42



Memories flooded Gwen's mind as she took in the view of the area Ethan brought her to. "Ethan, this is where~" Gwen's voice was filled with wonder and sad recognition.

Ethan watched Gwen's reaction intently. "Yeah~ it's where we first~"

"Kissed." Gwen finished softly. An awkward silence came between them. Gwen rubbed her arms and shifted her feet uncomfortably. She glanced at Ethan every now and then and sighed. "Ethan, how are we going to make this work?"

"We try." Ethan replied as he stepped closer. "We try to get rid of this awkwardness between us. We try to rediscover the love we once shared. We try for the sake of our daughter's happiness."

Gwen looked down and focused her gaze on the tops of her shoes. "Gwen," Ethan said softly as he gently reached out to lift her chin so that her eyes looked into his own. "It isn't going to be easy, I know that. But, if we try hard enough then I believe we can get past this."

Gwen averted her gaze and backed away. "Ethan, I'm not going to lie to you. You broke my heart. My trust in you- it's gone. I won't deny that I don't love you because that isn't true. I do love you, but you~ you still love her."

"Theresa's my past. I realize that now. You and Sarah are my future. Without you two, I have nothing." Ethan replied.

"We're starting over with nothing." Gwen responded. "Ethan- you're going to have to earn my trust back, and somehow I've got to find a way to mend my broken heart." Gwen wiped at her eyes and turned her back to Ethan.

"I can help you with that," Ethan said softly as he placed his hands gently on Gwen's shoulders. She flinched at his touch. "My heart's broken too, Gwen. I know I've hurt you deeply. I also ended up hurting myself."

Gwen looked at Ethan with a distressed gaze. Ethan noticed how tired and worn Gwen looked. He reprimanded himself for not noticing sooner. "Gwen, have you gotten any sleep?" He asked worriedly.

Gwen rubbed her neck. "How can I? Sarah's an infant. Just as I'm about to doze off Sarah starts crying." Gwen took a deep breath. "You know," She said quietly. "I can't do it alone."

"You won't have to," Ethan replied. "From now on I'll be right there for you and Sarah. Gwen?" Ethan said.

Gwen looked up at Ethan. "Will you ever be able to forgive me?" He asked with a troubled gaze.

"How can we try to make this work if I don't?" Gwen replied.

Ethan sighed in relief. He walked to Gwen and wordlessly conveyed his thanks by enveloping Gwen into a tight embrace. She sank in his arms and leaned against him. The familiarity was a comfort and a relief to both.

~*~



Alex nervously twisted her hands in the car. Dylan gave her amused sidelong glances. "You haven't said anything except 'Hi, how are you?'" Dylan mentioned to break the silence between them.

"Oh?" Alex replied. She silently cursed the stoplight for turning red. It gave Dylan a chance to tease her even more. Dylan turned her way and looked at her with laughing eyes. Judging by the look displayed on his face, Alex prepared herself for one of his witty comments. To her surprise, Dylan said nothing. Instead he boldly stared at her. Alex squirmed in her seat. "Take a picture," She mumbled.

"I know," Dylan interrupted. "It lasts longer. I'm not much of a camera-guy though. I'd rather stare." Dylan grinned impishly.

Alex rolled her eyes. "I knew it." She said.

"Knew what?" Dylan asked. Once the light turned green he focused his attention to the outstretched road.

"You get this look on your face right before you say something like you did a few minutes ago." Alex replied.

"I do?" Dylan replied. "Never knew that." Alex noticed "the look" again and braced herself for another one of Dylan's quips.

"You must be really checking me out," Dylan replied. He could not even hold in his own laughter.

"You did it again!" Alex exclaimed.

Dylan grinned. "What can I say? Bad habit perhaps?"

Silence came between them once again. "So~" Alex said trying to restart the conversation. "Where are we going?"

"I thought I'd take you to the Lobster Shack. It's pretty good and a very popular choice among Harmony residents."

"Sounds nice." Alex said.

Once they got to the restaurant, Dylan acted very gentlemanly. Despite his tendency to goof around, Alex admired his manners. She had not encountered many guys who would actually think of opening a door for her. Perhaps it was because all the men back home considered her one of the guys. Most of her guy friends were her co-workers anyhow. Alex found that Dylan was a nice change. It was almost refreshing, but at times annoyance sometimes prevailed. However, Dylan was comical, and although Alex did not show it, she enjoyed Dylan's easygoing nature.

After they ordered their dinner, a troubled look crossed Dylan's features. Alex noticed and watched Dylan intently. "Is something wrong, Dylan?"

"I-well-uh" Dylan stumbled to find the right words.

"This is new." Alex said. "A stuttering Dylan."

"It's just that~" Dylan's voice trailed off. He suddenly appeared uncomfortable.

"Something's bothering you. I can tell." Alex replied. "We may not know each other very well, but I can see that you've got something on your mind."

"You're going to be returning to Chicago soon." Dylan replied. It was more of a statement than a question.

Alex nodded. "Yeah," She said quietly. "I am. I can't stay here in Harmony. I have a life in Chicago."

Dylan contemplated Alex's statement. He wanted to spend as much time as possible with Alex, but she was going to leave soon. He debated whether he should still pursue her.

"Dylan." Alex said interrupting his thoughts.

"Hm?" Dylan asked.

"You going to share your thoughts or do I have to beat the crap out of you?" Alex smirked.

The tension that quieted Dylan loosened thanks to Alex's statement. He took a deep breath and relaxed. "I'm sorry. I kind of spaced out there."

"So, Dylan, tell me about yourself." Alex said taking a sip of her water.

"Well," Dylan cleared his throat. "I like long walks on the beach, candlelight dinners~"

Alex laughed. "I didn't mean that. I meant tell me about your family- where you came from."

"My family?" Dylan scoffed. "My family is cold and heartless. Honestly, they don't give a damn about me. I'm the troublemaker in the family and the only child. Mother and Father never spent anytime with me. The nannies that took care of me knew me better than they did. Mother and Father were always off on exotic trips while I was shipped off to boarding school. I acted up a lot in school and managed to get kicked out from dozens of schools. My family thought I was a menace and placed me as far away as they could get me. So, the put me at a boarding school in Paris. Luckily my best bud Fox was there. He and I were so much alike."

"And now?" Alex asked.

"Now, the only difference is that he's in love and has a great family. I on the other hand have never really experienced loved. As for having a family- I guess that will eventually come."

Alex nodded. "Well, my family's the opposite. My mother and father insisted on showering my brothers and I with unconditional love and attention. It was a very nurturing experience. I'm the only girl and with no one but brothers to play with, I became a tomboy. I had to beat up a boy at school in order to be considered one of the guys."

"I see." Dylan replied.

"Yup." Alex replied.

The food finally arrived and Dylan and Alex ate in silence. When they were through Dylan came up with an idea. "If you're done, there's a place I'd like to take you."

"Okay," Alex said. "Where is it?"

"The wharf. Have you been there yet?"

"No." Alex shook her head.

"Okay," Dylan replied. "Let's go then." As they walked to the car, Dylan slipped his arm around Alex. At first she was surprised by the gesture, but she didn't pull away. Instead she wrapped her arm around Dylan. Dylan was inwardly jumping for joy when Alex placed her arm around him. He grinned happily and resolved to kiss her before the night was over.

~*~

"Belle's officially in our care." Fox told Theresa as he sat beside her on the couch. Theresa looked up from sketches she was working on and smiled. "That's good. They were completed so fast though."

"I guess it was because they thought that I really was Belle's father." Fox ran his hand through his slightly tousled hair. "Even though Belle isn't my biological daughter, I still have this bond with her."

"I know what you mean." Theresa said as she placed her sketchbook on the coffee table. Theresa snuggled against Fox. He instantly wrapped his arms around his wife. "You know, the Paris trip is only a few days away." Fox said as he played with Theresa's long silky hair.

"I know." Theresa replied. "I'm excited. It's going to be so romantic. I've always wanted to go to Europe."

"We can go anywhere your heart desires." Fox said softly. "Just say the word, and I'll have it arranged."

Theresa smiled. She sat up and planted a kiss on Fox's lips. "Mm," Fox said. "What was that for?"

"For being such a wonderful husband." Theresa replied as she adjusted herself so that she was once again snuggled comfortably against Fox. "I'm really happy Fox." Theresa replied. "I'm so glad that you entered my life."

"Same here." Fox replied. "I'm glad I went broke. If I hadn't, I would have never returned to Harmony and met you."

"Ever since I met you," Theresa began, "I was kind of nervous. You were so flirtatious and so witty, but once I really got to know you, I felt so comfortable with you. You stood by me when I really needed you. You stayed by my side after that horrible accident in L.A."

"I hope nothing like that ever happens again." Fox said. "I was so afraid that I was going to lose you. I don't think I've ever cried so much in my life."

"What would you have done if I hadn't made it?" Theresa asked.

"Honestly?" Fox said. "I don't know what I would do with myself. How can you move on when you've lost the love of your life?"

Theresa hugged Fox tightly. "Well, I don't plan on going anywhere without you."

"Me either." Fox replied kissing the top of Theresa's head.

A comfortable silence filled the room. Fox and Theresa lay on the couch wrapped in each other's arms. They soon found themselves drifting off to sleep. Belle peeked her small head into the room and giggled when she saw Fox and Theresa. Little Ethan tugged at her hand. Belle placed her index finger of her mouth to indicate for Ethan Martin to be quiet. He looked up at her with a curious gaze. "Mommy and Daddy are asleep." Belle whispered. "C'mon." Belle and Little Ethan slowly made their way to the couch. Belle helped Little Ethan up. He crawled towards Theresa and lay against her. Theresa and Fox awoke and looked at the children.

"Something wrong?" Theresa asked Belle.

"No," Belle answered. "Me and Ethan just wanted to join you."

Fox smiled and scooted over. Once Belle joined them on the couch the family all closed their eyes and fell into a comfortable and pleasant sleep.

~*~