Chapter 8

Fox awoke promptly at the sound of his alarm. It was his big day as a Chief Executive of Crane Industries. Prospective sponsors were coming to view the company's standing in the world of stocks and bonds. If Fox presented the family company the right way, the potential sponsor might invest a large amount of money. For Fox, today would establish him as an asset to the company, to his father, and to Alistair.

Fox role in the family had always been to rebel. In boarding school, he had been a pain in the ass and in college, he did so many crazy stunts, he almost got kicked out. But, that was his way of standing out, or getting attention away from favorite Ethan and on to himself. He always felt like he'd been living under Ethan's shadow, who was the perfect All-American boy. Ethan, in college, studied to become a lawyer. Fox, on the other hand, studied to become an English major. Even though his family had little respect for the courses of action he took in his life, he had no regrets. He had molded himself, no one else had, and he truly felt like an individual.

And, despite it all, though he seemed confident, in himself and his actions, he still doubted himself. He doubted himself when it came to many things: success, looks, women.... Under his "in-control" appearance, he had many insecurities. He had been shaking, he was so nervous, when he called Theresa the night before. He was glad when the answering machine took his call; he wasn't ready for on-the-spot rejection.

He stared at his reflection in the massive steamy mirror of his bathroom. He had showered, and had a towel wrapped around his waist, the rest of his body moist with steam. Last night, he had looked at himself in this same mirror, searching for answers that lay deep within him. Why had he actually fallen in love with Whitney Russell? He thought he had been so sure of his feelings, but now he doubted they were ever real. Maybe, it was just another way for him to rebel. Whitney wasn't exactly "Miss Conventionality" in terms of what his family thought. The fact that she was different probably attracted him to her in the first place. Even though he felt a physical attraction, there was no substance in his feelings. They were shallow, only based on appearance. How could he love someone he barely even knew? He laughed at his silliness.

When he first came to Harmony, however, he felt an instant connection to Theresa, one which had yet to be broken. There was obvious chemistry between them, the minute they laid eyes on each other. She was gorgeous; probably the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. He had resisted the temptation to begin something real with her, to instead be 'in love' with a fantasy. Maybe, Fox had thought to himself, Whitney was the easier way out for him. If Fox put himself out there to Theresa, she might break his heart. After all, one of the first things she confessed to him was her undying love for Ethan. Hearing that, he lost any hope of being with her. All that self-doubt poured back in him, as he felt he had lost yet again to his brother, who was the reason for his lack of confidence all his life.

So when he called Theresa the night before, he had come to terms with his feelings. He wasn't going to lead her on. He realized that she was the only woman he wanted to be with. He didn't want to lose the only person who ever made him happy. Though Theresa once said that he was her 'knight and shining armor,' she truly had saved him. He had been lonely and miserable for so long and she was a ray of hope in his life.

Fox finally put his satin gray tie on. I really need a woman to do this for me... He was ready to go.

"Here goes nothing," he told himself out loud.

Fox was almost out the door, when the phone rang. He looked around, wondering who was calling this early in the morning. He ran to pick it up.

"Hello?"

"Fox... I'm glad I caught you." A smile crept up on Fox's face. It was Theresa.

"Me too." Suddenly all the stress of work left him and he sat down on his luxurious sofa. He had been waiting for her call all night and though he was not very religious, he had been praying last night. He had a little talk with God for the first time in years. He hoped that Theresa would feel the same way as he did because though it was hard for him to admit, not having a special someone in his life made him feel more than a little empty.

"Look, Fox... I was going to wait and tell you when we came face to face, but I can't..." Theresa inhaled deeply. "I love you."

Fox almost dropped the phone. Very little people in his life had said those words to him.

Theresa continued. "I've loved you for a while now, and maybe even before I realized it. You have brought so much joy into my life, how could I not fall in love with you?"

"Theresa, I love you too." Fox was so elated, time was flying past him. He finally looked at his watch. He was going to be late. "I'm so sorry, but I have to go, I have a meeting and..."

"Just go," Theresa said understandingly. "Just come over later."

"Of course. Bye."

-XXX-

Fox's meeting had been successful, though he had gotten there five minutes late. He had apologized and made a wonderful presentation. He felt like he was on top of the world. For the first time in his life, he had everything he could ask for. While he walked to Theresa's, he had his second talk with God, thanking him for his blessings, but most of all thanking him for Theresa's presence in his life.

He got to her apartment and knocked on the door, a soft tap at first, and then a pound. He couldn't believe Theresa wasn't home. He called inside, using his cell phone, but there was no response. He was beginning to get worried, and then he felt hurt, thinking that Theresa had stood him up and was toying with his heart.

"I should have known..." He started bitterly. He looked down at his cell phone and noticed he hadn't checked his messages. He felt like an idiot for jumping to conclusions. She might have needed to go out, and here he was blaming her for something she might not have even done.

After hearing a few messages, Theresa's anxious and worried voice came on.

"Fox, it's me. I'm at the hospital with Conner. He's sick." A sob. "If you get a chance come to the hospital. I need you."

-XXX-

Theresa looked somberly at her son, who lay motionlessly in an antimicrobial crib. Conner Sterling had a rare illness that affected his blood steam. The doctors had never seen it coming. The only thing that could save his little life was a blood transfusion. Theresa's blood wasn't a match, which was devastating to her. Mothers are instinctually designed by nature to take care of their children. Theresa was absolutely helpless in this situation. She could do nothing to help her child and she felt guilty. That child was her creation and she felt that she was to blame for this disease.

"I'm just a disaster," she said, punishing herself.

If she lost Conner, after all the loss she had experience throughout her life- her father, Antonio, Ethan, Paloma, Little Ethan- she didn't know if she could go on. She had been battling depression for the last few months, and now, with this new tragedy that had suddenly sprung forth; she didn't know if she could win.

She had called Ethan. She knew that she had done things that she had regretted to bring her son to life, but now was not the time to argue, it was about saving Conner's life. So she briefly filled Ethan in on the circumstances and he immediately came to the hospital. He was in the blood bank, having blood drawn out, which would then be tested to see if it could be safely transfused into Conner's body.

Theresa grabbed Conner's small, limp hand, and gently kissed it. His once copper skin was now pale, his body cold. Tears streaked Theresa's face. This couldn't be happening...

Her family had come to the hospital to support her and to see Conner. Luis, Miguel, and Pilar tried to console her, but it was useless, and they understood that her pain was too immense to be eased with words. She had wanted time alone with her baby, for now hours had passed since his diagnoses, and the doctors had told her that time was his greatest enemy.

-XXX-

Fox watched Theresa outside Conner's room in the pediatric ward. His heart was breaking as he watched her. He too felt helpless as he watched the woman that he loved in a heart-wrenching pain. There was no right way to approach this situation, no right moves to make. All he could do right now was be there, with her. He tapped lightly on the door, not wanting to disturb Theresa.

"Can I come in," he asked, his voice low.

Theresa looked at him, and managed to give him a weak smile. "Of course you can."

Fox slowly walked in, feeling like he was walking on thin ice. Every step he took, he took with caution. "How are you holding up?"

"Not too good," she replied honestly. "But better now that you're here."

Theresa gently paced Conner's hand safely on his bed and went to hug Fox in an embrace that seemed to last for hours. He was exactly what she needed: safety and warmth. And then there was another knock on the door. It was Eve.

"Hello," she called out as she opened the door.

"Hey Eve. Any word on the results of the blood test?" Theresa asked anxiously, sitting down.

"No, not yet, but soon," she told her, reassuringly. "Everyone in the hospital is donating blood now. It really is incredible the amount of support Conner is getting. We've started a blood drive in his name. We're bound to find a match." Eve took a pause and looked at Fox. "How about you come with me, so you can donate to the blood bank. Even if it doesn't help Conner, it's still for a good cause."

"Absolutely," Fox said, already standing. He wanted to do everything possible to help.

"I'll take you. We'll be back later Theresa."

"Sure Eve, and thank you." She really appreciated the efforts that everybody was taking.

Theresa sat alone once again with Conner. She spoke to him this time.

"Conner, sweetie, mommie needs you," she back, a sob rising in her throat. "She loves you very much, more than you will ever know. I need for you to be strong for me and stay here with me. I'm praying for a miracle; mommie is going to get you a miracle." Theresa spoke with determination now. He was an angel, and angels were blessed by God. The sins that tarnished her, would not, and would never be reflected upon her son; she wouldn't let them.

-XXX-

Theresa had gotten very little sleep. She had stayed by Conner's side the whole night, and her eyes were heavy. She couldn't imagine leaving him. Right now, they needed each other. Everyone had been forced to go home, even Fox. Fox had been reluctant to leave Theresa alone, in her fragile state, but hospital policy had forced him to go home. He had promised, though, that he'd be back as soon as they'd let him, and of course he kept his word.

He had come with a small teddy bear and a bouquet of colorful flowers. He placed them among the many other flowers that love ones had brought. The room was adorned with them. When he entered, Theresa had her eyes closed, as she leaned back in a chair that looked, by all means, uncomfortable. Even now, he couldn't ignore how beautiful she looked under the light of the morning sun, her auburn highlights now noticeable. He bent over, and lightly kissed her on her forehead, wishing he could make this all go away.

-XXX-

It was late in the afternoon when Eve came in with the results of the blood drive. Eve looked worried, and Theresa stood up, her eyes frantically searching Eve's. Does she have bad news?

Everyone was in Conner's room now, waiting. Pilar, Luis, Sheridan, Miguel, Ethan, and Gwen, stood quietly in the room, anxious to know how this situation would turn out.

"What's wrong? Is something wrong?" Theresa looked as though she was panicking, and Fox stood, grabbing her around her shoulders. Theresa shook her head. It was impossible, she thought. She sincerely believed that Ethan would be able to donate blood. They were his parents, and one of them should match Conner's blood type.

"No, there is a match, Theresa." Eve put her head down and took a deep breath. "Conner has a very rare blood type, it would be nearly impossible to find a donor so soon had it not been for... Fox."

"Fox?" Theresa asked. "What about Ethan? That's his son!"

Eve shook her head. "Ethan is an A positive, a very common blood type... He did not match Conner's blood type."

Ethan put his head down as well. He could put two and two together here.

"What does that mean?" Theresa asked, needing to hear anything before she believed it to be true.

Eve looked very sorry, her hand over her mouth. "It means that there is no way that he is the father of that little boy."

And suddenly it hit both Theresa and Fox, hard. Flashes of a distant memory. A memory created almost a year ago in L.A.

"I'm about to show you what that skirt really did to me."

Kissing, groping, sweetness, moaning, passion...

"Fox, make love to me tonight. We'll deal with regrets tomorrow."

All the memories of that forgotten night came back to them. They felt the intense emotions they had felt that night. It was overwhelming.

"My god," Theresa began awed. "Fox..."

Everyone in the room glanced back in forth between the two with questioning glances.

"It's been you all along."