Disclaimer: I do not own the Passions characters.
Chapter Thirteen: "Surprises"
Ethan threw off his shoes and rushed into the water. He'd always been a good swimmer, but he still felt fear clutch his heart. What if he didn't get to Theresa in time? He didn't know what he would do if something happened to her.
Theresa felt herself being pulled from behind to the surface, and it scared her. What is going on? her mind screamed. She tried to turn around to see her captor, but strong arms enveloped her and prevented her actions.
Once they had reached the surface, she struggled to break free to no avail. With her survival instincts kicking in, she turned her head slightly and bit hard into her captor's arm.
"Theresa, stop fighting me!" he yelled.
Realization sunk in. That voice. "Ethan!"
Ethan released his grip of Theresa slightly, allowing her to turn to face him. "Are you okay?" He couldn't help but notice the anger that flared in her eyes. Why would she be angry? he wondered.
"I was okay. What are you doing here?"
"I came to talk to you about something very important, but you didn't answer your door. I just happened to look out into the water, and it's a good thing that I did, because I saw you struggling in the waves." He wiped away a strand of wet hair plastered to her forehead. It was a simple gesture, but also intimate. His voice fell to a whisper, "Theresa, I was so worried about you. If anything ever happened to you . . . ."
Looking into his blue eyes, she saw genuine concern, and her anger began to melt. She swallowed hard as his nearness disoriented her. Why did he have to be so wonderful? "Ethan, nothing's going to happen to me. I promise. I've become a much better swimmer since the night of the prom. Besides, I wasn't in trouble just now. I found the most amazing rock formation under the water, and I just went down to look at it, that's all."
"Oh."
Theresa laughed softly. "I'm sorry you rescued me for nothing. And now your clothes are all wet!"
He hadn't really thought about it, but she was right. How would he ever be able to go home and explain to Gwen that his clothes were wet because he had rushed into the ocean to save Theresa? Somehow he didn't think that Gwen would be very accepting of the situation.
As if knowing what Ethan was thinking, Theresa suggested. "Why don't you come back to my house? I can put those clothes in the washer and dryer, you can take a hot shower, and you'll have a lot less explaining to do when you get home. Besides, you did mention having something important to talk about with me."
Ethan nodded. "Sounds perfect."
The two swam back to shore. Ethan watched as Theresa tilted her head to the side and squeezed the excess water from her long, brown hair. She has no idea of how beautiful she is, he thought to himself. Snap out of it, Crane! You didn't come here to moon over Theresa!
Feeling a chill from being wet and exposed to the ocean breeze, Theresa took the towel she left on the beach and wrapped it around herself.
Ethan grabbed the shoes he had strewn aside, and followed her up to the deck of her house leaving a trail of water in his wake.
After opening the French doors, Theresa turned back to Ethan. "If you'll wait here, I'll go and get you a towel."
He nodded. "Sure. And thanks."
"No problem," she said absently as she walked into the house.
When she returned with a large, fluffy towel, she was surprised to see he had taken his shirt off and was wringing it, trying to get the water out. She was trying not to stare, but whether she liked it or not, her attraction for him, along with some rather pesky feelings, had never completely gone away.
Averting her gaze, she placed the towel in his hands and allowed him a moment to dry off. "Um, I thought you could take your shower in the guest bathroom. I've put everything you should need in there, and I'll find something you can put on after you get out."
"I appreciate this."
She motioned for him to come inside, and he quickly surveyed his surroundings. The living room was light and airy, just as he imagined it would be. He saw a sofa with plush throw pillows, a Mediterranean style coffee table, and other odds and ends. He also noticed an easel in the corner of the room. I didn't know that Theresa painted, he thought to himself.
Suddenly, he saw a ball of fur which seemed to bound across the room to Theresa. She leaned down and picked up the cat. "Serendipity, you are such a spoiled kitty!"
Ethan smiled at the cat's name. "Serendipity?" he asked. He remembered how Theresa always had a strong belief in fate and everything that went along with it.
She stroked the cat's fur. "It seemed like a good idea at the time."
"How long have you had him?"
Theresa cleared her throat. "About a year and a half. Chuck gave Serendipity to me when he proposed." Her eyes had a faraway look, and Ethan wished he knew what she was thinking.
She put the cat down, and motioned for Ethan to follow her. She led him up the stairs and took him to a room at the end of a hallway. In the room, she had a huge draft table, along with several sketchbooks, which were strewn about the place. She picked up a couple of the books and commented, "I guess you can tell that the place isn't ready for any prolonged guests yet."
"You've only been here for a short time. Quite honestly, I'm amazed at how much work you've managed to accomplish in that short time span."
She offered him a small smile, but he couldn't help but notice that she seemed to be sad. Ethan reached out and took her hand. "Things will get better, Theresa."
She nodded and indicated a door on the far side of the room. "The bathroom is through there. If you'll leave your clothes out here before you get in the shower, I'll go ahead and put them in the washer. Oh, and I'll leave something for you to wear."
Ethan noticed the wall she put up and wanted desperately to tear it down. "Promise me that it won't be something pink and frilly."
She couldn't help but laugh. "Just for that, Ethan Crane, I'm going to have to find the girliest thing imaginable!" she teased.
"Be afraid! Be very afraid!" he laughed.
"That's right, Mr. Man. You are at my mercy!"
With that, she left the room to allow him some privacy.
When Ethan got out of the shower, he found a bathrobe waiting for him. It was plaid and, thankfully, manly. As he put it on, he breathed a sigh of relief that Theresa hadn't found something girly for him to wear. He had a difficult enough time maintaining his dignity around her as it was.
As he left the room, he could hear another shower running. He assumed she, too, was eager to wash off the seawater. He meandered down the stairs and into the living room. Walking around, he saw a number of framed photographs: a Lopez-Fitzgerald family photo from several years ago; a photo of Theresa and Whitney; a photo of Chuck and Theresa, which Ethan recognized from the newspaper article he had seen announcing their engagement; and a photo of a girl Ethan didn't know, who resembled Theresa and the other Lopez-Fitzgerald siblings with the exception that she had startling green eyes.
As he continued around the room, he noticed a shelf with a small stereo. Next to the stereo, he saw an empty Chris Isaak CD case and picked it up. He smiled. "So you're still listening to Chris Isaak? I guess some things never do change."
Memories flooded back.
Theresa had been having such a hard time since her breakup with Chuck. Ethan hated seeing her so upset, and he felt like personally tracking down the guy and punching him out. Couldn't he see what a wonderful girl Theresa was? Her laughter was infectious! Her enthusiasm, her spirit, her beauty all of it was something that didn't come along everyday. What was wrong with the guy?
Ethan still marveled at how Theresa had thrown herself into planning his wedding to Gwen. She tried to hide it, but he knew that at times, it made her think of the love she had lost.
Today was going to be a day she would never forget. He'd found out the truth of what she'd been hiding from him, and shortly he planned to confront her with the information.
He heard the front door open and small footsteps, and he knew it was her.
He crossed his arms when he saw her. "Theresa, I know what you've been hiding. Did you think I wouldn't find out?"
Theresa's eyes widened, and she felt like a deer in the headlights. How could he know? Yet he did. It was time to tell the entire truth. "Ethan, I can explain . . . ."
"You can explain how today is your birthday and you didn't tell me?"
Her tension eased. "Oh. So this is about my birthday?"
He laughed. "Of course! What else would it be about?"
"Nothing," she replied quickly. "Nothing at all." Thank heavens he didn't know!
"Eighteenth birthdays are very special. That's a milestone in a young person's life and should be celebrated."
"Not for this young person," Theresa replied glumly. "Mama's working, Luis is protecting your Aunt Sheridan, Miguel is with Charity, and Whit is playing in a tournament. There won't be much celebrating going on today."
"That's where you're wrong."
"What do you mean?"
"I mean that I have a surprise for you."
Her eyes lit up and she smiled gleefully. "A surprise? Oh, what is it?"
"Well, if I told you, it wouldn't be much of a surprise, now would it?" Ethan responded.
"At least give me a hint, Ethan!"
"Nope. No hints. Do you trust me, Theresa?"
She earnestly replied, "With all of my heart."
"Good. I've packed a bag for you. We're going to the airport."
"The airport? Ethan, I can't! I promised Mrs. Crane that I would take care of correspondences for her today," Theresa groaned.
"Mother's already been taken care of," he assured her. "There's nothing to stand in our way, Theresa."
Theresa threw her arms around Ethan's neck. "You are the best, Ethan Crane!"
When the duo arrived at the airport, Crane Industries' private jet was waiting for them. Theresa settled in a plush seat with Ethan next to her. "And you aren't going to tell me where we're going?"
"I told you. It's a surprise," he replied.
"Well then, let me know how long it will be until we land so that I will know how long I have to pry to secret from you."
"My lips are sealed." He looked at his traveling companion, and was once again amazed at how beautiful her brown eyes were. He'd never seen any like them.
Their eyes locked, and Theresa felt her mouth go dry. "Maybe I can unseal them for you," she replied.
The words hung between them, filling the air with tension. Ethan felt a sudden impulse to kiss her, but he shook it off. Theresa was his friend, nothing else.
"Um, do you mind if I check my e-mail?" Theresa asked.
"No, not at all," he replied, grateful for a chance to get a check on his ridiculous thoughts.
Theresa took out her laptop and began to look over her messages. Ethan, on the other hand, looked at some legal papers he had brought along. His concentration was shattered when he heard her begin to laugh hysterically. He looked at her and could see tears rolling down her cheeks.
"Theresa, what is it?" Ethan asked.
Gasping for air between laughs, Theresa replied, "Whit...forwarded this message. It's...it's so cheesy, it's funny! I would read it to you...but I don't think I can make it through without cracking up!"
She turned the laptop so that Ethan could read the screen. His eyes skimmed the text, and he began to understand why Theresa had been so tickled.
'Only the Crumbs Were Left
The Pillsbury Doughboy died yesterday of a severe yeast infection and complications from repeated pokes to the belly. He was 71. Doughboy was buried in a lightly greased coffin.
Dozens of celebrities turned out, including Mrs. Butterworth, the California Raisins, Hungry Jack, Betty Crocker, the Hostess Twinkies, Captain Crunch, and many others.
The graveside was piled high with flours as longtime friend, Aunt Jemima, delivered the eulogy, describing Doughboy as a man who "never knew how much he was kneaded."
Doughboy rose quickly in show business but his later life was filled with many turnovers. He was not considered a very smart cookie, wasting much of his dough on half-baked schemes. Still, even as a crusty old man, he was a roll model for millions.
Doughboy is survived by his second wife, Play Dough. They have two children and one in the oven.
The funeral was held at 350 degrees for about 20 minutes.'
By the time Ethan was finished reading, he, too, was laughing hysterically. He knew it was going to be a great day. Theresa always brought so much laughter to his life.
A short time and many laughs later, the duo's plane landed.
"Now will you tell me where we are?" Theresa begged.
"San Diego."
Her eyes grew wide. "Really? I've never been to California! Oh, Ethan, this is wonderful!" She gave him a quick kiss on the cheek. "What are we going to do here?"
"Who is your favorite singer, Theresa?"
"You already know that, Ethan. It's Chris Isaak, of course!"
He smiled at her and she squealed gleefully. "Ethan, are we going to see Chris Isaak perform?"
"We sure are."
"Oh, this is amazing! I have been wanting to go to one of his concerts, but he doesn't do much touring at least on the East coast. This is the best surprise you could have given me!"
"I was tempted to try to humble you, but I decided to be merciful. I see you found the robe," Theresa said as she hesitantly walked toward Ethan. His thoughts were interrupted, and he put the CD cover down.
"Well, my pride thanks you," he replied looking over at her. He drew in a breath. She wore a baby blue sleeveless dress, and her long, wet hair was pulled back into a ponytail. She looked simply breathtaking. Nervously, he touched his sleeve. "It's a nice robe."
She walked past him and sat on the couch, pulling a cushion onto her lap. "I bought it for Chuck, but he never had the chance to wear it. I didn't have the heart to throw it out, though." She tossed the cushion aside. "Your clothes are in the dryer now."
"You're a lifesaver," he replied. He would never have known how to operate a washing machine or a dryer.
"No. I'll leave that to you. So what was it you wanted to talk with me about?"
He sat down on the couch next to her and hesitated. "I'm not really sure how to approach this subject with you," he hedged.
"Well, I seriously doubt that matters can get any more awkward between us. Just tell me, Ethan."
Finally, he replied. "It's about my secret, Theresa. Our secret."