PREVIOUSLY

He placed his hand on her hip, pulling her into him, "You o.k? Junior O.k.?"
She smiled a sexy grin at him, "We're fine."
"Good," he replied holding her close.
The Mannings fell asleep in each other's arms.

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

Late April 1999 St. Matthew's Church

Todd was not a patient man. He was standing in front of the church’s altar, dressed in a classic tux. He had grown out his hair so it wasn’t so short and as per Téa’s request, he had grown a light five o’clock shadow. She told him that made him look incredibly sexy and that was just the look she wanted for the wedding. It never ceased to amaze him that she thought of him as…sexy. His bangs flopped over his forehead. The priest smiled as Todd tried hard not to fidget.
In the pews, Susannah, Viki, Samantha and Starr sat together. Cameron and Blair sat behind them, neither one too thrilled about the fact they had to be there. Carlotta, Cris, Anton and Roseanne sat together. Sam Rappaport sat next to Will, Joey, and Jessica. Kevin sat next to his mother – only there because she had asked him to attend.
The music finally started and Téa walked down the aisle dressed in an eloquent wedding gown. Todd swallowed as he viewed the intoxicating presence of his wife for the first time in her gown. Téa paused before him and handed Roseanne her bouquet.
“Manning – don’t even think of running out this time,” she whispered, “And you do not have a cold.”
The priest raised an eyebrow.
“Schucks. Guess I’ll just have to stay here and kiss you…” he whispered back.
The priest motioned for them to join hands and Todd tenderly took her hand in his.
“What is love?” started the priest, “It is patient. It is kind. And today Todd and Téa will exchange vows and become husband and wife in the eyes of the Lord.”
Todd looked at her and took a deep breath. She did the same.
“Before we begin, is there anyone here who knows of any reason why these two should not be married in the eyes of the Lord?” asked the priest.
Cameron kept quiet, wiping his sweaty palm on his pant leg. Blair fidgeted herself. They were only there because of the kids.
“Do you Todd, take Téa to be your wife? To be true to her in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health? Will you love her and honor her all the days of your life?” asked the priest.
“I do…”
Her eyes – bright…shining…
“Do you Téa, take Todd to be your husband? To be true to him in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health? Will you love him and honor him all the days of your life?” asked the priest.
“I do…”
His mouth…so perfect…
“The rings…” indicated the priest.
Todd produced the rings and slid her ring on her finger. Téa slid his ring on his finger.
“By the power vested in me through the Lord and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, I know pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride,” said the priest smiling.
The kiss between them was tender and gentle.
Everyone retired to Llanfair for the reception.
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Llanfair

After the romantic first dance on the terrace, Todd excused himself and pulled Sam off to the side and into Llanfair’s kitchen.
“It’s going good, huh, Sam?” asked Todd, “Not one hitch?” He looked down at his recently acquired gold wedding band and twirled it on his finger like a little kid.
“Yeah, Boomer. I’m impressed. It was a nice but simple ceremony,” said Sam smiling at him, “Lighten up will you? You’re so tense you could pop.”
“Yeah…well…” muttered Todd, “I can’t believe nothing went wrong…Téa looks good, huh?”
“Téa looks great. Look – what you two have – it’s gonna last…forever between you – as long as you work at it,” said Sam.
Téa walked in and glided over to Todd, “Ah, Sam, can you give us a moment alone please?”
“Sure,” said Sam. He left.
She looked into his eyes and placed her hands on his arms.
“Shouldn’t you be out there entertaining the guests?” he nervously asked.
“I think I’d rather be in here entertaining you…” whispered Téa, “By the way – did I tell you…how gorgeous you look?”
“Ah, no…” he whispered passionately taking her into his arms and kissing her. She allowed the kiss to grow into a deep, hot, searing open-mouthed kiss between them.
“What was that for?” asked Todd coming up for air, “You kissed me like it was going to be our last time or something…”
“Maybe I’m just happy. Maybe I just wanted to kiss you,” she said smiling at him, “I’m just caught up in all of this. In the happiness. Finally married to you. I’ve got Samantha…the baby…I’m just overwhelmed with happiness.”
“If you want…we can tell them…about the baby…” he whispered.
Her face lit up like a Christmas tree, “Really?”
“Really,” he confirmed.
Samantha walked into the kitchen, “Busted. Here’s where you two are hiding.”
Téa shyly turned around to look at her daughter, red in the face, “Ah, hi…Samantha…”
“I’ll tell you what,” said Todd, “I’ll give you two some privacy and then when you’re done we’ll make our announcement, o.k?” He walked out.
Samantha walked up to her mother, “So, how does it feel to be Mrs. Todd Manning, again?”
Téa took a breath, “I’m really happy Samantha.”
Téa reached for her daughter’s hands and looked into her eyes.
“You’re wonderful…” choked Téa, “You’re beautiful…”
Samantha hugged her, “And you’re definitely emotional right now…”
“Yeah…I am…” replied Téa.
“Umm-Hum…” said Cameron clearing his throat. Téa and Samantha looked up. Cameron stood at the doorway.
“Hi Cam,” said Téa standing up.
“Téa. Samantha, can I talk to your mother…alone for a minute?” asked Cameron nervously.
“Sure Dad,” said Samantha, very curious as to what her father had to say to her mother. Samantha walked out but kept her ear to the door.
Cameron walked up to Téa. He, too, was dressed in a tux. He stood before her and paused.
“What’s up Cameron?” asked Téa innocently.
“I can’t do this anymore,” said Cameron.
“Do what?” asked Téa.
“Hide my feelings,” said Cameron intently.
“Feelings?” asked Téa.
“Yes, feelings, Téa. I’m in love with you,” he said softly, “I’m in love with my daughter’s mother.”
Samantha bit her lip but kept still. What was her father doing?
“Oh,” said Téa taking a step back, “Why? Why are you telling me this now? On my wedding day?”
“Because I’m a mess inside,” said Cameron, “Because I feel like I’m going to explode if I can’t be honest with you about how I feel.”
“Look, Cameron – you know I don’t return those feelings. I mean, I like you…I do…you’ve done a wonderful job with Samantha but I…love Todd…” said Téa at a loss as to how to reply to his admission.
Cameron was clearly torn up, “Look Téa…It’s not…a good idea for me to keep being around you – my feelings will only get stronger if I do…”
“What are you saying Cameron?” whispered Téa, her heart sinking.
“Maybe I should put some distance between us. Maybe Samantha’s and mine move to Llanview wasn’t a good idea…” continued Cameron desperately trying to find her eyes.
“No. What are you saying? That you would take Samantha from me?” muttered Téa in shock.
Samantha’s mouth fell.
“I am her legal father and parent. You have no legal rights…I think it’s for the best – if Samantha and I left,” finished Cameron.
“You would have me abandon my own daughter again?” asked Téa aghast, tears falling down her eyes, “I won’t let you take her away from me…”
He reached out for her, grabbing her arms, pulling her into him, finding her eyes, “Then tell me you want me to stay. Tell me your feelings for me are strong. I’ve seen you look at me and look away – a rare glimpse of what you’re feeling provided to me through the windows of your soul…”
“No,” said Téa firmly, “You’re not the one. I’m in love with Todd.”
“A convicted rapist? You’re a good woman. You don’t need a bad man!” insisted Cameron holding her tight.
“You don’t know what I need. I need Todd…” she struggled to reply.
Cameron let her go, “Then I…and Samantha…don’t need you.” His voice was cold and icy.
Samantha ran into the room, “Dad? What are you doing?”
Cameron grabbed Samantha holding her tight. The three of them exchanged looks of horror.
“I won’t start a war over Samantha – please, Cameron – don’t force me to abandon her again…” pleaded Téa.
With that, Samantha struggled free and ran out of the room, tears running freely down her eyes. She ran hard and fast, disgusted over her father’s actions. She ran through the hall and into the den.
“Todd! Todd!” yelled Samantha through her tears.
Everyone turned around and faced her. Todd, who was talking to Viki, turned around, concerned, and trotted over to Samantha. He knelt down before the girl, placing his hands on her arms.
“What’s wrong? Why are you upset?” asked Todd.
“My Dad screwed up…” muttered Samantha. Starr ran over to Samantha and took her hand.
“Téa?” asked Todd swallowing.
“They got into a fight. He said he wasn’t going to allow her to see me anymore…” cried Samantha.
Todd stood up and looked directly at Viki, “How dare he threaten her with the one thing…!”
Carlotta and Roseanne immediately grew concerned.
Todd ran down the hall, followed by Viki, Carlotta, Roseanne, Samantha, Starr and the other guests. Todd paused as he entered the kitchen only to find Cameron alone, starring out the window.
Todd grabbed Cameron’s lapels and shoved him into his face, “Where’s Téa? Where’s my wife?”
“She’s not here…” muttered Cameron.
“Todd!” exclaimed Roseanne looking out the window, “She’s driving away in your car!”
Cris Vega ran out the door but there was no way he could stop the departing car.
Todd’s face was a fury of red, “You bastard. What did you say to her? You threatened to take her kid away didn’t you? But what you don’t know is that Téa’s biggest fear is being forced to abandon her own kid…like her mother abandoned her!” spat Todd.
Cameron’s face fell, “Téa’s mother abandoned her?”
“Yeah – you shit! And Téa never knew why. All she thought was she did something wrong. And that’s why her mother didn’t love her anymore and left,” yelled Todd in Cameron’s face.
“Todd, calm down. You’ll upset the kids,” said Sam firmly putting a hand on Todd’s shoulder.
Todd shrugged him off, “The kids are all ready upset. Now where did my wife go?”
“I don’t know. She didn’t say…” muttered Cameron.
“Don’t lie to me! Where did my pregnant wife go!” yelled Todd again.
It grew eerily quiet.
“Téa’s pregnant?” whispered Cameron, a fear spreading over his face.
“Oh my God…” muttered Viki.
Carlotta stepped up into Cameron’s space, “Cameron, I love Téa – as if she were my own daughter. But what you did today was break her heart into tiny pieces with the one…weapon – that would hurt her the most. You just shattered that woman’s soul. Now tell us…where is she going so we can help her.”
“She didn’t tell me where she was going…” muttered Cameron, contrite over his inappropriate actions.
WHAM!
Todd’s fist connected with Cameron’s face – blood flew out Cameron’s nose as his body twisted like a rag doll. Todd watched as Cameron fell to the floor. The guests looked on in shock.
“I want my pregnant wife back. And I want her back now!” yelled Todd. The tone of his voice was cold.
“I don’t know where…she was going…” muttered Cameron wiping his nose with the back of his hand.
“Damn you!” yelled Todd. He lashed out, smashing plates and silverware becoming a one man wrecking crew, destroying Viki’s kitchen. Sam rushed people out of the kitchen to keep them safe. Carlotta and Viki stayed in the kitchen off to the side, allowing Todd’s violent temper to destroy Llanfair’s kitchen.
Cameron slowly stood up in the surreal maelstrom, blood dripping from his nose.
“I’ll help find her. I’ll make it right…” said Cameron – his words suspended in the air.
“I think you should leave…” said Viki through the noise.
“I’ll make it right. I will…” muttered Cameron. He walked out.
Todd’s body spent, he collapsed to the floor sobbing. Viki and Carlotta knelt before him. Slowly he raised his head and found Viki’s eyes.
“Sorry about your kitchen,” he said through his tears.
“I’ll buy a new one,” said Viki, “Todd…”
“I have to get her back. I need her. I need my wife…” he muttered.
“Todd, we’ll find her. We will…” said Carlotta gently, “We all need her in our lives.” All though she had never felt comfortable with his presence in Téa's life, she was moved by his display of anguish over the situtation.
“Then…you’ll help me find her?” asked Todd.
Carlotta nodded her head, ‘yes.’
Todd’s lip trembled as his sad, lonely eyes stared out the window…
“I do, Delgado…”
TO BE CONTINUED

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