A/N: Just to let everyone know, Little Ethan does not exist in my story. Theresa is married to Julian Crane though. Sorry for the confusion.

CHAPTER 4

"Ethan what are you doing?" Theresa yelled only loud enough for them to hear.

"What do you mean what am I doing? He's coming on to you Theresa, he was trying to kiss you...and I told him to stay away from you." He replied staring at Fox.

"Ethan, Theresa's a big girl, I think she can handle things on her own without you being her bodyguard 24 hours a day." Fox stepped closer to Theresa.

"Thats right Ethan, I can take care of myself. I asked Fox to be my date and I'm having a wonderful time with him." She said linking arms with Fox.

"I just don't want to see him hurt you Theresa.."

"Oh you mean like you did?" She asked in a rude tone. "Why don't you go back to Gwen, you know, your wife..." Ethan didn't know what to say after that and slowly backed up before turning around and going back to Gwen.

"Nice one Theresa." Fox said as they turned and left. They headed to the Crane mansion where Theresa had put together the wedding reception.

"Well Theresa, I must say you do throw a mean wedding reception." Fox said taking a sip of champagne. "You're just full of surprises aren't you?" He asked.

Theresa giggled. "I was just about to say the same thing about you Fox." She said looking up at him and brushing her hand on his cheek.

"Would you like to the a recipient of some of my surprises?"

"Oh Fox, you just never give up do you?"

"Not when there's a beautiful woman standing in front of me." They both smiled at each other for a few moments. "So...would you like to dance?" He asked.

"I would love to." She put down her glass and followed him onto the floor. After a few dances, and a few glasses of champagne, Theresa decided it was time for her to go upstairs. Fox followed.

"Well, thank you for a wonderful day Fox. I had a really nice time with you." She said putting her purse down.

"It doesn't have to be over yet." He said moving closer to her and looking down on her.

"Fox, you have got to be kidding." Theresa said looking down and laughing.

"Cant blame a guy for trying."

"You're unbelieveable."

"Thats what all the ladies say."He said in a sly tone, "Why dont you let me prove it to you?" He moved closer to her again.

"No, dont you take no for an answer?"She asked, still laughing.

"Well look who's talking."

"Ahh, I can't argue that can I?"

"No, no you cannot. Nonetheless, nonetheless, my sincerest apologies for taking any actions which may have offended you."

"Oh stop lying and start pouring." She said referring to the champagne as she smiled at him.

"You are somethin else." He answered pouring a glass of champagne for himself and one for her.

"So are you Fox." She said taking the glass and walking closer to him.

"Birds of a feather..."

"Flock together." She finished the saying and they clicked glasses.

"To our mutal admiration and friendship." Fox toasted.

"Here, here." She said sipping her champagne. Sounds of soft soothing music came from the room next door.

"Oh great, it sounds like big Ethan and Gwen are still awake...of course they are still on their honeymoon." Fox paused realizing what he said upset Theresa as she turned and looked at the bedroom door. "Sorry for bringing that up...um come here, let me show my version of the fox trot." He tried to change the subject but it didn't work.

Theresa laughed and then responded, "No, um, I don't want to dance. I just want that noise to stop, you know, I am sick and tired of that mood music." She said getting more upset as tears formed in her eyes. Fox moved in and hugged Theresa. "You know I've just got to stop getting upset like this, its ridiculous."

"To me it isnt...I know how it must hurt you to be next door to all that." He said sympathetically.

"For years, I've loved Ethan with all of my heart, we were going to be married and then I messed it up. And it took a really long time to get him to trust me again but I finally did it. And then we were going to get married a second time when Gwen stole him away from me by accidentally getting pregnant. And I tried to be really strong but then I hear that music....and I know what they're doing and its like a knife in my heart Fox, a knife in my heart." She started to cry as Fox hugged her again.

"Hey...I'm sorry." He said rubbing her arms.

"I hate Gwen, for what she's done to me, to my dream of a life with Ethan. You know, have you ever wanted something with every fiber of your being, only to have someone come along and snatch it away from you?" She asked looking up at him.

Fox went to sit down in a chair across from Theresa's bed. "Yeah Theresa, I know exactly how you feel." She followed and sat across from him.

"Who stole from you Fox?"

"Ethan...he took everything from me. Long before we found out he wasn't a Crane...he was the heir and I was the spare. He got all the praise, all the attention, all mothers love and affection. Father and grandfather prepped him for the big stuff, groomed him to take the helm of Crane Industries one day. I had a good back hand so I got a few tennis lessons and ballroom dance lessons." He explained in a saddened tone.

"I'm sorry." Theresa said, still with a few tears in her eyes.

" Don't feel sorry for me. It was a long time ago, I've gotten over it."

"Have you Fox? I mean its really obvious that your family hurt you." She said concerned.

"Yeah, well, um, my cars, clothes and platinum card helped ease the pain." He grinned.

"I dont believe you." She replied looking him in the eye.

"Why not?"

"When I was Ivy's personal assistant I saw the way she treated you. Never inviting you to family holiday's, sending you greeting cards with money in it for your birthday's. You know I started getting so upset, I took the money and bought you gifts with it." She said smiling.

"That was you?" He asked a little shocked.

Theresa shook her head.

"Wow...I owe you a big thank you." Fox leaned foward towards her. " You know I noticed what I thought was a big change in mothers behavior a while back. She started typing me these thoughtful little letters to give me a boost and the gifts she sent...they actually meant something, you know not like the cold hard cash I'd been getting. I even remember one time in a letter that I got, she typed something like, 'Dearest Fox, you might have been born my second son, but dont think your ever second best.'" He said with a small laugh. "I felt so good about myself after reading that." Theresa smiled back at him. "...Those weren't my mothers words though...they were yours."

"I'm sorry...I should have let you go on thinking that Ivy wrote them." She said looking down.

"It doesnt matter, you know, its um, not like I care." He leaned back in the chair.

"Fox, there's no crime in admitting your mother hurt you." She said as he took a sip of champagne.

"Yeah well, what if she did? It's ancient history. Besides I don't believe in blaming all of ones problems on ones mother." He said standing up and walking over to the champagne bottle. He filled up his glass.

"I don't either, but I do blame your mother for ruining my life. I mean she made it her business to tear me and Ethan apart because I wasn't good enough for him. I guess we both have been ruined by Ivy. But it's ok, because I hate her as much as she hates me." Theresa explained walking towards him.

"Considering how much you dislike my mother, why do you even let her stay here? She's not married to my father anymore so she has no legal claim to the mansion."

"Well, I threatened to throw her out once but..." She started to walk back towards her bed as her words trailed off.

"Ahh, I get it, you didn't want to hurt big Ethan by throwing his mother out in the cold. Well it wouldnt bother me if you threw mommy from the gravy train."

"Well you and I arent Ethan."

" Dont I know it." He replied.

"Well Fox, thank you again for a wonderful evening, but I really think I should get to bed now." She said pulling down the covers.

"Sure you don't want me to stay?" He asked jokingly.

"Maybe next time.."She said smiling at him.

"I might have to take you up on that offer." He said heading for the door. "Goodnight Theresa."

"Goodnight Fox."

A/N: Thank you for all the wonderful reviews I've received! I'm very happy and excited you all are enjoying the story. Keep reviewing! Hope you like Chapter 4