Theresa hung more lights up around the youth center allowing herself the occasional glance towards Whitney's way. She had really messed up. She knew that by Whitney's tone towards her today. No matter how much she had messed up in the past Whitney was always there for her and now that wasn't the case. She felt so empty and utterly alone. She had lost Ethan and her best friend. Things just couldn't get any worse.
Sheridan Crane rushed into the youth center and was surprised
at how great it looked. Luis had put her in charge of the making the center
look nice for the ball and she had done a good job picking the decorations
if she did say so herself. Still she never expected the decorations to
look as good as they did once they were up. In fact, if she didn't know
any better she would swear that she was in a hotel ballroom.
"Is everything ok Mrs. Crane?" asked Whitney coming up
to Sheridan.
"It's Sheridan Whitney," smiled Sheridan. "And it looks
marvelous, you kids really did a good job."
"Thanks." smiled Whitney.
"Whitney are you ok?" asked Sheridan.
"Actually No," said Whitney glancing at Theresa.
Sheridan noticed that Whitney was staring at Theresa
and swallowed her anger. She wasn't prepared to run into little miss stalker
so soon but now that she had boy was she going to give her a piece of her
mind.
"Look I have to go," said Whitney I'll talk to you later."
said Whitney leaving.
"Ok," said Sheridan.
Theresa noticed Whitney leaving and jumped off the ladder
to follow her she had to make things right. Before she could leave however,
she felt someone grab her arm it was Sheridan.
"Not so fast Theresa," said Sheridan her face distorted
with anger. "You and I have a lot to talk about."
Gwen took another bit of the chocolate chip cookie that
she dipped in her Hagaan Daus cookies and cremes ice cream. She looked
up at her TV screen and noticed that the movie was at the part when Meg
Ryan and Tom Hanks were meeting at the park and melting into each others
arms in Happily Ever Afterdom.
"To bad things didn't work out like that in real life,"
sighed Gwen wiping away her tears.
Margaret Hotchkiss was taking one last look in the hallway
mirror when she noticed that somebody was in the den. She walked into the
room and was horrified at the site. Her daughter was looking absolutely
disheveled, wearing a bathrobe and eating junk food. She walked over
and sat down next to Gwen turning off the TV.
"Mother I was watching that," said Gwen sitting up and
trying to dry her tears. After the night that she had this was the last
thing that she needed.
"I can see what you were doing but it's 10 a.m. why aren't
you at work or better yet over at the Crane's having breakfast, I mean
if the Cranes could see you now they would be aghast. You certainly don't
look like their new up and coming queen bee," said Margaret soothing her
daughters unruly hair in place.
"That's because I'm not mother," said Gwen sitting up.
Margaret suddenly got a really bad feeling about what
her daughter meant by those words.
"What is that suppose to mean?" asked Margaret urgently.
"It means that I regret to announce that Ethan Crane
and Gwen Hotchkiss are no longer together," said Gwen not looking at her
mother.
"What?" asked Margaret horrified "How could you let that
happen? What did you do?"
"Wait a second mother I tell you that Ethan and I break
up and you automatically assume that it is my fault? Thanks for all the
support" said Gwen grabbing another tissue.
"Support," said Margaret standing up. "Support. I have
done nothing but support this relationship. I mean who do you think set
the wheels in motion for it. I am the one who figured out when you were
two that Ethan Crane would be the best catch for you. I'm the one who always
kept you at the Crane mansion. I'm the one who sent you to the same boarding
schools as Ethan so that eventually you would spend so much time together
that you would have to fall in love. That was me little girl so don't talk
to me about support," she said grabbing the cordless phone and handing
it to Gwen.
"What is this for?" asked Gwen taking the phone.
"This is so that you can call Ethan and apologize." Commanded
Margaret.
"I have nothing to apologize for he's the one that feel
in love with somebody else not me." She said throwing the phone down.
"What you let Ethan fall in love with somebody
else how can you be so stupid?" spat out Margaret in anger. "Ethan Crane
is the heir to an incredible fortune. His last name carries more weight
then you can possibly imagine. Being his wife is the best thing that could
have happened to you and you let him slip through your fingers. How pathetic."
Margaret words stung Gwen deeply. She had been aware
for sometime now that the only use her mother had for her was that she
was going to marry into the famed Crane family thereby elevating her family's
own social status. Margaret had always been more like a beauty pageant
coach then a mother. Always coaching her to win the prize, which in this
case was Ethan. Now that she had lost she was useless to Margaret, "Hell,"
thought Gwen. "Maybe she was useless to everybody."
Margaret could tell how upset Gwen was and was a little
pleased. This girl was about to blow everything she spent over twenty years
creating. Still she knew she could never get Ethan and Gwen to reconcile
if Gwen hated her so she turned on the charm.
"Look honey I'm sorry," said Margaret sitting next to
Gwen. " I really am I'm just upset, Look I don't know what happened between
you and Ethan, but I'm sure this other women is just a fling. Something
that he needs to get out of his system. You know the Crane men aren't known
for fidelity. Just go to Ethan. Tell him that you understand about his
little dalliances and that you'll still be here."
"Mother I can't do that," said Gwen crying.
"You can and you will," said Margaret grabbing her daughter's
chin so that she was looking at her. "Listen to me little girl you are
nothing without Ethan Crane. Your whole existence revolves around him.
Lose him and you'll be a nobody is that you want?" Oh," said Margaret jumping
up in disgust. "Maybe its what you deserve."
Before Gwen had a chance to answer Ethan walked in. He
immediately noticed how tense things were between the two women and for
a second contemplated turning back.
"Oh Ethan," said Margaret grateful to see the Crane heir.
"How wonderful to see you. Gwen and I were talking about you."
"I can see that," said Ethan noticing Gwen's tear soaked
eyes. The two were probably having some kind of mother daughter bonding
talk. He was sorry that he interrupted it.
"Look I was just leaving you and Gwen talk ok," said
Margaret kissing Ethan's cheek. "Its so great to see you son," she said
leaving but not before mouthing the words "Fix this" to Gwen.
Gwen sat up and looked at Ethan half surprised to see
him there and half upset. She knew why he was here. He was checking on
her. Making sure that she was ok and hadn't done anything foolish like
slit her wrist or something. His concern made her angry, but at the same
time it made her love him more. Ethan sat down on the couch and brushed
her hair gently.
"I'm ok Ethan," said Gwen moving his hand away. "I survived
the first night of our breakup and I'll survive the next nights that follow."
"Gwen I have so much to say to you. I just don't know
where to start," said Ethan looking up at Gwen's sad face.
"Ethan I think that everything that needed to be said
between us has already been said so I would like you to leave," said Gwen
unable to look at Ethan.
"Look Gwen," said Ethan getting on his knees and gently
moving Gwen's face to face him. "I'm not going to make excuses. I know
that I messed up with Theresa. But I am sorry about that. That's why I'm
here for a second chance.
Gwen could hardly believe her ears. She had spent all
night praying for this, praying that Ethan would come around, but some
how watching him on his knees begging for a second chance it felt all wrong.
It felt like he was here not out of love, but out of obligation or out
of pain. How could she take him back when his very eyes betrayed the fact
that he didn't really love her anymore?
"Look Gwen what you and I have is worth saving. Lets
save it darling let's try again," begged Ethan.
"What about Theresa?" asked Gwen.
The very mention of Theresa's name caused Ethan to tense
up. A brief flash of her beautiful face came into his minds eye and he
forced it away. "He would not love Theresa," he told himself. "He would
love Gwen again. Time would see to that."
"Theresa means nothing to me," he lied. "Not anymore."
Gwen saw throw his lies and knew that Ethan still loved
Theresa. The realization broke her heart all over again. The truth of the
fact that all their years together meant nothing compared to his few months
with Theresa. She knew that the right thing to do for them both was to
send Ethan away and to tell him to work things out with Theresa, but her
mother's words echoed into her head. She was nothing without Ethan. She
had to make it work. He could love her again. She just knew it.
"Of course, we can start over again," said Gwen.
Ethan let out an audible sigh of relief and took Gwen
in his arms. "Oh thank you darling," he cried. "I love you so much
and I swear I'll do things better this time. You won't regret this."
Gwen hugged Ethan tighter not convinced at all that the
words he were saying was true, but wishing with all her heart that they
were.
Sheridan and Theresa closed the door behind them as they
entered Luis's office. Theresa took a deep breathe and prepared herself
for the onslaught that was to come. She could tell that Sheridan was angry.
She just hoped that she could get to her in a way that she couldn't get
to Ethan.
"Well Theresa you certainly are beautiful," said Sheridan
looking the girl who had caused her nephew so much pain up and down.
"Thank You," said Theresa quietly.
"You know my nephew Ethan told me the whole story and
I find it so hard to believe. How could you do those things to him?" asked
Sheridan.
"They were all accidents I swear," said Theresa nervously.
"You don't really expect me to believe that all of those
things were accidents do you?" asked Sheridan.
"But they were. I was so nervous around Ethan, that every
time he came near me I spilt things on him. I never meant to hurt him you
have to believe me." Begged Theresa.
"Then why the disguises? Why the lies?" Asked Sheridan
still not convinced of Theresa's sincerity.
"Miss Crane have you ever been in love?" asked Theresa
sincerely.
"Yes," said Sheridan banishing a picture of Jean Luc.
"And have you ever done things that didn't make sense because of it?"
"Yes," said Sheridan sadly thinking of how Jean Luc had
tricked her so easily when she was living in Paris.
"Look I'm not going to stand here and try to justify
myself. I know that I hurt Ethan very badly and I know that as someone
who loves Ethan that you have to be mad at me for that." Said Theresa.
"You got that right," replied Sheridan.
"But know this. I never ever meant to hurt Ethan. I love
Ethan. Everything that I ever did was so that I could be near him. I was
horrified when I learned that Ethan thought I was stalking him. I mean
can you imagine what its like to have to hide your appearance from the
one person that you want to see you the most?" Said Theresa near tears.
"No," said Sheridan softening towards Theresa. "That
must have been horrible."
"It was," said Theresa. "But I needed the job with Mrs.
Crane and I had ever intention of avoiding Ethan, but when he wanted to
spend time with me I couldn't turn him away. And the more time we started
spending together the more I became afraid that if I told him the truth
I would lose him."
"And the truth came out anyway," said Sheridan sympathetically.
"And I lost him," said Theresa crying.
"I'm sorry Theresa," said Sheridan putting her hand on
Theresa's shoulder, "I see now that you really do care about Ethan."
"More then my own life," cried Theresa.
Luis smiled when he noticed his best friend Hank Bennett
come in with some boxes. Hank may have been gone from Harmony for a while,
but the way they had just eased back into their friendship it was like
he had never left.
"Wow Sheridan really did a good job in here," said Hank
admiring the gym.
"Oh Please," said Luis taking the the boxes away. "Don't
you mean she delegated really well. I mean you don't really believe that
a mighty Crane actually lifted a finger and did manual labor did you?"
Asked Luis in Disgust.
"Oh come on Luis give Sheridan a break. I mean you put
her in charge of decorations and she came through. I mean you have to admit
the place looked better then even you imagined it would," said Hank.
"Well it should partying is what the girl does best,"
huffed Luis.
"Luis," began Hank.
"Look Hank I know that Sheridan is your girlfriend or
whatever, but I don't like her or trust her and the sooner her community
service is over and I'm rid of her the better for everybody," said Luis.
"You know," said Hank throwing up a napkin ring and catching
it "I believe that."
"Good," said Luis playfully catching the napkin ring
in midair the second time Hank throw it up again.
Noah walked into the gym and was impressed by what he
saw. He was also happy to see his Uncle Hank and Luis.
"Uncle Hank," said Noah smiling as he got near his uncle.
"Long time no see."
"You better believe it buddy," said Hank giving his nephew
a big hug. "When I left you were a little boy now you're a man," laughed
Hank.
" I know," said Noah putting down the boxes he was carrying.
"I have chest hair and everything."
"Noah," said Luis extending his hand out. "Welcome Home."
"Thanks Man," said Noah shaking Luis hand firmly.
"Man you got quiet a grip there still wrestling?" asked
Luis.
"A little bit," said Noah.
"A little bit," laughed Hank putting his hand on his
nephew's shoulder. "My nephew is being modest, he's killing them on the
college circuit."
"I do all right," laughed Noah. He was about to ask Luis
about Theresa when he noticed her coming into the gym and his heart stopped.
She was even more beautiful then he remembered.
"Excuse me," he said walking over to her.
"Excuse me is this beautiful young girl actually Theresa
Lopez-Fitzgerald?"
"Oh my God," screamed Theresa in delight as she threw
her arms around Noah. "Noah when did you get home?"
"Just a few hours ago. And can you believe that my mom
has me working already?" He smiled
"Man," she said breaking their hug and looking at him.
"You look wonderful."
"And you," he said wiping a stray tear from her eye.
"Look like you've been crying."
"Well I was having a bad day," said Theresa smiling.
"But not anymore"
Noah smiled at Theresa's words.
"Hey at the risk of offending your boyfriend why don't
you let me take you out for a bite to eat We can catch up on what's new
in our lives," said Noah.
"Well since I don't have a boyfriend to offend it will
be ok," said Theresa trying not to think of Ethan.
Sheridan came into the gym and noticed Luis talking to
Hank. "Probably bad mouthing me again," she thought. She walked over to
the two guys.
"Hello Hank," said Sheridan kissing him on the cheek.
"Luis."
"Hello Miss Crane. It looks good in here," Luis said
grudgingly.
"What?" Asked Sheridan a little shocked. "Words of praise
coming from Luis Lopez-Fitzgerald? I thought Halloween had passed already."
"Ha, Ha," said Luis.
"Well I'm glad you like it," said Sheridan. "You
are coming with Bess right?" Asked Sheridan.
"Her name is Beth and yeah who else would I be coming
with," said Luis defensively.
Sheridan smirked. For some reason the thought of Beth
bothered her. She didn't know why though. It was probably because she felt
sorry for any girl that had the misfortune of dating Luis.
"You guys coming together?" asked Luis.
"Of course," said Sheridan kissing Hank.
Now why did she just do that? she wondered.
Sheridan looked around and noticed Theresa talking to
a very handsome young man.
"Who is that?" asked Sheridan pointing to Noah.
"That is my very handsome young nephew Noah," smiled
Hank.
"Well handsome is right. He reminds me of somebody though.
I just can't put my finger on it?" said Sheridan scratching her head.
"Well he's the spitting image of my brother Sam so that
might be it." Said Hank.
"Yeah it might," smiled Sheridan.
"So you coming to the dance?" asked Theresa noticing how
handsome Noah was. They were practically like brother and sister growing
up. That's probably why she never noticed his good looks before. It would
have been to incestuous. She missed having him around. And was so glad
he was back especially now that Whitney hated her.
"I wasn't planning on it, but if I could convince a certain
beautiful young lady in front of me to escort me I just might," said Noah
smiling.
"I don't know," said Theresa hesitantly. The last thing
she wanted was to hang out at a dance full of couples. It would only remind
her of Ethan and what she lost.
"Please Theresa if you don't go with me my mom is going
to try to set me up with somebody in the neighborhood or worse yet make
me escort one of my little sisters," said Noah pitifully.
"Well we can't have that," said Theresa laughing. "Ok
its a date."
"Yeah," smiled Noah. "It's a date."