CH 42- The Truth
Fox couldn't believe his ears, as Theresa still looked into his eyes.
"What did you just say?" He whispered.
"You could be the father of the twins." She quietly repeated.
"What?" Paloma shrieked. "Theresa, what are you talking about? How can Fox be the father of your babies with Ethan?"
"That's the thing Paloma," Theresa tried to explain. "Ethan might not be the father after all."
"Jesus Mijo!" Pilar whispered. "Therasita, what is going on? How can this be? You were so sure that Ethan was the father. Why would you think that now it might be Fox?"
"I know that this is all confusing, but if you just listen I'll explain everything to you." She looked over the crowd.
Theresa took the next few minutes to explain her suspicions, including all the details leading up to her recent discovery. When she finished, everyone shockingly muttered to each other.
"Of course Theresa would pull something like this!" Ivy instantly remarked. "Do you live to destroy other people's lives? Is it not bad enough that you ruined Ethan's future, now you've managed to corrupt the lives of two innocent babies that haven't even been born yet?"
"I didn't mean for this to happen!" Theresa insisted.
"Oh, and isn't that your reply for everything." Ivy snickered. "Why don't you just drop the innocent school-girl act?"
"Mother, not now!" Fox interrupted.
"Fox, please don't tell me that you're standing up for her!" Ivy turned to him. "Honey, she is playing you for a fool! The little whore probably just doesn't remember how many men she slept with—"
"That is not true!" Theresa yelled in between tears.
"I mean it mother, that's enough!" Fox warningly looked at her.
Ivy annoyingly rolled her eyes as Fox walked over to Theresa.
"How long did you suspect about this?" He searched her eyes.
"Just a few days go, I swear!" She insisted.
"Then that was before we talked."
"Yes, Fox but—" Theresa began, but he interrupted her.
"Wait a minute, you knew that there was a chance that I could be the father of the twins, and yet when I asked you if there was any reason why I should not marry Paloma you said no?" He looked into her eyes.
"I know, but—" She spoke.
"Theresa, how could you lie to me like that?" He hurtfully asked.
"I'm sorry Fox, but I didn't want to hurt you." She tried to explain. "I realized how happy you were with Paloma and I didn't want to ruin that based on a silly assumption that I had."
"So you think that me being the father of the twins, is silly?" He looked at her.
"No!" She insisted. "It's just—"
"Hold on!" Paloma suddenly interrupted. "You mean to tell me that there was something going on between the two of you, and no one told me?"
"Paloma, things just got really complicated—" Theresa tried to explain.
"I don't understand what could be so complicated about telling your sister the truth!" Paloma angrily stared at her, before turning to Fox. "And you! How could you pretend that you loved me when all along you were probably thinking about my sister?"
"Paloma, I didn't pretend—" He looked at her.
"Don't blame Fox, this is not his fault." Theresa defended him. "You have to believe that he loves you—"
"I don't want to hear it!" Paloma put her hands up. "You two lied to me! I don't care how complicated things were, one of you should have told me something. But no, instead you led me to believe that I had actually found someone to love me and only me. I should have known it was too good to be true."
"Paloma, please—" Theresa tried to interrupt.
"You know what hurts me the most?" Paloma continued, as though Theresa had never said a word. "I came to Harmony thinking that I could be closer to my family. Never in my wildest dreams did I ever think that my own sister would treat me like such a fool. I confided in you Theresa and I told you how I felt about Fox. You could have told me that you two were together, instead of letting me think that I actually had a chance with him. I can't believe how stupid I was."
She paused to wipe a tear that had fallen down her cheek. Suddenly she stopped and looked up at Fox.
"Now it all makes sense!" She threw her hands in the air. "You were always so concerned about Theresa's pregnancy and I never figured out why. Even when you were so worried that she had seen us kissing in the kitchen, nothing clicked. I just thought that it was because you two were such good friends. I should have known it was a lot more than that."
Fox just stared in mid air not knowing what to say. His whole body felt completely numb as he struggled to come to terms with what was happening.
"Tell me something, did you know that there was a chance that you could be the father of the twins?" She angrily stared at his motionless body.
"No, Paloma!" Theresa spoke for him. "Fox, had no idea!"
"Whatever Theresa, even if he DIDN'T know, I'm sure he probably wished he was." Paloma looked from him to Theresa. "Oh my god, you did didn't you? I don't believe this!"
"Paloma, listen to me—" Theresa gently touched her shoulder.
"Don't touch me!" Paloma fiercely pulled away. "I don't want to hear anything that you have to say! You lied to me Theresa! I can't believe you would betray me like this!"
"Paloma—" Theresa tried to grab her as she walked away, but instead received a slap to the face in response.
"Don't you ever talk to me again!" Paloma coldly stared into her eyes, before turning away.
Theresa just stood there, placing a hand to the sore spot on her cheek. She slowly turned around and looked over at Fox. He looked completely dazed and extremely hurt, but just as she was about to approach him her mother placed a hand on her shoulder.
"You can talk to him later" Pilar told her. "Go explain things to your sister. Family is more important than anything."
Theresa obediently nodded and proceeded to look for Paloma, giving Fox one more worried look. As she pushed through the back doors that Paloma had barged out of, hot tears stung her eyes.
This is horrible. She thought to herself. Paloma hates me and Fox…I don't even know what Fox is thinking. He just looked so distant. I just need them to know that I never meant to hurt anyone.
Suddenly her thoughts were interrupted by the faint sound of crying coming from the stairwell around the corner. As she followed the soft cries she spotted Paloma hunched over, her shoulders shaking fiercely. Feeling someone's presence, Paloma finally looked up and rolled her eyes when she realized it was Theresa.
"You don't listen very well do you?" She spat. "Didn't I tell you to leave me alone?"
"Paloma, I'm not going to leave you here and you can forget about me never speaking to you again." Theresa softly spoke, as she sat down next to her. "You're my sister."
"Some sister you are." Paloma muttered.
"Look, I know you're upset and you have every right to be. But I need you to hear me out." She looked at her.
When Paloma didn't respond, Theresa continued.
"Fox and I were together way before you two started dating, so don't think that he cheated on you." She began. "I know you don't understand why neither of us told you, but trust me when I say that things just got really complicated. Even though Fox and I had broken up, we still struggled with our feelings for each other. We knew we still loved each other but under the circumstances that we were in, we couldn't act on our feelings. That's why Fox never told you anything. We both agreed that it was best for him to move on with someone else. He thought that I didn't love him anymore but that's not true, I did and I still do. That's why when I realized that there was a chance that he could be the father of the twins I had to tell him. I couldn't just let him marry my sister and hope that everything turned out ok. I know that this is not making any sense to you and you probably think that I'm the most selfish person in the world. But Paloma, you have to believe that I didn't mean for this to happen."
"I know Theresa, but you don't understand how I'm feeling right now." Paloma looked at her. "Look, I understand that it was a difficult situation. I understand that you and Fox still have feelings for each other. I even understand why you had to stop the wedding. What I don't understand is why you felt you couldn't tell me? Theresa, I'm not a baby anymore and that's something that I think everyone in this family needs to realize. Just because I'm the youngest, it doesn't mean I'm incapable of understanding certain things. If you had come to me and explained that you and Fox were dating, I would never have even looked his way. I just wish that you would have trusted me enough to tell me the truth."
"Yeah, it seems I'm having some trouble with this truth thing." Theresa sadly admitted. "I'm sorry Paloma."
"It's ok," She smiled, pulling her in for a hug. "The most important thing now, is that we find the father of these two angels."
Theresa lightly rubbed her tummy.
"I think I should go talk to Fox now, thanks again for understanding." She smiled. "You really are growing up."
"No problem, what are sisters for?" Paloma winked, giving her one last hug. "You go ahead though, I'm just going to sit here for a bit."
"Ok." Theresa looked at her. "I'll see you inside."
As she walked back into the church, most of the guests had already left. Only Whitney, Gwen, Chad, Hank, Luis and her mother were left.
"Theresa," Gwen immediately hugged her. "Is everything ok with you and Paloma?"
"Yeah, we talked and she pretty much understands what happened."
"Thank goodness!" Pilar smiled.
Theresa sadly looked around the room and realized that someone was missing.
"Where's Fox?" She worriedly asked them. "Please don't tell me that he left."
"Don't worry Theresa, I saw him slip out the side doors." Whitney reassured her. "He's probably just outside."
"Ok good. I really need to talk to him."
Just as she was about to go look for him, a rush of dizziness swept over her.
"Theresa, are you ok?" Whitney and Gwen rushed over to her.
"Um, ya I think so." She replied, putting a hand to her head. "It's probably just because of everything that's happening."
"Well take it easy honey," Gwen consoled her. "Do you want one of us to come out with you?"
"No, I'm fine." Theresa reassured them. "Thanks though."
She slowly turned and continued to make her way out the doors. Just as she stepped outside, she saw Fox leaning over the balcony railing. As she quietly approached him, she noticed him wipe a tear from his eye.
Oh Fox, she thought to herself. I've hurt you so much. I must be the most horrible person in the world to have hurt you so many times. Even if you never forgive me for all of this, I guess I'll deserve it. But I have to clear the air between us. Too much is at stake.
She softly rubbed her tummy and carefully placed a hand on his back.
"Fox?" She whispered.
The sudden contact made him jump back in surprise.
"Theresa!" He exclaimed, wiping his eyes dry with the back of his hand. "I didn't hear anyone come out."
"I was pretty quiet." She whispered, not knowing what to say. "Look, Fox—"
"Wait!" He put his hand up. "You've done enough talking for tonight. Why don't you let me ask the questions?"
"Ok," Theresa sadly looked at him.
He slowly inhaled the cool night breeze before turning to her.
"Do you love me?" He painfully stared into her eyes.
"Fox, what do you mean do I love you?" Theresa looked at him confused.
"Just answer me!" He yelled, growing irritated. "Do you love me? Because if you do love me, I just want to know how could you not tell me what was going on? How could you not even let me know what you were thinking? Theresa, I thought we could tell each other everything."
"We can—" She began.
"Obviously we can't!" He yelled once more. "You of all people knew how much I care for those babies. You knew that if there was even the slightest chance that I could be the father of the twins, I would want to know. Theresa, do you not understand how much this is killing me right now?"
Fox watched as a tear rolled down her cheek.
"I was there for you through it all." He whispered. "Even when you had hurt me in the worst way possible I was still there for you and those babies."
"Fox, I know!" She cried hysterically. "I know that you have been there for me and I know I probably didn't deserve it. But I don't know what else to say! I'm sorry! I'm so sorry! Please, just believe me when I say that I didn't know what else to do! I saw how happy you were with Paloma and I couldn't bear to hurt you anymore! Did you even know that I was in an accident earlier today?"
"What?" He came closer to her. "An accident?"
"Yes!" She cried. "I was hit by a car! But as you can see I'm fine, and the babies are fine! That's why I HAD to come here and do this! The fact that God saved me and my babies tonight is just enough proof that you are the father of these kids! But I still don't know that for sure! My heart is telling me that you're their father but yet my head is telling me that Ethan could be the father too! I just can't take this anymore! This has just been an ever-lasting rollercoaster that does not want to stop!"
Fox instantly felt his insides ache as he realized how much pain Theresa was in.
"Everyone thinks that I'm just this big monster who lives to ruin people's lives but I am not Fox!" She desperately stared into his eyes. "I'm just trying to find answers! I need to know who the father of my babies are! I just can't take any more of this! I—"
Suddenly Theresa fell to the ground and held her stomach wincing in pain.
"Theresa!" Fox's eyes grew with concern as he knelt down beside her. "What is it?"
"I-I don't know!" She cried. "I think my water just broke!"
"Right now?" Fox exclaimed.
"Yes, but it's too early!" She cried. "The babies aren't supposed to be due for another month!"
Hearing Theresa's cries, Gwen and Whitney came rushing outside.
"Oh my god!" Whitney exclaimed. "Fox, what happened?"
"Her water just broke." He quickly spoke, softly rubbing Theresa's hair. "Gwen, go call Luis and tell him that we have to go to the hospital. Whitney, go get Chad and tell him to go pick up Ethan. Theresa's having the twins!"