Pilar looked up from the pot of coffee she was brewing to find Luis walking through her back kitchen door. "Mijo, you're up early," she said, pulling two mugs out of the cabinet. "Isn't today your day off?"

"It is." Luis shoved his hands into his pockets. "Do you have a few minutes before you go to the hospital to see Papa? I was hoping I could talk to you."

"Of course, Luis." Pilar poured a cup of coffee for him and sat him down at the table. "What's on your mind, son? Is something bothering you?"

Luis rubbed his face and sighed. "Sheridan ended up in the hospital last night with Braxton Hicks."

Pilar gasped. "Dios mío. Are she and the baby okay?"

Luis fiddled with his wedding band, accidentally clinking his ring against his coffee cup. "Yes, they are. In fact, before I came here, I swung by our place to get Sheridan some fresh clothes. They're going to release her in a little bit."

Pilar steadied his hand, her brow creasing with worry. "The doctors confirmed that she wasn't in premature labor though, ¿verdad?"

"Yes—they were able to stop the contractions by giving her liquids, and they confirmed that Sheridan wasn't dilating. She's resting quietly now, and everything seems to be fine . . ." Luis's shoulders slumped. "But, Mama—this was all my fault."

"Why would you even think that, mijo?" Pilar asked.

Luis hung his head. "Because something I did made Sheridan upset yesterday."

"Mijo, everyone has fights. . ." Pilar started.

"Yes, but I took this one too far." Luis closed his eyes and pressed his fingers into his jaw. "I was worried about her working at the youth center because I thought it might trigger some traumatic memories for her. When I couldn't get her to see reason, though, I asked Hank to look out for her—to make sure she didn't get too upset."

"Only you didn't tell Sheridan this?" Pilar guessed.

"No—and when she found out, she accused me of hiring Hank to babysit her. The thing is—she wasn't wrong." Luis looked up at his mother. "I just wanted to make sure she'd be okay, Mama," he said, his eyes watering with tears.

"But, mijo, you can't control every single thing that happens to her." Pilar squeezed her son's hands and searched his eyes. "I know that's something you struggle with, Luis—especially given everything that has happened in this family's past."

"It is hard for me." Luis hesitated. "I just can't stop thinking about all of the times Sheridan's life was in danger when I was her bodyguard—just because she was being stubborn or refusing to watch out for herself."

"Mijo, things are different now." Pilar rubbed his back. "Sheridan's pregnant—she would never do anything to put that precious little baby's life at risk."

"Maybe not on purpose, Mama—but do you remember the night of Theresa and Ethan's wedding?"

Pilar furrowed her brow. "Luis, I do not know everything that goes on between you and your wife, but I know Sheridan feels foolish for running off like she did. You continuing to condemn her for it will not help the situation."

"I never say that to her, Mama," Luis protested.

"No, but she can probably feel it." Pilar's face softened. "Luis, you've got to forgive her for what happened—and forgive yourself for not being able to prevent it."

"But what if something serious had happened?" Luis's voice cracked. "What if she or the baby had been injured—or worse . . . ?"

"I know this is difficult for you, mijo . . ."

"I just wish I could get Sheridan to truly value herself." Luis closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose. "Not just for the baby she's carrying—but for the person she is outside of that."


Sheridan smiled softly and caressed her belly as she felt her daughter moving around inside of her. "I'm so glad you're okay," she whispered, her voice thick with emotion. "I was really scared for you yesterday. If anything had happened to you, I don't know what I would have done . . ."

"Is it okay for us to come in?" Ethan's voice sounded from the door.

Sheridan looked up to find her former nephew poking his head into her room, Theresa right behind him.

"Are we interrupting something?" Ethan asked.

"No, you aren't." Sheridan blushed. "I know it's silly, but sometimes I like to talk to the baby."

"It's not silly at all, Sheridan," Theresa said, smiling softly at her. "I'm sure when Ethan and I start our own family, I'll be doing the same thing."

"Thanks, Theresa." Sheridan smiled as Ethan and Theresa sat down next to her bed. "But how did you two know I was here? Did you talk to Luis this morning?"

"No," Ethan answered, glancing at the door. "We came to see Martin, and one of the nurses told us that you were here."

"What happened, Sheridan?" Theresa asked. "Is everything okay with the baby?"

"Yes, it is." Sheridan rubbed her belly. "I had some Braxton Hicks last night—but, at first, it seemed like I had gone into premature labor. For a moment there, Luis and I thought we were going to lose our little girl."

"Oh, Sheridan," Theresa gasped. "That must have been so scary."

Sheridan blinked back tears. "I've never been so terrified in my entire life."

"Are you sure you're feeling okay now, Sheridan?" Ethan asked, taking her hand into his own.

"Yes, Ethan, I'm okay." Sheridan smiled softly at him and squeezed his hand. "Thank you both for being so concerned about me, though."

"Sheridan, we love you." Ethan embraced her. "We couldn't take it if anything happened to you." Ethan leaned back and studied her face. "Honestly, I don't know how Luis lives with you every day, though," he chuckled. "With all of the trouble you seem to find your way into, it's a wonder he hasn't had a heart attack."

"Well, I would say 'you ain't seen nothing yet,'" Sheridan laughed, "but I think my days of skirting danger are over." Smiling tenderly at her belly, Sheridan caressed the spot where her daughter lay. "I've got a very important person to look out for, and I'm not going to let her down."

"Oh, Sheridan, I can't wait to meet our niece," Theresa beamed.

"Neither can I." Sheridan smiled and looked up at Theresa. "Although I'm very relieved that we didn't meet her last night."

"The doctors are sure it wasn't premature labor, right?" Theresa asked.

"They're sure," Sheridan reassured her. "But they do want me to keep my stress levels down."

"What has you so stressed, Sheridan?" Ethan furrowed his brow in concern. "Is it this whole situation going on with Alistair?

"No." Sheridan's eyes fell to the floor, her voice barely rising above a whisper. "I got into a fight with Luis."

"You and my brother had a fight?" Theresa's voice flooded with concern.

"Yes, Sheridan," Ethan added. "I thought those days were over."

"I did, too, Ethan," Sheridan said sadly. "But apparently, we still have a lot to talk out. Apparently, our fights aren't over."

"What were you fighting about?" Theresa asked quietly.

Sheridan shook her head. "Theresa, I'm sure you don't want to hear about this."

"No, Sheridan, I do. You were willing to see my side when Ethan and I were trying to work things out." Theresa gave Ethan a small smile. "Don't think I won't do the same thing for you. Besides, I know my brother loves you more than anyone else on this planet. I'm sure he wants to work through this, too."

"I know he does, Theresa. And I love him with my entire being. It's just that sometimes he gets so controlling . . ." Sheridan frowned and hung her head. "Sometimes, I just can't take it."

"Is that what this is all about?" Theresa looked Sheridan up and down and laughed. "I think it's too late for him to send you to a convent. I don't think they'd accept you like this."

Despite herself, Sheridan chuckled. "Your brother certainly has come up with some crazy ideas in his time."

"Yes," Ethan agreed, wrapping one arm around his wife. "And thank God that one didn't work."

"I would have found a way to be with you anyway, Ethan," Theresa smiled, nuzzling her nose against his cheek.

"I'm sure you would have, Theresa," Ethan smiled, "if Luis didn't kill me first." Ethan turned back to Sheridan. "But what's this about him trying to control you, Sheridan? What was he trying to make you do?"

"He wasn't trying to make me do anything," Sheridan admitted. "He just asked Hank to look out for me."

Ethan furrowed his brow. "Sheridan, I don't understand."

"Luis was worried that the stress of working with some of the more troubled kids at the youth center would be too much for me right now," Sheridan explained. "I thought I had convinced him that I could handle it, but, apparently, I hadn't. He went behind my back and asked Hank to babysit me—do you know how that made me feel?"

Ethan grimaced. "Ouch—that must have hurt."

Theresa bit down on her lip. "I know my brother did that because he loves you," she said softly, "but I can see how it would make you upset."

"It made me feel like a child," Sheridan frowned, wrapping her arms around her chest. "It made me feel like Luis thinks I can't take care of myself, and to tell the truth, sometimes, I wonder about that myself." Sheridan fought back tears. "But to have my husband think the same thing . . ."

Ethan pulled Sheridan into his arms as the first tear fell from her eye. "Sheridan, it's going to be okay."

"I agree," Theresa said. "Luis loves you with his whole heart. I'm sure if you two just talk about this, you can work everything out."

"My sister's right." Luis appeared in the doorway, a single rose in his hand. His eyes glistening with unshed tears, Luis's voice caught in his throat. "Sheridan, we need to talk."