Ch.21 Beating Hearts
 

Sat. Night

Theresa looked at the dresses on her bed, she still didn’t know which one to wear. Standing in her robe she looked at the three gowns. A black form fitting strapless, a long flowing red gown with one strap, and a baby blue dress with tiny straps that gave her the princess look. "Kenji baby come here." Theresa called out. The sound of tiny feet bounded into the room.
"What is it Aunt Resa? The little girl asked.
"Which dress do you like best?" Theresa said smiling.
"I like them all. " Kendra cooed.
"But which one did Aunt Resa look best in when she tried them on?" Theresa asked realizing she was getting advice from a child.
The little girl put her finger to her face and tapped it in deep though, "Well I liked the blue one cause you looked like a angel. " She giggled.
"The blue? Uh huh.. But The Red made you look like a movie star, and that was cool."
"What about the black?"
The little girl wrinkled her nose. "You looked like a mermaid in it." She smiled.
"Well the black is out." Theresa sighed.
"When mommy wanted daddy to smile real big she’d wear a red dress. You wanting to make someone smile?" Kendra questioned.
Theresa blushed as Chad’s face came into her head. "You know what, I think I’ll go with the red, the blue makes me look kinda young." She sighed.
Kendra shrugged "OK then." She smiled. "Aunt Resa we’re gonna paint my room tomorrow right? "
Theresa nodded, "Yes baby."
"And we’re really going to do it in baby angels?" She quizzed.
"Cherubs? Yes that’s what you wanted. "
"That will be so neat. And then we get to make Matt’s room look like Daffy Duck? "
"Looney Tunes, isn’t that what you wanted?"
"Uh huh. He’ll like that. But I don’t want no Bugs Bunny in his room, cause I don’t like Bugs." Kendra explained.
"I thought everyone liked Bugs?" Theresa sighed studying her dress.
"He’s a show off!" Kendra said. "I’m gonna go play now OK?" She said running off.
Theresa shook her head. "That kid is just too much."
Picking up the red dress Theresa smiled, "This is going to be a very interesting night."

"Man I hate these suits Chad complained looking in the mirror.
Justin stood at the door laughing. " You’re nervous Chad. Admit it."
"No, Really I’m not." Chad lied staring at the black suit he was wearing.
"Oh come on Chad this is me, who are you trying to kid." Justin laughed as Jada peeped her head into the room.
"Wow daddy you look cool." She cooed.
Chad walked over and picked up his little girl, her arms going around his neck "Well thank you baby girl."
"Your gonna be the bestest looking guy at that place." She giggled.
"You really think so?" Chad asked.
The little girl bobbed her head up and down. "I know so." She said placing a huge kiss on her daddy’s cheek.
Chad smiled. "I love you baby." He said sitting her down.
" Love you daddy." Jada smiled.
Chad looked at Justin, "Call me on my cell if you need me." He said heading down the stairs.
"You got it man." Justin smiled looking down at Jada, "Ready to play some cards?" He asked.
The little girl giggled and nodded. " Get ready to clean my room next week." Jada laughed.
Justin rolled his eyes, "I think I’ve taught you a little too well." He smirked.

Gwen knocked on Theresa’s bedroom door. "Can I come in?" She asked.
"Yes please!" Theresa shrieked.
Gwen walked in wearing a light green strapless gown that flowed to the grown. "You look great." She smiled.
"Oh I don’t know, I mean I’m wearing my hair down, but I mean does it really look OK?" She asked.
Gwen nodded. "Your mother and Miguel are downstairs, and I’m sure they will agree with me, You look wonderful."
"So do you. I mean you always do." Theresa complmented Gwen.
"Well, I try." She laughed.
"Gwen we are all right about that picture right?" Theresa asked.
"Of course. " Gwen smiled.
"So your really taking my brother to this thing?" Theresa questioned.
Gwen nodded her head, "Girl, that man is prime rib, all the women have been talking since the whole Ethan thing, walking in with your brother, my young little boy toy, will make them all take notice." Gwen laughed.
Theresa arched her eyebrow, "How does Miguel feel about this?"
"Relax I explained everything to him. Besides there will be some modeling scouts at the party, Miguel’s hoping he can get noticed." Gwen smiled.
"Oh my brother always gets noticed." Theresa said looking back into the mirror.
"You look great. Your going to knock Chad off his feet."
Theresa frowned, "Chad? I’m not trying to impress him, he’s just a Friend Gwen. A friend."
Gwen rolled her eyes, "Well me and that little side of beef brother of yours is out of here, see ya there." Gwen waved.
Theresa looked back at the red dress. "Why am I nervous. Why am I nervous?" She repeated. "He’s Chad, just Chad." She said taking a deep breath." Just Chad."
Walking down the stairs she saw her mother and Kendra both smiling.
"Theresa you look wonderful." Pilar cooed.
"Just like a doll." Kendra agreed.
"Thank you. " Theresa smiled.
"Chad is a very lucky young man." Pilar smiled.
"Now, mama I am just friends with Chad." Theresa blushed shyly.
"You are my child, you can not try to hide what you feel Theresa." Pilar warned as the door bell sounded.
"Oh my gosh he’s here!" Theresa screeched.
"See what I mean?:" Pilar laughed.
Theresa took a breath and walked over to the door opening it up. She looked up at Chad and felt her heart beat faster than ever, Had Chad always looked this good? "Chad." She smiled.
Chad swallowed hard trying not to let his eyes pop out of his head, This was Theresa, his buddy Theresa he told himself looking at her in the ravishing Red Gown.
"Whoa. I mean wow." Chad blurted wondering why his palms were sweaty. That wasn't supposet to happen was it? No this was Resa, a very hot, mature Resa.
"Um thanks I think." Theresa laughed nervously.
"You look wonderful." Chad said as they stood staring into each other’s eyes. Yes this was going to be a night neither one of them would ever forget!

Ivy walked down the stairs and smiled at Julian as he waited below. "Ivy my darling you look stunning."
"Thank you Julian." She smiled.
"I mean it, you haven’t changed a bit in all these years." He sighed taking her hand.
"And you Julian, have only got better." She sighed.
"Shall we?" Julian questioned.
"Yes Julian." She said.
Julian stared at his wife for a moment, and as if Sheridan was standing beside him, he could hear her so clear "I told you love was coming brother." The wind whispered.
Julian smiled and leaned down to Ivy placing a small kiss on her lips. "Ivy dear, How about a second chance at us?" He asked pulling away.
"Well if you insist." She blushed. "Nothing would make me happier" She smiled as he lead his wife out the door.