HOLD BACK THE RAIN - PART FIVE
PREVIOUSLY
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.
***************************************************************************************************
January 2001 Mid-morning…
Todd had left early that morning. Judith was downstairs with Trevor. And Téa…
Téa sat on her bed in her bedroom, dressed for work, holding a home pregnancy test. It said positive. She was in shock. She didn't think it would be so soon…
She was numb all over. She flopped back on the bed and stared at the ceiling. She couldn't overcome the feelings of anxiety and worry she had. She had to confirm the result. She got up, reached for her appointment book on the nightstand and dialed the numbers on the telephone.
"Dr. Clayton's office."
Pause.
"I need to have my blood drawn. I think I'm pregnant."
Pause.
"Téa Delgado Manning."
Pause.
"Right now? I'll be down directly."
She hung up the phone and flopped down on the bed again, staring at the ceiling.
Todd would be ecstatic with the news.
I don't want to hurt you, little one… Oh please…please…this time…let it be different… "You can drop the woman of steel act. If you're going to cry – cry. Let it out…"
No time for tears.
Téa got up, grabbed her appointment book and walked out.
The Sun
Todd sat at his desk and looked up when Kelly Cramer burst in. Behind Kelly was a thin, attractive woman wearing casual clothing and carrying a camera bag. Todd stood up.
"Todd Manning, I want you to meet Pulitzer prize winning photojournalist, Fiona Braxton. We used to be roommates in boarding school," said Kelly making introductions.
Fiona held out her hand, "Mr. Manning."
Todd briefly shook her hand, "Miss Braxton. Do I detect a hint of an accent?"
"It's mostly British," said Fiona.
Todd turned to Kelly, "And for what do we need a Pulitzer prize winning photojournalist for?"
"I'm strictly freelance, Mr. Manning," added Fiona.
"I pulled in a favor. Well, actually, Fiona approached me. She'll be working on the dock story – taking pictures down there," explained Kelly.
"Oh," said Todd.
RING. RING
Todd picked up the phone.
"What?"
Pause.
"Sam?"
Pause.
"No, I haven't seen Téa."
Pause.
"No, she's not here."
Pause.
"I don't know but her mood swings have been driving me crazy lately…"
Pause.
"She did? Let me talk to her."
Pause.
"Sam said you were late. Are you all right?"
Pause.
"…Because you've been moody as hell lately."
Pause.
"You sure?"
Pause.
"All right. Look, don't forget Shorty's birthday party tonight. Blair's having it at Chucky Cheese's of all places…Shorty begged for it."
Pause.
"Hey Delgado! I love you."
Pause.
Todd hung up the phone.
"Is Téa all right?" asked Kelly.
"She says she is," replied Todd.
"Téa?" questioned Fiona.
"My wife," said Todd walking behind his desk.
"Oh. You're married, Mr. Manning. Any children?" asked Fiona.
"Two. What is this, the Spanish Inquisition? Don't you have pictures to go take?" asked Todd.
Fiona turned to Kelly, "Is he always this charming?"
"Not usually," said Kelly.
"So, Mr. Manning, what does your wife see in you?" asked Fiona addressing Todd.
Todd looked up from his desk.
Briggs came running in.
"Trouble on the docks! There's a fire!" exclaimed Briggs.
Todd stood up, "Kelly. Miss Braxton – let's go get a story…"
Kelly and Fiona followed Todd out.
The Law Office, 2:00 pm
Téa was in Sam's office. Sam was sitting at his desk listening to her. She was standing and briefing him off her notepad.
"…and according to Patino, Tee-Loc was an enforcer – working for…a higher up boss…who was extorting money from the dock workers…Patino claims he didn' t give in to the extortion and now has been framed for Tee-Loc's murder…" she said.
"This has the potential to be a high profile case," said Sam.
"Yeah, I know…" said Téa.
Sam's speakerphone buzzed, "Phone call for Mrs. Manning…Dr. Clayton." Sam raised an eyebrow and looked at Téa. She didn't react and picked up the phone.
"Téa Manning."
Pause.
"I am. Great."
Pause.
"Tomorrow? Let me check…"
Téa picked up her appointment book from Sam's desk.
"How about eleven? Good. I'll be there. Thanks."
She hung up.
Sam stared at her.
"What?" she demanded.
"You're pregnant, aren't you?" said Sam.
Téa nodded her head, "Yes."
"How long have you known?" asked Sam.
"I've suspected however, I didn't want to…believe…but this morning when I got out of bed I had a dizzy spell and couldn't put it off any longer. Dr. Clayton just called and confirmed it," explained Téa.
"Todd's worried about you. Does he know?" asked Sam.
"No. I was planning on telling him tonight – after Starr's birthday party," replied Téa.
There was silence for a bit.
"I'll take over the Patino case if you want…" said Sam.
"It's not necessary. Not yet Sam. This time is going to be different. I just know it…I have to believe it…Todd's here…" mumbled Téa.
Sam stood up and gave Téa a hug.
That night Starr's birthday party
Téa walked in the restaurant holding Trevor in one arm and carrying a bag with Starr's gift in the other. She recognized Blair, Dorian, Cassie, River, Viki, Joey, and Jessie.
Jessie walked up to her, "Here, let me get that bag for you."
"Thanks," said Téa walking up to the birthday table.
"Téa, where's Todd?" asked Blair.
The cake was on the table uncut. Starr was playing in the ball pool.
Téa sat down and began taking off Trevor's coat, "He's not here?"
Jessie put the gift with the other gifts on the table.
"Starr doesn't want to start until he gets here," replied Blair, "Ah, have you heard from Del?"
Téa's head jerked up, "No, not since Christmas. Why do you ask?"
Blair tried to play it off, "Oh, well, we were getting along…"
Just then Todd came running in followed by Kelly and Fiona. Todd went up to Téa.
"Sorry I'm late," said Todd.
Starr ran into him and he picked her up, "Daddy, I waited for you."
"Ah, Blair, everyone," said Kelly, "This is the Sun's new award winning photojournalist and my old boarding school buddy, Fiona Braxton."
"Hi," said Blair, "Starr – let's get started, o.k?"
Todd put Starr down and she sat down next to her birthday cake. Todd stood behind Téa and Trevor, his hands on her shoulders and she held Trevor in her lap.
They sang Starr happy birthday and Blair helped Starr cut her cake. Then Starr opened her gifts. After all that was done, Starr, Trevor, and River went to play in the ball pool again.
Todd sat down next to Téa.
"How was your day?" he asked.
She ran her hand through her hair, "Busy."
"Mr. Manning, are you going to introduce me?" asked Fiona standing over him. Todd frowned. He wanted to talk to his wife.
Todd and Téa stood up, "Ah, Fiona, right?" he mumbled. She nodded her head.
"Fiona Braxton, my wife, Téa," he mumbled some more.
Fiona held out her hand. Téa shook it.
"Nice to meet you Miss Braxton," said Téa politely.
"Call me Fiona."
"Call me Téa."
"So, what do you do for a living?"
Téa wasn't quite sure she liked how Fiona worded the question.
"I'm a high priced criminal defense attorney…" said Téa. She felt a tug on her hand.
"Tee – Mommy and Auntie Dorian are fighting again and I lost my necklace in the ball pool. Can you help me find it?" asked Starr.
"Sure. Excuse me," said Téa following her step-daughter.
Todd put his hands in his pockets. What on Earth was bothering Téa?
Kelly walked up to Todd and Fiona…
Todd watched Starr and Téa in the ball pool, half-heartily listening to Kelly.
"Fiona…when can you get today's pics developed?" asked Kelly.
"I'm going to the dark room right after this party," replied Fiona.
"Todd…we can have tomorrow's copy read…Buchanan problems cause dock fire…" started Kelly, "Todd?"
"Whatever." said Todd walking to the ball pool. He observed Starr and Téa throwing balls everywhere. River and Trevor were playing, throwing balls at each other. Téa was muttering to herself. In Spanish. He didn't understand it. He walked up to the ball pool.
"What are you doing?" he asked, "What are you muttering about?"
"Nothing," said Téa.
Starr continued looking for the necklace.
"You've been moody as hell lately," said Todd.
"It's nothing Todd…" replied Téa.
"God Damn it Téa!" said Todd raising his voice, "What in the hell is wrong with you?"
It got uncharactericly quiet.
"I'm pregnant, Todd!" blurted out Téa.
Todd's mouth fell. His eyes opened wide.
"What did you just say?" he muttered.
"I'm pregnant," she said lowering her voice.
"Say it again," requested Todd.
"I'm pregnant," she whispered.
He took her into his arms and kissed her – teasing her lips – smiling –
"When did you find out?" he whispered between kisses.
"Today. I…I wanted to tell you…when we got home…" whispered Téa, her hands on his chest.
"How far along…" he whispered as he kissed her cheeks.
"I'm not sure. Five, Six weeks. I've got an initial consult tomorrow…" she replied.
Todd felt gentle slaps on his leg and looked down – holding her tight. "Mommy awl right?" asked Trevor.
Téa bent down, "I'm fine Trevor. We talked about this…"
"Daddy…are you and Tee going to have another baby?" asked Starr.
"Uh huh," said Todd smiling.
"Can I have a sister this time?" asked Starr.
"We'll see," said Todd.
All of a sudden the restaurant was filled with clapping. Todd and Téa turned red in the face.
Late in the evening…
Téa walked into her bedroom after putting Trevor to sleep. Todd was lying on the bed wearing only his silk blue boxer shorts she had given him for Christmas. He was smiling.
God, he was so handsome…
A candle burned on her nightstand.
She was wearing her silk peach nightie and matching robe. He motioned for her to join him on the bed. She shut off the light and joined him.
He leaned over and delicately placed a hand on her stomach, giving her light, gentle kisses on her neck.
"I take it… you're pretty excited…" said Téa softly feeling comforted by his attention.
"Yeah," he said looking into her eyes, "I'm pretty excited."
The candlelight danced off her face.
There was silence between them.
"I can't feel a thing," he said, his gaze not leaving hers.
"It's too early still," said Téa feeling her body's tension drain away in his presence.
"When's your appointment?" he asked.
"Tomorrow. Eleven," said Téa.
"Pick me up at the office tomorrow. I want to be there. I want to go to every appointment…" he said softly.
"Sure," said Téa smiling, "I want you to be there too."
"Are you scared?" he asked. His tone was serious, but his gaze was full of desire.
"Yeah, Todd, I'm scared…" she replied.
"Is this o.k. with you?" he asked. His voice cracked.
Her face softened and she turned into him, stroking his cheek with her hand – his hand not leaving her abdomen.
"Yeah, it's o.k. with me. I want this too. I'm just scared as hell, that' s all…" she said softly.
"I promise I won't split on you, Téa…" said Todd intensely, "I love you…" "…Like your mother did…"
"…and the little guy on the way…" he finished.
"Or girl," whispered Téa.
"Or girl," replied Todd.
"I love you…" said Téa.
He pulled her into a passionate embrace – touching – feeling – caressing – gently – intimately – erotically…
"You are so exciting…so attractive…" he whispered between kisses. And she responded – reacting to his…attention…wanting to please him…
His boxers and her nightie didn't stay on long.
TO BE CONTINUED
