1 hour challenge - theresa/ethan/gwen - start time 12:36 am - end time 1:27 am

His head throbbed, the pounding getting louder with each ticking second. As much as he wanted to call it a night, go to his bed, and fall into a restful sleep, he knew it was impossible. To his right, his first love, the girl he had been destined to marry. But to his left stood his true heart, the girl who actually taught him what love was.

How was he ever going to make this decision? And even if he did, could he live with the circumstances of that decision? Could he accept his future for what he had chosen, and be left to wonder what would have been if the choice were different? Snapping out of his thoughts, he walked over to the chair, taking a seat.

"Ethan, are you all right," Theresa asked, walking to sit beside him.

"No, Theresa, I'm not." It was the truth, and right now, it was all he could offer.

"Why don't you give him room to breathe," Gwen's angry voice erupted. He heard her footsteps walk over and felt her take the seat to his other side. Again, he was caught in the middle of two lives; two hearts; two women.

He could only choose one.

"Theresa," he began, but stopped.

"Ethan, I know a way we can be together," Theresa spoke once again.

He wondered what that was. She had been giving hints as to this mysterious cure for the predicament they were all currently trapped in, but had yet to actually voice it.

"Would you give him a minute, Theresa," Gwen barked loudly in his ear, only increasing the ringing between the two lobes.

"Gwen, I know you're upset," Theresa began calmly, which only set Gwen into another rage.

"You don't know a thing, little girl," Gwen spat angrily, standing.

Ethan stood as well, acting as a barrier between the two. "Gwen, calm down," he tried to soothe her.

"Calm down. 'Calm down Gwen,' 'I know you're upset Gwen,' 'I won't marry you Gwen, because I love Theresa,'" she mimicked, shouting angrily as she took a step back. "Do you know how long I have waited for this night, Ethan," she asked. "Tonight is supposed to be one of the happiest nights of my life because tomorrow is my wedding day. Or correction, *was* my wedding day. Now, you're ready to throw that all away to spend your life with...with *her*," she ended, pointing angrily at Theresa.

"Do you think I like this Gwen," Ethan asked. He had kept his emotions in check, but could no longer hold them at bay. "I want nothing more than for this to be simple. For me to know whom I'm supposed to spend the rest of my life with. For me to be able to make this choice and not have to hurt either of you. This is not something I ever looked forward to Gwen. Never!"

Seeing the tears in her eyes, the hurt on her face, he was instantly sorry. "Gwen, I--"

"Don't," she spat in a low voice. Shaking her head, she took shaky steps backward. "Don't even try to justify yourself to me Ethan Crane. *I* am your future. *I* am the woman you are supposed to spend the rest of your life with. *I* am the woman who is supposed to share your life, your home, your children with you. And if you're too damn indecisive about the so-called choice you're supposed to make, then fine. I'll make it for you." And with that, she turned and left the room.

He could only stare as she left, his mind telling him to stop her, but his feet staying glued to the floor. He looked over to Theresa, still on the sofa, to see her face frozen in amazement. He moved the few steps backwards, planting himself beside her.

"She gave you up," Theresa whispered. By her tone of voice, it was clear she was just as amazed by Gwen's actions as he was.

"I guess...I guess she did," he said. His own words brought a twist to his heart, a hollowness creeping within. All the things Gwen had said were true. She was the woman he was supposed make his wife tomorrow. She was the woman he was supposed to spend the rest of his days with, sharing his home, his life, his everything. And with one sentence, one tick of a second, she had walked away from it all.

Sliding a glance to Theresa, he saw her shocked face staring at him. "Are you okay," he asked in a whisper.

"I... I never... I didn't think she would just...give you up like that," she told him brokenly.

"Yeah. Me neither."

They sat in a still silence that was only broken by sharp footsteps as they approached.

"Ethan Crane," Rebecca Hotchkiss began, coming into the room.

The throbbing returned. "Rebecca," said, standing. He saw Theresa begin to stand as well, but halted her with his hand.

"I cannot believe--"

"Not here, Rebecca," Ethan cut her off, already walking her outside the room.

"Ethan Crane, get your hands off me this second," Rebecca groused.

"Gladly, Rebecca," he said as he released his hold on her.

"My daughter just left, upset and sobbing, and you're sitting in there with the help's daughter? Your father would be ashamed."

"My father is not present and what he thinks does not even factor into this matter. This is my life Rebecca. My decision, my choice, and no one, especially you, is going to point me in either direction. It will be my choice when I am ready to make it."

"And do you think you will get a second chance, Ethan? Don't think I didn't overhear what my daughter said before she ran out of here in tears. The only choice is no longer a choice Ethan Crane. I hope you remember that when you finally realize what a mistake you have made."

Again, he watched as another Hotchkiss walked out of his life. It was only at that moment it begin to dawn on him that the decision had been made. Turning, he looke back into the living room. She sat in the same space, looking nervously about, fiddling with her hands. A slow smile crept on his face and as he walked back into the room and prepared to begin his new life.

A life with Theresa.

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