Okay, I understand that I haven't finished A Crane's Flight yet, but I'm still deciding what to do with that and I have this idea that won't go away, and I don't think this will be that long anyway. I got the idea from Usher's song called "Confession Part II" and this fanfic has almost nothing to do with the song, but I'm mentioning it because the lyrics gave me the idea. I really don't want to give anything way, so if there's anything you don't understand after reading the first chapter, just let me know. So I hope you like it!

Title: Changing Times Disclaimer: I own nothing! Rating: PG-13 probably Category: Fox/Theresa

Chapter 1

"Theresa how does it feel to be betrayed by your own fiancé?"

"Theresa, why haven't you called off the engagement?"

"Do you think that you'll be able to trust him again?"

Theresa tried desperately to push pass the dozens of news reporters that were shoving microphones in her face and photographers that were taking countless pictures of her. She watched as Chad Harris, her manager and self-appointed bodyguard, knocked a camera away from her face as they tried to make their way to the car.

"Would you people just get out of our way," Chad said angrily. "Theresa's been through enough, she doesn't need you adding to her problems with your insensitive questions."

"Just answer our questions Theresa, and we'll leave you alone," one reporter said. Theresa took off her sunglasses and stopped walking before speaking.

"Look I understand that all of you have a job to do, but I would really appreciate it if you would let my manager and I just make it to our car; we're on a tight schedule, thank you."

With that said, she placed her sunglasses back on, and lowered her head as she and Chad continued their trek to the car. Upon reaching it, Chad opened the door and allowed Theresa to get in before entering himself.

"You can start driving now," Chad said to the driver before leaning back in the chair. He turned to see Theresa gazing out the window at the reporters who were still taking pictures, despite the tinted windows on the black jeep.

"How ya doing, Resa?" he asked with concern. Theresa turned to him with a large smile before replying.

"I'm fine Chad, everything's okay," she said with a bit too much enthusiasm.

"Resa, I know you better than that. Just because you have to be strong for the cameras doesn't mean you have to be strong for me," he said. Seeing Theresa's eyes start to water, he opened his arms for her. "Come here," he said.

Theresa gratefully went into his open arms and took a deep sigh before allowing the tears to fall.

"It's okay, Resa, it's okay," Chad said in a soothing voice.

"No it's not Chad, everything's so messed up and I don't know how to fix it," Theresa replied through her sobs.

"You could start with making it easier on yourself, Theresa. I don't understand why you're still with him," Chad said.

"You know why, Chad," Theresa said with a sigh as she lifted her head from his shoulder. "I love him."

"Look, Theresa—"

"Chad, please, don't. As it is, I know I'm going to hear this from Whitney as soon as I get home. Let's not do this again."

"Fine," Chad replied. "Whitney's better than I am at knocking some sense into you anyway," he added as the truck stopped in front of the large, Los Angeles apartment building.

"Thanks, Louis," Chad said to the driver. "Whitney and I will be down in about twenty minutes."

"Okay, Mr. Harris," the driver said before Theresa and Chad exited the car and headed to Theresa's apartment. When they entered the large penthouse, they were greeted with the sight Whitney Russell, famous model and Theresa's best friend.

"Hey Whit," Theresa said with a smile.

"Hey Resa, how are you holding up?" she asked with concern as she came over to hug Theresa.

"Fine, just had to go through another onslaught of reporters who wanted to know how it feels to be 'betrayed by my fiancé,'" she replied, adding a sardonic tone towards the end of her statement.

"They also asked why she didn't call of the engagement," Chad added.

"They're not the only ones asking that question," Whitney said.

"Please don't start, Whitney," Theresa said with an exhausted tone before heading to her living room.

"No, I'm going to start," Whitney said, following Theresa with Chad not too far behind. "Jeez, Resa, he cheated on you! Not only did he cheat on you, but he did it with Gwen—his high school sweetheart!"

"Ethan and I were having problems by then, Whitney. He couldn't help it that he lost control once and everyone messes up at least once" Theresa defended.

"Theresa, he got her pregnant! This isn't some dumb mistake—it's a life- altering act of stupidity," Whitney reasoned.

"It was a mistake! They were drunk and they thought they used protection."

"Damn it Resa, what's wrong with you!?" Whitney asked angrily. "Aren't you tired of being hurt every time Ethan talks about his unborn child? Don't the unrelenting reporters who embarrass you everyday with their questions about your cheating fiancé aggravate you? What about your music career? I know love is more important to you than your career, but it's got to be worrying you that the media is using this situation to ruin you. Why are you putting up with this? Ethan may claim to love you, but he didn't show his love that night he slept with Gwen and he sure as hell doesn't show it every time he comes over to show you the latest sonogram of the baby he and Gwen created behind your back."

Theresa sat on her couch, listening as Whitney continued to rant on Ethan. She had been used to it by now. Since Ethan had told her of his betrayal almost four months ago, Whitney had been trying desperately to get Theresa to leave Ethan. But Theresa couldn't do it—she knew she couldn't. The fact was that Ethan had been in her life for over three years and she needed him too much to give him away now. And that's why when Ethan told her that he was going to have a baby with Gwen almost four months ago, Theresa yelled, cried, but in the end, still forgave him. Theresa knew Whitney or Chad, or even her family would never understand why she stayed with Ethan, so she resigned herself to listening to their rants until they finally realized that she was ignoring them.

"Stop ignoring me, Resa!" Whitney said, seeing the dazed look on Theresa's face.

"What do you expect, Whit? I've been hearing the same speech almost everyday for the past four months!"

"I'm trying to help you, Resa. I don't care how well you think you're fooling yourself, I know you're not happy; at least not as happy as you used to be—before Ethan became such an idiot."

"Please don't insult him, Whit," Theresa said. "And if you hate him so much, you might want to leave soon because he's coming over in about twenty minutes."

"What!?" Whitney and Chad asked angrily.

"What?" Theresa asked innocently. "We've still got a crap-load of things to take care of for the wedding and I start recording my new album tomorrow morning with my new producer; I'm not going to have much time for a while."

"I still can't believe you're going through with this wedding," Chad said with a shake of his head.

"Well believe it," Theresa said. "Now unless you're going to help us plan, get out," she said as she shooed them towards her door.

"What are we supposed to do?" Whitney asked.

"How should I know? You're a young, all-American couple—figure it out," Theresa replied before opening the door for them.

"Fine, we're leaving," Whitney said while slipping her hand into Chad's. "But before I go, I left a magazine on your coffee table, maybe it'll help knock some sense into you," she said.

"Well according to Chad, if you can't, no one can. But I'll read it anyway; bye guys."

"Bye Resa," they replied before leaving down the hallway.

Theresa closed her door before walking back into her living room to read what Whitney had left for her. She picked up the magazine and began reading aloud:

"And Baby Make Three"

Rich socialites, Ethan Winthrop and Gwen Hotchkiss are preparing to welcome their first child into the world. Winthrop, a current high- profiled lawyer, and Hotchkiss, daughter of business tycoon Jonathan Hotchkiss, were high school sweethearts that drifted apart soon after they graduated. By a chance meeting almost one year ago, Winthrop and Hotchkiss were able to rebuild their old friendship. Although Winthrop is engaged to singer Theresa Lopez-Fitzgerald, he has assured the public that he will play a very active role in his child's life: "'I'm looking forward to the birth of my child. I can't wait to hold him or her in my arms,'" Ethan told a reporter recently. Congratulations to Ethan and Gwen—we wish them the best of luck.

Theresa sadly closed the magazine after reading the article. She should have known Whitney would show her something like this.

"Ignore it, Theresa," she said to herself. "Ethan loves you and you love him; that's all that matters."

Feeling only a little more confident, Theresa quickly threw away the magazine before beginning to bring out the materials she and Ethan would need for tonight. After setting everything up, Theresa looked at her watch, wondering why Ethan still had not arrived. After waiting another thirty minutes, Theresa began to worry why Ethan had not yet arrived.

"He's almost never late for anything," she said to herself. "He's probably being followed by reporters," Theresa said before reaching for her phone and calling his cell. After a few rings, Ethan answered.

"Hello?" he said.

"Ethan, honey, where are you?" Theresa asked.

"I'm on my way out of work, why?" Ethan asked.

"You were supposed to be over here almost an hour ago," Theresa replied.

"Oh, baby, I'm so sorry. I totally forgot," Ethan replied.

"It's okay, you've got a lot on your mind. Just come over now."

"Oh, man, Resa, you know I'd love to, but I promised Gwen I'd stop by her house and keep her company. The baby's been kicking all day and she hasn't been feeling her best," he said regretfully. "I'm so sorry."

Theresa sighed sadly, trying to suppress the tears that threatened to fall from her eyes.

"It's okay, babe, I understand," she lied.

"Are you sure? I could probably stop by later tonight after I visit Gwen," Ethan said, hating himself for what he was putting Theresa through.

"No, I have to be at the studio early tomorrow morning. I'm just going to go to sleep now."

"Okay, I'm sorry again. I promise I'll find a way to make it up to you," Ethan said.

"I'm sure you will," Theresa replied, already knowing she would find a dozen roses in front of her apartment door by the time she woke up the next day. Money always seemed to be Ethan's solution to any and every problem they came across. "Look I'll talk to you later, have fun with Gwen and give her my best."

"I will, and thanks again for being so understanding. I love you."

"No problem; I love you too," Theresa replied before hanging up the phone. "So much for wedding plans," she muttered to herself. Too tired, sad, and upset to clean up all that she laid out, Theresa simply shut off her lights and headed to her room.

"Another lonely night—big surprise," she said to herself as she entered her room and prepared for bed. Ten minutes later she was buried under her covers and ready to sleep. She turned to the picture frame she kept on the dresser beside her bed; it was a picture of her and Ethan on their first date. They looked so happy and carefree—like they were invincible.

"Oh, how times change," she said with a regretful sigh before cutting off the light and falling asleep.

TBC...

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