Chapter 31
"Clothes," Jake grumbled, his top lip furling up in disgust. "Santa," he growled, looking pointedly at his mom-AND his dad. "Santa KNOWS I don't like getting clothes for Christmas." "Me neither," Sara scowled. "I HATE dresses!" "I LOVE my dress," Emily smiled, twirling the skirt of her pretty white dress around. Sara and Jake simultaneously rolled their brown eyes, causing Hank and Gwen to burst into laughter. "What about the new bikes?" Jake shrugged his slim shoulders. "The bike's okay, I guess." "Santa got me a girlie bike!" Sara stomped her foot, her tangled brown hair falling forward into her face. She shoved it behind her ear in annoyance. "Well, Sar." Hank knelt before his irate female double. "You see.Santa was under the assumption that you ARE a girl." "Funny, Dad," Sara muttered. Hank looked to Gwen in near-exasperation, and she only shook her head. "Like father, like daughter."
"Jake, don't you like your video games?" "Some of them are pretty cool," Jake conceded. "But Barbie, Mom?" he whined. "Give me that," Gwen snatched the game from his hands and dropped it into Emily's lap. "Look, Emmy. You forgot a present." "Oh Mommy!" Emily exclaimed, throwing her arms around Gwen's neck excitedly. "I can't wait to play it." "Oh great," Jake muttered under his breath, tilting his mop of brown curls to the side and staring up at his dad. "You don't look so good, Dad. Sure you're feeling alright?" "Me? I don't know. I can't say if it's sympathy pains for Ole Saint Nick or my stomach's protest against going to your grandma's for Christmas dinner later." Gwen turned to face them with a smirk, Emily perched on her hip. "Poor Santa," she said teasingly. "Yeah," Sara's brown eyes grew wide. "He ate ALL Aunt Grace's cookies." "All of them?" Emily asked. "All of them," Hank groaned, giving his stomach an imperceptible rub. "Good thing Aunt Grace and Uncle Sam are in Chicago visiting Jessica and Reese and the kids." "She'd make us more," Sara shuddered. Gwen bit her lip to keep from laughing. "I was going to say her feelings would be hurt." "Babe," Hank groaned, plopping down on the sofa in a tangle of exhausted limbs. "Let's just count our blessings."
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"Did you like the presents Santa brought you, AliCat?" Luis questioned his little daughter, who was currently tucked safely beneath his chin. "Uh huh," Ali murmured, making her golden head bob up and down slowly. Luis smiled and placed a kiss atop her head. "Tired?" He could see Ali's pale lashes fluttering against her cheeks, and he could tell each response was taking more and more effort. "A little," Ali admitted, and he could feel each soft breath she took against his neck. "Go to sleep, AliCat," he whispered, relaxing against the couch's cushions more fully and bringing her slight little body back with him. "But Mommy's picture." "Mommy'll understand," he promised her. "Shh.we'll paint Mommy's picture later." "Daddy?" "Yeah?" he murmured, taking Ali's much smaller hand in his own and rubbing his thumb up and down the lines of her palm. ".best Christmas." "I agree, AliCat. I agree," he smiled almost bittersweetly, looking to his wife standing a few feet from them, Ali's special memory book clasped against her chest.
"She didn't last much longer than Cristian," Sheridan smiled, combing Ali's sweet-smelling blond locks back from her face. Luis arched an amused dark brow at her. "About 30 minutes ago," she answered him before he could ask the question. "That's what getting up HOURS," Luis paused, stressing the significance of the notion of hours, "before dawn does for you." "Was it really 4:30?" Sheridan laughed. "I think it was closer to 5:00, really. But it felt like 3:00." "Luis!" she gave his shoulder a playful shove. "You're just saying that because you were up putting." Luis clamped his free hand over her mouth, averting his dark eyes to their sleeping daughter nestled in his arms. Sheridan's blue eyes twinkled down at him, and as soon as he removed his hand, she leaned down to press her lips softly against his. Then brushed them across Ali's forehead. "You like your present, Mommy?" Luis teased, glancing at the leather-bound book in his wife's lap. Sheridan smoothed her hands over the front cover, tearing up at the words inscribed there. "Love, Ali." "Ali did this all by herself?" Luis grinned. "Oh, she had a little help," he revealed. "I think, in the end, it turned into a community project."
Sheridan opened the book slowly, reading the words on the front page aloud, "Once Upon a Time.I bet you were a lady killer even then," she turned to him with a smile, and Luis laughed at the baby picture he was sure Theresa had chosen. He was just thankful he wasn't nude. "You bet," he said, winking. "And look at you.the second most beautiful little girl I've ever seen." "Second, huh?" she said, trying her best not to smile. "AliCat holds that title." Ali stirred in Luis's arms as if she knew her parents were talking about her. "Better watch it," Sheridan warned. "I agree, by the way," she said softly, flipping forward a few pages and coming to one in particular. "Was this really the first time we met?" she asked, laughing when she recognized herself as a very small child at Ivy and Julian's wedding. "Cristian looks just like you." "I'm not sure," Luis admitted sheepishly as she showed him the picture. "Cristian's way better looking." "You? Modest? No way," Sheridan said, rolling her blue eyes at him goodnaturedly. She burst into laughter, almost waking Ali when she flipped through several pages, coming to one that had a little police car cutout on one side and a cutout of her car on the other. Their heads had been cut from other pictures and pasted inside the cars, and the page read "Two Stubborn Hearts Collide." Sheridan knew Theresa's work when she saw it. All she could do was laugh and continue to look through the book, reliving all the key moments in their lives together, smiling and sniffling over Ali's baby pictures, then Cristian's, and sighing shakily when she came to the last used page. She read Ali's childish scrawl with tears streaming down her cheeks at all the love and all the hope, promising they'd fill the rest of the book's pages with their future. Luis's own eyes were wet as he slid his arm around her and held her and their daughter close.
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"Hey Becs! Where's my present?" Hank demanded to know as soon as Rebecca answered the door. "Mother," Gwen's brown eyes widened with shock. "You answered the door." "Yes, Gwen. I did," Rebecca rolled her blue eyes at her. "You don't actually think I bought you anything, do you?" she told Hank, helping Gwen usher the children inside. Sara started stripping her parka and multitude of scarves off. Jake just wandered inside. "Where's Grandpa?" Emily giggled and grinned at Rebecca. "You look like Santa's wife, Grandma." "Oh dear God," Gwen muttered under her breath. Just KNOWING her mother would have a conniption. She nearly keeled over when she smiled instead and enfolded Emily in a hug. Hank smirked when Emmy's little face seemed to get lost in his mother-in-law's bosoms. "Wearing that wonder bra, Becs? C'mon. You know that's your favorite present anyone's ever gotten you." Gwen groaned. Hank just LOVED to pull Mother's chain. This day already had the potential to be HELL. She didn't want to crank it up a notch so early in the game. "Bennett," she hissed. "Behave," she warned, wagging a finger beneath Hank's nose. Hank's brown eyes twinkled devilishly as he said, "Scout's honor, Babe. Best behavior," he added, smirking at Rebecca who just smirked back.
"MOM!!!" three voices she knew entirely too well at that particular decibel rang out, and Gwen hurried into the living room. "What's going on? Daddy?" she looked to her father for answers. Jonathan just chuckled and deferred to his wife. "Mother." "I finally found the perfect gift for my wonderful swine of a son-in-law," Rebecca announced. Hank pretended to blush, stepping forward as if to give her a hug. "Becs.you didn't have to." "Jacob, introduce your father to Junior." "Junior?" Hank nearly choked when Jake held up a squirming Pug puppy. "Aww, Mommy," Emily smiled, instantly in love. "Can we keep him?" Jake thrust the puppy into his father's hands, awaiting the final verdict. The tiny Pug licked frantically at Hank's face and neck, and Rebecca couldn't resist comment. "I think there's an amazing family resemblance." Jonathan and Gwen laughed as Hank glowered at Rebecca. "Becs, you shouldn't have." He grimaced, feeling something warm and wet trickle down his chest, and he glanced down to see his brand-new shirt drenched in puppy piss. Jake and Sara snickered evilly as Rebecca smiled triumphantly. "You really shouldn't have."
Chapter 32
"Are you excited, Ali?" Theresa quizzed her little niece. Ali beamed up at her, nodding her head. "Her first shopping trip as one of the girls," Sheridan smiled into the rear view mirror as the navigated the SUV through the streets of downtown Harmony. All the Christmas decorations were still up, reminding Sheridan that even though they had waited a couple of days to avoid the chaos that was day after Christmas madness.it was still going to be quite.crowded. "Why didn't Emily and Sara get to come?" Ali asked. Gwen turned around in the front passenger seat to face Ali. Sheridan smirked when she said something along the lines of Sara absolutely HATING to shop, and Emily already LOVING it so much that Hank ragged her about outing her as a mini shop-a-holic sometime soon. "Besides," Gwen told Ali. "There's not enough room in this thing for ALL of us. Sara'd really hate having Abby sit in her lap." Theresa giggled. Abby'd definitely do it. For laughs, of course. That's why Whitney and Simone are meeting us at the mall," Theresa explained. Ali's forehead wrinkled up in concentration as she tried to remember what Whitney looked like. It'd been so long since she'd seen her. "There's a lot of people going on this trip," she whispered in awe. Sheridan, Gwen, and Theresa burst into laughter. "You know what, Sweetie?" Sheridan said, turning down Abby's street. "I hadn't thought about it, but you're absolutely right." They pulled into the parking lot to Abby's building just seconds later. "Who wants to come with me to get Abby?" Sheridan asked, turning off the SUV's ignition. "I want to come," Ali grinned, fumbling with her seat belt. She finally got it undone thanks to Theresa, and Theresa climbed out of the car with her so she wouldn't have to crawl over her lap. "What?" Gwen shrugged as she pushed the passenger door open. "I'm not going to be the only one sitting out here. Anyway." she grinned wickedly. "Isn't that Dr. Nick's car? Abby may need physical help to actually move."
They bypassed the stairs in favor of the elevator, mindful of not wearing Ali out before the REAL strenuous exercise began. : ) Ali was the first one out of the doors, racing down the hall. "Does she even know which one is Abby's?" Theresa inquired. "No," Sheridan shook her head with a smile. "But Ali's got those infamous Lopez-Fitzgerald instincts," Gwen cracked as they neared the little girl. Theresa's brown eyes widened in amazement, and she started laughing when Sheridan confirmed Ali'd found the right apartment. Loud, pulsing rock music was practically vibrating the walls outside. "Somehow I didn't take Abby for a rocker," Gwen mused sarcastically. "Abby's got eclectic taste," Sheridan laughed. "Loud is the key." "Aha," Gwen nodded in understanding. "Do you think there's any way in hell they're going to hear us if we knock?" Sheridan shrugged her shoulders and rapped her knuckles against the door, and Gwen, Theresa, and Ali waited patiently for it to open. Finally Sheridan tried the knob, and it turned easily. Their calls of "Abby" were drowned out by the din of the blaring music.
Theresa pointed Abby out, hanging onto the wall beside her for dear life, and Gwen snorted when Ali scampered over to Abby, tugging on her sweater sleeve and making her jump sky high in surprise. "Sh-AliCat!" Abby censored herself, a genuine smile lighting up her face when she looked into Ali's happily sparkling blue eyes. "We knocked," Sheridan said, coming to a stop beside Abby. "I didn't hear," Abby muttered absently, her gaze drifting off to something.someone.else. "We gathered that," Gwen teased. "What is it now? Theresa? Are you okay?" Gwen waved a hand in front of Theresa's dazed face. "Eww," Ali's nose scrunched up. "Dr. Nick's all sweaty." "Ali!" Sheridan scolded. "Blasphemy! Dear Ali.eww? Eww? Are you out of your pretty little mind? Not eww, AliCat," Abby corrected her, swooning over Dr. Nick's sweaty male form as he landed punch after well- placed punch on the newest addition to the apartment's décor. "Definitely not eww," Gwen agreed, joining Theresa and Abby in the zombie-like states.
"Good morning, Ladies," Nick grinned, wiping the sweat from his body with a towel. "Good morning, Dr. Nick," Ali replied sweetly. Three of the women behind her rendered speechless. "What's my favorite little patient up to today?" "Shopping," Sheridan answered for her daughter. "Yeah," Ali said excitedly. "There's the cutest little hat I want to show Ali," Sheridan told Nick quietly. Understanding registered in Nick's gray eyes, and he smiled down at the little girl in front of him. "We're not going just to look at hats," Ali rolled her blue eyes, giggling. "Mommy's going to get a dress for the New Year's party. She wants to look beautiful for Daddy." "Your mommy doesn't need a pretty dress for that," Nick said softly. His comment finally spurred Gwen and Theresa to action. "Sheridan.I think we should go. Whitney and Simone are probably already at the mall waiting on us," Theresa said. "You're right, Theresa. Come on, Abby," Gwen pulled on Abby's sleeve. "Abby," she hissed, yanking harder. "Damn," Abby grumbled. "You don't have to rip my arm off." "Bye, Dr. Nick!" Ali waved as the group walked toward the door. Nick chuckled as the door shut behind them.
"Finally," Whitney teased, accepting Theresa's exuberant embrace. "I thought you were never going to get here." "My fault," Abby held a hand up. "Hi. I'm not sure we've been introduced." "Abby?" Whitney smiled. "How did you know?" "Simone told me all about you." "Oh really?" Abby arched a tawny brow at Simone. "Good things, Little Russell? They better have been." Simone grinned at her, waving at Ali by Sheridan's side. "Miss Ali.you look so pretty today." "Thank you," Ali said somewhat bashfully, her cheeks turning as pink as the turtleneck she wore. "Who's ready to shop?" Gwen asked, fitting her hand in Ali's free one. "These golden opportunities are few and far between." "You go on ahead," Theresa urged them, looking slightly uncomfortable. "Whitney and I have a lot to catch up on." "That's an understatement," Simone muttered, catching up with Abby and the other two women. "Where to first?" Simone asked. "I think we should let Ali pick," she smiled. "She is our special guest and all." Ali's mouth opened in a pleased 'O'. "I get to pick? Mommy," she giggled. Her face brightening up with a mega-watt smile. "Uh oh," Gwen said. "I know that look! It's a Jake look!" "No, it's not," Ali denied, giggling some more. "I don't know, AliCat," Abby tickled her sides, causing her to scoot forward out of her reach. "Looks an awful lot like a Bennett bright idea to me." "Whatever," Ali did a perfect imitation of Alicia Silverstone in a certain little film. "Oh my.sweet little AliCat giving me attitude?" Abby held a hand to her heart. Winking at Sheridan and Gwen. "I thought your mommy told you not to sneak and watch Clueless again. Come on. I know you're Princess Ali and all, but isn't that movie PG-13? You're not a little teenager in disguise. As if!" Abby threw up her hands, drawing a lot of unwanted stares and causing the trio of women plus one little girl with her to laugh out loud. "Cute," Sheridan shook her head. "Ali? Your pick." "The toy store!" Ali squealed excitedly, hurrying ahead of them. "Ali! Ali, wait for us," Sheridan called in a panicked voice. "Sheridan," Gwen squeezed Sheridan's shoulders reassuringly. Knowing this particular toy store had bad memories associated with it. Memories of Ali's kidnapping. "It's not going to happen again. None of us are going to let her out of our sight." "Thanks, Gwen," Sheridan whispered gratefully.
"I can't believe it, Whit," Theresa said as she flipped through the rack of clothes in front of her, pausing to admire a few trendy pieces. "Medical school. I always thought tennis. Or music.I never knew." "Neither did I," Whitney told her, holding up a purple sweater with brightly colored geometric designs on it. "It took me a really long time to make a decision. What do you think? Simone or not?" "Your mom must be so proud.the whole following in her footsteps thing.sort of," Theresa trailed off awkwardly. "Whitney, I'm sorry. I know there's a lot of hard feelings, and." "Theresa," Whitney stopped her with a friendly hand on her arm. "Ancient history." "Whitney!" Theresa exclaimed. "Does that mean." "I'm not completely over all the lies, and finding out my mom wasn't the woman I thought she was, but.life's short, Theresa. I realize that now. I can't let the past get in the way, or I'll never be happy." "I'm so glad to hear you say that. Whitney.there's something I have to tell you." "Go ahead," Whitney encouraged her, tucking the sweater under her arm. It was a definite maybe. "Theresa," Whitney prodded. "I'm your best friend. Don't look so afraid. We're adults now. Remember?" Theresa giggled and flipped her long dark hair back off her shoulders. "Sometimes I have trouble with that," she said teasingly. "Especially around Christmas. Living in the same house as Mama and Papa doesn't help." "You're still at home?" Whitney's voice was disbelieving. "Maybe not for long," Theresa divulged. "Are you going to tell me or not?" Whitney laughed as Theresa wrung her hands nervously. "Chad asked me to move in with him," Theresa announced in a jumbled rush of words, stunning Whitney speechless.
"Abby," Gwen's hand darted out to grab the bag Abby was holding. "What do you have in the bag?" "Nothing," Abby pretended to be nonchalant. "It's that green squooshy stuff," Ali tattled. "AliCat!" Abby pretended to be hurt as she thrust the bag into Simone's hands. "A little birdie told me the Bennetts younger ran out, and I thought I'd get them a new supply," Abby grinned at Gwen's totally motherly 'you're not getting THAT' look. "Come on, Gwen. It's just Gunk or Gak.what the hell was that stuff called again?" "Jake and Sara love to terrorize Emmy with it," Gwen said. "Is that.do I hear whining? Simone? AliCat? Do you hear it, too?" Ali giggled, clasping Simone's hand with her smaller one. "Where's Mommy?" "Right here." Sheridan's voice had them all turning around, and they studied the bag in her hands curiously. "My nosy friends," Sheridan just smiled. "Sheridan," Abby singsonged, making a royal nuisance of herself and sidling up next to Sheridan. "What's in the bag?" "Nothing," Sheridan smirked. "Do I have to go all psycho on you and do the puppy pout?" Abby asked, sticking her bottom lip ridiculously far out. "All right," Sheridan relented, laughing. "It's just something I thought would be cute for the baby." Abby dug a Pooh Bear out of the bag. "Pooh! Pooh? Pooh's SO over- rated. Tigger, Sheridan. Tigger's much cooler. Pooh sounds like a wheezy old man," Abby continued, hazel eyes twinkling humorously. "Mommy!" Ali gasped. "Yes, Ali?" Sheridan stopped in her tracks to address her little daughter. "He does! He does! Pooh sounds like Mr. Joe at church!" "I always thought Mr. Joe sounded familiar," Gwen said seriously. Her brown eyes were dancing though as she took the bear from Abby, putting it back into the bag. "Oh look, Ali!" Abby bent at the waist, pointing out the merry-go-round to the little girl. "Mommy, can I.may I ride?" "You can, but you have to." Sheridan began, searching through her purse for the appropriate bills. Abby pushed her money away. "I got it. And don't worry about AliCat," she winked at them. "Gives me the perfect excuse to ride it myself. Want to come, Simone?" "I don't think so," Simone held up her hands. "Aww. Too chicken to make a fool out of yourself sometimes? Too bad Aunt Kay's in Chicago, huh Ali?" "Kay rode the merry-go-round?" Simone's questions fell on deaf ears, and Gwen pulled Sheridan around the corner into Victoria's Secret while the trio took their place in line.
"I wonder where they're at?" Whitney mused aloud. "Whitney," Theresa fell into step beside her. "You haven't said anything. Did I make you uncomfortable?" Whitney sighed, walking into a women's clothing store. Theresa following her. "Theresa.Chad.there's always going to be a bit of discomfort involved where he's concerned. "I mean.before I found out he was my.Mom's son.I." Theresa stopped her with a hand on her arm. "You don't have to explain, Whit. You're my best friend, though. I thought you should know. I hate that things are so awkward, but I understand." Whitney accepted Theresa's offered hug, smiling as she pulled back. "What do your parents say?" "Mama and Papa love Chad," Theresa said brightly. "He's one of the good Cranes. Like Sheridan," she babbled. "Theresa." "Whitney." Theresa echoed her, using her own name. "You haven't told them. Theresa, what are they going to think? Your parents believe in marriage first." "Luis lived with Sheridan," Theresa interjected. "Yes," Whitney conceded. "But he was her bodyguard. The situations were a little different." "Luis was in love with her, Whit." "Wow," Whitney breathed, going completely still and looking into Theresa's shining brown eyes. "You love him, don't you? You really.Theresa. When did this happen? How?" "It just kind of.snuck up on me," Theresa shrugged with a smile on her lips. "I was so sure I would spend the rest of my life getting over Ethan, I didn't pay attention to the little things, and then one day.BAM! I realized how happy I was. And Ethan doesn't even figure into the equation. My life is really my life now, Whitney. Mama and Papa may not agree, but that doesn't mean I'm going to let their feelings make my choice for me. Whitney, you're right," Theresa suddenly declared. "We really are adults." Whitney giggled and looped her arm around Theresa's waist, steering her out of the shop. "It's getting close to lunch time. Aren't we supposed to meet them at the food court.," Whitney paused to glance at her watch, "ten minutes ago!"
"Hot damn," Abby swore under her breath as she pulled the hot little red number out of the Victoria's Secret bag beside Sheridan's chair. "Abby," Sheridan hissed. Stuffing the lingerie back into the bag and arching a warning brow at Ali across the table. "Somebody's going to be very happy tonight," Abby teased mercilessly. Delighted when Sheridan turned a very becoming shade of red to match the slinky piece she'd just re-hidden from Ali's innocent eyes. "Let me see yours," Abby grinned, yanking Gwen's identical bag from her hands. She brought her soda straw to her lips absently and took a sip as she pulled the silky material free. Simone grimaced as soda spewed from Abby's astonished mouth and splattered her in the face. "Holy shit! You're going to give Bennett a heart attack!" "Mommy?" Ali's sweet voice brimmed with curiosity. Gwen grinned, slapping Abby on the back since she seemed to be choking on her own tongue. "That's not all," she revealed. Pulling out a leopard print lingerie set from the bag. "Given your propensity to wander around your apartment barely clothed.Sheridan and I thought you needed something special to entice the drool-worthy Doctor to act." Sheridan bit her lip to keep from laughing out loud. She'd never heard Gwen talk the way she was talking now, and Abby looked seconds away from heart failure herself. Her hazel eyes as wide as saucers. Simone, fast thinker that she was, quickly covered Ali's confused blue eyes. "Thongs! No way am I wearing a string up my." "Um.sorry we're late," Theresa offered weakly. Whitney ducked her head in embarrassment. "What is that thing? A water bra? What happens if he.you know," Abby stammered, obviously getting all flustered just thinking about it. "I can see it now. One of my breasts springs a leak just as we're getting VA-VA-VA-VOOM, and it's all over the 11:00 news. Psycho Physical Therapist's Attempts on Sexy as Hell Oncologist's Life Continue.the latest at seven after the hour.Um.no thanks," Abby shuddered. "I think I'd have better luck 'accidentally' catching him naked in the shower," she rolled her hazel eyes. That did it. Sheridan could no longer hold it in, bursting into helpless laughter. Gwen and the rest of the women joining her a second later. Ali ducked her pretty little head in mortified silence. WHAT was so funny?
Chapter 33
"So." Sheridan said teasingly as Gwen rifled through the infinite number of dog collars, looking for the PERFECT one. "How's Hank getting along with his new best friend?" "Fine, considering he's woken up the past couple days with the mutt sharing his pillow," Gwen smirked. Carrying her choice of collar and a leash up to the check-out desk. "The first morning he made the near-fatal mistake of gagging at MY morning breath when all along it was the dog. Let's just say Hank and Gus have gotten VERY friendly in the short time they've known each other," Gwen laughed, handing the cashier one of her credit cards. "Gus," Sheridan smiled. "Sounds fitting. I mean with your description and all," she elaborated. "I thought Bennett was lobbying for Becky," Abby said, slipping in line behind them. "And last I heard, Sara was calling him Slobber." "Abby, you don't have a pet," Ali said, blue eyes slightly confused as she watched Abby drop an arm-load of squeeze toys onto the counter. "Why Ali! Thank you for that brilliant assumption," Abby teased the little girl at her side. "These are for the new Bennett bambino-a child only a mother could love," she grinned at Gwen. "Abby, girl," Simone laughed. "I'm beginning to think you have a problem." "Yeah," Theresa giggled. "You've bought something in EVERY store we've gone into." "Good thing I missed the Victoria's Secret excursion," Abby winked at Gwen and Sheridan over the top of Ali's golden head. "Smile, Simone's sister," Abby told Whitney with twinkling hazel eyes. "You know you want to." "She's not.she's crazy," Sheridan informed Whitney with a smile of her own. "Crazy, but generally pretty harmless." "Listen to Sheridan," Abby nodded as she tucked her bag full of goodies under her arm. "She's pretty smart. She snagged Luis, after all."
The next store they went into was the standard department store, and Sheridan gently guided Ali toward the store's hat selection. "Wow Ali!" Abby exclaimed, gravitating right toward the wackiest item on the rack. "You have to get one of these. I'll get one too, and we can be twins!" "Abby," Ali giggled. "You look like the Cat in the Hat." "Thank you. Thank you very much," Abby dug out her best impersonation of Elvis, causing the rest of the women to laugh. Well.Whitney didn't laugh, but she DID crack a smile, hiding it behind her hand. "Fruitcake," Gwen elbowed Abby in the ribs. "Hey!" Abby pretended to be hurt, doubling over in false pain. "Nut! That's nut to you. Fruitcake's debatable." "Are you EVER serious for like one second?" Theresa asked. "Oh, Ali," she breathed, and everyone was momentarily distracted from her question. "You look adorable, Sweetie." Ali grinned, and her blue eyes twinkled up at her mommy. "This one, Mommy. I want this one." Sheridan gave the floppy denim bill of the hat a playful tug, her smile wavering just the tiniest bit as she patted Ali's soft cheek. "Good choice," Gwen agreed. "You know what, AliCat?" Sheridan's voice was thick as she grasped Ali's small shoulders and turned her back around. "I think you should pick out a couple more. A girl can never have enough cute hats." "Really?" Ali asked excitedly. "But you have to pick you out a pretty one too, Mommy," she said, walking back over to the racks. Whitney wrapped a supporting arm around Theresa as she moved out of Ali's sight and started to cry softly.
Abby wore her new purchase around the store, drawing the stares of several young children and more than a handful of concerned parents. "They're going to call the Psych Ward on you," Gwen said, shaking her head. "Man, I wish I had some whiskers. That'd really confuse the little tykes," Abby grinned. "Theresa! Theresa," she hurried ahead and grabbed Theresa's arm. "Do you have your mascara with you?" "Is that a hypothetical question?" Sheridan wondered quietly. "Sheridan," Gwen gasped, snorting with laughter a second later. "I didn't mean that.in the way it sounded. Seriously, Gwen. Ugh! She didn't hear me, and no one's going to tell her, right?" "My lips are sealed," Gwen said, a wicked gleam in her brown eyes. "Don't you dare," Sheridan warned her. Recognizing that perhaps the mischievous little Bennett devils didn't inherit all that energy, all their hell-raiser tendencies from just one of their parents. "Relax. Take deep breaths. I'm not going to say anything," Gwen reassured her. "Oh God," Gwen groaned when Abby turned back to them, whiskers and a cute little black nose drawn on her face. Ali giggled uncontrollably, dancing on the balls of her feet. "Mommy," she gasped for breath in between giggles. "I have to pee." "I'll take her to the bathroom," Theresa offered. Sheridan hesitated to give her the go-ahead, and Theresa's face fell slightly when Sheridan grasped Ali's little hand in her own and walked forward. "We'll both go. I need a bathroom break of my own. Anybody else?" "Fine here," Simone said, and Abby, Whitney, and Gwen agreed. "We'll be knee-deep in expensive evening wear," Gwen told them. "I have to find a dress that makes it look like I actually have cleavage," Abby divulged, straight-faced. "Mommy," Ali looked up at Sheridan. "Abby's so silly. What's cleavage?"
Sheridan met Theresa's dark eyes in the reflection of the bathroom mirror, and she offered her a tiny smile as Theresa repaired the damage her earlier tears had done. "I'm sorry about earlier, Theresa. It's not like I don't trust you." Theresa turned around to face Sheridan, understanding in her reddened brown eyes. "It's okay. I'm kind of glad you're so protective with her. I don't know if I trust myself, and I know I wouldn't be able to handle it if something like that ever happened again.you didn't hurt my feelings, Sheridan." "Promise?" Sheridan whispered, stepping closer to her sister-in-law to let an impatient woman pass by. "Promise," Theresa reassured her, accepting her hug with a smile. A stall at the far end of the bathroom opened, and they pulled apart, waving to Ali to get her attention before the slight panic on her face could grow into something more. Sheridan pushed the soap dispenser for her daughter, and Ali held her hands under the faucet to wash them. Squealing when icy cold water jetted out. "Mommy! It's cold!" Theresa grabbed some paper towels and rubbed Ali's freezing hands briskly. "Better?" "Lots," Ali nodded gratefully. "Do I get a pretty dress for New Year's too, Mommy?" Sheridan smiled, pulling Ali back against her body and leading them all out of the bathroom. "A new dress, huh? You know Nana and Grandpa Martin already think you're the prettiest granddaughter they have." "Mommy," Ali rolled her big blue eyes at her. "I'm the only granddaughter." "That's right," Sheridan said thoughtfully. "Ask Aunt Theresa when she's going to have us another little girl and even the ranks a little, AliCat." Ali giggled when her aunt Theresa blushed. "Are you going to marry Chad, Aunt Theresa?" "I might," Theresa admitted softly. "Good," Ali beamed. "Chad's nice. I like him, don't you, Mommy?" "Very much," Sheridan agreed. "Ali," Theresa's brown eyes sparkled with amusement. "Tell your mommy it's all up to her. The new baby has to be a girl. Aunt Theresa has to get married first, and she doesn't see that happening too soon." "Did you hear that, Mommy?" Ali tipped her head up to look at her mommy as they came to a halt just outside the bathrroms. "I heard," Sheridan smirked. "Good," Ali let out a whoosh of breath. "I already forgot most of it." "Ali!" Theresa scoffed. "I see Gwen," Ali ignored her, hurrying down the aisles. "Slow down, Ali," Sheridan called. "Be careful," Theresa added. "Not too soon, huh?" Sheridan teased Theresa. "I say you got a pretty good head start," she told her with a wink, catching up with her daughter. Theresa groaned and followed them.
"Mommy," Ali chattered excitedly. "The dresses are so pretty." "Thank you, Theresa," Sheridan quipped, "for instilling the love of clothes in my daughter." "You're welcome," Theresa giggled, letting Ali tug her back toward the dressing room. "Whitney wants you to try this one on," Ali told her, pointing to a shimmering pink gown hung up outside the dressing room. "I don't know," Theresa bit her lip in contemplation. "Try it on," Ali urged. "I want to see it." Gwen emerged from the dressing room beside Theresa's in a floor-length black gown with a plunging neckline. It was simple but elegant, and Sheridan smiled her approval. "Think Bennett will like it?" "Hank loves you in everything you wear," Sheridan rolled her blue eyes at her. "It looks great on you," Simone added her two cents. "But are you sure you don't want some more color?" Gwen glanced at Sheridan out of the corner of her brown eyes. Simone's dress was a virtual rainbow of colors. "I'll look some more, but I think this is THE dress," Gwen told her. "Sheridan, you're just sitting there. Remember.you want to look beautiful for Luis." "Dr. Nick says you don't need a pretty dress for that, Mommy," Ali said. "I think Dr. Nick likes you, Mommy," she smiled innocently. "Yeah.Dr. Nick likes your mommy. A little TOO MUCH," Gwen couldn't resist saying. "Gwen," Sheridan shot a warning glance over the top of Ali's golden head. "Do you like Dr. Nick, Mommy?" Ali questioned. "Yes, I like Dr. Nick," Sheridan grabbed Ali's little hands in her own and squeezed them. "He's making you better. How can I not like him for that?" she whispered, tucking a wispy strand of Ali's long hair behind her ear. "But I LOVE your daddy, Ali," she said, smirking when three very interested women pretended not to be listening at all. "Besides.Abby's the one that REALLY, REALLY likes Dr. Nick." Ali giggled. Theresa stepped out of her dressing room, looking to the rest of them for opinions. "Where is Abby?" she wondered aloud. "Did I just hear my name?"
"Damn woman," Gwen nearly choked. "And to hear you.you'd think you had the body of Olive Oil." Theresa's nose scrunched up. 'Olive Oil?' she mouthed. Sheridan shrugged her shoulders. Must have been something she picked up from Hank, maybe even Jake. "Uh huh," Simone grinned. "Going all J-Lo on us. Abby, you're in better shape than I am." "What do you think, Ali?" Abby grinned down at the awestruck little girl. "Aren't you going to be cold?" Ali asked, finally able to formulate a thought. She'd never, ever seen Abby dressed like she was now. "Turn around," Gwen ordered, eyeing the purple gown as it shimmered under the dressing room lights and seemed to change colors. "What's holding it up?" Ali wondered. "Mommy, where are the strings?" she whispered, climbing into Sheridan's lap. "Oh my god!" Simone shrieked when Abby finally completed her turn. And the dressing room they'd virtually taken over went silent, the few residents beside themselves apparently afraid for their lives. All except Whitney. She recognized her little sister's voice and came running out of her room, zipper at her back undone, flush of panic on her cheeks and everything. "You have a tattoo!" Simone exclaimed. "What?" Sheridan asked, shifting Ali off of her lap as she rose from her chair. "Yeah?" Abby rolled her hazel eyes. "Everybody take a look at the tattoo on my ass," she singsonged, knowing all ears in the dressing room were attuned to their little conversation. "Mommy!" Ali gasped, cheeks flushing scarlet. Creeping forward curiously. "It's not actually." Sheridan noted. "Lower back then," Abby corrected herself. "Sorry. Are you guys finished staring back there 'cause to someone just walking in.you think they're going to be calling the Psych Ward on me," she joked. "Actually, they're going to put us all in strait jackets," Gwen said, barely keeping a straight face. "Look at you. I can't believe you're still wearing those whiskers." "Well, I tried to wipe them off, but the label wasn't kidding when it said it was heavy duty. No wonder you like the stuff," Abby grinned at Theresa. "Huh?" Theresa wondered softly, too busy studying the sunburst design to catch on to the meaning behind Abby's statement, but Sheridan, Simone, and Gwen immediately did. Even Whitney. And all four women burst into laughter. "Yes!" Abby pumped her arm in the air, grinning wickedly at Whitney. "Beneath that prim, serious exterior lies a woman just dying to have fun." "Excuse me, Ladies," a stern voice interrupted their fun. "Is everything okay?" Abby whirled around, and the rest of the women jerked back from their observation of her tattoo in embarrassed silence. "Oh hey, Aunt Bea. Everything's puuuurrrrrfect," Abby purred. "You want to see the tattoo on my ass?" The matronly old woman looked stunned for a few seconds, then Abby's words actually sank in, and she ran off in horrified silence. "Hurry," Simone hissed, running into her dressing room and slamming the door shut. "Before she calls security."
"I can't believe they believed you when you said you had a 6 o'clock audition for CATS," Sheridan laughed, bowing her head against the cold gust of wind as they walked into the parking lot, looking for her car. "I think it helped that you were half-naked at the time. The poor man couldn't do more than stammer a few words of apology in-between sneaking looks at your tattoo. Nick hasn't seen it, has he?" "Well, let's see," Abby put her finger to her chin, pretending to ponder Gwen's question as Sheridan unlocked the doors to the SUV and Theresa and Ali climbed into the back seat before her. "I'm not as bad as you guys think. I wear pjs! No, he hasn't seen the tattoo. The only time he had the chance I attacked him with pepper spray, and damn near blinded him. Nope. Can't say he has." "You're not playing your cards right, Abby. One look." "Does Bennett need to be worried?" Abby quirked a tawny brow at Gwen, grinning at Ali's clueless expression. "How long have you had it?" Theresa piped up, startling Abby. "Forever," Abby waved her off. "Forever?" Ali whispered in awe. "Yeah," Abby said, serious as she could be. She was Abby, after all. "I was born with it. Pretty birthmark, huh?" "Abby," Sheridan groaned from the driver's seat as the SUV started moving. Theresa giggled. Ali wasn't completely clueless. Extremely intelligent, in fact. But her little niece was so trusting of those around her...it was just funny sometimes. "It's not fair, is it, Ali?" Gwen turned around in the passenger seat to face the little girl. "My birthmark's not colorful like Abby's. Is yours?" Theresa giggled when she saw Sheridan rolling her blue eyes in the rear view mirror. "No," Ali replied. "How'd yours get so many colors?" she asked Abby. "My big brother Shane colored it in for me. Quite the artiste, isn't he?" Ali nodded her golden head. "I'll tell him you said so," Abby grinned, reaching in the back to grab some of her bags as the SUV neared her apartment complex. Sheridan slowed to a stop to let Abby out, apologizing for not getting to see her to the door, and Gwen, Theresa, and Ali said their goodbye's. "No problem," Abby waved, tugging what Ali had branded her 'Cat in the Hat' hat low over her forehead. "I won't hold it against you if you promise not to tell a soul about my tattoo. Think you can keep a secret from that handsome hubby of yours?" she teased Sheridan. "I'm not worried about YOU," she smirked at Gwen. "Are you implying I'm less than honest with my husband?" "Not exactly," Abby shook her head. "Sneaky. That's what you Bennetts are. Sneaky." "Takes one to know one," Gwen shot back. "Me? I'm not sneaky. I'm just your average lunatic," Abby declared humorously, struggling under the weight of her numerous purchases. "I'll be calling to find out what Lo- Fitz and Bennett thought of their presents from Victoria." "Bye, Abby!" Sheridan and Gwen chorused as Sheridan maneuvered the SUV back onto the main road. "Aunt Theresa?" "Yes, Ali?" "Who's Victoria?"
Chapter 34
"They're finally asleep," Luis sighed, closing the bedroom door behind him. "You said you had." Luis paused, a slow smile taking over his face as he took in the flickering candlelight and the covers turned back on the bed. ".a surprise for me," he grinned, his hands going to the bottom of his black sweater. "You always do that when you know I like to do it myself." Luis couldn't breathe, couldn't formulate a sensible thought the moment he lay eyes on the owner of that voice. "I take back what I said earlier," he finally said, his deep brown eyes never leaving her face as she crossed the bedroom, coming to a stop in front of him. "How can I say I hate shopping when you come home with." he gulped as she loosened the sash of the red silk robe wrapped around her body and let it slide from her shoulders. "That," he practically squeaked, making soft laughter spill forth from her lips. Sheridan threaded her fingers through his and brought their joined hands to her lips, brushing a gentle kiss against his palm before clasping his hand to her face. "I'm glad you like your surprise," she smiled. Luis leaned forward, kissing the smile on her beautiful face. "I love my surprise," he told her, his palm sliding around her neck to cup the base of her skull. Sheridan sighed happily as her husband placed sweet, lingering kisses on cheeks, her brow, the corners of her mouth.
"Well.there's such a small window of opportunity." she stopped short on what she was about to say at the feel of his lips traveling the column of her throat. A frustrated noise escaped the back of her throat when he pulled away to gaze into her eyes with brown eyes riddled with confusion. "Window? What window? Sheridan," he laughed. "Baby, don't take this the wrong way, but I want to make love to you. Not talk about things that make no sense." Sheridan's blue eyes flashed with indignation, and she crossed her arms over her chest, sitting down on their bed and giving him a baleful look just to make it clear that whatever he said next should be carefully mulled over. He was stepping on thin ice. Yeah. She DEFINITELY took it the wrong way. Luis groaned and knelt on the floor in front of her. He resisted the urge to roll his eyes at her when she jerked her hand away from his. Great, he thought. He didn't think he'd be hit with the mood swings so soon. And if this wasn't a mood swing.his ass was toast. God, the woman in front of him could be stubborn. "Sheridan." "So what now, Luis? Something along the lines of children should be seen and not heard, only in the wife's case.you basically told me to shut up," she nearly growled.
"I didn't mean it that.C'mon, Baby. What was it you were saying? Something about a window? I'm sorry. I'm all ears now. I love you," he told her, ducking his head to kiss the smooth skin just above her knee. When his big, dark hands started sliding up and down her thighs and around the back of her knees, she squirmed and scowled at him. "Stop it.Luis," her voice was lost in a shaky gasp, and her arms went around his neck automatically as he pulled her down into his lap. She turned her head as he ran his hands through her hair, and Luis groaned when he couldn't get her to look at him. He sighed in resignation and pulled her closer, brushing his lips against her temple and smoothing his hands down her silk- covered back. Gradually, she relaxed in his arms, and when she pulled back to finally look into his eyes, her blue eyes were bright with angry tears. He tucked an errant strand of blond hair back behind her ear and smiled apologetically at her. "I'm sorry.I was.," he searched for the words, though he still couldn't figure out why something so silly was bothering her so much. "I was insensitive, and I hate it when you're mad at me. Don't be," he whispered, brushing his lips over hers. He was horrified when she burst into tears before his eyes.
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Gwen rolled with laughter as she watched her husband nudge the wriggling live wire called Gus out of their bedroom, lock the door, and come bounding back to join her on the bed like.well.like an excited puppy. "Now, where was I?" he asked, a wicked grin on his face and mischief in those brown eyes she knew so well. "Here?" he asked, sliding his fingers through hers and kissing her palm quickly. She laughed and shook her head 'no'. "That's not right? Hmm. Maybe I was here," he said, dipping his disheveled dark head to nibble on her neck. "Not there," she told him, a bright smile on her lips. "Damn," he swore softly. "I'm just going to have to kiss you all over, huh? Tell me when I'm getting hot." She rolled her brown eyes at him. "What?" he pretended to be oblivious. "If I didn't love you, Bennett.I'd be throwing tomatoes at you." "I'm that bad?" he semi-cringed. "That bad," she nodded her head. "But you love me anyway." She smiled. The goofy grin was back on his face already, and she had to admit it. "I love you anyway." "Good," he said, practically pouncing on her. "Where were we?" he asked her again. "Right about here," she whispered, pulling him in for a passionate kiss. "I'm getting hot," he grinned against her lips. "Ouch, Babe! Injure me while you're at it," he yelped. Half-pretending, half-serious. His wife could pack a wallop when she wanted to.
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If her bedroom had carpet, Abby was sure she would have already worn a hole in it. One more look.one more look into those gray eyes, and she was going to burst. Blurt out all her stupid little fantasies and frighten the man to death. "And that would be great going, wouldn't it, Abby? He already thinks you're a borderline psycho. Grabbing him and kissing the shit out of him can only make things worse," she muttered. For him. Hell, for her, too, ignoring the short-term blissful possibilities. "Get it through your thick skull," she spoke to her reflection in the floor-length mirror in the corner of the room. "He's in love with Sheridan. Madly, passionately, stupidly, Luis is so going to kick his ass if he so much as blinks at her in front of him, insanely in love with Sheridan. And you don't stand a chance," she muttered dejectedly. "You should give up while you're ahead. Save your questionable sanity and heart before it's too late." Whoa! Heart?! So it was more than just hormones talking here? "No," she told her reflection resolutely. "You hardly know the man. No. This isn't about your heart. It's all about.," she turned away from her reflection as she felt her cheeks flush and her heart start pounding in her chest, "it's all about SEX." Argh! She was so sexually frustrated she had trouble thinking straight around the man. She saw something she wanted, she salivated over it for a while, then she went after it. Full speed ahead. In the past anyway. Before.chalk it up to being young and stupid. Well.some things HAD changed. Like the young part. But stupid.according to Shane, and she was sure countless others.the stupid trait was still shining through after all these years. She gave her appearance the once over one more time. "Yeah.you're most definitely still stupid," she grumbled, tying the flowing robe around her waist. But dammit.she didn't care. Time to see if she was a blip on Gray Eyes's radar or not, she thought, striding across the room and yanking the door open. And nearly having a heart attack when she saw someone she totally didn't expect standing a few feet away with Nick.none other than Whitney Russell!
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Sheridan sighed shakily as she felt Luis's fingers absently stroking her stomach, and she leaned back further into his embrace. Her back was nestled against his now bare chest, and he had his arms wrapped around her from behind. Long minutes of silence had passed between them, only broken by the sounds of her soft crying. She was grateful to have him near, holding her so close to his heart in understanding that whatever was bothering her.she just needed him to hold her until she could say the words. She felt his lips at her pulse point, a whisper of a caress, and she attempted to smile through the tears, speaking from her heart. "I'm sorry, Luis. I over-reacted and made such a fool of myself. I don't.it's just.everything. The pressure. The guilt. Not knowing what tomorrow is going to bring. It's been building all day, and when you.it all hit me at once. I'm so sorry," she murmured, turning in his arms so she could see his face. "So this wasn't about me being a bastard?" he asked softly, kissing the hand that cupped his jaw. "Bastard's too strong a word," she smiled slightly. "You being a jerk was the least of it." "So I'm a jerk now?" Luis teased her. "I guess I can live with that. Tell me what's bothering you. I can help. Or try to," he said, holding his arms open to her. She accepted his embrace willingly, sighing tiredly as he lay them back against the pillows.
"I still can't bear to let Ali out of my sight-not even for one second-in the mall." Luis digested what she was saying, realizing the reasons why almost immediately. "I think I hurt Theresa's feelings, Luis." He rubbed her back soothingly as he spoke to her in low, calming tones. "Maybe," he admitted reluctantly. "Maybe you did. But I know my little sister, and she understands. That may not make her feel any better about it, but trust me." he paused to look into her glittering blue eyes. "She doesn't blame you. Not one bit." Sheridan tucked her blond head beneath his chin once more, just listening to his heart beat and his even breathing. "That's not all," she said softly, several minutes later. "Hmm?" he encouraged her with a gentle kiss to the crown of her head. "Today was.it was almost.normal." His heart ached to hear the tears in her voice. "Shopping with the girls. Getting a gown for New Year's. Buying.I bought clothes and toys for the baby. I.and then." He waited for her to continue, for her voice to gain strength again. "I felt so guilty for getting excited about buying stuff for the new baby at the same time I was buying hats for Ali, and it hurt.it hurt to see her pretty blue eyes sparkling at me as she tried on the hats, Luis, 'cause she doesn't realize yet." "Shh," he clutched her even tighter as her body shook with her muffled sobs against him. He cupped her face in his hands as she sought comfort in his kiss. "I don't know if I can do it, Luis." she whispered raggedly as he lay her back against the pillows and brushed the damp hair from her forehead. "I don't know if I can be strong," she cried as his hands moved over her gently, removing the barriers between them. He gathered her close, kissing all her doubts away. "We'll do it," he told her, staring deep into her blue, blue eyes as he began to make love to her. "We'll be strong together," he vowed, kissing her sad mouth.
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She was pretty good at ignoring things. After all, she'd given birth to three adorable, devilish, occasional pains in the ass. She was a mother. Ignorance was sometimes an art form. And ignorance was what she tried desperately to feign as Hank threw himself into making love to her, the damn puppy whining and scratching at their bedroom door the entire time. When Hank's lips touched her stomach, her muscles didn't jump because she was ticklish. She was simply erupting with long held in laughter. "Babe," Hank whined. "I'm getting serious here. You're not supposed to laugh." "I can't help it," she snickered. "Just ignore him," Hank glowered at her. "Damn dog's going back to Becs first thing in the morning. He's really killing my love life." "What love life?" Gwen tried to ask with a straight face, but the corners of her mouth curled up traitorously. "I don't mean it that way," she rolled her brown eyes at him, grabbing him by the shoulders and pulling him to her. "The kids, Bennett. Our kids especially." "You have a point," Hank admitted grudgingly. "Babe." She cut him off with a fierce kiss. "You know how I tell Jake whining doesn't suit him all the time? Well." "Who's whining?" Hank grinned, attacking her with kisses. Tears rolled down Gwen's cheeks as Gus started howling behind the closed door, and Hank huffed with exasperation. But whoever said Hank Bennett wasn't a determined man. Kissing a hysterically laughing woman had to be hard, she mused, one brown eye popping open as she heard a strange noise. "Hank.Hank.Hank!" she grew frantic, finally slapping the side of his head to get his attention. "Getting a little violent there, Babe," Hank smirked, brown eyes twinkling down at her. At her panicked face, he realized as he heard the creaking noise of.their bedroom door was opening! "Mommy?" "Emmy," they heard Jake hiss. "Don't go in there. The door was locked." Then they heard Sara's gleefully devious little voice. "Well.it's not locked anymore. I unlocked it." Hank's brown eyes grew alarmingly wide as a certain dead puppy whizzed past the open door, straight for them, and he made the only decision his quick thinking mind would allow, rolling his wife's body with his own toward the edge of the bed. Damn, the floor was harder than he remembered, was the last thought he had before slipping into unconsciousness.
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Abby tiptoed back into her bedroom, closing the door behind her with a soft snick and leaning back against it with a sigh. She wasn't going to seduce the man with another woman in the room. That was sure. So she resigned herself to that disappointing fact and slipped the robe from her shoulders and trudging to her empty bed. She threw herself face first onto the bed and yanked her comforter over her half-clad body with one arm. "Not going to happen tonight," she grumbled. Those two looked awfully chummy out there. And to think she'd thought Whitney Russell didn't smile much. "Face it, Abby," she muttered into her pillow, hating herself for the nagging jealousy rising up within her. "You're not a blip. You're not even a speck," she groaned, burying her tawny head beneath a mound of pillows and willing herself to calm down and forget all about ALMOST making a royal fool out of herself. The worst part of this whole thing.she DID care. And that pissed her off. She was in BIG trouble.
Chapter 35
"Dr. Nick's taking Whitney to the party! WHITNEY?!" Abby's hazel eyes were so wide Kay nearly burst into laughter. "What the hell happened here, Abby? I'm out of town for what? Not even a full week, and already." Kay decided to tone it down a little bit at the look on her friend's face. Was it dejection or rejection? "Well.he may be taking Whitney to the dance, but it's you he's going to be holding at midnight. My scheming skills are a tad rusty, but I think I can dust them off for something as important as this," Kay winked at Abby, shepherding her toward her bedroom. "Where's your dress?" "I can dress myself," Abby muttered, rolling her eyes at Kay. "What about Miguel?" "He's going to be here in an hour to pick us up," Kay answered her, "so it's a good thing I'm already dressed. But you.get out of those sweats. I hate to say this, but moping isn't a good look on you. And I mean that in the nicest possible way."
"Dammit!" Abby swore as she caught a glance of herself in her mirror- tangled tawny hair and all, "I'm not going looking like this." "Of course, you're not," Kay placated calmly. "Get your ass in the shower." Off Abby's pointed glare, Kay snapped her fingers. "Wasting valuable time here. HURRY!" Kay grinned when she heard the shower start up seconds later. Visiting Chicago and Jess and Reese was nice.but she knew where she was NEEDED. She dug her cell phone out of her small, sequined handbag and punched in Miguel's cell phone number. "Miguel.we have a tiny change in plans.Could you drop the boys off at your mother's?.Thanks.I love you, too.Bye," she smiled as she ended the phone call. "Abby!" Abby's muffled, irritated voice made her giggle. "Yes, Drill Sergeant."
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"Aww, Mom," Jake whined. "Do Sara and Emily have to go?" "Jake," Gwen sighed. "It's not that big of a deal. Emmy's already asleep," she said, nodding at one half of her tiresome twosome slumped against Hank's shoulder. Drooling all over his tux jacket, no doubt. "And Sara.you'll get along fine. Besides.they won't be the only girls there. What about Ali? Did you forget about her?" Jake ducked his brown head in embarrassment as he muttered, "Ali's different." "What's that Little Buddy?" Hank teased his blushing son. "Nothing, Dad," Jake raised his head to glare at his dad. "All right. They can go," he grumbled. "I'm glad you're being the big guy and allowing us this small favor," Gwen smirked, running a hand over her son's unruly brown mop of hair.
"Yuck, Mom," Jake scowled. "She did the spit thing again," Sara told her brother, scrunching up her nose in disgust. "I did?" Gwen grimaced. "Yeah, Babe," Hank grinned, giving her a quick kiss on the lips. "Knew I was rubbing off on you." "Shut up," Gwen said, rolling her brown eyes at her husband. No wonder Mother was always so irked. "We better go before Pilar's temporary lapse of insanity is over, and she decides to turn us away at the door when we get there." "Is MJ going to be there, too?" Sara asked, gazing up at her dad expectantly as he led her to their car. "Yep," Hank answered her, shifting Emily to his other side so he could open the car door. "The whole gang," he told her, grinning at his wife a few feet across from him. Insanity indeed, he agreed silently as he buckled his sleeping daughter in and made sure Jake and Sara were situated as well. He didn't know if Pilar would retain her saintly patience after this little adventure.
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"Mr. Lopez-Fitzgerald," Chad cleared his throat uncomfortably, giving his collar a nervous tug. "Yes, Son?" Martin gave the young man before him a friendly smile. He looked liked he needed it. An uncertain expression passed over Chad's features momentarily before he grinned back at Theresa's father. "You called me 'Son', Sir." Martin chuckled. "Yes. Yes, I did. What can I do for you, Chad?" "Son.Son's alright, Sir. Yeah. I think I like it." Pilar smiled at the pair from the hallway leading to her Theresita's childhood room. "Okay, Son," Martin's eyes danced with humor as he granted Chad's request. "But you don't have to call me Sir or even Mr. Lopez-Fitzgerald. Martin's fine. You seem to have an awful lot on your mind. You want to tell me about it?" After talking with her daughter as she helped her get dressed, Pilar knew what was coming, and she wasn't so sure her husband was ready for Chad's particular question no matter how much he liked the young man. "Mr. Lopez-Fitzger.Martin.it's about your daughter." Pilar heaved a huge sigh of relief when she heard a familiar voice behind her, and all eyes turned to the sound, admiring the pretty picture Theresa made in her shimmering pink gown. "Did I hear my name?" she asked, giggling at the expressions on her papa's and Chad's faces.
Martin stepped forward to enfold his daughter in his arms. "Look at you. All grown up and pretty as a picture. You're a lucky young man, Son," Martin said, relinquishing his daughter to Chad's capable care. "I know," Chad said, more to himself than to the man before him, and the room was silent for several seconds as Chad gazed at Theresa until she burst into another fit of laughter. This time slightly embarrassed laughter. "You look nice," she whispered, fingering the lapels of Chad's well-fitted tux. "Thanks," Chad grinned. "Papa," an amused voice rang out, making all four heads turn toward the front door. "I can't believe you're letting him ogle my little sister like that." Theresa giggled and chastised her big brother, "Luis. Chad wasn't ogling me. He was admiring me. Right, Chad?" Chad chanced a quick glance Martin and Pilar's way then smirked at Luis. "Listen to your sister, Luis. She's right. I wasn't doing nothing but admiring her. Where's Auntie Sher?"
Sheridan appeared at the front door, her sleepy children in front of her, and rolled her blue eyes at Chad. "I heard that." "I thought you liked it when I called you that," Chad grinned at her across the room. "Hey Squirt.Little Man," he greeted Ali and Cristian. Theresa held her arms out for her little niece and nephew, and they trudged toward her. "Mija," Pilar breathed, wrapping her arms around Sheridan's shoulders in a motherly embrace. "You look beautiful." The dress sparkled and glimmered under the dim lighting of the Lopez-Fitzgerald living room. The color.Pilar wasn't sure it had a name, but it was almost the color of champagne, and the cut of the dress was very flattering. "Thanks, Pilar," Sheridan smiled at her. "I wasn't sure the color was right for me, but I loved the dress so much I couldn't not choose it." "The color looks fine," Luis said, surprising Sheridan when he looped his arms around her waist from behind and pulled her back against his length. "I'm still biased." "Luis was disappointed the dress wasn't red," Sheridan laughed, slightly embarrassed when Luis lips lingered along her neck just a little too long in front of his parents. "Luis." Sheridan could feel him smiling against her skin as he kissed her cheek and released her from his arms.
Ali tugged on her Grandpa Martin's shirt sleeve. "Grandpa Martin." "Yes, Sweetheart?" Martin said, scooping Ali's slight little figure up into his arms and running an affectionate hand over her loose golden hair. "Mommy said Jake was going to come. He's not here yet. Where is he?" "Right behind us," Miguel answered Ali's question, and Sheridan could swear she heard Pilar groan when she laid eyes on her wild little grandson tearing through the front door like a tornado. There wasn't any doubt about it. She DID hear Pilar laugh when Cristian hid behind Theresa's legs when MJ made a beeline for him. "Are you sure you're going to be okay, Pilar?" Sheridan inquired of her softly. "I'll be fine, Mija," Pilar told her, giving her cheek a gentle pat. "It's getting late. Shouldn't you be leaving for the party soon?" Pilar wondered as she took Joshua from Miguel's arms. "We thought we'd wait for Hank and Gwen," Luis told his mother. "Hey Bro," he grabbed Miguel's shoulder, "where's Kay?" "I'm supposed to pick her up at Abby's in.ten minutes." "Where's Miguelito off to in such a hurry," Hank grinned, pulling a surprised Pilar into a bear hug. Gwen and the children filtered in a moment later. "Well.looks like we're all here," Hank announced. "Where are the cameras? Don't you want to record this moment for posterity. This is like Senior Prom times ten," he joked. Badly, Gwen might add to herself. Fondly, of course. This night was going to be SO long.
"Clothes," Jake grumbled, his top lip furling up in disgust. "Santa," he growled, looking pointedly at his mom-AND his dad. "Santa KNOWS I don't like getting clothes for Christmas." "Me neither," Sara scowled. "I HATE dresses!" "I LOVE my dress," Emily smiled, twirling the skirt of her pretty white dress around. Sara and Jake simultaneously rolled their brown eyes, causing Hank and Gwen to burst into laughter. "What about the new bikes?" Jake shrugged his slim shoulders. "The bike's okay, I guess." "Santa got me a girlie bike!" Sara stomped her foot, her tangled brown hair falling forward into her face. She shoved it behind her ear in annoyance. "Well, Sar." Hank knelt before his irate female double. "You see.Santa was under the assumption that you ARE a girl." "Funny, Dad," Sara muttered. Hank looked to Gwen in near-exasperation, and she only shook her head. "Like father, like daughter."
"Jake, don't you like your video games?" "Some of them are pretty cool," Jake conceded. "But Barbie, Mom?" he whined. "Give me that," Gwen snatched the game from his hands and dropped it into Emily's lap. "Look, Emmy. You forgot a present." "Oh Mommy!" Emily exclaimed, throwing her arms around Gwen's neck excitedly. "I can't wait to play it." "Oh great," Jake muttered under his breath, tilting his mop of brown curls to the side and staring up at his dad. "You don't look so good, Dad. Sure you're feeling alright?" "Me? I don't know. I can't say if it's sympathy pains for Ole Saint Nick or my stomach's protest against going to your grandma's for Christmas dinner later." Gwen turned to face them with a smirk, Emily perched on her hip. "Poor Santa," she said teasingly. "Yeah," Sara's brown eyes grew wide. "He ate ALL Aunt Grace's cookies." "All of them?" Emily asked. "All of them," Hank groaned, giving his stomach an imperceptible rub. "Good thing Aunt Grace and Uncle Sam are in Chicago visiting Jessica and Reese and the kids." "She'd make us more," Sara shuddered. Gwen bit her lip to keep from laughing. "I was going to say her feelings would be hurt." "Babe," Hank groaned, plopping down on the sofa in a tangle of exhausted limbs. "Let's just count our blessings."
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"Did you like the presents Santa brought you, AliCat?" Luis questioned his little daughter, who was currently tucked safely beneath his chin. "Uh huh," Ali murmured, making her golden head bob up and down slowly. Luis smiled and placed a kiss atop her head. "Tired?" He could see Ali's pale lashes fluttering against her cheeks, and he could tell each response was taking more and more effort. "A little," Ali admitted, and he could feel each soft breath she took against his neck. "Go to sleep, AliCat," he whispered, relaxing against the couch's cushions more fully and bringing her slight little body back with him. "But Mommy's picture." "Mommy'll understand," he promised her. "Shh.we'll paint Mommy's picture later." "Daddy?" "Yeah?" he murmured, taking Ali's much smaller hand in his own and rubbing his thumb up and down the lines of her palm. ".best Christmas." "I agree, AliCat. I agree," he smiled almost bittersweetly, looking to his wife standing a few feet from them, Ali's special memory book clasped against her chest.
"She didn't last much longer than Cristian," Sheridan smiled, combing Ali's sweet-smelling blond locks back from her face. Luis arched an amused dark brow at her. "About 30 minutes ago," she answered him before he could ask the question. "That's what getting up HOURS," Luis paused, stressing the significance of the notion of hours, "before dawn does for you." "Was it really 4:30?" Sheridan laughed. "I think it was closer to 5:00, really. But it felt like 3:00." "Luis!" she gave his shoulder a playful shove. "You're just saying that because you were up putting." Luis clamped his free hand over her mouth, averting his dark eyes to their sleeping daughter nestled in his arms. Sheridan's blue eyes twinkled down at him, and as soon as he removed his hand, she leaned down to press her lips softly against his. Then brushed them across Ali's forehead. "You like your present, Mommy?" Luis teased, glancing at the leather-bound book in his wife's lap. Sheridan smoothed her hands over the front cover, tearing up at the words inscribed there. "Love, Ali." "Ali did this all by herself?" Luis grinned. "Oh, she had a little help," he revealed. "I think, in the end, it turned into a community project."
Sheridan opened the book slowly, reading the words on the front page aloud, "Once Upon a Time.I bet you were a lady killer even then," she turned to him with a smile, and Luis laughed at the baby picture he was sure Theresa had chosen. He was just thankful he wasn't nude. "You bet," he said, winking. "And look at you.the second most beautiful little girl I've ever seen." "Second, huh?" she said, trying her best not to smile. "AliCat holds that title." Ali stirred in Luis's arms as if she knew her parents were talking about her. "Better watch it," Sheridan warned. "I agree, by the way," she said softly, flipping forward a few pages and coming to one in particular. "Was this really the first time we met?" she asked, laughing when she recognized herself as a very small child at Ivy and Julian's wedding. "Cristian looks just like you." "I'm not sure," Luis admitted sheepishly as she showed him the picture. "Cristian's way better looking." "You? Modest? No way," Sheridan said, rolling her blue eyes at him goodnaturedly. She burst into laughter, almost waking Ali when she flipped through several pages, coming to one that had a little police car cutout on one side and a cutout of her car on the other. Their heads had been cut from other pictures and pasted inside the cars, and the page read "Two Stubborn Hearts Collide." Sheridan knew Theresa's work when she saw it. All she could do was laugh and continue to look through the book, reliving all the key moments in their lives together, smiling and sniffling over Ali's baby pictures, then Cristian's, and sighing shakily when she came to the last used page. She read Ali's childish scrawl with tears streaming down her cheeks at all the love and all the hope, promising they'd fill the rest of the book's pages with their future. Luis's own eyes were wet as he slid his arm around her and held her and their daughter close.
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"Hey Becs! Where's my present?" Hank demanded to know as soon as Rebecca answered the door. "Mother," Gwen's brown eyes widened with shock. "You answered the door." "Yes, Gwen. I did," Rebecca rolled her blue eyes at her. "You don't actually think I bought you anything, do you?" she told Hank, helping Gwen usher the children inside. Sara started stripping her parka and multitude of scarves off. Jake just wandered inside. "Where's Grandpa?" Emily giggled and grinned at Rebecca. "You look like Santa's wife, Grandma." "Oh dear God," Gwen muttered under her breath. Just KNOWING her mother would have a conniption. She nearly keeled over when she smiled instead and enfolded Emily in a hug. Hank smirked when Emmy's little face seemed to get lost in his mother-in-law's bosoms. "Wearing that wonder bra, Becs? C'mon. You know that's your favorite present anyone's ever gotten you." Gwen groaned. Hank just LOVED to pull Mother's chain. This day already had the potential to be HELL. She didn't want to crank it up a notch so early in the game. "Bennett," she hissed. "Behave," she warned, wagging a finger beneath Hank's nose. Hank's brown eyes twinkled devilishly as he said, "Scout's honor, Babe. Best behavior," he added, smirking at Rebecca who just smirked back.
"MOM!!!" three voices she knew entirely too well at that particular decibel rang out, and Gwen hurried into the living room. "What's going on? Daddy?" she looked to her father for answers. Jonathan just chuckled and deferred to his wife. "Mother." "I finally found the perfect gift for my wonderful swine of a son-in-law," Rebecca announced. Hank pretended to blush, stepping forward as if to give her a hug. "Becs.you didn't have to." "Jacob, introduce your father to Junior." "Junior?" Hank nearly choked when Jake held up a squirming Pug puppy. "Aww, Mommy," Emily smiled, instantly in love. "Can we keep him?" Jake thrust the puppy into his father's hands, awaiting the final verdict. The tiny Pug licked frantically at Hank's face and neck, and Rebecca couldn't resist comment. "I think there's an amazing family resemblance." Jonathan and Gwen laughed as Hank glowered at Rebecca. "Becs, you shouldn't have." He grimaced, feeling something warm and wet trickle down his chest, and he glanced down to see his brand-new shirt drenched in puppy piss. Jake and Sara snickered evilly as Rebecca smiled triumphantly. "You really shouldn't have."
Chapter 32
"Are you excited, Ali?" Theresa quizzed her little niece. Ali beamed up at her, nodding her head. "Her first shopping trip as one of the girls," Sheridan smiled into the rear view mirror as the navigated the SUV through the streets of downtown Harmony. All the Christmas decorations were still up, reminding Sheridan that even though they had waited a couple of days to avoid the chaos that was day after Christmas madness.it was still going to be quite.crowded. "Why didn't Emily and Sara get to come?" Ali asked. Gwen turned around in the front passenger seat to face Ali. Sheridan smirked when she said something along the lines of Sara absolutely HATING to shop, and Emily already LOVING it so much that Hank ragged her about outing her as a mini shop-a-holic sometime soon. "Besides," Gwen told Ali. "There's not enough room in this thing for ALL of us. Sara'd really hate having Abby sit in her lap." Theresa giggled. Abby'd definitely do it. For laughs, of course. That's why Whitney and Simone are meeting us at the mall," Theresa explained. Ali's forehead wrinkled up in concentration as she tried to remember what Whitney looked like. It'd been so long since she'd seen her. "There's a lot of people going on this trip," she whispered in awe. Sheridan, Gwen, and Theresa burst into laughter. "You know what, Sweetie?" Sheridan said, turning down Abby's street. "I hadn't thought about it, but you're absolutely right." They pulled into the parking lot to Abby's building just seconds later. "Who wants to come with me to get Abby?" Sheridan asked, turning off the SUV's ignition. "I want to come," Ali grinned, fumbling with her seat belt. She finally got it undone thanks to Theresa, and Theresa climbed out of the car with her so she wouldn't have to crawl over her lap. "What?" Gwen shrugged as she pushed the passenger door open. "I'm not going to be the only one sitting out here. Anyway." she grinned wickedly. "Isn't that Dr. Nick's car? Abby may need physical help to actually move."
They bypassed the stairs in favor of the elevator, mindful of not wearing Ali out before the REAL strenuous exercise began. : ) Ali was the first one out of the doors, racing down the hall. "Does she even know which one is Abby's?" Theresa inquired. "No," Sheridan shook her head with a smile. "But Ali's got those infamous Lopez-Fitzgerald instincts," Gwen cracked as they neared the little girl. Theresa's brown eyes widened in amazement, and she started laughing when Sheridan confirmed Ali'd found the right apartment. Loud, pulsing rock music was practically vibrating the walls outside. "Somehow I didn't take Abby for a rocker," Gwen mused sarcastically. "Abby's got eclectic taste," Sheridan laughed. "Loud is the key." "Aha," Gwen nodded in understanding. "Do you think there's any way in hell they're going to hear us if we knock?" Sheridan shrugged her shoulders and rapped her knuckles against the door, and Gwen, Theresa, and Ali waited patiently for it to open. Finally Sheridan tried the knob, and it turned easily. Their calls of "Abby" were drowned out by the din of the blaring music.
Theresa pointed Abby out, hanging onto the wall beside her for dear life, and Gwen snorted when Ali scampered over to Abby, tugging on her sweater sleeve and making her jump sky high in surprise. "Sh-AliCat!" Abby censored herself, a genuine smile lighting up her face when she looked into Ali's happily sparkling blue eyes. "We knocked," Sheridan said, coming to a stop beside Abby. "I didn't hear," Abby muttered absently, her gaze drifting off to something.someone.else. "We gathered that," Gwen teased. "What is it now? Theresa? Are you okay?" Gwen waved a hand in front of Theresa's dazed face. "Eww," Ali's nose scrunched up. "Dr. Nick's all sweaty." "Ali!" Sheridan scolded. "Blasphemy! Dear Ali.eww? Eww? Are you out of your pretty little mind? Not eww, AliCat," Abby corrected her, swooning over Dr. Nick's sweaty male form as he landed punch after well- placed punch on the newest addition to the apartment's décor. "Definitely not eww," Gwen agreed, joining Theresa and Abby in the zombie-like states.
"Good morning, Ladies," Nick grinned, wiping the sweat from his body with a towel. "Good morning, Dr. Nick," Ali replied sweetly. Three of the women behind her rendered speechless. "What's my favorite little patient up to today?" "Shopping," Sheridan answered for her daughter. "Yeah," Ali said excitedly. "There's the cutest little hat I want to show Ali," Sheridan told Nick quietly. Understanding registered in Nick's gray eyes, and he smiled down at the little girl in front of him. "We're not going just to look at hats," Ali rolled her blue eyes, giggling. "Mommy's going to get a dress for the New Year's party. She wants to look beautiful for Daddy." "Your mommy doesn't need a pretty dress for that," Nick said softly. His comment finally spurred Gwen and Theresa to action. "Sheridan.I think we should go. Whitney and Simone are probably already at the mall waiting on us," Theresa said. "You're right, Theresa. Come on, Abby," Gwen pulled on Abby's sleeve. "Abby," she hissed, yanking harder. "Damn," Abby grumbled. "You don't have to rip my arm off." "Bye, Dr. Nick!" Ali waved as the group walked toward the door. Nick chuckled as the door shut behind them.
"Finally," Whitney teased, accepting Theresa's exuberant embrace. "I thought you were never going to get here." "My fault," Abby held a hand up. "Hi. I'm not sure we've been introduced." "Abby?" Whitney smiled. "How did you know?" "Simone told me all about you." "Oh really?" Abby arched a tawny brow at Simone. "Good things, Little Russell? They better have been." Simone grinned at her, waving at Ali by Sheridan's side. "Miss Ali.you look so pretty today." "Thank you," Ali said somewhat bashfully, her cheeks turning as pink as the turtleneck she wore. "Who's ready to shop?" Gwen asked, fitting her hand in Ali's free one. "These golden opportunities are few and far between." "You go on ahead," Theresa urged them, looking slightly uncomfortable. "Whitney and I have a lot to catch up on." "That's an understatement," Simone muttered, catching up with Abby and the other two women. "Where to first?" Simone asked. "I think we should let Ali pick," she smiled. "She is our special guest and all." Ali's mouth opened in a pleased 'O'. "I get to pick? Mommy," she giggled. Her face brightening up with a mega-watt smile. "Uh oh," Gwen said. "I know that look! It's a Jake look!" "No, it's not," Ali denied, giggling some more. "I don't know, AliCat," Abby tickled her sides, causing her to scoot forward out of her reach. "Looks an awful lot like a Bennett bright idea to me." "Whatever," Ali did a perfect imitation of Alicia Silverstone in a certain little film. "Oh my.sweet little AliCat giving me attitude?" Abby held a hand to her heart. Winking at Sheridan and Gwen. "I thought your mommy told you not to sneak and watch Clueless again. Come on. I know you're Princess Ali and all, but isn't that movie PG-13? You're not a little teenager in disguise. As if!" Abby threw up her hands, drawing a lot of unwanted stares and causing the trio of women plus one little girl with her to laugh out loud. "Cute," Sheridan shook her head. "Ali? Your pick." "The toy store!" Ali squealed excitedly, hurrying ahead of them. "Ali! Ali, wait for us," Sheridan called in a panicked voice. "Sheridan," Gwen squeezed Sheridan's shoulders reassuringly. Knowing this particular toy store had bad memories associated with it. Memories of Ali's kidnapping. "It's not going to happen again. None of us are going to let her out of our sight." "Thanks, Gwen," Sheridan whispered gratefully.
"I can't believe it, Whit," Theresa said as she flipped through the rack of clothes in front of her, pausing to admire a few trendy pieces. "Medical school. I always thought tennis. Or music.I never knew." "Neither did I," Whitney told her, holding up a purple sweater with brightly colored geometric designs on it. "It took me a really long time to make a decision. What do you think? Simone or not?" "Your mom must be so proud.the whole following in her footsteps thing.sort of," Theresa trailed off awkwardly. "Whitney, I'm sorry. I know there's a lot of hard feelings, and." "Theresa," Whitney stopped her with a friendly hand on her arm. "Ancient history." "Whitney!" Theresa exclaimed. "Does that mean." "I'm not completely over all the lies, and finding out my mom wasn't the woman I thought she was, but.life's short, Theresa. I realize that now. I can't let the past get in the way, or I'll never be happy." "I'm so glad to hear you say that. Whitney.there's something I have to tell you." "Go ahead," Whitney encouraged her, tucking the sweater under her arm. It was a definite maybe. "Theresa," Whitney prodded. "I'm your best friend. Don't look so afraid. We're adults now. Remember?" Theresa giggled and flipped her long dark hair back off her shoulders. "Sometimes I have trouble with that," she said teasingly. "Especially around Christmas. Living in the same house as Mama and Papa doesn't help." "You're still at home?" Whitney's voice was disbelieving. "Maybe not for long," Theresa divulged. "Are you going to tell me or not?" Whitney laughed as Theresa wrung her hands nervously. "Chad asked me to move in with him," Theresa announced in a jumbled rush of words, stunning Whitney speechless.
"Abby," Gwen's hand darted out to grab the bag Abby was holding. "What do you have in the bag?" "Nothing," Abby pretended to be nonchalant. "It's that green squooshy stuff," Ali tattled. "AliCat!" Abby pretended to be hurt as she thrust the bag into Simone's hands. "A little birdie told me the Bennetts younger ran out, and I thought I'd get them a new supply," Abby grinned at Gwen's totally motherly 'you're not getting THAT' look. "Come on, Gwen. It's just Gunk or Gak.what the hell was that stuff called again?" "Jake and Sara love to terrorize Emmy with it," Gwen said. "Is that.do I hear whining? Simone? AliCat? Do you hear it, too?" Ali giggled, clasping Simone's hand with her smaller one. "Where's Mommy?" "Right here." Sheridan's voice had them all turning around, and they studied the bag in her hands curiously. "My nosy friends," Sheridan just smiled. "Sheridan," Abby singsonged, making a royal nuisance of herself and sidling up next to Sheridan. "What's in the bag?" "Nothing," Sheridan smirked. "Do I have to go all psycho on you and do the puppy pout?" Abby asked, sticking her bottom lip ridiculously far out. "All right," Sheridan relented, laughing. "It's just something I thought would be cute for the baby." Abby dug a Pooh Bear out of the bag. "Pooh! Pooh? Pooh's SO over- rated. Tigger, Sheridan. Tigger's much cooler. Pooh sounds like a wheezy old man," Abby continued, hazel eyes twinkling humorously. "Mommy!" Ali gasped. "Yes, Ali?" Sheridan stopped in her tracks to address her little daughter. "He does! He does! Pooh sounds like Mr. Joe at church!" "I always thought Mr. Joe sounded familiar," Gwen said seriously. Her brown eyes were dancing though as she took the bear from Abby, putting it back into the bag. "Oh look, Ali!" Abby bent at the waist, pointing out the merry-go-round to the little girl. "Mommy, can I.may I ride?" "You can, but you have to." Sheridan began, searching through her purse for the appropriate bills. Abby pushed her money away. "I got it. And don't worry about AliCat," she winked at them. "Gives me the perfect excuse to ride it myself. Want to come, Simone?" "I don't think so," Simone held up her hands. "Aww. Too chicken to make a fool out of yourself sometimes? Too bad Aunt Kay's in Chicago, huh Ali?" "Kay rode the merry-go-round?" Simone's questions fell on deaf ears, and Gwen pulled Sheridan around the corner into Victoria's Secret while the trio took their place in line.
"I wonder where they're at?" Whitney mused aloud. "Whitney," Theresa fell into step beside her. "You haven't said anything. Did I make you uncomfortable?" Whitney sighed, walking into a women's clothing store. Theresa following her. "Theresa.Chad.there's always going to be a bit of discomfort involved where he's concerned. "I mean.before I found out he was my.Mom's son.I." Theresa stopped her with a hand on her arm. "You don't have to explain, Whit. You're my best friend, though. I thought you should know. I hate that things are so awkward, but I understand." Whitney accepted Theresa's offered hug, smiling as she pulled back. "What do your parents say?" "Mama and Papa love Chad," Theresa said brightly. "He's one of the good Cranes. Like Sheridan," she babbled. "Theresa." "Whitney." Theresa echoed her, using her own name. "You haven't told them. Theresa, what are they going to think? Your parents believe in marriage first." "Luis lived with Sheridan," Theresa interjected. "Yes," Whitney conceded. "But he was her bodyguard. The situations were a little different." "Luis was in love with her, Whit." "Wow," Whitney breathed, going completely still and looking into Theresa's shining brown eyes. "You love him, don't you? You really.Theresa. When did this happen? How?" "It just kind of.snuck up on me," Theresa shrugged with a smile on her lips. "I was so sure I would spend the rest of my life getting over Ethan, I didn't pay attention to the little things, and then one day.BAM! I realized how happy I was. And Ethan doesn't even figure into the equation. My life is really my life now, Whitney. Mama and Papa may not agree, but that doesn't mean I'm going to let their feelings make my choice for me. Whitney, you're right," Theresa suddenly declared. "We really are adults." Whitney giggled and looped her arm around Theresa's waist, steering her out of the shop. "It's getting close to lunch time. Aren't we supposed to meet them at the food court.," Whitney paused to glance at her watch, "ten minutes ago!"
"Hot damn," Abby swore under her breath as she pulled the hot little red number out of the Victoria's Secret bag beside Sheridan's chair. "Abby," Sheridan hissed. Stuffing the lingerie back into the bag and arching a warning brow at Ali across the table. "Somebody's going to be very happy tonight," Abby teased mercilessly. Delighted when Sheridan turned a very becoming shade of red to match the slinky piece she'd just re-hidden from Ali's innocent eyes. "Let me see yours," Abby grinned, yanking Gwen's identical bag from her hands. She brought her soda straw to her lips absently and took a sip as she pulled the silky material free. Simone grimaced as soda spewed from Abby's astonished mouth and splattered her in the face. "Holy shit! You're going to give Bennett a heart attack!" "Mommy?" Ali's sweet voice brimmed with curiosity. Gwen grinned, slapping Abby on the back since she seemed to be choking on her own tongue. "That's not all," she revealed. Pulling out a leopard print lingerie set from the bag. "Given your propensity to wander around your apartment barely clothed.Sheridan and I thought you needed something special to entice the drool-worthy Doctor to act." Sheridan bit her lip to keep from laughing out loud. She'd never heard Gwen talk the way she was talking now, and Abby looked seconds away from heart failure herself. Her hazel eyes as wide as saucers. Simone, fast thinker that she was, quickly covered Ali's confused blue eyes. "Thongs! No way am I wearing a string up my." "Um.sorry we're late," Theresa offered weakly. Whitney ducked her head in embarrassment. "What is that thing? A water bra? What happens if he.you know," Abby stammered, obviously getting all flustered just thinking about it. "I can see it now. One of my breasts springs a leak just as we're getting VA-VA-VA-VOOM, and it's all over the 11:00 news. Psycho Physical Therapist's Attempts on Sexy as Hell Oncologist's Life Continue.the latest at seven after the hour.Um.no thanks," Abby shuddered. "I think I'd have better luck 'accidentally' catching him naked in the shower," she rolled her hazel eyes. That did it. Sheridan could no longer hold it in, bursting into helpless laughter. Gwen and the rest of the women joining her a second later. Ali ducked her pretty little head in mortified silence. WHAT was so funny?
Chapter 33
"So." Sheridan said teasingly as Gwen rifled through the infinite number of dog collars, looking for the PERFECT one. "How's Hank getting along with his new best friend?" "Fine, considering he's woken up the past couple days with the mutt sharing his pillow," Gwen smirked. Carrying her choice of collar and a leash up to the check-out desk. "The first morning he made the near-fatal mistake of gagging at MY morning breath when all along it was the dog. Let's just say Hank and Gus have gotten VERY friendly in the short time they've known each other," Gwen laughed, handing the cashier one of her credit cards. "Gus," Sheridan smiled. "Sounds fitting. I mean with your description and all," she elaborated. "I thought Bennett was lobbying for Becky," Abby said, slipping in line behind them. "And last I heard, Sara was calling him Slobber." "Abby, you don't have a pet," Ali said, blue eyes slightly confused as she watched Abby drop an arm-load of squeeze toys onto the counter. "Why Ali! Thank you for that brilliant assumption," Abby teased the little girl at her side. "These are for the new Bennett bambino-a child only a mother could love," she grinned at Gwen. "Abby, girl," Simone laughed. "I'm beginning to think you have a problem." "Yeah," Theresa giggled. "You've bought something in EVERY store we've gone into." "Good thing I missed the Victoria's Secret excursion," Abby winked at Gwen and Sheridan over the top of Ali's golden head. "Smile, Simone's sister," Abby told Whitney with twinkling hazel eyes. "You know you want to." "She's not.she's crazy," Sheridan informed Whitney with a smile of her own. "Crazy, but generally pretty harmless." "Listen to Sheridan," Abby nodded as she tucked her bag full of goodies under her arm. "She's pretty smart. She snagged Luis, after all."
The next store they went into was the standard department store, and Sheridan gently guided Ali toward the store's hat selection. "Wow Ali!" Abby exclaimed, gravitating right toward the wackiest item on the rack. "You have to get one of these. I'll get one too, and we can be twins!" "Abby," Ali giggled. "You look like the Cat in the Hat." "Thank you. Thank you very much," Abby dug out her best impersonation of Elvis, causing the rest of the women to laugh. Well.Whitney didn't laugh, but she DID crack a smile, hiding it behind her hand. "Fruitcake," Gwen elbowed Abby in the ribs. "Hey!" Abby pretended to be hurt, doubling over in false pain. "Nut! That's nut to you. Fruitcake's debatable." "Are you EVER serious for like one second?" Theresa asked. "Oh, Ali," she breathed, and everyone was momentarily distracted from her question. "You look adorable, Sweetie." Ali grinned, and her blue eyes twinkled up at her mommy. "This one, Mommy. I want this one." Sheridan gave the floppy denim bill of the hat a playful tug, her smile wavering just the tiniest bit as she patted Ali's soft cheek. "Good choice," Gwen agreed. "You know what, AliCat?" Sheridan's voice was thick as she grasped Ali's small shoulders and turned her back around. "I think you should pick out a couple more. A girl can never have enough cute hats." "Really?" Ali asked excitedly. "But you have to pick you out a pretty one too, Mommy," she said, walking back over to the racks. Whitney wrapped a supporting arm around Theresa as she moved out of Ali's sight and started to cry softly.
Abby wore her new purchase around the store, drawing the stares of several young children and more than a handful of concerned parents. "They're going to call the Psych Ward on you," Gwen said, shaking her head. "Man, I wish I had some whiskers. That'd really confuse the little tykes," Abby grinned. "Theresa! Theresa," she hurried ahead and grabbed Theresa's arm. "Do you have your mascara with you?" "Is that a hypothetical question?" Sheridan wondered quietly. "Sheridan," Gwen gasped, snorting with laughter a second later. "I didn't mean that.in the way it sounded. Seriously, Gwen. Ugh! She didn't hear me, and no one's going to tell her, right?" "My lips are sealed," Gwen said, a wicked gleam in her brown eyes. "Don't you dare," Sheridan warned her. Recognizing that perhaps the mischievous little Bennett devils didn't inherit all that energy, all their hell-raiser tendencies from just one of their parents. "Relax. Take deep breaths. I'm not going to say anything," Gwen reassured her. "Oh God," Gwen groaned when Abby turned back to them, whiskers and a cute little black nose drawn on her face. Ali giggled uncontrollably, dancing on the balls of her feet. "Mommy," she gasped for breath in between giggles. "I have to pee." "I'll take her to the bathroom," Theresa offered. Sheridan hesitated to give her the go-ahead, and Theresa's face fell slightly when Sheridan grasped Ali's little hand in her own and walked forward. "We'll both go. I need a bathroom break of my own. Anybody else?" "Fine here," Simone said, and Abby, Whitney, and Gwen agreed. "We'll be knee-deep in expensive evening wear," Gwen told them. "I have to find a dress that makes it look like I actually have cleavage," Abby divulged, straight-faced. "Mommy," Ali looked up at Sheridan. "Abby's so silly. What's cleavage?"
Sheridan met Theresa's dark eyes in the reflection of the bathroom mirror, and she offered her a tiny smile as Theresa repaired the damage her earlier tears had done. "I'm sorry about earlier, Theresa. It's not like I don't trust you." Theresa turned around to face Sheridan, understanding in her reddened brown eyes. "It's okay. I'm kind of glad you're so protective with her. I don't know if I trust myself, and I know I wouldn't be able to handle it if something like that ever happened again.you didn't hurt my feelings, Sheridan." "Promise?" Sheridan whispered, stepping closer to her sister-in-law to let an impatient woman pass by. "Promise," Theresa reassured her, accepting her hug with a smile. A stall at the far end of the bathroom opened, and they pulled apart, waving to Ali to get her attention before the slight panic on her face could grow into something more. Sheridan pushed the soap dispenser for her daughter, and Ali held her hands under the faucet to wash them. Squealing when icy cold water jetted out. "Mommy! It's cold!" Theresa grabbed some paper towels and rubbed Ali's freezing hands briskly. "Better?" "Lots," Ali nodded gratefully. "Do I get a pretty dress for New Year's too, Mommy?" Sheridan smiled, pulling Ali back against her body and leading them all out of the bathroom. "A new dress, huh? You know Nana and Grandpa Martin already think you're the prettiest granddaughter they have." "Mommy," Ali rolled her big blue eyes at her. "I'm the only granddaughter." "That's right," Sheridan said thoughtfully. "Ask Aunt Theresa when she's going to have us another little girl and even the ranks a little, AliCat." Ali giggled when her aunt Theresa blushed. "Are you going to marry Chad, Aunt Theresa?" "I might," Theresa admitted softly. "Good," Ali beamed. "Chad's nice. I like him, don't you, Mommy?" "Very much," Sheridan agreed. "Ali," Theresa's brown eyes sparkled with amusement. "Tell your mommy it's all up to her. The new baby has to be a girl. Aunt Theresa has to get married first, and she doesn't see that happening too soon." "Did you hear that, Mommy?" Ali tipped her head up to look at her mommy as they came to a halt just outside the bathrroms. "I heard," Sheridan smirked. "Good," Ali let out a whoosh of breath. "I already forgot most of it." "Ali!" Theresa scoffed. "I see Gwen," Ali ignored her, hurrying down the aisles. "Slow down, Ali," Sheridan called. "Be careful," Theresa added. "Not too soon, huh?" Sheridan teased Theresa. "I say you got a pretty good head start," she told her with a wink, catching up with her daughter. Theresa groaned and followed them.
"Mommy," Ali chattered excitedly. "The dresses are so pretty." "Thank you, Theresa," Sheridan quipped, "for instilling the love of clothes in my daughter." "You're welcome," Theresa giggled, letting Ali tug her back toward the dressing room. "Whitney wants you to try this one on," Ali told her, pointing to a shimmering pink gown hung up outside the dressing room. "I don't know," Theresa bit her lip in contemplation. "Try it on," Ali urged. "I want to see it." Gwen emerged from the dressing room beside Theresa's in a floor-length black gown with a plunging neckline. It was simple but elegant, and Sheridan smiled her approval. "Think Bennett will like it?" "Hank loves you in everything you wear," Sheridan rolled her blue eyes at her. "It looks great on you," Simone added her two cents. "But are you sure you don't want some more color?" Gwen glanced at Sheridan out of the corner of her brown eyes. Simone's dress was a virtual rainbow of colors. "I'll look some more, but I think this is THE dress," Gwen told her. "Sheridan, you're just sitting there. Remember.you want to look beautiful for Luis." "Dr. Nick says you don't need a pretty dress for that, Mommy," Ali said. "I think Dr. Nick likes you, Mommy," she smiled innocently. "Yeah.Dr. Nick likes your mommy. A little TOO MUCH," Gwen couldn't resist saying. "Gwen," Sheridan shot a warning glance over the top of Ali's golden head. "Do you like Dr. Nick, Mommy?" Ali questioned. "Yes, I like Dr. Nick," Sheridan grabbed Ali's little hands in her own and squeezed them. "He's making you better. How can I not like him for that?" she whispered, tucking a wispy strand of Ali's long hair behind her ear. "But I LOVE your daddy, Ali," she said, smirking when three very interested women pretended not to be listening at all. "Besides.Abby's the one that REALLY, REALLY likes Dr. Nick." Ali giggled. Theresa stepped out of her dressing room, looking to the rest of them for opinions. "Where is Abby?" she wondered aloud. "Did I just hear my name?"
"Damn woman," Gwen nearly choked. "And to hear you.you'd think you had the body of Olive Oil." Theresa's nose scrunched up. 'Olive Oil?' she mouthed. Sheridan shrugged her shoulders. Must have been something she picked up from Hank, maybe even Jake. "Uh huh," Simone grinned. "Going all J-Lo on us. Abby, you're in better shape than I am." "What do you think, Ali?" Abby grinned down at the awestruck little girl. "Aren't you going to be cold?" Ali asked, finally able to formulate a thought. She'd never, ever seen Abby dressed like she was now. "Turn around," Gwen ordered, eyeing the purple gown as it shimmered under the dressing room lights and seemed to change colors. "What's holding it up?" Ali wondered. "Mommy, where are the strings?" she whispered, climbing into Sheridan's lap. "Oh my god!" Simone shrieked when Abby finally completed her turn. And the dressing room they'd virtually taken over went silent, the few residents beside themselves apparently afraid for their lives. All except Whitney. She recognized her little sister's voice and came running out of her room, zipper at her back undone, flush of panic on her cheeks and everything. "You have a tattoo!" Simone exclaimed. "What?" Sheridan asked, shifting Ali off of her lap as she rose from her chair. "Yeah?" Abby rolled her hazel eyes. "Everybody take a look at the tattoo on my ass," she singsonged, knowing all ears in the dressing room were attuned to their little conversation. "Mommy!" Ali gasped, cheeks flushing scarlet. Creeping forward curiously. "It's not actually." Sheridan noted. "Lower back then," Abby corrected herself. "Sorry. Are you guys finished staring back there 'cause to someone just walking in.you think they're going to be calling the Psych Ward on me," she joked. "Actually, they're going to put us all in strait jackets," Gwen said, barely keeping a straight face. "Look at you. I can't believe you're still wearing those whiskers." "Well, I tried to wipe them off, but the label wasn't kidding when it said it was heavy duty. No wonder you like the stuff," Abby grinned at Theresa. "Huh?" Theresa wondered softly, too busy studying the sunburst design to catch on to the meaning behind Abby's statement, but Sheridan, Simone, and Gwen immediately did. Even Whitney. And all four women burst into laughter. "Yes!" Abby pumped her arm in the air, grinning wickedly at Whitney. "Beneath that prim, serious exterior lies a woman just dying to have fun." "Excuse me, Ladies," a stern voice interrupted their fun. "Is everything okay?" Abby whirled around, and the rest of the women jerked back from their observation of her tattoo in embarrassed silence. "Oh hey, Aunt Bea. Everything's puuuurrrrrfect," Abby purred. "You want to see the tattoo on my ass?" The matronly old woman looked stunned for a few seconds, then Abby's words actually sank in, and she ran off in horrified silence. "Hurry," Simone hissed, running into her dressing room and slamming the door shut. "Before she calls security."
"I can't believe they believed you when you said you had a 6 o'clock audition for CATS," Sheridan laughed, bowing her head against the cold gust of wind as they walked into the parking lot, looking for her car. "I think it helped that you were half-naked at the time. The poor man couldn't do more than stammer a few words of apology in-between sneaking looks at your tattoo. Nick hasn't seen it, has he?" "Well, let's see," Abby put her finger to her chin, pretending to ponder Gwen's question as Sheridan unlocked the doors to the SUV and Theresa and Ali climbed into the back seat before her. "I'm not as bad as you guys think. I wear pjs! No, he hasn't seen the tattoo. The only time he had the chance I attacked him with pepper spray, and damn near blinded him. Nope. Can't say he has." "You're not playing your cards right, Abby. One look." "Does Bennett need to be worried?" Abby quirked a tawny brow at Gwen, grinning at Ali's clueless expression. "How long have you had it?" Theresa piped up, startling Abby. "Forever," Abby waved her off. "Forever?" Ali whispered in awe. "Yeah," Abby said, serious as she could be. She was Abby, after all. "I was born with it. Pretty birthmark, huh?" "Abby," Sheridan groaned from the driver's seat as the SUV started moving. Theresa giggled. Ali wasn't completely clueless. Extremely intelligent, in fact. But her little niece was so trusting of those around her...it was just funny sometimes. "It's not fair, is it, Ali?" Gwen turned around in the passenger seat to face the little girl. "My birthmark's not colorful like Abby's. Is yours?" Theresa giggled when she saw Sheridan rolling her blue eyes in the rear view mirror. "No," Ali replied. "How'd yours get so many colors?" she asked Abby. "My big brother Shane colored it in for me. Quite the artiste, isn't he?" Ali nodded her golden head. "I'll tell him you said so," Abby grinned, reaching in the back to grab some of her bags as the SUV neared her apartment complex. Sheridan slowed to a stop to let Abby out, apologizing for not getting to see her to the door, and Gwen, Theresa, and Ali said their goodbye's. "No problem," Abby waved, tugging what Ali had branded her 'Cat in the Hat' hat low over her forehead. "I won't hold it against you if you promise not to tell a soul about my tattoo. Think you can keep a secret from that handsome hubby of yours?" she teased Sheridan. "I'm not worried about YOU," she smirked at Gwen. "Are you implying I'm less than honest with my husband?" "Not exactly," Abby shook her head. "Sneaky. That's what you Bennetts are. Sneaky." "Takes one to know one," Gwen shot back. "Me? I'm not sneaky. I'm just your average lunatic," Abby declared humorously, struggling under the weight of her numerous purchases. "I'll be calling to find out what Lo- Fitz and Bennett thought of their presents from Victoria." "Bye, Abby!" Sheridan and Gwen chorused as Sheridan maneuvered the SUV back onto the main road. "Aunt Theresa?" "Yes, Ali?" "Who's Victoria?"
Chapter 34
"They're finally asleep," Luis sighed, closing the bedroom door behind him. "You said you had." Luis paused, a slow smile taking over his face as he took in the flickering candlelight and the covers turned back on the bed. ".a surprise for me," he grinned, his hands going to the bottom of his black sweater. "You always do that when you know I like to do it myself." Luis couldn't breathe, couldn't formulate a sensible thought the moment he lay eyes on the owner of that voice. "I take back what I said earlier," he finally said, his deep brown eyes never leaving her face as she crossed the bedroom, coming to a stop in front of him. "How can I say I hate shopping when you come home with." he gulped as she loosened the sash of the red silk robe wrapped around her body and let it slide from her shoulders. "That," he practically squeaked, making soft laughter spill forth from her lips. Sheridan threaded her fingers through his and brought their joined hands to her lips, brushing a gentle kiss against his palm before clasping his hand to her face. "I'm glad you like your surprise," she smiled. Luis leaned forward, kissing the smile on her beautiful face. "I love my surprise," he told her, his palm sliding around her neck to cup the base of her skull. Sheridan sighed happily as her husband placed sweet, lingering kisses on cheeks, her brow, the corners of her mouth.
"Well.there's such a small window of opportunity." she stopped short on what she was about to say at the feel of his lips traveling the column of her throat. A frustrated noise escaped the back of her throat when he pulled away to gaze into her eyes with brown eyes riddled with confusion. "Window? What window? Sheridan," he laughed. "Baby, don't take this the wrong way, but I want to make love to you. Not talk about things that make no sense." Sheridan's blue eyes flashed with indignation, and she crossed her arms over her chest, sitting down on their bed and giving him a baleful look just to make it clear that whatever he said next should be carefully mulled over. He was stepping on thin ice. Yeah. She DEFINITELY took it the wrong way. Luis groaned and knelt on the floor in front of her. He resisted the urge to roll his eyes at her when she jerked her hand away from his. Great, he thought. He didn't think he'd be hit with the mood swings so soon. And if this wasn't a mood swing.his ass was toast. God, the woman in front of him could be stubborn. "Sheridan." "So what now, Luis? Something along the lines of children should be seen and not heard, only in the wife's case.you basically told me to shut up," she nearly growled.
"I didn't mean it that.C'mon, Baby. What was it you were saying? Something about a window? I'm sorry. I'm all ears now. I love you," he told her, ducking his head to kiss the smooth skin just above her knee. When his big, dark hands started sliding up and down her thighs and around the back of her knees, she squirmed and scowled at him. "Stop it.Luis," her voice was lost in a shaky gasp, and her arms went around his neck automatically as he pulled her down into his lap. She turned her head as he ran his hands through her hair, and Luis groaned when he couldn't get her to look at him. He sighed in resignation and pulled her closer, brushing his lips against her temple and smoothing his hands down her silk- covered back. Gradually, she relaxed in his arms, and when she pulled back to finally look into his eyes, her blue eyes were bright with angry tears. He tucked an errant strand of blond hair back behind her ear and smiled apologetically at her. "I'm sorry.I was.," he searched for the words, though he still couldn't figure out why something so silly was bothering her so much. "I was insensitive, and I hate it when you're mad at me. Don't be," he whispered, brushing his lips over hers. He was horrified when she burst into tears before his eyes.
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Gwen rolled with laughter as she watched her husband nudge the wriggling live wire called Gus out of their bedroom, lock the door, and come bounding back to join her on the bed like.well.like an excited puppy. "Now, where was I?" he asked, a wicked grin on his face and mischief in those brown eyes she knew so well. "Here?" he asked, sliding his fingers through hers and kissing her palm quickly. She laughed and shook her head 'no'. "That's not right? Hmm. Maybe I was here," he said, dipping his disheveled dark head to nibble on her neck. "Not there," she told him, a bright smile on her lips. "Damn," he swore softly. "I'm just going to have to kiss you all over, huh? Tell me when I'm getting hot." She rolled her brown eyes at him. "What?" he pretended to be oblivious. "If I didn't love you, Bennett.I'd be throwing tomatoes at you." "I'm that bad?" he semi-cringed. "That bad," she nodded her head. "But you love me anyway." She smiled. The goofy grin was back on his face already, and she had to admit it. "I love you anyway." "Good," he said, practically pouncing on her. "Where were we?" he asked her again. "Right about here," she whispered, pulling him in for a passionate kiss. "I'm getting hot," he grinned against her lips. "Ouch, Babe! Injure me while you're at it," he yelped. Half-pretending, half-serious. His wife could pack a wallop when she wanted to.
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If her bedroom had carpet, Abby was sure she would have already worn a hole in it. One more look.one more look into those gray eyes, and she was going to burst. Blurt out all her stupid little fantasies and frighten the man to death. "And that would be great going, wouldn't it, Abby? He already thinks you're a borderline psycho. Grabbing him and kissing the shit out of him can only make things worse," she muttered. For him. Hell, for her, too, ignoring the short-term blissful possibilities. "Get it through your thick skull," she spoke to her reflection in the floor-length mirror in the corner of the room. "He's in love with Sheridan. Madly, passionately, stupidly, Luis is so going to kick his ass if he so much as blinks at her in front of him, insanely in love with Sheridan. And you don't stand a chance," she muttered dejectedly. "You should give up while you're ahead. Save your questionable sanity and heart before it's too late." Whoa! Heart?! So it was more than just hormones talking here? "No," she told her reflection resolutely. "You hardly know the man. No. This isn't about your heart. It's all about.," she turned away from her reflection as she felt her cheeks flush and her heart start pounding in her chest, "it's all about SEX." Argh! She was so sexually frustrated she had trouble thinking straight around the man. She saw something she wanted, she salivated over it for a while, then she went after it. Full speed ahead. In the past anyway. Before.chalk it up to being young and stupid. Well.some things HAD changed. Like the young part. But stupid.according to Shane, and she was sure countless others.the stupid trait was still shining through after all these years. She gave her appearance the once over one more time. "Yeah.you're most definitely still stupid," she grumbled, tying the flowing robe around her waist. But dammit.she didn't care. Time to see if she was a blip on Gray Eyes's radar or not, she thought, striding across the room and yanking the door open. And nearly having a heart attack when she saw someone she totally didn't expect standing a few feet away with Nick.none other than Whitney Russell!
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Sheridan sighed shakily as she felt Luis's fingers absently stroking her stomach, and she leaned back further into his embrace. Her back was nestled against his now bare chest, and he had his arms wrapped around her from behind. Long minutes of silence had passed between them, only broken by the sounds of her soft crying. She was grateful to have him near, holding her so close to his heart in understanding that whatever was bothering her.she just needed him to hold her until she could say the words. She felt his lips at her pulse point, a whisper of a caress, and she attempted to smile through the tears, speaking from her heart. "I'm sorry, Luis. I over-reacted and made such a fool of myself. I don't.it's just.everything. The pressure. The guilt. Not knowing what tomorrow is going to bring. It's been building all day, and when you.it all hit me at once. I'm so sorry," she murmured, turning in his arms so she could see his face. "So this wasn't about me being a bastard?" he asked softly, kissing the hand that cupped his jaw. "Bastard's too strong a word," she smiled slightly. "You being a jerk was the least of it." "So I'm a jerk now?" Luis teased her. "I guess I can live with that. Tell me what's bothering you. I can help. Or try to," he said, holding his arms open to her. She accepted his embrace willingly, sighing tiredly as he lay them back against the pillows.
"I still can't bear to let Ali out of my sight-not even for one second-in the mall." Luis digested what she was saying, realizing the reasons why almost immediately. "I think I hurt Theresa's feelings, Luis." He rubbed her back soothingly as he spoke to her in low, calming tones. "Maybe," he admitted reluctantly. "Maybe you did. But I know my little sister, and she understands. That may not make her feel any better about it, but trust me." he paused to look into her glittering blue eyes. "She doesn't blame you. Not one bit." Sheridan tucked her blond head beneath his chin once more, just listening to his heart beat and his even breathing. "That's not all," she said softly, several minutes later. "Hmm?" he encouraged her with a gentle kiss to the crown of her head. "Today was.it was almost.normal." His heart ached to hear the tears in her voice. "Shopping with the girls. Getting a gown for New Year's. Buying.I bought clothes and toys for the baby. I.and then." He waited for her to continue, for her voice to gain strength again. "I felt so guilty for getting excited about buying stuff for the new baby at the same time I was buying hats for Ali, and it hurt.it hurt to see her pretty blue eyes sparkling at me as she tried on the hats, Luis, 'cause she doesn't realize yet." "Shh," he clutched her even tighter as her body shook with her muffled sobs against him. He cupped her face in his hands as she sought comfort in his kiss. "I don't know if I can do it, Luis." she whispered raggedly as he lay her back against the pillows and brushed the damp hair from her forehead. "I don't know if I can be strong," she cried as his hands moved over her gently, removing the barriers between them. He gathered her close, kissing all her doubts away. "We'll do it," he told her, staring deep into her blue, blue eyes as he began to make love to her. "We'll be strong together," he vowed, kissing her sad mouth.
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She was pretty good at ignoring things. After all, she'd given birth to three adorable, devilish, occasional pains in the ass. She was a mother. Ignorance was sometimes an art form. And ignorance was what she tried desperately to feign as Hank threw himself into making love to her, the damn puppy whining and scratching at their bedroom door the entire time. When Hank's lips touched her stomach, her muscles didn't jump because she was ticklish. She was simply erupting with long held in laughter. "Babe," Hank whined. "I'm getting serious here. You're not supposed to laugh." "I can't help it," she snickered. "Just ignore him," Hank glowered at her. "Damn dog's going back to Becs first thing in the morning. He's really killing my love life." "What love life?" Gwen tried to ask with a straight face, but the corners of her mouth curled up traitorously. "I don't mean it that way," she rolled her brown eyes at him, grabbing him by the shoulders and pulling him to her. "The kids, Bennett. Our kids especially." "You have a point," Hank admitted grudgingly. "Babe." She cut him off with a fierce kiss. "You know how I tell Jake whining doesn't suit him all the time? Well." "Who's whining?" Hank grinned, attacking her with kisses. Tears rolled down Gwen's cheeks as Gus started howling behind the closed door, and Hank huffed with exasperation. But whoever said Hank Bennett wasn't a determined man. Kissing a hysterically laughing woman had to be hard, she mused, one brown eye popping open as she heard a strange noise. "Hank.Hank.Hank!" she grew frantic, finally slapping the side of his head to get his attention. "Getting a little violent there, Babe," Hank smirked, brown eyes twinkling down at her. At her panicked face, he realized as he heard the creaking noise of.their bedroom door was opening! "Mommy?" "Emmy," they heard Jake hiss. "Don't go in there. The door was locked." Then they heard Sara's gleefully devious little voice. "Well.it's not locked anymore. I unlocked it." Hank's brown eyes grew alarmingly wide as a certain dead puppy whizzed past the open door, straight for them, and he made the only decision his quick thinking mind would allow, rolling his wife's body with his own toward the edge of the bed. Damn, the floor was harder than he remembered, was the last thought he had before slipping into unconsciousness.
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Abby tiptoed back into her bedroom, closing the door behind her with a soft snick and leaning back against it with a sigh. She wasn't going to seduce the man with another woman in the room. That was sure. So she resigned herself to that disappointing fact and slipped the robe from her shoulders and trudging to her empty bed. She threw herself face first onto the bed and yanked her comforter over her half-clad body with one arm. "Not going to happen tonight," she grumbled. Those two looked awfully chummy out there. And to think she'd thought Whitney Russell didn't smile much. "Face it, Abby," she muttered into her pillow, hating herself for the nagging jealousy rising up within her. "You're not a blip. You're not even a speck," she groaned, burying her tawny head beneath a mound of pillows and willing herself to calm down and forget all about ALMOST making a royal fool out of herself. The worst part of this whole thing.she DID care. And that pissed her off. She was in BIG trouble.
Chapter 35
"Dr. Nick's taking Whitney to the party! WHITNEY?!" Abby's hazel eyes were so wide Kay nearly burst into laughter. "What the hell happened here, Abby? I'm out of town for what? Not even a full week, and already." Kay decided to tone it down a little bit at the look on her friend's face. Was it dejection or rejection? "Well.he may be taking Whitney to the dance, but it's you he's going to be holding at midnight. My scheming skills are a tad rusty, but I think I can dust them off for something as important as this," Kay winked at Abby, shepherding her toward her bedroom. "Where's your dress?" "I can dress myself," Abby muttered, rolling her eyes at Kay. "What about Miguel?" "He's going to be here in an hour to pick us up," Kay answered her, "so it's a good thing I'm already dressed. But you.get out of those sweats. I hate to say this, but moping isn't a good look on you. And I mean that in the nicest possible way."
"Dammit!" Abby swore as she caught a glance of herself in her mirror- tangled tawny hair and all, "I'm not going looking like this." "Of course, you're not," Kay placated calmly. "Get your ass in the shower." Off Abby's pointed glare, Kay snapped her fingers. "Wasting valuable time here. HURRY!" Kay grinned when she heard the shower start up seconds later. Visiting Chicago and Jess and Reese was nice.but she knew where she was NEEDED. She dug her cell phone out of her small, sequined handbag and punched in Miguel's cell phone number. "Miguel.we have a tiny change in plans.Could you drop the boys off at your mother's?.Thanks.I love you, too.Bye," she smiled as she ended the phone call. "Abby!" Abby's muffled, irritated voice made her giggle. "Yes, Drill Sergeant."
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"Aww, Mom," Jake whined. "Do Sara and Emily have to go?" "Jake," Gwen sighed. "It's not that big of a deal. Emmy's already asleep," she said, nodding at one half of her tiresome twosome slumped against Hank's shoulder. Drooling all over his tux jacket, no doubt. "And Sara.you'll get along fine. Besides.they won't be the only girls there. What about Ali? Did you forget about her?" Jake ducked his brown head in embarrassment as he muttered, "Ali's different." "What's that Little Buddy?" Hank teased his blushing son. "Nothing, Dad," Jake raised his head to glare at his dad. "All right. They can go," he grumbled. "I'm glad you're being the big guy and allowing us this small favor," Gwen smirked, running a hand over her son's unruly brown mop of hair.
"Yuck, Mom," Jake scowled. "She did the spit thing again," Sara told her brother, scrunching up her nose in disgust. "I did?" Gwen grimaced. "Yeah, Babe," Hank grinned, giving her a quick kiss on the lips. "Knew I was rubbing off on you." "Shut up," Gwen said, rolling her brown eyes at her husband. No wonder Mother was always so irked. "We better go before Pilar's temporary lapse of insanity is over, and she decides to turn us away at the door when we get there." "Is MJ going to be there, too?" Sara asked, gazing up at her dad expectantly as he led her to their car. "Yep," Hank answered her, shifting Emily to his other side so he could open the car door. "The whole gang," he told her, grinning at his wife a few feet across from him. Insanity indeed, he agreed silently as he buckled his sleeping daughter in and made sure Jake and Sara were situated as well. He didn't know if Pilar would retain her saintly patience after this little adventure.
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"Mr. Lopez-Fitzgerald," Chad cleared his throat uncomfortably, giving his collar a nervous tug. "Yes, Son?" Martin gave the young man before him a friendly smile. He looked liked he needed it. An uncertain expression passed over Chad's features momentarily before he grinned back at Theresa's father. "You called me 'Son', Sir." Martin chuckled. "Yes. Yes, I did. What can I do for you, Chad?" "Son.Son's alright, Sir. Yeah. I think I like it." Pilar smiled at the pair from the hallway leading to her Theresita's childhood room. "Okay, Son," Martin's eyes danced with humor as he granted Chad's request. "But you don't have to call me Sir or even Mr. Lopez-Fitzgerald. Martin's fine. You seem to have an awful lot on your mind. You want to tell me about it?" After talking with her daughter as she helped her get dressed, Pilar knew what was coming, and she wasn't so sure her husband was ready for Chad's particular question no matter how much he liked the young man. "Mr. Lopez-Fitzger.Martin.it's about your daughter." Pilar heaved a huge sigh of relief when she heard a familiar voice behind her, and all eyes turned to the sound, admiring the pretty picture Theresa made in her shimmering pink gown. "Did I hear my name?" she asked, giggling at the expressions on her papa's and Chad's faces.
Martin stepped forward to enfold his daughter in his arms. "Look at you. All grown up and pretty as a picture. You're a lucky young man, Son," Martin said, relinquishing his daughter to Chad's capable care. "I know," Chad said, more to himself than to the man before him, and the room was silent for several seconds as Chad gazed at Theresa until she burst into another fit of laughter. This time slightly embarrassed laughter. "You look nice," she whispered, fingering the lapels of Chad's well-fitted tux. "Thanks," Chad grinned. "Papa," an amused voice rang out, making all four heads turn toward the front door. "I can't believe you're letting him ogle my little sister like that." Theresa giggled and chastised her big brother, "Luis. Chad wasn't ogling me. He was admiring me. Right, Chad?" Chad chanced a quick glance Martin and Pilar's way then smirked at Luis. "Listen to your sister, Luis. She's right. I wasn't doing nothing but admiring her. Where's Auntie Sher?"
Sheridan appeared at the front door, her sleepy children in front of her, and rolled her blue eyes at Chad. "I heard that." "I thought you liked it when I called you that," Chad grinned at her across the room. "Hey Squirt.Little Man," he greeted Ali and Cristian. Theresa held her arms out for her little niece and nephew, and they trudged toward her. "Mija," Pilar breathed, wrapping her arms around Sheridan's shoulders in a motherly embrace. "You look beautiful." The dress sparkled and glimmered under the dim lighting of the Lopez-Fitzgerald living room. The color.Pilar wasn't sure it had a name, but it was almost the color of champagne, and the cut of the dress was very flattering. "Thanks, Pilar," Sheridan smiled at her. "I wasn't sure the color was right for me, but I loved the dress so much I couldn't not choose it." "The color looks fine," Luis said, surprising Sheridan when he looped his arms around her waist from behind and pulled her back against his length. "I'm still biased." "Luis was disappointed the dress wasn't red," Sheridan laughed, slightly embarrassed when Luis lips lingered along her neck just a little too long in front of his parents. "Luis." Sheridan could feel him smiling against her skin as he kissed her cheek and released her from his arms.
Ali tugged on her Grandpa Martin's shirt sleeve. "Grandpa Martin." "Yes, Sweetheart?" Martin said, scooping Ali's slight little figure up into his arms and running an affectionate hand over her loose golden hair. "Mommy said Jake was going to come. He's not here yet. Where is he?" "Right behind us," Miguel answered Ali's question, and Sheridan could swear she heard Pilar groan when she laid eyes on her wild little grandson tearing through the front door like a tornado. There wasn't any doubt about it. She DID hear Pilar laugh when Cristian hid behind Theresa's legs when MJ made a beeline for him. "Are you sure you're going to be okay, Pilar?" Sheridan inquired of her softly. "I'll be fine, Mija," Pilar told her, giving her cheek a gentle pat. "It's getting late. Shouldn't you be leaving for the party soon?" Pilar wondered as she took Joshua from Miguel's arms. "We thought we'd wait for Hank and Gwen," Luis told his mother. "Hey Bro," he grabbed Miguel's shoulder, "where's Kay?" "I'm supposed to pick her up at Abby's in.ten minutes." "Where's Miguelito off to in such a hurry," Hank grinned, pulling a surprised Pilar into a bear hug. Gwen and the children filtered in a moment later. "Well.looks like we're all here," Hank announced. "Where are the cameras? Don't you want to record this moment for posterity. This is like Senior Prom times ten," he joked. Badly, Gwen might add to herself. Fondly, of course. This night was going to be SO long.