HOLD BACK THE RAIN - PART FOURTEEN

PREVIOUSLY

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.

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July 15th…
The Sun

Téa walked through the front doors of the Sun and headed for Todd’s office. She was in a good mood. Today was her son’s birthday and she had plans to make this a very special birthday for him. She wanted to run her plans by Todd first before she implemented them. As she approached Todd’s office, she heard Kelly and Fiona talking within. She stopped to listen outside the door.
“…what’s your problem, Fiona?” asked Kelly.
“You’ve got to promise not to tell anyone – just yet – not until I figure out what I’m going to do,” came Fiona’s response.
“Fiona, you’re one of my oldest and dearest friends…” started Kelly.
“I’m pregnant,” said Fiona.
“Oh,” said Kelly.
There was a moment of silence.
“And if you don’t mind my inquiring – who’s the father?” asked Kelly.
“Todd Manning,” replied Fiona.
Téa’s mouth dropped. She was in shock. It could not be true!
“Fiona? Todd? The man maybe a class “A” jerk but he really loves Téa. I can’t see him being unfaithful to her…” said Kelly.
“She couldn’t give him what he needed at home…” replied Fiona.
Téa heard enough and she didn’t want to hear anymore. She walked out – confused – scared – and afraid.

The Law Office…

Del walked into Téa’s office. She was staring out her window, looking upon the Llanview skyline.
“I came as soon as you called. What’s up?” asked Del approaching his sister.
“Fiona Braxton claims she’s pregnant and Todd’s the father…” said Téa coldly still gazing out the window.
“What?” exclaimed Del.
“You heard me,” said Téa dryly.
Del put his hands on her and turned her so he could look her in the eyes, “Don’t do this. Don’t freeze up.”
“She claimed I couldn’t give him what he needed…” said Téa weakening.
“How do you know this?” asked Del.
“I overheard Fiona tell Kelly at the Sun,” said Téa.
“Téa. Take a breath. Do yourself a favor. Breathe,” said Del.
“Del…!”
“Do it.”
Téa took a deep breath and looked at Del.
“Now search your heart. Is it at all possible Todd could have slept with the woman? Be objective,” said Del straight up.
Téa paused, “No Del, he didn’t. My heart tells me he didn’t.”
“Good,” said Del, “Now that you’ve got that figured out – I may know who the father really is.”
“What? Del?” asked Téa with a confused look on her face.
“Remember Rosie’s engagement party? You and Todd were by the pool?” asked Del.
“I remember,” said Téa.
“Well, I was walking around and heard noises coming from the stables. I saw Braxton and Kevin Buchanan having sex,” finished Del.
“What?” muttered Téa, “She’s pregnant…if she’s pregnant… with Kevin’s child and WANTS to pass it off as Todd’s?”
Téa reached for her desk and sat down on the edge of it.
“That’s what I suspect,” replied Del.
“I knew that woman had an agenda, but what is it? Who is it? It is me?
Todd? Or both of us?” asked Téa.
“I don’t know that Sis, but I can do a background check on her if you want me too,” said Del standing in front of her.
“I think that’s a good idea. I’d like to know what I’m up against,” added Téa.
There was silence for a minute.
“I need to tell Todd. I don’t want him to hear this from her,” said Téa.
“I think that’s a good idea,” said Del, “Now where’s Trevor’s party going to be?”
“The country club. Are you going to be there?” asked Téa.
“Yeah,” smiled Del, “I’ll be there. With Blair.”

The Country Club…

It was a hot summer day. Téa sat on a bench beside the pool waiting for Todd. A nearby tree provided her with shade but she was still hot and tired. She wore a light summer maternity dress.
Todd came racing up towards her. She stood up.
“What’s going on Téa? I came as fast as I could. Is Trevor…” he started.
“Trevor is fine,” said Téa, “Judith is bringing him here at five for his party.”
“O.k. What then?” asked Todd.
Téa sat down again. Todd remained standing.
“Fiona Braxton claims she’s pregnant. And you’re the father,” said Téa in a flat voice.
“What?” exclaimed Todd, “How could?”
His eyes found hers.
“You don’t believe it, do you?” he asked.
She stood up and reached for his hands, taking them in hers.
“No….no, I don’t believe it,” she answered him.
“How do you know this?” he asked his anger rising.
“I overheard Fiona tell Kelly at the Sun. Del suspects the child was fathered by Kevin Buchanan,” explained Téa.
Todd let go of her hands and began to pace, “You told Del about this?
What? You doubted for even an instant?” he questioned.
“I told Del because I trust him – he’s my brother. And I know in my heart that you would never be unfaithful to me,” she replied firmly.
He turned to face her rather dramatically and purposely searched out her eyes.
She wasn’t lying…
“So that slut is going to try and pass off Kevin Buchanan’s rat bastard as mine?” he exclaimed raising his voice.
“Todd, calm down. The woman has an agenda. It could be me, you, or both of us. Del’s doing a background check on her…” said Téa standing up, crossing her arms. The heat was beginning to bother her.
“Oh? Now what? Del’s always there for you isn’t he? He’s your white knight in shining armor now?” spat Todd full of anger.
“Todd!” Téa exclaimed.
“Téa! Maybe I want to be that white knight!” added Todd full of anger. “Stop it right now! Don’t let this anger consume you. Del is here to help us because something is going on which we have no control over!” exclaimed Téa raising her voice, ignoring the wave of dizziness she felt.
Todd turned his back on her.
She could feel the sweat on her brow.
He made a fist. He really wanted to hit something right now.
“Todd!” came Téa’s feeble voice.
He turned around to see his wife sway and then begin to fall. He reached out – grabbing her before she fell and carried her to the bench.
“You’re sweating…” he muttered, forgetting everything else but her.
“I’m just a little warm, that’s all..” she replied.
He picked her up in his arms and carried her into the country club and it’s AC environment.
He sat her down in a chair and asked a waiter for a cool wash cloth.
Téa opened her eyes, “I’m sorry – Should I take you to… the hospital..?” he asked softly.
“I’ll be all right. I just needed to get out of the heat,” she muttered, smiling at him.
The waiter returned with the cool cloth and he gently wiped her face.
“Todd, Trevor and Judith will be here soon,” she whispered.
He nodded his head.
She took his hand in hers, “Todd, I don’t know what her game is but we’ll get through it together. Just don’t be angry. Not now. I want Trevor to have a really special birthday, all right?”
He looked at her full of concern and worry as the anger drained away, “He will, o.k? He’ll have a great birthday. Are you sure…you’re all right?”
“I’m fine,” she said sitting up. He put the cloth aside. She took Todd’s hand and placed it on her tummy, “And so are they.”
He smiled, “Wow. They’re pretty feisty.”
“Kiss me,” she said.
He leaned over, his kiss, soft and reassuring.
Téa greeted the guests as they walked in. The room was done up in colorful balloons and fanciful streamers. A buffet was out and beside that tableware and drinks. Todd stood behind Téa, watching her closely.
Viki was talking to Jessie, Joey, Roseanne, and Will. Sam was talking to Carlotta.
“Mommy! Daddy!” came a cry as Trevor ran up to his parents. Todd picked the boy up in his arms. Judith smiled.
“Hi Trevor,” said Todd.
Téa leaned over and gave the boy a kiss, “Happy Birthday, T.D.” Trevor smiled.
Blair and Del walked in with Starr. Starr looked up at Todd and Trevor.
“Hi Daddy. Happy Birthday little Tee,” said Starr smiling.
“Hi Shorty. T.D. you want to go play with Starr?” asked Todd. Trevor nodded his head. Todd put him down and they went to play. “Hey Sis,” said Del giving Téa a gentle kiss on the cheek. She returned it.
“Any luck yet?” asked Téa.
“As soon as I have word, I’ll let you know,” replied Del.
“Del,” said Todd acknowledging his presence.
“Todd.”
“Word? What word?” queried Blair.
Del put his hand in the small of Blair’s back, escorting her to the drink table, whispering in her ear.
Kevin, Cassie, and River walked in.
Starr and Trevor waved at River and he ran for them.
Todd glared at Kevin as he walked past.
In walked Kelly and Fiona.
“Hi Kelly. Fiona,” said Téa in her best kill-em-with-kindness voice.
Kelly had a hard time smiling as she glanced from Todd to Téa back to Todd.
“Hi, uh, Téa. Todd,” replied Kelly.
Mike walked in, “Ah, Miss Cramer, I need to talk to you.”
“Sure,” said Kelly. They walked off.
“I have business to discuss with you, Todd,” said Fiona.
“Not now. It’s my kid’s birthday. I want him to have a good time,” said Todd.
“Besides, Fiona,” injected Téa, “Whatever you have to say to Todd, you can say it in front of me.”
A waiter walked by with a wine tray. Todd grabbed a glass and presented it to Fiona, “Wine, Fiona?”
“I’ll come back for it later,” said Fiona walking off. She joined Kevin and Cassie.
“Why I could just…” stared Todd.
“Todd, later, huh?” said Téa softly, “I say we bring out the cake and get started.”
“Fiona’s staring at us,” muttered Todd into Téa’s ear.
“So what? Do you want to give her a reason to stare?” asked Téa smiling at him.
“What do you have in mind. No deniability this time…” he started.
She took her hand and pulled him into a kiss… one that was passionate and teasing…bordering on erotic…
She felt a tug on her hand and broke the kiss off, realizing she might have gotten a bit carried away.
Todd saw Fiona sneer in disgust.
“Mommy, you never kiss Daddy like that…” said Trevor.
“Trevor,” said Téa very deliberately, “I love your Daddy very much. Just like I love you very much.”
Fiona made a face.

Trevor was having a wonderful time. The cake was chocolate – his favorite. He blew out all his candles and got a lot of cool gifts. He was playing with Starr and River and watched his Daddy walk onto the terrace with Fiona. Todd made sure he was out of earshot of the kids.
“Todd, I…” started Fiona.
“Don’t Todd me,” he said firmly, “I know you’re pregnant with Kevin’s rat bastard kid. Or at least you say you’re pregnant…”
“How did you find out?” muttered Fiona taken by surprise.
Todd glared at her.
“Téa knows. She told you. That was the reason for that bedroom kiss you two shared,” said Fiona.
“Téa knows,” confirmed Todd.
“Don’t worry Todd. You’ll get all the credit for Kevin’s homerun,” goaded Fiona.
“Certainly Kevin will suspect the kid is his…” replied Todd.
“He might, but I can deal with that…” hinted Fiona.
“How?” asked Todd feeling his anger rise.
“By simply telling him we did have sex. Unconsented Sex,” said Fiona smiling.
“Rape?” muttered Todd in shock.
Téa walked up behind Fiona and whispered in her ear, “My husband did not rape you.”
“But who’s going to believe his denial?” questioned Fiona.
Todd got in her face and spoke in a low tone very slowly, “I. did. not. rape. you. I never. touched. you.”
Fiona smiled.
“Todd,” said Téa softly, “Trevor and Starr are staring at us.”
Todd softened his facial features and turned towards his kids smiling. They waved at him and he waved back.
“I want something from you,” said Fiona icily.
“What?” demanded Todd.
“I’ll tell you both, when it’s time,” said Fiona walking off.
“I don’t like this Téa,” muttered Todd.
She took his hands, “We’ll get through this together Todd.”
Trevor and Starr came walking up to Todd and Téa. Todd tried his best to be relaxed around them but it wasn’t easy.

Later that evening…

Todd and Téa walked into their bedroom after putting Trevor to bed. Téa went to her bedroom mirror and began to brush her hair out.
“Todd, can’t you get rid of her?” asked Téa softly.
“I will. In three days,” replied Todd, unbuttoning his jacket and throwing it on a nearby chair.
“Why three days?” asked Téa.
“In three days it’s the award’s ceremony in New York City. Remember that nomination I put her in for? Well, we'll go to New York, me, you, Fiona, Kelly, and Jed… Viki and her gang will be there too. Fiona will get her photography award and then I’ll tell her to go away,” explained Todd. He unbuttoned his shirt.
“You realize what will happen if you do it this way?” questioned Téa.
Todd walked up behind her. She stopped brushing her hair. He put his hands on her shoulders and they stared into the mirror at their reflections. The reflection hinting at his chest hair.
“She’ll probably cry rape,” he said softly.
“We’ll deal with it,” said Téa in reply. She put her hands to his. “I just want her out of our lives you know. I mean… in a month… you’re gonna have the twins… we don’t need her grief right now…” said Todd.
“I love you Todd,” said Téa gently.
Without moving, Todd took his hand and turned her face so she was facing him and he kissed her, as passionately and erotically as she had kissed him in the country club.
“I…love…you…Téa…Delgado…Manning…” he said between breaths. She was as hungry for the kiss as he was to give it. His other hand began to explore her neck down to her breasts as they stood in front of the mirror kissing.

TO BE CONTINUED