Out for the First Time

The next morning, Theresa woke up to the smell of bacon and eggs in the kitchen. After getting dressed, Theresa went to eat with her family.

"How did you sleep, mi hija?"

"All right, mama, how about you?"

"Oh, I slept fine, thank you."

"Mommy, where is Uncle Ethan?" Little Ethan asks from his spot at the table.

"Well, honey, Uncle Ethan is a busy man." Theresa says, dreading the fact that Ethan's name is being mentioned.

"I miss him. He used to play baseball with me all the time." Little Ethan says, pouting.

"Well, I tell you what, Little Ethan. I will call Uncle Luis and have him come play with you and maybe, you can go in his cop car, what do you think?"

"Yeah!"

"Alright, then, mommy will go call him." After calling her brother, Theresa turns to her son. "Uncle Luis will be here soon to play with you, sweetie."

"I still wish Uncle Ethan were here."

"Me too, baby."

"Theresa…" Pilar warns carefully.

"I know, mama, I know." Hearing the baby cry, Theresa goes to get her daughter from the nursery. Feeding her a bottle, Theresa sighs, watching her daughter fall asleep again.

"Baby, I know I shouldn't go on a date when my heart still belongs to your father, but he's hurt me so badly, I have to move on. I have to find the strength to move on and give you and your brother the life you both deserve. I have to." Kissing Jane's head softly, Theresa sighs. I'll never stop loving Ethan….I just wish letting go wouldn't be so difficult.

Later On at Night

"Mama, how does this look?" Theresa asks, as she walks to the living room to show Pilar her outfit.

"Mi hija, that looks beautiful on you! Is that a dress you designed?"

"No, mama, my fashion dreams died a long time ago."

"Mija, you will make it, I promise you."

"I know, mama. I'm nervous. This is my first time going out again in so long."

"Well, mi hija, it will be good for you to go out and have some fun. This was very nice of Fox and Whitney to arrange for you, mija. No one is putting any expectations on you, Theresita. This is just for you to go and begin moving on with your life."

Hearing the knock on the door, Theresa turns and takes a breath. "Well, here goes nothing." Opening the door, she is greeted by a six foot, black hair blue eye man. Smiling at him, Theresa looks into his eyes. "Jacob?"

"Yes, and you must be Theresa?" Nodding, Theresa smiles again. "The one and only."

"Well, these are for you." Jacob says, showing a bouquet of flowers.

"They're beautiful, thank you. Please, come in. This is my mother, Pilar Lopez-Fitzgerald."

"Mrs. Lopez-Fitzgerald, it's a pleasure." Jacob says as he kisses Pilar's hand.

"Oh, well, thank you Jacob. Tell me, how did you meet Fox?"

"Well, we met at boarding school, and became best friends and always stayed in touch."

"Sounds like a great friendship."

"Yes, I think it is."

"Are we ready, Jacob?" Theresa asks as she comes out of the kitchen.

"Yes. We are going out to the Seascape, is that alright with you?"

Blocking out the thoughts of Ethan and her times at the famous Harmony restaurant, Theresa nods. "Yes, let's go."

"Have fun, Mija!" Pilar says as she closes the door. Dios Mio, por favor, ayuda mi Theresita. Let her have fun tonight.

At the restaurant

"So, Theresa, tell me about yourself? Fox told me you have two children?"

Smiling at the mention of her children, Theresa nods. "Yes, I have a son who is 6. His name is Ethan Martin. My daughter is named Jane. She's about 3 months old."

"Wow, it must be tough raising two small children."

"It is, yes, but they are the loves of my life."

"I can tell. So, is it alright if I ask you personal stuff?"

"Sure, go ahead."

"Well, Fox told me this was your first date in a long time. Were you hurt in a previous relationship?"

Thinking of Ethan again, Theresa sighs. "Well, in terms of abuse, no, but emotionally, I've been on a roller coaster of love if you will."

"I understand, I've had bad luck in love as well."

"You? But you seem so nice?"

"Thank you." Jacob says, smiling. "I guess girls just see me as a pawn in their jealous games. And for some reason, I let them use me. I'm sick of it, you know?"

"Yes, I know very well how you feel. It's hard being the other person, or being used."

"I take it you've been in that situation?"

"Yeah, well, if you don't mind, I don't want to dampen our dinner by talking about it."

"Not a problem."

As if God was planning attack, Theresa looked up to smile at Jacob and stopped short as she watched Ethan and Gwen walk by her table following a hostess to a table.

"Oh, God." Theresa says.

"What is it?" Jacob asks worryingly.

Hearing her voice, Ethan turned around and stared with his mouth gapping open at the picture in front of him. Theresa is back? And on a date? It can't be! "Theresa?"

"Hello, Ethan."

"Ethan, honey, what is….YOU! What are YOU doing here!" Gwen yells as she points the finger at Theresa. "Unbelievable! Now you're stalking us!"

"Hold on, miss, Theresa and I are on date, I was the one that told her we were coming here."

"You are on a date with this bitch? God help you!"

"Gwen, that's enough!"

"What? Don't even tell me you're going to defend this tart again, Ethan. You are MY husband!"

"Yes, Gwen, I'm well aware of that. But, this is a restaurant, and we all have the same right to be here. So come on, let's just go to our table."

Huffing, Gwen allows Ethan to escort her away, as Theresa takes a deep breath.

"Are you alright?"

"Yes, Jacob, thank you for helping."

"Not a problem."

After sitting down with Gwen, Ethan looks up and sees that Gwen is reading her menu, and takes the chance to look over at Theresa's table.

Theresa…why do I feel so jealous watching you with another man….I thought I made the right choice, but did I? What are you doing to me?

Coming Up

Another confrontation between ET!