Todd sinks onto the couch, glancing around the room. He's never felt so uncomfortable in his life. Viki smiles at him from across the room, her perkiness just irritating him more. He glances around. Jessica and Cristian are playing a game with Starr on the floor. Starr. Blair had relented and allowed Todd to spend Thanksgiving Day with Starr, under the provision that he bring her to the Cramers to spend the night. They had managed to work out a pretty amicable agreement since Todd had returned six months ago. Todd was relieved she had finally dumped Max and taken up dating Dr. Tim Lange. Finally, someone respectable, someone who he didn't mind around his daughter.

His eyes move to Viki, who is standing with Ben. Todd wasn't sure what to make of Ben, that whole relationship seemed fairly strange to him. But, hey who was he to judge anyone else's relationship? Especially when his own was in shambles.

Téa. When he had first returned, a lot of screaming and fighting had ensued. Where had he been? How could he just walk out? But after the fighting had lessened, they actually had their moments when he could be convinced things might just work out. But Téa was standing her ground, there was no future for them, she had said. Well, he didn't believe that and didn't think she did either. He'd just have to convince her.

He had wanted to invite her tonight. But he didn't. He couldn't stand the thought of her saying no. She probably had plans with Carlotta anyway. He couldn't help but think how much easier this would be if she was here.

"So, Uncle Todd," he heard Kevin sneer, "I guess this year you'll be thankful your sorry ass is not in jail."

Todd looks up at him from his spot on the couch, seeing Kevin arm and arm with his new fling Grace.

"And what about you, Kevvie...I bet you're thankful the minister's wife is off in the loony bin so you can continue screwing half of Llanview," he grins. Kevin steps towards Todd, but Grace grabs his arm.

"Kevin, not today, huh?" Grace said, glaring at Todd, and pulling Kevin away. Todd chuckles. He looks toward the door and sees Andrew Carpenter walk in with River, Joey, and Kelly. Todd rolls his eyes and jumps up. An encounter with the Reverend wasn't exactly high on his to do list. He walks over to Starr, Jess, and Cris and joins them on the floor.

"Daddy, I'm winning!" Starr says happily.

"Course you are Shorty," he grins, looking at Jessica, who smiles conspiratorily back. Todd moves his eyes to Cris, and sees and opportunity to get some information.

"Hey...so uh I guess Delgado's with your mom, huh?"

Cris shakes his head. "No, Mami is in California for Thanksgiving, visiting Andy and Antonio. I don't think Téa's doing anything."

Todd stares at him, feeling like he had been punched in the stomach. She was alone. Damn, and he knew how much this family crap meant to her. Why hadn't he invited her? Guilt settles over him as he imagines her all alone in her new house. Should he call and invite her? Nah...she'd probably think it was pity. Still lost in thought, Viki taps him to tell him to come to dinner.

****************************************************************

Téa's house, same day

Téa flips around aimlessly through the TV channels. Football, ugh....another reminder it was Thanksgiving. She swallowed down a lump in her throat, trying to swallow her loneliness along with it. She thought of Carlotta, how happy she must be to see Antonio. She knew how hard it was for Carlotta to be so far away from one of her sons.

Her mind drifts to Todd. A small smile plays on her lips. He must be at Llanfair today, probably hating every second. But deep down, kinda happy. He'd never admit it, but family was important to him too.

Shaking her head, she gets up and heads to her kitchen. She had bought this house three months ago. When Todd had returned, surprising the Hell out of her, she had moved out of the Penthouse into the Palace. Todd had told her she didn't have to move, but she could not see living there with him, even though she sort of wanted to if she let herself admit it. And then she had found this small cottage with a beautiful wraparound porch, and had fallen in love. A perfect house to raise a family in actually, but she didn't see that happening anytime soon.

She swings open her refrigerator. She looks over the cold cuts and left over pasta. Hardly turkey dinner with all the fixings. Blinking back tears, she closes the door and goes back to the couch. She pulls a blanket up over her and searches for something to watch on TV.

****************************************************************

Later that night...

Todd gets back in his cars. His dropping off Starr at Dorian's provided the usual battle with the Cramer women. Dinner at Viki's had been excruciating, but at least the food had been good. And he had enough to last a year. Viki had insisted when he left that he take some leftovers, and she had given him enough for a small army, enough to last him a year.

He looks over at the two big bags of food sitting next to him. Grinning, he starts the car. He knew exactly what he was going to do.

****************************************************************

Téa noticed it getting darker outside. One thing she hated about this time of year, it got dark so early. Okay, so maybe she was just grumpy. Pulling the blanket tighter around her, she turned back to the sappy holiday movie that was on.

She snaps out of her reverie when she hears the doorbell ring. Who the hell would be visiting her on Thanksgiving? She stands up and straightens the over sized sweatshirt she is wearing, brushing her hair back away from her face. She walks over to the door, unlocking it, and swinging it open. Her mouth drops at what she sees.

"Todd?" He grins, standing there holding two large paper bags.

"Hey," he says, walking past her into the house, "thought you might be hungry."

Téa turns, shocked. "I thought you would be at Viki's."

"Yeah, I was, but I had to bring Shorty back to the coven. Anyway, Cris was there, at Viki's, and he said you weren't doing anything, and Viki gave me all this food..."

Téa cuts him off, "Thanks, but I don't need your pity," she says, her voice sad.

"Hey, come on Delgado. That's not what this is...look I wanted to..to see you today," he pauses, running his hand through his hair, "and besides you gotta have turkey today, it's Thanksgiving...and Viki's cook's really good." Téa leans against the wall, her head down. The tears she had been fighting to hold back escaping her eyes, and she was desperately trying to hide them from Todd. "I'm sorry, you know," he says softly, "I shoulda asked you to Viki's...you know but I figured you'd be with Carlotta. That's no excuse though, I should have asked you."

"Why?" she replies, head still down, "I don't belong there. We're not married anymore."

"Don't say that," he says, placing his finger under her chin and lifting her face. His heart twists as he sees the tears streaming down her cheeks. "Look, regardless of what happens with us, you will always be a part of Shorty's family. She loves you. She was asking about where you were today."

"Yeah?"

"Yeah."

Téa reaches up and wipes the tears from her face. "You know I was thinking about the first Thanksgiving we were married, when we went to Viki's."

"As I recall, it was pretty eventful," he grins.

"Yeah, but...I liked it...being there with you and Starr and you're family. It was around that time I started to think that it might become an annual occurrence for us...hoped I guess is more accurate."

"Still can," he says softly. She looks up at him, her eyes locking with his. She smiles, taking some hope out of his words. Todd reaches down and grabs her hand. "Come on, I'm starved."

"Didn't you already eat?"

"Yeah, but that was like two hours ago," he replies, leading her into the kitchen. She grins, watching as he unpacks the bags of food. Wrapping her arms around herself, she sinks into a chair. She tilts her head up, looking skyward...

Thank you...

THE END

© Copyright by Kelly 1999

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Design Reflections
(c) 1999