Part Ten
Sheridan shut her closet doors with a groan and fell back onto her bed. Throwing an arm over her eyes. Gwen paused at the door. An amused smile on her face. "Sheri," Catherine cried. Peeking around Gwen's legs. "Sheri! Are you all pretty yet?" Sheridan laughed and pushed herself up on her on elbows. "Non," she smiled. Tousling Catherine's raven curls. Catherine's emerald eyes sparkled, and she propped her chin on her hands. Elbows resting on the bed in front of Sheridan. Gwen walked to the closet and flung the doors open. "Sheridan! All this, and you can't find ANYTHING to wear?" "It has to be perfect," Sheridan sighed. Gwen walked towards them. Arms laden with clothes. "Really, Sheridan," Gwen teased. "Sometimes you can be so impossible. The man wouldn't care if you showed up in a potato sack. Believe me." Catherine giggled as Sheridan blushed a becoming shade of red. "A potato sack, Gwen?" she asked. Ducking her head. "Yes," Gwen said. Plopping down beside her on the bed. "You could look like a bag lady, and Luis wouldn't care. He's in love with you, Sheridan." "C'est vrai," Catherine piped up, and Sheridan laughed out loud. "C'est vrai? And how would you know?" Catherine's nose crinkled up, and she shrugged her tiny shoulders. "I just know," she said matter-of- factly. "See, Sheridan?" Gwen laughed. "Even a four-year-old sees it. Why can't you?" Sheridan chewed on her bottom lip nervously.
Catherine copied her actions. Crawling into bed beside her and Gwen, and the trio fell back against the pillows. Mound of dresses on top. "I AM awful, aren't I?" Sheridan finally said. Catherine cuddled up against her and tucked her dark head beneath her chin. Her little fingers playing with the rings on Sheridan's fingers. "Not awful," Gwen told her. "Just…cautious." "Cautious," Sheridan groaned. "I hate cautious." Gwen laughed and raised up to look at her. "Well…throw caution to the wind," she teased. "I can't do that," Sheridan whined. "He doesn't trust me, Gwen. He thought…he thought the test was mine, and he confronted me about it." Gwen paled. "Don't worry. I didn't tell. I was all set to forget all my fears, and…" Gwen reached for Sheridan's hand and squeezed it tightly. Sheridan sat up. Bringing Catherine with her. "I'm so sorry." "For what?" Sheridan asked. "I put you in an awkward position. Caused trouble between you and Luis." Catherine watched them with curious green eyes. And even though Sheridan knew most of what they said didn't make any sense to her whatsoever, she also realized…children could be amazingly perceptive. "Catherine," she smiled down at the little girl. "Why don't you go downstairs with Ethan? He must be awfully lonely." "Yeah," Gwen added. "We left him all alone." "I'll go cheer him up," Catherine offered. Kissing first Sheridan's then Gwen's cheek before jumping down and skipping out the door.
Sheridan hugged her knees to her chest and sighed. "Don't feel guilty, Gwen," she murmured. "Mine and Luis's problems…they come from within. I'm beginning to think we're our own worst enemies." Gwen smiled softly at her. "But you must have worked things out. I mean…you're going out on a date with him tonight." A smile tugged at the corners of Sheridan's lips. "He apologized," she divulged. "And he was so sweet about it, I couldn't stay mad at him. He wants to spend forever with me, Gwen," she told the blond sitting in front of her. "And he wants to have lots and lots of babies," she admitted shyly. Gwen grabbed Sheridan's hands in hers and squeezed them. "I'm so happy for you," she squealed excitedly. "Do me a favor, okay? Marry him." "Gwen," she giggled. "He hasn't even asked. Besides…we've only technically been on 3 dates together. Counting tonight." "Sher," Gwen teased. "The man's a total sweetheart. He adores Catherine. And most importantly, he LOVES you. Come on," she laughed. "It's written all over his face every time he looks at you. And speaking of his face…he's drop-dead gorgeous, Honey. You never did spill all the details about the time in Paris when you know…"
Sheridan ducked her head in embarrassment. "Forget it," Gwen grinned. "I think the look on your face says it all. Now…back to your attire for tonight. I'm thinking something irresistibly sexy. And easy to get off," she smirked. "GWEN!" Sheridan shrieked in mortification. Burying her face in the pillow in her hands and screaming. "Oh hell, Sher. You already know you want to spend eternity with the guy. I don't know what you're waiting for. Here," she said. Tossing a red dress at her. "What are you waiting for? It's already past 6. You have less than an hour 'til Luis shows up," she informed her on her way out. "And if you need me," she said. Poking her head back around the door. "I'll be the down the hall emptying my stomach for the hundredth time today." "Too much detail," Sheridan yelled after her as her bedroom door clicked shut.
She twisted around in front of the full-length mirror. Studying her reflection. The deep red dress clung to every curve and stopped just above her knees. And a single string criss-crossed across her bare back. Holding it in place. "Aunt Sheridan," Ethan whistled. "You look…" "Breathtaking," Gwen supplied. Appearing beside him with an enormous smile on her face. Catherine perched on her hip. Fuzzy pink slippered-feet dangling in the air. "Well," Gwen grinned. Transferring Catherine to Ethan's arms and walking up to her. "We definitely got the irresistibly sexy part covered. And if Luis wanted to…one pull of a string, and he'd be able to unwrap you like a present," she teased wickedly. "Gwen!" Ethan exclaimed. Aghast. "Aunt Sheridan…maybe you should change," he blustered. Causing both women to roll their eyes at him simultaneously. "Sheri! Presents! J'adore presents!" Sheridan laughed helplessly at her innocence. Gwen grabbed the bottle of her favorite perfume from her armoire and spritzed some in all the right places. "Aunt Sheridan…that's it! You can't go out looking like that. Especially not with Luis," Ethan grumbled. Catherine frowned and whacked Teddy over his head. Hard. Then blew a raspberry at him before scrambling from his arms and across the room to Sheridan. Sheridan ruffled her black curls affectionately as she hugged her legs. "I think you've been warned," Gwen laughed.
Ethan rubbed the top of his head. Mumbling "Women" under his breath. The doorbell chimed downstairs, and Sheridan hurried to her bedroom window to take a peek outside. "LUIS IS HERE!" Catherine squealed excitedly. Racing out the bedroom door with a wide smile. "Catherine," Ethan called after her. "Catherine…wait!" Gwen laughed. "She's totally not listening to him. Sher? What's the matter?" Sheridan clutched Gwen's hand with an iron-grip. "Don't tell me you're nervous. Sheridan," Gwen groaned. Tugging her toward the bedroom door. "You have NOTHING to be nervous about." She tugged on Sheridan's arm again, but when Sheridan didn't budge, she sighed and dropped her hand. Leaning forward to kiss her cheek. "I'm giving you 5 minutes. If you don't make an appearance by then…Sher," she softened her tone. Smiling. "You'll be fine. Just take deep breaths and relax. Deep breaths and relax. Deep breaths and…" "Gwen," she said in exasperation. "I'm nervous as hell, but I'm not deaf. OR dumb." Gwen smiled and disappeared down the hall. Sheridan leaned back against her door and closed her blue eyes. Making a wish. And she knew when she saw him gazing up at her from the foot of the stairs with an admiring smile on his lips, Catherine in his arms, forever started tonight.
Sheridan shut her closet doors with a groan and fell back onto her bed. Throwing an arm over her eyes. Gwen paused at the door. An amused smile on her face. "Sheri," Catherine cried. Peeking around Gwen's legs. "Sheri! Are you all pretty yet?" Sheridan laughed and pushed herself up on her on elbows. "Non," she smiled. Tousling Catherine's raven curls. Catherine's emerald eyes sparkled, and she propped her chin on her hands. Elbows resting on the bed in front of Sheridan. Gwen walked to the closet and flung the doors open. "Sheridan! All this, and you can't find ANYTHING to wear?" "It has to be perfect," Sheridan sighed. Gwen walked towards them. Arms laden with clothes. "Really, Sheridan," Gwen teased. "Sometimes you can be so impossible. The man wouldn't care if you showed up in a potato sack. Believe me." Catherine giggled as Sheridan blushed a becoming shade of red. "A potato sack, Gwen?" she asked. Ducking her head. "Yes," Gwen said. Plopping down beside her on the bed. "You could look like a bag lady, and Luis wouldn't care. He's in love with you, Sheridan." "C'est vrai," Catherine piped up, and Sheridan laughed out loud. "C'est vrai? And how would you know?" Catherine's nose crinkled up, and she shrugged her tiny shoulders. "I just know," she said matter-of- factly. "See, Sheridan?" Gwen laughed. "Even a four-year-old sees it. Why can't you?" Sheridan chewed on her bottom lip nervously.
Catherine copied her actions. Crawling into bed beside her and Gwen, and the trio fell back against the pillows. Mound of dresses on top. "I AM awful, aren't I?" Sheridan finally said. Catherine cuddled up against her and tucked her dark head beneath her chin. Her little fingers playing with the rings on Sheridan's fingers. "Not awful," Gwen told her. "Just…cautious." "Cautious," Sheridan groaned. "I hate cautious." Gwen laughed and raised up to look at her. "Well…throw caution to the wind," she teased. "I can't do that," Sheridan whined. "He doesn't trust me, Gwen. He thought…he thought the test was mine, and he confronted me about it." Gwen paled. "Don't worry. I didn't tell. I was all set to forget all my fears, and…" Gwen reached for Sheridan's hand and squeezed it tightly. Sheridan sat up. Bringing Catherine with her. "I'm so sorry." "For what?" Sheridan asked. "I put you in an awkward position. Caused trouble between you and Luis." Catherine watched them with curious green eyes. And even though Sheridan knew most of what they said didn't make any sense to her whatsoever, she also realized…children could be amazingly perceptive. "Catherine," she smiled down at the little girl. "Why don't you go downstairs with Ethan? He must be awfully lonely." "Yeah," Gwen added. "We left him all alone." "I'll go cheer him up," Catherine offered. Kissing first Sheridan's then Gwen's cheek before jumping down and skipping out the door.
Sheridan hugged her knees to her chest and sighed. "Don't feel guilty, Gwen," she murmured. "Mine and Luis's problems…they come from within. I'm beginning to think we're our own worst enemies." Gwen smiled softly at her. "But you must have worked things out. I mean…you're going out on a date with him tonight." A smile tugged at the corners of Sheridan's lips. "He apologized," she divulged. "And he was so sweet about it, I couldn't stay mad at him. He wants to spend forever with me, Gwen," she told the blond sitting in front of her. "And he wants to have lots and lots of babies," she admitted shyly. Gwen grabbed Sheridan's hands in hers and squeezed them. "I'm so happy for you," she squealed excitedly. "Do me a favor, okay? Marry him." "Gwen," she giggled. "He hasn't even asked. Besides…we've only technically been on 3 dates together. Counting tonight." "Sher," Gwen teased. "The man's a total sweetheart. He adores Catherine. And most importantly, he LOVES you. Come on," she laughed. "It's written all over his face every time he looks at you. And speaking of his face…he's drop-dead gorgeous, Honey. You never did spill all the details about the time in Paris when you know…"
Sheridan ducked her head in embarrassment. "Forget it," Gwen grinned. "I think the look on your face says it all. Now…back to your attire for tonight. I'm thinking something irresistibly sexy. And easy to get off," she smirked. "GWEN!" Sheridan shrieked in mortification. Burying her face in the pillow in her hands and screaming. "Oh hell, Sher. You already know you want to spend eternity with the guy. I don't know what you're waiting for. Here," she said. Tossing a red dress at her. "What are you waiting for? It's already past 6. You have less than an hour 'til Luis shows up," she informed her on her way out. "And if you need me," she said. Poking her head back around the door. "I'll be the down the hall emptying my stomach for the hundredth time today." "Too much detail," Sheridan yelled after her as her bedroom door clicked shut.
She twisted around in front of the full-length mirror. Studying her reflection. The deep red dress clung to every curve and stopped just above her knees. And a single string criss-crossed across her bare back. Holding it in place. "Aunt Sheridan," Ethan whistled. "You look…" "Breathtaking," Gwen supplied. Appearing beside him with an enormous smile on her face. Catherine perched on her hip. Fuzzy pink slippered-feet dangling in the air. "Well," Gwen grinned. Transferring Catherine to Ethan's arms and walking up to her. "We definitely got the irresistibly sexy part covered. And if Luis wanted to…one pull of a string, and he'd be able to unwrap you like a present," she teased wickedly. "Gwen!" Ethan exclaimed. Aghast. "Aunt Sheridan…maybe you should change," he blustered. Causing both women to roll their eyes at him simultaneously. "Sheri! Presents! J'adore presents!" Sheridan laughed helplessly at her innocence. Gwen grabbed the bottle of her favorite perfume from her armoire and spritzed some in all the right places. "Aunt Sheridan…that's it! You can't go out looking like that. Especially not with Luis," Ethan grumbled. Catherine frowned and whacked Teddy over his head. Hard. Then blew a raspberry at him before scrambling from his arms and across the room to Sheridan. Sheridan ruffled her black curls affectionately as she hugged her legs. "I think you've been warned," Gwen laughed.
Ethan rubbed the top of his head. Mumbling "Women" under his breath. The doorbell chimed downstairs, and Sheridan hurried to her bedroom window to take a peek outside. "LUIS IS HERE!" Catherine squealed excitedly. Racing out the bedroom door with a wide smile. "Catherine," Ethan called after her. "Catherine…wait!" Gwen laughed. "She's totally not listening to him. Sher? What's the matter?" Sheridan clutched Gwen's hand with an iron-grip. "Don't tell me you're nervous. Sheridan," Gwen groaned. Tugging her toward the bedroom door. "You have NOTHING to be nervous about." She tugged on Sheridan's arm again, but when Sheridan didn't budge, she sighed and dropped her hand. Leaning forward to kiss her cheek. "I'm giving you 5 minutes. If you don't make an appearance by then…Sher," she softened her tone. Smiling. "You'll be fine. Just take deep breaths and relax. Deep breaths and relax. Deep breaths and…" "Gwen," she said in exasperation. "I'm nervous as hell, but I'm not deaf. OR dumb." Gwen smiled and disappeared down the hall. Sheridan leaned back against her door and closed her blue eyes. Making a wish. And she knew when she saw him gazing up at her from the foot of the stairs with an admiring smile on his lips, Catherine in his arms, forever started tonight.