Pleasure Principle (21 page)

Teddy Bear

Teddy, Kai and Icee met an hour before the show. To their surprise Teddy was oddly calm and collected. Unlike the first night of taping Teddy knew exactly what to expect and he also knew exactly who was going home with him. Sitting on the sofa flipping channels on the seventy five inch flat screen mounted on the wall he
was
anxious for the show to start.

It had been exactly three days since he had some sticky icky. After seeing his woman today he was ready to get it started. He was looking for at least a quick rub and tug in the limo
on the way to the mansion
if nothing else.
It took all the resolve he had to stop him from spreading her on the couch and devouring her like a gigantic pussy sandwich.

“There’s not a damn thing on! What time is it?” He complained as he tossed the remote on the large square coffee table.

“Why are you watching TV any way. We need to go over the program.” Icee asked confused. “Do you even know who you’re going to choose?”

“Yelp!” He simply replied as he popped in a video game and started to play.

“Are you kidding me? Teddy, cut that off and come over here and fill us in on what you have planned for the show.”

“I got this Icee. Don’t worry about it.”

“Baby, leave him alone. He’s stressed. Just, let him play the game. It’ll relax him. We can talk to him while he plays. Right Teddy?”

“Yeah! What’s up?” He asked as he set up the game to play Madden Football. Naturally, he was one of the featured players and of course he selected himself as his player.

“Okay, so who is the lucky woman that gets the unique privilege of putting up with you for the rest of their life?” Icee joked.
  
 

“Nunee!”

“Who the hell is Nunee?” She shrugged her shoulders looking at Kai for a clue who Teddy was talking about.

“He’s saying it’s none of your business.” Kai chuckled.

“Actually I was saying it’s none of her damn business!” Teddy laughed as he took a sip of his bottled water.

“So, you’re not going to tell us who she is?”

“Nope!”

“What? Kai do you know who it is?”

“No, I’m afraid not. He won’t tell me either. I got the same response that he just gave you. I thought he’d tell us tonight.”

“This is bullshit! Are you even going to pick a girl tonight, or are you going to pull some I’m not ready to commit crap? Those women deserve better than that Teddy!” Icee snapped.

“I’m picking someone. Okay? So, will you please chill for a second.”

“You know what? Okay… So, I don’t really need to know who you’re going to pick. I love surprises. Do you need us to say or do anything special this show?”

“Naw nothing that the producers haven’t already scripted for you to do… Not really. Just kind of play it by ear. You’ll know what to do when the time comes.”

Before Icee could respond there was a knock at the door. Kai opened the door and announced, “It’s your family man.”

“Tell them to come in.” Teddy said as he cut the game off and headed across the large room towards the door.
They were all there, Queen, Chris, Dorian,
Jade, Logic and Toy.

“Where are my girls?” He asked as he hugged Jade and then Queen.

“They’re here. They
’re
with a nanny back at the hotel.” Jade answered.

“Alright, I guess I’ll see them later.” Teddy answered as he greeted Logic, Chris and Dorian. “Man! I’m glad to see you guys.”

“How are you holding up?” Chris asked as he made his way over to Icee who was nervously trying not to look at him. “Hey Lady, how have you been?” He asked as he hugged her tight.

“I’m good. What about you?” She asked with a wry smile. She had mixed feelings about seeing Chris again. He was the one who got away.

“Great, let me finally introduce you to my wife. Come here baby.” Chris called for Queen. “Baby this is Janette Sweet. She’s a good friend of mine from Atlanta.”

Queen smiled as she hugged Icee. “It’s good to
finally
meet you. Do you go by Janette or Icee
?”

“Actually, just call me Janette or Sweets.”

“Okay.
Why do they call you Icee
on the show
?”

“It’s just a stage name that Teddy gave me. Unfortunately it stuck.’ Icee said as she shoved Teddy and hissed, “Ass!”

Queen laughed. “Yeah, he can be an ass.”

“Whatever Queen. I’m not even going to deal with you and your bullshit tonight. This is your first and final warning.”

“Yeah, Queen has something to tell you. Right Queen?” Chris asked as he nudged Queen towards Teddy. “Go ahead and tell him.”

“I’m sorry.” Queen said in a small voice.

Teddy bent his ear forward as if he was straining to hear what she said. “Excuse me, I didn’t hear you. What did you just say?”

“I said I was sorry. I shouldn’t have tried to strong arm you.”

“And?” Teddy asked still bending his ear.

Chris nudged Queen again. “Go ahead
and finish.”

“And I will welcome whomever you select with open arms.” Queen sighed.

“Anybody?” Teddy tested.

Queen looked at her friend. She could tell that he wanted this to work and she wanted it to work for him. “Yes, anybody you choose I will welcome into our family with open arms.”

Teddy scanned Queen’s face for sincerity. He discovered in her eyes that she was telling the truth. He said not a word as he grabbed her and hugged her tight. He kissed her lips. “Thanks. It means a lot to me.”

“Alright, get your
cl
aws off of my wife. We just stopped by to say hello before the show.” Chris joked as he pulled Queen away.

“Damn, can I get a hug before we go?” Toy joked.

“You sure can. Come here girl.” Teddy said as he lifted Toy in his arms and squeezed her tight.
“Thanks for coming down and saving the show.”

“Now, I know this nigga is tripping. Bitch, put my
pregnant
wife down and go get your own!” Teddy chuckled.

“Hater!” Teddy chuckled
.
“Wait a minute, did you just say pregnant? Are you pregnant?” Teddy asked
as
he returned Toys feet to the ground.

Toy smiled as she patt
ed
a teeny, tiny baby pouch. “Yes we just confirmed it today.”

“You
’
r
e
pregnant, when were you going to tell us?” Chris asked
as he hugged Toy and gave Logic some dap
.
“Congrats man.”

“Thanks man.”

“We already knew.” Jade said as she looked at Queen who nodded affirmatively.

“But we couldn’t tell you guys until they confirmed it.” Queen added.

“How are you going to keep a secret from me?” Dorian asked Logic
as he gave him a bro hug and some dap.

“Man you know you can’t keep a secret.
” Logic laughed and everybody agreed.
“
We did the home test and it took a few days to get a
doctor’s appointment to confirm it.”

“I’m really happy for you!” Teddy replied as he gave Logic a bro hug.

“Thanks man. Alright, well we can celebrate after the show. We’re going to head out and let you get ready for your big moment.

Teddy took a deep breath and sighed deeply. “Yeah, it’s getting close to that time. Okay well I guess I’ll see you guys out there.”

One by one they bid Teddy good luck and went out to claim their front row, center seats to the show
.

Teddy Bear

Seven very beautiful and nervous women stood on a platform in front of Teddy. They all knew this was the final elimination show and Teddy would pick one of them to join him in an exclusive, committed relationship. Teddy had on his poker face, but he was as nervous as they were. The show was slated to have a semi and final elimination round.

“Before me I have seven incredible women. I want everyone to know that I love and care for each of you in my own special way. Many consider this a competition for my love, but it’s not. You all have earned my love and respect and there are no losers here today.”

The audience clapped.
Kai and Icee nodded in agreement as they clapped as well. Teddy smiled as he caught a glimpse of his family sitting on the front row. His eyes naturally gravitated to Queen. She nodded that she would support his decision no matter who he chose. He gave her a quick nod to acknowledge that he appreciated her support.

“I have seven women and six Teddy Bears. There’s no easy way to do this so, I’m going to just get it over with. The recipients of these bears will have an opportunity to meet my family at
an exclusive after party
.”

The Fantastic
S
even looked at each other confused. They didn’t realize that Teddy would be eliminating them one by one. They were
really afraid now as they knew one of them would be excluded from the family gathering, even though Teddy promised them they would be a part of his family.
Rouqui reached out and grabbed hold of the hand of the two girls on either side of her, from there they all linked hands one by one.

Teddy swallowed hard as he witnessed their solidarity. He took a second to collect himself as his emotions rose in his throat. Tears were in all of their eyes as they each prayed that they were not left on that platform alone.

He drew a deep breath and then sighed deeply. “I’m sorry but we have to get through this. When I call your name please come forward and claim your Teddy Bear. Icee will you please g
ive each one of them their
b
ear?”

Icee reluctantly nodded yes. She didn’t like that one girl would be singled out for elimination, but it was nothing she could do about it. She looked at Kai who remained stoic.

“I’m just going to do this quick. If I don’t call your name, please remain on the platform and I’ll be over to talk to you. Diti, Diamond, Rouqui, Sunny D,
Anya
and
Ashe please come get your Teddy Bear.”

They all looked at each other to figure out who didn’t get called. Zoey burst into tears and they all knew it was her. They surrounded her immediately and smothered her with sympathetic hugs. Crying with her
they tried desperately to console her. No one left the platform to claim a single damn Teddy Bear.

Icee wiped tears as she held the bear and waited for one of them to claim it. No one came. Teddy eyes were closed as he fought back tears. He looked at Queen who was wiping the corner of her eyes as well. He swallowed hard as he walked over to the platform.

“Excuse me ladies. Let me have her.” He said as he pulled Zoey from the center of the wailing women.

Her body was shaking she was so distraught and sobbing so hard. She had resolved that she would be eliminated but she didn’t expect to feel this way. She held on tight to Ashe and refused to go with him.

“Zoey, please stop.
I didn’t mean to hurt you.
” Teddy emotionally pleaded. “Let me just talk to you. Okay?”

Zoey wiped her eyes and stifled her tears. She looked at him through swollen tear filled eyes. She saw the tears running down his face and she reached out and wiped them from his
cheek
. Teddy
gently
took hold of her hand and brought it to his lips. He
sweet
ly kissed it. His eyes searched hers for an uncomfortable amount of time.

“It’s okay. She said. Don’t worry about me
. I’ll be
okay
.
” She said as she
continued to
wipe his tears with her free hands.

“Zoey, can I ask you something?”

“Sure, ask me anything.”

“Will you take this Teddy Bear to be your husband?” Teddy asked as he fell to one knee. Reaching in his inside jacket pocket he produced a ring box. He opened it with nervous fingers and displayed a
flawless
twelve karat round diamond engagement ring which was surrounded by another six karats of diamonds.

Zoey had completely
stopped breathing the second he said husband. She could not believe her ears and she really could not believe her eyes. Everyone in the audience and on the Honey for the Bear set were completely shocked. It was so quiet you could here and ant hiking across a Q-Tip. Everyone waited with bated breath for her answer.

“Zoey Chandler
, I love you.
W
ill you marry me?” Teddy asked as he took her hand and prepared to put the ring on her ring finger. “Please?”

Overwhelmed Zoey burst into tears again as she shook her head, yes. “Yes I will take this Teddy Bear to be my husband.” She sobbed.

A loud roar of
applauds
and cheers rumbled through the room like a cattle stampede as Teddy place
d
the expensive Tiffany diamond ring on his new
fiancés
trembling finger. Seconds later Zoey threw her arms around his next and engaged him in a six alarm, whorehouse in flames kiss. Teddy wrapped his massive arms around her and held her tight as their tongues danced the happy dance of love.

There wasn’t a dry eye in
the
place as Teddy stood up, lifted Zoey in his arms and carried her off the set. He didn’t put her down until he reached his suite.