Chapter 24-Everything Changes

Julian gave Ivy’s hand a small squeeze as they approached Gwen and Miguel.
" Miguel, Gwen how wonderful to see you." Ivy smiled.
Miguel nodded. "Yes great seeing you again Ivy."
"How is your head Miguel? It didn’t bruise I hope." Julian smiled eyeing Miguel’s head.
Miguel laughed. "Actually it did leave a nice bump, but it’s almost gone now. You’re pretty strong Mr. Crane. Mama say’s I have a hard head." He teased.
"Julian son, I told you it’s Julian."
"Sorry, old habits are hard to break."
Gwen looked up at Miguel and smiled. "So Julian here almost took you out on the court?" She questioned.
"Well, I was teaching him a few moves, and he threw the ball a little high." Miguel blushed.
Julian laughed. "I made a basket though. I’ve been praticing since then. I think I’m ready for a real game."
Ivy gave him a teasing grin. "Yes I believe Julian just may be ready for the NBA."
The group laughed as Miguel’s eyes trailed away. "Look, my sister and Chad are here." He smiled realizing just how stunning his sister really was. Her eyes shined as she looked up at Chad, and he was actually glowing as he looked down at her. Miguel couldn’t help but wonder if his sister had finally found her ‘fate’ .
"Look at those two. They can’t pull their eyes away from each other. It’s amazing." Gwen sighed.
Ivy nodded. "I hadn’t realized until now, but it’s true." She said looking up at Julian. "Perhaps you were right all along." She smiled.
Julian nodded, he had been right, watching his son look down at Theresa made him feel like a true father, happy that his son was finding true love. "But they have to realize it first." He finally said as the group smiled and agreed.
Miguel let out a smile laugh. "I’m sure it won’t be long now. Theresa is one person who can’t deny how she feels for long. "
Ivy’s smile fell to a frown. "Oh what about Ethan? I know he did her wrong but he still loves her. My poor son." She sighed.
"I know he’s your son and all, but he’s getting what he deserves. He never loved my sister. He left her, just took off. I feel no pain for Ethan." Miguel said shaking his head.
Gwen began to chew on her lip." Ivy a lot of people agree with Miguel. Look what he did to me. Your son has hurt a lot of people. " She pointed out.
Ivy nodded slowly. "I know. I realize my son has upset many people. But I love him. And the thought of him being hurt breaks my heart. When he left it tore me up inside, but he’s back. And I’m still his mother."
Julian wrapped his arm around Ivy’s waist. "Yes dear, we all understand that." He smiled as Miguel and Gwen nodded in agreement.
Ivy smiled back, Ethan was her child and he would be hurt. But she couldn’t stop that, no just looking at Chad and Theresa made her see, there was no stopping what was yet to come.
~*~*~*~

"Look at this place. All these rich people here, just too see all your designs." Chad commented. He knew he had a good living too. His record company was doing great, and he was signing new artist everyday, but he still wasn’t used to living like these people, or like the Cranes.
Theresa laughed. "Chad, you are one of these rich people. Are you forgetting, your a Crane now."
"My last name still says Harris girl, besides I ain’t never going to be all fancy and stuff."
"Well, even with out the Crane name, you still have money. You’ve done well for your self Chad." Theresa smiled.
"Yeah well, all I know is, all these suit’s and ties just don’t belong on me. I may be a Crane by blood, and I may have my on Company but I’m still just simple Chad Harris." He laughed.
Theresa nodded. "That’s one of the things I think is so great about you Chad. You’re always you." She said.
"You think I’m great huh?" Chad teased "Go on tell me more great things about myself." He laughed wrapping his arm around her waist.
Theresa couldn’t help but giggle "Chad." She said in the middle of the long giggle.
"Well? What’s wrong? Can’t think of anything else?" He teased.
Theresa shook her head. "No. I can think of tons of things. You’re a great dad, a wonderful brother. And one of the best friends a person could have." She said before stopping herself.
‘Best friend?’ She called you her best friend’ Chad’s mind whirled. "Yeah. I’m all of those." Chad smiled.
Theresa grinned. " Look there’s your father, Ivy, and Gwen and Miguel. Let’s go say hi." Theresa said.
"Sure thing." Chad said still wondering why he was feeling bad after the best friend comment.

~*~*~*~*~
Ethan walked around the room in a daze. Everything had changed. He had heard that his mother and Julian were trying to make their marriage work, a surprise even he hadn’t expected. Then he had saw Gwen and Miguel together, he knew that must have been one of Gwen’s jokes. She’d never want Miguel, he was still a kid. And then there was Theresa and Chad. He had spotted them together already, he watched the way they stared at each other. Theresa had never looked at him like that. She was in love, even if she didn’t know it herself. No nothing would ever be the same again. Harmony was a new place, and so far the only person he had found he could talk to was Hank Bennett, his uncle.
Part of him wanted to run and jump on a plane. Sheridan was gone, she wasn’t coming back. And the family was grieving together, without him. Theresa’s family and the Crane’s had came together almost like they we’re one, and he was left out of it. To cry over his former aunt’s death alone. To deal with the shock of this new world he had saw alone. But it was his fault, and he’d have to deal with it.
He looked over at the group that had been formed, Theresa and Chad, standing next to Gwen and Miguel as they all talked to his mother and Julian. These were people he thought he’d never see laughing and joking together, but it was happening.
"Excuse me, are you OK?" He heard a female voice ask.
Coming out of his trance he looked over to see a woman speaking to him, a waitress who’ smile was just too sweet.
"Beth Wallace?" He questioned. "I thought you worked at the Book Cafe?" He questioned.
She smiled. "I do what I can. It’s a good job. Are you feeling all right?" She asked again.
Ethan shook his head. "No. No I’m not." He frowned as his eyes went back to Theresa, but her eyes were focused on Chad.