CHAPTER 14 Rainbow

"I understand why people want to live in California."

"You've said that about a million times, Teresa."

"I know, but I just can't help it. For the first time in weeks, I'm starting to feel like the walls are not closing in on me. I can breathe."

Fox and Teresa were sitting on the sand wearing their swim suits. They had decided to do something nice together. They had grew apart since they arrived in LA and neither of them like it.

"I'm going in the water, want to join me?"

"No. I'll sit here."

"You can't say no to me."

"Of course I can. See, no. I just said it again."

"Oh, I don't think so Teresa."

He moved toward her and she got on her feet.

"You can never say no to a Crane."

"Oh, but I can. What are you going to do to me anyway?"

"This."

He picked her up on top of his shoulder and started walking toward the ocean. He could feel her squirming.

"Don't you dare, Fox. Put me down right now."

"I'm sorry, I can't hear a word you're saying."

"I will freeze you out if you throw me in the cold water."

He laughed.

"I wasn't even going to do that."

"What were you going to do then."

"I'm not telling you. Besides, your idea is far better than mine."

He took her off his shoulder and held her in his arms. They gazed into each others' eyes.

"Noooooo!"

He had thrown her in the water without warning. She let go of his neck as she flew out of his arms and into the cold water. She came up grasping for air.

"I'm all wet."

"That was the idea."

"Go away."

He was laughing at her.

"And stop laughing."

"I can't, you should see your face."

He turned around and started to walk out of the ocean.

"Not so fast, Nicholas."

"What is it?"

He turned and faced her only to see a giant sea weed fly straight on his face. He heard her laugh, but by the time he had taken he thing off his face, she had disappeared.

"Teresa, Teresa!"

He felt a pair of hands around his waist.

"I think we're even now."

They both laughed and swam to the shore.

***************************

Whitney and Chad had just arrived at the beach. They were supposed to spend the day with Teresa and Fox. Ethan and Gwen were also on their way. They rang the bell, and the housekeeper answered it.

"Mr. Crane and Miss Lopez-Fitzgerald are at the beach."

"Thank you."

They walked down there and started searching for them. They didn't have to look for them for too long. They heard laughter and saw Fox carrying Teresa over his shoulder.

"They look like they're having fun."

Whitney felt a slight twitch in her heart.

"Yes, they do."

She forced herself to smile. The truth is, she didn't like seeing Teresa over Fox's shoulder and she liked it even less when she was in his arms. She wanted to be the one Fox threw in the water, she wanted to be the one he was looking at with that look on his face.

She walked up to the shore and waved her arm to see if they would see her but they were too caught up in each other.

"Why am I feeling this way. I mean she is my best friend and I want her to be happy. And Fox, he is a good friend, I shouldn't feel this way. Chad is the one I always wanted. He is the man I want to marry and be with for the rest of my life."

She kept looking at Teresa and Fox. She felt angry when Teresa came behind him and put her arms around his waist.

"I didn't know Teresa and Fox were that close."

"Neither did I."

"They're really good with each other. I think Teresa might have found her soul mate after all."

"No, her and Fox are not meant to be."

"Why would you say that?"

"I guess I don't see them happening."

"If you ask me, they are already happening. Look at them, I haven't seen Teresa like this in ages. And Fox is making it happen for himself and for her. He'll be good to her."

"Anyway, I'll just go and sit."

"I'll go with you."

She wished he would just stay away from her.

***********************

"So this is the Malibu beach house?"

"Yes, that's the one. But it's more like a mansion."

"It does have Crane written all over it."

They were walking in the warm sand when they spotted Whitney and Chad who were sitting down looking at something in the water.

"Guys...."

"Ethan, Gwen. Where's the baby?"

"With a sitter. What are you guys looking at?"

"Teresa and Fox."

Ethan and Gwen looked where Chad was pointing.

"They seem to be having so much fun."

"Yes, do you guys think that there's something going on between them?"

Ethan cringed at the idea.

"Why would you think that Gwen?"

"Look at them."

"They are just playing around. Besides, Teresa is dating Dylan."

"It's been over a while since they went out together."

"I'll believe that there's something between them the day they kiss in front of us."

Gwen looked at Ethan exasperated by his attitude. She thought he would come around once the baby was bon, but nothing. He was distant, and many times she caught him day dreaming and once she heard him say her name in his sleep. He spoke of her son more than he spoke of theirs. He carried more photographs of her son than he did theirs.

"They live together, Ethan. They don't need to show us anything."

"They're not in a relationship, Gwen. I'm Teresa's best friend and she would have told me if there was anything."

"Maybe she just wants to keep it to herself."

Whitney looked back at Teresa and Fox who were now running after each other on the shore. They were splashing each other with they feet. They were in their own world. They hadn't even realized that their friends were there. Whitney could see a rainbow forming in between them. She felt like she was about to cry. There are always rainbows when the rain stops she thought to herself.