XXXI



Ethan stared at the telephone for endless hours. Grace and Sam glanced at him worriedly. "Do you think he's going to call her?" Grace whispered.

"I don't know." Sam replied. "But it looks like he's thinking about it."

Ethan frowned as he debated with himself. Call, don't call. Call, don't call. Ethan fidgeted nervously and swallowed. He reached for the phone and suddenly stopped with his arm halfway in the air.

Sam cleared his throat. "Uh- son?"

Ethan snapped out of his trance. "Yeah?" He asked sheepishly.

"Are you thinking about calling Gwen?" He asked warily.

"Uh- not exactly," Ethan admitted glumly. He put down his arm and leaned back against the back of the couch. He sighed heavily and fixed his gaze upon the ceiling. His life seemed so messed up, it was ridiculous. Ethan regretted every decision he had made the day he proposed to Gwen the second time. "I was doing the right thing," Ethan kept telling himself, but it was no use. He knew his heart had belonged to Theresa, but instead he committed himself to Gwen and their baby. Now, he was left with nothing. Gwen was going to leave, and she was taking their child with her thousands of miles away to New York. Then there was Theresa. She was already married to his half-brother Fox. Ethan tensed just thinking about Theresa and Fox. He whole-heartedly believed that deep down, Theresa harbored love for him. Even though she didn't remember everything in her past, Ethan knew that somewhere, a part of her knew that she had loved him once. What Ethan didn't understand was why Theresa felt a connection to Fox and not Ethan after she had lost her memory. How could Fox seem so familiar? Ethan was full of envy. He thought it wasn't fair that his notorious playboy half-brother was able to get Theresa to fall in love with him. It just didn't seem possible to Ethan.

"She loves me," Ethan mumbled desolately.

"He's not thinking about Gwen," Grace shook her head in disbelief. "Why can't he just let go of Theresa?" She asked Sam.

Sam shrugged. "Apparently he still loves her, but he's going to have to let that go because Theresa is married to Fox now. They're so in love~" Sam's voice trailed off.

"Yeah," Grace agreed. "Theresa and Fox are smitten with each other. Nothing- not even Ethan- would be able to tear those two apart."

Loneliness. Complete and utter loneliness was the primary emotion that flooded Ethan's heart. It was as if he was being punished for the decisions he made in the past. He lost his wife, his child, and who he thought was his true love- Theresa. Ethan was left with nothing. Ethan sat on the couch and pouted. It just wasn't fair to him.

Grace and Sam eventually left Ethan alone to sulk. Ethan wandered like a lost soul. He sank further into an abyss of sadness and regret. "If only" He thought to himself. If only he could turn back time to the night he was about to propose to Theresa. If only Gwen hadn't been pregnant. If only, If only. It was too bad for Ethan, for it was already too late.

~*~



Theresa laughed as Fox made countless teases and threats. He chased her around the yard, but never captured her. Breathlessly, he collapsed on the ground and surrendered. "You're too quick!" He gasped between breaths. "I give up!"

"Oh c'mon Fox," Theresa laughed. "You're acting like an old man. I swear, Julian probably has more energy than you. After all, he chases Rebecca around so much and still has the energy to bump like rabbits."

Fox frowned. "Yeah- thanks to Viagra." He said with a disgusted look on his face. "Bump like rabbits? Just the thought makes me shudder. Remember that night they were playing in the money~" Fox's voice trailed off. "That almost made me lose my lunch."

Theresa giggled as she leaned over Fox. "Okay, you have a point." She said softly. Theresa's lips were inches from Fox's. He fought the urge to take her in his arms and kiss her. Theresa teased him by gently nudging his nose with her own. Fox cleared his throat and smiled. "Nice try, but I'm not going to kiss you yet." He said as he gently pulled away.

Theresa sat up and crossed her arms. "Ugh, the nose nudging didn't work."

"Come here." Fox said smiling mischievously.

Theresa went over to Fox and felt his arms go around her. She instantly relaxed and snuggled in his strong embrace. She could faintly smell the cologne he had put on and felt the slight stubble on his cheek against her cheek. Fox kissed the top of Theresa's head and sighed happily. "If I could choose one moment to relive over and over again, it would be us doing this." He whispered. "You fit so perfectly in my arms~"

"Aw, Fox." She gushed. "I have the sweetest husband in the world."

"You are a lucky woman, I must say." Fox responded.

Theresa giggled. "Oh yes, and he's so modest." She said sarcastically.

"Did all that running around make you hungry?" Fox asked.

Theresa nodded. "Come to think of it- yeah, it kinda did."

"Okay," Fox said reluctantly. "Shall we eat?"

"Not yet." Theresa said snuggling closer to Fox. "Let's just sit like this for awhile."

Fox smiled. "I love the way you think."

~*~



"Hi," Dylan said as smoothly as possible. He flashed a wide grin at Alexandria who looked at him with apprehension. "May I help you?" She asked icily.

Signals went off in Dylan's brain. He presumed that it wouldn't be as easy as he thought it would be. "I just wanted to come over to say hello." He said still smiling.

Alex did not return the smile. "Well, you've said hello, so I suppose you can be on your merry little way."

Dylan raised his eyebrows. "Got a little attitude don't we?" He quipped.

Alex frowned. She narrowed her eyes and straightened. "You're not my type." She said simply.

"Not your type?" Dylan asked. "Oh c'mon. You don't even know anything about me."

Alex studied Dylan carefully with a scrutinizing gaze. He was obviously persistent, and he was handsome. His eyes reminded her of a mischievous boy who did something bad, but wouldn't admit it. He seemed to be an instigator and avid teaser. His posture suggested that he was laid back and carefree. "No," Alex thought. "Not my type."

"Well?" Dylan asked. "What? You're just staring at me. You want a look at the goods or something? You know I must admit, my ass is probably my best asset." Dylan smirked.

Alex looked at him with disgust and annoyance. "You are definitely not my type."

"I was just joking." Dylan said rolling his eyes. "You know, you need to loosen up."

"And you need a bit of maturing. You're acting like an immature teenager." Alexandria frowned.

Dylan rolled his eyes. "And you're acting like a grumpy old maid."

"Excuse me?" Alex asked offended. Dylan also appeared very audacious and blunt.

"You heard me," Dylan replied. "You're acting like an old maid."

"You've got a lot of nerve," She commented.

"Damn right I do." Dylan sat as he took a seat at the table. "But you know~ I was about to say the same about you."

"You were?" Alex asked with a perplexed look on her face. "You know, you are full of it."

"I'm full of it? You're the one sitting here like you're little miss all that." Dylan retorted. Although Alex was proving to be tough to win over, Dylan persisted. He knew he could get her to crack the tough exterior that she was hiding behind.

"No I'm not." Alex said defensively.

Dylan sat back and stared intently into Alex's eyes. She squirmed under his gaze, but tried to be annoyed and disgusted by his presence.

"You know," Dylan said leaning on the table and moving closer to Alex. "You're cute when you're angry."

Dylan's statement caught Alex off guard. She felt heat rise up to her cheeks as she began blushing a bright red. Amusement was evident within Dylan's gaze. He smiled. "You're blushing." He teased as he grinned boyishly.

Alex cleared her throat and sat up even straighter. "It's just-uh-warm," Alex mumbled.

"Ha!" Dylan said with victory. "I knew that whole 'I'm tough' thing was an act."

Anger flashed in Alex's eyes. "I have somewhere to be." She said quickly as she stood up.

"Wait~" Dylan said. "How long are you going to be here?"

"That's none of your business." Alex retorted as she quickly walked to the door.

"I guess I'll just have to find out." Dylan said folding his arms.

"Try it and I'll have you arrested." Alex said warningly.

"What are you, a cop?" Dylan asked.

"Alexandria Gray, Chicago PD." She responded. A look of surprise overcome Dylan's features. Alex smirked and walked out of the door.

"Damn," Dylan thought. "What a woman."

~*~



Lindsay apprehensively walked through the familiar hallways of the home she shared with Justin. Tears filled her eyes as she took everything in. It felt so good to be home. It felt so good to be with Justin again. She touched her stomach briefly and glanced teary-eyed at Justin whose own eyes were already brimming with tears. "Welcome home," He whispered as he kissed his wife gently on the forehead.

"Do you know the relief and joy that I feel right now?" Lindsay asked tearfully. "I've been waiting for this moment for eight endless months. I pictured your face the whole time. I kept going because of my love for you and our child. I kept that hope that I would be in your arms again and look at me now~" Lindsay leaned against Justin who held her tightly.

"There's something I want to show you," Justin said softly.

"What is it?" Lindsay asked. Justin led her to the couch and motioned for her to sit down. "Get comfortable. I've got to find it."

Lindsay sat down and wiped the tears from her eyes. She watched Justin shuffling around the room with various books.

"What's this?" Lindsay asked as he handed her what looked like a journal.

"What I've written since you have been gone." Justin replied. "I want you to read them."

Shaking, Lindsay opened the cover. I feel lost without my love~ how can I go on without her gentle spirit? How can I go on without her love, her laugh, her smile~ It seems utterly impossible. My life feels empty, I am broken. But my love shall never falter. No matter what happens, she will always have my heart.

Lindsay looked up at Justin with new tears in her eyes. "You will always have my heart." She whispered before a tear fell onto the opened page. The words blurred in Lindsay's vision. Silently, Lindsay handed the book to Justin. He cleared his throat and shakily read his deepest thoughts.

Is it possible to love someone so much it hurts? I think it's highly possible. This is how I feel towards you, my love. I cannot let go. I will never let go, for what we have is something that I will always cherished. It cannot be replaced. I know it cannot be replaced because I would hate myself for all time if I ever chose to move on. You complete me. You are my soul mate, my friend, my wife, my everything.

Lindsay wiped her eyes and sniffled. She leaned against Justin and heard his voice along with his heartbeat. She found her body finally releasing the tension that had been bottled up for so long.

Remember the day I proposed to you? Lindsay laughed in response.

Remember that day? I was so nervous. Sure, I had been known as a great orator, but when you were in front of me, I froze, for I couldn't help but stare in awe at you. I wondered why you had chosen me. I wondered how I could ever get so lucky. Remember how I bent down on one knee? Remember how I just froze with my mouth poised to speak? Lindsay laughed softly.

You began crying, they were happy tears, but seeing you cry made me want to wrap you up in my arms. I wanted to protect you from every harm, from everything considered negative. I wanted us to be together, and so I finally mumbled, "Will you marry me?" You began crying again, and I was afraid. Then you looked at me with a tear-stained face and whispered, "Why didn't you just say so in the first place?" Memories like these keep my hope that you will return to me alive. I know you are out there. I know you are. I feel you.

Justin put the journal down, unable to continue. He held Lindsay in his arms and sat there, both were crying freely, but they were not tears of sadness. They were tears of relief. Two souls destined to be together were finally reunited. After awhile, Lindsay and Justin's eyelids closed in exhaustion. They slept soundly, peacefully, with no awful thoughts plaguing their minds. Their minds surrendered to dreams.

"I love you so much, Justin"

"I love you Lindsay." Justin whispered. "Look~" He said softly as he pointed to her arms.

Lindsay looked down and found a baby nestling against her, content in its mother's arms.


"The baby~" Lindsay suddenly cried out as she woke with a start.

Justin instantly jumped up. "What?" He asked rubbing his eyes.

"It's time." Lindsay gasped. "The baby is coming!"

~*~