Chapter 18 "The Wedding Reception"

When the band began to play the first strands of "Amazed" Fox led Teresa to the dance floor and amidst the cheers and wolf whistles of their friends and family pulled her into his arms. Snuggled against her husband's warm chest, Teresa closed her eyes and savored the magic of the moment. She'd never thought she could feel this happy, this complete ever again. She and Fox had been adversaries for so long it was hard for her to believe that things had changed so fast in so little time. A part of her wondered how long her happiness could last but determined to enjoy the moment for however long it lasted, she banished the pessimistic thoughts and concentrated on the happiness at hand. She and Fox had beaten all the odds and were married. And if she had her way, they'd never be separated ever again.

She had dreamed of love for so long and when she'd married Ethan she thought her dream was going to become a reality. But it was Fox who had made her every dream come true. In the last few weeks they'd gone from enemies to lovers to best friends. He'd become her hero, her confidante, her lover. And though she had never whispered the words, her heart ached with the love she felt for him.

"I love you Fox, so much," she thought.

Fox breathed in Teresa's delicate scent and pulled her tighter against him. The feel of her soft body in his arms was driving him crazy but he knew they wouldn't be able to escape for a few hours yet and dancing was the only way he could hold her close. Cupping her bottom in his hard hands, he bit the delicate skin of her earlobe. Her soft moan told him she was as aroused as he and so he tortured them both by catching her mouth in a hard kiss that enflamed them all the more.

"My wife," he thought as his mind slipped back to another wedding and another time. As Chelsea's image swam before him, he closed his eyes and mentally said goodbye to his past. He'd loved Chelsea but what he felt for Teresa was so much more. Teresa was his soul mate, his other half. Without her he was incomplete. It was as simple as that.

"I will always protect you Resa," he murmured with smoldering eyes. "I swear it Resa, so long as you are by my side nothing will ever hurt you," he added bending his head and pressing another kiss on her waiting mouth.

Oblivious to the stares and the whispered comments, content to be in each other's arms they continued to dance.

"Look at the way he's holding her, he's practically mauling her right on the dance floor," an irritated Martin grumbled to Pilar with a father's distaste.

"Martin, they're newlyweds, what did you expect for goodness sakes?" Pilar replied demurely.

While it was true that Fox seemed to be devouring Teresa in front of all the guests, the blush on her daughter's face and the sparkle in her eyes told Pilar that her baby was enjoying every second of it.

"He could at least wait till he gets her alone," Martin added peevishly, unwilling to concede that he was being foolish. But he was old fashioned and he still hadn't forgiven Fox for getting his baby pregnant before the wedding. And after what had happened with Ethan he wasn't willing to completely trust another Crane with his daughter's heart. Or her life.

Pilar stared at her husband for a minute and then she surprised him by cupping his face in her hands and kissing him softly on the mouth.

"You are a good man Martin and you're an even better father. But our Teresa is a grown woman and she can make her own decisions. We've done our best by her and we've taught her to trust her heart. And despite being a Crane, Fox is nothing like Ethan. I saw how deeply he mourned his Chelsea and I know he has a deep capacity for love. That boy has been starved for affection his entire life. He'll take good care of our little girl," Pilar murmured confidently. "Now let's dance. I want to feel your arms around me as I tell you what I have planned for tonight," she added mischievously.

Martin acquiesced graciously but kept a watchful eye on the bride and groom. He and Fox were going to have a talk. Soon.

"I never dreamed I could be this happy," Teresa murmured.

"Then that makes two of us babe," Fox replied coming to a still when the dance ended and the deejay grabbed the microphone.

Reluctant to let Teresa go, he rocked on his heels and wrapped his arms around her so they swayed slowly. Her dark head pressed against his chest and Fox bent his own head so it lay on top of hers.

"Ladies and gentlemen, it's time for the traditional Father/Daughter dance," Chad called out and with obvious reluctance Fox let go of Teresa so she could dance with Martin.

Spinning on his heel he walked over to Pilar and offered her a gallant bow. Pilar laughed and accepted his hand and the four of them began to dance. When the song ended Chad announced that the band was taking a break and that everyone should eat and so Teresa and Fox headed to their table. When everyone was seated and the waiters had filled all the champagne flutes, Dylan clinked his glass and all eyes turned to him.

"As best man and best friend of both the bride and the groom I'm honored to be here sharing this momentous occasion with all of you. Teresa and Fox are the best friends I've ever had and I wish them nothing but happiness for no two people deserve it more than them. They've both faced their share of adversity and pain and in the bleakest hours of their lives they found solace and comfort in each other. Their love was forged in the darkest hours of the night and is stronger because of it. Teresa and Fox faced a loss that would have broken most people and yet they stand here today whole and intact and determined to make the most of the second chance fate has given them. To Teresa and Fox," he murmured and the guests chimed in.

"To Teresa and Fox," the crowd shouted.

When Dylan returned to his seat Pilar stood and with Martin at her side she raised her flute of champagne and toasted the happy couple.

"A mother's only wish in life is that her children find happiness. Watching your children suffer and knowing you can do nothing to help, breaks something inside of you. When my Teresa told me she was marrying you Nicholas, I protested for I thought you would offer her nothing but pain. But I was wrong. I have watched my daughter bloom under your love and I thank you for it. I know that you will take care of her and that her heart will be safe in your hands. I couldn't ask for a better gift than that," she told Fox. "And if by chance I'm wrong well then I will sic Martin on you," she concluded and everyone laughed.

When Pilar finished her toast, she walked around and pulled Teresa into a hug.

"Be happy, mi niña," she whispered.

"I will be mama. Fox is a good man," Teresa replied.

"Take good care of my baby girl, Crane," Martin warned his son in law.

Fox nodded and clasped Martin's hand.

"I will sir. Teresa is everything to me," he told the older man.

Reassured that his daughter was in good hands Martin turned to Teresa and kissed her cheek.

"Be happy, baby girl," he murmured.

"Dame tu Bendicion, Papi," she replied in Spanish and Martin murmured a quick prayer.

"Que Dios te bendiga, may God bless you, hija," he told her.

"Let's take care of the formalities so we can leave. I want you all to myself, Mrs. Crane," Fox whispered against her ear.

It had gotten late enough so that their disappearance wouldn't raise a fuss. The guests were sated with food and champagne and all they had to do was cut the wedding cake and pose for a few more pictures and they'd be free to go.

When they had cut the cake and posed for the pictures, Fox dragged Teresa to the center of the room and amidst cheers and wolf whistles proceeded to remove her blue and white garter. The men in the room clapped at the length of honey toned skin that was revealed and Fox scowled menacingly which only earned him more ribbing from the assembled guests.

A few minutes later Teresa daintily climbed on a footstool and yelled that all the single women should gather together so she could throw the bouquet. A huge grin splitting her face, she pretended to throw the bouquet a few times to the groans of the women vying to catch it. Grinning impishly, she winked slowly at Fox before finally tossing her bouquet. When the room became eerily silent she turned around and saw a tall, auburn haired woman with wide golden eyes standing at the doorway, bouquet in hand. Uneasiness crawled over her spine as she realized that the woman wasn't a guest.

Glancing over at Fox she saw that his face had paled and his hands trembled.

"Chelsea?" he cried brokenly.