She moaned as his fingers released the orgasm inside of her but he continued to stroke and caress her body enjoying the way she felt underneath his hand - letting his eyes explain to her how much he needed her and her love…physically and emotionally. They fell asleep in an intimate embrace.

*****

Llanfair,
two days later

"Oh, thank God you're alright!" Viki exclaimed, hugging her sister in law. "We were all very worried about you."

Téa smiles. "Thanks. And thanks for taking care of Faith."

"Don't be silly...anything for my goddaughter," Viki says smiling.

"Speaking of," interjects Todd, "where is the kid?"

"Right this way," Viki says.

Todd and Téa follow Viki into the main room. Eyes misting up, Téa walks over to the bassinet. Tears escaping, she leans over and picks up her daughter.

"Oh mija!!! I've missed you so much," she whispers raggedly.

Todd stands back, watching her, a lump forming in his throat. Téa turns to him, smiling through her tears.

"I don't want to let her go," she says softly.

"You don't have to," Todd replies, "okay...well you might have to sometimes...you know...I doubt she's gonna want her mom tagging along to school and stuff," he says grinning.

Téa laughs, holding Faith even closer. Todd walks over to her.

"Yeah...we missed your mom...didn't we kid?"

Téa glances up at him. "Well..she has the best father in the world, she's always in good hands."

"TEE!"

Téa turns and sees Starr barrelling towards her, Blair slowly walking behind her. Téa hands Faith to Todd, and leans down to hug her stepdaughter.

"Oh, angelita!"

"Daddy said he'd make sure you came home."

Téa smiles. "Well..you're Daddy is a pretty smart guy."

Téa clears her throat and stands up, looking at Blair.

"Blair....ummm....Todd told me you were ...helpful...with Faith. Thank you."

Blair eyes Téa warily, but slowly relaxes. "Sure."

Todd, who is down on the floor with Starr and Faith, looks up at them, grinning.

"A moment of civility...what is the world coming too?"

Both women shoot him looks.

He laughs. "So...Blair...gonna challenge Big Daddy for mayor?"

Blair grins. "I'm thinking about it."

Téa joins Todd, Starr and Faith on the floor. At Blair's words, they both look at each other, and crack up.

*****

LPD, the following day

After greeting all the well wishers, Téa begins to organize herself to get back to work. Making a mental list of stuff she needs from Bo, Téa heads towards his office.

Seeing the door is open, she walks in.

"Hey Bo..I need..." she stops abruptly as she sees Bo talking to a very handsome man. "Oh....sorry to interrupt."

"Téa! No...it's okay..come on in...what do you need?"

"Just the file on the break in in Angel Square."

"Sure...oh...sorry....you two haven't met. Téa Manning...my cousin Cory Buchanan."

With a charming smile, Cory extends his hand. "Very nice to meet you Mrs. Manning. And nice to see you're okay...I read about the plane crash in the paper."

Téa nods politely. "Thank you. And please, call me Téa."

"Cory."

Bo hands Téa the file she needs.

"Cory is going to be running Buchanan Enterprises while my father runs for Mayor."

Téa smiles politely. "Well, good luck."

"Actually Cory, you should probably talk to Téa...she could probably be of some help to you." Catching Téa's confused look, Bo continues. "Cory is planning on a project to revitalize Angel Square."

"Really? Well that's great. I don't know how much I can help...but I'll gladly do what I can. Angel Square is important to me."

Cory smiles, nodding. "Great."

"Well, it was nice meeting you," Téa says. Holding up the folder, she grins. "Back to the grind."

Cory watches her leave. Bo notices.

"A very beautiful woman."

Bo shakes his head. "Don't even think about it Cory....it could get you into a lot of trouble."

*****

Carlotta's diner....
later that afternoon

"Oh Mija...I'm so glad you're okay!"

Téa breaks Carlotta's hug and smiles. "Thanks, me too. I was really scared there for a while. I'm just glad to be home with my family."

"Todd was so worried."

"Yeah, I know."

"Hungry?"

"Hmmm...yeah...oh how about one of your famous fajitas? But...wait a few...Todd is meeting me here."

Carlotta nods, and heads off to take care of a customer. Téa sits at the counter. She is startled to hear a rich, deep voice behind her.

"Twice in one day, I'm liking this town more and more by the minute."

Téa turns around to see Cory Buchanan smiling at her.

"Small world," Téa says, smiling, "What brings you down here?"

"Just checking out the businesses of the community."

Walking in the door of the diner, Todd notices Téa talking to him. He's seen him before, but can't remember who he is. Seeing her smile at him, a wave a jealousy flows through him. He walks over to the counter.

Téa sees him, and immediately notices the "controlled" look on his face.

"Hi! Good, I'm starved."

Todd glances at her, then stares at Cory.

"Who's this?"

Cory stands up, and extends his hand. "Cory Buchanan."

Todd ignores the outstretched hand, glaring at Cory.

"Great...another Buchanan," he mutters, "just what Llanview needs."

Téa bites her lip, grinning. "Cory Buchanan, this is my husband, Todd Manning. Cory is going to be running Buchanan Enterprises for Asa, and apparently has some great things in mind for Angel Square."

"Goody for Cory," he says, "Can we eat now?"

Téa rolls her eyes. "Yes," she turns to Cory, "Nice to see you again."

"You too," he says, flashing that charming smile. He watches as Todd and Téa head to a booth. He takes out his cellphone and dials a number

. "Asa Buchanan, please.....oh...can you give him a message from Cory....just tell him...I've met her....yeah..he'll know...thanks."

Cory slides the phone back into his jacket...grinning.

"Now that wasn't very nice," Téa says, grinning wickedly.

"Please..the guy was drooling all over you...strike one...and he's a Buchanan...strikes two and three."

Téa laughs. "You're unbelievable."

"Thank you."

Carlotta came by and takes their orders. Todd watches as Cory gets up and leaves.

"So...he's running Buke Enterprises while Big Daddy's running for Mayor huh? Have to keep an eye on him."

"I can't believe Blair is running."

Todd smirks. "Between Asa and Blair...Llanview is in a no win situation."

"You don't think Blair would be good?"

Todd rolls his eyes. "Blair is too concerned about Blair to be concerned about the citizens of Llanview. Not too mention it will significantly cut down on her Cramer Gossip hour. Besides...can you just imagine what the unknowing citizens of Llanview are in for if she has a bad hair day? The mind boggles," he grins, watching Téa crack up across from him.

"Well," she says, calming down, "I admit...it's not much of a choice between the two."

"Pray for a write in," Todd says dryly, "Although...this is gonna make my job a snap. Blair and Asa running against each other? I'll have no problems coming up with headlines."

"Good point."

Suddenly, Todd reaches across the table and squeezes her hand. "I'm ...I'm so glad your home Delgado."

Téa smiles. "Me, too."

They continue talking, not noticing Cory watching them intently from outside the diner.