Fox looked over at Teresa's face while she slept.
Her lips were slightly parted, her chest slowly falling and rising.
His body ached for her.
He thought of last night. He had gone to her room and kissed her, and in an instant, she had led him to the bed. They stared into each other's eyes as Teresa slowly reached up, and Fox slid her shirt over top of her head. Teresa unbuttoned his shirt and slowly swept her fingers underneath it, feeling his muscles, the shirt falling to the floor.
"Are you sure you want to do this?" Fox asked.
She smiled.
"I've never been more sure of anything in my entire life."
Fox leaned in and gently kissed her neck. She closed her eyes, a soft moan escaping.
"Fox," she murmured, digging her nails into his back.
He laid her down and kissed her lips, long and hard, his love for her pouring out his mouth, his soul.
He pulled back and stared into her brown eyes.
"You're trembling," he whispered.
She closed her eyes.
"I'm sorry…I'm scared."
"Of what?"
She gave him a weak smile."
"Of you."
He stared at her confused. He pulled back, sitting up.
"Teresa, why do I frighten you?"
She sat up behind him, wrapping her arms around him. She kissed him between his shoulder blades.
"I'm sorry," she whispered. "I didn't mean it the way it sounded."
"Well what did you mean?" he asked, his voice growing fierce.
She hesitated, the tone of his voice making her uncomfortable.
"I've never felt this way about anyone Fox…I've never been in love like this before. And now that I have it, I don't want it to go away."
He turned to face her, his eyes searching her face.
"Why do you think it would go away?"
She didn't answer him.
"Teresa, please. Help me understand. What's wrong?"
He could tell she was silently crying.
He grabbed her hand.
"Tell me," he said kissing it.
She looked off into the distance.
"Bad things happen to the people I love Fox," she said, her voice barely audible.
"What are you talking about?"
"Mama, Antonio…my son. When I was dating Ethan all those years ago, bad thing always happened."
She closed her eyes.
"I'm a curse Fox."
He sighed.
"Teresa, you are not a curse. You're a blessing."
"Fox…"
"No, let me finish," he said. He took a deep breath and continued.
"Ever since you came into my life, I feel like a whole new person Teresa. I'm more responsible, and caring…I'm not the selfish playboy I was all those years ago. And it's because of you. Because of your love, because of the way I feel when I'm with you, or even when I just think of you. If that's what you call a curse, then fine. I want to be cursed for the rest of my life."
He stroked her cheek.
"Life isn't fair Teresa. And I'm so sorry you've had to go through so much pain…but maybe everything happens for a reason."
She smiled.
"Maybe Fox…maybe."
He looked at the clock.
"It's pretty late…how bout we get some sleep."
She nodded. He stood up to walk back to the couch.
"Hey Fox?"
He turned around.
"Would you mind doing me a favor?"
"Anything."
She patted the bed.
"Would you hold me?"
He smiled as he climbed back into the bed and wrapped his arms around her.
"I don't think I'm scared anymore Fox." She sighed into his chest before drifting off into a deep sleep.
He stroked her hair.
"You don't ever have to be scared again."
He fell asleep soon after.
After replaying last night in his mind about 20 times, he quietly climbed out of bed. He walked into the kitchen, pouring himself o cup of coffee. Then, he walked into the living room.
There was a message on their answering machine.
He pushed play.
"Fox, Teresa, it's Chad…there's been an accident…"
Teresa woke to the sound of broken glass. She quickly ran into the living room. Fox was standing their, his skin pale. She noticed the broken coffee mug on the ground.
"Fox, what's wrong?"
He turned to face her.
"It's Whitney," he mouthed.
"What about her?" Teresa asked quietly, her hand to her mouth.
Fox looked at her, his body numb, not even hearing the words he spoke.
"There was an accident."
Teresa felt her stomach turn inside out, her head pounding.
"Is she ok?"
Fox didn't move.
"Is she ok?!"
He looked at her, his eyes red.
"She's dying Teresa."
Teresa shut her eyes.
"The curse..."