Deciding My Future

Following his meeting Theresa and Gwen's families, Ethan returns to his bachelor pad around 3 p.m. to begin thinking about the Rose Ceremony.

"This is it. Tomorrow night, I will be choosing the woman that is the one for me. God, I hope I can make this decision."

Hearing the phone ring, Ethan answers it. "Hi, Ethan, it's Lindsey. I just wanted to check in with you and tell you what will be happening tonight and tomorrow. Tonight, you will get one last moment with Gwen and Theresa. Gwen will be coming around 5 p.m. and Theresa will be at your house around 8. You can use this time to ask them any remaining questions you may have, etc. Come tomorrow night, the two women will be brought here from their separate locations. They will come one at a time. You will then have to tell one of them that you are sending them home, and the other, you have the option to either propose to if you are ready, or if you are not ready for that, just tell them how you feel, and see what they want to do. Tomorrow morning, we will be sending a ring salesman to your house for you to choose one ring that either we will pay for, or if you choose, you may pay for."

"I would like to pay for the ring. It's the right thing to do."

"Not a problem. Any other questions that I could answer for you?"

"Not that I can think of. Thank you."

"You're welcome. Good luck."

Placing the phone back on the holder, Ethan grabs a beer from the fridge, and goes to sit out on the patio. "I have feelings for two women. One woman is beginning to take over my heart, whereas the other has a part of my heart, but suddenly, the connection I feel with her seems to be diminishing. Is my heart trying to tell me something? Will I be able to make the right choice tomorrow night?"

At 5 p.m., Ethan hears the doorbell ring, and sees Gwen on the other side. "Hi, come on in."

As Gwen enters, Ethan takes a deep breath. "Let's go sit on the couch. I put out some cheese and crackers and wine."

"Sounds great."

While sitting on the couch, Ethan looks at Gwen. "What, do I have something on my teeth?" She asks nervously, as she pulls out a makeup compact from her purse.

Taking her hand, Ethan lowers the mirror. "No, Gwen. I was just admiring your beauty."

"Oh. Well, thank you, Ethan. No one's ever said that to me before."

"Well, there is a first time for everything, I guess."

"Are you nervous about tomorrow?"

"Yes and no. I know that one of you will be hurt, and I realize that. But, I also see tomorrow night as a great start to a new adventure."

"Well, to new adventures." Gwen says as she toasts her glass to Ethan's, and privately makes her own toast: Here's my toast to us. May you pick me, and put tacosita out on the street where she belongs. "Cheers."

Ethan then takes Gwen's hand in his own. "Would you like to watch a movie?"

"Sure, why not."

While watching a movie, Ethan and Gwen cuddle on the couch. Yet, while trying to pay attention to the movie, Ethan can't help but feel Gwen's tension seep into him. Why am I getting mixed signals from her? One minute, she wants to get close, and now I feel like she doesn't want me to touch her. "Gwen, are you alright?"

"Sure, why wouldn't I be?" She says as she kisses his cheek.

"Just making sure."

Around 7, Carl rings the doorbell to take Gwen back home. "Well, I guess that's my cue to leave."

"Guess so."

"See you tomorrow?"

"Of course."

Kissing Ethan's lips quickly, Gwen smiles. "Night."

"Night."

Once Gwen leaves, Ethan looks at the clock. "7:30. Theresa will be here soon." Thinking of her, Ethan smiles. "I hope that tonight will answer all the inner thoughts I have of these two women."

At 8 pm, Ethan goes to answer the door, and greets Theresa with a kiss. "You don't know how happy I am to see you."

"Well, that's a welcome I could get used to!" Theresa laughs as she moves inot the house.

"How are you?"

"I'm good how are you?"

"Better now that you're here. Are you hungry? Or thirsty?"

"I wouldn't mind a soda."

"Sure."

Getting the soda for her, Ethan watches as she looks around his living room. "Ethan, you have so many books here."

"Yeah, I love to read the classics. Makes me imagine what life was like back then."

"Oh wow! You have How I love thee! That's my favorite sonnet.

"Yeah, mine too. Here is your soda." Handing the soda to Theresa, Ethan's hand brushes against her, and the sparks he has felt before comes to full force. "Thanks." Theresa whispers.

"You're welcome."

After finishing their drinks, Ethan takes Theresa into his arms. Hearing her sigh, Ethan looks down at her. "Are you alright?"

"yes. This may sound silly, but I feel so warm and wanted right now."

"Well, I definetly want you, Theresa."

"You do?"

Smiling, Ethan kisses her forehead. "What can I say, you have this irresistible force about you. Makes me want to dig deeper and find out everything I can about you."
"But, you shouldn't be saying these things when you have Gwen in the wings."

Sighing, Ethan looks at Theresa. "I don't want to think about Gwen tonight. You're the one in my arms right now. That's all I want to concentrate on."

"I'm sorry."

"No need to be."

Kissing her softly, Ethan holds Theresa tighter to him, as he whispers in her ear: "I love thee with the breath, smiles, tears of all my life."

"Oh, Ethan."

Theresa hugs Ethan tighter, praying that she will not be hurt. "God, please, don't let my heart break now…"

Coming Up

Ethan buys a ring!

Who will get the Final Rose?

Please R/R