Luis helped Sheridan take off her coat and hung it up in the closet. Grabbing a soft blanket from the top shelf, he quickly crossed the room and covered her with it as she settled down onto the couch.

"Thank you, Luis," Sheridan said softly, smiling up at him.

"I just want to make sure you're okay, Sher," Luis said.

"I know you do, Luis." Sheridan dug out one hand from under the blanket and squeezed his fingers. "No matter how much I fight you about it, I'm truly grateful that you care so much."

"I'd be lost without you, Sheridan," Luis said.

"Luis, I'd be lost without you, too."

"Sheridan, I . . ." Luis started.

"Luis . . ." Sheridan said at the same time.

Both laughed nervously.

Sheridan rubbed his arm. "Luis, you go first."

Luis gave her a small smile. "Sheridan . . . I want you to know how sorry I am. I didn't mean to get you so upset yesterday." Luis hung his head. "It's . . . it's just that, sometimes, it's hard for me to have faith that everything's going to turn out all right. It's almost like I've been conditioned that way, ever since the rug got pulled out from underneath me when I was a teenager."

Sheridan studied him. "I know your father's disappearance has affected almost every aspect of your life."

"It has." Luis shook his head. "Even now—even though he's back with us now—I am still petrified that, one day, he's going to disappear again. It's like I'm always on edge, Sheridan, waiting for trouble around every corner."

"I hate that you feel that way, Luis, but I can understand why you do." Sheridan snuggled up against him and wrapped her arms around his chest.

"Yes, but it doesn't give me the right to treat you like a child who can't take care of herself. I mean, what am I going to do when our daughter is born?" he chuckled, kissing the top of Sheridan's head. "Chain you both to a fence?"

Sheridan glanced down at her tummy and smiled.

"I mean, if I feel like I have no control over things now, how am I going to feel when she is really here?" Luis sighed and looked up at the ceiling. "Theresa is right, you know? I'm not going to want our munchkin princess dating until she's at least thirty-two."

Sheridan laughed and cupped her belly through the blanket. "I think our daughter will convince you otherwise. Besides, you're not going to be alone in this. I'll help you keep her safe."

Sheridan fixed her eyes on Luis's. "I want you to know that I meant what I said, Luis. I know I need to be careful. I learned that lesson loud and clear the night I slipped on the ice." Sheridan glanced down at her lap and then back up at her husband. "If something bothers me at the youth center, I promise I'll take a step back. I won't let myself get to a point at which it overwhelms me—or prompts me to do anything rash."

"I know you won't, Sheridan." Luis cupped her face and blinked back tears. "I know you'll watch out for her. It just makes me anxious that when you say things like this, you never mention taking care of yourself for your own sake, too. I mean, what am I supposed to do—make sure you're pregnant all the time?" Luis chuckled and nudged her nose. "Because if that's what it takes to keep you safe, don't think I won't consider it."

"I'm sure you will, Luis," Sheridan laughed.

Luis pressed a kiss to her forehead.

"I understand why you're worried," Sheridan said. "I know I don't have a great track record when it comes to watching out for my own life. But that's going to change now—I promise you—if for no other reason than the fact that I'm going to be a mother."

"You said that when I was your bodyguard, it was almost like you were subconsciously trying to get me to prove that I had feelings for you." Luis searched Sheridan's eyes. "Do you still doubt my feelings now?"

"No, Luis, I don't—I know that you love me." Sheridan's eyes fell; her voice filled with hesitation. "I guess, sometimes, when I feel like I'm not lovable, it's hard for me to imagine why anyone else would love me."

"Sheridan . . ."

"I know, Luis. I know." Sheridan's eyes inched back up to meet his. "I need to value myself for me. I'm still working on that."

"You work on that, and I'll work on me," Luis said, "—on trying to tamper down my need to control every little situation."

Sheridan smiled softly and squeezed his hand. "I know that's going to be difficult for you, Luis."

Luis raised her hand to his lips and kissed it. "If it will make you happy, it's worth it, Sher."

"You never know, Luis." Her eyes twinkling at his, Sheridan snuggled back into his arms. "It might make you much happier, too."