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| LAST CHANCE BY TIMA |
CHAPTERS 191 - 200 |
PREVIOUSLY...
Tea: Do you want to be with me right now?
Todd: You know I do.
Tea: Is it love or is it sex?
Todd: Both.
Tea: I can accept that.
Todd: You're sure?
Tea: Yes. Now, we need to get your clothes off because I don't feel like being the only one who's naked in this room anymore.
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chapter 191:
Todd: Tea...
Tea: Todd, I am absolutely, positively certain that I want to do this...right now...right here.
[Todd brings his mouth close to her ear and whispers.]
Todd: I love you, Tea. I'm trusting you to never let me screw this up completely.
[Tea holds Todd tightly against her body.]
Tea: I love you, too, Todd. So much.
[For more than a minute, they do nothing but hold each other. As Todd starts to become uncomfortable with the physical and emotional closeness, he tries to prevent it from ending what he knows Tea needs. Tea, though, senses the physical change in the way he holds her and knows that they have to move on.
Tea pulls out of his embrace and begins to quickly unbutton his shirt. Finding a T-shirt underneath, and wanting to feel his chest, she pulls his outer shirt down his arms and tosses it toward the bathroom door.
Todd pulls his own T-shirt over his head and tosses it in the same direction as his other shirt. Tea's hands quickly descend upon his chest as her lips move to his neck. Todd's hands caress up and down her back, enjoying the feeling of her skin.
When Tea's kisses move up to his mouth, they kiss passionately as her hand moves down his stomach. She quickly opens his pants and slides her hand inside his underwear. Their kissing stops as Todd gasps slightly at the feeling of her hand stroking him again. He quickly pushes his pants down, allowing her more freedom for her movements.
Tea watches his face, enjoying Todd openly allowing her to see his desire in this moment.
Todd's hand moves between her legs, making sure that she's ready for him. When he ascertains that she is, he doesn't remove his hand but instead continues to caress her, trying to make her orgasm first, wanting her to be assured of pleasure before he'll allow his own pleasure to progress.
Tea loses concentration with what she's doing as she realizes his intention. Todd pulls her hands away from him and presses her body against the counter as he begins kissing her again.
It doesn't take long for Tea's body to powerfully react to Todd's touch.
Todd continues slowly caressing her as her body comes down from its peak.]
Tea (breathless): You're too good at that. You know just what to...
[Tea stops speaking as her body has a lesser, yet quite enjoyable, reaction to the continued slow massage of his fingers against her sensitive flesh.]
Tea: Right now, Todd. I want you right now.
Todd: Are you sure? We could just keep doing this. I wouldn't mind.
Tea: Well, I would. I said I want you, I want all of you, and I want it right now.
Todd: You're bossy.
Tea: You like that, don't you?
Todd: Only when your demanding this.
[Todd quickly positions her on the counter and slowly enters her. They both enjoy the thrill of their bodies connecting again. Todd briefly watches their activity in the mirror behind Tea but it makes him uncomfortable so he closes his eyes and kisses Tea, not wanting to think too much about what they're doing, instead focusing on enjoying the physical and emotional sensations of being with the woman he loves.]
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chapter 192:
[Minutes later, Todd slumps against Tea, exhausted.
When he begins to slowly remove himself from her body, Tea initially tries to hold onto him but quickly releases him.
He knows that she wants him to stay. He also wants to stay but he can feel something inside him forcing him away from her.]
Tea: It's okay, Todd.
Todd: No, it isn't.
Tea: It will be. I'll just be finishing my bath and going to bed anyway. It's okay if you miss that.
[As Tea walks across the bathroom and tests the temperature of the water in the bathtub, Todd begins to put his clothes back on.
As Tea adds hot water to her bath, she faces away from him, not wanting to watch him leave. Todd notices that she isn't looking in his direction.]
Todd: You're mad.
Tea: I'm not mad.
Todd: You sound mad.
Tea: If I am, it's not at you.
Todd: Who else is there to be mad at?
Tea: I'm mad at whatever keeps you away from me.
Todd: That's a part of me. So, you are mad at me.
[Tea steps into the bathtub and sinks into the warmth of the water. She finally looks in his direction again.]
Tea: I'm not mad at you. I promise.
Todd: I should be going.
Tea: Will I see you in the morning?
Todd: Sure. You work for me now.
Tea: I don't recall accepting your job offer.
Todd: You didn't have to.
Tea: I still don't know if our working together is a good idea.
Todd: Why not?
Tea: Todd, do you realize that we're having a conversation?
Todd: So?
Tea: So, you're still here. If all it takes to keep you in the same room after we make love is conversation, I think I can manage my end of those talks.
Todd: You could manage both ends by yourself. You're the one who's always yapping.
Tea: If it will keep you in the room, I'll yap incessantly.
Todd: You do that already anyway.
Tea: Fine. Make fun of me. I don't care. I'm just glad that you're still here.
Todd: I won't be much longer.
Tea: I'll take as long as you can give me, Todd.
Todd: You know, if we were in bed...
Tea: So, it's because we're not touching and you have your clothes on again?
Todd: Probably.
Tea: Well, you know, we could have both of those things while sharing a bed.
Todd: That would be different.
Tea: Why?
Todd: I don't know.
Tea: What forces you to leave?
Todd: You already know the answer to that.
Tea: I mean, what does it feel like?
Todd: I don't know. Like, I'll die if I don't get out.
Tea: That bad?
Todd: Yeah. My breathing changes. There's this feeling in my chest. I feel like I'm going to have a heart attack or something.
Tea: Do you feel that right now?
Todd: No. Probably, because I know I'm leaving in a minute.
Tea: Okay.
Todd: So, you're letting me go?
Tea: As long as you come back.
Todd: I can't seem to stay away, unfortunately.
Tea: You should try editing that sentence. It has one word too many.
Todd: It would be easier if I could get away and stay away.
Tea: It wouldn't be easier for me.
Todd: Whatever.
[Todd stares at Tea for a moment. He slowly walks over to the bathtub, planning to kiss Tea before he leaves.]
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chapter 193:
[Tea watches Todd approaching the bathtub she's lounging in.]
Tea: Are you joining me?
Todd: Are you nuts?
Tea: There's plenty of room.
Todd: I have to get out of here. You know that.
Tea: Todd?
Todd: What?
Tea: When we're together...while we're being intimate, you're okay, aren't you? The anxiety that you feel after we finish isn't there while we're...enjoying...each other, is it?
Todd: This is worse than a little anxiety.
Tea: Is it okay while we're together?
Todd: Yeah, I guess, sort of. As long as I don't think too much about what we're doing, I guess I'm okay.
Tea: Then let's do it again.
Todd: Are you serious?
Tea: Why not?
Todd: You want to have sex with me again just so I'll stay?
Tea: I want to have sex with you, to make love to you, because I love you, and I love your body, and I love the way it feels when our bodies are connected.
Todd: I don't know if that's a good idea.
Tea: Why?
Todd: I don't know. What if this feeling...
Tea: I thought you weren't having that feeling right now.
Todd: I always have this feeling.
Tea: But, not when we're together, right?
Todd: No, it's there, too. It's just different.
Tea: How is it different?
Todd: I don't know. It just is.
Tea: There must be some reason why you can manage that feeling enough when we're together to stay while we're...in the act.
Todd: I think it's kind of obvious what's different then.
Tea (smiling): That is a big difference. Maybe you could show me again how big that difference really is.
Todd: You really want to do this again?
Tea: Yes. If you'd like, you can continue to watch me bathe while you think about it.
Todd: This usually works best when there's not a lot of time to think about it.
Tea: Then don't take the time. Don't think about it.
Todd: It's kind of hard not to think about it when you're suggesting what you're suggesting and looking the way that you look. It's hard. It's really hard.
[Todd stops talking as Tea's hand rises from the water and quickly lands on the front of his pants.]
Todd: What are you doing, Delgado?
Tea: I'm seeing how hard...
[Todd quickly steps away from the bathtub and leaves the room.]
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chapter 194:
[Tea leans her head back, upset with herself for pushing Todd too far, for causing him to leave the room, for causing the end of their evening together sooner than either of them wanted. She calls out to him, hoping he'll hear her and won't leave the penthouse.]
Tea: Todd, wait. I'm sorry.
[A few moments later, the sound of the living room door slamming shut doesn't surprise Tea. The sounds that quickly follow, however, do surprise her. She barely has time for her brain to register that Todd is bounding up the stairs before he bursts into the bathroom.]
Tea: Todd...
Todd: Shut up! Just shut up!
[Todd rushes to the bathtub and climbs in on top of her, causing water to spill out onto the floor. Neither cares about the mess they're creating as they kiss passionately.
As they continue to kiss, Todd frantically works to open his pants. It isn't until he is inside of her body again that he allows himself to slow down. Even their kissing slows down as they both enjoy being intimately together again.
Moments later, Tea is disappointed when he leaves her body, leaving them both still unsatisfied.]
Todd: This isn't comfortable for you. You should be comfortable.
Tea: I'm fine.
Todd: The bed would be better for you.
Tea: This second would be the best for me.
Todd: Tea...
Tea: This is okay. We've never had a quickie in the bathtub before.
Todd: It's not our first time having a quickie in the bathroom, though.
Tea: It's not even our first time this hour. Maybe it won't be our last.
Todd: Where else were you figuring? Because, I have to tell you, the toilet doesn't turn me on.
Tea (laughing): Maybe not, but I hope I do, because you turn me on, Todd. You really do.
Todd: Yeah, you kind of mess with my mind and body, too.
Tea: I noticed.
Todd: You have an unfair advantage over me because of that.
Tea: I promise I'll only use it for good.
Todd: Good, huh?
Tea: More than good...outrageously, tantalizingly, overwhelmingly unbelievable.
Todd: Really? You're okay with it?
Tea: Yeah, I'm okay with it. Put it back in and I'll show you how okay I really am with it.
Todd: You're more than okay, Delgado.
Tea: Show me.
Todd: You really want to stay here. We could do the bed thing or we could go downstairs.
Tea: You'll leave after, won't you?
Todd: Yeah, but I'll come back. I promise you, I'll come back.
Tea: I don't think I'm up for the bed. I would want something other than a quickie and that would make you uncomfortable and I would want you to stay and you can't do that right now.
Todd: We don't have to do this at all, Delgado.
Tea: I'm not a quitter. I always finish what I start. How about you?
Todd: I don't think I'll ever be finished with you, Tea.
Tea: I hope not.
[As Todd satisfies both of them by returning to her body, he forces himself to go slower than earlier. He knows that he won't be able to stall his anxiety after they make love and he'll need to leave. He wants to delay that moment, both for Tea and for himself.]
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chapter 195:
[Later that night...
Viki yawns as she descends the staircase of her home, preparing herself for another late night session with her brother. She knows that it's her brother at her door because he has been ringing her doorbell incessantly for several minutes while yelling out her name, successfully waking her.]
Viki (as she opens the door): Good evening, Todd.
Todd (bursting through her doorway): Save your perk. You shut your phone off, didn't you?
Viki: I was trying to sleep.
Todd: You knew I'd need you.
Viki: I knew that I needed a complete night's sleep.
Todd: Fine. You don't care about me anymore. I should have known better than to trust you.
[Todd storms back out the door. Viki calmly closes it and steps into her living room. She opens the patio doors and takes a seat on the sofa, facing away from the patio.
A few minutes later, she senses a presence behind her.]
Viki: Are you calm now?
Todd: Hell, no. What do I have to be calm about?
Viki: Your daughter...your wife...
Todd: Shut up about my wife.
Viki: So, this visit is about your romantic relationship?
[Todd cringes at the mention of romance.]
Todd: Romance? I don't do romance.
Viki: Does Tea know that?
Todd: I think she's probably figured it out by now.
Viki: Todd, sit down.
Todd: We should get out of here. We'll go for a drive again.
Viki: We can stay here. We have the place to ourselves.
Todd: This place is probably bugged.
Viki: By whom?
Todd: Anybody who hates me and wants dirt.
Viki: Wouldn't they bug your home, not mine?
Todd: They know I'm paranoid enough to sweep my place for bugs.
Viki: No one is eavesdropping on us here, I promise you. I'm tired and don't want to drive around tonight. We'll have our session here.
[Todd closes the patio doors to ensure privacy before moving further into the room and pacing in front of Viki.]
Todd: Session?
Viki: Our therapy session.
Todd: Therapy? Are you nuts? That was a rhetorical question.
Viki: I'm not nuts and I don't think that you are either.
Todd: My cracked sister thinks I'm sane. Why doesn't that make me feel better?
Viki: Did you come here to insult me or to discuss your relationship with Tea?
Todd: Fine. Tell me what the hell to do.
Viki: Go home. Be with the woman you love.
Todd: I was just with her...twice.
Viki: You certainly have been busy.
Todd: Well, it was just supposed to be once but as I was leaving she got me again.
Viki: After the second time, you were able to escape?
Todd: Finally.
Viki: Did you really want to leave her? Wouldn't you have preferred to spend the night with her?
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chapter 196:
Todd: If I could spend the night with Tea, don't you
think I'd be there right now instead of wasting my time here with you?
Viki: I'm
looking forward to the time, hopefully soon, when you will be able to spend the night with
Tea.
Todd: Really?
Viki: I'd like to be able to count of having a full
night's sleep again.
Todd: Sleep...who needs it?
Viki: We all do? Do you
think you could sleep with Tea?
Todd: I'm here instead. Pay
attention.
Viki: I meant, if you could get passed this problem you currently are
having, do you think you could sleep while in Tea's presence?
Todd: Yeah, I guess.
We shared a bed once during our first marriage. She didn't kick me in her sleep, or
anything.
Viki: Well, good. We just need to work on what is keeping you from
feeling able to stay the night with her.
Todd: Tea thinks it's panic.
Viki:
What do you think?
Todd: I think it's useless. It's never gonna happen and she's gonna
leave me.
Viki: Is that what is causing your fear? Is that what prevents you from
sleeping next to her? Are you afraid to fall asleep next to Tea because you are afraid that you will
wake up and find her gone?
Todd: It could happen.
Viki: It could also
happen that you could return to your penthouse after leaving here and find her
gone.
Todd: You think she's ditching me right now?
Viki: No, I do not
think that. What I am saying is that if it is a fear of abandonment that causes you to disturb my
sleep...
Todd (interrupting): Look, if you don't want me around anymore, just say
so.
Viki: I want you to spend the night with the woman you consider your
wife.
Todd: So you can get some sleep? Viki: So you can.
Todd: I
sleep...once in a while.
Viki: You need to increase your average. I think you would be
a more pleasant person to be around if you slept regularly.
Todd: Well, right there's a
really good reason not to.
Viki: Obviously, you want to share yourself with Tea that
way.
Todd: She wants it.
Viki: And, you want it for
her?
Todd: Yeah, I guess.
Viki: What about you? What do you
want?
Todd: I just told you.
Viki: You want to be able to give her
something that you know she wants?
Todd: Yeah.
Viki: That's the only
reason that you want to find a way to handle this anxiety you're experiencing.
Todd:
Pretty much.
Viki: Are there other reasons?
Todd: What other reasons
could there be?
Viki: If Tea were to decide that she prefers to sleep alone, would you
still want to share a bed with her for yourself...for your own needs?
Todd: If she
didn't want it, I wouldn't force her.
Viki: What if she were okay either way? Would
you want it for yourself? Do you feel that you need it?
Todd: You can go back to
sleep now. I'll just drive around by myself for six or seven hours until this stupid night finally
ends.
Viki: You could spend the night here.
Todd: In the flower
room?
Viki: I have other rooms. You can have your pick of any bedroom...except
mine.
Todd: Well, that's the only one I really wanted. Viki: Or, you can sleep on the
sofa, if none of the rooms are to your liking.
Todd: If I was going to sleep on the sofa,
I could go back to the penthouse and sleep on the sofa there.
Viki: Perhaps you
should.
Todd: You're tired of me already?
Viki: I'm certain it would make
Tea feel better knowing that you spent the night there, even if you didn't spend it sharing a bed
with her.
Todd: I could watch her sleep. That always makes the hours easier to deal
with.
Viki: You watch Tea sleep?
Todd: Yeah. I did it a lot when we were
married. Don't worry, she knows about it.
Viki: She's okay with
that?
Todd: Yeah, I guess. I don't think it creeps her out too much.
Viki:
Then go home and watch your wife sleep. Take comfort in her.
Todd: Now you're
pushing it too far.
Viki: I know you, Todd. I know that her presence is comforting to
you. It gives you a certain peace that you don't have when you're not with her.
Todd:
Okay, this is making me start to itch. I'm leaving now.
Viki: Good night, Todd. I'll
start taking a nap early in the evening so we can continue our late night
sessions.
Todd: And, what if I'm suddenly cured and don't need this
anymore?
Viki: That would be great but we both know that these kinds of problems
don't clear themselves up overnight. This could be a long process. You're lucky that you have a
woman who's willing to be so patient.
Todd: You think she'll stick it
out?
Viki: Don't you?
Todd: I don't know. I need her to, but people hardly
ever do what I need them to do.
[Todd immediately turns and walks to the patio
doors. Without speaking another word to his sister, he opens the doors and leaves.]
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chapter 197:
Several weeks later...
Tea and Todd have continued their physical relationship. Todd is still unable to spend the night sleeping next to Tea. Most nights after they make love, he goes to Viki's house and talks to her for a while before spending the night on the sofa in his office at The Sun.
Tea still wants him to spend the night with her but she is happy that he seems to be settling into their relationship in most other ways. She's also happy for him since, in the last several weeks, he's been able to get controlling interest in his newspaper again, although, she technically owns the shares that Kelly previously held.
Asa's ownership of a small percentage of shares of The Sun hasn't afforded the amount of conflict Todd was looking forward to enjoying. He had hoped to relish Asa's outrage that The Sun was once again a newspaper that without conscience would reveal any Buchanan family skeletons it could dig up. However, upon hearing that Todd was running The Sun again, Asa was promptly hospitalized for recurring heart problems. Todd regrets that he didn't even have the pleasure of being the one to tell Asa the good news. He does look forward to a time when the older man is back in fighting form since it isn't as much fun taking on the Buchanan clan on the front page without Asa stomping into his office, threatening him.
Asa has already, from his hospital bed, summoned Tea and tried to convince her to join him against Todd. She declined. Renee caught Asa trying to sweet talk Tea and was not amused...by his propensity for unnecessary battles or undisguised flirting.
Todd not only has been working hard at his newspaper but also at repairing his relationship with his daughter. He has been devoting as much time to her as he can, while still finding plenty of time to take on the grand hypocrites of Llanview. He has even taken her on vacation for an entire week, just the two of them.
For the last week, Todd and Tea have had to satisfy themselves with long distance phone calls, usually at night, after Starr has fallen asleep, exhausted from the fun she and Todd have had all day at the amusement park they've been staying at.
The phone calls between the lovers often last for hours, with much silence interspersed among the words...mostly Tea's words.
During Todd's absence, Tea and Viki have spent more time together. Although Tea isn't comfortable discussing some of the intimate details of her relationship with Todd, she has taken Todd's advice and spoken to Viki about her feelings concerning Todd's continued inability to share a bed with her...besides when they're making love.
Tea's conversations with Viki about Todd are partly because she does feel that she needs to speak to someone about how difficult it is for her but she knows that Todd wouldn't approve of anyone other than Viki knowing details about their private life. Tea also shares her feelings with Viki because she hopes that perhaps it will help Todd in some way. He is practically using Viki as his therapist anyway so Tea reasons that Viki should know her view of their problem. She also clings to the hope that Viki offers her that someday she and Todd will find a way to have complete intimacy together.
Tea's trying to be patient but it is becoming more and more frustrating for her that Todd is never able to stay with her after they make love.
to be continued...
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chapter 198:
Tea sits in a booth at Carlotta's diner. Every few minutes she looks at her watch, desperately wanting time to speed up so the next several hours will go by quickly. She then wants time to slow down so the evening will last longer.
Tonight, Todd finally returns from his week long vacation with Starr. Tea is thrilled that Todd has been able to spend so much time alone with his daughter, especially since she knows from talking with both of them on the phone that they're both enjoying themselves immensely. She knows that both Todd and Starr needed this time alone together to help rebuild their relationship after trying times.
Tea, however, has missed them both and felt adrift during their time away. She's tried to focus much of her attention on acquiring new clients so she can return to practicing law on a regular basis, instead of just when Todd is in legal trouble. With him back in the newspaper business, though, she knows that he most likely will generate a great deal of work for her as time goes on. She does, however, want some other clients and other legal challenges to test her skills.
Tea does feel that she has developed several good prospects for new clients during this past week but she can't help but miss her family terribly, especially when she returns to the penthouse every night and finds it empty.
In fact, Tea's at the diner right now because she can't bear the loneliness of the penthouse anymore, even though Todd and Starr will be returning to Llanview later this evening and Todd will be returning to the penthouse to be with her in just a few hours.
Tea had wanted to meet them at the airport when their plane arrives but Todd had insisted that their first time seeing each other after so many days apart shouldn't be when anyone else is around. Todd will drop Starr off on his way from the airport and then will rush to the penthouse to be reunited with Tea, in every sense.
Tea can't stop herself from smiling as she thinks about how she plans to greet Todd in a few hours.
Tea again looks down at her watch, frustrated that the minutes and hours aren't passing fast enough.
Unknown to Tea, Carlotta has been observing her for the last hour, amazed that Todd Manning is the one who is having such an effect on Tea. Carlotta shakes her head as she returns to her work, not understanding why Tea feels this way about someone like Todd, but accepting that she clearly does.
to be continued...
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chapter 199:
[It's closing time and Tea is still at the diner, still looking at her watch every few minutes. Carlotta brings a sandwich and some fresh coffee to the booth Tea has been occupying for much of the evening. As Carlotta places the meal before her, Tea looks up from her reading material.]
Tea: Are you taking a break?
Carlotta: This is for you.
Tea: Thank you, but I'm not very hungry.
[Carlotta slides into the booth and sits across from the younger woman.]
Carlotta: This man makes you this anxious?
Tea: Is it that obvious?
Carlotta: You haven't eaten. You've been looking at your watch every few minutes since you've been here. You're either anxious or scared.
Tea: I'm not scared. You know that. It's just that I've missed him so much while he's been away.
Carlotta: So, all these nights you've spent here this past week haven't been because of my cooking?
Tea: It was because of your company. I needed it with Todd and Starr out of town. I miss my family. It's still amazing to me that they are my family again.
Carlotta: If you truly are a part of their family now, why didn't he want you to go with them?
Tea: I already explained this to you. They needed this time alone. I've spoken to them both every day, though. I know that they've been having a great time.
Carlotta: But, you wanted to go with them, didn't you? Did you tell Todd this before they left?
Tea: I really do understand why he wanted time alone with his daughter. I didn't want to complicate things for him. They needed this time to be alone together, away from here, away from all of the people and all of the distractions in this town.
Carlotta: Away from you?
Tea: That's not why he took this trip. He wasn't trying to get away from me.
Carlotta: I'm sorry. That didn't come out right. I just meant that I can recall what it was like when Diego would take the boys on men only trips. At first it was great to have the house to myself. Two hours later, though, the silence I had been looking forward too so much began to feel deafening. I longed for their return...their noise, their messes, their chaos.
Tea: I can relate to that. Living with Todd is certainly chaotic.
Carlotta: And, you miss that?
Tea: Yes.
Carlotta: I don't think I'll ever understand why you feel you need his brand of chaos.
Tea: I love him. I can't explain it beyond that. I just love him.
Carlotta: I can't help but wish it were anyone else that you loved...someone that I could feel more comfortable with.
Tea: Isn't my comfort what should matter here?
Carlotta: Of course. I'm still keeping my eye on you, though. If I ever get any sense that man is hurting you...
Tea: Don't worry so much about me.
Carlotta: How can I not when you are with that man?
Tea: The only person who is more protective of me than you are, is Todd. So, don't worry, I am safe. Todd would take off again if he felt close to harming me. I know that. I trust that.
Carlotta: I hope your trust is warranted this time.
Tea: It is.
Carlotta: It's getting late. Shouldn't you be going to the airport soon?
Tea: Todd wanted to meet at the penthouse. I still have a couple of hours of waiting ahead of me. I know you're ready to close up. Would you mind if I stayed and helped you?
Carlotta: You're that determined not to be alone right now?
Tea: If I go home too early, I'll wear a groove into the floor from pacing too much. I need to do something with this nervous energy.
Carlotta: I do have to run a quick errand. If you don't mind, you could wait here about twenty minutes and when I return we'll go to my house for some girl talk until it's time for your...whatever he is...to return.
[Tea considers telling Carlotta that although she and Todd are no longer legally married, they both consider themselves to still be married to each other. She decides not to try to explain the situation to her in this moment, though.]
Tea: Girl talk would be great. As long as you're not planning on trying to talk me out of loving Todd.
Carlotta: If only I could talk you out of loving that man.
Tea: You can't.
Carlotta: Then I won't waste my time trying. I'll just take a few minutes to finish cleaning up and then I'll go and run my errand. I want you to stay here and finish this entire sandwich. I'm worried that you haven't been eating enough.
Tea (teasing her surrogate mother): Yes, mami.
[Minutes later...
Carlotta finishes her tasks at the diner and leaves to run her errand. Tea is alone, lost her thoughts of Todd when she's startled by someone loudly banging against the locked glass door.]
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chapter 200:
[Tea is startled as she hears someone loudly pounding on the diner's door. Her fear is momentary, though, as she turns toward the sound and quickly feels relief...and something more.
Tea approaches the door with a broad smile on her face. She quickly unlocks the door and jumps into the arms of the man before her.
Todd is uncomfortable, thinking that someone might see this public display of affection. He quickly looks around the diner, making certain that it is as empty as it looked moments earlier when he had caught his first glimpse of Tea alone inside.]
Tea: Todd?
Todd: Yeah, it's me.
Tea: I know it's you. That's why I'm hugging you.
Todd: I thought you were just relieved that someone showed up and saved you from having to eat that sandwich you were fingering.
Tea: Why are you here? You weren't supposed to be back until later? Is something wrong?
[Tea pulls back from Todd slightly but keeps her arms around him.]
Todd: Do we have to do this with people watching us?
Tea: There's no one here. We're all alone. You can hug me back and no one would know.
Todd: I'd know.
Tea: And, so would I. That's something I'd like to know.
Todd: Is it?
Tea: Yes. I've missed you.
Todd: Yeah...uh...I brought you stuff.
Tea: Did you bring me a hug?
Todd: You're not going to let go of this, are you?
Tea: I'm not going to let go of you until you hug me. I promise we're alone.
Todd: People out on the street might see us.
Tea: There's no one out there this late at night.
Todd: You're out this late. Why are you out this late? Why weren't you at the penthouse where you're supposed to be at this time of night?
Tea: I wasn't expecting you until later. I didn't want to wait alone.
Todd: Then why are you here alone?
Tea: Carlotta went to run an errand. She'll be back soon.
Todd: Let's get out of here. You can hug me all you want at the penthouse.
Tea: I can hug you all I want here.
Todd: But, I might hug you back if we're not out in public like this.
Tea: Come inside. We'll pull all the shades down. With the windows covered we won't be in public anymore.
Todd: We won't be in public at the penthouse.
Tea: We have to wait for Carlotta to return before we can leave.
Todd: Why?
Tea: Because, she expects me to still be here when she gets back.
Todd: Leave her a note.
Tea: It won't take very long. We'll wait.
Todd: Do I get to eat while I'm being forced to wait for someone who hates my guts and doesn't want you to waste your time with me?
Tea: Carlotta does not hate you.
Todd: Since when?
Tea: Since she knows that I love you...that I need you.
Todd: Whatever. Get me some grub!
Tea: Excuse me?!
Todd: You heard me. I'm hungry.
Tea: I might be willing to share my sandwich with you...if you hug me first.
Todd: Can't I just pay cash?
Tea: No.
[Todd quickly places his arms around Tea. He just as quickly removes his arms. Tea continues her embrace of him as she begins to laugh.]
Todd: Now I get grub, right?
Tea: That hug wasn't acceptable.
Todd: Why not?
Tea: It didn't last long enough.
Todd: You said nothing about time requirements.
Tea: I'm serious, Todd. I could really use a hug. We can even wait to kiss until we get back home, if you want to.
Todd: You don't want to kiss me anymore?
Tea: I definitely want to. If I start, though, I may not be able to stop.
Todd: We should probably wait then.
Tea: Just one hug, Todd. You were away so long. I need to feel your arms around me again.
[Todd finally places his arms around her and holds her tightly as they both take pleasure in each other again.]
to be continued...
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