Part XIX

The light of the sun started filtrating slowly and gently through the curtains of the hospital room where Teresa was still recovering from the previous day. Fox opened an eye, then the other. He looked around trying to find his bearings before his gaze fell on Teresa and the machines that were surrounding her. Everything came rushing back to him as he remembered what had happened the day before. He moved his body towards the bed and took Teresa's hand in his. He looked at her, waiting, expecting that she would open her eyes but nothing was happening. As a last resort, he put his chin on her hand and without moving his head, he looked up and waited again.

"Teresa, it's the day, you have to wake up. Maybe we can go to the beach or maybe we can do whatever you want. Name it, I'll do it."

He closed his eyes and opened them a short while later and lifted his head.

"I'll just go get a coffee or something and I'll be back."

He took her hand to his lips and kissed it softly, squeezing it lightly. He let go and took another look at Teresa as he was about to exit the room.

He walked down the hall for a little while before finding a vending machine.

"How is she?"

He turned around and came face to face with Whitney.

"Still the same. Nothing has changed, she is still out of it."

Whitney looked up at Fox's tortured face and squeezed his arm in support.

"She will make it, you know."

"Of course she will, Whitney. She has every reason in the world to live. She is a fighter, she is a survivor."

"Why did you marry her?"

Fox looked at Whitney and had a smile.

"I thought I was in love with you."

"What?"

"I thought I was in love with you, but it was always Teresa. I tried to deny myself the best thing to happen in my life. I never thought I could stand a chance with her knowing how much she loved Ethan."

"You thought you were in love with me?"

Fox nodded and turned back to the vending machine for his coffee.

"I got you some protein shake, I know that you don't like starting your day with caffeine."

"Thanks, but today this is what I need."

He put some money in the vending machine and took his coffee.

"I married her because she deserves to keep her son. No mother should have to go through having her child taken from her especially when it's a good mother."

"I see."

"I have to go back to her, Whitney. Look, I'm sorry for saying the things that I just said to you, about thinking that you were the one."

"Look, don't worry about it. As long as Teresa doesn't find out. Her feelings for you run deeper than she cares to admit it. I don't want to see her hurt over this."

"You and I are the only ones who know this. And I'm not going to tell her and I know you won't tell her either."

"Of course not."

"I really need to get back to her. I don't want her to be alone when she wakes up."

"One last thing, Fox."

"Do you love her?"

He didn't answer her question. He just walked away, leaving her behind staring at his back until he disappeared from her sight.

*****

Fox opened the door to Teresa's room and walked in. He took his seat by her bedside, put his coffee down and looked at her, waiting for the moment when she would wake up.

*****

"You know, Fox, I realized something. Maybe the past is just an anchor holding us back, maybe you have to let go of what you are to become what you will be. I've let go of Ethan. He was my safety and what I knew, but someone else has given it to me and he doesn't hold me back. He lets me be who I am."

Fox stared at Teresa finally understand the meaning behind her phrase.

"I guess I was the one you were talking about, Teresa."

*****

"Why do people die, Fox?"

"To make life important and worthwhile, I guess."

"You have to be alright, Teresa. For everyone who loves you so much, for your baby and for me."

And he knew what he would do and tell her the second she woke up. He would tell her exactly how he felt about her. He wanted her to be the first one to hear what he had to say.