Meeting the Families (Part 1)

Waking up early in the morning, Ethan watches the sun rise as he drinks his coffee. I can't believe that I'm here, and that in a matter of days, I'll be realizing who the woman that I'm meant to spend the rest of my life with will be.

Hearing the phone ring, Ethan runs to answer it. "Hello?"

"Hi, Ethan. It's Lindsey. Just to let you know that the limo will be over to pick you up soon. You will be going to Theresa's house first, and then tomorrow, you will be going to Gwen's house. After that, you will be bringing both Theresa and Gwen to your house to meet your family. Finally, you will come back here to the house, and then we will proceed with the final rose ceremony. Any questions?"

"None."

"Okay, enjoy yourself, then!" Hanging up the phone, Ethan changes into some wool pants and a shirt. "Well, now off I go to Theresa's house." He says with a smile.

On the road, Ethan begins to think of Theresa. I've missed her so much. I hope that when I see her family, I'll make a great impression. I can't believe that there are only two women left. This has been an amazing experience. God, please let me make the right choice in the end.

Coming to Theresa's house, Ethan looks out the window of the limo. "What a pretty house she lives in." As the limo comes to a stop, Ethan begins to open the car door, when he spots Theresa running toward him. Smiling, he takes her in his arms, and twirls her around in a hug.

"Well, this is a great welcome!" He kisses her softly. "I'm sorry, I couldn't wait any longer." Theresa said as Ethan laughs. "Quite alright, I assure you." "Are you looking forward to meeting the family?" Theresa asks curiously. "Absolutely. I can't wait to see the people that you've told me so much about."

"Well, then, come on. They're in the back."

Making their way around the house, Ethan then gets introduced to Theresa's parents: Martin and Pilar, her three brothers Antonio, Miguel and Luis, their wives Liz, Kay and Sheridan, and Theresa's sister, Paloma. They all sit down and enjoy a delicious meal of paella.

"Mrs. Lopez-Fitzgerald, this food is terrific." Ethan says. "Thank you, Ethan."

"So, Ethan, tell us about you." Martin asks.

"Papa." Theresa looks at her father worryingly.

"Theresa, it's alright." Ethan says as he takes her hand in his, and squeezes it encouragingly. "What would you like to know, Mr. Lopez-Fitzgerald?"

"Well, what do you see in my daughter, for starters?"

Ethan takes a moment to look at Theresa. "What struck me right away about your daughter was her beauty. She just looked so magnificent with her big brown eyes, they drew me instantaneously. Then, once I started to get to know her, I realized that there was a whole new level to what made Theresa the woman she is. She is a woman who is intelligent, comfortable in her own skin, a little shy, but that is attractive in that she opens up to you once you're with her on a one to one level. Theresa is just generally a great woman."

"Thank you, Ethan."

Suddenly, Antonio speaks up. "Well, Ethan. Us Lopez-Fitzgerald men have this tradition. In order to make sure you're right for our sister, we have to put you through a test."

Curious, Ethan listens. "Okay, I'm listening."

Luis then gets up, and stands next to his brother. "Well, Ethan, in order to be a part of this family, you need to know how to play the game of football quite well."

Ethan smiles. "Not a problem. I'm ready if you are."

"Let's go." Miguel says as the men leave the women at the table and go play football.

"So, what do you think of him?" Theresa asks the ladies. "I think he is so adorable!" Sheridan says, making the women laugh. "Mi hija, Ethan seems to be very in tuned with you. I watched him look at you as you talked. He was very interested in what you had to say. His eyes were sparkling. It was amazing to watch."

"Kay, Paloma? What did you think?"

"Marry him, Theresa!" Paloma said, making everyone laugh. The women then turned to watch the guys play football. Sensing her stare at him, Ethan turned quickly toward the table and waved at Theresa.

God, I think I'm in love. Theresa thought to herself as she sighed happily.

"You're falling for him, aren't you?" Her sister-in-law, Kay, asked.

"Is it that obvious?"

"Yes!" Sheridan, Kay and Paloma said in unison, making them all laugh. "All I know is that I have never felt this way about anyone." Theresa says as she once again looks at Ethan.

Later on, the Lopez-Fitzgerald men walk back up to the ladies. "Well, Theresa, he's a keeper. He passed the football game with flying colors." Luis says as the family cleans up the table.

"It was a lot of fun, we should do this again." Ethan said.

"Count on it!" Antonio says as he shakes Ethan's hand. "Just don't hurt her, Ethan. Whatever you do. If it's meant to be, then it's meant to be." He whispers into Ethan's ear.

"Thanks, Antonio."

Looking over at Theresa, Ethan extends his hand, which she takes. "Take a walk with me?"

"Sure."

Theresa and Ethan walk hand in hand down Theresa's street. "So, what did you think?" She asks.

"I think your family is amazing. No wonder you are so wonderful. They love you all so very much."

"And I love them. They are very important to me."

"I can see that." Stopping near a street sign, Ethan takes Theresa's hands in his own. "I'm very happy that you're here with me, you know."

"So am I."

"I have something to tell you."

"I'm listening."

Leaning in softly, Ethan kisses Theresa's lips, and then whispers. "I think I'm falling for you."

Smiling, Theresa opens her eyes, and stares into Ethan's blue eyes. "And I think I'm falling for you, too. It's scary, though, because I know there's someone else in the picture."

Ethan nods his head. "I know. And I'm sorry for all this."

"No, don't be sorry. You have nothing to be sorry for. I knew what the stakes were going into this show. If you don't pick me in the end, then I'll accept it, and move on. All I want for you, Ethan, is to be happy and in love. That's the bottom line."

"You're amazing, you know that?"

"I just hope you don't forget that."

"Never." He says as he leans in to kiss Theresa.

Coming Up

What will happen when Ethan visits Gwen's family?

And the moment we've all waited for…Who will get the Final Rose?

Please R/R