Sacrifices of the Soul, Chapter 56
 
 

" Is he here yet?", Ethan said, looking around the room.

Gwen laughed. " Honey, no. He's not here yet. How could he get past this line? He will be here. He told you he would, and Chad is a man of his word."

Ethan nodded. " You're right. It's just…I really think this could be a new beginning for all of us. Don't you think?"

" I think it's possible. But, don't expect too much today. Just let things go easy, Ethan. Don't force it. You and Chad were friends once. You can be again. So, how do I look?"

Ethan smiled as Gwen gave him a twirl. The black A-line dress was perfect for an expectant mother. There was a touch of elegance and sexiness in the dress. Gwen looked exquisite.

" You look fabulous."

" You're not just saying that, are you? I'm feeling big as a house."

" Gwen! You're barely showing."

" I know…but, a woman gets depressed, thinking about the loss of her figure."

" Well, I don't think you've looked more beautiful. You get more dazzling everyday. You…you are happy about the baby?"

" Ethan, of course I am! It's just that.."

" I know. You have a lot of responsibility too. Don't think that I don't know it, which is why I treasure the way that you've stood up for me, Gwen. The way that you've supported me. I need you."

" Ethan, that's the nicest thing you've said to me in a long time. I'm just trying to be a good wife."

" You're the best wife."

" Well then, let's go back out there and dazzle them. The new, wonderful, President of Crane Industries."

" Lets."

Ethan took Gwen's arm, and they went to join Julian and Ivy in the receiving line.

" Well Ethan, you ready for  tonight?"

" I think I've been preparing for it my entire life."

" You have, son. You have. Never have I been more proud to be your father." Julian put his hand on Ethan's back to show him support, and Ivy looked at this picture and said to herself, " Too bad Ethan isn't yours Julian. He's Sam's. Sam's son will inherit the Crane Empire."

" Father, while you were away, Chad came by the office."

" He did? What did he want?"

" He said that it was important that he speak to you. He was very insistent about it."

" Well, he's still coming tonight, right? I should see him here?"

" He said he was coming."

" Then I'll find out what he wants tonight."

Ethan nods, and they both continue to receive guests.
 

" Are you nervous?", Chad asked Theresa.

" A little. You?"

" More than a little. I don't know if I can do this."

Theresa took Chad's hand. " You can. Ethan wants you there. You have a right to be there. Plus, I'm sure your father will be there, and you can ask him about your mother. "

" I have a right to be there?"

" Of course you do. You are a Crane, Chad. Plain and simple. This is a Crane family party. You have a right to be there."

" But, Theresa.."

" Chad. Ethan went out of his way to ask you. That means you're wanted."

Saying Ethan's name again quieted Theresa, and of course, Chad noticed.

" Are YOU ready to be in the same room with Ethan?"

" Well….of….of course, Chad."

" Honestly? You can look me in the face and tell me that you don't still care for him?"

" Maybe. But, not in the way that you think. I look at Ethan, and I see all those fantasies and dreams that I used to have. You could even call them delusions. I was reading my diaries from just a year ago, and I don't recognize the person. I know it used to be me, but, I don't know her anymore. She's vanished. I had a hard fall to reality, and once you have, you can't go back to the land of delusional thinking."

" Theresa…you were never delusional. You just….you just had high ambitions for yourself. You believed in love. The overwhelming power of love, and you were a force to be reckoned with."

" But, what I felt for Ethan wasn't love. I believe that now. I don't know what it was….a girl's fantasy?"

" Nothing wrong with fantasies. Sometimes, when everything else is rotten, fantasies are what give you hope."

" Maybe. But, reality is more dependable, don't you think?"

" Don't get so real on me, Theresa. I liked the other you, too. You made me believe that things were possible. I found inspiration in that young woman."

" Well, I'm glad I could help you. But,  you like who I am now, don't you?"

Chad silenced her worries with a kiss. " I DEFINITELY like who you are now. You could even say, more than like."

Theresa blushed, and their conversation didn't continue because just then the driver spoke up, " We're here, Mr. Harris and Miss Lopez-Fitzgerald."

Chad nodded to the driver. " Thank you."

Chad didn't wait for the driver to come and open the door. He got out himself, and then he put out his hand to help Theresa from the limo. Once out, he took her red silk covered hand and kissed it.

" Here we go."
 
 

Chad and Theresa enter the Country Club where they were met by  one of the staff. " Mr. Harris. Miss Lopez-Fitzgerald, the family is waiting for you."

They motioned towards a large room, and Chad and Theresa began on their way. Before they got there, they heard someone call their names.

" Chad! Theresa!"

They turned around to see Sheridan and Luis  coming towards them. Sheridan was beaming. She hugged Chad when she got to him.

" I'm glad you came tonight. Ethan will appreciate it."

" Thanks Sheridan. Hey Luis, you look good in a monkey suit."

" Yeah, well Sheridan wants to be here for Ethan, and I want to be here for her. You know Ethan's not one of my favorite people."

The subject of Ethan was a sore one between Luis and Sheridan. Luis never would forgive Ethan for leading Theresa on and dumping her. He thought Ethan was a cad, and was far better off with Chad, though he had to admit that he had concerns since it was revealed that Chad was a Crane. But, Sheridan had reminded him that Luis loved her and she had been raised by the Cranes. Chad hadn't been, and it would be unfair  for Luis to judge him like that.

The two couples walked into the large ballroom, and towards the receiving line. They walked up to Julian, Ivy, Ethan and Gwen.

" Hello Ethan. Gwen. Congratulations.", Sheridan said, hugging them. " Gwen, that dress looks fabulous. But, I can tell that you're beginning to show.", Sheridan teased. Gwen beamed, and Theresa felt a pang in her heart. For all that she had told Chad, it was still painful to watch Gwen and Ethan together. And, expecting a baby.

" Sheridan, thank you. I'm glad you're here. And, Luis. Theresa. Chad. Chad, I'm glad you're here."

" No problem, Ethan. I told you I would be. " Chad looks around. " Seems like it's going to be quite a shindig."

" I hope it is."

Theresa stretched out her hand. " Ethan, I want to congratulate you on the Presidency. I know you'll do well."

Ethan accepted her hand and shook it. " Thanks, Theresa.  Thanks."

" Gwen, you do look beautiful. They say every expectant mother gets a glow about her, and you seem to prove the rule."

Gwen looked at her former foe. She smiled slightly and said, " That's very sweet of you, Theresa. I'm very happy. WE'RE very happy."

Theresa nods. " Yes, I see that."

" Well, Ethan. I just wanted to check in, let you know we're here. Theresa and I will take our seats."

" Well, if you go over there, Chad, the assistants will tell you where you and Theresa have been assigned to sit.", Ivy said, pointing to two young women with clipboards.

" Thank you, Mrs. Crane."

" Ivy. Call me Ivy."

" Ok, Ivy."

Chad and Theresa walked away, and then he turned and asked Theresa, " Will you get our seating assignment? I'm going to ask Julian about my mother."

Theresa nodded. " Sure."

Once Theresa was on her way, Chad looked over at Julian and motioned for him to step away from the line. They found themselves alone, and Chad asked,

" I went to see my mother, but it seems as if she's not there, anymore. Where is she?"

" She's trying to recuperate."

" She's ok?"

" Yes. I left her to come to Ethan's party. It's good to see you, Son."

" Well, I told Ethan I would be here.  I keep my word."

" Yes. That's why you're a good man. A far better man than I could ever be. Thank you."

" So, my mother's coming back?"

" To Harmony? Absolutely. She has many reasons to return, and you are at the top of the list."

" Well…I'm going to find Theresa. I….I want to thank you, for taking care of my mother. She needed someone, and you were there for her. All the way. I'll never forget what you did for her." Chad drew his father in for a quick hug, but, broke it off almost as soon as it happened.

Julian was stunned as Chad walked away.