"I can't believe we're actually on the way to rescue my mother," Julian said, hope rising in his voice as the Crane jet ascended higher into the air.
"I know," Eve smiled, her face lighting up. "I have to admit, part of me was skeptical that we'd even find her at all."
"Thank you for helping me search anyway, Eve." Julian cupped her chin.
"Of course," Eve said, her eyes sparkling. "I can tell how much you love her."
"I've buried my feelings about her death for so long that I didn't even realize how much I still missed her." Julian bowed his head. "I hope you get to meet her, Eve. She wanted to meet you, you know?"
"Really? Your mother wanted to meet me?" Tears sprang to Eve's eyes. "I mean, after everything your father did to keep us apart . . ."
"From what I could ascertain, my mother fought him tooth and nail about that." Julian looked up and stroked Eve's face. "I think she could tell just by how happy I was that you were the love of my life."
"Oh, Julian." A tear streamed down Eve's cheek.
"I love you, Eve," Julian breathed. "I've always loved you."
Eve embraced him. "Oh, Julian, I love you, too."
Julian buried his nose in her shoulder. "God willing, you and my mother will finally meet."
Eve tightened her arms around him. "I'm wishing for that with every fiber of my being."
"I am, too." Julian leaned back and looked at her. "And I'm starting to believe that it really will happen—and that finding her will be the key that finally helps us find our son."
"I am, too." Eve smiled, her voice choked with emotion. "I can't believe I'm saying that. For so long, I didn't have any hope, but something inside me has changed."
Julian brushed away her tears with the pad of his thumb. "I know what you mean. Over the course of these past few months, I've felt a renewed sense of hope."
"And a renewed sense of courage and strength." Her eyes glistening, Eve reached into her purse and pulled out an envelope. "Somehow, deep down inside of me, I've discovered that I even have the strength to survive this."
"Sheridan, are you all packed for the conference tomorrow?" Luis smiled as he poked his head into their bedroom and found Sheridan snuggled up on the bed, reading a handwritten journal. She massaged her belly as she scanned the pages; a small smile graced her face.
"I am." Sheridan smiled up at him. "I was just relaxing a bit."
"I can see that," Luis smiled, climbing in next to her and curling his body around hers. "What are you reading?"
"A couple of pages from my mother's diaries." Sheridan smiled as Luis intertwined his fingers with hers and rested his hand on her belly.
Luis smiled and nudged her nose. "You never get tired of reading those, do you?"
Sheridan's eyes glistened at his. "They make me feel so close to her, Luis."
Luis brushed a stray curl back from Sheridan's face and smiled at her. "I'm happy for that, Sher."
"I was so happy when I was with her, Luis," Sheridan said. "These parts that I'm reading—it's so good to know that, sometimes, she was happy, too—despite being married to my father."
"Well, I'd be willing to bet that those parts are about being with you." Luis stroked her cheek.
Sheridan blushed. "She did write a little about me."
"That's because you're a wonderful person, Sheridan." Luis traced his finger around her chin. "I hope I get the opportunity to meet your mother. If she's even half the person that you are, I know I'm going to like her."
"I love you so much, Luis Lopez-Fitzgerald," Sheridan whispered.
"Sher, I love you, too."
Sheridan pulled him in for a kiss.
"Before we get too involved in this," Luis smirked, "I should mention that Mama and Theresa are downstairs in the living room."
"They are?"
"Yeah," Luis said, glancing back and smiling. "They were about to head downtown for the evening, and they were hoping you would join them."
"Where does your sister get her energy?" Sheridan marveled. "When I was in my first trimester, I could barely peel myself off the couch at the end of the day."
Luis grinned. "I remember, Sher—I remember."
"Hey." Sheridan poked his chest. "If you recall, I'm carrying your baby."
Luis laughed and kissed her tummy. "Believe me—I remember." Luis stroked Sheridan's belly and looked up at her. "That's actually why my mother and Theresa are here. There is some big sale going on, and they thought you could all go shopping for baby stuff together. Theresa's practically bouncing off the walls."
"I bet she is," Sheridan laughed.
Luis smiled and shook his head. "Nothing gets her more excited than shopping."
"I think it's sweet," Sheridan smiled. "And I'd absolutely love to go with them. Will you just let them know I'm changing and that I'll be right out?"
"Of course, Sher. I will." Luis brushed her hair back from her forehead and smiled.
"What, Luis?"
"I just love to see you so happy, Sher."
"I am happy." Tears forming in the corners of her eyes, Sheridan caressed her belly and smiled at him. "I feel so lucky to be a member of your family, Luis."
"Eve, are those what I think they are?"
"Yes, they are, Julian." Eve blinked back a fresh set of tears. "I filed a copy of these before we left. TC and I will still need to sit down with our lawyers before the divorce is finalized, but I've gotten the ball rolling."
"Eve, I can't believe this." Julian embraced her. "I mean—I never would have wished this on you and TC, but—"
Her eyes watering, Eve leaned back and studied him. "—now, you and I will finally be free to be together."
"Yes, we will." His eyes twinkling at hers, Julian captured her lips in a kiss. Lingering there until they both needed to come up for air, he smiled gently at her as he pulled away. "Oh, Eve—I never thought this day would come."
"I know," Eve said, her eyes glistening. "I almost feel guilty for feeling so happy."
"Don't," Julian said. "TC made his choice—he didn't give you any say in it."
"That's part of what got to me the most . . ." Eve's face dropped. "Feeling so powerless. But you helped me see that I had options—that I really could rely on myself."
"You can, Eve. Of course you can," Julian said. "You've proven that time and time again."
"It took me a long time to believe that." A tear spilling down her cheek, Eve smiled at him. "Thank you for seeing my inner strength—even when I couldn't see it myself."
