Author's note: This story has chosen to come out a bit darker then the other one. But I promise it'll be worth it. :)
Thanks to my lovely reviewers! I'm very glad to know you're enjoying this one. Dawnie-7: ;) how'd ya guess? ;)
Thanks to Scarlett Burns for keeping me going on this one.
The privet jet, flown by Luke, landed around six that evening.Martitus took the flight well, laying in the back seat. It wasn't all that great for Sands, to be back in the town he grow up in, with his mother. Too many memories chruning in his mind, but he chalked up. Cerise had moved her to be closer to Mexico, which was better then having to fly back to D. C. He'd had rather had Cerise and Lily with him in Mexico, but they'd both come to an agreement that they didn't want Lily around his work, yet.
Luke loaded the bags into the car, Sands lit a cigarette, leaning against the passenger's door holding on to Martitus' leash, as the dog sat next to Sands motionless..
"Where to first, boss?" Luke asked as he came around the car.
Sands handed him a slip of paper and took the length of Martitus' leash, tighter around his hand.. Luke looked at the address, raising an eyebrow. "I wanna pick up my daughter first."
"Right..." Luke replied, opening the passenger door.
Sands shot him a dark look.
"Habit..." Luke said in a sing song voice as he dodged around the front of the car to the driver's door.
"Habit my ass!" Sands replied as he got in, Martitus between his feet on the floor.
"Sorry, Jeff, it's just..."
"Drop it!" Sands ordered and Luke snapped his mouth shut.
They pulled out of the airport and onto the high way. Luke glanced at Sands after a length of silence. "All right boss?"
Sands shifted restlessly. "This is where I grew up." He said in a tone that simple meant not to push it.
But Luke never knew when to quit. "So what's Cerise doin' here?"
"She likes the scenery!" Sands said sarcastically, shooting Luke a glare. Luke grimaced at the tone and look and fell silent again.
When the reached the address Sands had given Luke, he pulled to a stop, staring at the yard. "There's an old lady and a little girl in the yard." He informed Sands as he'd done some many times.
"What color is the little girl's hair?" Sands asked straightening up in his seat.
"Dark brown," Luke answered.
"That's my baby!" Sands grinned and undid his seat belt. Luke shut off the engine and waited.
The old lady on the pourch stood up from the steps and watched the man get out of the car with the large dog. The little girl stopped too, and her face lit up brightly. "Daddy!" She ran towards the fence. "Marty!" She called to the dog as well, who answered with a friendly bark and wagging his tail furiously. Mrs. Brown smiled slightly, watching as Sands opened the gate and leaned down, catching Lily as she threw her arms around him.
"Hello baby." Sands smiled, hugging the little girl, just holding her for a moment. Lily leaned foward and kissed him on the nose.
"I misse you!" She hugged him tighter.
"Missed you too baby." Sands replied as he heard Mrs. Brown coming over.
"Mr. Sands."
"Mrs. Brown." Sands said with a nod. "When was Cerise supposed to be here?" Sands asked her.
"In about an hour. Will you be taking Lily?"
"Yeah, when Cerise comes by, just tell her I was here."
"All right," Mrs. Brown said with a nod. Sands said good day to her as she handed Lily's bag to him. With that, Sands carried Lily back to the car.
Luke dropped them off at the apartment. "I'll be at the hotel." He told Sands as Sands undid Lily's belt. "Right." Sands answered, holding up his cellphone for a moment, to assure Luke silently, that he'd call if he needed him. Then he headed into the apartment building, holding Lily's hand as she took lead down the hall, holding Martitus' leash in her small hand, to Cerise's apartment. He slipped the spare key into the lock after feeling it out and opened the door.
Lily ran over to the couch as Sands shut and locked the door again. After that incident in his apartment that got Lily kidnapped, he hardly ever left the door unlocked if it was just the two of them. It wasn't that he didn't doubt he could stop anyone who wasn't supposed to from coming in, but it gave him a little more sucurity, for Lily's sake. Besides, with Martitus there, they wouldn't stand a chance if Sands couldn't get to them first.
Lily climbed up to stand on the couch as Sands came over. "Daddy here?" She asked, looking up at him, asking if he was staying a while. "Course I am Lily Bug." Sands replied grinning. He slipped down on couch with her, fighting to shove the message he'd received earlier that day out of his head.
If the bastard wanted fight, Sands would give him one. But this time, he'd make sure his baby girl was out of the way and couldnt' be used as a bargaining chip. Lily giggled and crawled onto Sands' lap. Sands rwapped an arm around her, holding her. "Have you been behaving?" He asked her. She nodded furiously, Sands grinned, feeling the action. "I may just have to ask your mother about that."
Lilty scrambled off his lap and grabbed his hand, pulling him off the couch as well. Sands sighed and shook his head slightly. "Come play!" She said giddily, pulling Sands downt he hall towards her room. Martitus trotted down the hall behind them When they arrived, she began pulling out her dolls and plopped down on the floor. She looked up at Sands expectedly, and Sands sighed again, before sitting down on the floor, crosslegged in front of her, having Lily thrust a barbi doll in his hand.
Why not? Might as well. So they began playing with Lily's dolls. Martitus lay down in the doorway, watching over them.
Cerise pulled up to Mrs. Brown's house and looked at the yard a moment in silence. Things just weren't the same with Sheldon in Mexico. But at least, NOW, he knew about Cerise and Lily. She sighed and got out, starting up the walk. Mrs. Brown appeared on the front porch, wiping her hands on her apron.
"Ah, Cerise dear, there you are."
"Yes, it was bit of a long day." Cerise answered with a tired smile "Teacher's meeting and all. Is Lily ready to go?"
Mrs. Brown chuckled at this. "You may want to go straight home."
"Why?" Cerise asked slowly, raising an eyebrow.
"Well, I'm not sure if he intended on it being a surprise or not, but your husband was here, and he picked Lily up."
"Sheldon was here?" Cerise asked in surprise. Mrs. Brown nodded. "Lily was quiet happy to see him. Attacked him before he was half way through the gate."
Cerise laughed softly. "I wouldn't doubt that. Well if he's in town, I probably wont be bringing Lily for a couple of days." Cerise said. Mrs. Brown smiled knowingly.
"As it should be. Go on, get home and spend time with that handsome husband of yours." Cerise laughed, waving goodbye.
"Thank you Mrs. Brown, good day."
Cerise unlocked the door of her apartment and slipped in, looking around. Lily's toy bag was sitting by the couch. Cerise locked the door behind her and cocked her head to the side, looking around the living room. Then she heard laughter from Lily's bedroom. She headed that way. "And how do you do?" She heard a mock aristocratic voice ask. "No no, tea first!" The voice continued. Cerise wasn't sure she was going to be ready for this, but she turned into Lily's door way and stopped. Martitus looked up at her, standing, and Cerise scratched him behind the ears.
Sands was sitting on the floor among Lily's dolls. Lily was settled on his lap and the two were playing with her barbis. Lily and Sands both had on one of Lily's dress up hats. Cerise leaned against the door frame, laughing out loud. "Mummy!" Lily scrambled off Sands' lap, dropping her doll and running to her mother. Cerise bent down and picked Lily up, looking up at Sands who was climbing to his own feet.
"Well Sheldon, this is quiet a surprise." She said.
"What, me or the hat?" He asked with a crooked grin.
"The hat." Cerise said with a nod.
"Oh I like it." Sands said, still grinnning. "According to Lily, it's very fetaching." He added, coming towards her. Cerise reached out with one hand and grabbed the front collar of his shirt, pulling him closer.
"Oh yes, very fetching, though it's a spring hat and this is summer." She replied before kissing him. Sands wrapped his arms around Cerise's waist, drawing her closer and kissing her back. He pulledo ff the hat with one hand, nuzzling her neck.
"Well I'll just have to get me a summer on, now wont I?"
"We'll go shopping for that later." Cerise replied with a grin. Sands laughed softly, kissing Lily on the top of the head.
The three of them were seated around the diner table, Martitus had quietly laid down in the living room, next to the couch and was sleeping.. "Lily darling, don't play with your food." Cerise told her daughter as Lily stirred it around with her fork. Sands picked at his, his mind on Mexico and the phone message and Cerise could see he was distracted. "So what has you so silent, Sheldon?" She asked, sitting her glass of tea down.
Sands sat down the fork, across the edge of his plate to his left and slowly reached for his glass, letting his finger tips run over the table top until he found it. "Just thinking." She answered, picking up the glass.
"You're such a liar, Shelly." Cerise replied, rolling her eyes.
Sands took a drink and replied. "Am not. I've just got a lot of on my mind right now, sweets." He sat the glass down slowly, closer to him this time.
"Like what?" Cerise asked, leaning over to wipe Lily's mouth off.
"Work." Sands answered shortly.
"You forget Sheldon, you can still tell ME about what's going on. I'm still in ther employ or Doddson's anyway." Cerise sighed.
"Well technically it could be said you work for me," Sands said with a cocky girn. "But yeah, oaky, Doddson's employ."
Cerise kicked him under the table, playfully.
"Ow?"
"I'll make sure it hurts later." Cerise retorted,
"Promise?" Sands asked raising an eyebrown amusingly.
Cerise laughed softly. "But seriously Sheldon, what's on your mind?"
Sands was silent a moment, considering how to tell her about the message. "Cherry, honey, I'll tell you after Lily's put to bed."
Cerise watched him a moment, then nodded. "All right, Sheldon." She got up, starting to clear away the dishes. Lily scrambled out of her seat and grabbed Sands' hand again, dragging him off to the living room.
Cerise watched the door of the kitchen as Sands played with lily on the floor of the living room. She stopped, laying the rag on the sink and going to the ktichen door. She couldn't think of another time when he looked so happy, the smile on his face geuine joy. He was laying on his back, with Lily straddling his chest, and playing paddy cake with her. He was a natural at this and it was clear to anyone, that he loved his daughter very much. Just as he loved Cerise very much. She looked down at her own left hand and at the silver wedding band with the emerald engagment ring. She could see the light reflecting off the silver band on his hand. When they'd gotten back to the states, after saving Lily from Dupre, they'd made it a point of doing things properly.
Sands moved around the small room to the right of the sanctuary. Sammy was sitting in a chair near by, watching as he fastened his cufflinks.
"Damn Jeff, nervous or something?"
Sands stopped pacing and popped his knuckles. "No, restless and fucking uncomfortable in this tuxedo!"
Sammy got up, making his way over to Sands and turned him to face him, tying up the bow tie. "Just remember who you're doing this for Jeffrey." Sammy said softly.
"How could I forget." Sands replied, but there was a bitter tone behind the words. A regret that he wouldn't even be able to see her in that gown.
Sammy had agreed to be Sands' best man, althoug htere really wasn't much asking whenn it had come down to it. All Sands had asked after telling Sammy that they were going to do a proper wedding, was yes or no. Now that all the business with Dupre was over, Sands was struggling to adjust to life with out being able to see. And it wasn't easy for him.
There was a knock on the door and Mac came in. "Sammy, can you give us a moment?" She asked. Sands and Mackinzie Harly had hardly spoken since Mexico and she wanted to make amends.
Sammy felt Sands tense, but what could he say. "I'll be outside, seeing to the guests." Sammy said, heading for the door.
Sands felt out on the table by the window and found his cigarettes, taking one from the pack and lightening it, waiting for Mac to speak first. Mac sighed. They were both stubborn creatures and they both knew it.
"All right Jeff. This is it. I'm very sorry for what happened in Mexico. And I'm very sorry I cuoldn't have warned you about Rick."
Sands took a long drag, considering her tone. "Tell me something, Mac, were you sleeping with both of them?" Mac and Sammy had revealed to the group of the affair that had been going on for a few years after Sammy had split from Sarah the last time.
Mac sighed. "Considerign my role in everything, using sex to get information. There was no emotions invovled when it came to Rick. I lost my love for him a long time ago." Mac said, looking out the window. "But Sammy and I deemed it best for you and for Cerise and Lily, if I continued to play the part. That had been the only way I knew Rick was going to gun Sammy down. That had been the only way I had been able to switch the bullets." Mac told him.
"And I suppose I should be grateful?" Sands asked calmly.
Mac came over to the table to stand next to him. "I'm not asking you to be grateful. I'm telling you, I'm sorry for the deception and I'm asking you to consider not ending our friendship."
Sands faced her, exhaling the smoke slowly into her face. "I've been deceived by everyone around me. I was deceived by my own team, people I've worked with for years. It's hard to give forgiveness for that, Harly."
Mac sighed. "I know Jeff. But please remember, what we did, we were protecting you." We all care a great deal about you, even if you are an arrogant bastard."
Sands smirked slightly. She laid something down on the table near his hand. And started for the door.
"Just remember Jeff. You'll always have your team on your side."
With that, she left the room. Sands lowered his head, as if looking at the object, Mac had put on the table and he picked it up in the hand that held the cigarette, the fingers of the other hand, tracing over the face. He couldn't keep himself from laughing out loud. It was a catholic medallion for Saint Geniuses, the patron saint of actor. He hadn't seen one in years, let alone own one. He didn't even have any idea where his Saint Christopher medal was.
"After all, Jeff." Her voice came from just the other side of the door, but it sounded as if she were still next to him. "Aren't we all actors in this great game?" He heard the doro close and her footsteps falling away.
"More then you know, babe." He muttered.
He was pocketing the medallion when Sammy came back in.
"She wanted to apologize Jeff, she's wanted to for a long time." Sammy said softly.
"She did." Sands answered, snubbing out his cigarette.
"And?"
"I guess I have to forgive her, now don't I? Doesn't mean I'll forget." Sands replied, turning his head in Sammy's direction as if looking at him.
Sammy smiled slightly. "It's about time. We should go take our places." He told Sands.
"Just a sec." Sands reached into his other pocket and took the small silver cross out, undoing the clasp and slipping it around his neck, fastening the clasp. He didn't tuck it in this time.
"I didn't think you believed in God..." Sammy said softly.
"I don't. The cross was given to me by Cerise. Befoer the alley way." Sammy said nothing more but led Sands out of the room and over to the alter.
The wedding march played, sounding deafening in Sands ears. Sarah came frist, she was dressed in a lavender gown and shot Sammy a grin as she took her place. "Daddy!" Sands heard Lily cry out as she came down the isle with a basket of rose peddles, speading them.
"She's going to be as beautiful as her mother." Sammy muttered to Sands and Sands grinned. Then the doors opened a second time and Sands heard Sammy's gasp. But the knife twisted even more in Sands' heart.
"How does she look?" He muttered to the other man. Sammy laid a hand on Sands' shoulder.
"You're very own angel."
Cerise followed her daughter up the isle, escorted by Cam. She'd asked him out of friendship and Eric Cameron was happy to accept. Cerise looked directly at Sands. How handsome he looked. How much more in love she was with him at that moment, but even her eyes reflected his sandness of not being able to see any of this. She regretted the entire big affair and had begged Sands not to go through with this kind of wedding. She would have much prefered it to be a very small affair. But Sands had insisted on it, for her. For her dreams as a little girl of a beautiful wedding to a man who loved her more then anything. So now here they were.
They stopped at the alter, and she kissed Cam on the cheek, hugging him. Then she passed her bouquet to Sarah. Lily held on to the hem of Cerise's gown, looking back and forth between Sands and Cerise.
The preacher came forward. "We are gathered here today, to join these two souls in holy matrimony. If either of you have a reason, why you should not be wed, speak now."
Cerise faced Sands and couldn't help but grin herself at his own devious grin, they knew plenty of reasons, but neither said anything.
"If there are any with in this room, who believe these two should not be jointed, speak now or forever hold your peace."
Sammy coughed humorously, but Sands slid his jacket slightly back and Sarah was surprised to see the 9 mm under his shoulder. Cerise on the other hand, shook her head.
"Very well." The minister said. "Join hands."
Sands took Cerise's hand, turning to face the minister.
"Do you, Sheldon Jeffrey Sands, take Cerise Evelyn Stone as your lawfully wedded wife, to love, honor and cherish, in sickness and in health, for richer or poorer, till death do you part."
"I do." Sands answered with out hesitation. They had, after all, doen this before. This just made it official.
"Do you, Cerise Evelyn Stone, take Sheldon Jeffrey Sands, as your lawfully wedded husband, to love, honor and cherish, in sinckenss and in health, for richer or poorer, till death do you par?" The minister looked at Cerise.
Cerise looked at Sands, smiling. "I do."
"Do you have the rings." Sammy stepped forward with a small box.
"Least you didn't lose them." Sands hissed. Sammy just grinned.
"The ring is a symbol of undying love and devotion." The minister explained. He handed the first ring to Sands. "When giving Cerise this ring, you pledge enntirely your love and devotion. Do you do so freely?"
"I do." Sands answered, slipping the ring on Cerise's finger.
The minister handed Cerise the other ring. "When giving Sheldon this ring, you pledge entirely, your love and devotion. Do you do so freely."
"I do." Cerise answered softly, slipping the ring on Sands' finger.
"Then, by the power invested in me, by the state and church, I pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride." Sands took Cerise by the waist, pulling her close and kissing her deeply. "Ladies and gentlemennt, Mr. And Mrs. Sands." The minister announced when they pulled back from the kiss. Sands just grinned at her.
"Lily Bug." Cerise called softly as she came out of the kitchen. "It's time for your bath and then bed." Lily pouted and looked at Sands. Sands put his hands under his head, laying there on the floor with Lily sitting on top of him.
"Don't look at me, sweets." Sands said. "Listen to your momma." Lily pouted more, but crawled off Sands, heading down towards the bathroom. Sands continued to lay where he was, put propped himself up on his elbows. He turned his head in Cerise's direction as she came towards him.
"Just gonna lay there?" She asked.
"Maybe." Sands replied, smirking.
"I see." She started past him, when he grabbed her leg, jerking and pulling her down on the floor beside him. He rolled over on his side, holding her by the waist with onne arm.
She blew her hair out of her face and looked at him. "That was unnecessary. If you wanted me on the floor, all you had to do was ask." She replied
Sands continud to grin, but he kissed her in his only reply. He moved his kisses to her neck and Cerise ran her fingers through his hair, but spoke. "Sheldon, I've got to see to Lily..."
"I know..." He whispered, kissing her ear. She stifled her giggling and pushed him away gently. "Shelly, please, later?" Sands sighed in mock disdain.
"Alright." He let her go.
Cerise kissed him quickly as she got up. "I'm coming Lily." She replied to the little girl's call. Sands sat up, leaningn against the coffee table, listening to Lily laughing from the bathroom, the sound of water runing. Gettting to his feet, he grabed his cigarettes from the coffee table and made his way down the hall. He leaned on the door frame of the bathroom.
Cerise turned off the water as Lily splashed, laughing. She looked over at Sands, who leaned against the frame, nonchalantly, taking a drag from his cigarette. Cerise smiled slightly, before Lily demanded her attention.
Sands stood there, listening to the laughter of his daugher and his wife. It was suddenly to much for him and he pulled away from the door. "I'll be in the bedroom." He muttered, with out even looking at Cerise. He left the room and headed down the hall. He suddenly felt very hollow and dead. Martitus had sensed a change in his master and followed him down the hall to the bedroom.
He pulled out his cellphone as he leaned against the window frame, pushing the window open with one hand, feeling the warm night breeze. He hit the speed dial, dialing Sarah's number and waited. But after seven rings he got no answer. Swearing, he hung up, but held the phone at his side. He rested his forehead against the wood with a sigh. He was hoping to talk to Sarah and see if she'd found anything. But obviously she had her phone off, probably out with El.
He didn't regret coming back, he just had no idea it was going to be this hard, this time around. He heard soft footsteps coming down the hall.
"Lily's in bed." Cerise said softly. Sands didn't reply. Cerise sighed and came over, wrapping her arms around his shoulders from behind. Sands raised a hand, resting it on one of her arms.
"Now will you tell me, what's bothering you?" She asked softly. Sands leaned his head against the wood.
"Like I said, Cherry, work."
"What about work?" Cerise asked softly, resting her cheek on his shoulder.
"It's just stressful. Doddson has me on a wild goose chase." Sands lied to her.
"Hmm...Anything I can help with?" She asked softly, having a feeling Sands was lying to her.
"Not at the moment, but I'll let you know, eh?" Sands tossed her a grin over his shoulder.
"Alright..." She replied softly. "Come to bed?"
