Chapter 20

Blind

Teresa made her back to her cottage. She was overwhelmed by emotions. She wanted to laugh and cry all at the same time. She had given herself to Fox and he had given himself to her. It was more than they both expected. She knew they loved each other, but neither of them realized just how much until now.

She was a little nervous about encountering Ethan. How would she tell him? He would be so devastated. His life had taken so many changes and he still had so many surprises ahead of him. Could she do this to him? Maybe she should wait. She could talk to Fox and they could tell him later. After all, Gwen still had her news to break to Ethan and she would need to be there to help him pick up the pieces. After she felt Ethan was alright, she would break the news to him.

Teresa rounded the side of the cottage and stopped in her tracks. She watched as Ethan played with his son. He was so good with him. So proud of him. At that moment Little Ethan pulled up on his two feet and carefully walked five steps toward Ethan. His first steps! He feel down beside Ethan and clapped his hands together, "Daddy." giggling as he said it.

Teresa came running around toward them, "Oh, my God, Ethan his first steps. Did you see that. He took five steps." She picked Little Ethan up and gave him a big hug.

"Did you hear him? Did you hear what he just said? He called me Daddy? I can't believe it, he called me Daddy!" Ethan pulled Teresa toward him as she held Little Ethan. He caressed Little Ethan's head. "I love this little guy." He said taking Little Ethan from her and spinning him around.

All Teresa could do was manage an uncomfortable smile towards Ethan. She was overwhelmed with guilt. She had just slept with his half-brother. How could she have done this? Ethan cares for me so much. She looked at them playing. They were both so happy. He and Ethan were bonding so well and now Little Ethan had such a positive role model for a father. How could she deny them each other. How could she deny them the family they both so deserved? Teresa knew then what she would have to do, but she knew it wouldn't be easy.

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The next day was Saturday. Her and Ethan were going to take Little Ethan to the park for a picnic, but Ethan had been unexpectly called to work. Teresa thought today would be the perfect opportunity to tell Fox that it was over. She called her mom and asked if she could keep Little Ethan for a little while. Pilar jumped at the chance to keep her grandson. She loved him so.

After dropping Little Ethan off at his grandmothers, Teresa called Fox on his cell phone. He had agreed to meet her at the wharf. Teresa made her way there and slowly got out of her car. Her knees almost gave out from underneath her when she thought about the heartache she was going to cause.

She made her way to the docks where she saw Fox standing there looking out over the ocean. He's so handsome, she thought to herself. He looks so happy. I don't know if I can do this, she thought, getting sick at her stomach. But the she had to, for Little Ethan's sake. She took in a deep breath and made her way to Fox.

"Fox."

"Oh, Teresa, I'm so glad to see you." He leaned down to kiss her and Teresa let it happen. She knew this would be the last kiss that they ever shared and she made the most of it.

Breaking away from their kiss, "I love you, Teresa."

"Fox, we need to talk." I can't do this she thought to herself. Yes, you can. You can do this.

"Ok, shoot." He was so happy, he finally had his Resa.

"Fox, we can't do this anymore. I can't do this anymore."

"What are you talking about. I thought you loved me." His heart was breaking.

"I do, I mean, I thought I did. Yesterday should've never happened Fox. I got caught up in the moment. I'm so sorry." She was crying.

"No, no, you're lying. I know you are. I know you love me."

"No, Fox, you're wrong. I love Ethan. We have a son together, and he deserves to have a family."

"He can, Teresa, with me. Ethan can still be involved in his life. I would never deny either one of them that." He reached out for her hand. She walked towards her and placed his hand on her face. He reached down and brushed his lips across hers.

"NO!" Teresa stepped back, pushing Fox away. "No, Fox, this stops here. I don't love you, never did love you. What's done is done. I can't change that. I must say though that it was fun, but now it's over. My place is with Ethan and our son. Now if you'll excuse me I have to be leaving." She appeared strong on the outside, but was breaking down on the inside.

He grabbed her arm, hurting her. "No, Teresa, I can't let you do this. I can't let you walk away. I love you, so much. You love me, I know you do. Are you so blind that you can't see that?" He was sobbing.

"Apparently, Fox, I am." With that she turned and walked away.

Fox just stood there in a daze as he watched her walk away. What just happened he thought to himself? He had truly lost her this time. Most of all he had lost her to Ethan. She didn't love Ethan, he knew it. She loved him no matter what she said. She was doing this for her son, no one else. She was denying her own happiness to give her son the life she thought he deserved. Fox reached down in his coat pocket and pulled out a little black box. He slowly opened it to reveal the most beautiful, flawless diamond ring. He examined it's beauty. Though it was near perfect, it didn't compare to his Teresa. She was perfect, perfect in everyway. He closed the box and rared back and threw it as hard as he could watching the splash as it landed in the ocean.