Sheridan's eyes fluttered open and she turned to face the digital clock on the table next to her. It read 3:10A.M. in harsh red light against the still darkness. Sheridan groaned softly and turned back over and began to reach for Luis. But she found emptiness.
"Luis.." Sheridan moaned softly as she remembered what happened.

*FLASHBACK: 8 Months Ago...*

"Sheridan, Agent Freeman needs me to go with him to Washington to testify against Pierre and Hank." Luis said.
"Luis, it is so close to time for us to meet our little stranger..."
Sheridan pleaded teasingly, pointing at her bulging stomach. "I've got 2 or 3 weeks left and I will be back in a couple of days." Luis said.
Sheridan pouted. She wanted the two scumbags that shot her behind bars as much as Luis did, but she didn't want to be alone in their huge house out in the middle of Harmony Woods when she went into labor.
"Sweetheart, I have to go." Luis said, pulling her close.
"Alright." Sheridan whined.
Luis held her chin in his strong hand and brought his lips to hers.
"I'll be back." Luis promised and was out the door.

*END OF FLASHBACK*

Sheridan sat up and tried to shake the memories, but the worst was yet to come.

*FLASHBACK- 3 Days After Luis' Departure*

RING!!!!
Sheridan hobbled over to the phone, still dazed from her nap. "Hello?" she answered groggily.
"Mrs. Lopez-Fitzgerald?"
"Yes, can I help you?" Sheridan asked.
"I'm afraid I have some bad news." the person said.
Sheridan's heart sank.
"Your husband is missing." the person said.
Sheridan couldn't speak.
"The government car carrying him to the courthouse has been gone since his arrival here 3 days ago." the dull voice delivered.
Sheridan broke into a cold sweat and felt a dull pain begin in her legs and shoot up her back. She almost lost her balance.
"Mrs. Lopez-Fitzgerald, we're going to keep you as posted as possible." the person said and gave his farewell.

*END OF FLASHBACK*

Sheridan couldn't handle it anymore. She threw off the thick quilt and stepped onto the plush carpet and started down the hall. The worst times were at night when she felt more alone than ever. It was the times when she reached for Luis, but found cold, empty spaces. Those were the worst.
Of course, Sheridan wasn't really alone. She had her family and friends.
And then, there was Gracie.
Oh, her beautiful daughter...Gracie. With her blonde hair...and Luis' penetrating brown eyes...their creation.
"The most perfect baby in the world..." Sheridan whispered to herself.
With that, she walked inside the pink and yellow nursery and tiptoed over to the oak crib in the far corner. She was delighted to find that her daughter had turned over from her usual sleeping position on her stomach to her back. Sheridan had the chance to look at her angelic face and trace her beautiful features with her manicured finger.
"Luis, where are you?" Sheridan thought, "Why aren't you here to look at her and watch her sleep?"
Sheridan didn't know she was crying until a tear fell upon her daughter's face. She softly wiped it away and walked out.
The police had kept their promise...They had done a good job of keeping her posted. They searched everywhere. Luis was gone and no one could change that. Finally, they closed the case the same day as their daughter turned 7 months. Sheridan tried to fight that decision, but couldn't find the strength to be a single mom and a crime fighter as well.
Back in her room and climbing into her bed, Sheridan moved her thoughts away from Luis and focused on tomorrow's activities: Crane Christmas Festival... an idea of Ivy's Ever since Julian died, Ivy and Ethan had used the Crane money for nothing but good. Sponsoring youth basketball and football...setting up a college fund for Gracie and buying Luis and Sheridan a new Chevy Tahoe...rebuilding the youth center after a tragic fire. They even paid for all of the bills for the hunt for Luis.
Now, a Christmas Festival for the town of Harmony. It was going to be filled with ice skating, eating , singing, dancing, and, even a pageant for little girls and teen girls. Sheridan was looking forward to it. She had entered Gracie into the 3-12 months pageant and was shocked at how she had turned into a total stage mom. Gracie was dragged to the finest dress shops from Harmony to New York with her mom and Aunt Theresa. It was a way for Sheridan to focus completely on her daughter and not on Luis' being gone.
With all these thoughts in her head, Sheridan's eyes grew heavy and fluttered shut. Visions filled her head of her and Luis...kissing....holding each other long into the night...making passionate love....then, he's gone. Finally, Sheridan threw herself into a restless sleep, still torturing her mind with memories of a man she can't find.

Part Two

Sheridan tore through the crowds at the Festival with Gracie on her hip and balancing her bag on her shoulder. She was trying to hunt down Theresa and get to the stage dressing rooms as soon as she could. The teens pageant was almost over and afterwards it would be crazy. Finally, Sheridan spotted Theresa's beautiful black hair.
"Theresa!" Sheridan yelled.
Theresa turned and smiled. She pushed her way through the crowd and finally got to Sheridan. Upon seeing her aunt, Gracie reached for Theresa.
"Well, hello, sweetheart!" Theresa exclaimed, taking Gracie from Sheridan.
"Where have you been?" Sheridan asked.
"Oh, I was trying to see as much of the pageant as I could." Theresa said.
"How's that going?" Sheridan asked.
"Right now, the only people in the top five I know is Charity and Kay." Theresa said.
Knowing of the rivalry over Miguel, Sheridan sucked in her breath. Those two were willing to do anything hold Miguel's affections. "Charity has a better shot at winning." Theresa said. Sheridan smirked. Theresa was fond of Charity and was happy that Miguel was with her.
"Well, let's go." Sheridan said.
They got Gracie and started fixing her up for the pageant. Gracie was unusually cooperative and was a natural when she got her beautiful red dress with white lace trim. Finally, they were done and Gracie was gorgeous.
"Oh, my Gracie!" Sheridan laughed.
Sheridan twirled her daughter in the air and danced her around the room.
"Isn't she goregous, Theresa?" Sheridan giggled.
Theresa smiled, but it instantly faded.
"What's wrong, Theresa?" Sheridan asked, sitting Gracie in her carrier.
"I just wish Luis was here to see this." Theresa said.
"Me, too." Sheridan said.
Then, there was a opening door and a short, stubby woman entered.
"Excuse me!"
Sheridan and Theresa turned and faced the woman.
"All contestants please start towards the stage in numeral order." she informed.
Sheridan shot Theresa a nervous smile and they headed for the door. They were handed a number...#7. They stood in line. Shortly, the line started moving and Sheridan's stomach began to churn. Fortunately, she didn't have time to think about it. Number 7 was called and Sheridan held Gracie and walked out on the stage. Much to Sheridan's surprise and delight, Gracie smiled and giggled.
Before Sheridan knew it, it was time to go off stage and await the winners.
Sheridan sat with Theresa back stage while Gracie took a short nap in the chair next to her. Sheridan was so nervous that she didn't hear the announcement that the judges were going to take a break to decide the winners. So, when the annoucement that the judges had returned came on, Sheridan was so sweaty that she couldn't hang on to her now awake and squirmy daughter.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, the judges have decided on the winners of both the teen pageant and baby pageant!" the announcer exclaimed. Sheridan paced beside Theresa and Gracie.
"The winner of the Miss Harmony Teen is...," the announcer said, "Charity Standish!"
The crowd went crazy as Charity made her way to the stage and recieved her crown. Miguel met her backstage and gathered her in his arms. Sheridan felt a pang of envy...Miguel was so much like his brother. "Now, for the winner of the Little Harmony Baby contest..." the announcer said.
Sheridan's cell phone rang. It startled her so much she gave a little cry.
She knew she shouldn't but she had to answer it. Ever since Luis' disappearance, she always hoped that the next call was from him, so it was habit.
"Hello?" Sheridan answered.
"Mrs. Lopez-Fitzgerald?"
"Yes?" Sheridan asked.
Theresa was looking at Sheridan, gesturing towards the announcer on stage.
Sheridan knew that she should rush this call because the winner was being announced.
"The winner is..." the announcer began.
Sheridan was focused on the phone call.
"Mrs. Lopez-Fitzgerald, we found your husband." the person said.
"Gracie Lopez-Fitzgerald!" the announcer exclaimed.
Theresa was jumping up and down and twirling Gracie in the air.
But, she didn't notice Sheridan until after she'd taken Gracie to get her crown.
Sheridan was still on the phone, too shocked to answer.
"I'm sorry, can you repeat that?" Sheridan stuttered.
"We found your husband."
Sheridan couldn't respond.
"The drug cartel had him tucked away in a old warehouse. He is alive, but just barely." the man said.
"Where is he?" Sheridan demanded.
Theresa had brought Gracie back and finally noticed that Sheridan was still on the phone.
"Sheridan?" Theresa asked.
Sheridan finally hung up the phone. She found the nearest seat and motioned for Theresa to give Grace to her. She could hardly speak. Theresa was starting to worry.
"Sheridan, what's wrong?" Theresa asked.
Sheridan squeezed her daughter and the first tear since the news had slid down her cheek.
"Theresa, your brother is alive and at the Harmony Hospital." Sheridan said as calmly as possible.
Theresa's face beamed and she started squealing. "Luis!" Theresa yelled. Sheridan held Gracie up to her face and tried to focus on her daughter's beautiful face. She tried to think about what it would be like to look upon her husband's face again, but it was impossible.
"Come on, sweetie," Sheridan said, "Let's go see your Daddy."

Part Three

Sheridan walked down the corridor of Harmony General. Her knees felt like jell-o and her arms were weak, so Theresa carried Gracie.
"Sheridan?" a voice called out.
Sheridan turned and saw Eve Russell. She fell into Eve's arms. Eve stroked her soft blonde hair and soon found that she was crying along with Sheridan. Theresa cuddled with Gracie, tears streaming.
"Eve, is he okay?" Sheridan sobbed.
"Yes, sweetie, he's just fine." Eve said.
Sheridan smiled and followed Eve down the hall. They stopped outside room 344 and Eve peeked into the room. That's when Sheridan heard it.
"I don't remember much..." the deep, sexy voice echoed through the room. That voice....the voice Sheridan had missed...the voice of the man she loved. She could hold back anymore. She tore past Eve and bounded into the room. Luis popped his head up and threw his hand in front of the two police officers. Immediately, Sheridan saw the tears forming in his eyes.
"Sheridan..." Luis said.
Sheridan threw herself on his bed and wrapped him in her arms. She felt like she could do this forever. She ran her hands through his black hair and traced her other along his muscular back. Finally, after many months of longing, their lips met. The kiss was entwined with each's tears. Sheridan was soaring.
"Ahhhh!" Gracie yelled.
Theresa had walked into the room. Luis pulled away and his focus turned to the baby.
"Oh, Luis." Sheridan said.
Luis swallowed the lump in his throat as Sheridan placed his giggling daughter in his lap.
"This is Gracie, Luis," Sheridan said, tears streaming, "Our daughter."
Luis smiled and the tears he had tried to hold back ran down his face.
Theresa took the opportunity to hug her brother. Pilar and Miguel came running into the room, but stopped dead in their tracks. The sight of their loved one finally seeing the daughter he'd never met was more than they could bare. Pilar and Miguel gave their love and went outside to give the new family time to themselves.
Soon, Gracie passed out laying on her father's chest. Sheridan had taken to the chair next to Luis' bed. Thinking he was asleep, Sheridan poured her heart out.
"Luis, I thought I had lost you forever," Sheridan sobbed, "I thought Gracie would grow up not knowing how wonderful her father was." Sheridan ran her hand over her sleeping daughter's back.
"I prayed so hard, Luis," Sheridan whispered, "God owed us one and He brought you back to me."
Sheridan buried her head in her hands and sobbed. The months of being alone and wondering about her future as a single mother....the months of exhaustion and worry...the months of wondering who'd take care of Gracie is she was to die....it was finally over.
"It was so awful, Luis," Sheridan said, "I thought the drug cartel had taken you to a place where you'd never be able to get back to me and let you die."
Sheridan wiped away her tears with the back of her hand. Suddenly, she felt a hand pull her face towards the bed.
"Sheridan, there's no place that far." Luis whispered. Sheridan smiled. At that moment, she realized that their love was different than any other. It was a strong, passionate love that could withstand anything. With that realization settling in her head, Sheridan climbed into the tiny bed with her husband and daughter and slept.

THE END

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