Forever Love

By Chasity

Disclaimer- I do not own any of these characters.  They belong to Passions, NBC, Outpost Farm Productions, or any of these characters.  This is strictly for entertainment purposes and the authors aren't making any profit from these stories.  Feedback: Please don't forget to leave feedback to the author of this story!

CHAPTER ONE

"Theresa?"  Ethan said as he came into the living room of the Crane mansion.

"Yes Ethan?"  Theresa looked up from the laptop she was using to type up memos for Ivy.

"I need your help with something.  There's a few things here I don't really understand.  The cake...is there any need for it to be 7 tiers?  That's a lot of cake you know.  I mean who's gonna eat all of it?"

Despite the fact that it was his wedding to Gwen he was talking about and not hers Theresa had to laugh.

"What's so funny?"  Ethan asked.

"Ethan, most of it's not cake.  Most of the tiers are fake."

"Oh I see.  Now I really feel like a complete idiot.  It's a good think I have you here to help me Theresa.  Without you I'd be lost with all this stuff.  Thank you for agreeing to help Gwen and I plan this wedding.  You're a real life saver Theresa."

"Thank you Ethan.  It means a lot to me to be planning your wedding," Theresa told him.  I just wish I was going to be the bride and not Gwen, she thought to herself.

"It means a lot to me too Theresa.  I'm very lucky to have you as a friend."

"Thank you Ethan.  I feel the same way for you too.  I'm very grateful to have you as a frien."

"Well, when you're finished typing up that stuff for mother, would you help me with something?"

"Of course Ethan.  That's what I'm here for."

"Ok, I'll be in my room."

Theresa sighed and looked at the computer screen.  How was she ever going to get over Ethan if fiate kept throwing them together like this.  Ethan was supposed to be at Crane Industries today, but he was here instead.  And now he wanted her help with something.  She didn't know how much more of this she could take.  She had made a promise to God, and she couldn't break it, but maybe she was meant to break it.  Maybe that's why fate kept throwing her and Ethan together.  Whitney and Mama would kill her if they heard her talking like this.  She had to keep reminding herself that Ethan was marrying Gwen.  He proposed to her, and he loved her.  Still, Theresa knew that he could love her so much more.  She loved Ethan, more than Gwen did.  And she always would.  No matter what.  She knew that she would never find anyone quite like Ethan.

She knew that some people would think she was crazy, one reason being that he was a Crane, and she was a Lopez-Fitzgerald.  The housekeeper's daughter.  Another, being that she had loved Ethan for as long as she could remember.  And they were probably right.  She probably was crazy for ever thinking that she and Ethan could ever be together.  She always believed that true love conquered all.  But she was beginning to doubt that.  She loved Ethan more than life itself, and she was still alone, and Ethan didn't love her.

She shook her head and finished typing up the memos for Ivy.  She had to realize that Ethan would never love her.  He loved Gwen, and if all she could have from Ethan was a friendship, well then she would take it.  She loved Ethan far too much to not have him in her life at all.

She got up from the desk and went up the stairs to Ethan's room.  She heard him on the phone with someone and waited outside his door.  When he hung up the phone she knocked and entered his room. 

"Theresa, I was just going down to see if you were finished.  I have a surprise for you."

"For me?  What is it?"

"Well because you have been so helpful to Gwen and I with the wedding I decided to give a little in return.  It's not much, but I didn't really kow what to get you.  So I got you tickets for two to see the Cinderella ballet gain, I know how much you liked it when we went, so when I heard they were doing an encore I bought you the best seats in the theater.  And dinner for two at the Seascape.  The ballet is tomorrow night, and the Crane limo will take you and your date to the Seascape and afterwards to the ballet."

"Wow Ethan.  Thank you.  I don't know what to say."

"Just say that you'll go, and have a good time.  These past few weeks, you've been so down Theresa.  You try to cover it, but I can tell.  Your eyes tell me everyting.  You're still hurting from your break up with Chuck.  I hate to see your eyes so clouded over.  I'd give anything to see your eyes sparkle with excitement again."

"I'm sorry Ethan..."

"Don't be sorry Theresa.  I'd like to get my hands on hat bastard for hurting you so much."

"Ethan, it's not..."

"Don't try to defend him, Theresa.  What he did to you was plain evil.  He toyed with your heart, and then broke it.  Anyway, let's not talk about unpleasant things.  Who are you going to take?"

"Whitney probably."

"You can't tale a girl.  You have to take a date.  Every man in Harmony should be looking at your date and envying him.  Anyone would be lucky to have you on their arm Theresa.  You probbly have them lined up right around your block waiting for achance to date you."

"Not really Ethan.  Besides, all the boys at school are so immature.  Remember that time at the Seascape when Whitney and I ran into you and Gwen?  Remember those two boys that were there with us?  They got drunk, and then accused you and Chad of trying to steal their dates.  Then to top it all off they were actually going to drive home.  If you and Chad hadn't stepped in who knows what would've happened?"

"You're right Theresa.  I know what teenage boys can be like.  They're very immature.  You're so mature for your age, no wonder you never date them."

"Well I'll find someone to go with me.  Maybe I'll make Luis or Miguel go with me."

"Yes, I can really see Luis going to a ballet.  I don't know about Miguel but definitely not Luis."

"You're right.  Well, I'm sure I'll find someone.  Thank you again."

Theresa turned to walk away, and Ethan grabbed her arm.  Now I feel horrible for giving that to you.  I mean I wasn't thinking that you wouldn't want to ask anyone so soon, after you and Chuck, so if no one else comes to mind I'd be happy to go with you.  If you want," he added.

"You would?  You don't have plans?"  Theresa asked.

"Nope, and even if I did, I'd cancrl them."

"Really?  You mean it?"

"Of course I do."

"Thank you Ethan.  And I'd love if you would go with me.  I couldn't think of anyone else I'd rather see Cinderella with."

"Well then it's settled.  I'd love to see it again as well.  With you."

"So, it's a date?"

"It's a date," Ethan said.

"It's a date, " Theresa repeated.

"OK, so I'll come by around 6 tomorrow evening and pick you up?"

"That sounds great.  I'll be ready  Was there anything else you needed Ethan?"

"No that's it I think."

"Oh well I'm gonna go now.  I promised Mama that I'd cook dinner tonight.  Could you tell your mother that her memos are typed up and on the disk next to the laptop?"

"I will.  And thank you Theresa."

"For what?"

"For smiling.  For really smiling."

"It's because of you Ethan.  See you tomorrow."

"Yeah, tomorrow," Ethan said as he pondered what Theresa meant. He didn' know what had come over him.  All of a sudden out of nowhere, when Theresa had smiled, he felt a little jolt go through him.  Like...no it couldn't be, he and Theresa were just friends.  Good friends, but just friends.  He shook his head and went downstairs to get something ot eat.

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

The next afternoon Theresa was going around her house like a mad woman, trying to get ready for her date with Ethan.  Her mother and Whitney had tried to convince her not to go, but she had to.  This might be her least chance to do anything with Ethan and she wasn't going to give it up for anything this world.  Besides Ethan wanted to go as well.

She was putting her finishing touches on her make-up when the doorbell rang.

"Theresa!"  Pilar called out.  "Ethan is here."

"OK Mama," Theresa sighed contentedly.  What she would give to hear those words spoken all the time.

Theresa got up grabbed her purse and headed down the stairs.  She was wearing a pale pink gpwn, thatfit her pefectly, and her hair was piled up with curls framing her face.  Ethan looked up at her and held her gaze for a moment.  She looks beautiful, he thought ot himself, what man in his right mind would ever dump her?

"You look beautiful Theresa," Ethan told her.

"Thank you Ethan.  You look quite handsome yourself."

"I try," he joked.

"When will you be home Theresa?  Your brother is working, but you know Luis, he could show up at any given moment."  Pilar said.

"Don't worry Pilar.  I'll have Theresa home long before Luis gets home.  I don't want to run into him, and get the two of us in trouble.  Or the three of us I should say."

""OK, well, take your keys Theresa, in case I'm in bed, OK?"

"Yes Mama, I have them."

"Well shall we go?" Ethan asked her.

"Yes I think we should, otherwise we might miss some of the ballet."

"See you later Pilar."

"Bye Mama."

"Bye you two.  Have fun.  Be careful."  Oh Theresa please be careful, Pilar thought to herself as she closed the door behind them.

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

The dinner was fabulous and she and Ethan shared a few dances.  Ethan complimented her several times on her dancing ability.  Commenting again on how well they danced together.

They headed to the ballet and poked fun at some of the people there.  The ballet began and Theresa became enraptured again eith the wonderful story.  The story she hoped to live.  At least for tonight she could pretend.

"Oh this is my favorite part.  Where the prince and Cinderela dance thenight away," Theresa said as she grabbe Ethan's hand.

Ethan vaguely looked down as Theresa kept a hold of his hand.  He had been staring at her for most of the night.  Watching her every body movement.  The way her eyes got a little bigger when a part she liked was coming up, and the way her eyebrows furrowed when the evil step-sisters did something bad to Cinderella.  The way she turned to him and smiled every now and then.    The way her eyes sparkled when she smiled.  And any man that would be foolish enough to let her go, doesn't deserve her, Ethan thought to himself.

When the ballet ended Theresa looked at Ethan and noticed that he had been staring at her.  He seemed oblivious to the fact that she was looking at him.

"Ethan?"

"What? Oh, the ballet is over?"

"Yes, Ethan.  Um, why were you staringat me?"

"Oh, no reason, I was just remembering the last time we came to the ballet.  Being with you here tonight is like the first time all over again.  Nothing ever seems to loose it's magic with you Theresa."

"Well, thanks.  I enjoy spending time with you too Ethan."

"Well I'm glad you enjoy my company as much as I enjoy yours Theresa.  Now, will we head down to the party?  Or would you rather go home?"

"Well I think I'd like to go to the party, if you don't mind."

"Not at all, I'd be happy to go.  Especially with you by my side.  Now," Ethan said as he stood up and offered her his arm, "Shall we go?"

"We shall," Theresa said as she stood up and took his arm.  They stayed until everyone began to leave, and Ethan suggested they leave too."

"OK," Theresa agreed reluctantly.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing, I just wish this night could last forever."

"Well I have an idea.  We can get Charles to bring us back to the mansion, and we'll go for a drive.  It's only 10:00, surely Luis won't be home yet."

"No he won't.  It sounds wonderful Ethan."

They got in the limo and got Charles to bring them back to the mansion.  Ethan and Theresa got out and got in Ethan's car.  They were driving aimlessly for a while until they came upon a spot and  Theresa told him to stop.

"Where are we going?  The beach?"  Ethan asked her.

"You'll see.  Come on," Theresa said as she hopped out of the car.

Ethan grabbed a flashlight and followed her.  They both took their shoes off once they hit the sand.

"Come one," Theresa said as she grabbed his hand.

"Be careful, you might trip or tear your dress," Ethan told her.

"Don't worry, I know this beach like the back of my hand," Theresa told him.

"Well at least one of us does."

They walked a little further until they came to a large pile of rocks

"Careful," Theresa told Ethan.  "Watch your step."

Ethan followed Theresa around the rocks and stopped when they came to a clearing.  The area was completely closed in by rocks.  It was so secluded and serene.  Far off you could hear the waves crashing against the sand.  But here it was so peaceful.

"I found this when I was little.  I was around 9 or 10.  I don't know if anyone else knows about it.  I doubt it though, it's so far up the beach.  I come here a lot to think.  I used to lay here on a blanket and look up at the stars.  I used to believe that all the stars were angels and one of them was looking down on me, kind of like my guardian angel, only a guardian star I guess.  It's silly, I know that now, but one time, not too long ago.."

"It's not silly Theresa.  This place is so beautiful, almost like a little part of heaven.  Almost as beautiful as you," Ethan said before he realized what he was saying.

"Thank you Ethan.  I knew you'd appreciate it.  I never told anyone about this place.  Mainly because it ws the only place I could be alone to think, to be by myself when I needed to be."

"Thank you Theresa for thinking enough of me to show me this place."

"I used to lay here and dream and hope.  Now I don't know anymore..."  Theresa said as a tear drifted down her cheek.

Ethan leaned towards her and wiped the tear away.

"Dont cry Theresa," he said as he took her into his arms.  "Come on let's get out of here, I don't want you to go home sad."

She let Ethan lead her out, and then walked hand in hand up the beach.  The grabbed their shoes when they came to them and hopped in the car.  He drove her home and told her what a wonderful night he had.

"Me too Ethan.  I can't thank you enough."

"Then don't.  Just remember that I had just as good of a time as you did," Ethan said as he pulled into her driveway.  He got out of the car and went over and opened her door.  He walked her up to the doorstep and cupped her face.

"Now, I want your promise that you'll only have happy thoughts tonight.  Don't mull over one moment that your night got gloomy."

"I'll try Ethan."

"That's not good enough, promise me that you'll remember this night as a wonderful night."

Theresa laughed and agreed to go to sleep with a smile on her face.

"Good then, I'll see you tomorrow.  Good night Theresa," Ethan said.

"Good night Ethan.  I had a wonderful time," she told him as she smiled.

Ethan leaned in to kiss her on the cheek and before he knew what was happening he was kissing her on the lipa.  And he couldn't stop.  She had the softest lips, and the most sensual mouth.  He knew what he was doing was wrong but it felt so right.  Everything felt so right with Theresa.  They broke apart when a car went up the street and Ethan looked at Theresa guiltily.

"I'm sorry Theresa.  I didn't mean to...I have to go."

"Wait! Ethan!"  Theresa said.

Ethan ran to his car and took off, as Theresa watched him go.



Chapter Two Coming soon!



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