Chapter 42:

This - What Exactly Is This?

Paloma sighed she knew that marring Ethan wasn't going to go over well with her family. Her mother and brothers hated Ethan, because of Theresa. She looked down at Natasha, her daughter, her sweet baby girl

"You okay?", Ethan asked, walking up behind her waking her from her thoughts.

"Uh hmm.", she ever took her eyes of her small daughter.

"Paloma, you're scared aren't you?", he asked

She nodded. "This - this is so suddenly.", she continued to admire her daughter and keep her back to Ethan. "I hardly even know you. And, I don't wanted to put you in this predicament."

"Paloma, this doesn't bother me.", he told her. "I generally care about the welfare of you and this baby."

"Ethan, Natasha and me aren't going to be your charity case. I don't want no one to feel like they have to take care of us, I can manage. I have managed on my own all my life…"

He looked at her, and for the first time he saw hurt in her eyes, hurt that her family had

un - purposely caused.

"No, you are not a charity case. Can you believe that I like you and your daughter and that I want you to keep her and I am willing to do what ever it takes to make sure of that.", he told her.

"I ain't going to keep her, Do you know how much of a whore this make me look like?", she asked. "Ethan, I am just 17 years old, Josh is almost 25 and now you…you're 27, the judge is going to think I am offal…."

"No, no he won't.", he told her. "Paloma, you will keep this baby, no one will take her from you and I will promise you that."

"Ethan…", she began.

"Here I sighed the certificate, I sighed as her father.", he told her.

"I thought…", she began.

"Fox, volunteered I know.", he told her. "And, he was going to but, well I thought that it would be better if I did, I hope you don't mind."

"Oh, I don't…Ethan, why are you doing this? Is this some way to get points with my sister?", she asked.

He shook his head no. "No, Theresa loves Fox, and I respect that."

She gave him a suspicious look. "I don't know if I believe you, I mean the first day I meet you, you were peeping in my mother's house, hoping to catch a glimpse of Theresa."

Ethan groaned. "Uh, that was the worse first impression that I ever made in my life."

"Yeah, well I thought you were just the weirdest and then the next time we meet, well you know what happened you made me go into labor.", she told him.

"And, once again I am sorry.", he rubbed his hand, the nail marks she had made on his hands were still visible.

"I am sorry for that.", she told him, bringing his hand to her lips.

Ethan jerked his hand away from her, he could see why men were drawn to her, but, there was still the fact that she was a child and illegal for now. "Don't worry about it.", he told her.

She nodded, then turned back to Natasha. "Is this gonna be our home?", she admired the small apartment.

"Yeah.", he told her.

"Not a bad place, but, I expected you to live fancier.", she told him.

"I am not a Crane, I am a - a Bennett.", he told her, she watched as he turned away from her, she knew that him being a Bennett and not a Crane like he was lead to believe hurt him.

"Hey, don't worry about it.", she told him. "This place is nice, it's by fair the most nicest place I have stayed, but, that don't really say all that much."

"Thank you, Paloma.", he told her.

"No prob.", she replied. "Oh, I almost forgot, mama, Luis, Sheridan, Theresa, Fox, Miguel and Antonio are all on there way over."

"About the uh, about me marring you?", he questioned.

She nodded. "Ethan…I'm scared."

"Of what?", he asked.

"Of what mama and the others will say.", she replied. "What people will say about me, about you, about us."

"Don't be scared, Paloma, know this much I am by your side through thick or thin.", he told her, she nodded, then they heard the door bell ring out through the apartment, she let out a sigh, then turned to Ethan. "come on, I'm right by your side.", she nodded, then picked up Natasha from the crib and then her and Ethan walked into the living room and opened the door where her family waited.

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Audrey looked at the picture of Fox and Ethan Martin that she had clipped form the newspaper.

"My family, you turned out so well.", she smiled to herself, she walked out of the airport with her bags, she smiled soon she would be with Fox and their kids.

"Ma'am, care for any help?", a man approached her, she had about 5 suitcases and he could tell that she was having a time managing.

"No, I'll be fine.", she told him.

"Where are you headed, you act like you're in a big hurry to get there and that once you get there you have no plans of leaving.", the man told her.

"I'm coming home to my family.", she told him.

"Oh, that is great news.", he told her.

"Yeah, I can't wait to see them.", she smiled.

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"Come in.", Paloma forced a smile to her lips, she felt a familiar wave of nervousness hit her, then she felt Ethan place his hand on her shoulders, they all walked over to the small couch.

"Paloma, what is this about?", Luis finally spoke up after much amount of silence.

She swallowed hard. "I…"

"I asked you here for permission of Paloma's hand in marriage.", Ethan spoke up, he took her trembling hand in his.

"What?", Sheridan asked, as her mouthwashes wide open in total shock.

"Absolutely not.", Luis fumed. "You hurt Theresa and now you want me to give you the opportunity in ruining my baby sister's life, hell no."

"Luis, I am not a baby.", she told him. "Resa, please tell him that I have the right to marrying Ethan?", she turned to her older sister. "Miguel, Tony? Someone, please help me here? Fox?"

"I'll take the fifth on this one, sorry Loma.", Fox offered her a smile.

"Mama, please.", Paloma asked.

"Paloma, mija, I can not approve of this.", Pilar told her.

"Why not?", Paloma asked. "Why not, you approve of Sheridan and Luis and Fox, no offense Fox, but, Fox and Theresa. Mama, Ethan is a good man."

"Ethan is an grown man, you are a child, so no Loma, I do not approve it and neither does mama.", Luis told her.

"Fox, Theresa, come on, how many people have said that you're not good for one another, same for you Luis, how many times has people said Sheridan is too good for you?", Paloma asked.

"Paloma, that has nothing to do with you and Ethan. You aren't even 18, and he is well on his way to 30.", Luis told her.

"Theresa, please…you know that Ethan is a good man tell mama and them that, please.", she begged.

"Ethan is a great person, but he is way older than you and look what happened with me and him.", Theresa told her.

"Oh God, it is as much your fought as it is his.", Paloma told her. "You and Gwen are as much to blame as Ethan, in my opinion you are more to blame."

"Loma, that's enough.", Miguel told her.

"Mama, he is a decent man, and he will support for Tosha and me.", Paloma told her. "Luis, he has agreed to be her father and…."

"He isn't even there for his own child much less your, bastard child.", Luis told her, anger rose in her.

"You have no right, to say that.", Paloma told him.

"The child is mine, uh, me and Paloma hooked up on one of my business trips.", Ethan lied, he hated seeing her upset and seeing them all distraught. "That is why I have took so much interest in Natasha."

Paloma looked at him, once again he was taking control when, she was out of control, she gave him a smile as to say Thank you, then she turned to Pilar. "See there mama, he is helping me and he owns up to his mistakes."

"Loma…", Fox began, she looked at him, she knew he could tell that Ethan was lying, she gave him a please keep this secret for me look. "Congrats. I hope you and Ethan are happy.", he drew in a breath.

"Thank you Fox.", Paloma replied, she turned to her family. "It's ice to see someone is happy for us."

"Paloma, you have my permission, but, not my blessing, I will sign for you to marry Ethan.", Pilar told her youngest daughter.

"Thank you mama.", Paloma smiled at Ethan, then turned to Luis. "Come on Luis, you know that this is a good thing."

"Okay you have my permission and like mama I don't give you my blessing.", Luis told her.

Theresa smiled at her and gave her the thumbs up sign.

"Good, now mama, Luis, Theresa, Miguel, Antonio, Sheridan and Fox, you are all invited to come to the courthouse, well at least two of you have to, because, I need witnesses.", she smiled.

"Count me in, Loma.", Miguel told her.

"Me too.", Fox replied, he looked at Theresa who nodded in approval. "I'm in.", Theresa smiled.

"Good.", she smiled.

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Audrey pulled up to the Crane Mansion which rested on Raven hill, over looking the whole small town. "Home sweet home, it won't be long till I am mistress of the manor."

"Can I help you?", Julian asked, giving the woman a quick look over.

"Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't think anyone was home.", she smiled at him. "I'm Audrey Banning, a friend of Fox's.", she offered him her hand.

"Julian Crane, his father.", Julian took her hand in his.

"Now I see where Fox takes his looks from.", she flirted.

Julian smiled at her. "Well if you want to leave come back you may. Fox will not be back to later on."

"Okay, do you know where he went?", she asked.

"I haven't got the slightest clue.", he told her.

She nodded. "Okay, I'll be back by 7."

"Okay.", he smiled at her and watched as she walked back to her car, he knew something was up, she was up to something and he got the strongest feel that it involved his son, grandchildren and Theresa.

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Paloma sighed, she felt a little eased now that her mother and brother's had left.

"You seem relieved. Oh and by the way good lie Ethan.", Theresa told him. "And, Loma, way to go you gave them a good argument."

"What lie?", Ethan asked.

"About you getting Loma pregnant and the baby being yours.", Theresa smiled at him. "It's a lie I guarantee it and Gwen is going to freak."

"I can…", Ethan began.

"Let her get in my face or my baby's daddy's face, and I'll knock her ass to the ground, her and that cow of a mother.", Paloma fumed.

"Ethan can we swap them every once in awhile?", Fox joked, Paloma gave him a playful glare.

"Ethan you better watch it.", Paloma told him, he turned to her and slid his hand around her waist.

"Sorry little bro, I'll keep this one.", Ethan replied. "for now.", he whispered, winking at Fox, who laughed.

"What's all the giggling?", Theresa asked.

"Your boyfriend, he wants to trade us out like used goods.", Paloma told her, she winked at Fox.

"Aw, you better not.", she told him, she rocked Natasha in her arms.

"She's beautiful, ain't she?", Fox asked, admiring him.

"Yea.", Theresa told her.

"Well soon the both of you will have a little one to care for and admire.", Paloma told them.

"3 more months.", Theresa smiled at her sister, then at Fox.

"Well, I ain't trying to rush this, but, we need a wedding, Fox and you.", Paloma told her.

"Soon, I hope.", Fox replied.

"Good.", Paloma smiled, she noticed the looks Ethan gave them and it angered her. "I - I don't want to be rude, but, I am tired and Tasha looks like she could use a nap, so…"

"I know when I'm not wanted."., Fox joked.

"Good, now move ya cute ass from my site.", Paloma told him.

"Oh, you been looking.", Fox told her.

"Whatever.", Paloma exclaimed, then she laughed, as did he.

"Well, sissy, I'll see ya.", Theresa hugged Paloma, then handed her the baby, and Paloma handed Tasha to Ethan.

"Love ya Resa.", Paloma told her.

"Love ya too Loma.", Theresa told her.

"Love ya too Foxworth.", Paloma hugged him.

"I recon.", Fox replied, she giggled.

"You love me too, I know it.", Paloma smiled.

"Yeah.", Fox replied, she giggled, then watched as they left.

"God, if you're using me and Tasha as a way to get Resa you can forget it, Fox loves her.", Paloma told him.

"What?", Ethan asked.

"You are jealous of Fox and Theresa.", Paloma told him.

"Yeah, I'm jealous of the love they share not, of him over Theresa. I respect them and I respect there children and even if I did love Theresa, I can't compete with the bond they share, they have a son and another child on the way.", Ethan told her.

"Do you still have feelings for Theresa?", Paloma asked.

"As a friend.", Ethan told her.

"Nothing more?", she asked.

"No, my only care is you, Paloma, I - you and Natasha are all that I care about, not Theresa. I ain't using you to get on her good grace.", he otld her and she smiled.

"Will you make love to me?", she asked.

He looked at her confused. "Now?"

"One day, not now.", she giggled. "I mean, no matter what, will you have sex with me, let me have a man that I call my lover?"

"No.", he told her.

"Why not?", she asked.

"God, this ain't happening.", he sighed.

"Ethan, I have never had a man to love me, with Josh it was get it while it's hot and dad left me and the others and while they had each oher I had no one.", she told him. "Call me foolish, but, the fact that my prince charming would come along a rescue me is what keep me alive. There was a many times I was 'this close' to slitting my wrist, to over dosing on sleeping pills."

He pulled her to him, and let her cry, he knew that she harbored feelings that she keep hid from everyone. "Shh."

"Ethan, will you make love to me, once were married?", she asked.

"I would, I will now if I thought it would help you, but, it won't.", he told her. "Paloma, you never had a father and you think that hopping in bed with me will fill that void, but, it won't."

"Why did he leave?", she cried. "Why did they send me to Mexico, why didn't they keep me?"

"It was hard and I know you've heard this a million times but, Loma, they love you and your father is the one to blame, he left you, Pilar would never have gave you up if she had the choice.", Ethan told her, his heart broke for her, he knew that being shipped off hurt her more than she would ever say.

"Ethan, I can't help but, feel unwanted, I mean first papa left me, I was a baby and from what I collect everything was fine till I was born.", she told him. "Then, Josh, he told me he loved me, but, all I was to him was a piece off ass. Who am I kidding, that's all I'll ever be."

"No, you won't.", he told her, he cupped her face in his hands. "You are beautiful and…I - Paloma, I ain't looking for love, let's let things ride from here, see where fate, Theresa's little friend, that she talks so much about, takes us."

She nodded. "I don't know."

"I tell you what, on your 18th birthday, we'll make love, that is if we haven't already, got it.", he told her, she nodded.

"You're a good man.", she told him, he kissed her forehead.

"I don't think so sometimes.", he told her.

"Believe me when I say you are.", she told him. "I'm going to put Tasha down for a nap."

"Go take one yourself, you deserve it.", he told her.

"What about you?", she asked.

"I'll - I have to go tell mom and Sam the news.", he told her.

"Oh.", she told him. "Good luck."

"Thank you, I know I'll need it.", Ethan smiled.

A/N: I'm going to rush it, I have something planned for Thanksgiving with this story and I need to get the pregnancy over with, cause the timing will be accurate and all that : )

Spoilers for Chapter 43:

3 months has passed, Theresa's due date approaches.

Ethan and Paloma have gotten, closer, but how close?

Josh calls Paloma, why?

Audrey goes to see Fox and plots to make her next move.