Chapter 30

Teresa's Good-Bye

Fox opened his eyes. He had been asleep for what seemed like an eternity. He turned his head to see Teresa sitting there looking at a magazine. "Teresa."

Teresa put down her magazine and sat on the edge of chair. She took Fox's hand in hers. "Hello, sleepy head. You've been out for 2 days. I guess your pain medicine is a doozy, huh?" They laughed.

"I've actually been out that long?" He asked.

"Off and on pretty much. I think Dr. Russell wanted to get you through the worst part of your pain. She's gradually decreasing your dose. I believe she wants you up and walking around today. Hopefully you'll be able to go home in another couple of days." She smiled. "Look, Fox, now that you're awake I have a few things I need to talk to you about." She said seriously, tears coming to her eyes. She still couldn't believe he was gone.

Fox reached up and softly touched her cheek. "Teresa, if this is about Ethan, I already know."

She looked down at him a little confused, "But, how, how do you know. You've been asleep this whole time."

He smiled, "Teresa, I don't think you'd believe me if I told you."

"Tell me, Fox. How do you know? Did you overhear us talking? I know, that nurse told you didn't she? How dare her. She had no right!." Teresa was becoming angry.

"Calm down. Geez, you get worked up so easy. You're more like your brothers than you'd like to admit." He smiled and she smiled in return. She knew it was true. "I know this is going to sound crazy, but Ethan told me, he came to me in my dream. He explained everything. He apologized for all those years that were wasted hating each other. He told me that I needed to take good care of you and Little Ethan. He also said that he would watch over us. Always."

"I still can't believe he's gone, Fox. I mean just three days ago, we were sharing Little Ethan's first birthday party. Now look at us. We've lost Ethan. You're lying in a hospital bed. Luis was just released. Whitney is still recovering. So many people hurt by one woman's actions. And poor Gwen, she lost her mother. I mean I know that Rebecca was looney, but still it was her mother. I think Gwen is taking it harder that she wants everyone to know. I don't think I could ever fully turn my back on my mother, no matter what she did." She paused for a second. "Speaking of mother's, Fox. I think you're mom is finally coming around. She actually apologized to me. She wants us to be like we once were. Believe it or not, she also wants to be a part of Little Ethan's life. Hey, Julian even apologized. Maybe there's hope for us all just yet." She give Fox a little push on the shoulder.

"Yeah, maybe you're right, Teresa. You know I heard everything Mother and Father said before I went back for surgery. I truly think they meant it. Who knew they had a heart?" He smiled at her. "But you're the only reason I lived, Teresa. The hope that you loved me and would be waiting on me gave me reason to pull through. I love you, Teresa and I want to be with you. Forever!"

"We can be together, Fox. Forever! You just get yourself up and well and out of this hospital!" She said to him pointing her finger at him. "I mean it!" She tried to look serious, but couldn't and busted out laughing.

"You're a loser, Teresa!" He joked.

She played hurt, "Well, smarty pants, what does that make you?" She pouted.

He shrugged his shoulders, "A loser lover I guess." They laughed.

She got up and bent down and kissed him on the lips. "Let me go tell your nurse since you're awake. They will probably want to come help you get up and walk around. If it's okay, I'm going to leave for a little while. They are holding Ethan's memorial service today. I'll only be gone for a little while. I'll be back as soon as I can."

He held onto her hand for a second, "Teresa, I promise, when I get out of here, I'll make all this up to you. I'll give you the life you've always wanted." He gently kissed her hand.

She smiled back at him, "I know."

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Teresa went to the cottage and changed for Ethan's memorial service. She only wanted to go long enough to say good-bye and then she would leave. The past fews days had proved hard for Teresa. They were almost too much to bare. This was all she could manage to do. She just couldn't sit there and listen as people reminisced about Ethan. It would just be too painful. Besides she knew Fox would need her. He was dealing with his own injuries, guilts and loss for Ethan. Someone needed to be with him also. Teresa made her way to the mansion where they were holding his services. She knocked and the maid came to the door.

"Oh hello, Teresa. Come on in."

"Thank you, Phyllis. I've came to pay my respects to Ethan. Is anyone else here yet?"

"No, Teresa. The services don't started for another 45 minutes. Would you like to wait in the solarium?"

"No, I would prefer to say good-bye alone. I'm going to go back to be with Fox. I hate to think of him alone when he's also suffering a loss."

"That's very kind of you, Teresa. I know Fox appreciates your support. If you don't mind, I'll leave you alone. If you need me I'll be in the kitchen."

"Thank you, Phyllis."

With that Teresa made her way to the great room where Ethan lay. She made her way over to his casket. She couldn't believe that this was the man that she had loved for so long. So still, so quite. No, she shook her head. This isn't him. He's in a better place. She reached down and touched his hand.

Last night I hade a crazy dream.

A wish was granted just for me,

It could be for anything.

I didn't ask for money

Or a mansion in Malibu.

I simply wished for one more day with you.

One more day.

One more time.

One more sunset maybe I'd be satisfied.

But then again,

I know what it would do.

Leave me wishing still for one more day with you.

"Ethan, I just wanted to say thank you for everything you've ever done for me. You've been one of the most important men in my life. You've helped me through some difficult times and though we've had our ups and downs we never stopped loving or caring for each other."

First thing I'd do is pray for time to crawl.

I'd unplug the telephone,

Turn the TV off.

I'd hold you every second.

Say a million I love you's.

That's what I'd do with one more day with you.

One more day.

One more time.

One more sunset maybe I'd be satisifed.

But then again,

I know what it would do.

Leave me wishing still for one more day with you.

"You will always have a piece of my heart and my soul. I mean, you gave me the best gift of my life. My son. I promise I'll do everything I can to help him grow into a man that you would be proud of. I'll never let him forget you, either. I'll always tell him how much you loved him, even before you knew he was your son. I'll never forget you, Ethan. Never."

One more day.

One more time.

One more sunset maybe I'd be satisifed.

But then again,

I know what it would do.

Leave me wishing still for one more day with you.

One more day...One more day with you.

She turned away from him. She couldn't look at him anymore. This wasn't the Ethan she wanted to remember. She wanted to remember the Ethan that was so full of life and love. She wiped the tears from her face and started to walk out when a voice stopped her.

"Teresa, Teresa, wait!" The woman yelled.

Teresa turned to the woman behind her, "Hello, Ivy. Did you need something?"

"Teresa, I just wanted to say thank you for everything you've ever done for my son. I know we haven't been on the best of terms lately, but I know everything you ever did for him was for love. Believe me, I understand, I did anything and everything I could to get Sam back because I loved him and I thought he loved me. I know Ethan loved you with all his heart, Teresa."

"Thank you, Ivy. I loved Ethan, too. He was my first love. The father of my child. I'll never forget him." Teresa paused for a second as the tears welled up once again in her eyes. She breathed in a deep breath of air and faught them back. "If you don't mind, I'm going to go be with Fox. I trust I'll see you and Julian there?"

Ivy nodded, "After the memorial service Julian and I plan on coming over together. We have a lot of catching up to do."

"Fox is looking forward to it." Teresa smiled.

"Really?" Ivy asked excitely.

"Really! I'll see you later then. Good-bye."

"Goody-bye, Teresa. See you then." She waved bye. She turned and smiled. She may have lost one son, but now she had a chance to rekindle a relationship with her other son. Something good comes out of everything, she thought to herself as she wheeled back into the great room to sit with Ethan awaiting the first guests.

****Hope you guys like. The song is again by Diamond Rio, "One More Day". Obviously, I like Diamond Rio. I would like to thank everyone for their reviews. It's been fun reading them and writing this story. This story will be winding up pretty soon.****