The Florencia Lozano Homepage - Fan Fiction
LIES FEARS & LOVE
BY TROG |
CHAPTER
46 |
chapter 46
CARLOTTA’S DINER
Carlotta checked the rest of her take-out order slips checking them carefully against the orders lined up behind the counter. The lunch rush was winding down and she poured herself a cup of coffee as she leaned behind the counter and read The Banner.
Tea peaked through the window and noticed Carlotta inside. As Starr opened the door, Tea pushed Leo’s carriage through the entrance and came into the diner with its delicious aroma of fresh brewed coffee and Carlotta’s famous flan.
When Carlotta looked up at he sound of the door her mouth fell open. Tea was standing there smiling at her, radiant in a royal blue top and long black skirt, with her hair loosely pinned up. Starr was holding her hand and she was pushing a lovely child in a baby carriage.
“Como estas, mi amiga,” said Tea very casually.
Carlotta came rushing over and hugged her good friend.
“Aye, mi hija. What a surprise....Tea...I can’t believe it’s you! Querida, what are you doing here?
And hello, Starr! And who is this beautiful child?”
“That’s my little brother Leo, Carlotta.”
Carlotta looked down at Leo who was looking around curiously. She leaned down and looked into his beautiful face and saw his hazel eyes and long, golden hair...and she knew. She rose up quickly and looked at Tea with tears in her eyes.
“Tea! Is he yours?”
Tea nodded slowly.
“Mine and Todd’s” she said quietly, biting her lower lip with uncertainty at Carlotta’s reaction.
Carlotta put her hand over her mouth and stared at Tea with compete astonishment.
“I’m sorry for not telling you sooner, Carlotta. But the way things were between Todd and me...well...I didn’t want anyone to know until he did. Can you forgive me.”
Carlotta’s tears rolled down her face as she hugged Tea again.
“He’s so beautiful, Tea. He has your smile.”
“And everything else is Todd’s.”
Carlotta’s smile evaporated at the mention of his name.
“Tee, can I go to the bathroom?”
“Sure, sweetie. And make sure you wash your hands really well, we’re going to have lunch in a little while, okay?’
As Starr disappeared into the restrooms, Tea found a booth as Carlotta grabbed a highchair for Leo.
“And how did Todd take the news, Tea?” she asked carefully.
Tea got Leo into the high-chair and sat down opposite, Carlotta.
“He was deeply hurt...and justifiably angry...but now, he loves Leo,” said Tea, as she reached across the table and took Carlotta’s hand. “Carlotta...Todd and I are together. Us and Starr.”
“Oh, no, Tea. No, don’t do this again, mija...please. This man is not capable of loving you. He’ll hurt you Tea...he always does.”
Tea shook her head, not wanting to hear her words--not wanting to consider these possibilities.
“No he won’t. We’ve worked things out.”
“Tea, Blair is having another child with him...what about that. His loyalties are so divided...his life is so complicated...how can you be happy with him?”
“I can’t be happy without him!” said Tea looking into Carlotta’s concerned eyes.
Carlotta sighed and shook her head in utter frustration.
“You’re so smart, Tea. Why do you keep doing this to yourself. This man is a monster!”
Tea pulled her hand away violently.
“No! Don’t ever speak about Todd that way...not to me,” she said sharply. “You don’t know him like I do. He loves me and I love him...and we both want this more than anything...we want to be together...and we will be.”
“Well, I guess it doesn’t matter what I think...or what I say...you’ve obviously made up your mind,” said Carlotta sadly.
Tea took her hand again.
“Please be happy for me...I’ve never been happier in my life,” she said smiling.
Carlotta sighed deeply and looked at Leo. Such a precious child , she thought, reaching over and caressing his hair. And Tea had never looked so lovely.
“I’m scared for you, Tea...I’m scared he’ll hurt you.”
“It hurts much more to be without him.”
Carlotta just shook her head in defeat. She knew how strong-willed Tea was and her protests were in vain.
“Querida, of course I wish you happiness....but with Todd Manning, I mostly wish you luck.”
Tea stared at her, than started laughing, and Carlotta laughed with her. Starr came back and Carlotta got up to let her in the booth.
“I have to sit next to Leo, Carlotta, cause he’s such a messy eater and I’m teaching him how to eat with a spoon,” said Starr.
They were all laughing when Tea noticed Vicki walking in. She looked bright and sunny in a pale yellow suit and Tea slid out of the booth to greet her.
“Hello, Vicki” she said as Vicki embraced her warmly.
They walked over to the booth and Vicki kissed and greeted Starr before turning to Leo. She put her hands to her face and tears fell from the corners of her eyes as she sat down staring at her nephew.
“Well, if he isn’t the spitting image of his father,” she said wiping her eyes and smiling at Leo. “Hi, little Leo, I’m your Aunt Vicki.” She took his little hand and shook it, than leaned over and gave him a kiss. He stared at her for a moment, than started pounding loudly on the tray with his hands.
“Yep, just like his father,” said Vicki. They all laughed.
They chatted for a few minutes when Todd walked in looking awkward and out of place. He looked over nervously, and swallowed hard before walking over.
“Hi, daddy,” shouted Starr, jumping over Vicki and out of the booth to greet him. As he gave her a hug and he noticed everyone staring at him.
“Hi,” he said to noone in particular, avoiding eye contact with everyone.
Leo started crying at the sight of his father, holding his arms out to him and wanting to be freed from the confines of his chair.
“Hey, Leo. You want out of there, ha,” said Todd as he pulled Leo out and held him closely. Leo smiled happily and leaned his head against his father’s chest. All the women sitting around the table were deeply touched by this strange and lovely bond between father and son, but Todd didn’t notice as he sat beside Tea.
Carlotta excused herself as she tended to diner business but she noticed the intimacy between Todd and Tea as they made eye contact and saw Todd holding her hand beneath the table.
They had lunch and talked about trivial things like work and school. Vicki observed the quiet easiness between Todd and Tea and smiled inwardly, hoping her troubled and tortured brother had finally found the peace and happiness she wanted for him for so long. Vicki was the first to leave having to get back to the paper. Finally Todd looked at his watch and got up. Carlotta watched as he kissed his children and Tea walked him to the door. They stood closely together, their faces almost touching as they spoke quietly.
“I like you’re hair up,” he said, touching her hair.
“You just like it up because you like tearing it down so much,” she said, looking into his lovely eyes.
Todd smiled and nodded.
“I do like taking it down, it’s like tearing the ribbon off a beautiful gift...every time.”
Tea touched his face adoringly.
“So are Starr and Leo driving you wacko, yet?” said Todd.
Tea smiled up at him and shook her head.
“No, we had a fun day.”
“So does that mean you want to stay home and be a happy homemaker? You can you know...I’m filthy rich.”
Tea laughed.
“For a little while...but I want to work.”
“Yeah, yeah...I have to get back to The Sun. I’ll see you all later, okay,” he said touching her face tenderly and kissing her lips lightly. Carlotta observed them kissing from behind the counter, but it was the look that passed between them after the kiss that told her how deeply in love they were. Todd turn toward her and actually waved in her direction and she motioned back. Considering he usually didn’t even acknowledge her existence...she was touched. It seemed he was making quite an effort for Tea’s sake, but she still worried about his violent tendencies, his stormy temper and his dark past.
Tea walked over to Carlotta and looked back at Starr who was fussing over Leo and giving him eating instructions.
“Well, they certainly are adorable together, aren’t they,” said Carlotta, pouring them fresh coffee.
“It’s hard to believe they only met yesterday. Starr is so wonderful with him.”
“And what about you, Tea. Suddenly, you have a home...a family...are you still going to practice law.”
“Yes, as soon as we’re all settled I‘d like to open a practice. And I have a housekeeper, Carlotta, who takes care of all of us. I want you to meet her...she’s wonderful...like family...she’s been with me since Leo was born.”
Carlotta looked at her and touched Tea’s hair affectionately, as if she was a little girl.
“You’re really happy, Tea?”
“I’m so happy. I know you don’t understand what’s between Todd and me...but it’s so powerful...and so good. And Leo has made me feel so...so complete,” she said, wiping her eyes. “He makes me love Todd even more...it’s like I feel even more connected to Todd, if that’s even possible. And Starr is so lovable...she’s like my own. I feel so blessed, Carlotta....even with all the other stuff.”
“What other stuff?”
Tea looked away, but not before Carlotta caught the fear in her eyes.
“Blair...she’s not very happy with me.”
“Well, querida, it seems you have everything she wants.”
Tea nodded her head.
“But I’m not going to worry about Blair...I’m too happy today,” she said as she watched Starr and Leo and took Carlotta’s hand.
2001 Copyright by Trog
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