To Love Again

To Love Again
Author : K.Chloë Erwin-Seidel
Rating : A

Disclaimer : I’m no way associated with James E.Reilly, Nbc-Passions – Outpost farm…the actors, writers – aurgh – no one who makes any money.

Things you should probably keep and mind and know…
Sheridan has an eleven year old daughter, Jerrica McKenzie Crane, and is thirty-two. She’s currently dating Hank Bennett, who’s Luis Lopez-Fitzgerald’s best friend. Hank and Luis are thirty-four. Sheridan and Hank have been dating for two months. Eleven years ago, Sheridan married a wealthy man named Christopher Leigh – whom she divorced six years after. Christopher cheated on Sheridan often, he was ten years older than her and took advantage of her love. He used her for her name – but she caught on. He’s always wanted to raise Jerrica – but he lost the custody battle, years ago. Luis is Sheridan’s lawyer – Ethan’s her nephew and is married to Theresa Lopez-fitzgerald-Crane. Ethan is Thirty-one and Theresa’ s twenty eight.

Part One : Too bad you can’t grow younger

“I don’t like Hank.” Jerrica shouted as she sat on her mothers bed. She glared at Sheridan as she was preparing for her date.
“Jerrica – You don’t like anyone I date!” Sheridan sighed as she finished putting her earing on.
“That isn’t true. I liked daddy.” Jerrica smirked as she brushed her long blonde hair.
“Yes…but I don’t like your daddy. You only like him because he buys you whatever you want. He spoils you. I still can’t believe he bought you that horse. It’s ridiculas – it’s…I don’t keep you from seeing him on your weekends – just as you shouldn’t keep me from seeing Hank.”
“I don’t like him though.” Jerrica paused, “Shouldn’t we agree on who become’s my new father?”
“I’m not marrying him, jerrica!”
“Then why are you even dating him?”
“Because – one day I may marry him!”
“I don’t want you to marry him, mother.”
“Why not? Your father and I are never getting back together so…”
“That’s fine.” Jerrica shrieked, “But at least DADDY didn’t have bad breath.”
“pardon me?”
“Hank has bad breath. It smells like smoke. I hate smoke. I hate Hank.”
“I don’t need this right now – aren’t you happy you’re going over to Ethan and Theresa’s?”
“Cousin Madison doesn’t like Hank neither.”
“I’ve had enough of this. Jerrica – get out of my room – come back when your attitude’s adjusted.” Sheridan lightly grabbed jerrica’s armed, shoved her out of the door and closed it behind her.
“I don’t like you either!” Jerrica screamed through the closed door, “I wish I lived with Daddy!”
Sheridan gritted her teeth and procceeded to get ready for her date. Hank was going to be there in a half an hour. “I can’t believe she’s my daughter sometimes…” She muttered to herself, “Hank’s breath’s not that bad.”

Ding-dong Jerrica knew her mother was in the washroom and couldn’t hear the doorbell. She grinned as she walked to the front door and opened it.
“Hank.” She said flatly.
“Hey you kiddo…” Hank said happily, “Where’s your mother?”
“She’s in the washroom.” She paused, “You can come in the living room.” Hank followed Jerrica and sat on the couch.
“do you want anything to drink while mother gets ready?”
“That’s okay, I’m fine.”
“Whatever.” Jerrica walked over to the tiny little chest behind the sofa and pulled out an old photo book. She brought it to the couch where hank sat at, one seat away. She happily began paging through it.
“Whatcha look’n at there, Jer?” Hank asked as he moved next to her.
“It’s a family photo album.” Jerrica said happily, “This is my mom and dad, together, don’t they look completely in love?” She pointed to the photo underneath that one, “This is me with them. This is my favourite family photo.”
“I see.” Hank nodded uncomfortably. He shifted and heard foot steps.
“Jerrica – did Hank call yet?” Sheridan asked as she walked into the living room. She saw the photo album in Jerrica’s lap and saw Hank’s uncomfortable expression, “Oh God…” She walked quickly over to the two, “hank! I’m sorry…” She gave Jerrica an ‘oh-you-are-so-dead look’.
“it’s all right, Sher.” Hank stood up and smiled, “She was just showing me your old family photos…”
“I see…I’m sorry.” She paused, “Before we go out to dinner – could we drop Jerrica over at Ethan and Theresa’s?”
“Yeah, yeah, don’t worry about it.” Hank smiled at Jerrica who was responding with a glare.
Sheridan glanced over at Jerrica who was plugging her nose, and mouthed, “stinky breath.” Sheridan mouthed ‘stop’ and Jerrica stood up angrily.
“What are we waiting for mother? Let’s go.”
Hank shrugged and followed her out of the house.

“Thanks again for being here, Luis.” Sheridan smiled as she shook his hand. He was absolutely gorgeous! She had seen him a couple of times – one being at Ethan and Theresa’s wedding. But she had never really gotten to talk to him or know him. She had just moved to Harmony a year ago.
“Hey – don’t worry about it. I know it wasn’t your fault.” He sat down next to her at the kitchen table.
“Hank tells me you’re the best lawyer in all of Massachusettes.” Sheridan watched as Luis flipped through his papers. She couldn’t believe how gorgeous this man was! She felt terrible for being effected this way – she was dating his best friend! But the moment she shook his hand she felt tingles shoot through her.
“No…no way. I’m all right – I don’t think I’m the best.” Luis flashed her another smile and she felt her knees weaken. She felt like she was a teenager again! Her hormones were out of control. She breathed quickly, god was he gorgeous! And modest…he was perfect. No, he wasn’t perfect – he wasn’t perfect because he wasn’t hers. She was with Hank. She had to keep reminding herself that.
“Okay – are you willing to head downtown to my office tomorrow at ten? I think we can drop this case soon. I mean, there was not much damage, and he was the one that ran the stop…so you should be okay. And if he wants to take this further, I’ll kill him in court.” Luis looked at Sheridan, who had to be the single most beautiful woman he had ever seen. Her short blonde curls edged along her beautiful face made his heart skip beats. And her body – god she had a body! He felt his blood boil, she was the most gorgeous woman he had ever, ever laid eyes on.
“Whatever you suggest…I’ll go! I mean…I trust you completely on this. You look like you know what you’re doing.” Sheridan said honestly.
“Thanks.” Luis answered as he looked into Sheridan’s eyes. He didn’t mean to – but because he had he couldn’t seem to get himself to look away. A man could get lost in that pool of blue. He had to get a hold of himself! She was his best friend’s girlfriend! However…they weren’t dating…exclusively…
She too couldn’t seem to break the gaze. His eyes were so warm and they made her feel like there were butterflies fluttering in her stomach. The feeling was ridiculas – she was in her thirties, yet she felt like a little girl with a big crush.
“Mom!” Sheridan quickly broke the gaze and turned to Jerrica who was leaning against the counter, “When’s dinner?”
“Jerrica.” Sheridan said as she quickly collected herself, “This is Mr.Lopez-Fitzgerald.”
“She can call me…” He began, and smiled at the four-foot-eight blonde, “You can call me Luis.”
Jerrica returned the smile, “Nice to meet you Luis.”
“Pleasures all mine.” Luis shook the hand she held out. Sheridan watched this scene, puzzled. Was her daughter really being this nice?
“We’ll order pizza in half an hour…” She paused and turned to Luis, “Would you like to stay?”
“Um…I don’t know – I don’t want to intrude…”
“No, please stay, Luis.” Jerrica interrupted. Jerrica gazed at this man in awe. He had to be the most handsome man she had ever seen…he was like a live Ken Doll – but better.
“Well…” Luis began as he looked at Sheridan.
“Jerrica would like you to stay. I’d like you to stay, too.”
“All right.” He nodded. He stood up suddenly and it startled Sheridan.
“Whoa – is there anything you need?” Sheridan asked quickly.
“Oh – washroom? Where’s your washroom?”
“Down the hall and to your left?” Sheridan answered in a question-like tone.
“Thanks.” Luis smiled again and walked down the hall.

“I guess I’ll order the pizza.” Sheridan sighed.
“Mom?” Jerrica called sweetly.
“Mmm hmm?” Sheridan answered as she flipped through the phone book.
“Who’s Luis?”
“My lawyer…he’s dealing with my accident.”
“Oh.” Jerrica felt herself glow. ‘good – mother’s not dating him.’
“Why?” Sheridan said suspiciously as she began dialing the numbers.
“No reason.” Jerrica answered, “I’m going upstairs to my room…I’ll be back when the pizza’s here.”
“All right Jer.” Sheridan nodded as Jerrica faded down the hall and up the stairs.

Jerrica walked into her room and fell backward on her bed. “I think I’m in love…” She sighed as she pulled out her diary from between her matresses. “Luis Lopez-Fitzgerald…Sure…there’s an age difference…but that won’t matter in a few years.” She began writing in her diary…

Dear Diary,
I am completely in love with this man – Luis Lopez-Fitzgerald. I’ve heard auntie Theresa speak of him – but I never in a million years thought he would turn out to be this handsome! He’s perfect. My mother hasn’t sunk her claws into this guy – yet. She likes Hank a lot anyway, and Luis – well he doesn’t seem like my mother’s type. He’s too perfect. She seems to like nasty guys – like Hank. I don’t like Hank at all. Everything about him – his breath stinks, his hairs gross, I hate the way he dresses…and he’s so fake. Even his smiles not nice. Luis has a beautiful smile. He smiled at me – maybe he likes me. I’m going to marry him. Anyway, dear diary, I have to work on my speech arts – I’m going to make it to the finals again, this year. Grade five – man am I excited! Must flee.
Love,
Jerrica C.

Luis followed Sheridan into her office and glanced around the room. “It’ s a gorgeous study.” Luis said as he sat down on the couch.
“Thanks.” Sheridan smiled as she opened up her desk drawer, “I put the papers here somewhere – I just can’t seem to remember.”
“Don’t worry about it, happens all the time with me.” Luis chuckled as he watched her pull folder after folder out of her desk.
“I just – I don’t – I know I left it in here…”
“What’s the folder look like?”
“It’s about an inch thick – it has a black stripe where the binding is…there should be a red…”
“Sticker that says ‘May’.”
“Yeah! How’d you know?” Sheridan asked happily as she looked at Luis.
“Because I’m looking at it.” He pointed across the room on top of a few books on the top of her book shelf. “It’s right there.”
“Great!” Sheridan laughed, “I got…” she began reaching and realized it was too high up. She pulled one of her stools over to her and climbed up, “got it – god I’m so forgetful sometimes…it’s so embarassing…” As she was about to come down her pant leg caught under her foot and she slipped. Luckily, Luis was there, so as she fell he stood up from his seat and caught her.
They were so close together, and she was sure he could feel her heart beat a million miles per minute. “Thanks.” She whispered.
“Sure, no problem.” He smiled at her, and he obviously didn’t realize the effect it had on her. She felt her insides tingle and she was sure she was blushing because her face heated quickly.
She was tempted to say, ‘you can let go of me’ but she kind of liked being there – in his arms.
“Are you all right?” He asked softly.
“Perfect…” She trailed off as his head began to instinctively lower. Just as their lips almost met – the doorbell rang.
“Pizza.” She said as she stumbled out of his arms, “I’ll be right back…” As she was about to leave the room she turned to him, “You can head to the kitchen…”