XXVI.

"Fox and Theresa should be here any minute now," Pilar said to Whitney and Chad. Little Ethan clapped his hands happily.

"Okay," Whitney said. "Everything is already set up."

"I think I hear someone." Chad said.

They heard someone knock on the door three times. Pilar looked confused. "Why would Fox knock? Doesn't he have a key?" She asked aloud.

"I'll get it." Chad said.

Once he opened the door, Ethan appeared. "Oh, Ethan." Chad replied. "What are you doing here?"

"Is Theresa here? I wanted to talk to her." Ethan replied.

"No, she isn't here yet. Why don't you come in?" Chad said as he ushered Ethan in.

"Oh, Ethan." Pilar said. "It's nice to see you." She said politely.

"Hello, Pilar. Whitney." Ethan greeted. "Hey little man." Ethan said to his namesake. Little Ethan smiled at Ethan for a moment, but directed his attention to playing with his grandmother's hair.

"Do you think it's a good idea for him to be here?" Whitney asked Pilar quietly.

"What exactly did you want to talk to Theresa about?" Pilar asked Ethan.

"I just wanted to talk to her." Ethan replied. "What's going on here? A party?"

"It's a surprise for Theresa." Whitney clarified. "I guess you're welcome to stay." She said glancing towards Pilar.

"Yes," Pilar answered. "But Ethan when you talk to Theresa, try not to keep asking her if she remembers things. She seems to get frustrated when she can't remember."

"Okay." Ethan replied.

"We're here." Fox called as the door opened.

"Surprise!" They all called as Theresa entered the apartment.

"What is this?" Theresa said astonished.

"This is all for you darling," Fox gestured as he smirked at Ethan. Ethan cringed when Fox called Theresa darling.

"Oh you shouldn't have!" Theresa gushed. "You all are so wonderful."

"I cooked all your favorite foods." Pilar said. "And I think there's someone who really wants to see you."

Little Ethan held his arms out to his mother. Theresa took him in her arms and smiled. "There's my baby boy," She cooed. Little Ethan grinned as he glanced over Theresa's shoulder at Fox. "Da!" He called gleefully.

"What did he call you?" Ethan asked bewildered. Whitney and Chad were equally baffled.

"He called him 'Da'" Theresa repeated.

"Oh my gosh, isn't that cute?" Whitney gushed. "Little Ethan thinks Fox is his daddy." Whitney kissed little Ethan on the forehead. Chad laughed as he ruffled Little Ethan's hair.

"That isn't cute." Ethan mumbled as he pouted. "How can he associate Fox as his father? Fox isn't exactly father material."

"How would you know? Why don't you just stop being such a downer?" Whitney hissed. Ethan rolled his eyes as Whitney glared at him.

"Um," Theresa said noting the tension between Whitney and Ethan, "How about we eat something? I'm famished." Everyone helped themselves to the array of dishes set out on the table. A loud knock at the door distracted them.

"Who could that be?" Fox said as he went towards the door.

"Hello Son." Julian said as he let himself into the room.

"What are you doing here?" Fox asked annoyed.

"I'm here to pick up my son. I said that he could be taken out of the mansion. I didn't say that he could be taken thousands of miles away." Julian said.

"Who is this?" Theresa asked as she came into the room.

"Theresa." Julian said surprised. "Last I heard you were in a coma."

"Well, she's not anymore." Fox snapped. "And I'd appreciate it if you'd leave."

"Not until I have my son with me." Julian said as he gestured towards the child.

"Your child?" Theresa said. "You're the father?"

"Yes my dear." Julian said. "What, do you not remember?"

"No," Theresa said shaking her head. "I have amnesia."

"Well isn't that something?" Julian said stroking his chin.

"Leave, Julian." Fox said angrily.

"Excuse me, but that's father to you." Julian said.

Theresa paled. "My son is your half brother?" Theresa asked Fox.

Fox swallowed. "Uh, yeah, Theresa." He said quietly as he comfortingly put his arm around Theresa's shoulders.

"I hate to break up the sentimental moment between you two, but I'd like to have my son now." Julian said.

"No," Theresa said defensively. "You can't just take him away from me. He's my son too."

"Of course he is dear, but according to the courts, I have total custody now." Julian smirked.

"What? How?" Fox asked.

"You see, I went to the judge and got him to give me full custody of Ethan Martin. Theresa was deemed unfit to be his guardian."

"That's ridiculous!" Fox cried. "How can the judge just do that?"

"Are you forgetting that we're Cranes son?" Julian said. "I have ways of getting what I want, and I've gotten custody of Ethan Martin, so hand him over before I have you arrested."

"What is going on in here?" Pilar asked as she and Whitney and Chad entered the room. "Julian?" Pilar said. "What are you doing here?"

"I'm picking up my son. I don't appreciate you taking him away without my permission." Julian said calmly.

"Your permission? I'm his grandmother. I don't need your permission." Pilar hissed.

"I have total custody of Ethan now." Julian said.


"Ethan, can he do this?" Fox asked.

"Julian, do you have proof of what you're saying?" Ethan asked.

"Oh yes," Julian said as he reached into his suit and pulled out papers. "It says it all right here in black and white."

Ethan looked at the papers and frowned. "It says it all right here. Julian has custody."

"No!" Theresa cried. "You can't just take my son away from me!" Whitney came up behind her friend and put her hand on her arm.

"You don't even remember him." Julian said. "Now, Theresa, be a good girl and give Little Ethan to me."

"Never!" Theresa screamed. Little Ethan held his mother tightly. Fear pervaded his gaze.

"I had a feeling you would be difficult." Julian said shaking his head. "Gentlemen!" Julian called. Four husky men entered the room. "I repeat, Theresa, hand over little Ethan. The courts say he's mine."

"Fox!" Theresa cried desperately. "Do something!"

"Ethan, isn't there anything we can do?" Fox asked.

"No," Ethan replied. "Julian has legal custody of little Ethan."

"I thought you were on Theresa's side." Fox snapped. "How can there not be anything we can do?"

"Hey don't blame me!" Ethan yelled to Fox.

"Stop it!" Whitney cried. "Julian, you are pure evil for doing this. And to think, I thought that there was actually some good in you."

"Well, my dear, you may believe what you want, but I've been declared the legal guardian of little Ethan." Julian replied.

"No!" Theresa cried. "You're not taking my son away from me!"

The four men advanced towards Theresa. "Stay away from her!" Fox yelled.

"You know, I'd hate for someone to get hurt." Julian said as he nodded in little Ethan's direction. Little Ethan clutched at his mother's neck tightly.

"I don't want my son to get hurt." Theresa said tearfully.

"He won't." Julian said. "As long as you hand him over."

"Theresa, don't do it" Fox said.

Theresa eyed the four husky men warily. "Fox, we don't have any choice."

"You've got that right." Julian said as he took a seat on the couch.

"I cannot believe you're doing this." Pilar said angrily.

"Believe it." Julian retorted.

"Mama I don't know what to do," Theresa cried.

"I'm sorry, Theresita, but as you said, we don't have any choice."

"Okay, sweetie," Theresa said quietly as she walked towards the other side of the room. Fox looked on with a pained expression. "You're going to have to
go with your~" Theresa paused. "With your daddy." Little Ethan looked expectantly at Fox. Theresa followed her son's gaze and looked at him sadly.

Fox looked away as tears filled his eyes. "Father, please don't do this." He said huskily.

Julian appeared guilty for a few seconds before he masked his face with indifference. "Why are you getting so emotional Fox?"

"You're hurting the woman I love." Fox retorted. "You don't have to do this father. Please." Fox pleaded.

"Sorry, son." Julian said.

"Don't call me son." Fox said furious.

Theresa kissed Little Ethan's forehead. "Theresa," Ethan said quietly. "Maybe you should let Julian have little Ethan for now. I'll help you figure out how to get him back. I know you don't want to do this."

Theresa wiped at her eyes while her son looked at her sadly. "You're damn right I don't want to do this." Theresa said as her voice quivered.

"We'll find a way to get him back." Pilar said quietly.

Theresa sniffed as she hugged Little Ethan tightly. "Where will you be taking him?" Theresa asked.

"Back home to Harmony of course." Julian said. "Where else would I take him?"

"He'll be safe?" Theresa asked warily.

"He'll be well taken care of." Julian replied.

Theresa sighed. "I'll hand him over only on one condition."

"What would that be?" Julian asked.

"My mother must go along with you. I want her to be the one who takes care of my child."

"I am perfectly capable of taking care of my own son." Julian said.

"Yeah right," Fox scoffed. "Even Ethan can agree with me, you aren't the greatest caretaker."

"Julian, perhaps you should agree to Theresa's terms. Please," Ethan said.

Julian sighed. "Fine, it's not like Pilar's a stranger to the Crane mansion."

Theresa kissed her son. "I'll be in Harmony soon." She whispered. "For now, you go with your grandmother. She's going to take good care of you."

"I'll be outside. Get your things together Pilar." Julian said as he left the room.

Pilar glared at Julian. "Mi hija, we'll get this straightened out."

"Yes, mama." Theresa said.

"I'll get my bags packed." Pilar said as she quickly left the room.

"I'm sorry my father's such an ass." Fox said to Theresa.

"I'm sorry that you have to call him father." Theresa replied.

"Theresa, I'll figure out how to fix this." Ethan said.

"There's no need for that." Fox interrupted. "I think I've got a plan Theresa."

"A plan?" Ethan scoffed as he folded his arms.

"Yeah." Fox said to Ethan. "Theresa," Fox said as he bent on one knee and took a hold of one of her hands. "Will you marry me?"