LONELY IN YOUR NIGHTMARE - PART SEVEN

PREVIOUSLY

"I'm no dream Téa. I'm here. Now. In front of you." said Todd.
She kissed him playfully on his neck, "Let's finish this shower – and then go see our son…"
He smiled.
"…our son…" he whispered. It sounded so good to him.
The water continued to flow between them…

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Early December 2000

Todd and Téa finished getting ready. Téa put on a pair of rust colored pants and a matching bulky sweater. Todd wore the previous day's clothes. The first thing they did was drop off Todd's rental car, then they went to the hospital in Téa's car. They agreed that the first thing they wanted to do was to meet with the doctor so they took a roundabout way to the pediatric's ward, before any reunions.
Téa and Todd walked into the doctor's office and the receptionist greeted Téa.
"Mrs. Manning, Doctor Hart was expecting to see you in here a bit earlier," she said. The receptionist glanced at Todd and raised an eyebrow. The man looked familiar.
"I was unavoidably detained," said Téa, "Ah, this is… Trevor's father…"
Todd smiled at the introduction.
"Trevor's father…"
"I see. I'll let Doctor Hart know you're here," said the receptionist picking up a phone.
Todd turned to Téa and taking her hands in his, said half seriously with a lighthearted tone, "You didn't divorce me on grounds of abandonment again – did you?"
Téa knew him well enough to know he was asking a serious question.
"No. I didn't have the heart to seek out a divorce…" she replied softly.
"We're still married then?" he asked, moving closer to her.
"We have a lot to talk about – but – yes – we're still married," said Téa softly.
"Good," he said stealing a kiss. It lingered.
"The doctor will see you now," said the receptionist. Todd followed Téa into the office.
Doctor Hart got up from behind his desk and shook Téa's hand with a pleasant grin on his face.
"Téa. How are you? I see you've met the anonymous donor," said Hart.
"Ah, yeah. Doctor Hart, this is Trevor's father and my husband, Todd Manning," said Téa making the introduction.
Hart picked up a chart and briefly looked at it, "My records say his name is Rodney Lord…"
Todd grinned a wicked evil grin.
Téa looked at him and made a face, "Rodney Lord?"
"I always liked that name…" muttered Todd grinning.
"Well, it's nice to meet you," said Hart shaking Todd's hand and motioning for them to sit down, "That elevates one worry I had…"
"…about the limited clotting factor?" asked Téa.
"Yes. That's the good news. However you do realize that everytime Trevor is injured the clotting factor will have to be administered…" started Hart. "….I understand," said Téa. She turned to Todd.
"Well, on the plane ride over here I read some stuff about…about what Trevor has. Basically, his blood is missing that thing which allows a clot to form to stop the bleeding. He'll have this for the rest of his life…" said Todd.
"Yes, but that's not to say your son can't live a productive life. The clotting factor, once administered will assist him in stopping the bleeding. However, he should refrain from activities that would put him at risk for injuries. Also, since he's still a little boy, I would ask you to come in so we can administer a dose if he needs it. As he grows older and understands what's going on, then you can all be trained to administer the dose to him without having to come in. You do know what to look for if you suspect he's having a bleeding episode?" asked Hart.
"I do," replied Téa, "And I'll tell Todd as well…"
Hart paused before speaking, "Ah, I don't know how touchy a subject this is for you… but I assume… since…Todd is back in your life… you will enjoy the benefits of married life again…sex… and possibility entertain the thought of having more children…"
"What kind of question is that?" asked Todd, "Is our sex life really any of your business?"
"Todd, it's a legitimate question," said Téa speaking up. Todd turned to face her.
"Téa!" he exclaimed.
"Doctor Hart, can you excuse us? Todd and I need to talk – alone," requested Téa.
"Sure," said Doctor Hart. He got up and left them in his office.
"Téa, I'm confused here…" started Todd facing her.
She took his hands in hers. Her eyes found his and saw his confusion.
"Todd, listen to me, please…" she started.
"I'm not going anywhere," he replied.
"My mother was obviously a carrier for hemophilia. Thankfully, my brother, José, was not effected – but I was. I carry the gene Todd – which gave Trevor…this disadvantage. Look – my pregnancy with Trevor – it wasn't easy – it was pretty scary. I delivered early. I was scared I was going to lose him then. When I finally took him home, Todd – I was happy – for four weeks! Then I began to notice these bruises on him – and I knew I had done nothing to cause them. I brought Trevor in and upon extensive testing we discovered his condition. Testing my genes only confirmed it. Doctor Hart said it was a fifty-fifty chance that Trevor would get it, and Trevor, well, he was on the wrong end of that fifty- percent. And Todd, I've been scared of losing Trevor ever since. And this last bout – with his knee so swollen – it was the scariest episode that Trevor's ever had. Todd, I've had to deal with a tremendous amount of guilt and it wasn't easy. I don't think I could bear knowing that I've hurt another child…again… I don't think I can deal with having another child…" explained Téa. Tears were falling from her eyes.
There was silence between them. Todd could see the pain in her eyes.
Could he find the words that would ease her pain?
"Oh God," muttered Téa, "Todd… we've had unprotected sex…"
Todd took one of his hands and cupped her cheek inside the palm, wiping away tears with his thumb.
"O.k. Téa, I hear you. It's your turn o.k. – listen to me, please…" he said gently.
She nodded her head – her eyes finding his.
"Hey, I understand it when you say those things about…the guilt…bearing the guilt… but you said yourself – it's a fifty-fifty chance. You know, your brother got lucky. You didn't. So what? Trevor can still have a good life. We can still teach him how to tie his shoes – this just means he isn' t going to grow up quarterbacking the local football team. Téa... I want to have more children with you. We all ready know we'll make good parents. If it's a fifty-fifty chance let's take that chance, o.k? I am NEVER going to leave you again. We've been through so much – that summer in the shed – my DID – a two year separation because I thought you were dead. Together, we can deal with anything. Anything Téa! We can handle Trevor's disadvantage…! Is it scary? Yeah – you bet. Having kids is just scary but seeing him – doesn't it just…make you happy – just to look at him? Knowing you did something right? Téa, I'm here now – you can count on me – Let me help you deal with it…. I really want to have more children with you…" Todd pleaded.
She leaned into him and stole a kiss from his lips.
"You mean that Todd? You're never going to leave…" she said.
"Yeah, I mean it," replied Todd, "Take that chance with me…"
She nodded her head, "All right…"
He took her into his arms and held her tight.
Doctor Hart came back in and they signed Trevor's release papers. Now it was time to find Viki and Sam.

The nurse walked into Trevor's room. Viki and Vincent were all ready in there.
Trevor smiled briefly thinking the nurse was his mommy but his expression fell when he realized it wasn't.
"Mommy?" Trevor questioned looking at Viki. Viki held his hand.
"Good news little one," said the nurse making a silly face at Trevor and then turning to Viki, "Mrs. Manning's just signed the release papers and will be here shortly."
"That's great," said Vincent.
"TODD?" came Sam's voice from the hallway.
Vincent and Viki went to the doorway while the nurse prepared Trevor.
Sam was standing face to face with Todd, and Téa was by his side.
"How? Why?" asked Sam clearly shocked by Todd's presence.
"In a nutshell? I thought Téa was dead," said Todd.
"And you – you're o.k. with this?" asked Sam addressing Téa.
Téa nodded her head.
"Todd Manning?" muttered Vincent.
"I need more than a nutshell pal," said Sam.
"Yeah – but it's not the right time," said Todd, "I'll tell you everything – but right now I just want to see my kid."
Upon hearing that, Vincent snapped. He pushed Sam aside and got in Todd's face grabbing the lapels of Todd's winter coat, "Just who in the hell do you think you are?" exclaimed Vincent.
"Vincent!" yelled Téa trying to pull Vincent off of Todd but Todd shoved Vincent off of him pushing him into Sam.
"And just who in the hell are you? Don't pull this shit in front of my kid! Who is this clown Téa?" exclaimed Todd, his temper rising.
Sam held Vincent back, "C'Mon, we're going outside – you obviously need to cool down," said Sam walking Vincent outside.
"That's ah, Vincent… Vincent Reyes. He's an old friend from law school," explained Téa.
Todd looked at her and raised an eyebrow. She knew what that meant.
"Todd, there is nothing going on between us. Last night and this morning will confirm that," stated Téa.
Todd turned to Viki.
"Téa's speaking the truth Todd," confirmed Viki.
Todd needed to cool down. He took several deep breaths and looked at Téa.
"Your eyes…don't lie…"
"She loves YOU, remember that…"
"Yeah. I knew that. I'm sorry. I just want to see my kid… with my wife…" said Todd.
Téa took his hand, "Todd…take a few more minutes… You don't want to startle Trevor."
Jessie came walking up towards Viki, Téa, and Todd at a brisk pace, "I saw Sam and…"
Viki held up her hand in a gesture that meant, Don't-Go-There-Right-Now, and Jessie recovered, "I see you did the right thing Uncle Todd."
"Yeah, Jessie. I did the right thing," said Todd as he felt his temper subside.
"Well, we should have an informal family gathering," suggested Jessie, "This way everyone can see Trevor's going to be all right and that you're back."
"Sounds like a good idea," said Viki.
"Yeah, o.k., just let me…just let us… know when," said Todd, "I'm ready."
Todd took Téa's hand. He smiled at her and she returned it. Then they walked into their son's room.

Trevor was dressed and sitting up on the bed. He was making faces with the nurse.
"Mommy!" yelled Trevor upon seeing Téa. He held out his hands for hers.
She briskly walked over to Trevor and picked him up, giving him a big hug and tons of light kisses on his face. He laughed.
"I love you, T.D.," said Téa.
"Love You, Mommy," said Trevor between his laughter.
Todd swallowed a lump in his throat.
"Trevor, there's someone I want you to meet," said Téa taking his hand grabbing his attention. She turned them so they were facing Todd.
Todd smiled.
"Trevor, this is your Daddy. He's going to come to live with us," said Téa softly, "Can you say, Daddy?"
Trevor got bashful and covered his face with his hands, giggling.
"C'Mon Trevor – say Hi to your Daddy…" prodded Téa.
Trevor moved his hands away, "Hi Daddy."
"Hi," said Todd grinning.
"He's being shy Todd," said Téa softly, "Trevor, can you hold out your hand – give Daddy the 'Hi' handshake?"
Trevor smiled at Téa and slowly held out his hand. Todd took Trevor's little hand in his and shook it.
"Hi Daddy," said Trevor again.
"Can I hold him, Téa?" asked Todd.
"He might fuss. He usually does with new people he meets," explained Téa. Todd held out his arms and Trevor nodded his head, 'no.'
"Daddy won't hurt you Trevor," said Téa gently. Slowly, she handed Trevor over to Todd.
Trevor was quiet with an expression of awe on his face.
"Why did you call him T.D?" asked Todd grinning at the boy.
"It's his nickname. Trevor Delgado – T.D." explained Téa.
"T.D. Me," said Trevor pointing to himself.
"You know, he looks an awful lot like you Téa," said Todd softly.
Trevor put his hands to his face covering his eyes again.
"There he goes being shy again," said Todd.
"Yeah, but he has your eyes," said Téa.
Todd smiled at his wife and his son. And he couldn't believe how his life had changed over the course of the week.
"C'Mon, let's go home," suggested Todd. Téa smiled at him.
Viki and Jessie watched as Todd, Téa, and Trevor left the hospital together.

TO BE CONTINUED

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