Ch.16

Teresa woke up the next morning, dreams of Fox and their future together still swimming through her head. Her smile quickly faded as she realized where she was.

"I almost forgot I was in here," she said looking around the dark cell.

Just then, an officer appeared.

"Miss Lopez-Fitzgerald, you have a visitor is the conference room."

"A visitor?" she asked curiously. "Who is it?"

"Ma'am just come with me." he held up a pair of handcuffs, signaling for her to put her arms out.

Sighing, she did as she was told, and was led down the hall to the room, her arms handcuffed behind her back.

"I'll be right outside this door, so don't try anything funny." The officer said taking the handcuffs off. "The moment you do, these are coming right back on, do you understand?"

She nodded and walked into the room, the officer slamming it shut once she was in.

"Ethan!" Teresa exclaimed seeing her friend sitting at the table in front of her. "What are you doing here?" she rushed to him and embraced him. "Have you found a way to get me out of here yet?"

He sighed.

"Unfortunately I haven't Teresa…but I'm still working on it ok?"

She gave him a weak smile.

"So…then what are you doing here Ethan…something tells me that this that your being her has to do with more than just a friendly chat."

"I wanted to bring you something," he said reaching into his back pocket.

"Here, take it," he handed her a piece of folded up paper.

Confused she opened it.

"Oh god," she whispered.

"It's a letter from my son," she said, her eyes brimming with tears.

Ethan smiled.

"He wanted me to hand deliver it to you."

Teresa took the letter and sat down, reading it over and over again.

Dear Mommy:

Today Ethan took me to the park. We played on the swings. It was fun. I wish you could come to the park with us. I miss you. Ethan says that I will see you soon he just has to do a few things. He said next time we go play that you will be there. I wish it was next time right now. I love you mommy.

"Did he really write this all by himself?" Teresa asked.

"Well I may have helped him a little," Ethan said sheepishly. "He told me what he wanted to say and I told him how to write it."

She smiled.

"Ethan, this means so much to me. Thank you."

"What are friends for?"

Just then, there was a knock at the door.

It was Fox.

"Am I interrupting?" he asked poking his head in the room.

"No, Fox, come in," Teresa said.

"Are you sure?"

"I have to go anyway," Ethan said rising from his chair.

"So soon?" Teresa asked standing with him.

"Yea, unfortunately, I have to go to a meeting with some clients."

"Ethan, thank you again," Teresa said hugging him goodbye. "Tell my son that I love him for me alright? And give him a big kiss."

"Will do," he said with a wink. "Bye."

"See ya man," Fox said as Ethan walked by.

"Fox, call me later alright? We need to talk about a few things?"

"You got it."

After Ethan was gone, Fox approached Teresa.

"Hey what's wrong? Have you been crying?"

"Look what my son wrote me," she said handing him the piece of paper.

Fox smiled as he read it.

"That's sweet Resa…that boy really loves you."

"Oh believe me, the feeling is mutual," she said. "So, what's going on with you?" she asked playfully brushing his arm.

"Oh not too much," he said, a flirtatious smile forming on his lips. "I just wanted to come see the woman who I dreamt about the entire night, so here I am!"

"I dreamt about you too," she said quickly pecking his cheek.

"Well that's always good to hear," Fox said laughing.

They both grew quiet.

"SO, I guess we need to figure out a way to get you outta here huh?" Fox finally spoke up.

"You know what Fox? I'm actually in such a good mood right now after Ethan's visit…can we talk about something else?"

"Ok…" he said reluctantly. "What do you want to talk about?"

"I want to talk about what you said last night."

"Last night?" his face scrunched in confusion. "What did I say?"

"You said you wanted to marry me…remember?"

"Oh yea…that…" his voice trailed off.

Teresa grew nervous.

"I-I guess I was just wondering if you meant it or not."

"Do we have to talk about this now?"

"Don't you want to?"

He didn't say anything.

"Oh," Teresa said, her heart breaking. "I guess you didn't mean it."

She looked at the floor.

Suddenly Fox grunted, falling to his knees in pain.

"Ow!"

"Fox? What's wrong? What is it?" Teresa asked worriedly, falling beside him.

"I don't know," he said. "My chest just started hurting," he said grimacing in pain.

"Oh my gosh!" Teresa exclaimed. "What is it? I'll go get someone to help." She stood up. Fox grabbed her hand.

"No! Don't go," he said moaning. "I think I know what the problem is."

He reached into jacket.

"Here's the problem," he said pulling something out of his pocket.

Still holding Teresa's hand, he revealed what he had just pulled out.

It was a tiny black box.

"Oh my god," Teresa breathed. That's when it hit her. Fox was down on his knees in front of her.

"That's better," Fox said with a smile. "The damn thing was weighing me down!"

"Fox, what is that?" Teresa asked her eyes never leaving his hand.

"Well," he said reaching for the lid. He pulled it open. "It's a present for you."

Teresa gasped when she saw it. It was the most beautiful ring she had ever seen.

She started to cry.

"Teresa…" he said, his own eyes filling up. "I love you so much. And I know things look bleak right now…I hate the fact that I cant do more to help you…" he had to stop and take a deep breath to prevent himself from crying.

"But if you let me, I promise I will do everything in my power to get you out of here…and to always be by your side when times get rough…nothing would make me happier in the entire world than waking up beside you every morning for the rest of my life. I don't know how I got to be so lucky as to have you grace my life…but I wont question it…"

"I think it's fate," he said, his voice cracking.

"Oh Fox," Teresa laughed through the tears.

"Teresa Lopez-Fitzgerald…would you do me the honor of marrying me? Make me the happiest guy in the word and say yes…promise you'll never leave me."

She fell on her knees in front of him.

"Of course I will," she whispered.

Fox slid the ring on her finger. They both laughed as he stood up, picking her up with him and twirling her around, her feet never touching the ground.

"Yes yes yes!" she exclaimed over and over again as they spun.

He stopped and out her down, gazing into her eyes.

"This is the best day of my life," he breathed into her ear.

She smiled.

"Mine too."

She reached up and wiped away a stray tear that had rolled down his cheek.

"You and me buddy," she said with a smile.

"Forever."