It was early evening. Téa was lying down on the couch with her feet up. She wore comfy clothes, her NYU sleep shirt and sweats. She wore her pregnancy well, only gaining that weight needed for the baby. Sam sat down in a chair across from her and they were talking about the trial.
“So, Sam,” said Téa dipping her pickle into a jar of peanut butter, “I noticed Nora is calling Viki tomorrow.”
Sam made a face, “That’s disgusting Téa - pickles and peanut butter?”
“Right. According to my reading,” she said pointing to a book on the coffee table, “You and Your Pregnancy”, “It’s o.k. for a woman seven months pregnant to crave weird food combinations. Wait till you see the ice cream Todd brings back…”
Sam made another face, “When will he be back?”
“Soon, I hope,” she said.
Sam paused before continuing, “Yeah, Nora’s calling Viki. Since we didn’t really touch upon the marriage, only to say you are married, and stuck to showing Todd’s incapacity through the DID, I think Nora’s going to bring up the marriage stuff now as her defense…you remember how Todd’s incapacity ties into the marriage, right?”
“I remember. Todd can’t give away my half of the Sun since our marriage is in the entirety,” answered Téa, “And I know you and Todd are confident the marriage is legal but I…I’m...hesitant. I remember the day I signed the certificate. Todd begged me to sign it first and then he just walked out and I was so excited I didn’t give it another thought…”
“Just because you haven’t seen it, doesn’t mean your marriage isn’t real,” said Sam.
“You’re right,” said Téa dunking her pickle in the peanut butter again.
They heard the door open and slam and Todd walked in carrying a plastic grocery bag. He walked over to the coffee table and took out three pints of ice cream.
“O.k. Delgado, I found those flavors you wanted, banana chocolate, strawberry mint, and tart lemon…” said Todd making a face. Téa sat up and drooled at the ice cream. He sat down next to her and gave her a spoon.
Sam made another face, “Yuck.”
“You’re telling me…” said Todd, “It’s a wonder Delgado isn’t a house…”
“Can it you two! How would you like to be the one craving this crazy stuff?” asked Téa finishing the pickle.
Todd and Sam looked at each other and made a face.
“So, Sam, what’s left with the trial?” asked Todd sitting down on the couch next to Téa. She started shoveling banana chocolate into her mouth.
“Ah, well, Nora’s finishing up her defense and she’s calling Viki as a ‘hostile’ witness…however what I think is she doesn’t realize she’s making a mistake,” said Sam grinning, “Then we do closing arguments and it’s in the jury’s hands.”
Todd frowned, ‘The marriage thing? She’s gonna’ bring it up, huh?”
“Yep. I’ve talked to Viki. We’re fine,” said Sam, “All right, look, I’m going to leave you two alone.” He stood up. So did Todd.
“Sam, straight up - how does it look?” Todd asked, his voice was tense.
“It looks good. We look pretty sympathetic. The psychologists and Dr. Michaels testified to the DID. And I’ve overheard the jury notice the changes in Téa’s figure. I think they’re just as excited as you are about the baby,” said Sam.
“Yeah,” said Todd. He walked Sam out. When he walked back to the living room, Téa was lying down on the couch again, the ice cream on the table. She was trying to reach her feet but couldn’t.
Todd laughed, “You are a sight Delgado.”
She looked at him and frowned, “This isn’t funny Manning…you know…my body isn’t just my body anymore!”
Todd just grinned as he stood over her, “What’s wrong?”
“My ankles are…ah…aching…maybe a bit swollen…” said Téa, “And I’m not used to feeling this rough.”
Todd sat down at the other end of the couch, put her feet in his lap and began to rub her ankles.
“Oh, Todd…oh…that feels so good…” she said feeling the tension drain out of her feet. She leaned her head back on the rest of the couch and closed her eyes, a smile on her face.
He glanced over at the expression on her face as he continued rubbing her feet. He softly chuckled, trailing his eyes down her neck, her breasts, her…Delgado Junior…Wow…Is this…? Is this real?
“Hey Téa…I’ve been checking out that baby name book…” he said.
She lifted her head up, “Really Todd? Anything inspire you?”
“Yeah,” he said.
Their eye contact was intense.
“What?” she whispered.
“Hope,” he said.
“Hope?” she asked.
“Because you’ve given me…hope…” he explained. He stopped rubbing her feet, slid off the couch and slid up next to her on the floor.
She swallowed.
“Or Faith. I like Faith…” he said remembering Viki’s words at Georgie’s grave…
“You’ve got to have Faith, Todd…”
He reached up and gently rubbed her cheek with his thumb.
“Faith?” she whispered.
“Faith…Faith in our…us. In our future together…as a family,” he said softly, “Only you Téa. No other woman has…given me…faith…like you have…”
A tear fell down her cheek and he tenderly reached up and kissed her.

The next day,
The Courthouse…

Todd, Téa, and Sam sat nervously and anxiously at the plaintiff’s table as they watched the bailiff swear Viki in. Nora stood up, arms crossed, grinning, from behind the defendant’s table. Asa and Kelly sat stoically side by side. Blair sat in the back of the room covering the story for the Banner.
Viki sat down.
Nora approached the witness stand.
“Your Honor, may it please the court? I’d like Ms. Carpenter to be viewed as a hostile witness,” said Nora.
Viki crossed her fingers in her lap, surpressing a smile.
“So noted in the Court’s record,” confirmed the judge.
Nora paused before beginning, for effect.
“Ms. Carpenter, we’ve heard the testimony of Mr. Manning’s psychiatrists confirming a DID diagnosis. When was your brother’s diagnosis officially recognized by a court of law?” asked Nora.
“I believe Todd’s trail concluded on 20 October 1998,” answered Viki contritely. She stole a glance at Todd. She could tell he was nervous.
“What did the court conclude?” asked Nora.
“The court gave custody of his daughter, Starr, to Starr’s mother, Blair Cramer, pending treatment and therapy of his DID and appointed me his legal guardian,” explained Viki.
“So, since Todd was incapacitated, he was appointed a legal guardian?” confirmed Nora.
“Objection!” yelled Sam.
“Counselor, we’re aware of this fact,” said the judge addressing Nora.
“Yes, Your Honor, withdrawn. Ms. Carpenter, what are the duties and responsibilities of a legal guardian?” asked Nora.
“To maintain the health, safety, and care and to approve of any legal transactions or contracts in their ward’s behalf,” explained Viki.
“When were you relieved of your legal guardianship of Todd Manning?” asked Nora.
“March 1999,” answered Viki.
“Did Todd Manning bind himself to any legal documents during his incapacity from October 1998 to March 1999?” asked Nora.
“Yes,” answered Viki.
“What?” asked Nora.
“He gave his newspaper away without my consent,” said Viki.
“Anything else?” asked Nora.
“Yes. He entered into a marriage with Téa Delgado,” said Viki.
“With your consent?” asked Nora beaming.
“Yes,” said Viki.
Nora’s face fell.
The court “ooohhh’ddd…”
Nora went to the defendant’s table, “Your Honor, May it please the court, I ’d like to present exhibit D. This is Todd Manning’s marriage certificate to Téa Delgado, signed at 9:30 a.m. on 13 November. Ms. Carpenter’s signature is not on it and I acquired this copy from the records room at City Hall.”
Viki spoke up, “Ah, Your Honor,” she said pulling out her purse, “If you notice, that’s a photocopy. I have the original signed at 10:30 a.m. on 13 November with my signature…”
The judge reviewed both documents.
“Counselor, you do have a photocopy. Is this what you found at City Hall?” asked the judge.
“Yes, Your Honor,” said Nora seemingly surprised.
“Ms. Carpenter, what happened? Why didn’t you file this copy?” asked the judge.
“Todd came up to me Llanfair. He said he filed a photocopy of this marriage certificate at city hall and kept the original. I noticed it did not have my signature on it so we went to a local notary and had it notarized. I meant to file it but things got hectic after that and I never did,” explained Viki.
The whole court was silent, stunned at Viki’s testimony.
“Ms. Carpenter, why did you consent to Mr. Manning’s marriage to Ms. Delgado, knowing that he was incapacitated?” asked the judge.
Téa looked at Todd who clearly was anxious. She reached over and placed her hand over his. He gave her a nervous smile.
Viki paused, “My brother was going through a very stressful time in his life but there are two ‘constants’ in it. His love for his daughter, Starr, and his…love for Ms. Delgado. And love…as we know…is quite a powerful, motivating force in one’s life. I determined by allowing this marriage it would give him the faith he needed…to want…to get better…” finished Viki.
“Your Honor, I rest my case,” said Nora clearly shocked at the turn of events.

The Next Day…

After Viki had concluded her testimony, Sam and Nora gave their closing arguments. The jury went into deliberations and that evening they announced they had reached a verdict. The next morning, the court had assembled. Todd appeared nervous as the judge reviewed the jury’s verdict. The bailiff was given the jury’s verdict and handed it back to the jury’s chairperson.
“Would all parties please rise,” instructed the judge.
Téa got up slowly, not used to her body’s new center of balance.
“Has the jury reached a verdict?” asked the judge.
“Yes, Your Honor. In the matter of Manning versus Cramer, the jury finds for the plaintiff, Manning. We have concluded the Manning marriage legal as approved by Mr. Manning’s legal guardian at the time and further Mr. Manning ’s gift to Kelly Cramer, Blair Cramer, and Max Holden, who subsequently sold his shares to Asa Buchanan is not legal since he was incapacitated at the time and his legal guardian did not approve. Further, we instruct that specific performance is granted and the property in question, the newspaper known as the Sun is returned to Mr. and Mrs. Manning effective immediately. However, we also instruct that Ms. Kelly Cramer continue to remain at the Sun so as to help with transition of ownership,” read the jury’s chairperson.
“So noted in the Court’s record,” said the judge.
Todd, Téa, and Sam could barely control their smiles. Viki stood behind them grinning.
“Ah, Your Honor…?” asked the chairperson.
Asa frowned at Nora. Nora just shook her head.
“The jury would like to ask the Mannings a question…” said the chairperson. The judge turned to Sam, “Counselor?”
Sam turned to Todd and Téa who nodded their heads.
“Your Honor, the Mannings are agreeable,” said Sam. Todd and Téa turned to face the jury who were grinning.
“Oh, lookit…” whispered Asa in disgust into Nora’s ear, “The jury likes them…”
“Stuff it Asa. Jury’s like families and pregnant women…” said Nora just as disgusted.
“We were just wondering if this was your first child and if you’ve chose a name yet?” asked the chairperson.
“Ah, yes…” said Téa blushing, “This is our first child…” she place a gentle hand over her baby.
“But ah… we’re still undecided on a name…” finished Todd, putting his arm around Téa.
“This Court is adjourned!” the judge banged his gavel.
Asa approached Todd and got in his face.
“Damn you Manning,” said Asa, “No one gets over on me and gets away with it. I’m going to make your life miserable…I’m going to be behind everything unpleasant thing that happens in your life from now on…”
Todd just grinned and held out his hand, “I’ll take those keys to my office now.”
“I’m not kidding Manning. You’ll rue the day you crossed Asa Buchanan…” said Asa in a low, calculated whisper.
Todd just chuckled, “Right. Whatever.” And with that, an elated Todd walked out of the courtroom with Téa by his side.

To Be Continued...