Those Who Laugh Last...Chapter Nineteen {E/T, Gwen}
by sadhappygirl
 

Chapter 19
Gwen smiled as she laid her eyes on her parents and her best friend.

" I guess I have to give up seafood salad." She joked as she wiped the tears from her eyes. "I don't ever want to go through this again."

"Tha'ts okay darling, let it all out." Sheridan said softly. Only she knew the double meaning of Gwen's words.

Gwen shook her head furiously. "How could I have been so stupid? I should have known better."

Rebecca threw her arms around her daughter.

"It's okay dear, we're going to sue the Seascape, isn't that right Johathan?"

"Of course dear." Jonathan agreed.

Gwen burst into laughter.

"Mother I love your attitude." She said.

"But I am serious, the Seascape will be lucky if they fry hamgurgers when I get through with them."

"Dr. Russell say that you can go home whenever you're ready." Sheridan replied.

"Sheridan will it be okay if I spend a few days with you?" She asked softly. "I don't feel like going home right now.

"Of course you can." Sheridan replied. "Luis is off on an assignment for the FBI, I will be happy for the company."

"Don't worry about coming into work for the next few days." Her father said. "Take all the time you need off."

"I'll be in Friday for the meeting with Northwells Bank." She said.

Sheridan drove her home where she threw some clothes in an overnight bag.

Sheridan saw the cold dinner on the table.

"The evening started off perfect." Gwen began. "Colyer cooked dinner while I took a nap on the couch. He asked me about my fetish for crackers, I was about to tell him the truth when Ethan showed up and started to act like I need to be rescued and ruined it all." She explained. "I should have known better, from now on I am swearing off men and focus all my attention on my baby and work." She vowed. "Gwendolyn Hotchkiss is out of the love business for good."

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Colyer sat at the bar of the Blue Note Jazz club and ordered a beer with a tequilla chaser.

"Hey buddy, you looked as if you just lost your best friend." The bartender observed.

Colyer downed the shot of tequilla followed by a huge glup of beer. "I have." He replied as he placed the empty mug on the bar. "She doesn't want to see me again."

The bartender cocked a brow. "So your friend is a she?"

"Yep. She just threw me out without hearing my side of the story." He explained. "But you want to hear the kicker?"

"Sure pal."

"Tonight I found out that she's pregnant with another's man child. We had been seeing each other nearly every day for a month and she didn't bother to tell me - so much for honesty." He cracked as he ordered another round.

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Ethan was silent on the drive home. Rebecca's words kept creeping into his mind.

"Ethan everything is going to be alright." Ivy assured him. "Gwen and the baby are fine."

"But I could have killed them mother." Ethan replied. "Rebecca was right, I did knew better."

"Ethan I wish tht you would stop beating yourself up over this. You set out to accomplish your mission, to out Colyer Fox for the snake he is."

"But Gwen didn't want to see me either mother."

"Don't worry about Gwen, sure she's a little miffed right now but that will pass."

"I hope tht you're right." He said. "Because I don't think I could live without her."

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Theresa's attorney had gotten her bail reduced and she was able to post bail.

"Now remember Mrs. Winthrop, you must obey the restraining order or you will be back behind bars before you know it." He advised her.

"Don't worry about me." She smiled. "I'll stay as far away from that skank as possible." She promised. "I only want to see my husband."

Pilar was overjoyed to see Theresa free at last.

"Mija, I am so happy." She cried.

"Can the fake tears mama." Theresa said coldly. "You left me in there to rot."

"Theresa I was not going to sell my wedding rings to get you out of jail." Pilar stated firmly.

Theresa rolled her eyes. "Have you seen Ethan?"

"No."

"I was hoping that he will be here." She said. "Did you tell him?"

"I left a message for him."

"Mama!" She cried. "You were suppose to tell him in person!"

"Ethan has not been around much lately."

"I bet it's because of Gwen and her spawn." She fumed. "Damn that woman, she had to get herself pregnant!"

"Theresa keep your voice down, people are beginning to stare."

"I don't care, let them." She hissed.

"Come on Theresa, I have a nice little celebration waiting for you at the Bed and Breakfast."

"Is Miguel still angry with me about the car?"

"A little, but he was just thankful that no one was hurt." She said carefully. She hadn't the heart to tell her that Miguel is seriously thinking about taking her on "People's Court" to make sure he get the money to pay for the damages done to his car."

"What I need is a good long soak in the tub to get the prison stench off me." Theresa said. "And then will go and see Ethan."

"Theresa I don't think that will be a good idea."

She rolled her eyes at her mother once again. "Really mama, fate is on my side, Ethan will be happy to see me."

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Ethan played back the message from Pilar, for his mother.

"What?!" Ivy exclaimed. "Theresa has been released?"

"I'm afraid so." Ethan sighed. He grabbed the car keys and from the hall table. "I'll be back." He said. "I'm going to to see Theresa, it's about time we discuss the annulment."