It was a relatively quiet day at the Sun. He looked back to his desk. Lying flat down was a red heart made of construction paper. “I love you Daddy.” Was handwritten on it and a picture of his 9 year old son, Trevor was pasted on top of it.

Todd closed his eyes as he remembered the pain of last year. When his wife, Téa, had lost the baby, it shook his world. It was her third miscarriage. The house was decorated in romantic red and while roses and while she was in the hospital, he was home, trashing his elaborate decorations. He went into a deep depression and fell into old patterns of working late at the Sun and avoiding his wife and family. His behavior was causing his family to fragment. Finally, after a few months, his wife found him here, at the office, late one night, as working late had become a daily habit. And his wife told him she was leaving him.

“Todd, I can’t live like this anymore and neither can the kids. Tyler is just devastated…by your failure to be around…he’s convinced you don’t love him anymore Todd…”

He gasped for breath as he remembered her words.

“I lost the baby too Todd…! How did you think I felt?”

Oh, that hurt.

“I’m leaving you Todd. I’m taking the kids and I’m leaving…”

Oh that stung worst of all. At first he didn’t believe it but then she turned around to walk out and he finally became scared. He pictured some other man holding her, kissing her, some other man being a father to his children and he had to stop her from walking out that door and his life. He remembered running after her, grabbing her arm before she reached the door and spinning her around into him.

“You are not leaving me Téa…!”

“Give me out reason why I shouldn’t Todd? I know you don’t love me anymore – you don’t say the words anymore. And you don’t love me because I lost your baby again…”

It wasn’t true! That wasn’t true!

“God no Téa, I do love you! I never stopped… I just…”

He couldn’t continue. He didn’t know how or what to say.

“What is it then, damnit Todd?!” she had yelled at him, getting his face.

“I don’t want you to lose another baby – that’s why…” he started.

“That’s your reason for avoiding me and our children? Lousy reason Todd and you know it…” she hissed.

He could feel his pulse quicken. It had been months since he’d been this close to her. Everything from her feisty nature to the scent of her perfume turned him on. With an overwhelming force he pulled her into him and kissed her, igniting passions he had buried deep within him.

At first she struggled – more out of confusion than disgust, but he didn’t let her go. He had to convince her! He had too!

Finally, she grew limp in is arms and returned his hot searing kisses with an almost scared desperation that this could be the last time between them. “Don’t leave me…” he had gasped.

Suddenly the world began to spin and they were going at each other, ripping each other’s clothes off. He was rough that night but so was she. They did it – there on the couch in his office after months of celibacy between them. She was on him so raw – so aggressive – they lustfully made love to each other all night long taking brief rests between sessions.

“You can’t leave now Téa…” he said once.

“I just want my husband back…” she replied.

“I’m back…I am…”

He took a breath and ran his hand through his hair remembering those painful memories but one good thing had come out of that rough, intense night of desperate lovemaking between them.

Téa had conceived their daughter. And this time, she didn’t miscarry. Currently, his wife was eight months pregnant and due in four weeks and he couldn’t be happier.

He glanced at his desk. A book of baby names lay in the corner. His sister, Viki, had given it to him and just today he found a name he liked, “Theresa” or Terri for short.

Just then his door opened and his 9-year-old son Trevor ran in followed by the 7 year old twins, Tyler and Taylor. Judith, the nanny, walked in after them.

He stood up and smiled at his kids and they ran over to him and hugged him. He knelt down and returned their affection with a hug for each one.

“Why are you guys here today?” he asked.

“It’s Valentine’s Day Daddy!” exclaimed Taylor.

“Yeah, I knew that,” he replied seriously.

“We gotta’ go shopping for Mommy, Daddy,” said Tyler fiercely.

“We do?” asked Todd surprised.

“Yep. Mommy went shopping today for you,” said Trevor.

“She did, huh?” Todd swallowed and looked up at Judith.

“You talk them into this?” he asked.

“Nope,” said Judith, “But we did check out the mall and they know what they want. You just have to go with them to get it.”

Todd felt uncomfortable, as he had just relieved his painful memories. He really didn’t want to make a big deal out of this day. He didn’t. But his kids did and…he would do anything for his kids. He looked at them – so happy. He would not be the cause of their unhappiness. “Okay,” he said standing up and reaching for his coat, “Let’s go.” He picked Taylor up in his arms and the boys followed beside him.

The Mall…

Trevor tugged at his father’s hand, practically dragging him through the mall and the twins were gabbing a mile a minute about “love junk.” “Daddy! Look!! That’s chocolate!!” yelled Tyler running up to the window. Todd walked up to the window and saw what Tyler was pointing at.

“You wanna’ get that for your mom?” asked Todd wrinkling his brow.

“It’s her favorite!” said Tyler.

Todd walked inside, followed by the kids and bought the chocolate. “Are they for your wife?” asked the sales girl.

“Yeah,” said Todd.

“Mommy loves chocolate!” said Tyler with a winsome smile.

“Mommy LIKES chocolate. You’re the one who loves it,” said Trevor looking at his brother. They stood eye to eye. Tyler wrinkled his brow, as if he had been “dimmed” out.

“You’ve got some cute kids,” said the salesgirl.

“Thanks,” said Todd blushing.

“C’Mon Daddy!!” said Taylor shyly grabbing his hand and pulling him away. Next. The kids took him a jewelry store and showed him a ruby heart pendant. Next to the Ruby one was the same thing in sapphires and emeralds. Todd held Taylor in his arms again and his boys ogled the pendant from behind the glass. Todd told the sale guy that he wanted the sapphire pendant and the sales attendant began wrapping it up. “Daddy, you should have got the red one for Valentine’s Day!!” said Taylor a bit disappointed.

“But Taylor, the blue is your mother’s birthstone,” said Todd. Taylor didn’t understand but before he could explain it, the boys dragged him off the flower shop to buy flowers. The afternoon seemed to fly by and before he knew it, Todd had a whole slew full of gifts for his wife. But what he had taken joy in more than anything was the fact that the kids had helped him shop for her gifts. As they pulled into the driveway, they spied her car all ready there. They went in through the kitchen door but Téa wasn’t there.

“Téa!” cried Todd.

“Mommy!” yelled the kids.

“I’m in here,” came her voice. They walked over into the living room and found her sitting down on the couch, relaxing. Taylor went and snuggled next to her mother. Téa made a bit of a face, “Be careful sweetie. The baby’s pretty feisty today.”

“Okay Mommy,” said Taylor being gentler. Todd and the boys stood in front of her.

“We gotcha’ some gifts…” said Todd looking down a bit shy.

Téa grinned, “I got you guys a few things too.”

“I got you chocolate Mommy!” said Tyler handing her the box of chocolates.

“Gracias, mijo,” she said. She got up a bit and he crawled onto the couch and she gave him a kiss on the cheek.

Trevor gave his mother a small, wrapped box. “Happy Valentine’s Day,” he said sweetly. Todd’s heart melted as she watched the kids give his wife her gifts. He said nothing, only studying every smile on their faces. Téa was surprised as she held up her necklace.

“It’s gorgeous. Thank you Trevor…and Todd,” she said softly.

“Put it on Mommy,” smiled Taylor.

Téa handed the necklace to Todd and struggled to stand up. Todd carefully brushed her long hair off to the side and delicately put the necklace around her neck. “Ow…” said Téa making a face. She rubbed her hand over her bulky stomach.

“What’s wrong?” asked Todd.

“Baby is feisty today,” said Téa. Todd put his hand on her stomach and felt the baby kick.

“She sure is,” said Todd.

“Can I feel Mommy?” asked Trevor.

Téa nodded her head and all the kids put their hands on the stomach to feel the baby. Finally Todd motioned to Tyler who ran into the kitchen and brought back a dozen red roses.

Téa smelled them, “Thank you guys. They smell wonderful. This is one of the best Valentine’s I ever had.”

“Really? You mean it Delgado?” Todd asked, warming up to the holiday.

“Yep. Now I got gifts for you guys,” she replied and pointed to a small table near the TV. The kids tore into their gifts. Tyler was pleased with his chocolate, Taylor got the ruby necklace and Trevor got a cocqui for good luck.

Todd stood next to Tea, with a supportive hand around her back and savored the moment.

Finally Trevor turned around and looked at his parents, “We got you this.” He pulled out a wrinkled envelope from his pocket.

“You got us a surprise?” asked Todd taking the envelope. He opened it.

“Auntie Viki helped us,” said Taylor sweetly.

He looked at the content and gave it to Téa.

“It’s for dinner tonight at the Waterside Inn,” said Téa.

“Auntie Viki said she’d watch us tonight,” added Tyler.

“Your father and I think…it’s a sweet gift. Thank you,” said Téa.

Trevor, Tyler, and Taylor just smiled.

That evening,
The Waterside Inn…

Todd and Téa walked into their private dining room at the Inn and sat down. A waiter came by with wine. “None for me. Perrier water, okay?” instructed Téa.

“Me too,” said Todd. After a quick minute he retuned with their water, took their order and left so as to give them their privacy. “Today went pretty well, huh?” asked Todd buttering a roll.

“Yeah…” she said softly, “The kids…were so thoughtful, weren’t they?”

“Tell me about it. I had to go to the mall and listen to them spout love junk all day long…” fussed Todd.

“But you liked it,” said Téa, “You did. You like spending time with them.”

“They’re good kids Téa. We got good kids,” he said, “Oh, and speaking of kids, I found a name I liked today in that book Viki gave me,” said Todd. Téa held out her hand, and Todd surprised, took her hand in his. He rubbed his finger over her rings, twirling them around.

“What name did you see darling?” she whispered.

“Theresa. It’s a “T” name you know so we don’t break with this tradition we got going. We can call her Terri for short but her full name will be Theresa Victoria Manning. Victoria for Viki you know. Viki would like that…” said Todd just kind of rambling. He looked up into her eyes. It was silent between them.

“I like it. Theresa Victoria. It’s perfect,” she finally whispered.

Todd swallowed, “Last year…” he began.

“Todd, you don’t…” she interrupted.

“Delgado, let me finish okay? Last year, after losing my kid, I almost lost you and our family. And then Terri came along…ah, geez…it’s not coming out right…” he said exasperated with himself.

“Todd, this is just as painful for you as it is for me…” said Téa gently. Her eyes began welling up with tears.

“Look, I’m trying to say I’m happy you’re here and you didn’t leave me and we’re a family. I’m happy you’re having this baby and I just know Terri’s going to be a great kid…” he finished.

Téa swallowed and held up her glass, “I love you Todd Manning.”

He clicked his glass to hers, “I love you Téa Manning.”

They sipped their glasses and smiled at each other, so much in love with the other.

THE END