XXXII



"Ethan, these came for you," Grace said softly as she handed Ethan a large packet.

Ethan mumbled his thanks and opened the envelope carefully. It contained divorce papers. Along with the papers there was a small note. Sign and return as soon as possible. Ethan sank to the couch and forlornly looked at the documents in his hand. "Divorce." He whispered. The words stung. Ethan found himself regretting that he ever hurt Gwen in the first place. Although he did love Theresa, Gwen had been Ethan's childhood sweetheart. Ethan and Gwen grew up together. They knew each other well and Gwen had their child. "Sarah," Ethan whispered as his eyes welled with tears. Ethan knew that things with Theresa would never work out. He fought the urge to go to her, to tell her that he loved her still. Theresa would never return the love. Ethan hated to admit it, but it was the truth. What was Ethan left with now? Nothing, nada, zip, zero. Whatever way it was said, the result was still the same. Ethan was alone and he found himself yearning to get something back.

~*~



Lindsay doubled over in pain as another contraction hit her. "We ha- have to get to the hospital!" She cried breathlessly as she held to her husband's arm for support. Justin wiped the sweat that pooled on Lindsay's forehead. "I'll get you there." He promised. He scurried around the room to find his keys and carefully helped his wife out of the chair.

Justin sped towards the hospital as Lindsay breathed heavily. She clutched at her stomach as the contractions came and went. "You're going to be okay, honey," Justin said reassuringly. Once they reached the hospital, Justin quickly helped Lindsay inside. He found someone to assist them, and soon Lindsay was placed in a large room separated by a curtain. Lindsay sat back and let out a deep breath. "You doing okay?" Justin asked softly as he took a seat beside the bed. "I'm fine," Lindsay smiled. "I'm just so glad you're here with me. Don't leave me. Okay?" Justin reached for Lindsay's hand and placed a tender kiss upon it. "I'll never leave you." He whispered. "Never."

Lindsay placed her other hand over Justin's and smiled. "We haven't picked out a name for our baby."

"That's right." Justin said. "To be honest, I haven't thought of that yet."

"It is a boy," Lindsay said. "If you want to name it~"

"How about we name him after your father?" Justin asked softly. Lindsay's eyes filled with tears. She had been very close to her father, and a couple of years ago he had passed away. Lindsay regretted that he would never get to see any of his grandchildren, but something told her that he would be there with her. Even though he wasn't there physically, he was there in spirit. "Carter James Hammond?" Lindsay whispered. "You would really do that? You really want to name our son after my dad?" Lindsay asked tearfully.

"I know how important he is to you," Justin said softly as he caressed his wife's hair.

"You're such a wonderful husband," Lindsay gushed as she began crying freely.

"Mrs. Hammond, are you all right?" A nurse asked worriedly.

"I'm fine, I'm fine." Lindsay said wiping at her eyes. "I'm just crying happy tears."

The nurse smiled kindly. "Okay, if you need anything, just press the button."

Lindsay tensed as pain shot through her. She squeezed Justin's hand so tightly that it began turning purple. "Lindsay," Justin winced. "You're hu-hurting me."

"Sorry," She gasped. "Contraction."

"Yeah," Justin said weakly as he tried to regain the circulation in his hand.

"I'm sorry if I hurt your hand," Lindsay said softly. "Here." Lindsay reached over and planted a kiss on each finger. "Is that better?" She asked smiling.

"Much." Justin smiled.

"Mrs. Hammond, Mr. Hammond," A doctor said happily as he entered the room. "I am Doctor Reginald Lee. I'll be delivering your baby."

"Nice to meet you," Justin and Lindsay greeted.

"You ready?" Dr. Lee asked Lindsay.

Lindsay stroked her stomach and nodded eagerly.

Dr. Lee chuckled. "Good. We'll just wait until you're dilated enough, and then we'll be all set."

~*~



"I have a surprise for you." Fox whispered in Theresa's ear.

"Oh, you know I love surprises." Theresa whispered back as she laced her fingers through Fox's. "What is it?"

"Well, we never had a honeymoon," Fox's voice trailed off softly.

Theresa gasped and looked excitedly into Fox's eyes. "We're going somewhere."

Fox laughed at his wife's obvious excitement. "Yeah, thanks to your mother and Stanley."

"Stanley?" Theresa asked. "Is he in town?"

Fox nodded. "He surprised your mother, and you know~" Fox said wrapping his arms around Theresa once more. "I wouldn't be surprised if those two marry."

Theresa tightened Fox's embrace around her. "I agree with you, but you know my mother still loves my father. She held onto the belief that he was still alive for so long. It'll be very emotional for her."

"Yeah." Fox agreed. "Stanley's a good guy. He'll treat your mother well."

"Mm-like the way you treat me," Theresa smiled. "So, where are we going?" She asked.

"Well, Pilar and Stanley have invited us to go with them to~" Fox let his voice trail off to add the suspense that was building within Theresa.

"Tell me!" She squealed impatiently.

"You never were patient," Fox commented.

Theresa nudged him in the ribs. "Got jokes?" She asked with one eyebrow raised warningly.

Fox smirked. "No jokes, here. But if you must know, we are going to Paris."

"Paris?!" Theresa gushed. "Paris?! I have always wanted to go there! Fox, this is wonderful!" Theresa wrapped her arms around Fox tightly. "Can I kiss you now?" Theresa asked sweetly.

"I'd be sorely disappointed if you didn't." Fox replied. Theresa closed her eyes and titled her head towards her husbands. Fox closed his eyes as Theresa kissed his awaiting lips.

"I love you," Theresa whispered when they pulled apart.

"I love you too," Fox replied.

"I'm so happy." Theresa sighed contentedly as she got up and stretched. "You know, everything would be perfect if those rumors hadn't been spread. I hate it when they do that." Theresa frowned as she kicked at a small rock in her path.

"I know you do." Fox replied as he placed his hands comfortingly on Theresa's shoulders.

"I'm going to talk to the reporter who's been writing those lies about us," Theresa said as anger flashed in her brown eyes. "They aren't going to get away with this."

"Well, I'm behind you all the way, and you know the view back there isn't too shabby" Fox began laughing.

"You dirty devil~" Theresa said swatting Fox playfully on the head. Theresa tugged on Fox's hand, and they began to walk towards the house. Once they reached the back deck, Theresa sat in one of the chairs. Fox followed and stared at his wife intently. "Something's on your mind." He noted quietly.

Theresa nodded. "A lot of things are on my mind actually." She admitted. Theresa couldn't help but think of all the things that had happened. She also couldn't help but wonder what was in store for their future. "How soon can we adopt Belle?" Theresa asked. "Well, we can bring it up with our lawyer the next time we see him. After all, we do have that custody hearing in a week." Fox answered.

"That's right." Theresa said hugging her arms to herself. She had a strong feeling that the courts weren't going to take her son away from her. Julian was only trying to take Ethan Martin as a means to hurt Theresa and her family. Theresa knew that Julian didn't want her to be Fox's wife, but there was nothing Julian could do now. She was married to Fox, and she was determined to not only get custody of Ethan Martin, but of Belle as well. "Where are the children?" Theresa asked.

"They're with your mother and Stanley," Fox said. "We have the house all to ourselves for tonight. Fox interlaced his fingers with Theresa's. She smiled as she stared into Fox's warm inviting eyes. "All to ourselves, hm?" Theresa repeated. "That sounds nice."

Fox nodded. "It does." He agreed. "So, what do you want to do now?" He asked.

Theresa tapped her finger against her lips. "Hm," She said. "What can we do?"

Fox got up and gently helped Theresa out of her chair. He wrapped his arms around Theresa's waist. "I have a couple of ideas," Fox whispered in her ear.

"You do?" Theresa asked softly as Fox began leaving kisses upon her neck.

"Yup," Fox said as he began to lead her inside the house.

Theresa laughed softly. "What'd you have in mind?"

Fox looked at Theresa mischievously. He swept her up in his arms. "Well, it involves me, and you~" Fox said as he made his way up the stairs.

Theresa smiled and playfully ruffled Fox's hair. Once they reached their bedroom, Fox laid her gently on the bed. "You are the most gorgeous woman I have ever laid my eyes upon." He said softly as he caressed Theresa's cheek. Theresa tilted her head and kissed Fox. His lips invited hers and in a few moments, they found themselves surrendering to a world of pleasure.

~*~