LONELY IN YOUR NIGHTMARE - PART EIGHT

PREVIOUSLY

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.

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December 2000

The mall wasn't that crowded, however it was decorated in Christmas holly, garland, and poinsettias. In the middle of the mall was a great big Christmas tree and a Santa Claus was accepting Christmas lists from little boys and girls. Instrumental Christmas carols filled the air. And Todd… couldn't believe he was walking through a mall with his son in his arms and his wife… holding his other hand. He never thought this was possible… for him.
"Todd, did you get enough clothes when we were at the store?" asked Téa as they stopped to overlook the Christmas tree and Santa from the second floor.
"Yeah. I'm not picky. As long as they're black," said Todd. They made arrangements to have the clothes delivered to their…house.
Trevor pointed to the Christmas scene below.
"Santa."
"You want to check out Santa, T.D?" asked Téa.
"T.D. go see Santa," said Trevor laughing.
"Ah, well… whatever. Let's go to see Santa," said Todd.
Trevor giggled.
For once,Deck The Halls didn't seem to bother Todd.

That Evening…

Viki opened the door and was greeted by Todd, Téa, and Trevor. Téa was holding Trevor who was all bundled up in a winter jacket and scarf.
"Hello, Todd," said Viki smiling as they quickly embraced.
Starr came rambling towards Todd at full speed from Viki's den and ran right into his leg.
"Daddy!" exclaimed Starr. Todd picked her up.
"It's good to see you Shorty," said Todd smiling at the little girl.
"Hello Todd," came Blair's voice from a distance.
"Blair," said Todd.
Téa had put Trevor down and has taken off his winter clothing. Todd squatted with Starr in his arms so they were facing Téa and Trevor. Blair walked over next to him.
"Got somebody I want you to meet," said Todd addressing Starr, "This your brother, Trevor."
"Hi Trevor," said Starr smiling at the body. Starr jumped out of Todd's arms and faced Trevor.
"Trevor, say hi to Starr," prodded Téa.
Trevor giggled and held out his hand, "Starr."
Starr shook the boy's hand. Blair squatted down next to Starr.
"And that's Starr's mommy, Blair. Say hi," said Téa.
Trevor put his hands to his face and covered his eyes giggling.
"He's being…" started Téa.
"…bashful," finished Todd.
Trevor removed his hands, "Bear." He said giggling.
Blair raised an eyebrow.
"I'll take Starr and Trevor into the playroom," said Viki.
"O.k, whatever," said Todd. Todd and Téa stood up.
Viki picked up Trevor and Starr followed her.
"Well, Téa," said Blair, "You're looking good for a dead person."
Téa raised an eyebrow.
"I thought you were dead…"
It was Blair who told Todd about Trevor. Blair had known where Todd… had gone…
"Yeah," said Téa after a brief pause, "I'm ah, ah, pretty healthy."
Jessie came down the stairs, "Hi everyone."
"Hey Jessie," said Todd. They followed Jessie into the den. Todd poured himself a drink.
Viki walked in, "Starr's having a tea party with Trevor."
The door slammed. Téa looked up. Joey Buchanan walked in with Roseanne Delgado on his arm. Joey helped Roseanne take off her coat.
Téa and Roseanne exchanged a quick hug.
"You look happy. How's Trevor?" asked Roseanne.
"Better now that Todd's here. He was the donor you know," said Téa softly.
Todd walked up behind Téa.
"Yeah, I know," said Roseanne.
"How's it going Junior?" asked Todd.
"Let me guess. You thought my aunt was dead and stayed away for two years," said Roseanne crossing her arms – her voice hinting at sarcasm.
"Yeah, that about sums it up," said Todd.
"Ro, want a drink?" asked Joey pouring himself a drink after putting their coats away.
"Sure," replied Roseanne.
The doorbell rang. Jessie went to answer it. After a brief pause, Del and Carlotta walked in.
Téa face lit up as she exchanged hugs with her brother.
"Del!"
"Téa! Good to see you. Roseanne called to tell me what happened," said Del.
Todd walked over to Téa and held out his hand towards Del.
Del frowned and briefly shook Todd's hand and rolled his eyes.
"Well, what an unexpected surprise. The wind blew Todd Manning back into town," said Del sarcastically.
"Del!" exclaimed Téa, "Be nice."
Del smiled and leaned close to Téa's ear, "What I should do is kick his ass for his appalling behavior but he did save my nephew's life so I'll refrain for now."
Téa made another face at Del.
"I heard that," said Todd. He placed his hands on Téa's shoulders so as to send a message to Del. She forgives me… she's mine… regardless…
"Téa!"
"Carlotta!"
Del went to get a drink.
Téa and Carlotta exchanged hugs and smiled, "It's good to hear Trevor is better," said Carlotta, "Where is he?"
"In the playroom with Starr," said Téa.
"Todd," said Carlotta dryly.
"Carlotta," said Todd.
In walked Sam and Vincent. They walked up to Todd and Téa. Todd frowned.
"Vincent has something he wants to say," said Sam.
"I'll go get a drink," said Carlotta leaving the four of them together.
Vincent looked down at the ground and then up towards Téa, "My behavior was atrocious. I'm sorry."
"Yeah – well…" started Todd.
"Vincent – look I understand but don't let it happen again, all right," finished Téa.
"Sure," said Vincent. He walked off.
Sam stayed to talk to Todd and Téa.
Téa stood in the doorway of the playroom watching Starr and Trevor play.
Starr was good to Trevor and couldn't get him to stop from giggling at her.
She thought it was going well considering most everyone in the den was mad at Todd. She felt a set of hands on her arms.
"Turn around."
She bit her lip.
"Don't tease me Delgado."
She turned around.
His lips found hers – his arms dropped to her waist and pulled her into the kiss.
They parted.
"I can't wait to get you alone tonight…"
They heard giggling and turned around.
Starr and Trevor had been watching.
Starr was laughing.
Trevor frowned.
Vincent Reyes stormed through the den with little notice and walked onto Viki's terrace through the terrace doors.
Blair Cramer took her drink and followed. It was cold. Vincent appeared to disregard the cold.
"Hi. I'm Blair. Blair Cramer."
Vincent turned to face her, "Vincent Reyes."
"Friend of Téa's?" asked Blair shivering. Vincent didn't notice.
"…from law school. And you? You're Manning's first wife – right?" questioned Vincent.
"That would be me. Todd makes you mad, doesn't he?" asked Blair. She sipped her drink.
"He infuriates me," said Vincent.
"That's a pretty strong word," said Blair.
"It's accurate," said Vincent.
Blair raised an eyebrow, "Did you get close to Téa? While Todd was…not here?"
"I thought I did," replied Vincent. He paused, "We were close in law school and I thought… we could be close again…"
"Close? Really?" questioned Blair, "Lovers?" she boldly asked.
Vincent made a face, "What do you care?"
"Just trying to be friendly," said Blair, "You know it's cold. Let's go back inside. I need a refill on my drink." She held up an empty glass.
Vincent put his hand in the small of her back and escorted her inside.
Viki approached Blair and Vincent at the bar.
"Blair, did you come to a decision about what we talked about previously?" asked Viki.
Vincent raised an eyebrow in curiosity.
"Well, yes Viki – I'd love to stay with you here in Llanfair for a day or two. No longer than. Addie… you know…" said Blair.
"That's great, Blair. I know Todd will enjoy the opportunity to spend time with Starr," replied Viki.
"Yeah, he will. I'm going to check on Starr," said Blair smiling at Viki.
Vincent followed her. He wanted to get to know her better.
Téa approached Del and Roseanne who were gabbing by the bar.
"Hey guys," said Téa.
"Where's Mr. Hands?" asked Del.
"Del," said Téa frowning.
"Good news Aunt Téa," said Roseanne, "Uncle Del is going to stay around until after Christmas."
"That's great," said Téa, "Why? Are you worried for me now that Todd is back in town?"
Del looked at Roseanne. Téa had her answer.
Blair peered her head in the playroom.
Trevor was giggling.
"You laugh a lot," said Starr.
"Starr," he said pointing at her.
She gave him an empty cup. He sipped out of it.
"They seemed to play well despite their age differences," said Blair.
"Trevor looks very much like Téa, doesn't he?" asked Vincent looking on.
Blair looked at him, "You're an interesting man, Mr. Reyes."
"And you are an interesting woman," said Vincent.
"Starr," said Blair, "It's getting late. Bedtime."
Starr and Trevor turned around. Starr ran up to her mommy.
Vincent smiled at Trevor and left. Blair watched him leave. They exchanged no words.
"Bear," said Trevor toddling up to her.
"T.D., time for us to go too," said Téa walking up behind Blair holding his jacket. Todd stood behind her.
Trevor went up to Téa and she bundled him up.
"Nite Daddy," said Starr as Blair walked upstairs leaving Todd, Téa, and Trevor alone.
"Nite Starr," said Todd.
"Well, that wasn't so bad, was it?" asked Todd, "Everyone is p…ah, mad, at me,"
"Todd, we need to talk. About Berlin…" started Téa.
His face fell, "You're not mad at me too? Téa… I thought you were…"
"….dead? I know. And this isn't a dream. It's real, but…"
"But what?" asked Todd.
"Look, I'm not mad at you. I'm pretty damn happy you came back into my life… and Trevor's… but we have to figure out what's going to happen now," said Téa holding Trevor, all bundled up, in her arms.
Todd looked relieved, "That shouldn't be a problem…"
He leaned over and kissed her. She responded. Todd felt a smack on his cheek.
Trevor was frowning, "Mommy! Awl Right?"
"Mommy's fine, T.D.," said Téa trying not to laugh.
"Guess he's just not used to Mommy kissing Daddy is he?" asked Todd frowning.
"Guess not," said Téa smiling.
Todd returned the smile.
Trevor clearly looked confused.
They left.

TO BE CONTINUED

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