HOLD BACK THE RAIN - PART FIFTEEN

PREVIOUSLY

“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.

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July 18th… Late Afternoon…

Carlotta rang the doorbell to Téa and Todd’s house. Todd answered the door. He was wearing a tux but had the jacket off.
“Todd.”
“Carlotta. Come in,” said Todd motioning for her to come in.
Carlotta stepped into the living room, “Where’s Téa?”
“She’ll be right down. You know those girlie things take time,” muttered Todd putting his hands in his pockets.
Trevor came running up to Carlotta, “Hi Auntie Cee!”
Carlotta bent down and gave the boy a hug.
“Hi Trevor,” said Carlotta.
Téa walked down the stairs dressed to kill in a beautiful tailored evening gown, holding a folder.
Todd stared at his wife. She wore her hair up, just the way he liked it.
“Mommy looks pretty,” said Trevor.
Téa smiled, “I take it my guys approve?”
“We approve,” said Todd picking up Trevor in his arms.
Téa and Carlotta exchanged a quick hug.
“I’m so glad you could do this Carlotta,” said Téa smiling.
“I’ll do anything for you,” said Carlotta, “I understand Viki is going to this awards ceremony as well?”
“Yeah – Viki’s taking her Banner gang – Mel – Clint….” said Todd facing Carlotta.
“So, Trevor, are you going to miss your Mommy and Daddy?” asked Carlotta smiling at the boy.
Trevor nodded his head yes.
“Carlotta, we’re only going to stay in New York overnight. We’ll be home tomorrow T.D.,” said Téa, “This is for you.”
Téa handed Carlotta the folder.
“What is it?” asked Carlotta.
“It’s a power of attorney. In case something should happen to Trevor and we can’t be reached, it allows you to make medical decisions for him on our behalf,” explained Téa.
“That’s a lot of responsibility,” said Carlotta.
“I trust you,” said Téa smiling.
“Téa, we should get going,” remarked Todd.
“I’m ready,” she replied.
“Grab my jacket,” said Todd.
Téa went to the couch and draped Todd’s jacket over her arm.
“Daddy’s gotta go T.D. Love you,” said Todd giving the boy a light kiss on the cheek.
Trevor gave Todd a hug back, “Love you too, Daddy.”
Carlotta took Trevor from Todd and held him in her arms.
Téa walked over to Trevor, brushing the bangs off his forehead and giving him a light kiss on the cheek.
“Te quiero,” she said.
“Te quiero,” replied Trevor.
Todd raised an eyebrow, “You two say that a lot. What does it mean?”
Téa smiled at Todd, “It’s a way to say I-Love-You between a parent and a child in Spanish.”
“Oh,” said Todd putting his arm around Téa and opening the door.
Todd and Téa turned around and looked at Carlotta and Trevor.
“You be a good boy for Auntie Cee,” said Todd.
Trevor nodded his head and waved goodbye.
“We’ll be back sometime tomorrow afternoon,” said Téa waving at Trevor.
“You told me that all ready,” said Carlotta smiling, “Have a good time.”
Todd and Téa left. Todd escorted her to the car and opened the door for her. She smiled at him. He got in and they drove off.

New York City…

Todd and Téa walked into the banquet hall where the awards ceremony was going to be held. Their hotel was several blocks away. Todd peered into the hall. It was all decked out. He fiddled with his collar. He saw Viki and Clint were all ready seated.
“Are we going in?” asked Téa.
“Ah…” started Todd feeling a little nervous.
Kelly and Fiona rounded the corner of the hall and began to approach them.
“She’s not sitting with us, is she?” whispered Téa.
“Ah, she’s sitting with the Sun’s staff. We’re sitting with Viki, Clint, and Kelly,” said Todd.
“Good. Hi Kelly. Fiona,” said Téa as they approached her. Todd put his arm around Téa’s waist.
“Todd. Téa,” said Kelly – her eyes darting from Todd to Téa to Todd again.
She didn’t know what to think.
“I need to talk to you Fiona,” said Todd firmly.
“Sure? When?” asked Fiona.
“Here. Right here. Right now,” said Todd brushing his hair back.
“I’ll go inside,” muttered Kelly. She left.
Fiona glared at Téa, “Is she leaving too?”
“No. Téa stays,” said Todd, “This is it Fiona. End of the line.”
“What?” said Fiona.
“Tonight – you collect your award – go put it on your “I-love-me” wall and don’t show up to work at the Sun after that. Téa and I want you out of our lives,” said Todd firmly.
“Now, Todd, are you really sure you want to do that? Do you really want me to go public with the paternity of my child?” asked Fiona grinning.
“I am not the father of that child,” said Todd.
“Prove it,” said Fiona.
“Prove you’re pregnant Fiona,” said Téa.
Fiona stepped towards Todd but Téa got in her face.
“Fiona, we are not going to play your game – you’re going to play ours – and our game is: We want Fiona to go away. Collect your award and go away Fiona,” said Téa firmly.
Fiona looked scared, “Either you two are brave or stupid.”
“We’re brave. Your stupid,” said Téa.
“Todd fathered this child. He did.” said Fiona, her voice cracking.
“I know he didn’t Fiona. He was too busy…with me…” goaded Téa.
“I’ll cry rape. I will,” said Fiona sounding desperate.
Todd could feel his anger rise.
“Do it. As his lawyer, I’ll see he’s cleared of the charge. As his wife, I’ll hold his hand and comfort him at night in his bed,” said Téa mockingly.
Fiona’s eyes burned with hatred.
“Now go away Fiona. You’re fired,” said Todd.
Kelly approached Todd, Téa, and Fiona.
“Todd, I forgot our presentation back at the hotel,” she sounded frantic.
Todd glanced at his watch. The ceremony was going to begin in fifteen minutes, “You stay here. I’ll go get it,” said Todd.
“Don’t worry Todd. I’ll be back,” said Fiona walking off.
“What? Just occurred here?” asked Kelly.
“I fired her,” said Todd putting his arm around Téa drawing her into him.
“You fired a freelance photographer? Why?” demanded Kelly, “Is it because she’s going to have your child?”
“Kelly,” said Todd, “Be quiet.”
“What? Why?” she demanded.
“Kelly,” said Téa speaking up, “Trust me when I say Todd isn’t the father of her child – and I would know.”
“You know about this?” inquired Kelly bugging out.
“Kelly, Fiona’s playing a game with us. That’s all you need to know,” said Téa.
Kelly looked at Todd.
“What she said,” replied Todd, “Now I need to get going. This shindig is going to start soon.”
“Todd,” said Téa, “You need to stay here. I’ll get your presentation and this way you won’t miss anything.”
“I don’t know, Téa…” muttered Todd.
“I’ll be fine,” said Téa. She gave him a soft, gentle kiss and walked off.

The parking garage…

Fiona slid out from underneath Todd’s car. She had immediately come from her meeting with Todd and Téa. Todd had fired her and she was mad. And since he was going to get the Sun’s presentation…well, that was as good a time as any to mess with his brakes. Sister Rose taught her about cars in boarding school. Sister Rose taught Kelly too. That should put a little scare into him. She slid out of her set of mechanic overalls and pulled off her set of plastic gloves, throwing them behind Todd’s car. She rushed to her car and threw the overalls in the trunk. She checked her hair in the car's mirror and pulled out her cell phone from her purse as she walked into the garage’s stairwell. She dialed Asa Buchanan’s number…
“Asa, it’s me…”
Pause.
“The plan is in motion…”
Pause.
“Oh, you’ll know…”
Fiona looked up and saw Téa enter the stairwell. She was silent as Téa passed her… they sneered at each other.
“nah…she wouldn’t… Todd is going…”
“Trust me. It’s all downhill from here…” said Fiona walking back out into the hallway.
Pause.
“My father’s death will be avenged.

Forty-Five minutes later…

Todd leaned over Kelly’s shoulder, “Shouldn’t Téa have been back by now?”
Kelly nodded her head yes.
Todd looked at Fiona’s table. Fiona wore a weird expression on her face and was playing with her hands.
“Look, a cop,” said Clint pointing to a policeman talking to an usher.
Todd noticed the usher looking at a list and pointing to his table. He got nervous.
His anexitiy grew as the cop walked closer to his table.
“Is there a Todd Manning here?” asked the cop.
“That’s me,” said Todd standing up.
“Your wife’s name is Tee?”
“Téa,” corrected Todd, “What…?”
The cop corrected his posture and stood tall, “My name is Officer Belton. Mr. Manning, I’m sorry to inform you that there’s been a traffic accident…”
“What?” muttered Todd. He could feel the color drain from his face.
“The brakes on your car failed and your wife was involved in a traffic accident. She’s been taken to Elliot Hospital. At this time, her condition is unknown. I’ll escort you…” said the cop sympathetically.
Todd’s face was white. He was speechless.
“I’ll come with you Todd,” said Viki.
Todd began to follow the cop blindly and Viki trotted behind them.
“Oh, God… Téa…no…”

TO BE CONTINUED