| ~*~Chapter Three: I Can Love You Like That~*~ |
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Sheridan would never forget Halloween, though Luis had tried his best to erase the terrible memories from her mind. In fact, when Sheridan awoke that next morning, he had a bath ready for her and helped her wash gently, so she wouldn’t scrub too hard. He had been taught all the thoughts that would go through her mind, part of a violence seminar he had gone to years ago. Of course, he had prayed that the information had never been useful, but was thankful he had it. Now, as Thanksgiving was only two days away, Sheridan and Luis had managed to work their way though the pain that night had caused. Luis still blamed himself, however, and that was one thing Sheridan planned on ridding him of.
The radio was playing as she cleaned the cottage, dusting her favorite knick-knacks with care. It had become something she would do to pass the time away, much to the relief of the maids on staff. Luis sat on the couch pretending to read the newspaper, though Sheridan knew he wasn’t. In fact, it was obvious that he was thinking about something by the way the pages never turned.
“Penny for your thoughts, handsome,” Sheridan sat beside him.
“Huh?” he put the paper down and looked at her, again the memories playing in his mind.
“I said penny for your thoughts…where do you keep going off to?”
“No where,” he replied gruffly, returning to the sports section.
“Luis, you’ve been like this since Halloween…in fact you refuse to sleep in our bed anymore. What’s with you?”
He barely noticed her calling the bed theirs. “Nothing,” he pretended to be skimming the scores.
“Don’t you love me anymore?” she placed her hand on his arm. He pushed it off.
“I just think that maybe we should keep some distance. I didn’t do my job that night, Sheridan. It’s my fault.”
“Luis, there is nothing you could have done…we’ve been over this. Had you been asleep in here and I in the bedroom, you would have been killed or tied up in here. I would have been at their mercy…never having even hidden. We both would be dead today had we not been together.”
He shook his head and looked down. “I failed you, Sheridan. It’s my fault they got to you. I should have been more careful. I think maybe we should just go back to how it was before I was shot so that I can do my job better…maybe I shouldn’t even sleep.”
“Luis, no,” she pleaded. “I don’t want to go back…I want to be with you. I love you.”
He looked into her eyes. “How can you forgive me?”
“There’s nothing to forgive, Luis. You still saved me in the end.” She threw her arms around him, hugging him close. “I don’t ever want to be without you.”
“Nor I without you,” he replied. Pulling her into his lap, he sighed. “Do you know how impossible it’s been to stay in here?”
“I know how impossible it’s been to stay in the bedroom,” she snuggled closer. “I was lost without you.”
“I’m always lost without you,” he revealed. “It’s hard being away from the love of my life. I’m just so afraid to lose you.”
“You will never lose me.”
“I hope not.”
“I know not.”
“Mama wants us over at noon on Thanksgiving day. She says we’ll be eating at three.”
Sheridan smiled. “My first Thanksgiving with a real family…”
“And your first as my girlfriend,” he grinned. “I can’t wait to bring you home with me.”
“I can’t wait to go home with you,” she pecked his lips lightly. “Should we make anything to bring with us?”
“You? Cook?” he laughed. “No offense, sweetheart, but we want to be able to eat it.”
“Hey!” she swatted his chest. “I’m sure with your help I could make a nice pie or something.”
“Ok, I’ll call and see if there is something we can bring and then you and I can cook it together. Deal?”
“Deal,” she was beaming. “I bet we can make a delicious pie…or some cookies…or…”
“We’ll see, Sherry angel. Just don’t get your hopes up. Mama love to do her own cooking for the holidays.” Luis rubbed her stomach unconsciously.
“Do you think we should have used protection all the times we made love?” she asked, linking her hand with his over her stomach.
“Do…do you?” he asked, never having considered it.
She shook her head and then laid it on his chest. “No, Luis. I would love to get pregnant…especially with your baby.”
Luis smiled at the thought of having a baby with Sheridan. A little boy that looked just like him or a little girl that had eyes like her mother. “I kinda like the thought of having a baby with you too,” he stated, his mind playing visions of the two of them caring for a baby.
“Really?”
He nodded. “I think we’d make a beautiful baby.”
She sighed, thinking of what their baby could possibly look like. “I love you.”
“Love you too. I have an idea,” Luis kissed her cheek.
“What idea?” she asked, sitting up more.
“We can surprise Mama and bake her some cookies. How about that?”
“Good idea!” Sheridan became excited. “Can we make chocolate chip ones?”
“I was thinking more along the lines of M&M cookies.”
“M&M?” Sheridan turned to him, confused.
“Yea, they’re kinda like chocolate chip cookies except you use M&Ms in the batter. They were Antonio and Papa’s favorites, which made them Mama’s favorite when they disappeared.”
“Then M&M it is,” she smiled and pecked his lips softly. Getting up, she dragged him into the kitchen to check their supplies.
He was a sucker. Somehow, he had known deep inside that he would never be able to deny Sheridan anything, especially once she stuck her lower lip out in a pout. Now, he stood in the center of the kitchen, a blue cooking apron on, watching as Sheridan dug out a large bowl for them to mix the cookie batter in. This was going to be a disaster and there was nothing he could do to stop it. Once his Sheridan had her mind set on something, she was going to do it. She did look good in her tight jeans and white blouse, especially crouching the way she was by the cabinets. Sheridan was wearing a frilly pink apron that once belonged to her maternal great grandmother. God, she was beautiful. “Ok, is this bowl big enough?” she asked as she stood again, a large yellow mixing bowl in her hands. “Yea, that’ll do,” Luis replied as he moved closer to her. “Are you sure you wouldn’t rather be doing something else?” He snaked his arms around her waist from behind. “Luis, I know where that mind is, but get it back into the kitchen. I want to do this for your mother and I know the first batch will more than likely be inedible.” He laughed at her, knowing she was more than likely right about the cookies being inedible. Sure, he knew how to bake and had done it many times before, but Sheridan was another story. “I’m sure the two of us can make decent cookies, Sheridan,” Luis replied. “I don’t know, with those horrible eggs Benedict you made me that one morning as an example of your cooking, I’m not sure we can,” she teased. The breakfast had been a surprise after her attack on Halloween night. He had tried to cheer her up with a romantic breakfast in bed after her bath: a rose on the tray, fresh squeezed orange juice and her favorite breakfast. Unfortunately, he had messed around while cooking, changing bits and pieces of the recipe as he went along. The eggs had been horrible. “All right, you aren’t ever going to let me live that one down, so I’m not even going to try, but I know the recipe to this and have been making it them for years. Mama taught me to make these when she was working to keep Theresa and Miguel entertained and to let them have a little treat when we could afford it.” Sheridan could see a little pain in his eyes when he mentioned the past. “I guess we both had hard childhoods,” she took his hands into hers. “We’ll work together to make the future the best for both of us to make up for all of that. I want to make all your dreams come true…” Grinning, she walked to the fridge to get the eggs, milk and butter out. “But right now I want to bake cookies!” He chuckled and searched the kitchen for the rest of the supplies they would need to bake. Sheridan even had a hidden stash of M&Ms she kept “in case of a chocolate emergency.” Setting it all across the table, he sat her in the chair and placed the bowl in front of her. Instructing her on what to put in the bowl, he searched for a good spoon to mix with. With his back turned, the mess began! When Luis turned back around, Sheridan had her arm in the flour sack, which she had carelessly torn open sending a mist of flour everywhere. Her blond hair was tinted with the powdery substance and her table, floor and clothing had a sheer layer on them as well. Luis tried to fight the laughter that was bubbling in his chest, but he couldn’t help it and he erupted. “What, may I ask, is so funny?” she glared at him, her hands folding across her chest in her battle stance. “Nothing,” he tried to control himself, but the chuckles kept coming. She shifted from one foot to the other, her eyes never leaving his. She reached into the bag of flour and moved towards him. He tried to back away, but ended up backing into the cabinet. The next thing he knew, his head was covered in flour. “You didn’t!” his laughter was gone. “I did,” she grabbed his arm and pulled him to the table. “Now stop teasing me and start helping me make these cookies.” He laughed again and they set off to the task at hand. Twenty minutes later, the first batch was in the oven and the happy couple was cleaning the kitchen. “Sheridan, you are the only woman in the world that could make such a mess making cookies,” Luis groaned as he swept up some M&Ms she has spilled on the floor. “Those bags are hard to open!” she defended, putting the remaining eggs, flour, milk and butter away. “Besides, you’re the one that dropped two eggs in your attempt to show off.” “I wasn’t showing off, I was attempting to help you crack them over the bowl. You just were too tempting,” he continued to clean, remembering the scene. He had been standing behind her, her hands in his, as he attempted to help her crack the eggs without getting the shells into the bowl. She had smelled so wonderful, some vanilla spilled on her apron and her body still covered in flour. Luis’ hands traveled up her arms, stopping at her shoulders and then traveling down her back. As if they had a mind of their own, his hands continued around her waist, making small circles until they reached her firm belly. Shaking his head, Luis tried to clear away the thoughts of how his lips had found her neck and he had kissed his way to her ear, causing her to lose control and squeeze the eggs in her hands, the yolk splattering all over. “See, you’re fault,” she laughed, knowing all too well they were both remembering what had happened. “Fine, so I made you break the eggs, but I didn’t spill the M&Ms, the flour or the milk…” “I knocked the milk over when you started tickling me…” “Because you said I had something against eggs…I couldn’t cook them and now I couldn’t even teach you to break them,” he pouted. She giggled and kissed his lips lightly. “I hadn’t meant to offend you, my love. I merely wanted to tease you back. You’re always telling me how terrible I am at cooking and things and I just wanted to have something to tease you about,” her eyes became sad like a lost puppy’s and her lower lip protruded in a little pout. He chuckled and kissed her cheek. “All right, Miss Crane, we’re even.” He wrapped his arms around her and laughed. “Come on, let’s clean this place up and then clean you up.” She smiled and pecked his lips lightly and they returned to the chore at hand. By time they had come remotely close to completing the cleaning, the first batch of cookies were done and ready to be removed from the oven. Luis helped Sheridan put them out on cooling racks and then they placed the new batch in, returning to their clean up. When they finished cleaning and baking, they both decided to take a shower together before tasting their treats. The shower had taken much longer than expected, but that wasn’t anything new to them. Most times they would plan to wash and the light touches would cause the small fire of love inside them to turn into an all out blaze. They would lose control and allow their love to control their bodies as they traveled to a heaven made for lovers. This shower had been no different and had led to some snuggling in bed before they decided to get up and taste their first attempt at baking. Entering the kitchen, their hands linked, they headed for the tray of cooling cookies. “You grab some cookies, I’ll get the milk and we’ll meet in front of the TV,” Sheridan winked, sauntering over to the cabinet and grabbing two glasses. Luis removed a plate from the nearby drain board and placed a few lukewarm cookies on the dish. The pair walked into the living room and settled on the couch. Luis turned on the TV and found an eighties sitcom to watch while Sheridan poured them each a glass of ice-cold milk. Moving closer, they snuggled and Sheridan grabbed a cookie. “Ready for the taste test?” Sheridan asked, breaking a piece of the cookie off and holding it to his lips. “Me first?” he pretended to look worried as she dangled the morsel of cookie in front of him. “Yes, sir…do it for me,” she gave him the lost puppy look and he sighed, knowing there was no way he could deny her even this tiniest of wishes. He opened his mouth and she became positively giddy as she slid the piece into his mouth. Before she could remove her index finger, his mouth closed, sucking on her digit before releasing it and chewing the cookie. “Does it pass inspection?” she excitedly awaited his verdict, her hands holding tightly to one of his forearms as she sat on her legs beside him. Her face was above his, but close enough that he could kiss her if he wished. He finished chewing and pretended to mull the taste over in his head. “Sheridan, baby, these cookies are as good as Mama’s. I think we’ve mastered baking M&M cookies!” Sheridan was glowing; there was no other way to completely describe the excitement on her face as she tackled Luis in a bear hug, her first lesson as a Lopez-Fitzgerald girlfriend. She kissed him hard and then pulled away, her eyes twinkling with the excitement of her accomplishment. “We didn’t burn or mutilate them in any way?” She asked, tasting the cookie herself, though slightly unsure of how they should taste. Having never had these cookies before, she was afraid they weren’t just right, but she was surprised to find that they tasted almost exactly like Pilar’s chocolate chip cookies. “No, Sherry angel, we made them just right. In fact, Mama’s not going to believe you had anything to do with this feat.” Sheridan pulled away, offended. She knew that her cooking was definitely not top notch in any way and that somewhere a five star chef would laugh at her feeble attempts at making meals. However, to learn that her own boyfriend considered her cooking to be comparable to garbage upset her and to know his family would think he made these cookies on her own cut at her heart. “Am I really such a terrible cook that you cannot believe I would follow a recipe on a card with a little assistance?” “Sheridan, that’s not what I meant at all, sweetheart. Mama knows that you aren’t the greatest cook on earth and I’m sure any attempt at cooking would have pleased her immensely, but I know she’s not going to believe that you were willing to bake for her when you can barely make scrambled eggs.” She jumped up from the couch. “I’ll have you know I make damn good scrambled eggs, Luis Lopez-Fitzgerald!” “Sheridan, please, I don’t want to argue,” he begged. “Oh, don’t worry about it, Mr. High and Mighty gourmet chef, we won’t be arguing,” she got up, taking her glass of milk and a cookie. “I’ll be in *my* room!” Sheridan stamped off angrily. The use of the word my not going unnoticed. “Sheri…” SLAM, his voice was cut off before he could finish her name, “dan.” Luis sighed. He hadn’t meant to make her angry; in fact, he had been trying to be honest. It would be hard to believe that she baked the cookies; even she admitted what a terrible chef she was. How was he supposed to know that was such a touchy subject? “Then again, what isn’t with that woman?” he asked himself in a grumble. Deciding he couldn’t let her sulk in her room, he got up and walked over to her door, knocking softly and hoping she would let him in. Sheridan had never been more offended in her entire life. How dare he act like he was some award-winning cook or something! Sure, the only thing she could make was what he called a cooking accident, but it was something. In fact, it was more than Ethan could make and far more than Julian and Ivy ever even attempted. That wasn’t what was really bothering her, however. Things like cooking would probably never be her forte, reminding her that she wasn’t exactly a prize for a wife when it came to what a working man like Luis would need or want. It also reminded her that she had never had a childhood where cookies were made for holidays and decorated with sprinkles and icing during a snowy afternoon. She had never had anyone teach her to enjoy the holiday traditions while young enough to still hold onto dreams of families around Christmas trees or large overstuffed dinner tables. Her mother had left her far too young and during most of the holidays, Pilar was extra busy with Crane errands or her own family to teach Sheridan…and then she had been sent to that cold and dreary boarding school where the other children traveled home leaving her alone in the old stone walls of the drafty building. Wiping away a tear she hadn’t realized was falling, she stood and walked to the only bookshelves in her room. She searched through the titles passing some of her favorite romance novels, a classic or two (such as Jane Eyre), or photo album, though there were few of those. Finally, she came to the shelf with her most prized books. Most were leather and each had a small monogram in the corner: the gold foiled script letters K and C. They had all been books belonging to her mother, most of which were photo albums with baby pictures of Sheridan and Julian in them. Tucked away between some albums was a book that Sheridan would treasure for her entire life. It was leather as well, but the pages were turning yellow and the book itself had at one time been falling apart, but she had found a small European bookshop to fix the cracked binding. It was a book of fairytales that her mother had read to her each night before she died. The book was once belonged to Sheridan’s maternal great-great-grandmother. Inside were letters from each woman to the next dated and welcoming the next woman to what would be a family heirloom for the women to hold on to. Sheridan’s mother had written her a letter and whenever she was sad, she would remove it and read it again. Returning to the bed, she removed the enveloped marked “My Darling Daughter Sheridan.”
I know that you will read this note many times over the years and each time you will remember how much I loved you. I’m sorry that I’ve decided to write this while I am sick and therefore it may not be too legible, but I do hope that you can read my expression of love to you. I trust you will become a beautiful woman, Sheridan, and that you will one day find the man that holds the other half of your soul in his heart. The two of you will spend endless days together and shall share your love like it was meant to be… I envy you, my darling. You will find your love and have him, a luxury I was never given as a well to do woman. However, I can see in those determined blue eyes that I love so very much that you will settle for nothing more than the true love these pages hold and the dreams that will come to fruition in your future. Just remember how much I love you, my dear girl, when you find your prince charming . This book belonged to my great-grandmother Florence when our family lived in England. She passed this book to my grandmother, who then gave it to my mother. Each woman wrote a letter to their daughter and placed it in the pocket on the back cover of the book. I trust that when you and your prince have a daughter that you too shall continue the tradition and pass these dreams along. Do not forget to tell her how you are a fairytale princess who has finally found the man she belongs with and never forget to tell her how much you love her. I shall watch over you, my darling, and when we meet again you shall have to tell me all that I have missed in your life. Read these stories and remember me, dear girl, and never forget I love you and always will.
Mother Katherine Crane Sheridan wiped some tears from her cheeks and pulled her knees to her chest, resting the hard book on them. Inside these pages were two stories her mother read to her often. The first was Sleeping Beauty, which her mother always told her was her very special tail. She opened to the other story, the one her mother had read to her almost every night. “Cinderella,” she sighed.
Luis heard her whispered the word Cinderella and then sigh, remembering a country song he had once heard his sister playing. He ran to the phone and dialed the number for AKISFM and requested the tune. Then, turning up the radio, he waited for it to come on. Finally he could identify the strings of the song beginning. He grabbed a rose from the bunch in the vase and went to her door, opening it without a sound. You hoped it would come true That one day your prince charming Would come rescue you You like romantic movies You never will forget The way you felt when Romeo Kissed Juliet All this time that you’ve been waiting You don’t have to wait no more “Sheridan?” he looked over at her on the bed and she looked up, having been listening to the music while tracing the title of the fable with her finger. Her eyes caught his and she started to get up. Luis was definitely her prince charming.
I can make you my world Move Heaven and Earth If you were my girl I will give you my heart Be all that you need Show you you’re everything That’s precious to me If you give me a chance I can love you like that “I do love you like that,” he whispered offering her the red rose as he moved a step closer to where she stood by the bed. God he loved her and he hoped this song and his presence now would make her forgive him always.
I don’t intend to keep And when I say forever Forever’s what I mean I’m no Casanova But I swear this much is true I’ll be holding nothing back When it comes to you You dream of love that’s everlasting Well, baby, open up your eyes “I’ll love you for eternity, Sheridan Crane, nothing can change that,” his eyes begged her to believe him. He did love her, more than words could ever express and he would until the world ended and the sky fell. He would do anything for her.
I can make you my world Move Heaven and Earth If you were my girl I will give you my heart Be all that you need Show you you’re everything That’s precious to me If you give me a chance I can love you like that “I love you too,” she replied, stepping closer, her eyes shinning with incredible love for him. He was always doing things like this when she needed them most. How she could ever doubt his feelings was beyond her.
I got tenderness (tenderness) And I can see through To the heart of you If you want a man (want a man) Who understands (understands) You don’t have to look very far I can love you…I…
I can love you like that ~*~John Michael Montgomery “I Can Love You Like That”~*~ Sheridan looked up into his eyes, a tear rolling down her cheek. “I am so sorry I yelled at you, Luis. It’s just that things like this remind me of all the things stacked against me. I can’t cook a decent meal for you, I can’t play many sports and I have never taken care of children on my own. I’m afraid that with what I missed in life will make me less desirable to you.” Her hands rested on his chest playing with his collar and her eyes were downcast. Luis tilted her head so that she would look at him. “Sheridan, nothing could make me want you any less. I love you with all my heart. I promise to fill in the holes in your life just as you will fill the ones from my life in. Nothing will ever change how much I love you. I don’t care about what you can’t do, Sheridan, because I love you for all the things you can and your willingness to try.” “I love you too,” she kissed him again lightly. “Can you possibly be any more wonderful?” “I can try,” he chuckled. “You are amazing, Luis, absolutely amazing.” “Thank you,” he smiled. “What were you looking at?” She took his hand and walked him to the bed, showing him the old book. “It belonged to my maternal great-great-grandmother and has been passed to the eldest daughter every time. Each woman left a note in a special pocket that was connected to the back cover. I was just reading over the one my mother left to me. I was about to read my favorite fairytale, one she had read me almost every night before bed.” “Cinderella,” he replied, remembering what had prompted him to call and request the song. “Yes,” she smiled. Luis returned the smile and removed her shoes and jeans before tucking her under the covers. “I’m going to read to you before your nap,” he winked. She giggled and made herself comfortable as he opened to the first page of the story. She watched as he turned to the first page and settled on the edge of the bed facing her. “Once upon a time,” he read the opening. Sheridan closed her eyes as his deep voice read her favorite tale. He read the entire story to her, making silly voices for each character. When Cinderella’s prince kissed her in the end, he smiled at her, a twinkle in his eye. “He kissed her,” he leaned in, placing a small kiss against her lips. “And they lived happily ever after, the end.” Sheridan sat in complete awe of her boyfriend, the man she loved more than anyone in the world. He was always so wonderful to her, such a marvelous lover and not bad too look at. Beyond all of that, was his undying love for her and his compassionate nature that led her to know he was the man she was destined to be with. The way he looked at her, the way he held her and comforted her…it all made her fall head over heels in love with him. Then again, it had been love at first sight despite the fact that she hated his arrogant nature when arresting her…but the way he danced that tango! “Where are you, Princess Sheridan?” he asked in a loving yet teasing tone. “Right where I want to be,” she replied, returning her gaze to his handsome face. “What were you thinking about, sweetheart?” he gazed at her, his eyes showing every emotion that ran through his body: want, need, love, compassion and concern. She could see his very soul in his deep brown eyes. “I was thinking about how absolutely wonderful you are, Luis. How you treat me with such love and respect and how you are the man I am destined to be with. It scares me how much I love you and how much I seem to need you sometimes…” “And?” he asked, knowing she was not through talking. “And how I fell in love with you that very night I hit your car,” she laughed. “I was hurt and bitter and terribly annoyed, but while I sat in that cell, I thought of you.” She closed her eyes. “Can I tell you a secret?” His brow creased, wondering what she could be getting at, but he shrugged it off and took her hand into his. “Anything, Sheridan, you can tell me anything.” “I used to dream about our being together…in the men’s locker room at the youth center, here at the cottage…” her eyes were closed as if she were reliving those dreams. Images of Luis kissing her and touching her body. She opened her eyes and looked at him. “I’ve loved you for so long…this all seems so surreal sometimes.” “Well, Sheridan Crane, this isn’t a dream and you won’t ever wake up and discover me gone, because I promise to be with you for the rest of your life and every day I plan on showing you just how much you mean to me.” Sheridan smiled at him, her eyes becoming filled with tears of joy. “Oh, Luis,” she replied breathlessly. “I love you so very much,” she popped up out of the bed and into his arms, hugging him to her tightly. His arms came around her and held her to his muscular frame. “I love you too, Sherry angel, more than I can ever say in words,” he rubbed her back soothingly and felt her relax in his arms. “So what would you like to do now, Sheridan?” She took a deep breath, she knew what she wanted to do at this moment, but it meant leaving the cottage again. “I’d like to go out again, Luis. I’m tired of staying in the cottage.” “A walk around the grounds?” he asked, hoping that would satisfy her. “Can’t we go into town? I promise to be good and stay right at your side,” the words rushed out of her mouth. She pulled back to look into his eyes. “I’ll even deal with Beth at the Book Café if it means getting out of here for a while.” “But, Sheridan, when we’re in public we have to pretend we’re still on bad terms. I hate doing that and you know it.” Sheridan looked right into his eyes. “Luis, I think it’s time we admit to everyone that we’re in love. I know we didn’t want to let it get out because of my family and I’m sure they’ll plot something treacherous to break us apart, but I refuse to hide my feeling for you anymore. My family is going to find out sooner or later…” “I’d prefer later,” he grumbled under his breath. She sighed. If he was going to be so stubborn, she would just have to pull out one of her secret weapons. “Please, Luis,” her lower lip protruded in a pout and her big blue eyes became sad. He groaned; that lost animal face was his undoing every time. She knew what cards to play and she always played them like a pro. Sighing, he nodded. “All right, we can go out *and* we can let everyone know that we’re a couple.” She hugged him tightly. “I can be ready in ten minutes,” she hopped up and dug around for her jeans. He shook his head and chuckled. “Sheridan, you’re gonna be the death of me, baby.” Popping her head up from the other side of the bed, her jeans in her hand, she glared at him. “Don’t you dare joke like that, Luis Lopez-Fitzgerald. You’re going to live a very long life and we’re going to share it together.” Smiling, Luis replied, “Damn right we are. There is no way I’m letting go of you, Sheridan.” Sheridan slid into her jeans and put her sneakers on. Turning to Luis, she offered her hand to him. “Come on, I want to go out on the town,” she winked, “but I’ll settle for some coffee and a nice long conversation at the Book Café.” Standing, he slid his hands around her waist. “Can’t I persuade you to stay home instead?” His hands began to caress her back and his eyes became dark with desire. “You can try, but it won’t work. I want to go out and have some fun. Besides, I know deep down inside you’d like to peak in on the youth center and the kids.” “How did you know that?” he asked wide eyed. “I heard you call the center yesterday morning to see how everything was going since you were gone. I know you gave up a large part of your life when they assigned you to my case, Luis, I just hope you don’t regret it.” “Never, Sheridan, it brought us closer together,” he kissed her lips lightly. “I won’t ever regret being assigned as your body guard.” She smiled. “Well you can practice guarding my body later, honey, right now I want to go into town and enjoy ourselves for a little while.” “All right,” he pulled away, his hand taking hers. “We’ll go into town and have some fun.” The drive down Raven Hill and into Harmony was silent. Sheridan watched people rushing around in the cold, crisp November air. Some were unloading a car full of groceries for the upcoming holiday and others were tossing around a football or playing games with their children. It was beautiful to see all the happy families outside today. She imagined herself and Luis playing behind a white picket fence. She could see her little blond haired daughter and strong brunette son playing with their father. She sighed and faded into her daydreams. Finally, they arrived at the Book Café and parked right out front. Sheridan was about to open her door when Luis caught her arm. “Let me,” he kissed her cheek. “Luis, you don’t have to…” “I want to, Sheridan. Doesn’t a gentleman always open a lady’s door?” Sheridan giggled. “So where’s the gentleman?” Luis placed his hands over his heart, pretending to have been wounded. “Ouch, that one hurt, Sherry angel.” She tried not to laugh, feigning concern and leaning over to him. “Should I kiss it and make it all better, sweetheart?” “I’ll settle for a kiss and then a cup of hot coffee,” he grinned. Sheridan leaned in and kissed his lips lightly. “Come on, super cop, let’s go get you that coffee and if you’re really good I’ll get you a blue berry muffin,” she winked. “Mmm, I don’t know, I might need another kiss. That was an awfully big wound.” “No way, one kiss and one cup of coffee, that was the deal. Now move it, buddy or else you won’t ever get that coffee.” Sighing, Luis climbed out of the car and walked around to the other side, opening her door for her. “Madame,” he bowed slightly. Sheridan laughed. “You’re terrible, Luis, absolutely terrible.” “I try,” he chuckled. When she stepped out, he closed the door and slid his arm around her waist. “I could get used to this.” “Mmm, me too,” she replied, sliding her arm around his waist. With their arms around each other, they went inside; not watching the black town car drive down the street, its windows tinted extra dark and the people inside chatting evilly about destroying the pair. Beth was standing behind the counter, wiping it down when the small bell attached to the front door of the Book Café rang. Her head popped up to see who was entering her little shop and a smile slowly crept onto her face. Luis walked in, and for a moment it looked as if he was alone. Just as Beth went to greet him, Sheridan entered behind him and slid her arm back around his waist. Both were beaming and the smile faded from Beth’s face. “Do you want to sit or order together?” Luis asked her as they headed for the counter. “Order together,” she smiled. His hand gently began to rub circles on her lower back as the headed for the counter. “Hello, Beth,” Luis greeted his friend with a smile. “Hi, Beth!” Sheridan said merrily. “Hello, Luis, Sheridan,” she returned tightly. “What can I get for you?” “I want my usual and…” “I’ll have a mocha latte with whip cream,” Sheridan finished for him, “And a blueberry muffin for us to share.” “Got it,” Beth jotted down the order, forcing her anger as far down as she could. “How have you two been?” “Wonderful,” Luis replied, looking around at the nearly full café. “Seems like business is good.” “Holiday weekend, the college kids are around while they have time to relax,” Beth glanced around. She returned her gaze to the couple in front of her, their arms still around each other. “Something new between you two?” Sheridan smiled. “You could say that.” She snuggled into Luis’ embrace, her face glowing. “Sheridan and I have worked out our problems…” he leaned down and kissed her head. Beth looked at the pair and, despite her want to be with Luis, could see their true happiness. They were honestly in love. Sighing, Beth smiled. If she couldn’t have Luis, then she could at least be happy that he was so in love. For the first time since his father left, he looked content. “I’m glad you were both able to agree to work things out. You deserve each other.” “Thanks, Beth,” Sheridan replied, her blue eyes meeting Beth’s brown ones. “I hope you and I can become good friends.” Beth smiled and responded sincerely, “I’d like that, Sheridan. After all, someone will have to help you deal with his moods,” she joked. She turned to prepare Sheridan and Luis’ coffee. Sheridan laughed. “We’ll go shopping or something as soon as I can convince him my life is no longer in danger…” “You mean there hasn’t been any leads on the case?” she turned her head, her worried eyes met Luis’. ‘Great, just great,’ Beth thought, ‘I finally decide to let him be happy even if it is without me and she could be as good as dead!’ “Nothing,” Luis sighed and immediately tightened his hold on Sheridan. “Sam says he hasn’t heard from the FBI or INTERPOL in over a month.” Beth knew that tone in Luis’ voice. It meant he was burying the fear inside and trying to hide it from the world. It was the same tone he had used many times over the last several years, especially at times he thought Sheridan was in trouble. “I’m sure some news will come soon and it will be good news,” Beth tried to pacify him. She placed the coffee in front of them and had one of the other workers bring over a muffin. “On the house for the newest couple in Harmony,” she winked. “Oh no, Beth that’s not necessary,” Sheridan protested. “Sure it is. I know that at times I’ve been terrible and I admit I’ve been insanely jealous that you have been able to win Luis over, but I want to start over and become friends.” Her sincere smile brought tears to Sheridan’s eyes. “You two have enough trouble to get through without me, so I’ll be the shoulder you cry on instead…” Sheridan reached across the counter and hugged Beth. “Thank you.” “Hey, that’s what friends are for,” she hugged the woman back. “One day when all this is over we can go shopping and catch up. The only thing I know about you is that you like collecting horse figurines.” “You remembered!” Sheridan was shocked. Beth pulled back and laughed. “I remember everything.” Luis laughed. “Trust me, she *does* remember *everything*.” They all laughed one more time as Luis led Sheridan to a cozy little table that was unoccupied. She took his hand and smiled. “Wasn’t that something?” she asked him, sipping her latte. “Amazing. Beth seemed to take it so well, Sheridan. I think the two of you might actually become great friends.” His thumb caressed the back of her hand. “This was a really good idea, baby.” Sheridan smiled. “I’m just full of good ideas,” she teased. “And what is your next good idea, Sherry angel?” he asked, his voice dropping to a seductive whisper. Copying his tone, she replied, “A nice picnic in front of the fireplace tonight and a long hot bubble bath together…before bed.” He closed his eyes, imagining Sheridan’s creamy white skin buried beneath nothing but soap bubbles. Luis growled. “I think I might like that idea,” he opened his eyes and they became hooded with desire. She smirked. “I thought you’d like that idea. Now you just have to wait until we get home…” “Time to go,” he started to get up and she grabbed his arm. “Behave!” “But Sherry…” “Luis, come on, we’ve only been here ten minutes,” she pouted. He looked at her soft blue eyes giving him this helpless look and her lower lip sticking out slightly. Luis could picture a child, their daughter, giving him the same look. Chuckling, he kissed her cheek and sat back down. “You are so beautiful.” “Then why were you laughing?” she asked sadly. “Because I was just thinking about a little girl with big blue eyes and blond curls looking at me with that same face,” he took hold of her hand again. “A little girl that looks just like her mother and has her father wrapped around her little finger.” Sheridan could see it too and smiled. The implication of his statement slowly seeped in. “Our daughter?” “Yup,” he smiled. “I’ll have to make myself legendary in this town so when she comes along the men stay away.” Sheridan laughed. “Oh, my dear overprotective Luis,” she moved her chair closer. “How I love you.” “Love you too,” he kissed her lips. It was meant to be short and sweet, but immediately it became deeper and more passionate. “Ahem?” a light female voice cleared. Luis and Sheridan looked up to find Theresa and Whitney standing before them. “Are we interrupting?” she giggled. “Yes,” Luis groaned. He grinned at his sister. “What are you doing here?” “No classes, Luis, the community college is closed today,” Theresa smiled. Since graduation, she had decided to attend the community college with Whitey. “And I have the afternoon off from work.” Luis pulled away from Sheridan and sat up straighter. It had not been too long ago that he learned of Theresa’s position as Ivy’s personal assistant and he hadn’t taken it well. In fact, he had been furious that his sister had been working at the Crane mansion. His mother said the job meant extra income and Sheridan had made the point that some of the connections Theresa made could help her with her love of the fashion industry. It still didn’t make him happy that she and his mother had lied, nor was he pleased that she was still working at the mansion. “Well we all know how I feel about where you’re working and for whom.” Theresa rolled her eyes. “Do we have to talk about this again?” “Who said I was talking about it?” he grumbled. “No, you weren’t talking, you were complaining,” Sheridan took his hand back into hers. “And you are so annoying when you do that.” Luis looked over at his girlfriend and could see the disappointment in her eyes. “Sorry, baby, I guess some habits die hard.” She squeezed his hand and smiled. “It’s ok,” smiling, she turned to the pair of teens before her. “Would you two care to join us?” “No, thank you, Miss Crane,” Whitney politely replied, looking around the café. “Theresa and I are here to meet some friends from college. We’re going shopping for Christmas gifts.” “Yea,” Theresa added, “and we don’t want to be seen with the boss here,” she motioned to her brother. “No one would ever speak to us again.” “Please, Whitney, it’s Sheridan,” she smiled. “And I can’t blame you for refusing to be seen with Robocop here. He tends to be a bit pushy.” “Hey…I’m not so bad,” Luis pouted. “I certainly didn’t hear you complaining when we were baking cookies this morning.” “You two baked?” Theresa’s eyebrows rose in surprise. “Yes, we made M&M cookies for dessert on Thanksgiving day,” Sheridan’s eyes were glowing happily. “They’re even edible.” Theresa laughed and saw the person they were waiting for over at a table. “Our friends are here,” she waved at them. “So we’ll let you two love birds get back to smooching.” Winking, she pulled Whitney away from the table before she could protest. “Well, as much as I’d love to sit here and smooch all afternoon, I was hoping for a walk around the mansion’s grounds or maybe going to visit Mama.” “But isn’t she working…” Sheridan froze. This was one of the hardest things to deal with. Sheridan hated the fact that her lover’s mother worked at the mansion and did her bidding. It was one of the reasons she and Luis had begun to wash their own clothing, do their cleaning and cooking. They refused to have anyone at the main house do anything for them, especially Pilar. However, it was still a sore spot that while Ivy would be in town spending the Crane fortune, Luis’ mother was washing her clothing and answering her phone. “She’s off today too,” he replied simply, his eyes betraying his tone. “Is this something that will always be a sore spot for us, Luis?” Sheridan asked looking into his beautiful chocolate brown eyes. “If I could I would let her go and pay her for staying home, but I don’t hold that right. She works for Ivy and only Ivy, really. She came with Ivy from the Winthrop house, you know that as well as I do.” “I know,” he sighed, looking at his coffee cup, “but it isn’t easy that Mama works for the Crane family and one day I plan on making her leave that job. Right now, it makes us survive, but one day it won’t have to.” “But does that mean until then it will make you get this way?” “What way?” he asked defensively. “That way,” she practically yelled at him. “You get defensive and angry and…and you treat me like I’m no better than Julian. I know you don’t want your mother working for my family and I would love to change the fact that she does, but please don’t make me out to be the bad guy.” “I’m not making you out to be the bad guy!” “Yes you are!” Her eyes were filled with pain and she fought tears. Lowering her head, Sheridan sniffled and decided that this was not the place to argue. In fact, she was tired of arguing. “I want to go home,” she stood and started to walk to the door. “Sheridan, wait,” he caught her arm but she pulled it away. “I just want to go back to the cottage, please,” she stated again, this time more forcefully. She opened the glass door and walked out, leaving Luis inside for the time being. Walking to the car, Sheridan finally allowed the tears to roll down her cheeks. “You’ll always be a Crane to him, Sheridan, you’re so stupid to think he could ever see you as just Sheridan.” She started to cross the street when she heard the engine of a car rev up and the tires squealing as they neared. Luis didn’t know why, but the horrible feeling he hadn’t had in weeks returned full force. He was just about to walk out after waving off Beth, who was worried about their squabble when he felt his stomach start to turn. Tensing, he ran out the door and looked around for Sheridan. He watched as she stepped off the curb, wiping at some lone tears. She wasn’t paying attention as she crossed and seemed to barely pay attention to the squeal of the tires from the black town car. “SHERIDAN! WATCH OUT!” he screamed and ran towards her. Just as the car was about to hit them both, he tackled her and rolled them out of the way. When they stopped rolling, he was on top looking down into her shocked blue eyes. “Are you ok?” “Ye…yes,” she stuttered, her body trembling. “You saved my life…” “Always will,” he leaned over her and cupped her cheek and caressed it. “I love you, remember?” Sheridan reached up and traced a cut on his forehead. “You’re bleeding.” He caught her hand and brought it to his lips for a kiss. “I’ll be fine. Are you sure you’re ok?” he asked, searching her face. “Yes,” she nodded, still shaking slightly. “Good,” he whispered and then kissed her. It was hard and passionate, conveying all his fear, sorrow, love and pain in that one single kiss. When he pulled away minutes later, they were both panting for air. “Luis, help me up please,” she begged from beneath him. He blushed and helped her up, glad there wasn’t a crowd around. “I’m sorry about what happened inside…” Cupping his cheek and caressing it, she smiled. “It’s ok, darling, I love you.” “I love you too…when I saw that car heading for you I thought…” “Car?” she asked, looking around. “Is that why you tackled me, Luis?” He nodded. “There was a town car speeding down the street…heading right for you.” Pulling her into his arms, Luis held her tightly to him. “I was afraid I’d lose you...that the last words we said to each other would be said in anger.” Hugging him back, Sheridan whispered in his ear, “Never, Luis, never. I will never leave you, Luis.”
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