"Ethan how could be so irresponsible?" asked Ivy still in a state of shock. "I mean to have children with Theresa Lopez-Fitzgerald of all people."

"Mother. I am not in the mood for another lecture on how you feel about Theresa. Believe me I know. But this isn't about Theresa. This is about two children. My two children and what kind of place I am going to have in their lives."

"Well of course you are going to have a place in their lives Ethan you are their father," said Ivy touching her sons face. "They belong with you."

Ethan kissed his moms hand and smiled. Despite everything he knew that he could always count on his mother to be on his side. Even when he wasn't sure exactly what that side was.

"Well I want to be the boys father I think they need me."

"Of course they do," agreed Ivy.

"I'm just not sure that Theresa feels the same way."

"Who cares what Theresa thinks," said Gwen angrily

"Gwen," said Ethan standing up and going to her.

"What? Shetup. Mind my own business what? Come on Ethan I know that you have been mad at me ever since you found out that I went to visit Theresa"

"You went to visit Theresa?" asked Ivy her curiosity now piqued.

"I just wanted to warn her that she couldn't keep Ethan away from her sons I didn't mean any harm."

"Of course you didn't." said Ivy going to the young woman that she had been so fond of for so long. "You only wanted to help Ethan.

"Well I doubt that Theresa or Luis would see it that way." Said Ethan. "They see the children as Lopez-Fitzgeralds. Not Cranes."

"Oh my God," said Julian Crane walking into the living room and putting his brief case down on the table. Julian knew right away who Theresa and Luis were and he knew that the mere fact that their name was mentioned in a conversation that
his wife and son was having was not good. "What is the Lopez-Fitzgerald brood up to now? Let me guess Sheridan finally dropped the  first brat for Detective Luis and she won't let us see them  lest he or she maybe corrupted by our evil influence tisk tisk." He said laughing and pouring himself a drink.

"Wrong as usual this has nothing to do with Sheridan's pregnancy," said Ivy. She and Julian had been married for more years then she sometimes cared to remember. Most of those years were pure agony for Ivy, but some of it if she were honest with herself was exhilarating. They had been getting along better then usual lately. Years ago when the truths about Ethan and Chad were revealed they realized that they really had nobody else in the world but each other and had formed a truce and rediscovered what little feelings that they still had left. Still they were not exactly the happily married couple. They never would be, but they had finally found common ground and accepted the fact that for better or for worse they belonged together, still that didn't mean that they had to be nice to each other.

"Then why in heavens name would we care about any Lopez-Fitzgerald brats."

"Because father they are my Lopez-Fitzgerald brats."

Julian looked at his son and shocked and began to laugh. Then he realized that nobody else was laughing.

"I have two sons father with Theresa."

Julian looked at his son and dropped his drink. "Well I guess its true what they say. History does indeed repeat itself."
 

Theresa was scared. More scared then she had ever been in her life. Gwen's visit made her feel uneasy. She knew the Cranes. She knew how obsessive they were with their family members, but that's not what bothered her. She knew that. Ethan was the Crane heir and she knew that Gwen could never give Ethan children. The Cranes passed their family money and power from first son to first son. Ethan and Gwen would never have sons of her and it scared Theresa that they might try to claim her sons. She couldn't let that happen. She would protect her sons no matter what the cost.
 
 
 

Whitney Russell-Maxwell walked down  the familiar hospital corridors and knocked on her sister door. It had been awhile since she saw Simone. Too long. Her life as a high powered attorney kept her away from Harmony and unfortunately away from her friends and family. She missed them and of course as usual Theresa needed her. It had been years since she and Theresa were children in this town and Whitney was helping her out of one scheme to another. Still no matter how old they got she could never bring herself to say no to Theresa and now with her life and the life of her sons in jeopardy she had to come.

Luis walked toward Theresa's room and saw a wonderful site.
"Whitney," said Luis going up to Whitney.
"Luis," she smiled giving Luis a strong hug. "How is Theresa?"
"Good. She is going to be just fine."
Whitney let out a huge sigh of relief and gave Luis another hug. "You must be so relieved."
"We are."
"How are the boys?"
"They are in danger Whitney," said Luis suddenly becoming serious.
"What is wrong were they in the accident?" asked Whitney suddenly becoming concerned.
"No I'm afraid that their problems are much serious then that I'm afraid that the Cranes are going to try to make a grab for them."
"What," said Whitney. "They wouldn't dare."
"Wouldn't they," said Luis staring into Whitney's eyes. "You know as well as I do what t he Cranes are capable of, how they can destroy a family without so much as second thought. I won't let them destroy Theresa's family Whitney. I won't let them get their hands on Eli and Josh and corrupt them in their own sick and twisted image."
"Well," said Whitney taking her friends arm. "Then its a good thing you have such a great lawyer at your disposal. Simone doesn't seem to be here so tell me all about what's happening and I'll tell you what legal legs that both you and the Cranes have to stand on."
 

"But surely she didn't expect to keep the secret forever," said Julian taking another sip of brandy. "I mean she had to have known that the truth would come out eventually."

"Who knows what she was thinking," said Ethan. "She was probably scared."

"Always her defender," mumbled Gwen as she took a cup from the downstairs maid who was serving them.

"What's that suppose to mean?" asked Ethan sensing Gwen's anger.

"It means that I'm so sick of this Ethan the woman deprived you of your years of your sons lives. When are you going to become outraged by that?"

"Gwen no one is saying that what Theresa did was right all I am saying..."

"Is that you understand it," finished Gwen angrily. She moved to get up but she accidentally tripped the maid. Margie was horrified to watch the contents of the cup she was holding spill all over her mistress.

"Oh my god Miss Gwen I am so sorry," she said grabbing a napkin and trying to clean up the mess.

"You clumsy idiot," snarled Gwen grabbing the napkin. "I'll do it myself."

"Gwen it was an accident," said Ethan.

Gwen was suddenly ashamed of her behavior and looked at Margie apologetically.

"I'm sorry Margie," she said running up the stairs near tears.

Ethan got up to follow his distraught fiancee.

"No Ethan," said Ivy gently placing a hand on her son's arm. "I'll go after her."

Ethan watched his mother ago and was struck once again about the seriousness of the situation and the many lives that his sons would be affecting just by being alive.

"Well Ethan it seems that Gwen isn't exactly taking the news of your insta family well," said Julian pouring himself a drink and sitting down on the sofa.

"No," said Ethan sitting beside his father. "This is extremely hard on her. Its tearing her apart and you know Gwen when she is hurt she lashes out."

"Well one can hardly blame her Theresa having your sons is a big deal."

"Yeah," said Ethan echoing his father's sentiment. "A big deal in deed."
 

Whitney thought that if Theresa had hugged her any tighter that all the breathe would have left her body.
"Theresa, I can't breathe," laughed Whitney.
Theresa realized how tight she was hugging Whitney and let her go,
"Oops I'm sorry Whit," smiled Theresa so glad to see her friend. "It's just I've missed you so much."
"I've missed you too. I mean my life is pretty dull without you to liven it up."
"Oh please. I saw you on TV Whit you're last case was about as high profile as you can get. I had to admit I had my doubts that you could win it."
"Me too, but hey I'm just that good," she laughed.
Theresa looked at her best friend and then began to cry. Whitney pulled Theresa into a hug and tried to comfort her.
"I am so scared Whit."
"I know Theresa. I know."
 
 

Gwen stared at the ceiling and tried to calm down. She knew that she had only been making matters worse since she found out about the twins. She knew that she had been acting like a bitch but she couldn't help it. Theresa had the one thing that she wanted more then anything else in the world. the one thing she would sell her soul to the devil for, Ethan's children. It was bad enough that she had Ethan's undying love, now this. How was she suppose to live with this. If only Ethan had stayed away from Theresa. If only he had never betrayed her then non of this would be happening. They would be talking about adopting, Maybe, starting their own family instead they were talking about how they were going to keep Theresa's sons in their lives forever. She looked up and saw Ivy staring at her.

"Can I come in Gwen?" asked Ivy walking in and sitting next to her.

"Look Ivy I'm sorry I know I have been acting like a bitch."

"It's all right Gwen. This situation is stressful on you we understand that."

"Does Ethan," she asked sitting up.

"Of course he does. He loves you Gwen."

"He loves her too," said Gwen not looking at Ivy.

"Well that's in the past."

"Was in the past Ivy. Now its in the present and apparently the future. You know I wouldn't be surprised if she did this on purpose."

"Well nothing that Ms. Lopez-Fitzgerald does surprises me," said Ivy thinking of all the battles she had with Theresa over Ethan. "But the fact reminds that no matter how they got here Josh and Eli exist."

"And Ethan couldn't be happier." Said Gwen a tear rolling down her cheek.

"Gwen Ethan is a noble man. He is compelled to do the right thing."

" Ivy this goes beyond that and you know it. Ethan is thrilled that the boys are his. I can't have children. Ethan thought he'd never have children of his own and now he knows that he is wrong. He has two sons that he never thought he'd have and he is thrilled.  Come on Ivy admit it you're happy about this too."

"Gwen I am not going to lie to you. Yes I am happy that I have two precious grandsons and I am looking forward to getting to know them. But Eli and Josh do not change the way I feel about you nor does it change Ethan's feelings for you."

"Right," said Gwen unconvinced.

"Tell me something Gwen," said Ivy moving to face Gwen squarely in the eyes. "Can you accept Theresa and Ethan's sons as a part of your life."

"Do I have a choice?" asked Gwen.
 

"Theresa keeping custody of the boys. That is entirely out of the question Ethan," said Julian nervously taking another sip of his brandy.

Traditionally the Crane family had no use for their illegitimate heirs. The children would be set up in some far of place, never wanting for anything of course, but at the same time never knowing anything about their true lineage. It was the way of things, at least until Chad Harris came along. Chad Harris the son that he never knew that he had until the boy was a man and showed up in Harmony looking for clues to his past. Chad had been the result of an extramarital affair that he had with Harmony Dr. Eve Russell. Unfortunately for Eve and Chad Alastire found out about her pregnancy and faked the boys death to get rid of him . Of course the truth eventually came out like it always did and the truth of  his parentage nearly destroyed not only the Russell family but his own. At first when Julian found out about it he was shocked and mortified, but eventually once the shock wore off he began to feel angry that he had missed so much of his sons life. Chad was a lot tougher in a lot of ways then the two sons that he had with Ivy. It seemed to Julian that his and his family's acceptance of Chad brought about a new era in the Crane dynasty an era that now was going to allow Ethan's sons with Theresa to be a welcome addition to the family.

"Father," began Ethan not entirely thrilled with the direction that this conversation was headed.

"Don't father me Ethan." said Julian sitting straight up at looking his son squarely in the eyes. "Those are your sons. Those are Cranes. Their place is here with us."

"Well I'll admit that I am surprised to hear you say that father."

"Why? Because they are illegitimate? Please. Those days are long passed boy. Take it from me it doesn't hurt any less to miss out on your child's life just because he is illegitimate."

Ethan suddenly realized that they were no longer talking about Josh and Eli but Chad. Ethan remembered the terrible fall out that came with the truth about Chad Harris, but he also remembered something else. Before Chad came along Ethan had lost any shred of respect that he had for his father. He seemed to Ethan to be a selfish, heartless man with too many secrets. But watching the effect that Chad had on Julian, the way Julian embraced his brother made him realize that his father had a shred of honor and decency in him after all.

"Father I realize that you regret missing out on Chad's life, but this is different. Theresa is the only mother that the boys know. And she is a good mother."

"A good mother," snorted Julian. "I hate to burst your bubble Ethan but good mother's don't deliberately keep their sons away from their father. Especially when their father is a Crane."

"Have you ever stopped to think that maybe that's why she did it. That 's why she didn't tell us. I mean given what our family has done to hers you can hardly blame her for not welcoming us with open arms into my sons lives. Then there is the matter of my infidelity with Gwen."

"Oh please," said Julian jumping up angrily. "Stop making excuses for the girl. She deliberately kept us away from our heirs."
Julian smoothed his hair then looked back toward Ethan. "But that is all over now."

Ethan suddenly got an uneasy feeling

"Father," he said standing up what have you done?"

"Nothing just ensure that Josh and Eli will be raised as Cranes like they were born to be," said Julian smiling and taking another sip of his brandy.
 

Sheridan was at her wits end. She had spent the last half an hour trying to convince to Theresa that she had nothing to fear from Ethan. She knew first hand how ruthless her family could be when it came to family, but she also knew that the Cranes never had any use for illegitimate offsprings. Besides she knew Ethan he would never try to separate a mother from her children.

"I appreciate what you're trying to do Sheridan," said Theresa not convinced. "But You didn't hear what Gwen said to me. You didn't see the look in Gwen's eyes."

"Theresa Gwen doesn't always act well when she feel threatened. It brings out the worst in her."

"Tell me about it."

"But she doesn't speak for the Cranes," said Sheridan touching Theresa's hand gently. "And she doesn't speak for Ethan, he'd never take Eli and Josh away from you."

"I pray that you're right Sheridan," said Theresa squeezing her hand in return.

"Hey beautiful," said Luis kissing both his wife and his sister. "Well," said Luis looking at Theresa sitting up so animatedly. "You'll looking better."

"Yeah, well I'm feeling a lot better too, thanks to Sheridan," said Theresa smiling. "I can see why you love her so much."

Luis smiled at the two most important women in his life. he was about to speak on how it did his heart good to see them getting along so well when he saw someone coming  through Theresa's hospital room door.

"Are you Theresa Lopez-Fitzgerald," ask the women as she came into the room.

"Yes," said Theresa a chill suddenly running up her spine.

"What's this all about?" asked Luis moving towards the women.

"This is for you," said the women handing Theresa a piece of paper and leaving.

Theresa tore open the piece of paper and read the contents in disbelief.

Sheridan noticed all of the color draining out Theresa's face.

"Theresa what happened?" she asked suddenly concerned.

Theresa couldn't answer. All she could do was stare at the paper.

Luis grabbed the paper from Theresa and read it. He angrily crumbled the paper and let out an angry snort.

"Luis what is it?" asked Sheridan. Tell me."

"Well it appears that your wonderful, upstanding nephew is trying to still Eli and Josh away from Theresa."

"What?" asked Sheridan not sure if she heard them right. "Ethan would never..."

"Take away my babies," said Theresa. "Well you got that right," said Theresa turning red with anger. "Ethan and Gwen will  never raise my children."

Luis looked at his sister with admiration and pride. He could tell by the look in her eyes that she was not only willing, but that she was able to take the Cranes on. And he was going to do everything that he could to support her.

"If the Cranes want to fight our family for the boys. Then we are going to give them a fight that they will never forget," said Luis taking Theresa's hand firmly into his own.

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