STOLEN CHANCES - PART SIXTEEN

PREVIOUSLY

"Tea! Are you alright? Why are you crying?"

"I can't help it. This is just so sweet. I love a happy ending," she says, still crying.

"She does this all the time now," he says with a laugh as he walks over to her. "They say it's just hormones. Stop all that now, Delgado," he says as he puts his arm around her shoulder. "We have a party to get to."

"That's right," adds Ryan. "And we have a lot to celebrate," he says as they all walk out the door. Ryan is the last out and he closes the door. The same door he entered with thousands of unanswered questions and the same one he's leaving through with the answers to those questions - and a brand new father.

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

" . . . . So, I want everyone to join me in welcoming the new head of Llanview University's African Studies Department - Miss Michelle Westlake," Viki says in conclusion to her speech. It was a lovely party. Most of Llanview's elite and most influential were there to see Michelle. Her father was so well known that the reputation of the Westlake name preceded her. Imagine their surprise to see her walk into the party on the arm of Todd Manning.

Nevertheless, the smart and beautiful woman impressed them all and established a repuation of her own that night. She moved through the crowd with the poise and ease of one born into that society. Todd watched her in awe and marvelled at the way she captured the attention of every person in the room. He also took pride in the way his son stayed by his mother's side and played the perfect gentleman, never once letting down his guard and acting like the 10 year old little boy that he was. Michelle looks around and spots Todd standing with Tea and Viki. She excuses herself from the conversation and makes her way over to them.

"That is one sophisticated little boy you have there, Michelle," Viki remarks. "He's so handsome and so well behaved."

"Thanks a lot, Viki. I did the best I could. And in case I haven't said this already, thanks so much for this party. You've helped make me feel so welcome to Llanview."

"You're so welcome. I'm just glad to see that you stuck around. That first meeting with you at the Palace when I introduced you to my brother, I was afraid he was going to run you out of town. He can have that effect on people sometimes," Viki says, nudging Todd playfully with her elbow. "I'm glad to see that you two worked out whatever it was that was going on."

"You see, Michelle, this is my sister's subtle way of trying to find out the lowdown on what went on between us," Todd says jokingly.

"Todd! You're making me sound so nosy. I was just concerned for you, dear brother. You told me that the two of you were old friends, but I got the feeling that it was a lot more complicated than that, if you don't mind my saying."

"I don't mind at all," Michelle replies. "There was a lot we had to settle. Todd, Tea, and I. But we worked it all out and its okay to talk about now. Todd was a bit surprised to see me here in Llanview. We hadn't seen each other in years. We both blamed each other for stuff that . . . ."

"Hey Dad, look! There's Starr," Ryan exclaims. "Can I go over to see her?" he begs, looking up at Todd. Todd looks over at Viki and notices her ashen face. She's totally surprised to hear Ryan call him 'Dad'. He had to find a way to explain to her.

"How about we go," Tea offers, seeing the sudden tension mounting between Todd and Viki. "I think your mom and dad have to talk to Viki. You know, they forgot to tell her the good news that she has another nephew."

"Yes . . . I am a bit . . . surprised. But pleased. Why don't you come give your old Aunt Viki a hug before you go see Starr," Viki says, holding her arms out for the little boy. He looks up to his mom first, but then slowly walks over to Viki when Michelle nods, as if to say that it was alright.

Ryan and Tea walk away, leaving the others in silent shame.

"Look, Viki. I'm sorry I kept this from you, but . . ." Todd starts.

"Viki, we couldn't risk Ryan finding out before we thought he was ready to . . .", Michelle tries to finish.

"It's okay, you two," Viki says interrupting them. "I understand why you had to do what you did. I was just shocked. That's all."

"Well, you're not the only one," Todd says. "I was pretty surprised myself. And Tea. Tea didn't talk to me for weeks when she found out. She didn't know how to deal with any of it."

"I'm surprised at that. Michelle, you and Tea seem to get along well," Viki says.

"We do get along, Viki. She's become one of the best friends I've had in awhile. We all just had to work things out between us and come to an understanding. And it's been good for Ryan. He loves Todd, Tea and Starr. And I can tell that they love him. Now, Blair - I'm not so sure about. My first meeting with her wasn't so good."

"What is Blair doing here anyway? It didn't seem like she'd be doing any well wishing towards Michelle any time soon. Did you invite her, Viki?" Todd asks, curiously.

"No. Actually I didn't. But, she brought Starr with her. So at least you'll be able to see your daughter out of this. Hopefully she won't make any trouble," Viki says as she walks away from Todd and Michelle. Michelle looks over to where Blair is standing when she notices Blair's date for the evening and starts to panic. Blair might not be there to start trouble, but that man with her doesn't know anything but trouble. Wherever Roscoe Wallace is, you can guarantee turmoil and mayhem will follow.

"Todd, I think I'm ready to leave. Is it alright if Ryan stays the night with you?" she asks him quickly, trying to make a hasty retreat.

"Sure, but are you okay? It looks like something has spooked you. You're running out of here like . . ."

"I'm not running from anything! I'm just ready to leave," she snaps. Then she looks at Todd and sees that he isn't going to let her go anywhere until he gets some kind of explanation. "Listen, I don't really want to talk about it now. Somebody's here that I don't feel like dealing with. So, I'm going to leave. Give Ryan a kiss good night for me," she says as she rushes past him out the door.

"Was that Michelle running out?" Tea says, coming up behind Todd.

"Yeah. She had to go. Where's Ryan?"

"I took him and Starr up to one of the guest bedrooms. They were both pretty tired."

"That's good. We should all just stay here tonight, then. Michelle asked us to watch Ryan tonight. That's alright, isn't it?"

"Of course it's alright, Todd. I would never deny you time with your son." Tea looks at Todd and sees that he isn't even paying attention to what she's saying. "Todd, are you listening to me?"

"I'm sorry, Tea. I'm still here. I'm just a little worried about Michelle. She ran out of here so quickly. Someone here scared her."

"Well, why don't you go check on her. I'll probably just go up with the kids anyway. I'm getting kind of tired."

"Okay," he says, leaning over to kiss her. "Take care of yourself. I'll be back soon."

"Don't be too long," she says as she holds him extra tight. "I love you."

"I love you too, Delgado," he says on his way out the door.

TO BE CONTINUED