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Chapter Four
Sheridan and Luis left the Pool Hall and walked along the Pier.
They were holding hands. Sheridan stopped and looked out at the Harbor. "What are you thinking about?"
Luis asked. Sheridan sighed, "You know…just things. The future." Luis knew that these past few weeks
had been a real time of change for Sheridan. She was living on her own and now she had a job. He wanted her to
know that this was all just temporary. He wanted her to know that she wouldn’t always be alone and that he wanted
to make a life with her, but that seemed like too much for her to handle right now.
Luis said, "I know this is all moving really fast right now, but living in that apartment and working at the
Pool Hall is just a stopping over point. One day you’ll settle down and start a family, if that’s what you want."
Luis got really embarrassed. Sheridan smiled and turned to him. "Of course that’s what I want. And things
are definitely not moving too fast. I like my new apartment and my neighbors and everything about my life right
now. It’s just that sometimes I get restless." She looked down.
Luis wondered what she meant by this. She explained, "I just want you to know that I think about us, and I
wonder what it would be like to be with you." Luis held her tight. "You are with me." Sheridan was
frustrated. He just didn’t get it. She pulled herself away from their embrace and put her hands on his face. "No,
Luis. That’s not exactly what I was talking about." Luis was starting to get the picture.
All this time, he had been holding back, not wanting to rush her. He smiled at her "Oh…I see." He finally
got it. She looked him square in the eyes and said, "I want you to make love to me. It doesn’t have to be
tonight. I just wanted you to know that I think about it...quite a lot, actually. If I am rushing things and you
aren’t ready for this, just say so." Luis interjected, "NO…NO…I am definitely ready. I’ve been ready
for a long time, Sheridan. I just didn’t want to go too fast. I want our first time to be special." He leaned
down to kiss her. They stood there looking at each other for awhile.
Sheridan and Luis made their way back to her apartment. As they walked up the stairs to Sheridan’s place, Sheridan
noticed that the door was open to Ms. O’Malley’s apartment. She motioned to Luis that she was just going to check
on the old woman. "Bridget, is everything ok? Your door was open." The old woman was on the floor, clutching
the telephone. "Luis, quick call 911", Sheridan shouted. Ms. O’Malley grabbed Sheridan’s hand, "No,
honey, just call my niece. She will know what to do. I’m a diabetic and sometimes I just take a turn. I can’t afford
any hospital." Sheridan held her hand, "It’s ok, Bridget. I know a doctor I can call just to take a quick
look at you. I’ll call her first and then call your niece."
Luis and Sheridan waited for Eve Russell to arrive and then for Ms. O’Malley’s niece, Georgia, to get there. Eve
explained that Bridget was going to be ok. Eve had worked out a room at the hospital for her at very little charge
and would help her with the billing process. Sheridan pulled Eve to the side, "Dr. Russell, why don’t they
have a place for Bridget. A lot of people down here need medical attention and just can’t afford it." Eve
explained, "I know. The city planned to put a Clinic down here last year, but the funding fell through. No
one wants to foot the bill."
Sheridan and Luis waited until everyone left for the hospital and made their way back to her apartment. Sheridan’s
mind was racing about Bridget and the other friends she had made while living down on the Pier. She and Luis stayed
up talking about it until 2 AM. Luis loved this woman. She was so genuinely compassionate. And now, she had told
him that she was ready to take things to the next level. He had some planning to do. He wanted everything to be
just right. Sheridan fell asleep on the sofa. Luis carried her into bed, covered her with a blanket, and made his
way home.
Sheridan was walking back from the hospital. Bridget’s condition had improved and Sheridan was feeling happy. She
opened the door to her apartment to find Luis going through her drawers. "Looking for something pink and frilly?"
she asked. Luis laughed and kept searching. "No. Just about finished." Sheridan noticed the bag on her
bed. She smiled, "What are you up to, Lopez-Fitzgerald?"
Luis kept quiet. He zipped up the bag and grabbed her by the hand. They were out the door in a flash and down the
stairs to his jeep. It was a beautiful spring day, and Sheridan had no idea of where they were headed. "Should
I even ask?" Sheridan joked. "You’re not going to tell me anyway, are you?" Luis shook his head,
indicating no. "Well, how long are we going to be gone? What about Bridget?" Sheridan asked. Luis responded,
"Don’t worry. I gave my cell number to Dr. Russell." Sheridan continued, "And Ethan? What if he
needs me?" Luis started the car, "Done. He’s got my number too."
Luis leaned over to fasten Sheridan’s seatbelt. She asked, "Ok, well what about my job?" Luis put the
jeep into first gear and put his foot on the accelerator, "Taken care of…you have the next two days off. Now
sit back and relax. We’ll be there in about an hour."
Sheridan watched the coastline as they followed the road North. Luis grabbed her hand every now and then and smiled
at her. She was a little apprehensive but very excited about what the next few days might hold. She closed her
eyes and began to drift as the sun shone down on her face. She heard the car stop. "We’re here, Baby."
Luis whispered.
It was a beautiful Victorian house on a cliff overlooking the Ocean. Luis came around to Sheridan’s side and opened
the door. "Luis, this is beautiful. You are so wonderful to do this." He smiled proudly, "I just
thought that we needed some time away together." They walked up to their room, which had a breathtaking view
of the sea.
Luis watched Sheridan’s expression as she looked around the room. He explained, "I hope you don’t mind that
we are sharing a room. It’s just that after our talk the other night, well…I just thought that…I mean it’s not
like we haven’t shared a bed before." Sheridan walked over and grabbed his hand. "It’s perfect, Luis…everything
is perfect." She gave him a small kiss.
Just then the innkeeper brought in a basket of fresh fruit. He suggested, "You two might want to take a walk
around the grounds. We have a lovely garden out back and of course the seaside out front. The sunset will be setting
in about an hour." Sheridan and Luis took his advice and headed out to the beach.
Sheridan and Luis walked hand in hand down to the sea. They took their shoes off and splashed in the sea. "You’re
gonna get it, Luis. I told you to stop it with the splashing." Sheridan said. Luis ran off down the beach
to escape her revenge. Sheridan thought it would be funnier to let him keep running while she made her way back
up the cliff.
Luis finally caught on and turned around to find her. She was nowhere in sight. Sheridan was halfway up the path
when she heard a woman calling, "Buster, Buster…where are you?" The woman sounded distressed. "Can
I help?" Sheridan offered. "Yes. I can’t find my little dog. He’s a White Cairn Terrier, and he never
wanders far." Sheridan offered to help her look. Sheridan heard the whimper of the pup coming from a cave
below and motioned to the lady that she was going to check it out. She put her bag down on the edge of the cliff.
Luis continued looking for Sheridan. He figured she must be hiding to pay him back for the splashing. He saw her
bag on the edge of the cliff. The ocean was really starting to come in and the water was crashing into the rocky
wall. Panic set in as Luis wondered if a wave could have knocked Sheridan into the water.
He looked around and saw nothing. Just then he saw the old woman and he ran over to her, "Have you seen a
woman walking around here. Her bag is over there, but I can’t find her." The woman pointed as Sheridan came
around the corner, carrying the dog.
"Oh thank you so much…my Buster, my sweet little man." The woman turned to Luis. "Your wife is so
kind. She saved my little dog." Sheridan walked over and handed the dog to the old woman. "Thank you,
thank you. I don’t know what I would have done if I had lost my Buster. I was just telling your husband how much
I appreciate your kindness." Sheridan blushed. She explained that it was really no problem and that she was
glad to help. The old woman said goodbye, put Buster back on his leash, and walked away.
Luis grabbed Sheridan and turned her towards him. He gave her a huge hug. Sheridan enjoyed having his arms around
her, but she was a little confused. Luis was shaking a little and holding Sheridan very tightly. Sheridan pulled
him away and said, "Luis, what’s wrong?" His eyes were welling up with tears as he told her about his
worst fears. "I am so sorry. I wasn’t thinking, Luis. I never meant to worry you." Sheridan whispered.
Luis replied, "It’s ok. I just don’t know what I would do if…" he couldn’t finish his sentence. Sheridan
held him and stroked his head. They walked back to the Inn.
As they dressed for dinner, Sheridan joked about the old woman. "Do you like how she thought you were my husband?
We must look like we’re on our honeymoon." She joked. Luis thought how nice it would be if he could call her
his wife. He smiled at her and said, "I kind of liked it when she called you ‘my wife’". He confessed.
Sheridan walked over to Luis and gave him an intense, sweet kiss.
Luis touched her face and said, "You are the best thing that has ever happened to me. I thank God every day
for bringing you into my life." Now Sheridan was the one with tears in her eyes. Luis told her that they better
head down stairs for dinner. They talked all through their meal about their first meeting and all the things that
had happened since.
Several couples got up to dance. Luis extended his hand and guided Sheridan onto the dance floor. They had barely
made it through the first slow dance when Sheridan whispered into his ear, "Let’s go upstairs." Luis
looked at her as she took his hand and guided him up the stairs. They entered the room and Sheridan lit some candles.
Luis came up behind her and began to kiss her back. She turned towards him and began unbuttoning his shirt. They
began to kiss passionately. Luis unzipped Sheridan’s dress. He carried her to the bed and gently placed her on
the pillow. Luis could tell by looking at Sheridan’s eyes that she wanted him. They made love all night long. It
was as if they couldn’t let go of one another. They faced each other and never said a word. Luis just kept stroking
her face as Sheridan smiled. They both whispered, "I love you" and fell asleep in each other’s arms.
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