By Alana.
NOTES: Takes place in the past, when Sheridan and Luis are only 9 and 11 years old. When she was talking to Luis about "that night", she mentioned going to sleep happy for the first time in months. This is my take on why.
*****
"But Mama!" Luis protested. "I�m too old to play here!" His mother, Pilar, was forcing him to play in the park with his younger sister, Theresa.
"No buts, mi hijo," Pilar insisted. "Play with your sister."
Luis sighed dramatically, but gave in. His mother may be wrong, but she was still his mother, and he did not wish argue with her. Even if he was too old for this.
*****
"Maria," Sheridan sighed. "I don�t want to play here. None of the other children like me."
"Now, Sheridan," her nanny answered. "That�s not true. You have lots of friends."
"Only because they�re mother�s make them" Sheridan said bitterly. "They told me. They said it was because their parents worked for my father and they were afraid to lose their jobs." Sheridan may have only been nine, but she knew very well the power her family had in Harmony.
"Sheridan-" Maria started.
"Fine," Sheridan gave in. She didn�t want her father to know she was being disagreeable. She sighed again, then sat on the swings.
*****
Luis sighed as he watched his sister play with a group of toddlers. She was fine, and didn�t need him to play with her. Besides, he was 11 years old! Far too mature to play in the sand with a bunch on 2 year olds.
He sighed again and sat on a swing next to a young girl in a pink dress.
"I�m Luis," he said politely, as his parents had taught him.
"I�m Sheridan Cra-" she began, then decided against it. There was no point in bringing her last name up. It only made people frightened and feel obligated to talk to her. "Pleased to make your acquaintance." Luis laughed.
"Acquaintance?" he asked jokingly. "What kind of talk is that?"
"It�s proper etiquette," Sheridan explained to him. "Obviously you know nothing about that."
"Relax," Luis said, laughing again. It was obvious this girl had been brought up in a rich family. "I was just kidding."
"Oh," Sheridan said, embarrassed.
"Are you here all alone?" Luis asked.
"No, my nanny is over there," she said, pointing out Maria.
"Your nanny? What about your parents?"
"My father is too busy to play with me," Sheridan whispered sadly.
"What about your mom?"
"Oh," Sheridan said, her eyes glistening. "She�s gone."
"Gone where?" Luis asked, curious as always.
"As in forever," Sheridan cried. "Maria says she�s in heaven."
"Oh," Luis said not sure what to say. He decided nothing would be best. He jumped off his swing and went to the flower garden on the edge of the park.
"What are you doing?" Sheridan asked, brushing the tears from her cheeks. "You�re not allowed to pick those."
"Rules are made to be broken," he grinned, handing her a single FLOWER. "This is for you."
"Thank you," whispered. No one had ever given her flowers before, and she decided that, from now on, these would be her favorite.
"You�re welcome," Luis replied, smiling again.
"Why are you being so nice?" Sheridan asked.
"Because," he answered simply. "You�re pretty."
"You think I�m pretty?" she asked, surprised. Only her mother had ever called her pretty before.
"Ya, I do."
"Well," Sheridan grinned. "Then I think you�re handsome."
*****
They talked and played for nearly an hour before they were called to go home.
"Sheridan!" Maria called.
"Luis!" Pilar called at the same moment.
"I have to go," Sheridan and Luis said simultaneously. Sheridan blushed and Luis grinned.
"I�ll see you later?" Luis asked, hopeful.
"Yes," Sheridan assured. "I�ll ask Maria to bring me tomorrow."
"Good," Luis smiled before turning to leave.
"Wait!" Sheridan called. Luis turned around.
"What is it?"
"I forgot something," she said as she placed a small kiss on his cheek.
*****
"Mama," Luis asked as they walked home. "Can we come back tomorrow?"
"Of course. But I thought you were too old?" Pilar smiled. "What changed your mind?"
Luis grinned. He placed his fingers on the cheek Sheridan had kissed, remembering his day with her.
"I think I�m in love," he whispered.
*****
Sheridan sat by her bed, saying her prayers. When she�d finished she lay down on her bed, a huge grin on her face. She glanced at the FLOWER on her dresser and thought back to her day with Luis. She grinned even wider as she lay down to sleep. For the first time since her mother�s death she went to sleep happy. As she dozed off to sleep, she whispered to herself.
"I think I�m in love."