3—Coming Home

The next morning, Theresa wakes up hearing the beeps of the machines surrounding her.

"MM." She says, opening her eyes.

"Good morning, dear." A nurse says, as she checks Theresa's IV.

"Hi. Am I going home today?"

"According to the doctor, you will be yes. We will be taking you into the OR shortly to get your leg stitched up, though. But by tonight, you should be back in your own bed."

"The tsunami..did it cause a lot of damage in the town?"

"Workers have been going all night trying to rid the streets of the water the ocean brought to our town. They've been successful so far."

"That's good."

"Yes. Is there anyone you wish to contact to come and pick you up later?"

Ethan. Was the first thought in Theresa's mind. Shaking her head slightly, Theresa looked at the nurse. "I live with my mother, Pilar Lopez-Fitzgerald."

"Yes, I know her. A very dear woman. I will contact her once I am done checking your vitals."

"Thank you very much."

Soon, I will be back home with my children. God, if only Ethan would be there with me.

"Someone called about you." The nurse says suddenly.

"Who?"

"He wouldn't say. He just called this morning and asked how you were doing. We told him you made it through the night, and that you were going to surgery to have your leg stitched up, and would probably be released later tonight. He seemed satisfied with those answers."

Ethan. God, please let it have been Ethan that called for me. "Thank you, again."

"You're welcome." Finished with her duties, the nurse leaves to tend to other patients, leaving Theresa with her thoughts.

Ethan has to be the one that called me. No one else knew about my injuries. God, he does still love me. I knew it.

"Thank you, God, thank you."

Later on at Night

Slowly getting out of the car with her mother, Theresa looks at their house. "Thank god nothing happened to our home, mama."

"Yes, God was watching over us mi hija. Come, let's go see your babies."

Walking into the house, Theresa smiles as she sees Little Ethan play with his toys. "Hey there, little man."

Turning around, Little Ethan's face lights up. "Mommy!" Putting his toys down, he runs into his mommy's open arms.

"Oh, I missed you, baby."

"I was a good boy, mommy. Jane is okay too!"

"That's good, honey." Theresa says, holding her son close. Looking up at her mother, Theresa smiles. "Thank you for taking care of him, mama."

"It was a pleasure. Come, have some tea and something to eat."

In the Kitchen

As Theresa sits at the table, Pilar hands her a cup of tea, and then sits down, noticing the bandage on Theresa's leg. "What happened to your leg, mi hija?"

"I was stuck in a tree and was cut, Ethan helped me."

"Mi hija, you have to stay away from Ethan. He is a married man! You know that if Gwen and Rebecca catch you near him, they will do damage!"

"Mama, Ethan saved my life. He loves me, mama, he admitted it."

"Oh, Theresita, you are a dreamer. Ethan will never leave Gwen for you."

"I know that, mama."

"You have to concentrate on your health, and your children."

"Mama, you're telling me things I already know. But what you don't know is that Ethan and I grew closer through this experience. I don't know how to explain it, all I can say is that Ethan still loves me. He called the hospital this morning to find out how I was doing."

"You don't know it was him for sure."

"Mama, no one else knew I was in the hospital. I know in my heart it was Ethan, I just know it. Ethan still loves me."

Shaking her head, Pilar sighs. "I wish I knew what you felt for Ethan, mi hija."

A love like nothing I have ever known. Theresa says to herself.

Coming Up

Ethan reflects on the tsunami