Prologue

Frightened azure eyes gazed out the little window to the door, eagerly scanning the vacant hall for any sign of life. The tip of her index finger taped a rhythm against the frame, the beats in time to a melody only she could hear. It was a love song that had started the minute she had recognized Luis in that tailored orderly’s uniform, the cream and white accentuating the finer parts of his body. Her lips twisted into a wicked smirk as she relieved every glorious detail of her long, loving visit with Luis. It fell, however, when she recalled the words he muttered before disappearing back into the hall.

“I promise to find a way to get you out of here, Sheridan, but this goes a lot further than your thinking that Martin is your son. This is a vendetta that my brother has against me; he thinks he can keep you locked away from me until you love him.”

She hadn’t wanted to believe him, but then he had previously recounted every gory detail of life outside of her own little prison. Antonio definitely believed that this was in his best interests and not hers; she had seen as much when he and Beth arrived just an hour before Luis. Despite her pleading and her declarations of love, Antonio still refused to free her from this hell. She could tell that he had wavered slightly but deep down inside she had the nagging sensation that there was more than met the eye when it came to her ‘loving’ husband. Something wasn’t right and it had more to do with who the father of her child was rather than who the mother truly was.

With a heavy sigh she backed away from the door, sinking into the pathetic excuse for a bed that the hospital provided. Denying her son to obtain her freedom was no longer an option and, despite Luis’ vow to save her, she was starting to believe that her life would be wasted here. Antonio was never going to release her, especially as she never planned to renounce Luis as her one and only love. He was the man she saw in all of her dreams and she still desired to have the life that they so rightfully deserved: one with their child. As she looked around the padded room, Sheridan’s heart sank. It was becoming quite clear that her life would never be the one she envisioned. Instead it would be a horrific nightmare.

“There’s no way out,” she said to no one at all. “This is the reward for doing what is right and marrying a man you don’t love: life as a rat in a cage.”

Bowing her head, she toyed with the edges of her unkempt nails and continued to glance warily at the door. Any minute now the good doctor would appear and tell her to behave as he injected her with more of the eerie blue toxin that sent her body into an unconscious state. Part of her hoped that he had forgotten her this once, having become so distracted by another patient who was in need of the drugs he so readily provided. She knew better, though. Dr. Ackland had yet to miss a dosage and Sheridan felt her hope diminish a little more when she heard the lock to her door click so loudly that it echoed in the nearly empty room.

The heavy metal portal swung open to reveal the good doctor, needle pointing upwards as he flicked the side. He paused in the entryway, depressing the metal end to remove any last bit of air that might have found a home in his precious liquid. “Good afternoon, Sheridan. Are you ready for your medication?”

She wanted to refuse, to fight him with what little energy she had left after her tryst with Luis but any thought of that was silenced by the presence of his entourage. The four oversized oafs they called orderlies looked far too enthusiastic to have another chance at manhandling her. Instead, she surprised them all by thrusting her arm forward and holding her chin high. If this was to be her life from this point forward, she intended to live it as dignified as possible. “Just get it over with, would you?”

She could tell that her words caught him off guard by the way he stumbled towards the bed. Awkwardly he took hold of her arm, meeting her gaze for an extra moment. If he wasn’t such a coward, Sheridan would have found him almost attractive in a plain sort of way. He really wasn’t anything special appearance wise, but then again he also had the personality of a rabid dog. Simultaneously, they realized that the men at the door were waiting for some sign that they would be needed and Dr. Ackland signaled that they were to leave. Hesitantly, they exited with the door slamming behind them.

“So tell me, Sheridan, what changed your mind?” he questioned, dropping her arm and moving himself to the end of the bed. “This morning you weren’t a willing participant in your own treatment but now you seem almost agreeable.”

“I’ve come to understand that nothing I say or do will ever influence anything you’ve already set your mind to, Dr. Ackland,” she responded frankly. “Antonio doesn’t have me here for the best of intentions and until I forgo my love of Luis I will never be free. I’m not a stupid woman, naïve at time but not lacking in intelligence. I’m sure that there’s much more to this than Antonio signing the papers, isn’t there?”

She noticed how the doctor shifted unconsciously. With all the hours she had clocked locked inside this room, she had much time to ponder her life as a whole. Every moment was scrutinized when she wasn’t drugged and she often found herself relieving the day her father appeared in her hospital room. It was the only time she had ever ask that Martin’s DNA be tested and Luis, who had trusted her judgment at the time, had agreed that it should be done. Yet Alistair had dashed her hopes telling them all that Martin wasn’t her child; the baby she had carried and bore was lost when the car went off the bridge. Sheridan hated herself for believing her father and not following her own maternal instincts as now she was paying a heavy price for loving the baby that she and Luis had created.

“Everyone wants to believe that Martin isn’t my son as it’s so much easier to trust that I’m merely a woman with a broken sense of reality after she lost her child. Yet has anyone tested Martin’s DNA to refute my claim to him? Has anyone dragged the waters for the body of the child I supposedly lost? Was anyone even there when Beth supposedly gave birth to my son? See, I really am thinking logically and yet no one is giving me credit for that. No one knows how often I’ve questioned the truth, but you see, Doctor, I don’t have to understand it to know it’s true. If my father hadn’t…” she faded off, seeing him cringe at the mention of her father. The only people that every flinched when Alistair’s name was said usually feared him. Her eyes flashed as it dawned on her just why Dr. Ackland didn’t like the Crane patriarch.

“You’re working for him, aren’t you?”

He didn’t need to reply, the pallor of his face all the answer she needed.

“I should have known,” she laughed mirthlessly. “Of course you’re working for my father, who else would have asked you to keep Luis away. After all the things he’s done to me I honestly believed him when he said my baby had gone off the bridge in the car but it all makes sense now. He never would want his grandson to be Luis’; that would mean that Luis would have a bond to me that no one in the world could ever match. My father would have finally been forced to see Luis as something more than a nosy nobody. He’d be the father to one of the future Crane heirs.”

“Sheridan, I don’t know what you’re rambling about,” the doctor grumbled, trying his best to maintain some composure. “I don’t even know your father.”

“Right.” She snickered. “And Antonio had me committed because he loved me and wanted me to get the best treatment possible.”

The doctor’s shoulders sagged. “If it makes you feel any better, I do believe that he does care for you and only wanted to see you become the woman you once were.”

“Yea, the spineless variety that followed him around like a lost puppy,” she replied snidely. “The only person Antonio has been thinking about is himself.”

Shaking her head, she pushed her arm towards him once more. “So what are you waiting for, Dr. Ackland. If I’m going to be trapped in this hellhole for the rest of my life I might as well be unconscious for the better part of it. Luis won’t be able to get me out of here and Antonio won’t release me until I tell him a lie, which I’m not willing to do.”

His eyes fell to the needle filled with the pale sapphire liquid that he had so readily provided to Sheridan on a daily basis. He hissed loudly, turning so his back was to the camera in the wall. In a hushed tone, he offered, “I can get you out of here today if you do exactly as I tell you, Sheridan. It will mean a sacrifice on your part, but you’ll be free.”

“W-what do you have in mind?” she nervously asked.

“How bad do you want to go home?”

How bad? Sheridan couldn’t find words to communicate just how much she hated living in this place and just how she longed for spending every waking moment with her son and Luis. There just wasn’t any way to explain how dreary her life had become; waiting for the next stolen moment she would have with the man she truly loved. More than anything in this world Sheridan wanted to feel the sun on her face and never have to ask permission to hold her child again.

“You have no idea how much I want to get out of here; I can’t even begin to tell you,” she answered. “I loathe it here.”

“Then listen to me, Sheridan,” he demanded gruffly. “There is only one way out and that’s by trusting me. Alistair Crane is adamant that you leave here under one of two conditions. The first is that you never remember the love you share with Luis; the second is dead. He doesn’t care how he keeps you from the man you love, all he wants is for you to never be with him again.”

Her eyes teared; so her father had a hand in committing her too. Perhaps she was stupider than she gave herself credit for. After all her father had done to her she still believed that he truly loved her inside, but it was obvious he didn’t and never would. Clearly he had lied about her child and now he was punishing her for loving someone that wanted vengeance on her family, and rightfully so. Would she ever learn?

Swallowing heard, she tried to clear the self-defeating thoughts from her mind in order to focus on Dr. Ackland’s idea. “All right, what’s the plan?”

She listened as he explained, in great detail given the brevity of the plot, the idea he had for releasing her from the ward early. It wasn’t overly complex but played on an ability she had never really been accomplished at: lying. There were times she had seemed quite good at covering the truth, but never when it came to Luis. Intently she memorized the ins and outs of what he had to offer, her mind reeling from all the information he was providing in a hushed way. Finally, he stopped and gave her time to mull over what he had said.

It dawned on her that the only person he had left out from his brilliant theory was Luis. Never once had he mentioned her true love having any part in her life outside of the psychiatric hospital. She wasn’t sure she could handle seeing him and never actually getting to be with him again; it almost seemed as living here would be better than life without Luis.

“What about Luis?” she inquired sadly.

“Someday you can go back to him, Sheridan, but at least this gets you out now. Mr. Lopez-Fitzgerald would want you to escape from this place before what’s left of your sanity is taken away. He’ll understand and though it might be hard, it’s the only way.”

Casting her eyes to the window of her room, Sheridan observed the gray winter clouds against the backdrop of the afternoon sky. The pearly cobalt sparkled brilliantly and Sheridan knew that out there was so much life she had yet to enjoy. Her heart ached at the thought of returning to Antonio as his wife, even if it was just long enough to convince her father and husband that she had no intention of being with the man she truly loved. She was already planning the blissful reunion with Luis and Martin, but it would never be if she were trapped here. What choice did she have? She could either remain in the Harmony Psychiatric Hospital or she could go home and stand a chance of some day being with Luis.

“All right,” she agreed. “Let’s do it before I change my mind.”

He nodded, motioning for her to lie back against the pillows. “You’re a brave woman, Sheridan. I can’t imagine anyone else having the courage you do.”

“It’s not courage,” she replied, lifting her arm towards him. “It’s determination to finally be with the man I love as a family.” Closing her eyes, she added. “If you see Luis before I do, tell him I never stopped loving him and never will.”

“I will,” he vowed. “Ready?”

The last thing she remembered was nodding before the fluid seeped into her blood causing her to black out.

Chapter One

The painful throbbing of her head was almost unbearable and Sheridan began craving another dose of the narcotic Dr. Ackland had provided earlier. Desperately she wanted the ache to end so she could open her eyes and find herself anywhere but her bed in the psych ward. Using her other senses, Sheridan tried to get a feel for her location. She wasn’t sure if it was the pain or merely the medication, but the volume of everything around her seemed to be ten times greater than normal. Vaguely she recognized the high-pitched beeping of hospital monitors and the soft taps from nurses’ shoes. The mattress beneath her seemed thicker and angled slightly, the sheets covered with a smooth new blanket. The air was permeated with the sterile scent of bleach and just a hint of the sickness that surrounded her. Warm tears flooded her eyes as the voices of the Lopez-Fitzgerald family rang loudly in her ears, each whisper like a knife into the depths of her brain.

“Do you think she can hear us?” Antonio asked stupidly, his mouth inches from her ringing ears. If she could have moved her arm, Sheridan was positive she would have smacked him. “Do you think she’ll wake soon?”

“How could she avoid waking when you’re yelling in her ear?” Luis muttered bitterly some feet away from her, judging by how much softer he sounded to her alert ears.

“Mijo,” Pilar scolded in a hushed voice and the conversation around her died.

She attempted to open her eyes, the bright lights above her keeping them shut tightly. Not only were the sounds around her magnified, but the lights seemed to be burning into her sensitive retinas. Reluctantly, she ceased her efforts and relaxed against the bedding, enjoying the numbness that was overcoming the pounding inside her head.

“I don’t understand why Dr. Ackland drugged her if he was going to release her anyway. It’s not like she’s a danger to anyone,” Luis broke the silence of the room. “And what the hell did he use on her? An elephant tranquilizer?”

“You know what, Luis,” Antonio growled, the heavy thud of his shoes alerting her to his movement away from her. “No one cares if you understand or not. She’s my wife and the doctor I hired for her did his job in taking care of her. Whatever he used was best for Sheridan and it’s about damn time you butted out!”

“Antonio!” Pilar cried, her voice much harsher than before. “Sheridan would not wish you behave in such a way.”

“Well, Mama, Sheridan isn’t awake to complain right now and I’m tired of him sticking his nose where it doesn’t belong. She is my wife.”

“Yea, and you’ll never let anyone forget it. Too bad you seem to forget she married you out of pity and not love,” Luis countered. “She slept with me and had my child, so it doesn’t say much about your marriage. Maybe if you…”

“Please shut up,” Sheridan pleaded hoarsely. She felt as if her mouth had been stuffed full of cotton and her lips cracked, bleeding from their sudden movement. Her jaw felt stiff and she mouthed some words in order to work the muscle. “Just stop talking.”

“Sheridan!” Antonio yelled and she again wished she could beat him senseless. Just how did she manage to marry someone so…clueless? Didn’t he know any better than to shout in a hospital at a patient who had just woken? “Oh, sweetheart, I was so worried.”

Behind her lids her eyes rolled and Sheridan mustered the strength needed to force them open. Slowly they fluttered, blearily squinting against the overhead lamp. As if noticing her suffering, Pilar turned the light off and offered her daughter-in-law a weak smile. Sheridan wanted to return the gesture, but the most she could do was an odd sort of grin. “Thank you.”

“We were concerned, Mija,” Pilar told her gently, patting her hand before settling in a chair near the bed. Sheridan noticed that her rosaries were clutched tightly in her right hand, fingers still perched on a bead ready to begin the prayer again.

“I’m fine,” she replied tiredly, eyes shifting from her mother-in-law to her husband. He smiled at her and Sheridan’s stomach clenched in disgust. Just looking at the man who locked her away because of jealousy was making her sick and she couldn’t bear the thought that she would need to play his devoted wife for any amount of time. She didn’t love him and, after learning the truth, never would.

“I was so happy when Dr. Ackland called to say he was releasing you, Sheridan,” Antonio gushed. For a moment, Sheridan could see a lot of Theresa’s behavior in his and a giggle bubbled in her chest. It took all her energy to stifle it, though it was crushed when he became quite serious. “I can’t wait to take you home.”

“Who said she’s going home with you?” Luis demanded, nearly knocking Antonio off the bed as he took a seat closer to her. His hand brushed hers and she felt a tingle travel through her body, warming her. “She might not want to be within a hundred miles of your sorry a…”

“Luis!” Pilar cut him off. “Watch yourself, Mijo, we’re in a hospital.”

“Sorry, Mama,” he sighed. “God, Sheridan, I was so scared when I got here to find you laying so lifelessly on this bed. I was terrified that bastard had finally killed you with all that crap he was pumping into your body. No one would tell us anything; they just said Dr. Ackland had sent you down and we would have to wait for him.”

Her mouth opened to reply, eyes fixated on his, but she couldn’t find any words to console him. Forcing herself to look away for a minute, Sheridan reminded herself of the deal she had made with Dr. Ackland in order to be released. She had to maintain some distance from Luis until it was truly safe for her to clue him in on their plan. Sadly, she returned her gaze to Antonio and asked, “Why is Luis so concerned about me, darling?”

The sickening smirk on Antonio’s face was enough to make her lose her lunch, had she eaten any of the gruel the hospital provided. At that moment she was positive she had made the wrong decision, but the damage was done. There was no turning back now. If she ever wanted to be with Luis and her son again, she had to continue this act until just the right moment when she could escape with her family.

“Sheridan, what do you mean why was I so worried?” Luis insisted, literally shoving Antonio off the bed so he could hover over her. Again she had to hold back the laughter that threatened to erupt from her chapped lips.

“I can explain that.” Dr. Ackland entered the room at that precise moment, the papers bearing her freedom in his hand. His presence saved her from the terrible duty of explaining their performance. “Mrs. Lopez-Fitzgerald underwent much therapy while in my care. During some of her sessions it seems that the truth of her love for her husband began to seep out, erasing the memories she created with you, Luis. She doesn’t love you anymore nor does she seem to remember the love she shared with you.”

“There must be some mistake.” Sheridan shook her head, trying to prove that the doctor’s explanation was true. “I never loved Luis, did I Antonio?”

“No, baby,” he replied evenly. “You didn’t.”

Despite his tone, the joy on Antonio’s face was incomparable to anything Sheridan had ever seen before. However, it wasn’t his reaction that frightened her. Luis, who was still on the bed beside her, grabbed her arms in his strong grip and lifted her from the bed. His eyes bore into her own as he shook her gently, his disbelief evident. No one moved to stop him, all too stunned by the information from her doctor. “Sheridan, this quack isn’t serious is he? Have you forgotten everything we’ve shared?”

The turmoil inside her body made her tremble, her mind searching for the last time she ever saw Luis so angry and hurt but her memory not placing one distinct recollection that matched this moment. Her eyes flew to Dr. Ackland, who merely nodded imperceptibly at her, and she knew she must continue with the charade. Her heart breaking, Sheridan returned her saddened blue orbs to Luis’ anxious hazel ones. Silently she begged him to understand, to see through the part she was playing, but she feared he wouldn’t.

“Luis, you’re hurting me.”

“Damn it, Sheridan, tell me is this true?” he ordered ferociously. “Have you stopped loving me? Have you stopped wanting to be my wife?”

“I don’t remember ever wanting that, Luis,” she responded tearfully, the lies she was spewing leaving a bitter taste in her mouth. “I only love Antonio.”

“You heard her, Luis.” Antonio cackled, grabbing his brother’s arm and pulling him away. Falling back against the mattress, Sheridan had to control her urge to reach for Luis’ hand. “She doesn’t love you anymore, so I’d appreciate it if you’d just get the hell out of here now.”

“All right,” he whispered, a single tear rolling down his cheek. He shot one more look at her and she could clearly read the love and hate pooled there. “Goodbye.”

Then he was gone.

It took all of Sheridan’s strength not to cry as he walked out of her room with unshed tears sparkling in his cocoa orbs. She hated herself for causing him so much pain but saw no other option. Sheridan Crane had died inside her for a time; now she had to be Diana once more and it pained her greatly to see how it was tearing this family apart.

“I better go after him,” Pilar told the group, rising from her seat. “Take care, Mija,” she muttered, kissing Sheridan on the cheek before following Luis out the door. What was left of Sheridan’s heart shattered into a million pieces when the eyes of the only mother she knew hardened as they fell upon her on her way out.

“So, Dr. Ackland, when can my wife leave?” Antonio queried, returning the conversation to a calmer topic.

“Now.” The doctor smiled tightly, handing the papers to Antonio and showing him where to sign. “She’s free to leave, Mr. Lopez-Fitzgerald. I don’t think she needs to be here any longer. Should you need me, feel free to call me at this number.” He gave Antonio a card.

“Good.” Antonio dropped the bag of clothing he had brought for her onto the foot of the bed. He pocketed the paperwork and the business card, ducking to place a kiss on her cheek as he did so. “I’ll leave so you can dress, sweetheart. Then we’ll go home and start working on our life together. How does that sound?”

‘Horrible,’ she thought. Instead, she coaxed a small smile from the depth of her weary body and said, “I can’t wait to go home.”

For the first time since she woke, Sheridan spoke the truth and still she felt nothing but dread in the pit of her stomach. She could never forgive herself for the way she had pained Luis with her deceit. She only prayed that he would one day forgive her for this betrayal.

Chapter Two

“I won’t let you fall.”

His whispered promise atop the ledge in Paris had been all she needed at the time; his courage and conviction actually causing her to believe him. No matter how much they didn’t get along, Luis wouldn’t let her tumble to her death; he would protect her. It was those words, that vow, which had kept her going over the years. The knowledge that Luis would always be there to save her and to keep her from harm was like a security blanket to a frightened child. Even when she had no memories, something inside her still clung to his pledge. He loved her and with that love came his undying devotion and lifelong protection.

Could he keep her from slipping into the pit of despair that threatened to swallow her whole? Where was the strong hand that clutched her to his side that night in Paris? Who was going to be her hero when she had sent him away with her lies?

Head resting against the cool panes of the window, Sheridan unconsciously scribbled Luis’ name in the fog from her breathing, dotting the I with a heart. Her unfocused eyes cleared as she stepped back, gaze dropping to the space where her true love’s name resided. She closed her eyes, steadying her trembling hand and fighting the urge to cry. Barely a few hours since she last saw him and already her heart ached to hold him in her arms. How was she ever going to survive this time away from him without his knowing the truth?

Swallowing hard, Sheridan rushed to erase his name from the window as Antonio’s steps drew closer to the living room. She had just finished wiping away the S when Antonio’s arms snaked around her waist, his chin resting on her shoulder.

“You are the most beautiful woman on earth,” Antonio whispered, placing a kiss against the curve of her neck. His breath brushed against the lobe of her ear, his palms flattening against her stomach. “I’ve forgotten how good it feels to hold you in my arms.”

Sheridan had to fight the urge to shudder, her body repulsed by the affection her ‘husband’ was displaying. Her eyes darkened in anger, stomach clenching as her desire to push him away grew. She hadn’t forgotten his touch or how he had turned his back on her welfare when it meant keeping her away from Luis. He wasn’t forgiven and she knew deep in her heart she would always hate this man and the insincere vows they exchanged.

Forcing aside her true feelings and stepping into the role as his wife, Sheridan coaxed her body to relax against his chest. Though she continued to loathe the lies she needed to tell, Sheridan found it quite easy to be untruthful with Antonio. After all, when had he ever proven to put her needs before his own? “I’ve missed your holding me. I’ve missed everything about being your wife.”

“Everything?” he asked, causing her to immediately regret opening her mouth. She really needed to learn some control when it came to the things she said around Antonio. “I was thinking about what Dr. Ackland said before we left the hospital. You know, about having another baby to keep your mind off losing,” he hesitated, obviously changing his mind, “our other child.”

It took every ounce of strength she had not to reel in his arms and smack him for claiming Luis’ child as his own and for continuing to insist that Martin, the child she knew was hers, had died. Balling her hands at her side, Sheridan focused intently on the images of Luis and Martin, the only two men that could ever have a hold on her heart. “It’s too soon,” she told Antonio, pushing his wandering hands off her body. “I’m not ready.”

“I understand.” He nodded, though he was obviously disappointed. “I guess you’re worn out after fooling around with…”

She turned, eye brow rising inquisitively. It seems she wasn’t the only one forgetting to watch everything they said. “Fooling around with whom, Antonio darling?” she sarcastically emphasized the last word, noticing how he seemed to ignore it.

“No one,” he muttered gruffly.

Sheridan knew what he had meant to say, even if he refused to voice it. She had been more than willing to enjoy Luis’ company in her bed many times after Alistair had insisted her child had been lost. Not once had she even considered telling Luis she wasn’t interested in being his partner in every sense of the word. Antonio wasn’t Luis, however, and Luis had never stressed that their love making should be to replace their child. He wanted to share in the pains of losing a baby, not fill the void with a new one.

“I shouldn’t have said anything.” He strode to the cabinet to pour himself a glass of water. After taking a large gulp, he returned the glass to its home and crossed his arms. “I know that losing our child is hard on you, Sheridan, especially after being kidnapped for so long.”

“That doesn’t explain what you were just talking about, Antonio. Are you insinuating that I had cheated on you before my time in the ward?”

He frowned. “No. You’ve been a good wife, Sheridan. Devoted and giving. There are just sheep in wolf’s clothing out there trying to steal you away.”

She turned her back on him, rolling her eyes. Couldn’t he see that she wanted to be with Luis? She wasn’t sure she could understand how a man could possibly be so dense and oblivious to someone’s true feelings, especially if that someone was his wife. Before she could speak, however, there was a knock on the door. Deciding that she was tired of messing with Antonio’s head, she climbed the steps and opened the front door, revealing Gwen.

“Oh, Sheridan! You’re looking so much better,” her friend gushed, throwing her arms around her in a hug. “When Ethan said they finally released you…” she stopped, eyes landing on Antonio. “Where’s Luis?”

“My brother-in-law?” Sheridan questioned, feigning confusion. She could tell by the spark in Gwen’s eyes that she was intrigued. “Why would he be here?”

Gwen gently shifted away from Sheridan, placing a hand against her forehead. “Well, you aren’t ill,” she mumbled, glancing once more at Sheridan’s husband. “Antonio, can we have some privacy please? I’d like to speak to my friend alone.”

“Of course,” he agreed, kissing Sheridan’s cheek as they stepped into the living room. He passed them, heading for the door. “I’ll go visit Mama for a while and come back later.”

Sheridan waited to hear the click of the lock before sinking into the couch. Her eyes fluttered shut and she sighed heavily, finally feeling as if she could relax. He was gone for now and if she hurriedly had the locks changed, he wouldn’t be able to return. She smirked. Where was that phone book anyway?

“So, why don’t you start at the beginning, Sheridan,” Gwen joined her on the couch, patting her hand soothingly and disrupting her comical thoughts. “I know something is going on here and I’m most interested to hear your explanation.”

“Make yourself comfortable.” Sheridan exhaled heavily. “This could take a while.”

His heart wouldn’t let him hate her.

She had pushed him away, forgotten their romance, but not even that would stop his love for her. Sheridan Crane was supposed to be his wife and they would be married one day, even if he had to kidnap her so that they could spend every moment building new memories. His heart beat for her and, despite the fact that she was his brother’s wife, Luis knew that he wasn’t going down without a fight. They had been through too much to give up. Things would change, he was sure of it.

He ran his fingers over his face, trying to wipe away the pain and confusion. Gazing intently at the photograph taken years ago at their wedding that wasn’t, Luis couldn’t understand how things had gone so wrong. Everything had been so perfect that day; Sheridan had been dressed in her beautiful gown and he had spent hours writing the perfect vows. Their whole lives were in front of them and every dream they had revolved around each other. Now, it seemed as if it wasn’t real, merely a show for everyone else. Sheridan was with his brother, claiming that her love for Luis had never meant anything.

For the life of him, he couldn’t comprehend why.

Tracing the outline of her body in the white gown, Luis remembered the feel of her silky skin in the hot tub at the hospital. Just that morning he and Sheridan had been secretly wrapped in each other’s arms, teasing each other about their ‘insane love.’ Hadn’t she insisted that she was ‘nuts about him’? Wasn’t his reply that they were ‘crazy in love’? When he finally was forced to leave her side, he had vowed to return and free her from her prison, breaking the news to her that Antonio was only looking out for himself. Sadly, she seemed unsurprised by the information and, with a hasty kiss goodbye, they ended their time together.

Sure, he had been quite baffled by the call from his mother that informed him of Sheridan’s release, especially given the doctor’s insistence that she needed to undergo extensive psychiatric treatment. Dr. Ackland’s belief that Sheridan was delusional appeared somewhat justified, but to have ‘cured’ her within the few hours they had been apart definitely seemed unlikely. If he was that talented a doctor, why would the world waste him in Harmony?

“Mijo.” Pilar knocked, opening his bedroom door slightly and poking her head inside. “I made you some dinner. You haven’t eaten all day.”

“Not hungry, Mama,” Luis mumbled in reply, dropping the photograph onto the bed. Rising, he stretched the sore muscles in his back and rolled his head to work the kinks from his neck. He really wasn’t in the mood to deal with his mother’s self-righteous indignation towards him, his relationship with Sheridan or anything else for that matter. “In fact, I was just about to go for a walk. I need some fresh air.”

“Luis!” Pilar sounded harsh, but paused and lowered her tone. “Mijo, I know you’re hurting but it isn’t wise to do anything rash. Antonio…”

Shaking his head, Luis shrugged on his coat. His mother had the amazing ability to read each one of her children, knowing exactly what they planned to do almost the second the idea formed in their minds. She wasn’t going to deter him, however. He had to see Sheridan again, even if she didn’t see him.

“I don’t want to talk about that bastard, Mama,” he retorted, ignoring the horrified expression on her face. He didn’t say another word as he left the house, his mind on other things as he wandered the streets.

It had been quite some time since he visited his son, much too preoccupied with Sheridan’s emotional state to drop into Beth’s own loony bin. While he was concerned about his son’s wellbeing, specifically given the caregivers, he couldn’t tear himself away from the duty he had to Sheridan. She needed him to be her hero and he had obviously failed her. That alone had kept him away from Beth’s home, where little Martin was a reminder that things in his life had gone very wrong.

Part of him wanted to live in the same fantasy Sheridan was having; he wanted Martin to be their child, but that was impossible. Wasn’t it? After all, he hadn’t been present when Beth gave birth and Gwen was insistent that Beth not be trusted. Even Mrs. Wallace had hinted, and in some cases stressed, that Martin didn’t belong with Beth. The only person that swore little Martin wasn’t Sheridan’s, beside Beth of course, was Alistair Crane. Luis had been reluctant to believe the Crane patriarch, especially given his penchant for deceit, but his evidence had been foolproof.

Or had it?

Sheridan said that her soul, her instincts, told her that Martin was her son, not Beth’s. Then Luis had thought it was the irrational behavior of a woman that had lost her child in the most horrible of ways, but what if it wasn’t? How many times had he followed his gut when it came to Sheridan and her safety? Hadn’t he saved her life because deep inside he felt a connection to her that alerted him to trouble? It wasn’t such a stretch that Sheridan would have a connection to Martin, one that any mother had for their child. Maybe she wasn’t so delusional after all.

He sighed, watching the smoke that rose when his heated breath filled the air. Sheridan was one of the only people that Martin was ever truly comfortable with. When Beth held their son, he would whine, fuss and cry. He refused to eat and Beth never managed to lull him to sleep. In fact, the only people Martin calmed for were himself and Sheridan, whom he immediately latched onto when she started breast feeding him. There was definitely something more than met the eye when it came to his son, he only wished it wasn’t such a headache to sort out.

So many pieces to the puzzle, so few connections between them.

Glancing upwards, Luis noticed that his walk had led him right to the secret gate on the Crane grounds. Many a night when his brother was gone, Luis had used this gate to sneak into the cottage. Sheridan had pointed out that it was the safest and quickest exit on the grounds; a surefire way to keep Antonio from learning of their affair. He hadn’t been proud of his behavior when it came to loving Sheridan, but he hadn’t had a choice either. The only thing he needed more than her love was the air he breathed.

Slipping through the gate, Luis trudged through the dense forestry around the cottage and then onto the semi-lit path. Sunset had caused the temperature to drop and without a moon he had nothing but a sparse number of path lights to lead him to her door. Ahead he spotted the cottage, windows bright and curtains parted. Cautiously, and quietly, he crept to the window and peered inside. There she sat beside Gwen speaking animatedly about something. Of course she remembered the woman she had barely spoken to over the last few years but knew nothing of their love. That made sense.

From the corner of his eye, he saw them rise and head for the door, sharing a hug on the platform. Dodging behind the nearby rosebushes, he completely forgot that Gwen would need to pass him on her way to the mansion. The door banged shut, Gwen’s shoes crunching on the snow beneath her feet. Praying she wouldn’t see him before he could hide again, Luis knew it was futile.

“Just like a Lopez-Fitzgerald, hiding in the bushes and behaving like a peeping Tom,” Gwen teased, pulling him upwards. “What are you doing here, Luis?”

He groaned, eyes flying to the window to be sure Sheridan and Antonio weren’t near. “I had to see her again,” he mumbled, feeling quite embarrassed that he had been caught. “I just couldn’t stand the thought of her being here with him.”

“Well, you’re in luck. He’s not here.” She crossed her arms, hunkering down in her black fur coat. “In fact, he said he was going to your mother’s so that she and I could chat.”

“He never came by the house,” Luis replied, barely speaking to her as his eyes followed Sheridan across the room. “How is she?”

“Why don’t you go inside and find out yourself?” Gwen questioned.

“She doesn’t remember me.”

Gwen hissed, causing Luis to turn and face her. He saw a spark of something in her eyes but before he had time to analyze her feelings, it was gone. Luis wasn’t truly positive he had witnessed anything at all until she began to speak.

“Luis, she still loves you.” Shaking her head, she added, “Things will make more sense soon, Luis. I promise.”

“Nothing makes sense, Gwen. I miss her and I’ve only been without her for a few hours. How am I supposed to live my life knowing she’s with him?”

“Take some advice from a friend,” she ordered, placing a soothing hand on his arm. “Go to Beth’s house and tell her you’re taking Martin for a few days, just to do a little father-son bonding. By tomorrow everything that happened today won’t matter.”

He observed her as she walked away and then returned his attention to Sheridan inside the cottage. Silently studying her as she sat staring at a picture in her hands, Luis mulled over Gwen’s words. Though nothing made sense, he decided to follow her advice and headed back towards the gate. Once on the street, he turned towards Beth’s house with his only intention to take his son out of that place.

His life was a jumble of contradictions but one thing remained true:

Luis Lopez-Fitzgerald didn’t hate Sheridan; instead, he loved her more than ever.

Chapter Three

“You have no idea how sorry Daddy is about leaving you in that house,” Luis apologized sincerely to his son, shifting him slightly in his arms. The little boy’s head rested against his shoulder, eyes drooping wearily as he sucked on his tiny fist. Luis’ lips pressed against Martin’s forehead, a smile creeping across them. This little miracle was his and for the first time in his life Luis knew what it was like to be so enamored with someone that the entire world seemed different, brighter even. Martin brought him hope and in his son’s eyes he was a hero.

Arriving at his home, Luis dropped the supplies he had been carrying onto the snowy porch and rummaged through his pockets for the keys. Martin’s eyes fluttered open as the motion of Luis’ walking ceased, his shimmering azure orbs lifting to his father’s face. At that moment, the babe in his arms resembled the woman he loved: innocent and vulnerable.

“I promise, kiddo, I’m going to make this better. I’m going to make things right,” he murmured, lips inches from his son’s ear. The baby cooed softly in reply as they entered the warm house, Luis grabbing the bag before kicking the door shut. Once inside, he carefully removed the child’s heavy winter snowsuit and released it onto the growing pile. He chuckled as his son suddenly seemed to awaken, lifting the boy above his head and blowing raspberries on his stomach. Melodious laughter filled the room as father and son enjoyed the simple moment alone; the first one ever.

Returning the infant to his chest, Luis cradled the baby close and gently tickled his rounded stomach. His son’s feet kicked excitedly and his eyes twinkled as he reached upwards to grab at his father’s face. Fingers landing on Luis’ teeth, Martin was amazed when his father began to nibble gently on his tiny hand and giggled once more. The sound of Luis’ joy mixed with his son’s as they both stayed in the center of the room merely enjoying each other.

It was strange to Luis that his little boy could so easily change his sunken spirits. When Sheridan had decided to return home with Antonio, Luis was positive that nothing could cheer him. Beth had phoned moments later to convey her sympathy in the situation, but Luis hadn’t heard a word of it. The pain was too fresh and the sting too recent for him to find any comfort with someone else. Instead he had drowned his sorrows in any way he could but nothing seemed to modify the negative direction his emotions were spiraling towards.

Yet a few seconds with Martin and things were back on track. His son had such faith in him and a deep trust that no other person on earth seemed to have. Even his mother and siblings had never truly had much faith in him, depending on him only because there had been no other option. Sheridan never believed in herself, forget another person, and it was obvious by how easily she would turn on him that she couldn’t let herself rely on someone else. She had been jaded by life; something he hoped would never happen to his son.

Luis was shaken from his thoughts when the tiny fist moved from between his lips and seized his nose tightly, squeezing the minute nails into the sensitive flesh. Flinching in pain, he eased Martin’s hand from his face and placed it against his belly with a feigned scowl. “We need to do some talking here, sprout,” he tried a new nickname for his son but wasn’t fond of it. He didn’t realize how difficult names of endearment could be. “These things on Daddy’s body are attached and you cannot rip them off or attempt to maim him. Ok?”

His son merely laughed, unaware of the joke but determined to play with his new toy on Daddy’s body. Soon he was distracted by the way the silver of Luis’ coat zipper shined in the living room lamps and grabbed onto it instead. It quickly went into his mouth.

“Well, it’s nice to know you have a long attention span,” he teased, quickly glancing at the clock. He took note of the hour and sighed. “I guess I should get you ready for bed, peanut. It’s getting late and I’m pretty new at this schedule stuff.”

Another nickname, another failure.

With his son in one arm and the diaper bag in the other, Luis headed quietly down the halls to his bedroom. For only a moment he stopped in his room, dropping off the diaper bag and snuggly tucking his son between two pillows on the mattress. He hastily headed for his sister’s room, easing open the door to see if she were sleeping, but not surprised to find the room vacant. She hadn’t been home often since little Ethan had been removed from her care, not that he could blame her. After spending just a half hour alone with his little boy, he’d go to hell and back to keep him in the Lopez-Fitzgerald house. Thankfully, he spotted what he needed in the corner and strode over to the stuffed animal packed crib. Ever the packrat, his sister hadn’t sold or put away the crib her little boy no longer needed. Instead, she used it as storage space.

Shrugging, he dumped the contents onto the floor and dusted the wood with the end of his sleeve. He would have to remember to tell her to start cleaning her room better whenever she decided to grace them with her presence. In her closet he found some clean sheets and a blanket for the bed, tossing them into it so he could leave the room. Lifting the crib over the bears, he carried it out of her room and back to his own. His eyes immediately sought out his son, who was still in the center of the bed though now sucking on the edge of a pillow. With a roll of his eyes, Luis realized this kid would put anything into his mouth. He’d have to keep that in mind.

“Are you hungry or do you always suck on things?” he questioned the babe as he stripped off his jacket and shoes before setting the crib up in the corner. It took him almost no time at all to get the sheets on the miniature mattress and he double checked the sturdiness of the bed. Once he was positive that his son would be safe, he nodded and went over to the boy. “Are you a late night snacker or do you prefer going to bed without anything else?”

He hadn’t realized just how little he knew about his own son until that moment. Did he take a bottle before resting? Was his diaper changed before he fell asleep to be sure he had a clean one? How did he like being put to bed: with a story or a song? Did he enjoy his baths and did bath time include toys? He didn’t even know what Martin’s favorite toy and story were or how he liked to be held.

“Well that’s going to change,” Luis vowed, removing the pillow from his son’s hand and starting to undress him. “I’m going to learn to take care of you just like I did my siblings. From today on I’m going to be a real father to you, Martin, even if that means it’s just me and you from now on.”

He discarded the worn clothing, dropping them into a hamper in his closet before finding a fresh pair of pajamas in Martin’s luggage. After checking his diaper and finding it clean, he dressed the boy in the dancing bear print and frowned. This kid definitely needed more masculine outfits; a shopping spree was certainly in order but for tonight it would have to do. He knew from experience little Ethan’s baby clothing was worse.

As soon as Martin was dressed, Luis lifted him to his shoulder and began to rub his back soothingly. Softly, almost imperceptibly, he hummed a lullaby for his son while rocking him gently. He watched as the boy fought the sleep that was claiming him, his eyes sinking shut before flying back open forcefully. Eventually, however, he lost the battled and began to doze, a light snore filling the room and drool dripping onto Luis’ arm.

“Goodnight, son,” he whispered, propping his baby’s head like he had been taught during the class he attended with Beth. He stood beside the crib for awhile; rubbing his son’s stomach to be sure he was sleeping and quietly observing the infant. Every twitch of his lips or scrunch of his nose seemed entertaining. He wanted to memorize it all and lock away the memories for the days when Martin would be “too busy” to hang out with his old man.

“I love you, Martin.” He bent to place a kiss against the baby’s cheek before tucking him beneath the cozy sport print quilt. Removing the diaper bag from the floor, he exited the room closing the door almost completely behind him.

His first stop was the kitchen where he refrigerated the already prepared bottles of breast milk and then poured himself a glass of orange juice. He snickered as he took a gulp, realizing that he normally had a beer at this time but that for Martin’s sake he was going to remain sober. It was ironic that just his son’s presence altered his perception and his routine.

He finished his juice in a few gulps, putting the glass in the dishwasher and returning to his bedroom. Finding a place for the diaper bag so it was out of the way, he dropped tiredly onto the bed and stared at the ceiling. Fully dressed, he fell asleep.

Not sure of how long he slept, Luis woke some time later to a knock on his window. He darted up, eyes flying to Martin’s crib to be sure he was safe. Finding the child still asleep, he glanced wearily at the window and was surprised to find someone outside. Standing there shivering in the cold was the woman who caused him such trouble: Sheridan Lopez-Fitzgerald.

She motioned for the back door and he nodded, leaving the room to meet her at the entrance to the kitchen. He undid the locks, throwing the door open and gazing intently into her eyes. Part of him was angry that she had the nerve to show up at his home now and the other part of him wanted to beg her never to leave. Torn, he stepped aside and let her into the kitchen.

“What do you want, Sheridan? It’s late,” he grumbled, crossing his arms over his chest. While he regretted his tone when the pain flashed in her eyes, he didn’t offer any apologies. Her chin dropped against her chest and she turned from him to hide her face. Time lapsed and when she didn’t answer, he used his thumb to lift her chin and found streaks of tears down her cheeks.

“Sheridan?” he breathed her name and she sniffled, eyes lifting slowly to meet his. He tried to keep his distance from her, but the sorrow on her face tore at him inside.

“I’m so sorry,” she murmured, collapsing into his arms. He tensed in response. “I’m so sorry I’ve done this to you, to us. Oh God, Luis,” she cried. “Everything is falling apart; I’m not sure I’m strong enough for this.”

He started to wrap his arms around her, an instant response to having her near. Instead, his hands closed around her forearms and he pushed her away. Inquisitive azure eyes flew to cocoa ones but he simply looked away. She swallowed hard, moving away from him and sinking regretfully into a chair at the kitchen table. The tears she hadn’t been able to contain came faster now. She attempted to brush them away, but she couldn’t control them and she finally gave into her feelings, sobbing openly.

“Sheridan.” He joined her, sounding distressed. As angry as he was, Luis didn’t like hurting her. While he didn’t want to, he loved her and there was nothing he could do about it. “What are you doing here?”

“I had to tell you, Luis. I’m not supposed to and it could be quite dangerous if I do, but after talking to Gwen tonight I knew I couldn’t keep it from you any longer. I needed to see you and do it in person, but you never came to the house and…” she rambled but he sent a nervous look her way at a mention of going to the Crane grounds. “You came to the cottage?”

He nodded, clearing his throat. “Earlier, Gwen told me to get Martin and go home.”

“He’s here?” she asked, positively glowing. “Can I see him? Please, Luis? Can I hold our son for just a moment? I promise I’ll explain everything after that,” she beseeched.

Luis was struck by how beautiful she appeared when she spoke about Martin, her skin almost glistening with an internal light. He noted how she was waiting on baited breath for his reply, though he found himself unable to speak. With a heavy sigh, he rose from the table, relenting to her desire. “Come on, but be quiet. He’s sleeping and I don’t want him to wake.”

“Thank you,” she gushed, following him from the kitchen. They entered his room on tiptoe and crept to the crib where their little angel sat. The tension in her body eased, a smile spreading across her lips as she reached to touch her son. Luis had to admit that Martin was beautiful and perfect, especially with his face relaxed in sleep. Sheridan brushed a bit of his wispy hair from his forehead before gently lifting him into her arms. As if he sensed that this were his mother, Martin burrowed closer and sighed in his sleep.

“I don’t understand it, but that boy certainly believes you’re his mother,” Luis told her, witnessing once more the connection between his true love and his son. “I was thinking tonight that it seemed rather strange. He’s so tranquil with you and always so antsy with Beth. It’s like…”

“He’s not her son,” Sheridan finished. “He’s not, Luis, and I think deep down inside, we both know that, don’t we?”

“I’m starting to believe it anyway,” he replied. “It doesn’t make sense.”

“Someday it will, I know it.”

He didn’t reply to her comment, merely removed Martin from her arms. She shouldn’t be here anymore and the longer she was the less he was able to control his tongue. “You said there was something to explain?”

She groaned, settling herself on the edge of her bed and focusing on the floor. He wished he could read her mind and make this situation easier for her, but he knew this was just something Sheridan had to do on her own.

Her silence lingered and each moment made his impatience grow, but he continued to give her the time she needed to begin.

“I love you,” she told him, lifting her eyes to meet his. Luis’ breath caught in his throat at her proclamation, his heart thudding rapidly. “I never stopped and I don’t think I can ever. I love you and that’s the truth, Luis, even if you don’t want to believe it.”

His mind was reeling from the information. “But you said…”

She lifted her hand. “Let me finish,” she paused, continuing only when he proved he wouldn’t speak again. “After you left the hospital, Dr. Ackland arrived to give me my daily dose of that drug. As I sat there, looking at the needle I knew that I would never escape the psych ward, even if you managed to help me. I was going to be trapped there forever and I would never see you or Martin again. So I willingly offered to take the drug, but he never gave it to me.”

His eyebrow rose in query, so she rushed to continue. “He told me he had a plan to get me out of the ward. It became quite obvious that he was working for my father and he said that Alistair wouldn’t let me out of there, ever, if I loved you. His idea was that I feign forgetting our love and return to my husband, never letting a soul know the truth: that I still wanted to be with you. I was reluctant, but he convinced me that there was no other way out and I finally relented. I would take any way out if it meant one day we’d have our reunion. The only problem with the plan was that I couldn’t tell you and when I saw you at the hospital, it broke my heart. I knew I couldn’t keep this from you much longer.”

“So that’s what Gwen meant when she said that what happened today wouldn’t matter. You told her about the plan, didn’t you?”

She nodded. “She saw right through me. One word and Gwen knew that something wasn’t right. We had a long talk about what was going on and she decided that I really needed to tell you before I drove myself over the edge.”

“So what’s the plan now?” he asked, returning the still slumbering Martin to his crib. Slowly he returned to her, kneeling in front of her and putting his hands on either side of her body. “What do we do now?”

“I don’t know,” she whispered, cupping his cheek.

She invited him to rise and when he did she slipped her arms around him. Carefully he laid her back against the mattress, hovering over her on shaking arms. His lips sought out hers and they shared the first kiss of reunited love. It wasn’t passionate, but sweet and loving with a tender caress behind it. They broke apart reluctantly, needing air as much as they desired to continue.

“Luis, I can’t stay too much longer but we need to figure out what to do.”

“I don’t want you to go,” he kissed her neck, hating the thought that she was going to walk out again.

“I have to,” she told him. “Antonio’s asleep and he completely believes I’m asleep in bed. If he wakes…”

He scowled, rolling to his side and getting off the bed. She came over and dangled hope before him, only to dash it within the same breath. “So that’s it then? You tell me that this is all some charade for Antonio and Alistair’s benefits and I’m just supposed to accept it? What about me? What about Martin? You say he’s your son and now you only want to be his aunt? What crap is that?” His temper was flaring, though he kept his tone hushed as Martin slept.

“It’s not like that, Luis,” she insisted. “I want to leave town, all three of us. We’ll get away from here and go where no one knows us. We can be a family; new names and everything.” She crossed the room, sliding her arms around his waist. “Don’t you know how much I love you?” she questioned, her cheek resting against his back.

He did and it was as much as he loved her, but he couldn’t take seeing her and knowing that their love would never be fulfilled. “Then let’s leave tonight,” Luis told her, resting his hands against hers. “Let’s just pack and go. We have everything we need, Sheridan. It won’t take long for us…”

“We can’t,” she shook her head. “Not tonight. I need a bit more time to convince my father and your brother that I’m playing by their rules. Then we can go. We’ll disappear without a trace, just the three of us. Once we’re gone we can prove Martin is my son and then no one will ever be able to tear us apart.”

“What about your marriage?”

“I’ll divorce him from wherever we are and then we can be legally married, Luis. If—if that’s what you want,” she murmured and he could tell she was afraid of the truth.

He turned to face her, taking her hands into his own. “There’s nothing in this world I want more than for us to get married, Sheridan. This is risky, though, and it’s going to be hard for us to see each other and not be able to be together.”

She smiled brightly, obviously content with knowing he still loved her. “But we can do it, I know we can. A few days are all I’m asking and I’ll sneak out every chance I get to see you. Just don’t let Beth convince you Martin needs to come home. Keep him here and in a few days I’ll arrive with some money and we’ll leave. I’ll let you know when I’m ready because we’ll need a new car so we can’t be followed.”

“I’ll take care of that,” he replied, embracing her. His heart was breaking knowing that she was about to leave again. “How am I ever going to make it through the rest of the night without you in my arms?”

She shrugged, tightening her hold. “You will, just like I’ll muddle through on dreams of you.” She released him, her eyes on the clock. “I need to get back to the cottage. I love you.” She kissed him sweetly and then brushed her lips against Martin’s head. “And you too. Take care of Daddy, little man.”

“Hey, I like that. Little man.” He smirked. “You have no idea how hard it’s been to come up with a good nickname for the squirt.”

She giggled. “You’ll come up with something.” Blowing him a kiss, she headed for the kitchen. “I’ll lock the door on the way out. Love you.”

“Love you more.” He watched her go.

Outside, the bitter cold bit at her skin, but it did nothing to touch the warmth of her heart. She waited until Luis’ light flickered off before making her way back to the Crane grounds on foot. Feeling freer than ever in her life, Sheridan smiled.

“Soon,” she told herself. “It will be over soon.”

Chapter Four

With a heavy sigh, Luis dug the keys to his home from the depths of his uniform pants pocket. He didn’t know why he bothered going to work that day, besides needing the paycheck. There hadn’t been any need for him at the office and with six men already on patrol Sam had assigned him to desk duty. Bored out of his mind, Luis had fiddled with his pencil for awhile before he allowed his thoughts to wander elsewhere. Or, as luck would have it, to other people. No matter how he fought it, Sheridan and her declaration of love the previous night were at the foreground of his mind. Every moment he wasn’t thinking of Martin, he was remembering being with her. How was he ever going to survive the wait?

Pushing the door open, Luis strode through the entrance and inhaled the mouth-watering aroma of his mother’s enchiladas baking in the oven. The little benefits of living at home, such as dinner waiting, were almost worth the lack of privacy. Though it was certainly nice knowing that Martin was being cared for by someone of the human species; he still hadn’t forgiven himself for letting a monkey care for his son. Honestly, he wasn’t sure he ever would.

Little sound came from the other rooms, save that of Martin’s cooing followed by the slightest of giggles. His lips twisted into a smile at the thought of spending time with his son before dinner and he hastily discarded his coat. He quickly placed his gun and badge in their hidden safe home before seeking out his family.

Luis whistled as he walked into the living room, expecting to find his mother bonding with her grandson. However, he was pleasantly surprised to learn of his mistake in judgment. Sitting on the couch appearing as beautiful as she did in his dreams was his one true love actively entertaining his exuberant son. Cocoa orbs met sparkling azure ones as Luis neared the couch holding the two people he loved most. His emotions were in control as he rushed towards them, cautiously taking her into his arms for a lingering kiss. She didn’t struggle or push him away, merely continued the sweet, torturing caress until both were breathless.

“What are you doing here?” he whispered, brushing his thumb over her cheek. The feel of her skin beneath his was intoxicating and all he wanted to do was kiss her again. He attempted to control himself, though his lips drew near hers. “I thought you said that we needed to play it safe.”

She laughed, the melodious sound sending butterflies scattering through his stomach. As he hadn’t said anything particularly amusing, he was confused by this reaction. With a shake of her head, she responded, “Antonio and I were invited by Pilar for dinner tonight, Luis. I couldn’t come see you this early without being caught and I can’t risk that.”

Understanding dawned on him and he started to reply before her fingers brushed against his lips, removing the slightest trace of her pink lipstick from his face. Glancing around to be sure they were still safe, he gently kissed the tips of her fingers and held her gaze lovingly. Her eyes filled with pain as her hand fell into her lap, holding the baby closer. He sighed again, wishing that this wasn’t so hard on them both.

“I was excited that she asked us over. Any excuse to get out of the cottage is a good one, especially since your brother has a one track mind. I swear he’s not the brightest crayon in the box.” Attempting to smile, she added, “Besides, I get to spend time with my boys.”

He tried not to let her words bother him, especially the part about his brother’s insane thoughts of bedding Sheridan. Instead, Luis watched as she lifted little Martin above her head, bringing his face gradually towards her own for a tiny kiss. The boy would laugh, squirming wildly whenever Sheridan lifted him towards the ceiling, settling only when she gave him his reward. It was obvious that Martin felt safe in Sheridan’s arms and it comforted him that they were so close despite the time he spent with Beth.

“He adores you.”

“Feeling’s mutual,” she concurred softly, giving him a look that spoke volumes. “I’m pretty fond of his dad, too.”

“Not flirting with my wife again are you, Luis?” Antonio grumbled snidely, joining them as he stalked out of the kitchen looking the part of a country bumpkin. Luis couldn’t quite understand his older brother’s fetish for flannel shirts, especially as spring was making its way into the Harmony air. Whatever floated his Bermudan boat!

“Wouldn’t dream of it,” Luis retorted evenly, trying to mask his real feelings towards the Lopez-Fitzgerald family prodigal son. It still irked him that the man who so freely fled from his responsibilities was not only welcomed back with open arms but also managed to marry the woman that was his true love. Wanting to get away from them both, Luis removed Martin from Sheridan’s arms and relocated himself to the armchair nearest the fireplace. There he searched through the toy box for Martin’s favorite teething toy. “I was just asking what she was doing here. I didn’t know we were having guests.”

“Well this is Mama’s house too and she invited me and my wife for dinner tonight. She thought it would be nice if we had a family get together after Sheridan’s release,” he explained, obviously repeating part of what Sheridan had already told Luis. He slid onto the couch beside her, draping an arm over her shoulders. “We just thought it would be nice to come over and see the family. I was surprised to see Martin here. Is Beth coming over?”

“No. She’s working at the Book Café and I decided that it’s time I start being a father to my son. He’s going to be living here for a while.”

He wasn’t lying; after all Martin was going to be staying at the house for a while until he and Sheridan could prepare to run away. Yes, he wasn’t totally telling the truth, but this was his moron of an older brother. He wouldn’t know reality from fantasy if Jaws jumped out of the television and bit him in his pimply redneck ass. Besides, he couldn’t stand hearing Antonio call Sheridan ‘his wife’ and it was taking all of Luis’ energy not to leap up and pummel him into the spineless mass he deserved to be; a jellyfish in men’s clothing.

“What a pity. He deserves to have both parents after all. It’s about time you gave him a real family and married his mother; you two were in love once. I’m sure it would come back to you.” Leaning closer to Sheridan, he added, “You could take lessons from me and Sheridan. We’re hopelessly in love.” He kissed her neck, earning a roll of Sheridan’s eyes.

Luis smirked. “Or simply hopeless, right little man?” he whispered to his son.

The baby cooed.

“I’ll take that as a yes,” Luis murmured, rising from his seat. His brother was even more grating today than he had been at the hospital the previous day. The only thing keeping him from ringing the man’s thick neck was the knowledge that Sheridan wanted to marry him and be with Martin. Otherwise, the air in his brother’s head would be all over the living room. “You know, it’s been a long day and I need to get out of this uniform. I’ll see you two at dinner.”

He didn’t miss Sheridan’s glare as he started to walk away, nor did he fail to notice Antonio’s attempt to grope her the minute he was in the hall. Stomach clenched in knots, Luis reminded himself that Sheridan didn’t want this attention. All she wanted was to be his wife.

Thought solidly in place, Luis took a deep, steady breath. It wouldn’t be much longer until they could be together. He only hoped he didn’t kill his brother before then. Talk about taking sibling rivalry to a whole new level.

“I can deal,” he told Martin as he changed though the child paid him no mind as he chewed happily on his liquid filled teething ring. “After all, who’d want to be arrested for spreading garbage when they have the woman of their dreams waiting for them?”

Martin giggled; this kid had taste.

Dinner was the tensest time of Luis’ life, including the many instances when Sheridan had been kidnapped, held hostage and nearly murdered. Nothing compared to watching his brother play kissy-face like a hormonal teen with Sheridan, who wanted no part of it. Rigid with anger, Luis pushed the cooling food around on his dish as Antonio lifted a fork full of gooey enchilada towards Sheridan’s lips. This was the third attempt to feed her; the first landing on the tiled floor and the second smearing recklessly around her face. Antonio, of course, felt the need to ‘kiss it away.’ Everyone had been horrified by his reckless public display, especially as they were trying to eat.

“Damn it man, the woman can feed herself!” Luis argued as this bite landed on the floor with the first. His last nerve had been frayed nearly an hour ago when Antonio had explained his future plan for their marriage: a home full of moronic children to follow in his leeching footsteps. “Martin could do a better job of feeding her.”

“Got a problem, Luis?” Antonio inquired nonchalantly, but it came across as the densest comment a man could make. Was he oblivious to the four sets of appalled glared shooting daggers his way or did he honestly believe that they all wanted to watch him paw at Sheridan for the rest of the evening?

“No,” Luis retorted acerbically, rolling his eyes. He couldn’t handle much more of this. Fortunately, he noticed Martin sleeping soundly against the tray of his high chair with his favorite toy smashed beneath his cheek. Keeping the conversation from escalating, he rose. “You know, I better get peanut,” he winced, “I mean Martin to bed. He’s had a rough day.”

“I could help,” Sheridan quickly offered, nearly leaping from her chair.

“Thanks, but I think I’ve got it,” he winked, removing his son from his seat and quickly leaving the kitchen. In his haste, however, he didn’t neglect to see Sheridan’s second glare of the evening and it brought a small chuckle from him. At least there was something to smile about.

His son’s head rested snuggly against his chest as he headed down the hall, his thoughts on his lack of control when it came to his brother. Antonio had the capability of finding his one weakness and driving him to do stupid things. When they were children, Antonio would dare him to do things that they both knew would either cause injury or serious grounding should Pilar get her hands on them. Still, he was unable to back down from a challenge when it came to his older brother. As a child, he had wanted his respect; now he wanted his wife.

Cautiously, he tucked his little boy into his crib, pausing a moment to check the baby’s diaper before sighing and stepping away. There he was: the product of either the greatest love affair of all time or the biggest mistake of his life. Either way, this was his son and the only person that he knew would never and could never turn his back on him. The child was his legacy and he was proud to be a father to someone so perfect.

“I’m sorry, Martin. I don’t know why I let that Uncle of yours get to me like this. You don’t deserve to be caught in the middle of a war, especially with the mother you could possibly have.” He shook his head, noticing how he was starting to see Beth as Martin’s possible mother rather than his actual mother. There was a slight chance Sheridan was right about being Martin’s biological mother and he was starting to believe her. “At least you have a chance at a normal life someday, little man. Daddy’s going to try and give you everything he didn’t have. I love you.”

The babe slumbered peacefully, unaware of his father’s touching speech.

“Got room in here for another pair of hands?”

Turning, Luis’ mouth curved upwards when he spotted Sheridan leaning against the doorframe to his room. She stepped inside, silently closing the door behind her. “I just happened to need the restroom after Antonio’s last attempt to feed me.” She motioned to the stain setting into her blouse.

“What a pity,” he stated softly, moving closer to her. “It’s a pretty shirt.”

“I’ll buy another,” she told him, lacing her arms around his body. “God, I hate seeing you deal with this, Luis. I can’t stand watching that flicker of pain in your eyes when he touches me. I just want to smack him.”

“I might pay to see that,” he teased, kissing her neck. “You smell good.”

“Mmm, you’re making me forget what I came in here for.”

He laughed. “I’m pretty sure this is what you came in here for,” he breathed, claiming her lips once more.

His lips stroked hers for a time, neither knowing how long they stood embracing in his room. The world seemed to slow, allowing the lovers to have this stolen kiss while their child slept serenely nearby. His hands roamed her body, hers slipping towards the base of his neck where they toyed with his hair. It was just the two of them, gathering strength to battle the coming storm.

“I don’t want to stop,” he mumbled between kisses, his breath ragged.

“We have to,” she replied, crushing her lips against his.

They forced themselves to part, his arms rising to cross his chest. This game of blowing hot and cold was getting old already and he wanted to back out before he lost it all. She needed to start making a decision and sticking to it or else he was gone taking Martin with him. “I can’t stand this. One day and I’m already prepared to go in there and beat him until he confesses. I want you to be with me, to be my wife and have my children. This isn’t fair and I’m getting tired of being dragged this way and that when you’re around. I don’t like knowing that he can have you any time he wants because you are his wife while I sit here with the child you believe is ours waiting for the day that we can escape. You have to decide, Sheridan, are you his or do you belong with us?”

“I’m sorry,” she apologized, sinking onto his bed. Her hands covered her face, the tips making a painstakingly unhurried decent down her face. “I just need a little more time and then we can get out of here. I need to be sure they won’t see this coming.”

He groaned, wanting to tell her that he couldn’t wait that long but knowing he would do anything for her. He was whipped, but he enjoyed every moment of it. “My head understands what you’re asking, Sheridan, but my heart and body are definitely on another page. One covered in smut, if you get my drift.”

Her eyes flecked with unbridled desire, she allowed her gaze to travel to the prominent bulge in his jeans. She smirked, sapphire eyes darkening with desire. “I can see that,” she kidded, winking. “I can come back when Antonio is in bed. I’ll have a few hours then.”

“You’ll need the night.”

“Someday, Luis, you can have that.” She rose, kissing his cheek. “Tonight?”

“I’ll be waiting.” He sighed heavily.

Once again he watched as she disappeared out his door, his heart breaking.

Chapter Five

Despite the promise of spring around the corner, Harmony’s nights were filled with an icy air that permeated the warmth of Sheridan’s coat. Shivering slightly, she buried her face in the faux fur lining as she crept silently across the Lopez-Fitzgerald yard. It had taken forever for Antonio to be lulled into sleep but she had been comforted by the hearty snores that brought her salvation, even catching herself listening intently to the satisfying cacophony. Once she had caught herself, she quickly left the cottage and headed on foot towards the Lopez-Fitzgerald home. Now it brought her an odd sense of satisfaction knowing that she had aided his slumber along slightly when he proposed they have a cup of tea before retiring. Silently she thanked Dr. Ackland for the sedatives he had provided her before leaving the hospital. Without them she might still be stuck watching reruns of The Andy Griffith Show.

Hesitating outside the kitchen door, Sheridan wondered how she would enter without being noticed. It was quite late and inside the house every room but one was dark. The kitchen was lit slightly by the small glow of a solitary candle burning brightly, once again reminding Sheridan that true love never faded from one’s heart or mind. Pilar’s praying for Martin seemed fairly constant but Sheridan had never understood the older woman’s feelings until now. Even though Luis wasn’t gone from her life, pretending that their love was nothing but a memory brought her intolerable suffering. She couldn’t wait for this farce to be over.

Tentatively, Sheridan turned the frigid knob on the rear entrance to the house, holding her breath unconsciously as she tested its response. Slowly it began to creak open and she sighed heavily, pleased that Luis had the foresight to leave the door unlocked. On tiptoes she entered the dimly lit kitchen, pausing every so often to listen for some sound of life. Silence was the only reply and she began to wonder if Luis had forgotten their plans to meet after all.

“Looking for someone?”

Sheridan jumped, clutching her hand to her chest where her heart pounded wildly. Though he was being coy, Sheridan would have slapped him if she hadn’t been so happy to see him again. Throwing her arms around his neck, she pressed her lips against his for a moment before her anger got the better of her. Pulling back, the next thing she felt was the sting of her hand after it met the flesh of his cheek. “If you ever…”

“Hey,” he pouted, lifting his hand to cup the side of his face which burned brightly from the contact of her palm. “That wasn’t necessary.”

“How could you scare me like that, Luis?” she asked, her heart still raging. “I was frightened half to death! First the house is all quiet and I think you’re sleeping…”

“Do you honestly believe I could fall asleep waiting to make love to you?” he questioned gently, reaching for her.

“I don’t know,” she retorted. “You did sneak Sports Center that one time when you thought I was too…entertained to notice.”

He blushed. “I wasn’t watching Sports Center,” he grumbled. “I was checking out the Knicks game, there’s a difference. Besides, I didn’t hear you complaining.”

She chuckled, shaking her head at his defense. “I’ve missed you, Luis.”

“I’ve missed you too,” he replied softly, caressing her cheek with the pad of his thumb. “I’ve been thinking about you nonstop since you left tonight. I was dying to hold you again.”

“I’m here now,” she whispered, taking a cautious step forward. “And I’m all yours.”

“Then we shouldn’t waste a moment,” he mumbled before claiming her lips.

The desire within their kiss couldn’t be denied, nor could the heat between them. The two pressed closer, barely leaving room for air between their bodies. His arms snaked around her waist, holding her slender form against his. Breathing raggedly through their noses, their lips meshed as Sheridan’s fingers entwined in the short pieces of Luis’ hair. They spoke volumes to each other through this passionate display, neither pulling away until Luis decided that the hall was not the place to continue.

“Why?” she panted heavily as he moved away.

He swept her into his arms. “Patience,” he teased breathlessly.

Sheridan scowled. “If I wasn’t dying for a little Spanish tonight, I think I’d leave,” she replied in a hushed tone as he carried her through the doorway to his room.

“What are you calling little?” he requested sarcastically, depositing her not so gently onto his bed. “You must have me confused with my brother, Castrate-tonio.”

Sheridan started laughing so hard, she found it necessary to bury her head in Luis’ nearby pillow. Even with the fluffy cushion over her face, Luis could clearly hear her snorting laughs. Either he was terribly amusing or Antonio really was lacking when it came to masculine endowment. In any case, he wasn’t sure he wanted to know the truth.

“Sheridan?”

Her laughter continued.

“Sheridan!” he exclaimed as quietly as possible. After all, he didn’t want to wake little Martin. The child had enough trouble getting to sleep without his father waking him.

“Sorry,” she apologized tearfully, the grin on her face quivering as she fought back the laugh bubbling in her chest. “I just…and you said…and it’s so honestly true that…” She started giggling again, brushing tears from her cheek.

Luis shook his head, the mood officially broken by the thoughts of little Antonio being anywhere near his beloved Sheridan. Dropping onto the bed beside her, Luis sighed dramatically. “You know, I never thought I’d be discussing my brother’s hardware—or lack there of—with you. Not entirely sure I ever want to again either.”

“Luis,” she purred, sliding closer to him and drawing little circles on his chest. She hated that their conversation had turned him off when she still longed to be with him. “I’m really, really sorry for becoming so distracted by thoughts of what your brother wishes he had. Can you ever forgive me?” She pouted.

“No,” he responded tersely.

Her lower lip protruded further, eyes taking on a puppy dog like quality of begging. Adding a fake sniffle for effect, she began to rise from the mattress. “I suppose I should leave then,” she whispered, feigning sadness.

Luis made no move to stop her.

“I’m heading for the door,” she announced, taking a hesitant step closer to the hall while watching Luis.

He still didn’t move.

“I’m almost to the door.”

Another step and still no reaction.

It wasn’t until Sheridan’s hand landed against the brass of the knob that she heard movement behind her. Before she even had chance to turn and face him, Luis’ hand was resting against her own on the door. His breath brushed against her ear, his lips grazing her skin as we whispered, “I don’t want you to leave, Sheridan.”

“You don’t?” she breathed.

“No. I don’t want you to leave now or ever,” he replied, gently removing her hand from the door. “I love you.”

“Then you’ll forgive me for…”

He turned her, covering her lips with his finger. “Let’s forget about him, Sheridan, and everyone else. From this moment on there are only three people that matter: you, me and Martin. No one else. Ok?”

“I think I can live with that,” she mumbled beneath this finger, giggling slightly when she saw his lips twitch as he withheld his laughter. His hands fell to her waist and Sheridan slipped her arms more firmly about him. “Now, where were we earlier?”

“Right about here,” he replied, before claiming her lips once more.

Clothing strewn about the floor, Sheridan snuggled closely against Luis’ warm, hard body and sighed contently. It had been far too long since she had enjoyed the pleasures that Luis offered and now she was only partly sated. Luis, on the other hand, was simply exhausted from their tryst and she was only too happy to grant him his rest, for the time being. She fully intended to enjoy the rest of their night together. Her finger traced a small circle on his stomach, head firmly tucked beneath his chin keeping herself occupied during this momentary down time. “Mmm,” she purred.

He chuckled, jostling her slightly. “My sentiments exactly,” he replied, gently resting his lips against the top of her head. “I forgot how much I loved moments like this when we can just lay here and…”

Luis was instantly cut off by the cry of his son.

“Take care of Martin,” he concluded with a heavy sigh. Luis began to cautiously remove himself from beneath her until he felt the heel of Sheridan’s palm dig into his chest.

“Let me,” she suggested, pushing herself off before he could reply. “It’s been a while since I’ve had a chance to take care of our son.”

Luis simply nodded, observing her as she rose from the bed wearing nothing but an expression of sheer bliss on her face. Her hand carelessly reached for the nearest article of clothing, finding the top to his pajamas on the end of his bed. Pulling the shirt on, she sashayed towards the crib and removed her whimpering son, never looking more beautiful or more wanton in their entire relationship. There was something he found oddly erotic about Sheridan wearing his clothing and caring for their child, even if Martin could be Beth’s son too.

“Hello, little man,” she greeted Martin, caressing his back gently. “Does he usually wake for a bottle so late?” she asked, trying to maintain a calm, light tone.

“No, he probably needs a fresh diaper.” He smirked at the sight of her disgusted face.

“Well, I did offer,” she muttered, resting Martin on the end of the bed and making quick work of his diaper. She found it rather amusing that the baby drooled and laughed contently while she plugged her nose whenever possible. It couldn’t have been a wet diaper her first time out; it had to be a filthy, revolting one. “What did you feed him? I didn’t…this is just horrid. Does he do this often?”

“I think this week we’re trying peas.” Luis chuckled. “And he’s had his fair share of messy ones lately.”

Discarding the diaper in the special diaper garbage pail Luis had in the corner, Sheridan left the room for only a moment to clean her hands. She returned minutes later, lifting the happily gurgling baby from the bed and holding him against her chest. Her lips rested against his head for a time before she sank into the rocking chair and began to hum.

While her eyes were pinned directly on Martin, Luis’ gaze was focused only on her. Moments like these were few and far between and he had learned to treasure each one as they occurred. He didn’t know when they would finally be able to escape Harmony and for however long they were trapped in this town they would be forced to play a game. The town was covered in eyes and ears that would pass information to Alistair; he was positive even Antonio was working for the all mighty Crane. It didn’t take a genius to know that this time could be one of the last they would have together until they ran. He wanted to memorize each and every part of it.

“I know you’re watching me,” she alerted him, not losing focus on the task at hand.

“I’m always watching you, Sheridan,” he replied. “Right now I’m just trying to form enough of a memory to keep me going until we can leave. Who knows when I’ll next get to see you holding Martin or get to feel your lips on mine again?”

She sighed, raising her gaze to meet his. “Today was near impossible. It hurt me so deeply to be without you, Luis, and every spare moment I spent thinking about you and our son. I don’t know how long I can last with Antonio hovering over me like a mother hen. Seeing you and knowing that we have to live a lie is…there aren’t words to describe how dead I feel inside.”

“I understand completely,” he agreed, sincere in his feelings. “But I have good news. I’ve found us a car. Hank has an old one that hasn’t even been registered since he never actually drove it. He’s the only person I can trust right now and I think he’ll give it to me if I promise to tell them I stole it when we get caught,” he joshed.

“We won’t get caught.” She took a deep breath, obviously not wanting to continue. Her idea was radical, but one of the only ways to make a clean break. “I was considering our options lately and I believe the best way to leave town is to make people think we’re gone for good.”

“What do you mean?”

She inhaled sharply. “I think we need to stage our deaths, Luis. We can take my car and push it off the side of the cliff. If we do it correctly…” she faded off.

“Sheridan, do you realize what you want to do? You want to convince the world we’re dead!” He was shocked, realizing what this would do to his family. “This is serious. There’s no going back if we do this.”

She nodded, having seen all the possible sides earlier. “I know, but it’s the only way people will keep from looking for us, Luis. If my father thinks I’m gone, he’ll consider it settled. Your family might grieve, but some day we might be able to return to Harmony and confess what we had to do.”

“And your divorce?”

“Taken care of,” Sheridan confessed. “I saw my lawyer today and went to Father Lonigan as well. Before we leave Harmony I will be officially divorced and our marriage will be annulled to boot. Antonio doesn’t know it but he inadvertently signed the paper work this evening…of course I told him I was buying something I needed his signature for.”

He laughed. “You are an amazing woman, Miss Crane. What else do you have planned?”

“Wouldn’t you like to know,” she teased seductively.

He groaned. “All right, back on the subject of leaving. What do we do after the so-called accident? Any idea where you’d like to go?” he questioned. “Obviously we have to leave the eastern seaboard, but you’re a relatively famous woman. It won’t be as easy for you to disappear into a crowd or some nowhere town as it will be for me.”

“It will take some work, that’s true, but I think we can pull it off. I just don’t know where to go. If we pick a small, backwoods town like Harmony we might be able to hide as long as no one is interested in the Cranes.”

“And a large city is promising since there are so many people to blend into, but it stands a risk that your face will be all over every paper.” He sighed. “We need to decide where to go and fast. If we don’t act soon…”

“I know.” She noticed Martin had fallen asleep and rose to tuck him back in. “And we can make those decisions on the road. Right now, I can think of a better way to spend our time together.”

“Oh yea?” he queried. “How?”

“Like this,” she purred, crawling across the bed towards him as seductively as possible. “I love you,” she whispered before kissing him deeply.

Before Sheridan knew it, she was on her back and Luis’ lips were kissing their way down her slowly exposed body.

Chapter Six

She was dreaming again.

It was more a horrible nightmare than a sweet, peaceful reverie: one that left her longing for her true love. Every morning she woke sadly from detailed visions of Luis holding her close, his warm, solid form cradling her body. It left her with the same sensation of disappointment as her eyes fluttered open to find her alone in bed.

Or worse yet, sleeping beside Antonio.

Shuddering, she prepared herself for the sinking depression that would follow, steeling herself against the heartache being away from him caused. These moments were always the worst in her day, setting the mood for the terrible hours to follow. She hated being away from Luis, especially when that meant being attached to the hip with her leech of a husband. However, as her eyes slowly drifted open, she realized one shocking truth:

Luis was truly in bed with her!

Alert azure eyes darting towards the clock, she hazily noticed that the numbers read slightly after four in the morning. Heart pounding wildly, she attempted to remember what had occurred the night before, drawing forth details from the depths of her memory. She had come to dinner and basically propositioned Luis for the evening. Willingly, he had accepted and they agreed to meet again once Antonio had fallen asleep. After aiding him with his slumber, some people might call him drugged, Sheridan crept from the cottage and made her way watchfully to the Lopez-Fitzgerald home.

A slow smile spreading across her features, Sheridan remembered the more erotic details of their coupling. Hours of unbridled passion were combined with the affectionate family moments with their adorable son. The risk had certainly been worth it. Just thoughts of Luis’ tender caresses and his sweet, soul searching kisses made her want to rouse him and start their time all over again.

Unfortunately, acting on her thoughts made things dangerous and she had no choice but to cautiously detangle herself from Luis’ warm embrace. With a gentle kiss to his forehead, she rose from beneath the sheets and scrounged around the room searching for his missing clothing. She smirked when she found her undergarments dangling over the shade of Luis’ lamp, but it was the location of her blouse that tugged at her heart. Clutched tightly in Martin’s tiny fists was Sheridan’s blouse, almost like his own floral scented security blanket.

“Sorry, little man, but I need that back,” she whispered, using a bit of pressure to remove her shirt from Martin’s grasp. She brushed her fingers through his short light brown locks, studying his relaxed features. It broke her heart to leave her son this way; she wished she could bring him home where he belonged. “Someday,” she told herself, caressing his back. “I love you, sweetheart. I’m so very sorry I have to go right now, but I’ll be back. Promise.”

“What about me?” Luis mumbled sleepily, his arm falling across his eyes. Peering out from beneath the limb, his eyes mere slits, Luis made it fairly clear he wasn’t happy with her choice to depart. “Were you planning on saying goodbye or slipping out without saying another word to me? After last night I think I deserve…”

“I didn’t want to wake you,” she cut him off, ending his irate ranting. As she slipped on her blouse, Sheridan returned to Luis side and ran her fingers lightly through his short ebony hair to calm him. “I know you didn’t have much sleep last night and had to work today, Luis. I just wanted to make this easy on both of us.”

“It’s not easy, Sheridan,” he retorted. “It’s never going to be easy watching you walk out of my life again and return to him.” Consulting the clock, he added “Where are you going this early anyway?”

“Home,” she replied, flinching when she saw his expression. “I’m sorry, but I have to get back there before the dru…um he wakes,” she covered, shifting her eyes from his penetrating glare. “I don’t want to leave, Luis, you know that I’d stay if I could.”

“Then stay, Sheridan.” He sat up, turning her chin to lock gazes. “Just stay with me. He doesn’t have to know…”

“I can’t.” She cupped his cheek, caressing it with her thumb. The pain she was inflicting on Luis was more than she could bear. She only hoped she could one day forgive herself for the choices she had been forced to make. “I love you and always will. My heart is yours not his.”

He sighed, leaning into her and resting his forehead against hers. “I love you too,” he murmured before kissing her lightly, trying to prolong the inevitable. “Hurry back to us, Sheridan,” he pleaded as they broke the kiss.

“I will,” she vowed, savoring the moment. She didn’t have much time left, but she planned to use each moment to its fullest. “We’ll plan our escape for two days from today. That gives me enough time to get things in order here and enlist some help getting us money to live off until we have work.”

“Two days?” he whined, slumping back against his pillow with her hand gripped in his own. “That’s an eternity. Can’t we leave tonight?”

She chuckled, pecking his lips softly. Sometimes Luis was like a spoiled child waiting for Christmas day. While some people might have found it annoying, she relished his excitement and appreciated his enthusiasm, especially in the bedroom. “Two days.”

He sighed, staying silent.

“Should I return tonight or would you prefer I stay home and keep your brother company?” she purred, drawing shapes on his bare chest, which caused gooseflesh to appear on his skin.

“That’s a stupid question, Sheridan, and we both know it.”

She smirked, pleased to hear he still wished to see their relationship through, even if it meant some sneaking around and sacrifice. “I’ll see you tonight then.”

One last kiss and she was gone.

Sheridan paused a moment outside the cottage, peering intently through the bedroom window. Antonio was still slumbering in her bed, a sickening grin dancing across his lips. She glowered, crossing her arms over her chest. This man had only thought of his own needs since the day he saved her from death in Bermuda. He had locked her away to keep her from her true love and taken control of her life.

Now she had to pretend to be his happy little bride until her abusive, monster of a father was convinced that she was playing by his rules. A wicked smile crossed her features; Alistair Crane had never been much of a parent to her. In fact, he had spent the majority of her life treating her as if she had the plague. Even he had once locked her away in a psych ward to have all of her memories from that night erased. She wouldn’t let him win. This time, she would show him how much Crane blood flowed through her veins.

The gravel crackled beneath her sneakers as she crept towards the window of the bathroom. She had used it to escape the night before not wanting to risk the jingling of her keys rousing someone at the Lopez-Fitzgerald home. Thankfully it was still slightly ajar and she slipped her fingers beneath the bottom bar pushing it upward gently. Once there was enough space for her to enter, she crawled through the window and shut it behind her.

Safe at last and Antonio was none the wiser…

Not that he was wise anyway.

A rustling from the other room alerted her to Antonio’s rousing. Panicked, she dashed for the closed bathroom door and hit the button, locking him outside the room. Not the best idea, but definitely the only one she had at the moment. She needed a plan; it was far too early to be dressed the way she was and she wasn’t sure if she could completely get away with another lie. Tapping the end of her nail against her teeth, she began pacing the length of the room. She was trapped; there was only one way out of the bathroom and that was through her bedroom past Antonio. She really needed another escape route!

“Sheridan?” She heard his feet hit the floor and knew he was coming to find her.

Damn!

‘Think, Sheridan, think!’

Would he buy that she was going for a long walk and decided to start in the bathroom? Probably not. What about doing laundry? At almost five am…that was out too. Bathroom…water…a shower!

Without thinking, she rushed towards the stall and turned on the water. She discarded her clothing, hiding her coat and sneakers in the cabinet beneath the sink, and then climbed into the warm water. It relaxed her aching muscles and rinsed away the scent of Luis’ cologne that had lingered on her skin. At the very least this minutes she spent bathing would buy her some time to find an excuse or perhaps get Antonio off her back altogether.

“Sheridan?” Antonio knocked, attempting to open the door and finding it obviously locked. So much for getting him to back off. “Sweetheart? Why did you lock the door?”

“Can’t hear you! Soap in my ears!” she called back, deciding to take her sweet time in the shower. Dipping her head beneath the running water, he almost sounded miles away, which was how she liked him best. Antonio could wait; there wasn’t any rush for her.

“Sweetheart, where did you go?” he asked, pounding slightly harder on the door.

She rolled her eyes. He really was dumb as rocks. Didn’t he understand that she couldn’t hear him, or was choosing not to listen?

It took her a few minutes to get her sleep deprived body out of the warm, welcoming water, but she finally did. Antonio had spent much of it outside the door, waiting impatiently for her to permit him entrance. Again she took her time, her movements not only unrushed but almost slow motion. Wrapping herself in a fluffy yellow towel, she unlocked the door and finally allowed Antonio in.

“I asked you where you were, sweetheart,” he said the moment he stepped into the foggy bathroom. “It didn’t look like you ever came to bed last night.” He reached for her, grazing her bare arm. “Are you ok?” he questioned when she flinched.

“Yea, fine,” she mumbled, moving away from him and reaching for her brush. “I…” she paused, trying to decide what excuse to give him. Her shower had been interrupted too soon for thought and she hadn’t exactly found a way out of this mess.

“Did you have trouble sleeping?” He slid his arms around her waist, kissing her damp shoulder. “Nightmares again?”

Well, as far as excuses went, that was a fairly good one. Instead of arguing, she merely nodded. “Yes, nightmares. They were so horrible I thought I’d try to watch some television and clear my mind a little. I guess I fell asleep on the couch and when I woke this morning I went for a nice long walk. I hope I didn’t wake you coming back for a shower.”

‘Not bad, Sheridan, not bad at all,’ she congratulated herself.

“Not at all, I slept like a baby.”

‘A drugged baby, but a baby all the same,’ she thought, fighting a smirk.

“Perhaps we should have Dr. Ackland prescribe you some more potent tranquilizers. That could help you with those nightmares,” he offered.

‘Didn’t you think they were strong enough? After all, you took three of them.’

“Sheridan, you seem a million miles away. What are you thinking about?”

She smiled, turning and placing her hands against his not-so muscular chest. With complete sincerity she looked into his eyes and smiled. “I was just thinking how lucky I am to have you as my husband.”

‘Because no one else would be stupid enough to buy the crap I’m feeding you,’ she mentally added.

“Well I’m lucky too,” he replied sweetly, making her stomach churn. “You’re such a wonderful woman.” He kissed her cheek, hugging her wet form tightly against him. “I won’t let anything come between us.

‘Not even air.’ She hugged him back weakly, feeling the slightest twinge of guilt at her deception. It faded quickly, however, when she remembered this was the man that had taken away her life. He deserved this treatment…

And worse.

‘Soon,’ she thought, watching him leave the room talking about breakfast or something to that matter. ‘Luis and I will be out of here soon and we’ll be a real family for Martin somewhere far away. Today I’ll handle Antonio. Tomorrow my father.’