STOLEN CHANCES - PART ONE

The sun peeked into the penthouse, welcoming the inhabitants to a bright new day. But as usual, Todd Manning had been rambling around for hours before the sun's arrival. Sleep was a difficult task for him to accomplish most nights. He generally filled the hours leading to daybreak with minutes of tedious work that could most likely wait for the next work day. But today was different. Today was the beginning of his first full weekend visit with Starr since Blair had won custody. He was too excited to sleep, so he fumbled with putting together a new dollhouse for Starr.
"What are you doing up at this hour, Todd?". Todd is startled by the sudden appearance of his wife at the top of the stairs. He looked up at her and smiled. Last year this time, he thought things were over between them. But looking at them now, you'd never know it. They weren't glad for their past troubles, but in the end they were a stronger couple because of those problems.
He watches as she slowly descends the stairs, taking care not to fall. With each step, her gown clings to her body, revealing a slight protrusion from her abdomen. The pregnant Mrs. Manning was just barely out of her first trimester, but was beginning to show already.
"Sorry, Tea. I didn't mean to wake you. I tried to be quiet. I guess building a dollhouse is harder than it looks."
"I'm sure you'll get it . . . one day," she says, looking skeptically at the piles of indistinguishable screws and dollhouse parts surrounding Todd on the floor.
"Are you teasing me?", he asks as he playfully pulls her to the floor with him, covering her mouth with kisses before she can answer.
"Todd, we can't do this now," she murmurs between intense kisses. "This place is a mess and Blair will be here with Starr any minute."
Todd agrees, but reluctantly releases Tea from his embrace. She goes to get dressed while Todd puts the dollhouse away.
Todd is busy reading the paper when Tea reappears, dressed and ready for Starr's visit. She gets some orange juice and joins him. But Todd can no longer concentrate on the newspaper. Tea is too distracting. She has his full attention every time she's in his presence. He's staring longingly at his wife, memorizing every aspect of her beautiful face when he notices a shocked look come across her face.
"What's up? Bad news?", he asks.
"Yeah. Probably one of the most noteworthy judges in Chicago is deathly ill. They don't think he's going to make it. It's a shame. I remember reading a lot about him in law school. I couldn't help but be impressed by him. He achieved such greatness despite the racial and social barriers blocking him. He was definitely an inspiration to me. The NAACP is seeking donations to honor him with a memorial. Maybe I can finally put some of those millions to good use."
"Sorry your mentor is about to kick the bucket, Delgado, but you know how I feel about those judges and lawyer types. I haven't met one I liked yet . . . except for you of course," he adds quickly with a little smirk as she throws a playful scowl his way. "I say the less judges the better."
"You're lucky I love you, you big insensitive jerk. Judge Lincoln Westlake is admired and respected by . . . " But Todd doesn't hear the rest of what Tea says. The mention of that man's name suddenly sends a chill to Todd's very soul. Lincoln Westlake is a name he thought he'd never hear again. His wife's mentor has turned out to be the man partly responsible for making Todd Manning the man that he is today.
"Todd? Todd? Are you listening to me?", Tea annoyingly asks. "What's the matter with you? You look like you've just seen a ghost."
"Nothing's wrong. I just don't like the guy. You know I had a few run ins with the law when I was in Chicago. He worked the juvenile courts back then. He didn't make things very easy for me," Todd answers, trying to avoid Tea's probing eyes.
"Are you sure that's it? You look like there's something personal between you and Judge Westlake."
"I...I...", Todd stammers, but is interrupted by the doorbell. Tea gets up to answer it and is greeted with a very enthusiastic hug from Starr. She quickly forgets what has just transpired as the little girl plants tiny kisses all over her stepmother's face and gently pats Tea's belly to say hello to her future brother or sister. Todd, however, doesn't forget. He can't forget, but he manages to push it out of his mind for the time being while he enjoys the weekend with his daughter.

TO BE CONTINUED