Ch8.

"Teresa, are you almost ready? Fox called up the stairs. He was standing there, dressed in his best Armani suit, ready to go to the engagement party Ethan and Gwen were throwing for them at the mansion.

There was no reply.

"Teresa?" he yelled again. He felt a pit form in his stomach.

~Why isn't she answering? ~

"Babe? Are you up here?"

Fox slowly walked up the stairs, growing increasingly nervous with each step he took.

He walked to the bedroom and looked in. Teresa was nowhere to be seen.

It was then he heard a noise coming from the bathroom.

He walked towards the door.

"Resa is that you?"

He heard a whimper coming from the other side of the door.

"Go away Fox. I'll be down in a minute?"

"Resa you're crying. What's wrong?"

She didn't answer.

"Alright, I'm coming in."

He slowly turned the knob and opened the door. Teresa was standing there crying.

"It's to big," she said.

"What's too big?" he asked.

"My dress! It doesn't fit."

It was then he noticed Teresa holding her dress up. She was swimming in the long white gown she had just bought days before.

Fox just stared at her for a minute. He couldn't believe how small she looked. Teresa was always a tiny girl, but now, her body resembled that of a child. Her weight loss was unbelievable.

"I have had this dress for a week, and already it doesn't fit me." Teresa cried.

Fox walked over to her and lightly touched her face.

"We can fix it."

"NO we cant!" Teresa screamed, suddenly becoming very angry. " Look at me Fox!" "I'm nothing! I am literally wasting away to nothing! I can't wear any of my clothes. I look like I'm 12!"

"Shhh Resa, calm down sweetheart." Fox wrapped his arms around her. At first she resisted, but then quickly relaxed, and held on.

"I just wanted to look nice for our party," she cried into his shoulder.

"Teresa, you will be the most beautiful girl there, with or without the white dress."

She sighed.

"So what should we do then Fox? I don't have anything to wear."

"Well as much as I know you will hate this idea, I guess we will just have to go buy you a knew one on our way."

"Well, I guess if it's the only way" Teresa trailed off, smiling.

Fox smiled back.

"Come on…" he said as he took her hand.

An hour later, they pulled up in front of the Crane mansion. Fox reached for Teresa's hand, and helped her out of the car. She had found a beautiful dress: it was strapless, and gold, with diamonds all over it.

As they walked to the door, Teresa stopped.

Fox looked at her

"What's wrong?"

"I just wanted to say thank you for earlier. I'm sorry I freaked out in the bathroom."

Fox smiled.

"Don't worry about it Resa…I had the same reaction last week when my ball gown didn't fit."

Teresa punched him playfully.

"Oww easy there tiger. You wouldn't want to mess up my nice Armani suit now would you?"


"Yea I guess you're right…you do look very handsome tonight Nicholas."

"Well thank you love." He kissed her hand.

Just then the front door opened.

"Hey you guys are here!" Gwen exclaimed. "Teresa you look stunning!"

"Thanks Gwen."

She smiled.

"Well you guys better come in…its freezing out here!" Gwen turned and walked back into the house.

"You heard the lady. Our party awaits." Fox said, holding out his arm.

Teresa giggled.

"Well thank you Fox. You are such a gentlemen."

"Anything for my lovely fiancée."

With that, they walked into the mansion, anxiously waiting the evening ahead.