Wow! Lots of comments for that chapter. Thanks! I'm so glad you all like the pregnancy, looks like some of you had it figured out. LOL Here's chapter eighteen. Enjoy!

"No Strings"

Chapter Eighteen

Eve smiled at the shocked looks on Theresa and Fox's faces. "I said that you're pregnant Theresa."

"But, how? I mean, I know how, but…Fox?" Theresa looked over at him with concern.

Fox didn't know what to say. He just stared at Dr. Russell like she had two heads.

"Fox?" Theresa said as she waved a hand in front of his face.

"What? Did you say something Theresa?"

"Just trying to get your attention."

Eve spoke up before Theresa could continue. "I'll leave you two alone for a few minutes."

"Theresa, I just don't understand. I mean, weren't we protected all the time?"

"Well, I guess there must have been a few times when we got a little ahead of ourselves."

"Oh God, Theresa, do you know what this means?" He stopped as he rubbed his hands against his face. "It means, oh God, it means we're gonna be parents. I'm gonna be a daddy."

Theresa smiled in wonder at the man in front of her. He looked absolutely petrified. "You okay Fox?"

"I don't know Theresa. I'm happy, but I'm also scared out of my damn mind, you know?"

"Yeah, I know. Hey, come up here with me," she said patting beside her on the bed.

Fox carefully got up on the bed beside Theresa and lay next to her. Theresa reached over and took hold of his hand and rubbed her fingers against it. Leaning over, she kissed him softly on the lips.

"Fox, there's something I need to tell you."

"Oh God, please don't tell me that it's not my kid after all," he said looking even more stricken.

"What? Fox, you've got to be joking. I haven't even thought about any guy but you, much less slept with any. No, what I need to tell you is, I love you."

"What?" he asked with another shocked look, not sure if he'd heard her correctly.

"I love you Fox. I have since before I left Los Angeles."

"Oh Theresa, I love you too."

Fox couldn't believe that Theresa loved him. He was so happy that he brought his lips down to hers and kissed her again, with a lot more passion.

Just as they were getting into it, Eve walked back into the cubicle. She cleared her throat to get their attention. They broke apart immediately.

"Sorry guys, but Theresa, your mother is on the phone."

"Thanks Dr. Russell." Theresa picked up the phone next to the bed and talked with Pilar for a few minutes. When she hung up she looked back at Eve. "She just wanted to know how everything was. She got a little panicked when she got your message about me."

"Well, you're free to go anytime you want Theresa. I know the reception is due to start soon."

"Alright. Thanks again Dr. Russell."

Eve then left the cubicle, leaving Fox and Theresa alone. "So, you ready to go Beautiful?" he asked.

"Yeah, guess we better go tell the world about us, huh?"

Fox smiled down at her. "Nothing would make me happier." He placed a light kiss on her lips and then helped her off the hospital bed.

--- --- ---

As Fox drove, Theresa turned to him. "So Fox, you never did tell me what you're doing in Harmony? I never told you where I lived, so how did you find me?"

"Well, to be honest Beautiful, I didn't come here for you. I'm in town for my brother, well, half-brother's wedding."

"Half-brother?" Theresa looked confused for a moment, and then it hit her. "Oh my God, you're Nicholas? You're a Crane?"

"Yeah, why?" He was more confused that her.

"Right before the wedding Gwen asked me to escort Ethan's half-brother to the reception since neither of us had dates. I'd never met him before, so I agreed. Well, I thought I had never met him before, but it turns out that the brother she spoke of is you."

"Wait, you know Ethan and Gwen?"

"Yeah, I was engaged to Ethan twice before."

Then it all clicked in Fox's head. "You're the Theresa he was gonna marry? Oh good God, I'm in love with my brother's leftovers."

"Excuse me? I am no one's 'leftovers', much less Ethan's," Theresa said angrily.

"I'm sorry Theresa; I don't know why I said that. I just remember hearing that Ethan's ex, which would be you, wasn't too thrilled about him and Gwen getting married. And I know that he loved you a lot, too." Fox tried his best to explain, even though he didn't really know what to say.

"Well, I'm not in love with Ethan anymore. And he is completely in love with Gwen. I couldn't be happier for those two after all the shit I put them through back then."

"I'm really sorry Theresa."

She could see that he really was sorry and felt bad for snapping at him. "Forget about it Fox. You're just in shock over all we've learned today. I am too. Not only did I find out that I'm pregnant, but I also run into you and find out that you're my ex's brother. God, what a weird world I live in."

Fox reached across the armrest and gave her hand a squeeze. "I'm just glad I'm part of that world, Theresa."

They finally made it to the Crane mansion and Fox helped Theresa out of the car. Before they took a step someone hollered out.

"Teresita, mi hija," Pilar ran up to Theresa. "Are you sure you're okay?"

"Hi Mama, yes, I'm fine. Dr. Russell just wanted to run some tests at the hospital to see what caused me to faint, but everything turned out fine." She smiled over at Fox who was standing a few feet away.

After talking with her Pilar for a few minutes longer Theresa decided to head inside and get something to drink. She had also seen Fox go inside and wanted to find him. As soon as she stepped inside the door Fox was by her side.

"Hello, my beautiful escort. I brought you a little snack and something to drink. Non-alcoholic, of course." He handed her a small plate of crackers, cheese and fruit and a champagne glass filled with sparkling cider.

Theresa smiled at him as she took the plate and glass from his hands. "Thanks Fox, I was just coming to get something to drink."

"My pleasure. I now have two people to take care of." He glanced down at her stomach with a smile and then placed his hand on her lower back and they walked into the sunroom, sitting down at one of the many tables inside. "Have I told you how beautiful you look today, Theresa?"

"I don't think so."

"Well, you are beautiful. Even more so than the last time you wore this dress, if that's possible."

"Thank you Fox." She leaned over to him and touched her lips to his. They sat there for a couple minutes by themselves while Theresa ate, and then everyone started to come inside.

--- --- ---

Just before five-thirty the DJ shut the music off. "Sorry to interrupt your dancing folks. But it looks like the bride and groom have arrived. I am pleased to present to you, the newly reaffirmed Mr. and Mrs. Ethan Winthrop."

The entire crowd turned to the doorway as the spotlight illuminated Gwen and Ethan. Applause broke out as they made their way inside, stopping to hug and kiss close friends and relatives. Theresa and Fox both made their way to the happy couple.

"Oh look Honey, Theresa and Fox have already found each other," Gwen said before pulling Theresa into a hug.

"Good, I was worried that you two wouldn't be able to," Ethan said as he shook Fox's hand and hugged Theresa.

"Yep, we found each other," Fox said, giving a wink and smile to Theresa. The four talked for a couple minutes longer and then Ethan and Gwen went to the head table.

"So, when do you think we should tell everyone?" Theresa asked.

"Let's wait until a little later. I don't want to spoil their big day with our good news quite yet," Fox answered.

They headed back to their own table and soon the room filled with the black and white dress of the servers as they brought out the first course of the meal.


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