Theresa slowly walked to the Book Café thinking about love and how different it was from romance novels and fairy tales. A few weeks ago she would have believed that everything was going to work out fine for everyone because that was just how the universe was, now her belief in happy endings had begun to waver and it wasn't a good feeling. What if she and Ethan never rode off into the sunset so to speak? Theresa had felt as if her heart was breaking plenty of times but if Ethan had told her point blank to her face that he didn't love her she wasn't sure she could ever be the same. Her thoughts turned to a brighter note when she got to the Book Café and saw Whitney and Chad talking.
"Hey Whit, hi Chad."
"Yo, Theresa, wassup?" asked Chad.
"My birthday's tomorrow and I was wondering if you would come," said Theresa pulling an invitation out of her purse and handing it to Chad.
"Yeah, Yeah I wouldn't miss it. So are you gonna tell Ethan you love him tomorrow?"
"I'm really thinking about, I'm tired of not knowing what his feelings are, it would be easier to just tell him and get it over with," said Theresa as she sat down next to Whitney.
"Well stop thinking about it, Theresa. He doesn't love you and you'd just be making a fool of your self and ruin your friendship if you go and proclaim your love to him," said Whitney hoping she could talk some sense into Theresa but knowing it was virtually hopeless.
"I know he loves you, Theresa but whether he admits it to you or not remains to be seen. Maybe all he needs is a little push, I say go for it," said Chad and Whitney rolled her eyes, she was going to have to talk with him about encouraging Theresa to go get her heart broken.
"I just hope he feels the same way about me that I feel about him. Hold on, I'll be right back, there's Reese and I'm sure he'd like to come to the party," said Theresa leaving just as Whitney and Chad began to argue.

"Hello, Reese," said Theresa walking up to him. A long time ago Miguel had wanted Theresa and Reese to date but Theresa made it clear she only wanted Ethan, regardless Reese was still one of the nicest and sweetest guys she knew.
"Hello Theresa," said Reese smiling and pushing up his glasses.
"I was wondering if you would like to come to a birthday party for me and Kay?" said Theresa handing him an invitation. "it's at the Seascape tomorrow night."
"Sure…wait! Oh no, Kay's birthday is today! I haven't bought her a present!" said Reese as a look of utter horror came over his face. He ran towards the door but tripped on his feet and did a nose-dive to the floor. He got up, brushed himself off and then left. As soon as he was gone Theresa indulged in a smile, Reese was one of a kind. Theresa went back over to Chad and Whitney who were in a serious conversation, Theresa knew it was about she and Ethan and she felt a pang of guilt for inciting an argument in her two friends.

"Excuse, me I hope I'm not interrupting," said Theresa.
"Nah, Nah, I was just trying to get Miss. Perfect to admit that sometimes it's okay to admit your feelings. Can I get you anything to drink?"
"Yeah, um...a latte."
"What use is it admitting your feelings if it gets you hurt? Why should you even bother?"
"Because sometimes it's worth it to take a chance on your feelings because maybe the other person feels the exact same way,"he said holding Whitney with his eyes.

Theresa had a feeling this wasn't about she and Ethan any more so as soon as Chad gave her the latte she excused herself and went and sat by herself. She hoped Whitney wouldn't push her feelings for Chad away just because of the possibility that she would get hurt, sometimes she wondered if she and Whitney were friends because they needed to balance each other out. Theresa looked over at them and smiled, they looked cute together, that much was true. After a few minutes of heated discussion it looked like Chad and Whitney had agreed to disagree because they weren't glaring at each other anymore. She quickly finished her drink and then went over to them.
"I'm going to go home, I'll see you both tomorrow, okay?"
"Yeah, I'll be there," said Chad.
"I'll see you tomorrow, Theresa. Please think about what I said before you do anything rash."
"I will, Whit. Thanks, you're a great friend," said Theresa giving her a hug. 'Even if I don't always agree with you,' she thought.

Theresa got home and was relieved that she was all by herself. She went upstairs and plopped down on her bed, reaching over to her bedside table she got her sketchbook and started drawing. An hour later she had done two new sketches, one a winter ensemble and the other an evening gown, maybe one day she'd be a famous fashion designer, she hoped at least that dream would come true. She put her sketchbook back up and turned on the radio and started singing along to LeAnne Rimes' I Need You.

I don't need a lot of things,
I can get by with nothing
Of all the blessings life can bring,
I've always needed something
But I've got all I want
When it comes to loving you
You're my only reason,
You're my only truth

I need you like water
Like breath, like rain
I need you like mercy
From Heaven's gate
There's a freedom in your arms
That carries me through
I need you

You're the hope that moves me
To courage again
You're the love that rescues me
When the cold winds rage
And it's so amazing
'Cause that's just how you are
And I can't turn back now
'Cause you've brought me too far

Theresa took out a folder that was filled with magazine clippings of Ethan and looking at them she hoped that maybe he loved her, that he'd tell her tomorrow that he wanted to be with her, she held on to that hope as she put her magazine clippings away. Tomorrow was her birthday and she hoped she'd receive the greatest gift of all.

Ethan had spent hours looking for the perfect gift to give Theresa, it had to be absolutely perfect, something that would make her face light up with that beautiful smile and the glow in deep brown eyes and finally he had found it. He was positive that she would love it and she couldn't wait until tomorrow when he could show it to her.
He was walking down the stairs, a smile on his face when he saw his mother.
"Hello, Mother."
"Good evening, Ethan, did you get Theresa a gift, yet?" asked Ivy.
"Yes I did, and she's going to love it, I think."
"I'm sure she'll love anything you get her. Where were you last night? Gwen was absolutely furious," said Ivy looking at her son, he looked excited and she knew it had nothing to do with Gwen, she hoped he would do the right thing, that he would fight for love and spend his life with the woman that he loved.
"I was at Theresa's watching a movie and I fell asleep…on the couch." He added when she raised an eyebrow.
"Did you have a good time?" asked Ivy slyly.
"Yes I did," he decided to change the subject, he didn't like the look in his mother's eyes. "So…Mother, are you going to the party Sheridan is throwing for Theresa?"
"I think I will," said Ivy absently grabbing the locket, she hoped Sam would be there.
"Well it's getting late so I'm going to go to bed. Goodnight mother."
"Good night Ethan."
Ethan went upstairs and lay down, he closed his eyes and after awhile he dreamed.

He knelt in front of Theresa as he proposed to her, her eyes shined as she looked into his eyes and for a moment he felt complete, as if everything was right and whole and perfect. "I love you Theresa," he said.
Next he found himself standing at the altar and Theresa walked towards him dressed in whit, smiling with tears in her eyes, she had never looked so beautiful.
He blinked and he was in a hospital room next to Theresa with a baby in her arms and she was crying tears of happiness and he kissed her forehead and looked at their baby..

Ethan sat up in his bed breathing heavily in the darkness. "This can't be happening, I LOVE Gwen, no one else," he said reassuring himself but his pounding heart betrayed him. He lay back down and spent the rest of the night tossing and turning.