XXII.

"Who are you?" Theresa repeated. The words were sharp and cut deeply through Fox's heart.

"You don't remember me?" Fox asked sadly.

"No~" Theresa's voice trailed off as she closed her eyes again. Fox stared at Theresa. "Amnesia." He said in disbelief.

Fox went outside in the hallway and motioned to Dr. Livingston and Pilar. They walked to him quickly. "She's awake." Fox informed them.

"Awake? Thank God!" Pilar cried as she made the sign of the cross. Little Ethan stirred in his grandmother's arms.

"Let me go check on her," Dr. Livingston said as he went inside the room.

"This is wonderful news!" Pilar said happily. "Oh, Fox! Why are you not rejoicing?" She asked.

"I think Theresa has amnesia." Fox said quietly.

"Amnesia?" Pilar repeated.

"Yeah, she didn't recognize me." Fox said sadly.

Dr. Livingston returned a short while later and confirmed Fox's suspicions. "She's awake, and she can speak. Her speech doesn't seem to be impaired too much. Her movements are slow, but I believe she'll be just fine. The only thing is that she appears to have amnesia."

"I thought so." Fox mumbled. "How long do you think it will last?"

"There's no telling how long." Dr. Livingston replied. "She doesn't remember anything at all."

"At least she's awake." Pilar said. "Fox, let's just be glad that Theresa came back to us."

"Yeah," Fox agreed. "I'm going back to her room to talk with her."

~*~



Theresa opened her eyes easily this time. Her head still throbbed while her whole body ached. She gazed upwards and found herself staring into the same deep brown eyes she saw when she had returned from dark abyss that held her soul captive. Theresa looked at Fox and mentally searched her mind for his identity. She drew a blank and frowned.

"I don't seem familiar at all?" Fox asked disappointedly.

"Your eyes are familiar to me. And your voice- something tells me I've heard your voice before." Theresa said.

Fox sighed. "Maybe my voice sounds familiar because I stayed by your bedside and talked to you for the past two weeks you were comatose."

"I was out for that long?" Theresa said as she rubbed her forehead.

"Yeah," Fox said as he ran his hand through his hair and averted his gaze. "I should let you rest." Fox replied rubbing his neck. "I'll to you later, Theresa." Fox said as he turned to make his way out of the room.

"That's my name?" Theresa called.

Fox turned around. "Yeah," he said quietly. "Theresa Lopez-Fitzgerald."

Theresa made an effort to sit up. She still felt weak. Fox came to her side and gently eased her into a sitting position. "Thank you," Theresa said quietly.

"You're welcome." Fox said quietly as he tucked a strand of hair behind Theresa's ear.

Theresa felt her heart quicken its pace. Butterflies fluttered crazily in her stomach. "What's your name?" She asked while trying to mask her nervousness around the handsome stranger.

"I'm Nicholas Foxworth Crane, but everyone calls me Fox." Fox replied as he extended his hand.

"Fox," Theresa repeated. She smiled. "I like it. It's different, but I like it." She admitted shyly.

Fox smiled as he tilted his head and scrutinized Theresa. "Are you nervous?" He asked.

Theresa's face blanched. "Uh no~" She said as she fumbled with the edge of the blanket. "What makes you think that?"

"You're fidgeting." Fox said slightly amused.

"Well can you blame me?" Theresa said exasperated. "I'm alone with a handsome stranger, and I probably look like hell right now. I haven't even seen my reflection yet. And you know what I just realized? I don't remember what I look like. How sad is that?"

"Take my word on it, Theresa, you're beautiful." Fox said softly.

Theresa blushed. "You're just saying that to make me feel better."

"No," Fox said as he tenderly interlaced his fingers with Theresa's. "I'm saying it because it's true."

Theresa gazed into Fox's eyes and saw bold yearning within them. Fox was desperately fighting the urge to kiss Theresa. "Thank you, Fox." Theresa said quietly. "You're very sweet."

Fox smiled. "That's me all right. Sweet." Theresa smiled in return.

Fox outlined Theresa's lips with his finger. "It's so good to see you smile again." He said. "I've missed that smile."

"What else did you miss?" Theresa asked quietly.

"I missed your beautiful eyes and the way it felt to kiss your lips. I missed how perfectly you fit in my arms, and the comfort I felt when you were beside me. I missed being with you," Fox whispered. "I missed everything Theresa." Fox said as he kissed her fingers and held them to his heart. "No matter what happens Theresa, I will always love you. Nothing is ever going to change that. You've captured my heart Theresa. I'm taken with you."

Theresa found herself being lost in Fox's gaze, and at the same time being mesmerized with his words. "I'm very lucky." She whispered. "I'm lucky to have someone who loves me that much." Theresa said in awe.

"I'm the lucky one Theresa." Fox said as he caressed her cheek.

"I wish I could remember," Theresa said sadly.

"I wish you could too," Fox admitted.

"Fox," Theresa said. "Will you just hold me?"

"Sure," Fox said. He sat down beside her and gently embraced her. Theresa leaned against him and sighed. She felt comforted with his strong arms supporting her. Theresa could feel Fox's heart beating in his chest. "Fox," She said quietly.

"Hm?" Fox asked.

"Will you help me remember?" She asked in a small voice.

Fox turned Theresa's face towards him. "Of course I will."

Theresa smiled. "Where do you think we should start?"

"How about this?" Fox said as he leaned in to plant a soft kiss on Theresa's lips.

~*~



"I'm so relieved, Doctor." Pilar said. "It's like a burden has been lifted from my heart."

"I'm glad Theresa pulled through." Dr. Livingston smiled.

Little Ethan looked at Dr. Livingston with interest. "I bet this little guy will be happy to see his mommy." Dr. Livingston said as he playfully ruffled Little Ethan's hair.

Little Ethan giggled. "Ma," He said happily as he clapped his hands.

"Is that all he can say?" Dr. Livingston asked Pilar.

"For now," Pilar smiled. "I wonder what his next word will be. Hm, do you have grandchildren?"

"I have two little grandsons who are four and six and one granddaughter who is just about the same age as this little one."

"That's nice." Pilar smiled.

"I think my granddaughter's first word was Daddy though. 'Course it came out 'Da', but we all know she meant Daddy."

"Da!" Little Ethan repeated.

Pilar and Dr. Livingston looked in surprise at Little Ethan. "Did he just~" Dr. Livingston pointed at Little Ethan.

"I think he did." Pilar said. "My, my little Ethan. Before you know it you're mouth will be full of words." Pilar kissed her grandson on the forehead.

Little Ethan smiled. "Ma! Da!" He said as he clapped his hands together as he said the words.

"He's a smart one," Dr. Livingston replied. "He'll be speaking in no time."

"You don't mind if I go in and see Theresa now, do you?" Pilar asked.

"No, not at all." Dr. Livingston replied. "Let's both go and see how she's doing." Dr. Livingston and Pilar walked down the hall and continued their conversation. Once they reached the door of Theresa's room, Dr. Livingston held the door open for Pilar. Pilar smiled as she saw Fox and Theresa in a kiss. "Aw," She said as she touched her heart.

"Well, well " Dr. Livingston said smiling.

"Ma! Da!" Little Ethan cried happily.