Todd paced nervously in his therapist’s office. “Todd, I can’t help you unless you talk to me. How long are you going to pace my office?” asked Michaels.

Todd stopped and took a breath. He stared past Michaels, “It’s Téa…” “That’s a start,” said Michaels, “By the way, I’m sorry about what happened at the diner. It was in all the newspapers. Is she all right?”

“Oh, he didn’t physically hurt her,” said Todd. He closed his eyes reliving the painful memories of Coronado manhandling his wife. “He hurt her in another way?” asked Michaels. “Yeah. And I don’t know how to make her feel better,” said Todd. “What did he do?” asked Michaels. “He touched her – intimately. He grabbed her breasts…her wrists…He forced her to the floor…” he muttered, “He almost…raped…my wife…in front of my eyes…”

Again, Todd closed his eyes. A single tear fell down his face. “What do you see Todd?” asked Michaels. “Marty…Marty Saybrooke…” whispered Todd. His body trembled. “Todd…” started Michaels. Todd opened his eyes, “Ironic, isn’t it? A rapist…forced to watch the rape of his own wife… the one woman in the world…who believes in him.”

“Téa wasn’t raped Todd. Don’t dwell on it. It’s not healthy for you. Focus on what is going on with Téa,” said Michaels trying to distract him. There was a silent pause.

“Téa…” whispered Michaels.

“Téa – is apprehensive around me…” started Todd. “How so?”

“We kiss. We hug. We touch. But, it gets to a certain point and she shuts down. She freaks out – starts crying – my wife can’t make love to me now and I… don’t know how to help her… or how to deal with it…” explained Todd.

Michaels paused, “She’s scared Todd.”

“But she never was before. And I can feel in her kiss she wants to… it’s like she doesn’t know how and I can’t show her the way…” added Todd.

“You said she believes in you?” asked Michaels.

“Yeah,” said Todd.

“Then just remind her what believing in you means. And show her you believe in her – in your own way – in your own style…” said Michaels.

“My style?” questioned Todd with doubt.

“If you’re a romantic kinda guy go for the flowers. If you’re a shy guy, go for a card. But go slow…let her be the one to make the moves on you…” said Michaels.

“Téa? Let her start it?” asked Todd.

“Nudge her along…” suggested Michaels.

Todd thought back to the other night when Téa presented him with a surprise. She had started it then too.

“Who is the real you, Téa? The woman who can…who gets off on the thrill of excitement?”

“I trust myself…to completely lose control…to give into every ounce of feeling…”

“I can’t lose you Delgado…”

“Todd, what are you thinking?” asked Michaels. “Look, Doc… I’m barely comfortable in my own sexuality. How am I suppose to help Téa with hers?” asked Todd. Michaels just frowned.

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

That afternoon,
The DA’s office…

Hank Gannon saw something unusual as he looked up from his desk. A parade of flowers was flowing past his window. He walked up and went over to the door. His staff had also stopped to watch as Todd Manning decorated his wife’s office full of flowers. Hank walked over to Todd who was in the doorway of Téa’s office.

“This is a switch Manning,” said Hank crossing his arms.

“When’s Téa due back?” asked Todd.

“Soon. The judge adjourned fifteen minutes ago,” said Hank.

“Good,” said Todd, “What are you doing to the creep...who took us hostage?” asked Todd.

The last flower deliveryman walked out of the office. Her office was brilliantly decorated in peach roses.

“We’ll put him on trial,” said Hank thinly. Just then Téa walked in and saw Todd. She gave him a smile from across the room. Todd bolted and ran up to her.

“Close your eyes!” he said.

“Todd!” she protested.

“Do it,” he said. She did. He got behind her and guided her to her office.

“Gannon doesn’t know what to think,” whispered Todd into her ear, “He’s in shock.” Téa grinned and Todd stopped them at her doorway. “O.k., open your eyes,” he said.

She did. And when she saw the flowers her face instantly lit up, “Todd! They’re beautiful!”

“I’ll leave you two alone,” said Hank walking off.

Todd and Téa went inside her office and closed the door. Todd took the briefcase out of her hand and threw it on an adjacent chair and then he took her into his arms. He found her eyes. There was a hint of apprehension in them.

“What’s with the flowers Todd?” she asked, her hands around his waist.

“I’m trying to tell you something…” he said softly.

“You love me?” she whispered. “Yeah…and something else…” he said.

“I’m clueless here Todd,” she said.

“I’m a nice guy – for the most part – when I’m around you. Only you though. All right, maybe Starr…and Viki. But I draw the line at Viki,” he added.

“Oh, I know that,” she said. He tilted her head so it was at the right angle to his mouth.

“Look, I…I’m giving you a nudge here…” said Todd.

“A nudge?” she swallowed.

“Yeah. A nudge. Look, Delgado, I want you to kiss me ok…” he said softly.

“I’m…scared, Todd,” she whispered.

“I don’t bite. Well, I do…but in a good way…” he said, “Tell me you don’t want to kiss me right now and I’ll let go of you…”

“I don’t want that…” she said, finding his eyes. There was a pause between them.

“I want my wife back. I want to watch her smile – I want to hear her laugh – I want her to want me…” he said seductively.

Scared as hell, Téa leaned into him. Her quivering lips brushing lightly against his. He imitated her gesture, his heart melting at her attempt, and again she leaned into him, brushing her lips against his – increasing the pressure, Todd pulled her into him – their lips finally turning their gestures into a kiss. A tender and gentle one at first…Todd holding back, trying so hard to hold back…allowing her to deepen the kiss – and then surprisingly he felt her hand lightly caress his chest. He brought his hand up to her head and ran his fingers through her hair. Their embrace was warm and passionate. He could tell she was beginning to get aroused by her body’ s reaction to him.

BANG! BANG! BANG!

The Mannings suddenly parted and an embarrassed Téa reached for the door, flinging it open. It was her paralegal, Jeff. “Ah, what Jeff?” she muttered, her face all red.

“Mr. Diaz wants to know when you want to get together for discovery?” said Jeff.

“Tomorrow. Schedule something for tomorrow,” said Téa. She abruptly shut the door on him.

“I think we need to go home Téa,” said Todd, “Because I know I want to finish what we started.” She nodded he head and they quickly left.

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

The Manning Estate…

Todd and Téa stumbled into their house, holding hands, Todd behind her, his other hand around her waist, kissing her gently through her hair. She was smiling, clearly lost in the sensations he was arousing. They made their way to the living room, falling onto the couch, Todd on top of her. He paused. Their eyes met. She seemed into it and then she reached up with her lips, kissing him hesitantly. He responded, clearly elated that she had reached out to him and he lost himself in their kisses – he aggressively sought out her neck and roughly ran his hand under her shirt, caressing her breast…her eyes grew wide and her breathing became labored. She shoved Todd away from her.

“What…?” he whispered clearly upset. She swallowed. “No. You are not going to shut down now. Not now Téa!” he said. She struggled to sit up. Todd reached out for her hands. She tried to pull away but he held her tight and pulled her into him.

“It’s me – Todd, Téa. I’m not him. I’m not going to hurt you.” he insisted.

“I just felt…” she whispered.

“Felt what? Dirty?” spat Todd.

“No! No! I saw you but felt him…” she explained. Todd held her hands tight and he leaned over her.

“What can I do to make you feel me Téa?” asked Todd clearly aroused, “I’m not good at this…sex stuff…”

Téa’s face fell, “I don’t want to have just sex with you, Todd…” she paused.

“What?” he demanded, “Can’t you see I’m trying?”

“I want to make love to you…” she finished.

His eyes softened, “I want that too. I want…”

“What?” she whispered still in her delicate position.

“I want to stop waiting and letting life happen to me. That’s what the incident at the diner taught me. I want everything. The house… well, I got that… And it’s within…my grasp… And I…hope for the first time in my life… I want to make love to you tonight…” he paused.

“And?” she asked. “And I want to conceive our child. Tonight,” said Todd firmly, lost in her eyes, “I want the house, the wife… and the family…I want… a child…”

Her heart melted upon hearing the passion in his voice. “Help me Todd…” she whispered.

“That’s what I’m trying to do,” he said, “Close your eyes.”

She did. He sat her up on the couch and sat down next to her.

“I’m gong to touch you now. Keep your eyes closed. And picture me,” he said firmly.

This was either going to work or backfire on him. She nodded her head. He gently placed his hand on her cheek and glided his fingers over her face, traced her mouth and went down further to her neck. And trying his hardest, and focusing on their first night together, his hand went lower and he undid the buttons of her shirt. She wrinkled her brow, caught inbetween… He undid the snap in the front and the bra parted for him. This time his touch was tender and gentle. Her lips began to tremble. He moved in closer and placed his lips on her cheek as he caressed her breast.

“Do you feel me?”

“Yes.”

His hand went lower to her waist, his lips found hers – brushing against them softly as they had all day.

“Do you see me?”

“Yes.”

“Do you want me to stop?”

“No.”

“Do you want to…make love?”

She swallowed, “Yes.”

His hand went lower, undoing the buttons of her pants and parting them. Slowly, his hand came up, against her soft, tender inner thigh and he rubbed it lightly. He could feel how hot she was.

“Do you want to try? Do you want tonight to be the night?” asked Todd between kisses.

“Be gentle with me tonight Todd,” she said.

“I’ll try. You know me. I’m not…the most gratious lover,” he replied.

He lightly rubbed his hand over hair and intently watched her face. All hesitation and apprehension was gone and on her face was a smile – a grin of enjoyment. He had done it. Slowly, he pulled away and stood up over her, undressing in front of her. She opened her eyes and watched and when he was done, she stood up and undressed for him. They stood in front of each other, admiring each other’s body. Their eyes met – their gaze intent. Slowly, she held up her hand and placed it on his chest, stepping into him – her legs rubbing up against his. His lips trembled at her touch and slowly he repeated her gesture, caressing her chest. She gave him a series of tender kisses on his lips and pulled away again. He imitated her gesture – their kisses full of desire and intensity.

“Tonight’s the night Téa. Tonight we start a new mystery…” he said struggling to find words.

“I’m ready Todd…” she replied.

He picked her up in his arms and carried her into the bedroom, placing her on the bed. She reached up to him, placing her hand behind his neck and pulling him into her. He teased her, his hands shaking, trying so hard to go slow as he began to caress her whole body, from her legs to her tummy and her arms…breathing deeply between kisses… he could feel himself dangerously next to her inner thigh… pulsing with life…pulsing with new life…desiring to fill her and make a new life…with her…

She imitated his gesture, rubbing his legs lightly, his waist, his chest, his arms…sending tingles through her own body as well as his…

“I don’t want to tease you anymore…” he said as he gasped for air between kisses, breathing in her scent…

“Then don’t…” she replied. Their bodies entwined, Todd took her hungrily, kissing, feeling, caressing, his sensations heightening… and he could tell hers were too… her face was so red… her eyes on fire for him…and she was gasping for air…just as he was…

He could feel himself become consumed with the electricity flowing between them… their sensations intermingling… their moans of desire combining in pleasure… fluid exchange… He could feel himself filling her up… and he couldn’t take the overload of emotions – of pleasure – and physical sensations… and neither could she. Their bodies quivered together as the glow of their mutual orgasms began to fade away…

“I love you Téa…I hope we just made a baby…” he said softly, holding her close to him.

“I do too…” she replied…

The Mannings felt asleep nestled in each other’s arms.