for him. She lays her head on his chest and he rests his head on her pillow. Both their minds are swirling with thoughts and reactions to what had just occurred. But neither wanted to ruin the moment with words. They both stay in each other arms all night, content and peacefully sleeping.

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

Todd wakes up the next morning to the sound of his shower running. He looks over to the other side of the bed and notices that Tea is gone. He grabs the pillow she slept on and holds it up to his face, breathing in the sweet smell she left behind. He doesn't seem to notice the little girl standing in his doorway.

"Morning, Daddy," Starr chirps as she runs and leaps onto the bed.

"Hey there, Shorty. You're up pretty early this morning."

"Mommy woke me up. We're downstairs making breakfast for you. She sent me to come get you. But she said to be really quiet so that we wouldn't wake up Tee."

Starr excitedly grabs Todd's hand and pulls him towards the door. She doesn't notice the anger slowly building behind his eyes. Todd didn't know what Blair was up to, but he knew she was going to try to pull something.

"Finally, you're up," Blair says cheerfully to Todd as he walks into the dining room. She has the table spread with all sorts of breakfast foods. Pancakes, waffles, eggs, bacon, toast and plenty of fresh fruit and juice. Todd knew that Blair couldn't cook, so he wondered where all the food came from. Sure enough, as he spied the room, he noticed the empty containers from the take out place a couple of blocks away.

"Blair, what are you up to? You're all of a sudden Miss Suzie Homemaker?" Todd bellows, startling Blair with his gruff reply.

"I just thought it would be nice for our family to have a nice breakfast. Just the three of us," Blair says, holding out a chair at the head of the table for Todd.

Todd couldn't believe what he was seeing. First Blair cons her way into an overnight visit in his home with Starr. Then, she arranges this so called family breakfast, making sure Tea knew nothing about it. Attempting to maintain peace for Starr's sake, he doesn't confront her. Instead, he decides to join in her game.

"Blair. This all looks . . . wonderful," he says in a much gentler tone. "But I think there's something missing."

"I don't think so, Todd. There's probably more food here than we can eat."

"Oh, I wasn't talking about food. I was talking about . . . my wife. Starr, how could we forget about Tea? How about I go get her?" He glares at Blair, as if to show her that her games wouldn't work on him. Out of the corner of his eye, he could see Starr excitedly nod her head. And before Blair can say anything, he turns and leaves the dining room. On his way down the hall, he catches a glimpse of Tea going the opposite direction.

"Tea. There you are. Why didn't you come in with us?"

"I didn't want to interrupt your family breakfast. Blair obviously went through a lot of trouble," she replies, trying to hide the hurt and abandonment she felt.

"That's Blair, alright. Trouble. It's true, she did go through a lot of trouble. But she was also trying to cause a lot of trouble. And I knew that, Tea. I wasn't going to let her get away with it. I was just coming to get you to join us."

"That's a sweet gesture, but unnecessary. I don't think I could spend another minute with that woman. Thanks anyway." She smiles at him and turns to go down the hall, towards the study.

"Tea wait," he calls after her quickly, following her into the other room. "I need to talk to you. It's about last night."

"Oh," she says quietly. "I was wondering if that would ever come up."

"Listen, I just want to apologize. I didn't mean to . . I mean, things just kind of happened . . oh, I don't know what I mean. Tea, you know I would never hurt you, and . . ."

"Todd, is that what this is about? You think you hurt me? Look at me Todd. Do I look afraid of you? Do I look like you hurt me? I told you before, you would hurt me the most by pulling away from me. You don't frighten me. Or repulse me. You're not a monster, Todd. The kiss last night was something that just happened. And I'm fine with it. In fact, it was . . . nice," she says, blushing slightly.

"So, everything's okay? I mean, you're not mad or anything, Delgado?"

"Todd, would you just lighten up? It wasn't a big deal. You don't believe me?" She looks at him and still sees doubt in his eyes. Determined to put his mind at ease, she acts without really thinking. She reaches up, puts both arms around his neck and pulls his head down towards hers, causing their their lips to meet for a brief instant.

"There. Now we're even," she says, still with her arms around him. They stand staring at each other in a stunned silence for a moment, absorbing the shock of what just happened.

"Even?" Todd says softly, inching closer to Tea. "I wouldn't say we were even. That wasn't really a kiss." He moves a little closer, this time putting his arms around her waist. "This is a kiss."

He leans down and they kiss again. This time longer and deeper. It starts out slow, as they tentatively try to get accustomed to each other. But then he gets passionate. His strong lips covering hers. His hands gliding gently up her back and into her hair. They were on the way to getting lost in that kiss, not even noticing the audience they had attracted. Starr's giggle breaks the embrace.

"Well, I don't see how anyone could turn down a breakfast invitation like that," Blair says snidely, looking at Todd and Tea angrily for ruining her plan. "Luckily for you, Tea, there's plenty of food. I don't think I can stay. I just saw something that made me lose my appetite." She glares at them for a moment longer before turning her attentions to her daughter. "Starr, could you be a sweetie and go get Mommy's stuff? I have to go."

The little girl skips up the stairs, leaving the adults alone.

"Blair, I hope you didn't feel uncomfortable or unwelcome in anyway. Why are you leaving so soon?" Tea asks, feigning interest, though she hardly cared. She was just glad Blair was getting out of her house.

"Like you care!" Blair explodes. You're in this nice little house with my daughter and my husband . . "

"Ex-husband, Blair. We're not married anymore," Todd reminds her.

"And you just won't let me forget that, will you Todd. You don't want me to forget about how you left me alone and crippled and stole my child with this little rent-a-wife of yours!"

"Alright everyone. Let's not do this right here and right now. Starr's right upstairs." Tea looks pleadingly to Todd to stop the fighting. Todd looks back at her and notices the adverse affect Blair is having on his wife. He also notices her hand shoot to her side and the look of pain she tried to wipe off of her face before Blair noticed.

"You okay, Tea? Why don't you sit down for a minute." Todd guides her to the sofa and gently fluffs pillows around her.

"Oh, I can't believe this," Blair says, rolling her eyes. "What's your problem, Tea? A case of the 'don't want to hear the truth' blues?"

"That's enough Blair! I think you've said enough. Starr!" Todd yells up the stairs for the little girl to hurry. She comes hopping down with Blair's bag in tow and follows her mother out to the porch to say their good-byes.

"I'm sorry about that, Delgado. Are you sure you're okay? It looked like you were in pain."

"I'm fine, Todd. Just a few growing pains. The doctor said I might feel a little something in my sides. It comes from everything trying to stretch for the baby."

"Are you sure? You need me to call the doctor or something?"

"Todd, don't overreact. Everything is alright. If you don't believe me, ask the baby yourself." She moves the pillows so that she can put her feet up on the couch. She lays down, causing her shirt to cling around her stomach, revealing a slight bulge.

"Look at that," Todd says in amazement. "You're getting all puffy. Can I . . . touch it?" He asks shyly, unable to stop grinning. It's such an exciting moment for him, making him realize that there was a baby growing inside of her. "Do you really think he can hear me?"

"You tell me. You're the one with all the baby books, Todd," Tea says teasingly. "Just kidding, Todd. But go ahead. Talk away. The doctor says that the baby can hear what we say. Maybe even recognize our voices."

Todd looks down at her stomach again and places his hand over it to gently pat it. He suddenly gets a sad look on his face.

"Then the baby can probably hear all the horrible things Blair says to you. I'm so sorry about that, Tea."

"It's not your fault, Todd. Besides, I think the baby will like the soothing and loving tones. We just have to make that's all the baby hears."

"You're right," he agrees. "Love is important." He smiles at her and starts to rub her stomach again. This time, more deliberately. And this time, more confident that his loving touches were nurturing to the unborn child.

Starr walks in and wonders what they're doing.

"Tee, are you sick? Why is Daddy rubbing your belly?"

"I'm fine, Sweetheart. Why don't you come over here and you can rub my belly, too. You know, your daddy and I have something to tell you." She looks at Todd and they smile, silently agreeing that this was the right time to tell Starr about the baby.

"Yeah, Shorty. Come on over here and put your hand right there," he says pointing to Tea's stomach.

"You see where it sticks out a little? Well, it's doing that for a very special reason, Starr. It's doing that because there's a baby growing in there."

"A baby?" Starr asks, eyes wide in amazement, and a huge grin starting to spread across her face. "We're getting a baby?" She lets out a giggle and leans over to hug Tea. "Does that mean I get to be the big sister? And I can hold it and play with it and take it for a ride in my wagon and . . ."

"Calm down, Shorty. It's going to be awhile before any of that happens."

"Oh Tee! This is going to be so much fun. Not as much fun as a puppy, but a baby is still cool!"

Todd and Tea both laugh at Starr's remark. They were a little worried about her reaction to having a new baby, but her excitement placated their fears. She was happy and proud at the prospect of being a big sister.

Todd looks at them both and smiles. His little family. And he realizes that he isn't afraid of them. He isn't afraid of the commitment and trust he was expected to provide. For the first time in his life, he could see the silver lining of the dark storm cloud that always seemed to follow him. He pushes aside any fears and doubts he may have had and allows himself to enjoy the moment. He was sure that sooner or later, Blair would want revenge for what happened that morning, but he couldn't worry about that. When the time comes, he knows he will have the courage to do what it takes to protect his family. He just hoped that time came later rather than sooner.

TO BE CONTINUED