Chapter 10

The Manning Mansion
Later in the evening…

The doorbell rang. Todd came bounding out of the kitchen, ran to the front door and flung it open. Starr stood there, tall and slender, with a piece of pizza in her hand.

“Hey Dad,” she grinned. Her winter coat fell loosely over her shoulders.

“Shorty! Come in!” said Todd delighted to see his oldest daughter.

Starr walked in, surprised at quiet the house was, “Where is everyone?”

Téa’s in the study, Taylor’s helping Terri with her homework, Tyler’s in the basement…doing whatever the hell it is he does down there and T.D…” Todd paused, taking a breath, “T.D. is upstairs in his room doing homework.”

“Oh. What were you up too? Brooding in front of the TV?” she asked lightly.

“What if I was?” he asked.

“You are so predictable. How’s Téa?” asked Starr.

“Okay. I made her take her pills,” said Todd crossing his arms.

Starr rolled her eyes, “Do yourself a favor - and go hang with your wife instead of watching Jerry Lewis re-runs. I’ll go see what my little brother is up too,” said Starr smiling at her father.

“Ah…which one?” asked Todd.

“Duh. T.D. Dad - you’re losing it. Go see what Téa’s up too. It’s obvious you need a distraction…” said Starr amused with him. He made a face.

“Right. By the way - I got the story in on time. Expect circulation figures to go way up,” said Starr.

Todd grinned at his eldest daughter, “I’m…proud of you Shorty.”

“Thanks,” said Starr. She took off her coat and flung it on the nearest chair, bounding up the stairs to go to Trevor’s room.

Todd followed her with his eyes till she was out of sight; so very glad she was in his life. He took a deep breath and ran his hands through his hair before walking to Téa’s study. He didn’t know what kind of company he would be.

*****

Starr paused and knocked on Trevor’s door. The door flung open much in the same manner that her father had opened the front door.

“Starr!” exclaimed T.D. holding a pencil in his hand.

“Hey, thought I’d pay you a visit. I’ve heard you’ve been moodier than usual lately…” said Starr waltzing into T.D.’s room. It was neat in appearance. The shelves he shattered a week ago were once again adorned with his childhood mementos.

She sat on his bed and got comfortable. Trevor shut the door, crossed his arms and looked at her, amazed at his older sister. She didn’t fear a thing. She was strong…and healthy. Fearless - unlike him. He had come to realize that he had fears. Fears that had grown to haunt him.

“Me? I’ve been moody? Right. You’ve been talking to our father…” he started.

“So what if I have? He says you hate him for getting Téa pregnant. I told him he was overreacting…” continued Starr studying Trevor’s non-verbal cues.

Trevor fidgeted.

“…and then I told him if you really did feel that way, you were the one overreacting.” Finished Starr as her voice got hard and firm.

“I don’t…think I hate him. I think…” protested Trevor feeling defensive.

“You think what?” shot out Starr.

“I think I’m disappointed…in him…” admitted Trevor.

“And your mother? My step-mother? Are you disappointed with her too?” asked Starr bluntly, “For wanting to have another child?”

Trevor nodded his head no. Starr raised an eyebrow realizing that Trevor felt that way about his mother but couldn’t admit it.

“Were you disappointed when your parents had Terri?” asked Starr.

“No. I was happy. I thought it was cool,” confessed Trevor.

“Okay? What’s so different about this pregnancy?” asked Starr crossing her own arms.

“Terri wasn’t a high risk pregnancy Starr! This one is. A lot of things could go wrong. I don’t want to lose my mother…!” stammered Trevor.

“I think you are mad at Téa. I think you’re mad that she agreed to the pregnancy and voluntarily put “her” life in “in danger,” said Starr forthrightly.

Trevor turned his head away and said nothing as he felt the tears well up in his eyes.

“But you won’t say it. You won’t admit it…” continued Starr.

“I love my mother!” protested Trevor.

“I love my mother too but she’s not perfect. And neither is my father - our father. But he’s in love - with your mother and Téa’s in love with him. And if they want to add another child into their family that’s their call - their decision to make. Not yours. They know the risks involved. As their son it’s your place to respect their decision as they respect you,” said Starr honestly.

“Respect me? Since when…” started Trevor.

“You are overreacting. They don’t need to consult you T.D. if they choose to have a baby. Just each other,” said Starr matter of factly.

Trevor pouted, “It was selfish…”

“Don’t you think how you’re acting is spoiled and selfish?” threw out Starr.

“So our father isn’t perfect. So what?! He has struggled to find “peace” in his word all his life. He has worked hard to provide you with a happy and STABLE home life he never had. And it was hard for him. It still is. He finds…the “peace” he needs in his family and your disapproval of him is tearing him up!” observed Starr.

Trevor slumped his shoulders and hung his head. His eyes were full of tears. Tears of shame at his behavior.

“Look,” said Starr softening, standing up, “I’m not here to make you feel bad. You mean a lot to Dad and Téa. You brought them back together all those years ago when they thought each other was dead. Dad…gladly gives his blood so there’s enough clotting factor for you. That’s love, Trevor! I know you’re scared. There’s nothing wrong with being scared, Trevor. I’m a little scared myself that something could go wrong but don’t let that fear consume you. You’ll do things you don’t want to do but can’t help doing. Just ask your father.”

Trevor was silent as a tear finally escaped down his cheek. Starr took him in her arms and held him tight.

*****

Todd stealthy walked into Téa’s study. He quietly closed the door. It was as if he was a cat silently stalking it’s innocent prey. Téa was at the computer, reading something on the monitor while the printer was busy humming away.

“Whatcha’ doing?” he asked watching her every move.

Téa nearly jumped out of her skin and turned around. The look of fright on her face amused him and then worried him.

“You okay?” he asked walking up to her.

“Don’t scare me like that Todd!” she exclaimed.

Todd said nothing as he looked over her shoulder and at the monitor. He studied the screen and nuzzled his face against hers from behind.

“Greek culture, Téa?” he whispered.

She nodded her head.

“Why?” he whispered, “Last I knew I was married to a hot blooded fiery Salsa speaking chick…”

“You still are…but your son is dating a girl who happens to be Greek. I wanted to know…about her heritage,” said Téa softly.

Todd stiffened. His embrace became hard and he broke away, “Maybe…maybe he’s too young to have a girlfriend.”

Téa looked up into her husband’s face. She could see the pain there but unsure where it was coming from. Were his demons taunting him again or was it his inability to get through to Trevor and the pain it was causing the source of his reaction.

“You’re upset,” remarked Téa.

Todd said nothing, studying her face.

“Trevor does not…hate you Todd,” said Téa.

“What is it then?” asked Todd crossing his arms.

“Todd, I think he’s scared. For us. For me. He’s a lot like you. He’s letting it build up inside of him. He’s been reading his pregnancy book, soaking up all its information and retaining the scariest parts of it, reading only what he wants too. And too boot, the one outlet he has, Amy, is becoming more distant because of her father. What Trevor needs is a…I dunno…a mission…” started Téa.

Todd looked confused, “A mission?”

“A distraction, maybe? I just think he needs to pay more attention to his life and less on ours…” she continued. He looked a bit befuddled to her.

“All right, I follow…but Greek culture?” asked Todd wrinkling his brow.

“Understanding Amy’s background is a start, darling…” she grinned.

“Fine, but he still…” started Todd.

“Stop it! Stop it Todd! I won’t have you thinking he hates you or us. He doesn’t. He’s just a young man and he’s taken a lot of lumps this year. The biggest being about your past,” she insisted.

“How can you…defend him…?” asked Todd softly dropping his crossed arms - displaying his vulnerability to her. His vulnerable heart.

“He’s my son, Todd,” she whispered placing her hands on his chest, “I love him. I love you. I won’t have…this pregnancy tearing our family apart.”

“It’s my job Téa to hold us together,” he said placing his hands on her arms, pulling her into him.

“It’s mine too Todd. It is,” she replied.

“I need you,” he said pulling her into a kiss, fighting back the nagging paranoia that his son hated him. Their kiss was sensual - full of the passion he had for her. It left them both breathless - wanting more. Todd pulled back, drinking her in, licking his lips…as a preditator would just before they went in for the kill…before they devoured the object of their desire. There was sudden knock on the door and it flung open. Todd and Téa whirled around only to see Trevor and Starr at the doorway. Todd stepped around, in back of Téa and firmly placed his hands on her shoulders, holding her tight.

“Starr! I didn’t know…is everything all right?” mumbled Téa still red and dishelved from her intimate kiss.

“It’s good to see you Téa,” grinned Starr, “Actually, Trevor has something he wants to say to his parents.”

Todd and Téa directed their attention to their oldest son. Light flooded in from the doorway, dressing Trevor and Starr in deep shadows. He was tall, almost matching Starr’s height, his hair was a bit tussled. The shadows made his high prominent cheekbones stick out and the depth of the shadows also made Trevor’s appearance full - giving him more mass than usual.

“I’m scared,” said Trevor as his voice cracked, almost afraid to admit it, “I’m scared of just about everything.”

Téa swallowed, “You don’t have to be scared, sweetie.”

"I'm scared of losing the only person in the world who understands me. Of losing Amy because her father…has forbidden us to hang out together because of my father…” admitted T.D. Starr stood behind him and placed her hands on his shoulders to steady him.

“You have a good home Trevor. I understand that you’re scared. But you don’t have to be. Your father and I firmly intend to stay together. Believe in that. And in us…” pleaded Téa. Her words were heartfelt and sincere.

“Sometimes it’s hard…” said Trevor.

“That’s where faith comes in,” said Téa firmly.

Trevor just nodded his head.

Todd was speechless. He didn’t now what to say. Again, he had witnessed, as he had that day in the hospital, his son’s vulnerabilities and it left him speechless. Speechless to realize just how fragile his son was. His boy. His male heir. As fragile as he was…all those years ago.

“I’m…sorry…about Amy’s father. I’m sorry he feels that way…about me…” said Todd as he stumbled over the words.

“I told Starr I didn’t hate you…” said Trevor, his voice shaking. The shadows playing their parts, making him appear as if he truly were a prince - of darkness.

“Trevor…” began Téa. She moved forward but Todd held her back.

“What is it then?” asked Todd.

“I’m…disappointed in you. That’s it. That’s how I feel,” admitted Trevor.

Todd hung his head, resting it on his wife’s shoulder. Trevor’s words had cut him deeply. Téa could feel Todd’s physical reaction to his son’s words and she knew what Todd thinking - relieving memories of his own disappointment in his father - vowing never to “Disappoint” his own children.

Finally Todd raised his head, “Thank you for your honesty, Son,” he said through clenched teeth, “Son. My son. You are MY son. You have MY blood flowing through YOUR veins. You…don’t realize…can’t realize what’s inside you because of me. You…hurt me…with your honesty but I respect the fact you had it in you to admit it. Now go…and leave me alone…” said Todd holding it back, holding the anger and rage back from his family - not wanting to lose it - especially in front of his pregnant wife.

Trevor was shocked by his father’s reaction.

“That’s where faith comes in…”

“Todd…no…” whispered Téa turning to face her injured spouse - her mate.

“You go too. I want to be alone,” he said coldly.

“Dad…don’t do this…” said Starr.

Trevor watched his father’s eyes. He was clearly in pain.

“You’ve got to have…faith…in us…”

“Don’t do what?” cried Todd, his eyes blazing with fury, “Throw a temper tantrum? Ruin the furniture? Kick the chair? Hurt myself? MY son…whom I love - is disappointed in me. Well, maybe I should give him a reason. MY SON - the boy I created in MY image doesn’t recall the home I’ve provided him or the … love… I’ve given him since…he was conceived. It’s the Manning curse - so fine - let MY son see me for the bastard he thinks I am!”

Everyone was speechless. Téa swallowed, “Todd, you’re scaring me.”

“I’m a scary guy,” said Todd turning on her, “Excuse me - I’m a disappointment.”

“Never. Never in my eyes,” said Téa, her voice cracking.

“I’ve got to have faith…in my parents…” whispered Trevor.

“What?” asked Starr.

Trevor bolted and ran up to his father and put his arms around him. Todd struggled to get away from Trevor feeling the strength of his anger pound through his body but Trevor’s grasp was tight and he held on for dear life. Finally Todd cupped his son’s face in his hands, turning him to look roughly in the boy’s eyes.

Téa watched the scene in shock.

“What? What do you see now son? Do you see what haunts me? Who do you see? A rapist? A demon? Or your poor, pitiful disappointment of a father?” spat Todd, “Or perhaps you see a man who forced a woman into having his baby?!”

“Stop it Todd! I won’t have you doing this to our son!!” cried Téa grabbing Todd’s arms, struggling against him.

Starr ran up and tried to pull Trevor away, “Stop it Dad!!”

“I see a father…disappointed in HIS son!” spat Trevor mustering up his courage, “I never meant to hurt you. I don’t see…a rapist and I don’t see a demon. And I Know…how much you love my mother…and us - I’m just scared - that’s all - I’m practically scared of my own shadow - it’s bigger than I am!! I just don’t want to be scared anymore!! I don’t want to lose either of you!!”

Todd collapsed in the shaking arms of his son and cried. Téa put her arms around them and looked at Starr, relief washing over her face. Todd looked up at Téa, dishelved and whispered, “We really should do something about that gene which controls our temper. I’d hate for the new baby to inherit it.”

“I have a feeling the baby is going to be fine Todd,” replied Téa. Then she turned to Trevor, “It’s okay to be scared Trevor, it is. I’m scared too. And I’d rather be scared with you, than without you.”

Trevor just nodded his head.

TO BE CONTINUED…