A couple of days later, Gwen was released from the hospital. "It was so dull being in that hospital room all the time." Gwen complained.
When Ethan and Gwen returned to the apartment, they found Theresa, Dylan, Fox, Whitney in the living room. A banner that said "Congratulations" was put up, and a table of baby supplies were set out. In the corner there was a crib filled with more gifts. "Oh my!" Gwen said in surprise.
"This is all for you and the baby." Ethan whispered.
"Who's idea was this?" Gwen asked.
"Mine." Ethan replied. "Everyone else helped me set everything up."
"Thank you." Gwen said. "This is great."
Theresa came forward hesitantly and said, "You can use my room as the baby's room. It's the closest to your bedroom."
"Wait a minute," Fox interrupted. "Where will you sleep?"
"She and little Ethan will be staying with me." Dylan spoke up.
"What?!" Ethan and Fox said incredulously at the same time.
"Who are you?" Gwen asked in confusion to Dylan.
Dylan extended his hand. "I'm Dylan. I live here in the apartments."
"Oh," Gwen replied. "I see. It's nice to meet you. Hmm, someone's missing." Gwen observed. "Hey, where's Chad?" She asked looking around
Fox stiffened at the mention of his name while Whitney became tearful again.
"What?" Ethan said also clueless. "What happened?"
"I'll explain later." Theresa whispered in Ethan's ear. Jealousy struck Gwen as she grimaced at Theresa's actions. Gwen deliberately walked in between them and regarded Theresa with a malicious look.
Ethan cleared his throat. "Ahem. Uh- why don't you open presents?" He suggested.
"Okay," Gwen said with a forced smile.
Gwen sorted through the present in the crib and smiled as she pulled many of the items out. Ethan held on to his daughter while Gwen went through the baby necessities on the table. Gwen was pleased and touched that Ethan planned all this. He does care. Gwen thought. But I wish Theresa weren't in the picture. Once Gwen was finished, Ethan asked Fox to help him move the baby's things into Theresa's former bedroom. They were surprised to see that all of Theresa's things were packed. Whitney and Theresa helped set up the crib and hung a mobile over it. Gwen sat in the living room feeding her baby.
Once everything in the room was set up, Ethan told Gwen and Gwen placed her baby gently into the crib. She smiled as she looked at her sleeping child.
"I'll try to find us a place of our own." Ethan whispered to Gwen. "Just give me some time." Gwen was pleased. Good, the sooner we can get away from Theresa, the better.
Dylan helped Theresa move her things into the living room. Fox followed after them and stopped Theresa. "Why didn't you tell me you were going to stay with Dylan before today?"
"I don't know." Theresa replied. "I just," Theresa's voice trailed off.
"Never mind." Fox interrupted.
Theresa looked away and left the room to get the rest of her things.
"What's up Fox?" Dylan asked glancing inquisitively at his friend.
"Nothing." Fox mumbled.
"Don't worry Fox. I'll take good care of Theresa." Dylan patted his friend on the shoulder. "If you know what I mean." Dylan joked.
"Don't you dare try anything with her." Fox warned.
"What are you, her bodyguard?" Dylan asked. "Geez, Fox. I was just joking anyhow."
"Joking or not, I'm serious Dylan. Don't you dare hurt Theresa.
"Okay, okay, okay." Dylan said with his hands up. "Why are you so protective all of a sudden?"
"Theresa happens to be a good friend of mine." Fox said.
"Are you sure she doesn't mean anything more to you?" Dylan asked. He tried to decipher the look that crossed Fox's face, but Fox looked away before Dylan could draw any conclusions. A commotion outside the door caught his attention. "What's going on out there?" Fox asked aloud as he opened the door. He was grateful for the distraction." You have got to this!" A neighbor cried as she ran to the courtyard. Dylan called to Theresa and they both joined the crowd that quickly assembled outside. As Theresa looked at all the people who congregated, she noticed they were all gazing at the sky and pointing. Theresa shielded her eyes from the glare of the sun and was shocked at what she saw. Flying in the air in a circular motion was a small jet with a banner attached to the tail. The words were: I'm sorry! Please forgive me Whitney.
Theresa gasped when she saw the message and ran back to get Whitney. Fox did not look at all happy. Whitney ran outside and looked up in the air. She was touched and put a hand to her mouth in shock. "Whitney!" She heard someone call. Whitney turned and saw Chad on his knees surrounded by bouquets of roses formed into a shape of a heart. He held a sign that said: I love you, Whitney~ always and forever. Whitney was brought to tears. "Oh Chad." She said as she ran towards him with outstretched arms. Chad and Whitney held on to each other tightly, both crying freely. Their audience was touched and stood there watching the tender moment. Fox seemed to be the only one who was not moved by the scene. Soon the group of people that had assembled dispersed. Fox remained behind, but hid from view. Whitney and Chad were given the impression that they were finally alone.
"I forgive you, Chad." Whitney said. "But, I don't want you working with Syd anymore, okay? Tell them to find another producer to work with her."
"I'll try, Whitney, but what if they won't listen to me? Being a producer is my dream job, baby."
"I know." Whitney said as she leaned against him. She sighed.
"Trust me, Whitney. I am never ever going to do anything to hurt you again."
"I trust you Chad. I just don't trust Syd." Whitney held onto Chad tighter.
"I love you, Whitney, and I'll do everything in my power to make sure Syd doesn't interfere with us anymore."
You do that Chad, Fox thought, However, your efforts will all be in vain because I'll personally make sure that Syd does interfere with you and Whitney. I'll get you Whitney Russell. You will be mine.
~*~
"Where'd everyone go?" Ethan asked aloud.
"I dunno," Gwen sighed as she lay on the couch. "I'm enjoying the silence though. It's so peaceful." As soon as Gwen spoke the words, baby Samantha let out a shrill cry. "I spoke too soon." Gwen said as she got up hurriedly. Ethan shook his head. Dylan and Theresa came back into the room. Noticing the questioning look on Ethan's face, Theresa decided to update him on the recent events that had occurred between Whitney and Chad.
"Wow." Ethan said after Theresa had given him an account of what happened.
"The great thing though is that they made up awhile ago."
"That's good. Chad and Whitney are perfect together. It would've been awful if they broke up."
"Yeah." Theresa sighed. Hopefully the threat of that happening is gone. I hope Fox has come to his senses.
"Ethan, can you come here a minute?" Gwen called.
"Coming honey!" Ethan said.
"Where's little Ethan?" Dylan asked.
"In the playpen in Fox's room."
"There's a playpen in Fox's room?" Dylan asked with an amused look on his face.
"Well, because I brought little Ethan with me, Fox volunteered to put some things for Little Ethan like the playpen in his room."
"I see." Dylan asked. "All the apartments have 3 bedrooms, right?"
"I suppose so," Theresa answered. "Why?"
"Well, there were six living here. So, I'm thinking, Whitney and Chad share a room, Ethan and Gwen share a room. That leaves you and Fox. Did you two share a room?"
"If you're implying if we shared a bed~" Theresa warned.
"No, ok, well, maybe I am. It's just out of curiosity though."
"We shared the bed once, but~"
"Really?" Dylan interrupted. "Hmm, but what?"
"But, we decided that it would be better if we didn't. So, after that Fox and I took turns sleeping on the couch."
"What, too much sexual tension between you two or something." Dylan smirked. "I'm jealous."
"Stop it," Theresa said. "It's not even like that."
"Then what happened? What happened between you two that made the both of you decide to take turns sleeping on the couch? It's not like you'd accidentally have sex with each other or something."
"Well~" Theresa's voiced trailed off.
"Okay, spill it." Dylan said. "Now you've got me intrigued."