Chapter 13

“Are you sure you’re going to be okay with Ethan, Cristian?” Ivy asked for what had to be the thousandth time in the last half-hour. She straightened Cristian’s heavy winter coat and made sure the bright red scarf around his neck left no skin vulnerable to the blustery wind’s chill. Cristian’s big brown eyes glistened at her, but he bravely kept the tears at bay. “Your mommy will feel so much better knowing you’re taking care of Ethan,” she teased. A twinkle in her blue-green eyes. “She won’t have to worry so much.” A tiny smile flitted across Cristian’s face. Until he remembered WHY he was having to stay with Ethan today. And the tears just wouldn’t be stopped as his little face crumpled, and he buried his face in the crook of Ivy’s neck. “But I want to be with Ali,” he sobbed. “She’ll be afraid.” Ivy sighed. Heavy-hearted at the child’s fears. “Listen, Cristian,” Ethan interjected softly. “Ali’s going to be fine. She has your mommy and daddy with her, and a whole bunch of other people. Ali’ll understand if you aren’t at the hospital. She will,” Ethan insisted as Cristian’s big brown eyes met his blue ones. “If you want,” Ethan offered. Looking to his mother to make sure it was okay. “We can go visit Ali this afternoon. We’ll even take her a present.” “A present?” Ivy smiled. “That sounds wonderful! I know your sister will just LOVE anything you pick out. Then it’s all settled then?” “Okay,” Cristian mumbled. “Bye, Darling,” Ivy breathed. Kissing the child’s cool cheek. “Oh! You’re so cold! Ethan,” she said. Rising to her feet and kissing her own son’s cool cheek. “Get this young man inside now and have Beth whip him up the BEST hot chocolate money can buy,” she winked. “See you later,” she waved.

Beth looked up when the bells at the front tinkled. Announcing her new arrivals. The smile on her face faltered as she watched Cristian’s downtrodden little figure trudge to the nearest available table. Poor kid. He was so worried about his big sister, and it showed. Every bit of it showed. She shifted sympathetic brown eyes to Ethan’s face when his voice broke through her thoughts. “Two hot chocolates.” Two days had passed, and Ali was, probably at this very moment, checking into the Harmony Hospital for her first chemotherapy treatment. The news that the daughter of the man in line to become Harmony’s newest police chief and the town’s own claim to royalty had cancer had spread like wildfire. Sending shockwaves in its wake. It was just inconceivable. That something so horrible should strike a family that had already been through so much in a time that should have been one of its happiest. Luis was at the pinnacle of his career. He and Sheridan had been deliriously happy. Life had been perfect. Until two days ago. She still couldn’t come to terms with it. “Beth?” Ethan waved a hand in front of her face. “Beth? Did you hear me?” “I’m sorry, Ethan. I’ll bring it to you, okay?” Ethan nodded gratefully, and she watched him walk over to join Cristian. “Julie,” she spoke to the young girl beside her. “Do you think you could manage this place today? There’s something very important I have to do.” “Sure, Beth. It’s so sad about the Lopez-Fitzgeralds’ little girl, isn’t it? She’s such a pretty little thing. Sweet as can be. Always smiling. It just isn’t fair. Isn’t that her little brother over there?” Beth distantly heard Julie question as she removed her apron and picked up the steaming mugs of hot chocolate.

“Hi, Cristian,” Beth said brightly. Setting one of the mugs of hot chocolate in front of him. “Mind if I sit here?” she asked. Indicating the empty seat across from him and beside Ethan. “No,” Cristian muttered. Beth looked to Ethan in surprise. Cristian was usually so much more talkative. If Ali were smiling all the time, Cristian’s smile was a permanent fixture. Had been since birth. “Cristian?” Beth reached across the table and tugged at his sleeve playfully. “Aren’t you going to drink your hot chocolate? I made it extra special for you.” Cristian raised the mug to his lips politely. Never one to slight ANYBODY’S feelings. “It’s good,” he mumbled. “Why don’t you take your jacket off and stay awhile,” Beth laughed. The kid was carrying an extra twenty pounds of clothing on his back. Come to think of it…he’d almost waddled into the Book Café when he first came in. “That’s not necessary,” Ethan told her. “As soon as we finish up here, we’re going on a very important mission.” At her inquisitive look, Ethan answered, “We’re going to get a present to take to Ali when we visit this afternoon.” “Oh,” Beth smiled. “Ali will LOVE that.” Cristian smiled at her. The first smile she’d seen yet. “Mind if I come? You’re two guys shopping for a girl. Somehow I think you need a little help,” she teased. “What do you think Cristian?” Cristian shrugged his tiny shoulders. “Good. I’ll just get my jacket, and we’ll be on our way,” she smiled. Giving Ethan a friendly pat on the arm as she rose from her seat. “She’s right, you know,” Ethan told his little charge. “We desperately need a woman’s opinion.”

Sara scowled as the Hotchkiss estate came into view. “Sara,” Gwen sighed. “I thought you said you WANTED to stay with Grandma. You could have stayed with Aunt Grace, but you said no,” she reminded the petulant little girl in the back seat. Emily happily hummed under her breath. Aunt Grace, Grandma, it didn’t matter. She was just glad Mommy wasn’t making them go to the hospital with her like she was Jake. Well…maybe she wasn’t MAKING Jake go. She glanced at her older brother. He didn’t look like he wanted to go. But he didn’t look like he didn’t want to go either. “Aunt Grace makes us eat Tomato Soup Cake. It’s disg…” Sara paused as her young four-year-old mind couldn’t remember the word she’d heard her big brother use a million, kagillion times before. “It’s YUCKY!” “Grandma doesn’t cook,” Emily piped up cheerfully. “And Grandpa’s FFFFFFUUUUUUUNNNNNNN,” she smiled. Giggling at her twin sister. Sara was ALWAYS grumpy about something. Just like Grandma said. “Thank goodness for small blessings,” Gwen grimaced at the thought of her mother’s horrid culinary skills. Killing the car’s engine. “Sara…wipe that awful expression off your face,” she said. “Only if you promise we don’t have to spend the night,” Sara challenged stubbornly. “You don’t have to spend the night,” Gwen sighed. Opening her door and getting out. “Your dad and I will come pick you up as soon as we leave the hospital.” “Okay,” Sara huffed as her mom unbuckled Emily and lifted her out of the car. “Bye, Jake,” Emily waved as she clutched her doll in one hand, and a fistful of her mother’s skirt in the other. Sara unbuckled her own seatbelt and scooted across the seat. Ribbing her big brother in the ribs on the way out. “Bye, Fartface,” she snickered evilly. “Sara Bennett!” The mischievous smile on Sara’s face instantly disappeared. But not from her mom’s vicious (it WAS vicious, she’d tell the whole world if only she could get on Old Bra’s show) yank on the arm. Jake didn’t say it back! Ali must be REALLY, REALLY sick.

“Jake,” Gwen’s brown eyes sought out those of her son in the reflection of the rear-view mirror. “You’re awfully quiet back there. Anything you want to tell me about?” she quizzed as she maneuvered the car down the streets of Harmony. “Jake…I know you’re worried about Ali. You don’t have to pretend, okay? There’s nothing wrong with being worried. We ALL are,” she assured him. Noticing the suspicious sheen of his brown eyes. Jake rubbed his eyes with his fists when he thought she wasn’t looking. He curved his face into the seat as he felt the car slowing down. And he threw his arms over his head when the prickly fingers of the wintery wind on his skin told him his mom had opened the back door. Gwen blinked back her own tears as she pried her son’s arms from his head. “Jake,” she said softly. “It’s okay,” she whispered. Cupping his face between both of her hands. “It’s okay to be scared, and it’s even okay for a tough guy like you to cry. Sometimes,” she teased as she brushed the tears clinging to his dark lashes away with the pads of her thumbs. “Girls cry,” Jake muttered. Averting his embarrassed gaze from his mother’s understanding eyes. “And sissies. I’m NOT a sissy.” “No, you’re not,” Gwen told him seriously. “Do you think your dad is a sissy? Do you think Luis is a sissy?” she questioned him. Jake shook his head vigorously. “I thought not,” she said. “Even Uncle Sam cried when he found out Ali was sick. Ali’s very special to all of us, and we don’t want anything bad to happen to her. So finding out she was so sick made us ALL sad. Don’t be embarrassed because you care, Jake. Never be embarrassed by that,” she told him somberly. Brushing his unruly brown hair back from his forehead to place a kiss there. Smiling tenderly at him when he didn’t scowl and wipe it away. “Ready to go see Ali now?” Jake started to nod his head, but stopped when he realized there was something he had to do first. “No. Not yet. Could we do something first?”

Chad scanned the sea of faces in the terminal for one. One in a million in more ways than one, he thought with a slight smile as he caught sight of her. Dark hair pulled back into a casual ponytail and dark sunglasses covering her eyes. “Yo, Theresa! Over here!” he called. Waving frantically to garner her attention. He knew the instant she saw him. She dropped her bags by her side, and in a matter of seconds, she was in his arms. Clutching him desperately as she buried her face in his chest, and her tears soaked through the material of his shirt. “Oh Chad,” she sobbed. “I came as soon as I could. I couldn’t just leave at a moment’s notice. I had to make sure everything was taken care of. Make arrangements,” she explained. The guilt thick in her voice. He pulled back and gently removed the shades from her eyes to find them red-rimmed and puffy. He sighed as he realized she’d probably been beating herself up about it the entire flight. “Sheridan and Luis understand. Ali understands. What counts is you’re here now.” She attempted a smile at his soothing words but failed miserably. He tucked her under his strong arm as he steered her through the throngs of people to retrieve her bags and make their way outside. She replaced the glasses on her nose and followed him as he led her to his car. “Get in the car and warm up while I put these in the back,” he suggested. Kissing her cheek. She sank into the comfort of the passenger seat and secured her safety belt after turning the key in the car’s ignition and starting it up. She heaved a shaky sigh as she pulled the wadded newspaper clipping from her purse and read over the words once more. The opening of the car door opposite her startled her, making her jump, and she hastily stuffed the paper back into her purse. A determined if weak smile on her lips as she grabbed his hand and brought it to her lips. “I’m here now.”

Chapter 14

“It’s a STUPID present. She’s going to hate it. I know she is,” Jake muttered under his breath as the elevator slowly climbed. Gwen gave her son a gentle smile and affectionate ruffle of the hair. “She’s going to LOVE it.” “How do you know?” Jake grumbled. “Because I just do.” Jake quirked a dark brown at her skeptically. “Are you doubting me? Moms just know these things, okay?” Jake rolled his brown eyes at her. “Besides…I’m a girl. Trust me. She’s going to flash you one of those pretty smiles of hers as soon as she opens it.” A slow grin started to spread over Jake’s face at the thought of Ali’s smile. It was…magic. Ali’s smile was magic. Gwen forced herself to wear a straight face when Jake glanced up at her out of the corner of his eye to make sure she hadn’t been witness to that telling little grin. “What?” he asked. Putting on his best poker face. “She’s just Ali,” he shrugged his shoulders as the elevator dinged, and the doors opened slowly. “Yeah,” Gwen agreed. Brown eyes sparkling. “Just another girl, huh?” “Um…yeah,” Jake half-shook, half-nodded his mop of brown curls. “Are you coming or not, Mom?” he groaned. “We have to hurry, I…have to go to the bathroom,” he said. Covering his eagerness to see Ali quickly.

“Where do you think you’re going so fast, Little Bennett?” Abby teased as she caught Jake about the shoulders just before he could scamper inside Ali’s hospital room. Jake scowled at the nickname. “Aww,” Abby pinched his cheeks—because she KNEW he HATED when she did that. “Did you like the old one better? Really…if Demon Seed weren’t already taken…” “Lemme go,” Jake grumbled. “Jake. Little Buddy,” his dad’s voice came from out of nowhere. “Relax. Ali’s not going anywhere. Dr. Taylor’s just checking her out before he lets any visitors in, and you know Cristian has first dibs.” Jake gave Cristian a black look and trudged over to the row of ugly plastic chairs, slumping next to Chad. “Hey Dude,” Chad grinned. His eyes traveling to Jake’s clasped hands. “What’s that you got in your hand? Must be for a pretty special someone.” Theresa’s dark eyes sparkled at the blush that colored Jake’s cheeks pink as he twiddled the object around and around. “Hi Jake,” she greeted. Changing the subject to lessen his embarrassment. “I don’t see your sisters. Where are Sara and Emily?” “Grandma’s BABY-sitting,” Jake said. Emphasizing the ‘BABY’ part. Theresa giggled in surprise. Rebecca? Babysitting? So many things had changed in the time she’d been gone. Unbelievable aside…she couldn’t help but feel sad that she had missed so much. She thought back to the piece of paper in her purse and closed her eyes. It was going to change her life. But she was becoming more and more convinced it was what was right. Even if it DID complicate her life…

Ethan looked away in embarrassment when he met Theresa’s dark eyes. “Ethan,” Cristian whispered. Tucking the huge pink bunny with its floppy ears beneath his arm and framing Ethan’s face with both his little hands. “When are they going to let me see AliCat?” “Soon,” Beth answered for him. Ethan shot a grateful smile her way as rubbed Cristian’s back reassuringly. “Why Cristian!” Ivy exclaimed. Giving the worried child a brilliant smile. “You have exquisite taste! Ali’s going to LOVE your present. What’s her name?” Cristian pulled the bunny out from under his arm and looked at it’s face for a moment of serious contemplation. “Ali gets to name her. Look Aunt Ivy,” he directed. Presenting the bunny’s tummy to her. “The bunny has ALL our names on it. When Ali hugs it, it’s going to make her feel better because she knows we love her.” Tears sprang to Ivy’s blue-green eyes as her fingers traced the brightly colored threads, including her own name. “What a wonderful, thoughtful little brother you are,” she smiled shakily. Nearly crushing him and Ethan in her embrace. Ivy’s eyes grew wide as another pair of arms encircled them, and Abby lay her head on her shoulder. Her hazel eyes a bit shiny, but filled with mirth nonetheless as she announced, “I LOVE YOU GUYS!” Cristian giggled at the crazy display and Ethan’s obvious discomfort. Ivy carefully removed Abby’s arms and patted her shoulder. “Well…I…” “What, Aunt Ivy? Don’t you love me?” “Of course, Dear.” “What’s not to love about good ole Tink?” Hank joined in on the fun. Giving Abby a sneaky pinch on the…you know where. “Hands off the ass, Bennett,” Abby growled. Ethan tried to cover Cristian’s ears, but it was too late. “Not in front of the children, Mija,” Pilar scolded. “Puh-leaze,” Kay muttered under her breath in passing. “As if that word’s a new one on Jake,” she finished. Smirking at her little cousin’s guilty little grin. “Um…but Mama,” Abby mock-pouted. “I was provoked…wait a minute. Oh my God! Mija?!?! Did you guys hear that? I’m part of the family!!! Oh Mama! I love you!” she squealed. Nearly giving Pilar a massive coronary with her zealous hug. “You too, Dad. Or should I call you Papa like Luis? I saw THAT,” she hissed when Miguel drew circles around his temple and mouthed ‘CRAZY.’ Martin just chuckled. “Papa will do.”

A throat cleared quietly, and the whole gang fell silent. Focusing every last bit of their attention on the man in the white coat. “I realize now it was ridiculous of me not to expect so many of you,” he said. Mentally counting heads as his gray eyes surveyed the waiting room. “Are you going to let us see Ali now?” Jake’s voice broke through. “Jake!” Gwen chided. “He’s the doctor, not to mention a grown-up…” “No need to apologize,” Nick smiled. Making the corners of gray eyes crinkle, and Abby nearly swooned right then and there. “Abby,” Kay discreetly whispered in the tawny-haired dynamo’s ear. “Wipe that little bit of drool off. Right there,” she winked. Biting her lip to keep from laughing. This was serious. They were here to visit Ali. Her little niece who had cancer, Kay thought. Sobering immediately. “Look,” Nick began again. “I know you’re all anxious to see Ali, and you’re all going to have your turn. But I don’t want too many of you in there at once, and please don't stay long. Ali’s had a very tough day, and she’s not feeling very well. Not to mention tired. Make it quick. Make it count. Okay. Any questions?” No one said a word, and Nick pointed to Cristian. “She wants to see you first. Are you ready to see your sister?” Cristian nodded his dark head and trustingly took Nick’s offered hand. Clutching the bunny in the other. “Now, don’t be frightened when you see her. She’s a little pale, and…” Jake heaved a heavy sigh and plopped back down beside Chad as the door closed behind Cristian and Dr. Nick. What kind of name was THAT? He wanted to go first. He had to SEE Ali to make sure she was really okay.

“Ali!” Cristian cried as he raced to his sister’s bedside. Throwing his arms around her neck. “Oh Ali,” he whispered. Wiping his tears away with his tiny fingers. “I was SO scared.” “Cristian…be careful,” his mommy whispered in his ear. “It’s okay, Mommy,” Ali reassured her. Her smile wide as Cristian presented the bunny to her proudly. “I brought you a present,” he grinned. His brown eyes twinkling at her. “See?” he pointed to the names on bunny’s tummy. “That’s our names,” he said in his childish voice. “You can hug her whenever you get scared or miss us. It’ll be like we’re hugging you back and saying you we love you.” Sheridan wiped at the tears streaming down her cheeks, and Luis’s voice was gruff as he spoke. “Wow, AliCat. That’s a lot of names there.” “I love you, AliCat,” Cristian whispered. Leaning down to kiss his sister on the lips like he’d done so many times as a baby. “Do you like my present?” “I LOVE it,” Ali smiled at him. “Good,” Cristian said to himself. “I knew you’d like it. Nite nite, Ali,” he murmured with a final goodbye kiss to her cheek.

As soon as Cristian walked through the door, another person always entered. Ali smiled and thanked Beth when she told her she was looking forward to seeing her at the Book Café soon, and that she could have all the blueberry muffins and hot chocolate she wanted. FREE! Ethan teased her with whispers of “Princess Ali,” and jokes that they should spring another kitten on Luis soon. Then Ali remembered Miss Priss and asked if the kittens had made their grand entrance into the world yet. They had NOT, according to Pilar and Martin who promised to take extra-special care of Cristian for her that night since she couldn’t be there to promise her little brother there were NO monsters under his bed if he got scared. Ivy promised they’d go riding the next time she visited the Mansion AND have a REAL tea party. Of course, the invitation was extended to Luis and Cristian. Even Jake. But…Ivy pointed out…they wouldn’t know how to appreciate the finer points of a good cup of tea and a little old-fashioned (but very tame) gossip. Ali giggled at the thought of Jake wearing a big, floppy hat like the ones her mommy and her used to use in their tea parties. Chad and Daddy had to turn around while Mommy helped her put on the new pj’s Aunt Theresa had made. Especially for her. Kay and Miguel thrilled her with the news that Joshua was a candidate for the implants. The details confused her a little bit (a LOT), but she couldn’t wait for Joshua to hear her voice. Abby and Hank made her giggle ‘til her tummy hurt, and Mommy got scared and wanted to call Dr. Nick, but something Gwen said made her not do it. Everybody came to see her, telling her how much they loved her and giving her presents, and Ali LOVED it all. Even if she did feel a little bad, and they all looked a little afraid. But one thing was missing. One person. “Uncle Hank?” she asked in a soft, weary voice. “Where’s Jake?” Hank just grinned and whispered something to her mommy and daddy, and before she knew it…she was all alone in the hospital room. Until he came in…“Hi Jake,” she beamed as he walked toward her slowly.

Jake shuffled forward. Hands hidden behind his back. FINALLY! They all left. He just couldn’t do it with EVERYBODY watching. It was too embarrassing. Too, too embarrassing. “Hi Ali,” he mumbled. Stopping beside her bedside. He looked at the IV still in her arm. “Does that…nevermind,” he muttered awkwardly. He grinned at the huge pink bunny in her arms. Normally, he’d seize upon the opportunity to tease her about it, but as he read all the names there, he realized it was pretty cool. He just hoped she liked his present. Yeah, he thought. Suddenly remembering the brightly wrapped package in his hands. “Um…I got you a present,” he announced. Thrusting the package into her hands. “Thank you,” Ali murmured. And Jake grinned to himself when her blue eyes twinkled back at him. Yeah, he thought as she smiled at him again. It WAS magic. Uh oh! What if Dylan knew? That thought made him red with even more embarrassment. His palms were sweaty as he handed the second part of his present to her. Ali breathed in the scent of the yellow rose. “It’s so pretty.” Jake shot her a pleased smile. “I picked it ‘cause it was pretty. And it reminded me of your hair. Pretty. And yellow,” he babbled. “Open your other present. I hope you like it. Mom helped me pick it out. And she said you’d like it ‘cause you and her are both girls…” Ali’s blue eyes sparkled as she lifted the tiny heart-shaped silver necklace from the box. “I didn’t pick no heart ‘cause I love you or anything. You’re a girl,” he said as if that said it all. “But as far as girls go…you’re pretty cool, Ali,” he admitted bashfully. “See right here?” he said. Flipping the necklace around. “See what it says?” he asked. Pointing the engraving. “You’re my best friend, Ali. Even though I’m mean to you sometimes and like to tease you a lot, you’re my best friend in the whole world, and I just wanted you to know that. Mom put a picture of us when we were babies in there, and the other side’s empty ‘cause that’s where the grown-up picture’s going go, and…Ali? Do you like the present or not?” Ali’s answer… “Eee---YUCK! Did you have to kiss me again?” Jake grumbled. But if the sparkle in his brown eyes was any indication…he liked her answer pretty well.

Chapter 15

Nick sighed as he read Ali’s latest charts. The treatments weren’t failing, but they’re weren’t exactly providing the punch he’d hoped for. Nevertheless, he was still optimistic. If he had learned nothing else the last few weeks, he had learned that the little girl resting in the hospital room down the hall was not as delicate as she looked. AliCat seemed fragile on the outside, but her disposition was that of a fighter. The kid had an iron will, he thought with a slight smile. “Katie?” he said. Raising his intense gray gaze to the young woman who’d just returned to the nurses’ station. “Ali? Is she…” Katie’s eyes were filled with sympathy as she spoke. “This last one’s made her sicker than usual. But Ali’s a sweetheart, Dr. Taylor. She’s not complained a bit, but you can just tell…Sheridan’s in there worrying herself sick. That little doll puts on a brave face just so she won’t worry her mommy anymore than she already does,” Katie told him.

“Hi, Dr. Taylor.” Nick groaned inwardly as recognition washed over him. How long had he been employed at this hospital? A month maybe. A little more. And Nurse Ellie Jacobs had flirted with him relentlessly the ENTIRE time. “Hello, Ellie,” he said. Giving her a polite smile. Ellie positively beamed as she batted her fake eyelashes at him. Katie tried to hide her smile from him in the background, but he saw it, pleading with desperate gray eyes for her to bail him out of this particular situation. He’d already made it clear in not-so-many words that he wasn’t interested in any relationships at the moment or the near future. “Still living at ‘Grace’s Bed and Breakfast’?” Katie piped up. Thinking she was offering him an out. Of some sort. But Ellie’s interest was piqued. Even more so than usual. “Oh, Dr. Taylor,” she practically salivated all over him, much to his chagrin and Katie’s amusement, “I know the PERFECT place for you.”

Abby rolled her eyes as she passed the trio by. Ellie Jacobs was a shameless hussy. Throwing herself at Dr. Taylor like that. Why the nerve! She’d much rather have the man falling at HER feet than vice versa. “Knock, knock,” she called. Peeking her tawny head through Ali’s hospital room door. “Can I come in?” “Abby,” Ali corrected with a tiny smile. “It’s ‘may I’.” “Oh pooh,” Abby waved her off as she eased the door shut behind her. “Feeling okay today?” she asked. Brushing strands of golden hair from Ali’s forehead. “A little sick to your tummy?” Ali’s blue eyes darted to her mommy’s figure on the other side of the bed, then she slowly nodded her head. “But it’s not THAT bad,” she stressed. “Good,” Abby smiled. Pulling up a chair and seating herself beside Sheridan. “Anything good on tv?” she made small talk as she flipped quickly through all the channels. Ali’s tired blue eyes lit up briefly when Abby’s channel-surfing turned up a concert special on the newest boy band. “Wow,” Abby muttered sarcastically. “Another one. Will my own private hell NEVER end? I HATE boy bands. No offense, Miss AliCat,” she hastily apologized. Earning a giggle before Ali snuggled close to her bunny and gave the television her full attention.

“I knew that’d distract her,” Abby whispered with a self-satisfied grin. “Whoa, Mom,” she whistled. “You’re not looking too hot yourself. You okay?” “I’m fine, Abby,” Sheridan shook her head at her friend. “Just a little tired. That’s all.” “Why don’t you take yourself a little break? Get some fresh air? I’ll keep Ali company. Won’t I?” she winked at the tiny girl lying on the bed beside them. “S’okay, Mommy,” Ali half-yawned. “Abby’ll take care of me.” “See?” Abby smiled encouragingly when Sheridan looked to be on the verge of refusing outright. “Aww, Mom…” she whined. “You not trust me?” Sheridan smiled a half-smile at her before leaning over to kiss Ali’s forehead. “Mommy won’t be long, Sweetie. Promise. Love you.” “Love you, too, Mommy,” Ali sighed sleepily. “Take your time,” Abby told her as she walked toward the door. “We’ll be okay.”

Katie pretended not to notice the way Dr. Taylor’s gray eyes followed Sheridan’s every move, but it was hard not to when he was so blatant. As he was the moment she emerged from Ali’s room, looking tired and worried but still so composed and beautiful she made half the nursing staff green with envy. Ellie’s brown eyes narrowed with jealousy, but Dr. Taylor didn’t notice. “Katie,” he shot her a brief glance. “Check up on Ali again. Make sure she’s comfortable.” “Sure thing…” she trailed off softly. He was already gone. Hurrying to catch up with Sheridan. “What’s so special about HER anyway?” Ellie huffed. “That man forgets about everything and anyone around him the minute he sees HER,” she spat in annoyance. “One hunk isn’t enough for her. She has to have them all…” “Ellie,” Katie scolded. “You know it isn’t like that between them.” “Katie,” Ellie turned flashing brown eyes at the younger, prettier nurse frowning at her. “Haven’t you heard the rumors?” “Don’t you know better than to believe everything you hear?” Ellie scowled blackly at Katie’s small frame as she walked away. “Bitch,” she muttered under her breath.

Sheridan hugged her arms around her waist for warmth as the cold wintery wind sent a chill through her bones. If she didn’t know better, she’d think it were going to snow. Ali LOVED snow. Hopefully, she’d be feeling better, and the chemotherapy would work its magic soon, and they’d have a white Christmas. At home. All of them together. It seemed like they practically LIVED at the hospital these days. But if that’s what it took to make her baby better, she wouldn’t complain. “Please…please make her well…” “Jenny,” a soft voice interrupted her thoughts. “Nick,” she gave him an awkward smile. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to…” “It’s okay,” she told him. Even after all this time, he still slipped and called her Jenny sometimes. “Nick,” her voice grew tight with sudden panic. “Is Ali…”

“Ali’s fine,” he assured her as he shrugged his jacket off and wrapped it around her shoulders. “She’s doing great.” She breathed a sigh of relief. “But there IS something I want to talk to you about. She’s responding to the treatment,” he told her truthfully. Just not as well as he’d liked, he neglected to add. “But Sheridan,” he said carefully. Her given name passing his lips with difficulty. “I want us to be prepared for ALL possibilities. I want to test you and Luis and Cristian…and other close family members…as possible bone marrow donors…” Sheridan bit back the gasp that threatened to escape her frozen lips. “IF,” he stressed. “IF it comes to that. Don’t worry,” he grasped her shoulders firmly. “We’re a long way from that point, and we may not even get there at all. Okay?” She took a long, steadying breath and nodded her head. “Good,” he smiled. “Can I go get tested now?” she asked quietly. He squeezed her shoulders and dropped his hands. “Of course. I think that’s a great idea. Katie’s keeping an eye on Ali for us, but I’m sure someone’s available,” he told her as he led her back inside.

Ellie plastered an insincere smile on her face when Nick approached her with his request, but she heaved an impatient sigh when Nick left her alone with Sheridan. Sheridan ignored the nervous flutter in her stomach and followed the edgy-acting woman to an exam room. Somehow, she got the feeling Ellie didn’t like her very much. And she just didn’t trust people who had it in for her that were equipped with needles. Doubly unpleasant. Oh well, she thought as she gave the woman a pleasant if nervous smile. This is for Ali. This is all for Ali, she thought as she felt the angry jab of the needle and unexpected tears welled up in her eyes. She could swear that Ellie was smirking at her in satisfaction when she had to blink away the tears. She did NOTHING to make sure the procedure was as comfortable for her as possible. If anything, she made sure it was wholly uncomfortable. The ache was still present as she made her way back to Ali’s hospital room.

“Well…” Abby teased. “You sure took long enough.” “Did she…” “Been sleeping like a baby the entire time,” Abby reassured her as they watched the gentle rise and fall of Ali’s chest. “By the way…Pilar called. Nothing serious,” she rushed to make clear. “Congratulations are in order. The Pain in the Ass herself is a brand-new mommy. Cristian sounded so excited. But the mutt didn’t. It was barking up a storm. Sheridan…the poor thing needs therapy.” An amused smile graced Sheridan’s lips. The mutt. Poor pup was STILL nameless. They needed to work on that. Soon. “That’s about it. They sent their love, and Pilar’s bringing Cristian down first thing tomorrow during visiting hours. I promised Cristian you’d call him to tell him goodnight later.”

“Thank you, Abby. For everything,” Sheridan smiled. Hugging the smaller woman. “Now get out of here. I know you have other things to do.” “I do need to check my messages,” Abby said thoughtfully. “At this point, I’m willing to take anybody. I LOVE the apartment, but rent’s a bitch.” “Bye, Abby,” Sheridan laughed. “Ciao,” Abby grinned as she flitted out the door. And nearly run smack-dab into one very tall, very handsome Dr. Nick Taylor. Be still my heart, she thought with a wicked gleam in her hazel eyes as they roamed up and down his length. “Sorry. My fault,” she blabbered like a fool. “I meant to do that…I mean…what I meant to say…it was an accident. I’m not in the habit of mowing down sexy doctors daily,” she said. Clamping her hand over her mouth almost instantly the moment she realized exactly what she had said. Nick chuckled at the comical widening of her hazel eyes. “No harm done.” “Sorry. Permanent sufferer of foot in mouth disease,” she choked out before making herself scarce. He was still shaking his head at her long after she’d disappeared. “That is one strange woman.” One strange woman indeed.

Chapter 16

“I’m NOT eating those Dad,” Sara shoved the plate of green beans away with a nasty scowl on her lips. “Come on, Sar,” Hank cajoled his daughter. “I’ll give you a buck,” he winked as soon as he saw his wife was occupied elsewhere. Jake had a project due in history class tomorrow, and in typical Bennett (ahem…Hank Bennett) fashion, he’d waited until the night before to even start it. Dinosaurs and Indians didn’t exactly go hand in hand, but hey. That was what the art of improvisation was all about. “Five bucks,” Sara demanded, thrusting a greedy little hand forward. “Who’s the Boss here, Sar?” he arched a brow at her. “Mommy,” Emily answered cheerfully as she dutifully ate everything that was on her plate. “Daddy, can I have five dollars too?” she asked him with twinkling brown eyes. “I ate my yucky stuff.”

“Not eating them,” Sara shrilled as he pushed the plate back toward her. “Are too,” he told her. “Are not,” Sara crossed her arms against her chest in protest. "Please. For dear old Dad,” he pleaded. Pulling out his best puppy dog face. Sara was unimpressed, but Emily giggled. “Aww, Daddy…”

“Five dollars or else,” Sara bargained. “Kids are definitely NOT cheap,” Hank grumbled under his breath as he pulled his wallet out of his back pocket. “How do I know you’re not going to take the money and run?” he questioned his grinning little daughters. “Yeah right, Dad,” Sara rolled her brown eyes at him as she snatched the crisp five dollar bill from his outstretched hand and proceeded to do just that. “Sara Bennett! Did you see that, Babe? I was conned. Conned by my own daughter.” “Serves you right,” Gwen smirked at him across the room. “Thank you, Daddy,” Emily smiled as her little fingers wrapped around her money. “Mommy, can I buy Ali a pretty present with my money?” “Five dollars won’t get you…” Jake began only to be cut off by his mother’s hand clamping over his mouth. “Sure can,” she said as she walked across the room. “Jake…keep working on your project,” she shot over her shoulder, laughing at her son’s audible groan. “So Bennett,” she teased as she leaned forward to kiss him on the lips. “Do you think you can handle giving the girls their bath while Jake and I finish up in here, or is THAT too challenging?” “I think I can handle it,” he grinned as he tangled his fingers in her messy blond hair and pulled her close for another kiss. “Hank,” she grabbed him by the hand before he could leave. “Yeah, Babe?” “I think you better leave the wallet with me if you don’t want to be forced to file bankruptcy.” “Good thinking,” he grinned appreciatively at her as he handed it over. “Love you, Babe.” “Love you,” she waved as he disappeared down the hall. “Parents are so gross,” Jake muttered as he pretended to be fascinated with his unfolding masterpiece. “So…where were we?” Gwen asked. Giving her son’s hair an affectionate ruffle. “Mom!”

She shut her laptop off with a sigh. “Everything all right on the homefront?” she heard a familiar voice ask, and she smiled as a steaming mug of hot chocolate appeared right under her nose. “Thought you could use this,” Chad grinned down at her as she took the mug from his hands carefully. “So…how is it?” he asked after he’d settled down beside her on the sofa. “Wonderful. Thank you. Hot chocolate always…” “That’s cool,” Chad’s dark eyes were sparkling at her. “But that wasn’t what I meant. How are things going? Business-wise? I mean, they got to be missing you. Wanting you back…” She cupped her hands around the warmth of the mug, avoiding his eyes. “I’m not going back.” She chanced a glance in his direction to see what kind of impact her words had made, but… “Sure, you’re not going back yet. You want to stick around for Ali, but Theresa…I think we have it covered. Ali has NO shortage of people looking out for her. She’d understand that you have to get back to your job. I mean, it’s your dream. Right? It’s always hard to let you go after visits, but she’s done it before…” “Chad,” she lay a hand on his arm to stop his dialogue. “I’m not going back to Boston. Or New York. I quit.” Chad stared at her for a moment. Open-mouthed. “You quit? No way. You can’t…” “I can, and I did,” Theresa cut him off rather calmly.

“Whoa,” Chad shook his head. “This is big. Wait a minute. Did you…” Anticipating his turn of thoughts, Theresa nodded her head slowly. “But this must be hard on you…” “Not as hard as I thought,” she smiled at him as she took his hand in hers. “It’s still mine, and this way I have time to do more sketches. But I leave all the other stuff to other, entirely capable people. I think it’s better this way. I need my family, and they need me. Not only do I have more time to spend with my adorable niece and nephews, I have time to spend with other people too. People I care a lot about,” she admitted with shining dark eyes. “People you care a lot about, huh?” Chad teased as he gave her hand a gentle squeeze. “Do I know these people?”

“You might know one of them. He’s a really great listener, and he’s always been supportive of me no matter how silly or stupid I’ve acted in the past…and he likes me for who I am. Warts and all.” “Warts and all,” Chad repeated with a slight smile. “He’s one of my best friends and maybe something more, but the whole long-distance thing has kept us from getting too serious, and I was thinking…” “You were thinking?” Chad prodded as she trailed off and studied their clasped hands. “I was thinking…” her voice died down to a whisper as his face inched closer to hers, and she felt the tickle of his breath on her skin moments before she melted into his sweet kiss. “Good thoughts,” Chad pulled back with a grin. Her answering smile was replaced by a pensive expression as she whispered, “Let’s not mess this one up.” He slid his arm around her waist and pulled her close. “All we can do is give it our best shot,” he sighed against her temple. “Whatever happens, happens?” Theresa murmured. “Something like that.”

Martin smiled as he watched his young grandson nodding off, phone to his ear. The faint sound of Sheridan’s voice, singing him lullabies, could be heard on the other end of the line. This was a little ritual of theirs. Ever since Ali’s hospitalization. And tonight, Cristian had had so much to tell his mother. So much to say he’d worn himself out. He scooped the child up in his arms while his wife gently pried the receiver from Cristian’s hold, and he paused to let her brush a goodnight kiss across his forehead. He returned a few short moments later to catch the tail-end of the conversation and see a myriad of emotions flicker across his wife’s lovely face in the firelight. Goodnights were spoken softly, and the phone was hung up with a heavy hand. "Luis?” he questioned as she settled her soft weight beside him. “He won’t leave them there alone,” she sighed as he stroked her long hair with gentle movements. “He loves them so, Martin. He already had to live his life without Sheridan, and he barely survived. What would he do without Ali? What would we all do?” “Shh,” he hushed her. As hard as it would be…how do you move on AFTER Ali…Martin had no doubt his son would move on. They all would move on. But it wouldn’t come to that. They wouldn’t let it come to that. “No use worrying yourself over something that’s not going to happen.” If she had anymore doubts, she didn’t voice them, and he closed his eyes against the very possibility when he felt her body relax fully against him. The fire crackled and popped in the fireplace, and shadows danced across the room. While two people endured a restless sleep.

Chapter 17

Abby’s hazel eyes sparkled as she spied on Sheridan, both her children cuddled close in the hospital bed. Ali’s long golden hair fanned out across the pillow, and Sheridan drew absent fingers through its silk while Cristian rest his dark head against her opposite shoulder. Cristian whispered something in Sheridan’s ear, causing her to smile. Sheridan pressed her lips against the crown of Ali’s head, and Ali snuggled closer, reaching out for her little brother’s hand and holding on. “Damn,” she muttered as she felt the tears coming. “Damn, damn, damn, damn, damn,” she stomped her foot. “This isn’t fair.” She hated getting all weepy over things. In fact, she wasn’t one to cry. But Ali’s illness was changing that. Monumental or seemingly inconsequential, the changes were happening whether she or anybody else liked them. “Life’s not supposed to be fair,” a voice behind her made her jump. “That’s what makes the good things so special.” She fought the urge to cover her mascara-streaked face with her hands and mumble unintelligibly. “Maybe you missed your life’s calling,” she wiped at her tears with the sleeve of her shirt. “Hallmark needs someone like you.”

The corners of his mouth lifted slightly, and she could pinch herself when she felt herself blushing under his gray gaze. Thankfully, he didn’t seem to notice that she was rapidly turning a lovely tomato red right before those beautiful eyes of his. She gulped nervously when he leaned forward to peer over her shoulder into Ali’s room. ALLY MCBEAL MOMENT! She was dying to run her tongue along the underside of his chiseled jaw, actually salivating at the thought. Until the rumble of his voice near her ear made her stomach do a funny flip-flop. “Back off!” she barked without further thought. “I’m sorry,” her apology immediately flew from her lips. “So sorry. It’s just…I haven’t been in such close proximity to a man in SO long. Years. Patients don’t count because I don’t want to…shit. Just…just ignore me. Okay? Heeeeellllo. Abby Stone. Slightly psychotic physical therapist who hasn’t gotten PHYSICAL since God knows when…Too much information. Too much information!” she slapped her hand to her mouth. Her hazel eyes wide. Nick’s gray eyes twinkled with amusement. She was getting stranger by the second. But oddly enough…he found that she was growing on him. “Don’t let me stop you,” he smiled down at her.

“Dr. Taylor?” Abby could kiss Katie! She really could. The girl was her savior. Her savior! From certain disaster. “Katie,” Nick turned to the young nurse with a smile. “How can I help you?” Katie gave Abby a friendly smile before speaking, and Abby took that as her cue to make tracks. She caught sight of Eve at the nurses’ station just down the hall and decided to go say hi. Besides…from that vantage point, she could still see EVERYTHING that transpired between Dr. Nick Taylor and his favorite little nurse. Jealous much, Abby, the crazy voice inside her head mocked her. “Oh, shut the hell up!” she swore in irritation. A little boy traipsing lazily behind his parents raised startled blue eyes to her face and rocketed down the hall a second later. “Abby,” Eve laughed when Abby came to a stop in front of her. “What did you say to him?” “That Barney was subbing for the Tooth Fairy. Nothing, Eve,” she scrunched up her nose. “You know my tendency to talk to myself…it was totally accidental. I assure you.” “Okay,” Eve shook her head at her. “I was thinking about visiting Ali. How is she today?” “Good,” Abby smiled. Tucking a stray tawny strand behind her ear. “Cristian’s in there. Miss Priss’s a mother now,” she announced suddenly with a ridiculous grin. “Five mean little boogers. Just like dear old Mom.” “Abby,” Eve laughed again. Abby’s thought process never ceased to amaze her. The way it jumped from one thing to another. “I’ve been meaning to ask you…have you had any luck finding a roommate?” “No,” Abby sighed. “I think I’m scaring them off,” she told her in a low whisper.

Nick slammed the telephone down in disgust and rubbed his forehead tiredly. Living at Grace’s Bed and Breakfast indefinitely was NOT an option. Grace Bennett was as nice as could possibly be. Maybe a bit TOO nice. His wallet was taking a serious beating from the constant trips to the few fast-food establishments Harmony boasted. He just could not stomach the woman’s far-fetched recipes. “I take it you’re still not having any luck apartment-hunting,” Katie commiserated. “None,” Nick revealed with a sigh. “Well…” Katie began. Glancing at Abby down the hall with a slight smirk on her lips. “I might know of something. I tell you what. Give me a little bit more time, and I’ll get back to you. Okay?” Nick smiled at her. “At this point, I’m willing to try anything.” Anything, Katie wondered as she swept past him. The grin on her lips stretching ear to ear. Sure Abby was an oddball. One of the most lovable oddballs around. An acquired taste. Granted. But Katie couldn’t help but think Abby’s off-the-wall nature was just what the doctor ordered. Dr. Nick Taylor, of course. He just didn’t know it yet, she thought as a girlish giggle escaped her lips. She scribbled Abby’s home phone number down on her pink post-it note and stuffed it into her pocket. She’d conveniently forgot to ask Dr. Taylor if he had an aversion to SHARING. Oh well…soon she’d see just how desperate the man really was. “What are you so chipper about?” Ellie grumbled as she strutted past. “Always got a damn smile on your face. Oh…I forgot. You’re his favorite. Everybody LOVES Katie,” she snarled as she slammed the charts in her hands on the counter. “Did the results come back yet?” she asked. Reaching over Ellie’s shoulder to peruse the page. “What results?” Ellie smacked on her gum. “Hey! Where you going with my charts? Fine. Keep them,” she muttered. She didn’t want to bother with them anyway. She raised her heavily made-up eyes to the clock on the opposite wall. When, oh when, would this day from hell end?

“Bye, Mr. Cristian,” Abby waved as Eve led him away by the hand. “Where…” Katie asked in confusion. “Gwen called on her cell. She’s outside to pick Cristian up. Sara’s screaming at the top of her lungs, refusing to get out of the car. Apparently she’s afraid Gwen’s trying to trick her. Or something like that. Have you ever been witness to one of Sara Bennett’s infamous hissy fits?” Abby snickered. “They are NOT pretty. That little tyke has ALWAYS had a good set of lungs on her,” Abby broke out into a wide grin. “Katie? Are those THE results?” she inquired. Craning her neck to catch a peek. “Abby,” Katie wagged a finger at her. “I know you’re a family friend, but I shouldn’t share this information with you without consent.” “Okay,” Abby’s shoulders slumped as she sighed in resignation. The elevator dinged behind her, and Abby turned to see Luis striding down the hall. “Luis,” she smiled. “You’re just in time. Katie has the results back.” Luis’s dark eyes shone with hope. “Was there a match?” Katie clutched the charts to her bosom. “I haven’t looked over them yet. I’m waiting for Dr. Taylor.” “Oh,” Luis released a shaky breath. “I’m just going to go in, and…” Katie ignored Abby’s curious look after Luis joined his wife and daughter inside Ali’s hospital room. “I’m not telling.” “I didn’t ask you to,” Abby quirked a tawny brow at her. “Sure,” Katie smirked. The smirk on her lips transformed into a toothy smile as she glanced inside. “Her little face lights up like a Christmas tree when she sees her daddy.” “Wouldn’t yours?” Abby teased slyly. Katie laughed as she shook her head at her. “I guess so.” The two women made small talk while they waited. The man they were waiting for showed up minutes later.

Nick took the charts from Katie’s hands and gently knocked on Ali’s door. “Ali,” he asked with a smile. “Do you mind if I steal your mommy and daddy a moment?” “I don’t mind,” Ali smiled sweetly. “Abby,” Sheridan looked to her friend. “So…AliCat,” Abby clapped her hands excitedly as she entered the room. “Just you and me. Can you deal?” Ali giggled as Abby’s fingers danced over her tummy. “Tell me about Miss Priss’s kittens,” Abby propped her chin in her hand as she scooted her chair closer to Ali’s side. “How many?” “Five,” Ali held up five fingers proudly. “What do they look like? Do we have any idea who the father is yet?” she whispered. “Cristian said one was black and had three white feet just like Mr. Smelly.” “Oh my goodness!” Abby exclaimed. “Miss Priss and Mr. Smelly. What a couple!” Ali’s blue eyes sparkled at Abby’s silly display. “Has Mr. Smelly visited his children yet?” Abby asked with twinkling hazel eyes. “I don’t think so,” Ali shook her golden head. “Cristian didn’t say.” “Pfft. AliCat…that little brother of yours has to do better than THAT. He’s supposed to tell you ALL the juicy stuff, and he forgets half of it.” “It’s not his fault,” Ali told her seriously. “He’s little.” “Yeah. I guess we can make allowances then,” Abby agreed with a smile. Touched by Ali’s obvious adoration for her little brother. “Abby,” Ali twined her little fingers in Abby’s when she caught her glancing toward the door. “You don’t have to pretend to be happy when you’re not.” “Wow,” Abby breathed. Giving Ali’s hand a gentle squeeze. “That’s awful nice of you, Ali. But I hate to disappoint you. I’m not pretending. I AM happy. How can I not be when I’m visiting you? You know you’re my favorite little girl, right?” Ali pretty pink lips curved upward at her declaration.

Nick’s gray eyes scanned the charts as he spoke to Sheridan and Luis. “I don’t want you to be too disappointed if the results are not what you’re hoping for. Remember…we just want to be prepared for any instance. Ali’s responding well to treatment. At this point, a transplant, if it’s even in the plans, is a long way off.” Katie’s eyes were trained to Nick’s handsome face. She didn’t think she could bear to watch Sheridan’s or Luis’s face fall if it were bad news. Sheridan held onto Luis’s hand like a lifeline. “I’m sorry, Luis,” Nick met Luis’s dark eyes. “You’re not a compatible match.” Sheridan nestled against her husband’s side as the disappointment set in. She knew him well enough to know he was taking this personally. In some way, Luis was feeling as if he’d failed Ali. “Luis…” her blue eyes searched his face as she raised a hand to cup his stubble-roughened cheek. “It’s okay. It is. Siblings are more likely to be compatible anyway. Right Nick?” Nick nodded his head. “See?” she whispered as she tucked her head beneath Luis’s chin. “What about Cristian? Is he…” Nick smiled slightly as he spoke. “Cristian and Ali are a match. Not 100%, but still…” Sheridan sagged against Luis in relief. The look on Nick’s face, though, as he read her chart… “I’m not a match, right? That’s okay because Cristian is…” “Taylor,” Luis’s voice sounded panicked to her ears as he prodded Nick for answers. “Nick,” her voice faltered. “Is something wrong? Did you find something abnormal in my blood work-up?” Nick raised pained gray eyes to her face, and Sheridan felt Luis tense beside her. “Nick? Katie?” Sheridan looked to the young nurse for help. “Somebody tell me what’s going on here.” Katie took the charts easily from Nick’s numb fingers. “Katie?” Luis exhaled sharply in relief at Katie’s easy smile, and his heart resumed beating again. “Katie, what does it say?” “It says here…” she began. Only to be cut off by Nick. And she couldn’t breathe or even think at the next words that left his mouth.

“You’re pregnant.”

Chapter 18

“I’m…I’m what?” Sheridan grabbed the chart from Katie’s grip. “I don’t understand. Luis and I…,” she trailed off. Slightly embarrassed about the information she had been about to reveal. “I took the test,” she raised confused blue eyes to Nick’s face. Nick averted his eyes from hers and cleared his throat uncomfortably. “It came back negative. There has to be some mistake,” she whispered hoarsely. Luis’s hand dropped from the small of her back. Did she NOT want this baby? She sounded…she didn’t seem happy at all, and that knowledge greatly confused him. And made him more than a little upset. The timing could have been a helluva lot better, but this was a baby. Their baby. Conceived in love. And he had no doubt it would be loved no matter what. Or did he? “Sheridan…are you saying…”

“No! Of course, not,” she refuted. “I want another baby. This baby. Our baby. But I don’t want the disappointment if this is some sort of mistake. Luis,” she whispered. Caressing his strong jaw with the back of her knuckles. “I can’t handle the disappointment.” The hard line of his jaw immediately softened when he realized her double meaning. Ali being sick. Having the dream of another child yanked out from under her. “I want to be happy about this, but first I have to be sure. Nick,” she said levelly, “could you run another test?” Nick pushed his own feelings aside, smiling easily at her as he answered, “If that’s what you want. Katie? Can you cover it?” “Sure,” Katie gave Sheridan a friendly smile. “Come with me.” Nick’s gray eyes were turning green with envy, Katie thought as Sheridan gave Luis a brief kiss before parting.

The two men stared at each other in silence for a few moments after Katie and Sheridan’s departure. Sizing each other up. Nick not able to crush his feelings of disappointment over this newest revelation. His head KNEW his Jenny wasn’t his Jenny at all, but Luis’s Sheridan, and that that was all she’d ever be. But his heart couldn’t resign itself to the truth. The addition of another baby to their already perfect family should have put any romantic notions he’d foolishly hung on to about Sheridan returning his feelings, but it only made him ache for what wasn’t his more. Luis wasn’t blind to Nick’s feelings. He’d never been. But he trusted his wife. It was simple as that, and despite the discomfort he sometimes felt around the man before him, he was confident he would never be a threat to his family. And…because of his feelings for Sheridan…he’d give 110% to get Ali better. “I’m going back inside to see my daughter,” Luis finally said. Nick nodded and walked in the opposite direction.

“How’s my AliCat doing?” Luis grinned, pressing his lips to his daughter’s forehead. “Okay, Daddy,” Ali answered. “Where’s Mommy?” “Oh…she’s around,” Luis teased. Loving the way Ali’s blue eyes lit up as she giggled. “Daddy,” she smiled. “Okay,” he pretended to pout. Which only made her giggle more. And made Abby snort. “Ahem…Did you guys hear something? Maybe it was just the wind,” she insisted with twinkling hazel eyes. “Well,” she announced as she stood from her bedside vigil. “I’d love to stay and catch up on all the gossip, courtesy of the wonderful men of the Harmony P.D., but I’m thinking I’m going to strut around nude in downtown Harmony with a sign that says ‘NEEDED. ROOMMATE. DESPERATE. PLEASE HELP. CALL 1-800-FAB-ABBY.’ What do you think? Will it work?” Ali’s blue eyes were wide as saucers, and Luis’s lips were twitching. “Oh, I definitely think you’d get results,” he told her with an amused shake of his head. “Miss me while I’m gone?” she teased as she waltzed out the door. “Not one bit,” Luis spoke with a straight face. But his brown eyes were most definitely laughing.

Father and daughter passed a quiet half hour curled in each other’s arms. Luis closed his eyes as he held Ali’s fragile little body close to his heart and breathed in the sweet scent of her hair. The sweet scent that’d always been Ali. God how he loved her. AliCat was his brightest little star, and his heart lodged in his throat to think of her fading. “Daddy?” Luis felt the flutter of Ali’s breath against his neck. “Hmm?” “Do angels remember their families up in Heaven?” Luis’s voice was thick with emotion as he answered her. “Sure. Nana Katherine remembers Mommy, and she’s up there right now, watching over all of us,” he whispered against her temple as he slid his fingers through her silky golden hair. “I wouldn’t want to forget you or Mommy or Cristian. Ever,” she murmured. Yawning sleepily against his chest, and snuggling deeper into his arms. The flashing images of the muted television played across his face as Ali slept. And he cried silent tears. Even after he felt the strength of Sheridan’s love and hope enveloping them both.

Chapter 19

Nick sighed as he raised his fist to the door. How had he let Katie talk him into this? The pretty young nurse had offered him the pink post-it note with a smile. A smile that said she knew something he didn’t. But he was too tired and too down-trodden to ply her for answers. The confirmation of Sheridan’s pregnancy had hit him harder than he dared admit, and he desperately needed to do something, ANYTHING, to keep himself from brooding over a pipe dream. Besides…another night spent in the bed and breakfast was the last thing he needed. The blaring of a stereo inside had him second-guessing following his earlier impulse to drop by unannounced. He dropped his hand to his side. Maybe this wasn’t such a good idea. At all.

Abby’s forehead wrinkled in concentration as she stood on tiptoe, stretching her arm out to reach the top cupboard shelf. This had to be some sort of practical joke. Why the hell did she have food up there? She couldn’t even reach it without a foot stool for God’s sake. She grunted as she pulled herself onto the kitchen counter. AHA! Success, she thought with a wicked gleam in her hazel eyes. Oh damn was her second thought as the bags and bags of cookies, candy, and other sweet concoctions rained down with one tug of her hand. Her emergency stash! She was already going without sex. She sure as hell wasn’t going to forsake chocolate. She groaned as M&M’s scattered and rolled around on the floor.

“Later,” she mumbled as she grabbed a box of rotini noodles from the same cabinet. Pasta. Pasta was easy, quick, and it didn’t make her feel lonely when she ended up with enough for 10 people. “You live ALONE. Remember?” she muttered to herself as she added sauce to a pan and adjusted the temperature. “Dammit,” she cursed when she bumped her head against the top of the refridgerator door getting a bottle of wine. “My appliances have it in for me,” she shook her head as the sauce started bubbling over the pan and onto the stovetop. AND all over her favorite sweatshirt. A relic from college and her days before becoming a nun. Without a second thought, she yanked the sweatshirt over her head and tossed it toward her open bedroom door. “Look on the bright side, Abby,” she smiled to herself. “You can’t walk around in your underwear anymore if you actually ever get any takers,” she said as she decided to forego dinner at the moment. A shower suddenly seemed like the better idea.

Nick paced back and forth outside in the hall. Still unable to make a decision. A roommate? He hadn’t lived with anyone since college, and even then it hadn’t been that much of a success. He was, by self-definition, a loner. He enjoyed his privacy. But not as much as he used to. A roommate might not be THAT bad, he thought to himself. Shared rent and expenses. Someone to have around… The idea was sounding more appealing the longer he thought about it. “No more of the lovely, kind, but clueless Grace Bennett’s cooking,” he whispered. He rapped his knuckles against the door. Hoping SOMEONE would hear him above the blast of rock music. He tried the knob and was surprised when it gave. The door swung open noiselessly, and he found himself stepping inside. Gray eyes admiring the layout of the loft apartment, all the while searching for the phantom inhabitant.

Abby froze as the hair on the back of her neck stood up. SOMEONE was in the apartment with her. She could feel it. Her fingers grabbed the pepper spray from her night stand, and she crept along the side of the wall, hunching down beside the partially open bedroom door. She held her breath as she peeked around the edge of the door, spying on the intruder. Tall, well-built, dark hair… Somehow he seemed familiar. “What the hell…” she heard his muffled voice as what she assumed were M&M’s crunched under his heels. She made her move during his moment of confusion. Out the door and closing the distance in a flash. “I wouldn’t do anything stupid if I were you,” she warned. “I’m armed and dangerous.”

A wave of recognition hit Nick, and he bit his lip to contain the laugh threatening to escape. “I’m afraid…” “Go ahead…make my day,” Abby growled as the man started to turn around. Ever so slowly. Nick’s gray eyes twinkled with amusement. Abby? Dr. Abby Stone? Of all the people…he was going to have to have a word with Katie first thing tomorrow. “It’s just…” Abby squeezed her eyes shut and aimed the pepper spray in the direction of the voice. Grabbing the bottle of wine from the bar and swinging blindly once she dropped the pepper spray to the floor. “Holy $#!%!” the man shouted, and she struggled to free her wrist when he grabbed hold of it and held it tight, pushing her up against the wall. His feet slipped over the scattered candy and mess littering the floor, giving out on him and causing him to crash to the ground. Abby on top of him, fighting and kicking like a woman possessed.

“Abby! Abby! It’s just…” “I’m a black belt! I know kung-fu! I can kick your ass, you bastard!” Abby shrieked like a banshee. But she stopped mid-scream. Abby? He knew her name? A friggin’ stalker?!?! Oh God in Heaven…the voice! There was a reason her ‘intruder’ seemed familiar to her. “Oh my God! This isn’t happening! Somebody tell me this isn’t happening,” she muttered as she stilled. Opening her eyes and getting a good look at the man beneath her. “Nick Taylor?” she squeaked. This SO wasn’t how she’d imagined this particular moment. She still had on clothes for one! Well, she thought, blushing furiously as she remembered the skimpy lingerie set she’d put on today on a whim…maybe…NOT. “Oh…are you okay?” she worried aloud as she reached a tentative hand to his face.

“I’m still alive,” Nick answered gamely. “I guess I should have called first,” he moaned softly as he shifted beneath her. “Believe me, though…I NEVER expected THIS when Katie gave me the address.” She climbed to her feet, offering him a hand and cringing when he chose not to take it. Katie? So that meant… “Did I hurt you? Are you sure you’re okay? Does this mean you want to run as far in the other direction as possible to get away from me?” she babbled. “I’ll have to give those questions some more thought,” Nick said. “Can you give me a lift to the hospital?” Abby fumbled around the kitchen counter for her car keys and stumbled toward the door before she remembered a couple things she had forgotten. Nick. And more importantly…clothes. Yeah…she was going to win Gray Eyes over all right. She was slaying him. "Wait right here. I'll be right back." Do I have any choice, Nick wondered. Did he really want THIS on a regular basis? Abby Stone had, in one evening, shaved a couple years off his life span. The possibilities frightened him.

Chapter 20

“You did what?” Sheridan laughed. “You know what,” Abby huffed. “I’d really rather not relive the mortification of it all again. To think I came so close to actually LIVING with the man. It’s hopeless anyway, Sheridan. I mean the man practically saw me naked…NO REACTION at all.” Being blinded by pepper spray may have had something to do with that, Sheridan thought with a small smile. “I’m not voluptuous like SOME people around here,” Abby teased as she scooted closer to Sheridan with the next gust of wind. “But I’m well-proportioned for my size. Except for these,” she muttered. Glancing down at where her cleavage should have been. “There IS a silver lining though…some men enjoy the perky teen-aged look. But that would entail actual…perkiness. And youth. Dammit, Sheridan. I just can’t win for losing.”

Sheridan shook her head. “You’re…you’re truly one of a kind, Abby,” she said. Huddling closer as they shared body heat. “Whose bright idea was it to have this talk out here?” Sheridan asked, shivering. The sky was gray, and it looked like snow. And she was literally freezing her ass off. “Oh please,” Abby rolled those continually twinkling hazel eyes at her. “It’s Gossip Central in there. And have you seen Ellie Jacobs? The hussy could flatten me in two seconds flat. Katie’s been hiding from her all morning. Ellie’s pissed at Katie for even suggesting my place, and me for even looking twice at the man. I may know kung-fu, but this body is NOT equipped for SUMO wrestling.”

Katie watched Nick sneaking a glance at the two women laughing outside with just the slightest smile on his lips. “What has YOU smiling?” she decided to be nosy. She liked to think of Nick as the older brother she never had. “Nothing,” Nick blinked at her. “YOU…I should be very angry with you…especially after that fiasco last night.” Katie blushed. “Well,” she said, ducking her head. “I was sure you’d at least CALL first. But no…” she trailed off. “I heard about the pepper spray, but was it true? Did she really attack you with a bottle of wine?” The corners of Nick’s mouth twitched in memory. “Let’s just say I’m a very lucky man. She could have knocked me out cold with that thing. I’m crazy for even considering…”

“What was that?” Katie questioned with a growing smile. “Oh! You’re still thinking about rooming with her! That is so great,” Katie gushed. “Wait ‘til Abby hears this…” “Katie,” Nick admonished. “I’d like to tell her the answer myself. I’m still considering my options.” Which, at the moment, amounted to living in the bed and breakfast for the rest of his life or claiming a local park bench for his own. Well…he definitely needed a change in his life. And it looked like Abby Stone just might be that change. “Okay,” Katie smiled. “So…how’s our favorite patient doing? Are those Ali’s charts?” Nick’s gray eyes were hopeful as he spoke, “Good, Katie. She’s doing really well. So well, in fact…I want you to do something for me. Do you think you can…”

Sheridan pushed Ali’s hospital room door open with a beautiful smile on her face. Ali’s sweet giggles always made her smile, and these were no different. “Oh, Ali,” her blue eyes widened comically when her daughter turned to her. Eyes and lips all made up. Courtesy of Aunt Theresa, of course. “Are you still in there, Sweetie?” she asked as she gripped Ali’s chin gently and studied her pretty little face. “Still here, Mommy,” Ali’s laughter tinkled forth. “Aunt Theresa did my make-up.” “I can see that,” Sheridan muttered under her breath. Thankfully, Ali’s face and eyes were toned down by Theresa standards, but still…“You look so grown-up. Wait until Daddy sees you.” “Oh, Mommy,” Ali sighed happily as she wound her arms around her mother’s neck in a lingering hug. “Will Daddy be here soon?” “Sooner than you think,” a voice answered for her, and two sets of blue eyes widened in surprise when they saw the topic of conversation grinning back at them. Accompanied by another very, very important person. “Daddy! Cristian!” Ali’s nose crinkled up as the grin stole over her pretty features.

Theresa smiled and ruffled Cristian’s dark hair on her way out. “I hate to leave you guys, but I think this hospital room’s getting a little too crowded. And I don’t think Dr. Nick would like that too much. I’ll see you all soon,” she said. Giving her brother and Sheridan each a quick hug and pressing a kiss to Ali’s forehead. “Bye, Sis,” Luis waved before turning his attention back to his family. “Luis,” Sheridan’s blue eyes were somewhat worried as she slid her arm around his waist and looked up into his deep brown eyes. “Do you have any idea what’s going on? Nick called you?” Luis kissed the tip of her nose softly, rubbing her back in comforting circles. “Katie called me. And I don’t think it’s anything bad. In fact, she sounded rather…”

Abby waited outside Ali’s room while the little family reunion took place. Hazel eyes darting back and forth for any sign of Ellie. So Ellie wasn’t EXACTLY Sumo material. She still had a good 50 or more pounds on her! But what she saw was ten times worse…Nick Taylor was making his way down the hall. She scurried over to a sour-faced little old man, mumbled something unintelligible, and yanked his magazine out of his hands. She needed something to hide her face behind. Her eyes nearly popped out of their sockets when she got a good look at the pages in front of her. HOLY COW! Playboy? The little old man scowled blackly at her incredulous look, and from the way his gnarled chin jutted out, it appeared he was missing a whole set of teeth. “You little old perv,” she hissed. Tossing the magazine back at him. “Is that all men study? You’re old enough to know better, Gramps. Not even 5% of those Barbie-wannabes are the real thing…”

“Abby,” an amused voice interrupted her rant. “Sheridan and Luis want to know if you’d mind watching Cristian for a few minutes while they have a conference with Nick.” “Katie,” Abby’s eyes sought out the other woman’s. “Is Ali…” “No,” Katie rushed to assure her. “Ali’s doing fine. It’s good news, Abby. Sheridan just thought it’d be best if someone would watch Cristian. I’d do it, but wonder of wonders…I have another patient to see. Would you mind?” “Of course, not,” Abby grinned. “Where is that little Luis clone anyway?” “I’m not a clone,” Cristian’s dark eyes sparkled at her when she tugged him close. “What’s a clone anyway?” he asked as he looped an arm around Abby’s neck, and they headed toward the hospital cafeteria.

Ali giggled when Nick tickled the sole of one of her bare feet. “Great color,” Nick’s gray eyes twinkled as he smiled down at her newly painted blue toenails. “Really brings out your eyes. And what beautiful eyes they are,” he told her. His gaze gravitating toward Sheridan’s guarded blue eyes. The moment didn’t go unnoticed by Luis, and he threaded his fingers through his wife’s and squeezed. Slipping his arm around her waist possessively a moment later. “Nurse Katie’s been bragging on you, AliCat,” Nick said. Settling down on the edge of the bed and facing the tiny blond child. “She said that YOU were the BEST little patient in the ward. Don’t tell anyone,” Nick leaned forward. His voice dropping to a whisper. “But I think you’re her favorite.”

Ali practically glowed. “Ali…how would like some good news?” Ali’s face lit up as she asked excitedly, “Am I all better now?” The smile on Nick’s face faltered for a brief second as he glanced to Luis and Sheridan. "Ali…you’re doing great. You really are. But you still have a long way ‘til you’re ALL better. More treatments and more time in the hospital. Do you understand?” Ali’s bit her lip in disappointment, nodding slowly. “I’m sorry, Ali, but that’s not the good news I had for you. Hey,” he said softly as he tipped Ali’s chin up so she’d meet his eyes, “but you might still want to hear this news. Would you?” “Okay,” Ali said. Trying to muster up another smile.

“Ali…how would you like to go home for Christmas?” “Really?” the excitement was back as Ali flashed Nick a brilliant, hopeful smile. “Did you hear that, Mommy? Daddy? Dr. Nick says I can go home for Christmas.” Luis gave his little daughter a thumbs up, and Sheridan smiled. “I heard, Sweetie. Isn’t that wonderful? Max and Miss Priss and the kittens will be so glad to see you.” “And Nana and Grandpa Martin, too,” Luis reminded with a grin. “Really,” Nick tapped her cute little nose with his index finger. “When?” “Well…I don’t see why we couldn’t have you checked out and home in your own bed by tonight. What do you say, Ali? Good news?”

“The best news,” Ali grinned, giving Nick a grateful hug. Nick smiled, closing his eyes and holding the little girl who’d come to mean an awful lot to him close. “I guess that’s settled then. I’ll send Katie back and have her tell you what to watch out for, and all that good stuff,” he said. Tucking Ali’s golden hair behind her ear. “Have a Merry Christmas. Consider this my present,” he said softly. “Thank you,” Ali and Sheridan spoke in concert. Luis’s gruff ‘thank you’ came a second later. “Now if you’ll excuse me, I have something I need to take care of. Moving into a new place,” he divulged when three curious glances were cast his way. “Looks like someone else is getting an early Christmas present,” Sheridan smirked. “What?” Luis and Ali looked at her strangely. “Nevermind that,” Sheridan shook her head with the tiniest of smiles. “You’ll find out soon enough. Let’s get ready. We’re going home.”

Chapter 21

“Max!” Cristian cried, bursting through the front door and racing to the excited, wriggling mass of blond fur. The puppy lavished sloppy, wet doggy kisses all over the kneeling little boy’s face, causing him to laugh. And laugh. And laugh. Much to his parents’ and big sister’s amusement. Luis entered the living room, Ali safely tucked against his chest and his wife by his side. Sheridan gave Ali’s scarf a gentle tug and pulled it from her neck, placing it beside her hat on the coffee table. Ali’s golden hair tumbled free, forming a disheveled curtain around her sweet, drowsy face as mother and daughter shared Eskimo kisses. Luis brushed his lips against Ali’s temple before transferring her to Sheridan’s arms. “Daddy,” Ali murmured when Luis walked toward the door. “Yes, AliCat?” he paused. “I’m glad to be home,” she told him with a smile. “Me, too,” he answered her. “Keep Mommy warm while I rustle up some more wood for the fire, ‘kay?” “’Kay,” Ali promised. Nestling against Sheridan as the two took a seat on the sofa.

The soothing beat of her mother’s heart soon lulled Ali to sleep, and by the time Luis had returned, he found Cristian curled up against Sheridan’s side as well. Not quite asleep, but well on his way. “Sorry,” Sheridan laughed softly as Luis looked on his family in amazement. “I know this isn’t exactly how you wanted things to go tonight.” Luis finished putting the rest of the logs on the fire and knelt in front of her, stroking Ali’s silky hair, smiling at Cristian’s relaxed posture and slightly open mouth. “You think maybe Max taught him that trick?” he joked, nodding at tiny stream of drool making its way down their son’s chin. “They have been spending an awful lot of time together,” she said with sparkling blue eyes. “Luis…” “Shh,” he hushed her with a finger against her lips. “It’s okay,” he told her, leaning close to capture her lips in a lingering kiss. “You look like you could use some rest yourself…” “Should I say thank you or something?” she teased him. He chuckled as he climbed to his feet, and his amused expression slowly turned serious. “Get some rest. I’ll wake you all in time for dinner.” “Oh,” she whispered with twinkling blue eyes. “He’s going to cook. Tonight must be really special.” “Anytime I’m with you,” Luis breathed as he tucked a quilt around them, “anytime…special doesn’t even begin to cover it. Sleep,” he ordered after brushing her tears away. And she did…a smile gracing her lips.

“Daddy?” Ali’s quiet voice startled Luis, and panic immediately welled inside of him as he whirled around to face her. “What is it, AliCat? Are you…do you…” “Daddy,” Ali looked up at him with those impossibly big blue eyes of hers, and he felt the worry subside a little. “I want to help make dinner for Mommy.” Luis smiled at her as he lifted her easily in his arms and set her down on the kitchen counter. “Well,” he told her, tweaking her nose and making her giggle, “there’s not much you can do since it’s almost finished, but I was thinking…” “What, Daddy?” Ali’s blue eyes sparkled with curiosity. “You know those Christmas cookies Grandma makes that you and Mommy like so much?” “Yeah,” Ali’s face lit up. “Well, I was thinking…” Luis pretended to ponder it further. “Oh, Daddy,” Ali rolled her eyes at him. Not fooled at all. “Stop that.” “Stop what?” Luis tried to act innocent. “Okay,” he laughed when she crossed her arms across her chest and blew out a slightly impatient puff of air. Shades of her mother, perhaps? “But we need the recipe. Think you could call Nana and get it?” He reached to help her down, wholly conscious of how different things now were, but Ali didn’t need any help. She hopped down from the counter and was across the kitchen in a shot, dialing up his mother. Luis watched her with a mixture of pride and disbelief. Watching her tonight…he could almost forget…

He winked at his children, arranging pillows and quilts in the firelight for a fireside picnic. Fireside indoor picnic, he thought with an amused smirk. Max eyed him warily out of the corner of his brown eyes as his hands lowered the quilt from Sheridan’s shoulders and trailed his hand down her arm to clasp her hand, bringing it to his lips. “Luis,” Sheridan sighed in her sleep. Cristian giggled behind him, and he glanced back just in time to see Ali cupping a hand over his mouth. An adoring smile on her face as she watched them. Sheridan’s arms slipped around his neck unconsciously, and his dark eyes smiled at her sleepy relaxed face, her blue eyes still closed as he kissed her gently. Max rest his head back on his paws, his tail thumping against the sofa cushions, content with the knowledge his beloved companion was safe. “Mmm,” she dazzled him with a brilliant smile as they parted. “My favorite way to wake up.” “Really?” Luis arched a dark brow at her. “I thought…” “You,” she ducked her head in slight embarrassment, playfully shoving him aside and wagging her finger at her giggling children. “And what do you find so funny?” she huffed. “Nothing,” Ali shook her head. Biting her lip to hold back her beaming smile. “Your hair’s all funny, Mommy,” Cristian pointed. “Cristian,” Sheridan gasped in mock horror. “I’m so hurt,” she said. Turning her back on him. Cristian flew to her side, wrapping his arms around her waist. “But you’re still the most beautifulest mommy in the whole entire world,” he insisted, his worried brown eyes gazing up at her. If Luis was a fool for blue eyes, she was a sucker for those brown ones. She melted, scooping her son up in her arms and tickling his tummy mercilessly, even as they fell back against the pillows and became a tangle of arms and legs, and shrieking laughter.

Ali and Luis interrupted their tickling session, and they enjoyed their dinner. Smiling. Laughing. Just being together. And Sheridan was happier and more peaceful than she’d been in several weeks. It was the perfect moment, she decided, to break the news to her children that they would soon be welcoming yet another new member to the family. Max, the new kittens…just what were they going to say about a new baby, she wondered as her lips curved upward into a smile. It was a whole new ball game. “Isn’t she beautiful, Mommy?” Ali grinned. Holding up a tiny, smoky gray kitten. “She is,” Sheridan agreed. Stroking the animal’s fur. She laughed when she noticed Luis and Miss Priss giving each other the evil eye. A low growl rumbled in the cat’s belly as Luis scooted closer for inspection. Sheridan burst out laughing when Miss Priss slapped his hand away as he reached for one of the kittens—a tiny Miss Priss clone. “Okay. Look,” Luis held his hands up and backed away. “Hands off. I didn’t lay a hand on any of them, but you’re living under MY roof. I could leave you outside to fend for yourself.” “Cute, Luis,” Sheridan laughed. “What would the guys at the station say if they knew you regularly argued with a CAT?” she teased. “I thought you and Miss Priss turned over a new leaf.” “Apparently NOT,” Luis grumbled. “Pain in the ass.” “DADDY!” Ali’s blue eyes went wide as she lay the kitten back in its basket. “You just said the…” “Ali,” Sheridan cut her daughter off warningly. “Mommy, where’s the soap?” she asked with a mischievous twinkle in her eyes. “I know where it is!” Cristian exclaimed. Luis chuckled as Cristian tore down the hall toward the bathroom. “You’re not going to let him do it, are you, AliCat?” he asked pleadingly as he tugged her onto his lap. “No,” Ali giggled. “Well…maybe,” she admitted. “Don’t worry, Daddy,” she told him as she looped her arms around his neck and smiled at him. “I’ll protect you.” “Did you hear that?” Luis quirked a brow at Sheridan. “AliCat’ll protect me.”

Ali didn’t have to protect Luis because the moment Cristian graced them with his presence again…Sheridan grabbed hold of his little waist and pulled him down onto her lap. “Mommy,” Cristian protested weakly, but it didn’t take him long to be quiet. He loved it when she held him. Even if Jake and MJ did make fun of him for it sometimes. And he REALLY loved it when she combed her fingers through his hair. Her nails tickled, but it was nice. “No soap,” she whispered in his ear as she hugged him tight. “Daddy promises to be good.” “I wasn’t really going to do it,” Cristian insisted. Wrapping his arms around hers and leaning his head back and tucking it beneath her chin. He sighed happily when she kissed his temple. He’d missed her. “I believe you,” she said softly. “So…” Luis spoke, reluctant to break the moment of peace and calm. But bursting at the seams to make the announcement. “Sheridan?” Ali watched her mommy intently, hanging on every breath. Then every word. “So,” Sheridan answered him back, chewing on her bottom lip nervously. “We…Ali…Cristian…I’m going to…” “We have an early Christmas present for you two,” Luis interrupted her. Grinning at the uncertain expression on her face. Her nerves certainly weren’t amusing her any, but he found it utterly adorable.

“An early Christmas present?” Cristian said with growing excitement. “Where is it? Me and Jake looked…where is it?” he babbled. His cheeks flaming guiltily. “Well,” Sheridan laughed slightly. “You can’t see it yet.” Cristian’s brows knit in confusion. “I don’t understand.” Luis’s lips twitched in amusement. “You’re going to have to wait a few months,” he explained. And Cristian looked from him back to Sheridan. Then to Ali. She was smiling. Like she knew something he didn’t. Sometimes he felt like such a baby! “I still don’t get it,” he pouted. “I don’t want it. You said early. But I can’t see it for months. Not fair. What is it? Take it back,” he mumbled. Hiding his face behind his hands. Sheridan gently pried his hands away from his face. “I’m afraid I can’t do that,” she told him with smiling eyes. “Why not?” “They don’t give you receipts for babies,” she laughed. “A baby, Mommy?” Ali squealed excitedly, scrambling off Luis’s lap and crossing the room. “Cristian! A baby…you’re going to be a big brother,” she jabbered as she grinned down at her mommy. “Cristian? You’re not saying anything,” Luis prodded. “We get to keep it?” “Yeah,” Sheridan laughed. “We definitely get to keep it.” “Good,” he smiled up at her. “But Mommy…” “Yeah?” “How’s Santa going to get the baby here? It won’t be Christmas when it’s born.” “I hadn’t thought of that,” Sheridan managed to answer before erupting into a peal of laughter, along with Luis. And Ali. “What? What’s so funny?” Cristian asked with an adorably befuddled expression on his face. He never did get his answer. He finally gave up and laughed with them. A new baby might be nice, he decided.

Chapter 22

Joshua stood in front of Abby’s oddity of a Christmas tree, entranced by the blinking, colorful lights. “I think we finally got it,” Kay announced. Carefully descending the step ladder and gazing up at her handiwork. Abby regarded the perfectly placed angel at the zenith of the tree. “Nope,” she shook her tawny head slightly. “Abby, it’s perfect,” Kay cried as Abby tottered at the top of the step ladder in her efforts to ‘give the angel a little character.’ MJ stood beside Joshua, brown eyes darting to and from Abby and his mother. When he knew for certain neither was watching, he’d slide another piece of popcorn off the ornamental string and pop it into his mouth. “All that trouble…why didn’t you tell me you WANTED the angel to be CROOKED?” Abby shrugged her shoulders as she hopped down.

“Because she’s crazy,” MJ piped up with a naughty grin. “Aww,” Abby cooed as she ruffled the child’s dark hair. “I can always count on Hallmark sentiments from the Demon Seed.” MJ rudely stuck his tongue out at her after she’d stolen a kiss. “Stop eating the popcorn off my tree, Kid. There’s pizza in the kitchen.” “So?” MJ rolled his eyes. “I don’t want pizza. I want popcorn.” “MJ!” Kay scolded. “You better listen to your mom, Kid. Or I’m going to call up all your little school friends and tell them about our ‘dates’.” MJ scowled at her and retreated to a distant corner. Kay picked Joshua up, propping him against her hip, and walked over to join Abby’s slumped form on the sofa and admire the fruits of their labor. “Quite a change from last year,” Kay commented after a few minutes of silence had passed. “Gotta rope in potential roommates somehow,” Abby told her with a twinkle in her hazel eyes. “Who wouldn’t want to live with that tree? We can hang the mistletoe later.”

“Okay,” Kay said slowly. A tiny smirk on her lips. “That makes sense. In Abby logic, I guess. Any new takers since…” “No,” Abby groaned. “Word gets around fast in Harmony. My only hope is if Marvin the Martian decides he wants to live on planet Earth…that reminds me…MJ? Were there any new messages on my machine?” MJ thought back…there were some. But he wasn’t going to tell. He was mad at Abby. Not telling her about the man who’d called about the apartment was as good a way to get back at her for threatening to tell all his buddies at school about their ‘dates’ as any, he thought. He shook his head vigorously. His mom eyed him suspiciously a moment, but then she turned back to Abby like she’d forgotten all about it. And they started talking. AGAIN.

Women. Ugh! All they did was talk and talk and talk. And talk some more. Always with the talking. If he had to listen to this all night…he was going to have to sneak out and walk all the way to Grandpa and Nana’s house. One woman was better than two. He plopped himself down in the floor opposite his mom, little brother, and Abby and glared at them. He wished Dad wasn’t in Boston working, and they didn’t have to stay the night with Abby while he was gone and the exterminators were doing something to their house. Exterminators killed bugs, and he liked bugs. Just another thing to be mad about. And Abby…she was always aggravating him. He didn’t like it when people aggravated back.

“MJ,” Kay sighed heavily. “Your dad’s going to be home in time for Christmas so you can lose the attitude. I know you miss him, but it’s not even been a full day.” “Your face is going to freeze like that,” Abby warned. Shooting an identical glare his direction just to show him how silly he was being. “MJ…get yourself and Joshua ready for your bath…” “But Mom,” MJ protested. “It’s too early!” “MJ…” “Okay,” he muttered. Walking up to them and taking Joshua’s hand. Joshua followed him into the bathroom dutifully. “I better get in there,” Kay told Abby with a smile. “Bath time is an Olympic sport with MJ.” “Him, too?” Abby grinned. “That’s fine. I’m going to go ahead and change. Are the boys going to sleep in the bed with you, or would you rather I pull out the sofa bed?” Kay laughed. “Are you kidding? Miss the adventure? You’d better hide all incriminating materials, though. MJ’s part bloodhound. I still don’t know if he gets it from Luis or from my dad…”

From the sounds of things, Kay wasn’t kidding about bath time with the boys, Abby thought with a tickled grin as she padded into the kitchen on bare feet several minutes later. It sounded like WWIII in there. A quick glance at the microwave made her sigh. Pathetic. Abso-freakin-lutely pathetic. It WAS early. Not even eight o’clock, and she was already in her pajamas. “At least they’re cute pajamas,” she muttered under her breath as she withdrew the pint of Rocky Road from the freezer, immediately scooping out a mouthful. “Too bad they’re two damn sizes big,” she grumbled as she nearly tripped on the leg of her fuzzy blue flannel pjs. Rocky Road ice cream smeared across the front of her white tank. She snorted at the bizarre appearance of the Curious George look-alike on her chest. “Frightening. Who the hell is that?” she swore when someone knocked at the door, causing her to nearly jump out of her skin. The spoon totally missed her mouth, and she ended up with chocolate streaks across her cheeks. “This better be good,” she growled as she grabbed the baseball bat behind the door and yanked the door open.

Nick dropped the box in his hands and backed slowly away. “Training for the major leagues?” he tried to joke. Abby just stood there. Mouth agape for several moments. Dr. Nick was here? Back after she’d nearly blinded him such a short time ago? With boxes. Bags. He looked like he was going… Oh God. She was going to pass out. The wooden bat fell to the floor with a thud, and her hazel eyes frantically searched for a jacket, something to cover herself up. If the man had had even a smidgen of interest in her before, what with the near-fatal attack on his life and such, seeing her looking about as unsexy as humanly possible was the final nail in the coffin holding all her hopes and dreams. “Abby!” Kay called. Emerging from the bathroom, looking battle-worn and weary and toting a drowsy Joshua. “Is someone at the…Dr. Nick,” she smiled. “What a nice surprise,” she said. Pinching Abby’s arm when Abby failed to do so much as breathe.

“Surprise?” Nick looked to them both with confused gray eyes. “Didn’t you get my message?” he asked Abby. “Message? What message?” Abby finally found her tongue. Dammit! Did he have to look so…edible right now? To hell with Rocky Road! “I didn’t…MJ!!!” she roared. Nick started laughing when he saw a towel-clad little body scurry into a bedroom. Hurriedly locking the door. “I’m so sorry,” Abby apologized. “What exactly did the message say?” she asked him carefully. Almost afraid to ask him. What if he…oh geez! He was going to sue her for all she was worth! “It was about the apartment,” he finally said. Abby exhaled in relief. Then breathed in sharply as she looked at Kay with widened hazel eyes. “The apartment?”

“Yes. I’m willing to pay you…” “Oh my God!” she exclaimed. “YOU want to live with ME? Are you sure?” she babbled. “Abby,” Kay laughed, turning to Nick. “I think she’s a little stunned. That’s all.” “Stunned doesn’t even cover it. Last time you showed up I blinded you with pepper spray. This time I had every intention of swinging for a home run…I’m…are you positive you want to live with me?” “So sure I let Grace rent out my room at the B&B,” Nick answered her. “But I can see I’ve caught you off-guard. Damned answering machines. I should go so I can find a decent hotel room.”

“NNNNNNNNOOOOOOOOOO!!!” Abby yelled. Nick’s amused gray eyes twinkled down at her forceful hand on his arm. He resisted the urge to laugh when she tugged him inside the door. “You don’t have to go. The apartment’s yours. I mean, mine and yours. You can sleep with me. No, that’s not right! I meant you can sleep in my bed. Not with me, obviously. Because that would be…I don’t expect sex. I mean, I may not look like it,” she indicated her rather…juvenile attire. “But I’m a sexual person with…urges.” “Abby…” Kay tried to interrupt her friend’s nervous ramblings. If she didn’t shut up soon, she wasn’t going to be able to stop herself from howling with laughter.

Nick’s lips twitched as he let her talk. She was quite hilarious actually. This living together thing might actually be fun. IF she didn’t kill him by mistake. “I’m not much of an adult, but…dammit,” she finally cried out in frustration. The man made her flustered as hell. “Obviously, I’m insane. But if you still want the apartment…” Abby and Kay held their breath as Nick thought the decision over. “I still want the apartment,” he grinned at them. “We’re just here until my husband…” “You don’t have to explain,” Nick shook his head. “All right,” Kay smiled. “I’ll take the sofa bed with the boys, and you can settle in to your new bedroom. NO hotel rooms.” “I couldn’t…” “You can,” Kay wouldn’t leave room for disagreement. “Think of it as a kind of trial…” she told him when it became apparent Abby wasn’t good for mumbling more than monosyllables around the man at the moment. “That’s actually a good idea…” he answered her.

Sandwiched between MJ and Joshua hours later, Nick pushed away all the niggling little doubts in the back of his head and stared at the crooked angel in fascination as colorful lights blinked before his eyes. This was without a doubt the craziest thing he’d EVER done. But, he realized, as his eyes drifted closed and the boys’ soft snoring faded to nothing…he needed a little bit of crazy in his life. Abby Stone with kid’s pajamas and merry hazel eyes, quirks and BIG, bumbling mouth more than fit the bill.

Part Three