Heartbreak
Beth has done it again with yet another amazing shuis story! Go ahead and read it!
Chapter 1:
Luis Lopez Fitzgerald stormed out of the cottage slamming the door behind him. He couldn't believe what Eve had just told him. He heard Sheridan scream his name and then cry out "NO!!!" but he couldn't comfort her. She'd killed his father? Luis broke into a run as his thoughts raced too. His father's face flashed before him and he could hear Martin Fitzgerald's voice in his head repeating over and over again,
"don't believe it, son, follow your gut, it's a ploy, a set up from Julian, or Alistair, it's what Alistair wants you to believe...you know Sheridan, the real Sheridan, she couldn't kill anyone, not intentionally, maybe self defence buy what could she possibly have had to fear from me? It doesn't make sense Luis, Come on Son, Think!!! Luis, follow your gut, it's the story Alistair needs you to believe..Seek out the truth." Luis slowed his pace to a light jog then walked to a bench in lighthouse park.
\-\
After her initial outburst Sheridan sat lifelessly on the sofa in her cottage. Eve tried to convince her to go to bed, she was still so fragile, but it had been pointless. "I just want to be alone Eve, please, just leave me alone." Wracked with guilt Eve left silently. Sheridan pulled on her coat and went for a drive. She wound up at the docks - a place she'd always felt close to Luis. She felt a sudden chill and wandered in to the Book Café.
"Yo, Sheridan, you okay?" Chad asked. To himself he wondered, "I knew she came back from the dead but, she still looks half way there. Aloud he said, "should I call Dr. Russell?"
"Just coffee - to go Chad, Thanks." She replied and upon receiving the cup and paying him, she left the café to wander the area.
The door to Grace's gift shop opened suddenly, causing her to spill the coffee down her front. "Sheridan, I'm so sorry, let me help you...Sheridan, are you all right?" Grace asked and then saw the haunted look in Sheridan's eyes..
"No, you're not, I'm taking you home with me, I'll make us some tea." Grace guided Sheridan by the shoulders to the Bennet kitchen.
"Thank you Grace, I don't know where to...turn." Sheridan whispered softly. I just can't believe this is happening. It can't, not after everything we went through to be together..."
\-\
Sam found Luis on the bench in lighthouse park staring into space. Sam couldn't believe the heartbroken look in Luis' eyes. He'd never seen anyone look that lost. "Hey Luis, what's going down. You look like you lost your best friend."
Luis turned away. "You could say that Sam, that and a whole bunch more." Luis rose to walk away but Sam grabbed his arm.
"No, way man, you're not getting off that easy. I've known you since you were in diapers. Maybe I can help." Sam gently urged Luis to open up. Sam had never approved of Luis' involvement with Sheridan but not because he held anything against her personally. But she was a Crane - that was enough. "What's wrong?"
"Sheridan and I, it can't work." Luis' voice choked with emotion. Sam could see he was devastated. "Eve thinks, after reviewing the hypnosis tape, that Sheridan was responsible for Papa's murder. I listened to the tape, I can't help but..." Luis shook his head.
"Come on buddy, it's been a while since we just had a beer together around my kitchen table and talked. You could use a friend right now." Sam guided Luis towards the Bennet home.
"Sam, there's nothing to say man, if she killed my father..." Luis couldn't finish the sentence. He couldn't imagine a life without her. "We have to investigate this, find the body, forensic evidence...Alistair and Julian have agreed to cooperate..We may have to arrest her..." Luis' voice trailed off. He couldn't believe the woman he loved, the woman he wanted to spend the rest of his life with, could have killed his father. It just didn't make sense. He half heartedly followed Sam.
\-\
"Thank you Grace, I appreciate your kindness but I should be going as soon as my clothes are dry." Sheridan said softly. She took a sip of the tea that Grace had brewed for them.
Grace smiled, "I was the clutz Sheridan, not you. Sheridan, if something is wrong, I'd like to help, If I can. I don't want to pry, but, it's written all over your face - did something happen with you and Luis. A lovers spat?"
Sheridan broke into tears. "I wish that's all it was. We could get past that but...What the hell Grace, you'll find out soon enough. Hank told you Eve hypnotized me, to help me understand some nightmares that have plagued me since childhood? Well, she told us at the time that it was just a defense mechanism, my way of dealing with the trauma of my mother's death, well, she reviewed the tapes, and she's concluded, in part because Martin's body was discovered on the Estate last week, that I KILLED Luis's father." Sheridan sobbed uncontrollably as it all came out. "We'll never get past this..Grace...I just don't know what to do. I don't remember that night at all. I...I killed Martin Fitzgerald."
Sam and Luis arrived at the back door in time to overhear her next sentence. "It was the only thing that could have kept us apart. I could never imagine telling my children they don't have a grandfather because I killed him when I was a child. God Help Me!!! Grace, the look in Luis' eyes this afternoon when we talked to Eve...the horror. I felt it too. He hated me, he should hate me. I hate myself. Why did this have to happen. The look in his eyes.
Eyes I'd come to see only love in...they were suddenly dark and empty. Then, it was hate. He hated me. Oh Grace, I wish I'd died in that coffin at Christmas, then at least I would have died knowing he loved me. I can't live with his hate, I love him so much that I can't bear to see that in his face. That emptiness, the loneliness and to know I'm responsible, I put that look there. Grace, I wish I'd died so I never had to find the truth. I wish I'd never survived ..."
"NO!!!" Luis screamed as he rushed into the room pulled her from the chair and wrapped her into his arms. "Never say that Sheridan, NEVER." He held her tightly as she sobbed into his shoulder. Grace nodded to Sam and they went into the living room with out a word hand in hand. "Sheridan, you just said it, IT WAS THE ONLY THING THAT COULD HAVE KEPT US APART. No Sheridan, I can't help believing there's more to this than what we see now. I don't believe you'd kill anyone."
"But Luis I did, on the dock, I killed that man," Sheridan continued to cry as he gently rocked her.
"To save me, that's different. Sh, hush now, come on calm down. That's right." He kissed the top of her head. "Sheridan, babe, we have to talk this out."
"What's there to talk about, I killed him." She spat uncontrollably. She shook herself. "I have to go." She tried to pull away but he held her firmly.
"Look at me Sheridan, look at me." Luis said as he turned her face to him. "I never want to hear those words again. Your 'death' - it was the darkest time in my life. Including when my father disappeared. Now, you hit on something when you were talking to Grace, something I hadn't been able to put my finger on till you said it out loud. I know you, you didn't murder my father.
I can't tell you how I know that but I do. Now, I have to prove it. For both our sakes. I'm damn well going to prove it." He wrapped her in his embrace and took a deep breath. "Please, no matter what, no matter who, promise me, you won't let anyone or anything separate us ever again. Not even this." She looked into his eyes and saw his love again.
"I love you but..." Sheridan whispered.
"No BUTS," he said softly. He leaned in for a gentle kiss. He would prove her innocense. And he'd do it quickly. He had to.
To Be Continued…
Chapter 2:
Now that he'd given her (and himself) his word, there was no power on heaven or earth that would stop Luis from finding the proof he needed. It was the power of one Alistair Crane that worried him. That man would create a living hell for an enemy, or his daughter, without a second thought. If he was willing to sacrifice Sheridan to protect Crane Industries and his own sorry butt then so be it. Sacrificing Sheridan might be acceptable to Alistair but to Luis, well, to Luis it wasn't. Luis allowed himself the luxury of enjoying the kiss with Sheridan.
He hadn't realized how much he needed to feel her in his arms until right then. Any lingering doubts were pushed aside as he felt the depth of her love for him in her loving response to his kiss. Reluctantly he pulled back to allow them both to catch their breath but continued to hold her firmly. Sheridan rested her head on his shoulder. Her doubts had vanished too.
"Excuse us," Sam asked from the door way. "Is it safe to come in yet?"
Sheridan smiled. "It's your kitchen, Sam. We're okay now. Thanks..to both of you."
Grace followed Sam in and put the kettle back on. She reached into the fridge and handed each man a beer as the two couples took seats around the kitchen table. She placed a hand on Sheridan's arm comfortingly and smiled her most reassuring smile. "Sam filled in the blanks for me..." She turned to Luis, "I'd never interfere in a police investigation Detective Lopez Fitzgerald, but if I can do anything to make any of you more comfortable, just ask." She placed a slight emphasis on the title "detective" and there was a twinkle in her eye.
"Detective?" Luis asked looking to Sam.
"It's official Luis, your promotion was approved this morning. And your raise. Congratulations." Sam looked at Grace who was grinning like a Cheshire Cat. "I was going to tell him.."
"When the time was right." They said in unison. Sam grabbed his wife and gave her a butterfly kiss. Grace continued. "I couldn't wait - it would have been another five or ten minutes before you got around to it and I figured we needed to lighten the mood in here."
"Consider it lightened." Sheridan smiled at Luis, "Congratulations Luis, you deserve it." He kissed her gently.
"Thank you." Luis managed a smile for her. "Grace, once everything we learned today hits the press, and I'm sure it won't take long, I want your help insulating Sheridan. Do you have a room at the B & B she could take while the forensics guys sort out the cottage. I still think, that's the first place to look for answers. Alistair didn't start playing hard ball with me..ugh..US.." he corrected himself, "until I moved in there in a personal capacity."
"Luis, not only would I be happy to let Sheridan have a room, I was going to insist on it. But I'm wondering one thing, would it be safer for the two of you if, well, if Julian and Alistair thought they'd succeeded in breaking you up?" Grace didn't like what she was suggesting but it made sense. Perhaps if Julian's guard was down he'd let something slip.
"No," Luis reacted angrily, "I want to scare that son of a ..."
"She's right." Sheridan replied softly. "Luis, we both know they killed Martin. Even if we can't prove it.. at least for now, we know I saw your father's body in the living room and that a grave was discovered on the Estate while the foundation for Ethan and Theresa's new house was being dug. I'm scared. What if they think you're still a threat somehow? You could be the next target..." Her voice cracked. She was beginning to feel like a snivelling idiot - she spent so much time in tears lately.
Luis squeezed the hand he was holding and brought it to his lips for a kiss. He shook his head adamantly. "No Sheridan, not even a fake break up. I want that bastard to see how real love is. It stands together, ALWAYS. Besides, you're hardly recovered from the last few months. I'm not leaving you alone. And, babe, I need you at my side as much as you need me. I won't give him the satisfaction of thinking he won even temporarily." He wasn't staging a fake break up with her. Not even for their own safety. He cupped her face in his hand. "Please drop it, okay." She nuzzled against the caress and smiled softly.
Sam's beeper went off and he picked up the kitchen phone. "Yeah, tell me what you've got....Thanks.... Now, I want you to contact Hal Freeman from the FBI. Explain the situation and tell him I'd really appreciate his help here. Good Work." Sam turned to Luis. "The dental records match your father, I'm sorry Luis, it doesn't look good."
"Doesn't surprise me Sam, but then, the Martin Fitzgerald from New Mexico had the same dental records. How long till the DNA samples come in?"
"Johnston said a few more hours." Sam replied. "I didn't think you'd object to asking for Hal's help."
"No, I'll be glad to have his input." Luis said. The doorbell rang and Grace rose to answer it. She appeared momentarily with their new guest and then excused herself to get Sheridan and Luis' room at the B & B ready.
"You called, Sam?" Hal asked with a slight smile. "Sheridan, Luis, I wish we were meeting under happier circumstances." The men stood and held out their hands.
Sheridan stated the obvious when she gave Hal a warm smile. "You never left Harmony?" Her curiosity was killing her.
"No Sheridan, I didn't." He replied. "As concerned as the FBI was for your safety from Roger and Pierre, it was only a peripheral part of a very large investigation...one that I've been working on for almost fifteen years. The disappearance of my mentor when I first joined the Company. At the time he was a semi retired agent...his name was Martin Fitzgerald."
To Be Continued...
Chapter 3:
"You knew my Papa?" Luis was surprised. "Why not tell me sooner...I don't get it."
"Luis, it's a very long story and, to be perfectly honest, until today, I wasn't completely sure we could trust Sheridan with it. I don't think until now she really would have believed what her father and brother were capable of."
"I think being framed for a murder they most likely committed has been enough PROOF for me." She said sarcastically. "At least, I hope it's all a frame."
"It is Sheridan, it is." Luis said squeezing her hand. He looked into her eyes. "Believe me." She nodded at him.
"I wouldn't be here if I thought otherwise Sheridan. But you should know, the truth about what your family has been involved in could..well, it could be hard to hear. Luis, what do you know about your father's military service?"
"He told us serving his country was important to him and he did a tour of duty in Vietnam in '68 as a communications specialist aboard a battleship. He was never in country though. And right after that he served in Germany. When he was on leave he went on a back packing trip through Western Europe that's how he met my mother in Spain. They fell in love and got married.
When that tour was up he left the service and they came to the town of Harmony and he got a job at Crane Industries. Mama took a job as the housekeeper at the Crane Estate and they started a family." Luis replied without hesitation.
"Well, from the back packing trip on, your information is accurate anyway. Luis, your father was with the Naval Intelligence Service in Vietnam."
"No, Papa was a communications specialist on the Yorktown. I've seen pictures of him and his buddies taken there." Luis shook his head.
Sam spoke up, "Luis, I remember my dad saying something once..about Martin being one of the bravest and most noble men he'd ever known. I know they met in 'Nam. My dad was with the special forces. This kind of fits. Martin would never have let on he did anything special in those days. I believe Hal."
Luis stared of into space for a moment. Little things about his dad came flooding back. Suddenly he knew Hal was telling the truth. "Go on."
"Luis, your Father may have described his service record differently, but, he was responsible for breaking up a major counter intelligence operation which was smuggling US military components to the communist powers. Your father suspected, but was never able to prove that Crane Industries was actively selling components to both sides."
Sheridan gasped. "Both sides, but how?"
"Martin suspected there was a mole operating out of their Bonn office. That's why he was assigned to Germany to finish his military service. He never found the proof he needed while he worked there." Hal continued.
"But Papa, being Papa, couldn't let it go. So he pursued the theory when he moved back to the states." Luis looked at Hal. "He wasn't FBI was he, Hal? For that matter, neither are you! You said the Company a second ago..You meant the CIA, right?"
Hal nodded. "That's why even with their contacts in the FBI in Washington, the Cranes couldn't get you reassigned after I made you Sheridan's body guard. They were barking up the wrong tree. Sheridan, I believe that the major advances in electronics that Crane Industries made in the last thirty years were almost always sold to the highest bidder even if they were funded by the US government."
Sheridan looked white. "You're saying my father is an international spy..."
"Not exactly, I believe he's an international arms dealer. I think he's sold components to both sides of just about every armed conflict since the Vietnam war. I also think Martin Fitzgerald had the proof he needed to expose him...and he died that night before I could meet with him."
"But if that's all true, then where do I fit in. Hal, in my nightmares, Martin was under a bloody sheet and there's blood on my hands." She was getting more and more upset. Luis wrapped an arm around her shoulder for support. "I must have killed Martin, but..."
"Sheridan, look at it this way. Which I believe is more likely. You may have seen a body under a sheet in the Crane living room that night and blood got on your hands when you touched it. With all due respect to Dr. Russel, she's a general practitioner not a specialist in repressed or altered memories. I think that's what were actually dealing with here, a repressed or altered memory.
If you really want to get to the truth about that nightmare, I think you need to see someone a far sight more qualified in that area. Eve did her best, but..." "When?" Sheridan asked without hesitation. She wanted to believe Hal was right. "Tell me who, when and where, I'll do it." She looked to Luis for confirmation and received his enthusiastic support. "There's a specialist who has agreed to meet us at a safe house in Castleton whenever you're ready."
To Be Continued...
Chapter 4:
Sheridan felt butterflies in her stomach as they pulled up in front of the old Victorian home in Castleton. She reached for Luis hand as they climbed the steps onto the porch which circled the whole house. Her pulse like her mind was racing. "What if we learn nothing new here? What will happen if Eve was right in the first place and I am just feeling guilty about my mother's post partum depression? What if...what if we learn I did ki..." She couldn't help but turn away from him. He pulled her back. "Slow down here. One thing at a time.
One thing is for sure...I love you Sheridan Crane. If and I mean IF we come away from this with no new information, or worse case scenario, information we don't like, we'll face it together. NOTHING AND NO ONE can ever come between us...Right?" His eyes held hers and she nodded. "Nothing and No one. I love you Luis. Stay in the room this time okay?" She asked; the fear was controlled but none the less it was evident in her voice. "We have no secrets." He kissed her hand and held the door for her to enter.
Hal introduced them to Dr. Harden who quickly got down to work. "Miss Crane, you understand, what we're going to do today often takes weeks of therapy, if not months. It will be a very intense emotional experience for you. I want you to know that going in." Sheridan hesitated. "I don't understand. When I was hypnotised before, I felt relaxed when it was over. I remembered nothing other than what Eve recounted..." The doctor explained further, "I'm going to be placing you in a deeper hypnotic state. I also expect that you'll remember everything yourself. Now" turning to Hal and Luis . "if you gentlemen will excuse us.."
"Not this time." Luis spoke up quickly. "I'm staying." Sheridan spoke up quickly, "Please doctor," Sheridan said, "I'd like Luis to stay in the room. I'll be more relaxed that way, and he's promised he won't interfere. It really will help us. I'm sure of it." "Very well," the doctor replied. "But understand this young man, I'll ask you to leave if I have to."
The next six hours were the second hardest period of Luis's life. The hardest had been the days after her faked death. The process was torturous but the doctor finally managed to get Sheridan back in time to the first night she had that dream.
"I was in France, the nurse came into the room and gave me more pills to take, I hid them under my tongue and spit them out when she wasn't looking. That medicine always made me feel sick to my stomach. I was tired of feeling sick all day long." Her voice sounded childlike. The doctor spoke to Hal and Luis. "I intend to allow Sheridan to remember this from her childhood perspective. We'll interpret the images with her. Please wait a little longer, I think we're close to a breakthrough."
Dr. Harden addressed Sheridan next. "Good, Sheridan, that's a good girl, tell me dear, how old were you on your last birthday?"
"Nine, there were 10 candles on my cake from Pilar - one per year and one to grow on she says. Daddy wouldn't be happy if he knew Pilar brought me a birthday cake. It had chocolate sprinkles and everything. She made it herself. Why can't I see Pilar now? She'll tell you I'm a good girl. I don't make up stories and what I saw last night it wasn't...it's not a dream. Ask Pilar, she trusts me. She loves me. Maybe nobody else does, but I believe Pilar. Pilar says I'm a good little girl. Daddy says I'm bad and nobody will ever love me but Pilar says I'm good. I AM GOOD." Sheridan was close to tears. Luis felt his heart break for her.
"That's enough Sheridan." The doctor said harshly. "I just want to know what you think you saw. You're a good girl, but only if you tell me. Now, Sheridan, you know all the doctors and nurses here we just want to help you, sweetie. Make you forget about the horrible things you keep thinking you saw. It was all a bad dream. I want you to tell me about your dream." Dr. Harden decided to play the role her child like state had cast him in.
She spoke like a furious child in a tantram. "IT'S NOT A DREAM, I KEEP TELLING ALL OF YOU. YOU STUPID DOCTORS ARE ALL THE SAME. LAST NIGHT I HEARD NOISES. YELLING. I CAME DOWN STAIRS TO ASK FATHER FOR A GLASS OF WATER WHEN...I TRIPPED ON THE NEW CARPET ROLL. I BET IT'S THE ONE DADDY PROMISED FOR MY PLAYROOM. I WANTED TO SEE IF IT WAS PINK - LIKE HE PROMISED ME. I OPENED IT UP ONLY IT WASN'T THE CARPET. UGH!! IT'S A PERSON, A PERSON THERE. HE'S BLEEDING!!! DADDY, DADDY THIS MAN NEEDS HELP. DADDY IT'S PILAR'S HUSBAND, HE'S..".her voice trailed off. "
Then I start to throw up. There's blood on my hands and I wipe it on my night gown. It's awful. The people come, then I wake up talking to stupid old you. I want Pilar!!" She began to sob uncontrollably. Dr. Harden turned to the other men. "I think we've all heard enough. I'm going to bring her out now. I believe Sheridan stumbled on a body - the poor soul was dead before she arrived in the room. She hasn't said anything about killing him herself. I wish I could be of more help, but I can guarantee you this much, there's no smoking gun here. She's told us all she knows."
Half an hour later Sheridan was cuddled in Luis' arms. "I'm sorry, I wanted there to be more. I wanted us to know what happened. I wish I could remember more. Luis, I want to find out who killed your father and buried him like that on the grounds. What were they hiding? I'm so sorry." Luis rocked her gently and kissed her hair. He was disappointed, but was far more concerned about her fragile state. "It's okay. Hey, we're no worse off than before. See, I told you that we'd get through this. Come on, I'm taking you home. I love you Sheridan."
To Be Continued...
Chapter 5:
Luis opened the door to their room at the Bennet B&B and put his finger to his lips to silence Sam and Hal. "I finally got her to sleep - let's talk downstairs." Luis closed the door behind him and the three men walked to the kitchen area.
"How is she?" Hal asked genuinely concerned for Sheridan.
"She's still shaken up - relieved she didn't DO anything to contribute to Papa's death but frustrated she can't tell us more. She finally fell asleep - God knows she needs some."
"Luis," Sam said, "we have the DNA tests - it was Martin's body. There's no doubt this time." Sam placed a hand on his friend's shoulder. "I'm sorry."
"I know," Luis said softly. He fought the tears in his eyes. "I'll have to tell Mama . . . " His voice trailed off.
Hal spoke next. "The cause of death was a gunshot to the head. Execution style. There was also a stab wound - evidence of a struggle of some kind. But it wasn't the fatal injury. It could explain the blood Sheridan saw. I intend to find the missing pieces to all of this Luis, you have my word."
Sheridan's scream interrupted them. Luis flew up the stairs and burst into the room. The large bedroom window was open and a figure in black was rapidly escaping through it. Hal and Sam flew after him as Luis grabbed Sheridan and pulled her into his arms.
"Luis, thank God you're here. I felt him grab me, he said he wouldn't hurt me, that he just wanted to talk, but I bit his hand and screamed for you. Oh God Luis, hold me." She was near hysterics. He rocked her gently. "Who was he?"
"It's all right babe, whoever he is, Sam and Hal will nail him. He's not going to hurt you. I'm here." Luis whispered. "You're safe Sheridan, he can't hurt you. No one can ever hurt you again."
Downstairs in the yard, Sam made a flying tackle landing squarely on Sheridan's attacker. Between them, Sam and Hal cuffed and led him back to Sheridan's room. He hung his head and Sam roughly through him into an easy chair. Sheridan reached for Luis' hand and he wrapped his arm around her waist.
Sam wanted answers. "Care to tell us who you are and what the hell you were trying to do here?"
The man lifted his head and stared directly at Luis, "Just trying to find out what this Crane bitch knows about my father's death, Sam. I'm tired of waiting for you and the FBI or the Agency to figure it all out."
Luis looked at the young man stunned by the sight before them. "Antonio?" Luis asked not quite believing what he saw. "Sam, look at him, it's my brother Antonio." He got up and crossed the room standing in front of his long lost brother.
Hal looked furious. "Agent Lopez-Fitzgerald, you were supposed to stay under ground. What could possibly have possessed you to risk breaking your cover now?"
"Just the news that the body was actually my father's!" He yelled at his superior officer. There was no denying that the man in the room was Antonio Lopez Fitzgerald.
The resemblance was startling. Much stronger than the already striking similarity between Luis and his baby brother Miguel. Sheridan did a double take and then realized that Antonio was maybe a half inch shorter and had green rather than brown eyes. But from a distance, even she'd swear they were the same man. Sam urged Antonio to stand and he removed the hand cuffs. "How are Mama and the little ones?" Antonio directed his words to Luis who was wrestling with a wide range of emotions. Joy and relief were mixed with a sense of anger and resentment. What right did this man in front of him have to ask after Luis' family? He could have been home had he wanted to be.
"Fine, not that you ever gave a damn. The little ones as you just called them, I hope you mean Theresa and Miguel. They're nineteen and seventeen. Not so little anymore. But then, you haven't seen them in what FIFTEEN years!. Not even a phone call to tell us you were alive. No postcards. Not a word. You selfish bast.." Sheridan swung her feet off the edge of the bed and rose to stand beside Luis. She placed a hand on his shoulder to offer comfort. The bitterness in his voice told her of his sadness.
Antonio stepped toward his younger brother as if to do battle. "I couldn't. It was too risky. I saw them carry Papa's body out of the mansion . . . now I want to know, was it the little Princess Sheridan that killed him or NOT? Or Maybe we're going to help them cover it all up now that my lily white prince of a brother is getting a piece of . . . "
Hal stepped between them and kept them from doing one another serious bodily harm. "Knock it off you two. We're certain now that Sheridan didn't kill your father, Antonio, not even by accident or in self defence.
She merely stumbled on the crime scene that night. We found out that much today after Miss Crane subjected herself to almost seven hours of intense hypnosis therapy. When we finally located the body, we learned the cause of death was a gun shot to the back of the head." Out of the corner of his eye he saw Sheridan looking pale. "Sheridan? Sheridan, are you all right?"
Luis turned just in time to catch Sheridan as she fainted. He scooped her up and took her back to the bed. Sam passed him a glass of water and they revived her gently.
"Luis?" she whispered. "I'm sorry, I . . . Hal described an execution . . . "
"I know babe," he said softly. "Hang on." He kissed the back of her hand. "Nothing and No one remember?" He looked at her and she smiled. Luis gathered Sheridan into his arms and looked up at his brother. "Sheridan, I want you to meet my brother Antonio. His manners stink, and he always was a bit of a bully and a major pain in the butt. Even so, he has his good qualities." Sheridan giggled.
"A typical Lopez Fitzgerald, huh?" she smiled at Luis and he kissed her forehead. "Some things run in the family. Antonio, Pilar will be ecstatic to see you."
"Sheridan," Antonio nodded. "I didn't mean to scare you. I meant what I said, I wouldn't hurt you and was way out of line before. Hal told me months ago you weren't a typical Crane. I can see that. How be we start fresh?"
"I'd like that." She replied. "I'd like that very much."
To Be Continued...
Chapter 6:
"We can't risk Julian or Alistair Crane learning that Antonio has returned." Hal said quietly. "For all we know their spies have already seen you." Hal was still annoyed when the group gathered for breakfast the next morning. He'd hoped to keep Antonio's whereabouts under wraps until the case was closed.
"Hal," Sheridan said quietly. "I've learned something about the Lopez Fitzgeralds over the last year - they protect the people they love regardless of the cost - it's who they are. You can't condemn Antonio for it. If Antonio is half the man Luis is, he can't help placing his family above himself."
Sheridan was feeling much stronger this morning. Luis had tucked her in the previous night then spent several hours talking with Antonio. She stirred when he finally came to bed just enough to respond "I love you too," when he kissed her goodnight and gathered her into his arms to sleep.
Luis entered the room drying his hair from the shower. Sleeping with Sheridan spooned in his arms, even if it was only a couple of hours had helped him find his focus. "Antonio, tell me more about the night Papa vanished.
What do you remember? Maybe somehow, if all three of us talk about what we know from our own perspective we can find a place to start - a way to piece all this together." He knelt in front of Sheridan's chair and gave her a gentle good morning kiss. "That is if you're up for this, love?"
"Count me in." She replied placing her arms around his neck for a gentle squeeze. "Hal, what do you think?"
Hal nodded. What Luis proposed made sense. Hal had never been able to gather these three people, the only witnesses to the events that night, in the same room. Hal set the scene. "I want you all to voice all your thoughts aloud. The most trivial thing may be vital here. Think about why you remember what you remember.
That holds especially true for you Sheridan when it's your turn. We know your memories were tampered with so, let's keep as much detail as you can out in the open. Everything matters, even the things that don't seem connected. All right?" Everyone nodded. "Let me begin: The afternoon before your father vanished, I received a call from him, asking me to meet in Lighthouse Park. He said he had all the documents and some audio tapes which would prove all our suspicions about Alistair. We agreed to meet at nine p.m. near the lighthouse. Needless to say, he never kept the appointment."
Luis took over the narrative. "Everything was normal that night. We had dinner together. At dessert Antonio and I had a surprise for Papa. We gave him a new black brief case - we'd been working, doing odd jobs for neighbours, and saved up for it."
Antonio interrupted. "I'd forgotten that. He laughed at us. It wasn't his birthday or anything special, just a present. He used to do stuff like that for Mama whenever he could, just so she'd know he thought she was special . . . " They nodded at one another. Sheridan squeezed Luis' hand urging him to continue.
"Everything was normal until around 7:30. Papa got a call from old man Alistair saying he had to come up to the main house. Papa didn't want to go - he argued with him. Evenings were family time. I was in the room when he took the call. He kissed Mama good bye and told us kids he'd see us later. We weren't supposed to worry if he was late that night, he'd see us at breakfast." Luis explained. "He left around 7:45 - I remember because I was trying to get my homework done before 8 when my favourite show came on . . . Even now, when I see The Cosby Show in syndication, I remember all of us watching it on Thursday nights.
Palome, you and I would share the couch, Miguel and Theresa were in bed by then, but Mama used to make us 'big guys' chocolate chip cookies and . . . " Luis' voice trailed off.
Antonio picked up at that point. " Mama sat with Papa on his lap in the big arm chair and they'd pass the plate around." Both men smiled at their shared memory. A part of Sheridan was jealous - they'd had such a happy childhood, well until that fateful night. "I followed Papa out. I asked if I could talk to him about something while he went up to see Mr. Crane . . . there was this girl and well, Papa always knew how to charm the ladies."
"It must run in the family." Sheridan said with a smile and a squeeze of Luis' hand. " Sorry, I didn't mean to interrupt. What happened next, Antonio?"
"Papa set his briefcase down and listened to me. He said that the Crane's could wait, my problem was more important to him. The girl's name was Denise. It was getting serious. Really serious. We were, well, let's just say teen hormones can be . . . " Everyone nodded understandingly.
"I don't think teens in love have the monopoly on hormones." Luis replied dryly. Sheridan blushed.
"Well, Papa was great. He didn't lecture me, or judge me, or tell me to take cold showers until I was twenty-one. He wanted me to follow my heart.
And treat the lady with respect. To treat how we felt about one another with respect. Not to rush things but that if it was meant to be, I'd know. I'd feel it in my heart, my mind and my body at the same time. I'd know."
"Sounds like Papa." Luis said softly. Sheridan felt a tear in the corner of her eye. She wiped it away realizing yet again how much heartbreak the loss of their father had caused both these men.
"Papa went up to the Crane house, I hung around outside waiting to walk home with him. It wasn't even 8:30 and I had a 10 p.m. curfew on school nights. I figured I'd just hang - maybe he and I could grab a carton of ice cream on the way back - make up to Mama for skipping out on her. Well...."
Antonio finished. "That's the last time I saw my father alive. Sheridan? Where does this fit with what you know?"
"My bed time back then was 9:30. I remember because I was allowed to watch Cheers but the Nanny didn't think I should see Night Court - it was too raunchy. When Ethan was home from boarding school, which admittedly wasn't all that often, he had to go to bed right at 8:30 - when the Nanny got off. She didn't hang around to tuck me in, well that doesn't matter. Anyway, Ethan, his baby sister, Ivy and I shared the second floor back then.
That was before the renovation, when Father actually lived in Harmony. My father and Julian had rooms which interconnected with the Library from the back of the first floor. I didn't realize until years later the significance of the fact that Ivy and Julian didn't share a bedroom. I don't even remember a time when they did. I decided to break the rules - I'd seen a promo for Night Court lots of times and I figured, who would know?" Sheridan's voice became more distant, as if she wasn't aware of anyone else in the room. "Next, I remember the yelling. Ivy and Julian were going at it again.
Something about the maid, the butler's daughter, and a riding crop. I'd heard it all before." Strangely Sheridan's voice and mind reverted to present tense, as if she were reliving what she was thinking. Luis looked questioningly at Hal who indicated to the men to keep silent and let her talk. Her voice sounded child like. " Julian is mad because Ivy has booked Ethan into a boarding school in England. I'm sad, its so lonely without Ethan. First Mama dies, now Ethan goes away, I'll be all alone . . . " She shook herself and Luis lifted her hand to his lips. He smiled encouragingly. She continued again sounding much more like herself.
"Julian was drunk - nothing unusual. He slapped Ivy and she ran out to the pool house. She locked him out . . . again nothing unusual." Again she slips into present tense, again reliving the experience, "I hear Daddy calling Julian, and they have a tense discussion. We Cranes don't fight or argue, we disagree politely. I look over at the TV, and there's a show about lawyers on, I hear footsteps in the hallway and more voices. I quickly turn off the set and climb into bed pretending to be asleep.
The voices pass me in the corridor. I must have dozed off because then, I hear more shouting, I still can't make out the words but, there's so much anger it scares me. I hear mother's name. I miss my mother so much. She was the only one whoever . . . " She shook her head again. "I go to the top of the stairs." Sheridan's voice breaks with agitation. Her eyes glaze over. Luis, about to comfort her stops himself when Hal shakes his head. Sheridan appears to almost be in a trance. Not unlike the hypnosis session.
***FLASHBACK*** "It's dark in the main foyer and I go down the stairs. I see the carpet . . . Martin's body in the sheet . . . my hands covered in blood. I scream and watch Julian stumble. He's cut and has bruises on his face. I look to father, wanting to run to him, I'm so scared. He tells me to go back to bed. He says I'm a stupid foolish little girl who nobody could ever love, he says I'll be sent away because I can't mind my own business. I'm being put away because no one could ever love me. A bunch of men arrive. They shew me upstairs, one gives me a needle. It hurts. I feel sleepy now." ***END FLASHBACK***
"Sheridan," Luis called to her taking her shoulders and shaking her gently, "Sheridan," he repeated a little louder. Sheridan wrapped her arms around his neck and he cuddled her close. "I love you babe, it's okay, you're not there. You're here, with me. I love you. I'll always love you."
"I love you too." She replied, kissing him gently. "I've never remembered so much before."
"Dr. Harden removed as many blocks as he could Sheridan, you may remember even more in time." Hal explained to her.
Antonio picked up the narrative. " I remember waiting as long as I could, but it was getting to be close to ten o'clock.
Just as I'm ready to leave a whole bunch of cars start to arrive at the Crane Estate. I snuck in after them. Nobody saw me. I walked up toward the main house when I see someone carrying in a coffin. They all leave, I look for Papa but nothing. He had to have been in that coffin."
"I have one question for you Antonio . . . Your father's briefcase . . . you said he put it down. Did he pick it back up?" Hal was curious.
Antonio looked confused for an instant. "No, I was sitting on it when we were talking. The ground was damp from dew - he knew Mama would kill me if I got my pants grass stained. I must have taken it back to the house with me."
"Are you sure?" Hal continued. "This could be significant what became of your father's briefcase?"
Luis caught on fast. "It stayed in the front hallway until the Cranes sent a gopher over to get it."
"Luis, you're missing something, bro." Antonio said. "Mama left out the heavy brown one. The one we gave him that night was black. He had the newer one that night when we went out together. I remember because I scratched the leather for the first time on the sidewalk."
"You're right. I put it in the attic. It hasn't been touched since. Some guys from Crane picked up the brown one a couple weeks after he disappeared - about when you took off."
"Have you ever searched it?" Hal asked, curious that after all these years this potentially vital piece of evidence was somehow over looked
"I figured it was empty. It wasn't heavy. Besides, it was locked. He always locked his briefcase. Even Mama didn't know the combination. I asked her once. She said it was the only part of my father that he kept private and we should respect that. I always did." Luis caught on fast.
To Be Continued...
Chapter 7:
They gathered in the Lopez Fitzgerald attic. Luis reached for the case and pulled it down from a shelf. "Still locked." He said simply, passing it to Antonio.
"I don't think he'd object anymore." Antonio said cryptically as he began unscrewing the hinges. "What do you think he'd use for the combination?" Luis and Antonio thought for a second and said together, "Mama's birthday." Sure enough after setting the numbers they had it open in seconds. They raised the lid together. Sheridan placed a protective hand on Luis' shoulder. He caressed her fingertips absently then reached for the file folders inside.
The second compartment held two small cassette tapes. "Surveillance tapes have changed a lot in 15 years," Hal muttered. "Luis, we'll have to review this in a secure location."
They heard footsteps on the attic stairs. "Hijo, where are you. OH, Agent Freeman, Sheridan, what are you . . . " Pilar asked as her head appeared in the doorway. Pilar burst into tears as she looked to the other man in the attic. Her first born, her beloved son, her Antonio."Anton?" She asked not quite believing he was real.
The second compartment held two small cassette tapes. "Surveillance tapes have changed a lot in 15 years," Hal muttered. "Luis, we'll have to review this in a secure location."
They heard footsteps on the attic stairs. "Hijo, where are you. OH, Agent Freeman, Sheridan, what are you . . . " Pilar asked as her head appeared in the doorway. Pilar burst into tears as she looked to the other man in the attic. Her first born, her beloved son, her Antonio."Anton?" She asked not quite believing he was real.
"I'm home Mama, I couldn't stay away any longer. I had to help Luis find the truth. I have so much to tell you." He gently pulled his mother into his arms and whispered the words. "I won't leave again, I promise, no more secrets."
To Be Continued...
Chapter 8:
The next few weeks were brutal. Luis spent his days sheltering Sheridan from reporters all of whom seemed bent on making her and Ethan appear connected to the criminal activities of the Crane family. As in all liable - truth was the ultimate defence. Alistair Crane had ordered the murder of Martin Fitzgerald to cover up his arms dealings. Julian who was not criminally responsible for his actions in the cover up, fled Harmony in disgrace.
Finally things cooled down enough that a month later Sheridan and Ethan stood outside the conference room at Crane Industries. She took a deep breath. "Your first board meeting . . . You ready?" Ethan asked as he and Sheridan paused outside the imposing mahogany double doors. The Crane Industries Board of Directors and Department Heads all waited for her behind those doors. She could almost hear her pulse racing. She took another deep breath. "That chair" awaited her. It was rightfully hers now, her brother was disgraced and her father in prison.
She was the future of Crane Industries now. It was time for a change. She looked to Ethan for his support. She had it. "Ready," she nodded. "Lets do this." Ethan opened the door and stepped aside to let her enter first. "Gentlemen," she said as they rose in respect at her entrance. "Please don't bother to sit back down, you won't be here that long." The grey heads looked stunned. Their mouths hung open like fish out of water as she marched to the front of the room and stood behind that chair. That chair had belonged to the head of Crane Industries for the last two generations.
And there it stood - HER chair. "To make a long story short, Ethan now, please." Ethan opened the briefcase he was holding and handed each man an envelope. "These envelopes contain your dismissal papers and a golden handshake. I suggest you accept them - that's my final word on the subject. It's time to clean house gentlemen and I've just dusted the board room." She glanced down at her watch. "You all have fifteen minutes to leave the building. Crane Security will see you out. Good Day." Her comments didn't sit well with her audience after all they'd expected to have to take on more responsibility because of her lack of company experience, not be relieved of it entirely.
"You can't be serious Ms. Crane!" One gentleman burst out. "I've worked for your father since before you were born."
"That entitles you to my sympathy Mr. Conroy, but not my trust and I've decided to replace this board with people in whom I can place my trust." She glanced back at her watch. "Make that thirteen minutes." Her voice was icy calm and brooked no argument. He stormed past a group of very startled men and women who were now waiting outside the room. "Good you're all here." She now addressed the group outside the room.
"Please come in and have a seat. We have work to do." The faces entering the room looked even more stunned than those whose places they were now taking. "Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome to the inner sanctum. As you all know, I'm new around here, but let me assure you, I'm here to stay. And so are you. To prepare for today, I took the liberty of reviewing personnel reports and was delighted to find characteristics things you all have in common. You're all well educated, young vibrant people, not afraid to make mistakes or make tough decisions.
You've been sitting in middle management positions where you've been major nuisances to the people who just left this room. I'm sure it won't surprise you to know - they were looking for excuses to fire you. That's too easy . . . so I'm promoting you. I'm taking control of this company and I need your help. In New England alone almost 2500 people depend on Crane Industries to provide for their families. I take that responsibility seriously. Crane Industries is going to be a driving economic force in the new millennium and I want you to help navigate."
Ethan began handing out another set of envelopes. "These contain personal service contracts. You're being placed in charge of your departments. Your new offices will be ready by the end of business today. You have an absolute free hand. No constraints. Make the changes you see fit and report back to me through Ethan. He's the only former insider that will remain with Crane. I trust him. I need him. I may be the new head of this company but Ethan is its neck and shoulders. Any questions or concerns come to me through him."
Her voice softened slightly, not as a sign of weakness but sincerity. "We'll meet individually later in the day to iron out details but I want you all to work with me now. If your not up to the challenge - you can follow your old bosses out that door and there will be no hard feelings. But, I'm asking you to chose the harder path. Please, stay. Build with me." Applause filled the room. Sheridan and Ethan nodded to one another. It had begun.
A short time later they sat in her office. "You were fabulous in there." Ethan said. "I've never seen you like that. But Sheridan, what are people going to say when they find out you've kept me on - I'm not a Crane?" Her response was short and to the point. "I don't particularly care, Ethan. Your Bennet bloodline is irrelevant to me. Even if you aren't my 'nephew' by blood you were the closest thing to a brother I could ever imagine. Period - this conversation is all but over. You're my closest friend and now you're also the Chief Executive Officer of this company.
Yes, in part because of your connection to me but even more importantly because, with your education and your experience at Crane you're the best choice. I can't do it alone. I don't have the skills set to run a multinational company or the desire to do so. Without those things I won't be able to. That's not good enough for our employees. But you, you can. That means you're it. Don't back out on me now?"
"I won't," he said quickly. "But, there are going to be some people who won't accept what you've done today. They'll be gunning for you."
"And that's worse than a French Drug Cartel, HOW?" She smiled. "It's going to work out Ethan." The buzzer interrupted their conversation.
"Ms Crane, Mr David Reid is here to see you. ?" Her secretary asked. "Thank you. Please, send him in." Sheridan and Ethan both stood as a well-dressed man of about thirty entered the room. "David, thank you for joining us." She said as the man extended his hand in greeting. "Miss Crane, it's not every day someone gets an invitation to meet with the Chairperson and CEO of Crane Industries. I must say, I'm intrigued." He smiled at Sheridan. Rumours of the board meeting this morning had already reached him.
He was impressed by her guts and had always been attracted to gutsy women. The depth of that instant attraction to her surprised him. He was used to being chased by women and yet this one, who he'd never met, had done her homework and learned he was one of the best investigative accountants in the North East. He held her hand a second too long. Ethan pretended not to notice. "Please, I'm Sheridan. Let me introduce Ethan Crane. David, I won't waste your time with false platitudes. I called you here because, as I'm sure you've heard by now, I took over this morning."
"With a bang." He replied, confirming her suspicions. He smiled at her. She smiled back. That did it. He wanted the woman. Badly. Sheridan continued, "I need a forensic audit and I need it fast. I want to know what I've stepped into and according to all the Wall Street scuttle butt, it's you who can tell me. I'm also going to need a new Controller. Interested?" He didn't hesitate. "When do I start?" There was a knock at the door and boxes of files were carried in. "Now," she replied, "right now."
To Be Continued...
Chapter 9:
That evening she returned home from work exhausted but satisfied. She'd read financial reports, conferred with Ethan and David virtually all day and now, just wanted some peace. She reached for the phone and dialled Luis. She got his voice mail. "Hi sweet heart. I was hoping you'd be here by now. It was a vicious day and I was hoping to see you. Call me, love." There was a knock at her door. She rose to answer it. A delivery man stood there and handed her a long box. "Thank you," she said as she tipped him. "Good night." She opened the box to find two dozen perfect red roses. She tore open the card. "Waiting for you at the gazebo, Love Luis." She smiled and reached for her sweater in case the spring air got chilly later on.
When she arrived at the gazebo, she was stunned by the sight before her. Luis looked incredible. He wore a dark dress shirt open at the neck and semi casual pants. He held a hand out toward her which she took eagerly. He led her to a beautifully set table for two beside which a small serving table held their dinner. He kissed her hand and said in that incredibly sexy voice, "I hope you don't mind - I knew you said earlier all you wanted was a quiet dinner at home, but I thought we should celebrate your first day as CEO." The whole area was lit by candlelight and soft music played in the background. The scene was incredibly romantic, unbelievably beautiful and definitely all Luis. "You are amazing," she whispered. "Have I told you today how much I love you?" She said wrapping her arms around his neck. "Better still, why don't I demonstrate." They shared a loving kiss.
"The shrimp scampi could get cold," he whispered softly. "Let's eat. I missed you today. How did it go?" "Okay I think," she smiled at him. "I missed you too. Thankfully Ethan was there and if David, the guy from the accounting firm Gwen recommended, is as good as she says, we should be okay. Then, in about six weeks I can turn the whole mess to Ethan and walk away. Ugh, I'm over my head Luis, but I can't let the company go on the way it was or let it fail. Enough! How about you, how was your day?"
He hesitated. "I got some news that we're not going to like - I've got a lock on that specialized FBI training in Quantico, Virginia. - Hal recommended me for it. It's a great boost to my career Sheridan, but it means four weeks apart . . . " He saw the mixed emotions on her face. Hell, he felt them too. They'd been through so much to get to this place, a comfortable easy place in their love affair. He knew it wasn't just an affair by now. He intended to marry her. Soon. But he also needed to be able to earn a living. This training was a huge boost to his ability to do that. "Luis, what can I say? It looks I'm going to be tied up at Crane day and night. But the thought of you being away is so."
"I know. Look, I'll see if I can postpone it?" He took her hand and looked into her eyes. She shook her head. "No, this is as important to you as restructuring Crane Industries was to me. And you've been completely supportive of my decisions. We can do this. We can do anything as long as we're together . . . I love you Luis." He looked at her again. She meant what she said but it was tearing them both up inside. She smiled lovingly at him. They squeezed hands for a moment. He put down his fork." Are you too tired to dance with me?" "Never." She replied with a grin.
She loved the feel of her body swaying with his. They were made for one another. He pulled her to her feet and held her close. They spent the rest of the evening dancing under the stars. When they began to feel the cool night air, they playfully blew out the candles and walked hand in hand to the cottage they both called home. He scooped her up into his arms and carried her to their room. "I love you," he whispered as he helped her undress. "And I love you." She replied returning the favour. "Life is good," she thought as she and Luis began to make love. "Yes, life is very good." Those were her last conscious thoughts as she drifted off to sleep content in the circle of his loving arms.
To Be Continued...
Chapter 10:
Had Ethan privy to her thoughts he would have had to disagree. He was dreading his 'date' with Gwen tonight. He'd decided he didn't love her enough to marry her. He hoped she'd feel some comfort in the fact that he had decided not to marry Theresa right now either. He needed to focus on finding out who he was. Now that the pressures of being a 'Crane' were gone, he was free to find out who Ethan was. He didn't want a relationship with anyone right now. He'd promised he'd help Sheridan guide Crane Industries through the transition period. He just couldn't let her down, or tell her he had no desire to stay long term.
The family business wasn't his. He was actually relieved by that. Maybe now he could practise law, a public defender? He wasn't sure but right now, his life was far from good. Gwen, as he predicted, didn't take the news well. "You can't be serious. Ethan, what about our plans, our life. I told you I don't care whose DNA is in your body. I LOVE YOU . . . And Theresa be damned." "Gwen. I wish it were that simple. But, I'm not marrying Theresa either. Please understand, I want space to find myself. MYSELF.
I can't be in a relationship with anyone right now. You or Theresa." He tried to explain but it was no use. Gwen pulled her engagement ring from her finger. "No, Gwen, keep it. It was a gift. I don't want it back . . . " She threw it at him in reply. "Get out Ethan, Get out now. Don't you see? : I don't want your ring, I never wanted your name, I only ever wanted to be with you. Good bye Ethan." She turned and left the room.
Ethan's next stop was just as hard. He pulled up to the Lopez Fitzgerald house and sighed. He knew hurting Theresa would be harder still. She ran down the walk to meet him. "Hello," she said kissing him enthusiastically. "I didn't expect you tonight." She was startled when he pulled back to say "Theresa we have to talk . . . " Ethan was right. Telling Theresa was even harder. She tried to hold back the tears but couldn't.
"I thought, once you knew you weren't a Crane, it would be easier for us. That you'd see we were meant to be together. FATE." Sometimes Theresa talk of fate got on his nerves. "FATE can be cruel Theresa. Right now, I don't know who I am? How can I give myself to someone without knowing what I'm giving them? No, I have to break it off with both you and Gwen. I just told her. Please, try to understand."Theresa wept as she ran into the house."I'll never understand . . . " No, for Ethan life was not good.
After a tearful goodbye at the airport Sheridan arrived at the office the next morning and threw herself into her work. Most of her time was spent with Ethan or David. She found David to be insightful and patient; deserving of the reputation he had acquired. She looked forward to Luis' 11 p.m. telephone call. He sounded exhausted but enthusiastic about what he was learning. Hanging up the phone was the hard part. She ached to feel his arms around her. She longed to touch him. The work stress was incredible. Yet Ethan seemed to thrive on it.
Sheridan however, Sheridan was desperate to play. By the end of the second week she was a basket case. "Enough," she said tossing the last departmental report aside and rolling her neck in a vain attempt to relax her tense and sore muscles. She was beginning to wonder if her neck would be permanently kinked. "Sounds like somebody needs a break," David said also putting down the report he read. "Dinner and a movie?" Neither noticed Ethan hovering at the doorway. Sheridan didn't realize what he'd asked and gave him the brush off. "Thanks, but no, It's late.
I want to get home and relax for a while before eleven." He tried again. "I thought pumpkin hour was twelve?" He joked with her and leaned in to try to kiss her. Then she caught on and turned away. The pucker landed on her cheek.
"Very funny. My boyfriend calls at eleven each night." Sheridan walked over to her desk and began aimlessly putting things away. "Boyfriend? Now that just proves how little I know about you. You never said anything about a man in your life. I thought you were like Ethan. How did he put it? Not in a relationship frame of mind right now."
Sheridan couldn't help but laugh, all she'd thought about for two weeks was how much she missed her partner. "No," she laughed. "I'm very much in that frame of mind and very involved with someone. I guess I just assumed gossip would have reached you long ago. His name is Luis Lopez Fitzgerald and he's a detective with the Harmony PD. Right now he's undergoing some special FBI training in VA - he'll be away for another two weeks. This time apart is killing us both but he had to go . . . It was important for his career and . . .
David hedged, "knowing you, that meant he left knowing he had your full support, right? I hope he knows how lucky he is." Sheridan blushed. David's smile covered his real thoughts. "So, I do have competition. This Luis is a fool. Leaving an intelligent, beautiful, wealthy, woman like Sheridan." Out loud he said, "I know your car had regular maintenance today, how be I give you a lift home then?" Sheridan wished he'd taken a hint and her discomfort began to show, "Ethan will be here any second. But thanks. And David, about what just happened now . . . " He tried to keep it light, wanting to make sure nothing could prevent a second attempt at a later time, "Sheridan, you can't blame a guy for trying.
But I hope we stay colleagues and you'll forget it ever happened.". Sheridan thought of Hank, she'd tried to remain friends after she and Luis got together but Hank had gotten very bitter, she hesitated, "I tried to stay friends with a man once under similar circumstances, recently in fact, and it didn't work. I want to be crystal clear upfront that all I want from you is a business relationship. You're wonderful at your job and I really need to be able to count on you for that . . . " Ethan decided to make his presence known. He didn't like David much but the guy had proved his competence.
Even so, making a pass at Sheridan, even if she'd deflected it, was not a mistake Ethan would allow David to make. He appeared in the doorway. "Sheridan, ready to call it a day?" As always she was glad to see him, "Thanks Ethan, I've had it. Good night David. I'll see you next week. " David decided to try and keep her close by, "I thought you planned to work this weekend Sheridan, I figured I'd be in late morning." Ethan spoke for her, "Sheridan and I decided to work at the Crane Cabin this weekend. Fewer interruptions, and we can enjoy the spring colours that way. We'll see you Monday."
That's when David realized Ethan had seen the torpedoed kiss and overheard everything. David didn't like the look in Ethan's eyes. It wasn't predatory but definitely protective. Ethan's next comments were directed to Sheridan. "I thought we'd leave in an hour." She nodded in agreement. They hadn't discussed it at all but the prospect of a weekend out of town was appealing. Carefully, as if it was an afterthought Ethan said, "David, can I see you in my office for a minute?"
Ethan and David faced off. "Look Ethan, I know what you saw but Sheridan and I are both adults . . . " Ethan wasn't going to be conned. "I don't want any excuses David, simply your assurance that this won't happen again. Man to man. I won't tolerate anyone hitting on Sheridan. Let's be perfectly clear here, I won't hesitate to fire you for it." David's back went up. "Sheridan would never stand for that and we both know it."
Ethan didn't back down, "if I explain that I fired you because your actions just now were unprofessional and could jeopardize what she's trying to do here, she'd understand. I hope I won't have to." David decided to bide his time with a lie, "Nah., I got it under control." As they parted company Ethan murmured, "You'd better." Ethan sat down at his desk, flipped through an address book and punched the right numbers into his cell phone.
The spring tulips and other wildflowers were lovely as Ethan and Sheridan drove to the cabin in a companionable silence. "Did I tell you how good an idea this was?" Sheridan asked as they drove along. "Everywhere I turn in Harmony I think I see Luis, oh, Ethan, we knew this separation would be rough but it's . . . " She felt like crying. He tried to cheer her up, "don't worry. I think you'll feel better when we get there. The cabin always has that affect on me." Sheridan smiled. "I'm not so sure, the last time I was there Antoine tried to rape and kill me.
If Luis hadn't arrived when he did ooh, I'm not even going to be able to stop thinking about him there, am I?" Ethan smiled reassuringly. "I wouldn't even ask you to try. Sheridan, you're really happy with Luis aren't you?" Sheridan sighed, "More than I ever thought possible. Even now, when we're separated by hundreds of miles, I can almost sense that he's thinking about me. I reach for my cell phone before it rings. I never knew I could be connected to someone like this.
Ethan, I know you're confused and torn between two beautiful women but I think you did the right thing by taking a step back - finding yourself before you try to build a relationship with either Gwen or Theresa. When it's really RIGHT for you - you'll know it. And nothing and no one will be able to stand in the way." Ethan shook his head, "Just remember this is a working retreat. I don't want to talk about the mess of my personal life okay? It's just ahead. Why don't you go on in, I'll grab the bags?"
To Be Continued...
Chapter 11:
Ethan pulled the SUV up the drive and watched as Sheridan climbed almost gloomily to the porch. She opened the door and saw . . . "LUIS!" Sheridan flew across the room and into his arms. He met her with an enthusiastic kiss. Ethan, knowing when he'd be a third wheel, took his time getting just her bags from the back of the vehicle. "I take it everything you really needed was already at the cabin?" he said when he joined them in the living room, "Ethan, I don't know how to thank you," Sheridan replied. Ethan smiled. "You just did, the look on your face was more than enough." Luis extended his hand, "Thanks man, " Ethan smiled, "No problem, look guys, I'm going to head over to the Ski Chalet to spend the night there, let you guys have some privacy until say 10 tomorrow morning.
But like I said on the phone to Luis, this does have to be a working weekend." Luis squeezed Sheridan tightly and said, "I understand - and I have an exam this week." He turned to Sheridan, "while you two review Crane Industries stuff I can study, maybe the three of us can have dinner together tomorrow night, what do you say?" Sheridan snuggled even closer into his arms. "I don't know," she smiled and couldn't resist teasing him gently, "but I think that having dinner with the two most wonderful men in Harmony sounds, pretty rough." Ethan loved seeing her so happy - her teasing was infectious. "Well lump it, cause it's a date. Goodnight." Ethan climbed into the SUV pausing just long enough to see Luis sweep Sheridan off her feet and kiss her deeply. He smiled, truly happy for her, but was stung by a pang of loneliness. "I hope you're right Sheridan that I do find what you and Luis have."
Inside the cabin Luis pulled Sheridan onto his lap on the love seat. Between kisses she asked him breathlessly, "not that I'm complaining, but how did Ethan get you here?" He kissed her and replied, "He phoned this afternoon, telling me he was sick and tired of seeing you so blue. He also said the only good thing he could think of that being Crane meant was he had the means to help the people he loved be happy and in spite of what I might have to say, he was having a helicopter pick me up and get me here because he knew that was what it would take to make you happy. I didn't have the heart to tell him I'd already planned to take a late night flight to Harmony for the weekend and surprise you at home myself.
Sheridan is Ethan okay - I don't know him well enough to read it but he seems?" She chuckled, "Six months ago I'd have laughed out loud if someone suggested you were going to ask how ETHAN CRANE was . . . But seriously, I'm not sure. He's dedicated to rebuilding Crane Industries but his personal life is a mess right now. He feels really badly about hurting both Gwen and Theresa. But this is hilarious - you and Ethan making peace." Luis kissed the top of her head and squeezed her tightly, "Sheridan, you'll be relieved to know a part of me thought it was a high handed and typically Crane thing to do just ordering me here and saying this is how it's going to be, but some how, I got the feeling he was trying to do a good thing so it didn't matter . . . hey, let's not waste our time together . . . I have better ideas on how to spend the evening." He began to trace butterfly kisses along her jaw line and behind her ear. "I thought you might," she said relaxing into his arms content to enjoy an evening of tender, wonderful, passionate lovemaking.
The next two days passed as planned with Ethan and Sheridan reviewing financial statements, quarterly productivity reports and preparing for employee reviewuations while Luis cracked the books absorbing information on criminal profiling and psychology. The three worked until nearly eight p.m. when they took off to the Chalet for dinner. Ethan and Luis warmed up to one another as Sheridan suspected they would. Sunday, as they packed up all their reference materials Ethan said, "I've decided to go back to Harmony tonight so I can be at the office early. Luis, we'll have the chopper drop Sheridan, in Harmony and then fly on to Quantico if that's okay with you."
Luis was surprised but, even though he enjoyed Ethan's company he was happy to have the opportunity for an evening alone with Sheridan. It provided the perfect opportunity to ask her a very special question. "Whatever you say Ethan," Ethan raised his eyebrows in response but said nothing, Luis continued, "and thanks again, this was a great idea." Ethan smiled, "I get them once in a while. Sheridan, I'll see you in the morning okay?" They walked him to the door and he gave her a hug goodbye. "Thanks again, for everything," she said softly, "drive safe."
They were curled up together toasting marshmallows by the fire. She giggled as she helped him with a particularly sticky one. "I wish this weekend didn't have to end." She smiled at him. "I know we both have very important things to do these next two weeks but, ugh, it's going to be rough sleeping apart again. I love reaching over and touching you through the night, just feeling you there. I know you're always with me but, it's not the same as touching you." It was just the kind of opening he'd been waiting for. "I've got a temporary solution. He reached into his jeans pocket and pulled out a beautiful antique diamond ring. "Touch this whenever you want me, sleeping or awake, and you'll feel yourself wrapped in my arms."
He replied gently turning her to face him. "The minute I get home we start plans for a spring wedding." He kissed her then placed the ring on the fourth finger of her left hand. "Sheridan Crane, you're a part of me. I love you more than I ever thought I could ever love another person. My life is with you. I'm a better man because I'm with you. Make me whole Sheridan, tell me you'll marry me and let me show the whole world what a beautiful wife God has seen fit to bless me with." "Luis, it's beautiful. You've given me everything I could ever want. And I want to tell the world what a wonderful man God has given me too.
Of course I'll marry you, but Luis, maybe we should elope. I don't want a media spectacle of a wedding like Ethan and Gwen planned. If it's important to you than okay, but . . . " He kissed away the end of her sentence and nothing more was said that night. They celebrated their love for one another gently, eager to build a memory to sustain them over the next twelve nights. He would arrive sometime Friday evening and they could finish this conversation then. They didn't want to waste time tonight. Tonight - was for loving because even travelling by high speed chopper they'd have to be ready early Monday morning.
As they waited in the clearing Luis took a deep breath. The time together had improved his ability to concentrate and he squeezed her left hand in his right. "Luis, Grandmother Fitzgerald's ring, it's beautiful. Thank you." Luis lifted the hand for a kiss. "I picked it up from Mama's before I went away. I thought if I carried it with me while I was away I could get the guts to propose. Worked." He caressed her cheek with his right hand. "I'll be home soon." She leaned up for a tender kiss and they heard the chopper in the distance. "I love you Luis."
They climbed aboard and held hands for the short trip to Harmony. He squeezed it again before she climbed out. She smiled at him as she climbed out. "Touch the ring. I'm right there. Never further than your left hand." She nodded and pulled the kerchief from her hair and handed it to him. He slipped it into his jean pocket. The chopper pilot called to remind him of their tight schedule. He kissed her cheek and climbed back in. As it took off he ran his fingers over the scarf he understood. Somehow, he always felt better when she was close by too.
To Be Continued...
Chapter 12:
The final twelve days crawled by but finally Sheridan felt the surge of relief flood through her. It was too soon to measure success or failure but the changes she'd wanted to make at Crane Industries were now well under way. It had been exhausting but satisfying work. It would be a substantial financial sacrifice and she wasn't looking forward to facing some family members but they would hardly be destitute because of her actions. It was Friday afternoon - Luis was due home at six o'clock. Ethan smiled at Sheridan as she glanced at her watch for the fourth time in fifteen minutes. "Would you go already," he asked? "Get out of here. Right now, go home and wait for him.
Are you two going out to celebrate - no let me guess you're staying in?" "You know me too well. When we talked last night, we agreed to a quiet dinner at home, just the two of us. I was going to stop at Wong's and get our favourites." Ethan burst out laughing, "And Chinese is easy to heat up later since you won't manage to eat it right away right?" He teased her gently. "You DO KNOW ME TOO WELL DON"T YOU? She teased him back. "I'm outta here."
She stood and touched her ring absently. Ethan had noticed the habit and the significance of the ring but she'd said nothing so he chose not to until she was ready to talk. "I take it you're feeling better than you were this morning." She smiled, "I thought I might be catching the flu but it seemed to clear up as the day went by. Are you sure you're okay with this, I feel like a heel just walking out on you like this . . . " He pulled her leather coat from the closet and helped her into it. "GO ALREADY!" Sheridan smiled and left Ethan to the reports.
Sheridan arrived at the cottage just in time to change and set a table for two. She had her back to him and was lighting the candles when he opened the door silently pausing for just a second to drink in the sight of her. She looked incredibly sexy in a black satin and lace peignoir set. The small fire in the fire place made the room warm and inviting. She still hadn't noticed him as he put his duffel bag down by the door and crossed the room in three steps. To Luis it had seemed like forever since he'd touched her and an eternity since he kissed her.
He pressed his lips against her neck and turned her fully into his arms. Their lips met in a tender loving kiss that left them both breathless. "Welcome home," she whispered as he caressed the exposed skin at her shoulders. She sighed softly "Dinner." "Can wait," he finished for her. Luis took her hands and guided her to the couch. He pulled her onto his lap and touched his forehead to hers. "You look so beautiful, Sheridan. I've missed you so much." "Me too." She leaned in for another kiss. And, as Ethan predicted, they ended up reheating the Chinese food at about midnight.
To Be Continued...
Chapter 13:
While Sheridan enjoyed her evening with Luis, Ethan lost himself in his work. "Ethan," Cynthia Chalmers called quietly from the doorway to the offices at Crane Industries. "It's after 11 - don't you think you should call it a day?"
"Cynthia, I'm sorry, I didn't realize you were still here. Please, you should have left hours ago... I'm sorry, I'll see that you get overtime for..."
"After the raise Sheridan gave me last month - not even she can afford to pay me over time." She joked with him. He smiled and laughed. "Besides, I was busy and lost track of time too. I just called my sister and told her I'd be along eventually. She said she planned to pull an all nighter studying for a mid term."
"You're raising your sister aren't you?" Ethan asked. Cynthia, their new human resources director was rapidly becoming one of both his and Sheridan closest confidants. She was particularly adept at laying down cover fire when he and David were in the same room. Ethan still believed David had his eye on Sheridan but David had been smart enough not to step across the line Ethan had drawn in the sand a few weeks earlier. Cynthia had picked up the scent and always managed to circumvent any lunch invitations. Ethan liked her. She was bright, intuitive and genuinely cared for the people around her. She was the best human resources manager he could ever have hoped for.
"Hmm. Since mom and dad passed away in the car accident five years ago. I was a summer intern here at Crane when it happened so I applied for a permanent job. Kim was a senior at Harmony High. I finished college at night and well, thanks to Sheridan, and you, I'm director of Personnel. End of story. Ethan, I reviewed the compensation packages and the staffing requirements we talked about and I have some recommendations for you in this report. We will need to look at some external recruitment for the middle management positions - I've listed some consultants in my order of preference and included their traditional fees as well.." She started to hand him the file and then reconsidered. "You've been at it since before I got here at 7 this morning. Why don't we meet tomorrow to go over this. Come on even Sheridan left at a reasonable time today. I hope she was she feeling okay?"
"I know she's appreciated your thoughtfulness while Luis has been away. You were right, the ginger tea settled her stomach after lunch. You should be flattered she told you - she doesn't want anyone to see that she's not 150% fine - company stock could suffer if rumours got started that, compounded by all the other changes around here, Sheridan Crane was ill." Ethan decided he'd had enough after all and started to get up. "Tomorrow's Saturday though..."
"And you're going to be here anyway. Just like you have been every weekend since you and Sheridan took over. She's going to want those people in place asap. I'll be in tomorrow to get the preparations done and I'll be able to contact the head hunters first thing Monday. I don't want to slow her down.. Or heaven forbid let her down."
"Thank you. I think she'll perk up over this weekend though."
"He's coming home tonight isn't he?"
"She told you?"
"No, not in so many words. ..it was the twinkle in her eye and the lilt in her step that did it. Ethan, I want you to know, I'll always be grateful to both of you for the faith you placed in me. If either of you ever need anything, personally or professionally, I hope you'll ask."
Ethan got a little flustered, "Thank you, Sheridan and I have learned to be really careful who we let in. It's nothing personal just well, both of us have been used..."
"I understand and the last thing I'd want to do is intrude. I respect you both too much to want to offend you either. But Ethan, all the department heads feel the same way. We'd walk through fire for her."
"Yeah, Sheridan tends to inspire that kind of loyalty doesn't she?"
You're no slouch yourself Ethan, don't sell yourself short. Anyway, I'm going home."
"I'll see you to your car."
"Great." Cynthia smiled at him as he reached for the jacket he'd hung up on the back of his office chair.
Ethan smiled for the first time in days.
To Be Continued...
Chapter 14:
The next morning Sheridan didn't think she'd ever felt this lousy. It wasn't fair, she was planning to spend the day in bed but not like this. She rested her head on rim of the toilet bowl. Luis was probably still snoozing in their bed. She'd woken up and decided to cook them breakfast in bed. One whiff of the bacon frying in the pan and she was a goner. "The bacon.." she muttered as she struggled to stand. Luis stood in the doorway to prevent her exit.
"Is done and safely warming in the oven, hey you don't look so good." He placed a concerned hand on her forehead.
She started to pick a fight. "I don't look so good - that's what every woman wants to hear from the love of her life. Thanks a lot..." He took her hand and led her to the bedroom. "I wanted to surprise you with breakfast in bed."
"Eggs benedict?" He joked with her.
"Eugh. My stomach had started to settle...please...don't say those two words again." He gently kissed her forehead. "I think I'll settle for dry toast and tea." She started to get up.
"Not so fast...you stay put. I'll take care of it." He left the room and returned a few minutes later with an omelette and the bacon for himself and toast for her. He poured them each a cup of tea. "Eat up mia, Eve said she'd stop by in a little while."
"Luis, I'm feeling much better even as we speak. You shouldn't have pestered Eve, I probably had a touch of food poisoning." Sheridan couldn't believe how over protective he was.
"Maybe, except we ate the same things and I feel fine. Better than fine now that I'm home with you. After you see Eve, and if you're feeling up to it, I want to see Father Lonegan and see if we can finish the arrangements for that wedding we talked about." He looked at her lovingly. Their engagement was going to be brief. He wanted the second ring on her finger and the promises made. They'd lost enough time.
"Are you sure we can keep this quiet?" she asked. "I keep telling you I don't need a big wedding. Just Ethan, your family, the Bennet's and the Russell's, and there's a woman from Crane Industries, her name is Cynthia, she's been a godsend in the last few weeks. She's my first real friend in years. Luis, I don't want some crazy spectacle. We'll keep it small right??"
He kissed the tip of her nose. "Sheridan, you realize that we won't be able to keep this completely quiet. The press will get wind of it eventually. Your position at Crane makes this news."
"Then let's elope...Nobody could leak that.."
"Yeah, and Mama would kill us both. A church wedding for her kids is important to her. I don't want to hurt her by running off..."
"I'd never hurt Pilar - you know that." They were interrupted by a knock at the door. Eve arrived with her little black bag and was surprised when Sheridan met her in the living room.
"Luis, when you called I thought I'd have to send an ambulance?" Eve smiled affectionately at them both.
"He worries too much." Sheridan smiled. "Eve, I had a bit of an upset stomach but I'm fine now. As long as you're here, how about staying for some coffee. I can probably put my hands on some of Grace's muffins too, she dropped some off yesterday?"
"Don't you want me to examine you?" Eve asked. "Or is the diagnosis apparent - Luis is paranoid."
"Hey I don't have to stand here and get picked on." Luis said wrapping his arms around Sheridan's waist.
Ethan appeared at the door. "No, you could always sit down and get picked on Luis. I saw Eve's car, is everything okay?"
"FINE" Sheridan called. "Luis, put on the coffee pot, Eve, Ethan have a seat while I grab jeans."
"Yes mam," Ethan replied. "But I can only stay a few minutes. I'm meeting Cynthia at the office soon."
"Ethan," Luis nodded toward the kitchen. Ethan followed. "I know things with us used to be pretty tense...asking you for a favour is kind of.."
"Luis, we can't change the past. Only the present. You and I never should have been anything but friends. We both know that now. What can I do for you?"
"Sheridan and I are going to need a best man. I was hoping..you'd consider it." Luis paused, waiting for the answer.
Ethan's mouth hung open for a split second then he held out his hand to Luis, "it would be an honour, my friend. A genuine honour." The two men slapped one another on the back in a friendly 'hug'.
In her bedroom Sheridan was not having any luck finding jeans that were comfortable. She sat on the edge of her bed for a second staring at the three pair beside her. "No, I couldn't be. She got up and walked to the living room. "Eve, can I talk to you for a second...in the bedroom."
"Are you feeling sick again?" Eve sounded concerned.
"No, not really, I, Eve, can I stop by your office today? I think I might be.. I mean it's not possible." Sheridan began to babble a bit. "Strictly speaking it's possible of course...but we've been so careful..."
Eve caught on fast. "You might be pregnant?"
"We've been careful. We use protection.." Sheridan looked a little embarrassed.
"Every time?" Eve asked patiently.
Sheridan's mind drifted back. Once, through the night, they'd awakened and joined together spontaneously, without it. "No, there was once when...It's just...only once."
"Once is enough Sheridan," Eve smiled at her in a motherly way. "Luis is all man."
Sheridan giggled.
"What?" Eve asked.
"Someone once told me, along time ago, that he was sex on a stick!" Eve raised her eyebrows and giggled too. Sheridan continued, "It's just . . . Eve, my stomach has been unsettled off and on for a couple days, and come to think of it I am a late, but it's not like there's been any stress in my life. Oh no I mean hey, I nearly died, I'm involved in a huge overhaul of a multinational company, Luis was away, but damnit Eve, my jeans are tight.
I've tried on three pair. Luis won't complain about seeing me in tight jeans but... Eve, could I be?" The excitement was evident in her voice. "We hadn't planned on this right now, but, No, I can't be. Eve?!! Could I be?"
"Let's not jump the gun." Eve smiled and turned to pick up her bag from the other room. "I have a home test kit here in my bag. Let's take five minutes and find out."
It was the longest five minutes of Sheridan's life. The waiting was brutal. Luis appeared in the doorway. "You girls okay?" He asked looking to Eve then Sheridan. Eve showed Sheridan the stick. The smile spread across her face.
"Positive? Eve, how accurate are these tests?" She looked at the result and tried to hide the excitement in her voice.
"False positives are unheard of." Eve smiled - she knew this would be the best news she delivered in a long time.
"Somebody want to tell me what's going on here, please." Luis stood confused. "Is something wrong?"
Sheridan smiled at him. "Eve, we'll join you and Ethan in a second. I want to tell Luis alone and right away.."
Eve smiled and placed an affectionate hand on Luis shoulder tapping it gently. "Tell me what.." he asked looking at her in a baffled statement.
"Luis, I know we didn't plan this, but.. Mi Amore. I'm...It wasn't flu, or a stomach virus, I'm.. Luis, we."
"Sheridan, if something's wrong, we'll see it through together. I won't be separated from you again, what.."
"Nothing's wrong, everything is RIGHT. I'm pregnant Luis, I'm going to have our baby..."
He grabbed her and spun her around in his arms. "A baby, you and me. When."
"I'm not sure, but I'll see Eve in her office and she can order an ultrasound and we'll know for sure. Luis, I'm going to have our baby!!!" He kissed her soundly. When they came up for air he smiled at her with a grin a mile wide.
"Good thing I asked Ethan to be our best man before he finds out. He might have called me out if he wasn't sure of my intentions."
"Let's tell him..."
Ethan was thrilled for them both. "That's wonderful, I know how much you've wanted a child Sheridan, you'll make a wonderful mother. Luis, congratulations. I'm happy for you both."
"Ethan, please don't say anything to anyone til we've had a chance to tell Pilar?" Sheridan accepted his hug. "I want to tell her right away...I can't believe this myself." Luis put a protective arm around Sheridan.
Luis, Sheridan and Pilar sat around the Lopez Fitzgerald kitchen table. Pilar was thrilled by their news. "Mijo, I know you and Sheridan are worried, with good reason, that the tabloids could have a field day with news like this. Have you considered moving your wedding date up?
I'm sure we can arrange a beautiful celebration on very short notice." Pilar was always practical. She could see how excited they were - neither were going to be able to keep this news a secret for long.
Luis turned to Sheridan, "I can get the license on Monday as soon as the county clerk's office opens? Five day waiting period, do you think you would mind becoming Mrs. Lopez Fitzgerald next weekend?"
"Hey, I'm the one that wanted to elope and throw a party later. I could fly us to Vegas today!" She smiled. "But I can only wait til Friday night. Maybe 8pm."
Luis got up from his chair and pulled her to her feet spinning her around. "Friday night it is!" He kissed her soundly.
Theresa appeared in the doorway. "Friday night?" she asked, "what's up?"
Sheridan and Luis broke their kiss. "Friday at 8 pm I'll become your sister. That is, if you'll help us pull it off?"
"Of course!!!" Theresa grinned. "Where do we start? Flowers, caterer, a dress?"
"Slow down baby sister." Luis interrupted her revelry. "This has to stay top secret - strictly need to know. The reception is going have to be here - I'm sure Grace will be happy to help. But the guest list is tight - the Bennett and Russell families (with Chad too) Ethan and a friend from Sheridan's work. That's it - I mean it."
Grace Bennet appeared at the back door with a basket of warm muffins. "What's all the excitement about?" Luis brought her up to speed. She was delighted and pledged to provide all the food. Grace hugged them both and slipped out.
Sheridan hugged Theresa. "We can't stress the need for secrecy enough. I can't even be seen shopping for a dress. Crane stock would plunge if rumours started that the company wasn't my focus right now. Too many people could be affected if that happened."
"Sheridan," Pilar spoke with a catch in her voice. "I think I can solve the dress problem...if Theresita will help alter it. Please, I have Mother Fitzgerald's wedding dress in the attic. I wore it, I saved it for my children. It would bring me great joy to share it with you."
"I'm outta here," Luis said reaching for his jacket from the back of the chair. "If you girls are doing the wedding dress thing - I'm going to see Sam. And I'll go check in with Father Lonegan. I imagine he's going to want to see both of us at some point soon, but I can book the chapel with him and start the arrangements for a ceremony."
Sheridan nodded her head in agreement. "Why don't I meet you at St. Mary's in an hour?" She asked. "See ya soon, babe."
Luis placed a kiss on his mother and sisters cheeks then grabbed Sheridan and dipped her low. The lovers laughed and she smiled at him. "I love you, Sheridan Crane" he said kissing her gently. "You too, munchkin" he said gently rubbing her abdomen.
"Munchkin!!" Theresa went into overload again. "Sheridan you're Pregnant!!! That's wonderful. OH I am so HAPPY for you two. I'll babysit anytime. This is GREAT!"
Luis turned to her again. "Same thing kiddo. Keep it under your hat. Ethan knows, now you, I'll tell Miguel but again. Top Secret and Need to Know only. Not even Whitney!"
Theresa mimed a zipper in front of her lips. "Understood, I'll go get that dress!!! Meet me in Mama's room." She flew out of the kitchen on a mission. As blue as Theresa had been since her break up with Ethan it was nice to have something to be happy about. She was going to make this the most beautiful wedding anyone could ever have.
Pilar looked at Luis. "I'll make sure she puts the breaks on Luis, but let her enjoy this." He and Sheridan exchanged a worried look but nodded in agreement.
To Be Continued...
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