Katherine's heart swelled with happiness as she took in the scene in front of her. To be celebrating Christmas in her daughter's home—it was more than she had ever dreamed possible. Seeing Sheridan so happy among the Lopez-Fitzgerald family and Julian looking the same with Eve—it warmed her to her toes.

Yes, things had seemed touch and go with Julian and Eve last night, but, in the end, she had returned to him—had laid her head on his shoulder and slipped her arm back through his.

Yet, for some reason, Eve's smile wasn't quite reaching her eyes today.

Maybe it was because she was still estranged from her older daughter—that would be enough to do anyone in.

Clearly, Pilar and Paloma still had some tension between them, too. If only they could be sharing the same wonderful reunion that she and Sheridan had been enjoying. If only they could connect.

Katherine wrung her hands. Maybe she could get through to Paloma—maybe she could fix all of this. After all, it was her fault that Martin had been captured all those years ago. Among so many other things, she owed it to him and his family to try to fix this mess.

Katherine took a deep breath in and crossed the room.

"Paloma?" Katherine touched her shoulder, smiling softly as the girl turned around. "Do you have a minute? I know it must be a little overwhelming to be back in Harmony—I was wondering how you've been doing with everything."


Eve blinked rapidly while Ethan talked to Julian. What was he saying again?

"I'm not going to lie." Ethan folded his arms in front of his chest. "I've been angry with you, Julian. But, lately, it feels pointless. Hearing the way that Alistair has treated you, Sheridan, and Grandmother has made me realize what a monster he truly is."

Julian bowed his head. "Thank you, Ethan. But, still, that doesn't excuse my inaction when we all found out you aren't really a Crane. I was wrong to stand back and let Father kick you out of the family—it's something I always will regret."

"Yes, well, it was quite a shock for you . . ." Ethan unfolded his arms and slipped one arm around Theresa.

"Yes, but Alistair's monstrosities don't excuse my own . . ."

Ethan frowned, his eyes falling to the floor. "No, but they do explain the way you acted a bit."

Julian glanced down and scratched his cheek. "All I can say is that I'm truly sorry, Ethan."

Ethan looked up. "I can't believe I'm saying this—but I believe you, Julian."

Was this really happening? Eve took a step back. Was the ice between Ethan and Julian really starting to thaw? Was she really witnessing this?

Then again, who would believe what TC had approached her about last night? Giving their marriage another shot? Putting everything that had happened in the past behind them once and for all?

If only that had been what he really was saying. If only that had been what he really meant.

If only he still didn't believe that she could continue being a woman she'd never been.

As much as she loved him—as much as she'd always love him—she had known from the second the word perfect flew out of his mouth that she could never go back to living that way.

What she had with Julian was so much simpler—so much more freeing in some ways. She could be the person she was—shameful blemishes and all—without any fear that he'd turn her away.

But was TC right? Did she really have that with Julian, or was she in denial about what was really going on?

Had she gotten herself so wrapped up in Julian's world that she was, once again, losing herself?


"Pilar, how are you doing?" Sheridan rubbed Pilar's back.

"As well as can be expected, I guess—considering that my Paloma has barely said two words to me since she came home." Pilar frowned and hugged her arms to her chest. "I can't even blame her—I completely understand why she's so upset."

Miguel slipped one arm around his mother's waist. "Mama, don't be so hard on yourself—you did the best that you could."

"Miguel's right," Sheridan said. "Paloma is going to realize that."

Luis shook his head. "She's going to realize it right now. I'm going to go talk to her."

"No, Luis—please don't," Pilar begged. "I don't want to push her."

Sheridan placed one hand on her husband's arm. "Luis, your mother is right. Forcing Paloma to do something she's not ready to do is not going to help anything."

"All right," Luis sighed, digging his hands into his pockets. "I just wish someone could get through to her. I don't want you to be upset, Mama."

"I appreciate that, Luis." Pilar hugged her son. "I'll be okay—I promise you. Let's just try to enjoy this day."


"Why do you care how I'm doing?" Paloma asked Katherine, as they both sat down on the couch.

Katherine smiled softly and put one hand on Paloma's shoulder. "I know you and I just met—and that you don't know me from anyone—but I can see how much you're hurting, Paloma—and how hard it is for you to be here."

Paloma glanced down at her lap. "Being here today is only reminding me of everything I missed. When you told me how much you missed Sheridan, it made me think that my mother might miss me, too."

Katherine stroked Paloma's hair. "Oh, Paloma, I know that she did."

"Then why is she spending most of her time with everyone else?" Paloma cried. "Why doesn't she want me, too?"

"She does want to spend time with you, Paloma—I promise you she does." Katherine smiled sadly and covered Paloma's hand with her own. "She's probably just nervous that she might say or do something that will push you away."

"Why would she think that?" Paloma's lower lip trembled.

"Maybe she's scared that you're angry with her," Katherine suggested.

Paloma crossed her arms over her chest. "Well, she's right about that."

"Listen, Paloma—you're not the parent in this situation—it's not your job to make everything better," Katherine said. "All I'm saying is that maybe your mother is thinking about this differently than you are—maybe she feels that giving you space to adjust is the best thing she can do for you right now."

Paloma narrowed her eyes on Katherine. "It doesn't look like you're worried about giving Sheridan space. You two seem really, really close."

Katherine shook her head. "Part of me will never understand why, but Sheridan welcomed me back with open arms—she was ready to pick up our relationship right where we left off."

"Maybe that's the difference," Paloma sighed. "I was a baby when I was sent away. I've never had a relationship with my mother."

"Don't you want to see if you can have one, though?" Katherine put one of her arms up around Paloma and squeezed her shoulder. "Are you even the slightest bit curious about what could happen if you gave her a chance?"


Sheridan smiled sadly at Miguel while Luis and Pilar embraced. "I really wish someone could get through to Paloma. She has no idea what she's missing out on by missing out on your mother."

Miguel smiled sadly. "I know my mother has always been very special to you."

"She is very special to me." Sheridan hugged her arms to her chest. "I just wish Paloma could see how lucky she is . . ."

Miguel nodded at the couch. "Maybe she finally is."

Sheridan turned to find Paloma rising up from a conversation with her own mother to cross the room to Pilar.

"I don't know what your mother said to her, Sheridan," Miguel said, "but it looks like it worked."

Sheridan gasped, a tear coming to her eye. "Yes, it looks like it did."

Pilar looked up from Luis's shoulder as Paloma came into her view. "¿Mija?" she asked, her voice trembling.

Paloma twisted her hands together and fidgeted on her feet. "I was wondering if we could talk, Mama . . . just you and me."

"Of course, mija." Stepping out of Luis's embrace, Pilar cupped Paloma's arms, her hands shaking as she took in the sight of her daughter.

Paloma hung her head. "I'm sorry I've been giving you a hard time, Mama."

"You don't have anything to apologize for." Tears springing to her eyes, Pilar pulled Paloma into a tight embrace. "Oh, mija—how I've missed you—every single second of every single day."