By Liz.
Chapter 1
Luis rolled over softly, he wanted to look at her sleeping face once more before getting up to go to the station. He hadn�t been to work since he thought Sheridan was dead, but now he had a reason to go. He had a wedding to pay for. He watched her smile in her sleep as he placed a gentle kiss on her lips before finding his way into the shower.
Sheridan stirred when she heard the water in the shower turn on. She stretched out her arms and sighed, smiling. She hadn�t felt that refreshed in so long. She couldn�t remember what time it was when she and Luis had finally made it home last night. They danced until they were asked to leave the restaurant, and then they had come home and celebrated their engagement by making love. She couldn�t wait to tell Ethan how happy she was! She hadn�t even seen him since she had been home.
Luis walked out of the bathroom as Sheridan was pulling on her robe, �Where are you going?� She questioned him.
�I thought I would go back to work today, I do need the money now you know.� He said with a grin.
�That�s right, our wedding,� her smile grew, �But I don�t want you to leave me alone for one minute.� She went up to him and wrapped her arms around his waist.
�You�re not making this easy�� he groaned while kissing her.
�It�s not supposed to be�� she laughed. �I guess I could take advantage of this and go talk to Ethan��
Luis rolled his eyes, the thought of having to be around even more made him shiver.
Sheridan knew he didn�t like her plans, �Luis, I love him. He�s my nephew��
�I know�� He grabbed her hands, �Besides, while you were gone, he continued dating Theresa, and well, I learned to ignore him I guess.�
Sheridan smiled, �Now if the two of you could only get along without ignoring each other.�
�Well, I have to get to the station. What if I come by and pick you up when I get off, then we�ll go and see my family, give them the good news?� He smiled.
�That sounds wonderful.� She kissed him, �I�ll see you later then?�
�Bye,� he kissed her.
�Bye,� she whispered as she kissed him once more and watched him leave for work.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Luis walked in to the station whistling, and poured himself a coup of coffee.
�Luis?� Sam got up and went to stand next to Luis, �I was beginning to wonder if you would ever come back!�
�Yea, well, I�ve been through a lot you know, I just didn�t feel like coming back, till now�� he smiled, thinking of Sheridan.
�Well, I heard about Sheridan faking her death. That must be quite a relief.� Sam smiled, and poured his own coffee.
�Oh yea, and then all that stuff with Julian is over,� Luis went to his desk and sat down.
�What was all of that about anyway? One minute, Sheridan looked like she could have killed you, and the next, the two of you are happy to be living together, what happened?� Sam sat on the edge of Luis�s desk.
�We�ve decided not to go into great detail with everyone about what happened, it�s really a private matter, but to say the least, there was a big misunderstanding, but we got past that,� Luis smiled, �Way past that��
�I can tell, so what happened? How are things with the two of you now?� Sam questioned.
�Things are great Sam! They couldn�t be better!� Luis stood up, �I told her I love her� and last night, I asked her to be my wife!� He said excitedly.
Sam�s mouth dropped open in shock, �Y-you and Sheridan are engaged?� he choked out, and shook his head in confusion, �I always knew you two cared for each other, but, are you sure you�re both ready for this? Marriage is a big step��
�I know that Sam, but I can�t picture my life without her in it. I want to father her children, and I want to see her hair turn gray�� Luis�s words drifted off as his faced turned into a dreamy smile.
�You really are in love�� Sam laughed, �I guess I should congragulate you.� He gave Luis a hug, �Just watch out for her family, they�re not going to take this engagement lightly.�
�I know� I know�� Luis sat back down and drank more coffee, �But there�s nothing they can do to stop it from happening.�
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Sheridan was pulling on her jacket when she heard a knock at the door, she went to answer it, �Ethan!� She ran out the door to hug him, �It�s so good to see you!�
�Sheridan!� He wrapped his arms tightly around her, �I still can�t believe it! You�re really alive, you faked the whole thing!�
Sheridan laughed, �I know� some story isn�t it?�
�Yes it is,� he led her into the cottage and sat down on the couch next to her, �So how have you been these past few days? I haven�t even gotten to see you!�
�I know!� She grabbed his hands, �But I have been wonderful! More wonderful than you can even imagine!�
�Your eyes are sparlking Sheridan, did something else happen that I don�t know about?� He questioned. Sheridan�s grin grew, as she held out her hand, pointing out the ring that Luis had given her, the one that belonged to his grandmother, she now considered that her engagement ring since he didn�t officially give her one, but he had given her that one the first time he told her he loved her.
�Oh, Sheridan, that�s beautiful!� Ethan touched the ring, �Where did you get that?�
�Luis,� she squealed, �He gave it to me when he said he loved me.�
Ethan threw his arms around her, �Oh I am so happy for you!� She backed away from him a little, �Ethan, he� he asked me to marry him�� she said softly, waiting for Ethan to either congradulate her or yell at her.
�Engaged?- Y-you�re engaged? To Luis?� He choked out. Sheridan nodded, she was so happy, and she wanted so badly for him to be happy for her, �Ethan, it would mean so much to me to know I have you�re blessing�� she said softly.
Ethan thought for a moment, then said, �As long as he makes you happy��
�Thank you!� She said tearfully as she threw her arms around his neck.
�But if he ever hurts you, I�ll kill him!� he said sarcastically. �Sheridan?�
�Yes, Ethan?�
�Are you sure? I mean, it�s obvious you love him, but didn�t you say he was using you before? I thought you heard him say that?� He asked cautiously, but the quickly added, �It�s not that I am debating you�re engagement, it�s just, I don�t want you to get hurt again.�
Sheridan�s expression saddened when she thought of the imposter, but she lit back up at the fact that it wasn�t Luis, �Your father, he hired someone to pretend to be Luis� that�s who I heard that night on the wharf��
Ethan turned around when Luis walked into the cottage. He watched as Sheridan jumped up off the couch and threw herself into his arms, �I�m so glad you�re back! I was just telling Ethan about us�� she smiled as she kissed him.
Luis glared at Ethan as he watched him stand. He decided he would try and be civil, for Sheridan�s sake.
Ethan was thinking the same things as Luis. He walked over to him and outstretched a hand, �Congradulations Luis, you seem to be the perfect man for my aunt,� he said with a smile.
Luis was taken by surprise, �Thank you Ethan,� he said as he shook his hand.
�I just pray to God that you never hurt her,� he said sternly.
�I don�t plan on it,� Luis smiled.
Sheridan held her breath, the tension between them was more than obvious, but she was so happy to see them shaking hands and getting along.
�Well, I had better get going,� Ethan said as he walked toward the door.
�Ethan, please don�t tell anyone just yet, Luis and I are planning to tell his family tonight,� Sheridan pleaded.
�I won�t,� he smiled and kissed her on the cheek, �Good night Sheridan. Luis.�
Sheridan went to sit next to Luis on the couch after she had closed the door, �That was nice,� she said with a smile.
Luis shrugged, �I suppose it was OK��
Sheridan sighed, it was no use, they would never be friends, �What do you say we go tell your family now?� She said trying to change the subject.
�Alright, let�s go��
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Sheridan grabbed tightly on to Luis�s hand as he knocked on his mother�s door, �Are you as nervous as I am?�
�It means a lot to you to have my mother�s blessing, doesn�t it?� He squeezed her hand as she nodded, �Don�t worry, she already loves you like a daughter, now you will be her daughter.� He smiled.
Pilar opened the door and smiled, �Sheridan! Luis! I�m so glad you came over!� Pilar took their coats and led them to the couch.
�Mama, are Theresa and Miguel home?� Luis asked.
�No, actually, Theresa is on a date, with Ethan, and Miguel is at the Bennett�s house.�
�Oh, well, we wanted to tell everyone at once, but��
�Tell everyone what mijo?� Pilar asked.
Luis grabbed Sheridan�s hand again, �Sheridan and I�� he started.
�We�� Sheridan tried to help him, but they were both at a loss for words.
Pilar watched as Luis ran his thumb over a familiar looking ring on Sheridan�s hand. �That ring� that was my mother�s� she gave it to Luis�� Pilar gasped, �You�re engaged!� Her eyes widened as Sheridan and Luis both nodded.
�Mama, we love each other very, very much. We�ve thought this through,� Luis was trying to convince her everything would be alright.
�Pilar, it�s very important to the both of us that we have your blessing,� Sheridan said softly.
�It�s just, not what I expected from the two of you� but,� She looked at the both of them, �I can�t say I am not happy for you, I know you two love each other, I can see it in your eyes.� Sheridan and Luis smiled at each other.
�Yes, yes you have my blessing�� she said tearfully as she got up to hug them both, �I love you both so much, I want nothing more than the two of you to be happy��
They spent a long while talking with Pilar about the wedding, what kind they wanted, where they wanted it, when they wanted to have it, where they would live; but nothing was decided, other than they wanted a spring wedding, so they could have it outdoors. Everything else would be decided later on.
Chapter 2
Sheridan lay in bed staring up at the ceiling. She had gotten used to lying in Luis�s arms for hours before actually getting out of the bed, and she loved every moment of it.
Luis stirred and rolled a bit, kissing her on the forehead before opening his eyes; it had become his morning ritual. The past few weeks had been wonderful for the both of them. Luis had taken a paid vacation that he had been saving for years, and had been staying with Sheridan all the time. The plans for their wedding were coming together perfectly. They would be getting married in March, just six short, but long, weeks away.
�Do you want some breakfast?� Sheridan asked as Luis got up to go and take a shower.
�I would love some scrambled eggs,� he grinned, �maybe you can try some bacon this morning?� he teased.
�Ha, I can cook bacon too!� She pouted as she walked into the kitchen, and Luis climbed into the shower.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Sheridan put a pan on the over to start the eggs. She knocked a couple of eggs on the counter to crack them. When she put them into the pan, she got a bit nauseous. She ran into the bathroom. Luis heard her run into the bathroom and stepped out of the shower, finding Sheridan leaning over the toilet. �Sheridan, what�s wrong?� He ran to her and put an arm around her.
�I- I don�t know� I just got really sick all of the sudden.� She stammered, trying to catch her breath.
�What happened?� He asked while fixing her a cool wash cloth.
�I was trying to cook the eggs, and I guess looking at the grease just made me nauseous.� She put a hand on her stomach, which was still churning.
�Maybe it�s too early for you to be cooking today�� he lifted her up into his arms, and carried her to the bed, �I want you to lie down right here, I�ll go and finish breakfast.� He smiled. Sheridan ran a hand across his cheek, �You�re so sweet to me�� she whispered, �but I think I can manage.� She started to get back up. The second she stood, she got dizzy and fell into Luis�s arms.
�Whoa- Sheridan, lie down. I�m going to call a doctor.� Luis already had the phone in his hand.
�Luis, it�s nothing really,� she pleaded, �I told you, it was just from looking at the eggs.�
�Well, it�s never happened before,� Luis sat down next to her on the bed and placed his hand on her forehead, �Just let me call Dr. Russell and make you an appointment? Please? For me?� Sheridan looked into his deep brown eyes, she couldn�t deny him anything, �Oh all right,� she moaned, �but I am only doing this for you.� Luis smiled and called Eve. They made an appointment for later that afternoon.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Sheridan and Luis arrived at the hospital right on time for Sheridan�s appointment. They sat in the waiting room, Sheridan was reading a magazine, and Luis was praying nothing was seriously wrong.
�Sheridan Crane,� a nurse finally called her.
The nurse led her into a tiny examine room and wrote down all her symptoms, then Dr. Eve Russell came in.
�Sheridan,� Eve walked in smiling, �I�m surprised to see you here, tell me what�s been going on.�
�Well, I woke up this morning feeling fine. Then I went to cook some eggs, and when I did, I got really nauseous. I tried to convince Luis that it was just from the sight of raw eggs and grease, but he insisted that I make an appointment with you.�
�Well, I don�t think just the sight of eggs would make you sick. Has this ever happened before?� Eve smiled, she was already pretty sure of what was wrong with Sheridan, she just wanted to lead her on a little.
�No��
�Luis, may I speak with Sheridan alone a moment? There are a few personal questions that I need to ask her.�
Sheridan looked at Luis pleadingly, �Eve, I don�t want him to go��
�It won�t be long,� Luis squeezed her hand, �I�ll be right outside the door, I promise.� He smiled and kissed her on the forehead before walking out.
�What is so personal that Luis can�t hear?� Sheridan asked, worried.
�It�s not that it�s personal, Sheridan, it�s just, I�m not sure Luis would want to hear some of the questions I need to ask you.� She smiled, �Sheridan, when was the last time you had your period?�
Sheridan thought for a moment, �I- I don�t remember��
�Has it been in the last month or longer?�
�I- I don�t think so,� Sheridan put a hand on her stomach, �You don�t think that I�m��
�Pregnant?� Eve�s eyes sparkled, �I think it�s very possible. I am assuming that you and Luis have made love��
�Well, yes� but�� Sheridan�s hands were shaking, she started smiling, �Can you find out for sure?�
�I�ll need to take a little blood, is that all right?� Eve had already started to draw a needle.
�Yes, that�s fine,� Sheridan sat dreaming of having a family with Luis, while Eve was drawing the blood. All of her dreams were coming true, she was engaged to the man she loved more than anything in the world, and possibly carrying his child.
�I�ll take this down to the lab, and let Luis back in,� Eve walked out and told Luis that it was fine for him to go in and see Sheridan.
Luis walked in to find Sheridan still sitting on the table, only now she was gleaming. �What was that all about?� He saw the Band-Aid on Sheridan�s arm where the blood had been drawn, and he immediately got worried, �Is something wrong? Why did they need blood?�
Sheridan smiled, �They need to run a test on me�� she said softly.
�Test? What kind of test?� Luis questioned; he was going into cop mode.
Sheridan cupped his face with her hands, �A pregnancy test,� she whispered, her eyes were gleaming.
�Preg- pregnancy test?� Luis choked, �We- we are going to have a b-baby?�
�That�s what we�re about to find out.� She gave him a long, tender kiss.
Eve interrupted their kiss with a fake cough to get their attention.
Sheridan sat up strait on the table and held tight to Luis�s hand.
�Sheridan, I have the results,� Eve sat down in a chair in front of her, �You are pregnant, and you�re already about a month along. We won�t know for sure until you get a sonogram done though, but that won�t be for anther few months.� Sheridan felt her whole body go weak. She was pregnant. She was carrying Luis�s child. She couldn�t believe it. Everything Eve was saying was going in one ear, and right back out the other. She was numb all over.
Eve could see the shock on both their faces, and decided to leave them alone. She said Sheridan was free to go home whenever she wanted, but she needed to make an appointment for 3 weeks later.
�You�re pregnant!� Luis grabbed her around the waist and spun her around the room.
�It�s like a dream come true. I have you, and our baby!� She kissed him tenderly, �I have never been so happy!�
�Me neither!� Luis put her back down on the floor and joined their arms, �Let�s go home and celebrate.�
�I�d like that,� she whispered sweetly.
The whole way back to the cottage Luis couldn�t think of anything but that baby. The more he thought about it, the more numb he became, not only because Sheridan was pregnant, but because of how far along she was. Four weeks. That was about the time she made love to the impostor. What if this wasn�t his child? What would happen to their relationship? How would Sheridan feel? How would he feel?
To Be Continued...