The Beat of a Heart
dramawriter
Disclaimer: I do not own the characters of Sheridan Crane, Luis Lopez Fitzgerald, Theresa Lopez Fitzgerald, Pilar Lopez Fitzgerald, Beth Wallace, or Hank Bennett. They belong to NBC studios, James E. Reilly, Out Post Farm and any other affiliates incorporated with "Passions." I do own the characters of, Michelle Thomas and Andy Michaels. The songs used are "That's How Love Moves" By Faith Hill, written by (?). "Je t'attends" By Axelle Red, written by D. Seff & R. Seff.
In life, things don't always turn out as you plan. You make a decision and it can ruin your life, or it can be the best one you've ever made. There's no telling where it will lead. Sometimes your life can change in the beat of a heart.
[August 10th 2000 (Harmony)]
Sheridan watched Luis from a distance as he lifted weights in the Youth Center gym; with every passing moment his body became covered in sweat, each drop glistening off his body. The muscles with in his arms bulged whenever he lifted the weights. Making her feel weak in the knees. But that wasn't the only thing he was doing to her body, he could turn her on like no other man before. She loved the graceful movements his body made, his hands so delicate especially when they had touched her body like the weeks before. She blushed and smiled as she remembered the night they made love in her cottage during the Fourth of July party at the Crane estate. That smile soon turned into a frown remembering the consequences of their actions. Julian had found out two days after, when Sheridan was speaking with Ethan about it at the main house when he walked in. He immediately called Alistair, they both threatened to cut her off if she didn't break off the relationship. She had kept her foot in the door for the time being by threatening to expose their secrets, to tell the media all about their 'deals' over the years.
She knew she could do without the money, name, and the power that came with it, or so she believed. But now, she knew that she had to take whatever they would give her, for another person would fully rely on her. They would rely on her for shelter, food, and love; she would have to do it alone. No one could help her, not even Luis; they would kill him if he did. But Luis would never know about their child she carried within her, no one ever would. Although wanting desperately to tell him, she couldn't risk all of their lives. She would leave, never looking back, never coming back. She had to.
"I hope you will forgive me Luis, if you ever find out. I don't think I could bare you hating me." Sheridan whispered, watching him for the last time. No one had ever died of a broken heart, had they?
[August 16th 2000 (Harmony)]
Sheridan had been gone for six days the search party still hadn't given up, Luis wouldn't let them. Everyone around him could see how much he desperately wanted her back; to hold her in his arms once more.
Luis sat alone at his desk at the police station thinking of where she might have gone. Nothing came to mind, except the day they had made love.
[July 4th 2000 (Harmony)]
Luis watched Sheridan watching him, their eyes connected from across the lawn of the Crane estate. The Fourth of July party was the idea of Julian, thinking it best to put the best Crane foot forward; every one in Harmony was invited. Luis really didn't want to go but he knew Sheridan was going to be there and he had to see her.
"Hey, Luis" Beth came up from behind him making him jump.
"Oh Hey, Beth" He glanced back at Sheridan who was now pretending not to look at him.
"This was nice of Mr. Crane wasn't it." She made small talk, which Luis was, nonetheless interested in hearing.
"Yeah, it was" He lied to her.
"So … the barbeque is open do you want to get something to eat?" She gave him a big smile.
"Um, " He glanced back at Sheridan, "actually, I promised someone else that I would eat with them, excuse me Beth … I'll see you later?" He gave her a small smile not waiting to hear her reply before walking away.
"Yeah sure"
Sheridan was standing by a bush picking at its leaves when Luis came up from behind her, kissing her neck. Startled by it she turned around to see who it was.
"Luis?"
"I'm sorry … I couldn't resist" He gave her his boyish grin she couldn't help but smile. He reached in front of her pulling a white flower from the bush, putting it in her hair.
"Come on, let's get something to eat" He led her by the hand over to the table where the food was being served. They were still holding hands as they went through the line, not caring who saw them. As they neared the end of the table Luis grabbed a box of Crackerjacks, Sheridan smiled at him because she knew they were his favorite even as a child. She knew a lot about Luis, but not everything she was hoping that somehow that would change as they got to know each other better.
"Luis, hold my plate for me please, I'll be right back"
"Yeah sure," she handed him her plate, "where are you going?"
"It's a surprise …"
"Oh goody I love surprises" He said sarcastically; she stuck her tongue out at him running off in the direction of her cottage. Less than 5 minutes later she returned with a quilt in hand.
"What's that for?" He was dumbfounded.
"Come on, it can't be that long since you've been on a picnic."
"A picnic?"
"Yeah … a picnic, come on Luis." She had already started heading in a direction that was covered by trees but the sun beat down on the area making it perfect. It was Sheridan's favorite place to go as a child when her father was away, when nobody wanted her around. It was her secret place and nobody could take it away from her. Once there she spread the quilt out on the ground then Luis handed her, her plate once she was seated.
"Thank You, Luis"
"Anytime" She gave him a big smile, which melted his heart instantly.
Luis sat down beside of Sheridan and began eating but was soon distracted by Sheridan's sweet perfume and how so close he was sitting next to her. He stopped and began watching her every move, the way she let the juice of the corn run down her chin, the way she delicately wiped it not to mess up her make up … she was fascinating to him. Sheridan soon became aware of him watching her and became self-conscious.
"Luis? Why are you staring at me?"
"I have to … to see the most magnificent creature that walked the earth." She gave a colossal smile and began laughing.
"Are you laughing at me?" She was laugh so hard that she could barely speak.
"Yeah"
"What is so funny?" He was getting irritated.
"That was so corny…" He began laughing with her.
"Yeah it was … but it's the truth" They both stopped laughing, Luis looked deeply into her eyes; Sheridan couldn't believe one man could see so much in her. Luis leaned down to her mouth kissing her with feather kisses, caressing her lips with his own. Sheridan wrapped her arms around his pulling him closer to her, kissing him deeper with an urgency born of need and desire. She ran her fingers through his soft black hair savoring every moment. Luis gently leaned them both forward to lay them down on the quilt, they pulled back looking into each other's eyes to make sure this what they both wanted … it was. Sheridan slowly began unbuttoning Luis's shirt trailing kissing down his neck and on to his chest as she unbuttoned each button. Successful in her task she threw his shirt to the side not caring where it landed. Pulling his mouth down on to hers once more in a bruising kiss. They were so caught up in each other, so desperate to feel one another, physically and emotionally that they never noticed the footsteps of the intruding person.
"Ahem" Someone cleared their throat to announce their presence. Sheridan and Luis broke apart and sat up to see who it was.
"Theresa!" Luis was shocked to see his baby sister catching him and Sheridan about to make love. She stood there smiling at them, Sheridan bent over and grabbed Luis's shirt handing it to him, both of them stood up.
"Sorry you guys, but Luis mama told me to tell you that if weren't too busy to come step up some chairs … but I can see you are so I leave you two alone."
"Okay…. Theresa about …" He tried to explain to her.
"Luis I'm not a little girl anymore, I could see what you were doing … and … I don't think anyone would mind if you two got together. It's about time anyway." She gave them a smile and walked back down to the party. Sheridan began laughing burying her face into Luis's shoulder.
"I have never been more embarrassed in my life."
"I know, at least she's not your baby sister."
"Come on let's sit down" Luis suggested, pulling her down into his lap as he sat down. He put his hand down on the quilt beside him landing on the Crackerjack's box he had gotten earlier.
"Hey, I'd forgotten about these." Sheridan smiled at him as he opened them, she held out her hand asking him for some of them.
"Uh-uh, back off woman I may like you but not that much." She leaned in and teasingly kissing him pulling back trying to get him to give her the cracker jacks he pulled back.
"Okay, Okay I give! Just stop teasing" She smiled and he poured some in her hand along with a red-stripped package, which he immediately pulled out of her hand.
"Hey! That was mine!"
"I don't think so, my dear." She turned back around pretending to be mad. He opened the package and found a fake diamond ring that looked incredibly real.
"Sheridan turn around here … I have something for you" She shook her head but grinning while she did so.
"Oh come on Sheridan please?" She thought she would let him know she really wasn't mad. Turning around she smiled.
"I'm sorry," He then realized she was faking, "you weren't really mad were you?" She shook her head.
"You little faker" She shrugged her shoulders leaning in for a kiss.
"So what do you have for me?" She was curious.
"I don't know if I should give it to you now."
"Please, Luis?" She made a puppy dogface, which Luis was susceptible to. He rolled his eyes.
"Okay" He opened his hand.
"It's a fake ring but that's not what matters … I want you to wear it as a promise ring. My promise to you that I'll love you forever"
"Oh Luis, I love you too, of course I'll wear your ring." He slipped it on to her ring finger. He leaned in kissing her she pulled back.
"Luis, I want you to know there's nothing anybody could do or say to take away my love for you … you're the first man I've trusted whole hearted in a long time. When I have said 'I love you', I've never really meant it until now." She then hugged him with tears flowing down her cheeks. She couldn't believe she had just admitted that to him. She pulled back and looked into his eyes.
"Luis … I want you to make love to me, for us to make love to each other." She said with a desperate longing for an emotional touch, an emotional feeling. It was no longer physical between them but rather spiritual. He could see the need of her heart and soul through her eyes. Who was he fooling he needed her just as much. He leaned into her but she stopped him. He was confused.
"I think we should find somewhere more private … no more interruptions. My cottage?" He nodded his head. Gathering up their belongings they head back to the party pretending nothing was up. Putting their plates on the table they walked over to her cottage. Walking inside Sheridan went over to the stereo putting on some music. Going over to Luis she wrapped her arms around his neck dancing with him.
~~~
It's such as mystery
How he found something in me
That I never knew was there
But he uncovered it so easily
He turned me like a season
And I began to change
Since he wrapped himself around me
You know I've never been the same, 'cause
Chorus:
That's how love works
That's how love moves
Like a river running through you
Sometime it lifts you high as heaven
It consumes you
But that's a given
That's how love moves
I've seen walls that could never be broken
Come tumbling down
I've heard the voice of love when it's calling
Without making a sound
See I was touched by an angel
The day he took my hand
And you know he's a miracle
That makes me everything I am, but
(Chorus)
~~~
Sheridan looked up at Luis he leaned down and kissed her with an unbridled kiss of passion. Luis quickly unbutton Sheridan's shirt pulling it off of her tossing it to the floor, the same happened to Luis shirt and Sheridan's bra.
Luis ran his fingers gently down the sides of her breasts arousing her, getting a moan in response he went further and began kissing her breasts taking her nipples into his mouth gentle caressing them with his tongue. Sheridan's head flew back in ecstasy.
"mmm ... oh, Luis" She held his head in her hands pulling it back up to her mouth. His tongue battled with hers for domination and eventually submission. He picked her up into his arms carrying her into her bedroom to make love to her.
Luis was the first to awake with Sheridan's head lying on his chest, their naked bodies curled up to each other's. Luis gently ran his fingers up and down Sheridan's back kissing her head. Luis looked over at the clock it was 9:30 p.m., he had woken up just in time to see the fireworks display at 10:00 p.m. Sheridan began to awake smiling as she remembered the last few hours.
"I knew I was good but to deserve a smile like that I must have done a great job" He wiggled his eyebrows at her; Sheridan began laughing against his chest shaking them both.
"Modest, are we?" She said sarcastically, making him laugh along with her.
Sheridan looked up at Luis shifting herself onto her elbow to kiss him.
"I love you," It sounded strange to Sheridan to say that so soon but she knew it was true, "I never thought I would hear myself say that to another man so soon and especially to you, after all we didn't hit things right off the bat."
"No, we didn't but if we did, we wouldn't have had the experiences we did. Especially New Mexico." He smiled at her remembering their 'first' kiss.
"What are you thinking about?" She was curious as to the reason of his smile.
"The first time you kissed me, in New Mexico"
"I never…" She shut her mouth remembering that he had told her that they had kissed or rather she had kissed him, " What else happened in New Mexico? Did I say anything more?"
"Yeah you did, when I climbed into bed with you to keep you warm, you asked me… you asked me to make love to you. It was mighty tempting but I couldn't take advantage of you. Even back then you meant too much to me to ruin anything we might have had. That's when I sort of realized that you and I were thrown together by one of life's little mysteries … fate." She leaned down and kissed him.
"Hey the fireworks are about to start how about we get dressed and go watch them?" She waited for his reply before getting up to get her clothes on.
They were just in time to see the fireworks display, they stood together Sheridan leaned back against Luis as he wrapped his arm around her waist. They heard someone walking up to them and they broke apart.
"Hey you two where have you been?" Hank asked coming up to them with Beth in tow. They looked at each other their eyes communicating what they wanted to say, the truth.
"We were at Sheridan's cottage" Luis spoke up.
"Really… we'll you can go now Luis. I'm here now." He went to pull Sheridan over to him; Luis put his hand on Hank's arm stopping him.
"I don't think so." He looked serious.
"What are you doing man, Beth's your girl now leave us. I won already."
"You don't get it do you, Sheridan's not a prize to won no woman is."
"You slept with her didn't you?" It was an outrageous accusation with the little knowledge he had of what happened, even if the truth. Luis looked down at the ground,
"Ah, Man! You did! Well, great going buddy, well at least I had her first." He gave an evil grin.
Luis stepped forward about to fight him, but Sheridan stopped him by putting her hand on his arm. Beth saw the glare of the ring off the moonlight.
"You're engaged? Well, I always knew he wouldn't marry me. Even after all of these years, we had more in high school than you will ever have."
"Guess what Beth, school's out the bell… has rung." Sheridan told her getting up into her face.
"You just better watch it Sheridan." She turned around and left pulling Hank with her.
"I can't believe those two" Luis spoke up.
"They are just lonely people, who can't seem to move on." Sheridan somewhat felt sorry for them. She slipped back into Luis's arms.
"I never slept with Hank … I want you to…" He cut her off.
"I know you didn't." He said leaning down kissing her as fire works boomed in the background.
[August 16th 2000 (Harmony)]
Luis smiled as he remembered his first and last time he made love to Sheridan.
"Hey I know that smile I haven't seen it in a while though" Someone spoke up.
"Theresa? What are you doing here?"
"It was getting late and Momma sent me here to tell you to come home." She sat on the edge of the desk next to him.
"I can't Theresa … she still…" He paused
"… Is Gone? Missing?" Theresa filled in his words from the excuses he had been giving for days.
"She still isn't in my arms." Tears began flowing down his face one after another. Theresa leaned in hugging him.
"You'll have her in yours arms again Luis … nothing in the world can stand in your way not now, you truly love her don't you," She said rhetorically, "but making yourself sick by not sleeping and eating will not help her one bit Luis. Now come on let's go home." She pulled him up and out of the chair.