The Florencia Lozano Homepage - Fan Fiction
| ONE LAST TIME BY TIMA |
CHAPTERS 46 - 48 |
ONE LAST TIME
chapter 46:
[Months later...
Todd is lying on the sofa in the living room of his penthouse, a bottle of beer in his hand. The doorbell rings. He ignores it. It rings again. He continues to ignore it.
He finally rises from the sofa as he hears the sound of his visitor attempting to place a key in the lock. He's shocked when he hears a familiar exasperated grunt that he's heard many times before. He's even more unnerved when he hears one of his favorite sounds...his ex-wife's voice as she speaks to him through the door.]
Tea: Todd? You didn't need to change the lock. What happened in the past will never happen again. But, I do need to talk to you. Open the door.
[Todd moves toward the door but doesn't open it, or respond to Tea.]
Tea: Todd? I know you're here. The doorman told me.
[Todd makes a mental note to ensure the doorman is fired as soon as possible.]
Tea: Todd? I just want to talk to you...just for a few minutes. It's important.
[Todd's hand touches the doorknob, but doesn't turn it.]
Tea: You're just as impossible as ever!
[Tea turns and storms toward the elevator. As Todd hears the sound of Tea entering the elevator, and the doors closing, he leans his body against the door, aching to be with her again.
The next day...
Todd is in his office. He's spent hours alone, staring out the window. He left orders with his staff that no one is to be allowed near his office for the entire day. He made it clear that he would fire anyone who disturbed him, or even dared to walk by his office.
As Tea approaches the hallway leading to her ex-husband's office, she takes several deep breaths. She feels completely unprepared for this confrontation, but is determined that she won't allow Todd to hide from her for one more day. Her reason for needing to see him is too vital.
Tea's hand reaches for the doorknob, but before she turns it, she peers into the office through the small glass panels in the door. She stares at Todd's back, sensing his loneliness.
As she turns the knob, she's surprised to find another locked door separating her from her ex-husband.
A sound causes Todd to turn around quickly. For a moment, he's glad he'll be able to take his anger out on whatever employee was stupid enough to disobey his rules. Seeing Tea standing outside his door, though, instantly replaces his anger with a need that he's surprised to find is greater than his need to rage.
Tea watches as Todd turns his gaze from hers as he moves toward his desk. He picks up the telephone.]
Tea: Todd! Todd! I need to talk to you. You should just let me in. I won't go away. You can have your security throw me out, but I'll come back. I need to talk to you. It's very important.
[Two uniformed security officers arrive in the hallway. Tea looks at them and then back toward Todd. He's again standing at his window, facing away from her.
Tea's heart breaks. She needs to reach Todd but realizes that his walls are even more insurmountable than before.
Tea convinces the security guards to allow her to leave Todd a note before they follow their orders and escort her out of the building. After finishing the quick note, she slides it under the door.
Todd waits until he hears Tea and the guards leaving before he turns back around. He quickly retrieves the note.]
Tea's note: Meet me tonight at the diner after it closes. This isn't about us. I promise, it's much more important. For once, trust me. You won't regret it.
[Todd crumples the piece of paper and tosses it in the trash can.
Late that evening...
Tea is waiting at the diner, as she has been for over an hour. She's not alone as she waits. Her infant daughter is with her.
Tea watches her daughter sleep, as she has many times in the days since her birth.]
Tea: You're lucky you can sleep through this. Too soon you'll be the one awake this late at night, waiting for a man you know won't bother showing up. But, you'll still wait for him. You'll still hope that, just once, he'll surprise you by not acting like an immature jerk. I'm sorry. He's not a jerk, not really. Deep down...very deep down...your papi is a wonderful man. You'll find that out, if he ever stops acting like an ass long enough for me to tell him about you. I'll tell you a secret. I'm a little glad he isn't coming. I know your papi very well. I know he'll make assumptions, and accusations. He won't want to believe it at first. He'll probably assume I'm lying so I can extort money from him. He has reason to think that, believe me. His past hasn't been easy. That's a hurdle he'll have to overcome for you. It may take him a little time, but I know he will. He'll love you. He'll welcome you into his life with all the love in his heart. He has a great big heart. It's just hard to reach it sometimes. But, it won't be hard for you. It's me that he doesn't want to have anything to do with. Somehow, we'll work this out. You'll have two parents who, even though they can't be together, will never use you to hurt the other. I won't allow it. Now, I just need to convince your papi to be in the same room with me so I can tell him about you, without having to shout it through a closed door.
[Tea finally gives up on Todd...for this night, anyway.
As she leaves the diner with her daughter, she's unaware that she's being watched by a man in the shadows.]
to be continued...
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ONE LAST TIME
chapter 47:
[Early the next morning...
Tea and Carlotta are sharing coffee in the kitchen of Carlotta's home when they're both startled by commotion in the backyard.
Carlotta rushes to the window and mutters in Spanish at what she sees. Tea stands up just as Antonio is opening the door and pushing Todd into the kitchen.]
Todd: Tell your attack dog to heel.
Carlotta: What is this?
Antonio: We got a report at the station about a suspicious man lurking nearby. I found Manning out there spying.
Todd: I wasn't spying.
Antonio: Why were you in the bushes?
Todd: I was thinking about buying some property around here. I was just checking things out.
Antonio: We all know what you were checking out, or at least who?
Tea: Antonio...
Antonio: Don't give me that look, Tea. This creep should be in jail. Just say the word and that's where he'll go.
Tea: I invited him.
Antonio: Don't lie for this maniac. It's bad enough that you got him off for what he did to Blair.
Todd: Off? I'll be doing community service until I'm two-hundred years old. I did the math.
Antonio: If you put in the amount of time you're supposed to each week, you'd be done in six months.
Todd: I run a newspaper. I don't have time for frivolous, stupid...
Antonio: I could take you in right now for violating the terms of your plea bargain.
Tea: Enough, Antonio! I need to talk to Todd...alone!
Carlotta (to Antonio): Come to the diner. I'll make you breakfast.
Antonio: Why should we leave? This is our family's home.
Carlotta: Tea is part of our family.
Antonio: Don't do something stupid, Tea. Everything you've ever done with, or for, this lunatic has led to nothing but heartache for you.
[Carlotta pulls Antonio out of the house, leaving the ex-spouses alone in the kitchen.]
Tea: Would you like some breakfast?
[Todd stares at her without responding.]
Tea: Something to drink?
[Todd continues to stare.]
Tea: I had the baby.
Todd: I noticed you stopped being fat.
Tea: At least you're speaking to me...finally.
Todd: Not anymore.
[Todd turns to leave.]
Tea: Did you stay out there all night, or did you leave and come back?
[Todd turns around and faces her again.]
Todd: You think I would waste my night out there just because you were in here?
Tea: I didn't think that...until now. I take it you followed me from the diner.
Todd: You take it wrong. I have to get to work. I have an expose to write about corrupt police officers who harass innocent citizens.
Tea: We need to talk.
Todd: About how you split on me again?
Tea: You know why I left.
Todd: No, I don't.
Tea: I didn't come back here wanting anything from you...not in the way you think.
Todd: Why are you here? Shouldn't you be doing that happy thing with what's-his-name.
Tea: Simon is out of the picture.
Todd: You split on him, too?
Tea: Actually, it was his decision.
Todd: He split on your kid, too?
Tea: He felt that he couldn't be a part of our lives anymore, after...
Todd: He hates the kid because I contaminated you before the kid was born?
Tea: You didn't contaminate me.
Todd: Whatever! So, he turned out to be scum, just like I told you he would?
Tea: He isn't scum. I hurt him very badly.
Todd: What'd you do...shoot him?
Tea: Of course not.
Todd: That's what chicks do to me when they want to steal my kids from me.
Tea: Blair didn't shoot you again, did she?
Todd: She missed.
Tea: Maybe you should try working things out with her, instead of alienating her.
Todd: You want me to work things out with Blair?
Tea: Honestly...no, I don't.
Todd: You know why we can't do this again, Delgado.
Tea: I know an even more important reason than you realize.
Todd: You're knocked up again?
Tea: Of course not. Sit down. We need to talk.
Todd: You can't seduce me this time.
Tea: I have no intention of trying.
Todd: You claim that now...
Tea: I mean it, Todd. I've had time to think about this. We can't try again. I need you to understand that right from the start. We'll be an important part of each other's lives, but we can't try to have that kind of relationship again.
Todd: Because you think I'll screw up your kid.
Tea: Because...
[Tea takes a deep breath, fearing Todd's reaction to her announcement.]
Tea: Because...the little girl, that right now is blissfully sleeping upstairs, isn't just my daughter.
Todd: You don't have to rub it in about that loser Sperm Donor who knocked you up and then let you split on him.
Tea: Simon isn't her father. You are.
to be continued...
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ONE LAST TIME
chapter 48:
[Todd steps backwards away from Tea, hurt by her admission.]
Tea: Listen to me...
Todd: I thought I could count on you, Delgado. I thought you were the one person who wouldn't play these kinds of games with me.
Tea: I'm not playing any games. You have another daughter.
[Todd reaches into his pocket and pulls out his wallet.]
Todd: How much do you want? Come on, name your price. I only have a few thousand on me. I'll have to go to the bank if you want more than that.
Tea: I don't want your money.
Todd: You want something. You're finally cutting the act and showing who you really are. I knew you never gave a damn about me. You were just setting me up for your scam. It's my fault for falling for it. How many millions are you expecting to get out of me this time?
Tea: I knew you would be like this.
Todd: Save it, Tea...if that's even your real name. Save the hurt look and the tears, too. I've been through this before. I'm still going through this with one kid.
Tea: Not Starr?
Todd: No, not Starr. I checked. She's mine. She's the only one that is.
Tea: I'm not lying. You have another daughter.
Todd: So, what happened? Semen bailed on you so you're desperate to support that bastard kid of yours with my money?
Tea (angry): Don't you ever refer to our daughter that way.
Todd: She's not my kid. I don't care what you call her.
Tea: She is yours. Her name is Valencia. Valencia Delgado, at this point. If you want to add Manning, I'll agree.
Todd: I know enough about chicks scamming me with babies to know you're just trying to get the hook in deeper so that, even when I find out the kid isn't mine, you can still bleed me dry to support yourself.
Tea: I am not Blair.
Todd: You're a hell of a lot better at playing this game than she is. I didn't see this one coming. How much do you want? Maybe you and Blair should just get together and figure out how to split all my money. You better be careful, though, she is armed.
Tea: I don't want your money. I'll sign papers proving that to you.
Todd: If you don't want money, what the hell do you want?
Tea: I want our daughter to know, and be loved by, her father. That's all I want from you.
Todd: You should just be straight with me now, instead of dragging this out. You know I'll give you the cash you need.
Tea: Fine, Todd! You don't believe me. Get tested. The sooner the better. Valencia deserves a father, not a stranger imitating an ass.
Todd: I'm an ass? I've been scammed with so many babies that weren't mine, or didn't exist to begin with.
Tea: Never by me.
Todd: Until now.
[Tea lowers her head in defeat. It's clear to her that Todd won't believe her that the baby is his, no matter what she says.
Todd's heart skips a beat at the sound of a distant cry.
Tea silently leaves Todd alone in the kitchen.
Minutes later...
Todd follows the sound of Tea's voice to the upper level of Carlotta's home. He peers into the bedroom Tea's in. His heart aches at the sight of Tea holding her daughter while she speaks softly in Spanish.
Tea senses his presence and turns toward him.]
Tea: Would you like to hold your daughter?
Todd: If I do that, you can claim in court that the kid would be scarred for life if I don't pay you a ton of money.
Tea: I'm not Blair. I have a career. I have my own money. I don't need yours.
Todd: Kids are expensive. At least mine have been.
Tea: I don't want anything from you, except your love...for the baby.
[Todd stares at the little girl in his ex-wife's arms. Tea slowly walks across the room toward him. Todd backs further into the hallway.]
Tea: She doesn't bite. Well, actually she sort of does, but she doesn't have teeth yet so it's not too bad.
Todd: I already got hooked on one kid that wasn't mine in the last year.
[Tea decides to wait for Todd to enter the room when he's ready, rather than following him into the hallway. She sits on the edge of the bed and looks up at him with a concerned expression.]
Tea: How did you find out that he wasn't your son?
Todd: Starr.
Tea: Things are better between you two?
Todd: She still hates my guts. At least she hates Blair now, too.
Tea: What happened?
Todd: Starr overheard Blair and Max fighting. She was trying to convince him to keep letting everyone think the kid was mine so they could use the cash I was shelling out for themselves. Max fighting the idea is the only part I had trouble believing.
Tea: Did you have a paternity test?
Todd: Yeah. You were right all along. He was never mine.
Tea: In your heart...
Todd: None of it matters, anyway. It turns out that, since Blair conned me into thinking I was the kid's dad for a while there, some stupid judge said I have to keep paying her for getting knocked up by Max. You should really get out of the lawyer business. The knocked up business pays a hell of a lot better.
Tea: All of this happened in the last few months? You should have contacted me. Maybe I could have helped.
Todd: You wish you could have gotten in on helping yourself to my money sooner, before Blair got to most of it?
[Tea sighs loudly and looks down at their daughter, who has fallen back to sleep in her embrace.
Todd moves slightly closer, trying to get a better view of the baby's face.
Tea looks up suddenly, causing Todd to quickly look away.]
Tea: I've spent a lot of time staring at her. She has some of your features. She has your ears.
Todd: Tough break.
Tea: Her ears are adorable, just like her papi's.
Todd: What's her name again?
[Tea smiles, hoping that Todd is finally beginning to believe that the baby is his.]
Tea: Valencia.
Todd: Why didn't you give her a normal name?
Tea: What's wrong with Valencia? It means strong.
Todd: Any kid of mine would definitely need to be strong, just ask Starr.
Tea: She must be going through a difficult time right now.
Todd: She split town.
Tea: She ran away?
Todd: Worse...she moved to Texas to live with Kelly and Kevin.
Tea: You let her go?
Todd: She said if I stayed clear of her for a while she'd consider letting me be her dad again someday.
[Todd finally enters the room, but only slightly, as he leans his body against the door frame.]
Todd: I totally blew it with her.
Tea: Are you able to talk to her on the phone at least?
Todd: Sometimes.
Tea: At least she's speaking to you.
Todd (smiling): Yeah, she's still too pissed to talk to Blair.
Tea: You shouldn't be happy about that.
Todd: Why not? She deserves some agony for what she did to me, and to Starr, and to...
Tea: If you're supporting Jack, do you also have visitation rights?
Todd: I'm just a bank account to him now.
Tea: If you'd like, I could file some papers and make sure that you get to see your son.
Todd: I just told you...
Tea: Love doesn't require a biological connection.
Todd: He's better off without me. It sucks that he's stuck with that loser Holden for a dad, but at least he doesn't have to worry about turning out like me.
Tea: I've been telling Valencia that she has a sister and a brother.
Todd: It's good that you're teaching her young that everybody lies, all the time.
Tea: They do not.
Todd: You did.
Tea: Not knowingly. And, I still think I can help you have time with your son.
Todd: Drop it!
Tea: Well, I do want Starr to be an important part of Valencia's life. Next time you talk to her, please tell her that.
Todd: You're sure she's mine?
Tea: She's definitely your daughter.
Todd: How do you know?
Tea: She wasn't born when we thought she would be. As the days, and then weeks, went by, we knew that the possibility existed that maybe I wasn't pregnant, like I thought, when you and I slept together.
Todd: Just because she didn't want to pop out on time doesn't mean she's mine.
Tea: Simon was tested after she was born. She's not his daughter.
Todd: That doesn't mean she's mine.
Tea: I wasn't with anyone else.
Todd: Maybe they screwed up the test.
Tea: Get tested, Todd. Put your mind at ease. But, prepare yourself, there's another person here who wants to take up residence in your heart.
Todd: It's pretty messed up in there. She wouldn't like it.
Tea: Clean up whatever you need to clean up so you can be her papi. Trust me, she's worth the effort.
Todd: Papi?
Tea: It means...
Todd: I know what it means. I'm no good at this, Delgado.
Tea: I remember when Starr was a baby.
Todd: That was different.
Tea: I know you still have it in you to be the father I saw you be to that little girl.
Todd: All I can offer this kid is the same misery I caused Starr. Is that what you want?
Tea: I want you to open your heart. I want you to love her.
Todd: I won't mess up another kid's life.
[Todd quickly turns and rushes out of the room.]
to be continued...
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2002 COPYRIGHT BY TIMA
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