~2~

As a guest to the Lopez-Fitzgerald home, Sheridan wasn't allowed to partake in the preparations for dinner, but she didn't mind so much—not when she got to spend the time drinking in the beautiful sight of her son.

Grabbing her smooth hand in his much smaller fist, Marty had immediately pulled her down the hall to his bedroom as soon as the required awkward greetings were out of the way, intent on showing off the latest gift that had arrived in the mail from his uncle Miguel just days ago—a model motorcycle.

"Papa helped me put it together," Marty told her proudly, unabashed love for Luis shining in his blue eyes.

Sheridan tried to speak around the sudden painful lump that lodged in her throat, but she could only manage a tremulous smile.

Thankfully, Marty was none the wiser to her emotional state, launching into an excited detailing of his cousin Maria's new kitten, hardly stopping for breath until he made a pleading request. "…but I told Maria puppies are better, and she said 'how do I know' since I don't got one, and I told her 'they just are', and you have to get me one. Please, Mama."

Sheridan blinked rapidly, still processing the rush of her young son's words, when Martin's voice at the door made her turn.

"Marty," Martin chided sternly, "you know what your papa said."

"But Mama could keep it at her house," Marty rationalized. "Then I could see her everyday." Childish hope echoed in his voice, and he crawled into Sheridan's lap, sliding his slender arms around her neck as he tucked his golden head beneath her chin.

Sheridan smiled tightly at the look of sympathy Martin bestowed on her and dropped a kiss on Marty's warm, silky crown. "Listen to your papa," she murmured softly. "He knows best."

"Listen to your mama," Martin answered when Marty looked to him for help.

"Okay," Marty sighed melodramatically, causing both adults to smile slightly.

"Come on," Martin held his hand out. "Your abuela sent me to tell you it's almost time for the Thanksgiving turkey."

"Do I get to use the big knife this year, Grandpa?" Marty's eyes gleamed at the thought of being one of the men of the house, just like Papa and Grandpa.

Sheridan answered for Martin, causing him to chuckle and Marty to whine disappointedly.

"Absolutely not."

Feedback is much loved and appreciated, though not necessary, lol, as evidenced by the fact that I've been writing these fics for years. Still, a little love now and then won't be turned away. ;)