Chapter 22
Sean and Emma are on their way back from the doctors.
Sean: Who are we going to have get the stuff for the gender reveal this weekend?
Emma: I was thinking Manny. She needs something to occupy her mind with everything going on in her relationship.
Sean: How's that situation going?
Emma: I haven't talk to her since the other day so I'm guessing it's going good.
Sean: I can't wait to find out what we're having this weekend.
Emma: I know. I can't either.
Sean looks at Emma and smiles
Sean: This will be the first of many, sweetheart
Emma: As long as I have you as my partner through each pregnancy, that's all I care about
Sean places his hand over Emma's stomach
Sean: I love our family
Emma: I love our family too.
Emma's phone rings
Emma (to Sean): Speak of the devil, it's Manny.
Sean: I swear she has some kind of radar or something
Emma laughs
Emma (to Manny): Hey Manny what's up?
Manny: What are you doing?
Emma: We're on our way home from the doctors. We got the baby's gender
Manny: You did! When's the gender reveal?
Emma: This weekend, come by the house later, we have a special job for you.
Manny: I love special jobs, what do you got for me?
Emma: We're holding you in charge of getting the stuff for the gender reveal.
Manny: Oh, you guys didn't even find out yourselves.
Emma: Nope, we want to find out like everyone else this weekend. We plan on doing a live post on my Face Range
Manny: Nice!
Sean: We're trusting you with this Manny
Manny laughs
Manny: Relax Sean. I got this
Emma: I trust her with my life, I trust her with this gender reveal
Sean: I know.
Manny: Let me let you go, My manager is beeping in
Emma: Alright, swing by later.
Manny: I will.
Manny hangs up and switches lines
Manny: Hey Braden, what's up
Braden: Hey Manny, can you come down to the studio for a little bit?
Manny: Yea, Is everything ok?
Braden: Everything is ok, We just need to discuss your management team
Manny: Yea, ok, sure I'll be there in a little bit
She arrives at the studio and walks into Braden's office
Manny: Hey Braden, you wanted to see me?
Braden: Yea, come on in Manny, have a seat
Manny takes a seat
Manny: What's up?
Braden: So, we need to get you a publicist. Somehow, someway the tabloids got a picture of you, without your engagement ring on-
Manny: How?
Braden: There's more.
Manny: Oh great.
Braden: The tabloids have been calling my office and emailing me all morning asking for a comment
Braden turns his computer around to show Manny a picture of herself and Danny sitting outside together.
Manny: Please tell me this is a joke.
Braden: We never really brought your relationship with Chester out into the public.
Manny: Now is not the time to do so either, we're kind of at a rough patch
Braden: I get it-
Braden hears a knock on the door, Manny turns around and sees a tall, blonde short haired woman standing in the doorway
Braden: Hey, Eve come on in.
Eve: Hey Braden, you needed to see me?
Braden: Yes, Manny, meet your new publicist, Eve Davis
Manny stands up and smiles
Manny: Hi, nice to meet you
Eve shakes Manny's hand
Eve: You too.
Braden: Eve, I'm going to send you some emails from a couple news outlets wanting the scoop on Manny and everything with the picture.
Eve: Ok, send it over I'll take care of it. Manny, if you want to come with me to my office, we'll get things straightened out
Braden nods
Braden: Manny, if you have any questions, you know where to find me.
Manny: Thanks Braden
Manny and Eve leave Braden's office and head down to Eve's office.
Eve: Here we are.
Eve closes the door behind them
Eve (to Manny): Ok, so as a publicist, it's my job to basically keep the press and tabloids from bad mouthing you or starting rumors. So basically, protect you and your personal life.
Manny: Oh ok. Well, I'm glad for that
Eve gets on her computer and looks at the emails from Braden
Eve: So, obviously you and Danny are not romantically involved. What's the story here.
Manny: Tommy has him working with me on my sophomore album, like a co-writer and co-producer.
Eve: Got it, now what about your ring?
Manny: What about it?
Eve: Fans are going to wonder why you're not wearing your engagement ring from your fiancé, they're going to speculate you broke it off.
Manny: Seriously?
Eve: Here's my idea, you are very much happy with your relationship and very much in love, your ring is just getting cleaned. We share a couple good photos of you and your fiancé. Your relationship with Danny is strictly business.
Manny smiles
Manny: I think that will work well.
Eve: You're still going forward with planning your wedding, we basically are just telling them what they want to hear.
Manny: Thank you, Eve. Really.
Eve: Just doing my job, send me some good pictures of you and your fiancé and we'll get this sent out.
Manny: Great.
Eve: So, if you don't mind me asking, this is off the record too. Just between us, what kind of rough patch are you going through with your fiancé?
Manny: There was some jealously and insecurity issues, but we are working through those, and fixing our relationship.
Eve: Insecurity is a very ugly thing in the music business girl, but good for you for working through your problems. Most celebrity Couples would just call it quits.
Manny: I love him, with all my heart. We've known each other since High School, we just got together almost 4 years ago, I can't picture life without him.
Eve: That's true love right there, you got a keeper there.
Manny: I'm very lucky to have him, this is the roughest our relationship has ever been. And I feel like if this is the worst it gets then I'm ok with that
Eve: Has he been supportive of your career?
Manny: 100%, nothing but supportive.
Eve smiles
Eve: He sounds like he really loves you, you're very lucky, Manny
Manny smiles as she thinks about Chester
Manny: Yea, I really am. He's amazing.
Eve: Soon as you send me over those pictures, I'll get that memo out to the media outlets
Manny goes through her phone and picks out a few goods ones and sends them to Eve
Manny: Pictures have been sent
Eve checks out her emails
Eve: Manny, you look so happy in these pictures, and your fiancé is so handsome. You both look happy and in love
Manny: Thank you, Eve.
Eve: Ok, damage control is all set, ready to go out. So, you are all set to go and enjoy your day
Manny gets up to leave
Manny: Thank you
Eve: If by chance any media outlet should call you, or even stop you while you're out and about, tell them no comment and have them contact me.
Manny: Sounds good I will. Thanks again
Manny leaves to go home. Chester's in the living room when he hears the door unlocks and sees Manny walking in the door
Manny: Hey babe
Chester: Hey honey.
Manny: So, I have something to tell you.
Chester: Funny cause I have something to show you too
Manny: Well, I just left the studio and Braden, my manager, gave me a publicist.
Chester: Oh yea?
Manny: The media outlets and tabloids got pictures of me without my ring and-
Chester: A picture of you and Danny?
Manny: You've seen it, haven't you?
Chester: Yea, and I'm not worried about it.
Manny: You're not mad, babe?
Chester: No, because at the end of the day, I know I'm the one you come home to every night. Manny, I told you before I trust you, and I was going to do what I can to earn your trust back. I meant every word of it
Manny: Honestly, I thought for sure you'd be a little upset.
Chester: I know, your guys' relationship is strictly business, I know that now.
Manny looks in Chester's eyes
Manny: I can see in your eyes and tell you're really trying to make things better with us. It really means a lot to me, Chester. It really does.
Chester: You are my world, there's nothing I would give you the world if I could.
Manny: I know you would.
Chester: I love you, so much. I've never felt a love for someone as strong as my love for you, sweetheart.
Manny smiles
Chester: I know I've said it a million times, but I'm sorry for what I said and how I acted.
Manny: I know you are, and You know I would never dream of cheating on you.
Chester: I know you wouldn't. I feel like a huge fool for even thinking you would.
Manny: I just want things to continue in the right direction.
Chester: I know you're worried I'll screw things up again-
Manny: And then some
Chester: I'm not going anywhere. I would give you my last dying breath to see you smile.
Manny: I know.
Chester: Everything will be ok.
Manny: I know
Chester kisses Manny on her cheek
Manny: I need to go to Emma's; You want to come with me?
Chester: I'd love to
They leave and head over to Emma's house. Manny knocks on the door
Emma: Hey guys, come on in
Chester: Hey Guys
Sean: Hey Chester, what's going on buddy
Chester: Hey bud.
Sean: Come on out to the garage, I got some beer out there.
Sean and Chester go out to the garage while the girls are in the kitchen.
Emma: You want something to drink?
Manny: Sure.
Emma gets 2 glasses out of the cabinet and fills them with lemonade
Emma: So, how are things going with Chester? Are you guys doing better?
Emma said as she hands Manny a glass of Lemonade
Manny: Yea, we're getting there, somehow a media outlet got a picture of me without my ring on and with Danny.
Emma: Oh man.
Manny: Yea, the record label gave me a new publicist for damage control.
Emma: How'd Chester react?
Manny: Honestly, he was fine. He was really just like ok, like it didn't even bother him.
Emma: So, sounds like him almost losing you made him do some changing.
Manny: I think so Em.
Emma: Just be careful.
Manny: I know.
Emma walks into the living room and grabs the envelope from the doctors and brings it back in the kitchen for Manny
Emma: The gender of the baby is in here
Manny opens the envelope and looks at the ultrasound
Manny: Alright, I got it. What day are you wanting to do this?
Emma: Probably Saturday.
Manny: Alright, I can work with that.
Emma: Good
Manny: I know you'll be very happy.
Emma: We'll be happy whether it's a boy or girl
Manny: Seeing how you and Sean are after all these years, gives me hope that Chester and I will make it through this.
Emma: I'm sure you guys will
Manny smirks as she traces her fingertip around the glass
Manny: He's my world, Em and I know he didn't purposely mean to hurt me like he did, I know he deeply loves me, you know?
Emma: Yea I know what you mean.
Manny looks out the kitchen door, she sees Chester laughing with Sean and smiles big
Emma: I see the way you look at him, it's the same look I give Sean sometimes. Reminding me that I love him more than anything else In the world and I know he'd do anything to keep me safe and loved.
Manny: Honestly, I feel like I am actually falling in love with someone who treats me like a queen.
Emma: Yep, your definitely in love. Isn't it a great feeling?
Chester and Sean come back in the house
Manny (to Chester): Hey honey
Sean: What'd we miss?
Manny: Emma's leaving you for me, Sean.
Sean: Wait, what?
Manny and Emma laugh
Emma: She's kidding, babe
Sean: I was gonna say, you better not be leaving me
Sean laughs
Chester: You ready to go, babe?
Manny: Yea, we can
Manny gets up and gives Emma a hug goodbye
Emma: You got the envelope right?
Manny: Yep, I'm going to go get everything ordered tomorrow.
Emma: Alright, bye guys. Manny, call me if you need me
Manny: I will.
Chester and Manny leave to go home
Chester: I saw you smiling at me, at Emma's
Manny: I always smile at you, what are you talking about?
Chester: This time was different though.
Chester said with a laugh
Manny (chuckles): How was this time different then any other time I've smiled at you silly?
Chester places his hand on Manny's leg
Chester: I miss you, you know that.
Manny: I never left, I've always been right here.
Chester: I know but you know what I mean, Manny.
Manny: I know.
Chester: Let's have a date night in tonight. What do you say?
Manny: I think it sounds like a good idea
Chester: When's your next doctor appointment for the baby?
Manny: I got to look when we get home.
Chester: So, when you went to the doctor and they told you, your pregnant, did they tell you why your high risk?
Manny: When I was 14, I got pregnant and I had an abortion, and some damaged was caused when I had it done
Chester: How come you never told me this before, Babe?
Manny: It's not something I'm proud of. It's not something I would want to go through again, neither myself nor my then boyfriend wanted to be parents that young. My parents didn't even know I was pregnant.
Chester: Wow.
Manny: Like I said, it's not something I'm proud of, looking back on it.
Chester: I get it, I understand.
Manny: You do?
Chester: You guys were young and didn't know how to raise a child. Now your older, and in love with the most handsome guy you could ever lay eyes on-
Manny laugh
Chester (gasps): Is that a laugh I hear coming from Manny Santos?! That can't be.
Manny (laughs): Ok, you got me. I'm busted
Chester: And as for your punishment, snuggles on the couch and a back rub
Manny: Sounds too good to be a punishment
Chester smiles as they arrive home. They get out of the car and enter the house.
Chester: I'll make us something to eat, you pick out the movie
Manny: I can manage that. What are you in the mood for? Comedy or Action?
Chester: I don't care babe.
Manny picks out a movie and lays on the couch while Chester finishes dinner. A few minutes later, Chester appears in the living room with their dinner. A short time later they finish dinner
Manny: I'm glad you thought of this idea, honey
Manny said as she snuggles next to Chester
Chester (smiles): Yea, me too. I've missed holding you in my arms
Manny smiles as Chester places his arm around her. Manny looks up at him and smiles big
Manny: I missed this
Chester gracefully lifts Manny's head up by her chin and softly kisses her
Chester (softly whispers): I've missed that
Manny: I'm happy we're getting back on track
Chester: Me too, baby, me too
Manny: I love you so much, I'm so incredibly happy we're able to work things out with us
Chester smiles
Chester: I was so worried when we had that fight that I lost the best thing that'd ever happen to me, and when you didn't come home that night-
Manny snuggles close to Chester as she puts her arms around his waist and her head on his shoulder
Manny: I know, I was hurt, upset and angry with you.-
Chester: I know, I messed up bigtime. But I'm happy we're working things out too. I'd be lost without you, Manny.
Manny: You mean the world to me Chester. I've never been happier than I am with you.
Chester softly kisses Manny as he carefully lays her down on the couch and makes out with her
Chester: Mi amor
Manny bites her bottom lip
Manny: I swear, I think it turns me on more, now when you speak Spanish then before
Chester softly laughs as he makes out with Manny
Chester: Nothing I love more than pleasing my Princess.
Manny: Well, it's definitely working
They stop making out and Chester looks at the clock. Chester groans as he curls up next to Manny on the couch
Chester: I don't want to move from this spot. I feel like this is a dream
Manny: No, just my dream guy
Manny said with a yawn
Chester: Someone's getting tired, come on, let's get you to bed
Chester gets up and goes to the bedroom when Manny groans as she starts to stand up, when she suddenly loses her footing and falls. Chester hears Manny fall and comes running downstairs
Chester: oh my god, babe! Are you ok?
Manny groans as he helps her up
Manny: Yea, I think so. I just lost my footing
Chester: Come on, I'll help you to bed
Chester helps Manny upstairs and into bed.
Manny: Thank you honey
Chester kisses Manny on her forehead
Chester: Goodnight baby.
Manny: Where are you going?
Chester: To the guest room
Manny takes Chester by the hand
Manny (smiles): Come to bed, at least if I do happen to fall, you'll be next to me.
Chester: Yea, let's not fall please sweetie.
Chester climbs in bed next to Manny as she curls up in his arms
Manny: You'll be here when I wake up, right?
Manny said with a smile
Chester (smiles): Nowhere else I'd rather be.
Chester said as he kisses Manny's forehead as they fall asleep. Next morning Manny wakes up and sees Chester laying asleep next to her
Chester (groans): Hi Princess
Manny (smiles): Hi sweetheart
Manny rolls over in bed and gives Chester a kiss
Manny: I need to get up, I have to go get the stuff for Emma and Sean's gender reveal
Chester: How about you stay in bed, and I will go take care of it all.
Manny: Chester-
Chester: Manny, last thing I need is you falling again or worse. Let me take care it all.
Manny: Are you sure?
Chester nods yes
Manny: The envelope is on the table downstairs
Chester: Alright, Where do I got to go?
Manny: There's a bakery, downtown, take them the envelope, and tell them you need a 6 pack of cupcakes for a gender reveal for Saturday, and give them the envelope.
Chester: Ok. Anything else I need to get honey?
Manny: I think that's all babe.
Chester: OK. I'll be back in a bit then.
Chester gives Manny a kiss, as Manny pulls him by the arm
Manny: Actually, there is one more thing.
Chester: What's up babe?
Manny: When you come home, you can put that beautiful engagement ring back on me.
Chester smiles big
Chester: I love you, with all my heart Manuela Santos
Manny: I love you too baby.
Chester gives Manny one last kiss as he goes downstairs
Chester: Call me on my cell if you need me honey
Chester leaves to run errands for Manny. While he's gone her phone rings
Manny: Hello
Tommy: Uh Where are you?
Manny: I'm at home
Tommy: Why aren't you at the studio
Manny: I'm high risk pregnant and I fell last night, so Chester asked me to stay home and stay in bed. I'm supposed to be out shopping for Emma's gender reveal Saturday, but Chester insisted on it.
Tommy: Well congratulations on the pregnancy.
Manny: Thanks, I'm sorry Tommy. I planned on coming-
Tommy: Don't worry about it.
Manny: And can we not tell Chester I told you I'm pregnant? I'm still fairly early and could miscarry
Tommy: Secret's safe with me.
Manny: Thanks Tommy. I'm going to try and get some writing done here.
Tommy: It'll come to you, don't worry. If you need anything, call me
Manny: Thanks
Manny hangs up. A short time later, Chester calls
Manny: Hey honey
Chester: Hey babe, just wanted to check in on you.
Manny: I'm ok honey. I'm laying in the bed, watching tv.
Chester: Ok. I should be home soon, within the next hour.
Manny: Ok, I might take a nap, so I'll see you when you get home.
Chester: Hey, Manny
Manny: Yea?
Chester: I love you, you know that?
Manny: I love you too, I'll see you when you get home.
Chester hangs up, a few minutes later, Manny falls asleep laying in bed
A short time later, Chester comes home
Chester: Manny, I'm home.
Chester: Babe?
Chester goes upstairs to check on Manny and sees her sleeping in bed. He covers her with a lap blanket and kisses her forehead. He goes back downstairs
