PREVIOUSLY

Todd stops to take one last look around the old penthouse. One last look at his old life. It was time for him to move on and find a new life. One filled with caring and trust. One filled with his family.

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". . . Okay, Daddy. I'll let her know. . . . Love you, too . . . bye." Starr hangs up the phone and skips back over to the couch next to Tea. "That was Daddy, Tee. He says that he's on his way home, but that it might take awhile because of the storm."

"Thanks, Honey," Tea says, walking over to one of the big windows and looking out at the rain pound against the house. "Then you should probably get your bath before the storm gets any worse. I don't know how much longer our power is going to hold out. And I don't think you want to take your bath in the dark, Mija," she says, poking Starr on the nose, eliciting a giddy giggle from the little girl.

The two start up the stairs when they hear the doorbell.

"I'll get it," Starr yells, running back down the stairs towards the door.

"Don't forget to ask who it is first, Starr." Tea turns and starts back down the stairs slowly. She's still adjusting to her constantly changing body, and feels a little awkward and unsure of her movements. Although it wasn't evident to the world she was pregnant, Tea could see the subtle differences the past 15 weeks has made. She stops in her tracks, however, when she notices their surprise visitor.

"Blair. I didn't expect to see you today," Tea starts. "The social worker called and cancelled the visit today because of the storm. I didn't know you were still coming."

"What's that supposed to mean, Tea? I would do anything to see my daughter. A little storm isn't going to stop me. Are you saying I'm not welcome here? Starr, I think your step mother trying to throw me back out in the rain."

Tea stares at Blair in disbelief. How could she stand there and use her own daughter in her manipulations? She wants to defend herself against Blair's accusations. But instead, Tea looks over at Starr and sees a glimmer of hurt in the little girls eyes. It breaks her heart to see how Blair could willingly inflict that kind of pain on her own child. She decides to hold her peace and not follow up on Blair's attempt to pick a fight.

"That's not what I was saying, Blair. You just surprised us." Tea looks at Blair and paints a false smile on her face. She attempts to speak in calm and even tones so as not to further upset Starr. "You were scheduled to see Starr today. I don't see why that should change. I was about to give her a bath, though, before the storm got too bad. Perhaps you would like to go with her instead, while I finish dinner."

Blair doesn't say anything. She rolls her eyes at Tea and grabs Starr's hand. The little girl pulls her mother upstairs to get her bath.

Tea stares after them, still in shock over Blairs actions. She doesn't know why Blair still surprises her. That woman was capable of anything, and every encounter with her proves that fact to Tea. She jumps when she hears the front door open. She spins around to see Todd standing there, dripping wet from the storm.

"What is Blair's car doing here?" Todd asks, throwing down his umbrella into the foyer.

"Because Blair drove here in it," Tea says with a disgusted tone in her voice. "Apparently 'she wasn't going to let a little storm stop her from seeing Starr'," she says in an attempt to mock Blair. Her phony accent and exaggerated motions only amuses Todd and makes him laugh.

"Oh, you're laughing now, Todd. But you weren't the one who had to deal with her when she showed up here unexpected." But Tea thinks about her little act and is also amused. She joins him in laughter.

"Don't worry, Delgado. Once she's finished with her visit, I'll send her on her way. She won't be here much longer," Todd says, trying to reassure Tea.

"I wouldn't be too sure about that, Todd," Blair says from the top of the stairs. "On my way over, they said on the radio that they were closing all the roads. It looks like I'm going to be here awhile." She looks over at Tea, winks at her and gives her a victorious smirk.

"I guess I have to set another place for dinner." She still opts not to fight with Blair. Instead, she pours on the fake hospitality and charm. "And you're welcome to stay the night. There's a bedroom connected to Starr's room that I'm sure you'll find comfortable," she says through gritted teeth. Being civil when Blair was being so obnoxious wasn't an easy feat for Tea.

"Great," Blair says smugly. "I'll go tell Starr the good news. I'm sure she'll be happy to hear that her real mommy will be tucking her in tonight."

Todd and Tea watch as she walks back out of sight.

"What were you thinking, Tea? Inviting Blair to stay here? What are we going to do?" Todd asks when he's sure Blair can no longer hear them.

"I don't think there's going to be a problem. She'll be with Starr as much as she can, so hopefully she won't be in our hair."

"That's not what I'm talking about, Delgado. I must admit, that we've gotten fairly convincing at this marriage act in public, but what are we going to do about this impromptu in house performance? There are certain things married couples do in their homes that we don't do."

"Like sleep in the same bed," Tea says, suddenly realizing the source of Todd's distress.

"Exactly. And it's going to be kind of hard explaining why our bedrooms are at opposite ends of the house."

"Well, Todd. We have two options. It can be business as usual. You in your room. Me in my room. And we'll just have to hope and pray that she doesn't get nosey and start snooping around. Or . . . " She stops and peeks at him from the corner of her eye.

"Or what? Delgado, tell me you're not thinking what I think you're thinking."

"Todd, I don't think we have another choice. We're going to have to sleep in the same room tonight. Is that going to be a problem for you?

TO BE CONTINUED