A FAMILY WORTH SMILING FOR


By: Sweetwater Gal


Summary: A Theresa/Fox fanfic. After one last night of seeing Theresa heartbroken, Fox vowed to give her something worthy of her smile; A family for herself and her son. And surprisingly enough: Alistair is behind the plan 100%... but the question is WHY?

Rating: PG-13 for mild swearing and slight sexual content

Disclaimer: None of the Passions characters are mine! I wish I owned Fox but Theresa can have him... oh, the only character I own is Maile and any none Passions characters.

A/N: This is my very first Passions fanfic so please go gentle on me. Oh, and R/R if you can! Thanx!


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Chapter One:


"Theresa?" He gently opened the door, slowing peeking his head into her dimmed room. The only light on was the small nite light she kept solely for her baby's comfort. Nicholas Foxworth Crane slipped through, softly making his way towards her bed.


"Theresa?" Fox, as he's often referred to, whispered to the apparent sleeping form. He eyed his young "step-mother", allowing himself to have his breath taken away by the petite beauty. His heart lurched at the sight before him. Here was this beautiful creature in peaceful slumber, and yet from the sight of crumpled tissues it was clear that she cried herself to sleep.


Fox sighed, running his hand through his brownish blond hair. "Oh Theresa... you can't keep hurting yourself like this. That bastard's not worth any of your tears..." He knelt down and began picking up the tear stained tissues, softly inhaling her scent, causing his heart to break even more at her current state.


When he was done cleaning up, Fox gently pulled the covers over her, tucking Theresa in with as much care as parental figure to a child. He watched her for a while, trying to figure out where to go from here, when he heard a soft noise behind him. Fox turned around and smiled at the tiny figure.


"Let me guess, you faked being asleep so that you can watch your mother crying without her worrying about feigning strength for you, huh?" Fox strode over to the crib, softly picking up Theresa's son, little Ethan Martin. Refusing to refer Theresa's child with the same name of the man that caused her tears, "So little one, I guess I'm not the only man in your mother's life that can see right through her..."


Little Ethan looked down at his mother, then looked up at Fox with the same eyes that mirrored Theresa's. Fox himself managed to tear his eyes off Theresa to behold the little boy in his arms. They met eyes and Fox studied him. A bunch of emotions swept through Fox as he regarded little Ethan. Finally his face remained in a troubled state, especially as he recalled the conversation he had with this grandfather, Alistair, regarding little Ethan. He was startled to now realize that little Ethan, especially at the way this child was staring at him now, must know, if not sense, the truth as well.


Fox laughed softly, cradling little Ethan. "Well now, I guess the only thing we have to do now is let your mother in on our little secret, huh?" In sync, they both turned their eyes to Theresa. "But not tonight... we'll start tomorrow, okay?" He turned to little Ethan. "How 'bout we roll your crib on over to my room tonight? Let your mommy have a good night's sleep. Is that all right with you? We can bond over cartoons!" Fox paused, then slightly joking, "You are old enough to watch Bugs Bunny, right?" Little Ethan gave him this look, which caused Fox to laugh. "Okay, okay, I know! Dumb question..."


He placed little Ethan back in his crib and began preparing all the necessary baby equipment like diapers and bottles. When he was ready to stroll the child on out, Fox gazed back at Theresa. He walked over to her, placing a gentle kiss on her forehead. "Let all your troubles go tonight, Theresa. Tomorrow, I promise you, you're going to get the family you've always wanted for yourself and for your son..." With a small knowing smile, he softly added, "A worthy husband and the father you've always promised little Ethan. I promise you, Theresa, tomorrow you'll get a family worth smiling for."