HOLD BACK THE RAIN - PART FOUR

PREVIOUSLY

"Is this the part where we kiss and make-up?" whispered Todd through their kisses.

"I think so," said Téa.

Todd picked her up in his arms and carried her to their bedroom.

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New Year's Eve 11:50 p.m.

Todd and Téa were laughing as they opened the door to their house. Todd held a sleeping Trevor in his arms, Trevor's head on Todd's shoulders.
"I'll go put Trevor in his bed," said Todd smiling as he walked through the living room.
"I'll break out the New Year's drinks," said Téa putting her coat away.
She turned on the TV using the remote and went into the kitchen for the drinks. When she came back out, Todd was putting his coat away.
"Two minutes left to the year 2000," came the TV announcer.

Todd joined Téa on the couch and watched her pour the wine.
"Tonight was fun at Viki's huh?" said Todd watching her intently.
"Trevor had a good time with Starr," said Téa handing him a glass.
"I'm glad Blair decided to commute between here and Harrisburg. We can see Shorty a lot more often," said Todd.
"Yeah, I think Starr and T.D. will enjoy it when we take them to that indoor amusement park tomorrow," remarked Téa smiling at Todd.
"I just need to stop in the office tomorrow before we go," said Todd, "Shouldn't take long."
"Good. It will give me a chance to sleep late," said Téa.
"One minute left…" came the announcer's voice.
"It's about that time," said Todd. He put his drink down on the table and Téa did the same. He leaned in close to her, lightly kissing her neck.
"Do you know why I wanted to come home and have a private New Year's celebration?" whispered Todd.
"Why don't you tell me," said Téa softly.
"Thirty seconds…" came the announcer.
"Because…I wanted to make love to you…and it couldn't wait…I couldn't wait…" he whispered, his hands finding her shoulders – rubbing them – going lower – to the buttons of her shirt.
"Manning… you've got…quite…an insatiable… sexual…appetite…" said Téa softly between his light, teasing kisses.
"It's been a while since I made love to my…beautiful…exquisite…desirable… sexy…wife…" he mummered as he slid his hands into her unbuttoned shirt, sliding it off her body.
She reached up and began to undo his buttons.
"Five…"
"What? Last night…" responded Téa.
"Four…"
His kisses began to linger.
"Try two years…"
"Three…"
Her lips trailed down his neck to his chest. She could feel her body react.
"Two…"
He took his hand and lifted her chin up. His eyes found hers – smoldering with desire…
"You are so…hot…"
"One…"
"You're not exactly cold either…"
"Happy 2-0-0-1!" came the announcer.
His lips found hers in a deep, all consuming kiss.
"Happy New Year, Todd," mummered Téa.
"Happy New Year, Téa…" he continued kissing her, his lips trailing over her breasts…her sensitive moans arousing him….
It was a long night.

New Year's Day The Sun 11:00 a.m.

Todd walked into his office. He held Trevor in his arms and Starr ran in ahead of them. Todd thought he would take Trevor with him and allow Téa to sleep in late. Kelly Cramer was reviewing an article with Briggs.
Kelly looked up, "Todd, I didn't expect to see you here…"
"Hi Kelly," said Starr smiling at Kelly, "Hello Mr. Briggs."
"I'm just a workaholic…" started Todd.
"Hi Starr," said Kelly.
"Hello, Miss Manning," said Briggs.
Starr giggled.
"What are we planning to go to print with?" asked Todd walking over to Kelly and Briggs.
"We're working on that riot down at the docks," said Kelly.
Todd turned to Trevor, "T.D., I'm going to put you down o.k., so I can talk to Kelly and Briggs."
Trevor closed his eyes briefly, made a face, and nodded his head.
"Starr," said Todd addressing her, "I want you to keep an eye on little Tee o.k.? Don't go outside the office."
"O.k., Daddy," said Starr.
Todd turned his attention to Kelly and Briggs.
"All right," said Todd, "What riot?"
"Buchanan Enterprises are re-doing the docks – it's a re-vitalization project but the workers have recently gone on strike wanting more wages. Buchanan Enterprises hasn't given in and the workers were down on the docks today, damaging what has been improved on so far," explained Kelly.
"Manning, you snake…" came a voice.
Todd turned around.
"Asa," said Todd.
Starr and Trevor continued to play by the window.
"What brings you here Asa?" asked Kelly frowning. She'd had problems with Asa lately.
"I heard Manning was back. Just wanted to see it for myself…" said Asa sauntering over to Kelly, Todd, and Briggs.
Todd made a face, "Fess up, old man – what's the real reason?"
"A Sun photographer took some pics of this morning's dock activities. I don't want those pics to see print," said Asa.
"No can do Pops," said Todd.
Asa whipped out a checkbook.
"The Sun can't be bought," said Todd.
"You heard the boss," said Kelly.
"Just name your price," said Asa.
"No sale," said Todd, "Briggs, go find that photographer. Make sure he's in the dark room developing those pics for tomorrow's story."
Todd felt a tug on his arm, "Daddy…"
"Daddy's busy, Starr," said Todd – his gaze tough – not leaving Asa's stare.
"Asa, maybe you should leave," said Kelly, "And consider that pay raise your dock workers want instead of attempting to pay off the Sun."
"Daddy! Little Tee has a bruise on his arm and he says it hurts," said Starr.
Todd's mouth dropped.
The room got quiet.
Todd could hear the soft whimpers of his son.
"Oh God," muttered Todd as he walked over to Trevor, who was still by the window.
"You need to leave now Asa," said Kelly.
"I'll be back Cramer. You and Manning can count on that," said Asa walking out.
Kelly and Briggs walked up behind Todd.
Todd was holding his son's arms. Starr stood beside him. Todd pushed back the sleeve, revealing a swollen lump, the muscle was warm to the touch. "Hurts, Daddy…" said Trevor, "Want Mommy…"
"What do I do?" muttered Todd.
"Call Téa," suggested Kelly.
"The hospital. I've got to go to the hospital…" muttered Todd taking the boy in his arms. Trevor's tears streamed down his face.
"Stay calm," added Briggs.
"Daddy is little Tee gonna be all right?" asked Starr.
Todd swallowed, "Ah…Starr…stay with Kelly…o.k…"
Starr nodded her head.
"Kelly, call Téa… have her meet me at the hospital o.k. Bring Starr," instructed Todd barreling out of the office.
"All right," replied Kelly. She went to the desk and began to dial numbers on the telephone.
Téa rushed into the emergency room. She was dressed in a pair of casual dress slacks and casual top. Her winter coat draped over her shoulders but it wasn't buttoned. Kelly had Starr in the waiting room and approached Téa.
"What happened?" asked Téa.
"I don't really know. Todd…Starr found a bruise on Trevor…" said Kelly.
"Little Tee and I were playing and then he said his arm hurt…" said Starr.
She looked sad.
Téa gave the girl a fast smiled, "He'll be all right Starr. Kelly, do you know if Doctor Hart is here? Where Todd and Trevor might be?"
"Doctor Hart walked in minutes before you did," said Kelly.
Téa turned to the nurse at the reception desk, "Could you tell me where my son, Trevor Manning is? His father brought him in."
The nurse looked at the chart, "Emergency room three."
Téa quickly left and went to emergency room three. She opened the door. "You can't come in…"
"It's all right," said Dr. Hart, "She's the boy's mother."
Todd looked at Téa, his eyes concerned. He stood next to Trevor's bed.
"Mommy!" cried Trevor.
Téa went to the bed. She noticed an IV in Trevor's arm.
"Hey, T.D., have you been a good boy for Doctor Hart and sat still?" she asked brushing the bangs out of his face.
Todd placed his arm around Téa's waist and drew her close to him.
Trevor nodded his head, "Yes, Mommy."
She noticed the bruise on Trevor's arm. A tear fell down her cheek.
Todd's body was shivering.
Dr. Hart looked up from the monitor, "He's going to be all right, Mrs. Manning. We've administered the clotting factor and it appears to be taking effect. The bruise appeared to be fairly recent but we've treated it promptly. Trevor shouldn't experience too much discomfort," said Dr. Hart.
She gave Dr. Hart a brief smile, "Good."
"I want to keep him here this afternoon for observation. If there are no complications, I'll release him this evening," said Hart. He gave her a brief smile as well and walked out.
"I…I…didn't know…what to do…" muttered Todd clinging to her. Trevor closed his eyes.
"You did the right thing, Todd," said Téa. She reached in her coat pocket and pulled out the stuffed frog Trevor had gotten for Christmas, "T.D., Mommy brought your frog."
He reached up and took it, snuggling it.
"Guess we'll be here this afternoon," said Todd softly, "I gotta go see Shorty."
"I'll stay here with T.D.," said Téa.
Todd pulled her into a hug. Téa could feel his arms trembling.
"Hey, Todd, he's o.k. It's o.k. These things happen…" said Téa trying to comfort him.
"Yeah," said Todd finally breaking the hug, "Don't want Shorty to worry."
He went to the door and turned around to look at Téa and Trevor. She had pulled up a chair and sat down next to Trevor, gently caressing his face.
She looked at Todd.
"I love you, Téa…" said Todd softly.
"I love you too, Todd…" replied Téa.
Todd walked out of the room and reassured his daughter that everything was going to be all right.

TO BE CONTINUED

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