Ugh! I hate the way hospitals smell.
The smell was the first thing that Theresa noticed as she woke up in her hospital room. The next thing that caught her attention was that she felt better. Not great by any standards, but much better than before. When she opened her eyes she had to smile. Ethan was sitting in the chair next to her bed, resting his head on his arms that were draped across her legs, and he was asleep.
He loved her so much. She knew he did. And she hadn't been very nice lately. What was it he was always talking about? Common ground? Well, maybe she should stop being so hostile toward him and help him find it. They had enough to worry about without being at odds with each other. Theresa tried to shift around in the bed without waking him, but it didn't work. He woke up the minute he felt the covers move.
"Hey. How you feeling?" He took her hand and looked at her intensely.
She smiled. "I'm feeling better. I could still sleep for awhile though."
"I think that's probably a really good idea." He was still looking at her steadily, but a definite twinkle had begun to flood his eyes. "I talked to Eve while you were sleeping. She wanted to talk to us together, but I didn't want to wake you."
"Did she tell you that I was right? That this is just the flu?"
"Yeah actually, she did. But she said that there was something else that was making you feel sick." His eyes and the small smile that he couldn't hide gave him away.
"I'm pregnant?" Her voice was a small squeak.
He nodded, smiling fully now.
I'm pregnant. I'm having a baby. In the middle of all this chaos. My brothers are trying to stay out of jail, Julian is trying to take our livelihood, and Papa wants back in my life…now I'm pregnant too? I don't know if I can do this. Wait a minute! What am I saying? I'm having a baby!
"Honey?" Ethan was looking at her in concern, some of the joy ebbing from his face.
"It's just a shock I guess. But…OK. We're having another baby!" The tears fell as husband and wife hugged each other.
"Hmmm. Number four. Do you think we're up for it?" Ethan asked.
Theresa kissed his cheek. "You always say that together we can face anything. So I guess we can handle four kids!"
Just then Pilar knocked on the door with Luis, Miguel, Paloma and Noah behind her in the hallway. "Mija? Can we come in?"
"I called them earlier." Ethan offered in way of explanation before answering for her. "Sure. She just woke up."
"I must say you look better than I thought. Though I guess as a mother I always think the worst." Pilar kissed her daughter and everyone else gathered round. Pilar looked more closely. "What is it? You look like when you were little and were trying to keep a secret. Are you…?" She covered her mouth and realization dawned across her face.
"I hope you won't mind becoming a grandma again." Theresa teased.
It quickly became apparent that Pilar didn't mind and there was much talking and laughing going on before Theresa noticed him.
Her father in the doorway.
"What is he doing here?"
The room became deathly quiet and then Luis answered. "He stopped by the station this morning right after Mama called. I told him we were coming to the hospital to see you and of course he wanted to come see you too."
Martin looked contrite. "I know you don't want me here, but when I heard you were in the hospital I had to come. I'm so glad you're going to be OK. And another grandchild is wonderful!"
"You have no claim over this child or any of my children!" The venom in her voice struck him to the core and his shoulders dropped.
"Mija!" Pilar was shocked. "That is not way to talk to your father!"
"This man is not my father! And he is not welcome here."
"Theresa!" Ethan knew that she wasn't on the best of terms with the man, but this was ridiculous.
"Baby Doll, I'm sorry…"
Whatever self control Theresa had left her at that moment.
"Get out!"
Martin left without a backward glance. Ethan gave her a look that clearly said, "I can't believe you just did that!" then followed.
And her earlier desire to find common ground left with him.
"Chief?"
Sam looked up to see one of his rookies standing in front of him.
"Yes?"
"We have the registration on the gun that was used in Fox Crane's shooting." He handed the paper to Sam who looked at it then shook his head and dropped the leaf on his desk in disgust.
"It's registered to Miguel Lopez-Fitzgerald."
Pilar was pacing in anger. The rest of the family had retreated to the hallway to give Theresa some time to cool off.
"Theresita! How could you? No matter what your feelings are toward him, he is still your father!"
Theresa sighed tiredly. "Mama, I'm not really up for a lecture right now OK? I'm tired, and frankly I don't think I can handle one more thing. Between Luis and Miguel's trials, Julian and Katherine trying to take the company back, Papa trying to act like he hasn't been gone for most of my life, fighting with Ethan about it all, and now finding out I'm pregnant…"
"What? Fighting? Why would you and Ethan be fighting?" Pilar's tone turned from lecturing to worried immediately. "You can't be getting stressed out Mija. It's not good for the baby."
"I know that Mama!" Theresa tried to take it down a notch. "Look. It's nothing for you to worry about. I'm just saying that with every thing going on right now, I feel like I'm just hanging on. Like it wouldn't take much to make drown me."
Pilar kissed Theresa's forehead. "You try to get some rest. We'll talk about your father another time."
Theresa was too tired to argue anymore. She quickly fell asleep; dreaming of swirling water, sinking ships, and a hand that was barely clinging to hers.