~16~
"What was that?" Martin demanded when he and Luis were alone. "I know you're not that cold, Son. Driving her away is not the answer."
Luis crossed his arms over his middle defensively. "You don't know what you're talking about."
"I'm not blind," Martin countered. "And I'm not stupid. That little scene you just pulled…"
"It wasn't a scene," Luis interjected. "It's the way things are. It's the way they have to be." He tried to shrug, appear unaffected by his own words, but he couldn't hide the pain or unrest in his eyes.
"Would you listen to yourself?" Martin asked incredulously, pacing the confines of the living room restlessly. "You're succeeding where Alistair failed."
Luis's face was dark, unreadable as Martin continued to rail at him.
"How many times, Luis, did he try to keep you and Sheridan apart? How many secrets, lies, evil plans?" Martin's hands moved agitatedly, speaking for him. "You went to hell and back to be with her, to love her, many times over, only to let your own pigheadedness do you in. You're doing Alistair's dirty work for him, Luis. You're pushing her away and hurting everybody in the process, especially that little boy in there."
Luis felt a crushing ache in his chest at the minutes old memory of his son, inconsolable over Sheridan's leaving. Shaking the image from his mind, he reminded himself that what he was doing was for Marty's own good. Then he reminded his father. "I'm doing this FOR Marty."
"You're not doing any of this for Marty, Luis," Martin wouldn't be convinced. "You're doing this for you because you're hurt and angry and too scared to take one last chance."
"What if I'm all out of last chances?" Luis ventured, the weight of his feelings finally dragging him down and showing in the minute wavering and tiredness of his voice.
"Then I'd say you have a lonely life ahead of you."
Will Luis heed his father's words?
Keep reading (if you are, lol) to find out.
To be continued.
Feedback is loved and adored.