SMALL BLESSINGS

BY TIMA

CHAPTERS

111 - 115





SMALL BLESSINGS
chapter 111:

Todd: You'll really marry me today?

Tea: Absolutely...if...

Todd: I knew there would be a catch. There always is with you.

Tea: We can't get married without Starr.

Todd: We did the first time.

Tea: That was different. She was a baby then.

Todd: She won't want to be there. You know that. You're just trying to get out of marrying me.

Tea: We have to try with Starr first.

Todd: If she refuses, will you still marry me?

Tea: You would be miserable.

Todd: I would be happy, or whatever the hell that not-completely-lousy feeling is that I have when I'm around you.

Tea: I think it's happiness. At least, that's what I feel when I'm with you...when you allow me that feeling.

Todd: You can feel that whenever you want. Just marry me.

Tea: You won't push me away anymore?

Todd: Sure, I will. We'll just be married while I'm doing it.

Tea: If you stop pushing me away, I'll stop pushing you away. Do we have a deal?

Todd: We're getting hitched no matter what, even if Starr doesn't want any part in it?

Tea: Yes.

Todd: Tonight?

Tea: Yes.

Todd: Damn!

Tea: I thought you wanted me to agree?

Todd: We won't have enough time to roll around in bed, if we have to go to Llanview, work on Starr, and fly off to wherever to get hitched. We'll have to wait until the honeymoon.

Tea: Will there be a honeymoon this time? There wasn't the last two times.

Todd: This time will be different. I mean it, Tea. This time will really be different.

Tea: I'm counting on that. I'm counting on you.

Todd: I'm never good at coming through for people when they're counting on me.

Tea: You will be this time.

Todd: Do you really believe that?

Tea: Twenty years from now, I'll believe it. You have plenty of time to convince me.

Todd: If you're planning on divorcing me in twenty years...

Tea: I'm never planning on divorcing you again.

Todd: Good! Because we've done the divorcing thing. I'm bored with that.

Tea: Do you think you'll ever be bored with me?

Todd: I hope so.

Tea: I hope there's a compliment in there somewhere.

Todd: No more shaking everything up by walking out on me. You have to stay this time.

Tea: What if you really do get bored, after we settle down?

Todd: You're the one who will be looking behind me for some other guy in about a week.

Tea: Never. I don't want anyone but you for the rest of my life. Are you ready for a mature, monogamous relationship?

Todd: What does that chick tit test have to do with this?

Tea: Monogamous. No more running to other people for sexual revenge.

Todd: You're the only one who does that kind of thing.

Tea: You returned to Blair.

Todd: That doesn't count.

Tea: It does to me. Were there others?

Todd: Would you be jealous if there were?

Tea: Were there?

Todd: So, you think getting hitched means that you can call the shots on everything I do?

Tea: Not everything, but certainly this. I'm willing to make a full commitment. Are you?

Todd: After we get hitched, I have to stop bagging hot, single chicks who can't resist me?

Tea: We're already passed the point of you getting in your last fling.

Todd: Not until we get hitched.

Tea: Tell me you're kidding.

Todd: Or, what?

Tea: Or, this may be the shortest reconciliation we've had yet.

Todd: Just because I want to enjoy my last moments of freedom before you clamp your chain on me?

Tea: With whom do you intend to have this fling?

Todd: You want all the dirty details?

Tea: I'd like to know who you're considering doing this with.

Todd: Why?

Tea: So I can know you're serious, before I break our engagement.

Todd: I am serious, but you're not breaking anything. I'm the guy. I decide the rules. The rule is...

Tea: I know I hurt you with what happened with Richard, but this is different.

Todd: Shut up about him. He doesn't exist for you anymore.

Tea: Is that why you're doing this? Are you still so angry at me that you set this all up so you could get back at me?

Todd: The rule is...

Tea: I don't care about your stupid guy rules, or your pathetic view on chicks. This was your last chance and you just blew it.

[Tea moves toward the front door. Todd follows her.]

Todd: Where are you going?

Tea: This is my house, remember? I'm not going anywhere...you are. You can go fuck whatever chick is more important to you than our relationship.

Todd: I'll fuck her. You can count on that. I'll give it to her really long, and really slow...just the way she likes it. First, you have to close the door so the neighbors don't call the cops when the buttons start flying.

[Todd takes Tea's hand in his own and removes it from the door. He then slowly closes the door and turns toward her with a slight smile on his face.]

Tea: Me?

Todd: You owe me.

Tea: I'm sorry I doubted you. I shouldn't have assumed...

Todd: Anytime there's fucking involved, from now on, assume that you're going to get thoroughly fucked.

Tea: You have to sabotage this. You wouldn't be Todd if you didn't.

Todd: The worst punishment I could ever put you through is being with me.

Tea: That's a dream, not a punishment.

Todd: You're nuts.

Tea: So are you. We're perfect for each other.

Todd: You're okay with being stuck with me forever?

Tea: As long as you stop trying to make me jealous.

Todd: Who would be jealous because of me?

Tea: I would. I want you all to myself.

Todd: Did you change your mind about going back to Llanview?

Tea: I'll share you with our children, but no one else. Agreed?

Todd: You're the one who has trouble keeping your private parts private. As soon as we get hitched, those parts will be mine.

Tea: It's my body. I decide...

Todd: Hurry up and decide that I get to do whatever I want with them so we can get to the fun part of getting back together.

Tea: I missed you...in every way.

Todd: Did you think about me when you took care of yourself?

Tea: Did you think about me?

Todd: I thought about you... I thought about what you looked like while you were taking care of yourself.

Tea: Would you like a live demonstration?

Todd: You'd enjoy it more than if I was the one taking care of you...that way.

Tea: That's not true. I can prove it.

Todd: This I want to see.

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

SMALL BLESSINGS
chapter 112:

[Minutes later...

Todd and Tea enter her bedroom. Todd immediately begins removing Tea's clothing.]

Tea: I missed you.

Todd: No talking. Talking always screws everything up.

Tea: I thought sex always screwed everything up?

Todd: It does. But, it's a hell of a lot more fun screwing this whatever up with sex, than with yapping.

Tea: This whatever is an engagement.

Todd: By the end of today it will be a marriage. Let's get to the fun part before we get hitched and all the good stuff stops.

Tea: We will be having sex after we get married. At least, I hope we will.

Todd: We didn't do that kind of stuff the other times we were hitched.

Tea: Our relationship was different then.

Todd: Now, sex is...?

Tea: It's a part of our relationship.

Todd: A frequent part?

Tea: This is good. We should talk about what our expectations are.

Todd: Just tell me that it's okay with you if I hook up with you whenever I want to.

Tea: I have to want it, too.

Todd: I know it's nuts, because it's me, but you seem okay with that part.

Tea: I definitely want you.

Todd: Right now?

Tea: Yes.

Todd: No more talking?

Tea: There are things we should discuss.

[Todd exhales loudly, frustrated that his plans are going awry.]

Tea: We don't have to have this conversation right now, but we should before we get married.

Todd: But, right now we can stop talking and start doing it?

Tea: Yes, Todd, we can do it. We can make love.

[Todd kisses her. Within seconds, they're on the bed together. When Todd finally ends their kissing, he looks at her face. His intention was to immediately remove the rest of their clothing and progress their lovemaking. The look on her face, though, stalls his plans.

Todd rolls onto his back and stares at the ceiling.]

Todd: Hurry up and get it over with.

Tea (confused): You want me to...uh...take the lead?

[Todd looks toward her.]

Todd: I'm the guy in this relationship, understand?

Tea: What I don't understand is why you stopped.

Todd: I stopped because you wanted to yap more than you wanted what I wanted.

Tea: I told you, this conversation can wait.

Todd: You're still thinking about it.

Tea: I want to make love. I promise I do.

Todd: Then, hurry up and get the stupid talking part out of the way.

Tea: Later. Right now...

[Tea places her hand on his chest, intending to resume their lovemaking. Todd grabs her hand in his own.]

Todd: Say whatever you need to say.

Tea: It can wait.

Todd: I can't. It's been a long time since we've done this.

Tea: It's only been a few weeks.

Todd: For a chick, that's no big deal. For a guy, it's total torture, knowing his chick is out there pissed off at him, refusing to give him any.

Tea: We could make love right now, if you would only stop talking.

Todd: Cut the jokes. Tell me what's going on. Did you screw around on me again?

Tea: I wasn't with anyone. Even if I had been...

Todd: Cut the chick junk about thinking it's okay to screw around on me just because we're not together anymore.

Tea: Cut the Neanderthal routine.

Todd: What Neanderthal routine?

Tea: Why do I bother?

Todd: I don't know. Just tell me whatever it is that you're keeping from me.

Tea: I was thinking about what I want to give you as a wedding present.

Todd: Okay...now try the truth.

Tea: That is the truth...sort of.

Todd: I knew it!

Tea: It isn't a gift in the traditional sense.

Todd: Does it involve you, me and a bed?

Tea: This isn't the right time to discuss this. We'll talk about it later.

Todd: Is it something I'll hate?

Tea: I want you to take care of Little Enrique, if something should happen to me. I want to put it in writing that you'll be his legal guardian.

Todd: You're kidding, right?

Tea: I've been thinking about this for a while now. Even with our relationship being on again...off again...

Todd: On again...off again...on again...

Tea: Even with the uncertainty, I've wanted you to be his guardian.

Todd: Even when you were being a stubborn bitch?

Tea: I was being quite reasonable. You, however, were being a total ass.

Todd: Whatever! Even then, you wanted me to have the kid?

Tea: Yes.

Todd: It can't happen.

Tea: I know you love him. I know you would protect him.

Todd: Your family would never go for it.

Tea: I spoke to my grandmother.

Todd: Did she laugh her ass off?

Tea: Even though we were estranged at the time, she was certain that our estrangement wouldn't last long.

Todd: She's a smart, old broad. She's smart enough to never let me anywhere near that kid if you're not around to look out for him.

Tea: I know you. I trust you. She does, too. She knows that you adore him. She also felt certain that we would end up together again and that we would eventually find a way to make it work. If you are around for a long time this time, Little E will become more attached to you. If something were to happen to me, he would need the stability of continuing to live with you.

Todd: What about the people in your family who I haven't bribed with sports cars?

Tea: She didn't agree because you gave her your car. She agreed because she feels she's too old to raise him. Del is too obsessed with his career. Roseanne is too...Roseanne. If something happened to me...

Todd: Nothing is ever going to happen to you. I don't want to talk about this anymore.

Tea: His parents put off thinking about this and when they died, they had no plans in place for what would happen to him.

Todd: They knew they could count on you.

Tea: I know I can count on you.

Todd: I screwed up my own kid.

Tea: You're facing that. You're willing to work to re-build your relationship. I'm not expecting you to be a perfect parent, any more than I'm expecting you to be a perfect husband.

Todd: You think I'll screw it all up again?

Tea: Only if I don't screw it up first. But, I don't think it matters which of us screws up next time, or the time after that, or the time after that. I love you. You say you love me. We both love Little Enrique, and Starr, and we'll love any children we have together. We'll always find our way back to each other, as long as love remains between us.

Todd: Love doesn't mean that people stick around. It also isn't the reason people usually put up with me.

Tea: We'll put off getting married.

Todd: I knew you were playing games with me.

Tea: We'll work out the legalities first.

Todd: The only legalities we need is for you to say yes when the judge asks if your stupid enough to do this with me again.

Tea: This isn't stupidity. It's love.

Todd: What changed? Before, you were fighting this...you were fighting me.

Tea: I missed you.

Todd: There's more.

Tea: Little E's diabetes...

Todd: He had that the last time. You still tossed me out.

Tea: You came back. I didn't think you would.

Todd: I always come back.

Tea: Maybe the next time you won't. I don't want to risk losing you forever.

Todd: That's the reason?

Tea: It's a good reason. But, I'll admit, it's not the only reason.

Todd: What else?

Tea: The way you're dressed.

Todd: All I have to do is wear a tuxedo and you'll never get pissed off at me again?

Tea: I would have taken you back anyway, but the fact that you got matching tuxedos for you and Little E, for our wedding, is very sweet. That's something the man I fell in love with would do. That man loved his daughter so much that I couldn't help but fall in love with him, despite...

Todd: Despite what a creep he really is?

Tea: Despite the fact that you think you're a creep and you work hard to convince everyone around you that you're a horrible monster. But, I was one of the privileged few that you allowed to see what a caring, generous, sweet, kind, loving, tender, beautiful person you could really be, when you let your defenses down.

Todd: I knew I never should have done that in front of you.

Tea: I'm glad you did. I feel special when you let your guard down and allow me to see the real you.

Todd: The real me is the monster. The fake me is all that junk you think you see.

Tea: I know you. I know the real you. I want to get to know you better, the way that we will only be able to know each other if we don't sabotage it this time.

Todd: No more kicking me out?

Tea: No more running away...for either of us. We can have a marriage. We can have a family. We can have a future. We have to both want it and be willing to work at it.

Todd: Family...I've never really had that. I've had glimpses.

Tea: So have I. I want to be a part of your family, Todd.

Todd: I hate it when you do that.

Tea: What?

Todd: Get me to start believing that kind of junk can really exist.

Tea: It does exist.

Todd: No. People pretend they'll be my family, but they bail when they figure out I can't be who they want me to be. Are you sure you don't just want my money? That would be a hell of a lot easier.

Tea: Easy? Us? Never.

[Todd turns on his side, facing her. His hand tenderly strokes her cheek for a few seconds before he pulls it away, uncomfortable with the thoughts filling his mind, but unable to prevent himself from sharing those thoughts with her.]

Todd: I promise you, Tea... I promise I'll blow this. I'll mess this all up. I always do. But, I promise that I'll always feel this way about you. I'll take care of you. I'll take care of the kid. And, any kids that we have will have all the stuff we didn't have when we were kids. They'll have two parents who don't hate each other's guts. They'll have parents that they know they can trust to stick around forever. They'll trust us so much they'll end up totally screwed up when they figure out later on that the rest of the world can't be trusted. From now on, Starr's going to have a better father, too, whether she wants it or not. No more bribing her. No more giving in to her tantrums. From now on I make the rules. Kids follow the rules. Wives follow the rules.

Tea: Just one minute...

Todd: I'll give you one minute to finish up this talking and start moaning.

Tea: We're equal partners, agreed?

Todd: How can we be equal if I'm a guy and you're only a chick?

Tea: You're right. Women are far superior.

Todd: I'm not in the mood for jokes.

[Todd places his arm around her and pulls her body tightly against his.]

Todd: I'm in the mood for something else.

Tea: As long as you understand that I'll never be subservient.

Todd: You'll be you. I'll be me. We'll fight. We'll make up.

Tea: This could be exhausting.

Todd: I'm willing to be exhausted, as long as it's because of this...

[Todd rolls them both over and places his body on top of hers.]

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

SMALL BLESSINGS
chapter 113:

Tea: Wait!

Todd: No more waiting. No more talking.

Tea: There's just one more thing I need to say to you.

Todd: What?

Tea: I love you.

Todd: You made me wait to get what I want for that?

Tea: I love you. I want to tell you that every day. I want to show you. I want you to feel it from the moment you wake up in the morning, until the moment you fall asleep at night. I even want to someday make it into your dreams so thoughts of my love can replace all your nightmares.

Todd: You always want the impossible. Then, you get ticked when I can't deliver.

Tea: You don't have to do anything but let me love you.

Todd: That's the hardest thing, and you know it.

Tea: It won't be this hard forever, for either of us.

Todd: You really believe that?

Tea: I hope it will get easier...calmer...

Todd: If you want easy and calm, find somebody else.

Tea: I've already found the man of my dreams.

Todd: That's it! No more phony words from you. From now on, if you want to lie about how great I am, use body language.

Tea: I'm not...

[Todd prevents her from speaking by taking possession of her mouth with a kiss.

Seconds later...

Little Enrique awakens in the living room. His cries instantly halt the passion in the bedroom.]

Todd: I knew it! You had to keep talking and screw it all up.

Tea: I needed to say those words and, someday, you need to allow yourself to hear them. Besides, if we had gone ahead without delay, we would have been interrupted in the middle, instead of the beginning, of our...uh...activities.

Todd: It might have been the middle for you, but I could have been done by now. Hey, he stopped crying. Maybe he knew I needed him to conk out again for a few minutes.

Tea: I need to check on him.

Todd: He doesn't like you hovering over him. He told me.

Tea: I need to check on him before I can relax and we can continue.

[Todd rolls off her.]

Todd: Forget it!

Tea: I just need to check on him.

Todd: Go ahead.

[Tea leaves the room.

Minutes later...

Todd enters the living room and watches Tea as she holds Little Enrique in the air above her, causing the baby to laugh.]

Todd: I love you.

[Tea turns toward him and smiles.]

Tea: I love you, too.

Todd: I was talking to the kid.

Tea: He loves you, too.

Todd: Do you think he'd get that excited if I did that for him?

Tea: He's been wanting you to do this with him. He told me.

Todd: Get real! The kid only talks to me.

[Todd takes Little E from Tea and holds him high in the air. The baby laughs, causing Todd to smile in response.]

Todd: Does he ever puke when you do this?

Tea: Only occasionally.

[Todd hands the baby back to Tea.]

Tea: Scared of a little vomit?

Todd: Do you want to marry a guy with puke on his tux?

Tea: You could take it off.

Todd: Don't hit on me in front of the kid.

Tea: Did you bring extra clothes with you?

Todd: I didn't think I needed to. We were supposed to take off and get hitched and then do that honeymoon thing.

Tea: You were planning on wearing your tux on our honeymoon?

Todd: Now that I know it turns you on...sure.

Tea: You are very handsome.

Todd: I know.

Tea: I don't remember you being this self-confident in the past.

Todd: I've changed.

Tea: Not too much, I hope.

Todd: Don't you mean, you hope I've changed everything about myself so you can finally stand being around me?

Tea: I never had any problem being around you, as long as you were being civil.

Todd: Be honest. You always wanted me to totally change for you.

Tea: I only wanted you to stop shooting yourself in the foot.

Todd: It's my foot. I can do whatever I want to it.

Tea: When you shoot yourself in the foot, you tend to hit my foot, too...and Starr's...and now Little E's. What you do affects all of us.

Todd: I never wanted you to give a damn about me. It's your fault that you do.

Tea: Fine! Blame me. Just think before you act.

Todd: That's what went wrong in the bedroom. I let the thoughts get in the way and ended up not getting what I wanted.

Tea: You will most definitely get what you wanted...later.

Todd: But, I could have had it more times, if I didn't let all that feelings junk get in the way.

Tea: That feelings funk is what will keep me in your life.

Todd: You think I want that?

Tea: I don't have the energy to play these games with you anymore.

Todd: Relax. You have to lighten up.

Tea: I don't know how to relax with you. I'm always waiting for the next thing that will send you out the door.

Todd: When I walk out that door again, I'm taking you and the kid with me. We're going to Llanview. You're going to win my kid over. We're getting hitched. We're ditching the kids with Viki. And, then, I'm getting your body all to myself to do whatever I want with it.

Tea: As degrading as that sounds...

Todd: How is that degrading?

Tea: It's my honeymoon. I'd like to feel more involved.

Todd: Fine! You can say where we go.

Tea: Why do you insist on being such a chauvinistic ass?

Todd: Because, it makes that vein in your neck throb.

Tea: And, you enjoy that?

Todd: Yeah.

Tea: What am I going to do with you?

Todd: You're going to marry me. You're going to...you know...do that thing to me.

Tea: Which thing?

Todd: You know.

Tea: Are we talking about a certain...sexual...thing?

Todd: Your mind's in the gutter.

Tea: What were you referring to?

Todd: I like what you were thinking better. You can definitely do that for me later.

Tea: I'd like to know what you meant.

[Todd takes Little Enrique from Tea.]

Todd: I'll get the kid ready. You have five minutes to pack.

[As Todd is walking away from her, exiting the room, he finally answers her question.]

Todd: You'll make me happy.

Tea: What did you just say?

[Todd stops and turns back toward her.]

Todd: I said, make it snappy.

[Todd turns and leaves the room. Tea smiles before rushing to pack for their honeymoon.]

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SMALL BLESSINGS
chapter 114:

[Hours later...

Todd, Tea and Little Enrique arrive in Llanview. As Todd parks his car outside his sister's home, Tea notices the nervous look on his face.]

Tea: We'll survive this.

Todd: There's no way Starr will agree to any of this.

Tea: All we can do is try.

Todd: Maybe we should wait a few years.

Tea: When you called before we left, Viki promised that Starr would be here when we arrived. Let's not keep them waiting.

Todd: Why are you in such a hurry to get spit on?

Tea: I hope you don't mean that literally.

Todd: We can't go in there right now, anyway. The kid's sleeping.

Tea: He transports easily, even when asleep. Do you have any other excuses, or shall we go in?

Todd: You can go in, if you want. I'll be back later to pick you up.

Tea: I'm not going in there without you.

Todd: Scared?

Tea: Terrified. You're my rock.

Todd: Since when?

Tea: I don't want to face being rejected by Starr again, anymore than you do.

Todd: Let's get out of here.

Tea: We need to do this. We need to at least try.

Todd: This could be the end of us.

Tea: Is that a possibility?

Todd: She's really ticked.

Tea: Is our relationship dependent on Starr's approval?

Todd: What am I supposed to answer?

Tea: The truth.

Todd: This sucks! That's the truth.

Tea: I don't want you to feel you have to choose between us.

Todd: What if she doesn't give me a choice?

Tea: I don't know.

Todd: You'd sneak around with me, right? Seriously, I need to know that no matter what happens in there you won't split on me, even if I have to choose my kid over you.

Tea: If you did, it would just be to impress Starr? You wouldn't really mean it?

Todd: You know the answer to that.

Tea: Hopefully, I'll win her over and you won't have to make that choice, even if it would only be pretend.

Todd: She's stubborn.

Tea: Like her daddy.

Todd: We have to wait to go in there. I need to go to the penthouse and change first.

Tea: You look great.

Todd: I look like a geek in this tuxedo.

Tea: Is this your way of telling me we won't be getting married today?

Todd: We're getting married. No one else can know about it, but we're definitely getting married. This is going to suck enough as it is. I don't need people slobbering all over me, pretending our getting hitched again is a big deal.

Tea: It's a very big deal.

Todd: We've already done that promising to be together forever thing a couple of times.

Tea: This time it really will be forever.

Todd: At least until you get ticked off about something stupid and bail on me again.

Tea: Neither time was my reason for ending our marriage stupid. And, one of those times, it was to keep you out of prison.

Todd: Whatever! No more divorcing.

Tea: Agreed. We should stop stalling and go in now.

Todd: I'm not going in there looking like this. Do you want to go in now without me, or do you want to go to the penthouse with me and watch me change my clothes?

Tea: That's a tempting offer, but I think we shouldn't waste anymore time. There must be some clothing that Viki can find for you to change into.

Todd: I'm not wearing any of Kevin's clothes, unless they've been fumigated.

Tea: Ben probably has something.

Todd: Have you seen the kind of stuff he wears?

Tea: I think it's time we stop prolonging this. Let's go in there and face your daughter.

Todd: You're either really brave, or really stupid.

Tea: I've been told that in the past about being with you. Look how that worked out.

Todd: Right! We shouldn't go in.

Tea: I happen to be proud of my fiancé. I'll be proud to be your wife again, whether we get married today, tomorrow or years from now.

Todd: It's happening today.

Tea: Whatever you say, querido.

Todd: It scares me when you agree to go along with what I want.

Tea: I want to marry you. It's purely selfish.

Todd: You want to punish yourself for some reason?

Tea: I want to be with the man I adore, who happens to adore me.

Todd: Do you think saying junk like that will get me to go in there? Because, it won't.

Tea: We need to do this. It's important for us...for our family.

Todd: She doesn't really hate you. You know that, right?

Tea: She's very convincing.

Todd: She's just ticked about everyone always bailing on her. She doesn't believe that you tried to be the one person who didn't do that to her.

Tea: It's better that she believe what she does.

Todd: Blair lied to her. She should know that.

Tea: She needs to believe her mother. I understand that. As long as I win her over now, it doesn't matter what she's thought all this time.

Todd: I know you're lying.

Tea: It hurts knowing that she believes I stopped caring about her, but maintaining her relationship with her mother is more important than correcting her false belief.

Todd: You're the one who was always shoving truth on me.

Tea: Let's focus on the present, and the future, not the past.

Todd: Okay, I'll go in there. I'm only doing this because commuting between here and your place is starting to annoy me.

Tea: We could move closer.

Todd: Good! Let's stay out here and talk about that, instead of going in there.

Tea: Let's go.

[Tea opens her car door and exits the vehicle. She retrieves her nephew from the back seat and together they approach Viki's home, dreading the confrontation with Starr they both expect.]

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

SMALL BLESSINGS
chapter 115:

[As Viki opens the front door of her home, Todd cringes at the smile on her face. He turns and takes a few steps away.]

Todd: If you're going to be perky, forget it.

Tea: Todd...

Todd: I tried. She ruined it.

Viki: Come in, Tea. Your nephew is even more adorable than the last time I saw him.

Todd: He's like me -- he gets better with age.

Viki: You do look adorable in that tuxedo, but you didn't need to be so formal.

Tea: Do you have something Todd can change into? He's threatening to go back to the penthouse, if you don't.

Todd: There's no point being here anyway. There's no way Starr agreed to do this.

Viki: She's here.

Todd: How much did you have to pay her?

Viki: I don't bribe children.

Todd: It works.

Viki: Not in the long run.

Todd: Do you expect me to take lessons from you on raising kids? You're the one who popped out Kevin, remember?

Viki: He's doing well. Thank you for asking.

Todd: The only thing I would ever want to ask about Kevin is -- 'when's the funeral?'

[The disapproving expression on Viki's face, along with the hurt expression on Tea's face affects Todd more than he's comfortable with.]

Viki: Todd...

Todd: I was kidding.

Viki: It wasn't funny.

Todd: You can nag me later for payback. Right now, take the kid for a minute.

[Viki takes the baby carrier from Tea. She opens the double doors into the living room and enters the room. Through the open doorway, Todd can see Starr sitting on the sofa, with her arms crossed and a determined look on her face.]

Todd (whispering): You can't be mad at me right now.

Tea: I'm not mad.

Todd: Hurt, disappointed, disgusted, whatever. You know I don't think before I say anything. You like that about me.

Tea: Not when you say something so crass.

Todd: I'm sorry your brother bailed on life, or life bailed on him, or whatever. I only said what I did because I hate Kevin.

Tea: That doesn't excuse saying that to his mother.

Todd: Viki knows I didn't mean I want her to go through that. I just hate his guts. He hates mine, too. He's tried to murder me, don't forget that.

Tea: This isn't the time for us to talk about this.

Todd: When you turn around and go in that room, you'll wish we stayed out here and talked about this, instead of going in there.

Tea: Starr?

Todd: This won't be easy.

Tea: We knew that already.

Todd: How do I do this? I break her heart, or I break yours. Either way, it will be like ripping my own heart out.

Tea: You don't have to worry about breaking my heart. Whatever happens here tonight, we'll find a way to be okay.

Todd: I feel all that junk for you. You won't forget that, right?

Tea: How could I forget that you love me when we're getting married and going on our honeymoon tonight? I love you, too. Nothing that will happen tonight could possibly change that.

Todd: She'll try.

Tea: She won't succeed. I love you.

Todd: Enough of this. Go in there and send Viki back out here.

Tea: You want me to stay in there alone...with Starr?

Todd: You won't be alone. This is your chance to use Little E on her, like you did on me.

Tea: I did not use him on you.

Todd: Oh, please! He was your bait to reel me back in again.

Tea: No, he was your excuse for invading my life again.

[Tea finally summons the courage and turns around. The sight of her former step-daughter, the girl she's missed with a broken heart for years, staring at her with hatred in her eyes, breaks her heart all over again.

Todd stands close to his ex-wife as he whispers in her ear.]

Todd: She loves you.

Tea: She hates me.

Todd: She's pissed because she loves you and she thinks you bailed on her. Tell her the truth.

[Tea turns back toward him.]

Tea: I can't do that. She needs to believe her mother.

Todd: She needs to know that you never bailed on her.

Tea: Her relationship with Blair...

Todd: Is filled with a ton of lies. Everyone's relationship with Blair is nothing but lies.

Tea: This isn't about Blair. This is about Starr. I don't want to hurt her anymore than she's already been hurt.

[Viki returns to the foyer carrying Little Enrique in her arms.]

Viki: Will you be joining us?

Todd (to Tea): Go on.

[Tea takes her nephew from Viki and nervously enters the living room.]

Viki: Do you still want something to wear?

Todd: Whatever.

[Todd follows Viki up the stairs.

In the living room...]

Tea: Hello, Starr.

[Starr doesn't respond as she also refuses eye contact.]

Tea: You look very pretty today. I like the way you've done your hair.

Starr: My dad's not here, you can stop pretending to be nice to me.

Tea: I'm not pretending. I'm glad you came. I know your dad is, too. He just went upstairs with your Aunt Viki to change his clothes. They'll be back down soon. Maybe we can use this time to catch up a little, okay?

[Starr wordlessly stands up and walks toward the patio doors. She stares outside, determined to ignore Tea for the rest of the time she's forced to be there.

Upstairs...]

Todd: Why couldn't you hook up with a guy who had decent taste in clothing?

Viki: I happen to think Ben has wonderful taste. He always looks handsome in whatever he wears.

Todd: I'm about to puke.

Viki: Why are you wearing a tuxedo?

Todd: It's what people wear to weddings, right?

Viki: Whose wedding did you attend?

Todd: Mine...later today.

Viki: You and Tea are getting married? That's wonderful.

[Viki kisses Todd on the cheek. Todd wipes his cheek with his hand in mock disgust.]

Viki: Where are you getting married?

Todd: Not here, so don't get any ideas.

Viki: I wasn't offering.

Todd: Why not?

Viki: Would you like to get married here?

Todd: Can you do whatever you do that makes Starr do whatever you want and make her be here for it?

Viki: You should invite her yourself.

Todd: You should go downstairs and make Starr love Tea again.

Viki: This must be difficult for her.

Todd: It's always difficult for her whenever she hooks up with me.

[From downstairs, they hear the sounds of Little Enrique crying. Todd listens intently for a moment.]

Todd: That's not his hungry cry. He must have seen a picture of a Buchanon, or something.

Viki: It's very sweet how close you are to that little boy.

Todd: Go away.

[Viki leaves Todd in the bedroom and returns to the living room. She's surprised to find Starr alone in the room.]

Viki: Where is Tea?

Starr: I don't know and I don't care.

Viki: Starr...

Starr: I don't want to be here.

Viki: Your father and step-mother are making an effort to solve your family's problems. You need to do the same.

Starr: She's not my step-mother anymore and never will be again. Daddy would never marry someone I hate.

Viki: Why do you think you hate Tea?

Starr: I don't think I hate her. I know I do.

Viki: You always loved Tea in the past.

Starr: She's trying to ruin things for my mom and dad, like she did before.

Viki: Your parents have a complicated relationship.

Todd (entering the room): No we don't. We hate each other's guts. There's nothing complicated about it.

Viki: Todd...

Todd: Don't give me that look. You're always harping on me about truth, and now you expect me to lie to my own kid? I'm not doing it. Blair and I aren't getting back together.

[Tea enters the room with Little E.]

Starr: You would if that golddigger wasn't getting in the way.

Todd: If you want to know who the real golddigger is...

Tea: Todd, don't.

Todd: She should know the truth.

Viki: Everyone should calm down, and sit down.

Starr: I'm not staying in any room that she's in.

[Starr tries to storm out of the room passed Todd. He stops her.]

Starr: You can't make me stay here. You can't make me live with you ever again, either.

Todd: You don't have a choice. I have custody.

Starr: I won't live with that woman. I'll run away again.

Todd: Why won't you give this a chance?

Starr: Because she never gave us a chance. You and mommy were getting back together. She ruined it.

Todd: We were never getting back together.

Starr: Yes, you were.

Todd: We pretended we might because it was what you wanted. Blair doesn't even want to be with me.

Starr: Yes, she does.

Todd: She wants to be with Max. I want to be with Tea. The sooner you accept that, the easier this will be for all of us.

Starr: I won't accept it, because it's not true. You don't love her. You never did. She never loved you. She just wanted your money. She pretended she loved me but it was all a lie. The only thing she loves is money.

Todd: You have to stop believing all the junk Blair tells you.

Starr: Mommy tells me the truth. You're the one who lies to me. You told me we could be a family.

Todd: I'm trying to give you a family. One that actually gives a damn about each other.

Starr: You don't love her.

Todd: You're wrong.

Starr: You only married her before because she tricked you.

Todd: I'm marrying her today because I love her.

Tea: Todd, this isn't the time.

Starr: Shut up! This is between my daddy and me.

Todd: Don't ever talk to Tea like that.

Starr: I can do whatever I want.

Todd: No, you can't. I'm your father...

Starr: Not anymore.

Todd: You can't dump me just because I'm not doing what you want.

Starr: Why not? You dumped me. So did Tee.

Todd: Tee never dumped you.

Tea: Todd...

Todd: All that stuff I told you about Blair not letting Tee see you was the truth.

Starr: No, it wasn't. Mommy...

Todd: Lied to you. That's what she does. She lies to people. Tee won't lie to you. Go on, Tea, tell her.

to be continued...

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2002 COPYRIGHT BY TIMA






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