Hank dug his hands into his pockets and sighed as he watched Gwen and Sheridan cling to each other, both women crying.

"Okay, ladies, you need to stop this," Hank said. "If Luis catches Sheridan crying, he's really going to kill me."

Gwen looked up. "Sometimes crying is a good release, Hank."

"Yeah, I know that's what you women say . . ."

"That's because it's true," Sheridan laughed. "Besides, if Luis walks in on me crying, we can always blame it on the fact that I'm overloaded with pregnancy hormones."

"Yeah, but he didn't want you getting upset, Sheridan."

Sheridan looked at Hank. "You make it sound like he asked you to babysit me."

Hank's eyes fell to the ground.

"He did ask you to babysit me!" Sheridan gasped, stepping back from Gwen. "The nerve of that man, treating me like a child—Hank, will this ever stop?"

"He just wanted me to look out for you, Sheridan," Hank protested. "He's worried about you—that's all."

Gwen bit down on her lip and glanced at Sheridan. "Maybe this is a conversation you and Luis should be having?"

Sheridan crossed her arms over her chest. "You're right, Gwen. It is. I'm just so sick and tired of Luis treating me like this—of him not trusting me."


"Thank you for dropping me home, Julian," Eve smiled, her eyes glistening.

Julian picked up her hand and kissed it. "It's the least I could do."

Eve's smile grew; she glanced back at the house. "I would invite you in . . ."

Julian kissed her knuckles again and stroked her cheek. "There's no need to explain. I'm more than grateful for any bit of time I get to spend with you. I know you and I being together could become complicated for you—we can take this as slowly as you like."

"Oh, Julian, I don't want to take this slowly." Eve kissed him, lingering in the moment for as long as she could. "But I have my daughters to think about."

"I understand, Eve." Julian kissed her. "Just relax and know I will never pressure you for anything. It's enough that I've finally received the chance to court you the way I've always wanted to—to show you each and every day just how much I treasure you."


Sheridan put the last of the spare sheets into the box and sealed it shut with some packing tape. She had made a lot of progress with the stuff she was trying to pack up ahead of time, but what was going on with her marriage?

Were she and Luis about to move into a brand-new home only to revert back to some of their old arguments? Did he really not trust her to take care of herself—to do everything she could to protect their daughter?

True, she had acted foolishly the night of Ethan and Theresa's wedding. But she had learned her lesson, had seen the results of her actions. She would never act so impulsively again—never put her daughter in danger.

Sheridan cradled her belly, her lips twisting into a frown.

Behind her, the apartment door opened.

Sheridan's shoulders tensed.

Putting down the box on the kitchen counter, she slowly turned around to face her husband.

Luis put down his wallet and grinned as he took in the room. "I can't believe this is actually happening—that we're getting ready to move into our first real home together. I'm so excited about it, Sher."

"Yeah, why is that?" Sheridan scowled. "Because you're going to make it into another jail?"

"Another jail?" Luis furrowed his brow. "What are you talking about, Sheridan?"

"Hank let it slip today that you asked him to babysit me." Sheridan narrowed her eyes on his. "How could you do that, Luis? How could you treat me like such a baby?"

"Like a baby? Sheridan, you've got this all wrong." Luis crossed the room and reached out for her.

Sheridan pulled away. "I'm capable of taking care of myself, you know? Just because I've made some bad decisions in the past, it doesn't mean I'm a child."

"Sheridan, I was just worried about you . . ."

"Luis, you were trying to control me." Sheridan hugged her arms to her chest. "I've had enough of that from my father to last a lifetime. Don't you start doing it again, too."

"Again?" Luis threw his hands up in the air.

"Yes, Luis, again." Sheridan glared at him. "Remember when you were my bodyguard? You wouldn't let me do anything."

"Sheridan, I was just trying to protect you!" Luis let out an exasperated sigh. "Just like I'm trying to protect you now . . . I'm worried about you, Sher!"

"You still don't have to treat me like a child!" Sheridan yelled.

"I'm not treating you like a child!" Luis protested.

"Yes, Luis, you are!"

A band of pain seared through Sheridan's abdomen; Sheridan doubled over.

Tears springing to her eyes, Sheridan clutched her belly. "Oh God, Luis, our daughter!"