XXXIII.

Pacing around the wharf nervously, Fox glanced at his watch. 11:35. It was twenty-five minutes before Fox was either accepted or rejected. A low rumbling in the sky forewarned a storm. "Oh God, please don't let it~" Suddenly it seemed as if the skies opened. Rain poured down from the sky. "Rain." Fox said as he frowned. "Great, just great." He mumbled as the flowers he was holding drooped under the weight of the rain. "What else will go wrong?" Fox wondered.

~*~



Theresa glanced out of her window. Rain was plastered against the glass. "Oh no," Theresa said. She hurriedly got her coat and umbrella. Kissing her son on the forehead, Theresa ran outside the door of her room. "Mama," Theresa said as she knocked softly on the door. Theresa entered the room. "Mama," Theresa said.
Pilar looked up. "I'm going to see Fox now, keep an eye on Little Ethan, all right?" Pilar nodded. "Good luck Theresa." She said.
"Thanks mama," Theresa replied as she quickly ran out the door.

"Please let me make it on time," She thought. Theresa ran to her car and got in. To her dismay, the car did not start. "No!" Theresa said as she hit the wheel frustrated. "No! C'mon," Theresa said as she turned the ignition. Theresa cursed under her breath and decided she would walk. She opened her umbrella, pulled her coat tightly about her and ran towards the wharf. The rain beat down hard on Theresa as she ran through the Harmony streets. Lighting illuminated the sky. Theresa looked at her watch and cursed when she saw that the time was now 11:45. "Almost there," Theresa thought to herself. A car headed in the opposite direction began to slow down. Theresa looked at the car in puzzlement. The window rolled down. As Theresa peered in, she noticed Ethan in the driver's seat. "Theresa, what are you doing running in the rain?"

"I can't talk now, Ethan! This is important. I have to go!"

"Is something wrong with Little Ethan?" Ethan asked worriedly.

"No, nothing's wrong with Little Ethan. I've got to go! Bye!" Theresa said as she turned and ran off

Wait Theresa!" Ethan called. Theresa didn't look back. "Sorry Ethan, but I just don't have the time right now." She mumbled. "I have to get to Fox."

~*~



Fox glanced at his watch. 11:50. "Ten more minutes" Fox thought to himself.

~*~



Theresa kept running as her heart beat wildly in her chest. As she looked through the sheet of rain pouring down, she noticed the Harmony wharf sign. Breathing a sigh of relief, Theresa wiped away the wet hair that was plastered against her face. She turned her head and suddenly lost her footing and slipped on the sidewalk. "Damn!" She said as she hurriedly jumped up. She winced in pain when she stood up. "No!" She thought. Her ankle began hurting terribly. "I'm getting to Fox, even if I have to crawl there." She thought determined. Limping, Theresa made her way down to the wharf. "I hope he's still there." Theresa said as she looked around for any sign of Fox. Theresa looked at her watch. She noticed that it still said 11:45. "Huh?" Theresa looked at her watch more closely. The second hand had stopped. "Great, a broken watch." Theresa mumbled. As she turned the corner, she saw a tall figure leaning against the rail of the wharf.

Theresa carefully walked down the steps and approached the person carefully. "Fox," She said. When the person didn't turn around, Theresa called his name again. "Fox!" She said. The figure turned around and surprised Theresa. "I'm sorry, are you looking for someone?" The stranger asked.

"Oh I'm sorry." Theresa mustered. "I thought you were someone else."

"No problem," The man smiled.

Theresa hurriedly walked off. She anxiously looked around and saw no one else. Her ankle throbbed with pain. Theresa winced as she continued walking. "Where are you?" Theresa wondered as she stopped and looked at her surroundings. Suddenly Theresa's heart filled with dread. "What if he doesn't show up?" She thought worriedly. Theresa sat down and rubbed her ankle. "He's got to be here," Theresa said. As Theresa looked up, her eyes fell upon familiar brown eyes that she had gazed into many times before. Fox walked slowly to Theresa. "Are you all right?" He asked softly.

"I-I hurt my ankle." Theresa said quietly. Without responding, Fox reached down and lifted Theresa in his arms. Surprised, she wrapped her arms around his neck as he walked to get out of the rain. Fox found a bench that was somewhat sheltered and set Theresa down on it.

"Thank you." Theresa said flustered.

Fox sat beside her. He rubbed his legs nervously.

"I missed you." They both said at the same time.

Fox chuckled nervously. "I'm glad the feeling's mutual." Fox replied. "I'm so glad you're here. I was afraid you weren't going to come."

"Fox, I still love you despite what happened. I promised you that I would always love you and I'm going to keep that promise. I won't leave your side Fox. I know that we'll have rough times that will test our relationship, but I said that our love was strong. It is strong Fox, and together we'll get through the good times and the bad."

"I love you so much." Fox said as he embraced Theresa.

"I love you too." Theresa said softly.

"What do you say I take you home?" Fox said. "You should get out of those clothes before you catch a cold or something."

"I just want to stay with you, Fox." Theresa said. "It doesn't matter where you take me, just as long as you're by my side."

"Okay," Fox whispered. He lifted her up in his arms. Theresa held the umbrella over his head as he ran to his car. Fox opened the passenger side of the door, and helped Theresa into her seat. He ran to the driver's seat and got in. "You all right?" Fox asked.

"I am now." Theresa smiled. "So, where are we going?"

"It's a surprise." Fox grinned.

"I can't wait." Theresa sighed happily.