Chapter 1:
Luis sat at his desk at the police station. He couldn't seem to
concentrate,
what he could concentrate on was the picture of Sheridan. Why? Why
Sheridan?
Why did you leave me? He thought to himself.
Sheridan had left almost five years ago. She didn't say good-bye to
anyone.
She just up and left. No one had even heard from her since she left.
Luis
decided he couldn't take it anymore. He had to fly to Paris, TONIGHT!
"Mijo, are you sure you want to do this?" Pilar asked her son.
"Yes, mama. I can't take it any more. I need to see her." He replied
"Alright Mijo, be safe, and be careful." She pleaded.
"I will, mama." Luis kissed his mother and left.
********************
Once in Paris, Luis began his search for her. He found her in a small
apartment building, rocking back and forth, with a little girl in her
arms.
"SHeridan?" Luis asked timidly.
"Luis?" Sheridan said, shocked. She was barely able to put the little
girl
down before she rushed forward to hug Luis. He returned her embrace.
"Mommy?" The little girl said. "Who's he?"
Sheridan stepped away from Luis, in order to her. Luis looked between
the
two of them, with his mouth wide open. "This is a good friend of mine,
sweetie," she said, "His name is Luis. Luis this is my daughter,
Gabrielle."
"Daughter?" Luis couldn't believe it. But the proof was right there, in
front of him.
The more he looked at the girl, the more he saw Sheridan.
"Sheridan, can I talk to you, alone?"
"Sure," Sheridan said softly. "Come on, honey, it's time for your nap."
She
picked up the little girl, and layed her down in the next room.
Sheridan
beckoned Luis into the living room, where they both sat down on the
couch.
Luis stared at Sheridan. She anticipated his first question. "I had her
a
few months after I left."
Luis nodded. "Then I take it you met someone here?"
"No." Sheridan said, to Luis' amazment. "And to answer your next
question,
no, I don't know who the father is, exactly. With the timing, I was
hoping
that..."
"That it was me?" Sheridan nodded. Luis felt the color drain from his
face.
"Why don't you know, exactly, who the father is?" Sheridan had a hard
time
looking him in the eye.
"Well, I was raped shortly after coming here."
"Sheridan, we need to get some tests done." Luis said.
"I would like that," SHeridan said, "DO you have a place to stay?"
"No," Luis said, "I was in such a hurry to get here, that I forgot to
get a
room."
"You can stay here," she said. Luis looked at her skeptically, "I
insist."
"I never could say no to you." Luis said. "Guess I have couch duty
while I'm
staying here."
"You guess wrong," Sheridan said. Luis looked at her questionably. She
pounced on him, nearly knocking him over. She was now kissing him.
"Sheridan," as much as he would like to give in, he was still in shock
about
Gabrielle. He pushed her away gently.
"Luis," Sheridan said, "I know I tore your heart when I left. But I had
a
very good reason, I didn't want you to have to take care of a family.
If
Gabrielle is your's, while you're still young. I thought that if I
left, it
would make things better. I'm sorry." With that she went back to
kissing
him.
"Not tonight." Luis said, gently pushing her away again. "I'm still
shocked
about Gabrielle, and I doubt very much that I'd be a good partner
anyway."
"Alright," SHe said. "Come on, lets get you some blankets. Do you need
to
call Pilar?"
"Yeah I guess i do. DO you mind?" she shook her head, and went into the
hallway, to gwt him some pillows and blankets, also to give him some
privacy. "Hi mama, yeah I know it's late. Yes i got here saftly. I was
wondering, how much would DNA testing cost? Mama, SHeridan had a baby,
and
we both want to know...yes we've... Alright. Thanks mama. Good-night. I
love
you too." He hung up the phone.
Sheridan was standing in the hallway, looking at him. "did you have to
tell
her everything?"
"When she gets demanding, I just can;t refuse her," he said. "She said
we
could use her credit card to pay for the testing."
"Cool." SHeridan said. She held out the blankets. "Well, here's your
chance
to back out now."
"As tempting as that is, I can't." Luis said. "Do you blame me
otherwize?"
"No, I guess I don't." She replied. Her heart almost litteraly broke
from
the look on his face. She gave him a kiss. "Good-night, Luis."
"Good-night, Sheridan." Sheridan went to her room, but stayed awake for
a
while, too excited from Luis being in the other room. She finaly fell
asleep.
To Be Continued...
Chapter 2:
The Next Morning
Sheridan awoke to find Gabrielle snuggled next to her. 'Must have had a
nightmare' Sheridan thinks. She gently shook her awake. they get
dressed and
go into the living room, to find Luis in the kitchen making breakfast.
"About time you two got up." Luis teased
"What time is it?" Sheridan asked.
"Almost eleven." Luis said. "I called that number you had, about...you
know,
and they cant see us till tomorrow. For today, what do you say the
three of
us go to a playground or something, then get lunch?"
"Sorry but I have to go to work in a little bit." Luis looked at
Sheridan,
qustionably. "I work at a local youth center."
"Did you run into another police car?" Luis said, joking.
"Haha, very funny." Sheridan said. Luis just laughed.
"What about you little one? Would you like to go to the playground and
stuff?"
"Yeah!!" Gabrielle replied. She turned to her mom. "Can I?"
"Of course you can." Sheridan said, smiling. She turned to Luis. "When
will
the two of you be off?"
"As soon as both of you eat breakfast." He said
"Ooh." Gabrielle said, "This is the first time in a long time we've
actually
had breakfast." Luis had a puzzled look on his face. 'She must be
having a
hard time supporting them' He thought. He served them.
"Tell ya what, tomorrow, breakfast in bed for the both of you." Luis
said,
"I'll get up a little earlier and set it up." Gabrielle squealed at the
prospect of breakfat two mornings in a row.
"You're spoiling us." Sheridan said.
"I know, and I've always wanted to." Luis said. "Am I doing it right?"
"You sure are!" Gabrielle said, her mouth full. Everyone giggled.
Sheridan
finished her food and left for work. Luis took Gabrielle to the nearby
playground.
"ANd after this, we can go to McDonald's for lunch. My treat."
"Thank you." She said. "We never go to McDonald's, except for special
occasions."
"Now that i'm here, we can go every day if you want to ." Luis said
"Cool!" She said, then scampered off tho play with some kids. 'she's
very
energetic' He thought.
"Luis." He looked up to find Gabrielle on the swings. "Come push me,
Luis."
He got up and pushed her. When they got tired of swinging, they sat at
a
picinic table.
"Your hair is spikey!"
"Thank you." Luis giggled. "So hows life been treating you?"
"Good." She said. "Considering, mom never has money to do anything. She
always takes me shopping, no matter what."
"Thats good."
A woman was watching them, she came over a few minutes later. "Your
daughter
is beautiful," She said. "and you're so good with her."
"Thank you." Luis said. "But..."
"He's not my daddy," Gabrielle said. "Not even mommy knows who my daddy
is.
He's just a friend of mommy's." When she turned to look at the lady,
Luis
got a good look at her eyes. Though the girl looked exactly like
Sheridan in
almost every other way, He could swear that he could see him in her
eyes.
"Oh." The woman said. She looked embarassed as she walked away. 'I have
to
wonder, now that i've seen your eyes, little one.' Luis thought, as
Gabrielle ran off to play. He kept a watchful eye on her. But the
minute she
fell. though. He was right on it, rushing over to her.
"What happened?" Luis asked, helping her up.
"I was playing on the monkey bars, I lost my grip. "She said. "My knee
hurts." Amazingly, she wasnt crying.
Luis looked at her knee. It was bleeding slightly, but didnt look that
bad.
"looks like it was just a scrape." He said. "I'll take you to the men's
bathroom to get cleaned up. It will look a little wired for you to be
in
there. I trust you not to look at anything you shouldn't."
"I wont." She said. Luis took her into the men's room.
They got some
weird
looks, but once luis explained what happened, and showed them her knee,
they
understood. Luis cleaned up the nasty little scrape, and used a band
aid
that Gabrielle had in her little purse.
"You have to kiss it." She said. Luis kissed her knee then put the band
aid
on. She giggled, and Luis helped her down. They walked out, and just
like
Luis promised, they went to McDonald's.
"Pick anything you want." Luis told her.
"Okay." Gabrielle ordered they ate. Then she went off to play on the
playground. Luis watched her from some tables there.
"I thought I'd find you here." Luis turned around to find Sheridan
standing
next to him.
"Yeah, well, I promised I'd bring her here." Luis said. "When did you
get
off work? have you eaten?"
"Just now, and no." Sheridan replied.
"Here." Luis took out his wallet and handed her a five. "Get yourself
something to eat, skin and bones." He grinned at her.
"Oh, you." She playfully swatted him. SHe came back a few minutes later
with
her food. She joined Luis at the table, and ate. It only seemed to take
her
a few seconds to eat.
"Hi mommy." Garielle said, from the ball area.
"Hi sweetheart. Be careful." Sheridan said.
"I will." Gabrielle replied.
"She lookes like she's on cloud nine." Sheridan said. "I dont usually
let
her play here, in fear she'll get hurt."
"Well, she did at the playground." Luis said, "But it was just a
scrapped
knee. Does she get hurt often?"
"Yeah, she usually does." Sheridan said. "But never to bad, thankfully.
I
dont have insurance on her, and i have enough to pay enough for doctor
bills
as it is."
"Why doesn't your father help you?" (Sheridan and her father had grown
very
close a few years ago.) Sheridan was squirming in her seat.
"Sheridan?"
"When I had Gabrielle," she started, "When I first found out I was
pregnant,
Father tried forcing me to have an abortion.
I refused, since you were
most
the most likely candidate for her father. After I had Gabrielle, Father
was
absolutely livid over the topic of me putting her up for adoption. But
when
I saw my little girl, I just couldn't. She stole my heart, and there
was no
way I was going to give her up. Father even tried to use legal means to
force me to give Gabrielle up. The courts couldn't find any reason to
take
her away from me." Sheridan started crying. Luis put his hand on her
shoulder.
"Sheridan, it's okay, you don't have to tell me anymore." Luis said.
"I need to." She continued, "My father found out there was no real way
to
make me give her up.
He cut off all conection with me, and refused to
suport
me, financially. I've had to work hard ever since. My boss was nice
enough
to pay for my appartment. I've been working for him ever since, while
he
uses most of my paycheck for the appartment. We barley get by on whats
left."
"Sheridan, you dont have to go through that any longer." Luis said.
"I'm
here, and I will help you in anyway I can. The testion will only be the
begining." 'I would ask her to marry me, but she doesnt need that right
now'
He thought.
"I couldn't posibly ask you to do that." Sheridan said.
"You're not asking." Luis said. "I'm offering, and I wont take no for
an
answer. All you have to do is come back to Harmony with me. Mama would
be
more than happy to let you stay with us, until you get back on your
feet."
"Thanks, Luis." Sheridan said, "I will."
"Are you okay mommy?" Gabrielle asked, giving her mom a big hug. Which
Sheridan greatfully returned.
"Yeah, I'm okay sweetie. I have something to tell you. We're going to
be
moving, to Harmony." Sheridan said.
"Cool." Gabrielle said. "I never liked this place any way."
Sheridan and Luis both laughed. Neither did I sweetie." They walked
back to
Sheridan's. Once there, Sheridan started packing their things. Luis
helped
when he could. But Sheridan insisted on doing it herself.
"Mommy." Gabrielle said, when Luis was out of the room, "I like Luis,
he's
nice."
"I do too, honey." Sheridan said. 'He could at least ask me to marry
him'
She thought. 'That way I wouldnt feel so weird, staying at his house'
It was
late when she finished packing. When they went out to the living room,
Luis
was already asleep on the couch. Sheridan picked up Gabrielle, and put
her
to bed. Then she went to her own room and went right to sleep.
To Be Continued…
Chapter 3:
The Tests and The Homecoming Party
The next morning, Luis went through with his promise. He got up early,
and
made them breakfast in bed. Gabrielle was once again, snuggled with her
mother when Sheridan awoke.
"You are truly spoiling us rotten." Sheriddan said, "But you're a real
sweetheart, Luis."
"We still have an hour, before we have to be there." Luis said, "Take
all
the time you need to eat."
Both Gabrielle and Sheridan tryed to take their time, but they were
both
used to eating in a hurry. Afterwords, Sheridan called her boss to tell
him
that she was going back to Harmony, he understood, and wished her luck
with
Gabrielle. She told him goodbye and hung up.
"That was a hard thing to do" she said, "But the hardest thing, was
leaving
you Luis."
"I know it had to be." Luis said, "Ya know all you had to do, was tell
me
what was going on."
"I know." She said quietly.
"Come on, we have an appointment."
"Right." Sheridan said. THey got dressed quickly. They went downstairs,
climbed into Sheridan's little car, and took off. When they passed the
mall,
Luis asked to stop there.
"I've got to get something." Luis said. SHeridan pulled in, and Luis
jumped
out. "I'll be right back," Sheridan nodded, Luis ran inside and
searched for
the jeweler's. He picked out a good engagement ring, 'I'm gonna ask
her,' he
thought. His heart raced at the thought. He paid the jeweler, put the
ring
in his pocket, and left. He raced back to the car.
"Sorry I took so long," He said.
"You didn't." She replied. "what'd you get?"
"Oh, they didn't have it." He said. Sheridan left the subject at that,
and
they went to the doctor's office. Luis signed himself and Gabrielle in.
"Come on, Luis," Gabrielle said. "Come play with me." She led Luis over
to
some yoys littering the floor in one corner of the room.
"Alright." Luis said. "Just don't tell anybody, i've got an image to
protect." He grinned at Gabrielle to show it was a joke. The two
started
working a puzzle.
Sheridan was watching the pair, when a woman came up to her, "Your
daughter
is beautiful," the woman said, "And your husband is so good with her."
"Oh, he's not my husband," Sheridan replied. 'Yet anyway' She thought.
"We're not even sure if he's her father, and thanks."
looking at the two of them, I'de say he is," the woman said, "But thats
none
of my business."
With that, the woman walked away. Sheridan took a long hard look at her
daughter. She knew what the real reason that Luis was the most
likeliest
candidate for being the father. It was Gabrielle's eyes. They looked
exactly
like Luis', right down to the eyelashes. ALso Pilar was always saying
how
remarkably smart Luis was when he was younger, and Gabrielle's
unusually
high I.Q (Unusual for her age) proved that Luis could very well be her
father.
"This piece goes here," Gabrielle said, "no, there." She giggled.
You're
getting good at putting puzzles together."
"I have a great teacher," he said. In truth, Luis hated doing puzzles,
but
whatever made Gabrielle happy.
"Mr. Lopez-Fitzgerald, Miss Crane.' Luis looked up to find the nurse
standing in the doorway.
"Come on honey," Sheridan said, taking Gabrielle's hand. "We've got to
see
some doctors," Gabrielle was reluctant, but once she slipped her hand
in
Luis' she quietly followed them to a room down the hall.
"The doctor will be here shortly," The nurse left.
"I wish they would hurry," Luis said, "Man I really don't like doctors,
especially when i know they're gonna take blood."
"Mommy,"Gabrielle said, frightened at the concept of drawing blood from
her.
"I'm sorry sweetie. I should have warrned you beforehand, they need to
draw
blood to see if Luis is your daddy." Sheridan said.
"What about the blood from my band-aid yesterday?"
"THey need fresh blood, I'm afraid," Luis said. "Don't worry, your mom
and I
will both be right here. I have to have some blood drawn too."
"Okay," Gabrielle said, "I'll try not to be scared. THey really think
you
might be my daddy?"
"Yep," Luis said, "there is a real good posibility."
"I hope you are," Gabrielle said, "I would love to have you as my
daddy, my
real daddy."
"And I would love to have you as my daughter." Luis said. The doctor
came in
a few minutes later, Luis pretended to be scared, to put Gabrielle at
ease.
It worked. And Gabrielle only flinched a little, Both when the needle
was
placed in her arm, and when it was taken out. Luis flinched just to
entertain Gabrielle.
A few minutes later, Luis told the lady at the front desk where they
can
send the results, paid and they left.
"What do you say we go get lunch?" Luis asked "It's on me," he pulled
his
wallet out, to find it empty.
"I'll get it this time." Sheridan said. "I still have some money left
from
my paycheck, since you've been getting everything, it's my treat
today."
"There goes my spoiling streak." Luis said with a sigh. Gabrielle held
out
her arms. He picked her up into a hug and carried her to the car. She
was
still acting a little shy around him. But she burried her face in his
neck
and fell asleep.
"The poor little angel," Luis said. "She had a rough day." He ever so
gently
put her in the back seat and softly shut the door.
"Don't worry about too much noise," Sheridan said. "A frieght train
couldn't
wake that girl up. Quite litterally. Before we were in the apartment,
we
stayed at a place where trains went by every hour. That girl could
sleep
through a hundred of them. You know, every now and then, you used to be
hard
to wake up."
"I was never that bad." He said.
"Yeah you were," She replied. "But I still love you, handsome."
"And I you, Baby." They smiled at each other.
"It's so good to hear you call me that again." Sheridan said. "I really
am
sorry for leaving you."
"I know," Luis said. "I think my calling you baby, was my way of
forgiving
you." He gave her a kiss to prove it.
WHen they pulled into Burger King, Sheridan woke Gabrielle. "Come on,
honey." She said, "We're gonna eat." She led a sleepy Gabrielle in.
THey got
their food and sat down.
Gabrielle was sitting in Sheridan's lap, eating happily. "Can I go
play?"
She asked after she was done.
"Sure, sweetheart." Sheridan said, "just be careful."
"I will, mommy." Gabrielle ran outside to play with a few other girls.
"She seems really happy." Luis commented.
"She is," Sheridan replied. "ANd so am I, for the first time in a
while.
Ever since Gabrielle said her first word I've been miserable,
especially
after leaving you."
Luis sat there, staring at Sheridan for a moment. He reached over the
table
and caressed her face.
Sheridan sat there for a minute, savoring his touch. And then, Luis
kissed
her passionatly. THey broke off a few minutes later.
"Wow." Was a ll she could say, and only partially because she was
breathless
form the kiss. She wasn't just breathless, she was speachless as well.
"Mommy!!" Luis and Sheridan jumped at the sound of Gabrielle. Sheridan
ran
as fast as she could. Luis followed.
"Girls, please stand back." Luis told a few girls crowding around.
"are you alright?" Sheridan asked.
"I fell and hit my head on the ground." She replied. "It hurts."
"It probly does." Sheridan said. "I think you're alright though. Don't
scrare mommy like that!"
"I'm sorry." She sounded near tears. Sheridan hugged her close.
"Dont cry honey." she said, "Mommy didnt mean to sound cross with you.
I was
just worried.
Luis helped Gabrielle up. And the three left. They took the car to
Sheridan's boss, who had been letting her borrow it.
"We all ready, Sheridan?" Luis asked as they were ready to board the
plane.
"Yep, all ready here." She replied.
When they finally got to Harmony, they went to Luis' house.
"We'll go ask your mom if it's ok that we stay here for a while. THen I
want
to go see every one else." Sheridan said.
"Sounds like a plan." Luis said. They didnt even need to ask Pilar. She
insisted they stay.
Sheridan put her and Gabrielle's things in their room, but didnt
unpack. "We
have everything we own in there." She said. "It'd take to long to
unpack,
and I want to see everybody."
"you got it, baby." Luis said, they went outside saying good bye to
Pilar,
they jumped in Luis' car.
"I dont believe it," Pilar said, "I'm an Abuala!"
"We cant jump to conclusions, mamma." Miguel said. "The results havent
come
back yet, we dont know if she's Luis'."
"Oh, get real Mijo." She said, "I just have to look at that little
girl's
eyes and I know she's Luis'."
"I guess you're right. I better go if I'm gonna make it to the party."
Miguel said.
"SURPRISE!!!!!!!!" Sheridan jumped back in shock. Every one was at the
Book
Cafe. THe place was decorated for the party.
"Welcome home, Sheridan." Theresa said hugging her.
"Thanks Theresa." She turned to Ethan, "Ethan, you look great!"
"Thanks Sheri." Ethan hugged his once aunt.
"And who is this little rascal?" Sheridan asked ruffling a little boy's
hair.
"YOu dont remeber me?" He asked. Sheridan looked confused.
"I'm Joey. You and Luis helped deliver my mom's baby." He said.
"OH MY GOSH! JOEY! You've Grown!" SHeridan said stunned. Joeey laughed.
Joey looked at LUis, when he noticed Gabrielle behind him.
"thats my daughter, Gabrielle." Sheridan said. Theresa looke at her
with her
mouth wide open.
Joey steppend closer to Gabrielle. "Hi, I'm Joey." She said extending
his
hand.
I'm Gabrielle." She said quietly, as she shook his hand.
Joey smiled. "Do you want to play video games?"
"Sure" she said. Her face lit up. "Can I mommy?"
"Yeah, go ahead." Sheridan reached into her purse to get some quarters.
"Tell ya what," Chad said, "Games for you two, are on the house." He
handed
them two bags of quarters.
Sheridan gave chad a hug, "Thanks Chad" THey went over to a table and
sat
down.
"I dont believe you have a daughter." Theresa said. She turned to her
brother, "Is Gabrielle your's?"
"we dont know." Luis said "They're running some tests as we speak.
It'll
take a while for the results to come back."
"Oh." THey all started getting into the party. Afterwords, they went
home.
Luis tucked Sheridan and Gabrielle in.
"Good night, baby" He said.
"Good night, handsome." She said. They kissed, and Luis went to his
room,
they both fell asleep quickly.
To Be Continued…
Chapter 4: The Results
Over the next few days, Gabrielle and Joey became the best of friends.
"I think Gabrielle has a crush!" Luis said. Him and Sheridan were
watching
the two playing in the park. They were having a picnic, and since Joey
and
Gabrielle were inseparable, they invited him to come along too.
"I'm glad." Sheridan said. "He's only what, nine years old?" Luis
nodded.
"That’s only a five year difference. I think he really likes her too."
"Oh come on Joey." Gabrielle said, "You've never kissed a girl?"
"No, most girls my age think I'm to much of a nerd to kiss." Sheridan
couldn't help but overhear them talking.
Sheridan took a long hard look at Joey. "How is it that he's never
kissed a
girl?" she said to Luis. "He's a cute little kid, and he's thoughtful."
Luis
laughed softly.
"He is at that. But most of the girls think he's to smart, too much of
a
geek. A lot of people think he's related to Reese." Luis giggled. "I
was
surprised when Joey came out and told me that one day." Luis said.
"Well
saying that he's never been kissed by a girl isn't exactly accurate.
Just
never kissed on the lips by a woman outside of the family. The closest
he's
come, to my knowledge, was when Jessica Bennett kissed him on the
forehead
one day."
"That was sweet of her." She said. "If only I hadn't left."
"Well, you're here now baby." Luis said, "and I don't have any plans on
letting you leave me again, at least not for a very long time."
"I wouldn't leave again if my life depended on it." She replied. "I
love you
Luis Lopez-Fitzgerald."
"And I love you, Sheridan Crane," They kissed.
A little later they packed up and went to Luis' house. Luis had to help
Sheridan carry in the picnic stuff, so he asked Joey to get the mail.
"Sure thing," Joey raced towards the mailbox. "MAIL CALL!!" Joey came
running through the garage, and scared Gabrielle, who was standing in
the
doorway. "Sorry Gab."
"it's alright." She said shyly. Joey handed Luis the mail.
"Bill, bill, junk mail, bill..." he stopped for a moment, and then
ripped
open the letter addressed to him.
"Whose it from, Luis?"
"The doctor that did the tests." Luis said. "It says that..." a grin
played
across his face. It says that they tested Gabrielle's DNA with mine,
and
it's a match. I'm Gabrielle's biological father!"
"Daddy!" Gabrielle rushed into Luis' arms.
"that’s right." Luis picked her up into a hug. "Now lets go somewhere.
There’s someone I want you to meet." Joey knew who Luis was talking
about,
Luis' brother, Antonio. Joey know the two were very close. "Would you
like
to come along Joey?"
"Sure, I just have to call the shelter, to tell them I'll be gone a
little
longer. Are you sure I won't be in the way?"
"no way." Sheridan said. "We’d love to have you along." Sher was
looking
at Joey a little funny, But he didn't seem to notice. Joey went to call
the
shelter, Gabrielle right behind him. Sheridan mouthed "Shelter?" to
Luis.
"I'll explain later." Luis said. Sheridan nodded, a few minutes later,
Joey
came back, and they piled into Luis' car. He drove them to a house
nearby.
"Why are we stooping here?" Sheridan asked
"There's a friend I would like you to meet." He replied.
"okay," They pulled into the driveway and went up to the house. Luis
knocked
on the door, when someone answered it, Sheridan thought there was a
mirror
set up in the doorway.
"Hey bro!" The person at the door said, "how's it going?"
"Good, Tony." Luis said, hugging Antonio. "Tony, I would like you to
meet
Sheridan Crane."
"Ahh, your old girlfriend," Antonio said.
"Yeah, and she still is," Luis replied. "And this is Gabrielle..."
"Your daughter, I can tell. "Antonio said.
"Anyway, Sheridan, Gabrielle, this is my brother, Antonio." Luis said.
"Nice to meet you." Sheridan said, giving him a hug and a peck on the
cheek.
"Hi Tony!" Joey said.
"Hey there little guy." Antonio then looked at Gabrielle. "So you're my
niece, huh?" Gabrielle nodded shyly.
"She's a little shy around new people." Sheridan said. "Say hello to
Uncle
Antonio."
"She doesn't have to, if she doesn't want to." Antonio said.
"Hi Uncle Tony," Gabrielle said softly.
"I'm such a bad host. It's a little messy, but come right in," Luis,
Sheridan, Gabrielle, and Joey walked into the room. "can I get you
anything?
Coke? Water?"
"Coke." Gabrielle and Joey said in unison.
"You got it. Sheridan, Luis?"
"nothing for me, thanks" Luis said.
"Just a glass of water," Sheridan said.
"I'll be right back. There's a sega hooked up to the TV, if you kids
want to
play. I've got all kinds of games." Antonio said.
"Cool," they said, diving for the sega system. When Antonio came back,
they
were engrossed in Mortal Kombat.
A FEW HOURS LATER
"Well, we've got to be going, "Luis said. "Come on, Gab, Joey. We've
got to
get Joey back to the shelter."
Gabrielle and Joey reluctantly left the TV. They all climbed into
Luis's car
and took off.
"So, how'd you like my brother." Luis asked.
"looks a lot like you. When he first answered the door, I swore there
was a
mirror in the doorway. But when I started really looking at him, I
noticed a
few differences between you two. While both of you have those dreamy
brown
eyes..." Luis was blushing something fierce. "He doesn't have those
almost
feminine eyelashes of yours."
"I guess you're right." Luis said, "You should have seen the look on
Beth
and Gwen's faces. When they saw me and Antonio working out. I don't
know
personally, but Beth noticed."
"I would have loved to see that. You and Antonio working out. Especially
you.
I remember the way you looked in those shorts." Sheridan said.
Luis blushed and the rest of the trip home was spent in silence. They
stopped at the shelter and dropped Joey off.
"Bye Joey." Luis and Sheridan said.
"Bye, bye Joey!!" Gabrielle called out. They went back to Luis' house
and
went to sleep.
To Be Continued…
Chapter 5: The Proposal
About 3 or 4 weeks later, Luis, Sheridan, Gabrielle, and Joey were in
the
park having fun, when a shot was fired.
"Sheridan, stay close to me." Luis said. She grabbed Gabrielle, who
clung
to Luis' leg, Sheridan held Luis' hand tightly. And Joey held
Gabrielle's
hand.
Luis called Sam, "Sam, it's Luis. There has been a shot fired in the
park."
"I'm on my way." Sam said.
"Daddy?" Gabrielle asked. "What happened?"
Luis looked at his scared little girl and picked her up, "It's ok,
honey."
He said.
Everything was worked out. Someone had been trying ot shoot a bird.
Luis
decided to take Sheridan and the kids to the Cafe.
Hank walked in, after beeing gone for 2 years. Everyone welcomed him
with
hugs and kisses.
"Geez, what a welcome." He said playfully.
He looked at Joey, who was hanging back shyly. Sheridan nudged him.
"Hi, I'm Joey." He said, extendiing his hand. "I've herd a lot about
you
Mr. Bennett."
"Please call me Hank." He said, "Someone calling me Mr. Bennett makes
me
feel old." It was then that he noticed Gabrielle. She seemed familiar
to
him, but he couldn't quite place a face.
"Come on sweetie, come say hi to a firend of mine. Hank Bennett. Hank
this
is my daughter, Gabrielle." Sheridan said.
The fact hit Hank like a semi. He couldn't help but stare at Gabrielle
as
he walked over to her, "Hello, Gabrielle," he said extending his hand.
She
took it but was too shy to say anything. Hank had to smile. There was
something about her eyes that looked familiar, but didn't look like it
came
form Sheridan. 'Must be from her father.' He thought, 'Whoever he
is.'
"It's good to have you back, Hank." Luis said, catching Hank's
attention.
Hank turned and looked into Luis' eyes. It hit him who the father was.
"As
you probably already figured out, Gabrielle's me daughter too."
Hank nodded, "Cool."
The next day, Luis and Sheridan were talking. Luis was just about to
pull
the ring out of his pocket, when Reese, Jessica, Joey, and Gabrielle
came
through the front door.
"We're back," Gabrielle announced as she ran and plopped between Luis
and
Sheridan.
'Good timing,' Luis thought. He got up, picked Gabrielle up, and swung
her
around in the air. She giggled the whole time. "Did my little angle
have
fun today?"
"Sure did, daddy," She said, "we went walking in the park and hand a
picnic
and everything!" Sheridan loved the way Gabrielle took to calling
Luis,
daddy right away.
"Thats good," Luis said. He noticed Reese and Jessica were looking a
little
haggard, "Did these two ware you out?"
"Kind of," Jessica said. "They've just got so much energy, we could
barely
keep up."
"Well, we've got to be getting home." Reese said, "Would you like me
to
walk you home, Jessica?"
"Sure," She said.
Later that night...
Luis was tucking Joey in. "Good night Joey," he said quietly, though
Joey
was already asleep. They had called the shelter, to let them know
where
Joey was at, and where he was satying tonight. Luis just stood there
for a
few minutes, looking at Joey, 'It's so sad about his family,' He
thought.
Sheridan came out of the room across the hall and put a finger to her
lips.
"That girl. She's hard to get to sleep sometimes. Luckily she was out
when
I put her to bed. I wish I had a picture of her all cuddled up to Joey
when
they were asleep on the couch. THey were both so adorable!" Sheridan
said.
"I know," Luis said, softly, "they really seem to like each other."
Sheridan grinned, "He's a real sweetheart." She said, "So what's the
deal
with the shelter?"
"Well, Joey's mom and brothers and sisters were all in a car accident.
None
of them made it," Luis said, "Joey was at a friends house."
"So they put him in the shelter." Sheridan replied.
"Yep." Luis said.
Changing the subject, Sheridan asked, "Luis, you were acting like you
were
going to ask me something earlier. What was it?"
'I guess now's a good a time as any.' He thought. "Sheridan." He said,
taking her hand and dropping to one knee and taking the ring out of his
pocket, "Will you marry me?"
"YES!!!!!!" She said, almost too loud. She flung her arms around
Luis.
"Yes, I will marry you!" Luis hugged her and carried her into his
room.
There, he locked the door.
And now the last part of the story!!! Part 6... Gabrielle's Diary
February 15th 2003
Mom and dad's ceremony was beautiful. I got to be flower girl, While
Joey
walked along side me as ring berer. It was a double wedding, Ethan and
Aunt
Theresa decided to get married too!
Grandma pilar had gotten the money to pay for it. Uncle Antonio was
dad's
best man, while Sam Bennett gave mom away. Pilar gave Aunt Theresa
away,
and Chad was Eathan's best man.
Afterwords, I went with uncle Antonio while mom and dad went on their
honeymoon.
About a week later, they came back with a surprise, mom was pregnant.
ANd
this time, it was undoubtfully dad's. I was so excited. The nine
months
seemed to fly by, and mom was ready to have the baby. it was then that
I
met grandpa Crane. He and mon had a fight around the time that I was
born
and hadn't talked until a few short days ago.
My baby brother was born, Austin James Lopez-Fitzgerald.
Mom and Dad also decided to adopt Joey, and it all went through great.
Austin is now 2 years old. Mom and dad are still together and are very
much
in love. THey have their fights, but their love pulls them through
every
time!
November 25th 2005
Oh my gosh!!! She's adorable! I guess I should explain who "she" is.
Aunt
Theresa gave birth to my cousin, Anabel Marie Winthrop. Ethan had
decided
to use his mother's name.
As the space in my diary shortens, I wonder what the rest of my life
holds.
What will it bring me? But I have no more space left, so this is
Gabrielle
Lopez-Fitzgerald signing off. Until next time!!
THE END