One week: that’s how long it had been since Sheridan witnessed the sentencing of the two men that had made her life a living hell for nine months. Roger and Pierre were gone for good and nothing would save them now. In that week, Sheridan and Luis had taken up Julian’s offer of financing the remainder of their trip if they would search for Ashley. Luis wanted to refuse, but he knew from experience that this little expedition could cost a small fortune and he did want to find Ashley. Begrudgingly, they had accepted and now they were exhausting themselves trying to find Sheridan’s baby sister.

Sheridan sank tiredly into the couch, sighing as the fluffy cushions gave way beneath her weight. They had spent the day using the only picture of Ashley to search the Parisian private academies and inquire if she attended them. However, in every school they went to, Ashley Crane was unknown and none of the deans had even seen a child that resembled her. It was the same response they had received for the last week and Sheridan wondered what they were going to do. It was already the end of August and Colin started school in early September. They hadn’t had time to see the sights that Sheridan had wanted to show them, but she was too tired to care. She needed to find Ashley and soon.

Luis entered the room with Colin, who was chomping happily on some cotton candy Sheridan had purchased on a walk through the park after dinner. He joined her on the couch, groaning as his tired muscles became accustomed to their new position. “You look like you’re about ready to collapse, Sher. Why don’t you go lay down?”

“We don’t have time to lay down, Luis. We only have a week left before we need to get back. Colin starts school on the forth and I still have to finish getting him ready,” she sounded exhausted and her eyes fluttered closed from the sheer effort of talking. She was tired; this search was taking quite a bit out of her. “She couldn’t have disappeared. She’s only six-years-old. You think this would be easy with my father’s death and all…”

“I know, Sher, and we’re going to find her. You have to trust me, angel,” he leaned over and placed a kiss on her cheek. “In the meantime, I want you to go and take a nice relaxing bubble bath in that huge tub while I wrestle with our son to get him to sleep…unless you want to try to get him into bed while I relax…”

Sheridan laughed. “How could I ever decide between those two?” she asked sarcastically, pretending to momentarily ponder the question. “I think I’ll take that bath now,” she forced herself up, her muscles screaming for her not to get off the comfortable couch. She trotted off into the bathroom of their two-bedroom suite.

Luis knew the challenge ahead of him was more than getting Colin into bed for the night; he also had to pry the remainder of the cotton candy from Colin’s sticky hands and clean him up quickly. Forcing himself up as well, Luis headed over to the kitchen where Colin had disappeared with his treat. He nearly laughed at the luck he had finding his son asleep with his head on the table and the cotton candy on the floor after falling from his hand. Working quickly, Luis wiped up that cotton candy, cleaned Colin’s hands and face and then carried him to the spare room to put him to bed.

“That was too easy,” he whispered, using the second entrance to the bathroom in order to join his fiance. He was surprised to find her singing in the tub as the small radio he had brought played on a chair beside it. Her eyes were closed, her head was resting against the wall and her body was covered in the sudsy water. He groaned internally at the thought of what those bubbles concealed.

Luis quickly undressed, moving closer to the tub and kicking one of Sheridan’s misplaced sneakers in the process. She jumped, turning her head to see who entered the room and interrupted her relaxation. Her heart was beating quickly and she was comforted immediately when her eyes met the most gorgeous pair of brown eyes in the world.

“Luis,” she sighed, her heart calming at the sight of her fiance. She placed her hand over her heart to feel its erratic beating. “Is he asleep already?”

“Yea, he was asleep in the kitchen with his cotton candy all over the floor,” he chuckled. “Mind if I join you?” he asked, readying to remove the only thing he left on: his boxers.

“Come on in,” she scooted forward, making room for Luis in the tub. The water sloshed around them both as he slid in behind her, placing his arms around her as she settled back against him, the comforting music filling the air.

“Do you know what your son did today?” Sheridan asked, laying her head against his sculpted chest and enjoying the feeling of his warm body behind her.

“What did he do now?” Luis asked, massaging her shoulders, digging his fingertips into her tense muscles. “Man you’re tense.”

Sheridan sighed, enjoying the feel of his hands massaging her sore, tired shoulders. “When we called Julian to let him know that we haven’t located Ashley yet, he begged to talk to him. He managed to tell him the story from the other morning.”

“You mean when he walked in on us making love…”

“Yup, except he told Julian that we were wrestling in bed without clothing on and making a lot of moaning noises,” she laughed. “When I got the phone back from him, which I had to wrestle away I might add, Julian was gulping down his brandy without stopping for air.”

Luis laughed. “Oh, are son is a real winner, Sher. He’s amazing.”

“Yes he is,” she grinned, thinking of the little boy sleeping in the other room. The same little boy that had torn her world apart was now the best thing she had besides her fiance.

“Better baby?” he asked, sliding his arms around her and leaning his head on her shoulder.

“Mmm, guess you could say that you ease my troubles, hm?” she sighed, closing her eyes. His breath was tickling her ear and Sheridan shivered from the feel of it. “Luis?”

“Hm?” he placed a kiss in her hair, knowing that she was turning serious.

“Do you really think we’ll find Ashley?” she asked so quietly he had to strain to hear his voice.

“I do, Sheridan. I’ll find your sister if it’s the last thing I do.” He promised and Luis planned to keep all his promises to her. Just one thing kept him from keeping that promise and that was the location of his future sister-in-law, which was unknown.

A small blond girl ran through the schoolyard, a large red ball in her hands as she chased her friends. She was laughing, bright green eyes dancing with amusement. “Annie, attrape la boule!” she called to her friend, tossing the giant ball to the little brunette.

Annie caught the ball, grinning proudly at her accomplishment. Bouncing it, she shouted, “attrape Julie!” She too tossed the ball to her friend waiting for the petite red head to catch the rubbed ball.

Before Julie could catch the red ball, an older woman stepped outside, her face beaming with a smile that welcomed the girls. “Mes petites, il est temps de retourner a la classe,” the woman stated softly as a loud bell filled the paved schoolyard.

“Non!” the blond called. “Non, Madame.”

“Oui, Ashley,” she replied as the bell continued to ring loudly. The annoying bell sounded more like a phone than a school bell.

Sheridan groaned, rolling onto her side and glaring at the black phone on the bedside table. “No way,” she groaned, rubbing her eyes with a sigh. Picking up the annoying device, she whispered heatedly, “This better be damn important to be calling me at,” she squinted at the nearby clock, “Three am!”

“Well hello to you too Sheridan, is that any way to greet your brother?” Julian’s annoying voice asked over the line. He was smirking; she was sure of it.

“Do you not realize there is a six hour time difference between Harmony and Paris, Julian? What the hell do you want at this ungodly hour?” she fell back against the pillows, causing a slight bouncing of the bed that woke her fiance.

“Sher, tell him to go away,” Luis whined, covering his head with a pillow.

“Sister dear, this is of the utmost importance or else I wouldn’t have called you. You know that I would never interrupt you at such an hour if it wasn’t,” his smug chuckle made Sheridan want to reach out and smack someone, like her brother.

“What is it Julian!” she cried. All she wanted was to return to sleep. She could see Ashley; her dear baby sister was in her dream.

“Keep up that attitude and I just won’t tell you,” Julian replied cruelly. He was starting to get on her last nerve and she was about thirty seconds away from hanging up on him. She knew he would call back and that bothered her most.

“Julian, please just tell me,” she whined, wanting nothing more than to sleep.

“Since you asked ever so nicely,” he teased, laughing at himself. “I found out why we can’t find Ashley in Paris…”

“We who, Julian? Last time I checked you were only providing cash and Luis and I were doing the dirty work…”

“Whatever, sister dear, it’s all just a technicality. I have a business to run or else I would be there too,” he sighed. “In any case, Ashley isn’t in Paris.”

“Tell me something I hadn’t already figured out, Julian,” Sheridan growled into the phone.

“Sorry,” he rolled his eyes. “Ashley is in the southern part of France. According to the Crane records, Ashley is attending a school in Nimes. Unfortunately, we couldn’t seem to find which school it was, but we did find out that there are only two.”

Sheridan sighed. “Well, then I guess Luis and I will be taking the Metro down to Nimes and try to find Ashley.” She picked up the photo of her sister from beside the phone and traced her features. “She has dimples you know, Julian.”

“I know,” her brother replied. “Sheridan, Ashley probably won’t remember Misty. She was rather young. Warm her up to the idea of the family she has and will have once she returns with her big sister to Harmony.”

“Yes, Julian,” Sheridan yawned, her eyes closing as she continued to fight sleep.

“One last thing, Sheridan.”

“What, Julian?”

“Warm her up to the idea of living in the mansion. Misty has been living here until she can find work. She plans on staying in Harmony so Ashley can have a real family. As if we were a real family,” he laughed.

“Whatever, Julian. It’s three-fifteen; do you think I can go to bed now?” she whispered.

“Of course. Goodnight, Sheridan.”

“Goodnight, Julian,” she replied.

“And Sheridan?”

“Yea?” she paused in her quest to hang up the phone.

“I know I haven’t said this to you since you were about five…but I do love you, Sheridan, and I promise to make good on every promise I made to you and mother before I became under Father’s control.”

Sheridan was surprised. “I love you too, Julian. I’m sure you’ll be a wonderful brother now that Father has passed away.”

“Goodnight.”

“Goodnight,” she hung up. Sometimes her brother amazed her. Crawling over to her fiance, Sheridan placed her head on his chest and felt his arms encircle her. Life was starting to fall into place and Sheridan couldn’t help but wonder what would come along to change it all.

The trip to Nimes wasn’t incredibly long, but Sheridan hadn’t wanted to begin their search when they arrived. She had never been to Nimes; it had never been a point of interest when she visited the Azure Coast. Once or twice, she had passed through it on the way to Cannes and Nice, but she had never stopped to see what sights there were, if any. When they stepped off the Metro, Sheridan insisted that they head to the hotel that she had called ahead to book a room in. She wanted to get settled and try to plan for the days ahead. They only had two schools to visit and she hoped that Ashley would still be located in one of them.

They entered the room finding it smaller than, but similar to, the one in Paris. Putting the bags in their respective bedrooms, Luis decided that he needed to talk to his fiancee. He needed to know why they were wasting time here instead of out looking.

“Why don’t we just go now, Sheridan? The sooner we find her, the sooner we can return to Paris for a flight back to the states.” He was getting antsy. When Luis had last talked to Sam it wasn’t pleasant. His boss insisted that he return by August thirtieth or else he wouldn’t have a job to return to. Julian had been pulling strings to keep that threat from ever becoming a reality, knowing that the loss of income would affect his sister and nephew. As much as Julian hated to admit it, he had a soft spot when it came to his family. A spot that had been buried when his father forced him to own up to the Crane name but that had surfaced when Alistair had been buried. If they waited much longer, Luis would have to return without Sheridan at his side.

“I know, Luis,” Sheridan replied, setting up her suitcase on a luggage table. “I just don’t want to go right now.” Which was true, she didn’t. Sheridan was tired and her head was pounding; she didn’t want to be disappointed again.

His temper was beginning to burn. She didn’t want to? That was her reason for making them return to the hotel instead of searching for Ashley before dark? “Sheridan, you’ve been dragging me around Paris for a week now and this is the first real lead we have. We know she is in Nimes! There are only two schools! We can find her today! Why are we waiting?” He couldn’t understand her. She had been insisting that they find Ashley as quickly as possible before she began her work at the school and Colin began his classes. If he took any more time off he could lose his job, didn’t she understand that? “Sheridan, we have a life to get back to!”

“I know!” she yelled, trying to get him to stop complaining. Her head continued to pound and she closed her eyes to fend off the annoying throb.

“If you know then why the hell are you putting this off?” he was angry. She didn’t realize what this could do to his career. They couldn’t get married if he had no means to support her! “You know, they didn’t look real fondly at all the damn days I’ve been taking off for you.”

“For me?” she spun, staring at him. “What the hell does that mean?” Why was he taking this out on her? She didn’t feel like going to find Ashley right now. Why couldn’t he understand that?

“Just forget it. If we don’t find her in twenty-four hours I’m going back to Harmony and I’m taking Colin with me, do you understand?” Taking a deep breath, he turned and started to leave the room. “I’m going to see if I can find the school, I’ll be back later,” he left the room, uncaring that the language outside was foreign to him or that Sheridan was now crying.

She stared at the doorway that he had exited through. Sheridan couldn’t believe that he had told her he would take Colin home if she didn’t find Ashley by tomorrow night. Would he really take her child away? Would he really turn his back on her and leave her in Europe to seek out her sister alone? Sheridan sighed, she felt badly that this was happening, but she couldn’t seem to control it. There was this strain in their relationship for months and she had a feeling it was just some unresolved problem that was nagging at their insides. She felt a tear roll down her cheek, but she didn’t move to wipe it away.

“Mama?” Colin’s little voice whispered from the doorway with a sniffle. His little head appeared in the doorway and she could see all the Luis he had in him. Colin was amazing, her ray of light in a dark world. However, without Luis even Colin couldn’t brighten her day and she knew they would have to decide what was causing these petty fights.

“Yea, kiddo?” Sheridan wiped her eyes, sitting on the edge of the bed and opening her arms for him to join her.

“Is Papa coming back?” he asked, entering the room and looking for some sign of his father’s presence as he made his way to his mother’s lap. He found none and his eyes became sad. Colin was as attached to Luis as Sheridan was. It didn’t take him long to realize that his father was the pillar of strength in the family and they would be lost without him.

“He’ll come back, Colin, we just had a little fight. That’s all,” she smiled slightly. “Papa will be back in no time, I promise.” She knew he would return; she only wondered for how long.

Luis wandered through the streets of Nimes, looking at the buildings that he passed and wishing he knew the language better than he did. He remembered a little French from Sheridan, but not enough to get directions to the Nimes Academy For Girls. Sighing, he continued walking down the main thoroughfare until he came upon a cafe where an older woman was sitting with a tiny black poodle in the chair across from her. She was talking animatedly with the little animal, which merely curled up and listened as if it were nothing unusual for this to happen. Other cafe patrons merely watched, also seeing nothing wrong with the older woman conversing with her faithful pet. Luis laughed. Just his luck to find a cafe of people who decided they were Dr. Dolittle and could talk to the animals.

“Might as well ask her, Luis, maybe she knows where the school is and with a little luck she’ll know English too.”

Taking a deep breath, he headed over to the woman and smiled. She looked much like his paternal grandmother. Her short brown hair was streaked with white and her dark brown eyes twinkles merrily. She looked friendly enough, so he took a step closer. “Bonjour Madame,” he prayed he could do this.

She looked him over, thinking he was friendly enough and smiled. “Bonjour,” she reached over and petted her tiny poodle.

“Parlez-vous anglais?” he asked, hoping she knew English as he looked at her. He needed someone that could help him and he would hate to have to continue on the way he was.

“Oui,” she smiled, noting his immediate response was to sigh and relax his tense form. “I was a trader on the stock market in Paris for a time. Is there something I can help you with?”

Sighing, he smiled wider, feeling lucky that he was able to find a woman that spoke English. “Yes, ma’am,” he showed her the street address of the school. “My fiancee and I are trying to find her sister who was sent to school here in Nimes. We’re not sure which school she’s in, but I was hoping to make it to this one,” he pointed to the academy’s name, “before dark. Do you know how to get there?”

The woman nodded. “Fifs and I were about to go for our walk. I’d be happy to bring you to the Academy and help you get back to your hotel before dark,” she checked her watch. “Why don’t you wait here and I will dispose of my empty coffee cup.”

“Thank you, ma’am,” Luis nodded. “I appreciate it.” Maybe just maybe there was hope in finding Ashley tonight.

“No problem,” she stood. “Would you mind doing me one small favor?” the sparkle in her eyes made him wonder just what it could be.

“Anything,” he replied almost too quickly.

“Could you watch Fifi while I go inside?” she questioned. “The owner won’t let me bring her inside and I don’t want her getting lost.”

Luis nodded, though reluctantly. He loved dogs but this thing…well it just wasn’t a dog. It was a rat with hair as far as he was concerned. The woman excitedly swept the tiny black poodle into her arms, hugged her and placed her gently in Luis’ arms.

“My Fifs likes to be held,” she grinned, grabbing her cup and heading inside.

“Fifs?” Luis asked himself, rolling his eyes. “What a stupid name for a dog.” Glancing at the small black creature in his arms, he sighed. “Then again, it’s a stupid looking dog. I bet Sheridan would love you,” he began to pat the dogs head. “Colin would love chasing you into corners…wait I am not talking to a dog!”

“Ready?” the woman appeared out of nowhere, a smile on her face from catching Luis speaking to Fifi.

“Yes, ma’am,” he laughed, handing her the dog back. “Fifi and I decided I’m too big for her,” he teased.

She laughed. “A big man like you bonding with my little dog? How cute,” she placed Fifi on the ground and took hold of her leash. “The school is this way,” she started walking off. “I’ll take you to the gate and wait for you to return.”

“Thank you. My fiancee and I can’t thank you enough, ma’am,” Luis felt kind of odd thanking her for Sheridan when his fiancee was at the hotel.

“No thanks necessary. Nimes is relatively small compared to a place like Paris, Mr…”

“Lopez-Fitzgerald, but please, call me Luis,” he felt stupid at not having introduced himself before.

“Luis…I’m Francine,” she nodded. “I’m glad you were able to find someone that could help you. I’m not so sure you know much French.”

“I don’t. My fiancee knows it. In fact she lived in Paris most of her life, but she’s back at the hotel.”

“Why didn’t she come along?” Francine asked, looking Luis over. She noticed how he tensed a little, his walk becoming more rigid, and knew she had hit a soft spot.

“I’m not sure she was feeling very well. Our son Colin has been waking us a few times during the night.” Luis sighed, continuing his brisk pace.

“A new baby?” she asked, leading him towards the school.

“No, he’s five. Colin, that’s his name, has had some problems and well…he’s been having some nightmares and Sheridan and I take turns keeping him company or bringing him into our room. I don’t think she always goes back to sleep though. When she does sleep, I know she doesn’t sleep through the night.”

Francine nodded and motioned to the multilevel brick stone building before them. “The academy.”

“Thank you. I won’t be long,” he vowed, pushing open the iron-gate before him and heading up the pathway to the door. It was massive. The doors were solid oak and at least twelve feet high. The place looked like a renovated castle and he shivered at the thought of little girls being forced to live there. Finding a sting attached to a bell, he pulled it three times in order to find someone around.

A young woman with long blond hair and deep hazel eyes, pulled open the wooden door. Luis realized his problem just as he felt an arm on his shoulder.

“Francine?”

“I realized that you might need someone that could communicate,” she laughed. He nodded and watched as she explained what they were there for. The young woman nodded and led them down a hallway and into an office. Inside sat a middle-aged man who was pouring over the books on his desk. He squeezed the bridge of his nose, obviously trying to determine if he was on budget with the finances. He didn’t look up when the door opened, merely continued looking over the ledger.

“Bonjour,” Francine greeted the man at the desk, taking note of his stiff posture.

“Hello,” he replied, his accent showing that he was not from France. In fact, he held a deep Irish brogue. His red hair sparkled in the candlelight and his green eyes were filled with worry.

“Oh, well, Luis, explain the problem,” Francine motioned to the desk before him.

Luis sighed, moving closer to the man’s desk and pulling out a picture of Ashley. He proceeded to tell the tale of his missing future sister-in-law and why they were there looking for her. He could tell the man wasn’t listening, but continued his plea, hoping that the child was there.

Sheridan had given up waiting for Luis to eat dinner. Twilight had come much faster than she expected and Colin began to whine that he was hungry. Knowing that the tears were soon to follow, she gave in and called down to the kitchen of the hotel to bring them dinner, but she hadn’t touched it. In fact, she hadn’t been able to even look at it. She wondered if she had pushed her fiance away for the last time.

Standing by the window of their hotel room, she looked out across the darkened streets of Nimes. Colin was happily playing with his squad car, periodically pushing the alarm button and sending the piercing siren sound throughout the semi-quiet room. He knew something was wrong, but continued to play contently as they waited for Luis. In a moment of weakness, Sheridan had asked the front desk if they had any American movies in English and they had agreed to look for some. They had found some Disney cartoons and Colin had immediately chosen Beauty and the Beast. That was three hours ago and he had already restarted the tape for the second time. He was again at the part where the candlestick and the clock sang Be Our Guest.

“I’m never going to watch that movie again,” Sheridan grumbled, looking for her fiance out in the street. She finally saw someone that resembled Luis heading towards the hotel followed by a woman with a dark little dot running ahead of her on a leash. “Is that a dog?” she laughed. If it was a dog it couldn’t be very big. In fact, it couldn’t be big at all. She heard it yap and laughed at the thought of that little thing being useful for protection.

Not long after she spotted him, the man disappeared into the building and in no time, she could hear the elevator ding across the hall and then the room key being inserted in the door. Rushing over, she arrived just as he swung the door open and she was in his arms before he could say another word, her lips on his in a kiss that reminded him of Christmas Day when she turned down his proposal.

They kissed for a time, how long they didn’t know, and parted only because they needed to breathe. She looked deep into his eyes, her own starting to fill with tears. “I was starting to think you took the Metro back to Paris,” she clung to him.

“No way, and miss this reception when I arrived?” he held her close. “Sher, I went to check the first school. I wouldn’t leave without you. I’d be lonely,” he kissed her head.

“So she wasn’t there?” she asked, trying to mask her hope that they had found Ashley and could go home.

“Actually, the dean wouldn’t believe that I was working with the Cranes, so I guess we’ll have to go back there tomorrow with an actual Crane. Maybe you’ll get more information out of him than I did,” he went over to the couch and fell onto it.

“Oh,” she sounded disappointed. “We tried to wait for dinner, but Colin was getting hungry. I can order you some room service if you’d like,” she headed to the phone and lifted the receiver. He could tell she was ready to cry.

“Actually, I am a little hungry, but I’d rather you sit with me a while. I can order something later if I want to.” He opened his arms, hoping she would join him on the couch.

She nodded. “So what do you think?” she asked, slipping onto the couch next to him and placing her head on his shoulder, feeling his arms embrace her comfortingly. “Is she there?”

“I think so, Sheridan. That man got a look in his eye like he recognized her face. He must have at least seen her before if he got that look. I have a feeling tomorrow we’ll be able to get Ashley out of that place and be home within the next few days. We’re going to find her, Sher, and we’re going to bring her back to her mom.”

“I’ve been thinking about home,” she sighed, closing her eyes and imagining the people back there. “I miss Pilar, Theresa and Ethan, Luis. I want to go home as soon as we can. You’re right. We’ve been here far too long and I do want to get back to our lives. If we don’t find Ashley tomorrow then we should go home and tell Julian to find someone else to find her.”

“Sheridan, I didn’t mean to scream at you this afternoon, I guess I freaked out when you seemed so indifferent about going to find Ashley this evening. It’s just that Sam insisted I get back soon or else I find other work.”

She hadn’t heard of the threat to his work and gasped, finally realizing the extent of their problems if they didn’t go home soon. “I didn’t realize,” she whispered, looking up at him. “I’m sorry, I had a headache,” she shrugged. “Lack of sleep over the last two weeks.”

“When we get home I promise to make this up to you, Sher. You’ll get an entire weekend to yourself and Colin and I will bunk with Mama if you want. I love you, Sher.”

“Love you too,” she replied, yawning.

Colin’s little voice interrupted, though not to speak. He was singing along with the TV, though rather off key. It was merely his attempt at singing with the words that the teapot on the screen was singing to the teacup.

“Think Walt Disney knew we were coming when he wrote this song?” Sheridan teased, motioning to the movie on the screen. “I mean ‘barely even friends’? He had to know that you and I would meet some day. Though I’m sure he didn’t imagine the destruction of police property would be included in the equation.”

“Na, no one could predict our disasters, Sher. Not even some man that invented a cartoon rat. It takes a lot more than comically creative man to foresee us…we’re unpredictable.”

“Speaking of rats, who was the woman with the black dot that walked you back to the hotel?” she turned slightly to look at him, watching a smile spread across his face.

“Francine and her dog Fifi the tiny black poodle,” he shook his head. “A rat with hair, Sher. The dog was a rat with hair. I even found myself talking to the mongrel, can you believe that?”

They both laughed. Sheridan couldn’t even imagine Luis talking to a dog, especially not the one that she saw through the window of the hotel.

“So if this song was written with us in mind, which one of us was wrong?” Luis asked, knowing immediately she would say him. Of course, he had admitted that he was wrong about her, but she had to admit the same. They both had entered their relationship with misconceptions that could have destroyed their chance at love, but neither seemed to remember them now that they were happily engaged.

“You of course…Mr. ‘the Cranes are no good, low down, scum,’” she replied without thought. “If you would shut your yap long enough to let someone else open their mouth then maybe you would have realized I was right years ago.”

“Right about what? That I was perfect?” he teased. “I don’t remember you being real open minded when it came to me either.”

“Oh yea, Mr. Hot Shot,” she rolled her eyes. She didn’t want to continue this conversation, knowing that it might lead to something else. Instead, she glanced at the clock and noticed the time. “Time for bed kiddo,” Sheridan went over to her son. “You can buy this movie when we get home and watch it until you wear the tape out, I promise.”

Colin pouted, giving her the face that often changed her mind. “But Mommy,” his eyes teared on cue and he used his other name for her in order to plead for sympathy. “I don’t want to go to bed, the movie isn’t over yet.”

“But you watched it twice already,” Sheridan replied, shutting the tape off.

“But Mama!”

“No buts, Colin, I said it was time for bed,” Sheridan repeated slightly more forcefully. One thing she had learned was that you had to take charge when it came to children and she wasn’t going to let him get away with everything he wanted. “And I mean it.”

Colin whimpered, knowing he was losing this battle much like his father often did when it came to Sheridan. “Can I sleep in your bed with you and Papa?”

Sheridan glanced at Luis and could tell he had other plans in mind, but he nodded anyway, knowing that Colin was important to Sheridan. She could tell he was wondering how long Colin’s needs would interfere with their plans and she wished she could tell him that it wouldn’t be too much longer. It would be a lie, though, so she didn’t. That didn’t stop her from wishing that she could be with her fiance without interruption. Forcing a smile, she returned her gaze to her son and said, “Just this last time, Colin. When we get home you’ll have to start sleeping in your bed again.”

“All right,” he agreed, taking off for his bedroom to get his pajamas. Sheridan glanced and Luis and noticed his eyes were closed, obviously trying to hide something from her. Sighing, she followed her son and hoped that life would be a bit more normal when they returned to the states; if it was ever normal to begin with.

Luis hadn’t gone to bed that night, not that he didn’t mean to. He had fallen asleep on the couch, exhausted from the events of the day, while Sheridan read to Colin in the other room. When she returned, she hadn’t had the heart to wake him and merely kissed his cheek and covered him with a blanket, leaving him to dream the night away. What she hadn’t expected was the loneliness she would meet in the bedroom when she was laying with just Colin. For nearly a year she had shared a bed with Luis, minus a few days when she had the miscarriage, and Sheridan realized she never wanted to be alone in bed again. It just wasn’t the same when his strong arms were around her and his heartbeat played in her ear.

Leaving the bedroom bathed and fully dressed with her son behind her, Sheridan was surprised to find Luis with a tray of food for their breakfast the next morning. It was a simple meal of fruit and bread with some juice instead of coffee, but at least it was food and she realized that since she had skipped dinner, she was hungry.

“How did you manage that?” she asked, motioning to the cart and moving closer to her fiance.

“You know, it was actually pretty easy. The man must have taken English in school because he answered the phone with ‘Hello, this is Jean,’” he laughed. “I figured I was having a lucky streak with English speaking people and I was definitely going to take advantage of it.”

“Well, Mr. Lopez-Fitzgerald, I am sincerely impressed,” she walked over and kissed his cheek. “I think you need a shave.”

“I was about to do that. You two dig on in, I’ll eat after my shower,” he ruffled Colin’s hair and headed into the bathroom to shower and change.

Sheridan sighed. Luis never ceased to amaze her. Settling in the chair with Colin, she began to eat the fruit and croissants that Luis had been kind enough to order for breakfast.

By eleven, the family was fed and ready to trek back to the school to face Mr. McKinley and hopefully receive some information about Ashley. Sheridan was surprised that Luis was able to remember the path he had taken to get to the building, passing the cafe where he met Francine and continuing on past a church. They had made the walk in ten minutes and Luis opened the gate.

“This is the place?” Sheridan looked around and noticed how stark it looked. Leave it to her father to lock her baby sister away in a dreadful place that never let them have any fun. It must have been his plans to drain the spirit from the child before he made her into the heiress of the empire.

“It’s actually not so bad. Mr. McKinley told me there is a playground in the back for the girls to play on. I think that this place was once a castle of some sort and they are trying to maintain the dignity it once had. There are hidden passages and the girls actually are allowed time to roam and explore the grounds at their leisure.”

“Well, I don’t like it,” Sheridan grumbled, taking hold of Colin’s hand. “It’s not home and that’s where children should be. Let’s just get this over with before it’s too late. Like you said, if we don’t find Ashley today, we’re going home,” she headed up the gravel path to the front door of the building. Luis immediately pulled the bell strap and wasn’t surprised when the same young woman from yesterday answered the door.

Immediately recognizing him, Yvette smiled and motioned that they should follow her. She brought them down the same long drab hallway to the office at the end where Mr. McKinley was sitting in the same position as they day before pouring over the school’s ledger to balance the financial book.

Again the man didn’t look up, merely pinching the bridge of his nose as a stress headache came on. No one spoke for a while, merely wondering what this man could possibly be doing that would make him avoid facing the people that had just entered the room. Luis cleared his throat.

Without looking up, he knew who had arrived and greeted the man in his office. “Mr. Fitzgerald,” Mr. McKinley sighed. “I thought we…” he stopped looking up and noticing Luis’ companion this time. He glanced down at an old stack of newspapers, seeing the one with Sheridan’s smiling face on top. “Ms. Crane, I wasn’t expecting you.”

Sheridan immediately went into business mode, wanting the information this man had before she left to search the other school. “My fiance tells me that you might have some information on my missing sister, Mr. McKinley. I was wondering if you’ve seen her,” she threw the photo on the desk and waited for him to look at it. When he did, she noticed the recognition that filled his eyes and he immediately handed the photo back.

Sighing, Mr. McKinley nodded. “Yes, he explained the situation to me and I was able to contact your brother in America. He told me that I was to turn Ashley over to you immediately. I’m sorry I didn’t trust you before, but your father had insisted that she not be released to anyone but himself.”

“You mean Ashley *is* here?” Sheridan was surprised. She hadn’t expected her sister to truly be here. In fact, she was starting to expect that she would *never* find her baby sister.

“Yes, she’s here. She is outside playing during the recess. If you would like I can lead you outside and you can meet her,” he stood, removing his glasses and placing them on the open book.

“Yes!” Sheridan exclaimed quickly. “I would love to meet her. We want to take her home tonight.”

He nodded, figuring as much. “I have to warn you, Ashley hasn’t been in contact with anyone from the family in over two years. She has started to believe that she is an orphan, here only by the kindness of the teachers or some rich benefactor. I’m afraid she might not believe that you are her sister and wish to bring her home to her mother…”

Sheridan nodded, feeling terrible that the girl outside had to suffer so much because of her father. The man had no soul and she wished she had it in her to pity him. She didn’t and wouldn’t; he didn’t deserve that respect.

“Does she speak only French, Mr. McKinley?” Luis asked, wondering if only Sheridan would be able to communicate with Ashley.

“No, Mr. Fitzgerald. We pride ourselves on teaching the girls many languages. They learn at least French and English here, some becoming ambitious enough to try Spanish, German or Italian by their fifth year at the school. Ms. Ashley was sent to us with certain instructions that she was to learn French and English though English would be her primary language until she turned five. Mr. Crane paid handsomely for us to continue her training,” he began to lead them to the playground.
Luis took Sheridan’s free hand, following the dean through the school. When they arrived, the scene looked far too familiar. The children running about in plaid uniforms, a big red ball in being tossed between friends.

“Ashley, attrape!” a petite brunette called, tossing the ball to a small blond. The blond immediately caught the ball and made a run for it, bumping into Colin. The two fell backwards landing on their behinds.

“Ms. Crane, Mr. Fitzgerald,” Mr. McKinley smiled. “Meet Ashley Crane,” he helped the girl from her feet as Sheridan helped her son stand. Looking over at the girl, it was like looking into a mirror that showed the past. She could be Sheridan’s twin at that age, except for the bright green eyes that were clearly from her mother. “She’s beautiful.”

Ashley blushed. “Bonjour, Madame,” Ashley curtsied. Turning to Colin, she offered a slight grin. “Pardon-moi.”

“Ashley, en anglais s'il vous plait,” the dean instructed the small child in a tone that left no question.

“Yes, sir,” she smiled. “Hello,” she greeted the group around them. “I’m sorry for bumping into you, we were playing catch.”

“That’s all right,” Sheridan smiled.

“Ashley, Ms. Crane and Mr. Lopez-Fitzgerald are here because your mother wishes to bring you home to her. Ms. Crane is your older sister,” he told her, not caring that it was rather rash. He had to get back to his books and this was taking too long as it was.

“Sister?” Ashley’s eyes glowed. She didn’t know she had an older sister. Glancing at Colin, she vaguely remembered the baby that used to live at her house. “Is he the baby my Mommy had?”

Sheridan blushed. “Actually, he’s my son but your Mommy was taking care of him. We’d really like to take you home, Ashley. We want to take you back to Harmony in America.”

Ashley looked around, noticing that her friends were slowly nearing the group that was talking. “I’d miss my friends,” she replied sadly, her eyes becoming dim at the thought of leaving behind the girls she had spent the last two years with.

“I know,” Sheridan knelt to be her height. “But you can write them letters and talk to them on the phone. You’ll even make new friends.”

Ashley sighed. “All right. I’ll come…besides, I kind of miss my Mommy and I do want to know you more.”

Sheridan grinned. “By the way, I’m Sheridan and this is my fiance, Luis. He’s going to be my husband soon.”

“Luis and Sheridan,” she nodded, thinking of an upcoming wedding that she might actually get to see. “And he’s…” thinking real hard she tried to remember the name Misty had used those years ago. “Colin?”

“Right,” Sheridan smiled and offered the child her hand. “Ready?”

“Yes, I just need a few things from my room,” Ashley skipped ahead towards the school, ready to leave this place behind and start a life with her sister and mother in America.

That very night the foursome climbed aboard the Crane jet, sinking tiredly into the seats as they bid Paris farewell. It was a long flight and the four agreed that sleep was the first thing they planned on doing, seeing how it was nearly two am before they had finally taken off. In no time, all four were fast asleep in their seats, dreams of what was to come playing in their heads. Some thirteen hours later, the plan touched down in Harmony, on a special field for the Crane jet alone as it taxied into the airport there. They were home and Sheridan couldn’t wait to see the family again.

Excitedly, Sheridan and Luis jumped out of their seats as the plane came to a complete stop at the gate. Taking Colin and Ashley’s hands, they started up the terminal to where there family waited. They nearly ran, the children rushing along beside them as they hurried to meet their family. Finally, they arrived at the waiting area for the gate and spotted the people they missed: Ethan, Theresa and Pilar. Also there were Misty and Julian, both waiting patiently to get the first view of Ashley.

“Oh mija! Mijo!” Pilar rushed to them, embracing each with tears streaming down her cheeks. “We missed you so!” She bent and pulled Colin into her arms. “Nieto!”

“Abuela,” he sniffled, hugging her tight and settling on her hip. He was happy to be home with his family. France was a nice place, but the people there didn’t talk like him and he didn’t like it.

“Sheridan,” Ethan hugged her. “Luis…Welcome home.” He shook his uncle’s hand with a smile on his face. He hadn’t realized until now just how much he had missed them.

“Yea,” Theresa hugged them both. “It’s been too long. We were starting to wonder if you would ever return.”

Ashley shifted her weight from foot to foot, waiting patiently for someone to tell her what to do. She didn’t feel right standing with the people she didn’t know; she wanted her mom. Sheridan turned her so she faced Misty. “That’s your mom,” she whispered.

“Mommy?” Ashley’s eyes teared as memories of the woman standing there rushed back. This was her mom, the woman she had started to forget in that cold, dark school.

“Ash?” Misty smiled, though tears were running down her cheek.

“MOMMY!” she screamed and ran to her, throwing her arms around her mother’s neck as she was swept into Misty’s arms. “Oh Mommy, I missed you.”

“I missed you too, baby,” Misty hugged her tight, closing her eyes and reveling in the feel of her daughter in her arms. It had been so long since she held Ashley, too long.

Sheridan and Luis watched the scene, their arms around each other. Neither could speak as they witnessed the reunion of mother and daughter who had been apart because of an evil man. They both felt that Misty truly loved the little girl she was now holding tight in her arms. It was amazing that this woman could possibly be so loving after the way she treated Colin, but still, they couldn’t deny the love she had for her daughter.

“Thank you,” she looked at Sheridan and Luis. “Thank you for bringing my baby home,” Misty cried. “You’ll never know how much this means to me.”

Looking at her son in Pilar’s arms, Sheridan shook her head. “No, Misty, I already know how it feels to have someone you love come back to you…even if you didn’t know they loved you before.”

Misty understood and smiled at the woman she hoped to one day call a friend, the woman that returned her daughter to her. The group left the airport as a family for the first time in years. Finally, Sheridan had the life she had imagined for years and in a few more months, she would have the one thing she knew would always keep her life this way: Luis’ last name.

Chapter Eleven