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Disclaimer: I don’t own the characters I write about. They belong to JER and NBC’s Passions.
Chapter One:
Sheridan waited excitedly at the airport. Funny how her niece was coming home and no one but her had time to greet her. Her father Julian was busy with business. Business, Sheridan thought with a laugh he was either drinking himself into a stupor or having a little extra curricular fun with one of the maids. Her mother and brother, Ivy and Ethan, were busy planning his wedding to socialite Gwen Hotchkiss. And her two younger sisters were still stuck in Paris. She had left them at school to join Sheridan in Harmony. Why, Sheridan wasn’t sure but she was glad Mia had decided to come home.
Mia was a year younger than Ethan, just 23 on her last birthday. Sheridan herself had just turned 27. The two shared a birthday. Something that had bonded them for life. It made them feel as if the were twins even though they were four years apart and born to different parents.
Sheridan had made the decision to move back to Harmony from Paris last month and had missed Mia everyday since she left. They used to do everything together while in Europe. Only when Sheridan found out her Fiancé Jean-Luc had been cheating on her she had to get out of the city. It wasn’t an easy choice to make but it had to be. Sheridan was immensely happy when Mia called last week and said she too was moving back to the states. Sheridan had never felt more alone than she did while she was here the past month. She had met no one of substance and spent most of her nights alone in her cottage. Mia would put a little spice back into her life. She always did.
Sheridan stood now at the gate waiting rather impatiently for them to open the doors. As soon as she did she rushed to the walkway to see Mia walking to greet her. As soon as Mia saw Sheridan she quickened her steps and it wasn’t long before the two were in a tight embrace. When they pulled away they were both crying. You would have thought they hadn’t seen each other in years. They clutched each other’s hands and went to retrieve Mia’s luggage.
"Why are we getting my luggage?" Mia asked as they watched the corral spin around.
"Always such the elitist aren’t we?" Sheridan teased. "I didn’t take the Limo or the Limo driver"
"You drove yourself?" Mia asked amazed Sheridan was here in one piece. "And how many life threatening episodes did you have along the way?"
"Oh hush. This isn’t Paris. I am capable of driving in a small city"
"Right" Mia grabbed her bags from the corral. They each took one and headed down the terminal to pick up Sheridan’s car. "You do have airbags don’t you?"
Sheridan shot Mia a nasty glare and then continued on to her car. They loaded the luggage into the trunk and were all set to go. Except for Mia wouldn’t get in the car. She eyed it nervously fearing for her life. Sheridan finally gave up knowing how Mia thought she missed her calling as a racecar driver. Sheridan threw Mia the keys and climbed into the passenger side. Mia prayed a silent thank you and climbed into the car. She backed out of the parking spot and they were off. Now that Mia and Sheridan were together again Harmony was never going to be the same. At least for one man.
Chapter Two:
Sheridan and Mia were almost home when a police cruiser came up behind them. He followed them about a mile before he turned on his lights and siren. Mia grumbled as she pulled the car over. Sheridan sat in the passenger seat with a bright smile on her face. For once she wasn’t the one who was getting pulled over, little miss perfect was. Mia reached for her purse and took out her wallet. She had her license waiting when the officer came to the window.
"Hello ladies. Car trouble?" The officer asked.
"No sir" Mia replied. Sheridan on the other hand just giggled.
"What’s wrong with your friend?" He asked curiously.
"She’s just amused that I got pulled over" Mia shot Sheridan the look of death.
"I don’t see how this is amusing but ok. Can I see your license please?" Mia handed him her license. "Oh great you multiplied" he grumbled.
"Excuse me?" Mia asked not hearing what he said.
"Never mind Miss Crane. I suppose you want out of your ticket"
"Doesn’t everyone? I mean, no offence or anything but getting a ticket isn’t the grandest thing in the world" Mia answered.
"Yes I realize that but aren’t you going to throw the fact that you are a Crane in my face?" he was shocked that this woman seemed to be normal.
"I did break the law didn’t I? Why should me being a Crane make any difference? Now if I were in a packed restaurant and was famished I wouldn’t hesitate to flaunt my name. I’m shameless I know but you have never seen me and food" Mia giggled.
"Are you sure you’re a Crane?" he asked.
"Yes I’m sure and so is my aunt over here. This is Sheridan CRANE and you are?"
"Officer Lopez-Fitzgerald" he stated.
"Do you mind if I just call you officer? Lopez-Fitzgerald is quite a mouth full" Mia continued to flirt. She might not use her name to get out of the ticket but she wasn’t above using her womanly charms.
"As you wish miss, but you are still getting this ticket. Do you realize you were going 35 in a 65? The minimum is 45"
"What?" at this point Sheridan burst out laughing. "She is getting a ticket for going too slow?? Oh you are so never going to live this down!"
"I was just trying to be safe!" Mia protested.
"I wondered why I saw all those turtles passing us" Sheridan continued to tease.
"Give me a break! This is my first night back in the states" Mia continued to argue.
"What you didn’t drive in Paris? I know you drive on the other side of the street but if I remember correctly there is still a gas peddle"
"Ladies" the officer interrupted. "Look Miss Crane, since I think your aunt will do a nice job of never letting you forget this incident so I’m going to cut you some slack. Good luck with her though" he pointed towards Sheridan who was crying she was laughing so hard. "Thank you officer" Mia said gratefully.
"You’re welcome now please speed up a little" he encouraged.
"I will I promise"
Mia waited for Officer Lopez-Fitzgerald to get into his car before she turned on her ignition again. She signaled and then pulled back out onto the road, making sure to go exactly 65. Sheridan continued to laugh until the pulled into the estate driveway. Mia got out of the car and threw the keys back at Sheridan. Sheridan bit her lip to stop laughing. She knew Mia had heard enough for now. They got out Mia’s luggage and dragged it into the cottage. Somehow it seemed to have gotten a lot heavier. They left it right inside the door and both went and collapsed on the couch. Sheridan held in a little laugh trying to spare Mia’s feelings a little bit but then Mia herself burst into hysterics. Sheridan joined in and they laughed until they had stomachaches.
Chapter Three:
Their laughter had subsided and Sheridan and Mia were now having tea and talking about all their misadventures in Paris. They had done plenty of embarrassing things during their time there but this little episode was right up there at the top. And Sheridan didn’t plan on letting Mia forget it any time soon.
"So Mia I was thinking of going to Boston tomorrow for some shopping but we might want to go to bed now then" Sheridan said trying not to crack a smile.
"Why?" Mia eyed her.
"Because we are going to have to get up super early so we can get there before the store close"
"But Boston isn’t that far away"
"Yes but with you driving" Sheridan began to laugh again. Mia countered by throwing a pillow in her face.
"Just shut up already" Mia grumbled.
"Oh and by the way that was some damn fine flirting you did with the officer" Sheridan laughed.
"I was not flirting!" Mia protested.
"Don’t even try to deny it! ‘Can I just call you Officer? Lopez-Fitzgerald is a mouthful’" she mocked Mia.
"Well I didn’t get a ticket did I?" Mia said proudly.
"Yeah because of ME!"
"That’s not the way I see it. Officer Lopez-Fitzgerald found me irresistible" Mia flipped her blonde locks.
"You are delusional. Officer yummy hates the Cranes. You did hear him grumble something about us multiplying"
"Officer yummy huh? Have a crush much?" Mia took her turn to tease.
"No! You said it, his name is mouthful" Sheridan quickly explained. "I swore off men remember?"
"Right. How long is it going to last this time? A day?"
"I am never falling in love again" Sheridan said seriously. "After what Jean-Luc did to me, my heart is off limits"
"I’m sorry Sheridan. I know this is a sore subject. I didn’t mean to bring it up"
At that moment a knock sounded at the door. It couldn’t have come at a better time. Sheridan didn’t want to get into the subject of love. She meant it when she said it, she was never going to love again. She was determined to be a spinster. She went to the door and opened it letting their beloved maid Pilar inside. And all of a sudden Sheridan made a connection.
"Oh my god!" Sheridan exclaimed. "Pilar we met your son tonight!"
"You did? Which one?"
"The cop. We didn’t get his first name" Mia stated.
"Where would you have met my Luis?" Pilar asked as she set the dinner she brought for the two on the coffee table.
"He pulled us over" Sheridan explained.
"He didn’t" Pilar gasped.
"He did" Sheridan started to laugh again. "Ask Mia why" Pilar just looked her way waiting for an answer.
"I was going 35… in a 65" Mia griped.
"You were going too slowly?" Pilar tried not to laugh. "He didn’t give you a ticket did he?"
"He was going to but I got her out of it" Sheridan said proudly. "He said I would punish her enough" she smiled.
"Why did I even come home?" Mia sighed.
"I just came by to welcome Miss Mia home. And I brought you some dinner on my way out because I figured you two would have too much catching up to do to leave the house" Pilar said in hurry to get outside. Luis was going to pick her up and it sounded like he had given them enough trouble for one night.
"Bye Pilar and thank you" Mia said as she gave Pilar a hug hello and goodbye.
"Bye Pilar and if you see Luis tell him Mia made it home in record time. The slowest time possible that is"
"You just couldn’t resist could you?" Mia threw another pillow at Sheridan when Pilar was gone.
The wonderful aroma of the food was filling the cottage and as she had said before don’t mess with Mia and food. She pushed past Sheridan and dug in. There was no need for manners when it was just the two of them. Sheridan just laughed. She didn’t know how her niece ate so much and stayed skinnier than her. She was about to sit and join Mia when she noticed Pilar had forgotten her purse. She decided to see if she could catch her before she left. She left Mia with her food and ran out the door.
Chapter Four:
Sheridan saw Pilar waiting in the driveway for her ride. She ran over to her just as a police cruiser was pulling up to Pilar. Sheridan smiled to herself as she realized Luis must be the one picking up his mother. This could be fun Sheridan thought to herself as she called out to Pilar.
"Pilar! You forgot this!" Sheridan said as she handed over her purse.
"Thank you Sheridan" Pilar said gratefully.
"We meet again" Luis said as he exited the car.
"Why yes we do and I hope this time I don’t have to get anyone out of trouble" she smiled.
"Oh my" Pilar grumbled. "I swear I would forget my head if it wasn’t stuck on. I left my jacket in the main house. I’ll be right back. I trust you two can keep yourself amused until I get back" Pilar glared at Luis warning him not to cause trouble. Little did she know she was sending the glare the wrong way.
"Pull anyone else over tonight?" Sheridan asked.
"Not since tweedle dee and tweedle dum" he smirked.
"Hey! I resent that! I am Dee though right?"
"Cute"
"I try" she smiled. "So you single?"
"Excuse me?" Luis’s jaw dropped to the ground. He didn’t expect a Crane to ask him out. He was just a cop.
"Are…You… Single?" she repeated slowly and clearly.
"Yes… I … Am" he replied in the same way.
"Great. Do you want to go out with my niece?"
"Huh?" Luis was ready to say yes but he expected her to ask him to go on a date with her.
"You’re not so quick tonight" Sheridan teased. "Do you want me to repeat myself again?"
"No, I understood"
"Good! Then should I tell Mia she has a date?"
"Why do you think I should date Mia?" he questioned before he answered.
"Well you seem funny, nice and have you looked in a mirror lately?" Sheridan replied bluntly.
"And you don’t find those things attractive in a guy?"
"Yes but I don’t date" she said as if it was the most natural thing in the world.
"You don’t date?" he looked at her with confusion.
"Correct" was all she replied. "Now does my niece have a date? She is new and town and knows…well me. And a lot of good that does her"
"I guess I could show her around" Luis gave in because he knew Sheridan wasn’t going to give up.
"Great. I see Pilar coming so I’ll let you go. Pick Mia up at around 8 tomorrow k?"
"Sure"
And like a whirlwind she was gone. Sheridan bounced back in the cottage to see most of the food half eaten and Mia drinking a glass of wine on the couch. Sheridan just laughed. This was not the picture of the socialite Mia was supposed to be. Luis was going to love her. Sheridan smiled and thought about how to tell her niece she had a date tomorrow. Mia hated blind dates. She was going to put up one hell of a fuss but then again it wasn’t exactly a blind date. She had met him and even flirted with him. This might not be as bad as she thought.
Chapter Five:
Sheridan moved past Mia and over to the couch. She sat down and munched on a piece of celery before attempting to tell Mia of what had just occurred outside. She was still debating if she needed to find something to protect herself. Nah, she thought, Mia would never hurt her. She might make Sheridan’s life miserable until she thought revenge was accomplished but she would never harm her.
"Did you catch Pilar?"
"Yes, and someone else" Sheridan bit her lip to contain her smirk.
"Who?"
"One officer yummy" Sheridan giggled.
"And when are you going out with the babelicious officer?"
"Never!" Sheridan replied sternly. "I told you, no more men for me. You on the other hand have a date tomorrow night at 8" The water Mia was drinking was now being sprayed from her mouth, Sheridan didn’t have time to react and was now covered by the projectile liquid. "I should have gotten an umbrella before telling you"
"I’m sorry" Mia threw a napkin towards Sheridan. "You set me up?"
"Why yes I did and you’re welcome"
"Sheridan! I’ve been in Harmony for like an hour. I don’t need to be dating yet" Mia protested.
"Oh whatever! I know you like him. You were flirting shamelessly with him"
"I was trying to get out of a ticket! I was NOT trying to get a date"
"And why not? Is Luis below you? Since when have economic classes mattered to us?"
"They don’t" Mia clarified.
"Then you’ll be ready at 8 tomorrow night" Sheridan pushed.
"I guess" Mia relented.
"I knew you’d crack!" Sheridan exclaimed triumphantly. "Now we really have to go shopping tomorrow. Only I’m driving. We wouldn’t want you to miss your date"
"Ha, ha, ha, funny!" Mia groaned. What had Sheridan gotten her into this time?
Sheridan helped Mia drag her bags back into the guest room of the cottage. It was going to be like Paris all over again. They spent so much time together they had abandoned Mia’s apartment and both lived in Sheridan’s. It would be the same here. Sheridan had gotten Mia settled and then went to her own room. She readied herself for bed only to find out she wasn’t tired at all. She was too excited to sleep.
Sheridan found herself thinking about every detail of Mia’s date tomorrow. Sheridan wanted it to be perfect. Just because Sheridan was giving up on men didn’t mean her niece and best friend had to. Sheridan knew Mia had no trouble getting guys to fawn over her but she sensed Luis was different. He was one of the good guys. He wouldn’t hurt Mia. And if he did he’d have her to deal with. And she was sure he already knew how much of a handful she could be.
Sheridan decided for her sanity she better stop thinking about Mia’s date. After all Sheridan’s part as matchmaker had already been fulfilled. She just had to sit back and watch now. They might be a little push though. And Sheridan was going to be ready to deliver it. Someone was going to have happiness!
Chapter Six:
Somehow last night Sheridan had fallen asleep. She woke up this morning idea flooding through her head on how to make sure Mia and Luis ended up together. She wasn’t quite sure why she had this obsession with Luis but she didn’t have time to dwell on that now. She had big plans for today. Her plans included visiting one Officer yummy before Mia got up. Lucky for Sheridan, Mia was jetlagged and should sleep until at least noon. Sheridan ran to the shower ready to start the day.
After her normal routine Sheridan was ready to face the world. Well in her case she was ready to hunt down Luis and find out what he had planned for tonight. She planned on listening to his ideas but of course they would be all wrong so she would have to help him. Mia was going to have a blast tonight. And Luis was going to make it all possible.
Sheridan decided that the first place to look for Luis was the station. If he were anything like his mother he would be a work aholic too. She blew into the station and was amazed to find Luis at a desk near the door. She was sure he would have his own office. Overachievers usually did. She moved towards him and plopped herself on his desk, sitting right in front of him.
"Sheridan?" Luis said shocked to see her this early in the morning. He doubted Cranes knew what 7 am was.
"Hey Luis" she smiled.
"Hey yourself. Whatcha doing here?" he questioned.
"I came to see you silly" she replied as if he just asked the stupidest question in the world.
"Ok I give up" he held up his hands. "Why are you gracing me with your presence this morning? Got another niece you want me to date?"
"You haven’t dated the first one yet" Sheridan pointed out. "So what do you have planned for tonight?"
"Now I get it. You want to check up on me" Luis’s eyes bore into Sheridan’s, catching her red handed.
"Ok well yes maybe, but can you blame me?"
"Yeah I can. You picked me for her. I got suckered into this remember?"
"Suckered into it?" she feigned shock. "Are you saying I manipulated you?"
"If the shoe fits" he countered. "And if you must know I planned on taking Mia to a movie"
"Oh how original" Sheridan groaned.
"I don’t know Mia. I don’t know what she likes how was I supposed to plan the perfect date?"
"That’s why I am here, to offer my services" she replied with a brilliant smile.
"Let me ask you something" Luis eyed her and Sheridan nodded for him to continue. "Do you already have me married to Mia in that pretty little head of yours?"
"No, not married. Engaged yes, but married no"
"Great. You’re worse than mama" Luis grumbled.
"I’m glad you admire me so much. Now this is what I have planned for the two of you"
Sheridan went on to explain to Luis what she had arranged for him and Mia tonight. He just stared at her while she went on and on. He was amazed she didn’t get tired for talking so much. He shook his head when he found himself staring at her lips wanting to stop their movement with his own. This woman was entirely too cute for words and she had him dating her niece. Just his luck. Oh well tonight couldn’t be too bad if she planned it. He knew he would have fun and was determined to show Mia a good time too. He knew if Mia were happy, Sheridan would be happy. He found it strange that is what concerned him.
Sheridan bounced out of the station. Her mission was accomplished. Luis agreed to follow her plans and show Mia the time of her life in Harmony. Sheridan felt a sudden pang of guilt. She didn’t mean to use Luis in the way she was but she wanted to make sure Mia stayed in Harmony. Sheridan felt so alone in Harmony and with Mia here with her she felt like less of a hermit. If Mia and Luis hit it off she would remain in Harmony forever.
Chapter Seven:
Sheridan got back to her cottage and found the door unlocked. That could only mean one of two things. Either Mia had gotten up and unlocked the door herself or someone had broken into the cottage. Sheridan looked at her watch, it was only 9 am. She flung open the door and screamed for Mia.
"MIA!!!!"
Mia ran in from the kitchen. "What’s wrong Sheridan?"
"You’re alive!" Sheridan squeezed Mia.
"Yeah, I didn’t die in my sleep. What’s with you?"
"The door was unlocked" Sheridan explained.
"And so you assumed I was under attack. Take a chill pill Sher. It is possible for me to rise before noon"
"Since when?" Sheridan asked defensively.
"Since this morning" Mia replied. "And may I ask where you were off to this morning?"
"I just had a few errands?" Sheridan said nonchalantly.
"At 7 in the morning? They couldn’t have waited until later?" Mia challenged.
"I knew we were going to spend the day together so I wanted to get them out
of the way" Sheridan explained not giving a second thought to her lies.
"I don’t believe you but I’ll let you get away with it this time. You better be glad I have a weakness for shopping. Now come on, let’s go" Mia grabbed Sheridan’s hand and dragged her right back out of the house.
~*~*~*~*~*~
"God Sheridan!" Mia exclaimed as she dragged in bag after bag. "Did you have to buy out the whole store? I mean, come on, which one of us has the date tonight?"
"You do, but you know how I can’t resist the new lines. I need to stay in style" Sheridan dismissed Mia’s objections.
"Sheridan, I bought one outfit. You bought, let’s count them, one, two … twelve bags full! That is a little more than needed for staying in style"
"I lost some weight?" Sheridan shrugged.
"Nice try sweetheart" Mia wasn’t buying it. "Who are you trying to impress?"
"I’m not trying to impress anyone Mia!"
"Yeah right. Then why the sudden need for a new wardrobe?"
"I didn’t know when we would get to Boston again. Harmony isn’t exactly Rodeo Drive" Sheridan argued.
"Yeah we’d never get to Boston again because we are so busy with work and our families" Mia replied sarcastically. "What’s up with you?"
"Nothing is up with me" Sheridan protested.
"Something is up with you and I intend to find out what it is" Mia was determined. She knew she would get it out of Sheridan eventually she just had to wear her down first.
"Too bad you don’t have time. You better get ready for your date" Sheridan smiled proudly. She had one this battle…for now.
Mia glanced at the clock. "Ok, I’m going to jump in the shower. What are you going to do tonight?"
"Nothing spectacular. I thought I might watch the new Sandra Bullock flick"
Mia seemed to accept that and then she dashed into the bathroom. Sheridan couldn’t believe how gullible Mia was being tonight. She thought she had learned better. Sheridan was definitely not going to sit around all night and watch a movie. She was going to go watch her plan put into action. She was also prepared to help it along if need be. This matchmaking scheme was a double whammy. It would keep Mia in town and make Mia smile. What could be better than that? Sheridan was shaken from her thoughts when she heard a rapping on the door. She looked at the clock on the wall. 7:54. He was early. Hopefully that meant he was excited and not trying to get it over with as soon as possible. Her lungs deflated as she revealed what was behind the door. In his black shirt and khaki pants he was gorgeous. Officer yummy was definitely the right nickname for him.
"Good evening Sheridan" Luis handed her a single rose from behind his back.
"Shouldn’t you be saving this for Mia?"
Luis pulled his other hand from behind him revealing another perfect rose. "That is why I have two"
"How did you know I would be here?"
"I just had a hunch you’d be here to over see things. But if you weren’t I would have just given both to Mia" Luis looked around the room. "Where is she anyways?"
"Putting the finishing touches on her ensemble. We went shopping today"
"I wouldn’t have guessed" Luis replied noting the endless number of shopping bags around the room. "Did she buy out the store?"
"Actually I did" Sheridan bit her lower lip in embarrassment. "I went a little crazy for some reason"
"A reason I intend to find out" Mia said as she sauntered into the room. Her new outfit, a powder blue slip dress with beading on the straps, neckline, and bottom, fit her like a glove. She was the picture of innocence. Too bad Luis thought the women standing before him were anything but innocent.
"I told you. I wanted to keep up with the current styles"
"And your doing a good job at it right now" Luis looked over Sheridan who after shopping had changed into an oversized sweatshirt and baggy sweat pants.
"Oh shut up" Sheridan snipped. She had changed to complete the illusion that she was going to spend the night in. "Get out of here"
Sheridan pushed Mia towards the door and she heard Luis mention how beautiful she looked tonight as she closed the door on them. Perfect, she thought with a smile. She ran to her bedroom to get changed. She wasn’t going to miss the fireworks when they exploded.
Chapter Eight:
"Luis, where are we going?" Mia asked as they climbed the rickety old steps.
"To dinner" Luis answered leading the way.
"We’re eating in a lighthouse?"
"Yep"
They had made it to the top. This lighthouse had long since gone out of commission and was now a historic site. But Luis pulled some strings and arranged for a table and some candles to placed there. This was all at Sheridan’s request. Since he was a cop she knew he could pull it off. That woman had a lot of gull. Luis escorted Mia to her chair and then sat in one of his own.
"This is beautiful Luis" Mia admired the flowers spewed around the room.
"Thank you"
"But why are you wasting it on me?"
"HUH?" he spouted.
"Nice retort" Mia laughed. "Shouldn’t this be like proposal material? This is way too top of the line for the first date"
"Proposal material huh?" Luis laughed. He remembered Sheridan telling him he though she didn’t picture him and Mia married yet, but she did have them engaged. Little did he know that he was supposed to be playing the part of proposer this early in the game.
"Why are you laughing?" Mia queried.
"You do realize Sheridan planned this all out for me"
"That little sneak! When did she have the time?"
"This morning"
"That’s where she was. I knew she was up to something but I didn’t know what" Mia sighed. "I thought she was just going to follow us tonight"
"You don’t think she is going to anymore?"
"I took care of that problem" Mia smiled slyly.
"Oh god. Do I dare ask what you did?"
~*~*~*~*~*~
Sheridan had just finished changing into her spy clothes. Her ensemble was a pair of black pants, a black sweater and a single strand of pearls. She couldn’t help herself. She loved pearls with black. She was just about ready to go to the lighthouse when there was a knock at her door. She opened it to find Gwen on the other side with a bowl of popcorn.
"Gwen!" Sheridan feigned happiness. Didn’t she have a wedding to plan? "What are you doing here?"
"Mia told me you were going to watch a movie. Care if I join you? Ethan is out of town" Gwen explained not waiting for an answer as she pushed past Sheridan and plopped on the couch.
"Mia told you to come over?" Gwen nodded. "Why that little…." Sheridan’s voice trailed off.
"Mia said you were spending too many nights alone. I feel bad for neglecting you" Gwen held up the bowl. "Popcorn?"
"Sure" Sheridan grumbled taking a seat next to Gwen.
Mia was going to pay for this. Sheridan should be having fun watching the events of the date unfold not be holed up in her cottage with Gwen watching some sappy movie. She hated sap. Well since her breakup with Jean-Luc she did. Right now she was in the mood for something more along the lines of single white female. Mia beware.
~*~*~*~*~*~
"You didn’t!" Luis laughed when Mia told him that she sent in reinforcements to make sure Sheridan stayed put.
"I did. She shouldn’t have meddled in the first place. I can handle my own love life" Mia griped. "No offence" she apologized.
"None taken" Luis rebuffed.
"Now what are we going to do about this situation?" Mia asked leaning back in her chair and resting her chin in her hands.
"What situation?" Luis was confused.
"Please don’t take this personally but truthfully, you’re a little old for me" Mia confessed.
"You Crane woman are blunt aren’t you?" Luis smiled. "So why don’t we just finish up dinner as friends and then I’ll take you home and we’ll leave it at that" he suggested.
"It’s not that easy hot shot"
"Why?"
"Because of Sheridan" Mia stated.
"We’ll make up some romantic story and then just tell her it wasn’t meant to be. She’ll get over it"
"I don’t think she will"
"Why wouldn’t she?"
"The truth?" she asked. Luis nodded in affirmation. "I think she likes you. She calls you officer yummy"
"She’s going to kill you when she finds out you told me that" Luis laughed. "But she told me she doesn’t date?"
"That’s just because she coming off a bad breakup. I think that is why she has me dating you. She wants you close to her but her heart is still recovering from last time"
"How can she like me Mia? She met me the same time you did" he pointed out.
"That doesn’t mean she hasn’t seen you before. She has been here for over a month" Mia was quick to explain. "Now I’ll repeat my question. What are we going to do about this situation?"
Luis sat there with his head spinning. He had remembered seeing Sheridan on the beach before while he was running. It was possible that she had seen him too. But this whole scenario was a little odd to him. Whatever happened to guy meets girl, guys asks girl out, guy gets girl? Now he had two women trying to set him up with the other. He was beginning to feel like a yo-yo. Now the real question came into view. Did he think he could ever have feelings for either woman or should he get out now before things got stranger?
Chapter Nine:
"Mia, I don’t know either you or Sheridan. What makes you think I should pursue Sheridan?" Luis questioned.
"You don’t think she’s beautiful?" Mia asked defensively.
"No I don’t" Luis replied then waited for Mia’s jaw to drop before continuing. "I think she is gorgeous, but that doesn’t mean we are right for each other"
"How will you know unless you give it a shot?" Mia urged.
"She doesn’t want to! She doesn’t date remember?"
"She’ll get over her heartache. Just give her another hour or two. She’s more resliant than you would think. But here is the problem. You aren’t exactly her type" Mia confessed.
"I know I’m just a cop but …"
"No, no, no" Mia cut him off. "Sheridan isn’t like that. She would date the garbage man if she fancied him"
"Then what’s the problem?"
"You’re a good guy. She levitates to the scum" she explained.
"And yet you still think she is interested in me?" he continued to probe. He needed more information before he agreed to anything.
"Oh yeah" Mia smiled deviously. "The more I think about it, the more I am sure"
"What do you have planned and do I really want to know?" Luis groaned softening to the idea of a date with Sheridan. After all he had wanted to go out with her when he thought she was going to ask him out but instead she set him up with Mia.
"I knew it! The way your eyes connected with hers, I knew there was something there" she exclaimed.
"The only time you have seen us together is when I was giving you a ticket"
"Yes but as soon as she opened her mouth, I am willing to bet the ticket was the farthest thing from your mind. The fact that I wasn’t given a ticket is proof enough" Mia smiled triumphantly. "Now this is what I have in store for little miss matchmaker"
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Mia walked into the cottage with a smile on her face but without Luis on her arm. Sheridan was disappointed. She was looking forward to seeing him…them after their date. Gwen had left about 10 minutes ago and Sheridan decided it wasn’t even worth going out to see if they were still on their date. If they had still been on their date she didn’t really want to know what they were doing to occupy their time. She felt a tad bit relieved to see Mia come through the door when she did. Mia plopped on the couch next to her and sighed happily.
"How was it?" Sheridan asked excitedly. "Did he kiss you?"
"It was a dream" Mia sighed. You’re dream, she thought. "He took me to an old lighthouse, where he had dinner set up. Then he took me on a romantic stroll down the beach. The way the moon glistened off the ocean was magical. Having our first kiss under the stars was absolutely perfect" she embellished. After the dinner none of the rest had happened. It was part of her plan.
"It sounds wonderful" Sheridan replied dreamily. Her heart longed for that kind of love.
"I really wish you would let me set you up. I owe you big time after this. Luis is perfect"
"My heart is off limits" Sheridan replied coldly. "No man will break it again. But I am so happy that you are happy. I knew Luis was a good guy"
I bet you did, Mia thought. "He is" she gushed. "And a wonderful kisser too. Things he can do with that tongue should be illegal" she played it up. She wanted Sheridan to fanaticize tonight. She knew it was too soon for Sheridan to be jealous but if she filled Sheridan’s mind with erotic thoughts it couldn’t hurt.
"Sounds delightful" Sheridan closed her eyes and let her mind wander. "When are you going to see him again?"
"Tomorrow night"
"Wow, I guess you two did hit if off"
"Yes which is why I’m going to bed now. I need my beauty sleep" Mia said as she rose from the couch. "Talk to you in the morning"
"Night hon. By the way nice trick sending Gwen over"
"I thought you might like that" Mia smiled devilishly. If only Sheridan knew what else she had planned for her. "Oh by the way, Luis asked me to ask you to stop by the station tomorrow. Something about the lighthouse case you were helping with"
"Ohhh right" Sheridan played along. He needed help setting up the second date. "I was giving him a fresh perspective on something. It must have helped"
"Must have" Mia said before she disappeared into her bedroom.
Sheridan remained on the couch for a while before she rose and got a glass of water and headed to bed. As she walked to her bedroom she thought about how Luis would look in the moonlight. She was sure his smile would look even more stunning in the natural light. And his eyes would dance by the light of the moon. She almost walked into her door as she imagined him kissing her under the stars. She quickly scolded herself for thinking such thoughts. Luis was going to marry Mia. It was the way she wanted it. She had to get these thoughts from her head. She climbed into bed and tried to think of a perfect second date for the lovebirds.
Chapter Ten:
Sheridan woke up early again and rubbed the sleep from her eyes. She was extremely tired even though she should have gotten plenty of sleep last night. But the truth was she had woken up on more than one occasion because of dreams she shouldn’t be having. Her subconscious kept tempting her with thoughts of her and Luis in compromising positions. She shouldn’t be thinking this way. Luis was meant to be with Mia. He was too much of a nice guy to be with her. She didn’t deserve someone like Luis. She dragged herself from her bed and got ready to meet Luis at the station. Their ‘case’ needed some tweaking.
She had managed to get herself ready within an hour. She was dressed in her favorite outfit. A ribbed v-neck sweater, cut lower than it should be which is why it made it appealing to her, and a pair a shimmery black pants. She didn’t know why she was wasting an outfit like this on just a meeting with Luis but it fit her mood. That confused her immensely. She shrugged it off and went to the station. She found Luis exactly where she did yesterday, at his desk.
"You wanted to see me?" She did just as she had yesterday and sat on his desk, preventing him to look at the papers before him.
"I see you got my message"
"No I’m psychic" she replied sarcastically.
"Really, then tell me what I am thinking now" he played along.
"You are thinking that I am amazing for setting you up with such a perfect woman"
Well you’re half right, he thought. "Well not quite" he got ready to put the plan in action.
"What’s wrong" she eyes him. He was holding something back.
"Mia is nice…"
"But" Sheridan interrupted.
"But … I met someone else" he said as he sat back ready to watch her reaction.
"WHEN!?! When could you have possibly met someone else? You were with Mia last night and it is only 8 am now?" she rambled.
"Yesterday before I went out with Mia"
"But you made plans for a second date!"
"I didn’t want to hurt Mia’s feelings" he confessed. He loved how animated she looked at this moment.
"So you’re going to lead her on? Wait… What’s wrong with Mia? Why don’t you like her better? Don’t you think she is attractive?" she continued to fire her questions.
"Slow down will ya?" he pleaded. "Mia is really nice, but she is kind of young for me. I am ready to settle down and start a family. She is still wet behind the ears"
"You just don’t know her. Give her a chance. She is really mature for her age" Sheridan urged.
"I don’t know" Luis stated.
"One more date. How could that hurt, right?"
"I suppose but I really don’t know how to top yesterday"
"You’re in luck. I have a perfect idea" she confessed.
"Where do you get all these ideas?" he asked.
Sheridan turned a bright shade of red. She could never tell him she dreamed it last night only she was the one dating him in the dream. "I’m just a creative person"
I’d like to see just how creative, he thought. "So tell me what you have in mind"
Sheridan finished explaining to Luis what he would do with Mia tonight. Luis was amazed that this woman wasn’t tied down already. She had a huge heart. He wondered why she insisted on keeping it to herself. After they had finished Luis invited her for coffee to repay her for her advice. That way they could spend more time getting to know each other without her getting suspicious. She gracefully accepted and they were off to the Book Café for some bonding time, whether she wanted it or not. Because he did, and every time he spent time with her he was surer of it. Mia was right. Sheridan was a special person.
Chapter Eleven:
Sheridan strode back into her cottage with a smile plastered on her face. Mia held in a giggle and quickly sipped her coffee. Her plan seemed to be working. Sheridan was a goner already. She wondered how long it would take before Sheridan realized it. Mia wanted to move on with her own life. How was she supposed to find a guy while pretending to be enamored with her aunts love interest? Why did it suddenly feel like she was living in a soap opera? She shrugged and offered Sheridan some coffee.
"No thank you" Sheridan declined.
"And where were you?" Mia lifted her eyebrows.
"Out" Sheridan replied simply.
"You have been going ‘out’ a lot" Mia teased. "What are you holding out on me? I thought I was your favorite confidant"
"You are" Sheridan moved to sit next to Mia. "But some things are best kept a secret" she smiled shyly.
"You meet someone" Mia bounced on the couch. That was quicker than she expected. "Who is he? I bet he is hot"
"I told you before, my heart is off limits. I was having coffee with a friend. That’s all Miss Nosey"
"A male friend?" Mia was not going to let Sheridan off the hook.
"Yes he was male. But that doesn’t mean a thing" Sheridan concluded. "Look, I’m going to go for a run. Care to join me?"
"No thanks. You know how much I love to run"
"I thought I would ask. You never know, you seem to be getting up earlier than you used to. I mean really, it is only 11 am" Sheridan teased.
"Oh shut up and go run!" Mia griped. "I wouldn’t want you miss out on your marathon training"
"Cute" Sheridan gave her an evil look before going to change into her running clothes.
As soon as Sheridan was out of sight, Mia quickly reached for the phone. She dialed Luis’s number at the station and informed him of Sheridan’s running plans. She told him that whenever Sheridan talked about running she mentioned the beach. Ten to one that is where she would be headed. If Luis wanted to he could casually bump into her there. He didn’t need too much convincing. He was falling just as hard for Sheridan as she was for him. Mia giggled as she hung up the phone. This was almost too easy.
"What are you giggling about?" Sheridan asked as she returned to the room.
"Nothing much. I just called for my horoscope" Mia covered.
"You and those silly little superstitions of yours" Sheridan rolled her eyes. "What did it say this time?"
"That I am slowly finding my way to true love" Mia smiled brightly.
"Mia we share a birthday" Sheridan said slowly.
"So, your point being?"
"That would be my horoscope too then" Sheridan concluded.
"You don’t believe in horoscopes" Mia tried to keep her giggles internal.
"I leaving now" Sheridan stated and without another word bolted out the door.
Mia couldn’t believe how easy this was. It scared her that it was too easy. It might just blow up in her face. Nah, those two were meant for each other. But just to make sure she might want to take up running. Just for the day. She quickly rummaged through her clothes and found some suitable clothes. She found an old pair of tennis shoes and headed towards the beach. She got about a block from the cottage and turned back, panting. Maybe I will just roller blade down there. She strapped on her blades and tried again.
Chapter Twelve:
Luis had already been running this morning so his boss Sam looked at him like he grew a second head when he told him what he was going to do on his break. Luis rationalized that he didn’t work hard enough on his first run and was feeling sluggish. Sam didn’t buy it one bit. He immediately asked what the woman’s name was. Luis scowled at Sam before leaving. As he shut the door he called back to Sam. "Her name’s Sheridan" and Luis took off like a bolt of lightning. Mia was right he caught up to Sheridan on the beach. But she wasn’t running. She was sitting on rock watching the waves crash at her feet. She looked so lost. He wanted to run over there and engulf her in a hug. He settled for walking over there and placing his hand on her shoulder.
"Penny for your thoughts" he asked as he sat on the rock behind her.
"Luis?" she replied softly. She wasn’t sure what was reality at the moment. Could this be another one of her dreams? "Why are you here?" she leaned back against him, drawing strength from him.
"I was running. Is something wrong?" he wrapped his arms around her and noticed her shiver. "Are you cold?"
"No, I’m not cold" she sighed. "I’m just lost"
"Can I help? I’m pretty good with directions" he tried to lighten the mood with a joke.
"No" she broke from his embrace and stood. "I should be going"
"Wait" he stood and grabbed her arm. "Sheridan, I hope after the time we have spent together you consider me a friend. I don’t like to see my friends like this"
"You can’t help me with this"
"Why not?"
"You’re the problem Luis" she barely whispered and took off down the beach.
Luis took off after her and it didn’t take long for him to catch her. She was sunk in the sand about half a mile away. The tears she was shedding tore Luis in two. Somehow he felt responsible for her pain. He needed to tell her there was nothing between him and Mia now. He couldn’t let her keep thinking she was betraying her niece by having feelings for him.
"Sheridan?" he kneeled next to her. "Let’s get you home" he lifted her from the sand.
"No!" she cried. "Just leave me alone. I can take care of myself" her tempered flared.
"I never said that you couldn’t. I just want to help you. I can’t stand to see you like this"
"I’m not your problem" she backed away from him.
"No, but I’m yours. Why?" his question surprised her.
"I… I … I shouldn’t have meddled in your life. I should have left you alone. Now you are going to break Mia’s heart"
"Is that what is bothering you?" his eyes bore into hers and she nodded. "Sheridan, I won’t break Mia’s heart"
"But you said you met someone else"
"I did" he confessed. She flinched in pain. "Mia and I are …" he wanted to finish with just friends and tell her that the woman he met was her but they were interrupted.
Mia had finally made it down to the beach. For such a small town it was a hell of a long way to the beach. She was panting even though she let the wheels of her roller blades do most of the work. She needed a cigarette. Too bad she quit. She thought about it and once she saw Sheridan collapsed in the sand and she heard the big KABOOM when her plan blew up in her face she decided she deserved a couple of puffs tonight. She would quit again tomorrow. As quick as she could she unstrapped her blades and in her socks ran over to the non-couple. She heard Luis about to confess their plan and knew she had to interrupt. If he told Sheridan now she might literally bite his head off.
"What’s going on here?" Mia questioned looking into Sheridan’s eyes.
"Mia!" Sheridan cried and fell into her arms. "Take me home" she pleaded.
"What did you do to her?" Mia accused Luis.
"I…" he started.
"Not now" Mia cut him off. "There’s a pay phone a little bit ahead. I’ll call for the limo ok" Sheridan nodded into Mia’s shoulder. "Wait here" she instructed Sheridan. "You come with me" she ordered Luis. Mia set Sheridan on a bench and with Luis went to the payphone. "What the hell happened?" she asked as she picked up the phone and called collect back to the mansion.
"I didn’t DO anything. I found her like that!" Luis argued.
"What did she say to you?" Mia asked. "Mia" she said to the automated service on the phone. "Yes Charles it’s Mia. Could you come and pick Sheridan and me up at…" she looked to Luis.
"Lighthouse Park" he informed her.
"Lighthouse Park" she repeated. "Yes thank you" she hung up the phone. "Now back to the situation at hand. Why is she having a nervous breakdown?"
"I don’t have a clue. She won’t talk to me"
"I’ll find out and we’ll talk tonight. For now I think you should leave" Mia insisted.
"You still want to go through with out ‘date’ tonight"
"We have to" she replied flatly. "See you tonight" she said and then went to gather Sheridan and wait for the limo to pick them up. Luis continued his run back to the station.
Chapter Thirteen:
Mia led Sheridan from the limo and into the cottage. Sheridan plopped down in one of her oversized chairs and let out an exhausted sigh. Mia got her some water to sip on and then sit down to have a little talk with her aunt. This was slowly getting way out of hand and she was sick of Sheridan being so self-destructive. It was time she snapped into reality and realized that she was a good person and deserved to be with a good person too. She was not unworthy of true love. Mia could kill her grandfather for what he had done to Sheridan.
"What’s going on Sheridan?" Mia asked as she sat in the chair across from her. "And don’t say nothing because I won’t believe you"
"I’m just so sick of being lonely" Sheridan admitted.
"Sheridan, you aren’t alone" Mia walked over to her and crouched in front of her. "You have me, Ethan and Gwen, and I think you’ve made a new friend in Luis"
"Luis" Sheridan grumbled. "Yeah he is a friend all right"
"Don’t you think he likes you? Or don’t you really like him?"
"Oh no, we get along just fine"
"But?" Mia waited. She needed to hear Sheridan tell her that she wanted Luis for herself before she admitted her and Luis dating was just a hoax.
"But…never mind" Sheridan dismissed her problems. "Go get ready for your date tonight. I’m sure Luis has something terrific planned"
"We aren’t finished yet" Mia stood up and folded her arms across her chest.
"Yes we are" Sheridan rose and took the same stance.
"No!" Mia argued. "You can’t close up like this. It isn’t good for your aura!"
"My AURA?? Where do you get this crap Mia? First horoscopes, now aura, what’s next reincarnation?? Who was I in a past life Mia?"
"That is low Sheridan" Mia turned from her. "I don’t badger your beliefs"
"I’m sorry but you need to grow up. You’re not 16 anymore. It’s time you gained some grownup beliefs"
"What like you?" Mia turned back and challenged. "No fairytales in the life of Sheridan Crane! Too grown up to believe in true love. No wonder you feel lonely"
"Shut up!" Sheridan screamed.
"What the truth hurt?" Mia matched her tone. "Sheridan, stop sabotaging yourself"
"I’m not!"
"Oh really? Is that why you keep choosing winners like Jean-Luc? Sheridan I told you the first time I met him he was bad news. Open your eyes and see what is in front of you"
"What are you talking about?" Sheridan slumped back into her chair. Mia followed suit.
"I know all about your problem" Mia looked at Sheridan with a smirk.
"My problem?" Sheridan tried to pretend she had no idea what she was talking about.
"Yes, Luis told me while I was calling Charles"
"What did he tell you?" Sheridan’s eyes got big.
"That you have a problem with him. What exactly is your problem with Luis?" Mia acted hurt.
"I don’t have to explain my feelings to you or anyone else for that matter!" Sheridan’s temper flared again. "I’m going to me room" she rose form her chair and raced to her room, slamming her door behind her.
"Well, I think that went well" Mia shook her head as she went to her own room. She was looking through her closet when she heard a small knock on her door. "Yes?"
"Can I come in?" Sheridan asked from behind the door.
"Sure" Mia replied.
"What are you going to wear tonight?" Sheridan asked in a small voice hoping for forgiveness.
"I thought I’d just wear slacks tonight. I did the dress thing last night" Mia smiled. Sheridan didn’t need to say she was sorry. Mia knew.
"Good choice, show a little variety" Sheridan concluded. She went to Mia’s closet and pulled out a black tank top and sheer black blouse to go over it. "Wear this and jeans. You’ll drive him insane"
Oh I’m sure someone is driving him insane, but I doubt it’s me, Mia thought. "You should be a fashion editor or something"
"Crane woman aren’t allowed to have jobs" Sheridan said bitterly.
"Don’t I know it. I still want to be a psychic friend for Dione Warwick"
"Crazy girl" Sheridan laughed.
"Sheridan, it’s ok to believe in fairytales. You know that right?" Mia asked hoping Sheridan wouldn’t blow up again.
"Not in my world" Sheridan replied sadly. "I hope you never have to join me in my world Mia. Have fun tonight ok?" She did her best to be happy for her niece but failed miserably. Again she retreated to her room.
Mia grew agitated. What was it going to take to shake Sheridan from this state? It was time to time to take a new direction with her plan. If Sheridan kept insisting that Mia date Luis. She was going to throw it in her face. Let’s see how Sheridan handles it when she sees it. Subtlety definitely isn’t going to work in this case. Mia was prepared to be blunt. Now all she had to do was get Luis to agree with her. That might be her next obstacle to overcome. Who made her the matchmaker again? This job was more than she bargained for.
Chapter Fourteen:
Mia had arranged to meet Luis at the restaurant tonight. Sheridan had given Luis instructions again but Mia and Luis decided that he should save these ideas for when he actually dated Sheridan. They were meeting at the Lobster Shack. Mia had purposely gotten there early so she could partake in the puffing of a cigarette she so much deserved. Only Luis had to be early too. He caught her satisfying her craving.
"I didn’t know you smoked" Luis said as he walked up to Mia who was standing outside of the restaurant.
"I don’t" she took another puff.
"That’s not made of bubblegum" Luis’s eyes accused her.
"I quit" she made an excuse but made no move to put out the white stick.
"Really? When?"
"Tomorrow ok?" she got annoyed. "You and Sheridan are impossible. You drove me to this"
"Right always blaming someone else"
"All done" Mia smiled triumphantly. "Wanna go inside now lover boy?"
"Oh great if this is how you get supped up on nicotine, I’d hate to see you drunk" Luis teased.
"Shut up and get inside. We have A LOT of work to do" Mia grabbed his hand and dragged him to their table.
"Is she doing better?" he asked of Sheridan as soon as they were seated.
"You really like her don’t you?"
"Yeah I do. I realized just how much today. Please tell me this is almost over" he was practically begging. "Please tell me I can go over there and kiss her silly now because I don’t know how much more of this I can take"
"Well…you are going to her cottage tonight" Mia smiled nervously. "But she isn’t the person you’ll be kissing"
"What are you talking about Mia?" Luis grumbled.
"You see subtlety isn’t really getting to her as I hoped" she sighed.
"So we are going to go over there and rub her face in the fact that you are with me and not her?" Luis was amazed. No way was he going to do that to Sheridan. "It’s not going to happen Mia"
"But it has to Luis. We have to get her jealous. We have to do something to shake her from this state of stupidity"
"Don’t call her stupid" Luis warned.
"She’s my aunt. I can say what I want about her. Anyways, do you have a better plan?" she offered Luis a way out of the jealousy plan.
"Actually I do" Luis smiled. "I go over there and tell her it is her I want to date. And we live happily ever after"
"That would work except for the fact that she doesn’t believe in happily ever after" Mia sighed. "Luis she would push you away so fast your head would spin for days. She isn’t ready yet"
"When is she going to be ready? I like her but I can’t spend the rest of my life waiting for someone who just might like me back"
"Umm…Luis" Mia tried to interrupt him.
"She is so beautiful and she has a heart of pure gold" Luis continued to ramble.
"Luis" Mia warned again. Again he failed to notice.
"She is so strong yet so frail at the same time. I just want to hug her but I’m scared she’d castrate me for trying to protect her. Mia I’m a goner. Sheridan has me wrapped around her finger and she doesn’t even know it" Luis buried his head in his hands.
"She does now" Mia grumbled.
"Huh?" Luis’s head shot up. He turned around and followed Mia’s gaze. He met two very confused blue eyes behind him. "Ut oh" he turned back to Mia for help.
"Yeah, big UT OH" Mia groaned.
"Outside NOW!" Sheridan demanded to the both of them. They did the only thing they could and followed her. They were caught with their hands in the cookie jar.
Chapter Fifteen:
Sheridan had heard Mia leave for her date and decided against just sitting home again tonight. She couldn’t hide in her cottage forever. She decided to call for take out but to live on the wild side she was going to walk and pick it up. She’d take a cab back so it wouldn’t get cold. Ethan and Gwen absolutely raved about the seafood restaurant in town. She would call ahead for some lobster, extra butter. She would run off the extra calories in the morning. She placed her call and headed out. Unaware of what awaited her at the restaurant.
Sheridan took her time walking into town. She meandered down by the wharf letting the salty air surround her. She thought about Mia and Luis and the dinner cruise they were on. She wished she were in Mia’s place. She was a bit confused though. Did she just want someone going to the trouble and romancing her or did she specifically want it to be Luis? She daydreamed she was on the small cruise boat and yep there was Luis. Damn! Her heart was off limits! He couldn’t have it. Plus she didn’t deserve him. He was too nice and therefore too good for her. Mia deserved that kind of happiness, not her. Only when she started to get chilled did Sheridan head back into town to pick up her food.
She entered the restaurant refreshed from her walk but still confused as hell. But the more she thought about it she came to terms with what she was doing. If Luis was seeing Mia he was off limits pure and simple. BUT she still got to have him in her life. It was for the best this way. Or that’s what she thought until she saw Mia and Luis at the Lobster Shack. She walked up behind Luis intent to ask what they were doing here and not on the ocean. But she found herself glued to a spot slightly behind Luis when he started to talk about her. He thought she was beautiful? And he was discussing this with Mia? What the hell was going on here? She furiously ordered them outside and that’s where they were now. Luis and Mia were sitting on a bench looking like children being scolded while Sheridan paced in front of them.
"Just what is going on? And I want the truth so I am going to ask Luis" Sheridan shot a look of death at Mia.
"Luis is the innocent in this" Mia protested.
"Shut up Mia" Sheridan warned. "Speak up Luis. Do you want me to stand behind you so you can be the yellow bellied chicken you are?" Sheridan glared at him.
"Don’t even try to blame him" Mia stood up and blacked Sheridan’s pacing path. "I am the mastermind behind all of this"
"I highly doubt you could mastermind anything" Sheridan fired. "Now what exactly is going on with you two? Are you having a good time playing with my emotions, is that it?"
"I would never hurt you Sheridan" Mia protested. "And you know it"
"Then what is this? Sheridan’s pity party? The dating game? Oh wait no that would be too sensible for you Mia. I know, it’s The Charma Connection"
"Now you’re the one that needs to shut up Sheridan" Mia’s tempered flared higher than Sheridan’s. "You are the one who tried to set me up first. What? You can dish it but you can’t take it? I should have figured as much"
"I don’t need to be set up!"
"And I did?"
"I told you my heart is off limits. Couldn’t you leave it at that?"
"No, I care too much about you to watch you sit around and feel sorry for yourself"
The Crane women had tempers that would make his mother proud. Luis laughed to himself as he watched the two interact. They were drawing quite a crowd. He began to feel a little uncomfortable because the fight was after all partly about him. He decided he should try and interrupt this little family spat before a rumor started about them.
"Can I say something?" Luis asked when they both paused for air.
"NO!" they replied simultaneously.
"Ok" he said to himself. "Shutting up now"
"I will have a love life when I damn ready Mia. Not when you say so" Sheridan continued the argument.
"Oh so for now you’ll just pawn me off on Luis because you are the one that is chicken. At least Luis can admit how he feels"
"Don’t go there Mia" Sheridan warned.
"No I’m not sparing your feelings any more. I know why you wanted me to go out with Luis. It was because you wanted to live vicariously through me. But how would that work if I were too sleep with Luis? You going to sit in the room and watch?"
"Mia I don’t think this is the place…" Luis tried to again cut in.
"SHUT UP!" Both Sheridan and Mia again yelled at him.
"You don’t know what you’re talking about" Sheridan accused Mia.
"Oh don’t I? Is that why you planned our dates down to a T? Don’t even try and tell me that you weren’t envisioning yourself with Luis"
"I wasn’t!" Sheridan protested.
"Really? Look Luis in the eyes and tell him that! Tell him you don’t care for him. That you don’t have one iota of feeling for him!"
Sheridan struggled to look at Luis. She looked deep into his eyes and opened her mouth but no words would come out. Luis studied her and could see she was in pain. This had to stop. Even though Mia was right, Sheridan did have to stop hiding behind her fear, this wasn’t the way to go about it.
"See you can’t do it" Mia’s voice calmed. She felt like she was gaining a little ground.
"I can!" Sheridan argued. Her voice was now beginning to quiver.
"Then tell him" Mia challenged.
"Both of you STOP!" Luis ordered coming between them. "Find your corners and be quiet! It’s my turn"
Chapter Sixteen:
Sheridan and Mia looked at Luis with wide eyes. Both instantly closed their mouths and watched to see what he was going to do next. They weren’t expecting his outburst. They remained frozen to their spots but their eyes followed him as he walked to the side of the road. He raised his hand and hailed a cab. He then looked back at the two.
"Sheridan come here" he called back towards them in an irritated tone. He was sick of this confused mess but he didn’t mean to take it out on Sheridan. He was just as much at fault. "Please" he extended his hand and softened his voice. She fidgeted for a moment but finally she walked towards him. He helped her in the cab and then joined her. He closed the door and rolled down the window. "I’ll have her home later Mia" he winked at Mia causing her to laugh and roll her eyes. The cab pulled off leaving Mia to enjoy another forbidden cancer stick. She would quit tomorrow she told herself again.
Sheridan looked at Luis. She couldn’t see his face though. It was too dark in the cab. Luis had instructed the driver to take them to Lighthouse Park. She dreaded going there. It reminded her how she broke down early. She didn’t like people seeing her at her weakest point. But what choice did she have. She knew Luis wouldn’t leave her alone until things were resolved between them. And truth be told she needed them to be resolved too. The arrived at the park and Luis paid the cab driver and led her to the swings. She sat on one and he stood behind her and began to push her. The lightness of the situation warmed her heart. If only everything could be as simple as swinging on a swing.
"Don’t you want to talk?" She asked before he gave her another push.
"Not yet" he replied.
"When?" she became impatient.
"When the time is right" he stated simply and continued to push. He needed her to release herself from the world she kept herself locked in.
"Higher" she giggled. He complied. With every push he could feel her relaxing. It wouldn’t be long now. Her giggled began to fill the empty park. "This is so much fun!" That was the cue he needed. He backed away and stopped propelling her into the air. "Why’d you stop?" she asked as she watched him sit on the swing next to her. He faced in the opposite direction.
"It’s time" he explained. Seeing her smile made him smiled too. She had a beautiful smile. "Are you having fun?"
"Yes" she replied surprisingly.
"Life can be simple and fun" he stated. "You don’t have to shut everyone out. You looked so open and free while I was pushing you, please don’t put up the walls again"
"Oh" she quickly saw were this was going. "I’ll try"
"How did it make you feel when you heard me pour my heart out to Mia about you?"
"Confused"
"At least you are being honest. It’s a start" Luis sighed before continuing. "Why? Why were you confused?"
"Because" she replied and tried to leave it at that.
"Don’t build the walls" he reminded her. "It’s ok to be honest and free. I’m not going to hurt you. I promise"
"I was confused because I had just admitted to myself I set you up with Mia so that you were off the market. That way I didn’t have to worry about acting on my feeling for you. You were off limits. In ten seconds you changed everything"
"Changed good or changed bad?" he continued to probe.
"I’m not sure" she admitted. She had a slight gleam in her eye. She was up to something.
"How can we make up your mind?" he asked innocently not knowing what she was setting him up for.
"Kiss me" she said softly. This whole being open thing might prove to be a good thing after all.
They both dug their feet in the sand beneath them and pushed their swings closer together. Slowly they leaned closer until their lips finally met. They kissed so softly it felt like butterfly wings were brushing against their lips. It hadn’t needed to be intense to be magical. They pulled back simultaneously but kept their eyes connected. Luis waited for Sheridan to come to a conclusion because he had already made his. One kiss and he was addicted. Now he knew how Mia felt about her cigarettes. He would tell her tomorrow not to quit. He knew he could never ebb his desire for the feel of Sheridan’s lips against his.
"Oh that was definitely a good change" Sheridan concluded before leaning closer for another kiss. Again the kiss was of pure innocence.
A car drove by as the continued their gentle assault of each other’s lips. It paused and the driver stuck her head out the window. "Thank god!" Mia yelled to the heavens. Her career as a matchmaker was over. "Get a room!" she yelled at the newly form couple before driving off.
They broke apart, half embarrassed and half amused. Sheridan again had that gleam in her eyes. She playfully slapped him before yelling tag and running away from him. He quickly ran after her trying to catch his blue-eyed beauty. She ducked behind trees and led him down slides, all the while laughing and being completely content with life. He finally caught her by jumping over the teeter-totter she tried to run around. He secured her in his arms and twirled her around causing her to laugh even harder. He was healing her. He was making her feel free and innocent like a child again. She was beginning to believe in things long forgotten. Things her hardened self pushed away as nonsense. This wasn’t nonsense though. This felt right. Luis made things felt right in the world again.
Maybe he would even teach her to believe in fairytales and happily ever after again.
THE END
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