Chapter 34:

It's For The Best

"Paloma!", Fox exclaimed. "Hurry."

"Fox, chill ok, we've got all day.", Paloma replied.

"No, we don't.", Fox replied. "Theresa, probably going to go out, she won't be at the hotel all day."

"Well it's just 8, now.", Paloma replied.

"Are you ready yet?", Fox asked.

"Yes, come on, Hitler.", Paloma replied.

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"She's still there.", Paloma replied. "Why don't you just go knock on the door."

"And, say what?", Fox asked. "I followed you, even though you pacifically asked for me not to."

"Yea, and that you love her.", Paloma replied.

"What would she say?", Fox replied.

"I don't know, but you all would work it out.", Paloma replied walking over and knocking on the door.

"Paloma?", Fox questioned.

"Who is it?", Theresa asked.

"Paloma.", Paloma replied simply.

"Loma…", Theresa began noticing Fox was there.

"Paloma why's he here?', Theresa asked motioning to Fox,

"Mommy?", Ethan asked walking behind her. "OH MY GOD!!!, Fox, Loma,!"

"Ethan, hey, uh, do you want to go get breakfast down stairs with me?", Paloma suggested.

"Sure, mommy, I'll be right back, Fox take care of her for Me.", Ethan replied, walking out the door with Paloma.

"He's so grown isn't he?", Theresa asked.

"Yeah, he's tough.", Fox replied. "But, of course he' got to be."

"What' that suppose to mean?", Theresa asked, not sure where he was going at with that statement.

"I just meant, well, he only has you and well he has no father figure in his life.", Fox replied.

"He don't need one, I didn't have a father and I did pretty darn good, as did Miguel and Loma.", Theresa replied.

"Theresa, no Ethan needs his father.", Fox replied.

"Well, how can he have his father if his mother was a slut that she has no clue as to he that man is?", Theresa asked.

"Theresa, you're not a slut. You never slept with Julian.", Fox replied.

"How do you know that?", Theresa asked.

"I just do.", Fox replied.

"Fox?", Theresa asked.

"I-I got you away from him, that night, you spent the night with Me.", Fox replied. "Well, at least most the night."

"Most of the night?", Theresa questioned.

"Yeah, well when I woke up, you-you was gone.", Fox replied.

"But, I woke up in Julian's bed.", Theresa replied. "in nothing but a robe and my dress in the chair."

"I know, but, believe me Theresa you did not sleep with Julian.", Fox replied.

"Unless, I…", Theresa replied.

"No, Julian had another woman in there all night.", Fox told her.

"Oh, do you remember what happened with me?", Theresa asked.

"No, I was pretty drunk myself , Theresa.", Fox replied. "All, I remember is taking you to my room and laying you down on the bed."

"Ok.", Theresa replied.

"Well , I kind of remember something else but, it's fuzzy.", Fox replied.

"What?', Theresa asked.

"I don't know, something to do with you and Ethan and Me.", Fox replied.

"Ethan?', Theresa asked.

"Yea, it's all a blur though.", Fox replied.

"Well, lay down and clear your mind and try to remember.", Theresa instructed, walking over to the bed.

"No, it don't help, I've tried.", Fox replied.

"Oh.", Theresa replied disappointed. "Will I ever find out what happened that night?"

"I don't know.", Fox replied. "But, I'm going to help."

"Fox, come on you don't have to.", Theresa replied. "You don't owe me anything."

"Yeah, I do, I hurt you and I never wanted to do that, you left Harmony because of Me.", Fox replied.

"No, I left to find Ethan Martin's father.", Theresa argued.

"I read the email you sent Pilar.", Fox replied. "I don't love Whitney."

"Yeah, right she's your mystery woman.", Theresa replied.

"I know, that but…",Fox began.

"I don't care, okay.", Theresa replied. "all, I care bout, is finding out who fathered Ethan.:"

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"So, Ethan, what would you think is, Fox was to date your mommy?", Paloma asked.

"Nah, mommy's to stubborn to forgive him.", Ethan replied. "but, it'd be cool though, cause well, there meant to be."

"Forgive?', Paloma asked.

"Don't ask me, but mommy's mad at him, I can tell.", Ethan replied.

"Really, how long has she mad at him?", Paloma replied.

"Before you came here.", Ethan replied. "I think it has something to with Whitney too."

"Why?", Paloma asked.

"I saw her the other night holding a picture of her, Fox and Whitney and she was crying and muttering to herself.", Ethan replied.

"Well, we'll just have to fix that.", Paloma replied.

"Yeah.", Ethan replied. "But, how Loma?"

"I don't know, what if we were to leave them by themselves all day?", Paloma suggested.

"Loma, we'll be planning two funerals.", Ethan replied.

"Or a wedding?', Paloma joked.

"Yeah, right there both to damn stubborn.", Ethan replied.

"Ethan Martin!", Paloma exclaimed. "I ought to wash your mouth out with soap."

"Sorry, Loma, please forgive me and please don't tell mommy, either.", Ethan pleaded.

"Okay.", Paloma replied, laughing.

"What's so funny?", Ethan asked glaring at her.

"You.", Paloma replied. "You're so mature, you've got it more put together than either one of us, Fox ,Theresa and me."

Ethan smiled. "Thanks.", Ethan replied. "So, how we going to get mommy and Fox together?"

"Okay, why don't you ask your mommy to take you out for dinner to a fancy restaurant?", Paloma asked.

"McDonald's?", Ethan asked.

"No.", Paloma replied. "McDonald's isn't a romantic place.", Paloma laughed.

"Ok, then where?", Ethan asked.

"Well, how about Newport Room ?", Paloma asked.

"Ok, what time?", Ethan asked. "Oh and if the food sucks, you're taking me out for ice cream."

"Deal.", Paloma replied. "Oh and 5:30."

"Okay.", Ethan began. "let's go back up to where mommy and Fox are."

"Okay.", Paloma replied.

"Lady's first.", Ethan replied.

"Thank you.", Paloma giggled.

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"Hey what's up?", Paloma asked, walking in.

"Paloma, would you please get him out of here?", Theresa asked, "and make give up on the whole helping me…", she began noticing Ethan.

"It's his choice Resa.", Paloma replied catching on.

"Yea, well he's not obligated to us.", Theresa insisted.

"Yes, I am, I care about both of you.", Fox replied.

"Fox we don't need you, all we need is each other.", Theresa replied.

"Would people quit talking like I'm not here, please?", Ethan asked.

"What we're not…", Theresa began.

"Don't lie to the boy, Theresa.", Fox replied. "You're mommy and me where just discussing you."

Theresa glared at Fox. "About, how mature you are.", she lie Ethan was her son and Fox had no say as in what he knew and didn't know.

"That's all?", Ethan asked. "then why were you both arguing?"

"We're not.", Theresa replied, smiling a fake smile at Fox "Right, Fox?"

"Right.", Fox replied.

"Whatever I'm going to watch TV.", Ethan replied. "Loma, you want to come?"

"Nah, I really need to talk to Theresa.", Paloma replied.

"Okay.", Ethan replied.

"What's up?", Paloma asked. "Why don't you want Fox to help you?"

"Because, I don't want to owe him.", Theresa replied.

"You won't,, Theresa I'm volunteering.", Fox replied.

"Why?", Theresa asked. "What do you from me?"

"Nothing.", Fox replied. "I just want to help you and Ethan, because I love you both."

"Bull, you want something…", Theresa began.

"Resa, trust me he's sincere.", Paloma replied.

"Who'd you know?", Theresa asked. "You've know him what, 4 days and you know all there is to know about him?"

"I'm just saying he would fly all the way here during a hurricane if he didn't care about you.", Paloma replied.

"Hurricane?", Theresa asked. "Fox, you could have been killed and Loma you're pregnant are you crazy, you risk both your and your baby's life."

"Relax, okay, we're fine.", Fox replied.

"But, Fox don't you realized you could be dead, I could have lost you and Paloma.", Theresa replied.

"Theresa, we're fine.", Paloma replied.

"I know, but still..", Theresa began, tears in her eyes.

"Don't okay.", Fox told her. "Don't worry about something that could of happened, it didn't."

Paloma looked at Theresa. "Fox, uh-can I speak with Theresa alone?", she asked, noticing Fox look at her confused. "Please?"

"Okay, I'll just go check on Ethan.", Fox replied.

"Okay.", Paloma muttered. "What's wrong with you?", she hissed once Fox was gone from site.

"What are you talking about?', Theresa asked.

"He came all the way here and all you've done is lecture him, Resa he came here to find you when he could have very well stayed in Harmony and been with Whitney, not that he wants her. All he talks about is you.", Paloma replied.

"Loma, he loves Whitney, not me.", Theresa argued.

"No, Theresa he don't.", Paloma argued.

"Whatever Loma, I can't get involved with Fox, he doesn't deserve to be put through the pain I'll cause him.", Theresa replied.

"What are you talking about, sista?", Paloma asked.

"Loma, I had a child with a man who I don't know.", Theresa replied.

"So, Fox loves you and Ethan, and I doubt he cares who father Ethan.", Paloma replied.

"I don't care.", Theresa replied. "do me a favor Loma…", she began, noticing she had Paloma full attention. "Get Fox to leave and go back home, get him to forget me, I don't care how you do that."

"Resa…", Paloma replied.

"Loma, please.. Fox deserves happiness and I can't give him that.", Theresa replied.

"Okay.", Paloma replied, she would do as Theresa asked, she'd give Theresa time, time to think.

"Good, I'll call the airport.", Theresa replied.

"Okay, let me go say bye to Ethan.", Paloma replied.

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"Ethan?', Paloma asked getting the little boys attention from the TV.

"Yeah.", Ethan asked turning towards her.

"I'm sorry, buddy, but mommy has insisted me and Fox leave.", Paloma replied.

"So, mommy will never be happy with Fox?", Ethan asked.

"No.", Paloma watched as the little boy sighed in defeat.

"Oh well.", Ethan replied, hiding his disappointment.

"Sorry.", Paloma whispered. "but, keep this in mind if it's meant to be they'll be together."

"Yea.", Ethan smiled a small sad smile.

Paloma forced a smile for the boy' sake.

"So, you leaving now?', Ethan asked.

"Yep, Fox and I.", Paloma replied.

"Oh.", Ethan replied getting up and trotting in the room where his mother and Fox where.

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"So, you want me to leave?", Fox asked. "You really don't want my help?"

"Yeah, Fox I'll do it on my own.", Theresa replied. "like I've always done. I'll find his father, I'll raise him and support him without the help of no one."

"What if this man wants him, what then?', Fox asked.

"I don't, I'll cross that bridge when I get to it.", Theresa replied.

"Okay.", Fox replied. "I guess this is good bye?"

"Yeah, Fox it is.", Theresa replied holding back the tears that threatened to fall. It's better this way she told herself.

Fox looked at her, he loved her with all his heart, but yet she'd never be his. "I don't know about you, but I for one will miss you."

"Oh, Fox.", Theresa breathed. She could take it it anymore she let the tears fall.

Fox put his arms around her and held her as both of them cried, he'd never been one to cry but, he couldn't help it, he'd lost the only woman he'd ever love, the only person whoever gave a damn about him, the only person who didn't compare him to Ethan.

"Fox?', Ethan asked.

"Hey.", Fox replied.

"I thought I'd come say good- bye and give you this.", Ethan told him, reaching in his pocket and getting out a locket.

"Ethan?", Fox asked. "It's the locket I gave your mother."

"I know.", Ethan replied. "you don't mind do you, mommy?"

"Of course not.", Theresa replied.

Fox opened the locket inside on one side of the locket was a picture of him and Theresa and on the other side was a picture of Little Ethan.

"Theresa, I can't take this.", Fox told her.

"No, take it, Ethan and I want you to have it.", Theresa replied.

Paloma walked in, she hated this, Fox and Theresa loved each other, why did they have to be so stubborn and act as if they didn't care.

"Uh, I hate to interrupt, but, we got a taxi to catch in 5 minutes.", Paloma replied.

"I know.", Fox told her.

"Ethan, come here.", Fox told him the little boy did as he was told.

Fox knelt down in front of him. "Hey, listen to me, I want you to take care of your mommy, and if you need anything you call, even if your mommy's to stubborn and won't allow you, you find a way.", Ethan nodded. "And, don't you ever forget that I love you and your mother with all my heart."

"Theresa, are you sure this is what you want?", Paloma asked for what seemed like the hundredth time,.

"Yes, as much as it kills me to see him go it's for the best.", Theresa replied. "He deserves happiness and I can't give him that."

"Okay, Fox we got to go.", Paloma told him. "Ethan, I love you.", she told the boy raking her hand through his hair.

Spoilers for Chapter 35:

Paloma and Fox arrive back home.

Little Ethan is disappointed with his mother.

Fox calls Dylan, why?

Theresa calls Whitney, why?