Whitney and Ethan, A New Beginning (Chapter 1)
by NewWhithan
 

Ethan watched sadly as The car careened over the cliff, he tried to shout or even mutter but nothing happened Gwen was in that car and it had just gone over the cliff. Everything Ethan held dear was gone in a single instant, his wife was dead, and he couldn't even move to call the police he could do nothing. That's when everything went black.
Ethan Awoke to ringing of a phone somewhere in the house. He hated that nightmare, he'd had it every night for the last 2 months ever since Gwen had died in that accident, he hadn't actually been there when it had happened, but he felt like he had been, and he was powerless to stop that car. He put on his robe and answered the phone
"Hey, Ethan it's me, dad, I just called to tell you your mother's back in hospital." He heard the voice of Sam Bennett utter over the phone line.
"What happened?" He answered looking at the clock it was only 1:30 in the morning.
"apparently she tried to go up the stairs by herself and fell." His father said concerned.
"Damn her, I wish she would just learn to live in that wheelchair you'd think after 4 years in it she would except it."
"I know, she's just been so insistant that she wants to walk down the aisle at our wedding."
"Well, for her own safety I hope she gives up soon, after all she got what she wanted right she has your heart."
"She is the only women in my heart now Ethan, I'm sure of that, Anyway she's all right just a few bumps and bruises, doctor says it's nothing serious, they're keeping her over night, because she has a concussion, I just wanted to let you know we can't take Shana tomorrow."
"Dang, I don't know what to do, I hate to call Whitney again, she's done so much for me these last few months. but I guess I'll have to call her again."
"She doesn't mind she loves Shana, besides she's married to your best friend, she doesn't mind at all."
"I know it's just I hate to always bother her with it, she has a life of her own, she just got married, and it seems like she never see's Chad with all the work she does for me."
"I'm sure she doesn't mind, just call her in the morning."
"Yeah you're probably right dad, talk to you later." As he hung up he heard Shana softly utter momma, so he walked into her room to comfort his 1 year old, as she stared at him with her beautiful blue eyes he wanted to cry, in that instant she looked just like her mother, all Ethan could do was crawl in bed beside her and hold the little girl in his arms as they both drifted off to sleep.
 

Ethan Winthrop, please get up!" Ethan suddenly heard the voice of Whitney Harris say as he opened his eyes.
"Whitney, I didn't call you what are doing here?" He said still groggy, he remembered falling asleep next to Shana the night before and she wasn't there.
"Your mother called me last night to tell me about her fall so I came to watch Shana,I got her up and dressed she's playing in the play room, but you've over slept it's nearly 8:00"
At that Ethan, jumped up and threw on his shoes,
"I'm so Late Theresa and Fox are going to kill me, we have a meeting at 8:30 with one of our biggest clients."
"Well hurry, get over to Crane industries."
"What would I do without you Whit."
"I don't know, but you don't have to worry, I got it all under control" Somehow in the months since Gwen's death, Whitney had become Ethan's best friend, Chad was working as a music agent for a band on it's way up and he was always gone on tours and things. It had all started, when Gwen died Ethan had a daughter to raise and no one to help him. Whitney was alone most of the time and Ethan had needed someone to talk to as bad as Whit did. So he had asked Whitney one day if she would watch Shana, and ever since she was at Ethan's house more then her own. In fact it was getting to a point that Chad actually called Ethan's before calling home. Whitney was easy to talk to, and she seemed to understand what Ethan was going through, he had grown accustomed to having her around. Maybe if she weren't married to his best friend he would have even asked her out, as there were very few women in the world who could make him smile quiet like Whitney Harris.
After he was dressed he peaked in on Whitney and Shana, Shana was laughing and smiling she was so fond of Whitney. It was beautiful sight to see, if you didn't know better, (aside from their skin color) you would almost think they were mother and daughter.
 
 

As soon as Ethan was gone Whitney picked up Shana and carried her downstairs for Breakfast she decided to call Chad and see how he was doing on the road.
"Hello is Chad Harris in" she uttered after the phone rang twice.
"No he's with the band may I ask who's calling." The women said oddly.
"This is Whitney, his wife, just tell him I called o.k."
" I will Mrs. Harris, I promise." Whitney wished Chad was back she wished he would hold her in his arms and tell her how much her loved her, but Chad wasn't there, and sometimes Whitney wondered if she really wanted him to be. A lot had changed since Gwen died. Shana and Ethan were Whitney's best friends. Theresa was still there but she was so wrapped up her new husband Fox that she barely had time for Whitney. All this time she had spent with Ethan, she had developed feelings for him, feelings she knew she shouldn't have, She cared for Ethan. She sometimes wondered if she was in love with Ethan, but even if she were she would have to resist it. She had married Chad, and marriage was a sacred bond never to be broken. Whitney had always said that when she was married it was for good, and she had to honor that no matter what she felt for someone else.

Ethan arrived at his house after work, somehow he'd made it to the meeting on time and the rest of his day had gone smoothly he couldn't wait to tell Shana how much he loved her. He slipped into the house and saw Whitney sitting at on the couch reading a book. She looked upset and ready to talk.
"Hey Whit, were's Shana." He said taking a seat next to her on the couch.
"She fell asleep while she was watching TV earlier I took her up to bed." Whitney said barely looking up
"Is something wrong Whitney? Did something happen?" He asked sympathetically.
"Oh, Ethan it's Chad!"
"What is it did something happen to him."
"No, it's just that I've been trying to reach him all day, he's never around, he doesn't call me back he barely talks when I actually do reach him, sometimes I think I've fallen out of love with him completely."
"Oh, Whitney you can't mean that?" Ethan said slipping his hand into hers. "I remember how in love you and Chad are your just going through a rough patch right now."
"It's not a rough patch. It's the end.  Ethan, I really believe that."
"Whitney, you married him, I know how sacred marriage is to you, you wouldn't give up this easily would you."
"Ethan, I can't lie to myself, I don't love Chad anymore, maybe I never did."
"Whitney are telling me, you're leaving Chad?" Ethan asked coyly.
"I don't know I just know I've wanted to do this now for months and I'm going to do it."
"Do what whit..." but before Ethan could finish Whitney's lips were touching his at first he wanted to fight but he quickly gave in he had been wanting this for a long time too. So as Whitney pulled away he pulled her back to him. Her lips felt so soft against his he had never loved kissing someone so much in his entire life.

Just seconds later, Ethan was about to tell Whitney everything, all the times he'd wanted to kiss her, and hold her in his arms he wanted to tell her he loved her, but suddenly Whitney pulled away.
"No Ethan, I can't!" she screamed longingly
"But Whitney you started this I feel the same way don't you see I want you too?"
"I'm married. Marriage is supposed to be sacred.  I can be your friend, but I just can't do this.  I'm sorry."
"I know you believe marriage is something that is supposed to last forever, and your a women of honor, but what if you married the wrong person? Someone you don't love, What if you aren't with the person God meant for you to be with? Don't you think god would want you to be happy?"
"I'm sorry Ethan, I can't do this.  Goodbye, I'll be here tomorrow to take care of Shana." at that she grabbed her purse and hurried out the door.
 

Next thing Whitney knew she was in her car dialing Theresa on her cell phone.
"Hello, is Mrs. Crane in?"
"Yes, Rebecca is here." She heard the voice on the other line say.
"Not Rebecca, Theresa!"
"Yes, she's in as well, may I ask who's speaking?" The servant asked.
"Whitney Harris, Could you please hurry."
"Of course Mrs. Harris."
"Hey Whit, what's the matter?" Theresa said clearly the servant had said something about her desperate tone.
"It's Ethan, he's o.k. but I just need to Talk to you right away can you met me at my house in like 20 minutes?"
"UMM, sure Whitney, I'll be there asap, see you then."
"Bye" Whitney said as she hung up the phone, everything was strange never in her life had Whitney felt anything like that kiss. She Had to tell someone. Normally she would tell Ethan, but the wasn't an option so she knew she had to talk to Theresa. She knew that she had always loved Chad, but she was falling for Ethan as well.
What if Ethan was right, what if she had married the wrong man, she had to get Theresa take on all this then she would feel better.