It was warm for a mid-April day. Todd was dressed appropriately in jeans and a heavy, long-sleeved shirt. He sat on a bench near Georgie Phillips grave, his hands in his pockets. He had allowed his hair to grow out a bit but his face was still clean shaven. He had just come from a recent therapy session, more confused than ever.
“Todd?” came a voice.
He looked up.
“Viki.”
Viki Carpenter, Todd’s sister, looked down at him. She was dressed in a power suit and wore a light spring jacket. She took the seat next to him.
“What brings you here - to this cemetery?” she asked.
“Just thinking,” said Todd, “It was closer than the docks. Why are you here?”
Viki gave him a light smile, “I came to pay my respects to Joe. When I get a little confused he usually helps me sort out my thoughts.”
“Yeah,” said Todd returning the smile.
“I see you’ve chosen to pay Georgie Phillips a visit…” noted Viki looking at her brother, “Why?”
“I don’t know. You know, today’s the anniversary of her death,” said Todd. That meant something to him.
“I didn’t realize,” said Viki honestly.
“You know Georgie was pregnant…” said Todd evenly.
“I knew that,” confirmed Viki, “Todd, are you all right?”
“I’ve been thinking a lot about fathers and sons…and daughters…” he said emotionally.
“Why? Why now?” asked Viki, “What’s bothering you?”
Todd took a breath, gathering up his strength, “Téa’s pregnant.”
A bright smile crossed Viki’s face, “That’s great Todd!”
“Thanks,” he replied.
“Aren’t you happy about that?” asked Viki sensing a sadness about him.
‘Of course!” he passionately replied, “I want the whole package with Téa. I got the chick. I got the house. I got a kid on the way…”
“Do you have too much?” asked Viki, “Is that what you think?”
“I don’t have the Sun. I need the Sun. My family needs the Sun,” said Todd.
“You didn’t answer my question,” said Viki.
“Maybe I do Sis,” replied Todd, his voice cracking, “Maybe I wasn’t met to be happy. I don’t even know what happiness…”
“Don’t stop now Todd,” prodded Viki.
“All right. All I know is what I feel. And I’ve never felt like this before. I only know I like it. I like it a lot and I don’t want it to end. If I try to get my paper back…for my family…will I jinx this too like I jinx everything else?” he asked.
“Boy, do I know that feeling,” said Viki, “You’ve come a long way Todd. Maybe you’re on a roll. Maybe it’s fate that you’re suppose to be happy right now.”
Todd looked at Viki and chuckled, “Right. I’m scared Viki. I’m scared I could screw this up…”
“Have faith … in yourself,” replied Viki, “You have nothing to be afraid of.”
“You don’t know Viki,” said Todd soberly.
“Try me,” said Viki.
“Sometimes I think… I hear myself thinking in the third person…and when Téa and I… I lose… control, I mean - I’m there but sometimes I act so…mushy… and sometimes I act so aggressive and I don’t know which way is right…” he stammered struggling for the words.
“I had the same anxieties. Look, Todd, have you ever thought that now, since your alters have merged you’re just expressing their traits through you… you’re learning how to deal with the real Todd…” added Viki.
“That’s deep Sis,” said Todd.
“Think about it,” replied Viki.
“I don’t want to blow it Viki,” said Todd, “I couldn’t take it if I hurt Téa again. Especially now that she’s pregnant.”
She took his hand and smiled at him.
“Did you and Téa talk about this pregnancy or was this unexpected?” she asked.
“No. We talked about it. I wanted…to be a Dad again. And I wanted Téa to be the Mom. But I haven’t… always been there for Shorty like I promised…” replied Todd, “And now it’s hitting home…”
“Todd, there’s no such thing as perfect parents…” said Viki.
“But my kids - deserve a life - with mothers who love them - and a father that will never do things… that were done to me…” insisted Todd.
“Blair loves Starr. You know that. And you know Téa will be a good mother and love your child with all her heart. And you will never be like Peter Manning or Victor Lord. If I can turn my life around, so can you,” said Viki passionately, “We can break the cycle.”
Todd grunted.
“Sometimes,” said Viki smiling at him, “You think too much.”
Todd gave her a small grin.

That evening,
The Manning Estate…

Téa sat down on the couch, her feet kicked up on the coffee table. Her brother, José, having been released from the hospital was sitting next to her with his feet on the coffee table too. They were casually dressed and laughing at each other.
“Sis - what can I say? Nice digs. Beats the basement,” said José smiling at her.
“My garage beats the basement,” giggled Téa.
They heard the door open and voices. Todd walked in and Sam walked in behind him.
Téa and Todd exchanged bright smiles.
“Hi Todd. Hi Sam,” said Téa smiling.
“Hi Téa. José.” said Sam taking a seat and opening up his briefcase.
“Mr. Rappaport,” said José.
“What’s up Todd?” asked Téa.
Todd walked over to the couch and sat on the other side of Téa, “Sam’s gonna help me get the Sun back,” said Todd, “For my family…for our family.”
“I’m gonna take off,” said José standing up. He exchanged good-byes with Téa and left.
Todd got up and poured drink for himself and Sam, “No drinks for you Delgado.”
“No kidding Todd,” she grinned.
Todd gave Sam his drink and sat back down next to Téa.
“Well, I’ve been trying to think of angles to which we can attack the problem,” started Sam.
“Is there a contract?” asked Téa, “Maybe we can fall back on contract law?”
“Nope,” said Todd, “I just gave it to them.”
Téa made a circular motion with her hands, “O.k….switching gears to property law…”
Todd looked at her and wrinkled his brow.
“So, you gave them a gift?” asked Téa.
“I guess so,” said Todd.
“Well, a gift, legally defined is a voluntary transfer of property without consideration. You must have intent, delivery and acceptance,” explained Sam.
“Well, we got delivery and acceptance…” said Téa.
Sam looked at Todd, “Did you intend to give them the Sun?”
Todd looked exasperation, “I didn’t… realize I’d given them the Sun…it was pretty hazy back then…”
“O.k., so we don’t have a contract, I know, but can we still claim incapacity because Todd was suffering from DID?” asked Téa.
“Well, a judge did place Todd under a legal guardianship…” rambled Sam, “And only the Legal guardian could approve that kind of gift… And I don’t think Viki did.”
“Hey! I’m not incapacitated!” exclaimed Todd.
“Well, not now… wait a minute…” said Sam, “I’ve just gotten another idea. Weren’t you married to Téa when you gave Blair, Max, and Kelly their gift?”
“Yeah - I think so,” said Todd.
“Is this state a community property state?” asked Sam.
“No,” said Téa.
“O.k…. shot that idea down…wait - you can be tenants in the entirety, can’t you?” asked Sam.
“What’s that?” asked Todd.
“A legal property concept that says basically a husband and wife own property together, as one, and the only way to separate your property is to get divorced,” explained Téa.
“Very good Téa…” said Sam.
“Well, that’s all I remember from law school,” said Téa, “But doesn’t there have to be a phrase on the Sun’s deed saying Todd and Téa Manning are tenants in the entirety?”
“I don’t know. I’ll have to research it,” said Sam.
Todd held up his hands frustrated, “Well, what did you two figure out?”
Sam licked his lips, “Well… I think I’ve figured out how to attack the problem. First we’ll argue that Todd can’t give away Téa’s share of the Sun away without her consent…”
“So where does the gift thing come in?” asked Todd.
“Well, if Kelly, who effectively is in possession of the Sun now, comes back with the defense of ‘Oh Todd gave it to me as a gift…” started Sam.
“If Kelly and Asa argues it’s a gift, we can say you didn’t intend to give the Sun away as a gift because you were incapacitated at the time,” finished Téa grinning at Sam.
“It would be a case of first impression,” said Sam, “But I think we could win…”
“First impression? What’s that?” asked Todd.
“It means it’s the first time a court will rule on the issue,” explained Téa.
“Well, you two are the lawyers,” said Todd, “Guess I have too…trust you.”
Sam and Téa just grinned at each other.
“I’ll get to work on the complaint right away,” said Sam.
“So when can we take Asa to court?” asked Todd.
“Give me a day or two to do up the papers,” said Sam.
“Good,” said Todd grinning, “’cos I’ve got plans…”
“What plans?” asked Téa with curiosity.
Todd gave her a sexy grin; “Me and you are going to the Bayberry Inn.”
Téa just smiled.

A few days later,
The Bayberry Inn…

Todd and Téa lay next to each other in the bed. It was late at night. A candle burned low in the room. Todd was sitting up, naked, with Téa snuggling him, sleeping comfortably. He gently stroked her hair. He had wanted to take this trip as a ‘celebration’ of the pregnancy - wanting a little quiet time between them before the court battle for the Sun got heated up. He laughed as remembered playing in the snow with her, as he flicked that branch full of snow over her… and then he bit his lip as he remembered rubbing her hands, warming them up, not thinking but just feeling…about her…
“Todd?” came her soft voice.
He looked down into her deep, expressive eyes, “Yeah.”
She looked into him, “Are you glad you came?” she asked.
“Yeah. Yeah!” he said. Her soft naked body hugged every inch of him.
“What are you thinking of?” she asked.
“You,” replied. He slid back down into the bed facing her, placing his hand on her tummy, “And that little guy in there.”
Téa began lightly bushing her lips against his, “Do you want a boy or a girl Mr. Manning?”
“I don’t care,” said Todd responding to her kisses, “Are you glad you came?”
“Yeah. You know the last time we were here was the first time we realized we were attracted to each other…” she said caressing his chest, so into him…
“Uh-huh…” he muttered between kisses, “Look, I don’t want to talk anymore…”
Their bodies entwined, skin on skin…
Todd rubbed her body with an urgency and passionate desire as he deepened the kisses between them by teasing her with his tongue, craving her as if she was addiction - a drug he couldn’t get enough of…
She felt him get hard and strong as his manhood gently stroked her inner thigh. It sent waves of electricity through her body - and his.
Roughly, his mouth claimed her breast and she moaned with desire as she pulled him into her…
Todd’s hand shook as he held back, rubbing her tummy…
“I can’t…get enough…of you…” he muttered.
He paused and lifted his head, finding her eyes.
She bit her lip.
He rolled over on top of her and shoved himself into her, delighting in her gasp - connecting with her through their eyes…
She began to pinch her nipples and Todd glanced down to watch as he built the rhythm up between them, lost in every sensation they were creating…stroking her with a gentle urgency…
“Your tits are getting bigger - it’s so…it’s such… Téa - I love watching your body change because of the pregnancy…” he passionately exclaimed, so into her…
She placed a finger over his mouth and then reached up, to kiss his lips, as he remained one with her. She could feel how intense this was for him - how he was trying to so hard to be gentle…
Todd reached out with one hand and pushed her back onto the bed and leaned into her - their thighs moving in an excited, pulse pounding rhythm. Her face became incredibly red - turning him on- making him so very hard - setting him on fire…
“I love making - love - to my beautiful, sexy, pregnant wife…” he whispered.
“Harder Todd - fill me up…” she said in a hauntingly seductive tone of voice.
Todd did just that - releasing into her - sharing between them a fire…electricity…a flood of emotions…
Their cries of sheer delight and intense pleasure were incredibly loud.
Suddenly they heard banging on their door.
“Will you two keep it down in there? Guests have been complaining all night…” came a voice through the door.
Todd collapsed on her and she held him tight as they both laughed.
“Who’d have thought the ice queen and the prince of darkness could be so loud?” giggled Téa.
Todd giggled as well, “I like it when you laugh.”
The look they exchanged was pure fire.
“Téa, I swear to you,” said Todd seriously with deep conviction in his voice, “I will love this child, our child, with every fiber of my being. I will love this child so much. And he’ll always know how much I love you…”
Téa took a breath, deeply moved by her husband’s word, “Todd, I swear to you, I’ll never abandon you - or our child. I won’t repeat the mistakes of our past.”
Moved by her words, Todd, began to exchange deep, passionate filled kisses with her, enjoying every sensation she aroused within him. This was truly a celebration of their happiness - only he couldn’t drive away the impending sense of doom deep within him…