Disclaimer: I think by now everyone knows I don't own Passions. Just sayin'...

Chapter Twenty-Eight: "The More Things Change. . . . "

Theresa Lopez-Fitzgerald walked through the backdoor of Miguel and Charity's house and into the kitchen. It still felt surreal to be there. So many things had changed since she left Harmony, but when she walked into her old home, she was amazed at how she was taken back in time.

"Hey, Sis," Miguel said tousling Theresa's hair.

"Hi Miguel," Theresa replied, still looking around the kitchen. With the exception of Hope and Joy's drawings, which adorned the outside of the refrigerator, it looked the same. So many hours had been spent in that room. Late night talks with her mother over hot cocoa and marshmallows, evenings spent cooking with Whitney and dreaming about their prospective futures, ice-cream consolation dinners after an upsetting encounter with Ethan. The kitchen held all of those memories and more.

"Are you alright? You have the strangest expression on your face."

"I guess I was just thinking. It just seems as though the more things change, the more they stay the same."

"If you say so," Miguel said shaking his head. His sister had always been so dramatic. That certainly hadn't changed. "Listen, I got an e-mail from Mama earlier today."

This news captured Theresa's attention away from her surroundings and her memories. "Really? How is Mama? I miss her so much!"

Miguel smiled. "She seems to be doing well. She told me that she wasn't used to living in such prosperity. It seems those investments really paid off."

"Investments? What investments?" Theresa asked.

"Just some stuff that Ethan helped her with. I don't know all the details."

"Ethan did that for Mama?" Theresa asked.

"Yeah," Miguel replied as if it was the most natural thing in the world. He glanced at the expression on his sister's face and found himself starting to feel worried. He wished he had never even brought up Ethan's name. "Mama also has some other news. In fact, she mentioned that she has how did she put it? a gentlemen caller. His name is Eduardo."

An audible breath escaped from Theresa as she sat down at the kitchen table. "I'm so happy to hear that! I didn't think that Mama would ever get to the point that she would even entertain the possibility of pursuing a relationship with a new man. Papa was her life."

Miguel nodded. He remembered vividly how their mother lit a candle each night and prayed for the return of her husband and oldest son. Pilar's stories of Martin Fitzgerald alternately filled their household with laughter and tears. Miguel desperately wished he could remember his father.

Thoughts of his father particularly filled Miguel's mind when he became a father himself. When he held his daughters and looked into their luminous brown eyes, he was filled with a sense of awe and wonder. He had so many hopes for his children, and it made him speculate whether his father had held him as a small child and had the same hopes.

"I still remember when Luis suggested re-mortgaging the house to get a better interest rate," Miguel said. "But of course, it would mean Mama would have either have to divorce Papa on grounds of abandonment or else have him legally declared dead because Papa's name was on the paperwork. Mama wouldn't hear of it, though. Not without knowing what had happened to him."

"I remember that," Theresa said quietly.

"I was so angry with Luis that night," Miguel mused.

"But he was always looking out for the family even if he was overbearing."

"What do you mean 'was'?" Miguel asked with a grin. Theresa playfully punched his arm.

"I'm so glad that Mama is allowing herself to meet new people. I wish she wasn't so far away, but it seems as though the old country agrees with her."

"Our mother is a strong lady," Miguel said. "And sometimes when I look at you now, Theresa, I see her strength in you."

Theresa shook her head. "N-no. I'm not a strong person, Miguel. I could only ever aspire to be the type of woman that Mama is. I still yet have a lot of things to atone for."

Miguel reached out and took his sister's hand. "You're stronger than you give yourself credit. You're like a cat, Theresa. You always land on your feet."

"I know that I disappointed everyone. You, Luis, and especially Mama. She tried to warn me. Over and over, she did. I just didn't want to listen. I have so many hopes for the future, Miguel, but there is one overriding hope that I have. I want to make her proud and be the kind of woman she would want me to be." Theresa felt tears sting her eyes, but she was determined to not shed them.

"Theresa, Mama is proud of you. So proud," Miguel assured her.

"I I'm not at that point yet where I can believe that. But someday, Miguel. Someday."

Theresa and Miguel turned when they heard the sound of laughter and little feet.

"Tia Theresa!" Joy and Hope squealed in unison. The little girls ran to their aunt and climbed up in her lap, each competing with the other for Theresa's attention.

"Hey, you two!" Theresa said hugging them tightly. She looked over at her brother and silently mouthed, "Thank you."

Charity walked into the kitchen carrying the twins' shoes and socks. "They were so excited that their Aunt Theresa is taking them to the park, they rushed down the stairs when they heard your voice. They wouldn't even let me put on their socks and shoes!"

Theresa looked down at the girls she held in her laps. "You know what happen to little girls who don't wear their shoes, don't you?"

"What?" Joy asked.

"The tickle monster comes out!" Theresa exclaimed tickling each girl's side. They squealed and slid off her lap, running to their mother.

As Charity and Miguel each began to put shoes on their daughters, Charity looked up at Theresa. "Theresa, thank you so much for offering to take Joy and Hope to the park. They're always talking about you, and when they found out they were going on a picnic with you last night, I didn't think I would ever get them to sleep."

Theresa smiled. "Well, I think I'm the one who should be thanking you. I'm just glad to be able to have the opportunity to spend time with them. I went too long without being around my nieces."

"I'm going to leave you with our cell phone number should you need to reach us. Miguel and I will probably be in and out. We were hoping to get some shopping done. The girls' birthday is coming up in a few weeks, and trying to go to the store with them is chaotic!"

"I can imagine. I remember how Miguel was when he was little. Always grabbing onto everything," Theresa said with a wink.

"Hey, I wasn't the only one!" Miguel protested.

"And with two sets of hands to look out for, shopping is a grand undertaking."

"I understand completely," Theresa replied.

Charity walked to the counter and wrote down the cell phone number on a post-it note. She walked to Theresa and placed it in her sister-in-law's palm. Suddenly, the strangest sensation overcame her. She rubbed the top of her blond head, trying to make sense of the feeling which was invading her very being.

Noticing the perplexed look on Charity's face, Theresa asked, "What is it? Is something wrong?"

Charity squinted and hesitated. "I I don't know. I had the strangest feeling just now. Something's going to happen, Theresa. I don't know what, but it's something big."

Theresa looked over at Miguel and saw the concern which was made evident in his features. At one point, no one took Charity's premonitions seriously, but over time, everyone came to realize that they had the uncanny habit of coming true, in one fashion or another.

"I'm sorry," Charity said shaking her head. "I didn't mean to worry you."

"No, it's fine," Theresa assured her. "Joy, Hope, and I are going to have a wonderful day at the park, aren't we girls?"

"Yeah!" came the twins' eager response.

Miguel handed Theresa a tote bag with the necessities for the twins; sippy cups, a change of clothes, the usual. "I'll go out and put their car seats into your car," he said.

"Sure. We'll be right out," Theresa replied.

A moment later, after the girls said their good-byes to their mother, Theresa followed her brother out, holding on to each girl's hand. She turned back to glance at Charity, who seemed lost in thought.

I wonder what she meant by something big is going to happen, Theresa wondered.


Ethan Crane sat on the park bench, observing people as they walked past him. He glanced at his watch for what must have been the umpteenth time. His client was late. Very late. Usually, such a meeting would have taken place in Ethan's office. Why Mr. Harrison had insisted upon meeting at the Harmony Park was beyond him, but Ethan also happened to know that Mr. Harrison was a man who did not usually follow protocol.

"This deal had better go through, or I'm going to have Father breathing down my neck," Ethan muttered.

Just as soon as he'd said that, he heard the familiar ring of his cell phone. Pulling it from his jacket pocket, Ethan answered, "Ethan Crane here."

"Ethan, this is Jack Harrison. I apologize, but I won't be able to meet with you this afternoon."

"Is everything alright?"

"Fine. Fine. Nothing's changed with the deal. I just" His voice lowered. "Well, this is rather embarrassing, but Mrs. Harrison was angry with me for spending so much time at work. I told her I would spend the afternoon with her. Please, accept my most sincere apologies."

"I understand," Ethan replied. "I'm married myself, and I know how all of that goes. Good day to you."

"Good day."

Ethan put away his cell phone and sighed. It was a perfect day. The sun shone brightly, but it wasn't too hot. A gentle breeze blew, rustling the leaves on the trees. As he breathed the air in deeply, he could almost smell autumn in the air. It wouldn't be long.

Around him, he heard the laughter of children. So carefree. So happy. He wished he could remember what it was to feel untroubled; what it was to feel an utter sense of contentment.

Stop feeling sorry for yourself, Crane. There's nothing so pathetic as a man absorbed in self-pity.

He stood and began to walk along the path back to his car. As he passed the swings, he saw a young couple there. They looked to be about college-age and oblivious to all else but each other.

The young lady was on the swing with her companion pushing her. Her laughter filled the air around them.

Ethan closed his eyes. Images filled his mind.

Standing at the top of the hill, Ethan could see the large body of water below. "Are you sure this is safe?" Ethan asked as he sat on the swing next to Theresa.

"Positive. Whit and I used to come out here all the time. There's nothing quite like it!"

He and Theresa had been working on wedding plans, but when he had mentioned that there was still so much about Harmony he didn't know and so many places he hadn't been, that made their day take an entirely different turn. Theresa had insisted upon taking him to Hidden Hollow.

It was a quaint little recreational area, built and run by an older gentleman named Arda Lee who had lived in Harmony all his life. During the spring and summer, Hidden Hollow was the locals' best kept secret. Yet during the fall and winter, the place came to life with Christmas decorations and lights. People from all over the state came to see Arda Lee's spectacle.

When Theresa had suggested going to Hidden Hollow, it seemed like a good idea at the time. Yet uncertainty now gripped Ethan as he stood at the top of the hill and prepared to swing over the water with Theresa. What if the ropes on the swing broke and they both went tumbling into the water? And what if being around Theresa became too much for him? That was a distinct possibility, as well. He found himself thinking about her when she wasn't around, wondering what she was doing. Everything was starting to get out of hand.

Theresa looked at him. "Are you ready to take the plunge?"

Ethan looked at her with doubt.

"Sorry," she laughed. "Poor choice of words!"

"You're going to be the death of me yet," he replied with a grin.

"At least you'll have fun in the process," she countered. "Now come on! You're going to love it. I promise!"

"If you say so."

They both lifted their feet, and the swing dipped down the hill over the water. Ethan felt his stomach drop and laughed. Everything around him passed by so quickly as they went back and forth.

"I almost feel as though we're flying!" he exclaimed to Theresa who smiled at him.

"It's the next best thing," she replied, her voice full of laughter.

When they finally pulled themselves away from the swing, Ethan and Theresa sat in the grass, surveying the natural beauty around them.

"That was incredible, Theresa. You've given me the most amazing gift."

Theresa tilted her head. "What's that?"

"The gift of the unexpected. Everything in my life has always been planned. Always. And everything has been planned around everyone's expectations of me, too. But you you don't do that to me. With you, I'm just plain Ethan."

"Ethan, believe me when I say there is nothing plain about you," Theresa replied with earnestness.

Their eyes locked, and Ethan felt this magnetic pull to Theresa; a pull he was going to have to overcome. Over the last few weeks, the pull had become stronger. After the accidents stopped and the stalking misunderstanding was cleared up, the two developed a rapport like none other he had ever experienced. Being around Theresa made him feel so alive. He was comfortable with her and could be himself, but he was also excited by her vivacity and beauty. Every day he spent with her was a day of new discoveries.

He looked away and exhaled. Closing his eyes, he could see Gwen's beautiful, trusting face in his mind. He had loved her for as long as he could remember. They practically grew up together. She was the first girl he had ever kissed, the only woman he'd ever made love to. Being away from her had been difficult. He wished desperately that her job hadn't taken her away so much in the last few weeks. He appreciated and respected her business savvy, but wished she were back in Harmony, nonetheless.

Ethan glanced at Theresa who was lying on the grass, staring at the sky with a starry look in her eyes and perfect contentment on her face. He was grateful she didn't know what he was thinking. He had to get a handle on things! He tried to tell himself that his feelings for Theresa would not exist if Gwen were in town.

But was it true?

No, it had to be!

It was Gwen who helped to keep him focused on what was important and focused on those things he really wanted.

But what did he want? Was it what everyone else wanted? Did he really want what was expected of him?

Light laughter invaded his thoughts. "Do you see it?" she asked.

"See what?"

"Lie back," Theresa instructed him.

He did as he was told, and she pointed up toward the clouds in the sky. "The clouds are drawing so many pictures for us today," she explained. "Over to the right is a huge frying pan. And slightly to the left of that is a Vera Wang dress in the sky."

Ethan smiled as he tilted his head. It came within close proximity of hers. "I don't know, Theresa. It looks more like a Versace creation to me," he replied playfully.

With mock seriousness, she said, "Trust me, Ethan. I know my fashions, and I know my clouds. That is definitely a Vera Wang design."

Ethan turned over on his side and propped his head on his hand. "You always see so many possibilities."

Theresa turned to look at him. "How could I not when there are so many possibilities to be seen?" she replied with passion in her voice. "Life is about more than concrete plans and expectations, Ethan. Life is one big possibility!"

She settled back onto the grass, smiling to herself. "Ah, the possibilities," she murmured. "For countless years, people have watched the clouds float during the day and gazed at the stars at night. For countless years, people have looked around themselves and dared to see not what is, but what could be. It's the possibilities. The possibilities drive us, just as surely as blood rushes through our veins."

Slowly, hesitantly, Ethan reached for Theresa's hand. Her fingers became intertwined in his own as they lay on the ground silently looking up the sky and thinking of all the many possibilities.

Feeling an object hit his leg lightly, Ethan looked down. A large rubber ball had come from nowhere, and he picked it up.

A little girl with long, dark hair and a tanned complexion came running after it. Ethan nearly gasped when he saw the owner of the toy. She reminded him so much of the young Theresa he had seen in the photographs.

Looking up at him with her luminous chocolate colored eyes, she smiled. "Did you know you have my ball?"

"So I do," Ethan replied, handing the ball back to her. "What's your name?"

"I can't tell you."

"Why not?"

"I'm not supposed to talk to strangers. Mama and Papa told me so."

Ethan smiled. "That's probably a very wise decision. But what if I weren't a stranger? What if you knew my name? Would that make things any different?"

The child seemed to consider his words. "I guess so."

"Good. I'm Ethan Crane."

"And I'm Hope Lopez-Fitzgerald. Pleased to meet you," the child said extending her tiny hand.

Ethan took it in his own and shook it. Of course she resembled Theresa. This must be one of Miguel and Charity's daughters. But where were her parents?

"Who are you with today, Hope?" Ethan asked.

"My sissy and aunt," she replied. "I ran after my ball. Do you think they'll be mad at me?"

"Well, perhaps once we explain the situation to them, they won't be," Ethan replied. "Come on, let's find them."

Just as soon as they began back down the trail, Theresa came rushing up still holding onto Joy with one hand and had a picnic basket, blanket, and tote bag in the other. She immediately focused on her niece and didn't seem to notice Ethan.

"Hope, you had me scared to death!" Theresa exclaimed dropping the items from her arms and pulling her precocious niece into an embrace.

"I just went to get my ball," Hope explained.

Theresa kissed Hope lightly on the forehead. "Next time, wait for me. Okay?"

Hope nodded.

Theresa finally looked up at the man, and her eyes widened. "Ethan," she said simply.

Ethan managed a smile. "Hi, Theresa. Looks as though you have your hands full," he commented.

"I guess you could say that," she replied. "Thank you for keeping her from going any further. She's such a dreamer, she just doesn't think about those she's leaving behind."

"Sounds familiar," Ethan replied with a wink.

Theresa felt her cheeks grow hot and knew they must be reddening. She prayed that Ethan didn't notice.

Hope looked at her sister, and Joy nodded at her. Both had the strangest expressions on their faces, and Theresa couldn't help but see it. It reminded her of the peculiar expression she'd seen on their mother's face earlier that day. "What are the two of you up to?" she asked.

"I feel funny, Tia Theresa," Joy said, a frown forming on her features.

"Me, too," Hope said.

Theresa felt their foreheads. They didn't feel as though they had fevers. She looked up at Ethan and shrugged. "Neither of you feels warm."

Hope looked up at Ethan, and he could feel her brown eyes piercing him. She still had the strange expression on her face. Tilting her head to the side, Hope announced, "You love her, don't you?"


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