CH 39- Last Chance

For a moment all time seemed to stand still, as he looked into her eyes. It was amazing how after all this time a single look from her could make him feel like he was walking on air.

"Hey Fox," Theresa finally said. "Are you busy?"

"Uh—uh no," He fumbled. "I was just thinking about some stuff. What's up?"

He moved over so she could sit next to him on the swing.

"I wanted to talk to you about something." She quietly said.

"Ok," he oddly looked at her. "Is everything alright?"

"Um, no not really." A look of sadness filled her eyes.

Fox held his breath.

"Does this have anything to do with us?" He asked her.

"Yeah," her gaze met his. "It has everything to do with us."

Fox slowly exhaled, as he prepared himself for what they were going to talk about. He knew they would have had to confront each other about it sooner or later, but he wasn't expecting it to be so soon.

"Listen, I know that things have been really confusing for you lately." He looked at her.

"You do?" She asked puzzled.

"Yeah, of course." He responded. "It hasn't been easy for me either."

Oh my god, he knows! Theresa thought to herself. But how? Did Ethan already tell him before I got here?

"Fox before you say anything, I just want you to know how sorry I am." She blurted out.

"Why?" He looked at her. "You have nothing to be sorry for. I should actually be the one to apologize."

"You?" She asked, still very confused. "I don't understand."

"Well, if it was anyone who created confusion in our relationship, it was me." He began. "I proposed to Paloma. It was a drastic decision and I made it without even consulting you or your family. I'm sorry."

"Fox—" She tried to stop him.

"No, hold on let me finish." He insisted. "Ever since Christmas, things have been absolutely crazy between us. We never really did talk about that kiss that we shared in the kitchen."

"No, we didn't." Theresa slowly recalled. "Why did you kiss me like that?"

"I don't know." Fox ran a hand through his hair. "I wasn't thinking straight. It was like there was some kind of an invisible force drawing me to you and I couldn't pull away."

"Yeah, I know what you mean." She nodded. "I feel that force sometimes too."

"It's confusing because we agreed to be friends, yet I can't seem to get you out of my head." He shyly admitted.

"What do you think it means?" She looked at him, hoping that he would want to get back together.

"I'm not sure, but your brother seems to think it's because of the bond we share." He lightly giggled.

"Luis?" She repeated.

"Yeah, he was here a few minutes ago."

"What did you guys talk about?" Theresa asked, trying to search his eyes.

"Nothing really, just some stuff about tomorrow."

Fox slowly stood up, not being able to look her in the eyes.

"Oh that's right, tomorrow's the big day!" She impassively smiled up at him. "Are you nervous?"

"I bit." He admitted. "But it's only because of these feelings that I still have for you. That's why I wanted to talk to you, so that we could sort this out."

"I don't understand, don't you want to marry Paloma?" She asked, hoping that he would say no.

"No, I do." He corrected her. "That's why I think that before we get married, you and I should officially end things between us."

Theresa felt her heart skip a beat, as she heard the shocking words escape from Fox's lips.

"What?" She looked up at him. "End things?"

"Yeah, so there are no more questions to answer." He explained. "I'm not going to lie to you Theresa, these past few months have been hell for me. I've been going back and forth trying to sort my feelings out and I think now I finally have. Luis is right; you and I do share a bond. But I think that bond can only go as far as friendship. It's time that we face reality and stop holding on to something that can never happen. You're pregnant with Ethan's children and although I know that you never meant for it to happen, it did. There's nothing we can do to change that."

"But Fox, you can't marry Paloma because—"

"Theresa, I know what you're going to say." He interrupted her. "You're afraid that if I marry her, you and I can't be apart of each other's lives. But don't worry because we still can be. Even if I marry Paloma and you build a life with Ethan, we can still be there for each other. It'll be like old times; before we got this involved."

"No, Fox you don't understand—"

"Theresa, I know it's hard but I honestly think it's the best thing." He looked her in the eyes. "I don't want to lose you. You're my best friend. Before I came to Harmony I never really had any close friends except for Dylan but that was different. What you and I share is more solid. I feel like I can tell you anything. I've never had that much trust in anyone. I'm such a better person because of you and I couldn't bear to not have you in my life. If we can't be together romantically, I at least want you in my life as a friend. I won't settle for anything less. I mean, who knows? Maybe in the future the twins, and me and Paloma's kids could end up being friends."

"You're already thinking about having kids with Paloma?" Theresa shockingly looked at him.

"Well not right now, but it could happen." He lightly giggled. "She's such a great person. In fact, she reminds me a lot of you; so warm, and caring."

Theresa took a moment to search his eyes. They were filled with so much admiration.

"You really love her, don't you?" She sadly asked him.

"Yeah I do. She's amazing."

Theresa slowly turned away from him and placed a hand to her tummy.

I can't tell him about the twins. She thought to herself. He's so happy and he really seems to care about Paloma. I've hurt him so much that he's even found a way to force himself to move on. If I tell him that there's a chance he could be the father of the twins, it would put him in such an awkward position. I'm not even sure if he's the father anyhow. The twins could very well be Ethan's and I'm freaking out for nothing.

"Theresa?"

Fox's voice interrupted her thoughts.

She slowly turned around to face him.

"What's wrong?" He looked at her. "You look like something's bothering you."

As he searched her eyes, he secretly hoped that she would tell him something that would give him enough of a reason to change his mind about marrying Paloma. He loved her so much, but he couldn't go on this way. Unless there was a real reason for why he should not go through with the wedding tomorrow, he would have to force himself to move on.

"Theresa, tell me." He intensely looked at her. "Is there another reason why I shouldn't marry Paloma tomorrow?"

Theresa's head felt like it was about to explode as she struggled with the decision to tell Fox or not. She took a few moments to think, but as he looked in her eyes and impatiently waited for her response, the answer was pretty clear.

"No."

"No?" Fox repeated dumbfounded.

"No." She sadly smiled. "There's no reason at all. In fact, I'm happy for you!"

She threw her arms around his neck and pulled him in for a hug, a few tears escaping from her eyes.

"Are you sure?" He asked her, a bit disappointed.

"Absolutely!" She cried. "You and Paloma are going to be so happy together!"

"Ok," He slowly responded. "That's great. I'm glad that you're so happy."

"Of course I'm happy. My baby sister is getting married to one of the greatest guys that I know!" She grinned, trying to hide her true emotions. "But I'm going to get going. Ethan's probably wondering where I am."

"Alright." He sadly smiled, giving her one last hug. "It's getting pretty late, do you want me to drive you back home."

"No, no it's ok." She winked at him. "I'm a big girl Fox; I can find my way home."

"Ok." He lightly giggled. "I'll talk to you later alright?"

"Sure. Have a goodnight."

"Yeah, you too." He smiled, slowly turning away.

As Theresa watched him go back into the mansion, she painfully closed her eyes.

I'm sorry I had to lie to you Fox, but I don't want to hurt you anymore. She thought to herself. I just hope I made the right decision.