XXXII.

A couple of days after the wedding, Gwen had given birth to a healthy baby girl. Ethan and Gwen decided to name their child Sarah. Ethan had heard about Angela's appearance at the wedding. He was furious with Fox. Gwen sensed Ethan's anger and decided not to bring it up. Ethan wanted to go to see Theresa, but he restrained himself from doing so since he had his daughter to care for.

Whitney and Chad tried their best to help their friends, but everything they said had went through one ear and out the other for Theresa and Fox. Since Whitney and Chad were in town, they decided to pay a visit to Whitney's family. Surprisingly, they were accepted with open arms. Whitney was happy that things were reconciled with her family, but she hoped that Theresa and Fox would be able to save their relationship.

For the next few days, Theresa and Fox avoided each other. Theresa stayed over at her mother's house and spent most of her days crying. She missed Fox immensely, but she still didn't know how she would handle it if she came face to face with him. Fox couldn't muster enough courage to see Theresa. He knew he hurt her, and he felt he couldn't face her. Fox spent most of his days in the Crane Mansion wandering around as if lost. Dylan moved in the mansion and tried to help cheer his friend up. No matter what Dylan said or did, Fox still felt miserable. He missed Theresa.

About a week after the disastrous wedding reception, Theresa sat her room and glanced out of the window. The sunlight that filtered through the blinds made her wedding ring sparkle. Theresa looked down at her ring and sighed sadly.

"Theresa?" Pilar said quietly as she entered the room.

"Yes, mama?" Theresa asked miserably.

"Someone is here to see you." Pilar said quietly. Theresa instantly perked up. "Who?" She asked eagerly.

"Dylan." Pilar replied.

Theresa looked disappointed. "Dylan? Is he alone?"

"Yes, mi hija." Pilar said.

Theresa sighed and looked away. "I'm sorry," Pilar said. "You hoped Fox was with him?"

"I just wish Fox would~" Theresa's voice trailed off. "Never mind. What does Dylan want?"

"He just wants to talk apparently." Pilar said. "I'm about to take Little Ethan with me to the store, so you and Dylan can talk in the living room without interruptions."

"Okay," Theresa said. "I'll be down in a minute."

Theresa looked at herself in the mirror. Her eyes were full of sadness. She quickly brushed her hair and went to the living room. Dylan stood as Theresa entered. "Hey," Dylan said quietly.

"Hi," Theresa replied. "What are you doing here?"

"I came to talk to you." Dylan said.

"Oh?" Theresa said as she took a seat on the couch "What about?"

"I think you know what about." Dylan replied softly.

Theresa looked down. "I don't think I'm ready to talk about- him."

"Look, Fox is miserable all right? I can't get him to do anything. He just sits around and mopes."

Theresa looked up at Dylan. "Is he angry with me?"

"No," Dylan said. "He's angry with himself for hurting you. Are you angry with him?"

"I'm not angry." Theresa replied. "Just extremely hurt."

Dylan nodded. "Do you still love Fox?"

"Of course I do," Theresa whispered hoarsely as tears filled her eyes.

"He still loves you." Dylan replied.

Theresa wiped at the tears that fell down her cheeks. "Why won't he come see me?"

"He can't face you. He knows he's hurt you deeply."

"I miss him so much." Theresa said. "What ever happened to~"

"To who?" Dylan asked.

"To that woman and her child Belle." Theresa replied while averting her gaze.

"Do you really want to know?" Dylan asked warily.

"Yes," Theresa replied.

"Well, Angela- Belle's mother, produced a document that showed Fox was Belle's father."

Theresa leaned her head against the couch. "I had hoped that it was all a sham."

"There's still something suspicious about the whole thing if you ask me." Dylan replied. "But anyhow this is for you," Dylan said as he pulled out an envelope. "It's from Fox."

Theresa stared at the letter in Dylan's hand. "Thank you." She said quietly.

"Read it, Theresa. Fox poured his heart and soul into that letter." Dylan left quietly. Theresa still stared at the letter. With shaking fingers, Theresa opened the envelope.

~*~



Fox took another drink of the dark colored liquid in his glass. He savored the taste in his mouth before letting it slide down his throat. He stared out of the window and glanced upward at the dark menacing clouds which littered the sky. "I hope she reads the letter." Fox said aloud.

"She will" Dylan said as he entered the room.

"You're back already?" Fox said in surprise.

"Yeah," Dylan said. "She still loves you Fox. She told me she misses you."

Fox sighed in relief. "Then there's a chance," Fox said.

"I told you that you put your heart and soul into that letter." Dylan said quietly.

"That was the truth." Fox replied. "I did put all of my emotions into that letter. I just hope she'll meet me tonight."

"If she really does love you as much as you think she does, she'll show up tonight."

~*~



My dearest Theresa,

I'm sorry that I haven't come to see you these past few days. It has been pure hell not being able to see your beautiful face, but I haven't been able to muster up enough courage to face you. I know I've hurt you deeply, and it kills me inside knowing I was the cause of your pain. Theresa, I still love you with all of my heart. I still want to be your husband and a father to your child. I can't lose you Theresa. Life just wouldn't be worth living without you by my side. Fate brought me home to Harmony for a reason. It was because of you. We were destined to be together. Theresa, you are my soul mate. You are the one who completes me, and I need you. All I've thought about is our vows we made on our wedding day. Everything I told you that day before God and our family and friends still holds true. I'll love you forever Theresa. If you still want to continue our lives together as husband and wife, then meet me at the wharf at midnight. I'll be waiting. If you do not show, then I will assume you do not want to ever see me again. I'll arrange for an annulment and leave town. You won't ever have to see me again. But Theresa, I hope with all of my heart that you meet me tonight.

All my love,

Fox

The words on the paper blurred as tears filled Theresa's eyes. "I'm coming, Fox." She whispered. "I'll be there."