Chapter 28: Ready or NotRating: PG
Ethan opened the door to his room silently and walked in careful not to wake Gwen. It was still early and Gwen was a heavy sleeper so Ethan knew that he wouldn’t be caught. But would she?
After taking off his coat and shoes Ethan walked over to their bed and eased himself onto it. Before lying down completely he looked over at Gwen who was sleeping, but not peacefully. For the first time Ethan noticed her furrowed brow as she slept and the worried look on her face as she lay beside him in silence.
You don’t sleep like that unless you have a secret Ethan thought as he stared down at her. Was Theresa right? Had it been Gwen that had ruined his life all those years ago just to keep him and Theresa apart?
Ethan shook his head, knowing that he just needed sleep. He lay his head on the pillow thinking of everything that had happened in the past and how everything was going to be different after today. What was in the past was done and any thoughts that his wife was the one who set up his very public fall from grace were complete nonsense.
Weren’t they?
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“Theresa, wake up!” Fancy practically screamed as she jumped into Theresa’s bed and began to shake her, “It’s almost nine and the hairdresser will be here soon.”
Theresa peeked open her eyes and stared up at Fancy who was expecting a reaction that was similar to her. She rubbed her eyes quickly and did her best to plaster on the biggest smile she could muster.
“I can’t believe this day finally came!” Theresa smiled, knowing that she was only half lying. She really couldn’t believe this day had finally come and now that it had there was absolutely no going back. She sat up and felt a large pit form in her stomach and she closed her eyes and inhaled.
“Are you okay?” Fancy asked placing a hand on her shoulder.
“I’m fine,” Theresa said as she opened her eyes, “I just feel a little queasy, that’s all.”
“It’s just nerves.” Fancy said smiling back at her, “Once you have something to eat it should go away.”
Theresa smiled back at Fancy; if only she knew that it would never go away. This pit in her stomach that came from marrying the wrong man would never be gone, over time maybe it would lessen but it would never completely be gone. It would be there gnawing at her heart and soul for the rest of her life and she just had to do her best to ignore it.
“You’re right,” she said getting out of bed and putting her robe on, “Let’s go grab something to eat from the kitchen before I am stuck in a makeup and hair chair for hours on end!”
They both laughed as they walked out of Theresa’s bedroom and down into the kitchen, getting ready for the day ahead of them.
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“Ethan, wake up!” Gwen demanded as she walked across the room and into the bathroom.
Ethan groaned and turned over to look at the clock; 11 a.m. Three hours until he got to watch the love of his life marry his brother. Ready or not, this day had finally come and there was absolutely no avoiding it. Groaning again, Ethan turned back over and buried his head under the pillow.
“Ethan!” Gwen boomed, “Get out of bed! We’re going to be late if you don’t get up and into the shower.”
“Why does it even matter if we’re late, Gwen?” Ethan sighed, “Why are we even going?”
Gwen opened the bathroom door and glared at him.
“Because he is your brother, that’s why.” Gwen responded looking back into the mirror as she tossed her hand through the wet hair on the top of her head.
“Are you sure that’s why we’re going Gwen?” Ethan said skeptically as he walked towards the bathroom, “Or are you just dying to see Theresa finally get married and move on?”
“Well, I can’t say that I won’t enjoy that as well,” Gwen said smiling deviously into the mirror.
“How many times have I told you that it’s over between Theresa and I?” Ethan said putting his hands on his wife’s shoulders.
“I know it is,” Gwen said looking at him through the mirror, “But that still doesn’t mean I’m not thrilled to see her marry another man. This will just cement the fact that she will never try and sink her claws into you again.”
Cement, that’s what Ethan’s heart felt like that this exact moment. He was fairly certain it had stopped beating when Theresa walked out on him last night and wouldn’t ever beat the same again now that she was gone.
“You’re right,” Ethan said distantly, “And I’m just glad Fox is happy.”
“How he could ever be happy with that shrew is beyond my comprehension--”
“Gwen.” Ethan interrupted sternly as he bent down and turned the shower on, “Not today, okay?”
“Fine,” she said looking back into the mirror before turning around and stroking Ethan’s bare back, “Do you want some company in there?”
Ethan slid off his pajama pants, tossed them aside and turned back and kissed Gwen on the cheek.
“No.” he said plainly, “We can’t be late,” Ethan said as he hopped in the shower… alone.
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“Okay, Theresa I have the kids dressed and ready now we’re just waiting for you,” Fancy called behind the dressing room curtain.
“I’ll be out in a second.” Theresa called as she smoothed her dress and looked around the dressing room. Closing her eyes, she wrapped her arms around her waist and if she tried hard enough she could almost picture Ethan there holding her and telling her that he loved her.
But he wasn’t there. She was alone standing in her dressing room an hour and a half before her wedding to another man, an amazing man that she couldn’t truly love no matter how hard she tried.
Shaking those thoughts away, Theresa stepped out from behind the curtain and looked over at Fancy, Jane and Little Ethan. Fancy gasped and covered her mouth with her hand while Little Ethan just smiled at her and Jane ran over and began tugging at the bottom of her dress so she reached down and picked her up.
“Theresa… you…. I… just, wow.” Fancy finally choked out and the two laughed.
“I’m glad you like it, Fancy.” Theresa smiled, “And might I say you look pretty amazing yourself!”
“Thanks,” Fancy said taking Jane from Theresa’s arms and placing her on her hip. “Now look, Kay and Pilar already went to the church to make sure everything is ready and I just talked to Fox, Miguel and Luis and they are already at the church.”
“That sounds fantastic!” Theresa said in disbelief, “I can’t believe there’s been no last minute drama or problems. How very un-Harmony!” she said laughing.
“You can say that again,” Fancy said nodding her head.
Theresa looked down at Little Ethan who seemed to be frowning. She took his chin in her hand and brought his face up to look at hers and when she looked into his deep brown eyes she knew something was wrong.
“Hey, Fance?” Theresa asked, “Would you mine taking Jane out to the car and I’ll be out with Little Ethan in just a moment?”
“No problem,” Fancy said, sensing they needed some time to themselves, “I’ll make sure everything is ready to go.”
“Thank you so much, Fancy, I really appreciate everything you’ve done.” Theresa said hugging her and kissing Jane on the forehead before she watched the two walk out the door. When she saw they were gone she looked back at Little Ethan.
“Come sit down, you.” Theresa said bringing Little Ethan over to the couch. “Is everything okay?”
“It’s fine, Mom.” Little Ethan answered looking at the floor.
“Obviously it’s not,” Theresa said taking his hand in her own, “What’s the matter? You can tell me anything, you know that.”
“I know,” Little Ethan said looking up at her with tears in his eyes, “It’s just, I mean… I like Uncle Fox and everything… but…”
“But what?” Theresa asked as she wiped away the tears from his cheeks.
Silence hung in the air as Little Ethan turned from her and avoided her stare. Theresa reached over and patted his shoulder until he finally turned around and his gaze met hers.
“I always thought you’d marry Uncle Ethan.” he said honestly.
His words hit Theresa like a ton of bricks and she inhaled sharply as she looked back at her son. She reached forward and pulled his head onto her shoulder and brought him into a hug. Before she knew it tears were falling from her eyes, but she didn’t stop them and she just squeezed him tightly.
“So did I,” she whispered into his ear softly, “So did I.”