Luis rubbed Sheridan's back as they approached the church; he squinted at the morning sun. "Are you sure you're feeling okay, Sher? Are you sure you're not nauseous?"
Sheridan tightened her arm around Luis's waist. "I promise you, I'm fine. I did have a bit of a moment back there, but I promise you—it's passed."
"Good," Luis said, putting his arm up around her. "Have I told you today how much I love you?"
"I think you have," Sheridan beamed at him. "At least one or two times . . ."
"Well, I do." Luis smiled and nudged her nose.
"I love you, too, Luis." Sheridan kissed him and nuzzled in closer to his chest. "I'm so glad Father José called us this morning—that he was able to find someone who can help us."
Luis's face fell. "To be honest, Sher, there's a huge part of me that just wants to go back to the hotel. I don't know how much more I can take of this—of getting my hopes crushed."
Sheridan's eyes flew up to his. "I'm right here with you, Luis."
"I know." Luis tugged her against him, his voice thick with emotion. "I don't know what I'd be doing without you right now, Sher."
"You'll never have to find that out." Sheridan squeezed his waist. "I will always be by your side."
Luis tightened his arms around her and kissed the top of her head. "I know you always say that I'm your hero, Sher, but right now, you're being mine."
"Well, I don't know about that," Sheridan laughed softly. "But as long as you think I am—let's go inside."
Gwen and Hank rushed into the hotel, Julian and Eve hot on their heels.
"We need to get in touch with two of your guests," Gwen said, rushing up to the front desk. "Please, it's an emergency."
Eve held her breath as first Gwen, then Julian, argued with the front desk staff. What if they were already too late?
What if Alistair had already caught up to Sheridan and Luis? What if Sheridan had lost her baby? What if history had repeated itself?
Eve watched with bated breath as Julian reasoned with the manager, nearly collapsing with relief when he finally got the information he was after.
Maybe they wouldn't be too late after all.
Julian turned around just as the first tear fell from Eve's eye.
Eve wiped the moisture off of her cheek. "It's okay, Julian. I'll be okay."
Julian gave her a doubtful look.
Hank looked between Eve and Julian and then turned toward the manager. "So you're saying the church they went to is only a ten-minute cab ride from here?"
"Sí, señor," the manager replied. "Just go outside, and one of the doormen will hail you a taxi."
"Great then—let's go." Hank grabbed Gwen's hand and headed out the door.
Julian stepped in next to Eve. "Are you sure you want to come with us? Would you rather stay here? I'd hate to see you in any more pain."
"No, Julian, I've got to face this," Eve said. "What if your sister needs medical attention?"
"Eve, we don't even know if Father has caught up to them yet." Julian cupped Eve's hand. "She might not be in any immediate danger."
"But what if she is?" Eve's eyes flew to Julian's. "I will not let your father do this again. I will not let him take another child from its mother."
Julian breathed in. "Eve, you are the most courageous woman I know."
"I'm anything but that." Eve shook her head. "But I'm not going to let Sheridan face this alone."
Julian hung his head. "I was a fool to let you do the same. I owe you a thousand apologies, Eve."
"I owe our son the same," Eve whispered, swallowing hard. "I never should have let him out of my sight."
Luis gripped Sheridan's hand as they followed Padre José into the sacristy. If he were being honest with himself, his knees felt weak and he could barely breathe. If it weren't for Sheridan standing right there beside him, he might have already collapsed or fainted.
How could she ever doubt herself, not see her inner strength? At this very moment, it was the only thing keeping him together.
"Please wait here. I'll be right back." Padre José bowed his head and exited the room, closing the door quietly behind him.
Luis dug his hands into his pockets and shifted on his feet. "I don't think I've ever been this nervous, Sher . . . except maybe the first time I asked you out." Luis laughed and hung his head. "I just have a feeling that whatever Father José wants to tell us, it's going to be big."
Sheridan's eyes twinkled. "As big as Luis Lopez-Fitzgerald asking a Crane on a date?"
Luis chuckled and fiddled with his room key. "Maybe even bigger . . ."
"Well, I can only think of one piece of news that could possibly be bigger than that." Sheridan squeezed his free hand and smiled. "With all of my heart, I hope this is the news that you've been waiting for, Luis."
Luis tightened his grip around her hand. "I do, too, Sheridan."
"Señor and señora Lopez-Fitzgerald?" Padre José poked his head back into the room. "There is someone here who would like to meet with both of you."
A man stepped out from behind Padre José.
Luis's heart caught in his throat. "Papa?" he gasped, dropping Sheridan's hand. "Papa, is that really you?"
