Chapter Three:
He gazed out the window with a wistful expression on his face. That could be him. He could have a family now. If only he hadn't been so stupid. Made his choice sooner. Before it was too late. He cringed whenever he remembered that time. No wonder Luis couldn't stand him. He was nothing but an arrogant snob. An arrogant snob stringing two women along.
The memories haunted him. He could still picture Gwen's face. Still hear her words. "I deserve better than this. For goodness' sake Ethan. We--me and Theresa both--deserve better than this. I've had it. I'm through with you. Make your decision. I don't care anymore." And she walked out of his life. He still saw her in social settings. She was polite to him. Quite the lady. But there was no more warmth in her eyes for him.
He'd gone to her. Theresa. And gotten the door slammed in his face. He'd waited too long. Cost her too much. She looked at him, and the love in her eyes was tempered with something else. Something he couldn't name. He lost them both in one night. And realized what a fool he had been.
She left for New York a month later. To follow her dream. The next time he saw her was Luis and Sheridan's wedding. He knew he was only there per his aunt's wishes. Luis couldn't forget the past. With good reason. Her brown eyes were sparkling with laughter as she congratulated the newlyweds and made a toast. The guilt he felt when that light dimmed was too much. He slipped away unnoticed minutes later.
It couldn't be avoided. Their paths had passed numerous times over the past years. Luis was never impolite to him. For Sheridan's sake. But he was always wary. Always on guard. Daring him to hurt his sister again. He hoped to someday win his respect. Luis had already won his. For making Sheridan so happy. And giving her Ali. But especially for allowing them to be a part of that little girl's life after Sheridan's death.
Three years ago, they had come to an understanding. Three years ago as they said goodbye to a woman they both adored. And Ethan said goodbye to the only father he had ever known. They came to realization that they weren't as different as they once thought. As they laid to rest two people who had had an enormous impact on both their lives. Ethan didn't expect friendship. But he was honored to have Luis's respect. No matter how grudging. They came to a compromise. Ali was still a part of their lives. She brought them together. And always would.
And gradually, he was winning Theresa's respect back as well. She was very close to her niece. They shared a special bond. A bond forged because of their loss. He looked forward to their visits. They gave him a welcome respite from his otherwise empty life. Life as the Crane heir was a lonely life. If only he could travel back in time and do it all over again, he thought as he watched them drive away. If only.
He gazed out the window with a wistful expression on his face. That could be him. He could have a family now. If only he hadn't been so stupid. Made his choice sooner. Before it was too late. He cringed whenever he remembered that time. No wonder Luis couldn't stand him. He was nothing but an arrogant snob. An arrogant snob stringing two women along.
The memories haunted him. He could still picture Gwen's face. Still hear her words. "I deserve better than this. For goodness' sake Ethan. We--me and Theresa both--deserve better than this. I've had it. I'm through with you. Make your decision. I don't care anymore." And she walked out of his life. He still saw her in social settings. She was polite to him. Quite the lady. But there was no more warmth in her eyes for him.
He'd gone to her. Theresa. And gotten the door slammed in his face. He'd waited too long. Cost her too much. She looked at him, and the love in her eyes was tempered with something else. Something he couldn't name. He lost them both in one night. And realized what a fool he had been.
She left for New York a month later. To follow her dream. The next time he saw her was Luis and Sheridan's wedding. He knew he was only there per his aunt's wishes. Luis couldn't forget the past. With good reason. Her brown eyes were sparkling with laughter as she congratulated the newlyweds and made a toast. The guilt he felt when that light dimmed was too much. He slipped away unnoticed minutes later.
It couldn't be avoided. Their paths had passed numerous times over the past years. Luis was never impolite to him. For Sheridan's sake. But he was always wary. Always on guard. Daring him to hurt his sister again. He hoped to someday win his respect. Luis had already won his. For making Sheridan so happy. And giving her Ali. But especially for allowing them to be a part of that little girl's life after Sheridan's death.
Three years ago, they had come to an understanding. Three years ago as they said goodbye to a woman they both adored. And Ethan said goodbye to the only father he had ever known. They came to realization that they weren't as different as they once thought. As they laid to rest two people who had had an enormous impact on both their lives. Ethan didn't expect friendship. But he was honored to have Luis's respect. No matter how grudging. They came to a compromise. Ali was still a part of their lives. She brought them together. And always would.
And gradually, he was winning Theresa's respect back as well. She was very close to her niece. They shared a special bond. A bond forged because of their loss. He looked forward to their visits. They gave him a welcome respite from his otherwise empty life. Life as the Crane heir was a lonely life. If only he could travel back in time and do it all over again, he thought as he watched them drive away. If only.