~*~
Fox and Theresa embraced. "Fox, what are we going to do?" Theresa asked again.
"Don't worry, we'll figure something together. We make a good team."
"Yeah." Theresa agreed. "We do, don't we."
"We can beat this, Theresa."
"I'm just so scared." Theresa said.
"I am too, but we have to believe we can get through this. Every couple goes through some rough times."
"Yeah." Theresa sighed, holding on to Fox tighter.
"Look, I can't let them hurt you Theresa so we're going to have to keep our relationship under wraps."
"You mean, sneak around?" Theresa asked.
"If Father and Grandfather find out that I didn't break things off with you, there's no telling what they might do to you."
"I understand." Theresa looked down.
Fox tilted Theresa's chin upwards. He stared deeply into her eyes and said, "I love you, Theresa. If something happened to you, I'd never be able to forgive myself."
"Oh Fox." Theresa kissed him softly. She sighed. "Hmm..what can we do?" Theresa wondered. Suddenly an idea popped into her head. "We can run away together."
"What?"
"You heard me. We can run away together. We can get away from Harmony."
"But Theresa-"
"But what?"
"Harmony is your home. This is where all your family and friends are."
"I know, but I'd risk it all for you. I love you Fox."
Fox was deeply touched that Theresa would sacrifice so much for him. "Look, that's sweet of you, but I can't ask you to do that. Besides, if we run away now, we'll be running for the rest of our lives. I don't want you to have that kind of life. What about your son? We can't just up and leave and keep running. Your son needs stability in his life-especially now since he's still young."
Theresa's hopes were instantly shot down; however, she knew that running away wasn't the best solution. "I know. You're right."
"Don't fret, Theresa. We'll think of something. Now, let's go back inside."
"Yeah." Hm..I already know what Audrey was going to tell me. But I wonder what Ethan's got to give to me, Theresa thought.
~*~
Ethan looked down, ashamed that he was caught. "Pilar, I-"
"Don't say anything yet, Ethan. Let me do the talking for now."
Ethan became silent. He couldn't look Pilar in the eyes, for he was afraid of the anger that was evident in them.
"Ethan look at me." Pilar demanded. Ethan's gaze slowly settled on hers.
"You are traveling that same path that my daughter once chose. Don't do it Ethan. Don't try to break them up. Fox and Theresa love each other. I know that it may be difficult for you, but you missed your chance to be with my daughter already. You had your chance to start things over with her, but instead you proposed to Gwen."
"I know."
"The choices you make, Ethan, have consequences. You must be a man and accept them."
Ethan swallowed hard.
"My daughter finally chose to move on. I know it must be hard to accept that Theresa has moved on with another man. What's more surprising is that she chose Fox."
"Yeah." Ethan agreed.
"It surprised me, and I was against it at first. However, you can see the love in Theresa and Fox when they're with one another. Fox has changed a great deal. I know you've noticed."
"Yeah, I have."
"You see, I believe that change came about because of Theresa. She's good for him and he's what she needs right now, Ethan."
Ethan made no comment.
"Ethan." Pilar said more gently. "You must let her go. She will always have a place in your heart, and she will be a part of your life. She is the mother of your child."
"But she can't be the part of my life that I want her to be."
"Yes, Ethan. As much as you want her to be yours, she just can't. She's made her choice. Theresa's finally moved on. Ethan, let her go. Move on with your own life. It may be hard, but it's what you must do."
Ethan sat down and rubbed his temples.
"Ethan, do the right thing."
"I just don't want to lose her. I still love Theresa."
"Deep down, Theresa will still love you Ethan. You were her first love. You're still special to her, but now, Fox is the one who has her heart. Please Ethan, move on with your life. Trying to win back Theresa's heart will be useless because you won't be able to. You'll only end up hurting yourself and others. Instead of dwelling on the fact that you've lost her, try to remember that you're the father of her child and you'll be forever connected to her because of that. She'll still be here, Ethan. You don't need to be her boyfriend. You need to be her friend. That's what she needs from you."
Ethan sighed. "You're right, Pilar. But it's so hard."
"I know it's hard, Ethan. But once you overcome this, you'll be a stronger man and you'll be thankful for the experience."
"I will?"
"Yes, because this experience will have taught you so much."
"Well, it has taught me a lot." Ethan admitted.
"Be Theresa's friend. Remember, that's what she needs from you." Pilar said. She reached over to take Little Ethan. "Time for your nap." She told her grandson.
"Thanks, Pilar. You've really opened my eyes." Ethan said before she left the room.
"You're welcome, Ethan."
Pilar's right. I have to let Theresa move on with her life. I can only be her friend. "Well, that's better than nothing." Ethan said aloud.
"What's better than nothing?" asked Theresa as she and Fox entered the room.