Theresa looked around her, the summer sky was full of stars. She leaned back and closed her eyes. She could feel the sand in her hair, she didn't care though. She just didn't want to think, think about any of it. Ethan and Gwen would be married in the morning and there was nothing at all she could do to stop it.

She heard the waves crash against the shore, and her mind was lost in memories, memories of the nights she had hope. The night Ethan took her to the Ballet, and the night he drove her home from the charity dance, even the night in the cabin.

"Oh Ethan, I love you so much, I thought for sure that fate believed we were meant to be together." She said aloud, thinking she was alone.

"You love me?" Said the distinctive voice of Ethan Crane.

Theresa opened her eyes and stood up, "Ethan?" She asked so afraid to believe it was him.

"Theresa, did you just say you love me?" He asked her.

She couldn't deny it anymore, she had to tell him now, "Yes Ethan, I love you. I have this entire time." She said as she ran her hands through her long dark hair, shaking the sand free.

Ethan looked at her for a moment before he reached over and took her hair in his hands. He stepped closer to her and smiled, "It all makes sense now. Gwen was right, but to be honest, I always wanted her to be. It would give me an excuse to do what I really want to do."

"What's that Ethan?" Theresa asked, as she took a deep breath, trying to stay calm in his arms.

He didn't answer her, yet he leaned down and pressed his lips against her in a deep, sensual kiss. As soon as he did that Theresa, relaxed and kissed him back, wrapping her arms around his neck as her knees went weak and she and Ethan found themselves kissing in the sand.

"Ethan, what was that for?" Theresa asked when they broke apart.

"Because, I've been dying to do that for almost a year." He confessed.

"Why did you wait until now?" She asked.

"Because I never thought you would feel that way for me. I love you Theresa, I have for a long time, I just didn't know it."

Theresa frowned, "Then why marry Gwen?" she asked.

"Because I never thought I'd have a shot with you."

"The wedding is tomorrow Ethan, what are you going to do?"

"I'll call it off." Ethan told her.

"Really?"

"Yes, I'll talk to Gwen and tell her, I've realized that, well that a marriage between she and I would only end up like my parents. We'll hate each other before really loving each other."

"Your mother will be disappointed."

"I know, but I have a feeling that if I tell her, I realized I wasn't in love with Gwen, and that I wouldn't be happy. She'll know I did the right thing."

"I hope so, I would hate it if she hated me." Theresa said.

"She could never hate you. Not when I'm in love with you."

Theresa smiled and kissed him again.

"Theresa, Theresa." Said Whitney as they walked out of the movie theather, "Are you there?"

"Sorry Whit, I was just day dreaming again."

"Day dreaming of Ethan again?"

"Yeah, I was. Two more day's until Gwen and He Marry. I just can't stop hoping that I'll be stating my feelings for him to you or myself and he'll hear them and realize we're meant to be together."

"Theresa, I've said this before but you have to get over Ethan."

"I know, and I've tried but always something renews my hope. I don't think I can, until I hear him say I do on saturday."

"Do what until, who say's I do?" Asked Ethan as he walked up to the girls.

Theresa turned around and saw Ethan. She took a deep breath and looked at his eyebrows, even though it looked as though she was looking in his eyes. "I won't believe Luis is ever going to get married until he say's I do."

Ethan nodded, "I suppose that's understandable." He said looking into her deep brown eyes. She was so beautiful, so sweet, and understanding. How could he do this to himself? How could he deny his feelings for her, yet he knew she could never love him.

"Yeah, just like I'm sure your sisters find it a bit hard to believe their older brother will be married soon." Theresa said her heart breaking at the thought.

"I think the only one so sure of it is Gwen." Ethan said.

"Your not?" Whitney asked, trying to save her best friend.

"Honestly." He said as he looked up at the night stars, "I'm not. Lately, I've been wondering if maybe Gwen and I are really more then an expectation, we've talked ourselves into."

Theresa's heart pounded and she took a deep breath, "Ethan, are you aying you might not marry Gwen?"

Ethan shook his head and looked at the girls distraught, "Theresa, Whitney, what I'm about to say, please don't tell anyone else."

"We won't tell another living soul." Theresa said.

"Well, I don't believe I'm in love with Gwen. I think I'm in love with someone else, though this someone else could never be in love with me."

Theresa's heart fell again. "Ethan maybe your wrong. Maybe this girl is in love with you, she's just afraid of telling you." She said silently hoping that she still had a chance.

"No this girl, she loves me as a friend and nothing more." Ethan said looking at Theresa, wishing for a sign she loved him.

Theresa start to walk in a circle as her mind filled with thoughts, "You know there are some girls that believe in fairy tale endings. Some of them just don't know how to tell their prince charming,"She looked directly into

his eyes at that moment, "That they are madly, deeply, and honestly in love with them." She looked away and up at the stars.

"Sometimes, Prince Charming, isn't sure of how to win the heart of his Cinderella." Ethan said honestly as he watched Theresa looking up at the stars. "I should go now, my father has something he wants to give me tonight. Chances are I won't want it."

"I'll see you tomorrow Ethan, your mother has me coming over to set up for the party tomorrow night."

Ethan smiled, "Then until then my lady." He said as he put his hands on her shoulders and leaned down and kissed her cheek.

Later that night, around midnight Theresa stood at her open window, she looked up at the bright twinkling stars, "Starlight Starbright, first star I see tonight, wish I may, wish I might, have the wish I wish tonight." Then she silently made a wish with her eyes closed and when she was done she went to bed.

Across Harmony, Ethan looked out his window, it was just about midnight. Only a few more day's to decide what to do, he leaned against the window and looked up at the Sky, "Starlight, Starbright, first star I see tonight, wish

I may, wish I might, have the wish, I wish to night." He took a deep breath and then spoke aloud, "I wish Theresa was in love with me."

Outside of Ethan's room Ivy was standing there. 'Ethan in love with Theresa?' she asked her self mentally.

Ethan walked out of his room and walked right into Ivy. "Hi Mother." He said a bit nervous, not sure if she had heard him.

"Ethan, are you nervous about the big day?" She asked.

"Maybe just a little bit." Ethan told her.

"You are in love with Gwen, aren't you?"

"Mother, what kind of question is that?" Ethan asked.

"Who are you in love with Ethan?" She asked.

"Mother, not here." He said as they stood in the hall. He walked back into his room and she followed. He closed the door and looked at her, "Now mother please don't freak out. I'm in love with Theresa. She doesn't know it yet though."

"Yet? Ethan you can't tell her. You're marrying Gwen!"

"No I'm not marrying Gwen Hotchkiss." Ethan said realizing that he had made a decision.

"Ethan, I think it's a little late to have decided that."

"No it's not too late unless I was already married to her. I have to go Mother. I need to talk to Gwen."

"Ethan, wait, don't talk to Gwen, not yet."

"Why not mother?"

"It's after midnight. Talk to Gwen tomorrow night. You'll see Theresa during the day and maybe then you'll see if there's some connection between the two of you. If there isn't then you go and marry Gwen. If there is, you talk to Gwen and tell her the honest truth."

"Do you think it's best?" Ethan asked.

"Yes I do. At least give it a try."

"Okay I will, thank you mother."

"Your welcome, try and get some sleep Ethan."

"I'll try, not promises."

The next afternoon Theresa and Ivy were in the living room going over the floral arrangements for the tables that evening. Ethan came in and his heart began to beat a million miles per hour.

Theresa looked up and saw Ethan. Something about him seemed different. Whatever could it be? "Afternoon Ethan, What do you think of the flower arrangement your mother picked out for this evening?" She asked as she held up a small basket filled with wild flowers.

"There lovely, though I don't know much about flowers." Ethan said as he walked over to her. He took the basket in his hands and looked it. "What's the space in the center for?"

"That was my idea, since the party is outside, and it's summer we were going to put the bug repellant candles there."

"That's a wonderful, practical idea." Ethan said as Theresa smiled and blushed a little. God, how he wanted to kiss her.

"I'm going to go finish putting the rest of these together now." Theresa said as she went over to the couch and took some flowers and started to arrange them.

"Could you use some help with those?" Ethan asked as he sat next to her.

"I've got it, you probably have more important things to do, like spend time with your future wife." Theresa said as her heart shattered yet again.

"Maybe right now I would rather help you with these center pieces."

"Ethan, are you alright?" She asked as she turned to look at him and there eyes meet.

"I'm fine." He said as his eyes saw deep into hers and he knew exactly what he had to do. "I just realized I have to go do something. I'll see you tonight Theresa."

"I'll see you then Ethan."

Ethan rushed out of the living room and out of the house.

Ethan ran into the Book Cafe and looked around for Whitney. He saw her and rushed over to her. "Whitney, I am so glad I found you."

"Ethan, why were you looking for me?" she asked.

"I need your opinion on something for Theresa."

"On what for her?" Whitney asked.

"This." Ethan said as he pulled out a platinum locket with a ruby in the center of the front.

"Why did you get her something so extravagant?"

"That's another thing. Which do you think will win her heart more? Theresa, I love you, Ethan. Or, To the woman who stole my heart, Love Ethan?"

Whitney looked at him and said, "Either will work if your in love with her."

"Thank you Whitney, thank you so much."

"Ethan, only do this if you mean this." Whitney warned.

"I do mean it."

Gwen, Ivy, and Theresa walked through the garden to the party area. All kinds of lighters were set up, along with torches, waiting to be lit. "Gwen, Mrs. Crane, is everything to your liking?" Theresa asked.

"It's lovely Theresa." Gwen glowed, "I love the center pieces you bought."

"I made those." Theresa told her.

"They look so professional."

"There suppose to." Ivy popped in, sensing the growing tension between the two women.

"What's suppose to what?" Asked Julian as he came through the bushes.

"The centerpieces Theresa made, are suppose to look professional." Ivy said.

"What's the big deal, no one will remember." Julian said.

"You won't remember, but other's will. Theresa, I may have to keep your talent secret so other's won't steal you away." Ivy joked.

"I enjoy doing it for you Mrs. Crane, I don't think anyone else would appreciate it as much."

"I'm sure there's someone else." Ivy said.

At that moment Pilar came out, "Mrs. Crane, It's time for everyone to get dressed, the guests will be here in an hour."

"Thank you Pilar. Shall we go get ready? Theresa, I did show you that lovely lavender dress this afternoon, didn't I?"

"No Mrs. Crane, I think we were too busy getting the cooks to listen to you about the cake."

"Well then, let me go show you the dress and if it works for you it's yours and you can wear it tonight. It's the perfect summer dress."

"Thank you Mrs. Crane."

"Your Welcome Theresa." Ivy said and she knew then that Ethan and Gwen wouldn't be getting married.

The party was just beginning and Theresa decided to avoid the minutes of boredom she expected to feel. She walked through the rose bushes. She came to an iron bench and sat down and looked up at the stars.

"Theresa?" Came Ethan's voice from the path.

"Ethan, why aren't you at the party?" She asked.

"I came looking for you."

"Looking for me? Why?" She asked.

"I have something to tell you." He told her.

"What do you have to tell me Ethan?"

"Well Theresa, open this and see." He said giving her the box.

Theresa removed the silver ribbon and opened the black velvet box. She saw the locket and her eyes widened as she took it out and watched it dangle. As the locket turned around her eyes caught the inscription. She held it and looked at it. She read the inscription and then looked up at him, "Ethan?"

"Ethan, is what this locket has inscribed true?" She asked.

"One-Hundred percent true." He said as he took it from her hands and put it on her. "Do you like it?"

"Ethan I love it! I just never expected it."

"Really? Whitney said you would love it."

"Whitney knows about this?" Theresa asked, "I'm surprised she didn't make you sign a statement admitting this to be true."

"Why is that?"

Theresa took a deep breath, "I love you Ethan, I have for a long, long time. Whitney, Mama, Miguel, Luis, always told me it wasn't meant to be. I knew Fate knew we were meant to be."

"Why didn't you tell me?"

"You know that blond fiancée of yours named Gwen? That's why."

"Eek, I still have to break it off with her. I think I have to wait until after the party, no need to cause a total embarrassment about breaking an engagment."

"I understand Ethan." Theresa said, "Promise me one thing, you'll save me a dance later."

"I will most definatly do that."

"Good, until then Ethan." Theresa said before giving him a hug.

Ethan held Theresa in his arms and before he could let her go, he brought his lips to her and kissed her deeply. "Tonight is just the start to the rest of our lives."

"Your really mean that?"

"With all my heart." He said with a charming smile.

"I should go now, your mother will be looking for me." Theresa said as she pulled away reluctantly.

"Alright then, I'll see you on the dance floor."

"See you soon." Theresa said walking away and tucking the locket under her shirt so not to draw attention to it.

Later that evening, Ethan came up to Theresa, "May I have this dance?"

"Yes you may." She told him as he lead her out to the dance floor.

Ethan pulled Theresa into his arms and held her close, not too close though. As the music filled the air, they lost themselves in the dance and the others eyes.

Gwen stood by her mother and saw them dancing. They seemed relaxed but there was something else there as well. Gwen decided it ignore it and believe it was their friendship.

Soon after the dance, the party ended. Theresa, Ivy, and Pilar went around extiguising the lights and candles. Gwen and Ethan took a walk in the garden's. They found themselves in a hedge maze. Ethan stopped and looked at Gwen, "We need to talk."

"About what Ethan?" Gwen asked as she turned to look at him.

"About us." He said taking a deep breath.

"What about us?"

"Gwen, things between us are well, over."

"OVER?! HOW THE HELL CAN IT BE OVER?!" Gwen yelled.

"Because I never loved you!" Ethan retorted.

"What? Ethan that's not true." Gwen tried to explain.

"Gwen, I'm in love with someone else."

"It's Theresa, isn't it?"

"Yes it's Theresa."

"You bastard!" Gwen yelled before slapping him. She took off her ring and threw it to the ground. "I hope you rot in hell."

"You and I are just not meant to be Gwen. I'm sorry, would you rather end up like my parents?"

"We wouldn't have!"

"Yes we would've it would've been one-sided."

"How could this have happened Ethan? How could you fall for the housekeepers daughter?"

"Because I see her as a person, not an object." Ethan said before walking away.

Theresa was on her way out when Ethan stopped her.

"Ethan, did you and Gwen talk?" Theresa asked him.

"Yeah we did. She's very upset, and I never realized what a cruel person she was before."

"What happens now Ethan?"

"I tell my family and hopefully she tells hers. And then you and I can be together."

"When are you going to tell your family?"

"Actually My mother already knows, I just have to tell my father and grandfather."

"And I should tell Luis, and Mama and Miguel. Luis might be banging on the door wanting to know your intentions though."

"Then I'll be honest with him."

Theresa smiled, "I need to go, it's late and Luis will be worried."

"Well then good night my princess." Ethan said with a smile before he leaned down and kissed her gently on the lips.

Theresa walked into the living room clutching her locket. Pilar and Luis came out of the kitchen.

"Theresa where have you been?" Luis asks.

"At work." She said dreamily.

"Where's work?" Luis asked as Pilar kept her eyes away from his.

"The Crane mansion."

"Theresa please do not tell me you have these silly ideas of you and Ethan still! Isn't he getting married soon."

Theresa stops and realizes what she's been doing. "Actually no, I haven't given them up and I never will. Ethan Crane is no longer with Gwen Hotchkiss, he's fallen madly in love with someone else."

"Who?" Asked Pilar.

"Me," Theresa started, "Look what he gave me this evening Mama."

Pilar turned the locket over and read the inscription, "I never thought I'd see this day. Julian and Alistair are going to have a fit, Ivy as well."

"Ivy took it very well, she already knows."

Luis looked at his mother and then his sister, "What's been going on here?"

Ethan walked into the Den and found his father on the phone with his grandfather. "Father, Grandfather, I'm glad I caught you both. There's something I need to tell you."

"What's going on Ethan?" Asked Alistair.

"I'm not marrying Gwen, I'm not in love with her and I can't do that to me or whoever I marry."

"WHAT?!" Yelled Julian.

"Do you know what you've just done?!" Alistair chimed in.

"Yes, I followed my heart and I told Theresa I'm in love with her."

"Your mother's assistant, Pilars daughter?"

"Yes."

"Ethan, are you trying to destroy this family?" Asked Alistair.

"No, i'm trying to make it better, have it built on love."

"Theresa has been working for the Cranes!?" Luis yelled.

"Yes! And Ethan and I are in love!" Theresa replied back.

"Well it's over now!" Luis said as he ran and got his jacket and stormed out of the house.

"MaMa, Luis isn't doing what I think he's going to do, is he?"

"I'm afraid he is Theresa."

"Built on Love!? Ethan what on earth are you on?" Alistair demanded to know.

"I'm on Love!" Ethan replied knowing it sounded cheesy.

Before anyone could say anything else there was a banging on the door. A moment later Luis came in. "What the hell is this I hear about Ethan being in love with my sister Theresa?" He demanded to know.

"That's what I was wondering." Said a semi-drunk Julian.

"Oh shut up Julian!" Alistair demanded.

"Oh great a machine! Are you that scared of people finding out your not that damn scary that you have to hide behind a phone." Luis asked.

"Will all of you stop it! I am in love with Theresa! It's fate that we're meant to be together. It's how things are supposed to be! Just like you Luis, you're dating Sheridan correct. So why hate that I'm with Theresa?"

Luis kicked the ground and looked at his feet and then up at Ethan, "Theresa's my baby sister. I have to protect her from getting her heart broken."

"Luis, hurting Theresa is like hurting myself."

"Gees, fine you have my blessing. Just remember you hurt her, you get hurt." Luis said before leaving the Cranes.

"Very cute Ethan. Luis bought it. Hope it worked."

Ethan rolled his eyes and shook his head, "Haven't you ever been in love Father?"

"I was a long time ago, long before your mother."

"And you Grandfather?" Ethan asked.

"Long ago, she's still alive in Harmony, yet she could never want me. Not after what happened a long time ago."

"Maybe you should wish on a star to have those loves again." Ethan said walking out.

The End.

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