Gwen returned home to find the table covered in her fine china with candles lit all over the house. A twinge of pain hit her when she realized the china was a wedding gift from her father at her wedding to Ethan, but that quickly vanished when she saw Theresa covered from head to foot in flour and wearing an apron that said, “Kiss the Cook.” Gwen laughed out loud and rushed to save the cake that was teetering precariously on the edge of the dish Theresa was carrying.

“What on earth Theresa? There’s enough food here to feed an entire army for Thanksgiving!” Gwen exclaimed, motioning to the smoked ham, baked potatoes, fresh rolls and salad that covered the table.
“They’re Luis’ favorites. I want this to be a nice evening for you…I mean him,” Theresa stammered. Gwen looked at her curiously.
“I don’t know what you’re up to Theresa but…”
“I’m not up to anything Gwen. Can’t I make a nice dinner for my brother without having some ulterior motive behind it?” Theresa backfired defensively.
“I’m sorry Theresa. Of course you can. My goodness though, using the nice china and all these candles?”
“What? I like candles.”
Gwen smiled at her newfound friend, remembering what a hopeless romantic the girl was. Of course she would like candles. In fact, Gwen was a little surprised they didn’t have candles every night for dinner.
“Well, I need to grab a quick shower and change. You mind getting the babies dressed? Martin has that cute little tux I haven’t put him in yet,” Theresa said as she was walking up the stairs to her bedroom. “Oh, by the way, there’s something for you on your bed. I was going to wait til Christmas to give it to you, but I want you to wear it tonight.”
“Theresa, you don’t have to give me anything…” Gwen started.
“Just shut up and go see what it is,” Theresa said, blushing as she hurried and locked the door to her bedroom behind her.
Gwen sighed and, taking a baby under each arm, went up the stairs to her bedroom. On the bed was a brightly colored package, covered in bows. Gwen laughed at Theresa’s extravagance, but still wondered what Theresa had been up to. She lifted the lid and gasped. Inside was the most beautiful dress she had ever seen. It was brilliant blue with flowing material that matched her eyes.
“Oh Theresa, this must have cost a fortune,” she said to herself.
“No not really, came a voice behind her. Theresa had snuck in to see her reaction. “I made it,” Theresa said, embarrassed.
“You made this?” Gwen asked, astonished.
“Yeah. When I was younger I wanted to be a fashion designer. I had it all planned out, but then Ethan came into the picture and, well, I guess my pursuit of him sort of took over. But now that he’s gone, I wanted to see if I still had it in me. You’ve been doing so much, working full time and paying for everything and I’m home all the time taking care of the babies, I wanted to do something nice for you to show you I appreciated everything you’ve done. So I’ve been going to Mama’s when you’ve been at work. The dress got done sooner than I thought. Looks like my old knack is still there. So I thought I would give it to you tonight. Do you really like it? It’s my first real try…” Theresa asked, worried that Gwen wouldn’t like it. Tears were streaming down Gwen’s face as she gently placed the dress on the bed.
“Oh Theresa, it is absolutely the most beautiful dress in the whole world, “ she said as she hugged Theresa, and Theresa believed her.

Luis inhaled deeply as he stood in front of Gwen and Theresa’s apartment.
“Smoked ham, my favorite,” he said as he knocked on the door. He heard a squeal that had to be his sister and a rushing to the door.
“Luis!” Theresa exclaimed as she threw open the door. “You’re late,” she accused.
“I’m sorry Theresa, I was held back at work. I came as soon as I could. You didn’t tell me this was going to be a formal affair,” he said when he saw the decorated table and the elegant red dress Theresa was wearing.
“Oh it’s no big deal. We just felt like playing a little dress-up,” she said, motioning towards her son in a tuxedo and little Alicia in a lacy green dress.
Luis laughed at his sister’ antics. “So when are we eating?”
“Once Gwen is ready. She had to get the babies dressed and that takes a while, then she had to get herself ready so…oh there she is!”
Gwen appeared at the top of the stairs. “Hi Luis! Glad you could make it to dinner.”
Theresa noticed with pleasure that her brother could not take his eyes off of Gwen as she walked down the stairs.
“So what do you think of her dress Luis, doesn’t she look wonderful?” Theresa asked.
“It’s a beautiful dress. Where did you get it Gwen?” Luis asked, helping her to her seat.
“Theresa made it. Isn’t she talented?” Gwen said, smiling her thanks to Luis as she sat down. Luis looked at his sister in shock.
“You made that? It’s excellent! I never knew you could do that,” he said as he moved towards a chair on the opposite side of the table from Gwen. Theresa quickly sat in it so he would be forced to sit next to Gwen instead of across from her.
“Yeah, but Gwen looks so nice in it don’t you think. It’s easy to make something look good on her. It’s not really the dress,” Theresa said, trying desperately to put the focus back on Gwen.
“Theresa you are too modest. Luis I for one believe her talent is too good to waste, don’t you agree? I think she should take some classes at the college and start a portfolio. She could make great money for this sort of work.”
“Anyone want some ham?” Theresa asked, again trying unsuccessfully to change the subject.
“I agree Gwen. She really should. It would be great to see her start a career. And with her obvious talent…”
“Ahem,” Theresa loudly cleared her throat. “I think it’s time to say grace. I’ll offer it.”
Luis and Gwen bowed their heads. Theresa smiled and said a none too subtle prayer.
“Thank you Lord for these our blessings. We thank you for the opportunity to be together with loved ones and old friends. Please bless us that we may find the love we deserve. The love that is fated to be. The love that may be right under our noses, “ she said, looking up to make sure both Luis and Gwen noticed. Both were trying desperately not to burst out laughing. Satisfied, she continued. “Thank you Lord for this food and our families. Amen.”
“Amen” Gwen and Luis sniggered back.
 

Dinner continued nicely. The three talked and laughed like old friends and ate until they felt they would burst. Luis cleared the table as Theresa and Gwen took the babies upstairs to change them.
“Let me get out of this dress and I’ll do the dishes Luis. I think Theresa’s done plenty tonight.” Gwen said.
“I’ll help you, “Luis called back. Theresa beamed.
Soon both of the children were clean and playing contently in their playpen as Luis and Gwen did dishes and Theresa sat back and watched, waiting for her next move. Gwen and Luis laughed at each other as theyboth got soapier and wetter.
“I’m afraid I’m not much good at this. We always had servants to do it for us,” Gwen confessed.
“Well I have no excuse. I’m just not any good, “ Luis said as he placed bubbles on the tip of Gwen’s nose. A brilliant idea came to Theresa just then.
“Say Luis, isn’t the policeman’s ball next week?” she asked.
“Yeah, but I don’t think I’m going to go,” Luis said, remembering that last year he had gone with Sheridan.
“You can’t not go Luis. You look forward to it every year.”
“Well, you want to come with me Theresa?”
“You can’t go to a ball with your sister or your mother,” Theresa said, cutting off Luis’s next suggestion. “I have an idea. Why not take Gwen?”
“Gwen’s not going to want to come to some stuffy Policeman thing,” Luis said.
“Why don’t you ask Gwen what she’d like to do,” Theresa said.
“SO what do you say Gwen, since we seem to be being set up,” Luis laughed.
“Sounds like fun. But only if you’re up to it,” she said.
“Fine with me. Theresa’s right, what sort of dork would I be showing up with my sister or my mom.”
“Alright then. It’s a date. As friends,” Gwen said firmly.
“Just friends,” Luis stated.
“Just friends for now,” Theresa whispered.

Ethan sat in his room at the Crane mansion; years of pictures in boxes surrounded him. Pictures of Gwen, Theresa, Lil Ethan, Alicia, his whole life.
“I’ve lost it all. Everything I had I’ve lost just because I couldn’t decide who I loved more. Well, Now’s the time. Tonight I will make my choice.”
Ethan poured over old pictures and memories. He brought up everything, everything he could possibly remember about both girls. He remembered Theresa, her enthusiasm, her desire for him. He remembered how she made him feel, like a God on earth. How she adored him. How she worshiped him. He remembered the night they first made love, their time in Bermuda, the night he proposed. He remembered her silly little antics, her little things she did that made her so unique. He remembered how she risked her life for him over and over. He remembered the night Lil Ethan was born. Tears stung his eyes as he thought of her.
“Beautiful sweet Theresa. Where did I go wrong? You said you would always love me. That we were fated. How did that end? How could I lose your love?”

Then he remembered Gwen. He remembered her classiness, her turn of phrase. He remembered that she was his first and it was awkward but she made him feel like he was the greatest lover on earth. He remembered her temper, the fire in her eyes at an injustice. He remembered her career and her dedication to it. He remembered the trips they took, the gifts she bought, his proposals to her. He remembered how she would always take him back and love him no matter what he did. He remembered Alicia being born.
“Wonderful, vivacious Gwen. What have I done to you? You have been there forever, for as long as I can remember. And you said you always would be. What can I do? How can I get that back?”
 

His head hurt. He was torn between two women. Two women who he felt he loved so fiercely that losing either would be his death. He had to decide. But which? Then it came to him. A picture he found when he was five years old. There he was and there was Gwen. Gwen giving him a hug. Both were smiling so brightly.
“At five I loved you. How can I not love you now Gwen? I have never known life without you and I never want to. I choose Gwen. After all, legally, you’re still my wife,” He said forcibly, as he tucked his favorite picture of Theresa under his pillow.

Whitney was busy packing when a knock came to her door. Fox entered with a teddy bear.
“I just wanted to let you know I’d miss you,” he said. Whitney smiled as she took the bear.
“He looks like you. I’ll think of you every time I see him, “ she said, hugging Fox. “I’ll miss you too. You’ve been so wonderful these past few weeks. But I’m only gone for a week. I’ll come back.”
“If you decide not to, then that’s fine too,” Fox said, secretly hoping she wouldn’t. He knew it would be harder to get to her with her father around. A honk came from outside.
“Well there’s my taxi. I’ll call you from Harmony Fox. See you later.”
Another quick hug and Whitney was out the door. Fox smiled. He had a week. A week to make sure Chad was out of Whitney’s life for good. He picked up the phone.
“Hello Mr. Barrows? Have you considered what I said? I assure you he’s the best new recording talent in LA. He’d be perfect for your new studio in Australia. I’ll make him the offer then. Goodbye.”
Fox smiled as he pocketed his phone. Soon, Chad would be out of his hair forever.