Chapter Eight
The next morning, birds twittering outside her window roused a reluctant Theresa from her pleasantly sweet dreams. Opening her eyes slowly to adjust to the sunlight filtering into the room, Theresa sighed deeply as she recalled the events of the previous night. Blushing slightly and unable to cease smiling, Theresa ran her arm across the space next to her and frowned when she came to the realization that it was unoccupied.
Brow furrowed in disappointment, Theresa unwillingly left the warm confines of her bed and stood up. After donning her silk robe, she left her room in search of Fox. As she made her way into the living room, her mind raced with worry of Fox's whereabouts. "Did he regret last night?" She thought to herself anxiously. When Theresa stepped into the living room, her eyes glanced upon Fox's peacefully sleeping figure curled up on the couch. "When did he come out here?" Theresa asked quietly as she reached over to tuck his blanket under his chin. Scratching her head and fretfully wondering what Fox's take was on the occurrences of the night before, Theresa walked into the kitchen to find her parents in the process of cooking breakfast.
"Good morning," Theresa said quietly as she reached into the cupboard for a cup.
"Good morning," Pilar and Martin said in unison as they eyed their daughter carefully.
As Theresa intentionally avoided their probing gazes and resumed to making her a cup of coffee, Martin cleared his throat. "Theresa," He said gruffly, his voice still heavy with tiredness.
"Yes, Papa?" Theresa asked quietly as she spooned sugar into her cup.
"Did you sleep well?" Martin finally asked after a brief pause.
Nodding Theresa added boiling water to her coffee and began stirring. "I did."
"I saw Fox on the couch," Martin continued uncomfortably as he took a seat at the table. Glancing up at her father, Theresa noticed him squirming in his seat. "Is something wrong, Papa?" Theresa asked as she took a seat at the table as well.
"No" Martin said taking a sip of his coffee. "But uh"
"What your father is trying to say, mija," Pilar interjected softly. "Is that he was a little uncomfortable last night knowing Fox was in your room last night."
"I was uncomfortable?" Martin said turning to Pilar. "You were the one who kept asking if we should check on them the rest of the night."
"No offense, Mama and Papa," Theresa said taking Martin's hand. "But I'm a grown woman, and I am perfectly capable of making my own decisions. And whatever happened or didn't happen between me and Fox is strictly between me and Fox."
"I understand that," Martin replied quietly as he bowed his head. "It's just hard to see you so grown up. It seems like yesterday you were still my little girl"
"Well those days are gone, aren't they?" Theresa asked sadly as she loosened her hold of her father's hand.
A heavy silence filled with sad memories clouded the kitchen as all three Lopez-Fitzgerald's became hushed and preoccupied with their own thoughts. The rustle of the paper her father was reading along with the sound of the sizzling bacon her mother was cooking; paired with the sight of her parents together in the same room together brought tears to Theresa's eyes. Upon hearing Theresa's sniffling, Martin folded the paper and held his daughter's hands. "What is it, Theresa?" He asked with his voice full of concern. After placing the cooked bacon on a paper napkin, Pilar made her way to the table and placed her hands on her daughter's shoulders and rubbed them soothingly.
"Nothing's wrong." Theresa said wiping her eyes. "It's just that, think of all years we spent without this. Without having you, Papa. Without all of us here having breakfast together. When was the last time you, me, mama, Luis, Miguel, and Paloma were together?"
Shutting his eyes tightly Martin looked away. "Too long ago." He answered with his voice breaking slightly. Relentless guilt tugged away at Martin's heart every time he looked into the eyes of his family and saw the hurt, anger, and loathing that brimmed in their eyes. Though they all had begun to heal slowly, Martin could still see the remnants of the distress he had brought upon his family due to his sudden departure from Harmony years before. Remorse had haunted his soul in Mexico, but whenever he was in the presence of his wife and children, that guilt became almost unbearable. It had settled upon his broad shoulders and made them sag at its immeasurable weight. The pain of knowing that he had failed his family was a pain far greater than any physical wound. "I'm sorry," He said his voice finally breaking. "I can't tell you how sorry I amI promise I won't ever leave you again"
"Stop, Papa," Theresa said gently. "Enough. Your words mean nothing unless you actually follow through with them."
"She's right, Martin." Pilar agreed as she stood behind him. "You can make thousands of promises, but they mean nothing unless you practice what you preach. Remember many years ago before you left us, you already made that promise before God. When we got married you told God and the church congregation that you would never leave my side. But what happened? You broke your promise. You left me and our children, alone." Pilar said shakily as she wiped away tears of hurt that still welled within her. "So enough vocal promises. Enough telling me and our children what you're going to do. Enough words- just act."
"Okay," Martin said folding his hands and resting his forehead upon them.
After allowing a few minutes of contemplative silence, Pilar motioned to the prepared food. "Have some breakfast," Pilar prodded quietly as she patted her husband's back before placing the plates of food on the table. After everyone was served and seated, Theresa and her parents ate in silence. The clattering of their forks and spoons against their plates, together with the tantalizing smell of a hot home cooked meal awakened Fox from sleep. As he gradually opened his sleep-heavy eyes, his mind immediately replayed the events of last night.
"Tell me you're not attracted to me."
"I'm" was all Theresa managed to utter before she succumbed to temptation and pulled Fox close and kissed him softly upon his lips.
Unknowingly, Fox traced his lips with his index finger and shut his eyes as he relished the familiar touch of Theresa's lips on his own. "I wonder if she regrets anything," Fox murmured to himself as he stood up and ran his fingers through his tousled locks. Upon entering the kitchen, Fox's eyes immediately connected with Theresa's. When she broke their locked gaze seconds later, Fox instantly thought his suspicions that she had regrets had been confirmed. However, Fox was oblivious to the fact that it was not regret, but the overwhelming memories of the night before that had caused Theresa to blush and look away.
"Good morning, Fox." Martin said huskily as he watched Fox sternly. "Have some breakfast."
"Thanks" Fox said taking a seat across from Theresa. "It smells great."
"It tastes even better." Martin said as he watched Fox eyeing his daughter. "You know," Martin said nudging Fox slightly. "A picture lasts longer."
"Ex-excuse me?" Fox asked somewhat confused as to what Martin Lopez-Fitzgerald was referring to.
"I know my daughter's a beautiful woman, but you're going to have to stop staring at her and eat something eventually."
"Papa!" Theresa admonished as her cheeks reddened.
"What?" Martin asked as he took another sip of his coffee. "It's true." He smirked as he noticed Fox turning as red as his daughter.
"Martin, enough teasing," Pilar reprimanded as she gave her husband a smile. "Let them eat in peace."
Shrugging, Martin gave his wife a quick wink and resumed eating the rest of his breakfast.
"Could you pass the pepper, Theresa?" Fox asked quietly as he briefly glanced at Theresa before looking away quickly.
"Sure," Theresa swallowed as disappointment settled within her. "He's avoiding my gaze." She thought to herself. As their hands brushed against each other during the exchange, their memories of the previous night resurfaced and transported them back to hours before.
"I'm" was all Theresa managed to utter before she succumbed to temptation and pulled Fox close and kissed him softly upon his lips.
Running his fingers through her long silky hair, Fox pulled Theresa closer as his tongue explored the recesses of her mouth. A moan of pleasure escaped Theresa while her hands traced Fox's sculpted arms as he caressed her back.
After pulling away breathlessly, Theresa rested her forehead against Fox's. "We should stop" She said breathlessly as she nudged Fox's nose with her own.
"We should," Fox whispered as his fingers traced Theresa's chin. "But a part of me doesn't want to."
"Me either," Theresa replied as she pulled Fox into another impassioned kiss that made both of their bodies coil with desire.
"This isn't a good idea," Theresa whispered as Fox began to leave kisses on her neck.
"I know," Fox responded as he slowly began to lift her nightgown.
"Fox, wait." Theresa said suddenly as she stopped him by grabbing his wrists.
Fox's nerves became a jumbled mess as the vivid memories replayed in his mind. He watched disbelievingly as the pepper slipped out of his grasp and onto the table.
"Sorry" Fox and Theresa said in unison as they were both frozen in place and fixated on each other.
"Maybe we should give them some time to talk," Pilar whispered to her husband.
"They can talk later" Martin said reluctantly.
"Martin," Pilar prompted. "Let's go out to the garden and have our coffee out there. Now."
"Fine," Martin complied halfheartedly as he stood up and placed his dishes in the sink. "Theresa, your mother and I are going to have our coffee out in the garden."
"Okay," Theresa said softly. After Pilar and Martin left, Theresa played with a strand of her hair. "Fox are we okay?" She frowned as she watched him twiddle his thumbs.
"Of course," Fox said looking up. "Are you okay? I mean, do you regret anything?"
"Do you?" Theresa asked- eyes wide with worry.
"I asked first," Fox said clearing his throat.
"I don't regret anything," Theresa said softly.
Fox nodded in agreement. "Yeah," He said softly. "I know all we did was kiss last night, but I was so tempted"
"I know," Theresa interrupted gently. "Me too."
"So" Fox said as an uncomfortable silence threatened to fill the room. "What now?"
Theresa contemplated Fox's question as she averted her gaze. "Isn't it obvious, Fox?" She asked softly. "We need some space."