Chapter 5

Afternoon,
The Manning Mansion…

Téa woke up from her nap and meandered into the kitchen looking at the clock. The kids would be home soon. And Todd was coming by at four to pick her up and take her to her weekly check up. She opened the frig. Big choice. Milk or orange juice. She poured herself a glass of juice and sat down at the bar, taking a long sip.

Trevor walked in, “Hey Mom. How are you feeling?” He kept his backpack on.

“I just woke up from a nap,” she answered smiling at him.

“You have a checkup today, don’t you?” he asked intently.

“Your father will be here at four to pick me up,” she answered.

“You know - the baby - you can’t tell the sex until the 8th or 9th week…” said T.D. softly.

“I know. What do you want T.D? A girl or a boy?” she asked amused that T.D. had read so much about pregnancy.

Trevor’s face got suddenly serious, “I just want your baby to be healthy, mom - unlike me.”

“Look. You are healthy. As healthy as you can be…!” she insisted.

“I’m sorry Mom. I don’t get it. Why did you and Dad want another baby?” he asked.

She softened seeing her son’s confusion, “Because…because…I like being a mom and your father…he likes being a dad. We love each other. We just want to make each other happy.”

“You guys have been good parents but what about Terri? Will he like being a dad then? When he has to tell her all of his nasty little secrets?” asked Trevor.

“We’ll deal with it Trevor. Love…it…conquers everything. It eases the hurt and the pain…” said Téa sipping her drink. Her voice was full of compassion.

“I wouldn’t know…maybe it does…Amy…” said Trevor thinking about it.

“Do you love Amy? You’re old enough to…feel love…like your father and I feel it. What would you do for her love Trevor?” asked Téa wanting to pick his brain.

Trevor let out a breath, “Ah…Mom…those are pretty intense questions…”

“My son…is a pretty intense kinda’ guy…” she replied.

“Right,” said Trevor, “Look, Mom…Amy and I are cool about the birthday misunderstanding. She’s going to the Valentine’s Dance with me. I know I don’t want Amy to ever get embarrassed like that again. I’ll be a whole lot smarter about what situations I put her in from now on.”

Téa held out her arms and hugged Trevor, “That’s the spirit.”

Trevor stood up.

“I’ve got homework. I’ll be in my room,” he said.

She gave him a slight grin and he walked off.

Tyler walked in with Terri. Téa was happy to see them. They talked for a bit about their days and then Tyler took Terri into the den to help her with her homework. Téa went into the living room, grabbed her book and went to her bedroom to read another chapter.

About an hour later, her door flung open and Taylor stood there, “Mom - we gotta’ have one of those Mother-daughter talks.”

Téa smiled and put her book aside, patting the side of her bed. Taylor walked over to her and sat down, looking sweetly at her mother.

“First off, though…how are you?” asked Taylor taking her Mom’s hand.

“I’m fine, trust me. No dizzy spells today. Now you…you appear absolutely frazzled. What’s going on? School?” asked Téa.

Taylor nodded her head ‘no.’

“Your brothers?” asked Téa.

Taylor nodded her head ‘no.’

“Terri?”

“No…”

“Is it boys sweetie?” asked Téa gently.

Taylor nodded her head ‘yes.’

“Boys will do that to you, trust me,” said Téa, “I have first hand experience.”

“I figured you might,” grinned Taylor, “Now I can’t tell you their names so I’ll call ‘em Boy A and Boy B.”

“You…can trust me honey,” said Téa.

“I know Mom but humor me okay. Okay - Boy A - he’s sweet. I’ve known him forever. He’s cute. Kinda’ shy. Honest. Sincere. I really like being friends with him. He makes me laugh,” started Taylor.

“Okay, Boy A sounds good for you…” said Téa summing it up. She had a clue as to who boy A was.

Taylor nodded her head, “Now Boy B - I’ve known him a while too but I was never friends with him. He’s…got a mean streak…but a soft side that not many people see. But I see it. I affect him. He’s different around me. We connect. It’s weird. It’s scary. And it’s exciting for me. He makes me feel things I’ve never felt before but I know he’s so…wrong for me and Tyler - would have a cow if he knew how I felt about Boy B. Does that make sense?”

Téa softly smiled at her daughter and sat up next to her. She didn’t have a clue as who boy B was.

“It makes plenty of sense Sweetie. You know I was there once. I had a Boy A and Boy B…” said Téa.

“Who did you pick?” asked Taylor as if her choice depended on the answer.

“Your father,” said Téa passionately.

“Oh,” said Taylor. Her mother’s answer didn’t help much.

“Sweetie, I thought you didn’t want a boyfriend right now?” asked Téa softly stroking her daughter’s soft, brown hair.

“I don’t. I didn’t. I…I don’t know. Boy B - you wouldn’t like Boy B, Mom,” said Taylor.

Téa sighed.

“Sweetie, don’t rush things. Are you feeling serious…about these boys?” asked Téa.

“Mom that’s just it - I’m feeling something but I don’t know what it is…” said Taylor flustered.

Téa drew her daughter into a hug, “Sweetie, you’ll know when it’s serious for you. I suspect right now it’s not. Don’t rush anything. Take it slow. You may bring out a softer side to Boy B Taylor but remember - “he’s” got to want to change. You can’t make him - you can’t force him and if he doesn’t change from the inside then maybe its not worth it…”

Taylor broke away from the hug and looked into her mother’s eyes, slowly nodding her head, letting her mother’s words sink in.

The door opened and Todd walked in. He was a bit surprised to see Taylor on the bed. He ran his hand though his hair, “Hi…uh guys. Everything…uh, all right?”

“Everything’s fine Todd. We…we’re just having a heart to heart…” explained Téa standing up.

“Oh. Girl stuff, huh?” he said shyly crossing his arms.

Taylor grinned, “I’d hate to make you blush you Daddy.”

“What? Who me? I know about that girl stuff…” said Todd, “But…uh…your Mom is the expert.”

“You’re a sweetie Dad,” said Taylor walking up to him. She placed a light kiss on his cheek and walked out.

“Everything okay?” Todd asked walking into the room.

“Our daughter is growing up Todd…” said Téa smiling, “She just had some questions…no big deal. Typical teen problems. Girl meets boy. Girl likes boy. Boy is bad for girl. That kind of thing.”

Todd swallowed, “Reminds you of us, huh? She…she…hasn’t started liking boys has she?”

Téa smiled at him, “You have nothing to worry about.”

They walked out.

*****

Llanview General…

Téa walked out dressed in a hospital gown into the exam room. Todd stood next to Dr. Clayton who was next to a scale. Dr. Clayton took her weight. Then he obtained blood and urine samples and physically examined her. Todd stayed by her side and tenderly held her hand when he could.

“So Doc?” he asked the doctor finished the exam.

Dr. Clayton looked up, “Everything looks fine Todd. Téa’s got a good diet and is following the exercise regimen I recommended.”

Téa smiled at Todd. She sat up.

“Now, in another five weeks we’ll be doing the early amnio and I want to brief you on what to expect,” he said, “We’ll admit you that morning, do the amnio in the afternoon, and I’ll release you after a 24 hours observation period. When you conduct an amnio this early there’s a higher risk of miscarriage.”

They nodded their heads.

“We’ll be testing for all known disorders including hemophilia and we should have the results a few days after that. Now, you do realize at your age, statistics indicate you have a 25 to 1 chance of your baby acquiring Downs Syndrome. And you all ready know the odds concerning hemophilia,” added Dr. Clayton, “Those are my biggest worries.”

“We know,” said Todd.

“I know its stuff to worry about, but try not too worry too much. Stress can physically effect you, whether you realize it or not,” concluded the doctor.

They looked at each other nodded their heads.

“I told you Delgado. No stress for you. I promise…” said Todd.

She smiled at him. At his concern. At his love for her.

*****

Later that evening…

Todd was in his study, going over some paperwork when Tyler walked in.

“Hey Dad,” said Tyler, his hands in his pockets. His face was a bit downcast and his bangs flopped into his eyes.

Todd looked up and put his paperwork aside.

“Ty. What’s up?” he asked looking at his son.

“Well, I got something I wanna’ talk about…” he started.

“Boy stuff?” said Todd slightly amused remembering Téa and Taylor’s conversation.

“Yeah - that’s cool. We got Boy Stuff. They got girl stuff…” grinned Tyler.

“So, spit it out…” said Todd leaning back in his chair.

Tyler looked up and brushed the bangs out of his eyes, “Troy Buchanan wants to ask you if he can take Tail to the school dance for Valentine’s Day…” started Tyler.

Todd made a face, “I don’t like those Buchanans. Especially that one that hits Trevor and gets you suspended at school…Now Troy, he’s the other brother, right?”

“Yeah Dad. Troy’s not so bad. He’s a good guy - unlike Brady…” said Tyler.

“I know all about Brady. I know Brady better than you think…” said Todd crossing his arms.

“Oh,” said Tyler looking confused, “Well, I’d rather Tail go with Troy than Brady…”

“Brady and Taylor?!” exclaimed Todd. He shot out of his seat angry, “Is there something going on there ‘cos I’ll nip that shit in the bud!”

“I don’t think so Dad. I mean, I think Brady likes her - ‘cos of the play but Tail’s always telling him off,” explained Tyler.

“Oh. That’s good. Just the same, maybe I should have a girl’s stuff talk with her…” started Todd.

“No Dad…! She’ll kill me - look - it’s just that I know she likes Troy and Troy likes her and it’s like they’re friends so just say okay…Dad - you can’t treat Taylor like she’s a nun or something. I mean…Her and Troy - they’re just friends!!” said Tyler explaining how he felt.

Todd made a face. He trusted Tyler a lot and if Tyler said there was nothing between Taylor and Brady, there wasn’t, “Well, Troy Buchanan seems like a good kid. He’s the only decent Buchanan in the bunch - so if you’re going to this dance too - you know to keep an eye on her - and Trevor - I guess it’s okay.”

“Yeah, I’ll be there,” said Tyler seriously.

“You know my stress factor just went up by ten points…” mumbled Todd thinking about taking on Téa’s stress too.

“You got nothing to stress about Dad. Trust me…” said Tyler grinning.

*****

The next day,
Llanview High…

It was Taylor’s lunch period and she walked down the stairs to get to the café.

“Taylor! Wait up!” came a voice. It was Brady Buchanan. Taylor paused and Brady caught up to her.

“I got something I want to ask you Taylor,” said Brady. He couldn’t wait.

“What?” said Taylor acting charmingly abrasive, as if that was part of the game between them.

“Wanna go the Valentine’s Dance with me?” he asked as they walked into the café.

Taylor stopped. Her eyes bugged out, “What? Are you high?”

“Is that a no?” demanded Brady looking at her. They stopped in the middle of the busy café.

“Yes, that’s a no. Number one - my whole entire family would blow a gasket if I went with you. Number two - why would I go out with you when you always give Trevor a rash of shit for being a hemophilic and number three - Troy, your brother all ready asked,” explained Taylor.

Taylor could see the hurt, pain, and fury in his eyes at her rejection.

He grabbed her arms and pulled her into him, “You know damn well I have feelings for you Taylor and I know damn well you have feelings for me! The looks between us don’t lie. How do you think - my stomach is in knots over you! I didn’t ask to feel this way about you - you - of all people!! Taylor Manning - your whole damn family is a bunch of putzs but you - I never thought you - of all the girls in this damn school - A damn Manning would make me feel like this!!”

Taylor swallowed, “Brady, I…”

“Take your hands off my sister,” said a firm voice.

Brady and Taylor turned to see it was Trevor. And he was furious. He held a book in one hand. Brady’s heart was sinking because of Taylor’s rejection and now because she was speechless to his confession of how he felt about her.

“So Trev - you gonna’ make me?” spat Brady, holding Taylor firm. He spied the book in Trevor’s hand.

“Brady, do it. Let me go,” insisted Taylor.

He did and got in Trevor’s face, needing a place to vent his anger, “Pregnancy for Dummies, huh? Get your girl knocked up? Passing on your bad genes?”

“Amy is not pregnant!” yelled Trevor.

“Brady stop it! Don’t do this,” said Taylor, “Trevor didn’t get anyone pregnant. Our mother is pregnant,” she said, setting him straight but desperately desiring that Brady get out of her brother’s face, afraid of what Brady might do…

“How many damn Mannings does this stupid town need?” said a hurt and angry Brady, “I bet your mother with her bad genes has another boy that will bleed to death just like you. Why bother having it in the first place?!”

WHAM!

Brady fell to the ground, blood flying out his jaw. Trevor stood over him, with a closed fist.

“C’Mon! Get up so I can hit you again!!” said Trevor.

“Stop it Trevor! He’s not worth it!” said Taylor.

“He insulted our mother! I won’t stand for it!” said Trevor glaring at Brady who had yet to get up.

“Trevor!! Your hand!” exclaimed Taylor.

Trevor held up his hand. His knuckles were puffy and growing more swollen by the minute. He was bleeding. Inside. Under the skin.

“Damn!!” he muttered.

TO BE CONTINUED…