Embracing a New Life
The sequel to Undeniable Attraction
Note: It is wise to read Undeniable Attraction first if you haven't already.
Rated: R for content and some language
Disclaimer: I am neither affiliated with NBC's Passions nor the head
writer James E. Reilly. I am simply a fan who is taking matters into her own
hands.
Feedback is welcome and greatly appreciated!
~*~
Nicholas Foxworth Crane and Theresa Lopez-Fitzgerald
have finally tied the knot. Like any newlywed couple, Fox and Theresa will
experience their share of tests on their relationship. Who or what will put Fox
and Theresa's marriage to the test? Whatever it may be, one thing is for
certain. It is all a part of Embracing a New Life together.
I
A newfound confidence was instilled within Theresa Lopez-Fitzgerald Crane the
moment she and Fox moved into their new home. Her uplifted spirit shone clearly
through her cheerful demeanor. Theresa felt that everything in her life was
perfect. One morning, Theresa woke up and looked admiringly at the man who
slept beside her. His blond hair was highlighted with the morning's light.
Theresa could see the strength he possessed through the well-defined muscles of
his upper body.
She loved every part of his body. She loved his deep brown eyes that seemed to
possess the power to look into her soul. She loved his strong arms that held
her close throughout the night. She loved his hands and the tender touch they
held. She loved his nose and the way it playfully nudged her own before their
lips met. And his lips- oh how she loved the feel of them against her own.
Theresa snuggled against him and felt his arms wrapped around her in a
protective embrace. Instantly enveloped in warmth, Theresa closed her eyes and
sighed contentedly.
Theresa's silky hair tickled Fox awake. He tightened his embrace and breathed
in her sweet scent. He opened his eyes slowly and glanced down at the woman who
was nestled in his arms. Fox loved Theresa with every fiber of his being. He
never knew that he could possess so much love for another. Fox loved the way
Theresa seemed to fit in his arms. He loved the way she could manage to make a
plain white shirt sexy. He loved her sense of humor and the vitality her laugh
possessed. He loved the way her eyes sparkled when she was happy. He loved
observing her whenever she took care of little Ethan. He would often stand in
the doorway as Theresa would sing her son to sleep. Fox couldn't imagine
spending his life with anyone else. He treasured the fact that he would be
embracing a new life with his true love. Fox leaned down and planted a small
kiss on Theresa's forehead. She stirred slightly and looked up at him.
"Good morning, gorgeous," Fox whispered quietly.
Theresa smiled. "Good morning, handsome. Did you sleep well?"
"I always sleep well whenever you're by my side." Fox replied as he pulled her
even closer. Theresa caressed his hand. "Any plans today?"
"I'm going to talk to Mr. Lindsey." Fox replied. Mr. Lindsey was the lawyer Fox
hired to handle the custodial battle with Julian. For the past few weeks,
Julian appeared to be more intent on taking Little Ethan away from Fox and
Theresa. Julian had mentioned on one occasion, "I will fight like hell to get
Ethan Martin." To which Fox and Theresa replied. "We will too."
"Have those adoption papers been processed?" Theresa asked anxiously.
"I'll check today." Fox answered sensing Theresa's uneasiness. He decided to
change the subject in order to take her mind off of the custody battle. "Do you
have class this morning?"
A few days ago, Theresa had begun class at the local college to pursue a degree
in fashion design. While Fox was helping Theresa regain her memory, he managed
to rediscover her long-forgotten dream. Theresa's desire to become a fashion
designer was reawakened.
"Yes," Theresa sighed. "I guess we'll both be busy today."
"Yes, but we always have something to look forward to when we get home." Fox
said as he tenderly caressed Theresa's hair. "Now, it's time to get up."
Theresa pulled the covers over her head in protest. "Not yet," She complained.
"C'mon, Theresa." Fox said as he peeked under the
covers.
Theresa sighed. "Fine." She mumbled. "But I have dibs
on the shower."
"That's not fair." Fox said teasingly.
"There are like a dozen other bathrooms in this house. You can use those."
Theresa pointed out.
"There are only three other bathrooms in this house," Fox corrected. "But I
don't see why I have to use one of them."
"You don't?" Theresa said with a raised eyebrow.
"No," Fox grinned.
"And why is that?" Theresa asked curiously.
"Because," Fox said. "We can always double up in the shower."
Theresa threw a pillow at Fox. "You little devil."
Fox shrugged. "I take that as a no?"
Theresa laughed and leaned close to Fox. Fox lovingly nudged Theresa's nose as
she closed her eyes and leaned in to kiss him. Fox cradled Theresa's head as
his tongue penetrated her lips. Fox's hands began wandering when Theresa slowly
pulled away. Fox groaned in response.
"Something wrong, Fox?" Theresa asked.
"Uh~" Fox said looking slightly uncomfortable.
"What?" Theresa asked as a smile formed on the corners of her lips.
"I think I'm going to need that shower more than you do." Fox replied.
Theresa laughed aloud. "C'mon lover boy." She said as
she led him to the bathroom.
~*~
~*~
Theresa found her attention slowly drifting away to other thoughts during the
lecture that her instructor Justin Hammond was giving. Theresa began doodling
in her notebook, unaware of what Hammond was saying. Theresa
felt her cell vibrate. She discreetly peeked at her phone and saw that she had
a message. Missing you it read along with an amusing picture of Fox
looking at Theresa with puppy dog eyes. Theresa smiled.
"Uh Ms. Lopez-Fitzgerald." Hammond said as he stepped in
front of her. "Would you mind telling me what's so funny?"
The smile quickly disappeared from Theresa's face. "That's Mrs. Crane." Theresa
said quietly.
"I'm sorry? I didn't quite catch that." Hammond said with a smirk on
his face. Justin Hammond was fairly young for a college instructor. He was only
five years older than Theresa. Hammond was very popular
among his students. He also happened to be a popular topic among young ladies
who attended Harmony Community College. Hammond was characterized
admiringly as a tall dark and handsome man. He was also well known for his
sarcasm and pessimistic view of the world.
"I said, that's Mrs. Crane." Theresa said more loudly.
With pride she also added, "I am married."
"Mrs. Crane eh? You've had the privilege of having
that title, what- twice now?" The other students in the classroom laughed.
Theresa became irritated. "Excuse me?"
"As I recall," Hammond said stroking his
strong chin, "You were first married to Julian Crane. Then it all turned out to
be a hoax. Apparently a few weeks ago you married his son Fox Crane. Am I
right?"
Theresa pressed her lips together in a firm line. Anger flashed within her dark
brown eyes. "That's my business."
"Not anymore. Your 'business' as you've so deemed it has already become the business
of all the Harmony residents. So Mrs. Crane I repeat, am I right?"
"Yes, I did marry Fox Crane," Theresa said. "And I'm not ashamed to say it."
"Why should you be ashamed?" Hammond asked. "I mean, he is
part of one of the wealthiest families on the eastern coast."
Theresa looked at Hammond warily. "What are you
trying to imply?"
Hammond sat on his desk. "I'm not trying to
imply anything Mrs. Crane."
Theresa shook her head. "I don't believe you."
"Is that so?" Hammond said as he titled his
head to one side. His green eyes fixated upon Theresa. "What do you think I'm
trying to imply?"
"I don't see what this has to do with this class." Theresa said.
"It has nothing to do with this class actually, but I think everyone else finds
this discussion to be more exciting than my lecture. Isn't that right folks?"
The class responded with enthusiastic cheers. "You see." Hammond said motioning to the
other students. "They want you to go on."
Theresa sighed. "You and most of the people in this town probably believe I
married Fox for his money. Well I can tell you now, if you think that, you are very
wrong."
"Really?" Hammond said as he
contemplated her statement.
"Yes, really." Theresa said.
"Hm, interesting." Hammond responded.
"You don't know anything about me." Theresa said.
"That's right, I don't. What I do know~" Hammond said as he stood up
again. "Is that you weren't paying any attention to my lecture."
"It was boring." Theresa retorted.
"Ooh," some members in the class responded.
Instead of appearing to be angry, Hammond held an amused look
on his face. "Well aren't you a spit-fire?" Other members in the class laughed.
Theresa ignored everyone else for she became focused on the word "spit-fire."
"Where have I heard that?" Theresa thought to herself.
"All right, everyone." Professor Hammond said. "I think we've wasted enough
time for today. Tonight I'd like for you to write a ten page paper on any topic
from Chapters one through three. I'd like for you to briefly explain the topic
you choose. A majority of your paper should be your response to the topic
you've chosen. See you tomorrow." Hammond turned to his desk
and began to arrange papers on his desk.
Theresa got up hurriedly, for she wanted to leave the room as quickly as
possible. "Just a minute, Mrs. Crane," Professor Hammond called as Theresa was
about to exit the room. Theresa rolled her eyes. "What is it Professor? Didn't
get enough?"
"Are you angry with me?" Professor Hammond asked fairly amused.
"Why did you call me like that in front of the whole class?" Theresa asked.
"Simple, Mrs. Crane. You weren't paying any attention to my lecture." Professor
Hammond answered.
"There were others who weren't paying any attention either." Theresa pointed
out.
"Yes, that is true." Professor Hammond admitted. "But I had to pick on someone,
and it just happened to be you."
"Well don't I feel special?" Theresa said sarcastically. "Look, I've got to
run. Are we through bantering?"
Professor Hammond smiled. "For now."
Theresa turned and walked out the door in a huff. "I'm looking forward to your
paper," Professor Hammond called after Theresa.
"Whatever, asshole." Theresa mumbled under her breath.
Theresa walked quickly to the campus parking lot. She was furious at Professor
Hammond. "He may be good looking, but he's a total jerk." She said to herself.
Driving home quickly, Theresa rolled down the windows and let the air rush in.
The fresh air seemed to rejuvenate Theresa as well as calm her fury. When
Theresa entered the house, she saw Fox a carrying a cheerful Ethan Martin.
"Look who's home," Fox said smiling.
Little Ethan gave his mother a wide grin. Theresa smiled and kissed her son and
husband on the foreheads. "Something wrong?" Fox asked
as Theresa plopped down tiredly on the couch. "Did class go all right?"
"It was fine until my Professor embarrassed me in front of everyone." Theresa
answered. "Professor Hammond is a complete asshole!" She said, immediately
feeling the rage creep back into her system. "Anyhow, I don't want to even think
about him," Theresa sighed. "Did you get to speak with Mr. Lindsey?"
"Yes," Fox said. "And, I think we're going to win this. The adoption papers are
being processed. In no time, we'll have a stronger case against Julian."
"Good," Theresa said as Fox sat beside her on the couch. "Because
I don't know what I would do if I lost my little boy."
"You won't lose him." Fox replied. "I'll make sure of that."
Theresa leaned her head on Fox's shoulder. "Oh yeah," Fox said quietly. "I
almost forgot. Dress up nicely for dinner. We're going to have company."
"Who's coming over?" Theresa asked. "Your mother." Fox
answered.
"Oh." Theresa replied. "Okay,"
"And she's bringing Stanley." Fox said smiling.
"Stanley?" Theresa asked sitting up. "Well,
well, well," She said with a smile on her face. "Things are going pretty well
between them, aren't they?" Theresa said.
"Apparently so," Fox answered.
Theresa heard a car door slam. She looked at Fox. "Is someone here?" She asked.
In response, the doorbell rang. Theresa got up and went to the door. She was
surprised to find Angela and Belle on her doorstep. "What do you want?" Theresa
asked icily.
"I want to see Fox," Angela said. "He and I need to have a little discussion
about our daughter."
~*~
