Chapter 8: A Christmas Carol
Chapter 8:
Sheridan awoke, feeling restless and not at all content. Her mind raced over
the previous night. Was it a dream? Were there really ghosts here in her
bedroom? Did she actually see and speak with her mother?
So many questions, but the answers didn't really matter to Sheridan. Real, or
dream, the events were firmly planted in her memory. Especially those of the
last visitor, the ones that spoke of the future.
Sheridan climbed out of bed, heading for the bathroom, where she slipped out
of her night-gown and into the shower. The warm water cascaded over her as
she lathered up her body and she let her thoughts run free over the
possibilities of her future.
She thought about how miserable she had been, and about how, even married to
William, she'd longed for Luis. Luis was the man she had wanted to spend her
Christmas' with... and every other day of the year too.
Then she tensed, coming to a decision. She didn't want that future. There
would be no loveless marriage to icy men named William... no stepchildren
that hated her... No, she wasn't going to accept that as her life.
She got out of the shower, drying and dressing in a festive red dress that
brought out her eyes.
She peered into the mirror at those eyes, eyes that
were wide with nervousness. "What if he really doesn't like you?" She
whispered to her image uncertainly. Then she realized that even if she told
Luis how she felt and he didn't return the feelings she couldn't possibly
feel any worse than she did now as she recalled her glimpse of the future.
Besides, even if she didn't end up together with Luis that didn't mean she
had to become that ice princess the servants all hated. Her resolve
strengthened, she fixed her hair and makeup and tried to decide how to
approach Luis.
Luis was awakened by a knocking on the door. "Go away," he mumbled sleepily.
"There were only s'posed to be three of you..."
Theresa poked her head into the room. "There are only three of us out here
Luis... that's the problem." She grinned. "We're waiting for you so that we
can open presents."
Luis had to chuckle a little at the enthusiasm in his sister's voice. Her
love for life was contagious. "Alright, I'm coming." He tossed a pillow at
her. Theresa caught it deftly and lobbed it back at him before disappearing.
After she was gone Luis got out of bed and went about his morning routine.
The strange dreams that had plagued him last night were still fresh in his
mind. Would he really marry Beth? He thought about Beth now, feeling only the
love one feels for a good friend, much the same as he felt about Hank. He
couldn't imagine ever committing himself to a marriage with her. Not when he
wanted someone else... Sheridan.
He recalled her standing at his grave... the words she'd said. She regretted
her choices in life too. Was it possible that she could want a different life
too? One with him?
He had to try... he didn't want to spend most of his life alone simply
because he was afraid to take a risk. He would go and see her... the presents
would have to wait.
Luis had explained to his family that he had something important to do and
they agreed to hold off their gift exchange. He slipped on his coat and went
out the back door. He turned the corner of the house, reaching the driveway,
where he stopped dead. There, at the end of the drive, was a car and getting
out of that car was Sheridan.
She opened the back door and removed a stack of presents from the back seat.
As she turned around she saw Luis standing there watching her.
"Sheridan..." He said softly. "What are you doing here?"
"I uh..." Sheridan stammered. "I brought some gifts...for your family."
"You didn't have to do that."
"I wanted to. Uh, what are you doing out here so early on Christmas morning
Luis?"
Luis mumbled something about getting some fresh air and Sheridan tried not to
show her disappointment. A stupid, foolish part of her brain had hoped he was
coming looking for her. She stepped around him, heading for the house with
her gifts.
"Sheridan, wait..." Luis took a deep breath and just said it. "That's not
true... I was on my way to see you."
Sheridan turned back, hope blossoming in her heart. She felt weak kneed and
the pile of presents wobbled in her arms. Luis took them from her, setting
them on the hood of her car. "You... you were coming to see me?" She knew she
had a desperate edge to her voice, but she didn't care. "Why?"
"Because I did a lot of thinking last night Sheridan... I don't want to spend
one more Christmas without having the right people around me..."
"Luis, I'm not really here to deliver presents... I mean, I did buy gifts for
your family, but I had intended to drop them off later, not so early in the
morning and I..."
Luis grinned and interrupted. "Sheridan, you're rambling."
Her mouth shut and she took a moment to breathe and settle her wild thoughts.
Finally she said simply, "I came to see you Luis. I had to see you this
morning. I don't want to spend Christmas with the wrong people anymore
either."
Luis stepped closer to her, reaching out to trace her jaw with one icy cold
finger. "Do you think... do we really have a shot at making this work?"
Sheridan nodded, a tear sliding down her face at his tender touch. "We have
to try Luis. I don't want my future without you in it."
"Good, I don't want that either. Let William find someone else..." He moved
to kiss her and she eagerly met him.
The kiss turned from soft and gentle, to hot and passionate. Their arms
snaked around each other, getting as close as they could with all the winter
clothes obstructing them.
"I'm glad you came Sheridan..." he whispered after the kiss ended and they
stood, holding each other with their foreheads pressed together.
"Me too Luis." She answered softly, a serene smile on her face. "I love you."
Sheridan held her breath, afraid she'd said the words prematurely.
"I love you too Sheridan." She searched his eyes, seeing that he truly meant
it. "Let's go inside Sheridan... let's begin Christmas together... our first
one."
"The first of many." She said happily, gathering her presents up. As they
walked up the driveway she realized something. "Luis, you said something
before... about somebody named William. How did you come up with that name?"
"Well," Luis grinned, sliding his arm around her. "I had this strange dream
last night..."
Sitting on the hood of Luis' Jeep were two figures that neither Sheridan or
Luis had seen. They'd just watched the scene play out with extreme
satisfaction. Martin Fitzgerald glanced at Katherine Crane and they exchanged
a grin.
"See Martin... I knew it would work." Katherine displayed the same smug grin
her daughter often displayed.
"Bragging isn't the best quality Katherine." Martin replied with a chuckle.
"But, I admit, you were right. I had my doubts, but I can see they were made
for each other."
"Yes, this is the beginning of a new era for our two families... a better
one." She nudged him a little. "Come on Martin, let's go celebrate our
children's future."
The two ghosts faded from sight, confident in the ability of Sheridan and
Luis to build a future of Christmas' together.
THE END