Last time: Theresa continued to struggle with her emotions over Martin and the fallout from his sudden reappearance began...

Chapter 9

I have to call Mama. Maybe I can catch her before she sees the news.

Ring.Ring. Pilar's phone number popped up on the caller ID.

Too late. Again.

Theresa picked up the phone before it could ring again and fully wake Ethan who was starting to stir.

"Hello?"

"Thereasita! Oh my goodness! You have to turn on the news! Quickly! You will never believe it!"

"I already know."

"So you already saw the news and know that your father is home?" Pilar was so flustered she was mixing her English and Spanish together.

"Papa came to the house last night, Mama. He stopped to see me and Ethan." Theresa braced herself for her mother's reaction.

"You saw him already? Miha! How could you not tell us right away? Why didn't you call us?" Pilar was angry and hurt. "Why!"

In the background, Luis could be heard yelling, "Theresa knew about this?" Boy was she in trouble.

"Well, it was such a shock Mama! I mean, the doorbell rang and of course the last person I expected was Papa, and Ethan had to take over I just stood there like an idiot and then it all went by in a blur…I was just so surprised. Then he left and Ethan and I got to…"in her haste to explain Theresa nearly forgot whom she was talking to. She couldn't tell her mom what she and Ethan had really been doing.

"…We got to talking about everything and it got late…" Rambling to a stop, Theresa decided to just apologize. "I'm sorry. I was going to call you as soon the hour was reasonable this morning, but you beat me to it. I really wasn't trying to hide anything from you."

Pilar must've sensed that her daughter was sincere and spoke more calmly. "I'm sorry. I don't mean to yell. It's just such a shock to all of us. I mean, what could bring your father back after all this time? Katherine too for that matter?"

Theresa tried to hide her hurt as she answered. "He said he came back because of Luis and Miguel. He couldn't stay away after seeing what was going on with them." She guessed it was too much to ask that he come back because he wanted his family back. Because he thought his daughters might need him.

"Oh."

Theresa frowned. "Oh"? That was all Mama had to say? She had hoped for this day. She'd lit a candle every night since the day he left praying for his safe return. She never even gave another man a second look in all of Theresa's life because she was waiting for Martin Fitzgerald. And all she was saying was "Oh"? No lecture on the power of prayer, or perseverance of faith? No tears of joy and thanksgiving for the return of her husband?

"What are you going to do Mama?"

Theresa waited for her mother to answer, and felt the indecision in Pilar's mind. "I don't know Miha. I guess I'll wait for him to come to me. He's the one who left. He needs to come back on his own as well."

Luis snorted in disgust. He must have picked up one of the extensions, and the full effect of his anger could be heard. "You can do what you want. But he left us to fend for ourselves against the devil himself, and I'm going to know the reason why! And by the way" his voice cut sarcastically over the phone line. "Nice of you to warn us Sis!"

Click. Theresa winced at the sound of Luis slamming the phone done in her ear.

"Don't listen to your brother sweetie. He's just angry with your father." Pilar tired to make Theresa feel better.

"Maybe he's right to be mad. I probably would be too if I were him. I should've called no matter what the time was…I just didn't think." It sounded like an excuse even as she said it, and Theresa wondered if her mother could see through it. She just couldn't admit that she had wanted to forget that her father had come back. Couldn't admit that she was trying to prove that he didn't have an effect on her anymore. Couldn't admit that she still needed his validation of her worth now as much as she did when she was a little girl.

If she suspected a problem, Pilar didn't let on. "It's OK darling. I'm not mad. Just anxious to see what your father will do next. I know you all haven't eaten yet." She changed the subject on Theresa quickly. "Bring the family over for a late breakfast."

Glad that at least Pilar wasn't angry with her, Theresa agreed just as Lily walked sleepily into their bedroom looking for her. "Ethan and I will come as soon as we drop the kids off with Sam. He's taking a break from the case to spend time with them today..."

"Yesterday, we were very fortunate to witness the miracle of having my mother return to us after so many years." Julian addressed the staff in one of the great rooms of the mansion. "Imagine my surprise this morning" he continued "when I turned on the news and found that this miracle was the top news story on every network."

Sitting next to her son, Katherine hoped he wouldn't be too harsh. She didn't want to make any trouble for these people who had worked for her family, and quite possibly the cruelest man to ever live, so faithfully. But Julian had been convinced and would not change his plan.

"Now, I know that I did not alert the media, and Mother most certainly didn't. So I can only conclude that we have a mole amongst us. Someone who has forgotten that guarding the privacy of this family is one of your duties. Let me make a few things clear. First, you are never to speak with any members of the press or anyone else about the personal lives of the members of this family. And secondly, I am putting you all on notice that termination of your services will be immediate if you are found to be violating this order. No questions asked. That is all." Julian dismissed the staff with a wave of his hand. As the filed out of the room he turned to Katherine.

"I have to go to the hospital with Ivy. Fox is coming home today you know. Are you going to be all right?"

"Of course. Just bring my grandson home to me." Katherine smiled. As Julian left, she thought about what a mess everything was. Her grandchildren on one side and Martin's children on the other. She knew that Luis and Miguel were innocent; Martin's sons could never do the things they were accused of. But still her grandchildren had been seriously hurt and Julian would expect only one hundred percent loyalty from her. She hoped it didn't come down to choosing sides. Because she didn't know who she'd chose if it did.

Walking into the hospital, Jessica couldn't believe how many members of the press were already there waiting for the first pictures of Fox's release. How did these reporters get wind of it anyway? She felt a little sorry for Kay. What had she gotten herself into when she married Fox?

Since finally being free of Spike when he went to jail, Jessica had been getting her life back together; volunteering at the hospital had become one of her favorite things to do. She'd come early to wish Fox and Kay good luck before her shift started. Walking up to Fox's room, she was surprised to only see Julian. Turning the knob to go into the room, she wondered where Kay was, or even Ivy, but then was struck by something she heard Julian say.

"It's all going according to your plan son. But I think you need to put one more nail in Miguel's coffin."

"Like what?" Fox asked.

"Well, so far the case is strong, but only circumstantial. I think we need to give them something tangible to work with, and then Miguel will really be out of yours and Kay's lives forever."

Fox's eyes took on a wicked gleam. "Like the weapon used in my shooting…maybe? I think you might be right father."

As Julian chuckled he added, "Exactly. We'll stick it to Miguel, and I think I've come up with a plan to stick it to Theresa as well. Not even Ethan will be able to get her out of this."

Trembling, Jessica stepped quietly away from the door and hurried to the lounge. Making sure she was alone, she pulled out her cell phone and dialed home.

"Dad! You'll never believe what I have to tell you!"