Theresa walked in the office trying not to make eye contact again. He was definitely handsome and his smile was to die for. She put the folder back in the range of her eyes and read back over the resume as she sat down.

Theresa: well Jared your resume is very exceptional. When can you start?

Jared: as soon as you need me Mrs. Crane.

Theresa: its Theresa. Everyone here is on a first name basis so it'll be easier for everyone to relax around the company. Can you start tomorrow? Say seven in the morning?

Jared: of course thank you for the chance to work for Crane Industries.

Theresa: see you in the morning bright and early.

Jared: oh wait, I forgot. What position do I have? Just so I can be ready.

Theresa: you're my personal assistant. Everywhere I go you'll be right behind me.

Jared: whatever you say Tess. Is that okay?

Theresa: of course. Good night Jared.

After working all day and Valerie getting Jared up to par for his new position, Theresa headed to the nursery to find Kay and Fox already picking up Maria. She gathered her kids and headed to the limo to find Ethan leaning against it with the chaffour trying to make him leave. Ethan locked onto her and tried coming up to Ethan Martin with a smile but the boy maneuvered out of his range and into the limo where the driver stood between them.

Theresa: seriously Ethan? Now you're stalking me and my children?

Ethan: quite the turnaround right Theresa?

Theresa: Jake can you please put my daughter in her car seat while I speak to Mr. Winthrop?

Jake: of course Mrs. Theresa. Come come Janie.

Jane was handed to the driver who kept his own body between Ethan and the children. Ethan was getting frustrated now.

Ethan: Theresa let me see our kids!

Theresa had a flashback to when Ethan forbade her from ever seeing Jane again after Rebecca had thrown herself down the stairs.

Theresa: well turnabout is fair play Ethan. How does it feel to be on the receiving end of something you're not responsible for doing?

Ethan: what are you talking about?

Theresa: I'm talking about when Rebecca threw herself down the stairs and then not one person believed me and I was forbidden from being anywhere near my own child. You tried taking my daughter to India without consent from the court to leave the country, much less without her biological mother's permission written down. Turnabout is fair play. Gwen is a walking disaster and stays away.

Ethan: she's my wife and will be involved as our children's stepmother.

Theresa: over my dead, cold, lifeless body will that delusional psychopath ever be near my children ever again and play mommy to MY CHILDREN. Have a nice day Mr. Winthrop.

Theresa shoved past Ethan and got into the limo. The driver shut it and Theresa locked the door as Ethan tried to re-open it. The driver drove off leaving a fuming Ethan behind. Ethan returned to find Gwen redecorating the cottage to their style and taste. Thankfully Ethan still had his job and Gwen had insisted on getting her trust fund out of Crane Banks and back into her own. Once her money was safely away from Crane Banks she carefully ordered some furniture and donated all of Sheridan's to a local orphanage. Sheridan's cottage was a three bedroom two bath. The kitchen was too small for Gwen's taste but she loved it anyway.

Gwen had hoped he would return with both children but was saddened slightly when he returned alone. Gwen excused herself and texted her mother. Julian and she now lived in a three bedroom house close to Ivy and Sam. Julian still had his job at Crane and he planned to keep it that way despite Rebecca's whinning. Gwen knew this was all coming and expected Theresa to take Ethan back someway, somehow but Ethan had reassured her their vows meant everything to him.

Ethan: did you get ahold of your mother?

Gwen: yes, they live a few blocks from your parents now. Julian took everything he needed from their bedroom furniture to the livingroom furniture. I think Julian is selling most of what he cant use or auctioning others. Mother is adjusting decently.

Ethan: I cant believe Theresa threw out Julian and your mother.

Gwen: I know. It was downright cruel especially since neither really had anywhere to go.

Ethan: luckily Julian was able to buy a place though and still has his job at Crane.

Gwen: by the way I got that job at Collier. So that will definitely bring in more money for us.

Ethan was not worried. His job alone was more than enough to support them and then some, but his main priority was being part of his childrens lives. Theresa had to cave eventually with Gwen being their step-mother. When Theresa re-married, the guy would be their step-father and he was okay with it.

Meanwhile Theresa was in the livingroom with her children. Fox and Kay was with her having little Maria in Fox's lap. Miguel had found Charity and never returned leaving Kay to fend alone for their child, until she bumped into Fox. They clicked instantly. Theresa was going over some papers Jared had brought in that Valerie needed before the night was over. Kay was watching and smiling seeing Theresa smile like the old days as if she were falling in love.

A few months later, Theresa and Jared were dating. It had taken time but it finally happened and Theresa was head over heels in love and so was he. Kay had set their first date up by pretending each of them were meeting Kay. Their first date went okay. Ethan and Gwen had shown up with both demanding Theresa allow them to see the children unsupervised but she refused to relent and Ethan was getting jealous, it had ended up with Ethan and Jared in a brawl and Theresa and Gwen in a brawl. Ethan and Gwen were sent to jail for assault, harassment and stalking.

Sam got his son and daughter in law out on bail within 24 hours. Ethan and Gwen returned to their temporary home because both had to be at work the next day. Ethan had been fired by Theresa when everyone got into the brawl the day before so now he was working in clerical with his dad at the station. Gwen was still working for Collier which was where 90% of their income came from and she worked hard and long hours. Gwen was getting ready to go to India for a project her boss needed her expertise and she asked Ethan to go with her but he refused because he couldn't leave his job.

Gwen: I really wish you would come with me Ethan, a honeymoon with my sexy husband would be nice you know.

Ethan: I know but I just started with dad and he already said no honey.

Gwen: I still cant believe ill be gone for an entire three weeks though. I really don't like being away from you and the children for so long.

Ethan: I know, our small moments with the kids has been great. Jane's still too little to understand but Ethan Martin thinks it's a game.

Gwen: well if you change your mind just call me okay? I have to get going, are you still dropping me off at the airport?

Ethan: yes and then I'm coming back home for a long nap before my double shift tomorrow.

Gwen: I love you honey. I'm going to miss you so much.

What Ethan didn't know was Gwen had Jane waiting on the plane with her mother Rebecca. Rebecca would pretend to be her, when she got there Rebecca would trade her places and chart off to a new destination. Rebecca however was waiting in the bathroom with Jane who she redressed as a bouncing baby boy. Gwen would go to her next plane change and go on a different flight dressed differently with a brunette wig.