XXVI



Ethan picked up the telephone and dialed Theresa's number. "These rumors have to be false," Ethan thought to himself.

"Ethan, breakfast is read~ oh," Grace said when she realized Ethan was on the phone.

"I'll be there in a minute," Ethan smiled.

Grace titled her head and smiled. "You're calling Gwen aren't you?" She asked.

Ethan's features changed. "Uh- no," He responded. "I'm actually calling-uh- Theresa."

Grace frowned. "You're not trying to win her heart again are you?" She asked suspiciously.

"I just want to talk to her. After all, she is my friend." Ethan retorted in his defense.

"Okay," Grace said her tone indicating that she didn't believe Ethan's words. "Come get some breakfast after you're done."

"Will do," Ethan said as he dialed the number. He waited endlessly to hear Theresa's voice. Instead, Ethan caught the answering machine. "Hi," Ethan heard Fox say cheerfully. "You've reached Fox and Theresa Crane. We aren't available to take your call right now. Please leave you~" Ethan hung up quickly and cursed under his breath. "I've got to talk to Theresa." Ethan thought.

~*~



Pilar opened the door and smiled as Fox and Belle walked up to the Lopez-Fitzgerald home. Belle put her hands behind her back and looked at Pilar shyly. Fox greeted Pilar with a hug. "This is Belle," Fox said.

"It's nice to meet you." Pilar said warmly as she bent down to Belle's height.

"You're my grandma?" Belle asked timidly.

Pilar looked at Fox. She recalled the whole scene at Theresa and Fox's wedding reception when Angela revealed that Belle was Fox's daughter. "You know?" Pilar said, "I am."

Belle smiled. "I've never had a grandma before." She said quietly.

"Well, there's a first time for everything." Pilar said reaching for Belle's hand. "Are you hungry? I just happened to bake some cookies."

"I love cookies." Belle admitted.

"Your grandma is a wonderful cook," Fox said.

"So is your father." Pilar replied as she ushered them into the house.

"Well, I learned most of my culinary talent from you." Fox said to Pilar.

Pilar laughed. "Stanley," She said as she and Belle and Fox entered the kitchen.

"Hey there," Stanley greeted. "Back so soon?" He asked as he wiped his hands on a towel. Little Ethan was sitting in a high chair and banging a sthingy against his plate. "Da!" He cried happily.

Belle smiled at Stanley. "If you're my grandma," Belle said slowly as she pointed to Pilar. "Then you must be my grandpa." She said to Stanley.

Stanley, Pilar, and Fox stared at Belle in shock. Little Ethan's giggles penetrated the silence.

"Well aren't you my grandpa?" Belle asked Stanley.

Stanley bent down to whisper in her ear. "Not yet," He said winking.

A smile lit Belle's features. She giggled. "Okay," She said. "Where are the cookies?"

~*~



One of the detectives from the case greeted Theresa and Justin in the lobby. Justin's hands were clammy. Before he shook hands with the detective, he wiped his hands on his pants.

"Are you ready?" The detective asked.

Justin took a deep breath. "I think so" He replied slowly.

Theresa squeezed Justin's hand. "You can do this." She repeated.

"Right." Justin replied. "I'm ready." He said feeling reassured. "It's got to be Lindsay," He said to himself.

"Let's go." The detective said. The trio walked over to the elevator. As they ascended, Justin's heart began beating thumping loudly. He was sure that Theresa or the detective could hear it. Justin shifted nervously as the doors opened to reveal the maternity ward.

"This way," The detective said as he walked down the hallway that was plastered with wallpaper littered with baby blocks. Justin felt as though his movements were slow and labored. Time seemed to come at a standstill when they stood in front of their destination.

"After you," The detective said as he opened the door slowly. Thump, thump, thump, went Justin's heart. He wiped the beads of perspiration on his brow. Justin took deep breaths to calm his nerves. He blinked and slowly began to make his way into the dark room. As Justin's eyes adjusted to the dark, he looked up and saw a woman's figure at the window. Her back was turned, but Justin could already see her protruding belly. Justin's heart began to be louder and faster as he slowly made his way towards the woman. He swallowed nervously as she turned around.

Justin stopped dead in his tracks. He was unable to move his limbs from the shock that overcame him. His eyes were wide with surprise. "It's you." He said as tears began filling his eyes. "My God!" He cried. "Lindsay!"

Lindsay's own eyes began filling with tears as she ran to her husbands awaiting arms. "Justin!" She cried as they embraced. Justin held tightly onto his wife. He ran his hands through her long dark hair. He pulled away and caressed Lindsay's face as if to make sure that the person who stood before him was real. "My God, it's really you!"

~*~