'I know I don't have a voice, but I know you can hear me, God. I don't know what I did to deserve this. All I did was love those closest to me...I guess if this is the price to pay for loving someone too much I don't want to love. Ethan's gone from me and now because I may never speak again no one might not ever love me. I just wish I could go back in time. I'd go back and hide my feelings from everyone, no matter what they were because a life without love is possible compared to my life without a voice. Why don't you just finish me off by taking my sight and ability to walk.'
'I'm sorry,' Theresa thought after she realized what she had just told God. 'I don't mean to be mad at you. It's just that I'm so frustrated.'
Theresa could hardly recognize her bedroom as she slowly opened her eyes. Her room was a garden full of the most beautiful flowers she had ever seen. The floral arrangement surrounding her quickly picked up her sprits so much that she had forgotten how cruel she had just been. She now wondered where all these lovely flowers could have come from. She knew very well that they weren't from any place in Harmony and she remembered that she had told one person and one person only that she had been quite fond of flowers. She was so fond that she hoped to one day plant a beautiful garden outside of a certain mansion one day.
Theresa's heart jumped inside of her as she noticed a small white envelope sitting upon her desk with her name on it. Never had she been as nervous in her life as she was at that very moment. Theresa knew the importance of who these flowers came from. If they were from Ethan, that meant that he still cared about her obviously enough to send her something that only he knew she loved. But then again, if they were from someone else Theresa knew that Ethan may not even remember her enough to write or call every now and then. She could feel her heartbeat increase as she made her way to the envelope, which seemed to be a million miles from her. Theresa could finally sigh in relief as she ran her fingertips across the seal. A million thoughts ran through her head just then, but the only one she cared to listen to was the one that was telling her heart that the flowers were from Ethan.
'It's now or never,' she thought as she tore the envelope open.
In her palm fell a little note on a decorated stationary with roses. As she unfolded it she read,
Theresa,
I'm sorry about last night. I didn't realize just who you were, but I do now. Don't worry, I'll keep your identity a secret...that is as long as you plan on becoming my new best friend. I hope you like the flowers, it's the least I could do for now. Be ready by 8 p.m. tonight for the time of your life.
Sincerely,
Fox Crane
Theresa at first didn't realize who Fox was. Her memory of last night was a bit hazy, but after she thought about it for a while she could clearly remember Fox. Never in a million years would she expect a guy like Fox to send a girl he barely knew such wonderful flowers. For a moment she wondered if Fox had talked to Ethan and found out that she loved flowers so much, but she pushed that thought out of her mind. Theresa though wondered how in the world Fox could find her home. She felt a bit weird and unsafe, but Fox didn't seem like the stalking type so again she pushed another crazy thought out of her mind, after all she had the night of her life to prepare for.
Theresa could hear Fox getting acquainted with her family as she paced nervously at the top of the staircase waiting to make her grand entrance. If there was one thing Theresa knew how to do it was how to make a grand entrance. Once she could hear the silent taking over below her Theresa glanced one last time in her mirror, fixed a strand of hair that was out of place, and made her way downstairs. Theresa kept her eyes on Fox the whole time she was coming downstairs. She got great pleasure from Fox's reaction. She could tell that he was in awe from the first time he saw her that night and she knew from then on that she had him wrapped around her little finger.
"Wow," was all Fox could say. He was truly speechless and she was loving every moment.
"Theresita, do you have your notebook?" Pilar asked a little uneasy knowing that Fox was Ethan's half-brother.
Theresa nodded her head and intertwined her arm with his as they left. Theresa didn't know where Fox was taking her, but she guessed that from the way Fox was dressed that wherever it was it was some place nice and expensive. Fox went on talking a bit as they drove not expecting a word from her, which was okay with him. He wanted to make Theresa feel as comfortable and normal as possible. Soon they arrived at the beach that appeared to be deserted. Theresa couldn't understand why they were so nicely dressed up for the beach. When Theresa had spoke to Fox earlier that day he told her to wear her best dress, not her bathing suit.
Fox placed his index finger against Theresa's lips and whispered softly, "Shhhh, follow me," as he placed his hand out waiting for hers. Theresa smiled with curiosity as she placed her hand within his and followed. As they walked along the beach that cool crisp night, the sound of music could be heard closer with every step they took. "Close your eyes," he said as he walked up behind her and placed his hands over her eyes. "No peaking," he laughed. Theresa motioned to him that she was getting tired of waiting and finally Fox removed his hands and said with a smile of success, "Open your eyes."
Theresa could hardly believe the sight before her eyes. Never had she witnessed anything so romantic in her life, let alone it be for her. The tears slowly trickled down her cheek as she turned around to give Fox a hug of true appreciation. Not even Ethan could have pulled something so romantic off for her. 'Thank you.'
"Care to dance?" Fox said as he bowed down and held out his hand for her. It was like something Theresa had only seen in the movies until that moment. Theresa took his hand and laid her head upon his shoulder as they danced to the rhythm of the music.
I know you out there baby So where?
There's someone out there for me.
(I know there's somebody out there)
I know she's waiting so patiently. (yea)
Can you tell me her name? (Somebody tell me her name)
This life long search is gonna drive me insane. (that's right)
How does she laugh, how does she cry, What's the color of her eyes,
Does she even realize I'm here...
Where is she?
Where is she?
Where is she?
Where is this beautiful girl?
Who is she?
Who is she?
Who's gonna complete my world?
Where is she?
Where is she?
Where is this beautiful girl?
Who is she?
Who is she?
Who's gonna complete my world?
La la la la la la la.. la la la la laaa.. La la la la la la la..
I'm starin out at the sky.
(I see you baby)
Prayin' that he will walk in my life.
Where is the man of my dreams?
(I'm right here)
Yea.
I wait forever, how silly it seems.
How does he laugh, how does he cry, What's the color of his eyes,
Does he even realize I'm here...
Where is he?
Where is he?
Where is he?
Where is this beautiful guy?
Who is he?
Who is he?
Who's gonna take me so high?
Where is he?
Where is he?
Where is this beautiful guy?
Who is he?
Who is he?
Who's gonna take me so high?
La la la la la la la.. la la la la laaa.. La la la la la la la..
Where are you?
There's someone out there for me...
There's someone out there for me...
I know she's waiting so patiently..
So patiently...
Can you tell me her name?
Can you tell me his name?
This life long search is gonna drive me insane. (C'mon, That's right)
How does he laugh, how does he cry, What's the color of his eyes?
Does he even realize I'm here...
Where is she?
Where is she?
Where is she?
Where is this beautiful girl?
Who is she?
Who is she?
Who's gonna complete my world?
Where is he?
Where is he?
Where is this beautiful guy?
Who is he?
Who is he?
Who's gonna take me so high?
La la la la la la la.. la la la la laaa.. La la la la la la la..
(Yea...I know you out there...)
La la la la la la la.. la la la la laaa.. La la la la la la la..
Where are you?
I'm a look all over the world baby.
Cuz I know you out there.
I know it might sound crazy.
But I love you.
La la la la la la la.
Fade out
The night continued on with everything going perfect. Fox and Theresa were both very relaxed and found it easy to be themselves around each other. As they waited for desert the conversation shifted to what they should consider their little night on the beach.
'Would you call this a date?' Theresa asked suddenly when things had gotten quiet.
"Only if you want me to, Theresa. I don't want to pressure you into dating if you aren't into me or ready. It wouldn't be fare to you." After desert Theresa and Fox went on coversating right there on the beach. The night was beautiful and they had the beach all to themselves. Fox informed Theresa about his seperation from the rest of his family while Theresa lectured Fox on fate and love, things that no one had ever cared to explain to him. "Theresa," Fox said slowly, "I'm a little confused on this whole fate thing. I mean should everything be left up to fate? You know, I've fallen for a girl before soley based on appearances. How do I know which is my soulmate? What if I'm in love with two girls, two amazing, beautiful girls. How do I know which is the one?"
'Whose to say either is the one? Fate is funny, Fox. No one understands it that well. I may pretend that I know all about it, but truth of the matter is I'm just as clueless about it as the next person. I like to think that fate is a helping hand that we have no control over. Fate happens just as often as luck can strike. We don't know when or where, but it touches each and everyone of us in some way sometime. I don't think everything should be left up to fate though, Fox. I've tried doing that with your brother and look where it has gotten me...nowhere. Fate is kind of like inspiration, you don't sit around and wait for it to come to you. How you live your life will determine how fate intervens.'
"I think you're wrong, Theresa." Fox said as he stopped walking and looked straight into her dark, brown eyes, "you know more about fate and love than I could ever hope to achieve." After sharing an awakard pause that neither was fully aware of Fox suggested they get out of there and that they did deciding to go to Sheridan's cottage.
'Truth or dare?'
"Truth," Fox said with a smile.
'Oh you're no fun! Okay, let's see...tell me something that no one else knows.'
"I have no desire to take over Crane Industries one day."
'How can you say that? Think of all the good you can do! You have the opportunity to give the Cranes a good reputation for once.'
"Theresa, you don't understand," Fox said as he stood up and walked over to the window where he could see how different his life was from everyone else. "People don't see the good in me. I'm only judged by my last name. I'm expected to by like Julian and Alistair."
'But your not Julian or Alistair, Fox. For whatever it may be worth, I see the good in you. I've delt with all the Cranes and only you and Sheridan are in a higher class than the rest of them, Fox.'
"Thank you," Fox said as he placed a kiss upon her lips.
'What was that for?'
"It's the dare I've been waiting for all night."
Fox and Theresa continued on into the early morning their little game of truth or dare as they watched their favorite movie together. Every truth or dare revealed something about the other, causing their walls to come down before each other. As much as they wanted to hide in front of other people, they wanted each other to see the real them.
'Now tell me something about yourself that only you and your family knows.'
Fox thought for a moment and Theresa could see that what he was thinking was very bothersome for him. "Unless I fall in love with someone in the next year, I'm going to be forced into a marriage of my parent's choice."