Chapter 16
"I'm NOT eating those Dad," Sara shoved the plate of green beans away with a nasty scowl on her lips. "Come on, Sar," Hank cajoled his daughter. "I'll give you a buck," he winked as soon as he saw his wife was occupied elsewhere. Jake had a project due in history class tomorrow, and in typical Bennett (ahem.Hank Bennett) fashion, he'd waited until the night before to even start it. Dinosaurs and Indians didn't exactly go hand in hand, but hey. That was what the art of improvisation was all about. "Five bucks," Sara demanded, thrusting a greedy little hand forward. "Who's the Boss here, Sar?" he arched a brow at her. "Mommy," Emily answered cheerfully as she dutifully ate everything that was on her plate. "Daddy, can I have five dollars too?" she asked him with twinkling brown eyes. "I ate my yucky stuff."
"Not eating them," Sara shrilled as he pushed the plate back toward her. "Are too," he told her. "Are not," Sara crossed her arms against her chest in protest. "Please. For dear old Dad," he pleaded. Pulling out his best puppy dog face. Sara was unimpressed, but Emily giggled. "Aww, Daddy." "Five dollars or else," Sara bargained. "Kids are definitely NOT cheap," Hank grumbled under his breath as he pulled his wallet out of his back pocket. "How do I know you're not going to take the money and run?" he questioned his grinning little daughters. "Yeah right, Dad," Sara rolled her brown eyes at him as she snatched the crisp five dollar bill from his outstretched hand and proceeded to do just that. "Sara Bennett! Did you see that, Babe? I was conned. Conned by my own daughter." "Serves you right," Gwen smirked at him across the room. "Thank you, Daddy," Emily smiled as her little fingers wrapped around her money. "Mommy, can I buy Ali a pretty present with my money?"
"Five dollars won't get you." Jake began only to be cut off by his mother's hand clamping over his mouth. "Sure can," she said as she walked across the room. "Jake.keep working on your project," she shot over her shoulder, laughing at her son's audible groan. "So Bennett," she teased as she leaned forward to kiss him on the lips. "Do you think you can handle giving the girls their bath while Jake and I finish up in here, or is THAT too challenging?" "I think I can handle it," he grinned as he tangled his fingers in her messy blond hair and pulled her close for another kiss. "Hank," she grabbed him by the hand before he could leave. "Yeah, Babe?" "I think you better leave the wallet with me if you don't want to be forced to file bankruptcy." "Good thinking," he grinned appreciatively at her as he handed it over. "Love you, Babe." "Love you," she waved as he disappeared down the hall. "Parents are so gross," Jake muttered as he pretended to be fascinated with his unfolding masterpiece. "So.where were we?" Gwen asked. Giving her son's hair an affectionate ruffle. "Mom!"
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
She shut her laptop off with a sigh. "Everything all right on the homefront?" she heard a familiar voice ask, and she smiled as a steaming mug of hot chocolate appeared right under her nose. "Thought you could use this," Chad grinned down at her as she took the mug from his hands carefully. "So.how is it?" he asked after he'd settled down beside her on the sofa. "Wonderful. Thank you. Hot chocolate always." "That's cool," Chad's dark eyes were sparkling at her. "But that wasn't what I meant. How are things going? Business-wise? I mean, they got to be missing you. Wanting you back." She cupped her hands around the warmth of the mug, avoiding his eyes. "I'm not going back." She chanced a glance in his direction to see what kind of impact her words had made, but. "Sure, you're not going back yet. You want to stick around for Ali, but Theresa.I think we have it covered. Ali has NO shortage of people looking out for her. She'd understand that you have to get back to your job. I mean, it's your dream. Right? It's always hard to let you go after visits, but she's done it before." "Chad," she lay a hand on his arm to stop his dialogue. "I'm not going back to Boston. Or New York. I quit." Chad stared at her for a moment. Open-mouthed. "You quit? No way. You can't." "I can, and I did," Theresa cut him off rather calmly.
"Whoa," Chad shook his head. "This is big. Wait a minute. Did you." Anticipating his turn of thoughts, Theresa nodded her head slowly. "But this must be hard on you." "Not as hard as I thought," she smiled at him as she took his hand in hers. "It's still mine, and this way I have time to do more sketches. But I leave all the other stuff to other, entirely capable people. I think it's better this way. I need my family, and they need me. Not only do I have more time to spend with my adorable niece and nephews, I have time to spend with other people too. People I care a lot about," she admitted with shining dark eyes. "People you care a lot about, huh?" Chad teased as he gave her hand a gentle squeeze. "Do I know these people?"
"You might know one of them. He's a really great listener, and he's always been supportive of me no matter how silly or stupid I've acted in the past.and he likes me for who I am. Warts and all." "Warts and all," Chad repeated with a slight smile. "He's one of my best friends and maybe something more, but the whole long-distance thing has kept us from getting too serious, and I was thinking." "You were thinking?" Chad prodded as she trailed off and studied their clasped hands. "I was thinking." her voice died down to a whisper as his face inched closer to hers, and she felt the tickle of his breath on her skin moments before she melted into his sweet kiss. "Good thoughts," Chad pulled back with a grin. Her answering smile was replaced by a pensive expression as she whispered, "Let's not mess this one up." He slid his arm around her waist and pulled her close. "All we can do is give it our best shot," he sighed against her temple. "Whatever happens, happens?" Theresa murmured. "Something like that."
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Martin smiled as he watched his young grandson nodding off, phone to his ear. The faint sound of Sheridan's voice, singing him lullabies, could be heard on the other end of the line. This was a little ritual of theirs. Ever since Ali's hospitalization. And tonight, Cristian had had so much to tell his mother. So much to say he'd worn himself out. He scooped the child up in his arms while his wife gently pried the receiver from Cristian's hold, and he paused to let her brush a goodnight kiss across his forehead. He returned a few short moments later to catch the tail-end of the conversation and see a myriad of emotions flicker across his wife's lovely face in the firelight. Goodnights were spoken softly, and the phone was hung up with a heavy hand. "Luis?" he questioned as she settled her soft weight beside him. "He won't leave them there alone," she sighed as he stroked her long hair with gentle movements. "He loves them so, Martin. He already had to live his life without Sheridan, and he barely survived. What would he do without Ali? What would we all do?" "Shh," he hushed her. As hard as it would be.how do you move on AFTER Ali.Martin had no doubt his son would move on. They all would move on. But it wouldn't come to that. They wouldn't let it come to that. "No use worrying yourself over something that's not going to happen." If she had anymore doubts, she didn't voice them, and he closed his eyes against the very possibility when he felt her body relax fully against him. The fire crackled and popped in the fireplace, and shadows danced across the room. While two people endured a restless sleep.
Chapter 17
Abby's hazel eyes sparkled as she spied on Sheridan, both her children cuddled close in the hospital bed. Ali's long golden hair fanned out across the pillow, and Sheridan drew absent fingers through its silk while Cristian rest his dark head against her opposite shoulder. Cristian whispered something in Sheridan's ear, causing her to smile. Sheridan pressed her lips against the crown of Ali's head, and Ali snuggled closer, reaching out for her little brother's hand and holding on. "Damn," she muttered as she felt the tears coming. "Damn, damn, damn, damn, damn," she stomped her foot. "This isn't fair." She hated getting all weepy over things. In fact, she wasn't one to cry. But Ali's illness was changing that. Monumental or seemingly inconsequential, the changes were happening whether she or anybody else liked them. "Life's not supposed to be fair," a voice behind her made her jump. "That's what makes the good things so special." She fought the urge to cover her mascara-streaked face with her hands and mumble unintelligibly. "Maybe you missed your life's calling," she wiped at her tears with the sleeve of her shirt. "Hallmark needs someone like you."
The corners of his mouth lifted slightly, and she could pinch herself when she felt herself blushing under his gray gaze. Thankfully, he didn't seem to notice that she was rapidly turning a lovely tomato red right before those beautiful eyes of his. She gulped nervously when he leaned forward to peer over her shoulder into Ali's room. ALLY MCBEAL MOMENT! She was dying to run her tongue along the underside of his chiseled jaw, actually salivating at the thought. Until the rumble of his voice near her ear made her stomach do a funny flip-flop. "Back off!" she barked without further thought. "I'm sorry," her apology immediately flew from her lips. "So sorry. It's just.I haven't been in such close proximity to a man in SO long. Years. Patients don't count because I don't want to.shit. Just.just ignore me. Okay? Heeeeellllo. Abby Stone. Slightly psychotic physical therapist who hasn't gotten PHYSICAL since God knows when.Too much information. Too much information!" she slapped her hand to her mouth. Her hazel eyes wide. Nick's gray eyes twinkled with amusement. She was getting stranger by the second. But oddly enough.he found that she was growing on him. "Don't let me stop you," he smiled down at her.
"Dr. Taylor?" Abby could kiss Katie! She really could. The girl was her savior. Her savior! From certain disaster. "Katie," Nick turned to the young nurse with a smile. "How can I help you?" Katie gave Abby a friendly smile before speaking, and Abby took that as her cue to make tracks. She caught sight of Eve at the nurses' station just down the hall and decided to go say hi. Besides.from that vantage point, she could still see EVERYTHING that transpired between Dr. Nick Taylor and his favorite little nurse. Jealous much, Abby, the crazy voice inside her head mocked her. "Oh, shut the hell up!" she swore in irritation. A little boy traipsing lazily behind his parents raised startled blue eyes to her face and rocketed down the hall a second later. "Abby," Eve laughed when Abby came to a stop in front of her. "What did you say to him?" "That Barney was subbing for the Tooth Fairy. Nothing, Eve," she scrunched up her nose. "You know my tendency to talk to myself.it was totally accidental. I assure you." "Okay," Eve shook her head at her. "I was thinking about visiting Ali. How is she today?" "Good," Abby smiled. Tucking a stray tawny strand behind her ear. "Cristian's in there. Miss Priss's a mother now," she announced suddenly with a ridiculous grin. "Five mean little boogers. Just like dear old Mom." "Abby," Eve laughed again. Abby's thought process never ceased to amaze her. The way it jumped from one thing to another. "I've been meaning to ask you.have you had any luck finding a roommate?" "No," Abby sighed. "I think I'm scaring them off," she told her in a low whisper.
Nick slammed the telephone down in disgust and rubbed his forehead tiredly. Living at Grace's Bed and Breakfast indefinitely was NOT an option. Grace Bennett was as nice as could possibly be. Maybe a bit TOO nice. His wallet was taking a serious beating from the constant trips to the few fast- food establishments Harmony boasted. He just could not stomach the woman's far-fetched recipes. "I take it you're still not having any luck apartment- hunting," Katie commiserated. "None," Nick revealed with a sigh. "Well." Katie began. Glancing at Abby down the hall with a slight smirk on her lips. "I might know of something. I tell you what. Give me a little bit more time, and I'll get back to you. Okay?" Nick smiled at her. "At this point, I'm willing to try anything." Anything, Katie wondered as she swept past him. The grin on her lips stretching ear to ear. Sure Abby was an oddball. One of the most lovable oddballs around. An acquired taste. Granted. But Katie couldn't help but think Abby's off-the-wall nature was just what the doctor ordered. Dr. Nick Taylor, of course. He just didn't know it yet, she thought as a girlish giggle escaped her lips. She scribbled Abby's home phone number down on her pink post-it note and stuffed it into her pocket. She'd conveniently forgot to ask Dr. Taylor if he had an aversion to SHARING. Oh well.soon she'd see just how desperate the man really was. "What are you so chipper about?" Ellie grumbled as she strutted past. "Always got a damn smile on your face. Oh.I forgot. You're his favorite. Everybody LOVES Katie," she snarled as she slammed the charts in her hands on the counter. "Did the results come back yet?" she asked. Reaching over Ellie's shoulder to peruse the page. "What results?" Ellie smacked on her gum. "Hey! Where you going with my charts? Fine. Keep them," she muttered. She didn't want to bother with them anyway. She raised her heavily made-up eyes to the clock on the opposite wall. When, oh when, would this day from hell end?
"Bye, Mr. Cristian," Abby waved as Eve led him away by the hand. "Where." Katie asked in confusion. "Gwen called on her cell. She's outside to pick Cristian up. Sara's screaming at the top of her lungs, refusing to get out of the car. Apparently she's afraid Gwen's trying to trick her. Or something like that. Have you ever been witness to one of Sara Bennett's infamous hissy fits?" Abby snickered. "They are NOT pretty. That little tyke has ALWAYS had a good set of lungs on her," Abby broke out into a wide grin. "Katie? Are those THE results?" she inquired. Craning her neck to catch a peek. "Abby," Katie wagged a finger at her. "I know you're a family friend, but I shouldn't share this information with you without consent." "Okay," Abby's shoulders slumped as she sighed in resignation. The elevator dinged behind her, and Abby turned to see Luis striding down the hall. "Luis," she smiled. "You're just in time. Katie has the results back." Luis's dark eyes shone with hope. "Was there a match?" Katie clutched the charts to her bosom. "I haven't looked over them yet. I'm waiting for Dr. Taylor." "Oh," Luis released a shaky breath. "I'm just going to go in, and." Katie ignored Abby's curious look after Luis joined his wife and daughter inside Ali's hospital room. "I'm not telling." "I didn't ask you to," Abby quirked a tawny brow at her. "Sure," Katie smirked. The smirk on her lips transformed into a toothy smile as she glanced inside. "Her little face lights up like a Christmas tree when she sees her daddy." "Wouldn't yours?" Abby teased slyly. Katie laughed as she shook her head at her. "I guess so." The two women made small talk while they waited. The man they were waiting for showed up minutes later.
Nick took the charts from Katie's hands and gently knocked on Ali's door. "Ali," he asked with a smile. "Do you mind if I steal your mommy and daddy a moment?" "I don't mind," Ali smiled sweetly. "Abby," Sheridan looked to her friend. "So.AliCat," Abby clapped her hands excitedly as she entered the room. "Just you and me. Can you deal?" Ali giggled as Abby's fingers danced over her tummy. "Tell me about Miss Priss's kittens," Abby propped her chin in her hand as she scooted her chair closer to Ali's side. "How many?" "Five," Ali held up five fingers proudly. "What do they look like? Do we have any idea who the father is yet?" she whispered. "Cristian said one was black and had three white feet just like Mr. Smelly." "Oh my goodness!" Abby exclaimed. "Miss Priss and Mr. Smelly. What a couple!" Ali's blue eyes sparkled at Abby's silly display. "Has Mr. Smelly visited his children yet?" Abby asked with twinkling hazel eyes. "I don't think so," Ali shook her golden head. "Cristian didn't say." "Pfft. AliCat.that little brother of yours has to do better than THAT. He's supposed to tell you ALL the juicy stuff, and he forgets half of it." "It's not his fault," Ali told her seriously. "He's little." "Yeah. I guess we can make allowances then," Abby agreed with a smile. Touched by Ali's obvious adoration for her little brother. "Abby," Ali twined her little fingers in Abby's when she caught her glancing toward the door. "You don't have to pretend to be happy when you're not." "Wow," Abby breathed. Giving Ali's hand a gentle squeeze. "That's awful nice of you, Ali. But I hate to disappoint you. I'm not pretending. I AM happy. How can I not be when I'm visiting you? You know you're my favorite little girl, right?" Ali pretty pink lips curved upward at her declaration.
Nick's gray eyes scanned the charts as he spoke to Sheridan and Luis. "I don't want you to be too disappointed if the results are not what you're hoping for. Remember.we just want to be prepared for any instance. Ali's responding well to treatment. At this point, a transplant, if it's even in the plans, is a long way off." Katie's eyes were trained to Nick's handsome face. She didn't think she could bear to watch Sheridan's or Luis's face fall if it were bad news. Sheridan held onto Luis's hand like a lifeline. "I'm sorry, Luis," Nick met Luis's dark eyes. "You're not a compatible match." Sheridan nestled against her husband's side as the disappointment set in. She knew him well enough to know he was taking this personally. In some way, Luis was feeling as if he'd failed Ali. "Luis." her blue eyes searched his face as she raised a hand to cup his stubble- roughened cheek. "It's okay. It is. Siblings are more likely to be compatible anyway. Right Nick?" Nick nodded his head. "See?" she whispered as she tucked her head beneath Luis's chin. "What about Cristian? Is he." Nick smiled slightly as he spoke. "Cristian and Ali are a match. Not 100%, but still." Sheridan sagged against Luis in relief. The look on Nick's face, though, as he read her chart. "I'm not a match, right? That's okay because Cristian is." "Taylor," Luis's voice sounded panicked to her ears as he prodded Nick for answers. "Nick," her voice faltered. "Is something wrong? Did you find something abnormal in my blood work-up?" Nick raised pained gray eyes to her face, and Sheridan felt Luis tense beside her. "Nick? Katie?" Sheridan looked to the young nurse for help. "Somebody tell me what's going on here." Katie took the charts easily from Nick's numb fingers. "Katie?" Luis exhaled sharply in relief at Katie's easy smile, and his heart resumed beating again. "Katie, what does it say?" "It says here." she began. Only to be cut off by Nick. And she couldn't breathe or even think at the next words that left his mouth.
"You're pregnant."
Chapter 18
"I'm.I'm what?" Sheridan grabbed the chart from Katie's grip. "I don't understand. Luis and I.," she trailed off. Slightly embarrassed about the information she had been about to reveal. "I took the test," she raised confused blue eyes to Nick's face. Nick averted his eyes from hers and cleared his throat uncomfortably. "It came back negative. There has to be some mistake," she whispered hoarsely. Luis's hand dropped from the small of her back. Did she NOT want this baby? She sounded.she didn't seem happy at all, and that knowledge greatly confused him. And made him more than a little upset. The timing could have been a helluva lot better, but this was a baby. Their baby. Conceived in love. And he had no doubt it would be loved no matter what. Or did he? "Sheridan.are you saying."
"No! Of course, not," she refuted. "I want another baby. This baby. Our baby. But I don't want the disappointment if this is some sort of mistake. Luis," she whispered. Caressing his strong jaw with the back of her knuckles. "I can't handle the disappointment." The hard line of his jaw immediately softened when he realized her double meaning. Ali being sick. Having the dream of another child yanked out from under her. "I want to be happy about this, but first I have to be sure. Nick," she said levelly, "could you run another test?" Nick pushed his own feelings aside, smiling easily at her as he answered, "If that's what you want. Katie? Can you cover it?" "Sure," Katie gave Sheridan a friendly smile. "Come with me." Nick's gray eyes were turning green with envy, Katie thought as Sheridan gave Luis a brief kiss before parting.
The two men stared at each other in silence for a few moments after Katie and Sheridan's departure. Sizing each other up. Nick not able to crush his feelings of disappointment over this newest revelation. His head KNEW his Jenny wasn't his Jenny at all, but Luis's Sheridan, and that that was all she'd ever be. But his heart couldn't resign itself to the truth. The addition of another baby to their already perfect family should have put any romantic notions he'd foolishly hung on to about Sheridan returning his feelings, but it only made him ache for what wasn't his more. Luis wasn't blind to Nick's feelings. He'd never been. But he trusted his wife. It was simple as that, and despite the discomfort he sometimes felt around the man before him, he was confident he would never be a threat to his family. And.because of his feelings for Sheridan.he'd give 110% to get Ali better. "I'm going back inside to see my daughter," Luis finally said. Nick nodded and walked in the opposite direction.
"How's my AliCat doing?" Luis grinned, pressing his lips to his daughter's forehead. "Okay, Daddy," Ali answered. "Where's Mommy?" "Oh.she's around," Luis teased. Loving the way Ali's blue eyes lit up as she giggled. "Daddy," she smiled. "Okay," he pretended to pout. Which only made her giggle more. And made Abby snort. "Ahem.Did you guys hear something? Maybe it was just the wind," she insisted with twinkling hazel eyes. "Well," she announced as she stood from her bedside vigil. "I'd love to stay and catch up on all the gossip, courtesy of the wonderful men of the Harmony P.D., but I'm thinking I'm going to strut around nude in downtown Harmony with a sign that says 'NEEDED. ROOMMATE. DESPERATE. PLEASE HELP. CALL 1-800-FAB-ABBY.' What do you think? Will it work?" Ali's blue eyes were wide as saucers, and Luis's lips were twitching. "Oh, I definitely think you'd get results," he told her with an amused shake of his head. "Miss me while I'm gone?" she teased as she waltzed out the door. "Not one bit," Luis spoke with a straight face. But his brown eyes were most definitely laughing.
Father and daughter passed a quiet half hour curled in each other's arms. Luis closed his eyes as he held Ali's fragile little body close to his heart and breathed in the sweet scent of her hair. The sweet scent that'd always been Ali. God how he loved her. AliCat was his brightest little star, and his heart lodged in his throat to think of her fading. "Daddy?" Luis felt the flutter of Ali's breath against his neck. "Hmm?" "Do angels remember their families up in Heaven?" Luis's voice was thick with emotion as he answered her. "Sure. Nana Katherine remembers Mommy, and she's up there right now, watching over all of us," he whispered against her temple as he slid his fingers through her silky golden hair. "I wouldn't want to forget you or Mommy or Cristian. Ever," she murmured. Yawning sleepily against his chest, and snuggling deeper into his arms. The flashing images of the muted television played across his face as Ali slept. And he cried silent tears. Even after he felt the strength of Sheridan's love and hope enveloping them both.
Chapter 19
Nick sighed as he raised his fist to the door. How had he let Katie talk him into this? The pretty young nurse had offered him the pink post-it note with a smile. A smile that said she knew something he didn't. But he was too tired and too down-trodden to ply her for answers. The confirmation of Sheridan's pregnancy had hit him harder than he dared admit, and he desperately needed to do something, ANYTHING, to keep himself from brooding over a pipe dream. Besides.another night spent in the bed and breakfast was the last thing he needed. The blaring of a stereo inside had him second- guessing following his earlier impulse to drop by unannounced. He dropped his hand to his side. Maybe this wasn't such a good idea. At all.
Abby's forehead wrinkled in concentration as she stood on tiptoe, stretching her arm out to reach the top cupboard shelf. This had to be some sort of practical joke. Why the hell did she have food up there? She couldn't even reach it without a foot stool for God's sake. She grunted as she pulled herself onto the kitchen counter. AHA! Success, she thought with a wicked gleam in her hazel eyes. Oh damn was her second thought as the bags and bags of cookies, candy, and other sweet concoctions rained down with one tug of her hand. Her emergency stash! She was already going without sex. She sure as hell wasn't going to forsake chocolate. She groaned as M&M's scattered and rolled around on the floor.
"Later," she mumbled as she grabbed a box of rotini noodles from the same cabinet. Pasta. Pasta was easy, quick, and it didn't make her feel lonely when she ended up with enough for 10 people. "You live ALONE. Remember?" she muttered to herself as she added sauce to a pan and adjusted the temperature. "Dammit," she cursed when she bumped her head against the top of the refridgerator door getting a bottle of wine. "My appliances have it in for me," she shook her head as the sauce started bubbling over the pan and onto the stovetop. AND all over her favorite sweatshirt. A relic from college and her days before becoming a nun. Without a second thought, she yanked the sweatshirt over her head and tossed it toward her open bedroom door. "Look on the bright side, Abby," she smiled to herself. "You can't walk around in your underwear anymore if you actually ever get any takers," she said as she decided to forego dinner at the moment. A shower suddenly seemed like the better idea.
Nick paced back and forth outside in the hall. Still unable to make a decision. A roommate? He hadn't lived with anyone since college, and even then it hadn't been that much of a success. He was, by self-definition, a loner. He enjoyed his privacy. But not as much as he used to. A roommate might not be THAT bad, he thought to himself. Shared rent and expenses. Someone to have around. The idea was sounding more appealing the longer he thought about it. "No more of the lovely, kind, but clueless Grace Bennett's cooking," he whispered. He rapped his knuckles against the door. Hoping SOMEONE would hear him above the blast of rock music. He tried the knob and was surprised when it gave. The door swung open noiselessly, and he found himself stepping inside. Gray eyes admiring the layout of the loft apartment, all the while searching for the phantom inhabitant.
Abby froze as the hair on the back of her neck stood up. SOMEONE was in the apartment with her. She could feel it. Her fingers grabbed the pepper spray from her night stand, and she crept along the side of the wall, hunching down beside the partially open bedroom door. She held her breath as she peeked around the edge of the door, spying on the intruder. Tall, well- built, dark hair. Somehow he seemed familiar. "What the hell." she heard his muffled voice as what she assumed were M&M's crunched under his heels. She made her move during his moment of confusion. Out the door and closing the distance in a flash. "I wouldn't do anything stupid if I were you," she warned. "I'm armed and dangerous."
A wave of recognition hit Nick, and he bit his lip to contain the laugh threatening to escape. "I'm afraid." "Go ahead.make my day," Abby growled as the man started to turn around. Ever so slowly. Nick's gray eyes twinkled with amusement. Abby? Dr. Abby Stone? Of all the people.he was going to have to have a word with Katie first thing tomorrow. "It's just." Abby squeezed her eyes shut and aimed the pepper spray in the direction of the voice. Grabbing the bottle of wine from the bar and swinging blindly once she dropped the pepper spray to the floor. "Holy $#!%!" the man shouted, and she struggled to free her wrist when he grabbed hold of it and held it tight, pushing her up against the wall. His feet slipped over the scattered candy and mess littering the floor, giving out on him and causing him to crash to the ground. Abby on top of him, fighting and kicking like a woman possessed.
"Abby! Abby! It's just." "I'm a black belt! I know kung-fu! I can kick your ass, you bastard!" Abby shrieked like a banshee. But she stopped mid- scream. Abby? He knew her name? A friggin' stalker?!?! Oh God in Heaven.the voice! There was a reason her 'intruder' seemed familiar to her. "Oh my God! This isn't happening! Somebody tell me this isn't happening," she muttered as she stilled. Opening her eyes and getting a good look at the man beneath her. "Nick Taylor?" she squeaked. This SO wasn't how she'd imagined this particular moment. She still had on clothes for one! Well, she thought, blushing furiously as she remembered the skimpy lingerie set she'd put on today on a whim.maybe.NOT. "Oh.are you okay?" she worried aloud as she reached a tentative hand to his face.
"I'm still alive," Nick answered gamely. "I guess I should have called first," he moaned softly as he shifted beneath her. "Believe me, though.I NEVER expected THIS when Katie gave me the address." She climbed to her feet, offering him a hand and cringing when he chose not to take it. Katie? So that meant. "Did I hurt you? Are you sure you're okay? Does this mean you want to run as far in the other direction as possible to get away from me?" she babbled. "I'll have to give those questions some more thought," Nick said. "Can you give me a lift to the hospital?" Abby fumbled around the kitchen counter for her car keys and stumbled toward the door before she remembered a couple things she had forgotten. Nick. And more importantly.clothes. Yeah.she was going to win Gray Eyes over all right. She was slaying him. "Wait right here. I'll be right back." Do I have any choice, Nick wondered. Did he really want THIS on a regular basis? Abby Stone had, in one evening, shaved a couple years off his life span. The possibilities frightened him.
Chapter 20
"You did what?" Sheridan laughed. "You know what," Abby huffed. "I'd really rather not relive the mortification of it all again. To think I came so close to actually LIVING with the man. It's hopeless anyway, Sheridan. I mean the man practically saw me naked.NO REACTION at all." Being blinded by pepper spray may have had something to do with that, Sheridan thought with a small smile. "I'm not voluptuous like SOME people around here," Abby teased as she scooted closer to Sheridan with the next gust of wind. "But I'm well-proportioned for my size. Except for these," she muttered. Glancing down at where her cleavage should have been. "There IS a silver lining though.some men enjoy the perky teen-aged look. But that would entail actual.perkiness. And youth. Dammit, Sheridan. I just can't win for losing."
Sheridan shook her head. "You're.you're truly one of a kind, Abby," she said. Huddling closer as they shared body heat. "Whose bright idea was it to have this talk out here?" Sheridan asked, shivering. The sky was gray, and it looked like snow. And she was literally freezing her ass off. "Oh please," Abby rolled those continually twinkling hazel eyes at her. "It's Gossip Central in there. And have you seen Ellie Jacobs? The hussy could flatten me in two seconds flat. Katie's been hiding from her all morning. Ellie's pissed at Katie for even suggesting my place, and me for even looking twice at the man. I may know kung-fu, but this body is NOT equipped for SUMO wrestling."
Katie watched Nick sneaking a glance at the two women laughing outside with just the slightest smile on his lips. "What has YOU smiling?" she decided to be nosy. She liked to think of Nick as the older brother she never had. "Nothing," Nick blinked at her. "YOU.I should be very angry with you.especially after that fiasco last night." Katie blushed. "Well," she said, ducking her head. "I was sure you'd at least CALL first. But no." she trailed off. "I heard about the pepper spray, but was it true? Did she really attack you with a bottle of wine?" The corners of Nick's mouth twitched in memory. "Let's just say I'm a very lucky man. She could have knocked me out cold with that thing. I'm crazy for even considering."
"What was that?" Katie questioned with a growing smile. "Oh! You're still thinking about rooming with her! That is so great," Katie gushed. "Wait 'til Abby hears this." "Katie," Nick admonished. "I'd like to tell her the answer myself. I'm still considering my options." Which, at the moment, amounted to living in the bed and breakfast for the rest of his life or claiming a local park bench for his own. Well.he definitely needed a change in his life. And it looked like Abby Stone just might be that change. "Okay," Katie smiled. "So.how's our favorite patient doing? Are those Ali's charts?" Nick's gray eyes were hopeful as he spoke, "Good, Katie. She's doing really well. So well, in fact.I want you to do something for me. Do you think you can."
Sheridan pushed Ali's hospital room door open with a beautiful smile on her face. Ali's sweet giggles always made her smile, and these were no different. "Oh, Ali," her blue eyes widened comically when her daughter turned to her. Eyes and lips all made up. Courtesy of Aunt Theresa, of course. "Are you still in there, Sweetie?" she asked as she gripped Ali's chin gently and studied her pretty little face. "Still here, Mommy," Ali's laughter tinkled forth. "Aunt Theresa did my make-up." "I can see that," Sheridan muttered under her breath. Thankfully, Ali's face and eyes were toned down by Theresa standards, but still."You look so grown-up. Wait until Daddy sees you." "Oh, Mommy," Ali sighed happily as she wound her arms around her mother's neck in a lingering hug. "Will Daddy be here soon?" "Sooner than you think," a voice answered for her, and two sets of blue eyes widened in surprise when they saw the topic of conversation grinning back at them. Accompanied by another very, very important person. "Daddy! Cristian!" Ali's nose crinkled up as the grin stole over her pretty features.
Theresa smiled and ruffled Cristian's dark hair on her way out. "I hate to leave you guys, but I think this hospital room's getting a little too crowded. And I don't think Dr. Nick would like that too much. I'll see you all soon," she said. Giving her brother and Sheridan each a quick hug and pressing a kiss to Ali's forehead. "Bye, Sis," Luis waved before turning his attention back to his family. "Luis," Sheridan's blue eyes were somewhat worried as she slid her arm around his waist and looked up into his deep brown eyes. "Do you have any idea what's going on? Nick called you?" Luis kissed the tip of her nose softly, rubbing her back in comforting circles. "Katie called me. And I don't think it's anything bad. In fact, she sounded rather."
Abby waited outside Ali's room while the little family reunion took place. Hazel eyes darting back and forth for any sign of Ellie. So Ellie wasn't EXACTLY Sumo material. She still had a good 50 or more pounds on her! But what she saw was ten times worse.Nick Taylor was making his way down the hall. She scurried over to a sour-faced little old man, mumbled something unintelligible, and yanked his magazine out of his hands. She needed something to hide her face behind. Her eyes nearly popped out of their sockets when she got a good look at the pages in front of her. HOLY COW! Playboy? The little old man scowled blackly at her incredulous look, and from the way his gnarled chin jutted out, it appeared he was missing a whole set of teeth. "You little old perv," she hissed. Tossing the magazine back at him. "Is that all men study? You're old enough to know better, Gramps. Not even 5% of those Barbie-wannabes are the real thing."
"Abby," an amused voice interrupted her rant. "Sheridan and Luis want to know if you'd mind watching Cristian for a few minutes while they have a conference with Nick." "Katie," Abby's eyes sought out the other woman's. "Is Ali." "No," Katie rushed to assure her. "Ali's doing fine. It's good news, Abby. Sheridan just thought it'd be best if someone would watch Cristian. I'd do it, but wonder of wonders.I have another patient to see. Would you mind?" "Of course, not," Abby grinned. "Where is that little Luis clone anyway?" "I'm not a clone," Cristian's dark eyes sparkled at her when she tugged him close. "What's a clone anyway?" he asked as he looped an arm around Abby's neck, and they headed toward the hospital cafeteria.
Ali giggled when Nick tickled the sole of one of her bare feet. "Great color," Nick's gray eyes twinkled as he smiled down at her newly painted blue toenails. "Really brings out your eyes. And what beautiful eyes they are," he told her. His gaze gravitating toward Sheridan's guarded blue eyes. The moment didn't go unnoticed by Luis, and he threaded his fingers through his wife's and squeezed. Slipping his arm around her waist possessively a moment later. "Nurse Katie's been bragging on you, AliCat," Nick said. Settling down on the edge of the bed and facing the tiny blond child. "She said that YOU were the BEST little patient in the ward. Don't tell anyone," Nick leaned forward. His voice dropping to a whisper. "But I think you're her favorite."
Ali practically glowed. "Ali.how would like some good news?" Ali's face lit up as she asked excitedly, "Am I all better now?" The smile on Nick's face faltered for a brief second as he glanced to Luis and Sheridan. "Ali.you're doing great. You really are. But you still have a long way 'til you're ALL better. More treatments and more time in the hospital. Do you understand?" Ali's bit her lip in disappointment, nodding slowly. "I'm sorry, Ali, but that's not the good news I had for you. Hey," he said softly as he tipped Ali's chin up so she'd meet his eyes, "but you might still want to hear this news. Would you?" "Okay," Ali said. Trying to muster up another smile.
"Ali.how would you like to go home for Christmas?" "Really?" the excitement was back as Ali flashed Nick a brilliant, hopeful smile. "Did you hear that, Mommy? Daddy? Dr. Nick says I can go home for Christmas." Luis gave his little daughter a thumbs up, and Sheridan smiled. "I heard, Sweetie. Isn't that wonderful? Max and Miss Priss and the kittens will be so glad to see you." "And Nana and Grandpa Martin, too," Luis reminded with a grin. "Really," Nick tapped her cute little nose with his index finger. "When?" "Well.I don't see why we couldn't have you checked out and home in your own bed by tonight. What do you say, Ali? Good news?"
"The best news," Ali grinned, giving Nick a grateful hug. Nick smiled, closing his eyes and holding the little girl who'd come to mean an awful lot to him close. "I guess that's settled then. I'll send Katie back and have her tell you what to watch out for, and all that good stuff," he said. Tucking Ali's golden hair behind her ear. "Have a Merry Christmas. Consider this my present," he said softly. "Thank you," Ali and Sheridan spoke in concert. Luis's gruff 'thank you' came a second later. "Now if you'll excuse me, I have something I need to take care of. Moving into a new place," he divulged when three curious glances were cast his way. "Looks like someone else is getting an early Christmas present," Sheridan smirked. "What?" Luis and Ali looked at her strangely. "Nevermind that," Sheridan shook her head with the tiniest of smiles. "You'll find out soon enough. Let's get ready. We're going home."
"I'm NOT eating those Dad," Sara shoved the plate of green beans away with a nasty scowl on her lips. "Come on, Sar," Hank cajoled his daughter. "I'll give you a buck," he winked as soon as he saw his wife was occupied elsewhere. Jake had a project due in history class tomorrow, and in typical Bennett (ahem.Hank Bennett) fashion, he'd waited until the night before to even start it. Dinosaurs and Indians didn't exactly go hand in hand, but hey. That was what the art of improvisation was all about. "Five bucks," Sara demanded, thrusting a greedy little hand forward. "Who's the Boss here, Sar?" he arched a brow at her. "Mommy," Emily answered cheerfully as she dutifully ate everything that was on her plate. "Daddy, can I have five dollars too?" she asked him with twinkling brown eyes. "I ate my yucky stuff."
"Not eating them," Sara shrilled as he pushed the plate back toward her. "Are too," he told her. "Are not," Sara crossed her arms against her chest in protest. "Please. For dear old Dad," he pleaded. Pulling out his best puppy dog face. Sara was unimpressed, but Emily giggled. "Aww, Daddy." "Five dollars or else," Sara bargained. "Kids are definitely NOT cheap," Hank grumbled under his breath as he pulled his wallet out of his back pocket. "How do I know you're not going to take the money and run?" he questioned his grinning little daughters. "Yeah right, Dad," Sara rolled her brown eyes at him as she snatched the crisp five dollar bill from his outstretched hand and proceeded to do just that. "Sara Bennett! Did you see that, Babe? I was conned. Conned by my own daughter." "Serves you right," Gwen smirked at him across the room. "Thank you, Daddy," Emily smiled as her little fingers wrapped around her money. "Mommy, can I buy Ali a pretty present with my money?"
"Five dollars won't get you." Jake began only to be cut off by his mother's hand clamping over his mouth. "Sure can," she said as she walked across the room. "Jake.keep working on your project," she shot over her shoulder, laughing at her son's audible groan. "So Bennett," she teased as she leaned forward to kiss him on the lips. "Do you think you can handle giving the girls their bath while Jake and I finish up in here, or is THAT too challenging?" "I think I can handle it," he grinned as he tangled his fingers in her messy blond hair and pulled her close for another kiss. "Hank," she grabbed him by the hand before he could leave. "Yeah, Babe?" "I think you better leave the wallet with me if you don't want to be forced to file bankruptcy." "Good thinking," he grinned appreciatively at her as he handed it over. "Love you, Babe." "Love you," she waved as he disappeared down the hall. "Parents are so gross," Jake muttered as he pretended to be fascinated with his unfolding masterpiece. "So.where were we?" Gwen asked. Giving her son's hair an affectionate ruffle. "Mom!"
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
She shut her laptop off with a sigh. "Everything all right on the homefront?" she heard a familiar voice ask, and she smiled as a steaming mug of hot chocolate appeared right under her nose. "Thought you could use this," Chad grinned down at her as she took the mug from his hands carefully. "So.how is it?" he asked after he'd settled down beside her on the sofa. "Wonderful. Thank you. Hot chocolate always." "That's cool," Chad's dark eyes were sparkling at her. "But that wasn't what I meant. How are things going? Business-wise? I mean, they got to be missing you. Wanting you back." She cupped her hands around the warmth of the mug, avoiding his eyes. "I'm not going back." She chanced a glance in his direction to see what kind of impact her words had made, but. "Sure, you're not going back yet. You want to stick around for Ali, but Theresa.I think we have it covered. Ali has NO shortage of people looking out for her. She'd understand that you have to get back to your job. I mean, it's your dream. Right? It's always hard to let you go after visits, but she's done it before." "Chad," she lay a hand on his arm to stop his dialogue. "I'm not going back to Boston. Or New York. I quit." Chad stared at her for a moment. Open-mouthed. "You quit? No way. You can't." "I can, and I did," Theresa cut him off rather calmly.
"Whoa," Chad shook his head. "This is big. Wait a minute. Did you." Anticipating his turn of thoughts, Theresa nodded her head slowly. "But this must be hard on you." "Not as hard as I thought," she smiled at him as she took his hand in hers. "It's still mine, and this way I have time to do more sketches. But I leave all the other stuff to other, entirely capable people. I think it's better this way. I need my family, and they need me. Not only do I have more time to spend with my adorable niece and nephews, I have time to spend with other people too. People I care a lot about," she admitted with shining dark eyes. "People you care a lot about, huh?" Chad teased as he gave her hand a gentle squeeze. "Do I know these people?"
"You might know one of them. He's a really great listener, and he's always been supportive of me no matter how silly or stupid I've acted in the past.and he likes me for who I am. Warts and all." "Warts and all," Chad repeated with a slight smile. "He's one of my best friends and maybe something more, but the whole long-distance thing has kept us from getting too serious, and I was thinking." "You were thinking?" Chad prodded as she trailed off and studied their clasped hands. "I was thinking." her voice died down to a whisper as his face inched closer to hers, and she felt the tickle of his breath on her skin moments before she melted into his sweet kiss. "Good thoughts," Chad pulled back with a grin. Her answering smile was replaced by a pensive expression as she whispered, "Let's not mess this one up." He slid his arm around her waist and pulled her close. "All we can do is give it our best shot," he sighed against her temple. "Whatever happens, happens?" Theresa murmured. "Something like that."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Martin smiled as he watched his young grandson nodding off, phone to his ear. The faint sound of Sheridan's voice, singing him lullabies, could be heard on the other end of the line. This was a little ritual of theirs. Ever since Ali's hospitalization. And tonight, Cristian had had so much to tell his mother. So much to say he'd worn himself out. He scooped the child up in his arms while his wife gently pried the receiver from Cristian's hold, and he paused to let her brush a goodnight kiss across his forehead. He returned a few short moments later to catch the tail-end of the conversation and see a myriad of emotions flicker across his wife's lovely face in the firelight. Goodnights were spoken softly, and the phone was hung up with a heavy hand. "Luis?" he questioned as she settled her soft weight beside him. "He won't leave them there alone," she sighed as he stroked her long hair with gentle movements. "He loves them so, Martin. He already had to live his life without Sheridan, and he barely survived. What would he do without Ali? What would we all do?" "Shh," he hushed her. As hard as it would be.how do you move on AFTER Ali.Martin had no doubt his son would move on. They all would move on. But it wouldn't come to that. They wouldn't let it come to that. "No use worrying yourself over something that's not going to happen." If she had anymore doubts, she didn't voice them, and he closed his eyes against the very possibility when he felt her body relax fully against him. The fire crackled and popped in the fireplace, and shadows danced across the room. While two people endured a restless sleep.
Chapter 17
Abby's hazel eyes sparkled as she spied on Sheridan, both her children cuddled close in the hospital bed. Ali's long golden hair fanned out across the pillow, and Sheridan drew absent fingers through its silk while Cristian rest his dark head against her opposite shoulder. Cristian whispered something in Sheridan's ear, causing her to smile. Sheridan pressed her lips against the crown of Ali's head, and Ali snuggled closer, reaching out for her little brother's hand and holding on. "Damn," she muttered as she felt the tears coming. "Damn, damn, damn, damn, damn," she stomped her foot. "This isn't fair." She hated getting all weepy over things. In fact, she wasn't one to cry. But Ali's illness was changing that. Monumental or seemingly inconsequential, the changes were happening whether she or anybody else liked them. "Life's not supposed to be fair," a voice behind her made her jump. "That's what makes the good things so special." She fought the urge to cover her mascara-streaked face with her hands and mumble unintelligibly. "Maybe you missed your life's calling," she wiped at her tears with the sleeve of her shirt. "Hallmark needs someone like you."
The corners of his mouth lifted slightly, and she could pinch herself when she felt herself blushing under his gray gaze. Thankfully, he didn't seem to notice that she was rapidly turning a lovely tomato red right before those beautiful eyes of his. She gulped nervously when he leaned forward to peer over her shoulder into Ali's room. ALLY MCBEAL MOMENT! She was dying to run her tongue along the underside of his chiseled jaw, actually salivating at the thought. Until the rumble of his voice near her ear made her stomach do a funny flip-flop. "Back off!" she barked without further thought. "I'm sorry," her apology immediately flew from her lips. "So sorry. It's just.I haven't been in such close proximity to a man in SO long. Years. Patients don't count because I don't want to.shit. Just.just ignore me. Okay? Heeeeellllo. Abby Stone. Slightly psychotic physical therapist who hasn't gotten PHYSICAL since God knows when.Too much information. Too much information!" she slapped her hand to her mouth. Her hazel eyes wide. Nick's gray eyes twinkled with amusement. She was getting stranger by the second. But oddly enough.he found that she was growing on him. "Don't let me stop you," he smiled down at her.
"Dr. Taylor?" Abby could kiss Katie! She really could. The girl was her savior. Her savior! From certain disaster. "Katie," Nick turned to the young nurse with a smile. "How can I help you?" Katie gave Abby a friendly smile before speaking, and Abby took that as her cue to make tracks. She caught sight of Eve at the nurses' station just down the hall and decided to go say hi. Besides.from that vantage point, she could still see EVERYTHING that transpired between Dr. Nick Taylor and his favorite little nurse. Jealous much, Abby, the crazy voice inside her head mocked her. "Oh, shut the hell up!" she swore in irritation. A little boy traipsing lazily behind his parents raised startled blue eyes to her face and rocketed down the hall a second later. "Abby," Eve laughed when Abby came to a stop in front of her. "What did you say to him?" "That Barney was subbing for the Tooth Fairy. Nothing, Eve," she scrunched up her nose. "You know my tendency to talk to myself.it was totally accidental. I assure you." "Okay," Eve shook her head at her. "I was thinking about visiting Ali. How is she today?" "Good," Abby smiled. Tucking a stray tawny strand behind her ear. "Cristian's in there. Miss Priss's a mother now," she announced suddenly with a ridiculous grin. "Five mean little boogers. Just like dear old Mom." "Abby," Eve laughed again. Abby's thought process never ceased to amaze her. The way it jumped from one thing to another. "I've been meaning to ask you.have you had any luck finding a roommate?" "No," Abby sighed. "I think I'm scaring them off," she told her in a low whisper.
Nick slammed the telephone down in disgust and rubbed his forehead tiredly. Living at Grace's Bed and Breakfast indefinitely was NOT an option. Grace Bennett was as nice as could possibly be. Maybe a bit TOO nice. His wallet was taking a serious beating from the constant trips to the few fast- food establishments Harmony boasted. He just could not stomach the woman's far-fetched recipes. "I take it you're still not having any luck apartment- hunting," Katie commiserated. "None," Nick revealed with a sigh. "Well." Katie began. Glancing at Abby down the hall with a slight smirk on her lips. "I might know of something. I tell you what. Give me a little bit more time, and I'll get back to you. Okay?" Nick smiled at her. "At this point, I'm willing to try anything." Anything, Katie wondered as she swept past him. The grin on her lips stretching ear to ear. Sure Abby was an oddball. One of the most lovable oddballs around. An acquired taste. Granted. But Katie couldn't help but think Abby's off-the-wall nature was just what the doctor ordered. Dr. Nick Taylor, of course. He just didn't know it yet, she thought as a girlish giggle escaped her lips. She scribbled Abby's home phone number down on her pink post-it note and stuffed it into her pocket. She'd conveniently forgot to ask Dr. Taylor if he had an aversion to SHARING. Oh well.soon she'd see just how desperate the man really was. "What are you so chipper about?" Ellie grumbled as she strutted past. "Always got a damn smile on your face. Oh.I forgot. You're his favorite. Everybody LOVES Katie," she snarled as she slammed the charts in her hands on the counter. "Did the results come back yet?" she asked. Reaching over Ellie's shoulder to peruse the page. "What results?" Ellie smacked on her gum. "Hey! Where you going with my charts? Fine. Keep them," she muttered. She didn't want to bother with them anyway. She raised her heavily made-up eyes to the clock on the opposite wall. When, oh when, would this day from hell end?
"Bye, Mr. Cristian," Abby waved as Eve led him away by the hand. "Where." Katie asked in confusion. "Gwen called on her cell. She's outside to pick Cristian up. Sara's screaming at the top of her lungs, refusing to get out of the car. Apparently she's afraid Gwen's trying to trick her. Or something like that. Have you ever been witness to one of Sara Bennett's infamous hissy fits?" Abby snickered. "They are NOT pretty. That little tyke has ALWAYS had a good set of lungs on her," Abby broke out into a wide grin. "Katie? Are those THE results?" she inquired. Craning her neck to catch a peek. "Abby," Katie wagged a finger at her. "I know you're a family friend, but I shouldn't share this information with you without consent." "Okay," Abby's shoulders slumped as she sighed in resignation. The elevator dinged behind her, and Abby turned to see Luis striding down the hall. "Luis," she smiled. "You're just in time. Katie has the results back." Luis's dark eyes shone with hope. "Was there a match?" Katie clutched the charts to her bosom. "I haven't looked over them yet. I'm waiting for Dr. Taylor." "Oh," Luis released a shaky breath. "I'm just going to go in, and." Katie ignored Abby's curious look after Luis joined his wife and daughter inside Ali's hospital room. "I'm not telling." "I didn't ask you to," Abby quirked a tawny brow at her. "Sure," Katie smirked. The smirk on her lips transformed into a toothy smile as she glanced inside. "Her little face lights up like a Christmas tree when she sees her daddy." "Wouldn't yours?" Abby teased slyly. Katie laughed as she shook her head at her. "I guess so." The two women made small talk while they waited. The man they were waiting for showed up minutes later.
Nick took the charts from Katie's hands and gently knocked on Ali's door. "Ali," he asked with a smile. "Do you mind if I steal your mommy and daddy a moment?" "I don't mind," Ali smiled sweetly. "Abby," Sheridan looked to her friend. "So.AliCat," Abby clapped her hands excitedly as she entered the room. "Just you and me. Can you deal?" Ali giggled as Abby's fingers danced over her tummy. "Tell me about Miss Priss's kittens," Abby propped her chin in her hand as she scooted her chair closer to Ali's side. "How many?" "Five," Ali held up five fingers proudly. "What do they look like? Do we have any idea who the father is yet?" she whispered. "Cristian said one was black and had three white feet just like Mr. Smelly." "Oh my goodness!" Abby exclaimed. "Miss Priss and Mr. Smelly. What a couple!" Ali's blue eyes sparkled at Abby's silly display. "Has Mr. Smelly visited his children yet?" Abby asked with twinkling hazel eyes. "I don't think so," Ali shook her golden head. "Cristian didn't say." "Pfft. AliCat.that little brother of yours has to do better than THAT. He's supposed to tell you ALL the juicy stuff, and he forgets half of it." "It's not his fault," Ali told her seriously. "He's little." "Yeah. I guess we can make allowances then," Abby agreed with a smile. Touched by Ali's obvious adoration for her little brother. "Abby," Ali twined her little fingers in Abby's when she caught her glancing toward the door. "You don't have to pretend to be happy when you're not." "Wow," Abby breathed. Giving Ali's hand a gentle squeeze. "That's awful nice of you, Ali. But I hate to disappoint you. I'm not pretending. I AM happy. How can I not be when I'm visiting you? You know you're my favorite little girl, right?" Ali pretty pink lips curved upward at her declaration.
Nick's gray eyes scanned the charts as he spoke to Sheridan and Luis. "I don't want you to be too disappointed if the results are not what you're hoping for. Remember.we just want to be prepared for any instance. Ali's responding well to treatment. At this point, a transplant, if it's even in the plans, is a long way off." Katie's eyes were trained to Nick's handsome face. She didn't think she could bear to watch Sheridan's or Luis's face fall if it were bad news. Sheridan held onto Luis's hand like a lifeline. "I'm sorry, Luis," Nick met Luis's dark eyes. "You're not a compatible match." Sheridan nestled against her husband's side as the disappointment set in. She knew him well enough to know he was taking this personally. In some way, Luis was feeling as if he'd failed Ali. "Luis." her blue eyes searched his face as she raised a hand to cup his stubble- roughened cheek. "It's okay. It is. Siblings are more likely to be compatible anyway. Right Nick?" Nick nodded his head. "See?" she whispered as she tucked her head beneath Luis's chin. "What about Cristian? Is he." Nick smiled slightly as he spoke. "Cristian and Ali are a match. Not 100%, but still." Sheridan sagged against Luis in relief. The look on Nick's face, though, as he read her chart. "I'm not a match, right? That's okay because Cristian is." "Taylor," Luis's voice sounded panicked to her ears as he prodded Nick for answers. "Nick," her voice faltered. "Is something wrong? Did you find something abnormal in my blood work-up?" Nick raised pained gray eyes to her face, and Sheridan felt Luis tense beside her. "Nick? Katie?" Sheridan looked to the young nurse for help. "Somebody tell me what's going on here." Katie took the charts easily from Nick's numb fingers. "Katie?" Luis exhaled sharply in relief at Katie's easy smile, and his heart resumed beating again. "Katie, what does it say?" "It says here." she began. Only to be cut off by Nick. And she couldn't breathe or even think at the next words that left his mouth.
"You're pregnant."
Chapter 18
"I'm.I'm what?" Sheridan grabbed the chart from Katie's grip. "I don't understand. Luis and I.," she trailed off. Slightly embarrassed about the information she had been about to reveal. "I took the test," she raised confused blue eyes to Nick's face. Nick averted his eyes from hers and cleared his throat uncomfortably. "It came back negative. There has to be some mistake," she whispered hoarsely. Luis's hand dropped from the small of her back. Did she NOT want this baby? She sounded.she didn't seem happy at all, and that knowledge greatly confused him. And made him more than a little upset. The timing could have been a helluva lot better, but this was a baby. Their baby. Conceived in love. And he had no doubt it would be loved no matter what. Or did he? "Sheridan.are you saying."
"No! Of course, not," she refuted. "I want another baby. This baby. Our baby. But I don't want the disappointment if this is some sort of mistake. Luis," she whispered. Caressing his strong jaw with the back of her knuckles. "I can't handle the disappointment." The hard line of his jaw immediately softened when he realized her double meaning. Ali being sick. Having the dream of another child yanked out from under her. "I want to be happy about this, but first I have to be sure. Nick," she said levelly, "could you run another test?" Nick pushed his own feelings aside, smiling easily at her as he answered, "If that's what you want. Katie? Can you cover it?" "Sure," Katie gave Sheridan a friendly smile. "Come with me." Nick's gray eyes were turning green with envy, Katie thought as Sheridan gave Luis a brief kiss before parting.
The two men stared at each other in silence for a few moments after Katie and Sheridan's departure. Sizing each other up. Nick not able to crush his feelings of disappointment over this newest revelation. His head KNEW his Jenny wasn't his Jenny at all, but Luis's Sheridan, and that that was all she'd ever be. But his heart couldn't resign itself to the truth. The addition of another baby to their already perfect family should have put any romantic notions he'd foolishly hung on to about Sheridan returning his feelings, but it only made him ache for what wasn't his more. Luis wasn't blind to Nick's feelings. He'd never been. But he trusted his wife. It was simple as that, and despite the discomfort he sometimes felt around the man before him, he was confident he would never be a threat to his family. And.because of his feelings for Sheridan.he'd give 110% to get Ali better. "I'm going back inside to see my daughter," Luis finally said. Nick nodded and walked in the opposite direction.
"How's my AliCat doing?" Luis grinned, pressing his lips to his daughter's forehead. "Okay, Daddy," Ali answered. "Where's Mommy?" "Oh.she's around," Luis teased. Loving the way Ali's blue eyes lit up as she giggled. "Daddy," she smiled. "Okay," he pretended to pout. Which only made her giggle more. And made Abby snort. "Ahem.Did you guys hear something? Maybe it was just the wind," she insisted with twinkling hazel eyes. "Well," she announced as she stood from her bedside vigil. "I'd love to stay and catch up on all the gossip, courtesy of the wonderful men of the Harmony P.D., but I'm thinking I'm going to strut around nude in downtown Harmony with a sign that says 'NEEDED. ROOMMATE. DESPERATE. PLEASE HELP. CALL 1-800-FAB-ABBY.' What do you think? Will it work?" Ali's blue eyes were wide as saucers, and Luis's lips were twitching. "Oh, I definitely think you'd get results," he told her with an amused shake of his head. "Miss me while I'm gone?" she teased as she waltzed out the door. "Not one bit," Luis spoke with a straight face. But his brown eyes were most definitely laughing.
Father and daughter passed a quiet half hour curled in each other's arms. Luis closed his eyes as he held Ali's fragile little body close to his heart and breathed in the sweet scent of her hair. The sweet scent that'd always been Ali. God how he loved her. AliCat was his brightest little star, and his heart lodged in his throat to think of her fading. "Daddy?" Luis felt the flutter of Ali's breath against his neck. "Hmm?" "Do angels remember their families up in Heaven?" Luis's voice was thick with emotion as he answered her. "Sure. Nana Katherine remembers Mommy, and she's up there right now, watching over all of us," he whispered against her temple as he slid his fingers through her silky golden hair. "I wouldn't want to forget you or Mommy or Cristian. Ever," she murmured. Yawning sleepily against his chest, and snuggling deeper into his arms. The flashing images of the muted television played across his face as Ali slept. And he cried silent tears. Even after he felt the strength of Sheridan's love and hope enveloping them both.
Chapter 19
Nick sighed as he raised his fist to the door. How had he let Katie talk him into this? The pretty young nurse had offered him the pink post-it note with a smile. A smile that said she knew something he didn't. But he was too tired and too down-trodden to ply her for answers. The confirmation of Sheridan's pregnancy had hit him harder than he dared admit, and he desperately needed to do something, ANYTHING, to keep himself from brooding over a pipe dream. Besides.another night spent in the bed and breakfast was the last thing he needed. The blaring of a stereo inside had him second- guessing following his earlier impulse to drop by unannounced. He dropped his hand to his side. Maybe this wasn't such a good idea. At all.
Abby's forehead wrinkled in concentration as she stood on tiptoe, stretching her arm out to reach the top cupboard shelf. This had to be some sort of practical joke. Why the hell did she have food up there? She couldn't even reach it without a foot stool for God's sake. She grunted as she pulled herself onto the kitchen counter. AHA! Success, she thought with a wicked gleam in her hazel eyes. Oh damn was her second thought as the bags and bags of cookies, candy, and other sweet concoctions rained down with one tug of her hand. Her emergency stash! She was already going without sex. She sure as hell wasn't going to forsake chocolate. She groaned as M&M's scattered and rolled around on the floor.
"Later," she mumbled as she grabbed a box of rotini noodles from the same cabinet. Pasta. Pasta was easy, quick, and it didn't make her feel lonely when she ended up with enough for 10 people. "You live ALONE. Remember?" she muttered to herself as she added sauce to a pan and adjusted the temperature. "Dammit," she cursed when she bumped her head against the top of the refridgerator door getting a bottle of wine. "My appliances have it in for me," she shook her head as the sauce started bubbling over the pan and onto the stovetop. AND all over her favorite sweatshirt. A relic from college and her days before becoming a nun. Without a second thought, she yanked the sweatshirt over her head and tossed it toward her open bedroom door. "Look on the bright side, Abby," she smiled to herself. "You can't walk around in your underwear anymore if you actually ever get any takers," she said as she decided to forego dinner at the moment. A shower suddenly seemed like the better idea.
Nick paced back and forth outside in the hall. Still unable to make a decision. A roommate? He hadn't lived with anyone since college, and even then it hadn't been that much of a success. He was, by self-definition, a loner. He enjoyed his privacy. But not as much as he used to. A roommate might not be THAT bad, he thought to himself. Shared rent and expenses. Someone to have around. The idea was sounding more appealing the longer he thought about it. "No more of the lovely, kind, but clueless Grace Bennett's cooking," he whispered. He rapped his knuckles against the door. Hoping SOMEONE would hear him above the blast of rock music. He tried the knob and was surprised when it gave. The door swung open noiselessly, and he found himself stepping inside. Gray eyes admiring the layout of the loft apartment, all the while searching for the phantom inhabitant.
Abby froze as the hair on the back of her neck stood up. SOMEONE was in the apartment with her. She could feel it. Her fingers grabbed the pepper spray from her night stand, and she crept along the side of the wall, hunching down beside the partially open bedroom door. She held her breath as she peeked around the edge of the door, spying on the intruder. Tall, well- built, dark hair. Somehow he seemed familiar. "What the hell." she heard his muffled voice as what she assumed were M&M's crunched under his heels. She made her move during his moment of confusion. Out the door and closing the distance in a flash. "I wouldn't do anything stupid if I were you," she warned. "I'm armed and dangerous."
A wave of recognition hit Nick, and he bit his lip to contain the laugh threatening to escape. "I'm afraid." "Go ahead.make my day," Abby growled as the man started to turn around. Ever so slowly. Nick's gray eyes twinkled with amusement. Abby? Dr. Abby Stone? Of all the people.he was going to have to have a word with Katie first thing tomorrow. "It's just." Abby squeezed her eyes shut and aimed the pepper spray in the direction of the voice. Grabbing the bottle of wine from the bar and swinging blindly once she dropped the pepper spray to the floor. "Holy $#!%!" the man shouted, and she struggled to free her wrist when he grabbed hold of it and held it tight, pushing her up against the wall. His feet slipped over the scattered candy and mess littering the floor, giving out on him and causing him to crash to the ground. Abby on top of him, fighting and kicking like a woman possessed.
"Abby! Abby! It's just." "I'm a black belt! I know kung-fu! I can kick your ass, you bastard!" Abby shrieked like a banshee. But she stopped mid- scream. Abby? He knew her name? A friggin' stalker?!?! Oh God in Heaven.the voice! There was a reason her 'intruder' seemed familiar to her. "Oh my God! This isn't happening! Somebody tell me this isn't happening," she muttered as she stilled. Opening her eyes and getting a good look at the man beneath her. "Nick Taylor?" she squeaked. This SO wasn't how she'd imagined this particular moment. She still had on clothes for one! Well, she thought, blushing furiously as she remembered the skimpy lingerie set she'd put on today on a whim.maybe.NOT. "Oh.are you okay?" she worried aloud as she reached a tentative hand to his face.
"I'm still alive," Nick answered gamely. "I guess I should have called first," he moaned softly as he shifted beneath her. "Believe me, though.I NEVER expected THIS when Katie gave me the address." She climbed to her feet, offering him a hand and cringing when he chose not to take it. Katie? So that meant. "Did I hurt you? Are you sure you're okay? Does this mean you want to run as far in the other direction as possible to get away from me?" she babbled. "I'll have to give those questions some more thought," Nick said. "Can you give me a lift to the hospital?" Abby fumbled around the kitchen counter for her car keys and stumbled toward the door before she remembered a couple things she had forgotten. Nick. And more importantly.clothes. Yeah.she was going to win Gray Eyes over all right. She was slaying him. "Wait right here. I'll be right back." Do I have any choice, Nick wondered. Did he really want THIS on a regular basis? Abby Stone had, in one evening, shaved a couple years off his life span. The possibilities frightened him.
Chapter 20
"You did what?" Sheridan laughed. "You know what," Abby huffed. "I'd really rather not relive the mortification of it all again. To think I came so close to actually LIVING with the man. It's hopeless anyway, Sheridan. I mean the man practically saw me naked.NO REACTION at all." Being blinded by pepper spray may have had something to do with that, Sheridan thought with a small smile. "I'm not voluptuous like SOME people around here," Abby teased as she scooted closer to Sheridan with the next gust of wind. "But I'm well-proportioned for my size. Except for these," she muttered. Glancing down at where her cleavage should have been. "There IS a silver lining though.some men enjoy the perky teen-aged look. But that would entail actual.perkiness. And youth. Dammit, Sheridan. I just can't win for losing."
Sheridan shook her head. "You're.you're truly one of a kind, Abby," she said. Huddling closer as they shared body heat. "Whose bright idea was it to have this talk out here?" Sheridan asked, shivering. The sky was gray, and it looked like snow. And she was literally freezing her ass off. "Oh please," Abby rolled those continually twinkling hazel eyes at her. "It's Gossip Central in there. And have you seen Ellie Jacobs? The hussy could flatten me in two seconds flat. Katie's been hiding from her all morning. Ellie's pissed at Katie for even suggesting my place, and me for even looking twice at the man. I may know kung-fu, but this body is NOT equipped for SUMO wrestling."
Katie watched Nick sneaking a glance at the two women laughing outside with just the slightest smile on his lips. "What has YOU smiling?" she decided to be nosy. She liked to think of Nick as the older brother she never had. "Nothing," Nick blinked at her. "YOU.I should be very angry with you.especially after that fiasco last night." Katie blushed. "Well," she said, ducking her head. "I was sure you'd at least CALL first. But no." she trailed off. "I heard about the pepper spray, but was it true? Did she really attack you with a bottle of wine?" The corners of Nick's mouth twitched in memory. "Let's just say I'm a very lucky man. She could have knocked me out cold with that thing. I'm crazy for even considering."
"What was that?" Katie questioned with a growing smile. "Oh! You're still thinking about rooming with her! That is so great," Katie gushed. "Wait 'til Abby hears this." "Katie," Nick admonished. "I'd like to tell her the answer myself. I'm still considering my options." Which, at the moment, amounted to living in the bed and breakfast for the rest of his life or claiming a local park bench for his own. Well.he definitely needed a change in his life. And it looked like Abby Stone just might be that change. "Okay," Katie smiled. "So.how's our favorite patient doing? Are those Ali's charts?" Nick's gray eyes were hopeful as he spoke, "Good, Katie. She's doing really well. So well, in fact.I want you to do something for me. Do you think you can."
Sheridan pushed Ali's hospital room door open with a beautiful smile on her face. Ali's sweet giggles always made her smile, and these were no different. "Oh, Ali," her blue eyes widened comically when her daughter turned to her. Eyes and lips all made up. Courtesy of Aunt Theresa, of course. "Are you still in there, Sweetie?" she asked as she gripped Ali's chin gently and studied her pretty little face. "Still here, Mommy," Ali's laughter tinkled forth. "Aunt Theresa did my make-up." "I can see that," Sheridan muttered under her breath. Thankfully, Ali's face and eyes were toned down by Theresa standards, but still."You look so grown-up. Wait until Daddy sees you." "Oh, Mommy," Ali sighed happily as she wound her arms around her mother's neck in a lingering hug. "Will Daddy be here soon?" "Sooner than you think," a voice answered for her, and two sets of blue eyes widened in surprise when they saw the topic of conversation grinning back at them. Accompanied by another very, very important person. "Daddy! Cristian!" Ali's nose crinkled up as the grin stole over her pretty features.
Theresa smiled and ruffled Cristian's dark hair on her way out. "I hate to leave you guys, but I think this hospital room's getting a little too crowded. And I don't think Dr. Nick would like that too much. I'll see you all soon," she said. Giving her brother and Sheridan each a quick hug and pressing a kiss to Ali's forehead. "Bye, Sis," Luis waved before turning his attention back to his family. "Luis," Sheridan's blue eyes were somewhat worried as she slid her arm around his waist and looked up into his deep brown eyes. "Do you have any idea what's going on? Nick called you?" Luis kissed the tip of her nose softly, rubbing her back in comforting circles. "Katie called me. And I don't think it's anything bad. In fact, she sounded rather."
Abby waited outside Ali's room while the little family reunion took place. Hazel eyes darting back and forth for any sign of Ellie. So Ellie wasn't EXACTLY Sumo material. She still had a good 50 or more pounds on her! But what she saw was ten times worse.Nick Taylor was making his way down the hall. She scurried over to a sour-faced little old man, mumbled something unintelligible, and yanked his magazine out of his hands. She needed something to hide her face behind. Her eyes nearly popped out of their sockets when she got a good look at the pages in front of her. HOLY COW! Playboy? The little old man scowled blackly at her incredulous look, and from the way his gnarled chin jutted out, it appeared he was missing a whole set of teeth. "You little old perv," she hissed. Tossing the magazine back at him. "Is that all men study? You're old enough to know better, Gramps. Not even 5% of those Barbie-wannabes are the real thing."
"Abby," an amused voice interrupted her rant. "Sheridan and Luis want to know if you'd mind watching Cristian for a few minutes while they have a conference with Nick." "Katie," Abby's eyes sought out the other woman's. "Is Ali." "No," Katie rushed to assure her. "Ali's doing fine. It's good news, Abby. Sheridan just thought it'd be best if someone would watch Cristian. I'd do it, but wonder of wonders.I have another patient to see. Would you mind?" "Of course, not," Abby grinned. "Where is that little Luis clone anyway?" "I'm not a clone," Cristian's dark eyes sparkled at her when she tugged him close. "What's a clone anyway?" he asked as he looped an arm around Abby's neck, and they headed toward the hospital cafeteria.
Ali giggled when Nick tickled the sole of one of her bare feet. "Great color," Nick's gray eyes twinkled as he smiled down at her newly painted blue toenails. "Really brings out your eyes. And what beautiful eyes they are," he told her. His gaze gravitating toward Sheridan's guarded blue eyes. The moment didn't go unnoticed by Luis, and he threaded his fingers through his wife's and squeezed. Slipping his arm around her waist possessively a moment later. "Nurse Katie's been bragging on you, AliCat," Nick said. Settling down on the edge of the bed and facing the tiny blond child. "She said that YOU were the BEST little patient in the ward. Don't tell anyone," Nick leaned forward. His voice dropping to a whisper. "But I think you're her favorite."
Ali practically glowed. "Ali.how would like some good news?" Ali's face lit up as she asked excitedly, "Am I all better now?" The smile on Nick's face faltered for a brief second as he glanced to Luis and Sheridan. "Ali.you're doing great. You really are. But you still have a long way 'til you're ALL better. More treatments and more time in the hospital. Do you understand?" Ali's bit her lip in disappointment, nodding slowly. "I'm sorry, Ali, but that's not the good news I had for you. Hey," he said softly as he tipped Ali's chin up so she'd meet his eyes, "but you might still want to hear this news. Would you?" "Okay," Ali said. Trying to muster up another smile.
"Ali.how would you like to go home for Christmas?" "Really?" the excitement was back as Ali flashed Nick a brilliant, hopeful smile. "Did you hear that, Mommy? Daddy? Dr. Nick says I can go home for Christmas." Luis gave his little daughter a thumbs up, and Sheridan smiled. "I heard, Sweetie. Isn't that wonderful? Max and Miss Priss and the kittens will be so glad to see you." "And Nana and Grandpa Martin, too," Luis reminded with a grin. "Really," Nick tapped her cute little nose with his index finger. "When?" "Well.I don't see why we couldn't have you checked out and home in your own bed by tonight. What do you say, Ali? Good news?"
"The best news," Ali grinned, giving Nick a grateful hug. Nick smiled, closing his eyes and holding the little girl who'd come to mean an awful lot to him close. "I guess that's settled then. I'll send Katie back and have her tell you what to watch out for, and all that good stuff," he said. Tucking Ali's golden hair behind her ear. "Have a Merry Christmas. Consider this my present," he said softly. "Thank you," Ali and Sheridan spoke in concert. Luis's gruff 'thank you' came a second later. "Now if you'll excuse me, I have something I need to take care of. Moving into a new place," he divulged when three curious glances were cast his way. "Looks like someone else is getting an early Christmas present," Sheridan smirked. "What?" Luis and Ali looked at her strangely. "Nevermind that," Sheridan shook her head with the tiniest of smiles. "You'll find out soon enough. Let's get ready. We're going home."