HOLD BACK THE RAIN - PART THIRTEEN

PREVIOUSLY

Trevor looked up at his Daddy through his sleepily eyes and saw Mommy next to Daddy. She bent over and kissed him lightly on the cheek.
“Te quero.”
Trevor drifted off to sleep.

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Late June
The Country Club…

Joey and Roseanne had recently announced their engagement and Viki was hosting an engagement party for them. Todd had come directly from the Sun expecting to meet Téa but she wasn’t there. He called the house and woke her up from a nap. Recently she had limited her hours at work and had starting taking a lot more naps. She told him to stay there and she would join him shortly.
He went to the bar and ordered a beer.
“Hey Boomer, what’s up?” asked Sam coming up behind Todd.
Todd made a face, “Don’t call me Boomer.”
“Right,” said Sam. He ordered a beer as well.
“Where’s Téa?” asked Sam.
“She’s going to be late,” said Todd, “She overslept.”
“How’s Trevor?” asked Sam, “Isn’t his birthday coming up?”
“Ah… I think so, Téa mentioned it was in July…” stammered Todd.
How could he forget his son’s birthday?
“July 15th, I think,” said Sam sipping his beer. Todd had a drink of his beer as well.
“Ah, yeah… I knew that,” replied Todd, “A lot of people are here…”
Todd looked around. Blair and Del were talking to Joey and Roseanne by the water fountain. Viki and Clint were at the head table talking and playing with the flowers. Lindsay was talking to Bo near the terrace doors. Todd didn’t notice where Nora was. Carlotta walked in. Jessie was talking to Sam’s son, Will at a table. Kelly and Fiona were talking to Kevin Buchanan. Kevin’s wife, Cassie was on the terrace with big momma Dorian.
“What’s up with Kevin and Cassie?” asked Todd, “They’re not all over each other like usual…”
Sam looked at Todd, “They’re having martial problems… has something to do with Dorian.”
“What else is new?” remarked Todd.
Mike, one of the Sun’s associate editors entered into the room and approached Kelly.
“Now, that’s interesting,” said Todd.
“What?” asked Sam.
“Kelly and Mike…” remarked Todd.
Sam stood up, “I’m gonna mingle. You gonna mingle?”
“Nah… I gonna sit here and wait for Téa…” replied Todd.
“Suit yourself,” said Sam leaving.
“Awww shit,” muttered Todd. Fiona was walking toward him holding a half-empty champagne glass.
He took another sip of his beer and put the bottle on the bar.
“Hi Todd,” said Fiona walking up to him. She was smiling. She wore a dress with a short hemline that showed off her shapely legs. Her neckline was low and revealing. She wore her hair up in a cute little bun.
“Fiona,” replied Todd.
“Like how I look?” she asked.
Todd made a face, “You look fine.”
“I was hoping you’d notice,” she remarked taking a step closer to him.
Todd got up off his stool and attempted to put some distance between them. “How many of those fancy flutes have you had Fiona?” asked Todd. He backed into the bar.
“I don’t know. Two or three? Four or five?” she replied.
“You’re drunk,” he said playing with his hands.
She put her glass down on the bar, “Where’s your wife Todd? Your pregnant wife?” she asked.
“None of your business…” he replied.
She got close to him.
“You’ve been plenty irritable at work Todd,” said Fiona, “And I think I know why.”
“You – you don’t know anything…” he replied.
“She hasn’t been able to do her wifely duties has she? And you’re frustrated…” goaded Fiona.
“Go away,” said Todd.
“I can give you what you need Todd…” said Fiona lowering her voice.
“You don’t know what I need,” answered Todd.
“Oh, yes, I do.” said Fiona. She put a hand on his arm and pulled him into a kiss with the other. Todd struggled to break the embrace – the kiss – but couldn’t immediately do so. Growing frustrated, he took his hands and put them on Fiona’s arms forcefully shoving her away and into Kevin Buchanan.
“Fiona? Are you all right? He didn’t hurt you, did he?” questioned Kevin firmly glaring at Todd.
Todd was incensed and sneered at Kevin.
“Todd?” came a whisper.
He turned his head.
Téa. Not more than five feet away. She was dressed in a beautifully tailored made maternity evening gown that complemented her slender pregnant figure. She clutched a simple evening purse and her hair was up. He noticed the room was quiet and all eyes were on him.
“Téa? It’s not… what it looks like…” he replied.
“Oh? What is it then, Manning?” asked Kevin getting in his face, “Looks to me like you were taking advantage of Miss Braxton here – noticed your wife in the room…”
“Shut up! Get out of my face!” yelled Todd.
Fiona glared at Todd, “Why Mr. Manning, you’re such a good kisser…”
Todd could feel his anger rising.
Téa ran out of the room through the terrace doors. Del followed her.
Todd had to follow her.
“I’m not going anywhere. I’m holding you accountable for your actions!” said Kevin in Todd’s face.
Wham! Todd’s fist connected with Kevin’s lip. Blood trickled down Kevin’s chin.
“Why you!” Kevin got up but felt arms around him.
“Stop it, Bro!” said Joey firmly.
Todd lunged for Kevin but Sam got in his face.
“Calm down Todd. Now!” said Sam firmly.
“But…Sam!” protested Todd.
Sam lowered his voice, “Look, I saw what happened. Fiona came on to you.
Now collect your head…cool down… and go find your wife…”
“Téa…” whispered Todd looking at the terrace door. He quickly rushed past Sam and made his way through the room and out the doors Téa had gone through.

Téa stood overlooking the pool in Del’s arms.
“Hey – you can stop shaking now,” said Del.
“Oh, Del…” cried Téa.
“Oh, Del what? You want me kick his ass?” asked Del.
“That wouldn’t solve anything, Del…” replied Téa.
“Téa!” came Todd’s cry.
“He’s calling for me…” she whispered.
“Look,” said Del grabbing her arms, his eyes meeting hers, “You know I’m not a big fan of your hubby – but maybe you should settle down – listen to what he has to say…”
“Del, I know she’s been after Todd for a while now,” said Téa.
“Téa!” cried Todd again.
“So what are you saying? She came onto him?” suggested Del.
“That’s probably what happened…” whispered Téa.
“If that’s the case – what’s got you so upset?” questioned Del.
“I don’t know Del – it’s the hormones…” muttered Téa.
“Téa! I need you! I need to talk to you!” cried Todd.
“Blame it on the hormones…” said Del lightly.
“Del – it just – I – Del – he was kissing her in front of all those people…” muttered Téa.
“Téa!” cried Todd running toward her and Del. His hair was wild, his evening jacket torn, his white shirt untucked, and his eyes were full of fear…
“Todd,” she whispered.
Del stood firm, “What do you NEED Manning?”
“I NEED to talk to my wife,” said Todd decisively.
Del turned to Téa.
“If you need me – I won’t be far away,” said Del gently. He kissed her on her cheek and walked up to Todd, “I don’t know what happened – who kissed who – but I know what I saw.”
Del paused and lowered his voice so only Todd would hear, “My sister is pregnant with your twins. So help me – if you hurt her… or those twins…”
“I know,” replied Todd raising his eyebrows, “You’ll kill me…”
Del walked off leaving Todd and Téa alone.
Todd hesitantly took a step toward Téa.
She backed up.
He stopped.
“No, Téa,” he whispered, “Don’t deny me… You know I would never hurt you…”
Téa closed her eyes, “Todd, you were kissing her…”
“You know – you know she was kissing me…” he said softly.
She opened her eyes.
She brought her hand to her forehead and brushed her hair back, “Todd – your lips – were on another woman’s – the scene is still vivid in my mind…”
He took a step forward slowly, “Téa, I did not want to kiss her. You saw me shove her away -–and I've been honest with you – I’ve told you – what she ’s done.”
She held up her hand.
Again, Todd stopped, standing closer to her.
“Yes – I know – but –do you encourage it – her? Why is she always doing this?”
“I don’t know Téa…but you know – you know – heart – belongs – to – you…” he replied, his voice cracking.
“And – mine – belongs – to – you…” she answered.
“I need to hold you Téa. I need to feel you. To feel the twins…” he said taking a step closer.
“Todd,” she whispered.
“Don’t tell me to stop…” he replied. He was so close to her.
“I don’t know what’s happening but I know I love you, Téa…” he whispered, “You smell… wonderful…”
Slowly, he reached out and with the lightest touch of his hand tilted her chin so her eyes – her gaze found his.
“I need to hold you Téa…” he whispered.
Her lips were quivering, “And I – need – you – Manning…”
Todd immediately took her into his arms and took a deep breath. She was shaking. He held her tightly – savoring every curve – every contour of her body – savoring her breath on his neck.
“I love you Téa. I do,” he said firmly.
“I know you do, Todd,” she replied.
Lightly, he kissed her forehead, trailing his kisses gently down her face to her neck – his arms still around her, holding her tight.
“You’re the one Téa… you’re the one…”
He felt her arms around him and it made him feel good.

Del walked through the grounds of the country club. He had not heard his sister cry out so she must have resolved the…problem with Todd. He walked past the stables and heard giggling. He peeked his head into the doorway. The girl who had kissed Todd was on top of Kevin Buchanan – their clothes part on, part off. They were laughing – she was kissing him – he was feeling her breasts…
Del backed off. That…was graphic. What was she doing kissing his brother-in- law one minute and in the next – she was having sex with Kevin Buchanan? Suddenly, he grew very concerned for Téa…very concerned.

TO BE CONTINUED