| AGAIN II BY TORRI |
CHAPTER 5 |
Love is not always perfect,
or happy,
or calm,
or easy.
But true love is eternal.
Love is sometimes retreating
into yourself,
into your thoughts,
into your private world.
But true love is everlasting.
Love is sometimes tumultuous,
unpredictable,
terrifying,
complicated.
But love, true love endures.
Todd's Car
Morning
The trees passed rapidly as they sped along the highway. The top was down; the dark tinted windows were rolled up. Kenny G blared from the CD player. They were on their way to the custody hearing. Neither slept well the night before. Tea, though she would never admit it, was worried about the hearing, among other things. Todd, thought about seeing his daughter again, and about whatever was weighing so heavily on his wife's heart. It was usually him, who had the problem opening up, now it was the opposite.
He glanced over at her, knowing instinctively that something was wrong. He didn't want push her, but he didn't like being shut out either. She probably feels the same way when I shut down. He reached behind her and massaged her neck. "You're so tense."
"Yeah, I have a lot on my mind. That feels so good."
"Anything you want to talk about?"
"It's nothing, really. I'll just be glad when we get to see Starr."
"Me too. Maybe we can go to the toy store before we go back home tonight."
"Sounds good." She plays with her wedding ring, twisting it around and around her finger.
*****
The courthouse was relatively quiet. Sam refused to act as Blair's attorney, citing a conflict of interest, but he did suggest Nora. Reluctantly, she agreed, only because she enjoyed sticking it to Todd.
Blair arrived with Max in tow, looking very sure of herself. There was no doubt in her mind that any sane judge would not give her little girl to that lunatic.
"Blair, you have to remain cool in there, remember that. This is going to be very informal; we're meeting in the judge's chambers. They are going to try everything to make you lose your cool, and you cannot let them press your buttons," Nora says.
"How stupid do you think I am Nora? I'm not going to do anything to risk losing my little girl," Blair snaps back.
"Don't take that tone with me. If you do it again, you can find yourself another attorney."
Blair pouts and stomps over to Max. She eyes Nora over her shoulder, crosses her arms and taps her foot. "Damn Todd. Damn Nora. Damn. Damn. Damn. I cannot lose Starr again."
"Calm down, Blair. Look, you're not going to lose your daughter."
The elevator dings, and Todd and Tea emerge, holding hands. They stroll confidently down the corridor, to the judge's chambers. Nora, Blair and Max follow close behind.
*****
Judge's Chambers
Judge Thompson sat behind her large desk, looking across at the two lawyers and their clients. Max was forced to stay outside, because he was not directly involved in the case.
"Trust me. Everything is going to be fine," Tea whispers into Todd's ear. She gives his hand a reassuring squeeze.
Blair rolls her eyes, and crosses her legs. "Give me a break," she mutters. Nora gives her a look, which immediately silences her.
"Ms. Cramer, are you finished?" The judge asks.
"I'm sorry about that your honor."
"Apology accepted. Now, I scheduled this to be very informal, however we will conduct ourselves in a civilized manner."
"It won't happen again, your honor."
"Good. Mr. Manning you once had full custody of Starr Manning?"
"Yes."
"And, according to Ms. Cramer, you abandoned your daughter."
"No, no I didn't abandon her." His voice gets louder as he becomes more agitated. "I, well, it's a long story. See, I had to leave her. But, now I'm back and I want to see her." Tea lightly touches his arm, calming him.
"Your honor, at the time, Mr. Manning was suffering from a condition known as DID, or dissociative identity disorder. While he was gone, he was treated for his illness. I believe you have a sworn affidavit from his doctor, Suzanne Hannon."
Nora's face hardens at the mention of her estranged sister's name.
"Yes, I have read it. Well, it seems as if this is becoming a family affair. Mr. Manning's wife is also his attorney, and Mrs. Buchanon's sister treated Mr. Manning. Ms. Cramer, what is your objection to Mr. Manning being given visitation?"
"Well, you see your honor," she flips her hair, "Todd took Starr away from me when I was injured in a car accident."
"So you're doing this to get back at him?"
"No, not at all. It's just that Starr has been doing really well since he's been gone, and I don't want to upset her. She has a stable home now. When Todd and his rent-a-wife-"
"Blair," Nora says.
"I'm sorry. Todd and Tea did not provide a stable home for my little girl. He paid her five million dollars to marry him, did you know that?"
"Is that true, Mr. Manning?"
"Yeah, but things are different now. Me and Tea are together for good," he says putting emphasis on the last word.
"Yeah, right Todd."
"Okay, I think that I've heard enough from the two of you. Do either of the attorney's have anything to add?"
"Yes. Your honor, Mr. Manning has had a history of violence. He-"
"Nora, you said the key word, history, Todd has been through therapy, and his own physician, your sister, I might add, has given him a clean bill of mental health."
"Counselors, I am going to stop this before it goes any further. I think that I have all of the information that I need. We'll take a ten minute recess, and I'll come back with my decision."
*****
Courthouse Corridor
"I think that went okay, what do you think?" Todd asks. He and Tea are sitting on a bench outside of the judge's chambers.
"I think that you did very well, keeping your cool. I can't say the same thing for Blair, which is very good. I think we have a good shot." She runs her fingers through his hair, and kisses him on the cheek.
"Yeah?"
"Yeah."
*****
Courthouse Corridor
"Well, Blair, you really blew it in there," Nora says honestly.
"Gee, it's nice to know that my lawyer has such confidence in me," retorts Blair sarcastically.
"I didn't want this case in the first place. You know what, I don't even like you very much, so why on earth do you think I would try to spare your feelings."
"I didn't want you to be my lawyer in the first place, but you're the only other game in town. Sam's still attached to that loser and felt it would be a conflict of interest. You know what, I should have taken my chances and went in there alone."
"I tell you what, you can go back in there alone. I'm outta here." Nora gathers her belongings, and starts down the hallway.
"Hey wait, Nora," Max says, blocking her way. "I would consider it a personal favor if you would see this through. Come on, I know you want to hear the judge's decision."
"After this, you can find yourself another attorney," Nora says, brushing past Blair.
"After this, you can find yourself another attorney," Blair mocks and sticks out her tongue and follows Nora into chambers.
*****
Judges Chambers
"I've looked at all of the evidence, and I have made a decision," the judge says.
Todd reaches for Tea's hand; their fingers intertwine. Blair crosses her arms and legs, and somewhat slouches in her chair. Nora sits calmly, just wanting to be away from Blair.
"In lieu of the Dr. Hannon's affidavit, and the behavior that Mr. and Mrs. Manning have exhibited today, I see no reason why they should not be granted visitation."
"Yes!" Todd exclaims.
"Your honor, you can't do that," says Blair.
"Ms. Cramer, I have had about enough of you."
"He's crazy."
"He's been declared sane by his doctor. Maybe you should check into seeing one yourself. As I was saying, the Manning's are granted overnight visits every other weekend and holiday. This, of course, can change. We'll see how that arrangement works out, and in six months we will meet again to reevaluate the agreement."
*****
The Toy Store
Afternoon
"Hey, Delgado, look at this." Todd points to a large, stuffed frog. "Looks like Fred, doesn't it?"
"Yeah. Are you going to get it?"
"Yeah. I think she'll like it." He puts it in their second shopping cart, which is filled to the top like the first.
"Todd, I don't think we should buy her anymore toys, we're going to spoil her."
"Yeah, but I have to make things up to her."
"Shower her with love, that's how we can make it up to her."
He shrugs his shoulders, and continues to browse through the store. They come across the baby furniture aisle, which Tea attempts to pass, but Todd wants to stop and look.
"What do you think of this one?" Todd asks, pointing to an oak crib.
"It's nice."
"Nice enough for our kid?"
She nods her head, smiles and walks toward the cash register. Todd doesn't miss the flash of sadness in her eyes when he mentions their kid. It's the second time in two days that he's noticed that expression when he mentioned kids.
"Hey," he says, grabbing her arm and turning her toward him, "you don't want my kid?"
"It's not that. You know I love you more then anything in the world."
"So why is it that whenever I say something about us having kids, you get all sad?"
"I'm not sad, it's just that," she quickly thinks of a lie, "I want to get The Sun back, and concentrate on my career for awhile before we have kids."
*****
Late that Evening
Club Indigo
RJ closed the club early to accommodate Tea's request. She called earlier in the day and asked if she and Todd could rent the place. He had never been able to resist her. He let everyone off early, including the chef who had prepared the meal. RJ stayed behind, just to open the club for them.
They arrived right on time. He admired Tea's dress, a clingy full length black dress. Todd scowled.
"Welcome to Club Indigo. Let me show you to your table," RJ says. Their table is in the middle of the club, their food under warmers. He pulls out Tea's chair, but Todd nudges him out of the way and takes over.
"Thank you," she says.
"Everything is as you requested. I'm leaving. Don't worry about the mess, and don't forget to lock up."
"Thanks RJ."
"Yeah, thanks," Todd says.
Before he leaves, RJ turns on the music. Tea had left the music selection up to him.
"Hey, Tea, you know who this is?" RJ asks.
"I thought you were leaving," Todd says.
"I am leaving, man-"
"No. The voice sounds familiar, but I can't place it."
"It's Jacara. When she left, she signed with L & B records. This is her first release. Night."
"It's nice. Night, RJ and thanks again."
Todd doesn't like the fact that his wife is so friendly with another man and doesn't bother to mask his feelings. He removes the top off of his plate, and is astonished to find a pizza underneath.
"I gotta hand it to you, you really know how to wine and dine."
"I know that pizza is your favorite food group, so, since this is your night, you should have whatever you want."
"Whatever?" His eyebrows arch, as he gives her a sexy look.
"Anything," she responds giving him her own sexy look.
*****
1 Hour Later
Club Indigo
The tension in the air evaporated each forgetting about their worries. They had flirted all night with their eyes, and not so innocent gestures. The way she stroked her wineglass, moving her hand up and down the stem. The way he licked the cherry from his sundae.
She took off her shoes, and moved her bare foot under his pant leg, and up his calf. He reached under the table, grabbing hold of her other foot, and massaging it.
He stops, stands and extends his hand; never taking his eyes off of her. The CD changer has changed to Sarah McLachlan's "I Love You." Strangely, it doesn't conjure bad images of their wedding night, their only thoughts were the new memories that they would make to that song.
She wraps her arms around him, holding his gaze. They sway to the beat, lost in their own private world. His hands roam down her spine, and back up again. He finds her zipper, and moves it down her body. With nothing to hold it on, her dress slides to the ground. She steps out of it, without missing a beat.
She removes his jacket, and unbuttons his shirt, exposing his chiseled torso. He presses his naked chest against hers and pulls her into a passionate, open-mouthed kiss. She responds eagerly, pulling herself up by his shoulders and wrapping her legs around his midsection.
He carries her over to a booth in the corner, and sets her on the table.
"Todd, people eat on these," she protests.
He looks at her, grinning, ignoring her statement. "I'll be right back."
She watches as he retrieves the fondue set that they had used earlier to warm the caramel for their sundaes. She smiled, thinking of what he had in mind.
"Do you mind?" He asks, holding a silver spoon drenched with caramel above her breasts.
"No."
"Lay back," he commands. He tips the spoon slightly, allowing the caramel to drip onto each nipple. He leans forward, licking the sticky substance from her body.
"Mmm."
He pours a little on her neck, licking, then sucking it, leaving a mark. He continues to do the same to various parts of her body, enjoying the sound of her moans.
"Todd," she whispers.
"Yeah?"
"Let me do something for you."
"What?"
"Let me show you." She sits up, and pulls him toward her by his belt buckle. She kisses his chest, his shoulder, his neck. "I love you so much." She unfastens his belt buckle, then his button, then his zipper. His pants fall to the ground, leaving him in nothing but the red Calvin's that Tea had bought. She smiles, recognizing them immediately. She fondles him through the fabric.
"Tea, I want you so bad."
She takes his hand, leading him to a chair from another table. She removes his underwear, gesturing for him to sit. He concentrates on the desire in her eyes, needing to be inside her.
"Tea-"
"Shh." She silences him with a kiss. She straddles him, and lowers herself onto him. She moves to the rhythm of the music, he matches her. She touches him and kisses him all over. He does the same to her. She leans arches her back, using the floor for support. He penetrates her even deeper, hitting the spot.
"Oh, god," she screams, as her inside quivers. She feels him come inside her at the same time. He helps her back onto his lap, and kisses her.
"Oh, god, Tea. Where did you learn that?" He asks breathlessly.
"It's the first time I've tried it."
"Wow."
"You know Manning, something happens to us whenever we're around food."
"Yeah, you get all horny." He smiles and continues to caress her body.
TO BE CONTINUED
