Chapter Nine:
Hours later the mansion was still crawling with cops. Alistair's body had been taken to the morgue. Julian, miraculously, was not dead at all. But very close to it. Ivy was at the hospital with Ethan anxiously awaiting word on his condition.
Luis was also at the hospital having Eve look at Lily to make sure she was okay. Sam lowered his head in his hands and sighed. Today had been a heck of a day. It made him realize, once again, how precious life really was. Seeing Alistair hold that gun on Ivy made Sam realize that he would never get that woman out of his heart, no matter how hard he tried. But, and a big but, he had a family to think of, a family that he couldn't abandon-- nor did he want to. He decided right then and there he was going to go home and let them know how much he loved them. Especially the kids.
*******************************************************
Pilar watched as her son gently tucked his daughter into bed. Lily had finally closed her eyes, but only after gaining her father's word that he would be close at all times. Her son had his daughter back. Now, all he needed was his wife and unborn child, and things could get back to normal. Well, close to normal anyway.
*******************************************************
Theresa held Ethan as he cried ceaseless tears about his grandfather's cruelty. Their friendship had only grown stronger these past several months, and Theresa felt Ethan needed a shoulder to cry on.
She knew Ivy would offer him comfort if she was able, but she was taking Julian's condition much harder than anyone else had ever imagined she would. Though Julian was unresponsive and in a coma, Ivy refused to leave his side for a moment. Theresa prayed Julian'd survive. He'd proven himself worthy of her prayers.
*******************************************************
With Alistair out of the way, Ivy gave the Harmony P.D. free rein with their investigation into Alistair's part in Sheridan's disappearance. She knew Julian wouldn't mind. She just wished he would wake up. Every moment that passed with him still in a coma left her with less hope and more regrets.
Chapter Ten:
She could tell something was wrong from the look on his face. Something was going on. Something very important. Maybe, just maybe, there was hope for her and her baby yet.
*******************************************************
He tried not to let the panic show on his face, but it was useless. Without Alistair's help, it was only a matter of time before they were found. But it wasn't as if he could do anything about it. The baby was due anyday now.
The walls were closing in on him, and his desperation was building. He had to get to someplace more private so he could organize his thoughts without Sheridan's penetrating stare. He told her he needed some air, and in his carelessness, left his coat hanging across the back of the chair. With his cell phone inside.
*******************************************************
Meanwhile in Harmony, Sam was closing in on Sheridan's whereabouts. Luis was working feverishly by his side, as were several other officers. They heard Silvano swear then exclaim in an astonished voice, "Chief, Luis, you guys are never going to believe this."
*******************************************************
It didn't escape Sheridan's attention that he left his cell phone in his haste to leave. When she figured adequate time had passed for her to do what she had to, she reached in the pocket with a feeling of trepidation. What if it was a trap? Still, it might be her only chance.
From memory, she dialed a well-known number. With growing disappointment, she listened to the phone's ring. No one was answering. She was about to give up when the childish voice that visited her dreams answered breathlessly. Barely holding back her sobs, Sheridan said, "Lily, baby. It's your mommy. I've missed you so much."
*******************************************************
Pilar was coming in the door with an armful of groceries when she heard Lily squeal, "Mommy!" and then burst into tears. Shocked, Pilar dropped the bags and crossed the room in an instant to take the phone from her sobbing granddaughter set on dispelling this cruel trick.
She almost fainted when she heard the hurried words of "Don't hang up. It's really me. Sheridan. And I need your help." Pilar turned to Lily and told her to get Grace from next door and tell her to call Sam immediately.
*******************************************************
Sam and Luis reached Luis's home in record time, but Sheridan was already gone. Pilar turned her tear-streaked face to Luis and said, "Mijo, we have no time. He's got her."
Chapter Eleven:
Luis felt so helpless. Unable to do anything to save or find Sheridan. He was frustrated beyond belief. And more worried than ever. Mama had told him and Sam about Sheridan's obvious terror and his unmistakeable anger. They had to find her. Unable to stand it any longer, he grabbed his keys and flew through the front door. His heart would lead him to her. It had to.
*******************************************************
Sam had a couple of guys tail Luis to keep him out of trouble. The guy was so torn up right now, Sam hated to think what he might do. Right now they were trying to get a trace on the phone Sheridan had used. It was imperative they get to her before he did something dangerous.
*******************************************************
Grace hugged Pilar as they waited with bated breath for more news about Sheridan. Lily was in the kitchen with Theresa, Miguel, Kay, Charity, and Jessica. They were trying desperately to distract the observant little girl. But obviously it wasn't working, thought the ladies, when Lily streaked across the living room and into Pilar's arms.
*******************************************************
Sheridan couldn't hold back the tears. She'd finally talked to her baby, Lily, for the first time in months. And to Pilar. But Luis hadn't been there. He was out searching for her. She prayed he found her soon because she desperately needed his help.
*******************************************************
He couldn't believe he'd been stupid enough to forget his cell phone. When he came back and found her on it, he yanked it from her hands and slapped her hard across the face. As soon as he saw the shocked, terrified look on her face, he couldn't believe what he had just done, but he squashed his regret down. They were closing in on them, and there was no time.
*******************************************************
Luis was driving aimlessly toward the location Linda Whitman had treated Sheridan at when his cell phone rang. What Sam told him next had his heart beating wildly. They had traced the call to a place just miles from where he was now. Ignoring Sam's pleas to wait for backup, Luis shut his phone off and raced to save his wife.
Chapter Twelve:
He was so mad. And desperate. In all the months he'd kept her captive, she'd never seen him so furious. She was backing away from him when she felt the first pain. The pain must have been broadcast clearly over her face because his eyes lost some of their anger. The look in his eyes was now full-fledged panic.
*******************************************************
He didn't know what to do. Sheridan was in labor, and her water had already broken, so there was no time. He couldn't call for help for obvious reasons. He did the only thing he could think of--he left her to escape outside. And ran smack into the last person he ever expected or wanted to see about two miles away from the cabin. Luis. Anger made him powerful, and he got in one quick punch before Luis had him on the ground.
*******************************************************
Luis was furious and scared at the same time. He punched him back and knocked him to the ground. A fight ensued that lasted several minutes before Luis had had enough and yelled, "Where is she? Tell me where she is. If you so much as touched one hair on her head, Hank, I'll kill you. I swear I'll kill you. Tell me, Hank."
*******************************************************
Hank grinned a maniacal grin and said, "You'll never find her. Even if you do, it'll be too late. You hear me? Too late I tell you!" Brandishing a gun similar to the one in Luis's holster, Hank said, "Kill me and you'll never find her. Follow me, and I'll just lead you farther and farther away from her. Your choice, buddy." Smirking in victory at Luis's look of defeat and lowering of hands, Hank said, "I knew you were smart," and disappeared into the night air.
*******************************************************
Back in the cabin, Sheridan was more scared than she'd ever been in her entire life. Hank had left her, and she knew he wasn't coming back. No one was coming to her rescue. She was going to give birth to her baby in the middle of nowhere with no medical attention. And the pain was excrutiating. Tears streamed down her cheeks as another pain, much closer and more intense than the last, hit her, and she let loose a blood-curdling, guttural scream.
*******************************************************
He froze in his tracks when he heard the scream. It was her. He just knew it was her. And she was, quite obviously, in severe pain. Redoubling his efforts, he raced in the direction the horrible scream had come from.
*******************************************************
Sheridan prayed to God for strength with each passing contraction. Sweat beaded her forehead and trickled down to join the tears on her cheeks. She was beyond exhausted and getting weaker as the minutes passed. The pain made her delirium so thick she didn't hear the footsteps behind her or notice another presence in the room until she felt familiar arms embrace her and the voice she loved more than anything in the world.
Hours later the mansion was still crawling with cops. Alistair's body had been taken to the morgue. Julian, miraculously, was not dead at all. But very close to it. Ivy was at the hospital with Ethan anxiously awaiting word on his condition.
Luis was also at the hospital having Eve look at Lily to make sure she was okay. Sam lowered his head in his hands and sighed. Today had been a heck of a day. It made him realize, once again, how precious life really was. Seeing Alistair hold that gun on Ivy made Sam realize that he would never get that woman out of his heart, no matter how hard he tried. But, and a big but, he had a family to think of, a family that he couldn't abandon-- nor did he want to. He decided right then and there he was going to go home and let them know how much he loved them. Especially the kids.
*******************************************************
Pilar watched as her son gently tucked his daughter into bed. Lily had finally closed her eyes, but only after gaining her father's word that he would be close at all times. Her son had his daughter back. Now, all he needed was his wife and unborn child, and things could get back to normal. Well, close to normal anyway.
*******************************************************
Theresa held Ethan as he cried ceaseless tears about his grandfather's cruelty. Their friendship had only grown stronger these past several months, and Theresa felt Ethan needed a shoulder to cry on.
She knew Ivy would offer him comfort if she was able, but she was taking Julian's condition much harder than anyone else had ever imagined she would. Though Julian was unresponsive and in a coma, Ivy refused to leave his side for a moment. Theresa prayed Julian'd survive. He'd proven himself worthy of her prayers.
*******************************************************
With Alistair out of the way, Ivy gave the Harmony P.D. free rein with their investigation into Alistair's part in Sheridan's disappearance. She knew Julian wouldn't mind. She just wished he would wake up. Every moment that passed with him still in a coma left her with less hope and more regrets.
Chapter Ten:
She could tell something was wrong from the look on his face. Something was going on. Something very important. Maybe, just maybe, there was hope for her and her baby yet.
*******************************************************
He tried not to let the panic show on his face, but it was useless. Without Alistair's help, it was only a matter of time before they were found. But it wasn't as if he could do anything about it. The baby was due anyday now.
The walls were closing in on him, and his desperation was building. He had to get to someplace more private so he could organize his thoughts without Sheridan's penetrating stare. He told her he needed some air, and in his carelessness, left his coat hanging across the back of the chair. With his cell phone inside.
*******************************************************
Meanwhile in Harmony, Sam was closing in on Sheridan's whereabouts. Luis was working feverishly by his side, as were several other officers. They heard Silvano swear then exclaim in an astonished voice, "Chief, Luis, you guys are never going to believe this."
*******************************************************
It didn't escape Sheridan's attention that he left his cell phone in his haste to leave. When she figured adequate time had passed for her to do what she had to, she reached in the pocket with a feeling of trepidation. What if it was a trap? Still, it might be her only chance.
From memory, she dialed a well-known number. With growing disappointment, she listened to the phone's ring. No one was answering. She was about to give up when the childish voice that visited her dreams answered breathlessly. Barely holding back her sobs, Sheridan said, "Lily, baby. It's your mommy. I've missed you so much."
*******************************************************
Pilar was coming in the door with an armful of groceries when she heard Lily squeal, "Mommy!" and then burst into tears. Shocked, Pilar dropped the bags and crossed the room in an instant to take the phone from her sobbing granddaughter set on dispelling this cruel trick.
She almost fainted when she heard the hurried words of "Don't hang up. It's really me. Sheridan. And I need your help." Pilar turned to Lily and told her to get Grace from next door and tell her to call Sam immediately.
*******************************************************
Sam and Luis reached Luis's home in record time, but Sheridan was already gone. Pilar turned her tear-streaked face to Luis and said, "Mijo, we have no time. He's got her."
Chapter Eleven:
Luis felt so helpless. Unable to do anything to save or find Sheridan. He was frustrated beyond belief. And more worried than ever. Mama had told him and Sam about Sheridan's obvious terror and his unmistakeable anger. They had to find her. Unable to stand it any longer, he grabbed his keys and flew through the front door. His heart would lead him to her. It had to.
*******************************************************
Sam had a couple of guys tail Luis to keep him out of trouble. The guy was so torn up right now, Sam hated to think what he might do. Right now they were trying to get a trace on the phone Sheridan had used. It was imperative they get to her before he did something dangerous.
*******************************************************
Grace hugged Pilar as they waited with bated breath for more news about Sheridan. Lily was in the kitchen with Theresa, Miguel, Kay, Charity, and Jessica. They were trying desperately to distract the observant little girl. But obviously it wasn't working, thought the ladies, when Lily streaked across the living room and into Pilar's arms.
*******************************************************
Sheridan couldn't hold back the tears. She'd finally talked to her baby, Lily, for the first time in months. And to Pilar. But Luis hadn't been there. He was out searching for her. She prayed he found her soon because she desperately needed his help.
*******************************************************
He couldn't believe he'd been stupid enough to forget his cell phone. When he came back and found her on it, he yanked it from her hands and slapped her hard across the face. As soon as he saw the shocked, terrified look on her face, he couldn't believe what he had just done, but he squashed his regret down. They were closing in on them, and there was no time.
*******************************************************
Luis was driving aimlessly toward the location Linda Whitman had treated Sheridan at when his cell phone rang. What Sam told him next had his heart beating wildly. They had traced the call to a place just miles from where he was now. Ignoring Sam's pleas to wait for backup, Luis shut his phone off and raced to save his wife.
Chapter Twelve:
He was so mad. And desperate. In all the months he'd kept her captive, she'd never seen him so furious. She was backing away from him when she felt the first pain. The pain must have been broadcast clearly over her face because his eyes lost some of their anger. The look in his eyes was now full-fledged panic.
*******************************************************
He didn't know what to do. Sheridan was in labor, and her water had already broken, so there was no time. He couldn't call for help for obvious reasons. He did the only thing he could think of--he left her to escape outside. And ran smack into the last person he ever expected or wanted to see about two miles away from the cabin. Luis. Anger made him powerful, and he got in one quick punch before Luis had him on the ground.
*******************************************************
Luis was furious and scared at the same time. He punched him back and knocked him to the ground. A fight ensued that lasted several minutes before Luis had had enough and yelled, "Where is she? Tell me where she is. If you so much as touched one hair on her head, Hank, I'll kill you. I swear I'll kill you. Tell me, Hank."
*******************************************************
Hank grinned a maniacal grin and said, "You'll never find her. Even if you do, it'll be too late. You hear me? Too late I tell you!" Brandishing a gun similar to the one in Luis's holster, Hank said, "Kill me and you'll never find her. Follow me, and I'll just lead you farther and farther away from her. Your choice, buddy." Smirking in victory at Luis's look of defeat and lowering of hands, Hank said, "I knew you were smart," and disappeared into the night air.
*******************************************************
Back in the cabin, Sheridan was more scared than she'd ever been in her entire life. Hank had left her, and she knew he wasn't coming back. No one was coming to her rescue. She was going to give birth to her baby in the middle of nowhere with no medical attention. And the pain was excrutiating. Tears streamed down her cheeks as another pain, much closer and more intense than the last, hit her, and she let loose a blood-curdling, guttural scream.
*******************************************************
He froze in his tracks when he heard the scream. It was her. He just knew it was her. And she was, quite obviously, in severe pain. Redoubling his efforts, he raced in the direction the horrible scream had come from.
*******************************************************
Sheridan prayed to God for strength with each passing contraction. Sweat beaded her forehead and trickled down to join the tears on her cheeks. She was beyond exhausted and getting weaker as the minutes passed. The pain made her delirium so thick she didn't hear the footsteps behind her or notice another presence in the room until she felt familiar arms embrace her and the voice she loved more than anything in the world.