May’s rainy season had been followed by June’s sweltering heat. Today was no different than all the others: hot, humid and sunny. Not that Sheridan had expected this day to be different as they moved into the new house. She was just content that they were able to move in all ready. If they were going to raise their son, they needed a place of their own.

Looking outside the large picture window, she could see Luis grabbing another box from the moving truck they had rented. Between the contents of Sheridan’s cottage, even the things she left behind which Ethan had insisted they take, and the items from Luis’ room at Pilar’s, the two were able to fill a truck. She smiled; all of their friends were helping them move in today and Luis hadn’t seemed this happy in weeks. Now all they needed to get was their delivery of furniture…

"Mommy?" Colin interrupted Sheridan’s reverie as he entered the foyer.

Sheridan turned to face her son, wondering how he could possibly be her child. "Hey kiddo, what’s wrong?" she asked, kneeling to be his eye level.

"Nofin," he grinned. "I just wanted a hug."

"Oh," she hugged him, reveling in the feel of the child in her arms. "I love hugs."

"Me too," he giggled. "I gotta get back, Chawity is playin wif my toys!"

Sheridan laughed and released the little boy, watching as he scampered from the room. Sighing, she stood and leaned against the nearby wall. He was such a handsome little boy, so much like his father. She only wished there was some hint as to her being his mother. He didn’t have blue eyes; they were a rich chocolate brown like his father’s. His hair wasn’t blond, but a dark black like Luis’. He didn’t even have her facial shape. There was no evidence, besides the DNA and birth certificate, that could link her to Colin.

Closing her eyes, she allowed herself to remember the day in Eve’s office when her lab results came in from a DNA match with Colin.

Sheridan shifted nervously in the green material chair as she waited for Eve to return. Luis took her hand into his and gave it a reassuring squeeze, trying his best to ease her fidgeting. Looking at his fiancee, he tried to figure out just what she was feeling. Was she antsy because she wanted Colin to be hers or because she was sure he wasn’t and wanted this insanity over with?

Sheridan glanced back at him and tried to smile. She wanted Colin to be her son so much that this was driving her insane. She didn’t want to admit it to Luis, but she couldn’t remember being pregnant with his child. Come to think of it, she couldn’t even remembering being with Luis before they met two years ago. How could they possibly have a son that was turning five on July 4th?

Eve entered the room, one hand tucked into the deep pocket of her white lab coat and the other holding the file that would contain the answers to their question. She walked to her desk, revealing no emotion as she sat into her chair. Smiling slightly, Eve flipped open the manila folder.

Luis shifted his chair closer to Sheridan’s and placed his arm around her shoulders. She smiled appreciatively at him and inadvertently held her breath as Eve looked up at both of them.

"So? What do they say?" Luis asked, his voice forced as he tried to hide the emotions that were coursing through his veins.

"The DNA results contain a positive match," Eve replied, turning the file for both of them to see. "Colin is indeed Sheridan’s son as well as yours, Luis."

Sheridan expelled the air in her lungs in a sob as she glanced down at the complicated file on Eve’s desk. She was truly Colin’s mother, not just a name on his birth certificate. She wanted to deny it, her brain was already telling her it wasn’t possible, but the evidence was there. Now she wondered what caused her to give away the boy that was waiting for them at home.

"Sheridan, are you all right?" Luis asked. Both he and Eve noticed how incredibly silent and pale Sheridan had become.

"I’ll be fine," she whispered, looking into Luis’ eyes. "We have a son!" she laughed.

He smiled. "Yes, a son…our son."

She jumped into his arms and hugged him tightly. "I want to go home to our son."

"Sheridan, where does this go?" Sam asked, causing Sheridan to jump slightly, opening her eyes. "Sorry, didn’t mean to frighten you."

"That’s all right, Sam," she smiled. "That goes in Colin’s room. Just follow the sounds of his laughter," she motioned to the hallway.

Sam grinned and headed that way. The men were bringing in the boxes; Luis had insisted that the women unpack. Sheridan had wanted to argue; she could carry boxes just as well as Luis could, but he made a good point. They could get twice the work done if the furniture and boxes were brought in and then unpacked.

Sighing, she watched as Miguel, Luis and Hank brought in more boxes and brought them to their respective rooms. Charity had offered to unpack Colin’s room. Pilar was waiting in the kitchen with Theresa. Grace and Beth were going to set up the living room. Sheridan had insisted on doing the master bedroom alone, but had been tired of waiting for boxes and ended up in the foyer for a while. They were expecting their furniture to arrive soon.

"Sherry, the furniture guys are here. Direct them for me, babe?" Luis stopped before heading back outside.

"No problem, sweetheart," she kissed his lips lightly. "Just tell them to bring it all in."

"All right," he kissed her again and headed outside. She watched him through the window again; his skin was glistening in the sunlight. God he was gorgeous!

She directed the men as they brought in large pieces of furniture for Colin’s room, the living room and the kitchen. Sheridan hadn’t accepted all of the furniture from the cottage; she and Luis had decided that some of it just didn’t fit in their home. He had permitted her, though begrudgingly, to use some of the Barrett money to buy some furniture. It had been hard, but the couple had finally decided on some things for the house.

Once the furniture men left, Sheridan headed back into the bedroom to start on the unpacking. She didn’t realize just what a task she had at hand as she tore open the first box of her clothing.

That night, after the truck was empty and the unpacking complete, Sheridan finally was able to relax. It had taken all day, but the house was done and now she and Luis were settled in the living room watching television. "It was nice of Ethan to bring the contents of my cottage, wasn’t it?" she asked, motioning to the TV and entertainment center in the living room.

"Yea," he pulled her closer. "It was. Where’s Colin?" He nipped at her ear playfully.

Sheridan giggled, his lips tickling her ear and neck. "Playing in his room," she replied, laying her head on his chest. "Luis…we haven’t really talked about being his parents. I mean, this is a lot different than adopting him. We’re the child’s biological family."

"I know," he replied, rubbing her side. "Sheridan, I think I would know if I met you before you returned from Paris. I mean, you said you hadn’t been to Harmony since you were a child and I hadn’t been to Europe until I hunted you down in Paris last year." The pieces weren’t fitting together. Neither could explain it, thought they tried. Why didn’t Sheridan know she had a child? Why didn’t Luis remember a night with his soul mate? What were they missing?

"I know," she replied. "Why won’t Misty tell us? What is she hiding?" Sheridan and Luis had begged Misty to give them any clue to why Colin was hidden from both of them for four long years. She refused to tell them anything, saying she didn’t have to until she was called into court. Luis hadn’t wanted it to go that far, but they had a date in early July.

Luis sighed. "Maybe she really loves Colin. She was his adopted mother; maybe she doesn’t want to give him up."

Sheridan didn’t reply. She was too busy wondering why she didn’t know she had a child running around in America while she was in Europe. "Do you think my father had anything to do with this?" She did. Sheridan wondered if Alistair had taken the baby away from her, seeing it as negative publicity for the family.

"I don’t know," he replied honestly. "Wouldn’t put it past him."

"We missed so much of his life, Luis. How do we ever make that up to him?" Sheridan could imagine Colin taking his first steps and saying his first word. These were times she could never get back with her son: her first born.

"I don’t know if we can," he bent and kissed the top of her head. "But we can make the next fifteen or so memorable."

Padded footsteps were heard coming down the hall, just before a little voice called out. "Mommy? Daddy? Can I watch TV wif you?" Colin asked, his teddy bear tucked under his arm and one of Luis’ old shirts on to sleep in.

"Come on, kiddo," Sheridan sat up and opened her arms to him. He rushed to her, jumping onto her lap excitedly. Colin immediately rested his head on her chest and sighed.

"Did you take a bath, buddy?" Luis asked his son.

"Umm," Colin tried to remember. "Yup," he admitted.

Sheridan kissed the top of the boy’s head. "Nana gave him a bath before she left, didn’t she sweetie?"

"Yup," he grinned. "And I spwashed her wif the watew. We pwayed wif my boats too."

Luis smiled. "Did Nana like the boats?"

"Yup, but the sailows missed you and Mommy." The boy stopped for a moment. Ever since he had moved in with Sheridan and Luis, he had been getting nightly baths given by either both or just one of his parents. He loved bath time; it was special. They would play with his toy boats, float around in the bubbles and have a splashing war. It was his favorite part of the day. He snuggled closer, resting his head against the arm of the chair and allowing his eyes to droop as sleep tried to overcome his tiny body.

Sheridan could see Colin fighting the sleep as they watched television. He was using his teddy bear as a pillow against the arm of the couch. "Tired, sweetie?"

"No," Colin yawned, his eyes nearly closed.

Sheridan smiled and combed her fingers through his hair gently. Luis watched her, enjoying this view of his fiancee. She was so tender and caring with Colin. It was almost as if they were never apart. The ugly reality of the situation was that Sheridan had given Colin up and never looked back. Luis didn’t want to tell her, but that thought killed him inside. Would she do that with their other children as well?

Sheridan looked up at Luis. "Theresa’s wedding is tomorrow, Luis, maybe we should take him to bed."

Luis nodded. "Want to carry him or should I?"

"I not sweepy," Colin insisted, not quite asleep. He wasn’t ready for bed.

Sheridan giggled, grogginess had been prominent in Colin’s protest and his nearly closed eyes would give anyone the impression that he was tired. Luis lifted the child from Sheridan’s lap and headed for Colin’s room. Sheridan switched off the TV and followed. If they had to be up for a wedding, then she certainly needed to get to bed.

Pausing at Colin’s doorway, she watched as Luis tucked Colin and his teddy into bed. She walked into the bedroom, smiling at her fiance. "He out yet?"

"I not sweepy," Colin whispered in objection.

"Guess not," Sheridan giggled. Bending, she kissed Colin on the forehead. "Goodnight, kiddo."

"Night, Mommy," he sighed in defeat.

Luis hugged his son and smiled. "Night, buddy."

"Night Daddy," Colin closed his eyes.

Sheridan took Luis’ hand and the pair headed for their own bedroom, pausing once to glance back at their sleeping son. Sheridan kissed Luis. "I love you."

"Love you too," he smiled weakly.

"What’s wrong?" Sheridan asked, pulling away.

"Why did you give him up, Sherry?" he rushed out. He hadn’t meant to ask her; he really wasn’t sure he wanted to know, but he did ask. For the last month, the thought of Sheridan giving up their son ate at his mind. Could the woman he love truly not have cared about children? Could he be making a mistake with her? No one seemed to have an answer and it was plaguing him. How could he marry someone that had turned her back on her own son?

Pain flashed in Sheridan’s eyes and, no matter how hard she tried to force it away, it lingered. "How could you ask that?" she asked sadly. She had rather thought that Luis would have known her better. Her hand slipped from his and she went into their bedroom to change. She couldn’t believe that her own fiance thought her so callous as to just dump her son like last years fashions? The pain was tearing at her heart, making it hard to control the water pooling in her eyes.

"Sheridan, I didn’t mean it to sound so harsh. I was just wondering what would make you turn him out. You seem to love him so much over so short a time." Luis was very sorry he had brought this up. He hadn’t meant to upset her; he just needed to know.

Sheridan was fighting tears. It was true. She loved Colin immensely and would give the world for him, but still there was that nagging wonder as to why she had given up her son all those years ago. All she had ever wanted was a baby and she couldn’t find a reason in her mind that she would have given hers up. A sob escaped, try as she might to fight it, and she sank onto the nearby bed.

"Sherry?" he neared her. Her sob tore through him and he knew that what he said had hurt her incredibly. "I’m sorry."

She shook her head, not wanting the thoughts that were entering her mind nor his apology. He was right to wonder; after all, she had been doing the same thing since he revealed Colin’s birth certificate to her. "I couldn’t have given him up. It doesn’t make sense. I wish I could remember!"

Luis went to her and knelt at her feet. "Sheridan, what are you talking about?"

"I would never have given away my baby, Luis. It’s the one thing I wanted in the entire world. I wanted a family. I can’t see how I would have given him up." Sheridan wiped at a tear on her cheek, wishing she knew what had happened to make her give away her son. She still couldn’t seem to comprehend what happened. How could she admit to Luis that she couldn’t remember him? That, try as she might, being with him four years ago was a huge blank in her mind. "Why don’t I remember you?" her voice question was whispered.

Luis decided that Sheridan had become far too emotional. He hadn’t intended to start this conversation, not tonight anyway. Sitting beside her, he placed his arm around her shoulders and pulled her close. "Angel, we’ll figure this out. We’re not going to get it done tonight though, baby, so we might as well just try not to think about it."

"Luis," Sheridan sniffled and looked deep into his eyes. She wanted to get this out in the open; she needed to know…

"Look, why don’t we go through that cool photo album we found when we were unpacking?" Luis tried to keep her from dwelling on the subject. He pulled out the blue binder and handed it to her. "Tell me the story, Angel."

Sheridan wiped another tear away and nodded. "Just let me change first."

"All right," Luis watched her remove her clothing and slip into a sheer, silk, spaghetti strap nightgown. She smiled at him and he quickly stripped down to his boxers and climbed beneath the sheets. After she joined him, she flipped open the album and pointed to a picture on the first page. "My first horse show. It was in France one summer. I took first prize in my age group."

Luis looked at the picture of the tiny blond sitting proudly on a white mare. She was glowing, the blue ribbon proudly displayed. "You look so happy," he traced her smiling face. "I don’t remember seeing many pictures of you this happy."

Sheridan shrugged. "Only Ivy was there to witness my accomplishment. No one else cared to show. Maybe I was happy because I hadn’t been scolded. Frankly, I hated riding horses. Father insisted that I learn."

Luis kissed Sheridan’s lips gently. "I don’t want to miss any of your accomplishments, baby. I’m going to make up the last twenty-eight years to you. We’ll do things we both love and I’ll teach you things that will make your father turn in his grave."

Sheridan smiled. "You’ve got a fine start on it, Luis. So far you’ve made all my dreams come true."

"I try," he grinned. "But just in case you better start having more dreams."

Sheridan giggled. She continued to flip through, telling him about each photo as it passed. Sheridan explained the pictures she had from her childhood to her college years. She pointed out the places they were taken in: some in Paris and Spain others in England. She laughed when she saw one her friend had taken of a slumber party: her hair was in curlers and her face covered in an avocado mask. As she turned the page to the years following her college graduation, Colin called out to her.

"Mommy," Colin asked from the doorway. "Can I have a gwass of watew?"

"Sure, sweetie," Sheridan pulled on her robe. "You can keep looking, Luis, I’ll be back in a minute." She crossed the room to where her son stood and the two turned to leave.

Luis smiled and watched as she left the room, Colin running ahead of her to the kitchen. Flipping the page, he scanned the photos of Sheridan at a party. She didn’t look like she was having a good time at all; in fact, she looked bored. A flip of the page brought him face to face with someone he recognized; someone he had remembered in a dream. "Sarah?"

He traced her features, remembering how it felt to actually touch her. Removing the plastic film, he removed the photo and read the back. ‘Sheridan’s new do, 1996.’ What kind of joke was this? "Sarah," he whispered again.

Sheridan chose that moment to return, having completed the water run and tucking her son back into bed. "Who’s Sarah?" she asked, removing her robe and crawling into bed.

Luis stared at the photo of the brunette, her blue eyes so clear in the picture. He flashed back to their night of love making in the hotel. How passionate she had been with him when they arrived. She was like an animal, totally throwing herself into their night together. Looking over at Sheridan, he remembered those eyes. The same piercing blue orbs from that night years ago. "No, she said her name was Sarah. It isn’t possible. It just can’t be."

"Luis?" she laughed. "What are you talking about?" Her laughter was nervous and her eyes held confusion. She had barely been gone two minutes to find Luis ranting about a picture.

Luis revealed the picture of Sheridan. "Her name is Sarah," he stated slowly, searching for verification but attempting to show that there was no denying her name.

"No, her name is Sheridan. That’s me, a few years ago after I decided I needed a change. My friends were getting tattoos and I simply dyed my hair brown for an entire summer. I think I dyed it back by Christmas. I hated it."

"It can’t be, Sheridan. This can’t be you!" he looked back at the photo. "This just can’t be you!"

The confusion was gone and Sheridan found the situation amusing. Luis was arguing that she didn’t even know a picture of herself. She laughed. "Luis, I think I would know if it was me. I may not have looked through this album since I placed the photos in it, but I would know if that was someone named Sarah."

"But Sheridan, you don’t understand," Luis was getting frustrated. "It can’t be you!"

"Why the hell not?" she asked. The humor was gone and she was becoming angry. There was no reason for him to raise his voice. It was *her* picture after all.

"Because I met Sarah in Boston some five years ago. Sheridan, I slept with this woman in Boston!" He glared at her. "She told me her name was Sarah!"

Sheridan gasped. "You and Sarah…" she started to feel dizzy as a memory hit her. A man at her friend Michelle’s party…leaving early when she had drank far too much…

"Sarah, maybe I should take you home."

"Huh?" her eyes twinkled. Home was a good place to go with this one.

"You’re drunk," he explained the obvious.

Shaking her head, she leaned against the nearby wall. She was feeling hot and didn’t want this to end yet. He was too good to pass up. "I'm not as trunk as you drink I am, Ocifer Luisss, I'm sotally tober," she giggled and took another drink. Amid her laughter was a snort.

He laughed. "You may be ‘sotally tober’ but I think you need to get to bed."

"Mm, good idea," she dangled her arms around his neck. "Join me?"

He laughed tensely, but Sheridan wasn’t about to give up. She may have given him the wrong name, but she was going to get him back to her hotel.

"Sheridan?" he interrupted any other memories she could have had of that night.

"I had come to Boston for a shopping trip. A friend of mine wanted to visit some of her favorite stores and show me the Charles. I couldn’t remember the last time I went to Boston; I couldn’t have been more than five. I joined her and we ended up having a party at a mutual friend’s home. I was smashed. I didn’t realize the punch was spiked."

"Sheridan, what does this mean? Who is Sarah?" Luis was trying to piece all the information together.

"She was the Crane heiress back in the early eighteen hundreds; my great-great-great-great grandmother or something. It was the name I used when I went out in public and didn’t want to be recognized as a Crane. The press didn’t know I had dyed my hair. As far as they were concerned, Sheridan was blond…Sarah was a brunette," her eyes were still cloudy with memories. "People told me they barely recognized me as a brunette, especially if I put in my green contacts. I had forgotten them that night, the night I met you at the party." Sheridan started to find it hard to breathe. She had been with Luis and, until now, hadn’t even known it.

"Sheridan?" he rubbed her back. "Angel, what’s wrong?" He could see her struggling to breathe.

Tears blurred her vision further and began a silent decent down her cheeks. "Luis," she sobbed, "Why am I just now remembering meeting you?" Her sad blue eyes met his confused brown ones. "Why am I just remembering that trip to Boston?"

Luis didn’t know why she couldn’t remember him, but he didn’t want her to hurt anymore. Closing the album and putting it on his nightstand, he lay down and coaxed her into his arms. Her tears hit his chest as he tried to sooth her, words of love and understanding pouring from his lips. Rubbing her back and side, Luis reminded her that they would figure this all out in time. While he comforted her, his own mind began to wonder why Sheridan was only now remembering her trip to Boston. What had happened to make her forget an entire part of her life?

Luis woke nearly an hour before the alarm went off; hitting the off button to make sure it wouldn’t ring. He needed time to think. Last night hadn’t revealed any answers; instead if left him with so many questions that sleep had eluded him for hours. When he finally had fallen asleep, it was only to dream about that night in Boston. Instead of the brunette he had been with, he was with his Sheridan. The one he knew and loved. Yet, this dream Sheridan had placed her child in the hands of an abuser, laughing over how easy it was to give up something you didn’t ever want. That’s when he had woken and decided that he couldn’t bare to witness Sheridan giving away their child one more time.

Sheridan, on the other hand, had fallen asleep from crying, her emotions coming out in murmurs during her rest. She had cried out that the baby was hers and she wanted to keep him, following this cry with a whimper and clinging to Luis’ abdomen. Both had been lost in memories and neither had known the difference.

Luis didn’t want to wake her, but the extra time would mean less of a rush later. Kissing her forehead, he sighed. "Rise and shine Sherry angel."

Sheridan moaned and rolled out of his arms and onto her other side, her back facing Luis. She didn’t want to get up.

"Baby, come on, Theresa gets married today," Luis moved closer and kissed her shoulder. His kisses slowly moved to her ear where he whispered, "I love you."

She groaned. He was pulling out the heavy weapons: kisses and love. Luis wasn’t playing fair. "But I’m tired."

"I know, darling," he nibbled at her neck. Suddenly deciding that showering could wait as her soft skin met his lips.

She moaned. "You’re cheating," she replied breathlessly.

"I know," he began to suck gently at her earlobe. "I can’t help it. You’re gorgeous with your hair a mess."

Sheridan rolled onto her back and looked at him. "Not to kill the mood, but I have morning breath."

He laughed. "I don’t care if you do," he kissed her lips gently.

She slowly deepened the kiss, her protests long forgotten. She felt his hands begin to slowly remove her nightgown, the silk sliding over her hips and chest. His lips left hers, moving down her chin towards her breasts when a "DADDY! No huwt-ing Mommy!" came from the doorway.

Luis froze, his lips hovering over Sheridan’s skin. He could feel her body shake with nervous laughter, the situation all too embarrassing for both of them. Sheridan immediate grabbed the sheet and pulled it up to cover her as Luis moved to her side, turning to face their son. "I wasn’t hurting her kiddo."

Colin rolled his eyes. "You were going to bite Mommy," he replied innocently.

Luis laughed, getting up and going to Colin. "I promise, I wasn’t going to bite Mommy," he swept his son into his arms and tickled his stomach. "What are you doing up?"

"Not tiwed no mowe," he shrugged hugging his father. "I missed Mommy."

Sheridan had somehow managed to slide back into her nightgown and then pull her robe on. Crossing the room, she joined the pair at the door. "You missed me?" she asked her son.

"Yup," he reached for her and she willingly took him into her arms. "I missed you wots and wots."

She hugged him, kissing his cheek. "Well I missed you too," she winked at Luis.

"Look, we might as well get ready, Theresa’s wedding is today and she’s going to need your help getting ready. After all, you will be her sister-in-law soon."

"I know," she sighed, rubbing Colin’s back with small circles. "My dress is at your mother’s. I forgot to bring it over here. Can I leave you and Colin alone until the wedding?" She teased. Sheridan knew Luis was capable of handling Colin; after all, he had practically raised his siblings. However, she also knew that Colin was a handful, testing the limits of his mother and father whenever he could.

Luis nodded. "We’ll have breakfast and lounge around before we get dressed in our penguin suits."

"But Mommy, I don’t want you to weave," Colin whined.

"Baby, I’m coming back. I’m going to help Aunt Theresa get ready for her wedding and then I’ll meet you and Daddy at church. I promise."

Colin sighed, leaning back to give Sheridan the sad puppy face she had mastered against Luis. She immediately felt her a tug at her heart from the look in his eyes.

"Sweetie, I will be back. Daddy is going to bring you to the church. You’re going to carry the rings, remember?" Sheridan tried to remind him about the rehearsal they had only days before. She wanted him to know she wasn’t leaving for good.

"I know," he sighed, resigned to the fact she was leaving. "See you at Church?" he needed one last verification. He had to know that he would see Sheridan again.

"Of course. I’ll be the one in purple," she tickled her son.

"Kay," he grinned and giggled. Giving her one last hug, he went into his father’s arms and watched his mother go into the bathroom to get dressed before she left for Pilar’s.

"I can’t find my garter!" Theresa shrieked, running around her bedroom searching for the missing item. She was wearing only her slip and stockings, not ready to put the dress on just yet. Her hair still had yet to be done and her attendants hadn’t arrived. Instead of getting dressed at the church, the family had decided to get dressed at Pilar’s and allow Ethan to send a limo to fetch them instead. "I can’t get married without it! That’s my something blue!"

"Theresita, calm down," Pilar attempted to soothe her daughter. "Sheridan is bringing the garter with her, remember? It was her job to fetch something blue."

Theresa froze in her tracks. Sheridan hadn’t arrived yet. Her wedding was saved! "Oh, good," she turned back to her mother. "Where is she?"

"Right here," Sheridan entered the room, dangling the blue garter from her index finger. "Looking for this?"

"Thank you Lord!" Theresa grabbed the garter and slid it on. Sheridan laughed, but Pilar sighed and shook her head. Her daughter was losing her grip on reality; a grip that she never really had a firm grasp on!

"We have to get ready," Theresa looked at Sheridan and Pilar wide eyed. "I have to get my hair and nails done. Then we need to dress…oh and let’s not forget actually getting there! Where is Whitney!?" The longer she talked, the faster she seemed to speak and the more excited she became as she went. She began pacing.

Sheridan couldn’t help but smile. She even fought the laughter that was bubbling up inside of her. "Theresa, why don’t I do us both a favor and call my stylist? She can come here to do our hair and nails so you don’t have to panic?" Sheridan asked, walking over to Theresa’s nightstand and picking up the phone.

"Sheridan, that isn’t necessary," Pilar replied, not wanting Sheridan to go to such trouble. After all, Sheridan had been using her money and what little power she had to do more and more things lately. She didn’t want to see a war between her son and Sheridan.

"Pilar, it’s nothing. Maybe Theresa will start breathing again if I do."

"Oh, please, Mama!" Theresa begged, grabbing her mother’s arm. "The stylist will save us so much trouble!"

Pilar sighed, resigning herself to the fate before her. "All right, call the stylist."

Sheridan smiled and dialed the number, calling Marianne her head stylist.

Luis looked at his son and sighed. How was it possible that a child could possibly get so much food on his shirt when it was only cereal? Colin smiled, his teeth brown from the chocolaty puffs he had devoured. The white shirt he wore was covered in brown drops from the milk and crushed brown chunks of mushy cereal.

Sighing, Luis started cleaning up the mess around Colin. "Done, kiddo?"

"Nope," he tipped the bowl to his lips in attempt to drink the milk inside, most of which ended up dribbling down his small chin and onto his shirt.

Luis groaned and rolled his eyes. This meant that Colin would certainly need another bath; he had to be sticky from the milk that covered his chest and arms. Sheridan had done this on purpose; he swore she knew she was leaving him with the sticky monster. Smiling, he lifted his son into his arms. "Child, did you manage to get *any* of that into your mouth?"

Colin nodded. "Yup. But I’m all sticky, Daddy." He showed Luis his hands as evidence.

"Yea, so you know what that means?" Luis asked, slinging his son over his shoulder and heading for the bathroom.

"NOOO! NOT A BAF!" Colin whined. This day was just starting and it was already terrible. Now his dad was going to put him back in the tub! He hated the tub!

"Yes, a bath. You need to clean up for Aunt Theresa’s wedding," Luis replied, carrying his son into the bathroom. Setting him on his feet, he removed his shirt and underwear to get him ready for his bath. Turning his back on Colin, he turned on the water to fill the tub. Colin used this golden opportunity to take off from the bathroom, his little feet moving as fast as they possibly could, despite his lack of clothing.

Luis heard his feet padding down the hallway and groaned. Sheridan had warned him that Colin could be a fast little man when it came to getting away from baths. Sighing, Luis turned the water off and went after his son. "Colin Luis, get back here!"

"No baf!" Colin screamed as he continued to run and hide, his tan nude body zipping past Luis.

"Colin, come on. Mommy wouldn’t want you to cause such a ruckus when you should be taking a bath."

"I don’t want anothew baf!" Colin peeked out from his hiding place. "Nana gave me baf last night."

"I know, buddy, come on, please," Luis opened his arms to Colin. "You’re sticky and you need to take another bath."

"Ummm," Colin hesitated, glancing around for an escape route. When he spotted one, he grinned slyly and shook his head no. "NOPE!" he took off again, heading for the kitchen.

"Colin Luis Lopez-Fitzgerald, come back here this instant!" Luis called, following the tot into the kitchen.

"No! Daddy!" Colin hid in the pantry.

"Colin, why must you be so difficult?" Luis groaned. Sometimes this kid reminded him far too much of Sheridan. In fact, most of the time this kid reminded him of his fiancee. He was so stubborn and pig headed that it wasn’t hard to see that this child was the son of a Crane and a Lopez-Fitzgerald. He may not have been with them for the last four years, but he sure did act like them.

"Nana says it genewic," he replied from the closet.

Luis laughed. "That’s genetic, kiddo, and she’d be right," he opened the pantry. "Gotcha!" Luis swept Colin up into his arms. "Bath time now."

Colin kicked and fussed, wanting no part of another bath. Before he knew it, his father had carried him into the bathroom and held him as he finished filling the tub. With a splash, Colin was drenched. "Cheatew!" Colin cried, his chin quivering.

"Oh no, not that, anything but that," Luis groaned, watching as a pout appeared on his son’s face. "You and your mother have that look down to an art."

Colin smiled. "Mommy learn-ed me it."

"You mean she taught it to you?" Luis asked, starting to wash his son.

"Yup," Colin giggled.

Luis groaned. Knowing Sheridan, they would one day have a house full of children that had mastered Sheridan’s puppy dog pout!

The wedding started at one. Theresa dress had a paneled strapless bodice with an A-line skirt of satin with a chapel train. The skirt was covered in embroidered appliques beaded with pearls and sequins. Theresa’s bride’s maids and maid-of-honor wore the same style in different colors; pink for her maid-of-honor and purple for her bride’s maids. The A-line gowns had a droop neckline in the back.

The wedding was beautiful, pink and purple roses in vases along the altar. Sheridan and Luis hadn’t remembered much; they were far too busy staring into each other’s eyes to notice that anyone else was there. He thought that she had never looked more beautiful than she did right now, her eyes moist with tears. Her nephew and his sister were finally married, who would have thought it possible?

The reception was at the Seascape, the room decorated with pink and purple roses, just like the church. All the tables had white lace cloths on them and fine china. The dance floor was cleared and a DJ table set up on a stage. Theresa had decided to forgo a live band in honor of music that could suit her theme. She wanted it to be romantic!

Their wedding song had been I Do (Cherish You) by 98 degrees. They had taken the dance floor alone, swaying gently to the slow music. The words meant the world to both of them, reinforcing their vows from earlier in the day. Afterwards, they headed for Sheridan and Luis, who were seated at the bridal table.

"You two can dance now," Theresa teased as another song began. They were dying to see the lovebirds in action.

"Yea, why should we?" Luis teased his sister. "Give me one good reason." He smirked, waiting for Theresa to find an answer that would suit him.

"Because you have a beautiful blond fiancee that wants to dance," Sheridan interrupted.

"Good reason," Luis nodded and led her to the dance floor with a grin. He pulled her gently into his arms and began to sway.

"Sounds like this song was meant for us," Sheridan smiled, laying her head against his chest. "What we have has defeated many things, including my family. I think it can overcome anything."

"It sure has and it always will," he replied. "Sheridan, together you and I will manage to find out why our son was kept from us and we will have a wonderful life together."

Sheridan looked up into his eyes. "I can’t wait to get married, Luis. I want to spend the rest of my life just like this…in your arms."

Ethan and Theresa had long since stopped dancing, joining the group that watched Sheridan and Luis sway together in harmony. They were in their own little world, barely paying attention to the music anymore. Colin joined his Aunt and Uncle and smiled. "Mommy and Daddy wuv each othew." He took his Aunt’s hand into his and held it tight.

"Yes, they do," Theresa patted her nephew’s head. "They love her more than anything in the world and always will."

"Good," Colin’s smile grew. "Good."

"I love you, Luis, more than you can ever know," she kissed his lips gently.

"I love you too, baby," he kissed her again. They held each other close as the music faded into a new song. This one was faster and Luis spun Sheridan out, watching her twirl in the light of the Seascape. An image of a little blond girl in a purple flower girl dress flashed into his mind and he caught her. "Sheridan, I loved you over twenty five years ago and I still love you now."

Sheridan, who had been laughing as she spun, stopped to stare into his eyes. "What are you talking about?"

"You were the flower girl at Julian’s wedding…the blond girl that lived in Mama’s mansion."

"You gave me a kiss on the cheek in the garden," her eyes widened. "You were there with Pilar. I had a purple dress on. You were at the mansion weeks later, moving into our cottage."

He laughed. "I think we’re a match made in heaven. Someone intentionally wanted us together."

She giggled. "Maybe we are," she went to kiss him when she felt a tug on her skirt.

"Mommy, can I dance too?" Colin asked.

Sheridan swept her son into her arms and twirled him on the dance floor. They two laughed, Luis watching them enjoy their time together. Sheridan taught Colin some dance steps until a tango came on. She winked at her fiance and told Colin to watch his daddy, because this is one thing every Lopez-Fitzgerald child had to learn. Together, Luis and Sheridan danced their famous dance, earning the applause of those present.

That night, after Colin was tucked into his bed, dreams of dancing with his mother playing in his mind, Sheridan and Luis settled in their room. She snuggled into his embrace, a smile of contentment on her face as she remembered Colin dancing with one of his cousins from Luis’ side. He had tried to sway and twirl her like Luis had, causing both to land on their behinds with a thud. That didn’t hinder their enthusiasm for dancing. In fact, they had gotten back up and tried again.

"He was so adorable tonight with Selena, Luis. He was really enjoying himself," Sheridan rubbed Luis’ muscular chest, finding the warmth of his skin comforting.

Luis laughed. "He tried his hardest to get those tango moves down."

"Well, I hadn’t meant for Colin to *attempt* the moves now, I merely wanted him to pay attention," she giggled. Her eyes were lit with love and laughter. Life couldn’t seem to get any better than it already was. "Life is perfect, isn’t it?"

"Sure is," he kissed her forehead. They hadn’t had all the answers, but he sure didn’t mind. Right now, nothing was better than this. He went to lift her chin so he could kiss her lips when the phone rang. Hitting speakerphone, he sighed. "Hello?" People needed to learn to time these calls better.

"Luis," Misty’s voice was strained over the phone. "I need to see you and Sheridan…soon!"

"What for, Misty?" Luis asked. He didn’t trust her and he certainly didn’t want to see her. She had been refusing to give up her hopes of winning Colin back and wouldn’t even hint as to how she had gotten him in the first place.

"I want to waive my adoption rights, Luis. He belongs with you…but I also want to help you find out the truth. We all need to find the truth!"

"Why the change of heart?" Sheridan joined the conversation.

"Because that bastard took my child away and I want to know where she is! I want my daughter back!" Misty sob.

"Who took your child?" Luis asked, the gears in his mind beginning to turn.

"The same man that brought me Colin to raise…Alistair Crane."

Chapter Seven