Disclaimer: I don't own anything from Passions.
Summary: Chapter 16: Ethan has proposed to Theresa for the second time but will Theresa give him the same answer as last time? Theresa must make a life-changing decision!

Theresa blinked back tears as she tried to come to terms with the situation. She had been waiting for this question again since they broke up. Now those things had changed, the decision was much harder. I can't make a decision just now, can I? I mean, I love Fox even if we just had our first fight. No relationship is perfect. I just don't know what decision I should make!

"I…I don't know if I can…can accept," Theresa finally answered.

Ethan's smile faded in an instant. He was shocked.

"Not yet anyway. I don't want to make the wrong decision. This has been somewhat of a shock to me. I was definitely not expecting something like this. And to answer a question like this needs some consideration and thinking, especially when not only my life it involved. You do remember I love Fox. I need some time to think about it, ok?" Theresa asked, apologetically.

"Yeah, I understand. I'm sorry," Ethan replied, still hurt.

"The proposal was really sweet and romantic and it was so tempting to accept but I still don't know what, or should I say whom, I want to be with yet."

"Ok. Well, I better go, I need to cancel some reservations and stuff."

"I better go too. I'll see you later. And Ethan?"

Ethan turned towards Theresa. "Yes?"

"I love you." Theresa kissed Ethan on the lips romantically.

"I love you too," Ethan replied, after the kiss ended.

Then the two parted, moving in their separate ways. Does it mean this is the beginning of the end or the end of the beginning for this pair? Only time will tell…

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Fox had felt so sorry and guilty after Theresa had left. He had no idea if Theresa was going to come back telling him it's over or not. It made his so worried and scared. Images of Theresa and Ethan together kept popping in his head. He decided he couldn't take it any longer and carried Little Ethan outside and sat on the doorstep. He and the baby waited there for Theresa's return. As each minute flew by, Fox grew more worried. He worked out his whole apology speech. All he needed now was for Theresa to be there to hear it! Baby Ethan pinched Fox and laughed. It was like he was trying to tell Fox the whole "Don't worry. Be happy" message. Fox smiled.

"Maybe you're right. Maybe there is nothing to worry about," Fox said to Little Ethan quietly.

Just then, Fox heard the sound of a car close by. He raced over to the gate and saw it was Theresa's car. She turned into the driveway. Fox went over to the car, holding the door open as Theresa got out.

"Thanks," Theresa managed, still not sure if she made the right choice or not.

"No problem. I just wanted to tell you how sorry I was earlier. I was being totally immature and out of line. I was being a total jerk and this is the first serious relationship I've really been in so I'm not used to it. I mean, old habits aren't easy to quit. Forgive me?" he asked pleadingly.

"I forgive you. I was a bit harsh before too," Theresa said, looking at him, a bit upset. I feel like I need to be torn into two pieces to make these to men happy! I don't know if I can choose between them.

"So…what was so important that Ethan wanted to tell you?" Fox asked curiously.

"He proposed to me," Theresa replied, looking at the ground, not wanting to talk about it.

"What?" Fox asked in shock.

"I went to the wharf and saw flowers everywhere, a plane with a "Marry me" banner behind it, a musician playing a violin and then he got on his knees and proposed. It was romantic."

"And…?"

"And what?"

"What did you say?" Fox asked. Stop playing dumb.

"I said I'd have to think about it with everything like this at the moment," Theresa explained weakly. "Look, I really think everything's messed up at the moment. I mean, I thought I had made up my mind about who to pick this morning, but everything's been turned upside down. I just need some time alone to think about this. A few days ago, everything was a disaster because Ethan had chosen Gwen. Now everything's worse than that because I have to choose between two guys I love -a choice that will change my life, as well as my son's. So I better go inside." Theresa took her son from Fox's arms.

"I understand."

"I love you."

"I love you, too," Fox replied, giving her a kiss on the cheek.

Theresa then walked into the mansion, knowing she needed to come to a conclusion fast because the pain she, Fox and Ethan will grow greater by the day.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Theresa had been thinking for ages. She didn't eat lunch, she just sat or lay on her bed and compared Ethan and Fox. Fox is so sexy, cute, funny, cheeky, great kisser, great body, great voice. I don't know if he's ready for a commitment though. He's young and that can be a pro and a con. Ethan on the other hand is handsome, mature, romantic, lovely, great kisser. I have a sense of security around him. He's ready to commit and would make a wonderful husband and father. The thing is- he's got another kid and he only broke up with Gwen yesterday. He might be rushing things. And I feel things have changed between us since our failed wedding. Damn! I just don't know whom to choose!

Theresa thought about it. She had second thoughts, then thirds and fourths and so on. But she couldn't come up with a definite answer. She felt her brain was going to explode. She hadn't noticed the time until there came a knock on the door. It was dark, 8:13pm to be exact. Theresa got off her bed and walked over to the door. She opened it and saw Fox outside, holding a tray.

"I thought you might want something to eat. Well, at least the baby might want some," Fox said.

Just as though Little Ethan knew what they were talking about, he started crying. Theresa and Fox laughed.

"I think he heard you. Come in," Theresa said, letting Fox into her room.

Fox placed the tray on Theresa desk. Theresa went to Little Ethan's cot and got his bib on.

"So what is there to eat?" Theresa asked, rubbing her hands together and licking her lips playfully.

"Well, there's a bottle of formula milk for Little Ethan. I had some trouble with that so I had to ask your mother. And I personally made this," Fox exclaimed, holding up a bowl.

"2-minute noodles?" Theresa asked, smiling at him.

"Hey, guys aren't too good in the kitchen."

"Well, it's the thought that counts. It's really sweet. Thank you," Theresa said taking the bowl and a fork and started eating.

"Have you made up your mind yet?" Fox asked.

Theresa stopped eating for a second and shook her head.

"I know for sure that both Ethan and I just want you to be happy."

"I know but I want to make the both of you happy too. And I just can't figure out how to make that possible. Do you?" Theresa asked in hope.

"Sorry. I can't help you on that one."

"Because if I choose you, then I'd break Ethan's heart. If I choose Ethan, I'd hurt you. And I see the both of you all the time! No matter what I choose, someone's going to get hurt!" Theresa said, frustrated.

"I know what you mean. Well, I better bounce. Leave you to it. 'Night, Theresa!"

Theresa put her right hand on his face and directed his gaze to her. She drew him into a kiss.

"Goodnight and thanks for the dinner."

Fox kissed Theresa lips once again, only this time it was a peck. Then he opened the door, walked outside and shut it behind him.

Theresa then finished her bowl of noodles. She put the sleepy Little Ethan back to his bed and then she went to the bathroom. She turned on the hot water for the shower. She began stripping off her clothes. Then Theresa got into the shower. She liked the shower a lot because it was the best place to think. There were no interruptions, just the warmth of the water running down her body and the sound of the water.

How can I make a decision when it means I have to hurt one of them by choosing the other? Why does it have to be this way? I can't make the both happy if I have to choose one of them. I didn't want it to come to this but now I have no choice. I know whom I must choose now. I choose…

To be continued…

A/N Who is Theresa going to choose? How can she make she right choice? Find out in the next chapter! R&R please!