LONELY IN YOUR NIGHTMARE - PART TWO

PREVIOUSLY

Todd was the one man that Téa could never get out of her soul. There was no room in Téa’s life for anything or anyone else except her work and her son.

******************************************************************************************************

Early December 2000, Later that evening…

Viki Carpenter was tired as she walked into her home. It was late and all Viki wanted to do was to unwind. She walked into her den and poured herself a stiff drink.
Jessica Buchanan ran down the stairs and into the den. She was clearly bothered. Viki could tell by Jessica's actions. Jessica played with her hands when she was upset.
"Hi Mom," said Jessie.
"Hi Jessie," said Viki taking a sip of her drink.
Viki paused.
"So, how's Trevor?" asked Jessie.
"He's holding his own for now. The doctors were giving him another transfusion when I left. It seemed to have relieved some of the pain," explained Viki sitting down.
"Oh," said Jessica curtly. She sat down on the couch opposite her mother.
"Jessie, is something bothering you?" asked Viki looking at her daughter's hands.
Jessie noticed she was playing with her hands and gave her mother a quick smile, "Ah. No."
"Ooo – Kay," said Viki. Should she push Jessie for more?
There was silence between them for a minute.
"Yes." said Jessie.
"Yes, what?" asked Viki.
"Something is bothering me. But I promised not to talk about it," replied Jessie. She tried to sit on her hands.
"Giving your word in trust is very important. If you made a promise like that…." started Viki.
"Yeah, but it's really bothering me and I kinda wanna to talk about it," said Jessie.
"So why did you give your word not to talk about it?" asked Viki softly.
"It seemed like the right thing to do at the time," replied Jessie.
Viki smiled briefly, "You know, I think everyone at some point in their life has been in a dilemma you have."
"What do you do?" asked Jessie.
"I guess it depends on the circumstances," replied Viki.
Jessie paused, "I guess the circumstances… involve… Trevor's life…"
"Jessie, if it were me, I would put saving a life over a… promise of non-disclosure, but I've not you. If you want to tell me, I assure you I will keep whatever you tell me in confidence – unless it directly applies to saving Trevor's life," said Viki firmly.
Jessie paused.
"I received a phone call tonight…" started Jessie.
"And this person… has something to do with saving Trevor's life…" added Viki.
Jessie nodded his head, "He could. Mom – the caller was Uncle Todd."
"Todd?? How did…? He's been missing for two years…." muttered Viki.
"Mom, he sounded surprised to hear Téa was alive… and in shock to find out he had a son," explained Jessie.
Viki took a sip of her drink, "Well, that explains a lot. If Todd thought Téa was dead… Did he say anything else?"
"No. I don't know where he was calling from," added Jessie.
"Téa has enough to worry about, for now. Let's keep this between ourselves," Viki paused, "We'll have to trust that Todd does the right thing – whatever that is."
Jessie nodded her head and frowned.

*************************************************************************************************************************

Early the next morning…

Todd Manning's private jet landed at the Llanview after a long overnight overseas flight. He ignored the jet lag, rented a car and drove directly to the Llanview hospital. He was overwhelmed with thoughts… of his family…
He walked into the hospital. No one noticed him. And he wanted it that way. As he made his way toward pediatrics he kept his eyes out for supply closets. The first one he checked had only medical supplies in it. The second one he hit paydirt. He put on a surgical outfit complete with a cap and mouthshield. After putting the medical garb on, he went to the pediatric ward. There he found the ICU unit and his son's room. The halls were empty, and nurse's station, just a few feet away around the corner only had one nurse on duty.
He took a deep breath and peered into the room through the window. The blinds were opened.
He let out a sigh. The boy was alone in the room. He was awake, squirming. His right knee, swollen. The boy was small. Petite. Todd smiled gently. The boy… Trevor? Trevor had his wife's thick brown hair. Trevor also had Téa's nose and check bones… but his eyes… Todd took a breath… Trevor had his eyes.
Todd clinched and unclenched his fists. He'd missed out again… missed his son's birth… Téa's presence in his life. A tear escaped from his eye.
"Oh Téa. Oh… Trevor," he muttered outloud, "I need you… both."
He heard footsteps coming from the hallway. Quickly he moved away from the window and out of sight of the hallway. He took a quick peek around the corner – Téa! And a man he didn't recognize. He struggled to overhear them.
"…Sam's going to file that affidavit for me – for which I am eternally grateful. I just hate to be neglecting my work…" said Téa. She was wearing a pair of dark blue casual slacks and a match top.
"Téa, we all understand. You need to be here right now," replied Vincent. She smiled briefly and stopped outside of Trevor's room.
"Yes. I need to be here. But you have a job. One you are neglecting to be here with me. I'm only an old friend from law school, Vincent," said Téa.
"The firm won't miss me. And you maybe an old friend from law school, but I think you know…" started Vincent.
Téa held up her finger to her mouth in a gesture to quiet him.
"Vincent, that was a long time ago. I'm not worth losing your job over," she said softly.
Vincent frowned, "I won't be losing my job anytime soon."
"Blair will be calling later on this morning to tell me about Starr," said Téa, "Until then, I'm just going to hold his hand."
She opened the door.
"I'll keep you company," said Vincent.
They walked inside the door.

Todd frowned. He did not like seeing her with that man… what did she call him? Vincent? But it had been two years…. so what? Remember – Remember how much she loves you… "Todd, take this ring as a sign of my love…and fidelity…"
She doesn't love him, thought Todd. And Trevor. It was obvious that Trevor was her priority.
Oh Téa…
He'd been so lonely… He couldn't focus and found himself lost in his thoughts…

It was their last night together. He held her in arms as they lay in bed. She stroked his chin, smiling, his necklace he'd given her dangling from her petite neck. It was so very attractive on her.
"Todd, Valentine's day is coming up," she teased.
"Valentine's Day," said Todd smiling, "I never had a Valentine before…"
She laughed and tenderly kissed his cheek, "I never had a Valentine either. What should we do about it?"
He took her in his arms and turned her over onto her back so he was on top of her.
"I have an idea or two. What to hear them… Delgado?" He was only inches away from her lips.
"I'm game… Manning," she replied.
His lips found hers…
Todd snapped himself out of his memory. He had to find the doctor. He wanted himself tested. It was the right thing to do. Then he had to find out how Téa felt… if she wanted HIM back in her life.

Early Afternoon, the same day

Téa was alone in the lounge, relaxing for a bit. Viki and Vincent walked in.
"Hungry?" asked Vincent, "It's past lunchtime."
"No, not really," replied Téa.
Téa's cell phone rang. She reached for her purse and quickly pulled out her phone.
"Hello…Blair…"
Téa paused. Viki and Vincent held their breaths.
"No, I see…" Téa's face fell.
"Sure, no, I don't mind…" Téa continued. "Sure, all right. Thanks," Téa hung up.
"Well?" asked Vincent.
"Starr's not a match. But Blair and Starr are coming up anyway," said Téa.
She stood up, "Ah, I need to think…"
Viki took Téa's hand, "Something is going to work out. Just you wait and see."
"Ah, I'm going to the chapel. I need to pray. Give me a few minutes alone all right," said Téa barely maintaining her composure.
"Sure," said Vincent.
Téa left.
Viki let out a breath, "There might be another chance…"
"Do you know something?" asked Vincent.
Viki bit her lip.
"You do know something? What?" asked Vincent.
"No, I don't know a thing," said Viki.
Doctor Hart walked in, "I have news…"

The hospital chapel was small but somehow it seemed to provide a bit of comfort for Téa Manning. She went to the front pew and knelt down making the sign of the cross. She did not notice the chapel door open again – nor did she notice the person who remained in the shadows in the back. For a few minutes, the silence was deafening.
"…Lord, please… my son… he's just a small boy… I can't lose him too… not so soon after losing Todd…"
Todd took a breath. She was alive – breathing – a vision… he thought he'd never see again…
"Trevor… is all I have left of Todd… please, I'm asking you, don't take him too. Save my son's life…"
Her voice was music to his ears. All he had to do was step out of the shadows…
The door to the chapel opened. Téa heard it and turned around.
Todd hugged the dark corner, hoping he wouldn't be seen.
"Téa," started Vincent. He approached her quickly.
She stood up, "Vincent, what is it? Is something wrong?"
"It's good news, Téa. A donor has been found," said Vincent.
"A donor? Who?" muttered Téa.
"The doctor said the donor wanted to remain anonymous," explained Vincent.
Todd swallowed. He was the donor! Quickly, while Téa…and Vincent looked in the opposite direction, he slid out of the chapel to find the doctor.
Soon his son would be well… and Téa…alive… Soon, he would hold her in his arms

TO BE CONTINUED