The next morning, Luis felt terrible leaving Sarah asleep in the cold hotel bed. He had been terribly irresponsible: neither had had any protection and they were far too gone to turn back. They had made love all night long in her hotel room and felt wonderful in doing so because it was actually love, though he wouldn’t admit it. He had felt things that he had never before experienced with a woman. Sarah was something else for sure. However, he should have been more responsible…it just wasn’t right. He would tell her that when she called…if she ever called…and she didn’t.

He had never heard from Sarah again and no one at the party had ever seen her before. He never found the brunette again and it left him feeling terribly empty. Luis sighed. He was lying in bed with Sheridan in his arms. He shouldn’t be thinking about another woman, especially not Sarah, but he was. Looking down at his Sheridan, he kissed the top of her blond head. The brunette from his past had shown up in his dreams last night. He didn’t know why, but that woman from nearly five years ago decided to make an appearance that was confusing him. After all this time, why did that one particular one-night-stand have to resurface?

"Mm," Sheridan rubbed her eyes and yawned. "Is it morning?"

"Yea," he whispered. For the last two nights, Sheridan had allowed Luis to return to bed and sleep with her. He had wanted to make love with her, and they almost had the night before, but Sheridan started crying.

Luis kissed the hollow of her neck as she lay back against the pillows, her blond hair fanning out. She had been driving him wild all day as they explored houses to buy. The way she walked…the way she giggled…the wink when she saw the size of one of the master bedrooms…he couldn’t handle himself.

She seemed to be enjoying it, tilting her neck back to allow him access to all of her silky skin there, but as he reached to undo the buttons on her shirt, she froze. He didn’t seem to notice as he kissed the newly exposed shin of her chest leaving her skin tingling. He continued to unbutton her shirt until he heard her sob.

"Sherry?" he looked at her confused, his hands still grasping the material of her blouse.

She didn’t reply. In fact, she didn’t have to. "I…"

"Tell me what’s wrong, angel," he leaned over her. Wasn’t she just enjoying his kissing and touching?

"I don’t think I’m ready for this, Luis," she whimpered.

"Not ready?" he asked, trying to verify what she said.

"It’s too soon…I…I can’t do this yet," she trembled.

He hadn’t known how to answer her, so instead he just fell back against his own pillows. "All right, angel…"

"You aren’t angry?"

He shook his head and took her into his arms. "No, baby, not angry. A little disappointed, but I’ll be all right. You’ll let me know…"

"I’m sorry."

"Nothing to be sorry for, baby. I’m going to go take a shower, ok?"

She nodded and Luis left the room for a very cold shower.

Sighing, Luis wondered what had caused her to stop, but he wasn’t complaining. He loved Sheridan and knew he could wait this out. He only wished that he knew what could possibly have been wrong so that he knew how to face it.

"Good morning," she whispered against his chest. "How did you sleep?" After the events of the previous night, she wondered how either of them could sleep.

"Not bad," he rubbed her back. She sighed softly, that had to be a good sign. "How are you this morning?"

"Better than yesterday," she replied.

Luis groaned. He knew she was referring to the argument from the previous morning. Sheridan had complained about his cell phone ringing every few minutes and when she asked who it was, he wouldn’t tell her. Finally, she picked it up and found out that Misty had been calling and demanding to get Colin back. Sheridan had been furious. "I’m sorry she called so damn much, Sherry. I mean, I didn’t know she was going to be such a pain about all of this. Sam says she’s getting a lawyer. She wants to prove that she is a fit mother and take him away from me. My only hope is that Eve gets those results soon so I know if I’m fighting for my son…"

"In all honesty, we both know that wouldn’t change how hard you fight, now would it?" Sheridan asked, rubbing the strong muscles of his abdomen, feeling them tense under her hand. "You know you’ll fight for that child because he’s being abused; son or not."

"Yea, well, it changes my fight a little…"

"I don’t see how," she replied.

"Because then I won’t fight for custody, merely to have him be taken away."

Sheridan laughed, but it wasn’t a pleasant laugh. "Luis, that boy needs us. Like it or not, we’re in this for the long haul and we’re going to be taking care of that child whether or not he is a Lopez-Fitzgerald."

Luis sighed. She was right and he knew it. Even if Colin wasn’t his son, Luis would fight for the right to take care of that little boy. Of course, that presented many problems; he wasn’t financially stable and he certainly didn’t have a place to raise a child yet. A judge might look down on all of that. Not to mention, he had been in enough life and death escapades to write a series of adventure movies. His whole life seemed like one huge soap opera and he wasn’t sure if he could ever win custody of Colin.

"We’ll win them over as a team, Luis, so stop stressing," she sighed and sat up, immediately grabbing her robe on the end of the bed.

"I’m not stressing…"

"Sure you are. You love Colin and finding out that he is your son will make your life that much brighter," she stared at the wall. "I only wish he could be our son in every sense of the word…"

"You’re as much of a mother to him as Misty is…" Luis tried to placate her.

"Oh that’s comforting," she replied sarcastically, slipping into the robe. "I’m going to go check on Colin. You want anything from the kitchen?"

"No, I’m going to get up and make breakfast for us…"

"Nothing for me, thanks, I’m not hungry," she left the room. Luis punched her pillow; she wasn’t making this easy. For every inch she gave him, she demanded three more back. He wanted their life back. He wanted to be a family with her and he hadn’t a clue where to start. Sighing, he got up and started to get dressed. He would deal with this as best he could, but some days he was really tempted to tell her to just get out and he would take care of Colin alone. He knew he would never do it, though, because he loved Sheridan and couldn’t live without her.

Colin hid behind the couch, trying his hardest to contain his giggling. When he had woken that morning, he had found his roommate, Miguel, still fast asleep. Being only four, he couldn’t stay still and he knew he wasn’t allowed to wander the house alone. Instead, he had chosen to waken Miguel by bouncing on the bed. His giggling filled the room as Miguel tried to cover his head and drown out the sound. It hadn’t worked. He ended up taking the child to eat breakfast, but they had never made it to the kitchen.

"Megel, wet’s pway!" Colin cheered and zoomed around the small living room. "I wanna pway hide and seek!"

Miguel groaned. Not only had this hyper munchkin woken him up this morning, but now he wanted to play a game and it was only five am! "We can’t play that now, kiddo. Come on, let’s go get some cereal."

"No, I wanna pway!" Colin began to whine.

Theresa entered the room with curlers in her hair. The small boy's giggling that morning, despite her attempts to ignore him, had wakened her took. She knew Miguel would need all the help he could get. "Miguel, just play with him. Sheridan and Luis will feed him when he’s hungry."

"It’s too early for hide and seek, Theresa. I don’t want to play." Miguel groaned. He had better things to be doing, like sleeping.

"Come on, Colin, we’ll *all* play," Theresa took his hand. "You hide and we’ll count."

Now, he sat behind the couch wishing someone would find him. He heard them pass by a few times, but no one had looked here. Then again, he hadn’t been in this location long. He had been moving around with every chance he got to keep them off his trail.

"Come on, Colin, we need to get dressed soon," Theresa whined. How had she gotten into this? She had a date with Ethan in an hour and it would take her half that long to get ready. That goodness she didn’t have class today!

"Yea, Colin. If you come out, I’ll take you shopping or something," Miguel promised, joining Theresa in the living room. He had to get ready for school!

"What’s going on, guys?" Sheridan came down the hallway and found Theresa and Miguel standing there in the pajamas. "Where’s Colin?"

"Hiding. He convinced us to play a game of hide and seek and now we can’t find him. Sheridan, we’ve got plans to get ready for," Theresa whined. "Do something!"

Sheridan tried not to smile, but failed. She should have known that the child was up already; she had known friends with children his age. "All right, go get dressed and I’ll find Colin."

"Thank you," Theresa hugged her. "I owe you," she ran down the hall. Sheridan laughed.

"Yea, thanks Sheridan. Now I know why Luis loves you," he smiled and headed for his room.

Sheridan smiled. She was sure there were other reasons that Luis loved her. Sighing, she looked around the room trying to determine a place Colin could be. She saw his little feet on the edge of the couch and giggled. So that’s where he was…

"Come on out from behind the couch, kiddo. I found you," Sheridan called.

"Awww…but Shewi!" Colin whined, coming out from behind the couch. "We was havin’ fun!"

Sheridan scooped the child up into her arms and gave him a good morning hug. "I know, kiddo, but it’s time to get ready for our day. Luis promised to do some more house hunting and then we have to find out about getting you into school."

"Did I do good on the test?" he asked as she carried him into the kitchen, his little legs wrapped around her waist.

"What test?" Sheridan asked, sitting him in one of the chairs before heading to the coffee maker and turning it on.

"The one Mr. Wis made the doctow take…"

"Oh," Sheridan realized he meant the paternity test. "We’ll find out soon I guess. Want some orange juice?"

"Yes, pwease," Colin sighed. "Shewi?"

"Yes, kiddo?" she asked, pouring him a glass of juice.

"If Mr. Wis lets me live wif you, can I call you Mommy?" he had lowered his voice, afraid she would be angry, but wanting to know.

"You know what, Colin?" Sheridan neared the kitchen table and sat beside him.

"What?" he asked nervously.

"You can call me Mommy any time you want," she smiled.

"Weally?" he was surprised.

"Really," she handed him his juice. "And I’m sure Luis would love it if you called him Daddy."

"You tink?"

"I know," she promised, kissing his cheek.

"Eww," he wiped his cheek. "Gwoooooooss."

"What’s gross?" Luis asked from the doorway.

"Mommy gave me a kiss," Colin made a face, sticking his tongue out. "It was yucky."

"Mommy?" Luis asked.

"Shewi said I could call her mommy. Is that bad?" he asked.

"Not at all," Luis smiled and ruffled Colin’s hair. "In fact, I bet she’s a wonderful mommy."

"Me too," Colin agreed. "Can I have bweakfass now?"

Sheridan nodded. "I’ll get the cereal," she walked to the pantry. After a few moments, she called into the kitchen, "Luis, can you help me please?"

"Yea, Sherry, coming," he looked at Colin. "Don’t go anywhere, all right?"

"Pwomise," the tot grinned.

Luis laughed and headed to where Sheridan was. He saw her clutching two boxes of Cereal. "What’s wrong baby?"

"Was I wrong telling him he could call me mommy?" she asked.

"No, baby, I think it’s a great idea. Really I do," he kissed her forehead. "Something else is wrong, isn’t it?"

"I told him to call you Daddy…"

"So? I guess it makes sense, doesn’t it? We’re going to be a family, Sheridan, one way or another. You know it and so do I."

She pecked his lips lightly. "I love you."

"I love you too," he hugged her gently. "Let’s go feed the kid before he disappears."

Sheridan giggled. "You don’t know how possible that it," she brushed past him with a grin.

Luis pulled the SUV up to the last house for sale in Harmony. The home of Patty Evers was on the corner of the block Pilar currently lived on. It was the same as all the houses on the street: one story with four bedrooms, a living room, a foyer and a kitchen. The foundation was strong, which meant they could add a second story if it was ever needed. Sheridan smiled as they stopped.

"Looks familiar," she winked.

He laughed. "Yea, really. I know it isn’t anything special…"

"No, Luis it’s perfect. I love this house. Besides, the others we looked at were far too large. Right now we only need a little place, we both know that."

Colin yawned. "Are we tere yet?" he looked out his window.

"Yea, buddy, we’re there," Luis smiled. "Ready to check out the last house and let us know if you like it?"

"Yup," he smiled. "Mommy cawwy me?"

"Sure, sweetie, I’ll carry you," climbing out of the SUV, she went around to his door and helped him out. "Hop on," she turned her back to him.

Colin jumped onto her back, wrapping his arms around her neck and his legs around her waist. "Piggy back wide!" he cheered.

Sheridan giggled and started walking to the front door. Luis watched the pair. Sheridan was a natural when it came to children, but with Colin it seemed different. She honestly loved the little boy and he could tell they had formed a bond. He didn’t know how over just two days Sheridan had managed to become a mother to the child, but she had. Somehow, the two just seemed to fit perfectly together, like two pieces of a puzzle.

He watched them reach the front door and turn to face him.

"Come on, Luis, we want to see the house," Sheridan called impatiently from the doorway. She wanted to see this place before they put any money down on it and she had a feeling this was the one.

"Yea, Daddy," Colin waved and mimicked Sheridan. "Come on!"

Luis smiled. He would never get tired of hearing the word Daddy, even if he had missed the first four years of this boy’s life. Sheridan started spinning in circles causing both herself and Colin laugh heartily. When she stopped, she was breathing hard, her face red from the exertion, but she was happy. Luis had never thought she looked more beautiful.

"Having fun, baby?" Luis joined them and kissed his fiancee’s cheek.

"Tons," she smiled and brought Colin around to rest on her hip. He snuggled into her side and kissed her cheek.

"Eww," she teased him, remembering his actions this morning. She tickled his belly.

Colin laughed. "Mommy, don’t be siwwy. You know you wike it."

Luis laughed. "He has you there, Sheridan," he replied and rang the doorbell. In a few moments, a short, plump woman answered the door. Her salt and pepper hair was curled neatly and she wore a blue and white housecoat with matching slippers.

"Why, if it isn’t Officer Luis," Patty smile, pushing her thick, red rimmed glasses higher up on her nose. Behind them her blue eyes twinkled with laughter. "What can I do for you?"

"Well, Mrs. Evers, Sheridan and I were looking for a house to start our family in and I know you’re trying to sell…"

"Say no more," Patty grinned and stepped back to let them in. "I’ll show you the place, for what it’s worth, and you can let me know what you think."

"Thanks, Mrs. Evers," Luis grinned and led his family inside. His family: what a wonderful thought that was. His family and his home…it was a dream come true.

Sheridan placed Colin on his feet and held his hand as Patty led them through the home. Sheridan knew her way around; after all it looked just like the Lopez-Fitzgerald home, but she was amazed by everything the little woman had collected over the years. Photos of her children and grandchildren were in every room and antique bowls and paintings adorned the walls. Finally, she showed them the yard where she had a wonderful garden.

"Oh!" Sheridan rushed over to the rose bush and inhaled their fragrance. "Oh, Luis, isn’t it perfect?" For the first time since the miscarriage, there was softness and light in Sheridan’s eyes. They orbs that had become so dull and pain-filled finally sparked to life right before him. She was excitedly sniffing the flowers and showing them to Colin, warning him of the thorns on the plant.

"How much are you asking, Mrs. Evers?" Luis asked the woman.

"Just what it said in the paper…"

Luis closed his eyes and could see Sheridan and himself settling in here. He could see Colin having his own room in the house; the walls covered in a sports motif. Then they could have a room set up as a nursery for when they have more children. This house was perfect for them and he knew Sheridan felt the same way. "Let me just talk to my fiancee…"

"Take your time," Patty patted his arm. "I’ll be inside, Luis." She went into the kitchen.

"Sherry?" Luis walked over to where she and Colin sat on a bench between rose bushes. The two looked at him, stopping their own conversation about the roses. "What do you think?"

"I think this place is perfect, Luis," she was glowing. Perfect was exactly what this house was. "I’ve always loved your mother’s house…Luis, this is *our* home."

"Yea, Daddy. I wike tis one," Colin hopped off the cement bench. "Wook at aww the purdy flowers."

Luis swept Colin into his arms. "So you like this place, kiddo?"

"Yup," Colin grinned.

"Me too," Sheridan agreed, standing to join them. "So?" she waited expectantly.

"All right, let’s go talk to Patty about buying her home," Luis slid his arm around Sheridan’s waist and led her inside.

After visiting the agency that was selling Patty’s home and placing a binder on the house, Sheridan and Luis decided to go into town and run a few errands. Luis dropped Sheridan off at the Youth Center to check on Hank, while he ran over to the station to see what was going on. Sheridan reluctantly parted from the man she loved, feeling that something was about to happen. As she watched him disappear out the door, she sensed that they would soon face a truth that could tear them apart.

No sooner had Luis left Sheridan at the Center, than his cell phone rang. He wasn’t sure if he wanted to answer it, his gut telling him that this call would change his life. Letting it ring two more times, he gave in and answered his cell.

"Lopez-Fitzgerald," he greeted. He prayed it was someone at the station, he wasn’t sure if he wanted it to be anyone else just yet.

"Luis, it’s Eve."

Luis groaned. Her call meant that the paternity test results were in and that meant tonight he would be breaking the news to Sheridan. How was he going to tell her that he was definitely Colin’s father or definitely not? "Hey, Eve. What’s up?" he prayed it was something else. Maybe, just maybe, Eve had news about something else.

"I have the results to the paternity test, Luis, would you like me to give you the results over the phone?" He could hear her shuffle some papers around on her desk.

"No, I can be down at your office in about five minutes. How’s that?"

"All right. I’ll see you then, Luis."

"Yea," Luis hung up and sighed. He wasn’t sure if he really wanted those results. In fact, he knew he didn’t want them. He loved Sheridan, but he was sure that these results would change their lives. Deep down inside, he knew that whatever Eve would tell him would just start a chain of events that he couldn’t control and Luis Lopez-Fitzgerald hated not being in control.

Sheridan laughed as she watched a group of children playing tag in the gymnasium of the Youth Center. The older children had started it by trying to teach the youngsters duck-duck-goose. Now, it was an all out game of "gotcha last" as the children, raging in ages from four to seven, chased each other with no real purpose.

Colin ran over and grabbed Sheridan. "Mommy, I gotcha last!" he giggled.

Sheridan started to laughed and played along, giving Colin a head start as she began to chase him and the other children. Finally, she spotted Hank, who had opened the Center for them today, and tagged him. "Gotcha last, Hank."

Hank looked confused. "What?" He didn’t just hear her say that, did he?

"Gotcha last," she giggled. "We’re playing tag and I just tagged you."

"No way!" he laughed. "You can’t get me last," he tagged her. "Because I got you last." He winked.

Sheridan watched Hank run off with the kids and she started laughing. She couldn’t remember ever having so much fun before in her life. Since meeting Luis, her life had been far better than ever before. Sure, having money was nice; it was certainly extremely comforting to know your bank account would take a millennium to drain, but it was much better to have good friends and the love of your life.

Colin ran back to Sheridan and hugged her leg. "Mommy, Misty’s here!" he screamed in terror. His little body quaked from the panic running through his veins.

Sheridan glanced at the door and she immediately spotted the redhead. She felt her stomach begin to knot as hatred flowed through her veins. Her eyes darkened as angry took control of her system. This woman had abused Colin, had beaten him and mistreated him for the last four years. This woman had made her lose her baby and almost lose her fiance. It was time for this woman to get what she deserved. Sheridan wouldn’t let Misty hurt Colin again. Sweeping the boy into her arms, she stood ready to confront Misty.

"Where’s that bastard?" Misty demanded, looking around for Luis. She wanted to have this out now. That man had taken away the one thing she knew would always be there, Colin.

"Luis isn’t here, Misty. What can I do for you?" Sheridan asked, trying her hardest to keep her temper under control.

"I want my son back…" Her statement held no feeling and Sheridan just wanted to rip her hair out.

Sheridan laughed wickedly. "When hell freezes over, Misty."

Misty smirked. "You’re amazing, do you know that? I have legal custody of Colin…given to me by a mighty powerful man…"

Sheridan looked at her confused. "What?"

Shaking her head, Misty just decided to let it go. "Nothing, you’ll figure it out in time," Misty grinned. "Look, tell Luis to expect a call from me…I want that child back." Misty walked out, leaving Sheridan absolutely confused.

"So, the results are in?" Luis asked, sitting across from Eve. He fidgeted in his chair and ran a hand through his hair.

"Yes, I received them today after the final paperwork went through at the station. Misty had a lawyer put a hold on the test, but once it finally was done, the results were back in an hour. Have you been by to see Sam yet? He told me there was something else added to the files about Colin." Eve fished out the paternity file. The Harmony PD was putting together a file for Luis’ lawyers when they weren’t to court against Misty for custody for Colin.

"Not yet," Luis sighed. "Sheridan and I were house hunting today. We want a place to raise Colin. We agreed it would look better to get custody if we had a place to live that wasn’t my mother’s home."

Eve nodded, unsure of what to say. "Look, Luis, I’m going to give you this file to bring down to Sam. It has a copy of the test in it to add to the case against Misty. Sheridan has to come in to see me…we need a sample from her."

"What? Why?" Luis asked confused. What could Sheridan have to do with all this?

"Sam will explain it all when you get there," Eve smiled sympathetically. "This case has taken an odd turn of events. In fact, the oddest I’ve ever seen in something that wasn’t a soap opera plot."

"Eve?" Luis flipped open the file. He searched the content for something that would explain this, but nothing did.

"Trust me, Luis, it’s a lot more twisted than that file there…" Eve replied. ‘And I’m sure the late Alistair Crane has something to do with it…’ Eve gave Luis a moment before she explained just what the paternity test showed.

Nearly an hour later, Luis somehow managed to digest the information Eve had given him and drive back across town to stop in at the police station. When he got there, everyone was giving him funny looks. They weren’t sympathetic but they weren’t concerned either. The looks were as confusing as his feelings were. He couldn’t figure out what was going on, so he immediately went to see Sam.

"Hey, Sam. Eve said you needed to see me," Luis entered, holding the file.

"Paternity test?" Sam asked, motioning to the manila folder in Luis’ hand.

He nodded. "She gave me this copy to bring for the files to go to the attorney that’s taking my custody case for the abuse."

"Yea well, Child Services helped us get a lot more for that file, Luis. Close the door and have a seat, I’ll show you something that will blow your mind."

"What?" Luis asked, closing the door and sitting across from his friend. After the results of the paternity test nothing was going to shock him. However, when Sam handed him a folder of photocopies made for him to bring to Sheridan, Luis was never so shocked in his life. The contents had been taken from Misty’s apartment and opened a brand new can of worms.

Later that night when they returned to the Lopez-Fitzgerald home, Colin was fast asleep from the extent of his day. Luis carried him inside to put him to bed, leaving Sheridan outside for a moment to gaze at the stars. She realized that buying a house, which is what they had basically agreed to do, was a permanent step towards their future. That thought unnerved her. What was she thinking? Hadn’t she just decided that she couldn’t be his wife? Hadn’t she just decided that his secrecy was too much to deal with? But didn’t she also promise Colin that she would be his mother? Hadn’t she already lost her heart to that little boy?

She sighed, remembering their baby. The pain had started to fade and was almost forgotten, but the emptiness seemed eternal. She wondered if she would ever stop mourning for their child…their son. Sniffling, she realized she would never stop grieving, but she would learn to keep the grief inside. She would always miss that baby, the one she never truly knew.

Going into the house, Sheridan was surprised to find the place empty. Checking her watch, she realized that Miguel was probably with Charity, Theresa was with Ethan and Pilar was at the restaurant until it closed. Shrugging, she went towards the bedroom to find Luis. She stopped outside of Colin’s door to watch Luis tuck the boy in.

Luis brushed a piece of bang out of Colin’s eyes and then lifted the boy’s small hand into his own. Today hadn’t been a day of revelations because everything he found out led to another question. Misty had been uncooperative and refused to explain anything, but Luis knew he had to get to the bottom of this. He also knew that there were only three people in the world that could answer these questions: Sheridan (who probably knew nothing), Misty (who refused to tell) and Alistair (who had passed away.)

Sheridan never tired of watching Luis and children. Even at the Youth Center, she always knew how wonderful a father he would be. He seemed so in tune with what children needed. Moving slightly, the floorboards squeaked in protest and Luis turned to face her. Quickly, but silently, he stood and joined her in the hall.

"You were amazing with him today," he whispered.

"Thank you," she smiled. "You weren’t so bad yourself."

He smiled. Their eyes met and Luis found himself drowning in her deep blue pools. "Let’s go to our room," Luis took her hand.

Sheridan nodded, feeling her heart rate accelerate. For some reason, she needed to be with Luis. Maybe it was the fact that they had basically bought a house or maybe it was having to deal with Misty today, but Sheridan wanted to be with her fiancee in every way she could. Something told her that this would be a night she would never forget.

Luis lifted Sheridan into his arms and carried her into the bedroom, kissing her as he carried her over the threshold and kicked the door shut with his foot. Putting her on her feet, he turned the radio on and hit play on the CD player. Locking the door, he returned to her and leaned in for a deep passionate kiss.

Sheridan felt Luis begin to unbutton her shirt as he continued to kiss her. She pulled him closer, deepening the kiss and using her tongue to beg entrance to deepen it further. He opened his mouth, complying and pulled her body up against his. Their tongues mated, battling for the right to explore their partner’s mouth.

Sheridan moved back and looked into his eyes, her own darkened with desire. Reaching out to him, she quickly removed the t-shirt he was wearing and then the belt on his jeans. He leaned in to kiss her, walking her backwards to the bed as they both tumbled onto the covers.

The pair continued to undress each other until they were lying completely nude on top of the comforter. Luis’ fingertips traveled a light trail down her body, starting at her neck and moving down gently, watching her shiver in response. "You’re so beautiful, Sheridan…I don’t know how I got so lucky," he leaned in to kiss her lips gently.

"Luis," she whispered, feeling his fingers trace her navel as he kissed and nibbled the skin of her neck. "I love you."

"I love you too…"

He watched her face, enthralled by her every move. "We need to talk…"

"We can talk later," she kissed him passionately, sending all other thoughts out of his head.

Luis’ fingers were followed by his lips as he kissed his way from her ear down towards her stomach, a trail of butterfly kisses that made her skin tingle. Sheridan arched slightly, her body feeling alive from the feel of his hands and lips on her skin. Inside, she admitted that she had wanted this for some time now. She loved Luis and more than anything in the world she wanted to make love to him. Sheridan had denied him the previous night, but she wouldn’t stop him now.

He kissed his way back up, leaning over her when he reached her lips. "Sure you don’t want to talk?" his voice was tight with passion.

"Make love to me, Luis…make love to me now…"

Luis and Sheridan made love, entwining their souls and filling in the voids created over the past few weeks. They allowed their love to replace the hurt and anger over everything that had happened and used their bodies to show just how in tune they were. Love swept them away into their own world, the world for lovers that they had created on their own.

Afterwards, Sheridan and Luis lay in bed, their limbs entwined as they basked in the afterglow of a slow and sensual lovemaking that had left them breathless. Sheridan giggled slightly.

"That was wonderful," she admitted, kissing his chest.

"Mm, so it was," he replied lazily. He wanted to talk to her about the paternity test and the information he had received from Sam. "I hate to ruin the mood…"

"Ut oh," Sheridan grumbled. "What is it?"

"Two things actually…"

"What?" Sheridan asked.

"Well, the paternity test came back today," Luis hedged.

Sheridan stopped breathing. She should have known there was a reason he had brought her in here right away. Of course, he had said he needed to talk to her, but his fingers had been playing her body like a well-tuned instrument.

"He’s my son," Luis whispered.

Sheridan sat shocked for a moment, her body numb from the realization that he was the boy’s father. When her mind finally absorbed the information some minutes later, she released a sob and darted up. "He…he’s really yours?" she asked. This wasn’t happening. Luis wasn’t supposed to be his father…it was supposed to be some kind of mistake!

"Sheridan, there’s more," Luis sat up beside her and caressed her shoulder. He was hesitant to tell her this.

"More?" she squeaked. "How much more can there be? You’re the boy’s father. What else is left?"

Luis reached over to his long forgotten folder and pulled out Colin’s birth certificate. He looked at it one last time, knowing this was going to be difficult. Sighing, he handed it over to Sheridan. "Eve will need a DNA sample from you, Sherry. We have reason to believe Misty isn’t Colin’s mother." There, it was said.

"What?" Sheridan asked, glaring at Luis. "You mean there was *another* woman?" Sheridan’s eyes became wide.

"No, Sheridan," he replied, trying to get her to look at the birth certificate.

"Then what!" She yelled. "Who could possibly be his mother!?" Sheridan was hurt.

Luis motioned to the birth certificate and watched as Sheridan looked it over. When she scanned mother’s name, she did a double take. She checked again and was sure she was seeing things. Rubbing her eyes, one last time she read the name on the paper and felt her body begin to shake in shock. "This isn’t possible…" Sheridan whispered.

"I thought the same thing, Sheridan. I mean how?"

She shook her head. The words on the paper burned an image in her mind that she would never forget. Colin wasn’t just Luis’ son…he was hers to. "How can I be Colin’s mother?" she looked at Luis. "How could we have a four-year-old son? There must be some mistake!"

But it was there in black and white ‘Mother’s Name: Sheridan Crane’ and Luis had been deemed Colin’s father through DNA.

Chapter Six