Rain On Me
Chapter Five
Theresa and Fox stumbled through the front door of the Crane Mansion flushed and laughing. In the three days since their night out in Boston, the two had become undeniably closer, much to the chagrin of another Harmony resident. Ethan glowered at the grinning pair from his spot on the stairs, his arms crossed and his blue eyes narrowed. His stance faltered slightly as Fox swept her up into his arms for a sweet and tender kiss. Theresa didn't seem to mind in the least, as she responded by wrapping her arms around him, deepening the kiss.
When they part, she smiled, her face aglow. "I'm going to go check on Little Ethan."
"And I'll see what I can do about that eating thing." Fox replied. "Meet you out back in fifteen?"
"Okay," Theresa agreed, pecking his lips again.
Going their separate ways for the time being, she turned toward the stairs. Her brown orbs met Ethan's briefly and she managed a small smile hello before brushing past him. Her journey upwards was stopped a second later when his hand grabbed hold of her elbow.
"I need to talk to you."
Concern washed over her features at his solemn tone. "Is everything okay, Ethan?"
Looking conflicted, Ethan was silent for a moment. "Why don't we go upstairs?"
Shrugging, she followed him up, growing confused when he led her into one of the empty bedrooms.
"Theresa, there's something I need to say, that I've been meaning to say. Maybe this isn't the right time, but I'm going to anyway."
"Ethan, if this is about me and Fox, I don't want to hear it." Theresa protested, to which he sighed.
"He's wrong for you, Theresa! Why can't you see that? He might seem new and exciting now, but you're just going to end up getting hurt and I don't want to see that happen. You deserve so much better."
Something flashed inside her eyes and she folded her arms across her chest. "Look, I appreciate your concern, really, I do. But it's not up to you to save me. If Fox is going to hurt me, it's my decision, it's my heart to break. You gave up any right to me the day you married Gwen."
"Theresa -"
"And by the way," She continued ranting as if she hadn't heard him. "There is no way he could ever hurt me as much as you have."
The statement hung heavy in the air and they stared at each other unblinkingly. Regret found itself a home on his face and he reached for her trembling hand.
"I know I hurt you and I'm sorry for that, but Fox, he would do even worse. He's a player; he's not the type of man to settle down with one woman and you're only going to get your heart broken in the end."
A single tear ran down her cheek in a zigzag trail and she swiped at it angrily. "Then so be it. If he's going to hurt me, then he's going to hurt me, but until then I'm going to enjoy being with him. You're just going to have learn how to accept that."
Theresa turned to leave, but her hand was still held tightly in his. Shaking it free, she shot him a look and moved toward the door. As her fingers closed around the knob, his voice halted her mid-step.
"I love you, Theresa."
Swallowing hard, she swiveled back around. "No."
"Yes. I do."
A wry smile appeared on her lips then. "I waited so long to hear you say that. I thought you'd say it again and we'd fall into each others arms and live happily ever after. But not anymore. The fairytale I always believed to be my destiny is nothing but a fading dream. You married someone else, you're having a child with her. Give your love to them, I don't need it anymore."
And with that, she left, leaving a stunned Ethan in her wake.
After working the midnight shift, Luis stepped out of the dreary police station and into the warm summer sun, intent on going directly home and then to bed. His plans were thwarted however, as he headed toward his car.
In the parking spot beside his, a very pregnant Sheridan was struggling to get out of her seat. After he got over his initial surprise of seeing her there, he broke into a brisk jog to help her out. Her blue eyes snapped up to his when his hand appeared in front of her and she gratefully slipped her hand into his. A second later, she was standing at her full height beside him.
"Thank you."
Nodding, Luis shoved his hands in his pockets. "What are you doing here? Is everything all right?"
"I actually came to see you," Sheridan replied softly. "Do you have a minute?"
Without a word, he led her over to a nearby bench where they sat down together. For a brief second his hand hovered over hers as if he wanted to take it into his own, but it dropped into his lap just before their skin came into contact. Glancing over at her, his dark eyes met hers.
"What's going on; what did you want to talk to me about?"
"I... I was wondering, if you're not busy that is, if you'd want to come with me for my ultrasound today."
One eyebrow arched upward. "Me?"
Her pensive expression softened at his tone. "Of course you. It is your baby."
"I thought -"
"I didn't," She interrupted. "I wasn't sure, but I am now. I can feel it, Luis. This baby is yours; ours. There's no doubt in my mind."
It took a moment but an impossibly large grin stole across his face and his features lit up. "In that case, there's nothing I would love more."
Relieved and thrilled he wanted to go, Sheridan smiled. "Wonderful. Well, we should probably go then. My appointment is in a half hour."
"All right," Luis agreed as he stood and helped her to her feet. "Why don't we take my car and we'll swing by after for yours."
"Okay."
As he ushered her into the passengers seat of his police cruiser, Luis unconsciously rested his hand at the small of her back; the innocent gesture making her heart flip. Perhaps seeing their baby together would start to close the gap between them again. Maybe all was not lost after all.
The lobby of the doctors office was crowded, full of women in varying stages of pregnancy. Luis smiled politely at one woman as Sheridan signed in and she couldn't help but laugh when she turned back around. The woman was staring at him as though he was the tastiest of treats, while he tugged uncomfortably at the collar of his shirt. Sheridan really couldn't blame the lady, though. He definitely warranted the name of Officer Yum Yum in that uniform.
When she saw her advancing on Luis, Sheridan hurried over to him. He eyed her gratefully and the other woman huffed in response as his hand closed over hers. Tingles shot up from the single connection, a feeling not foreign to them. Their eyes met briefly until he pulled her closer, one arm resting around her shoulders. Her eyes shut as he kissed the top of her head, just relishing in this moment. It might not last forever, but it renewed hope that one day it would.
They sat in silence, both more relaxed in each others presence than either had been in months. The loud, intruding voice of the nurse calling her name surprised them both and they regretfully stood together. A small smile appeared on her lips though, when they followed the nurse down the short hall and he took her hand into his once again. He was reopening to her and it caused her heart to do jumping jacks.
Once they were settled in the examination room waiting on the doctor, Luis' dark orbs turned to her and he spoke with a voice rich with emotion.
"Thank you for asking me to come today. I was beginning to think I was going to miss all of this."
Sheridan sighed remorsefully. "I know and I am so sorry. I didn't want you to miss any of this. It's not fair; it's your baby. You should be here."
"I have to admit, I'm surprised Antonio didn't insist on coming with you. How'd you explain this to him?"
Flinching at her husbands name, she swallowed the urge to cry. "I didn't," She admitted softly. "He didn't know about my appointment and he wasn't home when I left."
His jaw ticked at her words. "I see."
Reaching out, her hand cupped his cheek and she forced his eyes to meet hers again. The lingering pain she saw there caused her own to fill with tears.
"I didn't want him here, Luis. This is our baby; ours. This is something we should be experiencing together. Don't let him ruin this for us, please."
Capturing her hand, he brushed a kiss to its top. "You're right, let's not talk about him now. I want to enjoy this."
Just then the doctor entered, her smiling face putting them both at ease immediately.
"Hello, Sheridan. How are you feeling?"
"Not too bad. Better than the last time I was here."
"Good, I'm glad to hear that." She paused to smile at Luis. "And you must be Dad."
The title seemed to immobilize him for a moment before a brilliant and blinding smile spread across his face. "Yeah, I guess that's me. Luis."
"Doctor Kamesh. Please, call me Laura. It's nice to finally meet you."
After he'd returned the sentiment, they got down to business as Laura went to work in examining her patient.
Sheridan, for her part, couldn't wipe the grin from her lips. The excitement of the impending birth of their child finally seemed to be sinking in for Luis and he watched with enraptured interest. He sat beside her the entire time, holding her hand and beaming. It wasn't until Laura wheeled in the sonogram machine that the tears began to slide down her cheeks.
The whooshing sound that echoed through the room as the doctor placed the sonogram wand against her stomach was the only sound to be heard. Sheridan gripped Luis' hand more tightly while Laura searched for a good shot of their baby.
"There it is," She nodded, pointing out the undeniable form of an unborn infant on the small screen.
"Our baby," Sheridan whispered, unable to stop her tears. Glancing over at Luis, she was stunned to find him crying as well. His dark eyes shone with more raw emotion that she'd ever seen and he moved in to kiss her forehead and murmur a quiet, "I love you."
The next night Luis stepped into the bar, still grinning from ear to ear. Rachel spotted him as he entered and made her way over to him.
"You know, I don't think I've ever seen you look so happy. What's going on?"
Since she was on her break, the two settled down in a booth together. His smile never fading, Luis reached into his pocket and removed a glossy photo and handed it to her.
"Check this out," He pointed out the point of interest proudly. "That's my baby!"
His excitement was contagious and Rachel found herself smiling as well.
"Wow, Luis, this is amazing."
"It's incredible," He gushed, the sparkle never leaving his eyes. "Rach, I was there. I was sitting there and I saw my baby. It was the single most surreal and unbelievable moment of my life. I'm going to be a father!"
Biting her lower lip, Rachel glanced over at him. "I thought you said you didn't know for sure?"
"I never doubted it," Luis corrected. "Sheridan wasn't positive, but neither of us have the slightest bit of doubt now. That's my baby."
Reaching over, she squeezed his hand. "I'm really happy for you, Luis. Congratulations."
"Thank you," He grinned, too high in his elated state to notice the look of worry that crossed her features.
Stepping out into the rain, Theresa opened the large umbrella and started down the path that led to the cottage. Fox had called as he'd pulled onto the Crane Estate to inform her that he'd just seen Antonio speed off to parts unknown. With her brother gone, she finally had her chance to talk to Sheridan. Seeing how happy Luis was about the baby only reinforced her determination to get Sheridan to tell Antonio the truth. That child deserved to have its parents together and she was dead set on seeing that it did.
The soft glow of light filled the cottage's windows and Theresa said a silent prayer before knocking. The door swung open a moment later and Sheridan smiled when she saw her.
"Theresa, hi."
"Hi, Sheridan. Can I come in?"
"Oh, of course," She moved aside to allow the younger woman to enter. Taking her jacket, she hung it over the rail and followed her down into the living room. "What brings you by?"
Giving her a warm look, Theresa said, "I was hoping I could talk to you about something."
"Of course; is everything all right?" Sheridan inquired as they sat down on the couch. Theresa shook her head.
"I know it's probably none of my business, but I wanted to talk to you about you and Luis."
"Me and Luis? There is no me and Luis."
The underlying pain her words held didn't surpass Theresa's attention. Reaching over, she patted her hand.
"Sheridan, you know that's not true. There will always be you and Luis. The two of you share something so special, so true, that there is nothing you can't overcome. You still love him and I know he still loves you more than anything else. I just don't want to see you lose out on what's meant to be."
Sheridan's blue eyes filled with fresh tears. "I don't think he can ever forgive me, Theresa. I've hurt him so much. I don't deserve to have someone so wonderful in my life."
"He'll forgive you because he loves you. The only thing standing in your way is Antonio. Now, I love my brother, but Sheridan, you have to tell him the truth."
"Theresa - " Sheridan began, but was immediately cut off.
"Listen to me, please. If you won't do it for you and Luis, do it for your baby. Doesn't he or she deserve to know its real father? Doesn't Luis deserve the chance to be a father to his child? And do you honestly think he's just going to sit by and let Antonio raise that baby as his own? You and I both know how much family means to Luis, there is no way he is going to let another man raise his son or daughter."
"I know! I just -" She paused in frustration.
"Don't you want to be a family with Luis and your baby?" Theresa relentlessly prodded.
"Of course I do! I want that more than anything."
"Then what's stopping you? It's up to you, Sheridan. IF it comes down to Luis having to do it because of the baby, it's going to be a hundred times worse. Just tell him and end this mess so you and Luis can fix things before that baby is born. You owe your child that much at least."
Closing her eyes, Sheridan exhaled loudly before nodding. "You're right, I do. I have to tell him, as soon as possible."