By: Anastasia
Anastasia didn't want her email addy posted! So, if you will be so kind as to send me any comments you have on her story, I will forward them to her!
Note: This takes place after the Nov. 2 episode, after Luis made Sheridan breakfast in bed.
Chapter 1
*Ring*Ring*
"Ahhh! Why do we keep getting interupted?" Sheridan gasped. Luis chuckled at her frustration and rolled off her so she could answer the phone. One arm was still under her body as she picked up the phone.
"Hello?" Sheridan said angrily.
"Sheridan, it's Ethan. Are you alright? Is Luis getting to you again?" Ethan asked.
Sheridan looked at Luis and half-smiled. "You could say that. What is it Ethan? It's early."
"I know, I'm sorry. I just came from seeing Father. He isn't doing so well. He still hasn't regained consciousness, and he is rambling in his sleep."
Although Sheridan despised her brother, her conscious kept her from completely disregarding his health. "That doesn't sound too good. But what can I do about it?" Luis' lips on the back of her hand caused her to become annoyed with the length of the phone call.
"That's why I'm calling, its my mother. I have to go, but I don't want to leave her here alone. She's really upset about father and i think she could use some company.
Luis' lips had made their way to Sheridan's neck, and she inadvertantly let out a soft moan.
"Sheridan? You alright?" Ethan was curious as to what was going on at the other end of the phone.
"What? Oh, ya, Ethan I'm fine. Well, isn't Pilar there with Ivy?" Sheridan tried to keep her composure as Luis nibbled on her ear.
"Well, yes, but she has work to do, and besides, I think it would help if she had family here. Please do this for me Sheridan? I have to go." Ethan was pleading, because he knew Gwen would be there any minute.
"Oh alright. I'll be right there. Bye," Sheridan sighed deeply and hung up the phone. "Luis you're not going to believe this, but I have to go."
Luis groaned and flopped on the bed. "Why?" he questioned childlike.
"That was Ethan. Julian is still all messed up from last night, and I guess Ivy is upset. He asked me to go comfort her," she explained as she squirmed out of bed.
"Ivy's a big girl," Luis complained.
Sheridan couldn't help but smile at how cute he was. "I know, but Ethan's right. I should go make sure she's alright."
"Well, I guess we'll just have to trek over to the main house, then." Luis said as he sat up.
"We?" Sheridan smiled.
"Ya, well I am still your body guard," Luis said slyly as he walked over to her and put his arms around her waist. "You're not going anywhere without me, remember?" He said as he pulled her into a fiery kiss.
"How could I forget?" Sheridan smiled as he walked out of her room and closed the door behind him.
Chapter 2
Ethan met them at the door. "Hi, perfect timing. Gwen should be here any moment."
Sheridan raised her eyebrows in confusion. "Gwen?"
Ethan was about to say something, but then looked at Luis and stopped. "Yes Gwen."
Just then the door bell rang and Gwen walked in.
"Oh, hi Gwen." Ethan greeted her. "Well, I'm off. Thanks again Sheridan. Luis," Ethan made a speedy exit, leaving Sheridan and Luis alone in the room.
Sheridan shook her head in disapproval and turned to Luis. "That was strange."
"Ya, well, I guess your nephew is one topic we should avoid," Luis got that 'I hate the Cranes' look.
"Who says we need to talk at all?" Sheridan said seductively as she pulled him into a sexy, passionate kiss.
They were interupted by an 'ahem'. They quickly pulled apart to see Pilar coming down the stairs. Guilty looks immediately came to both their faces.
"Hello Pilar," Sheridan blushed.
"Hello," Pilar answered.
"Hey, Momma." Luis cleared his throat.
There was an awkward silence for a moment.
"So, how's Julian, is he still unconscious?" Sheridan tried to avert the attention from her and Luis.
"No, actually, he is awake and back to his old self." Pilar feigned relief.
"Oh boy," Sheridan said knowingly.
"Yes, as a matter of fact, he's on the phone with Allister right now."
***meanwhile***
"Father, I did it! I figured out Ivy's secret, and you won't believe what the little tramp has been doing, she-"
"Shut up, Julian, I don't care. We have more important things to deal with right now." Allister barked into the phone.
"But Father, Ivy-" Julian tried to interject.
"How many times do I have to tell you I don't give a damn what Ivy is hiding in her past! What I do care about is the fact that Sheridan and that damned cop are getting cozy again!"
"What are you talking about, father, I took care of that situation a long time ago. Sheridan won't go near Luis ever since she thought she heard him say he was only using her," Julian said proudly.
"Oh really? Is that why they were in the front hallway of YOUR house just moments ago making out like a couple of teenagers?" Allister yelled.
"WHAT?" Julian gasped and fell back onto the bed.
"That's right you moron, and what do you plan to do about it?"
"Well, uh, I-I mean I don't know-I tried, but-" Julian stammered.
"Oh, pull yourself together, Julian. You know exactly what you need to do. This time, make sure that Sheridan will never go near Officer Lopez-Fitzgerald ever again!"
***Back Downstairs***
"Hey, momma how's Miguel and the others doing, are they okay?" Luis asked.
Pilar shrugged her shoulders. "They are alright I suppose. Miguel and Kay still stick to their story about some magic box and other strange happenings. I'm beginning to worry," Pilar wrung her hands.
"Look, maybe I'll go home and see if he's alright." Luis said reluctantly.
Just then Ivy started down the stairs, and looked up, surprised to see the crowd in her house. "Oh, hello. Sheridan, Luis"
Sheridan rushed up to Ivy and placed her hands on her shoulder. "Ivy, how are you doing?" she asked, genuinely concerned.
Ivy forced a smile. "I'm fine, Sheridan, dear. But, what brings you by so early?"
"Well, Ethan called and said you were upset."
Ivy laughed at how ridiculous that sounded. Upset didn't begin to describe what she was feeling. "Nonsense, I'm fine. Julian is...well, Julian. However, I could use some distraction to help keep my mind off last nights terrible events!!"
Sheridan looked back at Luis questioningly.
Luis nodded. "Go ahead. I'm gonna jet over to the house to check on Miguel. I'll make sure Crane Security keeps an eye on you. I'll be back later, okay?"
Sheridan forced herself not to smile adoringly at him. "Okay," she said as she led Ivy into the living room.
Luis watched her go, and tried to find a way to avoid the lecture he was sure was about to come. He looked at Pilar and spoke before she had a chance to. "Listen, mamma, I'm gonna go check on Miguel. I'll be back later." He headed for the door.
"Alright, but we do need to talk, mijo." she called after him. He sighed and took one last look into the living room before he walked out.
Chapter 3
***A few hours Later***
"...well, at least he's conscious. We know there's no perminant damage," Sheridan sat with Ivy in the Crane mansion, sipping tea.
Ivy held her tea cup to her lips, looking diappointed. "Yes. Indeed."
One of the maids came in holding an envelope. "Excuse me, Miss Crane. This just arrived for you via messenger." She walked over to Sheridan and handed her the white envelope.
"Oh, thank you," Sheridan took it, confused. "I wonder what this is about." She opened it as Ivy looked on curiously. She unfolded the paper and read it silently:
Sheridan,
Meet me at the wharf, now. It's important. Come alone.
Luis
"Hmmm. That's odd." Sheridan was really confused now.
"What is it?" Ivy asked.
"It's from Luis. He wants me to meet him at the wharf."
Ivy raised an eyebrow. "Really? Is it odd or romantic?"
Sheridan looked up in surprise and blushed. "It's just, well. Luis has always been so overprotective, you know, being my bodyguard. And now he wants me to go by myself to the wharf? Thats not like him."
"Well, you said yourself that the FBI said the pressure from the drug cartel was relaxing, right?" Ivy stated.
Sheridan shrugged her shoulders. "I guess you're right. So, are you alright, do you mind if I go?"
"Of course not, go ahead, I'll be fine. Thank you for your concern, though Sheridan," Ivy gratefully hugged Sheridan just before she left to meet Luis.
**Outside the Crane Mansion**
Pierre lurked through the bushes and watched Sheridan walk down to her car. "Where is that damned Hank? This is the perfect opportunity. Sheridan is alone finally, that damned cop is gone. No matter. I will follow her and kill her myself. Finally, Miss Crane will be eliminated."
Chapter 4
As Sheridan arrived at the wharf, a cold chill ran through her body. A soft mist was rising from the water making an eerie fog. The Harmony weather was turning to winter, and a bitter wind blew through the wharf. Sheridan hugged herself and rubbed her arms as she walked along looking for Luis.
**Elsewhere on the wharf**
"Well, Gwen, dinner at the Club was a nice treat. What do you have planned next on our mystery date?" Ethan asked only half interested.
"Naaaa, I don't think so. This is a surprise, remember? No hints until we get there," Gwen was being overly gushy, and Ethan found it annoying.
They walked along the wharf, arm in arm silently. Ethan looked over to see a blonde woman walking alone. "Hey, is that Sheridan?"
Gwen craned her neck and squinted. "I'm not sure. It looks like her, but what would she be doing down here alone?"
Ethan was a bit concerned, until he saw Luis approaching her. "Oh, there's Luis. She's okay."
Sheridan looked up to see Luis approaching her and couldn't help but smile ear to ear. The smile slowly faded as she saw the cold expression on his face. Suddenly her eye caught something behind Luis. She gasped as she saw Pierre pointing his gun at Luis' back.
"Luis! No!!" Sheridan screached. Ethan had seen the gunman the same time as Sheridan, and was in a dead sprint towards Pierre.
Luis turned around as Sheridan ran towards him. He turned just as Pierre squeezed the trigger. Ethan hit Pierre as the gun wen t off, tackling him to the ground. The gun squirted free, and Ethan dove after it. Pierre desperately struggled to locate the gun, but it was too late. Ethan took the gun in his hand and smacked Pierre across the top of his head with the butt, leaving him unconscious. Ethan tried to catch his breath. He turned as Gwen grabbed his arm. His heart lept into his throat as he heard Sheridan's desperate sobs and cries.
"No! Luis!!" She held him in her lap with her hand over the gaping wound just below his chest. Luis was choking on the blood that was coming out of his throat.
"Oh my God." Ethan breathed, still kneeling over the unconscious Pierre. Suddenly a police officer came sprinting up, gun drawn.
"Drop it now!!" he barked at Ethan, still holding the gun.
Ethan immediately dropped the gun as the policeman recognized him. "This man just shot at her," he pointed toward Sheridan and Luis in the heap. "But he hit Luis. He's an officer, please get an ambulance down here now!" Ethan pleaded with a shocked Gwen hanging off his arm.
The policeman withdrew his gun and panicked when he saw Luis bleeding to death. "Oh my God, Luis." He grabbed the intercom on his shoulder and pressed the button. "Base, this is Officer Barker at the wharf. I need an ambulance and a squad car down here immediately. We have an officer down, I repeat we have an officer down, gunshot to the chest. Suspect is in custody, but we need immediate emergency response." He had to walk away, because he was sure they couldn't hear him over Sheridan's desperate cries.
"hold on Luis, hold on!!! You can't die on me now! Not now! Please Luis!!" Sheridan rocked back and forth, her arm covered with Luis' blood.
Ethan came towards them as the policeman slapped the cuffs on Pierre. He knelt next to Sheridan, his face white. Gwen looked on with her hand over her face. "Sheridan," he squeaked out. "He'll be okay, he will." Ethan almost didn't believe his own words as he looked down at Luis. He could almost see the life seeping out of him. His eyes were vacant and blood was coming out of his mouth as well as his chest.
Sheridan didn't even flinch at his words, like she didn't even hear him. Tears streaked down her face violently as she held Luis' dying body close to her own. By the time the ambulance arrived, she was hysterical and covered in blood. Ethan had to hold her up as they raised Luis onto the stretcher and the ambulance sped off toward the hospital.
Chapter 5
Ethan reluctantly let Gwen drive Sheridan to the hospital alone. He wanted to be with her, but he knew he needed to tell Theresa and Pilar. That was not something that could be done over the telephone. He knew Theresa and Whitney had hid when Luis showed up at the mansion, he only hoped they would still be there.
He slowly walked in the front door, wondering how he was going to tell the woman he loved her brother was dying. He was completely dissheveled, and his face white.
"Ethan, hi." Theresa ran up happily, then stopped dead in her tracks. Ethan was a mess and blood was streaked across his shirt. "Oh my God Ethan, are you alright? You're bleeding!" she ran up and put her hands tenatively on his arm.
Ethan swallowed hard. "No, Theresa I'm fine." He put his hands on her arms as Pilar and Ivy entered the room.
"But Ethan there's blood all over you, are you hurt?" Theresa panicked.
"Theresa, I'm fine, it's not my blood," Ethan raised his voice to stop her outburst.
Theresa sighed slightly in relief, but was still worried. "Not your blood, but, then who's is it, whats going on?"
Ethan hesitated a moment as his eyes wandered from Theresa to Pilar. "It-it's Luis. He's been shot."
Chapter 5
Sheridan ran into the emergency room with Gwen trailing not far behind. She ran up to the check in desk and pushed aside a man who was standing in line. "Excuse me, I'm looking for a man who was just brought in here, Luis Lopez-Fitzgerald. Please, tell me where he is, I need to find him," Sheridan spat out. Her adrenylin made her speak quickly.
"Are you family?" the woman asked with no compassion or emotion.
Sheridan was flustered. "I-no, I'm not, he's my bodyguard and he was shot, please, tell me where I can find him, I need to know that he's okay!" Sheridan pleaded.
"I'm sorry, but I can only give information to family members," the woman said coldly.
Sheridan was mad now. "That's right, I'm not family. But I am Sheridan Crane. My father owns this hospital and if you don't tell me where Luis is RIGHT NOW I will make sure you never work in a hospital ever again!" She spoke with the attitude and authority that was Sheridan's trademark.
Sheridan's outburst took the woman off guard and she shifted her weight uncomfortably. She glanced down at her clipboard. "Yes, Ms. Crane. Of course. Yes, Mr. Lopez-Fitzgerald was brought in a few minutes ago. He is in surgery right now, I'm afraid you'll have to wait-"
Sheridan stormed off before the woman could finish. She was about to search the hospital when she saw Eve coming out of the operating room.
"Sheridan, stop." Eve said calmly.
"Where is he Eve, is he alright?" Sheridan gripped Eve's forearms tightly, begging for good news.
Unfortunately, the look in Eve's eyes told her it wasn't good. "It's too soon to tell, Sheridan. He's lost a lot of blood. The doctors are doing everything they possibly can."
"What-what do you mean, so what are you saying, Eve, is he-he's not going to die, is he? He can't die, Eve!" tears started to return to Sheridan's eyes.
Eve had to fight her own tears witnessing Sheridan's pain. "I don't know, Sheridan, I just don't know. Look, I'm going to get back in there, you stay here with Gwen. Just hold on, Sheridan, I'll let you know as soon as I know anything." Eve turned and went back into the operating room.
Sheridan was breathing heavily and she felt dizzy. Gwen saw she was weak and grabbed her and sat her down on a nearby couch. "It's okay, Sheridan, It'll be okay," Gwen comforted as she rubbed up and down Sheridan's arms.
"No it's NOT OKAY!" Sheridan yelled as she gritted her teeth in anguish. "It's not okay! Luis is in there fighting for his life because of me! If he doesn't make it, Gwen, I-I don't know what I'll do! I can't lose him Gwen, he doesn't know how I feel about him! He can't die!" Sheridan broke down again into Gwen's lap.
Chapter 6
***Ten minutes Later***
The waiting was killing her. She traced a circle around the waiting room outside the operating room. Her eyes were swelled and puffy, and her hands were shaking uncontrollably. She had washed the blood off her arm, but her blouse and slacks were still coated with Luis' blood. She stared at the door, trying to make out any activity through the small window. Gwen sat on the couch, at a loss as to how to comfort Sheridan.
Sheridan saw commotion through the window, and her heart lept into her throat. Immediately her shaking became more violent as she watched Eve come out the door and try to avoid eye contact. Suddenly her throat closed up, and it was hard to breathe.
Eve opened up her mouth to speak as Pilar and Theresa ran up behind Sheridan with Ethan not far behind. Eve swallowed hard, wishing desperately she could change the news she was about to deliver. She looked at Pilar and spoke through her tears. "I'm sorry. They did everything they could, but-the bullet-he just lost too much blood. I'm sorry, but, Luis is-dead," Eve choked on that last word.
Pilar gasped and Theresa flung herself into her mother's arms. They both started to cry. Sheridan's arms dropped to her sides and she stared angrily and blankly at the door behind Eve. Gwen tried to hold Sheridan's arm, but she ripped it away violently. Still shaking, she started backing up slowly at first. "No. No." she repeated quietly between her tears. She continued to back up, unaware of anything around her. "No.No!" each time she repeated it was more forceful and angrier than the last.
She inadvertenly backed into the coffee machine, sending a glass pot crashing to the ground. It shattered into a thousand pieces, sending a thundering crash through the hospital.
"Sheridan," Ethan was torn between Theresa and his aunt, but chose to leave Theresa with Pilar and go to Sheridan.
Oblivious to the accident that she had just caused, she continued to back up until she hit the wall and could go no further. "No! No!" she was becoming hysterical again. She slumped against the wall and collapsed into a heap on the floor.
Ethan ran over and collected Sheridan in his arms. At first she pounded on Ethan's chest, fighting his embrace. But her sorrow overtook her and she let herself fall into his arms.
Pilar noticed Sheridan and her heart sunk even more. She knew at that moment that Sheridan loved Luis as much as he loved her. Pilar tried to regain her composure and walked over to the pay phone. Miguel needed to know that his brother was dead. Getting no answer at home, she dialed the Bennett's.
Chapter 7
"I'll get it," Sam called as the phone rang. He carried his glass of orange juice over to the phone and picked it up as Grace cleaned up after their breakfast. "Hello?"
Grace continued to clean up the dishes, but watched Sam's face as he listened to the line. She watched as Sam's face became stone and all the color left it. She gasped as the full glass of orange juice slipped out of his hand and shattered violently on the floor. He sat in the chair and ran his fingers through his hair.
"Ya, I'll tell him. I'm so sorry Pilar. I'll drive him over. Okay, Bye," Sam turned the phone off and dropped it onto the table. His eyes welled up and he dropped against the back of the chair.
"Sam whats wrong! Who was that?" Grace placed her hands on Sam's shoulders.
"That was Pilar. Get Miguel in here," Sam rubbed his eyes and kicked some glass that was at his feet.
Not asking any questions, Grace quickly bolted into the living room and asked Miguel to come into the kitchen.
"What is it Chief Bennett?" Miguel asked as he walked into the room. He looked down at the broken glass and started to worry. Kay and Charity followed him in, concerned.
"Sit down Miguel," Sam said.
Miguel sat down and swallowed hard.
"Miguel," Sam struggled to find the words. "That was your mother on the phone."
"Is everything alright?" Miguel's heart started to beat faster.
"I'm afraid not. Your brother, you know how Luis was assigned to protect Sheridan Crane from those french hitmen right?"
"Ya, he's her bodyguard, why??" Miguel was afraid to ask.
"Well, he and Sheridan were down at the wharf, and there was an attempt on Sheridan's life." He paused momentarily, noticing the panic in Miguel's eyes. "Luis took the bullet in the chest."
"What? Well, is he okay? I mean, how is he?" Miguel already knew the answer by the look on Sam's face.
"I'm sorry Miguel. He's dead. He lost too much blood, there wasn't anything they could do." Sam couldn't fight his own tears as the women in the room broke down.
Charity put her hand on Miguel's shoulder as he shook his head in disbelief. "I don't believe it. How could this happen? I need to be with mamma, she's probably a wreck. Oh my God," Miguel's own tears started to fall.
Sam stood up and threw on his jacket. "I'll take you over to the hospital, Pilar is waiting for you with Theresa.
Miguel stood up and walked with Sam over to the door. Sam opened it, and they both stopped when they saw someone standing on the welcome mat.
Sam's jaw dropped. "What the-"
Chapter 8
"LUIS!!" Miguel cried out as he threw his arms around Luis' waist.
"Luis, you're alive! And you're not shot!" Sam exclaimed happily, yet confused.
A just as confused Luis smiled at his ecstatic brother wrapped around him. "Of course I'm alive. Whats with the hero's welcome?" Luis laughed.
"But, mamma said you were dead," Miguel exclaimed as he pulled back to look Luis in the eye.
"Pilar just called and said you had been shot and killed at the wharf today!" Sam told him.
Luis was still confused. "The wharf, what are you talking about? I was never at the wharf today. And as you can see, I'm alive and well!" Luis raised his arms.
"But, Pilar called from the hospital and said she was there with Theresa and Sheridan, and that the hitman had gone after Sheridan but hit you instead-"
"Wait, what? Sheridan was at the wharf? What are you talking about, there was a hitman?" Luis was worried for his new found love's life.
"Yes, we have him in custody, and what we thought was a dead bodyguard! If that wasn't you at the wharf, where the hell have you been that everyone thinks you're dead?" Sam cried.
"I went home to check on Miguel, but obviously he wasn't there. I sat down to catch the Patriots score, and I must have fallen asleep. Now, wait. What about Sheridan, is she okay?" Luis demanded.
"Ya, as far as I know. Ethan took the gunman down before he could get another shot off. But I bet she's a mess thinking you layed your life down for her."
"I gotta get over there," Luis made for his car.
"I'm coming with you. I gotta find out what the hell is going on around here," Sam said as he followed Luis to his patrol car.
Chapter 9
After her sobbing subsided a little, Sheridan forced her way out of Ethan's grasp and stood up. She was still a little dizzy, and staggered a little. "I gotta get out of here," she gasped as she ran her fingers through her hair.
"Sheridan, no, please, let me take care of you," Ethan called to her.
"No, Ethan. Just leave me alone, I need to-I just-I gotta get out of here now," she stammered. She turned around to leave and stopped when she saw Pilar and Theresa still holding eachother.
Sheridan's breathing picked up again as she cried out softly, "I'm so sorry!" She ran out before the tears began rolling down her cheeks again.
Ethan started after her, then realized it was no use. She was gone.
Eve had gone back into the operating room, leaving Ethan, Gwen, Pilar and Theresa in the waiting room.
"I don't believe it, mamma! I can't believe Luis is dead!" Theresa's face was smudged and wet from her stream of tears.
"I know, Theresita. I know. We'll be alright," Pilar tried to convince herself of that as well as she held on to Theresa for dear life.
Gwen put her hand on Ethan's shoulder gently. Even she realized the magnitude of the trauma before her eyes, and layed off her hatred for Theresa.
Ethan turned to Gwen sadly and looked down at her in disbelief. "I don't believe what just happened. I mean-Sheridan and Theresa and Pilar, they-He didn't deserve this, no matter what our past arguments. I just, I don't understand," Ethan took comfort in Gwen's arms as he tried to keep his composure.
The door to the emergency room burst open, and everyone turned to see Luis come rushing in.
"Luis!!" Theresa gasped questioningly and threw her arms around her brother.
"Dios Mio! You're alive!" Pilar also rushed into Luis' open arms.
"Yes, I'm alive, it wasn't me! I'm right here!" Luis tried to calm his family.
"But how?" Pilar cried.
"Oh, Luis, thank God you're here!" Eve exclaimed as she came out of the operating room.
"You knew? What's going on?" Ethan demanded.
"Not until a few moments ago. The nurse was cleaning the body up when she noticed something wasn't right." Eve stated happily.
"What is it Eve?" Luis asked, still holding firmly to his mother and sister. Sam looked on curiously.
"Oh, just this," she presented a mask tha looked remarkably like Luis. Everyone gasped.
"What the hell-" Ethan exclaimed.
"Well," Luis walked over and took the mask in his hand. "No wonder you thought it was me."
"Someone was impersonating you, Luis? But why?" Theresa wondered.
"I think I have a good idea why," Luis started to put things together. Suddenly he realized Sheridan was no where to be seen. "Where's Sheridan."
"Oh my God, Luis," Ethan remembered she had fled. "She took off, I couldn't stop her. She still thinks you're dead. She's a wreck, Luis, and I don't know what she'll do. You have to find her!"
"Alright, do you know where she was going?" Luis asked frantically.
"No, I have no idea, she just ran out of here."
"I gotta go find her," Luis called as he tore out of the hospital with the rubber mask in his hand.
Chapter 10
Sheridan had made her way back to the Mansion, and collapsed at the Gazebo Martin Fitzgerald had built years ago. She layed on the floor with her head on the bench. The tears had stopped. She didn't have any left. Her face was starting to dry, but her eyes were still red. "Why?" she questioned aloud. "Why did this have to happen? Not Luis!" Fresh tears formed in the corners of her eyes.
"Sheridan," a familiar voice from behind her caused her to lift her head slightly, but she didn't turn around.
"I'm sorry, Luis," she mumbled.
"Sorry for what?"
"I'm sorry for the way I treated you. Even after you saved my life hundreds of times, I still treated you horribly," she sniffled, talking to Luis' ghost. "I'm sorry for not believing in you, even when my heart told me to. And most of all, I'm sorry for not telling you."
"Not telling me what?"
A steady stream of tears came down now. "For not telling you that I love you! I've loved you for so long. But I was too scared to tell you. Scared of being hurt again. I was scared that you wouldn't love me back! And now you're gone, and I can never tell you. How am I going to keep going without you? How?"
"You won't have to."
At that, Sheridan realized that she really was hearing Luis' voice. Was she dreaming? She turned around to see Luis standing there. Her heart beat faster. "Am I dreaming?" She asked as she stood up.
Luis cracked a smile lovingly as he shook his head. "No. You're not dreaming."
"But, you're dead. I saw you. I saw you bleeding, and you died," Sheridan cried, as the memory was still sharp and painful.
"No, Sheridan. You saw this," Luis declared as he held up the mask. "This is what you saw die, Sheridan, not me. It's the same face you saw all those months ago on the wharf. Not me. I'm here, Sheridan. I'm alive."
It seemed too good to be true, but all at once it made sense. It hadn't been Luis. He didn't say those things. He was alive. More tears came, but this time they were happy ones. She started sobbing as they ran to eachother's open embrace. They collapsed together into a sitting position on the gazebo floor. Luis held her tightly as she cried onto his shoulder. His own tears formed as he realized this was the moment.
"I'll never leave you Sheridan, never." he pulled away and held her face as he looked deeply into her eyes. "I love you Sheridan, I love you so much." He kissed her feverly and held her like he would never let go.
Chapter 11
He had walked her into her cottage, and they sat on the couch, just holding eachother. It didn't take long for her to fall asleep. Luis watched her and smiled. At last he knew he was home. She was right where she belonged, in his arms.
He reluctantly squirmed out of her embrace when Ethan came to the door. Without waking her, he stepped outside to talk to Ethan.
"Thank God, you found her! Is she okay?" Ethan inquired.
"Ya, she's okay now. Listen, Ethan, I want to thank you," Luis said seriously.
"Thank me, for what?"
"Sam told me what you did at the wharf. Even though it wasn't really me, if you hadn't been there, there's no telling what would have happened to Sheridan. And, well-" Luis struggled with his words.
Ethan nodded. "I know, Luis. You love her. And I know she loves you more than life itself. That became apparent today." Ethan put his hand on Luis shoulder.
All at once Luis knew Sheridan was right about Ethan. He was a good guy. Luis stuck his hand out and shook Ethan's hand.
"LUIS!" a frightened shriek came from inside the cottage and Luis bolted back into the door. Ethan knew she would be fine now that she had Luis, and walked back to the main house, leaving them alone.
Luis rushed in to hold a frantic Sheridan. "Oh thank God! When I woke up and you weren't here, I thought it had been a dream! I thought I'd lost you!"
Luis squeezed her tight and chuckled. "It's okay, I'm here. It's all over." He pulled away slightly so he could look into her eyes.
She smiled and gripped his wrists. "Don't ever do that to me again!" she laughed.
Luis laughed back. He suddenly got lost in her eyes as he had done so many times before.
Sheridan noticed the air thicken and it affected her. She had to know. "Luis, did you mean what you said?" she already knew the answer, but she wanted to hear it again.
Luis smiled and ran his hands down her shoulders and around her waist. "Did I mean what?" he asked mischevously.
She playfully slapped him on the chest and smiled. "I'm serious!"
Luis stopped laughing and sighed happily. "Sheridan, I am so deeply, crazy, ridiculously in love with you. All I want is you, that's all I've ever wanted. Nothing will ever come between us again, I promise you." Luis almost cried in joy at how much of a relief it was to finally say it.
Sheridan smiled and put her hands around his neck. "I love you too, Luis! So much!"
At last they held eachother fully aware that they were deeply in love with eachother. They were both right where they belong.
You're Where I Belong
By: Tricia Yearwood
I am home now. Home now.
I've been waiting for forever to find you. To
find you.
I'm not alone now, alone now.
Cuz you've taken in my heart from
the cold.
All I know is every time I look into your eyes, I'm home, I
know.
You're where I belong, I belong with you.
You're where I belong, and I
know it's the truth.
You're part of my heart, there's nothing I can do.
Oh, you're the one who keeps me warm, my baby you're where I belong.
You're my first taste, first taste of the sweetest feeling I've ever
known.
You're my safe place, safe place from a world that can be so cruel
and cold.
You're my harbor, you're my shelter you're that welcome smile
that lets me know I'm home.
You're where I belong, I belong with you.
You're where I belong, and I
know it's the truth.
You're part of my heart, there's nothing I can do.
Oh, you're the one who keeps me warm, my baby you're where I belong.
You're the one I come to to keep me from the cold
You're where I belong, I belong with you.
You're where I belong, and I
know it's the truth.
You're part of my heart, there's nothing I can do.
Oh, you're the one who keeps me warm, my baby, you're where I belong.
You're where I belong. Oh, ya.
The End