Telling Our Friends and Family

The day of the party finally arrived. After Theresa woke up and got dressed, she went to the living room, where it finally dawned on her that hers and Ethan's family would learn the truth today.

"God, what if our families don't approve? What are we going to do?" She said out loud, as she paced back and forth in the living room.

Hearing Theresa out in the living room, Ethan quickly goes to her. "Honey, honey, what's wrong?"

"Ethan, what if our families don't accept this? What are we going to do?"

Taking her in his arms, Ethan kisses the top of Theresa's head. "Baby, you have to calm down. Our families are going to accept this. They didn't have any problems with us living together, did they?"

"Well, no.."

"Alright then. Don't worry. This is a happy time for us, and I promise you I'll always stick by your side, no matter what."

Looking up into Ethan's blue eyes, Theresa sighs. "I love you."

"And I love you." Kissing her softly, Ethan smiles. "Now, come on, let's get dressed and get things set up since our families are going to be here in a while."

"You got it."

Around 2, Ethan and Theresa finish setting up their yard in preparation for the party. Hearing a car pull in, Theresa looks up. "Ethan, Fox and Whitney are here."

"Hey guys!" Ethan says as he helps Fox unload things from the car.

"Is everything alright with you and Ethan?" Whitney asks Theresa as they set up the tables.

"Better than ever."

"Good."

After a few more minutes, Sam and Ivy, Pilar, Martin, Paloma, Antonio and Liz, Sheridan and Luis, and Miguel and Kay all come to Ethan and Theresa's house.

"Mi hija, you look beautiful as always." Martin says as he kisses the top of Theresa's head.

"Thank you, papa."

"Theresita, you have this glow about you. Is everything alright?" Pilar asks worryingly.

"Fine, mama. Everything is just fine."

After the party is in full swing, Ethan claps his hands to get everyone's attention.

"First off, I want to thank you all for coming to our house. IT means a lot to Theresa and I that you were able to come. Now, I wanted to start this party by revealing to you all why we had you here. Theresa, would you come up here?"

"Sure."

As the two stand together, Ethan looks at her and winks. "Everyone, I'm proud to say that Theresa and I are officially dating."

They look out at their friends and family, and greet a stunned silence.

"Well, that went well." Theresa mumbles, feeling her shoulders slump.

"Well, it's about damn time!" Luis suddenly says, as Ethan and Theresa look up.

"Excuse me?"

"Yeah, no kidding! We all knew that would happen eventually!" Kay said as the families laughed.

"You knew?!" Theresa said.

"Sis, we could tell just by looking at you and Ethan that something big would happen, eventually. It was so obvious."

"It's true, Theresa, we all knew that Ethan adored you, and you adored him. We never said anything because we each wanted it to happen it it's own way. We're all happy for you." Ivy said as she reached THersa's side to give her a hug.

"I'm either speechless or stunned, I haven't decided yet." Theresa said as she looked at Ethan.

"Well, that went a lot better than I expected." Ethan said, making the families laugh.

"Mi hija, I am so happy for you. Just be happy, that's my only wish for you." Pilar says, giving Theresa a hug.

"Your mother is right, Theresa. All we want is for you to be happy." Martin says as he kisses his daughter's cheek.

"Thank you. I'm very happy." Theresa says as she shares a smile with Ethan.

Later on, Theresa looks at Luis. "Luis, how did you know this would happen?"

"Simple, sis. Think back to all the times you and Ethan played together. We all could tell right then and there that you loved him."

Theresa reflects on this, as a memory comes to mind…

Flashback

"Ethan, would you like to play tea party with me?" A young Theresa asked her best friend while he was watching TV with her brothers.

"Theresa, come on, boys don't play with teacups!" Her brother, Luis, said. "We play with big boy toys."

"Oh, okay." Theresa said, her bottom lip trembling. "I'm sorry I asked, then." She said, running to her room and crying.


"Luis, why did you tell Theresa that? Maybe I wanted to play with her just to make her feel better." Ethan said, putting away the truck he was playing with.

"Oh, sorry, Ethan. Go ahead, I guess." Watching Ethan go after Theresa, Luis thought to himself, "wow, he likes my sister. Boy, am I in trouble."

Present

"I knew then, Theresa. I knew that Ethan was someone who was going to be very special for you. I am so happy for you."

"Thanks, Luis."

"You're welcome."

Later on, Ethan and Theresa cuddle on the couch. "Well, that went really well, don't you think?"

"Yes, I do." Ehtan says as he plays with Theresa's hair. "I'm glad we did that, Resa. Your family means a lot to me, and I want them to know that I plan to make you happy."

"Thank you, Ethan."

"For what?"

"For loving me."

"I do love you, Theresa. More than you'll ever know." He said as they shared a passionate kiss.

Coming Up

Ethan and Theresa's relationship grows.

A perfect Valentine's gift arrives for Theresa.

Please R/R