Reconnections - Chapter Three - ...Home Sweet Home - Pt. 1
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Standing on the top of the hill, Beth could overlook the large orchard of apple trees below. A smile blooming on her face, she raced down the slope, the soft petals of dandelions flying through the air. When she reached the first tree, she lifted her hand to pick out an apple and bring it to her lips. Sweet, she savored the taste of the fruit on her tongue.
"Mommy? Mommy! Mommy where are you?"
Both hand and heart stilled as the voice came to her, distant but not so she didn't know it was that of her son. "Caleb?" Beth called out, dropping the forgotten apple. She walked further into the orchard, dodging low hanging branches on her way. "Caleb, honey, where are you?"
"Mommy I'm right here. Help me mommy."
Fear raced through Beth as she began to jog through the endless stream of trees. "Caleb, baby, keep talking so I can find you," she shouted for her son to hear. When his voice returned, this time louder, her racing heart slowed, but only a little. "Caleb?"
"I'm right here mommy."
Running out from between two trees, Beth came to a stop. The orchard had ended abruptly, opening to a large green field of grass. Off in the distance, she saw her son as he stood near the banks of a raging river. "Caleb?" she questioned, walking briskly forward. "Baby, move away from the edge. Caleb," Beth shouted but too late. Horrified, Beth watched as her son jumped out into the rushing waters. The scream that came from her mouth was soundless, drummed out by the wild beating of her heart. "Caleb!" She ran to the river bank's edge, searching for any signs of her little boy. "Caleb," she sobbed, the tears running endlessly down her face.
Ready to jump into the water to find him herself, Beth was startled by the voice she then heard.
"I'm all right mommy."
Her eyes moving off the water, she looked to the other bank of the river. There, standing as if he had never entered the waters separating them, stood Caleb, a wide smile on his face. And beside her son with his back turned to her, stood a man wearing all black, his hands stuffed deep within his trouser pockets. "Baby, are you all right?" she managed to call across the distance though her nerves were still jumbled. Apprehensions slowly crept up her neck as she took a step forward, then quickly remembering the body of water that separated them.
Caleb smiled. "Mommy, I'm fine. Daddy's gonna take me home."
She watched as her son turned towards the man, tugging on his shirt to gain his attention. He then turned to look down at Caleb, taking the little boy's hand in his own. "Antonio?" Beth called out, confusion settling in. And then he turned towards her, his face a mere shadow at first. But then she blinked, just once, and it was clear to her who held her son. "Luis?" Beth whispered, something in her dying. Wildly, she looked between her son and Luis. NO, her mind screamed as her heart began to beat in an unsteady rhythm. This couldn't be happening.
Luis looked to her, a dangerous glint in his eyes. "I'm taking my son home, Beth. Home with me where he belongs." Luis gave her a scowl before turning to walk away with Caleb in hand.
"No," she called, but they were already feet away. The distance between them and her grew longer and longer. And as many times as she shouted no, begged her son to return, he walked farther away. With Luis. Finally, the two were gone and Beth was left all alone.
"No," Beth murmured into her pillow, tossing one way and then the next. Jolting awake, she sat up, her pajama shirt sticking to her sweat-soaked skin. It had all been a dream, her mind told her. But the feelings of panic still lingered and she got up, grabbing her robe as she made her way out the bedroom door. Within moments, she was standing before the door to her sons' room. Her hand shook as it turned the doorknob and her head peaked through. By the night light glowing between the two beds, Beth could just make out the faces of her sons as they slept. She quietly padded into the room, needing to feel that they were both there, that they were okay. When she was satisfied, she returned to the door, throwing one last glance back before shutting it and returning to her room.
Sleep long gone now, Beth turned on the light before walking to Antonio's lounge chair that sat by the window. Settling herself deep within the cushions, she reached over to the bed to pull off the top quilt. Spreading it over herself, Beth turned her attention out the window to stare at the dark night just beyond. This was the third time she'd had the same dream. The first time had been the same night Antonio had left for Harmony. She had awoken in a cold sweat and spent much of the rest of the night watching over the boys as they slept. Last night, after she had woken from the dream, she had taken a blanket into their room and slept between their beds, worry keeping her from closing her eyes. And she knew she wouldn't return to sleep tonight either.
She had spoken with Antonio earlier this evening. After talking to the Caleb and Haden for nearly an hour about their respective day, she had spent twenty minutes with him in a tense conversation. All the questions she wanted to ask were barely kept on her tongue. He had told her that he had spent the past two days getting various tests done and only that morning had they released him from the hospital. Staying with his mother at their family home, he was having a good time getting to know Theresa's son Ethan, who was now a rambunctious nine-and-a-half year old. But besides that, seldom had been said about his family and the reactions, on both ends, to him being home. If everything went as expected, the surgery would take place on Wednesday afternoon around one. When she had asked him if he was nervous, he had balked and told her that no little knife scared him. That had made her smile and they had ended the conversation telling each other I love you.
No, she hadn't told him about her dreams because then she would have had to incur some speech about how everything would be fine. In her soul, she knew it wouldn't. The dreams were telling her something. Some way, somehow, Luis was going to find out the truth. Biting her lip, Beth turned her eyes from the window and they caught on a picture on the dresser. Standing, she walked to pick it up, holding it close so she could see. It had been taken over a year ago during a picnic in the park. The boys, messy from the lunch that had been enjoyed earlier, had big smiles on their faces as the huddled between herself and Antonio. The perfect family. Setting the picture back down, she wiped the tears from her eyes. Everything would be fine. Her fingers shook as she turned around the room, not looking at anything but looking at everything nonetheless. Was it all about to end?
"No," she whispered, her voice broken. She couldn't let that happen. She couldn't let them find out that Caleb belonged to Luis. She had no illusions to the fact that Luis would accept that his brother was raising his son. If he every found out the truth, Luis would want to be a part of Caleb's life. And what would that do to her family? And more importantly, what would that do to her son? With a newfound purpose, Beth went out to the hall closet. She rolled the medium-sized, black suitcase into the bedroom and opened it on the floor. Going to the walk-in closet she shared with her husband, she began to pick out clothes, throwing them all in the suitcase, hangers included. She couldn't let them find out the truth, she told herself. And if that meant going back to Harmony to do damage control, then that was what she would do.
The next afternoon, Beth sat in the small commuter plane, staring out the window at the small coastal town of Harmony, Maine. Her stomach pitched and rolled, having nothing to do with the flight she was on. Karen had come over that morning to stay with the boys for the next week or two, though in all honesty Beth hoped it wouldn't take that long. She would stay with Antonio through the surgery, help him to get better, and get the both of them the hell out of dodge. Because the one thing her mind had come to accept was that she would not lose her family. Whatever she had to do, she would in order to protect the ones she loved. And if that meant facing the judgment of all those she had left behind years ago, then she face it. But as the pilot came over the speaker to announce their arrival in Harmony, Maine, Beth couldn't help the shudder that raced through her body. It was all about to begin.
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Thanking the young man behind the counter, Sheridan picked up the two hot cocoas before turning to make her way towards the bench where Antonio sat waiting for her. He stood as he saw her approach, taking the offered cup from her hand as he spoke a soft Thank You. "You're absolutely welcome," she told him with a smile before taking the empty seat beside him. She took a long sip of the warm confection, loving the taste of the chocolate as it slid down her throat. If there was one thing a person could count on living in Harmony, it was the promise of a good hot cocoa no matter what time of the year. Settling the Styrofoam cup on a wooden slat of the bench, she turned her eyes onto her companion. It had been four days since Antonio had walked back into all their lives, but she couldn't stop herself taking him in any less.
The man she had known a mere eight years ago had aged finely with time. His face had grown the lines of living and his hair had begun to show signs of graying at the temples, but neither detail lessened the strength or presence of the man sitting beside her. If anything, she could look at him now and think that he was comfortable with the person he was with his head held high, his movements confident and self-assured. For some reason, she had imagined time and time again that he would not handle their breakup and subsequent divorce as well as he seemingly had. Maybe it was a little bit of conceit on her part but she had thought it nonetheless. But seeing Antonio like this truly made her happy, something that had come and gone quickly in the past month.
"This is really good," Antonio spoke, drawing the eyes of the woman that sat beside him. He gave her a soft smile before nodding towards the cup in his hand in case she had mistaken his words for anything else.
"Its the best," Sheridan spoke. "Luis and I come here..." Her words faded as she saw the quick flash of unease on his face. Closing her eyes, she opened them just as quickly, ready to offer an apology for her words. She was surprised when she saw him shake his head, a wry smile tilting the corners of his lips. "What?" she asked softly, amused that he was amused.
"You don't have to apologize to me every time you speak my brother's name," Antonio told her. "In fact, I can speak it just as well. Luis. See, I didn't explode. I didn't fall to the ground in total and complete utter dejection."
A winsome laugh escaped Sheridan's lips as she looked to Antonio. "I understand," she told him, though why he had been so kind to her in the past few days still escaped her knowledge. The last thing she had expected from this man was his kindness, yet he had given it so freely. "Its just...hard."
"Well it doesn't have to be. I think for now, we can all put the past to rest. What should take first priority is getting Luis better."
Sheridan nodded at his words. "And that's going to happen tomorrow when you give him half your liver." Both of them laughed at that, a joke Antonio had offered early on as a means to break the heavily veiled tension between them. Two days ago when he had seen his brother for the first time, Antonio had grouched about how of all the parts Luis could need, his liver was the one he least wanted to part with because it would decrease his alcohol intake and retention for the rest of his life. Both brothers had joked laughingly about how neither one of them would be able to enjoy a long- necked bottle without the wrath of someone every again. And from that moment on, it had seemed that old hurts had gone to rest, the deceptions of the past forgotten as two brothers came together for one cause. Sheridan smiled at that thought. It was truly a blessing that things were working out so well.
"So, how have the past eight years treated you Sheridan?" Antonio asked before taking another sip of the warm, sweet cocoa in hand. "And don't leave a thing out. I want to hear it all."
"Well," she began, honestly not knowing where to start. It seemed that between the time Antonio had left Harmony and now, lifetimes and ages had come and gone. Biting her lip, she looked up to Antonio. "Well after you left...Obviously, Luis and I were married."
"Obviously."
She smiled, not hearing a hint of derision in the single spoken word. "We took a long honeymoon in Paris. We saw everything, the Eiffel Tower, the river Seine. It was wonderful. And then we came back to Harmony and started to live a married life."
Arching an eyebrow, Antonio leaned slightly forward. "Aren't you forgetting something?" he asked. "It seems like you've gone over a period of time leaving out one of the most important experiences of your life."
Instantly, Sheridan froze. She looked to him to see if he was somehow trying to upset, but saw nothing but interest in his eyes. After all this time, how could he not know? Taking a deep breath, she turned her face away and was saddened further by the sight her eyes caught. Off near the wharf, a man and a woman stood, looking out at the waters beyond. But in the man's arms, he held a small child, a girl from the pink sweater set and matching hat that she wore. Sheridan's heart constricted at the sight, at Antonio's question. She returned her gaze to him, giving a smile that was used more to cover up her pain than anything else. "I thought that...that maybe Pilar or Theresa would have told you..." She let her words trail off, always finding it hard to talk about this.
"But I suppose I would be the last topic of conversation when you did decide to speak to your family again."
Antonio knew something was wrong; he could hear it in her tone of voice. "Sheridan?" He looked to her, feeling that unease that drifted between them. "What did I say?"
"Oh, no," she spoke quickly, placing her hand on his arm before taking it away. "I just... I lost the baby." Her heart clenched and even now, years later, she wanted to cry for what she had wanted so much but would never have. "Just a week after we returned from Paris, I went into labor. It was too early and I knew something was wrong. They had to do a cesarean section but..." She licked her trembling lips, the words hard to say. "The baby didn't make it."
He closed his eyes briefly, feeling the pain that she so obviously felt. "Sheridan...I'm so sorry."
She smiled then, a small wan smile that didn't reach her eyes. "It was a girl. A little baby girl. We named her Katherine, after my mother." She took a deep breath, steeling herself against all the hurt, all the memories. "We buried her a week later. Our little angel."
Picking up her cup and his own, he transferred them to the floor before moving over on the bench to embrace her in his arms. Losing a child was something that had never even crossed his mind but with her loss, he felt his heart constrict. If anything ever happened to Caleb or Haden... He held on tight to Sheridan, letting her cry softly against his shoulder. It was weird, he thought. It seemed like since he had returned, this was something regular for them to do. He would have thought that after everything they had been through in the past, his anger would surmount over any other feelings and keep them at a certain distance. But instead, it seemed that they were drawn together by some invisible force.
Sheridan closed her eyes, hating that she was being so emotional over a loss that had occurred a long time ago. But on that day, Katherine had not been the only thing to slip from her grasp. Though the doctors had tried everything they could to save her uterus, they had eventually had to do a hysterectomy to save her life. At the price of living, she was left unable to have children with the man she loved. Another obstacle thrown at them; one that had taken years to overcome. But they had overcome it and were in the process of adopting a child, a baby boy or girl to love as their own. But now, even that seemed a little more distant in the future. With Luis in the condition he was, it would be selfish and unfair of them to bring an infant into their lives. Sheridan sighed as she opened her eyes, her gaze focused on the seaside shops that lined the wharf.
Her breath caught in her throat when she caught sight of a woman leaving one of the shops. With long dark hair that reached just past her shoulders, she turned and walked away from them instead of towards. But Sheridan could not deny what she had seen. Pulling away from Antonio, she stood, shock rolling through her body in waves. It couldn't be, could it? She could sense Antonio's concern as he stood, slightly shaking her to gain her attention. But she kept her eyes glued to the woman as she walked away from the wharf, towards the main street of town.
"Sheridan, is everything all right?" he asked, worry and concern etched in his voice.
"No." She needn't have thought about her answer. Whenever Elizabeth Wallace was concerned, things were not at all all-right. "I...I have to go," she told Antonio before taking off in a brisk walk, needing to find the woman, needing to make sure that it was or wasn't the person who had caused her so much pain. Soon, she found herself in a light jog, barely keeping sight of the dark-haired woman as she descended the stairs that led to the Book Cafe. It is her, Sheridan's mind screamed even as she begged it not to be true. Sheridan had had her confrontation with Beth years ago. After learning of all the devious and treacherous things the other woman had done to keep her and Luis apart, she had confronted her with the lies and manipulations. And to her surprise, Beth had owned up to every single one, even the plot to take her life.
Hurrying down the steps herself, Sheridan had almost reached her when the woman turned around on her own, instantly stopping when she caught sight of her. The two stared at each other, shock and surprise evident in both their gazes. Why was she back? Sheridan's mind questioned. She had told Beth to leave Harmony, to never come back or she would have to face the consequences of her actions. And without a fight, the other woman had obeyed, packing and leaving within a week of their meeting. But now... Sheridan felt her hands ball into fists, the anger evident in her stance. She must have found out, she thought to herself. Somehow, she must have found out about Luis and was back to... To what? Sheridan thought. There was no reason for Beth to be here; none at all. And yet there she stood less than six feet away. "Beth," Sheridan spoke coolly, her eyes ablaze.
"Sheridan," Beth managed around the dryness in her mouth. She had felt someone following her and had turned to confront them, the pepper spray ready in her hand. But the last person she had expected to see was the woman standing in front of her now. Beth could tell that she was angry and knew every reason why. Still, she held her head up as she faced Sheridan Crane...Lopez-Fitzgerald, she corrected, which only brought a bubble of laughter to her lips. To think that she was actually related to this woman, someone she hated with everything in her, was an absolute joke. And yet as they stood, they were sisters, connected by husbands who were brothers to each other. "It's good to see you," Beth spoke, not at all trying to lace the sarcasm in her voice. "Though, I didn't think this was how we would meet. You following me. Kind of seems like it should have happened the other way around, don't you think?"
"You would like that, wouldn't you Beth?" Sheridan threw a steely gaze at the woman who stood before her. It seemed that Beth had no shame for the things she had done, standing there as if she had a right to. "You probably wouldn't even hesitate to put a knife in my back."
A little taken aback by that statement, Beth brought her arms up to cross over her chest. She wasn't proud of the things she had done to try and keep Luis' love all those years ago but it seemed pointless to apologize now. "Look," Beth began, barely controlling the menacing tone in her voice, "the last thing I want is start something here, especially considering the fact that you can't finish it."
"I can't?" Sheridan taunted, taking a step forward. "Maybe that's just wishful thinking on your part, Beth. Maybe I would love nothing more than to see you pay for all the things that you've done, starting with this," she said, before raising her hand to offer the other woman a stinging slap across the cheek. And it felt damn good too, she thought to herself. She waited for the other woman to respond, to attack. It seemed a lifetime before Beth opened her mouth to speak, but her words were quickly cut off by a masculine voice from behind them.
"Sheridan," Antonio spoke, coming around the corner and down the steps, his gaze focused solely on the blonde. It wasn't until he had taken a few steps towards her did he even notice the second person standing there. And it took no more than a simple glance for him to see who it was. Speechless, he stopped just beside Sheridan, his eyes solely focused on Beth. What the hell was she doing here?
"Antonio. I'm glad you're here," Sheridan spoke, moving into his arms. "I was so worried that she was going to hurt me." She shuddered as she wrapped her arms around him, burying her face into his chest.
"Yeah, considering you're the one who just attacked me," Beth spoke, her eyes never leaving Antonio's. This was probably the last thing she had expected to encounter here. But she couldn't forget the fact that these two had once been married. Wanting to scream and yell, Beth chose instead to turn around and enter the Book Cafe. "Damn it," she muttered under her breath as she walked towards the counter. "Fuck. Fuck Fuck Fuck."
"Excuse me?"
Beth raised her eyes to meet the shocked ones of a blonde girl, no older than eighteen. "I'm sorry," she quickly apologized. "Um...Can I have..." She gave a quick glance to the chalk drawn menu that hung just behind the girl, noting that nothing more than the prices had changed. Eight years and things were still the same. Feeling herself at a total and complete loss at what to say, she turned to head for the bathroom. When inside, she locked the door and went directly to the sink, turning the water on full blast to cold. She lowered her head and splashed her face once, twice, three times. She knew the little makeup she wore was now ruined but didn't care.
Staring at the woman before her in the mirror, she wondered why she felt so betrayed. Because you're husband was comforting the woman you hate the most in the world. Beth blinked before stepping back, the sound of the water the only one in the room. She had to pull herself together. One meeting and she was already ready to turn tail and run back to home to Washington. No. She had to do this, her mind screamed. Closing the faucet, she opened the door and left. She wasn't at all surprised to find both Antonio and Sheridan at the counter - Sheridan sitting on one of the stools, Antonio standing beside her. She gave them both a glance before making her way out the door.
"Beth," Antonio called, going after her. He heard Sheridan call his name and almost stopped, but continued out after Beth. She was already making her way up the stairs when he called out, "What the hell was that all about?" She stopped then, one hand braced on the metal railing of the stairs. Her head was down, bowed, and her shoulders were tensed under the pale blue jacket that she wore. Antonio walked forward but stopped when she turned to look at him.
"Nice to see you too," she spoke, the derisiveness clear in her tone. "Shouldn't you be in there, comforting poor, dear Sheridan?"
"Cut the crap, Beth. What the hell are you doing here?"
Beth shifted. Good question. What was she doing here? "I don't know... Sightseeing?"
Antonio sighed before walking forward and up two steps. He stood nearly face to face with her and so close, he could tell that she was upset. And granted, she had every right to be after seeing what she had. He raised his hand to cup the back of her head, drawing her closer. "Where are the boys?" he asked, pushing all other thoughts aside for the moment.
"At home. With Karen."
He nearly rolled his eyes but kept himself in check. "You do that on purpose right? Drop names that I don't want to hear just to tick me off."
Beth rolled her eyes. "She was the only person that I could get to watch them. She's staying with them at the house until ...I don't know. I until we get back." Beth sighed as she looked down to the concrete step she stood upon. "This is the last thing I need from you right now, Antonio. Today has been one of the shittiest days of my life," she spoke softly only to hear him laugh in return. "What?" she asked, her eyes going up to meet his.
Antonio smiled. "Nothing. I'm just slightly amused by your potty mouth is all." He gave a laugh before leaning forward to capture her lips with his, the motion so familiar, it was done without thought. But the moment was lost all too soon as he heard a familiar voice speak out from behind him.
"Antonio?" Sheridan questioned shakily, not sure her eyes had seen what had just happened. "What is going on here?"
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See Pt. 2
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Standing on the top of the hill, Beth could overlook the large orchard of apple trees below. A smile blooming on her face, she raced down the slope, the soft petals of dandelions flying through the air. When she reached the first tree, she lifted her hand to pick out an apple and bring it to her lips. Sweet, she savored the taste of the fruit on her tongue.
"Mommy? Mommy! Mommy where are you?"
Both hand and heart stilled as the voice came to her, distant but not so she didn't know it was that of her son. "Caleb?" Beth called out, dropping the forgotten apple. She walked further into the orchard, dodging low hanging branches on her way. "Caleb, honey, where are you?"
"Mommy I'm right here. Help me mommy."
Fear raced through Beth as she began to jog through the endless stream of trees. "Caleb, baby, keep talking so I can find you," she shouted for her son to hear. When his voice returned, this time louder, her racing heart slowed, but only a little. "Caleb?"
"I'm right here mommy."
Running out from between two trees, Beth came to a stop. The orchard had ended abruptly, opening to a large green field of grass. Off in the distance, she saw her son as he stood near the banks of a raging river. "Caleb?" she questioned, walking briskly forward. "Baby, move away from the edge. Caleb," Beth shouted but too late. Horrified, Beth watched as her son jumped out into the rushing waters. The scream that came from her mouth was soundless, drummed out by the wild beating of her heart. "Caleb!" She ran to the river bank's edge, searching for any signs of her little boy. "Caleb," she sobbed, the tears running endlessly down her face.
Ready to jump into the water to find him herself, Beth was startled by the voice she then heard.
"I'm all right mommy."
Her eyes moving off the water, she looked to the other bank of the river. There, standing as if he had never entered the waters separating them, stood Caleb, a wide smile on his face. And beside her son with his back turned to her, stood a man wearing all black, his hands stuffed deep within his trouser pockets. "Baby, are you all right?" she managed to call across the distance though her nerves were still jumbled. Apprehensions slowly crept up her neck as she took a step forward, then quickly remembering the body of water that separated them.
Caleb smiled. "Mommy, I'm fine. Daddy's gonna take me home."
She watched as her son turned towards the man, tugging on his shirt to gain his attention. He then turned to look down at Caleb, taking the little boy's hand in his own. "Antonio?" Beth called out, confusion settling in. And then he turned towards her, his face a mere shadow at first. But then she blinked, just once, and it was clear to her who held her son. "Luis?" Beth whispered, something in her dying. Wildly, she looked between her son and Luis. NO, her mind screamed as her heart began to beat in an unsteady rhythm. This couldn't be happening.
Luis looked to her, a dangerous glint in his eyes. "I'm taking my son home, Beth. Home with me where he belongs." Luis gave her a scowl before turning to walk away with Caleb in hand.
"No," she called, but they were already feet away. The distance between them and her grew longer and longer. And as many times as she shouted no, begged her son to return, he walked farther away. With Luis. Finally, the two were gone and Beth was left all alone.
"No," Beth murmured into her pillow, tossing one way and then the next. Jolting awake, she sat up, her pajama shirt sticking to her sweat-soaked skin. It had all been a dream, her mind told her. But the feelings of panic still lingered and she got up, grabbing her robe as she made her way out the bedroom door. Within moments, she was standing before the door to her sons' room. Her hand shook as it turned the doorknob and her head peaked through. By the night light glowing between the two beds, Beth could just make out the faces of her sons as they slept. She quietly padded into the room, needing to feel that they were both there, that they were okay. When she was satisfied, she returned to the door, throwing one last glance back before shutting it and returning to her room.
Sleep long gone now, Beth turned on the light before walking to Antonio's lounge chair that sat by the window. Settling herself deep within the cushions, she reached over to the bed to pull off the top quilt. Spreading it over herself, Beth turned her attention out the window to stare at the dark night just beyond. This was the third time she'd had the same dream. The first time had been the same night Antonio had left for Harmony. She had awoken in a cold sweat and spent much of the rest of the night watching over the boys as they slept. Last night, after she had woken from the dream, she had taken a blanket into their room and slept between their beds, worry keeping her from closing her eyes. And she knew she wouldn't return to sleep tonight either.
She had spoken with Antonio earlier this evening. After talking to the Caleb and Haden for nearly an hour about their respective day, she had spent twenty minutes with him in a tense conversation. All the questions she wanted to ask were barely kept on her tongue. He had told her that he had spent the past two days getting various tests done and only that morning had they released him from the hospital. Staying with his mother at their family home, he was having a good time getting to know Theresa's son Ethan, who was now a rambunctious nine-and-a-half year old. But besides that, seldom had been said about his family and the reactions, on both ends, to him being home. If everything went as expected, the surgery would take place on Wednesday afternoon around one. When she had asked him if he was nervous, he had balked and told her that no little knife scared him. That had made her smile and they had ended the conversation telling each other I love you.
No, she hadn't told him about her dreams because then she would have had to incur some speech about how everything would be fine. In her soul, she knew it wouldn't. The dreams were telling her something. Some way, somehow, Luis was going to find out the truth. Biting her lip, Beth turned her eyes from the window and they caught on a picture on the dresser. Standing, she walked to pick it up, holding it close so she could see. It had been taken over a year ago during a picnic in the park. The boys, messy from the lunch that had been enjoyed earlier, had big smiles on their faces as the huddled between herself and Antonio. The perfect family. Setting the picture back down, she wiped the tears from her eyes. Everything would be fine. Her fingers shook as she turned around the room, not looking at anything but looking at everything nonetheless. Was it all about to end?
"No," she whispered, her voice broken. She couldn't let that happen. She couldn't let them find out that Caleb belonged to Luis. She had no illusions to the fact that Luis would accept that his brother was raising his son. If he every found out the truth, Luis would want to be a part of Caleb's life. And what would that do to her family? And more importantly, what would that do to her son? With a newfound purpose, Beth went out to the hall closet. She rolled the medium-sized, black suitcase into the bedroom and opened it on the floor. Going to the walk-in closet she shared with her husband, she began to pick out clothes, throwing them all in the suitcase, hangers included. She couldn't let them find out the truth, she told herself. And if that meant going back to Harmony to do damage control, then that was what she would do.
The next afternoon, Beth sat in the small commuter plane, staring out the window at the small coastal town of Harmony, Maine. Her stomach pitched and rolled, having nothing to do with the flight she was on. Karen had come over that morning to stay with the boys for the next week or two, though in all honesty Beth hoped it wouldn't take that long. She would stay with Antonio through the surgery, help him to get better, and get the both of them the hell out of dodge. Because the one thing her mind had come to accept was that she would not lose her family. Whatever she had to do, she would in order to protect the ones she loved. And if that meant facing the judgment of all those she had left behind years ago, then she face it. But as the pilot came over the speaker to announce their arrival in Harmony, Maine, Beth couldn't help the shudder that raced through her body. It was all about to begin.
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Thanking the young man behind the counter, Sheridan picked up the two hot cocoas before turning to make her way towards the bench where Antonio sat waiting for her. He stood as he saw her approach, taking the offered cup from her hand as he spoke a soft Thank You. "You're absolutely welcome," she told him with a smile before taking the empty seat beside him. She took a long sip of the warm confection, loving the taste of the chocolate as it slid down her throat. If there was one thing a person could count on living in Harmony, it was the promise of a good hot cocoa no matter what time of the year. Settling the Styrofoam cup on a wooden slat of the bench, she turned her eyes onto her companion. It had been four days since Antonio had walked back into all their lives, but she couldn't stop herself taking him in any less.
The man she had known a mere eight years ago had aged finely with time. His face had grown the lines of living and his hair had begun to show signs of graying at the temples, but neither detail lessened the strength or presence of the man sitting beside her. If anything, she could look at him now and think that he was comfortable with the person he was with his head held high, his movements confident and self-assured. For some reason, she had imagined time and time again that he would not handle their breakup and subsequent divorce as well as he seemingly had. Maybe it was a little bit of conceit on her part but she had thought it nonetheless. But seeing Antonio like this truly made her happy, something that had come and gone quickly in the past month.
"This is really good," Antonio spoke, drawing the eyes of the woman that sat beside him. He gave her a soft smile before nodding towards the cup in his hand in case she had mistaken his words for anything else.
"Its the best," Sheridan spoke. "Luis and I come here..." Her words faded as she saw the quick flash of unease on his face. Closing her eyes, she opened them just as quickly, ready to offer an apology for her words. She was surprised when she saw him shake his head, a wry smile tilting the corners of his lips. "What?" she asked softly, amused that he was amused.
"You don't have to apologize to me every time you speak my brother's name," Antonio told her. "In fact, I can speak it just as well. Luis. See, I didn't explode. I didn't fall to the ground in total and complete utter dejection."
A winsome laugh escaped Sheridan's lips as she looked to Antonio. "I understand," she told him, though why he had been so kind to her in the past few days still escaped her knowledge. The last thing she had expected from this man was his kindness, yet he had given it so freely. "Its just...hard."
"Well it doesn't have to be. I think for now, we can all put the past to rest. What should take first priority is getting Luis better."
Sheridan nodded at his words. "And that's going to happen tomorrow when you give him half your liver." Both of them laughed at that, a joke Antonio had offered early on as a means to break the heavily veiled tension between them. Two days ago when he had seen his brother for the first time, Antonio had grouched about how of all the parts Luis could need, his liver was the one he least wanted to part with because it would decrease his alcohol intake and retention for the rest of his life. Both brothers had joked laughingly about how neither one of them would be able to enjoy a long- necked bottle without the wrath of someone every again. And from that moment on, it had seemed that old hurts had gone to rest, the deceptions of the past forgotten as two brothers came together for one cause. Sheridan smiled at that thought. It was truly a blessing that things were working out so well.
"So, how have the past eight years treated you Sheridan?" Antonio asked before taking another sip of the warm, sweet cocoa in hand. "And don't leave a thing out. I want to hear it all."
"Well," she began, honestly not knowing where to start. It seemed that between the time Antonio had left Harmony and now, lifetimes and ages had come and gone. Biting her lip, she looked up to Antonio. "Well after you left...Obviously, Luis and I were married."
"Obviously."
She smiled, not hearing a hint of derision in the single spoken word. "We took a long honeymoon in Paris. We saw everything, the Eiffel Tower, the river Seine. It was wonderful. And then we came back to Harmony and started to live a married life."
Arching an eyebrow, Antonio leaned slightly forward. "Aren't you forgetting something?" he asked. "It seems like you've gone over a period of time leaving out one of the most important experiences of your life."
Instantly, Sheridan froze. She looked to him to see if he was somehow trying to upset, but saw nothing but interest in his eyes. After all this time, how could he not know? Taking a deep breath, she turned her face away and was saddened further by the sight her eyes caught. Off near the wharf, a man and a woman stood, looking out at the waters beyond. But in the man's arms, he held a small child, a girl from the pink sweater set and matching hat that she wore. Sheridan's heart constricted at the sight, at Antonio's question. She returned her gaze to him, giving a smile that was used more to cover up her pain than anything else. "I thought that...that maybe Pilar or Theresa would have told you..." She let her words trail off, always finding it hard to talk about this.
"But I suppose I would be the last topic of conversation when you did decide to speak to your family again."
Antonio knew something was wrong; he could hear it in her tone of voice. "Sheridan?" He looked to her, feeling that unease that drifted between them. "What did I say?"
"Oh, no," she spoke quickly, placing her hand on his arm before taking it away. "I just... I lost the baby." Her heart clenched and even now, years later, she wanted to cry for what she had wanted so much but would never have. "Just a week after we returned from Paris, I went into labor. It was too early and I knew something was wrong. They had to do a cesarean section but..." She licked her trembling lips, the words hard to say. "The baby didn't make it."
He closed his eyes briefly, feeling the pain that she so obviously felt. "Sheridan...I'm so sorry."
She smiled then, a small wan smile that didn't reach her eyes. "It was a girl. A little baby girl. We named her Katherine, after my mother." She took a deep breath, steeling herself against all the hurt, all the memories. "We buried her a week later. Our little angel."
Picking up her cup and his own, he transferred them to the floor before moving over on the bench to embrace her in his arms. Losing a child was something that had never even crossed his mind but with her loss, he felt his heart constrict. If anything ever happened to Caleb or Haden... He held on tight to Sheridan, letting her cry softly against his shoulder. It was weird, he thought. It seemed like since he had returned, this was something regular for them to do. He would have thought that after everything they had been through in the past, his anger would surmount over any other feelings and keep them at a certain distance. But instead, it seemed that they were drawn together by some invisible force.
Sheridan closed her eyes, hating that she was being so emotional over a loss that had occurred a long time ago. But on that day, Katherine had not been the only thing to slip from her grasp. Though the doctors had tried everything they could to save her uterus, they had eventually had to do a hysterectomy to save her life. At the price of living, she was left unable to have children with the man she loved. Another obstacle thrown at them; one that had taken years to overcome. But they had overcome it and were in the process of adopting a child, a baby boy or girl to love as their own. But now, even that seemed a little more distant in the future. With Luis in the condition he was, it would be selfish and unfair of them to bring an infant into their lives. Sheridan sighed as she opened her eyes, her gaze focused on the seaside shops that lined the wharf.
Her breath caught in her throat when she caught sight of a woman leaving one of the shops. With long dark hair that reached just past her shoulders, she turned and walked away from them instead of towards. But Sheridan could not deny what she had seen. Pulling away from Antonio, she stood, shock rolling through her body in waves. It couldn't be, could it? She could sense Antonio's concern as he stood, slightly shaking her to gain her attention. But she kept her eyes glued to the woman as she walked away from the wharf, towards the main street of town.
"Sheridan, is everything all right?" he asked, worry and concern etched in his voice.
"No." She needn't have thought about her answer. Whenever Elizabeth Wallace was concerned, things were not at all all-right. "I...I have to go," she told Antonio before taking off in a brisk walk, needing to find the woman, needing to make sure that it was or wasn't the person who had caused her so much pain. Soon, she found herself in a light jog, barely keeping sight of the dark-haired woman as she descended the stairs that led to the Book Cafe. It is her, Sheridan's mind screamed even as she begged it not to be true. Sheridan had had her confrontation with Beth years ago. After learning of all the devious and treacherous things the other woman had done to keep her and Luis apart, she had confronted her with the lies and manipulations. And to her surprise, Beth had owned up to every single one, even the plot to take her life.
Hurrying down the steps herself, Sheridan had almost reached her when the woman turned around on her own, instantly stopping when she caught sight of her. The two stared at each other, shock and surprise evident in both their gazes. Why was she back? Sheridan's mind questioned. She had told Beth to leave Harmony, to never come back or she would have to face the consequences of her actions. And without a fight, the other woman had obeyed, packing and leaving within a week of their meeting. But now... Sheridan felt her hands ball into fists, the anger evident in her stance. She must have found out, she thought to herself. Somehow, she must have found out about Luis and was back to... To what? Sheridan thought. There was no reason for Beth to be here; none at all. And yet there she stood less than six feet away. "Beth," Sheridan spoke coolly, her eyes ablaze.
"Sheridan," Beth managed around the dryness in her mouth. She had felt someone following her and had turned to confront them, the pepper spray ready in her hand. But the last person she had expected to see was the woman standing in front of her now. Beth could tell that she was angry and knew every reason why. Still, she held her head up as she faced Sheridan Crane...Lopez-Fitzgerald, she corrected, which only brought a bubble of laughter to her lips. To think that she was actually related to this woman, someone she hated with everything in her, was an absolute joke. And yet as they stood, they were sisters, connected by husbands who were brothers to each other. "It's good to see you," Beth spoke, not at all trying to lace the sarcasm in her voice. "Though, I didn't think this was how we would meet. You following me. Kind of seems like it should have happened the other way around, don't you think?"
"You would like that, wouldn't you Beth?" Sheridan threw a steely gaze at the woman who stood before her. It seemed that Beth had no shame for the things she had done, standing there as if she had a right to. "You probably wouldn't even hesitate to put a knife in my back."
A little taken aback by that statement, Beth brought her arms up to cross over her chest. She wasn't proud of the things she had done to try and keep Luis' love all those years ago but it seemed pointless to apologize now. "Look," Beth began, barely controlling the menacing tone in her voice, "the last thing I want is start something here, especially considering the fact that you can't finish it."
"I can't?" Sheridan taunted, taking a step forward. "Maybe that's just wishful thinking on your part, Beth. Maybe I would love nothing more than to see you pay for all the things that you've done, starting with this," she said, before raising her hand to offer the other woman a stinging slap across the cheek. And it felt damn good too, she thought to herself. She waited for the other woman to respond, to attack. It seemed a lifetime before Beth opened her mouth to speak, but her words were quickly cut off by a masculine voice from behind them.
"Sheridan," Antonio spoke, coming around the corner and down the steps, his gaze focused solely on the blonde. It wasn't until he had taken a few steps towards her did he even notice the second person standing there. And it took no more than a simple glance for him to see who it was. Speechless, he stopped just beside Sheridan, his eyes solely focused on Beth. What the hell was she doing here?
"Antonio. I'm glad you're here," Sheridan spoke, moving into his arms. "I was so worried that she was going to hurt me." She shuddered as she wrapped her arms around him, burying her face into his chest.
"Yeah, considering you're the one who just attacked me," Beth spoke, her eyes never leaving Antonio's. This was probably the last thing she had expected to encounter here. But she couldn't forget the fact that these two had once been married. Wanting to scream and yell, Beth chose instead to turn around and enter the Book Cafe. "Damn it," she muttered under her breath as she walked towards the counter. "Fuck. Fuck Fuck Fuck."
"Excuse me?"
Beth raised her eyes to meet the shocked ones of a blonde girl, no older than eighteen. "I'm sorry," she quickly apologized. "Um...Can I have..." She gave a quick glance to the chalk drawn menu that hung just behind the girl, noting that nothing more than the prices had changed. Eight years and things were still the same. Feeling herself at a total and complete loss at what to say, she turned to head for the bathroom. When inside, she locked the door and went directly to the sink, turning the water on full blast to cold. She lowered her head and splashed her face once, twice, three times. She knew the little makeup she wore was now ruined but didn't care.
Staring at the woman before her in the mirror, she wondered why she felt so betrayed. Because you're husband was comforting the woman you hate the most in the world. Beth blinked before stepping back, the sound of the water the only one in the room. She had to pull herself together. One meeting and she was already ready to turn tail and run back to home to Washington. No. She had to do this, her mind screamed. Closing the faucet, she opened the door and left. She wasn't at all surprised to find both Antonio and Sheridan at the counter - Sheridan sitting on one of the stools, Antonio standing beside her. She gave them both a glance before making her way out the door.
"Beth," Antonio called, going after her. He heard Sheridan call his name and almost stopped, but continued out after Beth. She was already making her way up the stairs when he called out, "What the hell was that all about?" She stopped then, one hand braced on the metal railing of the stairs. Her head was down, bowed, and her shoulders were tensed under the pale blue jacket that she wore. Antonio walked forward but stopped when she turned to look at him.
"Nice to see you too," she spoke, the derisiveness clear in her tone. "Shouldn't you be in there, comforting poor, dear Sheridan?"
"Cut the crap, Beth. What the hell are you doing here?"
Beth shifted. Good question. What was she doing here? "I don't know... Sightseeing?"
Antonio sighed before walking forward and up two steps. He stood nearly face to face with her and so close, he could tell that she was upset. And granted, she had every right to be after seeing what she had. He raised his hand to cup the back of her head, drawing her closer. "Where are the boys?" he asked, pushing all other thoughts aside for the moment.
"At home. With Karen."
He nearly rolled his eyes but kept himself in check. "You do that on purpose right? Drop names that I don't want to hear just to tick me off."
Beth rolled her eyes. "She was the only person that I could get to watch them. She's staying with them at the house until ...I don't know. I until we get back." Beth sighed as she looked down to the concrete step she stood upon. "This is the last thing I need from you right now, Antonio. Today has been one of the shittiest days of my life," she spoke softly only to hear him laugh in return. "What?" she asked, her eyes going up to meet his.
Antonio smiled. "Nothing. I'm just slightly amused by your potty mouth is all." He gave a laugh before leaning forward to capture her lips with his, the motion so familiar, it was done without thought. But the moment was lost all too soon as he heard a familiar voice speak out from behind him.
"Antonio?" Sheridan questioned shakily, not sure her eyes had seen what had just happened. "What is going on here?"
- - - - - - - - - -
See Pt. 2