| AGAIN II BY TORRI |
CHAPTER 1 |
Part 1
Hold my hand
and walk with me
into our future.
Lend me your shoulder
let me lean on you
when life gets rough.
Let me hold you
in your times of need.
Allow me to love
your pain away,
and kiss away your fears.
Listen to my desires.
Confide in me your secrets.
Trust me.
Honor me.
Protect me.
Entwine your fingers
in mine,
and come with me
toward our new beginning.
The house that they had purchased was perfect for raising a family. She had never seen it, and he had never described it. The drive from the penthouse had taken a little over a half-hour, all of which Tea spent blindfolded. He drove his black Mercedes, top down, wind whipping through their hair. As they slowed down, Tea could hear the rocks crunching beneath the tires. The slow drive to the main house seemed to take forever at the snails pace. She inhales his intoxicating aroma, as he leans over her to push the garage door button. There were already three vehicles parked in the six-car garage. A black Navigator for him, a red Corvette and white a Jeep for her. She hated trucks, but Pennsylvania winters could be harsh and he wanted her to be safe.
The car stopped, and he sat still for a minute, nervous about her opinion. He takes a deep breath, runs his fingers through his hair, and steps out of the car. She waits impatiently for him to open her door, and remove the blindfold. She hears his footsteps coming closer, as her heart quickens with anticipation. He opens the door, and takes her arm, leading her to the front of the house.
She notices the silence in the air, and the scent of the unpolluted air of the country. She hears the sound of running water, coming from somewhere in the distance. Like a child, she is nearly bursting with excitement.
“Todd, hurry up!”
“You always tell me to be patient, but you can’t take your own advice.”
“Yeah, and you always tell me that patience is overrated, now hurry up!”
Smiling to himself, he purposely takes his time untying the blindfold. She blinks rapidly as her eyes adjust to the light. Her eyes light up as the house comes into focus. A huge red bow wraps around it like a gift.
“If you don’t like it, we can always sell it and buy a new one,” he says nervously.
“This is the most beautiful house I have ever seen. It’s perfect.” He stands behind her; wrapping is arms around her waist.
“You sure?”
“Am I sure? Todd, this is the house that I’ve always dreamed of. Come on, show me the rest of it,” she says as she takes his hand, runs to the porch that surrounds the house and sits in the wooden swing. “I’ve always wanted one of these. Come on, sit with me,” she pats the seat next to her, encouraging him to join her.
“Naw, you, you go ahead. I like watching you.”
“Todd I won’t let you fall. I promise,” she says, sensing his fear.
“It just doesn’t look too sturdy.” He walks over to her, and puts some of his weight on the swing. Tentatively, he sits down next to her. She links her fingers in his, and kisses his hand.
“Have I told you lately how much I love you?”
“Just this morning, and last night, and yesterday afternoon.”
“Well, I’ll tell you again, I love you Todd Manning.”
“I love you too, now can we get off this thing and see the rest of the house?”
He opens the door, carrying Tea over the threshold. “Okay, now get down, you’re getting heavy,” putting her down.
Later that Day
The sun, beginning to disappear beyond the horizon, gives the white house a majestic orange glow. Tea watches the sunset from the river flowing behind the house. Consumed by the soothing sound of the river flowing, she doesn’t hear Todd approach her from behind.
“Hey,” he says, poking her in her side. Startled, she almost falls in, but he catches her.
“You scared me.”
“Where were you?”
“I was just thinking about how much Starr is going to love this place. She has all of this space, not to mention the horse that you’re going to buy her and the playground. We have to be careful though, not to spoil her.”
“Not just Starr, but our kids when we have them. You hungry?”
“A little.”
“Okay, so what do you want? Can we go back to the house now, these mosquitoes are giving me the willies.” He scratches his back and hair, trying to rid himself of the buggy feeling. They stroll back to the house on the lighted cobblestone pathway that extends from the house to the river.
“I don’t know. What do you have a taste for?”
“Uh, don’t know. I know what you want though, you just don’t want to admit it.”
“What’s that Manning?”
“You want some of that salsa food that Carlotta makes.”
“You know me so well. I wouldn’t mind it, but I know you would rather eat somewhere else.”
“It doesn’t matter, as long as I’m with you.”
She smiles at him and kisses him lightly on the lips. “You are too good to me.”
“Whatever.”
Carlotta’s Diner
Carlotta turns the sign to “closed” after the last customer leaves. She doesn’t notice the black Mercedes that pulls up, or the occupants. Todd and Tea had agreed that she would go in first and tell Carlotta about the marriage. She inhales and exhales deeply, preparing herself for the inevitable fight.
“You sure you don’t want me to go?”
“No, but thanks for offering.” She leans over and kisses him sweetly, and stares at him for a moment before exiting.
Carlotta is in the kitchen, when she hears the faint knock on the window. She tries to ignore it, but the insistent knock gets louder. She looks out the window, and is surprised to see her surrogate daughter on the other side. She fumbles with the lock, then rushes into Tea’s arms.
“Oh, mija, I’ve been so worried about you. Here, come in,” says Carlotta. Tea takes a seat at the counter, while Carlotta makes a pot of coffee.
“Didn’t Rachel tell you that I was okay?”
“She just said that you needed some time to yourself, but you never called. Where have you been?”
“Hawaii.”
“You look different.”
“How?”
“Not in a bad way, you just look content. Wait,” reaching for Tea’s left hand. “Is this what I think it is?”
“Yes.”
“Oh, Tea, you didn’t rush into anything did you?”
“I would think that you had more confidence in me than that Carlotta.”
“You rushed into that Todd Manning fiasco, and look what happened.” Tea’s face clouds over with anger, but she manages to control it. She twists her wedding band out of nervousness.
“Yeah, look what happened, I found the love of my life. Carlotta, I want you to listen to me. You know that I couldn’t love you more if you were my own mother. Come over here and sit next to me for a minute.” Carlotta obeys her request, and sits on the chair next to her. “Carlotta, when I was in Hawaii, I found Todd.” Carlotta shakes her head, not wanting to hear what was next. “And we straightened things out between us.”
“Oh, Tea, tell me you didn’t.”
“I love him, more than I thought was possible to love anyone. Before Todd, I felt like I was empty, but he fills me up. Please, just be happy for us.”
“I don’t know how that man manages to suck you in time and time again. What does this man have that keeps you going back?” Carlotta spits angrily.
“My heart. He has my heart.”
“Well you haven’t given anyone else the chance win your heart.”
“Look, let’s not argue about this. We’re married, this time for good.” Tea’s eyes sting with tears but she tries to hold them back.
Neither of them hears the ring of the bell as Todd enters the restaurant. He reads Tea’s body language, seeing the anger that lies beneath.
“Tea, let’s just go. We can grab something to eat somewhere else.” He stands behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist and pulling her into him. She relaxes at his touch, her anger subsiding.
“Carlotta, this is my husband, and whether you, or anybody else approves, that’s the way it is going to be. If you cannot accept him, then you cannot accept me,” she says turning and walking away. “Todd, are you coming?”
“Yeah, just a minute.”
“Fine, then give me the keys.” Todd tosses them to her and she leaves. Todd goes to the window, watching to make sure she made it to the car safely.
“I don’t get you,” he says turning his attention back to Carlotta.
“What don’t you get?”
“You say you love her, and want the best for her, yet you don’t support her decisions.”
“I don’t get how you can say you love her, but you lie to her and hurt her. Not to mention you left her.”
“That’s between Delgado and me. I don’t like you, you don’t like me, but I will try to get along with you for her sake. Truce,” he extends his hand as a show of good faith.
Carlotta stares at him, seething. “You weren’t around to see the shape you left her in after the wedding. She was heartbroken. She gave up a perfectly good man in John Sykes because she could not get over you. I will not stand here and pretend that I’m happy for the two of you. Get out!” She yells, pointing toward the door.
The Manning Estate
After leaving the diner, Todd and Tea decide to pick up a pizza and take it back to the house. The ride home, and dinner were quiet, neither sure of what to say. After dinner, Tea decides to go to bed. Todd tries to stay awake and watch television, but is distracted by thoughts of his confrontation with Carlotta.
The bedroom is eerily quiet, a far cry from the other nights they had spent together, with, or without a bed. He undresses, and climbs into bed. She has her back turned away from him, looking out into the darkness.
“You wanna talk about it?” Todd puts his arm around her, rubbing her stomach.
“Why can’t she just be happy for me?”
“She would be, if you were in love with anybody but me.” He gently coerces her onto her back, still rubbing her body. The moonlight reflects off of her tear-stained cheeks.
“Probably, but she has no say in who I fall in love with. What did you say to her after I left?”
“Just that we should try to get along for your sake. She didn’t want to hear it though. Are you okay about this? I mean, I know how much she means to you.”
“No, I am not okay about this, but if she can’t accept you, then she cannot be a part of my life.”
“You don’t regret marrying me do you?”
“The only regret that I have where we’re concerned, is letting you go in the first place.”
“But you know what people are going to say-“
“Since when do you care what other people say? Just look at it this way, small minds talk about people, and that’s Llanview in a nutshell.”
“Why do you think I picked a house so far out of town?” He kisses her neck, moving his hand lower toward her spot. “Is everything set for tomorrow?”
“Umm hmm. I can’t wait to see their faces,” Tea, becoming aroused by his affection, strokes him through his Calvin’s. He moans softly, high from her touch. He touches her more aggressively, leading to a night filled with passionate lovemaking.
TO BE CONTINUED
2001 COPYRIGHT BY TORRI
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