Author Note: This story is going to take place when Ethan and Gwen first meet and a little bit before that; this is my opinion of what really happened between. If you couldn't tell, they are not my favorite couple at all; still they do have history and a story needs to be told about them. This is how I think they came about.
Gwen was everybody's dream daughter. She was pretty, generous, outgoing, sophisticated, and generally well liked by all that knew her; there was however one thing that no knew about her and that was she was extremely violent and rash. Gwen, like her mother, had learned to keep that flaw behind closed doors; after all, that was what the rich did. They didn't let poor middle class people know what they were really capable of. Whatever Gwen wanted Gwen got; her mother made sure to live by this philosophy.
Her father wanted Gwen take over the family business one day but her mother wanted to be the richest most powerful woman in the world. Gwen knew that she was destined to be bigger than she already was. She was already very rich but didn't satisfy her enough.
Gwen was also very cunning when it came to lying and twisting the truth. Living in Harmony had taught her one thing, being rich gave you the right over others. Gwen had learned at an early age that she could have anything she wanted. All the middle class girls moved over and let her take what she wanted. No one ever stood up to her because it was useless. Gwen ruled and that was just it; plain and simple.
Rebecca watched her daughter play at the park with the lower class. All the adults thought she was just wonderful the way she played and got along oh so well with the lower class; it was like she was one of them, but Rebecca knew better than anyone else it was all just a show. It was time to stop playing these petty games and starting planning big. Gwen was now 14 and it was time for her to be introduced into society. It was time for Rebecca to find Gwen a rich husband and it was time for Gwen to take her rightful position as one of the most powerful women in Harmony and in the world.
"Ethan, Pilar has told me what you did to Sheridan." Ivy said.
"Oh she knows I was only playing. I didn't mean to hit her with that snowball." Ethan said.
"Ethan, she's here visiting you shouldn't you be a little…"
"She's not here anymore. Father just sent her away." Julian said.
"Father, I didn't get to say goodbye to her." Ethan said.
"Yeah so what do you want me to do about it?" He asked his son.
"Julian, you can be nicer to the boy; you know how he feels about his aunt. He loves her very much." Ivy said.
"Save me the sob story. Ethan you and I are going over to the Hotchkiss's for a business meeting. I'm going to show you how business is really done." Julian said.
"I already know how you do business; you get drunk and smoke cigars." Ethan said.
"Ethan you are turning 15 in a couple of days; it's time you learned the family business." Julian said.
"You know what father? I think you're right. It's time to learn the family business." Ethan said.
"That's my boy; now go get your coat I'll meet you outside in the limo." Julian said.
Ivy watched her son grab his coat and walk outside. She saw a smile stretch across Julian's face and then realized that he was up to something.
"Julian, why are you really taking Ethan along with you?" Ivy asked her husband.
"I want him to see how business is really done." Julian said.
"You're planning something; what are you planning on doing?" Ivy asked him.
"I just to spend some time with him and let him get to know Gwen Hotchkiss a little better." Julian said.
"Oh I see now, are you planning on a merger by making sure Ethan marries Gwen Hotchkiss?" Ivy said.
"Oh Ivy don't be stupid. He's only 15 years old; I just want him to get to know her. She hasn't been living in Harmony that long and I think it's important for her to get to know another rich man. I don't want her to think that Harmony is full of low class boys." Julian said.
"Yeah I'm sure that's it. I don't suppose you'll mind if I accompany you and Ethan to the Hotchkiss estate?" Ivy said.
"Not at all; I'm sure Rebecca would love to see you. It's been too long since you two have seen each other." Julian said.
The car ride was silent except for Ethan and Ivy whispering and laughing together; there was virtual silence amongst the family. The limo pulled up to the door and all three of them got out at once. The door was open and Ethan was immediately escorted to another part of the house. Julian went into Jonathon's study and Ivy went to have tea with Rebecca in the conservatory. Rebecca acted surprised at seeing Ivy.
"It's been such a long time hasn't it Ivy." Rebecca said.
"What's this business that Julian all of the sudden has with Jonathon?" Ivy asked her.
"Well, our families will soon be joined together forever." Rebecca said.
"What do you mean?" Ivy asked.
"Gwen and your son Ethan will be marrying some day and completing a major business merger between our two families." Rebecca said.
"No, I won't let that happen to my son. He'll marry someone he loves not someone he despises." Ivy said.
"Oh Ivy, I'm sorry but your Ethan and my Gwennie will be saying I DO in the near future." Rebecca said.
"No Rebecca they won't; my son won't be forced to marry your daughter if he doesn't want to." Ivy said.
"Ivy you really don't have any choice in the manner. Ethan will marry Gwen or he'll be ousted as a Crane." Rebecca said.
"Not if I have anything to say about it." Ivy said.
She ran out of the room and down to the study she listened into Jonathon's and Julian's conversation.
"So have you told your wife Ivy yet?" Jonathon asked.
"It's really none of Ivy's business. Make sure your daughter is present at my son's party. We got to make sure there together as much as possible." Julian said.
"Oh don't worry, my Gwen is very competitive all I have to do is tell her that she needs to marry Ethan and she'll make sure it gets done." Jonathon said.
Well, we'll just see about that. Don't worry Gwen you won't be able to get your hooks into my son. Ivy said to her self.
Ivy went looking for her son and found him with Rebecca and Gwen. There they were the two manipulators; Gwen and Rebecca. They were trying to get there claws into her son. Ivy walked into the room and told Ethan they were leaving. Ethan, without questioning her, got up and left. Ivy and Ethan got into the limo without Julian and drove off.
Gwen paced back and forth; why did Mrs. Crane leave like that? She asked her mother and soon found out that their families had arranged their marriage together. Gwen smiled at the thought of having all that power and money. Soon no one would be able to stop her-not even Ivy Crane. Gwen turned to her mother and joyfully asked what they had to do to insure that she would soon be a Crane. Rebecca said it was simple...attend Ethan's birthday party. Rebecca then told her daughter to get into the limo because they were going dress shopping.
"Ethan, how do you feel about Gwen?" Julian asked his son later that day.
"She seems pretty nice but her mother seems like a real bitch." Ethan said.
"Ethan, Gwen and her mother will be coming to your party tomorrow. Make sure that you keep Rebecca's daughter company." Julian demanded.
"Father I'm more than sure that Gwen can keep herself..."
"Just do it." Julian said.
"Yes, Father." Ethan said.
Julian walked out the room and Ivy immediately came in to talk to her son.
"Ethan, I just wanted to tell you that Luis, Theresa, and their little brother Miguel will be coming." Ivy said.
"I'm glad they're coming. It must be hard now that Antonio and Martin have gone missing." Ethan said.
"Yes, I'm sure it is. It's only been a few months since they left but Pilar had to send Paloma away to her sister in Mexico. I told her I would give her a bigger raise but she keeps insisting that she can't ask me to do that." Ivy said.
"Well, let's make sure that they have a good time tomorrow." Ethan said.
"Ethan I couldn't agree with you more." Ivy said.
"Goodnight mother." Ethan said.
"Goodnight son." Ivy said.