Noah Bennett put his gear down and called out again for his family. He had expected the entire Bennett clan to descend upon him hugging him, and telling him how much they missed him. But instead it appeared that he came home to an empty house. Before he was able to grab his stuff and head to the place that he hoped was still his room his mother Grace Bennett came out from the kitchen.
"Noah honey," she said throwing her arms around her oldest child. "We weren't expecting you for a few more days what are you doing home so early?"
"Well I decided to forgo that skiing trip I was telling you about and spend some time with the family," he said hugging his mother back tightly. "God," he thought," it felt so good to be held by his mom especially after everything that had happened." He quickly pushed away thoughts of the last few weeks and broke out of the hug to get a good look at his mom's smiling face. "God mom it isn't fair you're a mom you're not suppose to be so incredibly gorgeous I mean how can I trust my friends enough not to hit on you if they come around."
"Oh Noah," giggled Grace lightly hitting his arm "I knew their was a reason that you were my favorite."
The two laughed and sat down on the coach.
"So tell me where is the tribe?" asked Noah looking around the empty house.
"Well your father took the girls shopping and to the movies," smiled Grace as she was once again struck by how thoughtful her husband was. "Sam thought that it would be a good bonding experience for the girls you know a way to get Kay and Jessica use to having a third sister."
"Yeah so how is that working out by the way?" he asked. He knew how hectic things were at home with just his two little sisters so he could only imagine the friction that a third girl was causing.
"Its coming." said Grace. "You know Kay and Jessica understand Charity's situation. They realize that their cousin just lost her mom and has no where else to go. And the girls have gone out of their way to help Charity fit in."
"Yeah. Mom I know I said this before but I am really sorry about your loss," said Noah sadly.
"Thank You sweetie," said Grace pulling Noah into another hug. "That means a lot."
"So," he said breaking the hug. "Tell me do I still have a room left or am I sitting on my new bed?"
"No," said Grace touching his face. "You still have a room and its just like you left it.Kay wanted it but I gave her my sewing room instead."
"So Charity is sleeping with Jess?" asked Noah.
"Well actually Kay was nice enough to give up her room so that Charity could have some privacy,"
said Grace smiling proudly at her daughter's sacrifice.
"Ouch," flinched Noah. "That had to hurt I know how much she and Jess wanted their own space it must have killed Mickey to have to give her room up."
Grace smiled at the pet name that her son had for his sister. He started calling her Mickey after Mickey Mantel when she started playing baseball with Miguel and the guys. At first Kay hated it but it grew on her. She wasn't ambivalent to how hard things had been on Kay. She knew that she had made a lot of sacrifices. She hoped that Noah's presence would help cheer Kay up.
"Actually Kay has been having a really hard time," said Grace. "She has been really depressed about something and I can't get her to tell me what."
"I don't know, you sure that it's not Charity being here I mean that has to be disconcerting?" asked Noah concerned for his sister.
"No its something else I know it," said Grace with concern.
"Maybe its a boy," teased Noah.
"Oh bite your tongue don't wish that on me yet," laughed Grace. "It'll come soon enough."
"So mom what is with those delicious smells coming out of the kitchen?" asked Noah rubbing his stomach playfully.
"Oh no young man those are cookies and cakes that I am making for Saturday's youth center banquet" said Grace.
"That's my mom," smiled Noah kissing Grace's forehead. "Always the happy home maker."
"Well I don't know about that," laughed Grace.
"Is there anything that I can do to help?" asked Noah.
"Well actually," said Grace sitting up "I need some things taken down to the center."
"Say no more I'm on my way," said Noah getting up.
"Its really good to have you home baby," smiled Grace.
"Hey mom, does Luis still run the youth center?" asked Noah casually.
"Yes he does why?" asked Grace.
"No reason I  just spent a lot of time with the Lopez-Fitzgeralds growing up and you know I  wanted to make sure they were still around." Said Noah.
"Yep they are. You know Pilar is here all the time when she isn't working and Luis is still glued to the hip with your Uncle Hank, who you need to see by the way as soon as possible, and Miguel is sort of Charity's boyfriend so he's here all the time."
"Oh," smiled Noah at that last remark. "What about Theresa?"
"Theresa is around. I don't see her too much, she's always hanging out with Whitney Russell. I offered her a job here, but she turned me down. Too bad. I really think she would have made a really great sales girl in my shop."
"I agree." said Noah smiling at the thought of Theresa. The they had been really close as kids and he was really looking forward to seeing her again. He planned to stop at the Lopez-Fitzgerald home before the night was over to see what his old buddy was up to.

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."

Home
Fan Fiction Page