The entire Crane household cheered as the news came in that Andrea and Lil Ethan were safe. Pilar pursed her mouth when she heard Theresa was taken into custody and would be retained at the police station for Ethan had pressed charges of kidnapping against her. Wordlessly, she walked out of the house and into her car for the police station, not even looking at Luis and she walked out. Luis and Paloma stood with their arms around each other as they watched their mother drive off.

“Why Luis? Why does she always stick up for Theresa?” Paloma asked, her eyes filling with tears.

“I don’t know Paloma. I guess she just doesn’t want to think that one of her own children can act like that. She’ll have to get used to it though. Ethan’s not going to drop charges on this one, and honestly, he shouldn’t. Theresa needs to learn from her actions. Maybe this time will teach her. I hope.”

Sheridan was smiling as Gwen opened her eyes. “Honey, they found them. Andrea and Lil Ethan are safe. Ethan’s on his way back with them now.”

Gwen’s eyes filled with tears. “Oh thank heaven! I can’t even imagine if they’d been hurt.”

“They’re fine sweetie. And Theresa’s been detained. Ethan’s filed kidnapping charges against her so you won’t be seeing her for a long time.”

Gwen hugged her best friend tightly. “He’s finally done it. He’s finally gotten rid of Theresa for good.”

Ethan raced up the stairs with Andrea in his arms and embraced his wife. Tears of happiness flowed from all of them as they wordlessly hugged each other.

The next few days were a bustle of activity. Despite Pilar’s pleas, Ethan did not back down. He was determined to make Theresa pay for her actions. Pilar didn’t speak to Luis for a few days, but then one day, she surprised him by making his favorite breakfast and apologizing for her actions. She said she understood why he had to do what he did and that Theresa was not at all sorry for what she had done and she needed help. Paloma returned to Mexico after spending a fun filled week with the charming Fox. She promised a return trip soon and even gave Pilar a heart filled hug on her way to the airport.

Alistair called Pilar at home one day and told her he had a solution he thought she would be in agreement of in regards to Theresa. Ethan, Gwen, Ivy and Julian were waiting for her when she arrived.

“Pilar, we have come to a decision we believe will work for everyone. I have spoken to a psychiatrist and she has agreed that Theresa should be hospitalized. She says she is suffering delusions and paranoia and has a dependency disorder. I have made arrangements for her to go to the finest mental hospital in the country. It is in LA.”

“You can’t take my daughter away from me,” Pilar started but Alistair put up his hand.

“It’s not for good Pilar. Just until she is well. This is in lieu of prison time which is guaranteed if you disagree. A restraining order will be placed against her. She will never see Ethan, Gwen nor Andrea again. All expenses will be paid by me. We all want to see her get better.”

Pilar sat in silence for a while. “What other choice do I have,” she finally said, dejected.
“Excellent. I will let them know she is on her way,” Alistair said as he shooed them all from his office.

A few days later, Pilar bid an emotional farewell to Theresa. Theresa screamed at her through the window of the car. “You can’t keep me from Ethan! You can’t! I will never stop loving him! Never!”
 

The months passed quickly. Chad moved to LA to be near Theresa and open a recording studio. Theresa was non responsive for a while, determined to not give up on Ethan’s love for her, but one day, she broke into tears and held Chad tightly as she admitted she was in wrong. She apologized to Chad and thanked him for being there through everything. She then called her mother and apologized to her and thanked her for sending her to the hospital so she could get well. After a while, she was well enough to leave the hospital but she opted to stay in LA with Chad. Over the months, she had realized that Chad had been there for her through everything and she had fallen in love with him. The two moved in together and lived quite happily.

Julian decided he was too old to raise a baby and allowed Lil Ethan to move in with Gwen, Ethan, and Andrea in their new home. They of course called him Martin to avoid confusion. When Theresa left the hospital, she contacted them and apologized to them profusely. She also signed over custody of Lil Ethan to them with the stipulation that she be able to visit him when she was in Harmony and they keep her updated on his life. They readily agreed and he was officially adopted Ethan Martin Winthrop on the same day Gwen found out she was pregnant again, much to Ethan’s delight.

Kay and her mother had a great time together and by the end of it, Kay was sorry to see her mother go. Charity decided to move home and go to school in Harmony and Kay invited her to move in with her. The two shared an apartment until the day Charity and Miguel were married. Kay was Charity’s maid of honor where she happily watched the two of them give their vows. John and Kay were engaged a few months later.

Julian and Ivy were remarried as well and lived happily in marital torment enjoying much time with Lil Ethan and Andrea. Fox stayed and happily learned the tricks of the trade from his grandfather who passed over the family business to him when he retired. Fox and Whitney stayed close and spent time together even though it never turned serious. Fox also enjoyed time with Paloma when she came to visit that was quite often since Pilar had cleaned out Theresa’s room for her visits. Pilar also flew to Mexico often to see Paloma and the twos relationship was improving dramatically.

Eve and David were married and happily living together with Whitney. Whitney continued enjoying her job and improved her tennis to the point that she was playing pro.

Fox happily looked over his view of Harmony.  Things were better than he had ever imagined. His phone rang. It was Gwen, inviting him over to dinner. There had arrived in harmony and Gwen had decided to make dinner in honor of Chad and Theresa’s engagement. Fox smiled happily. He had gotten everything he wanted. He was sole heir to the Crane fortune. He graciously accepted and picked up his tennis racket. Whitney had just returned home from a pro game. He was going to show her who was really boss.

The End