Epilogue

25 years later...

Teresa sat at her vanity doing the finishing touches on her hair and make-up. Today was going to be a big day. As she sat down the tube of lipstick she glanced at the family photo that sat on the side of her vanity. She picked it up and looked at the faces in the photo. She had such a wonderful family. It had grown so much over the past 25 years. She looked at her Mother and Father. They were still so in love. She then looked at Luis and Sheridan. They had three children of their own. Twins girls named Reagan and Ashton. They were now 22 years old and a spitting image of their mother. They also had their first son, Asher Lopez-Fitzgerlad who was 27 years old. He, of course, was Luis made over. He was the high school heart throb and quarterback of the football team. He graduated with honors and eventually graduated from Harvard with a law degree. He is married now and his first baby is on the way.

She then focused on Beth and Antonio. They had gotten together shortly after Sheridan came out to Antonio with the truth of her and Luis's love for one another. It took a little longer for them to marry. Both were hurt over loosing what they thought were the love of their lives. But eventually they fell deeply in love and were married five years later. Beth eventually gave birth to their first and only daughter 2 years later. She named her Larkin Lopez Fitzgerald. She has grown to look like her grandmother, Pilar. Good thing, because they are inseperable.

Her eyes then went to Kay and Miguel. Kay had fought for Miguel for so long and after the birth and tragic death of their first baby, Miguel finally realized that he was destined to be with Kay. Charity eventually left town and allowed them to be together. Unfortunately, Kay and Miguel were never able to have children of their own again. They decided to adopt a son and daughter from a local orphanage and have also opened their home to countless other foster children.

She then looked at her and Fox as they stood among their family arm in arm. Today was their 25th wedding anniversary and they were never more in love. He had proven to be a wonderful husband, father and provider. He was know head of Crane Industries. Julian retired a few years ago to spend a life of leisure with Eve. They were out and about traveling the world. Teresa had worked part time as his assistant and full time as a mom. Fox had adopted Ethan shortly after his fathers death. Teresa smiled warmly at Ethan who stood beside them in the picture. He was so handsome. So much like his father. At times she looked at him and thought she was looking at Ethan's ghost. Ethan and Luis and Sheridan's son, Asher had grown up together. There was only a few months between them and they had attended Harvard law school together. They now had a very successful practice located just outside of Harmony.

Seven months after they were married, Teresa gave birth to their first daughter. They named her Destany, because she was conceived on that night they first made love. The night they knew they were destined to be together and she was destined to be here. Teresa broke the news to Fox that she was pregnant on their honeymoon. She had found out after they spent their weekend at the cabin following Fox's hospitalization. Destany was beautiful. She had her mother's dark soulful eyes and long brown hair. The one thing she had of Fox's was his smile. She had his mischevious smile. She was also a daddy's girl. Fox loved the fact that she was a younger version of Teresa. It made him remember why he fell in love with Teresa to begin with. She was a dreamer just like Teresa. Believed in love at first sight and in fate and destiny. She had decided to follow her mothers dream and is pursuing a career in fashion.

Three years later, Teresa gave birth to another daughter. They named her Piper and she looked very much like her father. She was a blonde bombshell. She was tall and fair complected just like Fox. She also had his mischevious grin and his quirkly little attitude. The one feature she had acquired from Teresa were her eyes. Fox loved the fact that all of their children, including Ethan, had their mother's dark, soulful eyes. Piper had just turned 21 and is currently attending a local University with hopes of becoming a journalist.

"Honey, are you ready?" Fox said coming behind her and handing her a rose.

Teresa sat down the picture, "As ready as I'll ever be. I can't believe he's getting married today. On our 25th anniversary none-the-less. Time passes by so very fast, Fox." Tears came to her eyes.

"Yes, my dear, it does. Time has been kind to you though. You're still as beautiful as the day I met you."

She kissed him on the lips, "You're not too bad yourself."

"I love you, my Resa. Forever!" He softly touched the side of her cheek with his hand.

"And I love you, Fox. Forever!" She smiled.

"I'm going to go get the limo ready to take us to the church. I'll meet you outside, let's say in 10 minutes." He said looking at his watch.

"I'll be down in a minute." He took her hand and kissed it and then turned and left.

Teresa's thoughts turned to the last words she had with Ethan before he passed away. He had given her a letter he had written for his son and asked that Teresa give it to him when she felt the time was right. Teresa knew her son would've wanted his father here today, but that wasn't possible. She knew today would be the perfect day to give him the letter. She opened the drawer to her vanity and pulled out the envelope. It was still sealed. She had never even had the urge to read it. She knew that the words were only meant for Ethan Martin. She slipped the letter down in her purse and went to meet Fox.

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At the church, Ethan stood there fidgeting. He was scared to death. He had heard all the stories of how all the weddings in Harmony were jinxed. He was almost ready to go get his bride and tell her they were running away when a comforting hand was placed on his shoulder. Ethan turned around to face the man in front of him.

"There's no need to be nervous. Not every wedding in Harmony is jinxed. Look at your mother and I. Our wedding went off without a hitch and we're still very much in love today." Fox tried to reassure Ethan.

"I know, I'm just a little leary I guess. Have you seen her?" Ethan asked in anticipation.

"Yes, and she's beautiful!" Gwen Hastings said happily. "Sorry, I didn't mean to interrupt."

"No, no. You didn't." He smiled at his future mother-in-law. Ethan was marrying Gwen and David's daughter, Constance Hastings. "Could you do me a favor, Gwen?"

"Anything for my favorite son-in-law." She smiled.

"Could you give her this?" He handed her a tiny box. "It's a six-pence for her shoe. My mother wore it the day her and Fox got married. They've always seemed to have such good luck."

Gwen took the box, "I'll take it to her now."

"As I was saying, Ethan. There's no need to be nervous. You two love each other unconditionally. I think that's what some of the doomed marriaged lacked."

"I guess you're right."

"I want you to know that you're mother and I are very proud of you Ethan. I know that I can never take the place of your father, but know that I love you like you were my own." Fox said sincerely.

"Thank you, Fox. That means a lot to me. I know you did the best with what was handed to you after my father's death. Trust me, there's no one else in this world I would choose to have stepped into his shoes than you."

"Thank you. I guess I should be looking for your mother."

Teresa walked up to her son, " Here, I am. Ethan, I have something I want to give you." She handed him the envelope. He looked at it funny.

"Mom, what is this?" He asked curiously.

"It's a letter from your father, dear. He wrote it the day he...the day he passed away. He told me I would know the right time to give it to you. I felt today would be the right time." Teresa looked at Fox. "Honey, let's go take our seats. I'm sure Ethan would like some time alone." Teresa reached up and kissed her son on the cheek. "We love you, dear. You'll make a wonderful husband. Constance is a lucky woman."

Ethan stood there looking at the envelope as if he was afraid to open it. He turned it over and slowly began to open it. He took out the piece of paper and unfolded it. Tears came to his eyes as the read it.

Dear Son,

I write this letter as I'm lying here in bed. I know that I don't have too much longer to live, so I felt I should write you a letter to let you know how proud I am to be your father. You are too young to explain all of this to as I write this letter, but I'm sure now that you're reading this you have reached a pivotal point in your life. I gave this letter to your mother in hopes that she would one day give it to you. Knowing Teresa, it's your wedding day. She was always a hopeless romantic. What I want to say is that though you may not have seen me during your life, I have always been there. I was there the first day of school. I was there for everything fall, every scrape. I was there for you're first kiss and you're first heartache. I was there when you graduated high school and I'll be there for whatever else you may pursue in life. If this in fact is your wedding day, I'll be there. Know that I am proud of you and I love you with every fiber of my being. I wish only the best for you in your life and I hope you one day find the love that your mother and I once shared. Treasure your mother, Ethan, she's truly one in a million.

Love Always,

Your Father

"Are you alright man?"

"Asher, yeah, I'm...It's just this letter." He rambled.

"You sure everything's okay? Who's the letter from?"

"My dad."

"Your dad, but how can that be?" Asher asked confused.

"My mom gave it to me, said that my dad wrote it before he died." He said softly.

"Look, man, I never knew your dad, but I'm sure he's very proud of you." He patted his shoulder as men do.

"Yeah, I hope so. I guess it's time isn't it?" Ethan asked.

"We'd better made our way up front." Asher walked away.

Ethan turned to follow him, but was stopped when he noticed all the candles in the vestuble light up at once. He felt a warm breeze follow. He smiled and spoke softly to himself, "Thanks dad! I knew you'd be here."

That's it you guys! I hope you like my story. If you didn't I'm sorry. It was my first of course. R&R and tell me what you think. I do have some ideas for another story, but haven't really started anything yet. Be on the lookout for it. Thanks for all the nice reviews! See ya soon!