Chapter 32: I Will Remember You
Four months later:
Luis and Sheridan lay in each other's arms as the sunset. Luis had his hands wrapped around Sheridan's waist and he held her tight, just to make sure that he wasn't just dreaming. Music was playing softly in the background and it seemed that life couldn't get any better. Sheridan was really showing and her stomach was quite big for a woman who was six months pregnant, but it didn't matter to Luis. He loved Sheridan so much and she was carrying his babies.
"Luis maybe we should go back to Harmony now. I mean its been a long time and I want to be next to our family and friends when the twins are born." "I know sweetie, I agree and I think we should go back to. I want to see mama and Theresa and Miguel. It's been a long time." "So then its' settled we will go book a flight tomorrow and we will go back to Harmony for good." Sheridan closed her eyes and with her head against Luis' chest she began to drift off to sleep. The music continued to play softly .... "Nothing really matters, love is all we need..."
Back in Harmony people were adjusting to living without Sheridan and Luis. Still many people couldn't believe they were really gone. No one knew who should take over as director at the youth center because no one had the time to do it. Days went on and slowly the residents of Harmony learned to move on with their everyday lives. One thing that was quickly approaching was the annual Harmony Spring Ball. Everyone was making preparations for the ball because it was only in two days. The Harmony Spring Ball took place every March in Harmony and the event was used to raise money.
Everyone would dress up and their would be acts performed by residents of Harmony such as songs or choreographed and rehearsed dance numbers. All these events would raise money at the ball for the Harmony hospital. The final preparations were being made and all the numbers were being rehearsed. The event was to take place at the local Harmony theatre.
Luis picked up the phone and dialed the number that Sheridan had gave him. He booked two flights for tomorrow night to fly from Paris back to Harmony. After hanging up the phone he joined Sheridan who was sitting in the living room reading a book. "I already booked a flight for tomorrow night. We should be in Harmony at around 9:00pm. Our flight leaves around 5:00pm so we'd better start packing."
Meanwhile back at the Crane Mansion, Julian was relaxing in the library as his father continued to speak. "Listen Julian it's been a few months and seems like we are in the clear. Luis and Sheridan have disappeared and we will never have to worry about the truth being discovered." "That's right father, everything is going our way and we have nothing to worry about." "I have to go now Julian, but don't forgot to close the deal with Mr. Pierre. After all we want to the Crane empire to continue to grow and expand."
"Yes father I understand goodbye."
Sheridan and Luis had dinner on the balcony watching the people below go about their everyday lives. "Oh Luis, Paris at this time of night looks so beautiful, but I am so glad we are going to be back in Harmony tomorrow night. I can't wait to see everyone. I am sure a lot has changed since we left." "I am sure it has Sheridan, but I no one things for sure, my love for you has grown with each passing day." "Oh Luis, I love you so much"
"I love you too, Sheridan." Luis and Sheridan kissed passionately and as the town of Paris was busy and illuminated, they had no idea what was awaiting them back in Harmony. The next evening everyone was gathered at the Harmony theatre. Theresa stepped out onto the stage and applause rang out.
"Good evening, ladies and gentlemen and welcome to the 13th annual Harmony Spring Ball to raise money for our local hospital - Harmony Hospital. Every year we have fellow residents of Harmony perform acts and numbers to raise money for the children's pediatric wing. So let the show began. First up we have the Jessica, Kay, Simone and Whitney singing "what a girl wants."
Meanwhile abroad an airplane, Luis and Sheridan sat together waiting to reach their destination - Harmony. Soon they would be home - back in Harmony where they belonged. Sheridan felt the babies kicking and she said to Luis "Luis feel this the babies are kicking, it's amazing." Sheridan put Luis hand on her stomach and he felt the babies kick. "Wow, that's our babies Sheridan. They are kicking Sheridan, I can't believe that soon we will have two little one that we will have to look after." "Maybe we should pick out names for them." "Let's postpone that thought until we till our families the news. I am sure your family will have lots of ideas on what to name our babies." "Your right Sheridan. We should be arriving in Harmony at any time now."
Just then there was an announcement from the stewardess. "Ladies and gentlemen we will be arriving in Harmony in five minutes. The current temperature is five degrees. The current time is 8: 15 pm. Thank you for flying American Airlines, we hope you enjoy your stay in Harmony and we hope to see you again soon." "Luis we are almost hope, I can't wait to see everyone." "Me too Sheridan, I wonder how much Miguel and Theresa have grown. I can't wait to see Mama and the rest of the family." "I am sure they have been really worried about us, but once they see us they will be ecstatic ."
Forty five minutes later, Luis and Sheridan arrived at the Lopez-Fitzgerald residence, but it appeared that no one was home. "It looks like no one is home Luis." "You're right Sheridan. They have to be somewhere, let's go for a walk." As Sheridan and Luis walked through the streets of Harmony, the town watched in amusement as the Harmony Spring Ball continued.
"Thank you, Joe and the Musketeers. Well ladies and gentlemen we have come to the mystery song portion of the ball. In a few minutes, everyone will listen to three songs that will be played. The first person to correctly identify all three songs will win this lovely porcelain doll collection. The retail value of this gift is five thousand dollars and we must thank Ivy Crane for her generous donation of these porcelain dolls for our prize giveaway. We will commence the event in a few moments, but first let us here from Charity Standish and Miguel Lopez-Fitzgerald as she performs for us "When I fall in Love...."
Luis and Sheridan reached the corner block of Symmington Avenue and stopped.
"It appears that the town is deserted this evening." Luis said. “Well they have to be somewhere. Why don't we check the Harmony paper, maybe there is some event that everyone has attended." "Good idea Sheridan. I knew there was a good reason I married you besides marrying you for your looks." "Oh Luis" Sheridan said while rolling her eyes.
They both laughed as they walked over to the next corner to grab a newspaper from the corner newspaper box. Luis deposited a few coins and grabbed a newspaper. Sheridan and Luis starred at the front headline. "All of Harmony gathers tonight for the Annual Harmony Spring Ball." "Well of course, Sheridan they are all at the theatre tonight because of the annual spring ball." "Look Luis" Sheridan said while pointing to a picture of the Master of Ceremonies. "It's Theresa, she's gotten more and more beautiful since the last time I saw her." "Yes she has Luis." "Come on Sheridan let's go see our friends and family" Luis said as he grabbed Sheridan's hand.
Back at the Harmony Theatre, Theresa was getting ready to commence the mystery song competition. "Okay everyone please get ready to play. I will go over the rules. You must not shout out the name of the first song we play, nor the second and third. Simply write down the names of the songs on a piece of paper and when you think you know all three raise your hand. I will then ask you to identify all three songs and if you are correct, you will win these lovely porcelain dolls. Are we all ready to begin? Ok, then let's get started."
Luis and Sheridan stepped inside the Harmony theatre and could hear Theresa's voice going over the rules for the mystery competition. They followed her voice until they reached a set of double doors. They quietly opened the doors and stepped inside. They stayed at the back so that they would not disrupt the competition. It was dark since all the lights were off and the only light on were the stage lights shining on Theresa. Sheridan and Luis starred at Theresa as the event began.
"Okay ladies and gentlemen, the first song is about to be played so please write it down if you think you know it." Music started to play "When I was very young, nothing really mattered to me.." "Luis I know that song it's nothing really matters by Madonna." "That's great Sheridan maybe we could win the prize." "Okay listen closely because here is the second song." Music again started to play "If you only knew, what I've been going through..." "Oh Luis I don't know this song." "I do Sheridan. It's Could this be love by Jennifer Lopez." "That's great Luis we just need one more to win."
"Okay folks only one more song to go so listen closely and the first person to raise their hand will be eligible to win this porcelain doll collection. The final song is.." Music played again and Luis and Sheridan listened closely to the lyrics "For a shield from the storm, For a friend, For a love to keep me safe and warm..." "I turn to you by Christina Aguilera" Sheridan and Luis both said in unison. I could never forget that song we danced to it before the first night we made love in Paris." Sheridan said.
Luis raised his hand and Theresa could vaguely make out the person lurking in the shadows, but she noticed the figure raise its hand. "It looks like we have a winner, could you please come forward sir or madame and tell us what the names of the songs and the artists are please."
To Be Continued...
Preview for Chapter 33: Will the whole town of Harmony finally learn the truth? Will Theresa be surprised to find out the person hiding behind the shadows is her brother Luis and his lovely wife Sheridan? Find out in Chapter 33: Ray of Light
