Show Me Heaven

Disclaimer: I donıt own the characters that would be NBC and James E. Reilly.

This is the next saga in my series, first there was All Is Forgiven, then came Love & War. Please e-mail me with comments at crsena@iserv.net

Sheridan Crane sat next to the love of her life shaken about the events that were about to happen. She didnıt want to be here, but she knew she had to be. Luis held her hand knowing that Sheridan was nervous about today. ³I donıt think I could do this without you, Luis,² Sheridan commented. ³I wouldnıt be anywhere else,² Luis replied kissing her hand. They sat there on the bench outside of the courtroom waiting for her name to be called. It had been two weeks since she confronted her father for the murder of her mother. Now the trial was in progress to send him to prison for life. She wasnıt only nervous about seeing her father, but also what could come out about her past. Sheridan wasnıt sure about certain events in her life that sent her to Paris, but she had put it behind her when Eve convinced her that she didnıt kill Martin Fitzgerald.

³After this you and I will go away together for a few days,² Luis said. ³Sounds good to me,² she smiled. ³But tonight I have something special planned for us,² Luis explained. ³What,² she asked. ³Itıs a surprise,² Luis answered. ³Sheridan Crane,² a young man announced from the court room door. She walked into the courtroom and he sat there on the other side of the room looking up at his daughter. Why was this happening to her? After she was sworn in it was time to begin. All she ever wanted was her fatherıs love now she was about to destroy any chance of that happening. It was the price she had to pay for justice. ³Good morning, Ms. Crane, what is your relationship to the defendant, Alistair Crane,² the district attorney asked. ³He is my father,² she answered. ³Did you spend much time with your father growing up,² she asked. ³No, much of the time we were in different continents,² Sheridan answered. ³Why was that?²

³Business. He was usually away on business.² ³What about your mother?² ³My mother died when I was very young.² ³An automobile accident, isnıt that correct?² ³Yes, when I was four years old.² ³Do you remember that night?² ³Pilar had come and picked me up from piano lessons at the club. We had arrived home when father had come out and announced that my mother was on her way to the club to pick me up.² ³Was that unusual?² ³Yes, Pilar had always picked me up from practice. It was a ritual with us, she would pick me up then we would go have a picnic in the park.² ³When did you find out about the accident?² ³Father had informed me that he had to leave town on business that night. A half an hour after he left Pilar had told me. He didnıt even return for her funeral!² ³That is all. Thank you, Ms. Crane.²

He sat down suddenly her fatherıs attorney sat up and rushed to the witness stand. ³Ms. Crane, do you resent your father for not being there for you?² ³No.² ³So you never told your father that you wish you were as lucky as your nephew, Ethan.?² ³Well I was angry.² ³Is that why you murdered Martin Fitzgerald?² ³What?² Luis sat there in shock of what he just heard. He had remembered when Eve had hypnotized Sheridan and revealed that even though Sheridan thought she had killed his father that it wasnıt true. Was Eve lying at the time? Was Sheridan the reason his father was missing? ³You donıt remember that night that you stabbed Martin Fitzgerald?² ³That is a mistake.² ³Where are you residing at the moment, Ms. Crane?² ³At the Lopez-Fitzgeraldıs.² ³Isnıt Pilar Lopez-Fitzgerald the Crane housekeeper?² ³Well, yes.² ³Are you not dating her son?²

³Objection,² yelled the district attorney. ³What does this have to do with the case.² ³I am going to prove that she should not be testifying here today.² ³Over ruled,² the judge stated. ³Yes, but what does that have to do with this?² ³Where is he employed?² ³He is a Detective at the Harmony Police Department.² ³For years has he not blamed Alistair Crane for the death of his father? But, in fact, it could be proven that you, not your father, would be the assailant. You are now residing in the home with a man who has publicly blamed your father repeatedly. Do you love your father, Ms. Crane?² ³Of course.² ³But you are here testifying that he murdered your mother?² ³He did.² ³Were you there when this happened?² ³Well, no.² ³How did you find this information out?² ³Pilar.² ³Detective Lopez-Fitzgeraldıs mother.² ³Not only that but she has been a mother to me since for as long as I can remember.² ³Do you think Mrs. Lopez-Fitzgerald would do anything for you?² ³Yes.² ³Even lie to you?² ³No.² ³If what you are saying is true, then she kept this information from you for all these years. Why?² ³To protect me.² ³To protect you. Why would she tell you now, then? She wanted to protect you all of those years, doesnıt she want to now?² ³More now than before I guess.²

³Because of your relationship with her son? Donıt answer that. Has Detective Lopez-Fitzgerald ever asked you for help in catching your father.² ³Not exactly.² ³What do you mean not exactly?² ³I sort of offered once or twice to help him find the truth.² ³So you offered to help him send your father to jail. Would you do anything for the Detective?² ³Yes.² ³Even stand up here and lie?² ³No.² ³Did you spend some time in a mental institution, Ms. Crane?² ³Yes.² ³When was that?² ³I was sent there by my father at the age of nine until I was sixteen.² ³Why were you sent there?² ³I donıt remember.² ³Because of the murder of Martin Fitzgerald? You are sitting here trying to tell us that your father killed your mother not because you saw it happen, no because of hearsay. Yet, why would we believe you when not only did you spend time in a mental institution, but you were sent there because you killed a man when you were young. Did you love your mother?² ³Of course.²

³Did you know that your father was going to divorce your mother?² ³No.² ³In my hand, I have the documents signed by your father to begin divorce proceedings just weeks before your motherıs death. Did you know that they signed a prenuptial agreement?² ³No.² ³Did you know in this prenuptial agreement it said if your mother was caught having ex-maritial affairs that she would be left with nothing? She would lose everything and their children would be left with him. Did you know that your mother had also suffered from severe depression syndrome? That she was on many medications throughout her life from this. She was unhappy with her marriage and that is why she ran her car off of that cliff that night.² ³No, she would not have left me.² ³Did you ever wonder why you also fought from depression when you were younger? Why else would you have been set to the institution? Because both your mother and you had tried to kill yourselves before except on that faithful night your mother had finally succeeded. No more questions your honor.²

Sheridan sat there motionless her mind wandering to the fact that he was right in some sense. She had fought with depression in stages in her life, but she would not have tried to commit suicide nor did her mother. She looked deep in Luisı eyes across the room noticing the sorrow in his eyes. Was the attorney right? Did she kill his father? Why had Eve lied? Father. Could he have somehow blackmailed her into keeping this secret? She stepped down rushing to Luisı side. He grabbed her hand her heart sinking. Their love for each other would overpower her fatherıs hatred. They had been through to much to stop now. Luis would somehow find out what happened the night his father disappeared. To this day they had not found his body, and only Alistair knew every detail. Luis had stopped trying to pressure Julian in confessing. So the only one Luis could count on to find the truth would have been Sheridan.

Court had been recessed until the following day at 9 am, Sheridan was drained from the events. They sat back outside the courtroom on the bench just like an hour and half before. She couldnıt speak, Luis just held her hand soothing her soul and heart. If Sheridan was the one who killed his father, she wouldnıt be able to stay with him knowing that one day he would leave her. A few minutes had passed when out of nowhere a dark haired, charcoal eyed, man strolled up to Sheridan. He was dressed in a blue double breasted suit, hair combed back, and he looked like Luisı double. ³Sheridan Crane,² he asked. ³Yes,² she looked up staring into those eyes. ³I donıt believe you could testify against him,² he stated. ³Sir, do I know you,² she questioned.

³You are sending my father to prison,² he claimed. ³Your father,² Luis shouted. ³How is that possible,² Sheridan cross-examined. ³Antonio,² Pilar screamed dashed up to them. She couldnıt not believe her eyes. ³Yes,² he noted. ³Pilar, this man is saying he is my brother,² Sheridan commented. ³No, I would know my son, anywhere. Your name is Antonio and if I am right you have a birthmark on your left bicep,² Pilar announced. ³How did you know about that,² he asked. ³Mamma, this isnıt our Antonio,² Luis replied. ³Yes, it is,² Pilar shouted. ³Who is your mother,² Sheridan asked the man. ³I donıt know. He told me she died when I was very young, I donıt really remember anything before the age of ten,² he explained. ³I donıt have to take this, I am going to go see father.²

He stormed off leaving Pilar astonished that her son doesnıt remember her. How could Alistair have done this? She would know her sonıs face even if it had been twenty years since she last seen him. He had disappeared the same night as her dear Martin. Martin had always been very protective of their first born. When Martin had vanished it almost killed her, but realizing that Antonio had never been found made it even harder to go. Every night she had prayed that both of them would return to their rightful place with their families. ³Mamma, what is going on,² Luis wondered. ³Do you remember anything from the night both my eldest son and my husband disappeared? Sheridan, I donıt recall much of what happened? I know that you did not kill my husband,² Pilar asked. ³All I remember is Julian and my father in an agreement with Martin,² Sheridan began to explain.

³Letıs go find Eve and have her tell us what Sheridan had admitted. This is not the place to be discussing this,² Luis ordered. An hour later they were in Dr., Eve Russellıs office. Pilar had told her friend the events of the day and the reappearance of her son Antonio. Sheridan was ready to find out the truth about that night, and Luis was ready to forgive his beloved if what her fatherıs lawyer had disclosed was true. ³Eve, you told me that it was a mistake that I didnıt kill Luisı father. Yet today on the stand I was told something different. What does my father have on you? I know my father must have something,² Sheridan said. ³T.C. must never know this either can my girls. I knew that one day this one come back to haunt me. Now that Alistair might go to prison for the rest of his life he canıt hold it against me. I had a torrid affair with Julian years ago. It is something I am not proud of, but I think I have redeemed myself. Growing up I didnıt have much and I made many mistakes, sleeping with Julian was one of them. Alistair knew about this and threatened to tell T.C. I couldnıt let that happen. He went on saying that he could ruin my medical career.² ³So what did you have to do to keep him quite,² Luis asked.

³He didnıt want anyone to find out that Sheridan was the one who stabbed Martin. It was a mistake if I recall,² she cried knowing it could ruin Sheridan and Luis. ³No,² Sheridan bellowed. After Eve explained in great detail of what Sheridan had said under hypnosis, Sheridan started crying. Now that she had found Luis, she was going to lose him because of something that happened years ago. Luis stood there in shock of what Eve had said, somehow he knew that the story Eve had gave him months ago was a cover-up. He loved Sheridan with all his heart, he wasnıt going to lose her. They had been through to much together to stop now. Something did not add up to him. ³You say that Alistair wanted to keep it quite. Why? It doesnıt make sense. This whole thing does not make sense. I will be back,² Luis said leaving the room. Sheridan fell to the ground knowing he was upset. She had murdered his father and now they were never going to be one.

³Eve, is it possible that Sheridan is wrong in some aspects of that night,² Pilar asked. She was confident about Sheridanıs innocence. And where does Antonio fit into this. ³I remember Antonio fighting with his father a short time before he rushed to the mansion. I went to cook dinner for my family and I thought Antonio had went to his room to study. Maybe he followed Martin?² ³Can you hyptonize me again,² Sheridan begged Eve. ³Why,² Eve asked concerned. ³We know what happened.² ³Something doesnıt feel right,² Sheridan replied. ³Why would I have stabbed him? I knew who he was since he had come to see Pilar a couple of times. Why was he there? I want to see if I remember the conversation. Maybe that can put some light into what he had on my father.² After Sheridan convinced Eve a little bit more they began.

She recalled that night hearing her father and Martin arguing over something. Julian had appeared in the room telling Martin to leave. When Sheridan came down the steps she noticed something. This time replaying the night with Eve she remembered the shadow. She had never noticed him before, but after all these years she remembered the little boy. He was in outside of the French doors leading out to the pool area. He was hiding behind the bushes watching the confrontation between Alistair, Julian, and Martin. The children had looked straight into each otherıs eyes then she had knocked over the vase. This noise startled Alistair when he noticed his little girl he became outraged. He told his little girl to run upstairs and forget everything she had seen.

Martin was trying to comfort her, but she was frustrated at her father. She knew Martin was the good guy and her father was the devil in carnation. She didnıt want to leave aware of what might happen if she did. Martin asked her to call the police frightened for his life. He had mentioned their bond because of her mother. Her mother, Sheridan remembered her mother talking about Martin a few times mentioning that he is a man worth fighting for. Her mother told her to marry someone like Martin Fitzgerald. Julian had dragged her upstairs away from Martin, although, she could continue to hear Martin and Alistair yelling. She heard something about her mother and the car accident, how it wasnıt an accident like everyone had thought. She was locked up in her room crying when she heard someone on her balcony. Sheridan opened the doors to find the little boy standing in front of her.

³Iım Antonio Lopez-Fitzgerald,² he whispered. ³Do you know who those men are yelling at my father?² ³That is my father and brother,² she replied. ³I need to get my father out of here,² Antonio ordered. ³I know of a way,² she said. They snuck back downstairs to witness Alistair and Martin fighting for something when suddenly Martin fell over with the letter opener in his chest. Antonio and Sheridan ran for him when Julian grabbed the two children from behind. Suddenly Sheridan woke up from being hyptonized. She had remembered that she didnıt kill Martin that Antonio was with her that night. Pilar was satisfied that it wasnıt Sheridan that killed her husband, but what happened afterwards. What happened to her eldest son and where did her husbandıs body go? ³We have to find Luis,² Sheridan demanded. ³I think we need to find Antonio to see what he remembers,² Pilar ordered.

Sheridan went searching for Luis, and Pilar ran to the mansion. Pilar knew that Julian had something to do with this and she was going to find out. She didnıt care anymore about her job, she was going to fight for her family. Through the years she had kept every secret for the Cranes and in that time they had destroyed her family. Sheridan searched all through Harmony looking for Luis. She had about given up when there he was on the docks looking out into the water. She caught sight of him, the frame of his body, the way the light shined on him making him shine in the moonlight somewhat like an angel. He was an angel, an angel in her eyes. Luis had saved her life many times and saved her heart in the process.

She never thought she could feel such powerful emotions towards someone in all her life. Yet those feelings came clear when thinking of Luis. He was her heart and her soul. ³Hi, there,² she said walking up behind there. ³Penny for your thoughts?² ³You. I was thinking of you. I know after the events of the past 24 hours you might think that we are in trouble. Weıre not. I know my feelings for you. Being a Crane or not I love you. You are not like Alistair or Julian, I knew that from the moment we met. We can get through this,² Luis explained staring out into the water. ³Luis, I didnıt kill him. Eve hyptonized me once you left to find out not only did I not kill him, but Antonio was there that night,² Sheridan commented. ³What?²

³When I heard the yelling downstairs I went to find your father, my father, and Julian. But before they noticed I saw a boy outside of the patio doors looking in. We looked right in each otherıs eyes. The same eyes I saw today at the courthouse. It was Antonio. I knocked over a vase which startled my father. Julian took me back to my room, but Antonio found me minutes later. We snuck back down to witness my father stab Martin. The last thing I remember is someone grabbing us from behind.² ³He was there? Where is he? We have to find him,² Luis ordered turning to face her. ³Your mother went looking for him. She thinks he is at the mansion.² ³Then letıs go.² They rushed to the mansion to come across Ivy straggling Julian and Pilar admiring her friendıs handy work. Luis rushed to pull off Ivy then Sheridan went for her brother. She grabbed his collar and forced him to sit down. ³What happened that night,² Sheridan demanded.

³I have no idea what you are talking about my dear sister,² Julian smirked. ³What is going on down here,² the man said walking into the study. ³Antonio,² Pilar squealed. ³What is going on? What are you doing here,² Antonio asked Sheridan. ³Let go of my brother.² ³I am your brother not Julian. Where have you been the last twenty years,² Luis wondered. ³I lived with my father in Europe. And what is this about you being my brother,² Antonio asked. ³Father adopted him. And yes he is Antonio Lopez-Fitzgerald,² Julian confessed. After Julian had explained every detail to them and they were satisfied Antonio left the premises without his family, Pilar went home, and Luis took Sheridan away. He had decided tonight was their night now that they knew the truth. He drove for miles until he finally reached their destination. When he reached the small cabin she was baffled on what he was doing.

³Go inside and I will be right there,² Luis told her handing her the key. She walked into the cabin which looked much like the one they stayed in when they were stranded together in New Mexico. It consisted of a king size bed laying across the room from the fireplace and a small kitchen in the corner. The room was lit with candles and in front of the fireplace laid a blanket with roses surrounding the area. She was bought back to reality when she heard Luis come in. She turned around to see him carrying in two suitcases. ³When did you do this,² she asked. ³I had help from Theresa and Ethan. I told them where to find this place and what ideas I had then they went from there.² ³Remind me to thank them later,² she whispered kissing him gently on the lips. He put the bags down picking her up in his arms carrying her onto the bed. She was ready for this and he was too. They had been waiting for this moment for so long and if everything went as planned there would be no interruptions tonight.

³How did I get so lucky to find you? You are the most romantic, caring, courageous man that I ever met,² she muttered between kisses. They undressed each other and began to make love with such passion that neither realized they had. Soon after she was wrapped in his arms in deep slumber. He watched her sleep such beauty she held sometimes she knew it and other times she was not aware. He got out of bed trying not to wake her and lit a fire. He was famished so with the groceries he had Theresa buy he cooked some lasagna. Sheridan began to stir as she could smell the wonderful meal he was making. She pulled the blanket up close to her and sat up. ³Whatever you are making it sure smells good,² she commented. ³Did I wake you up,² he asked. ³No, the aroma of the oregano did,² she laughed getting out of bed keeping the blanket tightly around her body. After they ate dinner they laid in front of the fireplace in each otherıs arms. Once they made love for the second time that night down in front of the fireplace they fell fast asleep.

When morning came Sheridan was awaken by a telephone ringing. She found Luisı cell phone after a few minutes, while Luis slept like a baby. ³Hello,² she whispered. ³You need to get down to the courthouse now,² Ivy ordered. ³What is going on,² Sheridan questioned. ³Itıs your fatherıs trial. Alistair is threatening your brother that if he testifies that no one will be safe,² Ivy explained. ³Julian is frightened.² ³We will be there as soon as soon as possible,² Sheridan replied. She hung up the phone got dressed and as soon as she woke up Luis explaining the details they were on their way back to Harmony. When they arrived in the courtroom Julian was on the stand already. Sheridan was worried when she looked at Julian. Sure he was afraid of their father, but after all of the years standing beside him, Julian was now going to turn the other way.

Julian was going to go against everything is father taught him. At this moment Julian was going to reveal all of the Crane secrets that he kept buried. He was crumbling inside, everything he had known was disappearing. For the first time in his life Julian felt emotion- he felt human. Instantly he didnıt like the feeling, it made him feel vulnerable. ³Do you know the story behind your motherıs death,² the district attorney asked him. ³My father cut the brake line. The only reason I know this is because I have the tape from the camera in the garage where her car had been. I have had this tape for twenty years,² Julian answered. ³So your father cut the line then made it look like your mother drove off the cliff,² the D.A. asked. ³Yes.² ³Letıs jump ahead five years to the night Martin Fitzgerald disappeared. Why was Mr. Fitzgerald at the Crane mansion?²

³He had found out that it wasnıt an accident. He had been close to my mother for years and he wanted my father to pay for her death. He was going to the police station that night, but he was hoping that father would have a change of heart and confess. Father would not budge on it. He threatened Martin that if he was going to turn him in that his family would pay the price.² ³What did he mean by that?² ³My sister had interrupted us before we could go through with the deal. My father had just offered him 2 million dollars for his silence and he was going to accept it. When Martin noticed my sister he had changed his mind.² ³What happened after your sister came into the room?² ³I was told to take her back to her room. When I did I came back down to find my father pointing his pistol at Martin.

Father told me to make sure no one could witness the shooting. However when I came back towards the room five minutes later I ran upon my sister and Martinıs eldest son, Antonio. Martin was laying on the floor in a pool of blood with father standing over him with a letter opener in his hand.² ³What happened next?² ³Sheridan started screaming. Both of them got out of my grip, but Antonio lost his balance and hit his head on the stairs, but Sheridan made it to Martinıs body. She was very close to Martinıs wife and still is to this day. She was talking to him trying to calm him down and keep him alive. Father freaked out and told Sheridan to get away from him. She would not leave Martin. Martin died in Sheridanıs arms. Antonio was knocked out cold, and Father did the only thing he could.² ³What was that?²

³He blamed Sheridan. He forced some pills down her throat once she woke up she was laying next to Martinıs body with the letter opener in her hand. She didnıt remember what happened. Father said she killed Martin, and she believed him. He wasnıt about to let her recall what really happened and if she did she would not be around for someone to hear her. He sent her to Europe to the insitition making sure she was kept on heavy medication so she could never clearly remember that night.² ³What about Antonio Lopez-Fitzgerald?² ³I wasnıt sure what father did with him. I thought he was dead like his father. But a couple months ago when I visited Father in Europe when Sheridan was supposedly dead, I met Antonio. Father had raised him as his own. Antonio had amnesia not recalling any of his family or that night. Father kept Antonio a secret from the rest of the Crane family.

I had also came upon my fatherıs will which stated that he was the one to inherit everything once father died.² ³So your father killed Martin Fitzgerald. Where is the body?² ³His body is actually buried at the Harmony settlement up at the mines.² Alistair was found guilty of both murders sentenced to years behind bars. Antonio sat in the back of the room astonished by the fact that the man that raised him the only father that he knew (actually remembered) had murdered his real father. Through the following week Antonio began to remember small details of his life before Alistair thanks to Eve. Martinıs body was recovered from the Harmony settlement and was given a proper burial. At the welcome home party that was held in Antonioıs honor, Sheridan was standing by the Lopez-Fitzgerald fireplace admiring the family pictures through the years.

Luis had come up behind her holding her in his arms. ³I was thinking that now things have began to settle down, I thought maybe you would give me the honor of becoming my wife,² he asked her holding up the engagement ring that once belonged to his mother. ³Really,² she turned to ask. ³I have never wanted anything more than to become your husband,² he replied. ³Yes, I will marry you then,² she answered hugging him tightly. The party went on without anyone really paying attention to the lovebirds kissing. Luis pulled away when he heard his sister Theresa get everyoneıs attention. ³I have an announcement to make,² Theresa began. ³I donıt want to take away Antonioıs spotlight, but I thought I would spread some more good news around.² Looking around the room there was the Russellıs, the Bennettıs, along with Chad, Ethan and Ivy (Julian still could not handle being a human being with real emotions so he stayed away) and the Lopez-Fitzgerald clan awaiting Theresaıs announcement.

³I thought I would tell you that the Lopez-Fitzgerald will be growing by another person along with the Bennettıs. I am having a baby,² Theresa snapped out. Everyone froze except the father of the baby. Ethan came up to her and held her into his arms proud that she had finally confessed to everyone the secret that they had been keeping through the last couple of weeks. He looked into his familyıs eyes not sure if he saw happiness for them or anger since they were still young and not married. Theresa tried to find some type of emotion in Noahıs eyes, but his eyes were cold. Did he have some idea? Did he know that even though she thought very highly of him and they would always be very close that she was still very much in love with Ethan?

³Well since we are making announcements letıs throw another one out there onto the floor. Luis asked me to marry him and I have accepted,² Sheridan spitted out hoping it would break the tension in the room. Everyone congratulated Luis and Sheridan, although no one congratulated Theresa and Ethan on their news. Theresa was thrilled about Sheridan and Luis, but still angry that no one had even acknowledged her. She walked into the kitchen ready to leave the house when Whitney stopped her. ³They are just in shock, Theresa. They will come around, I promise. You know they are happy for you and Ethan, nonetheless it was kind of of a blow to them. Let them just concentrate on Luis and Sheridan for a bit. I am excited about the baby. You and Ethan will be very happy together,² Whitney explained to her best friend.

Theresa decided that Whitney was right that Luis and Sheridan deserved this more now than she did. They had been through so much together in the last couple of months now that things had finally been resolved between their families and there was no threat against Sheridanıs life they could finally become husband and wife. She stood beside Ethan and watched their loved ones faces, how much everyone had become closer over the months. Sure there were still mixed emotions between Sam, Grace, and Ivy and the fact that Sam and Ivy had a bond together - Ethan.

Simone and Whitney had made a truce when it came to Chad laying everything out on the table. Whitney was still hiding her true feelings for him, but Simone wasnıt so jealous, things would eventually work out she thought. Miguel and Charity had decided to put some distance between them realizing that they were moving to fast which made Kay ecstatic. Miguel was fair game now and Kay was going to do anything possible to fight fair for Miguelıs love. Pilar was telling Antonio stories of their family and friends the events that led everyone here today.

Sheridan was fortunate to have so many friends that cared so much about her and now that she would be part of a family that cared more about each other than how much money and power they had her life felt complete. She felt she as if she was in heaven. Hoping this wasnıt a dream she continued to feed off of the love in the room. Everyone felt the love in the air today that someone above showed them that this was heaven. Yet would it last forever?

THE END