Sheridan could barely believe how quickly time had passed from the dreadful Christmas disaster to Luis’ birthday. Christmas night they had gone to Luis’ house and spent the evening with his family. Ethan had been there as well and it had been a memory she would never forget. Pilar had given her a hand made quilt for her bed and Theresa a new nightgown that she saw in Victoria’s Secret. Sheridan had laughed when Theresa suggestively added that it might make a nice gift for both her brother and Sheridan. After exchanging presents and singing carols, the family watched old movies from past Christmases. Sheridan watched as they laughed together, filling her in on the action and then as they all became silent and pensive when Martin’s smiling face filled the screen. She remembered that night so clearly as she held Luis in bed.

Luis placed his head on Sheridan’s stomach, her hands smoothing down his wet hair. They had taken a relaxing bath together upon Sheridan’s suggestion. She had noticed how tense he had become. Carefully, she caressed his cheek and then returned to smoothing his hair as she rested back against the pillows.

"Why don’t you tell me about it, Luis?" she whispered, hoping he would open up to her.

"I miss him," he whispered against her stomach.

"I know, darling," she continued her caresses.

"He used to tell me I was going to be something. He told me I’d be the first Lopez-Fitzgerald with a chance at college…a chance at a white-collar job." He moved closer to her. "He said he loved us."

"I’m sure he did, Luis. I’m sure he still does…wherever his is."

"I wanted him to be there for me. I was so angry with him when he disappeared. Then Antonio…they left me here to deal with everything, Sheridan. I was just a kid. I didn’t know what to do and I was scared, but I did it…"

"And it made you the better man," she felt a tear hit her stomach.

"I loved my father."

"I know, baby."

"I wanted him to be here for my birthdays, my wedding, my children…I wanted him to be a grandfather to our family."

She didn’t miss his use of the word our and smiled slightly. "Luis, he might still be alive. We might find him."

"But he isn’t here now," he cried, turning his head into her stomach. "He hasn’t been here in years and my mother has suffered since he left. I need him, now more than ever."

She caressed the back of his head, wishing there was something she could say to make it better. She knew what it was like to be without a parent and she only wished she could make his pain go away. "Come here, sweetheart," she whispered soothingly.

Luis slid up so that his head rested on her chest and he was cradled in her arms. Holding him close, she rubbed his back. "I know it’s hard, sweetheart, I really do. I know what it’s like to be without the one you love. Remember, I lost my mother. I wish now more than ever that she could be here, Luis. She would have loved you."

His tears continued to fall, but he replied weakly. "Really?"

"Yes. She would have found you to be the very best thing in the world for me…just as I do. Luis, your father is here in your heart, just as my mother is in mine. When she passed away, I didn’t know what was happening; I just knew that things would never be the same again. At least your father stands a chance of returning home someday."

"Maybe," he sniffled.

"Shh," she kissed the top of his head. "I’m here for you, Luis, I’ll always be here for you. If you ever want to just lean on me and cry, I’ll be here."

Luis sniffed again and could feel a few stray tears being to fall again. Sheridan held him as close as she could, allowing him to feel her love. She listened as his tears slowed and when she looked down, he was asleep in her arms. She smiled and kissed his head, closing her eyes and allowing her own sleep to overcome her.

That next morning Luis had thanked her with breakfast in bed and they just lounged around there all day. They kissed and talked, watched movies and made love; all their favorite things. For the first time in months, they truly felt bonded, both having lost someone they loved dearly. Luis had shared more stories of his childhood while he rested his head in her lap and then Sheridan would tell a few about her years in Paris. She finally felt as if they were a couple and it was a wonderful feeling.

New Years had been a somber holiday. Sheridan and Luis had remembered the details of the prior year. The scene above the Seascape would be forever etched in their minds and Luis wasn’t sure he wanted to leave the cottage because of that night. Sheridan had convinced Luis that she would be perfectly safe and that locking themselves away wasn’t necessary. After all, he did have to go check on the Youth Center ball that was taking place thanks to Sam and Grace Bennett. So, Luis and Sheridan had stopped in that night at the center and shared a slow dance to one of Chad’s favorite tunes. Afterwards, Sheridan had insisted she was only running to the car to get her forgotten purse while Luis caught up with Sam. Grace had even walked her to the door and watched her cross the short distance to the car. That didn’t stop the black sports car from speeding towards the center, a gun pointed out of the window. Nor did it halt Luis from getting the sick to his stomach feeling that alerted him of impeding danger. He arrived in time to knock Sheridan out of the way, the bullet grazing his arm as they both fell to the ground. Angrily, Luis had forced her into the car and taken off for the cottage before the car could return for another shot. Sheridan could remember the conversation they had once they were tucked safely away in the cottage.

"I told you not to go. In fact I begged you to let *me* run to the car to get your purse," Luis slammed the door as they entered the cottage. He wasn’t exactly angry, Sheridan could tell that, but he was hurt and disappointed. As he threw his coat onto the chair, she could see the blood soaked into his shirt and the bandaged wrapped around his bicep. He collapsed onto couch. She walked to his side and placed her hand on his arm.

He looked up at her. "There are getting to be more and more of these petty arguments, aren’t there?" she asked him.

"This isn’t a petty argument, Sherry angel," he sighed. "This is serious. We’ve let our guard down and almost paid with your life. I’m not willing to pay that price, Sheridan."

"And I’m not willing to lock myself away in this dreadful place so that we can be sure I’m safe. Luis, I want to get out and live my life. I have that right you know!"

"And it’s my job to protect you, Sheridan."

"Are we back to that again?" she sighed exasperatedly. "Am I just a job?"

"You damn well know you are more than that, Sheridan. I love you with every fiber of my being and I would do *anything* to protect you. But I can’t protect you when you insist on being so free."

"Free? Luis I ran to the car to get a purse!" she was angry now.

"And I asked you not to go! You knew that it wasn’t safe. I told you it wouldn’t be safe!"

"Damn it, Luis, I knew it wouldn’t be too," she jumped off the couch. "I knew deep down inside that something was going to happen but I refused to let that fear consume me again. I lived in fear for so long, especially those days after you were shot. Don’t you think I worry every day that something may take you from me?"

Sheridan hadn’t noticed the tears that had begun to fall down her cheeks until Luis stood and wiped them away. She collapsed into his arms and sobbed, her body shaking with her sadness. "I hate that you have to protect me because I know I can never protect you from them."

Luis rubbed her back in soft circles. They had been so disappointed to learn that the French man caught months ago was just another hit man on the list. He refused to turn in his bosses or his American partner and they were back at square one. Now they were dealing with more attempts on her life. He held her close, his own tears pooling in his brown orbs. "Sheridan, I know this is hard for us, but we’ll get through it. We always do."

"I can’t lose you, Luis."

"You won’t."

"Promise?"

"I do."

Sheridan sighed as she sank into the blue chairs, sipping the coffee Luis had made. He was outside speaking with his sister about his birthday. She couldn’t believe she hadn’t known it was his birthday. Then again, they had never actually discussed their birthdays before. Watching through the window of the cottage door, she could see him talk animatedly with Theresa. He was smiling; that was a good sign. She smiled as an idea for the perfect birthday present came to mind. Rushing to the phone, Sheridan dialed the main house line and called Pilar.

"Crane Residence," Pilar’s light voice answered.

"Pilar, it’s Sheridan. How fast can we get a party together for tonight?"

Pilar laughed. "Knowing you, Miss Crane…"

"Sheridan…"

"Sheridan," Pilar amended, "we can have it done in a few hours."

"Perfect. Have the kitchen staff cook up all of Luis’ favorites and then bring down a list of numbers we can call." Seeing Theresa head for the main house, she laughed. "And get Theresa to help. I want this to be the best birthday Luis ever had!"

"Well, it is a milestone…"

"What?" Sheridan asked.

"He’ll be thirty today," Pilar laughed. "My baby is certainly grown up."

"Thirty," Sheridan gushed. "Pilar, send Ethan to the cottage too when you finish. I’ll need him to occupy Luis so we can decorate."

"If you insist."

"Of course I insist," Sheridan was giddy. A small party and then tonight she would break the news to Luis; she wanted to be his wife and was ready for his proposal. Then she would order his presents and be sure to have them delivered for this evening. It would per perfect…it had to be. Thirty! She couldn’t believe it. "And Pilar?"

"Yes?" she asked, jotting down some of the things they would need on a nearby notepad.

"Tonight will be the night…"

"You’re going to tell him?" Pilar grew excited as well.

"Yes, tonight I’ll tell Luis that I’m ready to be his wife."

"Dios Mio! Tonight truly is going to be a special night!"

"Oh no, he’s coming inside. I’ll talk to you later, Pilar," she hung up the phone.

"Whom were you talking to? Your boyfriend?" Luis teased, closing the cottage door behind him.

"How did you know?" Sheridan teased back. Luis chuckled.

"Who was on the phone?" he walked over to her.

"Your mother. I needed to ask her a question. Must you always be so nosy?"

"Only when I know you have something up your sleeve."

"Me?" she batted her eyes innocently.

"Oh, like that’s even *close* to the truth," he pulled her into his arms.

"Some days it is," she laughed. Turning serious, she looked into his eyes. "When were you going to tell me it was your birthday?"

"You heard Theresa, didn’t you?"

"Yup."

"I didn’t want you to make a big deal out of it…"

"Because you’ll be thirty today?" she laughed.

"Damn, Mama told, didn’t she?"

Sheridan nodded. "It is a big deal, you know," she smiled. "You only turn thirty once."

"Just like you only turn one through twenty-nine once. Look, Sherry, I don’t really want you to get all excited about my birthday. I know how that head of yours works…"

"You can fight me all you want on this, Luis, but once my mind decides what it wants to do, it will do it."

He sighed. "Don’t I know it."

"Hey!"

"Sorry, angel."

"Better," she laughed. "Play along, just this once?"

"Fine, fine. Just this once." He kissed her lips. "I guess you want to get rid of me so you can make the plans for whatever it is you need to plan?"

"In fact, I do. That’s why you and your future brother-in-law are going out for lunch and some drinks and bonding while I get to work."

He sighed. This was going to be a long day.

"Thank you for doing this, Ethan," Sheridan smiled at Ethan as they waited for Luis to come out of the bedroom.

"No problem, Sheridan. Though I’m reluctant about leaving you unprotected…"

"Luis has Crane security watching me and I’m not planning on leaving the estate. Pilar, Theresa and I will be right here calling people and preparing the cottage," she smiled.

"Preparing the cottage for what?" Luis came out of the bedroom.

"Nothing," her eyes twinkled. "Now you go and have a good time, birthday boy," she pecked his lips lightly. "I’ll see you later tonight."

"All right," he kissed her gently. "Love you."

"Ditto," she giggled and watched him leave with Ethan. Theresa popped her head in from the kitchen.

"Are they gone?" she peeked around.

"Yes, come on in," Sheridan smiled.

Theresa entered the living room. "Ok, so what are we planning?"

"A surprise party…we’ll need a cake and balloons and presents and guests and…"

"I think I’ve got the picture," Theresa laughed. "Mama will be down in an hour and Ivy has given me the day off to help you with this. I think I can get Whitney here to help too."

"The more the merrier," Sheridan was glowing. "Theresa this all has to be perfect."

"Why?" she asked, sitting in the nearby chair.

"I’m…I’m going to tell Luis that I’m ready."

"For marriage?!" she asked excitedly.

"Exactly," Sheridan giggled. "I want to be his wife."

"Oh Sheridan!" Theresa jumped up and hugged her. "You’re going to marry him! We’ll be sisters!"

Sheridan laughed. "So his birthday party has got to be the best ever. I want it to be perfect."

"It will be," Theresa immediate got on the phone. "Let’s get some extra help!"

Luis was surprised when Ethan took him to the country club for the day. He felt completely out of place here. His faded jeans and polo shirt were nothing compared to the suits and ties around him. One glance and he knew he was the only non-white there as a member. Not that he expected there to be a lot of rich Latino men around.

"Thanks for bringing me here, Ethan, I really appreciate it," Luis sighed as they settled at a table.

"Well, I couldn’t think of anywhere we could go while Sheridan does whatever it is she is doing," Ethan laughed. "She truly does love you…"

"And I love her," Luis replied.

"So I’ve noticed," Ethan smiled and sipped his cup of coffee.

Luis prayed that someone else would be around in a pair of jeans, but he didn’t actually expect it. He was starting to feel uncomfortable, everything around him reminding him that Sheridan had money and he didn’t. "Ethan, do you mind if I go call Sheridan…make sure she’s ok?"

"Not at all, Luis. Would you like to use my cell?"

"I’ve got mine," he got up and walked away from the table. Dialing the number, he waited for her to pick up.

"Hello?"

"Theresa?" Luis asked.

"Yea, hold on, I’ll get Sheridan," she replied.

"Hello?"

"Sherry?"

"Hey, baby, what’s wrong?" Sheridan asked concerned. She could hear the slight tremble in his voice.

"Sherry, I don’t fit in here," he sighed, looking around at the grand hallway he was standing in. "Ethan brought me to the club."

"Oh, Luis, I’m sorry. I hadn’t meant for him to bring you there, I knew you’d be uncomfortable."

"Uncomfortable?"

"You know what I mean…we both know how you feel about those stuffy, snooty rich snobs…"

"Like you," he teased.

"Careful, baby."

Luis sat on one of the couches in the hall and sighed. "I miss you."

"I miss you too baby, but you won’t be away from me long. Look, why don’t you go ask Ethan to take you to the Book Cafe and visit with Beth or something?" she asked, the phone balanced on her shoulder while she scribbled something on a piece of paper for Theresa to do.

"I don’t want to hurt his feelings," Luis sighed again. He could tell she wasn’t really paying attention. "Sherry?"

"Sorry, baby, I’m talking to your sister too. Sweetie, Ethan will understand. I know that you don’t like the club and I don’t blame you. I’m not really fond of that place either. Look, just tell Ethan the truth. You two can bond over coffee at the Cafe. I really need to go darling."

"But Sheridan…"

"Luis, I’ll see you later. Love you."

He sighed. "Love you too."

"Bye babe." She hung up.

Luis sighed one last time and returned to Ethan. "Ethan, can I ask a huge favor?"

"Anything, Luis."

"Not to be disrespectful or ungrateful, but I really don’t fit in here and…"

"Ethan!" the cheery voice of a young gentleman called. "Socializing with the help are you?"

"If it isn’t Matthew Mitchell," Ethan stood and shook the man’s hand. "It’s been years."

"Just returned from England. I was helping Father with the business, you know how that goes."

"Indeed," Ethan smiled.

"Uh, Ethan," Luis cleared his through.

"Oh, Luis Lopez-Fitzgerald, this is Matthew Mitchell, a good friend of the family."

"Pleasure," Matthew smiled. His brown eyes alit with wonder.

Luis looked the man over. He couldn’t have been more than twenty-two with short brown hair that was parted and slicked back. His suit had been tailor-made and fit him as if it was a second skin. He looked the rich preppy.

"Nice to meet you," Luis nodded.

"So how do you know, Mr. Fitzgerald?" Matthew purposely left out part of Luis’ name.

"He’s Sheridan Crane’s body guard," Warren’s voice interrupted.

"Warren," Ethan turned and shook his hand. Luis tensed.

"Sheridan and Luis have been inseparable for months, Matthew. In fact, I’ve phoned her often and been told she’s unable to leave the grounds." He turned to Luis. "Is she here today? I’d love to see her."

"I’m sure you would," Luis grumbled.

"So is she here? I mean if you’re around…"

"She isn’t here," Ethan replied. "Luis is going to be my brother-in-law and I asked Sheridan if I could take him out to get to know him."

"That’s right," Warren laughed, "you’re marrying the maid’s daughter. I can’t believe you passed up something like Gwen Hotchkiss for a piece of riff raff…no offense Officer."

Ethan could see Luis’ temper rising and watched as his fists balled. He was going to deck Warren and soon. Luis tried not to let his temper get the best of him and dug his nails into his palms. He couldn’t believe the nerve of these people.

"Take it back, Warren," Ethan felt his own temper rise. The longer he thought about it the more he, too, wanted to deck Warren.

"Yes do," Phoebe’s voice joined in. "I hear Latins make wonderful lovers," she slithered up close to Luis. She couldn’t believe her luck. This man was one she would love to get her clutches into. ‘Sheridan doesn’t know what she’s missing,’ she thought.

Ethan’s eyes widened at how friendly she was. "Do you two know each other?"

"Mm," she grinned and placed her hand on Luis’ stiff arm. "We met in July. Luis is a fabulous kisser." She grinned. Fabulous didn’t begin to express how well he kissed.

"Really?" Ethan asked.

"It’s a long story," Luis replied through gritted teeth.

"Oh yes," Warren laughed. "A long story. But I’m sure he doesn’t kiss as well as Sheridan. And her tango!" Warren laughed. "Not that someone like you would know, would you, Officer?"

"Actually…" Luis started.

"Oh please, Sheridan wouldn’t give someone like you the time of day. I mean, look at you," Matthew laughed. "Sheridan is a Crane…an heiress to a fortune. What are you the heir to? The family piggy bank?"

Luis looked hurt and angered. He swallowed hard and continued to dig his nails into his hands. They were right. Everything they were saying was right. He couldn’t believe how stupid he felt right now. He fought back the pain. His mother taught him better than that.

"Something you wanted to share, Officer?" Warren teased.

"Ethan, I’m going to be leaving." Luis shook Phoebe off.

"Luis…" he tried.

"I’ll be at the Youth Center," he turned and left. Once he was away from them he took off into a sprint and didn’t stop until he was outside of the gate.

"Excuse me, would you?" Ethan ran out to find him, but Luis was gone. Pulling out his cell, he dialed Sheridan’s number.

"What now, Luis?" Sheridan sighed into the phone.

"It’s not Luis," Ethan replied.

"Ethan? What’s going on?"

"I lost Luis."

"What?" she was shocked.

"We ran into Warren and Phoebe and Matthew Mitchell and well…it was bad."

"Ethan! Why didn’t you just take him to the Book Cafe, you know Luis hates the club." She was angry.

"I’m sorry," he sighed. "Sheridan, he’s really rather hurt, maybe I should just bring him home."

"NO!" she yelled. "Ethan, we’re not done…I want this to be a surprise. Please, just see if you can find him and bring him to the Book Cafe."

"Sheridan, you don’t understand…they insulted him. I swear he looked ready to cry."

"Oh no. Ethan, come and pick me up, will you? We need to find him."

"Sheridan, it isn’t safe for you…"

"Listen, Ethan, if the scene was as bad as you say it was, then Luis needs me. He’s not going to want to deal with you."

"All right, I’ll be there in ten minutes."

"All right," she hung up.

Luis walked silently along the pier for a while, his mind full of questions without answers. He didn’t know where he was going to go, but he knew he needed to be alone for a while. He certainly didn’t want to deal with Beth telling him he was over reacting and he didn’t want to ruin Sheridan’s surprise for tonight. He could have gone to the Youth Center, like he told Ethan, but the kids might be around and he didn’t want a whole bunch of questions being shot at him.

Walking up the hillside, he headed towards the lighthouse. He had always dreamed of having a wedding reception up here, looking over the beautiful ocean. Sheridan had mentioned once that she wanted a Christmas wedding; that would kill a reception here. Not that it mattered. He wanted to marry her and a Christmas wedding with all the trimmings sounded lovely.

As he stared at the water, his mind started to wander back to the events at the country club and he started to get angry again. He was a fool, a complete fool.

Ethan arrived at the cottage and Sheridan ran to the car, climbing in quickly. "Let’s go."

"Sheridan, I think you should just stay here. I’m sure I can find him…"

"Ethan, it’s your fault he’s missing!" she yelled. "How foolish could you be? You know how Luis felt about us at first, did you honestly think that Luis and his faded jeans would fit in at the club?"

"No, but I…"

"What?"

"I guess part of me wanted to show him what your life was like…part of me wanted him to know what you would be giving up for him."

"Ethan!" she was shocked.

"I know, it was wrong. I just guess part of me feels superior to him in ways."

"Maybe you should just shut up and drive," Sheridan recommended, her temper fuming.

"All right," he started the car again. "Where to?"

"Head towards the light house. I have a feeling he is out there." They drove off as fast as Ethan’s car would carry them.

"I want this taken care of, Julian," Alistair droned over the phone. "Sheridan and Luis are getting far too close. I know I told you to keep your distance after the imposter fiasco, but I think you have to get in there and do something."

"Like what?" Julian asked.

"Eight words, Julian: make it look like a hit on Sheridan."

"Father?" Julian asked shocked. He couldn’t mean kill his sister, could he?

"He’s a cop and cops get shot. Make it look like they were attempting to hit Sheridan and got Luis instead. He has got to go, Julian."

"Father, this is a bit drastic…the charges I have against him…there has to be another way!"

"He has to die, Julian. Sheridan plans on asking him to marry her…she plans on proposing in a round about way. *YOU* have got to take care of him…TODAY!"

Julian sighed. "Yes, Father," he heard the click. "I’m sorry, Sheridan," he looked at his sister’s picture. "So sorry." He dialed a number from his phone book and waited for the man to pick up.

"Stupid!" he sat on the cold bench by the lighthouse. "Moron…fool!" he slammed his fists onto the bench. "Some birthday." He growled. "Why didn’t you defend yourself, Luis? How could you let them talk to you that way?" He looked out at the water. "Because you wanted to fit in for Sheridan’s sake." He sighed. "You wanted to make her proud."

"You always make me proud," Sheridan replied.

"Sheridan?" he jumped up. "You should be at the cottage…it isn’t safe."

"I was told you needed me…"

"Not right now. I need to be alone right now."

Sheridan neared him. "I’m not like them, you know."

"I know," he looked away. "Neither am I though…and I’m less like them than you are."

She placed her hand on his arm. "But I love you for every way you are different…because each of your differences makes you the better man…"

"Don’t," he shrugged her hand off and walked to the edge of the cliff. "I used to come here with my father. We would look out and see the country club. He would tell me that one day I’d be a member…that they’d see Assistant District Attorney Luis Lopez-Fitzgerald. He promised I would fit in."

Sheridan swallowed hard.

"He was wrong, Sheridan. I never will become a lawyer and I won’t ever fit into their circles. I’m nothing but trash to them…the son of the maid. A Latin loser…"

"Not to me…"

Luis spun around. "And what am I to you, Sheridan? I know you love me…I don’t doubt that, but why do you love me? What makes me so special?"

Sheridan paused for a moment and then moved closer to him. "If you think I love you because you are everything people in my circles hate, you’re wrong. If you think I love you because I know my father hates you, you’re wrong. *I* love you because you are the most special thing in the whole world. You treat me as if I was a priceless jewel…with such love and respect that I have never before received."

"I’m sorry I snapped at you," he looked back out at the water. "It’s just every time I think you and I can have a long life together, something reminds me just how pathetic a life I’ll be offering you. I’m a cop, Sheridan. That not only comes with low pay, but a certain amount of uncertainty and danger. I need you to think about that, Sheridan. Can you live the rest of your life by scrimping and saving?" he turned and faced her again. "Can you go to bed every night and wonder if I’ll be coming home?"

She wanted to reply, but knew he really wanted her to think about it. Closing her eyes, she imagined pacing in front of their couch, waiting for him to return home. Could she live with never knowing if their morning goodbye would be their last?

"See?" he whispered painfully. "We’ve been so blissfully happy lately that we aren’t dealing with the reality of the situation. Go home, Sheridan. I’ll come back later."

"But…your birthday…"

"I don’t really feel like celebrating," he sat back on the bench. "Thanks for wanting to make it special though."

"Luis," she went over to him. "What did they say to you?"

"Sheridan, I don’t want to talk about it…just go home."

"I want to know what they said."

"Ethan can tell you as you drive back to the cottage. I’ll be there later…"

"But…"

"I’ll see you later."

She sighed. "I love you…"

"Yea…sure," he sighed.

Sheridan felt tears sting the back of her eyes and ran towards the car. Ethan saw her coming and opened her door. "What happened?"

"Just take me home."

Hours later, Sheridan and Theresa had finished setting up the party, despite Sheridan’s worry that Luis wouldn’t be there for it. The room was decorated with balloons and crape paper. A cake was being baked by the Crane cooks and Pilar directed them in some of his favorite foods. Now, Sheridan and Theresa just sat around waiting for something to do.

"Did you get him a present?" Theresa asked Sheridan.

"Two, actually, and they should be here in an hour."

"Cool," Theresa smiled slightly.

"Yea," Sheridan sighed.

"Want to talk about it?"

"Not really."

"Ok," Theresa sighed.

They lapsed into silence, both lost in their own thoughts. The phone ringing brought them both out of their silence. Sheridan grabbed the phone immediately, praying Luis was on the other end.

"Hello?"

"Sheridan, it’s Sam."

"Sam? What’s wrong?" she panicked.

"It’s Luis…"

Sheridan rushed into the emergency room, her head spinning. Sam wouldn’t talk about all the details over the phone, but he said Luis had been shot. Sheridan finally knew what she would be getting into when she married Luis…if she married Luis. Could she really deal with a lifetime of worry? Could she wonder if the next phone call was Sam telling her that Luis had been killed? The again, could she live her life without him?

Rushing up to Sam who was sitting in the waiting room chairs, she started crying. There was blood on Sam’s shirt.

"S…Sam?" she whimpered.

"I haven’t found the doctor that took him back yet."

"Is he?"

"I don’t think so," Sam replied.

"What happened?"

"I don’t know. When we got there he was bleeding pretty badly. He called us himself, said he was shot out of no where and needed help fast."

Sheridan collapsed in the chair beside Sam. "Where was he shot?"

"I don’t know. I couldn’t find out where the blood was coming from…"

"Mrs. Lopez-Fitzgerald?" a nurse entered the waiting room. She had assumed Sheridan was Luis’ wife.

"I’m not his wife," Sheridan replied.

"Oh…" she blushed. "Well, he is asking for *his* Sheridan, I only assumed…"

"It’s all right. How is he?"

"Follow me and you can see for yourself."

Sheridan followed the nurse back towards the rooms. She found Luis sitting up, his arm in a sling.

"Luis?!" tears of joy ran down her cheeks.

"Hey."

"What happened?" she rushed over to him.

"I had a run in with a bullet."

"This isn’t funny!" she cried.

"I was shot, Sheridan, I realize it’s not funny!" he yelled. "I was shot in the arm. I’m damn lucky the fool that shot me had a lousy aim."

"He certainly is," Eve entered the room. "The bullet passed in and out of his bicep. He is lucky that the person who did this missed his target. Had they aimed correctly," she motioned to Luis’ heart, "he would be dead."

Sheridan paled considerably. "Dead?" she felt as if someone was keeping the air from entering her lungs.

"Yes," she looked at Luis’ chart. "You can go home, Luis, there’s no reason to keep you. Fortunately, you acted quickly and managed to get help before you lost too much blood."

"I’m just lucky I had my phone with me."

"You certainly are," Eve smiled. "I’ll go get your release papers," she left the room.

Sheridan just stared at him. Dead? She could have lost him?

"I told you that our lives would be complicated," he warned. "Now you see what I mean. I don’t know who this person was that shot at me, Sheridan, and I don’t know why they wanted me, but there isn’t much I can do about it. Part of my job is to make a lot of enemies and put myself on the line to protect people."

"I know."

"That’s why I think maybe we need today apart, Sheridan. I think you really need to think about us…and so do I."

"Not again, Luis…"

"Yes, again. Sheridan, this time I want you to think about how you would feel as my wife to get that phone call from Sam."

"I would feel the same terror that I felt and I’m just your girlfriend…"

"Just go home and think about it. I’ll be at the Book Cafe. Call me when you want me to come home."

She nodded. "I love you," she walked over and kissed his cheek.

"I love you too," he watched her leave.

Sheridan slumped into the couch. Theresa had left to help oversee the food and Sheridan was still waiting for the gifts she ordered to arrive. She was thankful for the quiet; it gave her time to think. Her mind went over Luis’ words ‘This time I want you to think about how you would feel as my wife to get that phone call from Sam.’ Terrified was the only answer she could come up with. She would feel terrified.

She did love him. There was no denying that she wanted to be his wife more than anything in the world, but could she deal with the fact he was a cop? She wondered how Pilar dealt with the wonder and fear that her son may never come home from work.

"She would probably tell me that there is a chance none of us will see another day," Sheridan sighed. "What am I going to do?" Closing her eyes, she thought about spending her life without Luis. It would be so completely lonely or else she would be forced to marry someone like Warren. With her eyes closed, she could see herself five years down the road in a little house with Luis. They had two beautiful children running around the house and a dog.

She sat up and opened her eyes. "I know what I want now," she giggled. She wanted that scene.

Luis sat on the couch at the Book Cafe, his free hand holding a cup of coffee. Beth had fussed over him the second he came into the place. She wanted to know what happened to his arm and when he admitted to being shot, Beth nearly fainted. To think about it now, he found it funny.

Looking at the stack of newspapers and magazines, he found one with Sheridan on it. The newspaper mentioned that the Crane princess was still under twenty-four hour guard by a local cop. He sighed. Sheridan was national news. She would always be national news; after all, she was their heiress to one of the largest fortunes in the world.

"So, happy birthday," Beth brought over a doughnut with a candle stuck into the center.

"Thanks, Beth," he laughed.

"Hey, I’m just happy you turned thirty first," she teased.

He laughed harder. "So is Sheridan."

"Yea, but she’s just a baby," Beth sat beside Luis.

He chuckled. She sure didn’t act like a baby. "Yea. She didn’t happen to give you any hints about our plans for tonight, did she?"

Beth shook her head no. Of course, Sheridan had called and invited her to a party at the cottage, but there was no way she could possibly tell Luis that. It was supposed to be a surprise.

"Nothing. She called a little while ago to make sure you made it here all right, but that’s it."

"Oh," he sighed. "I hope she isn’t going overboard."

"Knowing Sheridan, she is," Beth smiled. "But you love her for it."

"Of course," he smiled.

"Hey, Beth," Hank came over. "I was looking for you. Chad said you had a message for me."

"Hey Hank," Beth became excited. "I don’t have a message for you, Chad must have been mistaken."

"Oh," Hank sighed.

"Hey, Hank," Luis tried.

"Oh, hi Luis. Happy Birthday."

"Look…Hank…"

"I gotta run. I’m meeting someone in Boston tonight," he walked away.

"Someone?" Luis asked.

"Hank’s been going to Boston to see some of his old buddies up there."

"You mean some of the chicks he used to write me about while I was busy at the police academy?"

"Yea," Beth sighed.

"Look, Beth, don’t hold out on Hank either. You’ve been turning up some dates from what I hear."

Beth laughed. "Two, but who’s counting?"

"Hank’s got a lot of growing up to do, Beth, don’t wait around for that."

"Like I did waiting around for you?" she snapped.

"Hey! No one asked you to. I never said that I was going to make you my bride, Beth. You kind of assumed that yourself."

She sighed. "I know."

"Look, just don’t let Hank hurt you. I know he isn’t into settling down right now…"

"Unless it means getting something he wants out of it. I’m sure if Sheridan was available…"

"Well, she isn’t," Luis replied.

"If she was, I’m sure he wouldn’t think twice about proposing to her."

"Yea," Luis finished off his coffee. "Thanks for the doughnut, but I’m not really hungry."

"Something wrong? Besides the bullet hole in your arm of course."

"I had a fight with Sheridan."

"Again? Geeze Luis, you really are determined to ruin the one good thing in your life, aren’t you?"

"Ethan took me to the damn country club and those people there don’t care about anyone that doesn’t have money or dress like them," Luis sighed. "Then Sheridan came after me to cheer me up and I reminded her that life isn’t going to be a piece of cake with a cop for a husband. She’s going to have to be one of us, not one of them. Of course getting shot just brought home exactly what I was talking about. I mean, what if Sheridan had gotten that call as my wife? How could she handle wondering if the next call meant I was dead?"

"So you asked Sheridan to think about what it would mean to be a cop’s wife?"

"Yea. I’m supposed to go back there tonight for some birthday thing and she’s going to let me know what she wants from me."

"And if it’s marriage?"

"Then at least I know she’s thought over what it would mean to be my wife."

"And if she isn’t sure?"

"Then we’re back where we started…"

"And if she says she wants to break it off?"

"Then I don’t know how I will ever wake up another day knowing I lost the one woman I could spend the rest of my life with."

"Julian!" Alistair’s voice boomed over the speakerphone.

"Hello, Father," Julian sighed. "To what do I owe this pleasure?" he poured himself a drink.

"You are the biggest screw up on the face of the planet, Julian! What part of the plan did you not understand? Killing Luis or making it look like Sheridan was supposed to get shot!?"

Julian sighed. "I did that, Father."

"Oh, did you? Really? Well would you like to tell me why Luis was shot in the ARM while your sister was at her COTTAGE?"

"I thought they were together!" Julian defended.

"Try thinking harder next time!" Alistair screamed.

"Why can’t we just find another way around this? Don’t you think the Crane’s will be the first inspected if Luis is killed? Honestly, Father, the man is a cop!"

"One that has to be dealt with, Julian, and soon!"

"Yes, Father," Julian sighed.

Sheridan had called the Book Cafe only five minutes ago and was told by Beth that Luis was ready to head home and she had offered him a ride with her. She had begged Beth to hold off for twenty minutes while she made sure everything was ready. Looking around at everyone there, she was sure everything was fine. All of Luis’ friends were around, all except Hank. Sheridan hadn’t been able to find him. However, the Bennetts, Russells, Lopez-Fitzgeralds and some of his friends from work were all crowded in the cottage. Sheridan had paid some men to move the furniture out of the living room so that they could have some room to dance and have fun. She even had some metal chairs brought in for people to sit on.

"Sheridan, stop worrying, Luis is going to love this," Miguel smiled. He had Charity at his side.

She smiled. "I hope so, Miguel. I want him to enjoy his birthday."

"He will," Charity smiled.

Sheridan nodded. Outside were her two gifts for Luis and inside a table of presents awaited his arrival. Finally, the cottage phone rang. When Sheridan answered it, Mickey, the night guard at the gate, told Sheridan that Luis and Beth were on their way up.

"All right everyone," Sheridan hit the lights. "They’re almost here." She watched through the window as the car came into view. Once she saw it park, she made sure everyone was hidden.

"Thanks for the ride, Beth, you really didn’t need to do this."

"Hey, who said I drove you home because I wanted to? I wanted to talk to Sheridan, it just made sense to give you a lift."

"Thanks," he grumbled. "She must be up at the main house."

"Well, then I’ll wait for her."

"Fine," he pushed opened the front door. As soon as he did, Sheridan hit the lights and everyone jumped out yelling, "Surprise."

Luis looked shocked. A huge banner in Sheridan’s handwriting read "Happy Birthday Darling." Presents were stacked neatly on a table near the fireplace and all of his friends and family were scattered around wearing silly looking party hats. He laughed.

"Happy birthday, sweetheart," Sheridan threw her arms around his neck.

"Sheridan, you shouldn’t have," he laughed, letting her know he really did appreciate it.

"Well I did," she replied matter-of-factly.

"Thank you," he whispered and kissed her.

"Aww, look, LoFitz is kissing his princess," David Martinez teased.

"Yea, ain’t that just a Kodak moment," Brian Sullivan replied.

Sheridan pulled away and laughed. "All right, let’s get this party kicking," she called to Ethan who hit the radio. In no time, people were mingling and having a good time. Sheridan and Luis started dancing by the radio.

"How’s the arm?" she asked.

"Much better now that I’m with you," he smiled.

"Good," she leaned against him. "I want to give you one present now and the other two after you open your others."

"I’m all for presents," he laughed.

"Good," she went to the radio and put on the song she had decided summed up what she wanted. Once it started, she returned to his arms.

"Listen carefully, Luis, and I think you know what I am trying to give you," she whispered, leaning against him as they swayed carefully to the music.

He held her close, his arm no longer in the sling so he could hold her closer.

"Sheridan, are you saying…"

"Just listen," she kissed his neck.

"Sheridan, I need to know…"

"Marry me, Luis," Sheridan whispered. "Marry me please."

"Come with me," Luis pulled her into the bedroom.

"Luis," she giggled. "We have company."

"We’re not going to do that," he closed the door and laughed. "Did that song mean what I think it did?"

Sheridan nodded and decided to go for the gold. She brought him to the bed and made him sit. Taking a deep breath, she got down on one knee and looked into his eyes. "Be my husband, Luis…"

Luis blushed. "Sheridan, I’m supposed to be doing the proposing."

"You said when I was ready I had to let you know…this is how I want to let you know. Luis, I want to marry you."

"I want to marry you too…but are you sure?"

"Yes. I want to be your wife."

"Sheridan Crane, I’d be honored to marry you."

"You said yes?"

"I said yes."

She laughed and tackled him. "You said yes!"

He laughed as well. "But I’m going to propose back to you, Miss Crane."

"I’ll be waiting," she giggled. "Does this mean…"

"We’re unofficially engaged."

She was actually glowing. "Oh Luis, I’m so happy…"

"Me too," he smiled. "Let’s get back to the party."

"All right," she smiled. "Besides, you have other gifts to get."

After eating all of Luis’ favorite Mexican dishes, Sheridan recommended they let him open his gifts. Luis agreed, wondering what Sheridan’s other two could be. He opened the usual shirt from his mother, a law book from his sister who knew he loved reading them and a chain for his pocket watch from his brother and Charity. His Aunt Maria and Paloma had sent him a gift certificate to get himself some new CDs. Sam and the guys at the station had chipped in to get him a new leather gun holster, seeing how his old one had been lost in Paris. The Russells and the rest of the Bennett crew had gotten him season tickets to the Red Sox. Beth had purchased a Red Sox jersey and cap to go with the tickets.

"Thanks guys," he smiled.

"Sheridan, give him yours now," Theresa’s eyes glittered. She was the only person that knew what his gift was.

Sheridan swallowed hard, nervous about the two gifts waiting for him. "I asked your mother what I should get you; what you needed most. She gave me a few ideas and then I realized one thing I could get both of us for our future together. So I called around and found the perfect gift," she handed him a small square box.

He opened it.

"Keys?"

She nodded. "Your present is outside," she led him out, the rest of the group following them. The cold night air chilled them slightly as they walked to the side of the cottage. There sat a silver and black SUV. Luis didn’t need to look inside to know Sheridan had ordered it fully loaded or that it was brand new.

He looked at her. "For me?"

"For us," she amended. "And I swear I didn’t use a cent of the Crane money. This gift comes from a trust fund my maternal Grandfather left me. The interest built up enough so that I could pay cash for this."

Luis didn’t know what to say. "Sheridan, this is too much…"

"Please, Luis. We need a car, right? I mean you can’t keep taking the cruiser from the station and the one you drive is slowly dying. I gave your mother money to fix it up for herself…but we’ll need a car."

Luis knew she was right and looked the SUV over. "Thank you, angel."

She smiled. "Your other gift is in the glove compartment."

He glanced at her and shrugged. Opening the passenger door, he popped the glove compartment open and grabbed a white box. "This?"

She nodded.

He lifted the lid and pulled out a baseball. After inspecting it, he noticed the signatures of certain Red Sox players. Upon closer inspection, he noticed the entire team had signed. "Sheridan!" his eyes popped open wide. "This is autographed by the entire team!"

She nodded. "I happen to know the coaches."

"Damn, LoFitz, that’s one fine woman you got there," Martinez gasped.

"No kidding, Marty," he winked. "And she’s all mine."

Sheridan snuggled up into Luis’ arms. "Now let’s go back inside and finish this party."

"Your wish is my command," Luis allowed himself to be pulled inside as the other partygoers followed them to finish off the party.

Hours later, the crowd started to leave, wishing Luis a happy birthday and taking some leftover cake with them. Luis and Sheridan hadn’t let anyone know that they were engaged; Luis wanted to wait until he officially re-proposed. After they had seen everyone out, Sheridan and Luis decided it was time for bed. Sheridan watched Luis as he changed the bandage and cleaned the wound left by the bullet.

"So, was your birthday everything you wanted it to be?" Sheridan asked, pulling her nightgown over her head.

"Everything and then some. Sheridan, the car was a little extravagant."

"I know, but like I said, I didn’t use Crane money and we will need a car for after the wedding."

He sighed. "Promise you won’t go running around buying things like that all the time?"

"I promise," she laid down in bed. "But the baseball is a keeper too, right?"

"Heck yea," he laughed. "The entire team! I can’t believe you pulled that off."

"I have my ways," she snuggled up to him as he joined her in bed. Placing her head on his chest, she sighed happily. He rubbed her back gently.

"I love you, Sheridan."

"I love you too, birthday boy," she teased.

He chuckled. "Night love," he whispered, shutting off the light.

"Happy birthday," she replied, falling asleep in his arms.

Luis watched her sleep for at least an hour as he mentally planned how he would propose tomorrow. After all, Valentine’s Day was the day for lovers and he was more than ready to give her the best Valentine’s present ever. As Sheridan slept, Luis thought about how she proposed to him. He was amazed at her guts and incredibly pleased that she let him know she was ready. ‘Tomorrow,’ he told himself, ‘Tomorrow I’ll make her mine forever.’

Chapter Eight