"Good Morning Harmony, I’m Rose…"

"And I’m Ted…"

"And we’re Rose and Teddy in the morning on AKIS FM. It’s a beautiful day, isn’t it Ted?"

"Sure is Roe…and we’re going to start this beautiful Monday April 23rd with a song for all those lovers out that there have to head to work…"

Luis groaned at the voices. Not that song…not again. He hated it. Every Monday morning they would play that damn Dolly Parton song "Nine to Five" and Luis would rather be shot again than listen to that. Hitting the off button on the radio alarm, he wiped the sleep from his eyes and glanced at the clock. Seven AM. He had to be at work in an hour.

Sighing, Sheridan curled up to the warm body beside her. She had been having a wonderful dream before that damn alarm clock went off and the shrill voice of Rose Redding, the female DJ at AKIS, filled her ears. Teddy Bearing’s (who named these people?) deep voice would have lulled her back to sleep had Rose not butted back in. And then that song! She could hear the first strings of the guitar fill the air again. "Can we shoot them for playing crap like that this early in the morning?"

Luis chuckled. "I’m afraid not, baby. Why don’t you try to get some more sleep while I go get ready for work?"

"And miss out on the shower?" she teased. "Never. Besides, I have a meeting with the man in charge of the Youth Center. I’m dethroning you as king."

"No, we’ll be sharing the responsibility and I couldn’t find a better person to share it with," he kissed the top of her head. "I better get going, I have to be in at eight."

"Does this mean I don’t get breakfast?"

"You got it. You can stop at the Book Cafe before you go see Eve like you promised."

"Man, you want everything, don’t you?" she rolled her eyes.

"Damn right I do," he winked and headed off for the bathroom.

Sheridan sighed. She couldn’t believe he had to go back to work today. Looking around the room, she wondered what the house would be like without Luis around all the time. Pilar had bestowed her with a key to the door the previous morning. It had come package in a jeweler’s box with a big read bow on the top. Inside was also a spare set of keys to Luis’ SUV and Pilar’s car for when she needed to use them and the owner wasn’t around. It didn’t matter; she had traded in her birthday present from Ethan, the year old red convertible, for an SUV of her own. After all, a woman with a family needed a family car. Luis wasn’t too happy with the idea, but he soon got over it.

Stretching, Sheridan was surprised when she wasn’t attacked by the first waves of nausea that she had become quite used to. Shrugging, she assumed that nothing had triggered it yet. Swinging her legs over the side of the bed, Sheridan placed her bare feet against the cold wooden floor. She shivered. Hadn’t Luis heard of carpeting? Grabbing her bathrobe, she ran off to join Luis in the bathroom before Theresa, Miguel and Pilar awoke.

"Where do you think you’re going?" Theresa’s singsong voice interrupted Sheridan as she turned the bathroom doorknob.

"I was going to go take a shower," she grinned.

Theresa made a look of disgust and shivered. "With him? Sheridan, that’s just gross."

Sheridan laughed. "I don’t find it disgusting at all," she winked.

"Eww…ok, feel free to stop now," Theresa returned to her room. "I’ll just wait my turn and grab the Soft Scrub to clean with before I take my shower."

Sheridan laughed and pushed opened the bathroom door to join Luis.

"What in heaven’s name took you so long?" Luis asked, pulling her into the shower before she finished removing her clothing. "I thought you would have joined me long before now."

"Well, Romeo," she groaned, "your kid sister caught me coming into the bathroom. I didn’t make such a clean break getting in here."

"What did you tell her?" Luis asked aghast.

"The truth…"

"Which was…"

"That I was going to take a shower," she wet her hair down. "Luis, we hardly have time to start something we know we won’t finish. I have to be at Eve’s office by nine and I have to meet with that man from the Youth Center by ten. I need to eat something, I want to see Beth and I promised I’d help Mama with the books today...and then I need to open the Youth Center for you since you’re working late."

"I know," he sighed. "I miss when it was just us lounging around and making love all the time."

"Well, I guess we need to learn what reality is again," she smiled. "I’d kiss you but I really have to brush my teeth first."

He laughed. Looking down, he noticed the slight bump of her belly and rubbed it. "How’s the morning sickness today?"

She reached up to wash his hair. "Almost non-existent. I’m a little queasy but I should survive. I just hope I don’t walk into the Book Cafe and have another attack like yesterday."

"That was pretty gross," he laughed. "Mama felt terrible. I really think we need to tell her you’re pregnant."

"Let me find out from Eve before we go congratulating ourselves," she began washing her own hair. "Go on and rinse."

He did so and then they traded places so she could rinse her hair. They finished washing each other and stepped out of the steamy shower, wrapping fluffy white towels around themselves and then terrycloth robes. After brushing their teeth, and Luis shaving, they headed back to his bedroom to dress.

"Look, I’ll be home at about five, the Youth Center closes at six-thirty or seven, why don’t we just carpool and I can come help you close up later? You can use my car today," Luis asked as he pulled on his shirt.

"Because it’s your first day back in a while and you’re going to be dead tired at seven. I can just take my car today. Besides, what happens if you need to get somewhere after work and I have the car?"

"Baby, the Youth Center is down the block from the station…"

"That’s besides the point. Just take your car and we can play Lucy and Desi tonight," she giggled.

"Do we need to get twin beds too?" he winked.

"Hell no," she swatted his behind. "Have a good day at work, darling."

"I’ll miss you," he kissed her lips softly.

"Ditto," she watched him leave the bedroom and then finished dressing.

"So, Sheridan, what brings you by my office today?" Eve asked, opening a new medical file to start one on Sheridan.

"Well, I think I’m pregnant," she admitted easily. The longer she had thought about it, the happier Sheridan had become. It also became terribly easier to admit it.

Eve looked up from the file where she had been writing Sheridan’s name. "Really?"

Sheridan chuckled. That seemed to be the general response to her announcement. "Yes, really. I need to confirm it with you before Luis goes out and buys the men at the station cigars with blue bows on them."

Eve laughed. "No problem."

"Good," Sheridan smiled. "Will this take long?"

"Not at all. In fact, we can take blood and send it to the lab and have the results within an hour or two…"

Sheridan could tell by the look on Eve’s face that there was more to it than that. When the realization of what else would be expected hit her, she groaned.

Eve nodded and handed her a blue robe. "You can change in the bathroom."

An hour later, Sheridan was running towards her SUV, praying she wouldn’t be late for the meeting with Jesse Heaps, the man interviewing her for the position at the Youth Center. Eve’s appointment had taken much longer than expected and she still didn’t have the blood test results in. However, Eve had used the pelvic exam as proof that Sheridan was pregnant and promised that the blood test wouldn’t contradict her. Sheridan was glowing.

As she climbed into her car, she placed a hand over her stomach. She had never thought it was possible to be in love with something so much that not even having seen it could make you love it less. However, she loved the thought of the tiny baby growing inside more than anything else…except its father. Sighing, she started the car, buckled in and headed off for the meeting with Mr. Heaps.

"Yo, Lo-Fitz, the chief wants to see you," Benjamin Moore called as he headed out the door. "Said it was real important."

"Thanks Benny," Luis dropped his pencil onto the desk, wondering what Sam could possibly want so early in the morning. Sighing, he took a look at the stack of paperwork that was waiting for him when he returned and hoped Sam wasn’t going to be long winded in whatever it was he needed.

Heading to the office down the hall, Luis stopped only to say hi to Mrs. Evers, an older woman that lived down the street from his mother. She had come to report a theft in her home. Luis felt sorry for the old woman. Nearly eighty, she lived alone in a six-room home on the corner of his street. The yard was huge and filled with grass that badly needed care. She had been trying to sell without luck…maybe just maybe…

"Going to take all day, Officer?" Sam teased his pal.

"Sorry Sam," Luis entered the office. "I was just speaking to Patty Evers. I can’t believe they robbed that poor old woman. She’s all alone except for that damn cat of hers."

"Yea, I know, but I didn’t call you in here to talk about Patty."

"I kind of figured that," Luis smiled.

"Close the door and have a seat," Sam picked up a pen on his desk and began to fiddle with it.

Luis knew that closing the door meant something was coming that didn’t need to be heard by his fellow officers. Doubting he had done anything to get fired over, Luis wondered what was going on in his friend’s head.

"I got a call this morning…early this morning," Sam groaned. "Five to be exact…"

"No offense, Sam, but I have a stack of paperwork calling my name and really need to hear the Reader’s Digest version here."

Sam laughed at Luis’ impatience. "All right, buddy, relax. Seems your friends at the agency pulled a few strings since we apprehended Roger and Pierre."

"And?" Luis asked expectantly.

"And, you’re being made a detective."

Luis was shocked. "Seriously?"

"Seriously." Opening the desk draw closest to him, Sam smiled. "Give me your badge, Officer."

Luis immediately removed his badge from his wallet and handed it to Sam.

"Congratulations, Luis, you deserve this," Sam handed him his new shield.

Luis traced the shield and smiled. "Sheridan is going to be so damn proud."

"I bet she is, buddy. You’re a lucky man."

"Don’t have to tell me that, Sam," Luis opened the door. "I already know."

"So, Miss Crane, what makes you think that you can be co-director of the Youth Center?"

Sheridan shifted under the intense gaze of Jesse Heaps, a six-foot-five, green-eyed grinch of a man from Boston. He acted as if he owned everything and everyone; something that reminded Sheridan all too much of her brother. Clearing her throat and nervously taking a sip of her water, Sheridan decided not to keep the man waiting. "I’ve worked at the center before, Mr. Heaps, and have assisted Mr. Lopez-Fitzgerald with the day to day running of the center."

"From what I understand, all you did was set up the gym for dances and such…"

"I’ve done more. Running the Center isn’t going to be complicated, Mr. Heaps, I have a business degree."

"So I see. Also an education degree…but that doesn’t mean much when you have no job experience besides the mandated community service last year."

"I suppose it doesn’t," Sheridan looked him in the eyes. "However, I have worked with the children, taught them and aided them on more than one occasion, bandaged wounds and wiped away tears. I also manage to balance my checkbook each and every month," she joked. "I earned those two degrees on my own, without the Crane name or fortune supporting me. I assure you, I can help my fiance run the Youth Center."

Jesse Heaps wrote something down on the yellow pad in his lap. "You understand that you will not be taking Officer Lopez-Fitzgerald’s job over completely?"

"I understand."

He nodded. "I don’t see why we can’t place you there on a trial basis and work from there. Congratulations, Miss Crane."

"Thank you," she smiled. "Thank you very much."

"No problem," Jesse smiled. Ripping the paper from the pad he handed it to her. "If you are looking for any other work, see this woman. She is looking for an assistant teacher starting next January that will take over for her completely the following fall. They have an onsite daycare center as well, for any children you and your fiance might have."

"I’ll keep that in mind, Mr. Heaps, thank you."

He nodded. "Have a nice day, Miss Crane."

She smiled and left the room. Sheridan Crane had her first paying job!

By noon, Sheridan was starving and bone tired, still not having heard back from Eve. Checking her cell phone for the umpteenth time, Sheridan groaned when she noticed that not one message had come in over the last hour and a half. Somehow, she made her way to the Book Cafe for something to eat.

"Hey, Sheridan, come join us," Hank Bennett waved from one of the booths. Sheridan glanced over and noticed a beautiful redhead sitting beside Hank as well as another boy she didn’t remember seeing before. Heading over that way, Sheridan wondered who they were.

"Misty, I want you to meet my friend’s fiancee, Sheridan Crane. Sheridan, meet Misty Fitzpatrick, my girlfriend."

"So you’re the woman that has stolen Hank Bennett’s heart," Sheridan smiled. "It’s a pleasure to meet you."

"Same here. So who is the lucky man to be marrying you?" Misty asked in a sugary sweet voice as she pushed a red curl behind her shoulder. Sheridan noticed she had big green eyes that hid behind heavily made up lashes. Her pale white skin was covered in freckles and as smooth looking as porcelain. Without the overdone makeup, Sheridan was sure she was quite pretty.

"Luis Lopez-Fitzgerald," Sheridan sighed.

She barely noticed Misty’s green eyes turning dark with anger and jealousy because it was gone as soon as it came. Misty moved out of Hank’s arms. "Excuse me while I go powder my nose," she rolled her eyes and walked away.

"Damn, Luis and a Crane, who’d have thought," the other man at the table shook his head, reminding Sheridan that there was still an unknown presence at the table.

"Oh, Sheridan, this is my nephew Noah. He’s in town on spring break with his girlfriend Nikki."

"Really, what college do you attend, Noah?" Sheridan asked.

"NYU."

"Really?" Sheridan thought the coincidence was uncanny. Her niece Nicholette attended NYU as well. What were the chances?

"Here she comes now," Noah stood when he noticed Nikki entering the cafe.

Sheridan spun to face the door and her eyes nearly popped out of her head in a cartoon-like manner. Nikki was five-foot-six with shoulder length, wavy brown hair and big blue eyes. Her baby doll t-shirt revealed a pieced bellybutton, which was nothing compared to the tattoo on the small of her back. Sheridan swallowed hard when she realized that the coincidence wasn’t uncanny. This *was* her niece Nicholette.

"Nikki, I want you to meet Sheridan Crane, my Uncle’s friend," Noah introduced the pair.

Nikki tried to hide the shock in her eyes, but put out her hand instead. "Nicholette Masterson."

Sheridan shook her niece’s hand and immediately stored away the name. She knew the Mastersons well. After all, they were Ivy’s maternal family. Smiling slightly, Sheridan pretended not to know her own niece. "Like he said, Sheridan Crane…soon to be Lopez-Fitzgerald."

"Does that mean that Luis has set a date?" Beth asked, bringing over a chair so that Sheridan could join the crew.

"December twenty-second. We’re going to have a Christmas wedding."

"Sounds lovely," Misty replied as she returned. She immediately slid into the booth beside Hank.

"So are you going to join us Miss Crane?" Noah asked as he and Nikki slid into the booth as well.

"It’s Sheridan, please. And while I’d love to, I’m going to have to pass. I’m going to take my lunch and run. I have to meet Theresa to start planning for the wedding. She promised she would be here when her class got out at one."

"Well that gives you an hour," Hank pointed out.

"Yes, but I wanted to start flipping through magazines. Besides, I’m not feeling my best today and I’d be terrible company."

"Well, maybe another time," Nikki smiled, immediately worried about her aunt.

"Yes, maybe," she said pointedly. "By the way, I’ll be over at the Youth Center all afternoon should any of you care to come and hang out with the kids."

"Cool," Noah smiled. "Nice meeting you."

"Same here," she smiled and followed Beth to the counter to order something to eat. Just as she reached to pay, her cell rang. "Hello?" she asked tiredly.

"Sheridan, it’s Eve."

"Does this mean you have the results," she asked, digging out some money from her wallet.

"Indeed, I do…"

"And?" Sheridan asked, picking up her bottle of water and sandwich.

"Sheridan, I am very pleased to be the one telling you that you are indeed pregnant."

Sheridan gave a happy screech, catching the attention of every patron and worker of the Book Cafe. Eve’s laughter on the other end only heightened the excitement. "How far along?"

"I’d say about ten weeks, dear. Now I want you and Luis to schedule a sonogram appointment as soon as you can. We want to get the first picture of your baby."

Sheridan went from practically glowing and worn to shining and energized in just three seconds as she agreed to have Luis give her a date for them to come together and see their baby for the first time. Beth caught the tail end of the conversation and had to know.

"Pregnant?" she whispered.

Sheridan nodded. "Ten weeks along."

Beth was glowing too and hugged her friend from across the counter. "Congratulations. You deserve it."

"You don’t know how happy it makes me to hear you say that and it makes what I have to ask you so much easier to know you feel this way…" Sheridan hesitated. "Can you sit for a few minutes?"

"Sure," Beth replied. "Go grab a seat and I’ll be right there."

Sheridan nodded and made her way to a table where she could speak to Beth. She didn’t see Misty watching her every move with hatred and spite. Didn’t know that Misty Fitzpatrick had a secret that would destroy her engagement…but she would find out.

"So, what’s going on?" Beth asked sliding into the seat across from Sheridan. "Is this good news or bad?"

"Good, very good," Sheridan smiled and took Beth’s hand into her own. "You know I consider a very good friend, especially since you brought Luis and I together again."

"Yes and I’ve become quite attached to you as a friend too," Beth smiled. She could sense Sheridan was nervous. "Hey, you know you can talk to me about anything."

"I know…I…well Luis and I set a date on Friday and I’ve been thinking about my bridal party…"

"Oh," Beth was intrigued.

"I was wondering…if you aren’t going to be doing anything that day…if you’d be my maid-of-honor."

"Sheridan, I’d be honored to be in your bridal party!" Beth hugged her again. "I thought you were going to tell me something dire the way you were acting."

Sheridan giggled. "I was afraid you couldn’t bear to be in a wedding when you’ve dreamed of marrying the groom," she looked down and blushed.

"Sheridan, what Luis and I had was over long before I cared to realize it. He is so in love with you that there isn’t anyone in this world that he belongs with more. I would be honored to be part of a ceremony joining two hearts that belong in such a loving union."

"Oh, thank you, Beth!" Sheridan cried, again hugging her friend. "I’m so glad you’ll be in my bridal party. It means so much to me."

"Not as much as it means to me just being asked," she grinned. "You better get going; Theresa gets out soon and you wouldn’t want to miss your planning. Besides, I’ve got to go train a new employee before I let him start making coffee."

Sheridan giggled. She watched Beth start to leave. "Beth?"

"Yea?"

"I’m sorry about Hank…"

"I’m not," she glanced over at his table. "Just do me a favor, Sheridan."

"Anything, Beth."

"Watch out for Misty."

"Why?"

"She’s trouble with a capital T," turning to face Sheridan. "She’s done terrible things and is known to go to any extreme to get what she wants…"

"What does that have to do with me?" Sheridan asked.

Glancing at Misty’s green eyes, Beth knew that the woman was already formulating a plan. "Just watch your back. Misty will say anything to get what she thinks belongs to her. Understand?"

"Beth…"

"Just watch out for her…and never let her be alone with Luis."

Sheridan realized what Beth was hinting at and placed a protective hand on her stomach. "She wouldn’t…"

"She already has…" Beth replied walking away.

Sheridan gasped. Glancing over at the table where Hank and Misty sat, she wondered who the woman could possibly be.

Sitting in the office that would now be her workplace, Sheridan lifted the old yearbook onto the desk. The dusty 1989 Harmony High yearbook was blue and gray, the letters reading "Moving Out." Flipping the book open caused some of the dust to fly about and Sheridan sneezed. Once the dust settled, she was able to start skimming the pictures for those cold green eyes and long red hair, despite the black and white photos. It didn’t take her long to spot a picture of Beth, Luis, Hank and Misty all grouped together with cheesy smiles on their faces. The caption beneath read "Star crossed lovers at our ‘Just the Way You Are’ prom. Hank Bennett and girl, Misty Fitzpatrick, posed with Luis Lopez-Fitzgerald and girlfriend Beth Wallace." So Hank had dated Misty before. What did that have to do with Luis?

"What are you looking at?" Theresa asked, entering the office and plopping onto the desk beside Sheridan. "Oh, Luis’ senior yearbook. He has his at home in the closet. His name’s engraved in the cover."

Sheridan didn’t reply, just looked at the picture and how close Misty and Luis seemed in it. In fact, they were standing side by side, their hands barely touching with one arm wrapped around their partner. It was almost as if Luis was going to take Misty’s hand, but remembered he wasn’t with her. The thought left her unnerved.

"What has caught your interest?" Theresa asked, looking over her soon-to-be sister’s shoulder. "Oh, her," the younger woman’s tone flattened.

Sheridan caught the change. "You know her too?"

Theresa gulped. "Kinda. Look, let’s just start setting the plans on paper…"

"No, I want to know who she is!"

"She’s just a girl that dated Hank for a while and always had her eye on Luis, but then again all the females at Harmony High did…"

"Did they date, Theresa?"

"Um…"

"Did they date?" Sheridan asked more demanding.

"Well…"

"Theresa, I have the right to know…DID THEY DATE?"

Theresa sighed and looked down at the picture. "To be honest, Sheridan…no one knows."

That was all the answer Sheridan needed as she ran out of the room and into the bathroom. She wasn’t sure what caused it, but she was going to be sick. Beth’s words echoed in her ears "Just watch out for her and never let her be alone with Luis…" What was going on and why wouldn’t anyone tell her?

When Sheridan returned from the bathroom, she told Theresa she wasn’t in the mood to start the wedding plans and feigned fatigue and the upcoming afternoon activities as too much for the day. She asked the younger woman to hold off a few days and they would work on it over the weekend. Theresa agreed and went off to meet some friends. In the meantime, Sheridan prepared the Youth Center for the arrival of the children.

Immediately after setting up the court for the teens and a smaller one for the tots, Sheridan heard the sounds of giggling children. The first one in was a six-year-old named Nick that she knew from her work at the center the previous year. He had big brown eyes that sparkled mischievously and short dirty blond hair. His skin was creamy and when he smiled there was a gap from a lost tooth. Nick’s overalls and sneakers were covered in a fine layer of dirt, but he looked happy. His mother wasn’t far behind him.

Cheryl Brown entered the gymnasium, glancing about the place. Her brown hair was tied up in a bun and her hazel eyes were searching out something…or someone. About her trim body was a loose green jumper and white blouse, a nametag pinned to it. She wore dark green heels and walked slowly into the room, still looking. Sighing, she watched Nick run to the blond across the way: Sheridan Crane.

"Sheridan!" he cried out, running and hugging her waist. "I didn’t know you were back."

"Yup, for good this time, Nicky. How are you?" she asked, returning the hug and smiling at the boy’s mother. Looking back down, she playfully ruffled his unruly hair.

"Great. Are we painting today?" he asked excitedly.

Sheridan nodded and motioned to the arts and crafts room. "As soon as the older kids show up to help we’ll go into the craft room and paint, how’s that?"

"Goodie!" he cheered and took off for the smaller net where three other boys were currently congregating.

"Hello, Mrs. Brown," Sheridan smiled at Nick’s mother. Sheridan had gotten along with many of the parents from the Center, but there were some that just couldn’t look past the Crane name. Cheryl Brown was one of them. Her husband had lost her job at Crane industries years before Sheridan ever returned to town, but that didn’t mean she didn’t face hostility. Sheridan hoped that Cheryl would realize that she was now a workingwoman doing a job at the Youth Center; one engaged to the director Cheryl was so fond of.

"Miss Crane, is Officer Lopez-Fitzgerald back yet?" she asked. Cheryl knew all about Luis’ involvement with Sheridan and it was old news that the pair was engaged to be married. However, her tone still held disdain for the blond in front of her.

"No, he’s working late tonight at the station. I’ll be co-directing with him. Is something wrong? Something we can help you with?"

"No, I was just wondering…" Cheryl lied poorly. "Are you sure he won’t be here?"

"I’m positive. He’s not supposed to get off until almost closing."

"Oh," she sighed. "Perhaps Nicky will just go over to a friends…"

"He’s more than welcome to stay here, Mrs. Brown."

Cheryl looked Sheridan over. After lunch, Sheridan had changed into jeans and a loose sweatshirt in order to play with the kids. She knew all to well how heels and dresses were ruined here. In fact, she had ruined some of her most favorite outfits in attempts to win Luis over. Cheryl noticed that Sheridan could have passed for just an average woman doing a job. "I don’t like you…I don’t trust Cranes," the woman was blunt.

"I won’t be a Crane much longer."

Sighing, Cheryl realized she needed to get back to work. "Look, just keep him out of trouble and make sure he doesn’t get paint on his clothing…"

Sheridan wanted to remark about the woman’s attitude, but decided that it wasn’t worth it. "No problem, Mrs. Brown."

"I’ll be here at six…" she left.

Sheridan counted to ten, forced a smile and turned to help the kids play basketball.

Luis walked the pier. He had finished his paperwork hours before and, with no cases pending for a detective at the moment, Sam asked him if he’d be willing to do some patrolling. Of course, Luis didn’t mind at all. The day turned out to be one of Harmony’s finest spring days in a long time. Walking along the wood of the pier, Luis allowed his mind to wander back to the day he kissed Sheridan on the wharf and how many of their memories were here.

"If it isn’t Hot Lips Luis," a voice purred.

Turning quickly, Luis came face to face with Misty Fitzpatrick.

"Misty?" he asked, frozen to the spot. It had been almost five years since he last saw those deep green eyes. No one knew about that time…that brief time he lived in Boston while on a case, no one but himself and Misty, the tall redhead in front of him.

"One and the same. How are you stud?"

"Engaged," was his simple reply.

"So I heard."

"What the hell are you doing back in Harmony?"

"Aren’t you happy to see me," she asked, eyes bright and voice lowered to a seductive pout.

"I told you I’m engaged…now what are you doing here?"

"I’m dating Hank."

He wasn’t surprised. Hank had always considered Misty the one that had gotten away. What he didn’t know is just why she had gotten away. "Why else?"

"No reason," she moved closer. "You’re still as handsome as the last time I saw you."

"Misty, I’m engaged and you’re pushing it…"

"So?"

He knew she wanted something. There had to be a reason why Misty Fitzpatrick would reappear in his life five years after she stomped on his heart…five years after the last time he saw those gorgeous green eyes sparkling with desire for him as her body shook with the effects of their love making. "What are you doing here?"

"Besides Hank?"

"Besides Hank…"

"I had to tell you about Colin…"

Sheridan sighed as she looked out at the basketball court through the plexi-glass window of the arts and crafts room. Some of the older boys were having a three-on-three game; the girls cheering along if not substituting into the game from time to time. They were honestly enjoying themselves and she couldn’t be happier. Watching as Miguel went for a lay up, Sheridan heard a screeching cry that brought her back to the arts and crafters in front of her.

"Miss Shewidan!" a four-year-old blond girl cried, her curly pigtails full of paint. "Josh paint-ed me!"

Josh stuck his tongue out as his younger sibling. "Did not…"

"Did so…"

"Did not…"

"So…"

"Not…"

"I’m telling mommy!" the girl screamed.

"All right, Ashley," Sheridan walked over to her. "Why don’t we go clean you up some?"

"Cause Josh’ll say he didn’t," the girl replied.

"Ashley, the paint will ruin your pretty clothes if we don’t wash it off…"

The small girl’s lower lip protruded out in a pout and began to quiver at the thought of ruining her pretty new clothes. "But I’ll get in twouble, Miss Shewidan."

"So let’s go wash that icky paint off…"

"Otay," the girl took Sheridan’s hand and they went off to find someone to help clean up Ashley. Kay Bennett, who was watching Miguel with genuine interest, was the first one Sheridan spotted.

"Kay, can you help Ashley here clean off the paint on her clothing?"

"Sure, Sheridan," Kay smiled at Ashley. "Anything to help my buddy Ash."

"Fanks, Kay," Ashley smiled.

"No problem," she took the girl’s hand and led her away to the bathroom.

Sheridan sighed in relief, wondering if it was always this confusing working at the center or only since she became a co-director. Maybe she had glossed the experience over because she had gotten to be near Luis. No sooner did the thoughts of her handsome fiance fill her head, than a crash in the art room alerted Sheridan to more trouble. She dashed inside to witness what would become the first paint war of the Harmony Youth Center.

Sheridan was tired, cranky, hungry and a mess, but she was home. Pulling her SUV into the driveway of the Lopez-Fitzgerald house, Sheridan had never been happier to get to her house in her entire life. Shutting the engine of the car off, she rested her head against the seat behind her and sighed. "Thank God. Now I can take a shower and go to bed," she groaned, pushing open the door.

Glancing around, she noticed that the entire family seemed to be home. So much for resting; they probably had some big family dinner planned for everyone and Luis probably would want to know if the test results from her appointment from Eve were in. She really wasn’t in the mood for a romantic evening, this day having taken its toll on her. However, she knew she wouldn’t deny Luis anything he asked for.

Pushing open the front door, she heard Luis chuckle when she walked in.

"Don’t say it," she threw her purse down on a nearby chair. "Just don’t say it, Luis."

"What was I going to say?" he asked, fishing out a CD that seemed to suit this situation well.

"Something smart," she whined.

He looked over at Sheridan and smiled. She was covered from head to toe in red and blue paint splatters. Her hair, which had been so perfectly fixed before she left this morning, was unruly and held together in places by thick globs of the sticky paint. She wore no makeup, it all having wiped off sometime during the aftermath of the paint war, and she looked exhausted, but he swore she never looked lovelier.

Popping in the CD, he walked over to her. "I was going to ask you to go out with me to celebrate tonight…well, with the family actually."

"Luis, I’m a mess," she sniffled, losing the battle against her frustrations and sinking into a nearby chair.

"That’s ok," he motioned to the radio, letting the music speak for him.

She started to protest, knowing she couldn’t possibly be the least bit beautiful without her makeup and her hair and clothing covered in paint. In fact, when she went to wipe away a tear, she left a trail of green paint across her cheek, making Luis grin. This was a side of Sheridan he so rarely was allowed to see. The timid, insecure Sheridan Crane that worried about her appearance. Covering her lips with his finger, he again allowed the music to speak to her.

Sheridan smiled, her eyes tearing at how sweet her fiance was. Sometimes, he knew just what to say and do to make her feel so much better about herself and now was one of those times. She couldn’t wait to spend the next fifty years with him, sharing everything together. This moment would be one that she would forever treasure…the moment she fell in love with Luis all over again.

"Luis, you’re so wonderful…"

"I try," he smiled and kissed her lips. "If you’re too tired to go out, I can order Chinese…I just thought Mama would like to know if we’re pregnant, as would I, and I have some good news of my own."

"Let’s order in," she insisted, too tired to deal with the public after her first day at the center. "I’ve had a rough day."

"All right, baby, I’ll go order the food and you go clean up. Love you."

"Not half as much as I love you," she pecked his lips and watched as he went into the kitchen. Luis was something else. He was warm, caring and the only man Sheridan could see herself with forever. She couldn’t wait to tell him that he was for sure going to be a father.

She walked down the hall into his bedroom to grab a clean change of clothing from the closet when she noticed it. Tucked away on the shelf was Luis’ yearbook. Curiosity getting the better of her, Sheridan pulled the book from the shelf and opened it, dust flying everywhere. Again she sneezed. "Damn, why don’t people read these things more often?" she started skimming all the autographs. Finally, she found Misty’s.

"Luis…to one great month together and many more. Sorry about the Beth thing, hope I can make it up to you. Lots of Love (especially in the summer) Misty Fitz."

Nothing seemed unusual to Sheridan. The first line seemed to unnerve her, but the rest seemed harmless enough. Shrugging, she closed the book and returned it to the shelf. "Doesn’t matter, he’s mine now," Sheridan reminded herself as she trudged off to the bathroom to change and clean up.

Miguel (who was actually home for once), Theresa, Ethan, Sheridan, Pilar and Luis all sat around the kitchen table digging into the Chinese food Luis had ordered. Everyone knew that something was up by Luis’ jovial nature, not that he wasn’t naturally a happy man but they still wondered what he was thinking.

Finally, having to know what was going on, Pilar looked over at her son. "So, what is the occasion, Mijo?"

Luis smiled and took Sheridan’s hand into his won. "Well, it’s two occasions actually…I think," Luis smiled.

"Well…tell all ready," Theresa replied excitedly.

Luis swallowed hard. He wanted to tell everyone the good news about his promotion. "Well, I was called into Sam’s office today. It seemed he had something really important to talk to me about."

Sheridan looked over at Luis, terror in her eyes. What could Sam have possibly needed to speak to Luis about that was so momentous? How come he hadn’t hinted at it before? Why hadn’t he called her?

Seeing Sheridan’s apprehension, Luis gave her hand a gently squeeze and smiled. "I’ve been promoted to detective," Luis was glowing.

"OH LUIS!" Sheridan hugged him tight. "Congratulations, sweetheart!"

"Oh Mijo!" Pilar joined in as well. "Congratulations."

Ethan, Theresa and Miguel all agreed that it was wonderful news and everyone gave Luis a hug. Sheridan grinned proudly. Her fiance was now a detective with the Harmony PD. She couldn’t have possibly felt better had she gotten the promotion herself.

"Well? What’s the other news?" Miguel asked.

Sheridan blushed slightly. "Well, that’s my news. Besides my obvious appointment to work as co-director of the center with Luis…I…well, Luis and I have other news that involves all of you."

"What is it?" Pilar asked.

Sheridan cleared her throat nervously. It was now or never. "I went to see Eve today…"

"Have you been sick, Mija?" Pilar became worried.

"No, no, nothing like that."

Pilar nodded.

"Anyway, she was able to confirm something for me…I…Luis and I are going to have a baby."

There was silence at the table. Sheridan felt her heart drop. Looking from face to face, she realized only one seemed to hold happiness: Luis’. However, he had known and it had been Luis that pressed her to see Eve this morning for the confirmation.

"I…" she tried to fight her quivering lip and stinging eyes, but the tears came anyway. "Excuse me," she ran off.

"Damn it," Luis glared at everyone. "What’s wrong with all of you? This is supposed to be a happy time!"

Pilar sighed. "I’m just shocked, Luis. We were not expecting children before you two wed…"

"Yea well, sometimes things don’t go as planned, Mama. You could have showed Sheridan some joy!" he went off after his fiancee.

Luis found Sheridan curled up on the bed, her back to the door. "Sweetie?"

"Just leave me alone."

"Sheridan, I’m so excited about the baby, I swear I am."

She rolled to face him. "Your mother hates it…"

"No, she doesn’t, Sheridan. She’s just surprised, that’s all. Mama is very religious. She always believed in waiting until you were married to make love. I guess that the reality of the situation has hit her…especially since we’ll be having a baby before the wedding."

"I thought she’d be happy…"

"She’ll come around."

Sheridan nodded. "I’m kind of tired, I think I’ll go to bed."

"Sher…"

"Goodnight, Luis," she rolled back over.

"Goodnight, baby," he kissed her cheek and left the room but not before hearing her sob one last time.

Chapter Three