CHAPTER 3
The look on Teresa's face was murderous; she could not believe that he had just done that.
'What did you think you were doing?' Teresa yelled at him, he just stood in the water laughing.
'Well you did want help finding your keys I was helping'
'Well you might think that you were helping but you weren't now I am saturated, how am I supposed to catch my plane like this' she started searching through the water. Ethan walked forward and grabbed both of her hands, and forced her to look him in the eyes
'Teresa stop this stupid idea of leaving, you are not leaving this town, the only way its happening is over my dead body and I assure that is not any time soon. I plan on living a very long and happy life with you and my son'
'Ethan that will not happen, you are with Gwen, how many times do I have to remind you? I get reminded every night when I hear you two together. Besides you said that you couldn't be with me ever again, what am I supposed to think? I come to the beach hoping that you will come so I can tell you the truth, hoping that you will forgive me for destroying your life and when I tell you that you have a son you drop everything and offer yourself to me again. If I accepted how would I know that you wanted to be with me because you loved me or just because of my son? Now just let me leave' Teresa by this stage was in tears she regained control of her hands and moved up the beach collapsing when she got there. Ethan watched her collapsed and felt so bad for making her feel that bad. Only problem was he wasn't with Gwen, sure they were friends but being with her every night in the next room; he would never throw that in Teresa's face. He moved out of the water towards her.
'Teresa I am not with Gwen, I haven't been since I met you, I could never do that, do you not realize how much I still love you?' he came and settled on the sand beside her.
'Then why does she keep coming and throwing the fact that you two are together in my face. She is constantly telling me when you two are together and how much happier you are now that are back with her.' Ethan couldn't believe that Gwen would do something like that.
'Teresa I assure you that I have not been with Gwen at all. Now I don't know why she is misinforming you but I swear what she tells you is not true.'
'I know why she is doing it she is trying to keep us apart so you will go back to her, Ethan I am positive that Gwen and her mother were behind the tabloid that was sent, they have tried everything to get you back and away from me' Ethan couldn't believe that Gwen would do something like that, but it all made sense, they did throw the engagement party where the reporter crashed.
'Are you sure about that Teresa?'
'Of course I'm not sure but it would make sense, I know that I certainly didn't send it and they are the only ones who would gain something from you thinking that I sent it. It doesn't matter anyway, you said that you couldn't be with me and I accept that. Even if you aren't with Gwen I hope you have a nice life, be good to our son'
'Teresa you don't understand I do want to be with you and only you'
'I just can't believe that Ethan'
'You know what I will prove it wait here' he got up and ran to his car, Teresa saw him rummaging around for something, she really needed to get out of this town. Quickly she went back into the water and started looking for her keys. When she was above 5 meters out from the shore she finally found them and going under she retrieved them and prepared herself to leave. Coming back up the surface she found Ethan coming in to the water again, he walked right up to her and went down on his knees. Had he not had such a serious look on his face she would have laughed at the situation. She was completely drenched water up to her waist and Ethan was up to his neck with water from his kneeling.
'I found my keys, so I can go know' she stuttered out, not sure what to make of his actions.
'Teresa I don't care about your keys, I am here kneeling before you begging you from the bottom of my heart not to leave me or our son. I have been waiting for such a long time for the right moment to do this. Making sure that I was 100% positive that it would be in the best interest of my heart to go through with it. Losing you the first time killed me Teresa and that's the reason I waited so long. You have shown me today what I suspected the whole time, the love we have between us is unsurpassable, no one can match it. They have tried to separate us and as much as it might have worked. I never, not for a single minute stopped loving you. No one can come between us and I hope that no one ever will again.' Suddenly he pulled a ring out of no where, 'I bought this ring about a month ago hoping that one day I would have a chance to use it. The ring has "ET 4 ETERNITY" engraved on the inside. Teresa I don't care what I have to go through, I want to marry you, I want you to be my wife so I can be with you for eternity. Today you have given me the greatest gift you ever could, you gave me a son. So in return I give you my heart and soul, Teresa please I love you, marry me' Ethan looked into Teresa's eyes and saw tears there but no emotion. 'Sorry Teresa it was obviously too soon' Ethan got up and walked back to the beach.
Teresa was stunned; Ethan's heart wrenching confession had left her speechless, she knew that she was crying but that was because she had never heard Ethan speak so passionately in his life. Then as she watched him walk away from her head down and defeated she realized the truth. He still loved her, after everything that she put him through, he still loved her and she loved him, so much. She knew what she had to do, trying as hard as she could she began wading through the water trying to reach the shore.
'Ethan stop' she called out to him. Ethan stopped halfway up the beach and turned around. He saw Teresa coming towards him with a huge smile, one that he reciprocated when he realized what it meant. He ran and met her half way, pulling her into a huge hug and spinning her around.
'Yes Ethan, a million times yes. I love you so much' Ethan stopped spinning her around and put her down in front of him.
'Are you positive?' Ethan had to be sure that she truly wanted this. But seeing the smile on her face when she nodded her head was enough for him. Gently putting the ring on her finger he held her face with both his hands and kissed her, their first kiss in so many months. Moving his hands to her waist he pulled her closer loving the feeling he got just from one of her kisses. Pulling back he rested his head against hers and whispered.
'This is forever Teresa; it's just the three of us. No one is going to stop us this time.' Teresa looked up into his eyes and saw love reflected in his eyes.
'You promise Ethan, no one at all, not your mother, Rebecca or Gwen?'
'Not even Julian or Alistair if they even cared anymore would be able to stop us from being together'
'Julian…' Teresa shuddered as she remembered him. Suddenly Ethan thought of something.
'Teresa we have to go to my office, you're still married to him. Now that we know Ethan Martin is mine you can rid yourself of him.' He automatically began pulling her towards his car. Teresa stopped him though and resisted his lead till he stopped and faced her.
'What's wrong Teresa? You do want to get rid of him don't you?'
'Of course I do but you don't need to do anything'
'What's that suppose to mean? Of course I do, I want to marry you and for that to happen you have to divorce him'
'Ethan I could marry you right now and there is nothing anyone could do to stop it. We signed the papers last night, Julian knows that little Ethan is ours and he gave me a divorce so I could leave.'
'You're not married to him anymore?' Ethan couldn't contain his smile
'No Ethan I'm not, so I'm 100% yours for the rest of your life' she jumped up and hugged as tightly as possible.
'How about we get your stuff and get you back where you belong. Then we can confront everyone who has ever gone against us and make them wish they were never born' Teresa pulled back and looked him in his eyes.
'Lets go home' together they walked hand in hand to Teresa's car vowing that once everything was over they would return to the beach for Ethan's car and some alone time.
Sneaking back into the mansion hand in hand, they quietly made their way to Julian's' office knowing that no one would be in there; Ethan couldn't remember the last time Julian actually did some work. Sitting down in Julian's chair he waved for Teresa to come and sit with him. When she sat down Ethan wrapped his arms around her waist pulling her tightly to him he rested his head at her neck.
'So how do you propose we do this Ethan?' Teresa knew that they had to get the information out of the guilty parties one way or another but how they were going to do that was another question.
'I honestly don't know Teresa, we could always confront them point blank but they would probably just turn the tables on us. I think to get Gwen all we need to do is play on the fact that she has been trying to question my love for you by convincing you that I am with her. If we get Gwen then she will probably confess everything and we'll have Rebecca out of our lives as well'
'I think that should work but how long will we have to keep pretending? I haven't been with you far too long. I want to marry you as soon as I can'
'Hmm well I definitely agree with that' he began placing kisses along her neck and down her shoulder proving his point. Teresa knew where this was heading and as much as she wanted that she couldn't, getting up from his lap she turned and faced him taking his hands in hers.
'Ethan we can't do that here, you know as well as I do that everyone is always at this house so anyone could walk in at any time' Ethan pouted trying to convince her otherwise, but eventually gave up knowing that she was right. Plus they were in his former fathers office, that was definitely not the most romantic place to rekindle their flame.
'I guess you're right but I promise you, once we get to the bottom of this tabloid situation you are all mine'
'I will happily be yours. Now I am going to go get our son from my mothers,' she stopped when she saw the goofy smile on Ethan's face, 'what's that look for?'
'I just love it when you call him our son' Teresa then returned his smile and gave him a quick kiss before leaving.
'I'll see you when I get back' he then watched as she began to exit the room.
Ethan turned around in Julian's chair and looked out onto the property hoping that his plans would play out correctly. Little did he know that he didn't need any plans.
As Teresa was walking out of the office she accidentally bumped into Gwen who was walking past at the time.
'Do you not look where you're going anymore?'
'Gwen I am sorry I didn't see you there'
'Of course not because you are always lurking around looking for Ethan, honestly Teresa grow up, he's not going back to you'
'But…' Teresa began to talk but was cut off by Gwen.
'Oh I don't care about you're dribble. Do you know where Ethan is? He left me all alone in our bed this morning. I'm not really sure what time he got up, but I'm sure it can't have been too long ago. After all we were up all night, if you know what I mean.' Teresa went bright red at what Gwen was insinuating and tried to step back into the office. 'What's wrong can't handle the fact that Ethan is with me and not you? He is where he belongs now Teresa; he has been with me every night for the past two months. How could he be with someone like you after all, you are a lying, scheming bitch' Gwen finished off with a bit of shouting. Teresa was angry as was Ethan who was hidden in the chair. Silently he thanked Julian for having a bad back and needing such a high back to his chair. He really needed to confront Gwen right now but he restrained himself in hopes of getting to the bottom of everything then he could be with Teresa.
'I am not all those things, I love Ethan' Teresa fought back.
'Really, here I was thinking that it was just the Crane money that you wanted. After all the minute you find out that Ethan's not a Crane you expose him to the world through a tabloid and then move onto his father. How is your husband by the way? Now let's think about this shall we? You want Ethan back but wait, even if he completely lost his mind and did that, you wouldn't be able to be with him because you're already married. Not to mention your bastard of a son. You think Ethan is just going to forget that it's not his and you're going to live happily ever after?'
'Why did you send the tabloid Gwen?' Teresa had had enough of the ranting she knew that Ethan could hear every word. Gathering her courage she ignored the last comment and pushed forward.
'I'm sorry; I don't know what are you talking about?' Gwen suddenly got very nervous.
'Oh come on Gwen, you do know what I am talking about, you sent that tabloid from my computer thinking that Ethan would drop me as soon as he found out. Come on you can tell me who's gonna know right? After all Ethan said he would never be able to trust a single thing I said again. If I went and told him you confessed, he would just think I was trying to break you two up again and ignore me, after all you are together aren't you? So why did you do it?' Gwen smiled smugly.
'You're right Teresa he would never believe you over me. And yes I did set you up, it was my mothers idea actually and quite a brilliant one at that. We wanted to expose you for the gold-digger you are, you were never good enough for Ethan and you never will be. You proved our point too, by marrying Julian, all this time it was only the money you wanted.'
'So tell me Gwen if it's the money I wanted then how do you explain the divorce papers I signed last night?'
'Well Teresa it just proves that you are fighting a long lost battle, Ethan is never going to go back to you. He is with me and has been ever since he found out about your little bastard of a son' Ethan was getting to the point of losing it. He was about to turn around and scream at Gwen but Teresa got there first. She couldn't hold in the anger that she felt when Gwen called her son such names.
'Don't you ever call my son that again, or so help me…' Gwen cut her off and challenged her.
'Or what you'll go crying to Ethan? Like he would care, he probably would agree with me? Oh don't cry now will you' Gwen smirked at Teresa thinking that she had won the battle.
'You know what Gwen, I think that Ethan would have a very different opinion of you if he heard what you just said' Teresa seething from anger had her fists balled beside her.
'Oh really, well he didn't hear did he, so I guess he'll never know'
'Think again Gwen' Gwen's face froze in shock as she heard Ethan's voice, and then he spun around in his chair to face her. 'Oh did Teresa forget to mention that I was in here.' Gwen looked between the two of them and started to get very scared. The look on Ethan's face made her very worried; she had only ever seen him look that dangerous once before, when he found out about Julian taking advantage of Teresa.
'Ethan, I didn't realize you were here' she said meekly and started backing out of the room.
'Stop Gwen!' Ethan yelled at her, she immediately stopped, 'you are not leaving. How could you? How the hell could you destroy my life not to mention Teresa's'
'Ethan no I love you, don't listen to Teresa she's only ever lied to you' Gwen was desperate and was ready to try anything to get out the room.
'So just now when you told Teresa that we were together last night you were telling the truth? No you weren't, the last person I slept with was Teresa and that was the night before you destroyed our lives. You say that you love me; I could never love someone like you. Someone that is so devious and underhanded, you are everything that I tried not to be when I thought I was a Crane.'
'Ethan don't say that, we would be married now if this little tramp didn't come along and ruin my life'
'Yes Gwen we would have been married, but I wouldn't have been truly happy, the first time I experienced true unconditional love was with Teresa. She may have made some mistakes in the past year but that is nothing compared to the mistake you made of sending the tabloid and destroying my life'
'So what you're just going to dump me again and go back to her and play happy house with her and her little bastard' Ethan leapt forward and pinned her by her arms against the wall.
'Don't you ever call my son that again' he spat in her face, 'Ethan Martin is my son who was conceived during the most passionate and earth shattering moments of my life. You will never compare to Teresa Gwen, you never have. He is my son. 100% uation. Gwen I suggest you and your mother leave the property now and prepare yourselves for a large law suit that will be taken out against you, now get out' he voice echoed through the room and was so powerful that it caused the walls to slightly shake. Gwen immediately ran from the room.
'Now Ethan, It seems that I owe you some special thanks, if it was not for you and Teresa, those woman might have destroyed our legacy. It also seems young Teresa that you no longer are the mother to the Crane heir. This leaves me with Julian. I don't like that one bit, I feel the only way to get around this is for you Ethan to come and work for me again'
'Alistair that is really a nice offer but I can't accept it'
'Nonsense Ethan, this company has been going to ruins since you left, you may not be a Crane by blood but by god I raised you with every intention of taking over this company and I want you to have it when I am gone' Ethan was confused, never had Alistair been so kind to him.
'I don't see why you want me to have it though' he heard Alistair sigh through the phone.
'Ethan I loved your former grandmother very much, when she died it destroyed me and I turned into a merciless maniac, seeing you with Miss Lopez-Fitzgerald here, I see the same love that I once had. I don't want my company to be run by a drunk idiot even if he is my son, so it yours. Now about the Hotchkiss woman, I have been in touch with Jonathon and he has been informed of their actions, they have been cut-off and will definitely end up in jail for a very long time once I get through with them. Now about the wedding I expect an invite, I don't want to miss my only grandsons wedding. Goodbye' and he hung up.
'Wow' was all Teresa could manage.
'Indeed' he was speechless
'When did you call him anyway?'
'Well when you were on your way out I decided to have a word and see if he could get any evidence against Gwen and Rebecca, he obviously heard the entire conversation and…' Ethan paused for a second, 'did he really just give me the company?'
'I think he did' Teresa replied
'Wow'
'That what I said' Teresa and Ethan both laughed.
'What say we go get our son from your mothers place and fill everyone in on the good news'
'Sounds wonderful' Teresa leaned up and kissed him then they went to her car to pick up their son.