Téa hesitantly got out of the car and looked up at the house - their house.
She heard Todd’s door open and close. The construction crews were gone. A light layer of snow was on the ground. The house was a deep brown color with a second story. It was done in traditional colonial style. It had a wrap around porch and even a picket fence. Attached to the house was a garage. Téa could feel Todd’s presence next to her. She looked up at him in awe.
“Let’s go inside. It’s kinda chilly out here,” said Todd. He held her bags.
“Sure,” whispered Téa. She could see her breath.
The twilight of the evening glared off the roof of the house.
“Did you bring your key?” he asked softly, “The key to my heart?”
Téa blushed as their eyes met and they paused in front of the door.
Quickly, she turned away and began fumbling around in her purse. She pulled out the key she received as her Christmas gift. Téa put the key in the lock. It was a perfect fit. They walked into the house, side by side. Téa marveled at the detail inside the house. The rooms were furnished. There was no dust. The house was immaculate. They stood in a hall. A set of stairs led upstairs. Off to the side was an entrance into the den. Todd threw Téa’s bags on the couch. Téa went through a set of doors and into a kitchen. Every modern appliance she could think of was there. She walked back into the den and Todd escorted her into another room - a living room. The living room had a big bay window that overlooked their front lawn.
“This is magnificent Todd,” said Téa softly.
“Yeah. Let’s go check out upstairs,” suggested Todd.
Téa nodded her head and followed him upstairs. The hall was wide and spacious. Téa counted a total of four bedrooms and went into one. It wasn’ t furnished. She walked over to the window and looked down onto the back yard. It was big and spacious.
“Todd, what’s this room for?” asked Téa staring out the window.
He walked up behind her and placed his hands on her shoulders and leaned in next to her - his mouth next to her ear.
“It’s for our child…” he whispered.
Téa took a deep breath.
“Our child…”
She closed her eyes.
He gently kissed her cheek.
“Oh, Todd…” she whispered looking out the window.
He turned her into him, “I want to have a child with you…when the time is right for us.”
His eyes were so full of desire for her.
Téa swallowed.
He took her hand and escorted her out of the room and back into the hall. They paused in front of another door. Todd opened it. Téa peered inside. The room was huge. In the middle was a king-sized bed with satin sheets. On the nightstand next to the bed were two dozen red roses. A chilled bottle of wine and two glasses rested on a dresser. There were two walk in closets and a bathroom off to the side. Todd took her hand and they walked inside.
“Is this your bedroom Todd?” whispered Téa, “Or mine?”
“No. It’s ours,” he replied.
She was overwhelmed. Their eyes met and slowly they melted into a passionate kiss.

That night,
Llanview General…

A nurse walked up to the armed police guard outside of José Delgado’s room. He had a needle and vial of medicine on a tray, “It’s time for Mr. Delgado’s treatment,” said the nurse.
The armed guard nodded his head and the nurse went inside. A minute passed. Delmonico and Roseanne Delgado walked up to the cop. Both had serious looks of concern on their faces.
“How is he?” asked Del.
“All right,” said the cop.
“I wonder where Téa is?” asked Del scratching his head, “There’s no answer at the hotel. She should be here…”
“Who knows with Aunt Téa. Maybe she’s on her way…or maybe she’s with that loser husband of hers, Todd Manning,” commented Roseanne.
Del made a face, “God, I wish she’d stay away from that man.”
Roseanne rolled her eyes.
Del addressed the cop, “Is there anyone inside the room?”
The cop nodded his head, “The nurse.”
Roseanne and Del looked at each other.
“According to the nurse at the station…José had just got done…” started Roseanne.
Del flew past the cop and opened the door. The “nurse” was administering the vial of medicine to José. The monitors began ringing loudly. The “nurse” looked surprised and bolted. José lay still on the bed.
Del threw a punch at the “nurse” and connected. The “nurse” stumbled back.
“Go get a doctor - a real doctor Roseanne!” commanded Del.
Roseanne bolted out of the room. The cop came in and watched Del struggle with the “nurse”. Del could the flat tones of the monitor as he struggled to subdue the “nurse”. After a few seconds, Del had the “nurse” pinned to the ground and threw handcuffs on him.
A real doctor rushed in followed by two nurses and Roseanne.
He immediately began issuing orders, “Hurry! His heart’s stopped beating…!” he directed at one of the real nurses. She ran out. Roseanne stayed out of the way and made the sign of the cross. Softly, she began to pray, “Our Father, who art in heaven…”
She ran back in and returned with the paddles. Del looked on in horror as the doctor applied the paddles to José’s chest, shocking him.
Del swallowed and looked at Roseanne, “Find Téa. Now.”
Roseanne nodded her head and left.

Llantano Mountain…

Téa’s lips were on Todd’s - their mouths entwined. Todd held her close to him - he could feel the outline of her body next to him - he could feel himself reacting - caught up in the ambiance of the moment…
Slowly, he parted from her - not turning away. He swallowed. She took a deep breath.
“I can’t remember the last time I kissed you like that,” whispered Téa.
“I can. Our wedding night - before everything went blooey…” replied Todd.
Slowly, he let go of his embrace, “I…I…I liked that…kiss…” he struggled to say.
“I did too…” replied Téa, “Please, Todd…don’t pull away - not tonight…”
Her eyes pleaded with his.
Todd held his ground and suddenly he became serious, “You know - I’ve tried to talk about my father with you - the DID…” he started.
“I know - but when you’re ready. I don’t want to force you into something you’re not ready for…” replied Téa - not moving - so dangerously close to him…
He brought his hand to her face and rubbed her cheek with his thumb, “I’ve got the words Téa - but if I don’t say them now I never will…”
He paused. Téa’s eyes told him softly that she understood.
“This is just as scary as the night I got down on bended knee and really proposed to you at the palace…” he said softly, almost choking on the words. “It was scary for me too. I thought I’d lost you then too…” she replied.
Todd swallowed and paused again, “Here we are…standing in our house…our bedroom…reminds me of our late night chats…when I told you about some of the abuse…” he struggled to say.
“I didn’t turn away then and I won’t now,” said Téa.
Todd dropped his hand and clenched his fists as he closed his eyes reliving a painful memory - he looked up at Téa - his face contorted in pain, “I was six - when my father - when Peter Manning - first - when he - sodimized me…”
A tear rolled down Téa’s cheek as she lovingly reached for his hand to help share the pain…

TO BE CONTINUED…