Let Him Live

Staring at everyone in the room, Theresa takes a deep breath, then looks at Eve. "Keep him on the machines, Eve."

"Theresa, are you sure this is what you want to do?" Eve asks.

"Yes. Ethan has the right to live."

"He TOLD me he doesn't want to be kept on life support! It's in his will! Sam, god, help me out here! This is your son we're talking about! Tell me you support me!" Gwen yells out.

"Gwen, I'm sorry, but Ethan also stated that the final decision would rest on the hands of his power of attorney. Given that he assigned Theresa to be that person, the will becomes null and void."

"This is lunacy! Ivy, surely, you are on my side."

"Sam, listen to Gwen, she's right. She's Ethan's wife."

"Ivy, I can't. Ethan states right here in his will that while he wants to not be kept on life support, the final decision rests on the hands of the power of attorney. This paper lists Theresa as that. We all have to accept what Theresa says on Ethan's behalf. If she wants him to live, then we have to allow that to happen."

Looking at Theresa, Gwen fumes. "Damn you, Theresa. Damn you to hell!"

"Excuse me? You should be THANKING me that I am keeping YOUR husband alive!"

"Thanking you? Damnit, if it wasn't for you, this wouldn't be HAPPENING! God, what is it with you, Theresa! Why does Ethan have YOU as his power of attorney, I don't understand! God!" With that, Gwen walks out of the hospital room, fuming more with Ivy on her tracks.

Once everyone leaves the room, Theresa stands near Ethan's bed. "I know you don't want to be kept alive, but I have to do this. You need to be here for little Ethan and for Jane. I know little Ethan isn't your son, but you're all he knows as a father. I'm being completely selfish, and I know I have no right to be. You are married to Gwen, and I've lost you forever. I've tried to be the best person I can be, but everything I do turns into one mistake after another. This time, though, this is one mistake I'm going to rectify." Running her hand down the side of Ethan's face, Theresa sighs. "I love you, Ethan. I always will. But now, I'm letting you go. You need to move away from me, because it seems all I do is cause you pain."

Wiping the tears from her eyes, she continues. "You need to be with Jane and Gwen. They're your family now. Not me…never me…." Kissing his forehead, Theresa begins to leave, and then turns around again.

"I'll always love you, Ethan."

After Theresa leaves, the machines attached to Ethan beat rapidly, and suddenly, Ethan's eyes open, his lips moving, uttering only one word.

"Theresa."

Coming Up

Ethan reflects

Please R/R