[:-{cHaPtEr 5-:] DiLeMmAs
Author's Note: Sheesh... like I've said before, this story is NOT 4 Theresa fans... get a grip! I don't like her and we're all entitled to our opinion. Don't like Gwen, don't read this fic, I just wanted to make this clear right now. I write what I want and feel like, y else is this called fanfiction? So yea, I don't have to go along with EXACTLY how the show is rite? Well, I like getting reviews even if they're not... complimentary, but u know if you're going to tell me how to write my story, bite ass & don't read this, thanks.
Summary: Just as Gwen and Fox were about to make up, they are interrupted but later given advice from an unlikely person. Sam and Grace seem to be sliding apart as Sam and Ivy become closer despite her claim to give him up.
"There you are, Gwen. I've been looking all over for you. Hello, little brother." none other than Ethan said.
Ethan looked a bit suspicious at Gwen and Fox sitting together but luckily he didn't see them kissing. He stared at the two of them for a moment but his expression cleared up. He looked a bit breathless and his cheeks were flushed.
"I'm really sorry, honey. I know that we were supposed to go out to dinner but my boss just called and Theresa needs help with some executives and some paperwork. I don't think I will take that long. Why don't you meet me at the restaurant at 8? I should be finished by then."
"Sure, Ethan."
"What're you guys doing out here anyway?" Ethan asked suspiciously.
"I just wanted to pick some flowers to decorate the house with and asked Fox to help, I didn't want to wake you." Gwen thought up an excuse quickly.
"Okay. Well, I've got to get going. See you later." Ethan said, as he pecked Gwen on the cheek.
Gwen stared at Ethan and the rose in her hand, as though the flower was willing her to make a decision. And it was going to be a difficult one. She loved Fox, she really did, no point in denying it. But with Ethan, everything would be perfect. She would have the perfect life, get the approval of her mother; she really would have anything except one thing that was missing from her and Ethan's relationship. Love. Honest, unconditional love from both parties. She wasn't even sure Ethan felt the same way either, as she felt him slip farther and farther away from him.
It also seemed as though he sure was spending a lot of time with Theresa lately. She was actually secretly glad that he was becoming close to Theresa because it made her feel less guilty about being with Fox. Again her ring was becoming a heavy weight on her hands.
She looked at Fox, who was busy staring at the house. She wondered what exactly was he thinking and then remembered that he had a lot of explaining to do. Seems like Theresa was everywhere Gwen didn't want her. There was no way to get rid of that girl, she was ready to pounce on any opportunity to get what she wanted no matter what stood in her way.
It wasn't Gwen's fault that she didn't like Theresa. Theresa practically stole her boyfriend away from her. She tried to be nice to Theresa, and to know that Theresa was plotting to steal away her boyfriend the entire time. She and Ethan had a perfectly stable relationship before Theresa walked into the picture.
And now she seemed to be bonding with Fox a lot lately. It didn't matter; she knew that Fox loved her. She was still angry with him for hanging around Theresa like that after proclaiming his love for her. She stared at Fox waiting for a response from him.
Finally after an awkward silence he said, "I guess you're waiting for me to explain."
Gwen didn't say a word. Just stared at everything else except his face.
"You're starting to have feelings for her, aren't you?" Gwen asked.
Fox paused. He said, "I love you, Gwen, I always have. That will never change."
"You didn't answer my question, Nick."
"I- I don't know."
Gwen once again felt a roar of rage. Every time Gwen seemed to have a chance with happiness, something always stood in the way. It was either her mother or Theresa especially. It seemed like she was destined to be miserable her whole life and only coming in second best to everything. She sighed and then heard footsteps coming closer to Fox and Gwen.
"Father." Fox said, looking up.
There stood standing above the two, was Julian Crane. He was in an expensive suit and had a pipe in his hand.
"I saw you two." Julian said. He wasted no time in getting to the point of a conversation, which was a reason Fox liked his father.
"What do you mean?" Gwen wasn't sure what he was talking about and she felt her heart pounding as she realized that Julian may have spotted them kissing.
"Don't feign innocence, Gwen. You know exactly what you were doing with my son. Tell me are my suspicions correct? Has this been going on for awhile?" Julian asked.
"No, Father." Fox said. For some reason, Gwen felt a stab of pain in her stomach. She felt angry that Fox would deny their relationship even though she knew he very well couldn't tell Julian that they had a past that may have rekindled.
"Don't lie to me, Fox." Julian warned.
"How do you know I'm lying?" Fox challenged.
"Don't act as if I'm blind, son. I see the way you've been looking at Gwen. The odd, long glances you give her. The strange tension there is surrounding you two."
Fox and Gwen looked at each other and wondered if they should tell Julian the truth. Finally, Fox broke the silence and decided to tell his father the truth, for once.
"Yes, father. Gwen and I... we love each other, for a very long time now."
"Does Ethan know?" Julian asked.
"No he doesn't." Gwen said quietly.
"I was getting the feeling that you two love each other. Gwen, you are engaged to Ethan and I know you'll probably ignore my advice but, understand that to marry someone and be happy, you must love them. And son, this is the first time where I've seen you truly happy and treat a woman with respect. If you two love each other, I will not stand in the way but the longer the truth stays hidden, and more lies are told, it will be much harder for the two of you. Believe me, I know. I wish you two luck." Julian said as he went back into the Crane Mansion.
Fox and Gwen looked at each other in bewilderment. They couldn't believe that long speech came from JULIAN CRANE. Anything is possible, they supposed. But Julian had a point. The truth had to come out but Gwen still wasn't sure about whether she loved Fox enough to be with him. There was also the issue about whether she could trust him or not.
"I'm sorry, Gwen. Theresa means nothing to me, and deep down I know you know that. There is no other person that makes me feel the way you do. There is no explanation for what I did. It was a stupid mistake that practically cost me the one girl I've truly loved and I really am sorry. Gwen, I know you could probably never forgive me, but I ask that you try." Fox said, sincerely.
"Nick, I can't handle all of this right now. I- I have to meet Ethan for dinner soon and get ready. I need some time to think." Gwen said, nervous and sad.
Fox saw how sad Gwen seemed and let her go. Normally he would force her to answer him but he saw her expression. She was starting to forgive him, he could tell. He kissed her hand as he watched her go into the Mansion. A smile began to spread across his face, the girl he loved was coming back to him, and he could feel it.
* * * *
Sam and Grace sat in the kitchen at night drinking coffee and discussing the matter of Ivy living in their household.
"Sam, I just don't want her in my house. I don't trust her. Look at how many times she has tried to break us up, there's no telling what she's capable of."
"Grace, she has nowhere to go. As soon as I find somewhere she can stay, she will be out of this house."
"I know, Sam. I'm just worried, that's all."
Sam laid his hand on Grace's reassuring her with a pat of his hand. She then smiled lovingly at her husband. The nagging feeling of Ivy Crane so close to Sam, in her own home was still bugging Grace. She couldn't shake off that Ivy was up to her old tricks and trying to tear them apart. She let her suspicions go out in the open with Sam.
"I just know that Ivy is up to no good, Sam. She never has been. I can't count how many times she has tried to tear us apart. You know that your relationship with her never ended. She was tricked into thinking that you didn't love her anymore and she never did stop loving you. I just believe that she is still at it."
Sam thought to the night before where Ivy confessed all of her secrets. He saw it in her eyes that she was telling the truth. He couldn't very well tell Gwen that he was in Ivy's room the night before innocently. It would just worry her more. But he knew that Ivy really was a good person and that she was going to give up all her bad habits and just try to pay attention to her children.
"I disagree, Grace. I don't think that she is trying to break us up. But I know someone that is also in the way of our relationship if you want to name names, and that is David. Why is it that David is much more welcome in this household than Ivy is?"
Grace sighed and said, "David has done nothing to try and tear us apart which makes it much more different than Ivy's situation. He is a good man and I enjoy talking with my son."
Sam couldn't help but feel anger towards David. He knew that it sucked when David lost his wife and finds out that she had amnesia and married another man. Still, he felt that David was deliberately trying to steal Grace back even though she was his wife to begin with.
"Maybe I should wake Ivy up. She's been asleep for hours." Sam wanted to get out of the room before Grace could ramble on and on about David.
Sam knocked lightly on Ivy's door but received no reply. He decided to just go in and see if she was still asleep. He turned the knob slowly and opened the door. There in the bed lay Ivy, clothed in her nightgown. The blanket covered most of her body but a bare shoulder peeked out. She looked like an absolute angel.
Sam smiled at Ivy's sleeping form. He remembered the night when Ethan was conceived and it brought back happy memories. Finally, he frowned, remembering that he was with Grace, the woman he loved. And Ivy was just a friend now.
"Ivy." Sam whispered lightly near her ear.
Ivy began to stir and tossed over to the other side of the bed, her back facing him. Sam resisted the urge to laugh but smiled anyway. He whispered to her again, "Ivy."
Ivy's eyes began to flutter and she looked around. Her eyes finally focused upon Sam and she rubbed her eyes.
"Morning." Sam said happily opening the blinds of the windows casting bright sunlight into the room.
"Sam. Morning." Ivy's face went back the pillow and her voice was muffled.
"C'mon, Ivy. Don't you want breakfast?" Sam asked brightly.
"Not particularly." Ivy said sleepily.
Sam knew that Ivy did not enjoy waking up early and usually woke up grouchy. He couldn't help but laugh at her behavior. Just like the Ivy he used to love. He took the pitcher of water near the table near her bed and held it up over her head. He whistled lightly.
Ivy lifted her head slightly and her eyes looked to the pitcher filled with water. Her eyes widened and she jumped in her bed. "DON'T SAM!!!"
Sam chuckled and began to put the pitcher down. Ivy began to relax and right away Sam flung the pitcher upward, flinging some water on Ivy's face and neck.
The cold water stinging her sleepy face, Ivy yelled at Sam. "YOU ARE A DEAD MAN!"
Sam just continued to laugh as he went to the bathroom to get some paper towels. He wiped her face and neck free of the water and it left her face pinkish from the rubbing. Her blonde hair was mussed, her eyes still a little bit bloodshot but she still looked radiant to Sam.
Ivy finally gave in and began to laugh also. She threw the moist paper towels and hit Sam squarely in the face. He began to tickle her while they laughed uncontrollably like they were still young. Finally, they regained composure and Sam's face was inches away from Ivy's.
Ivy's conscience screamed for her not to get excited or kiss him. She was so close to getting something she's wanted for the longest time and now she was resisting. Her mind was going a mile a minute when she felt the light pressure of his lips against hers. 'He's kissing ME. I'm not kissing him!'
Ivy was so surprised that she just sat there not knowing what to do. She tried not to kiss him because she promised that she would do nothing to interfere in Sam and Grace's relationship. But she couldn't deny herself it was too much. She returned his kiss with as much passion.
...........................
Author's Note: Sheesh... like I've said before, this story is NOT 4 Theresa fans... get a grip! I don't like her and we're all entitled to our opinion. Don't like Gwen, don't read this fic, I just wanted to make this clear right now. I write what I want and feel like, y else is this called fanfiction? So yea, I don't have to go along with EXACTLY how the show is rite? Well, I like getting reviews even if they're not... complimentary, but u know if you're going to tell me how to write my story, bite ass & don't read this, thanks.
Summary: Just as Gwen and Fox were about to make up, they are interrupted but later given advice from an unlikely person. Sam and Grace seem to be sliding apart as Sam and Ivy become closer despite her claim to give him up.
"There you are, Gwen. I've been looking all over for you. Hello, little brother." none other than Ethan said.
Ethan looked a bit suspicious at Gwen and Fox sitting together but luckily he didn't see them kissing. He stared at the two of them for a moment but his expression cleared up. He looked a bit breathless and his cheeks were flushed.
"I'm really sorry, honey. I know that we were supposed to go out to dinner but my boss just called and Theresa needs help with some executives and some paperwork. I don't think I will take that long. Why don't you meet me at the restaurant at 8? I should be finished by then."
"Sure, Ethan."
"What're you guys doing out here anyway?" Ethan asked suspiciously.
"I just wanted to pick some flowers to decorate the house with and asked Fox to help, I didn't want to wake you." Gwen thought up an excuse quickly.
"Okay. Well, I've got to get going. See you later." Ethan said, as he pecked Gwen on the cheek.
Gwen stared at Ethan and the rose in her hand, as though the flower was willing her to make a decision. And it was going to be a difficult one. She loved Fox, she really did, no point in denying it. But with Ethan, everything would be perfect. She would have the perfect life, get the approval of her mother; she really would have anything except one thing that was missing from her and Ethan's relationship. Love. Honest, unconditional love from both parties. She wasn't even sure Ethan felt the same way either, as she felt him slip farther and farther away from him.
It also seemed as though he sure was spending a lot of time with Theresa lately. She was actually secretly glad that he was becoming close to Theresa because it made her feel less guilty about being with Fox. Again her ring was becoming a heavy weight on her hands.
She looked at Fox, who was busy staring at the house. She wondered what exactly was he thinking and then remembered that he had a lot of explaining to do. Seems like Theresa was everywhere Gwen didn't want her. There was no way to get rid of that girl, she was ready to pounce on any opportunity to get what she wanted no matter what stood in her way.
It wasn't Gwen's fault that she didn't like Theresa. Theresa practically stole her boyfriend away from her. She tried to be nice to Theresa, and to know that Theresa was plotting to steal away her boyfriend the entire time. She and Ethan had a perfectly stable relationship before Theresa walked into the picture.
And now she seemed to be bonding with Fox a lot lately. It didn't matter; she knew that Fox loved her. She was still angry with him for hanging around Theresa like that after proclaiming his love for her. She stared at Fox waiting for a response from him.
Finally after an awkward silence he said, "I guess you're waiting for me to explain."
Gwen didn't say a word. Just stared at everything else except his face.
"You're starting to have feelings for her, aren't you?" Gwen asked.
Fox paused. He said, "I love you, Gwen, I always have. That will never change."
"You didn't answer my question, Nick."
"I- I don't know."
Gwen once again felt a roar of rage. Every time Gwen seemed to have a chance with happiness, something always stood in the way. It was either her mother or Theresa especially. It seemed like she was destined to be miserable her whole life and only coming in second best to everything. She sighed and then heard footsteps coming closer to Fox and Gwen.
"Father." Fox said, looking up.
There stood standing above the two, was Julian Crane. He was in an expensive suit and had a pipe in his hand.
"I saw you two." Julian said. He wasted no time in getting to the point of a conversation, which was a reason Fox liked his father.
"What do you mean?" Gwen wasn't sure what he was talking about and she felt her heart pounding as she realized that Julian may have spotted them kissing.
"Don't feign innocence, Gwen. You know exactly what you were doing with my son. Tell me are my suspicions correct? Has this been going on for awhile?" Julian asked.
"No, Father." Fox said. For some reason, Gwen felt a stab of pain in her stomach. She felt angry that Fox would deny their relationship even though she knew he very well couldn't tell Julian that they had a past that may have rekindled.
"Don't lie to me, Fox." Julian warned.
"How do you know I'm lying?" Fox challenged.
"Don't act as if I'm blind, son. I see the way you've been looking at Gwen. The odd, long glances you give her. The strange tension there is surrounding you two."
Fox and Gwen looked at each other and wondered if they should tell Julian the truth. Finally, Fox broke the silence and decided to tell his father the truth, for once.
"Yes, father. Gwen and I... we love each other, for a very long time now."
"Does Ethan know?" Julian asked.
"No he doesn't." Gwen said quietly.
"I was getting the feeling that you two love each other. Gwen, you are engaged to Ethan and I know you'll probably ignore my advice but, understand that to marry someone and be happy, you must love them. And son, this is the first time where I've seen you truly happy and treat a woman with respect. If you two love each other, I will not stand in the way but the longer the truth stays hidden, and more lies are told, it will be much harder for the two of you. Believe me, I know. I wish you two luck." Julian said as he went back into the Crane Mansion.
Fox and Gwen looked at each other in bewilderment. They couldn't believe that long speech came from JULIAN CRANE. Anything is possible, they supposed. But Julian had a point. The truth had to come out but Gwen still wasn't sure about whether she loved Fox enough to be with him. There was also the issue about whether she could trust him or not.
"I'm sorry, Gwen. Theresa means nothing to me, and deep down I know you know that. There is no other person that makes me feel the way you do. There is no explanation for what I did. It was a stupid mistake that practically cost me the one girl I've truly loved and I really am sorry. Gwen, I know you could probably never forgive me, but I ask that you try." Fox said, sincerely.
"Nick, I can't handle all of this right now. I- I have to meet Ethan for dinner soon and get ready. I need some time to think." Gwen said, nervous and sad.
Fox saw how sad Gwen seemed and let her go. Normally he would force her to answer him but he saw her expression. She was starting to forgive him, he could tell. He kissed her hand as he watched her go into the Mansion. A smile began to spread across his face, the girl he loved was coming back to him, and he could feel it.
* * * *
Sam and Grace sat in the kitchen at night drinking coffee and discussing the matter of Ivy living in their household.
"Sam, I just don't want her in my house. I don't trust her. Look at how many times she has tried to break us up, there's no telling what she's capable of."
"Grace, she has nowhere to go. As soon as I find somewhere she can stay, she will be out of this house."
"I know, Sam. I'm just worried, that's all."
Sam laid his hand on Grace's reassuring her with a pat of his hand. She then smiled lovingly at her husband. The nagging feeling of Ivy Crane so close to Sam, in her own home was still bugging Grace. She couldn't shake off that Ivy was up to her old tricks and trying to tear them apart. She let her suspicions go out in the open with Sam.
"I just know that Ivy is up to no good, Sam. She never has been. I can't count how many times she has tried to tear us apart. You know that your relationship with her never ended. She was tricked into thinking that you didn't love her anymore and she never did stop loving you. I just believe that she is still at it."
Sam thought to the night before where Ivy confessed all of her secrets. He saw it in her eyes that she was telling the truth. He couldn't very well tell Gwen that he was in Ivy's room the night before innocently. It would just worry her more. But he knew that Ivy really was a good person and that she was going to give up all her bad habits and just try to pay attention to her children.
"I disagree, Grace. I don't think that she is trying to break us up. But I know someone that is also in the way of our relationship if you want to name names, and that is David. Why is it that David is much more welcome in this household than Ivy is?"
Grace sighed and said, "David has done nothing to try and tear us apart which makes it much more different than Ivy's situation. He is a good man and I enjoy talking with my son."
Sam couldn't help but feel anger towards David. He knew that it sucked when David lost his wife and finds out that she had amnesia and married another man. Still, he felt that David was deliberately trying to steal Grace back even though she was his wife to begin with.
"Maybe I should wake Ivy up. She's been asleep for hours." Sam wanted to get out of the room before Grace could ramble on and on about David.
Sam knocked lightly on Ivy's door but received no reply. He decided to just go in and see if she was still asleep. He turned the knob slowly and opened the door. There in the bed lay Ivy, clothed in her nightgown. The blanket covered most of her body but a bare shoulder peeked out. She looked like an absolute angel.
Sam smiled at Ivy's sleeping form. He remembered the night when Ethan was conceived and it brought back happy memories. Finally, he frowned, remembering that he was with Grace, the woman he loved. And Ivy was just a friend now.
"Ivy." Sam whispered lightly near her ear.
Ivy began to stir and tossed over to the other side of the bed, her back facing him. Sam resisted the urge to laugh but smiled anyway. He whispered to her again, "Ivy."
Ivy's eyes began to flutter and she looked around. Her eyes finally focused upon Sam and she rubbed her eyes.
"Morning." Sam said happily opening the blinds of the windows casting bright sunlight into the room.
"Sam. Morning." Ivy's face went back the pillow and her voice was muffled.
"C'mon, Ivy. Don't you want breakfast?" Sam asked brightly.
"Not particularly." Ivy said sleepily.
Sam knew that Ivy did not enjoy waking up early and usually woke up grouchy. He couldn't help but laugh at her behavior. Just like the Ivy he used to love. He took the pitcher of water near the table near her bed and held it up over her head. He whistled lightly.
Ivy lifted her head slightly and her eyes looked to the pitcher filled with water. Her eyes widened and she jumped in her bed. "DON'T SAM!!!"
Sam chuckled and began to put the pitcher down. Ivy began to relax and right away Sam flung the pitcher upward, flinging some water on Ivy's face and neck.
The cold water stinging her sleepy face, Ivy yelled at Sam. "YOU ARE A DEAD MAN!"
Sam just continued to laugh as he went to the bathroom to get some paper towels. He wiped her face and neck free of the water and it left her face pinkish from the rubbing. Her blonde hair was mussed, her eyes still a little bit bloodshot but she still looked radiant to Sam.
Ivy finally gave in and began to laugh also. She threw the moist paper towels and hit Sam squarely in the face. He began to tickle her while they laughed uncontrollably like they were still young. Finally, they regained composure and Sam's face was inches away from Ivy's.
Ivy's conscience screamed for her not to get excited or kiss him. She was so close to getting something she's wanted for the longest time and now she was resisting. Her mind was going a mile a minute when she felt the light pressure of his lips against hers. 'He's kissing ME. I'm not kissing him!'
Ivy was so surprised that she just sat there not knowing what to do. She tried not to kiss him because she promised that she would do nothing to interfere in Sam and Grace's relationship. But she couldn't deny herself it was too much. She returned his kiss with as much passion.
...........................