September 1999
The Manning Estate…

It was late at night. Todd was watching TV. He glanced at the clock. One a.m. He frowned. Téa had gone to bed earlier claiming she was tired. She got tired quickly these days. He clicked the remote off and walked up the stairs to his bedroom, hesitant to allow himself the opportunity to sleep. It had been close to a month now and the private investigator Sam and Téa hired to find Angela hadn’t come up with anything. He was beginning to wonder if it was worth it…

He silently walked into his bedroom, leaving the lights off. He walked over to his dresser and took his clothes off making a pile of them on the floor. He reached into the dresser, pulled out a pair of sweats and slid into them.

He walked over to the bed and stood over her. She appeared to be in a restless sleep, squirming and fidgeting. He wrinkled his brow hoping she was all right.

Like a cat, Todd slid silently into their bed and dropped himself up on his elbow, in a position over Téa, so as to watch her. He hesitated to touch her, just content to admire her.

“Todd?” she whispered.
“You’re up?” he asked. He looked down at her, finding her open eyes. She lay on her back, her head half off her pillow, turned so as to look at him.
“Yeah…I’m up…” she answered. She wore her NYU Law School overshirt that came down to her mid-thighs.
“Is something wrong? Usually I’m the one who…can’t sleep,” he asked.
“No…I just can’t get…comfortable…” she replied.
“Oh…”
“And my back…is sore…” she added.
“Is the baby up?”
“It’s quiet. At least it can sleep,” said Téa softly.
“Your back is really bothering you, huh?” he asked.
“Yeah…” she replied.
Todd took a deep breath, as he gazed over her body, “I have an idea…”
“Oh?”
He sat up and moved his pillow off to the side resting his back against the headboard. He spread his legs as wide as he could and motioned for Téa to sit between them - her back to his chest.
She smiled at him as she got up and did just that.

Slowly, as if extremely shy, he slid his hand underneath her shirt and placed them on her back. He began to rub her back, but found the shirt constricted his movements. Without really thinking about it, he slid his hands out from underneath her shirt, grabbed the end and pulled the shirt up and over her head throwing it into the pile of his own clothes. Again, he placed his hands on her back and began to rub, enjoying the skin to skin contact. She could feel him grow in size through the sweats as her hip pressed up against him. He concentrated on her lower back, rubbing ardently and intently.

“How does that feel?” he asked softly.
“It feels absolutely…wonderful,” she replied.
“Good. Sam said jury selection begins tomorrow…” he said wanting to talk.
“I have to drop off some paperwork at the office tomorrow morning so I’ll miss the morning session,” she said, closing her eyes, savoring his intimate touch.
“I don’t want you working too hard,” he said firmly. The soft moonlight coming in from the window danced highlights off her hair.
“Believe me I’m not. Hank doesn’t want me working too hard either. He’s assigning me to liaison duties to assist in an extradition. It’s total sham,” she added. His fingertips were magic on her back.
“Think we’ll win?” he asked. Her skin was so soft.
“I think there’s a good chance we’ll win,” she replied.
He stopped and leaned into her, his chest touching her back. He kissed the back of her shoulder, “I need the Sun. Like I need you.”
She bit her lip becoming aware that she was totally aroused by his attentions.
“We’ll get the Sun Todd. We will,” she replied.
His hands went to her waist and he leaned back, making himself comfortable.
As he leaned back, he pulled her with him, leaning her back against his chest, enjoying the flesh to flesh contact.
His hands began to roam her body - gently caressing her expanding middle.
“I can feel it wiggling…” he said.
“A little. It’s not as bad as before,” she replied, “I think…it’s just turning in it’s sleep.”
There was a silence between them as he continued touching her.
“Téa, I don’t want to call our baby an “it” anymore. I think we should ask the doctor what the sex is so we can at least use he or she until we pick a name…” he whispered into her ear.
“All right. Tomorrow after I see Hank, I’ll stop by the doctor’s office,” she replied, “Have you…have you, ah, been thinking about names?”
“Viki gave me a book. I’ve been kinda’ looking at it…” he whispered.
“Todd, this feels…really nice…” she added.
He didn’t reply. He just held her like that, enjoying the intimacy of the moment.

The Next Day,
Office of the District Attorney…

Téa walked into Hank’s office without realizing someone else was all ready there. She wore a maternity tailored power suit.
“Opps, sorry…” she replied walking back out.
“No, Téa! Come back in,” said Hank, “This is Mike Rudney with the California DA’s office. He’s the California liaison for the extradition…”
“Oh,” said Téa holding out her hand, “Nice to meet you.”
“Same here Counselor,” he said shaking her hand. He wore a business suit. He was tall and his hair was neatly groomed.
“So, Téa…you got that memo?” asked Hank grinning at her.
“Sure,” she reached into her briefcase and produced the memo for Hank.
Then she turned to Mike, “So, ah…Mike…when did you want to get together?”
“How about tomorrow - for lunch? Téa? Right?” he asked smiling at her, “Ah…congratulations…on your…upcoming addition.”
“Thanks,” she said smiling, “Ah, tomorrow is fine.”
There was a knock on the door and Jeff, her paralegal, walked in, “Ah…Téa…” he handed her a message and walked out. She looked at it, her face becoming serious.
“Everything all right?” asked Hank.
“Yeah. I’ll be in my office making a phone call,” she said.
Hank watched her walk out. Téa got to her office and hesitantly dialed the phone number.
RING. RING.
“Angela Haliday speaking…”
“Ah, Ms. Haliday, my name is Téa Delgado Manning…”
“Manning…?”
“Yes, I believe you once knew my husband, Todd Manning…?”
The phone line grew silent.
“Yes…I knew Todd Manning…”

The Courthouse…

Todd trotted through the halls. He was late. Sam was all ready here. As he approached the courtroom were jury selection was to be held, he noticed Kelly Cramer waiting outside. They exchanged mutual looks of confusion.
“Didn’t jury selection begin?” asked Todd pointing to the doors, “Why aren’ t you inside with Asa and Nora?”
“It’s been delayed. The judge is stuck in a traffic jam…” explained Kelly.
“Oh,” said Todd crossing his arms.
“Look, Todd, I wanted to say something to you…” started Kelly.
“What?”
“I really like working at the Sun. I really feel like I’m doing something meaningful,” she said looking at the ground and then at him.
“You mean that don’t you? This…means something…different to you than it does to Asa,” he stated.
“Yeah. Asa just wants to stick it to you Todd but I want…I don’t want…to stick it to you…” said Kelly trying to explain her feelings for him.
“Well, you’re the first Cramer I know who doesn’t want to stick it to me…” he said looking intently at her, trying to figure out if she was sincere.
Sam stuck his head out the door and raised an eyebrow, “I was wondering where you were…”
Todd walked past Kelly and joined Sam inside the courtroom.

Noon…

They adjourned for lunch. As Sam and Todd walked out, Téa met them walking in.
Todd’s face lit up, “What took you so long Delgado?”
She gave him a quick smile, “I’ve got a lot to tell you.”
“All right…”
“First, the P.I. Sam and I hired finally came through. He found Angela…” started Téa.
“Really?” questioned Sam surprised.
“Oh…” said Todd making a face.
“Let’s sit down,” said Sam motioning to some seats in the empty courtroom, “How did you find out Téa?”
“I got a message at my office. I arranged for us to meet her this Saturday…” added Téa finding her husband’s eyes. They were clearly troubled.
“You talked to Angela? What did you say to her?” asked Todd crossing his arms.
“Not much. She’s still in Chicago. I got an address were she works. She wants to meet us there,” replied Téa.
“Well, we’ll be there, won’t we Boomer?” asked Sam patting Todd on the back.
“Yeah. Right,” said Todd softly, lost in his thoughts.
“Now, Téa,” said Sam, “It’s very important you’re here from now on for jury selection…”
Todd looked up intently.
“What’s up Sam?” asked Téa.
“You paint a very sympathetic picture with your pregnancy,” said Sam honestly, “It’s good legal strategy.”
“Hey Sam - Téa’s pregnancy ain’t show and tell,” said Todd firmly, “Besides I don’t think we should play that up too much.”
“Why not?” asked Sam.
“Nora might remind the jury I’m a…convicted rapist…” he said firmly.
Téa and Sam quickly looked at each in amazement and then at Todd.
“Todd…I know what you did…I read the articles…but I never - once - in my heart believed…you would ever do that again…” said Téa trying to find the words to ease his discomfort.
There was silence between them as he intently looked into her eyes.
“…ah, besides, Todd - Sam’s right. It’s good legal strategy. Juries always have a soft spot in their hearts for a pregnant plaintiff. This will show them…we’re a family…and a family needs a means of support…” finished Téa softly.
Todd grunted.
“Besides,” said Sam, “We need all the help we can get. Nora used her challenges to dismiss those jurors who would have been favorable to us. Nora knows what she’s doing.”
Todd frowned. The last thing he wanted to do was share this pregnancy with the world.
“Look, Sam, I need to talk to Todd alone for a minute,” said Téa softly. Sam stood up, “All right. See you after lunch.” He walked out.
“Téa, look, I’m not too hip on this show and tell pregnancy idea…” started Todd.
“Sam’s right though Todd. We want to paint ourselves in the most sympathetic light we can. And if Nora brings up…your criminal past…we’ll get it thrown out like that… it’s not relevant to this case - now,” replied Téa reaching for his hands.
It was silent between them as they held hands, sharing intent stares of understanding and warmth between them.
“…ah, I have some news about the baby. I stopped by Dr. Clayton’s office…” she said softly.
Todd squeezed her hands and looked intently at her, “What?”
Téa bit her lip and smiled at him, “She’s a girl. We got a girl, Todd.”
Todd let out a breath and returned her smile, “A girl, huh?”
“Yep,” she replied.
“What do you think of Delgado Junior?” he asked smiling.
“Definitely not,” she answered.
He leaned into her brushing his lips against hers, “Thank you.”

That Saturday,
Chicago…

Sam drove the rental car though the streets of downtown Chicago. Todd sat next to him and Téa sat in the back seat. They had all been unusually quiet that day - Todd especially as his nightmare finally started haunting his wakening moments. Sam drove past a bunch of governmental type buildings and into a parking garage, parking the car.

They got out, and walked onto the street. The address belonged to a mid-sized office building that was a bit run down. They entered the building and after a brief search found the office indicated on the address. On the front door read, “State of Illinois Social Work Services”.

“I’ll wait out here,” said Sam crossing his arms.

Todd nodded his head and with Téa by his side, opened the door and walked in. The office appeared fairly big and moderately busy. They inquired about Angela and were directed to a semi-private cubical in the back. Todd approached the cubical, nervous and hesitant with his arms crossed. A woman, sitting behind the desk looked up. She dropped her pen as her gaze found Todd’s.

“Angela?” whispered Todd recognizing her facial features.
“Todd? You’ve grown up…” she said smiling at him. There was an awkward silence.
“I’m, ah, Téa Delgado Manning, Todd’s wife. We spoke on the phone,” said Téa smiling and holding out her hand.
Angela took Téa’s hand and shook it. She was wearing a pair of jeans and a casual top. Her soft brown hair was long and in a ponytail, highlighted with gray.
“Angela Haliday. It’s nice to meet you,” said Angela returning Téa’s handshake.
“You’re o.k?” whispered Todd as he studied Angela’s features.
“I’m fine Todd,” she said softly.
“I thought…you…needed…” started Todd clearly confused.
“Help?” finished Angela, “I got help a long time ago. I’m not a client, Todd. I’m a social worker. I work to help others now - I mainly assist abused women…and children…”
Her voice was tender and compassionate.
Todd was overwhelmed by feelings of confusion and happiness for her all at the same time…