XXVII.

"Oh my God," Whitney said as she looked at Fox and Theresa. "Chad!"

"I know." Chad said baffled.

"Marry me?" Fox repeated.

"What the hell?" Ethan yelled furiously. "How is her marrying you going to solve this?"

Fox ignored Ethan who was obviously on another one of his rampages. "Theresa," He said as he focused his gaze on hers. "You have been the only woman who's ever really understood me. I love you with all of my heart and soul, and I promise you that I will do everything in my power to make sure you are happy for the rest of your life."

"Oh puhleeze!" Ethan cried.

Little Ethan squirmed in Theresa's arms as he smiled at Fox.

"Fox," Theresa said astounded. "I-I don't know what to say."

"Say no, Theresa." Ethan interrupted. "Why the hell would you say yes?"

"Say whatever your heart tells you to say Theresa." Fox replied. "Listen to what your heart says."

"Awww," Whitney said. "Chad, she's got to say yes! I knew it! I knew this was going to happen!" Whitney said excitedly.

"Whitney, shh." Chad said.

Little Ethan traveled from his mother to Fox.

"Are you asking me to marry you just because this is a part of your plan?" Theresa asked warily.

"Partly because of that. But Theresa, I was thinking. After little Ethan looked at me awhile ago I knew that deep down I wanted to be a part of his life. I want to be his father, Theresa."

"Da!" Little Ethan giggled.

"Oh Fox," Theresa said.

"And I want you to be my wife. I love you, Theresa. You said yourself that you feel the love I have towards you."

"Are you sure you want to do this?" Theresa asked.

"Absolutely, Theresa. Now, do you have an answer because my knee is starting to ache?"

Theresa laughed. "Oh Fox," she said as she stroked his face. "I love you."

"I know, sweetie, but seriously my knee is really hurting now." Fox frowned.

"Oh you poor baby," Theresa said as she played with his hair.

"Theresa?" Fox asked. "Do you have an answer? The suspense is killing me."

"And me," Whitney mumbled.

"Hmm, my answer is~" Theresa said.

Whitney crossed her fingers. "C'mon Theresa," She mumbled.

"Yes!" Theresa cried happily.

Fox jumped to his feet and picked up Theresa. She and Little Ethan squealed as he twirled them around. "For a moment there I was afraid you weren't going to say yes." Fox admitted.

Theresa giggled. "It was funny watching you squirm."

"Oh yeah," Fox said mischievously as he tickled her. Theresa laughed. "Fox!" Little Ethan laughed along with them.

"I cannot believe you're doing this!" Ethan cried. "This is ridiculous! You can't get married for God sakes!"

"Shut up Ethan," Fox and Theresa said at the same time.

"You two are out of your minds." Ethan said as he walked off.

"No," Theresa said smiling as she gazed into Fox's brown eyes. "We're just in love."

"Oh my God!" Whintey squealed. "Theresa!"

Theresa spun around as Whitney embraced her. "I can't believe you just agreed to marry Fox! Congratulations!"

"Thank you, Whitney." Theresa replied smiling.

"I can't believe we're both engaged!" Whitney said happily.

"We are?" Theresa said. "This is great! We're best friends and we're both engaged! We could have a double wedding!" Theresa said excitedly.

Fox smiled as he watched Theresa talk about wedding plans. "Hey, congrats, man." Chad said as he shook Fox's hand.

"Thanks Chad," Fox replied.

"You hear that? They're probably going to plan a double wedding." Chad said nodding in the girls' direction.

"Yup, but then again, I want Theresa and me to get married as soon as possible. The sooner we're married, the sooner I can adopt Little Ethan."

"I understand." Chad said.

"Well, um why don't you and Fox go somewhere to be alone? I'm sure you have," Whitney cleared her throat, "Um, things to talk about." Whitney winked.

"Okay," Theresa laughed. "Can you watch Little Ethan for me?"

"Sure Whitney said as she reached out for him."

"Let's go in one of the rooms." Fox said as he led Theresa to Ethan and Gwen's old bedroom.

"I'm sorry I don't have an engagement ring for you." Fox said as he shut the door.

"Knowing that you'll always love me is enough, Fox." Theresa whispered as she leaned in to kiss Fox lightly on the lips.

"Mm." Fox smiled as they pulled apart.

"Fox," Theresa said as she sat on the bed. "How do you expect our marriage to thwart Julian's custody of Little Ethan?"

"Once we're married I'll put in a motion to adopt Little Ethan. That way the three of us can be a family."

"I like that plan." Theresa said. "I just hope that we can accomplish it."

"We will Theresa, but it's going to be one hell of a battle."

~*~



"Theresa and Fox getting married." Whitney sighed.

"It's great." Chad said smiling. "I bet you're very happy."

"Yes!" Whitney said giddily. "Very very hapy. And I bet you're happy too?" Whitney asked little Ethan. Ethan Martin grinned in response. He then let out a small yawn. "Is somebody getting sleepy?" She asked in a baby voice. Whitney was then distracted by a knock at the door. "I wonder who that is." Whitney said aloud. "It better not be Julian because I'll slam the door in his face."

Whitney opened the door and found Dr. Livingston on the doorstep. "Hi," Dr. Livingston said. "I don't know if you remember me, but I was Theresa's doctor."

"Oh yes," Whitney said. "Come in."

"Doctor," Chad said as he extended his hand. "Nice to see you again. What brings you by here?"

"Well, Fox told me that you were going to have a surprise celebration for Theresa. I hope I'm not too late. I tried to get here as fast as I could, but an emergency came up. You never know what might happen at the hospital."

"Yeah," Whitney agreed. "I'm glad you're here. We've got so much to celebrate!"

"Wow, you're very enthusiastic." Dr. Livingston noted. "And it looks like this little guy is a bit sleepy?" the Doctor observed as he looked at Little Ethan.

"Yeah, I should probably put him down for a nap soon." Whitney replied.

"Fox and Theresa are engaged." Chad said.

"Really?" Dr. Livingston said. "That's wonderful!"

"Yes it is." Whitney said smiling. "Would you like something to eat?"

"Absolutely. Hm, by any chance would you know where Pilar is?"

"Pilar?" Whitney repeated. "Well, uh she's in her room packing."

"Packing?" Dr. Livingston frowned. "Is she leaving L.A.?"

"Why don't you talk to her yourself?" Chad said. "In fact, I'll show you to her room."

~*~



Pilar hurriedly got her things together in suitcases. "Damn Julian!" She sputtered in anger.

"Julian?" Dr. Livingston said as he entered the room.

"Dr. Livingston." Pilar said. "You're here." She said in surprise.

"Yeah, Fox extended an invite. And please, enough with the Dr. Livingston. You can call me Stanley."

"All right, Stanley. You can call me Pilar."

"So, Pilar, I hear you're leaving L.A.?" Stan looked disappointed.

"Yes, something's come up and I must go back to Harmony with my grandson."

"Does it have to deal with this Julian character?" Stanley asked.

"Yes," Pilar admitted.

"Oh." Stanley said. "Well, um, I guess I'll leave you to your packing."

"Wait, Doc- I mean Stanley." Pilar said. "I'm sorry. Please stay."

"All right." Stanley replied. He cleared his throat. "I thought you'd be ecstatic today considering the good news and all."

"The good news?" Pilar said baffled.

"Yes, of Theresa and Fox's engagement."

"Their what?" Pilar said.

"They're engagement." Stanley repeated.

"Oh dear God," Pilar said as she fainted.