"I'll get it."

"Jessie!!" Starr screamed as she saw Jessica in the doorway.

"Jessie, Honey, who is it?" Viki asked coming into the foyer.

"Aunt Viki!" Starr ran to hug Viki, leaving Charlie Briggs in the doorway.

"Starr , honey, what are you doing here?" Viki broke from Starr's embrace.

"Well, I was sposed to spend the day with Tee, but she had to go to the police station. She took me to Daddy. I was playing with Daddy in his office, but he had a meeting, so Mr. Briggs brought me here to play. That is if it's okay," she said sweetly.

"Mrs. Carpenter, Mr. Manning asked me to bring Starr to you, and tell you that he would be here to pick her up as soon as he could," Briggs replied making himself known.

"That's fine Mr. Briggs. Thank you for bringing her over." Viki smiled at him. "Bye Mr. Briggs. Thank you for bringing me." Starr beamed.

"It was my pleasure. Have fun."

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

Jessica and Starr sat at the coffee table trying to put a puzzle together. "Jessie? Will you help me do something?" Starr questioned as she placed a piece in.

"Sure, if I can Short stuff," Jessica replied placing her piece in. "What is it?"

"Well, Valentines Day is in a few days, and I wanna do something really special for Daddy and Tee. Will you help me?" Starr gave Jessie THE LOOK.

"Hey, don't give me that look. I'd be happy to help you, but we may have to ask my mom for help too." Starr smiled and leaned to hug Jessica.

"What should I do Jessie? What would they like?" Starr questioned.

"See, that is where my mom comes in. She would know."

"Well, lets ask her. Aunt Viki!!!!!!!!" Starr bellowed.

"What? What is it Starr? You sounded like your father bellowing," Viki said as she entered the room.

"I wanna do something really good for Daddy and Tee and I asked Jessie to help me and she said to ask you, so I yelled for you," Starr explained.

"Well, what do you want to do?" Viki asked.

"I don't know... something really special though. Maybe a trip somewhere, but not too far away. That way I can see my mom and do something for Tee and Daddy too."

"Sounds like a good plan." Smiled Viki.

"Hey mom, Short stuff, I got it. Make them reservations at that little inn Téa likes so well, The Bayberry. It isn't too far and it is one of her favorite places. Plus they still get to be away on a little trip just like you wanted," Jessica said smiling at Starr.

"That sounds splendid. What do you think Starr?" Viki looked at Starr who was beaming.

"That sounds good, lets do it."

"I've got the number up in my room. I'll be right back." Jessica left and returned a few minutes later. She explained that while she was gone she had made reservations for Todd and Téa, and asked for the honeymoon suite for good measure. Starr was so excited. They spent the rest of the afternoon playing and talking.

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

"Tee!" Starr yelled as she and Todd entered the penthouse.

"Hi Sweetpea. Did you have fun with Daddy?" Téa asked as she hugged the little girl.

"Yeah, until his meeting, but that was okay because Mr. Briggs took me to Aunt Viki's. I got to play with her and Jessie. It was a blast."

"Well, mija, I am glad that you had fun. I am sorry that we didn't spend the day as planned, but I'll make up for it on our trip tomorrow, okay?" Téa said as she brushed Starr's bangs away.

"It's okay. I understand. Plus I got to spend time with Jessie and Aunt Viki. And I got you and Daddy a special Valentine's present." She smiled.

"Present? What present? Where is it?" Todd questioned as he came from the kitchen with a soda.

"Starr was just telling me that she got us a Valentine's present." Téa winked at him.

"Cool, where is it?" Todd asked as he sat beside them on the sofa.

"Daddy you're silly. You can't have it until Valentine's Day," Starr explained to him.

"But you won't be here. You will be with your mom."

"Yeah, but that's okay. I got it all taken care of Daddy." She smiled at him.

"Whatever." Todd smiled back. Téa rolled her eyes at him.

"You two ready for dinner?" Téa questioned as she removed herself from the sofa.

"Sure, Let's eat," Todd growled as he lifted Starr into his arms and headed to the kitchen.

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

"So what do you think Starr got us?" Todd asked as he got ready for bed.

"I don't know, but knowing her it will be just as special as she is," Téa said as she put toothpaste on her toothbrush.

"Maybe"

"Wha you mean?" Téa said with her toothbrush in her mouth.

"She did spend the day with Viki. Who knows what Viki filled Starr's mind with."

"Todd!" Téa spit in the sink.

"Well." He looked at her while rolling his eyes, then jumped into bed. Téa rinsed then entered the bedroom. She walked slowly and seductively across the room. Todd followed her every move. She set her alarm for her shopping trip with Starr and Jessica. Then slowly turned around, carefully removed her pillow, drew it back over her head, then fired it at Todd. He gasped for air as the force of Téa's pillow took away his breath. She got in a few more hits before he grabbed the pillow away from her, and pinned her to the bed. "I can't believe you did that." Todd breathed heavily.

"You had it coming Manning." Téa smiled, as out of breath as he was.

"What did I do?"

"I don't know, but it doesn't matter now." She gave him THE LOOK, and kissed him deeply.

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

"Téa, do you think that Will will like this?" Jessica asked holing up a blue and Khaki stripped shirt.

"Sure, I think it will look good on him. What do you think Starr?"

"I think it's nice but I like this one better," she said holding up a yellow button down that had a small Tommy Hillfiger emblem on the pocket.

"Wow, me too. Thanks Short stuff." Jessica hugged her cousin.

"Girls, what do you think about this for Todd?" Téa asked holding up a light blue shirt similar to the one Starr had just shown Jessica, and a pair of khaki pants. The expressions on the girls' faces could not have been any different. Jessica smiled in total agreement.

"Tee, it isn't black," Starr scoffed.

Téa smiled. "I know sweetie, but I wanted to get Daddy out of black and into colors. They will make him happier."

"Whatever." Starr gave Téa a totally Todd look. Téa chuckled.

"Hi Starr." They all turned as they heard a little voice.

"Hi Ashton." Starr smiled at her friend.

"Hi Mrs. Manning." The little girl said shyly.

"Hi sweetie, what are you doing here?" Téa questioned.

"My mommy is shopping for my daddy for Valentine's Day, and then we are going to a movie." Ashton turned to Starr. "She said that I could invite someone, but when I called your dad said that you were out. So I had to come alone." Ashton sounded disappointed.

Téa looked at the two little girls, then at Jessica. "Jessica, Ashton, will you excuse us for a minute?" Téa said as she took Starr's hand and took her aside, then got to her knees. "Starr, honey, if you want to go with Ashton, that's okay. It's up to you though." She smiled.

"Really?"

"Really." Starr smiled at her stepmother, then her smile faded. "What's wrong?"

"I promised that I would spend the day with you and Jessie, and I don't want to break my promise."

Téa hugged her. "Honey, it's okay I promise. You aren't breaking your promise. We are letting you out of it."

"You promise?"

"I promise now go have fun." Téa stood up and headed back to Jessica and Ashton. "Hey sweetpea hold on, come here a minute. I forgot something. Here is some money. Did you get everything you needed?"

"Yes, Thank you Tee." She hugged Téa's waist.

"No problem sweetie." She returned to Jessica as the little girls left to join Ashton's mother.

"That was a very sweet thing to do." Jessica smiled.

"She was worried that we would think that she broke her promise to us."

"No, she's so sweet," Jessica replied as she went to pay for her items. "And you. You are a great mom. Starr and this new baby are so lucky." She smiled at Téa.

"I hope you're right."

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

"Starr, your mother will be here any minute. Are you ready?" Todd bellowed from the bottom of the stairs.

"Almost! Tee where's Fred?" Starr yelled back. Téa appeared in the doorway with her arms full of laundry.

"He's already in your bag. I packed him while you were having your Valentine's breakfast with daddy." Téa smiled.

"Good, I can't forget him." She moved her bag to the door.

Téa put Starr's laundry away and sat down on Starr's bed. "Estrella aqui." Starr did as she was told. "What's wrong? You are acting like you have ants in your pants." She pulled the little girl's hair away from her shoulders.

"I don't know," she said looking down at her feet. "I guess I'm just excited about getting to see my mom. I mean like being here with you and daddy is great, especially with the new baby. But I miss my mom since she moved to Pittsburgh." She slowly met Téa's eyes. Téa hugged Starr tight.

"Honey, that's okay. You have every right to miss your mother. Anytime you need to talk about it or anything else, I'm here for you and so is daddy." Téa's words were interrupted by the doorbell.

"Starr!!!" They heard Todd bellow and both began to laugh.

"Well, I guess your mom's here. You ready?" Téa asked as she brushed back Starr's bangs.

"Let's go." Starr replied. Téa picked up Starr's bag and headed downstairs with Starr closely in tow.

"Hi baby," Blair said as soon as she saw Starr hit the bottom of the stairs. "Hi mommy," Starr said as she ran to her mother's waiting arms. "I've missed you."

"Me too. You ready?" Blair asked standing.

"Yeah. Where's Darrian?" Starr asked as she grabbed her bag from Téa. "He had to stay in Pittsburgh. He had practice." Todd's eyebrows raised.

"Another loser Blair?" Téa saw Blair's feathers ruffle.

"As a matter of fact he is the short stop for the Pirates."

"Bet he is a short stop," smirked Todd.

"Todd! That's enough. Not now," Téa said sternly and gave him a look that reinforced her words.

"Uh, thanks Téa," Blair said slowly as she picked up Starr's bag and headed to the door.

"No problem, he was out of line."

"You ready Starr?"

"Yeah bye Tee" She hugged her stepmother then her father "Bye daddy."

"Don't forget your coat," he said holding it up. She grabbed it then headed to the door.

"Oh wait, I forgot something." She dropped her coat and headed upstairs leaving Blair, Todd, and Téa staring blankly behind her. Starr returned shortly with two envelopes. She handed one to Todd and the other to Téa. "Don't open them until I'm gone," she said putting her coat on and going out the door. As soon as Todd heard the elevator doors shut he tore into his, slowly followed by Téa.

"What the hell is this?" Todd asked as he fiddled with the pamphlet.

"I have a note with mine. 'Tee, I know daddy is clueless. This lets you guys go to that inn that you like. Happy Valentine's Day Starr'."

"No, she wouldn't." Todd flopped on the sofa and buried his head in his hands. Téa joined him and took his hands away.

"Face it Manning our daughter is a hopeless romantic."

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

"Well, we're here. Can we go now?" Todd whined.

"I don't think so, besides Starr did this for us. The least we can do is enjoy the weekend . That is what she would want." Téa smiled as she opened the door to the suite.

"Fine be that way." Todd pushed into the room behind Téa.

"Wow, Starr really out did herself."

"Yeah that's my kid for you. Now I know Viki had something to do with this," Todd said as he dropped the suitcases onto the bed.

"Todd give it up! We're here and we are going to stay and enjoy this weekend that Starr so graciously arranged for us." Téa said starting to unpack. Todd followed her lead realizing that he had no other choice. Once they were done packing they headed down to the inn's restaurant to have dinner. Dinner was nice and quiet. It was a relief to Todd. They took a small walk after dinner. Todd loved to look at Téa in the moonlight. It made her features more prominent and radiated her beauty. During dinner Todd had asked one of the waiters to go to their room and fill it with peach roses, and to cover the bed and floor with rose petals. He also instructed him to start the hot tub. As they approached their room, Téa gave Todd a strange look.

"What?" he asked trying not to give anything away.

"What have you done? You know that my senses are all sensitive since I'm pregnant."

"Yeah so?" He looked at her. He knew that he had lost this round, but would quickly win the next.

"I smell something fishy so to speak."

"Geez Delgado you are nuts." Todd smiled. He opened the door and peeked in to make sure everything was done as he had instructed, then entered with Téa close behind.

"Oh Todd, it's gorgeous, but how? I was with you all evening?" He saw the tears that threatened to fall.

"No water works Delgado." He slowly and tenderly kissed her. As their kiss grew deeper Todd slowly began to undo the buttons on her shirt. Téa moaned her satisfaction. Todd broke their embrace. "Easy Téa, not yet I want you to completely relax." He took her hands and led her to the hot tub. "In," he instructed.

"Aren't you going to join me?" she asked a little disappointed.

"Soon enough. In." Téa finished undressing and did as she was told. While she was soaking, Todd went to get a bottle of sparkling cider, and lit candles around the room. Vanilla was her favorite scent. Todd entered the room quietly, Téa was on the verge on slumber, but she heard him. She remained as she was. Todd got in as gently as he could so as not to be suspected. He maneuvered his way behind her and began to massage her shoulders and back. She had put her hair up, which Todd found all too appealing. He couldn't resist any longer. He gently nibbled her neck.

"MMmmmmm. That's really nice." Todd continued his assault and slowly his hands made their way to her stomach, then to her breasts. "Mph" Téa tried to hold in her protest. Todd immediately let her go. "

Sorry, I didn't mean to hurt you."

"Querido, you didn't hurt me, I am just really tender." She took his hands and placed them back onto her breasts and slowly ran his hands over her, showing him how to touch her. Todd found this to be extremely arousing and Téa was well aware of that. She let his hands go, and reached her hands back to his neck. She ran her hands through his hair. She gently pulled his head down toward her, and gently kissed him. She removed her hands and down his muscular arms. She kissed his biceps. Todd moved his attention back to her neck.

"You taste and feel so good Téa," he whispered into her hair.

"So do you Todd," she said as she grabbed hold of him.

"Mmm, Delgado. I don't think that is a good idea."

"Why not?"

"Because I have something else in mind and if you continue to do what you're doing, then I am not going to be able to do what I have in mind."

"Oh." She gave him one last stroke then let him go. He lifted her up out of the hot tub and carried her into the bedroom. He gently laid her down onto the bed. He picked up an few petals and let them fall to her body. He took her feet and placed them onto his shoulders. He smiled at her and kissed her feet then her toes, then began to message them.

"Ya know, every muscle in the foot is connected to a part of your body. Personally I like this one."

"Oh, I bet you do." Téa bit her lip.

"This one is in charge of arousal, does it work?" He asked smiling devilishly.

"What.. do you... think?" He laughed at her. He stopped and kissed her ankles, then slowly moved to her calves, knees, thighs. "Um Todd, please don't. I mean I enjoy that immensly, but not now. Know what I mean?"

"All too well Téa, all too well." He proceeded to kiss her stomach and continued his upward journey. He teased her nipples with his tongue. He sucked on them for a moment then continued trailing butterfly kisses up her neck until her reached her lips.

"Now Todd. Please?" She said into his lips. "I need you." Todd complied with his wife's wishes and slowly pushed himself into her. Immediately they entered a rhythm known only to them. As their intensity grew, so did their rhythm. They reached a totally unbelievable orgasm together. Todd collapsed onto Téa, completely spent. Once their bodies and breathing returned to normal, Todd finally was able to speak.

"That was so incredible and so intense."

"I know, Happy Valentine's Day Querido."

"Happy Valentine's Day. You are my only Valentine."

"Valentine" sung by Martina McBride

If there were no words
No way to speak
I would still hear you
If there were no tears
No way to feel inside
I'd still feel you

Chorus:
And even if the sun refused to shine
Even if romance ran out of rhyme
You would still have my heart until the end of time
You're all I need, my love, my Valentine

All of my life
I have been waiting for
All you give to me
You've opened my eyes
And shown me how to love unselfishly
I've dreamed of this a thousand times before
In my dreams I couldn't love you more
I will give you my heart
Until the end of time
You're all I need my love, my Valentine