Theresa's eyes popped open, as if on cue. When she looked over at the clock, she knew why. It was 7:00am, the same exact time she got up every morning in New York, to make sure she had time for a job before she got ready for classes.

"Oh, I'm not going to class anymore, why won't my body let me sleep? Well, I might as well make the best of it." She hopped out of bed, rummaged through her suitcase until she found her jogging clothes, slipped them and her sneakers on, and headed downstairs.

Theresa couldn't remember the last time her house was so quiet. Last night, it was full of noise until late in to the evening. And while growing up, there were always friends in the house. Mostly Ethan, Kay and Reese, and Whitney, all hanging out together with Luis, Miguel and Theresa. Now that just Theresa and Pilar lived there, the house seemed very empty.

Theresa left a note for her mother, and decided to head downtown for her jog.

As she rounded the corner to Main St., Theresa saw only one car on the road, sitting at a red light. As she got closer to the car, she saw a familiar form behind the wheel. As Theresa got to the corner, she started jogging in place, waiting for the WALK sign to come on.

"Theresa? a voice said from in the car. Theresa bent over to see who had called her name from inside the car.

"Hey, Ethan. I thought I recognized the person in the car, but I wasn't sure who it was. Where are you going so early?"

"Big case today. I wanted to get in early and make sure everything is all set. What about you, why out so early you're first day home?"

"Well, I used to get up this early at school and go for a jog, guess my body isn't used to being able to sleep in yet."

The stop light turned green.

"Hey, you better get going, before there's a traffic jam!" laughed Theresa.

"I guess your right", he laughed back.

"Good luck on your case, you can tell me all about it tonight at dinner."

"How about today at lunch instead?" he asked.

Theresa was quite surprised by his invitation, but was also intrigued by it, so she accepted.

"Okay, what time?"

"Book Café at noon?"

"Sounds great, counselor, see you there!" And with that she continued her jog down Main St.

When Theresa got home, Pilar was dressed and ready for work at the Crane Mansion.

"Theresa, your home! I must admit, I was surprised to go in to your room this morning and not see you there."

"I'm sorry Mama, I just need to convince my body that it's okay to sleep in once in a while. The strangest thing happened on my jog...."

"What Mija, are you hurt?"

"No Mama, nothing like that. I saw Ethan Bennett on his way to work, and he invited me to lunch today."

Pilar suddenly had a grin on her face. "Why is that strange?"

"Why would Ethan ask me out to lunch? I'm just Luis's kid sister Theresa!"

"Correction, Mija, you were Luis's kid sister. Now you are a grown up beautiful woman, with her own career in fashion and ready to take on the world. Ethan sees how much you have changed, and wants to get to know you better."

"You really think so Mama?"

"I know so, I could see it in his eyes last night when you came in the room. He couldn't keep his eyes off of you all night long."

"Mama!" was the only reply Theresa could think to give. "So, you think he is interested in me, romantically?"

"I'm not sure about romantically, but I know he is interested in you. Go, have lunch. It will be two old friends catching up. See where it goes from there. But right now, I have to go to work. I'll be home early. I need to make a dish for dinner tonight. You are still going, aren't you?"

"Yes, Mama. I will be there. I'm sure I'll be home when you get done with work. Where else would I be?"

Sitting behind his desk, Ethan could seem to get his chance encounter with Theresa off of his mind. Why is she having this effect on me? Ethan questioned himself. She's just Theresa, Luis's kid sister....although deep down inside he really knew why.

"But she doesn't look like a kid anymore", he said to himself out loud. What was going on? There was only one person Ethan could talk to about this, and he knew if he didn't do something soon, he would screw up his big day in court, so he grabbed the phone and dialed.

"Hello?"

"Hi Grace, it's me."

"Hi honey. I was just thinking about you, and how good it was to have you over last night. We don't get to see you all that often since you moved out."

"I know, but I'm always so busy with work."

"I know work can be busy, but don't forget, you have a family that loves you and wants to see you, too. Can you come tonight for dinner with Pilar and her family?"

Immediately his mind raced back to Theresa and the reason for his call.

"Of course, I wouldn't miss it. Hey, is Dad still home, or did he leave for work yet?"

"He's just about to leave, hold on, I'll get him. Try and be here around 6, okay?"

"Okay, Grace. Thanks."

"Hey, son, what's going on so early?"

"I need to talk to you, do you have a second or do you have to go right in to work?"

"For my kids, I have all of the time in world. What's on your mind?"

"Well, I saw Theresa on my way in to work today...."

"Wow, she's up early!"

"Well, she was out for a jog, and she went right past my car at a stop light, and was waiting for the go ahead to cross, so I said hi."

"That's nice of you!"

"Yeah, well....I ended up inviting her to lunch at the Book Café.

"That's even nicer of you! If there is such a word!"

Ethan laughed at his father's use of words. "I just can't seem to get her face out of my head, Dad. Is there something wrong with me? I mean, it's just Theresa, Luis's kid sister, right?"

"She used to be, but she's matured a lot since you last saw her. She's gotten her degree in Fashion. She's starting a new job here in Harmony soon. She really knows what she wants out of life. The last time you saw her, she was just a high school girl with a crush on that guy from 'Titanic'."

"So, I'm not some kind of pervert then?"

Sam laughed. "Of course not, Ethan. Theresa is a very attractive woman, and someone you know you have a good time with. For right now, your just friends, like you have always been. And if it should lead to more than that, you shouldn't feel bad about it. It could be a wonderful relationship!"

"It's amazing how you always make me feel better about everything I question in my life.

How do you do that?"

"That's what father's are for, Ethan. Now go and win that big case, take Theresa to lunch, and just have a good time."

"Thanks Dad, I'll see you tonight at dinner."

"Bye Ethan."