Ethan and Theresa had been dating for about five months, when Ethan invited Theresa and her family to have dinner with him, and his, at the Seascape. Theresa was nervous about it at first, but decided that their families had to find out about them sooner or later. So she told her family that the guy she had been seeing wanted to invite them out to dinner at the Seascape. They agreed, they were anxious to meet Theresa’s boyfriend.
Ethan had gone through the same thing with his family, and they agreed to come too. His grandfather said that he couldn’t waste time with family introductions, and to call him when they got engaged. Ethan wasn’t angry, he was actually relieved. He was afraid that his grandfather would try and cause trouble.
Theresa sat at her vanity table, making sure that her make-up was perfect. She was nervous about the dinner. She just hoped that her brothers didn’t cause trouble. Her family was picking her up in the limo in five minutes. She picked up the phone and dialed Ethan’s cell. “Ethan Crane.” he said, into the phone. Theresa smiled to herself, “Hi sweetie, are you on your way to the Seascape yet?” she asked.
“Yes, I’m in the limo right now. I’m going to get my family seated, them I’ll come get you and your family out front. OK?” Ethan asked. “Alright honey, my family should be here any time now. I love you.” Theresa said. Ethan smiled, “I love you, too.” They both hung up. Theresa grabbed her wrap, when she heard her doorbell chime. She smoothed her red dress and walked out the door.
May 2001-
Seascape....
Ethan went with his family to their table, then walked back outside to wait for Theresa. When the Lopez-Fitzgerald’s limo pulled up his heart started to beat fast. ‘We are going to be fine. You love Theresa, she loves you, that’s all that matters.’ he thought, trying to calm himself down. The driver got out of the limo, and opened the door. One by one, the Lopez-Fitzgerald family got out of the car.
Theresa jumped out of the limo, and ran into Ethan’s arms, kissing him on the cheek. Martin smiled at his daughter and her boyfriend, then turned around to help Pilar out. Martin and Pilar walked over to the couple. “Hello, I’m Martin, Theresa’s father. And this is my beautiful wife, Pilar.” he said, introducing his wife. Little did he know that Ethan and Pilar already knew each other.
Ethan took his hand and shook it. “Hello Martin. I’m Ethan.” Ethan turned to Pilar, “Hello Pilar, how are you?” he asked, kissing her hand. Pilar smiled at him, “I’m fine. And you?” she asked. She was worried about his whole dinner. She knew that Martin and the rest of the family, didn’t know that Ethan was a Crane. Ivy Crane made sure that her children were kept out of the public eye as much as possible. Pilar looked at Ethan and Theresa. She was still thanking God that Luis and Beth hadn’t been able to come to this dinner.
“I’m fine now that Theresa’s here.” he said, happily. Martin smiled, “Well I’m glad that one of my daughters’ has found an upstanding gentlemen.” he said, casting a sideways glance at his other daughter, Paloma. “Well isn’t that peachy keen?” Paloma said, stepping up next to her parents, with her husband, Caleb.
Theresa shot her a dirty look. ‘That’s just like her, to be rude, why’d she have to come anyway!?” Theresa thought. Paloma stepped closer to Ethan, “Aren’t you going to introduce yourself to the rest of us?” she asked, sarcastically, waving toward Antonio, Gwen, Caleb, Miguel and Kay. Ethan blushed, ‘This girl is rude! Maybe this wasn’t such a snappy idea after all.’ he thought.
After the introductions, they all went inside the Seascape, and sat down at the table. Martin and the rest of the Lopez-Fitzgeralds were shocked to see the Crane clan at their table. Martin looked at Theresa for answers. “What the hell is going on?” he asked, quietly. Theresa looked at him ashamed, “Daddy, we didn’t want to tell you, but Ethan is a Crane. Daddy, before you start protesting hear me out.” she said, catching the attention of the whole table.
Theresa stood up and wrapped her arms around Ethan’s waist, who was still standing next to the table. “Ethan and I are in love.” she said, hearing everyone gasp. “And we plan on getting married in August.” Ethan said. Again, a gasp. Julian was furious, “You two are just going to spring this on us? Without even asking for our blessing?” he asked standing up.
Martin and his family were in shock. “Why didn’t you tell us that he was a Crane?” Paloma, said in disgust. “What the hell is that supposed to mean?” Heather Crane asked, jumping to her feet. Paloma turned and sneered at her, “It means that, I can’t believe that my baby sister would involve herself with such a disgrace of a man. Especially one from the Crane family!” she said, snottily. Theresa stepped to intervene, “Look I don’t care what anyone at this table thinks! I love Ethan and I could care less if any of you disapprove.” she said, placing her hands on her hips. Julian laughed, “I hate to break it to you, you little fajita, but no son of mine is going to marry a Lopez-Fitzgerald!” he said. “Not now! Not ever!”
Ethan started yelling at him, but Martin stepped in. “Listen here! I won’t have you or anyone in your family calling my family names! And repeatedly insult them! I think that’s time to leave. Theresa?” he said, extending his hand to his favorite daughter. Theresa shook her head, “I’m not going anywhere. I’m staying with Ethan.” she said, holding on to Ethan tighter.
Miguel was worried, after all Theresa was his sister and Ethan was one of his best friends. Antonio on the other hand was furious. “You are coming with us right now! I won’t have my sister dating a rotten Crane! Now get your ass over here, now!” he yelled reaching for his sister. They now had the attention of the entire restaurant. But the two families didn’t seem to care.
“You will not speak to me that way! I most certainly don’t have to listen to you!” Theresa said, looking at Gwen for help. “Honey calm down. You can’t make Theresa go anywhere. She’s a grown woman. Let’s just go.” Gwen said, placing her hand on her husband’s arm. She was worried about her best friend, she too was surprised that Theresa was engaged to a Crane.
Antonio shook his head, “Theresa Maria Lopez-Fitzgerald you are so lucky that Luis couldn’t come to this dinner! When did you become so disrespectful? Let me guess, when your started hanging around a Crane! I can’t believe that you! You are a disgrace to this family!” he yelled grabbing Gwen’s arm. “If you go through with this wedding, than you are no longer my sister!” he yelled, and dragged Gwen out of the restaurant.
Theresa was shocked and hurt, but she wasn’t about to back down. She loved Ethan, and if her family couldn’t be happy for them than they could all go to hell. She looked at the rest of her family. “Is that how you all feel?” she asked, scared at what they would say. Ethan pulled her closer, he was worried about her.
Martin looked at his little girl. “I love you, Theresa. I don’t feel the way Tony does, but I think that we all need to talk about this.” he said, indicating both families. Paloma looked at her father with disgust. “Well I sure the hell agree with Tony! I don’t want some trashy people being related to me.” she said, looking at the Crane family.
Heather jumped to her feet. “Listen bitch, I think that the only trash at this table is you! What right do you have to come over here and start insulting my family? And from what I hear about you at the Country Club, your nothing but a cheap slut in Jimmy Choo shoes!” Heather said, furiously.
Paloma and Heather started screaming at each other, and the rest of the families joined in. Ethan and Theresa quietly walked out of the Seascape. They hailed at cab, and went to Theresa’s apartment. When they got there, Theresa unlocked the door. “I can’t believe our families! How immature! You can bet that we’re going to be on every trashy tabloid in the world.” she said, looking at Ethan. He kissed her softly, “Let’s just go to sleep. We’ll talk about this tomorrow morning.”
Julian walked into his study just in time to answer the phone. “What?” he said into the receiver. “So this is how you answer the phone? Figures. But anyway, what the hell are you doing!? Airing our dirty laundry in public! No wonder that I passed you up as my heir!” Alistar said.
“Look Father, I’m not in the mood for this right now! I have more important things on my mind.” he said, thinking about the new nanny that was upstairs waiting for him. “Julian the nanny can wait! What’s this I hear about Ethan engaged to Theresa Lopez-Fitzgerald?” Alistar yelled into the phone. Julian rolled his eyes, “The boy thinks that he is in love with the little burrito. It’s disgusting.” he said, pouring some brandy into a glass.
“Julian, I hate that family with a passion, but think what if we could propose a merger with them? We would be the biggest alliance in the damn world! So you better start buttering up to that imbecile Martin Fitzgerald, and fast!” Alistar said, and slammed the phone down. Julian looked at the phone in shock. ‘Father wants me to form a friendship with those people? Has he lost his mind!?’ he thought, walking out of his study and upstairs. It was time to have fun with the nanny.