Home

=================

*I'm Already There*

[Author Note: Already There is sung by Lone Star]

He hated that he had to be away from her for even a moment, but a job was a job and he needed the money for their family. Their family! Sometimes he seriously couldn’t believe that he was married to her. It had been a long, hard road, but they had made it to the altar. In fact, they had been married for seven years now with three children: five-year-old twins, Tristan and Trinity, and two-year-old girl, Kathryn. Being away from them was difficult, but he knew he would see her again soon…

His Sheridan!

Parking his car in the parking lot of the little hotel where he was currently set up to do his undercover work, Luis cut off the ignition and sighed. He had already been away from them for four days and he wasn’t sure how long it would be until he would finally return to Harmony and his family. This hadn’t been the first time he was away, but he knew this would be the last. He left his car and headed into the empty hotel room, falling onto the bed and looking at the picture of them he kept in a nearby suitcase. Immediately he knew what he wanted to do.

He picked up his cell phone and dialed the number to their house, the seven digits that would connect him to his family. He needed to talk to them, to tell them how much he loved them and hear their voice just one last time. It had been too long since he had been able to talk to his children and Sheridan, far too long. God how he loved his family! They meant everything to him and he swore this would be the last job he would accept that took him away from them for so very long. After all, a father needed his children just as much as they needed him.

The phone only rang three times before someone picked up. He could hear Sheridan and Tristan laughing in the background with little Kathy’s squeals of glee. It wasn’t unusual for the family to be having so much fun; he only wished he was there for it. He could imagine them all sitting in the living room playing games and having tickle wars and pillow fights. Tristan LOVED pillow fights!

Smiling, he wiped away a tear from his cheek and waited patiently for someone to say something. He assumed one of the children must have grabbed the phone, probably his little Trin, and he was sure of it when he heard Sheridan yell, “Trin, baby, who’s on the phone?”

He could see his little girl shrug her shoulders, realizing she hadn’t said anything. Then, as if finally remembering that she had picked it up, Trinity’s little voice came over the line. “Hello? What do you want?”

He chuckled softly, loving his little girl’s spunk. “Hey, pumpkin. It’s Daddy!”

“DADDY!” she squealed, causing him to move the phone from his ear for a moment. Damn she had one set of lungs on her! “Daddy, I miss you so tons! Mommy misses you too! And Tristan is SO mean, he never listens to Mommy and Daddy…Daddy, you there? Daddy, are you listening to me?”

He laughed at how she rambled on and on about things, going so quick that he had trouble keeping up. She was so much like her mother when she was excited, her blue eyes sparkling with mischief. With a smile, he replied, “Yea baby, Daddy’s here.”

“Not the baby!” she huffed, but it was soon forgotten. “Daddy, I love you…when are you coming home to me?”

He felt his heart break when her little voice lowered sadly and he could sense the tears that silently rolled down her cheeks. He missed her too, so very much. Without even thinking, Luis said the first thing he could think of. “I never really left, sweetie, I’m there with you now. Everywhere you look you’ll see me. I’m part of you always.”

“Oh, Daddy!” she sniffled. “I’ll remember to say my prayers for you tonight and I will make sure Tristan says his too! Oh, Daddy, don’t forget to bring me back a present! And whatever it is, make sure it’s purple! I love purple!”

Luis laughed again. “I won’t, sweetheart. I’ll bring you something purple, I promise. Now put Mommy on the phone, ok?”

“Okay, Daddy! I love you and miss you and I’m sending you hugs and kisses!” And then she gave him a “MUAH!” and released the phone, skipping away.

Luis chuckled. God his Trin was one sweet little girl, his little angel. She was always so full of energy and so sweet to everyone…just like his wife. He heard the phone hit the table and then Trinity’s yell, “MOMMY, DADDY’S ON THE PHONE!”

“Hello?” her voice floated through the line like soft music. Just hearing her voice warmed him to the core and his arms ached to hold her.

“Hey, baby. I miss you.”

“Oh, Darling! I miss you too! I’m so glad you called because I’ve been dying to tell you just how much I love and miss you tonight. I was going to call but I didn’t want to chance your security. I everything all right?”

“I love you too and I’m fine. I’m just lonely here without you. How have the kids been? Have they been listening? Trin says that Tristan has been a trouble maker.”

Sheridan giggled. “They’re fine. We’re all fine. Tristan is being his usual demonic self, but that’s because he takes after his daddy so much. Trinity has been a little worried about you, but we’ll be all right. Oh! Katie finally caught the big read ball today! I wish you could have seen it; she was so excited! But like I said, we’ll be fine! In fact, we have plans to go out for lunch with Mama tomorrow…but it won’t be the same without you my love.”

“I miss you too. I wish you were here. Heck, I wish I was there…or anywhere as long as I was with you guys.”

Looking around to make sure the children were occupied, which they were, Sheridan whispered, “I wish I was with you too, Luis, laying beside you in bed, holding you after we’ve made love…”

She heard his quick intake of breath and smiled pleased. It didn’t take much to get to him, and even after seven years and three children, she had a wonderful figure. He groaned as he released his breath and she chuckled mischievously.

“But tonight I’ll be dreaming about you and I know you’ll be dreaming of me, love. We’ll be together, kissing and snuggling together in our bed, talking about our day. Can you see us, Luis? Can you see my fingertips on your skin? Feel my breath on your ear and my kiss on your lips?”

Could he? Oh hell yes! “I can…I wish you were really here though, Sheridan. I wish we really were making love.”

“But I am there with you, Luis, in your heart and in your dreams. I’m kissing your cheek and then your lips…I’m there if you look for me just like I know you’re here with me. I’m not going anywhere ever. We’ll always be together, just like we promised. I love you.”

“I love you too and I can feel your love all the way over here. It’s what keeps me warm at night and when lights up my world.” He checked the clock. “I better go,” he sighed, “I have to get up early, babe.”

“Ok,” she sighed, not wanting this call to end so soon. “Do you have any idea when you’ll finally be able to come home?”

He chuckled “Soon I hope. I have a big lead on the case and it all should be over soon.”

“Ok, see you soon then. Love you.”

“Love you too,” he replied as she hung up the phone.

As he hung up, he shut off the light and lay back against the pillows. “I’m already there, Sher, already there. No matter what I know where together no matter where I am. Together always and forever.”

With that he closed his eyes and dreamed of the picnics they had taken and the games they had played together in Harmony Park. For just a little while he was home again with his family, even if it was only in his dreams. No matter what happened, no matter where they were, he and Sheridan were always together.

The End

Disclaimer:
This story in is in no way meant to infringe upon the rights belonging to , NBC, or any entity thereof. All rights to Passions and any related content, including characters used, belong to "Outpost Farms Production Inc", James E. Reilly, and NBC.
This story is the property of the author. Copyright 2001. Nothing may be reprinted in whole or in part without the written permission of the author.
I'm Already There- Copyright © 2001 - All Rights Reserved.