Chapter 13: Some Things Will Never Change

Chapter 13:

Sheridan lay in Luis's arms as the sun streamed through the window. She laid her head against his chest and she could hear his heart beating. She was so relieved that Luis was all right, that he didn't die on that ship. Now, she vowed to herself that she would never let him out of her sight. She couldn't wait for them to get married. They were going to have the most wonderful wedding. Their 'tropical flower' wedding, she knew it was a bizarre idea, but it was creative, and all that mattered was that she would be marrying the man she loved.

"No... no," Luis cried out in his sleep. Sheridan sat up and looked at him. He was tossing and turning and had a scared look on his face. "Luis?" Sheridan whispered, caressing his cheek. "No... don't hurt her. Please, don't hurt her." "Luis. Luis!" She said loudly, trying to wake him. Luis's eyes suddenly shot open and he looked at Sheridan. "Oh god," he said as he wrapped his arms around her and held her tightly. "Luis, what's wrong?" Sheridan asked as she pulled back several moments later. "Everything's fine, now. I just... had a bad nightmare." "About what?"

Luis hesitated. He didn't want to upset her and bring back bad memories. "Luis, tell me." "Uh.... uh... I was... dreaming about the ship sinking last night," Luis lied. "Luis, you're lying to me." "What?" "I can see it in your eyes. What's really going on? Tell me the truth." Sheridan stared at him with a 'don't-lie-to-me look. Luis sighed and said, "I was dreaming about that whole ordeal with Hank, you know, what happened a long time ago." Sheridan looked down and said, "Yes, I remember."

Luis sat up and took her into his arms, "Hey, it's okay. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to upset you." "You didn't. In a way, that brought us closer together. I remember that day... when Hank tried to rape me... I was so scared and I knew my family didn't care about me... so I went to you." Luis smiling and pulled her down onto the bed with him. He laid her head on his chest again and began stroking her back.

"God, I was so scared when I saw you. It broke my heart to see you like that." Luis said as tears formed in his eyes, remembering the events of that day. He still got angry just thinking about that bastard touching her. Sheridan turned her head up and looked at him with a dreamy smile. "What are you smiling for?" Luis asked. Sheridan shook her head lightly and said, "You've always been there for me whenever I needed you..." Her smile suddenly turned into a frown.

She sat up and looked away and said, "And when all you wanted to do was protect me, I pushed you away, and got you arrested..." She looked back at him and said, "Oh Luis. Can you ever forgive me?" Luis just smiled, "Would I be here now if I didn't?" Luis pulled her back onto his chest and she relaxed again. "This feels so right," Sheridan said. "What does?" "Lying here in your arms, being your fiance. I never felt so safe and secure in my life." Sheridan sighed as she closed her eyes.

Luis heard her yawn and asked, "Are you tired?" Sheridan pulled back a little to look into his eyes, "Yeah, I couldn't sleep last night. I've just had a lot to think about." "What were you thinking about?" Luis asked. "Oh... it's, it's nothing really. It doesn't matter," Sheridan said, looking away. Luis put his hand on her cheek and turned her to face him. "It matters to me, Sheridan. Please, tell me." Luis said in a soft voice.

Sheridan sighed and laid her head on his chest, "It's just that... well... so much as happened to keep us apart, I mean bribes, imposters, family, friends... will we ever be happy?" Luis wrapped his arms around her and said, "Don't loose hope Sheridan. I'm ready and willing to go whatever it takes to be with you. I can feel it. Someday, we will get past all of this and never be bothered again." Sheridan closed her eyes and sighed.

"You know, angel... we never did get to the best part of the day last night," Luis smiled. "What are you... oh," Sheridan said as she realized what he was referring to. Sheridan turned her head up to look into his eyes as he said, "Are you up for it?" "Would I ever turn it down?" Sheridan smiled. Luis lowered his lips down to her's. The kiss quickly turned passionate and Luis rolled on top of her. He looked into her eyes and smiled, "I don't think I'll ever get tired of this." Sheridan giggled as Luis began to kiss her neck.

"Mmm, you taste so good." Luis whispered, as he kissed her neck sensually. Sheridan moaned and arched her neck as she closed her eyes. "You have no idea how much you get to me, Luis," Sheridan said. Luis brought his head back up and looked into her eyes, "God, I love you, Sheridan. Last night, I thought that I had lost you, and I never want to have that feeling again." He pulled her into a short, but full kiss and looked into her eyes. "I want you, I want you now." Luis said, desire burning in his eyes. "Oh yes, Luis. I want you so much." She pulled Luis down to her and into a passionate kiss.

Luia started a trail of kissing down her neck, her shoulders, and to her breasts. With his hand, he reached up and pulled down her nighty shirt so it was at the pool of her waist. He spread sensual kisses over her breasts and he continued to trail kisses down to her stomach. When he kissed her stomach, he flew air onto it and Sheridan started laughing, "Ah... that tickles." Luis laughed as well, but he continued to tickle her with his mouth. Sheridan laughed hysterically.

Luis then made a trail of kisses back up to her neck, but when he got there, he rested his head for a second under her neck and started to nuzzle her. Then, he turned his head up and brought his lips to hers. Luis pulled back for a second to pull off his only remaining article of clothing, his boxers.

Luis kissed her again and said, "Take your clothes off for me angel. I want to feel your body." In a matter of seconds, Sheridan took off all her clothes and Luis crushed himself to her. He looked deeply into her eyes and said, "No matter what happens, Sheridan, will always have this moment. There is no other person in the world for me. You are my soul mate. I will never let you go. I love you." "Oh Luis. I love you too. We will be together forever." And with that, they made love for the rest of the night. This time, it was not as passionate. It was slow and gentle, caring and giving, they wanted to cherish this moment that they had with each other and express their everlasting, true love in any way they could...

**MANY MONTHS LATER**

The date was March 11th. The day that everyone had been waiting for. The church was decorated in Hawaiian flowers. On one side of the aisle, people mostly in black with sunglasses and cell phones, talking about business. On the only side, people in old fashioned, different colored clothes. As Luis stood at the front of the alter with Noah, Sam, and Miguel. Much to his surprise, both sides of the family seemed to be getting along.

As he looked around, he spotted a little boy and a little girl talking. The girl had a really fancy dress on and the boy was wearing kind of beaten up clothes. 'Looks like me and Sheridan,' he thought. Then, he saw the little boy had the girl one of the tropical flowers. The little girl smiled and gave the little boy and kiss on the cheek. Luis smiled, hoping that the two would be just as happy as Sheridan and he were going to be.

Suddenly, the music started, everyone turned their attention to the back of the room. Luis watched on, excitedly. First, he saw Theresa walk out and started down the aisle. She was wearing a sparkling purple dress and her hair was up and curled. She could easily pass off as a Crane. Theresa was followed by Sheridan's nieces, Roxanna, Jewel, and Jennifer, who were all in matching, light blue dresses. They all had blond hair and looked somewhat like younger versions of Sheridan. They all walked up to the alter and stood in their positions. As Jewel took her place, she looked at Luis and said, "Wait until you see her, Luis. She looks like an angel.

Luis looked back at the other end of the room, smiling. He waited for her to come through, but she wouldn't come. Luis became confused. Suddenly, Ethan ran out. "Stop... stop the music." The music stopped and Ethan ran up to Luis. "Ethan, what's going on?" "It's Sheridan. I can't find her. She's gone." Ethan panted. "What?!" Luis said. He ran from the alter and out of the room.

There was a lot of commotion and Theresa went to Ethan. "Ethan, what do you mean she's gone? Where could she have gone?" "I don't know, Theresa, but she's not here. I've looked everywhere." Ethan panted. Theresa thought for a moment, then said, "Oh my gosh." "What?" Asked Ethan. "Those drug dealers in Paris, they are still after Sheridan. Oh god, what if they got her?" Theresa said. "Oh, god. I hope not." Ethan said as he looked over at the door, where Luis disappeared to...

To Be Continued...