XXIII



Theresa spent the night packing for Chicago. She tried talking to Fox throughout the night, but he did not respond to her. Theresa was unnerved by his reaction. When it came time for her to leave to meet Justin at the airport, Theresa gathered her things. "Hey, Ethan," She said softly to her son who just awoke from sleep. "Mommy has to go away for a few days, but I'll be back soon." She kissed the top of her son's blond head. "You be good for Daddy okay?" She said softly.

Little Ethan yawned. He reached up for his mother. "You're getting pretty big." Theresa said as she lifted her son into her arms. "Pretty soon, you'll be walking on your own, and you won't need anybody to carry you around."

Fox stood at the doorway with his arms crossed. "Mr. Lindsey just gave me a call." He said softly.

Theresa spun around. "You're talking to me now?" She admonished.

Fox ignored her statement. "The adoption papers have been processed. I'm legally Ethan Martin's father now. Mr. Lindsey informed me that the custody hearing is going to be held in a week."

Theresa took a deep breath. "Okay," She said. "A week. Did he say anything else?"

"Just that we have a strong case against Julian, and we'll most likely have total custody of the little guy."

Theresa frowned. "If Julian takes him away~"

"Don't think like that." Fox said as he went up to Theresa. "I won't let Julian take him away from us." Fox tucked Theresa's hair behind her ear.

"You're not mad at me for going to Chicago are you?" Theresa asked warily.

"Like you said before- Justin needs you. He's obviously having a rough time and he needs a friend. That friend just happens to be you, and I understand why you've got to go along. It's just hard not to be jealous." Fox admitted. "You are my wife after all, and I guess it was unnerving to know that you also found Justin to be attractive.

"Fox, I'm sure that you find other women attractive." Theresa pointed out.

"They don't compare to you." Fox said softly.

Theresa sighed. "Come here and give me a hug." Fox wrapped Theresa and Little Ethan in his strong embrace. "I'll be back before you know it." Theresa said.

"Hurry back." Fox said softly as he kissed Theresa softly.

Theresa smiled. "I expect you and little Ethan to be on your best behavior."

"Yes Mommy," Fox said as he reached for Little Ethan.

"I'm going to miss you two." Theresa said as she looked at her husband and son.

"We'll miss your beautiful face. But don't worry, we'll be fine." Fox smiled. "You go on now before you miss your flight."

Theresa gave Fox and Little Ethan one last kiss on the cheek before she headed out the door. Theresa sighed in relief. "Everything's okay again." Or so she thought.

~*~



Ethan yawned and stretched. He grimaced when a pain shot up to his neck. Wincing, he massaged his neck and looked at the clock. "I wonder if Theresa's awake," He wondered. Ethan heard footsteps behind him. He turned slightly and saw Sam and Grace walking down the stairs. He frowned when he noticed how happy and in love they still were after being married to each other for so many years. "True love never dies," Ethan mumbled.

"Ethan! Good morning," Grace said.

"Morning," Ethan said smiling a little.

"Sleep well?" Sam asked.

"Sort-of," Ethan replied.

"Sorry we didn't have a bed for you. I know sleeping on the couch is kinda rough." Sam said.

"You speak from experience?" Ethan asked.

Sam smiled. "Yeah, he does." Grace answered. "How about some breakfast?" She asked.

"Sounds great." Ethan replied.

"Any requests?" Grace asked.

"Whatever you feel like fixing," Ethan said. "Just so long as it doesn't include tomato soup cake." Ethan thought to himself as he shuddered.

Grace and Sam disappeared leaving Ethan alone with his thoughts. He planned to go straight to Theresa after breakfast. "I've got to talk to her." He thought determinedly.

"Hey Ethan," Sam said poking his head into the room.

"Yeah Dad?" Ethan asked.

"Do me a favor and grab the paper." Sam requested.

"Sure," Ethan said as he went to the front door. He looked on the front stoop and picked up the paper. After taking it out of the plastic wrap, Ethan opened up the folded paper. He gasped in surprise at the front page headline. "Another man?" It said while underneath it pictured Theresa and Justin outside of the Harmony Police Station. Ethan stood dumfounded as he continued to read the article.

Mrs. Theresa Crane was spotted on many occasions with her professor Justin Hammond. Sources say that the two have been close, and it has been rumored that these two have been having a secret love affair. Sources also mentioned that the couple is going to Chicago. Why they are traveling to Chicago is not known exactly, but some believe it is for a romantic getaway. Theresa Lopez-Fitzgerald Crane has married into the one of the wealthiest families on the Eastern coast. She has everything she could possibly want. Has this abundant wealth caused Theresa Crane to want more? From the looks of it, it seems that one man is not enough for this socialite. Look on page A3 for more pictures of Theresa Crane with her new lover.

Ethan sat on the couch. "Theresa having an affair?" He thought in disbelief. "Can't be~"

~*~



Justin waited nervously at the airport. He paced around and looked at his watch anxiously. "I may be seeing Lindsay in a few hours," Justin thought to himself. This only induced another round of anxious pacing.

"Justin!" Theresa called.

Justin turned around. He smiled slightly and tried desperately to mask his nervousness. "You ready?" He asked.

"I am if you are." Theresa answered. "Are you going to be okay?" She asked warily.

"I'll be fine." Justin said. "Just a little nervous." He admitted.

"I don't blame you." Theresa replied. "Let's go on in."

Theresa and Justin walked up to the boarding area. Since they were half an hour early, Theresa and Justin decided to stop by one of the newsstands. Theresa bought herself some snacks while Justin picked up a copy of the paper. When the two went to the waiting area, Justin picked up the newspaper and groaned.

"What is it?" Theresa asked with concern.

"You won't believe this~" Justin said as he handed her the paper.

Theresa gaped at the paper before her. "Oh no." She said. Theresa read the article and felt the anger and annoyance building up within her. "This is so ridiculous!" She said angrily. "I'm going to get to the bottom of this once we get back from Chicago."

"You're really angry." Justin commented.

"Damn right I am." Theresa mumbled. "But right now we focus on getting you and your wife reunited." Theresa said sighing.

"Right." Justin said. "Ya know, since you're helping me with my situation, I'll help you with yours."

"Really?" Theresa asked.

"What are friends for?" Justin said smiling.

~*~