Chapter Twenty-three
Sheridan stood in the middle of the living room, looking at the place that she'd lived for the last few months.
The furniture was still there, but the room had an aseptic feel to it now. She had gathered up the photographs
of Ethan, her books and the other few personal items she'd had and packed them all into boxes.
Other than the last two days with Luis there were no real memories in this house though, and Sheridan wasn't all
that upset about leaving. They were going to drive back to Harmony and her Jeep was already loaded with her boxes,
ready to go in the morning.
She moved to the window, looking out at the neighbourhood. That was one thing she was going to miss. Even though
she had only made casual acquaintances with the neighbours she liked the feeling of community living there had
provided. The cottage on the Crane estate had only served to make her more lonely and cut off from the town. She
vowed right then that she would be buying a house in Harmony as soon as possible... perhaps in the nice area near
the Russells and Bennetts...
Luis awoke to find himself alone in the bed. The sheets next to him were cold, and he knew she'd been gone for
a while. He slipped into his boxers and went in search of her. He encountered Snowy in the hallway and received
what could only be described as a cat glare. He returned the look, wondering briefly what Sheridan saw in the creature,
and moved on.
He saw her in the living room. The light from the hallway illuminated her and Luis could tell she was deep in
thought. He moved behind her, slipping his arms around her, and nuzzling her neck. "Hello Angel." He
whispered. Sheridan didn't even startle when he touched her... although she hadn't heard him coming she'd felt
his presence. She leaned into his embrace, tilting her head as he nuzzled her. "Hello Love," she replied
softly.
"Are you alright?" He asked, resting his head against hers and staring out the window with her. "I'm
fine. I was just thinking about Harmony. I'm not going back to the cottage... I want a real home."
Luis nodded. "I think that's a good idea." He was about to invite her to stay with them, but she continued.
"The first thing I'm going to do is buy a house. Not a house like this, but a nice older house... like the
Bennetts have. It's so beautiful and homey..."
"Yeah, a great place for a family..." Luis could already picture their kids, smaller versions of themselves,
running through a house like that. Sheridan smiled. "Yes, a family..." She turned in his arms and smiled
tentatively. "...our family?" She whispered. "Would it bother you to live in a house that I bought
Luis?"
Luis thought about it carefully, knowing she deserved a true answer, not the quick 'no' that she hoped for. There
was a time when he wouldn't have hesitated to deliver a resounding 'yes'. Now he thought about how he'd missed
her, how much he loved her and he realized that where they would live wasn't important. "No Sheridan, it wouldn't
bother me. As long as it's a real home... and not some sterile place like the mansion. All I want is to be with
you."
"Oh Luis... I would never want a place like that either. My whole life I've hated that house... longed for
a place that felt like home." She slid her arms up around his neck and kissed him softly. Then she pulled
away and whispered, "I love you Luis... more than anything."
"I love you too Angel." He returned the kiss and then sighed. "We need some sleep..." He was
thinking about the long drive they had ahead of them. Sheridan smiled. "Well, I was thinking about going
back to bed, but sleeping wasn't exactly what I had in mind..." She smiled seductively and Luis was done for.
He scooped her up into his arms and carried her to bed, lowering her gently to the sheets and they made love long
into the night.
The next morning they awoke early, feeling remarkably well rested considering how few hours of sleep they'd had.
Sheridan was up first, showered and dressed before Luis was fully awake. She returned to sit on the edge of the
bed. "Good morning Love." "Good morning Angel." He smiled and pulled her down for a kiss.
"I ordered in breakfast." She told him. "It should be here by the time you're ready."
Luis gave her a mock scowl. "You didn't wait for me... we could've showered together... you know, conserved
water." Sheridan laughed, a light, joyous sound that warmed Luis' heart. "If we showered together it
would NOT conserve water... we would be in there until it ran cold!" Luis looked at her, trying not to grin.
"What's your point?" Sheridan giggled and fell on him, digging her fingers into his sides, until he
thought he would die laughing. They lay there in each others arms, never remembering a time when either of them
had been happier. Finally Sheridan groaned and got up. "We can't lay here all day... get up and get into that
shower!" She ordered with a grin. "Today is the start of my... our new life and I want it to begin."
Luis couldn't argue with that and he headed for the shower, taking great pleasure in the way her eyes raked over
his naked body as he passed her. Sheridan closed her eyes against temptation and went to finish preparing to leave.
An hour later Sheridan handed the keys to the house to Carly Wilkins, with instructions to give them to the real
estate salesclerk who would stop by later. Luis was putting the cat carrier with a very annoyed Snowy, into the
back seat of the jeep. As Sheridan approached the cat reached through the bars and raked her claws across Luis'
arm.
"Can't we just mail her to Harmony?" He scowled at Sheridan, who simply grinned and gave him a quick
kiss.
"Once you two become acquainted you'll love each other."
She tossed the Jeep keys to Luis. "You can drive." She told him, slipping into the passenger seat. Luis
grinned. "Ah, concerned for the safety of us and the other drivers this morning?" he asked as he got
into the Jeep. Sheridan reached over and cuffed him. "Watch it buster!" Luis started the engine and backed
out of the driveway, letting the jeep idle by the curb a minute. "Got everything?" He asked, giving her
a minute to think. She didn't need a minute. "I have everything I need... right here." She lay her hand
on his arm and smiled. "All I'll ever need."
Luis smiled back, and pulled away from the curb. Sheridan watched the house slip by, feeling only the tiniest
twinge of loss, waved to Carly and said goodbye to Angela Baker forever. |
