The Ex Factor

Harmony-Courthouse
Two weeks after leaving Prague

Theresa, Jared, Pilar, Whitney, Paloma, and Miguel walked down the halls on their way to Hearing Room 1. The was a sense of celebration in the air. It was finally happening. Jane was finally coming home. Her family had insisted on coming, and she was thrilled to have them. It was too bad Luis couldn't come, but he and Fancy were still in Prague. They were scheduled to be back in Harmony the day after tomorrow.

"I am so excited for you, Theresa." Pilar squeezed her arm as they walked. "I just...I can't believe it. I thought surely Gwen would try to break the agreement."

"I think she wanted to." Theresa replied. "Have you seen the murderous looks she's been giving me? But she signed a legal document, with counsel from her lawyer, and Ethan signed it in absentia and wrote a letter to the court supporting my position. She doesn't have a leg to stand on."

Before anyone could reply, Theresa's attention was distracted by a sweet faced, middle aged brunette coming from the opposite direction. It was Leanna Mercer, the recently widowed wife of Fred Mercer, her head of security. "Mrs. Mercer!" Theresa reached out and touched her arm. "What brings you here?"

"Oh, Mrs. Crane." Leanna smiled at her. "I just needed to file some papers regarding Fred's estate."

"Oh no, Mrs. Mercer, I don't want you to have to worry about things like that. Remember I told you I'd take care of everything. It's the least I could after what Fred did for me in Prague. I can certainly spare an assistant to take care of any paperwork, or anything else."

"No, no." Leanna Mercer was still smiling but her voice was firm. "You've done so much already. We don't have any financial worries anymore, and at least this keeps me busy. Without anything to do, I have too much time to think...too much time to miss him." Her voice wavered.

Impulsively, Theresa reached out and hugged the other woman. "I'm so sorry. You have all my numbers and you will call me if you do need anything, please?"

Leanna nodded again, tears in her eyes. "I will. Thank you, Mrs. Crane." She gave them a parting smile and continued down the corridor.

Theresa watched her go, sadness in her heart. Seeing Leanna's grief for Fred firsthand made her feel so selfish for all the tears she'd shed for Ethan the last few weeks. At least she knew where he was, at least she could pick up the phone and call him. At least they were still in the same world. She needed to toughen up, stop mourning her relationship with Ethan, and move on for good. Starting now.

Gwen was already inside the courtroom, cursing herself for arriving early. She could have spent these last few minutes with Jane instead of sitting here, the pain of her impending loss nearly crushing her. She'd been ordered to bring the child to the court with her, as the transfer to Theresa would be immediate. Jane was in Sheridan's care for the moment, in another room where she would not be exposed to the courtroom proceedings. Gwen was furious at Theresa, had been from the minute she'd received the summons. Somewhere deep down, she'd never really believed she'd have to give up Jane. Somehow, she'd be able to fight it. The reality was gallling. Even Ethan had refused to help her. In fact, quite the opposite. He'd told her in no uncertain terms that not only did she need to honor the agreement, but he regretted ever taking custody from Theresa in the first place.

At the same time, mixed with her fury at Theresa, was the grating fact that she did feel grateful to the other woman for helping her get back Sarah. It was an unnerving mix of emotions, but that gratitude was the only thing that had stopped her from fighting like a tigress for her young.

Beside her, Kieran squeezed her hand. She didn't know what she would have done without him these past couple of weeks. He'd propped her up for the countless hours she had sobbed about losing Jane, counseled her the best he could, reminded her that she would have a day with Jane every week. It wasn't enough, but it was something.

Behind her, Rebecca tapped her high heeled shoe on the ground impatiently.

"Gwen!" She attempted to whisper, but even that was so loud that heads from rows away turned. "Gwen, you can still put a stop to this! Don't let the Taco Queen take your baby! For God sakes, pull it together and fight-get your baby back and then go get your husband back!"

"Mother, kindly shut up. All you are doing is making me feel worse." Gwen snapped back. "Don't you think this is killing me?" Kieran put a comforting hand on her back, throwing a warning look in her mother's direction.

By now the Lopez Fitzgeralds had entered, filling up a row in the courtroom directly behind Theresa. After a few, nerve wracking minutes, the judge finally entered.

"Let's see what we have here." Judge Myers shuffled some papers around on the desk. "I've spent an amusing morning reading over the previous custody hearing notes. I'm almost sorry I wasn't the one to hear the case that time-it sounds like it was quite an interesting experience." He smiled at them. "However, this time it seems as though the hearing will actually be conducted in a disappointingly civilized fashion. Both of you have come to this agreement voluntarily?"

"Yes, Your Honor." Gwen and Theresa both spoke, although Gwen's voice was quite a bit more reluctant.

"I see. And Mr. Winthrop, although he could not be here, signed all papers and sent a very enlightening letter to the court. There's really nothing more to say. Custody of the minor child is returned to Theresa Lopez Fitzgerald Crane. The visitation agreement concerning Mrs. Winthrop will be honored. However, we will need to make a new visitation agreement when Mr. Winthrop returns to the country, which I hope the three of you will be able to work out among yourselves. Court is adjourned, and best of luck to all of you."

A cheer broke out in the Lopez Fitzgerald section as everyone got to their feet. Theresa was shaking with emotion and excitement as first Jared, and then Pilar hugged her. As the judge left the room, the bailiff entered, carrying Jane, Sheridan directly behind him.

Before Theresa could claim the child, Gwen approached her, tears streaming down her face. She stroked the toddler's face for a moment. "I love you, Jane." she whispered. "I'll see you soon." She didn't want to step away but she had no choice as the bailiff turned, handing the child to Theresa. Kieran had to hold Gwen up as her legs nearly collapsed beneath her. Sheridan gently took her other arm, eyes showing deep sympathy for her sobbing friend.

"Let's just go, OK?" Sheridan said softly, looking at Kieran for support. He nodded.

"Yes, Gwen. I know it's hard, but you will see her soon, alright? Turn around, OK? Just keep walking."

Across the room, Rebecca was being forcibly removed by the bailiff after launching into an obscenity laced tirade at Theresa. Pilar spared a moment to gleefully watch the woman being dragged off, then turned back to her daughter and grandchild.

Theresa was joyfully hugging Jane to her, stroking the child's soft head and dropping kisses on it. At first Jane giggled, smiling at her mother, but then her eyes caught sight of Gwen, leaving the courtroom. Jane's face crumpled, and her tiny chin quivered. "Mama!" She held out her small arms. "Mama!"

It was like a dagger in Theresa's heart. The joy died as quickly as a flame snuffed out by a careless breeze. Tears filled her eyes as Jane continued to sob, holding her arms out for Gwen. "It's not fair." Theresa was crying now too. "She doesn't see me as her mother anymore."Â She leaned her head on Pilar's shoulder, still trying to balance the near hysterical child.

Hearing Jane's cry, Gwen had stopped, unable to help herself, and turned back around to face her.

"You're just making it worse, Gwen. We have to go." Sheridan squeezed her arm gently.

"But she's crying for me." Gwen sobbed. "I can't walk away."

"You have to, love."Â Kieran whispered. "Come on, be strong. Remember Sarah is waiting for you at home. Let's go see her, alright?" Gwen nodded tearfully and they started to walk again, but this time they were stopped by Theresa's voice.

"Gwen!"

Gwen turned around, bewildered. Did Theresa want to rub it in? Was she enjoying Gwen's pain?

Theresa had tears on her face as well as she faced the blonde woman. "I hate you, Gwen." She whispered in a fierce hiss. "Right now, I hate you and Ethan more than anything for taking my baby away from me. I hate you for taking her love, and my place as her mother. I hate that Jane is hurting right now, and I blame you for that."

Kieran looked at Theresa, shocked. "Theresa, please, you got your daughter back. There is no need to be cruel."

"I'm not finished!"Â Theresa snapped, and turned back to Gwen. "I don't want you to have a second of my daughter's life. I don't want you to take her to her first day of kindergarten. I don't want you to put a bandaid on her knee when she hurts herself. I don't want you to hear about her first crush, or her first kiss. I don't want you to cry on her first day of high school, or wait up for her when she goes to the prom. All of that is mine, and I don't want to share it with you."

"You've made that clear." Gwen whispered. "Are we done?" She couldn't believe even Theresa could be so vicious. She started to turn away for the third time but Theresa grabbed her arm.

"You're not understanding me, Gwen. I said I don't want to share that with you. I didn't say I wouldn't."

Gwen stared at her. "What are you saying?"

Theresa took a deep breath, trying to hold back yet more tears. "I don't want to do to Jane what you did to me and EJ. Â I don't want to rip a happy child out of the home where she is content, and secure. I don't want to listen to her cry at night for you. I...I..." She couldn't believe she's about to say it. "I'm giving you back partial custody, Gwen."

Gwen's jaw dropped and she couldn't have been more shocked if little green Martians had dropped from the ceiling and started line dancing across the courtroom.
"If this is a joke it's not funny." she whispered, eyes fixed on Theresa's face.

Theresa was no longer able to hold back the tears. "It's not a joke. But I'm not settling for eight hours a week with Jane. I want weekends, not some weekends, but all of them. I want half of the holidays, half of summer vacation, and I want to be there for every doctor visit, every teacher's conference, every ball game, every dance recital. I want legal joint custody. And I want that agreement in writing, and signed, in the next five minutes or I'm going to change my mind."

Gwen's lawyer had stood silently, transfixed during the conversation, but now he sprang to life. "I'm going to alert the court that we need a mediation room. We will have the papers filed within the next hour." Without waiting to hear Gwen's response, he hurried from the room.

Jane, still in Theresa's arms, had stopped crying now that she was in such close proximity to Gwen. Giggling, she tugged on a strand of Gwen's hair, then reached out and tugged Theresa's hair.

Gwen, finally comprehending Theresa's words, was crying tears of joy now. "Theresa..I don't believe it. I just don't..." She hesitated for a moment. "Thank you, Theresa. Thank you so much. I promise you won't regret this. I will give you all the time you want with Jane."

"You'd better." Theresa was not smiling, but in her heart, she knew she'd done the right thing, as hard as it was, and as much as it hurt.

Behind her, Pilar had her hands over her mouth, hardly able to believe what her daughter had just done. "Theresa, I am so proud of you!" Her heart ached, knowing how much her daughter was hurting, and in disappointment that Jane would not be with them full time, but at the same time, she was joyous. The war between Gwen and Theresa, and all the hurt they'd caused each other and the people around them, was done. For once, there was peace in Harmony, and things were the way they should be. And Jane would be there...she would be part of their family too.

Pilar turned to Gwen and Theresa. "I think we should celebrate, all of us, as soon as we're done here. Let's get the children together and have dinner."

Gwen nodded. "Of course, Pilar. I'd love to." She smiled brightly.

"What?" An indignant shriek came from across the room. Rebecca was back, tottering in her heels towards them. "Gwen, have you lost your mind? Take that child and run and don't give the Lopez Fitzgerald trash the time of day! I can't believe-"

"Mother, if you wreck this for me, I'll stuff you in the trunk of my car and drive you off the cliff. This is the best thing for all of us, and you're just going to have to get used to it." Gwen spoke through gritted teeth.

Pilar gave the highly offended Rebecca a smug look and took Gwen by one arm and Theresa by the other. "Shall we?"

The three of them walked out the door, carrying Jane, heads held high, leaving the astonished spectators and an infuriated Rebecca looking on.

It was the dawning of a truly new day in Harmony.

OK, I lied...it's not over! One more chapter to go...