What to do?

"What do you mean if you weren't my professor? Regardless, you and I still are at this university. I wouldn't be able to date you all the same."

"Theresa, listen to me." Moving her to sit down, Ethan sits next to her. "I'm leaving my job."

"No, Ethan, I won't let you do this for me."

"I'm not doing it for you. I'm doing it for us."

"Don't you listen to yourself? There isn't, and can't be an 'us'!"

Taking a breath, Ethan looks at Theresa. "What are you afraid of, Theresa? I know how you feel about me, why are you so afraid of being with me?"

Because I fell in love with you so fast, I didn't expect it…Closing her eyes, Theresa looks away. "I can't tell you."

Turning her face slightly back to him, Ethan holds her face in his hand. "Yes, you can. You remember our summer, Theresa, please, just be honest with me."

"Fine, you want honesty? Here it is. I started to fall for you, Ethan, big time. I was so happy when I saw you again when school started, I thought I'd never see you again. But then, reality set in. I realized you and I could never be together. And before you say it, I refuse to let you give up your career for me."

Taking a breath, Ethan holds Theresa's hand. "Do you trust me?"

Nodding slowly, Theresa looks back at Ethan. "Then trust what I have to do. What we have between us, Theresa, isn't just a fling. You and I both have deeper feelings for each other, and I want to see where that brings us."

"And what if, down the road, we break up? I would have still cost you your job, Ethan. I don't want that pressure added on me."

"Listen to me, Theresa. This is my decision to leave the university, not yours. Besides, I think I'd rather open my own law office than be grading papers all day."

"This isn't funny, Ethan."

"I'm not laughing. I'm being serious. I want you, Theresa; I want to be with you. And I will do whatever I have to in order to prove to you that I want you."

"You don't have to prove anything, I know. I always knew."

"Then, please, let me do this. Let me be able to really be with you the way we're supposed to. Don't you remember what I said to you when our summer ended?"

As if by memory, Theresa recites out loud, "If fate allows, I'll find my way back to you…"

Smiling, Ethan cups her cheek. "This is our fate, sweetheart. You and me. Together."

Closing her eyes, Theresa opens them and looks at Ethan. "What about your class? I need it to graduate, and I refuse to let you just give me an 'A' because I'm with you."

"I realize that. You will still be able to take my class. I'm asking another professor to take over the class for the remaining of the semester. He will be the one to give you a final grade, not me."

Sighing one last time, Theresa looks again at Ethan. "Is this REALLY what you want? Because once you close this door to your life, you can't reopen it."

Caressing her cheek, Ethan looks into Theresa's eyes. "This is what I really want. You, and me. Forever."

Leaning forward, Theresa and Ethan share a kiss.

Coming Up

Graduation day!

Please R/R