13—Mending Hearts

After leaving the therapist's office, Theresa breathes a sigh of relief. "I'm going to be fine. I'm going to be alright." She says with a smile, as she walks to her car.

As she pulls into her driveway, she notices a mini van sitting in her driveway. "I wonder who that could belong to?" She says outloud, getting out of the car slowly.

Walking to the front door, Theresa lets herself into the house, noticing the quiet. "I wonder what's going on" She thinks to herself. As she puts her coat on the hanger, she suddenly hears the sound of a baby's rattle.

"What the?" She says, before going to the living room, stopping dead in her tracks at the sight that greets her.

While playing with their daughter, Ethan hears the door close, realizing that Theresa is home. Here goes nothing. He says to himself. As he gets up from playing on the ground with his daughter, Ethan looks up and comes face to face with the love of his life.

"Hi." He says, watching as Theresa looks down at the ground.

"Jane!" Running fast, Theresa reaches down and takes her daughter into her arms. Hugging her tight, Theresa takes comfort in the sweet smell her baby has, feeling the tears fall down her cheeks. "What is going on?" She asks Ethan.

"Well, we're home. Forever."

"What do you mean, we?"

"You heard me. Jane and I. We've come home. To you. To little Ethan. We're a family now."

Shaking her head, Theresa says, "I must be dreaming."

Moving closer to his one true love, Ethan smiles as he touches her cheek. "It's not a dream, my love. Jane and I are staying with you and little Ethan. For good."

"But..Gwen…what about…"

"It's over. My marriage to her is over. Theresa, we have a lot to talk about, but right now, I just want to hold you and Jane in my arms." With that, Ethan wraps his arms around his love and his daughter, closing his eyes at the wholeness he feels deep inside his heart.

Later on

After putting Jane to bed, Ethan and Theresa sit on the couch. "Now can we talk?" Theresa asks Ethan.

Nodding his head, Ethan begins. "Theresa, no words can say how sorry I am for never believing you. You were right all this time. Gwen and Rebecca were the monsters, not you. Gwen told me tonight that she knew you were being attacked by Alistair. When she told me, all I could see was rage. I never knew up until that moment how much Gwen despised you until she said that she didn't stop what was going on. I remember that night, Theresa, I heard you scream, but I didn't know it was you at the time. Gwen tricked me. On so many levels. She doesn't care about anyone but herself. How I ever thought I could love her and be with her forever was a stupid notion on my part. I look at you, Theresa, and I see my future. My future with you and our children. I know we have been through many ups and downs, Theresa, but never once did my love for you falter. You're the love of my life, the keeper of my heart. I love you with every fiber of my being."

"Theresa, I want to be with you and ONLY you for the rest of my life. You are my soul mate, you are the only woman I want."

"Ethan.."

"Theresa, I am so sorry for the hurt I've caused you. I don't deserve your love, I know that."

"That's not true."

"Yes, it is. I've done so many harmful things to you."

"Ethan, I'm no saint. I've done my share of harmful things as well. You were always right, I am my own worst enemy."

"Theresa, you have to believe me. I never EVER wanted to hurt you."

"Just like I never wanted to hurt you, Ethan."

Taking her hand, Ethan places it over his heart. "Do you feel that, Theresa? My heart is beating for you, and only you. You mended my heart, Theresa. You made me see the kind of man I can be, the kind of man I WANT to be."

"What are you saying, Ethan?"

"I'm saying I want to be here with you and the kids forever. I love you, I love Jane, and I love Little Ethan. You are my family. Let me spend the rest of my life proving to you how much I love you. How much you mean to me, and how much I will treasure you and our love until the day I die, and thereafter."

"You don't have to prove anything, Ethan. I love you." With that, Theresa moves closer, sighing as Ethan's lips meet hers, feeling complete for the first time in her life.

Kissing her gently, Ethan moves away a bit. "Are you…are you alright?"

Understanding his question, Theresa nods her head. "Yes. I've been going to counseling. It's helped."

Touching her cheek, Ethan sighs. "Had I known…"

"It's alright. We all make mistakes."

"Yes, and now we can spend our lifetime together, and that is the biggest reward."

"I love you, Ethan."

"And I love you, Theresa. Forever and always."

The End