Gone But Not Forgotten

By Deanna Shiew

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 FOUR

Ethan pulled into the driveway of the house he'd come to think of as home.  He'd lived here for awhile with the man he though was his father.  Sam & Grace had treated him like family even after they found out that he really was Julian's son.  Sam still treated him like a son and Ethan still thought of Sam as his father.  He didn't care if blood tests proved Julian was his biological father.  After Julian kicked him & Ivy out of the Crane mansion, Ethann had swore then he would never return.  And he hadn't.

He had cut himself off from the Crane family - for good.  He didn't need money.  His law practice was doing wellenough that he could afford to live comfortably.  As good as his life was now, he'd still felt as if something was missing.  Something he couldn't name.  At least he couldn't until today.

Now he knew what he wanted.  He just wasn't sure how he was going to get it.  Ethan go out of his ar and was halfway up the drive when he notcied someone sitting on the porch swing he'd helped Sam install last spring.  Stepping closer he saw that it was Theresa and that she looked upset.  "Theresa,"  Ethan said kneeling beside her.  "Are you okay?"

Theresa looked up wit hthose sad brown eyes and Ethan lost his heart all over again.  What he wouldn't give to put that sparkle back into her eyes.

"Ethan."   Theresa said wiping her tears away.  "I didn't see you pull up."

"I noticed.  You looked like you were a million miles away."

"Not a million just a few years.  I was remembering the last time I saw Charity & Miguel together.  It was when Morgan was born.  That was four years ago.  And just now..."

"Just now what?"  Ethan asked when Theresa didn't immediately go on.

"I heard him ask Miguel where his mother was.  Miguel told him she was singing with the angels.  I almost lost it then and there.  But I didn't think Miguel could handle seeing me lost it, so I decided to come out here."

Ethan nodded in understanding.  "Miguel & Charity were so happy together.  The day before she was killed, I saw Charity at The Book Cafe and she told me that she & Miguel were trying to have another baby.  She looked so happy and so in love.  It just breaks my heart that she's gone.  It just isn't fair."

"No it isn't."

Ethan stood and pointed to the empty spot on the swing.  "Mind if I sit down?"

"Of couse not."  Theresa replied.

"Thanks.  So tell me about living in New York.  How is our coming along?"  Ethan asked hoping to get her mind off Charity a bit.  "I saw a commercial for it awhile back."

Theresa gave him a thankful smile.  "The store is wonderful.  I didn't expect it to take off as well as it did.  But I'm not going to complain."

Ethan laughed forthe first time in a long time.  He'd missed that about Theresa.  She culd always make him laugh.  Of course, he had just missed Theresa period.  "You shouldn't complain.  I see ads for your clothes in magazines all the time.  I think my mother has a few of your dresses."

"Yes, she does.  In fact, I'd say your mother & your aunt Sheridan are two of my bes customers."

"I don't doubt it,"  Ethan said breaking out into a grin.  "Mother & Sheridan have always loved to shop."

Theresa laughed.  God how he missed her laughter.  "That's the truth.  I swear your mother must own a thousand dresses.  Never mind how many Sheridan owns.  I think she buys a new one each week."

Ethan joined in her laughter.  "You're right.  I think Sheridan had Luis build that extra room onto the house just to hold all of them."

Theresa laughed again.  Something woke inside Ethan.  Something he hadn't felt in a long time.  It was joy, pure joy.  "God, I've missed you."

Theresa looked away and didn't say anything for a long time.  When she did, the words were music to her ears.  "I missed you too Ethan."

Ethan smiled, "Have lunch with me tomorrow."

"I..I can't," Theresa said.  "I need to be here for Miguel."

"I understand.  How 'bout dinner? Luis & Sheridan will be back by then.  We could go to the seascape?"

Theresa shook her head no.  "I don't think that would be a good idea."

"Why no?"

"Because you...I don't think we should spend time together."

"I still don't understand why.  We used to be friends.  Remember?  Hell, at one time we were more than friends."

"Yes, but that was before..." Theresa stopped, took a deep breath and then continued.  "That was before you told me you never wanted to see me again."

"That's what I want to talk to you about.  I was going to do it tomorrow at lunch, but since you refuse to go.  I guess here is a good a time as any."  "You see," Ethan began.  "I - "

"Theresa," yelled Luis through the open screen door.  "Mama wants you to come help with dinner."

"Alright Luis," Theresa answered.  "I'm sorry EThan."

Ethan just nodded and watched her walk inside.  Luis opened the screen door for her and then cam outside.  If he had only waited another few minutes...

"What was going on out here?"  Luis asked.  "Theresa looked upset."

"Nothing, we were talking about the past."

"What?"  Luis yelled.  "Hasn't she been hurt enough?  My god Ethan.  She left Harmony because of you.  Don't you think you put her through enough."

Ethan angrily jumped out of the swing, causing it ot fly backwards.  "What happened or happens between me & Theresa is noe of your business."

"None of my business?"  Luis asked standing nose to nose with him.  Ethan refused to back down.  "Theresa is my sister.  I won't stand back and watch you hurt her again."

"I won't hur he Luis.  I love her.  I always have.  I never got a chance to tell her that.  But I'll be damned if I'm going to let you or anyone else stop me from doing it now.  Theresa and I will clear the air between us.  And if she can find it in her heart to forgive me, then we will be together.  And there's not a damn thing you can do about it."

Luis just looked at him.  Ethan wondered if he was going to hit him.  But then he realized that wasn't about to happen.  Sheridan would kill him.

"You love her?"  Luis finally asked.

"Yes."  Ethan replied never taking his eyes from Luis'.

Luis searched his eyes and after a few moments he nodded.  "Well it's about damn time.  If you had realized that six years ago, Theresa never would have left Harmony."

"Yes, but she also wouldn't have the career she has now," Ethan knew how much it meant to her  He'd seen it in her eyes earlier.

Luis nodded.  "That's true.  But Ethan the only thing she ever wanted was you to love her.  When she thought you didn't, she was devastated.  Hell, it took Morgan being born before she wuld even come back for a visit.  And then it was only when she knew you were out of town."

Ethan glanced toward the sky, after afew moments he turned back toward Luis.  "You think I don't know that.  Hell, I should have went after her years ago, but none of you would tell me where she was.  I didn't find out she'd gone to New York until two years later when I saw an interview she gave on TV, right after her store opened.  I should have went after her then, but I thought it was too late.  Charity's death made me realize it's never too late."

"Good.  Now why don't you tell her that."

Ethan gave a rueful smile.  "I was just about to when you interrupted us."

Luis grimaced.  "I didn't know.  I'm sorry."

"Doesn't matter.  I'll tell her soon."

"Why don't you ask to take her to dinner tomorrow night?"  Luis asked.

Ethan sighed.  "I did.  She said no.  Said she had to be here for Miguel.  That us spending time together wasn't a ood idea."

"Maybe she's right."

Ethan shook his head.  "No, I looked into her eyes Luis.  She still cares for me I know it.  I think she's just afraid.  Hell, after the way I acted when she told me she loved me all the years ago, I can't say I blame her."

"Tell you what," Luis said putting a hand on Ethan's shoulder.  "I'll get Theresa to have dinner with you tomorrow.  But only on one condition."

"What's that?" Ethan asked not sure if he wanted to know what condition Luis had. 

"You have to babysit Christian and Daniella so Sher and I can have a night out."

"Deal,"  Ethan said shaking Luis' hand.  He hoped Luis could keep his part of the brgain.  Because something told him that convincing Theresa to have dinner with him wouldn't be as easy as Luis seemed to think it was going to be.


 
Read Chapter Five



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