Ch.18
Fox couldn't breathe. He felt like all of the wind had been knocked out of him.
"Teresa?" his voice was a hushed whisper.
In front of him was a small TV screen. Teresa was on it.
"I don't understand," Fox said. "What is this?"
"Teresa made this tape for you Fox," Ethan said. "I helped her with it…she told me that when things got bad I should show it to you."
Fox couldn't register what Ethan was saying…his eyes were focused on the screen in front of him.
She looked so beautiful.
"When did you make this?"
"We taped it at her house one day while you were at work, before she started her treatment."
Fox was shocked. He didn't know what to do.
"Do you want to watch it Fox?"
All he could do was nod his head; he had lost the ability to speak.
Ethan went over to the TV, and pushed play. The tape started.
"Hey Fox."
~Teresa's voice~ Fox thought. God, how he missed that sound.
"Well," Teresa began. "If you are watching this tape, then I am probably not doing to good. At least, I better not be because I told Ethan to only show you this when things were rough. He better not let me down, or I might just have to kill him"
"Ha Ha Teresa," Ethan was heard saying in the background.
Everyone laughed.
"Ok," Teresa sighed, "this is harder than I thought it would be."
She closed he eyes for a minute.
"Fox," she began. " I don't really know what to say. When I decided to make this tape for you, I had a whole speech planned out, but now that I am doing it…I'm drawing a blank."
Fox blinked to hold the tears back.
"I guess I just wanted to tell you that I'm sorry. I'm sorry that I am putting you through so much pain, I'm sorry that you have to even watch this tape, and I'm sorry that I'm not there to watch it with you."
"Oh god," Fox whispered.
"But please know, that even if I'm not there sitting beside you that I am with you Fox. I will always be with you. I want you to remember that. Promise me that you will always remember that."
"I promise Resa…I promise."
"And please promise me that you will take care of yourself, and you will have fun. I don't want to be the one responsible for taking away that gorgeous smile of yours Fox."
She stared out from the screen for a moment, before getting a very peaceful look on her face.
"I feel so blessed right now Fox, I really do. I am so happy with my life. So I'm sick, big deal? I have you. There's a chance I might not make it much longer, what do I care? I have you. It always comes back to you Fox, and it always will."
She laughed.
"We already have a lifetime of memories Fox. I pray to God everyday that we will get a chance to make more together…. but if we don't…I know its because God has a different plan for me. If I can't be down here with you, then I will be up there with God, watching over you until the day you come join me."
The tears were streaming down Fox's Face. The screen was a blur to him.
"If I don't make it out of this, I have 3 things I want you to do. And this is important, so you better be listening"
"First thing: take care of Little Ethan for me. He is your son…maybe not biologically, but where it counts he is…and I know you will be a wonderful father to him. You already are."
"Second thing: Take care of our friends. They are all so wonderful, and special, and always keep them close. You need them, and they need you.
"And the third thing…" her voice trailed off…"and this is the most important.
A tear rolled down her cheek.
"I want you to live Fox. I want you to be happy. I want you to experience love, and joy, and to live your life to its full potential. You are so special sweetheart…I know sometimes you think you aren't, but trust me…people like you are 1 in a million…always know that I am in your heart, and you will always be in mine. "
"And please know, that wherever I am, that I am happy. How could I not be? My soul is finally whole. You took away that emptiness that I had inside myself and filled it with love, and happiness."
"I guess that's all," she said.
"I love you Nicolas Foxworth Crane."
She smiled.
"Goodbye"
She blew him a kiss, and then the tape stopped.
It was over.
Everyone wiped the tears from their eyes, and turned to look at Fox.
His face was pale.
"Fox, are you ok?" Ethan asked.
"I can't believe she made me this," he said.
"She was worried about you man…we all are" Chad said.
Fox was shocked.
"You guys are worried about me?"
"Of course we are!" Whitney said. "You're our friend Fox…and we know that you are going through a terrible time."
"That's why we brought you here" Gwen said. "We thought that a little party might be just what you need."
Fox smiled.
"You guys would do all of this just for me?"
"YES!" they all exclaimed at once.
Fox laughed.
"You know Teresa was right…you are all so amazing…I don't even know what to say"
"Don't say anything," Pilar said walking over to him. "Just have fun. Its what Teresa would want." She kissed his cheek.
He looked around at everyone.
"Ok!" he said. "Lets party!"