PREVIOUSLY

“No. Not yet. I just want – I just want to share this with only you,” he said not finding the words he wanted.
“O.k.” she said smiling at him, “I have an appointment tomorrow.”
“I’ll be there,” said Todd. He took his hand and cupped her cheek into it, softly rubbing his thumb against her skin.
They melted into a deep kiss.

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

March 1999 Rodi’s…

Téa Delgado fidgeted in her seat. She went to tug on the scarf around her neck but thought against it. Her table was in the back, next to the jukebox. Roseanne Delgado walked in, spotted Téa, and averted her eyes.
Hesitantly, she walked up to Téa’s table and sat down.
“Hey,” said Roseanne awkwardly.
“Hello to you to Roseanne,” replied Téa sipping her water.
A waiter walked up, “What’ll it be?”
Roseanne scratched her face, “Ah - water for now.”
The waiter left.
“So, how’s classes coming along?” asked Téa softly.
“O.k. Math’s my toughest subject. I was never very good at it,” said Roseanne, “How’s work?”
“Busy,” said Téa.
“What did you do this morning?” asked Roseanne awkwardly.
“Ah,” paused Téa, “Not much. Worked on a memo.”
“Oh. How’s your new house?” asked Roseanne.
“Big. Really big. You know, if you want, you can have the apartment now, since you know - I moved into the house…” said Téa sipping her drink. “Really? I’d like that,” said Roseanne smiling, thinking of just
how nice the apartment was.
“So, things are looking up for us. You’ve got school. I’ve got work.
What about you and Will?” asked Téa.
“I don’t think it’s going to work out. At first I was mad…but I think it’s for the best,” said Roseanne.
The waiter arrived with her drink. They ordered lunch. Soup for Téa.
Salad for Roseanne.
“It will take a while before you meet the one for you. Don’t rush it,” said Téa.
“How do you know when you do?” asked Roseanne.
Téa made a face, “I don’t know. Something happens - you think you may have lost him forever and then he shows up and a million emotions rush through you - and your so confused but one thing is clear - he’s the one.
Because when he looks at you, you’re the only one in the room. Because he makes you laugh. Because he trusts you even though it means his heart might get broken in the process - but he’s willing to take that chance…” she drowned off, thinking of the trial reconciliation so long ago…
“Oh. You’re thinking of Todd…” said Roseanne.
“Yeah,” whispered Téa.
“What happened between you and Uncle Anton? I’d really like to know,” asked Roseanne.
The waiter showed up with lunch. Téa took another sip of her drink. “I think there’s a fine line between infatuation and attraction.
Anton was and still is a very attractive man and I was at a point in my life where I wanted to…fall in love - only now I realize it was that I wanted to fall in love with the idea of being in love. I wanted to experience something I’d never known but I didn’t really know how to go about doing it. And Anton…Anton seeks things out so he can passionately experience them and then he creates his art out of those emotions…” Téa paused, “And I was infatuation. Anton was attraction.”
“Oh,” said Roseanne wrinkling her brow, not really understanding where Téa was going with this.
“Look,” continued Téa, “Anton and I were put in some very…romantic, sensual situations and our affair was a natural result of that. Those first few months it was...great. But then everything changed between us when we found out I was pregnant…”
“How so?” asked Roseanne clearly interested at this point.
“We started fighting. It was like we couldn’t stand each other.
One fight was especially bad. I told him I had an abortion, thinking that would solve all his problems. Only it made things worse. He was so disgusted he ran off…” finished Téa.
“When he left it broke my mother’s heart,” said Roseanne recalling a memory, “She became very depressed.”
Téa made a face.
“Depressed enough to commit suicide,” finished Roseanne.
“I know. I’m sorry,” said Téa softly, “No one expected that would happen.”
“How far along were you?” asked Roseanne with an edge to her voice.
“Maybe ten - eleven weeks…” said Téa, “I wasn’t showing…”
“I really blamed you for a long time. I still think…her death…was ‘cos of you…” said Roseanne, her voice cracking, “But now I know it wasn’t just you.
It was Anton too.”
“Roseanne, ultimately, it was your mother’s decision to make. She choose to run away instead of facing her problems,” added Téa softly, “Just like my mother choose to run away.”
Roseanne shot Téa an angry glare, “I don’t want to talk about it anymore.”
There was an awkward silence.
“Ah, Roseanne, if you’d like - maybe you and Cris would like to come over for dinner sometime? See our new house?” asked Téa hesitantly.
“Maybe. I’d have to ask Cris,” said Roseanne glancing at her watch, “I’ve got to go if I’m going to make my next class.”
“Oh. All right. Don’t worry. I’ll get the check,” said Téa.
Roseanne stood up, “Thanks. Well, ah, it was good - this talk.”
“Yeah, it was,” agreed Téa.
“Bye,” said Roseanne.
“Bye,” said Téa.
Roseanne turned around and walked out. The waiter came by with the check.
As Téa was searching in her purse for the money, she felt a presence over her. Looking up, she spied Anton.
“Hi Anton,” she said.
“Hola. Mind if I sit down?” asked Anton.
“No, but I need to leave soon,” said Téa placing the money with the check.
“Cameron and Samantha arrive at twelve on Saturday. Cameron has agreed to let me spend the day with her her. Will you be meeting them at the airport as well?” he asked. He leaned back in the chair, comfortable, his hands in his pockets.
“I don’t know. We have a supervised visit with Starr at ten. I’ll try.
What are your plans?” asked Téa relaxing.
“One of Carlotta’s friends is having a party at the community center in Angel Square. It is a Puerto Rican theme. I thought it would be nice if Carlotta and I took her and introduced her to her heritage,” said Anton with a smile on his face.
“I’ve noticed you and Carlotta are spending a lot of time together Anton. Are you two…an item?” asked Téa lightly.
Anton wrinkled his brow, “While I enjoy Carlotta’s company, I do not feel comfortable about taking the relationship further.”
“Why not?” asked Téa, “You’re both lonely and consenting adults.”
“Carlotta is like a mother to you…” answered Anton.
“So? She’s not my biological mother. No, Anna Ramon Delgado has that honor…” said Téa a bit wistfully.
“Still - she is important to you - role model…” added Anton.
“Do you want my blessing or something?” asked Téa with a grin.
“No, I…it is nothing - Let us forget it,” said Anton embarrassed.
Téa smiled and looked at her watch, “I’ve got to go.”
“I will walk you out,” said Anton standing up holding out his arm. She took it and smiled.

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

That Saturday…

It was mid-morning. Todd paced the living room. He was dressed up in casual pants and a matching button down shirt, the marks on his neck were faint and almost healed.
Téa walked down the stairs and paused. She too was dressed in casual clothes but wore a turtleneck.
“Aren’t those things on your neck almost gone?” asked Todd turning to face her, his hands in his pockets.
“Almost. Not quite,” she said grinning, “You know - I kind of miss that…”
“What?” asked Todd wrinkling his nose, “Hickeys? I’d think you’d find them annoying.”
“Not if you give them to me,” said Téa smiling. She walked over to him and put her hands around his waist. He imitated her gesture and looked deeply into her eyes.
“Sometimes - I think - I’m too rough. I don’t want to cross that line Téa,” said Todd seriously, “I’m very afraid of crossing that line - especially now that you’re pregnant.”
“Todd - I - relax, o.k. You’re tense…” said Téa with concern, “I know you won’t hurt me.”
“Yeah…” he whispered, thinking back to their lovemaking. It was confusing to him - tender one minute, aggressive the next, not knowing quite what to expect, just knowing it was extremely satisfying.
The doorbell rang. It startled him, “That’s Shorty. And Blair. And the judge.” He took a deep breath.
“It will be all right. It will,” said Téa softly. She answered the door and the judge walked in first followed by Starr and Blair.
Todd watched them walk in. His face lit up as he watched Starr.
She ran over to him and he picked her up in his arms.
“Hi Daddy!”
“Hey Shorty,” he replied. Her smile was warm and bright. Blair just frowned as she checked out the house.
Téa walked over and gave her stepdaughter a light kiss on the cheek, “Hi
Sweetpea.”
“Hi Tee,” said Starr grinning.
“Well, it looks like this reunion is a happy one,” remarked the judge.
“Ah, yeah,” said Todd awkwardly, “Hi Blair.”
“Todd,” said Blair crossing her arms.
“So, ah, do you guys want a tour of the house?” asked Téa politely.
“I’d like that Ms. Delgado,” replied the judge.
They started upstairs. Starr was impressed with her room. When they got to Samantha’s room the judge was surprised to learn that Téa had a daughter.
Blair looked miserable the whole time as they finished the tour.
“Very impressive,” said the judge as they finished in the kitchen.
“Yeah, Todd. Nice house,” said Blair.
Todd awkwardly smiled as he held Starr in his arms and Téa stood next to him.
“Look, Blair…” he started.
“What?”
“I’m a… about the other day…ah, well, if you want to come back to work at the Sun…” he started.
Blair frowned, “Well, Todd, you’d be surprised to know that, ah, Kevin, and Viki gave me a job…”
“Viki? Really? Didn’t you do her dirty?” asked Todd.
The judge’s eyes darted back and forth from Todd to Blair.
“Yeah, well, I’ve changed Todd. I grew up,” said Blair lightly but firmly.
Starr giggled, “But Mommy! You’re all ready gown up!”
“Yes, I am…” laughed Blair making faces at Starr.
“So, ah judge, when’s the next visit?” asked Todd.
“Ms. Cramer, what’s convenient with you?” asked the judge.
Blair pulled out a dayplanner from her purse, “I suppose… next Saturday.”
“Same time?” asked the judge.
“Yes,” said Blair.
“That’s cool with us,” said Todd.
“Do we have to go now?” asked Starr.
Blair looked at the judge, “Ah, yes…”
Todd reluctantly let Starr down and walked them to the door. Starr, Todd and Téa exchanged hugs and kisses. Blair, the judge, and Starr left.
Téa looked at her watch, “It’s 11:20. Do you want to come meet Samantha with me?”
“Sure,” said Todd.
Just then his cell phone started ringing. He walked over to his work desk and answered it. His face fell and he quickly hung up.
“What’s up Todd?” asked Téa.
“That was Kelly. One of the presses broke at the paper. I’ve got to go down there…” he said.
“Oh. Well, no biggie. You take care of it,” said Téa.
Todd reached for his coat and headed for the door. When he reached the door he paused and turned around to face her. She looked a bit disappointed. He walked over to her, paused, found her eyes, and leaned in to kiss her. She enjoyed it.
“Have fun Delgado. I’ll call you when I’m done,” he said.
She smiled, “You have fun too Todd.”
He left.

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

The Airport…

Téa walked up and hugged Anton and Carlotta. They waited in the terminal and watched the Alton jet land. Samantha ran down the landing into the terminal, Cameron taking long strides to keep up. Warm hugs were exchanged by everyone. Téa made arrangement to spend time with Samantha the following day. After that, Anton and Carlotta left leaving Cameron and Téa to themselves. They awkwardly smiled at each other.
Cameron looked into her eyes, “So, Téa, do you have any plans?”
“No. Not really. Todd’s busy at the paper,” she replied.
“Well, ah, do you want to come over and see our house?” he asked shyly.
She giggled, “I’ll show you mine if you show me yours, kinda deal?”
“Yeah,” he said putting his hands in his pockets, “Something like that.” He wore a pair of casual pants a matching button down shirt. His bangs fell neatly over his forehead.
“All right,” she answered. They hopped in her car and drove off.

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

The Alton Mansion…

Cameron directed Téa to drive up the driveway and park outside the garage.
She parked the car and looked at him.
“This is it, huh?” she whispered.
“I’ve only been here once - when we walked through it,” he said hesitantly.
She smiled at his awkwardness, “So, I’m your first guest?”
“Yep.”
They got out of the car and went in through the back door using his key.
As they opened the back door they entered into the kitchen. Cameron tripped and literally fell through the door. Téa laughed while Cameron startled the butler, maid, and cook who were hovering around the kitchen table.
“Cam, are you all right?” asked Téa through giggles.
He got up and brushed off his hands, “I’m fine.”
Then he looked up into the butler, maid, and cook’s eyes. They were very serious.
“Mr. Alton, I presume?” asked the butler.
“Ah, yeah,” said Cameron wiping the smirk off his face. He was clearly embarrassed.
“I’m your butler, Geeves. Mrs. White is the maid and Mrs. Blue is the cook,” and Geeves making introductions.
Cameron shook their hands, “Cameron Alton.”
“And Mrs. Alton?” asked Geeves eyeing Téa.
Cameron got red, “Ah, no. This is Ms. Delgado. A friend of mine.”
The butler raised an eyebrow and Téa exchanged handshakes with everyone.
“C’Mon Téa, let’s go look at the rest of the house,” said Cameron addressing her. She nodded her head and left the servants in the kitchen, amazed at their new boss.
“You know, Cam - for being a Bill Gates kinda guy - you can be a bit…” Téa paused biting her lip as they walked through the house. “What?” asked Cam giving her a playful grin.
“Ah, geeky,” she finished, “You’re definitely not what I expect.”
“Well, I’m not like this with my vice-presidents, I assure you,” said Cam putting his hands in his pockets, “A geek, huh?”
“Maybe that’s not the right word,” said Téa.
“You know, you’re not what I expected either,” said Cameron.
“What did you expect?” asked Téa grinning at him. They paused at the bay window overlooking the back yard. Cam turned to face her with a serious face, “I expected Samantha’s biological mother to be poor, wanting a handout.”
“Oh,” said Téa.
“I didn’t expect to like you. I mean, I didn’t expect you to be…nice,” he finished.
She looked down at the ground and slowly lifted her head to look at his serious face, “I’ve had some hard knocks Cameron. Maybe I’m not as nice as you think I am.”
“I think you are,” he replied.
“So what? I’m in denial?” she said.
“Maybe you don’t give yourself enough credit,” he replied, “I think that you’re everything…you want to be.”

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

The Manning Estate… Later on that afternoon, Téa had taken Cameron to her new house and gave him the grand tour. He was impressed. They shared a drink and got to know each other a little better - Cameron told her a bit of his childhood and she told him a bit of hers. The TV drowned on in the background but they weren’t paying it much attention. They were sitting on the couch just enjoying each other’s company.
“So Cameron, if you don’t mind my asking, why did you guys adopt?” asked Téa.
“Susan was the one with the problem and she really wanted children,” explained Cameron softly.
“Did it hurt, being an only child, wanting to have a lot of kids, knowing you couldn’t?” she asked as held her glass in her hand.
“A little,” he replied.
“Do you think you might have kids of your own someday?” asked Téa.
“Maybe…” he said. His expression was very intense, “What about you? Do you want more kids?”
Téa paused, “Ah…”
The door opened and Todd walked in, a grease smear on his cheek.
“Hi Alton…” he said looking at Téa.
Téa got up, grabbed a tissue off of the table and walked over to him.
“Hi Manning,” said Cameron evenly.
Téa walked into Todd’s arms and gave him a nice kiss. Cameron looked away.
Todd put his arms around her, “What was that for?”
“I see you got physical with the printing presses, huh?” asked Téa softly.
“How so?” he asked.
She wiped the smear off his cheek and held up the tissue.
“Oh,” he said.
“Well,” said Cameron standing up, “I guess it’s time to go.”
Todd and Téa turned to face him.
“I had a nice time Cam,” said Téa.
“Me too,” said Cam, “You’ll be by tomorrow?”
Téa nodded her head ‘yes’. Cameron left.
As Téa shut the door behind Cameron, Todd stood directly in back of her, pinning her against the door. His face was a mass of confusion.
“Téa, I…” he started, his voice shaking.
“What’s wrong Todd? It bothered you didn’t it? Seeing me with Cameron," said Téa in her awkward position.
“Yeah, it did,” said Todd honestly, “Why do you…”
“What?” she said firmly.
“…have to be so damn attractive? What is it about you Delgado…that’s so attractive?” he said placing his hands on her shoulders, finding her eyes, shaking…
“I don’t know,” she whispered.
His lower lip quivered, “You’re mine Téa! Mine!”
“Todd, you don’t have to be jealous,” she said hesitantly raising her hand, pausing before his cheek.
“But I am. Right now - I’m feeling incredibly jealous - and I can’t stop it…” he replied, his voice choking.
“I love you Todd. I’ll never leave you,” she whispered, not afraid of his intimidating stance.
He purposefully sought out her eyes knowing they didn’t lie. He let out a small breath, “I don’t want to hurt you.”
She leaned up into him, kissing and teasing his lips, “Remember the jail, Todd?”
“Yes,” he muttered, hovering over her letting her kiss him. His eyes were closed as he struggled for control.
“Do you trust in me?”
“Ye..Yes…”
“Do you believe in me?”
“Yeah…”
“Then trust…”
He felt a desire filled kiss…
“And believe…”
Her lips were so soft, so calming…tender, passionate…
“In me. In us. Only us…”
Abandoning his control he gave into the emotions she was evoking and aggressively returned her kisses, squeezing her shoulders - her arms - as he pulled her into him, communicating more to her in his kisses than he ever could in words.

TO BE CONTINUED

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