PREVIOUSLY

“You know Samantha, you just have to get used to this. Your mom and Todd have a habit of getting in lost in each other and tuning everybody else out,” said Viki lightly, “I think it’s called love.”
Samantha just nodded her head.
Todd and Téa didn’t say anything as they continued beaming at each other like Cheshire cats.

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

March 1999…

After lunch, Todd and Téa took Samantha to the furniture store and they picked out a bunch of furniture for the new house. That took up the rest of the afternoon. On the way to the apartment, they stopped by the police station so Téa could check in and see if there were any cases she needed to be notified of. Thankfully, it was a dull weekend. They had one last stop, the video store. They picked up a bunch of movies.
When they got back to the apartment, Téa and Samantha hung up the coats.
Todd made a beeline for the VCR.
“So what do you want to watch? Scream? Scream Two? I Know What You Did Last Summer?” he asked.
“How about I Know,” suggested Samantha.
Todd threw it in.
“Well, look, you two have something in common. Horror movies,” said Téa as her and Samantha sat down on the couch. Téa sat in the middle with Todd and Samantha on each side.
“Don’t worry,” Samantha remarked, “Dad can’t stand horror films.”
“Oh?” questioned Téa curiously, “What kind of movies does he like?”
Todd wrinkled his brow and looked up.
“Action. He’s a big James Bond kinda guy,” said Samantha.
Téa just smiled.
“So, anyone want popcorn?” asked Todd taking Téa’s hand.
“Only if you do,” said Samantha smiling at him.
“O.k., Téa, go make the popcorn,” said Todd grinning at her.
Téa looked at Todd, “Not on your life. It was your suggestion. Not mine.”
He gave her a sexy grin, “You know me. I’ll burn it.”
She just nodded her head, “So? Burn it.”
“Please?” he added.
Samantha didn’t know what to think of their playful banter.
“I’m not going to crack Manning,” said Téa flashing him an equally sexy smile.
“All right, whatever,” he said. He got up and went to make the popcorn. They settled in and watched the movie.

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

Later that night…

Téa walked into her bedroom and closed the door locking it. Todd sat on the bed, a candle burning on the nightstand. She sat down on the bed next to him and he took her hands in his.
“Samantha asleep?” asked Todd.
“Not yet. We had a nice talk. She’s really excited about today. And she’ s looking forward to spending time with Anton tomorrow. Are you excited?” asked Téa grinning at him.
“You bet. Are you pregnant?” he asked, passion dancing in his eyes, “I wanted to ask you that all day.”
“I might be. I don’t know for sure,” she replied honestly.
“So what? You need to take a home pregnancy thing or what?” he asked.
“I should go to the doctor and get tested. That test is 100% accurate,” said Téa.
“O.k., first thing on Monday – we go,” said Todd playing with her hands, twirling her engagement ring, smiling at her.
“But Todd! The house…! The furniture people will be bringing the furniture,” said Téa with concern.
“I’ll leave the house unlocked and put a sign on the door instructing them to drop it off. You and little Manning are more important,” said Todd giddy at the thought.
She leaned into him, kissing him. He fell back on the bed and they turned into each other.
“And tomorrow,” whispered Todd between kisses, “We’ll go see the priest and arrange the marriage before we finish up house shopping. No Manning of mine is going to be born out of wedlock.”
She smiled at him and they nuzzled, lightly rubbing their faces against one another.
“Oh, Todd…”
“I want to make love to you…” he said bringing his hands to her arm.
“I don’t know if that’s a good idea. We can be rather loud and Samantha is here…” replied Téa.
“It can be different this time. It can be like it was on the boat. Soft and sexy…” he added.
“Todd…”
He silenced her with a kiss and this time, he was gentle. Their lovemaking lasted late into the night.

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

The Next Morning…

Téa and Todd were dressed in matching turtlenecks. Todd and Samantha were watching Scream Two when the doorbell rang. Téa walked out from the kitchen with an orange juice and answered the door.
“Hola, Téa,” said Anton smiling, a little nervous.
“Hola. C’Mon in,” said Téa smiling. Anton walked in. Todd and Samantha were caught up in the movie.
“Horror movie people,” commented Téa playfully.
“You do not care for horror movies, do you?” asked Anton.
“You know me well Anton. So how did it go with you and Cameron?” asked Téa smiling at him.
“All right,” said Anton smiling back, not knowing what to make of Téa’s happy, playful mood.
“So? Who won the game?” she asked playfully punching his arm, “Huh? Huh?”
“Ah, the Knicks. You appear…very happy this morning,” remarked Anton smiling at her, “It is a nice change.”
“Geez, thanks. So what other male bonding activities you do?” asked Téa.
Before Anton could answer, Todd came up behind Téa and put his hands on her shoulders, “Téa – C’Mon – give the guy a break.”
She tilted her head back and gave Todd and playful frown. Todd stole a kiss.
“Hi Anton,” said Samantha.
“Hola, Mija,” said Anton smiling at the girl.
“What does that mean?” asked Samantha.
“It means hello, dear,” said Anton.
“Je veux. Bonjour Monsiuer Anton. Comment Allez-vous?” shot back Samantha smiling.
Anton and Téa exchanged glances.
“Ah, I don’t know what that means,” said Anton.
“She’s stumped us,” said Téa.
“I just said hello, how are you in French,” replied Samantha.
“That’s a pretty sharp kid you get there,” said Todd.
Samantha beamed with pride.
“Are you ready?” asked Anton.
“Yep,” said Samantha, “Next weekend, Dad and I will be moving into our new house here so I can see you guys all the time.”
“Good,” said Téa smiling, “Have a nice day you two. I love you, Samantha,” she said softly.
“I love you too…Mom…” said Samantha. They exchanged a goodbye hug and Samantha left with Anton.

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

That afternoon… Todd and Téa had just come from visiting with the priest. They had made arrangements to remarry four weeks from now. Both were clearly happy not only about the impending marriage, but also about their new house, and the possible addition to their family.
As they walked through the mall, hand in hand, they finished up shopping for their new house. Todd stopped dead in his tracks. Téa looked up. Cameron and Blair were walking toward them. Starr was holding one hand of Blair’s and Cameron the other. Both Starr and Cameron were laughing at what appeared to be a joke that Blair told.
Todd’s lip trembled as he smiled at his beautiful daughter.
“Daddy!” exclaimed Starr discovering Todd.
Cameron and Blair looked up. Blair frowned.
Starr bolted towards Todd and Todd picked her up into his arms. She gave him a warm affectionate hug.
“I missed you Daddy!” exclaimed Starr.
“I missed you too Shorty,” said Todd trying not to choke on the words, clearly moved at seeing his daughter again.
“Did you get all my messages I left with Fred?” asked Starr.
“Everyone,” said Todd.
“Hi Sweetpea,” said Téa softly.
Starr smiled at Téa, “Hi Tee. I missed you too.”
Téa gave Starr a gentle hug.
“Hi Téa,” said Cam.
“Hi Cam,” said Téa.
Their eyes met briefly. Cameron looked away.
“Mommy said I couldn’t see you until next weekend with the judge,” said Starr.
“Well…” started Todd.
“Judge?” muttered Cameron looking at Blair. Blair just frowned.
“This is just a coincidence,” said Todd smiling at Starr.
“Yes, it’s just a coincidence, so I guess it’s o.k. for you to see Starr.
After all, Todd just passed his pysch exam,” said Blair bitterly, remembering those words all too well.
Todd glared at Blair.
“Pysch exam?” questioned Cam.
“Cam, I need to speak with you,” said Téa speaking up.
Todd shot Téa a look.
Cameron took a breath, stepped up, and escorted Téa away from Todd, Blair, and Starr and out of earshot.
“What’s this about a pysch exam and a court order?” asked Cameron with concern in his voice.
“Todd was suffering from DID…” began Téa.
“DID – what’s that?” asked Cameron.
“Todd had multiple personalities. He was put on trial for holding fourteen people hostage with dynamite but it was ruled he was not guilty since he was suffering from DID. The court gave custody to Blair and mandated Todd attend therapy,” explained Téa trying to put a positive spin on it.
“Any other crimes Samantha’s future stepfather has committed?” asked Cameron getting upset.
“Rape,” whispered Téa.
“My God! My daughter!” whispered Cameron.
“Samantha is fine. Todd will not hurt her. He’s been through therapy – just look at him with Starr…! He adores children. He would do anything for Starr. He’s a good father – he is,” asserted Téa.
“I don’t know what to think…” muttered Cameron.
“I would not lie to you Cameron. I have too much respect for you to do that,” said Téa honestly.
Cameron paused and placed his hand on Téa’s arm, “And I…respect you…”
“Look, just talk to Starr. She’ll tell you Todd is a good father. You don ’t have to worry about Samantha. Or me,” said Téa.
“I don’t like this. I don’t like these games,” replied Cameron.
“Todd and I aren’t the ones playing games with you,” said Téa firmly.
“How can I be sure of that?” he asked.
“Cam – just be careful with Blair,” said Téa.
“Blair is my business,” said Cam.
“And Todd is mine,” said Téa.
“All right. I’ll talk to Starr. I’ll be open minded for now. I’ll trust… you…” said Cameron.
“Thank you,” said Téa. They joined Todd, Blair, and Starr.
“We need to go Todd,” said Blair.
“Sure,” said Todd. He gave Starr back to Blair, “See you next week Shorty.”
“I love you Daddy,” said Starr waving at him.
“I love you too,” said Todd. He watched as Blair, Cameron, and Starr walked away.
When they were out of earshot, Todd turned to Téa and grabbed her arm, “What did you and Alton talk about?” he demanded in a jealous rage.
Téa shrugged her arm back, “Stop it Todd. Let go of me.”
He was taken aback by Téa’s gesture. His face immediately fell and he swallowed, instantly contrite over his actions. His jealously had gotten the better of him.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean too… I’m sorry…” was all he could mutter.
Téa frowned at him.
“It doesn’t matter what you told him. I’m sorry. I don’t want to ever hurt you…” he continued struggling for words.
“Oh, Todd…” said Téa.
This time, more gently, he reached out with his hand and brushed his fingers against her cheek. She allowed his tender touch and their eyes made contact.
“This is new to me Téa. Help me…” he struggled, whispering the words, “I love you.”
“Don’t you know… it’s you I love – you I want – how can I make it any more obvious that I’m in love with you?” she whispered not breaking eye contact.
“Take my hand!” said Todd, his lips trembling. She placed her hand over his. He pulled her into an intimate embrace.
“You’re not mad at me?” asked Todd holding her tight.
“No,” she replied, “I…understand.”
There in the middle of the mall with strangers swirling around them, he kissed her tenderly, whispering, “I’m sorry… I’m so sorry…” between kisses. “I forgive you, I do…” whispered Téa back, “Sometimes… I get jealous too.”
They wrapped their arms around each other enjoying their kisses and the way they made each other feel.

TO BE CONTINUED

=================================================================================================

COPYRIGHT NOTICE: Copyright by DimWitt. Orginally published on:“Violet ’s TnT FanFiction Website” 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, hypertext documents on this server from your own documents. Todd Manning, Téa Delgado, Starr Manning, and Blair Cramer are characters owned and created by “One Life To Live” and ABC Daytime. Cameron Alton, Samantha Alton, and Anton de la Rocha are characters created and owned by DimWitt ==========================================================================================================================================================

---

---