CH 24- A Sweet Gesture
Fox smiled as he admired Theresa's beauty in the sweet afternoon sunlight.
"You are absolutely gorgeous baby," he grinned as she looked up at him.
She put aside the picnic basket and came closer to him.
"Thank you honey, you're not so bad yourself." She giggled, as he pulled her in for a kiss.
"Hey, what about me?" Three-year old Hallie giggled, as she sat in her father's lap.
"Oh don't worry sweetheart, there is no competition. You are absolutely beautiful!" Fox laughed, as he caught his daughter.
"And me?" Little Alexander slipped into his mother's lap.
"Well, you are the most handsome boy that I've seen in my whole life!" Theresa giggled, kissing him on his cheek.
"I must be the luckiest man in the world to have such a wonderful family" Fox smiled, lovingly staring at his wife and two kids. "You three have made me so happy."
"Well we are the lucky ones, sweetheart." Theresa grinned. "We honestly couldn't ask for a better husband and father."
"Yeah, we love you daddy!" Hallie smiled, kissing him on his nose.
He playfully lifted her in the air and tickled her tiny tummy, as she gigged with delight.
At that very moment, Fox realized that for the first time in his life he was completely happy. He had a wife that loved him and two kids that he was crazy about. Life definitely couldn't get any better than this.
-----------------------------------------------
The sound of the telephone ringing woke Fox immediately. He groaned as he rolled over and looked at the clock.
3:27 a.m.
"Who could be calling so early in the morning?" He mumbled, reaching for the phone.
"Hello?" He groggily said into the receiver.
"Hey Fox!" The cheerful voice rang.
"Theresa? Is that you?" He squinted, slowly opening his eyes.
"Yeah, it's me." She giggled. "So what are you up to?"
He sat up in his bed and rubbed his eyes, still confused by her sudden call.
"Well let's see, it's 3:30 in the morning, so..." He let his voice trail off.
"Oh, I'm so sorry. Did I wake you?" She apologized.
"It's ok, don't worry about it." He smiled. "But why did you call? Is everything alright? You're not having cramps are you?"
"Fox, calm down!" She laughed. "I'm fine. It's just that—I'm kind of hungry all of a sudden."
"Hungry? Ok, so why don't you just go downstairs and get something to eat?" He yawned.
"I don't think we have any of the things that I want." She lightly giggled.
"Well what do you want?"
"I don't know." She paused for a moment. "I have this weird craving for some chips...or maybe some ice-cream...with lots and lots of chocolate and fudge. Yeah, that sounds good. No wait! I think I want some pizza...with lots of cheese...and pepperoni...no not pepperoni...fish!"
"Fish?" He exclaimed, making a face. "Theresa that's disgusting!"
"I know!" She laughed. "But I want it...with some onions and...oh I don't know! Fox, am I crazy?"
"No, you're not crazy sweetheart." He smiled. "This is actually quite normal with pregnant women."
"Really? How do you know?"
"I've been doing some reading lately." He chuckled. "I figured I might as well be prepared."
"Yeah that's true." She smiled. "Well, I'll let you go back to sleep. I'm so sorry I woke you."
"Theresa, I said don't worry about it." He seriously said into the phone. "Besides, I'm not even tired anymore. Do you want me to come over?"
"Now? No Fox, I couldn't ask you to do that." She began. "Don't trouble yourself because of me. I don't even know why I called."
"Theresa, stop it. You obviously called because you need someone to talk to." He swung his feet out of the bed and stood up. "Now, you sit tight and I'll see what I can do about these crazy cravings of yours. I'll be there soon."
Before she could say another word, he had hung up the phone.
Theresa was actually glad that Fox agreed to come over. She was hoping that they could spend some more time together. Ever since she thought he felt their strong connection again, she was convinced that he was on the verge of forgiving her. Nothing would make her happier than for her and Fox to be together again. Even though that seemed impossible at the moment, with her being pregnant, she still loved him no matter what. A part of her knew that he was still upset with her for sleeping with Ethan, but deep in her heart she was convinced that he still loved her. All they needed was some time together. Theresa had spent the next few hours thinking about the happier times she and Fox had shared. They were honestly really happy. If only things hadn't happened the way it did.
Suddenly she heard a tiny knock on her window. Her heart leaped as she made her way over, knowing exactly who it was. When she opened the curtains, an immediate smile appeared on her face.
"Hey," she grinned letting Fox in.
"Hello, how are you three doing?" He smiled, gently rubbing her tummy.
Theresa drew in a sharp breath as she suddenly felt a lot of movement in her stomach.
"What is it Theresa?" Fox grew concerned. "Are you in pain?"
"No, it's nothing like that!" She laughed. "The babies just kicked!"
"Really?" He grinned. "Oh my gosh!"
"Yeah! Come here, feel it!" She squealed happily, placing his hand on her tummy.
"That's amazing! Looks like we're going to have some soccer players in the family!" He laughed, feeling the intense movement. "Do they always kick this much?"
"No, that's the thing! I've never felt them kick before! They just started, as soon as you touched my stomach!" She looked at him amazed. "They must really like you!"
"Well of course! They probably already know that they have the world's greatest uncle!" He winked at her.
"The best." She smiled. "So what did you bring me?"
Fox laughed at her sudden curiosity and reached into his bag.
"Well...." He smiled jokingly. "I made sure to pick up your chips, and your double chocolate ice-cream...with a hint of fudge."
"Oooooh, yummy!" She happily squealed.
"But that's not all." He mischievously looked back into his bag. "It was quite amazing that I managed to get this. I didn't think the store would have it, but surprisingly it did."
"What is it?" She tried to peak behind his back.
"It's pizza...with extra cheese, onions, and believe it or not...little bits of fish!" He made a face and handed it to her.
"Oh my gosh, are you serious!" She excitedly grinned. "That's amazing!"
"No, you're amazing for wanting all of this!" He laughed, as she already began to indulge in the ice-cream."
"Mmmm, this is so good!" She smiled. "But do you know what would go great with this?"
"Hmm..let me guess," He reached behind his back and pulled out a bottle of pickles and mayonnaise."
"How did you know?" She giggled.
"It was another interesting thing that I happened to read." He reached for a chip, but instead received a playful slap on his hand.
"Hey! I'm eating for three now," she giggled and winked at him.
"Speaking of the twins, have you thought about what their sexes are going to be?"
"Actually, I'm pretty sure that they are going to be girls. I read on the internet that if a mother is craving a lot of sweets, her chances of having a girl are pretty big." She smiled, holding up the tub of ice cream.
"I see. Well I hope they are boys. Then we can put them into soccer!" He laughed. "We already know that they are very good kickers!"
"Yes they are!" Theresa laughed, suddenly hearing a small knock on the door. "Come in!"
Paloma peaked into the room and smiled when she saw who was with her sister.
"Fox!" She grinned. "I thought I heard you! What are you doing here so late?"
"Well, your sister called me over because she was having weird pregnancy cravings." He chuckled, receiving a punch from Theresa.
"They are not weird!" She laughed. "Here sis, come sit with us!"
Paloma sat on Theresa's bed and listened quietly as she and Fox continued to talk about the twins.
"So, what about names?" Fox asked her. "I think Nicholas is quite nice, don't you?"
"Yes, but not suitable for a girl." Theresa laughed. "I was thinking more along the lines of Maggie or Lacy."
They continued exchanging names, as Paloma grew annoyed. Suddenly she couldn't take it anymore.
"I'm sorry, I don't mean to be rude." She interrupted. "But shouldn't baby names be something that the mother and father discuss? Why are you talking about it with Fox, if he isn't even the father Theresa?"
"Um, Paloma...I don't think—" Theresa began to say, but Fox interrupted her.
"You know what? That's ok Theresa because Paloma's probably right. I'm not the father. You should actually be discussing this stuff with Ethan." He blurted out.
Theresa could see that he was obviously hurt, as he rose from her bed.
"Fox wait, where are you going?" She looked up at him.
"I'm going to head home. Besides, it's almost five and you and those angels of yours need some sleep."
He hurriedly grabbed his bag and made his way out the window.
"I'll see you girls tomorrow." He weakly smiled, descending down the ladder.
Theresa sadly closed her eyes before looking over at Paloma.
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to get him so upset." She tried to look sincere.
"That's ok Paloma." Theresa sadly smiled.
"I guess I'll go back to bed. Again, I'm really sorry sis." She frowned, closing the door behind her.
Out in the hallway, she smiled to herself.
"I'm sorry I ruined your fun Theresa, but it's time that Fox spent less of his time thinking about your kids with Ethan and more on me. I said that I would do everything to make him mine, and I meant it."
She turned the corner and went back to her room.
As soon as Paloma left, Theresa wiped a tear from her eye.
"Things were going to well," she sighed. "We were having so much fun."
Suddenly she heard a knock on her window and smiled when she saw it was Fox.
"Fox!" she beamed. "You came back!"
"Yeah, I forgot my jacket." He smiled. "Can you hand it to me?"
"Oh, yeah sure." She sadly picked it up and gave it to him.
"Thanks." He was about to leave, but she stopped him.
"Fox?" she placed a hand on his arm. "I hope your not that mad by what Paloma said."
He sadly looked down before meeting her gaze.
"Nah," He lied, sitting on her windowsill. "It just hurt a bit, you know?"
"I know," She placed a hand to his chin. "But I want you to know how much I appreciate what you did tonight. It was really sweet and I'll never forget it."
"Well it was my pleasure." He smiled, looking into her eyes. "You know I'd do anything for you right?"
She smiled as his familiar words rang in her ears.
"Yeah, I know." She whispered.
She suddenly noticed him get uncomfortable as he cleared his throat.
"Anyways, you should get some sleep." He smiled.
"Ok," she whispered. "Good-night Fox."
"Good-night." He winked at her, climbing down the ladder.
Theresa closed the window and went back to her bed, pulling the covers over herself. She closed her eyes and smiled, knowing that everything was going to be just fine.
Fox smiled as he admired Theresa's beauty in the sweet afternoon sunlight.
"You are absolutely gorgeous baby," he grinned as she looked up at him.
She put aside the picnic basket and came closer to him.
"Thank you honey, you're not so bad yourself." She giggled, as he pulled her in for a kiss.
"Hey, what about me?" Three-year old Hallie giggled, as she sat in her father's lap.
"Oh don't worry sweetheart, there is no competition. You are absolutely beautiful!" Fox laughed, as he caught his daughter.
"And me?" Little Alexander slipped into his mother's lap.
"Well, you are the most handsome boy that I've seen in my whole life!" Theresa giggled, kissing him on his cheek.
"I must be the luckiest man in the world to have such a wonderful family" Fox smiled, lovingly staring at his wife and two kids. "You three have made me so happy."
"Well we are the lucky ones, sweetheart." Theresa grinned. "We honestly couldn't ask for a better husband and father."
"Yeah, we love you daddy!" Hallie smiled, kissing him on his nose.
He playfully lifted her in the air and tickled her tiny tummy, as she gigged with delight.
At that very moment, Fox realized that for the first time in his life he was completely happy. He had a wife that loved him and two kids that he was crazy about. Life definitely couldn't get any better than this.
-----------------------------------------------
The sound of the telephone ringing woke Fox immediately. He groaned as he rolled over and looked at the clock.
3:27 a.m.
"Who could be calling so early in the morning?" He mumbled, reaching for the phone.
"Hello?" He groggily said into the receiver.
"Hey Fox!" The cheerful voice rang.
"Theresa? Is that you?" He squinted, slowly opening his eyes.
"Yeah, it's me." She giggled. "So what are you up to?"
He sat up in his bed and rubbed his eyes, still confused by her sudden call.
"Well let's see, it's 3:30 in the morning, so..." He let his voice trail off.
"Oh, I'm so sorry. Did I wake you?" She apologized.
"It's ok, don't worry about it." He smiled. "But why did you call? Is everything alright? You're not having cramps are you?"
"Fox, calm down!" She laughed. "I'm fine. It's just that—I'm kind of hungry all of a sudden."
"Hungry? Ok, so why don't you just go downstairs and get something to eat?" He yawned.
"I don't think we have any of the things that I want." She lightly giggled.
"Well what do you want?"
"I don't know." She paused for a moment. "I have this weird craving for some chips...or maybe some ice-cream...with lots and lots of chocolate and fudge. Yeah, that sounds good. No wait! I think I want some pizza...with lots of cheese...and pepperoni...no not pepperoni...fish!"
"Fish?" He exclaimed, making a face. "Theresa that's disgusting!"
"I know!" She laughed. "But I want it...with some onions and...oh I don't know! Fox, am I crazy?"
"No, you're not crazy sweetheart." He smiled. "This is actually quite normal with pregnant women."
"Really? How do you know?"
"I've been doing some reading lately." He chuckled. "I figured I might as well be prepared."
"Yeah that's true." She smiled. "Well, I'll let you go back to sleep. I'm so sorry I woke you."
"Theresa, I said don't worry about it." He seriously said into the phone. "Besides, I'm not even tired anymore. Do you want me to come over?"
"Now? No Fox, I couldn't ask you to do that." She began. "Don't trouble yourself because of me. I don't even know why I called."
"Theresa, stop it. You obviously called because you need someone to talk to." He swung his feet out of the bed and stood up. "Now, you sit tight and I'll see what I can do about these crazy cravings of yours. I'll be there soon."
Before she could say another word, he had hung up the phone.
Theresa was actually glad that Fox agreed to come over. She was hoping that they could spend some more time together. Ever since she thought he felt their strong connection again, she was convinced that he was on the verge of forgiving her. Nothing would make her happier than for her and Fox to be together again. Even though that seemed impossible at the moment, with her being pregnant, she still loved him no matter what. A part of her knew that he was still upset with her for sleeping with Ethan, but deep in her heart she was convinced that he still loved her. All they needed was some time together. Theresa had spent the next few hours thinking about the happier times she and Fox had shared. They were honestly really happy. If only things hadn't happened the way it did.
Suddenly she heard a tiny knock on her window. Her heart leaped as she made her way over, knowing exactly who it was. When she opened the curtains, an immediate smile appeared on her face.
"Hey," she grinned letting Fox in.
"Hello, how are you three doing?" He smiled, gently rubbing her tummy.
Theresa drew in a sharp breath as she suddenly felt a lot of movement in her stomach.
"What is it Theresa?" Fox grew concerned. "Are you in pain?"
"No, it's nothing like that!" She laughed. "The babies just kicked!"
"Really?" He grinned. "Oh my gosh!"
"Yeah! Come here, feel it!" She squealed happily, placing his hand on her tummy.
"That's amazing! Looks like we're going to have some soccer players in the family!" He laughed, feeling the intense movement. "Do they always kick this much?"
"No, that's the thing! I've never felt them kick before! They just started, as soon as you touched my stomach!" She looked at him amazed. "They must really like you!"
"Well of course! They probably already know that they have the world's greatest uncle!" He winked at her.
"The best." She smiled. "So what did you bring me?"
Fox laughed at her sudden curiosity and reached into his bag.
"Well...." He smiled jokingly. "I made sure to pick up your chips, and your double chocolate ice-cream...with a hint of fudge."
"Oooooh, yummy!" She happily squealed.
"But that's not all." He mischievously looked back into his bag. "It was quite amazing that I managed to get this. I didn't think the store would have it, but surprisingly it did."
"What is it?" She tried to peak behind his back.
"It's pizza...with extra cheese, onions, and believe it or not...little bits of fish!" He made a face and handed it to her.
"Oh my gosh, are you serious!" She excitedly grinned. "That's amazing!"
"No, you're amazing for wanting all of this!" He laughed, as she already began to indulge in the ice-cream."
"Mmmm, this is so good!" She smiled. "But do you know what would go great with this?"
"Hmm..let me guess," He reached behind his back and pulled out a bottle of pickles and mayonnaise."
"How did you know?" She giggled.
"It was another interesting thing that I happened to read." He reached for a chip, but instead received a playful slap on his hand.
"Hey! I'm eating for three now," she giggled and winked at him.
"Speaking of the twins, have you thought about what their sexes are going to be?"
"Actually, I'm pretty sure that they are going to be girls. I read on the internet that if a mother is craving a lot of sweets, her chances of having a girl are pretty big." She smiled, holding up the tub of ice cream.
"I see. Well I hope they are boys. Then we can put them into soccer!" He laughed. "We already know that they are very good kickers!"
"Yes they are!" Theresa laughed, suddenly hearing a small knock on the door. "Come in!"
Paloma peaked into the room and smiled when she saw who was with her sister.
"Fox!" She grinned. "I thought I heard you! What are you doing here so late?"
"Well, your sister called me over because she was having weird pregnancy cravings." He chuckled, receiving a punch from Theresa.
"They are not weird!" She laughed. "Here sis, come sit with us!"
Paloma sat on Theresa's bed and listened quietly as she and Fox continued to talk about the twins.
"So, what about names?" Fox asked her. "I think Nicholas is quite nice, don't you?"
"Yes, but not suitable for a girl." Theresa laughed. "I was thinking more along the lines of Maggie or Lacy."
They continued exchanging names, as Paloma grew annoyed. Suddenly she couldn't take it anymore.
"I'm sorry, I don't mean to be rude." She interrupted. "But shouldn't baby names be something that the mother and father discuss? Why are you talking about it with Fox, if he isn't even the father Theresa?"
"Um, Paloma...I don't think—" Theresa began to say, but Fox interrupted her.
"You know what? That's ok Theresa because Paloma's probably right. I'm not the father. You should actually be discussing this stuff with Ethan." He blurted out.
Theresa could see that he was obviously hurt, as he rose from her bed.
"Fox wait, where are you going?" She looked up at him.
"I'm going to head home. Besides, it's almost five and you and those angels of yours need some sleep."
He hurriedly grabbed his bag and made his way out the window.
"I'll see you girls tomorrow." He weakly smiled, descending down the ladder.
Theresa sadly closed her eyes before looking over at Paloma.
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to get him so upset." She tried to look sincere.
"That's ok Paloma." Theresa sadly smiled.
"I guess I'll go back to bed. Again, I'm really sorry sis." She frowned, closing the door behind her.
Out in the hallway, she smiled to herself.
"I'm sorry I ruined your fun Theresa, but it's time that Fox spent less of his time thinking about your kids with Ethan and more on me. I said that I would do everything to make him mine, and I meant it."
She turned the corner and went back to her room.
As soon as Paloma left, Theresa wiped a tear from her eye.
"Things were going to well," she sighed. "We were having so much fun."
Suddenly she heard a knock on her window and smiled when she saw it was Fox.
"Fox!" she beamed. "You came back!"
"Yeah, I forgot my jacket." He smiled. "Can you hand it to me?"
"Oh, yeah sure." She sadly picked it up and gave it to him.
"Thanks." He was about to leave, but she stopped him.
"Fox?" she placed a hand on his arm. "I hope your not that mad by what Paloma said."
He sadly looked down before meeting her gaze.
"Nah," He lied, sitting on her windowsill. "It just hurt a bit, you know?"
"I know," She placed a hand to his chin. "But I want you to know how much I appreciate what you did tonight. It was really sweet and I'll never forget it."
"Well it was my pleasure." He smiled, looking into her eyes. "You know I'd do anything for you right?"
She smiled as his familiar words rang in her ears.
"Yeah, I know." She whispered.
She suddenly noticed him get uncomfortable as he cleared his throat.
"Anyways, you should get some sleep." He smiled.
"Ok," she whispered. "Good-night Fox."
"Good-night." He winked at her, climbing down the ladder.
Theresa closed the window and went back to her bed, pulling the covers over herself. She closed her eyes and smiled, knowing that everything was going to be just fine.