Consequences of Love

by Erika Bennett

Disclaimer: I do not own these characters and etc. All characters and etc. belong to Passions, JER, NBC, and etc.

Chapter 1:

Theresa stood outside the nursery, watching the children that she had given birth to only a few days ago. She didn't want to be anywhere near Ethan, Gwen, or anyone else for that matter. Instead she stood in front of the nursery window looking at the little boy and girl that she had held in her womb for nine long months, wondering which, if either, or if both of the children were biologically hers.

"Theresita, how are you doing?" asked Pilar, walking up from behind, and starling her.

Pilar knew that Theresa was deep in thought and wasn't sure if she should have disrupted her.

"I'm nervous Mama. A part of me doesn't want to know who the parents of these children are, but another part of me does" said Theresa

"I know mija. I am proud of you though, for telling everyone about what you did. You know, tricking Ethan into sleeping with you. I still can't believe that a daughter of mine would ever do such a horrible thing though."

"Mama please, don't remind me." Theresa said, not wanting to think about what she had done.

"DON"T REMIND YOU THERESA? Come on! How am I not supposed to think about what you have done? And all the pain you have caused?" Pilar asked disbelievingly.

Pilar knew that Theresa could do some awful things. But never in a million years did she think that her daughter could do something so horrible. Something that could ruin so many lives.

"Do you think that I don't feel bad about what I've done Mama? I didn't have any other choice. Everything I did was to get my son back. You know what it's like to have to live with out your child. Antonio ran away, and you had to give up Paloma. You had to give her up so she could have a better life. I know how hard it was for you to live without her, and to not even see her grow up. Can you just imagine how I feel when I think about my son growing up so close to me, and me not even being able to be with him and see him grow up into a man? I did what I did to get my son back." Theresa said on the verge of tears from thinking about not seeing her son grow up.

Pilar could identify with Theresa's situation. She had always prayed for God to bring her Antonio home. And when he did come home, she couldn't help but wonder what it would have been like to see him grow into the man that he had become. She also knew that Theresa was right about her not wanting to give up Paloma, but having to, so that she could have a better life.

"Mija, I know it must have been so hard for you to loose your son. But there had to have been another way to go about getting Little Ethan back. You didn't have to sleep with Ethan. And now that plan has backfired on you. One of those children can be Ethan and Gwen's anyways. And the other one can be yours and Ethan's. And you will have to raise the child on your own." Pilar said; trying to make Theresa think about what consequences her actions would hold.

"I know that Mama! And I don't care if I have to raise two children on my own! I will love my children no matter what. And I can't bear to be without either of them!" Theresa said knowing full well that what her mother was saying was true. She knew that she would have to raise her children all alone, just like her mother did when her father disappeared. What decent man would want to marry a woman that already has two children and has never even been married? Theresa thought to herself.

"I know mija, I know. But are you sure that you love this child because it's yours? Or do you love this child because it's Ethan's?"

"Mama, how could you even ask me such a thing?! I love both of these children. I carried them inside of me for nine months! How can I not love them? But I don't have any other choice but to give Gwen her child. I have to in order to get Little Ethan back. I don't love these children because their Ethan's, Mama! I love them because of the bond that we share!"

"I know mija! The bond that a woman shares with the children she carries is incredible! But I just can't help but wonder if you slept with Ethan, not for your sons sake like you claim, but because you wanted to sleep with him; and because you wanted to have his child." Pilar said, knowing what Theresa would do if she thought that it would bring her and Ethan together.

Theresa couldn't believe that her own mother would think such a thing about her. She would believe that anyone else in this town would think something so horrible of her. But for her very own mother to think this? Theresa just couldn't believe it.

"What?! You think I slept with Ethan because I wanted to? I needed to get my son back! I thought I lost Ethan and Gwen's embryo, and I knew that I had to get pregnant again. I even asked Fox to make love to me; but he refused because he didn't want me to jeopardize my pregnancy and loose the chance of getting my son back! That's why I slept with Ethan, mama! I felt like I had no other choice"

There was a short silence, which seemed like hours. Until finally Theresa broke down into tears and began to talk once again.

"I just feel so sick even thinking about it. It's not like I enjoyed any minute of making love to Ethan. I was picturing Fox the entire time. I love Fox mama, and what I did that night ruined any chance of us ever being together. I can't believe that I have finally realized how much I love him and he hates me. Although it's not like Fox ever loved me or would ever love me back. He just used me to get closer to Whitney. He's just like all the other Crane men. I don't know why I love him so much anyways."

Pilar's heart went out to her daughter. She didn't even know that Theresa had such strong feelings for Fox. She took her daughter in her arms and began to caress her hair her hair.

"Ahem- I- uh..." said a deep husky voice.

Pilar and Theresa realized that they weren't alone. They slowly turned around to face the man that had overheard their conversation.