CH 18- Unexpected News
(...Three Weeks Later...)
Theresa closed her eyes and smiled as the cool afternoon breeze blew across her face.
"Shall we go a little higher?" Fox teasingly asked her, as he gently pushed her on the swing.
"No!" She giggled. "This is a good height!"
"Baby, you're hardly off the ground!" He laughed, knowing how afraid she was of heights.
"I don't care! You're even lucky that I agreed to go on this thing!" She yelled, glancing back at him.
"Oh come on Theresa, it'll be fun. Just a little higher, ok sweetie?"
Theresa could hear the humor in his voice, as she felt him push her a little harder.
"Fox! That's enough!" She screamed, as the swing began to sway dangerously higher.
"What? Did you say something Theresa?" He laughed, enjoying her high- pitched screams.
"That's not funny Fox! I know you can hear me!" She hysterically shrieked, feeling instant butterflies in her stomach. "I think I'm going to be sick! Nicholas Foxwarth Crane, if you don't stop this thing right now I'm gonna cry!"
"What? You want to go high?" He continued to mock her, laughing uncontrollably.
"No!" She shrieked, hearing him laugh behind her. "Fox!"
Finally he wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled the swing to a halt.
"Yes?" He angelically smiled, peering down at her. "Did you want something sweetheart?"
Theresa was about to yell at him, but as he looked at her with those adorable brown eyes all she could do was smile.
"You are so lucky that you are cute!" She grinned, as he pulled her close to him.
"Yeah, I guess I am pretty lucky," He winked at her. "So can I have my kiss now?"
"I don't know, I am still pretty mad at you."
He gave her his best sad puppy-dog face, as she burst into laughter.
"Ok, you win!" She giggled, gently pulling on his shirt.
He leaned in and pressed his lips against hers, giving her a soft but sweet kiss.
--------------------------------------
Rrrrrrrrriiiiinnnnnnngggggggg!!!
The sound of the alarm clock rang loudly, as Theresa struggled to turn it off. Finally her finger found the button, as she switched it off.
She laid back down on her pillow and yawned, remembering the dream she just had.
"I should have known it was just a dream," she sighed. "I can't remember the last time me and Fox had that much fun."
She lifted her head and glanced at the clock.
10:05
"Well, time for another visit to the hospital." She smiled, knowing that Ethan would be happy to see her.
She swung her feet out of bed and grabbed her towel. Just as she was about to head for the shower, she heard her phone ring.
"Hello?"
"Hey Theresa," Whitney's voice sounded through the receiver.
"Oh hey Whit, what's up?"
"Well, I was just going to go visit Chad and I was wondering if you needed a lift to the hospital. You are going to visit Ethan today aren't you?"
"Yeah, I was just about to get ready." Theresa looked through her closet.
"Ok, so I'll be at your place in 15 minutes?"
"Yeah, that's cool. See you then!" She hung up the phone and walked back to the bathroom.
Theresa turned on the hot water and let the shower run. She was just about to get undressed, when a sudden feeling of nausea came over her.
"I think I'm going to be sick," she whispered to herself, thinking twice about going to the hospital.
She stared up at her reflection in the mirror, and sighed.
"No, I have to go, Ethan's waiting." She told herself. "Besides, I made a promise."
As soon as Whitney arrived, Theresa felt a whole lot better. She got into the car, as they headed for the hospital.
"Are you alright?" Whitney concernedly asked. "You don't look so good."
"No, I'm fine." Theresa assured her. "I just got a little sick this morning. I probably just need to eat something."
"Ok," Whitney returned her attention to the road. "So how are you? I feel like I haven't talked to you in ages!"
"Trust me, it's not only you." Theresa looked out the window. "Ever since I've been visiting Ethan at the hospital, I've hardly had time for anyone else. I haven't even been spending that much time with Fox."
"I bet he's not liking that too much, is he?"
"Well, he just thinks I'm being a really good friend to Ethan." Theresa smiled, remembering how understanding Fox had been.
"Yeah, if only he knew the truth." Whitney glanced at her from the review mirror.
"What is that suppose to mean?" Theresa looked at her.
"It means that you really should consider telling Fox the truth about you and Ethan." Whitney told her seriously.
"I can't do that Whit. You know that Fox would hate me." Theresa sighed. "Besides, there's no way that he will find out. Once Ethan gets better, I will explain to him that I am in love with Fox now. Then Fox and I can be together and nobody has to get hurt!"
"Don't get me wrong Theresa, I'm really grateful that you trusted me enough to tell me about this. But sometimes, I wish that you would just keep these crazy ideas to yourself." Whitney threw her hands up in frustration. "You are seriously going to send me to my early grave with these ideas of yours!"
"Whitney, don't worry! I have this completely under control." Theresa placed a hand on her friends lap. "Right now, I just need to spend as much time with Ethan as possible. Dr. Russell said that the more time I spend with him, the easier it's going to be for him to make a faster recovery."
"I know that honey, and trust me I think that what you're doing for Ethan is terrific. But I just thought that you had learned by now what lies and deception can do to a relationship. Innocent people can end up getting really hurt Theresa." Whitney warned her, pulling into the driveway of the hospital.
"I know that Whit, and trust me. No one is going to get hurt." She winked at her, getting out of the car. "Thanks for the drive!"
Whitney shook her head as she watched her friend walk into the building.
"I hope you're right Theresa." She sighed. "For your sake, I hope you're right."
Theresa turned the corner and walked down the hall to Ethan's room. She had been there so many times, she could almost close her eyes and find it.
She turned the knob and slowly walked in. The lights were off, but a stream of sunlight shone through the curtains, giving the room a lighter feeling. During the several days that Theresa had gone there, the room had always seemed so gloomy. It was as if the walls could sense how bad things had been for the past two weeks.
Theresa sat her bag down on a nearby chair and glanced over at Ethan. Even though she had seen him almost everyday, she still could never get used to how bad he looked. The treatment that he was undergoing completely transformed his physical appearance. It was heartbreaking to look at him. It was as if he was a completely different person. His face was always very pale and dead-like, his chest had grown and was more enlarged in size. Dr. Russell said that an enlarged chest was one of the symptoms that were common in patients with emphysema. He hardly had any color in his lips, and his fingernails took a more bluish color. He was always very tired and had to rest ever so often. But whenever she came to visit, he always tried his best to stay awake. He tried so hard to act strong, and it pained Theresa because she knew that deep down inside he was a complete mess.
Her thoughts were interrupted by Ethan's sudden ghastly coughs.
She immediately went over to his bedside and sat on a nearby chair. When he opened his eyes and saw her, an instant smile appeared on his face.
"Hi sweetheart," he grinned weakly. "I'm so glad you're here."
"I'm always going to be here for you Ethan." She smiled, rubbing her finger over his knuckles. "How are you feeling?"
"Great, now that you're here." He winked at her, and winced as he struggled to sit up.
"You don't fool me Ethan," she looked at him seriously. "I know this can't be easy for you."
He tore his gaze away from her and looked out the window.
"You're right. I hate being in here. I hate being so sick! I hate knowing that I'm going to die!" He said between clenched teeth.
"Don't say that." Theresa lightly touched his chin. "You're going to get better Ethan. You just have to fight it. I know you can do it."
"Thanks." He whispered, taking her hand in his. "It's a lot easier with you here."
She smiled, but slowly frowned as the familiar feeling of nausea swept over her once more.
"Are you ok?" Ethan concernedly asked. "You suddenly got really pale."
"I'm fine. I'm just feeling a little sick." She weakly smiled at him.
"Do you want me to call Dr. Russell?" He asked, placing his finger on the call bell.
"No, Ethan. I'm ok really—"
"Call Dr. Russell for what?" Eve poked her head into the room. "Is everything ok?"
"It's Theresa." Ethan spoke up. "She looks a little pale. Maybe you should take a look at her."
"I'm fine!" Theresa protested. "I just need to eat something, that's all!"
Dr. Russell ignored Theresa's objections and placed a hand to her forehead.
"Well, you do feel a little warm honey. Why don't you come with me so I can further examine you."
"Is that really necessary?" Theresa looked up at her. "I'm sure all this queasiness is because I haven't eaten anything today."
"I'd feel a whole a lot better if I examined you." Eve insisted. "It won't take long. You can come right back to finish up your visit with Ethan."
Theresa looked back at Ethan and he gave her an encouraging smile.
"Alright," she gave in. "I'll be right back Ethan."
She followed Dr. Russell to the next room and hopped onto the examining table.
"Ok, I'm just going to give you this shot." She explained, noticing Theresa's uneasiness. "But don't worry, it's not going to hurt. It's just going to show me what's wrong with you."
Theresa laid back and relaxed as Dr. Russell inserted the needle into her arm.
"So, how do you think Ethan is doing?" Theresa asked her.
"Well, right now it's a little too soon to tell. We just started the treatments, so it will be a while before we know if his body is responding to the medicine. But emotionally I think he's doing well. Your visits are really helping him cope with everything. It's a very good thing that you are doing Theresa." Eve smiled at her appreciatively.
"I just want him to get better. I hate seeing him in so much pain. It's not fair." Theresa sighed.
"It never is honey, but we just have to pray that everything works out for the best." She smiled, examining Theresa's results.
"So what's the verdict Dr. Russell?" She asked, sitting up. "Am I going to have to take huge pills for a couple weeks?"
"Well, actually you're going to have to take pills for more than a couple weeks!" She exclaimed beaming at her.
"Why?" Theresa frowned, "I'm not sick am I?"
"No honey, you're not sick." She paused, before looking up at her once more. "You're pregnant."
(...Three Weeks Later...)
Theresa closed her eyes and smiled as the cool afternoon breeze blew across her face.
"Shall we go a little higher?" Fox teasingly asked her, as he gently pushed her on the swing.
"No!" She giggled. "This is a good height!"
"Baby, you're hardly off the ground!" He laughed, knowing how afraid she was of heights.
"I don't care! You're even lucky that I agreed to go on this thing!" She yelled, glancing back at him.
"Oh come on Theresa, it'll be fun. Just a little higher, ok sweetie?"
Theresa could hear the humor in his voice, as she felt him push her a little harder.
"Fox! That's enough!" She screamed, as the swing began to sway dangerously higher.
"What? Did you say something Theresa?" He laughed, enjoying her high- pitched screams.
"That's not funny Fox! I know you can hear me!" She hysterically shrieked, feeling instant butterflies in her stomach. "I think I'm going to be sick! Nicholas Foxwarth Crane, if you don't stop this thing right now I'm gonna cry!"
"What? You want to go high?" He continued to mock her, laughing uncontrollably.
"No!" She shrieked, hearing him laugh behind her. "Fox!"
Finally he wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled the swing to a halt.
"Yes?" He angelically smiled, peering down at her. "Did you want something sweetheart?"
Theresa was about to yell at him, but as he looked at her with those adorable brown eyes all she could do was smile.
"You are so lucky that you are cute!" She grinned, as he pulled her close to him.
"Yeah, I guess I am pretty lucky," He winked at her. "So can I have my kiss now?"
"I don't know, I am still pretty mad at you."
He gave her his best sad puppy-dog face, as she burst into laughter.
"Ok, you win!" She giggled, gently pulling on his shirt.
He leaned in and pressed his lips against hers, giving her a soft but sweet kiss.
--------------------------------------
Rrrrrrrrriiiiinnnnnnngggggggg!!!
The sound of the alarm clock rang loudly, as Theresa struggled to turn it off. Finally her finger found the button, as she switched it off.
She laid back down on her pillow and yawned, remembering the dream she just had.
"I should have known it was just a dream," she sighed. "I can't remember the last time me and Fox had that much fun."
She lifted her head and glanced at the clock.
10:05
"Well, time for another visit to the hospital." She smiled, knowing that Ethan would be happy to see her.
She swung her feet out of bed and grabbed her towel. Just as she was about to head for the shower, she heard her phone ring.
"Hello?"
"Hey Theresa," Whitney's voice sounded through the receiver.
"Oh hey Whit, what's up?"
"Well, I was just going to go visit Chad and I was wondering if you needed a lift to the hospital. You are going to visit Ethan today aren't you?"
"Yeah, I was just about to get ready." Theresa looked through her closet.
"Ok, so I'll be at your place in 15 minutes?"
"Yeah, that's cool. See you then!" She hung up the phone and walked back to the bathroom.
Theresa turned on the hot water and let the shower run. She was just about to get undressed, when a sudden feeling of nausea came over her.
"I think I'm going to be sick," she whispered to herself, thinking twice about going to the hospital.
She stared up at her reflection in the mirror, and sighed.
"No, I have to go, Ethan's waiting." She told herself. "Besides, I made a promise."
As soon as Whitney arrived, Theresa felt a whole lot better. She got into the car, as they headed for the hospital.
"Are you alright?" Whitney concernedly asked. "You don't look so good."
"No, I'm fine." Theresa assured her. "I just got a little sick this morning. I probably just need to eat something."
"Ok," Whitney returned her attention to the road. "So how are you? I feel like I haven't talked to you in ages!"
"Trust me, it's not only you." Theresa looked out the window. "Ever since I've been visiting Ethan at the hospital, I've hardly had time for anyone else. I haven't even been spending that much time with Fox."
"I bet he's not liking that too much, is he?"
"Well, he just thinks I'm being a really good friend to Ethan." Theresa smiled, remembering how understanding Fox had been.
"Yeah, if only he knew the truth." Whitney glanced at her from the review mirror.
"What is that suppose to mean?" Theresa looked at her.
"It means that you really should consider telling Fox the truth about you and Ethan." Whitney told her seriously.
"I can't do that Whit. You know that Fox would hate me." Theresa sighed. "Besides, there's no way that he will find out. Once Ethan gets better, I will explain to him that I am in love with Fox now. Then Fox and I can be together and nobody has to get hurt!"
"Don't get me wrong Theresa, I'm really grateful that you trusted me enough to tell me about this. But sometimes, I wish that you would just keep these crazy ideas to yourself." Whitney threw her hands up in frustration. "You are seriously going to send me to my early grave with these ideas of yours!"
"Whitney, don't worry! I have this completely under control." Theresa placed a hand on her friends lap. "Right now, I just need to spend as much time with Ethan as possible. Dr. Russell said that the more time I spend with him, the easier it's going to be for him to make a faster recovery."
"I know that honey, and trust me I think that what you're doing for Ethan is terrific. But I just thought that you had learned by now what lies and deception can do to a relationship. Innocent people can end up getting really hurt Theresa." Whitney warned her, pulling into the driveway of the hospital.
"I know that Whit, and trust me. No one is going to get hurt." She winked at her, getting out of the car. "Thanks for the drive!"
Whitney shook her head as she watched her friend walk into the building.
"I hope you're right Theresa." She sighed. "For your sake, I hope you're right."
Theresa turned the corner and walked down the hall to Ethan's room. She had been there so many times, she could almost close her eyes and find it.
She turned the knob and slowly walked in. The lights were off, but a stream of sunlight shone through the curtains, giving the room a lighter feeling. During the several days that Theresa had gone there, the room had always seemed so gloomy. It was as if the walls could sense how bad things had been for the past two weeks.
Theresa sat her bag down on a nearby chair and glanced over at Ethan. Even though she had seen him almost everyday, she still could never get used to how bad he looked. The treatment that he was undergoing completely transformed his physical appearance. It was heartbreaking to look at him. It was as if he was a completely different person. His face was always very pale and dead-like, his chest had grown and was more enlarged in size. Dr. Russell said that an enlarged chest was one of the symptoms that were common in patients with emphysema. He hardly had any color in his lips, and his fingernails took a more bluish color. He was always very tired and had to rest ever so often. But whenever she came to visit, he always tried his best to stay awake. He tried so hard to act strong, and it pained Theresa because she knew that deep down inside he was a complete mess.
Her thoughts were interrupted by Ethan's sudden ghastly coughs.
She immediately went over to his bedside and sat on a nearby chair. When he opened his eyes and saw her, an instant smile appeared on his face.
"Hi sweetheart," he grinned weakly. "I'm so glad you're here."
"I'm always going to be here for you Ethan." She smiled, rubbing her finger over his knuckles. "How are you feeling?"
"Great, now that you're here." He winked at her, and winced as he struggled to sit up.
"You don't fool me Ethan," she looked at him seriously. "I know this can't be easy for you."
He tore his gaze away from her and looked out the window.
"You're right. I hate being in here. I hate being so sick! I hate knowing that I'm going to die!" He said between clenched teeth.
"Don't say that." Theresa lightly touched his chin. "You're going to get better Ethan. You just have to fight it. I know you can do it."
"Thanks." He whispered, taking her hand in his. "It's a lot easier with you here."
She smiled, but slowly frowned as the familiar feeling of nausea swept over her once more.
"Are you ok?" Ethan concernedly asked. "You suddenly got really pale."
"I'm fine. I'm just feeling a little sick." She weakly smiled at him.
"Do you want me to call Dr. Russell?" He asked, placing his finger on the call bell.
"No, Ethan. I'm ok really—"
"Call Dr. Russell for what?" Eve poked her head into the room. "Is everything ok?"
"It's Theresa." Ethan spoke up. "She looks a little pale. Maybe you should take a look at her."
"I'm fine!" Theresa protested. "I just need to eat something, that's all!"
Dr. Russell ignored Theresa's objections and placed a hand to her forehead.
"Well, you do feel a little warm honey. Why don't you come with me so I can further examine you."
"Is that really necessary?" Theresa looked up at her. "I'm sure all this queasiness is because I haven't eaten anything today."
"I'd feel a whole a lot better if I examined you." Eve insisted. "It won't take long. You can come right back to finish up your visit with Ethan."
Theresa looked back at Ethan and he gave her an encouraging smile.
"Alright," she gave in. "I'll be right back Ethan."
She followed Dr. Russell to the next room and hopped onto the examining table.
"Ok, I'm just going to give you this shot." She explained, noticing Theresa's uneasiness. "But don't worry, it's not going to hurt. It's just going to show me what's wrong with you."
Theresa laid back and relaxed as Dr. Russell inserted the needle into her arm.
"So, how do you think Ethan is doing?" Theresa asked her.
"Well, right now it's a little too soon to tell. We just started the treatments, so it will be a while before we know if his body is responding to the medicine. But emotionally I think he's doing well. Your visits are really helping him cope with everything. It's a very good thing that you are doing Theresa." Eve smiled at her appreciatively.
"I just want him to get better. I hate seeing him in so much pain. It's not fair." Theresa sighed.
"It never is honey, but we just have to pray that everything works out for the best." She smiled, examining Theresa's results.
"So what's the verdict Dr. Russell?" She asked, sitting up. "Am I going to have to take huge pills for a couple weeks?"
"Well, actually you're going to have to take pills for more than a couple weeks!" She exclaimed beaming at her.
"Why?" Theresa frowned, "I'm not sick am I?"
"No honey, you're not sick." She paused, before looking up at her once more. "You're pregnant."