Chapter 30
He loved the way her head fit just so underneath his chin. The way her blond hair tickled his skin with each leisurely breath. The way she felt nestled securely in his arms. With the real world a distant memory. He loved the way her hands roamed up and down his chest unconsciously, and the way she'd press her lips to the flesh above his heart almost absentmindedly. Murmuring "I love you." He loved the way her blue eyes twinkled at him. With happiness and love and promises of forever in them as she cupped his jaw in her palm and kissed him sweetly. A good morning kiss. A greeting. He loved the way she sighed into his mouth as his hands did a little roaming of his own, and he loved the way she clung to him as they made love in the lazy morning sunlight. Knowing he'd never let her fall. That he'd always catch her. He loved that faith. That trust.
He stared into her blue eyes in wonder. Tattooing her creamy skin with figures and shapes as his fingers brushed lightly up and down her side. Following the curve of her waist, the flare of her hips. Skimming back up her arms to rest at the golden curls at the back of her neck. She smiled at him and kissed the palm that slid around her neck to cup her jaw. Curved around her cheek in a gentle caress. And he couldn't help smiling back. "I don't want to get out of this bed," he whispered. And she giggled lightheartedly as she brushed her lips across his. "Why?" she quirked a golden brow. "Well," he grinned. "Number one.I love you. Here. Beside me." "Luigi," she said the hated nickname teasingly. "We don't have to be in bed for me to be beside you." "Really?" Luis asked. Grinning wickedly at the sudden blush that stole over her cheeks. "Ow," he pretended to be hurt when she slapped his chest playfully. "THAT wasn't what I meant, and you know it." "Okay," he groaned. Rolling his brown eyes at her. "I don't want to leave this bed, this cabin, because the real world's out there." "What's going on here?" Sheridan asked. Bolting upright in the bed. Clasping the sheets to her chest when she realized he was staring. "Where is the REAL Luis Lopez-Fitzgerald and what have you done to him? You don't even sound like yourself." Luis smirked in embarrassment at the truth of her words. "Moment of weakness?" he shrugged his shoulders. Holding his arms out for her.
Sheridan's eyes fluttered shut. Safe in his arms again. But she couldn't help but worry. If Luis was worried about what awaited them.how could SHE not be? She knew what lay ahead. He didn't. And suddenly, the prospect frightened her all the more. "Why so quiet, Princess?" Luis asked. Grasping her chin in his fingers and making her look him in the eyes. "What's wrong?" "Luis," she murmured. Her voice suddenly thin. Shaky. "You never told me what happened to your father." She clutched at the fingers that fell from her chin. Holding on and refusing to let go as she prodded him for answers. For the truth. He was the only one who'd always told her the truth. "Luis.look at me," she urged. "What happened to Martin?" Luis's eyes were dark. Unreadable. Her heart clenched at the realization that he was closing himself off to her. "Don't you already know?" he accused. Causing the pain in her heart to increase. To grow twice as much.
"Your father.wait a minute. Sheridan," he said. Pulling his arms away from her and sitting at the bed's edge. "How did you know his name? How did you." "Luis, I." "You know something, don't you? Tell me, dammit." "Calm down, and I'll do that," she shouted. Anger flaring within her at the tone of his voice, and the way he was letting his anger and feelings of resentment against her father, her whole family, get the better of him. "Just slow down, Luis, before you say something really stupid. AGAIN," she advised. Luis raked his hand through his sleep-rumpled black hair agitatedly. "I'm sorry," he apologized. "It's just.my papa.your family." "Sore subject?" she said. Sympathy in her blue eyes as she crawled across the bed to his side and wrapped her arms around his shoulders from behind. "You could say that," he muttered. "Sheridan?" he turned to face her. "What do you know?" She shook her head slightly. "Just a little longer, I promise. When you hear what I have to say, I have a feeling you're going to want to confront my father.I think it'd be best if we both got dressed, don't you?"
She shivered, cold away from his side, as she slid her arms through the sleeves of the crumpled silk dress. The warmth of his hand on her back made her smile. Even as she thought about how she was about to turn his world, and her world, upside down as he knew it. His hands were so very careful as he laced the bodice back up. She turned around in his arms and began buttoning the tiny buttons of his dress shirt with fumbling fingers. "Sherry," Luis whispered. Stilling her hands with one of his own. "Stop stalling," he pleaded. His brown eyes boring into her blue. "Tell me about my father. How did you know his name? And don't even try to tell me." His words died in his throat with the touch of her finger to his lips, and he squeezed her hand reassuringly as she searched for the words.
"Oh my god.wait a minute. You don't have to say anything. The father you never had.it was MY father. Papa. Where? How? Sherry.Princess, you have to tell me." Her blue eyes sparkled at him as her fingers dug into the muscles of his upper arms. "Luis.look at me. I can't say anything yet, but I will. I promise. We have to take care of something first." "Your father.damn him," Luis ground out. "Damn him. I knew he had something to do with Papa's disappearance. I'm going to kill that bastard." His brown eyes were bright with rage when she held a restraining hand on his arm. "Luis.no." "What do you mean, no?" "Killing my father will only land you in prison. For a very long time," she pointed out. "There's another way." "Tell me." She strode purposely for the door. "I can't," she shook her head. "But it WILL work. I know it will. Are you coming with me or not, Luis?" she asked. Shuddering at the blast of cold air that hit her with the opening of the door.
Luis hurriedly dismounted Juliet. Swinging her down as well in his arms. Barely giving her time to regain her legs before he tugged her toward the Mansion. Pilar's dark eyes were wide as they strode past her in the kitchen. It wasn't their appearance in last night's clothing that surprised her.it was the purpose in their steps. The deliberation, and frightening calm on their faces. She had to look very hard to find any traces of worry. But it was there. Ivy smiled at them as they swept past her in the hallway. Julian's brandy glass crashed to the floor when the library door was suddenly jerked open, and his sister and Pilar's very irate son.entered. He glanced at his father. Astonished to find him wearing an infuriating smirk on his lips. "Hello, Luis. Sheridan. I've been expecting you both.though I must admit I gave you more credit, Sheridan. I thought you'd at least change clothing and not flaunt your adulterous ways in front of Pilar and the rest of us." Luis's jaw clenched, and he pulled Sheridan closer. Almost protectively. "What can I do for you, Luis?" Alistair asked. Leaning back in his high leather chair. Julian spit out the brandy in his mouth when Luis reached over the antique desk and grabbed his father by the collar of his expensive shirt. "Give me my father back," he growled. "Your father?" Alistair scoffed. "I don't know what you're talking about." "The hell you don't!" Luis raged.
"Luis," Sheridan uttered softly. Her gentle touch calming him. "Luis, don't." "Listen to my daughter," Alistair said. Tugging at the collar of his shirt in an effort to breathe. "Luis," Julian finally spoke. With a shake of his head. Luis's hands dropped to his sides, and Sheridan smiled encouragingly at him. "Julian," she implored her brother. "Take Luis outside. I need to speak to Father.don't argue with me, Luigi," she whispered in warning when Luis started to protest. The corners of her mouth twitching before straightening soberly. "He can't hurt me, Luis. Not anymore," she murmured. Kissing him gently in goodbye. "I'm almost impressed," Alistair said when the door shut behind the two men. "Almost but never quite," she said to herself. "I remember, Father."
"Sheridan, Dear," Alistair's cold blue eyes looked through her. "What? What are you talking about?" She wrapped her arms around her waist comfortingly. "I remember what you did that night. The night Martin disappeared." "This is foolishness," Alistair dismissed her claims. "It's impossible. You were just a child." "You got rid of him because of what he saw," Sheridan continued in a quiet voice. "What you did.and tried to do." For the first time, she saw a crack in her father's demeanor. He paled with her next words. "I remember EVERYTHING, Father, and unless you want me to tell the ENTIRE world what a monster you are, you WILL give Luis back his father. You WILL let Martin return to his family." "Are you threatening me?" Alistair hissed. "Yeah.I guess I AM," Sheridan answered. "What's it going to be? Either pick up the phone and make the arrangements," she suggested. "Or your dirty little secret won't be such a secret anymore." She smiled when he picked up the phone and punched in an unfamiliar number, but her blue eyes were dull.
"Luis!" Sheridan cried. Flinging her arms around his neck as she pushed the door open. "Sheridan?" Luis tightened his hold around her waist as he met the cold blue eyes of her father. The man he hated with a passion. "Sheridan, what." "He's coming home, Luis. Your father's coming home." Luis's face broke out into a wide smile as his brown eyes searched hers. Looking to Alistair in disbelief. "But how.how did you convince." "It doesn't matter. All that matters is that Martin is coming home. To you. Pilar. Your brother and sisters. That's all that matters, Luis," she smiled. Caressing his cheek lovingly. "Why don't you go tell Pilar the good news while I go upstairs to my room and pack a few things? I can't stay in this house anymore," she finished in a whisper. Blue eyes avoiding his questioning look. "Go, Luis. Don't wait a minute longer to make your mother the happiest woman in the world." "Thank you," he breathed. Resting his forehead against hers as he kissed her softly. "We'll be waiting for you," he said with a smile as he led her to the staircase. "Hurry." "I will." "You'll never be happy," Alistair told her cruelly as she raised her hand to the wooden banister. "I'll see to that," he threatened her retreating form as she ascended the stairs.
She packed lightly. Only a few things in the childhood room having good memories attached to them. Everything else she would rather forget. Or at least most of it. She tucked the diamond necklace safely away in her case. Her last link to her mother. The link that was going to lead her to her again. She didn't believe she was dead. Martin, in his sparingly few words, had given her hope her mother was out there. Alive somewhere. Waiting for her and the day she'd be strong enough to take on her father. Confront him with his guilt. "You were only trying to protect me," she whispered. Tears stinging her blue eyes. "You both were. I'll find you, Mother. I need you so much. Especially now," she murmured. Stroking her abdomen unconsciously. "Especially now," she sighed. Pulling the door closed behind her. And backing into a solid form. "Luis," she laughed without turning around. "I told you to."
"I'm not Luis," he slurred. She whirled around. Her mouth hung open in shock, her blue eyes wide. Colin. "Colin.I." "Shut up," he growled. Wrenching the suitcase from her hand and tossing it aside. "I knew you were a lying little bitch. You were tramping around with the hired help. I think you owe me something, you little slut," he said. Pulling her roughly down the hall. "No," she bit out. Shoving at him and darting from his slippery grasp. She cried out when his hand clasped her wrist painfully at the top of the stairs. "Colin.No. Don't," she pleaded. "Don't do this. Let me go." "I'm not letting go 'til you give me what's mine. You're my wife, and because you're my wife, I'm entitled to a few things," he leered. She cringed as the smell of liquor assaulted her senses, and his eyes raked over her figure appreciatively. "You're never going to have me," she taunted. "You're a pathetic excuse for a man, you drunken fool," she hissed. Yanking at her wrist. Colin's gray eyes glittered angrily at her. "You want me to let you go?" Colin said in an eerily calm voice. Edging her closer to the stairs. Fear filled her Sheridan's blue eyes as her foot slipped off the top step. "I'll let you go," he hissed. Shoving her from him forcefully. And she screamed as she tumbled down. And down. And down. "LUIS!!!"
He loved the way her head fit just so underneath his chin. The way her blond hair tickled his skin with each leisurely breath. The way she felt nestled securely in his arms. With the real world a distant memory. He loved the way her hands roamed up and down his chest unconsciously, and the way she'd press her lips to the flesh above his heart almost absentmindedly. Murmuring "I love you." He loved the way her blue eyes twinkled at him. With happiness and love and promises of forever in them as she cupped his jaw in her palm and kissed him sweetly. A good morning kiss. A greeting. He loved the way she sighed into his mouth as his hands did a little roaming of his own, and he loved the way she clung to him as they made love in the lazy morning sunlight. Knowing he'd never let her fall. That he'd always catch her. He loved that faith. That trust.
He stared into her blue eyes in wonder. Tattooing her creamy skin with figures and shapes as his fingers brushed lightly up and down her side. Following the curve of her waist, the flare of her hips. Skimming back up her arms to rest at the golden curls at the back of her neck. She smiled at him and kissed the palm that slid around her neck to cup her jaw. Curved around her cheek in a gentle caress. And he couldn't help smiling back. "I don't want to get out of this bed," he whispered. And she giggled lightheartedly as she brushed her lips across his. "Why?" she quirked a golden brow. "Well," he grinned. "Number one.I love you. Here. Beside me." "Luigi," she said the hated nickname teasingly. "We don't have to be in bed for me to be beside you." "Really?" Luis asked. Grinning wickedly at the sudden blush that stole over her cheeks. "Ow," he pretended to be hurt when she slapped his chest playfully. "THAT wasn't what I meant, and you know it." "Okay," he groaned. Rolling his brown eyes at her. "I don't want to leave this bed, this cabin, because the real world's out there." "What's going on here?" Sheridan asked. Bolting upright in the bed. Clasping the sheets to her chest when she realized he was staring. "Where is the REAL Luis Lopez-Fitzgerald and what have you done to him? You don't even sound like yourself." Luis smirked in embarrassment at the truth of her words. "Moment of weakness?" he shrugged his shoulders. Holding his arms out for her.
Sheridan's eyes fluttered shut. Safe in his arms again. But she couldn't help but worry. If Luis was worried about what awaited them.how could SHE not be? She knew what lay ahead. He didn't. And suddenly, the prospect frightened her all the more. "Why so quiet, Princess?" Luis asked. Grasping her chin in his fingers and making her look him in the eyes. "What's wrong?" "Luis," she murmured. Her voice suddenly thin. Shaky. "You never told me what happened to your father." She clutched at the fingers that fell from her chin. Holding on and refusing to let go as she prodded him for answers. For the truth. He was the only one who'd always told her the truth. "Luis.look at me," she urged. "What happened to Martin?" Luis's eyes were dark. Unreadable. Her heart clenched at the realization that he was closing himself off to her. "Don't you already know?" he accused. Causing the pain in her heart to increase. To grow twice as much.
"Your father.wait a minute. Sheridan," he said. Pulling his arms away from her and sitting at the bed's edge. "How did you know his name? How did you." "Luis, I." "You know something, don't you? Tell me, dammit." "Calm down, and I'll do that," she shouted. Anger flaring within her at the tone of his voice, and the way he was letting his anger and feelings of resentment against her father, her whole family, get the better of him. "Just slow down, Luis, before you say something really stupid. AGAIN," she advised. Luis raked his hand through his sleep-rumpled black hair agitatedly. "I'm sorry," he apologized. "It's just.my papa.your family." "Sore subject?" she said. Sympathy in her blue eyes as she crawled across the bed to his side and wrapped her arms around his shoulders from behind. "You could say that," he muttered. "Sheridan?" he turned to face her. "What do you know?" She shook her head slightly. "Just a little longer, I promise. When you hear what I have to say, I have a feeling you're going to want to confront my father.I think it'd be best if we both got dressed, don't you?"
She shivered, cold away from his side, as she slid her arms through the sleeves of the crumpled silk dress. The warmth of his hand on her back made her smile. Even as she thought about how she was about to turn his world, and her world, upside down as he knew it. His hands were so very careful as he laced the bodice back up. She turned around in his arms and began buttoning the tiny buttons of his dress shirt with fumbling fingers. "Sherry," Luis whispered. Stilling her hands with one of his own. "Stop stalling," he pleaded. His brown eyes boring into her blue. "Tell me about my father. How did you know his name? And don't even try to tell me." His words died in his throat with the touch of her finger to his lips, and he squeezed her hand reassuringly as she searched for the words.
"Oh my god.wait a minute. You don't have to say anything. The father you never had.it was MY father. Papa. Where? How? Sherry.Princess, you have to tell me." Her blue eyes sparkled at him as her fingers dug into the muscles of his upper arms. "Luis.look at me. I can't say anything yet, but I will. I promise. We have to take care of something first." "Your father.damn him," Luis ground out. "Damn him. I knew he had something to do with Papa's disappearance. I'm going to kill that bastard." His brown eyes were bright with rage when she held a restraining hand on his arm. "Luis.no." "What do you mean, no?" "Killing my father will only land you in prison. For a very long time," she pointed out. "There's another way." "Tell me." She strode purposely for the door. "I can't," she shook her head. "But it WILL work. I know it will. Are you coming with me or not, Luis?" she asked. Shuddering at the blast of cold air that hit her with the opening of the door.
Luis hurriedly dismounted Juliet. Swinging her down as well in his arms. Barely giving her time to regain her legs before he tugged her toward the Mansion. Pilar's dark eyes were wide as they strode past her in the kitchen. It wasn't their appearance in last night's clothing that surprised her.it was the purpose in their steps. The deliberation, and frightening calm on their faces. She had to look very hard to find any traces of worry. But it was there. Ivy smiled at them as they swept past her in the hallway. Julian's brandy glass crashed to the floor when the library door was suddenly jerked open, and his sister and Pilar's very irate son.entered. He glanced at his father. Astonished to find him wearing an infuriating smirk on his lips. "Hello, Luis. Sheridan. I've been expecting you both.though I must admit I gave you more credit, Sheridan. I thought you'd at least change clothing and not flaunt your adulterous ways in front of Pilar and the rest of us." Luis's jaw clenched, and he pulled Sheridan closer. Almost protectively. "What can I do for you, Luis?" Alistair asked. Leaning back in his high leather chair. Julian spit out the brandy in his mouth when Luis reached over the antique desk and grabbed his father by the collar of his expensive shirt. "Give me my father back," he growled. "Your father?" Alistair scoffed. "I don't know what you're talking about." "The hell you don't!" Luis raged.
"Luis," Sheridan uttered softly. Her gentle touch calming him. "Luis, don't." "Listen to my daughter," Alistair said. Tugging at the collar of his shirt in an effort to breathe. "Luis," Julian finally spoke. With a shake of his head. Luis's hands dropped to his sides, and Sheridan smiled encouragingly at him. "Julian," she implored her brother. "Take Luis outside. I need to speak to Father.don't argue with me, Luigi," she whispered in warning when Luis started to protest. The corners of her mouth twitching before straightening soberly. "He can't hurt me, Luis. Not anymore," she murmured. Kissing him gently in goodbye. "I'm almost impressed," Alistair said when the door shut behind the two men. "Almost but never quite," she said to herself. "I remember, Father."
"Sheridan, Dear," Alistair's cold blue eyes looked through her. "What? What are you talking about?" She wrapped her arms around her waist comfortingly. "I remember what you did that night. The night Martin disappeared." "This is foolishness," Alistair dismissed her claims. "It's impossible. You were just a child." "You got rid of him because of what he saw," Sheridan continued in a quiet voice. "What you did.and tried to do." For the first time, she saw a crack in her father's demeanor. He paled with her next words. "I remember EVERYTHING, Father, and unless you want me to tell the ENTIRE world what a monster you are, you WILL give Luis back his father. You WILL let Martin return to his family." "Are you threatening me?" Alistair hissed. "Yeah.I guess I AM," Sheridan answered. "What's it going to be? Either pick up the phone and make the arrangements," she suggested. "Or your dirty little secret won't be such a secret anymore." She smiled when he picked up the phone and punched in an unfamiliar number, but her blue eyes were dull.
"Luis!" Sheridan cried. Flinging her arms around his neck as she pushed the door open. "Sheridan?" Luis tightened his hold around her waist as he met the cold blue eyes of her father. The man he hated with a passion. "Sheridan, what." "He's coming home, Luis. Your father's coming home." Luis's face broke out into a wide smile as his brown eyes searched hers. Looking to Alistair in disbelief. "But how.how did you convince." "It doesn't matter. All that matters is that Martin is coming home. To you. Pilar. Your brother and sisters. That's all that matters, Luis," she smiled. Caressing his cheek lovingly. "Why don't you go tell Pilar the good news while I go upstairs to my room and pack a few things? I can't stay in this house anymore," she finished in a whisper. Blue eyes avoiding his questioning look. "Go, Luis. Don't wait a minute longer to make your mother the happiest woman in the world." "Thank you," he breathed. Resting his forehead against hers as he kissed her softly. "We'll be waiting for you," he said with a smile as he led her to the staircase. "Hurry." "I will." "You'll never be happy," Alistair told her cruelly as she raised her hand to the wooden banister. "I'll see to that," he threatened her retreating form as she ascended the stairs.
She packed lightly. Only a few things in the childhood room having good memories attached to them. Everything else she would rather forget. Or at least most of it. She tucked the diamond necklace safely away in her case. Her last link to her mother. The link that was going to lead her to her again. She didn't believe she was dead. Martin, in his sparingly few words, had given her hope her mother was out there. Alive somewhere. Waiting for her and the day she'd be strong enough to take on her father. Confront him with his guilt. "You were only trying to protect me," she whispered. Tears stinging her blue eyes. "You both were. I'll find you, Mother. I need you so much. Especially now," she murmured. Stroking her abdomen unconsciously. "Especially now," she sighed. Pulling the door closed behind her. And backing into a solid form. "Luis," she laughed without turning around. "I told you to."
"I'm not Luis," he slurred. She whirled around. Her mouth hung open in shock, her blue eyes wide. Colin. "Colin.I." "Shut up," he growled. Wrenching the suitcase from her hand and tossing it aside. "I knew you were a lying little bitch. You were tramping around with the hired help. I think you owe me something, you little slut," he said. Pulling her roughly down the hall. "No," she bit out. Shoving at him and darting from his slippery grasp. She cried out when his hand clasped her wrist painfully at the top of the stairs. "Colin.No. Don't," she pleaded. "Don't do this. Let me go." "I'm not letting go 'til you give me what's mine. You're my wife, and because you're my wife, I'm entitled to a few things," he leered. She cringed as the smell of liquor assaulted her senses, and his eyes raked over her figure appreciatively. "You're never going to have me," she taunted. "You're a pathetic excuse for a man, you drunken fool," she hissed. Yanking at her wrist. Colin's gray eyes glittered angrily at her. "You want me to let you go?" Colin said in an eerily calm voice. Edging her closer to the stairs. Fear filled her Sheridan's blue eyes as her foot slipped off the top step. "I'll let you go," he hissed. Shoving her from him forcefully. And she screamed as she tumbled down. And down. And down. "LUIS!!!"