A terrific series written by Jemb!
Note: Some chapters are Rated R
Chapter 1
Luis and Sheridan had planned on spending a quiet New Years Eve at home celebrating together by the fire with their children asleep upstairs. They had no idea that when they stopped over at the Bennett�s the day after Christmas to deliver a present for them that their plans would change. Pilar and the Russell�s were there as well, and Sheridan sent Luis out to the car to get the Russell�s present. They hadn�t been there two minutes before Grace and Eve had one of the babies in their arms. When Luis came back in, Grace told them that they had all planned to go to the Seascape for New Years Eve and would love to have Sheridan and Luis join them. Everyone was insisting, and they felt backed into a corner. When they gave the excuse that they would never be able to find a babysitter for New Years Eve on such short notice, Pilar volunteered.
�No mama, you should go to the Seascape and enjoy yourself,� Luis protested.
�Mijo, I�m not much for celebrating on New Years, and you know that I love any opportunity to spend time with my grandchildren.�
�Really Pilar, I think that you should take some time for yourself.� Sheridan suggested, trying to convince her. �You always put everyone else first.�
�They�re right Pilar,� Grace agreed. �I happen to know that Jessica is available that night. She was supposed to babysit for the Waltons but they had a change of plans, and I know she could use the money.�
Sheridan gave Luis a look that told him she had run out of excuses. �Well Grace, aren�t the kids getting together somewhere to celebrate?� Luis asked. �I would think that Jessica would want to be with them.�
Grace looked at him with a raised eyebrow. �Are you two trying to get out of spending New Years with us?� she asked in a teasing voice.
�No, of course he isn�t,� Sheridan answered for Luis. �We would love to spend New Years with all of you. We just didn�t want to impose on anyone at the last minute.�
�I�ll tell you what,� Luis said. �Why doesn�t Jessica go over and help mama since our children can be quite a handful, and we will pay both of you for babysitting.�
�No Luis,� Pilar said, aghast. �I would never take money for watching my grandchildren, but I think it would be nice to pay Jessica.�
�But mama...........�
�The subject is closed,� Pilar said, with finality.
�Okay then,� Sheridan said, smiling. �I guess we are going to the Seascape for New Years Eve.�
********************
Luis was in the living room playing with the twins, when he looked out of the corner of his eye and saw a vision walking down the steps. He noticed the curve of her shoulder first, and then his eyes traveled to the outline of her breasts. The dress she wore was a black off the shoulder sheath that clung to her curves. The fabric that is was made from sparkled when the light hit it at certain angles. As she approached them he could see that the dress stopped right above her knees, and her long shapely legs were covered in shear black silk stockings that enhanced all the tantalizing contours. It made him feel good inside when he saw that the only jewelry she wore was the diamond and sapphire earnings he had given her. She looked gorgeous and his only regret was that he had to share her with other people tonight.
�Wow, look at how pretty mommy looks tonight,� he said to the babies.
�Your daddy doesn�t look too bad himself,� she said, leaning down to kiss her children.
Even though they were taking Luke and Lily to Pilar�s on the way to the Seascape they were already dressed in their pajamas since it would be time for bed when they arrived. The babies smelled like Johnson�s baby lotion and fabric softener, and Sheridan would never get enough of that scent. Luis looked dangerously handsome in his tuxedo, and she thought to herself that there was nothing sexier then seeing a man in formal wear playing with his children. She wished more then ever that they didn�t have to go tonight, but since they were committed she decided to make the best of the situation.
�I think that we better get these two bundled up, so that we can get them to your mothers. It is getting very close to their bedtime,� Sheridan said, getting their little down filled hooded jackets.
�Okay Peanut, it�s time to get your jacket on,� Luis said, lifting her high in the air, and Lily giggled out loud. He put her jacket on and told Sheridan to put her hat on while he went out and warmed up the car.
After she got Luke�s jacket on, she put their wool hats on and tied them under their chins. They looked adorable, and she couldn�t resist kissing their chubby little cheeks again. �Mommy really wishes she could spend the night with you, but we have to take you to abuela�s because daddy and I have to go out for the evening. You�re going to spend the night there and then we will pick you up tomorrow morning and spend the day together as a family.�
Luis came in through the front door, letting in a gust of cold air. �Are you guys ready to go?�
�Just let me get my coat, and we can be on our way,� Sheridan told him walking to the closet.
After they dropped the babies off at Pilar�s and were on their way to the Seascape, Luis glanced over at Sheridan and admired the way her full-length coat opened to display her long legs. He reached over and put his hand on her thigh. �Do we really have to go to this thing? All you have to do is say the word, and I can turn the car around and go home.�
�I would like nothing more than to go home with you and celebrate New Years privately, but we can�t just not show up. Grace worked so hard to get us to go, I would feel guilty if we left them high and dry.�
�Okay, if I can�t convince you to go home then promise me we can leave right after the clock strikes midnight,� Luis requested.
�I promise,� she said, putting her hand on his. �You know Luis, I was thinking about another New Years that we were at the Seascape. I certainly hope that this one doesn�t turn out like that disastrous night.�
�As terrible as that night was, it was not disastrous;� Luis told her lifting her hand to kiss the soft skin on the top. �I was able to save you from falling through that skylight and I thank God that you�re still here with me.�
�Well, I thank God that you were there to save me. I still get chills thinking about falling through that skylight. The man that was impersonating your father was terribly misguided, but I wouldn�t wish a fate like that on anyone,� she said, with a shiver.
�Yeah, I still have to wonder why your father and brother went to all that trouble to have that guy impersonate papa?�
�Maybe they were banking on you searching for your father, and they planted that man as a decoy. If he acted like the scum of the earth, then it would just confirm the story they made up about your father stealing from Crane Industries, and that he abandoned your family without a second thought. If you remember, it worked because you were totally disgusted with the man you thought was your father.�
�You know, you are becoming quite the astute little detective,� he said, flashing her a grin. �I�m sure that you are totally correct about that scenario. I�m surprised that your father and brother were able to keep all of their malicious plots straight since their whole lives revolved around lies and deceit.�
�Yeah, I�m surprised too,� Sheridan said, wistfully. �Well, we�ve arrived and I don�t want to discuss my family any longer. It�s New Years and I only want to focus on the good things in our lives.�
�You�re right,� he said, kissing her. �It�s the beginning of a new year, and I think we should start it on a positive note.� Luis got out of the car and came over to the passenger side to open the door for her. He held out his hand to offer her assistance, and as she stepped out of the car she slipped on a tiny patch of ice and fell against him. �Are you okay?� he asked, concern in his voice.
�I�m fine,� she responded, loving the feel of his body against hers. �These high evening shoes aren�t exactly conducive to the whether conditions.�
�Maybe not, but they sure make your legs look sexy,� Luis said in a low husky voice.
Sheridan chuckled. �You are such a bad boy, but I will admit that flattery will get you everywhere,� she mumbled, nuzzling his neck.
�Okay,� Luis said, pulling away from her. �If we don�t go in there right now, we�re going to be in the car in two seconds steaming up the windows.�
�Come on my handsome stud,� Sheridan said, pulling him by the hand. �I have this overwhelming urge to dance with you.�
�Dance.......? This is just great. Little Luis is already having behavioral problems, and you want to dance?� Luis grumbled. �I can see this is going to be a long night.�
When they got inside, they were surprised to see that Sam and Grace had secured a large table, and Evan and Kay, and Chad and Whitney were there as well. Sheridan was thrilled to see Evan and Chad. She wished Ethan could be there as well, but she knew that he was stuck with Julian and Ivy at the country club celebration. As they sat down, they wished everyone a happy New Year, and the waiter was there to fill their glass with champagne. Luis grabbed his glass, and held it in the air.
�I would like to propose a toast........... To another year of happiness and health, and may we all make more great memories of special times with our families and friends�.
�Here, here,� everyone responded, tapping their glasses together. Kay didn�t look very happy that her glass was filled with sparkling cider, but there was no way that Sam was going to let her have champagne when she was still underage. A waiter came by to take their orders for dinner, but Luis was indecisive.
Sheridan leaned over and whispered in his ear. �I would suggest the oysters. They are very tasty here,� she teased.
�Oysters are the last thing I need tonight,� he whispered back. He put his hand on her leg under the table, and she jerked, almost knocking her champagne glass over. �You better not tease me sweetheart, because I�m in a very dangerous mood tonight.�
�Everything okay over there?� Sam asked with a hint of amuzement in his eyes.
�Of course Sam,� Sheridan answered, flashing him a smile. �I�m just a little clumsy sometimes.�
�I�ll have the prime rib,� Luis told the waiter. �Rare........�
Evan, who was sitting on the other side of Sheridan gave them a strange look. As the others were giving their orders, he took the opportunity to speak to them without being heard. �Can�t you two behave in public? You are parents of young impressionable children you know.�
Sheridan turned to tell him to mind his own business, but softened when she noticed the amusement in his eyes. �Okay little brother; don�t forget that Luis and I have caught you in some pretty compromising situations, so you have no room to talk.�
�Okay, this is my cue to dance,� Evan said, changing the subject. �Kay, would you do me the honor?�
�I would like nothing better,� Kay responded, holding out her hand out to him.
The rest of the group followed suit, leaving Luis and Sheridan sitting there by themselves. �So, are you going to ask me to dance?� Sheridan asked, touching Luis� arm.
�Only if you behave,� he said, flashing her a smile.
�Oh Luis, do you have your cell phone with you?�
�Yes,� he said, giving her a curious look. �Why do you want my cell phone?�
�Because I didn�t bring mine because it wouldn�t fit in my evening bag, and I want to call Pilar�s quick to check on the children.� He handed her the phone and she called and Pilar told her that she had just checked on them a minute ago and they were sleeping peacefully. After she hung up she assured Luis that they were fine, and he led her onto the dance floor.
Sheridan promised not to rub her body against his, and they were actually able to get through the dance at a respectable distance. As they were leaving the dance floor, Sheridan stopped in her tracks when she saw who had just walked into the room. Luis looked up to see who she was looking at and swore under his breath when he saw that it was Jack Russo. If that wasn�t bad enough, Beth was walking beside him with her arm through his. He couldn�t believe it when Jack acknowledged him with a nod, and started walking toward them with Beth in tow. �This is just great,� he mumbled under his breath.
�Oh no.......� Sheridan sighed. �Why doesn�t it surprise me that he would have Beth Wallace as his date?�
When they approached, Sheridan shivered a little when both Jack and Beth gave her the once over. Beth turned her eyes to Luis, and gave him a look that spoke volumes. The witch still wanted him, but Sheridan would be damned if she would ever get her wish. �I had no idea that the two of you knew each other?� Sheridan asked with a smile that didn�t reach her eyes.
�Well, actually we just met recently,� Jack explained. �With my schedule at the club I don�t get a chance to familiarize myself with the lay of the land. Beth has been kind enough to show me Harmony.�
�Speaking of the club,� Luis said. �I�m surprised that you�re not working tonight. I would think that New Years would be a big night for you.�
�Unfortunately, we had a small fire. One of the waiters threw a hot cigarette in the trash. We should be open within the week.�
�It was nice to see you,� Sheridan said as graciously as she could. �Luis, I believe they are serving our meal.� They were walking to the table, and Sheridan couldn�t help but glace back again. Jack Russo caught her, and she quickly turned away. �What is it about that man�s mannerisms that seem so familiar to me?�
�I was thinking the same thing, and it�s driving me crazy,� Luis said, pulling her chair out for her.
�Hey Luis,� Sam called out to him. �Who was that man with Beth you were just talking to?�
�His name is Jack Russo. He is managing that new supper club. Why do you ask?�
�I don�t know. I guess something about him seemed familiar,� Sam explained.
�Yeah, Sheridan and I felt the same way, but he insist that he�s never been in Harmony before, and that he�s from someplace down south.�
�Maybe he is one of your long lost brothers,� Grace joked. �He kind of looks like he has those Bennett eyes.�
�Not that again,� Sam laughed.
Sheridan was just about ready to tell them to let them in on the joke, but Chad leaned over to ask her a question. For some odd reason, that last comment made by Grace really struck her, and she filed it away for reflection at another time.
After dinner, Sheridan excused herself to go to the powder room, and Luis became a little concerned when she was gone longer then expected. The thing that bothered him was that he saw Beth sitting across the room by herself, and Jack Russo was no where in site. He saw the way the man had looked at Sheridan earlier, and he hoped that he wasn�t bothering her. Never being a man of patience, he decided to go look for her. He finally found her in the lobby at the pay phone, and she appeared to be fine.
�Sheridan, you had me a little worried because you�ve been gone for almost a half hour now,� Luis said, as he approached her.
�I�m sorry Luis, but I called your mother�s again to check on the babies.�
�Honey, you just called mamas right before dinner. Is there something that�s bothering you?�
�I know I�m being paranoid, but ever since Julian threatened to take our children away I still get worried, and this is the first time we�ve been away from them since then. I haven�t said anything to you before, but I�m still really scared about it,� she told him with a worried frown.
�Sheridan,� he said, with a comforting voice. He had not idea that she was still so upset by this and he felt terrible for her. �Why didn�t you tell me that you were so bothered by this? Julian can�t hurt us any longer,� he assured her. �We promised him that we would back off looking into my father�s disappearance, so he has no reason to go to the courts and have our children taken away from us.�
�I know Luis, but I�m just afraid that if one little thing sets Julian off, he will pay off some judge to rule that we are unfit parents and take Luke and Lily from us,� she said, fearfully.
�It�s not going to happen,� Luis said, pulling her into his arms. �Julian knows that I would kill him if he ever tries to take Luke and Lily from us. Now, come on��. Let�s go back into the party and forget about all of this.�
�Okay Luis,� she said, finally smiling. �I just pray that you�re right.�
As they walked away they had no idea that someone had been lurking in the shadows listening to every word of their conversation. Jack Russo smiled when he thought about the juicy piece of information that he had just heard. This might be the perfect thing to use to accomplish his plan to rid the world of Julian Crane. Warren had really been getting on his case lately to get the job done, and he had already started to put his plan into action by contacting Julian about a business proposition. He had convinced him to invest a large sum of money in the startup of two more supper clubs in some of the neighboring cities. Now, he had a means to the end, and finally he could put this to rest........., or should he say put Julian Crane to rest.
********************
Sheridan had put her fears aside, and she seemed to be having a great time out on the dance floor with Evan. She was radiant when she was smiling and her eyes lit up that way, and Luis looked at his watch again wishing that it were closer to midnight. All he had wanted was to spend a quiet romantic New Years alone with his wife, but instead he was sitting at this table watching her dance. Not that he had a problem with her dancing with her brother; it�s just that he wanted to be close to her. It seemed as if they had been together forever, but he still wanted her with a hunger that was so intense that it scared him sometimes. She must have been reading his mind, because right then she turned and gave him one of those smiles that she reserved only for him. He started to get up from his chair to whisk her out of there when he was suddenly rudely interrupted.
�Look at our man here,� Chad said, to the rest of the guys. �You would never know that he�s an old married man by the way he�s checking out his wife.�
�I noticed that too,� T.C. snickered. �He acts like he�s still on his honeymoon.�
�I think he�s in wuv,� Sam said, laughing.
�Luis finally turned around and rolled his eyes at them. �Anytime you guys decide lay off...........� He was embarrassed to be caught acting like a lovesick teenager, but he would never admit it to them. �My wife�s a beautiful woman. Why wouldn�t I look at her?�
�Come on Luis, we were just messing with ya buddy,� Chad said, hitting him on the back.
Luis wasn�t really listening, because he was looking at Sheridan again and suddenly an idea came to him. He smiled when he remembered another night at the Seascape, and he left all the guys shaking their head with confusion when he hopped up out of his seat mumbling something about having to go to the men�s room. When Sheridan came back to the table, she asked where Luis was.
�He had to go to the little boy�s room,� Chad told her.
A waiter approached their table and told Sheridan that she had a phone call. �Did the person say who they were?� she asked, worried that something had happened to the babies.
�No Mrs. Lopez Fitzgerald, but I wouldn�t be concerned. The caller said it wasn�t an emergency.
�Thank God,� she said, putting her hand on her heart. �Is there some place where I can take the call?�
�I can have the call transferred to the ladies lounge if you�d like some privacy,� he suggested.
�Thank you,� Sheridan said, excusing herself. She left the dinning room and started walking toward the ladies room when suddenly an arm came out of nowhere and pulled her into a closet. She almost screamed out, but then she was hit with a sense of deja vo. She found the light switch, flipping it on, and turned to look at Luis with her arms crossed in front of her. �Lucky for you that you told the waiter that it wasn�t important or you would be in serious trouble right now.�
He gave her one of his charming smiles that always had the maximum effect on her. �You�re not really angry are you?� he said, beginning to trail his lips over the curve of her neck. �Do you remember the last time we were in this closet?�
�Of course I do, but back then we were required to sneak around and hide our marriage.� She was having a hard time remaining indignant when the touch of his lips was making her melt. �Luis,� she said, breathlessly. �Everybody is going to wonder where we are. We just can�t do this..........�
He cut her sentence off with a kiss that sent her reeling as he backed her up against the table. His long fingers pushed the fabric of her dress down, and his lips traveled to where his fingers were to kiss the top of her breast. �Nobody will even notice that we�re gone.�
�You don�t play fair because you know that I can�t resist you,� she moaned, throwing her head back as he branded her neck and shoulders with his hot kisses.
Luis lifted her onto the table and moved his hand to the hemline of her dress. When he pushed the material up her thighs, he almost lost if when he saw the black garters holding up her stockings. �My God Sheridan........ Are you trying to kill me?� he groaned.
�Now you�ve ruined my surprise,� she pouted.
�Oh, but I am surprised,� he said, tracing the garter with his finger. It drove him crazy to see her long legs encased in the sheer silk stockings that stopped right at her the soft skin of her thighs. �I�m curious though... How did you plan on springing this surprise on me?�
�I was going to show them to you on the way home, so that you would get a taste of what was waiting for you when we got to the privacy of our bedroom,� she said, her blue eyes sparkling with desire.
�Thank God, I ruined your plans or we probably would have gotten into an accident.� Their eyes met and held with a look of desire that was as old as the beginning of time, and they came together in a kiss that assaulted their senses. Sheridan reached for his belt and began to work it loose with shaky hands. When she felt the force of his arousal she hurried to try and free him wanting him so badly she couldn�t stand it. He moved her dress up even higher on her thighs and pushed her black lace panties aside to give him access to the place of his dreams. She moaned out loud when his fingers brushed over her, and encouraged him by putting her hands on his waist to pull him toward her. He came willingly and nothing could have stopped them from coming together with a force that drove them both crazy with desire. Maybe it was the fact that they were making love in a place that was forbidden, or maybe it was the danger that they could be caught at any moment, but it was so hot......., so intense that they had to smother their screams with a kiss when they went crashing over the edge.
�That, was amazing, but Luis how are we going to explain our absence?� she asked, still struggling to catch her breath.
Luis was loath to leave her, but he stepped away and adjusted his pants. �Well, we could tell them that we stepped out for a breath of fresh air.�
�I don�t know Luis,� she said, hopping off of the table. �I really hate to lie.�
�Would you rather tell everybody the truth..........? That we were making hot passionate love in the laundry closet?�
�Okay, you made your point,� she conceded. �Let�s sneak out of this closet so that I can freshen up.�
They checked each other out to make sure their clothing was back in place, and right before he opened the door, Luis planted a quick hot kiss on her lips. �You do know that we will continue this later at home?�
She flashed him a brilliant smile. �I�m going to hold you to that.�
Luis peeked out the door, and grabbed her hand to lead her out. They were almost home free when Evan and Kay came around the corner and spotted them right as they were walking out of the closet. Both couples stopped in their tracks and stared at each other in surprise. Finally Evan burst out laughing, and Kay joined in with him when they say the guilty looks of Luis and Sheridan�s faces. �Gee guys, did you lose something in the closet?�
�Well, we were looking for some place to hang our coats, and imagine our surprise when we discovered that this was a laundry room,� Luis explained, laughing over their foolish blunder.
�Interesting,� Evan said, confused. �Wouldn�t most people check their coats at the front door where the coat check is located?�
Sheridan was mortified, and was unable to say a word after being caught in such a compromising position by her brother and his girlfriend. Luis was embarrassed too, but he finally admitted that they were busted and there was nothing he could say to get out of this one. �Okay Evan, how much is this going to cost to get you to never breath a word of this to anyone?�
�Gee, I don�t really know,� Evan said, scratching his head. �What to you think Kay?�
�Well, you could always ask for a house in the country,� she laughed. �I�m sure that Luis and Sheridan wouldn�t mind moving into the Bed and Breakfast to accommodate you.�
�Well I would, but that wouldn�t be fair to the babies having to live in one room, so I�m afraid you�re going to have to think of something else Kay.�
�Okay well, he could always leave payments for you in an unmarked brief case in the trash can in the park,� Kay suggested.
Sheridan had finally snapped out of her embarrassed stupor and marched over to stand in front of them. �I�ll tell you what,� she said, with her hands on her hips. �I�ve got a great deal for you. You two keep your mouths shut, and Luis and I won�t have to sew them shut. Now, if you�ll excuse me, I need to powder my nose.�
�Come on sis; don�t get so excited,� Evan called after her. �We were just having some fun with you. We promise we won�t breathe a word about this to anybody.�
Luis couldn�t help but smile. �Just a word of advise Evan. Never get on your sister�s bad side, because I can assure you that you will regret it. I still have all the scars from when I�ve been in that position.�
�I�ll remember that Luis,� Evan said, as he and Kay walked away.
When they joined the rest of the group later, everybody accepted their story about getting a breath of fresh air, and Luis and Sheridan began to relax and have a good time. They were dancing to a romantic ballad when the music stopped so that everyone could count down the seconds to midnight. Everyone had moved out to the dance floor and the place was jammed packed. Luis hung on to Sheridan for dear life, and at the stroke of midnight, he took her in his arms.
�Happy New Year Luis..........�
�Happy New Year to you too Sheridan,� he said, pulling her into a kiss.
********************
Martin Fitzgerald lay in bed and watched the early morning sun creep through the window just like he had done for the last ten years. Even though so many of those years had been spent in a drug-induced state, he had always been coherent enough to know that is was the start of a new day. Someone would be in soon to bring him his daily dose of drugs to keep him malleable, and he would have to go through the ritual of pretending to swallow the pill. Luckily for him, he had started to build up a resistance to the drug, and he had finally grown lucid enough to realize that he needed to wean himself off of the drug. It had been hell with the stomach cramps and the shakes, but he had done it with none of the staff becoming the wiser. As the drug left his system, all the memories of his life started coming back as well, and he had thought of nothing more then getting back to his family since then. He was proud of his performance for keeping up the charade of a drugged-up idiot, and so far he knew that the staff didn�t suspect.
He couldn�t help but think about the events that had been the catalyst for him ending up in this place. He had not been so patient back then when he had found out the Cranes dirty secrets, but Ben had convinced him that they had to be smart if they were going to accuse one of the most powerful families in the world. They would have to have documentation and witnesses in order to make any charges stick, and he had agreed. But then Ben had died.........., at least that�s what he thought at first, until he had discovered Ben�s body buried by the gazebo. He could still feel the rage that had inhabited his body making him careless enough to confront the Cranes. Alistair had called the cottage and ordered him up to the main house to chastise him about some accounting matter at work, and he had totally lost it with him. All the Crane sins that he had discovered came flowing out of his mouth, and when he had accused them of murdering Ben all hell broke lose. Alistair had pulled a gun out and pointed it at him, but it went flying out of his hands when Sheridan ran up with a letter opener and stabbed Alistair in the leg with it. He would never forget the look on that poor child�s face when she had screamed out for her father to stop, her hands dripping with blood. That was the last memory he had of the fateful night because the way he figured it, Julian had come up behind him and hit him over the head knocking him unconscious. Since he had gotten his memory back, he had often thought about the fate of Sheridan. He knew that Alistair and Julian would never let her stay around to tell the secrets she had been witness to that night, and he feared for her. The one thing that still puzzled him was the fact that the Cranes had let him live at all. Maybe they were worried about his threat to have someone send all of his proof about their nefarious activities to the press if anything happened to him, but it was obvious by this time that that wasn�t going to happen so what was keeping him alive? At this point it didn�t matter because now he had to concentrate on his plan to escape from this insane asylum and get back to his family. He had carefully studied the lay of the land, the time for deliveries, and the change of staff, but so far there had been no opportunity for escape, but he refused to give up hope. He was totally convinced that the good lord hadn�t kept him alive for this long if he wasn�t meant to get back with his family some day, and he was determined to do just that.
********************
When Luis and Sheridan arrived home, he instructed her to go upstairs and get ready while he grabbed the bottle of champagne that was chilling in the refrigerator. He laughed out loud when Sheridan began peeling her clothes off on her way up the steps, and threw one of her shoes at him. He told her that she was going to regret that action when he ruined a good pair of Gucci evening shoes when he drank some champagne out of one of them. He went to retrieve the bubbly when for the strangest reason thoughts of his father entered his head. Was he still alive out there somewhere? He was racked with guilt because he had given up his search, but he didn�t have a choice in the matter. Julian�s threats to take their children away were very real, and he would never take a chance when it came to Luke and Lily. They were his pride and joy, love for them filled his heart, and he couldn�t wait to pick them up at mamas in the morning. Thoughts of Sheridan laying upstairs naked waiting for him helped to put the guilt about his father out of his head for the time being, and he hurried to be with her. When he arrived upstairs, she was lying in bed wearing nothing but a sheet and he broke a world record shedding his clothes. Sheridan�s eyes filled with desire as she watched him walk naked toward the bed.
�Hurry Luis........ I�m really cold and I need your body heat to warm be up,� she said in a throaty voice.
�I�m on my way baby,� he said, with a devilish grin. He pulled back the covers and slipped in bed beside her holding the bottle of champagne in one hand.
Sheridan giggled at him. �You forgot the glasses Luis,� she reminded him.
�No I didn�t, because I have a better way to imbibe of the forbidden fruit.�
�Oh really? she asked, with a raised eyebrow. �And how to you propose to do that?�
�Like this,� he said, pouring the liquid all over her belly.
She screamed when the cold champagne hit her body, but was quickly silenced when he began to lick it off warming the cold spots with his hot mouth. �Oh God Luis, you have no idea how good that feels,� she groaned.
�I�m sure I�ll find out when you do the same thing to me........ Now, I really need another drink.� He took the bottle and poured a stream of champagne in the valley between her breasts, and lowed his head to catch the drops with his tongue.
Sheridan was putty in his hands, completely ensnared by the magic of his hot mouth, and she would have done anything for him at that moment. She pulled his head up so that she could kiss him, and moved her body closer against his, running her hands over his smooth muscular back. �Roll over on your back,� she commanded him.
He rolled over, offering her his body to do with what ever she wished, and she didn�t hesitate to shower him with the amber liquid that tasted so sweet against his salty skin. �Sheridan sweetie, I don�t know how much more of this I can take........�
�Do you want me Luis?� she mumbled, against his flat belly.
�You know that I do......... Can�t you see how much you arouse me?�
�I did notice that,� she said, flicking her tongue across the evidence of his desire.
�Okay, that�s it,� he growled, flipping her over on her back. They connected in the most intimate way and rode their way all the way to heaven.
When it was over, and they were lying in each other�s arms, Sheridan lifted her head to look at him. �You do know that this sheet is soaked with champagne over hear? I should probably get up and change the linens,� she said, starting to get up.
�Don�t bother,� Luis said, pulling her on top of him. �I�ll sleep on the wet spot.�
Chapter 2
Sheridan screamed when Luis smacked her on her naked behind, and pulled the pillow over her head to shut out the bright light of day. �Leave me alone,� she grumbled. �I want to go back to sleep.�
�Come on beautiful, it�s time to rise and shine,� he said, in a chipper voice.
�Why don�t you take your little happy mood downstairs and let me get some much-needed sleep. It�s your fault that I was up all night.�
�My fault? If memory serves me, you were being quite corporative last night. You really are very talented with that hot...........�
�Stop right there,� Sheridan said, rolling over on her back. �I don�t have the strength to banter with you this morning. You should know by now that I need to be awakened slowly,� she told him stretching her arms over her head.
�I�m sorry,� he told her as he slipped off his robe and crawled into the bed with her. �Let�s start this over again. Now,� he said, kissing her neck softly. �How does this feel?�
�Much better,� she responded breathlessly, snuggling up against his body. �Do I always have to remind you when you�re slipping on the job?� she chuckled softly.
He chuckled too, and gave her the hottest good morning kiss. �Now, I was thinking that you might want to join me in the shower. I�ll wash your back, and then you can wash mine............ So, what do you say?�
�I would love to join you in the shower, but on one condition. You have to wash my hair too. You really do have amazing hands Luis.�
�Good,� he said, hopping out of the bed. �I�ll go turn the shower on. I want to get moving because I�m really anxious to pick up Luke and Lily. I really miss them, but I think we have just enough time to show you just how many things my amazing hands can do........�
�The babies,� Sheridan shouted, sitting up. �Oh my God, I can�t believe I forgot about the babies. I have to call Pilar�s to see how they are doing.�
�No you don�t, because I already talked to mama a little bit ago and she said that Luke and Lily are dressed and have even had their breakfast. They�re keeping Miguel and Theresa busy chasing them around the living room,� he laughed.
�I just hope that they are behaving,� Sheridan said. , wistfully
�Well, there were a few minor incidents..........,� Luis said with a smirk.
�What do you mean by a few minor incidents?� Sheridan asked, not sure she really wanted to know.
�Mama said that Miguel left his tennis shoes by the basement door, and apparently the door wasn�t latched tightly, because Luke was able to push it open, and then he shoved Miguel�s tennis shoes down the steps...........�
�HE WHAT?� Sheridan said, shocked beyond belief. �Thank God that he didn�t fall. Why would he push his shoes down the steps?�
�Who knows, but I can�t say I blame him,� Luis chuckled. �Have you ever smelled Miguel�s tennis shoes? Mama was furious with Miguel because he was down in the basement earlier and he was the one that didn�t shut the door tightly. I might have to kick his butt myself for that stunt.�
�Well, I guess we can�t blame Miguel too much because he�s not use to child proofing the house. I�m just happy that that Luke didn�t take a tumble........ Wait a minute......... You said there were a few minor incidents. What else happened?�
�Apparently Peanut had just eaten a bowl of cereal, and Theresa picked her up and started spinning her around and she threw up all over Theresa�s sweater. Mama said that Theresa starting crying, and began one of her whine fests about her sweater being ruined.�
�I guess we better hurry up and get over there. Your poor mother is probably beside herself by now,� Sheridan lamented.
�Are you kidding? According to mama her grandchildren can do no wrong. She is just angry with Miguel and Theresa for being so careless. She told me that we should take our time and that she has ordered Miguel and Theresa to keep the twins occupied.�
�Just the same, maybe we should get over there to save your brother and sister,� Sheridan said, walking toward the bathroom.�
�Oh, I don�t know,� Luis said; following close at her heals. �I think we have enough time for me to scrub you properly with my amazing hands.�
*********************
When Luis and Sheridan arrived at Pilar�s the house was filled with the teens. Miguel was sitting in a chair looking like he had been through World War III, and Theresa was missing in action. Reese had Luke on his lap and was showing him how his palm pilot worked. Reese was talking to Luke like he was an adult trying to give instructions, but Luke seemed more interested in just pushing the buttons. Jessica and Simone was busy putting Lily�s hair in pig tails, and the little girl was hamming it up when everybody told her how cute she was. As much as the twins loved all the attention they were getting, when they saw their parents, their little faces lit up and they held their arms out singling to be picked up. Both of them were calling out mama, dada, and of course Sheridan and Luis couldn�t resist picking up their children to give them kisses and hugs.
Sheridan, with Lily in her arms sat down on the sofa and admired the girl�s handy work. �Oh my, look how pretty you are with your hair like that.� Show daddy,� she said, flipping Lily around so that she was facing outward.
�You look adorable Peanut,� Luis said, leaning over to kiss his little girl. �Now you big guy............ What�s this I hear about you throwing Uncle Miguel�s shoes down the steps?� Luis was smiling the whole time, and then he whispered into Luke�s ear, unfortunately it was still loud enough for everyone to hear. �Don�t tell anyone, but daddy can�t blame you because he knows how bad Uncle Miguel�s shoes smell.� Luis couldn�t believe it when Luke squealed, and put his little hand on Luis� noise to squeeze it shut. �Wow, did I tell you that my kid was a genius?� Luis said in a nasal voice.
Sheridan couldn�t help but laugh at Luke�s antics, but she could tell that Miguel was not happy that the status of his foot order problem were being discussed in front of his friends. �Luis, please don�t pick on your brother. Miguel has been kind enough to watch your children all morning, and we both know that is not an easy task.�
�Thank you Sheridan,� Miguel said, giving Luis a dirty look. �As much as I love my niece and nephew they sure can wear a person out trying to keep up with them.�
�Sorry Miguel,� Luis said, trying to make amends. �I really do appreciate you watching out for the children.� He decided not to chastise Miguel for leaving the basement door open, because he had a feeling that his brother would never make that mistake again.
Pilar walked in from the kitchen and smiled when she saw that Luis and Sheridan were there. �You two have arrived just in time for lunch. I made chicken Fajitas, and for dessert we are having your favorite Luis........ Fruit filled Chimichangas with cinnamon custard.�
Luis rubbed his stomach. �Oh mama......... You have no idea how good that sounds. I�ve really worked up an appetite this morning,� he said, winking at Sheridan.
Thankfully Miguel saved the embarrassing moment when he announced that they were leaving to go ice-skating, and requested that his mother save him a Chimichanga. �But Miguel,� Pilar fretted. �There is plenty of food here for you and your friends. Why don�t you eat some lunch first?�
�Because mama, we wanted to get some ice-skating in before the football games start,� Miguel said, getting his coat. The rest of the teens bundled up in their coats as well, and on the way out Charity stopped in front of Luis and Sheridan.
�Just beware of a stranger, that is not really a stranger,� Charity told them.
Sheridan felt a bolt of fear run down her spine at Charity�s words. �W...what do you mean Charity?�
�I�m not sure Sheridan. It�s just that I have a feeling that there is someone evil that wants to do you harm.�
Luis was livid that Charity was spouting off with one of her dismal premonitions again, because he could see how much it had upset Sheridan. �Look Charity,� Luis said, trying to keep the anger out of his voice. �I realize that you have a special gift, and we do appreciate your concern, but you have to admit that your premonitions don�t always come true.�
�Maybe not Luis, but this one is very strong,� Charity insisted. �Believe me, I hope that I�m wrong about this one, but I just want you to know so that you can protect yourselves,� she said, turning to join the others.
�Oh God Luis,� Sheridan said, hugging Lily close. �What if Charity is right?�
�Look Sheridan, if Charity is having these feelings about someone evil in our life that shouldn�t be a surprise to you. She�s probably just picking up on the threats that Julian made, and we both know that we don�t have to worry about your brother any longer.�
�Okay, but if that�s the case then what did she mean by a stranger that is not really a stranger? she asked shakily.
�I�m not sure honey, but please try not to dwell on it,� he said, trying to reassure her. �I mean, come on......... A stranger that is not really a stranger? It doesn�t even make sense.�
�I suppose you could be right,� she said, not totally convinced. Luckily Pilar announced that lunch was ready, changing the tone of the gloomy mood. The rest of the day was spent with great food and happy family moments, but underneath the smile, Sheridan couldn�t help but worry about Charity�s warning that somebody evil was out there waiting to harm them.
********************
On his way to his secret meeting, Jack Russo happened to drive by Pilar�s house and noticed that Luis� SUV was parked in the driveway. It didn�t surprise him, because in the past everyone had always spent New Years Day at Pilar�s stuffing themselves on her fabulous cooking and watching all the football games. If he timed it right, he may even be able to make it out to Luis� house before they arrive home, but first he had to meet with Destiny Davenport. It was no wonder that Destiny had a bunch of aliases, because he would too if he had a name like that. It sounded like something from a Dick Tracy cartoon strip. Destiny was one of the best con artists in the area, and she would be a perfect candidate to play the part of a social worker. Warren had thought his plan was brilliant, and he had to admit that he was quite proud of it himself. Any shred of guild he felt was soon overshadowed by everything that he had lost to Luis in the past. He had gotten Sheridan, and if that wasn�t bad enough, Luis had ruined his lucrative business and forced him to spend all that time in the loony bin. Fortunately, because of his hold over Warren, and some hefty payoffs to some of the staff, he had been able to come and go as he pleased, but he couldn�t stay there forever. Faking his own death had been the only option he had, because even if he had miraculously gotten well from his supposed breakdown, he would have only ended up in prison, and he would be damned if he would ever go there.
The supper club parking lot was empty because it was still closed for repairs, and that is the very reason he had chosen this place. He was just about ready to get out of his car when he saw Destiny drive up. He glanced at her and noticed that she hadn�t changed a bit. He remembered her well from his old days on the streets, but there was no way that he was going to admit his true identity to her. It would just be too risky, and he had already taken too many risks already. He got out of the car and walked up to the driver�s side of her car.
�Are you Jack Russo?� she asked, opening the door.
�At your service,� he said, holding out his hand. �I take it that you are Destiny.�
She looked him up and down like she owned the place, and Jack couldn�t help but admire her confidence. �I sure hope that we are going to go inside, because it�s cold as hell out here, and I could certainly use a drink.�
�Then it�s a drink you shall have. Follow me, so that we can discuss business. Once they were inside and sitting at the bar with drinks, Jack told her what he wanted her to do. �So, do you think you can make yourself look plain?� he asked.
Destiny retrieved a pair of black-rimmed glasses, and fastened her hair back with a rubber band. �Is this plain enough for you?� she asked, taking a cigarette out of her purse.
Jack struck a match, lighting the end for her. �I do believe that you�re going to be perfect for the part. Now, I�m willing to pay the fee that you requested, but I need your guarantee that nobody ever finds out that I hired you for this part.�
She laughed out loud, and flicked her cigarette in the ashtray, depositing a long gray ash. �I haven�t survived all these years in this business being a blabbermouth. You don�t have to worry about me. I�m the model of discretion.�
�Good, then I think we understand each other,� he said, pulling out two envelopes from behind the bar. �This is your script, and all the necessary identification you'll need, and this is your first installment.� He handed her the envelope with a sizable amount of money in it. �You�ll get the rest of the cash after you�ve completed the job.�
�No problem,� she said, stuffing the envelopes inside her bag.
As she was walking out of the place, Jack called out to her. �I would suggest that you don�t drink and smoke before you go on your visit.�
�Don�t worry,� she called back to him. �I�ll bring plenty of breath mints with me.�
After she left, Jack checked his watch, and noted that he had just enough time to take a trip out to Luis and Sheridan�s house. �I think I can just about make it,� he said out loud. �Now I just have to figure out how to get inside the house without being torn apart by that damn wolf dog of Luis�.
********************
Sheridan put the twins down for their nap and crept out of the nursery, hoping that they would stay asleep this time. It had been a challenge trying to get them to settle down because both had a case of the sniffles, and it was making them cranky. Luis had gone into town to investigate a lead on one of the cases he was working on for the District Attorney. She went downstairs and checked to see if the baby monitor was on, and then leaned over to pat Ace on the head.
�How are you feeling today Ace? We were really worried about you the other day, but you�re starting to look more chipper all the time.� The other night when they had arrived home from Pilar�s they had found Ace lying by the front door in a lethargic state. Luis had checked him over and called the vet, and the doctor has told them to keep a close eye on the dog, and if he didn�t become more responsive with time to bring him in. He suspected that Ace had gotten into something outside that was tainted, and it would have to work itself out of his system. Fortunately, Ace had become more lucid, and by the next morning he was able to eat a full bowl of food. Since she couldn�t go into the office today, she sat down at the computer to see if she could get some work done, but her mind started to wander. Her eyes traveled to the picture of Luis with the twins sitting on the mantle. For some reason, fatherhood was extremely sexy on him. She couldn�t help but think about how intense their lovemaking had been the night before. The amazing part about it was that they hadn�t even planned an evening of romance. Luis had been watching a movie, and she had been caught up in the latest best seller, when their eyes had connected with a look that should have melted all the snow in Harmony. In a matter of minutes they were lying naked in front of the fireplace making the sweetest love, and she sighed out loud just thinking about the heated encounter. She shook her head, trying to clear her mind to get back to the task at hand when she heard a knock on the door.
�Who in the world can that be?� she said, walking toward the door. She became even more puzzled when she looked through the window and saw a woman with black framed glasses standing there. Sheridan opened the door wearing a welcoming smile. �Hello, can I help you?�
�Mrs. Lopez-Fitzgerald?� the lady asked in an authoritive voice.
�Yes, I�m Mrs. Lopez-Fitzgerald. What can I do for you?�
�My name is Helen Winters, and I would suggest that we go inside so that we can discuss the purpose of my visit.........�
�Look Ms. Winters, I really don�t mean to be rude, but I�m trying to get some work done, and to be honest with you, I�m not really in the market to buy anything today,� Sheridan said, trying her best to be gracious.
�Mrs. Lopez-Fitzgerald I can assure you that I am not here to sell you anything,� she said, showing Sheridan an identification card. �I think that it would be in your best interest to let me come in.�
Sheridan took the card with shaky hands, and she felt her head spin when she saw that the woman was from Social Services. �What do you want with me?� Sheridan asked in a panicked voice.
�As I said before, it would be in your best interest to let me in so that we can discuss this matter.�
�Do I have a choice?� Sheridan asked curtly.
�I�m afraid that you don�t.�
Sheridan reluctantly opened the door wider to let the social worker in. Helen Winters took a seat on the sofa, but before she could get a word out of her mouth, Sheridan cut her off. �If you don�t mind, I�m going to call my husband,� she said reaching for the phone. She dialed Luis cell phone, and almost threw the phone across the room when the damn recording came on saying that the mobile user was away from the phone. Sheridan set the phone on the table and sat down across from the social worker. �Why are you here Ms. Winters?�
�Let�s just say there have been some complaints that your children are not living in the most healthy of environments,� Helen Winter�s said, curtly.
�Look, don�t ever play games where my children are concerned,� she said, shaking with her anger. �Why don�t you just cut to the chase Ms. Winters so that we both know where we stand. What exactly do you mean by an unhealthy environment?�
�Specifically, the reports are about abuse and neglect, and I would suggest that you curb your attitude Mrs. Lopez-Fitzgerald.�
Sheridan�s temper soared. �You are unbelievable. How do you expect me to act when you invade my home making false accusations? My children have NEVER been abused or neglected. They are healthy, happy, and are showered with more love then you could possible know. My husband and I would give our life to protect them.�
�Well, if that�s how you really feel, than you shouldn�t object if I see the children.�
�My children are down for their nap right now, and I don�t want to wake them. They are both fighting colds, and need their rest.� Sheridan would be damned if she would let this bitch intimidate her.
�Mrs. Lopez-Fitzgerald your attitude is not helping your cause. You either let me see your children, or I will get a court order and have them physically removed from this household.�
�Perhaps I should call my lawyer,� Sheridan said, picking up the phone.
�That will not be necessary,� the social worker said, softening her tone. �Just let me peek in on the children, and then I will be able to put in my report that I saw them.�
�Will you leave then?� Sheridan asked skeptically.
�Yes Mrs. Lopez-Fitzgerald, then I will leave.�
Sheridan led the social worker upstairs to the nursery. It made her feel somewhat better inside that Ace was right at her heals like the wonderful protector that he was. She almost laughed out loud thinking about Ace�s reaction if this witch ever tried to take her babies away. She would probably run for her life and never look back after Ace got though with her. Helen Winters made a few notes, and than motioned that she was finished. When they went back downstairs, the social worker told Sheridan that she would file her report with her superiors, and they would determine if a deeper investigation were needed. Sheridan closed the door, and leaned her head back against it, and that�s when her rush of initial anger turned to fear. Why was this happening? Julian had promised to stop this madness if they agreed to back off, and they had. Her brother was the biggest bastard, and she wanted to choke him right now. She called the mansion, and asked to speak to Julian, and the maid told her he was at Crane Industries, so she called him there. His secretary answered. �Margaret, this is Sheridan, and I want to talk to my brother now.�
�I�m sorry Sheridan, but Mr. Crane is in an important meeting right now, and has asked not to be disturbed.�
�I don�t care if he�s meeting with the President of the United States, you put him on the phone,� Sheridan demanded.
�I�m sorry Sheridan, but I would get fired if I went against Mr. Cranes wishes........�
Sheridan didn�t listen to another word and hung up the phone and called Luis. Thankfully he answered this time, but when she heard his voice she lost it.
�Luis,� she sobbed, unable to get a coherent word out of her mouth.
�Sheridan, what�s the matter?� he asked fearfully. �Honey, you have to slow down. I can�t understand a word you�re saying.�
�I...... I....... need you to come home.......... now.......� she cried.
�Just tell me,� he said in a calming voice. �Are the babies okay?�
�Yes, they�re fine. Just come home and I�ll tell you everything.�
�I�m just down the road,� he told her. �I should be home in a few minutes.�
�Okay Luis. I�ll see you then.�
When Luis walked through the door Sheridan threw herself in his arms, and he pulled her close, rubbing her back. �Why don�t we go sit down, so you can tell me what has gotten you so upset?�
When they were sitting, Luis pulled his handkerchief out and offered it to her. �Here blow your nose, and tell me all about it.�
�A social worker came here today. She said there had been reports of abuse and neglect against our children...........�
�Damn him,� Luis shouted furiously. �I�ll kill that bastard,� he said, jumping up from the sofa. He started pacing back and forth, slamming his fist into his open hand. �Tell me everything she said.�
Sheridan filled him in on everything that had happened during the social worker�s visit. They heard the babies stirring through the baby monitor, and put the conversation on hold to get their children. When they walked into the nursery, and saw Luke and Lily sitting up in their beds so happy to see them, they tired their best to put their fear and anger aside. They brought the twins downstairs, and put them on the floor to play. As they played, Luis felt him temper rise just thinking about anybody talking his precious children away. He looked over and saw that Sheridan was watching the twins too, and there were tears running down her face. He finally made a decision about what he had to do. �Sheridan, do you know where Julian is?�
�Yes, he�s at Crane Industries. I tried to call him earlier, but his secretary said he was in an important meeting and could not be disturbed. Why? What are you going to do?�
�Something I should have done a long time ago,� Luis said, in a strangely calm voice, that scared Sheridan more than if he would have been livid.
�Luis, I know that you want to kill Julian, because believe me, I do too, but you just can�t do it. Look at your children playing there on the floor. Do you want to see them grow up without their father because you are spending the rest of your life behind bars?�
�It might be worth it if it meant that Julian was out of our lives forever,� Luis said, feeling his anger rise again. He got up and put his coat on, and leaned down to hug and kiss Luke and Lily, and then he pulled her into his arms. �I�m going to see Julian and settle this once and for all.�
�Luis, promise me that you will not kill Julian,� she pleaded with him.
�I promise I won�t kill him,� he assured her. �But, I won�t promise that I won�t beat him to a pulp.�
�You aren�t carrying a gun are you?� she asked him.
�No Sheridan........ My gun is in the lock box in the front closet. I not going to take it with me, because to be honest with you, I don�t trust myself.�
�Thank you Luis,� she said, hugging him close. �Wait a minute........... You will never get past security.� She went over to her purse, and pulled something out of it. �Here take my key card. Julian must have forgotten to cancel it when I stopped working there. I used it a few weeks ago when I went over there to take some presents for the charity for needy children that Crane Industries sponsors.�
�God, that man is unbelievable,� Luis said, shaking his head. �He sponsors a charity for needy children, and at the same time threatens to take our children away. The son of a bitch is beyond contempt.�
Sheridan walked him to the door. �Just remember Luis. The children and I need you.�
�I know that Sheridan. I need you all too. More then you could ever know. That is why this has to be put to an end right now, so that we can stop living with this fear.�
********************
By the time Luis arrived at Crane Industries the staff had gone home for the day. There were only a few cars in the parking lot, and he recognized Julian�s black Mercedes. He remembered the guard�s schedule of rounds from the time that Chad was working there undercover, so he knew when to enter the back door without being spotted. There was no way he was going to be stopped from seeing Julian tonight by some wantabe cop. He had planned it perfectly, and was able to get in with no resistance from anyone, and moved toward the elevator. He was careful to check on the status of the security guard at the front door, waiting for an opportunity, and was shocked when he saw that the guy was slumped over in his chair. He ran over to see if he was alive, and was able to find a pulse. There was blood on the crown area of his head, and Luis could tell that somebody had hit him with some kind of blunt object. Something bad was definitely going on here, and now he wished that he had brought his gun along, but first he made a 911 call reporting that there was an injured man. He decided to check out the situation, and headed to Julian�s office. When he got there, he moved quietly through the reception area outside of Julian�s office and heard a noise.
�Julian?� he called out. �Are you in there?� When he didn�t get an answer, he approached the entrance to the office tentatively. The room was dark with only a desk light on, and Luis had to let his eyes get adjusted to the dim light. As he moved closer to Julian�s desk, he saw a pair of legs sticking out from behind the desk. He circled around and saw Julian lying on the floor in a pool of blood. �What the hell?� he said, stooping down to check for a pulse, and that�s when he felt a barrow of a gun against the back of his head.
�You got here much sooner then I expected,� a familiar voice hissed in his ear. �You just had to go ahead and ruin everything. Now I�m going to have to take you with me.�
********************
Sheridan checked the time again, and wondered anxiously what was taking Luis so long. It had been two hours since he had left the house, and she was afraid that something was terribly wrong. She had called Luis cell phone, and Julian�s office several times, but there was no answer at either one. She thought seriously about getting the babies dressed and dropping them by Pilar�s but decided against it because she didn�t want to take them out in the cold air with their sniffles. After pacing around for another twenty minutes, she finally heard a car drive up and breathed a sigh of relief that Luis was home. She was surprised to hear a knock on the door, and figured that Luis had forgotten his key. When she opened the door, and saw Sam standing on the front porch, a bolt of fear ran through her.
�Sam, what are you doing here?� she asked in a frightened voice.
�Is Luis here Sheridan?� Sam asked, his voice sounding so official.
�No Sam......... What is going on?�
�I�m afraid that your brother Julian has been shot......�
�Oh God no,� Sheridan said, leaning against the wall for support. �Is he dead?�
�No, but he is in very critical condition, and he may still die before the night is over.�
�Where did you find him?� she asked, dreading the answer.
�He was lying in a pool of blood in his office at Crane Industries. You have to tell me the truth Sheridan. Did Luis go to Crane Industries tonight?�
�Yes,� she choked out. �But why would you ask that, since it�s obvious that you don�t know where Luis is?�
�Because Julian was able to identify his shooter?� Sam said, gravely.
�But how? You just said that Julian was critical..........�
�Apparently Julian was conscious long enough to write the name of the person who shot him in his own blood, and I�m afraid it was Luis� name...........�
�Dear God,� Sheridan mumbled, right before she fainted right into Sam�s arms.
Chapter 3
Sam picked Sheridan up in his arms, and carried her over to the sofa. �Bring me a glass of water,� he ordered the uniform that had accompanied him. Damn, he had hated breaking the news to her that way, but there was no way to sugarcoat something like that. This whole situation was just insane, and he was hoping that Sheridan could help him put the pieces together. What the hell had really happened at Crane Industries tonight? He didn�t want to believe that Luis would shoot Julian, but then why would he run? �Sheridan,� Sam said, patting her on the cheek. �Wake up,� he coaxed her gently.
Sheridan finally opened her big blue eyes, and looked at Sam with confusion. �Sam?� She tried to sit up, putting her hands on her forehead to steady herself. �What happened?�
Right then the uniformed officer came back into the room with a tall glass of water. �Here Sheridan, drink this,� Sam instructed her. �You just fainted, so take it slow.�
Sheridan took a drink of the water, and handed the glass back to Sam. �I just had this terrible nightmare...... Why are you here?� When she saw the look that Sam gave her everything came rushing back to her. �Oh God, it wasn�t a nightmare, was it?�
�No, I�m afraid not Sheridan. Do you think you feel up to answering some questions?� Sam asked her gently.
�Yes, I think so, but Sam you have to know that Luis would never shoot Julian. I don�t care what it looks like.�
�I want to believe that more than anything, but if Luis didn�t shoot Julian where is he? Why did he go to Crane Industries tonight?�
Sheridan was very hesitant to reveal the reason Luis had gone to see Julian, because she knew that it would only give the police a motive for him shooting her brother. �Luis was going there to talk to Julian about a deal he made with us....... I can promise you that he did not go there with murder on his mind.�
�What kind of a deal Sheridan?� Sam inquired.
�What difference does it make?� she said, exasperated. �Shouldn�t you be out there looking for Luis? I�m really worried that something happened to him Sam.�
�Believe me, there are people out there looking for Luis right now,� Sam assured her. �Now I have to know more about this deal, so I can understand what went on at Crane Industries tonight.� When he saw her hesitation, he laid a hand on her shoulder. �Sheridan, you need to tell me everything so that I can help you.�
Sheridan wanted to tell Sam about the night they found his father�s wallet, but she decided against it. She hated to keep it from him, but it was Luis� choice whether to tell Sam or not, so she made the decision to keep it simple. �The details are not important Sam, but let�s just say that Julian was tired of us investigating Luis� father�s disappearance, and he said that if we didn�t back off once and for all that he would make sure that we lost our children.........�
�What?� Sam said, astounded. �That�s crazy. Everybody knows that you and Luis are great parents. It�s so obvious that you love your children very much.�
�That�s what we said too, but he insisted that he would use all of his influence and power to make it look like we abused our children. We just couldn�t take the chance that he would go through with his threats, so Luis agreed that he would stop investigating his father�s disappearance.�
�My God,� Sam said, unable to believe what he was hearing. �Luis has sworn for years that he would never give up until he found out what happened to Martin.�
�I know that, and I also know that it killed him to have to give up his search, but he agreed to do if for me, and for our children. Luis told Julian that we would back off for good, and we thought that it was over, but.............� It was hard to go on, because she was still so upset about everything that had happened that day. �I had a visit from a social worker today. She was very rude, and she said that she was here for a visit to investigate allegations that our children were neglected and abused,� Sheridan told him, starting to shake all over again.
�So, Julian went back on his deal,� Sam said, knowingly.
�Yes, he did, and Luis was going to go over and talk to him to find out why Julian did that, because we had kept our end of the bargain..........�
�Luis must have been furious,� Sam interjected.
�Of course he was furious. How would you feel if somebody were doing this to your family?�
�I�d want to kill Julian..........�
�Wait a minute Sam,� Sheridan said, interrupting him. �I know where you�re going with this, but Luis did not go over there to kill Julian. He promised me, and I know in my heart that he would never break that promise. He loves his family too much to risk everything,� she said, starting to get defensive.
�Sheridan, I�m on your side, but I�m also the Chief of Police, and this is an official investigation. You know that I have to do my job,� he reasoned. �Did Luis take his gun with him?�
�No, no, and I can prove it,� she said, hopping up. She went to the front closet and put in the combination to open the lock box. Sam got up, and walked over to stand behind her. When she opened the box, her heart stopped when she saw that it was empty. �But, this doesn�t make any sense.......... Luis told me his gun was in here.�
�Sheridan, I............�
�Don�t say it Sam,� she protested. �I know what you�re thinking, and I can assure you that Luis would never lie to me about that gun.�
�Then where is it Sheridan? Sam asked skeptically.
�Sam, I swear to you that I was here the whole time, and Luis never went over to that closet. There has to be some explanation for this.�
�Maybe he didn�t have to go over there Sheridan. How can you be sure that Luis didn�t already have the gun on him?�
�I can�t believe this,� Sheridan said, angrily. �You have known Luis all his life, and you know what kind of a man he is. I thought you were his friend?�
�I am his friend, but I�m afraid I�m going to have to search the house,� Sam said, gravely.
Sheridan was shaking with anger and fear for Luis. �You go ahead and do that Sam, but please do not disturb my children, and when you are finished, I want you to leave my house,� she told him curtly.
�Please try to understand my position Sheridan..........�
�Oh believe me Sam, I understand your position perfectly,� she said, and then turned her back on him and walked up the steps to check on her children.
********************
Luis turned his car into the narrow winding mountain path, just as he was instructed to do. But then, he didn�t have a lot of choice in the matter since he had the butt of a gun pointed at the back of his head. His mind was racing, trying to figure out how he could get out of this predicament. None of this made any sense to him. Why would Jack Russo kill Julian Crane, and what the hell did Russo mean when he said that he had gotten there earlier than he expected? Luis had tried to reason with the guy, but he just kept telling him to shut up and drive. They had been circling around these deserted mountain roads for over an hour, and it was driving him crazy thinking this guy was going to snap at any minute and shoot him in the head. Oh God, was he driving to his final resting-place? Jack Russo had already committed one murder tonight......... What would stop him from killing him, the only witness to his crime? Sheridan and the babies� faces flashed in his head, and his heart broke into a thousand pieces at the thought of never seeing them again. No, he couldn�t think that way. He had been in worse scrapes before and had come out on top. Determination to stay alive filled every fiber of his being. He had to keep a clear head so he could outwit this guy, because he had way too much to live for. Sheridan and his little Peanut and Luke were his whole world, and he refused to accept that he would never be with them again.
They finally arrived at a clearing, where a rustic cabin stood. Jack Russo ordered Luis out of the car, and told him to go into the cabin. �What is this place?� Luis asked him.
�This place is going to be your new home for a while,� he snickered. �Well, at least until I can figure out how to get rid of you.�
Luis thought that if he could only face Russo, he would be able to hit him in the forearm, and knock the gun out of his hand. �Look, can�t we discuss this?� Luis said, starting to turn around.
�Don�t try it,� Jack said, rubbing the cold metal of the gun against Luis� jugular vein. �I know what you�re trying to do and it isn�t going to work, so just march your sorry behind into that cabin.�
The cabin was dark inside, until Jack Russo flipped on a light switch. Luis was surprised that the place had electricity, because it had looked pretty old from the outside. He looked around and noted that the inside was actually quite cozy. Luis decided that there could be worse places to be held captive, but he was going to give it one last shot to see if he could reason with this guy. �Listen, you�re not going to get away with this you know. The police are going to catch up with you sooner or later, so why don�t you let me help you. I used to be a cop and I know how their minds work. You can escape, and I can help you get someplace where they�ll never find you.�
Jack Russo laughed out loud. �Do you really think that I�m going to believe that you want to help me?�
�I�m the only one that can help you, since I was the only witness. I�ll help you get away, and I won�t breathe a word to anyone that I saw you practically standing over Julian Crane�s dead body. I don�t blame you for killing Julian, because there have been many times I wanted to kill him myself.�
�And that is exactly what I was counting on,� Jack told him with a smile.
�That�s the second time you said something like that,� Luis said, getting more frustrated by the minute by Russo�s cryptic comments. �What the hell are you talking about?�
�I guess I should explain it to you then. I don�t need your help, because the cops are not going to be looking for me. It�s you they�re looking for, because I set you up to take the fall Luis old boy.�
Luis was stunned by his words. �Have you completely lost it? We barely know each other. How could you possibly set me up?�
�Sit down in that chair, and put your hands behind you�re back, so I can tie you up, and then I�ll tell you all about it.�
Luis did as he was ordered, and when he was secured with his hands tied behind his back, Jack Russo put the gun aside. �Tell me everything,� Luis said through clenched teeth.
Jack walked over to a cupboard, and pulled out a bottle of liquor and took a large swallow. Some of the liquid dribbled from the corner of his mouth, and he wiped it away with his sleeve. �Do you want a drink?� he asked, holding the bottle out to Luis.
�No damn it! I want you to tell me how you set me up,� Luis demanded.
�It really wasn�t all that difficult. Beth told me all about how much you hated Julian Crane, because you think he�s responsible for the disappearance of your father. I needed to kill Julian, and I needed a scapegoat, so when I overheard you talking to your beautiful wife that night at the Seascape about Julian threatening to take your kids away, a plan began to form in my head. The clincher was when I heard you say that you would kill Julian if he tried to take your brats away, I knew that I had found the perfect candidate to take the fall. So, I hired an actor to play a social worker because I knew you would be pissed off enough to come after Julian.� Jack took another drink, and laughed. �I broke into your house and stole your gun so that I could use it to kill Julian with, and then I put the finishing touch on the scene. I took Julian�s hand and wrote your name with his own blood........�
�You bastard,� Luis hissed, struggling to get the ropes loose. �Why do this to me? Why destroy my family?�
�Let�s just say you had the misfortunate of being in the wrong place at the wrong time. You know it�s really all so sad for your lovely wife. You rush to avenge your family, kill the man who is threatening your happiness, and flee from the scene of the crime like a coward. Do you have any idea how guilty you will look to your wife and the cops? Actually this wasn�t even part of the plan, but you arrived at Crane Industries too early, and I had to improvise. The only problem now is that I don�t know what the hell to do with you.�
�You must be pretty proud of yourself, but there is one thing that you�re forgetting. There are security cameras that record everyone that walked in and out of that building. They�ll see you leading me out of the building with a gun pointed at my back.�
�Do you really think that I was born yesterday?� Jack smirked, taking videotape out of an inside pocket of his coat. �I took this right after I knocked out the guard at the front door. The stupid sap didn�t even see me behind him until it was too late. I really think that Crane Industries needs to screen their help better.�
Luis felt so defeated all of a sudden, but he would be damned if he would let it show to this bastard. �What are you going to do with me?�
Jack Russo�s whole demeanor suddenly changed. �I told you that I haven�t decided yet,� he said, angrily. He took another drink from the bottle and started pacing back and forth like a caged animal. An idea must have come to him because he put the bottle down and walked over and pulled a table aside. He rolled the large braided rug out of the way to reveal what looked to be a trap door in the floor.
Jack pulled the trap door up, and ordered Luis to get up. �Get down here. I have to leave and get rid of your car before they put a dragnet out on you, and I don�t trust you to be up here by yourself.�
�You�re going to lock me down in some black hole?� Luis asked, knowing that he would have no chance for escape stuck down in that place.
�It�s really not so bad. The guy that owns this cabin was involved in some illegal activities, and he was a little paranoid that the law would catch up with him, so he set up this hideout. There should be food supplies and bottled water down there to keep you alive for a little while.�
�How am I going to be able to eat and drink, if you keep my hands tied?� Luis asked bitterly.
�You seem like a resourceful guy to me. I�m sure you�ll figure it out,� he said, waving the gun at Luis in a motion to get moving. �If I remember correctly, there is even electricity down there, but you�re going to have to search for the way to turn it on.�
With the gun pointed at his back again, Luis didn�t have a choice but to comply with Jack Russo�s request. Thankfully the light from the room was enough to guide him down the steep steps without breaking his neck. As he descended the black void that was waiting for him, a blast of musty air hit him in the face. When he reached the bottom and was standing on the solid floor, he looked up to his tormentor standing at the top of the stairs grinning down at him. �How long are you going to keep me down here?� Luis asked, dreading the answer.
�Not sure��.. Could be two days, or it could be two weeks��..�
�Son of a bi����
�Now, now....... Be nice, or I may never come back at all,� he warned, slamming the door shut, enclosing Luis in almost total blackness.
He let his eyes get adjusted to the darkness and looked around to see if he could find the source of power. There were some narrow slat-like windows up around the ceiling that allowed a faint stream of moonlight to shine through. At least he wouldn�t have to live completely like a mole in this earthly prison. He heard Jack Russo pull the table back over the trap door, and he listened to his footsteps as he walked out the door. A terrible sense of despair came over him when the sound of a car engine broke the silence of the night and the car drove away. There went his car, and his only means of escape. He was completely isolated out here in this mountain cabin, locked in a dark hellhole with nobody around for miles. He could have easily given in to his desolation, but thoughts of his family entered his head, and he refused to give up in defeat. Now he just had to find the damn light down here so that he could assess his situation and find a way out of here.
********************
Sam and the officer finally left after searching every inch of the house, and Sheridan closed the door leaning against it for support. As apologetic as Sam had been, she couldn�t help but feel a sense of betrayal for what he had done. She was exhausted from her dreadful day, but fear for Luis consumed her. She had to do something, anything, but what? Her husband was out there somewhere, possibly fighting for his life, and she couldn�t think of a damn thing to do about it. A knock on the door startled her at first, but thinking that Luis could be standing on the other side sent her rushing to answer it. �Evan,� she said, disappointment evident in her voice. When she saw the hurt look on his face, she pulled him into a hug. �I�m sorry Evan, I thought you might be Luis.�
�We heard what happened on the radio, and came straight here to be with you,� Evan said, with such sympathy and concern that she completely fell apart.
�Oh Evan,� she said, tears starting to stream down her face. �What am I going to do? I�m so scared that something terrible has happened to Luis.�
�Sheridan, what happened?� Evan asked, leading her to the sofa. �They said on the radio that Luis shot Julian, and took off.�
�Well they�re lying. Luis would never do that........... You have to believe me Evan,� she pleaded, her blue eyes filled with pain.
�Sheridan we believe you,� Evan told her. �We know that Luis could never shoot somebody in cold blood.�
�He�s right Sheridan,� Kay agreed. �I�ve known Luis all of my life, and I know that he�s not capable of what they�re accusing him off.�
�Kay,� Sheridan said, finally noticing her presence for the first time. �I�m so addled that I didn�t even see you. Thank you for saying that about Luis, but I�m afraid that your father doesn�t feel the same way. He was here earlier searching our house,� she told her sadly.
�My dad can be such a jerk sometimes, but he was probably just trying to do his job. I�m sure that it was really hard on him Sheridan.�
�I know that Kay, but I�m not going to pretend that it doesn�t hurt, but you know I can�t worry about that right now. I have to figure out how to help Luis,� Sheridan said, her voice shaky with worry.
�We want to help you Sheridan,� Evan told her, laying a comforting hand on her arm. �Tell us everything that happened tonight.�
Sheridan wasn�t sure that she wanted to say anything at first, but she decided that she had to trust somebody because she really needed help right now. �Okay, I�ll tell you, but you have to promise me that it will never leave this house. It�s not like we did anything wrong, but this information getting to the wrong people could make it worse for Luis. The tabloids would have a field day............�
�Sheridan, you don�t have to worry about us,� Evan said, hugging her. �We would never do anything to hurt you or Luis.�
�I know that,� she said, giving him a weak smile. �This is a long story so I guess I should just start at the beginning.� She told them everything about Julian�s threats and the social worker�s visit that day. She also told them about her last conversation with Luis, and the missing gun.
�Damn that bastard,� Evan said, furiously. �He may be my brother, but he deserves to be lying in that hospital bed right now. I can�t even imagine how frightened you were when that woman showed up.�
�I can�t believe that Mr. Crane could actually get away with taking your children,� Kay said, appalled. �Everybody in this town knows how much you love Luke and Lily. ........... I mean, we all love those sweet babies.�
�Thank you Kay. Speaking of those sweet babies, I need to go check on them. They haven�t been feeling well and I want to make sure they�re okay.�
She walked upstairs quietly, as to not wake the babies, and when she tiptoed into their room she saw that they were sleeping peacefully. She tucked them in, and stroked their little faces, making a silent vow to bring their daddy back home to them. Loathed to leave them just yet, she sat down in the rocking chair, and unable to take her eyes off of her sleeping children she sobbed her heart out. The meltdown was cleansing in a way, and it brought back a hint of her old determination. She wiped her tears away, kissed her children, and went back downstairs to call Pilar. The conversation was painful, but she knew that Pilar needed to hear all the facts before all the bad press came out. When Sheridan hung up, she was crying all over again, and Evan pulled her into a hug to comfort her. �Evan there is something I need you to do for me.�
�Anything Sheridan............ Anything at all.�
�I need to go to the hospital to check on Julian, and to offer Ethan my support.�
�Do you want me to go with you? I want to be there for you, and I suppose that since Julian is my brother too............. I�m sure that Kay will be happy to stay with the babies.............�
�No,� she said, stopping him. �It�s not that I don�t trust Kay to watch the children by herself, but I need to have you here in case Luis comes home or tries to call. Also, I need you to make sure that you are here to stop anyone that might show up to try to take the babies away. Not that I�m saying that will happen, but I would feel so much better knowing that you are here.�
�They would have to kill me to get Luke and Lily away from here,� Evan assured her.
�I knew that I could count on you. I�m going to take my cell, and I think that Luis would try that number first, but just in case he calls, I want to know about it right away,� she said, going to get her coat. She grabbed her purse, and stopped at the door. �Watch over my children. I would die if anything ever happened to them.�
�I�ll watch over them with my life,� he promised her.
�I love you Evan,� she said, stroking a fallen lock of hair away from his forehead.
�I love you too Sheridan,� he told her, tears forming in his eyes. After she left, Kay walked up and hugged him close against her.
******************
When Sheridan arrived at the hospital, she swore out loud when she saw that the press was there in mass descending like the vultures that they were. She went around the building and snuck into a back door, and thankfully she was undetected by the media. They would have pounced on her like a bunch of starving dogs going after a piece of meat, and she didn�t think that she had the strength to fight against them right now. A nurse directed her to the surgical wing, and it was very disconcerting when she saw the police guarding the door leading into the area. It surprised her that they even let her through in light of the fact that they thought her husband was the person that shot Julian. She was saddened to see Ethan sitting there all by himself with his head bent resting in his hands. What a pathetic situation when you were so hated, that your own wife didn�t even show up to pay vigil. �Ethan,� she called out, approaching him slowly.
�Sheridan,� he said, standing up, and walking toward her. He hugged her close and she hung on tight to offer him comfort.
�How is Julian?� she asked, praying the news was good.
�He is out of surgery, but his condition is very grave. The doctors are saying that if he makes it through the night, he may have a good chance to survive.�
�Thank God,� she said, relieved. �My brother and I have had a very rocky relationship, but I would never wish death on him.�
�Really Sheridan?� he asked skeptically. �I�m surprised that you feel that way considering...........�
�What were you going to say Ethan? Considering that Luis shot him?� she said defensively. �Bearing in mind the despicable things that Julian has done to my family, I think it�s generous of me to even be here, but I wanted to support you. I don�t care how bad it looks. I know with every fiber of my being that Luis did not try to kill Julian.�
�For your sake I want to believe that Sheridan, but if what you say is true then where is Luis right now?�
�I don�t know where he is, but I�m scared to death that he stumbled onto the person that really shot Julian, and his life is in danger. You know what kind of a man Luis is Ethan. He would never desert the children and me even if he were guilty.�
�I wouldn�t think so, but people can get desperate when their back is against the wall. I�m sorry Sheridan, but until you can bring me concrete proof that Luis didn�t do this, I�m going to have to reserve judgment on whether or not he is guilty.�
Her anger started to rise, but she curbed it knowing that Ethan was not himself right now. �You know something Ethan? I�m not even going to pretend that I�m not hurt by your words considering how close we�ve been over the years, but I�ll always be there for you no matter what happens.�
A flash of guilt passed over Ethan�s face, but he quickly reverted back to his unforgiving mood. �I appreciate that Sheridan.�
�So, where is Ivy?� Sheridan asked, changing the subject fearing that she was going to lose it again.
�Mother was on one of her shopping trips to New York. The Crane jet is bringing her back to Harmony as we speak.�
�That�s good,� she said, putting her hand on his arm. �I know that she will be a strong support system for you right now.�
Eve walked up right then, putting an end to their uncomfortable conversation. �How is my father Dr. Russell?� Ethan inquired anxiously.
�I�m sorry Ethan, but there isn�t any change. Julian is holding his own though,� she told him, giving Sheridan a sympathetic look. �How are you Sheridan?�
�I�m trying my best not to fall completely to pieces, but I�ll survive,� she assured Eve. �My children need me.�
�How are the children doing?�
�Much better... The medicine you prescribed for them seems to be working and since I don�t have a pediatrician for them right now, I really appreciate you stepping in. Listen Eve, would it be all right if I went in to see Julian for a moment? I promise not to stay long.�
�I suppose it would be okay, but only if you stay for a few minutes, but be prepared because Julian is in a coma, and there are a lot of machines hooked up to him,� Eve warned.
The only thing that Sheridan could think of when she walked into Julian�s room was that everything looked so pristine white, against the backdrop of steel gray machines that were keeping him alive. It was strange to see her brother so vulnerable for the first time in his life. She tried to muster up some compassion for him, but it was very difficult to do considering the reprehensible things that he had done to her family. Thoughts of their mother were the only things that allowed her to care if he lived or died, as well as that fact that if Julian didn�t make it Luis could be convicted for murder. She approached his bed slowly, and felt another wave of sadness come over her that their relationship had gone so bad. �Julian,� she said, softly. �As much as I despise you for trying to take my children from me, I don�t want you to die���.. You have to wake up so that you can tell the police who really shot you. I just pray that this terrible tragedy will change you into the man that mother would have wanted you to be. I�m not blaming you entirely, because I know that father was a cold-hearted bastard that demanded perfection, and pulled you into his dark cruel world, but you really could get a second chance to make a decent life.�
�I�m not sure that he can hear you Sheridan,� Eve said coming up behind her. �Of course we have had cases where patients that are in a coma say that they could hear their loved ones talking to them���.�
�Loved ones? Then I doubt that Julian heard a word that I said,� Sheridan said, sadly.
�Ethan wanted to come in again, and since I only want Julian to have one visitor at a time���..�
�I understand Eve,� she said quietly. �I was getting ready to leave anyway.� Sheridan left Julian�s room and said her goodbuys to Ethan. As she left the hospital, she was careful to avoid the press that was till lingering outside the main entrance to the hospital. She called Evan at home to check on the babies and to tell him that she was on her way home. There was still no word from Luis, and the more time that he remained missing, the more the fear consumed her. She refused to crumble though, even though she was right on the edge of doing that very thing. Her children needed her, and she had to remain strong, because she had a feeling that the situation was only going to get worse.
********************
Luis watched the ray of sunlight stream through one of the open slats, and he couldn�t believe that it was already another day. The previous night has certainly had its challenges, but he was happy to admit that he had faired pretty well considering the situation. It had taken him a while to find a way to turn the light on, and after combing the perimeter of the wall to look for a light switch, he had finally discovered the string hanging from the ceiling. Even with his hands tied behind his back it had been a simple task to turn the light on by grabbing the string in his mouth and pulling downward. Whoever owned this place must have planned on being holed up here for quite some time. There were cases of bottled water, and all kinds of canned goods. Nothing fresh of course, but he was thankful for anything that he could get his hands on right now. He had managed to knock a canning jar filled with peaches crashing to the floor, and it provided him with a sharp edge to use to sever the ropes that were binding his wrists. It had taken him forever since he couldn�t see what he was doing, and he had to be careful that he didn�t slit his wrist open. He dined then on canned chicken and peaches, and found a cot in the corner to sleep on. The blankets and pillow were filled with dust, but he managed to shake the bedding out enough so he could lie down and wrap up enough to keep warm.
As exhausted as Luis was, sleep eluded him. He racked his brain thinking of a way to escape from this place, but nothing came to him. The trap door leading to the upper level must have been locked because it wouldn�t give an inch. When he remembered that he had his cell phone with him, he tried to call Sheridan, but gave up when he couldn�t get a signal. How he longed to talk to her, so that he could assure her that he didn�t kill her brother. It tore him up inside to think that she would believe that he was guilty and had run off like a coward, abandoning her and the babies. He pulled out the pictures that were a wallet size copy of the photographs Sheridan and the twins had given him for Christmas. Was the picture of Sheridan and the twins a glimpse of the future? A future that was void of his presence? Damn that Jack Russo. The bastard had turned his life upside down, and he had a sinking feeling that there was much more to it than him being in the wrong place at the wrong time. There had been a brief time last night when Jack Russo�s southern drawl had been non-existent, which only increased Luis� feeling that the guy was not who he appeared to be. It was then that Charity�s premonition flashed into his mind. A stranger that is not really a stranger..... Sheridan and he had both thought there was something familiar about Russo. Could Jack Russo be the object of Charity�s premonition? �Damn, I have to get out of here,� he shouted out loud. His voice sounded raspy, and it was then that he realized for the first time that his throat was scratchy and sore. The last thing he could afford right now was to get sick, and the cold moist air of his prison was only going to make things worse. He just wished he knew what Jack Russo had planned for him. What if the bastard never came back and left him there to die eventually? A horrible thought came to mind that made his blood run cold. His family was vulnerable right now, and what was to stop Russo from hurting them? He remembered the possessive way that he had looked at Sheridan that night at the Seascape, and she had no idea just how dangerous the creep was. He had to find a way to warn her, and decided to try his cell phone again. This time he was able to get a signal, but it was very weak, and the only thing he heard was a bunch of static, before the phone went dead again. At least now, he had a smidgen of hope that he may be able to get another signal that would last long enough for him to get in touch with Sheridan. He looked back to where the light was streaming in from the slat and an idea formed in his head.
********************
A tiny hand stroking her gently on the face awakened Sheridan. She opened her eyes to see Luke�s sweet little face staring at her. It was so bittersweet that he looked so much like his father and she had to fight for control to stop from breaking down. Lily was there too cuddled in her arms, and she tickled Sheridan�s nose with her soft curls when she rubbed her face against her mother�s cheek. It was almost as if they knew that she was upset, and they were trying to give her comfort. She was so touched, and she hugged them both closer against her, kissing them on the head. The babies hadn�t started out in bed with her because she didn�t want to upset their routine, but when they had awakened during the middle of the night fussing, she had brought them in with her. Even after they had fallen asleep again, she decided to keep them with her, needing their presence to give her strength. Most of the night she had laid there wide awake too frightened for Luis to be able to relax enough to fall asleep. Exhaustion must have won out in the end because it was close to dawn when she had finally dozed off with her children in her arms.
Sheridan flashed them a big smile. �How are my little sweet peas this morning?�
�Dada,� Lily said, her eyes filled with question.
�Oh sweetie,� she said, stroking Lily�s hair. �Daddy isn�t here right now, but I know that he�s thinking about us. He didn�t want to, but daddy had to go away, and mommy promises you that she is going to do everything she can to bring him home to us.�
�Da da da da,� Luke chanted.
�I know you miss daddy Luke. So does mommy..............�
Suddenly there was a loud pounding on the door. �Sheridan, wake up,� Evan shouted through the door. �The babies are missing.�
�It�s okay Evan,� she shouted back. �They�re in here with me. Come on in.�
Evan walked in, looking as white as a sheet. �Thank God,� he said, relieved. �It scared the hell out of me when I looked in the nursery and saw the empty beds.�
�Sorry Evan. I didn�t mean to scare you, but they woke up last night fussing and I brought them in here with me. I didn�t have the will power to let them go just now,� she said, looking at her children with love in her eyes. �I can�t explain it, but they give me a great source of strength.�
�I don�t doubt that,� Evan said, smiling.
�I can�t tell you how much it means to me that you and Kay stayed here with me last night. I was quite a mess............. In fact, I�m still quite a mess, but I�m trying to stay strong for these two little ones.�
�We wouldn�t have wanted to be anywhere else. I�m just glad that you could convince Mrs. Bennett to let Kay stay.�
�Yeah, well I assured her that everything would be very respectable, and that you would be sleeping on the sofa and Kay would be in the guestroom. Grace said that she was just happy that Kay was here to help me with the children.�
�You do know that we plan on staying with you until this whole mess is over with. I don�t want you to be alone,� Evan promised her.
�Evan I really appreciate that, but I don�t want you to miss your classes. You just started back to school this week, and I know how hard you�ve worked to be able to finished college.�
�Sheridan, Kay and I have every intention of going to classes, but we are going to be with you the rest of the time. Now, Kay is making breakfast, and I bet somebody needs to have their diapers changed.�
�You are amazing little brother,� Sheridan said, affectionately.
�Hey, just remember I may be younger than you, but I�m a lot bigger,� Evan reminded her. �Okay, who wants cereal with mashed up peaches?� Evan asked. �We might even have a puppet show for dessert.�
********************
Sheridan stepped out of the shower and wrapped a fluffy white towel around her. The hot water beating down on her knotted muscles had relaxed her a bit, and cleared her head of the cobwebs of depression. She had made the decision that she was going to tackle one problem at a time and her first move was to call Social Services to see where the case against them was. She was afraid that they might escalate things now that Luis was under suspicion. If there was a serious threat of them losing their children, her mind was already made up that she would take Luke and Lily and leave town. Her husband was out there somewhere, possibly fighting for his life, and she would be damned if she would lose her children too. She heard her cell phone ring, and she ran over to the bedside table to pick it up. �Hello,� she said, trying to catch her breath.
�Sheridan.........�
�Oh my God,� she said, sitting down on the bed. �Luis, is that you? I can hardly hear you through the static.�
�I.................. mountains................ Jack Ru..............�
�Luis, you�re breaking up. Tell me where you are,� she shouted into the phone, but there was no answer at the other end because the phone went dead.
She dialed star sixty-nine, but there was nothing. Then she tried Luis� cell phone, and still nothing. Sheridan screamed with frustration, and thought about what Luis had said trying to make sense of it. At least she knew for sure that he was still alive, even though his voice had sounded strange and raspy. Was he trying to tell her that he was somewhere in the mountains? The connection had been so bad, but she could have sworn that Luis had said the name Jack, or was it Jackaru? She tried to think. Was there a mountain around there called Jackaru? No, that was crazy......... Maybe he had been referring to a name after all? It suddenly hit her like a ton of bricks, and she knew with a certainly that Luis had been trying to say Jack Russo, but what did it mean? Was Jack Russo the person that shot Julian? She couldn�t be sure, but she sure as hell was going to find out what Jack Russo had to do with all of this.
Sheridan dressed quickly, and went downstairs. Pilar was sitting at the table feeding Lily looking clearly distressed. �Pilar, I�m so glad that you are here,� Sheridan said kissing her on the cheek. �I just heard from Luis,� she announced to everyone.
�Thank God,� Pilar said, making the sign of the cross. �Where is my son?�
�Well, I don�t exactly know,� Sheridan answered. �We had a very bad connection, and I could hardly make out what he was saying, and then we got cut off.�
�Oh no,� Pilar said, miserably. �So we still don�t know if Luis is in danger.�
�No Pilar, I�m afraid not, but don�t you see? At least we know that Luis is still alive, and that is a lot more then we knew before,� she said, trying to reassure her mother-in-law, and maybe herself too.
�Did Luis say anything else?� Evan asked, while wiping food off of Luke�s mouth.
�No, nothing that made any sense,� Sheridan told him, deciding to keep her suspicions about Jack Russo to herself for now. �Thank you so much for cooking breakfast Kay.� Sheridan poured herself a cup of coffee and grabbed the phone book, and started to leaf through the pages.
�Who are you calling?� Evan asked.
�I�m going to call Child Services. I need to find out where we stand with this investigation, because I don�t want to be hit with any more surprises right now,� Sheridan said, finally locating the number. �Yes, Helen Winters please.�
�Helen Winters?� the receptionist asked. �I�m sorry, but we don�t have a Helen Winters here. Are you sure that you wanted Children Services?�
�Wait a minute,� Sheridan said, confused. �Are you saying that you don�t have a caseworker named Helen Winters? This woman came to my house and threatened to have my children removed by the courts.�
�There is no caseworker here by that name,� the receptionist said.
�Is there any other agency that would handle reported cases of child abuse?�
�Not that I�m aware of. We are a government agency, and work directly with the courts. If somebody named Helen Winters told you she was a caseworker for us, I�m afraid that she was playing a cruel prank on you.�
�Thank you,� Sheridan said, hanging up the phone.
�What did she say mija?� Pilar asked anxiously.
�It appears that this Helen Winters is a fraud. I think somebody is trying to set us up,� Sheridan said, filled with anger. �Would you mind watching the children for a couple of hours Pilar? I know that Evan and Kay have classes.�
�No, not at all, but where are you going Sheridan?�
�I need to pay a visit to Julian�s secretary,� she said, grabbing her purse and keys. �I�m going to find out who this person was that Julian had an important meeting with last night.�
Chapter 4
Margaret Anderson was a middle-aged widow that had been working for Crane Industries for twenty years now. She had started out in the secretarial pool and had worked her way up to the position of Julian�s Executive Secretary about ten years ago, and had held the position ever since then. Sheridan was surprised that Julian hadn�t replaced Margaret for some young beautiful assistant that he could chase around the desk, but apparently he had brains enough to know how invaluable Margaret was to him. She didn�t know if Margaret was naive, or just turned a blind eye to Julian�s dirty business dealings because of the great salary, but she did feel sure that Julian�s assistant was a good person. Margaret had a special affection for Luke and Lily, and had even knitted them some beautiful receiving blankets when they were first born. Sheridan had also formed a very friendly relationship with Margaret when she had worked at Crane Industries, and she was hoping that she could depend on that friendship to get some answers about last night.
She moved down the long hallway finally locating Margaret�s apartment and knocked on the door. When she had gone to Crane Industries earlier to speak with her, she was told that Margaret was just too upset about the shooting to come to work that day. After waiting for several minutes, Sheridan almost decided to give up and leave, when she heard Margaret call out from the other side of the door.
�Who�s there?� Margaret called out through the door.
�It�s me, Sheridan,� she called back. �Can I come in? I really need to speak with you.�
Margaret opened the door, and stepped aside and Sheridan entered the cozy living room. �Can I get you some coffee or something?� Margaret offered.
�No, please don�t trouble yourself Margaret. You don�t look well,� Sheridan said with concern. �Are you feeling all right?�
I have a terrible headache, but I just took one of my pills so hopefully the pain should start to subside momentarily. It�s all this terrible business with Mr. Crane�s shooting. How is he doing this morning?�
�I checked with Ethan earlier, and he said that there was no change, but the doctors feel that it�s a good sign that he lived through the night.......... Look Margaret, I�m sure that you have heard that the police suspect that my husband was the one that shot my brother, but I know that he wouldn�t do such a horrible thing and I need your help to prove his innocence.�
�I did hear that, and I just couldn�t believe it. All I could think about was how terrible this is for you and your precious little children, but the police feel sure............�
�I know what the police think, but they are rushing to judgment about this. You and I both know that things are not always as they seem, so please, for the sake of my children will you help me?�
�Okay, what do you want me to do?� Margaret asked her.
�I just need for you to answer some questions. Who did Julian have a late meeting with last evening?�
Margaret looked a little hesitant at first, but she finally answered. �It was Jack Russo.�
Sheridan�s heart started beating faster at Margaret�s words. �Are you talking about the Jack Russo that manages the supper club? What would he possibly have to meet with Julian about?�
�Yes Sheridan, he�s the one. Apparently Jack Russo is opening up additional supper clubs, and Mr. Crane was very interested in investing large sums of money into the venture.�
�But I thought that Jack Russo just managed the supper club, why would he be conducting business deals of that magnitude? It just doesn�t make sense,� Sheridan said, surprised that he would have this kind of influence. �What time did Jack Russo leave?�
�Oh, he left at the same time that I did,� Margaret told her. �He was very kind and walked me to my car since it had already gotten dark outside.�
�Are you sure that he left right then?� Sheridan asked, disappointed. �Could it be possible that Jack Russo went back into the building?�
�No, I�m sure that he didn�t, because I saw him drive away when I was pulling out of the parking lot. Surely, you don�t think he had something to do with shooting Mr. Crane?�
�I don�t know that anything is for sure Margaret. I�m just trying to piece together what happened last night. Do you remember seeing anyone else there last night? Any strangers, that you�ve never seen before?�
�No Sheridan, but I�ve already told the police all of this,� Margaret answered. �Maybe they can give you more information.�
�Wait a minute........... When did you talk to the police? I went to Crane Industries today, and they said that you have been home all day,� Sheridan said, surprised.
�Why I went back last night,� Margaret explained. �The police wanted me to come in to see if there was anything missing from Julian�s office. I just thank the Lord that they had already taken Mr. Crane to the hospital, because I don�t think I would have been able to handle seeing him like that. I was already so upset when the police called me and told me what had happened, and then when I arrived at the office I had to get security to let me in because I lost my key card. I just couldn�t believe it. I have never lost that card...........�
�You lost your key card?� Sheridan asked, her interest peeked. �That doesn�t sound like you Margaret. You are usually so efficient and organized. When was the last time that you had it?�
�Well, I know for a fact that I had it that morning, because I used it to get into the building. I had security check to see if anyone had turned it in as lost, but they didn�t have it either. It�s just very strange.........�
�Margaret, when Jack Russo walked you to your car did he get near to your purse at all?� Sheridan inquired; having a feeling that she was on to something.
�Actually, he did now that I think about it. I had a box of files I was taking home to organize for Mr. Crane�s board meeting next Tuesday, and I put my purse in the box to make it easier to carry everything. Mr. Russo was kind enough to carry it for me, but it doesn�t make any sense that he would take my card. He has no reason to hurt Mr. Crane.�
�Yeah, none that we know of,� Sheridan said, skeptically.
�Look Sheridan, I�ve always thought that you were the rose that came out of a bed of thorns, and God knows you deserve happiness, but I just don�t want you to get your hopes up. I pray that your husband is innocent, but if he�s not, you have to think of those precious children.�
�Believe me Margaret, my children are all I think about, and they deserve to have their father home by their side, reading them a bedtime story every night. I�m not going to stop until my husband is home with us doing just that,� she said with determination. As she turned to leave, Sheridan thought of something else she wanted to ask Margaret. �What time did you leave Crane Industries last night?�
�I know for a fact that it was six thirty, because I remember looking at my watch and commenting to Mr. Russo about how early it got dark outside with the time change.�
Sheridan thanked Margaret for all of her help, and promised to bring the babies for a visit when things were back to normal. As soon as she was in the car, Sheridan called Pilar and asked if she would bring the twins to the office. She had work to do, but she wanted her children close to her right now. A call to Reese was next on her list, and he agreed to meet her at L&L Investigations in a half-hour. She turned on the radio, trying to find some music to relax her, when she heard a special breaking news announcement that filled her with fury and frustration. There was an official APB out for the arrest of Luis Lopez-Fitzgerald, wanted in the shooting of billionaire Julian Crane. The public was warned to take extreme caution if they should encounter the perpetrator, because he was thought to be armed and dangerous.
�Damn them,� she shouted, beating on the steering wheel. Luis was being tried and convicted and he wasn�t even around to defend himself. �I�m going to prove them all wrong if it�s the last thing that I do.� When she got to the office, Reese was already outside waiting for her. �Well Reese you certainly are punctual,� she said, greeting him.
�Hey Sheridan, I wanted to tell you how sorry I am about what is happening. I know Luis wouldn�t do anything like that.�
�Thank you Reese, Luis needs all the support he can get right now,� Sheridan said, unlocking the door to the office. She finally noticed that Reese had a rolled up newspaper in his hand. �Reese, what is that?�
�I saw it at the newsstand on my way over here and I thought that you should see it,� he said, handing the newspaper to Sheridan. �Just remember that these stupid tabloids always exaggerate the truth............�
When Sheridan read the headline she shook with rage. �LIKE FATHER, LIKE SON. Luis Lopez-Fitzgerald Abandons His Family After Shooting Julian Crane,� Sheridan choked out. �Oh God, is there no level these people will stoop to?� She heard a noise outside in the hall, and figured that Pilar had arrived with the babies. �Listen Reese........ I don�t want you to say anything about this to Pilar.�
�But Sheridan, those newspapers are all over town..........�
�I know that Reese, but Pilar is worried sick about Luis, and she doesn�t need to see this right now.......... Pilar, let me help you with the stroller,� Sheridan said, shoving the tabloid into her desk drawer. �Hi you two. I hope that you behaved for abuela.�
�They are always good for me Sheridan. It just breaks my heart to think that they may never see their papa again,� Pilar said, her eyes welling up with tears.
�Pilar,� Sheridan said, putting her arm around her. �I promise you that I am not going to let that happen.�
�I pray that you are right Sheridan,� Pilar fretted. �I need to go to the mansion now. Maybe hard work will occupy my mind.�
�I�ll call you there if anything should turn up,� Sheridan promised. After Pilar left, Reese and Sheridan took the children out of the stroller and put them in their play area with their toys. After giving them both a kiss, Sheridan asked Reese to have a seat. �I suppose you�re curious to know why I asked you here?�
�I figured you wanted me to help you with Luis. Just tell me what you need me to do,� Reese told her.
�You�re right Reese. I do want your help, and I�m willing to pay you, but you need to understand that this is exactly like before, and everything has to remain between us.�
�That goes without saying. Just tell me what you want me to do.�
�I need you to hack into the security system at Crane Industries. It should tell us what key cards are used to access entry into the building, and also who those key cards belong to. Do you think you can do it?� Sheridan asked, hopefully.
�That should be like taking candy from a baby,� Reese laughed. �I can be in there within ten minutes.�
�Great,� Sheridan said, happily. �I knew that I could count on you.�
Reese sat down at the computer, and true to his word he was into the security system within ten minutes. Sheridan told him she was especially interested in the activity on her and Margaret�s key cards, and then any other key cards used after seven p.m. The system was set up so that key cards were only required to get into the building, but not necessary for exiting. �Okay Sheridan,� Reese said, pulling up the screen. �It says here that your card was used at seven fifteen, and entry was made from a rear entrance of the building.�
�That would have been when Luis entered the building. Do you see any activity with Margaret�s card around that time?�
�Let�s see,� Reese said, clicking on the keyboard. �There is nothing after seven, but I do see here where she did enter the building at six fifty-five.�
�That�s it,� Sheridan said, excited. �That may have been Margaret�s card Reese, but it wasn�t Margaret using it. She told me earlier that she lost her card, but I think that it was stolen, and whoever the thief was could very well be the person that shot Julian.�
Sheridan and Reese were pouring over the computer screen when two official looking gentlemen walked into the office. Sheridan didn�t know why, but she had a bad feeling about their presence, so it put her immediately on guard. �What can I do for you gentlemen?�
�Mrs. Lopez-Fitzgerald, FBI,� they told her, showing her identification.
�FBI? What do you want with me?� Sheridan asked, fearfully.
�We�ve been assigned to your husband�s case and we need to ask you a few questions,� one of the agents explained.
�Wait a minute,� Sheridan said, shocked. �Why would the FBI care about a shooting in Harmony? I would think that you would leave this investigation to the local authorities.�
�Well, may I call you Sheridan?� the cocky agent asked.
�No, you may not, and you still haven�t answered my question. Why does the FBI care about this case? Agent���?�
�Bartelli.......... The name is Agent Joe Bartelli, and this is Agent Tom Reynolds. The reason we are so interested in this case is because when your husband fled and crossed state lines it was no longer a matter for the local authorities. Besides, your brother is a very high profile person with friends in high places that want this case solved quickly.�
Sheridan was caught off guard by what the agent just told her. �What do you mean left the state? How do you know that?�
�Because, his vehicle was found abandoned right over the state line in Vermont, so as soon as he crossed state lines it became our case,� Agent Bartelli told her arrogantly. �We figured he ditched the car, and is making his way to Canada.�
Sheridan already decided that she didn�t like this guy. He was acting as if he was taking pleasure in bringing Luis down. �Well if you don�t mind, I�m going to check your story out. I have a hard time trusting these days,� Sheridan told him, picking up the phone and dialing Sam�s number. �Chief Bennett please.�
�Chief Bennett,� Sam answered.
�Sam, this is Sheridan. I have two FBI agents here in my office, and they are saying that they are in charge of Luis� case now. Is this true?� she questioned.
�Yes Sheridan, I�m afraid it is true. I didn�t think they would contact you so soon. I was just on my way over to tell you the status of the case,� Sam said apologetically.
�Well, I guess that won�t be necessary now Sam, since they�re standing right in front of me,� she said, her voice dripping with sarcasm.
�Sheridan, please just cooperate with them. I don�t want them to give you any trouble,� Sam advised.
�Oh, don�t worry Sam. I�ll be the model citizen,� she told him, hanging up the phone. �Well, it appears that you gentlemen check out, so what is it that you want from me?�
�Is there some place where we can talk?� Agent Bartelli asked giving Reese the eye.
�Yes, Reese would you mind keeping an eye on the children while I speak with the agents in the conference room?�
�No problem Sheridan,� Reese told her looking a little frazzled by the presence of the FBI Agents.
�This way,� Sheridan directed. She led them up the steps to the loft that served as a conference room. When they were all seated, Agent Bartelli started shooting questions at her so fast, she couldn�t even think straight. �Sir,� she shouted, interrupting him. �Could you please slow down while you intimidate me?�
�Okay, well let me tell you how I think this whole thing played out the night your brother was shot. I think that your husband went over to Crane Industries with every intention of threatening Julian Crane with a gun because he was livid over some offence that he thought Julian had committed. But then things got out of hand, and your husband went over the deep end and shot Julian. He panicked, and ran thinking that he could get away with it, but the only thing he didn�t count on was that his victim would stay conscious long enough to name his shooter. Am I missing anything Mrs. Lopez-Fitzgerald?�
�Gee, Agent Bartelli, I guess you�ve been watching your cop shows,� she said sarcastically. �Did you ever stop to consider that maybe Luis walked in on the shooter, and that maybe the shooter took my husband as hostage?�
�There is no need to consider that because we already have the bullet, and the ballistics report said it was fired from the gun that was found in your husband�s abandoned vehicle, and we also have your husband�s name in blood.�
�It sounds like you have everything figured out, so why are you here bothering me?� Sheridan asked, angrily.
�Now Mrs. Lopez-Fitzgerald,� Agent Reynolds said kindly. �Please don�t take offense to my partner�s brash nature. We just have to ask you some questions.�
�I need to know if your husband has tried to contact you?� Bartelli said, leaning over the table, trying to intimidate her.
Sheridan wasn�t intimidated one bit, and she was sick and tired of people trying to push her around. �No,� she lied. �I haven�t heard a word from Luis, and I wish that you would stop with the good cop/bad cop routine because it�s way overused and really not effective. Now, agents, I�ve told you everything I know, so if you wouldn�t mind I need to get back to running the business in my husband�s absence.�
�Okay, we�re leaving, but if your husband tries to contact you, it would be in your best interest to let us know about it right away.�
�You�ll be the first person I call Agent Bartelli,� she said, pretending compliance just to get rid of him.
********************
Luis heard Sheridan scream his name, and he ran into the thick fog calling out for her. The mist was so thick that he couldn�t see his own hand in front of his face, and the only thing that guided his way was the sound of her anguished filled voice calling for his help. He ran toward her, banging against the obstacles hidden by the fog, tree branches scratching his face and arms. Her voice was getting closer, and then he heard his children cry, and the sound tore at his heart. His family was in danger and there was no force on earth that was going to keep him from getting to them. Gasping for breath, he ran into a clearing, and suddenly the fog dissipated enough for him to see Jack Russo dragging Sheridan away. She was holding their babies against her protectively making it impossible for her to fight her attacker. He was almost there................ He called her name............. Reached out for her, the tips of their fingers touched, but then she was gone, swallowed up by the fog........ �Noooooo,� he screamed out, sitting up in bed.
Luis struggled to get a grip on reality, finally realizing that the terror that he was feeling was nothing but the result of a bad nightmare. His body was drenched in perspiration, his throat felt tight and scratchy. He looked up at the slats, noting that darkness was descending once again. Twenty-four hours he had been stuck in this hellhole with still no way to escape. The dream flashed through his head again and he prayed that it was not a glimpse of what was to come. He couldn�t believe that the person that created this hideout wouldn�t have made some escape route, and he had looked feverishly that day for a hidden door or tunnel, but he had come up empty. When he had finally gotten through to Sheridan that morning, it had been his first ray of hope. The connection had been so bad, but just for a brief moment he had heard the mixture of excitement and fear in her voice, and he knew that she didn�t blame him. Had she heard enough to understand what he was trying to say? Regardless, he had to think of a backup plan if Russo ever showed up again. He would lure him down here so that he could jump him and try to get his gun away. Oh how he would love to lock that bastard down here in this moldy stale dungeon. He knew that he should eat something to keep up his strength, but he felt so bad, and his appetite had deserted him. His legs were shaky when he got off the cot, and he made his way over to the supply shelf to pick out something for his breakfast. He was going to force himself to eat and drink plenty of fluids so that he would have the strength to get home to his wife and kids.
********************
Chad had gotten back in town late last night from upstate on the border of Canada. He had been up there for the last several weeks working with the Royal Canadian Mounties on a drug smuggling case, so finding out about his father�s shooting was a shock to say the least. Hearing that Luis was suspected of being the shooter was even a bigger shock. Even though Julian had never been the least bit fatherly to him, he still felt an obligation to check on Ethan. The visit turned out to be very uncomfortable to say the least. Ethan did look happy to see him, but Ivy Crane was shooting him looks that could stop a bigger man than he in his tracks. He supposed that if he really thought about it, Ivy probably didn�t appreciate that the press was all over him, snapping his picture, wanting to know how the bastard son was holding up. She was probably embarrassed in front of her high society friends. He didn�t really let it bother him, because he was there to support Ethan, and when he was finished with that duty, he rushed to Sheridan�s side to get to the bottom of just what the hell happened the night Julian Crane was shot. When she opened the door to him, the look on her face made him pull her in his arms.
�Oh Chad, I�m so glad that you are here,� she said, hugging him. �I�m really trying to be strong, but sometimes I need somebody to talk about this with. Evan has been great, but he doesn�t understand the legalities like you do.�
�Sheridan, just what the hell happened that night? I want you to tell me everything from the beginning.�
�Are you asking as a cop, or are you asking as a friend and nephew?� Sheridan asked, hoping it was the latter.
�Always as a nephew and friend,� Chad assured her. �Now please Sheridan, I need to know everything if I�m going to help you.�
�I want to tell you Chad, but I don�t want to put you in the position of having to compromise your principles because I know how dedicated you are to your job.�
�Hey, I bust drug dealers, not would-be murderers, and since this is not an official case of the DEA, then it shouldn�t be a problem,� Chad reasoned with her.
�I know that Chad, but won�t you feel obligated to reveal information that might cross your path to the authorities?�
�Let me just get something straight here Sheridan. You and Luis have been there for me during some really tough times, and I can�t even tell you how much it meant to me that you were so accepting of me. You never once batted an eye or questioned it in any way that I was your nephew. I never felt like part of a family until you came into my life, and I will always be thankful for that, and my buddy Luis��� Do you have any idea how many times we�ve saved each other�s butts? There is a special bond that you form with a person after you go through those kinds of experiences. I guess what I�m just trying to say is that you guys are family and you will always come first before any job will.�
His words made her cry for more reasons than one. �We love you Chad, and you are part of our family now, and I really need somebody to give me some direction. I just don�t know if I�m going down the right path,� she said, tears streaming out of her eyes.
�You can trust me Sheridan, and I want you to tell me everything from the beginning and leave nothing out.�
Sheridan really believed him, and it felt good to be able to share all of this with someone else. Maybe Chad could put a new perspective on everything she had discovered so far. She was almost positive that the person that shot Julian was Jack Russo, but she had no idea on how to proceed with this, so she decided that Chad could be her saving grace with this whole terrible ordeal. She began with the story of Sam�s father�s wallet, and ended with what she had discovered about the key codes on the night of the shooting. She even told him everything that Luis had said to her on the phone yesterday.
Chad got up and started pacing back and forth, contemplating the situation. He finally stopped and looked at her, a smile breaking out on his face. �Sheridan, do you remember when we were working on the drug smuggling case at Crane Industries, and we used those tracking devices to figure out where the drug lab was?�
�Yeah, I remember,� Sheridan said, puzzled. �You planted those devices on the truck.............. Oh my God Chad. I can�t believe that I didn�t think of that. All we have to do is plant one of those on Jack Russo�s car, and then we can track him to where he has Luis. You are brilliant.�
�Don�t get too excited. This is only going to work if Jack Russo goes back to whereever he has Luis stashed,� Chad warned.
�Please don�t burst my bubble. This is the first real hope I have had since this whole nightmare started.�
�Okay,� he said, smiling. �We�re going to try to stay positive. By the way, when I pulled into the lane leading back here I noticed a car parked out on the road with two guys inside. Do you have any idea why they�re out there?�
�Oh yes,� Sheridan said, rolling her eyes. �I forgot to tell you that this case was turned over to the FBI because they�re claiming that since Luis left the state it is now under their jurisdiction. They�ve been stalking me ever since and frankly I�m getting sick of it.�
�They think that Luis is going to try and get to you, and they�re laying in wait. It�s not very subtle, but the method works. What are these guys� names? I might know them.�
�Bartelli and Reynolds...........�
�Joe Bartelli?� Chad asked, hoping that he was wrong.
�Yes, I believe that is what he said his first name was. Why to you ask?�
�Because Joe Bartelli hates Luis. They teamed up on a case one time, and well let�s just say that they had different points of view on how the investigation should go. Against Luis better judgment, Bartelli decided to go off on his own, and ended up botching the case big time. Luis came in and saved the day, and Bartelli ended up looking like a fool. I guess he was up for a promotion and lost his chance, and he has resented Luis ever since.�
�That explains his attitude,� Sheridan said, angrily. �He refused to even entertain the possibility that Luis could have walked in on the shooter, and could be at that person�s mercy.�
�Sheridan, did you tell Bartelli that Luis called you?� Chad asked, anxiously.
�Well,� she said, biting on her bottom lip. �I�m afraid that I lied, but Chad I didn�t have a choice. I could see that the jerk was out to get Luis, and I wasn�t going to give him any ammunition to do that.�
�I know what you�re saying is probably right, but Sheridan if he finds out that you withheld information from him, he could bust you for obstruction of justice and impeding an investigation.�
�Well, I�m just going to have to pray that he doesn�t find out,� Sheridan told him. �I don�t want to think about that now because I have to concentrate on finding Luis and proving that Jack Russo tried to kill Julian,� she said with a determined resolve.
�Okay, then we need to start with this fake social worker. If we can find her and get her to admit who hired her that would give us evidence to prove a setup. Can you describe her to me?�
�Yes, I can,� Sheridan assured him. �I will never forget that woman�s face. She was about five six, five seven, and she had black rimmed glasses, brown hair, and it was tied back in a bun.�
�Too bad you can�t describe her to a sketch artist. I could look her up in the computer to see if she has a rap sheet,� Chad said with regret.
�Wait a minute,� Sheridan cried, hopping up from the sofa. �I don�t know why I didn�t think of this before. I can sketch her.� She located her sketchpad, and sat down and began to draw with quick even strokes. When she was finished, she showed the sketch to Chad.
He studied it for a while, his brow furled in deep concentration. �Something looks familiar about her, but I just don�t know for sure. Could you draw her again, but this time leave off the glasses, and draw her hair hanging loose around her shoulders.�
Sheridan took the sketch and made the changes that Chad had requested, and handed it back to him. When he looked at the revised drawing, he recognized the woman immediately. �I know this woman. She�s a con artist, but she�s been involved in other stuff too. I think her name�s Destiny something, but she goes by several aliases. I might be able to hook up with some of my snitches to see if they have an idea where I can find her.�
�Oh Chad,� she said, hugging him. �I just knew that you would come through for me. You have no idea how much this means to me.�
�Thanks Sheridan,� Chad said, hugging her back. �I just hope that I can live up to your expectations.�
******************
Two more days had passed, and Sheridan�s concern for Luis was growing stronger by the minute. Everything was in place and ready to go, but so far Jack Russo had yet to leave the immediate area surrounding Harmony. Evan and Kay had gone to the supper club two nights before and had planted the tracking device on Russo�s car, and Reese had been monitoring his whereabouts ever since then. The FBI was still a problem, and the agents weren�t even trying to hide the fact that they were watching her every move. Chad had instructed everyone not to talk about Luis over the regular phone, and he had placed a scrambler in Sheridan�s cell phone so that the FBI would be unable to trace her calls. She was at the office with Reese and the twins, trying to give the appearance that it was business as usual as a ruse for the FBI, and she was ready to scream if something didn�t happen soon. She watched her children playing and it gave her so much pleasure, but at the same time it also broke her heart. They missed their daddy as much as she did, and she knew that even though they were still so young, they sensed that something was very wrong. Unable to resist their allure, she walked over and sat down on the floor beside them. She flashed them a big smile, and they crawled on top of her touching her lovingly. How much more special could it be than to hear your children call you mama? Hearing those words out of their mouths brought the connection between them so much closer. �Do you have any idea how much mommy loves you?� she said, kissing their cheeks. �I just don�t know what I would ever do without you........�
�Sheridan,� Reese called out excitedly, from the computer. �I think it�s happening.�
�Are you serious?� she said, hopping up and running over to him.
�As a heart attack,� Reese laughed, enjoying his own attempt at humor. �Our mark is leaving Harmony and heading toward the mountains.�
Sheridan looked over Reese�s shoulder and watched the blinking dot that represented Jack Russo�s car moving across the road map on the screen. �Oh Reese, I think you�re right,� she cried, happily. �Finally, it�s time to put our plan into action.� She picked up her cell phone and called Evan and Kay. �It�s time to move,� she said, and hung up the phone.
�Oh man, this is so exciting,� Reese said, rubbing his hands together. �There is nothing like luring the beast out, and then going in for the kill, but Sheridan, don�t you think you should call Chad?�
�I can�t. Chad is in the capital today testifying in court,� Sheridan told him. �He�s incommunicado right now.�
�But Chad said that if anything happened, that you were supposed to wait for him,� Reese reminded her.
�Sorry Reese, but I just can�t wait any longer. Luis has been out there for almost four days, and he needs our help. Now, we just have to pray that our plan to fool the FBI works.�
When Kay and Evan arrived, they all reviewed their plan, and went into action. Sheridan and Kay swapped clothes, and Kay put on a blond wig, and Sheridan put on her Natalie wig. Evan protested, telling Sheridan that he wanted to go with her, but she adamantly refused, saying that she needed him to keep her children safe. He finally relented, and gave her a hug for luck. Jack Russo�s car had finally come to a stop in the mountains, and Sheridan was pleasantly surprised to see that she knew that area, because the Crane cabin was close by there. Just so there wouldn�t be any mix-ups Reese printed out a map that gave exact directions to the place were Jack Russo�s car had stopped, and they also planned to keep in touch with a high frequency two-way radio system. As excited, as she was that she might actually find Luis, it still broke her heart when she said goodbye to her children. She hugged and kissed them, and told them that she was going to try her best to bring their daddy home to them.
********************
Luis didn�t think that he had ever felt this sick before. His throat was killing him, and he was sure that he had a fever, because one minute he would be burning up, and the next freezing with a cold chill. Four miserable days he had been stuck in this hellhole, and still no Jack Russo. Luis was starting to believe that the bastard would never show up, and he was beginning to feel desperate. If he didn�t get some treatment soon, this flu that he had would turn into full-blown pneumonia, and if that happened, he knew that he was a goner. He was so exhausted, his eyes drifted shut, and he dozed for a while until the sound of heavy footsteps walking above him jarred him awake. At first he thought it was a dream, but then he heard them again, and they were moving toward the stairs that led down to the basement. He had to move fast to put his plan into motion, and prayed that Jack Russo could be lured to come down the steps. Luis shoved some pillows under the blanket of the cot to make it look like a human form was laying there, and then just as the trap door opened, he had managed to hide behind the open stairway just seconds before Jack Russo called out to him.
�I�m baaaaaaack,� he snickered. When Luis made no response, Jack looked around the room and spotted what he thought was Luis lying in the cot. �Wake up lover boy, we have something to discuss.� There was still no response from Luis, and Russo called out to him in a panicky voice. �If you�re sleeping, you better wake the hell up because I don�t have a lot of time here.......... Damn it............ you better not be dead because I have a job for you,� he said, starting to walk toward the bed with his gun pointed out in front of him.
Russo�s back was to him, and Luis moved out from in back of the stairs and jumped him from behind. A loud grunt tore out of his captor's mouth as he went crashing to the floor, and his gun went flying across the room. Jack Russo reacted like a fish out of water and began to squirm around until he was out from under Luis, and then the struggle began. Luis started out strong, but his fever was zapping his strength with every blow that he had managed to deliver to his nemesis. For one brief moment, he had gained the upper hand, and had Russo pinned down with his hands restrained above his head, and that�s when Luis noticed the scar on Russo�s wrist. The stitch marks indicated that it was a surgical scar, and memories of a fight with Hank that night he had tried to kidnap Sheridan flashed through his mind. But it was the look in Russo�s eyes that bred the most familiarity of his old one time friend. Just the possibility that this could be Hank knocked him for a loop and with the combined fact that he was weak from his illness allowed Russo to get the upper hand. Luis had several inches and about twenty pounds on Russo, but he was losing the battle, and tried with everything left in him to crawl toward the gun. Russo beat him to it, and the next thing Luis saw was the nose of the gun pointed at his face.
�Don�t move son-of-a-bitch or I�ll blow your head off right here and now,� Russo said, gasping for breath. �Get up with your hands above your head and go sit down on that cot.�
Defeated Luis did as he commanded. A wave of dizziness hit him when he stood up, and he struggled to make it to the cot. He was soaking wet from his excursion and fever, but a cold chill came over him when he looked into Russo�s eyes. �What do you want from me?� he asked in a raspy voice.
�Well you see we have a little problem,� Russo snarled. �That bastard Crane is still alive.........�
�He is?� Luis asked, hopefully.
�Don�t get too excited that he�s going to come to your rescue and accuse me of the shooting, because he�s in a coma and is in critical condition. If I were you I�d be praying that he die soon, because if he doesn�t you�re going to have to sneak into the hospital and finish him off.�
Luis laughed weakly. �Now I know you�re insane if you think I�m going to commit murder for you.�
�Oh, you�ll do it,� Russo assured him. �Especially if I have those cute little twins of yours in my possession. I can just imagine how much money they could bring in on the black market. There are so many people out there that would do anything for a baby.............�
�You bastard,� Luis shouted with a hoarse voice. �If you touch one hair on my children�s heads there will be no place on this earth that you can hide.�
�Those are pretty big threats from a man that is completely at my mercy. It would be a little hard for you to hunt me down when you�re dead.�
�It wouldn�t matter if I was dead, because I would haunt you every waking minute of your life until the only way you could get any peace would be to take a gun to your head,� Luis promised.
Jack Russo actually looked worried for a moment, but it passed and he smiled again. �Wish I could stay and chat, but I need to get back into town. You just better pray that Julian Crane dies soon or you will be the one finishing him off,� he said, backing up toward the steps. He didn�t turn his back to Luis until he was starting to descend.
�Hey Hank,� Luis called out in a hoarse voice. He didn�t think that Russo heard him at first, but he froze and turned to stare at him, a look of insanity in his eyes.
�My name is Jack Russo and don�t you ever forget it.� With that he walked up the steps and slammed the trap door shut. The last noise Luis heard, was the engine of his car pulling away.
********************
Sheridan was having a difficult time seeing the road in front of her. When she had left Harmony an hour ago, there had been snow flurries coming down, but the precipitation had been light. Now the flakes were heavy, blanketing the green areas where it had melted from the last snowfall. She had to drive slowly because not only was her view obstructed, but also she could feel the roads starting to ice up, making it treacherous. A reasonable person would turn around and go back, but she was past being reasonable by now. This might be her only chance to get to Luis, and she was not going to let a little inclement weather stop her from her purpose. Other than the bad weather, everything had gone according to plan so far. She had left the office dressed as Kay, and was now driving Evan�s car, and Evan, and Kay, in the blond wig dressed in her clothes, had taken her car and the babies and gone to her house. Reese told her on the radio that the FBI had followed Kay and Evan just as planned, and were now parked at the end of the lane leading to their house. Reese had also warned her when Jack Russo was coming her way, and she had pulled off on one of the many old mining roads to hide until he passed. She couldn�t risk him seeing her and turning around to follow her, so she waited patiently until he drove by. Her car had almost slid into a ditch when she pulled out of her hiding place, but she had managed to get it under control and continue slowly on her way.
Somewhere along the way she had lost all contact with Reese, and it was getting hard to distinguish the road from the rest of the landscape, so she ended up missing her turn. She backed the car up and turned into the narrow road that led to her destination. By the time she spotted the rustic cabin her nerves were completely shot. With her harrowing drive she had not been able to concentrate on anything but getting there in one piece, and she finally thought about what she might be facing. What if Jack Russo had hurt Luis, or worse killed him on this last visit? What if she had been completely wrong, and Luis wasn�t here at all? No, she couldn�t give up hope, she had come too far, and there had been more than the tracking device that had led her there. A force that she couldn�t explain was leading her to her man, and she was not leaving this mountain until she found him. Just in case there was somebody left to guard Luis, she parked the car halfway up the road so she could approach undetected. She looked in the windows and when she discovered the place to be empty she tried the front door to the cabin, and found it to be locked, but she wasn�t going to let that stop her. A sturdy branch turned out to be the perfect tool to break out a side window, and she crawled through falling inside with a loud thump.
�Luis, are you here?� she shouted, as she brushed herself off.
Luis sat up with a start when he heard the thump above him. He had been dozing again, and at first he thought that Jack Russo was back, but then he heard her voice. Oh God, was he dreaming again or was his beautiful guardian angel really there?
Sheridan checked in a closet, and looked under the bed, but Luis was nowhere to be found. She became desperate, banging on walls to see if there was a hidden passageway. �Luis,� she shouted again, tears forming in her eyes. �Please Luis, you have to be here.�
He tried to call out for her, but his voice was so hoarse it was impossible for him to project loud enough for her to hear. When he heard her footsteps moving toward the door, he knew that he had to do something fast. He looked around for something to make a noise with, and grabbed one of the cans off of the shelf and began to bang it against the trap door.
Completely defeated, Sheridan opened the front door to the cabin unsure of what to do next, but then she heard the banging noise. She turned around and ran toward where the sound was coming from. It was louder, but she was confused because there was nothing there but a table. �Luis, is that you? If it is, pound twice for me.� Her answer was two loud bangs and it sounded like it was right below her. She looked for a way to get to the basement, but came up with nothing. �Luis, I can�t figure out how to get to you. Is there something you can do to show me the way?� She heard it then. It was faint, but she heard him call out her name, and then the banging started again. She had no place left to look, but under the rug, so she pushed the table aside, and rolled the braided rug out of the way. �I found it Luis........ I found the trap door, but it has a lock on it,� she called out, frantically looking around for something to break it with. She spotted an axe leaning against the wall by the fireplace, and ran over to pick it up. �Stand back Luis, I�m going to chop this lock off.�
Luis moved back down the stairs just in case she got a little overzealous and sent debris falling on him. He would be useless if he was knocked out, because she would never be able to drag his dead weight up the steps. He could envision her up there chopping away at the lock like some warrior princess, and he never loved her more than he did right at this moment. Finally, the trap door flew open, and a stream of daylight poured down blinding him for a moment. Before he could even move up the steps she was in his arms sobbing against his shoulder, and nothing had ever felt so good before.
Chapter 5
Luis could hardly believe that Sheridan was here in his arms, but he knew it must be true, because he could smell the clean flowery scent of her hair, feel her soft body against his. He had dreamed of this moment for four long days, and at times he had thought it would never come to pass, but she was really here, and he didn�t ever want to let her go. �My God Sheridan, how did you ever find me?�
�I�ll tell you all about it later, but right now I just want to hold you in my arms,� she said, kissing him on the cheek. �Luis, you�re burning up, and your voice. You�re sick aren�t you?� Her big blue eyes were so filled with concern that he actually felt guilty for causing her any more worry.
�I�ll be okay now that you�re here, but you shouldn�t get too close to me. I don�t want you to catch this thing I have,� he said, stepping away from her.
�I can�t believe that monster, Jack Russo would put you in this place,� she said with disgust. �We need to get you out of here so I can get you into a nice warm bed. Can you make it up the steps by yourself, or do you need my help?�
�I can make it,� he assured her, smiling. �Come on; let�s get out of here. If I never see this place again it will be too soon.�
Luis didn�t want to admit it to Sheridan, but he was pretty shaky right now, and navigating the steps had worn him out. When they got upstairs, she told him that she was going to go get the car and insisted that he wait there. He protested at first, hating to appear weak, but she refused to take no for an answer that was until he looked outside and saw the blizzard like conditions. �Sheridan, wait......... I�m coming with you,� he called after her. Luckily for him he had never bothered to take his coat off because it had been so cold in that basement, but his gloves were missing and he could already feel his hands turning to ice.
�Luis what are you doing?� she asked, sternly. �I thought I told you to wait up there while I got the car. You shouldn�t be out running around in this weather.�
�You always did like to be contrary,� he told her smiling. �If you bring the car back here it will get stuck for sure. I think I can survive the walk.�
Sheridan couldn�t believe that in just the short amount of time she had been in the cabin how much more snow had fallen. To make matters worse, the wind was beginning to pick up and drifts were already forming, and it was biting cold as they made their way to the car. When they finally reached the car, Luis was exhausted and didn�t even protest when Sheridan said she was driving. The ice that was starting to form over the snow was making it impossible for her to get traction, and Luis had to get out of the car to give her a push to get them going. The fever and the confrontation with Russo had zapped all of Luis� strength, and when they were finally on their way, he laid his head back on the seat and closed his eyes.
Sheridan gripped the steering wheel, trying to keep the car from sliding into the side of the mountain, and she was a nervous wreck from the tension. She happened to glance out of the corner of her eye at Luis and noticed the perspiration beading up on his forehead. She had to get him to a warm place, and give him something to get his fever down. If she could only get them to the Crane cabin without killing both of them she would be eternally grateful to her guardian angel. The going was extremely slow, but she had managed to gain a little more confidence, so she wasn�t prepared when the car went into a spin and they ended up facing the opposite direction.
Luis sat up with a start, and saw that Sheridan was shaking like a leaf. �It�s okay honey,� he said, rubbing her arm. �Do you want me to drive?�
�No........ I�ll be fine,� she assured him.
�Maybe we should turn back Sheridan. We�ll never make it back to Harmony in this weather.�
�We�re not going to Harmony. The Crane cabin is not far from here, and it should be stocked with plenty of firewood, and food. Besides, even if it wasn�t snowing, we couldn�t go back there now.�
�They all think I shot Julian don�t they?� he asked, knowingly.
�We�ll talk about that later, but right now I have to get us there safely. There will be plenty of time to work all that out later.�
The rest of the way to the Crane cabin was slow and treacherous, but they finally made it there in one piece. Sheridan remembered there was a key hidden for emergencies, and she found it behind a birdhouse that was hanging on the post on the porch. When they got inside, Sheridan turned up the heat, and went over to start a fire, but Luis insisted that he do it. She could tell by his shaky, slow movements that he was really feeling bad, so she told him to go sit down and relax. After she got a cozy fire going, she walked up and stood in front of him.
�I want you to get undressed and get into bed right now,� she insisted.
�I�m not going to do anything until I take a shower. Besides you and the children, that is the one thing I have been dreaming about for four days,� he said, his voice scratchy and raw.
�Are you sure you�re up for that?� she asked with concern. �You look really pale right now and your throat sounds terrible.�
�I�ll admit that I feel pretty crappy right now, but there is no way I�m going to miss an opportunity to wash the stink from the hellhole off of me,� he said, standing up.
�Okay, you go take a shower, and I�ll get everything all comfy for you,� she said, flashing him a brilliant smile.
Seeing her standing there smiling like that filled his heart with love for her. �I love you Sheridan.�
�I know Luis. I love you too.�
********************
Luis and Sheridan were not the only ones that had been struggling with the snow. It had been a hazardous drive back from the Capitol for Chad as well. He couldn�t believe how fast this snowstorm had hit them, and now the newscaster on the radio had just warned people to stay off of the roads unless it was an emergency. He didn�t even stop at home and went directly to Luis and Sheridan�s house, and by the time he pulled into the road that led back to their house, the drifts were already starting to pile up. He had been so worried about Sheridan lately, and he wanted to make sure that somebody was there to protect her while Luis was still missing. When he saw her car parked in front of the house, he breathed a sigh of relief, glad to see that she was safe at home. Stomping the snow off of his feet he pounded on the front door, and was surprised to see Evan standing there.
�Evan, I didn�t think you were here. I didn�t see your car parked out front,� Chad said, confused.
�Chad, I�m really glad to see you,� Evan said, concern in his voice.
When Chad came inside, he saw Kay on the floor playing with the twins, and something about this whole situation was really starting to bug him. �Where is Sheridan?�
�Look Chad, I know that you are going to be furious at me for letting her go, because believe me, I�ve been furious with myself, but you know how she can be when she gets it in her head to do something............�
�Whoa............, slow down Evan, and tell me what the hell you�re talking about,� Chad said, impatiently, peeling his coat off.
�Jack Russo finally made a move today taking off toward the mountains, and Sheridan followed him. I tried to tell her to wait for you, or to let me go with her, but she convinced me that I should stay her and take care of the babies............�
�She what?� Chad asked, looking horrified. �There is a raging snowstorm out there, and it�s going to be even worse in the mountains. Not to mention that she could be walking into a dangerous situation........... Have you heard anything from her?�
�Reese had contact with her for a while with the two-way radio, but they lost their connection. We do know that she made it up there and that Jack Russo came back to town. I tried to reach her on her cell phone, but there was no answer. I�m sorry Chad, it�s all my fault.�
Chad curbed his temper, seeing how upset Evan was. �Don�t be so hard on yourself Evan. The National Guard wouldn�t be able to stop Sheridan once she made up her mind to do something. I would take off after her myself, but there is no way I�d make it through those mountain roads right now.�
�Well, if it�s any consolation, we do know that this place where Jack Russo went to is close to the Crane cabin, so I�m hoping that she made it there.�
�That is good news,� Chad said, feeling a little better. �I just hope that she was able to hook up with Luis and they are holed up there right now. How are Luke and Lily doing?�
�They�re keeping us busy,� Evan said, smiling.
Chad walked over and sat on the floor where Luke and Lily were playing. �Hey Kay, I heard these two are keeping you on your toes.�
�That would be an understatement, but they really are sweet babies,� Kay said, stroking Lily�s curls. � We just need to make sure that they get plenty of attention so they won�t miss their mommy and daddy too much.�
�Yeah,� Chad said, picking Luke up. �I know that Luis and Sheridan would appreciate that........... So Luke, how would you like to build a tower with these blocks?�
�Baba,� Luke said, reaching for his blocks.
�I guess that means yes,� Chad said, laughing at Luke�s antics.
�Well it looks like we are going to be snowbound here for a while,� Evan said, looking out the window.
�Yeah, it looks like we are,� Chad agreed. �Let�s just hope we hear from Sheridan soon.�
********************
Sheridan walked into the bedroom, expecting to see Luis already in bed, and was surprised to see that was not the case. She headed for the bathroom, and heard that the shower was still running. �Luis, are you okay in there?� she called out to him.
Luis was leaning against the wall for support, while the water rinsed the soap from his body. He opened his eyes when he heard Sheridan call to him. �Yeah, I�m getting out now,� he answered in a raspy voice.
Sheridan found a fluffy terrycloth robe hanging on the back of the door, and when Luis stepped out of the shower; she wrapped it around him trying to warm him up. When he grabbed on to the sink to steady himself, she went into control mode. �You are getting in bed right this minute, and I will not have any argument from you,� she said, leading him into the bedroom.
The bed looked so inviting with the covers pulled back and the pillows fluffed, and Luis slipped the robe off and climbed under the sheets, as Sheridan tucked the covers around him. �Thank you Sheridan. It feels so good to be on clean sheets.�
�Now, the first thing we�re going to do is take your temperature,� she said, shaking the thermometer. �I found this in the medicine cabinet. I just hope that it still works.� Luis opened his mouth, and Sheridan slipped the thermometer inside. �Just keep that in there while I go and get you some aspirin.� When she came back carrying a glass of water and a bottle of aspirin, she took the thermometer out of his mouth and looked confused trying to figure out the reading. �I�m not sure about this. The one I have at home is digital............�
�Let me see it,� Luis said, taking it out of her hands. �One hundred and one........�
�Oh no,� she said, her face etched with worry. �Take these,� she said, handing him some aspirin. �It should help to take your fever down, but I�m afraid that we need some antibiotics to fight off any infection you might have.�
�You�re probably right, but I�m afraid we�re out of luck, since it looks like we�re going to be stuck here for a while with all this snow.�
�Wait a minute, I just thought of something,� Sheridan said, getting her purse. �Good, it�s still here.� She pulled out a large bottle filled with pink liquid.
�That looks like the medicine that we were giving to the twins last week when they had that bug.�
�That�s exactly what it is. Since we haven�t had time to find a new pediatrician yet, Eve gave me an extra bottle in case the babies didn�t get better.�
�But Sheridan, that�s baby medicine. It�s not going to be strong enough for me,� Luis grumbled.
�Luis, antibiotics are antibiotics,� Sheridan reasoned. �We�ll just have to figure out how much we need to increase the dosage to.�
�I think it has something to do with body weight,� Luis told her, coughing. �I would think tripling should work.�
Sheridan squeezed some of the pink liquid into the dropper and handed to Luis. �There, take that,� she instructed.
Luis couldn�t believe that he was actually taking medicine out of a dropper. When he finally got up the nerve to squeeze it into his mouth, he made a distasteful face. �Oh God, this tastes like bubble gum.�
Sheridan chuckled. �The twins thought it was yummy.�
Luis smiled fondly at the mention of the twins, but then he grew serious. �How are they Sheridan? I miss our kids so much that it�s killing me.�
�I know sweetie,� she said, stroking his brow. �They�re doing okay, but they miss you too......... They keep asking for daddy.�
Suddenly remembering Jack Russo�s threat concerning the children, Luis panicked. �Sheridan who are the babies with?�
�They�re at our house with Evan and Kay.......... Why?� she asked, growing concerned by Luis� manner.
�Russo is upset that Julian is still alive, and he said that if he didn�t die soon, I had to go to the hospital and finish off your brother. He also said if I didn�t do what he wanted he would kidnap the babies and hold them for ransom until I completed the job.�
�Oh God,� Sheridan cried. �I have to reach Evan and warn him.� She grabbed her cell phone out of her purse and dialed their number. �It�s ringing.............. Come on Evan, please pick up.� Sheridan was shocked and relieved when Chad answered the phone. �Chad, thank God you�re there.�
�Sheridan, where the hell are you?� Chad asked anxiously.
�Listen Chad, I have to talk fast because I don�t have a good signal. I found Luis and we�re safe. I can�t go into the details, but Jack Russo threatened the children and I want you to promise me that you will protect them.�
�Don�t worry Sheridan. They�re upstairs in their beds sleeping, and Ace is with them. Evan and Kay are here too, and we�re all snowed in. In fact, the whole town is closed down, so I doubt that Jack Russo is going to make any kind of move right now. Even if he was stupid enough to come out here in this snowstorm, there is no way he�s going to get past Evan or me. Besides Ace would tear him to shreds if he went anywhere near those babies.�
�Thank you Chad,� she said, gratefully. �Luis and I couldn�t bare it if anything happened to them.�
�I promise they�ll be safe. I�m just glad that you found Luis and the two of you are sa..............�
�Listen Chad, we�re breaking up,� she shouted into the phone. �I�ll try to call you later.� There was no response from Chad because the line went dead.
�Don�t worry Sheridan,� Luis said, comforting her. �Now that I know Chad is there I know Luke and Lily will be safe. Not that I didn�t trust Evan to protect them, but Chad is trained in law enforcement, so he�ll be prepared for any situation.�
�I supposed you�re right,� she said, relaxing a little. �Chad said that they are snowed in too, and that the whole town is shut down.�
�Well, that�s even better. Russo isn�t going to pull anything during a snowstorm, and we�ll figure everything out,� he said, with heavy eyes.
�Oh Luis, here I am going on and on and you feel terrible, don�t you?� she asked, concerned for him.
�I am kind of sleepy, but I really wanted you to tell me how you figured out where to find me.�
�You get some rest, and we�ll talk about all that later,� she told him, kissing his forehead. �I found some canned chicken soup in the kitchen. Would you like me to heat it up for you before you go to sleep?�
�No, thank you,� he said with a small smile. �I think that I would just like to turn in.�
�Okay well, I think that I�ll take a hot shower and turn in myself. It�s been a long day, and I�m exhausted. I�ll sleep out there so I won�t disturb you,� she said, moving away.
�Sheridan,� he called out to her. �I would like nothing more than to hold you in my arms tonight, but it probably wouldn�t be a good idea for you to breathe my germs. You�ve already spent too much time around me. The last thing we need is for you to get sick too.�
�I know,� she said with a longing gaze. �I�ll be right out here if you need anything. Goodnight honey.�
�Goodnight,� he said, love blazing in his eyes.
********************
Sheridan stood in the shower and let the hot water relax her tight muscles. Between the tension of rescuing Luis, driving in the icy conditions, and her worry over her children, she was tied up in knots. At least she could breathe easier knowing that Luis was out of immediate danger, but now came the difficult task of trying to prove his innocence. When the water had grown cold, she stepped out of the shower and toweled herself off, and went in search of something to put on. She found one of Ethan�s flannel shirts, and a pair of heavy socks, and donned them quickly to take off the chill. Now, she had to figure out where she was going to sleep, because other than the room Luis was in there was only one other bedroom, and she refused to sleep in there. Memories of the time Antoine tried to rape her in that very room filled her mind, and she started to shiver. She thought that she had been able to put that terrible experience behind her, but the minute she walked by the room and looked inside the memory reared its ugly head all over again. If she had not been so stubborn, she would have never been in that position, and her foolish pride had never allowed her to acknowledge what happened and deal with it properly. She had never told Luis that part of the story, because she was too embarrassed and ashamed, and she couldn�t bear having him tell her that he told her so.
Sheridan slammed the door, hoping that it would shut out the memories, and got some linins to make up the sofa. Her stomach grumbled reminding her that she hadn�t eaten anything since early that morning so she went to the kitchen to heat up some soup and make a cup of tea. After she had eaten, she put the dishes away and went to check on Luis. She crept into the room, as not to wake him and saw that he was sleeping soundly. His forehead felt a little cooler, but his breathing still sounded a little ragged. Hopefully, the antibiotics would kick in to give him some relief from his sore throat. She pushed a stray lock of hair from his forehead, and leaned down to kiss him. �Goodnight my love,� she whispered, as she turned to walk out of the room. She lay down on the sofa, and cuddled under the quilt, thinking about her children. Her purse was sitting on the coffee table, so she pulled out their picture and smiled when she saw their sweet little faces. �See, mommy promised you that she was going to bring daddy back again, and as soon as we can figure out how to prove daddy�s innocence we are all going to be together again.�
********************
Luis awoke feeling achy and feverish. He looked at the clock on the bedside table and saw that it was three o�clock in the morning. His throat felt a little better, but this fever still had a grip on him. Maybe if he took some more aspirin it would help to bring it down again, so he reached for the bottle beside him. He popped the lid, and shook some of the pills into his hand, but then he noticed that his water glass was empty. His throat was dry enough, and he knew that he would never get these down without water, so he slipped out of bed and put on his discarded robe. He walked down the hall past the closed door of the second bedroom and thought about Sheridan asleep inside. How he wished that he could go in there and crawl in bed beside her, but he couldn�t risk further exposure, so he continued on his way to the kitchen. The first thing he noticed was that the fire was dying down in the fireplace, so he decided to put more logs on the fire. When he stepped around the sofa, he was surprised to see Sheridan lying there sleeping. She must have been tossing and turning in her sleep because the blanket had been pulled aside and one of her long shapely legs was exposed. Luis saw that she was holding something in her hand, and he smiled when he saw that it was a picture of Luke and Lily. He put the picture down on the coffee table and tucked her back under the covers, and then something dawned on him. Why was she sleeping out here? It was obvious that it hadn�t been a case of her just falling asleep because she had taken the time to make up the sofa with sheets. Why sleep here when there was a comfortable bed just down the hall? He made a mental note to ask her about it in the morning, because something was very odd about this whole situation.
********************
When Sheridan carried a tray into Luis� room the next morning, she was delighted to see that he was awake and sitting up in bed. His color looked much better this morning, and his eyes had lost that dull glaze from fever. Her heart skipped a beat when he flashed her a smiled, and she hurried over to the bed just wanting to be near him. �Good morning,� she said, returning his smile. �How is my patient this morning?�
�He�s a lot better, now that his beautiful wife is here. Please tell me that you have some food on that tray because I�m starving this morning.�
�I do, but I�m afraid that it�s nothing fancy. I found some of those instant packets of oatmeal, and there were some frozen strawberries in the freezer, so you don�t have to worry that I�m going to poison you,� she laughed.
�It smells great. What did you put in it?� he asked, stirring the oatmeal.
�I just added a little maple syrup and brown sugar. So, you never did give me a straight answer about the state of your health. Are you really feeling better?� she asked, checking his forehead. �You do feel a lot cooler.�
�I really do feel better,� he assured her. �I�ve been taking my pink bubblegum and I think it�s starting to work......... Aren�t you going to have any breakfast?�
�I�ve already eaten, but if you don�t mind I�ll just sit here and drink my coffee and visit with you. Are you up for telling me about everything that happened since you left the house that night?�
�Yeah sure, but I want you to tell me how you managed to find me first. I still can hardly believe that you are sitting here in front of me. I have to keep pinching myself to make sure I�m not dreaming.�
�I know the feeling,� she said, stroking his face. She told him everything that had happened from the time he walked out the door that fateful night to the minute she discovered him locked in that basement. When she finally finished, Luis just looked at her in amazement.
�You are absolutely unbelievable,� he said, looking at her lovingly. �I think that I�m going to promote you to senior detective. My God, a trained police officer couldn�t have done a better job. I am so impressed, and so proud of you.�
�Don�t give me all the credit. I would have never found you if it had not been for all the help from the others. Besides, I�ve never been so driven before. There was nothing that was going to stop me from finding you.�
�Sheridan, do you have any idea how much it means to me that you believed in me? I was so afraid that you would think that I was guilty of shooting your brother, and it tore me up inside. How could you be so sure when the evidence against me was so overwhelming?�
�Because, you promised me that you wouldn�t kill Julian, and you have never broken a promise to me. I never thought for one second that you were guilty, but Luis, I need to know everything that monster did to you.�
�Okay, but will you come over here and sit next to me?� he asked, with a look she was always unable to resist. �I promise I won�t breathe on you.� She came willingly and laid her cheek against his chest, while he rested his chin on the top of her head. He then proceeded to tell her his version of what happened that night, as well as the anguished filled moments of his imprisonment. When he was finished, Sheridan was crying openly, and she sat up suddenly, wiping the tears away.
�It just kills me to think of you being locked up in that place,� she sobbed. �That bastard has no soul............... Why is he doing this to us Luis, and what possible motive would he have for shooting Julian? I know first hand that my brother can be a monster, but Jack Russo barely knows him.�
He was hesitant to tell her at first, because he still could barely believe it himself, but he decided to divulge his suspicions anyway. �Look Sheridan, I�ve asked myself the same questions a thousand times when I was locked in that hellhole, but yesterday when I had Jack Russo pinned down to the ground, I noticed something that hit me like a ton of bricks. He had a surgical scar on his wrist, which in itself would mean nothing, but then I saw the look in his eyes, and I knew that I had seen that look before the time I broke Hank�s wrist. There was a time when Russo was holding me prisoner, that he didn�t have a southern drawl and his voice sounded so familiar..............�
�Dear God Luis, are you implying that Jack Russo is Hank?� she asked, completely shocked. �How can that be when we both know that Hank is dead?�
�I know it sounds crazy, but if you think about it we never saw Hank�s body. Don�t you remember when Sam and I went to claim the body it was already cremated? What if Hank staged his own death, and then had plastic surgery? Hank knew that if he ever got out of that mental hospital that he would go to prison for kidnapping you. Believe me Sheridan, there have been other criminals that have tried this same ploy before.�
Sheridan suddenly remembered the comment Grace had made on New Years Eve about Jack Russo having the Bennett eyes, and she reminded Luis about it. �Also, that would explain why he always seemed so familiar to us, but there is something that still doesn�t make sense to me. Hank could have never done this on his own. He would have had to have financial backing to be able to pull off such an extravagant ruse.�
�Exactly,� Luis agreed. �Maybe Julian is Hank�s benefactor. Think about it, Hank was knee deep in the Crane�s drug smuggling operation. He could have easily blackmailed Julian into bankrolling his transformation in return for his silence.�
�Okay, lets assume that you�re correct and it was Julian. What would be Hank�s motivation for trying to murder his golden goose?� Sheridan asked.
�You do have a valid point, but it would certainly explain why he went to all the trouble to set me up. Hank had his mind set on marrying the beautiful Crane heiress, and he was mad as hell when you choose me over him, and when you add to the mix that I busted his sorry behind it all makes sense.�
�It�s all so mind boggling, but we�re never going to get any answers while we�re stuck here. I checked a little while ago and it was still snowing out there. We may not get out of here for days, and I�m still worried sick about the children. I tried to call home a little while ago, and I was unable to get through.�
�Just remember that they�re all stuck in the same boat as we are, and I feel confident that Chad and Evan will protect our children. You have been through the same hell that I have these last few days, and I can�t stand to see you so worried. We both should take this time to heal so that we�re ready to fight when the time comes.� He suddenly remembered finding her sleeping on the sofa the night before, and decided to broach the subject. �Sheridan, I got up last night to get a glass of water, and I found you asleep on the sofa. Why did you sleep there when there was a comfortable bed in the other room?�
She hopped up from the bed and gathered the tray in her arms, a strange look on her face. �I guess I just fell asleep there. It�s no big deal Luis. I�m going to take this to the kitchen,� she said, changing the subject.
Luis decided to let the matter go for now, but he had a feeling that he had hit a nerve with her, and he had every intention of finding out what was going on.
********************
By the third day Luis was well on his way to recovery. He was up and moving around and had even taken the time to shave, in spite of Sheridan�s protest that he looked sexy with the scruffy look. They had even managed to get a hold of Chad, and he had held the phone up to the babies� ears so that they could talk to them, and Luis and Sheridan had both gotten teary eyed when the babies had responded with mama and dada. They had tried to make the best of things, so happy just to be together, but the isolation was starting to get to them. It was not that they didn�t cherish this time together after all that they had been through, but the sexual tension was taking its toll on both of them. They had even had an argument when Luis had caught her sleeping on the sofa the second night, and when he asked her about it, she had clammed up, and told him that he was making a big deal out of nothing. The more he probed, the more she balked, so by the time they decided to turn in for the night both of their tempers were on edge.
Luis punched the pillow, more to get rid of his frustration, than to make it more comfortable. It was driving him nuts that Sheridan was so haunted by that room but she still refused to open up to him. Didn�t she know by now that she could tell him anything, and he would be there to support her? He loved her so much and he hated to see her in pain, but maybe he was coming on too strong. Perhaps the wisest course was to back off and let her tell him in her own time. Sheridan never did respond well to strong-armed tactics. He of all people should know that well because he still had the old scars to prove it. He was just about ready to go out there and carry her to bed with him when he heard the door creak open. Curious to see what it was about, he feigned sleep and waited for her to approach him.
Sleep had eluded Sheridan as well, and she was finding it impossible to think of anything but Luis lying in that bed all by himself. She was miserable about how things had ended between them tonight because just a few days ago, she didn�t even know if she would ever see him again. Why couldn�t she just forget about her foolish pride and just tell him everything? He was desperately trying to help her, but she was still too ashamed too open up to him. He was probably fast asleep by now, but she needed to see him, so she got up and moved toward his room quietly. When the door made a loud creaking noise, she made a face, hoping she hadn�t awakened him, and she breathed a sigh of relief when she saw that he was still sleeping. The moon was casting a reflection off of the snow, and it illuminated the room enough for her to see his face clearly. She would never get tired of looking at his handsome chiseled face, and she couldn�t resist reaching out to trace his lips with her finger.
Luis wasn�t expecting her to touch him like that, and it was so natural for him to flick his tongue across the tip of her finger and draw it into his mouth. When he began to suck, she cried out with surprise and pleasure. He took his time, assaulting her senses until finally he grabbed her hand and held it to his forehead.
�My fever is gone, my throat feels normal again, and I�m not going to spend one more night without you in my bed,� he said, huskily as he tossed the sheet aside and pulled her down on top of his naked body.
She melted into him willingly, and ran her hand over his chest. �I don�t know about that,� she whispered breathlessly. �You�re skin feels on fire to me. Are you sure you don�t have a fever?�
�Not the kind of fever you�re talking about,� he mumbled right before he kissed her. It started out as a brush against her lips, but quickly turned into an all out assault when he thrust his tongue inside of her mouth sensually. He finally lifted his head, to gaze into her sultry blue eyes, and began to unbutton the flannel shirt she wore.
�Luis, are you sure you�re up for this?� she asked, praying that he didn�t say no.
�I can promise you that I�m definitely up for this,� he told her as he moved against her giving her the proof of his claim.
Sheridan didn�t need any more convincing, and she raised up to peel her shirt away, giving Luis an unobstructed view of her lush charms. �I want you so much Luis, that I hope that I don�t wear you out,� she said, with a tempting smile.
�If only you would,� he chuckled, pulling her back down on top of him. �I need to feel your soft skin against mine. It seems like it�s been forever since we�ve been intimate,� he told her softly as he ran his hands up her rip cage rolling her over so that they were laying on their sides facing each other.
�Oh God, I know,� she moaned. �You�re an addiction I never want to get over........� She arched her back, and offered him complete access to her sumptuous breasts.
Luis went crazy when he saw how aroused her nipples were, and he knew that there wasn�t a man alive that could resist the tempting feast that being offered to him. �Tell me sweetheart, are you cold, or is this just a reaction to me?� he asked, before bathing the tips of her breasts with his tongue.
�I can assure you it�s the latter,� she choked out with a groan. �Luis, sometimes I do love the slow seduction, but I just can�t take it right now. If you don�t make love to me soon, I�m going to start screaming and never stop.�
�We can�t have that,� he said, slipping inside of her. �It�s much too soon for you to start screaming.............�
Chapter 6
Sheridan stretched, and smiled up at the man she was so crazy in love with. He was dressed in nothing but a pair of faded jeans that hung low on his hips, and she couldn�t resist locking her finger inside his waistband to feel the smooth skin hidden from her sight. It made her stomach flutter when she saw his eyes darken with desire, and she pulled him toward her craving the taste of his lips on hers. He came willingly, and their mouths met in a fiery kiss that consumed the both of them. Her fingers threaded through his hair and she parted her lips to taste more of him. Nothing seemed to matter, but having him here sharing this intense passion. There were times when a kiss could be more intimate than the actual act of making love, and this was certainly one of those times. It seemed to go on forever; this wet sensual assault, and was only intensified when his hands began to roam over her body. He touched her there, making her melt and she rose up against him, still kissing him the whole time. He finally raised his head, and gave her a look that left no doubt of his intentions, but he couldn�t resist one more taste of her, and moved down to pull her bottom lip into his mouth.
He touched her there again, and this time she moaned. �Sheridan, it drives me insane when I feel how much you want me,� he said in a low, husky voice.
She went crazy at his words and worked frantically on the button and zipper of his jeans. �I want to feel just how much you want me too. I want to see...........,� she said, finally completely her task. She pulled, and he wiggled until his jeans were lying by the side of the bed leaving him gloriously naked. He was already aroused as she caressed him with her eyes............, her touch, and she gasped out loud when he sprang to life before her very eyes.
�You�re killing me,� he groaned. �I have to have you.........�
�You�ll always have me,� she told him breathlessly as she guided him to her. �Always.........�
They came together in a wild reckless connection, as his lips went crashing down on hers, and she came alive withering to the thunderous rhythm that gripped him. As they reached the breaking point, a convulsion of pleasure erupted sending them both careening over the edge of no return. They lay there trying to catch their breaths, loathed to sever the bond between them, when Luis spoke.
�Good morning,� he said, finally rolling away as pulled her into his arms.
�Good morning to you too,� she said, nuzzling his neck. �I have really missed your special wake up calls, but Luis you do know that you are supposed to take it easy. I don�t want you to have a relapse.�
�I can�t help it,� he told her, brushing his lips across hers. �You are just so beautiful and sexy.............�
�And hungry,� she finished, smiling.
�Actually, I was here to tell you that breakfast was ready, but you distracted me, and I�m afraid that it�s cold now.�
�Well, I think you should stay here and rest, and I�ll heat up breakfast.� Sheridan slipped out of bed, and walked over to the window, as Luis watched her with a warm gaze. He too slipped out of bed, grabbing the quilt and stepped up behind her, enclosing them both within the soft folds. �You�re going to catch a chill standing here with no clothes on,� he told her softly.
�It stopped snowing finally,� she said, moving against the warmth of his body.
�You almost sound sad when you say that. What�s bothering you Sheridan?�
�I don�t know Luis,� she said, wearily. �I just feel so conflicted.�
�What do you mean conflicted?� he asked, turning her around so that they were facing each other.
�It�s just that part of me hopes that the snow never melts so that we don�t have to deal with whatever is ahead of us, but a bigger part of me can�t wait for the thaw so that I can get home to our children. I miss them desperately Luis.�
�Believe me, I feel your pain,� he said, pulling her closer. �Every night that I was in that hellhole, I would lay there and wonder if they were missing me, or if they were wondering why I wasn�t reading them their bedtime story. I used to take the picture of the three of you out and just stare at it for hours hoping that it was not going to be the last time that I saw your faces.�
�Oh Luis, I�m so sorry. You have been through so much���..�
�So have you, but we�re together now, and soon we�ll see our children,� he assured her.
�Will we Luis?� she asked, not sounding convinced.
�Yes, as soon as we can figure this whole thing out, I promise we�ll be a family again.� He put his finger under her chin and lifted her face up. �You told me yourself that I have never broken a promise to you.�
�I know that, but this time it may not be within your power to control. At least not if the FBI has anything to say about it.�
�Look Sheridan, I know it�s not going to be easy, but we have the truth on our side, and we�ll find a way to prove that Jack Russo is the guilty one.�
�And what if Jack Russo is really Hank���?�
�Then we�ll prove that too,� he said, smiling.
�Luis, as soon as we can get out of here, why don�t we just go and get the children, and we�ll leave the country. We could go to Europe, or South America, or we could even go to live in Spain. It�s so beautiful, and I know that you would love it...........�
Sheridan, you know that we can�t do that,� he told her gently.
�But why not Luis?� she cried. �That might be the only way for us all to be together.�
�Because we would be on the run, always looking over our shoulder. We can�t put Luke and Lily into a situation like that, and I won�t have you in that situation either.�
�Oh, you�re right, but I just feel so desperate right now,� she said frustrated.
�I know baby, and we�ll figure it out, but I think that right now we should get some breakfast. We have to replenish all energy we just used up;� he teased, trying to lighten her mood.
�Okay, but only if you give me a kiss first........�
�That, I can do,� he said, lowering his mouth to her lips.
********************
Lily fussed until Kay wiped her mouth with a wet cloth, and only then was she happy again. The poor little girl had awakened last night from a bad nightmare, and Kay had spent an hour trying to get her back to sleep. She watched Evan as he played airplane with the spoon, trying to get Luke to open up. She suspected it was more of a game than a ploy to get Luke to eat, because the little boy seemed to enjoy his food. It warmed her heart every time she watched Evan with the twins because she could tell his affection for his niece and nephew was genuine. He had changed so much from that first time she had seen him standing on her doorstep. The withdrawn, angry guy he had been had all but disappeared since he had accepted Sheridan into his life. She would like to think that she had a part in Evan�s transformation as well because she loved him so much. She shook her head, and gave Lily her undivided attention. �Come on sweetie. Just take one more bite for me.�
�You�re going to be a good mother some day Kay,� Evan told her softly.
�I never really thought about having children, but since I�ve been spending time with Luke and Lily I�m beginning to like the idea of having kids one day.�
�Yeah, I know what you mean. I think that we would have beautiful kids together.......�
�Really?� she said, her face lighting up.
�Hey you two,� Chad said, walking into the room, completely unaware that he had just ruined a special moment.
�Chad, what�s going on?� Evan asked, giving Kay a pensive look.
�I�ve got some really good news,� Chad said, excitedly.
�What�s your good news Chad?� Kay asked, picking up Lily out of the highchair.
�Well, I figured that since we were snowed in I would see if I could be productive so I called a buddy of mine at the FBI, and it just so happens that Agent Bartelli is not really one of his favorite people. So, I decided to tell him about how Bartelli has been stalking Sheridan, and how he has not bothered to even try to track Luis down. I guess he thought it was his duty to spread it around the office that he found it strange that the suspect�s car was found abandoned over state lines, and Bartelli hasn�t even bothered to check it out.�
�So what happened?� Evan asked.
�I guess the news made its way to Bartelli�s supervisor and my buddy said you could hear the yelling all the way to the water cooler. He got Bartelli on the phone and told him to get his sorry behind up to Vermont, even if he had to go by dog sled.�
�This is great Chad,� Chad said, happily. �Maybe this will take the heat off of Sheridan for a while.�
�That�s exactly what I�m counting on,� Chad said with a big smile.
********************
Sheridan and Luis, clad only in robes, headed to the kitchen to warm up their breakfast but along the way they had to pass by the sofa. It was still made up with the sheets and blankets from the night before, and the site of it instantly changed the lighthearted mood between them. Sheridan just turned away and hurried into the kitchen with Luis close at her heals. She walked over and started to make a fresh pot of coffee, but Luis decided that he was not going to let this go on any longer.
�Sheridan..............�
�Luis, please don�t bring this up again,� she said, moving away from him to get the coffee out of the cupboard.
He followed her, and turned her around to face him. �Listen, all I wanted to say is that I�m not going to ask you about the subject of you sleeping on the sofa anymore. If and when you decide to tell me, I don�t want it to be because you feel pressured by me. Just know that I love you with all my heart, and I will always be here to support you no matter what.�
His words made her eyes well up with tears, and she turned away from him. �Oh, you would have to go and be so sweet to me.�
�Sheridan, please don�t cry,� he told her, putting his hands on her arms. �I didn�t mean to upset you.�
�It was Antoine,� she cried.
�Antoine?� he asked confused. �Honey, what are you talking about?�
�It was all my fault.......... You told me not to go anywhere without my bodyguard, but I didn�t listen because I was so determined to prove you wrong, and then Antoine showed up and he.........., he...........�
�Oh my God,� Luis said, his body shaking with rage. �What did that bastard do to you?�
�I ran into that bedroom, trying to get away from him, but he broke in and he forced me on the bed.......... It was all my fault Luis,� she sobbed, too ashamed to look at him.
He turned her around, and she crumbled in his arms. �It was not your fault Sheridan,� he said, holding her close. �That bastard had no right to touch you ......... I should have killed him when I had the chance, but sweetie, did he.............?�
�No, I was able to fight him off but it was so terrible Luis. He held me down and put his disgusting mouth on mine........... I just felt so dirty, and I screamed out for you, but he laughed at me and said that you would never save me. I am just so sorry..............�
�You listen to me,� he said, cupping her face. �You have nothing to apologize for. He is a sick, twisted monster, and I will not let you take the blame for his abuse. I�m the one that should be sorry. I should have gotten here sooner.............�
�No Luis, don�t even say that. You did everything that was humanly possible to keep me out of trouble and I did nothing but defy you time after time. Besides, maybe I�m just overreacting because he never did rape me.�
�That�s beside the point. Just because he didn�t succeed, doesn�t mean that he didn�t violate you.� He sat down in a chair and pulled her down on his lap. �It just tears me up to think that you�ve been carrying this inside you for all this time. You should have told me sooner so that I have could help you through this.�
�I just buried it, and I almost succeeded in believing that it never happened, but then I saw that room and everything came flooding back to me.� Her tears started to flow freely now, and Luis just held her close, letting her get this long overdue cry out of her system. As she cleansed her soul, Luis tried to get a grip on the rage that was filling him. Antoine should be thankful that he was in prison, because all Luis could think about was how much he wanted to make that bastard pay for what he had done to Sheridan. When Sheridan was finally finished, and she had cried out all of her pain, Luis smiled at her and wiped her tears away. �Do you feel any better?�
�Yes,� she said, managing to return his smile. �I really think that I do. Thank you for not saying that you told me so. I just feel so lucky to have you in my life.�
�Sheridan, I could never say that to you. Besides you�ve punished yourself for too long now, and the only person that did anything is that pig.�
She leaned down and kissed him sweetly. �I love you Luis.�
�I love you too, and don�t you ever forget that. Now, what do you say we have some breakfast before we both die of starvation?�
�I think that�s a great idea,� she chuckled. �Suddenly I feel like I could eat a horse.�
********************
Several times a week the patients were allowed to visit the recreation center and interact with each other. There were cards and chess, and even an occasional video to watch, but regular television and newspapers were forbidden, because they didn�t want the distractions from the outside world to upset the patients. For the most part Martin kept to himself, because almost all of the patients spoke different languages, and communication was difficult, but he had managed to make one friend. Georges Cezanne was a renowned French physicist that had suffered from a mental breakdown six months ago, and his sister had committed him to this hospital for treatment. They had met one day about two months ago over a game of chess, and had become good friends ever since then. Martin was disappointed that Georges was nowhere to be found, and sat down to watch a movie that was playing. The film was dubbed in French because even though the hospital was located in Switzerland, it was right on the French border, and a lot of the residents of the region spoke the Gallic language. He soon grew weary of trying to figure out what was going on, and closed his eyes to rest. Loud shouting made him sit up with a start, and he saw that a couple of the patients were in the mist of a disagreement over who had won the card game. The orderlies in charge rushed over to break up the argument, and during the scuffle, a newspaper fell out of one of the attendant�s pockets. He must have not realized that it happened because as they carted the patients off to their rooms, the paper still lay on the floor. Anxious for any outside news, Martin couldn�t resist picking up the newspaper, and when he opened it, the picture on the front page made his heart stop for a moment. Even though he had aged, Julian Crane�s face was recognizable to him instantly. There was a smaller picture off to the side of a nice looking man with his hand on the waist of a beautiful blond woman, and there was something glaringly familiar about the two of them. The text was written in French, so it was next to impossible to try to decipher the contents of the story. When he saw the orderlies coming back into the room, he quickly folded the newspaper and hid it under his shirt so that he could study it later in the privacy of his room.
Unable to contain himself, Martin rushed back to his room, and only after he shut the door, did he open the paper again. He studied the headline, Julian Crane Tir� Dessus Par Son Beau-Fr�re, but the only words he could make out was the name Julian Crane. His eyes traveled to the small picture of the couple, and when he read the names in the caption, he had to sit down on the bed for fear of falling. Tears filled his eyes when he gazed at the smiling face of his son Luis, but what was he doing with Sheridan Crane? He knew that his son would be a man by now, but seeing how Luis had grown filled him with fatherly pride. It was obvious from the familiar way that he was touching Sheridan that they were a couple. They were both dressed in evening clothes like they had just attended some formal function at the country club, and Martin was having a hard time believing what he was seeing. Poor little Sheridan had grown from a beautiful child to an even more beautiful woman, but to see her standing there with his son was daunting to say the least. Suddenly his mind flashed back to the day that Ivy and Julian got married. He smiled when he remembered how fascinated Luis had been with Sheridan turning circles in her pretty flower girl dress. Pilar had pulled him away kicking and screaming when it was time to go home, and Luis had talked about the little pretty blond girl for days after that. Never in his wildest dreams would he have ever imagined that Luis and Sheridan would become a couple, but the evidence of that was right here before him. They looked so happy, and in love, but how did they ever get together? Their backgrounds were worlds apart, and Martin knew that Alistair would have never allowed a match between their children. Did Sheridan remember what happened that fateful night that had changed his life forever, and if so had she told Luis about it? His gut instinct told him that Sheridan would have never been privy to what the Cranes had done to him after he was knocked unconscious, but still.......... If she were able to tell Luis about what happened, maybe his son was trying to find him. He looked down at the paper once again, and even though he couldn�t understand the words, something about this bothered him. The only way that he was going to find out what this article was about was to seek the help of his friend Georges to translate for him. But for now, his only option was to keep the newspaper hidden from the staff, and wait until he could get a moment alone with Georges.
********************
They knew that their days were numbered as the snow began to melt in the mountains. The folks in Harmony were already moving about the city, and it wouldn�t be long until the roads leading up to the cabin were cleared as well. They had been able to talk to Luke and Lily several times, but it wasn�t enough. It was one thing to be separated from your children under normal circumstances, but when you knew that they could be in danger, it was almost unbearable. The only thing that kept them for going crazy with worry was the fact that Chad and Evan were there guarding the babies with their lives. Another thing that was weighing heavily on their minds was their uncertain future, and Sheridan finally decided to be the first one to bring it up. They were lying in front of the fireplace, wearing nothing but a blanket and still recovering from a rather arduous lovemaking session.
�You know Luis, it�s time we quit ignoring the inevitable and made some plans to get you out of this mess,� she said, rising up on her elbow so that she could look him in the face.
�Believe me Sheridan, I�ve been giving that a lot of thought. I think that as soon as the roads clear up, we�re going to have to go back to Harmony so that I can turn myself in.�
�NO,� she said, sitting up. �That�s the last thing you should do. I am not going to let you spend one second in jail for something that you didn�t do.�
�We may not have any choice, and in the meantime I can at least tell my side of the story,� Luis said, trying to reason with her.
�Oh, so you�re telling me that you want your reunion with Luke and Lily to be looking through the bars of some jail cell? You won�t even be able to pick them up in your arms. Do you really think they�re going to understand that?�
�Of course I don�t want that, but what do you suggest Sheridan?� he asked with frustration.
What I suggest is that you stay here hidden until Chad and I can get the proof to exonerate you. I could still come up here and visit now that Chad got the FBI off of my back.�
�I�ll go stark raving mad living up here like a caged animal,� he protested.
�Well it beats being a caged animal in a jail cell,� she countered. �I think the real reason that you don�t like my plan is because you�re not in control. It just drives you crazy that you�re not calling the shots doesn�t it?�
�Okay, maybe you�re right to a degree, but I just feel like such a coward hiding away like this. I�ve always believed that a man should face his accusers, especially when he has the truth on his side,� he said, stubbornly.
Sheridan shook her head and laughed. �Come on Luis, don�t try to feed me that, when I know for a fact that you�re not that naive. You�ve been in this business long enough to know that some people don�t care about the truth, and I can assure that Agent Bartelli is one of them. He wants you to go down. Believe me, I could see it in his eyes.�
�I think you missed your true calling,� he told her smiling. �You should have been the attorney in the family and not Ethan. Okay, I�ll stay here for a little while, but I am going to be calling the shots.�
�What happened to us working as a team?� she pouted. �Haven�t I proven myself?�
�More than enough,� he said, giving her a kiss. �I was just teasing you.�
�You better say that,� she laughed. �So, where do we begin?�
�Well, I think the first place to start is to prove that Jack Russo set me up. When he kidnapped me the night he shot Julian, he didn�t expect for me to show up that soon. Since he hadn�t planned on that when he was thinking out his plan he had to improvise. When he drove my car over the state line and left it there to make the police think I was on the run, he had to find a way back to Harmony. I want to see if either Chad or Reese can run a credit card check to see if he rented a car in the vicinity where my car was found.�
�That�s a great idea Luis, and then there�s always the chance that Chad will be able to track down that woman that impersonated the social worker. If he can get her to admit that Jack Russo hired her, that would be even more evidence toward a setup.�
�I just remembered something else Sheridan. Before Jack Russo locked me in that basement, he showed me the videotape that he took from Crane Industries that night. That tape would show him entering the building, and it should also show him knocking out the security guard in the main lobby. That�s if he didn�t destroy the tape and we could find it in his possession............�
�And Margaret�s key card,� Sheridan added, excitedly.
�The only problem is that even if we can find those things, and that�s a big if, that evidence will be thrown out of court if it�s acquired without a search warrant,� Luis explained.
�But Luis, that is our only hope..........�
�Not if we can prove that Jack Russo is really Hank. Then we could get a search warrant.�
�What do you mean Luis?�
�Don�t you remember when Hank had his so-called breakdown? He was charged with kidnapping you, and he was also wanted for questioning in the drug smuggling operation at Crane Industries. I think that would be enough to get a search warrant for Mr. Jack Russo. Problem is, now we just have to think of a way to prove it.�
�Actually Luis, ever since you told me about your suspicious that Jack Russo is really Hank, I�ve been putting together a plan, and I really think it could work,� she said, enthusiastically.
�What kind of plan?� Luis asked, tentatively.
�Well,� she said, biting her bottom lip. �Just promise that you�ll hear me out before you form an opinion.�
Luis had a feeling that he was not going to like her plan, but he agreed to hear her out. �Okay, I�ll promise.�
�I was thinking that I would get all dressed up and go to the dinner club. I�m sure that I can get Jack Russo to have a drink with me, and then I�ll either take the glass that he drinks from, or I�ll get him to give me a business card. I haven�t quite figured out that part yet, but I�ll be able to get something with his fingerprints on it.�
�Have you lost your mind?� Luis shouted. �I won�t allow it.�
�No, I have not,� she shouted back. �I should have known that you would be unreasonable about this.�
�Sheridan, the man is dangerous. Have you forgotten that he threatened our children? And what about what he did to me?�
�No Luis, I have not forgotten, but I don�t understand why you are getting so upset. We�re going to be in public, and it�s not like he can do anything to me in front of everybody,� she reasoned. �Besides, it�s not like I need your permission to do this,� she said, defiantly.
Luis rose up like a tempest, and began pacing back and forth. �You are the most obstinate woman I have ever met,� he spat out. �I don�t care if you�re going to be in the middle of a church full of people, I don�t want you anywhere near that guy. He�s dangerous, and I wouldn�t put anything past him. My God, he could slip a drug into your drink............�
She felt intimidated sitting there on the floor with the blanket wrapped around her and him standing there naked lecturing her. So she flung the blanket aside and stood up to be on equal footing with him. �What happened to Oh Sheridan you�re so amazing, and I�m going to make you senior detective? I�m not that frail princess any longer Luis,� she said, putting her hands on her hips. �I can take care of myself.�
�Promise me you�ll forget about this crazy plan, and you won�t go anywhere near him,� Luis demanded.
�I�m not sure that I can do that,� she responded flippantly, suddenly feeling the urge to antagonize him.
His hot gaze raked her body, and then he moved toward her pulling her against him. �Promise me Sheridan or I swear I�ll tie you in a chair so you that you can�t leave,� he threatened in a husky voice.
She couldn�t believe how quickly the argument had turned into sexual foreplay. Her body was flush with his, and she could feel his arousal against her belly. �Then I guess you�re going to have to tie me to that chair,� she taunted him.
�Oh I doubt I�ll need any ropes to keep you here,� he mumbled right before his mouth came crashing down on hers. He lifted her up and carried her back over to their nest by the fireplace, and they both fell to the ground kissing the whole time.
�Okay Luis, I�ll give my promise as long as you promise to keep doing this to me,� she told him breathlessly.
�Now that�s a promise I can keep...........�
Chapter 7
Sheridan stood at the window and watched Luis cleaning the snow off of her car. She couldn�t put if off any longer. It was time to go home, and she had very mixed emotions right now. It was killing her to leave her husband behind, but her children needed her and she missed them so badly. Damn that Jack Russo for doing this to them. She was not going to let him destroy her family, and her determination to make him pay was a driving force that filled her. She almost hated it when he finished and started walking toward the door, because it signaled the end of their time together. When he got to the porch, he stomped his feet to get the excess snow off of his shoes, and when he walked in the door, a blast of cold air came rushing in. They both stood there for a moment just staring at each other, neither one saying a word until Sheridan couldn�t take it any longer and ran into his arms.
�Luis, I don�t want to leave you,� she told him, trying to hide the tears that were threatening to flow.
�I know,� he said, holding her tight. �It�s killing me to let you go, but Luke and Lily need you and we have to put them first.�
�I hate Jack Russo....... I hate him!� she cried angrily. �I hope he rots in hell right alongside my father.�
�Hey,� he said lifting her chin. �We have to stay positive, and be smart about this whole thing. We have a plan, and you know that Julian could still wake up and tell the police who really shot him.�
�Yeah, knowing my brother, he would lie just to get you into trouble,� she grumbled.
�Did I not tell you to be positive?� he reminded her.
�Oh, all right.� she agreed.
�Now, let�s go over our deal. I promised to stay here hidden if you promise not to go near Jack Russo by yourself. Is that clear Sheridan?� he asked.
�Yes Luis, that is crystal clear and the same thing goes for you. Don�t leave here unless Jack Russo shows up. There are hunting rifles and Julian always keeps a four-wheel drive parked out in the back. The keys are hanging on that hook by the back door..............�
�I know Sheridan,� he said, smiling down on her.
�Well, I guess I better get on the road now,� she said, miserably.
�I want you to be careful. Even though most of the snow has melted off of the roads there could be stray patches of ice. If you run into any car trouble I want you to call me right away.�
�I will Luis,� she promised, her eyes welling up with tears. �I guess I better get my coat.� She turned and pulled her coat off of the hall tree, and slipped it on, and Luis buttoned it up for her.
�Will you give the twins a kiss for me, and tell them how much I love them?� he asked smiling, trying to lighten the mood.
She flashed him back a big smile. �Yes, in fact I�ll give them lots of kisses from you.�
�Good, now I want a kiss from you,� he said, lowering his head.
She came willingly and wrapped her arms around him. The kiss was filled with longing and regret, and an overwhelming love. �Goodbye Luis,� she said when the kiss ended. �I�ll be back as soon as I can.�
�I�ll be counting the minutes, but I don�t want you coming up here if it isn�t safe.�
�I won�t,� she said, placing her hand on the doorknob.
�Let me walk you out........�
�No, if you do that I won�t be able to leave.� She opened the door, and turned to look at her one more time. �I love you Luis.�
�I love you too.�
She couldn�t help it, when she got to the car she just had to turn one last time. Luis was standing by the door watching her, and she waved before she got in and drove away, tears streaming down her face the whole time.
********************
As soon as the snowplows were able to clear the roads, Pilar rushed to be with her grandchildren. Kay and Evan needed to get back to classes, and Chad insisted that they leave, because he would be there to protect Luke and Lily. Pilar was on the floor playing with the children and Chad was making some phone calls when a car pulled up in front of the house. When Chad checked to see what Ace was barking at, he smiled when he saw Sheridan get out of the car. She ran up to the house and through the door looking around for her children. When she saw them playing on the floor she smiled brightly and shed her coat as she hurried toward them.
�How are my sweet peas?� she asked, plopping down on the floor beside them. The twins were so excited to see their mother they crawled all over her squealing with joy. She hugged them both tightly, planting kisses all over their faces. �Oh mommy missed you so much.�
�I am not surprised,� Pilar said, smiling at the twins� affectionately. �They have been calling for mommy and daddy ever since I have been here.�
�Thank you for coming out Pilar. I�m sure the children were very happy to see their abuela,� Sheridan said, giving her babies another hug.
�How is Luis?� Pilar asked with a worried frown.
�He is safe and warm Pilar, but it is imperative that we not let on to anyone where he is hiding. If the FBI finds him before we can prove his innocence, he�ll have to go to jail.�
�Actually Sheridan,� Chad said. �That won�t be a problem because I didn�t tell Pilar where Luis was. I thought that it would be better if she didn�t know so that she won�t have to lie if somebody questions her.�
�I tried to tell him that I would never reveal my son�s whereabouts, but he still refused to tell me,� Pilar complained.
�Pilar, I think that Chad is right,� Sheridan told her. �Just know that the person that shot Julian was holding him prisoner, and he is now safe. We just don�t want you to be put in the position where you will have to lie to the authorities. There are already too many people that know.�
�Okay Sheridan, but I want you to promise that you will tell me if anything happens,� Pilar conceded.
�I promise Pilar,� Sheridan said, hugging her. �So, did my little cutie pies behave while I was gone?�
�They were pretty good, but I think these poor little kids need to get out of the house. They have been stuck in here for days,� Chad told her.
�Well then, I think we should all go out for lunch,� Sheridan suggested. �I�m buying.�
�Sounds good to me,� Chad said. �I have never been one to pass up a free lunch.�
�I appreciate the offer Sheridan, but when you said you were coming home today, I told Ivy that I would go to the mansion. She feels that the staff is out of control since she had to spend so much time at the hospital.�
�How is Julian?� Sheridan asked. �Has he shown any signs of coming out of the coma yet?�
�I�m afraid not,� Pilar said, shaking her head. �God forgive me, but nobody deserves this more than Julian does, but I wish he would come out of this so he can clear Luis.�
�I know what you mean Pilar. My brother has done some despicable things to all of us, but when he threatened my children that was the final straw. I want him to live and clear Luis, but he will never be a part of our lives again.�
�Well, I must be going,� Pilar said, kissing Luke and Lily goodbye. �Please keep me posted about Luis.�
�I will Pilar,� Sheridan told her. After Pilar left, she kissed her babies again. �That�s from daddy. He misses you so much.........�
�Dada,� Lily said, flaying her arms excitedly.
Luke followed suit, and chanted with her. �Dadada.........�
Sheridan�s heart broke when she heard them call out for their daddy. �I know that you miss daddy as much as he misses you. Mommy promises that you will get to see daddy soon, but right now we need to put your coats on so we can go to lunch with Chad.�
�I�ll help you,� Chad offered.
*******************
Jack Russo thanked the waitress as she placed another drink at his table. He ignored her look of disapproval over the fact that it was only noon and he was already on his third drink. He had come from an earlier meeting with Warren and was just about at the end of his rope. Things were definitely not going the way he had planned, and Warren�s stinging lecture about his failure to finish off Julian Crane had been the final straw. The only way he had been able to silence Warren was with his threat of the videotape he had of Warren arranging Alistair Crane�s death, and he had immediately come here for a drink. He didn�t know if he was more bothered by the fact that Julian could come out of his coma and reveal that he was the shooter or the fact that Luis had guessed the truth about his real identity.
He was contemplating his dilemma when he looked up and saw Sheridan come into the Lobster Shack with Chad Harris. She was carrying the little girl, who looked like a carbon copy of her, and Chad was holding the little boy. He couldn�t believe that after all this time she was as beautiful as the first time he laid eyes on her. A dark thought entered his mind when he thought about Luis being locked up in the basement of that cabin. He knew that Luis was sick, and he also knew that he must have been freezing down in that hole. If he was already dead then he wouldn�t have to worry about making the distasteful decision on whether to kill him or not. Sheridan would grieve at first, but eventually she would go on with her life for the sake of her children, and he would be there to pick up the pieces. This time he would court her in the style that she was accustomed too, and he would finally have her all to himself. The thought of raising Luis� brats was not exactly thrilling, but he would make the sacrifice to have Sheridan in his life. Puffed up with his arrogance, he decided to approach their table, hoping that if he pretended sympathy for Sheridan�s current situation, he would make inroads to further their relationship.
Sheridan couldn�t believe the audacity of that bastard Jack Russo. It was bad enough that he was openly staring at her, but now he actually had the nerve to come over to their table, and she voiced her anger to Chad. �I can�t believe that scum is coming over here,� she whispered.
�Look Sheridan,� he whispered back. �I know that you want to kill the guy for what he�s done, but you have to keep your cool here. You cannot let on that you suspect him in any way, because if you do we will never be able to get the goods on him. He may pack up and take off with the evidence. Now promise me you�ll behave.�
�Oh, all right. Maybe I can get him to touch something so I can get his fingerprints.......�
�Shhhh, he�s almost here.�
�Mrs. Lopez-Fitzgerald,� Jack said, smiling like a Cheshire cat. �I couldn�t believe it when I looked up and saw you sitting her with your beautiful children.�
�Mr. Russo,� Sheridan acknowledged him. �I thought that my children could use an outing since they�ve been shut in the house for so long. I guess all that snow made us all a little stare crazy.�
�Yes, I can certainly relate to that,� Jack responded. �I think I remember you from the Seascape on New Year�s Eve,� he said, looking directly at Chad.
�Chad Harris,� Chad said, holding his hand out to Russo.
�Chad is my nephew,� Sheridan supplied.
�How nice,� Jack said, shaking Chad�s hand. �Look Mrs. Lopez-Fitzgerald, I just wanted to let you know how sorry I am about this whole nasty business with your husband and Julian Crane.�
Sheridan used every ounce of control, and managed to paste a smile on her face. �I�m sure you can understand how upsetting this has been for my children and me. I just wish that my husband would turn himself in so that we can clear him of this charge.�
�Yes, I can imagine that these two little ones are missing their dad,� Russo said, stroking the top of Lily�s head.
Lily instantly began crying, holding out her arms for her mother. Sheridan picked her up out of the highchair the restaurant had provided, and held her close, comforting her. Luke must have sensed the presence of evil too, and scooped up some of his applesauce and threw a blob right at Jack Russo�s face. Sheridan almost laughed when she saw the sticky substance dripping off of his chin, but the look in Russo�s eyes sobered her. It was so malicious that it made Sheridan�s blood run cold, but it only lasted for a moment and Jack Russo smiled and pulled out his handkerchief to wipe his face. �Well, you certainly are a rambunctious little fellow.�
Sheridan pulled herself together and corrected her little boy. �Luke, it�s not nice to throw food at people. I�m afraid that he has been acting out a bit since his father�s disappearance,� Sheridan explained.
�No problem,� Jack smiled. �Well, I need to get moving. I�ve got to get to the club and make sure that everything is ready to open tonight.�
After Jack Russo left, Chad burst out laughing. �You have some smart kids there Sheridan. Even they can smell a rat when they see one.�
�I know, but did you see the look in Jack Russo�s eyes when Luke threw that applesauce on him?� Sheridan, said, wiping the tears from Lily�s cheeks with her napkin. �I was frightened to death for my little boy.�
�Sheridan don�t worry,� Chad assured her. �I am not going to let him do anything to Luke and Lily.�
�Oh God Chad, I had to use all my restraint not to hop up from this table and scratch his eyes out. I actually feel violated every time I look at him, and to think he touched my little girl,� she shivered.
�Hey,� Chad said, putting his hand on hers. �It�s going to be okay. In fact, I have some great news that I forgot to tell you about with all the excitement of you coming home.�
�What news?� Sheridan asked, perking up.
�Well, I�ve put some feelers out on the con artist that impersonated the social worker that came to your house, and it turns out that old Destiny has a bit of a cocaine problem. One of my associates busted the dealer that supplies her and the next time she makes a purchase, it�s going to be a DEA agent doing the selling.�
�Oh Chad, does that mean you�ll be able to question her?� she asked excitedly.
�Yup, he�s going to call me when it happens, and believe me I�m not going to stop until she gives up Jack Russo.�
Jack Russo drove away from the Lobster Shack still feeling humiliated from what that little brat had done to him. He was like a miniature Luis making him feel like a fool all over again, and it was something that he was not going to forget.
*******************
Back when Martin was first admitted to the hospital all those years ago, the Cranes had told the staff that his name was John Smith. How appropriate that the Crane�s would give him a name that was normally given to people that had no past. He had gotten used to responding to the name of John, but today his mind was occupied with thoughts of the newspaper article and it didn�t register at first. A tap on the shoulder finally alerted him that his friend Georges was trying to get his attention.
�John my friend, you look like you are in another world,� Georges said, smiling.
�I�m sorry Georges,� Martin said, returning his smile. �You are right. I do have a lot on my mind.�
�I hope that it is nothing troubling,� Georges said, frowning.
�Actually Georges, I�m not sure if it is or not, but I need your help.�
�Of course��. What can I do?� Georges asked, curiously.
Martin looked around, checking to see if anyone was watching them. �We need to go somewhere where we won�t be seen. I have something that is written in French that I need for you to translate.�
�Come John,� Georges said, taking Martin�s shoulder. No one is looking. We will go to my room.�
�I�ll meet you there. I need to stop by my room to get the article I want you to translate,� he whispered to him.
Later, when they were both sequestered in Georges� room, Martin pulled the article from his pants pocket and handed it to Georges. �Tell me what the headline says.�
�Where did you get this my friend?� Georges inquired, unfolding the paper. �We are not allowed to have newspapers in here.�
�One of the attendants dropped it the other day when there was a scuffle between some of the patients. I was curious for any news from the outside, but I really need to know about this article.�
Georges took his glasses out of the bedside table and studied the newspaper. �Well, it says here that this Julian Crane person was shot by his brother-in-law.�
�His brother-in-law?� Martin asked, shocked. �Is Julian dead, and who is this brother-in-law?�
�No, he is not dead, but it says that his condition is serious and he is in a coma. The brother-in-law is this Luis Lopez-Fitzgerald,� Georges explained, pointing to the picture besides Julian.
�Oh, dear God,� Martin said, sitting on the bed.
�What is wrong John, you look like you�ve seen a ghost?� Georges asked, concerned for his friend�s state of mind.
�Please tell me, does it say anything else?� Martin asked in a shaky voice.
Georges read through the entire article. �It says that this Luis is married to Sheridan Crane, and there was some animosity between him and this Julian. They suspect him of shooting Julian Crane and fleeing the scene of the crime.�
�Is Luis in jail?� Martin asked.
�No�.. Apparently he has not been seen or heard from since the shooting, and he has left behind his wife and twin babies.�
�They have twin babies? I can�t believe this,� Martin said, with tears in his eyes.
�John, this has obviously upset you. Do you know these people?�
Martin looked at Georges, and felt a bond of trust with him. He decided that if he was ever going to get out of this place he would have to confide in somebody, and it may as well be Georges. It was finally time to reveal the truth, and hope that Georges could think of a way to help him. �Georges, my name is not John. It is Martin Fitzgerald, and Luis is my son.�
�Are you serious?� Georges said, shocked. �No offense my friend, but all of us in here have been known to have some delusional moments.�
�No offense to you Georges, but there is nothing wrong with my mind. The Cranes had me put away in here because I found out things about them that could bring down the Crane Empire.�
�I�ve heard of these Cranes, and I know that they are very powerful, but there is one thing that is puzzling me. I do not mean to be insensitive, but why did they not just kill you? They went to a lot of expense over the years to keep you here.�
�Believe me Georges, I�ve thought of that very thing a hundred times, and the only conclusion I can come to is the physical evidence I have against them. Over the years the doctors have tried to get me to reveal my hiding place, but I never gave it up.�
�How sad for you Jo........, I mean Martin, that you have been separated from your family for all these years. Do they have any idea where you are?�
�I�m afraid that they have no idea if I�m dead or alive,� Martin said, sadly. �All these years I have been separated from my wife and children when they needed me most. Now, my son needs me and I cannot even be there for him. I know that I haven�t seen him in a long time, but I refuse to believe that he is guilty of this crime.�
Even though they had not known each other long, Georges knew that Martin was a good man, and his heart went out to him for his plight. He pondered his situation for a moment, and suddenly an idea occurred to him. �I have an idea. They have just recently granted me visiting privileges, and my sister is coming to see me next week. Why don�t you write a letter to your family, and we�ll smuggle it out with my sister. I�m sure that Juliette will send it for you.�
�Oh Georges, you are a lifesaver,� Martin said, happily. �Maybe now I can finally let my family know that I�m alive and where to find me. I will never be able to thank you for this.�
�The look of happiness on your face is thanks enough for me my friend,� Georges said, smiling.
********************
It had been two days since Sheridan left and Luis was going crazy. He was sick of watching television and having nobody to talk to but the walls surrounding him. Sheridan had called to tell him about running into Jack Russo at the Lobster Shack, and he was livid. How dare that bastard go near his family? He had tried to make light of Luke�s little food throwing incident to Sheridan, but it worried him more than he wanted to admit. A normal person would have laughed it off as just the antics of a baby, but Luis had a feeling that Jack Russo was a man that didn�t like to be humiliated in front of others. If Russo was really Hank, that was even worse because of all the past bad blood, not to mention his obsession with Sheridan. At least Chad had been able to get a lead on the social worker imposter, but it wasn�t enough and Luis was growing impatient. He wanted to be exonerated from this charge and get back to his family, and he wanted it soon. The sound of a car engine made his heart start pounding and he hopped up from the chair that he was sitting in. He had gotten in a habit of keeping the curtains drawn just in case anybody came snooping around, and he pulled one aside just a sliver to peer out. He had to do a double take when he saw Sheridan get out of Evan�s car wearing her Natalie wig. Oh God, something must be really wrong for her to come up here without calling. He pulled the front door open and stepped onto the porch.
�Sheridan, what�s wrong?� he called out, walking toward her.
She flashed him a brilliant smile. �Nothing�s wrong. I just thought that I would bring some supplies for you.�
�You scared me half to death when I saw you get out of the car. Why didn�t you call and tell me that you were coming?�
�Why don�t you quit being so bossy, and give me a kiss,� she said, wrapping her arms around him.
After he kissed her soundly, he stepped back and looked at her with a raised eyebrow. �What kind of supplies did you bring anyway? There is still plenty of food inside. Oh, and why are you wearing the wig? Is the FBI back in town?�
�I haven�t seen the FBI, but I thought that it never hurts to be cautious and I think you�ll like the supplies I brought,� she smiled. �Would you help me unload them from the back seat?�
�Sure,� Luis said, walking to the back car door. When he looked in the back seat a rush of pure joy came over him when he saw Luke and Lily sitting in their car seats, dressed in snowsuits. He couldn�t get the car door opened fast enough, and within minutes he had Luke in his arms, hugging him tightly. Both twins were squealing with delight when they saw their daddy for the first time in weeks. Sheridan got Lily out of her seat and handed her to Luis. �Daddy is so happy to see you,� he told them spinning around in a circle, kissing them both. �I have missed you so much.�
�Can I assume that you like my surprise?� Sheridan asked, her eyes welling up with tears watching the happy reunion.
�Oh, you have no idea sweetheart,� he said, leaning over and kissing her cheek. �Let�s get these two inside where it�s warm, and I�ll unload the car and pull it around to the back of the cabin out of sight.�
After Luis was finished carrying in the twins� portable bed, the giant super saver pack of diapers and all the boxes of jars of baby food, he felt like he had just had a rigorous workout at the gym. �Hey Sheridan, why didn�t you just bring a moving van?� he joked, setting the box of baby food on the counter top.
She pulled the dark wig off, and ran a hand through her blond curls. �It never hurts to be prepared,� she told him, doing an inventory of the things he had carried in. �You forgot the suitcase packed with the babies� clothes.�
Luis looked at her skeptically. �Are you going to tell me what�s really going on here? I thought this was supposed to be a little visit, and there is enough gear here to last for a month.�
�Well,� she said, biting her bottom lip. �I�ve made the decision that you should take care of the children while Chad and I work on your case. Who better to keep them safe then their own father?�
�Sheridan,� he hissed in a quiet voice as to not upset the babies. �Have you forgotten that I�m a fugitive from the law?�
�No Luis, I have not forgotten, but I have everything figured out. Reese is still monitoring Jack Russo with the tracking device, so if he comes anywhere near the vicinity, you�ll know in plenty of time to take the babies and make an escape.�
�What about the FBI? They could still track down this place, and I�m not going to put my children in the middle of a standoff with the law.�
�Come on Luis, I know you better than that. Even if the children weren�t here you would never resist being arrested, so don�t try to pull that with me,� she whispered to him. �Your children miss you, and I know that you miss them too. Besides I can�t continue to ask Evan and Kay to watch them, and your mother has a job to do. Now, you look at those sweet little faces and then tell me that you�re sorry that they�re here.�
�You know that I couldn�t be happier to see them, but why don�t you tell me the real reason that you brought the twins here?� he asked, knowingly.
�Because Luis, I�m scared to leave them around Harmony where Jack Russo can get his hands on them. You didn�t see the way he looked at Luke, and I really did want to surprise you,� she said, her blue eyes filled with fear.
�Okay,� he said, hugging her. �We�ll play it by ear for now, but we have to be very careful. Now, why don�t we go play with our children?�
Later, after Sheridan got the twins things put away, she walked into the living room, and had to smile at the scene before her. Luis was lying on his back, and he was taking turns lifting the babies in the air. They were giggling, and crawling all over him so happy to be with their daddy again. �I hate to break up the party, but I think it�s time for these two little acrobats to get ready for bed.�
�What�s that Peanut?� Luis said, bending his head down to Lily. �She said to tell mommy that she wants to play some more.�
�Oh really,� Sheridan said, laughing. �What does Luke have to say about this?�
�Dada,� Luke said, surprising them both.
�I know you�re having fun, but it�s time to get your pajama�s on, and then daddy can read you a story,� she said, picking Lily up from Luis� chest. �Luis, would you get your son and bring him in the bedroom?� Lily yawned, and seemed perfectly content to cuddle against Sheridan�s shoulder.
Sheridan had insisted that they put the babies� portable bed in the same bedroom where they slept because she refused to have her children sleep in THAT bedroom. Luis read them a story, and they were both out like a light by the time he read the last page. Sheridan and Luis cuddled in bed and watched their sleeping children, perfectly content for the first time in weeks to all be together. Because the babies were in the room, Luis wore his plaid pajama bottoms, and Sheridan opted to wear the top that matched them.
�Thank you Sheridan,� Luis said, putting his arms around her. �This has been the best day I�ve had in weeks.�
�So you�re not angry with me for bringing the babies up here?�
�Okay, I was concerned, but I was never angry with you,� he said, giving her a kiss. �I really missed you these last few days.�
�I missed you too,� she said, running her hands over his smooth, muscular back. �I want you Luis.�
�I want you too Sheridan, but we can�t make love with the babies in the same room," he reminded her.
�I guess you�re right. Come into the bathroom with me,� she said, pulling him out of bed.
�The bathroom? This could be interesting,� Luis said, smiling.
�Well, I forgot the baby monitors, and it�s right outside the bedroom so if they wake up we�ll hear them.�
When they got inside the bathroom, Luis backed her against the wall and began kissing her passionately while running his hands up inside her shirt to cup her bottom drawing her closer. It always amazed her that all Luis had to do was kiss her this way, and she was wet with need for him. He must have been reading her mind because he touched her there making her moan with pleasure. �God Sheridan, you�re so hot,� he whispered huskily in her ear. Her only response was to move her most sensitive area against his arousal, feeling his heat through the material of his pajama bottoms. He kissed her again, and his hands were everywhere, tracing every peak and valley under her shirt while she did the same to him. By the time he lifted her up and placed her on the counter, she was fumbling with the drawstring on his pajamas to free him. He slipped inside of her, and she wrapped her legs around him offering everything. Her fingers dug into his shoulders and her mouth search out his lips again, as he took her to paradise.
********************
The next morning Sheridan opened her eyes to the bright light of morning. As soon as she could focus, her gaze traveled to the twins� bed, and there were her sweet little babies standing up hanging on to the side of the railing staring at her. When they saw that she was awake, they smiled and called out to her. Luis who was lying behind her with his chest against her back, and his arm locked around her waist lifted his head to see what was going on. �Look at them Sheridan,� he said with his husky morning voice. �I can�t believe how much they�re growing up.�
�It�s amazing isn�t it? They�re so darn cute I can�t stand it,� she said, affectionately.
They got up and changed the babies� diapers and put them in bed with them to play before breakfast. It was a special time filled with love, but it was also bittersweet knowing that Sheridan was going to have to leave later that day. She and Chad were planning on breaking into Jack Russo�s place that night to see if they could locate the missing security videotape. If they found it they were going to mail it anonymously to the police to point them in the right direction. That way, they wouldn�t be accused of taking evidence without a search warrant. Luis wasn�t happy about Sheridan going along with Chad, but she refused to budge on the matter, and he didn�t feel like arguing with her right now. They would wait until Jack was at the club and then make their move. Reese would be monitoring Russo�s movements just in case he decided to come home early and he would be able to give them plenty of warning to get out of there in time. Later that day when it was time for Sheridan to go she was crying at the thought of leaving her family again.
Sheridan sat down on the floor where Luke and Lily were playing, and pulled them both into a hug. �Mommy has to go back to town but you get to stay here with daddy and I just know that you�re going to have the best time together. I love you so much,� she told them, planting kisses on their cheeks. She gave them one final kiss and reluctantly got up to leave.
�Promise me that you will be careful and listen to what Chad says,� Luis said, pulling her into his arms.
�I promise Luis,� she said, her eyes shining with love for him. �Maybe by tomorrow we�ll be closer to ending this nightmare.�
�I hope your right Sheridan because I don�t know how many more of these separations I can take.�
�I know Luis.......... Believe me I know,� she whispered right before she kissed him goodbuy.
Chapter 8
Chad had pulled Jack Russo�s records from the Department of Motor Vehicles and located the exact address. The tracking device only showed a location, but there was no way to know what apartment he was actually living in. The apartment building was new and very upscale, with a security system, but Chad assured Sheridan that it wouldn�t be a problem. He reminded her that they both had a lot to lose if they got caught and offered her a chance to back out and wait in the car. She flatly refused, saying that if Chad could put his job on the line for Luis, that she was in this for the long run too. Chad motioned her to the back of the building so he could try to break through the secured door where there wasn�t as much traffic. Sheridan kept watch, and Chad located the box that housed the wires for the alarms. It was a basic setup and in a matter of minutes, he had the alarm disarmed. �Come on,� he called to Sheridan.
�That was fast,� she said, shocked. �You�re pretty good at this kind of thing.�
�Hey, I learned a lot growing up on the streets of L.A., and it made me a smart cop too. Now, remember, if we see anybody just act nonchalant.�
�No problem,� she assured him.
When they located Jack Russo�s apartment, Chad pulled two sets of surgical gloves out of his pocked and handed her a pair. �Put those on.�
�What are these for?� she asked, confused. �I thought cops used these when they didn�t want to taint the evidence during an investigation?�
�I don�t really think you want to leave your fingerprints all over the inside of this place do you?� Chad asked scathingly.
�Oh, yeah,� she said, embarrassed by her stupid question.
�Stand over there and guard the entrance to the hallway while I pick the lock to his front door. Just clear your throat or something if you see anybody coming this way,� Chad instructed her.
�Okay, I can do that,� Sheridan told him.
Chad made quick work at picking the lock, and Sheridan was amazed at how fast he got the door open. He motioned for her to follow him inside. �Now, make sure that you have your cell phone so that Reese can reach us in case Russo makes a move.�
�It�s right here in my pocket,� she said, pulling it out to show it to him. After she put it away, she looked around the living room they had just broken into. The place was decorated in a contemporary design, but for the most part was pretty sterile. There was nothing homey or welcoming about the room with the leather furniture and chrome tables. �So, where do we start?�
�You go to the bedroom and I�ll start out here,� Chad instructed. �Just remember, put everything back exactly the way you found it. We don�t want to Russo that we were in here.�
Sheridan noticed that Jack Russo�s bedroom was as cold and impersonal as his living room. She started out with the dresser, and went methodically through the drawers, making sure to fold everything back in place. When she didn�t find anything in there, she looked under the bed and even between the mattresses coming up short once again. She moved over to the closet door and was surprised to find it locked. �Chad, could you come in here?� she called out to him.
�What is it?� Chad asked, coming to the bedroom door. �Did you find something?�
�This closet door is locked. Don�t you find that a little strange that someone would lock his clothes up?�
�I sure do,� Chad responded. �Let me just get my lucky lock picking device out here, and we can see what Jack Russo finds so important that he needs to lock it up,� Chad said, smiling.
Chad had the door open in a matter of minutes, and Sheridan was just amazed by his talents for breaking into places. �You know Chad, I think you might be in the wrong profession. You just might be more suited to be a cat burglar than a DEA agent.�
�Well sometimes the two go hand in hand. Now, let�s see what we have here,� Chad said, turning on the light.
At first glance there was nothing strange about the walk-in closet that indicted a reason for the door to be locked. All the shirts and trousers were hanging neatly in a row and his shoes were lined up on the floor, but Chad wasn�t satisfied. He continued to look for something that may be hidden. Sheridan showed her disappointment that there was nothing here, but Chad reminded her that there had to be a reason that Jack Russo had locked that closet and he was determined to find it. He started moving the clothes aside and laughed out loud when he discovered a cupboard hidden behind Russo�s shirts. �Sheridan, I think we just hit pay dirt.�
�Open it Chad,� Sheridan said, excitedly.
Hitting pay dirt was an understatement when they saw what was inside the secret compartment. There was a gun, a thick wad of cash, Martha�s key card, and not only the videotape from Crane Industries, but another unmarked one as well. None of those things surprised Sheridan as much as the trophy sitting there with Hank Bennett�s name on the front. �Look at this Chad,� she said, handing the trophy to him. �This proves that Jack Russo is really Hank. Oh God, I just thought of something. He was the one that broke into Pilar�s house that time Luis and I were out of town.�
�But, wasn�t he locked up in the loony bin then?�
�Come on Chad, he faked his death, why couldn�t he get out of the mental hospital?� Sheridan reasoned. �If we take all of this stuff and show it to Sam, this will be sure to put him away.�
�Slow down Sheridan. You know that we talked about this. There is no way we can take this stuff and have it hold up in court,� Chad reminded her.
�It just drives me crazy to have all this at our fingertips and not to be able to take advantage of it,� Sheridan said in a frustrated voice. �I�m going to at least watch this other videotape. It has to be something important or he wouldn�t have it hidden away in here.�
�Okay, but we need to hurry up, and get out of here. You pop that in the recorder, and I�m going to check out the bathroom to see if I can get something to use for a DNA test,� Chad said, pulling a plastic baggie with a zip lock top. �These are great for holding evidence samples.�
Sheridan popped the unmarked tape in the recorder and pushed play and the longer it played, the more shocked she became. Warren was talking to someone whose body was out of the picture, and he was actually planning the murder of her father.
�Hey Sheridan, I found one of his combs and it still has some strands of his hair in it,� Chad said, coming back into the living room.
�Shhh Chad, watch this,� she told her, motioning for him to come over to where she was standing.
Warren was giving this unknown person instructions on how to sabotage Alistair�s plane so that it would be sure to crash. The other person didn�t say much and it was hard to make out his responses, because he was talking in muffled tones, but something was oddly familiar about his voice. Her father�s plane crash hadn�t been an accident after all, but cold-blooded murder, and the pilot of that plane had also died. What possible reason could Warren want to murder her father? His voice was unrecognizable, almost deranged as he was going through his plan.
�What the hell did we stumble on to?� Chad said, staring at the television with a look of disbelief written on his face.
�A murder plot Chad, and I do not believe what I�m seeing here,� Sheridan said, shaking her head in amazement. �We have to take this tape too.�
�Sheridan you know that we can only take the security tape because we brought one from Crane Industries to replace it with. If that other tape comes up missing Jack Russo is going to know that someone was here, and I don�t have to remind you of what he will do.�
�Oh all right,� she said, disappointed. �But I�m going to find out just what Warren has to do with all of this.�
�Come on, let�s put all this stuff back just the way it was in Russo�s evil shrine and get the hell out of here,� Chad advised.
They did just that and managed to get out of there without incident. By the time Sheridan got home, it was late, but she knew that Luis wouldn�t rest until she called him to let him know she was all right. When he answered the phone, she could hear the relief in his voice. �Sheridan, are you all right?� Luis asked.
�Yes Luis, I�m fine. Everything went off without a hitch. I�ll tell you all about it, but first tell me how my babies are?�
�They�re sleeping like little angels, but I got to tell you they wore me out,� Luis said, chuckling, but then he turned serious. �You have no idea how relieved I am that you are home and safe. So, tell me what happened?�
Sheridan told Luis that they were successful in switching the security tapes, but she shocked him into silence when she also informed him about the trophy and the other videotape of Warren planning her father�s murder. When Luis finally found his voice again, he told her that he wanted her out of this situation now because things were getting too dangerous, but she refused. They argued and once again Sheridan was able to convince him that she would not rest until he was free to come home. She promised him that she would be up there as soon as she could. Luis wasn�t happy with the outcome of their conversation, but what choice did he have but to accept it since he still had this charge hanging over his head. He did tell her however, that if he suspected that she was getting in over her head he would personally come down the mountain and carry her back up, kicking and screaming if necessary.
********************
The next morning Luis was feeding the twins breakfast when he thought about what Sheridan had told him last night. There was no doubt in his mind now that Jack Russo was really Hank, and he didn�t need a DNA test to prove it. He had laid awak for hours last night trying to piece this mystery together, and had come to the conclusion that Warren and Hank had been working together this whole time. It had been Warren, and not Julian that had financed Hank�s plot to make everyone think he was dead. It was obvious that Hank was blackmailing Warren, but he had a hunch that they both had a vendetta against the Cranes, but what were their motives? Warren�s father had been knee-deep in the plot to kill the Senator all those years ago, but his father had ended up committing suicide. Did Warren blame the Cranes for this? Hank was a different story, because he used to be employed by the Cranes to sell their drugs, so what was his motive for wanting Julian dead? Maybe Hank had found out that Alistair and Julian had killed his father all those years ago, and he and Warren had joined together with a common goal to avenge their father�s deaths. Apparently Hank had decided to add a twist to his agenda, and avenge his bad feelings toward him and Sheridan too. The FAA report on their plane crash on the way to New York was still not in, but that didn�t surprise Luis, because he knew that these investigations could take months even years sometimes, but he felt sure that the plane was sabotaged. Julian Crane was the intended victim of that crash, and they had the unfortunate luck of being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Setting him up for Julian�s murder was not unfortunate luck however, but a premeditated plot to destroy him and his family while carrying out his plan to rid the world of Julian. It still saddened him to think that his friend had turned into this evil person since they had been so close growing up together. Somewhere along the way Hank had lost his grasp on reality, and their relationship had changed forever from the moment he had broken into their home and had tried to kidnap Sheridan. Hank has waged war, and it was coming down to the final showdown between them, but Luis had every intention of coming out of top this time.
�Dada,� Luke called out with impatience.
�Oh, sorry about that buddy. I guess that your dad got a little carried away with his thoughts. Here, take another bite,� Luis said, putting the spoon in his mouth. Luke let the food dribble out of his mouth as a sign that he was through eating. �What about you Peanut? Do you want another bite of this good cereal?� Lily�s only response was a small wail of protest, clamping her mouth together. They both began to struggle to get out of their car seats, wanting to get loose to go explore. It had been too much trouble to bring their highchairs all the way up here, so Luis was strapping them in their car seats in order to feed them. �Okay, settle down you two. Let daddy wipe your mouths off first.� When he was finished cleaning them up he got them out of their car seats and they both took off like little bats out of hell.
Luis couldn�t believe how much his children had changed in just the time he was away. They were now pulling themselves up to standing positions by hanging on to whatever was there for them to grab on to. He almost had a heart attack when he saw Lily standing by a table pulling on a lamp that was in a very precarious position to come toppling down on top of her. Just when he had put out that fire, he caught Luke trying to climb up the bookcase just like a little monkey. After twenty minutes of chasing them around to keep them from getting hurt, Luis plopped down on the floor and scooped both of them up to sit in front of him. �Okay you two, time out,� he told them in a gentle, but authoritative voice. Luke and Lily looked at him with large, surprised eyes, and then they did something that Luis couldn�t believe. They both started giggling as if to say sure daddy, whatever. He had to use all of his restraint to keep from laughing because he knew that it was important for them to learn their boundaries. �You think this is funny, but daddy is serious here. It�s a good thing that you want to go out and explore and learn about things, but you have to be careful. I know that this is hard for you to understand, but there are things out there that can hurt you, and if anything would happen to you mommy and daddy would be really sad.� Suddenly the phone rang, interrupting his first lesson in parental guidance. �I bet that�s mommy. Now, I want both of you to sit here and play while daddy talks on the phone.�
Luis hopped up and grabbed the phone, and sat down on the sofa, keeping his eyes on his children the whole time. �Hello.�
�Luis, good morning,� Sheridan said in a cheerful voice. �How are Luke and Lily this morning?�
�They�re fine, but I think we�re in big trouble Sheridan.�
�What do you mean?� she asked fearfully.
�Don�t get upset, I was just teasing. It�s just that our kids are getting into all kinds of trouble. I�m afraid their curiosity is going to make me gray before my time.�
Sheridan laughed. �I know they are getting to be quite a handful, but I have every confidence that you can handle it............ Listen Luis; I have some great news. They arrested that Destiny person last night, and I am going to go with Chad to identify her, and that�s not all. Jack Russo�s credit card check came back and he did use his VISA to rent a car near the area where your car was found.�
�That is great news Sheridan. I�ve been thinking a lot about what you told me last night, and I think I have all this figured out.......... Oh no, hold on a minute,� he said putting the phone down. The twins had pulled themselves up and were standing at the table in front of the sofa. They had opened a coffee table book on Crane Industries and they were taking turns ripping out the pages. When Luis got to her, Lily was crinkling up one of the pages in her hand. �Peanut, give that to daddy,� he said, taking it out of her hand. When he unfolded it, he couldn�t help but laugh when he saw a picture of Alistair sitting at his desk in one of his most professional poses. �Well, I have to say Peanut that you picked a good page to destroy, but I really need for you two to behave while I finish talking to mommy.� Luis picked the phone up again, and told Sheridan about the twin�s latest mishap.
�Luis put the phone up to their ears so I can talk to them.� Luis did just that and pretty soon Luke and Lily were calling to mama. �Look honey, I don�t mean to rush, but Chad is waiting for me. I love you, and kiss the children for me.�
�I will Sheridan, and I love you too. Will you call me later?�
�Oh, I think I just might find time to do that,� she teased right before she hung up.
********************
Georges had managed to get the letter he had written to Pilar smuggled out with his sister, and now all Martin had to do was wait. If ever he needed to get home to his family the time was now. The article hadn�t mentioned anyone else in the family, but Luis, his wife and children. Martin smiled at the thought of the twins, wondering if they were boys, or girls, or one of each. He could hardly wait to meet his grandchildren for the first time, and he knew that Pilar must be ecstatic over having grandchildren that she could spoil. He wondered if Antonio was married with children as well. It was still hard to believe that Luis was married to Sheridan Crane of all people. He would have never thought in a million years that one of his sons would end up married to a Crane. Maybe now, after all this time he would finally be able to go home and see his family again thanks to Georges. Right then there was a knock on his door, and one of the attendants, dressed in white poked his head in the room.
�Come John, the administrator would like me to escort you to his office,� he told Martin.
Oh God, had Dr. Heitzman found out about the letter? If that were the case, he would have to think of an excuse to get out of this mess.
�Come along John he is waiting for you,� the attendant said impatiently.
When they arrived at Dr. Heitzman�s office, the attendant closed the door and left Martin alone with the administrator. He decided that he would nip this in the bud and began the conversation. �Why did you want to see me doctor?�
�It appears that we have a serious problem here John that has been recently brought to my attention by the financial department���.�
�The financial department?� Martin asked, feeling relieved that it wasn�t about the letter.
�I know that all these financial matters are hard for you to understand in your delicate state, but this facility takes a lot of capitol to keep the quality first rate, and since we are a private institution, we depend on funding from outside sources. I guess what I�m trying to say John is that your benefactor has not made any payments for your upkeep here at the institute for quite some time, and I�m afraid that we can no longer keep you here.�
Oh God, with Julian in a coma, there was nobody to send payments for his upkeep. He couldn�t leave now, or his family would never find him. �Please, don�t make me leave. I could work to pay my way here, or better yet you could just release me,� Martin pleaded. He was so desperate that he had totally forgotten to act like the delusional patient.
�Now John, you know that I cannot release you to the outside world. You do appear to be somewhat lucid right now, but you are certainly in no mental condition to cope in society,� Dr. Heitzman said in a condescending tone.
�Okay fine, but I could still work.........�
�John I�m sorry, but there is no job here could equal the cost to keep you here. Now, the attendant will take you back to your room to get our things. A van will be leaving here within the hour to take you to a state operated institution in France.�
�Please, don�t do this,� Martin begged.
�I�m sorry John, but I have no choice in the matter,� the doctor said, motioning for the attendant to come and escort him.
After they left, Dr. Heinzman�s assistant joined him in the office from an outer office where he had been listening in. �Do you think that it is a wise move to let the Cranes� pigeon fly from the coop?�
�It does not matter now. Alistair Crane is long dead, and Julian may as well be. He is in a coma now, and it does not look like he will ever come out of it. Without those fat checks coming in, I have no choice but to send John away.�
�I hope that we are not making a huge mistake,� the assistant said, shaking his head. �If Julian Crane comes out of his coma and finds out about this he will be livid, and I don�t think that I want to be around for the fallout.�
********************
Chad walked into the DEA office with Sheridan and greeted his fellow agents. They told him that Destiny was in one of the interrogation rooms, and he told Sheridan to wait for him while he went in to interview her. When he entered the room, she was sitting at a table with a bored look on her face, and Chad took a seat across from her.
�So Destiny, we�re going to have a little talk, and I want you to answer all of my questions,� Chad told her.
She looked at her fingernails, and then back to him with a look of pure disdain. �Why don�t you tell me the real reason I�m here? I didn�t buy enough coke for the DEA to care about.�
�Maybe not, but put that charge together with everything else we have on you and I�d say your going to be doing some jail time. Now, the question of the day is do you want it to be in the women�s correctional facility, or would you prefer to go to the federal penitentiary?�
That seemed to get her attention, because Chad saw the look of fear cross her face. �Okay, what do you want from me?�
�I want you to tell me who hired you to impersonate a social worker that threatened to take the Lopez-Fitzgerald�s children away?�
�I don�t know what you�re talking about, and I don�t know about any social worker nor do I have any ideas who these Lopez-Fitzgerald�s are.�
�Come on Destiny; give it up,� Chad demanded.
�Look, I said that I didn�t know what you were talking about.�
�Maybe you need a little incentive,� Chad said, leaving the room. When he got back, he had Sheridan with him, and Destiny did not look happy to see her. �Okay Sheridan, is this the woman that came to your house claiming to be a social worker?�
Sheridan bit her bottom lip, and studied Destiny�s face. �Yeah, that�s her Chad. I would recognize her face anywhere,� she spat out.
�Okay Destiny,� Chad said, pushing the record button on his mini recorder. �Now, who paid you to impersonate the social worker that went to the Lopez-Fitzgerald�s and threatend to take their children away?� he carefully worded.
�Oh all right, I�ll tell you, but you better keep him away from me because I don�t trust him. It was Jack Russo.�
�Is this the same Jack Russo that manages the supper club?� Chad further inquired.
�Yes, that�s the one,� she said, rolling her eyes. �In fact, that�s where we met so he could pay me for the job.�
Chad turned his recorder off. �Well, I think that our business has concluded.�
�Wait a minute,� Destiny said. �You better keep your end of the deal, because I�m not going to the federal pen. They�ll golly alive in there.�
�I�ll put in a good word for you Destiny, but in the end it�s the judge�s decision,� Chad told her.
�If you ask me Chad, she deserves to go to the federal pen,� Sheridan hissed. �How dare you come to my house and threaten me that way!�
�Let it go Sheridan...........�
�No Chad. I want her to answer my question,� Sheridan demanded.
�Don�t get so upset Blondie,� Destiny laughed. �It�s just a business, but I do have to say that you were the easiest mark I have had. Dumb blond would certainly describe you. I can still see that fear in your eyes............�
Sheridan lost it and smacked Destiny across the face so hard that her head spun. �Now you listen to me bitch. If they ever do let you out of that hole of a prison, you better stay the hell away from my family and me. Because if you don�t, I�ll have my dog drag you off of my property with his teeth wrapped around your scrawny little neck,� she said, running her fingers over Destiny�s jugular vein.
�Get that crazy loon away from me,� Destiny said, rubbing the red welt on her cheek.
�Come on Sheridan,� Chad said, taking her by the arm. �We don�t need you being accused of murder too.�
They didn�t speak until they got to the car, and Sheridan was still seething from her encounter with Destiny. �I still can�t believe the nerve of that woman.........�
�Damn sister, what I couldn�t believe was the way you went off on Destiny,� Chad said, still stunned by Sheridan�s street fighting attitude. �Lucky for you that I turned off the recorder before you decided to turn into a home girl from the hood.�
It surprised Chad when Sheridan suddenly broke out laughing. �Yeah, I was pretty BAD wasn�t I?�
********************
Luis lay down on the bed and closed his eyes to rest for a while. He had just gotten the twins down for their nap and he was exhausted from keeping up with the little munchkins� antics. It didn�t really bother him that they were precocious because he treasured every minute he had with them, but he was a little concerned for their safety. He had experience taking care of babies, because Miguel and Theresa were so young when their father disappeared, but that had been in stages, and taking care of one child was a hell of a lot easier than keeping up with two babies. It wouldn�t be so difficult if they didn�t take off in different directions all the time, but they did and he could really use another set of eyes. Part of their curious nature may have had something to do with being in new surroundings, because they were used to things at home, but that too bothered him. This whole situation was so unfair to Luke and Lily because they had been shuttled between relatives, and at least without one parent most of the time, and kids needed normalcy in their lives.
Suddenly the phone rang, and he grabbed it quick so that it wouldn�t wake up the children. It was probably Sheridan giving him latest news. �Hi beautiful,� he said, speaking softly into the phone.
�I hope that you were referring to me?� Sheridan teased.
�Oh, is this Sheridan?�
�I don�t think you would make jokes like that if you had seen me earlier. Chad said I was like a home girl from the hood!� she said, proudly.
�Oh God, I don�t know if I even want to hear about this,� Luis said, knowing full well that she probably went off on somebody. �Who did you abuse this time?�
�Well, she deserved it,� Sheridan said, defensively. �But I�ll tell you all about it later. I�m on my way up there as we speak. I should be there in about half an hour.�
�Well, that�s the best news I�ve heard all day, and I�m sure Luke and Lily will be excited to see you. They were asking for mama earlier.�
�Really?� she said, her heart swelling with love. �I can�t wait to see them too. What are they doing right now?�
�Taking a nap, and giving their father a well-deserved break,� he laughed.
�Oh, one of those days? Poor baby............. Don�t worry, I�ll be up there to relieve you by the time they wake up.�
�We can�t wait to see you,� he told her lovingly.
�Well, that certainly is nice to hear. I better go now, but I thought you might like to know that I have the baby monitors with me.�
�Ohh,� he said, in a sexy drawl. �I predict we�re going to have some hot loving in front of the fireplace tonight.�
********************
When Sheridan pulled up in front of the cabin, she got out of the car, and heard somebody knocking at the window. She looked up and saw Luis standing there waving at her, and below him were Luke and Lily standing with their little heads peaking over the windowsill, hands and noses pressed up against the glass. That had to be the most perfect sight she had ever seen, and she suddenly felt like the luckiest person in the world. She ran up the steps and through the door feeling an overwhelming need to connect with her family. She kissed Luis on the lips and then squatted down to give her children a hug. They were both holding sippy cups in their hands. �What do we have here?� Sheridan asked, referring to the cups in their hands.
�The dynamic duo is drinking apple juice,� Luis supplied.
She kissed them on the cheeks. �Your little faces feel cold from being against the window, but that sure was a welcomed sight for mommy to see when she drove up.�
Lily handed Sheridan her cup, as if to offer her a drink. �Mama........�
Sheridan pretended to take a sip. �You are so sweet. Thank you Lily,� she said, kissing her, and then turned to Luke. �Mommy brought your big red ball. Maybe if we ask nice, daddy will go out to the car and get it for you.�
�I guess that�s my signal to unload the car,� Luis said, grabbing his coat.
Later, they were all sitting on the floor rolling the ball back and forth, when out of the clear blue sky, Luke pulled himself up, shocking Luis and Sheridan when he took four steps toward them, and plopped down on his little behind. �Oh my God Luis, our little boy just walked all by himself,� Sheridan said, excitedly.
�I know,� Luis said, in amazement. �I can�t believe what I saw. He scooped Luke up in his arms. �Hey big guy, that was so good. Mommy and daddy are so proud of you. Sheridan took her turn offering him praises too.
Apparently Lily felt left out of the celebration, and she must have decided that if she was going to be included, she was going to have to copy her brother. She let out a little squeal to get everyone�s attention, and took off, showing them that she could walk just like Luke. �What a big girl you are,� Sheridan said, hugging her.
�Yeah Peanut, you are a superstar,� Luis said, lifting her up in the air, and they both laughed when she giggled.
�You know what this means don�t you Sheridan?�
�No,� she said, shaking her head.
�It means that our lives will never be the same. Today is the beginning of the end,� he said in a teasing voice.
********************
Later that evening after the children were tucked snuggly in their beds asleep, Luis was making a snug little nest in front of the fire, when he looked up and saw Sheridan moving toward him. She was carrying two glasses of wine, and was once again wearing nothing but his pajama top. His eyes traveled up the length of her long supple legs, and he couldn�t resist running his hand over the same path his gaze had just traveled.
�You better not do that while I�m carrying this stemware, she chuckled softly.
�Then I suggest that you sit down, because I�m having a hard time keeping my hands off of you,� he told her in a raspy voice.
Sheridan handed him the glasses, and sat down next to him. She took the opportunity to admire the way his smooth brown skin looked against the firelight. �You know,� she said, reaching out for his chest. �You look pretty yummy yourself.� She leaned down to trace the hard plains of his warm flesh with her lips, causing him to gasp out loud.
�Woman, you are treading on very dangerous territory, and if you don�t stop it right now, you are going to be flat on your back, before you can even utter my name.�
�Promise?� she asked while tracing his navel with her finger.
�Don�t say I didn�t warn you,� he growled, as he pulled her down and rolled his body on top of hers. �How does that feel?� he whispered, moving against her.
�Like I died and went to heaven,� she told him pulling his head down for a passionate kiss.
When he finally raised his head, Luis looked at her with a sultry look. �You look so sexy wearing nothing but my shirt, but you�ll look even sexier with it lying in a ball beside us.�
�Then what are you waiting for?� she said, pulling on the drawstring on his pajama bottoms. �Strip me naked, and make love to me.�
�Oh God........ Now, if only I can only last that long............�
Chapter 9
As soon as a button became undone, Luis planted his lips to the expanse of her silky exposed skin. She was in a kneeling position, and he was sitting in front of her, so close that he could feel the heat of her body. His long brown fingers slipped under the edges of her shirt to peel it away from her body, as his head moved in to taste the plane of her abdomen. Sheridan threw her head back, raking her fingers through his hair bringing him closer. Luis was already naked, and fully aroused, burning with desire for her. When she wrapped her hand around him, he pulled her down so that she was sitting in front of him, and their lips met. The kiss was heated, hungry, and very, very wet, one minute demanding, and the next achingly tender. They kissed and kissed again, their mouths caressing and searching. There was no prompting needed, it was just so natural for Sheridan to wrap her legs around Luis� waist, and she gasped out loud when the tip of his desire touched her center. Feeling how ready she was, Luis drove home, filling her completely, and she bit his shoulder to keep from screaming out her pleasure. He cupped her head dragging it toward his lips for another kiss that reached all the way to her core.
No words were spoken as they made love because the looks they shared were communicating all the love and desire they felt for each other. His half-lidded eyes were dark and sultry, hers smoky blue with passion. Their bodies moved, harder, faster catching the rhythm of their intimate connection. Not wanting this euphoria to end they hung on for dear life, their muscles tightening with restraint, but suddenly it was impossible to stop the inevitable. All the old clich�s about being swept up in a storm and seeing fireworks seemed to ring true this night as they crashed into sweet oblivion.
Gasping for breath, he laid back, pulling her with him. Even in the contentment of the afterglow, he was unable to take his hands off of her. It felt so good to just lie there with their sated bodies resting against each other. Her head was on his chest and he kissed the top of her head. She rose up to look at his face, and blessed him with that special smile reserved only for him. �For somebody that didn�t think they were going to make it, you had an amazing comeback.�
�I didn�t want to disappoint you,� he chuckled. �I know how you get when you�re sexually frustrated.�
�Oh, this coming from a man who is in a permanent state of arousal,� she said, pretending to be indignant.
�Hey, you better enjoy it while you can,� he teased. �Between keeping up with you and the twins I�m not going to have the stamina to keep performing at these levels.�
She giggled at his last comment. �Don�t worry, I�ll keep you in gold medal standing,� she said, crawling up his body to give him a kiss. Their playful banter was cut short by the sound of one of the babies crying. Sheridan sat up, immediately going into mother mode. �I have to go. That�s Lily...........�
�How can you tell?� Luis said, slipping his pajama bottoms on.
�Trust me, I can tell the difference,� she said, fumbling with the buttons of her shirt. �Mommy�s coming Lily,� she called out.
When they got into the bedroom and flipped the lights on they saw that Lily was sitting up in the bed with big tears streaming down her face. It was amazing, but even with all the noise Luke was still asleep. Sheridan picked her little girl up and held her close trying to comfort her. �What�s wrong with her?� Luis asked, stroking Lily�s blond curls.
�I think she had a nightmare,� Sheridan answered, moving over to the bed. �Shhh sweetie. It�s going to be okay........... Mommy and daddy are here.� Now that she was in her mother�s arms Lily�s sobs subsided, and she laid her head on Sheridan�s shoulder.
�Why is she having nightmares?� Luis asked with a worried frown.
�It�s hard to say, but I�m sure that all this upheaval in the children�s lives lately is not helping matters. Babies need to feel secure and a sense of familiarity. She might be picking up on all the anxiety we�ve been feeling lately.�
That was all that Luis needed to hear, and he decided it was time to do something about their current situation. It was bad enough that Hank had done this to him, but it tore his heart in two to see how much this was affecting his family, and he wasn�t going to stand for it any longer. He hopped out of bed and started moving toward the door. �I�ll be right back,� he told Sheridan.
�Where are you going?� she asked, puzzled by his strange demeanor.
�I�m going to end this once and for all;� he answered with a determination in his voice that she had never heard before.
Sheridan sat and rocked Lily, humming a lullaby softly in her ear. When she looked down she could see that her daughter�s eyes were starting to get heavy. She couldn�t help but wonder what had gotten into Luis. He was acting so strangely when he had left the room. When he came back ten minutes later, Lily was already fast asleep. He sat down on the bed beside them, and looked at his baby girl fondly. She was so precious to him lying there in her mother�s arms with her silky blond curls, and long eyelashes resting against her cheeks. �Everything is going to be okay Peanut,� he whispered, stroking Lily�s cheek. �Daddy�s going to make it all better.�
�Luis, what is going on?� Sheridan asked in a quiet voice.
�I�ll tell you, but first I want to check on our son.� Luis walked over to the babies� bed and watched Luke as he slept. He was sleeping so soundly that Luis felt the need to touch him to make sure he was still breathing, and that�s when he noticed that Luke was holding something in his little fist. It looked like a crumbled piece of paper, and when he was able to pry it out of his hand, he saw that it was a picture of their family. Sheridan had taped the photo on the railing inside the twins� bed so that all they had to do was look up to see their mommy and daddy. Ace was even in the picture sitting there proudly beside the babies. His eyes welled up with tears at his discovery, and it only increased his determination to put an end to this madness. He was so lost in his thoughts that he didn�t hear Sheridan approach with a sleeping Lily in her arms.
�How is he?� she asked, laying Lily down beside her brother. �I still can�t believe he slept through all the commotion.�
�He�s probably exhausted from his big adventure today,� Luis smiled. �Look, I found this bunched up in his hand,� he said, handing the picture to Sheridan.
�Oh, that�s so sweet,� she said, smoothing the picture out. �He really loves his family...........�
�And, his family really loves him too.� Luis leaned down and kissed the children, and then Sheridan took her turn, and kissed them too. She wrapped the blanket around them to make sure they stayed warm, and Luis took her hand and led her over to the bed.
They crawled in and cuddled together and Sheridan finally asked him what was going on. �What are you up to Luis? You suddenly tore out of her like a man on a mission.�
�I called Chad and asked him to come up here first thing in the morning,� Luis explained.
�Chad?� she said, surprised. �But why.............?�
�It�s time to jump start the FBI�s investigation to head in the right direction. We�ve waited long enough.�
�How to you plan to do that?�
�We�ll discuss it in the morning when Chad gets here.� He pulled her closer, and kissed her cheek. �Now, I don�t know about you, but Luke is not the only one that�s exhausted,� he said, with a big yawn. �Good night Sheridan. I love you.�
�Good night Luis,� she said laying her head on his shoulder. �I love you too.� It was a long time before she fell asleep however, because there was something about the discussion the next morning that was really making her nervous. She had a feeling that their lives were about to take another twist, and she wasn�t so sure that was prepared for it.
********************
It turned out that Sheridan didn�t get much of a chance to get in on the discussion the next morning because she was busy with the children. She couldn�t just let Luke and Lily run wild while she sat down for a meeting. Luis and Chad were sitting at the table huddled together like they were planning some secret covert operation, and it was driving her crazy. Chad had shocked them this morning when he arrived with news that Julian had come out of his coma, and named his shooter as Hank Bennett. Of course Sam and the FBI thought he was still confused from his coma because after all, Hank was dead, but they all knew differently. Hank must have told Julian his true identity right before he shot him. It would be just like him to make sure her brother knew who was going to end his life and why, but Julian�s statement would mean nothing if they couldn�t prove it. The guys finally got up from the table and joined them in the living room. �Are you two going to fill me in on the plan?� Sheridan asked.
�We think that you and Chad should call a meeting with Sam and the FBI. Sam should already have the security tape from Crane Industries, and you need to take all the evidence that you have on Hank so far. The taped confession from Destiny, the printout from the key cards, and the credit card check on Jack Russo.�
�But, how are we going to explain why we have all this evidence?� Sheridan asked, confused.
�That�s not so strange Sheridan,� Chad told her. �Private investigators are hired all the time in crime investigations. You can tell them that you hired L&L Investigations, since you felt that the FBI was too quick to pin this on Luis, and you were just trying to clear your husband�s name.�
�Chad�s right Sheridan. Look at how many times the D.A. has hired me to work on their cases. You can tell them that since you suspected Jack Russo that you�ve been following his movements and you think that you know where he is keeping me prisoner, and that you need their help to rescue me.�
�Wait a minute,� Sheridan said, not liking the direction of this discussion. �How can we lead the FBI to that cabin when you�re not there any longer?�
A look passed between Luis and Chad before Luis finally spoke. �They will find me Sheridan, because I�m going back there.�
�No,� she shouted, looking at him like he had gone crazy. �I will not let you go back to that place. And you,� she said, shooting Chad a dirty look. �I can�t believe that you would let Luis put his life at risk again.�
�Sheridan calm down or you�ll upset the children,� Luis told her in a hushed voice. �If you tell them that you are the one that found me and rescued me they would never believe it, and then you would get into trouble for harboring a fugitive, and I will not let that happen. If they come and find me trapped in that basement, they are going to know that I was kidnapped. Don�t you see Sheridan that this is our only option?� he reasoned.
�What if Hank comes back there before we can get to you? He could kill you,� she said, lowering her voice so the babies didn�t hear.
�No he won�t because I�m going to take a gun with me just to be safe. Once I know that the FBI is there I�ll hide it. If they do search the place and find the gun, I�ll claim that I didn�t know it was there. It wouldn�t be that strange that there was a gun there, because this was supposed to be a hideout for some drug smuggler.�
�Luis is right Sheridan. If he just strolls back into town, they�ll arrest him on the spot. It�s going to be up to us to convince the FBI that it will only make them look good if they bust the right person. I mean hell, we did all the work for them, but who cares if we let them take the credit if it will get Luis off the hook.�
�All right, you convinced me, but I still don�t like the idea of Luis being in the place again,� she conceded. �So, what�s our first move?�
�You�re going to take the babies back to Harmony and drop them at mama�s, while Chad stays up here and buries me back in the basement. When he gets back to town you set up your meeting. It shouldn�t be too difficult to get everybody together because the FBI is already there to take Julian�s statement, and I imagine that Sam has shown them the security tape by now. With all that evidence, it should not take much to convince them to get a search warrant for Jack Russo�s place. Once they find all that evidence, and I tell them that Jack Russo stole my gun and set me up, they�ll have to believe that I�m innocent. Besides, they can�t pin this on me if Julian didn�t name me as the shooter.�
�But Chad, wouldn�t it make more sense to do this when the DNA test comes back?� Sheridan asked. �There�s another thing that�s bothering me about this. Agent Bartelli is still out to get Luis. What if he finds some way to twist everything around to still make Luis look guilty? I just don�t trust that man.�
�We�ve decided that it�s better not to use the DNA evidence, because then we�re going to have to explain how we got a sample. It�s going to be tough enough dancing around the fact that the security tape showed up mysteriously. We�re really going to have to play dumb on that one,� Chad reminded her. �Hell, let the FBI run a DNA and a fingerprint check. They sure as hell haven�t done anything else in this case. Now as far as Bartelli is concerned, he�s not going to have a choice but to play by the rules, because he�s already under enough heat from his superiors. I don�t think he�s going to want to risk them finding out that we did all the work that he should have done.�
�There�s only one thing that really bothers me about this whole thing,� Luis said. �It�s going to kill Sam to find out that Hank is alive and reigning terror on everyone. It�s really going to be important that you be sensitive when you deliver this blow to Sam.�
�I know Luis, it worries me too, and what is poor Kay going to think when she finds out about her uncle?� Sheridan asked, sadly.
�Look you two,� Chad told them. �I know this isn�t going to be easy for them, but they deserve to know the truth, and there ain�t no way to sugar coat it.�
�I suppose you�re right Chad,� Luis agreed, and then he turned to Sheridan. �We need to get moving honey. Chad and I will pack up all the babies� stuff and put it in the car, and then I�m going to have to make myself look like I�ve been stuck in that place all this time. Got any ideas on how to grub me up?� he asked her in a teasing voice.
�Yeah, why don�t you go outside and lay on the ground, and I�ll throw dirt on you?� she said sarcastically.
�That�s my girl,� he said, hugging her. �I�m glad to see that you haven�t lost your sense of humor.�
An hour later Sheridan watched with a heavy heart as Luis was saying goodbye to their children. He was sitting on the sofa with the twins in his lap, and she wasn�t sure what he was whispering to them, but they were giggling and hugging him. She was trying to stay positive that everything would turn out okay, but her past experiences in life had not exactly laid a strong foundation for an optimistic attitude. Every time that she had thought they were going to be able to live a happy life, something, or someone would come along and rip it out from under them, and she was damn tired of it. She finally walked over to them and lifted Lily up in her arms, and she and Luis got the twins dressed into their coats and hats. Chad wisely gave them their privacy when Luis walked them out to the car. He hugged and kissed the children again, got them secured into their car seats and turned toward Sheridan.
�I want to tell you again just how proud I am of you;� he told her, brushing a stray blond curl away from her face. �Chad and Evan, and all the others have been so great, and I don�t think we can ever repay them, but you are the one that started this all in motion. My heart is so full of love for you.�
�Oh God Luis, this is bad enough without you getting all mushy on me,� she said, wiping away a tear from her cheek. She threw herself in his arms and hugged him tightly. �I�m so scared Luis.�
�Hey,� he said, stepping back and lifting her chin to meet his face. �You are the bravest person I know, and you don�t have any reason to be scared. I happen to think that you are going to do great and I predict that by tomorrow night we are all going to be at home with our children having a quiet family night.�
�I almost believe you Luis,� she said, finally managing a small smile. �Please take care of yourself. Those two little sweethearts in the back seat need you........... I need you.............�
He pulled her back in his arms and kissed her. �You better go,� he said, opening the car door for her. �You two keep good care of your mommy,� he told the twins with a smile. As they drove away, Luis waved goodbye, and when he saw his little babies hold up their little hands to wave goodbye too, he knew that alone was all the reason in the world to succeed with this plan.
********************
As they drove through the French countryside, Martin watched through the window as the landscape passed by. Even in winter, the scenery spoke of a certain Old World charm, and under any other circumstances, he would have thoroughly enjoyed it. He had no idea what would become of him, and he struggled with keeping hope alive that his family would find him. There wasn�t even time to say goodbye to Georges, and that saddened him because he was such a good friend. He highly doubted that any of the staff would reveal where they were sending him, but just maybe once his family arrived at the clinic they would put the pressure on to get his location. A horrible thought occurred to him, and he tried to push it from his mind. What if his family just didn�t care any longer? Had Pilar grown tired of waiting for his return and married someone else because she thought he was dead? No, even if that had been the case, Pilar would never let him rot away in a hospital without trying to help him. He just knew that he couldn�t give up hope or he would never make it.
It seemed as if they had been on the road for hours, and Martin had no idea when they would reach their location. It was just the driver and himself, and the man didn�t speak English, so it was impossible to ask him any questions about their destination. His head was starting to throb from all the tension of the last few hours, and he laid his head back on the seat and closed his eyes. He felt the van go around a curve, and was jarred out of his rest when all of a sudden the vehicle started careening all over the road. He noticed a flock of sheep up ahead that had wandered onto the road and the driver was doing everything in his power to avoid hitting them, but he lost control. The last thing that Martin remembered before he faded into darkness was the sound of crumbling metal and the way Pilar�s face looked when she smiled at him.
********************
Sheridan looked at the gentlemen sitting around the conference table and imagined them in their underwear. It was a silly thing to do, but someone had told her once that it was a great tension reliever when you had to speak in front of a crowd of people. This wasn�t exactly a crowd of people, and she really wasn�t going to give a speech, but she had to do something to get rid of her nervous stress. It actually seemed to help, and she quickly went over her game plan before she began to speak. �I know you�re all wondering why I called you here, and I�ll try to get right to the point, because my husband�s life could be at stake. It�s no secret that I�ve never believed that Luis was guilty of shooting my brother, so since none of you believed me I decided to hire L&L Investigations to investigate Julian�s shooting.�
�Mrs. Lopez-Fitzgerald, you are L&L Investigations,� Agent Bartelli said, impatiently. �Are you trying to tell me that you hired yourself?�
Sheridan wanted to smack the smug look off of his face, but she knew that it would ruin her chances of getting the FBI on their side, so she opted for the innocent approach. �That�s true, but my nephew Chad Harris was kind enough to give me guidance so that I didn�t break any laws.�
�I thought you were a DEA agent?� Bartelli asked Chad. �I guess you drug agents must not be very busy if they let you run around playing private detective.�
�I am a DEA agent, but for your information, I took some vacation time to help Sheridan out, and since I�m not officially on this case I advised her to bring her evidence to the proper authorities. Now, the lady needs your help, so why don�t you let her speak.�
�Excuse me, but before we get started would either of you two know anything about this security tape from Crane Industries that was sent to my office?� Sam asked with a knowing look.
Sheridan and Chad both denied knowing anything about a security tape and showed just the right amount of innocence and surprise. �Sam, you said the tape was from Crane Industries. Is that the missing tape from the night my brother was shot?�
�How did you know that the tape was missing?� Bartelli asked skeptically.
�Because Agent Bartelli, I used to be the Public Relations Director for Crane Industries so I am familiar with the operation of the company. That was the first thing that I checked for, and if that is the missing tape then it should prove Luis� innocence.�
�Let�s just say that it proves that he didn�t knock out the guard, but it doesn�t prove his innocence.�
�Are you saying that the tape shows the person that knocked out the guard? Who was it Agent Bartelli?� Sheridan asked excitedly.
�This is an official investigation. I can�t share that information with you, so why don�t you tell us why you called us here.�
�I called you here, because I think that I found the real person that shot my brother and I also think that person is keeping my husband prisoner somewhere in the mountains,� Sheridan said with conviction.
The agents laughed, but Sam sat up and took notice. �Sheridan who is it that think did this?� Sam asked.
�It was Jack Russo, and we have to do something to stop him before he kills Luis. I just pray to God that he hasn�t already done that,� she said, fearfully.
Suddenly the agents weren�t laughing any longer. In fact they looked shocked by what she had revealed. �Mrs. Lopez-Fitzgerald, I think it�s time that you showed us this evidence you have,� Agent Bartelli said in a tone that conveyed that he was finally taking her seriously.
Sheridan produced a file that had the key card activity report, the credit card check, and the printout of the times they tracked Jack Russo�s car to the location in the mountains. Chad even played the tape of Destiny admitting that Russo had paid her to setup Luis. After they all had a chance to examine all the evidence, Sheridan finally spoke again. �I think that should be enough evidence to get a search warrant for Jack Russo�s apartment, and I bet that you�ll find Margaret�s missing key card there.�
�She�s right Bartelli and I would bet from your earlier reactions when Sheridan named Jack Russo as the shooter that he is the one on that security tape,� Chad said. �In fact, I would bet my badge on it. Come on guys, don�t you think this is everything you need to bust this case wide open, and save an innocent man�s life?�
�Okay, let me call in the request for the search warrant, but you two better be right about this,� Bartelli said, taking out his cell phone.
�Wait a minute,� Sheridan said, stopping him. �There�s something else you should know.�
�What now Mrs. Lopez-Fitzgerald?� Bartelli said, impatiently.
�Sam,� she said, turning toward him. �There�s something you should know and there is no easy way to say this, so I�ll just come out with it. I think that Hank is still alive, and I also think that he is Jack Russo.�
�Sheridan, what the hell are you talking about?� Sam asked. �We both know that Hank died and was cremated.�
�Look Sam, I know it sounds crazy, but think about it for a minute. Don�t you remember that you thought it odd that Hank was cremated? There are just things about Jack Russo that are so much like Hank. His eyes, the scar on his wrist, and there have been times when he forgets his accent and his voice sounds just like Hank�s. Think about it............ He�s the same height, the same body frame, and there�s something else Sam. Julian did name Hank as his shooter, and why would he do that if it wasn�t Hank?�
�But what you�re implying would be impossible,� Sam said, defensively. �Do you have any idea what kind of influence and money it would take for Hank to pull that off?�
�I realize that Sam, but Hank did work for Julian, and he certainly has the power and money to bankroll something like that. Maybe my brother cut him off, and that�s why he tried to kill him,� Sheridan said, not wanting to reveal what they had discovered about Warren. Let them draw their own conclusions when they found the tape at Hank�s apartment.
�Do you believe this too Chad?� Sam asked him.
�I�m afraid I do Sam, but there is one way to know for sure and that�s to lift some fingerprints at Jack Russo�s apartment and compare them to Hank�s fingerprints.�
�Well, well, well,� Agent Bartelli said, with a smile. �This is certainly starting to get interesting. We have several open warrants on Hank Bennett, and if he did shoot Julian Crane, this would be a real coup for the FBI. I�m going to see if we can rush that search warrant.�
Sheridan shot Sam a remorseful look. �I�m really sorry Sam. If Jack Russo is really Hank, I feel terrible for you and your family, but I have to think about Luis.�
�I know that Sheridan, and if Russo is really my brother, than I�m the one that is sorry. He has caused a lot of pain for you and Luis, and your children. There is no excuse for that.�
�Agent Bartelli, does that mean that you�ll go search for my husband in the mountains? I�m really afraid that if Jack Russo finds out that the authorities are on to him that he might do something to Luis,� Sheridan said, anxiously.
�Yes Mrs. Lopez-Fitzgerald, as soon as we check out Jack Russo�s place, we�ll go look for your husband,� Bartelli told her, being nice for the first time since she met him, and Sheridan actually felt hopeful that this whole nightmare was finally going to be over.
********************
Martin opened his eyes slowing trying to remember where he was. As he began to focus, he could see that he was trapped in some wreckage and it all came back to him. He tried to move his limbs to see if anything was broken, and even though he was sore; everything seemed to be intact. There was however, some caked up blood on his temple from hitting his head on something. He must have been out for several hours, because he could see that it was already dusk outside. The van was lying on its side, and he had somehow ended up by the back wheel well. He suddenly remembered the driver, and he called out to see if he was okay. When the man didn�t answer, Martin crawled slowly toward the front seat to check on the man�s welfare. It seemed like hours instead of minutes before he finally reached him, and his heart sank when he saw the wide-eyed stare of death on his face. He checked for a pulse but felt nothing, and the only thing he could think of to do was to close the man�s eyes so that he could rest in peace.
Martin knew that he couldn�t stay here all night, because with nightfall the temperatures would drop down to freezing, and with no blankets for warmth, he would never survive the elements. His only option was to start out walking to see if he could seek shelter from the cold. When he finally made his way out of the overturned vehicle and stood up, a wave of dizziness descended, and he had to hold on to the van to get his bearings. As he stumbled down the road, the going was slow and tenuous. He was starting to freeze, his head was throbbing, and he was feeling weak and shaky. Just when he thought he couldn�t go on, he noticed some lights about three hundred yards away. It must be a farmhouse, because he could see the outline of a barn in the moonlight sitting off to the right. As he climbed the hill leading up to the house, he stumbled and fell down, and turned his ankle making it an agonizing task to stand up again. He prayed that he would make it because he could feel the rush of darkness threatening to take over again. The rest of the journey was a complete blur, but he held on until he could reach the front door, but right after he managed to knock on the door, his body fell to the ground in a crumbled heap.
********************
Sheridan couldn�t remember feeling this good since this whole terrible ordeal had begun, and she was ready to scream out for joy. She had just hung up the phone from talking with Luis, and she couldn�t wait to see him. After Sam and the FBI searched Jack Russo�s apartment and found all the evidence, a warrant was issued for his arrest. Finally justice would prevail and that monster would be in prison where he would never be able to hurt them again. Bartelli had refused to let her go to the mountains to rescue Luis, telling here that it was too dangerous. She knew that it wasn�t, but she decided not to argue with him when he was in such a generous mood.
Sheridan was still at the office trying to catch up on some paperwork because she had too much nervous energy to go home and wait for news on Luis. Now that she had heard from him, she shut down the computer, and called Pilar to tell her she was on the way to pick up the children. Pilar was ecstatic to hear the news that Luis was finally free to come home, and she insisted that they have a celebration with all of his favorite dishes the next evening and Sheridan readily agreed.
After she locked the door, Sheridan made her way to the fenced in parking area adjoining the warehouse space that housed their office. As she neared the car, she pulled the remote out of her purse that unlocked the door. Suddenly for the strangest reason the hairs on the back of her neck stood up, and she quickly jumped in the car and locked the door again. Just as she was getting ready to turn the key, a dark figure jumped up from the back seat, and held a gun to her temple, and she knew with every fiber of her being that it was him.
�Hello Sheridan,� he chuckled. �Fancy meeting you here.�
�What do you want?� she asked, her voice filled with fear.
�I want to use you as my ticket out of here,� Hank snarled. �You just had to go snooping around in my business, and now you owe me.�
�I don�t owe you a damn thing after what you did to my husband and my family. As far as I�m concerned, you can rot in hell for all I care,� she said, finally getting her spunk back.
�You know something Sheridan? You always had a problem with that mouth of yours. You just never knew when to shut up, so I guess I�m going to have to remind you that I have a gun pointed at your head which means I�m in charge. You�re going to drive me out of town, and when I�m safely away from the cops, I�ll let you go. That is if you�re a good girl and don�t give me any trouble, but if you try anything funny................ � He left the sentence unfinished leaving her to think of all kinds of terrible things that might happen to her.
Sheridan didn�t have any other choice but to cooperate with him for now. Her dream of finally having a peaceful life with her family shattered and she wondered if she would ever be free from this nightmare. �I�ll do whatever you want, but please just don�t hurt me.�
�All you have to do is behave, and I�ll make sure you live to see those cute little brats of yours again. Now, start the car and head up Old Coast Road, and don�t stop until I tell you to.�
Sheridan did as he ordered, and pulled the car out of the parking lot praying the whole time that she would see Luis and her children again.
Chapter 10
Sheridan sat in silent fury as she headed for Old Coast Road. If Hank weren�t holding a gun on her right now, she would pull this car over and smack the living hell out of him. Her earlier fear was gone, only to be replaced by an anger that knew no bounds. He had crawled up from the back of the car, and was now sitting in the passenger seat beside her. She looked at him out of the corner of her eye, but it was too dark to read his expression. He was being uncharacteristically quiet, and she could just imagine the thoughts going through his sick little mind. This silence was driving her crazy, and she had held her tongue long enough. It was time to let it all out before she exploded.
�I want to know why you are trying to destroy our lives?� she demanded. �And don�t give me that crap about being in the wrong place at the wrong time. You set out to get us, and I deserve to know why.�
�Don�t flatter yourself,� he said, sarcastically. �You and Luis were just a means to an end.�
�Well, I don�t believe you........... HANK!�
�What�s with this fixation that you and your husband have with this Hank person?� he said, laughing. �I don�t know what the hell you�re talking about.�
It was Sheridan�s turn to laugh. �Please don�t insult my intelligence. You faked your death and had plastic surgery, and besides I saw the trophy in your apartment. If you�re not Hank as you claim, then why would you have a trophy with his name on the front of it?�
�You broke into my apartment?� Hank asked furiously. �Well, you just gave me the perfect ammunition to have any charges against me thrown out of court. Any defense attorney in the country would point out that the evidence was taken without a search warrant.�
�Sorry Hankie, but I didn�t take any evidence,� she lied. �Besides, it�s your word against mine, and I�ll just deny everything. Believe me, I won�t feel one bit guilty about it either, because I�ve learned the hard way that to beat a snake you have to get right down in the ditch with them.�
�You think you�re so damn clever, don�t you? It looks like the princess finally grew a backbone, but if you think I�m going to let you put me in prison you better guess again.�
�You are unbelievable........... Did you really think that I was going to let you destroy my family and not fight back? You deserve everything that�s coming to you, and I hope that you rot in prison for the rest of your pathetic life!�
�SHUT UP,� he shouted. �Just shut your mouth, and keep driving. Don�t talk again unless I ask you a question,� he snarled.
Wisely Sheridan clamped her mouth shut. She had a feeling that she had pushed him too far, but in her defense there was only so much that a person could take. It was time to take advantage of this silence and think of a way to get out of this latest mess, and she had to put her anger aside so that she could be clear headed when the time came to take action.
********************
Luis couldn�t believe that he was finally on his way home, and soon he would be with his wife and kids again. When Chad, Sam, and the FBI had found him trapped in the basement at that cabin, no one had been suspicious in the least that all was not as it seemed. Luis did feel a bit guilty for misleading Sam, but this was survival of the fittest, and he didn�t have any choice in the matter. He had been the victim here, and he was going to do whatever was necessary to make this nightmare end. The FBI had already taken his statement about the events on the night of Julian�s shooting, as well as the details of his kidnapping, and they were building a very strong case on Jack Russo. The relief in Sheridan�s voice earlier was such a welcomed sound to him, because he had been so worried about what this was doing to her and the children, and now it was finally over.
He was in the car with Sam and Chad, and the two FBI Agents were following behind them. Since Sheridan was picking up Luke and Lily from his mother�s and heading home, he was going to have Sam drop him off at their house. The FBI Agents parted ways with them so that they could coordinate their search for Jack Russo. When they drove up the lane to his house, he was surprised to see that it was dark inside. �That�s odd,� Luis said, confused. �When I talked to Sheridan an hour ago, she said she was going straight to mama�s to get the kids. They should have been home by now.�
�Why don�t we go inside and call her?� Sam suggested. �I�m sure that she just got talking with Pilar and is running late. Chad and I will stick around until you hear something.�
�Thanks Sam............ Oh, by the way Chad, do you have a key to the house? Mine was on the same key ring as my car key.�
�Actually Luis, I had all the locks changed, just in case Russo got some ideas about paying us a visit out here.�
�Smart thinking Chad.............� Chad handed him the key, and when they walked in the house, they were greeted by Ace. He was so excited to see Luis that he jumped up and began licking his face. Luis nuzzled Ace�s neck and patted him on the back. �Hey boy, it�s good to see you too,� he told the dog fondly. �You�re going to have to settle down a little while I call to see where Sheridan and the babies are.� Ace barked in response, as if he could sense Luis� concern.
When Pilar answered the phone she was frantic. �Mijo, thank God you�re safe, but I�m really worried about Sheridan. She called a long time ago to say she was coming for the children, but I haven�t seen or heard from her since.�
�Oh God,� Luis said, dragging his fingers through his hair. �Did you call her at the office?�
�Yes, and I also tried to call her cell phone, but she didn�t answer. Luis, she would never forget about the children. I�m so afraid that she had an accident or something,� Pilar said with dread.
�Try not to worry mama, I�m going to go out and look for her, and I�ll call you when I find out something,� Luis told her trying to calm her down.
�Oh mijo, I don�t believe this is happening. Just when we finally get you back, Sheridan comes up missing.�
�Look mama, I�ll call you the minute I find out something. You just keep good care of my babies.�
�Of course mijo. That goes without saying, but please be careful. I couldn�t take it if something else happened to you.�
�I will mama,� he told her. �Give Luke and Lily a kiss for me.�
�What�s going on Luis?� Chad asked as soon as Luis hung up the phone.
�Sheridan never showed up at mama�s. She called the office and her cell phone and there wasn�t an answer............. Damn,� Luis said, hitting his fist against his other hand. �If that bastard has her, I swear I will kill him.�
�Look Luis, maybe she just had some car trouble and her cell is not working,� Sam offered. �Why don�t we go over to your office and see if we can trace her steps?�
There was no sign of Sheridan or her car on the way to L&L Investigations, nor was there any sign of her or her car in the parking lot. The guys decided to check out the inside of the office just to make sure she wasn�t in there hurt, because the thought that she may have been accosted and had her car stolen entered their minds. When they got inside the building they found nothing out of place or nothing that would indicate that Sheridan would have changed her plans. Just to be on the safe side, Sam called the station to see if anyone had reported any trouble with Sheridan, and then he checked with the hospital, but there was no news. Luis was growing sick with worry, and he was becoming more convinced with time that Jack Russo had something to do with Sheridan�s disappearance. He had to do something, but what? He had no idea where Jack Russo would take Sheridan. Even he wouldn�t be stupid enough to take her to the same cabin where he was held captive, because it was too obvious. What scared him more than anything was if Russo did have her, what was his intention? This was all his fault, because in all their careful planning he had never taken into consideration that Sheridan was going to be vulnerable, and he felt like he failed her miserably.
�My God........... What am I going to do?� Luis asked frantically. �I just know that he has her, and I don�t have any idea where to even begin to look for her.�
�Look Luis,� Sam said. �The FBI has already put out an all points bulletin for Russo, and he�s not going to get far if he has Sheridan.�
�Why don�t you try dialing her cell phone Luis?� Chad suggested. �If Russo has her I have a feeling that he�s using her as a shield to get away. He has to make his demands known to somebody so he can get away.�
�And what if that�s not the reason he has her?� Luis demanded miserably. �I�m sorry Sam, but we can�t deny any longer that Jack Russo is Hank, and we both know that Hank always had a thing for Sheridan. What if he.............?
�Don�t even say it Luis. I know that my brother has gone over the edge, but I don�t think that he would resort to rape.�
�If he would resort to murder, than rape would be a drop in the bucket for him Sam. You have to face it............. Your brother is capable of anything at this point, and he�s desperate, which means that he�s a loose cannon. He�s not the man he used to be.�
�You�re probably right Chad. It wouldn�t do any good for him to kidnap her if he doesn�t state his demands. Maybe with some luck, he�ll let Sheridan answer, or at least talk to us himself,� Luis said, dialing her number. �Just keep your fingers crossed that this works,� Luis said, with a silent prayer that this was all some horrible mistake, and Sheridan was safe and sound.
********************
After his burst of anger, Hank did a complete one eighty and began acting like they were the best friends in the world. He told her that in spite of her bitchiness, he still found her extremely attractive, and that maybe he would consider letting her go sooner if she was to show her appreciation by sharing an intimate moment with him. As a chill ran over her skin at the thought, she protested, saying that she was married and very loyal to her husband. He immediately shot that excuse down by reminding her that Luis wasn�t around, and what he didn�t know wouldn�t hurt him. This was only getting worse by the minute. Not only was she being held prisoner with no guarantee that he would ever let her leave here alive, but now he was alluding to a sexual encounter and the thought made her want to lose her lunch.
�Come on beautiful, I see that face you�re making even in the dark. I can remember a time when you were really getting into my kiss,� he said, arrogantly. �You were as hot and bothered as I was.�
Sheridan did remember the time she kissed him. It was right after she had Luis arrested for kidnapping her, but she also remembered that she had fantasized that it was Luis she was kissing. She wasn�t about to admit that to Hank because she could well imagine how it would set him off. Instead she decided to use his reminder of the kiss to pin him with the double identity he was denying. �So, you admit now that you are really Hank?�
�Oh, what the hell? I guess I may as well not deny it any longer since it would be easy enough to prove, but it doesn�t matter because whether it be Jack Russo or Hank Bennett, I�m getting out of the country, and you�re going to help me Princess.�
Suddenly, Sheridan�s cell phone began to ring. Someone had called earlier, but Hank had refused to let her answer it. If she had to grovel in front of him to get him to let her answer this call, she would. �Please Hank, let me answer this. If it�s somebody from my family, I just want them to know I�m okay. If you ever cared about me at all you�ll let me do this.�
�Okay, you are going to tell whoever that is that I am holding you hostage until I can be given free passage out of the country without any interference from the legal authorities. When they do that for me, then I will let you go. If you try to tell them where we are, I�ll shoot you right here���. Agreed���?�
�Agreed,� she told him fumbling for her phone with her right hand, while keeping her eyes on the road.
Hank grabbed her hand before she could push the button. �Just remember no funny stuff.�
She shook her head yes in response, and answered the phone. �Hello,� she said in a shaky voice.
�Thank God,� Luis said on the other end. �Sheridan where are you? Are you okay?�
When she heard his voice all of her earlier bravado flew out the window, and she started to cry. �No Luis, I�m not okay............. I mean I�m okay, but Jack Russo is holding me hostage.�
�Oh God........... I knew it,� Luis said in a panicked voice. He tried to calm down so that he didn�t upset her more than she already was. �Did he hurt you in any way?�
�No Luis, but you have to follow his instructions or he will kill me. So please listen, because I don�t have time.............�
�Tell him to let the cops know that I want a chopper waiting for me just over the state line. It should be right around the area that I left his car, and then I want them to take me to the closest airport with a plane waiting, fueled and ready to take me out of the country. When I�m safely aboard the plane, I�ll let you go.........�
�He said..............�
�I heard him Sheridan, but I need you to listen to me. I know that you can�t give your location away, so you�re going to have to give me a clue without him knowing it,� Luis told her calmly. �I know you can do this baby. Now tell me, are you still in your car on the road somewhere?�
�Yes,� she said in a definitive voice, finally getting a bit of her old spirit back. �You heard his instructions and you have to make sure they follow them or he will kill me.�
�Okay, you�re in you�re car and you�re on the road somewhere, but I need you to give me a clue on your location,� Luis instructed.
�Please Luis, just do as he says, and please kiss our children for me............. Always remember how much I love you, and when I am safe at home again we�ll go to the same place we went to on our honeymoon...............�
�Give me the damn phone,� Hank said, tearing it out of her hand. �You two are sickening with all of your sentimentality. If you want to see Sheridan alive again you�ll make sure the cops do what I say. Comprendi Luis?�
�Wait Hank, don�t hang up,� Luis urged him. �Sam is here now, and he wants to talk to you.�
�Sam?� he responded with what sounded almost like regret. �No! I can�t talk to him. You just tell him that I never meant for things to go this far, but I didn�t have any other choice.� He suddenly became angry again and threw the phone out the car window.
�Why did you do that?� Sheridan shouted.
�Just shut up and drive,� he shouted back, and then withdrew into a moody silence.
Sheridan was left with nothing but her thoughts and she prayed to God that Luis had figured out the hint she gave him. She also prayed that she would see Luis and the sweet little faces of her children again, because the thought that she might not, left her with an overwhelming feeling of despondency.
*******************
�Damn it!� Luis said, slamming the phone down. �The phone went dead.�
�What did he say?� Sam asked.
�He wants a chopper waiting for him just over the state line where my car was found, and then wants the chopper to fly him to the nearest airport, so that a plane can fly him out of the country. If we don�t meat his demands, he�ll kill Sheridan.�
�Was Sheridan able to tell you where they were?� Chad inquired impatiently.
�Let me think,� Luis said, rubbing his temples. He paced back and forth mulling over what Sheridan had said before Hank had taken the phone from her. Suddenly, something hit him, and he was sure he knew where they were. It was her comment about their honeymoon that gave him the clue. �They�re heading north on Old Coast Road. Sheridan said that when she was home safely again we would go to the same place where we spent our honeymoon. It was a lighthouse north of here on Old Coast Road,� Luis said, excitedly.
�Okay, I�m going to call the FBI and let them know what�s going on,� Sam said in an authoritative voice. �We can take the chopper up, but I think you should stay here and wait Luis. You are much too close to the situation.�
�I�m too close to the situation?� Luis said, astounded. �It�s your brother that is holding my wife hostage, and there is no way that I�m not going after Sheridan.�
Chad moved over to stand beside Luis in a show of solidarity. �Sorry Sam, but I�m going with Luis,� he said, crossing his arms in front of him.
Sam threw his hands up in exasperation. �All right, but you are both trained in situations like this, and just remember that you can�t go charging in there like knights in shining armor. You can get Sheridan killed if you�re not careful,� he advised.
�What are you really worried about Sam?� Luis asked knowingly. �Are you afraid that if I get my hands on Hank before you get there that I�ll kill him?�
�No Luis, I�m not worried about my brother, because he sealed his own fate when he chose to break the law. That person he�s become is not my brother any longer. He not only turned his back on his family, but he has caused you and Sheridan terrible pain, and for that I am truly sorry. I�m just trying to keep Sheridan safe.�
Luis felt bad for jumping on Sam that way. �I�m sorry Sam,� he said, regretfully. �I�m just really scared for Sheridan.�
�Don�t apologize Luis,� Sam told him. �I can imagine how I would feel if that were Grace out there............... Now, let�s get moving.�
********************
Sheridan knew that she was going to have to slow things down to give Luis a chance to catch up with them, so when she saw the sign for a rest stop a plan began to formulate. If she could convince Hank that she had to use the facilities, it should buy her some time. He had been sitting there in brooding silence ever since he told her to shut up, so she decided that it was probably a good idea to tread lightly with him. �Excuse me Hank, but I saw a sign back there that said there was a rest stop ahead, and I really, really need to use the facilities if you know what I mean.�
�Come on Sheridan, you�ve always been resourceful,� he said, snidely. �I�m sure that you can think of a way to hold it.�
�I�ve been doing just that for the last hour,� she told him wiggling around in her seat. �Please.............., give me a break here. My stomach is starting to hurt.�
�All right, pull over, but you better not try anything stupid because I�m going to be right outside waiting for you. If you�re not out in five minutes, I�ll come in there after you.�
�I promise I�ll just do my thing and we can be on our way again,� she told him in an obliging tone.
They finally arrived at the turn off for the rest stop, and Sheridan pulled the car into a parking spot. When she went to open the door Hank stopped her and once again warned her. As she moved toward the small building, marked WOMEN, Hank was close at her heels with his gun in his hand to remind her that he was in charge. She tried to take her time, but his threats to come in there forced her to put Plan B into motion. When she came out of the door, she pretended to trip over the cement step, and twist her ankle. �Ouch,� she wailed, hobbling around.
�What the hell is it now?� he demanded.
�Excuse me, but I turned my ankle,� she said, sitting down on the step. She winced as she rubbed the injured area. �Could you give me a minute to get my bearings? My ankle is killing me,� she moaned.
Hank rolled his eyes, and smacked his hand against his hip. �Quit stalling, and limp back over there to the car. We�ve wasted enough time already.�
Sheridan shot him a dirty look, and struggled to get up from the step. She put on quite a show as she limped to the car, even stopping once to bend down and rub her ankle again. By the time they got back in the car, she noted by the clock on the dashboard that they had managed to eat up twenty minutes. She just hoped that it was going to be enough to let Luis catch up to them. They had been on the road for about a half-hour when they heard a loud whirling noise above them. Hank whipped around in his seat trying to figure out where the noise was coming from.
�Damn, it�s a chopper,� he said in a panicked voice. �What the hell is going on here?�
�Calm down Hank,� she said, silently hoping it was the answer to her prayer. �This is a good sign for you, because it might be the helicopter that you ordered. I�m sure that it�s en route to the state line.�
�Maybe so, but I don�t have a good feeling about this. Drive faster,� he commanded.
�Are you crazy?� she asked astounded. �If I go any faster on these curvy roads I�ll end up killing us both.�
�I don�t give a damn, speed it up,� he demanded.
�I will not speed it up because unlike you, I happen to like my life,� she shouted.
The sound of the chopper was getting louder, like it had descended, and that sent Hank into a tailspin. He swung his leg over to the driver�s side of the car, and tried to put his foot over Sheridans�s foot on the accelerator, but she was caught off guard, and lost control of the car. They went off the road, down into a ditch and back out again, slamming head on into a tree. The airbags deployed, hitting them in the chests with a bruising force that took their breaths away. Sheridan got the wind knocked out of her, and struggled to get out of the massive cushion that surrounded her. She was finally able to locate the handle to open the car door, and pushed herself out landing on the ground. Everything had happened so fast, and Sheridan was a little disoriented at first, but as soon as she could see things clearly, she rose up off of the ground to see if she could find Hank. He too had made his way out of the car, and by this time the helicopter was circling right above them. Some time during the melee, he must have lost his gun, because she noticed that his hands were empty.
Hank looked up to the sky, then at her and turned, taking off running across the street toward the beach. Convinced that help was near, there was no way Sheridan was going to let him get away, and ignoring the pain in her chest she took off after him. �Come back here you weasel,� she shouted to him. Her long legs gave her the advantage, and by the time he got to the beach, she had caught up to him. An extra surge of adrenalin kicked in, and with a force that surprised even her she dived on top of his back sending them both crashing to the ground.
Sam and the FBI had taken the chopper, while Luis and Chad followed along in the car. When they approached the scene of the accident and saw Sheridan�s car mangled against the tree, Luis� heart stopped. �Oh God no,� he shouted, his voice laced with fear. �Please, please, let her be okay.�
�You check out Sheridan�s side of the car, and I�ll look for Hank,� Chad shouted, as they sprang toward the car.
They pushed the airbags out of the way, and discovered that the car was empty. After a quick survey of the area, they came to the conclusion that they had survived the accident and must have gone off on foot somewhere. They decided to split up, and Chad headed toward the woods, and Luis ran across the road toward the beach. He stopped at the top of the hill, and scanned the beach, finally spotting two figures engaged in a scuffle. The moonlight was bright enough for Luis to see that Sheridan had Hank pinned down in the sand, and she was pummeling him with her fist. Luis practically jumped down the hill, and ran down the beach not taking his eyes off of them the whole time. Hank must have gained control of the situation, because he suddenly flung Sheridan off of him, causing her to land on her bottom and took off running down the beach the opposite way.
�Sheridan,� he called out to her. �Are you all right?� He ran up and squatted down in the sand beside her pulling her into a hug. �Oh God baby, I�m so glad to see you.�
�I�m glad to see you too Luis, but you have to go after Hank,� she shouted above the noise of the waves, and the sound of the propellers on the chopper above them.
�Are you sure you�re okay?� he shouted back.
�Yes........... Now go get that little creep, and hurry he�s getting away............�
�I�m going,� he said, giving her a quick kiss. �This is going to end once and for all.�
Luckily for Luis, Hank had tripped over something on the beach, sending him flying to the ground, and the delay allowed him to catch up. Hank turned around and saw Luis coming toward him, and picked up a heavy piece of driftwood and jumped to his feet swinging it in front of him. �Get back Luis, or I�ll knock your head off.�
�I don�t think so Hank. It�s time for your day of reckoning. I�m going to get you out of our lives once and for all,� he shouted, and in a split second, he kicked his leg up knocking the driftwood out of Hank�s hand. �Now it�s just us, with nothing but our fist and get ready because I�m going to beat the hell out of you.�
They came together like two fronts meeting in a raging storm. Hank was able to get a couple of shots off, but for the most part Luis had the upper hand and he took out all of the fury that had built up in the last several weeks like a raging bull. He drove his fist into Hank�s stomach. �That�s for setting me up.� He then proceeded to pound his knuckles into Hank�s jaw. �That�s for kidnapping Sheridan............� Luis then grabbed Hank by the shirt collar, picked him up off the ground, and sent him flying through the air landing in a heap on the sand. �And that�s for giving my little girl nightmares you son of a bitch.............�
Luis almost went after Hank again, but suddenly Chad was there holding him back. �Stop Luis............. He�s out cold,� Chad screamed at him.
By that time Sheridan had arrived too, and she flung herself into Luis� arms even though it hurt her chest. �I knew that I had to go after him Luis......... I couldn�t let him get away and I made sure that I stopped him long enough for you to get here.�
Luis just looked at her in amazement, bursting with love and pride. �Did I ever tell you that you�re adorable?� he asked, pulling her against him tightly.
�Ouch,� she said, wincing. �I�m sorry Luis, I guess I�m a little sore from the airbag.�
�Oh Sheridan, I�m the one that�s sorry,� he told her, his face edged with concern. �How were you ever able to chase Hank down?�
�I was so angry with him that I couldn�t think about anything else. If I didn�t stop him he would never be out of our lives.�
�You�re not only adorable, but amazing too,� Luis said, cupping her face. �We need to get you to a hospital just to make sure you didn�t crack any ribs.�
The helicopter had landed a ways down the beach on a wide stretch of sand, and Sam and the FBI agents were now running toward them. They inquired on Sheridan�s welfare first, and then headed toward Hank�s prone body. Sam pulled his dazed brother to his feet, and Agent Bartelli cuffed him and read him his rights. With a promise from Sheridan to give her statement in the morning, they hauled Hank away to the chopper, and Luis and Chad helped Sheridan to the car. She told them they were overreacting, but they didn�t take no for an answer. When they got to Chad�s car he used his cell to call a tow truck to come and pick up Sheridan�s car, and then against Sheridan�s protest they headed to the hospital.
******************
Martin woke up, but he still hadn�t opened his eyes. His head felt like someone had hit him with a sledgehammer, and his body was stiff and sore. He was still a bit confused about his whereabouts and needed time to gather his thoughts before he faced whatever was waiting for him. The linens he was lying on smelled like they had been dried in the sun, and it reminded him so much of Pilar. She had always hung the laundry out to dry when the weather was good, and that was a smell that he would carry around forever. He could feel the presence of somebody standing above him, and decided that it was finally time to face his fate. When he opened his eyes, and he was able to focus he saw an elderly gentleman wearing a concerned look on his face. He smiled when he saw that Martin was awake, and it gave him a sense of relief somehow. The man said something in French, but Martin didn�t understand a word he said.
�I�m sorry, but I don�t speak French,� Martin said, hoping the man would catch on.
�Oh, so you are an American?� the man asked, with a very British accent.
�Thank God,� Martin said with a weak smile. �I�m so glad that you speak English.�
�Well, even though I�ve been living here for many years, I am still a citizen of the British Crown,� he said, smiling. �It is kind of nice to be able to use my first language again.�
�What made you settle in France?� Martin asked, curious about this man.
�I came over here during the Second World War as a young soldier to fight Hitler�s troops and met a beautiful French lady. I fell madly in love, married her, and I�ve been here ever since then......... But, enough of that for now. How are you feeling?�
�Like I�ve been run over by a truck,� Martin answered weakly. �I�m still a little fuzzy about the details, but the last thing I remember was walking toward your house.�
�Do you remember being in the car accident?�
�Yes............ Oh no, the driver............�
�Is dead I�m afraid,� the man answered regretfully. �There is something you should know. Some men came here looking for you, but I told them that I hadn�t seen you.�
�Why did you lie for me?� Martin asked, confused.
�I�m an old man, and I�ve seen a lot of things over the years, and let�s just say that I had a feeling that you needed a fair shake for once. By the way, I suppose I should introduce myself............ Charles Welling,� he said, holding out his hand in greeting.
For some reason, Martin knew he could trust this man so he decided to give him his real name. �Martin Fitzgerald,� he said, shaking Charles� hand.
�Ah, an Irishman,� George said with a smile.
�I hope that�s not a problem?� Martin said, smiling back.
�No, I don�t think that will be a problem,� Charles assured him, laughing. �You must be starving. My wife just made a huge pot of homemade soup, so why don�t I bring you a bowl, and then you can tell me just how an Irish American ended up on my doorstep in the middle of the French countryside.�
********************
Sheridan opened her eyes and stretched her arms above her head wincing when she felt the pain in her chest. The airbag had bruised her ribs, and she was black and blue in places, but it was not going to ruin her feeling of exhilaration. They were finally free and together again, and she still couldn�t believe that this nightmare was over. Hank was in jail where he belonged, and he had enough charges against him to keep him there for a long, long time. She wondered what Luis and the children were doing. He had left her an hour ago to get the twins up, insisting that she stay in bed and rest for a while. She had protested, but as usual, Luis would not take no for an answer, and she had taken advantage of his offer and dozed off again.
She was just about ready to get up and go investigate, when Luis peeked his head inside the door. �There you are,� she said, flashing him a big smile. �I was getting up to come and look for you.�
�Well stay right where you are, because Luke and Peanut have been working very hard on a surprise for you,� he said, excitedly.
�A surprise?� she asked, her face lighting up. �I can�t wait..........�
�Okay, here we come,� Luis announced. He came through the door with a twin at each side, and they were holding their daddy�s hand walking along with him. Luis was bent over, and taking baby steps so that they could keep up with him, and it was the most precious sight she had ever seen.
�Oh my, look at you,� Sheridan said, clapping her hands together. �Mommy is so proud of you,� she said, showering them with praise. �I think you should come here, so mommy can give you a big hug.�
The progress was slow, but they finally made it to the bed, and Luis swung them up and onto the mattress. Sheridan didn�t care that her chest was sore, she had to hug her children, and she did just that and showered them with kisses. Luis joined them, and they all shared a special family moment. �You gave mommy the best surprise this morning,� she told the babies.
�See guys, I told you all that practice would get you a lot of brownie points with mommy,� Luis teased. For some reason the twins thought that was funny and they both giggled.
�Oh no, I can see that I�m in trouble now,� Sheridan said, laughing. �Luis do you realize that next month the twins will be a year old?�
�Oh wow, that�s right. I guess with everything that�s been going on the time just got away with me. I think we should have a big party with balloons, and streamers, and maybe we can even rent a pony............�
�Luis, I think they�re a little young for a pony,� she said, laughing. �But, I promise we�ll think of something special that one-year-olds will enjoy. I just can�t wait to plan their party Luis.�
�Me either,� Luis said. �This is going to be the best birthday party that the folks of Harmony have ever seen. You know I hate to remind you, but we do have to go into town so that you can make an official statement to the FBI. If you�re not up to it, I could see if they could come out here.�
�No, I�m fine,� she protested. �In fact, I think we should get that over with, and then we can take the twins for a walk in the park. I think now that the weather is getting warmer, the fresh air will be good for them. After we�re through in the park, we can go to the wharf and browse in some of those new shops that just opened up.�
�That sounds great Sheridan, but are you sure you�re up for all of that?�
�Luis, a little bruised ribs are not going to stop me from finally being able to be with my family again with no hiding, and sneaking around. Besides, if it bothers me I�ll just sit down and take a rest,� she promised.
�Okay then, I think we should get moving, but first I want a big fat kiss from you,� he said leaning in to offer his mouth to her.
�I think that�s a great idea,� she said, pulling him forward until their lips met in a sweet kiss.
The twins decided that they wanted in on the action, and crawled in between them to get their parents� attention. Sheridan and Luis laughed at their antics and pulled them both up to share some kisses with them too.
********************
The day was unseasonably warm and the sun was shining brightly melting the left over patches of snow. They had already had their walk in the park, and had moved on to the wharf. The twins were in their stroller drawing attention from everyone they passed, and the people couldn�t resist stopping to fawn over the little cuties. Luke and Lily had become quite accomplished at the art of saying goodbye, and waved their little hands to all the visitors as they walked away.
�Gee, do you think our kids are spoiled enough?� Luis asked, smiling.
�You can never spoil children with too much affection, besides Luis you have to admit that they�re adorable.�
�They certainly are that,� Luis agreed.
�Oh look at this charming little toy store. Why don�t we go inside and see if we can get some ideas for the twins� birthday,� Sheridan suggested.
�Hey, you�re the boss..........�
�And don�t you forget that,� she said, giving him a saucy look.
�We better get inside before you unman me in front of my children,� Luis said, opening the door so they she could push the stroller through.
As soon as they got inside the twins looked around with huge eyes trying to take in all the toys surrounding them. They were both trying to climb out of the stroller so that they could go exploring, but Luis put them gently back in again taking pity on the sales assistant.
�Ass,� Lily said suddenly, pointing to a shelf filled with stuffed animals.
Sheridan was mortified, because she knew that the saleslady had heard Lily. �Did she just say what I thought she said?� she whispered to Luis.
�Ass,� Lily said again.
�Yes, I�m afraid she did,� Luis acknowledged.
�Where would she hear a word like that? We don�t talk like that in front of the children;� Sheridan said, shocked and confused.
�Maybe she overhead me admiring your backside the night we made love in the cabin,� he whispered for her ears only, unable to resist teasing her.
�Luis, she did not,� Sheridan said, indignantly.
�Settle down, I think I just figured out what she is trying to say,� he said, walking over to the stuffed animal display. He picked up a German Shepherd that looked just like Ace, and brought it to Lily.
�Ass,� she squealed, hugging the dog against her.
�We have a dog that looks just like this at home, and his name is Ace,� Sheridan told the saleslady, hoping to explain why her child was swearing.
The lady started laughing. �Out of the mouths of babes. Why don�t you let them get out of their stroller,� she suggested. �They really can�t hurt anything.�
�Are you sure?� Sheridan asked.
�Of course,� she said, waving her hand. �They are just so cute. Let them explore.�
Sheridan and Luis finally relented, but only after they agreed that each would take a baby and hold on to their hands as they walked behind them. Luis had Luke with him, and he could hardly contain his son when he came upon some of those little push cars that were made for the babies to sit on and move themselves forward with their feet. Upon closer inspection, Luis couldn�t believe it when he saw that one of them was a police car. �Ca,� Luke said, trying to climb on the seat. Luis picked him up and placed him on the car, and showed the little boy how to move his feet to make the car go forward. Sheridan and Lily found them, and when Luke saw his mother, he looked at her with big eyes and pointed to his car. �Ca mama.�
�I can see that sweetheart. That looks just like the car that daddy used to drive..........�
�And mommy crashed into,� Luis told him laughing.
Sheridan couldn�t help but laugh too, but she really lost it when she saw another little car. It was red, like the convertible that she had been driving when she hit Luis� police car that unforgettable night of their first meeting. �Luis, you have got to see this,� she said, pointing to the little red car.
He looked to where she was pointing, then back to her, and they both burst out laughing. �We have got to buy these for the twins.�
�But their birthday is still a month away, and I don�t think we can keep them away from them for that long,� Sheridan reminded him.
�Hey, they�ve been such little troopers over these past weeks and I think they deserve a surprise,� Luis said, looking at his children affectionately. �Who says it has to be their birthday to give them a present?�
�Oh God Luis, this is really starting to get scary when you�re the one being frivolous and I�m the voice of reason. Okay Luke and Lily remember this day, because you may never see daddy like this again.........�
Chapter 11
When Sheridan was living in Paris for all those years, she would have never in her wildest dreams pictured herself sitting here like this paying the household bills. She could imagine what her old crowd would think of her life right now, but she couldn�t have cared less because she was the happiest person in the world right now. Why wouldn�t she be? Before Luis and their children came into her life she had never known what it was like to have this unconditional love that was showered on her every day, nor had she known what it was like to feel that same unconditional love for them as well. The last few weeks since Hank�s arrest had been perfect, and she was slowly starting to believe that they finally had their lives back. She looked over to check on Luke and Lily, and saw that they were both staring at the television with rapt attention. Their favorite show was on right now, and they couldn�t take their eyes off of the screen. She couldn�t help but smile at Luke sitting there on his little police car. The only time she was able to get him off of it was when he had to eat or go to sleep at night, and even then it had to be in his room right by his bed. Lily liked her car too, because she thought it was fun to give her bunny, Mr. Hoppy rides, but her affection didn�t extend to the level that Luke�s had. Under Luis� tutelage they had both become quite adept at making their cars go, and they were so cute that she had already used a roll of film taking pictures of them. She decided that it was time to stop daydreaming and get back to the task at hand, but her concentration was cut short once again when Luis came walking through the door.
�Hey family, I�m home,� he announced as he walked through the door.
�Well this is certainly a nice surprise,� she said, getting up to greet him. �I didn�t expect you for several hours yet. How did it go?�
�It went well enough. Since it�s just a preliminary hearing, I just gave my testimony and I was allowed to leave,� he told her, pulling her into his arms.
�I guess I have that to look forward to tomorrow,� she said, apprehensively. �I have to admit I�m a little nervous.�
�There�s nothing to be nervous about,� he assured her. �All you have to do is to testify about how Hank kidnapped you. You�ll do great.�
�Just the same, I can�t wait until it�s over, but I�m not going to think about it now. I�m just glad that my handsome husband is home,� she said, kissing him.
�Now that�s the greeting I�ve been thinking about all the way home, but I�m a little disappointed that my little munchkins haven�t even acknowledged my presence,� he said, looking at the twins. �My God, they look catatonic..........�
�They�re watching Teletubbies,� Sheridan said, laughing.
�Are those the little weird looking things with antennas on their heads?� Luis asked.
�Those would be the ones,� she laughed. �They have moved on from Barney and Baby Bop.�
�Oh Barney,� Luis said, pretending to shiver. �I can�t help but remember when you tried to be cute and make me wear that Barney costume for Halloween that year, but I outsmarted you.�
�Yeah, that�s too bad, because you would have made the perfect Barney. Zorro didn�t really fit your personality,� she teased.
�Maybe I should rent that Zorro costume again, and give you a private showing. I bet I can get you to change your mind about it fitting my personality,� he suggested with a sexy grin.
Sheridan pretended to consider his proposition for a minute, then shook her head no. �Nah, too many clothes.�
�Why do you do this to me when the kids are in the room?� he groaned.
�I promise I�ll make it up to you later tonight,� she said, giving him a quick squeeze on his behind.
He barely had time to enjoy her gesture when he looked over Sheridan�s shoulder, and his eyes were drawn to his little girl. There was a song playing on the television, and Lily was standing at the coffee table bending her knees up and down to the music. �Sheridan, look at Peanut,� he whispered.
Sheridan turned around, and when she saw Lily a huge smile broke out on her face. �Oh Luis, she�s dancing. Isn�t that the cutest thing you�ve ever seen?�
Luis looked at his little girl adoringly. �It�s more than cute. She�s a good little dancer just like her mother,� he said, putting his arms around her waist from behind.
�Now, if we could just get Luke separated from his car long enough maybe we could see if he has any rhythm too,� Sheridan laughed.
�Well I hate to break up their little Teletubbies fest, but I want to play with my kids,� Luis said, giving her a quick kiss and moving toward the twins, clapping his hands. �Excuse me, but daddy�s here, and he would like some attention.� Luis plopped down on the floor beside them.
When the twins finally noticed him they both squealed with excitement. Luke crawled off of his car and jumped on top of his daddy giggling the whole time. Lily followed suit and jumped on Luis� back. �Dada.�
Sheridan wanted to get in on the fun, and decided that the bills could wait. She went over to join her family, and Luke got off of Luis� lap and wrapped his arms around Sheridan�s neck. �Po,� he said, pointing to the television.
�What�s a po?� Luis asked.
�That�s the little one�s name in the dark red suit,� Sheridan explained, laughing.
�How do you know all this stuff?� Luis asked. while bouncing Lily on his knee.
�You don�t think I�m going to let my children watch anything that I haven�t checked out first do you?�
�I should have known better than to ask,� Luis laughed. �You know Sheridan, I was thinking earlier that it�s been a long time since you and I had a romantic evening alone. I know that mama would love to stay with the babies while we go out on a date.�
�That does sound like a wonderful idea, but I�m a little hesitant to have the children spend the night away from home when they are just getting their sense of security back,� she said, apprehensively.
�I know, but it�s not like mama is a stranger to them. Besides, they love it over there and it gives mama a chance to spend time with her grandchildren. I�ll tell you what, why don�t we ask Luke and Lily and see what they have to say on the subject?�
�Okay,� Sheridan conceded with a smile. �This should be interesting.�
Luis put the children in front of him so that he would have their undivided attention, since they had fallen back into their Teletubbie stupor. �How would you like to spend the night at abuela�s house?�
Luke started jabbering excitedly, and Lily clapped her hands calling out the word Teetee. Luis and Sheridan looked at each other curiously, when it finally dawned on Sheridan what her little girl was trying to say. �I think she�s trying to say Theresa. She loves it when Theresa combs her hair and dresses her up.�
�I�m sure my sister would appreciate being called a bodily function,� Luis said, laughing out loud. �You know Sheridan; we really do need to work on our daughter�s vocabulary.�
�Well, I must admit that I�m not particularly fond of the way she says Ace�s name, but I think Teetee is kind of cute, and I�m sure that Theresa would think so too.�
�You�re probably right, and knowing my sister she won�t make the connection anyway,� Luis teased. �Well, I think that judging by the twins� reaction, we can safely assume that they would love to spend the night at mama�s house.�
�It certainly looks that way, and their mother would love to spend the night in her husband�s arms,� she said, leaning over to give him a kiss.
�Oh, there is going to be plenty of that now that you�re recovered from your airbag injuries. I�ve really missed my goodies,� he said, looking at her breasts with a hot gaze.
�Down boy,� she giggled. �Don�t forget your children are present. Besides, we need to get ready to go,� she reminded him.
�Where are we going?� he asked, confused.
�Don�t you remember we�ve invited Chad and Reese, and Evan and Kay to brunch at the county club as a gesture of appreciation for everything they�ve done for us?�
�Oh, right,� he said, unenthusiastically. �I forgot about that.�
�Luis, you could show a little bit of excitement. After all, if it wasn�t for all of their sacrifices and help we might not be sitting here right now.�
�My lack of excitement has nothing to do with not being appreciative. I think the world of all of them, and I will never be able to thank them enough........... It�s just that I hate going to the country club. All those snooty people get on my nerves,� he complained.
�Oh you big baby, just ignore them,� she said, rolling her eyes with a smile. �I thought the country club would be kind of special, but you know Luis I don�t think it�s enough.�
�What do you mean?� Luis asked, not sure if he really wanted to hear her answer.
�Well, I got to thinking earlier about how wonderful everybody was during our time of need, and that brunch just didn�t seem to really convey how much we appreciate their help. I was trying to come up with something that would be a nice treat for them, and I remembered Michael�s family has this huge ski lodge at Sugarloaf. They use it a lot to entertain the partners from the law firm and perspective clients, and I bet that if I called Michael he would rent it to us for a reasonable fee for the weekend. Of course, we would have to go soon before the ski season is over, and then we have Luke and Lily�s birthday party next month, but don�t you think it would be fun?�
�Yeah, it does sound like fun. It�s been a long time since I�ve been skiing, and it would be kind of nice to spend time in the mountains when I�m not a fugitive. Who are you planning on inviting, and what about Luke and Lily?�
�Well, we would invite Evan and Kay, and Chad could bring Whitney, and now that Reese is dating Jessica, he could invite her to come too. The babies could come along, and we could take them sledding on some of the small hills. I think they would have a blast.�
�I don�t know Sheridan. Do you really want to spend the weekend policing a bunch of horny teenagers? You know that Sam and Grace and the Russell�s are never going to let their daughters come without a promise from us that we�re not going to let any hanky panky go on.�
�Chad, Evan, and Whitney are hardly teenagers any longer, and I think we can trust the rest of the group to keep their raging hormones under control for a weekend.�
�Okay, go ahead and call Michael, but just remember I gave you fair warning when we�re staring into the enraged faces of Sam and T.C. when this weekend is over.�
�Oh Luis, you worry too much,� she said, brushing off his warning.
�Well, somebody in this family has to............�
********************
Julian had been home from the hospital for several days now, and he decided that it was time to check on his affairs. There wasn�t much else to do since he was still stuck in a wheel chair with a bullet pressing against his spinal column. Damn that Hank Bennett for doing this to him. The doctor had told him that when he was stronger they would try to go in and remove the remaining bullet, but it would be a very risky procedure, and could result in doing worse damage. He had to admit that he was still suffering from shock at what Hank had revealed to him that night. How dare that little weasel eavesdrop on his conversation with his father, and now to find out that Warren of all people masterminded Alistair�s death was just too overwhelming! He had to admit though that he was worried about Hank spouting off to the police that him and Alistair had something to do with Ben Bennett�s murder. He would just have to deny that he had any knowledge of that, and put the blame entirely on his father if need be. After all, if his bastard of a father were still alive he would have no problem whatsoever in doing the same to him. Besides Hank Bennett didn�t have a shred of physical evidence that he had anything to do with Ben�s death, and who was going to believe anything that came out his mouth as gospel.
Now that he had convinced himself that Hank wasn�t going to be a problem, there was just one more detail to attend to and he would be able to breathe easier. He had never trusted the disbursement of funds for the care of Martin Fitzgerald to even his loyal attorney, and he needed to call Dr. Heintzman at the clinic in Switzerland to assure him that funds were being wired immediately. When the apologetic administrator explained that they didn�t think that he was going to make it and had sent Martin to a state hospital, Julian went ballistic, and demanded that he bring the patient back immediately. When his request was met with silence on the other end of the line, he insisted that the doctor explain himself, and almost went into cardiac arrest when he was told about the accident and the fact that Martin was now missing. Julian informed the administrator that if he didn�t locate Martin Fitzgerald immediately, he would be practicing psychiatric care in a remote location in Siberia, and slammed the phone down so hard that it shook the desk. Not trusting the man to complete the task, he made a phone call to his head henchman to dispatch some men over to France to look for the missing Martin. Julian hung up the phone, and rubbed his throbbing head, cursing Hank Bennett all over again. This would have never happened if he weren�t laid up in a hospital, near death�s door. If they didn�t locate Martin soon and contain him, he may as well be dead, because if the truth ever came out about the murder of the senator, and what they had done to Martin, to cover up the conspiracy, he would probably fry in the electric chair. If only he could find those damn papers that Martin had hidden.......... Suddenly Julian almost wished he were laying back in the hospital blissfully comatose, because he hadn�t even been this afraid when Hank Bennett was pointing a gun at him that fateful night.
********************
As the group sat around the table at the country club enjoying a delicious brunch, Luis proposed a toast. Everyone, with the exception of Kay and Reese were drinking mimosas and they all raised their glasses waiting for Luis to speak. �I�m not a man of a lot of words..........�
�Since when?� Sheridan chimed in and everyone laughed.
�Maybe since my wife thinks she�s so cute, she should give the toast,� he said with a begrudging smile.
�I�m sorry honey, I was just teasing you,� she said, leaning over to give him a kiss on the cheek. �Please continue, and I promise I�ll keep my mouth shut.�
�Anyway, Sheridan and I have always thought that you were all pretty special people because you were there for us after our plane crashed, and now you were here for us again. Thank you for helping us to get our lives back. We will never be able to thank you enough.�
�Luis is right, we can never thank you enough, but I was hoping that we could show you our gratitude by inviting you for a ski weekend at Sugarloaf next weekend. We rented a private lodge and would love it if you would join us. Of course you can invite your significant others too.�
�Now, just because Sheridan said it was okay to invite a friend, it doesn�t mean that this will be a weekend of debauchery,� Luis warned them smiling.
�I don�t care about debauchery Luis,� Reese said, seriously. �I just want to try some snow boarding.�
�Reese my man,� Chad said, patting him on the back. �Don�t you ever change?�
�Wow you guys,� Evan said. �This is really generous of you. Right Kay?�
Kay seemed distracted, shoving her food around on her plate. She looked up at Evan�s words, and gave him a small smile. �Yeah, it sounds great. Thank you guys,� she told them, not quite looking them in the eyes. �If you�ll excuse me, I need to go to the Ladies� Room.�
�Evan, is there something the matter with Kay?� Sheridan asked him in a low voice. �Is she upset with us because we had her uncle arrested? I guess maybe we were being insensitive............�
�Actually Sheridan, it�s just the opposite,� Evan explained. �She�s really embarrassed that Jack Russo turned out to be her Uncle Hank, and she feels really bad about what he did to you.�
�But it�s not her fault,� Sheridan protested. She was holding Lily, and she handed her to Evan. �Hold your niece. I�m going to go talk to Kay,� she said, getting up from the table.
�Sure,� he said, gathering Lily in his arms, and kissing the top of her head. �Thanks Sheridan.�
Sheridan found Kay in the outer lounge of the Ladies� Room sitting on a sofa rubbing her temples. �Kay, are you all right?� Sheridan asked with concern, sitting down beside her.
�Oh Sheridan,� Kay said, looking up. �I didn�t see you come in.�
�Bad headache?� Sheridan asked knowingly.
�Yeah, my head is killing me all of a sudden. I just took some aspirin, so I hope they kick in soon.�
�You know Kay, we haven�t had a chance to talk alone since this whole thing with your Uncle Hank happened, and I think that we need to clear the air.�
�Oh, I just knew it,� Kay said, visibly upset. �You and Luis must hate me for what Uncle Hank did to you. I�m so sorry Sheridan.............�
�Now hold on there a minute Kay. That is not what I meant when I said we needed to clear the air. Luis and I think the world of you, my children love you, and my brother is crazy about you. We would never hold you responsible for what your uncle did.�
�Do you really mean that Sheridan?� Kay asked hopefully.
�Of course I do,� she said, smiling warmly. �Look, your Uncle Hank was a good man once and unfortunately somewhere he just lost his way, and that person he used to be is the one we should remember.�
�Thank you Sheridan,� Kay said, hugging her.
�You�re welcome. What do you say we go join the others?�
�Okay,� Kay said. �You know, I think my headache is starting to feel better.�
When they arrived back in the dining room, they found Luis and the waiter on their knees picking up broken dishes. Luke was out of his highchair and sitting on Chad�s lap crying. �What�s wrong with my baby?� Sheridan asked, while approaching the table.
�Luke was kicking his feet, and he accidentally knocked a water glass on the floor,� Reese supplied in his usual narrative tone. �When the waiter came by he slipped on the water, and as he was trying to get his balance he dropped the tray.�
�I think the poor little guy feels like he did something bad,� Chad told her. �You should have seen the look on his face when he knocked the water glass over.�
Luke had his head resting on Chad�s shoulder, but when he looked up and saw his mother he held his little arms up to her. �Mama,� he called to her between sobs.
Sheridan�s heart melted, and she gathered her son in her arms and sat down on the chair. �Shhh, it�s okay sweetie,� she whispered, rocking him back and forth.
The waiter took off with his tray of broken dishes, and Luis came over and sat down next to them. He grabbed Luke�s hand, and the little boy wrapped his fist around Luis� finger. �Hey sport........., it was just an accident,� he said in a soothing voice.
�I can�t believe he�s so upset,� Sheridan said, rubbing Luke�s back.
�Well I think that somehow he feels responsible, and all the noise when the dishes broke scared him,� Luis told her.
Sheridan looked around, and noticed that two older ladies where looking at them with disgusted looks on their faces. She recognized them as leading patriarchs of the charities that the country club set seemed to favor. The old biddies, she thought to herself. �Well everybody, it�s been a lovely time, but I think that it�s time to take our children home before they kick us out of this place,� Sheridan told them, smiling.
�Yeah, I think Sheridan�s right,� Luis agreed. �Let me just get Peanut.� Lily was sitting on Evan�s lap totally oblivious to all the commotion, because she was busy playing peek-a-boo with her uncle.
They gathered their children up, and were leaving the restaurant, when Sheridan hung back and stopped at the ladies� table. �Hello Mrs. Vanderbruen, Mrs. Chambers. It�s so good to see you again,� she said, with a false smile.
�Hello Sheridan,� they both greeted her with the same false smile.
Sheridan started to walk away, but stopped and turned toward them again. �Oh, just a word of advice. You might want to get those pinched looks off of your faces. The old sour prune look just isn�t very becoming to genteel ladies of your advanced age.� With that she turned on her heal and never looked back to see the open mouthed looks of shock on the ladies� faces.
********************
Martin was looking under the sink trying to figure out the intricacies of French plumbing, when Charles came through the back door. Under the care of Charles and his wife, he was well on his way to recovery from the wounds he had suffered from the accident, and he was doing some odd jobs around the farmhouse to repay them for their generosity. Some men had stopped by the house again yesterday looking for him, and Charles had insisted that he hide in the attic. He had made the decision earlier that it was time to leave this place because he could no longer put Charles and his wife in harm�s way by continuing to harbor him. Now that Charles was back from the village, he would inform him of his decision. �Hello Charles. How was your trip into town?�
�Very informative Martin,� he said, greeting him with a kind smile. �Why don�t you sit down and take a break. I have some news for you.�
�Well, I hope it�s good news Charles,� Martin said, sitting down across from him. �I could certainly use that right now.�
�Actually, it is good news, but there is some bad news as well. There is a store in town that gets all the publications from Paris, and I happened to see this as I was browsing today,� he said, handing Martin a rolled up newspaper.
Martin opened the paper to see a picture of Julian Crane on the front page. Since it was written in French, he was unable to discern what it was about, but he said a silent prayer that this didn�t mean that Julian was dead. �What does it say?�
�Apparently Julian Crane has come out of his coma, and named his shooter as a fellow named Hank Bennett, so they have exonerated your son of all the charges.�
�That�s wonderful news about my son. I just knew in my heart that he would never shoot somebody in cold blood, but I can�t believe that the guilty person was Hank.�
�Do you know this Hank Bennett?� Charles asked.
�Yes,� Martin said, with a far off look on his face. �I was a good friend with his father, and my son Luis and him were also good friends growing up together. I just can�t believe he would do such a thing, and then to let Luis take the fall.......... This just doesn�t make any sense.�
�It says in the article that Hank Bennett was already in trouble with the law, so he falsified his own death, and had plastic surgery so he could come back and live in Harmony.�
�My God, this just gets more bizarre by the moment,� Martin said, unable to believe what he was hearing. �At least my son and his family are safe, and that is the best news you could have given me Charles, but you also said that you had some bad news.�
�Yes Martin, and I�m afraid that it is not good at all. I ran into an old friend that is the magistrate in town and he warned me to be on the look out for an escaped mental patient that is known to be dangerous. He also said that not only are the authorities here looking for you, but apparently Julian Crane has dispatched a team of his own men over here to look for you as well. It is a good thing that we did not call your family because they have tapped the phones in the area too. When you told me your story and said that you had some damaging information on the Cranes, I think that perhaps that was an understatement. What ever you know must be explosive for Julian Crane to take such measures to find you.�
�Yes Charles it�s explosive all right. Murder, drug smuggling, conspiracy, the list just goes on and on, and Julian Crane is a very powerful man and he will stop at nothing to get to me. I am the one person that can bring his world falling down on top of him, and because of that I have decided that I must leave here. I made the decision earlier, but now I�m more convinced than ever that it is the right thing to do.�
�But Martin where would you go? You have no money, no passport, not to mention that there are men all over this area looking for you. You would never make it out of France without being caught.�
�Maybe so Charles, but that is just a chance that I�m going to have to take. I can�t just sit here doing nothing, while I put you and your wife at risk. You have been too kind to me already.�
�No Martin, we could not live with ourselves if we just threw you to the wolves like that. Besides, we may be old, but we have tough exteriors, and to tell you the truth I haven�t had this much excitement in a long time,� Charles said, trying to lighten the mood. �We survived the Nazis and there is no way that Julian Crane can be worse than that.�
�Don�t be so sure Charles, you have no idea what Julian Crane is capable of. I couldn�t stand to see you and your wife get caught in the crossfire. I couldn�t live with myself if something happened to the two of you.�
�Well, I had a long conversation with Julliette last night over this very thing, and we both agreed that we could not live with ourselves if we were to turn out a man in need. I have a plan Martin, but we must be patient and hide you out here a little while longer. In a couple of months I�m driving to Paris to visit my son, and we will think of a way to smuggle you with us in the car. Once we arrive in Paris, I will take you to the American Embassy, and you can tell them your story. Also, there is always the letter that you sent home to your family. Once they know that you�re alive, I�m sure they will move heaven and earth to find you.�
�I hope you�re right Charles,� Martin said, in a despondent voice. �I really hope you�re right.�
********************
Luis drove home from his mother�s anticipating the evening that was ahead of him. Sheridan had been very mysterious earlier about her plans, and it was driving him crazy just thinking about it. She had been adamant about making all the arrangements for the night, and he was perfectly willing to let her have her way just knowing that they would be alone. Earlier that afternoon, she had instructed him to take the twins, and the clothes that he was wearing for the evening to his mother�s house and get ready over there. She had told him with that sexy little smile of hers that if this was to be a real date then he had to pick her up at the door. In retrospect it seemed a bit ridiculous since they were an old married couple, but she was always good at coming up with creative ways to keep things fresh and romantic in their relationship. When he had asked her how to dress for the evening, she had told him sexy casual, so he had chosen a pair of black slacks, a dark blue sweater, and his black suede jacket. The house looked cozy and inviting when he drove up the driveway, and parked the car. He still felt a little ridiculous ringing his own doorbell, but it brought back memories of the first time he picked her up for a date and she greeted him wearing that sexy red dress. When she opened the door, he couldn�t help but smile when he saw her red sweater. She was wearing it with a long black wrap around straight skirt and black high-heeled boots that put all kinds of impure thoughts in his head. �You look gorgeous,� he said, as his eyes raked her body from head to toe.
�You look pretty gorgeous yourself,� she said, flashing him her secret smile. �Would you like to come in?�
�Wild horses couldn�t stop me,� he said, coming through the door. He was surprised to see that the room was cast in low lights with candles burning, and there was soft music playing to add to the romantic ambiance of the setting. �Wow, what�s all this? I thought we were going out for dinner.�
�I decided that if would be much more enjoyable to dine in tonight. You don�t have a problem with that do you?�
�Hell no,� he said, catching a whiff of her perfume. �I mean, no I don�t have a problem with that at all.�
�I was hoping you would say that. Why don�t you let me take your coat?� she asked moving up behind him.
He shrugged it off, handing it to her, and when she turned to walk to the coat closet, he dragged in a deep breath when he saw the back of her sweater. It was held closed by two large buttons. One on the top by her neck, and the other at the base of her spine, leaving a huge amount of the creamy smooth skin of her back exposed. He couldn�t resist grabbing her arm and swinging her around to face him. �You can�t possibly have anything on underneath that sweater,� he said, in a ragged voice.
�I don�t..............�
�Good, I love it;� he told her right before he lowered his mouth to plant a fiery kiss on her lips.
She was totally unprepared for his seductive kiss this soon in the game, and she melted against him because her legs were too shaky to stand properly. If she didn�t do something to end this right now, they would be in bed ten minutes into their date. She finally dragged her lips away from him, and stepped away. �Luis, if you don�t stop that all my plans for the evening will be ruined.�
�Are you saying making love with me would ruin your evening?� he asked, pretending to be hurt.
�Of course not, but it will be so much better if you let me build the anticipation. You know the saying that all goods things come to those who wait?�
�Okay, I�ll back off for now since you want to be in control tonight, but be warned that once I reach my breaking point all bets are off,� he promised with a smile.
�I�ll remember that,� she said, taking his hand and leading him into the living room. �Sit down, and I�ll pour you a glass of wine.
�I�d like that,� he said sitting down on the sofa. He watched her move around the room with a heated stare, and appreciated the way her skirt split open to give him a glimpse of her long leg.
She handed him a glass of wine, and sat down next to him. �I have been looking forward to this all day long,� she said, taking a sip of her wine.
He couldn�t take his eyes off of her lips wishing he could be the edge of the glass she was drinking from. �Me either. It�s been a long time since we�ve been able to relax and enjoy each other�s company,� he said, tracing imaginary circles on her arm. �You never did tell me what we�re having for dinner.�
�Don�t worry, I didn�t cook. I had it catered so that I wouldn�t poison you,� she chuckled lightly. �We�re having roasted lamb with mint jelly, asparagus, and rice.�
�That sounds delicious, but you really shouldn�t be so hard on yourself. Your cooking has really improved since I first met you.�
�That�s not saying much since anything would be an improvement. Don�t you remember my nasty burnt scrambled eggs?�
�How can I forget? But, to tell you the truth, I never really cared that you couldn�t cook. You have so many other qualities that make up for your lack of finesse in the kitchen.�
�Oh Luis, you always do know the right thing to say. Why don�t we have dinner, because all of sudden I�m in the mood to hurry this evening along,� she said, rising up and pulling him by the hand.
Sheridan had set up a small round table in the sunroom to allow them a more intimate setting while they at their dinner. Luis couldn�t help but notice how beautiful she looked in the candlelight, and he reached out his hand to touch her face. �You still turn me to mush whenever I look at you.�
She grabbed his hand and kissed it. �And you still make me weak in the knees when you walk in the room.�
�Dance with me..........�
�But we haven�t had dessert yet............�
�I don�t want dessert. I just want you.�
�Then I think we better dance.�
He came over and helped her from her chair, and led her to a spot in front of the fireplace. She came into his arms and their bodies swayed to the music in perfect harmony. It always felt so right to be here in his arms this way and she knew with a certainty that she would never feel like this about any other man. His hard body felt so good against her soft one, and they fit together like a glove. �Luis,� she whispered in a husky voice. �Have you reached your breaking point yet?�
�Sweetie, I reached it a couple of hours ago, but I was trying to be good,� he told her flashing her a sexy smile.
�Well, I don�t want you to be good any more..............�
�That�s all I needed to hear,� he said, lifting her up in his arms. He headed for the stairs, climbing them with the gusto of a man on a mission.
When he put her down, she grabbed the bottom of his sweater to pull it over his head, and ran her hands all over his muscled chest. �Luis, I love your body. I want you so much I can taste it.�
�God woman, you drive me crazy.� He turned her around and with quick precision her sweater was unbuttoned and peeled from her body. His hands traveled up her rib cage to cup her breasts and she leaned back against him rubbing her behind against his arousal. He managed to find the clasp that held her skirt together, and it soon found its way to the floor landing in a heap on top of her sweater. She almost lost in when his hand slipped inside her panties to touch her in the most intimate way.
�Luis, I don�t think I can take much more........... Please,� she begged, pulling him toward the bed.
He wasn�t about to deny her anything, and he lowered her to the mattress, kissing her hotly the whole way down. Suddenly her panties were gone, and he made quick work of removing his trousers. �I want you right now,� he said, standing before her in all his glory.
�I want you too, but are you going to take my boots off?� she asked in a throaty voice.
�You should know me well enough by now than to ask a question like that,� he answered her as he lowered his body down on top of hers.
�Okay, but if you have scratch marks on your back tomorrow from my heels don�t complain to me,� she sighed as she offered him everything.
�Don�t worry, you won�t get any complaints from me,� he groaned as he sank inside the lush part of her reserved only for him.
********************
Pilar had already fed the twins breakfast and was in the living room helping her granddaughter master her new toy. Lily was busy pressing the buttons on her talking book so that she could hear the sounds the animals made, and Luke was as usual pushing his car around the room. Miguel came through the front door with a stack of mail in his hand, and threw it down on the coffee table.
�I brought the mail in mama,� he called out to her, plopping down in a chair. �Hey sport, that�s a pretty cool car you have there,� he said, smiling at Luke.
�Ca,� Luke said, proudly.
�Thank you mijo, I�ll look at the mail later. Would you mind keeping your eye on Luke while I change Lily�s diaper?�
�Not at all mama. You go ahead,� Miguel told her.
Pilar took Lily upstairs and Miguel sat down on the floor to check out Luke�s car. He was amazed by the detail of the little police cruiser. It had a little horn, and the trunk actually opened up, and Miguel laughed when he saw the blocks stacked inside. �Hey Luke, can Uncle Miguel take your blocks out? I�ll build you a big tall tower.�
�Baba,� Luke said, getting off of his car, and sitting down next to his uncle. Miguel started to lay the foundation for the tower when the phone rang.
�Hold on for a minute Luke while I answer the phone.� Miguel got up and walked across the room to grab the cordless phone. �Hello.......... Oh, hey Charity. What�s going on...........?�
Luke became impatient waiting for his uncle to get back, and decided to check out the mail on the coffee table. A letter with a border of red and blue stripes caught his eye and he picked it up to play with it for a while. First he chewed on the corners, than he put it in the trunk of his car and stacked some blocks on top of it. Pilar came back into the room with Lily, and Miguel told Luke that he would help him finish his tower later, and left to go pick Charity up at the Bennett�s.
When Luis and Sheridan arrived later to pick up their children, and Luis carried Luke�s little police car out to load it in the trunk, he had no idea that the key to his father�s disappearance was right beneath his fingertips.
Chapter 12
The �Weekend Ski Warriors� as Reese had fondly dubbed them, decided to caravan to the resort and Luis and Sheridan with the babies in tow were in the lead. They had been traveling for several hours now, and everyone was anxious to arrive at their destination to hit the slopes. Sheridan, however, would have preferred to be on the road just a little while longer, because the twins had finally fallen asleep after a little fussy episode earlier. They had started out in a great mood, but as soon as naptime rolled along the whining had begun. The only thing that settled them down was to pop in the tape with their favorite song, and they had heard The Wheels On The Bus....... so many times that Luis� knuckles were white from gripping the steering wheel so tightly.
When they all arrived at the lodge, everyone jumped out of their respective cars and grabbed their gear. It wasn�t as easy for Luis and Sheridan, because besides their luggage and ski equipment, there was enough baby paraphernalia to fill a small warehouse. Sheridan suggested that Luis unload the babies� portable bed, and take it in and set it up, just in case they managed to get the kids inside without waking them. Fortunately, success was to be theirs and Luke and Lily still lay fast asleep as they carried them into the house. The guys felt sorry for Luis and offered to help him unload the car. After a lot of discussion on who was going to sleep where, everyone had finally changed, and were just about ready to head for the slopes, when Luis called a little meeting.
�Okay everyone, listen up,� he called out loudly trying to get the gang�s attention. �While Sheridan and I hope that everyone will have a great time, there are two rules that I need to tell you about. The first one is, that swimming suits are required at all times while in the hot tub, and secondly don�t do anything that will make your parents kill me,� he told them almost pleadingly, but then he smiled. �Now that we�ve established that, everyone go have fun.�
�Yes dad,� everyone called out at the same time laughing.
�Okay, give me a break here,� Luis said, smiling. �I�m just trying to make sure that we all get through this weekend unscathed. Now get out of here............�
Everyone gathered their skis to head out the door, when Chad stopped in front of Luis, and put his hand on his shoulder. �You might want to take advantage of that hot tub yourself buddy. I think it will help you to get rid of some of that tension,� he teased. �Check you later........... Whitney�s going to give me my first ski lesson.�
After everyone left and the place was quiet, Sheridan walked up to Luis and put her arms around him. She was still laughing from the kids� earlier joke. �You know honey, you�re pretty cute when you being all authoritative like that.�
�Did I sound too bossy?� he asked, concerned that he might be coming off like a jerk.
�Not at all, but Luis you really do need to relax. They�re all good kids and I don�t think they will do anything that will give us cause to regret inviting them here,� she said, giving him a quick kiss. �Why don�t you go out and hit the slopes? It will help you burn off some of that pent up energy, and I�ll stay here with the children.�
�Are you kidding? This is the first time today that I�ve had a chance to be alone with you, and I plan on taking advantage of it,� he said, leaning in to give her a slow, sensuous kiss.
�Wow, that was nice,� she mumbled against his lips. �Tell me something........... Do those hot tub rules apply to us too?�
�Well.............., if you promise not to tell anyone, I think we might be able to bend the rules, but we probably should at least start out with bathing suits.�
Sheridan chuckled, and grabbed his hand pulling him forward. �We better hurry, because the babies will be waking up from their naps soon.�
Fifteen minutes later clad in robes and bathing suits they walked into the solarium and looked around in awe. The glassed walls were at least twenty feet high allowing a spectacular view of the mountains. The lodge itself was huge, and built with a lot of geometric planes and angles. The outside wall of glass came to a ninety-degree point, and the hot tub was placed right in the middle of the triangle.
�This place is amazing,� Luis said, scanning the room appreciatively. �Michael�s family must do very well.�
�Oh yes, we are talking very old money, and also a very successful family law firm. Michael�s maternal grandmother was a Ford,� Sheridan told him.
�Do you mean like in Ford cars?� Luis asked, impressed.
�The very one, but you know Luis we don�t have a lot of time before the babies wake up, so I suggest we shed these robes and relax for a while,� Sheridan said, undoing the sash on the robe, to reveal a black bikini.
�Oh, I like that,� Luis said, looking her up and down. �But, I�m going to like it a lot more when it�s lying in a little ball beside the hot tub.�
�You are impossible,� she said, laughing, as she climbed into the bubbling heated water. �This feels wonderful.............. Oh Luis, do you have the baby monitor?�
�Yes, it�s right here,� he said, setting it down within hearing range. Luis shed his robe and joined her in the hot tub. �This does feel great, and I�m sure it�s going to do wonders for my tight muscles, but I think that it would help me to relax faster if you would come over here and rub my body.�
Sheridan�s blue eyes darkened with desire at his words. �You�re a dangerous man Luis Lopez-Fitzgerald. I would have to be in a coma not to want to rub your body.� She moved over so that she was facing him. He was leaning back with his head resting against the edge of the hot tub. She got up on her knees and started to rub her hands up his chest massaging his muscles along the way. That lasted about five minutes before he pulled her on top of him and kissed her with a fierce hunger. His nimble fingers removed her top in a matter of seconds leaving her breasts naked for his hot inspection.
�Luis,� she said, breathlessly. �I don�t know if this is such a good idea. What if the others come back?�
�Sheridan, they�re out skiing, and I�m sure they won�t be back for several hours. There hasn�t even been enough time yet for the lift to take them to the top of the mountain,� he reasoned. �Now, just relax and get into the moment,� he told her, right before his lips descended again.
It was so easy to get caught up in the tempest of his kiss, and Sheridan was finally beginning to succumb when suddenly she heard loud footsteps. �What was that?� she asked, pulling away.
�What was what���.? I didn�t hear anything,� Luis said, wrapping his hand around the back of her head to pull her close again.
�Luis, I could swear that I heard footsteps�����
�That was just my heart pounding,� he said, kissing her neck. �You know, I could always massage your chest too.�
�Luis.........., Sheridan, where are you guys?� Reese called out.
�Oh no,� Sheridan whispered. �See Luis, I told you.�
�Damn,� Luis said, pushing Sheridan behind him so that her chest was against his back, blocking any view of her ample charms. He saw her bathing suit top sitting by the side of the hot tub, and instead of grabbing it and holding it under the water, he panicked and tossed it toward a grouping of plants. The only problem was that his throw went wild and it ended up on the overhead light fixture that was suspended from the ceiling.
�There you guys are,� Reese said, walking up to them and stopping directly under the light with a clueless grin on his face. �Sheridan, what are you doing back there?�
�Oh, um..........., I was giving Luis a massage,� she said, peeking over Luis� shoulder.
�Reese, what are doing back here?� Luis asked him, finally noticing Sheridan�s bikini top dangling over Reese�s head. He could see it slipping inch by inch, and if he didn�t get rid of Reese soon, it was going to fall right on top of him.
�My little sweetie pie, Jessica forgot her ski gloves. Wouldn�t want her little digits to get cold,� Reese told them.
�Well, maybe you better hurry before she gets frostbite,� Luis said with a pained expression, watching the string of Sheridan�s bikini, now just inches from Reese�s head.
�Luis, are you suffering from gas?� Reese asked, concerned. �Because if you are, I could run upstairs and get you some Tums.�
�No Reese, I do not have gas,� Luis said, exasperated. �Why would you ask a question like that?�
�Because of that look on your face. Oh well, I better get my sweetie�s gloves to her. See you guys later,� he said, turning to leave. Luis finally breathed a sigh of relief, but it was premature because the bikini top fell right into the hood of Reese�s coat. Thankfully, he had no idea he was carrying part of Sheridan�s bathing suit, and sauntered out whistling some cheery tune.
�Thank God,� Sheridan said, relieved. �I didn�t think he was ever going to leave. I am so embarrassed Luis. I just hope he didn�t realize that I didn�t have my top on.......... Luis, why aren�t you saying anything?�
�Mama,� a little voice sounded over the baby monitor.
�It sounds like Luke is awake. Hand me my top Luis...........�
�I can�t exactly do that,� Luis answered her sheepishly.
�What do you mean you can�t exactly do that?� she asked with a raised eyebrow.
�Well................, it�s not here............�
�Luis, quit messing around. I have to go to the babies...............�
�Sheridan I�m serious. It�s not here because it�s in Reese�s hood,� he said, pulling back waiting for her to explode.
�Reese�s hood! I think it�s time you explain yourself,� she said, crossing her arms in front of her.
�Well, when Reese came in here I saw your top sitting by the side of the hot tub, and I just had this knee jerk reaction. I threw it and it landed on top of the light, and then it kind of slipped off into Reese�s hood.�
Sheridan got out of the hot tub and slipped her robe on. �My God Luis, what were you thinking?� she asked, walking toward the babies� room. �What if he discovers it in his hood when all the others are around?�
�Oh come on Sheridan, it�s not that bad. After all, we are married, and even though it�s a little embarrassing, it�s not illegal.�
�Oh really?� she said stopping to stare at him. �I would think that you of all people would not want Reese to discover my bikini top. It really wouldn�t do much for your credibility you know.�
�What do you mean by that?� he asked, confused.
�Bathing suits must be worn in the hot tub at all times,� she said imitating him in a deep voice. �Don�t you remember Luis? That was one of your rules.�
�Oh no,� Luis said, miserably. �You�re right......... How can I expect them to take me seriously when I can�t even wait an hour before I break the rules?�
Sheridan softened when she saw the look on his face. �Don�t be so hard on yourself. Hopefully, Reese will lose the top and nobody will ever be the wiser, but if they do discover it you are going to be the one to explain. Now, let�s get our children up.�
When they walked into the room that was regulated as the nursery, both Luke and Lily were standing in the bed waiting impatiently for somebody to get them out. �Hey, did we have a good nap?� Luis said; picking up Luke and swinging him into the air making him giggle.
Sheridan picked Lily up, and checked her diaper. �I think somebody needs to be changed,� she said, kissing her daughter.
�Ca,� Luke called out.
Sheridan and Luis gave each other a look of trepidation, neither one wanting to break the news, but Luis stepped up to the plate. �Look son, daddy couldn�t bring your car because it wouldn�t fit in the trunk. I know how much you love your little car, but we�re going to find something really fun to do to make it up to you.�
�That�s right sweetie,� Sheridan told him gently. �Mommy and daddy are going to take you and Lily on an adventure.�
�Did you hear that Sport? We are all going to go on an adventure, but first daddy has to do this,� he said, tickling Luke�s belly making him giggle loudly. He glanced over at Sheridan, and she flashed him a grateful look. Hopefully they could keep Luke entertained so that he wouldn�t miss his car too much.
********************
Luis and Sheridan left the lodge an hour later carrying their little bundled up snowmen in papoose fashion behind their backs, and the only things visible on the twins were their eyes and their chubby little cheeks. Earlier, Luis had discovered a brochure in the lodge that pointed out some of the attractions in the area and found the perfect adventure for his family to go on. Not far from there was a place where you could rent a horse drawn sleigh, what was equally great about it was that it was within walking distance. Sheridan had been a little hesitant at first because she was concerned that the twins would be afraid of the horses, but Luis pointed out their great affection for Ace and convinced her that their gutsy little babies would probably be fascinated by the big animals. As it turned out he had been right on the money with his prediction, because Luke and Lily squealed with delight when they came within sight of the horses standing in front of the sleigh.
�Wow Luis, I guess you were right even though I have a very hard time admitting that,� she said in a teasing voice.
�Even after all these years it still kills you doesn�t it?� he said, unable to resist goading her.
�You better quit while you�re ahead or you�ll be sleeping out by the woodpile tonight,� she told him with a smug smile.
�Yes dear,� he said, saluting her.
Sheridan laughed out loud at his gesture. �Come on we better get moving before the kids decide to jump out of these back packs. Lily is squirming around like she has a bee in her bonnet................ Okay Lily we�ll go see the horses, but first you have to give mommy a kiss,� she said turning her face back so her little girl could plant a wet kiss on her cheek.
As they approached, the driver greeted them with a welcoming smile and assured them that the horses were very gentle. Sheridan and Luis divested themselves of the kiddy carriers so they could hold their children in their arms and approached the horses slowly giving the babies a chance to get used to the size of the animals. Luke was so cute when he reached out his little hand and began petting the silky mane of one of the horses. Lily just pointed at first, but then leaned in tentatively to touch the horse�s nose with her gloved hand.
�See, that�s a horsy just like Eeyore in Winnie the Pooh,� Luis told Luke and Lily.
�Um Luis, I hate to break it to you but Eeyore is a donkey................, hence the name,� Sheridan told him smiling.
�I knew that,� Luis said, defensively. �It�s the same family and that�s the only thing I could think of for them to compare the horse too.�
�Yeah right,� she said, knowingly. �Whatever you say Luis.�
�So, are you folks interested in taking your cute little kiddies on a sleigh ride?� the elderly driver asked them.
�We most definitely are,� Luis said, getting his wallet out of his pocket to pay the man. �How far do you take us?�
�Well, we�ll go through that there road,� the man told him pointing to a small road that led through the woods. �It comes out right by the village. Lots of folks like to stop there for a bite to eat, and you can either rent another sleigh to bring you back or you can catch one of those four wheel drive ski cabs to take you back to where you�re staying.�
�Oh, that sounds like a wonderful idea,� Sheridan beamed. �I would love to check out some of the shops in the village, and than we could get some hot chocolate to warm us up.�
�Why did I know that we would fit some shopping into this trip?� Luis said, winking at the driver.
�Don�t worry too much,� the driver assured him. �Most of the ladies that come up here say the same thing.�
The driver helped them load the kiddy carriers up in the sleigh and put them on the seat that was backed up to the driver. Luis and Sheridan sat on the other side with the babies in their lap, and all four of them snuggled together under a thick blanket. When the sleigh began to move, Luke clapped his hands together excitedly. �Ca,� he told them.
�Yes son, this is kind of like a car, but it has runners on it instead of wheels,� Luis explained to him.
�Baba wewe, baba wewe,� Luke said in a sing song voice.
�What is he taking about?� Luis asked, looking at Sheridan.
�I think he�s trying to sing The Wheels on the Bus go round and round...� Sheridan said, amazed. �It must have triggered the song in his head when you said the word wheels.�
�I guess it shouldn�t surprise me,� Luis said, looking at his son proudly. �We only heard the song about a hundred times on the way up here.�
Lily just stared ahead, completely mesmerized as she watched the horse�s tails swish back and forth as they pulled the sleigh along. �Look at her Luis. She is so fascinated by those horses.�
�Hey Peanut,� Luis said, shifting her on his knee so that she could see better. �What are you looking at up there? Do you like those horses?�
�Ho dada,� she said, pointing toward the horses.
Luis and Sheridan broke out into laughter when they heard her comment. �I guess we can be thankful that she didn�t say ho mama,� Luis said, laughing even harder. �Have you been taking Peanut down to the docks without me knowing it?�
�I swear I haven�t,� Sheridan said, wiping a tear away from her eye. �Oh my God Luis, that was a classic.�
Luke and Lily had no idea why their parents were laughing so hard, but they got caught up in the happy mood and began to giggle right along with them. The rest of the ride into the village was spent as a special family time, and Luis even broke down and led them in a few versus of The Wheels on the Bus........, and this time it was the poor driver�s knuckles that were white from gripping the reigns of the horses too tightly. Luis made it up to him however by giving him a handsome tip when they finally reached the village.
********************
The town turned out to be enchanting, just like one of those snow villages that you put out at Christmas time. They browsed through the small shops and found the most adorable knit caps for the children. Lily�s was a kitty cat with whiskers that stuck out, and Luke�s was a doggy with big floppy ears and they turned out to be a resounding success when the twins discovered that they had all kinds of interesting things to play with. They were just getting ready to stop off at one of those sidewalk cafes to get some hot chocolate when they ran into the rest of the Weekend Ski Warriors. They decided to join them and secured some tables that were all close together. Sheridan had forgotten all about Reese having her bikini top, until she looked up and spotted the end of a black strap dangling out of the side of his hood. Fortunately everyone was busy relaying his or her adventures on the slopes that afternoon and she was able to discreetly bring it to Luis� attention.
�Luis, you have to do something,� she whispered in his ear.
�What do you want me to do jump him and wrestle his coat away from him?�
�Oh never mind I�ll handle it,� she told him, getting up from the table. She went over and sat down in the chair next to Reese. �Hey Reese, I really like your down jacket. I was thinking of getting one just like it for Luis. Are you happy with the quality?�
�Yeah Sheridan,� he said, smiling. �This coat would keep a person warm in the Arctic.�
�Wow, that�s great Reese, but I wouldn�t want it to be too heavy,� she said, charming him what a huge smile. �Would you mind taking your hood down so that I can check out the thickness of the lining?�
�Not at all Sheridan,� he said, untying the string so that the hood fell down his back.
She got up and stepped behind him pretending to check out the inside lining of his hood, located her bikini top and wadded it up in her fist. �This is really nice Reese. Thanks for letting me check it out,� she told him, as she put her top in her pocket.
Luis had been eyeing her the whole time amazed at her finesse as she worked Reese. When she came back to the table and sat down, he leaned over and whispered in her ear. �That was smooth. Did you get it?�
�Of course I did,� she said, giving him a smug smile. �Never send a man in to do a woman�s job.�
�I�ll try to remember that in the future,� he said grabbing her hand under the table. �It looks like our kids are being spoiled rotten by the Weekend Ski Warriors.�
Sheridan looked at her children being passed around the table and smiled. �Well, at least Luke hasn�t mentioned his car in the last couple of hours.�
********************
Dinner was a joint effort that night, and after an enjoyable meal everyone sat around the fire playing games or just huddled together in conversation. The twins did their share of providing entertainment for the group, but all good things must come to an end and it was time to put the little ones to bed. They were so adorable as Sheridan and Luis carried them off waving bye to everyone. They were getting the babies� pajamas on when they heard a knock on the door. Luis walked over and opened it and was surprised to see Jessica standing there.
�Jessica is everything all right?� he asked, concerned.
�Luis you can get that frown off of your face,� she said, laughing. �I just wanted to see if I could talk to you and Sheridan for a minute.�
�Of course Jessica,� Sheridan said with a welcoming smile. �Come in.�
�I know that you guys are probably going to think I�m strange, but would you mind if I slept in here with the babies tonight?�
�Not at all,� Sheridan told her. �But, I have to ask why you would want to sleep in here with the babies?�
�Well, for one thing I think that they are adorable and it would be fun to get up with them in the morning, and to tell you the truth I don�t want to get stuck sleeping with Kay.�
�Why, did you and Kay have a fight?� Luis asked.
�No, but it�s just gross that I have to sleep in the same bed as my sister, and then she always hogs all the covers, and Whitney is sleeping in the other bed ............�
�Okay Jessica, I think we get the point,� Sheridan said, laughing. �You should have said something earlier and we could have put the babies in with us. I had no idea you were all cramped in the same room. It shouldn�t take us too long to move the babies� things................�
�No, don�t do that Sheridan,� Jessica protested. �There is no reason to go through all that this late.�
�Okay, if you�re sure about it and there is an empty bed in here and I don�t see any reason for you not to sleep in it, but I think that we need to warn you about a few things.�
�Warn me.............?�
�I just think you need to be aware of what you might be in for. Most times the babies sleep through the night, but they have been known to wake up crying if they�ve had a nightmare, and I also think you should know that they wake up at the crack of dawn............�
�Oh, is that all,� Jessica said, brushing it away. �I don�t mind at all if they wake up in the middle of the night, and I�m an early riser anyway so I don�t mind getting up with them. I think it would be fun............. Unless you don�t want me to...........?� she asked, tentatively.
�Of course we want you to,� Sheridan assured her. �You would be doing us a big favor. We just wanted you to be aware of what you might be up against.�
�I�ll tell you what Jessica,� Luis told her. �I was just getting ready to read the twins a bedtime story and then after we get them to sleep the room is yours.�
�Oh great,� Jessica said, excitedly. �I�ll just go get my stuff together. Thank you guys so much. You have no idea what a relief it is not to have to sleep with my sister tonight.�
After Jessica left, Luis shot Sheridan a devilish look. �You know what this means don�t you?�
Sheridan chuckled. �I think I do, and now that we don�t have to worry about the babies I can spring my little surprise on you.�
�Oh tell me,� Luis said, rubbing his hands together.
�Nope,� she said, shaking her head. �You�re just going to have to wait until we get the children settled for the night.�
�Okay kids, what story do you want daddy to read to you tonight?� Luis asked, running over to the suitcase to get their books.
********************
Evan and Kay were cuddled in front of the fireplace roasting marshmallows while Chad and Whitney were going through Michael�s extensive music collection. Jessica was upstairs getting her things together and Reese was in the entertainment room playing video games. The whole scene looked very innocent, but it was anything but that. The Weekend Ski Warriors were orchestrating a conspiracy and Luis would have heart failure if he knew what was being planned under his very nose. While he was upstairs reading to his children and contemplating his romantic night with his wife, the gang was downstairs planning a little romance of their own. Not all of the gang were participants in the scheme however, because a clueless Reese and Jessica were not included in on the plot. When Jessica had come down earlier and announced that she was sleeping in the babies� room, Kay had cheered silently. It would be so much easier planning the logistics with Jessica tucked safely out of the way. When they had claimed their rooms upon arrival, Chad had been the only one to end up with a room of his own and Evan had been forced to bunk down with Reese. Evan was not pleased but at least he could be grateful that the room had twin beds, because if it hadn�t he would have slept on one of the downstairs sofas.
Evan pulled a golden brown marshmallow out of the fireplace, blew on it and put it up to Kay�s mouth. �Be careful it�s hot,� he warned her.
�It�s perfect,� Kay said, smiling. �You roasted it just the way I like it.�
�Well, I like mine burnt on the outside and all gooey on the inside,� he said, staring at her mouth as she ate her treat.
Kay wrinkled her nose. �That�s gross, but I promise I won�t hold it against you,� she said, licking her lips.
�I think you missed some,� Evan told her leaning in to lick the white sticky drop away.
�Oh Evan you�re driving me crazy. I want to be with you so much that I can hardly stand it, but do you really think we can pull this off?�
�I don�t see why not, especially now that Jess is sleeping in the babies� room. Chad and I have it all planned out. As soon as Reese falls asleep, I�ll come to your room, and Whitney will sneak over to Chad�s room.�
�I don�t know Evan,� she said with a worried frown. �What if Luis catches us? I would really feel bad that we took advantage of his generosity, especially after he took such great pains to warn us.�
�Come on Kay relax. Luis just felt he had to do that because of Reese and Jessica. Everything is going to be fine;� he told her right before he planted a hot kiss on her lips.
When it finally ended, Kay was putty in his hands. �Oh Evan, I can hardly wait to make love with you.�
�Me either, and I can promise you it�s going to be a night to remember.............�
On the other side of the room Whitney was having the same apprehension that Kay had suffered from earlier. �I don�t know about this Chad. Your room is right next to Luis and Sheridan�s room and I�m really afraid that they might hear us.�
�Then we�ll just have to be really quiet,� he told her as he wrapped his hands around her tiny waist to pull her toward him. He began to kiss her on the neck making her sway into him.
�Chad, you are making it really difficult to resist you, but I�m so afraid that Luis will catch us and I would feel terrible if that happened.�
�Don�t sweat it Whitney,� he said, trying to assure her. �Luis is cool, and the only reason he was acting like the big bad parent was for Reese and Jessica�s sake.�
�Okay, say no more,� she said, putting her finger on his lips. �I think I might be completely convinced if you give me a kiss.�
�Oh baby, I never thought you�d ask,� he said, pulling her head up to meet his lips.
Reese walked in right then and caught both couples locked in a passionate kiss. �Somebody�s playing with fire in here,� he announced loudly.
The four lovebirds jumped back startled, but when they saw whom it was they relaxed. �Go to bed Reese,� they all called out in unison.
********************
Sheridan checked out her reflection in the mirror and smiled when she thought about Luis� reaction to her nightgown. It was made of shear white lace that left little to the imagination. Now that Jessica was staying in the twins� room she would be able to relax and get into the evening. She slipped on a white silk robe to cover her nightgown so that she could remove it at just the right moment for the maximum effect. When she walked into the bedroom she looked around for Luis and finally spotted him standing with his back to her peeking out the bedroom door. He was wearing a pair of black pajama bottoms and nothing else. She couldn�t believe he was checking the hallway like some kind of an overprotective parent, so she approached him quietly and tapped him on the shoulder.
Luis jumped and swung around with his hand on his heart. �Damn Sheridan you scared me.�
�I guess one gets a little jumpy when they�re spying on people,� she said, knowingly.
�I wasn�t spying on people,� he said, defensively. �I thought I heard a noise out there.�
Sheridan laughed. �You are really a piece of work Luis. Why would you be bothered by a noise when you know full well that there are other people here?�
�All right, you busted me,� he said, smiling. �I just wanted to make sure that there wasn�t anything funny going on out there.�
�Come over here and sit down,� she said, taking his hand and leading him to the bed. When he was seated she spoke again. �Jessica is sleeping in the room with the babies, so that means we don�t have to worry about her and Reese, and the others are adults Luis. Now, I want you to quit worrying about clandestine meetings and pay attention to your wife,� she said, slipping off her robe.
Luis dragged his eyes up and down her body taking in the way her nightgown showed off all of her secret places through a film of lace. He hardened instantly, and suddenly the Weekend Ski Warriors flew out of his mind like yesterday�s news. �Wow, you look beautiful and sexy, and I am dying to see what that gown looks like as it�s sliding down your body.�
�So I guess I can assume that you like my surprise for you,� she said, giving him a sexy smile.
�I hurt from liking it............�
�I can see that,� she said, looking down to the obvious bulge in his pajamas. �I wouldn�t want you to be in discomfort any longer, so maybe I should let you watch this gown slide my body.� She pulled her straps down one at a time and moved her hips seductively, forcing the gown to slither down her body.
Luis came off the bed like a wild man stopping just inches away from her, and suddenly his hands were everywhere. There wasn�t one inch of her inside or out that he didn�t explore and it almost immobilized her. When she fell into him, he picked her up and laid her down on the bed and his mouth took over where his hands had left off. It was just too much............ She couldn�t take it any more and his assault sent her spiraling into oblivion. Her scream was silenced with a kiss that was so hot it made her body come alive again. She rolled over on top of Luis and stripped his pajama bottoms off of his body. His hard, muscular body looked so magnificent against the white sheets that she thought she would die with wanting him. She was contemplating her plan of seduction, when he put his hands on her hips to lift her over his desire. As she felt him brush against her, her natural response was to lower herself until he was buried deeply inside of her and then they proceeded to rock their way to heaven.
********************
When Evan heard Reese start to snore he knew that if was safe for him to make his escape. He slid out of bed quietly and made his way toward the bedroom door. As he slowly opened the door it made a loud creaking noise that made him break out in a sweat. He looked over at Reese and breathed a sigh of relief when he saw that he was still fast asleep. When he got out into the hallway he took off in the direction of Kay�s room. Success was right at the tip of his fingers when the sound of Luis� voice made him stop dead in his tracks.
�You just stay right where you are and I�ll go get us a snack,� he heard Luis tell Sheridan.
Evan panicked and ducked inside the first door available to him. When he checked out his surroundings, he discovered Jessica sleeping soundly, and not far from her bed was the babies� crib. There was enough moonlight for him to see that both of the twins were wide-awake and standing up in their crib bouncing up and down playfully.
�Dada,� Luke called out loudly enough to echo across the room.
Evan couldn�t believe that Luke would pick this moment to discover his lungpower. He moved over to the crib so that the babies could see that it was not their daddy, and put his finger over his lips as a signal for them to be silent. Apparently the twins thought he was playing a game, and they both started to giggle loudly. He saw Jessica stir out of the corner of his eye and dived into the closet just in the nick of time.
�What are you two little rascals doing up at this hour?� Jessica said, flipping on the light.
Evan opened the door a sliver and saw that she was walking toward the babies� crib. He couldn�t believe it when he saw her lift the twins out one at a time and carry them over to the bed. When he heard her tell them that she was going to read to them until they fell asleep again, he almost screamed with frustration. It appeared that the only loving he was going to get tonight was in his fantasies.
********************
Chad flashed Whitney a sexy grin as she moved toward the bed. �I didn�t think you would ever get here,� he whispered, pulling the sheets back as an invitation for her to crawl in.
Without a word, she slipped into bed with him, and Chad pulled her against him to plant a hot kiss on her lips. Whitney responded with a wild abandonment and they both quickly lost control. Chad shifted her into a position so that he could pull her knit pajama top over her head leaving her naked from the waist up. He went to toss her top aside, and in his exuberance his arm hit the lamp on the bedside table, sending it crashing to the floor in a million pieces.
Luis and Sheridan had been enjoying a midnight snack when they heard the loud crash. �What the hell was that?� Luis asked, hopping out of bed.
�I don�t know,� Sheridan said. �It sounds like it came from Chad�s room.�
�I better check it out to make sure he�s okay,� Luis said, slipping his robe on.
Sheridan got out of bed and put her robe on as well. �I�m going with you.�
When they got to Chad�s door Luis knocked and called out to Chad. �Are you okay in there?�
�Aaaaa, yeah man,� Chad responded. �I guess I must have been having a wild dream because I knocked the lamp over.�
Luis put his head in the door to see Chad standing by the bed, staring down at the mess with a disgusted look on his face. �Hey, let us help you clean that up,� Luis offered.
�No, that�s all right man. You two go back to bed and I�ll clean it up in the morning.�
�Don�t be ridiculous Chad. What if you get up in the night and cut your feet?� Luis said, locating a wastebasket to put the big pieces in.�
�I�ll go get a broom,� Sheridan volunteered.
Whitney couldn�t believe she was lying under the bed half-naked while they all played happy homemaker. She could see the feet moving around close enough for her to reach out and touch them. If they discovered her like this she would simply die from humiliation. Chad better get rid of them soon, or she swore she would never speak to him again as long as she lived.
********************
On her way to locate a broom, Sheridan passed the babies� room and noticed a light shining out from the bottom of the door. Worried that something was wrong with her children, she opened to door to see Jessica sitting up in bed with a twin on each side of her reading a story. As she approached the bed, she could see that the babies were right on the verge of falling asleep. �Jessica, what are they doing out of bed?� she asked in a hushed voice.
�They woke me up earlier when I heard them giggle, and I thought that if I read them a story they would go back to sleep,� Jessica told her in a low voice.
�I am so sorry Jessica. I can�t believe they did that. Why don�t you help me carry them to bed, so you can go back to sleep?�
After they got the babies in their crib, Sheridan noticed a chill in the room and went over to the closet in search of another blanket. When she opened the door, she almost died from shock when she found Evan sitting on the floor with his head leaning up against the wall fast asleep.
********************
Kay couldn�t believe that it was taking Evan so long to get here, and she was just about ready to get up and go search for him when she saw him come through the door. �Finally,� she said, watching his silhouette move toward the bed. �I was beginning to think you were not going to show up.� She lay there with anticipation of their lovemaking; not realizing that it wasn�t Evan at all, but a sleepwalking Reese whom had mistakenly entered the wrong room.
When he slipped in bed beside her, she cuddled against him, and began to rub his back. �You sure are being awfully quiet tonight, and here I thought you were going to romance me with poetic words.� When he still offered no response, she sat up and saw that he wasn�t moving almost as if he was fast asleep. Livid that he would actually have the nerve to come in here and fall asleep, she began to shake him. �It�s bad enough that you show up here after I�ve been waiting like forever, and now you go to sleep............ Evan, will you wake up,� she said, furiously as she flipped on the light. When she looked back and saw Reese pop up in bed rubbing his eyes, she almost chocked in horror. Their eyes connected and both let out a scream that would raise even the dead in Harmony.
Sheridan jumped, Evan woke up, Jessica squealed, Luis and Chad went flying out of the room, Whitney crawled out from under the bed and slipped her top on, and Kay wished the earth would swallow her up when they all came rushing into her room like a herd of wild elephants. All hell broke loose, and everyone began shouting at the same time until Luis whistled loudly as a sign for everyone to shut up. �Now, who�s going to tell me just what the hell is going on around here?�
Nobody said a word, until finally Reese spoke up. �Well Luis, it looks obvious to me that everyone around here has broken rule number two,� he said, in an accusatory voice.
Chapter 13
As soon as the words were out of Reese�s mouth everyone started shouting again and Luis had to yell to be heard above all the commotion. �Okay people could we hold it down to a mild roar before we wake up my kids?�
�Sorry Luis,� everyone apologized.
�Look, why don�t we just forget I asked the question?� Luis told them. �From now on you�re all on your own. In fact, I don�t want to know what�s going on, and then I can remain ignorantly blissful. As Sheridan pointed out to me earlier, you are all adults, except for you two,� Luis said, pointing to Reese and Jessica. �Now, we�re going back to bed, and I am now officially resigning from my self-imposed position as warden.�
�Good night everybody,� Sheridan said, following Luis out of the door.
�Well, that was kind of a mood killer,� Chad grumbled.
�Really,� Evan agreed. �Why do I feel so guilty all of a sudden?�
�Probably because you guys were sneaking around,� Reese reminded them.
�Speaking of sneaking around,� Evan said, getting up in Reese�s face. �I want to know what the hell you were doing in Kay�s bed?�
Reese�s eyes got big, and he stepped back. �I promise I was sleepwalking. I would never cheat on my sweetie pie,� he said, defensively.
�It�s true Evan,� Kay said, coming up beside him. �Reese was asleep when he came in here. I was confused at first because I thought it was you and I couldn�t figure out why you were sleeping.�
�Still, I thinks it�s a little funny that he would pick your room to sleepwalk to,� Evan said, unconvinced.
�Look Uncle Evan,� Chad said, trying to lighten the mood. �Reese is a stand up guy and I really don�t think he would try anything funny.�
�I think that we should all just go to bed,� Whitney said. �Tomorrow is going to be a busy day and to tell you the truth, I�m exhausted.�
�Yeah, I guess she�s right if we want to hit the slopes first thing,� Evan agreed.
�Look you guys,� Jessica said. �I thought that it would be nice to do something nice for Luis and Sheridan for inviting us this weekend. Let me tell you my plan to see what you think............�
********************
Luis and Sheridan stopped to check on their children before going to their own room, and found them sleeping soundly. Luke had kicked off his blanket, so Sheridan tucked it around him, and than kissed both of her babies on the cheeks. �Look at them Luis,� she said in a hushed voice. �They look so sweet when they�re sleeping.�
�They look sweet all the time,� Luis said, leaning over to kiss them. They tiptoed out of the room and shut the door quietly behind them.
�Jessica told me that they woke her up earlier, bouncing up and down in the bed and giggling,� Sheridan told him smiling.
�I bet this is the last time she volunteers to sleep with the babies,� Luis chuckled.
Just then Chad walked by on his way to his room. �Goodnight you guys. See you in the morning.�
�Good night Chad,� they told him.
�Hey you guys,� Jessica said, approaching them. �Are the babies asleep?�
�Yes, they are out like a light,� Sheridan told her. �I don�t think they�ll be waking you up any more tonight.�
�I really didn�t mind,� she assured them. �Listen, I wanted to tell you that we all decided to stay with the babies tomorrow morning so that you two could go skiing.�
�Jessica, that is so generous of you all, but we don�t want to take any time away from your trip,� Sheridan protested.
�Sheridan�s right Jessica,� Luis told her. �We invited you here as a gesture of appreciation for all the kindness everyone showed to us.�
�Everyone knows that, but we want to thank you too. Besides we�ll have a good time with the twins, and as soon as you get back, then we can all go skiing.�
�Are you sure about this?� Sheridan asked.
�Yep, we�ve already decided, so there will be no arguments,� Jessica told them with finality. She started to walk in the babies� room and stopped. �By the way, don�t worry about getting up with the twins tomorrow. I would love to do it.�
�Gee, can we hire you on a permanent basis?� Luis asked, smiling.
�I�ll think about it,� Jessica said in a teasing voice, as she crept quietly into the room.
When Luis and Sheridan got back to their room, they slipped their robes off and crawled into bed. Luis pulled Sheridan�s naked body against his and kissed her with a slow searching kiss. �I have to admit that I feel sorry for Chad and Evan,� Luis mumbled against her lips.
�Oh, and why is that?� she asked, moving against him.
�Well, here we are rolling around naked in bed and they are probably both heading for a cold shower right now.�
�What do you expect after you guilted them into compliance,� she chuckled.
�Look, I know that I was being protective of Kay and Whitney, but they�re like my little sisters. They hung around our house growing up all the time, and it�s hard for me to think of them in any other way. I also know their fathers well enough to know that they wouldn�t approve of me letting their daughters have sex under my very nose........... But, like I said earlier, I�m not going to say another word to them, but I don�t want to know about it either. That�s the best I can do.............�
�I think it�s sweet that you are so protective of Kay and Whitney, but you did the right thing by backing off because they are old enough to make their own decisions now. I am proud of you though for recognizing that. Now that we have that out of the way, why don�t you let me show you just how proud of you I am,� she told him while pulling his head forward to plant a sensuous kiss on his lips.
�Oh God, you always have this way of making me forget everything but you and me, and how good it feels to make love with you. I need you Sheridan............ I need you now,� he whispered as he rolled her over on her back to place his body over hers. His hands caressed their way slowly over her taut breast and down her belly to touch her intimately. �You�re so hot, and you�re shaking.�
�I�m just trembling with anticipation,� she told him breathlessly. Locking her arms tightly around his neck she caught her breath when she saw the look of smoldering desire in his eyes. He was so aroused, it drove her crazy with wanting and her legs parted to admit the full weight of him.
He traced her bottom lip with his tongue while his body fell tenderly against hers. �I want to feel every inch of you as close to me as you can get;� he breathed into her mouth. She didn�t respond but he could feel how much his words had aroused her because she tightened around him, and moaned lightly. The rhythm started slowly, building and building to an intensity that threatened to drive them both to the point of no return. They held on as long as they could until the waves of unbelievable ecstasy exploded within consuming them both.
The next morning as Luis and Sheridan descended the steps they had to laugh at the sight that greeted them. The twins, still dressed in their little footie pajamas were watching the Teletubbies, and The Weekend Ski Warriors were actually sitting there watching it with them. When Luis cleared his throat, everyone looked up embarrassed. �I see my children have turned you on to Must See TV,� Luis teased them.
�We were just trying to figure out what these things were,� Chad said, defensively.
�Come on Chad, do you actually mean to tell me that you aren�t up on the Teletubbies?� Sheridan asked, laughing.
�Why does that one carry a purse?� Evan asked, making a face.
�I asked the same thing Evan, and nobody could give me an answer,� Luis told him.
�I think they�re cute,� Kay said. �Luke and Lily can�t seem to take their eyes off of them.�
�They are their new favorite television show,� Sheridan told them.
�They appear to be some kind of alien creature with a television receptor in their stomach,� Reese concluded in a serious voice. �Are you sure that there is no programming of your children going on here?�
�Reese, it�s just a children�s show,� Jessica said, rolling her eyes. �Sorry I didn�t get them dressed Sheridan, but I didn�t know what you wanted them to wear today. They have had their breakfast and a clean diaper.�
�Thanks Jessica,� Sheridan said, smiling. �It was so nice of you to get up with them this morning. It really felt good to sleep in.�
�At least somebody got some,� Evan whispered in her ear.
�Don�t blame me for that,� Sheridan said, defensively. �You were the one that fell asleep in the closet.�
Kay gave them a strange look, but then smiled. �I have a great idea. Why don�t us girls dress up as the Teletubbies for the twins� birthday party?�
�That�s a great idea,� Whitney said, enthusiastically. �We could get Theresa to do it with us. What do you think Sheridan?�
�That seems like a lot of work. Are you sure you want to go to all that trouble?�
All the girls agreed that it would be fun, and Whitney called Theresa on her cell phone to see if she would agree too. When the Teletubbies show was over the twins finally noticed their parents, they smiled and held their arms out for a morning greeting. Luis and Sheridan could never resist their children and scooped them up to plant kisses all over their little munchkins.
********************
When the weekend was over, everyone agreed that it had been a resounding success. Luis and Sheridan had no idea if anyone else had gotten lucky, but they were sure to go home with some pretty intense memories of their nights in the ski lodge. Their memories of the days were also happy ones spent with their children, and the rest of the Weekend Ski Warriors. They drove home in a comfortable silence, as the babies slept in the back seat. Luis finally broke the silence with a subject that changed the whole tone of the moment. �Sheridan, I didn�t want to bring this up until after our weekend, but I think it�s time to discuss it.�
�What is it Luis?� she asked tentatively. �You sound so ominous all of a sudden.�
�I don�t mean to, it�s just that this very sensitive subject and I don�t want to upset you...........�
�Luis, why don�t you just tell me? You know that there isn�t anything you can�t discuss with me.�
�Okay,� he said, reaching for her hand. �I think now that the preliminary hearing is over and they�ve decided to hold Hank over for trial there�s a possibility that Ben Bennett�s murder will come out. It�s time for us to give Sam his father�s wallet, and tell him where we found it.�
�Luis, you know we can�t do that,� she said, fearfully. �If Julian finds out that we were the ones to find Ben�s wallet he�ll go through with his threat.�
�Honey, if I thought that Julian was still a threat, I wouldn�t even consider it, but your brother would never be able to pull if off now.�
�Just because he�s in a wheel chair, he still has the means to take our children away, and as long as that�s a possibility, I don�t want to do anything to set him off. Please Luis,� she pleaded.
�Sheridan, I already testified that the reason I went to Julian�s that night was because of his threat to pay off the judge and the doctor to lie and say our children are abused. Now that it�s out in the open, there is no way they would go along with it. A judge is not going to allow himself to be opened up to that kind of scrutiny.�
�I�m still afraid Luis, but I�m going to trust in your judgment. I know that you would never do anything to put our children at risk that way,� she said, trying to convey confidence.
�I promise I wouldn�t,� he said, kissing her hand. �We�ve already told Sam about what your mother�s diary said about Ben, and he also knows about what we found out from Spencer Shaw.�
�You�re right Luis, and Sam does deserve to have his father�s wallet, but I hope that this doesn�t set Julian off. He may think of another way to get back at us.�
�He�s already done his worst Sheridan. I don�t know what else he could do?�
Sheridan turned around and looked in the back seat at her sleeping children. Her love for them filled her heart, and she knew that she would die for them if need be. �He better not do anything, because if he does I�m not going to be responsible for my actions.�
********************
A week later Luis was on his way home from the capital where he had been doing some investigation work for the state on a government official that was suspected of embezzlement. He had spoken to Sheridan a few hours ago and she had told him that she and the twins were leaving the office and heading for home. He would be in Harmony soon, and he couldn�t wait to get home and see his family. He was used to them being around when he was at the office and he missed them. His mind drifted, and he thought about Sam. He cried when Luis gave him Ben�s wallet, especially when he saw the faded pictures of him and Hank. His anger soon took over, and he vowed to find his father�s body and put Julian Crane away in prison where he belonged. He tried to get a search warrant to excavate the Crane property, but Julian�s attorney put a stop to that. He claimed that finding an old wallet was no proof that Ben Bennett�s body was buried somewhere on the Crane property, and the judge had agreed. Besides, they had Spencer Shaw�s old statement that Ben had fallen overboard and drowned after suffering from a heart attack. Sam was devastated over the judge�s decision, but he had no choice but to comply. Luis felt terrible for his friend, because he knew better than anyone what it felt like to have the Cranes take your father away. Even though he had promised Sheridan that he would discontinue his search into his father�s disappearance, he still hoped that some day he would find a clue that would lead to the truth about what really happened.
He wasn�t going to concentrate on that right now though, because there was a monumental event coming up and it was time for celebration. He still couldn�t believe that Luke and Lily were going to have their first birthday soon, and he was really enjoying Sheridan�s excitement over planning a birthday party for them. She had convinced him that the twins each needed to have a cake of their own, even though Luis thought it was totally unnecessary since the babies were too young to know the difference. Of course, all Sheridan had to do was flash those big blue eyes at him and he was willing to let her have her way. He was just about ready to call her to tell her he would be home soon, when his cell phone rang. Thinking that was probably her now, he answered the phone with anticipation. �Lopez-Fitzgerald here.............�
�Luis, this is Julian. I�d like to see you right away at my office in the mansion,� he demanded.
�Excuse me Crane, but I don�t take orders from you, and I was on my way home so this will have to wait for another time..........�
�You�ll come now if you know what�s good for you,� Julian told him snidely.
�What�s this about Julian?� Luis asked, impatiently.
�You�ll find out when you get here,� Julian said, right before he hung up the phone.
Luis was mad as hell and had half a mind to not even show up, but if Julian was up to his old tricks again Luis wanted to be prepared. When he got into Harmony, he turned down the street heading to the mansion and arrived at the front door within fifteen minutes. One of the maids let him in and Luis told her that he could find his own way to Julian�s library. He didn�t even bother to knock and walked in startling Julian, who was in the process of pouring a drink.
�I can see you still haven�t learned any manners,� Julian said, taking a gulp of his drink. �Have you ever heard of knocking?�
�I only reserve my manners for people I respect,� Luis told him arrogantly. �Why don�t we cut to the chase Crane. Sheridan is expecting me.�
�Okay Luis, I�ll just cut to the chase. You broke our deal when you gave Sam Bennett that wallet,� Julian said, accusingly.
�Well, I don�t see it that way.� Luis said, confidently. �Our deal was that I agree to stop looking into my father�s disappearance, and I have.�
�Our deal was for you to quit trying to set me up, and you knew full well when you gave Sam Bennett that wallet that it would bring his wrath on me,� Julian said, through gritted teeth.
�I found Ben Bennett�s wallet and I thought Sam would like to have it,� Luis said innocently. �What�s the big deal Julian, nothing is going to happen to you as usual.�
�The big deal is that I even had to defend myself once again because of you,� Julian snapped. �I�ve had it with your interference in my life.�
�And I�ve had it with you telling me what to do,� Luis said, leaning over Julian in his wheel chair with a look of fury on his face. �The hell with our deal you bastard. I�m going to find out what you did to my father if it�s the last thing I do.� Luis turned, and started to leave the room when Julian stopped him.
�I guess you don�t have a problem with Sheridan going to prison then do you?� Julian called out to him.
Luis stopped in his tracks and turned toward Julian. �What the hell are you talking about?
�This,� Julian said, pulling a cassette tape out of his desk drawer. �I�ve protected my sister for too long now, and taken the grief for it. You want to know what happened to your father so badly then listen to this.�
A feeling of dread came over Luis suddenly, and he was almost afraid to ask what the tape was. �What is that Julian?�
�This is the tape from the hypnosis session that Eve Russell had with Sheridan. You remember the one where she wanted to get to the bottom of her nightmares?�
�So what?� Luis said, shrugging his shoulders. �We both know that the source of her nightmares was her guilt over your mother�s death........... Wait a minute........ How did you get your hands on that tape?�
�I had someone take it from Dr. Russell�s office. I didn�t have a choice if I wanted to protect my sister,� Julian said, pretending regret.
�You never gave a damn about Sheridan, so why don�t you stop with the games Julian. I know what happened during that session and I�m tired of being here, so if you�ll excuse me.............�
�Maybe I should play it for you,� Julian said, popping the tape into a recorder. �I�ll just skip to the good part.� He fast forwarded the tape and pressed play. �Oh God, I killed Luis� father ........... It was me..........�
�That�s a lie,� Luis shouted. �You did something to doctor the tape.�
�If you don�t believe me then why don�t you ask Eve Russell? Maybe she can explain to you why she lied about what really happened during that hypnosis session,� Julian challenged. �I�ll even give you this copy,� he said, throwing the tape to Luis. �I�m confident that she will confirm that my sister was the one that murdered your father.�
Luis was so filled with rage that he couldn�t think straight. He wanted to knock Julian out of his wheel chair and make him beg for help until he admitted the truth. He approached the object of his loathing with menace in his eyes. �I should kill you for this, you lying bastard, but for the sake of my family I won�t do it. I am going to prove that this is just another one of your conspiracies to hide what really happened that night, and when I do, you�re going to wish that Hank succeeded in killing you that night.� With that he turned and walked out of Julian�s office, slamming the door behind him. Luis never looked back or he would have seen the look of fear on Julian�s face.
********************
Since Luis was running so late, Sheridan gave the twins a bath and got them ready for bed by herself. It had been a little bit of a challenge, but thankfully the little bath seats kept them sitting up securely so she could wash one baby while the other one played in the water. She had gotten Lily out first and wrapped her in her hooded towel and then proceeded to get Luke out of the tub. While she was drying Luke off, Lily thought it would be fun to shed her towel and run around naked. Since there was a child gate at the top of the stairs she didn�t worry too much, but nevertheless, she made quick work of getting Luke in his pajamas and eventually located her little nature girl throwing one of her bath toys in the commode. She finally had managed to get both of them in bed and was looking for a book to read when Luke called out for his daddy.
�I�m sorry sweetie, but daddy is running late tonight so mommy is going to read you a story or would you like it if mommy sang to you?� When Luke clapped his little hands together, she opted to sing a lullaby, and both babies were asleep within ten minutes. She tucked her children in, kissed them goodnight and went downstairs to wait for Luis to come home. As it turned out, she didn�t have to wait for long because just as she reached the bottom step he walked in the front door. Some things never changed, and seeing him brought a rush of love that filled her with warmth. She approached him with sparkling blue eyes and a brilliant smile on her face. �I can�t tell you how happy I am to see you, but I�m afraid that Luke and Lily are already asleep. We tried to wait up for you, but.............. Luis, is something the matter?� She asked, when she finally noticed the look of foreboding on his face.
It tore him up inside seeing her standing there so happy knowing that he was ready to send her world crashing down around her, but she had to be told what Julian was up to. His eyes teared up and he pulled her in his arms hugging her tightly. �Come over here and sit down. There is something that I have to tell you.�
Sheridan did as he instructed and watched him go over to the desk and pull a mini reorder out of the drawer. �Luis what is going on here? You are really starting to make me nervous,� she said, fearfully.
�I don�t even know how to tell you about this, but I want you to remember that I love you, and I believe in you.�
�I know that Luis,� she told him, stroking his face. �Please just tell me what is bothering you so much.�
�I was on my way home when I got a phone call from your brother demanding that I come and see him at the mansion right away. I wasn�t even going to show up but I thought that I better find out what he was up to..........�
�Oh dear God,� Sheridan cried. �This is about Ben�s wallet. I just knew he would retaliate.�
�You�re right about that. Julian was furious and started in with his demands again and I�m afraid I lost my temper and told him that our deal was off and I was going to find out the truth about my father.�
�Oh no,� Sheridan said, shaking. �What did he threaten to do this time?�
�He didn�t threaten............... He told me that if I wanted to find out the truth about my father so bad then he would tell me what happened that night.� Luis pulled the tape out of his pocket to show it to her. �He played this for me Sheridan. It�s the taped conversation between you and Eve during your hypnosis session.�
�But I don�t understand,� she said, confusion written on her face. �We both know what came out of that session. How did Julian get his hands on that tape?�
�Apparently he had one of his thugs steal it from Eve, but I�m afraid that he did something to doctor the tape, because what Eve told us, and what�s on this tape do not coincide at all.�
�Just play it Luis,� she said weakly. �I have to hear it.............�
�I just want you to be prepared that it�s not good Sheridan..........�
�I can take it Luis. Please just play it............�
With dread, he did as she requested and as he watched the emotions play across her face he cursed himself a thousand times for not just throwing the damn thing into the fire. She looked totally stunned when she heard her own voice admitting that she killed his father, but it must have finally sunk in and he could see her face morph into a look of pure devastation. �Listen to me Sheridan. Just remember that your brother is capable of anything. I called Eve and she is on her way out here, and I�m sure she�s going to prove once and for all that Julian did something to this tape.�
She hopped up from the sofa and began to pace back and forth. �How can you be sure Luis......... Oh my God, what if it�s true?� she said, starting to sob.
Luis got up and pulled her into his arms. �I don�t believe it for one second Sheridan, and as soon as Eve gets here she�ll confirm that I�m right. I know in my heart that you would never be capable of doing anything like that,� he told her wiping the tears from her cheeks.
�If you�re right Luis, then why would Julian give you that tape knowing full well that Eve could disprove it. I know my brother and he would not forget about an important detail like that.�
He flashed her a comforting smile. �Call it a gut feeling, and like I told you earlier I believe in you.�
He was so convincing that she actually started to believe him. �I just hope you�re faith in me doesn�t turn out to be misplaced,� she said, giving him a little smile.
�I�m sure of it..............� His words were interrupted by a knock on the front door. �There�s Eve now, and I�m predicting that in ten minutes we�ll know for sure that this is nothing but one of your brother�s cruel jokes.�
�I pray to God that you�re right Luis because if you�re not I don�t know how I will ever live with this...........�
Chapter 14
Sheridan held her breath as Luis let Eve in the front door, and prayed that she would give them good news. When Luis had played that tape for her earlier all her old fears came rushing back full force to tear her heart in two. If the tape was real how could she ever face Luis again? What was worse, how could she face never seeing her children again when they hauled her off to prison for the murder of their grandfather? She watched Eve approach her with concern on her face. �Hello Eve........... Thank you for coming out.�
�That�s not a problem,� Eve said, putting her hand on Sheridan�s shoulder. �Is there something wrong with the babies?�
�No Eve, the babies are fine,� Luis answered her in a strange voice.
Eve was puzzled by Luis and Sheridan�s demeanor, growing more concerned by the minute. �I sense that something is very wrong here. Would one of you tell me what is going on?�
�I got into an altercation with Julian earlier, and I threatened to continue the search into my father�s disappearance. He informed me that if I wanted to know what happened to my father that I should listen to this,� Luis said, holding up the tape for Eve to see.
�Wa.... what is that?� Eve asked, guilt written on her face.
�It�s the tape from the hypnosis session that you had with Sheridan, but I can see by the look on your face that you already knew that,� Luis told her knowingly.
�It was stolen from my office Luis...........�
�I know that Eve. Julian told me that he had one of his thugs take it. We�ve both heard the tape and it�s Sheridan�s voice admitting to killing my father. We have to know Eve if this is the truth, or did Julian find some way to doctor this tape?�
Eve just stood there looking at them with a pained expression on her face, and then she finally spoke. �Oh God, I�m so sorry, but it is the truth. I just wanted to give you two a chance at happiness.............�
Sheridan felt her life crumble before her at Eve�s words, and she couldn�t bear to see the total look of devastation on Luis� face when she glanced his way. �No,� she cried out, and fled toward the front door to open it and run outside.
�Sheridan,� Luis called after her.
�Wait Luis,� Eve said, putting her hand on his arm. �She�s just been delivered a terrible blow and I think she needs some time to absorb it all. You also need time.........�
�I can�t believe that you kept something this detrimental from us for all this time,� Luis said angrily, his eyes shining with tears.
�Luis, I am so sorry. I never said anything because I didn�t want to see you both in the pain you�re in right now............ Damn that Julian,� she said, furiously.
�My God,� Luis said, dragging his fingers through his hair. �I just can�t believe this is happening, but you know what Eve? You might have heard Sheridan say she killed my father during that session, but I don�t believe it for a second.�
�What..............?� Eve said, shocked. �Luis, you heard the tape.�
�Oh, I heard the tape all right. I listened to it over and over on my way home, and I don�t believe that Sheridan killed my father. Look Eve, she was a fragile, insecure child at the time and I just can�t believe that she could do something so violent. Alistair and Julian immediately sent Sheridan to Europe right after that. She saw all kinds of doctors, and don�t you think it�s possible that they could have brainwashed her into thinking she killed my father?�
�Well, yes it�s possible, but it would take extensive therapy to bring that to the surface. It would require almost a process of deprogramming,� Eve explained.
�Then if that�s what it takes, we�ll do it,� Luis said with determination. �I don�t care how long it takes; we�re going to free Sheridan from this nightmare once and for all. Eve, would you mind.............?�
�You go ahead and go to her, and I�ll listen for the children,� Eve offered with a smile. �In the meantime, I�ll be thinking of a good therapist for you.�
�Thanks Eve,� Luis said, moving toward the door, but then he stopped and turned back to look at her. �Promise me that you won� tell anyone about this?�
�Of course not,� Eve promised. �That goes without saying.�
**********************
Sheridan had left the house in such a hurry that she hadn�t even bothered to grab her coat on the way out. She was so numb inside that she didn�t even feel the cool air against her skin. No matter how hard she tried; she could not stop thinking about the look on Luis� face when Eve confirmed that she was a murderer. Oh God, she was a murderer, and she had killed Luis� father............. How would she ever face him again, and how could she look in the faces of her sweet little babies?
�Sheridan............?�
She heard Luis� voice and it was like a dam breaking. The tears starting flowing down her face and she put her hands over her eyes. �I want to die for what I did to you and your family,� she said, sobbing the whole time.
Luis stepped up behind her and put a coat around her shoulders. �Sheridan, I need for you to turn around and look at me,� he requested in a gentle voice.
�I don�t know if I can Luis. I couldn�t bear to see the hate in your eyes..........�
�Hey, listen to me,� he said, turning her around to face him. He put his finger under her chin to lift her face to his. Even though it was dark he could see the pain in her eyes. �I could never hate you. I love you more than life itself and that will never change.�
�How can you say that Luis?� she asked in disbelief. �I was the one that took your father away from you. The one that cause Pilar and the rest of your family so much pain. If you all hated me it�s because I deserve it...............I do have one request from you. I want to see Luke and Lily before you call Sam to come and arrest me.�
�Sheridan, what are you talking about? I am not going to call Sam because I don�t believe that you killed my father. I don�t care what you said under hypnosis.�
�Luis, you�re not making sense. We both heard my voice on that tape admitting to killing your father, and Eve confirmed that it was true. I love you so much, but I think that you�re in denial because you don�t want to believe that your father is dead.�
�I�m not in denial Sheridan,� Luis said, with firm resolve. �There is no reason to call Sam either because there is not one shred of evidence. There is no body............, no murder weapon............., and no motive. Just the admission of a confused, traumatized little girl that would have believed anything her father and brother told her.�
�Are you actually trying to say that my father and brother would purposely make me believe that I killed Martin?� she asked, incredulously.
�That�s exactly what I believe, and I also think that when they sent you off to Europe right after that happened, they made sure the doctors reinforced it. They are the ones that did something to my father and they wanted to cover their tracks by making you believe that you killed my father if the truth ever came out. They used your vulnerability to manipulate the whole situation.�
�Oh Luis, you sound so convincing and I want to believe you, but you�re forgetting about one thing. There is not much I remember about that night, but I do remember holding a letter opener and all the blood on my hands. How do you explain that?�
�I don�t know Sheridan,� he said, taking her hands in his. �We�re going to find out though. I�ve discussed this with Eve and she thinks that it would be a good idea for you to see a therapist that specializes in cases where people have been programmed.�
�I don�t think I follow Luis...........�
�I guess the best example I can think of are those religious cults where they slowly condition people to think and act the way they want them too. There have been many cases where these victims� loved ones have had to actually kidnap them so that they can get them deprogrammed.�
�Oh God, you make me sound like some kind of robot. If this is true then my family is even more despicable than I thought. I shouldn�t be surprised though, because I always knew that they didn�t love me.�
�It doesn�t matter Sheridan, because they�re not worth the ground you walk on. You are going to get so much love from me and the babies that you won�t know what to do with it,� he said, giving her a warm smile. �Now, why don�t we go back inside and let Eve tell us some more about this doctor?�
�Okay, but first I want to say something to you.............. You are the most wonderful, loving man in the world, and you have saved me so many times. I�m not just talking about the attempts on my life, but the belief that you always have in me. I want so badly to believe that I didn�t kill your father and I�m going to do whatever it takes to get to the truth.�
Luis flashed her a huge smile. �That�s my girl,� he said, pulling her into a hug.
********************
The next few days were difficult ones for Sheridan, and she did everything possible to keep up a brave front for Luis and the children, but when she was alone the ghosts would come back. Her babies were celebrating their first birthday tomorrow and the most important thing was for her to set her demons aside and make their day special. Luis had been so loving and supportive with her since this whole nightmare started, and it brought tears to her eyes every time. As much as she wanted to have faith that she wasn�t a killer the possibility that she was still haunted her. She was in the process of getting ready for her first appointment with the doctor that Eve had referred to her, and she was very nervous. She stared at her reflection in the mirror and noticed the dark circles under her eyes from lack of sleep. The makeup she had applied to try and cover them was not doing the trick. She tried a bright red shade of lipstick, hoping that it would distract from her eyes, but it only ended up making her look like one of those sad circus clowns with the big red lips. So, she pulled a tissue out and removed the red stain, and re-applied a softer shade to her lips. �Well Sheridan,� she said out loud to herself in the mirror. �It�s not going to get any better so you may as well quit procrastinating and get on with it.� She fluffed her hair one last time and made her way downstairs.
It was a bittersweet sight that greeted her when she arrived downstairs, and saw Luis blowing up helium balloons for the party tomorrow. He had tied long colorful strings on them and the twins were squealing with delight as they tried to capture them with their little hands. Poor Ace was just sitting there looking back and forth with confusion as he watched Luke and Lily�s antics. They all looked like they were having the best time and it warmed her heart. She planted a smile on her face as she approached them. �Hey, it looks like the birthday party started early.�
Luis flashed her a welcoming smile, and the babies toddled up and wrapped their arms around her legs with their own special hugs. �You look very pretty this morning,� he said, warming her with his eyes.
�You always have this way of making me feel good just when I need it the most,� she told him with a grateful look in her eyes.
�It�s easy when it�s the truth..........�
�Mama,� Lily said, pulling on her pant leg.
Sheridan leaned over and picked up her daughter. �Well Lily, are you having fun playing with the balloons?� she asked, kissing her forehead.
�Boos,� Lily said, pointing to the balloons floating in the room.
�Yes, I see all the pretty balloons. Those are all for you and Luke�s birthday party tomorrow.�
Luis picked Luke up and leaned over and kissed her on the cheek. �Are you sure that you don�t want me to go with you to your appointment? I could wait outside and just be there to support you,� he offered.
�That�s sweet of you to offer, but I think that this is something I need to do on my own. I am going to see Dr. Bronson, and then I�m going to go pick up the twins� birthday cakes.�
�We�re going into town later to pick up drinks and other supplies, are you sure you don�t want us to get the cakes?� Luis asked.
�No, you�re going to have enough on your hands with these two little ones,� she said, looking at her watch. �Oh no, I better get moving or I�m going to be late for my appointment. Give mommy a kiss goodbye.� She kissed the babies, and then Luis, and headed toward the door.
�Wave bye to mommy,� Luis instructed the twins.
Sheridan turned around just as she walked out the door and melted when her children waved to her. �I love you all,� she told them.
******************
Dr. Barbara Bronson stood as Sheridan entered her office and held out her hand in greeting. �Mrs. Lopez-Fitzgerald, I�m Doctor Bronson,� she said, smiling. �It�s so nice to meet you.�
�It�s nice to meet you too,� Sheridan said, shaking her hand. �Please, call me Sheridan.�
�Good, I�m glad you said that because I would prefer that you call me Barbara. There�s no reason for us to stand on ceremony. Why don�t you have a seat Sheridan and tell me about yourself.�
�I don�t know where to start,� Sheridan said.
�Just start telling me about what your life is like right now, and then we can get to the reason you�re here today,� she suggested kindly.
�Well, I have a wonderful husband and two beautiful children. They�re twins......... A girl and a boy,� Sheridan said, proudly. �You could say that my life is just about perfect, except for one thing................�
�And that is?� the doctor asked, after noting her hesitation.
�You�re really going to think I�m crazy when I tell you this,� Sheridan said, with a nervous laugh.
�Don�t worry Sheridan, everybody that comes in here tells me that. Believe me I have heard everything. I won�t think you�re crazy. I want you to feel comfortable enough to tell me anything, but if you�re not ready for that yet, then that�s okay too.�
�No, I�m ready. I really need to get this off my chest,� she assured the doctor. �I have had terrible nightmares most of my life about killing a man when I was a little girl. I can never remember much about them except that I�m standing there with a letter opener with blood on my hands. I never really knew if these nightmares were based on fact or fantasy, but they always frightened me so much that I would wake up in a cold sweat.�
�Are you still having these nightmares Sheridan?�
�I actually haven�t had them for several years now, because I underwent some hypnosis and it came out that the reason for my nightmares was a result of my guilt over my mother�s death. Things got so much better after that and my nightmares stopped, but I found out recently that I was not told the truth about my hypnosis session and I actually admitted to killing a man,� she said, in a shaky voice. �That man was my husband�s father.............�
�I see,� the doctor said, making some notes on a pad. �Sheridan, I think that we may need to start at the very beginning. I want you to tell me all about your childhood, up to the time that you started having these nightmares.�
�Aren�t you going to hypnotize me?� Sheridan asked, confused.
�I think that will be an option down the road in your therapy, but right now I think that we should spend time on just getting to know each other,� Barbara said, smiling.
Sheridan didn�t know why, but she felt a real connection with Barbara, and suddenly she felt like pouring her heart out to somebody that wasn�t so personally involved. So, she began with her childhood and told the doctor about her mother dying and her cold disconnected father, and everything else that she could think of leading up to the night that Martin disappeared. She also told Barbara Luis� suspicions about her father and brother having her programmed to believe that she was a murderer. Barbara stopped her at certain points to ask her questions, but for the most part she let her tell her story freely. The whole thing was very liberating in a sense and she revealed things about herself that she had never told anybody before. Unpleasant things that she had blocked away because they were too painful to face came flowing out of her mouth, and it felt so good to finally release them. She could have talked for hours if it weren�t for Barbara�s secretary calling to announce that the session was almost over and that her next patient was waiting.
�So Sheridan, how do you feel about your first session?� Barbara asked her.
�It actually feels good,� Sheridan said, delighted. �I feel as if the weight on my shoulders is a little bit lighter. Barbara, after everything I�ve told you, do you believe that my husband could be right about the programming?�
�Well Sheridan, I don�t like to make judgments this soon in the game, but I think that it�s possible that your husband is right, but you also have to be prepared for the alternative. I can tell you this though. You have years of abuse and neglect to work through, and bringing those issues out in the open and dealing with them is not going to happen overnight. I like to look at therapy like an onion. You have to peel away the layers so that you can get to the core of the matter, and that just takes time.�
�Thank you so much Barbara,� Sheridan said, standing up.
Barbara stood up as well, and came around the desk to walk Sheridan out. �Do you have big plans for the weekend?�
�As a matter of fact I do,� Sheridan said, happily. �Tomorrow is my children�s first birthday and we�re going to have a party for them.�
�That�s wonderful,� Barbara said, smiling. �Do you have a picture of them?�
�Oh, do I have pictures,� Sheridan laughed. She opened her purse and retrieved her latest photos of the twins displaying them proudly.
�Oh Sheridan, they are adorable. You must be so proud,� Barbara gushed.
�I am very proud. They are the light of my life,� Sheridan said, looking at the picture of the twins fondly.
�Okay, I�m going to give you your first assignment. Go home and get ready for your children�s birthday, and just take some time to smell the roses. I would never tell you to forget about your problems completely but, it�s okay to put them on hold and appreciate the good things in your life.�
�I think that�s an assignment that I�m going to enjoy doing,� Sheridan told her.
�Good, now you make an appointment for next week with my secretary, and if you feel the need to talk in the meantime don�t hesitate to call me.�
�Thank you again Barbara. You have a good weekend.�
�You do the same,� Barbara said, smiling.
********************
At that very moment somewhere in the French countryside Martin Fitzgerald was sitting down to a game of chess with Charles, but he was having a difficult time concentrating. Charles called checkmate, and the sound of his voice brought Martin out of his musings. �I�m afraid that you are cleaning my clock tonight Charles.�
�I think that perhaps you are having a hard time focusing on the game tonight. You really are an easy mark Martin,� Charles teased. �Is there something on your mind?�
�Yes, it�s the strangest thing, but my daughter-in-law�s face keeps popping into my head. You know, it still seems odd to call her my daughter-in-law............. I don�t remember her so much as a grownup, because I�ve only seen that one picture of her. I see her as a small child so fragile and alone. Her father was such a bastard to her, the poor little girl still wanted his love so badly. All that Alistair had to do was show her a little bit of kindness once in a while, but he couldn�t even do that.�
�From what you tell me about that night, she sounds like she was a very brave little girl coming to your defense like that. I do find it strange that she would do that when she was so starved for her father�s love.�
�I did too when I finally started to remember that night again, and some things are still fuzzy, but I do remember that part clearly now. When Alistair started to attack me, Sheridan ran up with the letter opener and stared to jab it into her father�s leg. She just kept shouting, no daddy, leave mommy alone. It didn�t make sense to me at first because her mother was dead. The only thing I can attribute it to is that she must have witnessed her father abusing her mother at one time and she was having a flashback.�
�You could be on to something Martin. That poor little girl must have gone through hell,� Charles said, shaking his head sadly.
�Yes, I can well imagine what she suffered for stabbing her father that way. I just hope that my son was able to help her deal with her ghosts............. Did I tell you that Pilar was very close to Sheridan? Even with taking care of our children and working at the Crane mansion, my wife still found time to be kind to a little girl that needed some love in her life.�
�I guess it just goes to prove that having wealth and power does not always guarantee happiness,� Charles said, thoughtfully.
�You�re right about that Charles, especially in this situation, but you know what? I think now that she is part of my family, she is finally getting the love that she deserves.�
********************
Since the twins� birthday party was going to be attended by adults, Luis and Sheridan decided if would be fun to go for a Latin theme. The weather was warming up nicely so they could open the French doors to utilize the veranda. Even though it wasn�t exactly a child�s theme they felt sure that the twins would enjoy the festive atmosphere. Their memories of their first tango at Pilar�s birthday were also part of the inspiration. Brightly colored bundles of balloons and a pinata would be an experience for the twins too, and Luis and Sheridan couldn�t wait to see their faces when they saw the whole thing together. They finished up most of the decorating except for the things that needed to be done in the morning and decided to turn in for the night. Luis got in the shower and let the hot water run over his muscles and thought about Sheridan. Her therapy session seemed to have had a positive effect on her because the haunting sadness in her eyes had actually disappeared on several occasions since she had come home. Her mood seemed a little lighter too, and she was really excited about the twins� party tomorrow. They hadn�t made love since the night that tape had shattered her life. He hadn�t initiated anything because he felt that she was too fragile right now and most nights he just held her in his arms until she finally fell asleep. Turning the water off, he slipped out of the shower, toweled himself off and slipped on a pair of pajama bottoms. When he walked in the bedroom, Sheridan was sitting up in bed just staring straight ahead lost in her thoughts. �What�s the matter, did you forget something for the party tomorrow?� he asked in a teasing tone.
She gave him a small smile. �No, I think that we have everything covered.�
Luis climbed into bed beside her. �I�m really glad that you�re feeling better. I think that Doctor Bronson is going to be good for you.�
�I think so too Luis. She just made me feel so comfortable, and it felt really good to just talk about everything. Not that it wasn�t painful at times, but it felt therapeutic. It�s a good beginning, but I think that I�m going to be in therapy for a while. I might have to dip into my trust fund,� she joked.
�Don�t worry about the money. I just want you to get rid of your ghost,� he told her, love shining in his eyes.
�Luis, do you really believe that I didn�t kill your father? I know that you love me and you want to support me, but this was a big shock for you too. Are you positive that you�re not trying to repress your true feelings so that you don�t have to face the true reality?�
�Look Sheridan, I�ve had my issues about the past, and there have been times when I�ve been in denial about my feelings, but there is one thing that I can promise you. This is one time when there is no confusion or denial. I know in my heart that you�re not guilty.�
�How can you be so sure?� she asked, amazed.
�Because you�re a loving person with a kind heart and I know that you could never do that. I also know that it would have been physically impossible for a small child to inflict a deadly wound to a man that stood over six-foot. You probably only came up to his waist, and I don�t think a man would die over a puncture wound to the leg............�
For some reason his words struck a familiar chord with her, but she had no idea why. �Oh God Luis, I never thought about it that way,� she said, happily.
�It�s good to see you smile like that again,� he told her with a warm look in his eyes.
�It feels good to smile like that again............... Luis, I have one more question,� she said, tentatively. �If you truly believe that I am innocent then why won�t you make love to me?�
�Oh God Sheridan, I was just trying to give you some space. You were so upset and I didn�t want to come on like an insensitive jerk. Believe me, my desire for you is just as strong as it�s ever been.�
�I�m so glad you said that Luis, because I really need you right now. I need you to make me feel alive again,� she said, pulling his head toward hers.
Luis� kiss was gentle, but filled with a soul-searching passion that left no doubt of his love for her. She was drawn to it like a moth to a flame, and she gave herself to him completely. Their lovemaking was slow and tender, and Luis couldn�t stop telling her just how much he loved her, and she told him the same. They clung to each other long after they reached the final culmination, and fell into a peaceful sleep for the first time in days.
********************
The party was already in full swing downstairs but the guests of honor had yet to make an appearance. Sheridan had decided to put the twins down for an early nap so that they would be able to last through the party, and she was in the process of getting them dressed. Luke looked so handsome in his pants with a matching vest, and Lily looked like a little porcelain doll in her pink party dress and lacy white socks. There were even pink panties that fit over her diaper trimmed in the same white lace. She was standing back admiring her children when Luis came into the room.
�Well, look at you,� he said, checking out the babies� clothes. �You two are going to steal the show dressed like that.�
�Don�t they look adorable Luis?� Sheridan said, with a radiant smile.
�They certainly do, and everyone downstairs has been asking for them. What do you say we take our little munchkins to their party?� he asked, scooping Lily up in his arms.
�Let�s do it,� Sheridan said, picking Luke up in her arms.
When they carried the twins downstairs everyone made a big fuss over them. They set them down on the floor and Luke took off toward a bundle of balloons that was tied to the banister and Evan followed to keep an eye out for him. When everyone told Lily how pretty she looked, she batted her eyes flirtatiously and shocked the crowd when she lifted her dress up to show off her lacy panties. Luis almost had a coronary when she did that, but Sheridan found it impossible to contain herself, and broke out laughing.
�I have a feeling you�re going to have your hands full when she gets to be a teenager,� T.C. said, laughing.
�I pity any boy that wants to date her,� Sam chimed in. �Luis will probably run a background check on the kid, and make him go through a battery of physiological tests.�
�You two are so funny,� Luis said, pasting a fake smile on his face.
�I think you two need to stop picking on Luis. If memory serves me you�ve been a little crazy when it comes to your daughters,� Grace reminded them.
�I think I need a beer,� Luis said, heading toward the kitchen.
�Oh Sheridan, the children look so adorable today,� Pilar said, hugging her. �I just can�t believe that they are having their first birthday.�
Sheridan couldn�t help but feel guilty around Pilar, but she tried to remember what Luis had said the night before, and she was able to put it aside. �I know Pilar I can hardly believe it myself. Look at how exited they are,� she said, watching her children fondly.
�Why don�t we show them how the pinata works,� Pilar suggested.
�That�s a great idea Pilar. Let me go find Luis. Hopefully he�s recovered by now,� she said, laughing.
After they rounded everyone together on the veranda, the twins watched in fascination as everyone took turns hitting the pinata while blindfolded. Sheridan couldn�t help but remember when Luis had mistakenly tried to seduce her while blindfolded at his mother�s party. Luis tried to hold Luke up to take a turn, but he was too small to hold the stick. Miguel finally struck the blow to break the pinata open and when all the prizes fell onto the ground the twins went up and plopped down right in the middle of the pile of treasure. Sheridan had made sure that it was stuffed with small toys for the children, and the twins were having a field day trying to decide what to play with first.
Luis and Sheridan had no idea that Kay had arranged for Chad to play some tango music, so when the first chords of the song began to play their eyes connected with a hot gaze. Luis approached Sheridan, and she came willingly into his arms. They danced with the same passion as the first time they had done the tango together, and for a while they forgot that anyone was watching them. When they were through, everyone clapped including Luke and Lily who were watching their parents from the shoulders of Evan and Chad.
Since there was a pile of gifts stacked a mile high, Luis and Sheridan decided that they would speed the process and open the presents for the twins. As usual, Luke decided that the paper and ribbons were much more interesting than what was in the packages, but Lily discovered a stuffed kitty that she refused to let out of her grasp for even a minute. Once the gifts were open, Theresa approached Sheridan to tell her they were going upstairs to put on their costumes. The plan was for the girls to bring in the cakes dressed as Telebubbies while everyone sang happy birthday. Sheridan was a little concerned that the twins would be frightened, but Luis assured her that they would love it when they saw their favorite characters. Whitney was Po, Kay was Tinky-Winky, Jessica was LaaLaa, and Theresa was Dipsy. When the girls were dressed they snuck down the steps and made their way in the kitchen to get the cakes. Theresa peeked her head out to signal Sheridan that they were ready, so she started to sign happy birthday and everyone joined in. When Luke and Lily saw the Teletubbies coming toward them they both squealed excitedly and tried to climb out of their highchairs. Luis and Sheridan demonstrated how to blow out the candles, but the twins could have cared less about cake, they just wanted to get to the giant Telebubbies.
�Po mama,� Luke said, pointing to Whitney.
�I see that sweetie. He looks just like he does on television.�
Lily shocked everyone for a second time that day when she pointed to Dipsy and said, �Teetee.�
�I guess Peanut is smarter then we thought,� Luis said to Sheridan laughing. �I can�t believe she knew that was Theresa.
�Oh well, I think she�s still impressed by the Teletubbies,� Sheridan chuckled.
Sheridan was finally able to convince Luke and Lily to eat a piece of their birthday cake. Once the twins discovered that it was sweet, it was their new favorite thing. By the time they were finished, there was cake smeared all over their faces and hair. Sheridan and Luis had to take them upstairs and bathe them and change their outfits. Sheridan told Luis that she had never seen the children so wound up before. It was as if they didn�t know what to do next, and they were running around like little wild animals. To the relief of Luis and Sheridan, everyone at the party made a joint effort to keep an eye on the precocious duo, and they managed to ingratiate themselves even more firmly in everyone�s hearts.
It was around dusk when the party finally broke up and people began to leave. Pilar offered to stay and help clean up the mess which was a good thing because Sheridan was so tired she felt like she could lie down and sleep for days. What she couldn�t believe was that the twins were still going strong, finding new mischief to get into to. Luis was going around the room with a garbage bag collecting all the left over party debris, when Sheridan caught him throwing a piece of her good flat wear in the trash.
�Luis, why don�t you let me do that before you dispose of all of our silverware,� she said, grabbing the bag from him. �I swear, I have to keep a closer eye on you than I do the twins.�
�Sorry about that,� Luis said, sheepishly. He didn�t care if she was fussing at him because that only meant that she was getting back to her old self again. He made a quick inspection of the room to see if he could locate the twins, and found Lily sitting on the floor playing with her new stuffed kitty. Luke came walking toward him chewing on something that looked just like an envelope. �Look at our son Sheridan. He gets all these new toys to play with today, and he�s playing with an envelope.�
�What is that thing?� Sheridan asked approaching her little boy. �It looks like somebody�s mail, but I swear I�ve never seen that before. �Give that to mommy Luke so I can see what it is.�
Luke handed the envelope with the red and blue striped edging to his mother without a fuss, and Sheridan was shocked to see that it was a letter addressed to Pilar. �What is it?� Luis asked.
�It�s a letter addressed to Pilar. How did Luke get this?� she asked, puzzled. �Hey Pilar, do you have any idea how Luke could have gotten a hold of your mail?�
�I have no idea,� Pilar said, approaching Sheridan. �What�s the date of the postmark?�
�Oh no,� Sheridan said, clearly disturbed. �This is at least a month old. Luke must have gotten his hands of it when he was staying over there. I am so sorry Pilar.�
�Don�t worry about it Sheridan,� Pilar said. �I think I remember that Miguel brought the mail in and put it on the coffee table. Luke was probably intrigued by the stripes on the envelope.�
Luis picked up the envelope and studied the front of it. �Mama, do you know anyone in Switzerland?�
�No, I have no idea who could be sending me a letter from Switzerland,� she said, confused. �Let me see that mijo.�
�Oh God,� Pilar said, putting her hand to her mouth. �I don�t believe this.�
�What is it mama?� Luis asked, concerned.
�This handwriting, it looks just like your fathers.........�
�What?� Luis and Sheridan both shouted at once.