Stolen Chances

Part II

 

By:  Nicky

 

Chapter 9

 

Todd quietly walks into the penthouse, taking care not to wake up Téa.  He knew she would be full of questions, and he wasn't quite ready to answer them.  He still was trying to figure things out for himself.  He makes his way through the dark foyer into the living room and reaches to the desk to turn on the lamp.  He turns around to see Téa's tear streaked face staring back at him.

 

"What are you doing sitting here in the dark, Honey?" he asks Téa, surprised to see her sitting there.

 

"I was waiting on you, Todd.  You just dismissed me earlier, sending me home with Viki to get me out of your way.  I wanted to know what was going on," she says with a bitter, angry tone in her voice.

 

"Téa, don't be angry.  Please don't be angry.  I had a rough night and can't really get into this with you."

 

"You had a rough night?  What about me, Todd?  I've been sitting here for hours wondering when you were coming home.  If you were coming home.”  She pauses and they’re both silent for what seems like an eternity.  “She's very beautiful, Todd.  Who is she?"

 

"I'm sorry.  This has been hard on you.  You look like you've been crying."

 

"So do you, Todd.  Please don't shut me out now.  I can see that you're hurting.  I just want to be here for you," Téa says pleadingly. 

 

Her eyes were so sad and they were begging him for answers.  She was hurt and confused and just wanted to know what was going on with him.  He had to tell her about Michelle.  She deserved to know what he was facing.  Todd gathered what was left of his strength and sat her down.  He was emotionally drained, but knew that this was the best thing to do.   Téa couldn't handle too much stress these days.  The doctors warned her to keep her blood pressure down for the baby's sake.  Waiting until morning to tell her about Michelle would only make her even more stressed out.

 

"Okay, Téa.  I'll tell you."  Todd pauses for a while, not so much from fear of how Téa will react, but to quickly sort out the barrage of information Michelle threw at him not two hours ago.  He didn't know where to begin. 

 

"Her name is Michelle Westlake."

 

"Judge Westlake's daughter.  I gathered that much at the Palace.  I take it you two know each other from Chicago."

 

"Michelle and I grew up together.  We were practically joined at the hip ever since we were about three years old.  We were supposed to come to Llanview University together after high school, but she disappeared the day we were supposed to leave.  Her father, the honorable Judge Lincoln Westlake told me she left to find a better life.  One without me.  I was crushed, but kept the pain inside.  I decided to myself that day that she was going to be the last person I allowed close enough to my heart to hurt me."

 

"So, you loved her," Téa said, standing up and walking over to the huge glass windows looking down on Llanview.  "And based on your reaction to her tonight, you still do," she adds in almost a whisper, trying to cover her quivering voice. 

 

Todd looked at her.  She was such a strong woman, but at this moment, she looked as if the lightest breeze could blow her down.  He walked over behind her and put his arms around her waist, gently rubbing her stomach.  They stood there for a minute, embracing each other in the silence.   He moves around in front of her and lightly cups her face in his hands, placing a gentle, yet passionate kiss on her lips.

 

"Listen, Delgado.  I love you.  You're my right now and my future.  You're all that I want or could ever dream.  You and this baby of ours," he says, still holding her stomach as if to shield their unborn child from the daggers of worry and doubt flying across the room.

 

"But it's obvious that you love her too," Téa says softly, trying to look into his eyes as he suddenly tries to avert her gaze.  "Please don't lie to me, Todd.  I can see that you do."

 

"I do.  I love her," he replies.  "But it's not what you think, Téa.  Michelle was my best friend.  She was the one good thing in my life for almost 15 years.  And when she walked out on me, it killed me.  Tonight was the first time I'd seen or even heard from her since then."

 

"So, where has she been this whole time, Todd?"

 

"Téa, let's go sit back down," he says to her, still trying hard to avoid her gaze.  This was the hard part of the story for him to tell her, but he's come this far.  He may as well tell her the rest.

 

"Todd, you're scaring me.  What's so shocking that I need to be sitting down to hear?"

 

"Téa," he starts slowly.  "Michelle's father lied to me that day I went looking for her.  She wasn't running from me when she left.  She left because he made her.  He found out something that made him flip.  You have to realize that the judge hated me.   I got into some trouble and he didn't want Michelle hanging out with me.  He tried to ignore me, thinking that maybe I would go away.  But something happened that he couldn't ignore."

 

"What happened?" she whispers, as the color starts to drain from her face.  She looked as if she knew what he was about to say.  But he had to say it anyway.  He didn't want to keep any secrets from her.

 

"They found out she was . . . "  he pauses and grabs her hands, holding them tightly against his face.  She was trembling, in agony over what he was about to tell her.  "They found out she was pregnant.   She had my baby.  I have a son, Téa."

 

Chapter 10

 

Téa didn't seem to take the news about Todd's past with Michelle too well.  She didn't say much that night.  She actually hasn't said much of anything for the past few weeks.  Todd was starting to worry.  But, he didn't want to rush her to any conclusions.  They both needed time to work through this surprise on their own.  Todd retreated to his offices of the Sun for a little personal time to deal with things and also to avoid Téa.   She's hurt and confused, and he didn't know what to do to comfort her. 

 

Only one thing during this time has brought him joy.  Seeing Starr.  Although the custody arrangement only allowed him one weekend a month with her, he found a way to see her whenever he wanted.  He had to figure out how to supplement that one visit by stealing a few precious moments with her every morning while she played in the park. This morning was no different.  Todd sits in the park alone, his face partially hidden by the early edition of the Sun.  He peeks around it every so often to get a glimpse of Starr playing, but tries to remain unnoticed by his daughter and her nanny. 

 

Todd forgets his goal of anonymity and laughs out loud when he sees Starr chasing after a butterfly, trying to catch it.  Starr stops and looks over right where he's sitting, but Todd ducks behind the newspaper before being spotted.  This direct and blatant disregard of the custody agreement would land him in serious trouble if he got caught.  He just had to make sure he didn't get caught. 

 

The nanny allows Starr to chase the butterfly for a few minutes before beginning to gather their things.  It was time to go.  Todd steals a few last looks at Starr as they leave the park.  She's so beautiful, he thinks to himself.  And she's grown so much since her last visit.  They can change so much when you're not looking.  He looks at her one last time before finally getting up to leave himself.

 

Whoosh.  Something flies right in front of Todd, stopping him in his tracks. 

 

"What in the world?" he yells, starting to get a little angry when he sees a soccer ball land in the bushes.

 

"Sorry about that, Mister," a little voice yells as Todd is bending over to get the ball.

 

"You kids need to watch what you're doing.  You could really hurt . . .".  Todd stops in the middle of his sermon when he sees the owner of the ball.

 

"Hey!  I remember you.  You're my mom's friend.  I met you in our hotel room.  Mr. Manning, I think," the little boy exclaims, excited to see a familiar face.

 

"You have a good memory, kid.  But you can call me Todd.  It's Ryan, right?" Todd asks, thankful that he's holding the soccer ball so the little boy wouldn't see his hands trembling. 

 

"That's right!  You remember me?"

 

"Of course I remember you.  I don't think I'm ever going to forget you," Todd tells him.  Of course I'm never going to forget you, my son, Todd says to himself.  He still was in shock from meeting Ryan that night in Michelle's hotel room.  He hasn't even thought about what he would ever say to him when he saw him again.  But, there's no time to think now.  That moment has arrived. 

 

"What are you doing out here, Ryan?  Are you all alone," Todd asks, suddenly feeling a paternal urge of concern for the little boy's safety. 

 

"No, I'm not by myself.  My mom's personal assistant runs here in the mornings.  I got tired of being cooped up in the hotel and asked if I could come to the park with her today.  What about you?  What are you doing here?"

 

"Well, it looks like I'm here just in time.  Soccer's no fun with only one person, is it?  Mind if I kick it around with you?"

 

"Sure!  That'll be cool.  I'm going to go over there," Ryan says, grabbing the ball from Todd's hands and running off.

 

Todd watched as Ryan ran across the field.  He couldn't believe that he was actually in the park, playing ball with his son.  This was something he never experienced with Peter.  At that moment, Todd realized that no matter what, this boy deserved the best from him as a parent.  He knows what it's like not to have a loving father.  He didn't want Ryan to have to know what that was like any longer.  Whatever role Michelle allowed Todd to have in Ryan's life, he would jump at the chance. 

 

Todd's smile left his face when he saw a stranger in a jogging outfit run up to Ryan.  The stranger spoke to Ryan for a few moments, before they both came over to where Todd was standing.

 

"Hey, Todd.  This is my mom's personal assistant, Keisha.  I was telling her how we were about to play soccer."

 

"Hi.  Todd Manning.  Nice to meet you," Todd says, shaking the woman's hand.

 

"Nice to meet you too, Mr. Manning.  Sorry to cut your and Ryan's game short, but his mother and I really have a busy day ahead of us.  We need to get back."

 

"If you want, Ryan can hang out with me for the day.  I don't have much planned."

 

"That's nice of you, but . . . "

 

"But, you don't know me from the man on the moon, right?  Let me call his mom and ask her.  I'm sure it'll be alright."

 

Todd takes his phone out and dials the hotel.  The phone to Michelle's room rings awhile before she finally answers.

 

"Hello?"

 

"Hey Chellie.  I see you're still a late sleeper," Todd says to her.

 

"Todd?  Is that you?" Michelle's sleepy voice asks.

 

"Yeah, it's me.  Who else calls you Chellie?"

 

"Actually, nobody but you, Todd," she says laughing, remembering how annoyed her father got whenever Todd called her that.  "I haven't heard from you in awhile.  Why are you calling now?"

 

"Well, I'm at the park with Ryan and your personal assistant, Keisha.  She says the two of you have a busy day and I offered to let Ryan hang out with me today.  Is that alright with you?" he asks, just before Ryan pulls the phone out of his hands to speak to his mother.

 

"Oh please Mom?  Can I go with Todd?  I'll be good, I promise," he begs her.

 

"Alright.  But you have to be on your best behavior.  Don't give Todd any trouble."

 

"I won't, Mom.  I promise.  Thanks a lot," he says giving Todd the phone back.  And just like that, plans were made and Todd was about to spend his first day with his son.

 

Chapter 11

 

Téa needed a few days to absorb the shock of Todd's news, but it's been weeks since they've had a chance to talk.  He's been in and out, but he's spent more time at the Sun than he has at the penthouse.  She was beginning to miss him.  A lot.  And what was more, she needed him.  He was her husband and it was no big surprise that he had secrets from the past.  But he had just resolved to bury those secrets and put them behind him.  They were about to get on with their lives.  Until one of those buried secrets came back from the dead.  It was a shock, but she had to get over it for the sake of her marriage.  This crisis wasn't about her.  Sure she was hurt, but Todd needed her.   It wasn't his fault that this Michelle person showed up out of nowhere and blew their lives right out of the water.

 

"Um, Téa?  Are you done with any of those plates?  I can move some of them for you."  Téa is surprised by the seemingly sudden appearance of Cristian at her table. 

 

"Cris.  You scared me."

 

"I'm sorry, Téa.  You looked like you were deep in thought or something.  I didn't want to disturb you.  Are you all right?  You've been here for awhile all by yourself.  And there's an awful lot of food.  My mom says that pregnant women have to eat for two, but you got enough food here for a football team, Téa," Cris teases, unsuccessfully trying to make her laugh.

 

"Don't worry too much.  I'm about as well as I can be right about now, Cris.  But thanks for asking.  I can't really get into it right now . . . ", her voice trails off as she catches a glimpse of the person entering the door.  The last person in the world she'd expected to see. 

 

Téa watches as the surprise visitor walks over to the counter, stopping to speak to Carlotta.

 

"Hi.  I'm here to pick up an order I called in a little while ago.  The name is Westlake."

 

"Michelle Westlake?  Oh yes.  Your order is right here.  That'll be $6.49."

 

Michelle pays for the food and is about to turn and walk out the door when she drops some change on the floor.  She bends down to pick it up, and as she stands up, she catches Téa's glare.  Both women just stare at each other, as if in a trance.  Michelle hesitates for a moment, then walks over to Téa's table.

 

"Is this seat taken?" Michelle asks, still wondering if she made the right decision coming over.

 

"No, it may look like there's enough food here for half of Llanview, but it's just me.  Me and junior," Téa adds, patting her stomach with a smile.  The smile fades as she looks back up at Michelle.  "Please, join me."

 

"You don't mind?"

 

"I think it's about time we talked, don't you think, Michelle?  Cris, I don't think I'll finish all of this."

 

"That's cool, Téa.  I'll just have my mom wrap it up for you."

 

"Thanks a lot Cris.  I'm sure I'll be starving later."

 

Michelle nervously sits down across from Téa while Cris finishes clearing away the plates.  It was obvious to Michelle that Téa knew all about her past relationship with Todd.  And based on the look in her eyes, she's not pleased to meet the mother of Todd's other child.  Michelle looks down, not knowing what quite to say to Téa.  But Téa seems to have it all figured out.

 

"We weren't properly introduced that night at the Palace.  Téa Delgado Manning," Téa says coldly, thrusting her hand towards Michelle to shake.

 

"Listen, Téa.  I really didn't come here to start problems."

 

"Then what are you doing here?"

 

"My father is sick.  He's being treated at the hospital here."

 

"I'm sorry.  I was reading about him in the paper.  He's a great man.  He was an inspiration to me throughout law school," Téa tell her, feeling a little bad now that she had just subtly implied that Michelle was in Llanview for less than honorable reasons.

 

"Well, you didn't have to live with him.  I did.  And so did Todd.  You didn't have to suffer the consequences of his actions.  He was a horrible man.  Not so much to me.  He treated me like a princess.  I know that he loved me, but it seemed like that love came with a price.  A price that Todd couldn't pay, unfortunately," Michelle says, looking down again, still unable to fathom the effects of her father's actions on so many lives. 

 

"I take it he didn't approve of your relationship with Todd."

 

"Not at all.  He hated Todd.  He wanted to keep Todd away from me. But we were determined not to let him split us up.  Unfortunately, the great and powerful Lincoln Westlake was greater and more powerful than either of us had ever imagined."

 

"What happened exactly, if you don't mind me asking?  Why didn't Todd ever know he had a son?"  Téa asked curiously.  She could see now that Michelle wasn't the enemy. She was as much a pawn in whatever game her father played as Todd was.  She sympathized with Michelle.

 

"Well Téa, like I said before.  My father was a powerful man.  He had connections all over town.  I went to get my pre-college physical and that's when my doctor discovered I was pregnant.  Only, he didn't tell me about it.  He told my father."

 

"And your father forced you to leave town without telling Todd about the baby?"

 

"My father threatened to take my baby away if Todd ever found out.  Even still, I tried to contact Todd.  I wrote him a letter a few years later telling him where to find us.  He never came.  I just figured he didn't want to.  I didn't find out until I ran into you guys at the Palace that night that he didn't get my letter.  He had no idea about the baby.  Téa, he was so hurt.  He thought I had abandoned him."

 

Silence falls across the tables as both women reflect on how Michelle's desertion affected Todd.  Téa holds onto her stomach, only then truly realizing the torturous decision Michelle had to make.  The man she loved or her child.  Téa felt lucky that she didn't have to make that choice.  She had both.  A sense of compassion and empathy washes over Téa and she looks up at Michelle with tears in her eyes. 

 

"I'm so sorry, Michelle.  I've been awful to you and to Todd," Téa says, letting the tears flow.

 

"Téa, you have nothing to be sorry for.  None of us were expecting this.  All we can do now is deal with it. But I think we can do that.  I mean, we've been together for almost an hour now and there's no scratches or hair pulled out," Michelle says, shooting a tentative smile in Téa's direction.

 

Téa gives Michelle and odd look before allowing the sobs to turn into laughter.  The last thing she expected from her meeting with Michelle was to be laughing.

 

"I take it everything is cool between us, Téa."

 

"Yeah.  Everything is cool," Téa says, smiling back at Michelle.  "I think everything is going to be fine."

 

Chapter 12

 

". . . And that is a day in the life of a newspaper.  Any questions?"  Briggs asks a bored Ryan, as they return to Todd's office.  Ryan looks to Todd, his eyes pleading to be rescued from any further subjection to the ins and outs of newspaper publication.  Todd sees that Ryan has heard more than enough from Briggs, and chuckles to himself before speaking up to rescue his son.

 

"I don't think he has any questions, Briggs.  You guys were gone long enough for you to have covered everything. . ."

 

"And then some," Ryan mutters under his breath, interrupting Todd's sentence.  Todd hears him and is barely able to keep an amused grin from spreading across his face.  He manages to get rid of Briggs just before bursting into laughter.

 

"So, you got a tour of the whole place?" Todd says, still laughing at Ryan's comment.

 

"I was just looking for the snack machine when Mr. Briggs found me wandering.  For some reason, he decided to give me his own personal tour, stopping along the way to tell me about things like 'layouts' and 'crappers' "

 

"What?  Oh, you mean 'croppers'.  It's a little tool to. . ."  Todd stops midsentence when he notices the grimace on Ryan's face.  "Never mind.  I'm sure you've heard enough of this from Briggs.  At least you can tell your mom you had an educational experience."  They both start laughing at the thought of telling Michelle about how the failed search for a snack turned into an unsolicited tour of the Sun.  They're laughing so hard, they don't notice the figure slip into the door to watch them.  Todd finally looks up when he hears the figures clear it's voice.

 

"Is this a private joke, or are you guys going to let me in on what's so funny?" Téa says, as she walks into the room, closing the door behind her.

 

"Téa," Todd says, surprised to see her.  It's been awhile.  They never seemed to be home at the same time very often in the past few weeks.  And when they were there together, he could see that she was having a hard time adjusting to the news about Michelle and Ryan.  He didn't want to push her, so he just left her alone to deal with it in her own way.  

 

But she had come to him today.  She was standing there in front of him looking more beautiful than he'd ever remembered her being.   And all he could think about was how he wanted to run over to her, take her into his arms, and give her a kiss for every minute they'd been apart. 

 

But she acts first.  She slowly walks over to where he's standing and throws her arms around him, holding on to him tightly.  They pull apart and just look at each other.  Without a word, they both know how much each missed the other.   She tries to utter an apology, but he covers her lips with his own and kisses her instead.  The two almost get lost in the moment, when Todd remembers his son standing on the other side of the room.  He looks over to see Ryan smiling at them.

 

"Sorry about that, kid.  This visit was about to get even more educational for you," he says with a wink in Ryan's direction.  "Why don't you come over here and meet my wife.  Téa, this is a new little friend of mine, Ryan Westlake.  Ryan, this is my wife, Téa."

 

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Ryan," Téa says, shaking the little boys hand.  Her eyes meet Ryan's eyes, and she's unnerved slightly to see that they belong to Todd.  The resemblance between Todd and Ryan is uncanny, yet unmistakable.  She forces herself to speak to prevent herself from staring at the little boy.

 

"So, what have you two been up to?  It sounded like you were having a lot of fun when I came in," Téa says, sitting down on the couch. 

 

"Not much.  Just guy stuff," Todd replied, throwing a slight smirk to Ryan.

 

"We had so much fun today, Téa," Ryan told her, sitting down next to her.  "I almost had to spend the whole day with my mom's boring assistant, but we ran into Todd at the park this morning, and he let me hang out with him today.  We played soccer, and then . . ."

 

"Soccer?  Todd, you played soccer?" Téa asked, completely shocked at the thought of her husband kicking a ball around in the park.

 

"Yeah, and he was great.  You should have seen him."

 

"Should have seen him do what?"  The group is startled at yet another voice coming from the doorway.  They all look up in time to see Michelle walk in.

 

"Mom!" Ryan exclaims, as he excitedly runs over to his mother.  "Thank you so much for letting me hang with Todd today."

 

"So, you had fun?" she asks and the boy emphatically nods his head.  "Todd, I hope he wasn't any trouble.  I know what a handful he can be sometimes."

 

"Not at all, Michelle.  Ryan and I had a great time.  And we're, what was that word, Ryan?  Homies?  That's it.  We're homies now.  He's welcome with us anytime.  Isn't that right, Téa?" he says, looking over to Téa not entirely sure what to expect from her.  She just nods in agreement. 

 

Todd is worried about her silence.  He was afraid that things were about to get ugly between the mothers of two of his children.  Téa rises from the couch, and walks over towards Michelle, furthering Todd's anxiousness.  'Please God', he silently prays quickly, 'as much as I would love to have two women fighting over me, I don't want it to be these two.  And I don't want it to be now.'

 

"Téa.  We meet again.  How are you feeling?"

 

"I'm feeling pretty pregnant today.  Why?  How do I look?"

 

"You're looking pretty pregnant, too," she says with a laugh.  Téa starts giggling too and Todd's mouth drops wide open.  Both the women see his reaction and are thoroughly amused at his obvious fear of the two women getting into a fight over him.  They turn back to each other to finish their conversation.

 

"Are you pretty much set up with the maternity clothes yet?" Michelle asks after they've settled down from their attack of the giggles.

 

"Not really.  I kind of put it off for a while.  But last week, I just kind of exploded.  I don't think I can avoid the maternity clothes anymore."

 

"That's perfect.  How about we hit the shops together? Viki Carpenter is throwing a little get together to introduce me into Llanview society and I have nothing to wear."

 

"That sounds good.  Just call me, okay?  That'll give the boys another chance for a play date," Téa says, looking at her husband, trying to hold back a smile when she sees that he's not exactly amused at the women's teasing.

 

"We need to be leaving. Ryan, why don't you thank Mr. and Mrs. Manning before we go."

 

"Thanks a lot," he says before running over to Todd.  He throws he arms around a stunned Todd and gives him a big hug.  It only lasts for a quick second, but the sensation of the little boy in his arms last a lot longer.  Ryan runs back over to his mother and waves good bye on their way out of the door.

 

The door closes and Téa looks at her husband to see how he's doing.  He hates not being with his kids.  It only reminds him of the neglectful, hateful father he was forced to grow up with.  Téa walks over to Todd, but he turns away, refusing to let her see him cry.  Instead, she wraps her arms around him from behind, holding him until he has the strength to face her again.

 

"I hate it when they have to leave.  It's bad enough only seeing Starr for one weekend a month.  But, I only had a few short hours with a son I just found out existed.  It just doesn't seem fair."  Todd's voice is low and sad.  No longer can Téa hear the lilting laughs echoing through the hallways as father and son joked and played together.  She only heard Todd sinking further and further into a lonely abyss, dangerously close to never being able to resurface.

 

"Todd, there's so much sadness in you still.  I hate to see you this way.    I know you want time to spend with Ryan, getting to know him and making up for all of the lost time.  But I think that you need to take things slowly with Ryan.  He's just a little boy.  From what Michelle tells me, he's never had a father figure.  You two seemed to have gotten along today, but I still wouldn't push him.  You should just enjoy the time you get to spend together."

 

Todd lets out a sigh.  Téa was right.  She's always right.   He's learned over the past year that patience really is a virtue.  Too many times he's gotten himself in trouble trying to rush into action.  He needed to put aside his own feelings and attempt to be a good friend to Ryan and hope that in time he can become a good father to him too.

 

"Once again, Téa, you are right.  I had a wonderful time with my son today.  I'm grateful for that.  My daughter is coming to visit this weekend.  I'm grateful for that too.  And most of all, I have a loving and beautiful wife to slap some sense into me every once in a while when I need it most."  He leans over to kiss her lightly.  "I'm grateful for that too."

 

Todd takes Téa's hand and leads her over to the couch in the middle of his office.  He sits down behind her and allows her to lean back against his chest. 

 

"There.  That's better.  You look at lot more comfortable.  Remember that the doctor said you needed plenty of rest, Téa.  And from the way things sounded today in here with Michelle, it seems like you had a pretty busy day," Todd says to his wife sarcastically.  This time she cannot contain her laughter.

 

"You really should have seen your face, Todd, when Michelle and I started talking about going shopping.  The look was priceless.  I know you thought we were going to be fighting over you.  Sorry, Querido.  That's not going to happen."

 

"I know.  But it was actually an interesting thought," he says, joining in her laughter.  "How did this come about anyway?  I didn't even know you two had spoken."

 

"I ran into her earlier today at the diner and we had a little chat."

 

"About what?", Todd asks, curious to find out what the women said about him.

 

"Not much.  Just girl stuff," she says with a sly grin.  "I'm just kidding, Todd.  We just talked.  And came to an understanding.  I was worried that she was going to be a threat to me.  But she's nice.  I actually like her. You have excellent taste in women, Todd."

 

"Yeah, but the best is right here in my arms.  I love you, Téa.  And I love you too, little guy," he says, rubbing Téa's stomach.  A second later, he jerks his hand away.  "What was that?  Did the baby just kick?" he asked, a look of amazement covering his face.

 

"I think so.  This is the first time he's done that.  I guess he's trying to say that he loves you too.  Just like his mommy does."

 

Téa closes her eyes and lays her hands next to Todd's.  They sit there in each other's arms, watching the sun set while they enjoy feeling the evidence of their love come to life inside of Téa with each kick.

 

Chapter 13

 

Blair looks at her watch for the sixth time in ten minutes.  Meeting with Todd like this at the spur of the moment made her nervous.  She didn't know what to expect from him under normal circumstances.  This impromptu meeting only piqued her curiosity and heightened her anxiety.

 

Téa came out of the kitchen with a tray containing a pot of tea and 4 cups.  Blair watched as she tried to carefully balance the weight of the tray and her growing stomach without falling, and finally successfully reaching her destination. 

 

"It looks like I'm not the only guest," Blair says, nodding to the 4th cup.  "Who else is invited to this . . . Whatever this is?"

 

"You'll just have to wait, Blair.  A situation has arisen that needs to be handled delicately.  We should be able to discuss this matter like adults."

 

"This matter?  Delicate situation?  Téa, what's going on?  I'm assuming I'm here because this has something to do with my daughter.  I demand you tell me about it now!", Blair says, getting a bit angry and standing up to face Téa.

 

"Blair, you need to lower your voice.  Starr will hear you," Téa says, trying to calm Blair down, but it's no use.  Téa only succeeds in making Blair even angrier.

 

"How dare you lecture me on parenting," Blair says, raising her voice even louder.  Téa continues to plead with Blair to stop yelling, but it's too late.  Both women look up to see Starr standing at the bottom of the stairs.

 

"Tee!  Why is mommy yelling at you?  Were you naughty?"

 

"It's nothing, Sweetie.  Your mommy and I were just talking," Téa says to try to calm the child down.  She shoots a glare in Blair's direction.  "Isn't that right, Blair?"  Blair just rolls her eyes and stomps back over to the couch, pouting.

 

"I'm starting to think this is just a ploy to get an extra visit with Starr this month.  Todd had his visit 2 weeks ago.  He's got another minute, then we're leaving," she claims, still pouting from the last fight with Téa.

 

"Oh, don't leave so soon, Blair.  The party's just beginning," Todd says as he mysteriously appears in the doorway, followed by Ryan and Michelle.

 

"Ryan!  You're here," screams a gleeful Starr.  She runs over to the boy and jumps in his arms.  "Are you going to stay and play with me?"

 

"That's a good idea.  Ryan, why don't you and Starr go upstairs for a while.  We need to have a grown up talk down here," Todd explains to the boy.

 

"Sure.  Come on, Starr," he says to her, taking her hand as they walk up the stairs.  When they're out of earshot, Todd turns to the audience of women he has waiting for his next words.

 

"Okay, Todd.  You're here now.  What's this all about?" Blair asks impatiently.

 

"Believe me, Blair.  I don't want to keep you here any longer than you want to be here.  I'll make this fast.  But first, let me introduce you to a friend of mine.  Michelle, this is my ex-wife, Blair.  Starr's mother.  Blair, this is Michelle.  You just met her son, Ryan a few minutes ago."

 

"Nice to meet you, Michelle.  Starr seems to be taken with Ryan.  And he's good with her.  Have they played together often?" Blair asks, still trying to figure out what was going on.

 

"In time, Blair.  I'll get to that in time.  Ladies, why don't we sit down," Todd says to the women, helping the pregnant Téa down onto the nearest chair.  He remains standing and clears his throat, ready to start explaining the reason for the gathering.

 

"I don't really know where to begin, so I'll just jump right in.  There's some news that we need to tell Starr.  I just thought it would be best for you to know about it before she does."  He seems to be struggling for the right words, so Téa takes over for a while.

 

"We figured this was the most responsible thing to do, Blair.  Letting you know in advance so we all can be there for Starr in case she has any questions about anything," she simplifies.  But Blair notices the strange looks passing between Todd, Téa, and Michelle.  Something big was about to happen, and she was the last to know.

 

"Will you stop stalling and just tell me what's going on?  And what does she have to do with anything," Blair says, pointing to Michelle.

 

"Alright, I'll just come right out and say it.  Michelle and I are old friends.  We've known each other since we were three.  We grew up together, but lost touch after high school.  We ran into each other a few months ago and she told me some interesting news.  It turns out that Ryan is my son."  Todd pauses, letting Blair have a little time to process what he just said.  He watches as she slowly reacts to the news, not really knowing what she's thinking.

 

"Unbelievable," she finally mutters.

 

"I know, it was a shock for us too, Blair.  And it took me awhile to adjust," Téa says, sympathetically.

 

"No.  It's unbelievable that you're falling for this," Blair says, glaring accusingly at Michelle.  "Todd, all she wants is your money.  Money that belongs to my little girl.  Todd, your fortune is her birthright.  I can't believe you would think I'd sit around here and allow you to split it up between all these other kids of yours.  You can't be serious about this.  What kind of proof do you have?  You know, this wouldn't be the first time you were fooled by this scam." 

 

"Proof?  Blair, I don't need proof from everybody.  Just from back stabbing lowlifes like you.  I've known Michelle all my life. I trust her.  She wouldn't lie to me about something like this.  I don't appreciate you even suggesting that she would sink to your level. . ."

 

"Todd!  It's all right.  You don't have to defend me," Michelle asserts.  "But I also don't have to stand here and take this from her.  I'm going up stairs with the kids."

 

"I'll come with you," Téa offers.

 

"That won't be necessary.  Blair's leaving now," Todd bellows.  "We just wanted to offer you some respect by including you in this decision, but you can't handle it.  Get out."

 

"Fine.  But not without my daughter."  Blair runs up the stairs and returns dragging Starr behind her, kicking and screaming.  Starr manages to break away and runs to Téa.   The whole room stops as Téa takes the time to comfort the little girl.  After Starr stops crying, Téa tells her to go back upstairs with Ryan.

 

"What did you do that for, Téa.  It's obvious I'm no longer welcome here, and I'm not going anywhere without Starr," Blair hisses.

 

"That's where you're wrong.  You can't waltz in here and harass my family and friends and expect me to let you take my stepdaughter after scaring her the way you just did.  You are leaving, and Starr is staying.  If you don't like it, we'll take it up with the family court.  I'll get a court order against you so fast, it'll make all of your little bleached hairs stand on end.  I'm sure they'll love to hear our accounts of the events of the day as opposed to yours."  Téa stands her ground, looking Blair defiantly into the eyes, daring her to even think about removing Starr from the premises.  But Blair, just angrily turns around and storms towards the door, giving them one final threat.

 

"You haven't heard the last of me about this," she warns and slams the door to emphasize her point, leaving the room in utter silence.

 

"I'm going up to check on Starr.  She's never seen her mother act that way.  She must be terrified," Todd says, finally breaking the silence.

 

"So, that was the infamous Blair Cramer," Michelle says, trying to lighten the mood.  But she notices that Téa isn't amused.  She watches as Téa attempts to clear the unused tea setting.  Her hands are too shaky and she almost drops the tray.  Michelle rushes over to Téa, and leads her easily to a soft spot on the sofa just before she bursts into tears.

 

"I don't know why I continue to let that woman get to me," Téa utters between sobs. 

 

"From what I saw today, she's a horrible woman, Téa," she says, attempting to comfort Téa.  "Listen to me, Girlfriend.  You need to calm down.  You can't get yourself all worked up because of that woman.  You have to think about your baby."

 

The two women sit in silence for a while, reflecting on the events that just occurred.  Téa holds on to her stomach, silently swearing never to let Blair be any harm to her unborn child.

 

"Michelle.  You have to be careful.  Blair is a dangerous woman when she's threatened.  And she feels that you and Ryan are a threat to her."

 

"What will she do?"

 

"Well, the last time someone threatened her, they ended up getting pushed out of a second story window."

 

"What happened to them?" Michelle asks, her eyes widened in disbelief.  Her hands shaking with fear.

 

Téa wipes a tear from her cheek as she looks at Michelle. 

 

"You're looking at her," she says in a whisper, her words hanging lethally in air.  What they had seen that day was just the beginning.  They needed to brace themselves for the wrath of Hurricane Blair.

 

 

      

 

 

OLTL HOME