Chapter 24

“So…” Kay ventured with a teasing grin on her lips as she stepped closer to a bleary-eyed Abby. The edges of the sheet in their hands meeting before Abby grabbed it and doubled it once more, ignoring Kay’s question and crossing the open room to the linen closet. “Does he still want the apartment? I mean, he realizes he won’t spend every night sandwiched between two kicking little boys, doesn’t he? Abby? Abby, are you even listening to me?” Kay laughed at the comical expression emblazoned across Abby’s features. “Abby?” she queried.

The muted noise of the shower was the only sound in the apartment at that moment. Which reminded her…MJ and Joshua were scarily quiet. She could never be too careful with her precocious son. Later, she pushed the thought to the back of her mind. Abby’s voice came out as a squeak when she finally answered her, “There is a NAKED man in my shower.” Kay burst into laughter. “Well, Abby…people generally don’t wear clothes when they…Geez. This is only the first morning, and you already look like hell. Did you sleep at all last night?” she asked, shepherding Abby into the kitchen.

Aha! Where the boys were. MJ busied himself shoveling Corn Pops into his mouth, looking just as guilty as ever. The cereal tumbled into the bowl easily as she upended the box, but the milk was a whole different story. “MJ…” “What?” MJ shrugged his shoulders, giving her the innocent act. “What happened to all the milk?” “I dunno,” he looked at them both with wide brown eyes. Out of the corner of her eyes, she saw Joshua’s tall glass wobble unsteadily as he put it back on the table, and she reached a hand out to right it. It was then that she noticed… “Mmm. Corn Pops AND chocolate milk,” Abby grinned, stealing MJ’s glass away and making loud, slurpy sounds that had MJ scowling in disgust. Joshua smiled and pointed at Abby’s chocolate milk mustache.

“So…corrupting the innocent little brother again, Demon Seed?” Abby teased with a ruffle of his sleep-tousled black hair. MJ ignored her, knowing that bothered her to the extreme. Abby HATED not being noticed. But then…she’d known him, MJ Lopez-Fitzgerald, practically his whole life…there weren’t many of his tricks that she didn’t know by heart. She just gave him a noisy kiss on the cheek and popped a couple of pieces of bread in the toaster. “Do you think I should cook for him?” she asked Kay with wide, worried hazel eyes. “Maybe not,” Kay smirked, stopping her with a hand. “Pepper spray. A baseball bat. The man might think you’re trying to poison him.” “Oh, you’re just so damn funny,” Abby muttered, her voice dripping with sarcasm to spare.

“You didn’t answer my question,” Kay reminded her before gulping down the last bit of orange juice in her glass. Abby drew her legs into the chair with her, tucking them beneath her chin, then hiding her face against her knees. “No,” she mumbled. “And why not?” Kay prolonged the torture. “Do you really have to ask?” Abby hissed, cutting her hazel eyes at MJ in warning. The kid was a born and bred tattletale. MJ caught her glance and stuck his tongue out at her, then resumed his torture of his little brother. That’s what kid brothers were for, right? “Have any interesting dreams last night, Abby?” Kay arched a dark brow devilishly at her. “Go to Hell,” Abby mouthed silently.

“That’s four,” MJ waved his hands above his head in triumph. “Four? Umm…Kid, I think we need to work on your math skills.” “Yeah, right,” MJ rolled his dark eyes at her. “You said two curse words…$1 for ‘hell’, $3 for ‘damn’, $5 for the really bad one…oh, and $2 for sh…” “MJ!” Kay snapped in embarrassment, clasping her hand over his mouth. “Honestly…does one tiny hell every now and then count?” Abby grumbled as she and MJ engaged in a semi-lengthy glaring contest. “What are you? A lip-reader? See what my association with the Bennetts and the Lopez-Fitzgeralds is going to get me?” she rambled, making Kay smile despite herself. “In a few more months I’m going to have to file bankruptcy and live my life in squalor like a poor church mouse.” “MJ!” Kay cried out, when MJ’s elbow unceremoniously bumped Joshua’s glass out of his hands, toppling it to the floor, and drenching her youngest son in chocolate milk in the process.

Abby was out of her chair in a flash, waving Kay off as she moved to get a towel. “Don’t bother. I’ll get it. Where are his extra clothes?” “In the guest bed…Abby,” Kay called out, dark eyes widening in realization as she remembered Nick’s very presence in the same room. “Yeah?” Abby’s tawny head poked around the corner. “Nothing,” Kay answered her without turning around, a mischievous smirk on her lips. MJ wiggled his black brows at her, and a tiny laugh slipped past her lips as she grabbed him and planted a kiss on his forehead. Much to his ire, of course. Joshua’s hands clapped gleefully in the pooling puddle of chocolate liquid on the table. “Abby and Dr. Nick are never going to invite us back,” she said. Smiling. She liked the sound of that. Abby and Dr. Nick. Somehow, she just couldn’t call him plain old Nick. His whole identity was wrapped up in the fact that he was Ali’s doctor. Hopefully, the whole doctor thing would fade into the background once Ali got better, and that little wall of near-formality between the good doctor and everyone other than Sheridan would crumble like dust. First step in progress, she thought to herself as she tugged Joshua’s soiled navy shirt over his dark head.

“I found it!” Abby called, coming from the bedroom with arms full seconds later. Kay bit her lip to contain her grin when she saw Nick emerge from the bathroom in a cloud of steam, one of Abby’s fluffy lavendar towels hanging low on his hips. She had to admit…Dr. Nick didn’t clean up so bad. Taller than Luis, she assessed. Lankier than Miguel, but still quite…fit, she thought with an embarrassed rush of color to her cheeks (what the hell was she doing looking this guy over? She was a married woman, for goodness sake, and even if she weren’t…). “Ab…” Abby’s hazel eyes twinkled at her as she launched the new tee-shirt into the air, sailing it across the room like a football. “Has anyone seen my…” Nick trailed off at Abby’s stunned expression.

Oh my friggin’…Jesus, Abby thought as her jaw went slack in open admiration. Kay bit the insides of her cheeks to keep from laughing out loud. Yeah, Abby was definitely…IMPRESSED among a few other things, she shook her head in amusement. Nick’s gray eyes were smiling down at her as he advanced on her, backing her up against the couch. Abby gulped as he leaned in close, her eyes fixated on the knotted towel at his waist for just a moment before she raised glazed hazel eyes to his face and… Nick’s breath was a whisper against her skin as he reached behind her to grab his duffel bag. “My bag,” he smiled at her as he straightened back up. Kay snickered at Abby as she tried to stammer a suitable response. Nick chuckled, running a rough hand through his wet dark hair as he spoke to her. “You might want to breathe every now and then. I’ve heard it’s quite beneficial to your health,” he advised her as he sauntered back off in the direction he had come. Not even two seconds later, Abby hit the floor with an audible thud, having slid from the couch’s arm in a boneless heap. And Kay erupted into helpless laughter as her two confused children looked on.

Chapter 25

“So Sweetie,” Sheridan smiled as she gently rubbed the towel over Ali’s golden hair, making it shine and shimmer in the pale light emanating from the open bathroom door. “Did you like Aunt Ivy’s surprise?” Ali’s smile was bright and genuine as she nodded her head, and she giggled when Sheridan wrapped the fluffy towel around her shoulders and tugged her close. “Uh huh. It was fun. Can we ride the sleigh again tomorrow, Mommy?” “Well, I don’t know,” she tapped Ali’s nose with her index finger, standing up and lifting her daughter into her arms. Ali wrapped her arms loosely around her mommy’s neck and studied her with blue eyes that sparkled, even in the shadows.

“Don’t you remember, Silly?” Sheridan teased as she twirled them around. Until they both were dizzy. “Remember what?” Ali giggled as they collapsed onto her twin bed, sending stuffed animals flying and Miss Priss caterwauling. “Tomorrow’s the big Christmas party, and…” “It’s our turn,” Ali’s blue eyes grew wide with remembrance. “And everybody’s coming,” Sheridan smiled. “Everybody?” Ali questioned excitedly. “Everybody,” Sheridan affirmed. “Nana and Grandpa Martin promised to come early, too.” Ali sighed happily as she snuggled close to her mother. “Do we get to tell them about the new baby tomorrow?” “That’s the plan,” Sheridan said, giving Ali an extra tight squeeze before scooting off the bed and picking up the pair of pajamas laying across the back of Ali’s tiny vanity chair.

The towel slipped from Ali’s slim shoulders, falling to the floor, and she held on to Sheridan’s shoulders as she stepped into the pants. The tiny white buttons were fastened, and Sheridan swept Ali’s lavendar satin encased arms to grasp her small hands. Ali giggled when she brought each palm to her lips and kissed it. “Mommy…that tickles. Mommy!” she squealed as Sheridan planted loud kisses all over her face and neck. She smelled like baby shampoo after her bath, her hair still framing her sweet face in damp waves. “Get your brush so Mommy can brush your hair,” she smiled, cupping her silky cheek in the palm of her hand. “Okay, Mommy,” Ali chirped. She emerged from the bathroom moments later, arm outstretched with the ivory-handled brush as she scrambled onto the bed and settled between Sheridan’s legs, leaning back against her chest.

Sheridan brushed Ali’s golden hair in gentle strokes, smiling slightly as Ali stretched her legs out along hers, wiggling her toes back and forth. They had matching red toenails. The holiday spirit and all. Ali hugged Cristian’s bunny to her, tucking it beneath her chin. “Mommy,” she murmured contentedly. “Yes, Baby?” “I want to sleep in Cristian’s room with him and Jake tonight. Please,” she pleaded. “You can fix me a bed on the floor. I don’t have to sleep with Cristian. He makes a funny noise with his teeth, Mommy. It’s so annoying,” she huffed, making laughter spill from Sheridan’s lips. “Will you, Mommy? Will you fix me a bed?” Ali twisted in her arms, gazing at her with expectant blue eyes.

“Oh, I think I can do better than that,” she answered her. “I bet with a little convincing I can get Daddy to let all three of you sleep in the living room, and we’ll stay up all night long, watching all your favorite videos and drinking hot chocolate until the sun comes up.” “Really?” Ali’s blue eyes twinkled with happiness at the thought. “Really,” Sheridan nodded her head. “All you have to do is go give Daddy lots of kisses. Daddy can’t resist kisses,” she winked. “Scoot,” she smiled, standing up and waving her out of the bedroom, her eyes suspiciously bright as she looked at the hairbrush in her hand.

The bathroom tiles were slightly cold under her bare feet as she pulled the golden strands from its bristles, depositing them in the waste basket beside the sink. “Mommy,” Ali’s glossy head peeked back around the corner. “Daddy said he’s waiting…” “Tell him I’ll be right there, ‘kay Sweetie?” Ali darted back down the hall, and Sheridan brushed the tears from her lashes as she studied her reflection in the bathroom mirror. Teary eyes and a red nose just would not do. She splashed cold water onto her face and dabbed at her nose with a tissue before walking out of Ali’s room.

Luis smile was replaced with a look of worry, and she smiled reassuringly at him as she sank into his warm embrace, cuddling closer as he wrapped a blanket around her shoulders. “Mommy,” Ali smiled between sips of her hot chocolate. “We’re going to watch the Aristocats next. It’s Miss Priss’s favorite movie.” Luis chuckled beside her, and his softly muttered “I bet” had her elbowing him in the ribs, fighting her own laughter. There WERE certain parallels. Miss Priss’s blue eyes glittered suspiciously at Luis in the firelight, and a hateful meow rumbled in her throat.

“Ali, do we HAVE to watch Lady and the Tramp? Don’t you have thousands of other movies?” Jake grumbled. “I like Lady and the Tramp,” Cristian piped up, earning himself a dark scowl. “You just don’t like it ‘cause your dad said…” Cristian started, but was cut off by Jake’s hand clamped over his mouth. “What did Hank say?” Luis smirked. “That Ali was the Lady and Jake was the…” Cristian mumbled behind Jake’s hand. “Can we watch the movie? NOW!” Jake bellowed embarrassedly.

Lady and the Tramp AND Duchess and O’Malley lived happily ever after, but Luis and Max were the only ones left awake to witness it. Sheridan watched him, woken more by his absence at her side than his quiet movements, uncertain if it were dream or reality as he turned the television off and knelt before the children. Cristian lay half-sprawled across Jake’s legs and Ali slumbered comfortably next to the young man himself while the fire crackled behind them, her golden hair spilling across the pillows and her face relaxed and peaceful. Cristian mumbled something incoherent in his sleep as Luis straightened him out next to Jake, tucking blankets around them all before climbing to his feet and crossing the room to her side. She nestled close to his heart as his arms closed around her, already asleep as he carried her to their bed. Their long day finally at an end.

Chapter 26

She watched the sun rise, painting the wintery landscape outside their bedroom windows in a pale shimmer, tucked securely against his warmth. Luis’s breath was gentle against her neck as he nuzzled it, and she felt the flutter of his eyelashes against her skin as he pressed his cheek to hers. “It’s beautiful, isn’t it?” she murmured, wrapping her own arms tightly around the arms that held her to him. “Another brand-new day. Together,” she added softly. As an afterthought. His voice was deep and sleep-roughened as he answered her, “Yes, it is.” A languid sigh left her lips as he kissed the curve of her neck and slid his hand beneath the pajama top she wore to caress her belly with his thumb. “I think I like the together part best,” he said, and she could feel him smiling against her shoulder as he eased the thin spaghetti strap down her arm.

She laughed softly, covering the hand on her belly with her own. “Why am I thinking you and I have different meanings of the word?” she teased, shivering slightly as he brushed her hair back from the nape of her neck, trailing his lips across it. “Luis, at least shut the door,” she said when she found herself flat on her back. Luis’s dark eyes sparkled at her. “They’re sound asleep, and even if they weren’t, what I’m doing…” he whispered as his hands pushed the material of her top up to reveal her abdomen, “isn’t something bad.” Her stomach muscles fluttered beneath his lips as they brushed against her skin, and laughter spilled from her lips. “I’m sorry,” she apologized when he raised amused dark eyes to her face, and she cupped his jaw in her palm. “It tickles. Luis, what on earth are you doing?” she questioned breathlessly when he placed another kiss just inches above her belly button. He ignored her question, resting his cheek against her warm skin, and she smiled when she heard him whisper, “Good morning, Baby.”

“I’m sure she thinks her daddy’s crazy,” she teased, combing her fingers through his black hair. “She?” he questioned in surprise. “What makes you so sure ‘she’ isn’t a ‘he’?” he asked, spreading his hand out over her waist as he propped himself up on his elbow and just looked at her. Her blue eyes twinkled at him as she shook her head. “I’m NOT sure, Luis. It just…slipped out. What? Would you rather…do you want another boy? That way you’ll still be able to spoil Ali rotten with the excuse that she’s the only girl,” she teased. “I don’t need any excuses,” he grinned down at her, his face hovering over hers. “She’ll always be my AliCat. Always,” he repeated, his voice taking on a more serious quality as the grin slowly faded. “It doesn’t matter. Boy or girl. As long as our baby’s healthy.”

“Oh, Luis,” she sighed, snaking her arms around his neck and pulling him close. “You’re not going to lose Ali. You’re not going to lose me or Cristian. You’re not going to lose the baby. Never. Not if I can help it,” she promised, pressing a kiss next to his ear. “God, how I love you, Woman.” “Luis,” she burst into laughter. “So not you,” she said, her body shaking against him. “But I’m not complaining,” she laughingly told him, tracing his features with her fingertips. “I’ll take an ‘I love you’ from you any way I can get it,” she smiled, leaning forward to peck him on the lips. “What kind of kiss is that?” he teased, and the smile on her face broadened when his welcome weight pressed her deeper into the mattress.

“Luis…remember,” she quirked a brow at him as he brushed her blond hair back from her forehead with his fingers. “The kids…open door.” “Just one,” he whispered against her mouth. Just before gently tugging her bottom lip between both of his own. She melted against him as he continued his sweet assault on her lips and mouth, exploiting his ‘one kiss’ for all it was worth. She broke away, panting. Blue eyes bright and skin flushed with color when she felt his hand creeping under her top up her ribcage. “Cheater,” she said breathlessly, realizing that somehow, they had quite literally gotten tangled up in each other. One of his legs was between hers, her arms hung loosely around his neck, and she was thisclose to giving the next person that walked past their bedroom door a free peep show.

The next person… “Jake!” she said suddenly, her blue eyes flying to the disgusted little Hank clone with the deviously sparkling brown eyes standing just outside their bedroom door. “Jake, we didn’t know you were awake,” she babbled nervously as she scrambled out of the bed. Luis following her act. Tugging a tee-shirt over his dark head. “Obviously,” Jake rolled his eyes at them. “At least my parents SHUT their door,” he said pointedly. Sheridan slugged her husband in the stomach when she saw the amused smirk on his face. “Damn, Sheridan,” he winced. “That hu…” “Girls hit like sissies. Don’t they, Uncle Luis?” Jake looked to him for validation. “Yeah, Buddy,” Luis gave Jake a fatherly pat on the shoulder as he walked by him. “Like sissies,” he said, cutting his eyes at his wife and finding the infuriating smirk on her lips this time as she slipped on her robe and followed them out into the hall.

“Don’t tell me you eat breakfast THIS early at your house,” Luis kidded as they herded the boy into the living room. Jake answered as he expected. With that perfected eye roll. No more words were needed. “Well?” Luis prodded, following Jake’s brown eyes across the room. Watching Sheridan cuddle a still-sleeping Ali in her embrace while his dazed little son, unaccustomed to the early hour, staggered toward the couch. Cristian plopped down onto the couch, his little hands searching for the remote control, and seconds later, the television came alive. Luis chuckled, watching his son for several seconds. Cristian was watching cartoons half-asleep, his mouth hanging open, and his lids heavy as he slumped against the arm of the sofa. “Jake,” Luis said, his eyes drawn to Jake’s balled up fist when he turned his gaze to him again. “What do you have in your hand? Jake?” Jake sighed, opening his fist over Luis’s palm. Strands of golden silk escaping. “I found this on her pillow,” he muttered. Face downcast. “It’s not a lot, but I didn’t want her to get scared,” he explained when Luis failed to say anything. When Luis finally spoke, his voice was choked with emotion. “Thank you.”

“Where’d Jake go?” Sheridan asked, wrapping her arms around his waist from behind and resting her head against his shoulder. “Luis?” she said his name gently, sensing the tension in his body. “Why didn’t you tell me…” his voice was a faint whisper as he unwrapped her arms from his waist and turned around to face her. “She’s…it’s just a little bit, but it’s really happening. Her hair…” he trailed off. Her blue eyes welled with sympathy. And understanding. Ali stirred slightly behind them, and her voice dropped to a whisper as she tried to explain. “I didn’t want to upset her by making a big deal about it. Nick warned us this could happen. It’s hard. I mean, I hoped…she has such beautiful hair. I can hardly stand to see it cut,” she laughed. Slightly embarrassed. This is…,” her voice was wistful as she glanced at their daughter whose blue eyes were just beginning to blink awake.

“Mommy,” Ali called to her softly. “It grows back,” Luis finished for her, his voice growing stronger with each syllable. She leaned back against him as she turned to Ali with a brave smile on her face. “What is it, Sweetie?” Ali stretched her arms out, smiling at them both with twinkling blue eyes. “I need a hug.” “Oh, you NEED a hug, do you?” Sheridan smiled as she walked closer, scooping Ali’s warm little body back into her arms. “What about Daddy?” Luis pretended to be hurt. “Oh, Daddy,” Ali giggled. Holding out an arm for him, too. Cristian slid off the couch to burrow into his mother’s side sleepily. Luis rumbled with laughter when Jake announced his return with “Geez. Mushy saps. You guys make me sick!” “I can give you a hug, too, if you want,” Sheridan offered with a bright smile. “And ruin my reputation?” Jake scoffed, trodding toward the kitchen. “Forget it. What does a guy have to do to get some breakfast around here?”

Chapter 27

“Kay? Why are hanging mistletoe in EVERY door again?” Kay grinned at Gwen across the room. “Just a favor for a friend.” “And does this friend happen to have a monster crush on a certain little girl’s handsome doctor?” Gwen asked, smirking. Hank set the mug of eggnog in his hands down on the kitchen counter and glared up at his wife. “YOU think Taylor’s handsome? And Tink? Tink and Taylor? No way, Babe. Never going to happen.” Kay bit her lip to keep from laughing when Gwen winked at her before turning back to her husband. “Don’t think I don’t see right through you, Bennett. You’re just jealous because you secretly have a thing for Abby. Admit it. You LOVE it when she pinches your ass,” she teased him, stepping down from the step-ladder and standing in front of him. “You’re the only one I want pinching my ass,” Hank grinned at his wife, leaning in and attacking her with a ferocious kiss. Gwen laughed against his lips as his hands traveled…well, everywhere. And she squealed when they slid down her hips to… “HANK!”

Kay howled with laughter, and Sheridan joined her, offering her a mug of eggnog. “Are we SURE all the mistletoe’s such a GOOD thing?” she questioned with a wide smile on her face. “I mean, you guys know Abby, right?” Kay’s grin revealed she did, indeed, KNOW Abby. “Come on, Sheridan,” she slipped an arm through her sister-in-law’s. “I can guarantee this is going to be entertaining.” “But are we even sure she’s going to be able to convince Nick to come? From what I gather, she hasn’t even been able to speak much other than Pig Latin to the man from the moment they met,” Sheridan smirked. “Oh, he’s coming,” Hank muttered under his breath, causing Gwen to give him a curious glance. “And miss a chance to pine over my buddy’s wife from afar? You bet he’s coming,” he hissed in explanation.

“Oh, I took care of that,” Kay told Sheridan. “They’ll be here. I see you escaped from Hell,” Kay laughed at Sheridan, arching a slender black brow toward the kitchen. “My mom and Mrs. Lopez-Fitzgerald in the same kitchen. Tell me, Sheridan. Is it safe?” Hank ducked his head around the kitchen corner, and just as hurriedly, turned back to them pale-faced. “I hope you girls have a hankering for Tomato Soup Cake. So far it looks like the only thing on the menu. Sheridan? You look a little green around the gills,” he said. “You don’t have to eat a whole piece. Just one little nibble and throw it to the little yapper Tink got you.” “Hank!” “What, Babe? You hate Tomato Soup Cake as much as the rest of us…” “Not THAT,” she glared. “You’ll make Max sick.” “Huh?” Hank shrugged his shoulders. “You’re worried about the mutt?” he grumbled, glancing over to the overgrown puppy, currently slobbering all over a stolen candy cane. “Hey! Where’d everybody go?” he asked, noticing for the first time he was all alone.

Kay winced as she listened to the sounds of Sheridan retching behind the closed bathroom door. “Poor Sheridan.” Gwen nodded her head, tucking a loose strand of blond hair behind her ear. “I had the same reaction once when Hank just MENTIONED that dreadful stuff when I was…” she trailed off, her brown eyes widening. “When you were what?” Kay’s voice had a pleading quality to it. “She’s pregnant,” Gwen whispered, a grin stealing across her face. Kay smiled back at her. “Come on, Gwen. What kind of definitive proof do you have? People have been hurling in response to Mom’s Tomato Soup Cake since my kindergarten days. It’s really not that unusual.” “True,” Gwen conceded Kay’s point. “But…” “Cristian,” Kay grabbed the little boy by the arm as he scurried past. “Uh huh,” Cristian mumbled, his dark eyes darting back and forth worriedly. Emily had already put one of Ali’s dresses on Joshua. He didn’t want to be the next victim! “How do you feel about being a big brother?” “Okay,” he answered, and the smile on Gwen’s face grew impossibly larger. “But where’s it going to sleep? In my room or Ali’s?” “In its own nursery,” a voice said, and Kay jumped, startled to find Sheridan right behind her. Cristian released a sigh of relief. “Mommy, can I go play outside with Jake and MJ?” “Sure…but be sure to bundle up!” she called after him as he sprinted down the hall.

Kay and Gwen followed Sheridan into Ali’s bedroom, barely containing their shared excitement as they watched Sheridan settle back against Ali’s mountain of stuffed animals and pillows. “So?” Gwen was the first to speak. “A new baby? Sheridan, I’m so excited for you!” “Why didn’t you just ask me instead of tricking my son?” she laughed at Kay’s slightly embarrassed expression. “Force of habit?” Kay offered with a shrug of her shoulders. Taking a seat opposite Sheridan. Gwen playfully pushed Sheridan aside to make room for herself beside her. “So…how’d this happen?” “Do you really want an answer to that? Diagrams and everything?” Gwen snorted, and Sheridan’s blue eyes twinkled with amusement. “What I want to know is when you even find the time…” Kay’s dark eyes gleamed wickedly. “Miguel’s too afraid MJ’s going to burn the house down to give me a honest to goodness kiss. Not a measly peck.” “I swear…Jake can be abnormally quiet when he wants to be,” Gwen confided, and Sheridan and Kay burst into laughter. “And THIS is a secret?” Sheridan teased. “Just this morning…oops,” she clamped a hand over her mouth in embarrassment. “Hi, Emily,” she waved to the little girl standing in Ali’s open doorway.

“Emmy!” Gwen exclaimed when she saw Joshua, practically swimming in one of Ali’s dresses, Sheridan’s lipstick on his lips and lines of mascara all around his eyes. “He liked it,” Emily explained in a tiny voice. “Are you mad at me?” she pouted. “No,” Gwen sighed. Lifting her sniffling daughter into her arms. She felt Emily’s forehead and found it warm to the touch. “Kay, I’ll clean him up right after I give her her medicine.” “Don’t worry about it,” Kay shrugged it off. “She was right. He likes it,” she said, cracking a smile as she pulled Ali’s light pink dress over Joshua’s dark head. “He does?” Sheridan smiled when Joshua grinned at her. As if he actually KNEW what she was saying. “Yeah,” Kay said matter-of-factly. “But I’m not worrying about it. Have you seen the pictures of Uncle Hank dressed up in Grandma Bennett’s old dresses?” “No,” Sheridan laughed, clasping a hand over her mouth. “You have pictures?” “No kidding,” Kay grinned at her. “I think there’s even some of Luis. Luis is gorgeous, but I have to say this, Sheridan. Uncle Hank makes the better woman,” she snickered. “Mom has the pictures at home. You want to see them sometime?” “Would I ever,” Sheridan’s blue eyes sparkled when she answered. “Do you need any help? I want to check on Ali.” “No, I’m fine. Go ahead,” Kay waved her off as she headed to the bathroom, Joshua in tow.

She found Ali in the kitchen with Pilar, Grace, and now… “Eve! I’m so glad you could make it,” she told her as she enveloped the older woman in a friendly hug. “Where’s T.C.?” “He went to pick Simone up at the airport. Whitney’s not coming for a couple more days.” “Kay will be so happy to catch up,” Grace said, turning around and smiling at them all. “What about Jessica, Grace?” Pilar asked conversationally. “She and Reese aren’t coming actually. But Sam and I were planning on flying in and spending Christmas with them. It’s been so long since we’ve seen the children. We’re trying to convince Kay and Miguel to make the trip, too, but they don’t want to leave…” Grace trailed off awkwardly, her blue eyes resting on Ali’s downcast golden head. Sheridan feathered her fingers through her Ali’s long hair and cast a reassuring smile Grace’s way while Ali continued coloring her masterpiece.

“That’s the whole point of this party. So we can all be together in one place before we scatter to opposite ends of the earth in a few days. I’ll talk to her if you want. Faith I’ve met, but I haven’t seen the little boy.” “He looks like his father,” Grace revealed. “I think I have some pictures in my purse…” They watched Grace disappear into the other room, and as soon as they were sure she was out of hearing distance, Eve and Pilar exchanged a knowing look. Pilar adjusted the oven’s temperature a couple…hundred…degrees. “Pilar!” Sheridan gasped. “It’s going to burn.” “And we won’t have to eat it?” Ali piped up hopefully. “Ali…” “Here they are,” Grace announced her return, waving a handful of photos under Sheridan’s nose. “He DOES look like Reese!”

“Mama! Are you in there?” “Aunt Theresa!” Ali squealed happily, scrambling down from her bar stool and flying out of the kitchen. The twosome entered the kitchen moments later, Ali’s arms wrapped around Theresa’s waist lovingly. Eve took the pictures from Sheridan’s hand, absently studying the children smiling back at her as she asked, “Where’s Chad?” Ali let go of Theresa long enough to let her share a hug with her mommy, and the next moment she was glued back to her side. “He’s outside, getting pounded with snowballs by Hank, Luis, and the boys.” “A snowball fight?” Ali’s blue eyes twinkled at the possibilities. “Mommy? Please?” Ali pleaded, her bottom lip stuck out in a pout. Theresa’s nose wrinkled at a disturbingly familiar odor. “I’ll go outside with her,” she promised. “Okay,” Sheridan relented, tapping Ali’s nose with her index finger. “But don’t let those boys…” “Mommy,” Ali rolled her blue eyes at her. “Sara’s out there, too.” “Theresa, make sure she’s warm enough before you even let her step out of that door.” “Yes, Mom,” Theresa’s big brown eyes sparkled at her. “Sheridan, don’t worry so much. Luis is out there. Papa. Miguel. Hank. Sam. Chad. And Jake and the other boys. Believe me…between them and me…NOTHING’S going to happen to Ali.”

“I believe you,” Sheridan finally said. Ali pulled Theresa out of the kitchen toward her bedroom, and Sheridan leaned her head against Pilar’s shoulder when she felt her comforting touch on her own shoulder. “Theresita’s right, Mija. Don’t worry yourself so.” “You said Abby was coming, right?” Eve asked. “She’s coming,” Kay reiterated, entering the kitchen. “And she’s bringing Dr. Nick with her. Trust me.” Joshua beamed when Grace grabbed him up in her arms and kissed his cheeks. “And Ethan and Ivy are still coming?” Pilar questioned, doing a mental count in her head. “What? Do we not have enough food?” Kay grumbled. “Don’t worry, Kay,” Grace said perkily. “I made enough Tomato Soup Cake for EVERYONE,” she announced. Sheridan choked on her own tongue when Kay made a gagging motion behind her mother’s back. “What’s that atrocious smell?” Gwen asked, wandering into the quickly crowding kitchen. Sans Emily. “Oh, Dear,” Grace panicked, thrusting Joshua into Eve’s lap and rushing across the room. Just in time to withdraw the charred remnants of her infamous Tomato Soup Cake. Smoke filled the room, and its occupants rushed into the living room, coughing and choking for air. “What happened?” Grace cried woefully, soot blackening her face, as the cake pan wobbled at the end of her outstretched arm. Pilar and Eve exchanged guilty looks, and Kay shrugged her shoulders while Sheridan broke into a RUN for the bathroom, looking greener than ever. Gwen hot on her trail. “The cake’s obviously burned, Mom. What a shame.” “Oh, Kay, Honey…” Grace smiled sweetly. “Don’t worry. I have enough ingredients left to make another cake before Ethan and Ivy even get here,” she lowered the boom on them all, wandering back into the hazy kitchen. Her ears as deaf as Joshua’s to the collective groan that circulated through the house.

Chapter 28

“Pilar? Are you sure I can’t help somehow?” Beth questioned earnestly. “I’m sure,” Pilar smiled at the younger woman. “Grace and Eve and I have everything under control.” “Okay,” Beth gave her a tiny smile before wandering back into the living room. Eve and Grace watched her sit down on the sofa beside Ethan. Ivy caught them spying and grinned, arching a brow at them in response. Grace waved at her with a silly smile on her face as Eve pulled her back into the kitchen. “Pilar?” Eve couldn’t restrain herself from asking. “Are you sure something’s not going on between Beth and Ethan?”

“They’re just friends,” Luis answered, startling all three women. “What?” he shrugged his shoulders, an amused smirk on his lips as he opened one of the cupboards. “Mijo,” Pilar held a hand to her chest. “We didn’t hear you come in.” “Too busy gossiping?” Luis teased. Opening the cupboard in front of him and searching for something in particular. “Dammit, where are they?” he swore under his breath. “Mijo?” Pilar looked at her son oddly when he snatched a packet of saltines from the next cabinet. “Yes, Mama?” “It’s almost time for dinner,” Pilar said, holding her hand out for the crackers. Luis grinned at her and turned on the charm. “I won’t tell anyone if you don’t,” he whispered, winking at Eve and Grace over his mother’s shoulder as he hugged her close.

“Luis, you didn’t have to…” Gwen said, sliding off the bed next to Sheridan and reaching for her sleeping daughter. Luis shook his head, shifting Emily against him with one arm and handing the package of saltines to Gwen with the other. “Here,” Gwen handed them to Sheridan, and Sheridan took one out, nibbling on it. Gwen laughed softly. She looked positively wiped out. “Would you believe I’ve felt only the tiniest bit nauseated before today?” Sheridan muttered miserably. “My timing couldn’t have been better,” she sighed, leaning against Gwen’s offered shoulder. Luis finished tucking the covers around Emily’s shoulders and reached across the width of the bed, grabbing his wife’s hand and twining their fingers together. Gwen felt like an intruder on a private moment as they shared a quick smile, and Luis left the bedroom. “Who needs timing?” she told Sheridan with sparkling brown eyes. “You have THAT, and you’re complaining about timing? Come on, Sher. I think what you need most is some fresh air.”

“It’s too quiet out here,” Gwen commented, pulling Sheridan forward by the arm. She was right, Sheridan realized. The only sound to be heard was the crunching of their boots in the snow. “Where is everybody?” she murmured, whirling around to look in all directions. Gwen caught a flash of gold out of the corner of her eye and smirked. “Mommy! Wat—“ “Oh my God! Sheridan!” she shrieked as the first snowball whizzed past her head, yanking Sheridan behind the nearest tree, “they’re going to ambush us.” “Mommy, watch out!” “Ali, you’re not supposed to warn them,” Jake’s disgusted reply had Sheridan and Gwen shaking with laughter. “Always the little angel, that one,” Gwen scooped a handful of snow into her gloved hands. “We’re not going to go down without a fight,” she grinned, handing the snowball over to Sheridan. "Here. You’ve got a good arm. By the treehouse. MJ, Cristian, and Sara.” Sheridan pulled back her arm, aimed, and… “HEY!” MJ’s shout assured her she’d hit at least one of her targets. Gwen sailed a gigantic snowball in the direction she’d heard her son’s voice and seconds later the stillness of the winter afternoon was broken with Jake’s yells of “WAR!”

Sheridan ducked just in time to avoid being nailed in the face, and the snow went flying as the snowball made contact with Gwen’s shoulder. “YOU!” she cried, catching sight of Luis behind a tree directly opposite them. “I take it back,” Gwen grumbled. Squatting to grab more snow. “Luis…prepare to die,” she grinned. “Oh, and you too, Bennett. That is you hiding behind him, isn’t it? My husband…so brave. So courageous. Come out into the open like REAL MEN,” she challenged. Sheridan burst into laughter when Sam was the only man to meet the dare. “Sam! How could you?” “I thought…where are the others?” Sheridan asked Gwen, scooping more snow into her hands. “SHERIDAN! LOOK OUT!” “Gotcha!” Jake pumped his fist into the air as Sheridan wiped the stinging snow from her face. Chad and Theresa appeared from nowhere, hailing them with yet more snowballs, and Ali sprinted across the yard to her mommy’s side. “You looked like you needed reinforcements,” Martin said with a smile, somewhat short of breath. Miguel joined Chad when Theresa defected to the their side, and Kay immediately made herself invaluable, pelting not just her father, but also Luis, Chad, and her Uncle Hank with an all-out arsenal.

“Do you think they’re having fun?” Ethan laughed, letting the curtain fall back into place. Beth took another glance at the mayhem outside. Hank was frantically weaving in and out of the protection of the trees with Gwen in hot pursuit. MJ and Jake were true to their word, waging war on Sam. With a little help from Sara, using all her natural sneakiness and cunning and attacking her uncle from the safety of the tree house. Kay and Miguel, it appeared, had decided Sam needed some help, and Beth laughed softly when the twosome teamed up to clobber their own son. Her laughter died in her throat when she spotted Theresa and Chad, pressed close against the shelter of a nearby tree. They were laughing and smiling at each other, and her dark eyes gravitated toward Ethan’s emotionless face as the two kissed. “Ethan?” “Yeah?” Ethan seemed to shake himself out of a daze and answered. “Does it bother you? Seeing them…” “No,” he smiled at her, his blue eyes dancing as they were drawn to a certain something hanging just above their heads. Beth blinked at him in surprise when he kissed her gently on the cheek. “I’m moving on with my life,” he told her. “Mistletoe,” he said, pointing to the sprig. “Luis is insane.” “W-What?” Beth stammered. “He just tackled Aunt Sheridan to the ground…” “Oh,” Beth blushed in embarrassment. “Bad memories from childhood, Darling?” Ivy came up behind them. “Sheridan always won,” Ivy grinned at Beth over the top of her mug. “Oh, Dear. Look who just arrived.”

“Hurry up! We’re missing all the fun!” Abby exclaimed, grabbing Nick’s hand and dragging him with her into the middle of all the action. Dammit! This woman was going to get him killed inside a month, Nick thought, as he stumbled behind her. He heaved a relieved sigh when Abby dropped his hand to pounce on top of none other than Hank Bennett. “Dammit, Tink. You’re going to pay for this,” Hank grumbled, whirling around. Trying to throw Abby off his back. Abby only clasped her arms tighter around his neck, and in all the commotion, Hank lost his balance. “Timber!” Abby shouted. “Thanks, Abby,” Gwen grinned, offering her a hand up. “I think I can take it from here,” she laughed when her husband made no move to get up. “Babe,” Hank’s muffled voice reached her ears. “What is it, Bennett? Quit being such a baby and face the music. Bennett,” she muttered, rolling her brown eyes at his prone form. “Gee, Abby. You really have a way with men,” Kay cracked. Nick agreed silently, nodding his head without thinking about it. “Babe…can’t…feel…face…numb…” “Faker,” Abby said, prodding Hank with her boot. Hank moaned in response, a truly pitiful sound, and Gwen grabbed him by the shoulder to turn him over. “Hank, are you…” Gwen’s worried question was cut off by a mouthful of snow and ice. Hank’s brown eyes twinkled devilishly at her as he pulled her down on top of him. “I just wanted to…” Abby and Kay howled with laughter when Gwen smeared snow all over Hank’s face while Nick smiled in amusement. “I guess I deserved that,” he grumbled good-naturedly. “Sam…Sam, don’t say a damn thing,” Hank warned his smirking big brother.

Hank pulled himself to his feet and dusted the back of his jeans off, giving Abby a menacing glare. “Payback’s a bitch.” “Oh, I’m so scared,” Abby held a hand to her mouth. “Look at me. I’m shaking in my boots.” “Just you wait. When you least expect it…” Hank wagged a finger in front of her nose. “DAMN!” he swore when Abby nipped at his finger with her teeth. “Dad, stop being such a potty mouth,” Sara ordered. Abby took one look at the Demon Seed and could see he was already calculating the potential moola in his head. “Welcome to the Lopez-Fitzgerald/Bennett/Russell/Crane Christmas party. The rest of the evening is going to be anything BUT boring,” Kay promised Nick with a wink. “I can see that,” Nick smiled, his gray eyes scanning his surroundings. For someone in particular, Kay realized. The poor guy looked like he was sucker-punched the moment he found her…Sheridan and Luis were still where they were before Nick and Abby’s arrival. “Aren’t they cold yet?” Theresa wondered out loud. “Yuck!” MJ shouted at the top of his lungs. “AHEM!” Abby made her presence known. And Luis reluctantly released his wife’s swollen lips. “There are CHILDREN present. C’mon. Aren’t you even going to say hello? I’m here. The party can start now,” Abby grinned, holding out a hand for Sheridan. “Nick…you came. I’m so glad,” Sheridan gave him a sincere smile. Nick’s gray eyes were drawn to the protective arm Luis had around Sheridan’s waist then they fell to Cristian who gazed up at him shyly from his father’s side. “Hi, Dr. Nick,” Ali waved sweetly as Martin trudged past them. “Thanks for the invitation,” he said quietly. “Did SHE cook?” he asked, looking a little green around the gills when Grace appeared at the front door, beckoning them all to come inside for dinner. A wicked grin tugged at the corners of Luis’s mouth as he answered, “Grace Bennett? She’s a wonderful cook. Have you ever one of her Pea Soup Cupcakes?” “You’ve really done it now,” Gwen muttered as Sheridan hurriedly ducked behind the closest tree. “No,” Nick answered, looking ghastly pale. “I can’t say that I have.”

Chapter 29

“I can’t believe it. I went through all that trouble for nothing,” Kay muttered as Abby crossed the threshold into the Lopez-Fitzgerald home without noticing the abundance of mistletoe above her head. Maybe it was a good thing. She didn’t think Sheridan was Abby’s partner of choice. “Mama!” Abby grinned, holding her arms open to Pilar as soon as she saw her. “Where’s Papa?” she questioned, hazel eyes searching Martin out as soon as she’d released Pilar. Pilar’s dark eyes were laughing as she pointed her husband out to their adoring ‘adopted’ daughter. Adopted in the sense that Abby had adopted them, not the other way around. She didn’t mind, though. She was fond of Abby. Everyone was fond of Abby. It took a lot of energy to actively dislike her.

“Scoot over, Ali,” Abby ordered, plopping down on Martin’s free knee and nearly making him groan. “I’m not heavy, am I Papa?” she teased, giving Martin a quick kiss on the cheek and making Ali giggle. “Light as a feather,” Martin told her, a slight blush on his cheeks. “I knew I loved you,” Abby winked, giving his neck a tight squeeze. “Hey, Tink,” Hank called from the kitchen. “Grace has your seat at the kiddie table ready!” “Excuse me, Papa,” Abby said, slipping off his knee. “I have to go kick some Bennett ass.” “Mommy!” Ali gasped, while Martin turned as red as a tomato, laughing.

“She’s not sitting with me,” MJ scowled blackly, yanking Joshua down in the seat beside him. “You can sit by me, Abby,” Cristian offered politely. Abby beamed at the youngster, leaning down to place a noisy kiss on the top of his dark head. “What a gentleman you are, Cristian. Unlike some people we know,” she ragged her favorite Demon Seed. Jake just rolled his eyes and called Max over. Why did Aunt Grace have to be the one to fix his plate, he wondered. Sara pushed the plate Grace handed her back. “No!” she protested with wide brown eyes. “But Sara,” Grace refused to be disappointed. “I made it especially for you.” “I’m not eating it,” Sara crossed her arms over her chest and glared back at her. “I’m not.”

“Sara Bennett,” Gwen warned. “NO!” Sara yelled. “Aunt Grace’s food is gr--- “ “Great!” Gwen cut her off with a look only a mother could give. “Sara thinks your food is delicious, Grace. She just wants to let Emmy go first this time.” “How sweet,” Grace cooed. Patting Emily’s soft cheek. Emily smiled at her, her brown eyes sleepy. “Thank you,” she said, taking the plate from Grace and sitting down beside Jake. Jake watched in wonderment as his little sister starting eating. Without making a face! When it came to Aunt Grace’s cooking, Emily had more guts than the rest of the family. Jake looked around the crowd of people. Where was Ali?

Nick rubbed an affectionate hand across the top of Ali’s golden head and stood up from his kneeling position on the floor. “I think being home agrees with you,” he smiled at her, earning himself a cute little grin in return. “Ali! Ali, where are you?” Ali’s blue eyes lit up when she recognized Jake’s voice. “Grandpa Martin?” “Hurry. Jake’s waiting for you,” Martin shooed his granddaughter toward the kitchen. Ali scampered off, long blond hair flying behind her, ducking beneath Abby’s arm. Nick chuckled at Abby’s wide-eyed, mischievous expression when her hazel eyes finally saw the mistletoe in the doorway to the kitchen. He laughed out loud when she grabbed the nearest male and pulled him to her.

Ethan blushed a deep red, stumbling and nearly falling over Beth when Abby released him. “Uh…uh…uh…” “I have that effect on lots of men,” Abby kidded Ivy as she brushed past. “Finally,” a voice muttered, and Nick turned around to find Kay Bennett looking at him strangely. Something about those brown Bennett eyes…they unnerved him. “Bored yet?” she asked, sweeping by him to drag Miguel toward the kitchen. “Not yet,” Nick answered her. “Make yourself at home,” Martin encouraged, getting up from the sofa and walking toward the kitchen. Nick saw that Abby’s lips were glued to a young man, Chad he thought it was, and decided the coast was clear.

Eve waited outside the bathroom patiently, knowledge and understanding in her eyes when Sheridan opened the door. Pale-faced and apologetic. “You know?” Sheridan asked sheepishly. Eve laughed softly and nodded her head. “At first we thought it was…you know what we thought it was,” Eve left the rest of the thought unspoken. “I think it was Luis and the crackers that gave it away though.” Sheridan smiled as she thought of her husband. “He’s so sweet, isn’t he?” Eve wrapped an arm around her shoulder and squeezed. “I feel like he’s always helping me through something. It’s not quite fair to him, is it?”

“You help each other,” Eve corrected. “I think that’s part of the reason you’re so good for each other. It’s what’s going to get you through this,” Eve said with conviction. And she didn’t have to say anything else. Ali’s cancer, the new baby, just everyday things they’d taken for granted before…Sheridan understood exactly what she meant. Sheridan sighed, finally letting herself relax. “How am I going to step foot into that kitchen?” Eve gave her an encouraging smile. “Pilar and I have been thinking about that, and we…”

“Sam?” Luis smirked as he neared his friend, sitting in a relatively quiet corner of the living room by himself. “Are you actually talking to that damn cat?” Sam tried to laugh Luis’s question off like it was ridiculous, but it didn’t work. “I’m trying to help you out here, Luis.” “How so?” Luis asked, intrigued, taking a seat beside Sam and resting his plate of food on his knees. “Who’s to say this stuff isn’t toxic to animals?” he nodded to a green glop on his own plate. “It’s given me enough indigestion through the years. No one will ever be the wiser. It’ll just be between the two of us.” “Can’t do it, Man,” Luis slapped Sam on the back. “There’s one thing the pain in the ass isn’t, and that’s stupid.”

MJ grinned devilishly at his grandmother as he tossed pieces of some sort of questionable meat to Max. Jake snickered. Sometimes Aunt Grace was SO clueless. “Ali? Something wrong?” he asked, when he noticed Ali had barely picked over her food next to him. “I’m not really hungry,” Ali said softly. “But I don’t want Nana to know. She’ll tell Mommy, and Mommy’ll worry.” “Here,” Jake said, grabbing Ali’s plate and pushing the food from her plate onto his own. "There. Now nobody’ll say anything,” he grinned at her. “Want more, Emmy?” Emmy’s head bobbed sleepily against her hand, and she mumbled, “Yeah.” Ali gasped and Jake burst into laughter when Emily’s hand slipped, and she fell face first into her heaping plate. “Sheesh, Babe,” Hank shook his head as he lifted his daughter into his arms. “You don’t have to resort to drugging the kids,” he teased. Gwen rolled her brown eyes at him, wiping Emily’s face clean with a dish towel Theresa helpfully provided.

Chad and Ethan had searched high and low and finally found the only place not sporting a sprig of mistletoe near. Beth had to laugh at them. They were being such babies. Scared? Of a petite, tawny-haired sprite with perpetually sparkling hazel eyes? Where was Abby anyway? Her dark eyes scanned the crowded living room for Ali’s Dr. Nick, knowing Abby was sure to be close by. She sighed upon spotting Nick, wearing an expression very familiar to her. He was sneaking glances at Sheridan where she sat beside Eve, looking at her very much the same way she used to look at Luis when he wasn’t looking. Surely, he had to know he didn’t stand a chance. She could give him thousands of reasons why, but number one on the list…Sheridan and Luis loved no one else the way they loved each other, and it was plainly obvious.

“Mommy!” Cristian’s yell from the kitchen had everyone running, and Sheridan pushed past Theresa and Grace to see what had caused all the commotion. Jake was holding Ali’s hand, standing away from the kitchen table the children all shared, and Sara and MJ looked guilty as hell. “What’s going on here? Cristian?” Sheridan ran her hands over his panicked little features, calming him with her touch immediately. “It’s Max,” Cristian pointed to the puppy, whining in between reflexive gagging, beneath the table. Joshua climbed down from his chair and ran toward Grace, arms open.

“Okay,” Abby stood with her hands on her hips. “Who did it? I want hands.” No hands raised, but all fingers pointed to Sara and MJ. “We didn’t do it,” MJ grumbled, for once not liking being the center of attention. “It was Aunt Grace,” Sara declared bravely, making Hank and Gwen choke simultaneously. “Aunt Grace’s yucky food killed Max!” “You’re the one that fed it to him, Stupid,” Jake pushed Sara’s brown head forward. “Jake!” Gwen scolded, stalking forward and grabbing her mouthy daughter just before WWIII broke out. “Don’t call your sister stupid.” “Sorry,” Jake muttered, clutching Ali’s hand tighter as the puppy started gagging again. “He’ll be okay, Ali. You’ll see.” “Told you,” Kay smirked at Nick. “These parties are never boring.” Nick watched Luis pull the exhausted golden retriever out from under the table, and Cristian hug its neck gratefully. “Definitely not boring,” he agreed.

Max lived, Grace was finally consoled, and gifts were exchanged. T.C. and Simone finally arrived. Emily slept through it all. All the excitement of the family and friends finding out Sheridan and Luis were expecting again. Abby kissing every male in the Lopez-Fitzgerald home. Except Nick who somehow managed to escape. Oh well, Kay thought. There was always New Year’s. She didn’t how she’d do it, but she’d make damn sure Abby was in Nick’s arms come the stroke of midnight. Reluctant goodbye’s were said, and everyone left for their own homes. Promising that next year would be even better. It was already a sure thing, Kay smiled to herself as Miguel opened the passenger side door for her and hurried around to the other side. Sheridan and Luis and Ali and Cristian grew smaller and smaller as Miguel followed Martin and Pilar out of the driveway.

“Mom, where’s the party next year?” MJ yelled from the back seat. “Ivy’s house.” “Cool,” MJ voiced his approval. “But that’s a whole year from now, MJ,” Miguel reminded him. “We’ll have New Year’s, Valentine’s Day, yours and Joshua’s birthdays…” “Ali and Cristian will have a new baby brother or sister,” Kay added. “It’s today that counts,” Miguel said, and Kay started laughing. “What?” Miguel asked. “You said something smart, Dad.” Kay could see MJ rolling his dark eyes in the rear view mirror. “I can be smart when I want to be,” Miguel grinned, not missing out on the fun. Even though it was at his expense. “Next year will be better though,” Kay smiled back at him, giving his knee a squeeze. And as the miles to their own home passed by them in a blur, Kay heard her husband whisper, “I can’t wait.”

Chapter 30

“Wake up! Get your ass out of bed so I can wish you Merry Christmas!” Nick’s gray eyes popped open, searching for the owner of that voice. He arched a dark brow, throwing the comforter back and climbing out of bed. He didn’t bother with a shirt since, apparently, he had NO clean shirts. Where the hell were all his clothes? “I said wake up!” he heard Abby’s shout again. She wasn’t…she couldn’t be talking to him. Could she? He eased his bedroom door open the slightest of fractions, and almost laughed in relief when he saw Abby sprawled on the sofa, feet in the air, phone to her ear. “Shhhhhhaaaaannnnneeeeee! Oh, Shhhhhaaaannnnne. Don’t make me fly all the way to New York,” she singsonged.

Nick leaned against the doorway, arms crossed against his bare chest as he watched her. Smiling, of course. “That’s it! I’m on the next flight…I KNEW that’d get you…tell me…did Santa bring you everything you wanted this year?” Nick listened to her end of the conversation silently, finding it hard to contain his laughter during several points. An amused chuckle DID escape when he cleared his throat to get her attention as the call was drawing to an end, surprising her so much, she fell off the sofa onto the floor with a loud thud..

“SHIT! No, not you…it was…Nick’s awake….my roommate…” she offered by way of explanation. “NO! We’re not sleeping together…don’t pull that protective big brother crap on me, Shane…I’m not living in sin with my latest lover,” she grumbled into the phone with an unconscious roll of her hazel eyes. “No, I don’t…No. No. NO! Drop it, okay? I’m hang…I’m hanging…MERRY CHRISTMAS, DAMMIT!” she screamed into the receiver, jabbing the OFF button. “Merry Christmas,” she said with a sheepish smile. “Big brothers…royal pains in the ass. Do you have somebody you need to call?” she asked, offering him the phone. He took her hand instead, hauling her to her feet.

“Nobody,” he told her, unable to resist the urge to grin at her. “So that’s the norm for loving siblings these days…” “Not really,” she said. “The Stones are unique.” “I’m beginning to figure that out,” he laughed. Especially when she seemed to realize at that exact moment that he was standing before her barely clothed, just inches away. Her face flushed, and those eyes he was quickly growing a soft spot for shied away, and she had to make a physical effort to shut her gaping mouth. “Um…um, I had no clue what to get you,” she babbled nervously, brushing past him to crouch in front of the twinkling Christmas tree and pulling a small, rectangular box out front under it. “Here,” she said, thrusting the box at him. “And in case you didn’t notice…” “You did my laundry,” he realized. “That’s just a Christmas thing,” she told him. “Aren’t you going to open…”

“Abby, you didn’t have to…” “I know I didn’t have to,” she rolled her eyes at him. “Obviously, you don’t know me very well. I LOVE giving gifts. I gave the homeless man on the street corner…you know what? It doesn’t matter if you got me anything or not,” she finished with a bright smile. “We haven’t known each other long at all.” “Abby, I’m sorry…” “Nothing to be sorry about,” she waved him off with a laugh. “What do you like for breakfast?” “W-W-What?” she blinked. “The least I could do is make you breakfast.” “I’m flexible,” Abby smiled. “Open it,” she urged. For a moment, Nick thought she was going to grab the box out of his hands and rip the paper and ribbon off herself in her impatience. “Tickets to the Seascape New Year’s celebration?” “You take such good care of Ali, and you deserve a break. This way you can go to THE party on New Year’s and meet more people in Harmony.” “There’s two tickets…” “Take anybody. Don’t take anybody. Your choice.” “Thanks,” he smiled at her, laying the box down on the sofa. Nick could swear he felt her knees buckle and hear a faint moan escape her lips when he wrapped his arms around her slight form in an awkward hug. “I’m hungry, what about you?” “God yes,” Abby moaned in a voice so low Nick had to wonder if he’d heard her correctly. By some miracle she remained standing when Nick released her. Oh if he only knew. Damn, he smelled fantastic. “That’s right! Breakfast!” she exclaimed, trying to cover up her faux pas.

Keep the shirt off, keep the shirt off, keep the shirt off, she chanted silently in her head as she watched the muscles in his back flex and relax as he grabbed some plates. She whirled around on her heel when she realized she was no longer salivating over the back she could so imagine raking her nails over while he…uh…no longer drooling over his back, but his abs. Her hazel eyes traveled up the length of his chest, past the sparse dark hair, and she prayed for the ground to open and swallow her right up the moment her eyes connected with his gray eyes. Dammit! Apparently, she was as physically attractive to the man as Janet Reno in an evening gown. Her chest was heaving, and his eyes were laughing at her. She crossed her arms over her chest self-consciously, hoping against hope…oh hell, she thought, escaping to the relative safety of the living room before she mauled him and made that laughter disappear. Like it wasn’t obvious! She might as well wear a tee-shirt that said, “Take me, please.” That’s it, she thought, collapsing to the sofa when she caught a view of his backside as he leaned down to grab something out of the bottom of the refrigerator. She was going to die. Keel over from the stress of controlling her hormones around this man, and the autopsy report was going to read… “Cause of death…unbearable sexual frustration.” Either that or she was going to drown in her own saliva. She wondered…could she be more pathetic?

Chapter 31

“Clothes,” Jake grumbled, his top lip furling up in disgust. “Santa,” he growled, looking pointedly at his mom—AND his dad. “Santa KNOWS I don’t like getting clothes for Christmas.” “Me neither,” Sara scowled. “I HATE dresses!” “I LOVE my dress,” Emily smiled, twirling the skirt of her pretty white dress around. Sara and Jake simultaneously rolled their brown eyes, causing Hank and Gwen to burst into laughter. “What about the new bikes?” Jake shrugged his slim shoulders. “The bike’s okay, I guess.” “Santa got me a girlie bike!” Sara stomped her foot, her tangled brown hair falling forward into her face. She shoved it behind her ear in annoyance. “Well, Sar…” Hank knelt before his irate female double. “You see…Santa was under the assumption that you ARE a girl.” “Funny, Dad,” Sara muttered. Hank looked to Gwen in near-exasperation, and she only shook her head. “Like father, like daughter.”

“Jake, don’t you like your video games?” “Some of them are pretty cool,” Jake conceded. “But Barbie, Mom?” he whined. “Give me that,” Gwen snatched the game from his hands and dropped it into Emily’s lap. “Look, Emmy. You forgot a present.” “Oh Mommy!” Emily exclaimed, throwing her arms around Gwen’s neck excitedly. “I can’t wait to play it.” “Oh great,” Jake muttered under his breath, tilting his mop of brown curls to the side and staring up at his dad. “You don’t look so good, Dad. Sure you’re feeling alright?” “Me? I don’t know. I can’t say if it’s sympathy pains for Ole Saint Nick or my stomach’s protest against going to your grandma’s for Christmas dinner later…” Gwen turned to face them with a smirk, Emily perched on her hip. “Poor Santa,” she said teasingly. “Yeah,” Sara’s brown eyes grew wide. “He ate ALL Aunt Grace’s cookies.” “All of them?” Emily asked. “All of them,” Hank groaned, giving his stomach an imperceptible rub. “Good thing Aunt Grace and Uncle Sam are in Chicago visiting Jessica and Reese and the kids.” “She’d make us more,” Sara shuddered. Gwen bit her lip to keep from laughing. “I was going to say her feelings would be hurt…” “Babe,” Hank groaned, plopping down on the sofa in a tangle of exhausted limbs. “Let’s just count our blessings.”

“Did you like the presents Santa brought you, AliCat?” Luis questioned his little daughter, who was currently tucked safely beneath his chin. “Uh huh,” Ali murmured, making her golden head bob up and down slowly. Luis smiled and placed a kiss atop her head. “Tired?” He could see Ali’s pale lashes fluttering against her cheeks, and he could tell each response was taking more and more effort. “A little,” Ali admitted, and he could feel each soft breath she took against his neck. “Go to sleep, AliCat,” he whispered, relaxing against the couch’s cushions more fully and bringing her slight little body back with him. “But Mommy’s picture…” “Mommy’ll understand,” he promised her. “Shh…we’ll paint Mommy’s picture later.” “Daddy?” “Yeah?” he murmured, taking Ali’s much smaller hand in his own and rubbing his thumb up and down the lines of her palm. “…best Christmas.” “I agree, AliCat. I agree,” he smiled almost bittersweetly, looking to his wife standing a few feet from them, Ali’s special memory book clasped against her chest.

“She didn’t last much longer than Cristian,” Sheridan smiled, combing Ali’s sweet-smelling blond locks back from her face. Luis arched an amused dark brow at her. “About 30 minutes ago,” she answered him before he could ask the question. “That’s what getting up HOURS,” Luis paused, stressing the significance of the notion of hours, “before dawn does for you.” “Was it really 4:30?” Sheridan laughed. “I think it was closer to 5:00, really. But it felt like 3:00.” “Luis!” she gave his shoulder a playful shove. “You’re just saying that because you were up putting…” Luis clamped his free hand over her mouth, averting his dark eyes to their sleeping daughter nestled in his arms. Sheridan’s blue eyes twinkled down at him, and as soon as he removed his hand, she leaned down to press her lips softly against his. Then brushed them across Ali’s forehead. “You like your present, Mommy?” Luis teased, glancing at the leather-bound book in his wife’s lap. Sheridan smoothed her hands over the front cover, tearing up at the words inscribed there. “Love, Ali.” “Ali did this all by herself?” Luis grinned. “Oh, she had a little help,” he revealed. “I think, in the end, it turned into a community project.”

Sheridan opened the book slowly, reading the words on the front page aloud, “Once Upon a Time…I bet you were a lady killer even then,” she turned to him with a smile, and Luis laughed at the baby picture he was sure Theresa had chosen. He was just thankful he wasn’t nude. “You bet,” he said, winking. “And look at you…the second most beautiful little girl I’ve ever seen.” “Second, huh?” she said, trying her best not to smile. “AliCat holds that title.” Ali stirred in Luis’s arms as if she knew her parents were talking about her. “Better watch it,” Sheridan warned. “I agree, by the way,” she said softly, flipping forward a few pages and coming to one in particular. “Was this really the first time we met?” she asked, laughing when she recognized herself as a very small child at Ivy and Julian’s wedding. “Cristian looks just like you.” “I’m not sure,” Luis admitted sheepishly as she showed him the picture. "Cristian’s way better looking.” “You? Modest? No way,” Sheridan said, rolling her blue eyes at him goodnaturedly. She burst into laughter, almost waking Ali when she flipped through several pages, coming to one that had a little police car cutout on one side and a cutout of her car on the other. Their heads had been cut from other pictures and pasted inside the cars, and the page read “Two Stubborn Hearts Collide.” Sheridan knew Theresa’s work when she saw it. All she could do was laugh and continue to look through the book, reliving all the key moments in their lives together, smiling and sniffling over Ali’s baby pictures, then Cristian’s, and sighing shakily when she came to the last used page. She read Ali’s childish scrawl with tears streaming down her cheeks at all the love and all the hope, promising they’d fill the rest of the book’s pages with their future. Luis’s own eyes were wet as he slid his arm around her and held her and their daughter close.

“Hey Becs! Where’s my present?” Hank demanded to know as soon as Rebecca answered the door. “Mother,” Gwen’s brown eyes widened with shock. “You answered the door.” “Yes, Gwen. I did,” Rebecca rolled her blue eyes at her. “You don’t actually think I bought you anything, do you?” she told Hank, helping Gwen usher the children inside. Sara started stripping her parka and multitude of scarves off. Jake just wandered inside. “Where’s Grandpa?” Emily giggled and grinned at Rebecca. “You look like Santa’s wife, Grandma.” “Oh dear God,” Gwen muttered under her breath. Just KNOWING her mother would have a conniption. She nearly keeled over when she smiled instead and enfolded Emily in a hug. Hank smirked when Emmy’s little face seemed to get lost in his mother-in-law’s bosoms. “Wearing that wonder bra, Becs? C’mon. You know that’s your favorite present anyone’s ever gotten you.” Gwen groaned. Hank just LOVED to pull Mother’s chain. This day already had the potential to be HELL. She didn’t want to crank it up a notch so early in the game. “Bennett,” she hissed. “Behave,” she warned, wagging a finger beneath Hank’s nose. Hank’s brown eyes twinkled devilishly as he said, “Scout’s honor, Babe. Best behavior,” he added, smirking at Rebecca who just smirked back.

“MOM!!!” three voices she knew entirely too well at that particular decibel rang out, and Gwen hurried into the living room. “What’s going on? Daddy?” she looked to her father for answers. Jonathan just chuckled and deferred to his wife. “Mother…” “I finally found the perfect gift for my wonderful swine of a son-in-law,” Rebecca announced. Hank pretended to blush, stepping forward as if to give her a hug. “Becs…you didn’t have to…” “Jacob, introduce your father to Junior.” “Junior?” Hank nearly choked when Jake held up a squirming Pug puppy. “Aww, Mommy,” Emily smiled, instantly in love. “Can we keep him?” Jake thrust the puppy into his father’s hands, awaiting the final verdict. The tiny Pug licked frantically at Hank’s face and neck, and Rebecca couldn’t resist comment. “I think there’s an amazing family resemblance.” Jonathan and Gwen laughed as Hank glowered at Rebecca. “Becs, you shouldn’t have.” He grimaced, feeling something warm and wet trickle down his chest, and he glanced down to see his brand-new shirt drenched in puppy piss. Jake and Sara snickered evilly as Rebecca smiled triumphantly. “You really shouldn’t have.”

Chapter 32

“Are you excited, Ali?” Theresa quizzed her little niece. Ali beamed up at her, nodding her head. “Her first shopping trip as one of the girls,” Sheridan smiled into the rear view mirror as the navigated the SUV through the streets of downtown Harmony. All the Christmas decorations were still up, reminding Sheridan that even though they had waited a couple of days to avoid the chaos that was day after Christmas madness…it was still going to be quite…crowded. “Why didn’t Emily and Sara get to come?” Ali asked. Gwen turned around in the front passenger seat to face Ali. Sheridan smirked when she said something along the lines of Sara absolutely HATING to shop, and Emily already LOVING it so much that Hank ragged her about outing her as a mini shop-a-holic sometime soon. “Besides,” Gwen told Ali. “There’s not enough room in this thing for ALL of us. Sara’d really hate having Abby sit in her lap.” Theresa giggled. Abby’d definitely do it. For laughs, of course. That’s why Whitney and Simone are meeting us at the mall,” Theresa explained. Ali’s forehead wrinkled up in concentration as she tried to remember what Whitney looked like. It’d been so long since she’d seen her. “There’s a lot of people going on this trip,” she whispered in awe. Sheridan, Gwen, and Theresa burst into laughter. “You know what, Sweetie?” Sheridan said, turning down Abby’s street. “I hadn’t thought about it, but you’re absolutely right.” They pulled into the parking lot to Abby’s building just seconds later. “Who wants to come with me to get Abby?” Sheridan asked, turning off the SUV’s ignition. “I want to come,” Ali grinned, fumbling with her seat belt. She finally got it undone thanks to Theresa, and Theresa climbed out of the car with her so she wouldn’t have to crawl over her lap. “What?” Gwen shrugged as she pushed the passenger door open. “I’m not going to be the only one sitting out here. Anyway…” she grinned wickedly. “Isn’t that Dr. Nick’s car? Abby may need physical help to actually move.”

They bypassed the stairs in favor of the elevator, mindful of not wearing Ali out before the REAL strenuous exercise began. : ) Ali was the first one out of the doors, racing down the hall. “Does she even know which one is Abby’s?” Theresa inquired. “No,” Sheridan shook her head with a smile. “But Ali’s got those infamous Lopez-Fitzgerald instincts,” Gwen cracked as they neared the little girl. Theresa’s brown eyes widened in amazement, and she started laughing when Sheridan confirmed Ali’d found the right apartment. Loud, pulsing rock music was practically vibrating the walls outside. “Somehow I didn’t take Abby for a rocker,” Gwen mused sarcastically. “Abby’s got eclectic taste,” Sheridan laughed. “Loud is the key.” “Aha,” Gwen nodded in understanding. “Do you think there’s any way in hell they’re going to hear us if we knock?” Sheridan shrugged her shoulders and rapped her knuckles against the door, and Gwen, Theresa, and Ali waited patiently for it to open. Finally Sheridan tried the knob, and it turned easily. Their calls of “Abby” were drowned out by the din of the blaring music.

Theresa pointed Abby out, hanging onto the wall beside her for dear life, and Gwen snorted when Ali scampered over to Abby, tugging on her sweater sleeve and making her jump sky high in surprise. “Sh—AliCat!” Abby censored herself, a genuine smile lighting up her face when she looked into Ali’s happily sparkling blue eyes. “We knocked,” Sheridan said, coming to a stop beside Abby. “I didn’t hear,” Abby muttered absently, her gaze drifting off to something…someone…else. “We gathered that,” Gwen teased. “What is it now? Theresa? Are you okay?” Gwen waved a hand in front of Theresa’s dazed face. “Eww,” Ali’s nose scrunched up. “Dr. Nick’s all sweaty.” “Ali!” Sheridan scolded. “Blasphemy! Dear Ali…eww? Eww? Are you out of your pretty little mind? Not eww, AliCat,” Abby corrected her, swooning over Dr. Nick’s sweaty male form as he landed punch after well-placed punch on the newest addition to the apartment’s décor. “Definitely not eww,” Gwen agreed, joining Theresa and Abby in the zombie-like states.

“Good morning, Ladies,” Nick grinned, wiping the sweat from his body with a towel. “Good morning, Dr. Nick,” Ali replied sweetly. Three of the women behind her rendered speechless. “What’s my favorite little patient up to today?” “Shopping,” Sheridan answered for her daughter. “Yeah,” Ali said excitedly. “There’s the cutest little hat I want to show Ali,” Sheridan told Nick quietly. Understanding registered in Nick’s gray eyes, and he smiled down at the little girl in front of him. “We’re not going just to look at hats,” Ali rolled her blue eyes, giggling. “Mommy’s going to get a dress for the New Year’s party. She wants to look beautiful for Daddy.” “Your mommy doesn’t need a pretty dress for that,” Nick said softly. His comment finally spurred Gwen and Theresa to action. “Sheridan…I think we should go. Whitney and Simone are probably already at the mall waiting on us,” Theresa said. “You’re right, Theresa. Come on, Abby,” Gwen pulled on Abby’s sleeve. “Abby,” she hissed, yanking harder. “Damn,” Abby grumbled. “You don’t have to rip my arm off.” “Bye, Dr. Nick!” Ali waved as the group walked toward the door. Nick chuckled as the door shut behind them.

“Finally,” Whitney teased, accepting Theresa’s exuberant embrace. “I thought you were never going to get here.” “My fault,” Abby held a hand up. “Hi. I’m not sure we’ve been introduced…” “Abby?” Whitney smiled. “How did you know?” “Simone told me all about you.” “Oh really?” Abby arched a tawny brow at Simone. “Good things, Little Russell? They better have been.” Simone grinned at her, waving at Ali by Sheridan’s side. “Miss Ali…you look so pretty today.” “Thank you,” Ali said somewhat bashfully, her cheeks turning as pink as the turtleneck she wore. “Who’s ready to shop?” Gwen asked, fitting her hand in Ali’s free one. “These golden opportunities are few and far between.” “You go on ahead,” Theresa urged them, looking slightly uncomfortable. “Whitney and I have a lot to catch up on.” “That’s an understatement,” Simone muttered, catching up with Abby and the other two women. “Where to first?” Simone asked. “I think we should let Ali pick,” she smiled. “She is our special guest and all.” Ali’s mouth opened in a pleased ‘O’. “I get to pick? Mommy,” she giggled. Her face brightening up with a mega-watt smile. “Uh oh,” Gwen said. “I know that look! It’s a Jake look!” “No, it’s not,” Ali denied, giggling some more. “I don’t know, AliCat,” Abby tickled her sides, causing her to scoot forward out of her reach. “Looks an awful lot like a Bennett bright idea to me.” “Whatever,” Ali did a perfect imitation of Alicia Silverstone in a certain little film. “Oh my…sweet little AliCat giving me attitude?” Abby held a hand to her heart. Winking at Sheridan and Gwen. “I thought your mommy told you not to sneak and watch Clueless again. Come on. I know you’re Princess Ali and all, but isn’t that movie PG-13? You’re not a little teenager in disguise. As if!” Abby threw up her hands, drawing a lot of unwanted stares and causing the trio of women plus one little girl with her to laugh out loud. “Cute,” Sheridan shook her head. “Ali? Your pick…” “The toy store!” Ali squealed excitedly, hurrying ahead of them. “Ali! Ali, wait for us,” Sheridan called in a panicked voice. “Sheridan,” Gwen squeezed Sheridan’s shoulders reassuringly. Knowing this particular toy store had bad memories associated with it. Memories of Ali’s kidnapping. “It’s not going to happen again. None of us are going to let her out of our sight.” “Thanks, Gwen,” Sheridan whispered gratefully.

“I can’t believe it, Whit,” Theresa said as she flipped through the rack of clothes in front of her, pausing to admire a few trendy pieces. “Medical school. I always thought tennis. Or music…I never knew…” “Neither did I,” Whitney told her, holding up a purple sweater with brightly colored geometric designs on it. “It took me a really long time to make a decision. What do you think? Simone or not?” “Your mom must be so proud…the whole following in her footsteps thing…sort of,” Theresa trailed off awkwardly. “Whitney, I’m sorry. I know there’s a lot of hard feelings, and…” “Theresa,” Whitney stopped her with a friendly hand on her arm. “Ancient history.” “Whitney!” Theresa exclaimed. “Does that mean…” “I’m not completely over all the lies, and finding out my mom wasn’t the woman I thought she was, but…life’s short, Theresa. I realize that now. I can’t let the past get in the way, or I’ll never be happy.” “I’m so glad to hear you say that. Whitney…there’s something I have to tell you.” “Go ahead,” Whitney encouraged her, tucking the sweater under her arm. It was a definite maybe. “Theresa,” Whitney prodded. “I’m your best friend. Don’t look so afraid. We’re adults now. Remember?” Theresa giggled and flipped her long dark hair back off her shoulders. “Sometimes I have trouble with that,” she said teasingly. “Especially around Christmas. Living in the same house as Mama and Papa doesn’t help…” “You’re still at home?” Whitney’s voice was disbelieving. “Maybe not for long,” Theresa divulged. “Are you going to tell me or not?” Whitney laughed as Theresa wrung her hands nervously. “Chad asked me to move in with him,” Theresa announced in a jumbled rush of words, stunning Whitney speechless.

“Abby,” Gwen’s hand darted out to grab the bag Abby was holding. “What do you have in the bag?” “Nothing,” Abby pretended to be nonchalant. “It’s that green squooshy stuff,” Ali tattled. “AliCat!” Abby pretended to be hurt as she thrust the bag into Simone’s hands. “A little birdie told me the Bennetts younger ran out, and I thought I’d get them a new supply,” Abby grinned at Gwen’s totally motherly ‘you’re not getting THAT’ look. “Come on, Gwen. It’s just Gunk or Gak…what the hell was that stuff called again?” “Jake and Sara love to terrorize Emmy with it,” Gwen said. “Is that…do I hear whining? Simone? AliCat? Do you hear it, too?” Ali giggled, clasping Simone’s hand with her smaller one. “Where’s Mommy?” “Right here.” Sheridan’s voice had them all turning around, and they studied the bag in her hands curiously. “My nosy friends,” Sheridan just smiled. “Sheridan,” Abby singsonged, making a royal nuisance of herself and sidling up next to Sheridan. “What’s in the bag?” “Nothing,” Sheridan smirked. “Do I have to go all psycho on you and do the puppy pout?” Abby asked, sticking her bottom lip ridiculously far out. “All right,” Sheridan relented, laughing. “It’s just something I thought would be cute for the baby.” Abby dug a Pooh Bear out of the bag. “Pooh! Pooh? Pooh’s SO over-rated. Tigger, Sheridan. Tigger’s much cooler. Pooh sounds like a wheezy old man,” Abby continued, hazel eyes twinkling humorously. “Mommy!” Ali gasped. “Yes, Ali?” Sheridan stopped in her tracks to address her little daughter. “He does! He does! Pooh sounds like Mr. Joe at church!” “I always thought Mr. Joe sounded familiar,” Gwen said seriously. Her brown eyes were dancing though as she took the bear from Abby, putting it back into the bag. “Oh look, Ali!” Abby bent at the waist, pointing out the merry-go-round to the little girl. “Mommy, can I…may I ride?” “You can, but you have to…” Sheridan began, searching through her purse for the appropriate bills. Abby pushed her money away. “I got it. And don’t worry about AliCat,” she winked at them. “Gives me the perfect excuse to ride it myself. Want to come, Simone?” “I don’t think so,” Simone held up her hands. “Aww. Too chicken to make a fool out of yourself sometimes? Too bad Aunt Kay’s in Chicago, huh Ali?” “Kay rode the merry-go-round?” Simone’s questions fell on deaf ears, and Gwen pulled Sheridan around the corner into Victoria’s Secret while the trio took their place in line.

“I wonder where they’re at?” Whitney mused aloud. “Whitney,” Theresa fell into step beside her. “You haven’t said anything. Did I make you uncomfortable?” Whitney sighed, walking into a women’s clothing store. Theresa following her. “Theresa…Chad…there’s always going to be a bit of discomfort involved where he’s concerned. “I mean…before I found out he was my…Mom’s son…I…” Theresa stopped her with a hand on her arm. “You don’t have to explain, Whit. You’re my best friend, though. I thought you should know. I hate that things are so awkward, but I understand.” Whitney accepted Theresa’s offered hug, smiling as she pulled back. “What do your parents say?” “Mama and Papa love Chad,” Theresa said brightly. “He’s one of the good Cranes. Like Sheridan,” she babbled. “Theresa…” “Whitney…” Theresa echoed her, using her own name. “You haven’t told them. Theresa, what are they going to think? Your parents believe in marriage first.” “Luis lived with Sheridan,” Theresa interjected. “Yes,” Whitney conceded. “But he was her bodyguard. The situations were a little different.” “Luis was in love with her, Whit…” “Wow,” Whitney breathed, going completely still and looking into Theresa’s shining brown eyes. “You love him, don’t you? You really…Theresa. When did this happen? How?” “It just kind of…snuck up on me,” Theresa shrugged with a smile on her lips. “I was so sure I would spend the rest of my life getting over Ethan, I didn’t pay attention to the little things, and then one day…BAM! I realized how happy I was. And Ethan doesn’t even figure into the equation. My life is really my life now, Whitney. Mama and Papa may not agree, but that doesn’t mean I’m going to let their feelings make my choice for me. Whitney, you’re right,” Theresa suddenly declared. “We really are adults.” Whitney giggled and looped her arm around Theresa’s waist, steering her out of the shop. “It’s getting close to lunch time. Aren’t we supposed to meet them at the food court…,” Whitney paused to glance at her watch, “ten minutes ago!”

“Hot damn,” Abby swore under her breath as she pulled the hot little red number out of the Victoria’s Secret bag beside Sheridan’s chair. “Abby,” Sheridan hissed. Stuffing the lingerie back into the bag and arching a warning brow at Ali across the table. “Somebody’s going to be very happy tonight,” Abby teased mercilessly. Delighted when Sheridan turned a very becoming shade of red to match the slinky piece she’d just re-hidden from Ali’s innocent eyes. “Let me see yours,” Abby grinned, yanking Gwen’s identical bag from her hands. She brought her soda straw to her lips absently and took a sip as she pulled the silky material free. Simone grimaced as soda spewed from Abby’s astonished mouth and splattered her in the face. “Holy shit! You’re going to give Bennett a heart attack!” “Mommy?” Ali’s sweet voice brimmed with curiosity. Gwen grinned, slapping Abby on the back since she seemed to be choking on her own tongue. “That’s not all,” she revealed. Pulling out a leopard print lingerie set from the bag. “Given your propensity to wander around your apartment barely clothed…Sheridan and I thought you needed something special to entice the drool-worthy Doctor to act.” Sheridan bit her lip to keep from laughing out loud. She’d never heard Gwen talk the way she was talking now, and Abby looked seconds away from heart failure herself. Her hazel eyes as wide as saucers. Simone, fast thinker that she was, quickly covered Ali’s confused blue eyes. “Thongs! No way am I wearing a string up my…” “Um…sorry we’re late,” Theresa offered weakly. Whitney ducked her head in embarrassment. “What is that thing? A water bra? What happens if he…you know,” Abby stammered, obviously getting all flustered just thinking about it. “I can see it now. One of my breasts springs a leak just as we’re getting VA-VA-VA-VOOM, and it’s all over the 11:00 news. Psycho Physical Therapist’s Attempts on Sexy as Hell Oncologist’s Life Continue…the latest at seven after the hour…Um…no thanks,” Abby shuddered. “I think I’d have better luck ‘accidentally’ catching him naked in the shower,” she rolled her hazel eyes. That did it. Sheridan could no longer hold it in, bursting into helpless laughter. Gwen and the rest of the women joining her a second later. Ali ducked her pretty little head in mortified silence. WHAT was so funny?

Part Four