*Disclaimer: I am in no way affiliated with Passions, NBC, or JER. I don't own these characters so don't sue me!
CHAPTER 5
Crane Mansion
Ivy entered the mansion and set down all of her shopping bags by the front door and then dropped off her keys, handbag, and hat on the table in the middle of the foyer. She heard voices in the living room and preceded forward to see who was there.
"I agree Father. You should be the head of Crane Industries. It's not my time yet and I'll try to find a way to convince grandfather," Ethan told Julian.
"That's my boy," Julian encouraged with a slight slur as held his glass of brandy in the air.
"Well Julian, trying to get Ethan in your side of the ring," Ivy inquired to make her presence in the room known.
"Hello, Mother," Ethan managed to say. He was sure he was in for a tongue-lashing. "I actually agree with Father on this matter. It's not my time yet."
"Well Darling, as honorable and honest a young man you are, I'm not surprised. But you both know there's no changing Alistair's mind once he's made a decision. I guess that's something we should all know. Don't you agree, Julian," Ivy asked her husband with a raised eyebrow.
"Yes, well, I'm sure you two have some exciting wedding merger plans to talk about," Julian said, grabbing the brandy decanter, "so my little friend and I will be in the library." With that Julian left the room and Ethan prepared for the worst.
"Alright, Ethan. We have some things to discuss," Ivy said with serious tone.
"I can explain, Mother," Ethan stood up.
"SIT!"
Ethan sat down, not sure where to start, but luckily he didn't have to.
"First, let's get one thing straight," Ivy continued. "I love you, and all I want for you and your sisters is happiness. Now, tell me, what would make you happy?"
This was not something Ethan had expected. He wasn't really sure how to respond.
Ivy saw how hesitant he was. "Let me put it this way: do you love Gwen?"
Now Ethan began to speak, "Yes. Well, I don't know anymore. I have great respect for her. I always thought I loved her, but I never had a chance to know otherwise. I guess I feel like both of our families just expected it so –"
"Stop right there. Now, how do you feel about Theresa," Ivy asked calmly.
His mind began to reel. How did he feel about Theresa? How didn't he feel about Theresa? "Every time I see her my stomach does a flip and my heart leaps and skips. She makes me laugh. We have fun together. I feel like I can tell her anything. She's my best friend," Ethan replied.
Ivy then knew the truth, and her heart swelled for her son. "That's all I need to know, Darling. You have my blessing. I know you two will be very happy."
"What are you saying, Mother?"
"Oh Ethan, I know what's going on. I saw the chemistry between you and Theresa in the hospital when Gwen and Rebecca were throwing accusations around."
"And you're not angry," Ethan pushed.
"Not anymore. I was furious. But there's no way I would stand in the way of your love and happiness. When I looked at the two of you, it reminded me of the love I once had and lost."
"The love you shared with my father?"
"Yes," she sadly answered, "the love I shared with your father."
"Mother, thank you. Your blessing means everything to me, and I know it will to Theresa, too. She thinks the world of you."
"She is a wonderful girl, especially if she makes my son happy and adores me," she brightened. "That reminds me, I had a talk with Theresa and she knows most of my plan, but you don't!"
"What plan?"
"Well, first of all, you're going to have to be the one to tell Gwen, Julian, and Alistair that the wedding is off. It would too suspicious if I had a part in it. But here's the just of it…"
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