A Time For Miracles
by Greta([email protected])

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Part I

Sheridan leaned back on the couch and balanced the remote control on her bulging stomach. The remote started teetering as the baby gave small, gentle kicks. Suddenly, it gave a gigantic kick and sent the remote tumbling to the floor.
Sheridan gave a hearty laugh.
"That kills me everytime." Sheridan said, still laughing.
Sheridan reached down and picked up the remote. She started flipping through the channels. It was another night with Luis working on a case with Sam until sometimes midnight. Luis hated to leave her alone, especially now that she was almost nine months along, but Sheridan knew that his promotion had caused him to want to work more.
Sheridan picked up the phone book, looking for pizza delivery, when the doorbell rang. With much effort, she pushed herself up off the couch and waddled to the door. Sheridan was surprised to see Theresa with a armload of groceries.
"Theresa!" Sheridan exclaimed.
"Well, since Ethan decided to work later than usual, I thought I would surprise my favorite sister-in-law with dinner." Theresa said, holding up the sacks.
"Oh, that's sweet, Theresa," Sheridan said, "I was just fixing to call in a pizza."
"I called Luis and he told me your favorite was lasagna, so I told him that he could take his time; I'd keep you company!" Theresa said, beaming.
Sheridan grabbed one of the bags out of Theresa arms and glanced outside.
The moon danced across the snow on the lawn.
"This snow is beautiful, isn't it?" Sheridan observed.
"It's breath-taking." Theresa said.
Sheridan and Theresa took the groceries into the kitchen. Theresa preheated the oven and put on a pan of water. Sheridan tried to help, but Theresa immediately sat her down.
"So, Theresa, how's married life?" Sheridan said.
"Pretty good." Theresa said.
"Well, don't talk my ear off, okay?" Sheridan said, laughing.
Theresa shot her a smile. Sheridan immediately understood: newlyweds.
"I guess we're still floating from the wedding." Theresa said.
"I remember that..." Sheridan said, drifting into a memory of her wedding day.
Theresa slid the casserole dish into the oven to bake and sat down beside Sheridan. The phone rang and Sheridan hurried into the living room to grab it.
"Hello?"
"Sher, it's me." Luis' sexy voice said.
"Hey, baby, working hard?" Sheridan asked.
"You know it," Luis said, "How's little Luis doin'?"
"Well, little SHERIDAN is doing fine." Sheridan retorted.
"Did Theresa make it over there?" Luis asked.
"She did and she's making a killer lasagna." Sheridan said.
"Well, you might need to tell her to call Ethan and tell him that she's going to stay the night." Luis said.
"Why?" Sheridan asked.
"Have you looked outside lately?" Luis asked.
Sheridan laid the phone down and walked to the window. The snow was falling so fast and hard that Sheridan couldn't see across the road. The wind was causing the branches of the trees outside to whip violently back and forth.
Sheridan went back to the phone.
"Oh, Luis, how are you going to get home?" Sheridan asked.
"Sher, I don't think I'll be home tonight, baby." Luis said.
"Luis, you're going to stay at the station?" Sheridan asked.
"Yea, I can't risk this weather." Luis said.
"Ok, I would rather you stay safe than kill yourself to get home." Sheridan said.
"I knew you'd understand, besides Theresa is there." Luis said.
"Yea, we'll be okay." Sheridan said.
"I love you, Mrs. Lopez-Fitzgerald." Luis said.
"I love y-..."
Sheridan was cut off by the loud crash outside. The phone went dead and the power went out. Sheridan hurried to the window and saw the sparks fly from the telephone pole as a nearby tree sent it to the ground.
"Stay safe, Luis." Sheridan prayed.


Part II

Theresa came into the living room and saw an outline of Sheridan by the window.
"Sheridan?" Theresa called out.
"Oh, Theresa, where are you?" Sheridan called out through the darkness.
"Over here," Theresa answered, "Where are the candles?"
"In the kitchen, third cabinet." Sheridan said.
Theresa went back into the kitchen and felt around until she found two candles and a box of matches. She lit them and carried them into the living room.
Sheridan had already made her way to the couch.
"Here's some light." Theresa said.
"Oh, Theresa, the phones are out and you really should call Ethan." Sheridan said.
"Already done." Theresa said.
Sheridan gave Theresa a confused look.
"Luis called Ethan and Ethan tried to called here, but got a busy signal," Theresa explained, "So, he called my cell phone and said to tell you that if I moved from this house to tie me to the chair."
Sheridan laughed.
"So, dear sister, I guess you are stuck with me." Theresa said.
"Oh, how will I cope?" Sheridan joked.
"Well, now what?" Theresa asked.
"I guess we just sit here." Sheridan said.
"Oh, tell me about the names you guys have picked out." Theresa asked.
"Well, for a girl we want to name her Taylor or Nicole," Sheridan said, "A boy we're leaning toward Nathan or Kale."
"Those are good." Theresa said.
Sheridan was fixing to respond, but a strange pain shot up her back.
Sheridan sucked in her breath. Theresa sat up.
"What's wrong?"
"Just a little pain; no problem." Sheridan assured her.
Theresa relaxed, but Sheridan couldn't. The pain not only left her aching, but left her worried. She'd never had one of those pains before.
"Oh, did Ethan tell you what all he bought on our honeymoon for the house?" Theresa asked.
"Oh, tell me!" Sheridan said, shaking the pain from her head.
Theresa started talking about oak furniture for the bedroom and something about new curtains for the living room, but Sheridan's mind was on the dull pain in the base of her back. She tried rubbing it out, like Luis had done for her pains in early pregnancy, but it didn't work. Suddenly, another harder, sharper pain shot up her back causing Sheridan to fly up off the couch.
"Sheridan!" Theresa exclaimed at the sudden outburst.
Sheridan waddled over to the back of couch and bent over. The pain that shot up her back had whipped around and was gripping her stomach. Sheridan had caught her breath when she felt the wetness sliding down her legs.
"Oh, God." Sheridan said.
"Sheridan, please talk to me." Theresa begged.
"Theresa, my water just broke." Sheridan said.
"Oh....never mind...you don't have to talk anymore!" Theresa said.
Sheridan walked over to her purse and got her cell phone and dialed Luis' phone. To Sheridan's horror, all she got was a busy signal. Sheridan turned to Theresa who was wide-eyed with fear.
"Theresa, call Ethan and tell him to do anything he can to get to Luis and get him to me," Sheridan said, "Then, call 911."
Theresa nodded and started dialing. Sheridan could hear Theresa talking to Ethan, but she started getting dizzy so she leaned back in Luis' huge recliner.
"Sheridan?" Theresa said.
Sheridan felt so weak and tired that all she could do was moan.
"Sheridan, Ethan called the ambulance, but they have had a major accident in the far corner of Harmony." Theresa said.
Sheridan felt the beginnings of a contraction. She grabbed Theresa's arm and gritted her teeth.
"What....about....Luis?" Sheridan said through gritted teeth.
"Ethan's trying to get to him, Sheridan." Theresa said, starting to cry.
Sheridan leaned back as the contraction died down. Theresa pushed back the sweaty strands of hair in Sheridan's face.
"So, there's no ambulance?" Sheridan asked.
"Not until one frees up." Theresa said.
Sheridan nodded.
"Well, Aunt Theresa, it looks like I'm going to need your help to deliver your niece or nephew because this baby is coming fast." Sheridan said.

Part III

"Me?" Theresa asked, stunned.
Sheridan nodded. Before Theresa had a chance to object, Sheridan gave Theresa a list of things to go get for delivery. Theresa mentally wrote them all down and headed to find them. As she walked towards the steps, she turned back to Sheridan with a confused look.
"How do you know this much about delivering a baby?" Theresa asked. Sheridan smiled.
"Me and Luis delivered a baby together one night." Sheridan answered.
Theresa, with no time to get the whole story, smiled and headed to gather the supplies, leaving Sheridan to think of Luis. Was Ethan having any luck getting to Luis?

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Sam brought Luis a steaming cup of coffee and sat down to finish up the last pile of paperwork on the drug cartel.
"Sam, I really hate being away from Sheridan this late in her pregnancy." Luis admitted.
"I understand and I decided to tell you that after tonight: no more late nights." Sam ordered.
"You don't have to twist my arm." Luis said.
"Luis, I swear, I remember a time when you would work 24/7 if I asked you to," Sam said, "Now, I feel like a jerk if I ask you to stay any later than 6 or so."
Luis laughed and glanced at the wedding photo of him and Sheridan.
"If I didn't know any better, I would think that Sheridan has made a family man out of you." Sam said.
"I think so, too, " Luis said, "Sam, I can't explain it."
"You don't have to," Sam said, "I have the same feeling." Luis nodded.
"I also have to say that marriage has had a powerful effect on Ethan Crane as well." Sam said.
"Oh, my sister has really got that one settled, hasn't she?" Luis laughed.
Sam laughed, but stopped when he saw headlights in the window. "Who could that be?" Sam asked.
"Probably one of the deputies finally done with that accident." Luis said.
Luis got back to the paperwork and Sam turned to the computer. The door to the station opened and the men looked to see who had came in.
"Ethan?" Luis said.
"What are you doing here?" Sam asked.
"Luis, we have to get to Theresa and Sheridan." Ethan said quickly.
"What happened?" Luis said, jumping up.
"Sheridan went into labor and no one can get to her." Ethan explained.
"What?!?!" Luis yelled.
Sam ran over to the radio and started calling for the nearest deputies and ambulances to get to Luis and Sheridan's house. Sam waited for someone to answer as Luis threw on his coat.
"Luis!" Sam called.
"What?"
"Dispatch said that the reason no one can get to them is because that the bridge going to your house is down." Sam said.
"Oh, God." Luis said.
Luis sat down and bent over. Sam knew that Luis' mind was working on a plan. Finally, Luis jumped up. He ran over to the radio and started calling for headquarters to answer.
"What are you doing, Luis?"
"Remember that helicopter that headquarters let us use when Sheridan was in trouble with the drug cartel?" Luis asked.
Sam finally got Luis' idea and ran to get his coat. Ethan dialed Theresa's cell phone to tell her that help was on the way. Luis sat, still listening for an answer.
"Yes, this is headquarters." the voice crackled.
"This is Detective Lopez-Fitzgerald," Luis answered, "I need the police copter at Harmony Police Department, right away."
"The weather won't let us get up in the air." the voice answered.
"Harmony is only 6 miles away!" Luis yelled.
"What is the nature of this request?" the voice said.
"We have a woman, ready to deliver, and we can't get to her residence because of a bridge that is down." Luis explained.
"Alright, give us five minutes."
Ethan ran over to Luis and handed him his phone.
"Sheridan wants to talk to you." Ethan said.
Luis grabbed the phone, his face clouded with worry.
"Sheridan, baby?" Luis said.
"Oh, Luis, please hurry!" Sheridan screamed.
"Oh, baby, I am trying my hardest to get there." Luis said, trying to comfort her as much as possible.
"Luis, Theresa's scared and so am I," Sheridan said, "I can't do this without you."
"Oh, baby, I am going to get there, but don't you say that you can't do it,"
Luis said, "You can do anything."
"Luis, I love you" Sheridan sobbed.
"I love you, t-" Luis spat out as Ethan's phone died.
Luis tossed Ethan his phone as he heard the helicopter overhead. Sam motioned for him to come on. Luis ran and jumped into the helicopter.
"Hang on, baby, just hang on." Luis pleaded.

Part IV

Sheridan handed Theresa her cell phone and clenched her fists for another contraction.
"Oh, Theresa, my contractions aren't far apart," Sheridan wailed, "This baby is coming soon!"
"Sheridan, I know it's hard, but if you have to push, PUSH!" Theresa yelled.
"Luis said he'd be here." Sheridan said, tears streaming down her face.
"Sweetie, he's trying to make it." Theresa said, starting to cry with her.
"Theresa, I wasn't supposed to have my baby at home," Sheridan said, "I was supposed to have it in a nice, clean hospital." Theresa smiled.
"Sheridan, your baby won't care if your house is clean." Theresa said.
"I'm not worried about that," Sheridan said, "The nice, clean hospital has drugs."
Theresa wanted to bite her tongue and not laugh, but the urge was too great.
She laughed until her sides ached. Sheridan was shocked at first; she didn't mean that as a joke. Then, she thought about it and began to laugh at herself.
"Theresa, thank you for seeing me through this." Sheridan said. Theresa smiled and hugged her sister-in-law. As Theresa began to pull away, Sheridan gripped her back harder. Theresa could feel Sheridan's stomach contracting.
"But, it's not over yet!" Sheridan screamed.
Theresa held on to Sheridan as she moaned and yelled in pain.
"Theresa, I think I need to push." Sheridan whispered.
Theresa sat back as Sheridan raised her legs. Theresa had no idea what she was doing, but she tried to remember a little from her years of being an ER fan.
"Okay, Sheridan, I'm with you," Theresa reassured, "Let's do it."

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The pilot explained that he'd brough an off-call paramedic since he was informed there would be a delivery.
"Say, where's the woman's husband?" the pilot said.
"The man should be with his wife so close to her due date." the paramedic said.
Luis' temper went from hot to boil at each comment.
"Her husband is right here!" he yelled.
The pilot and paramedic shut up. Sam griped Luis' shoulder. "It's alright, man, we're almost there." Sam said.
"God, Sam, they're right," Luis said, "I never should've left her."
Sam patted his back. The pilot informed them that they were fixing to land in the street in front of Luis' home. Luis could hardly stop himself from jumping out. As he felt the final shudder of the helicopter landing, he flew out of the door and ran across the snowy yard.
Luis reached the front porch and heard a long, painful scream. He reached for the doorknob, but found it locked. Sam ran up behind him.
"Sam, help me, it's locked." Luis said.
They got a running go and knocked the door in. Ethan and Sam hung behind as the paramedic followed Luis into the living room. Luis stopped dead in his tracks as he saw Theresa and Sheridan. In Sheridan's arms: his new baby.
"Congratulations, Daddy!" Theresa exclaimed, wiping tears from her cheeks.
Sheridan didn't try to dry her tears. She couldn't take her eyes off her baby.
"Oh my God." Luis said.
"We have a daughter, sweetheart." Sheridan said, reaching for Luis' hand.
"Oh my God." Luis said again.
Ethan came up and embraced Theresa.
"Oh, Aunt Sheridan, Luis, congratulations!" Ethan said.
"Do you want to stare at her all day or hold her?" Sheridan teased.
"Umm....will I hurt her?" Luis asked as Sheridan placed the baby in his arms.
"No, baby, just support her head." Sheridan said.
Luis cradled the little creature in his arms and swayed back and forth.
The baby gurgled and gave a little cough. Luis smiled down at his daughter.
"What are you guys going to name her?" Ethan asked.
Luis and Sheridan looked at each other. Sheridan whispered something in Luis' ear and he nodded. He handed the baby back to Sheridan and went to his sister.
"Since we owe this baby's life to Theresa...we've decided on a name to honor my little sister." Luis said.
Theresa's eye lit up.
"Her name is Theresa Grace." Luis said.
Theresa started crying and hugged her brother.
"Thank you." Theresa said.
"No, THANK YOU." Luis said.
The two couples settled around the baby, now asleep, and watched the blizzard die into a peaceful night.


THE END

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