LONELY IN YOUR NIGHTMARE - PART THREE

PREVIOUSLY

"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

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December 2000 Llanview General

Téa Delgado Manning, Viki Carpenter, and Vincent Reyes stood in Doctor Hart ’s office. Doctor Hart was Trevor’s attending physician.
“Can you give me any information on the donor, Dr. Hart? I would really like to show my appreciation,” said Téa.
“I’m sorry, the donor wanted anonymity if it worked out that he…or she was compatible,” explained Hart.
Téa frowned.
Viki raised an eyebrow.
“So, ah, what now?” questioned Téa.
“We have enough clotting factor manufactured to be administered immediately. Within six to eight hours Trevor’s body will have used up half of what is administered and most of Trevor’s bleeding will be under control. In about twenty-four, the administered dose will be used up and a majority of the swelling will have subsided and Trevor will be out of danger,” explained Doctor Hart. He handed her a consent form, “As soon as you sign this we can administer the treatment.”
Téa took the consent form and signed it without reading it and gave it back to Hart.
“So, within twenty-four hours Trevor will be healthier?” asked Téa.
Doctor Hart nodded his head.
“Now, if you’ll excuse me,” said Doctor Hart
. “Well, if you don’t mind, I’d like to be there,” replied Téa.
Doctor Hart smiled, “Follow me.”
Téa took Viki’s hand and returned the smile. They followed him out of the office.

Téa walked out of Trevor’s room. Doctor Hart had just finished administering the boy’s lifesaving medicine. Téa pulled her cell phone out of her purse and dialed several numbers.
“Hi. Sam. It’s Téa…”
She paused.
“It’s good news. A donor has been found. The doctor’s just administered the clotting factor. It’s going to take twenty-four hours,” her voice was shaking. She paused.
“Thank you for filing that affidavit,” she replied.
“Ah, yes, that was a pro bono case I took on for Carlotta…” explained Téa.
Another pause.
“Thanks Sam. I’ll see you soon,” Téa hung up.
Todd Manning watched his wife from around a corner. She rubbed her arms and allowed herself a brief smile. What would she do if she knew he was there – now – and the donor who saved their son’s life?

Eight Hours later…

Téa and Vincent walked into the lounge in the pediatric ward. She was obviously physically tired and worn down. Téa and Vincent sat down on the couch and Téa rested her head on Vincent’s shoulder.
“I’m bushed Vincent,” muttered Téa, “But Trevor… he looks better, doesn’t he?”
“Yeah, he does,” replied Vincent.
“Who was that, on your cell phone?” asked Téa. Vincent had just recently taken a phone call.
“Ah, Jennifer Tucker,” said Vincent.
“Jennifer Tucker? From law school?” inquired Téa.
“Yeah. We… ah…date on occasion,” replied Vincent.
“If I remember correctly she used to call me the Arctic Frost Queen,” said Téa allowing herself a laugh.
“I never thought that,” said Vincent softly.
“She was tough competition at mock trial,” said Téa.
“Yeah, but we always won,” said Vincent.
“Ah, Yeah. I don’t think she liked me too much,” said Téa.
“You were the best mock trial lawyer the school had,” said Vincent smiling.
“Yeah. Earned me a rep. Ice Princess... Walking Refrigerator Unit…” said Téa.
“Well, wouldn’t Miss Tucker be surprised to see how you thawed out. Married and a mother. She’s still single,” said Vincent.
“When are you going to see her again?” asked Téa.
“I don’t know. I need to be here with you,” said Vincent.
Téa picked up her head, “Vincent, look, I appreciate everything you’ve done but…”
“But what?” asked Vincent.
“We can’t re-capture what we had in law school. I don’t want to go there. I can’t. And I don’t want to lead you on thinking we can,” she said firmly.
“Téa look….” started Vincent.
“If you are seeing her, don’t let me and my problems stop you,” finished Téa.
“I’m helping an old friend,” said Vincent.
“No, you’re helping an old lover. Vincent, I’ll be blunt. My heart belongs to one man. And if I can’t have Todd Manning, I don’t want any other man in my life.” Téa stood up.
“You could have me, Téa. It’s been two years!” said Vincent softly.
“Go back to Jennifer, Vincent…” said Téa.
He got up and stood next to her and without hesitation he stole a quick soft kiss from her lips.
“I wish I didn’t have to compete with a ghost,” said Vincent. He walked out.
Téa brought her hands to her face and covered her cheeks. She’d be lying to herself if she claimed she didn’t feel anything for him.
And as Vincent walked out, he almost hit a man who was standing next to the door with his head hung down.
Todd Manning had heard every word. Her words still rang in his ears….
“My heart belongs to one man. And if I can’t have Todd Manning, I don’t want any other man in my life…”

Sixteen hours later…

Téa felt a hand on her shoulder. Slowly, she lifted her head. She had fallen asleep in the chair beside her son’s bed, holding his hand. It was Doctor Hart and Viki. Trevor was sleeping.
“Téa, you’re wiped out,” said Viki.
Téa feebly smiled, “How’s Trevor?”
The doctor examined the IV’s and then turned his attention to Trevor’s knee. Gently, he touched the sleeping boy’s knee. Téa could see that the swelling had gone down.
“Looks like he’ll be fine. The swelling isn’t all the way down though. I want to keep him here a day or two for observation,” said the doctor, “Also, we’ll have to talk. The donor gave us only a pint of blood. We have only limited supplies for future needs.”
Téa smiled, “I understand. But right now all I can think about is that Trevor’s not in pain…”
“No, but he does need rest. As do you. I recommend you go home for a bit,” said Hart.
Téa lightly squeezed her son’s hand and brushed the bangs off of his forehead. He was an angel to her.
“Téa,” said Viki, “Why don’t you come back to Llanfair with me. You can rest in your old room. You can relax there. Jessie’s there too. We’ll take care of you for a bit.”
“Thanks, Viki,” said Téa, “Will it be all right doctor?”
“Trevor is going to be fine,” said Hart.
Téa smiled and gave her son a light kiss on the cheek, “Te qurero.”

TO BE CONTINUED