XXVIII.

"Pilar!" Stanley said as he caught her in his arms. "Pilar!"

"What's going on?" Theresa asked as she and Fox hurriedly entered the room. "Oh my God, what's wrong with mama?"

"She fainted." Stanley replied.

"Why?" Fox asked.

"I mentioned your engagement. I thought she had already known~"

"Mama," Theresa said as she rushed to her mother's side. "Mama?"

Pilar opened her eyes slowly. "Theresa?"

"Mama, are you all right?" Theresa asked worriedly.

"I'm fine." Pilar said flustered. "I was just- overcome with shock with the news. Is it true Theresita? Are you and Fox engaged?"

Theresa nodded as she slipped her arms around Fox. "We're getting married."

"Theresa, are you sure you want to do this?" Pilar asked her daughter quietly.

"Yes, mama." Theresa answered. "I'm sure."

"Well, I suppose the only thing I can say is~" Pilar stood up and held out her arms. "Congratulations mi hija. I'm so happy for you."

"Oh mama!" Theresa said as she embraced her mother.

"Have you made any plans yet?" Stanley asked Fox.

"In a way, but Theresa and I still have things to discuss." Fox replied as he glanced at Theresa.

"You go on," Pilar said to her daughter.

"You're sure you're okay?" Theresa asked.

"I'm fine." Pilar said. "I have Stanley here, I'll be fine."

"Stanley?" Fox and Theresa said as they glanced at Dr. Livingston.

"Yes," Dr. Livingston said smiling. "My first name is Stanley."

"Okay," Theresa said smiling as she raised her eyebrows at her mother. "You two have- fun."

Fox and Theresa laughed as they left the room. "You think there's something going on between my mother and the Doctor?" Theresa asked.

"I think so." Fox said with a surprised look on his face.

Theresa went outside and walked down to the pool. She slipped off her shoes and placed her feet in the cool water. Fox admired how the sunlight highlighted Theresa's features. Theresa looked at Fox intently. "What?" She asked with a smile on her face. Fox smiled and shook his head. "Nothing." He replied. "I just can't believe you're going to become Mrs. Nicholas Foxworth Crane."

"How did we meet Fox?" Theresa asked.

"Let's see. It all started when I found myself in debt. I decided to pay a visit to Harmony. So, I came home one night and went to my old bedroom." Fox smiled. "And lo and behold there you were."

"In your old bedroom? What was I doing there?" Theresa asked.

"We all thought you were married to my father, Julian. You were living in the Crane mansion then. However, it turned out that your marriage to my father was a fraud. It was a prank pulled by one of my father's friends named Bruce. Anyhow, at the time I came home you were staying in my old bedroom. You screamed your head off that night, and Ethan came running to the rescue. I still believe Ethan's never gotten over you. I mean, how could he? He was a damned fool for not choosing you when he had the chance." Fox reached over and brushed Theresa's hair away from her cheek.

"Choosing me when he had the chance?" Theresa asked.

"Well, apparently before proposing to Gwen, Ethan had decided that maybe he could give you another shot. You and he were close to getting engaged once again, but Ethan ended up choosing Gwen because she was pregnant. Well, actually according to him he chose Gwen because she loves her a lot, but I believe the baby had a lot to deal with his decision."

"Oh," Theresa replied.

"Anyhow, Ethan and I got into a little scuffle and I introduced myself to you. You had invited me to escort you to your brother's wedding the next morning. I must say, it was the beginning of a beautiful friendship."

Theresa smiled. "Tell me more about us."

"Hm, after we had gotten acquainted, we continued to become closer friends. You and I had many occasions where we would be talking in your bedroom."

"Were we~" Theresa blushed. "Um,"

"What?" Fox asked intrigued by Theresa's nervousness. "You're blushing. What is it?"

"When we first met, were we ever interested in one another?" Theresa averted her gaze.

"One time while we were out on the beach, you admitted that you found me attractive." Fox said as he playfully nudged Theresa.

"I did?" Theresa asked. "And what did you say?"

"Let's see, my exact words were 'I had the hots for you too. In fact there was a time or two when I was thinking about putting the moves on you.' You said, 'Yeah?'" Fox paused and looked up at the sky. "Ya know, that memory ties into the one where that guy told us to get a room."

"Oh" Theresa said. "Okay. You know, if I remember correctly, before I pulled you into a kiss, it seemed as if you were going to kiss me first."

"I did want to kiss you," Fox admitted. "That's why I got closer to you, then someone interrupted us and you thought it was Ethan. Then- well- you know what happened."

"Yeah." Theresa replied. "I used you to make Ethan jealous?"

"You asked me to help you make him jealous." Fox answered.

"So I did use you." Theresa shook her head. "That seems so wrong. I can't believe I would do something like that."

"You had it bad when it came to Ethan." Fox replied. "You really believed that you and he were destined to be together."

"Destined to be together." Theresa repeated as she shook her head in amazement.

"Yup, you held strong to your beliefs in Fate." Fox said.

"I acted like a fool when it came to Ethan?" Theresa asked.

"You went some pretty extreme lengths for him." Fox replied.

"Like what?" Theresa asked.

"The most extreme stunt you pulled that blew my mind was when you actually went to death row for Ethan. You were almost executed. 'Course, the whole thing was staged by my oh-so-powerful grandfather. But, I must say, that was the craziest thing that you've probably done for Ethan."

"Death row?" Theresa said baffled.

"Yeah," Fox said. "Do you want anything to drink?"

"A drink sounds nice," Theresa admitted.

"Okay, I'll be right back." Fox said as he got up.

Theresa sat and stared at the mirrored image of her in the water. "Who am I?" She wondered to herself. "Why was I so obsessed with Ethan?" Theresa frowned. "If I loved Ethan so much, why can't I remember him?" She mumbled.

"Maybe because it hurts too much." Ethan replied as his reflection appeared in the water.

Theresa gasped as she turned around. "I thought you left."

"I left the apartment, but I stuck around out here." Ethan said. "Do you mind if I join you?"

"I guess not." Theresa said as she turned her back to him.

Ethan slipped off his shoes and placed his feet in the water. "So," he said.

"You think I don't remember you because the memories are too painful?" Theresa asked.

"Yeah, I mean it happens right? Repressed memories?" Ethan said.

"How painful are we talking?" Theresa asked. "Because as you already know, I don't remember."

Ethan cleared his throat. "Um, well, I broke your heart so many times~" Ethan's voice trailed off.

"Oh." Theresa said.

"Yeah," Ethan said. "To be honest, Theresa, deep down, I still love you."

Theresa closed her eyes. "I have a feeling I've heard this before."

"I admitted that I still loved you after I arrived in L.A." Ethan explained. "And it still holds true, Theresa. But I have Gwen and the baby to worry about~"

"If you love me so much, then why did you choose Gwen?" Theresa asked.

"Gwen's pregnant." Ethan said. "And I love her too."

"Oh, so you're in love with two women." Theresa said. "I see. Well, Ethan, you can already bury the love you have or had with me or whatever. Because, well, I don't think I'll ever return that love again. I have Fox now. You're married, so why don't we just forget about whatever it is we had. I mean, hell, I can't even remember what we had." Theresa said bluntly.

"How can you say that?" Ethan asked. "What we had was special."

"I'm sure it was, Ethan. I'm sure it was really special, but you've got to forget about me."

"I can't just do that, Theresa." Ethan said. "My God, I still dream about you."

"You're a married man yet you still dream of other women?" Theresa said disbelievingly.

"Not just any other random woman. You, Theresa. You're still a part of me, and it drives me insane."

"I can't believe I'm hearing this." Theresa said as she got up and walked away,

"Theresa, I still love you, and the only reason why I'm telling you this is because, well, I don't want you to marry Fox."

"Excuse me?" Theresa said as she turned to glare at Ethan.

"I don't want you to marry Fox." Ethan repeated.

"That isn't your decision to make." Theresa retorted.

"But I care about you Theresa, and I'm telling you Fox is no good."

"Fox is a good man. He's probably a better man that you'll ever be!" Theresa said furiously. "Fox wouldn't marry a woman and then dream of being with someone else."

"Okay," Ethan said. "I get it."

"Whatever." Theresa said.

Ethan rolled his eyes. Then an idea occurred to him. "She doesn't remember much," Ethan thought to himself. "I know what to do." He cleared his throat. "But Fox would do something like- say- use someone to get to their best friend." Ethan replied.

"What?" Theresa said. "What are you talking about?"

"Fox has been known to be a user and manipulator. I wouldn't be surprised if he used you to get to your best friend. You know, Whitney."

"Fox wouldn't do something like that." Theresa said. "You're just full of~"

"What's going on out here?" Fox demanded.

"Ethan suggested you would use me to get to my best friend." Theresa replied as she glared at Ethan.

Fox paled. Ethan noticed and called Fox on his expression. "What's the matter Fox? Why do you look like that? Is it because it's true?"

Fox swallowed. "No," He said. "It's not like that."

"Fox?" Theresa asked with a suspicious look in her eyes. "What is it?"

"You knew about Whitney?" Fox asked in disbelief to Ethan.

"Not exactly, but I should've known." Ethan said shaking his head.

Theresa looked away and closed her eyes. Memories flooded her mind.

Theresa looked at him with a pained expression. "Fox, was Whitney your mystery woman?"

Fox's face blanched as he felt his lungs constrict. He swallowed hard and felt his palms begin to sweat. He was overcome with shock. "Uh,"

"I take it as a yes." Theresa said disbelievingly.

"Who told you?" Fox asked.

"So it is true." Theresa said. "Oh my God!" Theresa shook her head.

"Oh my God," Theresa said again as she sank to the ground. "I remember, you told me you had been in love with Whitney."

"You son-of-a-bitch!" Ethan yelled as he lunged for Fox.

"Don't you yell at me!" Fox retorted. "Don't forget you blamed Theresa for Gwen's precarious condition at the hospital."

"It's just like you to be unable to take the blame." Ethan muttered. "You cowardly, selfish~"

"Oh don't you start." Fox said as he menacingly towered over his half brother. "If anyone should be called cowardly and selfish it should
be you."

"Stop it!" Theresa cried.

"Theresa," Fox said as he rushed to her. "I'm sorry, but don't you remember my explanation about Whitney?"

"Vaguely." Theresa said. "Why don't you remind me?"

"Whitney was just an infatuation. It wasn't love that I felt towards her." Fox said as Theresa frowned. "Please, Theresa." Fox pleaded. "Please believe that you are the only woman I love."

Theresa sighed. "We used each other." She said sadly. "You used me to get to Whitney and I used you to get to Ethan. Is that all our relationship was about? Using each other?" Theresa asked.

"No!" Fox said. "No, Theresa, our relationship was not like that. Our relationship is beautiful. What we have is something rare and wonderful. We were both being foolish because we thought we were in love with other people when in truth, we were in love with each other the whole time."

Theresa looked away.

"Don't tell me you're falling for this." Ethan remarked.

"Shut the hell up, Ethan." Fox said.

"Look, you two, stop okay?" Theresa said. "I just need a drink."

"Here," Fox said as he handed her a soda.

"No," Theresa said. "I need something else. Alcohol would be more like it." Theresa said as she made her way back to the apartment.

"Theresa wait." Fox pleaded. He decided to let her have a few moments to herself. He turned around and glared at Ethan. "We have a few things to settle." He said menacingly.

~*~



"I should finish packing." Pilar said. "I have to leave soon."

"Why are you leaving?" Stanley asked.

"It's complicated." Pilar replied as she resumed packing.

"It's a shame you have to leave. I wanted to ask you to dinner." Stanley said.

"What?" Pilar said surprised.

"I kind of wanted to ask you out."

"Oh?" Pilar said blushing. "Wow, I'm very flattered."

"Will you be coming out to L.A. in the near future?" Stanley asked with a hopeful expression.

"We'll see." Pilar said smiling.

Dr. Livingston's pager began beeping. "Oh no," Stanley remarked. "Looks like I have to get to the hospital. Pilar, please, here's my number. Call me okay?" Stanley said.

Pilar held the paper containing Stanley's number and smiled. "All right,"

Stanley smiled. "Have a nice flight, Pilar. I'll talk to you later." Stanley gave Pilar a quick kiss on the cheek before rushing out the door.

"Oh my," Pilar said feeling light-headed. Pilar shook her head and finished packing. "I'm acting like a school-girl." She reprimanded herself. Pilar collected Little Ethan's things and went to go find him. She heard him fussing in the next room. When his grandmother walked in Little Ethan pumped up his fists in frustration. "Oh what is it?" Pilar asked.

Little Ethan extended his arms up, indicating that he wanted to be picked up. "Come on, little one. We've got a plane to catch." Pilar said as she took her grandson out of the room.

Pilar walked into the living room. "Whitney, Chad, do you think you could help me bring my things down?"

"Sure," They replied as they walked into her room.

"I'm surprised Julian hasn't come up here." Pilar said.

"He's probably outside still waiting." Chad replied.

"Theresa," Pilar called out when she walked past the room.

"Huh?" Theresa asked.

"Theresita, I'm already packed and ready to go. Are you all right?" Pilar asked her daughter worriedly.

"You have to go now?" Theresa asked. "Oh, Little Ethan, come here." Little Ethan hugged his mother's neck. "You're going to have to go back to Harmony, but I'l be there soon. You behave for your grandmother okay?" Theresa said. Little Ethan smiled in response. "Good boy," Theresa replied. "You be sure that Julian doesn't lay a hand on my son." Theresa told her mother.

"Of course, Theresita. Little Ethan will not leave my site." Theresa hugged her mother tightly. "We'll see each other soon." Theresa said.

"All right." Pilar replied.

"Would you like me to help you take these to the car?" Theresa asked.

"No, you just stay here. It might be easier for Little Ethan." Pilar replied. "Theresa, something's wrong. I can tell."

Theresa sighed. "I'll be fine, mama." Theresa reassured her mother. "You go on, now." Theresa gave one last kiss to her son and mother.

Once she was alone, Theresa went into the kitchen. She searched until she found some liquor. Theresa poured herself a glass and savored the dark liquid as it slowly slid down her throat. Theresa felt her body becoming numb to the drink's effects. Theresa took the bottle of liquor and her glass with her into one of the rooms. She left the lights closed and the shades drawn.

Theresa let out a deep breath as she sat on the floor with her back against the bed. She took another gulp of her drink and felt her mind already becoming fuzzy.