Girl Next Door (Complete)

[Nicole Will]

Here is a little background for this story.

Luis is married to Beth, but don’t worry this is a shuis fic.
He hasn’t met Sheridan
YET.
Luis and Beth have been married for less than a year.

Prologue


Sheridan had just arrived at 408 Elmwood Apartments. She has been looking for the perfect apartment to move to since her fiancé was caught cheating with his father’s maid. The landlord had showed her first a one-bedroom apartment with no porch and she refused to live in something that small. He then showed her a two-bedroom apartment with a walk out porch. She fell in love with it right away.

“I’ll take it.” She said in a cheery voice. The landlord was pleased that he could finally please the lady.

“So when can I move in?”

“Whenever you like miss?”

“I would like to move in this weekend.”

When Sheridan returned to her soon to be old home, she ran into Gwen.

“Hey Gwen, can you help me move this weekend?”

“Sorry Sher, I have a date with Hank.”

“Fine, I will do it myself.

When the weekend came, Sheridan didn’t waste any time moving. She lifted the boxes she could and brought them into her new home. When she was walking into her apartment, she heard a voice behind her.

“Hey, I’m Beth your neighbor.”

“I’m Sheridan.”

“Do you need any help moving boxes in because I have a strong man in the house that could help?”

“I don’t want to be of any trouble at all.”

“Don’t worry about it. LUIS?” Beth yelled. “Can you please help out new neighbor move in some of her boxes?”

Sheridan then saw the most gorgeous dark man walk out. She was immediately looking him over and Beth didn’t even notice. Luis saw her look him over and gave her a shy smile. Sheridan blushed.

“Luis, she needs help and I am sure you will help her, right hunny?”

“Of Course. It would be my honor.” He said while taking in her baby blue eyes.

Chapter One


After all the boxes and furniture were moved in, Sheridan thanked Luis.

“Thank you so much. I would probably still be trying to lift the first box you brought in for me.”

“Well with these muscles” he said while flexing, “it is easy.”

“You think you are so macho, huh?”

“What can I say?”

They both began laughing so hard their stomachs started to hurt.

“Is everything ok in here?” Beth said just entering the front door to Sheridan’s apartment.

“Yep, Luis is just being a comedian..having to flex his muscles and show off.”

“Hunny, those muscles are only for me.” Beth gave her puppy dog eyes.

After seeing what Beth was doing, Sheridan looked at Luis and rolled her eyes.

Luis couldn’t help but laugh out loud, which was a mistake because Beth was extremely pissed off.

“LUIS, how dare you laugh at me! You are sleeping on the couch or better yet the car.”

“Beth babe, I’m Sorry”

“Save it” and she stormed out of the apartment and slammed the door shut for hers.

“I didn’t mean to get you in trouble.”

“Don’t worry about it. Sometimes I wonder if I even know the person I am married to. I even wonder if I married her too soon. Here I am rambling on about my problems. I am sure you don’t even want to here them.”

“Don’t worry. I don’t mind. Why don’t you sit down on the couch and I will get us something to drink and we can get to know each other……as neighbors.” The last two words were said so Luis didn’t get suspicious of why Sheridan wanted to spend time with him.

Inside the kitchen, Sheridan kept on thinking about why she wanted to get to KNOW him. “Why do I feel this way towards a man I just met?”

In the living room Luis was wondering, “Sheridan is really a great person. Why did I marry Beth? I should have waited. Now what am I going to do?”

Sheridan walked out into the living room with two cups of coffee.

“Here you go. I am sorry, but I need to go grocery shopping tomorrow.”

“That is ok. I should probably get going to bed soon. I work tomorrow morning.”

“Where do you work?”

“Harmony PD”

“You are a cop.”

“That is what works at the PD, isn’t it.”

“I guess you are right. Boy do I must sound like an idiot right now?”

“You could never be.” He said with such sincerity.

Luis was about to get up when Sheridan asked, “Luis since it is my fault that you can’t sleep in your own bed, why don’t you just sleep on my couch. I am sure it would be a lot more comfortable than your car.” “Good on Sher, now he probably thinks you are coming on to him.” She thought.

“Are you sure? I mean you just moved in and you don’t know me. For all you know I can be a serial killer.”

“Very funny. You said you were a police officer and I believe you. Let me get you a pillow and blanket.” She left the room and all Luis could do was watch the way she swayed her hips as she walked. He was staring into space that he didn’t even realize that Sheridan came back into the room.

“Is everything all right?”

“Yep, I was just thinking.”

“About Beth?”

“Yep, but I don’t want to talk about it until I process what happened.”

“No problem. Do you need an alarm clock set for a specific time?”

“6 would be great.”

“I will wake you up when it goes off.”

“Thanks and Good night.”

“You are welcome and good night.”

Neither would be getting any sleep during the night because they would be having dreams about each other.

They both were tossing and turning. Finally, Luis sat up and wondered why he was dreaming about Sheridan and not his wife. “What is wrong with me?”

Sheridan was having the same problem. She wondered why she kept on having sexual dreams about Luis. “I just met him today and already I can’t get him out of my mind. And he is MARRIED. Get a grip Sheridan.” She said while facing the mirror in bed.

Across the hallway in number 5, Beth was wondering why Luis didn’t come and apologize like he usually did. She didn’t know why but her emotions were off lately.

Chapter Two


At six o’clock, the alarm in Sheridan’s room went off.

She woke up stunned in bed and wondered why she set the alarm in the first place.

“That is right. Luis is sleeping in the living room. Better go and wake him up.”

She crawled out of bed and grabbed her robe. Once in the living room, she spotted Luis still sleeping on the couch.

“Why does he have to be so d**n gorgeous and MARRIED?” she wondered.

She started to shake him gently and call out “Luis. Luis. It is six.”

All of a sudden, an arm reached up and grabbed her bringing her down towards the couch. She struggled to move out of his grip but couldn’t. His eyes were still closed when she looked at him.

“He must be dreaming. Luis, it is time to get up.” She said in a soft voice.

“Oh, Sheridan.” He said in his sleep.

“Is he dreaming about me?” Her eyes were wide.

Luis opened his eyes and stared at the vision in front of him, on him. His arms wee holding her against him. All of a sudden, Luis reached up and brought her face to his. She made a slight gasp when his lips brushed against hers. She knew she shouldn’t be doing it, but her heart was telling her to continue.

When her tongue slid out and outlined his lips, he opened up, giving her full access. As soon as the kiss was deepened, Luis finally snapped out of his dreaming.

“Sh..Sher…Sheridan”

At the sound of his voice, Sheridan pulled back and looked at his eyes. His eyes held passion, wanting, and confusion.

“Why are we kissing?”

Sheridan let out a weak chuckle and said, “I came out to wake you, but you must have been dreaming because you reached up and started kissing me. I knew I should have….” She was rambling on when Luis put his finger to her mouth and silenced her.

“Don’t worry about it. I should be saying sorry for grabbing you like I did.”

“Like I said, you were dreaming. Probably about Beth.”

Luis was trying to recall his dream when it hit him. He was dreaming about making love to Sheridan. ‘What is wrong with me? I am a married man.” He thought.

KNOCK KNOCK

Sheridan rose to answer the door. When she opened the door Beth was standing there.

“Have you seen Luis? He didn’t come back last night.”

Luis looked over from the couch and started yelling, “If I recall you kicked me out last night and Sheridan was nice enough to offer her couch instead of me sleeping in the car.”

“I am sorry. I didn’t mean to kick you out.”

“Oh really? Why is it that at least once a week, I am kicked out of my own home?”

“Can we talk about this in private?” Beth was pleading with Luis.

“Actually I need to get ready for work. So I am going to go take a shower in my apartment and get dressed, then head off to work.”

When Luis stormed out of the apartment and slammed the door to his, Beth turned to Sheridan, “STAY AWAY FROM HIM. HE IS MINE.” She yelled and walked out.

“What the hell was that about?” she said out loud.

When Beth opened the door to her apartment, Luis was in the bedroom getting dressed.

“Luis can we talk?”

“I don’t have time.” He said in an annoyed voice.

“YOU HAVE TIME TO SLEEP WITH OUR NEW NEIGHBOR, BUT DON’T HAVE TIME TO TALK TO YOUR WIFE. I GET IT.” She screamed.

“I am not like you. I have NEVER cheated on you. If I recall, you cheated on my once month after we were married. So don’t call me the cheater when it is obviously you.” He screamed back. “Now I am going to work, dear.” He said sarcastically. He slammed the door behind him.

In apartment number 4, Sheridan was back in bed sleeping when she started having a dream about making love to Luis.

“Oh, LUIS.” She moaned in her sleep. She abruptly woke up and wondered why she was dreaming about Luis.

“Oh God. What am I going to do? He is married, but I still want him and I KNOW he was dreaming about me.”

RING RING

“Hello”

“Hey Sheridan, it’s Luis. Can you meet me for lunch at noon at the café on Twelfth Street.”

“Sure, but is something wrong?”

“Nope. See you at noon. Bye.”

“Bye”



Beth had decided that she was going to make it up to Luis.

RING RING

“Hello Harmony PD”

“Can I speak to Lopez-Fitzgerald?”

“Just a second”

“Hello”

“Luis it’s Beth. Do you want to have lunch later?”

“I can’t. I have too much work to do today. Gotta Go.”

“Bye Luis. Love you.”

“Bye”

‘He didn’t even say he loved me.’ Beth began to cry. ‘What is wrong with me? All I do is cry or get mad.’

The realization finally hit her. ‘Oh God. What if I am pregnant?’


Chapter Three


At noon, Sheridan walked into the diner and looked around. She spotted Luis in the back corner booth. As she approached him, Luis’ brown eyes connected with her blue eyes.

“Thanks for meeting me here.” He said while never taking away the connection his eyes had on hers.

“No Problem. Why did you want to meet me here?” She had a questioning look on her face.

“I wanted to apoligize for Beth’s actions this morning.”

“Don’t worry about it. I am sure she didn’t mean to come of so strong with me.”

“What did she say to you?” His curiosity was peaked.

“Something about you being hers. I wasn’t paying to much attention to her.” Luis could automatically see that she was hurt by what Beth said because she was beginning to have tears in her eyes.

“Why don’t we order something to eat and then we can talk about ways I can make up Beth’s actions to you.”

“That isn’t necessary. I don’t want to cause problems in your marriage.”

“If anything is going wrong with my marriage, it certainly wouldn’t be your fault. If anything it would be my wife’s fault.” He said snidely.

“Don’t mind me asking, but are you sure you are ok and your marriage?”

“Beth and I are going through a rough time right now and I think I know why, but I need proof to prove it.”

As Sheridan was talking with Luis, Beth was walking by the diner and decided to get something to eat.

‘Since Luis is too busy to eat with me then I will just eat here by myself’ Beth thought.

When she walked in, she saw Luis sitting at the far corner booth with Sheridan. Her rage was fueling.

Beth stormed up to Luis and Sheridan. The couple didn’t seem to notice her walking up to them; they were so caught up in each other.

“So Luis, too busy to have lunch with me?” Beth screamed.

Everyone in the diner turned to look at the three people by the far booth.

“Beth this isn’t what it looks like. I invited Sheridan here before you called and asked me.”

Beth looked at Sheridan and screamed, “I told you to stay away from him you hore.”

Sheridan just sat there listening to Beth scream at her, tears sliding down her face. Luis looked at Sheridan and stood up to stop Beth.

“Beth, LEAVE!” he said pointing to the door. “I don’t want to see you make Sheridan cry.”

“So you care more about her than your own wife. Fine be that way. I WILL BE AT MY MOTHER’S, IF YOU WANT TO TALK.” She said while screaming. The manager came up to Beth and asked her to leave since she was scaring away customers. Beth had never been so humiliated in her life that she stormed out of the diner without Luis even noticing. He was to consumed in stopping Sheridan from crying.

“Hey, It is ok.” He said while getting up from his spot and sitting directly next to her. He took her in his arms and rubbed soothing circles on her back.

“I am so sorry Luis. I did it again. I am ruining your marriage.”

“Like I said before, it is not your fault.” Luis put his finger under her chin and lifted her chin up. She was looking directly at him through her tear-filled eyes. His eyes fell to her lips and he wondered what it would be like to kiss her.

His head started to dip and his lips were inching their ways toward her warm inviting lips. Within seconds, their lips met and were involved in the most passionate kiss, either had ever experienced.

What they didn’t know was that Beth had come back to apoligize to Sheridan and Luis and had witnessed the couple’s first intimate moment.

Chapter Four


“So he can have an affair and I can’t? You just wait Mr.” Beth stormed back inside. “Luis, That is it. You better be ready to pack your bags cause I am kicking you out.”

Luis and Sheridan were still kissing when Beth started her rantings. After hearing Beth, Sheridan quickly released from the kiss just in time to see Beth walking back towards them.

“You little sleeper.” Beth screamed at Sheridan.

“Beth, leave her alone. You are making a scene here.” Luis looked around and realized that everyone in the diner was staring at them again.

Beth turned to Luis and yelled, “and you. How could you cheat on me?”

“Excuse me. Cheat on you? Last time I checked you seem to have a thing to cheat on me.” Luis’ temper was riding at an alarming rate. “In fact, did I mention that some guy named Chip called?”

“WH..WH.. Who’s Chip?” She stuttered.

“Nice try Beth. I pretended to be your brother and he told me you were seeing each other.”

Beth’s eyes were wide because her secret was out.

“So Beth, I think you are the one that will have their bags packed. TONIGHT. Now get out!” He said pointing to the door.

“Luis, can we talk about this.” Beth was crying and begging Luis to give her another chance.

“Go to hell.”

Sheridan was sitting back and listening to Luis and Beth yelling at each other and she realized that she was the cause of it. Sheridan was in tears when she suddenly got up from the seat and ran out of the diner.

“Sheridan, Wait!” Luis was yelling at her as she was going out the door. Luis got up from his seat and started to run after her when Beth grabbed him.

“Let go of me. You have caused enough problems.” And Luis left Beth sit there alone at the diner while he went searching for Sheridan.

After sitting in the diner alone, Beth decided that she needed to meet Luis at home so they could talk about what just happened. She needed Luis to believe her, she only saw the man once, about a month ago. ‘Why is he calling me now?” Beth wondered.

As she was getting up from the table, a hand from behind tapped her on the shoulder. When she turned around there was the manager that had kicked her out before and the police.


Chapter Five


“Officer, can I have my one phone call?” Beth screamed from behind the bars. The officer gave her a go to hell look. “I have rights you know. My husband works here. You will be in BIG trouble.”

“That is right. You are the very *friendly* person of a wife he has. Last time I talked to Luis, he said he was divorcing you for cheating on him.”

“He said he was divorcing me?” Beth was started to get tears in her eyes. ‘What have I done?’ Beth thought.

“That is right. Now shut your trap and wait for your lawyer to come.”



Luis had been wondering around town and still had no idea where Sheridan could have went.

‘Maybe she went home.’ Luis thought. He started heading back to the apartments.

When he arrived at her door, he thought he heard her sobbing for the other side. He knocked and waited for her to answer. No one came.

“Sher, Open up it’s Luis.” When she finally opened the door, Luis was looking at her puffy red eyes. He could tell that she had been crying for a while.

“Sheridan, I..”

“Luis, please don’t. I think it is for the best if we didn’t see each other anymore.”

“Don’t say that.”

“You are married and I just came between you and your wife.”

“No Sher, she did. She has been cheating on me from the beginning. I just feel like a fool that I didn’t see it sooner.”

“But Luis, you were cheating on her with me. We kissed and to me that is cheating. I am sorry,” she began crying uncontrollably. “But I can’t be the one to become you and Beth.”

“Are you saying that you are sorry that we kissed?” Luis had a hurt look in his eyes and Sheridan saw it.

“Yes, I am sorry.” Luis was on the verge of tears when she had said she was sorry that they kissed. He could never be sorry. When he was kissing her, he felt alive. Something he hadn’t felt in so long.

“Well, I hope we can be friends?” He asked hopefully.

“I am not sure that it would be a good idea.”

“Please.” She looked into his pleading eyes and couldn’t refuse him.

“friends.” She said while flashing him her smile, a smile only meant for him.

Well, I am going to let you rest now. Talk to you later, Sher.”

“Ok.” And she shut the door.

‘Oh Luis, What have I gotten myself into?’ She went into her room to lie down and think about what had happened today.

When Luis walked into his apartment, he looked around hoping to see Beth’s stuff gone. To his disappointment, everything was still there.

‘Where is she and why isn’t she here packing up her things?’ Luis wondered.

He didn’t think about Beth for long because his thoughts were consumed with Sheridan. He decided he needed to take a shower and relax. He walked to the bathroom door when the phone rang. ‘Who would be calling me now? Oh well, I am going to let the machine get it.’ He thought as he walked into the shower.



Beth was still at the station with the phone in her hands. She was waiting for Luis to pick up the phone.

“Time’s up Beth. Time to go back to your cell.” The officer stated.

“But, I am trying to get in touch with Luis.”

“I don’t care if you were trying to get a hold of your “boyfriend”. Now get back in your cell.” He pointed at the cell. Beth huffed and began to walk back to her cell.

‘Where could Luis be? Probably in bed with Sheridan.” Beth thought bitterly. ‘When I get out of here, I am going to make that pregnant dog’s life hell.’

The door to Beth’s cell closed.

Chapter Six


When Luis woke up the next morning, he heard loud music coming from someone’s apartment.

“God d**n it. How can anyone listen to this at…,” He looked at the alarm clock on the nightstand. “ten o’clock in the morning?” Luis rolled out of bed and went to investigate the noise. He opened the front door to his apartment and saw Sheridan’s door wide open. The blaring music was coming from her apartment. Luis wasn’t going to do anything about it since it was Sheridan.

Luis knocked on the door and was surprised to see another woman and man beside Sheridan painting the walls. Sheridan turned around and saw Luis. She gave him one of her radiating smiles.

“Hi Luis. I hope you don’t mind the music.”

“No, not at all.” He said while flashing her a grin.

“Sheridan, who is this?” Gwen asked.

I am sorry Gwen. This is Luis, my neighbor.”

“Luis, this is Gwen and her boyfriend Hank.”

“Hello.” Luis said while shaking Hank and Gwen’s hands.

“We were just painting the walls. I hate white walls.”

“I can see that.” He looked down and saw that her clothes were covered in a lavender colored paint. He was lightly laughing.

“Are you laughing at me?” Sheridan asked with a fake pout.

Gwen and Hank looked at the two of them playing.

“Hank, isn’t it so obvious that they like each other?” Gwen whispered.

Gwen, don’t start interfering in Sheridan’s love life again.”

“I am sorry, but you can’t help but wonder what kind of relationship they would have.”

“get those ideas out of your head.”

“Fine.” Gwen said with a pout. They put their attention back at the two that seemed to be in their own world.

“I am not laughing at you, just your clothes.” Luis said while laughing.

“Why Luis that is it.” Her rage began fueling. She picked up a bucket of paint and dumped it on his head. She began laughing hysterically.

“I cannot believe you did that.” Luis said with a look of surprise in his eyes. He all of a sudden got a playful look to him and attacked Sheridan. They fell to the floor getting more paint on them.

“Excuse me. We hate to interrupt here, but Hank and I need to get going. We will be back later Sheridan to help paint some more.” Gwen said.

Luis and Sheridan looked up at them. Sheridan was finally aware of their position and pushed Luis off of her.

“Bye Sheridan and Luis.” Gwen waved as she walked out with Hank.

“I think I am going to take another shower.” Luis was about to leave when Sheridan stopped him.

“Since you are already covered in paint, why don’t you help me paint some more?” She flashed him another smile. He was done for.

“Of course I will help you.” He flashed her his smile.

They began to paint the walls of her living room with the music still blaring.

-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*

“Excuse me officer I think I need a doctor,” Beth said right after she threw up in a pail the station gave her.

“Don’t worry. The doctor should be here shortly to check on you.” The officer stated.

“Where is Officer Lopez-Fitzgerald today?” Beth asked.

“You can call him your husband. We all know who you are. And Luis has the day off.”

“Can you try and reach him for me?” Beth pleaded with the guard.

“No can do. You must make that call yourself.”

Just then, the doctor came in. The officer opened up the cell and let the doctor walk in.

“Thank you Eve.” Beth said.

“Tell me what’s wrong.” Eve asked.

“I think I am pregnant.”

“Okay, we just need to do a pregnancy test to find out. I have one in my bag and we can do it here. It should only take five minutes to find out.”

“Ok.”

Beth took the test and waited the five minutes.

Eve looked at the results and said, “You’re……

[Nicole Will]

Chapter Seven


“Well Eve, What does the results say?”

“You’re pregnant Beth.”

“WHAT?” Beth eyes were bulging out of her head when she looked down at the positive sign on the stick. She suddenly got the biggest smile on her face that she possibly could. “Luis is going to be so happy.”

“I am sure, but I think as soon as you get out of here, you should come and see me and we can check you and the baby out.”

“Sounds great.” Beth still couldn’t get the smile of her face. Eve walked out of the cell and the sound of bars echoing in Beth’s ears brought her back to reality. “How am I going to get out of here?”

@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@

After Luis and Sheridan had finished painting the living room walls with the lavender color, Luis and Sheridan stood back and admired their work.

“You didn’t do too bad of a job Sheridan. Of course not as good as mine.” He said with a playful tone.

“You better watch it cause if I remember right, the reason you are covered in paint is because I dumped it on your head.” She suddenly looked over to the opened paint can at the other side of the room. Luis saw where her eyes were going and darted across the room.

“Oh no you don’t.” He said while catching her before she grabbed the paint. Sheridan found herself in Luis’s arms and thinking about how good it felt.

‘Stop it Sher. He is married, already taken.’ She scolded herself.

Luis was having the same talk to himself. ‘Stop it Luis, you are still married. You can’t be having feelings about another woman while you are still married. Oh, but the kiss in the diner was so amazing.’ He suddenly looked down at her lips and remembered how good it felt to have his lips crush against hers. The surge of warmth he felt.

Sheridan just looked into Luis’s eyes and got lost in them. She saw that he kept looking at her lips and she then had the urge to kiss him. As they were inching their way towards each other’s lips, someone could be heard clearing their throat.

Luis and Sheridan pulled away from each other and turned to look at the door to see Gwen and Hank at the door. Sheridan finally realized that she was still in Luis’s arms.

“You can let me down now.” She whispered in his ear. He set her down and noticed the warmth he felt while holding her was gone. They returned their attention back at the door to see Gwen and Hank sporting an amused look on their face.

“Gwen, Hank. What are you doing here?” Sheridan asked.

“We did saw we would be back tonight, didn’t we?” Gwen asked still with the grin on her face. Sheridan shot the shut up look at Gwen. “Hank and I brought over some more of your clothes that was in storage at our place.”

“Oh, I forgot I had stuff in storage at your place. Luis can you help Hank bring it up. I need to talk with Gwen.” She gave both guys the please look and both gave in.

When Luis was outside helping Hank carry more boxes in, Sheridan was inside getting some advice from Gwen.

“Oh Gwen, What am I going to do?” She huffed and sat in a chair opposite from Gwen.

“I can tell you like him Sheridan. So what is holding you back?”

“The fact that he is still married.”

“But you said he was filing for divorce.”

“He said he is, but he still would be cheating in his wife with me. Maybe I should just wait to make a move on him until after the divorce is finalized. Yes, that is it.” Sheridan got the biggest smile on her face when she figured out a way to get by her present situation.

“I still think it would be a good idea just to be with him now. I mean, you both know you like each other from what you are telling me and by what we walked in on.”

“Gwen, if I ended up sleeping with ever guy I liked, I would end up sleeping with almost every guy in Maine.” Gwen just laughed.

@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@

Outside Hank and Luis were talking and getting to know each other.

“How long have you and Gwen known Sheridan?” Luis asked. Anything and everything about Sheridan seemed to fascinate him.

“Gwen has known her since kindergarten and I have known her since last year. Gwen introduced us.”

“Can I ask you something Hank?”

“Sure.”

“If you want to let a girl know you are interested in her, how do you go about it?”

“How come you know so little about girls?”

“I married my high school sweetheart, which was a big mistake.” Luis said.

“What happened? If you don’t mind me asking.” Hank seemed like a nice guy so Luis told him all about his relationship with Beth from high school till the time they got married. He then went ahead to tell him about Beth’s betrayals.

“Then, I guess if I wanted to win Sheridan’s heart I would go slow with her because she has had too much heartache in her life so far. Be sweet and gentle. Let things take its course.”

“Thanks a lot man.” He smiled thinking about Hank had said about taking it slow. He was going to romance her till she couldn’t stop herself from opening up to him.

Luis and Hank each grabbed a box and brought it upstairs.

“How much clothes does this woman have?” Luis tried to say while being out of breath trying to carry the heave box up stairs.

“Don’t ask. Gwen has too much too.”

Once inside the apartment, Luis and Hank went to put down the boxes and Hank went to get the last box. Luis went to go find Sheridan. He heard her in the kitchen talking to Gwen about him. Luis didn’t want to eavesdrop, but they were talking about him. He leaned in closer to the door so he could hear better.

“Sheridan, Think about what I said.” He heard Gwen say.

“But Gwen, to sleep with a man I hardly knew for forty-eight hours is a little bit extreme.”

Luis stopped listening when he heard that Sheridan was thinking about sleeping with him. A smile crept to his face. Maybe Hank’s advice would work. Go slow with her and romance her. He was definitely looking forward to romancing her. Now if only he could figure out were Beth went and why her stuff was still in his apartment.

Luis decided to make his presence known. He opened the door to show himself to Gwen and Sheridan.

Sheridan looked nervous and wondering how much he heard. “Luis how long have you been there?”

“I just got here and put your boxes by the couch.”

“Oh.”

“I am going to go back to my place and take a shower.”

“Okay.” He thought he sensed a slight disappointment coming from Sheridan.

“See you later.”

“Bye Luis.” And with that said he left.

“What are you waiting for Sheridan? Go after him.”

“Do you really think I should just go right up to him and be forward with him?”

“Yes. Now go.” Gwen said while pointing out to the door.

Sheridan walked out of the kitchen and ran into Hank.

“Hey Sheridan. Where are you going?” Sheridan didn’t answer.

“Hank, I think it is time to leave.” Gwen shoved Hank out the door and walked down the stairs.

Sheridan was slowly inching her way towards Luis’s door and started to raise her hand and get ready to knock. She finally got enough courage to knock on the door. To her surprise, a shirtless Luis answered the door.

‘Oh God. I am in big trouble.’ Sher thought before being escorted into his apartment.

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“Gwen, what just happened up there?”

“I gave Sheridan some advice and now she is going through with it.”

“Gwen, you didn’t?”

“I did. My friend deserves to be happy and if she needs a push I am going to give it to her.”

“I hope you’re right.” Hank started the car and they drove off.

Chapter Eight


“What did you want to talk to me about Sheridan?” Luis asked as they were sitting down on the beige sofa in the middle of the living room by the window.

“I needed to ask you…No that is not right….I mean I want to ask…No” Sheridan was trying to put a thought together, but couldn’t concentrate long enough to think. She was to absorbed in the way the sunlight came into the room and showed Luis’s well defined abs. She wanted to reach out and touch him, take him right there on the sofa.

Luis was lightly laughing after watching Sheridan trying to tell him something, but couldn’t because she was giving his body a lustful look. He had shockwaves running up his back and he wanted to jump her right there, but knew he shouldn’t make a move in her. ‘She needs to make the next move.’ He thought.

Sheridan moved her gaze to his eyes and found her eyes meeting his liquid brown eyes. She blushed a bright shade of red because she knew she was caught. Luis laughed harder after seeing her blush.

“What is so funny, Luis?”

“You.” He laughed.

“What is so funny about me?” She pouted with her lips formed to a pout.

“I caught you staring at me. Am I that good looking?” He said while flexing his arms to show even more muscles.

“Yes..I mean no… I mean I think I am going to shut up now. I have embarrassed myself enough.” She blushed an even darker shade of red.

“You know what? You could just admit you like me and we can move on from there.” He said it while looking into her eyes and being lost in them.

“That is why I came over here. Gwen told me I should be honest with myself and do what my heart feels is right.” She never broke eye contact.

“And what does your heart feel is right?” already knowing the answer.

“This.” And she leaned in to take full possession of his mouth. She outlined his lips with her tongue and tugged on his lower lip to allow her access to his mouth. All thoughts about what her head was telling her were out the window. She knew she needed him, but she also didn’t want to rush it, but once she felt him open up and allow her access, those thoughts were gone. When she brought her tongue back out of her mouth, his tongue followed. He tasted the sweetness and knew he needed her.

He hadn’t made love in along time. Beth and him haven’t for over two months. And here was Sheridan and she was beautiful and willing. He wasn’t going to give her up. Luis pushed Sheridan down on the sofa and went down on top of her. The kisses were urgent and passionate.

@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@

“Beth you are free to go.” A short brown haired man said as the cell opened.

“Thank you so much.” Beth walked out of the station house and went right to the hospital to see Eve.

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“It looks like you are three weeks pregnant.” Eve said with a smile on her face.

“Are you sure? Because I would be guessing about two months.”

“Your baby is too small to be two months and you did say you had your period last month.”

Beth just couldn’t comprehend what was going on. If she were three weeks along then that would mean it wasn’t Luis’s child she carried. He would definitely lose her to the b*tch next door. She would pretend that this baby was his and keep him. That is what she was going to do.

She left the hospital with her first picture of the baby in her purse; anxiously awaiting to see Luis’s face when he leaned she was pregnant.

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“Oh Luis.” Sheridan moaned after feeling him kiss every inch he exposed while taking her clothes off. “Luis, I think you are overdressed, don’t you?” She said with a breathtaking grin taking over her face. Luis was putty in her hands and she knew it.

“What are you going to do about it?” He whispered in her ear causing the hairs on her neck to stand up.

“I will tell you this whatever it is, it will be pure BLISS.” She purred in his ear causing Luis to moan loudly.

She slowly did the same torture he did to her. She slowly began kissing his naked chest and slowly lowered to the waistband of his jeans. Once she reached there, she looked up and saw his face scrunching up to the torture she was performing. Luis noticed she stopped and looked down at her. Her eyes held mischief and Luis knew whatever she had planned he would definitely enjoy. She slowly unbuttoned his jeans and lowered them down his legs, leaving him in his boxers.

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Beth had just arrived at the apartment and hoped Luis would let her in since he did kick her out.

This is it kiddo.” She said while caressing her stomach and walking up the stairs.

Beth arrived at the door and stared at it. ‘Could Luis be at Sheridan’s?” She thought. She walked over to her door and put her right ear to the door. She heard silence coming form inside. All of a sudden, she heard a loud moan; sounding like it was coming from inside her apartment.

“What the hell is going on in there?” She took out the spare key from her purse and was slowly unlocking the door.

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Luis and Sheridan were naked lying on the sofa when he thought he heard the door unlock.

“LUIS, hurry.” Sheridan said while looking at Luis with a need to have him. He put his attention back on Sheridan and made love to the woman who had stolen his heart.

They were so occupied with each other that neither heard the slight gasp that came from the figure standing outside the door.

Chapter Eight- Rated R+


On the sofa, Luis had pushed Sheridan and he lied down on top of her. His tongue was mating with hers in rhythmic strokes. He tugged on the bottom of her lips letting her know; he wanted to deepen the kiss. Sheridan happily obliged and opened her mouth with a moan. Luis slipped his tongue in her mouth to taste the sweetness. Once his tongue darted out of her mouth, her tongue followed his, so she could again taste the sweetness of his mouth.

Luis started to unbutton Sher’s baby blue blouse. Every inch he exposed of her naked flesh, he made sure to kiss every inch. Sheridan’s hands were in a fist with the pillows on the couch within her hands.

“Oh Luis.” Sheridan moaned really loud.

Luis grinned on her naked flesh and proceeded to unbutton more of her shirt. Once he unbuttoned the last if her buttons, he opened the shirt and helped her remove it from her shoulders. She was now in her black lacey bra. He gave her a mischievous grin as he went back to her shoulders, giving every inch of her body butterfly kisses. Once he reached her neck, he started to have his kisses linger longer, while he tasted her sweet skin.

She tilted her head back allowing him more access to her neck. He kissed his way up and started to nibble on her earlobe.

“Luis, I don’t know how much more I can take of this.” Sher moaned. Her face all flustered and her eyes showed the deep desire and passion for him.

“Believe me baby, you will enjoy this as much as I will.” Luis grinned as he raised his head from her neck and looked at her.

Luis started to caress her breasts and caused Sheridan to moan louder. He reached behind her back and in one quick snap, Sheridan’s bra was no longer on her, but on the lamp across the room. Luis took one nipple into his mouth and sucked on it till it was a hardened peak. Sheridan had arched her stomach towards him and had her hands in his hair, pushing him to her more.

Luis started kissing farther down her breasts till he reached her belly button. He flicked his tongue inside causing the heat in the room to rise more than before. The sexual frustration was waiting to be released and neither knew how long they would last.

Once Luis’s kissing reached her jeans, he stopped and looked up at Sheridan. Her eyes were closed, but he could still see the pleasure she was having all over her face. Once she felt that he stopped, her eyes flew open and looked down at him.

“You better not stop unless you want to pay for it.” She said playfully.

“I think we both will enjoy this payment, sweetheart.” Luis said back with a sultry voice.

He unsnapped the button to her jeans and quickly removed them down her tanned legs. As he was pulling them down, he made sure to kiss every new area he exposed. He threw the jeans across the room landing on the blue flowery chair Beth had bought at a garage sale. Luis hated the chair and thought the perfect way to make it look better was by throwing Sheridan’s and his clothes on it.

He started kissing back up her legs and his hands roamed up her legs and up to her black panties. As his kisses made their way to Sheridan’s thigh, she let out a loud gasp that made Luis stop.

“Sheridan, are you ok?” His voice marked with concern.

She bit her lip and reopened her eyes to look at him. “You better hurry because I am not sure how long I am going to last.”

He quickly turned his attention back to removing her panties and removed them with in one quick movement. His tongue darted in her opening and Sheridan thought she was going to lose all control. She was already starting to shake with mild tremors and Luis wasn’t even naked yet. She had never experienced the feelings she was having now with this one man. She had never felt so alive, happy, and loved as she did now.

“Oh Luis.” Sheridan moaned after feeling him kiss every inch he exposed while taking her clothes off. “Luis, I think you are overdressed, don’t you?” She said with a breathtaking grin taking over her face. Luis was putty in her hands and she knew it.

“What are you going to do about it?” He whispered in her ear causing the hairs on her neck to stand up.

“I will tell you this whatever it is, it will be pure BLISS.” She purred in his ear causing Luis to moan loudly.

Sheridan flipped them over so now, she was on top. She kissed his chest and her hands roamed over his muscles. She slowly kissed down to his belly button and she gave him the same treatment he gave her. Her tongue darted out and licked his belly button, bringing a soft moan from Luis.

Sheridan moved her hands so they were on the snap of his jeans. She unsnapped them and out one of her hands inside his jeans and boxers. She touched the tip of his shaft and Luis couldn’t help but moan Sheridan’s name loudly. Once Sheridan heard that, she knew she had to have him now. She quickly disposed of his jeans and boxers. She lowered her head back to his shaft; She made love to him with her mouth. Luis grabbed a hold of her head and pushed her closer to him; she took him in deeper.

Luis knew he was in the edge and he didn’t want to go without Sheridan with him. He pulled her up to him and kissed her so deeply that she felt it in her toes. He flipped them back over.

“Are you sure about this Sheridan?” He said while looking in her eyes. They were so lazed with desire that he knew what her answer would be.

“Luis hurry up and make love to me, NOW” She moaned loudly.

Luis poised to enter her. Sheridan felt his arousal against her center bit didn’t enter her. She looked at him and saw that he was staring at her.

“Luis.” She wined. “Come on.”

Luis quickly thrusted in her, making Sheridan lose the air in her lungs. She wanted him in her deeper. Luis didn’t want to hurt her so he was going at a slow methodical pace. Sheridan couldn’t take it anymore. She wanted him NOW.

Once she wrapped her legs around Luis’s waist, he couldn’t hold it any longer. His thrusts were more powerful and went deeper inside Sheridan. They moaned simultaneously. Sheridan rocked into Luis as he pounded into her. They were moving together as one person.

Sheridan felt like she was floating through the stars and knew her climax was building up quickly.

“Luis faster, please. I am almost there.” Sheridan’s voice was laced with pleasure.

Once Luis heard Sheridan’s voice, he immediately increased his thrusts and went deeper in her still. They both reached their climaxes together.

“LLLLLLLUUUUUUUUIIIIIIIIIISSSSS”

“SSSSSSSHHHHHHEEEEEEERRRRRRRRIIIIIIIDDDDDDDAAAAAAA AANNNN”

Luis collapsed on Sheridan and laid his chest on her breasts. Both were trying to get control over their breathing.

After a few minutes, Luis lifted his head off her chest and looked up at Sheridan.

“That was…”

Sheridan finished his sentence. “amazing.”

“You read my mind sweetheart.” He kissed her on the lips and they again started to make love, with Beth still watching.

Chapter Nine


Luis rose from the couch with Sheridan’s legs wrapped around him. He started moving toward his bedroom, while they invaded each other’s mouths. Stroke after stroke, they never missed the rhythm they set.

Luis walked into the bedroom and went right for the bathroom.

“Luis, I need you…again.” Sheridan moaned after his mouth left a trail of kisses down her neck and nibbled on her soft sweet skin on her shoulders.

“Really?” Luis said with a chuckle.

“Hurry it up, will you?” She said in an irritated voice.

Luis lowered them both to the floor and laid Sheridan on the blue bathroom mat that was in the middle of the bathroom. He lowered himself on her and they made love again on the bathroom floor.

**********

Beth could not believe what she walked in on. Both seemed to be in their own world and didn’t even notice Beth standing there, watching their intimate embrace. Her world was crumbling and she needed to do something about it, and save it. Not for her, but for her baby.

After the happy couple went into the bedroom, Beth opened the closet door by the entryway, and retrieved the video camera. She was going to blackmail Luis into letting her stay married to him, and hopefully leave Sheridan.

When she walked into the bedroom, hoping to catch the couple in action again, she found they were not in there, but in the bathroom on the rug.

“Luis” Beth heard Sheridan moan.

Beth positioned the video camera on her shoulders and started taping. She needed to keep Luis, and if sitting here watching him cheat on her was a way to do it, then she would do it without reconsideration.

**********

Luis and Sheridan were rocking their hips into each other, causing each other to moan simultaneously. Their world seemed to make them float to the stars. A few more thrusts made Sheridan lose all control she had and her climax was nothing she had experienced before.

“LUIS” Sheridan screamed.

Once Luis heard her scream, he lost control and filled her completely.

“OH, SHERIDAN.”

Luis collapsed his sweaty body on Sheridan’s equally sweaty body. His head laid on her chest, both breathing rapidly.

“So…” Luis said raising his head off her chest to look into her pleasure filled blue eyes. “How about we take a shower and clean each other off?” Luis said with a mischievous look.

“Luis, if we go in the shower, we will do more than just clean each other off.” She said playfully.

“And your point is?” Luis said back just as playfully.

“You are incorrigible.” Sheridan laughed. Luis too began to chuckle.

Luis got off Sheridan and helped her up. He reached into the shower and turned on the hot water. He turned around and grabbed Sheridan’s hand. They both went into the shower to clean each other off and more.

**********

Beth had ducked when she saw Luis turn around and bring Sheridan in the shower. Now she sat there listening to their pleasure filled moans. Luis and her had never gone that long into their lovemaking. Luis never went for a second or third time with her.

Beth sat there now, rubbing her stomach and whispering, “It will be ok. We will get daddy back.”

**********

Luis set Sheridan to her feet and they held onto each other after their round two. Luis couldn’t believe how many times they have gone through. He never was like this with Beth. Some how Sheridan got to him and now he was completely addicted to her.

“Luis?” Sheridan said while moving her head so she was looking into his brown eyes, “You gave me one good workout that now I am hungry.”

“We can’t have that now can we?” Luis said while grapping two towels and handed one to Sheridan. “As much fun as it is being naked with you, I don’t think anyone would want to see us if the people in the apartment across the street where to look in.”

“I would agree, the only one allowed to see me naked is you.” She said with seriousness.

“Well good. Now lets go get something to eat.” He entwined his fingers with hers and walked out of the bathroom and into the kitchen.

Beth was not far behind because she was going to catch everything on tape.

Chapter Ten


Sheridan opened the refrigerator and looked inside for something to satisfy both desires. She took out the chocolate syrup and looked at Luis with a sly and mischievous grin. Luis looked at Sheridan then at the syrup and his grin grew.

“Baby, where do you come up with these ideas?” Luis said with his own mischievous grin.

“Why would I give my secret out?” She said playfully. Sheridan walked over to Luis and put the chocolate syrup on the counter. “I thought I could satisfy both desires.” She said while never taking away her eye contact to Luis. She started pulling at his boxers and playing with the elastic.

Luis moaned his appreciation. Sheridan looked at Luis and seen his eyes flutter shut. She grabbed the syrup and started spreading the syrup around his chest and nipples. Sheridan leaned into Luis letting her tongue lick every inch of his chocolate covered body.

After every inch of his now moistened body was covered with kisses, Sheridan decided it was time to lose his boxers. In one swift hand movement, Luis’ boxers were going down his legs. Sheridan eyed his growing erection and looked up into Luis’s eyes. They were filled with desire for her.

Sheridan felt her nipples growing hard at the thought of Luis being close to her again. Luis looked into her eyes and also saw the same desire he was sure his eyes held. Luis grabbed the syrup bottle out of Sheridan’s hand. He put the bottle on the counter and turned his attention back to Sheridan. His hands slid up her shirt, his shirt actually, and cupped her breasts in his hands. Sheridan moaned and leaned more into his hands.

Luis took his hands out and pulled off her shirt over her head. He reached for the bottle and poured chocolate syrup on her breasts. He leaned over and licked one nipple clean, swirling his tongue around teasing her. He felt her nipple turn into a hardened peak. He turned his attention to her twin and did the same treatment.

“Luis, I need you…NOW!” Sheridan moaned.

“All in good time, my sweet.”

Luis pulled at her pink panties and pushed them down her legs. Luis lifted Sheridan onto the counter, poised and ready to enter her. Luis put the tip of his manhood in her center. Sheridan felt him teasing her and her eyes opened.

“Luis, come on.” Sheridan pouted. Luis loved to tease her. With one quick thrust, he was in her. Sheridan met him in every single thrust. Their tongues were moving to every distinct thrust.

It didn’t take long for either to climax. They climaxed at the same time.

“LUIS”

“SHERIDAN” They both screamed.

They were holding both their sweaty bodies together, perspiration on both of them. Neither seemed to notice Beth standing at the entrance of the kitchen, tapping her foot loudly.

After hearing the tapping behind them, Luis and Sheridan both turned around to see Beth standing before them.

“LUIS LOPEZ FITZGERALD” Beth screamed. Sheridan felt a wave of embarrassment wash over her. Luis quickly grabbed his discarded boxers and put them on. He grabbed his shirt and handed it to Sheridan. Sheridan quickly pulled the shirt over her head and got off the counter to face Beth.

“You very *friendly* person.” Beth screamed at Sheridan.

“Beth, if anyone is the very *friendly* person here that would be you.” Luis yelled taking Sheridan’s side.

“LUIS, I AM PREGNANT.” Beth started crying adding to her acting scene.

Sheridan felt like a low and dirty sleeper at that point. She looked over at Luis and saw his face hold confusion and excitement at the same time. She knew he wanted to be a father, but she thought she would be the mother. Tears were falling down her face as she ran from Luis’s apartment into her own, slamming the door behind her. She didn’t even here Luis yelling for her.

“Sheridan, Come back.” Luis yelled.

Chapter Eleven


Luis couldn’t believe that a week had passed since his life was turned upside down. He felt movement on the other side of the bed, but didn’t make any movement to let her know he was awake. He kept imagining Sheridan and the way she felt in his arms.

‘How did things come to this?’ He said while a tear fell from his eyes.

*Flashback*

“And what does your heart feel is right?” already knowing the answer.

“This.” And she leaned in to take full possession of his mouth. She outlined his lips with her tongue and tugged on his lower lip to allow her access to his mouth. All thoughts about what her head was telling her were out the window. She knew she needed him, but she also didn’t want to rush it, but once she felt him open up and allow her access, those thoughts were gone. When she brought her tongue back out of her mouth, his tongue followed. He tasted the sweetness and knew he needed her.

*End Flashback*

Luis felt an arm drape across his stomach and couldn’t help but cry more. He wanted his Sheridan back, not Beth, although he wasn’t going to deny his child his father. He couldn’t believe that Beth was pregnant with his child; he wanted Sheridan to give him his children.

*Flashback*

“Sheridan, come back.” He tried to run after her, but Beth had grabbed his hand and pulled him back.

“Luis, we need to talk…about the baby.” Beth knew that if she said baby enough, she could get Luis to do anything she wanted.

“What about the baby?” He said while eying Sheridan’s door.

“Where we plan on putting the baby…I mean this apartment is too small to raise a family.”

“Beth, I will be there for the baby no matter what, but my life is with Sheridan.”

“But Luis, I have no place to go. You can’t just send me packing without any place to keep the baby safe.” Beth added more tears for the more dramatic effect.

*End Flashback*

Luis laid there with Beth beside him. He never did kick her out because Sheridan had broken his heart only one week prior. He wanted to be a part of his child’s life and since Sheridan was nowhere to be found, he decided to stay with Beth, for the baby’s sake.

*Flashback*

The day after Beth walked in on Luis and Sheridan, Luis looked out the window to display a rainy morning. It fit his mood accurately. He decided to go to Sheridan’s to apologize to her about Beth. He walked out of his room to see Beth still sleeping on the sofa.

He wasn’t going to kick her out when it was raining outside. He wasn’t going to affect the health of his unborn baby. He walked out into the hallway and knocked on Sheridan’s door. There was no answer and no movement from inside.

He tried the door and found it unlocked. When the door was open, he saw that all her belongings were gone. She had moved out during the night. Luis sat inside the doorframe crying for the love he lost and would probably never see again.

*End Flashback*

Luis couldn’t hold the sob that was trying to escape. Beth could feel the bed shake and knew Luis was again crying for Sheridan. She couldn’t believe that he still cried over her. She had been gone for a week now.

“Luis are you ok?” Beth said acting concerned.

“I will be fine.” He said while getting up and heading for the bathroom to be left alone.

Another week had passed and Luis began looking into Sheridan’s disappearance at the station when he should have been concentrating on other cases. He had been looking for two weeks now and still there was no leads as to where she could have went.

Luis decided he was going to take a break from all this looking and get something to eat. He knew he needed to meet Beth at the hospital at 3 for the checkup. He walked into the same diner that he first kissed Sheridan at. He couldn’t help but not think of her.

He made his way back to the same booth they even sat in. But Luis bumped into a blond woman and turned to face her. There stood Gwen.

“Gwen?” He asked with a smile on his face. Maybe she knew where Sheridan was. “Where is Sheridan? Is she here?”

“Luis, I am not talking to you. How could you do that to Sheridan?”

“I need to know where she is. I need to say I am sorry and that I want her back..”

“Sorry, but I am not telling you. IF I see her, I will give her the message.” And Gwen walked out of the diner. For once in over two weeks, he felt lucky. Was he finally going to be reunited with Sheridan? He hoped so. Now with his newfound happiness, he walked to the booth and ordered his lunch.

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Across town, Gwen walked into a newly redone apartment.

“Gwen, what took you so long?”

“Sorry Sheridan, I ran into Luis.”

“You didn’t?” She couldn’t finish her question, but Gwen knew what she was going to say.

“Don’t worry. He doesn’t know where you are. Here is the pregnancy test you wanted. Now go take it so we know for sure.” Gwen said excitedly.

Sheridan walked into the bathroom and shut the door.

Chapter Twelve


Sheridan walked out of the bathroom with an egg timer in her hand.

“Well?” Gwen asked anxiously.

“I have to wait five minutes to find out.” Sheridan’s face was unreadable.

“What are you going to do if you are pregnant? Are you going to tell Luis? Do you want a boy or girl?” Gwen kept rambling on, sending Sheridan’s mind into a spin.

“Slow down Gwen. I can’t concentrate with all your rambling.”

“Sorry.”

“That is ok. Now to answer your questions. I am NOT going to tell Luis about the baby…” Gwen cut her off.

“But Sheridan, it is his baby too and he has a right to know.”

“You don’t understand Gwen. He is also having Beth’s baby. I don’t want my baby always feeling like an outsider. Think of this as protecting my baby.”

“Ok, it is your baby, but I still think it is a mistake.”

“We don’t even know if I am pregnant yet, so lets both calm down.” All of a sudden, the ding of the timer went off.

Sheridan just stared at the timer and never made a movement towards the bathroom door.

“Are you going to go check, Sheridan?”

“I can’t Gwen. What if I am pregnant? I mean, how do I know if I will make a good mother?” Tears were streaming down Sheridan’s face, leaving a black line from both her eyes where her mascara ran.

“Calm down Sheridan. Why don’t I go check the results for you?”

“No, I need to do this myself.” Sheridan rose from the black leather sofa she was sitting on and walked into the bathroom.

Sheridan looked at the stick and for once since the whole ordeal started with Luis and her pregnancy, she felt happiness. She couldn’t keep the smile from her face.

She looked into the mirror looking at her reflection. She couldn’t help but not imagine what this child was going to look like. Would he or she have blond hair and blue eyes or would he or she take after their father, with his dark hair and brown eyes.

KNOCK KNOCK

“Sheridan are you ok in there?” Gwen asked from the other side of the door.

Sheridan opened the door to face Gwen, a smile plastered on her face, a smile nobody could wipe away.

“So?” Gwen asked, already knowing the answer. It wasn’t too hard to guess what the answer was because it was obvious just by looking at the huge smile that spread across her face.

“I am pregnant.” Sheridan was glowing.

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Across town, Luis was waiting with Beth in the waiting room for her doctor’s appointment.

“Mrs. Lopez-Fitzgerald, the doctor can see you now.”

“Thank You.” Beth said while getting up and grabbing hold of Luis’s hand. They walked into the office and were met by Dr. Warren. She was a small petite brown haired, green-eyed woman.

“Lets look at your baby.” Luis was excited that he was going to see his baby on the screen of the ultrasound.

Dr. Warren squeezed some of the clear jelly on Beth’s stomach. Luis was looking at the screen, anxious to see HIS baby on the screen. When the image came up, Luis had tears running down his eyes. He was already in love with this baby.

Beth looked at him with happiness. ‘Luis will be a better father than Chip ever would have.’ Beth thought.

Luis looked at Beth’s stomach in awe. The only thing that would have made this day any better was if Sheridan was the one carrying his baby.

“Here is your baby. Five weeks along.” Beth suddenly frowned at what was said and looked at Luis, hoping he didn’t hear it.

“Five weeks?” Luis asked, letting his anger rise.

“What is the matter Mr. Lopez-Fitzgerald?”

“I am not the father.” He looked at Beth and saw fear in her eyes. “You lied to me and to Sheridan.” Luis stormed out of the office, tears falling down his face. He cried for a baby that wasn’t even his and for losing the love of his life, Sheridan. He didn’t even hear Beth screaming after him.

Now, he was going to find Sheridan and start a life with her. He would devote his entire life to finding her if he had to. He hoped it didn’t come to that. He walked to the police station, putting his plan into action.

Chapter Thirteen


Five months later

“Sheridan, you have to go to the bathroom again.” Gwen asked, giving her friend the ‘I’m tired’ look.

“I am sorry. Pregnant women go a lot. Let me go just this once more and then we can go to any store you want to.” Sheridan knew her friend was getting tired of her always going to the bathroom.

“Hurry, will you. I need to meet Hank in less than two hours and there is still shopping that needs to be done.”

Sheridan hurried into the restroom. Gwen looked around the mall from where she was standing, figuring out which store she should drag Sheridan in. When she was looking into a Diamonds Jewelers, she spotted Luis looking at some rings. He had one ring in his hand, admiring it.

‘How am I going to get Sheridan out of here without either of them spotting each other? Luis must be buying Beth a ring to make it up to her.’ Gwen thought that was the only rationalization. Gwen could see the diamond Luis was looking at. It sparkled in the light.

“What are you looking at?” Sheridan asked, walking up to Gwen.

“Nothing. I was just figuring out a store to take you in.” Gwen turned around, blocking Sheridan’s view from the jewelers.

“Gwen, what are you doing?” Sheridan was curious as to why Gwen was blocking her view of looking around the mall.

“I don’t know what you are talking about.”

“Move out of the way.” Sheridan pushed Gwen aside and saw the tall, dark, and handsome man that strolled in her life one day and left her pregnant the next. He was looking at rings. Tears were burning Sheridan’s eyes. “He must be buying something for Beth.” Sheridan’s voice said laced with jealousy. She caressed her stomach, placing a protective hand over her swollen belly.

“I told you not to look.” Gwen could see that her friend was having an emotional mood swing. “How about we go look at one of those baby’s stores we saw when we walked in here.” Gwen was trying her best to get Sheridan to think about anything, but Luis.

“That is a good idea. I could use the change of scenery.” Sheridan had gone from sad to happy to rage when it came to thinking about Luis.

-----------------------------------------------------------------

“Here you go Mr. Lopez-Fitzgerald, a ten karat diamond engagement ring.”

Luis took the ring out of the jeweler’s hand and admired the ring. He couldn’t help, but not imagine it on Sheridan’s finger. He knew that the second he found her, he would make her, his for the rest of their lives.

“I will take it.” Luis said beaming with happiness.

“She must be some lucky girl.” The salesman said.

“She is.” Luis felt said at him being lucky because he had no idea at where Sheridan was. He had been searching for five months and came up with no leads.

“That will be $2000.”

Luis handed the salesman his credit card.

“Here you go sir.” The salesman handed Luis his credit card and the small velvet box that contained the ring.

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“Sheridan, aren’t these darling?” Gwen asked picking up an adorable pair of pink sandals with teddy nears on it.

“They are, but I need things that can be for either a boy or girl.”

“Why don’t you just find out the sex of the baby?” Gwen pleaded. It was hard enough for her to shop for Hank, but to shop for a baby she had no idea what the sex was, was torture.

“You know I don’t want to. Look Gwen they have a baby clothing sale over at Baby’s Boutique.” Sheridan said while looking across the walkway to the other side of the mall. “Lets go.” Sheridan grabbed Gwen’s hand and escorted her to the next baby’s store.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

Luis didn’t know what possessed him to walk into Baby’s Boutique. He was walking back by the newborn outfits and thought he heard a familiar voice.

‘Where have I heard that voice before?’ Luis tried everything to remember, but he was at a mental block. The next words changed his life forever.

“Sheridan, look at these.” He instantly remembered Sheridan’s friend, Gwen. “It can’t be.” He looked around the corner of the next aisle and there stood Gwen and Sheridan. They had their backs turned to him, so neither saw him peaking around the corner.

Luis was so happy to finally be facing the love of his life again. He knew everything was going to work out.

He started walking towards them.

“Sheridan?” He asked, his voice laced with a mixture of emotions.

Gwen and Sheridan both turned around to see Luis standing before them. Luis’s gaze went from her eyes down to her swollen belly. What was Sheridan going to do now?

[Nicole Will]

Chapter Fourteen


Luis and Sheridan were now face to face again. His eyes didn’t move off of her swollen belly. He just stared at her. After all his searching, he learned that she was still in Harmony, standing before him.

Sheridan didn’t know what to say to him. He wasn’t looking at her, but her belly. She knew she had to think of a way to tell Luis that the baby wasn’t his because she was not going to have her child be like a third wheel when it came to Beth and her baby. Sheridan was protecting her child.

“Hi Luis.” Gwen said.

Luis broke out of his daze and looked up at Gwen and Sheridan.

“Hi Gwen.” Luis said weakly. “Sheridan.”

“Luis.” Sheridan forced a smile out, but Luis knew it wasn’t her true smile because it wasn’t reflecting in her eyes.

“Sheridan, I am going to be right back.” Gwen knew they needed time to talk so she decided to bail on Sheridan. Gwen walked away unnoticed by either of them. They were to absorbed in each other.

“We need to talk.” Luis said, breaking the silence.

“There is nothing to talk about.” Sheridan said harshly.

“I think there is.” He said snidely.

“Like what?”

“Like this.” He said pointing to her stomach.

“It isn’t yours.” And Sheridan walked away.

Luis felt like for the second time, his heart was ripped out and stomped on. First, it was Beth and now it was Sheridan. He was the one that should be the father of her children. His dreams were shattered again. He took out the ring he had in the jeweler’s bag and looked at the ring. He had spent lots of money on the ring that would never adorn Sheridan’s finger.

Gwen came around the corner and saw that Sheridan was no longer there.

“Where is Sheridan? What did you do to her now?” Gwen asked in her angry tone.

“She stormed off when I asked her about the baby.” Luis was in tears at the mention of the baby, he was hoping was his.

“Which baby? Yours with Beth or yours with Sheridan?”

“I am not the father of either of those babies.”

“And why should she believe you? We both saw you buying a ring for Beth.”

“I wasn’t buying that tramp a ring. I was buying Sheridan an engagement ring for when I found her again.”

“Is it true? Am I the father?” His voice was filled with hope.

“Sheridan should be the one to tell you if you are or not.”

“You just said that I was the father not to long ago.” He was getting angry with her.

“Let me see this ring.” Gwen stuck out her hand. Luis put the ring in her hands and she could just imagine her best friend wearing it. “Ok, here is her address.” She wrote the address on a piece of paper and handed it to Luis.

Luis took it and ran to his car, hoping to catch Sheridan before she ran again. He needed to know for sure if he was the father or not.

Chapter Fifteen


Luis looked down at the piece of paper Gwen had given him at the mall.

“405 42nd St. #10. I hope this is the right address and not some sick joke” He tried to reassure himself that soon he would be reunited with his true love.

Luis drove out of the mall parking lot and started driving towards 42nd Street. Since he was a cop in the town, he knew where every street was. Luis was driving past a flower shop and had the urge to stop.

-------------------------------------------------------------

“May I help you sir?” The short brunette haired woman asked.

“Yes, I would like two dozen roses, Please.”

“Two dozen?” The sales lady asked.

“Yes.” Luis said irritated.

The lady returned with his two-dozen roses and handed them to him.

“She must be one lucky lady.” She said.

“She is. She just doesn’t know it yet.” Luis said not saying directly to the woman.

----------------------------------------------------------

“What took you so long?” Sheridan asked when Gwen finally got in the car.

“I didn’t know exactly where you went and I had to ask Luis where you went.”

“You knew I would come out here. I can’t drive anywhere since this is your car. Thank god you left the doors unlocked.”

“Sorry. Are you ready to go?”

“Yes, I just want to go home and soak in the tub.”

‘You will be doing more than that Sheridan.’ Gwen thought. She remembered her conversation she had with Hank, only minutes earlier.

“Get over to Sheridan’s and wait for Luis to arrive.”

“Why?”

“Just do it and I promise you will get your reward later.”

“You got it, babe. Love you.”

“Love you too.”

“Gwen you just missed the turn.” Sheridan said while watching Gwen pass their exit.

“Darn. I guess we will have to take the LONG way.” Gwen smirked.

--------------------------------------------------------

Luis raced up the stairs to Sheridan’s apartment. He knocked on her door.

KNOCK KNOCK

He heard footsteps inside walking to the door. Luis had the roses in his hands. He was surprised when Hank opened the door.

“Hey Luis.”

“Gwen must have given me the wrong address. Sorry about this.” He turned to leave, somewhat disappointed.

“Why don’t you come in and wait for Sheridan.” Hank said. Luis suddenly turned around and looked at Hank.

“She lives here?”

“Yes. Why wouldn’t you think she didn’t?”

“You are here.”

“Gwen called me to open up the door for you.”

“Oh. How come you have a key?”

“This is my apartment that Sheridan is borrowing for the moment. I have been living with Gwen. Are you coming in?”

“Thank you.” Luis walked inside and looked around the small apartment. Pictures of Sheridan and what he figured was her family were everywhere. Even pictures from ultrasounds were scattered around the room. Luis couldn’t help but not walk over to the table and look at them.

‘I hope this is my baby.’

Hank was watching Luis look at the picture and couldn’t help but feel sorry for him. Hank thought Luis was also having Beth’s baby.

“How are Beth and the baby?”

“I wouldn’t know. The baby isn’t mine and I haven’t seen Beth for four months.”

”Are you guys divorced?”

“I can’t get divorced from her when she is not around to sign the papers. They are in the process of looking for her.”

“I see. So what do you plan to do for Sheridan?”

“What do you mean?”

“You need to make it up to her. So what do you have planned for tonight?” Luis knew what Hank was getting at.

“I haven’t thought about it. It all depends on how Sheridan reacts to me.”

“Let me help you.” Hank said while getting up and finding the candles Sheridan had scattered around the apartment. He lit some and placed them throughout the place. Luis got the idea and started taking the rose pedals of a dozen of the roses.

“Where is her bedroom?” Luis asked Hank. Hank, who had been lighting more candles, pointed to the closed door, right off the bathroom wall.

Luis walked into the room and noticed how homely it felt. He started scattering rose pedals all over the bed and around it.

---------------------------------------------------------------

“Gwen, I could not believe you missed our turn, not once or twice, but FIVE times.” Sheridan said irritatedly.

“My mind is occupied right now.” This was the truth, just not on Hank like Sheridan thought.

“On Hank?” Sheridan smirked.

Gwen pulled up to Sheridan’s apartment and parked the car. As soon as the vehicle was shut off, Sheridan was out of the car, walking up the stairs.

“Sheridan, wait up.” Gwen called after her friend.

Sheridan looked back at Gwen, turned around, and started walking up the stairs again. When she got to her door, she heard noises coming from inside. She turned the knob to find it unlocked. She expected to just find Hank inside, but to her surprise, she found Luis sitting on her couch, listening to slow music.

He grinned at her. She just stood there, mouth hanging open. Hank and Gwen slipped out unnoticed by either people.

Luis stood up and started walking towards Sheridan. When he reached her, he took his right hand and rubbed soothing circles across her belly. The next question out of his mouth would change their lives forever.

“Is it mine?”

Chapter Sixteen


“Is it mine, Sheridan?” Sheridan looked into his eyes and thought she saw hope in them, but maybe that was her wishful thinking. He was waiting for her answer, while still rubbing her belly.

‘Should I tell him?’ she thought. She kept going through what would happen if she told him or not. If she told him the truth, her child would know their father, but would be competing for their father’s affection with the other child, the one with Beth. If she didn’t tell him, her child would be saved from all the hurt it would cause if she told him. The disappointment was that her child would not get the chance to know her father.

She needed a way to distract him, a way to get out of answering the question.

“What are you doing here? How did you find me?”

“Gwen told me where you lived and I am here to find out the paternity of the baby.”

“Gwen, you traitor.” She mumbled under her breath.

“Actually Gwen was quite helpful. She not only told me where you lived, but also whose baby you carried. But I want to hear you say it.” He smiled his Cheshire grin and she was falling under his spell…again.

“I can’t believe you.” She screamed. “You think you can come in here and claim this baby as yours when you have another baby to worry about, Beth’s baby.”

“It isn’t mine.” He said bluntly.

“WHAT?” She stopped screaming and had a look of surprise and hope in her eyes.

“I said the baby isn’t mine.” He looked straight in her eyes when he said those words, words she wanted to be true for the longest time.

“But how can that be? How do you know?” She asked while tears were streaming down her face.

Luis brought his hand up to her face and wiped away the tears as they were falling. “Beth was five weeks along when I went with her for a checkup. Since I hadn’t been with her for ten weeks prior, there was NO way I could be the father.”

Sheridan ran into his arms and buried her face into his neck, taking in the scent of him again. Luis put his arms around her and hoped this was not some dream. He had wanted this for so long and now it was becoming reality. The stood there holding each other for what seemed like hours, days even. They didn’t care how long they held each other, just cared about them being together again.

Luis slowly pulled out of her embrace and looked into Sheridan’s blue sparkling eyes. He then looked down towards her belly. He was hoping she would say that this baby was his. He stood there, waiting for her answer.

“Is it mine? Please answer me.” Luis pleaded.

She looked him in his big brown eyes and out came a squeak of…

“Yes.”

Luis had tears running down his eyes, as did Sheridan. They both put their hands to the other’s face and wiped the tears away. They crushed into their embrace again. For Luis, he had the love of his life back and she was pregnant with his child. For her, she had the man she always dreamed of and she was giving him a child.

Luis looked down from her eyes and then to her lips. He was going to kiss her. Sheridan had waiting for what seemed to be forever for his kisses again. She thought that she would never kiss him again, but here he was lowering his head toward hers. Their lips met in a passionate, loving kiss.

Neither noticed the two figures looking in from the door.

“So you did it Gwen. You made your best friend happy again.” Hank said.

“I knew they were meant to be.” Gwen said blissfully happy. “Now lets go on that date you promised me.”

The two closed the door and walked out of the apartment building, leaving Luis and Sheridan still crushed into their embrace, blissfully happy AGAIN.

Chapter Seventeen


“Oh Luis.” Sheridan moaned as Luis was planting kisses up and down her neck and shoulders. He brought his lips back up to her mouth. Both were meeting with their lips, half way, stroke for stroke.

Luis gave her one last kiss and looked into her sparkling blue eyes, love clearly shown for him and only him. His right hand still rubbing her tummy in a soothing manner.

“I can’t believe this is happening.” Sheridan cried.

“Why is this so hard to believe, beautiful?” Luis asked with his grin displayed, the same grin that made her fall in love with him from the beginning.

They knew they loved each other, but yet they were afraid to tell the other person, their soul mate.

“I never have anything good happen to me.”

“Well, this is definitely GOOD.” He made sure to stress good for her so she would feel the happiness in her heart and soul. “We have a beautiful baby on the way. I think that is better than good. And we hopefully will have a wonderful life together.”

“What do you mean hopefully?” Sheridan was getting scared. She couldn’t lose him now.

“Well…..” Luis reached into his left pocket of his pants to find the ring he had bought for her earlier during the day. But it wasn’t there.

Sheridan saw him reaching into his pocket and knew something was up. She hoped he was about to propose. That would make her day even better.

Luis took his hand out of his pocket and said, “Never mind for now.” He had this disappointed look on his face. Sheridan reflected the same look. Luis saw that and knew he needed to cheer her up.

“How about a drink? I bought some sparkling cider at the supermarket earlier.” He grinned at her and Sheridan smiled right back at him. She LOVED him, but she knew she needed to wait to tell him until the time was right. She wanted him to profess his love for her before she professed the same feelings back at him.

“Sure.” She smiled at him. Luis handed her a glass and he poured a glass for himself. Luis made a toast, a promise to always be this happy. Sheridan glowed, Luis wasn’t sure if it was the pregnancy glow or a glow of pure happiness.

“Sher,” he said while putting down the glass on the end table, “Can I have Gwen’s cell number for a second?”

“Why?” She asked curiously. ‘Maybe Luis liked Gwen and not me.’ Sheridan thought.

“I need to ask her a very important question, something I know she has the answer to.”

“I guess.” She wasn’t completely convinced of Luis’s reasoning. Maybe it was her fears getting a hold of her. “It is 555-8935.” She said absentmindedly.

Luis knew she was feeling very conscientious about their relationship and he wanted her to trust him, about his feeling for her and the baby.

“I have an idea sweet heart. Why don’t you put on the radio and find us something good to listen to?” Luis asked while picking up the phone and starting to dial.

“OK.” She walked over to the radio and turned it on. The first song she heard brought tears to her eyes.

Open up your heart to me.
And say what’s on your mind
I know that we have been through so much, babe
But I still need you in my life..this time

I need you tonight.
I need you right now
I know deep with in my heart
It doesn’t matter if it’s wrong or right
Cause I see heaven in your eyes

I figured out what to say to you
Sometimes the words come out so wrong
And I know that in time you will understand
Then what we have is so right…this time

I need you tonight.
I need you right now
I know deep with in my heart
It doesn’t matter if it’s wrong or right

All the sad less times we try to make it last forevermore
And baby I know
I need you.
I know deep within my heart
It doesn’t matter if it’s wrong or right
Cause I see heaven

I need you tonight
I need you right now
I know deep with in my heart
It doesn’t matter if it’s wrong or right
Cause I see heaven
In your eyes

“I Need you” by BSB’s Nick Carter

While Sheridan was listening to the song, Luis was on the phone with Gwen.

“Hello.” Gwen said.

“It’s Luis. Do you have the ring?”

“I was wondering if you were ever going to remember that you left it with me.”

“Very funny. Now can you please come over and give it to me.” He said while clenching his teeth.

“You are going to propose tonight?”

“I planned on it, but I don’t have the ring.”

“Hank and I will be right over.” Gwen hung up the phone. Luis walked into the living room again and saw Sheridan crying.

“Babe, what is wrong?” He asked with a concerned face.

“Nothing.” She sniffled.

“You can tell me.” He said sincerely.

“It is just my hormones getting the best of me.” She said while wiping away her tears. “Did you talk to Gwen?”

“Yep. She is a big help.” He grinned. Sheridan tried to smile, but she couldn’t.

“Dance with me.” Luis said while extending his hand to Sheridan. She took it and the two began to sway to the music.

Look into my eyes
And you see
What you mean to me
Search your heart
Search your soul
When you find me there
You’ll search no more

Don’t tell me
It’s not worth trying for
You can’t tell me
It’s not worth dying for
You now it’s true
Everything I do
I do it for you

“Everything I Do” by Bryan Adams

As they were swaying to the music, a knock on the door brought the happy couple out of their daze. Luis stopped swaying and looked at the door.

“Should I answer it?” Sheridan asked.

“I will.” Luis said as he started walking towards the door. Sheridan went to the radio and turned off the radio.

Luis opened the door and there stood Gwen and Hank.

“Gwen. Hank. What are you doing here?” Sheridan asked.

“I have something here for Luis. Gwen said. Luis took the small velvet box from Gwen and put it in his pocket.

Sheridan was trying to figure out what was going on. She was totally clueless.

“Thanks Gwen.” Luis winked at Gwen. Gwen smiled back and Gwen and Hank shut the door. Sheridan looked at Luis and wanted an answer from him, on why Gwen showed up and what is in that box.

Luis walked over to Sheridan and took her hands in his. Luis took out the velvet box and opened it, exposing the ring to Sheridan. She had tears again streaming down her eyes. He was proposing to her, yet she thought it would be better if they had admitted their feeling to each other. Another thought popped into Sheridan’s mind. ‘What about Beth? Luis and Beth were still married. ‘How could he marry me when he is already married?’

“Sheridan, You mean the world to me and so does this baby. I want us to be together forever, as a family. Will you marry me?”

Luis looked at Sheridan’s unreadable face. Her mouth came open, but no words were spoken. Luis got up from bended knee and waited for Sheridan to answer.

“Luis…I..I..I can’t. I’m sorry.” She got out of Luis’s grip and ran to her bedroom, crying loudly.

Luis stood there watching Sheridan run into her room and slamming the door. He felt like his heart was just stomped on.

What was he going to do now?

Chapter Eighteen


Sheridan slammed the bedroom door behind her and surveyed the room. On her lavender colored bedspread were rose pedals scattered. She knew Luis wanted to make this special and now seeing her bedroom she knew Luis had really wanted to marry her.

There was a light knock on the bedroom door and Sheridan knew she would have to explain to Luis on why she turned him down for his marriage proposal.

“Sheridan, sweetheart. Can I come in?” Luis asked from the other side. He had his ear to the door and heard no movement inside. “Ok. I guess this is good bye.” He choked those words out, letting no emotion stay unsurfaced.

He turned around to leave when he heard the bedroom door creak open. There stood Sheridan, red puffy eyes, and tears still flowing down her cheeks.

“Please don’t leave.” Sheridan said as she ran to Luis. Luis opened his arms up and she jumped into them. “I am sorry. Please don’t leave me.”

“Sweetheart, tell me what happened? Why did you say no?” Luis asked, letting the hurt flow through his words.

“I can’t marry you because….” She couldn’t continue and tears began flowing.

“Why? Why can’t you marry me?” Luis’ heart was breaking all over again.

“You are still married to Beth. I don’t want to get engaged to you and you still be married to Beth.”

Luis smiled a bit and said, “and here I thought you didn’t want to marry me.”

“I do, but we can’t, not until you divorce Beth.”

“But we can still be engaged.” Luis said bluntly.

“I am not sure about that.” Sheridan said hesitantly.

“I LOVE you, Sheridan. Why can’t we be engaged?” Luis asked.

Sheridan stood there, taking everything in. “You love me? The unlovable Sheridan Crane?”

“Yes, I love you and how could you say you are unlovable?” Luis asked, noticing Sheridan’s reaction from when he said that he loved her, not Beth, but her.

Sheridan radiated a smile that contained so much happiness. She ran back into Luis’ arms and hugged him with all her might. No more tears for unhappiness were going to be shed from her. From now on tears of happiness would be there.

“I love you too, Luis.” Sheridan muffled into his shoulder. She looked up into Luis’ dark brown eyes and knew she wanted to be with this man more than anything.

She brought her lips to his ear and out came a whisper of, “yes.”

“Yes, what?” Luis asked confused.

“You did propose out there, right?” Her smile widened.

“You mean you are going to marry me?” Luis had a Cheshire grin forming I his face, one that nobody could take away.

“Duh, Luis. Who else am I going to marry?” She said with playful banter.

Luis took out the ring from the velvet box and slipped it onto Sheridan’s finger. She held out her hand to admire the ring. Tears of happiness were flowing from her cheeks. She looked up at Luis and saw that he was crying as well.

Sheridan crushed into his embrace again. Neither was ever going to take anything for granted again. They loved each other too much to lose what they had. A light kick could be felt from Sheridan’s stomach. Luis broke away and stared in awe at her stomach.

“I think someone else is happy for her parents.” Sheridan said.

“She? How do you know it is going to be a girl? You didn’t find out already did you?” Luis wined.

“No, I don’t know. I just know that this is a girl.” She said while rubbing her tummy.

“I think it is a boy.” Luis said playfully.

“You are just saying that because I said it was a girl.” She lightly punched him in his right arm. “But seriously do you want a boy?”

“I don’t care if it is a boy or girl, as long as he or she is healthy that is all I care about.” Luis said sincerely.

“Good.” She said as she lightly kissed Luis’ lips. “But there is still something we need to discuss.” Sheridan’s mood changed from playful to serious.

Luis noticed her sudden change and asked, “about what?”

“Beth. I want you to divorce her as soon as possible.”

“I have been looking for months for her. She just seemed to disappear.”

“I am sure my hunky police officer fiancée will find her.” She went back to playful.

“You think I am hunky?”

“Oh, you know you are handsome and right now I could use some cookie dough ice cream with colored sprinkles.”

“Craving?” Luis asked knowingly.

“I am out of ice cream and really could have some right now.”

“I will be right back, babe.” He kissed her lips and went out to the nearest store to buy his fiancée some ice cream.

‘Now that he is gone, I am going to do something that will make sure he never forgets tonight.’ Sheridan thought. She walked to her closet and picked out her black teddy that she had picked out a lingerie store a few days ago. She never knew what possessed her to buy it, but now she knew the reason behind her purchase.

----------------------------------------------

Luis walked back into the apartment, looking for his beautiful fiancée but didn’t find her in the living room.

“Sheridan, hunny. I have your ice cream.” Luis yelled from the living room.

“Bring a bowlful into the bedroom with you.” Sheridan yelled back.

Luis brought the ice cream into the kitchen and scooped out a bowlful. He put the rest of the ice cream into the freezer and he walked off to the bedroom.

When he opened the door, they laid Sheridan, dressed in the sexiest black teddy Luis had ever seen.

“I see you are craving something else, Ms. Crane.”

“Shut up Luis and get over here already with my ice cream.”

“Yes ma’am.” Luis said as he walked over and placed the bowl of ice cream in front of her. She grabbed it from him and began sucking in the cool treat.

“Aren’t you going to share with me?” Luis pouted. Sheridan looked at him and gave him the leave me alone look. Luis knew she was in one of her mood swings again.

‘I hope these don’t happen all the time.’ Luis thought to himself. “Mood swings.” He mumbled under his breath.

“What did you say Luis?” Sheridan asked as she shoved the last sthingyful of ice cream in her mouth.

“Nothing.” Luis said. He didn’t want for her to be angry with him. From the short time they have been together, he knew not to piss her off.

She put the bowl on her nightstand and reached out to Luis. Luis came and she said, “Now to satisfy my other craving.”

She had her mischievous grin on her face. Luis knew she was up to something.

Sheridan grabbed Luis and started tugging at his clothes.

“Luis, you need to be naked for my other craving.” She wined.

Luis knew this was going to be one long pregnancy, but he was going to enjoy Sheridan’s cravings.

Chapter Nineteen


Sheridan tugged at Luis’ shirt and pulled it over his head. She tossed it across the bedroom, landing on her dresser. It was hanging from a corner of an open drawer, like a trophy. She looked Luis in the eyes, seeing nothing but the black desire reflected in his eyes. Sheridan was sure he saw the same thing in hers.

It had been so long since Sheridan had been intimate with anyone, especially Luis.

Sheridan ran her hands down Luis’ muscular chest and defined abdomen. She licked her lips and lowered her mouth to Luis’ chest, licking every part of his chest.

Luis lightly moaned and his breathing became ragged. Sheridan looked up at Luis and saw his eyes closed. Sheridan couldn’t take it any more. She needed him NOW.

She played with his belt and unlooped it. She took it off and began playing with his zipper, sliding it up and down. Luis was becoming completely frustrated. He couldn’t believe that a woman could have this much power over him. Beth couldn’t even make him feel the things he was feeling now.

Sheridan lowered his jeans and Luis slipped out of them. There he stood in nothing but his blue boxers. Luis saw Sheridan looking him up and down, as almost like he was dessert. ‘Man, pregnant women sure are feisty.’ He thought. Luis knew she wouldn’t last long, but he wanted to savor every kiss, taste, and feeling that they felt.

Luis pulled Sheridan to him and kissed her hard and passionately on the mouth. She was completely involved in the kiss that she didn’t even realize that Luis had lifted her up and she was now lying on her back on the bed full of rose pedals. Luis lifted up her black teddy and pulled it over her head, exposing everything to him. His mouth found her neck and ravenously devoured her with kisses. He moved even lower, now kissing his way toward her breasts.

Sheridan was having a hard time controlling herself. She knew she was about to go over that cliff. Once Luis twirled his tongue around her nipples, making them go into a peak, she lost all control.

“LUISSSS!” Sheridan screamed as intense waves hit her. She had never experienced such pleasure. Sheridan knew realized why women from her pregnancy classes said that pregnancy makes you sensitive. They were right about that.

Luis had heard her scream his name and it satisfied him that he had given her that kind of pleasure. Next time she orgasmed, he wanted to be deep in her, going over that provocative edge with her.

Luis was busy kissing his way down her abdomen, when he felt a little kick on her stomach. His eyes teared up and he looked at Sheridan. Sheridan was in tears to.

“The baby certainly loves his or her daddy.” Sheridan smiled. “And so does mommy.”

“The daddy definitely loves their mommy.” He said and continued his path down her bulged abdomen.

He reached her panties and played with the elastic. Sheridan couldn’t take anymore of his torture and pulled him back up to her. She quickly pulled down his boxers and stroked his manhood. A loud groan filled the air. Sheridan knew it wouldn’t be long before he was in her.

Luis grabbed Sheridan and pulled at her panties, making sure to kiss any new exposed area he uncovered. Once the panties were off her legs, he threw them over his shoulder. He turned his attention back to her. There she was waiting for him. He brought his mouth down to her weeping center. She screamed out when she felt his hot breath. His tongue dived out of his mouth and into her hot flesh.

Sheridan wrapped her legs around his neck, pushing him closer to her. She started rocking into him and was about to loose control again. Luis felt it and stopped. She opened her eyes and looked at him.

“Luis, don’t stop.” She wined. She pulled him back down to her and kissed him hard on the mouth, making sure Luis knew she NEEDED him. She flipped them over and did the same torture to Luis.

She kissed him all the way down to his manhood before taking it into her mouth. She knew Luis was just as close as she was by the moans he was giving.

She poised above him and thrusted down onto his steel manhood. Luis grabbed onto Sheridan’s hips while she grinded with him. It didn’t take long before they came crashing down from the stars, wave after wave hitting them with such intense pleasure.

“LUIS!”

“SHERIDAN!”

She crashed on top of Luis, completely breathless. Both were lying there, trying to catch their breath. They lay there trying to comprehend what just happened.

The baby started kicking again while Luis was still in Sheridan. Their skin was still meshed together, giving Luis a good feel of the kick.

“This one sure is feisty.” Luis said with a smile.

“Well, it knows you made mommy very happy.” Sheridan said back.

Sheridan got up and moved next to Luis, sthingyed together. Luis had his hand draped over her stomach, so he could feel every movement the baby made.

They both fell asleep, content, happy, secure, and loved.

Chapter Twenty


The next morning, Sheridan woke up feeling Luis’ warm naked body pressed up against hers. His arm was draped over her stomach, fingers spread out across her bulging belly. She felt him stir and his fingers started moving around, rubbing soothing circles on her belly.

Sheridan reached down and entwined her fingers with his. She turned her head towards him and leaned in to give him a kiss. The kiss was slow and passionate. Sheridan sighed against his lips, letting him know everything was perfect in her life. Luis kissed her lips again and then leaned down and gave a kiss to her belly. Sheridan’s eyes were getting teary.

“Hey. None of that. You should be happy that we are together forever and having a baby.” Luis said while wiping away the few tears that were cascading down her cheeks.

“I’m sorry I have been so emotional lately.” Sheridan said with a smile on her face.

“You have every right to be. I know that pregnant women get emotional.”

“You are the greatest, you know that?” Sheridan asked while Luis smiled his million-dollar smile at her.

“I do now.” He said while leaning her into a kiss again. After ten minutes of passionately kissing, Sheridan looked at the clock alongside her bed.

“Oh my god. I didn’t realize it was so late.” She said while quickly sitting up in bed.

“Sher, it is only nine o’clock. Come back down here with me and I will show you a good time.” He said winking at her. Sheridan blushed at his comment and tried to regain composure of her now overheating body.

“As much as I would love to stay in bed with you and let you show me a good time, I have a doctor’s appointment today that I need to get ready for.”

“And what time is this doctor’s appointment?”

“11”

“But we still have two hours till you need to be there.” He stuck out his bottom lip, hoping Sheridan would fall for it.

“But Luis with that time I still need to have breakfast, take a shower, and get dressed. Plus it is a half an hour drive to this place. So I need to hurry.”

“Food was the first thing on your list.” Luis said teasingly.

“Oh shut up.” She lightly punched him in the side.

“OUCH!” Luis wined. “That hurt.”

“Oh you big baby.” Sheridan cooed at him.

“Now you have to kiss it and make it feel better.” He smiled. Sheridan knew she had been had and fell for it. She leaned down and kissed him in the spot she punched and a whole lot more.

An hour later, Sheridan raced into the shower and yelled for Luis to make her breakfast. She knew their interlude this morning was going to cause trouble and she was right. Now she was going to have to take breakfast in the car and eat it. She loved to sit and enjoy the water pulsating on her back, but not today. Thanks to Luis, she could only take a ten-minute shower and race around the house to get dressed.

She quickly washed her body with soap and washed her hair. She was out so fast, Luis wasn’t sure she actually took a shower. He was getting on her nerves today already and they just got back together last night. This was going to be one long pregnancy for her. She still had four months to go and couldn’t take it any longer. She was tired of always feeling tired and run down.

“You almost ready to go babe?” He asked sincerely, knowing she was having a mood swing.

She smiled at him, went into the bedroom, and shut the door. Luis opened up the bedroom door and saw her crying on the bed.

‘What is with her today?’ Luis thought. “Sher, is something wrong?” he asked concerned.

She wiped away the tears and stood up from the bed. “I was thinking that this was some dream and I will wake up and you will be gone again.”

Luis crossed the room and took her in his arms. “I will always be here for you and our baby. You can’t get rid of me that easily.” Sheridan looked him in his brown eyes and knew he was right. She grabbed onto him and hugged him tight, making sure he knew she never wanted him to leave.

“So, how about you get dressed so WE can go to the doctors?” He made sure to emphasize we so she knew he was never going to leave her. She had so many insecurities that Luis was just finding out about now.

“OK.” She got up, began taking out a lavender colored sundress, and slipped it on. She knew she had no time to put on make up so she let it go.

“So, who is this doctor we are seeing today?” Luis was curious as to which doctor she chose.

“Doctor Warren, why?” Sheridan was puzzled. Luis’ face went from happy to rage. “What is wrong?”

“I am sorry but I can’t go?”

“WHY NOT?” Anger filled her voice.

Chapter Twenty-One


“Why aren’t you coming?” Sheridan was fueling with rage. This was the first chance for both of them to see the baby together, as the couple they were going to be.

“I can’t go see Doctor Warren. That was Beth’s doctor.” Luis said trying to get her to understand.

“So what? This is our chance to see OUR baby together and you would rather save your reputation rather than know if your child is healthy.” Sheridan spat. Her arms were crossed and her stance said it all to Luis.

“It isn’t me not wanting to go, believe me. I just don’t want to look like I am some womanizer to a doctor.”

“You are NOT a womanizer. Forget about the d**n doctor and come with me. This is our first time together.” Sheridan was now in tears. Luis felt like such a fool. Here he was worrying about some doctor when his fiancée thought that he didn’t care about their baby.

“I am so sorry, babe. Forgive me.” Luis said sincerely. He took Sheridan into his arms and kissed the top of her head. She sighed at his tenderness. Why couldn’t he be like this always?

“Luis.” Sheridan said suddenly turning happy. “If Dr. Warren is Beth’s doctor then maybe he knows where she is and you can get the divorce from her sooner.”

Luis suddenly had a smile on his face as well. He hadn’t thought about that. If he did find Beth sooner, then he could marry Sheridan before the baby was born.

“I think we should be getting to that appointment now, don’t you?” He asked smiling at her.

“Of course.” They walked out of the door hand in hand, happily content.

----------------------------------------------------

Luis pulled up Sheridan’s blue minivan into Castleton Medical Center. She had traded her other car for a family vehicle. Sheridan wanted to drive herself, but Luis refused since she needed to eat while he drove. Sheridan knew he had a point; she was starving from all her activity she had been getting lately.

Luis opened Sheridan’s door and held out a hand for her, which she gladly accepted. Once inside the building, Sheridan walked up to the reception desk and told the receptionist she was here for her pregnancy checkup.

“What is your name ma’am?” Nurse Rima said.

“Sheridan Crane.”

“You can have a seat and I will call you once the doctor is ready.”

“Is it alright if my fiancée comes in with me?”

Nurse Rima looked over at Luis and blushed. ‘d**n he is fine looking.’ Rima thought.

“Of course. No problem at all.” Nurse Rima quickly rushed into the back towards Nurse Christine.

“Christine, come here and look at this guy out here with Sheridan Crane.”

“What is it now Rima? Bugging me again?” Christine laughed.

Rima grabbed her hand and escorted her out into the lobby area. Christine took one look at this handsome dark man and fell in love instantly.

“He is taken Chris. Don’t get any ideas.” Rima assured her quickly. When these two were together, all heck breaks lose and they knew it.

“I don’t see a ring on his finger so he is not taken.” Christine said.

“He is Ms. Crane’s fiancé.”

“d**n it.” Nurse Christine said quite loudly, which made everyone on the waiting room look at her. “Sorry, I hurt my finger.” She blushed. Nurse Rima broke out in laughter.

“Nurse Rima, Nurse Christine.” They heard a voice behind them. They turned quickly to see Doctor Warren behind them.

“Sorry doctor, we were…umm..” Christine wasn’t sure what to say.

“Don’t worry about it. Is my next patient here?” Dr. Warren asked.

“Ms. Crane is in the waiting room.”

“Good, send her in.”

“Ms. Crane, you can go to room three now.” Nurse Rima said.

“Thank you.” Sheridan said as she stood up and walked into room three with Luis.

-------------------------------------------

The door opened and in came Doctor Warren. The doctor walked in and saw that Sheridan wasn’t alone for the first time.

“Hello sir.” Dr. Warren extended his hand and shook Luis’ hand. “Have we met before?”

“NO! I mean no. I am Luis Lopez-Fitzgerald, Sheridan’s fiancée.”

“I am Dr. Chip Warren.”

Luis suddenly turned angry. “You are CHIP as in the CHIP that cheated with Beth Lopez-Fitzgerald?”

The doctor suddenly turned white. Sheridan stood there speechless.

Chapter Twenty-Two


Luis suddenly turned angry. “You are CHIP as in the CHIP that cheated with Beth Lopez-Fitzgerald?”

The doctor stood there speechless. “Wasn’t your last name Lopez-Fitzgerald?” The doctor asked, trying to comprehend what was happening.

Luis clutched his teeth and fists. Sheridan knew Luis was going to explode so she placed her right hand on his shoulder. Luis felt her hand and relieved some of his anger, but not enough to give the doctor a piece of mind.

“You sure are smart doctor. It took you long enough to register my last name.” Luis spat. “You ruined my marriage. Beth and I made a promise to stay with each other for eternity and be FAITHFUL to each other. You ruined that for us by binging her into your bed.”

“Excuse me, Lopez-Fitzgerald, but it does appear you were unfaithful as well.” Dr. Warren said eyeing Sheridan.

Sheridan suddenly felt as if she was a third wheel in all this. Here was Luis, telling the doctor that he would have stayed with Beth forever. Sheridan was like the replacement. Tears burned her eyes. ‘Why couldn’t I have figured out what he was really after before I slept with him?’ Sheridan thought. She was happy to be pregnant, but if Beth hadn’t been unfaithful to Luis, Sheridan wouldn’t have the baby.

“You leave Sheridan out of this.” Luis’ anger was again fueling. “You don’t have any idea what Sheridan and I mean to each other. Yes, I made a promise to Beth when we married, but she blew that chance. In a way I am thankful because I wouldn’t have the best thing that ever happened to me.” Luis pointed to Sheridan and placed his right hand on her stomach, rubbing soothing circles around her belly.

All of Sheridan’s previous thoughts flew out the window once Luis declared his love for HER, not Beth. She was the one that had given Luis the things he wanted in life. Her happiness was displayed with the glow of her face and the tears spilling down her cheeks.

Luis cupped his left hand and placed it against her cheek. She leaned into his touch. Luis took his other hand and wiped away her tears. The doctor sat there watching them respond to each other. He didn’t have that with Beth. Beth never leaned into his touch or cared for any matter about him.

“Look, I am sorry.” The doctor started. “I can see that you are meant to be. I didn’t mean to come off so rude.”

Luis turned back around to face the doctor. His anger was gone and was no replaced with love, love for his baby and Sheridan.

“Don’t worry about it.” Luis said. “I just want to make sure everything is perfect with my two blessings. But I would like a different doctor to examine Sheridan for obvious reasons.”

“Luis, we are here and it might be a wait for another appointment with a different doctor. Why don’t we just get this check up over with?” Sheridan’s blue eyes twinkled with her happiness. Luis didn’t want to ruin it, but there was no way this CHIP was going to be looking at his fiancée. He couldn’t lose Sheridan to him as well.

Luis whispered in her ear, “I don’t want him looking at you down there.”

Sheridan’s voice suddenly got louder, “LUIS LOPEZ-FITZGERALD.” Luis knew that when she said his name like that meant she was going to explode. “I would never cheat on you.” Sheridan’s eyes started watering at just the thought about Luis thinking she would be unfaithful to him.

“Look.” Chip jumped in. “I can see Luis’ concern and I will be right back with another doctor. I am sorry for this.” The doctor grabbed his stuff and walked out.

Once the doctor left, two new nurses came in. Nurse Rima and Christine made sure to tell Nurse Nikki and Nurse Janine to come in and look at this fine fiancée of Sheridan Crane.

“We are here to check your vitals until Doctor Julie arrives.” Nurse Janine said.

Luis suddenly relaxed once he realized the other doctor was a female. Sheridan noticed his sudden relaxation and knew what he was thinking.

---------------------------------------------------------------

The check up went well. Sheridan and the baby were healthy. Both Sheridan and Luis cried once an image appeared on the screen. There was their baby, the baby created out of love and would always know that his or her parents loved each other.

“Do you want to know the sex of the baby?” Doctor Julie asked. Luis and Sheridan looked at each other.

“Luis, I would like to wait until the birth, if you don’t mind.” Sheridan was hesitant to tell him that in thinking that he wanted to know.

“I agree. It will make that day even more special.” Luis gave her that smile that was meant for just her. A wave of love and happiness surrounded the happy couple. Dr. Julie had never seen a more loving couple that deserved happiness then these two.

“Are you going to use me as your doctor from now on?” Dr. Warren had told Dr. Julie a little about what was going on.

“We will, if you don’t mind.” Sheridan said. Dr. Julie smiled at the couple and said, “ No problem. Lets just schedule your next visit.” She pressed a button and in a flash ran in Nurse Janine.

“I would like you to schedule another appointment for Ms. Crane.” The nurse looked at the doctor and smiled as she shut the door behind her.

-----------------------------------------------------------------

Sheridan was finishing getting changed back into her clothes. “Do you need any help in there?” Luis asked, hoping to misbehave for a little while.

“Luis, I know what you are thinking, but I am hungry.” Sheridan wined. Luis chuckled. Food was her favorite thing most of the time.

Sheridan walked out and grabbed Luis’ hand. Luis was laughing harder. ‘She really must be hungry.’ He thought. They opened the door, not realizing that their life was about to change.

They walked by Dr. Warren’s office and heard the door starting to open.

Sheridan’s eyes widened as did Luis’.

There stood Beth, the one person that could either destroy their happiness or make it better.

Beth’s eyes went from Luis to Sheridan and dropped to Sheridan’s bulging stomach.

This was not good.

Chapter Twenty-Three


There stood Beth, the one person that could either destroy their happiness or make it better.

Beth’s eyes went from Luis to Sheridan and dropped to Sheridan’s bulging stomach.

“Well, well, well. You sure have been busy Luis.” Beth said harshly. “It didn’t take you long to knock her up.” The words Beth was saying hit Sheridan like a knife in the heart. She wouldn’t admit it, but the pain was unbearable.

“You were passing off another man’s child as mine. All this time you were having an affair with DR. WARREN and then had the nerve to have him be your physician. I can’t believe I was that stupid in the beginning of this.” Luis’ temper was flaring and not even Sheridan’s hand to his shoulder was helping the rage he was feeling for one individual, Beth. She was going to get it good.

“Me, having an affair?” Beth’s tone soon matched Luis’ and both were screaming at each other. “What about you? You got this very *friendly* person pregnant.” Beth made sure to emphasize the word very *friendly* person so Sheridan knew how horrible she made Beth’s life. Luis was having a hard time keeping the anger down. Even though that wasn’t his baby Beth carried, he still didn’t want to harm it.

Sheridan was feeling very emotional, more than usually and it wasn’t because of her pregnancy, but because Beth had hit nerves in her. She felt like the dirtiest sleeper in the world. She wanted to go over to Beth and put her in her place, but she was not going to
Jeopardize the health and well being of her unborn child. Instead, she just turned to Luis and said, “I will wait for you in the car.” She kissed him on the lips, making sure to linger just enough to piss Beth off even more, and then walked away.

Beth’s mouth gapped open. She couldn’t believe that the very *friendly* person could do that to her husband in front of her. When she got Luis back, the first one for her payback would be Sheridan. That Beth would make sure of.

“So this is where you have been hiding, with Doctor Warren himself.” Luis snidely snapped at Beth. She shot him her shut up look and ignored answering his question.

“So how have you been Luis?” Beth said trying her best to sound cheery.

“Don’t give that crap, Beth.” Luis said irritated. “You know exactly how I have been.”

“I was trying to be nice and at least attempt at a nice conversation.”

“A nice conversation?? Beth, come on. You have been cheating on me since we were married. You don’t know how to have a nice conversation with anyone.”

“You have been with that very *friendly* person for a while now. It is obvious by how big she is.”

“Not that it is any of your business, but Sheridan and I got back together last night. But there is something you can do to attempt at being nice again.” ‘Here it comes’ Luis thought.

“And what is that?” Beth smiled at Luis, hoping it was his way of asking her back.

“I want a divorce.” There he had said it and it felt like a huge weight was lifted off his chest. Now nothing could separate Sheridan and him. Or so he thought.

Beth stood there pale as a ghost. Had he just said what she thought he said? Luis was looking at her, waiting for an answer. But none came.

“Beth, are you ok?” Luis asked getting concerned while witnessing her pale complexion.

“I, I, I am fine. I just thought I heard you ask me for a divorce.” She gave a fake laugh, hoping Luis will just drop the subject. She couldn’t lose him, she needed him.

“I did. So??” he knew she was going to fight this. He could tell by her scornful expression she now had on her face. Oh now she was going to blow.

“Like hell you are getting a divorce from me!” Beth screamed.

Doctors, nurses, patients, and visitors stopped what they were doing in the hospital and turned to stare at the couple before them.

Why did this have to happen to him now?

[Nicole Will]

Chapter Twenty-Four


“We ARE getting a divorce.” Luis argued, forgetting about the people around them.

“I have to sign those papers to make it legit, and I am NOT going to sign them ever. That very *friendly* person doesn’t deserve to be happy with you. She is living my life and I want it back.” Beth pointed he finger at him and shook it.

“You gave up your life with me when you started cheating on me.” Luis screamed back.

Nurse Christine came up to the couple and was trying to get them to calm down and lower their voices. Patients were starting to complain for the commotion. “Excuse me, but do you think you can keep it down. This is a hospital and patients are trying to get better, not have a heart attack.”

Luis looked over at the nurse and nodded. Beth just rolled her eyes and said, “Whatever.”

Luis then turned his attention back to Beth and said, “You will be getting those papers served to you within the next few days.” And he walked away.

Nurse Christine stood there, watching Luis as he walked away. ‘d**n, he is fine.’ She thought as she watched his backside go out of view. When he was gone, she turned her attention back to the woman Luis had been arguing with. “And by the way, leave Mr. Lopez-Fitzgerald and his fiancée alone.” Christine demanded.

Beth stood there shocked. “His fiancée?”

“Yes, his fiancée. I don’t care that you are seeing Dr. Warren behind his Mrs., but you WILL leave Mr. Lopez-Fitzgerald alone.”

“You can’t do anything to me.” Beth spat.

“Wanna bet? I can call up Mrs. Warren and tell her all about you.” Christine smirked.

“ARGGGG!” Beth screamed.

Christine went up to Beth and slapped her across the face. “I told you to be quiet.” And she walked away. Beth stood there speechless. Did that nurse just threaten her? Did she just hit her? Beth was certain now that Nurse Christine was going down along side Sheridan.

When Christine went back to the nurse’s station, she was greeting with high fives from Nurse Rima and Nikki. “All Right!” They all said.

----------------------------------------------

Luis opened the door to his car and got inside. How was he going to tell Sheridan that Beth was going to fight the divorce? He couldn’t. He was determined to keep Sheridan happy for as long as he could. He didn’t want to jeopardize the safety of Sher and his baby.

“So, how did it go?” Sheridan questioned.

Luis tried to smile his happiest smile he could and said, “It is all good.” He leaned over and captured Sheridan’s lips with his own. He had to fight for his happiness, Sheridan’s, and the baby’s.

After the kiss was over, Sheridan looked at Luis and was sure he was hiding something. He wasn’t completely happy like he was last night. ‘Luis wouldn’t lie to me, would he?’ Sher thought. The seed of doubt was planted again.

“So whose house are we staying at tonight?” Luis asked, trying his best to put on a happy front.

“To tell you the truth, I don’t feel comfortable at your house with Beth.” Sheridan said very quickly.

“OK, then I just need to stop by and get some clothes. K?”

Sheridan nodded.

------------------------------------

Sheridan and Luis walked in to his apartment and Sheridan looked around. It was not the same place it was when she was here with Luis. No pictures of Beth and Luis were out. All the old furniture was gone and replaced with new. It was entirely a different apartment.

‘What am I so worried about? Luis loves me and we are going to get married. Since Beth agreed to the divorce it is all up hill from here.’ So Sheridan thought. Beth was a boom just waiting to go off and Luis knew it, but he was to scared to tell Sheridan.

Luis walked out of his bedroom and looked over at Sheridan. She looked so peaceful and happy. He couldn’t jeopardize that. He loved her too much to hurt her. Sheridan turned around and spotted Luis staring at her.

“What? Is there something wrong?” Sheridan asked.

“Nope, just looking at my beautiful fiancée.” He grinned. Sheridan couldn’t help but smile too. Life was good.

--------------------------------------

When Luis and Sheridan were driving down the street to Sheridan’s place, neither noticed the car following them.

The person in the car was going to make sure Luis and Sheridan never had happiness. Now that the person knew where Sheridan lived, life couldn’t be better.

Chapter Twenty-Five


A week had passed since Sheridan and Luis had run into Beth. Everything was going great for them. Luis and Sheridan were moving out of their apartments and into a bigger apartment on the other side of town. Luis still hadn’t received word that Beth had been served with the papers yet.

When Luis was at his soon to be old apartment, he saw a flash on his answering machine. Hank was there to help him move out, while Gwen was with Sheridan getting some lunch. Luis chuckled just thinking about how Sheridan was whining about being hungry. When wasn’t she hungry lately?

Luis walked over to the answering machine and hit play. The message was from his lawyer, Mr. Snyder.

Hello.
This message is for Mr. Lopez Fitzgerald.
We found your wife and she was served with the papers early this morning.
If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to call.

Luis was so happy. His dreams were all finally coming true. He was going to get that divorce from Beth, marry Sheridan, and have a baby. Life couldn’t have been better.

“Who was that on the machine?” Hank asked while walking out of Luis’ bedroom with a big box.

Luis’ face was glowing. “That was my lawyer and Beth was served with the papers.” The grin spread across his face.

Hank smiled knowingly. He had seen Luis and Sheridan together for a while now and seen how happy they were, but this news was going to put a huge smile on Sheridan’s face when she got back. Just where was Sheridan.

“Luis, Gwen and Sheridan have been gone for awhile. Where did they say they were all going?”

“Don’t worry Hank. When Sher is hungry, everyone better watch out. She probably is buying out the entire grocery store.” Luis laughed and soon Hank joined in.

“I resent that.” Sheridan said while walking in with two bags in her arms. Gwen was right behind her with two more.

Luis went over to help Sheridan with the bags. “Sher, you do know that you only needed to buy something for lunch.” Sheridan hit him playfully across the chest.

“Ouch.” Luis pouted, hoping Sheridan would play along and she did.

“Aww, my poor baby.” She kissed the spot she had hit and a hormonal swing was in affect.

Sheridan looked at Luis with a gleam in her eyes. Luis knew that look all too well. He bent down and whispered in her ear, “Not now baby.” Sheridan didn’t back down.

“Luis, I need to show you something in the bedroom.” She quickly grabbed his arm and started dragging him off. Gwen and Hank chuckled.

Once the door was shut, Sheridan was practically ripping Luis’ shirt off his body, planting kisses everywhere.

Luis was having a hard time thinking straight. “Sher.” He said breathlessly. “We need to stop..” The words died in his mouth as they started making love while Gwen and Hank sat in the living room.

---------------------------------------------

Hank and Gwen looked at each other and couldn’t help laughing as they listened to what was going on in the bedroom.

Hank looked at Gwen and said, “I can’t wait till you get pregnant.” Gwen looked at him with her mouth wide open.

“Am I not feisty enough for you Hank Bennett? Just wait till we get home.” Gwen screamed.

Hank soon got the mischievous look in his eyes and said, “Why wait till later?” He started walking towards Gwen while Gwen decided to run around. The knock on the door brought the lovebirds in the living room out of their world. Gwen got up and answered it coming face to face with a brown-haired brown-eyed pregnant woman. Gwen had never seen her before.

“Hello. May I help you?” Gwen asked.

“I want to speak to my husband, RIGHT NOW.” Beth screamed.

Hank stood up and walked to Gwen. “So you are Beth.” Hank said.

“Yes, I am Beth. I know he is here. I saw his car out front. Where is he?”

Gwen and Hank looked at the bedroom door and laughed. Gwen tried to regain some composure when she said, “He is busy right now.”

“Doing what?” Beth was getting irritated. Then she heard the moans coming form the bedroom. Beth turned red with anger as well as embarrassment. ‘Of course, he was doing Sheridan.’ Beth thought in her head.

She walked past Gwen and Hank, who were still laughing, and opened the door. There was Sheridan straddling Luis.

Luis and Sheridan looked at the door and saw Beth staring at them. Sheridan quickly grabbed the covers and covered her body as well as Luis’.

Beth eyed Sheridan with jealousy. Sheridan shouldn’t be making love to her husband. In fact, they still would be together if Sheridan hadn’t come into the picture.

“What do you want Beth?” Luis said irritated and full of wanting for Sheridan.

Hank and Gwen finally stopped there laughing and came running into the room. Gwen looked at Sheridan and felt bad for her. She didn’t need any more problems now. She wanted her friend to be happy and d**n if this BETH was going to ruin her happiness. Gwen would make sure of that.

“I am NOT getting the divorce.” Beth screamed as she tore the papers in front of Luis and Sheridan.

Sheridan turned to Luis, “I thought you said she agreed.” Confusion clearly in her eyes. Luis looked Sheridan straight in the eyes and out came, “UMM…..”

Chapter Twenty-Six


“Luis, I thought you said she had agreed.” Sher said, her eyes filled with confusion.

Luis looked Sheridan in the eyes, saw the confusion, and hurt in her eyes, the hurt he put there. How was he going to explain this.

Beth still stood at the door, looking at the couple in bed. Gwen and Hank knew the couple needed to talk so they grabbed Beth and dragged her out of the bedroom. Neither Luis nor Sheridan noticed the three leaving the room or Beth’s yelling for that matter.

“Sher, I need to talk to you about my divorce with Beth.” Luis couldn’t look in her eyes anymore. She just stared at him, waiting for him to go on. So, Luis told her about Beth trying to fight the divorce.

--------------------------------------------

“But Luis. She was cheating on you. How can she fight the divorce?” Sheridan asked while trying to finish getting dressed.

“I don’t know Sher. That is why we need to go out there and straighten this out. We need to sit down with Beth and talk this through. But I promise nothing is going to come between us. I love you and our baby.” He leaned over, gave her a sweet kiss, and rubbed her budding abdomen.

“I love you too Luis or should I say we love you.” Sheridan had her radiating smile back and no one, not even Beth was going to take it away from her.

---------------------------------------------

Luis and Sheridan were sitting down at the kitchen table with Beth seated across from them, eying both of them with such a black hatred. Both were getting goose bumps just watching the cold dark stare in her eyes.

“I am still not getting the divorce.” Beth spat. “You can’t make me give up the best thing that has ever happened to me.”

“Beth, you don’t have a choice in this. I love Sheridan and I plan on staying with her forever.” Sheridan was so touched beyond words. Sure Luis has admitting his feelings to her before, but this was his wife and he was telling his wife how much he loved another woman.

“You just want to stay with her because she is having your child. For all you know the kid might not be yours.”

“Don’t even go there missy.” Sheridan finally joined in the conversation. Luis could tell she was in one of her mood swings and the blunt of her anger was going toward Beth. “I am not like you. I don’t sleep around with other man when I am fully committed to one.”

“The one you happened to be committed with just so happens to already be married.”

Sheridan was turning red with anger. “NOT FOR LONG!” Sheridan slapped Beth across the face so hard, a welt was forming, Sheridan’s handprint clearly shown. Sheridan walked off into Luis’ old room and slammed the door.

Beth stood there stunned. “I think you better leave Beth.” Luis said while walking into the bedroom shutting the door behind him.

When Luis opened the door to his bedroom, he found Sheridan crying on his bed, the bed they had just vacated a few minutes ago when Beth decided to ruin their intimate moment.

“Sheridan. Please stop crying. It hurts me to see you upset.”

Sheridan looked at Luis with tears flowing down her cheeks. “What are we going to do?”

Luis took her in his arms and rocked her slowly till she fell asleep from sheer exhaustion.

What were they going to do now that Beth was refusing the divorce?

Chapter Twenty-Seven


*Two Months Later*

Luis woke up, feeling the warm body next to him. Sheridan and he had some how sthingyed during the night. He couldn’t believe one month had passed since this all the mess with Beth started. Why couldn’t she just leave them alone so they could get married before the baby was born? That was Sheridan’s dream and hope. She wanted to be married before the baby was born.

They had already moved into their own house with three bedrooms, perfect for their newly developing family. Sheridan had loved the small light gray house with the white picket fence as soon as she saw it. Sure, it needed repair, but Luis and her were having so much fun repairing.

Luis laid in bed thinking about what he came home to one night after working a twelve-hour shift at the station.

*Flashback*

Luis walked into the door completely exhausted. He looked around the living room and seen that Sheridan had been busy all day. The living room was painted a light lavender color, the color she adored. ‘How did she do all this, especially in her condition?’ He soon heard laughing coming from upstairs.

He climbed the stairs and saw the cutest sight in front of him, Sheridan covered in paint. He remembered seeing that very sight of her not so long ago when she first moved into their old apartment building. Gwen and Hank were there helping Sheridan paint the hallways. Sheridan thought brown walls were the ugliest things she had ever seen. She wanted them painted right away, and made sure Luis knew that. Of course, since he was always working, saving for the baby and paying for the house, he never had time. He should have known Sheridan would do it herself.

She suddenly saw Luis and ran to him. “Luis!” Sheridan said happily, giving Luis a light butterfly kiss.

“How are my two favorite people doing to day?” He said while looking in her beautiful blue eyes and ribbing her stomach.

“WE are great. Are you going to be at the check up tomorrow?”

“I wouldn’t miss it.” He kissed her again. “Hi Gwen, Hank”

“Hi Luis” Gwen said while giving him a smile. He knew that smile. Sheridan had a surprise that Gwen knew about.

“Hey buddy” Hank said. Hank and Luis had become best buds after everything that had happened.

Gwen looked at Sheridan and Sheridan nodded. “Well, I guess we can finish this hallway another time, I am tired. Come on Hank.” Gwen grabbed Hank and walked down stairs.

Luis looked at Sheridan and knew she was hiding something.

“What are you up to?” He said trying to determine what was going on in her mind.

“Come her, baby.” She said as she walked to the room across from the master bedroom. The room that was going to be the nursery.

Sheridan opened the room up and Luis looked around. The nursery was done. There was a white crib next to the window. The walls were painted a light yellow with teddy bear stickers all over the room.

Luis thought it was the sweetest thing Sheridan could have ever done.

*End Flashback*

Sheridan stirred and turned around and saw Luis just staring at her.

“Luis.” She winded. “I look horrible in the morning. Don’t stare at me.”

“You know that I think you are beautiful no matter what.” He leaned over and gave Sheridan a passionate kiss, which Sheridan gladly returned.

“Even the fat me?” She asked while rubbing her belly. She couldn’t believe she had one more month till the baby was here. She couldn’t wait to hold him or her.

“You are not fat, you are pregnant with our wonderful baby.” He kissed her again, knowing they had to meet with the lawyers again, concerning the divorce. Luis looked at the clock. It read 9:00. They still had three hours till they met with them.

Sheridan returned the kiss with equal passion. She knew what Luis had in mind and she was definitely craving the gorgeous body of her fiancé. Luis pulled Sheridan up into a sitting position and lifted her into his lap. There they made love, in each other’s arms.

They felt secure and loved, neither aware of the danger lurking at the lawyers office.

Chapter Twenty-Eight


Luis stroked Sheridan’s back as she lay on top of his chest, utterly spent after their intense lovemaking. He still couldn’t believe that in less than one-month time, they would have a new baby to hold and be theirs forever.

“Luis, what time is it?” Sheridan asked while keeping her eyes shut, not wanting the moment to end. She loved moments like these when it was just him and her making love and enjoying each other’s company. Life was perfect that way, but it would be even more perfect once the baby got there and they were married.

Luis looked at the clock, and absentmindedly said, “11.”

Sheridan sat straight up in bed at what Luis said. “What?” She quickly got out of bed and ran to the closet. “Luis get out of bed. We need to meet the lawyers in an hour.” After hearing what Sheridan had said, he too began getting ready. Neither wanted to be late for the appointment, just in case Beth finally decided to leave them be. ‘Like that will ever happen.’ Sheridan thought.

Why couldn’t life be like she always dreamed it would be? Ever since she was a little girl, she dreamed that she would fall in love with the tall dark stranger in her dreams, marry him, and have his children. She did meet the tall dark stranger, but he was already taken. Even though they still ended up together, Beth had caused so many problems along the way. Here Sheridan was almost ready to give birth and no marriage yet. ‘d**n Beth!’

“Ready babe?” Luis asked as he slipped on his shoes. Sheridan grinned at him and shook her head. They walked out the door hoping to come back even happier.

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“Mr. Lopez-Fitzgerald. Ms. Crane. Nice to see you two again.” Their fifty-year-old lawyer said. Even though he was the most expensive in town, he was also the best. That was the only way Luis was going to pay so much money just to keep fighting Beth with the divorce. Sheridan and the baby were his everything and he was going to prove it over and over to both of them for the rest of their lives.

Luis looked around the room and saw that Beth and her lawyer were not there yet. “Where is Beth?” Luis asked.

The lawyer looked at Luis and then at Sheridan. Luis and Sheridan knew that something was happening that was going to change their life again. But they didn’t know if it was going to change for the best or for the worst.

“Why don’t we take a seat?” The lawyer said. “First of all, the reason Beth isn’t here is because she had her baby last night and secondly…” he looked at Luis. “She put your name down as the baby’s father.”

Luis was turning red with anger. “SHE DID WHAT? I AM NOT THAT KID’S DAD!”

“That is what we need to prove. A simple paternity test will do that, but just to warn you, I did go and see Beth and the baby, and the baby does resemble you.”

“But that can’t be possible! I KNOW I didn’t sleep with her for weeks before hand. The doctor even said she was five weeks pregnant…FIVE WEEKS. I didn’t sleep with her for TEN WEEKS prior. It is not my baby.” Luis spat out with rage. He looked over at Sheridan and saw tears streaming down her cheeks. Did she actually believe all of this? Did she not have faith and trust in him of his love for her?

“Listen Mr. Lopez-Fitzgerald. I am not saying you are the father. I just said he does resemble you..dark hair, brown eyes. But did you ever think that maybe the doctor that examined Beth was wrong about the conception date. It does happen.”

“The doctor wouldn’t lie about that, especially when he was the one she was cheating with.” Luis was beyond furious with his lawyer. ‘And he was suppose to be the best. Yeah right!’

When Luis looked back at the chair that Sheridan was seated in, he found it vacant. She was gone. How did he miss her getting up and walking out?

Luis quickly ran for the door and opened it. He saw Sheridan getting into the elevator and the doors closing. She was crying. It was evident with the mascara trail marks that ran down her face.

He quickly ran to the elevator and pushed the down button. He tried to wait patiently, but his mind was on keeping Sheridan and him together, no matter what. Finally realizing he waited enough for the elevator, he ran for the stairs, hoping to catch Sheridan before she took off AGAIN.

Why did Beth always cause problems for Sheridan and him? And would he find Sheridan before she left for good?

Chapter Twenty- Nine


When Luis arrived at the bottom of the stairs, Sheridan was nowhere in sight. Luis ran to Sheridan’s minivan and found it still there, but Sheridan was not. He took Sheridan’s car keys out of his pocket and opened up the car door.

Luis got into the driver’s side door thinking of any place Sheridan could have ran to. She couldn’t be far with her being eight months pregnant. The eight months pregnant scared him. When Sheridan was upset, she seemed to forget about anything else. He knew he needed to find her and fast. He had this strange feeling come over him, this nagging feeling that wouldn’t go away. His thoughts soon turned to visions of Sheridan in trouble, calling out to him, needing his help.

Luis started the up the van and drove off looking for his fiancée. Once he was on the road, some how the feeling in his stomach worsened. He knew he had to be going the right way. Some how his gut feelings were telling him how to get to Sheridan.

As soon as he turned the next corner, there was Sheridan on the ground, holding her stomach tight. She was crying and Luis could hear her scream, “Luis, help me!” Luis stopped the car and threw open the door to the van, running for Sheridan.

“Sheridan!” he screamed, running to her like there was no tomorrow. Sheridan opened her eyes to Luis screaming her name, and there he was, looking down at her with tears in his own eyes.

“Luis, help me.” She cried. Luis engulfed her in his arms and rubbed soothing circles on her back, hoping to calm her down. Whatever stress Sheridan was having was now affecting their unborn baby.

“Sweetheart, what’s wrong?” He asked while giving a gentle kiss to her forehead.

“I am having cramps in my stomach. It hurts so bad Luis. What if something is wrong with the baby?” She looked up at Luis’ dark eyes and saw the same fear that she knew her eyes held.

“Let’s get you to the hospital and have you checked out.” Luis whispered in her ear, while he gentle picked her up and carried her to the van.

----------------------------------------------

Doctor Courtie walked into the room, looking down at Sheridan’s chart. Luis and Sheridan both had stopped their conversation to look at the doctor. The silence was killing Luis and Sheridan.

“Well Doctor, what is wrong with my fiancée?” Luis asked petrified something was wrong.

Doctor Courtie looked up and smiled at the pair in front of her. “Ms. Crane has been through so much stress lately, the baby was getting stressed as well. I also noticed that Ms. Crane was having some mild contractions. I would like to keep her over night and observe these contractions. If she keeps progressing with these contractions then you guys would be looking at having this baby in a few days.”

Sheridan turned white. “A few days?”

“Baby’s take time when they want to.” The doctor smiled. Luis then interrupted and said, “Well this baby will be here soon then because neither the mother of father have any patience.” Luis, Sheridan, and the doctor laughed.

Sheridan suddenly stopped laughing, as another contraction tore through her, stronger than any of the other ones she had experienced. The doctor looked at the monitor and recorded this last contraction. “Wow, it went from one to six. This baby is ready to be born.”

Luis was looking at the machine that was recording the contractions. The next words out of his fiancée’s mouth shocked him.

“I am NEVER letting you touch me again, Luis Lopez-Fitzgerald.” Luis stood their shocked. ‘Never touch her again. How could I manage that?’ Luis was so stuck in his thoughts that he never heard Sheridan say,

“My water just broke.”

Chapter Thirty


“Ah! My water broke!” Sheridan screamed after feeling the gush of amniotic fluids exiting her body. She looked over to Luis, seeing him in a daze. What could he be thinking about that was more important than the birth if his child, possibly second child.

What would she do if Luis was the father of Beth’s baby? Where did her baby fit in this?

Sheridan watched Luis as he kept mumbling, “never touch her.” Sheridan had enough. A contraction was coming and she wanted Luis by her side, not thinking about sex. As the contraction became stronger and the pain more unbearable, she screamed, “d**n YOU LUIS! QUIT THINKING ABOUT SEX AND GET OVER HERE!” She sounded more like a possessed demon than the loving and caring Sheridan Luis knew.

Luis quickly broke out of his daze and rushed to her side immediately. He knew not to get on her bad side.

Dr. Courtie came back into the room, “I heard you down the hall Ms. Crane. Another
contraction?” She asked already knowing the answer. Sheridan was doing her best to breathe through her contraction. Luis’ face shown the look of hurt as Sheridan was squeezing his hand. He was sure she would break his fingers.

After the contraction was over, Luis took a damp cloth and wiped the perspiration off of Sheridan’s forehead. She looked over at Luis lovingly and gave him her best smile she could at that present moment. Luis couldn’t have been happier to see her smile at that moment. He fell even more in love with her.

Dr. Courtie interrupted their moment by asking a question, “How is the pain so far?” Sheridan turned to the doctor and said, “I am ready for that epidural now.” Dr. Courtie laughed as she walked out of the room.

Sheridan turned her head back to Luis and looked him in the eyes, “Luis, I am sorry for saying you were never going to touch me again. That would be torture on both of us.” Sheridan laughed. Luis couldn’t help but not chuckle with her.

“I knew you couldn’t resist this body.” He said while flexing his muscles. Sheridan gave him the look that said yeah right. “Is that so? Then why were you in a daze before when I said you couldn’t touch me?” Luis knew she had overheard him, and he just shrugged his shoulders as in an attempt to have her forget about it. But she didn’t. “You are so busted. I knew you thought that I meant it.” He smiled at her and she smiled back.

Just then, Dr. Courtie came in with the anesthesiologist, Dr. Kelen. Sheridan thanked god at that moment. Her pain would soon be lessened.

Four hours later, Sheridan was thrashing around in the bed from the pain. Being in the hospital, in labor for over five hours was taking its toll. She was only dilated to 5 centimeters and her contractions were up to level eight out of ten. Would she ever get this baby out of her?

“LUIS!” Sheridan whined again, for what seemed to be the one-hundredth time in the last half hour. He wanted sleep. She wanted sleep, and neither were going to get any until this baby was born. Luis had called Gwen and Hank to tell them that Sheridan was in labor and they had rushed over immediately. Now Gwen and Hank were sitting out in the lobby waiting for any news. Both were afraid to face the wrath of Sheridan. When they had arrived, they were surprised to see Sheridan give Luis a piece of her mind about keeping his thing to himself. Gwen tried to stifle a laugh and when Sheridan met the eyes of Gwen and Hank, she gave them the go to hell look. They decided it was best to wait in the lobby.

After another hour, Sheridan was dilated to eight centimeters. The doctor was happy to see that Sheridan’s labor was progressing at a faster pace now. Only two more centimeters. But when would those last two centimeters happen.

Luis was asleep in the uncomfy chair. ‘How dare he sleep at a time like this?’ Sheridan thought as another contraction tore through her. Her scream woke Luis up with a jump and he was at her side in a flash. This contraction was the worse it had been all evening long. A nurse came in and looked at the machine that was recording the contractions. “Wow, that was a ten. I am going to tell the doctor.” She left the room and Sheridan looked at Luis.

“Can you believe her? She said wow while I was in serious pain.” Sher grumbled. Luis leaned down and gave her a kiss on the forehead.

Dr. Courtie came in at that time and checked to see Sheridan’s dilation. “You are at ten Sheridan. Ready to have this baby?”

“Are you serious? Finally I can have this baby come out?” Sheridan screamed as another contraction was coming. Dr. Courtie nodded and continued to check Sheridan’s progress. “The baby is crowning. On your next contraction, I want you to push as hard as you can and hold it till the count of 10.” The doctor waited and saw the contraction coming on, “Now, PUSH, PUSH!” Luis counted in Sheridan’s right ear as she pushed as hard as she could. She pushed for what seemed forever in her mind. But in a matter of ten minutes of pushing, the baby’s head was finally coming out.

“On your next contraction Sheridan, push and the baby’s head will be out. NOW!” Sheridan pushed as hard as she could and was screaming. “AH!!!!!”

“This is it, Sheridan. If you push hard and long enough, the baby will be out.” Luis’ eyes were misty. He couldn’t believe that in a few moments, his child would be born. His dreams were finally coming true. He was going to marry the woman he adored and she was having his baby. As Dr. Courtie screamed, “NOW!” Sheridan pushed with all she had and the room filled with the sound they had waited for for so long to hear, the baby crying.

Dr. Courtie handed Sheridan the baby, and said, “guys say hello to your daughter.”

Sheridan and Luis both looked down at the little bundle wrapped in a pink blanket. She was the splitting image of Sheridan, a little bit of blond hair on the top of her cute head and the brightest blue eyes. Sheridan leaned down and kissed the baby on top of her head. “Hello Courtney Katherine Lopez-Fitzgerald. I am your mother and this handsome guy to my right is your daddy.” Sheridan looked at Luis and said, “We’re a family.”

“We are a family.” He said back, as she mouthed thank you to him.

[Nicole Will]

Chapter Thirty-One


Luis watched the scene in front of him, his beautiful fiancée holding their little girl, Courtney. Sheridan looked down lovingly towards her daughter. Her daughter. She couldn’t say that enough. Courtney was making her sweet, adorable murmurs to Sheridan as she looked on with curiosity to Sheridan.

Dr. Courtie walked in and could feel the love this family presented. ‘That is one lucky girl.’ She thought as she looked at the little family in front of her. Sheridan turned to the door, seeing the doctor in front of her.

“Thank you so much for delivering her. I just can’t believe she is my little girl.” Sheridan choked out, holding back more tears.

“Believe it. You and Luis made one beautiful little girl.” Dr. Courtie smiled.

Luis looked at Sheridan and said, “Yes we did.” Sheridan smiled that smile that lit up the room. She was glowing. Motherhood was certainly agreeing with her. Luis couldn’t be more proud of his life. He had his beautiful fiancée and a baby girl. God had blessed him well. Thinking about babies brought him into thinking, ‘What if that little boy in the nursery is my son? What am I going to do?’

He couldn’t lose Sheridan and their daughter. He loved them too much, but he couldn’t turn his back on the little boy. Beth was out of his life, that was for sure. But the little boy, if it was his, would also be a part of his life. He couldn’t think about that now. He would just have to get a DNA test done on the baby while he was still in the hospital. Right now, he was going to concentrate on his little family in front of him.

“I hate to interrupt the family moment, but little Courtney just needs a few more tests done on her since she was born a month early.” Dr. Courtie said.

Sheridan tensed. “Do you think something is wrong with her?” Sheridan was frightened that something was wrong with her little girl.

“Don’t worry Ms. Crane. It is just procedure. If you would like I am sure Mr. Lopez-Fitzgerald would like to accompany her back to the nursery.” Sheridan looked over at Luis and her eyes pleaded for him to go with Courtney.

“Of course I will take my daughter to the nursery.” Luis said as he smiled at Sheridan. Luis knew there could be complications with his little girl, but everything was fine now. Sheridan didn’t have to worry. Nothing would be wrong.

Luis picked up his little angel and bent down to kiss Sheridan on the lips. “Everything will be all right. I will be right back.” Luis whispered as he got up from the bed. He walked out the door with his angel.

After making sure his daughter was safely secured in her crib in the nursery, Luis looked over at the little boy to his right with the name Antonio Luis Lopez-Fitzgerald. He looked the little boy over. Sure, it resembled him, but he didn’t feel a bond with the boy like he did with Courtney. ‘Why had Beth chosen Antonio as his name? Of all people, why Luis’ brother?’ Little Antonio had hazel liquid eyes and a head of dark hair. He did resemble Luis, but that still didn’t mean he was his son, not in his heart it didn’t.

Luis turned to walk out of the nursery and bumped into someone. Luis was quickly in a hurry to get back to Sheridan’s room. He felt the need to be with her. Luis quickly said sorry to the man. The man turned around and looked at Luis running off. The sound of the man yelling “Luis” brought him to a halt. Luis turned around and saw Antonio.

“Where you going little brother? Beth’s room is that way.” He said while pointing the opposite direction.

“What are you doing here Antonio?” Luis asked with anger apparent in his voice.

“Calm down Luis. Beth called and said that your baby was born so I am here and Mama and Papa are trying to get a flight out of Arizona.”

“Beth called you?” Luis was stunned. Beth had called him about everything that had ever gone wrong with her and Luis’ relationship. Antonio was there when Luis got off work. Finally, Luis figured out something.

“You are little Antonio’s father?” Luis asked giving Antonio the 'I don’t believe it' look.

Chapter Thirty-Two


“You are little Antonio’s father?”

“Luis what are you talking about?” Antonio thought Luis has lost. Who would deny his own son? This wasn’t the Luis he knew.

Luis’ mouth was clenched tight, trying not to lose his cool. “You know EXACTLY what I am talking about.”

“No, I don’t. Care to bring me up to speed?” Antonio asked. ‘What has been going on since I left nine months ago?’ He thought looking at his younger brother. The last time he had been in town, Luis and Beth were fighting and Beth found comfort in his..

“Oh no!” Antonio said as the realization came to him. Luis knew about Beth and him that once and little Antonio was his.

Luis looked at his brother and realized now it all must have came to him. “I see you know remember screwing with my wife and that kid in there,” he said pointing to the little brown-eyed boy, “is yours.”

Antonio turned white and then swiftly turned around, staring at the little bundle with the name Antonio Lopez-Fitzgerald. Antonio then looked to the cute little blond haired child to his “son’s” left. She was a cutie. Antonio had this huge grin on his face. Luis walked up to the window and looked inside the window at his little girl. Antonio pointed to the little girl and said, “Look at that little girl. She is a cutie.”

Luis not even thinking said, “Yeah, my little girl is a blessing.”

Antonio turned to look at Luis, who was looking at the little girl with such love. “You little girl?” Antonio turned to look at the little girl’s name, Courtney Katherine Lopez-Fitzgerald. “Care to explain this one, little brother?”

Luis turned to look at his brother. “There is nothing to explain. After Beth cheated on me with the doctor and you, I left her.”

“Luis, that little girl just happens to be the same age as little Antonio. You had to be cheating on Beth too.” Antonio smirked.

“No, I wasn’t. I had kicked Beth out first then I got together with Courtney’s mother. Sheridan is the best thing that ever happened to me. I love her more than I ever thought was possible and now having Courtney makes me love both of them more than life itself.”

Antonio grinned, happy for his brother. He never thought Beth was good enough for his brother AND he never meant to end up in bed with her. Beth always seemed to call him when things got out of hand with Luis. “So when do I get to meet this Sheridan?”

Luis chuckled. “You will as soon as I get this business situated with Beth. She won’t agree to the divorce and she named me the father of her baby.”

“Luis, all you need is a blood test.”

“I know, but Sheridan just gave birth to that sweet little angel in there and I want to spend some time with her.” As Luis and Antonio were talking, Dr. Courtie came up to them.

“Excuse me, Luis.” Luis turned and looked at the doctor. “Sheridan is asking for you and when did you want to set up the blood work for you for the DNA test?”

Antonio interrupted before Luis could answer. “Luis, I have a wonderful idea. I could do a blood test and see if I match. That way you can spend time with this Sheridan.”

“Thank you so much Antonio.” Luis grinned as walking away to return to his lovely fiancée’s room.

“OK, if you would like to follow me, we can get that blood work going.” Dr. Courtie said, while walking off toward the lab. Antonio followed. As he walked by Beth’s room, he looked in and thought, ‘If this is my son, then she has some explaining to do.’

Chapter Thirty-Three


When Luis arrived back at Sheridan’s room, she was sleeping. The look on her face, pure angelic, especially the way the light was shining on her face. Luis lowered his head and lightly kissed her forehead, hearing a sigh escape her lips. She was the most beautiful person he had ever met, besides his little girl that was in the nursery. Luis slipped into bed and immediately Sheridan snuggled with him. He soon joined his beloved in sleep, as he was listening to her rhythmic breathing.

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Dr. Courtie brought Antonio into the blood lab room and sat him down. Dr. Courtie went into a small room that appeared to be an office. When the doctor came out, another girl in a white coat came out also. Her nametag read Sarah. She was a petite size woman with shoulder length brown hair and green eyes. Antonio thought she was one of the most beautiful women he had ever seen.

“Mr. Lopez-Fitzgerald, Are you ok?” Dr. Courtie asked. Antonio suddenly hearing his name snapped out of his daze and grinned at the doctor then at the other woman in the room.

“This is Sarah. She is going to do your blood work.” Dr. Courtie said as she walked out, leaving Antonio with Sarah….alone.

Sarah turned around and grabbed the supplies she needed to take his blood for the blood test. She turned back around with the needle used to make a poke into the skin. Once Antonio saw the needle, he tuned white and passed out, leaving Sarah laughing.

---------------------------------------------

Sheridan awoke a couple hours later, feeling a warm embrace behind her, holding her against him. Sheridan slowly turned around, seeing Luis still sleeping. She leaned toward Luis and gave him a sweet, light kiss.

Luis was slowly awakening to the sweetest touch, the feel of Sheridan’s lips on his. As soon as he responded to the kiss, Sheridan stopped and looked him in the eyes, smiling her radiant smile. "Hi handsome.”

“Hello.” Luis said in a throaty growl. His lips meshing with hers again. They would have remained there, together, if the door hadn’t been opened and a nurse bringing in the small bundle, wailing at the top of her lungs.

“Oh, looks like someone wants their mommy.” Sheridan said, taking her daughter from the nurse. As soon as Sheridan looked at her baby, Courtney stopped. She lay there, looking at her and making cooing sounds. Sheridan looked at Luis and had tears in her eyes, her eyes reflecting the love for her daughter and Luis. She had the perfect family.

Sheridan cuddled the baby to her chest and Courtney instantly began sniffing her way towards Sheridan’s breasts. “Looks like someone is hungry.” Sheridan pulled down the top of her gown and let the baby suckle.

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“Excuse me, ma’am. Where can I find my brother Lopez-Fitzgerald? He and his girlfriend just had a little girl.” Antonio asked. The nurse looked up at him and said, “down the hall. First door to your right.”

“Thanks.” Antonio walked down the hall and knocked on the door. A light come in was heard and Antonio opened the door to see Luis next to a blond haired, blue-eyed woman. Luis was burping Courtney.

Luis grinned at seeing his brother. “Sheridan, I would like you to meet my brother Antonio. Antonio this is the love of my life, Sheridan.” Luis grinned. Sheridan leaned over towards him and gave him a light kiss.

“Nice to meet you Sheridan.”

-----------------------------------------------

“Mama, I saw Antonio go in this room.” Theresa Lopez-Fitzgerald said, pointing to the room Antonio had walked into seconds before.

“Are you sure Theresita?” Pilar asked, unsure on whether to go in or ask a nurse to make sure. Martin came walking up behind his wife and daughter, just having purchased a brown teddy bear from the hospital gift shop downstairs with Miguel and Paloma.

“Walk in Theresa. Your brother won’t mind and if Antonio is in there then there is nothing to fear.” Martin said.

Theresa opened the door and Pilar looked in and said, “Luis……”, but the words died in her mouth after seeing another woman in the bed with Luis by her side, not Beth.

Chapter Thirty-Four


Pilar stopped at the door not sure to enter. “Sorry Luis. We thought this was Beth’s room when we saw Antonio walk in.”

Luis looked over at his family and knew it was time that they learn about Beth and Sheridan. “Mama. Papa. There are things you don’t know about yet.” He tried to remain calm, but he knew his mother would be upset about him having a child, with another woman, out of wedlock. But things needed to be said.

Luis handed Courtney to Antonio, which Antonio greatly accepted. Luis took Sheridan’s left hand and showed it to his family. “This is my fiancée Sheridan.” Pilar took one look at the ring on the woman’s finger and passed out. Luckily, Martin was there to catch her.

Sheridan looked at Luis and said, “That went well.”

Dr. Courtie came in the room and saw a dark haired woman passed out in a man’s arms. “What is going on in here?”

Sheridan smiled at the doctor and said, “Luis told his family about Courtney and that we were engaged. His mother passed out.” Luis chuckled. He never thought his mother would pass out from the news. He was expecting to get a lecture from her.

Dr, Courtie checked out Pilar and said everything was ok. She probably would be waking up soon. As Dr. Courtie left the room, Pilar started to flutter her eyes open.

She looked up and saw Martin holding her. “Martin, I just had the strangest dream. Luis had a baby with another woman.” As soon as she said that, she looked around the room and noticed that it was not a dream. It was reality.

Luis spent the next hour telling his family about Beth and her affairs, resulting in a pregnancy. He however, left out that Antonio could be the father. It was up to Antonio to tell his parents that. Luis then began to explain to them about Sheridan.

“Mama, I know you don’t like this, but Sheridan is the love of my life and as soon as I get the paternity of baby Antonio straightened out then we will get married.” Luis took Courtney from Antonio and walked toward his mother.

Pilar looked at the baby with love. After learning about Courtney, Pilar’s heart began filling with love for her new granddaughter. Martin even seemed to be in awe at the little girl.

“You may not be the grandson we thought we were having, but a granddaughter is just as special.” Pilar said. She looked over at Luis and Sheridan and saw the love shining in their eyes for their little girl. Luis looked at Sheridan and bent down to give her a light kiss on the lips. Pilar knew that nothing was going to get in their way. Now the next thing on her mind was going to give Beth a piece of her mind.

Antonio looked over at his mother and father bonding with the new baby. He knew it was time to let them know that they may just have that grandson they had hoped on. “Mama. Papa. Can I talk to you for a second?” Antonio asked, trying to keep it together. Luis knew what was coming.

Luis went over and took Courtney from his mother. Theresa stepped up and asked, “Can I hold her?” Luis smiled at his sister, walked over to her, and handed her the baby. Paloma and Miguel both stared at the baby in front of them. “We have a niece.” Theresa said.

“What is it Antonio?” Pilar and Martin asked.

“About Beth’s baby…” He looked over at his parents and saw the look on their faces, almost like they knew what was coming. “It could be mine.” Pilar’s eyes got as wide as saucers. Martin stood in shock.

Just then, Dr. Courtie came into the room with an envelope. “Here are the results to the paternity test.”

Chapter Thirty-Five


Antonio and Luis both looked at Dr. Courtie, while she looked on them while holding the manila envelope in her hands. Pilar’s eyes again looked as wide as saucers. Was she going to faint again. The white ghost look spread across her face. What if Antonio was the father?

Martin knew what his wife was thinking. “Calm down. Wouldn’t it be great to have a grandson and a granddaughter all in one day?” Martin’s wide smile spread across his face.

“Yeah, but when his mother lied about his paternity and said it was one of my son’s and it turns out to be one of my other son’s then I have a problem with that.” Pilar yelled, stunning poor Courtney sending her wailing. Theresa looked helpless with the screaming baby and graciously gave her back to Luis.

Dr. Courtie looked around the room, the room in chaos. “SHHHHHHH!” Courtie said loudly, getting everyone’s attention. “Do you want the results or not?” She looked over at Antonio. Antonio immediately shook his head yes.

She took out the papers and looked them over. The silence in the room was defying. What were the results? Antonio and Luis, both tried to read her face, but the doctor’s face held no emotion, nothing to help them figure out if Antonio was indeed the father of little Antonio. Dr. Courtie looked up.

“Antonio, you ARE the father. Congratulations.” Dr. Courtie smiled and walked out of the room, giving the family a chance to understand everything that had just happened. Antonio was stunned. HE was a father. He looked over at Luis, whose face at the moment held relief. Luis only had one baby and that was Courtney.

Watching Luis interact with his daughter made Antonio furious at Beth for lying to him all this time. Pilar sighed and made the cross sign, praying for guidance. Martin whopping for joy because he had both a grandson and granddaughter. Theresa, Miguel, and Paloma raced out of the room running into the gift shop to purchase more gifts for their niece and nephew.

Antonio started walking towards the door, but Luis stopped him with a hand on the shoulder. “Where are you going?” Luis asked. “I am going to see my son and then have a few words with his mother.” Antonio said with teeth clenched.

Pilar stood up as well. “I too plan to have a few words with Beth.” She turned to Luis, “and you...you take good care of my granddaughter while I am gone and I expect a divorce from Beth soon. I don’t like the thought of you having children out of wedlock.” Both Antonio and Pilar exited the room.

Luis turned to Sheridan’s bright smile. She was finally truly happy. All that would make it even better was marrying the man she loved and now that Beth’s lies were exposed, nothing could stop them now. Martin saw the look passing between the two lovers.

“Give me my granddaughter.” Martin said while holding out his hands to take her. Luis smiled at his dad and handed her over. Pride washed over him, as he realized that he had given his family something important. He looked again at Sheridan and leaned down to give her a sweet kiss.

Sheridan scooted over on the bed making room for her fiancé. She tugged on his right arm, getting him to join her in bed. Wrapping his arms around her as she snuggled into him, he whispered in her ear, “I can’t wait till we can have another baby.” He had that gleam in his eye that Sheridan knew was one thing…he WANTED her. ‘Poor Luis. He has to wait six LONG weeks.’ Sheridan thought.

Just then, Nurse Kasey came into the room. “Sorry to interrupt the happy moment, but it is time for Courtney’s bath. Martin handed over Courtney and said to the nurse, “Now you take special care of her. She is my favorite granddaughter.” Nurse Kasey smiled as she walked out of the room with Courtney cooing.

------------------------------------------

Room 106’s door stood closed, as Pilar and Antonio walked towards it. Antonio knocked and heard a weak “come in.” He opened the door and was face to face with Beth. Fury rose in him, but Pilar put her hands on her son’s shoulder calming him down.

“Antonio. Pilar.” Beth smiled. “Don’t be nice to me…DARN IT.” Beth’s mouth dropped as Antonio lashed out at her.

“What’s wrong Antonio?” Beth asked sweetly. Pilar looked at Beth with disgust. What she wouldn’t do to wipe that smug look off her face right now? One more flash of the eyelashes and Pilar had had it. “Why didn’t you tell us you were carrying Antonio’s baby and not Luis’?”

Beth’s mouth hung open, Antonio looked furious with her, and Pilar looked like she could kill.

Chapter Thirty-Six


Beth shyly looked over at Antonio and Pilar, eyelashes batting. “What ever do you mean? Little Antonio is Luis’.”

“Don’t even start Beth. I had a paternity test done.” Antonio screamed with rage. “You did not. I would have to give you permission and since I didn’t, you couldn’t have gotten one.” Beth said flatly, looking at her nails.

“I should thank you then for having Luis’ name as the father because her authorized it.” Antonio gritted through his clenched teeth. “Now MY name is on the birth certificate.” Antonio couldn’t stand to look at her any longer. “By the way, I am filing for full custody of my son. You will be hearing from my attorney. NOW excuse me, but I am going to check on my son.” Antonio walked out leaving Beth alone with a furious looking Pilar.

Beth looked scared, for the first time since she was introduced to the Lopez-Fitzgerald family, she looked afraid that Pilar was going to cause her harm and right she was. At that very second, Pilar walked up to Beth and slapped her hard across the face, leaving a handprint on her face, welting. Beth’s eyes bulged out of her head, almost not sure that her mother-in-law just hit her.

Touching the hot spot on her face, Beth knew it was no dream. Pilar broke the silence in the room. “If you ever come near my family again, I won’t be responsible for my actions. And I will be there for when Antonio gets custody of his son.” Beth was literally shaking on the bed. “NURSE NURSE!!” Beth screamed.

------------------------------------

Antonio walked into the nursery. A nurse smiled at him as he walked up to the small bassinet his son lay in. His smile, dominating his face, as he watched Little Antonio open his eyes and look at his father. AJ, Antonio nicknamed him, cooed and flaring his arms and legs every which way.

“You can pick him up and sit with him in the rocker over there.” The nurse said pointing to the wooden rocker in the far right hand corner of the room. Antonio thanked the nurse and picked his son up. At holding his son, the wave of love every parent feels when holding their newborn washed over Antonio. He walked over to the rocker and rocked his son back to sleep. Martin stood outside, looking into the window, watching his son rock his grandson to sleep.

-------------------------------------------

Luis nibbled on Sheridan’s ear. “LUISSS.” Sheridan whined. “You know not to get me worked up when there is nothing we can do about it.” Luis gave Sher a pouty look.

“But Sher, I can NEVER keep my hands off you.” He caressed her body with his hands, proving to her just how much he wanted her. “Luis! Stop now. You know we have to wait the 6 weeks.” But her mild reprimand did nothing to her naughty fiancé. He kept right on kissing her neck and all over her face. Luis kissed her fully on the lips and she happily obliged deepening the kiss.

“Can’t you two keep your hands off of each other long enough so your doctor doesn’t have to walk in on you guys?” Dr. Courtie asked with a smile. Sheridan blushed a bright shade of red after being caught making out in a hospital, after giving birth no less. Luis just grinned. ‘Like usual.’ Sheridan thought.

“Doctor!” a nurse came running in. “We seem to have a problem in room 106. Mrs. Lopez-Fitzgerald keeps screaming.” Dr. Courtie sighed. “I’ll be right there.” The nurse walked out. Dr. Courtie faced Luis and Sheridan again, “and you two, control your hormones.” Then walked out. Sheridan hit Luis in the chest. “See what you did, you got us in trouble.” Luis didn’t answer; he just stood there looking dumbfounded. “Did they just say Beth’s room number?” He asked while finally looking at Sheridan.

----------------------------------

Dr. Courtie ran into room 106 while Beth still was screaming, “NURSE NURSE!” Pilar stood there looking over at Beth like she had just lost her mind. “What happened in here?” Dr. Courtie asked.

Beth looked at Pilar in fright. “She hit me.” Beth said softly, after stopping screaming. Dr. Courtie couldn’t help but chuckle. “What do you expect a mother to be like when someone lied to their children?” The doctor asked Beth. Dr. Courtie looked over to Pilar and asked her to step outside. Pilar was happy to oblige.

As Doctor Courtie walked out of Beth’s room, after sedating her, she bumped into a police officer. “Hello.” Dr. Courtie said, blushing. “Where can I find Luis Lopez-Fitzgerald?”

The doctor tilted her head. “Is he in trouble?” Police Chief Sam Bennett chuckled. “No, I am his boss and I heard his fiancée just had her baby.” “Follow me handsome.” Courtie said, while Sam followed her to where Luis was.

Chapter Thirty-Seven


“I can’t wait to be released from this hospital today.” Sheridan grinned at her fiancée, her baby daughter in her arms nursing. Luis had just finished loading the many presents from family and friends into the car. Luis smiled and looked down at his fiancée and daughter. He bent down and lightly rubbed his right index finger against his daughter’s smooth cheek. “As soon as Courtney here is finished with lunch, the nurse will bring in your release forms and then you and I can go out and have our own lunch.”

“I can’t wait.” Sheridan’s smile lit the room with such happiness. Luis loved the look on her face. He only wished everyone he loved could be this happy. Just only yesterday, Beth had walked out of the hospital, unnoticed, and left little Antonio all alone. His brother now had custody of his son and had been released early this morning.

Now Antonio was attempting to get full custody of his son since the mother abandoned him. It all looked promising for his brother. The only thing standing in Luis and Sheridan’s happiness was the whole divorce issue, which now looked very promising since Beth had seemed to make mistake after mistake. It wouldn’t be too hard for a lawyer to get this divorce through with. The thought pleased Luis.

“Sher, I was wondering. What do you think of a winter wedding?” Sheridan looked up from Courtney, her eyes wide, but her mouth going into a wide smile. “You mean, we can?” Sheridan asked, trying not to get her hopes up. She had done that for months, hoping and praying for her dream to happen.

“I don’t see why not. Beth is gone. A lawyer should get this done with soon and with Antonio getting full custody, IF Beth comes back, she will have her hands full fighting with Antonio.” Sheridan lightly laughed, her laugh containing such happiness.

At that second, Courtney decided to join in and looked up at her mother with her bright blue eyes and cooed. Luis and Sheridan both looked down at their little girl and chuckled. “Well, it looks like she wants to share in our happiness.” Luis leaned down and gave Sher a kiss. He picked up Courtney, put her against his chest, and started burping her.

KNOCK KNOCK

Sheridan quickly fixed herself and called, “Come in.” In walked Antonio with AJ. Antonio thought AJ would be easier for people to not confuse the two apart.

“Hey. AJ and I thought we should we would see your guys home.” Antonio said while putting the carrier on the floor, leaving a sleeping AJ still sleeping. “Wasn’t that nice of you.” Luis smirked at his brother. “What is it you want?” Luis knew his brother would rather not be in his brother’s company. He used to hate it when he followed Antonio everywhere.

*Flashback*

“Luis!! STOP following me!!” a little eight-year old Antonio whined, after Luis followed him all the way to the park.

“But Antonio. You know Mama don’t let me go alone.” A six-year old Luis said.

“I don’t care. GO HOME!!!” Antonio went running, leaving Luis trying to keep up with his big brother.

*End Flashback*

Antonio huffed, knowing Luis was on to him. “OK, OK. I have had this little guy for four hours already and I have no idea how to take care of him. I can’t go to mama or papa because they had plans and Theresa, Miguel, and Paloma are with friends, leaving me all alone with him. Not that I don’t love him, I do, but this is all new to me.”

“And it isn’t to me either?” Luis asked. “Ok, you have a point, but wouldn’t it be easier if we three worked together to help with the two babies?”

Luis was about to turn him down since he was wanting to enjoy some alone time with his family, something he really hadn’t enjoyed in the hospital. But before he could turn him down, he already heard Sheridan say it would be no problem. Luis sighed. ‘I guess family time will have to wait a few hours.’ Luis thought.

Luis handed back Courtney to Sheridan, after giving her a big kiss on the cheek, earning a coo from the little girl. “I am going to see about getting you and our daughter released from this cell and then we can go home.” Sheridan smiled at him. “Thanks. I am going to get Courtney all ready to go.”

Luis walked out of the room to get her paper work. Antonio brought Courtney’s car seat over to the bed where Sheridan was dressing Courtney in a pink frilly dress. “Are you sure it is all right if AJ and I come over?” Antonio asked, after feeling that Luis didn’t want him there.”

“Don’t worry about Luis. It isn’t like we are going to sneak off somewhere as much as HE wants that to happen.” Sheridan said with a gleam in her eyes. Antonio chuckled. Luis and Sheridan were sure in love with each other.

After all the paper work was filled out and Sheridan dressed ready to go, Luis asked, “Are we ready to go?” Sheridan grabbed the carrier that held Courtney and said, “YES!! Lets go home!” Luis walked Sheridan and Courtney out, while Antonio followed with AJ. Antonio said, “I will be over in a little while. I am going to get some lunch and then we will be over.” Sheridan interrupted saying, “We are going out to. Why don’t you join us in that café on Twelfth Street.”

Hearing that café mentioned, Luis couldn’t help but not remembering that place. The first place where we was conscious and remembered kissing Sheridan.

*Flashback*

At noon, Sheridan walked into the diner and looked around. She spotted Luis in the back corner booth. As she approached him, Luis’ brown eyes connected with her blue eyes.

“Thanks for meeting me here.” He said while never taking away the connection his eyes had on hers.

“No Problem. Why did you want to meet me here?” She had a questioning look on her face.

“I wanted to apologize for Beth’s actions this morning.”

“Don’t worry about it. I am sure she didn’t mean to come of so strong with me.”

“What did she say to you?” His curiosity was peaked.

“Something about you being hers. I wasn’t paying to much attention to her.” Luis could automatically see that she was hurt by what Beth said because she was beginning to have tears in her eyes.

“Why don’t we order something to eat and then we can talk about ways I can make up Beth’s actions to you.”

“That isn’t necessary. I don’t want to cause problems in your marriage.”

“If anything is going wrong with my marriage, it certainly wouldn’t be your fault. If anything it would be my wife’s fault.” He said snidely.

“Don’t mind me asking, but are you sure you are ok and your marriage?”

“Beth and I are going through a rough time right now and I think I know why, but I need proof to prove it.”

As Sheridan was talking with Luis, Beth was walking by the diner and decided to get something to eat.

‘Since Luis is too busy to eat with me then I will just eat here by myself’ Beth thought.

When she walked in, she saw Luis sitting at the far corner booth with Sheridan. Her rage was fueling.

Beth stormed up to Luis and Sheridan. The couple didn’t seem to notice her walking up to them; they were so caught up in each other.

“So Luis, too busy to have lunch with me?” Beth screamed.

Everyone in the diner turned to look at the three people by the far booth.

“Beth this isn’t what it looks like. I invited Sheridan here before you called and asked me.”

Beth looked at Sheridan and screamed, “I told you to stay away from him you hore.”

Sheridan just sat there listening to Beth scream at her, tears sliding down her face. Luis looked at Sheridan and stood up to stop Beth.

“Beth, LEAVE!” he said pointing to the door. “I don’t want to see you make Sheridan cry.”

“So you care more about her than your own wife. Fine be that way. I WILL BE AT MY MOTHER’S, IF YOU WANT TO TALK.” She said while screaming. The manager came up to Beth and asked her to leave since she was scaring away customers. Beth had never been so humiliated in her life that she stormed out of the diner without Luis even noticing. He was to consumed in stopping Sheridan from crying.

“Hey, It is ok.” He said while getting up from his spot and sitting directly next to her. He took her in his arms and rubbed soothing circles on her back.

“I am so sorry Luis. I did it again. I am ruining your marriage.”

“Like I said before, it is not your fault.” Luis put his finger under her chin and lifted her chin up. She was looking directly at him through her tear-filled eyes. His eyes fell to her lips and he wondered what it would be like to kiss her.

His head started to dip and his lips were inching their ways toward her warm inviting lips. Within seconds, their lips met and were involved in the most passionate kiss, either had ever experienced.

*End Flashback*

“Luis are you just going to stand there or are we going to go eat?” Sheridan asked, getting Luis out of his daydream. “Where were you just now?” She asked curiously. “I was thinking of our first real kiss in that café.” Sheridan smiled. “One of the best days of my life.” Luis agreed.

They drove off to the café, making new memories as a family.

Chapter Thirty-Eight


Luis and Sheridan looked down at Little Courtney sleeping peacefully in her crib. “She is such an angel, isn’t she Luis?” Sheridan sighed blissfully. “You bet she is.” Luis looked at Sheridan and bent to give her a kiss.

“We should get some sleep before she wakes up tonight and demands to be feed.” Luis whispered in Sheridan’s ear, before taking her hand and walking towards their bedroom for some much needed rest.

--------------------------------------------

“WAAAAAH!” Courtney screamed. Sheridan jumped from the bed and walked down the hall to her little girl’s room. “Mommy’s here. Shhh.” Sheridan soothed her daughter by picking her up and rubbing her small back.

Sheridan walked over to the rocking chair by the window and sat down with Courtney in her arms. Courtney looked up at her mother and cooed. “I know what my girl wants.” Sheridan said as she started unbuttoning the dress shirt of Luis’ she decided to wear to bed.

-----------------------------------

Luis reached over to Sheridan’s side of the bed and reached for her. The bed was empty. Luis woke up and noticed Sheridan wasn’t there. A soft humming was heard in the baby monitor. Sheridan was singing softly to their baby girl.

He slowly got out of the bed and walked down the hallway to where his fiancée and daughter were. A smile dominating his face as he listened to the soft humming. Peaking around the corner, he saw Sheridan sitting in the rocking chair by the window, slowly humming. Little Courtney reaching her arms up towards her mother. The perfect mother daughter scene.

“Hey” Luis said making his presence known. Sheridan looked over to the door and smiled her bright smile. “How are my girls doing?” “We are doing beautifully. Courtney here isn’t tired so she insists on keeping mommy up. Isn’t that right, baby?” Sheridan made baby talk to her daughter.

Luis leaned down toward his daughter. “Are you keeping mommy up?” He reached for his daughter and picked her up. “Why don’t you get some more sleep and I will worry about getting Courtney back to bed.” Luis said before kissing Sheridan.

Sheridan got up from the rocking chair. “Thanks so much. My back was getting a little sore from sitting in that chair.” She smiled. Sheridan kissed Luis and Courtney good night before going back to bed.

When she arrived back in the room, she heard Luis’ voice over the baby monitor. “We are lucky people Courtney, to have someone as wonderful as your mommy in our lives.” Sheridan smiled and said “It goes the same way to you to Luis” before blissfully going back to sleep.


-------------------------------------------------------------

*Six weeks later*

“So, we can go ahead with finalizing the divorce?” Luis asked his attorney, Brett Welch. “Since Beth hasn’t been seen since vanishing six weeks ago, not even for the custody hearing of her son, the judge has said it was ok to go ahead with the proceedings. So if she doesn’t resurface in the next week, you will be a free man.” Brett smirked, knowing full well that Luis planned on remarrying right away. He didn’t blame Luis. Sheridan was one of a kind and his baby girl was a blessing.

“Sheridan is going to be so happy with this news.” Luis walked out of the attorney’s office and into the lobby where Antonio, AJ, and Hank were waiting for him. “Well?” Antonio asked. “The divorce is going through.” Luis smiled, throwing his arms open, feeling such freedom and happiness. “Well don’t forget that you are marrying Sheridan.” Hank reminded.

“How could I forget about her? The love of my life.” “Come on little brother. You are getting too sappy for me and AJ.” They all walked out the door.

----------------------------------------

“Well doctor. Is everything ok?” Sheridan asked Dr. Courtie. She wanted everything to return back to normal since after giving birth. Little Courtney was gaining weight at a good pace and growing.

“You can go ahead with marital relations.” Dr. Courtie said knowing right away, what Sheridan wanted to know. Sheridan blushed.

“Now go home and tell your fiancé the good news.” Dr. Courtie said, while Sheridan gathered up Courtney and walked out the door.

---------------------------------------------

Sheridan opened the door to the house finding Luis at the couch reading through the divorce papers again. “Well?” Sheridan asked anxiously. “Lets say in a week, I will be free to marry you.” Sheridan screamed loud, running to Luis. Courtney woke up to a stun and screamed at the top of her lungs.

“Oops. I forgot she was sleeping in the car seat.” Luis couldn’t help chuckling at the situation. Sheridan got up from Luis’ lap on the couch and walked over to Courtney picking her up.

“So what about you. Any good news?” Luis asked hopefully. The six weeks have been killing him. Sheridan walked back into the room and said, “Well, how about Courtney going to sleep a little earlier than usual.” Sheridan said with a gleam.

Luis quickly got up from the couch and walked over to Sheridan and Courtney. “You fed her right?” “Yes”

“Bed time.” He took Courtney into his arms and walked up the stair, putting his daughter to bed. Sheridan laughed the entire way up the stairs and into their bedroom.

Chapter Thirty-Nine


“Sheridan, will you get your pretty little butt out of the bathroom and get in this bed?” Luis asked very impatiently. Luis was already in his boxers and waiting for his beloved fiancée to get in the bed so he could ravenously devour her through out the night. Luis felt like it was forever since they had made move, which was 7 weeks ago, but to him it was forever.

Sheridan was in the bathroom standing in front of the mirror, very self-conscious. ‘Luis won’t like what he says’ Sheridan thought embarrassed that she still didn’t have that slim figure she used to have. But she wouldn’t trade anything to look that way again if it meant not having her beautiful daughter in her life, and her fiancé.

She could still hear him yell at her through the door. “Impatient are we?” She yelled back. She heard Luis get up from the bed. She knew he was coming to her. And sure enough, the door flew open. His eyes black with emotion. Loving emotions. He reached up and ran his fingers through her hair. “You look beautiful.” Luis said sincerely. “Right, with my fat stomach.” “Hey. You are not fat. I think you look gorgeous and no matter what you look like I will still love you. Plus I know you will lose the weight you don’t want, but you have to remember you gave birth to a beautiful little angel that is fast asleep in the nursery, and will be waking up soon enough. And I am going to die if we don’t make love soon.”

Sheridan laughed. “I can’t have you die yet.” Luis scooped her up and walked over to the bed. Quickly removing her clothes, he said “sorry baby, but no fore-play this first time. I need you now.” Quickly slipping out of his boxers, he climbed into the bed and brought Sheridan underneath him. Bending down to quickly kiss her mouth, he slipped inside of her. She moaned at the feeling of completeness he brought her.

Nothing could ever compare to the time she spend with her new family. Luis was rocking his hips in a fast motion that brought their climax fast. Luis collapsed on Sheridan, sweaty and sated at the moment.

“Well Luis. I think that was the record for the fastest love making ever.” She giggled. Luis slipped out of her and rolled over to his side of the bed. “Fine, no more for you.” And he turned his back to her. Sheridan ran her hands over his back and down to his firm butt, giving it a squeeze. “Luis.” She hissed in his ear sending a wave of emotion into his stomach and arousing him more. Luis quickly flipped her over and their lovemaking began again, but this time slow and loving.

A week later

“Sheridan, wake up. Today is the day my divorce will be official at noon.” Luis whispered in her ear. She smiled and opened her blue eyes and stared at Luis, as he was holding Courtney. “This is the best day of my life.” “I thought the best day was when you met me.” “Ok, one of the best days.” “Better.” And he pecked her lips.

Sheridan held out her hands for Luis to place Courtney in them. “Hello sweetie. And how is my favorite little girl?” Sheridan cooed at the baby. “I am going to take a quick shower while you feed Courtney and then we can drop her off at my parent’s house. Then,” he leaned down to her and whispered, “I can get this divorce finalized.” And he kissed her lips

Inside the courthouse

“Two minutes remaining. If she doesn’t show up within the two minutes then the divorce will be finalized.” The judge bellowed throughout the small courtroom. Sheridan looked over at Luis and smiled. Her dreams were finally going to be coming true within a minute and thirty seconds.

All of a sudden, Beth stormed into the courtroom. “Am I too late?”

Sheridan’s smile fell and tears filled her eyes. ‘Maybe dreams don’t come true for you Sheridan Crane. I should have known.’ Sheridan thought as she excused herself from the courtroom.

Chapter Forty


Sheridan ran out the courtroom doors, running down the street not caring where she was going. Tears streaming down her face as her mascara ran leaving a black trail on her cheeks. ‘Why did you give yourself false hope?’ She yelled at herself.

What would she do? Take Courtney and run? No, she couldn’t do that to her daughter or Luis. She stopped herself from running any farther and looked back, hoping to see Luis chasing her. But there was no one.

Slowly, she hailed a taxi and went to get her daughter.

-------------------------------------------------

Luis looked over at Beth, giving her the evil eye. Beth looked over at Luis, out of breath. She shivered at the look he was giving her. The judge looked over at Beth. “Are you here to sign the divorce papers or do you have a reason why this marriage should go on?”

She looked over at Luis again and saw the sad look in his eyes. He actually loved Sheridan. Maybe they had rushed into marriage when they had gotten married. Sure she tricked him by saying she was pregnant with his baby and then two weeks after their wedding, she said she miscarried.

She was sure he would learn to love her as she loved him, but now looking at him, his heart had been breaking as he watched Sheridan run from the courtroom.

Luis had wanted to run after Sheridan, but he wanted to give Beth a piece of his mind about her whole delusion. He would do anything to get this marriage over with and get married to his one true love.

“Well?” The judge yelled throughout the courtroom. The courtroom was small and his voice could be heard loudly, sure enough to break an eardrum. The next words out of Beth’s mouth stunned Luis. “I will sign the papers.”

--------------------------------------------------

Pilar opened the door and saw Sheridan crying. “What is wrong mija?” and wrapped her arms around her. “Beth showed up.” Sheridan sniffed. Pilar could see her heart breaking and felt her pain. ‘d**n that woman. I should have never allowed Luis to marry her.’ Pilar thought bitterly.

Sheridan was everything a mother-in-law could want in marrying her son. And she also brought her a beautiful little granddaughter. But then Pilar remembered about Beth being AJ’s mother. A shutter went over her. Thank god that her son had gotten full custody of his son after Beth did not show up to that court date, but she had to her divorce.

“shhh.” Pilar said as she held Sheridan close. “I need to hold my baby.” Sheridan whispered as Pilar slowly let her grip go and shook her head. Sheridan walked over to the playpen that was set up in the living room that contained Courtney and AJ. One look at her daughter made her heart feel a little better. At least she had Luis’ child. She picked her up and started humming to Courtney, slowly swaying.

The phone rang and Pilar went to go answer it. “Hello.” She could hear Antonio in the background yelling at someone. “Mama?” Luis asked. “Hello son. How did everything go?” She listened to her son’s happiness as he told her all about how Beth had finally agreed to the divorce. “Have you seen Sher? She ran out of here.” Luis asked concerned. Pilar heard the love in his voice and how scared he was. “She is here mijo.” Luis said he was on his way and good byes were exchanged.

Twenty minutes later, Luis strolled into the house with a big smile on his face. He saw Sheridan sitting on the couch with their baby girl. He would never get tired of coming home to that site. Maybe with a few more children and it would be a dream come true.

Sheridan looked up and saw Luis. She tried her best to smile, but Luis knew it wasn’t her true smile because her eyes didn’t shine with her happiness. Luis walked over to his little family and sat down beside her.

“Guess what, babe?” He asked with a grin. Sheridan looked over at him, not happy with the way he was acting. Her world had been turned upside down again. She was not in the mood to be happy. “Luis, I really am not in the mood for some guessing games.” She managed to say very softly.

Luis held out his arms. “Here give me munchkin.” Sheridan placed their daughter in his arms and watched as he placed Courtney by a sleeping AJ. He walked back over to Sheridan and gave her a folded piece of paper. “Here, look at this.” Sheridan took the letter and started reading it. “Are you serious?” she asked with happiness back in her voice. “That is right baby. Nothing is stopping us from getting married.”

“YES!” Sheridan screamed as she ran into Luis’ loving arms, where she would stay till the end of time. Both babies began screaming after hearing Sheridan’s very loud voice.

“What are you doing to my son?” Antonio asked as he walked into the room and went to AJ’s side. Antonio sure became I really great dad. Luis took Courtney and walked back over to Sheridan. Pilar and the rest of the family came into the room after hearing the good news about Luis’ divorce.

Pilar snapped a photo of Sheridan, Luis, and Courtney looking like the perfect family.

---------------------------------------------------

“So why did Beth finally agree to the divorce?” Theresa asked, while the rest of the family sat down on the floor anywhere they could find a space in the room. “It seems that Beth FINALLY got it through her head that I wasn’t interested, plus she is dating a wealthy doctor. You should have seen her when Antonio informed her of his custody.” Antonio chuckled. “She said she didn’t remember having a son. Of course, the doctor was right next to her by then. So basically she is out of the picture for this family.” The group announced, “Halleluiah.” Paloma announced, “Lets get started on the best wedding this town has ever seen.” Sheridan looked up at Luis and smiled. Maybe she wasn’t cursed after all. And life couldn’t get anymore sweeter.

[Nicole Will]

Forty One


“My dreams are coming true.” Sheridan said. Luis kissed her sweetly.

“Sheridan wake up. Sheridan.” Pilar said as she tried waking her up. Sheridan jumped of the couch. “Oh My God. You scared me Pilar.” “Sorry about that, but you were mumbling in your sleep.”

“Sleep? How did I fall asleep and where is Luis? I thought he was back.” “He is still at the courthouse, remember?”

“What? NO!!!!! I was dreaming.” Tears filled Sheridan’s eyes and started sliding down her face.

Dream

Luis looked over at Beth, giving her the evil eye. Beth looked over at Luis, out of breath. She shivered at the look he was giving her. The judge looked over at Beth. “Are you here to sign the divorce papers or do you have a reason why this marriage should go on?”

She looked over at Luis again and saw the sad look in his eyes. He actually loved Sheridan. Maybe they had rushed into marriage when they had gotten married. Sure she tricked him by saying she was pregnant with his baby and then two weeks after their wedding, she said she miscarried.

She was sure he would learn to love her as she loved him, but now looking at him, his heart had been breaking as he watched Sheridan run from the courtroom.

Luis had wanted to run after Sheridan, but he wanted to give Beth a piece of his mind about her whole delusion. He would do anything to get this marriage over with and get married to his one true love.

“Well?” The judge yelled throughout the courtroom. The courtroom was small and his voice could be heard loudly, sure enough to break an eardrum. The next words out of Beth’s mouth stunned Luis. “I will sign the papers.”

--------------------------------------------------

Pilar opened the door and saw Sheridan crying. “What is wrong mija?” and wrapped her arms around her. “Beth showed up.” Sheridan sniffed. Pilar could see her heart breaking and felt her pain. ‘d**n that woman. I should have never allowed Luis to marry her.’ Pilar thought bitterly.

Sheridan was everything a mother-in-law could want in marrying her son. And she also brought her a beautiful little granddaughter. But then Pilar remembered about Beth being AJ’s mother. A shutter went over her. Thank god that her son had gotten full custody of his son after Beth did not show up to that court date, but she had to her divorce.

“shhh.” Pilar said as she held Sheridan close. “I need to hold my baby.” Sheridan whispered as Pilar slowly let her grip go and shook her head. Sheridan walked over to the playpen that was set up in the living room that contained Courtney and AJ. One look at her daughter made her heart feel a little better. At least she had Luis’ child. She picked her up and started humming to Courtney, slowly swaying.

The phone rang and Pilar went to go answer it. “Hello.” She could hear Antonio in the background yelling at someone. “Mama?” Luis asked. “Hello son. How did everything go?” She listened to her son’s happiness as he told her all about how Beth had finally agreed to the divorce. “Have you seen Sher? She ran out of here.” Luis asked concerned. Pilar heard the love in his voice and how scared he was. “She is here mijo.” Luis said he was on his way and good byes were exchanged.

Twenty minutes later, Luis strolled into the house with a big smile on his face. He saw Sheridan sitting on the couch with their baby girl. He would never get tired of coming home to that site. Maybe with a few more children and it would be a dream come true.

Sheridan looked up and saw Luis. She tried her best to smile, but Luis knew it wasn’t her true smile because her eyes didn’t shine with her happiness. Luis walked over to his little family and sat down beside her.

“Guess what, babe?” He asked with a grin. Sheridan looked over at him, not happy with the way he was acting. Her world had been turned upside down again. She was not in the mood to be happy. “Luis, I really am not in the mood for some guessing games.” She managed to say very softly.

Luis held out his arms. “Here give me munchkin.” Sheridan placed their daughter in his arms and watched as he placed Courtney by a sleeping AJ. He walked back over to Sheridan and gave her a folded piece of paper. “Here, look at this.” Sheridan took the letter and started reading it. “Are you serious?” she asked with happiness back in her voice. “That is right baby. Nothing is stopping us from getting married.”

“YES!” Sheridan screamed as she ran into Luis’ loving arms, where she would stay till the end of time. Both babies began screaming after hearing Sheridan’s very loud voice.

“What are you doing to my son?” Antonio asked as he walked into the room and went to AJ’s side. Antonio sure became I really great dad. Luis took Courtney and walked back over to Sheridan. Pilar and the rest of the family came into the room after hearing the good news about Luis’ divorce.

Pilar snapped a photo of Sheridan, Luis, and Courtney looking like the perfect family.

---------------------------------------------------

“So why did Beth finally agree to the divorce?” Theresa asked, while the rest of the family sat down on the floor anywhere they could find a space in the room. “It seems that Beth FINALLY got it through her head that I wasn’t interested, plus she is dating a wealthy doctor. You should have seen her when Antonio informed her of his custody.” Antonio chuckled. “She said she didn’t remember having a son. Of course, the doctor was right next to her by then. So basically she is out of the picture for this family.” The group announced, “Halleluiah.” Paloma announced,” Lets get started on the best wedding this town has ever seen.” Sheridan looked up at Luis and smiled. Maybe she wasn’t cursed after all. And life couldn’t get anymore sweeter.

End Dream

----------------------------

Luis couldn’t believe this was happening. Beth was not going to give up. She had the judge eating out of the palm of her hand saying she is a changed person and would like Luis and her to go to marriage counseling. Luis was protesting that he wanted this divorce finalized.

Beth even tried to blackmail Luis into going along with it or the judge was going to see the tape of Luis and Sheridan making love for that first time.

Flashback

“Yes..I mean no… I mean I think I am going to shut up now. I have embarrassed myself enough.” She blushed an even darker shade of red.

“You know what? You could just admit you like me and we can move on from there.” He said it while looking into her eyes and being lost in them.

“That is why I came over here. Gwen told me I should be honest with myself and do what my heart feels is right.” She never broke eye contact.

“And what does your heart feel is right?” already knowing the answer.

“This.” And she leaned in to take full possession of his mouth. She outlined his lips with her tongue and tugged on his lower lip to allow her access to his mouth. All thoughts about what her head was telling her were out the window. She knew she needed him, but she also didn’t want to rush it, but once she felt him open up and allow her access, those thoughts were gone. When she brought her tongue back out of her mouth, his tongue followed. He tasted the sweetness and knew he needed her.

He hadn’t made love in along time. Beth and him haven’t for over two months. And here was Sheridan and she was beautiful and willing. He wasn’t going to give her up. Luis pushed Sheridan down on the sofa and went down on top of her. The kisses were urgent and passionate.

End Flashback

The Luis went at it that she tried to pass AJ off as his baby and it was really his brother’s child. But the judge was against divorces when someone wanted to work things out. The judge went to his chambers to review the case and see if the divorce would go through.

Luis was alone with Beth in the courtroom. Luis turned to Beth with an angry glare. “Give it up Beth. I LOVE SHERIDAN! I have a child with her. I WANT to marry HER.”

“I am not giving you up, not without a fight to win back your love.” Beth said. “I DON’T love you. Get it through your head.” The judge came back into the courtroom. Luis turned his attention back to the judge.

“I have mad a decision about this case and I agree with Mrs. Lopez-Fitzgerald. You both will attend marriage counseling for five visits and IF it doesn’t work out THEN I will finalize the divorce.

Beth had a smirk on her face. She still had time to win over his love. Luis left devastated. How was he going to tell Sheridan?

-----------------------------------------------------

Luis walked into his mother’s house. He heard a sobbing and knew right away it was Sheridan. “shhhhh” His mother whispered in her ear. Sheridan saw Luis standing in the doorway of the living room. She walked over to him and looked cautiously into his eyes.

She knew the answer. Beth had won. “d**n Beth. She got the judge to say we HAVE to attend marriage counseling for five god d**n visits.” Luis spat very angrily.

“NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!” Sheridan screamed before running out of the room.

Chapter Forty-Two


“Can we please get this over with?” Luis crumbled. These stupid marriage sessions were rediculous uis only wanted Sheridan and Courtney. Why couldn’t Beth understand that?

“Now Mr. Lopez-Fitzgerald calm down. You can’t save your marriage with that attitude,” the marriage counselor said. He was a plump old man, maybe in his fifties. He wore the ugliest suit..purple of all things and a hideous red tie. Was the man colorblind or just had a hideous fashion sense. He couldn’t understand why people wanted out of their marriages when the made the vows to be together till death.

“I don’t want to be here. I want to go home to my family.” Luis spat, getting angry at the councilor. “Luis, just do it for me?” Beth asked, her eyelashes batting. Yeah, Luis was going to fall for that. He shook his head in disgrace.

Only one more meeting after this and the marriage will be over. He was free of Beth and could move on with his new life….his life with Sheridan their beautiful daughter. Courtney was the only thing these days that kept Sheridan going. She just wanted this over. Why did Beth have to come back at the last second?

Luis sighed. He just kept on thinking of the happy times with Sheridan.

*Flashback*

He was to consumed in stopping Sheridan from crying.

“Hey, It is ok.” He said while getting up from his spot and sitting directly next to her. He took her in his arms and rubbed soothing circles on her back.

“I am so sorry Luis. I did it again. I am ruining your marriage.”

“Like I said before, it is not your fault.” Luis put his finger under her chin and lifted her chin up. She was looking directly at him through her tear-filled eyes. His eyes fell to her lips and he wondered what it would be like to kiss her.

His head started to dip and his lips were inching their ways toward her warm inviting lips. Within seconds, their lips met and were involved in the most passionate kiss, either had ever experienced.

*End Flashback*

Their first real kiss. Luis smiled just at that memory. “Is there something funny Mr. Lopez-Fitzgerald?” The sound of the councilors voice brought him out if his daydream. “Sorry.” He crumbled. Beth knew. He was thinking of HER again. What was she going to do to convince him to stay with her and get back little AJ? They could raise him together and Luis would forget all about HER AND THE BABY.

The session continued on.

--------------------------------------------------------

“Peak a boo!” Sheridan smiled at her baby. Her ray of sunshine. The only thing going right in her life. Courtney’s giggled and her feet and hands moving up and down.

The house was quite lonely without Luis in it. She closed her eyes and silently whispered, “One more meeting after this.” That was the only reason she was here. Luis vowed he would stay with her, but what if he didn’t?” She shook those thoughts out of her head. “NO, Luis loves me and he will always be here.”

“I think it is time that my cute little girl goes to bed. Courtney was dressed in a pink dress with bows on the sleeves. She was a complete replica of her mother. Getting up with Courtney in her arms, she climbed the stairs and walked to the nursery. Placing her baby down, Sheridan sank into the rocker right next to the bed. Closing her eyes, she could remember the happy times.

*Flashback*

After Luis and Sheridan had finished painting the living room walls with the lavender color, Luis and Sheridan stood back and admired their work.

“You didn’t do too bad of a job Sheridan. Of course not as good as mine.” He said with a playful tone.

“You better watch it cause if I remember right, the reason you are covered in paint is because I dumped it on your head.” She suddenly looked over to the opened paint can at the other side of the room. Luis saw where her eyes were going and darted across the room.

“Oh no you don’t.” He said while catching her before she grabbed the paint. Sheridan found herself in Luis’s arms and thinking about how good it felt.

*************************

“I needed to ask you…No that is not right….I mean I want to ask…No” Sheridan was trying to put a thought together, but couldn’t concentrate long enough to think. She was to absorbed in the way the sunlight came into the room and showed Luis’s well-defined abs. She wanted to reach out and touch him, take him right there on the sofa.

Luis was lightly laughing after watching Sheridan trying to tell him something, but couldn’t because she was giving his body a lustful look. He had shockwaves running up his back and he wanted to jump her right there, but knew he shouldn’t make a move in her. ‘She needs to make the next move.’ He thought.

Sheridan moved her gaze to his eyes and found her eyes meeting his liquid brown eyes. She blushed a bright shade of red because she knew she was caught. Luis laughed harder after seeing her blush.

“What is so funny, Luis?”

“You.” He laughed.

“What is so funny about me?” She pouted with her lips formed to a pout.

“I caught you staring at me. Am I that good looking?” He said while flexing his arms to show even more muscles.

“Yes..I mean no… I mean I think I am going to shut up now. I have embarrassed myself enough.” She blushed an even darker shade of red.

“You know what? You could just admit you like me and we can move on from there.” He said it while looking into her eyes and being lost in them.

“That is why I came over here. Gwen told me I should be honest with myself and do what my heart feels is right.” She never broke eye contact.

“And what does your heart feel is right?” already knowing the answer.

“This.” And she leaned in to take full possession of his mouth.

************************

“I LOVE you, Sheridan. Why can’t we be engaged?” Luis asked.

Sheridan stood there, taking everything in. “You love me? The unlovable Sheridan Crane?”

“Yes, I love you and how could you say you are unlovable?” Luis asked, noticing Sheridan’s reaction from when he said that he loved her, not Beth, but her.

Sheridan radiated a smile that contained so much happiness. She ran back into Luis’ arms and hugged him with all her might. No more tears for unhappiness were going to be shed from her. From now on tears of happiness would be there.

“I love you too, Luis.” Sheridan muffled into his shoulder. She looked up into Luis’ dark brown eyes and knew she wanted to be with this man more than anything.

She brought her lips to his ear and out came a whisper of, “yes.”

“Yes, what?” Luis asked confused.

“You did propose out there, right?” Her smile widened.

“You mean you are going to marry me?” Luis had a Cheshire grin forming I his face, one that nobody could take away.

“Duh, Luis. Who else am I going to marry?” She said with playful banter.

*****************************

Luis looked at Sheridan and knew she was hiding something.

“What are you up to?” He said trying to determine what was going on in her mind.

“Come her, baby.” She said as she walked to the room across from the master bedroom. The room that was going to be the nursery.

Sheridan opened the room up and Luis looked around. The nursery was done. There was a white crib next to the window. The walls were painted a light yellow with teddy bear stickers all over the room.

Luis thought it was the sweetest thing Sheridan could have ever done.

************************************

Dr. Courtie came in at that time and checked to see Sheridan’s dilation. “You are at ten Sheridan. Ready to have this baby?”

“Are you serious? Finally I can have this baby come out?” Sheridan screamed as another contraction was coming. Dr. Courtie nodded and continued to check Sheridan’s progress. “The baby is crowning. On your next contraction, I want you to push as hard as you can and hold it till the count of 10.” The doctor waited and saw the contraction coming on, “Now, PUSH, PUSH!” Luis counted in Sheridan’s right ear as she pushed as hard as she could. She pushed for what seemed forever in her mind. But in a matter of ten minutes of pushing, the baby’s head was finally coming out.

“On your next contraction Sheridan, push and the baby’s head will be out. NOW!” Sheridan pushed as hard as she could and was screaming. “AH!!!!!”

“This is it, Sheridan. If you push hard and long enough, the baby will be out.” Luis’ eyes were misty. He couldn’t believe that in a few moments, his child would be born. His dreams were finally coming true. He was going to marry the woman he adored and she was having his baby. As Dr. Courtie screamed, “NOW!” Sheridan pushed with all she had and the room filled with the sound they had waited for for so long to hear, the baby crying.

Dr. Courtie handed Sheridan the baby, and said, “guys say hello to your daughter.”

*End Flashbacks*

Luis walked into the quiet house. After that stupid marriage session, Luis just wanted to cuddle with his fiancée and daughter. He walked up the stairs and saw Sheridan asleep in the rocker and Courtney asleep in her crib. He smiled down at his daughter, love and pride washing over him. He then looked at Sheridan and felt true, pure love. He picked her up and walked to their room where he could hold her.

Chapter Forty-Three

The last marriage session

“OK, Mrs. Lopez-Fitzgerald. Tell your husband what you plan to accomplish with him when you two make a play to get back together.”

Luis moaned. Didn’t this guy get it that he didn’t WANT her. He wanted Sheridan d**n it.

Beth turned to Luis. ‘There goes those d**n battering of the eyelashes.’ Luis rolled his eyes. “Luis, I promise to be a good wife to you and a good mother to Antonio. I promise to remain faithful to you.” ‘Her smile..what a fraud.’

Luis was not in the mood to be there, but after this, all they had to do was attend the court session and all would be behind him.

“Mr. Lopez-Fitzgerald. It is now your turn to tell your wife what you plan to accomplish with her.” Luis was going to make sure Beth and this d**n therapist knew what he thought about this crap.

“Beth, I promise to leave you for SHERIDAN AND COURTNEY. I promise to help Antonio KEEP his son. I promise to get this d**n divorce FINALIZED.” He made sure to raise his voice at just the right words, rubbing all that information into Beth.

Beth sat there shocked. But he knew better, she was going to add the drama soon. And she didn’t disappoint him either. The tears started cascading down her face and bottom lip trembled.

“Luis, why are you doing this to me? Don’t you love me anymore?” Beth and her added effects. She sure had the therapist on her side, but Luis knew not to fall for it anymore.

“The answer to your question Beth is NO I don’t love you anymore and never will AGAIN!” He rose from the chair quickly and looked at his clock. “Looks like the hour is over to me. See you in court.” Luis walked out with a triumphant smile on his face.

Now he only had to wait till Tuesday and his life with Beth will soon be behind him.

**********************************

Sheridan looked down in the crib and smiled at her now wide-awake little girl. “Did my girl have a nice nap?” She leaned over and picked her daughter up in her arms. “Daddy should be home soon from that awful session, yes he will.” Courtney loved it when her mother talked with that funny baby talk voice. She would flail her arms and legs and smile.

“Daddy is home from that awful session.” At the sound of Luis’ voice in the nursery doorway brought Sheridan to turn around and see the man she loved with all her heart standing before her.

Luis walked over to his girls and took Courtney into his arms. He lifted her up so he could kiss her belly. Luis blew on her tummy causing Courtney’s laugh to bounce off the nursery’s walls.

“So should we go out to dinner tonight as a wonderful family that will soon be rid of everything unwanted?” Luis looked over at Sheridan and saw her staring off into space. “Sher, hunny?”

She shook her head. “Yes?”

“I asked if we should go out to dinner.” He watched her carefully. Something wasn’t right with her. He knew she wasn’t herself, but this was more distant than usual. “Something wrong, babe?”

She tried her best to smile. “No, just let me get ready and we can go out. Are we bringing Courtney with us or dropping her off?”

Luis looked at her again. “I said we were going out as a family. That includes our daughter doesn’t it?”

“Sorry” was all Sheridan said before running out of the nursery and into their bedroom. Luis put down Courtney in her crib. He knew she was going to cry again since she didn’t like being in her crib when her parents where there with her.

Luis walked over to the door of their bedroom and opened the door. “Sweetheart, what is wrong?” He walked over to the bed and wrapped his arms around her. “I can’t lose you, Luis. I just can’t,” She sobbed into his shoulder.

“You aren’t going to lose me. I am here and never leaving you or our daughter. The last session didn’t change that. I even flat out told Beth today that there is NO chance for us. As soon as Tuesday comes then you and me have a wedding to plan.”

Sheridan smiled. Her wedding. She couldn’t wait. “I am sorry Luis for being such a baby.” “I understand. This is as much stressful for you as it is to me.” Courtney’s scream from the nursery brought Sheridan back into the present. “I better go get our daughter ready to go out to eat with her mommy and daddy.” She smiled at Luis and leaned in to kiss his lips. Their lips brushed together, but both wanting more.

“Tonight we can finish this.” Luis whispered. Sher nodded and walked away into the nursery.

She turned around once more and looked at Luis as he undressed his clothes to put on something more comfortable to wear for dinner. ‘Luis can’t find out about you before this whole divorce process. He might not be able to handle two babies and stay with Beth leaving me alone with his and my children.’ She rubbed her stomach as she went to get their daughter.

She still remembered the day she conceived.

*Flashback*

“Sheridan, will you get your pretty little butt out of the bathroom and get in this bed?” Luis asked very impatiently. Luis was already in his boxers and waiting for his beloved fiancée to get in the bed so he could ravenously devour her through out the night. Luis felt like it was forever since they had made move, which was 7 weeks ago, but to him it was forever.

Sheridan was in the bathroom standing in front of the mirror, very self-conscious. ‘Luis won’t like what he says’ Sheridan thought embarrassed that she still didn’t have that slim figure she used to have. But she wouldn’t trade anything to look that way again if it meant not having her beautiful daughter in her life, and her fiancé.

She could still hear him yell at her through the door. “Impatient are we?” She yelled back. She heard Luis get up from the bed. She knew he was coming to her. And sure enough, the door flew open. His eyes black with emotion. Loving emotions. He reached up and ran his fingers through her hair. “You look beautiful.” Luis said sincerely. “Right, with my fat stomach.” “Hey. You are not fat. I think you look gorgeous and no matter what you look like I will still love you. Plus I know you will lose the weight you don’t want, but you have to remember you gave birth to a beautiful little angel that is fast asleep in the nursery, and will be waking up soon enough. And I am going to die if we don’t make love soon.”

Sheridan laughed. “I can’t have you die yet.” Luis scooped her up and walked over to the bed. Quickly removing her clothes, he said “sorry baby, but no fore-play this first time. I need you now.” Quickly slipping out of his boxers, he climbed into the bed and brought Sheridan underneath him. Bending down to quickly kiss her mouth, he slipped inside of her. She moaned at the feeling of completeness he brought her.

Nothing could ever compare to the time she spend with her new family. Luis was rocking his hips in a fast motion that brought their climax fast. Luis collapsed on Sheridan, sweaty and sated at the moment.

“Well Luis. I think that was the record for the fastest love making ever.” She giggled. Luis slipped out of her and rolled over to his side of the bed. “Fine, no more for you.” And he turned his back to her. Sheridan ran her hands over his back and down to his firm butt, giving it a squeeze. “Luis.” She hissed in his ear sending a wave of emotion into his stomach and arousing him more. Luis quickly flipped her over and their lovemaking began again, but this time slow and loving.

*End Flashback*

“Sheridan, what is this?” Luis asked stunned to see what he had in his hands. Sheridan turned around from the closet and saw Luis holding up the positive pregnancy test.

Her eyes went wide.

Chapter Forty-Four


“Sher, Are you…?” His brown eyes trained in on wide blue ones. “I…I…I…,” She looked down at the floor not sure if making eye contact was a good thing. “Yes, Luis. I am pregnant…..again.” whispered through the still air.

Luis hollered as he walked toward Sheridan lifting her up in his arms and twirling her around. Courtney was heard laughing at her mommy and daddy’s silliness. Sheridan was laughing with relief and Luis with joy.

This time he was going to be around for the entire pregnancy.

With a grin on his face that no one could take away he said, “Let’s go to the family dinner. I think we should invite the whole family and tell EVERYONE ALL the good news…no more Beth AND the new baby.” He leaned in and kissed Sheridan sweetly on the lips.

“Sounds like a great idea.” She whispered back. “I will get our daughter ready and you call the family.” After giving Sheridan one, more long passionate lip lock and his daughter a kiss on the cheek, earning a laugh out of her, he went and called his family knowing that his family was all going to be behind him and Sheridan.



Tuesday

“Are we ready, sweetheart?” Luis asked Sheridan before they walked into the courtroom together, showing Beth that even after all this time, they were still together and strong.

“Ready, handsome fiancé of mine.” She grinned before leaning into Luis and giving him a kiss of promise of passion later.

Luis sure loved that hormone change in Sheridan. ‘d**n Beth for making me missing that the first time.’ Luis grumbled. But Sheridan made sure Luis loved every minute of this one, from the morning sickness to the hormonal changes.

Luis flashed his grin back at her, making sure he knew Sheridan kept her end of the deal. Like he had to worry about that? Two children in two years should prove to him on that.

Luis opened the courtroom door and escorted Sheridan inside. The last time she was inside was the day she thought her life was going to change for the better.

*Flashback*

Inside the courthouse

“Two minutes remaining. If she doesn’t show up within the two minutes then the divorce will be finalized.” The judge bellowed throughout the small courtroom. Sheridan looked over at Luis and smiled. Her dreams were finally going to be coming true within a minute and thirty seconds.

All of a sudden, Beth stormed into the courtroom. “Am I too late?”

Sheridan’s smile fell and tears filled her eyes. ‘Maybe dreams don’t come true for you Sheridan Crane. I should have known.’ Sheridan thought as she excused herself from the courtroom.

*End Flashback*

‘This time, it WILL be a happy ending.’ Sheridan thought.

Beth turned around at the sound of the doors opening, hoping to see just Luis there. Sheridan could have laughed out loud by the look on Beth’s face when she saw Sheridan walking next to Luis, them holding hands. Then slowly after them came in Pilar and Martin with Courtney.

Everything was going as perfectly as it was discussed at dinner those few nights ago. Beth was going to get the happy family scene rubbed in her face over and over again.

Paloma, Theresa, and Miguel were the next to arrive and they sat behind Luis and Sheridan. Courtney kept on hitting her daddy’s back, wanting his attention. When Luis turned around, Courtney squealed loudly at the sight of her daddy and Sheridan couldn’t have planned something like that better. Beth was ready to explode.

Her face getting redder by the minute. Her attention didn’t even diminish when Antonio walked into the courtroom with AJ.

All of a sudden, a loud voice rang through the courtroom announcing that the end was near.

“ALL RISE FOR THE JUDGE…”


Chapter Forty-Five


Sheridan couldn’t believe all the suffering she went through was about to be over. The judge was looking over the marriage councilor’s papers on Beth and Luis and seemed to be leaning toward the divorce.

Judge Wilkins looked up and the room fell silent. A pin drop could be heard. Luis and Sheridan looked over at each other, Sheridan giving Luis one of her nervous smiles.

“Well, I have no choice but to grant the divorce of Luis and Beth Lopez-Fitzgerald.”

Sheridan had tears running down her cheeks. Luis brushed them away before giving her a kiss, lips meshing with each other. Beth looked over at them screaming “NO!” The judge could be heard screaming “Order. Order in the Courtroom!”

But all Sheridan could think was DREAMS REALLY DO COME TRUE!

Epilogue


“Courtney, get back here now. Daddy is going to be home soon and we need to get LJ (short for Luis jr.) ready to go.” Sheridan screamed at her now one-year old daughter, as she practiced her new found skill of walking.

So much had happened for the little family. After the divorce between Beth and Luis was officially finalized, Sheridan and Luis married a month later. Seven months later LJ graced the world with his presence. He was a replica of his father.

The Lopez-Fitzgerald family couldn’t have been more proud at Luis and Sheridan’s little family.

“Come on munchkin. We need to get you diaper changed and chase after your sister again.” Sheridan smiled at her two-month old son.

The front door opened and Luis walked in. He loved the feeling he got when he walked into his home. “Dada.” He saw his little angel walking towards him. Just seeing her always made him smile.

Taking her in his arms, he walked into the living room and watched his wife and son. He still couldn’t believe Sheridan was finally his wife and mother to his two children.

“Hey Sweetheart.” Luis said as he bent down and kissed Sheridan while she just finished with the LJ’s diaper. “And how is my boy today?” Luis tickled his tummy earning a little smile from him.

“Your boy is doing great and is ready to see his grandparents while mommy gives daddy a present.” Sheridan smiled sweetly at her husband.

“And daddy can’t wait.” Luis’ eyes held extreme desire for his wife. Sheridan laughed. “Down boy.”

*******************************************

After dropping off the children at Pilar and Martin’s house, Sheridan took Luis back to their home where dinner was waiting for them.

“Baby peas. Baby carrots. Baby… what a minute…Sheridan? Are you telling me what I think you are?” Luis looked stunned.

“You know Luis, we really have to stop getting me pregnant the first time we make love after I have a baby. I can’t keep getting pregnant year after year.”

Luis laughed and Sheridan joined in. Together they toasted to the future and the newest Lopez-Fitzgerald and to think that it all started with her just being the girl next door.

THE END

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The Bitcoin System is a group exclusively for people who have seized on Bitcoin's insane profits and made their fortunes peacefully.
Members of the Bitcoin system take a vacation around the world every month, making money on their laptops in just a few minutes of "work" a day

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Listen to our members who rely on our software to fund their luxury lifestyle:

Magda Boltyanski
I finally know what it means to live a dream. I no longer feel aloof while others are having fun. The Bitcoin system allowed me to retire early and now lead the lives of very wealthy people.
Karl Edwards
I was fired two weeks ago. I had no choice and thought my life was over. Now I make € 13,261.42 every day and for the first time in two months my account is no longer in the red. Thanks STEVE!

Meet Steve McKay
The genius of the Bitcoin system. Hello
- I am a former software developer for a large firm, which I mention the name as a giveaway
I Compared to early investors in Uber, Facebook or Airbnb, this software is creating millionaires in record time. If you want to make a million with Bitcoin, watch the video above to see how. Your friend, Steve McKay

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