Don't be afraid

Note: WARNING! There may be mild language here!

"That was soooooooo not nice of you Fox." Still laughing from the recent events, Theresa was lying next to the pool, tanning, while Fox and Ethan Martin were playing with a beach ball.

"Personally, I don't really care Resa. I'm just tired of seeing her horsy face get everything she wants. She thinks of herself as the mighty Queen Gwen and it's really pissing me off."

"Why did you leave mommy Fox?" Little Ethan blurted out suddenly. Turning to the little boy, the taller man stood there speechless for a couple of seconds. With an amused smile on her face, Theresa simply closed her eyes.

"I think it was because I thought I was in love with someone else but now I know I was wrong. Your mommy is the only one I love and I'm ready to wait for her a thousand years if needed. You know, I actually have a lot of things planned for her and I."

"Is getting me back a part of your plans?" Bursting in laughter, Fox messed with the little boy's hair.

"Of course! I hope you didn't really think we'd leave you with such monsters as Ethan and Gwen!"

"Ok, come on guys! Don't you think we should get ready for Mama's dinner tonight?"

"Would be a good idea, Resa. Hop boy! We're going to find you nice clothes to impress your abuela."

"Cool!" exclaimed EM. He got up fast and ran inside. "Last one in my room is a chicken!"

"Hey! That's not fair! You left before we could know it!" whined Fox jokingly.

"Oh come on Foxy! Stop playing stupid and help me get my son's things inside." Grabbing the little boy's things, they went up to his room and found Ethan sitting on the bed, waiting for them. Oh great! What now? Fox slipped his hand in Theresa's and waited for a speech to come out.

"I heard you two talking about taking Ethan Martin to the Lopez-Fitzgerald's dinner. I'd love for you to warn me when such events happen so I could at least warn my wife. You know how much Gwen loves the little guy and if something was to happen to him, I wonder if she would not be as panicked as you Theresa." Yeah right!

"Is that supposed to slow down my hatred for her? Because, if it is, it's not working at all. If not, I am more angry at her than I was a second ago."

"Ok, look. Can I, at least, have your word that you're going to warn me next time something like this happens? Gwen and I had planned a nice boat ride for him tonight."

"Well too bad half-bro, he won't be going with you. It's been such a long time since he's seen his maternal grandparents. Give him a chance and..." began Fox only to be cut off by Theresa.

"Neither Fox nor I will give you our word that we'll warn you. We're not prisoners under your 24 hours, 7 days a week guard. He's going to take Little Ethan out anytime he wants and if I'm with them, then you're going to have to live with it, understand? I'm no longer a puppet you can manipulate at your will, Ethan. The spell you'd cast on me has vanished and I'm aware of all the beautiful things in the world I was missing when you were the center of it. The time of me giving my life for you is over. It's the past. Now, I'm going to concentrate on my children and I can swear to you, Winthrop, I will have my son back with me by the end of the year!" Taking her son's hand, she quickly exited the bedroom and was soon followed by Fox who stopped and turned around, unable to repress taking a jab.

"The reign of Ethan 'Golden Boy' Winthrop over Theresa Lopez-Fitzgerald's life is officially over. My heart goes out to you, dear fallen king. May you suffer in the new life you've chosen." Those words hurt Ethan to his very soul. Damn you Fox! Why does it hurt so much? I love Gwen, not Theresa. I've chosen to stay with my wife but why do I feel like I did the biggest mistake of my life? No! Get a hold of yourself! You love Theresa... no GWEN and once Jane is with you, you'll be happy with your new family.

"Darling, is our sweetheart ready for his surprise?" lightly sang Gwen, dancing in.

"No, actually, there's been a change of plan. Fox and Theresa decided to take him to the Lopez-Fitzgerald's dinner."

"What? But, why the hell did you let them do that? You knew we had this big surprise planned tonight for him!" If there was a thing Ethan could not stand about his wife, it's when she was whining.

"Look Gwen, the poor boy hasn't seen Pilar or Martin in a long time. I thought it would be great for him and give us the opportunity to have a quiet evening at home... just the two of us..." If only I could be somewhere else at this very moment! Like with Theresa. Ethan, what the hell are you saying? You LOVE your wife!

"Awwww! I love you so much! I find myself lucky to still have you in my life Ethan. I don't know where I'll be without you." Hugging her husband, she didn't notice the far away look on his face. You'd be getting a new life and I'd be with Theresa... Ok, Ethan, that's enough! You chose Gwen, live with it!

"So, are we still going for that boat ride or not?"

"Only if you promise me something." Looking right into Ethan's eyes, Gwen put emphasis on her words. "Promise me that you are going to fight against Theresa with all your might to take Jane away from her. I need that little girl, Darling. I really do need her." Gulping hard, almost as if he knew it was something he shouldn't do, he caressed her face.

"I promise I'll do everything to take my daughter away from her mother and then we'll raise her along with her brother and be one happy family." Slowly, he kissed and hugged her tenderly. Oh my God! What have I done? I just vowed to break the woman I love. ETHAN! Gwen is the woman you love. Always remember that!

The dinner was splendid and the Lopez-Fitzgerald family was happy to be reunited. At some point during the evening, Theresa had gone away to the living room so she could breastfeed Jane. She loved the feeling of closeness it gave her with her child while she fed and always cherished those moments. Feeling the little hand against her breast made her feel special. A little human being needed her, needed her protection and she would move sky and earth to ensure her baby would stay with her. No matter what she'd have to do, she'd sacrifice anything for her children. She'd even give her life, a life she would have been willing to give for one man not that long ago. A man who'd betrayed her, played with her heart and stomped on it without any remorse. Too bad for you Ethan. You don't know what you'll miss. It's your loss. I just realized I would have been only the shadow of myself with you.

Sensing a presence behind her, she risked a look. Fox stood near the bay window and was looking at her.

"Do you know you look awfully beautiful and serene like this? I even find that sexy." Feeling herself blush, she looked down at her daughter who was now sound asleep. "Hey! Don't hide your pretty face." Fox added, walking to her and lifting her chin up. "Such a beauty should never be hidden."

"You're making me uncomfortable. No one ever said that to me before."

"Well, either they were fools or simply blind. Anyway, that's not important. You are a gorgeous woman Theresa and I'm happy to have the exclusivity of telling you." Smiling, he caressed her hair, locking his eyes with hers. She'd pulled it into a bun with some strands loose around her face. Both were so lost into each other, they didn't even notice Ethan Martin watching them from afar with Chad.

"Do you think Fox would take good care of mommy?" Surprised by that question, Chad stayed silent for a few minutes. Theresa's son might still be young but God, he's mature.

"I think he would, Little Ethan. To my eyes, it seems he loves her a lot and I have an impression it's not a love like we see everyday. There is something special about the way your mommy and Fox feel about each other. It's almost like if they were a match made in heaven."

"That's what I thought." Sighing, he walked back to the kitchen while Chad stayed there, lost in his thoughts. I wonder if things would have been different should Whitney had told me the truth from the start. Anyway, there's no going back. She's dead to me and Valerie is going to be such a wonderful mother to Miles as well as a good wife for me. He was thinking so deeply, he didn't even see Fox leave the living room with baby Jane in his arms. It was Theresa's voice that brought him back to reality.

"Chad?" Shaking his head, he looked at his friend and smiled.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to interrupt. I came here to ponder on some future choices I might have to make. With the kitchen quite full as well as the terrace outside, I thought it'd be the best place."

"No need to be sorry. I was feeding Jane and Fox came in, kind of surprising me. But it's not important. How are you holding on with Miles?"

"Everything went fine this afternoon. Valerie gave him his bottles. She's quite gifted, actually, and my son just loves her. It's weird because I would almost think he prefers her to Whitney."

"It's quite possible. I know Fox told me she wasn't really taking care of your child. He was with Miles half the time." She smiled lightly. "I don't really know Valerie that well but she seems very nice. I hope you're going to be happy with her at least. After everything you've been through with discovering you were Julian Crane's firstborn, Whitney leaving you for Fox, her pregnancy and the events with Jane and Gwen, I do believe you deserve some good times."

"Thank you Theresa. To be honest with you, I'm questioning myself on popping her the question or not in the next few days. I know we haven't been together for a long time but I feel like she's the one. I don't want to scare her either."

"You want to have my point of view?" she asked, still smiling.

"Yes, if it's not too much to ask." Sitting at her side, he surprised himself at admiring her Latin beauty. Ethan, you don't know what you're missing. How could you possibly prefer Gwen's cold stone figure and temper to Theresa's amazing personality along with her contagious zest of life? Either you are really dumb or you've blown a fuse.

"Well, you should go smoothly and take your time. Talk to her about how you feel and tenderly slip the ring on her finger. Then, explain that you want to take things slowly but that you want her to wear the ring for it will have a special meaning to your eyes." That's how I always imagine my wedding proposal. "This shouldn't scare her too much and make her understand she means a lot to you."

"It's a good idea Theresa. Thank you." Silent fell on the both of them as they thoughts about the ones they respectively loved. Oh dear! I love Fox. I still love him! I'll have to tell him. "So, how is it going on with Fox?" Brought out of her reverie, Theresa was completely lost.

"Huh?" Chad laughed.

"Earth to the biggest dreamer I know! I was asking you how things were going on between you and Fox."

"Oh, well... He confessed he still loved me. In fact, I think he never stopped."

"What about you? What are you feeling towards him?" Taking a few seconds to reflect, Theresa slowly turned to her friend.

"I think I still love him as well, Chad. No…scratch that! I know I do."

"What are you going to do?"

"I'll tell him tonight." Chad smiled. That's the answer he wanted to hear. After being mistreated by Ethan for so long, Theresa would finally be happy. He knew Fox would take real good care of her. And moreover, he would help her get revenge on Gwen, Rebecca and Ethan. By the end of the year, Ethan Martin would be back into his mother's arms and everything would finally be perfect for her.

Next on Time to move on:

Theresa pours her heart to Fox.

A couple share a moment of complete unity by allowing their passion to take over.

Review greatly appreciated please. -Laurie-Lee