~*~

Ethan was strolling around town thinking about Theresa and Little Ethan. If only there were some way to get Fox out of the picture. I know he couldn't possibly be in love. He has never even experienced it. What makes him think that he could be in love with Theresa? Well, Ethan thought, Theresa has that effect on people. Who couldn't fall in love with her? He smiled.

A toy store on the corner of the street caught his eye. Hmm.. He thought to himself. Maybe little Ethan would like some toys. After all, he is my son. Ethan walked into the store.

                                                                        ~*~

Theresa was singing to her son as he played with his toys. He gave his mother a toothless grin. Theresa smiled back. "You look just like your father." She said. 


Pilar entered the room. "Theresa."

"Yes, Mama?"

"I'm going to ask you one question, and I want you to be honest with me."

"Mama? What is this about?" Theresa asked.

"Fox."

"Oh, Mama. I thought we went through this already."

"We did. But I just want to ask you one thing."

"Fine. What?"

"How serious are you about Fox?"

"Very serious, Mama. Why?"

"Hm. Well, that leads me to one more question."

"Which is?"

"You think you'll marry him?"

"I don't know yet Mama. We just started dating. I love him a lot though."

"Okay, Theresa. Just be careful."

"Mama." Theresa said exasperatingly.

"Theresa- you're getting mixed up with the Cranes again. You know that leads to trouble."

"Fox and I love each other. That's all that matters."

Pilar sighed. "Promise me mija. Promise me you'll be careful."

"I promise Mama." Theresa got up and hugged her mother. "I'll be careful. Don't worry about me. Fox and I love each other and our love will overcome the obstacles in our path. We won't be torn apart."

"I hope so, Theresa. I hope so." But you said that the last time you were with Ethan. Pilar worried.  

                                                                        ~*~

Ethan left the store with a bag full of toys for his son. "He's going to love these." Ethan said to himself. Whistling and content, Ethan walked down the street and passed a jewelry store.

He stopped, turned his head and decided to go in.

Ethan looked carefully at the displays of rings. "May I help you sir?" asked a woman from behind the counter.

"Yes." Ethan said.

"Are you looking for a ring for your wife?"

"My wife?"

"Well sir, I couldn't help but notice the bag full of baby toys that you're carrying. I assumed you had a wife."

"Oh- well, I'm getting something for someone very special."

"Not your wife?"

"My wife and I divorced." Ethan mumbled.

"Oh, I'm sorry."

"You don't have to be sorry about anything. Could I take a look at that ring there?" Ethan pointed to a red sapphire ring surrounded by diamonds. The light reflected off of the jewels making it sparkle brilliantly.

"Of course." The woman unlocked the case and carefully took out the ring. "It's very beautiful." She commented.

"Yes it is. Just like the woman it's for."

The woman smiled. "She must be really special to you."

"Yes, she is. She means the world to me. I'll take this."

"Okay. Would you like me to wrap it?"

"Yes, please."

Once Ethan finished making his purchase, he walked out of the store. I'll take these over to Theresa's now. I can't wait to see the look on her face.

                                                                        ~*~