The Start of a Brand New Day

Waking up with the sun shining bright, Ethan looked out his window and smiled. "Today is the day I've been waiting for. I'll be picking out a ring today, and asking either Theresa or Gwen to marry me. I know I will be making the right decision, I just know it."

Around 10 am, the doorbell rings, and Ethan greets Mr. Steven Jones, the ring salesman.

"So, Ethan, are you ready to make the biggest choice of your life?"

"Yes I am."

Sitting down in the kitchen, Ethan gasps as he looks at all the rings on display. "Wow, these are all so beautiful."

"Only the best for the woman you love."

"So true."

"Now, here is one that I think says a lot about a woman." Mr. Jones says as he holds up a princess cut ring. "It signifies beauty, grace, elegance."

"It's stunning."

"Question is, Mr. Winthrop, can you see yourself placing this ring on the finger of the woman you want to spend your life with?"

Smiling, Ethan nods, "Absolutely. I'll take it!" After purchasing the ring with his own money, Ethan smiles as he feels confident in his future. "This ring will symbolize my true love to the woman of my heart. I can't wait to give this to her."

"Good luck, sir."

"Thank you, Mr. Jones."

Once the ring salesman leaves, Ethan walks around his bachelor pad for the last time. "Tonight is going to change my life forever. God, I can't wait to get this over with and be with the woman I love."

Smiling, Ethan thinks to himself. Amazing. I wasn't expecting to fall in love in all this, and now I am. I am 100 in love..and it's wonderful.

Around 4, the telephone rings, startling Ethan awake from his nap. "Hi, Ethan, it's Lindsey. I just wanted to let you know that the limos will start coming here around 7 pm. The first limo will have the woman who you do not want to receive a rose, followed by the second woman who you will choose to spend your life with. I will greet the women as they exit the limo, and will guide them to you in the back. All I need to know from you is if you have made a final choice?"

"Yes, Lindsey, I have." After telling his choice, Ethan smiles. "Great. I'll see you tonight then, Ethan."

"No problem."

Around 5 o'clock, Ethan begins to get dressed into his tux. Looking at the mirror, Ethan sighs. "I know I have to break up with one of these women, but in the end, I'll be with the woman who has taken over my heart. God, thank you for this moment. This adventure has been the greatest in my life."

Walking downstairs, Ethan greets Lindsey, and is escorted to the outside patio, where flowers and candles decorate the landscape. "This is gorgeous." Ethan says.

"Well, we wanted to make sure your proposal tonight would be as romantic as possible."

"Well, that it certainly is."

"Are you ready to get started?"

"Yeah, I think so. I just need a minute if that's alright?"

"Sure, we have an hour still, we just wanted to do a trial run of how tonight would go."

"Okay."

"Take your time."

Alone, Ethan sits at a nearby chair, and looks at the photos of the two women. Taking one of them in his hand, he smiles. "I know you are going to make me so happy. I can't believe that it took me this long in my life to find you. I'm falling in love with you, and I hope you feel the same way."

Sighing, Ethan looks at the other picture. "I'm sorry I have to do this to you, but something inside me just tells me it's not meant to be between us after all. I hope you'll understand."

Putting the two pictures back on the mantel, Ethan sighs. "Well, here goes nothing." Looking at his watch, Ethan notices it is already 6, and begins to make his way outside to meet Lindsey. After a trial run, Ethan notices how fast the time has gone, and hears the approaching limo. God, please let this night go well.

Taking a deep breath, Ethan stands next to Lindsey. "Are you ready to meet your future, Ethan?"

"More than ready."

"Alright. I'll go and greet the limo." As Lindsey leaves, Ethan reaches into his pocket and pulls out the ring. "Soon, my love, soon I'll be putting this ring on your finger where it belongs." Smiling, Ethan tucks it away, as he looks up to watch Lindsey come back with one of the women. Taking a deep breath, Ethan notices her beauty as she walks down the steps towards him, and smiles at her.

"Hi."

"Hi. How are you?"

"Nervous."

"Me, too. Just relax, okay?"

"Okay."

Taking a deep breath, Ethan holds onto the hands of the woman. "We have had some interesting times here. At first, I didn't know what to expect from you. But then, as I got to know you more, I realized that deep down you were someone that I could see myself with in the future. You have this spunk about you that is striking in that you never let other people try to dictate you. You know what you want, and you fight for it."

Closing his eyes momentarily, Ethan opens them again, and speaks. "There's a but, however."

"Okay?"

Gaining his composure, Ethan begins again. "Gwen. You are a beautiful woman inside and out. The but in this case, however, is that, while I have feelings for you, I have stronger feelings for someone else."

Gwen rolls her eyes after Ethan finishes. "This is unbelievable! You actually fell for that little tart? What does she have that I don't? She sure as hell doesn't have a bigger chest so that can't be what you want."

Mortified, Ethan attempts to calm her. "Gwen, please, it's not about that."

"Like hell it isn't! God, is that all you men think about is looks? And to think I was going to marry you only for your money!" Stunned by what she says, Gwen quickly covers her mouth.

Ethan looks at her with such disgust that he can't even believe what he heard. Trying to remain calm, Ethan grunts out through his clenched teeth, "leave right now, Gwen. Leave before I make an idiot out of myself even more than I already am."

"Fine. I hope you have a rotten life with Tacosita! Just don't say I told you so." Storming off, Gwen can be heard huffing and puffing into the limo.

Lindsey quickly runs up to Ethan. "Oh, God, are you alright? I am so sorry, I didn't expect that to happen!"

"That's alright, neither did I. Are we still rolling film?"

"No, we cut it when Gwen started to take her fit. We'll replace it with something else, don't worry. Are you sure you still want to go on?"

"Yes, Lindsey. I want to see Theresa. Please."

"How about a few minutes first to yourself?"

"Please."

As Ethan takes a breather, the second limo pulls up.

(In the Limo)

"God, this is it. I don't even know if I'm the first person here, or the last. God, please, just let Ethan make the right choice tonight. Please."

Coming Up

One final rose…and one final woman

Will Theresa and Ethan be together?

Please R/R